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Central York School District has been designated as a Great Pennsylvania School.

This designation recognizes Pennsylvania public schools that provide students with access to rigorous programming, are community-centric, demonstrate financial well-being and display resilience, according to a news release.

To receive this designation, districts must meet certain criteria. For example, they must confirm that 100% of their teachers are certified and that students have access to career and technical education, gifted education, advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses and JROTC programming.

More in local news: York WW II veteran and POW, 100, shares harrowing tale of being shot down over Germany

To demonstrate a districts position as the centerpiece of the community, it must exemplify innovation in school programming, regularly celebrate the successes of students and staff and provide academic and extracurricular offerings for the benefit of students.

Central York is one of the first few school districts in the state to receive this designation.

"We are super proud of the work we are accomplishing at Central York. We are surrounded by a dynamite group of educators devoted to our kids and our community. While this accolade is appreciated, we remain mission minded on our focus of Every Panther. Every Day. In Every Way," Central York Supt. Peter Aiken said in a statement.

More to see: Taking your sweetie out for Valentine's Day? Try these romantic York County restaurants

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Central York School District named a Great Pennsylvania School
Editors Note: Jemar Tisby, PhD is the author of the book, The Color of Compromise, and his forthcoming book is The Spirit of Justice. He is a professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky, and writes frequently at JemarTisby.Substack.com. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

As a historian of race, I find Black History Month to be the most wonderful time of the year.

Jemar Tisby - Acorn Studio

The whole country turns its attention toward Black history-makers and their stories. We plan events, talk about books and remind ourselves that Black history is indeed American history.

But there is an issue with how most of us commemorate Black History Month.

We tend to view Black history as isolated points on a timeline instead of a coherent and continuous story.

When we look at Black history as a set of separate facts without their proper context, we can miss the significance  and the beauty  of it.

This troubling lack of context is also why so many people think history is boring. If its just memorizing names and dates devoid of the compelling stories that surround them, then why should anyone care?

When we consider context, we address pivotal questions: Who were the other historical actors influencing outcomes? What other events served as precursors? What were the ramifications and aftereffects?

One example of the importance of context when studying Black history is the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

Most of us know of the horrific events that day in Birmingham, Alabama on September 15, 1963 when four Black girls at church  Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley  were killed in an explosion caused by dynamite.

It was a stunning act of racial terrorism, even in the Jim Crow South.

But context tells us that the bombing was one of many in a city that had already earned the ignominious nickname Bombingham.

This horrific act also came partly as a response to the Childrens Crusade, which happened in May of 1963. Hundreds of young people, from middle school to high school, went through training in nonviolent direct action in preparation to march and protest. Some of that training happened at the 16th Street Baptist Church.

The images of children being sprayed with firehoses and police dogs snarling at them is etched in our national memory. But the protests were effective, and city officials agreed to what became known as the Birmingham Truce Agreement, which acquiesced to protestors demands for desegregation according to a specified timetable.

The first public school in Birmingham to desegregate was Graymont Elementary School on September 4, just days before the bombing.

In the aftermath, the bombing had the opposite of its intended effect. The attack did not intimidate racial justice activists. Instead it emboldened them to work harder and helped mobilize public sentiment around desegregation.

We miss all this if we only look at one date on the calendar.

If you want to get the most out of Black History Month and understand the larger flow of history, here are a few practices that can help.

Go to a museum  alone.

I know it may take some planning to get the time and make the arrangements to spend an afternoon flying solo, but its worth it.

You get to linger over the artifacts. Read every caption. Sit on a bench and marinate on what youre learning.

We are so often rushed through a museum because were with others and we have to accommodate our schedule to theirs.

What if you took all the time you needed to absorb the history at a museum?

Read a whole book on some aspect of Black history.

This isnt a stretch for folks who love to read, but Ive learned never to overestimate how many people grab their facts randomly online instead of sitting down with a book for an extended period.

Reading a book on history from beginning to end, especially books written by actual historians, gives you a sense of the context and overall timeline of an era.

You learn what people and ideas influenced figures from the past. You discover lesser-known and under-appreciated people who played a major role in shaping the past. You gain a notion of what political, economic and social dynamics influenced decisions.

Reading Jonathan Eigs detailed new biography of Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, will reveal King not as a mythological figure but as a man who was brilliant in some areas and disappointingly flawed in others  just like every other human being.

Other well-written and researched books include Until I Am Free, Keisha Blains biography of legendary Mississippi activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and Clint Smiths How the Word is Passed.

You can also check online for Black History Month book reading lists.

Or you can make history come alive by asking a family member or friend about a historical event or time period.

I remember asking my mom, who was a young teacher in Michigan during the Civil Rights movement, what she remembered about the era.

Even though she lived in the North, schools would occasionally get warnings about protests and potential riots. When these notifications came over the PA system, she would have to take her class into the hallway and have the children sit with their hands covering their heads in case rocks or bricks came through the windows.

The history we learn from people around us may never end up in a book or documentary, but it adds personal context and significance to the past that we might otherwise never have known.

To get the most out of Black History Month, you can also try explaining some historical event or person to someone else, especially children.

You know you understand a topic deeply when you can effectively teach it to someone else.

Explaining Black history, especially to a young person, brings with it the opportunity for them to ask questions in their own way.

Who was that person? Why were they important? Why did they make that choice? Why does this matter?

When we talk about Black history to other people, their questions and curiosity will inspire us to form a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the subject.

Finally, access the primary sources.

Much of what we learn about history comes filtered from the lens and perspectives of others. This isnt necessarily bad, but primary sources offer us the unmediated tales of the past.

Primary sources are the words and actions that come directly from the historical actors themselves. They are speeches, sermons, songs, letters, memos and eyewitness testimonies from the people who were actually there.

Documentary histories such as Eyes on the Prize, African American Voices: A Documentary Reader from Emancipation to the Present and African American Religious History: A Documentary Witness, collect dozens of primary sources in a single volume.

While we can always learn from others, there is no replacing looking at the words and actions of history for yourself.

Black History Month serves as an annual cultural tradition where we get to focus on the people and events that often go overlooked and under-appreciated.

Rather than sharing a few posts on social media or reading a few articles online, we can get the most out of Black History Month by recognizing history as a continuous, dramatic story and not just a set of disconnected dates.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
It comes as no surprise that the Southern Plains bumblebee is already potentially extinct in West Texas, a region marked as one of the largest agricultural landscapes in the nation. For decades, the species has dwindled in numbers across the U.S., and many experts point to farming as the primary driver.

Now, in a move long awaited by conservationists and biologists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced its decision to review the species for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

In the remaining parts of Texas where the bumblebee is still known to live, including the northernmost portion of the Panhandle and much of the land east of Interstate 35, theres still an opportunity to sustain the species without federal protections.

But Jess Tyler, the staff scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity who filed the petition requesting the bumblebees consideration for listing in July 2022, emphasized that the primary goal for federal listing isn't simply to sustain the population but rather to recover it  both by increasing numbers within its current range and reintroducing it into areas like West Texas, where the Southern Plains bumblebee has vanished.

Conservation cant come too early for the Southern Plains bumblebee; were hoping that the Fish and Wildlife Service takes the decline of the species seriously, Tyler said. There are 46 species of bumblebees in North America, and over the last few decades, were seeing that were losing the diversity of species across the entire country. Even really common species, like the American bumblebee, are not as common as it used to be. But relatively less common species, like the Southern Plains bumblebee, are becoming even less common.

Getting ahead of the curve is really important, he added.

In the petition, in which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed all claims as factual, Tyler highlighted the most pressing challenges for the species: Monoculture crop systems, which leave minimal to no habitat for food and nesting; pesticide use; and residential and commercial development.

He also cited habitat contamination and invasive species, including non-native plants  which overcrowd and replace the native flora crucial for food  and introduced taxa  like the commercialized honeybee, which create competition for food and potentially promote disease transmission.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which designated the Southern Plains bumblebee as endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species, notes that the current population occupies only approximately 20 to 25% of its historic range. Referring to a 2012 article in Biodiversity and Conservation, which indicated that the species persisted in only 27% of its re-sampled historic range and exhibited a significant decline in relative abundance, the IUCN stated in its 2014 portfolio that the bumblebee's population had decreased by about half.

Tyler added that the bumblebee once inhabited 26 states in the Midwest and eastern U.S. However, over the years, it has disappeared from six states, including Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Ohio.

It is still locally abundant in some places in Texas, Tyler said. But (as weve discussed), grassland ecosystems are very imperiled and are being degraded by many factors, and that's the kind of habitat the bee needs to survive.

Silent Plains, Part One: Silent Plains: With a history of neglect, grasslands have become the forgotten ecosystem

Part Two: The most imperiled ecosystem: Grassland wildlife declining in West Texas, Great Plains

More: Bison decline contributed to dwindling prairie landscape on Great Plains

An opportunity for farmers

In the expansive 12,000-square-mile area between Abilene, Amarillo, and Midland, the Southern Plains bumblebee had not been observed for 15 to 20 years when the IUCN portfolio was published in 2014, leading to its potential extinction classification.

Now, another decade has passed, and the bumblebee has presumably not made its return to the region, said Rich Hatfield, who curated the species portfolio in his role as the IUCN Red List authority for the bumblebee specialist group.

The species is grassland dependent, and a vast majority of our historic grasslands in that region have been converted to agriculture or have been converted to sprawling cities or other things, said Hatfield, who also serves as a senior conservation biologist for the endangered species program of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Data confirms that its been a while since the Southern Plains bumblebee  despite its name  has made its mark on West Texas.

One record from the Symbiota Collections of Arthropods Network (SCAN), which collects data from more than 225 universities, agencies, and organizations across the nation, shows the regions most recent sighting in July 1997 near Sterling, Texas. Furthermore, among the more than 5,800 species and 4.6 million specimens in the Invertebrate Zoology Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University's Natural Science Research Laboratory, there is only one Southern Plains bumblebee on record.

Hatfield said he believes it will take federal protections for the species population to recover. But he also recognizes the essential need to strike a balance between conservation for the sustainability of wildlife and agriculture, which humans depend upon.

If the species was listed, it could certainly create a lot of positive conservation action throughout the region, Hatfield said. And in my opinion, everybody should be on board with that, including farmers, many of whom are dependent on pollinators for their livelihood.

Acknowledging the contentious debate surrounding the Endangered Species Act and its implications for private property rights and regulations, he believes the conservation of this species as a net-positive opportunity rather than an imposition. He added that this effort is something that all should be willing to embrace because of the services they contribute. (According to a 2021 study published in Insects, scientists have calculated that the annual estimated benefit of ecological services provided by native insects in the United States surpasses $57 billion. Bee pollination, on its own, amounts to more than $3 billion of this total.)

I totally understand and appreciate the perspective of people not wanting more regulations or not wanting the government telling them how they can do their work, Hatfield said. But I think we also all need to step back and recognize that its our daily actions that have led this species to this status. The agricultural system that weve created does not work for this species, and so we, as a society, if were going to value these species, if were going to value the contributions that they give us for our food and for our healthy ecosystem, that means we need to change the way we work  and thats not happening voluntarily. Were still in monoculture systems, and were using more chemicals.

So, if we need to force people to behave differently by regulations, thats because thats our last option at this point, he added.

If the US Fish and Wildlife Service formally approves the species for federal listing, Hatfield said the government agency would likely incentivize farmers to establish native habitat on their land.

This aims to restore native pollinator populations and promote insect biodiversity and could serve as a natural pest control method and potentially reduce, or even eliminate, the need for chemical usage.

All of these (practices) can be accomplished with natural habitat, Hatfield said. The better we can do to create a more sustainable agricultural system, the better off all of us will be long-term, both health-wise, but also economically for these farmers. Protecting these animals, in my opinion, is a win-win. Its a win for biodiversity, and its a win for farmers.

Reporter's Note: The Associated Press style for "bumblebees" is one word without a hyphen. While organizations and agencies may differ in their usage, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal adheres to the journalistic style of "bumblebee" following AP guidelines.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 'Opportunity for farmers': Southern Plains bumblebee under ESA review
Police departments across the Valley have seen a rise of residential home burglaries believed to be committed by organized crime tourists, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

Police from Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Gilbert and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office have all dealt with past or ongoing cases believed to be linked to organized crime known to law enforcement as South American theft groups or crime tourists.

Scottsdale police brought attention to the renewed trend and spike in home burglaries, which police said is part of a larger nationwide problem all involving similar crimes.

Scottsdale police reported that this emerging trend began in October 2023, following a pattern observed in previous burglaries targeting homes while residents were away.

Since October, Scottsdale has experienced 22 burglaries of this nature, with the latest incident occurring on Jan. 24.

According to Scottsdale police, crime tourists have been carrying out their operations in the United States, presenting an ongoing decadelong issue seen in cities such as New York and Los Angeles.

While only a few of the cases in Scottsdale have resulted in arrests, those that did saw the police department providing evidence that establishes a regional connection to South American theft groups.

Chilean nationals arrested in Scottsdale previously

On May 26, 2019, Scottsdale police arrested three Chilean nationals after committing a commercial burglary, with all of them later sentenced to felony probation.

On May 19, 2022, police arrested four Chileans after linking them to two residential burglaries in north Scottsdale, with the suspects receiving varying sentences from one to three years in prison.

Scottsdale police said that in both of these cases, the Chilean nationals had no previous criminal record in the United States.

"This criminal trend has been a continuous and escalating problem. It is not one group or ring responsible for this crime series. This is transnational organized crime," read a Jan. 25 update from the Scottsdale chief of police, Jeff Walther.

Scottsdale collaborated with multiple Valley police departments in a joint effort to conduct recent surveillance operations.

A team of detectives convened on Wednesday to discuss the subject, as reported by Scottsdale police spokesperson Allison Sempsis.

Sempsis said Valley detectives and police were "working towards a common goal of identifying and apprehending the offenders involved."

Scottsdale police were not alone, as other Valley cities also experienced burglaries in neighborhoods believed to be committed by crime tourists.

Here's a look at how other Valley cities are impacted by this crime trend.

Gilbert has 7 cases

Gilbert experienced seven cases believed to be perpetrated by South American theft groups or crime tourists.

Levi Leyba, Gilbert police spokesperson, said the department was working with other Valley police to investigate the cases that could be connected.

Leyba reminded residents to secure all locks on doors and windows, including those on second-story buildings, and to ensure that garage doors are closed.

Phoenix identifies 3 cases

Phoenix police had identified three cases possibly related to crime tourists but said the community at large did not have to be worried.

Sgt. Phil Krynsky of the Phoenix Police Department noted that the majority of reported suspects in these burglaries were non-violent and would flee upon realizing that a homeowner was present.

Krynsky highlighted the benefit of home security systems and cameras to keep a home safe whenever the owner is away.

When away for extended periods, Krynsky recommended that homeowners notify their neighbors to prevent mail and packages from being left outside, as this could signal to potential burglars that the house is vacant.

Peoria police report 3 possible burglaries

Peoria police were investigating three possibly related burglaries. Two of these incidents involved the theft of items from a home, while the third was an attempted burglary, as reported by Peoria police spokesperson Kristopher Babros.

Babros assured the Peoria community that there was no immediate concern. However, he advised residents to ensure their locks are engaged and consider using security cameras, lights, and signage to enhance security and act as deterrents.

Paradise Valley notes increase in burglaries

Jimmy Phan, spokesperson for Paradise Valley police, mentioned an uptick in similar burglaries in March 2022, although the exact number remained unclear.

Phan further noted that the majority of burglaries in Paradise Valley, believed to be committed by crime tourists, occurred when there was no one present on the property."

Phan specifically suggested homeowners with small valuables store their items in a secure safe that is affixed to a solid surface.

Phan said residents could email him at CRO@Paradisevalleyaz.org for a review of home security measures and to determine if a Paradise Valley home may be at risk.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office aids in investigation

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office played a role in the multi-agency effort to investigate crime tourists and South American theft rings. However, details of the investigation were not ready to be disclosed, as stated by Sheriff spokesperson Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez.

Chandler police provide assistance

While Chandler police did not have any active burglary cases believed to be connected to South American theft groups or crime tourists, the department was aware of ongoing investigations by other Valley agencies.

Chandler police also provided assistance to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office on a burglary call believed to be associated on Dec. 30, 2023, as reported by Sgt. Ricardo Gonzales.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: South American organized crime targeting Arizona homes, police say
Supporters of the Pakistani religious group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) attend an election campaign rally in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

ISLAMABAD (AP)  A Pakistani court on Saturday convicted and sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to seven years in prison on a charge that their 2018 marriage violated the law, officials and a lawyer said.

The latest verdict follows another case in which Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 14 years in prison on Wednesday for corruption. It comes ahead of Feb. 8 parliamentary elections in which Khan has already been disqualified because of graft convictions while his party is struggling to run an election campaign.

It was Khans fourth conviction since 2022, when he was ousted from power. His sentences total 34 years and will be served concurrently.

Analysts say Khans multiple and apparently hasty convictions are seen by his party and supporters as punishment for his rhetoric against Pakistans powerful military leadership, which has ruled the country for half of its 76-year history. During his final months in power, Khan had broadened his fight with opponents to include the military.

The lawyer for the couple, Intisar Panjutha, said the verdict was announced by Judge Qudrat Ullah a day after the trial ended. Khan and his family insist the trial is politically motivated.

The prosecution said Khan and his wife violated the law that a woman must wait three months before marrying again.

Bibi, Khans third wife, was a spiritual healer who was previously married to a man who claimed that they divorced in November 2017, less than three months before she married Khan. Bibi has said they divorced in August 2017.

She and Khan, who had been married twice before, denied they violated the three-month waiting period  a requirement of Islamic law and upheld by Pakistan.

The ruling was condemned by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Its head, Gohar Khan, told reporters that Khan will appeal. This is a bogus case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, but still they were given maximum prison sentence by the court," he said.

The couple were also fined 500,000 rupees ($1,800) each.

Khan is currently serving multiple prison terms at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, where his trials were held because of security concerns.

He is embroiled in more than 150 legal cases, including inciting people to violence after his arrest in May 2023. During nationwide riots in May, Khans supporters attacked the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, stormed an air base in Mianwali in the eastern Punjab province and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the northwest.

The violence subsided only when Khan was released at the time by the Supreme Court.

Khan and Bibi also face another graft case, allegedly involving giving undue benefits to a property tycoon in return for establishing an Islamic university.

___

Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Some districts of the city of Kryvyi Rih and the surrounding 5 hromadas have been cut off from the power supply due to overloaded networks (a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.).

Source: Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast State Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Kryvyi Rih has been partially disconnected from the power grid again.

Some districts of Kryvyi Rih have no power. The following 5 hromadas have also been cut off from the grid: Shyroke, Hrechani Pody, Karpivka, Novolativka and Zelenodolsk.

Power engineers are working to stabilise the situation in the shortest possible time and supply power to homes and businesses."

Background: On the night of 2-3 February, a Russian drone strike in Kryvyi Rih left two boiler houses and 7,500 customers without power.

The city's power engineers introduced emergency shutdown schedules based on the algorithm used last year during blackouts.

Later, Lysak reported that all consumers in Kryvyi Rih whose homes had been cut off from power during the Russian nighttime attack were reconnected to the grid.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry noted that measures to deal with the aftermath of the attacks are ongoing. Power supply may still be temporarily limited to ensure a stable electricity supply in the city.

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Passaic County has approved a $730,000 settlement with the contractor of its $17 million Department of Public Works depot in Wayne.

The Passaic County commissioners' settlement with Dobco of Wayne on Friday ends a lawsuit seeking damages for the county's alleged failure to pay for out-of-scope work needed to complete the project.

In court filings, officials from Dobco claimed county officials refused to pay for overruns resulting from "actions, errors and omissions," citing issues with permit approvals, asbestos abatement and on-site soils. In the suit, Dobco officials said stockpiles of soil found on site were unfit for compaction and contained traces of contamination.

Passaic County Administration Building on 401 Grand Street in Paterson.

North Jersey: Passaic Sheriffs Office bought $10M in security items from firm targeted by FBI

Representatives for the county said some of the soil on site was determined to be unsuitable for compaction, moved and stockpiled, but they denied allegations of contamination. The county representatives also said that in late 2022, county officials offered to pay all "appropriately submitted and negotiated claims" for the out-of-scope work, according to court records.

Representatives for Dobco proposed a $750,000 settlement in December 2023 for what they said was more than $1 million in damages, court records show.

Passaic County: Inmate suing county, Sheriff's Office, jail over crushed finger

The Dobco project added offices, a pre-engineered metal building garage and a new salt shed to the existing county Department of Public Works depot at 1310 Route 23 north. The additions helped to consolidate department operations and permit the closure of the county's Pompton Lakes yard at 519 Ringwood Ave.

That site is expected to be the future home of a low- and moderate-income senior housing center. An $18 million project has been pitched by the Passaic County Affordable Housing Corporation for the site. It centers on the construction of a 60,000-square-foot residential building that will offer priority placement for local veterans, according to county officials.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passaic County settles lawsuit with builder of DPW depot in Wayne
Paul Huntsman, president and CEO of Huntsman Family Investments and chairman of the board of the Salt Lake Tribune, is pictured at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City on May 8, 2023. Huntsman announced on Friday, Feb. 2, 2023, that he has stepped away from the Tribune management. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Paul Huntsman, who bought the Salt Lake Tribune in 2016 and converted it into a nonprofit three years later, is resigning as chairman of the newspapers board of directors and stepping away from its operations.

Huntsman made the announcement Friday in an open letter on the Tribunes website.

As chairman of the board, he also headed the papers six-person editorial board, which selects topics and positions for the Sunday editorials.

This has taken a toll on me. I have never taken a penny of compensation, nor expected to receive any, from the Tribune. This effort has taken me away from many other professional responsibilities related to managing the growing investments at our family office, wrote Huntsman, son of the late industrialist and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman Sr.

Huntsman bought the Tribune from New York-based Alden Global Capital in 2016. Three years later, he shepherded its unprecedented conversion from a legacy newspaper to a public donation-supported nonprofit.

Related

While their newsrooms were independent of each other, the Tribune and the Deseret News shared production, delivery and advertising efforts under a decades-long joint operating agreement that wasnt renewed at the end of 2020. Huntsman wrote that while the two have always been competitors, alternative voices, and, in many ways, represented separate demographics, near-term success was predicated on the other surviving.

I have not formally acknowledged how amenable and constructive the Deseret News was as a partner alongside the Tribune. I want to publicly thank Jeff Simpson (now head of Deseret Management Corp.), who fought hard to ensure both newspapers found a soft landing when the joint operating agreement expired Dec. 31, 2020, Huntsman wrote.

Said Simpson, We both prioritized making Utah, and specifically Salt Lake City, one of the most vibrant journalism markets in the country and that allowed us to rise above the outcomes of so many other local news markets.

Huntsman said the results of becoming a nonprofit exceeded his financial expectations, and the transition put the Tribune on a pathway to sustainability.

While this new model of journalism has repaired the Tribunes balance sheet, it does not guarantee long-term success. Relevance, genuine independence, accountability and innovation are critical for the community to put its full trust and value behind this institution, he wrote.

Huntsman wrote that he does not regret the journey of the past eight years, calling it an exhausting, thrilling, exasperating, rocky and sometimes fulfilling ride. The chance of a lifetime. But among the most important things in life are knowing oneself and ones place in lifes cycles.

The experience, he wrote, whetted his appetite for watchdog journalism. That love affair remains strong, and I will reengage.
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  A group of individuals were arrested on suspicion of multiple narcotics for sales/use after detectives from the Porterville Police Department did a traffic stop on two individuals.

On Feb. 1 at 12:43 p.m. detectives from the Porterville Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the block of South Holcomb Street in Porterville.

Detectives say they contacted the driver, Patrick Wynn, and the front passenger, Roger Taylor. During the traffic stop detectives determined Taylor to be under the influence of a controlled substance and learned that Wynn was operating the vehicle with a suspended drivers license.

Police say both individuals were arrested during the search of the vehicle. Fentanyl pills and approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine were located.

Detectives then authored a search warrant for Wynns residence located in the 900 block of West Westfield Avenue.

At the residence, detectives say they contained and detained the following individuals: Ken Watson, Andrea Spitzer, Shawnna Kizziar, Sarah Espinola, and Jimmy Auld. During the search of the residence, detectives located an additional 2 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine.

Officers say all the individuals were found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and were arrested on suspicion of the offense.

Porterville Police say that based on the evidence located, detectives arrested Watson for maintaining a residence for the purposes of narcotic sales/use, possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Police say they arrested the group of individuals. Spitzer was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Auld was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of a controlled substance for sales, being under the influence of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

Police say Kizziar was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and four active warrants for her arrest. Espinola was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

All individuals according to police are booked at the Tulare County South County Detention Facility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
University of Pennsylvania's Penn Museum hosts an interfaith burial service for 19 unidentified Black Philadelphians whose remains were part of the museum's display, at Eden Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Collingdale, Pa. As part of a growing effort among museums to reevaluate the curation of human remains, the Ivy League school laid some of the remains to rest last week. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  For decades, the University of Pennsylvania has held hundreds of skulls that once were used to promote white supremacy through racist scientific research.

As part of a growing effort among museums to reevaluate the curation of human remains, the Ivy League school laid some of the remains to rest last week, specifically those identified as belonging to 19 Black Philadelphians. Officials held a memorial service for them on Saturday.

The university says it is trying to begin rectifying past wrongs. But some community members feel excluded from the process, illustrating the challenges that institutions face in addressing institutional racism.

Repatriation should be part of what the museum does, and we should embrace it, said Christopher Woods, the museums director.

The university houses more than 1,000 human remains from all over the world, and Woods said repatriating those identified as from the local community felt like the best place to start.

Some leaders and advocates for the affected Black communities in Philadelphia have pushed back against the plan for years. They say the decision to reinter the remains in Eden Cemetery, a local historic Black cemetery, was made without their input.

West Philadelphia native and community activist aAliy A. Muhammad said justice isnt just the university doing the right thing, its letting the community decide what that should look like.

Thats not repatriation. Were saying that Christopher Woods does not get to decide to do that, Muhammad said. The same institution that has been holding and exerting control for years over these captive ancestors is not the same institution that can give them ceremony.

Woods told the crowd at Saturdays interfaith commemoration at the universitys Penn Museum that the identities of the 19 people were not recorded, but that the process of interment in above-ground mausoleums is by design fully reversible if the facts and circumstances change. If future research allows any of the remains to be identified and a claim is made, they can be easily retrieved and entrusted to descendants, he said.

It will be a very happy day if we can return at least some of these fellow citizens to their descendants, Woods said.

At a blessing and committal ceremony later at Eden Cemetery, about 10 miles southwest of the museum in Collingdale, Renee McBride Williams, a member of the community advisory group, said she was relived that finally the people who created the problem are finding a solution.

In my home growing up, when you made a mistake, you fixed it  you accepted responsibility for what you did, she said.

We may not know their names, but they lived, and they are remembered, and they will not be forgotten, said the Rev. Charles Lattimore Howard, the universitys chaplain and vice president for social equity & community.

As the racial justice movement has swept across the country in recent years, many museums and universities have begun to prioritize the repatriation of collections that were either stolen or taken under unethical circumstances. But only one group of people often harmed by archaeology and anthropology, Native Americans, have a federal law that regulates this process.

In cases like that between the University of Pennsylvania and Black Philadelphians, institutions maintain control over the collections and how they are returned.

The remains of the Black Philadelphians were part of the Morton Cranial Collection at the Penn Museum. Beginning in the 1830s, physician and professor Samuel George Morton collected about 900 crania, and after his death the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia added hundreds more.

Mortons goal with the collection was to prove  by measuring crania  that the races were actually different species of humans, with white being the superior species. His racist pseudoscience influenced generations of scientific research and was used to justify slavery in the antebellum South.

Morton also was a medical professor in Philadelphia, where most doctors of his time trained, said Lyra Monteiro, an anthropological archaeologist and professor at Rutgers University. The vestiges of his since-disproven work are still evident across the medical field, she said.

Medical racism can really exist on the back of that, Monteiro said. His ideas became part of how medical students were trained.

The collection has been housed at the university since 1966, and some of the remains were used for teaching as late as 2020. The university issued an apology in 2021 and revised its protocol for handling human remains.

The university also formed an advisory committee to decide next steps. The group decided to rebury the remains at Eden Cemetery. The following year, the university successfully petitioned the Philadelphia Orphans Court to allow the burial on the basis that the identities of all but one of the Black Philadelphians were unknown.

Critics note the advisory committee was comprised almost entirely of university officials and local religious leaders, rather than other community members.

Monteiro and other researchers challenged the idea that the identities of the Philadelphians were lost to time. Through the city's public archives, she discovered that one of the mens mothers was Native American. His remains must be repatriated through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the federal law regulating the return of Native American ancestral remains and funerary objects, she said.

They never did any research themselves on who these people were, they took Mortons word for it, Monteiro said. The people who arent even willing to do the research should not be doing this.

The university removed that cranium from the reburial so it can be assessed for return through NAGPRA. Monteiro and others were further outraged to discover the university had already interred the remains of the other Black Philadelphians last weekend outside of public view, she said.

Members of the Black Philadelphians Descendant Community Group, which was organized by people including Muhammad who identify as descendants of the individuals in the mausoleum, said in a statement they are devastated & hurt that the burial took place without them.

In light of this new information, they are taking time to process and consider how best to honor their ancestors at a future time," the group said, adding that members plan to offer handouts at Saturday's memorial with information they have gathered on the individuals in the mausoleum.

To balance prioritizing the human dignity of the individuals with conservation due diligence and the logistical requirements of Historic Eden Cemetery, laying to rest the 19 Black Philadelphians was scheduled ahead of the interfaith ceremony and blessing, the Penn Museum said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Woods said he believes most of the community is happy with the decision to reinter the remains at Eden Cemetery, and it is a vocal minority in opposition. He hopes that eventually all the individuals in the mausoleum will be identified and returned.

We encourage research to be done moving forward, Woods said, noting the remains of the Black Philadelphians were in the collection for two centuries and, along with his staff, he felt the need to take more immediate action with those remains.

Lets not let these individuals sit in the museum storeroom and extend those 200 years anymore, he said.

Even if all the crania are identified and returned to the community, the university has a long way to go. More than 300 Native American remains in the Morton Cranial Collection still need to be repatriated through the federal law. Woods said the museum recently hired additional staff to expedite that process.

___

AP writer Ron Todt in Philadelphia contributed.

___

Graham Brewer is a member of AP's Race and Ethnicity team. Follow him on social media.
Ryan Samsel, one of the individuals who prosecutors accused of playing a key role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted Friday on multiple felony counts, along with four co-defendants.

Samsel was one of the first people to confront the police on Jan. 6 outside the Capitol, with prosecutors saying he was part of a group that breached a restricted perimeter on the Capitol grounds and paved the way for other rioters to storm the area.

Prosecutors said Samsel and the four co-defendants ignited a fire that burned for over four hours at the Capitol, The New York Times reported.

Federal charges were filed against Samsel a month after the riot, with prosecutors alleging he attacked a Capitol Police Officer, Caroline Edwards, who suffered a concussion.

He was found guilty Friday of assaulting Edwards, and convicted on felony counts of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Samsel, along with co-defendants James Tate Grant, Paul Russell Johnson, Stephen Chase Randolph and Jason Benjamin Blythe, were all found guilty of civil disorder, the DOJ said in a release.

The DOJ said Randolph, like Samsel, was found guilty of assaulting Edwards, while the three others convicted Friday were found guilty of assaulting another officer, among other charges.

The individuals were found not guilty on three misdemeanor charges and said they were not aware that former Vice President Mike Pence, who was protected by the Secret Service, was in the building, NBC News reported. However, they were found guilty of one misdemeanor charge for committing an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds, the DOJ said.

Video circulated showing Samsel speaking with Proud Boy member Joe Biggs, who is sentenced to 17 years in prison, near the Capitol before Samsel began taking down bike racks used as a line of defense for police officers. Edwards then fell backwards, hitting her head.

Samsel is being held in custody and sentencing for him and the codefendants will be June 13.

The DOJ said nearly 900 people have been convicted of crimes stemming from the Jan. 6 riot, with 149 people convicted of assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers or employees.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
People are turning to TikTok and YouTube tutorials to plan increasingly complicated Disney trips

YouTubers, influencers, and bloggers are tapping into a new market  Disney park planning.

Content creators are taking advantage of Disney's Genie Plus park planning system.

One creator is charging $40 for a 200-page digital guide on planning a trip to Disney World.

People are turning to YouTube videos and TikToks to plan increasingly complicated Disney trips, The Washington Post reported.

Disney parks have long attracted planners seeking to avoid lines and save money. But for the less organized, Disney trips might seem like a nightmarish experience.

Some visitors try and get around this by opting for independent guides or expensive VIP tours to help them navigate the parks, shelling out up to $900 an hour plus admission, per The Post.

Others like Rob Kayris have taken classes on Disney's Genie Plus ride planning system.

"I feel like if you don't know how it works, you're going to waste probably two to three days before you have a grip on what's what," Kayris told the outlet.

But the paid service has made park planning hyper-competitive, and it's helped spawn a new generation of content creators seeking to exploit the market.

Bekah Hart is one such creator. Hart shares Disney planning trips for taking toddlers or preschoolers to the parks on her YouTube channel, where she has more than 19,000 subscribers.

She's shared hundreds of videos on her channel, including tips on using the Disney Dining Plan and how to save money at Disney World.

TikToker Brooke Raybould, who went viral after sharing her family's early-morning strategy at the Magic Kingdom, is another to have seized on the opportunity, and she now offers a 200-page guide titled "Mom's Guide to Disney World" for $40.

"There's an entire system to doing Disney World the right way," Raybould said, per The Post.

Other YouTube channels, such as Ear Scouts, which has nearly 53,000 subscribers, have focused on Genie Plus tutorials. The site has racked up hundreds of thousands of views sharing a variety of "tips, tricks and tutorials" on visiting Disney parks.

But for those visitors just looking for a few basic park tips, expert travel planners told The Post that the keys were understanding the layout of the parks, bringing portable phone chargers, and staying at a Disney resort.

Read the original article on Business Insider
February is Black History Month. It is a time when we reflect on, celebrate and honor the work of African Americans, whose sacrifice, advocacy and innovations have elevated our economic, cultural and societal structure. During a season when there are attempts to erase the teaching and publishing of Black history, this is all the more reason to amplify the undeniable loss, legacy and limitless contributions of African Americans.

While our journey as African Americans is marred with slavery, lynching, racism and suffering, it also boasts of a people who are survivors and overcomers, proud and courageous. We are role models, scholars, builders, trailblazers and leaders. We are inventors, icons and innovators.

Our imprint and impact has not been without obstacles, road blocks, obstructionists, saboteurs and people who thought we were inferior to them. Yet we did not collapse under the weight of discrimination, animosity, exclusion and isolation.

Instead, we have steadily produced works of genius under these circumstances. Our contributions have been transformative and future-focused, even though there has been little fanfare to announce the prolific advances and innovations of African Americans. The following represent just a few who have made an indelible impression:

Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist and laser scientist, invented the Laserphaco Probe and techniques that improved cataract surgery.

Marc Hannah, Ph.D., a renowned engineer, is the inventor of 3D technology for special effects, which advanced cinematography in films and television.

Shirley Ann Jackson was the first African American woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. She was also the first woman in the history of MIT to receive a Ph.D. in physics. Her research influenced the invention of fiber optics cable, caller ID, call waiting and solar cells.

Marc Dean, Ph.D., was a co-inventor of the personal computer and the color monitor.

Marie Van Brittan Brown created the original design of security systems that are used today. She filed a patent for her closed-circuit TV invention in 1966.

Jesse Eugene Russell is widely credited for conceptualizing and creating the foundational technology of the smartphone. He holds several patents in mobile and wireless technology.

Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr. was the inventor of the three-position traffic signal of which our contemporary stoplights are derived. He also designed a protective hood that prevented smoke inhalation. This gear design evolved to what we use today as a gas mask.

Related

These seven examples represent a microcosm of the countless inventions of African Americans. These African American inventors personify brilliance, tenacity, courage and leadership. Many of the things that make our lives better today was created by one of them. They did not launch their inventions exclusively for African Americans. It doesnt appear that any of them thought that narrowly. They created inventions for the world, for tomorrows and for everyone.

Reflecting on African American contributions like these gives us an opportunity to reimagine how much greater we could be as a people if we broke down barriers, eliminated stigma, untethered ourselves from stereotypical behavior and became authentic allies. The possibilities are astounding.

For African Americans, our past was dark and harsh, but our success was inevitable. It is part of our lineage. It is in our DNA. It resonates in our soul. From the plantation to the presidency, from slavery to the Supreme Court, we express to our ancestors that their sacrifices were not in vain.

Black History Month reminds us of the power of perseverance, the rewards of resistance, and the hard work, heroism and hope that has helped all of humanity. When one of us rises, we all rise.

The Rev. Theresa A. Dear is a national board member of the NAACP and a Deseret News contributor.
Who gets to determine what policy to enact is a question society has faced since the dawn of the republic. The American founders combined the direct democracy of the Greeks (where citizens voted on every action with black or white pebbles) with the Roman republic (where class oligarchs chose representatives in the Senate). In America, the people would choose representatives to decide on their behalf, and voters would take to the polls often  not necessarily to express viewpoints on policy, but to depose or extend a representatives tenure.

As soon as the U.S. Constitution was ratified, the question of who would have the right to vote shaped the nation. From Seneca Falls to Appomattox to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, citizens demanded that the circle of inclusion widen until this right was granted to every citizen 18 and older.

Soliciting voter preferences, however, is difficult in a diverse constituency. Public choice, a branch of economics that studies how politicians respond to incentives set by political systems, shows that a politicians goal is often not necessarily to maximize their constituencys happiness, but rather to ensure their own reelection. This scenario is an example of the principle-agent problem, when the agent who chooses on behalf of the principle follows their own self-interest.

Constitutions should strive to align the elected officials incentives so that they represent the median (or 50 percentile) voter. Healthy elections should prioritize the middle ground over extreme voices. However, when there are barriers to voter participation, the political marketplace becomes distorted and incentives are misaligned. More engaged voters from across the spectrum encourage political competition and better outcomes. Iron sharpens iron, as the Book of Proverbs tells us.

If voter participation is so vital, why are citizens disengaged? Behavioral economics teaches us that many times we fail to act to do what is best for us for multiple reasons: distractions, present-biased preferences, incomplete information, procrastination, busyness or apathy. Perhaps a polling place is too far away, or someone is sick or disabled, or lacks transportation to vote in person. Schedules may conflict, or perhaps voters are temporarily out of the area for military service, missionary work or educational pursuits.

Economics Nobel Prize winner Richard Thaler and legal scholar Cass Sunstein explain in their fascinating book Nudge that the default choice can create status-quo bias or inertia in decision making. If you want to encourage some activity, they argue, make it easy! This principle shows why utilities and streaming companies encourage customers to sign up for automatic bill pay. Defaults determine behavior.

Universal vote-by-mail is a fantastic application of setting the default option to overcome barriers to voting. Under this system, everyone has access to their ballot and time to complete it. Citizens can study candidates for races that they hadnt realized were on the ballot. The state uses signature verification from drivers licenses and other forms of approved identification to ensure election security.

Does this opt-in change outcomes? An interesting study published by researchers at Brigham Young University and the University of Virginia uses a powerful statistical method to answer this question. The estimator (called difference in differences) compares states that enacted the policy to those that didnt, before and after the change. Empirically, it is like comparing two trains on parallel tracks. A conductor switches one train to another track. We can then compare where the trains end up to estimate the causal effect of the policy.

The authors found that partisan electoral shares do not change. The same percentage of Republican or Democratic votes are cast. However, voter participation skyrockets. What about fraud? Other researchers have found no evidence of voter fraud (and if anything a slight decline). Vote-by-mail makes elections healthier.

Related

Its unfortunate that some elected officials are calling for Utah and other states to switch their default option away from vote-by-mail. Given the peer-reviewed, empirical evidence of its effectiveness, this policy will decrease voter participation, especially among those who face the most barriers: racial minorities, the elderly, the disabled, the military and stressed-out parents with young children.

If there is a worry about voter fraud, we have recourse. Aggrieved parties can present their strong evidence to a court of law under oath. Sadly, some would rather tell half-baked and factually challenged fables to the public. This behavior slowly chips away at our democratically elected republic and destroys social trust.

Nothing is more sacred in our American system than the right to vote. Many have marched, protested, suffered, fought and died to preserve that right. Let us honor their sacrifice by encouraging voter participation and ensuring true integrity in our elections.

Michael S. Kofoed, @mikekofoed on X, is an assistant professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics. A Utah native, he holds degrees in economics from Weber State University and the University of Georgia.
Pismo Beach has closed the pier for the weekend as a powerful atmospheric river bears down on the Central Coast.

The Pismo Beach Pier will be closed for part of the weekend in anticipation of light to heavy rains and wind starting Saturday night into Sunday morning, the Police Department said in a post on Instagram.

Along with the rest of San Luis Obispo County, the city is preparing for high winds, heavy rains and flooding.

The closure of the pier followed the National Weather Services flash flood watch, which will be in effect from 1 a.m. on Sunday to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Police also advised Pismo Beach residents to use PG&Es guide on storm preparedness.

SLO County forecast for atmospheric river storm

Although intermittent rainfall was predicted for Saturday, the brunt of the atmospheric river storm wasnt expected to make landfall until Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

A very strong storm will move into southwest California later Saturday through Tuesday, with the heaviest period Sunday into Monday, the flood watch alert said. Several inches of rain are expected during that period.

Dangerous and life threatening flooding is possible with this event, including urban areas, the Weather Service added. There is the threat of extensive roadway flooding as well as significant debris flows in recent burn scars.

Areas south of San Luis Obispo County were predicted to be hit hardest by the rainstorm. Pine Mountain and Ojai could see upwards of 9 to 10 inches of rain from Sunday to Monday, according to Weather Service forecasts.

SLO County urged to prepare as severe storm approaches. Dont wait until it is too late.

In San Luis Obispo County, anywhere between 2 to 5 inches of rain could fall, according to the Weather Service. However, amounts of 3 to 6 inches for the coast and valleys and 6 to 12 inches for the mountains were possible, the Weather Service said in its forecast Saturday morning.

The heaviest rainfall was expected to fall in San Luis Obispo County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the Weather Service. Heavy rainfall could also occur beginning Saturday night and through Monday evening, the Weather Service predicted.

Historically, rainfall of this magnitude creates major hydrologic problems in our area and theres no reason to think this wont happen with this event, the Weather Service said in its forecast. For that reason the message remains the same: People need to start preparing now for a major flooding event.
HOKKAIDO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) - A photograph titled "Fire-Breathing Red-Crowned Crane" has captured the internet's attention, hailed as a miraculous shot. We reached out to the photographer for the story behind this captivating image.

The photo, which seemingly depicts a red-crowned crane exhaling fire, was actually a result of perfect timing and natural phenomena. The photographer, who had been observing these cranes in their natural habitat, captured the moment when the crane's breath, visible due to the cold air, aligned with the rising sun in the background, creating an illusion of fire.

"It was an early morning, and the temperature was particularly low," the photographer recalls. "I was focusing on the cranes, hoping to capture their elegance against the sunrise. Suddenly, one crane turned and yawned or called out just as the sun rose directly behind it. The timing was serendipitous, creating the illusion of fire breathing."

This photograph, which required patience and a keen eye for detail, highlights not only the beauty of wildlife but also the unique moments nature presents.

Source: TBS
This screengrab from a New York Police Department video shows a group of alleged migrants assaulting two New York Police Department officers near Times Square in late January. - New York Police Department

Editors Note: This headline and story have been updated to remove inaccurate information and reflect new reporting. An earlier version said that four of the suspects were believed to be headed to a California town near Mexico; that reporting was based on a February 1 interview with a senior law enforcement official. The official told CNN on February 14 that police now believe an individual giving police a tip had misidentified the men, and that investigators no longer believe the men fled on a bus.

New York City police no longer believe that four of the suspects arrested and subsequently released following an assault on NYPD officers in Times Square fled the city on a bus to California, a senior law enforcement official told CNN on Wednesday.

The same senior law enforcement official told CNN on February 1 that four of the suspects who had been arrested in the January assault of two NYPD officers were given bus tickets by a faith-based charity and were currently en route to Calexico, California.

The day after the release of four men arrested in the January assault, city officials received a tip from an individual who claimed that they had recognized the four men from television and that the men were given bus tickets by a faith-based charity that the person worked with, according to multiple law enforcement officials. The individual was subsequently interviewed and identified the men from photos, the senior law enforcement official said.

The NYPD asked police in Calexico to visit an address provided by the charity, where those police found no one who recognized the subjects.

One of the individuals believed to have fled was later arrested in New York City on robbery charges. That arrest, and the investigation in Calexico, led police to believe that the tip was a misidentification.

The January altercation erupted after officers tried to break up a disorderly group outside a migrant shelter near Times Square, police said.

When the officers tried to take a person into custody, multiple unidentified individuals repeatedly kicked and punched the officers in the head and body and later fled on foot, police said. The officers had minor injuries and were treated on the scene, police said.

The incident follows an increase in migrants and asylum-seekers arriving at the US-Mexican border, many of whom have made their way to major cities either on their own or on buses chartered by Texas. Approximately 67,000 migrants are under New York Citys care, among more than 173,900 whove arrived in the city since spring 2022, a City Hall spokesperson told CNN earlier this month.

CNNs Chimaine Pouteau and Rebekah Riess contributed to this report, which has been updated with additional information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Hamburg police identified the woman fatally shot by an officer Friday following multiple home break-ins and an altercation with authorities as 36-year-old Lisa Haight of Jamestown.

The shooting took place around 11 a.m. when police responded to a report of a burglary on Willet Road. The burglary victim told them a woman, now identified as Haight, broke into her home and then escaped into the surrounding woods, according to police.

Police said Haight then broke into a second residence on McKinley Parkway, where officers encountered her inside the homes bathroom and an altercation ensued, which resulted in an officer firing his weapon and striking the woman. Officers administered first aid until EMS arrived, but Haight was declared dead at the scene.

Authorities also confirmed Saturday that a short time before the shooting, Haight was riding in a van on I-90 and repeatedly and without provocation stabbed a passenger in the vehicle, causing serious injuries to the victims face, shoulder and head. Haight then exited the van shortly before the first burglary.

West Seneca man pleads guilty to leaving scene of fatal crash

The victim of the stabbing was rushed to a local hospital to receive treatment. There was no update on their condition provided by police.

Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Bernie Tolbert said the officers involved in the altercation had to make a difficult decision regarding the use of deadly force.

You dont have time to think about is this the right thing? Tolbert said. You dont want to give someone the advantage of being able to harm you. The use of deadly force, you do that to protect yourself or an innocent bystander when you have good reason to believe that your life is in danger.

As with all officer-involved shootings, the New York State Attorney Generals Office has opened a probe into the incident and said Friday a knife was recovered at the scene where Haight was shot.

You want to make sure you can continue the public trust in your department, that we do the right thing and we do it the right way, Tolbert said.

The officer who shot the suspect has been placed on administrative leave, police confirmed.

People will sometimes suggest that theres a negative connotation to that, but not necessarily, Tolbert said. I dont think anyone starts their day off thinking that, I might shoot someone today or worse, kill someone that day. So for the officers own well-being, you want to make sure that he or she has been taken care of.

As a result of the shooting, McKinley Parkway was closed for several hours Friday between Lake Avenue and Willet Road, just east of I-90. The roads were reopened around 6 p.m.

Police said they are working toward releasing a complete overview of the investigation and events and anticipate another update on Tuesday.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Officials at Stillwater Area High School on Friday continued to deal with the aftermath of a fight that occurred late Thursday morning and involved about a half dozen students, officials said.

The Oak Park Heights Police Department was called in to help respond to the fight, which was reported about 11:30 a.m.

Individuals involved with the incident have been dealt with in accordance with district policy, Carissa Keister, the districts spokeswoman, wrote in an email to the Pioneer Press. The Oak Park Heights Police Department is investigating and may also file formal charges for those involved in the altercation.

On Friday, rumors were spreading through the school community of further violence occurring at school, Keister said. Law enforcement investigated the concerns, but found no evidence of credible threats, she said. Still, some parents elected to pick up their children from the school.

District leadership is working with the high school administration, along with impacted communities, to address the underlying causes of this conflict, Keister said. We are committed to working together to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire school community.

No one involved in the fight was treated for injuries, she said.

Related Articles
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the communitys help in searching for a man suspected of stealing jewelry from a home in southwest Bakersfield.

The alleged incident happened on Jan. 23 at a home in the 4900 block of Margalo Avenue around 11:37 a.m., according to BPD.

At that time, a man allegedly entered the residence and stole jewelry.

Police search for 2 suspects who allegedly stole vehicle from gas station in east Bakersfield

Police describe the man as 30 to 35 years old, with short dark hair and a medium complexion and build.

At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket and dark pants.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective G. Vasquez at 661-326-3846 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
ST. LOUIS  The St. Louis County Police Department is currently searching for a missing person who has been unaccounted for since 9:30 p.m. on February 2.

Nia Nicole Washington, 21, was last seen in a gold Ford Explorer at the intersection of St. Louis Avenue and 13th Street in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Washington is a 21-year-old black female, 506 tall, weighing 100 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a light complexion. She was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, black jacket, and pink pants. She suffers from schizophrenia, autism, and ADHD.

If you have seen this missing person or have any information related to her whereabouts, please dial 911 immediately to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Polish President Andrzej Duda cast doubt on Ukraine's ability to reclaim Russian-occupied Crimea in an interview with the Polish channel Kana Zero on Feb. 2.

Duda also weighed in on the prospect of Moscow launching attacks on other countries, emphasizing the crucial need for continued Western support to Kyiv.

"If Russia maintains control over Ukrainian territories, it will be a victory for Russia, increasing the likelihood of future aggression, the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita quoted Duda.

I don't know if [Ukraine] will return Crimea, but I believe that it will return Donetsk and Luhansk."

Ukraine will be able to reclaim the peninsula captured in 2014, said the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, in response.

Read also: Zelenskyy meets Polish President Duda in Davos to discuss policy of support

"Crimea is Ukraine: this is how it is and how it will be, Zvarych said on Twitter.

International law is the basis. The temporary occupation of Crimea by Russia is a war crime for which it will be punished. Deoccupation of Crimea is our common task and duty with the free world. We will do it without fail. We believe and act together."

Poland has consistently provided Ukraine with weapons and supported Kyiv's membership in the EU and NATO since the beginning of the full-scale war unleashed by Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Duda on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 16.

Read also: Polish PM Donald Tusk travels to Kyiv for meeting with Zelenskyy

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
Polish President Andrzej Duda decided on Saturday (3 February) to explain his remarks on Crimea, which caused great outrage among Internet users and representatives of Poland's ruling camp and the reaction of the Ukrainian ambassador.

Source: Duda on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "My actions and stance on Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine have been clear from day one: Russia violates international law, is an aggressor and occupier," he tweeted.

Details: Duda stressed that Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of internationally recognised Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, is a crime.

"This war cannot end with Russia's victory. Russian imperialism must be stopped, defeated and blocked in the future. Ukraine must emerge victorious because the free world must win this war. We all stand shoulder to shoulder with a free, sovereign and independent Ukraine against aggression and brutal imperialism!" the Polish president stressed.

Background:

On Friday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with Kanal Zero that he did not know whether Ukraine would regain Crimea. He stressed that he believes that Ukraine will regain Donetsk and Luhansk.

He added that Crimea is a "special place, including for historical reasons." "Because, in fact, if we look historically, it has been in the hands of Russia for a long time."

On Saturday, Vasyl Zvarych, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, commented on President Duda's words. "Crimea is Ukraine: it is and it will be so," he said. He added that international law is the basis.

Following Duda's remarks, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski stressed that Poland recognises Ukraine's independence within its internationally recognised borders, which have been repeatedly confirmed by Russia.

Duda's remarks caused outrage among politicians in Poland's ruling camp.

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A campaign consultant for a 2022 Polk County School Board race has been sentenced to 11 months of probation for sending false texts that claimed an incumbent School Board member and her husband were under criminal investigation.

James Earl Dunn Jr. was sentenced Thursday in Bartow after pleading guilty to seven counts of violating election laws regarding text-message disclosures. He received 11 months of probation for each count, though the sentences will run concurrently, according to a spokeswoman for the Polk County Clerk of Courts.

As part of the conditions for probation, the judge ordered that Dunn may reside in Texas. The charges against Dunn were first-degree misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

Dunn, a Texas resident, was the campaign consultant for Jill Sessions, an opponent of Polk County School Board member Lisa Miller, in the 2022 election. He was charged after an investigation into anonymous text messages sent about Miller during that campaign.

Polk County voters received text messages in June 2022 falsely alleging that Miller and her husband, Bob Miller, were under criminal investigation, The Ledger previously reported. Miller was involved in a three-way campaign for the School Boards District 7 seat with Sessions and Dell Quary.

The text messages did not identify the sender. State law requires that campaign messages do so. The State Attorneys Office said that Dunn sent the text messages between June 20 and July 1.

Miller, seeking a second term, finished first in the August election but failed to win a majority. Sessions finished second. Miller prevailed in the runoff by 11.2 percentage points.

In her victim statement to the court, Miller referenced Dunn's previous run-ins with the courts, saying "his crimes have been well documented."

Dunn served time in prison in Texas after pleading guilty in 2008 to submitting fraudulent claims against the government. And according to a Ledger story in 2022, two companies directed by Dunn in Texas failed to pay court-ordered judgments after being found in breach of contract. A church had sued them for failing to deliver contracted services.

"As an elected official, I recognize that I open myself to attack by criminals like Mr. Dunn," Miller said in the court statement. "However, to attack my husband and our family business was shocking and damaging. Some citizens in Polk County will always question my husband and our business and the work we do because of Mr. Dunns lies and text messages  even after law enforcement has acted to set the record straight."

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: James Dunn sentenced for sending false texts in Polk School Board race
Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during an interview with the Deseret News leading up to the 2024 legislative session at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Incumbent Utah Gov. Spencer Cox holds a significant lead over his Republican primary challengers, according to a new poll.

With six months remaining until GOP primary voters mark their ballots, the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll found Cox ahead of his lesser-known competitors by a 45% margin.

When asked how they would vote if the Republican primary for Utah governor were held today, 50% of registered Republican voters say they would support Cox.

Remaining GOP voters are split, with 37% saying they are undecided at this early stage in the 2024 election cycle, and 14% who choose one of Coxs opponents.

Utah state Rep. Phil Lyman, who was the first challenger to announce his gubernatorial ambitions, has the support of 3% of Utah Republicans, as does former state GOP chair Carson Jorgensen and Bountiful business owner Sylvia Miera-Fisk, according to the poll, with Marine Corps artillery officer Scott Robbins receiving 5%.

These results fall within or near the 4.74% margin of error for the poll, which was conducted by Dan Jones & Associates from Jan. 16-21 among 428 registered Utah Republican voters.

Unlike his first gubernatorial run in 2020, when Lt. Gov. Cox eked out a narrow win over well-known adversaries, including former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Cox now enjoys the benefit of incumbency, which may have kept other high profile challengers at bay, according to Jason Perry, director of the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics.

I think what you can take from this poll is that Gov. Cox has a commanding lead, Perry said. With all other challengers in the low single digits, it shows that hes in a very strong position.

Cox entered office in 2021 after serving as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Gary Herbert for just over seven years. He confirmed his intentions to seek reelection last spring, but said he would not aspire for a third term. Utah does not have a term limit on the office of governor.

In a written statement, Coxs reelection campaign said the poll results showed support for the governors track record from his first three years on the job.

This poll demonstrates what Utahns already know, said Matt Lusty, Coxs campaign spokesperson. They want a conservative leader who will work hard to find solutions on the issues they care about  fiscal responsibility, economic success, and solving our states housing affordability issues. Thats Gov. Cox.

Achievements Cox often touts, and that are likely to be central to his 2024 reelection effort, include presiding over a record $1 billion in tax cuts, an education package that paired $8,000 school vouchers with a pay raise for public school teachers, and legislation regulating social media use for minors.

Increasing the supply of starter homes and revamping the states approach to homelessness have been priorities for Cox going into the 2024 legislative session.

Related

Is Gov. Cox popular among all Utah voters?

Despite occasionally finding himself in the crosshairs from the political left and right, Coxs popularity since he has taken office has continued to be quite stable, Perry said.

While Coxs favorability numbers remain in the green, they have come down from their 2022 and 2023 levels, according to the Deseret News poll.

Over half of Utah voters, 55%, have a favorable opinion of Cox, the poll found, while 29% have an unfavorable opinion of the governor and 16% say they dont know. This question was polled among 801 Utah registered voters, including members of both major political parties and unaffiliated individuals, and has a margin of error +/- 3.02%.

Over the last two years, Deseret News polls asking about Coxs approval rating  not favorability  have shown the governor hovering around 64%, with around 30% of Utah voters disapproving of his performance in office.

Coxs dip in favorability, if compared with past polls asking about job approval, could be a result of partisans taking a more critical look at the governor during an election year after challengers have already filed for candidacy, Perry said. But even then, Perry added, Cox has shown remarkable resilience among Utahns across the political spectrum.

Cox enjoys a favorable perception among 61% of those who identify as very conservative, 67% of those who identify as somewhat conservative, 57% of those who identify as moderates, 39% of those who identify as somewhat liberal and 31% of those who identify as very liberal, according to the poll.

This widespread support comes after a year spent in the national spotlight for Cox. As chair of the National Governors Association, Utahs governor has spearheaded a Disagree Better initiative in an attempt to counter toxic polarization around the country with improved dialogue, for which he has been featured by the Atlantic and CBS News Face the Nation.

Related

He has taken on a more national profile, Perry said. And one of his platforms has been this Disagree Better campaign which resonates well among people from all political ideologies and I think that has been giving him a boost because I think many believe that that is a conversation worth having.

But such broad appeal has opened Cox up to attacks from challengers who are mostly running to the right of him, Perry said.

What did Coxs challengers say about his favorability rating?

Lyman became the first to officially announce a campaign to unseat Cox in October, arguing that Cox had not taken a firm enough stance to safeguard the states conservative values.

In response to the poll results about the GOP primary campaign and Coxs favorability, Lyman said his own strong momentum among the grassroots was not reflected in the governors campaign.

With 10 years to build his popularity with Utah voters, were encouraged that the current governor is barely earning support from half of Republican voters, Lyman said. Were confident this will translate into a strong primary challenge, and were looking forward to a competitive race.

Jorgensen, who ran an unsuccessful bid for Utahs 2nd Congressional District in 2020, has criticized Cox from the standpoint of fiscal restraint, saying the budget has grown too much under the current administration.

Upon reviewing the poll results, Jorgensen tempered expectations about early polling and said he was extremely encouraged by what he perceived to be Republicans open mind toward an alternative.

We are exactly where we would expect to be at this very early stage. However, those are not typical numbers for an incumbent Republican governor in Utah, Jorgensens campaign said in a written statement.

Related

This angle was repeated by Miera-Fisk, who ran for state GOP chair in 2019.

Coxs numbers show only tepid support for his reelection, she said in a statement to the Deseret News. We believe his numbers will drop well below 50% as this race progresses. Cox has taken Utah in a direction most Utahns do not want to go. I can win this race and I look forward to earning the support of voters across Utah!

Robbins, who is new to Utah politics, said he is running to address what he sees as a lack of strong leadership in the state.

I already got 5% and nobody knows about me yet, Robbins said. Republicans arent that happy with Spencer Cox. ... We need a leader that leads, not waits for what he can get away with from our enemies.

As the election season heats up, expect to see voters begin to process information increasingly through political filters and candidates begin to be hypersensitive to where their base wants them to be, Perry said.

Cox may have already begun to shift gears to approach the issues in a way that appeals to those kinds of voters, Perry said, pointing to the governors endorsement of bills touching on controversial social issues.

On Tuesday, Cox signed some of the first bills to pass in this years legislative session. One, HB257, restricts individuals from using public bathrooms and locker rooms that dont align with their sex at birth, and another, HB261, will overhaul state-sponsored diversity, equity and inclusion programs to open up access to all individuals in need of special resources.

Related
In the middle of last year, several of Donald Trumps closest advisers, including some of his 2024 campaigns senior staff, started noticing an ominous trend in independent polling and in internal Republican survey data: A significant share of swing voters in key states  even some Republicans  say they would not want to vote for a freshly-convicted criminal.

The trend spooked them enough that, in recent months, some of these officials and political allies have directly warned Trump of possible looming catastrophe ahead for his 2024 presidential bid, two people with direct knowledge of the matter tell Rolling Stone.

For the most part, Trump has shrugged off such warnings, as he and his campaign brass publicly lean on bravado and their messaging that President Joe Bidens reelection prospects are unequivocally doomed in November. Still, Trump and his legal team are working diligently to delay his criminal trials, in hopes that he can secure the presidency once again  and the power to quash the cases  before any potential convictions come down.

Theyve had at least some success: On Friday, the judge in Trumps Washington, D.C. election subversion case declared that the trial will not take place on March 4, as it was originally scheduled, and will be rescheduled at a later date.

Republicans close to the former president and current 2024 GOP frontrunner have been carefully tracking poll results  especially in a handful of battleground states that will decide the expected Biden-Trump rematch  of likely swing voters who say they are open to pulling the lever for Trump, with a major caveat. Many of these survey respondents, including in the crucial bloc of self-identifying independents, keep saying that they would not vote for Trump, if prior to the election, a jury handed down a guilty verdict in one of the criminal cases against him.

In a number of national and state polls, this variable  whether Trump is criminally convicted  puts what has been a moderate Trump lead in peril. For several months, this trend has continued to appear in a variety of high-quality polls, both public and private, including as recently as this week.

But even as the MAGA elite publicly insist that Biden is historically vulnerable as an incumbent, the polling trend has grown increasingly difficult for Trumps lieutenants to just brush off, according to interviews with seven knowledgeable sources such as conservative activists close to Trump 2024, officials working on the ex-presidents campaign, longtime GOP operatives, and Trump allies in right-wing media.

[Late last year], I mentioned to him how the polls were saying a conviction would hammer him with some of the voters he needs to keep in his column to win, says a source who has spoken to Trump about 2024 many times. I said it was something to take very seriously, but not necessarily a death blow  But in my own thoughts, I kept thinking, Itd be a fucking disaster. But well find out, I guess. Hopefully, people are lying to the pollsters.

Within the upper echelons of Team Trump, there is a range of opinion on what these numbers mean exactly. Some say its too early and that its all theoretical, and therefore possibly a polling mirage. Others are concerned, but theyre not setting their hair on fire. Some are privately saying that a criminal conviction could be fatal to Trumps chances at reconquering the White House.

Another close Trump ally tells Rolling Stone that, though there are many variables and Bidens own polling is uniquely terrible, they cant shake the feeling that one day theyll look back on this polling trend as a bright-red warning sign  one that is comparable to the foreboding signs that Trumps 2016 opponent saw for months before her defeat.

As this Trump ally points out, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons campaign was derailed in part by an investigation by former FBI Director James Comey. The ally notes that Clinton had [FBI director James] Comey hanging over her for the 2016 campaign. It was not the only thing that brought her down, but it was a significant thing hacking at her campaign for months. Is a criminal conviction going to be our Hillary-Comey moment, if there ends up being [a guilty verdict] before the election? Its a question that sort of haunts me, and Ive discussed it with some of President Trumps campaign people and people who the [former] president listens to.

Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, tells Rolling Stone: These Crooked Joe Biden-directed Witch Hunts, assisted by fake news mainstream media, are just desperate attempts at election interference meant to try and disenfranchise voters because President Trump is dominating in the polls. This is all vile politics by President Trumps enemies because they will do everything in their power, including weaponizing lawfare, to stop the presumptive Republican nominee for president and next president of the United States.

Throughout the 2024 GOP presidential primary, Trumps looming criminal liability has, if anything, proven to be more of a boon than problem, as his rivals proved eager to echo Trumps allegations that hes being unfairly persecuted. Throughout the cases, Trumps most devoted fans have also stuck by him. The former presidents best fundraising hauls have all followed his arrests and arraignments in the various trials against him, with the largest following his booking and mugshot in the Fulton County, Georgia election conspiracy case.

But outside his core of fervent supporters, polls suggest Trump would face trouble maintaining support among the outer periphery of Republicans in the event hes convicted in one of his trials.

It always seemed that Democrats found the perfect tool to gain the upper hand in the 2024 election. The prosecutions of Trump clearly boosted him in the primary, but data has consistently shown that it is likely to be deadly to him among the swing voters he needs to win in a general election, especially if theres a conviction, says Matt Wolking, an ex-Trump 2020 campaign official who formerly served as a senior official at Never Back Down, a super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis failed presidential campaign.

The data has varied over time and across polling firms, but the message remains the same: Conviction could cause a significant number of Republicans to rethink their support. In the immediate aftermath of Trumps arrest in the special counsels election conspiracy case, nearly half of Republicans surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos said they wouldnt vote for him in the event of a conviction. Similar polling following Special Counsel Jack Smiths election case charges found that most voters believed the charges against Trump were serious and that he should go to prison if found guilty.

The percentage of Republicans who said they wouldnt vote for Trump in the event of a conviction declined to 31 percent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken in December, but it still represents a serious threat to the Trump 2024 campaign.

The impact of a conviction may be even more pronounced among voters in the key swing states that Trump needs to win in order to defeat Biden. According to polling by Bloomberg News and Morning Consult released on Wednesday, more than half of voters in seven key battleground states say a conviction would prevent them from casting a ballot for Trump. Among the voters who hold negative views of both candidates, that number rises to 79 percent.

Of course, not everyone in Trumps orbit is a doomsayer on this.

If anything, the criminal prosecutions of Donald Trump have only strengthened him in this election, says Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress, who has been a faith adviser to Trump for years. How many times did we hear predictions that indictments were going to destroy his campaign?

Jeffress continues, Some political consultants are of course paid to worry and to be very cautious. Its a political campaign with a lot of moving parts. I know what some of the polls say, but Im confident that independent voters, come Election Day, will look at the complete breakdown and rot that Biden has brought, and decide we need to vote for someone who made the country strong. I was with Donald Trump [on Thursday], and I told him his evangelical support, for instance, has never seemed stronger  even compared to 2020 and 2016.

Aside from a conviction, a daily spectacle relitigating Trumps 2020 election conspiracy theories as the cases head to trial could also affect Trumps performance in a pending rematch with Biden. Trump-backed candidates who made Trumps big lie about the 2020 presidential election a feature of their candidacies tended to fare poorly in the 2022 midterms, suggesting voters are tired of the issue. But the former president has already pressured his attorneys to use his upcoming D.C. election subversion trial as a platform to further push his election lies.

If Trump were to defeat Biden in this years general election, he would once more gain presidential immunity from criminal prosecutions, and his administration could effectively erase the federal cases against him  and perhaps even keep him out of prison. Indeed, Trump has been suggesting to confidants for years that he needs to be president again in part for those very perks.

This campaign is focused on the mission at hand: winning, says Cheung, the Trump spokesperson. And we have been crushing the competition and continue to dominate Crooked Joe in every single battleground state because voters are sick [and] tired of the last four years of a failed presidency, and they know President Trump is the only person who can bring our country back.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis celebrates Mass for members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, at the Vatican

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis condemned all forms of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, labelling them as a "sin against God", after noticing an increase in attacks against Jews around the world.

"(The Church) rejects every form of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred towards Jews and Judaism as a sin against God," the pontiff wrote in a letter to the Jewish population of Israel dated Feb. 2 and made public on Saturday.

"Together with you, we, Catholics, are very concerned about the terrible increase in attacks against Jews around the world. We had hoped that 'never again' would be a refrain heard by the new generations," he added.

The Pope noted that wars and divisions are increasing all over the world "in a sort of piecemeal world war", hitting the lives of many populations.

Francis, 87, has condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack from Gaza into southern Israel. He has also said on several occasions that a two-state solution was needed to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his letter, the pope also called, once again, for the release of those hostages still being held by militants.

He said his heart was torn at the sight of the conflict in the Holy Land and the division and hatred stemming from it, adding that the world was looking at the unfolding of events in the area with "apprehension and pain".

He assured the Jewish community of his closeness and affection, "particularly (those) consumed by anguish, pain, fear and even anger", repeating his call for the end of the war.

Francis said he prayed for peace. "My heart is close to you, to the Holy Land, to all the peoples who inhabit it, Israelis and Palestinians, and I pray that the desire for peace may prevail in all".

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by David Holmes)
An earthquake "swarm" has no precise geological definition, but anyone who shook through many of the 40 quakes and aftershocks around Prague, Oklahoma, Friday night and Saturday morning surely felt stung.

Possible earthquake damage is seen at a home near Meeker, Okla., on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.

By 3 p.m. Saturday, more than 24,000 people reported feeling the first big quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's online "Did You Feel it" feature, but people across this region of the United States took to social media to share their experiences. Millions could have felt it, authorities said.

Here's what we know about the main, 5.1-magnitude quake at 11:24 p.m. Friday and the ones that followed until 11:38 a.m. Saturday.

RELATED: Earthquakes rattled central Oklahoma Friday night. How bad were they?

What was damaged by the Feb. 2-3, 2024, earthquake episode in Oklahoma?

ARCADIA-EDMOND QUAKES: Oil and gas regulators investigating swarm of earthquakes near OKC; largest a 4.3 magnitude

Where exactly were these earthquakes in Oklahoma?

People felt the big one across the state and into neighboring states, but they were all centered in one area 60 miles east of Oklahoma City.

The first earthquake was at 11:24 p.m Friday, 5 miles northwest of Prague. The rest were in the same area between Prague and the tiny Sparks community 15 miles to the northwest.

If "Prague, Oklahoma," and "earthquake" sound familiar together, here's why

Were the February 2024 Prague, Oklahoma, earthquakes tied to "fracking"?

State seismologist Jake Walter said Saturday that this weekend's quakes also are probably related to disposal wells, which inject waste fluid into porous geologic formations underground. Walter noted that there was no indication that "fracking" caused the quakes.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission said Saturday that it was investigating.

Drilling companies use hydraulic fracturing in production. Underground or ground water is mixed with additives to make fracturing fluids, which are then i njected into targeted rock formations to free crude oil.

However, wastewater disposal comes at the end of the fracturing progress, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission orders shutdown of disposal wells near Prague, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission Oil and Gas Conservation Division ordered oil field wastewater disposal wells in the Arbuckle formation within 10 miles of Prague to begin shutting down operations, as its "initial response to mitigate the risk of further seismic activity," spokesman Matt Skinner said Saturday afternoon.

"The gradual shutdown process is necessary to avoid sudden pressure changes that could result in more seismic activity," Skinner said. "The Arbuckle formation is the states deepest formation.

"Oil and gas wastewater disposal into the Arbuckle formation has been linked to seismic activity in parts of the state.It should be stressed that that this action is an initial response. Further study may result in new directives."

Earthquake "swarm" or not, are the quakes and aftershocks over? Probably not, and here's why

People in the Prague area can expect more quakes, Walter said Saturday in a statement from the Oklahoma Geological Survey.

Expect several strong aftershocks in coming weeks that may be widely felt, Walter said.

Most aftershocks are smaller than the main shock, but a small fraction of aftershocks can result in a larger earthquake than the main event, Walter said.

The seismic hazard remains high in the area, he said.

People should secure valuables that might shake during strong aftershocks and be ready Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Here's where the top five most powerful of 40 earthquakes and aftershocks struck in Oklahoma Feb. 2-3, 2024.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, here are the highest-magnitude quakes of this seismic episode:

5.1 magnitude, 11:24 p.m. Friday, 5 miles northwest of Prague.

3.5 magnitude, 12:33 a.m. Saturday, 5 miles west-northwest of Prague.

3.2 magnitude, 3:17 a.m. Saturday, 5 miles southeast of Sparks.

3.0 magnitude, 2:19 a.m Saturday, 5 miles northwest of Prague.

2.9 magnitude, 5:21 a.m. Saturday, 5 miles southeast of Sparks. Also, 2.9 magnitude, 4:48 a.m., 5 miles southeast of Sparks.

Sign Up: Weekly newsletter Real Estate with Richard Mize

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Prague, Oklahoma, earthquakes: What we know
(KRON)  An eastern Pacific low-pressure system rainfall is forecasted for Saturday through Sunday. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch, High Wind Advisory, and Wind Advisory for the Bay Area.

Sandbags are utilized in flooding as an effective way to prevent or reduce floodwater damage.

Here are pickup sandbag locations throughout the Bay Area:

Alameda

Public Works provides up to five free sandbags for Alamedans. The sandbag station is closed during storms. For the sandbag location, contact Public Works at (510)-747-7900.

Proof of residency is required.

San Francisco

Public Works is providing 10 free sandbags leading up to and during severe rainstorms at their operations yard at Marin Street and Kansas Street. Sandbags can be retrieved Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents should bring proof of address.

Oakland

Public Works is providing Oakland residents with up to 10 emergency sandbags and up to 20 feet of plastic sheeting to Oakland residents and business owners at two different locations:

Municipal Service Center, 7101 Edgewater Drive Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Drainage Services Facility, 5921 Shepherd Canyon Road Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.



San Pablo

Ten free sandbags are available for the public at John Herbert Davis Park on Folsom Avenue at 17th Street. There is a 10-bag limit.

Santa Clara County

Valley Water offers free-filled sandbags for residents of Santa Clara County. According to Valley Water, the sites are self-served and residents are required to bring their shovels.

Alviso: 5030 N 1st Street, behind George Mayne Elementary School, entrance on Wilson Way behind the school

Morgan Hill: El Toro Fire Station, 18300 Old Monterey Road

Palo Alto: Palo Alto Air Terminal, 1925 Embarcadero Road

San Jose: City Central Service Yard, 1661 Senter Road at Phelan Avenue

San Jose: Santa Clara Valley Water District Winfield Warehouse, Winfield Boulevard between Blossom Hill Road and Coleman Avenue

Contra Consta County

For these sites, a shovel is needed.

Ambrose Community Center- 3105 Willow Pass Rd, Bay Point Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.  9 p.m. Bags are located in a large green plastic trash bin on the west side of the parking lot next to the fence line about 3/4 of the way back to the playing field.

Byron Airport- 500 Eagle Court, Byron Open 24 hours, 7 days a week Bags are located in front of the pump house near the flag pole.

County Public Works-2475 Waterbird Way, Martinez Open 24 hours, 7 days a week Bags are in a large gray plastic trash bin located at the parking stall north of the fueling station. The nearest cross street is Imhoff Drive.

Howe Homestead  2950 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek Open 24 hours, 7 days a week Bags and sand are located in the parking lot.

Knightsen Farm Bureau/County Agriculture-3020 Second Street, Knightsen Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Bags and sand are located at the north end of the parking lot next to the building.

West County Detention Facility-5555 Giant Highway, Richmond Open 24 hours, 7 days a week The bags are in a large gray plastic trash bin. The sand cradle is on the south side of the facility parking area.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
FILE - Prince Vittorio Emanuele from Savoy, left, and his wife Marina Doria, participate in a memorial service for the 100th birthday of the Polish-French artist Balthus, in Rossiniere, Switzerland, Friday, Feb. 29, 2008. Prince Vittorio Emanuele, son of Italys last king, Umberto II, has died. He was 86. The Savoy Royal House said in a statement that he died on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. Vittorio Emanuele was obliged to leave Italy for exile when he was only 9, after Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946. (Peter Schneider/Keystone via AP)

ROME (AP)  Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the son of Italys last king, Umberto II, has died at the age of 86.

The prince died on Saturday in Geneva, the Savoy Royal House said in a statement. He had lived in Switzerland since the family were exiled from Italy when he was 9 years old.

Vittorio Emanuele was born on February 12, 1937, in Naples to Umberto, Prince of Piedmont, who would later briefly become Umberto II, and Princess Marie-Jose of Belgium.

Umberto ruled Italy for only 34 days after his father, King Vittorio Emanuele III, abdicated in an attempt to save the monarchy that had been discredited by his support of Benito Mussolinis fascist regime during World War II.

When Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946, Vittorio Emanuele and his family were obliged to go into exile. An article of the Constitution of the new Italian Republic prevented previous kings of the House of Savoy, their wives and male descendants of the family from entering Italian soil.

The ban was lifted in 2002 and moves to bring royal remains back to Italy began in 2011.

Vittorio Emanuele and his son, Emanuele Filiberto, made a triumphant return to Italy for a visit in 2002, after the ban was lifted, but the two men later gave up on compensation claims of 260 million euros for their familys exile and the return of confiscated property, following a public outcry in Italy.

In 2005, in a letter published by Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, Vittorio Emanuele issued an official apology to Italys Jewish population, declaring that it was an error for the Savoy Royal Family to have signed the racial laws in 1938.

Vittorio Emanuele's private life was marred by a string of judicial troubles.

In 1999, he was acquitted of manslaughter by a court in Paris at the end of a 13-year legal battle. He had been accused of firing a rifle from his yacht while it was moored off Corsica, fatally wounding a German tourist who was sleeping in a vessel nearby.

The controversial case inspired a 2023 Netflix series: The King Who Never Was.

The prince was arrested in 2006 as part of an investigation in the southern Italian town of Potenza on charges of racketeering and involvement in prostitution. He was acquitted after a trial.

Vittorio Emanuele is survived by his wife, Marina Ricolfi Doria, and his only son, Emanuele Filiberto, who now becomes the heir of the Savoy family.
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Serbian actor Milos Bikovic, who supports Russia, will not appear in the third season of the White Lotus series.

HBO has cancelled Bikovics contract after the news broke and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry addressed, The Variety and Deadline reported.

The actor and Putins supporter was supposed to play a "flirtatious" Russian, Valentin, who works as a yoga instructor at a hotel. Now the role will be rewritten, HBO reported.

At the same time, Bikovic himself said that a "targeted campaign has been unleashed against him". According to the Putin supporter, this precedent will lead to "the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art."

Milos Bikovic publicly supports Russia's aggressive policy. He received a Russian passport and starred in a TV series filmed in temporarily occupied Crimea.

When it became known that he would star in the third season of the satirical drama series White Lotus in 2024, it caused outrage online.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticised the US network.

    Instagram ,  UNITED24Media (@united24.media)

"Milos Bikovic, Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, is now set to star in HBO's The White Lotus Season 3. HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?" the Foreign Ministry said on Twitter (X).

Among other things, Bikovic starred in the Russian film Serf

Background:

As Bikovic said, he has lived in Russia for ten years. In 2019, Bikovic received the Pushkin Medal from Putin for his contribution to Russian culture. In 2021, the Serbian actor received a Russian passport.

He also took part in filming TV series in temporarily occupied Crimea and played in films by infamous propagandist Nikita Mikhalkov. Bikovic is banned from entering Ukraine.

In some interviews, Bikovic stated that he was close to Russian values, that Russians and Serbs were "one people", and that Russia was "going its own way". At the same time, he said that actors should stay out of politics.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Daisy Ridley doesnt want audiences to be misled by the title of her new film, Sometimes I Think About Dying.

Her character, Fran, is, actually, quite funny. Fran is a woman content in her mostly solitary life, apart from her co-workers in her chatty office. But when an attraction to a new colleague challenges her to take risks and push through social awkwardness to make a connection.

The film, in theaters now, is directed by Rachel Lambert and co-stars comedian Dave Merheje and several other comedic actors, who improvise watercooler talk to big laughs. )Ridley says she often had to stifle her laughter to stay in character.)

The Associated Press recently spoke to Ridley about finding Fran, reprising her role as Rey in a new Star Wars film, and perfecting her death stare. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

AP: The films title makes it sound gloomy, but its actually a comedy, right?

RIDLEY: There was a lot more humor than anyone is expecting because the title gives a feeling that its going to be more of a melancholic sort of feeling. But there is a lot of humor and Fran is pretty funny. But also the world that she lives in is full of vibrancy and the office space is very gregarious and loud and fun, so its a nice world for her to live in, even though she is struggling to make connections occasionally.

AP: Frans outsider view puts the office setting and people under a microscope  did that amuse you?

RIDLEY: I loved the world and I loved the office but, actually, a lot of that was improvised. Rachel talks about how much she loves working with comedians because theres such an ease with improvisation. The first scene we filmed was around the table in the conference room, and Rachel just let people fly and it was such a great way to bring everyone together. Fran loves to be at work. She loves her routine. But also she is sometimes a little judgmental of the people around her. So its not just that shes struggling. Sometimes shes like, I dont want to be part of it. I think its very human, like two things can be true at the same time.

AP: You perfected your death stare for the fantasy scenes  was that challenging?

RIDLEY: The beach was cold! And the main thing really was trying not to shiver. So that was please dont shiver, please dont move. And then lying in the forest was tricky because I had a handful of bugs and it was like icky icky icky.

Thank you for the compliment about my death stare, I dont know how I managed that well (laughs). It sounds so messed up. An absence of thought, which is obviously a contrast, because I had so much thinking when I was playing her. So in those moments, it was about the absence of any of that and the sort of calm, quiet time.

AP: This was your first time producing  how was that experience?

RIDLEY: It was a generous give of the producer credit (laughs). I did come on early so there was a sense that we all had to hold hands and say, OK, this is what were going to do, and this is how were going to do it. I was asked about various creative things, but Rachel made it so easy. And then from landing in Portland, (Oregon,) I was just an actor. There was no feeling of responsibility  bar from my own performance and being part of a company of people, which was wonderful. But there were a lot of lessons I learned on set because there were a group of people who made the film together and they were very generous with me, talking about budget and scheduling  so that actually facilitated me making my own movie, because I knew what could be done.

AP: Knowing you cant say much about the new Star Wars movie,what excites you most about it?

RIDLEY: Im excited about the story. I didnt think it would happen that I would go back now. I thought maybe it would at some point, like in the faraway future. But I think the story is great and will appeal to the people that love it, and people who are maybe not as familiar with it. I think it will be a worthwhile adventure (smiles).

AP: You were so young on the last one; how will this be different?

RIDLEY: I was the baby! Now I feel more like a grown-up. Its going to be so strange because Im not going to be the baby anymore. But also, thats sort of an exciting adventure of like, OK, how is this going to be  a different filmmaker, different writer, different crew, different cast? It will be such its own thing with its own thumbprint on it. It will be interesting.

AP: Who on that set gave you advice or helped you learn about the business?

RIDLEY: Im the person that is always too embarrassed to ask questions. So I pretend Im not fussed at all that Im, like, next to Harrison Ford (laughs)! I think J.J. (Abrams) particularly, I will always think of in such a wonderful way because its such an intimate relationship, the one between actor and director, and the one between actor and cameraman. We had this amazing camera operator called Colin and theres always such protection with the hair and makeup team and the costume team because, again, its so intimate. You go in at 5 in the morning and people are in your space, helping guide you and helping you feel ready to be seen eventually on an IMAX (screen). And actors. There was a lot of kindness from all places.
Four people and 11 animals were exposed to a rabid cow found in South Carolina, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed.

The cow, found in Saluda County near Prosperity, was submitted to DHECs laboratory for testing on Wednesday. The department confirmed the case of rabies on Friday, according to a news release.

The four people exposed have been referred to their health care providers.

Eleven cows may have also been exposed to the rabid animal, DHEC said. The department is consulting state veterinarians with Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health to determine a safety response.

The cow was the first animal to test positive for rabies in Saluda County in 2024, and the seventh case of rabies statewide, DHEC said. In 2023, there were 78 confirmed cases of rabies in South Carolina. Since 2002, the state has averaged about 148 cases per year.

South Carolina law requires owners to keep dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated using a treatment approved by DHEC and licensed by the United State Department of Agriculture.

Livestock animals susceptible to rabies should also be vaccinated, DHEC said. Rabies infections in cattle and horses are more frequent than other livestock.

Keeping pets and livestock up to date on their rabies vaccinations is a responsibility that comes with owning an animal, Terri McCollister, DHECs Rabies Program director, said in a news release.

It is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect yourself, your family, your pets and your livestock from this fatal disease, McCollister said. That is an investment worth making to provide yourself some peace of mind.

If you believe that you, your family members or your pets have come into contact with this cow or another animal with rabies, the department asks you to call the public health office in Columbia at (803) 896-0620 during normal business hours, or at (888) 847-0902 after hours.

For more information on rabies visit scdhec.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.
WYTHEVILLE, Va. (WFXR)  A Radford police officer is facing charges after allegedly getting into a fight at a restaurant and driving while intoxicated in Wytheville on Jan. 27.

Wytheville police told WFXR that just before 1 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Log House Restaurant for a fight. When officers arrived at the scene, they noticed a silver pickup truck leaving the area.

Police said dispatch then advised them that the truck leaving the area belonged to the suspect, later identified as Radford Officer John Fuhrman.

Wytheville police said a second responding officer noticed the truck at the intersection of N. 11th Street and E. Monroe and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, they learned that Officer Fhurman was driving the pickup truck, and Michael Fuhrman, was in the passenger seat.

Radford Police Officer on administrative duty after alleged assault in Wytheville

As the investigation continued officers took written statements from the victim and witnesses at the restaurant. Wytheville police told WFXR that the victim had injuries to his face and claimed that he was allegedly assaulted by two men.

Police said after the traffic stop and investigation, the pair was arrested.

John Fuhrman, of Wytheville, was charged with:

Misdemeanor Assault and Battery.

Misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense

He was being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail but was released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

Michael Fuhrman, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina was charged with Misdemeanor Assault and Battery. He was released on a $1,500 Recognizance Bond.

In response to the incident, the Radford City Police have released the following statement.

The Radford City Police Department was notified that Off Duty Officer John Fuhrman was arrested on Saturday, January 27, 2024, for Driving Under the Influence and Assault and Battery. Immediate actions were taken by the Radford City Police Department. Officer Fuhrman was placed on suspension pending an Internal investigation. Jerry Holdaway, Chief of Police

WFXR News will update this story as further information is released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
SOUTH CAROLINA (AP)  For the first time ever, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination officially kicks off on Saturday in South Carolina, the state that resurrected then-candidate Joe Bidens foundering presidential campaign in 2020 and put him on a footing to win his partys nod and, eventually, the White House.

Democrats in SC must work harder than ever to survive in an era of Republican domination

Unlike four years ago, President Biden now looks to South Carolina voters to cement his campaign as the overwhelming favorite, as opposed to rescuing it from near-oblivion.

Polls close statewide at 7 p.m. ET.

At Bidens urging, the Democratic National Committee rearranged the 2024 primary calendar and slotted South Carolina as the first contest of the campaign season, citing in part the states far more racially diverse electorate than the traditional first-in-the-nation states of Iowa and New Hampshire, which are overwhelmingly white.

New Hampshire held a leadoff primary anyway in defiance of the DNC, but without the presidents or the national partys backing and no delegates at stake, the contest amounted to little more than a non-binding beauty contest. Biden won New Hampshire by a sizable margin nonetheless after supporters mounted a write-in campaign on his behalf.

Challenging Biden on the South Carolina ballot are U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson. Phillips received about 20% of the vote in New Hampshire, while Williamson received about 4%. Williamson was part of the crowded 2020 field that included Biden, but she dropped out before the first contests.

The South Carolina primary will be the first opportunity this year for Democratic candidates to begin accumulating the nearly 2,000 delegates needed to clinch the partys nomination.

Heres a look at what to expect on Saturday:

PRIMARY NIGHT

The South Carolina Democratic presidential primary will be held on Saturday. Polls close statewide at 7 p.m. ET.

WHATS ON THE BALLOT

The Associated Press will provide coverage for the Democratic presidential primary. It is the only contest that night. The ballot will list three candidates: Biden, Phillips, and Williamson.

WHO GETS TO VOTE

South Carolina has an open primary system, which means any registered voter may participate in any partys primary. Voters may only participate in one partys presidential primary, so those who vote on Saturday may not vote in the Republican contest on Feb. 24.

DELEGATE ALLOCATION RULES

Proportional by statewide and congressional district votes with a 15% threshold. South Carolinas 55 pledged Democratic delegates are allocated according to the national partys standard rules. Twelve at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are seven PLEO delegates, or party leaders and elected officials.

The states seven congressional districts have a combined 36 delegates at stake, which are allocated in proportion to the vote results in each district. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any statewide delegates and 15% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates in that district.

DECISION NOTES

Bidens decisive victory in the 2020 South Carolina primary offers some useful benchmarks in determining the winner on Saturday night as votes are being counted.

In 2020, then-candidate Biden carried all 46 counties in the state. His strongest geographic regions were in the Pee Dee and Waccamaw River valley areas in the states eastern region and in central South Carolina, including the state capital of Columbia. He received about 54% of the vote in both areas. He was also the top choice among Democratic primary voters in the states Democratic and Republican strongholds, as well as in the more moderate areas in between.

But the key to Bidens 2020 win in South Carolina was his strength among the states Black voters. APs VoteCast survey of 2020 South Carolina primary voters found that 64% of Black voters supported Biden, compared with 33% of white voters. Black voters made up about half of the Democratic primary electorate that year, according to VoteCast.

If Biden matches or outpaces his performance in counties with large Black populations in initial results throughout the state, it is a strong indicator of another decisive win in the Palmetto State.

One notable difference is that Biden faced a much more competitive field in 2020, which included Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who were the top two vote-getters in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary that year. Biden received 49% of the vote against six other active candidates, as well as five former candidates who were still listed on the ballot. He more than doubled the 20% that second-place finisher Sanders received.

This year, Biden faces fewer and less competitive challengers and enters South Carolina as the overwhelming front-runner, coming off a 44-point victory over his nearest competitor in the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 23.

The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE?

There are about 3.3 million registered voters in South Carolina. Voters do not register by party. Turnout in the 2020 Democratic primary was about 16% of registered voters. It was about 13% in the 2016 primary.

Saturdays event will be the first presidential primary held in the state since a new early voting law was enacted in May 2022. The law allows voters to cast ballots in person up to about two weeks before Election Day without an excuse. In the 2016 Democratic primary, when voters had to provide an excuse to cast an absentee ballot, about 14% of votes were cast before Election Day. In the 2022 midterm primaries, after the new law went into effect, pre-Election Day voting was at about 21%.

As of Monday, nearly 24,000 voters had already cast their ballots.

HOW LONG DOES VOTE COUNTING USUALLY TAKE?

In the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary, the AP first reported results at 7:09 p.m. ET.

Primary night tabulation ended at 12:17 a.m. ET with 98% of votes counted.

ARE WE THERE YET?

As of Saturday, there will be 198 days until the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 276 days until the November general election.

Queen City News is YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HEADQUARTERS.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Its been called an imposter Christianity, a heretical faith that sanctifies lies, and the most serious threat to democracy in America.

Thats how critics have described White Christian nationalism, a deviant strain of religion that has infected the political mainstream. White Christian nationalists believe the US was founded as a Christian nation, although the Constitution never mentions God and enshrines the separation of church and state. Its adherents twist biblical language to justify violence, sexism and hostility toward people of color.

But there is another cost to the spread of White Christian nationalism that no one mentions.

The relentless coverage of White Christian nationalism is spreading a racist myth: that Whiteness is the default setting for evangelical Christianity.

This is one of the unintended consequences of the media and publics fascination with the subject. Feeding this perception is an avalanche of books, articles and now a Hollywood film on the beliefs of White evangelical Christians  the biggest followers of Christian nationalism. In a February 2023 survey, nearly two-thirds of White evangelical Protestants qualified as sympathizers or adherents to Christian nationalism.

The constant linking of Whiteness with evangelical Christianity, though, obscures another major story. There are millions of Black, Latino, African and Asian evangelical Christians who are already profoundly changing America. They represent what one scholar calls the de-Europeanization of American Christianity.

And these non-White evangelicals will likely not only save the American church but transform the nations politics.

This future will belong to people like Pastor Peter Lim, founder of a growing congregation of Asian-Americans called 4Pointes Church of Atlanta. Lim, a Korean American evangelical, says the medias hyperfocus on White Christian nationalism often renders communities like his invisible.

He says hes attended evangelical conferences where the only people who are featured onstage are White pastors or leaders. He wrote in an essay that Asian-American evangelicals often experience perpetual invisibility  akin to what Asian Americans encounter more broadly in this country.

You just feel overlooked  your story or your experience is minimized, he says. Its not done intentionally. But you dont feel like you belong. It tells you that your stories dont belong. It does hurt.

Lims experience is the result of a passive form of racism. Its not deliberate or malign; its a sin of omission rather than commission by many journalists, church leaders and commentators who rightly warn about the dangers posed by White Christian nationalism.

Ive done it myself: In the past, when I thought about evangelicals, I only saw White Christians.

Why evangelical Christianity may become less conservative

Carolyn Chen, co-director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, says the growth of non-White evangelicals will change the American church and the nations politics. - Courtesy Ella Sophie Bessette

The true definition of evangelical has nothing to do with a color or a political party. Evangelicals are loosely defined as Christians who share a born-again dramatic personal conversion, who take the Bible seriously or literally and believe theyre supposed to spread their faith to others.

Today, however, the definition of an evangelical Christian has been reduced to one category: a White conservative Republican.

Click on any story about evangelicals and youre liable to see a White person, usually a man, clutching a Bible.

But it may surprise some people to learn that in 2024, the face of evangelical Christianity in the US is more likely to be brown than White.

The numbers tell the story:

According to a 2017 survey, one in three American evangelicals is a person of color.

A higher number of Black Christians  41%  identify as evangelicals than their White Christian counterparts.

The fastest-growing segment of evangelicals in the US are Latino Americans.

And at least 80% of the members of evangelical student groups at competitive universities like Princeton, Harvard and Stanford are Asian-American, according to one estimate.

As Carolyn Chen, a professor at UC Berkeley who is an authority on Asian American religion, said during a 2022 speech: Todays evangelical leaders are not just White men with degrees from Oral Roberts University.

Two Asian Americans, for example, hold leadership positions at major evangelical organizations. Walter Kim, a Korean American, is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). And Tom Lin, a Taiwanese American, is the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, a nationwide campus Christian ministry.

The Rev. William Barber II, a Black pastor and activist who has been called the closest person we have to MLK in contemporary America, also identifies as an evangelical Christian.

This change of complexion often produces a change in political perspective. Scholars say non-White evangelicals tend to be conservative on issues like sexuality and abortion but more progressive in politics. A majority of Black evangelicals, for example, say that opposing racism is an essential part of their faith.

Chen predicts that America will become more secular, and Christianity less conservative as non-White evangelicals increase in number.

The spread of White Christian nationalism was on display during the January 6 insurrection, which featured many White Christians, like the one above, carrying Bibles and crosses as they rallied in support of former President Trump. - John Minchillo/AP

Chen says the browning of Christianity in the US owes much to the passage of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. That law paved the way for millions of immigrants from Asian, Africa, and Latin American countries to come to the US.

When we tell the story about American Christianity, we might start with the Puritans  its basically a European story, says Chen, author of Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley. But what if we were to tell the story of American Christianity by what its starting to look like and how its changing today? That story begins in a place like Taiwan, Korea, or Mexico.

How it feels to belong to a church that does not see you

The focus on White evangelicals presents their non-White counterparts with a challenge: How do you reconcile belonging to a church that often doesnt see you?

Thats a problem Black evangelicals have faced for centuries, says the Rev. John C. Richards, Jr., a Black evangelical pastor at Saint Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. He wrote in a 2017 essay that White Christians have historically controlled the evangelical narrative.

Black Christians have always lived in the peripheral vision of White Evangelicalism  our stories remaining unearthed and untold, he wrote.

But Black evangelicals have been in the US since the countrys birth. Richards says they have been the moral compass of our nation, clinging to their faith during slavery and Jim Crow. He cited the evangelical scholar Mark Noll, who once said:

Black Christians are the ones who have experienced the cross most traumatically in American history yet have not been included in the stories of Evangelicalism.

Richards deals with this challenge by asserting his evangelical identity in any forum he can. He uses social media, sermons and his The Questions Worth Answering podcast to highlight the faith and contributions of Black evangelicals.

And he continues to claim the term evangelical, despite its association with conservative White Americans.

Im not ready to abandon it just because someone co-opted it and just because people are misusing the word, he says.

The Rev. John Onwuchekwa, a pastor and entrepreneur based in Georgia, has a different response.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Immigration Bill of 1965 on Liberty Island in New York Harbor with a view of the New York City skyline in the background. Next to the president on his right are First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey. To the president's left are Senator Edward Kennedy (third from right) and Robert Kennedy (second from right). - Corbis Historical/Getty Images

The son of Nigerian immigrants, he says he grew exhausted trying to defend his perspective on race while he was a pastor with the Southern Baptist Convention, an ultra-conservative, predominately White evangelical denomination.

Onwuchekwa and the congregation he co-founded, the Cornerstone Church, eventually left the Southern Baptist Convention.

Onwuchekwa says he no longer uses the term evangelical to describe himself.

Its become an unhelpful label, he says. Its almost become an exclusively political term. The point of a label is to reduce the time it takes to communicate. Whenever you use the term evangelical in public discourse, it achieves the opposite because you have to say, Oh, but wait, heres what I mean. 

This pastor wants the full intricacies of his humanity to be seen

Some non-White evangelicals are ignored in a more subtle way. Their perspective is only sought on issues related to race, like Christian nationalism.

Onwuchekwa says he was once participating in a panel discussion on theology at a large evangelical conference with another Black pastor. Both answered questions about race for 15 minutes. When the other panelists turned the conversation to other theological matters, no one had a question for either of them for the remaining 45 minutes.

Sometimes your race or ethnicity is ignored; at other times, thats all White people see.

It made me feel belittled, used and it made me feel like this isnt the space for me, says Onwuchekwa, author of We Go On: Finding Purpose in All of Lifes Sorrows and Joys.

Maria Antonetty, foreground right, joins other worshipers at a Spanish Easter service at the Primitive Christian Church in New York. The fastest growing segment of evangelicals in the US are Latino Americans. - Tina Fineberg/AP

There need to be spaces where the full intricacies of my humanity are more fully appreciated, says Onwuchekwa, who is also a co-founder of the Crete Collective, which opens churches in communities of color.

Some non-White evangelicals feel overlooked because church leaders dont acknowledge their pain.

Lim, the Korean-American pastor, says several Asian-American families joined his church following a 2021 tragedy that rocked Atlantas Asian community. A man entered several Atlanta-area spas and shot and killed eight people, including six Asian women. The shooting underscored a recent surge in hate crimes against Asians in the US.

Some of the new members of Lims church had been congregants in large, White evangelical churches. They told him they left because of the spa shootings, he says.

It wasnt addressed at the churches; it wasnt even talked about, Lim says. These Asian Americans, who were key members of the church, felt invisible. Their hurt was overlooked. That was the final straw for them.

Non-White evangelicals may save the American church

It may soon be impossible to ignore the importance of non-White evangelicals because of one reason: demographics.

At first glance, the numbers dont look good for Christians in America. Commentators have longed warned that Christianity in the US is dying.

Church membership in the US has been declining and in 2020 fell below 50% for the first time. Church leaders fret that the American church is poised to follow the path of West European churches: soaring Gothic cathedrals with empty pews and shuttered church sanctuaries converted into nightclubs.

The numbers look grim for White evangelicals as well. They are the oldest religious group in America, and their numbers are declining, Chen, the UC Berkeley professor, says.

But for evangelicals, the migration of non-White immigrants to the US from Latin America and Asia could represent a more earthbound form of salvation.

The US has more immigrants than any country. Many of them are evangelicals and they, along with their children, are bringing their religious fervor with them and planting churches.

The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II , seen above speaking in Washington, DC, is an activist and civil rights leader who identifies as an evangelical Christian. However, he rejects the political beliefs associated with White Christian nationalism. - Oliver Contreras/For The Washington Post/Getty Images

For so long weve talked about Christianity or evangelicalism as a White phenomenon, says Chen, who is also the executive director of the Asian Pacific American Religions Research Initiative.

Were on the cusp of this demographic change and theres evidence of it all over. But we dont even see it because were so focused on this population thats dying out.

No one is saying there will be a great replacement of White evangelicals by hordes of brown or Black migrants elbowing them out of the pews. White evangelicals will remain a potent political force in American politics.

But there is a rich and vibrant world of non-White evangelicals in America whose stories remain unearthed and untold. Not every discussion of evangelicals should feature White faces.

Its time to bury the myth that White Americans have a monopoly on evangelical Christianity.

John Blake is the author of More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Its hard to forget those big plumes of smoke after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous material derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, 2023.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

The crash led to the railroads CEO facing Congress last March.

I want to start today by saying how deeply sorry I am for the impact this derailment has had on the residents of east Palestine and the surrounding communities, said Alan Shaw, Norfolk Southern President & CEO last spring.

READ: We cannot wait any longer: Grieving parents fight for social media protections for kids

Shortly after the crash Senators from Ohio and Pennsylvania, both Democrats and Republicans, introduced a new bill to boost safety measures for trains carrying dangerous materials.

It would create requirements for detectors that take the temperature of each railcar wheel as it passes. This was an issue in the East Palestine crash.

Weve got way too many train crashes as long as you got all these train crashes, what happened in East Palestine is going to keep on happening, said Sen. J. D. Vance, R  Ohio.

We arent letting Norfolk southern get away with it again. We arent going to let them dismiss another vibrant, heartland town as collateral damage, said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D  Ohio.

But one year later, this bill still hasnt passed the Senate and its uncertain when it could come up for a vote. Federal data also shows theres been more than 1,500 rail incidents since East Palestine.

In a statement, a Norfolk southern spokesperson said, We are committed to working across the industry to make the rail industry even safer. We are not waiting for legislation to act.

The company said some of those steps include joining the federal Confidential Close Call reporting system. This is a new pilot program that allows employees to anonymously report near-misses or close calls.

The railroad has also spent tens of millions of dollars cleaning up the area.

I am determined to make this right, said Shaw during a congressional hearing.

The White House says President Biden will visit East Palestine this month. This visit would be his first to the area since that derailment.

READ: US launches retaliatory strikes on targets in Iraq, Syria

Full statement from the Association of American Railroad, which represents railroad companies:

Railroads and policymakers share the same goal of making the rail network even safer. The industry is dedicated to advancing safety through our own initiatives and in collaboration with policymakers.

Despite some reports to the contrary, railroads have never opposed the Railway Safety Act (RSA). Weve engaged policymakers on both sides of the aisle in open, productive conversations that have resulted in meaningful updates that advance rail safety without hindering innovation. The national rail network is complex and requires surgical precision when it comes to policies affecting its daily operations. Since the East Palestine incident, our communications with policymakers have been clear that railroads aim to advance the safety conversation  not stand in the way of legislation.

The industry has and will continue to engage in good-faith conversations about how legislation can improve safety, encourage innovation and keep the supply chain moving.

READ: Its a beautiful city: Top Elite runners admire Orlando amid Olympic Marathon Trials

Full statement from Norfolk Southern:

We support legislative efforts to enhance the safety of the freight rail industry. We are committed to working across the industry to make the rail industry even safer. We are not waiting for legislation to act. We made significant progress in 2023. In numbers reported to the FRA, our accident rate decreased by 10%, and our mainline accident rate decreased over 40%.

The actions weve taken on safety are wide-ranging. We:

 Are the first class I railroad to join an FRA C3RS pilot program in partnership with our labor unions and FRA, part of our demonstrated collaboration with our craft colleagues.

 Have worked to further first responders access to real-time train consist information through our partnership with RapidSOS, pushing consist information directly to first responders within minutes of an incident.

 Have increased access to training for first responders, providing training to more than 5,000 first responders in 2023 and adding additional stops to our Safety Train schedule in 2024. Construction will also continue on a regional training facility in Ohio.

 Launched a next-generation digital inspection portal to add an additional layer to train inspections. We plan to have 20 across our network for broad coverage.

 Adopted industry standards, set by the AAR, on HBD temperature thresholds.

 Are on track to complete our goal of shortening the distance between hot hearing detectors (HBDs) on our core network to approximately 11 miles apart by the end of 2024. To date, we have installed more than 115 new HBDs on our network.

 Were piloting next-generation HBDs and working to see how thermal cameras can supplement our existing tech in this area.

 In an unprecedented move in the rail and transport industry, appointed an independent safety consultant - Atkins Nuclear Secured, made up of former Navy Nuclear professionals - to review our standards and practices.

 Are collaborating with unions and their leaders to enhance our safety culture.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, speaks about HB261 at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Jan. 19, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News

A bill has been proposed to help victims of crime better understand the process of their cases.

Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo introduced HB308, also known as Crime Victim Amendments.

House bill 308 doesnt create new penalties, doesnt create a new system. It strives to enhance the system that we already have, Clancy said. When you talk to victims of crime who feel that theyve been jammed up by the system, theres usually one of two things that have happened.

One is they didnt like the outcome of their case and we cant change that, Clancy continued. But the second is that somewhere along the line, wires were crossed and there was some miscommunication throughout the process of what expectations were to be and how the process was to go. The goal of HB308 is to provide further clarity on the process.

The bill would require that the executive director of the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice appoint a council coordinator for the Utah Council on Victims of Crime and create a victim rights committee in each judicial district across the state.

Clancy said he believes additional clarity for the victims on what they can expect may result in dignity and respect through the process.

The bill was advanced unanimously from the committee. No one from the public spoke in opposition to the bill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After seeing record-low unemployment rates in 2022 and 2023, the U.S. job market has started to decline, according to unemployment data compiled by WalletHub.

Unemployment claims in the U.S. increased by 4.2% between Jan. 8 and Jan. 22. The cooling job market was especially noticeable in Oregon, which saw the second-highest increase in unemployment claims among all U.S. states, the data shows. Oregon also ranked first for the most unemployment claims filed per 100,000 People in the Labor Force during this time.

While the claims have risen, Oregon State Economist Joshua Lehner said that Oregons recent unemployment data looks similar to the past few years.

The first few weeks of initial claims in Oregon to start the year look really similar to recent years, Lehner said. Now, claims are up compared to the historic lows in 2022, which is really more about the really fast job gains as the economy reopened post-pandemic and firms staffed up  hardly any layoffs then  and also, as some workers exhausted benefits during the pandemic meaning there were fewer potential [unemployment insurance] claims at the time.

Year-over-year Oregon employment statistics. (Oregon Office of Economic Analysis)

Columbia Sportswear to cut corporate jobs ahead of challenging year

Oregon ranked second to New York, which topped the list for the largest rise in unemployment claims in recent weeks. During this period, 27 of the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., saw a rise in unemployment. The states that didnt see a rise in unemployment include South Dakota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois, Wyoming, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Utah, Maine, Iowa, Kansas, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan, Hawaii and Virginia.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Civilian unemployment rates. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Civilian unemployment rate, unemployment rates in the U.S. remain at near-all-time lows. Lehner said that any recent minor changes are related to the economys rebalancing in the wake of the pandemic.

The good news for the labor market is it has rebalanced, Lehner said. Layoffs are up a bit, but not spiraling upward, at least at the moment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency has filed a new lawsuit against Republic Steel that claims the Lorain and Canton plants violated the Clean Water Act numerous times between May 2017 and March 2023.

The civil complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court in Cleveland could cost the company millions of dollars  a fine of up to $66,712 per day for each violation of the facilities' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. The permits allow certain levels of pollutants to be discharged into waterways with monitoring and reporting requirements.

However, the federal government proposed a settlement that would impose a $700,000 fine to be paid in three installments. It recognized that Republic Steel closed its Northeast Ohio facilities and does not plan to resume operations.

"This amount is based on the United States financial experts review of Republic Steels finances and determination that Republic Steel has a limited ability to pay a civil penalty," according to the motion for consent judgment.

Messages seeking comment were left Thursday for the company.

U.S. EPA cites Republic Steel's permit violations in Canton and Lorain

Republic Steel, which was headquartered in Canton and is owned by Grupo Simec, closed its U.S. facilities last summer and moved operations to Mexico. The Lorain plant had been idled since 2016 and briefly operated in 2018 but still discharged water from groundwater pumps and stormwater collection, according to the complaint.

Between May 2017 and March 2023, the Canton facility self-reported 89 instances where its industrial wastewater discharge exceeded the permit limits, and the Lorain facility self-reported 115 instances. But it also states that the Canton plant failed to properly monitor or report issues. The Lorain facility also had violations related to monitoring and no flow measurement device when the EPA visited in April 2022.

The Canton plant exceeded the discharge limits for oil and grease, selenium, zinc, lead, residual chlorine, total suspended solids, mercury, pH and toxicity on "multiple occasions," according to the complaint. During at least three days in 2019, EPA inspectors also found that Republic Steel unlawfully released water used to cool the electric arc furnace slag into a storm drain that flows into the East Branch of Nimishillen Creek.

The federal government claims the Lorain plant polluted the Black River and repeatedly exceeded wastewater permit limits for oil and grease, residual chlorine, mercury and pH.

Republic Steel did not oppose the settlement, which has yet to be finalized, according to court records.

Air pollution cleanup ongoing

The company previously settled with the federal government for a $990,000 fee and agreed to pay the Ohio EPA $60,000 and the city of Canton $300,000 for Clean Air Act violations at the Canton plant.

The city has established the Republic Canton Community Fund and plans to solicit bids for exterior cleaning services for affected residents. According to a city news release on Thursday, those services should be available between April and October for residents in designated areas.

Eligible properties are within the area bordered by Eighth Street NE, Marietta Avenue NE, Tuscarawas Street E and Gobel Avenue NE. The fund also applies to the residential area east of Republic Steel near Trump Avenue and Georgetown Road NE.

"All residents in the designated areas will receive a letter describing how to schedule the free service after acontractor is secured," the city announcement states.

A map of the designated areas is available at cantonhealth.org. The city advised anyone with questions about the program to call Air Pollution Control Director Terri Dzienis at 330-438-4640.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn X: @kbyerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Republic Steel facing new fine over water pollution
A 75-year-old woman was pulled from a freezing pond after falling through the ice, Michigan cops say. She died hours later.

Milford Township police and the fire department were initially called to rescue a dog that was stuck on the ice, according to a news release from the Oakland Sheriffs Office. While rescuing the dog, they noticed several items near the edge of the ice.

When the sheriffs office rescue team arrived, they saw a coat floating near the surface of the freezing water, deputies said. Dive teams recovered the 75-year-old from the pond approximately 250 feet from the shore.

She was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead hours later, deputies said.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said people should call the authorities to save an animal that has fallen through ice rather than going onto the ice themselves.

Milford Township is about 40 miles northwest of Detroit.

Photographer found sick bald eagle in state park. Now officials know what killed it

Nightclub security guard killed in targeted attack while leaving work, Ohio cops say
Sections of road near the border with Russia in Sumy Oblast have been closed to civilian vehicles after a Russian reconnaissance and sabotage group shot dead two people on Jan. 27, the region's military administration reported on Feb. 3.

The victims were a brother and a sister who lived in a village near the border.

The regional authorities said that road sections that are located within five kilometers of the Russian border have been blocked to prevent civilian casualties.

In the summer of 2023, regional authorities announced a voluntary evacuation from settlements in the five-kilometer border zone most affected by Russian attacks, although not all residents agreed to leave.

Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, is hit by Russian attacks on a daily basis. Russian forces shelled the region 102 times in 33 separate attacks on Feb. 2, according to Sumy Oblast Military Administration.

Read also: Official: Ukraine evacuates over 100 people from Russian-occupied outskirts of Avdiivka

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Attorney Roberta Kaplan, who most recently represented E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump, recounted in a podcast interview released Friday that the former president got angry during a deposition after he learned that his lawyers agreed to provide her lunch and in a separate moment invoked a vulgar term.

Kaplan recalled her interaction with Trump during an episode of the George Conway Explains it All (to Sarah Longwell) podcast. The deposition was held at Mar-a-Lago during which she said Trump argued over whether they should take a lunch break, with him advocating they should continue working straight through.

"This is a waste of my time," Kaplan quoted Trump as saying.

Kaplan said she then saw Trump's "wheels spinning in his brain" and he asked her what she would do for lunch since she was at Mar-a-Lago, an estate on an island removed from commercial areas.

"So I said to him, 'Well, you know, I raised this question with your attorneys yesterday, sir, and they graciously offered to provide us with lunch.' At which point there was a huge pile of documents, exhibits, sitting in front of him, and he took the pile and he just threw it across the table," Kaplan said.

She added, "He really yelled at Alina for that. He was so mad at Alina," referring to Trump's lawyer Alina Habba.

After they resumed the deposition following lunch, Kaplan said Trump asked her how she liked her meal.

"I said, 'Well, sir, I had a banana. You know, I can never really eat when I'm taking testimony," said Kaplan, who then said Trump was "kind of charming. "He said, 'I told you, I told them to make you really bad sandwiches, but they can't help themselves here.'"

During the episode, George Conway, a fierce critic of Trump and a lawyer himself, noted that it's customary for opposing legal teams to offer lunch to each other.

At the end of the deposition, Kaplan said that Trump's lawyers asked to go "off the record," meaning what he said would not be included on the court deposition transcript. Kaplan said Trump then said to her: See you next Tuesday, a slang term referring to a word for female genitalia used as an insult for women.

Kaplan said she didn't know what the slang term meant and it wasn't until her colleagues informed her afterward.

"They tell me and Im like, 'Oh my God,' thank God I didnt know because had I known, I for sure would have gotten angry. Theres no question I would have gotten angry, Kaplan said.

Requests for comment were not immediately returned by an aide for Trump or Habba.

In Carroll's case against Trump, a jury last month found that the former president owes Carroll more than $83 million in damages for defamation.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The counties of West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian surround Edinburgh, and contain a spectacular range of architecture and archaeological remains. It is all superbly catalogued in the newly revised Lothian edition of the Pevsner series Buildings of Scotland (Yale, 45). The volume covers Lowland towns such as South Queensferry, with its distinctive tolbooth steeple from the 1720s; Gifford, with its stark but handsome kirk of the same period; and Haddington, birthplace of Jane Welsh Carlyle.

Haddington is on the A1 between Berwick and Edinburgh, and I cannot understand why it is not better known and explored by English travellers. Its magnificent parish church of St Mary is, at more than 200ft long, just bigger than St Giless in Edinburgh, and a creation almost entirely of the late-15th and early-16th centuries. It includes the exceptional Lauderdale Monument of the 1640s, a tomb of the Maitland family, later Earls of Lauderdale. Haddington also has a fine Episcopal church dating from the 1770s  a place of worship for those who supported the monarchy and had opposed the Jacobite rising of 1745.

This guide highlights some stunning ecclesiastical architecture across the Lothians. St Cuthberts at Dalmeny  the home of the Earls of Rosebery  is described as the best-preserved Norman parish church in the country; the editors suggest that there may be a link with the architecture of Durham Cathedral, which shares the same dedication to St Cuthbert. Dating from the 15th century, the Rosslyn Chapel, at Roslin, gives a fine display of the perpendicular style, as well as the kind of elaborate ornamentation familiar in English churches of the preceding century.

Storybook stuff: Victorian illustration of Hawthornden Castle, now a writers retreat - Alamy

Lothian also has an abundance of castles and country houses. Dirleton, from the 13th century, is remarkably well preserved, as is Hailes, from the same period. The latter held out against an attack in 1400 from Harry Hotspur and the English, and remained as a noble residence until after the Act of Union in 1707. But one of the most spectacular survivals is Linlithgow Palace, built in increments from the early 15th century over the next 200 years. A royal residence has been on the eminence above Linlithgow town since the early 12th century, but the vast building we now see was built after a devastating fire of 1424. Mary, Queen of Scots was born there, and James VI and I had his honeymoon there. The building became ruinous after the Jacobite rising.

Other buildings have fared better. Since 1982, Hawthornden Castle has been a writers retreat; Dalkeith Palace, from the early 18th century, is described as the grandest of all the early classical houses in Lothian. The jewel of this regions houses, though, is Hopetoun, a veritable palace whose east front (built by William Adam between 1721 and 1748) is called a work of resounding splendour. This part of Scotland is rich in architectural excellence, and well worth a detour or two from the many roads that lead in and out of Edinburgh.

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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani claimed his net income is only $2,308 per month in recent federal bankruptcy court filings. The documents were submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on Feb. 2.

Giuliani filed for bankruptcy last December after he lost a $148 million defamation suit filed by election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. A federal court ordered the former mayor to pay Moss and Freeman immediately. The Georgia election workers filed the lawsuit after Giuliani falsely claimed they committed election fraud during the 2020 election.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivers a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo: Brooks Kraft/Getty Images)

Giuliani claimed to only have an income of $2,308 per month after spending more than $40,000 monthly in expenses, Law & Crime reported after obtaining copies of Giulianis filing.

In the same court filings, Giulianis assets are valued at more than $10.6 million, including a $5.6 million condo in New York City and a $3.5 million home in Palm Beach, Florida, and his creditors attorney, Philip C. Dublin, alleges relevant transfers were not disclosed.

The federal bankruptcy filing ended collection efforts against Giuliani, and he wants the court to modify the judgment in his lost defamation lawsuit due to his bankruptcy. The ex-mayor claimed to have $153 million in liabilities.

Dublin alleges that Giuliani made significant overstatements and understatements about his assets worth.

The former NYC mayor claimed in the filing that his monthly expenses are $43,797 which includes $13,500 in court-ordered payments to his mother-in-law and $5,000 in alimony.

Giuliani listed his transportation expenses as $1,600, groceries, household items, laundry and personal care products expenses as $1,975 per month. He also claimed he pays $10,934 in homeowners association and condominium fees for his condo and $5,166 in fees for his home in Palm Beach.

The one-time attorney for Donald Trump and staunch supporter also claimed $60,000 worth of jewelry, clothing, furniture, three Yankees World Series rings and other personal items. as well as a $25,000 Mercedes.

Freeman and Mosss attorney, Rachel C. Strickland also advised the court that a $70,000 payment to a defense fund run by Giulianis son Andrew raised red flags.

The issue of the source of funds is going to be very ripe, Bloomberg Law reports Strickland said in a Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York hearing on Jan. 31.

Giulianis lawyer Heath Berger denied there were undisclosed transfers and claimed there is no pot of gold at the end of the day, which prompted Dublin to reply, Whether theres a pot of gold here remains to be seen, Dublin contends that Giuliani has shares in Uber and owns three incorporated companies that are valued as unknown.

Dublin wants the court to assign an accounting firm to investigate Giulianis claims on the creditors behalf. Incidentally, Trump was indicted for his efforts to commit election fraud in Georgia during the 2020 election, the same crime Giuliani accused Freeman and Moss of committing.

Rudy Giuliani Claims His Net Income Is Only $2,308 Per Month In Federal Bankruptcy Filing, But His Creditors Arent Buying It
The Russian Justice Ministry designated Oleg Orlov, one of the leaders of the Memorial human rights group, a "foreign agent," the ministry announced on Feb. 2.

The designation requires people and entities who allegedly receive "support" from abroad to place a disclaimer in all of their publishing and mandates strict financial reporting. It is broadly seen as a means to repress domestic opposition.

According to the Russian Justice Ministry, Orlov "opposed the special military operation in Ukraine (the Kremlin's official name for its full-scale invasion), disseminated false information about decisions by official bodies of the Russian Federation, and participated in the creation of materials for foreign agents."

Orlov, a 70-year-old civil activist and historian, has been a co-chair of Memorial for more than two decades. He was fined in October 2023 for "discrediting the Russian military," a criminal article introduced to silence anti-war opposition in Russia.

The Memorial group's activities focused on researching crimes committed by the Soviet Union during the Stalinist era and on advocating for human rights in and around modern-day Russia.

The group's human rights wing was declared a "foreign agent" in 2014, and the label was extended to the organization as a whole by 2016.

A Russian court ordered the group's dissolution in December 2021, a process finalized in April 2022 amid a sweeping crackdown against civil society and domestic opposition. The group continues to operate abroad.

Memorial was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2022, alongside the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties and Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski.

Read also: Opinion: How Russias succession problem makes its future uncertain

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Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast 102 times in 33 separate attacks on Feb. 2, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. No casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure were reported.

At least nine communities along the border were targeted, including Yunakivka, Khotin, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Myropillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, and Svesa.

Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with artillery, mortar, rockets, drone, and grenade launcher attacks, while also dropping at least two mines onto the Svesa community.

The town of Bilopillia, with a pre-war population of about 15,600 residents, and surrounding areas experienced the most attacks during the day with Russian forces attacking it with mortar and artillery. At least 20 explosions were recorded, according to the administration. Bilopillia is located 45 kilometers away from Sumy, the regional center.

The residents who live in the vulnerable communities along Sumy Oblast's northeastern border with Russia are subject to daily shelling from nearby Russian troops.

Read also: Official: Ukraine evacuates over 100 people from Russian-occupied outskirts of Avdiivka

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The aftermath of a Russian attack on a grain storage facility. Photo: Poltava Oblast Military Administration

Russian troops damaged a full grain storage facility in Poltava Oblast on the evening of 2 February.

Source: Filip Pronin, the Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration (OMA)

Details: The Poltava OMA reported that some of the harvest had been destroyed due to the attack.

Quote from Pronin: "The enemy is persistently threatening Ukraine's food security with their actions.

A full grain storage facility was damaged in another attack on Poltava Oblast on 2 February. Part of the stored crop was lost.

The experts from OMA will help the owners to properly draw up documents for compensation of losses."

Background: On the evening of 2 February, Russian forces attacked Poltava Oblast, hitting the Myrhorod district.

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Smoke rises in the sky over Ukraine after a missile attack

Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, targeting an energy infrastructure facility, reported Oleksandr Vilkul, the citys Defense Council Head, on Telegram on Feb. 3.

The city is implementing scheduled power outage.

Ukraines East Air Command successfully neutralized five drones. The drone strikes led to fires, with 7,500 households in the Metalurhiynyi District being left without electricity as of 7 a.m.

Read also: Farewell to 11-year-old Hlib Fedyuk, killed in Russian shelling of Kherson on New Year's Eve

The city's tram line and two boiler rooms, Teplomerezha and Teplotsentral No. 2, which provide heat to 43,000 households, lost power, said regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, on Telegram.

"Power engineers are introducing emergency shutdown schedules (akin to those used during last year's blackouts)," Vilkul said.

Hospitals, water, and heat supply are transitioning to generators, and the city anticipates rolling blackouts of electricity and communications. "Invincibility points" are operating, he said.

Russian troops fired heavy artillery at the Nikopol district, damaging two houses, a shed, and a power line. No casualties were reported.

Read also: Russian night UAV strike results in infrastructure damage, no casualties

Russia attacked Ukraine with 14 Shaheds overnight on Feb. 3. Ukraines Air Defense destroyed nine.

Russians hit a substation in Kryvyi Rih on Feb. 2. At least 40,000 households experienced blackouts, and miners were trapped underground.

The situation remains dynamic, and ongoing updates will be monitored closely.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
As of 07:00 on 3 February, a total of 7,500 households have no power in Kryvyi Rihs Metalurhiinyi district. Two boiler houses have also had their power cut off.

Source: Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of Kryvyi Rih Defence Council, on Telegram

Details: Teplomerezhas boiler house and Teplotsentrals boiler house No. 22 lost power.

Part of the Saksahanskyi and Dovhyntsivskyi districts also lost power. Works to restore the power supply are ongoing.

The city tram also lost power, but both trams and trolleybuses have since resumed circulation.

Updated: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, reported that two fires had broken out due to the attack on the Kryvyi Rih district. Almost 15,000 people had been left without electricity there.

He said the two Kryvyi Rih boiler houses which have suffered power outages are not providing heat to 43,000 consumers.

Some families were left without a water supply.

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The building in Lysychansk which Russia claims was destroyed by a Ukrainian attack. Screenshot from video: Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations

The Russians claimed on Saturday (3 February) that civilians were killed in the supposedly Ukrainian attack on a bakery in the Russian-occupied town of Lysychansk (Luhansk Oblast).

Source: Leonid Pasechnik, Russian-appointed sham "head" of the occupied part of Luhansk Oblast; Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti; Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES)

Details: Pasechnik claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had supposedly struck the bakery and that there may be people under the rubble.

The Russian MES added that a two-storey bakery building collapsed in Lysychansk due to a supposedly Ukrainian attack, injuring civilians.

Meanwhile, the Russian-controlled military commandant's office told RIA Novosti that 7 people had been killed and 10 injured in the attack on the bakery in Lysychansk, with 23 people possibly still trapped under the rubble.

Updated: Russian occupation authorities later said 20 civilians had been killed in the attack.

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Kupyansk after the Russian attack on February 3

Russian troops attacked civilian infrastructure in Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, likely using a FAB-500 air-dropped bomb, reported regional governor, Oleh Synehubov, on Telegram on Feb. 3. These bombs may have been equipped with a universal planning and correction module.

The attack occurred at around 6 a.m. The attack damaged a nine-story building, houses, power grids, and civilian non-residential structures. No casualties were reported.

Read also: Starved for ammunition, Ukraine could lose more territory to Russia  military expert

Russia has more frequently been attacking Kharkiv with missiles and attack drones, and regularly shelling the Oblasts settlements with artillery.

Read also: Tabaivka is not captured, heavy fighting continues in Kharkiv oblast

The Russian army intensified its offensive in late summer 2023 in the Kupyansk sector, which the Ukrainian Forces are holding back.

Oleh Synehubov/Telegram

The Ukrainian army repelled five Russian attacks near Synkivka and Ivanivka, Kharkiv Oblast, on Feb. 2, reported the General Staff.

The Russian military has concentrated about 40,000 troops, more than 500 tanks, and 650 armored combat vehicles near Kupyansk, Illya Yershash, the head of the press service of the Khortytsia operational and strategic troop grouping, said on national television on Feb. 2.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian troops emerged from a sewer only to be struck by a drone, Ukraine says

Russian troops are trying to enter the town of Avdiivka through tunnels.

Some troops emerged from a sewer and were struck by a Ukrainian drone, Ukraine claims.

A video appears to show a soldier fleeing into a ruined house before being struck.

Russian troops tried infiltrating the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka through a sewer but were immediately hunted down by attack drones, Ukraine claims.

Russian forces have been persisting in their attacks on the town in eastern Ukraine since October, leaving behind a trail of dead soldiers and wrecked vehicles.

A recent report from the think tank the Institute for the Study of War said that Russian forces may be planning to fight through it "block-by-block."

In its latest attempts to take Avdiivka, Russian troops have been entering the city's fringes using service tunnels, according to recent UK intel.

Ukraine's Khorne Group posted a video on Telegram describing a recent confrontation, translated by the WarTranslated account on X.

Khorne Group FPV: explaining efforts of Russians in the Tsarska Okhota section of the Avdiivka battle, the sewers they need to navigate, and what happens next.https://t.co/G8PNNZ9MHG pic.twitter.com/5CLJSSDRa3  WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) January 28, 2024

In the video, a member of the Khorne Group said that Russian troops emerged from the sewer smeared in feces in the Tsarska Okhota area of the town and tried to run into the suburbs.

The drone footage shows a soldier running into the doorway of a ruined house before a strike hits from above.

Business Insider could not independently verify the video.

The episode highlights how the Ukraine war has largely become a stalemate. Repeated offensive maneuvers attempted by one side are quickly neutralized by the other.

In Avdiivka, despite heavy fighting raging around the town for months, the front line has barely moved, and both sides have suffered losses  but the Russian forces have sacrificed a huge quantity of men and materiel.

The Russians are likely experiencing a ratio of 13 losses for every Ukrainian soldier, Forbes estimated, based on vehicle losses.

A still from footage filmed near Avdiivka and released in October shows hits on Russian vehicles. 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade

Despite Russia's failures to make significant gains, for months they repeated unsuccessful assaults on the town, often making the same mistakes without changing tactics.

After suffering heavy losses, Russia only recently shifted tactics to attack with infantry instead of armored vehicles .

Even this tactic has proved costly. A Ukrainian commander recently said that Russia can sometimes lose between 40 to 70 troops in a single day but then repeat the same assault the following day.

Despite the losses, Russia has a much larger reserve of soldiers to call upon and an arsenal of military equipment to resupply its forces in its attempts to take Avdiivka, which is part of its mission to capture the entire Donetsk region in Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russians attacked the town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast with a FAB-500 air-dropped bomb at around 06:00 on 3 February 2024.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: Preliminary reports indicate that the Russians hit civilian infrastructure with a FAB-500 equipped with a Universal Planning and Correction Module (UPCM).

A nine-storey residential building, private homes, power grids, and other civilian non-residential infrastructure were damaged.

There are no known casualties.

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

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The Kremlin plans to carry out mass relocation of residents of the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan to the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Melitopol Mayor, on the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "The enemy has approved a new program called "Zaporizhzhias virgin land"  they are trying to carry out mass resettlement of Russian citizens to the temporarily occupied territory. And not only citizens of the Russian Federation  now they are looking for people from different parts of the Russian Federation, citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, so they can come to the temporarily occupied territory."

Details: According to Fedorov, Russia intends to solve two problems this way.

Quote: "1) To calm down the resistance that continues to persist in the temporary occupation, to replace the gene pool, replace the [Ukrainian] population.

2) They have a huge shortage of personnel in the temporarily occupied territory because our residents do not agree to cooperate with the enemy en masse; there is a shortage of doctors (1:4), and there is a shortage of builders.

Therefore, they are ready to "buy" personnel to move to the temporarily occupied territory, settle in our occupied apartments and houses, and thus solve their demographic problems."

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Russians raise the wreckage of the Novocherkassk ship from the bottom - photo

Russian invaders are painstakingly salvaging the wreckage of the large landing ship Novocherkassk from the ocean floor, piece by piece, after it was destroyed by Ukrainian forces over a month ago.

Photos from eyewitnesses shared on the Telegram channel Crimean Wind on Feb. 3 depict the operation.

The strike on the Novocherkassk, which was docked in the Feodosia port, occurred on Dec. 26, 2023. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the hit, although the specific type of cruise missiles used was not disclosed.

The Russian Defense Ministry also acknowledged the attack on the Novocherkassk. Russian sources claimed that the ship "was damaged" during the repulse of the attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Read also: Ukraines Navy commander: Previous methods of attack on Russian Black Sea Fleet may no longer work

Photos from the scene showed that little more than burnt scrap metal remained of the ship.

The Novocherkask is a ship of the Russia Black Sea Fleet, designed for amphibious landings and the transfer of troops and cargo across. It is capable of transporting 480 tons of cargo, including various types of armored vehicles and tanks.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces had previously damaged the Novocherkassk in March 2022, when they destroyed another ship in the port of occupied Berdyansk, the BDK Saratov.

Read also: Full composition of Russias Black Sea Fleet spotted in occupied Sevastopol by monitoring group

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
In leafy 61st Avenue in Cicero, now a suburb of Chicago, hydrangeas and geraniums thrive beside the lawn at number 2400. Number 2400 is the church of Our Lady of the Mount. Of its six Masses on a Sunday, five are said in Spanish. Its a long way (1,500 miles) to the Mexican border, but over the past 40 years there has been a lot of Hispanic settlement in Cicero.

Two years ago, the church installed in a new altar relics of three Mexicans killed in the 1920s but canonised in recent years. One, St Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, was declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2016. He died before his 15th birthday.

Jose Luis had volunteered in the so-called Cristero war, serving as a flag bearer. He was captured by government troops, who brutally urged him to deny Christ. Taken to a place of execution he was asked if he had a message for his family. Tell them that we will see each other in heaven, he replied and was shot, on February 10 1928.

Many British people seem unfamiliar with the persecution of Christians in Mexico in the first half of the 20th century. It is glimpsed obliquely in Graham Greenes The Power and the Glory (1940). The violent height of the persecution is sketched in Greenes earlier non-fiction book The Lawless Roads and in Robbery under Law, a study made by Evelyn Waugh after visiting Mexico in the 1930s.

The violence stemmed from the constitution imposed in 1917, sometimes called anticlerical, though its effect was felt mostly by lay people, who could no longer have their children educated in church schools. Any expression of religion outside church buildings was banned, though Mexican piety was keen on processions. Thousands of priests were exiled, imprisoned or killed.

Plutarco Elias Calles ramped up action against the Church during his presidency, 1924-28, and then for another five years as Jefe Maximo. In 1926 he had passed laws enforcing the Constitution of 1917 and Church property was confiscated. In response the Cristero war began with rural uprisings.

Cristero was the nickname for the rebels, whose battle cry was Viva Cristo Rey!, Long live Christ the King. Pope Pius XI had instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925. Before 1926 was out, the Pope, who later issued an encyclical letter in German against Nazism, published an encyclical against the Mexican persecution.

His predecessor, the pacific Pope Benedict XV, had in 1920 canonised St Joan of Arc, 489 years after her execution. In 1927, a womens movement called the Brigadas Femeninas de Santa Juana de Arco spread in Mexico to nurse wounded Cristeros and support their fight.

The United States, largely motivated by oil, armed the Mexican government. A peace was negotiated in 1929 by the American ambassador, Dwight Morrow. Perhaps 90,000 or 100,000 had died in the war and the peace was flawed, leaving anti-Catholic legislation in place if less systematically enforced.

This is not just of historical interest. Pope John Paul II canonised 25 of the martyrs in 2000. In 2005 another dozen were beatified (the step before canonisation). Lively devotion to the martyrs continues, as in Cicero.

One of the martyrs venerated there is St Toribio Romo. His prayers are invoked by Mexican migrants trying to enter the United States. This is curious, for Romo had written a one-act comedy Vamos al Norte! (Lets Go North!) on the dangers of life in America. But he was shot in his bed at Tequila in Jalisco state on February 26 1928, aged 27.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A federal jury has convicted two owners of a local trucking conglomerate of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The two individuals  Yevgeny Felix Tuchinsky, 63, of Salt Lake County, and Konstantin Mikhaylovich Tomilin, 54, of Salt Lake County  owned a group of trucking companies named Salt Lake Trucking Group. According to court documents, they paid over $300,000 in bribes to FedEx Ground employees, resulting in the conglomerate receiving $108 million from FedEx over a 10-year period.

FedEx contracts with local trucking companies to haul FedEx packages in semitrucks, a release states. FedEx refers to these companies as contract service providers (CSPs). FedEx pays the CSPs by the mile.

Series about swinging Mormon wives could be coming to Hulu

Tuchinsky and Tomilins companies were a part of those providers that picked up and delivered semitrailers full of packages at the FedEx Ground Hub in North Salt Lake. According to the release, from around 2009 into 2019, the two bribed FedEx employees to provide more business to their companies.

The bribes resulted in the companies gaining unearned FedEx business for over a decade.

Tuchinsky and Tomilin reportedly also owned shell companies and lied to FedEx about the true ownership of the companies. This concealed from FedEx that SLTG owned and operated the shell companies and that the shell companies shared the same owners, assets, trucks, and employees, the release states.

Among their other offenses were lying about driver qualifications and failing to honestly report accidents.

The defendants bribery and lies resulting in SLTG receiving $108 million from FedEx. Tuchinsky personally gained $7 million and Tomilin personally gained over $4 million from the scheme, the release states.

Tuchinsky and Tomilins sentencing is scheduled for May 20 at the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
(BCN)  Throughout the month of February, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is hosting the Somebody to Love adoption special, featuring a 50 percent discount on adoption fees.

The shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez Street, is open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In order to adopt, potential adopters need to be at least 21 years old, have a photo ID and should be thoughtful and considerate of pets suitable for their lifestyle and living environment.

The adoption fee for puppies under six months old is $105, while adult dogs can be adopted for $75. Kittens under six months old have an adoption fee of $60, and adult cats are available for adoption at $55. Rabbits can be adopted for a fee of $35.

The reduced adoption fee will still include vaccinations, a microchip and spay or neuter.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter additionally has several events planned during Somebody to Love February, including:

Sunday, Feb. 4, 12-2 p.m.

Some BUNNY to Love @ Balefire Brewing Company

1517 E. Cliff, Santa Cruz www.balefirebrewing.com

Staff and volunteers will have beautiful rabbits at the Brewery so folks can visit and learn all about the care and handling of rabbits and how much fun it can be to uncover their personalities!

Saturday, Feb. 10, 5-6 p.m.

Bedtime Stories @ Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

1001 Rodriguez St, Santa Cruz www.scanimalshelter.org

Put on your jammies, bring the family and/or a date, and read some bedtime stories (or your favorite love poems) to shelter animals! Youll help the animals settle into a cozy nights rest, and its a great way to check out the animals and see who shares your taste in literature!



Saturday, Feb. 17, 1-4 p.m.

Dog Speed Dating at Venus Tasting Room 200 High Rd, Santa Cruz www.venusspirits.com

Meet adoptable dogs from the shelter and from foster homes, get a dating sheet, and find your furry love match!



Saturday, Feb. 24, 7-9 p.m.

Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown

120 Union St., Santa Cruz www.ponohawaiian.com

Meet up with friends, enjoy delicious food, great cocktails, and live music by the Beach Cowboys while you mingle with dogs currently in foster care.

The shelter currently has hundreds of pets ready for adoption. For additional details, visit the animal shelters website at scanimalshelter.org.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley emphasized her ability to compete with President Joe Biden in a general election as she hit hard at both the incumbent Democrat and former Republican President Donald Trump during a rally in Lancaster County.

Speaking at Indian Land High School Friday night as part of a campaign swing through the Palmetto State ahead of its primary on Feb. 24, Haley said shes the only Republican left standing with a chance to win in the general election.

We can go with the same old thing or we can move forward. The same old thing is not just Joe Biden, the same old thing is Donald Trump, she said. ... Are we really going to have a country in disarray while the world is on fire and choose from two 80-year-olds? Because we need somebody who can work eight years, focused, disciplined to get us back on track.

Haley pointed to general election polls that show her faring better against Biden than Trump in November, but with her still trailing Trump by double-digits in her home state, it remains to be seen whether her campaign has the endurance to get there.

Make America normal again

U.S. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign stop in Indian Land, S.C. on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Much of Haleys pitch to voters Friday focused on her achievements as governor of South Carolina and reminding the crowd of her biography.

She highlighted economic development deals closed in the state during her term-and-a-half in office in the 2010s and noted that much of her interest in improving health care for veterans stems from her experiences with her husband, Michael, who served in Afghanistan.

We did a lot together  We rallied, and it wasnt easy. But by the time we left, boy did we do some amazing things, she said.

She also made comments about both Trump and Bidens ages. Haley is 52, while Trump is 77 and Biden is 81.

These are people making decisions on our national security. These are people making decisions on the future of our economy. We need to know theyre at the top of their game. Thats hugely important, she said.

Haley, who left South Carolina during her second term as governor to serve as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, acknowledged that she voted twice for the former president. But, she said, a new generational conservative voice is needed because chaos follows him.

The country wont survive another four years with Trump as president, according to Haley.

Lets make America normal again, she concluded.

Does Haley have a chance in SC and beyond?

Audience members listen to U.S. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 in Indian Land, S.C.

Haley repeatedly pointed to polls that show her running better against Biden in a general election than Trump.

A CNN poll released Thursday showed 49% of registered voters backing Trump and 45% supporting Biden, with 5% saying theyd vote for someone else. The same poll showed Haley leading Biden in a head-to-head match-up 52% to 39%.

But polling data still shows Haley has an uphill battle to get there by defeating Trump for the Republican nomination.

Haley trails Trump in South Carolina in Republican primary polls by a margin of 32.1% to 62.7%, according to FiveThirtyEights polling averages. In national primary polls, Trumps lead is even bigger: 72.2% to Haleys 17.3%, per FiveThirtyEight.

On Friday, Haley told the crowd shes still got time to turn the tide.

We dont do coronations in this country, she said. Only two states have voted. Weve got 48 states and territories that still have to go  As much as he cant stand it, Donald, Im not going anywhere.

Haley also downplayed the volume of Trumps endorsements from Republican leaders, including from fellow South Carolina politicians such as Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

Hes surrounded himself by the congressional elite, the political establishment  The same ones whove done nothing for us, she said. ... I dont want their support.

The former governor acknowledged that a strong showing in her home state is key to getting momentum, encouraging folks to take advantage of early voting.

Dont wait until Feb. 24, because I dont know whats going to come up in your life, and I need you, she said.

A good alternative

U.S. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign stop in Indian Land, S.C. on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Outside the event, voters Todd and Diana McDermott said they like Haley because of her mix of domestic and foreign policy experience.

I think its time for a change, and frankly I think Trump brings way too much drama, Diana McDermott said.

Still, they said they know Haley has a long way to go to get the Republican nomination.

I wish they were better, Todd McDermott said of her chances. But I know shes gonna fight, fight until the end.

Ann Gerber, a self-described Democrat who was attending Fridays rally with her Republican husband, said despite her party affiliation, shes considering taking advantage of South Carolinas open primary to vote for Haley.

I think shes a good alternative. I wish there were other options, she said. There arent as far as Im concerned. Joe Bidens a nice guy, but hes 81.

Gerber added that she was hoping to learn more about Haleys views on immigration and the national debt.

Grant Sellers said that as a younger voter, hearing Haleys message left him fired up.

I think people are tired of the same old same old  Shes a lot younger than Trump or Biden, and I think her mental fitness is a lot better, he said, but declined to give his own age.

He predicted a close race in the Palmetto State primary.

I hope enough people can realize that she is the future, that Trump and Biden are both part of the past. And so I hope they wake up, he said. Im definitely going to do my fair share and get out there and vote on the 24th, to make my young voice heard.
A former police officer has been charged with assault and battery, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced.

Ashton Myles Posey, 34, unlawfully injured a man following a police chase in Aiken County on Oct. 2, 2023, according to an affadavit. Posey was an officer with the Aiken police department at the time.

Posey struck the victim, whose name was redacted, in the head three times while he was being removed from a car.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety asked SLED to investigate. SLED determined, based on statements and a recorded video of the incident, that Posey had violated the law.

Posey was charged with assault and battery in the third degree on Friday. He was booked at the Aiken County Detention Center.

The case will be prosecuted by the 2nd Circuit Solicitors Office, SLED said.


US carries out retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Syria In a sharp escalation in hostilities in West Asia, the US carried out multiple airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria in retaliation to a drone attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. No targets were struck in Iran as many had called for.



These were only the first of retaliatory strikes and more will follow, the US has said.



The attacks followed the arrival of the bodies of the three American personnel killed in a drone strike by an Iran-backed group. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined the families at a military base in Delaware, his home state, for the dignified transfer as the solemn occasion is called. Although the strikes followed shortly after, news reports suggested they were not linked.



"This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces," Biden said in a statement, referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.



He added: "Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing."



The US President, who has been under mounting pressure internally to hit Iran, did not explain why the Friday airstrikes did not include targets in Iran, the US is unlikely to take that route because it does not want a war with Iran.



Defense Secretary Lloyd Austen said in a separate statement: "This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing."



The Central Command of the US military, which carried out the retaliatory attacks, said in a statement that 85 targets were hit and they included the IRGCs Quds Force, which conducts unconventional warfare that includes running militias to serve its interests abroad. The US used long-range B-1 bombers aircraft that can carry a sizable volume and quantity of munition.



The Central Command said that the facilities that were struck included command and control operations centres, intelligence centres, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors.




Joe Biden has been the most consequential president from a legislative perspective for African Americans in modern-day history, says Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright.

For the first time, South Carolina will kick off the Democratic presidential primary season in an effort by the party  and urged by President Joe Biden  to center Black voters.

After decades of New Hampshire being the first in the nation, the Democratic National Committee voted last year to change its presidential primary calendar to better reflect the diversity of the United States and reward the partys most loyal voting block.

This is a really, really big deal. Something that no other president ever had the gumption, or even the notion to modify or change, Jaime Harrison, chairman of the DNC, told theGrio.

This president did, and thats because he sees Black folks, understands Black folks, and understands that we matter, he added.

Black South Carolinians, who make up more than 50% of the Democratic Partys electorate in the state, were consequential to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss 2020 win, resurrecting their then-struggling campaign after a critical endorsement by longtime South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn.

Clyburn told theGrio that South Carolinas new status as the partys first primary state in the nation shows that the coalition of voters that Democrats needs to win in November exists in South Carolina.

As Democratic strategist and Clyburn senior advisor Antjuan Seawright puts it: The same bloodline of those who once picked cotton will now have the first say so in picking who the leader of our party will be and, ultimately, who the president of the United States will be.

Seawright said its also ironic that 40% of enslaved Africans came through South Carolinas port of Charleston, making this historic primary meaningful for Black voters across the country who are descendants of Americas enslaved ancestors.

Black voters across the nation played an outsized role in the historic election of Biden and Harris, so much so that Biden specifically thanked Black voters during his victory speech, telling them, Youve always had my back, and Ill have yours.

Voters cast their ballots in the Kentucky gubernatorial race at the Shelby Traditional Academy on November 7, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)

Nearly four years later, however, polling and anecdotal opinions of the Biden-Harris administrations performance suggest some Black voters are less enthusiastic about the president and vice presidents reelection. A January ABC/Washington Post poll found that Bidens approval rating was 21 points below average among Black voters.

Polling shows that Black voters remain concerned about the economy, and younger Black voters have expressed disapproval of the Biden-Harris administrations response to Israels war against Hamas in Gaza, which has led to the death of more than 25,000 Palestinians.

In addition to making key hires and ramping up ad buys to message Black voters about what Biden has done for them, the Biden-Harris campaign has deployed its surrogates to communicate what they feel is a long list of accomplishments being overshadowed by disinformation.

Its important for us to make sure that people understand and that he gets credit, Harrison said. He noted President Biden issued $1,400 stimulus checks to eligible households during the pandemic, increased funding for needed benefit programs like rental assistance and food stamps, and paused student loan payments.

Harrison said when President Biden moved to cancel student loan debt for millions of Americans, Republicans sued the administration over the program, which was struck down by the right-wing Supreme Court.

But Joe Biden still found a way to give people student loan relief, said the party chairman, referring to the Biden-Harris administrations cancellation of $137 billion for borrowers largely working in public service.

Seawright, the Democratic strategist, noted that the Black unemployment rate reached its lowest level under Biden and that more Black entrepreneurs have started businesses following a resilient economy that keeps roaring back due to the presidents economic policies.

Joe Biden has been the most consequential president from a legislative perspective for African Americans in modern-day history, he argued. Biden has passed a legislative agenda that speaks to generational neglect for African Americans, Seawright said. I dont think you can say anything, but job well done.

South Carolina Democratic Party chairwoman Christale Spain, the first Black woman elected as the states party leader, told theGrio that she and party leaders have worked to remind Black voters in the Palmetto State what the Biden-Harris administration has done to repair historical harms to their communities, including the cleaning up of decaying and contaminated pipes.

Thats because of Biden, not because of the mayor, not because of the governorinvesting in the South Carolina infrastructure, she said. Republicans have been in control here for decades, and theyre allowing it to crumble.

DNC Chairman Harrison said Bidens reforming of marijuana convictions, executive order banning police chokeholds in the absence of Congress passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and record appointment of Black judges to the federal bench are also critical efforts to safeguard Black communities from decades of abuse by the criminal justice system.

U.S. President Joe Biden (R) greets Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, at the organizations summer meeting on September 8, 2022, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The primary vote in South Carolina is more symbolic than it is consequential. Spain highlighted that there is no benchmark for the success of the Biden-Harris campaign in the state, considering Biden is an incumbent president in a contested, non-competitive race.

Clyburn told theGrio, Theres no real sense of urgency in this primary, so youre not going to get a big turnout.

Whatever the outcome, Biden will most certainly come out on top. However, Democrats say the president and vice presidents visit to South Carolina gives them an early start in highlighting the issues important to Black communities in the state and subsequently across the country. The campaign plans to take that message to key battleground states with a significant Black electorate, like Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

So much has been done under this administration in three years, said Harrison, adding, Hes been able to do it with far less support in the House and the Senate.

While the primary season is just kicking off, the campaign is already focused on what political experts believe is the inevitable rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, the likely 2024 Republican nominee.

Clyburn said he plans to hit the campaign trail to remind Black voters of Trumps record on race, including taking out a 1989 newspaper ad calling for the death penalty of five Black and brown teens known then as the Central Park Five and launching the racist birther movement that suggested Americas first Black president, Barack Obama, was not a U.S. citizen.

In contrast to the achievements of Biden, the congressman said, Nobody can point to one single thing of substance that Trump has ever done to address a single problem that exists in the African-American community.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at the Fort Dodge Senior High School on November 18, 2023 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

While campaigning in South Carolina, President Biden mentioned Trumps infamous comment that there were good people on both sides after a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville turned deadly and how the incident propelled him to run for president in 2020.

Democrats tell theGrio contrasting Trump and Biden as it relates to the former presidents embracing of white supremacist ideology and white nationalist groups will be important in reminding Black voters, well beyond South Carolina, whats at stake.

This is a man who believes in chipping away and taking away the freedoms and the rights of the American people. We saw it in terms of January 6  in essence, trying to take away the votes that so many of us passed in that election, Harrison said

Weve seen him rip away the right and the freedom of women to control their own bodies. We hear it in his rhetoric when he says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of America.

Spain, the South Carolina Democratic Party chair., said. I think that does resonate with Black voters, especially Black voters in South Carolina.

She added, To be reminded that Donald Trump celebrates our oppression and celebrates our enslavement, and they want to erase it and pretend like it didnt happen I do believe it matters tremendously.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post SC primary illuminates where Biden, Harris stand with Black voters appeared first on TheGrio.
Los Angeles General Medical Center restrained psychiatric patients at its inpatient unit at one of the highest rates in the nation in 2022. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles General Medical Center restrained patients in its psychiatric inpatient unit at the fourth-highest rate of any such facility in the United States, newly released annual figures show  the latest evidence of a persistent pattern that has troubled local leaders and mental health advocates.

Under federal law, hospitals are prohibited from restraining psychiatric patients except to prevent them from harming themselves or others. Patients are supposed to be strapped down only as a measure of last resort after other steps fail. Experts warn it can traumatize patients, damage trust and ramp up the risk of injuries.

The L.A. County-run public hospital again had the highest rate of restraining psychiatric inpatients of any facility in California, according to data released this week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The latest figures from the federal government cover the year 2022.

During that year, L.A. General's inpatient psychiatric unit, which is located at the Augustus F. Hawkins Mental Health Center in Willowbrook, had a restraint rate 48 times higher than the national average.

Its restraint rate far exceeded those at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital  a public hospital serving San Francisco  and at Bellevue, another large safety-net facility in New York City.

"That's scandalous," said USC law professor Elyn Saks, who has studied the use of restraint for decades. Saks said the county should examine the practices of other facilities that use restraint much less frequently, including in other countries.

Restraint is "a practice that is pretty widespread here, and it doesn't need to be that way," she said.

Read more: Strapped down: A Times investigation into the high use of restraints at L.A. General Medical Center

The latest figures follow a Times investigation last fall that found restraint rates at L.A. General ranked among the highest in the country between 2018 and 2021.

A Times review of county reports identified 200 cases in which psychiatric inpatients were restrained for a total of 24 hours or more in a month, including dozens restrained for the equivalent of a week or more.

The new figures show that in 2022, the restraint rate at L.A. General fell closer to the levels it had been before the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate doubled from 2020 to 2021. County officials previously said that efforts at Hawkins to control the spread of the coronavirus  including halting group occupational and recreational therapy  probably contributed to that increase.

The Department of Health Services, which runs the county hospital, said in a statement that restraint rates at Hawkins "reflect the need to protect the safety of patients and staff and are heavily influenced by a small number of extremely violent patients awaiting placement in locked County or State facilities." In the past, county officials said that long waits for longer-term care had made patients more agitated.

The county agency also cited "the restraint hours required to keep patients and staff safe during transport between facilities." Hawkins is far from the main campus of the hospital in Boyle Heights, which county officials previously estimated had led to more than 1,400 hours of restraints during transportation in one year.

In reaction to The Times' findings last year, the health services department also argued L.A. General could not be fairly ranked against other hospitals that did not accept the same kinds of challenging patients that it handles as a safety-net hospital near Skid Row.

Mental health experts took issue with many of those explanations, noting that the L.A. General rates were far higher than those of safety net facilities such as Zuckerberg and Bellevue. Some criticized the blanket practice of restraining patients while they are transported from one campus to the other, calling it excessive.

In the aftermath of The Times' investigation, two L.A. County supervisors publicly called for health officials to find alternatives to physically restraining Hawkins patients.

Supervisor Hilda Solis, whose district includes the main L.A. General campus in Boyle Heights, said in October that she was "working to identify ways to drive those rates down," including bringing the psychiatric unit onto the main campus. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who represents the area where Hawkins is located, said she wanted a public discussion of the issue at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

So far, no such discussion has happened. Solis and Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey Horvath did not provide comment on the new figures.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement that the newly released figures reflect the "systemic challenges and realities" facing L.A. General staff, echoing points raised by the health services department.

"Other hospitals can turn them away, but the county cannot  we are the safety net. So the most violent and severely mentally ill end up here," Barger said. She also said that the county lacked "a network of secure inpatient psychiatric facilities that can effectively treat violent psychiatric patients."

In a statement, Mitchell called it "a complex problem" and said Hawkins has a higher share of violent and severely mentally ill patients than other facilities.

Mitchell, who visited Hawkins and spoke with staff, raised concerns about "an out-of-date building that is not designed, as modern psychiatric facilities are, to promote well-being and healing," as well as the need for more therapeutic beds and a funding system "that recognizes some patients have more severe needs than others."

"My expectation remains that DHS continues to evaluate its techniques for serving our residents with dignity and care and ensures the use of restraints only when absolutely necessary," Mitchell concluded, referring to the Department of Health Services.

At a meeting this week of the L.A. County Hospitals and Health Care Delivery Commission , which advises the county supervisors on patient care, Commissioner Barbara Siegel asked to discuss the issue of restraint at an upcoming meeting, citing the Times investigation.

"The big question is, what is the county doing to bring about a reduction?" Siegel said.

Read more: Strapped down: Psychiatric patients are restrained at sky-high rates at this L.A. hospital

Dr. Roderick Shaner, former medical director of the county mental health department, said county supervisors should make it clear to hospital officials that reducing restraint is a priority and "that they would like to have confidence that L.A. General leadership continues to take it seriously."

"External examination is a very potent thing," said Shaner, who worked to reduce the use of restraints in psychiatric facilities in L.A. County before his retirement in 2018. "Simply knowing one is being monitored will inspire people to look for other ways to do things."

In addition, county leaders "should be demanding that the hospital leadership bring in outside experts," said Pamila Lew, policy counsel with Disability Rights California. Lew said the best move would be to bring in people running similar kinds of facilities. "If it's just outsiders coming in ... trying to tell them what to do, that's going to be perceived very differently from a peer who says, 'Yeah, I know this is really tough, but have you explored doing X, Y and Z?'"

Kathleen Crowley, executive director of the Procovery Institute, which has provided training to hospitals on reducing the use of restraint, said she was "profoundly disappointed" by the L.A. General figures.

To bring down the numbers, county supervisors need to give a "clear directive" to reduce the use of restraint and consult with the hospital on what resources it needs to make that happen, she said.

Crowley said she understands why hospital officials might think their challenges make that impossible. But "Ive seen it done over and over," she said, recounting her experiences at hospitals that serve people with criminal records related to mental illness.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaks in the Bundestag in the general debate on the budget of the German Chancellor and Chancellery. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the numerous planned demonstrations against right-wing extremism this weekend as a "strong sign" in favour of democracy and the German Basic Law, as the constitution is known.

"Whether in Eisenach, Homburg or Berlin: in small and large cities across the country, many citizens are coming together to demonstrate against forgetting, against hatred and agitation - this weekend too," the Social Democrat (SPD) politician wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

The German chancellor had recently repeatedly praised the large-scale demonstrations and took part in a rally in Potsdam just outside Berlin himself in January.

For some three weeks now, tens of thousands of people have been taking to the streets all over Germany to protest the far right in general and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in particular.

The protests were triggered by a report by the investigative journalist group Correctiv into a meeting between radical right-wingers and individual politicians from the AfD, the mainstream conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the ultraconservative WerteUnion in Potsdam in November.

The gathering discussed how to make large numbers of foreign nationals, including asylum seekers, what the group called "non-assimilated citizens" and immigrants with German passports, leave the country, even under duress.

Demonstrations against right-wing extremism are set to continue in many places this weekend.

On Saturday, a rally of 100,000 people is planned at the Reichstag building which houses the lower house of the German parliament in Berlin with a symbolic human chain.

Demonstrations with several thousand participants have also been announced in the northern city of Hanover and Dresden in the east.
(FOX40.COM)  The notorious case of a man who was convicted in Northern California for the murder of his wife and unborn child was recently picked up by an advocacy group who is set to defend his innocence.

Modesto resident Laci Peterson disappeared on Christmas Eve 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, told police that he was fishing in Berkeley when she went missing. The dead bodies of Laci Peterson and her infant son, Connor, washed up to shore near the same location where Scott Peterson claimed to be fishing in April 2003. Shortly after, he was arrested.

Scott Peterson moved off death row, sent to Mule Creek State Prison

The case caught national attention, and although Scott Peterson maintained his innocence, he was convicted in 2004 of first-degree murder of Laci Peterson, 27, who was eight months pregnant when she disappeared. He also was convicted of second-degree murder of his unborn son, Connor, and sentenced to death in 2005.

15 years later, in 2020, Scott Petersons death sentence was changed to life in prison after The California Supreme Court ruled that Petersons jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty, according to a previous FOX40 report. Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager, who rose to fame as one of three prosecutors in Petersons trial, settled for life without parole.

Scott Peterson resentenced to life without parole

Even still, Scott Peterson says hes not guilty of the crimes he was convicted of. The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP), picked up the case in January 2024 to help defend him, according to multiple reports.

LAIPs mission is to exonerate the wrongly convicted, free the wrongfully incarcerated, uncover and remedy past misuse of forensic and other scientific evidence in the courtroom, improve standards for the use of forensic and other scientific evidence in the courtroom, and reform the criminal legal system to prevent future injustice, according to its website.

Attorneys with the LAIP claim that Scott Petersons state and federal constitutional rights were violated. They also state there is newly discovered evidence that prove Scott Petersons innocence, according to the court filings obtained by ABC News. They say the evidence raises many questions about who abducted and killed Laci and Conner Peterson.

The Los Angeles Innocence Project is not to be confused with a similar group known as the Innocence Project.

On January 18, 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project filed motions seeking DNA testing and post-conviction discovery on behalf of its client, Scott Peterson, The Innocence Project said on its website. Any and all inquiries about Mr. Petersons case should be directed to the Los Angeles Innocence Project, a non-profit organization wholly independent of the Innocence Project.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Math teacher Dayna Soares goes over a class assignment during her Algebra 2 class at Mission High School in 2019. San Francisco middle schools would once again offer Algebra 1 to eighth-grade students starting in the fall under a proposal heading to the school board for a vote. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2019

San Francisco middle schools would once again offer Algebra 1 to eighth-grade students starting in the fall under a proposal heading to the school board for a vote later this month.

The battle over whether to return the course offering to middle school students has lasted years, with parent protests, a lawsuit and an upcoming ballot measure in March. The measure urges the district to give students the opportunity to speed up the math sequence, allowing them to take calculus as high school seniors without having to take summer school or double up on math courses.

SFUSDs vision for math is to prepare all middle school students for Algebra 1 in eighth grade and increase the number of underrepresented students in higher level math, said Superintendent Matt Wayne in a statement.

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District officials pulled the course out of middle school 10 years ago, saying they wanted to delay tracking students into separate math sequences until high school, an effort they hoped would push more disadvantaged students into higher math courses.

The results were disappointing, district officials said. Parents argued the move only held back high-achieving students.

The plan, however, would take some time to phase in. About a third of the districts 13 middle schools and six K-8 schools would offer the course during the school day in the upcoming school year through a pilot program. The rest would add it to math class offerings over the following two years.

In the meantime, those enrolled in sites not selected for a pilot program would be able to take Algebra 1 through a staff-supported online program or summer school.

Change is long overdue, said school board President Lainie Motamedi. The Board of Education is committed to seeing this through. Our deliberate approach to implementing Algebra I to all eighth-grade students underscores our dedication to ensuring every student has access to the opportunities that higher-level math and educational excellence brings.

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The pilot programs would test out three versions of school-day Algebra 1 if the proposal is passed, including enrolling all eighth graders in Algebra 1, enrolling students based on interest or readiness and giving students the opportunity to have both eighth-grade math and Algebra I on their schedule.

We will evaluate these approaches while remaining focused on our goal of increasing students math achievement, particularly our students who SFUSD has historically underserved, Wayne said. Ultimately, SFUSD is working towards offering Algebra 1 in eighth grade during the school day at all middle and K-8 schools by the 2026-27 school year.
The silence of the international feminist community in speaking out against evidence of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli women has been deafening.

It took the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women nearly eight weeks to condemn the appalling rape and sexual assault carried out by the terrorists on October 7. A full 57 days later, it issued a weak statement saying it was alarmed by the reports. Other womens and human rights groups have consistently dismissed evidence and testimony.

It seems women must always be believed  except when they are Israeli, to whom the #MeToo maxim does not seem to apply.

But I believe them and you should too. On Wednesday, I attended a press conference in the House of Commons when we heard from Israelis who dealt with the bodies of victims.

Shari Mendes, an architect who was called up as a reservist by the Israeli military to help medics identify those brought to the Shura army base, said many women arrived with no clothing. Our team commander saw several female soldiers who were shot in the vagina, the crotch or they were shot in the breast. This was gratuitous. This was a deliberate, systematic, genital mutilation.

Simcha Greiniman, a volunteer for Zaka, an Israeli religious organisation that collects remains of the dead for burial, said one woman, half-naked from the waist down, was shot in the back of her head and found with a live grenade in her hand. Other victims had nails hammered into their private parts.

Equally disturbing, however, were the words of Ashley Waxman Bakshi whose 19-year-old cousin Agam Berger is still being held hostage in Gaza. You can clearly understand our worry with every minute that passes when our women and girls are in the hands of these monsters, if they were able to do this in eight hours or 12 hours on October 7, she said. They have been there for 117 days. What if they are pregnant?

The barbaric brutalisation of Israeli women by Hamas is nothing short of a crime against humanity and it is not just wrong, but morally repugnant, that so many of the death cults useful idiots continue to deny what has happened, even in the face of mounting evidence.

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(Bloomberg) -- Senegal should end the uncertainty created by President Macky Salls announcement that elections scheduled for later this month have been postponed indefinitely, Frances foreign ministry said on Sunday.

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A vote should be held as quickly as possible and in compliance with the rules of Senegalese democracy, according to an emailed statement from the foreign ministry. The West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, urged Sall to continue to defend and protect Senegals longstanding democratic tradition.

Authorities, in an unprecedented move, on Saturday delayed the Feb. 25 polls following an outcry against the disqualification of opposition candidates.

Lawmakers had ordered a probe into how the contenders were validated after the independence of two judges at the Constitutional Council, which decided on the final list of 20 who could run, was cast into doubt. Sall announced the delay in an address to the nation, without setting a new date.

For several days, our country has been confronted with a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Council, an open conflict in the form of an alleged corruption affair of the councils judges, Sall said. With the scars of the violence in March 2021 and June 2023 still fresh in mind, our country cannot lose itself to a new crisis.

The political upheaval  the delay is the first for the West African nation, which has seen four largely peaceful transitions of power since independence from France in 1960  may deter investment in an economy thats forecast to expand at the fastest pace in almost five decades.

Its a democratic setback for Senegal. The president has just confiscated power, Maurice Soudieck Dione, associate professor in political science at the Gaston Berger University, said by phone from Saint-Louis in the north of the country. Its worse than a third mandate. If Macky Sall is still in power after April 2 when his mandate ends he will be a president thats neither legitimate or legal. At that point we can in fact talk about a constitutional coup.

Senegals electoral code requires 80 days notice of an election, meaning the earliest a new vote could be held is at the end of April.

Im launching my electoral campaign tomorrow, in Dakar, with the candidates who have chosen to defend the Constitution, former government minister and presidential candidate Thierno Alassane Sall said in a post on X Saturday.

Khalifa Sall, opposition candidate and former mayor of the capital Dakar, asked the population to rally to defend our democracy.

Security was reinforced in an area of Dakar on Sunday ahead of a planned opposition rally.

Ousmane Sonko, the politician who posed the biggest threat to the ruling coalition, and Karim Wade, the son of Salls predecessor Abdoulaye Wade, were among those omitted from the list of candidates challenging the ruling partys aspirant, Prime Minister Amadou Ba.

The US State Departments Bureau of African Affairs, in a post on X, urged participants in Senegals electoral process to engage peacefully in the important effort to swiftly set a new date and the conditions for a timely, free and fair election.

Government Secretary Abdou Latif Coulibaly resigned on Saturday after the elections were postponed. Following the events at the National Assembly and the presidents address to the Senegalese people, Ive decided to leave my post, he said in a statement on his official Facebook page. The prime ministers office confirmed Coulibalys resignation.

In a report issued last month, Human Rights Watch raised concerns over the credibility of the vote, saying it had been undermined by a crackdown on dissent and the targeting of Sonkos supporters.

Bassirou Faye, the secretary-general of Sonkos dissolved Pastef party, was expected to pose the biggest challenge to Ba. Sonko was disqualified from the race last month after he was convicted of libel for insulting the tourism minister and handed a six-month suspended prison sentence, and he has thrown his weight behind Fayes campaign.

Sonko was also arrested on rape charges in 2021, sparking deadly protests, and more demonstrations followed after he was sentenced two years later. That case is still being appealed.

Late Entrants

Both Ba and Faye were late entrants to the race  Sall endorsed Ba as his chosen successor in September last year after he ruled out running for a third term, while Faye was only designated the opposition candidate last month.

Sall reiterated that he will step down after the election.

Wades Senegalese Democratic Party asked for six months postponement of the vote based on irregularities in the validation process, according to an emailed statement.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts Senegals economy will expand 8.3% this year as a $4.8 billion gas project comes online. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim development, which straddles the border between Senegal and Mauritania and is being developed by BP Plc and Kosmos Energy Ltd., is supposed to start production this year.

--With assistance from Alan Katz.

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By Diadie Ba and Ngouda Dione

DAKAR (Reuters) -President Macky Sall postponed Senegal's planned Feb. 25 presidential election, announcing in a televised address to the nation on Saturday that he had cancelled the relevant law due to electoral issues he warned would fuel disputes.

With little more than three weeks to go before the vote, the unprecedented step of delaying the poll, to an unspecified date, pitches Senegal into uncharted constitutional waters that some opposition and civil society groups said amounted to an "institutional coup."

One opposition coalition has already vowed to challenge the move in the courts, raising the prospect of a protracted legal battle that could further muddy the democratic outlook.

Sall's decision follows the constitutional council's January decision to exclude some prominent contenders from the electoral list, which has fanned discontent about the election process.

"These troubled conditions could seriously undermine the credibility of the ballot by sowing the seeds of pre- and post-electoral disputes," Sall said in his address.

He did not set a new date for the vote, but said a parliamentary inquiry had been set up to look into how candidates were verified and any other issues, and that a national dialogue would also take place to ensure the eventual election is free, fair and transparent.

He said the postponement would not affect his decision not to run for a third term - an issue that has helped provoke recurrent and sometimes deadly protests in what is normally one of West Africa's most stable democracies.

The U.S. State Department's Africa bureau said "we are deeply concerned about the disruption to the Presidential electoral calendar," in a post on X that said the bureau had noted Sall's reiteration he would not run again.

The capital Dakar appeared calm after Sall's announcement with no immediate sign of people taking to the streets in protest.

The F24 platform, a large group of civil society organisations behind past demonstrations, said in a statement it would hold an emergency meeting to decide how to respond to the "institutional coup d'etat that is taking shape."

BALLOT BOX

What happens next is unclear. Senegal has never before delayed a presidential vote. Its four largely peaceful transitions of power via the ballot box since independence from France in 1960 have built up its reputation for stability.

Ndiack Fall, law professor at Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University, told Reuters that, according to the constitution, Sall's mandate ends on April 2 after which the president of parliament should be in charge if the election has still not been held.

Opposition candidate Khalifa Sall - no relation to Macky Sall - said he would refuse to recognise Sall as president after April 2 and promised to mount a legal challenge against what he also called an institutional coup.

"Today we feel pain and sadness for our country and our democracy," he said at a press conference.

The opposition Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), whose candidate Karim Wade was among those excluded from running, had formally requested a postponement on Friday.

The excluded candidates, who include opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko, say the rules for candidacy were not applied fairly. The authorities deny this.

"Now that (the postponement) has been confirmed, this will likely relapse the country into a political uncertainty and revive civil unrest threats," said West Africa political analyst Wendyam Herve Lankoande.

Senegalese voters were meant to choose a successor to President Sall. For the first time in Senegal's history, the incumbent was not on the ballot. His handpicked successor, Prime Minister Amadou Ba, was among 20 candidates cleared to run.

(Additional reporting by Portia Crowe, Bate Felix, Cooper Inveen, Zohra Bensemra; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Giles Elgood and David Holmes)
Milos Bikovic acquired Russian citizenship in 2021 and has said that the values of his adopted country resonate with his - SRDJAN STEVANOVIC/GETTY IMAGES

HBO has dropped a pro-Russia actor from its new series of The White Lotus after Ukraine accused him of supporting genocide.

The American broadcaster said that Milos Bikovic, a Serbian actor, would no longer be appearing in the dramas third series, which is due to start filming this month.

An HBO spokesman said: We have decided to part ways with Milos Bikovic and the role will be recast.

The decision to give the 36-year-old a role provoked fury in Kyiv, which said the actor had supported Russias bloody invasion of its country and accepted awards from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, having acquired Russian citizenship three years ago.

Last month, the Ukrainian foreign ministry asked: HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?

Targeted campaign

In a statement posted on Instagram, Mr Bikovic claimed a targeted campaign had been unleashed against him seemingly as an external manoeuvre to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom.

He said: The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art.

Mr Bikovic said he could not take part in The White Lotus due to reasons beyond the realm of art, adding: I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity.

In a video last month, the Ukrainian foreign ministry accused the actor of being the Kremlins foreign mouthpiece, saying he had attempted to justify the hostile seizure of Crimea and eastern Ukraine by Russian forces.

It quoted Mr Bikovic as saying that Russia has accepted me since my first time here.

He reportedly said: I have inherited Russian values and they resonate with mine.

The actor shakes hands with Vladimir Putin as he accepts the Pushkin Medal in 2018

The actor has starred in a number of Russian films, with Ukraine accusing him of taking part in productions filmed in Crimea after its annexation by Moscow in 2014.

At a Kremlin ceremony in 2018, Mr Putin awarded him the Pushkin Medal, one of Russias top cultural prizes, for his work in promoting the countrys culture.

Elsewhere in his statement, Mr Bikovic spoke of growing up in a war-torn country. I could never wish such devastation on anyone, he said.

He said he wants all the heartbreaking active conflicts in the world to stop and for the principles of love to prevail.

The third series of the show will be set in Thailand, and is due to air next year.

The first two series of The White Lotus were set in Hawaii and Sicily and revolved around the antics of entitled, wealthy guests and the long-suffering staff who serve them in five-star hotels.

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BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A round of severe weather is making its way across the northern part of the Big Country this afternoon, with some areas already seeing marble-sized hail.

TAKE COVER: Tornado spotted in southwestern Haskell County

According to Meteorologist Pete Beretta, these storms are fast moving to the northeast, limiting the chance of flooding. He added that residents can expect to see hail and gusty winds.

Haskell County was placed under an Extreme Tornado Warning until 6:15 p.m. with hail up 1.75 inches.

To stay up to date, be sure to check out our interactive radar.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Amber Morey-Wu, whose condo in San Franciscos Marina district was built in 1924, received a nonrenewal notice from Farmers Insurance due, she said, to the age of her home. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

After 26 years with the same insurance provider, Ruby Richs San Francisco home was dropped because of its age.

The three-unit, 1904 building  which survived two major earthquakes and was in great shape, according to Rich  was cut last year after Farmers Insurance changed its policies to exclude multi-unit homes built before 1925.

I was terrified, Rich said. My house is my major asset and suddenly I had no insurance.

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In 2023, Farmers Insurance  part of Californias second largest homeowners insurance provider, Farmers Insurance Group  stopped offering and renewing insurance policies nationwide for apartments, townhomes and condominiums built before 1925. The policy change, which the company says applies to commercial coverage, did not impact other Farmers Insurance Group affiliates or owner-occupied, single-family homes with Farmers Insurance.

But experts say that other insurers could make similar moves, and some Californians say they are already getting sharp questions about the upkeep of aging homes. Its the latest twist in the states broader insurance crisis, which has seen numerous insurers  including some Farmers affiliates  end or pull back their coverage in California.

A Farmers spokesperson said the insurer decided to exclude old multi-unit homes because the loss trends for those risks are considerably higher. He said that losses from owner-occupied, single family homes tend to be different from those of multi-unit buildings. The spokesperson did not comment on why the cutoff year was 1925 or what makes older homes less profitable to insure.

Jerry Becerra, president of Barbary Insurance Brokerage, which operates in the Bay Area, said older homes may have increased risk of electrical fires because of outdated wiring, or at higher risk for water damage as systems wear out.

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Some insurance companies other than Farmers have also stopped accepting older homes, according to Becerra, though he did not name them. He said insurers that accept older homes may require a lot of documentation about improvements that have been made, which homeowners often do not have readily available.

As for the question of why insurers may cut out multi-unit homes before single-family ones, Becerra said that multi-unit homes have more residents and that upgrades, including wiring and plumbing, can be more challenging.

David Russell, a professor of insurance at California State University, Northridge, said older homes have more claims generally than newer ones and cost more to restore because materials may have changed and upgrades may be necessary. Many insurance companies have recently lost money, he said, and are being cautious about their risks.

An owner of an older home might say, I havent ever had a claim. Ive been here 30 years and nothings ever happened,  Russell said. Thats not how insurance looks  it generally focuses on the future.

A phone nook is one of the architectural details that shows the age of Amber Morey-Wus home in San Francisco. Morey-Wus home insurer dropped her and her co-owner from their policy because the home was built in 1924. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

San Francisco has at least 28,780 buildings built before 1925, according to the citys land use database. Rich, whose home is between Bernal Heights and the Mission, noted that older homes enrich the character of San Francisco.

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Targeting older buildings  sounds like such a betrayal because San Francisco is known for its Edwardian and its Victorian and its beautiful old houses, Rich said.

Russell said pullbacks like Farmers could potentially become more common because impacted older homes will now seek new coverage, and other companies may not want what Farmers already deemed too risky.

Justin Steele, whose Oakland home dates to 1917, said that many insurers he approached last year were concerned about the age of his home  particularly when it came to the piping, electrical system, roofing and seismic upgrades.

I really started to get worried that I wasnt even going to be able to get a single homeowners quote, said Steele, who previously had home coverage with Farmers Direct  a Farmers Insurance Group subsidiary  but got non-renewed when Farmers Direct left the state last year. (The Farmers Insurance Group, incorporating all affiliates, made up 14.9% of the California homeowners insurance market in 2022.)

Steele eventually got a policy with Mercury Insurance, but said he needed to remove his homes galvanized water pipes as a condition, since the insurer was concerned about leaks. The removal cost $7,000, he said.

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Even when Steele bought the home in 2015, insurance companies hesitated to write policies, he said. Steele had to quickly upgrade the electrical system, getting rid of knob and tube wiring, a wiring method dating to the 1880s that has been commonly replaced by non-metallic cable wiring.

Amber Morey-Wu, whose condo in San Franciscos Marina district was built in 1924, had hoped that by living in San Francisco, with lower wildfire risk, she would be safe despite the turmoil in Californias home insurance market.

But last fall, after eight years with Farmers Insurance, a nonrenewal notice arrived.

I wasnt particularly optimistic (about the insurance search) and I was rewarded with an even worse-than-expected experience, Morey-Wu said.

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Morey-Wu researched options with her co-owner and worked with two brokers to hunt for an insurer that would take her building.

Finding something else was just like hunting for a needle in a haystack, Morey-Wu said.

Amber Morey-Wu thought San Francisco was relatively safe from the turmoil in Californias home insurance market. But her 1924 home was dropped by Farmers Insurance due to its age, and she spent months finding new coverage. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

She went uninsured for about three months during the search but ended up with Scottsdale Insurance. She said she had to pay the full premium up front, which was not ideal but the best we could do.

For Rich, finding a new insurer also proved difficult. Months went by with her home uninsured as she searched for a new provider. She called different companies and had friends call their insurance agents on her behalf, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Finally, she said, her co-owner found a new insurer through a broker. But the insurer is not registered with California  meaning that if the company fails, there is no state-governed guarantee that homeowners can get claims paid  and the price is twice as much as the prior Farmers policy.
Legislation designed to help Hobbs regain lost tax revenue passed a New Mexico State Senate committee Thursday.

Senate Bill (SB) 100 Gross Receipts Tax Distribution to Hobbs received a unanimous do pass recommendation from the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.

State Sen. Steve McCutcheon (R-42) sponsored the legislation and told the committee the bill was designed to be a temporary fix.

More: New Mexico House advances plan to boost annual state spending by 6.5%

The legislation would provide $25 million to Lea Countys largest city after House Bill (HB) 6, which passed in 2019, changed the states tax code to ensure tax collection occurred where a service took place and not where the business is located.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the legislation and it was enacted in 2021.

New Mexico Sen. Steven McCutcheon (R-42)

Another bill sponsored by McCutcheon, Senate Bill (SB) 155, GRTs for Carlsbad is stalled in the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, according to the Legislatures website.

SB 100 advanced to the Senate Finance Committee and as of Feb. 2 no hearings were scheduled, per the Legislatures website.

Both bills mirror legislation sponsored by former Sen. Gay Kernan who retired last year.

More: State lawmakers seek long-term fix for lost tax revenue for City of Carlsbad

Lujan Grisham appointed McCutcheon to finish the remainder of Kernan's term which ends this year.

Last year the governor vetoed two measures designed to provide Hobbs and Carlsbad with $25 million for a temporary solution.

McCutcheon estimated the City of Hobbs lost $8 to $10 million after HB 6 was enacted.

When destination sourcing was enacted all that revenue went to the counties, McCutcheon said during the hearing.

Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb said the city still has to provide services to residents even as the revenue that funded those services declines.

The City of Hobbs would appreciate this coming back in front of the Legislature and encourage the governor not to veto it at this time, Cobb said during the meeting.

In an email to the Current-Argus, Cobb said the City of Hobbs appreciates McCutcheons work in introducing SB 100.

The legislature in both Houses unanimously approved the bill which was presented by Sen. Kernan last year, and it was vetoed by the governor, he said.

City of Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb

Ward 2 Carlsbad City Councilor Jeff Forrest supports McCutcheons efforts as both communities seek a permanent fix from lost revenues due to HB 6.

I think its going to be an uphill battle with her (Lujan Grisham) in office, he said.

More: City officials disappointed in governor veto of SB 292

House GRT fix bill stalls in committee

House Bill (HB) 54 prefiled Jan. 5 by Republicans Rep. Larry Scott (District 62), Rep. Randall Pettigrew (District 61) and Rep. Harland Vincent (District 56) would create an all cities and counties fund.

Before the 30 day session started Jan. 16, Scott said HB 54 was an attempt to try and fix legislation that resulted in the loss of GRTs to Carlsbad and Hobbs which were needed to pay for certain services in both communities.

The proposal would create a fund to hold 8% of all state GRTs and would revert to cities and counties, Pettigrew said.

More: A look at what bills impacting Carlsbad passed and died in 2023 legislative session

The proposed legislation was sent to the House Taxation and Revenue Committee on Jan. 17 and as of Feb. 2, a hearing was not scheduled per the Legislative website.

Pettigrew said the measure may not see any action in the closing days of the legislature since there is no room in the budget.

On Jan. 31, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed a $10.18 billion budget for fiscal year 2025.

The spending plan now awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

Pettigrew said if there are no funds budgeted for certain measures, then proposed legislation is shelved.

State Rep. Randall Pettigrew (R-66)

An analysis conducted by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) noted SB 54 would need $324 million in GRTs for fiscal year 2025. GRTs would increase to $326 million in fiscal year 2026, $344 million in fiscal year 2027, and $356 million in fiscal year 2028.

The bill does not include a recurring appropriation but diverts or earmarks revenue, representing a recurring loss from the general fund. LFC has concerns with including continuing distribution language in the statutory provisions for funds because earmarking reduces the ability of the Legislature to establish spending priorities, the report cited.

Scott said HB 54 was based on a formula where a city receiving 70% of state GRTs would transfer 30% of the money to the county where the municipality is located.

Pettigrew said Republicans would have to wait until 2025 to bring the proposal back as the 2024 session ends Feb. 15.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: NM Senate committee passes short term revenue relief for Hobbs
In a plot twist prompted by January's ice storm, the resilient North Eugene High School Theater has found a way to turn adversity into an improvisational success.

The storm inflicted major damage on the fine arts department at NEHS, with a water intrusion at the new building  it had just opened in fall 2023  forcing the theater to cancel its student-led performance of "Trap," which was originally scheduled to open Jan. 24.

"It was definitely sad, just because we had put so much work into the play," said Alayna Jensen, a senior at NEHS who was cast two acting roles in the play. "We've worked on it for an entire semester ... and then we just weren't able to do it."

With the busy spring season, there was no time to reschedule the "Trap" performance, but that meant NEHS Theater had to find a creative solution to make sure their other spring performances don't fall behind schedule.

While the Eugene School District 4J and its contractors continue to get the leaks fixed, which are estimated to be complete in February, the theater program has been rehearsing its next performance, Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka Jr.," at Madison Middle School every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

"It's definitely a lot of trial and error, trying to figure out what spaces we can use, making sure that we're all coming together staying informed on what's going on," said Dusty Stratton, another NEHS senior and an assistant director of the new play. "We all have this passion for what we're doing and we all have the drive to keep it going."

North Eugene High School brings performing arts to young students

Wednesday evening, about 70 students crowded in the Madison cafeteria. Tables were pushed to the side as they practiced choreography for the song "Golden Age of Chocolate."

This production of "Willy Wonka Jr." is part of the Corridor Program, named after the closed alternative performing arts school Corridor Elementary. After Corridor Elementary was closed in 2020 following the demolition of the Silver Lane building, which made way for the new NEHS, the school's Parent Teacher Association reached out to NEHS's drama director, Aaron Thomas.

Thomas said they had leftover money with nowhere to put it, and asked if Thomas had any ideas. To keep the spirit of allowing young students opportunities on the stage, the Corridor Program casts students in fourth through eighth grade, open to any kids in the North region  Kelly and Madison middle schools and Aubrey Park, River Road, Howard and Spring Creek elementary schools.

In its third year, the Corridor Program has 72 elementary and middle school students cast in its Willy Wonka production with about 20 NEHS students assisting.

North Eugene's drama director, Aaron Thomas, directs Madison Middle School students during rehearsal for the musical Willy Wonka.

One of the few benefits of NEHS's auditorium being temporarily off-limits is that the closure corresponded with the Corridor production.

Timothy Wilcox, co-director of "Willy Wonka Jr." and Madison's band and musical theater teacher, offered up the middle school's cafeteria as a place to rehearse. It was the most logical place to rehearse, he said. Wilcox estimated that at least 50% of the students involved in the program are Madison students.

"The kids definitely miss being physically present at the high school," Wilcox said. "But if we weren't rehearsing, there wouldn't be a show or the show's quality would be significantly less if we delayed rehearsal, or canceled. Overall, it doesn't seem to be affecting anyone in any sort of negative way. I just think that's the culture of theater students and people involved in theater and performing arts.

"The good old adage that gets bounced around: 'The show must go on.'"

NEHS Theater provides an example for young students

Scarlett Briskey, a senior at NEHS working as a choreographer for "Willy Wonka Jr.," attended Corridor Elementary before it was shut down. Now, she's glad to be able to give back some of what she's learned to younger students.

"I'm really happy about (the Corridor Program) is still going on," Briskey said. "(Corridor Elementary) was what got me into acting, and I still I love acting. So I'm happy that other kids get to experience a little bit of what I got to have."

Scarlett Briskey, 18, directs choreography with Madison Middle School students during rehearsal for the musical Willy Wonka.

Thomas said the goal for the Corridor Program is to get young North region students interested in theater before coming to high school and to help set them up to thrive in NEHS's drama classes and clubs.

"The value comes in teaching skills early on, and also getting them excited about theater at a young age. It's already paying off in my high school productions now," Thomas said.

Thomas pointed to an example of Corridor's success: Violet Barrett, a freshman at NEHS who participated in the Corridor Program while she was in seventh and eighth grades, performing in "Annie Jr." and "Mary Poppins Jr." Now, she is Stratton's assistant, helping out with the Willy Wonka play.

Barrett said she joined the Corridor Program after transferring to Madison, looking to meet new friends and find community. She met some of her closest friends through the program and is familiar with several of the middle school students she is now assisting.

"I kind of have like that like, respect from (them) because of being known already," Barrett said. "The Corridor plays, they introduced me to this whole other world. I got to the point where in Annie Jr., I knew I wanted to do it again, and I wanted to be an actor."

A return to North Eugene High School' auditorium

One of the biggest draws of the Corridor Program is allowing elementary and middle school students to use the higher-quality equipment that NEHS has to offer. This will be their first time performing in the new building's auditorium. Thomas said they have received some new equipment including new sound and lighting systems.

As an NEHS alum himself, Wilcox said he is particularly excited about their first performance in the new auditorium. He said the new tech and seating would make for a better audience experience.

"One thing I'm looking forward to ... is (the students) will have been away from that space for a while, and in the meantime, Mr. Thomas's stagecraft class has been working on the scenery, and getting everything set up," Wilcox said. "So when they do return to the theater, it'll no longer be just an empty stage, they'll have stuff set up for their show. They can kind of have this big reveal as a cast member."

Already, Thomas confirmed that students and staff will be allowed back into the stagecraft room and part of the auditorium for the construction of set pieces starting Tuesday. Rehearsals will still be at Madison for the time being, but Thomas said this is great news, as he's looking forward to bringing the production to life for the North audience.

"Ideally, the next step is to really get the community in to make it a total North Region extravaganza," Thomas said.

For more information about NEHS Theater, the Corridor Program, tickets to "Willy Wonka Jr." or ways to support drama at NEHS, visit northeugenetheater.com.

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: North Eugene High School Theater improvises after ice storm
Editors note: Richard was the first at Helen Woodward Animal Center to receive this parvo treatment.

SAN DIEGO  A mortally ill puppy named Richard has been given a second chance at life after receiving a new state-of-the-art medical treatment for parvo.

According to Helen Woodward Animal Center, the 6-week-old tiny terrier-blend was diagnosed with the life-threatening canine virus upon his arrival in January.

Canine parvovirus  or parvo  is an extremely contagious and extremely deadly illness among dogs, with a 91% mortality rate in untreated cases.

California has its own forecaster for the arrival of spring  and its not a groundhog

Richard was showing signs of the dreaded canine parvovirus. He lacked any sort of energy or appetite, preferring to sleep the day away rather than play with his siblings, said Jessica Gercke, the communications director for the animal shelter.

With Richard only weeks old and weighing just 3.86 pounds, Gercke explained that the typical parvo prognosis for such a tiny puppy is almost certain death. But that isnt the case for this lucky pup.

Helen Woodward Animal Center has been waiting since April 2023 to receive the highly anticipated Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA). Gercke said the medication arrived in the nick time.

Richard became the first-ever dog to receive the treatment at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Before the new treatment, the only way to treat dogs affected by parvo was through expensive around-the-clock-care, which involves administering antibiotics, IV fluids to combat dehydration and managing the canines electrolytes.

While the traditional treatment combats the symptoms of the disease and may prevent the dog from dying, it doesnt actually combat the virus itself, Gercke explained. CPMA on the other hand, is a dose of synthetic parvo antibodies that prevent the disease from ever affecting the pups cells. In the case of Richard, the treatment worked overnight.

According to the animal shelter, CPMA shortens the treatment process from up to a week to only 24 hours, and is also significantly cheaper than traditional parvo treatment. The current treatment option for parvo can cost between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on how long the treatment takes, while CPMA reduces that cost to only $200 a vial.

Richards success is a huge win not only for us, but the entire animal welfare community said Dr. Siler, adoption services medical director.

This week, Dr. Siler and the medical team confirmed Richard could be made available for adoption. This miracle pup is now looking for his forever home. To adopt Richard or for more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, go to www.animalcenter.org, call 858-756-4117 or stop by the shelter at 6461 El Apajo Rd. in Rancho Santa Fe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SANDUSKY, Ohio  Ohio, the home of the Wright Brothers, is known as the "Birthplace of Aviation." But the state also has some serious spaceflight bona fides, as we were reminded during an event on Thursday (Feb. 1).

On that day, NASA and the Colorado-based company Sierra Space gave reporters an up-close look at Dream Chaser , a private space plane that's scheduled to fly its first-ever mission to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.

The event took place at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility here in Sandusky. The robotic Dream Chaser and its cargo module  vehicles named "Tenacity" and "Shooting Star," respectively  were stacked vertically, as they will be during launch. The duo stood 55 feet tall (16.8 meters)  roughly the length of a school bus!

Related: Dream Chaser enters final testing ahead of 2024 debut space flight

a black and white space plane stands vertically inside a large white-walled room, with scaffolding in the background.

"In order to convert bold dreams into bold action, it requires an enormous amount of tenacity, perseverance, confidence, determination and passion. And so we name our products after these emotional characteristics that get you through the hard times," former NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn, who's now Sierra Space's chief medical officer, said during Thursday's event.

"Building Tenacity has been hard," he added. "There's been a lot of things that we've found collectively that didn't always work right the first time. And we learned a lot that Tenacity has gotten us through the last six years, so there was no other name."

Tenacity's highly anticipated debut will ferry cargo to the ISS for NASA. That uncrewed demonstration mission will help advance science in space and continue to spur a burgeoning economy in low Earth orbit.

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser space plane

But before the inaugural journey can begin, Tenacity and Shooting Star must complete a variety of tests. That's what's happening here in Sandusky: The spacecraft are being put through their paces at the NASA center's Mechanical Vibration Facility. These trials expose the vehicles to the various harsh environments they'll experience on a mission, such as the jarring they'll get during launch, which will occur atop a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket .

"All the testing we've done over the last six years as well developmental testing, all the autonomy and aerodynamics  the remaining testing is the environmental testing of what the vehicle will actually see on the launch pad during the Vulcan ride up," Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice said on Thursday. "The testing is associated with replicating the environment of space, the vacuum of space; that's going to be done in the thermal vac chamber."

Sierra Space received a Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS2 ) multi-year c ontract from NASA in 2016, to provide at least six ISS cargo delivery missions. According to a recent release from NASA , this is part of an ongoing effort to increase the options of commercial resupply in low Earth orbit.

NASA continues to team up with U.S. private industry when it comes to transporting cargo and astronauts to the station. For example, the agency signed commercial crew deals with Boeing and SpaceX back in 2014. Elon Musk's company has already launched seven operational crewed missions to the ISS and is gearing up for number eight . (Boeing, on the other hand, aims to launch the first crewed test flight of its Starliner capsule this spring.)

The growing involvement of private players in ISS resupply could boost science returns in a big way down the road, NASA officials and exploration advocates say.

"They're continuing the lifeline for the research in zero g that the ISS is doing now and that we hope to do for the future, and we're talking about new materials," Marshburn said.

"A lot of people don't realize that the cytoskeletal structure of both human cells and bacteria actually changes in weightlessness and changes how they react," he added. "NASA has been able to develop new vaccines, crystal growth, all kinds of things you can do in weightlessness. I think we are just at the first few footsteps in a brand-new world with what we are going to be able to do once we start flying."

While Shooting Star will hold true to its name and burn up in Earth's atmosphere after its one and only mission is done, Tenacity will land and be prepped for another liftoff. Indeed, the space plane is designed to fly up to 15 missions .

Tenacity will carry more than 7,800 pounds (3,540 kilograms) of cargo on its first flight, though it could tote up to 11,500 pounds (5,215 kg) on future missions. The space plane is designed to bring home more than 3,500 pounds (1,590 kg) of cargo and experiment samples, while more than 8,700 pounds (3,950 kg) of garbage can be disposed of in the cargo module on reentry.

Related: Meet 'Tenacity': 1st Dream Chaser space plane gets a name

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser space plane

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Dream Chaser's builders aimed to create something both very reusable and very reliable.

"If we're a company that wants to benefit life on Earth, we want to understand what the impact is on it," Vice said. " And so we designed this vehicle to use even a very special fuel; it's hydrogen peroxide and refined kerosene, so that we don't use really hazardous materials. And so it's very unique  we think the ability to fly multiple times on a single vehicle allows us to have a smaller footprint every time we fly."

Launch of Tenacity and Shooting Star is currently targeted for the first half of this year, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After liftoff, teams from Sierra Space's Dream Chaser Mission Control Center in Louisville, Colorado, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will work together to monitor the flight, control the spacecraft, and make in-orbit demonstrations to help certify the system for future missions.

"The research that's done on space station is tremendous, but broader than that, the learning of this huge community is increasing our ability to travel to and from space and learn from it," Phil Dempsey, transportation integration manager for NASA's International Space Station Program, said during Thursday's event.

"There are people sitting at home, you ask them a question  why should I go do that, why should our tax dollars go to that? It's not so much for any one individual reason, but the learning that we have as an industry and as mankind because of space travel and the difficulty of space travel," Dempsey said. "It contributes to what we can do as an overall group of people here on the Earth as we look to do things off the Earth, or enhance work on the Earth or research that benefits us."
Michelle ONeill was named Northern Irelands top government leader on Saturday in a historic appointment for her party that represents a sea change in Irish politics.

ONeill belongs to the Irish Republican Party Sinn Fein, which is historically associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and favors unity with the rest of Ireland. Northern Irelands government has been long dominated by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which prefers to keep Northern Irelands ties to the United Kingdom.

The opposing republican and unionist viewpoints closely divide Irelands legislative body, which has been under a tenuous power-sharing deal since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The First Minister leads the province and is selected by the party that wins the most seats in Northern Irelands legislative assemblya right Sinn Fein won in 2022, when it overtook the DUP as the largest faction.

Sinn Fein Wins Big at Irish Elections. But How Will the Party Manage Its IRA Past?

ONeill is the daughter of a former IRA operative who was imprisoned during the Troubles, the period of civil unrest in Northern Ireland that lasted until the 1990s. Although her party strongly advocates for Irish unity, ONeill presented herself as a builder of bridges between the nationalist and unionist parties in her speech.

None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are. Our allegiances are equally legitimate. Lets walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway, she said.

ONeill will lead the province alongside deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, a unionist from the DUP. While its pro-British rival still holds the second-most number of seats in the Northern Irish assembly, Sinn Feins historic win demonstrates the shifting political preference of a younger generation of Irish votersmany of whom were born after the Troubles endedthat identify with the partys leftist, pro-republican message.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(Bloomberg) -- Northern Irelands government and assembly sat for the first time in two years on Saturday, with an Irish nationalist from the Sinn Fein party appointed as first minister, a milestone moment in the regions turbulent history.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Michelle ONeill, whose party campaigns to reunite Northern Ireland with the Republic over a century after partition, has been waiting to take on the role since May 2022, when Sinn Fein won the most seats in assembly elections.

Today opens the door to the future, ONeill said in her first speech as first minister. We mark a moment of equality and progress. A new opportunity to work and grow together.

US President Joe Biden said he welcomes and strongly supports the restoration. This is an important step, he said in a statement.

ONeill, 47, had been prevented from taking up her role by the Democratic Unionist Party, which quit the power-sharing institutions to protest Brexit trading rules it said were weakening Northern Irelands position within the UK.

The DUP this week reached a deal with the British government to end its boycott, including receiving a 3.3 billion ($4.17 billion) funding boost and measures it said would strengthen the union.

The lawmakers gathered at Stormont, Northern Irelands parliament in Belfast, on Saturday appointed former DUP leader Edwin Poots as speaker.

The DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly was appointed as deputy first minister, and said in a speech that the days events confirm the democratic outcome of the 2022 election.

ONeills appointment wouldnt have been possible prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of nationalist-unionist conflict by ensuring both would be represented in the power-sharing government. Even then, unionists continued to appoint the first minister, a continuation of their in-built political dominance when Northern Ireland was created in 1921.

But the picture has been gradually changing. Months before the 2022 vote, a census showed that Catholics  who traditionally support Irish nationalism and reunification  made up the biggest religious group for the first time. That raised profound questions for the regions typically Protestant unionists, who insist that Northern Ireland remains firmly a part of the UK. Sinn Feins legacy as the political wing of the IRA adds to unionist unease.

Thats the wider political backdrop to the DUPs protest, which critics said reflected its unwillingness to share power in a government that would reflect the regions shifting dynamics. It also underscores the scale of the challenge to keep the power-sharing government up and running this time.

Even after the DUP agreed to end its boycott, a breakthrough that took five hours of talks in a remote location chosen to try to keep protesters away, the week has seen political parties revert to strident rhetoric.

Northern Irelands electoral majority for unionism has gone, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, who is Irelands official opposition leader, said alongside ONeill on Tuesday. With Sinn Fein leading polls in the Republic of Ireland too, it signals a new Ireland emerging. A united Ireland, she said, is within touching distance.

The pushback from unionists was immediate.

Its not helpful when Mary Lou McDonald comes out and goes a United Ireland is within touching distance  I dont think it is, said Emma Shaw, a community activist and founder of the Phoenix Education Centre, which aims to tackle educational under achievement in east Belfast.

The British government, too, was unequivocal. Asked about Sinn Feins rise and the likelihood of a border poll  the mechanism for reunification set out in the Good Friday Agreement, subject to majority support for a united Ireland  the UKs Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris replied: Not in my lifetime.

Despite the unionist opposition, reunification has never been as live a policy issue as it is now, said Muiris MacCarthaigh, head of politics and international relations at Queens University Belfast. It all stems back to Brexit, he said, which put the issue of identity firmly on the agenda.

Brexit also exposed ructions within Northern Ireland unionism, which were laid bare again after the DUP announced it would end its protest.

Its two years to the day since the DUP walked out of the government in protest at the Brexit deal signed between the UK and European Union, which created a de facto border in the Irish Sea to avoid creating a land border on the island of Ireland. It also handed the region hybrid status: still in the EUs single market for goods, even as the rest of the UK departed.

Unionist hardliners have spent months pressuring DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson not to return to government if Brexit rules remained. Protesters gathered outside the partys leadership meeting on Monday, and in the House of Commons some DUP lawmakers took aim at the deal he struck with the UK government.

But Donaldson was adamant that returning to power-sharing was a better option for unionists in Northern Ireland than direct rule from London. He accused his unionist critics of not wanting power-sharing at all. Some of them live in a bygone era, he said. Is this really the time for unionism to turn in on itself?

Graham Walker, a politics professor at Queens, said that while theres a minority of unionists who wont yield ground on the Brexit deal, they dont have the numbers to derail Donaldsons return to power-sharing.

There are also reasons to get Stormont up and running that straddle the political divide, not least the ability to spend the additional UK funding. That will come as a relief to public sector workers who havent received a pay rise during the lengthy cost-of-living crisis and held a mass general strike last month.

There is additional money now, said Gareth Hetherington, director of the Economic Policy Centre at the University of Ulster. Whether it is enough to see off future strikes is yet to be determined.

The DUPs boycott is far from the only time the devolved assembly has been curtailed. Sinn Fein has done it, including over support for the Irish language. Since it was set up in 1999 the body has sat for less than 60% of the time.

When it comes to any kind of contentious issue, its very hard to get agreement between the parties, said MacCarthaigh. The two parties have fundamental differences on where Northern Ireland belongs and its very difficult to park that, he added.

Based on the rhetoric this week, that picture wont change soon. Asked about working with a nationalist first minister, Donaldson told BBC Radio Ulster he sees ONeill as a joint first minister. Though the first and deputy do have joint authority in Northern Ireland, the message was clear.

(Updates with Biden comment in fourth paragraph.)

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San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said there has been nothing she can do to force a jailed murder suspect to appear in court. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

San Francisco jail inmates charged with crimes can delay their prosecution by refusing to appear in court  and theres little prosecutors can do about it, according to District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

Its a problem Jenkins is now facing with the case of Dennis James Duree, a 39-year-old San Francisco resident accused of stabbing two people  a 45-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman  in the Mission on Dec. 28, killing the man and seriously injuring the woman.

Jenkins office has charged Duree with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. But hes yet to be arraigned because he refuses to leave his jail cell to go to the courtroom, according to the district attorneys office.

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We are powerless at this point, Jenkins said.

In the past, the San Francisco Sheriffs Office, which runs the city jails, would forcibly remove uncooperative inmates from their cells to bring them to court, but no longer does so, Jenkins said.

A spokesperson for the sheriffs office said defendants who refuse to appear in court can only be forcibly removed from their cell under a very specific set of circumstances. If a defendant refuses to leave the cell, the court can admonish the defendant and hold the hearing with only the prosecutor and defense attorney present, the spokesperson said.

In a case where the defendant refuses to speak with even his or her defense attorney, a judge can order for the defendant brought to court. But first, the sheriffs office would have to review the case and determine whether the defendant could be removed without hurting them, according to the spokesperson. Defendants can be removed only if it would be safe to do so, the spokesperson said.

San Francisco police arrested Duree on Jan. 11 and have been keeping him in custody ever since, jail records show.

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Since then, Duree has refused to appear in court eight times. His court-appointed defense attorney, Paul DeMeester, said Duree has refused to meet with him as well.

At Durees most recent hearing date, the district attorneys office raised the idea of having him forcibly removed from his cell. The judge did not issue such an order and instead suggested exploring other alternatives, DeMeester and the district attorneys office said. DeMeester said he has been encouraging his client to appear in court in hopes of avoiding a situation where he might be physically forced to. The sheriffs office spokesperson confirmed it has not received any orders to remove Duree from his cell in county jail.

Jenkins, who previously served as an assistant district attorney from 2017 to 2021, said she has noticed more defendants refusing to appear in court since 2020, and especially since 2021, she said.

Its a strategy to delay cases, Jenkins said. Its a strategy to assert their will against the system, to frustrate the process.  It is retraumatizing for (victims and their families). It promotes a lack of trust in the criminal justice systems ability to deliver justice.

DeMeester said he has witnessed and heard of some defendants refusing to appear, but only when the trial has already begun. Durees decision to refuse to be arraigned is unusual, DeMeester said. Court records from a previous case involving Duree show he was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia in 2006 and spent one year being treated at Napa State Hospital. In that case, Durees court-appointed defense attorney also complained he was uncooperative and refused to discuss the evidence against him, according to court documents.

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The delays make it difficult for prosecutors to keep in contact and maintain trust with witnesses in the case, Jenkins said. She said her office had discussed the issue with the sheriffs office in the past, and would continue to seek solutions to the problem.

SFSO has been working with the court and counsel on both sides of this issue for more than a year and a half to make sure these cases effectively move through the system, the sheriffs office spokesperson said in a statement.

A San Francisco Superior Court judge granted the district attorneys offices motion to detain Duree before his trial due to the risk he could pose to public safety.

His ninth arraignment date is scheduled for Thursday. If convicted of all charges, Duree faces 40 years to life in state prison, according to prosecutors.

Officials are investigating the Dec. 28 stabbing. Anyone with information is asked to contact San Francisco police at 415-575-4444 or send a text to TIP411.
Glasgow has been revealed as the pothole capital of Britain, new analysis shows.

The Scottish city has 11.7 potholes left unrepaired for every 1,000 residents, followed by minority Labour-controlled Edinburgh with 8.2 per 1,000 people.

Meanwhile, Hereford emerged as the pothole capital of England with 7.9 potholes unfixed per 1,000 residents and Wrexham was the worst city in Wales with 5.9.

The data is based on areas with at least 100 pothole reports from residents on FixMyStreet, a website that sends maintenance requests to councils and publishes the response times. Reports are marked as open, meaning they have not been resolved, or fixed.

Across Britain, the Scottish capital Glasgow  run by an SNP-led minority council  had more than 9,700 potholes reported by residents over the past 17 years, less than a third of which have been repaired.

Edinburgh has had less than a quarter of the 5,538 reported potholes being filled in since 2007, data show.

Hereford, a minority Conservative council area, was third worst in the country with 421 potholes for its relatively small population of 53,000, though it had an unusually high rate of repairing half of those reported.

The other cities in the top 10 worst pothole capitals of Britain were Southampton, Wrexham, Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Swansea.

Wrexham was the worst city in Wales, with the independent-led council only repairing one in four reports in the past 13 years and the citys 135,000 residents still grappling with almost 800 potholes.

Of the top 10 pothole capitals of Britain, Labour-run Manchester had the lowest fix rate with just 19 per cent of road craters being filled in after residents flagged them.

Mo Naser, the chief executive of SmartSurvey which analysed the data, said: One could argue that bigger cities have more issues to attend to, but they also have bigger budgets and more staff to deal with them.

For instance, Truro is a tiny cathedral city, but the council fixes two in three reported potholes.

Political battleground

He added: Why do Bath, Peterborough, Bristol and Truro, whose populations and filed reports vary so widely, succeed while cities of comparable sizes to each of them struggle?

Potholes have become a political battleground as the next general election looms, with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, pledging 8.3 billion for councils to repair them despite critics warning that Tory cuts to local authority budgets since 2010 are the root problem.

Britains local roads are in their worst condition in at least 28 years, according to the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey, and data from the RAC shows that pothole-related breakdowns between July and September last year were the highest since at least 2006.

A pothole-related breakdown can cost a driver more than 400 and they can be fatal for cyclists.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said: Councils are working hard to try and tackle the 14 billion backlog of road repairs.

Many factors affect repair rates, such as the road profile, traffic levels and available budgets. Councils would much prefer to focus on preventative repairs but only greater, year-on-year funding for maintaining all parts of our highways will help them achieve this.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Its Election Day in South Carolina.

The Democratic race for president kicks off in the Palmetto State on Saturday when voters will pick their candidate in the partys first officially sanctioned primary of the 2024 election.

Look for President Joe Biden to chalk up an easy win. He faces no serious opposition and has a history with South Carolina voters, who are credited with injecting momentum into his struggling campaign four years ago.

Though the outcome isnt in question, the primary could give clues to where Biden stands with the partys base. How well he energizes Black voters in South Carolina could forecast how he might fare elsewhere and what more he has to do to win over key supporters.

When is the primary in South Carolina? A guide to the Republican and Democratic elections.

Jan 27, 2024; Columbia, S.C., USA; President Joe Biden speaks during the First in the Nation Dinner and Celebration in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Jan 27, 2024.

Why is South Carolina going first?

South Carolina is the first of many primaries in what is expected to be a brutal presidential rematch this November against former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

South Carolina doesnt usually go first. That honor of first-in-the-nation primary has traditionally been bestowed upon New Hampshire.

But national Democrats decided to move up South Carolinas primary this year and make it the nations first official contest. Part of the reason is South Carolina has a diverse population. Black people make up nearly 30% of the states population while New Hampshire is nearly 93% white.

New Hampshire, however, objected to changing the primary calendar and scheduled its contest earlier than allowed. National Democrats said that violated the rules, so Biden didnt appear on the ballot there. Not that it mattered. New Hampshire Democrats waged a write-in campaign on his behalf, and he ended up easily winning that primary on Jan. 23.

But even though New Hampshire Democrats went first, South Carolina is the first officially sanctioned primary of this years presidential contest.

What do turnout and advance vote look like?

There are about 3.3 million registered voters in South Carolina. Voters do not register by party. Turnout in the 2020 Democratic primary was about 16% of registered voters. It was about 13% in the 2016 primary.

Saturdays event will be the first presidential primary held in the state since a new early voting law was enacted in May 2022. The law allows voters to cast ballots in person up to about two weeks before Election Day without an excuse. In the 2016 Democratic primary, when voters had to provide an excuse to cast an absentee ballot, about 14% of votes were cast before Election Day. In the 2022 midterm primaries, after the new law went into effect, pre-Election Day voting was at about 21%.

As of Monday, nearly 24,000 voters had already cast their ballots.

--Michael Collins

More: What's the difference between a caucus and a primary election? Here's how each works.

How did Joe Biden fare in South Carolina in 2020?

Bidens campaign was struggling when he marched into South Carolina four years ago. He had placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary. Before the polls in New Hampshire even closed, he decided to bail out on a planned campaign party and flew off to South Carolina, which his team believed could be the firewall that would turn their fortunes around.

It was a smart move.

Biden easily won South Carolina, carrying all 46 of the states counties and claiming 61% of the states Black vote, which was pivotal to his victory. Bidens win in South Carolina gave him momentum heading into the Super Tuesday elections three days later. He would go on to capture the Democratic nomination and defeat incumbent Trump in the general election the following November.

Biden leads other candidates in South Carolina primary

President Joe Biden is looking to place first in South Carolina, and an Emerson College poll shows the winds are in his favor.

The poll conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 found that sixty-nine percent of Democratic primary voters plan to support Biden, while 5% support Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and 3% support Marianne Williamson. Twenty-two percent of Democratic primary voters are undecided.

Biden holds a strong base of support among South Carolina Democrats, no alternative presents any challenge for the president, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said. The 22% still on the sidelines present an opportunity for Biden to begin his 2024 primary elections with a strong showing to open for the Democratic nomination."

-- Sudiksha Kochi

When is the 2024 Democratic primary? A state-by-state guide to the election schedule

How is Biden doing among Black voters this time?

This year, polls, including one from USA TODAY, show some Black voters arent as excited about a Biden bid. Some young voters of color are upset Biden hasnt called for a cease-fire in the Israeli/Hamas war, in which thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured.

In a Pew Research Center survey released in mid-January, nearly half of Black voters approved of Bidens job performance and about the same number disapproved.

One of Bidens key supporters, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is tamping down expectations for high Black voter turnout this year. Four years ago the Democratic field was more crowded, there was a global pandemic and the country was engulfed in social unrest.

The lay of the land is a little bit different (now)," said Clyburn, one of the highest-ranking African Americans in Congress.

The Democratic National Committee and the Biden reelection campaign are working overtime to turn out Black voters in the uncompetitive primary. Biden has visited the state twice this year; Vice President Kamala Harris has visited three times since the beginning of January. First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have also campaigned there.

More: When is the Nevada primary election and the caucus? What to know about the dual contests.

Who else is running?

Besides Biden, the other Democrats on the ballot are Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson, an author and spiritual leader

Phillips received about 20% of the vote in New Hampshire, while Williamson got about 4%. Williamson was part of the crowded 2020 field that included Biden, but she dropped out before the first contests.

Neither poses a serious threat to Biden this year.

South Carolina has an open primary election

South Carolina has an open primary, which is a primary election where voters do not have to have a political party affiliation to vote for partisan candidates.

The South Carolina Election Commission states on its website that You can pick either primary but you can only vote in one.

Voters must have registered by Jan. 4 to participate in the Democratic primary. Those who vote during this time will not be allowed to vote during the Republican contest on Feb. 24.

-- Nina Tran, Greenville News; Sudiksha Kochi

What about Donald Trump and Nikki Haley

Voters eagerly watching the GOP contest between Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will have to wait a little longer.

South Carolinas Republican primary will be held on Feb. 24.

Who can vote in South Carolina?

South Carolina has an open primary system, which means any registered voter may participate in any partys primary. Voters may only participate in one partys presidential primary, so those who vote on Saturday may not vote in the Republican contest in three weeks.

How much longer until the finish line?

As of Saturday, there will be 198 days until the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 276 days until the November general election.

--Michael Collins

Contributing: The Associated Press and the Greenville News

2024 election dates to know: Joe Biden, Donald Trump and other White House hopefuls face off

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina primary: Joe Biden looks for big victory
CHARLESTON, S.C.  President Joe Biden cruised to an easy victory Saturday in the South Carolina primary, the first official contest of the 2024 Democratic nomination process.

The Associated Press called the race for Biden about an hour after the polls closed at 7 p.m. The only question is how big a percentage the president will roll up against long-shot candidates U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.

At Biden's behest, the Democratic National Committee approved a new primary calendar that put South Carolina at the head of the line, ahead of traditional starters Iowa and New Hampshire.

In a series of radio interviews throughout the day, Biden said he had insisted that South Carolina be the first state to select convention contests.

"It's really important that South Carolina be first in the nation because it reflects the nation more," the president told local radio station WFMV. "It's more diverse. It has more, not only African Americans, but more people of different backgrounds."

Though the outcome isnt in question, the primary could give clues as to where Biden stands with his partys base. How well he energizes Black voters in South Carolina could forecast how he might fare elsewhere and what more he has to do to win over key supporters to secure a second term.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

South Carolina revived Biden's struggling presidential campaign four years ago. In a written statement, Biden said he hopes Saturday's victory will set the path to winning the presidency again.

In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the Presidency," Biden said.

See how candidates fared: South Carolina presidential primary results since 2000

South Carolina voter Annie Barnes, a 78-year-old retiree from Charleston, said Biden deserves a second term because "the economy is going great. Hes done the best he can with the border situation. Hes done the best he can do with the Gaza situation."

Barnes said she wishes things were better and Biden was younger, but "I pray to God he beats (Donald) Trump.

Follow along throughout the day for live coverage from USA TODAY's team of journalists.

Phillips says he's not quitting the race despite South Carolina results

Despite the prospect of a third-place finish in South Carolina  with less than 2% of the vote  Phillips says he is not leaving the race and will run in the Michigan primary on Feb. 27.

"Cracking four digits never felt so good!" the Minnesota congressman said on the social media site X, formerly Twitter. "Congratulations, Mr. President, on a good old fashioned whooping. See you in Michigan."

-David Jackson

No exit polls tonight in South Carolina

Don't expect too much detailed demographic information about the South Carolina Democratic primary.

There are no exit polls.

The networks opted not to spring for exit polls in a one-party primary in which an incumbent Democratic president was an overwhelming favorite in a state that is expected to go Republican in November.

-David Jackson

When is the primary in South Carolina? A guide to the Republican and Democratic elections.

Jan 27, 2024; Columbia, S.C., USA; President Joe Biden speaks during the First in the Nation Dinner and Celebration in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Jan 27, 2024.

Biden's reaction: South Carolina will send me to the White House again

Biden claimed victory in South Carolina by calling into a Democratic bash in Columbia, but his remarks on a speaker phone were hard to decipher.

In a written statement, Biden noted that a win in the South Carolina primary in 2020 propelled him to the White House  and said the same thing will happen in 2024.

Now, he said, "the people of South Carolina have spoken again, and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the presidency again  and making Donald Trump a loser, again."

 David Jackson

South Carolina's Republican primary is Feb. 24

Now that the Democrats have held their primary, South Carolina Republicans get their chance in three weeks.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley hopes to use the Feb. 24 GOP primary to slow down Trump's drive to the presidential nomination.

Trump hopes to close out Haley's challenge in her home state.

 David Jackson

Biden on track for massive win in South Carolina

The AP and television networks called South Carolina for Biden less than 25 minutes after the polls closed at 7 p.m.

Early returns gave Biden more than 95% of the vote over rival Phillips and Williamson.

 David Jackson

See the results: South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary

Next up is the Nevada caucus and primary

After Saturday's South Carolina Democratic primary, the political world turns its attention next week to Nevada  a state where Republicans hold both a primary and a caucus.

Nevada Democrats will conduct a straightforward primary on Tuesday, where Biden is again an overwhelming favorite.

For Republicans, it's a bit more complicated. While there is technically a Republican primary, the Silver State GOP's focus is awarding convention delegates at caucuses on Thursday, where Trump is the overwhelming favorite.

Why two contests? Because the Nevada Republican Party objected to a 2021 law signed by a Democratic governor designed to replace caucuses with primaries. At Trump's behest, the GOP decided to hold post-primary caucuses as part of the party's "protest" of state run-primaries.

The state party also said that candidates who participate in the primary are not eligible for the caucuses.

Nikki Haley is the only major GOP candidate in the Nevada primary, in part because she and other GOP candidates who have since left the race believe the fix is in for Trump in the caucuses.

 David Jackson

More: When is the Nevada primary election and the caucus? What to know about the dual contests.

Biden turns down Super Bowl Sunday television interview

Biden is making campaign plans beyond the South Carolina primary - and they do not include a televised interview on Super Bowl Sunday.

CBS News said Saturday that Biden has declined an invitation to be interviewed during the Feb. 11 Super Bowl pre-game show, an opportunity that presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump seized during their re-election campaign years.

Biden also turned down a Super Bowl interview last year, when Fox televised the event.

 David Jackson

Biden: 'Weirdest campaign I've ever been engaged in'

As South Carolina Democrats voted, Biden addressed workers at his campaign headquarters in Delaware and urged them to keep their focus on Trump, the likely Republican opponent.

The guy were running against  hes not for anything, hes against everything," Biden said.

Biden, who later boarded Air Force One for a trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, added that "it's the weirdest campaign I've ever been engaged in," again because of Trump.

"It's even worse, in terms of his behavior, than the last time in 2020," Biden said.

 David Jackson

More: Jobs and the stock market are booming. Why isn't Joe Biden getting more of a lift in the polls?

Why is South Carolina going first?

South Carolina is the first of many primaries in what is expected to be a brutal presidential rematch this November against former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

South Carolina doesnt usually go first. That honor of first-in-the-nation primary has traditionally been bestowed upon New Hampshire.

But national Democrats decided to move up South Carolinas primary this year and make it the nations first official contest. Part of the reason is South Carolina has a diverse population. Black people make up nearly 30% of the states population while New Hampshire is nearly 93% white.

New Hampshire, however, objected to changing the primary calendar and scheduled its contest earlier than allowed. National Democrats said that violated the rules, so Biden didnt appear on the ballot there. Not that it mattered. New Hampshire Democrats waged a write-in campaign on his behalf, and he ended up easily winning that primary on Jan. 23.

But even though New Hampshire Democrats went first, South Carolina is the first officially sanctioned primary of this years presidential contest.

Forget New Hampshire: South Carolina is the 'official' start of the Democratic nomination process

The Biden campaign and the Democratic Party are touting today's primary as the real start of the 2024 nomination race (such as it is) - last month's write-in effort in New Hampshire doesn't count.

At Biden's behest, the Democratic National Committee approved a new primary calendar that put South Carolina at the head of the line, ahead of traditional starters Iowa and New Hampshire.

As the Associated Press put it, New Hampshire held a leadoff primary anyway in defiance of the DNC, but without the presidents or the national partys backing and no delegates at stake."

 David Jackson

What do turnout and advance vote look like?

There are about 3.3 million registered voters in South Carolina. Voters do not register by party. Turnout in the 2020 Democratic primary was about 16% of registered voters. It was about 13% in the 2016 primary.

Saturdays event will be the first presidential primary held in the state since a new early voting law was enacted in May 2022. The law allows voters to cast ballots in person up to about two weeks before Election Day without an excuse. In the 2016 Democratic primary, when voters had to provide an excuse to cast an absentee ballot, about 14% of votes were cast before Election Day. In the 2022 midterm primaries, after the new law went into effect, pre-Election Day voting was at about 21%.

As of Monday, nearly 24,000 voters had already cast their ballots.

 Michael Collins

More: What's the difference between a caucus and a primary election? Here's how each works.

How did Joe Biden fare in South Carolina in 2020?

Bidens campaign was struggling when he marched into South Carolina four years ago. He had placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary. Before the polls in New Hampshire even closed, he decided to bail out on a planned campaign party and flew off to South Carolina, which his team believed could be the firewall that would turn their fortunes around.

It was a smart move.

Biden easily won South Carolina, carrying all 46 of the states counties and claiming 61% of the states Black vote, which was pivotal to his victory. Bidens win in South Carolina gave him momentum heading into the Super Tuesday elections three days later. He would go on to capture the Democratic nomination and defeat incumbent Trump in the general election the following November.

Were not bailing you out: DNC chair sends warning to Nikki Haley

Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison has a message for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on primary day: Democrats are not bailing you out.

We are not going to vote for you because you didn't do anything for us. You didn't do anything for us. So, we're not bailing you out, Harrison told reporters Saturday. Weve got two MAGA apples in this field that's left, and both of them are rotten. And so, Democrats in South Carolina arent bailing either one of them out."

The message comes as the organization Primary Pivot has urged South Carolina voters to sit out the Democratic primary and instead cast their ballots for Haley in the Republican primary to prevent former President Donald Trump from winning the Republican nomination.

 Sudiksha Kochi

What is Biden up to on South Carolina primary day?

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, addressed a few hundred supporters at their campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

Joe Biden gave a six-minute speech thanking Americans for their support and hitting on his usual theme of preserving democracy by defeating former President Donald Trump in 2024.

This is more of a mission. We cannot lose this campaign. For the good of the country, Joe Biden said.

 Sudiksha Kochi

When is Super Tuesday ?

Super Tuesday will be held on March 5. It marks the date when the greatest number of states hold their primaries and caucuses.

The states conducting elections on 2024's Super Tuesday include Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.

The results of the Iowa Democratic caucus will also be announced on Super Tuesday.

 Sudiksha Kochi

Biden leads other candidates in South Carolina primary

President Joe Biden is looking to place first in South Carolina, and an Emerson College poll shows the winds are in his favor.

The poll conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 found that sixty-nine percent of Democratic primary voters plan to support Biden, while 5% support Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and 3% support Marianne Williamson. Twenty-two percent of Democratic primary voters are undecided.

Biden holds a strong base of support among South Carolina Democrats, no alternative presents any challenge for the president, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said. The 22% still on the sidelines present an opportunity for Biden to begin his 2024 primary elections with a strong showing to open for the Democratic nomination."

 Sudiksha Kochi

Biden's 2020 victory in South Carolina was a pivotal event

Voters in today's South Carolina's Democratic primary are echoing one of the most pivotal races in political history: The 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary - the race that propelled Biden to the presidency.

At the start of the 2020 Democratic nomination process, Biden fared badly in Iowa and New Hampshire. He rallied in South Carolina with the help of an endorsement from long-time U.S. Rep Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.

After his easy win in South Carolina, opponents began dropping out and endorsed Biden in his race against Bernie Sanders.

Biden never looked back after South Carolina, going on to win the nomination and the general election against President Donald Trump.

 David Jackson

When is the 2024 Democratic primary? A state-by-state guide to the election schedule

How is Biden doing among Black voters this time?

This year, polls, including one from USA TODAY, show some Black voters arent as excited about a Biden bid. Some young voters of color are upset Biden hasnt called for a cease-fire in the Israeli/Hamas war, in which thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured.

In a Pew Research Center survey released in mid-January, nearly half of Black voters approved of Bidens job performance and about the same number disapproved.

One of Bidens key supporters, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is tamping down expectations for high Black voter turnout this year. Four years ago the Democratic field was more crowded, there was a global pandemic and the country was engulfed in social unrest.

The lay of the land is a little bit different (now)," said Clyburn, one of the highest-ranking African Americans in Congress.

The Democratic National Committee and the Biden reelection campaign are working overtime to turn out Black voters in the uncompetitive primary. Biden has visited the state twice this year; Vice President Kamala Harris has visited three times since the beginning of January. First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have also campaigned there.

More: When is the Nevada primary election and the caucus? What to know about the dual contests.

Who else is running?

Besides Biden, the other Democrats on the ballot are Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson, an author and spiritual leader

Phillips received about 20% of the vote in New Hampshire, while Williamson got about 4%. Williamson was part of the crowded 2020 field that included Biden, but she dropped out before the first contests.

Neither poses a serious threat to Biden this year.

South Carolina has an open primary election

South Carolina has an open primary, which is a primary election where voters do not have to have a political party affiliation to vote for partisan candidates.

The South Carolina Election Commission states on its website that You can pick either primary but you can only vote in one.

Voters must have registered by Jan. 4 to participate in the Democratic primary. Those who vote during this time will not be allowed to vote during the Republican contest on Feb. 24.

 Nina Tran, Greenville News; Sudiksha Kochi

What about Donald Trump and Nikki Haley

Voters eagerly watching the GOP contest between Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will have to wait a little longer.

South Carolinas Republican primary will be held on Feb. 24.

Who can vote in South Carolina?

South Carolina has an open primary system, which means any registered voter may participate in any partys primary. Voters may only participate in one partys presidential primary, so those who vote on Saturday may not vote in the Republican contest in three weeks.

How much longer until the finish line?

As of Saturday, there will be 198 days until the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 276 days until the November general election.

 Michael Collins

Contributing: The Associated Press and the Greenville News

2024 election dates to know: Joe Biden, Donald Trump and other White House hopefuls face off

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina primary recap: Biden wins first contest for Dems
South Carolina, the state that launched Joe Biden to the Democratic nomination four years ago, will deliver the president his first official primary victory of the 2024 campaign on Saturday, CNN projects.

In a result that was largely expected, Biden will defeat his two nearest challengers, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson, as he claims his first delegates in his quest to win his partys nomination again. Biden won all 55 delegates at stake in the South Carolina primary.

This year marks the first time South Carolina has appeared at the front of the official Democratic nominating calendar  a change made largely due to Bidens urging.

Biden, who was in Los Angeles for a fundraising event Saturday evening when his win was projected, said in a statement that South Carolina put him on a path toward victory.

In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the Presidency, he said. Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the Presidency again  and making Donald Trump a loser  again.

DNC elevates South Carolina over Iowa and New Hampshire

For decades, Iowa and New Hampshire had cast the first votes in Democratic presidential primary battles. But the Democratic National Committee decided to move those states back in the calendar in the face of criticism that their largely White electorates didnt reflect a Democratic base that is much more diverse nationally.

Iowa Democratic officials accepted the changes, opting to hold a mail-in caucus with ballots sent to voters starting January 12 and due to be postmarked back by March 5  Super Tuesday, when more than a dozen other states are scheduled to hold their primaries.

New Hampshire officials, citing a state law requiring that its primary be the nations first, pushed back  holding a rogue Democratic contest alongside the Republican primary on January 23.

However, the Democratic National Committee punished the Granite State by stripping it of delegates to the partys 2024 convention. Because the state did not comply with the calendar the DNC had set, Biden didnt file to appear on the states primary ballot. But loyalists of the president launched a successful write-in campaign on his behalf that saw him take 64% of the vote.

The state that propelled Bidens 2020 win

To cement South Carolinas status as the first primary of the 2024 Democratic race, Biden visited the Palmetto State twice last month, and Vice President Kamala Harris headlined a get-out-the-vote event at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg on Friday.

Youve had my back, and I hope Ive had yours, Biden told the Sunday lunch crowd at Brookland Baptist Church in Columbia last weekend.

The president wasnt in South Carolina on Saturday, as he headed for a fundraising swing through Southern California and Nevada. Before his departure, he made a stop at his reelection campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, giving brief remarks with an eye toward the general election.

This is not just a campaign. This is more of a mission. We cannot, we cannot, we cannot lose this campaign, for the good of the country, Biden said.

I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Its not about me, he said. Its about the country. And I think everybody knows it and I think its beginning to dawn on people.

The American people get it. They understand whats going on, Biden said, framing the contest around the protection of democracy.

Attendees cheer as Biden speaks at a South Carolina Democratic Party event in Columbia on January 27, 2024. - Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images

With Biden facing little serious competition for the Democratic nomination, Saturdays primary was important for the president nonetheless because it marked a return to the place that catapulted him to the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Biden limped into the South Carolina primary that year after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses, fourth in the New Hampshire primary and a distant second in the Nevada caucuses. However, the Palmetto States large Black population  and a late endorsement from influential Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn  helped deliver Biden a dominant victory that, for the first time, demonstrated strength with a core Democratic constituency that no other primary contender could rival.

Days later, Biden moved closer to clinching the partys nomination by racking up a virtually insurmountable delegate lead across a wide swath of diverse states on Super Tuesday.

South Carolina is dominated by Republicans in general elections. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

But the push by the Biden campaign and its allies in South Carolina was part of a broader effort to shore up support with Black voters, a bloc crucial to the presidents reelection prospects, particularly in battleground states such as Georgia and the blue wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The Democratic primary took place three weeks before Republicans will vote on February 24. The GOP primary could be former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys last chance to slow former President Donald Trumps march to a third consecutive Republican presidential nomination. But a recent Monmouth University-Washington Post poll showed her trailing Trump by 26 points in her home-state primary.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Betsy Klein, Kevin Liptak, Terence Burlij and Ethan Cohen contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Burned out heavy equipment is seen along County Road 324 during the Dixie Fire in Chester (Plumas County) in August 2021. A man has pleaded guilty to setting fires that trapped firefighters during the blaze. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

A San Jose man pleaded guilty to going on an arson-setting spree during the destructive Dixie Fire in 2021, sometimes trapping firefighters battling the blazes, according to federal prosecutors.

While the Dixie Fire was burning nearly 1 million acres of land across Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama counties, Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, was lighting several fires of his own, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of California. Maynard pleaded guilty to three counts of arson Thursday after being indicted in 2021.

Prosecutors said Maynard admitted to setting four fires in late July and early August 2021, sometimes going behind where firefighters were fighting the Dixie Fire to light blazes surrounding them on both sides.

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The Dixie Fire was the second largest wildfire in California history as well as one of the most destructive. It burned for more than two months, destroying more than 500 homes. PG&E was fined $45 million after state investigators determined that a tree falling on energized power lines ignited the devastating fire.

In court filings, a U.S. Forest Service special agent described how officials first encountered Maynard the day of the Cascade Fire, which burnt 100 to 200 square feet of Shasta-Trinity National Forest. A fire investigator found Maynard near the site of the blaze trying to dig out his car, which was stuck on a dirt road.

Investigators later found matches where Maynards car had been and discovered two small fires lit with newspaper, according to the special agents affidavit.

The next day, while investigating the short-lived Everitt Fire, investigators located tire tracks that matched Maynards car, the agent wrote.

Authorities then obtained a warrant to place a tracking device on Maynards car. About two weeks later, they tracked him to a section of Lassen National Forest and found two other newly set fires that would later be dubbed the Ranch Fire and Conard Fire.

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Maynard was arrested that day while trying to drive away from the Conard Fire, according to the Forest Service special agent. The agent described Maynards behavior as an arson-setting spree.

Maynard was a professor of criminal justice who had taught at several California colleges, including Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University.

Prosecutors did not comment on Maynards motive for setting the fires. A year before the fires were set, one of Maynards colleagues at Santa Clara reported Maynard to San Jose police after he told her he was suffering from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to court records.

Maynard is set to be sentenced on May 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of arson, according to prosecutors.
Washington  President Biden will win South Carolina's 2024 Democratic primary election Saturday, CBS News projects, defeating two long-shot candidates.

The state that revived his struggling 2020 campaign is the first official Democratic nominating contest of 2024, after the Democratic National Committee moved the primary ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire, disregarding a longstanding New Hampshire law that requires the state to hold the first presidential primary in the nation.

Although his name did not appear on the New Hampshire ballot, Mr. Biden still won the primary as a write-in candidate. At this point, he won't receive any delegates out of the Granite State because the DNC sanctioned New Hampshire after it defied the DNC's primary calendar.

In South Carolina, Mr. Biden defeated Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, but the primary is still being closely watched as a test of the president's support among Black voters. This demographic helped deliver the first primary win in any of his presidential election bids for Mr. Biden four years ago, resurrecting his campaign after lackluster finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

"As I said four years ago, this campaign is for everyone who has been knocked down, counted out and left behind," Mr. Biden said in a statement Saturday evening. "That is still true today. With more than 14 million new jobs and a record 24 straight months  two years  of the unemployment rate under 4%, including a record low unemployment rate for Black Americans, we are leaving no one behind."

A spokesperson for the Phillips campaign told CBS News that Phillips had no plans to drop out of the race as of now.

"Cracking four digits never felt so good!" Phillips wrote in a social media post Saturday night. "Congratulations, Mr. President, on a good old fashioned whooping. See you in Michigan."

While campaigning in South Carolina in the days leading up to the primary, Mr. Biden credited its voters with putting him in the White House.

"The truth is, I wouldn't be here without the Democratic voters of South Carolina, and that's a fact," he said on Jan. 27. "If you ever doubt the power to change America, you are the reason I am president."

Who ran in the South Carolina Democratic primary?

President Joe Biden, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson were on the ballot.

When did primary polls close in South Carolina?

South Carolina polling places were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Voters who were in line when polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballots.

Voters can find their polling place here.

Who voted in the South Carolina Democratic primary?

Presidential primaries are open to all registered South Carolina voters, so they didn't have to be registered as Democrats to be able to cast a ballot in the primary. However, voters who cast a ballot in the Democratic primary cannot also vote in the Republican primary later in the month.

The voter registration deadline for the Democratic primary was Jan. 4, while the Republican primary cutoff was Jan. 25.

The results

Mr. Biden is estimated to win all 55 pledged delegates at stake in the South Carolina primary. Here are the state-by-state results so far.

And here's CBS News' estimate of how many delegates have been allocated to Republican candidates, based on the results of the nominating contests to date. (As noted above, no delegates were allocated in the New Hampshire primary by the DNC.)

When is the Republican South Carolina primary?

South Carolina's Republican primary falls on Feb. 24, where former President Donald Trump will face off against Nikki Haley.

Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, served as South Carolina governor from 2011 to 2017 before joining the Trump administration.

Though Haley is familiar to the state's voters, South Carolina's conservative primary electorate is expected to be highly favorable to Trump.

Early voting for the Republican primary starts on Feb. 12 and ends Feb. 22, with polls open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polling places will be open from from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the primary.

Why are the Republican and Democratic primaries on different days?

The national parties typically decide when their primaries are held, but sometimes states have laws with mandates about the timing.

The Democratic National Committee adjusted its 2024 primary calendar to move South Carolina as the first contest, citing the state's racially diverse electorate. New Hampshire defied the DNC and held its primary in January anyway because state law requires it to hold its primary first, but Mr. Biden declined to appear on the ballot.

The state has in previous election cycles been fourth in Democrats' nominating contest lineup, on the same day as the GOP primary. So this year, the Republican National Committee is keeping South Carolina in the same order as past elections, following Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

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ST. LOUIS  A woman accused of targeting an elderly St. Charles County man in a fraud scheme that yielded hundreds of thousands of dollars has turned herself in to authorities in Georgia.

Shanita Gray, 51, faces ten counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of use of a counterfeit access device in a federal indictment unsealed Friday.

The indictment accuses Gray of using the elderly victims personal information to obtain financial power of an attorney to access the credit and debit cards and financial accounts of the alleged victim. Investigators say the victim is a widower from a St. Charles County nursing home.

Vacant warehouse near downtown to be demolished after massive fire

According to the indictment, Gray notified the administrators of the victims nursing home that she was seeking emergency guardianship of him. She also concealed the existence of the victims half-sister and told the victims son that she would manage his financial affairs.

Gray reportedly searched the victims home to locate personal identifying information, identify his financial accounts, take possession of his debit and credit cards and obtain samples of his handwriting. The indictment alleges that she obtained online access to his financial accounts, added herself as a beneficiary and changed his contact information on financial accounts to her Georgia address.

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According to the indictment, Gray obtained more than $300,000 by selling shares in the victims investment accounts, transferring funds out of his bank accounts, and drawing checks for her benefit. She allegedly conducted electronic funds transfers to pay her bills and redirected the victims pension and retirement checks to her personal and business bank accounts.

If convicted, Gray could face up to 20 years in prison on each wire fraud charge.

Federal prosecutors say the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Maryland Heights Police Department assisted with the investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare host first annual research symposium

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Friday afternoon, St. Francis-Emory Healthcare held its inaugural Research Symposium.

The symposium highlighted the work from various residency programs around Georgia, such as, Morehouse, Piedmont Midtown, Mercer, Martin Army Community Hospital and St. Francis. The projects were judged based on delivery, poster creativity, originality, and presentation. Awards were given to the best research presentations.

Over 80 medical professions, residents and students were in attendance.

Anand Gupta, Acute Care Services Medical Director at St. Francis says symposiums like these are important for networking that can lead to more collaborations in the future.

This is such a noble endeavor, and this is first of a kind event in Columbus. This will help establish the Columbus area as a medical center of excellence, and this will also help us in retaining physicians, shared Gupta.

WRBL spoke with Vic Chhokar, Social Program Director for St. Francis, who says this is the next step in the evolution of the medical education for several residents. The symposium gives students and residents the platform to present data that can be used for medical treatments in the future.

St. Francis plans to host a research symposium every February.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
The makers of two phone surveillance services appear to have shuttered after the owner agreed to settle state accusations of illegally promoting spyware that his companies developed.

PhoneSpector and Highster were consumer-grade phone monitoring apps that facilitated the covert surveillance of a person's smartphone. Commonly dubbed stalkerware (or spouseware), these apps are typically planted on a person's phone, often by a spouse or domestic partner and usually with knowledge of the device passcode. These apps are designed to stay hidden from home screens, making them difficult to find and remove, all the while continuously uploading the phone's messages, photos and real-time location data to a dashboard viewable by the abuser.

In February 2023, Patrick Hinchy, whose consortium of New York and Florida-based tech companies developed PhoneSpector and Highster, agreed to pay $410,000 in penalties to settle accusations that Hinchy's companies advertised and "aggressively promoted" spyware that allowed the secret phone surveillance of individuals living in New York state.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said at the time that Hinchy's companies used blog posts that explicitly encouraged prospective customers to use the spyware to monitor their spouses' devices without their knowledge. As part of the deal, Hinchy's companies agreed to modify the apps to alert device owners that their phones had been monitored.

Since the settlement, both PhoneSpector and Highster have dropped offline.

PhoneSpector's website stopped loading in the weeks after the settlement. Its domain now redirects to an Indonesian lottery website. Highster's website stopped loading several months later.

The domains, servers and back-end infrastructure known to be used by PhoneSpector and Highster are also no longer online.

TechCrunch called phone numbers associated with PhoneSpector and Highster customer service but an automated message said that the numbers had been disconnected. The office space in the New York village of Port Jefferson registered to Hinchy's companies is currently occupied by a construction firm.

Nearly all of Hinchy's registered companies in New York and Florida remain active, according to public records searches by TechCrunch, but the companies have not filed paperwork with the states for several years and are designated "past due" for updates. Companies are typically required to file paperwork every two years or face dissolution by state authorities.

Hinchy did not respond to multiple requests for comment from TechCrunch. Michael Weinstein, who represented Hinchy as part of the settlement, deferred comment to the New York attorney general's office.

Delaney Kempner, director of communications for the New York attorney general's office, did not answer TechCrunch's questions about the settlement by email, including whether Hinchy's companies paid the $410,000 penalty as agreed. Kempner would not agree to TechCrunch's request for an on-the-record call. In response to specific questions about the case, Kempner told TechCrunch by email that unspecified recent filings would answer some of our questions. "Hopefully you know how to find them :)" said Kempner.

PhoneSpector and Highster are the latest stalkerware apps to have fallen offline in recent years following regulatory action.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission brought charges against phone monitoring app maker Retina-X, accusing the company of failing to ensure its app was used for legitimate consensual purposes, and failing to adequately secure the sensitive phone data it siphoned from the phones of unknowing device owners after experiencing several data breaches. Retina-X eventually shut down.

A year later, the FTC banned the stalkerware maker SpyFone and its chief executive Scott Zuckerman from the surveillance industry, also accusing the company of failing to protect the data it secretly harvested from the phones of unwitting victims. A TechCrunch investigation later found Zuckerman returned with a new stalkerware app called SpyTrac, which shut down soon after TechCrunch contacted Zuckerman for comment.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift leave the field after Kansas Citys win in the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens in Baltimore on Jan. 28. Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Taylor Swifts high-profile romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has forced some fans in the Bay Area to reconsider their loyalty to the pop star as her boyfriends team gears up to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Among those reevaluating their allegiance is Lisa McCaffrey, mother of 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and a self-proclaimed Swiftie. She announced her boycott of Swift in anticipation of the big game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11.

In the latest episode of the podcast, Your Mom, McCaffrey declared, Shes dead to us.

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But she noted that the ban is temporary, lasting only through the 49ers-Chiefs matchup.

I refuse to listen to Taylor Swift songs for the next couple days, McCaffrey said. I love her. I love the relationship (between Swift and Kelce). But we are boycotting any T. Swift songs.

Lisa McCaffrey, shown with husband Ed in their Colorado home in 2016, says shes a Taylor Swift fan but will boycott her music, at least until the Super Bowl is over. Her son Christians team, the 49ers, faces the Chiefs of Swifts partner, tight end Travis Kelce, in Sundays NFL championship game. Theo Stroomer/Special to the Chronicle 2016

Earlier in the week, model and actress Olivia Culpo surprised her fiances mom with a suite at the Super Bowl. The gesture came after Lisa McCaffrey publicly complained that she could not afford one, citing the exorbitant prices.

We looked into a suite, and none of us can afford it, not even Christian  moneybags over there  nor moneybags Olivia, she said in the podcast. So we are not in a suite, Ill tell you that right now.

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Christian McCaffrey, who signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the 49ers in 2020, is set to earn $11.8 million and $12 million for the next two seasons, respectively.

But even with that payday, Lisa McCaffrey said, Theyre outrageously expensive. Theyre stupid expensive. I dont know if its the Taylor Swift factor, if its the first time in Vegas factor, theres so much going on.
For hundreds of thousands of rail passengers, Sunday will prove chaotic. There are no actual rail strikes: its a one-day pause in the current round of walkouts by train drivers. Yet their overtime ban continues, and as a result, thousands of trains will be cancelled.

Large swathes of the nation will be without trains, with West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway and Chiltern Railways cancelling all their services.

In the early hours of Sunday, Thameslink and Great Northern issued a Do Not Travel notice for their networks.

In addition, key intercity links including London to Bristol, Cardiff and Cambridge will be closed to passengers and many other lines will be affected.

Here we take a look at the key questions and answers ahead of the day of travel chaos:

Are the railways still affected by industrial action?

Many rail passengers may feel the strikes have been going on forever. In fact, the first national rail walkouts since the 1980s began in the summer of 2022.

The larger rail union, the RMT, has ended its campaign of strikes for now. But Aslef, the smaller yet more powerful train drivers union, is as far from an agreement as ever with the 14 English rail firms whose operations are controlled by the government.

Since the dispute began, Aslef has called regular strikes and bans on rest-day working. Train drivers are currently in the middle of a nine-day spell of industrial action, comprising an overtime ban and rolling regional strikes.

On Saturday, it hit passengers on the West Coast main line and East Midlands network. Tomorrow its the turn of West of England and CrossCountry routes.

Whats different this time?

Its only the second time in 19 months of strikes and overtime bans by train drivers that Aslef has included Sunday in a prohibition on rest-day working. On other days of the week, overtime bans cause cancellations because many rail firms dont have enough train drivers to cover their schedules without bringing in staff on overtime.

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.

The effect of an overtime ban on Sunday services will be dramatic. While staff on most forms of public transport, such as buses and planes, can be required to work on any day of the week, Sunday is a day of rest for many rail staff. Train drivers whose contracts dont have Sunday in the working week are perfectly entitled to choose not to work. As a result, large swathes of the nation will be without rail services  with the Midlands and the West of England particularly hard hit.

Do rail firms normally rely on train drivers working overtime to cover Sundays?

Yes, in some parts of the country. And not just train drivers, other rail staff as well. Even within the same rail firm, the Sunday rule can vary. Northern Trains staff who are based west of the Pennines do not have Sunday included in their working week, while their colleagues on the east side of the range must work on Sundays if instructed to do so.

On Great Western, only newer train drivers are required to work on any day of the week. Those who joined over seven years ago can choose whether or not to work Sundays.

What about the new minimum service levels law?

Even if one or more of the train operators had decided to impose minimum service levels as the law now allows them to do, it would make no difference  because the new rules cant force people to work on their days off.

Where are the key Sunday problems?

Chiltern Railways, which connects London with Oxford and Birmingham, says no trains will run at all anywhere on its network. The same applies for West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway. That means dozens of stations will see no trains at all, including every station on the line between London Euston and Rugby except Watford Junction and Milton Keynes.

For the first time on any day with industrial action, Great Western will not connect London with Bristol. Trains from the capital will go no further west than Swindon, which means Cardiff is also cut off from London.

In the early hours of Sunday, Thameslink and Great Northern issued a Do Not Travel notice for their networks. Some key routes including London to Cambridge and Kings Lynn are completely closed, while others linking Brighton with London and Bedford face severe disruption.

In East Anglia, some rail links will be replaced by buses, while C2C, serving south Essex, says it will have a severely reduced service.

On top of that ban on rest-day working, there is 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.

The Gatwick Express between the capital and the Sussex airport is suspended due to the overtime ban, as is the Night Riviera sleeper train between London Paddington and Penzance.

Whats at the root of the dispute?

Since the pandemic, travel patterns have changed. Ticket revenue is about one-fifth down on pre-Covid levels. The public subsidy to keep the railways running is currently running at over 17,000 per minute  a rise of 43 per cent on the usual subsidy, according to the government. As taxpayers will foot the eventual bill for the train drivers pay rise, the Department for Transport will sign off any deal. Ministers believe train drivers terms and conditions are part of the problem.

To keep costs down, they must accept changes to how they work, such as making Sunday part of the working week everywhere. The union say this is completely unacceptable. The train drivers will negotiate on such changes, but only after they get a decent no-strings pay offer on top of their current pay, averaging 60,000 a year. Theyve always sold reforms to working arrangements for an extra few per cent on their pay, and they dont intend to stop now. Stuck in the middle: the passenger.

What are the warring sides saying?

Rail minister Huw Merriman told The Independent: 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 are paid an average 60,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week. The pay deal would take them up to 65,000.

But Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, says its a rubbish deal that he cant possibly put to his members  some of whom have not had a pay rise for five years. He says ministers have refused to engage with the union for over 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.

One rail industry insider said the Sunday move by Aslef could turn out to be counter-productive for the union  by drawing attention to the restrictive agreements that ministers say they want to reform.

Meanwhile, the corrosion in confidence among travellers continues, with no rail passenger able to plan journeys more than two weeks ahead  that being the minimum notice the union must give for industrial action.
Supervisor Catherine Stefanis experience in San Francisco politics and record of legislative achievement earns her the editorial boards endorsement for the 19th Assembly District seat. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

This year, San Francisco will lose one of its most experienced lawmakers in the state Capitol when Democrat Phil Ting terms out of the Assembly seat hes held for 12 years.

Unfortunately, residents of the 19th Assembly District  which includes San Franciscos west side and swaths of San Mateo County  have a dearth of options to replace him. Only four candidates are running, and in interviews with the editorial board, neither of the two Republicans  freelance filmmaker Nadia Flamenco and inventory manager Arjun Gustav Sodhani  put forth anything that even remotely resembles a coherent policy platform. (Sodhanis top priority, for example, is increasing Californias population to 101 million. His solution? You put two people in a room and another person comes out.)

That leaves us with the two Democrats. Catherine Stefani, 54, is a San Francisco supervisor representing District Two  which includes Presidio Heights, the Marina and Pacific Heights  and a former legislative aide and prosecutor. David Lee, 54, is director of the Asian Pacific American Student Success Program at Laney College in Oakland and executive director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, a San Francisco nonprofit that helps register voters.

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Some see this matchup as a proxy war between San Franciscos moderate and progressive factions. Stefani is perhaps the most moderate Democrat on the Board of Supervisors, and Lee, after positioning himself as a centrist in several unsuccessful supervisorial bids, now touts his support for such progressive policies as eliminating student debt, offering free college and raising the state minimum wage to $25 per hour.

Others see it as a battle for representation. The district, which is about 40% Asian American, has been represented by a Chinese American lawmaker for more than 20 years. Ting, who endorsed Lee, told us its really important to maintain that trend, especially given the recent decline in Chinese Americans elected to San Franciscos top political offices.

We wholeheartedly agree with Ting about the importance of representation. But we left our interview with Lee deeply concerned about the candidates preparedness for the job.

Lee was unsure of the extent to which he supports state laws restricting local governments ability to deny housing developments. Nor was it clear where he stands on some Democrats efforts to toughen aspects of Proposition 47, which downgraded certain theft and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. He was similarly vague when discussing education policy  saying merely that he wants to increase state funding for education, which seems improbable given Californias huge budget deficit. Although we were intrigued by his idea to make community college campuses reentry hubs for formerly incarcerated people, it wasnt clear he had a pragmatic plan to enact this initiative at the state level.

Ting acknowledged that Lee definitely needs to improve his understanding of all the varieties of policy, but has other valuable qualifications, including experience working with and advocating for low-income immigrant students and a deep knowledge of the Chinese American community.

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That argument might be more persuasive if this were Lees first rodeo, but it isnt. Hes run for public office three times before, and he no longer has an excuse for not being conversant in topics as fundamental as housing and criminal justice.

Stefani, meanwhile, is well-versed in many policy areas. She has received the endorsement of several prominent Asian American Democratic clubs, who told us they feel shes the candidate best positioned to represent their communities in Sacramento.

Catherine Stefani has been a leader and a fighter for us and protecting our values, Selina Sun, president of the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club, told the editorial board. She described Stefani as instrumental in efforts to rename a city street after Vicha Ratanapakdee, a Thai American grandfather whose brutal 2021 killing galvanized campaigns against anti-Asian hate.

Sam Kwong, a board member and past president of the Chinese American Democratic Club, said that Stefani is more aligned with the groups members on issues such as criminal justice, education and fiscal responsibility.

Id rather have someone who knows policy, Kwong added.

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We agree.

Stefani has a strong pro-housing record and is endorsed by San Francisco YIMBY. We also appreciate her pragmatic approach to criminal justice: She told us she doesnt want to be the kind of Democrat who makes Republicans relevant by allowing ideology to interfere with the pursuit of an effective balance between punitive and rehabilitative measures.

Stefani, who has a long history of fighting for stronger gun violence prevention laws, is also uniquely well-positioned to help the state Legislature address the disturbing link between domestic violence and mass shootings. In our interview, she described herself as a child witness to her mothers decades-long abusive relationship and spoke passionately about the need to expand and improve services for domestic violence survivors and ensure offenders are enrolled in effective rehabilitative programs.

Stefani has also pushed San Francisco to increase oversight of the many nonprofits with which it contracts for critical city services and could bring a much-needed fiscal accountability lens to the Legislature as it figures out how to close Californias projected years-long budget deficit.

We would have appreciated Stefani outlining more specific details of her legislative agenda. But her plans are still far more defined than those of her opponents. She is the strongest candidate in an otherwise weak group of contenders and deserves your vote accordingly.
Former San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey created an education program at San Quentin State Prison. Juliana Yamada/The Chronicle

I wasnt surprised when the daughter of a woman who sold crack across the street from my house brought me a manuscript written by an inmate friend. It was a memoir about 300 pages in length. While Black and brown boys score low on literacy tests in public schools, literacy seems to be flourishing in some of the nations prisons.

I learned that in 1974.

At about that time, I received an invitation to visit Houston. Part of my schedule included visiting Ramsey Prison. I found myself a passenger in a car traveling to the prison on a highway littered with dead armadillos. I entered a room where stetson-wearing Texas Rangers sat holding their shotguns and was escorted into a classroom. About 30 inmates were sitting there quietly. They had copies of my novel The Last Days of Louisiana Red, a book about fratricidal urban warfare. Its morality was like the Westerns we saw when we were kids. Good guys versus bad guys.

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I spent about an hour in a Q&A session with prisoners, who asked intelligent questions about the book and had made notes in the margins of their copies. Since that visit, I have been a guest at prisons in Pennsylvania, California and other states.

In the 1980s, I visited Attica with Buffalo Evening News writer Jeff Simon and Professor Celes Tisdale. Tisdale published a book of Attica prison writings in 2022 entitled When The Smoke Cleared. The writings rank favorably with some of the best writings published today.

These writers are part of a tradition in writing. Chester Himes was an inmate when he began publishing in the nations leading magazines. The prominent poet Jimmy Santiago Baca learned to read and write in prison. Though some dismiss Malcolm X as a pro-Black firebrand, when I met him, I found him acquainted with the writings of Dante and Virgil. He was an inmate at a prison where a philanthropist had donated 2,000 books.

So why do some Black and brown boys and men acquire literacy in prison yet fail in public schools?

Could it be because they are not exposed to Black male writers like Tisdale? Or because some Black and brown writers whove won major awards dont have access to teaching credentials that would put them in contact with Black and brown boys. The girls do fine. Thats why the majority of those in colleges and universities are women.

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Though the media embarrass Black boys by citing low reading scores, white boys also struggle.

Writer Zora Neale Hurston opposed school integration because she said it would deprive Black students of a connection with Black teachers. Literature Professor Leah Milne writes: Hurston foresaw the benefit of Black students and other students of color seeing more people who look like them in teaching and administrative roles. She correctly predicted that integration would mean Black teachers and administrators losing their jobs: All-white schools already had better educational resources, teachers, and infrastructure, and white administrators and parents in 1954 were less than receptive to deferring to Black principals, teachers or superintendents. She highlighted this hypocrisy, stating, It is a contradiction in terms to scream race pride and equality while at the same time spurning Negro teachers and self-association. 

I had one Black teacher in grammar school. She encouraged me and gave me tickets to concerts. Most other teachers, white women, viewed me as a discipline problem. I was reminded of them when a feminist critic Laura Miller called my work rowdy.

Is it sexist to point out that 61% of American school teachers are white women and that some of those individuals are likely some of the same people who clutch their purses when encountering a Black or brown male on an elevator?

In 2015-16, 76.5% of African American students in K-12 were taught by white teachers, and only 7% had African American teachers. Given how few Black teachers there are, I doubt whether the situation has changed.

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There were exceptions. A white grammar school principal, a music teacher and two white women in high school. I probably would never have tried my hand at plays had it not been for a white high school teacher named Nanette Lancaster, who insisted that I learn theater. I didnt know that much about politics in those days, but now I know that she was a right-wing American firster. She cast me as the doctor in John Van Drutens stage play, I Remember Mama. A progressive would cast me as a member of a dysfunctional household.

Some of the success of prison writers can be attributed to their exposure to male teachers who resemble them and literature they can relate to.

I remember a successful Black Assembly candidate who told me that he learned how to read because he wanted to read Eldrige Cleavers Soul On Ice.

They should follow the example of an enlightened prison administrator like former San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey, who arranged my visit to San Quentin. Im sure that readers of the local newspaper were surprised to see a graduating class of convicts, who were wearing caps and gowns. This was because of an education program established by Hennessey.

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In our magazine, Konch, my daughter Tennessee and I are running a series of installments by a prisoner who lives in a halfway house. Hes an original. He just needs a copy editor. But lucky for him, unlike in the old days, we have Grammarly.

The education community must discover why some prisons succeed where the public school system has failed.

Yusef Salaam, a member of the exonerated Central Park Five, won a seat on the New York City Council. Few politicians possess this elected officials eloquence. He grew up in prison. Hes not alone. Recently, Yale University awarded degrees to inmates for the first time.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks at a rally to support Israel at the Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco in October. Pelosi on Friday defended comments she made earlier in the week in which she suggested some cease-fire protesters could have ties to Russia. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi doubled down on her belief that some protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war could be backed by Russia.

This isnt about investigating protesters, but it is about the funding, and its about the funding in our elections, Pelosi told the Chronicle in an interview Friday. It is about money in politics  in government  from Russia, from other countries.

Pelosi did not provide any evidence of potential ties between protestors and Russia, but said their messaging benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Who benefits for (President) Joe Biden to be taking a beating from these crowds that hes only supported all along?  (Former President Donald Trump) and his friend Vladimir Putin, Pelosi said.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been interrupted by protesters calling for a cease-fire at nearly every public event theyve held in recent weeks, including Harris appearance in San Jose on Monday, and Pelosi encountered a similar interruption at a Jan. 25 event in Seattle.

Pelosi was a longtime member of the House Intelligence committee until stepping down from party leadership in January 2023, and has been a leader on addressing issues of foreign interference in U.S. elections.

Pelosi received pushback following her comments on Jan. 28, in which she told CNN, Some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia.

Council on American Islamic Relations Executive Director Nihad Awad called the claims delusional and said her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian.

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Pelosi responded Friday: I dont care about what theyre saying, I want to know where that moneys coming from.

She said her broader point is that theres value in examining the money influencing U.S elections Whether I know nothing at all, I still want to know if, in fact, there is foreign money coming into our political process, our elections, she said.

A Senate intelligence report on Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election found evidence that Putin and the Russian government demonstrated a preference for candidate Trump. A State Department summary of a separate U.S. intelligence review found Russia has covertly given at least $300 million to political parties, officials and politicians in more than two dozen countries since 2014 with the goal of exerting political influence and swaying elections, the New York Times reported.

Pelosi said it was responsible to air such concerns publicly.

If I didnt think it was responsible, I wouldnt have done it. This is protect and defend  protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. This is what we have to do. Its not, Oh, it would be nice if I could say it this way, and I hope somebody isnt offended if I said it. No, she said.

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Pelosi addressed concerns about younger and more progressive voters turning on Biden because of his support for what they call Israels genocide in Gaza by saying the alternative  another Trump presidency  would be worse.

About 6 in 10 non-white Democrats disapprove of how Biden is handling the Israel-Hamas war and about 7 in 10 Democrats under 45 disapprove, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

Pelosi highlighted Bidens long-standing efforts for a two-state solution, his foreign policy experience and sending humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in recent months.
February 2, 2024: Iran-backed Iraqi militias continue to attack American troops in Iraq. On January 28 an Iran-backed Iraqi militia used a UAV armed with explosives to kill three American soldiers at their Tower 22 base across the border in Jordan. Other recent inside Iraq attacks involved ballistic missiles as well as the usual unguided rockets and occasional gunfire. The primary base for American troops in Iraq is the Ain al-Assad air base, which the Americans have equipped with anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems. These intercept most missiles and rockets fired at the base but occasionally one gets through and causes some injuries. So far injuries have been minor.

These attacks have become more frequent since Gaza-based Hamas made a massive surprise attack on Israel last year. That attack was only a partial success because the Israeli quickly counterattacked and are now seeking to eliminate the Hamas presence in Gaza. Hamas momentary victory encouraged other groups to attack American troops in the region. The Ain al-Assad air base is in Anbar Province, which consists of most of western Iraq and mostly desert. American troops have been at the airbase since 2003. Now Iran wants the Americans out of Iraq so that Iran has a better chance to take control of the country. Iran justifies its attacks on Iraqis and Americans because Iran claims Israel seeks more power in Iraq. That is absurd but normal for Iranian propaganda.

There are few Israelis in Iraq, all of whom work with the Kurds in northern Iraq as technical and military advisors. Iraq continues to resist Iranian efforts to dominate local politics and much else. Iraqi efforts to reduce corruption played a part in convincing a growing number of formerly pro-Iran Iraqis to change their minds about backing Iran. The current Iranian government has been an economic, diplomatic, and military disaster for everyone in the area, not just Iranians. Few Iraqis want to emulate Iran, and this now includes Iraqi members of pro-Iran militias. Initially Iran encouraged and maintained pro-Iran attitudes in Iraq by supplying Iraqi militiamen with weapons and regular cash payments. Increasing economic problems inside Iran reduced the money available to pay the Iraqi militiamen enough to keep them loyal to Iran. The longer the Iraqi militiamen went unpaid, the less willing they were to serve Iranian interests. How much is left is questionable, but certainly enough that some militias are currently attacking American troops and bases at Iranian orders.

Iraqis were also put off by the brutality Iran used to suppress the hijab protests that began in 2017 and intensified in 2022 when Iranian lifestyle police killed a young woman for not covering her hair. After most women were simply not wearing hijabs to cover their hair, Iran insisted that foreign women, even those allowed into the country to help Iran with economic projects, cover their hair. Meanwhile there were too many Iranian women refusing to cover their hair for the Iranian government to arrest or otherwise punish. The Iranian government has not given up on enforcing the use of hijabs and is seeking ways to force women to comply. A proposed new law would criminalize failure of women to wear hijabs, but the government is unsure what impact trying to enforce such a law would have. Most women and many men oppose the hijab restrictions and consider these laws another reason to overthrow the religious dictatorship that has misruled Iran for decades.

Iraqis see this Iranian obsession over the hijab as odd and scary because this is the sort of thing Iran would try to impose on Iraqis if it could. Iraq and Iran were long known as much less fanatic about this sort of thing than, say, the Saudis. That is changing in Saudi Arabia, as it already has in Iraq and, until recently, Iran. Currently Iran is seen as the most fanatically religious nation in the region. Before that Saudi Arabia held the title for decades.
February 3, 2024: Economic sanctions have not persuaded North Korea to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs or its continued weapons exports. For a long time, the main reason the sanctions did not work was because China would not participate or, if they did, would not do so effectively. China is notoriously corrupt in these matters, something the Chinese government has been forced to admit because of growing public anger over how Communist Party government officials have long resisted attempts to curb their main sources of obtaining personal wealth. But now China has been forced, again by a growing anger among the Chinese public, to make a serious effort to curb domestic corruption and enforce sanctions against North Korea. The sanctions effort has been crippled by corruption, meaning that North Korea could still get a lot of key items for nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development if they are willing to pay the extra costs of larger bribes. The Chinese public, even with a heavily censored local Internet, made it clear they were not happy with a North Korea armed with nuclear weapons while still ruled by a homicidal and increasingly hostile to China tyrant.

Western and now Chinese sanctions have hurt North Korea and crippled its armed forces. The United States, South Korea and even the UN have managed to obtain details of how North Korea partially overcomes many sanctions and that provides a short list of additional sanctions that would mainly hurt the North Korea military and government officials. Most of these will only work if China, and to a lesser extent Russia. cooperates.

In theory, getting China and Russia to halt oil exports would be catastrophic for North Korea. That has happened in the past and eventually forces North Korea to reconsider policies that offended either Russia or China.

China will sometimes cut the tonnage of its oil exports to North Korea but rarely halts all oil exports because that would eliminate any remaining leverage it has over them. Even the threat of Chinese sanctions persuaded North Korea to prepare effective substitutes. One example was the conversion of thousands of trucks to run on coal gas. This sort of thing was popular in Japan and Germany during World War II because of oil shortages, but largely disappeared after 1945. In North Korea these coal powered trucks are common for the same reason. But coal gas is half as efficient as petroleum fuels and vehicles powered by coal gas are slower, have less range and require more maintenance. Coal gas is not suitable for most military vehicles or combat operations. The sluggish and smoky coal powered trucks remind North Korean that their struggle to cope with sanctions is not over yet. Even though China now prosecutes and punishes some businesses that take bribes to help North Korea evade sanctions, there remain a few sanctions, like no oil at all, that would be much more difficult to evade and very expensive if North Korea persisted.

For example, there can be bans on North Korean commercial and military aircraft using foreign airports as well as bans on North Korean seagoing transports. Rail and road traffic into North Korea can be monitored because those can only enter via a few Chinese and Russian border crossings. Such restrictions do not halt North Korean exports and imports but do make those more expensive and time consuming.

The U.S. has been successful at hunting down and punishing major banks and financial institutions that help North Korea move cash to fuel the illegal trade, though this would be more effective if China cooperated. The banking sanctions could be more thorough and be extended to hundreds of individuals, most of them North Koreans, who make the illegal banking network work. That proved impossible because North Korea resorted to using diplomatic officials at their foreign embassies to establish and maintain smuggling operations. This often led to North Korean diplomats getting caught and forced to return to North Korea.

One of the more lucrative exports for North Korea is slave labor. Most of what North Korean workers overseas are paid is taken by an unofficial agent of the North Korean government and then the cash is transported back to North Korea. These legal North Korean migrant workers are part of what amounts to a slave labor program that became a major source of as much as $2 billion a year in foreign exchange. The export of North Korean workers grew from 60,000 men and women in 2014 to over 100,000 in 2016 and continued to grow more slowly after that. The number of workers outside the country is nearly triple what it was before since Kim Jong Un took over in 2011. The North Korean government takes a percentage of the wages these men and women earn outside the country, mainly in Russia and China, and holds the workers families hostage in case the worker does not return home when ordered. If someone does not come back, their families are sent to prison camps. Some workers sacrifice their families to be free. Many of these men and women will seek jobs where they can make more money and save enough to afford people smugglers who can get people out of North Korea.

North Korea has long used blatantly illegal exports like addictive substances, counterfeit currency, weapons, stolen data, and technology to keep its nuclear, chemical, ballistic missile programs going. These would become more important if all bulk imports and exports were banned and only food and some medicines were allowed in. Even these imports have been abused, with food aid showing up in Chinese markets near the border, along with medical supplies donated to North Korea. So, it was essential to go after the known corrupt North Korean practices when imposing and enforcing additional sanctions.

More effective sanctions were more essential once the North Korean government decided to allow the possibility of another major famine, like the one in the 1990s that killed 5-10 percent of the population, to develop. The North Korean rulers believe having nuclear weapons will enable them to extort sufficient fuel, food, and cash to turn things around. That turned out to be a fantasy and most of the potential North Korean victims are aware of their vulnerability to chaos in North Korea. China does not want a mass rebellion and government collapse in North Korea, especially when there are nuclear weapons and a lot of other dangerous items involved. That meant the Chinese eventually agreed to support more effective sanctions on North Korea.
The new INSA cannabis store on Brainard Road in Hartford was mostly complete as of mid-January 2024, with its opening expected for the spring. Liese Klein

HARTFORD  It was the tunes piped into the store that made Tatiana Hilerio feel at home, the kind of music she has heard all her life growing up in Hartford.

I can connect to this, Hilerio said, recalling a visit to the new Higher Collective cannabis retail store in the citys Parkville neighborhood. I feel seen.

Hilerio and a handful of other Hartford residents spoke Monday at a community meeting on the citys next planned dispensary, the INSA cannabis retail store taking shape at 167 Brainard Road in the South Meadows district.

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Maylin Juarez and Tatiana Hilerio speak at a community meeting on the new INSA cannabis store planned for Brainard Road on Jan. 29, 2024. Liese Klein Daniel Sarver, senior business development manager (left), and Nick Amanti, associate general counsel, spoke for cannabis company INSA at a community meeting in Hartford on Jan. 29, 2024. Liese Klein

That outlet is in the final stages of state approvals and is expected to open in a month or so, said Daniel Sarver, senior business development manager for INSA, which is based in Springfield, Massachusetts. Located in the former Restoration Lighting Gallery building, the Brainard Road store appears complete but had no signage as of earlier this month.

INSA plans to hire between 20 to 25 people to work at the Brainard Road store and has committed to making sure at least 51 percent of its staff lives in Hartford, said Nick Amanti, associate general counsel for the company.

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Work has also started on an INSA cannabis grow facility adjacent to the new store, the 5.2-acre site of the former USS Chowder Pot IV restaurant. The cannabis company intends to convert and expand the restaurant building into a grow operation of up to 84,000 square feet.

An INSA dispensary is also planned for New Havens Long Wharf area, with an opening expected for later in the year, Sarver said.

The site of the former Chowder Pot restaurant in Hartford's South Meadows district is slated to be converted and expanded into a new cannabis grow facility run by INSA of Springfield, Mass. Liese Klein

Recent supply issues affecting cannabis flower in the state should be resolved before the Hartford store opens, Sarver said. There's just some shortages now because the demand is so high, and there's not a ton of cultivators on line, he said. We expect that the problems will start to improve.

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Most of the would-be customers at Mondays meeting at Hartfords Lyceum Conference Center had visited INSAs Springfield store and praised the companys wide selection of products and commitment to educating users about cannabis.

INSA, which takes its name from a combination of the indica and sativa strains of the cannabis plant, prides itself on its appeal to working-class customers, Amanti said. The company held an initial community meeting in Hartford in July and plans one more before the store opening.

We're in business to make your days better, Amanti said. The cannabis consumer comes first, from all walks of life.

It sounds really great but our folks often get left behind, said Kelly Kirkley-Bey, a former Hartford city official who asked the company to ensure that its products were affordable and community members were represented on the staff.

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Access to the new INSA store will be a challenge because of the lack of bus stops in the Brainard Road area, said Maylin Juarez, a Hartford cannabis customer who spoke at the meeting. The industrial district also lacks sidewalks, she added.

Most people my age arent buying from dispensaries, to be honest, Juarez said. Thats not just about prices, thats also accessibility.

Spanish-speaking staff are also vital to make Hartford residents feel welcome in a cannabis store, Hilerio said, along with programs to help educate residents of all ages on the potential benefits of cannabis use.

You really have to make sure that youre really listening to the community, really learning the community, Hilerio said.
Inside the Fine Fettle cannabis dispensary in Old Saybrook on Jan. 25, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  Despite a statewide shortage of cannabis flower, two cannabis companies plan to open their first retail locations in Norwalk soon.

After some delays, Shangri-La looks to open its dispensary at 430 Main Ave. in the last week of February, while Fine Fettle seeks to begin operations at 191 Main St. in March, according to officials with the companies.

They will be the first recreational cannabis retailers to open in the city since the legal sale of cannabis began a year ago in Connecticut.

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Construction is really chugging away, said Fine Fettle COO Ben Zachs, noting the upcoming dispensarys final inspection will come in February.

All thats left to do is painting and installing signs and security features such as cameras and access controls, Zachs said.

Fine Fettle hired a general manager and assistant general manager for the dispensary but will hire other staff members, including budtenders, closer to the opening, he said.

Nevil Patel, CEO of Shangri-La Dispensaries, said its staff has been hired and trained.

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Currently, we're awaiting the Department of Consumer Protection to carry out their inspection and for the Social Equity Council to grant their approval for the Shangri-La location, Patel said in an email.

The Fine Fettle grand opening could come in the first or second week of March, Zachs said.

That's one of the reasons why we take an extra week or two to open, he said. We want to open with something competitive, and we want to open with something where people can get what they want and have a good experience.

Fine Fettle has been bulking up its inventory to make sure that the dispensary will offer a close-to-full menu when it welcomes its first Norwalkers.

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The store will open with fewer varieties of cannabis flower, but with an about-normal supply of each strain, Zachs said.

But the biggest barrier to opening is supply, he said. The dispensary will open once it has enough cannabis products to sell.

Patel also said that the menu at Shangri-Las first Connecticut and Northeast location is a critical focus amid the current shortage.

We've been proactive in establishing relationships and initiating communication with nearly all suppliers in the state, ensuring we can offer a varied selection for our customers, he said.

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Shangri-Las main goal is keeping its shelves fully stocked at all times once open, Patel said.

In addition to flower products, we're also focusing on offering a variety of vapes and edible products, he said. This approach ensures that our customers have multiple choices and alternatives available, despite the current shortage.

Despite the difficult cannabis climate in the state, Zachs said he doesnt expect any first-day jitters.

I don't want to be cocky, but we're pretty good at it, he said. We're pretty good at getting open.

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The Norwalk dispensary will be Fine Fettle's sixth Connecticut location  in addition to two dispensaries in Massachusetts. Its most recently opened location in Old Saybrook had the same low flower supply hiccups as the incoming Norwalk location, the COO said.

In Old Saybrook, as an example, we still have flower on the menu because we were able to bulk up on that menu, Zachs said. Now we've been open two-ish weeks and we're still comfortable with the menu there.

Although the flower shortage isnt fun, he said its better than the alternative.

Demand always outweighs supply upfront because it's much harder to create supply; much, much, much harder from the infrastructure and timeline perspective, Zachs said. The worst thing that can happen is that you just flip the switch the other way and then everything comes online at once.

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A market oversaturated with cannabis supply is far more challenging than a shortage, he said.

It's frustrating now, but it is absolutely, 100 percent going to get better, he said.

As March approaches, Zachs looks forward to developing relationships with local businesses through the Fine Fettle Family Tree program  which is the companys internal chamber of commerce, he said.

Fine Fettle will partner with local businesses to provide reciprocal discount codes and deals and shout-outs on the companys social media, emails and website.

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Kenneth Fuchs Dario Acosta / contributed

University of Connecticut professor Kenneth Fuchs is visiting Los Angeles for the 66th annual Grammy Awards Sunday. To him, it's a familiar trip.

Fuchs is the executive producer and composer of "Cloud Slant, Orchestral Works, Volume 1," a classical music album released in July 2023. The album is part of the body of work that earned its audio producer, Brian Pidgeon, a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year, Classical. Pidgeon is one of five individuals in the running to win the award on Sunday night.

"I put the whole project together and wrote all the music; I raised all of the money to hire the orchestra, the recording location, the soloists and all of it," Fuchs said. "Brian did the brilliant audio work."

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The recent recognition of "Cloud Slant" is just one of five times that albums on which Fuchs worked have been acknowledged by the Grammys. His 2005 album, "An American Place, Eventide, Out of the Dark," was nominated for Best Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra, for the work of Thomas Stacy and JoAnn Falletta on "Eventide," and helped earn Michael Fine a nomination for Producer of the Year, Classical. "Atlantic Riband, American Rhapsody, Divinum Mysterium, Concerto Grosso, Discover the Wild," released in 2012, helped earn Tim Handley a nomination for Producer of the Year, Classical. Finally, an album Fuchs composed, Piano Concerto, Spiritualist, Poems of Life, Glacier, Rush, released in 2018, won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium.

"For those five albums, we have four Grammy nominations. And the fourth one was the charmed one," Fuchs said. "I came out to L.A. for the Grammys in February of 2006, just like I'm here in LA for the Grammys in 2024."

Kenneth Fuchs greets the London Symphony Orchestra, Abbey Road Studio 1, August 21, 2017/ Benjamin Ealovega

Even though he traveled across the country to get to Los Angeles, he has traveled even farther to create music. Shortly after his album's Grammy win in 2019, he formed a friendship with British conductor John Wilson, who ended up recording "Cloud Slant." Last month, Fuchs traveled to London to record pieces for volume two of the "Orchestral Works" series with Wilson, who is the music director of the Sinfonia of London orchestra.

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"I had heard some of his earlier years and previous recordings, and I was so taken by his ability and his really deep intuitive understanding of American vernacular music," Fuchs said.

Aside from being a composer, Fuchs has another job title: professor. Fuchs has taught at UConn since 2005 and currently is a professor of composition for its music program. Fuchs said he teaches the importance of those producing classical music to "believe in what they're doing" even when others are critical of their work.

Kenneth Fuchs Dario Acosta / contributed

"The successes are wonderful and they're thrilling. It's a high, you feel like you're soaring, but you know, when the chips are down, and the chips are usually down more than they're up in classical music, especially for composers, you really have to believe in what you're doing," Fuchs said. "If I'm told no, by a conductor or whatever the situation is ... the thing that I say is the only thing I can do is to go in and write another piece."

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Fuchs attended the Juilliard School, which has a focus on music, and graduated with a Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees. He said studying with composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland helped shape him as an artist. He encourages his students to study under composers they admire. He also credits his high school band director for giving him encouragement and support during his early years.

"I wanted to write in that style. But in my own voice, the only way I would learn how to do that is to study with the composers who created it," Fuchs said. "You can obviously learn a lot by listening to a piece of music that you like with a musical score in front of you, watching in the score what a composer has done to create the sounds that excite you. But it's quite another thing to be in a teaching studio to be able to ask very specific questions about how the music was created."

Fuchs added that he aims for the music he creates to be "understandable on the first hearing."

"My goal as a composer is to write music that is emotionally direct, communicative and understandable to the audiences who want to listen to it," the composer said.
Kevin Conley Contributed Photo / Stamford Police Department

STAMFORD  A 22-year-old man who was accused of ramming two Stamford police cars in a rented Dodge Challenger in June last year pleaded guilty to multiple charges Friday morning, including possession of illegal drugs and a stolen handgun.

Kevin Conley was arrested last year after eluding Stamford Police multiple times after officers received complaints of Conley speeding around the city.

Once officers spotted the Dodge Challenger Conley was driving, they attempted to box the car in. Conley fled after smashing the car into the two cruisers. Officers were able to track him down and apprehend him about 150 yards from the scene.

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A search of the Challenger uncovered 50 grams of crack cocaine, more than $4,400 and a loaded stolen firearm, according to police.

Conley was charged with several offenses including illegal possession of a pistol in a motor vehicle, possession with intent to sell narcotics, criminal possession of a pistol, stealing a firearm, interfering with police and operation of a drug factory.

On Friday, Conley pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a pistol, stealing a firearm, sale of narcotics, larceny in the first degree, leading police in a pursuit and possession of narcotics.

Under the terms of the plea, Conley will receive an 18-year prison sentence suspended after eight years and five years of probation.

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Climate activists protest outside the Eversource offices in Hartford on Friday, Feb. 2, 2022. Eversource was one of several stops along a climate action march organized by more than two dozen groups. Alex Putterman / Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  About 200 activists demanded action to combat climate change Friday, rallying outside a series of Connecticut institutions they see as linked to a growing climate crisis.

The march began at the Old State House in Hartford, then proceeded to Eversource, Travelers and the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection before finishing at the capitol.

"We are here in order to take a stand on Connecticut's climate condition," Davida Crabtree, an activist with the climate group Third Act Connecticut, told the crowd. "Currently, we are way behind where we need to be."

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At each stop, organizers delivered a letter signed by more than two dozen advocacy groups that outlined demands including: a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, stricter standards for transportation emissions, an environmental rights amendment to the state constitution and the recognition of a "climate emergency."

"Since climate change poses an existential threat to all life on this planet, it is time that the governor and the state legislature formally declare a climate emergency for our region," said Karim Ahmed, an advisor for the Global Center for Science and the Environment and professor at the University of Connecticut. "Not nothing short of just historic and timely declaration will awaken us to the seriousness of the environmental catastrophe."

The march included protesters from across the state, holding signs with messages including "Love our people, love our planet" and "Keep CT's climate promise," while chanting about the need for climate justice.

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Marge and David Schneider took the train from Branford to attend Friday's march, where they carried a sign reading "Vote to save the planet."

"This is an enormously huge issue," Marge Schneider said. "If we're not going to protect our environment, then what are we about?"

Davida Crabtree, left, speaks to climate protesters at the old statehouse in Hartford on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. About 200 activists gathered to demand Connecticut do more to fight climate change. Alex Putterman / Hearst Connecticut Media

Organizers said the targets of the march represented different sectors that must do more to fight climate change. At Eversource, speakers demanded the company transition to renewable energy sources, and at Travelers they called for insurers to stop insuring fossil fuel production.

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At both Eversource and Travelers, officials declined to come outside to address the marchers. An Eversource spokesperson said in an email that the company agrees "an equitable transition to a clean energy future must be an urgent priority for our state" and is pursuing "innovative solutions that advance that goal."

A Travelers spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

At DEEP, commissioner Katie Dykes ventured outside to address the activists, highlighting legislation and other climate initiatives the agency has supported.

"I'm here showing up to say that I'm listening and I hear all of the concerns, reading these signs," Dykes said. "We are working every day here at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to deliver on clean air, more affordable buildings and more affordable and cleaner transportation options."

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Alex Rodriguez, an environmental justice specialist with the advocacy group Save the Sound, praised Dykes for her collaboration with advocates and urged her to push as hard as possible against the generation and use of fossil fuels in Connecticut.

"While we acknowledge those strong positions taken by the department, we also encourage you to do everything within your department's power to fend off new fossil-fuel projects that will have a really strong detriment to our state," he said. "We need to continue on with investments in renewables and energy efficiency, and we need to divest from fossil fuels in every way we can."

Climate protesters concluded their march Friday at the state capitol in Hartford, where multiple lawmakers addressed the crowd. Alex Putterman / Hearst Connecticut Media

The two-hour march concluded at the capitol, where protesters were joined by at least four state legislators  Reps. Christine Palm, Joseph Gresko, Anne Hughes and Mike Demicco, all Democrats  several of whom spoke of the need for climate action during the upcoming legislative session.

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Ian McDonald, an environmental activist involved in organizing the march, said his priorities included stopping a proposed incinerator in North Haven and blocking the expansion of a fracked gas pipeline through multiple northeastern states, including Connecticut.

McDonald said he'd been pleased with some of Connecticut's progress in recent years, including a slew of climate-related bills in 2022 and an environmental justice bill last year, but that he saw room to do more.
TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) - The manga volume "Seito Shidou no Yuri Sensei" by Okano Kuko was released today, February 2nd. The story follows Yuri Takeo Sensei, a high school student guidance counselor known to her students as "Gori-sensei" due to her intimidating appearance. Despite her fearsome reputation, Yuri Sensei has her own network of information and subtly supports the romantic endeavors of her students, acting as a cupid behind the scenes.

Whether it's a delinquent student who smokes cigarettes to catch the attention of the student council president or childhood friends who promised to marry each other when they were in kindergarten, the manga depicts various "Yuri-couples" and the watchful eye of Yuri Sensei.

This volume also includes a special episode not published elsewhere.

In addition to this work, Okano Kuko has been featured in other articles for her manga series. These include a new series launched on October 24, 2023, which tells the story of a delinquent girl and her peppy childhood friend, and a manga approved by Epoch Company, released on July 13, 2023, featuring a cool gyaru and a gloomy high school girl connected through Sylvanian Families. On November 15, 2022, she released a volume titled "Oshi Kimono," an anthology of stories about people who want to wear their "likes" and "heartthrobs." Another work, "Ojousama no Kindan Yorimichi Gohan," released on June 14, 2022, features a cool heiress who discovers the joy of snacking after school.

Source: Natalie
TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) - Valentine's Day is just around the corner! With Valentine's Day evolving from a tradition of women giving chocolates to men to an event enjoyed for oneself, brands that offer a unique world view and enjoyable visuals without necessarily being high-end chocolates have gained popularity. We've gathered three brands that will make you want to pick them up for yourself.

From Morozoff, a Western confectionery brand born in Kobe, comes the adorable and delicious chocolate brand "Marutto Kawaii Furuutsu." Available in five flavors: "Apple," "Orange," "Peach," "Pear," and "Big Strawberry," each fruit-shaped tin contains fruit chocolates that let you enjoy the sensation and pulp of real fruit.

The "Marutto Fruits Can (Apple)" (5 pieces, tax included 864 yen) is packed with two types of chocolate and plenty of dried apple fruit. The tin, which realistically replicates the glossy look of an apple, is quite surprising! The "Apple" and "Orange" are tablet chocolates laid with dried fruits and orange peel, while "Peach," "Pear," and "Big Strawberry" are truffle chocolates encapsulating the taste of the fruits, each offering a juicy fruit sensation.

The "Marutto Fruits Can (Peach)" (6 pieces, tax included 864 yen) features truffle chocolates made with peach paste and domestic peach juice combined with fruit liqueur. Each one is priced at 864 yen, making them affordable gifts. For those who want to try all the flavors, the assorted "Marutto Fruits Can" (17 pieces, tax included 1836 yen) is also recommended.

At the department store's Valentine's Day event where the author made a purchase, the display, which resembled a greengrocer's stand, was very cute and stood out even from a distance. If you find it, be sure to pick it up. Available at Morozoff stores nationwide, Valentine's Day events, and the Morozoff online shop. Sales will end when all stock is sold, and availability may vary by store.

Lul Merry by Mary Chocolate is a brand popular for its nostalgic world view. For Valentine's Day 2024, they have introduced products with an original design themed "Small Treasures Found by the Lake." Inside the colorful tins are "Mendiants and Flower Chocolates," which include chocolates printed with swans and flowers, as well as mendiants topped with nuts and dried fruits. There are also "Fig Chocolates" and "Almond Dragees," which are perfect to enjoy with coffee.

Another recommendation is "Flower Tigre," a chocolate-based baked confectionery that became a regular product last November, starting at 864 yen for two pieces. Available in various sizes, including four and six pieces, the cute "Flower Tigre" (4 pieces, tax included 1728 yen) will brighten up your snack time. The flower-shaped dough is made with domestic butter and chocolate chips, resulting in a moist texture. Available in two flavors: "Chocolat" and "Rose." The "Chocolat" has sweet chocolate in the center with gold sugar topping, while the "Rose" is decorated with white chocolate and an edible flower, creating a visually stunning snack time.

Available at Lul Merry Aoyama-dori store and department store events for a limited time. Some products other than "Flower Tigre" are also available at the online shop.

From ISHIYA G, a gift-oriented brand by Ishiya Confectionery, known for the famous Hokkaido sweet "Shiroi Koibito," we introduce the "Ganache Sandwich," a new winter sweet available for a limited time since January this year. The "Ganache Sandwich" is a limited-time sweet that sandwiches a ganache with cocoa nibs, ISHIYA's original white chocolate, and three types of fillings between crispy cocoa-flavored sables. The three colors of filling visible in the cross-section are visually enjoyable, and you can taste various flavors in one piece. The pink package design, inspired by the forest, is colorful and is sure to please as a gift.

Available at ISHIYA stores in Hokkaido, "ISHIYA G" in Tokyo and Osaka, or the Ishiya online shop, etc. The sales period is scheduled from January 15 (Monday) to February 14 (Wednesday), 2024, or until stock runs out.

Author: Rie Sasagi (Food Writer) After editing for a food industry magazine, Rie Sasagi became independent in 2007. Utilizing her experience in specialized magazine editing, she conducts interviews and writes on a wide range of food-related topics. She is also knowledgeable about convenience store sweets and actively shares about everyday gourmet to enjoy at home. She is an All About Home Gourmet Guide.

Source: MDPR
When Council Bluffs resident Nate Roane first heard about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed legislation to alter how the states area education agencies operate, he was concerned.

Roane joined many parents whose children are served by their local AEA in wondering what the consequences could be if the agencies undergo significant changes.

Roanes son, Adam, was born with a physical disability  cerebral palsy  and, as an infant, he suffered a pediatric stroke in his first week of life that damaged 20% of his brain.

While Roane and his wife, Jennifer, sat at Childrens Nebraska in Omaha awaiting word of their sons condition, hospital staff put them in touch with Green Hills AEA.

Green Hills AEA offers an Early Access program in conjunction with state agencies. The program is designed for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay typical development, according to the AEA's website.

Early intervention focuses on helping parents and other caregivers so that they can support their childs growth and development.

The AEA ... sent a team of people regularly into our home and helped us and guided us on our different therapies and things that we could do at home, Roane told The Nonpareil.

Green Hills had experience dealing with other young children who had strokes, he said.

"It was a real blessing, and I believe that Adam has had a better outcome because of having that early intervention, Roane said.

Transformational change

Reynolds called her proposed AEA legislation a transformational change in her Jan. 9 Condition of the State address, and she recommended discontinuing all AEA services not specifically geared toward special education.

Over the last year, in dozens of conversations with parents, teachers, school administrators and AEA staff, its become clear that while some of our AEAs are doing great work, others are underperforming, Reynolds said.

Iowa's nine AEAs, which are governmental agencies separate from the Department of Education and local school districts, provide special education to schools in their boundaries and assist with classroom equipment and media services, professional development, and talented and gifted instruction, among other services.

Reynolds initial legislation would have limited the types of services AEAs provide, cutting everything except special education services.

The legislation would also send federal and state special education funds directly to schools, which could then decide whether or not to contract with the AEAs. Currently, the schools are required to utilize AEA services.

If they chose not to keep working with AEAs, the schools would still have the legal obligation to educate students with disabilities, but they could deliver that instruction themselves, in cooperation with other schools or from a third party, such as a private company.

When the governors bill was first introduced, Roane didnt like the ambiguity that came with it, including the fate of the Early Access program.

"If fundings pulled from the AEA, are they still going to be able to provide those services? Roane asked.

Reynolds has since withdrawn the suggestion of eliminating AEA services, with a revised bill working its way through the legislative process. A hearing this week drew dozens of people who spoke out against the revised plan.

Bill hits roadblock

Republican Rep. Skyler Wheeler of Hull, the chair of the House Education Committee, declined to advance the bill out of a subcommittee on Wednesday, saying he wanted further conversations before we take action on the bill.

The legislation is far from dead, though.

Senate Republicans have advanced the bill for consideration by the full Senate Education Committee, while announcing it would see more changes as it moves forward.

Rep. David Young of Van Meter, an assistant Republican leader in his chamber, expressed skepticism about the bills future in the Iowa House. He said there is not a lot of appetite for the AEA reforms in the bill.

However, Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley said Republicans will build off of the governors AEA bill. Democrats held a listening post on the AEA legislation Friday afternoon.

Some remain skeptical

The governors legislation quickly came under fire from parents, school officials and AEA staff  particularly over the proposal to limit the types of services AEAs are allowed to provide  causing Reynolds to backtrack.

Vince Winkler is a school psychologist who works for Green Hills AEA. He is assigned to Titan Hill Intermediate School in the Lewis Central Community School District in Council Bluffs, where he works with school staff to identify students who are in need of special education services and helps teachers develop curriculum for those students.

Winkler also helps students who might be in distress, regardless of whether they are special education students.

A lot of my time right now is doing mental health interventions for students, Winkler said. We've got kids in here who ... aren't necessarily identified as qualifying for special education in the area of behavior or social-emotional behavior, but kids who are nevertheless going through a difficult time or really struggling to understand how to cope with difficult things going on in their life or how to interact with peers appropriately and things like that, and my job is to step in and support those students.

With funding cuts to AEA, those types of services could go away, and many of the states more rural schools would be left to fend for themselves.

Rural communities really do love their schools, Winkler said. They're so passionate about getting to stay within their community and not shipping their kids off, like, an hour and a half to school every morning. They want to teach themselves. They want to, and it's these communities that are probably most at threat when the supports are taken away.

If a school is unable to fund services they not only need, but are required by law to provide, the school run the risk of being shut down, Winkler said.

In that scenario, students "get shipped to the next closest district, and if that one gets shut down, it gets further and further away, and it's just kind of a cascading effect, Winkler said.

'Thoughtful dialogue'

Iowas AEAs were created in the 1974 to be an effective, efficient and economical means of identifying and serving children from birth to age 21 who require special education services after a federal law mandating a free, appropriate, public education for children with disabilities was passed.

Prior to the creation of the AEAs, there were vast inequities between Iowas large cities and the more rural parts of the state for Iowas students and educators, Green Hills AEA Chief Administrator Jason Plourde said.

Schools located in large cities had access to a wide array of services and supports, while many others across our state did not have the same opportunities, Plourde said in a statement to The Nonpareil. This influenced the creation of AEAs to provide equitable, efficient, and effective services for every Iowa student. (The governors) bill is theoretically proposing taking us back 50 years to the old county system, which didnt work then, and certainly wont work now.

Plourde said that AEAs are open to working with the state and other stakeholders "to try and encourage thoughtful dialogue, a willingness to listen and learn, and a resolution that is ultimately better for Iowa's students, families and schools."

Turek opposes bill

Democratic Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs told The Nonpareil that he will do everything (he) can to prevent this bill from passing.

Turek, the only representative in the Iowa Legislature who is permanently disabled, said he feels a responsibility to the states disabled population to protect the vital services AEAs provide.

I know firsthand the incredible work and importance the AEAs provide to children with special needs who require special education, Turek told The Nonpareil. They work closely with local school districts to provide a very wide range of specialized services to kids. Those include instruction and assessment services in math, language arts, and reading recovery, digital and audio books to supplement school library materials, and improving teaching instruction by providing professional development opportunities.

Turek pointed to the aftermath of the recent shooting at Perry High School as an example of the services other than special education AEAs provide.

The Heartland AEA stepped into action to provide emergency mental health services with school psychologist and school social workers to assist students with post-traumatic stress, Turek said.

Murillo backs reform

Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent Vickie Murillo welcomed the governors legislation, telling The Nonpareil in a statement that it provides an opportunity to reform the current model of how services are provided.

Murillo is concerned about the millions of flowthrough dollars that are sent directly to the Green Hills AEA without us having a voice for how those dollars are used. Funding for the AEAs is collected by school districts and provided directly to the regional agencies.

Murillo stressed that while she appreciates and values the AEA special education service providers who work in Council Bluffs schools, she believes it would be more efficient if the funding were sent to schools instead of being diverted straight to the AEAs.

A change in the funding allocation directly to our school district would allow us to more efficiently align resources to meet the individual needs of our students, Murillo said, noting that funding for media and education services  in excess of a million dollars based on the district's enrollment  also goes to the Green Hills AEA.

Acknowledging that the AEA program is 50 years old, Murillo said that its time to rethink how Iowas education system works.

I do believe it is time to consider a different path forward for a transformation that will have positive and long-lasting effects for education in Iowa, Murillo said.

Legislative battle looming

While the specific language of the AEA reform proposal is expected to evolve, as Republican legislative leadership work to address concerns, lawmakers are preparing for a fight.

School officials also face uncertainty while the proposal and its legislative support are in flux.

Turek said he believes that the governors legislation as written could do irreparable harm to Iowas special education students, particularly those who reside in smaller school districts that dont have the resources to hire their own speech pathologist, for example.

Its essential that every kid in Iowa gets the education they need to be successful in school and in life, Turek said. Public policy and our decisions in the legislature can radically alter outcomes for these children. We need to do more to support our public schools, parents, teachers and children with special needs. This bill as written today, including the amended form, does the exact opposite.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird made a stop Thursday at Children's Square USA while touring various spots in southwest Iowa.

Bird started her morning in Fremont County, where she previously served as county attorney before taking on the same role in Guthrie County. She took office as Iowa's attorney general in January 2023.

Bird then visited Sidney and Glenwood before landing in Council Bluffs, where she met with local police officials and administration at Children's Square.

Children's Square, located at 520 N. Seventh St. in Council Bluffs, is a nonprofit organization that's been focused on child welfare and behavioral health since 1882.

During Bird's visit, she met with Children's Square President and CEO Viv Ewing, a number of other organization staff, and Sgt. Cory Woodward and Chief Matt Davis with the Council Bluffs Police Department. Woodward has been a liaison to Children's Square for a number of years.

Following introductions and a history of Children's Square, Bird took a campus tour. The group visited the campus' residential cottages and children's emergency shelter, which celebrated a renovation ribbon cutting in October 2022.

Children's Square offers early child hood care and education, children's emergency services, behavioral health intervention, foster care and other services.

After the campus tour, Bird said the work Children's Square is doing is vital for the community.

"It's amazing," she said. "It's a beautiful campus and they're doing real important stuff for kids."

Serving in her different attorney roles over the years, Bird said she knows just what it's like to work with vulnerable youth in Iowa.

"When kids are in trouble, we want to do everything we can to help," she said.

Regarding the serving Iowa's vulnerable population, Bird recently announced a bill aimed at heightening penalties for human trafficking offenders and supporting the victims. The move was made as Human Trafficking Prevention Month came to an end.

According to the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking, there was a 151% increase in trafficking tips and leads reported between January to October 2021 and the same timeframe in 2022.

"Stopping human trafficking is something that's really close to my heart, as a mom and a prosecutor" Bird said. "Trafficking victims can be adults, but they can also be children. And we want to do everything we can to support and help victims."
An Iowa woman accused of killing a 74-year-old pedestrian with her vehicle on Christmas Eve in Council Bluffs is also accused by police of having been under the influence of multiple controlled substances when the crash occurred.

Angela Thurman, 47, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Juan Avalos, according to a press release from the Council Bluffs Police Department. Charges against her include homicide by vehicle, operating while under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

A Pottawattamie County judge set Thurman's bail at $150,000. As of Friday, Thurman was listed as an inmate at the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The charges against Thurman stem from a crash that killed Council Bluffs resident Juan Avalos shortly after 3:20 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Avalos was walking near another vehicle parked on the street close to the Poplar Drive and Birch Street intersection. As Avalos was walking, he was struck by a passing vehicle allegedly driven by Thurman.

Avalos died at the scene. Police said Thurman was not injured.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds bill to overhaul the states area education agencies wont move forward in the House, the chair of the chamber's Education Committee said this week.

Republican Rep. Skyler Wheeler of Hull, the committee chair, halted the bills advancement after a subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, saying he wanted "further conversations" before taking action. In a Facebook post the next day, Wheeler said the bill will not move forward in the committee.

The most recent version of Gov. Reynolds' proposed bill would give schools the ability to opt out of the AEAs special education services and seek them from another party. She said the change is necessary as the test scores of Iowa students with disabilities have lagged and the state spends a comparatively high amount on those students without seeing top-level results.

"We need to just step back and start to ask some of those questions with the overall objective of making sure that we're doing everything we can to get these kids with disabilities the education that they deserve and hopefully see better outcomes," Reynolds told reporters this week.

Though the House bill has stalled, Wheeler and Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley said they are still interested in working on legislation to address special education in Iowa.

I have felt compelled to work this issue because this is about our kids, and we have to get it right if we are to make changes, Wheeler said in the post. I believe we absolutely have room to improve, and we need to continue to have those discussions. I think its vastly important to have all the stakeholders come together, work through this, get consensus, and move forward.

Wheeler did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on Friday.

Dozens of people, including school administrators and parents of students with disabilities, urged lawmakers to slow down on the bill in a pair of meetings on Wednesday, warning that the bill could weaken opportunities for special education in the state. A number of superintendents spoke in favor of the bill, saying they want to have control over their special education funding.

The bill, Senate Study Bill 3073, passed out of a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday. The Republicans on the panel, though, said the governor's bill was not sufficient and would likely see changes.

Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford told reporters on Thursday that the majority party agrees they need to do something, but suggested Reynolds bill would not be the final product.

We want to try to put a plan together that we feel best suits our school districts that we all represent, he said. Were obviously going to work with some of the framework that the governor laid out, but we also want to sit down with the stakeholders and see what pieces maybe we can do that fit what we're trying to get to.

Democrats voted against the proposal in both chambers on Wednesday. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said on Thursday that "Republicans are in disarray" after they failed to agree on the AEA proposal.

"As we watch arguments continue to happen in broad daylight in front of us while they disagree on where to go, we are united and proposing our legislation and fighting for everyday Iowans," Konfrst said.

What does Reynolds' AEA bill do?

Iowa's nine AEAs, which are governmental agencies separate from the Department of Education, provide special education to school districts in their boundaries and assist with classroom equipment and media services, professional development and talented and gifted instruction, among other services.

Under Reynolds proposal, federal and state funding for special education would be sent directly to schools, who could then decide whether or not to contract with the AEAs. If they do not, schools would still have the legal obligation to educate students with disabilities, and could obtain that instruction from a third party, like a private company.

AEAs would still be able to provide the other education and media services they now provide, if schools request it and it is approved by the Department of Education. A property tax levy funding the AEAs media services would be cut.

The bill would also centralize much of the oversight and operations of the AEA under the Department of Education. The departments director would be in charge of appointing AEA executive directors, combining or dissolving AEAs, and approving AEAs budget proposals.

The bill includes a provision to increase the starting salary for teachers to $50,000. Teachers with at least 12 years of experience would be paid at least $62,000.

House GOP leader calls for 'reset'

Grassley said he wants a reset in the conversation around the bill but thinks House Republicans can preserve a number of the provisions in Reynolds proposal.

He said he supports the provisions around accountability for the AEAs but wants to make sure school districts and parents have certainty around the services they will receive.

Grassley said the fee for service model in the governors proposal, which would allow schools to contract with the AEAs and opt in or out of different services, could be preserved as Republicans work on a new proposal.

I think we can do that, but we just want to make sure that theres certainty over the next several years for school districts, and like I said, more importantly, certainty for parents receiving these services, because right now we feel thats one piece thats being lost in the conversation, he said.

In an appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, said hes optimistic about finding a compromise on the bill, and the Senate planned to continue working on the governors proposal.

I don't know about starting from scratch because it is a totally different bill now than it was three weeks ago, he said. But we're going to have to continue the conversation and make the case why these reforms are necessary if it's going to become law.

Democrats urge continued activism

Des Moines-area Democratic lawmakers said in a forum on the AEA bill on Friday that the emails and activism from people opposed to the bill has been effective in helping slow it down and preventing Republicans from getting behind the proposal.

Democratic Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of Waukee said opposition from House Republicans is the most likely way the bill will be stopped.

"When you speak up, it's a powerful thing. So don't ever think it's just not enough, or it's too little," said Rep. Mary Madison, D-West Des Moines. "But together, we're a powerhouse. So come to the Capitol, use those public forums and continue your emails."

Which states need K-12 educators the mostand in which subjects? Which states need K-12 educators the mostand in which subjects? Teacher shortages
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.
A district judge on Thursday granted a motion filed by a defense attorney requesting that potential jurors be sent a questionnaire that could help determine whether a Laurel mans murder trial should be held somewhere other than Cedar County.

Todd Lancaster, the attorney for 43-year-old Jason Jones, asked the court on Wednesday for an order directing the district court clerk to send the jury pool supplemental questionnaires agreed upon by opposing counsel.

Information received by attorneys in the case prior to the commencement of jury selection will expedite trial, Lancaster said, as well as ensure that Jones is afforded due process of law and a fair trial by an impartial jury.

Jones is charged with four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony, as well as two counts of first-degree arson.

District Judge Bryan Meismer signed an order on Thursday granting Lancasters motion.

Lancaster said during a pre-trial hearing for Jones on Jan. 22 that he intended to request a change of venue.

The Nebraska Supreme Court has determined that jurors claims of impartiality are deemed unreliable when its shown that there has been pervasive pretrial publicity that is sufficiently inflammatory, thus creating a presumption of prejudice in a community.

Judges must consider several factors in determining whether a change of venue is warranted, including the nature of the publicity, the degree to which the publicity has circulated throughout the community and the degree to which the venue could be changed.

Lancaster said he would round up news articles in support of his change of venue motion.

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty against Jones, having filed a notice of aggravators last January in the shooting deaths of Gene Twiford, 86, and his wife, Janet Twiford, 85; their daughter, Dana Twiford, 55; and Michele Ebeling, 53, in the early-morning hours of Aug. 4, 2022.

Jones is accused of killing the Twifords at their home and Ebeling at her home and setting fire to their respective houses.

Jones was arrested the day after the shootings and found with severe burns. He was treated for 12 weeks at a Lincoln hospital before being discharged and taken to the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, where he is being held without bail.

Jones wife, 44-year-old Carrie Jones, is charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to murder. She is accused of pushing her husband to kill Gene Twiford and harboring her husband at their Laurel home after the killings. Prosecutors also suspect she disposed of the clothes that Jason Jones was wearing on the night of the shootings.

She is being held at the Antelope County Jail on $1 million bail.

Carrie Jones attorneys said in January that they planned to file motions similar to ones made by Lancaster in Jason Jones case.

The couple are scheduled to appear in court next on Thursday, March 28.
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Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Interim Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins speaks next to Gov. Ned Lamont during a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford on Thursday. State leaders released details of an investigation into claims that thousands of traffic tickets were falsified by state police. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

At least a dozen Connecticut State Police troopers and constables are facing internal probes into whether they falsified traffic stop data, officials announced Thursday.

What comes next for those under investigation?

Seven officers  six troopers and one constable  have been placed on paid administrative duty and reassigned to desk jobs so they no longer patrol roads, officials said. They have been referred to the departments Internal Affairs Unit for investigation.

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Another five to eight troopers will face lower-level reviews; depending on the results of those reviews, their cases may be referred for more in-depth investigations. Their current work status was unclear.

Officials said the Internal Affairs Unit  a team of sworn officers with experience in both internal and criminal probes  will conduct detailed investigations while respecting due process, constitutional protections and employee rights to determine if there was misconduct.

My directive has been to make absolutely certain that these investigations are done thoroughly and expeditiously, said Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, who heads the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which oversees state police.

If misconduct is sustained and if investigators determine discipline is warranted, troopers can face a range of punishment, including retraining, transfer to a new location, suspension with loss of pay and termination.

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Public officials  including Gov. Ned Lamont, lawmakers and the head of the troopers union  have said officers found to have intentionally falsified traffic tickets should lose their jobs and be referred for criminal prosecution.

If we find evidence of intentional wrongdoing, people will be held legally accountable, Lamont told reporters during a press conference at the capitol Thursday after the release of an investigation by an outside law firm.

Higgins said Any trooper that has intentionally violated a policy will find themselves subject to decertification, referring to a state board that can revoke police officers certifications.

In practice, however, removing troopers from the force is often a much more complicated process, and state records show troopers  who can appeal disciplinary actions  are rarely recommended for termination.

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For example, when Internal Affairs Unit investigators found that four troopers, all of whom worked out of Troop E headquartered in Montville, had collectively submitted hundreds of fake tickets over a nine-month stretch in 2018, supervisors in the state police did not seek to fire them.

Instead, two of those troopers  Timothy Bentley and Noah Gouveia  retired before their cases reached the disciplinary stage and are now collecting pensions of almost $6,000 a month. The other two  Daniel Richter and Kevin Moore  received short suspensions and were transferred to less-desirable assignments.

Richter retired in 2021 and now collects a pension of $7,000 a month.

Moore is still with the state police in a $106,000-a-year desk job. In a separate matter, he faces felony charges over allegations he stole workers compensation pay and is awaiting trial in Manchester.

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While not identified directly by officials, its clear from context in the report that Moore is one of the seven officers referred for an internal investigation this week. He was found to have "intentionally entered verbal warnings as infractions to appear more productive to his supervisors," the law firms report said.

The other six troopers and constables referred for an internal investigation "may have falsified traffic stop data," though the report said that officials did not find a reliable basis to conclude ... [the six troopers] engaged in intentional misconduct."

State police referred five to eight other troopers for lower-level internal reviews due to "concerns" about their ticket data, though the report said they "are unlikely to have engaged in intentional misconduct."

State officials declined to name the 11 officers referred for investigations and reviews, nor would they say what parts of the state they worked in or how many traffic tickets they may have falsified.

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Andrew Matthews, executive director and general counsel for the Connecticut State Police Union, said if the ongoing internal probes determine troopers intentionally falsified tickets, he will try to get them to resign on their own.

If there is a trooper on the job that intentionally falsified information, they wont even have to fire them  we'll try to get him to resign, because they don't belong wearing our badge or our patch, Matthews said Thursday.

So what happens when troopers wont resign, like Moore?

They cant just terminate him right now, Matthews said. They have to do a full, thorough, fair investigation. And then at the conclusion of that, the new leadership will assess whether they believe that level of misconduct is deserving of a termination.

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Matthews best guess, he said, is that the state police will eventually show Moore the door.

I have known [the new leaders of state police] for many years, and [they] are true professionals and will not tolerate that type of conduct, he said.

A spokesman for the state public safety department said Friday the agency cant reconsider sanctions put in place by prior leadership.

There is no legal basis for the current commissioner to undo previous actions of his predecessors, the spokesperson said in an email.

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Asked if the agency will refer the four troopers who faked tickets in 2018 for decertification, the spokesman said doing so could trigger legal challenges because the departments officers did not become subject to such decertification until a law change in 2020  after the four were disciplined.

More retired troopers could come under suspicion for potentially falsifying traffic tickets, but they wont be referred to internal affairs because retired troopers are no longer subject to department investigations or discipline.

For months, internal state police investigators have been examining records for 130 troopers based on an audit released in June that found signs of potential widespread ticket falsification.

Out of those 130 officers, state police are continuing to review 12 retired troopers, according to the law firms report, which concluded 106 current and former troopers were unlikely to have intentionally falsified traffic stop data.

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Officials declined to say when they expect to finish reviewing those 12 troopers.

But both current and retired troopers could still face criminal charges.

There is a federal criminal grand jury probe into the findings of the June audit.

Last month, Jeffrey L. Ment, a lawyer for the union that represents the majority of state troopers, said in a public hearing that the federal probe was on hold while the lead prosecutor based in Washington, D.C. went on paternity leave.

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He is planning to reconvene his criminal investigation in February, Ment said.

Ment did not respond to questions from CT Insider about how he knew that information.

The federal probe is believed to be focused, at least in part, on whether any troopers falsified traffic tickets while working overtime shifts funded by federal transportation dollars.

A spokesperson for the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said internal affairs investigators will also look at whether any of the officers still under scrutiny falsified records during federal overtime shifts.

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Guinea-Bissau has reiterated its support for the sovereignty of Morocco over its entire territory from Rabat on Friday.

Guinea-Bissau recognizes the Kingdoms sovereignty over its entire territory, and is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that this reality is recognized on an international scale, Guinea Bissaus Foreign Minister Carlos Pinto Pereira told the press following talks with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

Our positions are close and similar in several areas at international level, notably with regard to the issue of the Kingdoms territorial integrity, said Guinea-Bissaus top diplomat.

In addition, Morocco and Guinea-Bissau are bound by a sincere friendship, he noted, calling for strengthening further the ties between the two countries at bilateral and multilateral levels through the African Union and the United Nations.

Pereira added that his country wished to enhance cooperation with the Kingdom in several sectors, notably education, vocational training, tourism, fishing and industry, areas in which Morocco has considerable expertise.
The Political Conference of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) dedicated to African countries, held in Marrakech from January 31 to February 2, adopted by acclamation the Morocco-United States Joint Declaration entitled Marrakech Declaration.

The Declaration embraces an action plan under the co-chairmanship of Morocco and the United States, centered around three main axes: encouraging African countries endorsing the PSI to participate in future meetings of the initiative, promoting the organization of exercises and workshops for training and operational cooperation for new African members of the PSI, as well as joint action to encourage other African countries to endorse it through awareness-raising activities and the holding of regional and sub-regional meetings.

The Declaration also reaffirmed that one of the objectives of the Marrakech meeting and its follow-up process is to strengthen South-South cooperation as a framework for African countries to benefit from synergies at the sub-regional and regional levels.

The Marrakech Declaration welcomed the official announcement by five African countries of their accession to the PSI, namely Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Zambia, Togo, and Benin, bringing the number of African countries members of this initiative to 11.

Malawi, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and Nigeria have also expressed their intent to join the initiative soon.

During the conference, several African nations commended Morocco for its concrete and pragmatic contributions, specifically targeting the enhancement of South-South cooperation and the development of African national capacities in technical, security, and operational domains, all aimed at combating the proliferation of WMDs.

The Marrakech Conference, co-chaired by US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, Bonnie Jenkins, and Director of UN & International Organizations at the Foreign Ministry Redouane Houssaini, witnessed an unprecedented participation of 25 African countries, representing diverse regions of the continent. Attendees included foreign ministers, other governmental officials, as well as regional partners and allies.

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), launched in 2003, is a multilateral cooperation framework with the primary objective of combating the illicit trafficking of Weapons of Mass Destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials.

With these new comers, the Proliferation Security Initiative against WMD currently has 111 participating states.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will help Credit du Maroc Bank facilitate the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), womens entrepreneurship, and green projects with a $100 million financing package.

This agreement is in line with IFCs strategy in Morocco, which aims to support private sector-led economic growth and job creation by promoting the development of SMEs, the backbone of the Moroccan economy, and to develop projects capable of mitigating the effects of climate change, said the two parties in a joint statement.

This partnership between Credit du Maroc and IFC will contribute to economic and social development in Morocco by enabling SMEs and women entrepreneurs to access more financing to expand their activities, while supporting Morocco in its ambition to decarbonize its economy by 2050, Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, was quoted in the release as saying.

SMEs account for over 90% of businesses and contribute more than 20% of Moroccos GDP, the press release said, citing World Bank data. However, they struggle to access financing to grow and create employment.

Morocco has recently made significant progress of increasing the share of renewable energy to 52% of its energy mix by 2030, and continues its efforts in energy efficiency, green buildings, and climate-smart agriculture, the press release states.

Credit du Marocs commitment to fostering the growth of SMEs, women entrepreneurship, and the green economy is in line with the ambition of the financial arm of the Holmarcom Group to drive its growth strategy while considering sustainability and inclusivity issues.

This agreement is the second partnership between Credit du Maroc and IFC. In December 2022, the two institutions signed an agreement to set up a $50 million financing line to meet the growing demand for trade financing in the country.

Over the past three fiscal years, IFC has invested and mobilized $1.3 billion, and has already committed $470 million for the current fiscal year to support sustainable economic development in Morocco.
When the production of hemp was legalized on the federal level during the Trump Administration in 2018, Nebraska moved to pass LB 657, the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act. It paved the way for hemp production in the Cornhusker State.

But no one could foresee the tremendous growth in Nebraskas CBD product industry and the legal complexities concerning consumer protection that came with it.

As a result, State Sen. Teresa Ibach introduced LB 999 to remove hemp regulatory authority from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and cede that authority back to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To me, moving the regulatory authority from NDA to USDA makes sense, Ibach told the Legislatures Judiciary Committee during the bills public hearing Thursday. USDAs regulations are less burdensome and would benefit the producers, LB 999 would clarify that CBD products that contain THC above legal limits, especially synthetic Delta-8 THC and similar Delta compounds would be illegal.

Ibach noted the bill would impact roughly 30 farmers if passed today.

Application and site fees are eliminated, and a second harvest window would be increased from 15 to 30 days," she said. "It addresses a THC threshold and crops exceeding that threshold would be eligible for retesting rather than immediate crop destruction. In addition, license terms would be increased to three years.

Under USDA producers would have more flexibility in testing as they wouldnt be limited to one laboratory and could use registered sampling agents rather than rely on state availability.

Based upon feedback from numerous constituents and businesses, Ibach noted she had drafted an amendment to address the consumer protection aspects of CBD sales.

While Nebraska regulates hemp production, hemp products arent state regulated," she said. "These products arent reliably tested and can and most likely do contain impurities.

While the idea behind the initial hemp legislation was to allow industrial hemp in Nebraska as an alternative crop for farmers, it also created a loophole for other products created from hemp, Ibach said.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers was one of three people testifying in support of LB 999. He noted it preserved the core of the previous hemp production bill and would ensure that what is already legal remains so.

What were asking is to make clear to those individuals the initial bill didnt legalize synthetic products, he said.

Hilgers noted his office is investigating several stores across the state that are selling illegal CBD products after receiving reports of children going to the hospital across the state. Investigators found 85% of the products they bought were mislabeled.

Two to three milligrams of Delta-8 THC can send a child to a hospital," he said. "Some we tested were found to contain up to 800 milligrams.

Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis also testified in support of LB 999. He had officers check several CBD locations. Tests took several months, but results on items purchased came back with Delta-9 THC levels 30 times more than legally allowed. Shops should also be checking IDs to be sure individuals are 18 or older, Davis said.

Examples of adverse reactions recorded by his department included one the day before the hearing a 30-year-old woman making a rescue call after consuming just one CBD gummy purchased at a cannabis shop.

She was paranoid and had an irregular heartbeat, he said. This is about a consumer protection problem.

However, LB 999 drew pushback from several medical and scientific professionals, individuals who noted CBD had relieved pain and anxiety from various medical conditions, as well as owners and employees representing CBD businesses from across the state.

Among the 15 individuals testifying in opposition to the bill was organic chemist Dr. Andrea Holmes, who serves as president of the Nebraska Healthy Alternatives.

I understand why LB 999 is being considered," Holmes said. "There has been phenomenal growth in this industry and as of right now there is little regulation of these sellers.

After almost 25 years of academic research I can assure the committee that CBD derived from hemp provides a useful product to those in need. There are businesses who follow proper business practices. A ban on this product would put these businesses out of work. Please work with NEHAs experts to strike a balance, Holmes said.

Sarah Linden, owner of Generation B and Grateful Green stores with 21 locations in Nebraska called the bill devastating for these small businesses and those who rely on these products.

Linden noted Nebraskas hemp industry generates an estimated $139 million in revenue and $7.9 million in state sales tax. Rather than an all-out ban she urged the legislature to work on a compromise.

I believe they should be regulated to be sure they are safe." she said. "I believe we can protect consumers.

Mandy Rody made an emotional plea to the committee opposing LB 999. As a cancer patient battling stage 4 large cell lymphoma, Rody noted she uses Delta-8 THC products to deal with pain the way prescription drugs such as oxycontin cant.

It has helped me sleep and deal with my pain," she said. "I cant function under other drugs and be a mom to my children.

Iraqi war veteran John Redden noted he has used botanical Delta products to deal with stress and anxiety resulting from PTSD and dealing with two autistic sons.

Take these away and that would be very detrimental to my daily life, he said.

Brett Mayo, chief marketing and extraction officer at Sweetwater Hemp Company, noted his company uses an ice water extraction process for their CBD oil. He has worked hard to educate Nebraskans on the products used for medicinal purposes and the process they use to keep that extraction safe for consumers.

LB 999 would be very detrimental to our familys growth," he said.

Andrew Bish, who operates Bish Enterprises in Giltner, noted he has worked in the hemp industry since 2016. As president of the Hemp Feed Coalition, he noted the coalition has some ideas on how to regulate hemp products, so people get what they think they are getting. He also noted alternative uses for hemp are overshadowed in the CBD complexities.

Our coalition has worked to legalize the use of hemp seed in chicken feed. There is the potential for 685,000 acres of hemp cultivation to provide hemp seed needed for the poultry industry, he noted.

Ibach noted that if LB 999 is passed the NDA director would send a formal letter to USDA rescinding the state hemp plan. After the state hemp plan is rescinded, Nebraska hemp producers may immediately apply for a license to produce hemp under the USDA production program.

NDA staff would then assist with the transition period by guiding producers through the process. USDA would meet to discuss Nebraska-specific requirements and where to direct inquiries for those other requirements such as processing, transportation and so forth.
This week, the United Auto Workers endorsed President Bidens re-election. Biden has vigorously supported unions, both through direct policy actions, like appointing labor supporters to the National Labor Relations Board, and indirectly, by promoting a high-pressure labor market that has pushed up wages and an expanded safety net, as well as by walking picket lines and urging workers to organize.

Bidens opponent, Donald Trump, had stacked the NLRB with union opponents, dedicated his presidency to an oligarchic agenda with attempts to cut taxes for the wealthy (successfully) and cut the social safety net and end democracy (unsuccessfully).

Given all the above, the UAWs endorsement choice seems to have been fairly easy. However, it has drawn angry dissents. Johannah King-Slutzky, a Columbia University graduate student in English and comparative literature, complained to the Intercept, a left-wing publication with a staunchly anti-Israel line, A president who supports genocide and is actively sending funds and weapons to Israel to kill children, families, thats not something that I feel has earned my endorsement.

Aparna Gopalan, also a graduate student (Harvard Anthropology) and UAW member, wrote a scathing article for Jewish Currents, a left-wing publication, decrying the endorsement. You might be confused as to why so many UAW members are graduate students at elite universities. The answer is that the UAW organized graduate students, who now account for more than a quarter of its members.

And while graduate students have material interests, they have taken, shall we say, a broader and more abstract view of how to pursue those interests. Gopalans article argues that the UAW has erred by confining its position to questions like labor law, economic policy, and the social safety net, which favor Biden over Trump. In their most visionary iterations, she argues, U.S. unions have repeatedly reached for this capacious understanding of their role, insisting that in a globally integrated system of accumulation, everything  even foreign policy  is a bread-and-butter issue. It may not be surprising that the graduate-student wing of the UAW has a more visionary understanding of its mission than do the people who work in car factories.

Gopalans story quotes fellow UAW member Adithya Gungi (also a grad student at Columbia), who says, Donald Trump needs to be opposed. But this does not mean a full-throated endorsement of a Democratic president who has been actively supporting a catastrophic genocide in Palestine.

Actually, that is exactly what it means. Let me explain a feature of the American political system that may not have been taught at the Ph.D. level at Harvard and Columbia but is nonetheless extremely pertinent. In a political system in which two parties compete for a series of winner-take-all state contests, without a parliamentary-style system allowing small parties to accumulate delegates, one of the two major parties is going to win.

Since Donald Trump is the all-but-certain Republican nominee, there are two possible outcomes: Either Trump will win the election or Biden will. Anything that reduces Bidens chances of winning  say, denying him the UAW endorsement in a must-win purple state filled with autoworkers  will by definition increase the likelihood that Trump wins.

I can certainly understand why bitter critics of Israel would be reluctant to support Biden, who (even as he is working to implement a cease-fire) has taken a generally pro-Israel line. The trouble is that his opponent, Trump, is considerably less empathetic toward Palestinian lives than Biden is. He has not only given complete support to the Israeli right, but also would support expelling Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) from Congress for voting against a resolution condemning Hamas. So, supporting Trump is a very strange position even for a single-issue anti-Israel voter.

In any case, the United Auto Workers have decided to support the pro-union candidate who denounces hatred of Muslims and Arabs but is also pro-Israel over the anti-union candidate who personally treats Muslims and Arabs as incapable of ever becoming real Americans. The logic seems straightforward, but perhaps I am just revealing my lack of an advanced degree.
Two off-duty police officers shot and killed two men early Saturday in South Omaha, according to the Omaha Police Department.

The officers were working an off-duty job at an area business when they responded shortly after 2 a.m. to a disturbance involving a firearm in an alleyway near 32nd and L Streets, according to a press release from the police department.

Two men in an SUV were hit by the officers gunfire, according to the release. They were taken to Nebraska Medical Center with life-threatening injuries where they later died. Their identities have not been released pending notifications of next of kin.

A handgun was found inside the SUV, according to the release.

The officers were not injured and footage of the incident was captured on an officers body camera and surveillance footage, the release said.

The Omaha Police Department Officer Involved Investigations Team is investigating the shooting with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and Douglas County Sheriffs Office.
Cancer researchers rely on access information from Nebraskas cancer registry to spot trends, identify causes and monitor the effectiveness of prevention strategies and treatments for the disease.

But State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha told fellow lawmakers during a hearing Thursday that researchers recently have faced months- or years-long delays or gotten no response to requests for registry data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Legislative Bill 1172, which von Gillern introduced, would require the agency to reply to cancer registry data requests within eight weeks. Lawmakers created the cancer registry in 1982.

Delays in accessing data, he said, not only hinder advances in cancer research but prevent researchers from applying for grants from the National Institutes of Health, which serves as the backbone of research funding.

We have not been given a reason ... why this delay exists when in the past it was apparently not a problem, said von Gillern, who stressed that the data researchers receive does not include information that can be used to identify individuals. Whatever that reason is, we simply need to figure this out, get over the stall and get our research entities back on track.

Department officials did not speak at the hearing. In an emailed statement Friday, however, they said they respond to research and data requests within a week on average with information available at the time, such as diagnoses.

However, comprehensive data may not be available at that time, they wrote. Under state regulations, providers have up to six months to report a cancer diagnosis. After that, the agency follows each case for 23 months  per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data collection standards  communicating with providers for each case to gather treatment information throughout that time. At the end of the 23 months, the department analyzes and incorporates other vital statistics information to complete the record.

Agency officials also noted that identifying information is not stripped from public health registries. When the department receives requests for de-identified information, its staff gathers the requested information and works with the requestor to provide meaningful information while ensuring that identifying information is removed.

Leaders of two Omaha cancer centers also stressed the need for timely access to data.

Dr. Joann Sweasy, the new director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, said center officials plan to apply for designation as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in the near future. The Buffett Cancer Center currently is one of 72 NCI-designated cancer centers in the country and the only one in Nebraska.

To move to the next level, she said, the center will need to meet the nations highest standards for cancer research and care.

In order to do our very best and achieve comprehensive status that will benefit Nebraskans, we have to obtain and analyze the cancer data collected by the State of Nebraska, said Sweasy, who began her new post in November.

Sweasy previously served as director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona. She led the Arizona center to renewal of its comprehensive cancer center designation and has served as a member of a subcommittee that reviews NCI cancer centers.

Over the past months, she said, researchers have continued to request data but have not received it. Without timely access to data, the cancer center wont be able to develop the best informed strategies for cancer research and care.

Lack of data also will make it challenging to recruit and retain the expertise needed to apply for comprehensive status and will put the centers ability to obtain comprehensive status at risk, she said. Universities with designated centers control a significant share of cancer research grants in the United States.

Dr. Laura Hansen, associate dean for research at Creighton University and director of the Lynch Cancer Research Center, said access to data is critical for researchers at the center and within Creightons Institute for Population Health.

The cancer research center was named for the late Dr. Henry Lynch, internationally known as the founder of hereditary cancer research. At Creighton now, we have a new generation of cancer geneticists who are carrying out Dr. Lynchs work, she said.

Dr. Don Coulter, director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Group, an umbrella group for pediatric cancer research at Childrens Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said delays at times have prevented researchers from completing investigations.

Instead, some researchers have used data from other states and extrapolated them to Nebraskas population, he said. Currently, researchers within the group have several requests for data filed more than a year ago.

Nebraska currently has the seventh-highest incidence of pediatric cancer in the country, according to CDC. The legislature began funding the research group in 2014. Since then, researchers have focused on the epidemiology of pediatric cancer in the state and on strategies to improve the long-term outcomes of survivors.

Accessing the data, Coulter said, would allow researchers to compare Nebraska information to that of neighboring states with whom theyre already collaborating.

Amanda McGill Johnson, executive director of Nebraska Cures, noted that concerns about timely access to data go beyond the cancer registry. The group, which supports health science research, also has heard concerns from researchers facing challenges obtaining vital statistics, maternal-child health and Parkinsons data.

In bringing the proposed measure to von Gillern, she said, the group prioritized cancer. But the organization also wants to work with lawmakers regarding other data that might lead to better health outcomes for Nebraskans.

She noted that some states have more current data available even for the general public than Nebraska. A number have updated their data processes in recent years.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
Dorsay Einung feels young again when she takes to the skies.

Einung had put off her aviation dreams for decades. A military brat whose father worked on B-52 bombers in the United States Air Force, Einung couldnt achieve it through the armed forces because women werent being trained to become pilots when she was young. By the time the military began training women for those positions, Einung was busy with motherhood.

Now, after having successfully raised nine children, the 62-year-old Omaha grandmother has spent nearly the last three years becoming a licensed private pilot through Revv Aviations flight school at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport.

Einung can hardly wait for her dream to come true in just a couple of months.

When Im flying, all I am thinking about is flying, she said. For me, flying is like going on a road trip.

Einung was very much the busy mother. In addition to her two biological children, she raised seven other children, who couldnt count on their own parents, until each graduated from high school.

As co-owner of a residential property management company and an IT consultant, Einung never hurt for money even as she raised the children. Her nonbiological childrens parents and family members kicked in financial help when they could. As part of that arrangement, Einung kept the children out of the foster care system.

My house has always been the house where when children didnt have any place to go. ... they would come to my house and I would feed them, Einung said. It always ended up being slumber parties and stuff, and they never went home.

While she raised the kids, who are now adults, Einung put her flying dream on hold.

It wasnt until 2021 that Einung began to seriously pursue flying. After trying unsuccessfully to arrange a discovery flight  a flight that usually crystalizes a persons decision on whether they want to become a pilot  with another aviation company, Einung reached out to her childhood friend Jerome Howard, who is a chief flight instructor at Revv Aviation.

Once she discovered she was comfortable in the cockpit, Einung enrolled as a student pilot at Revv.

Ive been around planes my entire life, she said. I did (the discovery flight) to make sure and not waste anybodys time. You dont want to be six months in and find out that you cant stomach the movement and all that stuff.

Taking it slow: I want to be extremely safe

Einung isnt in a hurry when it comes to her flight instruction.

She doesnt cut corners. She doesnt take risks. Shes not afraid to request that her instructors practice with her repeatedly and show her what to do so she can fully understand how the planes she flies operate. She absolutely refuses to get in any planes that dont pass pre-flight checks. Einung trains on a Cessna 172 single-engine plane.

My flight instructors have told me Im very cautious, Einung said, adding that she considers that a compliment. Its taking me longer on purpose because I want to be extremely safe.

Occasionally, the age gap between Einung and her instructors bubbles to the surface. When speaking with The World-Herald, Einung inadvertently referred to her discovery flight instructor as one of the kids before quickly correcting herself.

Ive got to stop doing that, she said. I dont do that around them. I call them young men, gentlemen or something like that.

On the flip-side, Einung self-deprecatingly refers to herself as a geriatric to her current flight instructor, Josh Finecy  a description that she said he doesnt like.

Einung has the highest praise for Finecy.

Hes absolutely my hero, she said.

Having trained under Finecy since August, Einung said the flight instructor pushes her to fly when she needs to yet gives her the out if she really needs it.

Finecy said Einung definitely does not let her age get in the way and is always motivated to learn.

Some students might have a crappy day and its kind of easy to tell. With her, shes always in a good mood and always has a good attitude, Finecy said.

Howard, the chief flight instructor, said there are a handful of students older than Einung at Revv.

Weve got a couple of individuals that have switched careers. Theyre not coming out as consistently (as Einung) but they do come out on a fairly regular basis to learn the same skills, he said.

With the goal of finishing her instruction by April, the only major obstacles that remain toward getting her private pilots license are two more written tests and a check ride that essentially acts as her field test.

Given how she has performed so far, Howard doesnt foresee any obstacles toward Einung getting her private pilots license.

Shes been very consistent. Her progress has been very steady, Howard said. April is a very realistic goal for her to get finished.

Shell keep coming after what she wants

After Einung earns her private pilots license, she plans to pursue getting a certificate in instrument flight rules.

That instrument rating would allow her to fly when weather conditions limit a pilots visibility. The private pilots license would only allow Einsung to fly under visual flight rules. Einung likened getting an instrument rating to knowing how to drive a car in foggy conditions.

If you dont know how to drive a car in fog, its kind of useless to know how to drive a car, she said. So I want my IFR so I can fly in any conditions.

While she pursues her instrument rating, Einung will fly under visual flight rules once she earns her private pilots license.

She will put that license to very good use. Her immediate plan after getting her license will be to transport animals. Einung said shes flown as far north as Minneapolis and as far west as Denver. By flying the animals, Einung said she can relieve organizations burden of finding enough drivers to cover hundreds of miles of transportation.

People only want to drive 80 to 100 miles per section, Einung said. If we need to get the dog to Minneapolis (from Oklahoma), there are a lot of people involved in that. If I can just fly down there, pick the dog up and take it to wherever they need it to go, it will save a lot of people a lot of time.

Einung is also interested in piloting medical flights that link rural areas to major hospitals. While an instrument rating is not necessarily a requirement for Einung to volunteer for those flights, she said she would only volunteer after she gets that rating.

I dont want to have somebody dependent on (me for) having a procedure and the weather gets bad and I cant fly in it, she said.

Shes also considering becoming a corporate pilot.

Finecy harbors no doubts that shell be able to achieve whatever she wants to in the aviation world.

The biggest thing is her motivation, he said. You cant really tell her no because shell keep coming after what she wants.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
An earlier version of this online story incorrectly calculated a per-vehicle cost for the streetcars and thus overstated the difference between estimated costs and the submitted bid.

The Omaha Streetcar Authority received a single bid totaling $47.6 million to build the streetcars that will run on the citys new line when it opens in 2026-27.

The bid from CAF USA Inc. covers six vehicles, plus spare parts and special tools required for their maintenance, according to the authoritys latest newsletter. The bid was opened Jan. 24.

CAF USA is the American subsidiary of a Spanish company that supplies rail, tram and streetcar systems around the world.

The city has authorized up to $440 million in bonds to pay for the streetcar project, which is scheduled to begin service in 2027. The 3-mile line is expected to run between 39th and Eighth Streets, generally along Farnam and Harney Streets. Utility work in advance of track construction has already begun.

Jitendra Tomar, CAF USAs vice president of marketing and business development, said the company is proposing to use its Urbos model streetcars in Omaha, similar to the ones it has built for U.S. streetcar systems in Kansas City and Cincinnati.

Those cities streetcars each have three modules totaling 77 feet in length, according to the CAF USA website. They are capable of carrying up to 207 passengers at a speed of up to 43 mph. The cars are built at the companys U.S. manufacturing plant in Elmira, New York.

A December 2022 estimate by the streetcar authority said it would cost $45 million total for the six cars and the additional parts and tools. Nick Stadem, associate vice president and senior project manager for HDR, called CAF USAs bid in line with the projects estimated budget, according to the newsletter.

Carrie Murphy, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Jean Stothert, issued a statement saying that the citys legal staff is currently reviewing the bid for proprietary information before releasing further information to the public. The Omaha Streetcar Authoritys board will likely discuss the bid at its March meeting.

The authority also announced a public open house Thursday, Feb. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Gold Coast Ballroom at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, 302 S. 36th St.

Visitors will be able to see updated designs and learn about stop locations, utility relocation and construction schedules, according to the newsletter. They will also be able to meet the design team and other project partners.

Photos: Omaha's streetcar system through the years
state police arrested Jonathan Brand on Friday in Griswold after they say he forced his way into a hotel room and assaulted a woman inside. State Police/Contributed Photo

A New London man is accused of pretending to be a police officer to force his way into a Griswold hotel room and assault a woman inside, according to state police.

State police said that the man, Jonathan Brand, 45, was at the hotel with the woman and her boyfriend when he banged on their hotel room and identified himself as police. Brand forced his way inside when the woman partially opened the door and assaulted her, state police said.

Brand was arrested and charged with multiple crimes including home invasion, criminal impersonation, first-degree strangulation and second-degree threatening. His bond was set at $500,000, and he is expected to appear in Superior Court in Norwich on Monday.

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According to state police, they responded to the Comfort Inn on Voluntown Road in Griswold Friday morning after receiving a 911 call about a possibly armed man forcing his way into a hotel room.

Troopers met with a woman who was visibly distraught who explained what had happened when Brand came to the door. She said she knew Brand from work and that he was at the hotel with her and her boyfriend.

When troopers were booking Brand, they discovered that he had four fraudulent government and press badges in his wallet, according to state police.
RIO DE JANEIRO  The executive manager for institutional relations at a Brazilian state bank took the microphone before roughly 150 people at a forum on slavery's legacy in his country, which kidnapped more Africans for forced labor than any other nation.

Todays Bank of Brazil asks Black people for forgiveness, Andre Machado said to the mostly Black audience at the Portela samba school in Rio de Janeiro.

Directly or indirectly, all of Brazilian society should apologize to Black people for that sad moment in our history, he said, reading a statement to audience members who sat watching from plastic chairs, their eyes fixed upon him.

Brazil  where more than half the population self-identifies as Black or biracial  has long resisted reckoning with its past. That reluctance has started loosening.

Public prosecutors have begun probing Bank of Brazil, Latin Americas second-largest financial institution by assets, with $380 billion, for its historical links to the slave trade. Their investigation could yield a recommendation, an agreement or filing of legal action, and they invited Bank of Brazil to start a dialogue with Black people at the Portela school in the working-class Madureira neighborhood.

Ghyslaine Almeida e Cunha, a spiritual leader of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, traveled from the Amazonian city of Belem for what she called an historic moment. She welcomed the apology and announcement of measures, though the bank stopped short of pledging compensation.

I came to say  on Portelas sacred soil  that, yes, we do want reparations, said Cunha.

Brazil enslaved more people from Africa than any other country; nearly 5 million kidnapped Africans disembarked in Brazil, more than 12 times the number taken to mainland North America, according to estimates from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade database. Brazil was the last country in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery, in 1888.

Valongo Wharf in Rio, which UNESCO calls the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves on the American continent, was only excavated in 2011.

Discrimination remains, and Black and biracial Brazilians are more likely to be poor, imprisoned and die violently. Fewer than a third of managerial positions are held by those groups, and they comprise one quarter of representatives in Brazils Lower House of Congress.

On Dec. 7, a Senate committee heard experts arguing that Brazil needs to prioritize compensation. And when Carnival kicks off next week, a samba school parading before tens of thousands of spectators and millions more TV viewers will present the story of a Black man whose family is seeking reparations.

Brazils nascent clamor for reparations joins existing movements abroad. In the U.S., New York, California and Illinois have established task forces on the issue. In November, the African Union partnered with Caribbean countries to form a united front to persuade European nations to pay for historical mass crimes. Institutions such as Harvard University and the Bank of England have been confronting their historical ties to the slave trade, although neither has endorsed direct financial reparations.

And in 2021, President Joe Biden expressed support for a federal commission to study a national plan for reparations for Black Americans, but he has not supported any of the efforts at the state level.

Such discussions in the U.S. inspired Brazilian nonprofit Educafro to sue the federal government in May 2022, said Irapua Santana, the lawyer who filed the suit. The organization, which fights for better access to education for Black and biracial Brazilians, is demanding an apology and a fund to combat racism, among other measures.

Brazil long projected itself as a inclusive democracy that had left racism behind. Only in recent decades has there been a concerted effort to publicly debunk that myth. The country has so far mostly dealt with slaverys legacy through affirmative action, particularly its 2012 law obliging public universities to reserve a certain number of spaces for Black people.

But many on the right argue the past is irrelevant, and deny that any compensation is due. They are likely to fight any widespread push for reparations.

What debt? I have never enslaved anyone in my life, Jair Bolsonaro said in 2018, months before he won the presidency. The former leader and current standard-bearer for the right has questioned the basis for quotas, saying Black and white people should be treated equally. In October, his son proposed ending race-based quotas, and almost one-third of senators supported the measure.

Advocates for further atonement disagree.

Faced with the horror of 350 years of slavery, quotas are insufficient. We need to expand the discussion on reparations, said lawyer Humberto Adami, president of the Racial Equality Commission of the Brazilian Lawyers Institute.

That demands for reparations are for the first time being heard in public, prominent places is partly a reflection of the political climate ushered in by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took office in January 2023. Last year, prosecutors started investigating Bank of Brazil, which is cooperating. The institution once allowed clients to declare enslaved Black people as financial assets to guarantee loans that built the economy  one example of how slavery is central to Brazils formation, said Thiago Campos Pessoa.

The Emancipation Proclamation in practice: A timeline 1863: The Emancipation Proclamation is issued 1863: Lincoln meets with Frederick Douglass 1863: The Conkling letter 1863: The Gettysburg Address 1865: Congress proposes the Thirteenth Amendment 1865: The end of slavery in Texas 1865: Lincoln's final speech 1866: Civil Rights Act 1867: Reconstruction Acts 1868: The Fourteenth Amendment is ratified
WASHINGTON  The U.S. military launched an air assault Friday on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

The massive barrage of strikes hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force, the Guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship with and arming of regional militias.

President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that more will come. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," he warned, adding, let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

He and other top U.S. leaders had been saying for days that any American response wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

The U.S. strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders, as the U.S. tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran denied it was behind the Jordan attack.

The assault came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The Bidens met privately with the families before the roughly 15-minute solemn ritual, called a dignified transfer.

The service members killed Sunday were all from Georgia and assigned to the 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, based at Fort Moore, Ga.: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross and Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah. Sanders and Moffett were posthumously promoted to sergeant rank.

The U.S. blames the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the deadly attack in Jordan that also injured more than 40 service members, but has not yet narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataib Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

It was unclear what the impact of the strikes would be. Days of U.S. warnings may have sent militia members scattering into hiding. With multiple groups operating at various locations in several countries, a knockout blow was unlikely.

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government."

Other groups vowed to continue fighting, casting themselves as champions of the Palestinian cause while the war in Gaza shows no sign of ending. Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed Friday to continue military operations against U.S. troops.

Some of the militias have been a threat to U.S. bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas militants. The war has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza and spilled across four other countries now.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or U.S. interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and U.S. warships with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets "were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region. He declined to detail what that evidence was.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff. He said the U.S. planned the strikes in order to allow the U.S. to confirm it was hitting the right targets and avoiding civilian casualties.

It wasn't clear whether militia members were killed.

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties but did not give a number. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement that the city of al-Qaim and areas along the countrys border with Syria had been hit by U.S. airstrikes. The strikes, he said, constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences.

Kirby said that the U.S. alerted the Iraqi government prior to carrying out the strikes.

As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a U.S. military official. The last attack was Jan. 29 at at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The U.S., meanwhile, bolstered defenses at the base in Jordan that was attacked by the Iran-backed militants Sunday, according to a U.S. official.

The Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.

A U.S. official also said the military took additional self-defense strikes Friday inside Yemen against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.

2023 in photos: Unforgettable images capture Middle East in turmoil
TECUMSEH, Neb.  A judge sentenced Eric Ramos to life in prison plus 60 to 80 years Friday for the killing of a fellow inmate during a 2017 riot at the Tecumseh State Prison just outside town.

Ramos, 33, declined a chance to say anything first, on the advice of counsel due to an appeal.

Mr. Ramos, I dont have a lot to say either, District Judge Rick Schreiner said. Other than the fact that you are guilty.

He said the jury had plenty of facts to determine that Ramos was guilty of Michael Galindos murder in 2017.

And when Ramos testified at trial, he gave jurors an opportunity to see his unique profile, which they then could compare to prison security video of the inmate involved in the attack, the judge said.

The evidence is clear that you are involved in this crime, Schreiner said.

A jury in Saline County, where the case had been moved, found him guilty of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit the murder and tampering with evidence.

After the verdict, defense attorney Tim Noerrlinger filed a motion for a new trial, denied by Schreiner last week.

In it, he raised a number of issues that he says prevented Ramos from getting a fair trial, including prosecutors failure to disclose reports about a witness until after he testified and about a second potential witness the state hadnt previously mentioned until two weeks into trial.

Those issues are sure to be revisited in the coming, automatic appeal over the March 2, 2017, killing.

That day, the team retaking control over the prison after a riot sparked by the discovery of a stash of prison-made alcohol found smoke rolling out of Galindos broken cell window and found him, face down, dead on the floor inside.

An autopsy determined that the 31-year-old had been stabbed more than 130 times by sharp objects. Hed been punched, kicked and stomped before ultimately succumbing to smoke inhalation from towels started on fire and pushed through his cell window, where hed locked himself to get away from the attack.

Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Corey OBrien said that while Ramos wasnt involved in the initial attack, he was with others who were just before it and joined in the stabbing.

Ultimately, he said, it was Ramos who got parts from an ice machine, presumably to break Galindos cell window.

That sets off the onslaught of at least 10 other individuals introducing fire into that same area of the prison, the prosecutor said. But it was Mr. Ramos who was the most centrally involved of any of the other people that we saw on the video clip. And for that reason, he was the first to be charged with this crime.

OBrien said that in our society we tend to devalue someones life because of some of the choices theyve made.

But the Nebraska State Patrol and Department of Corrections, whose investigation was criticized by the defense at trial, should be commended for the way they worked the case.

They did not perceive this case like Mr. Galindos life was a throw-away, OBrien said. There was a life lost here, tragically taken in a horrific manner. And for that, Mr. Ramos now stands to receive one of the most severe punishments that Nebraska law allows.

While Galindo had his issues, the attorney said, he was loved, was trying to better himself and definitely did not deserve what happened.

To date, Ramos remains the only one to be charged in the killing, based largely on prison staff identifying him by piecing together surveillance video that they say points to him.

With no statute of limitation on murder, prosecutors could yet charge others and made it clear at trial that they believe they know the names of others involved.

A second inmate, Damon Fitzgerald, also was killed the day of the riot in a housing unit that shared the same yard. No one has ever been charged.

After Fridays sentencing, Galindos sister, Jennifer Galindo, said the family was thankful to prosecutors, State Patrol Investigator Neal Trantham and prison staff who testified.

My brother was a good person. He was very kind and loving, she said. He would literally take his shirt and give it to you. I know a lot of people say that. But my brother did. He was like that.

Jennifer Galindo said thats why the family has been so affected by his loss.

Nearly six years later, its been a long wait for the guilty verdict. But they had faith God would bring them there today. As for whether others may be charged, too, she said: Were going to keep the faith and just let God handle it.
LINCOLN  Most Nebraska state agencies would no longer be allowed to give preference to job applicants based on their level of college education under a new bill making its way through the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 1018, introduced by State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, would prohibit most public employers from requiring that job applicants have a college degree. If the measure passes, those employers must give equal consideration to applicants, regardless of whether they have obtained any form of postsecondary education.

Exceptions to this rule would include positions within the University of Nebraska or state colleges, the states judicial branch, and positions to which a college degree is required under state and federal law or is needed to obtain federal funding. An amendment that Holdcroft filed would add community colleges to the list of exceptions.

The bill was heard at a public hearing before the Legislatures Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday. In all, four people testified in support of the bill, no one opposed it, and two people testified in a neutral capacity.

Holdcroft said the intent of LB 1018 is to eliminate workforce barriers in a way that would lower existing vacancies within state agencies. Currently, he said, there are roughly 840 open government jobs, according to State Department of Labor research.

What Im trying to do here is to give more flexibility to the employment managers who are hiring these people, Holdcroft said.

Ally Perkins with the nonprofit Cicero Action said LB 1018 could add tens of thousands of people to the states hiring pool, saying that two-thirds of adults dont have a bachelors degree.

Other states and major companies are adopting similar changes to hiring rules, Holdcroft said. Google, IBM and Delta Airlines have removed degree requirements from their job applications, and at least 16 states dont require a four-year degree for most public jobs, Holdcroft said.

Supporters of LB 1018 largely agreed that a college education should not be the primary indicator that an applicant is the best fit for a position. Multiple testifiers argued that life experience and learned skills should be more valued by employers.

Degrees dont make a person, prove the skill, or show the value of an employee, said Laura Ebke, senior fellow with the Platte Institute think tank. Ability and action do.

Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, who testified neutral on LB 1018, said he supported the effort to make filling vacancies easier, but he expressed concerns about the carte blanche application of the bill. He said state officials who work in agencies involved in public health, environmental science, and developmental disabilities told him that the training involved with their jobs necessitated a college education.

However, Hubly also said the bill could benefit employees who are stuck in lower positions because getting a promotion would require a degree. There are some state workers who have worked at an agency for years and are unable to climb the ladder, Hubly said, yet their experience is more valuable than a degree.

Throughout the hearing, committee members questioned whether Holdcrofts proposal needed to be a state law. Both Hubly and Jason Jackson, the director of the State Department of Administrative Services, who was also neutral on LB 1018, said state agencies could enact this change immediately, without a statute.

Holdcroft said he was open to going through a different route to implement his proposal, and even suggested requesting that Gov. Jim Pillen sign an executive order to the same effect.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
The Oyo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are currently at loggerheads over the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the tribunal judgement that nullified the petition brought to the court by the Governorship candidate of APC Mr. Adebayo Adelabu in the March 9th election in Oyo state against Governor Seyi Makinde of the state.

Saga Gist recalls that a Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital had earlier on Monday set aside the tribunal judgement that nullified the petition brought to the court by Adelabu against Makinde of the PDP.

Our correspondent recalls that the tribunal had in September dismissed the petition of Adelabu challenging the election of Seyi Makinde as the Governor of Oyo State.

But, the Appeal Court on Monday found out that the judgement of the tribunal dismissing Adelabus petition was perverse and therefore set the judgement aside.

However, the two political parties are currently interpreting the judgement in different ways. While the APC perceived the judgement as affirmation of strong believe in the judiciary, the PDP termed it as a test case for judiciary and democracy.

APC in a statement signed by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Ayobami Adejumo, lauded the Appellate Courts Judges for their pronouncement, which validated the claims of the plaintiffs in the matter before it.

The verdict given on Monday was unambiguous, apt and sound enough to convince any informed mind about the genuineness of our claim that Makindes declaration as the winner of the March 9 poll was done by INEC in error. The results announced were ridiculously inflated and there is no way such conspiracy could stand the test of proper scrutiny as this was just confirmed by the Appellate Court.

While we use this opportunity to salute the court for living up to its responsibility as the last hope of the common man, we are appealing to the good people of the state including Oyo APC faithful and other key stakeholders to remain calm and resist from being provoked by the PDP government and its agents who are apparently occupying the Agodi Government House on a borrowed time.

Obviously, the next line of action is for us as a Party and our gubernatorial hopeful to approach the Supreme Court for perfection of the landmark verdict delivered by the Court of Appeal today and, by the special Grace of God, we shall obtain favorable judgment from the Apex Court as only this would lend credence to the fact Nigerias democratic practice is premised on free and fair elections as well as the rule of law.

But, Publicity Secretary of PDP, Akeem Olatunji in his own statement, added that going by the judgment, Makinde remains the Governor of the State.

Going by the judgment of the Appeal Court, Seyi Makinde remains the Governor of Oyo State as PDP got her mandate through the March 9th election of which the Judges could not fault its fairness and the party is happy that the tribunal upheld the election in her ruling.

Governor Seyi Makinde as the candidate of PDP polled 515,621 votes as against 357,982 votes scored by the APC candidate, Bayo Adelabu, with a wide margin of over 150,000 votes to defeat the APC candidate. Such a landslide freely given by the Oyo State electorates and the entire masses is beyond manipulation or abracadabra.

Governor Seyi Makinde did not get his mandate through the lower Election Petition Tribunal but in a free and fair election conducted by INEC, hence the mandate is intact and it should be noted that Agodi government house is not vacant for whatever reason until 2023 when INEC will be lifting bans on political aspiration.

We are not in crisis, the Governor is unruffled and our great party, PDP, view the whole drama as a charade of absurdity.

If APC felt aggrieved, they are free to continue litigation while we at PDP continues with good governance.

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By Odoh Michael

The 2019 presidential elections may have come and gone, but the effects will be felt in Nigeria for a very long time. Apart from the 2007 general elections, the 2019 presidential elections is presently regarded as the worst in the nations history by a lot of Nigerians. The question on the mind of majority of Nigerians is, how can an electoral process that witnessed the highest amount of voter registration with over 80m registered voters, voters card collection with nearly 73 million eligible voters and an election that was predicted to be the biggest in Africas history witness the lowest turnout in our nations electoral history according to data from INEC. Turnout was just above 35 percent of eligible voters.

I am forced to ask, how can an election that recorded the highest number of first time voters now be seen as having the lowest turnout of voters in the nations history? From my perspective, it is either INEC did not disclose the original results of the election in other to favour the winner of the election or Nigerians are fed up with the country. But how true can this be when the nation saw an increase in voter awareness, more persons registered to vote and more voters card were collected. All available evidence is clearly pointing to the fact that the results of the elections were doctored in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari. How can Yobe state, a state that is facing serious security challenges, a state where the governor was not even allowed to vote due to security issues experience a high voter turnout over Enugu State, a state without security issues? Does it mean that despite the serious security challenges facing Yobe State and many other states with security challenges, the INEC voters education directorate did more in the face of these numerous security challenges in these states and did less in places that enjoy a more peaceful environment? Well, I will leave these questions to Prof Yakubu Mahmood to answer as he alone can provide credible answers to them.

The governorship and state house of assembly election proved beyond all reasonable doubt that Nigerians have lost hope with the electoral umpire. Turnout, when officially confirmed, is likely to be the lowest in our nations history. But did we expect any thing different after the sham presidential election on February 23? Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after casting his vote last Saturday, noted that he is concerned, like millions that his vote may likely not count. A picture that has since gone viral on social media shows a ballot paper for the governorship election with a write-up by a voter: Fuck INEC, just rig.

When a peoples mandate is stolen, it is bound to have repercussions and the 9th of March, 2019 governorship election is the beginning of such for Nigeria. The fastest way to destroy a democratic process is to make the people lose faith in its electoral process and INEC under the leadership of Prof Mahmood Yakubu has clearly done this. Nigerians no longer have faith in its electoral process, and this is bad for a country trying to build its democratic institutions. In most states, especially in the FCT, unlike the presidential election that witnessed a huge turnout of voters, most polling units were empty with no voter in sight many hours after INEC officials arrived with voting materials. The big question begging for answer is, Could this be the end of Nigerias democracy? Only time and the judiciary will tell.

The Presidential election has only succeeded in dividing Nigeria along ethnic lines the more, the Igbos are crying persecution and just recently, a serving senator and wife of the national leader of the APC, Remi Tinubu was caught on camera telling a disabled Igbo man that those of his ethnic group cannot be trusted. What is democracy if I cannot be allowed to vote for who I want? The 2019 general elections conducted by Prof Mahmood Yakubus led INEC will be remembered for further dividing the country rather than uniting it.

On Forensic

With the court of appeal granting the PDPs presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar his request to be giving access to the materials used for the presidential elections, it is surprising that the court will turn down Atikus request to engage forensic experts to check for multiple thumb printing claiming that the Electoral Act does not give provision for such when the Act allowed Rauf Aregbeshola to use same in 2007 and Kayode Fayemi just last year. Do we have different electoral Acts for the state and for the federal?

Justice must not only be said to be done, it must be seen to be done and that is what the judiciary must do. Nigeria is standing on a time bomb and members of judiciary must put aside all forms of personal interests to save our nation. This is not about Buhari or Atiku; it is about the survival of our nation. If things are allowed to go the way they are, we may not have a Nigeria in 2023.

Odoh Michael, media consultant and public affairs analyst wrote from Abuja and can be reached via [email protected]
Some residents around the Lagos collapsed building at Ita-Faaji, housing a primary school, have revealed that the building was marked for demolition in 2018.

They however called on the government to stop developers from constructing high rise buildings in the area.

According to reports, the building was marked for demolition, but the owner allegedly bribed officials and the demolition did not hold.

The building has been marked for demolition, but the government officials always take a bribe. The building has been giving signs of weakness but whenever government officials come, the owner always bribes them.

The owners always boast they have people in government that they can bribe to overlook the proposed demolition of the building one of the residents alleged.

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Zsuzsanna

A man is facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his secret lover. Jamie Lee Warn, 55, killed Zsuzsanna Besenyei in Jersey and then tried to stage her death as a suicide, Dailymail has reported.

He hid her body in the boot of her car for three days before dumping her body on a beach.

Warn denied the crimes at Jerseys Royal Court but was found guilty.

Now, Warn faces a mandatory life sentence and the minimum number of years he must serve will be decided at a sentencing hearing.

The court heard how Warn engaged in an elaborate cover-up in the hope of literally, getting away with murder.

Miss Besenyeis lifeless body was found washed up at La Pulec bay in St Ouen in Jersey on 16 May last year, six days after she had gone missing.

Crown Advocate Simon Thomas told the court at an earlier hearing that Miss Besenyei went to Warns flat on May 10 as she was trying to collect money from him.

Warn had a girlfriend, but was secretly involved with Mrs Besenyeitherequently exchanges texts.

Miss Besenyei sent the accused a message from her phone at 7.30pm as she arrived and the prosecution believe she was killed sometime between then and 8.20pm.

Miss Besenyeis body was discovered at La Pulec bay, two days after her car had been found at La Haule slip, in St Brelade.

Mr Thomas told the court the defendant had disposed of her body in the dead of the night on a remote beach.

He also face two counts of criminally perverting the course of justice, after knowingly and voluntarily giving false information to the States of Jersey Police investigating.
The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has given an assurance that he will work with traditional rulers in providing sustainable development for the Niger Delta.

Brambaifa, according to a statement by NDDCs new Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the Izon Elders Council, Delta State, at the Commissions headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He challenged the monarchs to continue to support the development process in the crude oil and gas-rich region, noting that they would always play crucial roles in ensuring peace and providing a platform for dialogue.

The NDDC chief noted that efforts were being made to revive the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) forum, in order to serve as a clearing house for the commissions projects.

He reiterated that the PSD forum was an important organ for bringing all the stakeholders under one umbrella, to aid the process of harmonising development projects, as enunciated in the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMP).

Brambaifa underscored the role of NDDC as an interventionist agency, charged with the responsibility of fast-tracking the development of Nigerias oil rich region.

He said: Our goal is to uplift the living standard of our people, engage in infrastructural development and drive a robust capacity building. These are the things we are doing to promote the stability of our region and we urge you to be partners with us.

READ ALSO: NDDC partners EU on sustainable water

The acting managing director also urged key stakeholders in the Niger Delta not to relent in their efforts to address the challenge of restiveness, thereby creating the right environment for the commission to complete all its projects and thus take the region to the next level.

The Chairman of Izon Council of Elders, Chief Bare Etolor, in his address, felicitated with Brambaifa and the other executive directors on their appointments, while expressing eagerness to partner with NDDC in bringing sustainable development to the Niger Delta.

Etolor said: Our voice has been heard across the country on issues concerning peace, development, youth restiveness, inter-ethnic/multi-national community relationship, resource control and good governance.

Chairman of Izon council of elders also pleaded with the NDDC chief to ensure the completion of the commissions projects, especially in all the Ijaw communities and requested the award of contract for the Phase 2 channelisation of the Ogbe-Ijoh Bututu River creek.
Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, listens to a question from defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 speaks with her defense attorney Audrey Felsen on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Christine Roy, retired forensic science examiner from state forensic labs forensic biology unit, testifies on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, shows a black plastic bag, that is part of the states evidence, to the jury while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, shows a black plastic bag, that is part of the states evidence, to the jury while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, listens to a question from defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from state forensic labs forensic biology unit, testifies on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Christine Roy, state forensic science examiner, holds a shirt presented as evidence as she testifies on day 15 of Michelle Troconis criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Feb. 1, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  A forensic scientist confirmed there were five human hairs among evidence collected in the Jennifer Dulos case, according to testimony Friday in the Michelle Troconis trial.

Anita Vailonis, a retired forensic science examiner who worked in the state labs forensic biology unit, said she helped examine various items of evidence found on Albany Avenue in Hartford and in Pawel Gumiennys Toyota Tacoma.

In her testimony, Vailonis said she analyzed hair-like fibers that were found on a white towel, a clear plastic bag with a blood-like substance, a sponge found inside a plastic bag and one entangled in a knot of a plastic bag. All of these items were seized from the trash at the corner of Albany Avenue and Green Street, one of the intersections where Fotis Dulos was seen discarding trash the evening his estranged wife disappeared. Police believe Michelle Troconis, his then-girlfriend, was sitting in the passenger seat of his Ford Raptor while he made at least three stops.

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Another hair-like fiber was discovered on the interior door panel from the right door of Gumiennys Tacoma.

Vailonis testified that she learned how to identify human hairs from the FBI and used this training to analyze the five fibers. Through this analysis, she confirmed they were human hairs and sent them to the labs DNA unit for further testing.

In her examination of evidence, Vailonis also said she performed several screening tests for blood on various items, many of which came up positive. However, confirmatory tests were not performed.

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Troconis attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, has objected to the blood screening test results being introduced in the case. The Kastle-Meyer test, which was used by law enforcement and forensic scientists to see whether blood is possibly present in a sample, can give a potential result to other items such as animal blood and horseradish.

It shouldnt have come in at all, Schoenhorn told reporters after court concluded for the day, adding that the test results could confuse the jury.

Former Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory forensic analyst Christine Roy testified on Thursday that testing confirmed that three items  a Vineyard Vines shirt, a bra and material from a poncho  found in the trash in Hartford contained human blood. According to arrest warrants in the case, the blood belonged to Jennifer Dulos.

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Schoenhorn has conceded that there are obviously certain items that were tested that clearly had blood, including those items of clothing.

But other items found in the trash couldve been cross-contaminated and manipulated by others, so the screening tests are pure speculation, Schoenhorn suggested.

It was all just displayed and splayed out in that trash barrel, he said. So, everything contaminated everything else.

Roy said she opted to send many samples to the DNA unit, instead of conducting tests to confirm the presence of human blood, since DNA analysis would be more individualized. Additionally, the confirmatory blood test could diminish the sample provided to the DNA unit, she said.

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If Im sending them less sample, then potentially Im reducing the amount of DNA thats in that sample, she said. And I dont know how thats going to affect their overall result or interpretation.

In the 16 days of Troconis trial, the state has meticulously presented the evidence law enforcement collected while investigating Jennifer Dulos disappearance, including surveillance footage, DNA evidence, fingerprint analyses and videos of Troconis first two interviews with police.

Aside from the police interrogations and some other evidence presented in the case, Troconis name has not often been mentioned and was not uttered during testimony Friday.

As Ive said all along, this is really the trial of Fotis Dulos and Im not either keen to be defending him, nor is it my job, Schoenhorn told reporters. In order to prove the charge, some of these charges, the state has taken upon itself, the obligation to prove that Fotis Duos didnt just hurt his wife, didnt even cause her death, but he murdered her, that he intended to kill her.

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And, you know, thats a choice they made, he said. Thats something they have to prove to this jury.

Troconis, 49, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. She is accused of trying to create an alibi for Fotis Dulos the morning his estranged wife went missing and helping to clean a pickup truck that police believe was used in the crime.

Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder and other charges in the case. Jennifer Dulos has never been found, but she has been declared legally dead.

Judge Kevin Randolph adjourned court just before 1 p.m. Friday after prosecutors said they had no more witnesses for the day. The trial is expected to resume at 10 a.m. Monday.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) was being backed by President Muhammadu Buhari himself, and not the APC national leader, Bola Tinubu as is supposed in some quarters.

El-Rufai stated this on Friday when the Femi/Wase Campaign, alongside over 120 other lawmakers, paid him a visit at the Kaduna State Government House.

There was a misconception that Femis candidature was from Bola Tinubu but the fact is that it was President Muhammadu Buhari himself who chose him because of his commitment and dedication to legislative duties.

The President told me because I was not in Nigeria when he took the decision, Daily Trust quoted him as saying.

Some of our colleagues raised some misgivings but its just a matter of working chemistry, whom you can work with comfortably; not competence or whatever.

The last four years in the National Assembly have taught us bitter lessons about working chemistry, and here in Kaduna State, I take part in choosing who becomes the Speaker of the State Assembly.



So, I told the President that he must be involved in the process this time around.

Kaduna State believes in Buharis words, and I assure you that there would be no contest on June 11 when the leadership of the National Assembly would be inaugurated, El-Rufai said.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Mr Freddy Roosemont, the Director-General of the Belgian Office for Foreigners, said most Nigerians were deceived into the country with the promise of job placements.

The Belgian government has asserted that Nigerians constitute the largest group of individuals engaged in forced prostitution in the European country.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Mr Freddy Roosemont, the Director-General of the Belgian Office for Foreigners, said most Nigerians were deceived into the country with the promise of job placements.

He said most of them are however being forced into prostitution by traffickers once they arrived in the country.

The dream is not real, its not easy to survive in Europe without a decent job. The dream is fake.

Belgium is not land of milk and honey, nor is Europe. This was not the case before, but is even less so now, in a world with many crisis hotspots with severe economic consequences, Roosemont said.

He lamented that more Nigerians were currently seeking asylum in Belgium, adding that it makes little sense.

Asylum is determined on the basis of the Geneva Convention and economic motives are not included. Therefore the recognition rate for asylum is very low and the chances of obtaining a residence permit are almost non-existent, the Belgian official said.

He said no fewer than 362 Nigerian migrants sought asylum in 2022 while 380 of them applied in 2023, adding that only a few of them got their application granted.

As a consequence, people are forced to live in irregular stay, without a social safety net, in precarious conditions. They risk economic exploitation and women risk ending up in prostitution, he said.

He charged Nigerians to ignore those trying to deceive them into embarking on the journey to Europe without admission to a university, a job offer from a Belgian company or an invitation from a family member to relocate.
Peter Obi has stormed Cote DIvoire to show support for the Super Eagles as they engage Angola, today.

The Super Eagles will be playing their Quarter final match this evening.

Labour party chieftain, Valentine Ozigbo disclosed this on X.
From Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors forum, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State, has announced a donation of N100 million for victims of recent violent crises in parts of Plateau state.

Governor Bala announced donation yoday on Thursday at the Plateau State Government House, Jos, when he led PDP Governors across Nigeria to condole with the government and people of Plateau State, over the recent violence in Mangu and Bokkos and environs that resulted in loss of lives and property.

He said the PDP Governors would continue to advocate for the establishment of state police to enable leaders at various levels tackle the challenges of insecurity facing them.

He advised Governor Caleb Mutfwang to remain strong while also encouraging all the people of the state to imbibe tolerance to live in peace with one another at all times.

In his response, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, appreciated his colleagues for the visit.

Mutfwang assured that his administration would continue to support all efforts aim at restoring peace and stability on the Plateau

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From Ahmad Saka, Bauchi

The Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Foundation has donated the sum of N19 million to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi State chapter and candidates of the party in the forth coming rerun election coming up this Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct conduct the rerun election in 42 Polling Units in the State.

The Director General of the Ambassador Yusuf Miatama Tuggar Foundation,,Alhaji Bello Muhammad Tukura, stated this today when he visited APC office in Bauchi, He said We came here to give our donations for the rerun in Bauchi, Katagum and Ningi Local Government Areas for the State Legislation, we want to support the party and the candidates contesting the rerun election, Each of the candidate will get N3 million totaling N12 million while the party gets N7 million.

The money is for the election and by Gods grace Bauchi is for APC and we will mobilise our people to come out and vote for APC candidates

Tukura said We came to show our support and the party and the chairman was happy about it, we are expecting our leader Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maitama Tuggar may be around for the election and he has always supported the party and he said his message to the people of Bauchi si that they should come out and vote massively for the APC

In his response, the acting Chairman, of APC Mohammed Hassan Tilde, expressed gratitude on behalf of the leadership and members of the working committee to the kind gesture by the minister saying It was not the first time the minister is showing this kind of support.

Tilde assured that the party had adequately prepared for the rerun election andpart of preparation to ensure success, it constituted Technical Committee to know the number of registered and accredited voters and to know the actual number of people that participated in the last election and the actual votes each candidate get

The Chairman said the committte completed its assignment after 11 days and submitted its report which has been forwarded to the leadership of the party

He requested the foundation to submit names of members that can be posted to cover the rerun election.

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Anambra-born politician, business mogul and Chairman of the Orient Group of Companies, Chief Godwin Ezeemo has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo over what he described as turning Anambra State to a construction site in his strides to transform and give the state an infrastructural facelift.

Chief Ezeemo gave the commendation on Thursday when he joined the officials of the States Ministry of Power and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Julius Chukwuemeka, and other stakeholders, on an inspection at the site of the ongoing construction of the 132KV Sub-station by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in his hometown, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking after the inspection, Ezeemo, a former governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in the 2017 Anambra gubernatorial election, attested that Governor Soludo had, indeed, done well in giving Anambra infrastructural facelift, and commended him for his judicious investments in fortifying the states power infrastructure, which, he said, were already yielding discernible positive outcomes.

The astute entrepreneur, who later hosted the inspection team at his Honeywell Hotel, Umuchu, highlighted the multifaceted impact of the substation, while also foreseeing it as a linchpin for attracting investors and stimulating economic development in the area and the State at large.

Earlier speaking while leading the leading the team round the site, Surv. Emmanuel Bitrus, a representative of the contracting firm, Cartlack Nig. Ltd., said no fewer than 25 containers containing equipments meant for the project had arrived the site, while 18 more were still on the way.

Surv. Bitrus, who noted that the deliveries of 2x60MVA transformers had also been received for the project, rated Anambra and the state government as the most serious and most committed among the 15 other states where similar project is going on across the federation.

Concerning the technical facet of the project, the company representative, who revealed that the sub-station would have its power source from the Agu Awka Sub-station, also explained that the civil and electrical works for the transmission lines from the Agu Awka Sub-station, would kick off any moment from now.

While reassuring that the project will be completed within the stipulated 18 months, Surv. Bitrus took time to express the companys appreciation to the Anambra State Government for the maximum support the firm is receiving, and which has been very instrumental to the progress of the project.

On his own part, the States Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Chukwuemeka, while expressing his dissatisfaction with the pace of the project, however acknowledged the efforts of the contracting firm. He emphasized that the Anambra State government was keen on ensuring the timely completion of the 132KV Sub Station before the set 18-month timeframe.

The Commissioner further underscored the need for a more rapid pace in execution of the project, given the extensive support from both the state government and the host community. While advising the contracting firm to leverage the ongoing dry season to expedite the construction process, the Commissioner also requested the firm to submit a comprehensive work program for the project, to enhance easy monitoring; even as he also he also advised them to always brief his Ministry on any challenge they encounter in the course of handling the project.

Highlighting the significant efforts of and the investment made by the state government in compensating the host community and meeting their requests for essential facilities, he also emphasized the importance of reciprocating these efforts with a swift and efficient project timeline.

Commissioner Chukwuemeka further appreciated the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludos administration, explaining that the construction of the 132KV Umuchu Sub Station aligns seamlessly with the Governors commitment to ensuring regular power supply in the state, as a catalyst for accelerated economic growth.

Also present during the inspection were the Transition Committee Chairman for Aguata Local Government Area, Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike; the Permanent Secretary, States Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka; representatives of TCN Abuja, Engr. Geophrey Nwokoye and Hon Emegwa Ifeanyi; the Chairman Ibughubu Village, Umuchu, among others, whose collective presence speaks volumes of the collaborative effort towards the successful completion of the crucial 132KV Umuchu Sub Station project before the stipulated timeframe.

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Chief Magistrate Vincent W. Gwahemba in Nasarawa State has been suspended by the Judicial Service Commission following allegations of bribery and abuse of power

The suspension was officially communicated through a letter dated January 30, 2024, requiring the magistrate to respond within 24 hours to the charges leveled against him.

According to the letter, the suspension took immediate effect and would remain in place pending the investigation into the misconduct charges.

The directive mandated Gwahemba to appear before the Judicial Commission at a later date, which will be communicated, to present his side of the story regarding the allegations

The charge against the chief magistrate, as outlined in complaint number S/JSC/AD/OFF/12/VOL. XV/XXX was lodged by senior lawyer J.S. Okutepa, SAN.

Addressed to the Chief Registrar of the states High Court of Justice, the complaint accuses Gwahemba of gross misconduct, bias, and delivering a ruling that resulted in the unjustified detention of a suspect.

This suspension evokes memories of a comparable incident in 2021 when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in Nasarawa State acted against two senior officers following allegations of misconduct.

During that period, Abdullahi Ahmed-Sani, Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, and Edward Ali-Liman, Deputy Chief Registrar (Personnel), faced suspension pending investigations into their conduct

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on Tuesday in the Peoples Democratic Partys appeal against the appellate courts decision to reinstate Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Mosogar community in Ethiope West LGA, is host to Delta State College of Physical Education and country home of Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Ighoyota Amori.

Godwin Ogberahwe, also known as Last Don, who served as the Vice President of the Mosogar Reformed Youth Association, is one of three individuals who have been fatally shot in the community over the last six days, raising suspicions of a cult rivalry.

The others are one Efe Oki and another whose identity could not be ascertained.

According to feelers, the killings may also be connected to the forthcoming election rerun in the Local Government council by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or the election of president for the community youth body.

Ogberahwe reportedly survived a gunshot early January, before he was shot again, Sunday.

Mosogar community in Ethiope West LGA, is host to Delta State College of Physical Education and country home of Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Ighoyota Amori.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bright Edafe, said the deaths was from a suspected cult clash and the men of the Command are working towards arresting the perpetrators.

So far three persons have died over a suspected cult clash between Eiye and Arobaga cult groups. But we are on it. Sanity has been restored so far, and we are investigating to arrest those that are perpetrating these evil acts. The actors, we would get them arrested as soon as possible, Edafe stated.
A family in Nasarawa State is facing turmoil as a housewife alleges that her husband betrayed her by engaging in an extramarital affair and sleeping with her own mother.

According to The Nation, Doris, whose surname is withheld, revealed that her six-year-old son accidentally uncovered the clandestine relationship between her 46-year-old husband and her mother.

Curiously, Doriss mother, Madam Cynthia (surname withheld), did not deny the alleged romance between her and her son-in-law when her daughter confronted her with the allegation.

Rather, she told her daughter that she was in a relationship with her son-in-law (her daughters husband), Joseph, before they got married, and it was the best romance opportunity she had 20 years after she lost her husband.

Madam Cynthia said: My husband died about 20 years ago, and I never found another man of my dream until I met Joseph.

He is a kind and generous gentleman. He is also very strong and very good in bed.

He gave me the most satisfaction I ever had with a man in bed. Because of that, I did not want to lose his company, so I recommended him to you (Doris).

I insisted that he must get married to you so you could have a taste of what he is made of.

Doris, 28, had got married to Joseph, a sales manager with a private company, oblivious of the fact that he and her mother were dating.

As it later turned out, it was Madam Cynthia that actually persuaded Joseph to marry her daughter (Doris), who at that time was based in Keffi as a student of Nasarawa State University.

Since Doris was not visiting Lafia regularly, she had no idea how intimate her mother and Joseph were.

To worsen matters, Doris was not coming to Lafia most times her school was on holiday as she chose to take up some casual jobs in Keffi despite that her mother was running a big restaurant in Lafia where Joseph got to know her.

The Nation reports that Josephs affair with Madam Cynthia was so discreet that it was difficult for any observer to know what was going on between them.

Joseph was said to be in the habit of closing late in the office, after which he would wait for Madam Cynthia at his Lafia apartment after closing her restaurant.

The bubble burst on January 18 when Madam Cynthia visited her daughters matrimonial home in New Nyanyan, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Joseph was said to have moved to Nyanyan for the sake of proximity to his wife for whom he had secured a civil service job in Abuja.

As it was customary between them, Joseph and his mother-in-law (Cynthia) decided to engage in fresh sessions of romance during the visit. Unfortunately, their six-year-old son ran into them in one of the sessions and later let the cat out of the bag.

Distraught Doris, who narrated the incident to a close friend of hers in a recorded telephone voice, said: I met my husband through my mother in Lafia in 2018.

I had just completed my NYSC (national youth service) and she introduced him to me as someone who was very good and generous, and would never maltreat me.

Looking at Joseph, although he was not too young, he actually appeared gentle and promising.

He would come to my mothers restaurant every evening after close of work, but I never suspected that he was also going out with my mother.

She actually hid her main reason for linking the two of us together. My mother did not want my husband to get married to another woman basically because of his s*xual prowess and kindness.

To my admiration, Joseph actually showed commitment, making sure that all my needs were met even without me asking.

Within a short time, he proved to me that he was actually a good man in addition to what my mother told me.

We eventually got married in 2018, and two years later, we relocated to New Nyanyan because he had secured a civil service job for me in Abuja and also opened a salon for me.

I have three kids and I am presently four months pregnant.

My mother, a very careful woman, had told me after my marriage that she felt fulfilled that I got married to Joseph.

She was always coming on visits, and would always ask whether I was enjoying my marriage. And I truly was enjoying it, because my husband did make life easy for me and my kids.

She was always calling or visiting, and I thought it was because I am her only child.

When I gave birth to my first son, she was very excited and often came to help out with house chores.

She was always taking care of my kids who she loves so much. It was as if she was living together with us.

We live in a three-bedroom apartment, so there was enough space for her to stay for as long as she wanted.

On January 13, my mother came around and it coincided with the time my husband took a week off to rest at home.

It never occurred to me that my husbands one week rest was tactically planned to coincide with my mothers coming.

The setting in my matrimonial home was the best for them because of the kids. They took care of the kids while I went to work, but I did not know that they were also taking care of themselves.

My mum loves a particular brand of alcohol while my husband also likes a brand of wine, which he always ensured was in the refrigerator.

So while I was away to work and the kids had gone to school, they kept each other company with their drinks. It never occurred to me that their relationship was beyond mother in-law and son in-law.

On Thursday, January 18, I returned from work and my eldest son came into my room as I was pulling off my dress.

He looked worried and confused, so I asked whether his aunty beat him in school or he was not given food, but he said nothing.

When I prodded him further, he told me that he saw his father and grandmother fighting naked in the visitors room and grandma was crying while daddy was on top of her.

I asked how he got to know, and he said that when he returned from school, grandma bathed him and he slept off after eating because he was tired.

He said that when he woke up, he went to check on grandma (Madam Cynthia) in her room and found that she and her father were fighting naked and grandma was crying under him.

Obviously, they did not lock the door.

He said his father ordered him to go out immediately.

Although I was shocked at the revelation, I managed to control my anger and inquire to know more of what went wrong in my absence.

My sons claims were actually not unexpected because of my mothers constant visit to us and her unusual closeness to my husband.

They were so close and were always in the sitting room together.

But another thought came into my mind: the two of them had known each other before I came in, and I actually met my husband through my mother.

I walked swiftly across the house and into my mothers room and asked if there was something going on between her and my husband.

She could not deny the allegation and that caused me to start shedding tears. I just did not know where the tears were coming from.

My mother calmed me down and narrated the story of her relationship with Joseph and why she insisted that I should marry him.

She said she got hooked on my husband because he was very good in bed in addition to his good nature. In fact, he described my husband as a Maradona in bed.

She said that every woman would like such a man and she did not want me to miss out on him because those are the traits that sustain marriages.

She said she would have felt cheated if Danjuma had married another woman, and that was why she persuaded me to marry him.

She actually believed she was doing the best for me.

Yes, the bible says honour thy father and mother, but what do you do with a mother who didnt even honour her daughters wedding vows?

Before I could say anything, she knelt down and said she was sorry I found out about their relationship the way I did, but she was not sorry she got both of us together.

She said I should be grateful for our stable home and healthy children, adding that she did what she did because she was hungry for s*x, particularly with Joseph.

My mother confessed that on that particular day, they were together in the parlour when she suddenly grabbed Joseph and dragged him into her room.

She said there was a flurry of actions without words. Unfortunately, my eldest son came in while they were in the thick of action.

Doris further told her friend that she never suspected that there was any relationship between her husband and her mother, wondering how they were able to keep it secret for so many years and now leave her to grapple with the nightmare induced by their sacrilegious act.

She said: I couldnt send my mother away because the children genuinely love her and she is a good grandmother.

I used to be happy and grateful to her for giving me a husband that understands how to keep a woman.

My husband is indeed very good in bed, and I thank my mother for bringing him into my life. But she should not have insisted on sharing him with me.

She told her friend in the recorded telephone conversation that she has enjoyed life the most since she got married to Joseph.

She said: I like him because he asks me out, opens the door for me, pours me drink, offers me his jacket, kisses me and says good night. So I need to be his wife all the days of my life.

His libido is very active. His weak point is his nipples. Once you suck them, he becomes like a lion ready to devour its prey.

He is someone that can take me on for as long as I want. His s*xual prowess is not in doubt. But my mother is not allowing me to enjoy my man alone.

How can my husband be sleeping with me and my mother? It is wrong, shameful and abominable. I am in distress and I dont know how to handle the matter.

It would have been better for my husband to get a girlfriend than sleep with me and my mum.

It is very shameful and an abomination of the highest order. It is wrong of her and it will be very shameful if people get to know about it.

When I left my mum in her room and went back to my room wondering on how to approach my husband on his return, Im sure my mother had informed him about my approach to her.

So when he returned to the house, he looked calm and guilt was written all over him.

When I finally asked him about his affair with my mum, he tried to adjourn the discussion to a later date, but I insisted.

He then sat me down and narrated how he had known my mother while I was away in school, and it was through their relationship that my mother nursed the idea of connecting us for marriage.

Having monitored my attitude, she strongly believed that I could give her daughter the desired comfort. So whatever has happened now was not planned. Let me call it a devilish act.

He confirmed to me that the only mistake he made was to have succumbed to the pressure from my mum. He really apologised and pleaded with me not to take it to heart no matter the level of anger.

Although I am still grappling with this nightmare in my life, I have to control my emotions as I dont want to leave my marriage because of this terrible thing.

I cant also stop my mum from visiting us. She loves my children and cares so much about them, and Im her only daughter.

Doris explained that both her husband and her mother regretted what happened, saying that it was not meant to hurt her but was done out of emotions from past memories.

I dont actually know what to do, though my husband has been begging me to forgive and forget.

My sickness currently is from the mind. Im so confused. The emotional pains are too much for me to bear.

Her friend has, however, advised her to let go of the matter, forgive and forget.



Please, dont react angrily. It is not a matter for public consumption.

Dont let your marriage crash because of this abominable act.

Think of your kids and swallow it because of them, she said.
Social media influencer, Daniel Regha has taken to social media to criticize the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, traveled to Ivory Coast on Friday to watch the match between the Super Eagles and Angola in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Reacting to the development, Daniel Regha took to his Twitter page to criticize Peter Obi following Nigerias 1-0 victory over Angola to qualify for the semi-finals.

He questioned the appropriateness of the politicians journey, especially considering the ongoing crises in Nigeria, including challenges in Obis home state of Anambra.

Regha raised concerns about the priorities of politicians like Peter Obi, suggesting that they should focus on addressing national issues rather than attending sporting events.

The social media critic proposed that such events are better suited for entertainers and influencers, leaving politicians to concentrate on governance responsibilities.

He wrote, Peter Obi is currently in Ivory Coast to do what exactly? Travelling all the way to watch the Super Eagles while Nigeria is currently in crisis, including Anambra State.

Public figures who should be at the stadium are entertainers and influencers, not politicians who should be fixing the nation. This is nothing but a PR move. Misplaced priorities.

This criticism comes shortly after photos of Peter Obi enjoying the match in Ivory Coast surfaced online, showing him smiling and cheering enthusiastically.

KanyiDaily recalls that Daniel Regha recently voiced his opposition to the proposed bill by Senator Ned Nwoko, which aims to legalize the possession of firearms by Nigerians for self-defense purposes.
Michelle Troconis' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, listens to a question from defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 speaks with her defense attorney Audrey Felsen on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Christine Roy, retired forensic science examiner from state forensic labs forensic biology unit, testifies on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, shows a black plastic bag, that is part of the states evidence, to the jury while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, shows a black plastic bag, that is part of the states evidence, to the jury while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from the state forensic labs forensic biology unit, listens to a question from defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn while testifying on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from state forensic labs forensic biology unit, testifies on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks outside the courthouse on day 16 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb. 2, 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 Anita Vailonis, retired forensic science examiner from state forensic labs forensic biology unit, testifies on day 16 of Michelle Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Feb 2, 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  More forensic lab experts testified Friday on Day 16 of the Michelle Troconis trial about evidence collected in the Jennifer Dulos case.

An expert testified Thursday that red stains found on clothing that belonged to Jennifer Dulos tested positive for blood, as did stains on a poncho and a white towel. Earlier this week, a different forensic analyst with the state lab testified that Fotis Dulos' fingerprints were found on several items collected in the investigation into the death and disappearance of his estranged wife, who vanished on May 24, 2019.

According to arrest warrants, the items were found on Albany Avenue in Hartford, where investigators have testified that Fotis Dulos and Troconis were seen on video making a series of stops the night of the disappearance. Investigators said Fotis Dulos also was seen discarding garbage bags, including one that contained his wife's bloody clothing.

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Troconis, 49, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. She is accused of trying to create an alibi for Fotis Dulos the morning of the disappearance and helping to clean a pickup truck police said was used in the crime.

Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder and other charges in the case. Jennifer Dulos has never been found but has been declared legally dead.

Here's a look at what happened Friday on Day 16 of the Troconis trial at the Stamford courthouse:

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Defense questions chain of custody

While being cross-examined by Schoenhorn, Vailonis admitted that she didn't question whether her colleagues properly handled the evidence in the case since they are professionals. Schoenhorn questioned Vailonis whether a sponge that had been pulled out of a garbage bag collected in Hartford could have been contaminated when it was placed in a large bag by state police who had recovered the items.

"I don't see any alternative," Vailnonis said of the process of placing the items found in a larger bag. "I would bag that and take to a secure location and sort through it."

State police had earlier in their testimony said that they gathered bags from Albany Avenue in Hartford, placed them in larger bags and then brought the items to a troop barracks, where they were dumped out onto brown paper to be examined and cataloged.

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Testimony in the trial ended Friday at about 1 p.m. and will resume Monday morning.

Five hairs found, origin so far unknown

A total of five human hairs were sent to be tested for DNA, Vailonis said during testimony. Three of the hairs were from clear plastic bag  that may have been a poncho  that was seized from Albany Avenue and Green Street in Hartford, she said. The fourth hair was from piece of garbage bag also from a trash bin on Albany Avenue and Green Street, Vailonis said.

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The fifth hair was found with a towel, she previously testified. As part of her work, Vailonis said she sent several other swabs from black plastic bags to be tested for DNA. She held up a black plastic bag showing the court where she took swabs and a sample of the bag. She took swabs from the top of the bag because she imagined someone would have picked up the bag or tied it, she said.

Expert: More items connected to case examined

Retired state forensic lab examiner Anita Vailonis took the stand, testifying that a black Husky left glove found with other evidence in garbage bags in Hartford tested positive for blood. Several areas of the glove were swabbed and tested positive for blood, Vailonis said. The swabbings from the glove were submitted for DNA testing, she said.

The right black Huskey glove had a stain that she determined was not blood, she said. But she also swabbed two other areas including some of the stitching of the strap of the glove that did test positive for blood, Vailonis said.

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She also determined that a hair on a towel was from a human and sent the root of the hair to be tested for nuclear DNA. Two pieces of carpeting from the red Tacoma owned by an employee of Fotis Dulos also tested positive for blood, she said.

Lab expert defends amount of testing on samples

The trial started Friday with Troconis' attorney Jon Schoenhorn cross-examining Roy, confirming that she did not know the condition in which some evidence was found by state police.

Roy also discussed the rigorous cleaning process forensic scientists use between examining each piece of evidence to ensure there would be no contamination of the provided samples.

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In his redirect, Assistant State's Attorney Sean McGuinness asked Roy to clarify what she testified to Thursday about why she did not perform confirmatory blood tests on each sample. Roy said if she performed the confirmatory tests, she could be sending the DNA testers less of a sample, potentially reducing the amount of DNA in that sample.

"I don't know how that's going to affect their overall result," she added.

Results of DNA tests likely focus of Friday testimony

Retired Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory forensic analyst Christine Roy testified Thursday that the stained women's shirt and bra found in a trash bin along Albany Avenue in Hartford were covered in human blood.

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Roy also testified that a portion of a poncho, white towel and four 3-foot-long zip ties also were stained with human blood. However, no one has testified yet whose blood was found on the items. According to arrest warrants, the blood belonged to Jennifer Dulos.
. FIDA, women group condemn action

By Chuks Eke

Mrs. Chinenye Okonkwo, wife of late Livinus Okonkwo, a 37-year-old widow and mother of five children whose husband died in 2017,

has called on relevant authorities to come to her aide, following an attempt by her brother-in-law, Boniface Okonkwo to evict her from her late husbands matrimonial home at Umuodiliogu family of Umunakwa Ifite village, Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

She lamented that apart from evicting her, Boniface also used almost all the cement blocks moulded by her late husband, when he was still alive for the purpose of building a house, to build his own house and also encroached into her husbands own portion of their family land where he erected his own house.

Speaking to newsmen at their family compound at Oraifite on Friday, Chinenye disclosed that efforts by the entire Umuodiliogu family to stop Boniface from evicting her from her late husbands home proved abortive as he had succeeded in forcing her out of the matrimonial home, leading to her currency living in a rented apartment with her children somewhere else for some years now.

She further lamented that despite the intervention of other community leaders, the International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA and other Women cooperative established by Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, SEOF, the brother-in-law refused to release her husbands landed properties to her, thereby forcing her and her children to seek refuge outside the Okonkwo compound.

She said, My husband died in 2017 at the age of 45. Since then, his brother, Boniface Okonkwo, popularly known as Overheat, encroached into my late husbands land. He carried the entire blocks my husband had moulded and used them for his own house.

When I confronted him about my husbands blocks, he said he has used them. After several attempts of resisting his nefarious acts on me, he forcefully ejected me from my husbands house with the use of thugs.

He asked me to leave and that I should go and look for someone else to remarry me since I am still young. Right now, I have become homeless and also struggling to pay both house rent and childrens school fees.

She, however, pleaded with the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene in the matter so that she and her children will not remain homeless.

The Chairman of Umuodilogu kindred, Chief Francis Okafor, also condemned the actions of the widows brother-in-law, saying that the community has waded into the matter, and the brother-in-law, Boniface Okonkwo is currently in police custody in connection with a petition written against him by another member of the family simply identified as Ogilisi Igbo.

Commenting on the development, the Coordinator of Sir Emeka Of for Foundation, SEOF,, Sir Anthony Obi told newsmen that the foundation had included Chinenye among those that would benefit from the third phase of the foundations Touch Alive Housing Project which involved building a bungalow, furnishing it and handing it over to her like they did to over 30 other beneficiaries in Phase One and Phase Two projects over the years.

Mrs. Ogechi Izuka, leader of the widows under SEOF, said she led Chinenye to FIFA to lay her complaint, adding that FIDA is currently considering going court against Boniface.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Commands spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed tBoniface Okonkwo was in the police custody over a petition written against him by another person.

Yes, he was arrested over a petition brought to us against him. We are about to conclude investigation before he will be arraigned, in court , Ikenga added.

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The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, now known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Dawah wal-Jihad, has carried out a midnight attack on a police station in Gajiram, Borno State, resulting in the killing of at least four policemen.

Gajiram is located about 73 kilometers to the restive capital of the North Eastern State of Borno.

Military sources confirmed the attack to SaharaReporters on Saturday afternoon as well as a security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 1am on Saturday, according to Makama.

According to him, the terrorists disguised themselves and sneaked into the town Friday midnight and went straight to the police quarters.

They subsequently opened fire on some policemen, killing four of them.

Sources said Mobile Policemen at the Police quarters engaged the terrorists in heavy gun battle which prevented them from burning down the quarters, he posted.

It was learnt that when the troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Gajiram stormed the scene, they (the terrorists) had fled.

Since the death of JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad.

The sects membership has swollen with the defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau.

The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated.

Meanwhile, the terrorists have caused the death of thousands of people and displacement of millions of others mainly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
Grace Jimoh, the baby mama of actor Yomi Fabiyi, has criticized him for describing their son, Akorede, as the result of a torn condom.

Yomi received backlash on the internet over a trending video shared on his Instagram page on Friday.

In the viral clip, the actor berated the Nigeria custom service over the poor quality of condoms imported into the country. Insisting that many children were born today as a result of a torn condom.

Reacting to the video on her Instagram page, Grace stressed that the actor was excited when she told him about the news of her pregnancy.



Ngbeke feeling funkky, you wey be say dem suppose carry your head go river go wash off dey feel funkky. See someone that was crying that he finally got one when I broke the news of being pregnant, can you explain how you were being happy? He is now a product of torn condom?

Anything for social media validation, or to make me feel bad? Taaaa, I owe my son the best of life even in death, I will do anything to make him happy, dont worry, I will help you out, its just a matter of time. I now see the reason they ran away with your first child, it really worth it, you are not worthy to be called a FATHER.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has declared that those responsible for the abduction and murder of traditional rulers in the country will face the consuming fire of God.

Pastor Adeboye said anyone who attempts to interfere with Nigerias traditional rulers will not find peace.

He spoke during the churchs monthly Holy Ghost Service programme tagged From The Mountain Top 2.



The fire of God will consume all those trying to mess around with our traditional rulers.

Because, as far as God is concerned, traditional rulers are anointed, Adeboye said.

Recall that the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsola, were assassinated on Monday while returning from a meeting in Irele-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Some students and instructors were also kidnapped in the coordinated attacks, with the gunmen making a comeback on Thursday.

The Koro of Olukoro, General Segun Aremu (retd), in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State was also killed in his palace while his wife was abducted.
A soldier, attached to the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, the Ondo State, Lance Corporal Sunday Awolola, who was alleged to have raped a 300-level student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA), was on Wednesday arraigned at the Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The 33-year-old Awolola was brought into the court premises by the officers of Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force around 9:30am.

The suspect was charged for having committed a rape, contrary to section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the criminal code cap 37 vol. Laws of the Ondo state of Nigeria.

Awolola, before his trial, had been dismissed by army authorities last week.

The suspect was said to have had carnal knowledge of the student on the July 31, at Ikare-Akoko military check point, while the student was returning from the campus in Akungba-Akoko.

The offence according to the charge sheet is punishable under section 358 of the criminal code cap 37 volume 1 of the Ondo state of Nigeria.

Chief Magistrate Mayowa Olanipekun adjourned the case till Friday August 16, to give counsel to the suspect enough time to study the charge levelled against the soldier.

He said because the case was filed just filed on Wednesday morning, there was the need to give the suspect and his counsel time to study the case.

The case attracted various interest groups who came to court to witness the session.
A Group, the Workbond International Network (WIN), has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the crisis at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

It said the governor should set up a visitation panel to resolve the crisis.

The groups Executive Director, Omotaje Olawale, said a panel recognised by the statute of the university would tackle the crisis, adding that it should comprise credible individuals, whose pedigree would be devoid of politics and compromise.

He spoke yesterday in Ogba, Lagos, during a news conference organised by WIN, in collaboration with the United Action for Democracy (UAD).

Read Also: Sanwo-Olus wife urges Lagosians to be united

Olawale said the demand is the only panacea for a lasting peace in the institution.

He enjoined the governor not to allow the university wallow in crisis, regardless of the facade of peace and orderliness presented by the management.

UAD General Secretary Kunle Ajayi said the panel to be set up by the governor should be democratic because the institution is meant to be run democratically.

He added that the panel should consist of students, workers, union members and others.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lambasted his counterpart from Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje over plans to drag him to court for the demolition of Rainbow Town Central Mosque located at the Trans-Amadi Area of Port Harcourt.

Despite that Wike had come out and denied demolishing any Mosque in Port Harcourt, Ganduje threatened to institute legal action against the Rivers Governor, as well contest it with appropriate authorities for redress.

In reaction, Wike who described the Kano Governor as Gandollar, said he is not a dollar bill which Ganduje can pocket sheepishly and recklessly.

A statement issued by Wikes Media Aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, reads:

It beats my imagination that Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje is still in the habit of making irresponsible comments about Rivers State. Up till now, Ganduje is yet to realise that Governor Wike is not dollars that he can pocket recklessly and sheepishly.

I saw a statement released by Abdulahi Umar Ganduje. He said that he will sue Governor Wike over the falsehood that a Mosque was demolished in Port Harcourt. For the umpteenth time, no Mosque was demolished by Governor Wike. No Mosque was demolished by the Rivers State Government.

The story was a fabrication by one Alhaji Tobacco. The fabrication was orchestrated by Daily Trust and The Nation Newspapers for obvious mischievous political reasons. These baseless press releases confirm the ugly plot.

Several journalists and civil society groups have visited the disputed land and no traces of any Mosque were found at the location. Governor Wike personally led journalists to the disputed land and the world saw that no Mosque existed there.

On Saturday, the Rivers State Islamic Leader/Vice President General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Uhor stated that there was no physical structure of a Mosque at the disputed land at Rainbow Town in Port Harcourt. He said the insinuation that any structure was at that location was not true. He also admitted that a Rivers State High Court confirmed that the disputed land belongs to the Rivers State Government.

Suit Number PHC/986/2012 between Registered Trustees of Trans-Amadi Mosque, Port Harcourt (Claimant) and the Commissioner, Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rivers State, the Governor of Rivers State and the Attorney General of Rivers State (Defendants) was resolved by Justice G.O. Omereji on Tuesday, 27th November, 2018. This matter pre-dated Governor Wike.

Justice Omereji of the Rivers State High Court held that: The defendants have in Exhibits J, J1 and J2 inclusive of Exhibit K, which is the Certificate of Title, established that the land, the subject matter of this suit, was acquired in 1959 by the Government.

My humble opinion is that the claimants have not established that they have better title to the land, the subject matter of this suit and they have not established that at the material time they were in possession and that the defendants do not have better title to the land.

The Court further ruled that the claimants had no approval to build on the disputed land.

The entire world is aware of the above facts. Nobody has circulated any photographs or videos of the said Mosque that Ganduje and other APC Chieftains are harping on. They merely want to use a non-existent Mosque story to score ugly political points.

Pray, what redress would Ganduje be seeking in court when he sues Governor Wike? Would Ganduje tell the court to relegate the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning and enthrone its Kano State Counterpart? Would Ganduje be asking the Court to hand over jurisdiction to Kano State High Court?

Under the Land Use Act, the governor is responsible for allocation of land in all urban areas to individuals resident in the state or to organizations for residential, agricultural, commercial and other purposes. Perhaps, Ganduje would be telling the Court to deny the Rivers State Governor of such powers, while he retains same powers under the Land Use Act in Kano State.

The Press Statement attributed to Ganduje is a confirmation that this country is at its lowest point. This is the worst form of administrative ignorance.

As a Governor with a bruised ego, Ganduje thinks that this religious falsehood would afford him a backdoor entry into the national good book. Sadly, he has exposed himself as a terribly ignorant leader who basks in baseless claims.

The disputed land is already before the court, as the Registered Trustees of Trans-Amadi Mosque, Port Harcourt (Claimant) sued the Rivers State Government in 2012. Having lost at the Court of First instance, these trustees have appealed the judgment.

GANDOLLARS MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN, On December 8, 2016, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, as Chairman of the Rivers State APC Election Rerun Campaign Committee, threatened violence on Rivers people at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

Alongside several APC Governors, Ganduje Ganduje called on APC Thugs to unleash mayhem on Rivers electorate for the purpose of rigging the rerun elections. He claimed that the aim was to ensure that the APC took control of the House of Assembly for the purpose of impeaching Governor Wike.

The APC Federal Government deployed 57,000 security personnel, billions of naira, millions of dollars, Jet Fighters and Gunboats for the rerun elections. Rivers people stood with Governor Wike and the APC was roundly defeated. Rivers people rejected the plot to pocket Governor Wike by the APC rigging machine.

GOVERNOR WIKE IS NOT DOLLARS. Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, a man who enjoys bribery and falsehood, must realise that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is not dollars that he pockets with ridiculous abandon. Governor Wike is a lover of the rule of law, due process, religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He cannot be intimidated by the illiterate threat of lawsuit from a man of low moral standing.

Gandollars, sorry, Ganduje is still talking because he thinks that Nigerians have forgotten about his crime against his people.
Adoke, who was said to have arrived Dubai on Monday, November 11, for a scheduled medical check-up, was quizzed by the Interpol and then taken into custody following the mix-up.

Mohammed Bello Adoke

Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation, has been held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, by Interpol following confusion over a warrant of arrest that has already been vacated, TheCable understands.

A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja had issued a warrant of arrest against Adoke and four others on April 17, 2019 following a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the controversial OPL 245 deal executed by the federal government in 2011.

However, following an application by Adokes lawyers, the court, presided over by D. Z. Senchi, vacated the warrant on October 25, 2019, declaring it null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

TheCable understands that while the first order was sent to Interpol by the Nigerian police, the vacating order was not transmitted, thereby creating confusion for the multinational force.

Adoke, who was said to have arrived Dubai on Monday, November 11, for a scheduled medical check-up, was quizzed by the Interpol and then taken into custody following the mix-up.

A source who is in the know of the development said the police are asking for a certified copy of the vacating order before they can release him and allow him to proceed for his medicals.

TheCable could not immediately establish from where he flew into Dubai, with different sources saying China and Rwanda.

Adoke has been on self-exile since 2015, accusing the EFCC of trying to humiliate him and maintaining that he did no wrong in the OPL 245 affair.

He recently published his memoirs, Burden Of Service: Reminiscences of Nigerias former Attorney-General, detailing his role in the OPL 245/Malabu Oil deal as well as other events that happened in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, which he served as AGF from 2010 to 2015.


Landon Spradlin

A pastor and traveling musician who claimed that the coronavirus pandemic was the result of mass hysteria from the media has died from the deadly virus.

66-year-old Landon Spradlin from Gretna in Virginia, passed away this week at the Atrium Health Cabarrus hospital, in Concord, North Carolina, after teasing positive for coronavirus.

According to Danville Register & Bee, Landon had both bronchitis and a small case of pneumonia, and had already tested negative for the coronavirus while in New Orleans.

On March 17, Landon Spradlin and his wife were returning home from a traveling ministry when he fell ill. As his health issues became serious, Jean Spradlin tried to pull her husband out of the car during a stop in Concord, North Carolina, the publication reported.

When I got his feet on the ground they crumpled, she said.

He was rushed to the Atrium Health Cabarrus, a hospital in Concord, where doctors placed him on a ventilator and diagnosed him with double pneumonia, meaning both lungs were infected, the report added.

Spradlin later tested positive for COVID-19 in the hospital and died on Wednesday. He is among the first people from Virginia to die from Covid-19.

Before his death, Spradlin shared a misleading meme on March 13, comparing coronavirus deaths to swine flu deaths and said that the pandemic was the result of mass hysteria from the media.

He also suggested that the media is using the pandemic to hurt President Donald Trump.

In the comment, Spradlin said the outbreak is a real issue, but added that he believes the media is pumping out fear and doing more harm than good



It will come and it will go, he wrote.

Facebook has since flagged the post as displaying partly false information after being reviewed by independent fact-checkers.
Editor's note: The video that appears at the bottom of this story contains footage and language that some viewers may find disturbing.

NORMAL  Taylor Brown, the 19-year-old who is suing the Normal Police Department alleging that she was battered, searched and detained without cause in February 2023, was indicted in January on aggravated battery charges stemming from the incident.

As a result of the indictment and other information discovered since the suit was filed, Brown's attorneys, Abby Bakos and Ronak Maisuria, have requested leave to withdraw from her civil case, according to court documents.

Neither Brown nor Bakos could be reached for comment Friday.

According to Brown's lawsuit, she agreed to be taken to the Normal Police Department to answer questions about a fire that had broken out at her Parktrail Road apartment between midnight and 1 a.m. on Feb. 9.

After waiting for about 40 minutes to speak with an officer, she was told to wait in the lobby. She was then approached by an officer who asked for her cell phone to be seized as evidence.

When she refused to relinquish her phone and declined to be interviewed by a detective, body cam footage of the incident shows officers attempted to take the phone from Brown's hands and a struggle ensued.

According to the complaint, officers had grabbed Brown's wrist, applied pressure to the back of her ear, pulled her to the ground and placed a knee on her back. The suit also alleges her Fourth Amendment rights were violated and she was battered during the encounter, which left her with bruises, sore muscles, cuts to her wrists and emotional trauma.

Brown is seeking "an award of reasonable compensatory and punitive damages, plus costs" and demanding a jury trial, the complaint reads.

In November, the parties filed a joint motion to delay proceedings, as they noted in a court filing that a criminal indictment against Brown was anticipated. A judge granted that motion on Nov. 29.

Brown was charged Jan. 17 with two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer in connection with the same incident that prompted her federal lawsuit. According to the bill of indictment, Brown is accused of striking officers Serena Cunningham and Kyle McComber. She does not face charges related to the fire that preceded the interaction with police that night.

Her arraignment is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 16.

Brad Rigdon, first assistant state's attorney for McLean County, said his office has requested the appointment of a special prosecutor for Brown's criminal case.

The charges were filed by Tom Brown of the Office of the Illinois State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Three days after the indictment, Taylor Brown's attorneys filed a motion to withdraw as counsel.

According to this motion, information came to light during the discovery process that was previously unknown to counsel some time after Sept. 15.

The next motion hearing on Brown's civil suit is scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 15.

Everything you need to know about going to Super Bowl LVIII Everything you need to know about going to Super Bowl LVIII What is the Super Bowl?
The Norwalk Public Library. H John Voorhees III The parking lot at 11 Belden Ave. on Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Norwalk, Conn. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Intersections along West Ave. Wednesday, September 8, 2021, in Norwalk, Conn. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Norwalk purchased 3 Belden Ave. to provide parking for the library in June 2023. Now, the city has acquired another parking lot at 11 Belden Ave. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Norwalk purchased 3 Belden Ave. to provide parking for the library in June 2023. Now, the city has acquired another parking lot at 11 Belden Ave. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK The city of Norwalk acquired the parking lot at 11 Belden Ave. through eminent domain from real estate developer Jason Milligan to provide parking for the main library branch.

"The procurement of the property marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to expand parking for patrons of the Main Library," said the city's statement announcing their ownership of the property. "The acquisition follows the expiration of a six-year lease of the property in August 2023."

The city now owns the 0.258-acre lot at 11 Belden Ave., while Milligan owns the rest of the property, which includes a brick building with an M&T Bank.

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Milligan previously rented the 0.258-acre lot to the city for six years. The lease agreement included an option for the city to purchase all of 11 Belden Ave., which the Common Council voted against in June. Instead, the city moved forward with plans to acquire only the 0.258-acre parking lot, a decision Milligan said he agreed with.

"I agree with the decision for the city only to acquire the parking area rather than the entire parcel," Milligan said. "I did not contest the city taking that portion of my property because the library is an important part of the neighborhood, and previous administrations never provided enough parking for it to thrive."

Mayor Harry Rilling and library officials celebrated the long-desired acquisition.

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"The city's acquisition of the adjacent parking lot is a historic victory for the Norwalk Public Library because it assures patrons of essential on-site parking while preserving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the library to expand and modernize its now-outdated physical facilities," said Alex Knopp, former mayor and former chairman of the Norwalk Library Board. "This successful conclusion to our seven-year campaign to save library parking is a major accomplishment for the Rilling Administration."

Knopp was a key figure in negotiating the six-year lease between the city and Milligan.

"Our libraries are the cornerstone of our community," Rilling said. "Our Main Library sees over 26,000 visitors a month and hosts several annual events that draw hundreds of visitors thanks to the incredible work of our library staff."

"We are proud to be the owner of this parking lot and support our community's love for our library," Rilling added.

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The city and Milligan have not agreed on the compensation Milligan will receive in exchange for his parcel of land, he said.

"I am thrilled that the Mayor, his chief of staff, and other council members have continually assured me that they want to pay just compensation for the parcel, which of course is required when using eminent domain," Milligan said.

Over the spring and summer of 2023, Milligan tried to work out a deal for the parking lot with the city, including offering to sell the lot for $1.75 million in June. Milligan said he also met with Rilling to discuss the sale, but a deal was never settled on.

The city's lease for the library parking expired on Aug. 31, 2023. Shortly before the expiration, the city began the process to acquire the parking lot. The Common Council moved a resolution to "purchase, acquire and/or take" a 0.258-acre piece of land at 11 Belden Ave. on Sept. 12, 2023.

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In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes on eminent domain guidelines, the city engaged in six months of good-faith negotiations with Milligan; however, Milligan said he would rather the city take the property and have the value decided by the court.

"I anticipate us working together through the court to ensure market value based upon the parcel's highest and best use is provided, and any diminution in the value of the remaining parcel by taking one of the means of ingress and egress," Milligan said.

Located at 1 Belden Ave, Norwalk's main library branch is slated for a major expansion and renovation. This summer, the city also acquired 3 Belden Ave for $1.42 million for the expansion and to provide more parking.

"Norwalk is not only culturally diverse, but it is also ability diverse," said Sherelle Harris, director of the Norwalk Library. "Library accessibility for all patrons is vital. I am both grateful and proud that Mayor Rilling and his team have achieved a final solution.

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"It just makes sense to have the two adjacent parking lots at 1 Belden Avenue and 11 Belden Avenue for library patrons," Harris added.

In April, the city also secured a two-year lease for $12,600 a year for 30 additional parking spots at the Eagles Club lot at 6 Mott Ave.
Puma Energy Ghana, a leading energy company, has reiterated its commitment to enabling access to energy and specifically clean cooking solutions as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Michael S. Regan, visited its affiliate LPG (liquified petroleum gas) bottling facility.



The visit, attended by Mr. Michael S. Regan, the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer, was aimed at familiarising them with Puma Energy Ghana's LPG operations and the important role it plays in enabling access to LPG in Ghana.



In sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 970 million people lack access to clean cooking fuels and technologies according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), LPG plays a vital role in the energy mix. Many households rely on solid fuels such as wood and charcoal, or kerosene, leading to environmental and health hazards. Household air pollution, predominantly from cooking smoke, is linked to 2.5 million premature deaths globally, while the use of wood also contributes to deforestation.



Puma Energy provides safe, reliable, and affordable energy solutions across sub-Saharan African Africa, and is encouraging the transition to cleaner cooking fuels and solar power. Its commitment to enabling access to lower carbon-emitting fuels is evidenced by the companys recent acquisition of Zambian-based Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplier OGAZ, and its purchase of a 49 percent stake in MBHE, which provides renewable energy project development, implementation, and maintenance across southern Africa. Both acquisitions will strengthen Puma Energys capacity across its key markets.



Puma Energys LPG strategy for the sub-Saharan Africa region is to ensure availability, accessibility, and affordability. This involves centralising supply management; setting up mobile cylinder-filling plants managed by local communities to bring the LPG closer to the end user; and working with regulators to allow consumers to buy LPG in small quantities that they can afford as they would charcoal, wood, or kerosene.



During the visit, Mr. Regan acknowledged the importance of enabling access to sustainable energy. "Access to clean and affordable energy is essential for economic development, reducing poverty, and mitigating the effects of climate change," said Administrator Regan. "Cleaner cooking solutions are not just better for the environment; they are better for your health.



Commenting on the company's commitment to enabling clean cooking, Mr. Zwelithini Mlotshwa, General Manager of Puma Energy Ghana, said, LPG is a safe, convenient, and cost-effective way to energise our communities, to enable cleaner cooking, and reduce the negative impacts of burning traditional cooking fuels. Beyond domestic use, LPG is a vital energy source for commercial and industrial applications, including in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools, and shopping malls.



U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.



"It's essential to invest in clean cooking solutions. Working together with government entities and stakeholders, we can create positive change and improve the lives and health of the Ghanaian people," Ambassador Palmer said.



Puma Energy's LPG bottling plant, located in Tema, is a US$6 million, state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to deliver 1200 cylinders of various sizes per hour. It adheres to strict health and safety standards, ensuring the production of high-quality LPG for domestic and commercial use. The plant will enable the rollout of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) initiative in line with the Ghanaian government's agenda to encourage the use of LPG to attain a penetration target of 50% by 2030, ensure safety and accessibility, and improve energy efficiency.



Puma Energy Ghana's LPG offering complements the solarization of 10 retail sites and the rollout of solar energy offerings to industrial and commercial customers. It is also developing its LNG business in 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 Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced plans to officially hand over several rehabilitated farms across cocoa regions to beneficiary farmers next month, in a bid to bolster cocoa production.



This initiative aims to significantly increase annual cocoa stocks, translating into more income for farmers and other stakeholders.



At the 2024 National Chocolate Week Celebration launch in Accra, Emmanuel Ray Ankrah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer-COCOBOD  speaking on behalf of Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer-COCOBOD, highlighted the importance of productivity enhancement programmes such as pruning, mass-spraying and pollination to ensure increased cocoa production.



Addressing the ongoing cocoa beans shortage, Mr. Ankrah acknowledged various factors contributing to the phenomenon  including illegal mining, climate change, disease and pest attacks as well as cocoa smuggling. Despite these challenges, he emphasized COCOBODs success in productivity-enhancing and price-guard initiatives over the past seven years.



Our mandate to promote local cocoa consumption reflects our commitment to nurturing cocoa and securing sustainable incomes for our farmers, stated Mr. Ankrah.



He outlined the boards policy of providing support for local value addition to cocoa; allowing artisanal chocolate makers to purchase cocoa beans directly from the Cocoa Marketing Company Ltd., a subsidiary of COCOBOD.



Mr. Ankrah underscored the significance of supporting small-scale processors to reduce production costs and unemployment while encouraging innovation and diversification in production lines. He called for a multifaceted approach to address both demand-side and supply-side dynamics in the cocoa sector.



The National Planning Committee for Promotion of Cocoa Consumption, in collaboration with key stakeholders, focused on the youth as a potential market for this years celebration. Initiatives like Chocolate City at the Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout and Nationwide Campaign aim to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits and cultural significance of cocoa.



Since 2017, COCOBOD has implemented schemes to process at least 50 percent of cocoa produced annually in Ghana  with the goal of increasing per capita consumption from 0.45kg to at least 1kg within a 57-year period. An assessment in 2016/17 identified 12 cocoa processing companies with an installed capacity of 500,000mt but which have low processing levels. By 2019, more than 40 percent of the years cocoa output was locally processed, marking a significant improvement.



Mr. Ankrah emphasised the need to consolidate gains made in increasing per capita consumption and enhance strategic focus areas to achieve maximum impact. He cited Europe and the Americas, where per capita cocoa consumption ranges from 7kg to 11kg, as benchmarks for further growth in Ghanas cocoa industry.

Source: B&FT









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South African cuisine is rich and diverse, and there's something for everyone to enjoy.



From sweet treats like koeksisters and malva pudding to savoury dishes like boboties and boerewors, you will surely find something tantalising your taste buds.



You, however, need to travel to South Africa to have a taste of these cuisines just like the others.



Visa Free



Travellers between Ghana and South Africa will no longer need visas. The two countries announced a visa-waiver scheme on 1 November, allowing citizens to travel freely between them.



The visa waiver allows for travel for periods of up to 90 days within a calendar year, for purposes of business or tourism.



The 90 days may be used in one block, or in incremental amounts until the 90-day total within a calendar year is reached.



The two countries hope the agreement will boost tourism and will help to deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.



It is also part of a growing trend of African nations moving towards free travel for citizens of the continent.



About South Africa Tourism West Africa



South African Tourism West Africa is the national tourism agency responsible for marketing South Africa as a destination across Nigeria and Ghana.



The Agency's objectives are to develop and implement marketing strategies efficiently in the specific market segments, promote South Africa's scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, ecotourism, and variety of cultures and heritage, realise South Africa's potential as a big event destination; engender a travel and tourism culture among Africans; use the more focused, cost-effective and customer-driven approach taken to its international marketing operations in a quest to play smarter' in the increasingly competitive global tourism market; continue including initiatives such as ongoing segmentation research into key spend and volume markets abroad, which highlight international growth areas where South African Tourism's marketing efforts will reap the greatest returns; continue with its aggressive e-Business Tourism Growth Strategy, which incorporates fully-fledged research and a website; create market access by participating in major travel shows, coordinate advertising, public relations and direct mailing campaigns, and conduct familiarising trips with media, tour operators and travel agents to enhance understanding of South Africa as a leisure and business events destination.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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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.
African music will receive recognition at Sunday's prestigious Grammys with its own category, as it has become a "part of pop music", the man behind the awards told the BBC.



Harvey Mason Jr said he is "excited" at the inclusion of the Best African Music Performance category.



Tyla, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy and Davido are among the nominated artists.



While their work is celebrated some critics say an award for African music should have been included long ago.



Ian Brennan, a Grammy award-winning record producer, who has worked with several African artists, told the BBC that while all this was "progress" it was "long overdue".



Africans artists have won Grammys in the past. South African Miriam Makeba was the first in 1966 when she picked up the prize for Best Folk Recording for her collaboration with Harry Belafonte. There have been several others including Nigerian Burna Boy, who won in 2021 for Best Global Music Album.



But for Mr Brennan, the Grammys have long had a blind spot for music from the continent.



"There are no African artists in the Lifetime Achievement Award area of the Grammys," he said.



The decision to include an Africa-specific award came about because music from the continent is now "prevalent everywhere in the world", Mr Mason Jr, who is CEO of the Recording Academy, told the BBC's Newsday programme.



He became the first black person to be in charge of the Grammy awards in 2021 and has been working to better represent the breadth of popular music.



He admitted that the Grammys, considered to be among the most prestigious music awards, typically honours American music. But he added that the awards are "fluid, adjusting, and pivoting" and they are trying to include music outside of the West.



This year's Grammys ceremony in Los Angeles will also feature a performance from Burna Boy, who will be the first Afrobeats performer ever to do so.

Source: BBC









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The United States uses zip codes, and there are currently 41,704 codes pointing to different delivery points across the country.

The zip stands for "Zone Improvement Plan," a 1963 program to enhance mail sorting and deliver mail more efficiently. It did more to identify locations; postal codes also made it easier to establish mailing routes.

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The U.S. Postal Service started using zip codes on July 1, 1963. This new system cut down on the amount of sorting  mail previously went through about 17 stops  for post offices. Zip codes replaced an older system that eventually became too cumbersome as the need for more postal zones increased.

Deciphering U.S. Zip Codes

The five digits each correspond to a specific area. For example, the first digit ranges from 0 to 9 and is for the general area. The number 0 is for the Northeast area, and 9 is for the West Coast, Hawaii and Alaska. The two numbers that follow are for the regional area and the last two numbers are for the post office or postal zone.

Modern-day postal codes in the United States have remained mostly the same, though some changes have taken root. For example, in 1983, there was an addition of the +4 Code, the four additional digits that follow a zip code, which made post codes even more specific and deliveries more expedient.

99701: The Jolliest Zip Code

To help bring attention to the five-digit zip code, the Post Office enlisted Santa Claus' help. It encouraged children to address letters to Santa with his new zip code: 99701.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The European Parliament voted against a proposal to curb the use of agricultural pesticides in November 2023. These chemicals, designed to protect crop yield from pest insects and other organisms, can contaminate the water and air and threaten the people and wildlife that maintain the vitality of our landscapes.

In some respects, Europe and its governing bodies lead the world in setting and achieving sustainability goals. The EU parliament's failure to restrict pesticide use stands in contrast to this notion, not to mention international pledges.

Our research shows that efficient use of pesticides in farming will be essential to maintaining the health of bumblebees in particularone of the most important pollinators of crops and wildflowers.

Lab results vs the real world

Decades of laboratory experiments have tested thousands of pesticides to show that they can be individually fatal to bees. Such toxicity tests evaluate the potential harm of these compounds before they are used to inform pesticide regulations.

But do the effects documented in laboratory tests represent what happens when these chemicals are used in the environment? Field-based tests of pesticides are rare and, like laboratory tests, they typically look at single compounds. This is a problem because field-based monitoring has shown that bees are actually exposed to multiple compounds through their foraging across agricultural landscapes.

Many different pesticides, including those highly toxic to bees, have been found in bee bodies, their food and the structures that make up their nests, like wax and soil.

Although it may seem logical to assume that chemicals shown to be toxic in the lab will have similar effects in the field, we know that where chemicals end up and persist in the environment varies and that the impact on bees can differ depending on numerous social and ecological factors.

Until now, it was unclear how exposure to multiple pesticides across landscapes affected how pollinators grow, survive and reproduce. Our new work shows that this real-world exposure significantly threatens the health of bumblebees.

Colonies at risk

We placed more than 300 commercially-reared bumblebee colonies at 106 sites on farmland in eight European countries. We collected pollen samples from the colonies and screened them for 267 pesticides.

We found that the pollen that bumblebees collected and stored in their nests was contaminated with multiple pesticides, an average of eight different compounds per colonythe most contaminated colony contained 27 different compounds. We calculated the risk posed by pesticides to each colony by accounting for the amount and toxicity of different pesticides found in their pollen.

We also tracked the performance of bumblebee colonies by weighing them before, during and after they were deployed in agricultural landscapes and by counting all the bees at the end of the experiment.

Colony growth, measured as the change in a colony's weight over time, was lower in colonies with a higher pesticide risk. Bumblebees also produced fewer offspring in these colonies than in those with a low pesticide risk. These effects were worse in landscapes with lots of cropland, demonstrating the importance of semi-natural habitats and other flower-rich areas for pollinator populations.

To protect pollinators, a proposal from the European Food Safety Authority would ensure that bumblebee colonies do not lose more than 10% colony strength, measured as the number of bees in a colony, due to pesticide use. Yet, over the course of our study, 64% of the bumblebee colonies we studied lost more than this compared to colonies in the least risky places.

Despite having among the most stringent pesticide regulatory processes in the world, our study showed that the EU is failing to protect the organisms these chemicals are not supposed to target, like bees.

Monitor pesticides like drugs

The proposal struck down in late 2023 may go for a second reading in the European Parliament. But with 299 MEPs having previously voted against it, we are not optimistic about its chances. Instead, we draw hope from ongoing efforts to improve environmental risk assessments of farming chemicals and developments at COP28, the most recent UN climate change conference in Dubai.

Pesticide risk assessments can benefit from lessons learned regulating pharmaceuticals. Like pesticides, pharmaceuticals undergo pre-approval testing with phased pre- and clinical trials before they are licensed for use. But once a drug has been licensed, long-term monitoring safeguards against unexpected effects when used at scale. This type of post-approval monitoring under real-world conditions is urgently needed for pesticides.

This shouldn't replace pre-approval testing. Our experience has simply shown that pesticides that clear laboratory tests, such as neonicotinoids, are only revealed to be harmful through post-approval field testing using bees other than honeybees, which are unusual for their large colony sizes and complex social behavior. Our approach for monitoring pesticides and their effects on non-target species could be part of future pollinator risk assessments.

Of course, it would be better to change the way pesticides are used in agriculture altogether and lessen the demand on farmers to use them. We are tentatively optimistic about commitments made at COP28, including a US$17 billion fund to develop methods of farming that are resilient to climate change and less reliant on chemicals.

One of the largest initiatives, with partners including The Nature Conservancy, Google, and the Brazilian state of Para, would encourage regenerative farming practices, such as reduced tillage and lower pesticide use.

This, we hope, is progress.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The fires have enveloped Valparaiso in a thick mushroom cloud of smoke.

Chilean firefighters were battling rapidly expanding wildfires Saturday that officials fear have claimed around 10 lives and are threatening hundreds of homes, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency.

About a dozen fires have been raging since Friday.

The blazes are concentrated in the Vina del Mar and Valparaiso tourist regions, where they have ravaged thousands of hectares of forest, cloaked coastal cities in a dense fog of gray smoke and forced people to flee their homes.

"We have preliminary information that several people have died, around 10," said Sofia Gonzales Cortes, state representative for the central region of Valparaiso.

In the towns of Estrella and Navidad, southwest of the capital, the fires have burned nearly 30 homes, and forced evacuations near the surfing resort of Pichilemu.

"I've never seen anything like it," 63-year-old Yvonne Guzman told AFP. When the flames started to close in on her home in Quilpue, she fled with her elderly mother, only to find themselves trapped in traffic for hours.

"It's very distressing, because we've evacuated the house but we can't move forward. There are all these people trying to get out and who can't move," she said.

'Extreme'

On Friday, Chilean President Gabriel Boric decreed "a state of emergency due to catastrophe, in order to have all the necessary resources" to fight the fires.

A state of emerency has been declared over raging forest fires in Chile.

The blazes are concentrated in the Vina del Mar and Valparaiso tourist regions, where they have ravaged thousands of hectares of forest.

"All forces are deployed in the fight against the forest fires," he said in a message posted to social media platform X.

Emergency services were set to meet Saturday morning to assess the situation.

Around 7,000 hectares have already been burned in Valparaiso alone, according to CONAF, the Chilean national forest authority, which called the blazes "extreme."

Images filmed by trapped motorists have gone viral online, showing mountains in flames at the end of the famous "Route 68", a road used by thousands of tourists to get to the Pacific coast beaches.

On Friday, authorities closed the road, which links Valparaiso to the capital Santiago, as a huge mushroom cloud of smoke "reduced visibility".

The fires are being driven by a summer heatwave and drought affecting the southern part of South America caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon, as scientists warn that a warming planet has increased the risk of natural disasters such as intense heat and fires.

As Chile and Colombia battle rising temperatures, the heatwave is also threatening to sweep over Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil in the coming days.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Overfishing has dire consequences for ocean health and for the millions of people who depend on fish for food and well-being. Globally, catch has been steadily declining since the 1990s. It's a trend that's likely to continue if we fail to act now.

Nearly all governments, including Australia's, subsidize their fishing industries. Financial support comes in many forms, from taxpayer-funded fuel to reduced boat-building costs. These subsidies are harmful because they encourage overfishing. Some of the most environmentally damaging and least efficient fishing activities, such as bottom trawling and distant water fishing, would become unprofitable and cease without government subsidies.

Scientists worldwide are rallying for stringent regulations to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies, which totaled a whopping US$22 billion in 2018. Safeguarding the ocean will strengthen food security and allow more equitable distribution of marine resources.

Trade ministers from around the world are set to convene later this month in Abu Dhabi at a key meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In an open letter published today, we are among 36 marine experts calling on the WTO to adopt ambitious regulations promoting fisheries sustainability and equity, and to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies.

A long-awaited agreement

International pressure from scientists helped to broker an earlier agreement on fishing subsidies, which is yet to be ratified.

In October 2021, 300 experts published an article in Nature calling for an end to harmful subsidies in the fishing sector.

After decades of fruitless negotiations, the WTO finally reached an agreement on fisheries subsidies in June 2022.

Once ratified by two-thirds of WTO members, this agreement will partially address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 14.6 to eliminate harmful subsidies.

Unfortunately, while this agreement is historic, it is narrow. It only prohibits member governments from financing illegal fishing activities and the exploitation of already overfished stocks. But it's obvious illegal fishing should be banned and the focus on overfished stocks is too little, too late.

Experts argue the agreement fails to specifically address harmful subsidies across global fisheries and as such only affects a trivial component of subsidy-driven exploitation. The subsidies that reduce operating costs and increase fishing capacity, allowing vessels to travel further and remain at sea longer, remain in place.

Fisheries subsidies affect more than just fish

Scientists have been sounding the alarm for decades. Many published studies document the destabilizing effects of fisheries subsidies on ecosystems. In addition to impacting biodiversity and ecosystems, subsidies also increase the CO emissions that contribute to climate change.

More recently, studies have also applied a social perspective to this issue. Seafood lifts millions of people out of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Yet more people will lose a secure source of food and nutrients if fish stocks continue to decline due to industrial overfishing.

Research shedding light on the concept of "equity" shows subsidies don't just harm the ocean, they also affect human communities. These communities are largely in developing countries which are rarely the source of harmful fisheries subsidies. Rather, their waters are exploited by foreign vessels supported by wealthy governments' fisheries subsidies.

Fisheries subsidies foster unfair competition not only among countries but also between industrial and community led fishing fleets. In the Indian Ocean, the level of subsidies provided to industrial fisheries corresponds to the amount of seafood exported to international markets, largely supplying rich and food-secure countries. This shows governments are deliberately empowering their industrial fleets to fish for seafood largely exported and consumed elsewhere, instead of sustaining fisheries providing food for locals.

The good, the bad and the ugly

While most nations contribute to harmful subsidies, 10 nations are responsible for 70% of this unsustainable financing. Chief among them are China, Japan and the European Union, reflecting the significant size of their distant water fishing fleets that typically access the resources of less-developed nations.

In contrast, Australia contributes only 0.1% of global harmful subsidies. Only 6% of Australia's annual US$400 million in fisheries subsidies is considered harmful. While Australia should give attention to its ongoing annual taxpayer contribution of US$25 million to the fishing sector, it is well placed to demonstrate global leadership on how fishing can deliver sustainable and equitable outcomes without harmful subsidies.

An essential opportunity

A second wave of negotiations on fisheries subsidies is expected during the WTO Ministerial Conference this February in Abu Dhabi. This conference represents an invaluable opportunity to better protect the ocean.

In anticipation of this meeting, we are urging nations to adopt more ambitious regulations that eliminate harmful subsidies, prioritizing fisheries sustainability and ocean equity.

Harmful fisheries subsidies are not only unsustainable but profoundly unfair. Based on the extensive body of evidence, the WTO should agree to eliminate harmful subsidies once and for all.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Gov. Ned Lamont speaks next to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, and State Police Interim Colonel Daniel Loughman during a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford Thursday. State leaders released details of an independent investigation into claims that thousands of traffic tickets were falsified by state police. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins speaks next to Gov. Ned Lamont during a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford on Thursday. State leaders released details of an independent investigation into claims that thousands of traffic tickets were falsified by state police. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins speaks next to Gov. Ned Lamont during a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford on Thursday. State leaders released details of an independent investigation into claims that thousands of traffic tickets were falsified by state police. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A sign for the Connecticut State Police Troop F headquarters in Westbrook Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A report commissioned by Governor Ned Lamont to examine allegations of widespread traffic ticket falsification by Connecticut State Police troopers found "serious failures" allowed the state's largest law enforcement agency to significantly misreport racial profiling data for years.

Department leaders knew of problems but failed to act, the report said. They did not refer potential criminal conduct to state prosecutors. Higher-ups never addressed signs of broader ticket-writing problems they uncovered. And they failed to sufficiently train and supervise troopers, demonstrating "inadequate leadership, judgment and initiative," said the report by the Stamford-based firm Finn Dixon and Herling LLP.

The department now needs to undergo a culture change to become more transparent and to better address misconduct, said the report released Thursday following a monthslong review led by Deirdre Daly, an attorney at the firm and the former U.S. attorney for the Connecticut district.

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Department officials said at least a dozen officers are now under internal investigations and reviews examining potential ticket-writing misconduct.

Lamont said he was committed to a recommendation from the report to make legislative changes aimed at preventing such problems in the future.

"Were going to be making a proposal for the legislature so there will be legal consequences if theres evidence of intentional falsification," Lamont said at a midday press conference to discuss the report's findings.

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The law firm's review was prompted by an audit released by the state-funded Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project in June that found a "high likelihood" hundreds of troopers falsified data for tens of thousands of traffic tickets which skewed racial profiling data to make it appear troopers ticketed more white drivers and fewer minority motorists than they really did.

The law firm's report attempted to examine whether a subset of troopers flagged by that audit  130 with the most significant discrepancies  intentionally falsified ticket data.

To do most of that work, the firm said it relied on internal state police investigators to do a data reconciliation," and the firm did not investigate further. But attorneys from the outside law firm said they reviewed the department's methodology and analysis and agreed with the department's approach and findings.

The report said between 12 and 15 troopers and constables will now undergo further internal investigations and reviews by state police.

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One of those troopers was found to have "intentionally entered verbal warnings as infractions to appear more productive to his supervisors;" that trooper had been sustained on internal charges of faking tickets in 2018. Another six troopers and constables "may have falsified traffic stop data" though "we did not find a reliable basis to conclude ... [the six troopers] engaged in intentional misconduct," the report said. The state police separately plan to refer five to eight troopers for lower-level internal reviews due to "concerns" about their ticket data, though the report says they "are unlikely to have engaged in intentional misconduct."

For 14 troopers, who have retired, "we are unable to make findings," said the report, which noted that the law firm was "limited" in its ability to investigate retired troopers and state police "have no jurisdiction" over retired troopers.

Three other troopers who are retired were found by internal investigators to have faked tickets during 2018.

The report said the law firm found 106 troopers  74 active and 32 retired  "are unlikely to have intentionally falsified traffic stop data." The report attributed the significant inaccurate data entry by these troopers to "failures to adequately train and supervise troopers" and "carelessness."

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"The inaccuracies in the data are significant, and remedial measures must be undertaken by the CSP to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its [racial profiling data] going forward," the report said.

The report said the law firm found no evidence any trooper or constable "engaged in conduct with the intention of skewing racial profiling data, or of concealing their own racial profiling."

Lamont described the law firm's work as "very independent" and "thorough." He said he was focused on how "almost all" of the problems found with trooper ticket data were "inadvertent" and "unintentional" and no troopers were found to have intentionally skewed racial profiling data.

I have as much faith today in my state police as Ive ever had," Lamont said.

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Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the state public safety department that oversees state police, said he has assembled a team with experience handling both internal police probes and criminal investigations to review cases where there may be wrongdoing. Those troopers could face sanctions "up to and including termination."

I wont tolerate it. Its as simple as that, said Higgins, who started the job in November after his predecessor James Rovella and state police Colonel Stavros Mellekas stepped down amid the ticket scandal.

Since the release of the audit in June, leaders of the state police troopers' union have repeatedly said there could be other explanations for tickets flagged as potentially falsified  including data entry errors, gaps in technology and the fact that some legitimate tickets may go to towns rather than state courts.

On Thursday, Andrew Matthews, the union's executive director and general counsel, said troopers feel vindicated by the report.



"There was not a systemic widespread corruption within the state police," Matthews told reporters.

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He called the audit released in June an embarrassment.

"Connecticut deserved better," he said. "It destroyed the reputation of state police."

Ken Barone, one of the co-authors of the June audit and the manager of the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, praised the recommendations in the law firms report.

They do a good job in outlining some important and critical steps that will allow the agency to move forward, he said.

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But while Barone said he did not want to question Dalys conclusions, he did raise concerns about how her team was able to verify that some troopers who entered verbal warnings and parking tickets into the racial profiling system as if they were traffic infractions did so unintentionally. Verbal warnings, in particular, do not leave a paper trail, according to Barone.

Were they able to validate that that was true? he asked.

Barone said the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project will look at whether some of the audits recommendations for the state police could apply to Connecticut law enforcement agencies more broadly.

The prior audit by the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project was prompted by a Hearst Connecticut Media Group investigation in August 2022 that uncovered internal records that showed four state police had falsified hundreds of police tickets during a nine-month stretch in 2018 to make it appear they were more productive than they actually were and to curry favor and perks from their supervisors.

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Daly's report found state police failed to refer those four cases to state prosecutor's for potential criminal review or to impose appropriate discipline on two of the troopers who did not immediately retire. The department also failed to properly follow up on signs of broader problems with ticket data, to implement training or to alert a group that analyzes racial profiling data.

"The failures demonstrate inadequate leadership, judgment, and initiative." the report says. "The CSP leaders who were closely involved in this episode retired in late 2018 or early 2019. However, the failures nonetheless demonstrate a need for current CSP leadership to demonstrate and encourage cultural change within the CSP to prioritize transparency and diligent self-evaluation in response to indications of potential problems or misconduct."

As I read more and more  about what happened in 2018, the lack of response, I thought it was time to make a change at the state police. And we did that. Lamont said, referring to the resignations of Rovella and Mellekas.

At the end of the day, everythings a leadership issue, Lamont added. Weve got the right leadership here. We made some changes after 2018, we didnt do enough, and I tried to explain what were gonna do going forward and make this a lot less likely to ever happen again.

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The law firms report made several recommendations, including that state police enhance their training, supervision and auditing of troopers, make technology and policy updates, improve their internal investigations processes and collaborate more with the Racial Profiling Prohibition project. It also recommended appointing a compliance consultant for at least several months, to supervise and assist the department as it rolls out such changes.

And the report recommended legislative changes, including to adopt criminal statutes that specifically address the falsification of traffic stop and racial profiling data and require state police to refer serious misconduct by troopers to state prosecutors and a state board that can revoke police officers certifications.

A spokeswoman for Lamont said: "We generally accept all of the recommendations and believe they are common sense."

While the state police continue to investigate potential wrongdoing by troopers, federal authorities also launched an ongoing criminal grand jury probe into the scandal.

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By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Transparency and Accountability Committee in Parliament briefly detained two officials of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) on Tuesday for allegedly refusing to attend to the committees summon on time and for failing to come along with the Governor of the Bank.

The two officials were shortly released after the Bank Governor, Professor Murana Kallon showed up at the committee room one and denied any knowledge of receiving any summon.

The officials who were escorted to Parliament by the Sergeant of Arms were Hawa Kallon, who is the Secretary to the board of the bank and

Sullay Mannah, Director of Legal Affairs.

The committee had summoned officials of the bank to give explanation about the Le500 billion COVID-19 funds that was given to commercial banks to provide loans to businesses. Parliament was also seeking explanation for the auction process of the countrys foreign reserve and they also instructed the bank to provide documentations regarding the procurement processes they have been involved in since 2018.

Chairman of the Committee, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, representing the Sierra Leone Peoples Party, expressed disappointment in the banks action and described it as an affront to the authority of Parliament.

We deem the action of Bank of Sierra Leone and by extension the Governor as a way to impede the work of parliament. This is an affront to Parliament. Our role as a committee is not to intimidate or threaten but to get clarity about systems and hold you accountable on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, he explained.

The bank sent the documents Parliament was asking for, but Governor Kallon said he didnt get the summon sent by the bank. However, he apologized and said an investigation would be done on how this could have possibly happened.

I apologize for this action. But I want you to know that I was not aware of this summon, but when I get back to the bank, I will investigate how all of this happened, he said.

Asked about the details of the documents that were sent to Parliament, the Governor said he was not in position to explain them in detail because he wasnt prepared.

Parliament also had contention with the level of officers that were sent to represent the bank in front of the committee. The committee eventually stood the bank down after 18 minutes of grilling and ordered the governor to be back at the committee with his relevant officers to answer to some queries.

A member of the committee, Catherine Zainab Tarawallie of the All Peoples Congress said: On Thursday bring the relevant authorities and documentations because we are going to ask questions.

Kallon, who took excuse for his absence on Thursday, said he wont be available because of other engagements but will send the relevant department heads.

Copyright  2020 Politico Online
By Abdul Tejan-Cole

Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, the last apartheid President of South Africa, passed away on 11 November 2021 in Cape Town. He was 85. Few people in the world provoke more disparate views in life and death than the late FW. President Cyril Ramaphosa praised him for playing a "key role in ushering in democracy" and called him "a committed South African who embraced the democratic constitutional dispensation."

After retweeting an article announcing de Klerk's death, Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) tweeted, "Thank You God." The EFF subsequently issued a statement noting the death of the man "who presided over a murderous and inhumane regime of terror against African people."

Born on 18 March 1936, in Johannesburg, FW came from a lineage of influential Afrikaner leaders. His father, Johannes de Klerk, served as interim State President albeit for nine days, was a senator and held several ministerial positions. His great-grandfather, Jan van Rooy, was also a senator. His uncle, Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom, was the fifth Prime Minister and leader of a member of the largest, Baasskap, the white supremacist faction of the National Party. Upon graduation from law school, FW joined the National Party and was soon elected as a member of the House of Assembly. He held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Interior and later Education.

Supporters of Mr. de Klerk often cite his speech at the State Opening of Parliament on February 2, 1990, in which he announced that "(T)he season of violence is over. The time for reconstruction and reconciliation has arrived." It was in this speech that he declared that "(T)he prohibition of the African National Congress, the Pan Africanist Congress, the South African Communist Party and several subsidiary organisations is being rescinded" and that his government had "taken a firm decision to release Mr. Mandela unconditionally." In recognition of this speech and the subsequent transition, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with Nelson Mandela "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa."

But De Klerk did not end apartheid by choice. Even the Nobel Peace Prize website notes, "(W)hen de Klerk took office as President in 1989, no one expected him to play a key part in the termination of apartheid. Both as a lawyer, as a parliamentarian, and as a member of the government, he had stood out as a firm upholder of white privilege. But when he realized that the apartheid system was leading to both economic and political bankruptcy, he put himself at the head of a radical change of course."

Even FW acknowledged in his 1990 speech that an "important change of climate" was taking place in South Africa. The Berlin Wall had fallen in 1989 and although this meant that the ANC and other liberation groups would get less support, it also meant that the West didn't need the apartheid regime to serve as a bulwark against communism. The economic sanctions were biting South Africa hard and the cost of fighting wars in the frontline states was adversely impacting the economy.

Domestically, the state of emergency failed to address the growing revolt in the townships. FW realized that the violence would not be ended by military heavy-handedness. Still, FW and others wanted a middle ground that would allow them to continue to wield power. Some sort of option of a white minority veto on black majority rule. When the prison doors were opened and Madiba was released, de Klerk and his National Party realized belatedly that the political game was over.

Sadly, in life De Klerk's apologies were halfhearted. At the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in 1997, he apologized in his capacity "as leader of the NP to the millions who suffered wrenching disruption of forced removals; who suffered the shame of being arrested for pass law offences; who over the decades suffered the indignities and humiliation of racial discrimination." In 2012, he told CNN that he would not apologize for his views as a young man.

In 2020, FW refused to agree that apartheid was a crime against humanity in a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) interview. He was also quoted as saying that "(T)he idea that apartheid was a crime against humanity was and remains an agitprop project initiated by the Soviets and their ANC/SACP allies to stigmatise white South Africans by associating them with genuine crimes against humanity." Although de Klerk's Foundation later retracted this statement, the damage had been done. His failure to acknowledge that apartheid was a crime against humanity illustrated to many that he did not consider blacks as human.

De Klerk's testimony before the TRC was less than candid. Although he sat on the State Security Council (SSC), the structure at the pinnacle of the National Security Management System, he claimed that "many things happened which were not authorised, not intended and of which we were not aware. The recent information of atrocities I find as shocking and as abhorrent as anybody else. It came to me as just a shocking revelation as to anyone else."

The TRC found his statement that none of his colleagues in Cabinet, the State Security Council or Cabinet Committees had authorised assassination, murder or other gross violations of human rights was indefensible." As a former ICTJ colleague, Howard Varney puts it, "it's untenable that a cabinet minister who sat in the SSC meetings from 1985 to 1989 claims he was unaware that gross human rights violations were being committed on an ongoing basis.

Varney also mentioned in a Facebook post that 'FW de Klerk was a suspect in the Cradock Four case. He sat on the State Security Council when decisions were made to "remove" the Cradock Four, and the decision to provide an offensive paramilitary unit (hit squad) to Buthelezi and Inkatha. He was an apologist for apartheid, claiming till the end that it was not a crime against humanity, and it was not so bad. In the early 90s, he turned a blind eye to the role of the third force in fueling rampant violence. He claimed at the TRC that apartheid atrocities were just the work of a few bad eggs and that cabinet was blameless. He lied in making this submission. He goes to the grave without answering for his role in apartheid-era crimes.'

On his death bed, he recorded a video that was played after his death. In it, he apologized without qualification "for the pain, hurt, indignity and the damage that apartheid has done to black, brown and Indians in South Africa." Frankly, it was too little too late. De Klerk will be cremated without answering for his role in apartheid-era crimes. To many of the victims, de Klerk chose to turn a blind eye to many of the atrocities that happened under his watch. Instead of owning up to his culpability and applying for amnesty, de Klerk spent his last months in office shredding documents to hide the crimes of apartheid and in distancing himself from atrocities of the security forces. He repeatedly chose to be economical with the truth.

In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela stated that "(D)espite his seemingly progressive actions, Mr. de Klerk was by no means the great emancipator. He was a gradualist, a careful pragmatist. He did not make any of his reforms with the intention of putting himself out of power. He made them for precisely the opposite reason: to ensure power for the Afrikaner in a new dispensation." Madiba was spot on. Like Professor Saths Cooper, a former political prisoner, I can only wish that the soul of the late FW rest in the peace that he denied many.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the authors employers.

Copyright (c) 2021 Politico Online
Some 82 Pastors and wives of the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone have ended their annual national retreat in Lunsar during which David Kanekey Conteh, public education officer of ACC north, called for a total crusade.

Speaking on the topic: The Church and the Fight against Corruption, Mr. Conteh said like the prophets of old, pastors of our generation should fearlessly speak out against corruption as they are expected to be the mouthpiece for the voiceless, the down trodden and the people who do not have the opportunity to speak out against certain ills in the society. He reminded them that Jesus Christ spoke against injustice and corruption. To restore these forgotten morals and values such as justice and forthrightness was the very reason Jesus himself came to this perverse generation. Mr. Conteh further said; we are living in a generation were selfishness is the order of the day. People want all for themselves and nothing for others. Corruption has caused serious devastation to this country. In a situation where corruption is not checked, the poor and the rich, the Christians and the non-Christians suffer, even though the poor are likely to suffer the most. Corruption leads to inequality in society, poor service delivery, underdevelopment and poverty. He used biblical examples to explain the offences in the 2008 AC Act. The actions of Achan and Zacchaeus in the Bible, he referred to as corrupt acquisition of wealth and soliciting or accepting advantage. While the story about David and Uriah, he referred to as Abuse of Position, the incident of Gehazi, Ananias and Sapphira could be seen as Deceiving a Principal. In their statements, at the end of the presentation, the General Secretary of BCSL- Rev. Mohamed Saidu Mansaray, the President- Rev. Orlando Bangs and participants appreciated the ACC for such education that has stimulated them to positive action in the fight against graft in this country. They promised to teach and preach against corruption to their congregations, as it is biblical right

.
From a press release: New York States first farm cidery is celebrating 10 years this February. To commemorate this milestone, Nine Pin will be offering a complimentary six ounce pour of their signature cider, recently judged as World Class Cider by Beer Connoisseur magazine, to patrons who come to join in the celebration on Feb. 28, 2024.

Nine Pin has a number of exciting events and announcements to help celebrate and acknowledge their 10th Anniversary, but before those are announced, theyre selecting 10 of their fan favorite ciders to re-release over the course of the next 10 months on the last Wednesday of every month. Hunny Pear will be released on Feb. 28.

Each cider will don a specially-designed new label, that is an original acrylic painting made with a combination of multiple monotype transfers and airbrushing. Rather than a digital design, this special bottle series embraces a unique traditional hand-made approach to creating the label.

Nine Pin is partnering with Jacob Alejandro of Troy for each of the cider re-releases who will create a specialty baked good or pastry to pair with the cider. Alejandro will be on site for the kick-off of the re-releases when Hunny Pear becomes available, offering a Hunny Pear Cake between 5 and 7 p.m.

Nine Pin Hunny Pear cider was first released in Sept. 2014 as a fall seasonal and quickly proved to be a fan favorite. Hunny Pear is crafted from a blend of New York State pears including Barlett, Bosc, Potomac, Seckle, and Clap, all grown in the Hudson Valley. This perry is off-dry and finished with a touch of cinnamon and honey.

Interested cider lovers may pre-order all of the 10 new flavors for $140, saving $1 off each 750 mL bottle, beginning Jan. 31, and ending Feb. 14. Each re-release will be announced in time, but fans can check the website for updates and pre-orders.

Cider connoisseurs may enjoy Nine Pins ciders seven days a week in their Albany Tasting Room, located in the citys Warehouse District, and from retailers across New York State, Massachusetts and New Jersey, as well as at bars and restaurants who proudly carry Nine Pin products. Residents in other states may purchase Nine Pins ciders through Nine Pins online store.
LAKE GEORGE  The first years data has been assembled, and the results show that just over 50% of the septic systems closest to Lake George need attention.

The first years outcomes have been surprising, and the program is showing its need, reads a project overview from the Lake George Park Commissions annual review document. Given the results so far, there is no doubt that this effort will protect and even improve the quality of the lake in the future.

Spurred by a potentially harmful algal bloom, a HAB, in 2020, the Lake George Park Commission followed suit with other local agencies to initiate a septic system review program for properties closest to the lake and the streams that feed into it.

Weve had a few very small, very localized, non-toxic HABS, but the future is unclear, explained Dave Wick, executive director of the Lake George Park Commission. We had an ad hoc committee that got together and said, Lets start to take a look at whether septic systems are functioning as designed in Lake George Park.

After around two years of planning, the commission was able to mobilize its septic inspection program in 2023.

There are an estimated 2,458 properties with septic systems within the scope of the commissions project. Those properties were divided into groups of around 500 and set on a rotating inspection cycle, which will allow the commission to inspect each property every five years.

The towns of Queensbury and Bolton also have programs that force owners to check their systems when the property ownership changes. That system is recognized by the LGPC, and those properties have been skipped. According to the commissions annual report, 332 systems throughout Warren, Washington and Essex counties were inspected in 2023.

Forty six percent of the systems passed, 16% needed simple repairs, 15% were found to be substandard, or undersized, and about 23%, around 75 septic systems, failed and need to be replaced.

The fact that half the systems arent performing as they were designed to, or should be, on Lake George, and they will be within the next couple of years, thats an important statement, Wick said of the program.

There is no harmful sewage, or septic run-off entering Lake George from the inspected systems, rather the nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which are remainders of the septic systems filtration process, are finding their way into the water. These nutrients act as plant food, boosting plant and algae growth within the lake.

Wick said the design life for most septic systems is around 30 to 40 years, while many of the systems in Lake George Park are 50 years old or older.

We know that if theyve exceeded their design life, the soils can no longer uptake all of the phosphorus and nitrogen that they need to, he explained.

The inspections were conducted by trained commission staff, or qualified wastewater inspectors expressly authorized by the commission to check specific systems.

Substandard systems have between 60 days and five years, or the next inspection cycle, to be brought into compliance. The commission only facilitates the inspections. Owners in Warren, Washington, and Essex Counties, whose property falls within the scope of the project will need to coordinate with either county or municipal officials for permits and contracting for repairs.

Wick said there is money budgeted to help offset the cost to property owners. Through a grant program, applicants in each county may be eligible for 50% of repair cost reimbursement up to $10,000.

The data extracted from the first year of inspection seems to show that a great deal of work will need to be done over the course of the next five years to ensure the well-being of the lake.

But there is optimistic evidence that the program works. A similar program was initiated at Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York.

In their first five-year cycle, 50% of the systems needed to be replaced on Otsego Lake, thats a huge number, Wick said. The second five-year cycle, 4%, the third five-year cycle, 4%. So, once you get the program up and running youre going to notice those improvements and those gains are going to hold for a long time.
MAYS LANDING  A new Department of Veterans Affairs clinic may still be ready in about a year's time, federal officials said Thursday night during a town hall meeting.

The clinic, which will be located inside the Cornerstone Commerce Center on Route 9 in Linwood and replaces the one two miles away in Northfield, is in a "hurry-up-and-wait" phase, lead engineer on the project Jermaine Best said.

Best joined representatives from VA Wilmington (Delaware), who held a town hall meeting for about 60 people at VFW Post 220 on Route 50.

The new VA facility, which will be 22,500 square feet and will offer more opportunities for Atlantic County veterans to get medical help, was slated to be opened by the end of 2024. If everything remains on track, that may still happen, Best said.

But work on the site is at a standstill at the moment, as the VA waits for the approval of several construction permits. After that process, which may take one or two months, is over, construction will begin, taking another 10 to 12 months, Best said.

"Typically, because we're the federal government, we go through and get state permitting," Best said after the meeting. "But because of the facility having radiology, it's another (thing) that needs to await approval from the Department of Health, because (they need to) go through to see the type of radiology we are using, the type of equipment and all those components that have to be approved."

The replacement Atlantic County VA Clinic is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, per a statement from the VA. There is a one-time cost to VA of $4.1 million when it takes occupancy of the clinic, and an annual rent thereafter of $1,153,417, the statement read.

As of now, the space in the Cornerstone building is completely gutted.

Thursday's town hall broached topics such as community-based outpatient clinic updates, the Community Care program, eligibility, claims, womens health, mental health and homelessness. There were tables with representatives present, providing veterans with resources and offering help with problems they may be experiencing in obtaining VA services.

VA Wilmington Director Vamsee Potluri, Associate Director for Operations Kim Butler and Best presented some of these services and answered a handful of questions from veterans Thursday.

"We have over 1,400 team members to take care of over 40,000 veterans across our (coverage area)," Potluri said. "We're continuing to work to expand access and increase the number of offerings we have for you, not just in volume but in variety in care offerings."

There is no VA hospital in South Jersey. Veterans must use facilities in Pennsylvania, Delaware or North Jersey to receive full or partial coverage for their procedures. They do not have the choice of seeing a local doctor unless they are willing to pay the cost themselves.

As for clinics, facilities exist in Vineland, Northfield (to be replaced by Linwood) and Middle Township. They all fall under the VA Wilmington Health Care hospital in Delaware.

There is another clinic in Washington Township, Gloucester County, but that falls under the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

Christopher Chin, director of veterans outreach for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, and his office recently did research and determined there are more than 700,000 service members and veterans eligible in New Jersey, but only half are enrolled in VA health care.

Last May, Van Drew announced the expansion of the Atlantic County clinic, which includes a move from its location at 1909 New Road in Northfield to the Cornerstone building in Linwood. It was originally slated to be completed this summer, but that date was pushed back to the end of the year.

The new facility in Linwood is a welcomed project that has local veterans waiting in anticipation of its completion.

John Hinker, junior vice commander of the Department of New Jersey VFW, uses the VA clinics in Middle Township and Northfield. He feels the quality and ease of care is better now than it was about eight years ago.

"They're hitting home runs," said Hinker, 54, a New Jersey Army National Guard veteran who served in Iraq from 2003-04. "The past is the past, the present is the present and we're living in the future and we're seeing great things happen here in southern New Jersey compared to the way it used to be."

Best said the new facility will expand from five exam rooms offered in Northfield to 10 in Linwood. The Linwood lab also will expand to more than four times the size of what is offered in Northfield. New services will be offered, including radiology (X-ray and CT scan), and physical therapy. TeleHelp and special care will also expand, Best said.

There simply wasn't enough room for all of that in Northfield, coupled with the amount of people needing the services. The increase in size was needed, Best said.

"When we moved into our existing clinic, which is about 10,000 square feet, about 10 years ago, we were at capacity two or three years after that," Best said.

Once construction is underway, the hope is it will ease everyone's minds and deliver what was promised to them almost a year ago.

"I think a lot of the veterans here are very well informed of what's going on in the community and they're all aware that, because we started this process about a year ago," Best said. "I think, as you can see, there's a lot of excitement for it."

Hinker is excited for the additions of a women's health clinic for female veterans.

"We're getting the clinic. It's actually going to happen," Hinker said. "It's a great location for southern New Jersey. It's centrally located. Cape May, it takes 35 minutes. Ocean County, a drive down the parkway. So everything is half an hour. That's what it needs to be. It used to be hours when we had to go to Wilmington. Now it's all in the community."
A Scott County registered sex offender who has been on escape status since September has been charged with sexually abusing a girl multiple times over the course of at least two weeks in January, Davenport police said.

Kentrell Eugene Arrington, 31, Davenport, is charged in Scott County District Court with seven counts of third-degree sexual abuse. Since this could count as Arringtons second or subsequent offense, each of the charges is a Class A felony under Iowa law that carry a prison sentence of life.

Arrington also is charged with seven counts of violating his sex offender registry status by allegedly committing the sex acts with a minor. Each of those charges is a Class C felony that carry a prison sentence of 10 years.

He also faces a charge of escape, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Detective Sean Johnson, beginning about January 8 and continuing over the next 16 days, Arrington sexually abused a minor girl seven times.

Police received a report of sexual abuse in the area of 2800 West 69th Street on Jan. 24 and began their investigation. Police identified Arrington as the suspect.

Arrington had fled the Work Release Center at 605 Main St., Davenport, on Sept. 5. Arrington was on probation until Sept. 9, 2025, for a sex offender registration violation from 2022.

Arrington was arrested Friday and booked into the Scott County Jail where he is being held without bond on a Work Release Center hold, a probation violation charge and the sex abuse-related charges. He also is being held on a $5,000 cash-only bond on the escape charge.

He will make a first appearance on the charges Saturday in Scott County District Court when a judge will schedule a preliminary hearing in the case.

Arrington is required to register as a sex offender after he pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse during a hearing in Knox County Circuit Court on Aug. 7, 2014. He was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird plans to make a big push against consumer scams in the next year, she told a Scott County Rotary club in Davenport on Friday.

Bird, first elected in 2022, made litigation against the federal government a key promise of her campaign, and in her first year has followed through on that pledge, suing various agencies and companies on a long list of conservative issues. For example, Iowa was a part of suits against the Environmental Protection Agency urging year-round E-15 sales; to block California from implementing early adoption of electric car requirements and to block water regulation rules called WOTUS. Bird also penned a letter in support of Texas' governor in taking action in securing the border.

Now, in her second year, Bird told her Scott County audience, her office would put a big focus on consumer protection against scams.

"One focus you're going to see over the next year is scams," Bird said. "It's so frustrating when people call our office  and we do encourage you to call  ... because they're getting ripped off and the money has already gone out and it can be very very hard for us to get it back."

Bird said it's not just elderly people who are targeted for scams  people in their 20s and 30s can get lured in by convincing scams advertising jobs or educational opportunities. Bird urged anyone to report scams or potential scams to the attorney general's office.

Bird also took questions from the audience. One attendee asked for her opinion on states removing Donald Trump from the primary ballot.

Trump was disqualified from primary ballots in Colorado and Maine, but he's appealed those rulings. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the Colorado appeal on Feb. 8, which could determine Trump's ballot-eligibility nationwide.

Bird said her office had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the Colorado case.

"That, I think, is a basic principle of democracy that the people get to choose who should be their president rather than the courts," Bird said.

Bird endorsed Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

In response to a question about Texas' efforts to secure the border and the legal challenge against putting razor wire on the border wall, Bird said the state was supporting Texas.

"I think that Texas does have the right to secure its own border to protect its citizens, and I think we see those impacts well inland," Bird said.

Another question-asker posited whether Iowa was the only state that had college athletes cited for placing bets.

More than 20 University of Iowa and Iowa State University student athletes and managers are facing charges related to alleged bets.

Attorneys for college athletes facing charges of identity theft in the probe have accused state investigators of wrongdoing, including not obtaining a warrant for gathering gambling data of university students. The Department of Public Safety has defended its investigative actions as constitutional.

Bird said she did not know of any other states with similar gambling investigations or charges, but emphasized that she hasn't checked every state.

"That was an investigation that was done by the Department of Public Safety, which is not part of my office," Bird said. "And those cases are being prosecuted by the county attorneys in those areas. So we're not involved in those cases."
Some sales taxes are increasing in East Moline and the question local business owners have is by how much.

In December the council voted to approve an additional tax on the sales of all prepared food and beverages in the city. Now, the city is looking at increasing taxes in designated areas to create a base fund for economic development improvements.

Where the taxes stand now

All three municipalities pay equal amounts for state and county/school sales taxes. Where they differ now is in the home-rule/non-home rule tax, which explains why East Moline's sales tax is currently .75% lower than its neighbors.

Sales taxes now are:

East Moline: 6.25% state sales tax + 1% county school tax + .50% non-home rule tax = 7.75% base sales tax

6.25% state sales tax + 1% county school tax + .50% non-home rule tax = 7.75% base sales tax Moline: 6.25% state sales tax + 1% county school tax + 1.25% home rule tax= 8.5% base sales tax

6.25% state sales tax + 1% county school tax + 1.25% home rule tax= 8.5% base sales tax Rock Island: 6.25% state sales tax + 1% county school tax + 1.25% home rule tax = 8.5% base sales tax

A municipality can become home rule by having a population of more than 25,000 or through a referendum. Rock Island and Moline both qualify by population, East Moline has a population of about 21,000 and has not passed a referendum, leaving it as non-home rule.

From a local government standpoint, this means the city is limited in what it can raise taxes on due to Illinois code. However, municipalities can implement new taxes with a majority vote from the city council.

Looking out further in Rock Island County, Milan, Colona and Rapids City are also non-home rule municipalities who have a higher sales tax rate than East Moline at 8.25%. Carbon Cliff, which passed a home-rule referendum in 2006, also has a sales tax of 8.25%.

Silvis and Hampton match East Moline's tax rate of 7.75%. Coal Valley and Port Byron have a 7.25% base sales tax rate.

A proposed business development district could bring additional taxes

The point of contention for some East Moline business owners is a proposed business development district within the city that would potentially raise sales taxes in specific areas.

A business development district (BDD) is a program that allows the city to apply an additional sales tax in a specific area in order to increase local services and amenities, employment opportunities, and sales and property tax revenues. It works similar to a TIF district.

The BDD would have to work its way through a series of approvals by the city council, but if ultimately approved, it would go into effect July 1, City Administrator Mark Rothert said Thursday night at an informational meeting.

East Moline currently has a BDD in place at The Bend, Rothert said, but he believes it could be applied better if it includes other developing areas. Rothert has identified Watertown and downtown as two places that could benefit from the program.

The BDD in The Bend has a 1% increase on the base sales tax. However, per the development agreement established when The Bend was created, 85% of the funds generated in that district are reimbursed to the developer.

Under the plan proposed for additional BDDs in the city, .75% sales tax increase would apply to business in the designated area. Those funds then go into a pool controlled by the city council, to be distributed on an annual basis.

Business owners would then have the opportunity to apply for grants for projects like building rehabilitation, site marketing and property acquisition. Early estimates show adopting a BDD could create a fund of at least $500,000, Rothert said.

Increasing taxes always creates a mixed response, but some business owners see it as a method of growth for the city. Corry Ford of Hignight's Florist was not opposed to the idea of the BDD, but felt the process was moving faster than business owners could comprehend.

After leaving the informational meeting Thursday, Ford said she felt there were "too many questions and not enough answers." She did not feel the consumer tax would have a negative benefit on her business, but felt fuzzy about where the money would go and how it would be spent.

"I think it raised more questions than it answered," she said.

The proposed BDD feels like a proposal for things the city could fund, she said, but the lack of concrete steps or ironed out details bring hesitation. In the immediate area, Moline is the only other municipality with a BDD.

Another key component to advocating for the BDD, Rothert said, is it puts East Moline in line with taxes in other neighboring communities of a similar size. If the BDD were to pass council and go into effect, taxes in the designated district would equate to:

East Moline: 7.75% base sales tax + .75% BDD tax = 8.5% total sales tax

Moline: 8.5% base sales tax + 1% BDD tax = 9.5% total sales tax

Rock Island: 8.5% base sales tax (no BDD exists)

A new tax comes to East Moline March 1

All consumers in East Moline can expect to pay an additional 1.5% tax on the purchase of prepared food and beverages beginning March 1.

The city council adopted the ordinance during a meeting on Dec. 4, 2023. For business owners, this means the first tax return and tax payment is due April 15 and must include receipts from March 1-31.

The additional tax applies to "prepared foods," which would include anything purchased at a restaurant, bar, deli, ice cream shop, etc. The tax covers food as well as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Consumers are responsible for paying the tax, in addition to the sales taxes already imposed by the state and city. Both Moline and Rock Island already charge this same tax at the same rate.

Multiple bar owners fought back on the new tax at Thursday's meeting, saying the eatery tax is bad enough. Adding an additional tax with the BDD would hit bars and restaurants much harder.

Connie Cornmesser, owner of Hey Bryans, echoed other business' owners sentiments in saying she too wanted to see East Moline move forward but felt the taxes hitting virtually back-to-back was too much financial stress.

"If you keep doing this you're going to have no businesses coming to East Moline," she said. "I get what you want to do, I think it's wonderful on paper, but you have to give us time."

The road council faces next

Monday, Feb. 5, the East Moline city council will meet in regular session where they will approve or deny a professional services agreement and an ordinance that proposes the approval of the BDD, designate the BDD area and set a date and time for the public hearing.

Assuming those both are approved, at the Feb. 19 meeting council will have a second reading proposing approval of the ordinance. If the council votes to approve, it will officially vote to approve the plan at the March 4 meeting.

With that approval the public will then have a chance to speak at a public hearing held on March 18 at 6 p.m. with the final vote for the BDD that evening at the city council meeting set to follow.

If the above timeline moves at the pace described, the BDD sales tax would commence July 1.
Muscatine-based CBI Bank & Trust serves numerous customers and businesses throughout the state. With this latest acquisition, the bank and its staff hope to continue offering quality banking services as it expands its reach into Illinois.

Last Friday, CBI announced it had completed its acquisition of Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois. Following the official announcement, the two banks then completed a technology upgrade, successfully transferring all Farmers-Merchants client accounts under CBI Bank & Trust. With this, Farmers-Merchant customers can now do banking at any of CBI Banks 18 locations in addition to now having access to its other services such as wealth and cash management.

According to Greg Kistler, CEO of CBI Bank & Trust, this acquisition of Farmers-Merchants, which included all deposit accounts held at the Joy, Illinois, location, with these accounts totaling approximately $66 million in deposits and $28 million in loans, was first put in motion last year.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the Joy area clients, Kistler said. The fact everything went so smoothly is a testament to months of planning, coordination, and hard work by many talented individuals throughout our organization. Im extremely proud of their efforts.

Asked why he and his team decided to initiate this acquisition, Kistler pointed towards CBIs history, saying the bank has always had a strong commitment to the agricultural industry within Muscatine County, resulting in having agricultural loans make up a significant portion of CBIs loan portfolio.

Because of our location here in Muscatine, Mercer County and lower Rock Island County in Illinois are important ag markets for us, Kistler said. That is why we purchased the bank in Buffalo Prairie in 2015. When we became aware of the opportunity to buy the bank in Joy, we knew it was a perfect complement to our existing locations, and an opportunity to even better serve our clientele in those markets.

Kistler has a personal interest in supporting agricultural markets.

I grew up in Buffalo Prairie, where my dad, and now my brother, own a grain and feed business, and my moms family all farmed in the area," he said, noting several of CBI Bank's key employees are also from the area. So we are all committed to serving these customers to the best of our ability.

Kistler also praised the staff at the Joy location. This includes the banks leader, Brian Hoffman, who will continue to lead the Joy office through his new position as Western Illinois Market President.

Under the leadership of Bryan Hofmann, who has been with the bank over 25 years, they have built an outstanding team of employees that we are excited to welcome to our organization, Kistler said. We are pleased to have Bryan take on the role of Western Illinois Market President for us.

Here's where to buy nostalgic 90s Valentine's Day cards 1. Space Jam 90s Valentines Day Cards 2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Valentines Day Cards 3. 90s Celebrity Valentines Day Cards 4. Vintage Lisa Frank Valentines Day Cards 5. 90s Valentines Day Mystery Cards
Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas has been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 29, 2023. Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media file

NORWALK  Some community members are calling for the return of Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas, who has been out on paid leave for over two months.

Thomas, who has been the schools principal since summer 2015, is on leave for a personnel matter, according to a Dec. 8 statement from Norwalk Public Schools.

The district can confirm that Principal Thomas is on leave with pay and without prejudice pending consideration of a personnel matter, the statement said. As you know, we consider personnel matters to be confidential and we have no further comment at this time regarding the nature of the personnel matter or the length of his leave. However, we are working promptly to resolve the matter.

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In a notice to parents in late 2023, Superintendent of Schools Alexandra Estrella said Thomas was placed on administrative leave without prejudice.

I take this opportunity to clarify that Mr. Thomas has not been terminated or disciplined in any way by Norwalk Public Schools, and that his leave is consistent with our practices in personnel matters, Estrella said.

Thomass leave began on Nov. 29. NPS sent a notice to parents informing them of his leave.

The district's media relations specialist, Emily Morgan, said Thursday that the district still declines to comment on the personnel matter.

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In Thomas absence, some parents have offered support. A petition to Bring Mr. T back to CMS posted on the Norwalk Education Today & Tomorrow on Dec. 29 had garnered 218 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

Lillian Cenatiempo, a parent of twin sons in second grade at Concord Magnet School, said the school is suffering without Thomas.

He is a wonderful man who brings joy to our CMS community just by being present, she said over Facebook messages. My kids miss him. They have a wonderful relationship with Medard Thomas.

Cenatiempo, who has lived in Norwalk for 12 years, said the CMS community is hurt without him.

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I will support our amazing principal in any way I possibly can, she said. He is truly wonderful and deserves nothing less.

Another parent, Amanda Harrison, shared similar sentiments over Facebook messages. Harrison said Thomas was amazing with the transition to all the kids when he took over.

Her son, now a junior at Brien McMahon High School, was in elementary school when Thomas assumed his duties as Concords principal.

Also (he) made the parents feel so warm and loved and we knew that our kids were nothing but safe when they were in the building with him, Harrison said.

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Assistant Principal Hennifer Scanlan has been serving as interim principal at Concord Magnet School since Thomas leave began, Morgan said in December.
Three Colombian nationals whom police believe are part of a national burglary ring were arrested Friday in Altoona, Iowa, on warrants claiming they stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and property from two Bettendorf homes.

Police said the men are in the United States illegally and appeared to be part of a crime organization headquartered in Georgia.

Bettendorf Police Chief Keith Kimball said his detectives worked diligently to solve the burglaries at two Bettendorf homes, with one taking place on Jan. 24 and the other occurring on Jan. 31.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Bettendorf Police Detective Bryan Payton, on Jan. 24, two of the men broke into the home by smashing the glass of a basement sliding door.

Once inside the home, they ransacked the master bedroom and took a safe. From that home they took $100,000 in cash, a 1-kilogram gold bar valued at $65,000, 50 gold necklaces of unknown value, passports, birth certificates, citizenship papers and other personal items and a 9mm pistol.

At the home burgled on Jan. 31, two of the men gained entry by breaking a sliding glass door at the rear of the home.

Once inside they ransacked the master bedroom and stole jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and rings valued at more than $100,000; three Louis Vuitton handbags valued at $7,000, between $200 and $1,000 in cash and checkbooks.

Police were able to determine the men were riding in a 2019 Ford Escape with Georgia license plates.

Bettendorf city cameras, neighbors cameras and the Bettendorf License Plate Reader cameras captured the same 2019 Ford Escape fleeing from both burglaries.

Bettendorf Police sent out information about the vehicle to law enforcement throughout the state.

Altoona police located the vehicle Friday, and the three men were taken into custody. Property from the second burglary was seized. Footwear impressions were collected at both burglaries, and each was found to be consistent with the shoes seized from the suspects.

Also located in the rooms and the vehicle were the suspects clothing, facemasks, gloves and flashlights they were seen wearing and using on the victims home security cameras.

From the vehicle officers seized a piece of paper on which were written numerous Quad-City area addresses, and Chinese restaurant names.

Arrested are Jhon Hurtado-Advincula, 22, Luis Angulo-Garces, 32, and Luis Panameno-Rodallega, 30, all Colombian nationals whom Bettendorf Police said are in the United States illegally.

Each of the men is charged in Scott County District with two counts of first-degree theft and one count of second-degree burglary. Each charge is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Each is also charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and one count of third-degree burglary. Each charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

The men also are charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year.

Hurtado-Advincula was being held without bond Friday night in the Scott County Jail.

A preliminary hearing for Hurtado-Advincula is scheduled for Feb. 13, in Scott County District Court.

Angulo-Garces and Panameno-Rodallega were transported from the Polk County Jail to the Scott County Jail on Thursday. Each had a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court where Magistrate Peter Gierut scheduled a preliminary hearing in each of their cases for Feb. 16.

Angulo-Garces and Panameno-Rodallega each were being held Friday night in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bond of $75,000.
A Pennington County judge sentenced a 21-year-old Rapid City man Thursday to 15 years in prison for the assault and burglary of an 88-year-old woman who was also a relative.

On April 6, 2023, Alexander Herdina  while under the influence of methamphetamine  strangled the woman, threatened her with a knife, duct-taped her hands and feet, and then stole her vehicle and credit card, according to the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office. The victim was able to free herself and call police from her kitchen.

Herdina pleaded guilty on Jan. 11 to first-degree burglary and aggravated assault with a knife.

Circuit Court Judge Jane Wipf Pfeifle sentenced Herdina to 15 years in prison for the aggravated assault  the maximum allowed by law  and 15 years in prison with five suspended for the burglary, which carries a 25-year maximum.

The sentences will run concurrent to each other. Herdina received 301 days of time served for the nearly 10 months he spent in the jail ahead of sentencing.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the state dismissed the seven other charges Herdina faced from the incident: first-degree kidnapping, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled drug or substance, identity theft, grand theft, and obstruction. The state also dismissed a habitual offender enhancement that would have increased the maximum penalties for the crimes.

As part of the deal, Herdina also pleaded guilty to a simple assault he committed in the jail after his arrest on the felony charges. Wipf Pfeifle sentenced him to 296 days' time served for that offense.
The Senate Education committee passed a bill Tuesday to standardize school safety practices, like locking and monitoring doors, and running a school safety tip line, across the state.

Senate Bill 103 requires each exterior door of a public school thats unlocked during regular school hours to be monitored and controlled by a school district employee whos physically present.

The bill also requires that when the exterior doors of a public school are locked during regular school hours when students are present, the main access doors of the public school must be monitored by a school district employee through a video surveillance system or other means.

A school safety tip line comprising a website, phone line or mobile device application also must be operated by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, according to the bill.

This tip line shall allow people to anonymously report dangerous, violent or unlawful activity thats happening, suspected of happening or threatened to happen on school premises. Reports to the tip line can be referred to school officials, law enforcement or other service providers, according to the bill.

Sen. Brent Hoffman (R-Hartford) brought the bill after a similar but more far-reaching bill, Senate Bill 34, was killed by the Senate Education committee earlier this month. Two of the sections from SB 34 make up SB 103.

SB 34 wouldve made all 148 public K-12 school districts and all 706 public K-12 school buildings in South Dakota have a school sentinel or school resource officer, which are both armed positions. At this time, only 11 school districts have school sentinels and only 50 school resource officers work across the state, according to testimony and discussion of SB 34.

No proponents of SB 103 spoke Tuesday, but several education lobbyists spoke in opposition to the bill, including Doug Wermedal, with Associated School Boards of South Dakota; Rob Monson, with School Administrators of South Dakota; Dianna Miller, with the large school group; and Mitch Richter, with the South Dakota United School Association.

Wermedal said he didnt oppose locked doors, as thats something most districts already practice, but opposed putting the language of the bill into statute and making another liability for districts to manage. Miller called it unworkable, an unfunded mandate, and redundant, as the state already runs a tip line called Safe2Say.

All seven members of the Senate Education committee, five Republicans and two Democrats, voted to pass the bill. It will be heard in the Senate in the coming days.

This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley presented his proposal for a $38.8 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget to the state Joint Appropriations Committee Thursday.

The proposal includes requested funding for a new Digital Investigation Unit and to hire an additional forensic scientist.

This budget request provides the resources needed for the Attorney Generals Office and its programs to protect the people of South Dakota, Jackley said. We appreciate the support of the Governor for including our proposals in her state budget request, and we ask for legislative support.

The office is requesting $405,000 in general funds to create a new unit that will focus on digital evidence investigations. The unit will utilize existing employees with additional costs for training, certification, equipment maintenance and software needed by state Division of Criminal Investigation agents who will specialize in digital evidence investigations.

Jackley is requesting one new full-time position this year for an additional forensic scientist. The scientist will specialize in firearms and toolmarks in an effort to meet the increasing demand of firearms-related cases in South Dakota. The office has requested $117,142 in general funds for the creation of the new position.

The proposed budget is 70% funding  $27.2 million  for the DCI and law enforcement training. The other 30% is allocated for department attorneys, legal services and other programs.

The proposed budget would be comprised of 49% state general funds, 36% funds that come from fees and settlements and 15% from federal government funds.

Final state budget decisions will be made later by the committee and then must be approved by the full Legislature.
The healthcare field is one of the fastest growing professions; in fact, the number of medical professionals cant keep up with the demand.

Scrub Camp hopes to change that by getting high school students interested in healthcare careers.

Rapid City Area Schools, in conjunction with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, hosted sophomores from local area high schools in the Surbeck Center for the second annual one-day Scrubs Camp, focusing on healthcare careers.

Several schools with accredited healthcare degrees were on hand to inform students about their programs. Western Dakota Technical College, along with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences, were available to answer questions and hand out information to the high school camp attendees.

One of the goals of the RCAS Pathways Program is to eventually have a camp experience for each of our nine pathway areas, says Bobbie Jo Donovan, RCAS college and career readiness manager. This year we added in the Engineering Camp as well as a Cyber Camp that was held in December. By implementing two to three camps each year, students enrolled in the sophomore level introductory pathway courses will be given an opportunity to dive a little deeper into the careers within the pathway they have an interest in.

The Scrubs Camp featured eight rotations: Anesthesiology, EMT, biomedical sciences, radiology, behavioral health, physical therapy, primary care nursing, and dental hygienist. Each session lasted for 35 minutes, as groups rotated through each program.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers a pre-med program for students. Brittani Webb, of its admission office, said, Pre-professional health is a degree that can be used to get in any of the university healthcare fields of study, so from here they can go on to nursing school, med school, dentistry, mental health, and all the programs offered by higher education.

Sophomore high school student Collin Unkenholz attended Scrub Camp to learn about different opportunities through healthcare careers.

Im thinking about majoring in E.M.T. and firefighting, he said.

RCAS partnered with South Dakota Department of Health to receive a grant to help put Scrub Camp together for students to experience.

The camp is mainly for sophomores to better ready themselves for courses they will need to take in their junior and senior years to prepare them for their college majors.

Biranna, an RN with Monument Health, volunteered to teach Scrub Camp attendees about nursing, demonstrating I.V. medications and other examples of what is involved with nursing.

We volunteer our time to come out and teach in the community to get students involved in nursing, said Brianna.

The Scrub Camp is a full school day event and is held once a year.
The aftermath of World War II witnessed a clandestine network known as "ratlines," which provided escape routes for individuals seeking to evade Allied authorities.

Among those exploiting these routes were high-ranking Nazis and collaborators desperate to escape justice. For the most part, these were land routes. However, it is known that many Nazi officials flew from Germany to other countries and from there, via ships or U-boats. This covert phenomenon unfolded against the backdrop of geopolitical shifts and emerging Cold War tensions.

Ratlines were covert channels established to aid the escape of fugitives from Europe to various destinations worldwide (and also for smuggling stolen gold). Operating in the post-war chaos, these routes offered escape from imminent prosecution. The destinations included South America, the Middle East, and other parts of the world (even Antarctica) where sympathetic governments (or remote locations) provided refuge.

A notable aspect of ratlines was the alleged collaboration with certain Catholic networks. Some historians suggest that priests and monasteries played a role in facilitating the escape of war criminals. These networks provided not only moral support but also tangible assistance, such as forged documents, raising ethical questions about the involvement of religious institutions in aiding individuals responsible for heinous crimes.

The supposed reason behind Catholic support for escaping Nazis was the Church's fear of a take-over by the Godless Joseph Stalin and his fellow communists.

One favored intermediate destination was Fascist Spain run by dictator General Francisco Franco who owed his victory in the Spanish Civil War to a great extent to Adolph Hitler. While remaining neutral during World War II, Spain was nonetheless sympathetic to the Nazi cause. From Spain, Nazis could easily embark on their final destinations.

South America, in particular Argentina, emerged as a common destination for escaping Nazis. The political climate in Argentina, led by Juan Peron, was ideal in providing a hospitable environment for former Nazis. This period saw an influx of high-profile fugitives seeking refuge in a region perceived as sympathetic to their cause.

The murky world of ratlines also hinted at the involvement of intelligence agencies. Some researchers argue that Western intelligence agencies may have been aware of or directly involved in the use of ratlines.

The motivations behind such involvement remain a subject of speculation, with suggestions ranging from tracking former Nazis for intelligence purposes to utilizing their expertise during the emerging Cold War.

The Nuremberg Trials, a landmark effort to bring major war criminals to justice, marked the beginning of international accountability for war crimes. However, not all individuals implicated in Nazi crimes faced the consequences of their actions. The use of ratlines allowed some war criminals to escape the scrutiny of the trials, thereby evading justice.

Decades after the end of World War II, historical researchers and investigators continue to scrutinize the intricate details of ratlines. The ongoing efforts seek to unveil the identities of those who utilized these escape routes, the specific paths they took, and the degree of complicity among various networks involved.

The historical legacy of ratlines remains controversial, challenging preconceived notions about justice, accountability, and the geopolitical complexities of the post-war era.

The use of ratlines raises profound ethical questions about the complicity of certain individuals, institutions, and governments in facilitating the escape of war criminals. Collaborative efforts, whether intentional or opportunistic, contributed to the evasion of justice for individuals responsible for atrocities committed during the war.
Its almost Valentines Day so what better time to tackle the ongoing dilemma employers face when employees develop a romantic and sexual relationship with their coworkers, supervisors or even vendors or customers.

Romantic relationships among coworkers, supervisors and customers/vendors can be improper if the relationship violates any organizational policies  Codes of Ethics, Conflict of Interest or a specific Employment Relationships policy.

To explain the cautionary tale of workplace romances, when I teach this topic in training, I cite to Taylor Swifts song, Blank Spaces, with the lyrics, So its gonna be forever  Or its gonna go down in flames. Thats the reality of workplace romances.

While love happens  including at work; if the relationship ends, you have to see that person the next day, or still work with that person. That can be awkward and cause a lot of discord in the workplace.

According to a Forbes study last year, 60% of adults admitted to having a workplace romance, and only 43% led to marriage. The other 57%? Well  that probably ended up in a workplace investigation.

A recent massive settlement from Fulton County, Georgia explains the cautionary tale of workplace romances, especially when one person supervises the other person  and worse yet  when the relationship is kept a secret.

A federal judge ruled earlier this month that Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall discriminated against her subordinate employee, Calvin Brock, based on sex after she terminated him when he ended their sexual relationship. The judge ordered Fulton County to pay a whopping $902,487 to settle the lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on his behalf, finding that Hall engaged in sex discrimination against Brock.(tncms-asset)94d77407-8bb4-5e59-b8cc-be907150191d[0](/tncms-asset)

Brock began working for the county in May 2018 after he met Hall at a furniture store earning $60,000 as a community outreach manager. His salary more than doubled to $125,000 after Hall promoted him to Chief of Staff after they started a secret sexual relationship in early 2019, which allegedly included sexual interactions on the couch in her Fulton County Commission office.

He alleged he was forced to submit to her on a whim and he feared losing his job if he ended the relationship.

Brock has stated that Hall used manipulation and engaged in abuse of power when she forced him to remain exclusive with him and then stalked him by putting trackers on his vehicle when he started dating other women. The woman he was dating filed a whistleblower complaint and exposed the relationship.

At the trial held earlier this year, Hall purportedly refused to answer questions claiming constitutional immunity from self-incrimination (a/k/a pled the fifth) over 150 times, specifically when asked about the surveillance tracking devices. She said the relationship was consensual.

My advice to employers:

Implement a policy that no employee can be in a sexual/romantic relationship with anyone within that persons chain of command. This is a conflict of interest and creates a host of problems. Employees who develop such a relationship while working at the company must report it to human resources and one of them will be required to transfer to other supervision. Failure to report the relationship should result in discharge of employment. This is a significant trust issue and causes the very situation we see in the Fulton County case. People in relationships cannot be objective regarding work performance and it creates appearances of favoritism, gossip and a host of issues.

Have a policy on coworker dating and relationships with vendors/customers. The policy should set expectations for disclosure and should advise employees that they have a right to not be harassed at any point, including from a former romantic partner. Ideally, coworkers who are in a romantic relationship should not work in the same department. It creates an awkward environment and can make other people uncomfortable. Sexual relationships with vendors and customers can also create a conflict of interest.

Bottom line  never ever allow two people in a romantic relationship to report up though the chain of command.

Put romantic relationships with coworkers, vendors and customers on the maybe list and proceed with caution.
After urging the U.S. Postal Service to explain delayed deliveries of cancer screening results, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., met with Richmond residents, business owners and leaders to discuss the unacceptable mail delays affecting the city and beyond.

The roundtable was held at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Friday, with many of the attendees expressing frustration with the Postal Services lack of communication in addressing the mailing issues.

Right now, the Postal Service in Richmond is broken, said Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Colette McEachin.

The meeting comes on the heels of Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and other congressional representatives addressing a letter to the Postal Service demanding to know why 870 colon cancer screening results from military veterans arrived late to the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Kaine said the Postal Service declined multiple meeting invites, including Fridays roundtable. His request to tour the newly organized distribution facility in Sandston was rejected as well.

There is no part of the federal government that is relied upon by a bigger percentage of the American public than the Postal Service, Kaine said. If we dont ratchet up public attention to these problems, were not going to get the answers that we need.

Phillip Bogenberger, a Postal Service spokesperson, responded Friday evening to a reporter's request for comment.

"We are committed to providing Virginians world class mail service and will continue to work with all our stakeholders to address customers concerns," Bogenberger said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to attend [Friday's] event."

Bogenberger also said customers with mail delivery questions can contact their local post office, call Postal Services Virginia consumer affairs office at (804) 775-6313 or send a message to @USPSHelp on X, formerly Twitter.

Kaine added that the VA Center also declined to participate in the roundtable.

However, David Hodge, a public affairs officer with the VA, issued a statement on the situation Friday.

While we continue to work closely with both Congressional officials and the USPS to ensure timely delivery of these test results, we want to assure our Veteran patients we are following up on every single test that has been returned to us, Hodge said. In some cases, the test will need to be taken again.

Hodge added that only veterans at low risk of colon cancer were provided this type of screening, and any veterans with questions should contact their primary care provider by calling (804) 675-5000 and pressing 2 when prompted.

We cant get any answers

Brian Lynn, co-owner of restaurant supply store Victor Products in Shockoe Bottom, said he has had issues with the post office for several years. It started with mail not showing up at his post office box at the 25th Street post office.

Lynn tried going to the 25th Street post office in person, but it was often closed. He said there was no sign on the door and no number to call directly. He reached out to the Klockner Drive post office in Montrose, which serviced that post office box, but staff would tell him we dont know or insist that its open.

The most frustrating part is that we cant get any answers from the post office, Lynn said. Its like a wall.

For Lynn, his mailing issues go beyond the post office. In December, he was expecting a large check from the University of Virginia, but it never arrived. Lynn later received a call from the bank that a man claiming to work for Victor Products showed up with that same check made out to the company.

After some investigating, Lynn figured out that the man went to the State Corporation Commission website and put down his name as the registered agent of Victor Products, which explained how he received the check.

Lynn called the SCC, which told him to write a letter. Lynn sent the letter, but has yet to receive a response.

If youre a business in the state of Virginia, all of your personal information is on that website, Lynn said. Im really concerned because Im a small business. Ive got 18 employees that count on me to make sure that they get a check every week.

North Side resident Mike Nolan said he and his neighbors have had a longstanding issue with home deliveries through the Chamberlayne Avenue post office.

Years ago, Nolan signed up for the Postal Services informed delivery service, a free service that displays preview images of incoming mail, as well as updates about incoming and outgoing packages. On Sept. 5, he began to notice that he was not getting his mail as expected.

I can pinpoint that day because thats approximately the day that my election ballots appeared on the informed delivery, which never ultimately made it to my house, Nolan said.

Nolan said he was also expecting utility bills, government documents and several checks. Since that time, he estimates he has spent 30 hours making calls and submitting online complaints to the Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and local representatives.

Numerous calls that Nolan placed with the Postal Services consumer advocate department and consumer affairs offices resulted in dead-ends: from no one answering the phone to disconnected numbers to full voicemail boxes.

When Nolan actually reached the Postal Service, he was provided a wide range of explanations, including a worker shortage causing delivery people to work longer hours, carriers clocking out early by handing off their routes to other carriers, and some representatives insisting that the mail system is working normally.

Taylor Brewer, portfolio manager for Richmond developer StyleCraft Homes, said the company has also struggled to receive answers from the Postal Service.

One of StyleCrafts properties, Mason Yards, once went six months without daily mail services from one of the Westhampton post offices. Brewer said that at one point, the post office claimed to have made the deliveries, but somehow offered a stack of mail to the company on the spot to deliver to residents.

Our homeowners are entrusting us as a developer and as a management company to build these type of relations with the post office, Brewer said. I really dont know how to address this other than to keep telling them please keep going to your post office, please keep filing complaints.

Three cases of months-old mail

Even the Virginia Museum of History & Culture has run into mail delivery problems. In October, the museum began noticing a significant decrease in mail despite the end of the year typically being the busiest time for membership renewals.

Weve received dozens of phone calls a day: why havent you cashed my check? I need this documentation for my taxes, wheres my membership? said Jamie Bosket, president and CEO of the VMHC. This is representing hundreds of thousands of dollars of mail that have been missing.

In late January, the museum received three cases of mail out of the blue that were postmarked from October and November. According to Bosket, the large bulk of mail represented about $300,000 in memberships. Other roundtable attendees noted receiving batches of mail days, weeks or months later than anticipated.

McEachin, who previously criticized the Postal Service for saying no to the town hall, said that with an important election season coming up in November, the mail service needs to be fixed so voters can reliably send in their absentee ballots and mail-in ballots.

We all know, given the environment in which we live today, that if people feel that their ballot  which they mail on time, which they ask for on time  is not delivered to the appropriate place on time, then people start to question the integrity of elections, McEachin said.

From the Archives: Mail in Richmond
Known for his friendly personality and ability to remember every customer, Adis Majkovic served the Richmond community homemade hummus and tabouli at 2M Mediterranean Market & Deli for over 20 years.

He remembered every face that showed up in our store. He would remember you, said his wife, Amira Majkovic. Everyone who came in, he called you friend.

After a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, Majkovic died on Jan. 19. He was 50.

Majkovic was born and grew up in Yugoslavia, now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1973. During the Bosnian War, Majkovic and his father were placed in a concentration camp for several months. When he was released, he made it to Croatia as a refugee. In 1996, to escape the war, he arrived in Virginia Beach through refugee placement services.

Originally trained as a butcher, Majkovic took a job cooking at the popular Azars Mediterranean Grill in Virginia Beach. His mother also took a job at Azars, making grape leaves. At Azars, Majkovic made hummus for Ukrops grocery store and Hannaford Supermarket.

His passion was cooking, Amira said.

In 1998, he met Amira and moved to Richmond.

We talked as a family about opening a business. We decided to start 2M Mediterranean with his brother Denis and his wife Tanya, Amira said.

In 2002, they found a spot at The Shoppes at Staples Mill & Glenside, a bustling strip mall at the time that was anchored by a Ukrops and filled with tenants.

2M Mediterranean, which offered European products and Middle Eastern groceries, started small with prepared and hot foods such as Greek sandwiches, gyros, shawarma and falafel.

Over time, it added more and more Mediterranean, Greek and Lebanese dishes, including creamy hummus, fresh tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, chicken salad, meat and spinach pies.

Majkovics favorite thing to do was to offer free samples to customers.

He would always say, How do you know if youll like it if you dont try it? Amira said.

2M Mediterranean Market & Deli was his baby, she said. He never wanted to be out of it. He never wanted to take a vacation. He always wanted to be there.

When Amira finally persuaded him to take a vacation to go home to Bosnia, he would call every day to see that everything is running fine, she said.

The hardest decision he ever made was when he got sick over the summer and knew he wouldnt be able to work any longer. He decided to sell the place, Amira said.

Family friend Pehlo Pehlic purchased 2M Mediterranean in August, when Majkovic was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic carcinoma.

They were so close. Adis called him cousin, Amira said.

Pehlic took over the business at 7103 Staples Mill Road in August and is keeping everything the same, including all the recipes, hummus and salads.

Amira said her husband missed 2M Mediterranean and his customers to the day he died. He missed their chats. Everyone was his friend.

In addition to his wife, Majkovic is survived by his son, Aidan; his brother, Denis; his mother, Lala; and his father, Hazim. Services were held on Jan. 21.

5 hidden gem restaurants in Richmond
The new Democratic majority in the House of Delegates on Friday passed a bill to ban semi-automatic rifles and pistols, sending it on its way to a sympathetic Senate.

But it will likely then reach a governor, Glenn Youngkin, who has said such bills are an unnecessary distraction, as Virginia already has what he describes as some of the toughest gun laws in the nation.

While Youngkin has not said directly that he would veto it, legislators and lobbyists are betting that he almost certainly will. In a closely divided legislature, Democrats do not have the votes to override a veto.

Ten states and Washington, D.C., currently ban assault-style firearms.

The vote on House Bill 2 was strictly party-line 51-49, as it was for a second gun control measure, House Bill 173, this on banning plastic firearms, which can get past security checkpoint scanners. The House also split 51-49 in passing House Bill 1, sponsored by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, to step up the pace of 2020s phase-in of a higher minimum wage.

The state Senate is slated to consider the same proposed ban on semi-automatic weapons next week.

Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, spoke against the measure on the House floor.

Were talking about the most commonly owned rifle in the United States, he said. These are used to protect property owners and to protect people who cannot protect themselves.

Griffin said of the legislation: Its probably unconstitutional.

The bills sponsor, Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, said the weapons at issue are like those he carried in the Army, operating in hostile territory, and are designed to kill people.

We should not accept that the number one killer of children in our commonwealth is bullets, he said.

Under Helmers bill, possessing assault-style firearms, defined as any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol with a magazine that holds more than 20 rounds of ammunition, would be banned for anyone under 21. Buying and selling such weapons, transporting them or giving them to someone else would also be subject to up to a year in jail.

The ban on semi-automatic weapons does not apply to any that have been rendered permanently inoperable; that are manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action; or that were manufactured before July 1, 2024. That exemption for older weapons, however, would not apply in cases when people under 21 possess, buy or sell the weapons.

It would also bar the sale of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill.

In his State of the Commonwealth address on Jan. 10, Youngkin urged lawmakers to focus on punishment rather than gun control.

We should also know that Virginias gun laws are already among the toughest in the nation, he said. Therefore, Im asking you: allow us to hold accountable those criminals that commit crimes with guns by lengthening and making more severe the penalties in order to keep them off the streets.

A federal ban enacted in 1994 expired in 2004 and, while the U.S. House of Representatives backed a ban in 2022, the Senate never acted because backers could not assemble the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster.

22 Richmond buildings that no longer exist
Cuban boat carrying 16 reported northeast of Isla Contoy

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  Authorities locate over a dozen people after the report of an unknown vessel off the island of Contoy in the states northern waters. The Mexican Navy rescued a group of Cubans in Isla Mujeres waters after receiving a report of a precarious boat adrift.

The 12 men and four women found onboard were all undocumented Cuban nationals. Their improvised boat was located near Isla Contoy in the municipality of Isla Mujeres early Friday.

Personnel from the Ninth Naval Region of the Ministry of the Navy aboard an interceptor boat and with support from the Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station of Isla Mujeres rescued 16 foreigners at sea.

Their vessel was located six nautical miles (approximately 11 kilometers) northeast of nature preserve island of Contoy.

Secretaria de la Marina were carrying out surveillance tours when they received the report. Photo: Secretaria de la Marina February 2, 2024.

Sailors carried out the rescue fter receiving a report from the Isla Mujeres Harbor Masters Office in the Command and Control Room of the Ninth Naval Region, reporting on a possible vessel with allegedly undocumented crew members northeast of Contoy, the Secretary of the Navy said in a statement.

The boat was located around six nautical miles northeast of Isla Contoy carrying 16. Photo: Secretaria de la Marina February 2, 2024.

Naval personnel aboard an interceptor patrol, which was carrying out maritime surveillance tours, located and rescued the aforementioned artisanal vessel with 16 crew members on board (12 men and four women) with support from a Defender ENSAR boat from Isla Mujeres.

All 16 Cuban nationals were met by INM at the Puerto Juarez Naval Station. Photo: Secretaria de la Marina February 2, 2024.

The people were rescued and transferred to the Puerto Juarez Naval Station from where they were handed over to authorities of the National Institute of Migration and International Health to carry out the corresponding procedures.

On January 30, a cruise ship spotted a drifting vessel carrying 12 off the coast of Mahahual. Mexican Navy personnel met the ship, finding 12 Cuban nationals were on board.
A family-owned marina company from New England has purchased the Crystal Shores and Crazy Horse marinas on Smith Mountain Lake.

Goodhue Boat Co. announced the purchases in a news release issued Friday. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed and a company spokesperson could not be immediately reached. The two marinas already include Goodhue branding online.

The acquisitions come as Smith Mountain Lake has seen an influx of home buyers since the pandemic and rise in real estate values around the lake.

We are thrilled to welcome Crystal Shores Marina and Crazy Horse Marina into the Goodhue Boat Company family, said Cody Gray, Goodhues vice president of operations in the news release. Our core values are centered around a foundation of trust, integrity and a passion for delivering unforgettable boating experiences. We are eager to bring our time-tested values to Smith Mountain Lake and contribute to the local boating culture.

Goodhues statement said the company would maintain and enhance the marinas existing services, and offer boat sales with Cobalt, Malibu and Premier Pontoons, as well as rentals and a boat club.

Crazy Horse Marina is located at 400 Crazy Horse Drive in Franklin County. It has been the site of many high-profile events in recent times, including the annual Pirate Days and antique and classic boat show. Crystal Shores Marina is located at 1617 Crystal Shores Drive in Bedford County.

Goodhue has a company history dating to 1903 and a marina on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. The company said in its news release that the expansion to Virginia marks a significant milestone for Goodhue Boat Company as it extends its footprint beyond New England.
Former Roanoke city councilman and convicted felon Robert Jeffrey Jr. proposed not repaying the bulk of the more than $200,000 he stole from a city nonprofit and municipal coffers, arguing he is bankrupt.

But Jeffreys gambit, spelled out in a January bankruptcy filing, may not survive the scrutiny of a judge.

Theres a pending circuit court order that says he must repay his victims within five years and that obligation may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy court, said Christopher Micale, the Chapter 13 trustee for Roanoke.

A final decision is not expected before early March at the earliest.

A previous Jeffrey bankruptcy while he was living in Washington state, described in 2021 by The Roanoke Times, enabled him to shed more than $1 million in debt.

Freshly released from prison, a thinner-looking Jeffrey returned to court Friday for the first time since he headed off to prison 17 and a half months ago following convictions for financial crimes. Five days after his release from custody in late December, he filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 of the federal law.

Although the Friday hearing was called to set restitution-repayment terms, it recessed within minutes without a decision. Judge David Carson said he wanted the prosecution and defense to analyze the impact of the month-old bankruptcy case on the 31-month-old criminal case.

The only remaining facet of the criminal case is for Jeffrey, 54, a former magazine publisher who has worked in real estate management, to make his victims whole. Theres $201,000 due the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization, a housing nonprofit where Jeffrey embezzled money while serving in a property management role for the organization, according to his convictions. He was also charged and convicted of obtaining $15,000 under false pretenses in connection with applications his businesses made to a city agency for pandemic relief money. A Democrat and first-time elected official, Jeffrey forfeited his city council seat after his convictions in 2022.

Back in Roanoke, he is estimating that he will receive $750 in income from the operation of a business, profession or farm; $943 in Social Security; and $2,395 in the form of a family contribution, for a total monthly income of $4,088, court papers said. He estimated his living expenses at $2,044 a month and that leaves a like amount to go to debt, court papers said.

Chapter 13 debtors, a classification only for those with regular income, present a plan to repay all or part of their debts during a period of five years. The debtor makes a single payment to a court trustee  $2,045 a month in Jeffreys case, yielding $121,655. His proposal prioritizes consumer, medical and personal debts unrelated to his misconduct. It directs less than 5% of his total payments to repaying the $216,000 he stole and seeks to have the remainder wiped away, or discharged, according to court papers.

A bankruptcy judge has scheduled a March 4 hearing to begin to consider questions raised by the case.

Micale, the bankruptcy trustee, said he is an independent authority whose role is to advise the court and then administer whatever five-year plan the judge approves, receiving Jeffreys payments and distributing the money where the plan directs. The judge will decide what share if any of Jeffreys debts to discharge, Micale said. Just because he is asking for discharge doesnt mean he will get it, Micale said.

Prosecutors want Jeffrey to pay all the restitution.

This is a little bit unusual for us. Well see what our rights are at this point, what our options are, said Sheri Mason, assistant commonwealths attorney, outside court.

NNEO leader Antwyne Calloway said the organization has assets left and is still operating despite losing $200,000  but there was an impact.

How many individuals did we not have an opportunity to assist in the community? Is there a mother with three children who could have used one of our properties or that we could have rehabbed an additional property and allowed that mother to have an opportunity at affordable housing? Calloway said. Or are there some programs in the community that we could have supported in different ways.

At the NNEO, all were asking is whatever restitution is owed to the organization it be paid, he said.

Dont defraud us twice , said Chris Powell, who belongs to the NNEO board. Thats what it feels like.

Hes trying not to pay the money back, simple as that, Powell said.
A former state lawmaker is contesting a lawsuit that accuses her of mistreating a tenant of a Christiansburg apartment she owns.

An attorney for Marie March of Floyd asked that the lawsuit be dismissed in court papers filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

Debra Long, who is disabled, alleges that she was harassed and discriminated against by March and her company, Big Bear Properties. The lawsuit claims that a maintenance man at the apartment complex sexually harassed and threatened Long to the point that she was forced to obtain a protective order.

When March learned of the situation, the lawsuit claims, she retaliated against Long by banning her grandson, who was a Medicaid-approved caregiver for the 66-year-old woman, from staying at the apartment.

The allegations were denied in a response filed by Richmond attorney Alexander S. de Witt, who wrote that the lease agreement allows just one occupant in the apartment.

De Witt also argued that the lawsuit may be barred, in whole or in part, because Longs Roanoke Street apartment is exempt from fair housing laws that are the basis of the case. Those laws allow owners to set occupancy limits based on safety standards and other factors.

Long  who suffers from ailments that include chronic pain syndrome, nerve damage and neuropathy  was left unable to eat properly or care for herself, according to the lawsuit.

When Long appealed for help, March allegedly said she was not running a nursing home and suggested that any complaints would be a losing battle because of her position as a state legislator.

After serving one term in the House of Delegates, March lost her bid last year for the Republican nomination to run for reelection. Her tenure was marked by several controversies, including zoning disputes with Pulaski County officials and an encounter with her GOP opponent, Del. Wren Williams, at a political meeting.

A judge dismissed a charge of assault that March filed against Williams, who went on to win election in the 47th District, which includes Floyd, Carroll, Patrick and part of Henry counties, and Galax.
Christopher Antonio Arias, 21, of Roanoke, was indicted last year on two charges related to the January 2023 death of his stepfather, Christopher Sinram. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to both felonies, first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder, according to a news release from the city commonwealths attorneys office. His sentencing hearing is set for May 7, a day after his trial was originally scheduled to commence.

When police got there, they located Arias walking away from the scene. He was armed with a handgun, and officers took him into custody, according to Fridays release. Police also found two knives and a spare magazine on his person.

Arias was interviewed by detectives and admitted to the shooting, the release continues. An investigation found that Sinram and Arias mother had fought that night.

After their argument, Arias fired multiple shots toward Sinram, who was struck in the head, the release reads. The stepfather was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

Final agreement reached in drug case

Shawn Michael McCraw, 36, of Roanoke was the last of three co-defendants to enter a plea agreement in the drug case, which dates from last spring.

On March 16, members of the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of Riverside Terrace and seized 20 firearms and nearly $7,000 in U.S. currency, according to the Friday release from commonwealths attorneys office.

Police also seized about 2,618 grams of methamphetamine, 108 grams of fentanyl, 78 grams of heroin and fentanyl and 26 grams of cocaine, according to the release.

Virginia State Police reported three arrests associated with the search at the Riverside Terrace residence. McCraw was charged with four felonies: possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while possessing a schedule I or II drug and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

McCraw pleaded no contest Wednesday to three of those charges: meth possession, heroin possession and firearm possession. Two other charges were not prosecuted, in accordance with his agreement.

On the meth charge, McCraw was sentenced to 15 years in prison suspended after he serves five, according to his plea agreement. On the heroin charge, he got 15 years suspended after he serves three. And on the firearm charge, he got five years suspended after he serves two. His total sentence is 35 years suspended after he serves 10.

Once released, McCraw will be placed on supervised probation for three years. As part of his agreement, he will forfeit the nearly $7,000 seized by police on March 16.

Court documents indicate that the firearms seized, including three 9mm handguns, will be destroyed.

McCraws co-defendants, 20-year-old Ronnie Edward Niday and 24-year-old Ashley Nicole Bobbitt, have already entered plea agreements and been sentenced on their charges.

Niday was sentenced Jan. 11 to 16 years of active prison time. Bobbitt was sentenced in July to active time she had already served, about four months.

Praise for law enforcement

Roanoke prosecutors recognized in Fridays release the outstanding work by members of the Star City task force and Roanoke police officers.

Regarding the Hunt Avenue homicide, they said, Officers responded to a dangerous situation in a public area and quickly apprehended the suspect and secured the scene. Detectives worked tirelessly in their investigation of this case, identifying and interviewing witnesses and gathering the necessary evidence to prepare a case for a successful prosecution.

Of the Riverside Terrace drug raid, prosecutors said that due to task force officers hard work and dedication, large amounts of dangerous drugs and weapons were taken off the streets and the responsible parties were held accountable for their actions.
After a four year hiatus, the Summer Residential Governors School for Medical and Health Sciences will resume operations this year and will be at Radford University.

The program is open to high school juniors and seniors, from public and private schools, as well as home-school students at a comparable grade level.

The program presents an advanced curriculum for students interested in going into the medical field, according to a description from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

The program will be at Radford Universitys Roanoke campus, and participating students will live at the campus dormitories during its four week run, from June 23 to July 20.

The Medical and Health Sciences SRGS program is suited for students with a serious interest in science, curiosity about the effects of science in the fields of medicine and health care and motivation to spend a month in a rigorous, academically accelerated setting during the summer, the VDOE said in a news release.

The program is free to students, and the application deadline for participation is Feb. 23, though earlier deadlines might exist depending on school district.

The program is held in collaboration with the VDOE, Radford University, and the Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers.

Nancy Loosle, the director of Campus Life at Radford, and of the summer program, said that she was excited to host the students, and help boost their interest in health sciences.

Its an exciting opportunity not just for the students, but for Radford, she said.
BLACKSBURG  For the fourth year in a row, Virginia Tech received a record number of applications.

For the upcoming fall semester, the university received 52,365 freshman applications, an 11% increase from last year.

However, those numbers dont necessarily mean there will be a large increase in enrollment for next year, according to Mark Owczarski, Virginia Techs chief spokesman.

Specifically, Owczarski said Virginia Techs undergraduate student population has hovered around 30,000 since 2017, and that the university has no current plans to expand far beyond that.

If you go back about a decade, when [President] Tim Sands first came to the university, he set a goal for 30,000 students, Owczarski said. We hit that goal in 2017.

Currently, the goal Virginia Tech has set for 2024 is a total undergraduate enrollment of slightly above 31,000 students, putting the enrollment at least 500 students higher than where it currently stands.

While according to Owczarski, enrollment has flattened out in recent years, Virginia Tech has continued to see yearly student increases while other universities in Virginia have seen enrollment declines.

That we continue to receive so many applications is a sign of the value that students place in the education they can get here, and the value we bring to the commonwealth, Owczarski said.

Recently, as housing prices have seen steady increases in the New River Valley, local officials have expressed concern over the continued growth of Virginia Tech. In her State of the Town message, Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith said that the housing situation in Blacksburg is unsustainable and that Virginia Tech should consider building more housing on its campus and also potentially concentrating enrollment growth at its other campuses in Virginia.

To the issue of providing housing and other amenities to accommodate student population growth, while he says they will have to catch up with the housing needs in the area, Owczarski pointed to the Campus Master Plan, which includes a new student housing complex, known as the Campus Life Village, and other capital construction projects.

If you go down Prices Fork, youll see several construction projects that are currently underway, Owczarski said. Each one of those, and everything in our master plan, is focused on making sure we support our students when they come here, and support the needs of the town, and the needs of the commonwealth.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
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Kari Kola's artwork Savage Beauty turns Connemara Mountains emerald and blue. Kola will make his U.S. debut with "Prelude" in Mill River Park in Stamford, Conn., which will run from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 through Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. Christopher Lund/2020 Christopher Lund

Everything about self-described light artist Kari Kola is original. So it feels wrong to begin and end a column about him with cliches.

Still, he is creating his latest work because 10-year-old Chloe Clementina solved her fathers dilemma in trying to bring a winter art exhibit to Stamfords Mill River Park.

Wait Dad, you can do this, she told Community Curator Fernando Luis Alvarez. You need to get an artist who uses light.

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Yes, a light bulb went off over their heads (theres that first cliche).

Kolas creation, Prelude, will debut at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. Its free to all, but true to the ephemeral spirit of Kolas art, the window to see it will close at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. The path to experience it will begin across from the Hampton Inn, 26 Mill River St.

He says he is striving to combine different parts of the city to create a different kind of space. It has the potential to turn the park into a symbolic beacon, a sort of lighthouse on the mainland.

Even those four nights in Stamford are considerably longer than one of his signature works, when he became the first (and only) artist to use Stonehenge as a canvas.

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I cant stifle the thought from leaving my brain: Who does that?

Only me, he replies wryly.

The overnight illumination of Stonehenge lasted for a mere two hours and 15 minutes, and was seen by only about two dozen people, 15 of whom were part of Kolas team.

The next morning 100 million people saw it through the media, he says.

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His philosophy is that limited showings draw larger audiences. Think about it. If you knew you had weeks to catch Prelude, youd probably keep postponing and eventually miss it. So not only is Kola playing with light and sound, but with time itself.

Unlike an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the Louvre in Paris, Prelude will encourage the audience to exist in the moment. Dont expect a local production of a Pink Floyd Planetarium show. It will not be frenetic, but meditative, and will transform  not unlike seasons  as the weather shifts from hour to hour and night to night.

Light is our universal speed limit, yet Kola uses it to get us to pump the brakes.

I ask how people should prepare for the experience.

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The best way to prepare is not to prepare, he teases. Just come to the site. Let it flow. Use the time there. Dont just walk through and take selfies.

Not that he expects anyone to turn off their cameras. He knows that documents of his shows will continue to surface for years to come.

So, what is time?

He says the four words quickly. I hear them slowly. The title of the Stamford piece, which also incorporates his ambient music, is a promise of more to come. Kola has created works in his native Finland, in London, Tokyo, Italy, Paris, Prague, Portugal, Istanbul, etc. But this is his first work in the United States. If Northeast winter forecasts werent enough of a challenge, he also has to deal for the first time with U.S. electric outlets to power his art.

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Nearly a century ago, in 1929, planner Herbert Swan presented "Plan of a Metropolitan Suburb, which envisioned Mill River Park as a mini Central Park. After generations of obstacles, it finally has that feel, bookended by a carousel, a skating rink, the Whittingham Discovery Center and vibrant seasonal programming. Alvarez was challenged by Mill River Collaborative President Nette Compton to come up with a winter showcase, leading him (with help from Chloe) to Kola. Even Central Park hasnt done anything like this.

In a way its like a new beginning for the City of Stamford and the arts with Karis installation. There are a lot of exciting things coming to the city in the next decade, Alvarez says.

In short, its a prelude. For Compton, in several ways, its about time.

In my mind the end goal is for kids and families to be excited and renewed to see the park as something really special, particularly the memories, she says. She pauses to consider how global warming shortens winters. I want kids to have memories of winter when they are grandparents.

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Since Mill River Park is Comptons office, she has an appreciation for its commonly overlooked winter beauty. When Kola first came to see his canvas in September, of course, it looked nothing like it will during his show. But he did see things locals can easily miss, because sometimes you cant see the picture when youre in the frame. For Kola, the river itself divides the City of Stamford. The show is an opportunity to bridge those sides.

Kola says he doesnt use much in the way of sketches or computer modeling, favoring the sketchbook of the mind.

You cannot do this with pictures, he says. With pictures you miss the sound. You miss the smell. You miss the atmosphere. What was the sound of the leaves? How does it change? What was the key element of the space? My head works much faster than any computer.

Hes already done more than 2,000 installations, but Kola aspires for even larger canvases than the ones he has already painted with light. Hes turned the Connemara mountains in Ireland emerald and blue (during the start of the pandemic, no less) and worked in minus-40 degree temperatures. He takes roads not taken because his canvases sometimes lack roads.

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Im an extreme guy, he says.
Clemson University animal health officials are urging owners of backyard poultry flocks and pet waterfowl to keep their birds away from wild waterfowl and the waters they inhabit.

The warning comes after backyard flocks in Horry and Orangeburg counties contracted the Eurasian strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), presumably from wild birds and waterways frequented by wild birds.

In both cases, the flocks suffered major die-offs, and the remaining infected poultry were depopulated to keep the devastating virus from spreading to other backyard flocks and jeopardizing the states $1.5 billion poultry industry.

The die-offs were self-reported by the flock owners. The birds were tested by the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center, and then confirmed by the United States Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

So far, the South Carolina commercial poultry industry has stayed clear of the deadly virus by practicing strict biosecurity protocols, but backyard growers havent been so lucky.

It is imperative that all owners of backyard poultry and pet waterfowl keep their birds from mingling with wild waterfowl or accessing waters that could be frequented by wild waterfowl, said State Veterinarian Michael Neault, who directs Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health (LPH). These precautions not only protect their birds from contracting the virus, but also help keep the poultry industry (big and small) safe.

In 2023, 21 states including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia reported cases of avian influenza.

HPAI is considered low risk to human health, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including backyard and commercial flocks of poultry. While the virus is also not considered a food safety threat, infected birds do not enter the food supply.

For information on biosecurity measures, visit the Clemson Livestock Poultry Health Avian Influenza website or the USDAs Defend the Flock Program website.

Report sick or dead poultry to Clemson Livestock Poultry Health by calling 803-788-2260 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or using the online report form. Report sick or dead wild waterfowl to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources by calling 803-734-3886.
Dating back to the founding of our great nation, tobacco has long been an important crop in South Carolina. While regulation and demand have shifted over the last century, tobacco remains one of our states most profitable crops and provides thousands of well-paying jobs and accounts for billions in local and state economies.

In no area of our state is the tobacco industry more crucial for the livelihoods of farmers and their families than the Pee Dee. For generations, the profits from the sale of the tobacco crop have kept food on the table, sent children to college and helped countless families reach the American dream.

The livelihoods of these farmers and their families could soon be decimated if President Joe Biden and the Food and Drug Administration move forward with their proposed ban on menthol cigarettes.

In South Carolina, the menthol cigarette industry supports nearly 4,000 jobs and $900 million in revenue. These jobs, wages, and economic outputs are important to rural areas of our state that lack the large manufacturing and retail industries that are prevalent in other areas.

The mom-and-pop retail stores that rely on tobacco sales to stay in business are often the only suppliers of basic essentials such as milk, bread and fuel in small towns. Taking these key products off their shelves will likely lead to them shuttering their doors and forcing families to travel even further from home.

Menthol tobacco sales and their corresponding taxes also provide much-needed funding in government revenue that goes to support tobacco related regulation, research and public health strategies that have proven successful in cessation and reducing the risks of smoking.

In addition to the negative economic impacts that Bidens proposed menthol ban would bring, there are social consequences as well. As evidenced by the War on Drugs and Prohibition, federal bans on products simply do not work as consumers will seek out illicit alternatives that ultimately undermine our already strained criminal justice system and put money in the pockets of criminals and their enterprises.

A ban on menthol cigarettes will be no different. Gangs and the illicit market will take over and instead of revenue going into the pockets of South Carolinians and small businesses, money will go to support violence and gang activity that are already at alarming levels in many areas of our state.

Our men and women in blue simply do not have the capacity to track down traffickers of banned tobacco products. Forcing them to do so would divert resources and attention away from more pressing challenges in our communities.

South Carolina, like many other states, faces rising crime rates, homelessness, and opioid and fentanyl epidemics. Enforcing a ban would only strain relations with the communities our law enforcement is bound to serve.

As President Biden and his surrogates focus on South Carolina ahead of the 2024 first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential primary, it is important that we remind him and his administration of the unintended consequences a menthol ban would have on our farmers, rural communities and law enforcement officers.

Instead, Biden and the FDA should find meaningful and effective ways to reduce or prevent Americans from smoking. South Carolinas rural communities simply cannot afford the broad impact of a national menthol ban.
The Rev. Zach Farmer died on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. You might expect a ministers life to be remembered by the souls he saved and the churches he served. Zach Farmer, however, was much more than a minister.

He was the most humble man I have ever known. There was no obituary in the paper but I hope you will take the time to read the obituary he wrote himself on the Dukes-Harley Funeral Home page. It is a testimony to the man he was. He saw himself as a simple servant of God. He did not desire the big steeple churches in the United Methodist Conference. He preferred country and small-town churches.

Zach was a Renaissance man. He was a graduate of Wofford. While he was there, he developed a love of poetry. Archibald Rutledge was his inspiration and he could quote poems for any occasion. He also wrote beautiful poems. I was fortunate to read one of his poems at his graveside. He served Providence United Methodist Church and while he was here, he wrote a poem about two little footprints in the cement walk which once led to the school. His poetry is deserving of publication and some has been published by The Advocate. He was a poet.

Zach Farmer Zach was a hunter and a lover of the outdoors. If you are a turkey hunter, you know exactly who Zach was. He developed a unique turkey call t

Zach was a hunter and a lover of the outdoors. If you are a turkey hunter, you know exactly who Zach was. He developed a unique turkey call that became prized by those who were lucky enough to own one. Up until a year ago he was still making them and teaching each owner, if they came to pick it up, how to use it. Unfortunately, there is still a huge stack of requests that will never be filled. Each was made by hand and the dust began to bother his breathing long before we knew why. He loved showing the buyer how to play it and call a turkey.

The Orangeburg Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation was renamed the Zach Farmer Chapter. He was honored at the national convention years ago. You can Google Zach and find all kinds of videos of him being interviewed. But none of that you would ever know unless you were among his closest friends. There was no craving for acknowledgement. He lived for God alone to please.

He also loved deer hunting and when he came to Providence, there was no work done on Saturday because all the men were deer hunting. He loved the thrill of the hunt but even more, he loved to be outdoors in Gods fields and woods. He taught so many about life and how to live it in the fields, woods, marshes and swamps while he was hunting with them.

He was an extraordinary friend. My daughter Karen is intellectually disabled and she was always his joy. After he joked with her that she should get a boyfriend, she quickly told him that he was Boyfriend #1. That was her name for him up to the end. He held my hand through deaths, illness and surgeries right up to this August when he visited me after surgery.

The greatest thing about Zach was his love. He married Lee Cantley after falling in love with her at first sight. He felt he was the luckiest man alive to have Lee love him also. Lee and Zach were together through Lees cancer and when her mind betrayed her. Zach took care of her until it just wasnt possible anymore. Her final years were spent in the specialty care unit at The Oaks.

He went to her every day. Most days he was the first thing she saw in the morning and the last thing she saw in the evening. When COVID hit and he was not allowed in the building, he arranged for a nurse to bring her wheelchair to a glass area. He would sit on an overturned 5-gallon drum that he kept in his pickup; they would press their hands against the glass as he talked to her.

When Lee died, he made the trip to her grave here in Providence as often as possible. In the beginning it was every day. You were not surprised to look toward the cemetery as you drove by and see him sitting on that same overturned 5-gallon drum talking to her and bringing fresh flowers. The last time he was able to come was the anniversary of their first date. How many husbands can remember the anniversary of their first date? Zach could.

His love and pride for his daughter Mary Branham was overwhelming. She has a beautiful voice and her soul and heart match it. Imagine how special she is to be the daughter of Zach and Lee. Mary loved them both and appreciated everything they did for her.

Zach and I said goodbye the week that he died. I told him then that I thought his last commission from God was to mentor our pastor, the Rev. Rebecca Rowell. Providence was her first church. She found Zach while visiting and he became her mentor. Their relationship was so beautiful: Zach at the end of his career and Rebecca at the beginning of her career. God gave them each other. They spent hours together every week and both were the better for it. It is a bond that will see her through her ministry.

Part of our conversation that final time was him consoling me again. He told me as a young son of a minister in a rural area, his father had often taken him to visit members of the congregation at night because they worked the fields during the day. He told me that often it would become late, he would fall asleep in the home of one of the members but that when he woke up, he would be at his home where he belonged. He told me that, of course, his father had taken him home and tucked him in bed. Zach told me not to grieve because that is exactly what God does for us when we die. God lifts us and carries us Home.

Minister, turkey and deer hunter, turkey-call maker, friend, poet, husband, father, mentor all describe Zach Farmer. Dont let a day go by that you dont relish the opportunity you have to be the person Zach was.

He ended his obituary with the inscription he had written for their headstone:

When to Gods final call my soul has gone;

No lasting work may he have done.

No crowns achieved, no honors won;

But with clear purpose all could see,

To God he gave his loyalty.

His life and love he gave to Lee.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told a crowd of South Carolina State University students and others that they cant underestimate the power of their votes as they head to the polls on Saturday.

Harris spoke at a rally held at S.C. State in Orangeburg on Friday during her ninth trip to the state as vice president.

She challenged the audience to cast their votes in what will be the first official Democratic presidential primary, which is being held in South Carolina on Saturday.

Across our nation, fundamental freedoms are at stake. ... Do we want to live in a country of liberty, freedom and rule of law, or a country of disorder, fear and hate? ... Each of us has the power to answer these questions, she said.

Harris said the freedom to vote, live without fear of hate and bigotry, be safe from the horror of gun violence, as well as the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government telling her what to do are among freedoms that are at stake across the country.

On these issues and so many more, who sits in the White House, it matters. And in this election, each one of us, we face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in? We each face the question, Harris said.

Do we want to live in a country of liberty, freedom and rule of law, or a country of disorder, fear and hate? ... Each of us has the power to answer these questions, she said.

Harris said shes counting on the people of South Carolina to vote.

South Carolina, you are the first primary in the nation, and President Biden and I are counting on you ... to make your voices heard, Harris said.

The Republican presidential primary is set for Saturday, Feb. 24. Voters can participate in either partys presidential primary, but not both.

Harris reminded the audience how South Carolina helped propel her and U.S. President Joe Biden to victory four years ago.

The people of South Carolina showed up to vote. You convinced your friends and your family members and neighbors and co-workers of the power of their vote, and the power they have when they show up to vote, she said.

She touted the Biden administrations efforts to expand high-speed internet, particularly within rural communities.

Because you voted in 2020, President Biden and I are connecting every person in America with high-speed internet, including more than 100,000 families right here in South Carolina, she said.

Student loan debt has also been addressed, Harris said.

Because you voted in 2020, President Biden and I have canceled more than $136 billion in student loan debt for more than three and a half million Americans. Although the Republicans in Congress refuse to work with us to cancel more debt, we will not be deterred, she said.

President Biden and I will keep fighting for relief from student loan debt.

She said huge investments have also been made in historically Black colleges and universities.

We must do more to support them. They dont have the kinds of endowments that some other schools have, although they produce leaders of our country and our world.

So as a proud HBCU graduate, I made sure that we invested more than $7 billion in HBCUs across our nation, including nearly $60 million for the students right here at South Carolina State, Harris said.

Lowering health care costs has also been addressed, she said, including capping what seniors pay out-of-pocket for insulin.

For too many years, too many of our seniors had to make the choice of either filling their prescription or filling their refrigerator. But because you voted, President Biden and I took on big pharma, and we capped the cost of insulin for our seniors at $35 a month, she said.

And we capped the entire cost of prescription medications to $2,000 a year. So this is just some of what we have accomplished since we took office. Over the past three years, President Biden and I have lowered costs, created opportunity and are building an economy that works for working people, she said.

Harris said consumer confidence is up and consumer spending is an all-time high.

Although we have more work to do, let us be clear. Americas economy continues to be the strongest in the world, Harris said.

The vice president said the Biden administration worked not for themselves, but for the people.

We work for you, the American people, and every day we fight for you. Sadly, however, that is not true for everyone, she said.

Harris claimed former U.S. President Donald Trump fought not for the American people, but for himself. Trump, a Republican, is running for re-election.

He openly talks about his intention to weaponize the Department of Justice. He openly says that he is proud that he overturned Roe v. Wade. Proud that he took the freedom of choice from millions of American women, Harris said.

She continued, For years, the former president has stoked the fires of hate and bigotry and racism and xenophobia for his own power and political gain. ...

As the great Maya Angelou once said, When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.

Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler, U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn, attorney and political commentator Bakari Sellers and Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison were among the speakers at the rally.

Were now down to the final push. Always remember that you have a voice and you matter and your vote matters, Butler said.

Sellers urged the audience to get out and vote to help change the countrys course.

I believe in what this country can be. ... Tomorrow will be better than yesterday. Weve got show up to the polls (Saturday) and then handle Donald Trump in November, Sellers said.

Harrison urged audience members not underestimate the power of their votes.

Dont be silent! Show up! That is the power that you have right now! Harrison said. That is how we make hope real.

Clyburn encouraged individuals to vote because one vote could very well decide what our future is.

Who are you going to put in charge of your future? the congressman asked.

The Rev. E.J. Sutton of West Columbia said he is concerned about the future.

I just dont want us to go backward. That was not a good period for our country. Im motivated. I enjoyed the time spent here, Sutton said.

Sutton, the pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in North, is also the moderator of the St. Matthews Baptist Association.

We were invited to come to meet with the vice president, and I decided to come. Im concerned about what the next four years will look like if we dont have them re-elected, Sutton said.

He continued, So Im here to support them and to help get the word out to our people to get out and vote. Its not so much we want change. We dont want to go back.

He said, Im more concerned about going back to what the last four years were prior to them being in office than I am to making any changes. I believe were headed in the right direction as far as the country goes.

Theyre looking out on behalf of the people, and thats what we need our leaders to do. ... I believe thats where their heart is and that theyre going to continue to do that.
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SIOUX CITY  Iowa AEAs have provided more information regarding comments made by Gov. Kim Reynolds about the services the agency provides.

As the AEA bill continues through the legislative session, local AEAs are sharing more information about what they do and how this bill will impact them.

"The governors bill is a power grab with 133 instances in which she takes decision-making away from the locally elected AEA board of directors and the State Board of Education and gives it to one person: the director of the Department of Education," said Northwest AEA Chief Dan Cox. "That wont improve special education services for students."

Reynolds, in an interview with the Sioux City Journal, 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.

Cox and the Iowa AEAs provided the Journal information regarding the claims made by Reynolds. The Iowa AEAs have also created a webpage outlining claims made about the AEAs and their responses.

Beth Strike, of Central Rivers AEA said the AEAs are appreciative that legislators are listening to the concerns shared by stakeholders and are willing to bring those individuals to the table for discussions.

Currently, the AEA bill has advanced from the Iowa Senate subcommittee and is eligible for a vote by the full committee.

Northwest AEA The Northwest Area Education Agency building is shown on Discovery Boulevard in Sioux City. The Northwest AEA serves 34 public schools and 32 

Below are comments made by Reynolds to the Journal and responses given by local AEAs:

$529 million going into a system that has no accountability or transparency with horrible results, Reynolds said to the Journal last week. 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.

Regarding the $529 million figure, Strike said it does not match the AEA's calculations and Reynolds office has not responded to requests to clarify the number.

Cox said the AEAs do have accountability and transparency at both the state and the local levels.

"The Department of Education conducts accreditation visits for all 9 AEAs," Cox said. "If we do not meet the standards set by the DE, we get placed on conditional accreditation. It happened to Mississippi Bend AEA in 2019. They went through additional accountability measures each year and just had their final visit last fall. It was a success."

On a local level, the AEAs are overseen by their board of directors, whose members are chosen by the school boards they represent, Cox said. He added most superintendents meet monthly with the AEA leaders and AEAs have a board advisory group.

"At Northwest AEA, we have 22 members this year including two representatives from our nonpublic schools. The advisory is charged with making recommendations regarding current and future services, Cox said.

The bill would give school districts more options on how they receive special education services and how they use the funding currently given to the AEA.

Cox said the state had a similar approach for services like speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc. before 1975.

"It failed. In 1974, the legislature was 'plagued with complaints about inequitable services,'" Cox said. Thats why Chuck Grassley and his fellow Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate put together the bill to create the AEA system."

Reynolds said there are good AEAs in the state, 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.

Strike shared that customer feedback scores for AEA services range from 75%-99% satisfied and extremely satisfied across the board.

Reynolds said currently AEA chiefs receive approximately $310,000 in compensation, but many are making around $340,000. 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.

Cox said the chief administrator's compensation is comparable to the urban districts in the AEAs coverage areas.

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.

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.

The AEAs state test scores don't tell the whole story of special education.

"When a special education student closes the gap and no longer needs services, they are exited from special education, according to the AEAs.

"For example, in 2022, 5,638 or 7.82% of students with disabilities in Iowa exited or no longer needed special education services because their IEP teams determined they had made sufficient progress and no longer needed services to be successful. We contend this sample size and data related to student IEPs and their individual outcomes is as compelling as some of these national data sets.

Reynolds said the U.S. Department of Education had designated Iowa as needed assistance with compliance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

"There are four categories used by the U.S. Department of Education to describe each states support for students receiving special education services. Iowa is one of 22 states in the needs assistance category, the lowest in severity of consequence," according to the AEAs. "Iowa has consistently been required to do the least intrusive action in response to this designation, and our state has never been listed in a designation level that requires more enforcement actions.

Strike said it is important to note that the outcome of the review is the shared responsibilities of the AEA, school districts and the Iowa Department of Education.

Reynolds said the AEAs receive funding for media services from the state but then charge districts to use those services, saying the state is paying for those services twice.

"This is patently false," Strike said. "State funding for Media services covers a number of services including a physical and digital collection of classroom materials and resources, school technology support services, instructional technology supports and roughly 50% of print, production and graphic design services."

Strike said districts pay for a portion of the costs for production, printing and graphic designing.
BEIRUT  Hamas officials said Friday the group is studying a proposed cease-fire deal that would include prolonged pauses in fighting in Gaza and swaps of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but the militants appeared to rule out some key components.

Hamas remains committed to its initial demands for a permanent cease-fire, the group's top political leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior Beirut-based official, Osama Hamdan, said. Hamdan also said the group seeks the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners being held for acts related to the conflict with Israel, including those serving life sentences.

He mentioned two by name, including Marwan Barghouti, a popular Palestinian uprising leader seen as a unifying figure. Hamdan's comments on the prisoners were the most detailed demands yet raised by the group in public.

The insistence on large-scale prisoner releases and an end to the fighting in Gaza put the group at odds with the multi-stage proposal that officials from Egypt, Israel, Qatar and the United States put forth this week. That proposal does not include a permanent cease-fire.

Cease-fire deal

After days of expressing optimism over progress toward a deal, mediators were still working to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to fly to the region Sunday to help push the efforts, making stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank, the State Department said.

Haniyeh said Friday that negotiations must "completely end" the Israeli offensive in Gaza and bring the withdrawal of Israeli forces  demands that Israel has rejected.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war. They continue to hold dozens of captives after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Since Israel's offensive began, more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed and 66,000 wounded, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The conflict has also leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of its residents to starvation.

Hamdan also said Hamas wants to free Palestinian prisoners of all factions  not just those affiliated with the militant group. In addition to Barghouti, he named Ahmed Saadat, the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a small PLO faction.

Barghouti and Saadat were convicted of involvement in fatal attacks during the second Palestinian uprising against Israel's occupation a generation ago.

Alluding to additional points of dispute, Hamdan also said that Israel is carving out a buffer zone on the Gaza side of the border. Israel has not acknowledged such plans officially, but satellite photos show new demolition in a 0.6-mile-wide swath within Gaza along the border with Israel.

Fighting continues

As the war nears the four-month mark, fighting continued in the southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military said Friday that its efforts focused on fighters, weapons and infrastructure in the city, a key target of Israel's ground offensive in recent weeks.

Israeli fire hit the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent at Khan Younis' Amal Hospital on Friday, killing four people, including a Red Crescent staffer, the organization said. It was the third staff member killed this week.

Israeli troops have surrounded the hospital for 12 days amid heavy bombardment and gunfire, and supplies are running out, the Red Crescent said. It called for a safe corridor to evacuate patients.

Tens of thousands of residents of Khan Younis and surrounding areas have fled south to the town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where already more than a million people from across Gaza have taken refuge.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday that after Israeli troops seize Khan Younis, they will move on Rafah, though he did not give a time frame. That prospect raised fears about where the population would find safety.

The United Nations said Rafah is becoming a "pressure cooker of despair."

"We fear for what comes next," said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "It's like every week we think, you know, it can't get any worse. Well, go figure. It gets worse."

Another Hamas official said Friday that the group would give its reply on the cease-fire proposal "very soon" and ask for several unspecified changes. He refused to give details on what they're seeking or how many hostages would be released in return for how many prisoners.

Qatar and Egypt have been serving as mediators between Israel and Hamas. A senior Egyptian official familiar with the discussions described the multi-stage proposal, which he said Hamas had sent positive signals about. The Egyptian official and the Hamas official spoke on condition of anonymity because the indirect talks are still ongoing.

The proposal, according to the Egyptian official, includes an initial cease-fire of six to eight weeks during which Hamas would release elderly hostages, women and children in return for hundreds of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Throughout that phase, negotiations would continue on prolonging the cease-fire and releasing more prisoners and hostages. Israel would allow the number of aid trucks entering Gaza to increase up to 300 daily  from a few dozen currently  and let displaced Gaza residents gradually return to their homes in the north, according to the proposal.

Today in history: Feb. 2 1887: Groundhog Day 1913: Grand Central Terminal 1925: Alaska Serum Run 1943: Battle of Stalingrad 1948: Harry Truman 1980: "Abscam" 1990: South Africa 2006: John Boehner 2012: Egypt 2018: Larry Nassar 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pete Buttigieg 2022: Michael K. Williams 2023: Chinese balloon
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed a bill that would define man and woman in Iowa Code. The bill would require transgender Iowans list both their sex assigned at birth and their post-transition sex on their drivers license and birth certificate.

Reynolds filed House Study Bill 649 Thursday, a day after transgender Iowans and LGBTQ and civil rights advocates and allies flocked to the Capitol to protest a bill that would have changed the way transgender Iowans are protected under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

The bill, which would have eliminated gender identity as a protected class under Iowas Civil Rights Act and instead add to the acts covered disabilities gender dysphoria, died in a House subcommittee Wednesday as hundreds of Iowans cheered in the hallway outside.

Reynolds bill would amend state law for the purpose of statutory construction to legally define sex, male, female, mother, and father and require all governmental entities in the state to abide by these definitions when collecting data.

It defines a female as a person whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova, and a male as a person whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female.

The term woman or girl refers to a female and the term man or boy refers to a male, the section continues.

The bill goes on to echo language associated with the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson, which declared segregation on the basis of race to be legal. The bill says the term equal does not mean same or identical and that separate accommodations are not inherently unequal.

It would classify a person born with a medically verifiable diagnosis of disorder or difference of sex development as disabled and eligible for legal protections and accommodations afforded under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and applicable state law.

The bill also would prevent transgender Iowans who have had sex reassignment surgery from simply changing their sex on their birth certificate or drivers license. Currently, Iowa residents can do so by submitting either a court order for a name change or an official physicians letter for proof of gender transition treatment.

HSB 649 would require a persons sex at birth to be listed along with any sex reassignment for people seeking to change their birth certificate. The bill also would create a record of any sex changes on the Iowa drivers license for people who apply to update the document after a reassignment surgery.

Other Republican-led states, including Florida, have enacted similar policies, rescinding the ability to change gender markers on driver's licenses and aiming to legally define terms like "man" and "woman" based on biological sex at birth.

Women and men are not identical; they possess unique biological differences, Reynolds said in a statement. Thats not controversial, its common sense. Just like we did with girls' sports, this bill protects womens spaces and rights afforded to us by Iowa law and the constitution.

Its unfortunate that defining a woman in code has become necessary to protect spaces where womens health, safety, and privacy are being threatened like domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers. The bill allows the law to recognize biological differences while forbidding unfair discrimination.

LGBTQ advocates: Bill would force transgender Iowans to out themselves

LGBTQ and civil rights advocates said the bill is another broad attack on transgender Iowans, and erases nonbinary people from the law entirely.

Over the last two years, Reynolds has signed into law a series of new laws passed by Statehouse Republicans impacting transgender and other LGBTQ Iowans, including a ban on gender transition treatments and surgeries for minors, a ban on the teaching of gender identity or sexual orientation through sixth grade, a ban on transgender students using K-12 school bathrooms that align with their gender identity by requiring students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender at birth, and a ban on transgender girls competing in girls sports.

LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa said the legislation will require transgender people to out themselves anywhere they have to present their ID. Additionally, it could be interpreted as segregating transgender Iowans in facilities owned, operated or funded by state government, according to the group.

Requiring government funded or run domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers to treat transgender women inconsistent with their gender identity would conflict with federal law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and put federal funds at risk, according to One Iowa.

We demand that Governor Reynolds stop her cruel, relentless attacks on the LGBTQ community and start focusing on things that matter: funding our schools, lowering our cancer rates, and cleaning up our water, One Iowa Action Executive Director Courtney Reyes said in a statement.

Over and over again, the focus at the statehouse seems to be on relegating LGBTQ Iowans to second-class status, Reyes said. We have had enough. We showed up in massive numbers to stop the attack on our trans siblings, and we will show up again if this harmful legislation moves a single step forward.

Iowa Safe Schools, an advocacy group that works with LGBTQ youth and allies, called the governors bill an affront to everything were about as Iowans.

Governor Reynolds has made it crystal clear that transgender Iowans are not welcome in their own state, said Becky Tayler, executive director for Iowa Safe Schools. Our organization would strongly suggest that the Governor retake elementary civics class  separate but equal is inherently unconstitutional. Our organization will fight tirelessly to ensure our students are afforded equal treatment under the law.

ACLU: Horrifying bill would require transgender Iowans to disclose private medical history

Pete McRoberts, policy director for ACLU of Iowa, said the proposal was horrifying and creates unusual and unprecedented privacy concerns that would require transgender Iowans to disclose their private medical history on their drivers licenses for anyone to see.

McRoberts disputed the governors argument that the bill is needed to protect womens health, safety and privacy. He said the bill as written would make it harder to defend workplace protections for women due to language that says any program to prohibit non-discrimination of women must be offered in the same way for men.

The bill states: any state law, policy, or program that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex shall be construed to forbid unfair treatment of females or males in relation to similarly situated members of the opposite sex.

It is completely unnecessary. It doesnt reflect reality  and its not reflective of Iowa law or history, McRoberts said of the bill, calling it an assault on the very few Iowans who have completed a gender transition.

I questions why were doing this, why were excluding transgender people from state law  not eliminating protections for them  I mean excluding them, he said.

Voter ID laws are disenfranchising transgender and nonbinary people as anti-trans legislation reaches record levels Voter ID laws are disenfranchising transgender and nonbinary people as anti-trans legislation reaches record levels Voter ID laws make voting difficult for over 11% of Americans Transgender voters can be put at risk by voter ID laws There's a lot on the line for trans voters People are pushing back
NORTH SIOUX CITY  In the long-ago days when gambling was confined to racetracks, Sodrac reigned supreme.

The Sodrac Park greyhound track in North Sioux City, just off the southbound lanes of Interstate 29, opened in 1955. Sources differ on the meaning of the Sodrac name -- it was an abbreviation either for the Southern Dakota Racing Club or the South Dakota Racing Commission; archival materials exist to support both possibilities.

In the 1950s, Sodrac was one of three racetracks just outside Sioux City -- and outside Iowa state lines -- along with the Tri-State horse track two miles north of Sodrac, and the Atokad horse track in South Sioux City. Gambling was illegal in Iowa at the time, but South Dakota and Nebraska allowed gambling at racetracks.

Atokad is the only one that remains, though races are held there only once a year; its enormous grandstands have been replaced with modest bleacher seats.

Sodrac Greyhound races at Sodrac Park were hugely popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The racetrack declined in the 1980s and closed down in the 1990s.

Greyhound racing (and to a greater extent, horse racing) was hugely popular in the middle of the last century, in part because it was the only legally sanctioned form of gambling in states that allowed it. Smaller greyhound and horse racetracks entered a terminal decline around the time that states began loosening their gambling laws, permitting casinos and lotteries.

When the 60-day greyhound racing season closed at the end of Sodrac's first summer, the parimutuel handle (the sum of all wagers) came out to more than $3.1 million, described as an "astounding figure" in contemporary news coverage. On the final night of that season, Sept. 15, 1955, a record $120,520 passed through the betting windows, surpassing the record set the night before of $101,000.

The annual handle peaked at around $26 million in 1984; a rapid reversal of fortune set in not long after that high water-mark. The track reportedly welcomed as many as 25 to 28 busloads of gamblers a night in its better days.

"There would be huge buses, huge crowds bused from Kansas City, and bused from Minneapolis, and the parking lot would just be packed," said Jeff Donaldson, 58, who was employed as the track's announcer in the 1980s.

Donaldson's present-day home in North Sioux City was built on the former Sodrac property.

Sodrac The annual betting handle at North Sioux City's Sodrac Park peaked in 1984 at roughly $26 million, not adjusted for inflation.

Colorful owners

Beginning in 1960, Sodrac was owned by colorful, out-of-state gentlemen -- that year it was purchased by Jerry Collins, a high school dropout, self-made-millionaire Floridian and state politician; during his lifetime, Collins owned greyhound tracks in Florida, Colorado, Oregon and Cuba, along with four circuses.

Sodrac was briefly the subject of a race-fixing scandal in the first year of Collins' ownership: On July 29, 1960, a group of three Miami men reaped huge profits by betting on an implausible combination of long-shot dogs. Somehow or other they'd arranged to give barbiturates to the dogs favored to win the races. Three trainers and dog-owners were subsequently fined $50.

"We feel we have uncovered a national betting ring," Collins said at the time.

Years after he parted ways with Sodrac, in 1987, Collins made headlines nationwide when he wrote a $1.3 million personal check to the televangelist Oral Roberts. In March of that year, Roberts announced that God had ordered him to end his life with a hunger strike unless he could raise millions of dollars for Oral Roberts University. Collins, who was still active in the dog racing industry, answered that call.

Collins sold the track in 1974 to Joseph M. Linsey, a septuagenarian ex-bootlegger of the Prohibition era who later made millions in legal liquor distribution and dog tracks in several states. The publicity-averse Linsey lived on the East Coast and wasn't much of a presence at Sodrac; the track's day-to-day operations were largely handled by Irving Epstein, the track's manager.

Sodrac Sodrac Park, shown here in 1991, saw roughly 300,000 visitors during its best years. The track declined rapidly after states began loosening t

A steady drumbeat of news reports indicating that Linsey had connections to organized crime were vehemently denied in 1974 by Alfred S. Ross, Linsey's nephew and business associate who later co-owned Sodrac.

Then-South Dakota Gov. Richard F. Kneip said the state investigated the sale of the track and was satisfied that nothing was amiss with Linsey's background. Linsey had in fact spent a year in prison in 1927 for his bootlegging activities and had come to the attention of state and federal agencies, including the FBI, on a number of occasions. He also had documented acquaintanceships with several Mafia people, which he acknowledged -- still, he denied any direct ties.

Linsey, who lived to be 95, unloaded the track before the 1990 racing season. By then Sodrac was on death's doorstep.

Vince Wuebker worked at the track as a young man during its latter years, in the late 1980s and early 1990s; his job title for the first two years was public relations ("I don't know what my job was," he said, but it involved some writing and also running bets). He later became the track's announcer after Donaldson left.

"I always called it the Fenway of dog tracks, because it was so old," said Wuebker, now 57 and a resident of Fargo, North Dakota.

"Sodrac was just, in a good way, it was a dump," he added.

Not the first greyhound track

Sodrac was not the first dog track to operate in North Sioux City -- another had operated near the airfield there during the mid-1930s. (North Sioux City at that time was called Stevens, South Dakota.) That dog track, operated by a firm called the Dakota Racing Stables and Amusements Company, opened in the summer of 1934.

On its busier days the track reportedly attracted more than 3,000 people with as many as eight races a day, according to contemporary Journal coverage.

A month after that track opened, in August 1934, the Associated Press reported that the legendary bank robber Baby Face Nelson -- who was gunned down three months later -- was spotted at the dog track. (The veracity of his alleged visit to the track is unclear, though the Sioux City Police investigated, and Union County Sheriff Tom Collins, who "made a nightly check of of the crowds at the dog races," told The Journal he hadn't seen Nelson there.)

Sodrac The Sodrac Park greyhound track, shown here probably in the 1960s, once attracted busloads of gamblers from Omaha and other distant points.

'Probably the area's largest industry'

In its time Sodrac was a moneymaker, and respectable enough that at the end of the 1971 racing season, Gov. Kneip was a featured guest, in honor of the track's longtime charitable contributions.

The majority of Sodrac gamblers came from other states. In 1981, Jim Masmar, then the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce administrative vice president, called Sodrac "undoubtedly one of the biggest boosts to Sioux City's economy." Epstein, the track manager, said it was "the leading tourist attraction in Siouxland."

During its best years Sodrac would see roughly 300,000 people cross its threshold annually. The track was conservatively estimated to stimulate the Siouxland economy to the tune of $5 million a year, while the State of South Dakota took in $2 million a year in taxes from the racetrack.

Sioux City had suffered economic reversals during the 1970s: "The past few years have not been thrilling," Epstein said in 1981. "Sioux City is so economically depressed it's a wonder people are even willing to leave their homes."

But Sodrac didn't suffer at all.

"We're probably the area's largest industry," Epstein said at the time. "The money we generate is staggering."

Sodrac "Sodrac was just, in a good way, it was a dump," said Vince Wuebker, who worked at the North Sioux City greyhound track in the late 1980s and 

Decline came swiftly

Flash forward to the late 1980s, and Sodrac was dying by a thousand cuts. A competing dog track in Council Bluffs, called Bluffs Run, siphoned the bettors from the Omaha and Kansas City metros. Iowa legalized the lottery in 1985, followed by South Dakota.

Other states were legalizing dog racing. Soon casinos opened in Sloan and Onawa, Iowa, and North Sioux City welcomed video lottery machines. And a riverboat was on its way to Sioux City.

"On the weekends, you would get a decent crowd," Wuebker said of the late 1980s and early 1990s. "But during the week -- you were always reminded by the old-timers how busy it used to be, like in the '60s and '70s, when they'd bring busloads up from Omaha every night and it was packed."

SODRAC Park fire North Sioux City firefighters battle a blaze at the old Sodrac Park racetrack Friday, April 24, 1998. The buildings at the park were in the pr

1985 was the last year Sodrac still held a vestige of its quasi-monopoly on greyhound bets in the region; that year, $22.8 million was wagered by 248,793 visitors. A year later, in 1986, only $10.5 million was bet at Sodrac, and the number of visitors had been cut to 125,429. In an effort to woo back visitors, Sodrac underwent a refurbishment in 1987, and by 1991, the track installed video lottery machines to compete with the other video lottery terminals in North Sioux City.

It wasn't enough. In 1993, the year the Sioux City Sue riverboat casino came to Sioux City's riverbank, the track announced it wouldn't offer live dog racing, which had become unprofitable; the state's other dog track in Rapid City ended its races the year prior, and live dog racing was finished in South Dakota.

For a time Sodrac offered simulcasts of other races, which remained a profitable venture. The track's bleacher seats, kennels, bar, decoy rabbit, urinals and all other physical assets that could be moved went on the auction block in October 1996. The final humiliation came a year and a half later, on April 24, 1998, when Sodrac's Kennel Club building -- then in the process of being demolished to make way for new development -- burned down.
Last year, 10 Republican state senators in Oregon tried to block a whole host of Democratic legislation by walking off the job for six weeks. Unfortunately for them, that was against their state constitution! And so, this week, the state Supreme Court decided all of them will be barred from running for reelection. Mark Joseph Stern takes a closer look at how some of the most obstructionist Republican legislators in the country got their comeuppanceincluding a lesson we can draw from it about the effort to disqualify Donald Trump from reelection in 2024.

Who are we impeaching now? 

What exactly is going on with Republicans latest impeachment feeding frenzy? Ben Mathis-Lilley breaks down everything you need to know but may have been too exhausted to Google.

RIP to one of the best websites 

Quora used to be a thriving community that worked to answer our most specific questions. Nitish Pahwa explains why users are now fleeing.

If you feel nervous about flying  

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 you should read this! After a door fell off a Boeing plane, its reasonable to feel a little freaked out. But a bunch of safety experts who spoke to Anna Gibbs all had a clearand reassuringmessage.

$131 billion for new nukes?! 

Yes, thats the new estimated total cost of the Air Forces nuclear missile programand, Fred Kaplan writes, its time to start asking whether this is really necessary. He pokes holes in the thinking behind the latest nuclear missile program decisions, and looks at how we got to be spending this much on nukesin part because Republicans pulled a fast one during the Obama years.

A study in marriage 

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Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the 2005 Brangelina movie, sizzled with sexual tension. Donald Glovers reboot does something else entirely. Nadira Goffe examines how the new Prime Video series trades in crackling heat for intimacy, and takes marriage more seriously than the film ever did.

We regret to inform you  

 that actually, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson have a point about those viral nicotine pouches. Jacob Grier explains what Chuck Schumer doesnt understand about Zyn.

Today, Slate is  SQUIRTED OVER A MODEM AS A SERIES OF 0S AND 1S

Adam Chodorow describes the excitement of that great day when he could file his tax returns over the internetand now that process is about to get easier, if you qualify for this pilot program from the IRS.

We wish you a weekend thats much easier than filing taxes tends to be!

Thanks so much for reading, and well see you back here on Monday.
I find it hard to believe that Nikki Haley did not see the remnants of Jim Crow when she was growing up and attending schools set up by slaveholders for their privileged white children. I also find it hard to believe that an intelligent man like Dr. Randhawa would not do what Black parents have done for generations  tell their kids to be the best they can be and admonish them that they must be twice as good as the white kid to be treated as an equal. When this narrative works, most successful Black Americans know their success is rooted in the struggle of past generations. Any Black person who denies the institutional barriers that exist is frequently viewed as misguided or a traitor to the race. The tell-tale sign of this betrayal is the claim that their success is primarily the result of what they did and nobody else.
Networking opens doors to new opportunities, resources, and knowledge for small business owners. And that is what MIAMIS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO is looking to do for entrepreneurs that want to learn and grow.

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If you think vegan food is missing something, maybe you haven't eaten here yet.

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You might have heard of the idea of Veganuary, which began exactly 10 years ago. A small group of friends in the UK challenged as many of their mates as possible to go without any animal-based foods for the whole month of January. Its become a very popular idea, and its estimated that over a million people took part in 2024. If you were one of them, if you are already vegetarian, or if you just fancy going out for a meal that might be a little better for your blood pressure, then you might consider Balans Bistro in Bratislava.

Its a relatively short walk from Hlavna Stanica (main railway station) so should be accessible to many people even if you dont live in the capital.

I should probably mention, as background information, that personally I am a reformed (or lapsed?) vegetarian. I spent about five years without eating meat, although I continued to enjoy eggs, cheese etc. in that time. I found that I never stopped craving the taste and texture of meat, and when I decided to return to being an omnivore it confirmed that I still enjoyed my food a lot more with animal protein in it. So when the day came to visit Balans Bistro, one of the first things on my mind was a suspicion that entirely vegetable-derived food would somehow be lacking; maybe in that savoury/umami flavour profile, maybe in how full and satisfied I felt as I finished a plate. To put it another way, no matter how good veggie food is, wouldnt it always be better with some bacon on top?

Balans Bistro has a subtle, unflashy front entrance, if you were walking past you might not even notice it. But obviously plenty of people are finding the place, as my companion and I turned up without a reservation on a Friday evening and we were lucky to get the last free table.

The atmosphere inside is very much one of friendliness and inclusivity.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/us-airstrikes-hit-iranian-targets-in-syria-and-iraq---centcom-1116566006.html

US Airstrikes Hit Iranian Targets in Syria and Iraq - CENTCOM

US Airstrikes Hit Iranian Targets in Syria and Iraq - CENTCOM

Sputnik International

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has conducted airstrikes against Iran-linked militia groups in Syria in response to a drone attack that killed three US service members on Sunday.

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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that US forces have conducted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, hitting forces "Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups," according to a statement by the agency.The strikes hit 85 targets according to the statement and utilized more than 125 precision munitions from "numerous aircraft" including long-range bombers.There have been questions about how forceful the US response would be, and exactly where the attacks would take place. The US blames Iran for the drone attack, arguing that Iran provided the weapons that the militant group used to carry out the attack. Iran has continually insisted that it does not control the groups, who say their attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which encompasses multiple Iran-linked groups, claimed responsibility for the drone attack.According to the CENTCOM statement, the attacks hit "control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities," of the militia groups "and their IRGC sponsors."Western media has reported that B-1 bombers were used in the attack, citing an unnamed official.Syrian state media described the attacks as "American aggression" and reported several casualties and injuries.Previously, Iran warned that it would respond to any attack on "Iran's territory, or its interests or citizens abroad" will result in a "decisive response."On Thursday, it was reported that US President Joe Biden authorized attacks in Iraq and Syria, but there was no mention of attacks inside of Iranian territory. It has been speculated that the Biden administration hopes that will lessen the risk of a full-blown war between the two countries.However, the attacks are certain to increase tensions and raise fears that Israel's war in Gaza, now over three months old, will spread across the Middle East.On Tuesday, the Kata'ib Hezbollah group, which has been blamed for the attacks by the US, said it would stop targeting US sites, but that promise did not seem to lessen the calls for retaliatory strikes coming out of Washington.On Wednesday, US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) urged Biden to strike targets inside of Iran, and predicted that a war between the two countries would occur this year, "the only thing the Iranian regime understands is force," the senator posted on X.Hours before the attack, Biden met with family members of the three slain US service members as their remains arrived in the US. The event was also attended by the First Lady Jill Biden and Austin.A statement released by the White House promised further attacks. "Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," the statement reads, while also claiming that "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world."The attack comes one day after US and UK forces hit Houthi targets in Yemen, the latest in a series of attacks that the US says is in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea. On Friday local time, before the recent US attack in Syria, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told crowds that "Iran will not initiate a war but will answer bullies firmly and authoritatively," noting that the IRGC "it not a threat" but that "regional countries can rely on [its] power."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/us-not-prepared-for-war-against-iran-and-axis-of-resistance-1116562586.html

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us hits syria, us responds to iran, iran-us war, will us invade iran, can the us defeat iran,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/pentagon-raytheon-sign-contract-worth-684mln-for-delivery-of-50-missiles-to-taiwan-1116569249.html

Pentagon, Raytheon Sign Contract Worth $68.4Mln for Delivery of 50 Missiles to Taiwan

Pentagon, Raytheon Sign Contract Worth $68.4Mln for Delivery of 50 Missiles to Taiwan

Sputnik International

The US Department of Defense has signed a contract worth $68.4 million with the Raytheon defense-industrial company for the production and delivery of 50 air-to-ground missiles to Taiwan, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

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raytheon

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"Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $68,420,396 modification (P00001) to a firm-fixed-price order (N0001924F2560)  This modification exercising an option for the production and delivery of 50 Joint Standoff Weapon Air-To-Ground Missiles (AGM-154 Block III C) for the government of Taiwan," Pentagon said in a statement. The work under the contract is expected to be completed in March 2028, the statement read. Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan  a territory with its own elected government  maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable. In response to visits of high-ranking US delegations to Taiwan in 2022 and 2023, the Chinese military launched large-scale drills near the island, in what it called a warning to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230605/us-awards-raytheons-pratt--whitney-2bln-for-f-35-engine-support---pentagon-1110936234.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/protesting-french-farmers-lift-blockade-after-government-announces-new-measures-1116573492.html

Protesting French Farmers Lift Blockade After Government Announces New Measures

Protesting French Farmers Lift Blockade After Government Announces New Measures

Sputnik International

Farmer demonstrations in France, that have disrupted vehicular traffic across the nations, peacefully disbands as governement officials unveil several packages to address their concerns. The farmer's union warns of future protests if government fails to implement the measures.

2024-02-03T14:03+0000

2024-02-03T14:03+0000

2024-02-03T14:41+0000

world

european union (eu)

brussels

paris

france

emmanuel macron

europe

newsfeed

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Protesting French farmers are gradually ending their blockade around Paris and nationwide following the government's announcement of over 400 million in measures to address their concerns about low earnings, strict regulations, and unfair competition from abroad, AP News reports.Tractor convoys started leaving the sites as the farmers dismantled tents and cleared barricades under police supervision.Arnaud Rousseau, president of the largest farmers union, FNSEA, spoke to a local news outlet and expressed a willingness to engage with the government's proposals, stating we now want to work and take concrete steps in the coming weeks.Regardless, he warned that the union would closely monitor the government's actions and indicated a readiness to protest again, particularly as the country prepares for the Paris Olympics this summer.In response to earlier unsuccessful attempts to appease the demonstrating farmers, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal unveiled some new measures on Thursday. The package includes substantial financial aid, tax breaks, and a commitment not to ban certain pesticides in France.Attal specified financial support, including 150 million in aid for livestock farmers, decreased taxes on farm transfers between generations, and 80 million in emergency assistance for struggling wine producers. Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau spoke after Attal declared a 2 billion loan package for new farmers.Earlier, veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier explained Sputnik that farmer protests were rooted in the EU's decision to bandwagon US' anti-Russian policy and consequent sky-rocketing prices.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/french-farmers-stage-protest-blocking-roads-to-paris-1116469942.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240201/farmers-setting-protest-fires-in-brussels-to-demand-measures-from-eu-leaders-1116536446.html

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french farmers blockade, french government measures for farmer protests, french farmer protests.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/scott-ritter-is-zaluzhny-getting-ready-to-take-down-zelensky-1116566603.html

Scott Ritter: Is Zaluzhny Getting Ready to Take Down Zelensky?

Scott Ritter: Is Zaluzhny Getting Ready to Take Down Zelensky?

Sputnik International

Ukraine is going through a crisis in civil-military relations which will have a tremendous impact on how it goes forward regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia.

2024-02-03T00:12+0000

2024-02-03T00:12+0000

2024-02-03T05:53+0000

analysis

ukraine

valery zaluzhny

volodymyr zelensky

nazi

right sector

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President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly summoned the commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, General Valerie Zaluzhny, to a meeting on Monday, January 29, 2024, where he informed his military commander that he was being relived from his position. According to accounts that have appeared in western media, Zaluzhny refused to step down. As of Friday, February 2, 2024, the precise status of General Zaluzhny remains uncertain amid a swirl of rumors regarding his imminent dismissal.The rift between Zelensky and Zaluzhny represents a serious blow to one of the fundamental principles which underpins democratic societya civil-military relationship predicated on the simple proposition that a democratically elected civilian leadership is the final authority on all matter, including military, and in the case of disputes between the civil and military leadership, civilian authority retains supreme authority.If the reports of what is tantamount to a refusal to obey the lawful order of his civilian commander in chief are true, General Zaluzhny has opened a pandoras box which, if left unresolved, could lead to the rapid unravelling of Ukraines civilian-controlled government and open the door for the emergence of a government that is either subordinated to the will of the Ukrainian military, or which has been replaced by a military junta. Neither bodes well either for the sustainment of the notion that Ukraine functions as a democracy along the lines of its European and American allies, or for the prospects of stable governance for Ukraine at a time when it faces unprecedented economic, military, and foreign policy challenges.History is replete with examples of civil-military disagreements during times of war. American history is home for two premier examplesthe split between George McClellan and Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and the disagreements between Douglas MacArthur and Harry Truman during the Korean conflict. However, in both cases when the civilian authority demanded that the military authority resign, the military authority complied.Zaluzhny, it appears, refused to step aside, taking the issue of military defiance of civil authority into unchartered territory.Managing civil-military relations is a complex process that balances the advice the military provides to its civilian masters with the actual oversight provided by the civilian leadership over military affairs. Given the disparity that exists fact-based military reality and the simplified and often politicized fiction that civilian leadership embraces, rifts are not only to be expected, but are in fact a reality that must be anticipated, and mechanisms put in place to keep them from erupting into crises. One of the biggest problems faced in the civil-military relationship is that of agenda control and information management. While disagreements can and will emerge between military leaders and their civilian masters over military issues, the military can never lose sight of the fact that if the civil-military relationship is to succeed, the military cannot possess an agenda that deviates from that of its civilian leadership. Nor should the military take advantage of the fact that it in large part dominates the flow of information to society about military matters to use the media as a tool to articulate its own agenda.In the case of the Zelensky-Zaluzhny split, the record seems to reflect that Zaluzhny has, for some time now, been engaged in activities which point to his having an agenda that not only deviates from that of his commander in chief, but in many ways is designed to be in opposition to his commander in chiefan agenda which paints Zaluzhny as a political competitor to Zelensky. Again, the examples of George McClellan and Douglas MacArthur point to the fact that such actions are not unique in the history of civil-military relations in democracies. However, in both of those circumstances, the military commanders resigned their positions when ordered to do so, and continued their political opposition in the civil arena, without the active backing of a military which was obligated to remain loyal to its civilian leadership.Zaluzhny, however, has refused to step aside, taking his differences with Zelensky into a political arena which, if he remains as a military commander, will be corrupted by his presence.There have been indicators that the Zelensky-Zaluzhny split was headed in this direction. Back in November 2023, Zaluzhny gave an interview with The Economist where he openly challenged Zelenskys view regarding the state of the conflict with Russia, likening it to a stalemate that suggested the Ukrainian counteroffensive of 2023 had failed. Zelensky, anxious to retain the confidence of his American and European benefactors, rejected Zaluzhnys version of events, leading to the first public split between the two, and opening the door to speculation about Zaluzhnys political ambitions. Zaluzhny continued this trend of projecting a rift with his president by publishing an essay with CNN on February 1, 2024, where he questioned Zelenskys approach toward mobilization while presenting himself as the sole source of military wisdom when it came to preparing the Ukrainian military for the next phase of the conflict with Russia.A recent social media post by Andriy Stempitsky, a founding member of the neo-Nazi Right Sectors* paramilitary forces (recently converted into the 67thBrigade of the Ukrainian Army), shows him with General Zaluzhny, a Right Sector flag and the portrait of Stepan Bandera displayed on the wall behind them. Zelenskys history with the Right Sector is not a pleasant onethe head of the Right Sector, Dmitri Yarosh, once called Zelensky an inexperienced politician who would hang on some tree on Khreshchatyk [the main street of Kiev] if he betrays Ukraine and those people who died in the [Maidan] Revolution and the War [in the Donbas].The meaning behind the post was clearif Zelensky were to follow through on his attempt to remove Zaluzhny from power, then Zaluzhny would follow through of the Right Sectors promise to hang Zelensky as a traitor.This is the state of play today in a nation the collective West has been describing as a model democracy. The crisis in civil-military relations between President Zelensky and General Zaluzhny has exposed the harsh reality that Ukraine is notand indeed, has never beena western-style democracy, but rather a nation where weak democratically elected leaders operate under the shadow cast by neo-Nazi groups that threaten the very survival of the presidency should he govern in a manner which deviates away from their ideologically-based positions.That Zaluzhny has so openly aligned himself with the Right Sector when it comes to his disputes with Zelensky is something that should trouble everyone with a vested interest in the outcome of the Russian-Ukraine conflict and drives home the accuracy of Russias indictment of Ukraine as a nation under the heel of forces that trace their political philosophy back to the times of Nazi Germany. With Zelensky, this control was done in a manner which sought to disguise the role played by the Right Sector. Zaluzhnys defiance of Zelensky, and his open alignment with the Right Sector as an extension of this defiance, points to a very troubled future for Ukraine, one which can only be truly resolved through a Russian victory that includes the kind of de-Nazification promised by the Russian leadership.*The Right Sector is an extremist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/zelensky---zaluzhny-rift-shows-there-is-no-center-of-power-in-kiev-1116547428.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240130/zaluzhny-has-escaped-zelenskys-control-and-calls-the-shots-in-ukraine--retired-colonel-1116496537.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/zaluzhnys-new-essay-for-ukraines-nato-sponsors-designed-to-pump-him-up-as-zelensky-alternative-1116565229.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/strikes-against-anti-isis-militias-in-syria-and-iraq-prove-us-war-on-terror-is-a-sham-1116574680.html

Strikes Against Anti-ISIS Militias in Syria and Iraq Prove US War on Terror is a Sham

Strikes Against Anti-ISIS Militias in Syria and Iraq Prove US War on Terror is a Sham

Sputnik International

Dozens of people in Syria and Iraq were killed Saturday morning after the United States fired precision munitions into the two countries against 85 targets ranging from command and control and intelligence centers to logistics bases used by anti-ISIS* militias. Sputnik asked a trio of experts about the strikes' implications for the region.

2024-02-03T17:58+0000

2024-02-03T17:58+0000

2024-02-03T17:58+0000

analysis

earl rasmussen

joe biden

syria

iraq

washington

pentagon

strikes

popular mobilization forces

iraqi popular mobilization forces

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Russia called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Saturday in the wake of what Moscow characterized as a new blatant act of US aggression against sovereign states.The strikes, carried out against what the Pentagon characterized as Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force units and affiliated militia forces in Syria and Iraq, came after a months-long regional escalation of militia attacks against illegal US bases in Syria and outposts in Iraq, in response to Washingtons support for Israels war in Gaza. The Pentagon warned of potential strikes against targets inside Iraq and Syria last week after a militia drone attack against Tower 22, a US military outpost in Jordan just across the border from an illegal US base in southern Syria, which killed three American troops and injured 47 others.Local media estimated that at least 23 people were killed in Syria and 16 in Iraq in Saturdays attacks, with Damascus and Baghdad blasting Washington for its flagrant violation of the two countries sovereignty. Syrias Foreign Ministry said it was not surprised to see American forces attack targets in the countrys east, where our forces are fighting against the remnants of the ISIS terrorist organization, while the United States is working to revive ISIS terrorist activity.Syrias Ministry of Culture slammed Washingtons aggression as a blatant violation of the Hague Convention, noting that the US strikes included an attack which hit the Citadel of al-Rahba, a regional ancient architectural marvel whose history goes back to the 9th century AD.Along with the IRGC, Saturdays strikes targeted the Popular Mobilization Forces, a militia coalition officially affiliated with the Iraqi government which played a key role in defeating ISIS in fierce battles between 2014 and 2017.Sham War on TerrorPointing to the PMFs history of anti-terrorist operations, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik that the US militarys strikes are further proof that Washingtons operations in the Middle East are not really against ISIS.They say they are, but theyre really not. If you look at them, theyve supported ISIS indirectly. Theyve protected them. Al-Qaeda* as well. They cant tell the American public that, but look at the weapons theyre using, the extremist groups, look at the conflict in Syria for many years, the veteran officer said.Saturdays strikes signal a very dangerous escalation in the region, according to Rasmussen, who pointed out that it could easily grow into a crisis involving Iran, Russia and China.The observer also pointed out the hypocrisy of US efforts to label the PMF as Iranian-backed militias, saying that Washington is in no position to accuse others of being foreign-backed.These militias are pretty much independent. Okay, they get weapons and things from Iran. Yeah, alright, well who has weapons from the United States? I mean, look around the world. And ISIS has got our weapons and stuff, and Al-Qaeda. We're providing weapons to Israel. So does that mean we're - well, actually, we pretty much are participating in the genocide in Gaza, Rasmussen summed up.Clear Attempt to Reassert US DominanceSaturdays aggression constituted a demonstration strike, with its intention being an attempt by the US to assert military and security dominance in the Middle East, Dr. Imad Salamey, an associate professor of political science and international affairs at the Lebanese American University, told Sputnik, adding that unfortunately, he doesnt expect the crisis to deescalate anytime soon as US forces in the region hunker down.Dr. Muhannad Alazzeh, a former Jordanian Senator and international legal and human rights commissioner, agrees, saying the whole context of the attacks relates to domestic considerations in Washington, specifically to Biden seeking to avoid the Republicans rage since they accuse him of being weak and hesitant toward Iran in particular when they compare him to his predecessor.US Has to Understand Concept of BlowbackThe Biden administrations Middle East policy, and attempts to pretend that militia attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria, and by the Houthis in the Red Sea, have nothing to do with Israels war against Gaza, reflect either arrogance or ignorance on Washingtons part, Dr. Alazzeh said.* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/us-airstrikes-hit-iranian-targets-in-syria-and-iraq---centcom-1116566006.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/us-airstrikes-over-eastern-syria-kill-civilian-military-personnel----defense-ministry-1116569750.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/bidens-justification-for-hitting-iran-would-justify-russian-attacks-on-nato-1116567898.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/ukraine-attacked-bakery-in-lugansk-region-causing-casualties---lpr-military-command-1116574135.html

Ukraine Attacked Bakery in Lugansk Region, Causing Casualties - LPR Military Command

Ukraine Attacked Bakery in Lugansk Region, Causing Casualties - LPR Military Command

Sputnik International

At least two people died and six others were injured in a Ukrainian attack on a bakery in the city of Lisichansk in the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) on Saturday, the LPR military commander's office told Sputnik.

2024-02-03T15:15+0000

2024-02-03T15:15+0000

2024-02-03T18:59+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

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"Two people died, six others are in a hospital following the shelling of Lisichansk," the commander's office said. The regional military said earlier that some 40 people could have been trapped under the debris of the bakery, which was popular with the locals. Lisichansk is located close to the frontline. The Ukrainian army has been routinely shelling Lisichansk after losing control of the city in the summer of 2022. Ukrainian troops blew up some of the administrative buildings before they pulled out.Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed to the transformation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces into a terrorist organization for attacks on civilian targets. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also said that the Kiev regime, in order to demonstrate to its Western backers at least some success, is constantly carrying out terrorist attacks against civilians in the Russian Federation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240121/russia-condemns-shelling-of-donetsk-kirovsky-disrtrict-dubs-it-barbaric-terrorist-act-1116298547.html

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at least two people died and six others were injured in a ukrainian attack on a bakery in the city of lisichansk in the luhansk people's republic (lpr) on saturday, the lpr military commander's office told sputnik.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/ukrainian-military-slam-western-tanks-munitions-shortage--reports-1116569437.html

Ukrainian Military Slam Western Tanks, Munitions Shortage  Reports

Ukrainian Military Slam Western Tanks, Munitions Shortage  Reports

Sputnik International

Ukrainian troops paint a grim picture of the battlefield, grappling with difficulties exacerbated by the relentless onslaught of Russian kamikaze drones wreaking havoc at close range. However, inadequate weapon production capacity has compounded the delivery of military equipment to the country.

2024-02-03T11:02+0000

2024-02-03T11:02+0000

2024-02-03T13:14+0000

military

military & intelligence

ukraine

vladimir

russia

european union (eu)

armed forces of ukraine

le figaro

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Ukrainian troops are complaining about military equipment supplied by West, reports French news outlet Le Figaro. One soldier said that all 20 tanks their unit received were faulty.Ukrainian militants see the situation on the battlefield as dire at best since their ammunition has limited range, while Russia enjoys superiority in artillery and drones.Shell shortage is another problem the Ukrainian army faces. European backers promised in early 2023 to supply Kiev with over 1 million 155mm artillery shells. But later EU officials admitted that the target would not be met.The ammunition shortfall has forced the Ukrainian military to significantly reduce the number of barrages fired daily. Russia outguns Ukraine three-fold and can afford a never-ending cannonade. In December, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the role of military-industrial complex which has boosted its production rates to meet the needs of special military operation. Moscow officials repeatedly warned that Western military aid to Kiev only will prolong the conflict with no chance of affecting the outcome.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240318/russias-special-military-operation-in-ukraine-and-how-it-is-progressing-1105665248.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/us-airstrikes-over-eastern-syria-kill-civilian-military-personnel----defense-ministry-1116569750.html

US Airstrikes Over Eastern Syria Kill Civilian, Military Personnel - Defense Ministry

US Airstrikes Over Eastern Syria Kill Civilian, Military Personnel - Defense Ministry

Sputnik International

US airstrikes on eastern Syria have resulted in civilian, military personnel casualties and caused great damage to public and private property, the Syrian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

2024-02-03T08:10+0000

2024-02-03T08:10+0000

2024-02-03T08:47+0000

world

syria

iraq

syrian defense ministry

us central command (centcom)

us

airstrikes

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"Today, the US occupation forces committed an undisguised aerial aggression against a number of positions and cities in eastern Syria and near the Syrian-Iraqi borders. As a result, a number of civilians and military personnel were killed and wounded, and great damage was caused to public and private property," the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement. Earlier on Saturday, the US Central Command said that the United States had conducted its first retaliatory strikes against 85 targets allegedly linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria by using B1 strategic bombers and 125 precision munitions within about 30 minutes. Joint Chiefs of Staff Director of Operations Douglas Sims said that the US struck three adversary facilities in Iraq and four in Syria.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/us-airstrikes-hit-iranian-targets-in-syria-and-iraq---centcom-1116566006.html

syria

iraq

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Gov. Ned Lamont speaks during a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford, Thursday, February 1, 2024. State leaders released details of an independent investigation into claims that thousands of traffic tickets were falsified by state police. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

Connecticut lawmakers are likely to consider legislation this year to add criminal penalties for police officers who submit falsified data on traffic stops, following the release of a report Thursday that concluded "serious failures" led to a misreporting of racial profiling data for years by State Police.

The report found a series of issues, ranging from department leaders failing to act when knowing of problems to higher-ups not addressing signs of broader ticket-writing problems that were uncovered, according to the report compiled by Stamford-based law firm Finn Dixon and Herling. The report stated between 12 and 15 troopers and constables will undergo further internal investigations and reviews by State Police.

What I am saying is that we're going to make a proposal to the legislature so there will be legal consequences if there's evidence of intentional falsification, Gov. Ned Lamont said during a Thursday press conference.

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Right now there are rules making it a crime for forgery, but not specifically for law enforcement. It remains to be determined if he wants it to be a felony or misdemeanor.

The law firm review was prompted by an audit from the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project that found a "high likelihood" hundreds of troopers falsified data for tens of thousands of traffic tickets, skewing racial profiling data. The report examined whether 130 troopers intentionally falsified data. Of those, the law firm stated 106 troopers "are unlikely to have intentionally falsified traffic stop data."

To prevent further errors, the report by the law firm recommended a series of corrective measures by State Police, as well as action by lawmakers to ensure better oversight.

In addition to new criminal penalties, the report recommended legislation requiring Connecticut State Police to refer instances of serious misconduct to prosecutors and the Police Officers Training Academy, which has the ability to decertify officers.

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To help prevent officers from mistakenly entering erroneous data, the report also recommended that the Department of Motor Vehicles begin coding data on race onto drivers licenses, and that lawmakers approve new funding to help State Police hire additional auditors and implement other internal controls.

One of the leaders of the legislatures Judiciary Committee, state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, called those recommendations thoughtful and worthy of further consideration.

It certainly would be my intention to at least put those forward for a public hearing, Stafstrom said Thursday. They seem to make sense at first blush.

The reporting into the ticketing scandal was released less than a week before lawmakers are set to begin a three-month legislative session on Feb. 7. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said Thursday that he had yet to fully review the report's findings, and could not comment on a any specific recommendations.

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In the Senate, Judiciary Committee Co-Chair Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, said that he personally viewed the reports recommendations as worthy of further debate, but added that he had yet to review those findings with his colleagues.

There will certainly be discussions about that in the coming days, he said.

Any attempt to use the reports findings to enact new criminal punishments for police officers is likely to be met with opposition from Republicans, according to House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, who added his belief that the fallout from the initial allegations had been overblown.

In what occupation do we arrest people that may have unintentionally falsified a document, Candelora said. I just dont think this is the way to go, especially when so much of the report is revealing that this was human error."

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Following the release of an earlier audit last year that found a high likelihood that hundreds of state troopers had submitted false ticket data, Lamont replaced the two top officials overseeing State Police and its parent agency, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, saying its time to have a fresh start.

On Thursday, Stafstrom said that it will fall on the State Polices chain of command  led by interim DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins  to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to address the departmental shortcomings identified in the report.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/watch-russian-msta-s-self-propelled-artillery-wipe-out-concealed-ukrainian-position-1116571033.html

Watch Russian Msta-S Self-Propelled Artillery Wipe Out Concealed Ukrainian Position

Watch Russian Msta-S Self-Propelled Artillery Wipe Out Concealed Ukrainian Position

Sputnik International

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of crews of the Msta-S self-propelled artillery system destroying a concealed Ukrainian forces position in the direction of Seversk in the Donetsk People's Republic.

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of a Msta-S self-propelled artillery system destroying a concealed Ukrainian position in the area of Seversk in the Donetsk People's Republic.According to the ministry, reconnaissance groups used an unmanned aerial vehicle to locate concealed enemy positions near a dilapidated industrial building. After receiving the coordinates of enemy firing points, the Msta-S crew opened fire.

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Russian Msta-S self-propelled artillery crews wipe out concealed Ukrainian position near Seversk. Sputnik International Russian Msta-S self-propelled artillery crews wipe out concealed Ukrainian position near Seversk. 2024-02-03T16:41+0000 true PT0M46S

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Chris Lems collected career win 3,000 when he piloted Bars Open to victory in Fridays second race at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Its a real good feeling, something I had to get past, Lems said of his milestone win. When youre coming to a mark like that, it always seems like it takes forever to get there.

In addition to his winning drives, hes compiled 188 victories as a trainer. Combined, his wins have been worth about $25.9 million in purses.

Lems, a South Dakota native who now calls Stowe, Ohio home, is a third-generation horseman who apprenticed with his uncles in Iowa and Minnesota. He recorded his first driving win in 2003 at Oskaloosa on the Iowa fair circuit. His most productive year was 2022, when he notched 315 wins.

I always wanted to do this growing up, he recalled. I really didnt think much about any other career.

Among his favourite horses, Lems lists Winning Shadow, a nine-year-old Jordan Hope trainee whos won 64 races and more than $943,000 in his career  and hes still active. In 2022, Lems guided him to his lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at Northfield Park.

Hes been an awesome horse. I cant really put too many in front of him.

Lems drives regularly in Ohio and at The Meadows, often working at multiple venues on the same day. Its a rigorous schedule, but he intends to stick with it.

Northfield has been my base for six or seven years, he said. I came to The Meadows originally to get my retirement starts. But Ive been getting enough work, so its worked out. The trip between the two tracks isnt too bad. I dont have a stable of my own anymore. If I still had a stable, driving at both tracks would be too much to do.

Sumomentsomwhere a decisive winner in Meadows Open

Sumomentsomwhere A overpowered the field with a first-over burst and rolled to a decisive victory in Fridays featured $28,649 Open Handicap Pace.

Making his fourth North American start, Sumomentsomwhere A was sitting third when Ronnie Wrenn Jr. moved him off the cones. He swallowed up American Music on the lead and motored home in 1:51.3, matching his career best. Duval Street was second, 3-3/4 lengths back, while American Music saved show.

Michael Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith. The seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Special Moment gelding is now two-for-four since arriving in North America and pushed his lifetime bankroll over $133,000.

Dave Palone piloted four winners on the 15-race card while Wrenn and trainer Brandon Presto each enjoyed a triple.

Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes on Wednesday when the program features a $466.12 carryover in the Pick 5. First post is 12:45 p.m.

(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
HARTINGTON  Potential Cedar County jurors who could be seated in the trials of a husband and wife charged in a quadruple homicide will soon receive questionnaires that may help determine if the trials are moved to another county.

District Judge Bryan Meismer on Thursday granted a defense request to send the supplemental questionnaires to the jury pool. The questionnaires, which have been agreed upon by the defense and prosecution, are a precursor to an expected defense filing for a change of venue for both Jason Jones and Carrie Jones, who are charged in connection with the shooting deaths of four people in Laurel.

Defense attorneys said in a recent hearing they plan to request the change of venue in order to have their clients, who are charged and will stand trial separately, tried in a county where they have a better chance of finding impartial juries. Media coverage of the cases in Cedar County has been extensive, and defense attorneys likely would argue it would be hard to find jurors who could set aside what they've heard about the case and remain impartial.

Evidence in change of venue motions, which have not yet been filed, could be heard in both cases at a March 28 hearing in Cedar County District Court.

Jason Jones, 43, has pleaded not guilty to four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson. He is charged with the Aug. 4, 2022, deaths of Michele Ebeling, 53, in her home and Gene Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet Twiford, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, in their home and setting both houses on fire.

Carrie Jones, 44, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony. She is accused of aiding and abetting the death of Gene Twiford, whom she told investigators had verbally harassed her for several years.

Trial dates have not been set. Prosecutors have filed notice they would seek the death penalty if Jason Jones is found guilty of first-degree murder.

Authorities responded to a fire in the early morning hours of Aug. 4 at 209 Elm St., where they found Ebelings body with two gunshot wounds. A second fire at the Twiford home at 503 Elm St. was reported soon after, and responders found the family members' bodies, all with gunshot wounds.

Jones, who lived across the street from Ebeling, was arrested at his home about 24 hours after the bodies were found and airlifted to a Lincoln hospital for treatment of serious burns. Hes being held without bond at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln.

Investigators found empty .44-caliber shell casings near Ebelings body and a Ruger handgun registered to Jones, plus credit card receipts for gas and gas cans, in the Twiford home.

Carrie Jones, who was arrested in December 2022 and remains in custody in the Antelope County Jail, told investigators she had arrived home from work minutes before seeing her badly burned husband emerge from Ebelings home after the fire was spotted. She helped him into their home and put away his .44-caliber handgun, which he had been carrying.
Just over a month after being cleared of one misdemeanor assault charge, a Radford police officer was arrested again on Saturday after being accused in another altercation at Wythevilles Log House 1776 Restaurant.

John E. Fuhrman, 43, of Wytheville was also charged with driving while intoxicated after the Wytheville Police Department responded to a 12:51 a.m. fight-in-progress call at the 520 East Main St. business.

Police said the first officer to arrive saw a pickup truck  identified as a suspect vehicle  leaving the Log House. The officer relayed that information, and another officer stopped the truck after seeing it at the intersection of North 11th and East Monroe streets.

In a criminal complaint, Officer J.E. Oglesby said he noticed an extremely strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the truck, which was driven by Fuhrman.

Police said Fuhrman identified himself as a Radford police officer and denied consuming any alcohol.

As he spoke, I noticed that he was slurring his speech, Oglesby wrote. I offered a zero tolerance PBT to Mr. Fuhrman and he refused.

Oglesby said Fuhrman later submitted to a breath test, which showed a blood alcohol content of .08, which is considered driving under the influence in Virginia.

Before leaving the Log House, John Fuhrman and his brother, 45-year-old Michael W. Fuhrman of Bunnlevel, North Carolina, were involved in an altercation with Dakota Cook, according to the WPD.

Cook, who had visible injuries to his face but refused medical treatment, told police that two men, identified as the Fuhrman brothers, punched him and knocked him down following a verbal argument.

Police said four witnesses corroborated Cooks story, and Michael Fuhrman was also charged with assault and battery.

In December, the commonwealth dropped a 2023 assault charge against John Fuhrman, which also involved an argument at the Log House. In that case, a man, who had been issued multiple traffic citations by Fuhrman, accused him of nudging him with his forearm.

As part of an agreement, the charge was dropped as long as there were no more problems between the men.

While the court case was pending, Fuhrman was moved to non-enforcement duties with the Radford Police Department. In a Thursday press release, Radford Chief Jerry Holdaway said the department was notified of Fuhrmans most recent arrest and had suspended him pending an internal investigation.

John Fuhrman is free on a $3,000 bond while awaiting his April 8 trial date. His brother, who has no criminal record, was also released on bond.
The former owner of a Kelso septic business was sentenced to hundreds of hours of community service Wednesday for falsifying a signature on a check.

Garyn Mark Indiana Bowen, 29, of Longview, pleaded guilty in late December to one count of forgery, and a plea deal included paying back customers who say he took their money without performing the work.

He could have served time in Cowlitz County Jail but was instead sentenced to 240 hours of community service and a $500 crime victim fee.

Bowen has to complete community service hours by March 29 or the remaining hours would be converted back to jail time. His next hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Paying money back

Bowen was the owner of J & B Septic, a Kelso business that installed septic systems.

When Bowen pleaded guilty, part of the agreement included paying $27,692 in restitution to two victims, having initially faced four extra charges of first-degree theft that were dismissed.

One of those victims is Kirstin Joy Ribelin, 41, of Kelso, who is slated to receive $10,875, but said after the sentencing she hasnt received any money yet.

Ribelin said she was disappointed in the outcome.

I think that he absolutely deserves jail time and quite a bit of jail time, she said.

According to a police report, Ribelin paid Bowen over $16,000 to install a septic tank and gather the needed materials for the project. Instead, Bowen cashed the check and never performed any work, Ribelin told police.

Ronald William Gottschalk, 53, of Castle Rock, is set to receive $16,317 in restitution. Gottschalk previously told The Daily News he paid Bowen thousands of dollars in a down payment for a septic system that was never installed.

An email from the Cowlitz County Health Department states Bowens license to install septic systems expired on July 6, 2022.

Bowen has a criminal history, which includes charges of theft and identity theft in Washington County, Oregon, in 2017.
Mark Morris High School senior Lillienne Plough has been interested in aviation since seventh grade, and wants to be a Life Flight pilot after graduation.

A new course housed at Kelso High School has helped her figure out how to move forward with her goal by showing her training opportunities close to home and making her realize she doesnt have to get a college degree to accomplish it.

In an industry struggling to attract workers from pilots to mechanics, Kelso High School is helping to grow the next batch of aviation employees.

The schools aviation science course prepares students interested in aviation careers by teaching them practical skills and giving them the opportunity to hear from industry professionals in a variety of fields.

Its part of a larger program run by the school, which works with local businesses and other nearby school districts to offer off-campus career and technical education, or CTE, courses.

Its all about partnership, CTE Director Melissa Boudreau wrote in an email. Offering community cooperative courses is the only way to meet the demand for these types of specialized CTE courses.

Although the program is run by Kelso, high school students from Longview, Kalama and Toutle Lake school districts can also enroll in the classes.

The aviation course is a new addition to the catalog this year, and is taught by Cascade Air, a flight school and aircraft service company based out of the Southwest Washington Regional Airport in Kelso. Students do coursework to prepare for the written pilot exam, take practice flights, learn about aircraft maintenance, go on field trips and hear from guest speakers who work in the aviation industry.

The overarching goal is to show that there are multiple career paths in aviation, Cascade Air flight instructor Drake Dryden said. There are many options other than piloting.

Why are more workers needed?

Washington state has more jobs in aerospace  which includes designing and creating aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts  than the rest of the country, according to a committee dedicated to monitoring the state workforce. A 2020 report says Washington had the countys highest concentration of aerospace employment, nearly nine times the nations level.

But pending retirements and the need for more education is creating a shortage of skilled workers in the state and beyond, the report continues.

According to airline executives, the aviation industry has specifically been facing an ongoing pilot shortage that has worsened in recent years. Faye Malarkey Black, president and CEO of the Regional Airline Association, testified at a U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing in April that this shortage was caused in large part by an inability to sustainably recruit and train new pilots.

Federal law requires commercial airlines not to employ pilots over the age of 65, although they are allowed to continue flying for non-commercial companies or fill other roles such as engineering.

The issue of pilots aging out and not being replaced is also contributing to the shortage, Dryden said.

Its really vital to the long-term viability of general aviation to expose young people to it, he said.

Beyond flying

The course covers career options outside of commercial piloting. Students also learn about military or agricultural piloting, firefighting, aircraft mechanics, ground control and other jobs.

Its not like a conventional high school class, Kelso High School senior Parks Chennault said. They give us a lot more freedom to learn about things we want to.

Some students, like Plough, are interested in going straight into the workforce, while others are considering going to college for aviation-related degrees.

Whatever their plans, Dryden attempts to connect them with resources to make it easier, such as scholarships, grants to fund future practice flights or endorsements to take the written private pilot exam.

Along with preparing students to fill needed job openings, the course also introduces them to an industry that Cascade Air co-owner Hudson Frost is passionate about bringing people into for the community experience. As the son of two federal aviation employees and a lifelong airport enthusiast, he said he wants to give more young people experiences similar to the ones he had.

The community, to me, is whats really critical, he said.
After a week of scathing rebuke from Republican lawmakers and members of the beverage industry, an Oregon Health Authority leader apologized Thursday for the agencys failure to publish a 2021 study that showed increasing beer and wine taxes would have little impact on curbing drinking among the heaviest alcohol users.

Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and epidemiologist for the Oregon Health Authority, delivered the apology to lawmakers, industry experts and other members of a task force created by the Legislature last year to study alcohol addiction and pricing.

The study was not posted in a timely fashion, and for that I do apologize, Sidelinger said.

The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported last week that the Health Authority had failed to publish the $60,000 study it commissioned, or deliver its findings to lawmakers, despite its relevance to ongoing discussions in Salem about whether to raise Oregons low taxes on beer and wine.

Sidelinger echoed a prior explanation by Deputy State Health Officer Tom Jeanne that the study was meant to inform the agencys Rethink the Drink campaign and that its publication was sidelined as staff were responding to COVID-19 spikes in late 2021. The study should have been published then, Sidelinger said, and is posted on the agencys website now.

At OHA we value our transparency, he said.

The study by researchers at ECONorthwest found that increasing Oregons excise tax on beer and wine could raise hundreds of millions for the state and reduce public alcohol consumption overall  but that taxes would barely reduce consumption by Oregons heaviest drinkers, who disproportionately drive the high societal costs of alcoholism. The Oregonian/OregonLive published a copy of the study in last weeks story revealing its existence.

Response to the study was swift and stinging. Alcohol industry groups blasted the Health Authority, arguing that it appeared the agency had intentionally buried a taxpayer-funded study because the findings contradicted efforts to raise alcohol taxes. State lawmakers called the agencys credibility into question.

House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich said in a statement that the Health Authority had potentially compromised the integrity of the alcohol addiction and pricing task force and said the lack of transparency raised questions about whether the agency was being upfront about other information, including data related to Measure 110, Oregons drug decriminalization law.

There is no universe where OHA should have hidden this study from the public, Helfrich said in a statement. Their job is to make an informed recommendation to the Legislature about how to best pursue better health outcomes for Oregonians while also weighing the economic impacts.

Sen. Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, wrote a letter to Sejal Hathi, the Health Authoritys interim director, this week saying that the failure to publish the study was extremely damaging to OHAs already rocky reputation and points to a major corruption problem deep within the agency.

Hathi took over as interim director in January and was not part of the agency in 2021 when the study was delivered.

This unfortunate situation presents an opportunity for you, as the new leader of the agency, to root out corruption and begin the work to rebuild trust, Knopp wrote. It will not be an easy task, but a necessary one.

Lawmakers and task force members have questioned whether lawmakers or special interest groups were given a copy of the study in 2021, despite the fact that it was never publicly released. Sidelinger said Thursday that the agency was in the process of determining who else had seen the study.

While I appreciate OHAs apology, its clear from remarks by OHA officials that theyve had and used this study to inform decisions, Danelle Romain, task force member and executive director for the Oregon Beer & Wine Distributors Association, told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an email. It seems odd they didnt think others could benefit from having that information, especially when considering legislation on the very issues the study examined.

Sidelinger presented findings from the study to the task force Thursday afternoon, including details about the muted impact of excise taxes on heavy drinking.

Alcohol-related deaths have increased by a third over the past ten years, Sidelinger said and is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon. The ECONorthwest study found that alcohol abuse cost Oregon about $4.8 billion dollars in 2019, about half of which was shouldered by taxpayers.

Aaron Sarnoff-Wood, task force member and co-founder of 2 Towns Ciderhouse, said the ECONorthwest study contained vital information for the task force.

Im appreciative that it is now available online and Im sorry that it took a public records request to make it public, he said. For future work with this task force I think transparency is of the utmost importance so that both sides of this conversation can move forward and trust one another that they are both delivering a full picture.
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:

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at Chatham House in London, Jan. 15, 2024, ahead of traveling to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. Nadella marks his tenth year as Microsoft CEO on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, capping a decade of stunning growth as he pivoted the slow-moving software giant into a laser focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File

Satya Nadella marks his tenth year as Microsoft CEO on Sunday, capping a decade of stunning growth as he pivoted the slow-moving software giant into a laser focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Microsoft's stock has soared by more than 1,000% since Nadella took the helm in 2014, compared to the more gradual 185% growth of the broader S&P 500. Microsoft now has a market value of $3 trillionmore than any U.S. publicly traded company, including its longtime rival Apple.

"Nadella's had the biggest transformation of a tech company potentially ever," said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. "The only one that would rival it was (Steve) Jobs coming back to Apple and turning it around with the iPhone."

Microsoft has created $2.8 trillion in shareholder wealth in the past decade, meaning an investor who bought a $10,000 stake in Microsoft at the time Nadella took over and did nothing with those shares, would have a stake worth about $113,000 now.

HOW IT HAPPENED

"Our industry does not respect traditionit only respects innovation," Nadella told employees in an inaugural memo 10 years ago, an opening salvo that hinted at bigger shifts to come. Microsoft declined requests for an interview.

Now a hero to Wall Street, some were at first skeptical that such transformation could come from an insider who'd already spent 22 years at the Redmond, Washington company. He's only the third Microsoft CEO, following Steve Ballmer, who lasted for 14 years, and Bill Gates, who co-founded the company in 1975 and took it public in 1986.

Big changes came quickly under Nadella. He marshaled resources to build up the Azure cloud computing platform, a shift in priorities from the company's longtime reliance on its flagship Windows operating system and the royalties it gets for each PC sold with it. And he largely put the brakes on Microsoft's ill-fated attempts to play catch-up in the smartphone market, marked by his predecessor Ballmer's $7.3 billion acquisition of Nokia's phone business.

But some of the biggest changes were in the company's culture, a shift away from Microsoft's brash external reputation and internal bickering to a more collaborative approach that Nadella has modeled in his own collegial personality and engineer's mindset.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella pauses during a video presentation at the company's annual conference for software developers, May 7, 2018, in Seattle. Nadella marks his tenth year as Microsoft CEO on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, capping a decade of stunning growth as he pivoted the slow-moving software giant into a laser focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File

LEARN-IT-ALL CULTURE

"Microsoft is known for rallying the troops with competitive fire," Nadella said in his 2017 autobiography. "The press loves that, but it's not me."

Much of Nadella's strength is how he stands out from the typical "very strong ego CEO," said Raimo Lenschow, a stock analyst at Barclays who covers 36 tech companies. Instead of making bold pronouncements, Lenschow said Nadella takes a more measured approach to explaining "where he thinks the future is going."

And "whether it's the person making food in the cafeteria, an engineer, finance executive, a customer, he treats everyone in the same way, with respect," said Ives. It's not just Wall Street analysts who think so.

A tiny startup from Zeeland, Michigan, running a booth at January's CES gadget show in Las Vegas caught a glimpse of Nadella's curiosity when he showed up, shook founder Tim Murphy's hand and asked for a demo. The product, Audio Radar, visualizes the sounds in video games for deaf and hard of hearing players.

"He's very down to earth," said Murphy, who was there with a small crew including his teen son. "I gave him the pitch, played some games, and he was like, 'It's wonderful what you're doing.' Honestly, I can't really remember too much of what he said because I was just kind of shocked."

Nadella has long made the accessibility of technology a priority, informed in part by his experience raising a son who was visually impaired, quadriplegic and had cerebral palsy. Zain Nadella died in 2022.

AI PUSH

What's brought Microsoft to its latest heights is its emergence as an artificial intelligence leader, setting the agenda on how AI tools could get used in work and society. While Nadella has been emphasizing AI for most of his tenure, its role was not guaranteed and happened after years of careful planning that led to a close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. (OpenAI pays The Associated Press an undisclosed fee to license its archive of news stories).

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella watches a presentation introducing the integration of the Bing search engine and Edge browser with OpenAI on Feb. 7, 2023, in Redmond. Nadella marks his tenth year as Microsoft CEO on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, capping a decade of stunning growth as he pivoted the slow-moving software giant into a laser focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Credit: AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File

"Historically, if you're a cool startup that was doing something amazing, Microsoft wasn't really your first choice," Lenschow said. "So the fact that he got OpenAI to commit to Azure was an amazing masterstroke ... it gives him a massive, competitive advantage over Google and Amazon."

That position was put in jeopardy late last year when OpenAI's board of directors suddenly fired CEO Sam Altman. A weekend of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and a threatened mass exodus of employees championed by Nadella helped bring back Altman and stabilize the startup, assuaging clients and shareholders. "He handled that like he was in the World Series of Poker playing against little kids," Ives said.

ONGOING CHALLENGES

Nadella's tenure hasn't been without hiccups, especially given how much of the world relies so heavily on Microsoft productssometimes to the frustration of people using them.

Cybersecurity experts say its tendency is to sacrifice security for convenience, including in its gung-ho rollout of AI large language models. The company's trademark suite of work tools, Microsoft Office 365, has also been penetrated successfully in recent years in embarrassing high-profile compromises that have seen elite Russian and Chinese cyber operators access the email accounts of senior U.S. officials and members of Microsoft's senior leadership team.

It stepped in to provide cloud hosting to Ukraine just ahead of Russia's 2022 invasion, but the networks serving NATO allies are constantly peppered by intrusion attempts. That, and the worsening ransomware scourge, have led Nadella to call for a cyber Geneva Convention with Russia and China.

And despite Nadella's stated aversion to "competitive fire," Microsoft is once again drawing the kind of antitrust scrutiny that dogged Gates and Ballmer in earlier years. Nadella's confident testimony at a federal court hearing last summer helped persuade a judge not to block Microsoft's purchase of video game giant Activision Blizzard, but the company is now facing another round of questions on its partnership with OpenAI.

None of those challenges are likely to push Nadella, 56, who made $48.5 million in total compensation last year and has also chaired Microsoft's board since 2021, out of his leadership roles anytime soon.

"From everything I can gather, he's really enjoying himself," Lenschow said. "We're in very, very, very interesting times. I would expect him to stay for a while."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Charles Parker from Pexels

The New York City subway has pulled its controversial security robot out of service after little more than five months patrolling the busy Times Square station.

K-5, as the robot's call sign goes, has been retired to a storage lot, The New York Times reported Friday.

Its short stint on the force was reportedly marked by frequent charging breaks, the need to be chaperoned by human officers, and an inability to tackle stairs.

"The Knightscope K-5 has completed its pilot deployment in the NYC subway system," a police spokesman told AFP of the device, which was introduced to much fanfare in September 2023.

The device, part-Star Wars, part-Smart Car in appearance, was equipped with several cameras as well as a help button for commuters at the city's busiest subway station that is also a major tourist hotspot.

"I said this was a trash can on wheels, but it looks like the wheels aren't even working at this point," said Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of anti-spy-tech campaign group Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.

"With major crimes down and the mayor mandating budget cuts across city agencies, why are we spending so much money on these gadgets?"

New York Mayor Eric Adamshimself a former police officerhas put technology at the center of his crime-fighting strategy, enthusiastically extolling the virtues of drones, facial recognition cameras and robotics.

In April 2023 the New York Police Department re-introduced a $74,000 robotic dog kitted out with cameras, a two-way communication system and lights to assist in emergency situations.

Officers have also adopted Starchase, a GPS location system allowing police to attach a tracker to fleeing vehicles eliminating the need for risky car chases through New York's packed streets.

"When crime was rising nationwide, we were told surveillance was the solution. But now crime is plummeting across the country, including cities that banned these dystopian devices. If we don't have money to keep the library doors open, we definitely don't have cash for creepy robots," said Cahn.

Adams recently touted the city's declining crime rate, according to official statistics, and credited technology for its part in the drop.

"We've also used technology and tools with (police department) Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry scanning the entire country to find the right technology that's needed," Adams said last month.

 2024 AFP
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg turns to address the audience during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, to discuss child safety. The fiery hearing put a spotlight on the Kids Online Safety Act, sponsored by Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

A bit of political theater in Washington, D.C. this week has put the spotlight on Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthals signature domestic policy, the Kids Online Safety Act.

The legislation, which Blumenthal introduced in 2022 with Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, would require online platforms to take reasonable measures to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful material such as bullying, drugs, sexual exploitation and eating disorders  while also giving parents more tools to monitor and manage their childrens account settings.

On Wednesday, it was also the subject of a fiery hearing in which senators from both parties berated a panel of five social media executives, accusing them of failing to enact better controls to limit the flood of negative content aimed at children and teenagers.

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The most dramatic moment in the hearing came when Meta  formerly Facebook  CEO Mark Zuckerberg responded to the hounding by one Republican senator by rising to his feet, facing the audience and offering an apology to the families who blamed his social media platforms for harming their children, in some cases driving them to suicide.

Im sorry no one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered, Zuckerberg said, producing an image that was broadcast across the evening news and the front pages of the New York Times and Washington Post.

Blumenthal, a former state attorney general serving in his third Senate term, has led various efforts to get Congress to address animal abuse, health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and, more recently, the rise of artificial intelligence.

His work on stemming online abuse and protecting childrens digital data, however, has been the focus of much of his domestic policy front for the last three years, a spokeswoman said this week.

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It is a critical moment for me," Blumenthal said while discussing the bill with a group of students at a West Hartford High School earlier in the week. "People came forward to talk about what they saw inside these companies that the heads of the companies didn't want to tell us. They knew they were doing harm to young people.

During Wednesdays hearing, one colleague on the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- South Carolina, went so far as to refer to Blumenthal and Blackburn as the dynamic duo for their work on the issue.

Blumenthal himself was in the background for the majority of the headline-grabbing moments of Wednesdays hearing. Instead, the senator spent the bulk of his speaking time questioning Zuckerberg about several emails that were part of a batch of internal Meta documents released by Congress ahead of the hearing.

In one of the emails, Metas former head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, wrote directly to Zuckerberg saying that the company was not on track to succeed in its efforts to reduce online bullying and harassment. Clegg proposed hiring dozens of new engineers to help remedy the problem, though that solution was ultimately rejected, according to the documents.

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You rejected that request because of other pressures and priorities, Blumenthal said. That is an example from your own internal documents, of failing to act and it is the reason we can no longer trust Meta, and frankly any of the other social media.

Joining Zuckerberg before the Judiciary Committee were the leaders of TikTok, Snap, Discord and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Blumenthal demanded answers from each of the five witnesses on whether they would support passage of the Kids Online Safety Act as currently written. Only Xs Linda Yaccarino and Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snap, promised to do so.

These are nuanced things, said Zuckerberg in response to Blumenthals pressure to respond with a yes-or-no answer. I think the basic spirit is right, I think the basic ideas in it are right, there are some ideas I would debate how to implement.

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Despite broad bipartisan support in the Senate, Blumenthals legislation has drawn opposition from many in the tech industry, who say it would amount to government surveillance over the Internet and censorship of kids content.

Concerns over censorship have also been raised among some traditionally liberal groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union. The Washington Post reported this week that many teens, too, voiced their objections to the bill online even as the hearing was underway.

If passed, KOSA would allow each states attorney general to individually decide what parts of the internet kids can and cannot access, the ACLU said in a letter published last year. In fact, KOSA proponents have even openly admitted that they plan to use KOSA to block kids from LGBTQ content online.

While Blumenthal and Blackburn have made some changes to the bill to address industry concerns, it continues to face opposition from groups such as the Center for Democracy and Technology. Advocates for the bill include both the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Sarah Egan, the head of Connecticut's Office of the Child Advocate, pointed to a 2021 survey showing increases in the number of Connecticut high schoolers who reported feeling hopeless or contemplating suicide, saying that the current regulatory approach to social media amounted to the "wild west."

"Tech is like, three steps ahead, tens steps ahead of every parent," Egan said. "The legislation is not here to take the Internet away from people... it's not about eliminating that opportunity in those safe spaces, it's about meeting that duty of care on a tech company and giving those parents and students and youths tools to protect themselves."

While the bill has twice been advanced by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation it has yet to receive a full vote on the floor of either chamber, and members of the House have not filed a companion bill in that chamber.

A spokeswoman for Blumenthals office on Thursday said that no vote is currently scheduled for the legislation following Wednesday's hearing.

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The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents will hold a Discussion and Possible Action Relating to Agreement between Texas A&M University and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Texas A&M during its quarterly on-campus meeting Thursday.

The discussion, released Friday as part of the Regents meeting schedule, is listed under executive session, but any action must be taken in open session.

Last month, online reports questioned A&Ms security measures and ties to nuclear engineering research in relation to the Qatar campus. The Jerusalem Post, Israels top English newspaper, reported on a letter from The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), an American nonprofit organization, sent to U.S. officials that said it found alarming research findings exposing Qatars unreported and unregulated funding to Texas A&M University. The letter was sent to Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of the Department of Energy; Gillian Keegan, Secretary of Education; Jose Berrios, Directives Point of Contact at the National Nuclear Security Administration; Christopher Hanson, Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Alan Sams, A&M Provost; and Welsh.

In response, Welsh wrote a letter to A&M campus community members and said those claims were assumptions based on false information and noted the insinuation that we are somehow leaking or compromising national security research data to anyone is both false and irresponsible. Welsh added no nuclear technology weapons/defense or national security research is done at A&Ms Qatar campus, nor does it have connections to nuclear reactor research done in Texas or the Los Alamos National Lab.

I think its important we realize these conversations continue all the time, A&M President Mark Welsh told The Eagle during a Thursday sit-down interview. Its gotten a lot of attention lately because Qatars been in the news [facilitating negotiations on a Israel-Hamas ceasefire and in hostage negotiations]. And thats fair. Any concerns that have been expressed I think are fair concerns based on whats happened in the world. And we have to factor all of that into our discussions that we have with our Board [of Regents] and well continue to do that.

A&M officials have been monitoring the situation in the region around Qatar since early October, Welsh said. Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, which resulted in more than 1,200 deaths. Over 200 were taken hostage during the attack. According to the Associated Press, Qatar has played a key mediating role throughout the war.

A&M at Qatar opened in fall 2003 in Dohas Education City. A&M is one of six American universities with a presence. The others are Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Georgetown, Northwestern and Virginia Commonwealth. A&M at Qatar has an enrollment of 736 students and around half are women, which Welsh wrote is a significant milestone. Most students are international and represent 40 countries.

I would characterize whats happened there since then as very successful, Welsh said. Its been a good thing for Texas A&M. Its been a great thing for Aggies that went into the energy business. Its been a great thing for U.S. diplomacy. Its exposed an entirely new culture of students to the way the U.S. conducts education, to the way Texas A&M values its core values, both at the personal and professional level. Its been beneficial to our faculty who have been able to do research there and have learned and lived in a different culture. Weve had students do exchange tours both ways, from the campus here to the campus there and vice versa. Thats all beneficial.

A&Ms Qatar campus offers four-year bachelors degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering. While nuclear engineering students from A&Ms main campus in College Station can take classes at the Qatar campus, an A&M official said they are limited to courses such as English, history, political science, math, science and some engineering courses. An A&M official clarified Qatar students cannot access research from the College Station campus.

While A&Ms Qatar faculty collaborates with international engineers and scientists on different subjects, an A&M official said none of the research is focused on nuclear technology and noted the campus research enterprise is governed by U.S. export control laws and follows A&M University System research security policies. While A&M does not share its research security program details with the public, an A&M official said those details are regularly received by federal agencies. Welsh noted the U.S. federal government has recognized the A&M System on multiple occasions for being a leader in counterintelligence and protecting sensitive information and technology from foreign actors.

A&M initially entered a 10-year agreement with the Qatar Foundation, which funds the entire campus and is supported by the countrys royal family and asked A&M to create a branch there. An A&M official said A&M leaders extended its agreement with the Qatar campus in 2021, and the current contract goes through June 30, 2033.

We are looking at all of our satellite campuses right now, Welsh said. From our branch campus at Galveston, which I think is also a great part of our university and one of the real hidden jewels down there with the maritime academy. I was just down in McAllen last week, which is another phenomenal opportunity for Texas A&M. We are doing the same kind of assessment at those places as we did here with the quick-look assessment. I was briefed on the decisions out of that at Galveston last week. We collected data from McAllen. Im waiting on that study now, and once I have that study I will make decisions on what were going to change down there and were going to start moving with that.

Well do all the same things there that weve done here and well continue the conversation with our Board [of Regents] in the future on what do we continue, what do we change, how do we adjust to do whats best for Texas A&M.
Jose Vicente Cusnia, owner of Best Connecticut Roofing, stands in a building he's renovating for his Meriden business in this 2022 file photo. Cusnia and a number of statewide organizations have taken the initiative to help first-time Latino homebuyers. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media Jose Vicente Cusnia, owner of Best Connecticut Roofing LLC, walks around a building he's renovating for his business at 35 Meridian St. in Meriden, Thursday, July 21, 2022. File photo. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media

MERIDEN  The first house Jose Vicente Cusnia ever bought had a leaky roof. Cusnia bought it in 2012 because he needed more parking for the trucks of his roofing business. He and his brother paid $55,000 for a three-family home in Meriden, which they have since renovated.

I thought the house was great. It didnt have windows and the roof leaked, and a lot of other things. It didnt even have electricity, but it was excellent, compared to the house where I lived in Ecuador and it was a house in the United States.

Since 2012, Cusnia has been hooked on real estate. He slowly improved his own Meriden home and now owns about 50 apartments and 23 houses, although he says his portfolio varies a lot as he buys, sells and rents properties. He taught himself about real estate by going to conferences, which he noted were only in English and not accessible Latinos.

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Even though Cusnia was able to enter the real estate market, there are a number of barriers that prevent other Latinos from buying homes, such as lack of knowledge of available resources, poor credit and a tough housing market. Many community members, like Cusnia, and a number of statewide organizations, have taken the initiative to help first-time Latino homebuyers by teaching them about the opportunities and resources available to them.

I feel like Latinos dont just want to be in the labor force anymore, as theyve always been, he said. They want to invest now

Cusnia said he wanted to share what he learned with the Latino community by starting a real estate seminar in Spanish. He presented the first seminar at his business, Best Connecticut Roofing, a little over a year ago, which was attended by a packed room of over 100 people. He decided to grow the event in the fall with about 250 people and is working on a third one for the spring.

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He also shares real estate tips on Tiktok, where Cusnia talks about the lessons hes learned with his online followers. He said he had a lot of people in his direct messages asking him for help to get into real estate because they dont know who else to ask.

The biggest barrier for all Latinos is information, he said. Because of your ego, you dont ask for help or how they did it or how you can do it, too.

Difficult housing market

The housing market is particularly difficult now for low and medium-income families because of a lack of housing inventory, explained Marcus Smith, director of research, marketing and outreach at the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

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It's a really hot market right now, he explained. Historically low inventory and historically high prices have made it really difficult for low and moderate income folks to become first-time homebuyers.

Smith pointed to a recent statewide needs assessment published by CHFA in 2023 that takes stock of the states housing demographics. According to the report, 73 percent of households identifying as white are homeowners, compared to 41 percent of Black households and only 37 percent for Latino households. The report also stressed the need to continue work in closing the wealth gap for people of color.

Smith explained that Latinos are more likely to be unbanked or underbanked. This means that they are less likely either to not have a credit score or have a low one. He added that a lot of Latinos might also not have inherited wealth or enough money available to compete in the housing market.

The ability to go into a bank or go into a lender and qualify for a mortgage from the very beginning is more challenging for people with limited access to credit. If your credit score isn't high enough, you might not qualify or if you don't make enough money, or if you don't have enough downpayment to purchase the home, he explained

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Black and Latino households are more likely to have low and middle income and tend to earn less than their white and Asian neighbors. In 2022, the U.S. Census bureau estimated that a third of households with a Latino householder earned a middle income between $45,00 and $100,000, compared to 29 percent of white households and 28 percent of Black households. However, Black and Latino households are nearly twice as likely to have low income as 23 percent of Latino households earned below $25,000, but only 12 percent of white households did.

Competitive housing markets make it more difficult for homeowners with lower income to purchase a house. However, Smith said that the Time To Own Forgivable Down Payment Assistance program has shown a lot of promise in leveling the playing field. He explained that the program provides qualified homebuyers with up to $50,000 for a down payment and forgives a tenth of their loan each year they stay in their new home.

After 10 years, if you stay in the home, the entire amount that you have received for down payment assistance is forgiven. And so, that we've seen is really helping low and lower middle income homebuyers who have been really squeezed by the current housing market, he said.

Education

He added that financial education classes and talking to a housing counselor might also help Latinos who are looking to buy their first home get into a good place where they are more likely to be approved for a mortgage.

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Heidie Colon-Rosa has been a housing specialist for 10 years and works at the New Haven HomeOwnership Center, one of the several Connecticut agencies who seek to provide information to the states growing number of Latino residents on how to purchase a home.

Not every person is going to have the same experience, she said. That's why sitting down with a housing specialist is going to look at your profile and not what your aunt said or what your cousin said.

Colon-Rosa is involved in organizing a bilingual seminar in New Haven on Feb. 8 to help first-time homebuyers by educating them about options and programs available to them with Liberty Bank, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Housing Development Fund, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and New Havens Livable City Initiative.

In addition to organizing the upcoming seminar, Colon-Rosa also teaches an ongoing free Spanish-language class directed to first-time homebuyers. She said she invites a realtor, a lender, a closing attorney and insurance vendor to explain the home buying process to her students. For others, she added theres also a general financial fitness class and a class for landlords.

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A Tiny Abolitionist Film Festival, celebrating Black History Month, will be held Feb. 16. at Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, Route 209, Bantam. Bantam Cinema

BANTAM  A Tiny Abolitionist Film Festival celebrating Black History Month is set for Feb. 16, at Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, Route 209, Bantam.

Presented by the John Brown Project and the Berlin Equity Action Team, the event celebrates examples of American heroes in the struggle for abolition through short films, reenactment, and performance, according to members.

The festival will feature a compelling program, including the screening of two award-winning documentary films  The 29th Connecticut and His Truth Is Marching On, both produced by Connecticut organizations.

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These films delve into abolition, equality, music, and American history, providing a nuanced exploration of the individuals roles that were pivotal in shaping our nations path forward, the point of these films is to highlight people in Connecticuts past who defended equality, and to broaden viewers understanding of how music shaped that," said Dan Morrison, director of the John Brown Project and producer of His Truth is Marching Ono, in a statement.

In "The 29th Connecticut, produced by Berlin Equity Action Team, chronicles the remarkable saga of Connecticuts 29th Colored Infantry, whose valor in the Civil War was pivotal in securing victory for the Union Army, members said. This documentary short recently won the Best Connecticut Film award at the 2023 Mystic Film Festival.

His Truth Is Marching On, produced by Culture 4 A Cause and the John Brown Project, "weaves a mesmerizing tale of American music from 1619 to hip hop, centering around the Civil War song John Browns Body  a musical tribute to Northwest Connecticuts own John Brown. This film received the 2023 Award of Merit from the CT League of History Organizations," according to the statement.

In addition to the screenings, the event will feature a Harriet Tubman interpretation, an African drumming performance, enlightening speakers, and a Q&A session with the film producers.

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West Hartford has given site plan approval to the Elmwood Lofts, the 150-unit redevelopment of the former Puritan Furniture site. Contributed photo / Phase Zero Design

As Town Manager Rick Ledwith said at a Community Planning and Economic Development committee meeting in January, what's inside West Hartford's most recent draft of its affordable housing plan aren't exactly new concepts to town leaders.

"A lot of what you will see in those strategies, weve been doing," Ledwith told Town Council members at the meeting. "This council has been engaged in this process for a long time."

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That includes, Ledwith said, the $6 million the town put aside from its American Rescue Plan Act funds as loans to incentivize affordable housing developments. All of that money has already been earmarked to developments, with some of it going to The Camelot, which is the redevelopment of the West Hartford Inn site that will offer 100 percent of its apartments as affordable units. Environmental clean up and construction began on the project in January.

Environmental clean up and construction has begun at The Camelot, the former West Hartford Inn site that will be 100 percent affordable housing. Contributed photo / Honeycomb Real Estate Partners

In the Elmwood part of town, two developments being proposed in the town's new transit-oriented district that will both feature affordable housing units have also taken steps toward being realities. Kristen Gorski, the town's economic development coordinator, said that the Elmwood Lofts  which is the redevelopment of the former Puritan Furniture site into a five-story 150-unit mixed-use housing development  has received its site plan approval from the town. That development would likely offer 30 affordable housing units.

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The Jayden, the redevelopment of the site at 579 New Park Ave., also reappeared at a recent Design Review Advisory Committee with updated site plans. The housing development would offer 14 of its 70 units as affordable housing.

The two projects would join a booming New Park Avenue corridor defined by newer businesses like the GastroPark food truck collective and other affordable housing developments managed by the West Hartford Housing Authority. The Housing Authority is currently working on another affordable housing development across town at the former Agudas Achim synagogue, where 39 of the 49 units would be affordable.

West Hartford's new affordable housing plan

And so, as West Hartford sees developers continue to invest in the town with over a thousand new homes, new strategies and policies could be implemented to increase affordability. Town leaders in the past have expressed a desire to have at least 10 percent of the town's housing be affordable.

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One of the policies included in the most recent draft of the plan, which was released on Jan. 17, is inclusionary zoning, a tactic that looks to ensure that affordable housing isn't contained to one part of a town or city. The plan mentions the following parts of town as being ripe for housing: the New Park Avenue corridor, Farmington Avenue east of West Hartford Center, West Hartford Center, the New Britain Avenue corridor, and Bishops Corner.

"Every time we have a development in town we sit down with the development team and we talk about the importance of affordable housing to this community," Ledwith said at the meeting. "You cant go back and find anything this Council has approved  over the last several years where affordable housing isn't built into this development. That will continue. That will never change. Through that collaboration with our developers they realize how important that is to the town of West Hartford. They embrace it and they work with us."

Other policies include tax abatements like the town has done at other sites in town, such as One Park Road, The Camelot, and the West Hartford Fellowship Housing campus, which broke ground in November on a redevelopment and expansion of its affordable housing offerings.

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West Hartford approved the redevelopment of the former Agudas Achim synagogue into an affordable housing development. Contributed photo / West Hartford Housing Authority

The plan also mentions how the town could look at land-use policies that might be currently impeding affordable housing. For instance, when the town established its transit-oriented district, it simplified the application process for developers, meaning a public hearing and Town Council vote wouldn't be necessary for developers looking to build in those areas. Instead, the projects  which could also receive incentives for including affordable units  only need approval from town administrators.

Other roadblocks, like permitting fees, could also be reduced or waived completely for housing developments, depending on its affordable components.

Everything included in the most recent draft is not finalized. The plan is still a work in progress, with Town Council approval still needed. And nothing included in the plan will be a mandatory requirement, Ledwith said, just options and tools for the town to work with. Town Council will take up the affordable housing plan at a meeting in the near future, though no date has been set yet.
Huge potential for increased US investment to meet Vietnams infrastructure needs: experts

By Minh Tuan Sat, February 3, 2024 | 11:17 pm GMT+7

The latest status upgrade in Vietnam-US ties has generated great potential to lure further foreign direct investment (FDI), given Vietnams need for soft and hard infrastructure, experts said.

From left: Richard D. McClellan, head of Tony Blair Institutes operations in Vietnam; Ha Thu Thanh, chairperson of Deloitte Vietnam; Can Van Luc, chief economist of BIDV; and Bui Quang Minh, founder of multi-industry ecosystem Beta Group at a discussion marking the 30th anniversary of lifting of the U.S. trade embargo, Hanoi, February 2, 2024. Photo by The Investor/Minh Tuan.

FDI inflows from the U.S. are yet to match the giant leap in bilateral trade since the Clinton administration lifted the decades-old embargo on Vietnam and the two former war foes normalized relations, said Ha Thu Thanh, chairperson of Deloitte Vietnam.

She was participating in a panel discussion organized in Hanoi Friday by the US embassy to mark the 30th anniversary of the trade embargo being lifted.

Thanh cited government statistics as saying that the U.S. ranked 10th in terms of registered FDI last year, but noted its actual FDI accounted for a mere 3% of total disbursement in Vietnam.

Against the backdrop of fast growing trade (between the U.S. and Vietnam), I see much potential for incoming FDI from the U.S. after the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. It will be a new journey for the two countries to build up FDI [cooperation], she said.

Thanh also said noted that the semiconductor industry holds great potential for U.S. companies to invest in Vietnam if the legal framework, corporate governance, and infrastructure were enticing enough.

Regarding indirect investment, she recommended that Vietnamese companies improve corporate governance to get more attention from U.S. private equity funds.

Corporate governance has become more important, a need to have instead of nice to have. More money can come in via the stock market on the condition of good governance based on the best practices issued by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

Bui Quang Minh, a Harvard Business School alumnus and founder of multi-industry ecosystem Beta Group, shared his personal experience in learning from American partners in growing his groups start-up projects and the entrepreneurship spirit young Vietnamese get from the U.S., including the Shark Tank show.

Remarking on the potential areas in Vietnam that U.S. investors may get more involved in, Can Van Luc, chief economist of state-controlled bank BIDV, named venture capital in start-ups, energy, education, healthcare services, cultural exchanges, military cooperation, and digital transformation.

Elaborating on potential energy cooperation, Luc highlighted Vietnams ambition to have up to 30% of renewable energy in its power mix by 2030 from the current 16% ; and increase this further to 60% by 2050. To meet this goal, Vietnam needs capital, technology and other facilities that the U.S., which has strength in this industry, can provide, he said.

For Vietnam to capitalize on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), to which international institutions and foreign countries including the U.S. have committed more than $15 billion, the Vietnamese government should identify specific projects and programs, and one terminal contact point to supervise JETP enforcement, Luc said.

He told The Investor that American businesses with capital and technology are keen on developing renewable energy in Vietnam.

Luc emphasized that for Vietnam to go green, the government needs to have a detailed action plan to implement the National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) and issue better policies to develop renewable energy.

He felt that the U.S. can help Vietnam in formulating an action plan for the PDP8.
Standard Chartered fervent supporter of Vietnams net zero ambitions: CEO

By Minh Anh Sat, February 3, 2024 | 10:21 am GMT+7

Standard Chartered is a fervent supporter and aligned with the Vietnamese governments ambitions to go net zero by 2050, said Michele Wee, CEO Standard Chartered Vietnam, as the bank celebrates the 120th anniversary of its presence in the country.

A Standard Chartered branch in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the bank.

Being a partner with the Vietnamese government since COP26, the bank and all-encompassing stakeholder groups from the government to the private sector have been executing the different verticals of work under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to deliver on collective ambitions to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

On the sidelines of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December, Standard Chartered Vietnam signed five memorandums of understanding valued at approximately $3 billion in sustainable financing to support five companies in Vietnam in achieving their sustainability goals.

Among them, the bank partnered with Sovico Group on wind power and green projects; The Green Solutions Corporation on green hydrogen production plant in Tra Vinh province; and GuarantCo, a part of Private Infrastructure Development Group, on financing climate change and the energy transition.

With 120 years in Vietnam, Standard Chartered leverages and utilizes its significant network to deliver FDI to Vietnam and to facilitate Vietnamese clients who want to expand into global markets to pursue growth ambition, the bank affirmed.

Vietnam remains a key growth market for Standard Chartered, and we will continue to invest in Vietnam to drive commerce and prosperity, asserted Michele Wee.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told a crowd of South Carolina State University students and others that they cant underestimate the power of their votes as they head to the polls on Saturday.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told a crowd of South Carolina State University students and others that they cant underestimate the power of their votes.

Harris spoke at a rally held at S.C. State on Friday during her ninth trip to the state as vice president. She spoke ahead of South Carolinas Democratic primary on Saturday, which President Joe Biden easily won.

Harris challenged the audience to cast their votes in the first official Democratic presidential primary.

Across our nation, fundamental freedoms are at stake. ... Do we want to live in a country of liberty, freedom and rule of law, or a country of disorder, fear and hate? ... Each of us has the power to answer these questions, she said.

Harris said the freedom to vote, live without fear of hate and bigotry, be safe from the horror of gun violence, as well as the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government telling her what to do are among freedoms that are at stake across the country.

On these issues and so many more, who sits in the White House, it matters. And in this election, each one of us, we face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in? We each face the question, Harris said.

Do we want to live in a country of liberty, freedom and rule of law, or a country of disorder, fear and hate? ... Each of us has the power to answer these questions, she said.

Harris said she was counting on the people of South Carolina to vote.

South Carolina, you are the first primary in the nation, and President Biden and I are counting on you ... to make your voices heard, Harris said.

The Republican presidential primary is set for Saturday, Feb. 24. Voters can participate in either partys presidential primary, but not both.

Harris reminded the audience how South Carolina helped propel her and Biden to victory four years ago.

The people of South Carolina showed up to vote. You convinced your friends and your family members and neighbors and co-workers of the power of their vote, and the power they have when they show up to vote, she said.

She touted the Biden administrations efforts to expand high-speed internet, particularly within rural communities.

Because you voted in 2020, President Biden and I are connecting every person in America with high-speed internet, including more than 100,000 families right here in South Carolina, she said.

Student loan debt has also been addressed, Harris said.

Because you voted in 2020, President Biden and I have canceled more than $136 billion in student loan debt for more than three and a half million Americans. Although the Republicans in Congress refuse to work with us to cancel more debt, we will not be deterred, she said.

President Biden and I will keep fighting for relief from student loan debt.

She said huge investments have also been made in historically Black colleges and universities.

We must do more to support them. They don't have the kinds of endowments that some other schools have, although they produce leaders of our country and our world.

So as a proud HBCU graduate, I made sure that we invested more than $7 billion in HBCUs across our nation, including nearly $60 million for the students right here at South Carolina State, Harris said.

Lowering health care costs has also been addressed, she said, including capping what seniors pay out-of-pocket for insulin.

For too many years, too many of our seniors had to make the choice of either filling their prescription or filling their refrigerator. But because you voted, President Biden and I took on big pharma, and we capped the cost of insulin for our seniors at $35 a month, she said.

And we capped the entire cost of prescription medications to $2,000 a year. So this is just some of what we have accomplished since we took office. Over the past three years, President Biden and I have lowered costs, created opportunity and are building an economy that works for working people, she said.

Harris said consumer confidence is up and consumer spending is an all-time high.

Although we have more work to do, let us be clear. America's economy continues to be the strongest in the world, Harris said.

The vice president said the Biden administration worked not for themselves, but for the people.

We work for you, the American people, and every day we fight for you. Sadly, however, that is not true for everyone, she said.

Harris claimed former U.S. President Donald Trump fought not for the American people, but for himself. Trump, a Republican, is running for re-election.

He openly talks about his intention to weaponize the Department of Justice. He openly says that he is proud that he overturned Roe v. Wade. Proud that he took the freedom of choice from millions of American women, Harris said.

She continued, For years, the former president has stoked the fires of hate and bigotry and racism and xenophobia for his own power and political gain. ...

As the great Maya Angelou once said, When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.

Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler, U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn, attorney and political commentator Bakari Sellers and Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison were among the speakers at the rally.

We're now down to the final push. Always remember that you have a voice and you matter and your vote matters, Butler said.

Sellers urged the audience to get out and vote to help change the country's course.

I believe in what this country can be. ... Tomorrow will be better than yesterday. We've got show up to the polls (Saturday) and then handle Donald Trump in November, Sellers said.

Harrison urged audience members not underestimate the power of their votes.

Don't be silent! Show up! That is the power that you have right now! Harrison said. That is how we make hope real.

Clyburn encouraged individuals to vote because one vote could very well decide what our future is.

Who are you going to put in charge of your future? the congressman asked.

The Rev. E.J. Sutton of West Columbia said he is concerned about the future.

I just don't want us to go backward. That was not a good period for our country. Im motivated. I enjoyed the time spent here, Sutton said.

Sutton, the pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in North, is also the moderator of the St. Matthews Baptist Association.

We were invited to come to meet with the vice president, and I decided to come. I'm concerned about what the next four years will look like if we don't have them re-elected, Sutton said.

He continued, So I'm here to support them and to help get the word out to our people to get out and vote. It's not so much we want change. We don't want to go back.

He said, I'm more concerned about going back to what the last four years were prior to them being in office than I am to making any changes. I believe we're headed in the right direction as far as the country goes.

They're looking out on behalf of the people, and that's what we need our leaders to do. ... I believe that's where their heart is and that they're going to continue to do that.
(TBTCO) - San luong nha may va doanh so ban le cua Trung Quoc vuot ky vong trong giai oan tu thang 1 en thang 2/2024, anh dau su khoi au vung chac cho nam 2024 va mang lai mot so cuu tro cho cac nha hoach inh chinh sach, ngay ca khi su yeu kem trong linh vuc bat ong san van la luc can oi voi nen kinh te va niem tin.
The past few days have seen our Cabinet ministers leaving the comfort of their expensive office chairs and getting busy, by going out there to get a feel of how dire the situation in local schools is. It is always good to give credit where it is due and one must say that this is a step in the right direction for the new Cabinet.

Whoever came up with the idea surely deserves a Bells! It is good that the ministers now have an idea of the horrific nature of our schools. Now that they know that we have schools that have not been fixed two years after they were burnt during the unforgettable political unrest. The ministers now know and hopefully understand it too, the headache that the head teachers go through on a daily basis in the operations of the schools.

It is not an easy task to run a school, and even worse in the rural areas. It is good that some of the head teachers used this opportunity to share the difficulties they go through whenever the same Cabinet takes time to review the budgets for some of the programmes including the free primary education (FPE) and the one for the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). Now that the ministers have toured the schools, one can only hope that this was not just about visiting and scoring points but that in the coming months we will get to see action being taken to address the challenges.

Challenges

Yes, the ministers posed for beautiful pictures with the excited pupils and that was good, but those photo albums would not address the challenges the schools go through. Those beautiful photos will not take the country forward if many schools do not have computer laboratories in an era where information communication and technology is expected to take the lead in driving the cart to the First World destination.

They might not be able to visit all the schools, but for a start, they now have a clear picture of the situation on the ground. We can only hope that in addressing the challenges, the Cabinet will heed to the call by His Majesty King Mswati III to take the nkwe approach and act as quickly as possible.

As the Head of Government, one expects that the Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, will get a full report of the tours and then sit down with the ministers for purposes of mapping a way forward. While the school tours were the highlight of the past week, the visit by Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Minister Savannah Maziya to the parastatals that fall under her ministry was the icing on top of the cake.

Now here is a minister who seems to be here for nothing but business. She appears to be one who knows her story.

Just like the famous Savanna cider, she is refreshing to say the least! Such a refreshing flavour is exactly what was needed in almost all the parastatals under her ministry because they have one thing in common-too much reliance on government subvention and failure to generate their own revenue.

These are the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) and the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS). Instead of standing on their own, all the three entities have become nothing but a financial drain to governments coffers and it is the taxpayer who suffers in the process.

It is not surprising that during her tour, she advised the parastatals to market and commercialise themselves.

Take the RSTP for instance, this is an entity that was created to be the hub for stimulating science and innovative technologies for commercialisation in the Kingdom of Eswatini. In the digital age, science and technology parks are critical for the sustainable development of the nation since they are the engine and heart of creativity and innovation of every country.

Commercialisation

As His Majesty King Mswati III once pointed out, such parks also provided locations that foster innovation, development and commercialisation of technology and where governments universities and private companies oftentimes collaborate. This is the picture we see whenever the thought of our RSTP comes to mind.

While the entity has huge potential, we are yet to see it becoming a real driving force in the economic recovery of the country especially in the digital age. We are yet to see the RSTP being an entity that creates a conducive environment to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. And yes, the minister is right to encourage the entity to market and commercialise itself because each time the question why it is struggling comes up, the response is that government is not providing it with the required budget.

While the minister expects the entity to stop relying on government subvention, she, herself has a role to play.

As a Cabinet minister, she is a politician and needs to understand that there are certain legislations that have to be enacted before the RSTP can operate to its full potential. These legislations must give investors, the Amazons and Googles of this world the confidence to come to the country.

Currently, some investors lose interest because it is not easy for them to move large amounts of money at an impulse yet other countries have laws that govern that through their central banks. So in true nkwe style, one hopes the minister will soon strutt her stuff and walk inside the Parliaments House of Assembly carrying Bills that will facilitate the enactment of the crucial legislations.

But for a start, she needs to appoint a capable Board as soon as yesterday as the chief executive officer cannot be expected to perform miracles alone. Government departments and parastatals are expected to receive their budgets for the upcoming financial year and it will not make sense for the RSTP to receive its own when there is currently no Board in place, unless of course the intention is to allow the CEO to do as he pleases.

Still on the appointment of a Board, one would like to plead with the minister to keep to her promise that she would appoint the youth. Please, allow the legends to rest! Coming to the ESTVA, one does not know where to start.

Anyway, we do hope that the minister has been informed that just a few months ago, the countrys one and only state-owned television station needed governments intervention regarding a tax debt amounting to E113 million.

In case you are not aware minister, the decision was reportedly sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance.

The ESTVA owed the Eswatini Revenue Services (ERS) in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE).

Obligations

While it is not clear whether the management has been deducting money from salaries from staff to honour the PAYE tax obligations but ended up not remitting it, the fact that government had to intervene is a sign that there is a lot of wrong at that station. Secondly, the tax-funded public enterprise had debts amounting to E160.7 million as at the end of December 2022 and these included outstanding statutory remittances and sundry creditors for operations.

Just like most television stations, the ESTVAs internal income generating streams are TV licences and advertising sales.

The company was able to raise E22.3 million in TV licences and other related incomes while advertising sales and programme sponsorships contributed a sum of E1.4 million. The good news is that there is a new capable CEO at the office and the minister has to be tough on him to make sure that the station delivers. During her tour, the minister said she discovered that the station was spending money on things that did not matter and one expects that this will be corrected as soon as possible.

Also, those responsible for the unnecessary spending should not be spared but they must be made to account.

After all, the station is funded by the taxpayer because it gets a subvention from government. Regarding the EBIS, a turnaround strategy is needed there in order to make the station live up to its mandate of being an electronic medium that serves three crucial purposes which are; informing, educating and entertaining.

Perhaps the minister should start by instructing the management of the station to conduct an audience research to ascertain the attitude of listeners to what they are being fed on a daily basis. With that said, it is impressive to see that the minister has hit the ground running. We can only hope that the relevant stakeholders will give her all the support.

This is crucial in a country like ours where someone who tells it like it is and seems determined to correct all the wrongs becomes an enemy. Seeing how she has vowed to scrutinise the budgets of the parastatals and clamp down on unnecessary spending, she might be the one that many would love to hate. This will not come as a surprise because in most government departments and parastatals, unnecessary spending has become a hobby so good luck my minister!



Who will probe the confusion?

The Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Master of the High Court is not even halfway through but already, it is now marred by controversy and this has caused a confusion that might need its own probe. When the Law Society of Eswatini raised its own concerns about the commission, we might have made the conclusion that the entity was just fighting its own battles with the Chief Justice, Bheki Maphalala, but the revelations of the last few days, including that the whole exercise has not been gazetted shows that this might just end in disaster.

Causing more confusion is the shocking honesty of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane, who revealed that he knew nothing about the commission. If the minister does not know, then who should?

As a country, what do we do now? Should we even take this exercise seriously? Should we have confidence in the final report and recommendations the commission will eventually make and will they even be enforced?

Before we all go crazy as emaSwati, somebody should probe this confusion and show us direction!
CHEYENNE  The dustup over the secretary of states proposed new voter rule is the same bubbling up in other red states.

Supporters say the purpose of the mirror rules is to be sure Wyoming elections are free from voter fraud.

This contention is ridiculous on its face.

Wyoming has a remarkable record of only three confirmed cases of fraud in recent history.

Wyomings voter problem instead, has been low voter turnout, particularly among younger eligible citizens.

National right wing organizations like the Freedom Caucus are behind this plan now being worked out in the red states.

The purpose is to suppress voter turnout.

They dont try to do that by requiring voters to count the number of jelly beans in a jar, a practice in effect in the South during the the Jim Crow era after the civil war.

Their approach is more subtle  require more proof of identification or residency or both.

The current rule being offered here by Secretary of State Chuck Gray just adds to the identification items required when voters go to the polls. Yet it could be just enough to discourage even more voters from going to the polls in the first place or failing to return to the polls if they have been sent home to fetch another piece of evidence of their eligibility.

Elderly voters are most likely to quit voting if it gets too time-consuming or complicated.

The county clerks are not supporting Grays proposed changes. They have a track record of encouraging voter turnout.

So they are predicting voter confusion or worse if the new rules are adopted. Regardless of what the rules end up requiring they will not endanger Wyomings status as a full-throated Republican dominated state.

Republican are not in danger of being outvoted by Democrats or any other political faction candidate.

Supporters of the rules spew nonsense when they say we are endangered by illegal aliens skewing vote totals.

Now, really. Why would an illegal alien or aliens flood our election sites when they probably most need food and shelter.

In so many ways Grays attempt to pass a law through rules is more evidence of the state going backwards.

Instead of enriching our public schools that educate the bulk of Wyoming children, we want to funnel money to private and charter schools; instead of encouraging public school students to read, read, read, we want to censor what they peruse according to right wing conservative standards.

And instead of legislators acting independently to get a bill or bills drafted by the Legislative Service Office, we have pre-packaged bills written by national organizations that have no notion of what Wyoming is like or needs.

They are copy-cat bills. And I question if the Wyoming sponsors know everything or anything that is in those bills.

Then there is this administrative rules process.

There have been questions whether Grays rules fit that process.

The Legislature has a big foot in this program.

The legislator most responsible for that was Sen. Robert H. Johnson, a Rock Springs Democrat and lawyer.

Johnson was irate because he believed the agencies were adopting rules governing a new law that failed to reflect the Legislatures intention in passing it.

Since rules have the same power as a law, he saw this as irregular law making by an agent.

Grays proposed rule is different. His bill on voter rights didnt pass the last Legislature so this is the path he is taking.

I dont think this is what Sen. Johnson and the Legislature had in mind. when it adopted the administrative rules process.

That law adopted in 1977 allows the Legislatures management council to issue a legislative order for the full Legislature to consider if it doesnt like the rules adopted by an agency.

If that order passes, it goes to the governor for his approval or veto. So does the secretary of states proposed rule or rules. He can veto them too.

The governor holds all the cards.
A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime.

This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco.
With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities.
We measure earthquakes using the Richter scale. Actually, we measure them using a newer scale called the moment magnitude scale, but we continue to say these numbers are on the Richter scale out of habit. Its a numerical measure that considers how much the rocks are stressed, how much they move and how big the rupture is. One thing it doesnt consider is exactly how much damage the quake does, including how big the death toll is.

If we wanted to describe how bad quakes are, rather than just how strong they are, wed need a new measure. Find out about one option below, along with the truth about whats keeping you up at night.

15 Greatly Exaggerated Marcus Garvey had a stroke in 1940. Rumors spread that hed died, and in May, he read his own obituary in a newspaper. He had a second stroke reading it, and this one killed him.

14 Big Pig There isnt really any species of pig known as a teacup pig. If you buy a miniature pig, itll will end up smaller than some huge farm pigs, but itll grow up much bigger than advertised and will wind up weighing some 170 pounds.

13 Cheddar Baby In England, they used to have a tradition called the groaning cheese. When a woman gave birth, people would cut a hole in a wheel of cheese big enough to pass the baby through. Afterward, theyd eat the cheese.

12 Holy Shit The word shit appears in the Bible. Not in English of course, but we have Paul calling his life perikatharma. It was a profane word for feces. Bibles today are more likely to mistranslate it as rubbish. Advertisement Advertisement

11 The Fleishhacker Experiment In 1925, someone built a pool in San Francisco big enough to fit 10,000 people. It was too big to fill with fresh water, so it used seawater. Tip: If you want to swim in saltwater, San Francisco already has beaches. via Wiki Commons But can you cannonball into the ocean? Checkmate.

10 What You Gonna Do We call rebels bad boys (rather than reserving the phrase for literal boys) because of an 1870 novel called The Story of a Bad Boy. Its about a boy who forms a club and takes a boat to an island. Hes not really that bad of a boy, actually. Advertisement Advertisement

9 The Universal Dog When explorers came to Australia and asked the Mbabaram people to translate some words, the first thing they asked for was dog. Dog, replied their host. The explorers assumed this was a misunderstanding, but by total coincidence, both languages called dogs dogs.

8 The Resuscitating Dog During Hurricane Katrina, an 80-year-old man found himself treading water in his home. He got tired and figured hed let go and drown. Then his dog nosed him awake, repeatedly. They both made it through. Advertisement Advertisement

7 Old Whispers Until 1970, keyboards had no exclamation marks. If you wanted to add one using your typewriter, youd hit a period, then backspace, then put an apostrophe over the same spot.

6 Tidal Madness Galileo was a maverick in knowing the Earth revolves around the Sun, but when it came to the influence of the Moons revolution, he didnt know much. Other people thought the Moon affected the tides, but he dismissed this idea as occult. Galileo Ironically, he was a big fan of astrology. Advertisement Advertisement

5 One Eye Open Your first day in your new house, you often have trouble sleeping. When you sleep in a new setting, the right side of the brain experiences the usual level of slow-wave activity, while your left side experiences less. Your brain effectively stays half-awake to deal with threats in this unfamiliar place.

4 The Death Scale A geographer named Harold Foster proposed a scale for disasters that considers both physical damage and death toll. World War II scores a 11.1, while the Black Death of the 14th century scores a 10.9. Advertisement Advertisement

3 X is for Xtreme In 2009, the minds behind mixed martial arts came up with a new sport. XARM would combine MMA with arm wrestling. Sadly, it has had some trouble taking off.

2 The Butler Did It When Mary Roberts Rinehart wrote the mystery novel The Door, she attracted some criticism because the butler did it, and having the servant as the culprit wasnt considered fair on the reader. Some years later, her own servant pointed a gun at her and fired. Advertisement Advertisement
Stacc Styles used to spend hours at Zia Records as a teen searching through stacks of vinyls for hip-hop records from Tucson artists and rappers he had never heard of.

Many of those unknowns were on Suburban Noize Records, a behemoth independent out of Los Angeles that was home to Kottonmouth Kings, Hed P.E., King Spade, Saigon and Mesa punk rockers Authority Zero.

It was always my dream to be a part of that record label, said the Amphitheater High School alumnus, whose real name is Aaron Tacker.

Late last October, the dream came true.

Styles Suburban Noize debut Live Your Best Life is set for an early summer release.

He is the first Tucson rapper signed to Suburban Noize, whose roster also includes Dropout Kings, Long Beach Dub Allstars, OPM and Salty Brasi. The move puts Styles on a trajectory to take his brand of high-energy chopper-style rap to a national audience.

This label is the next step to the next level; its a major independent label, he said during a late January phone call as he was making his way from a tour stop in Billings, Montana, to Great Falls. This definitely puts me up there with the big boys and the major players in the industry.

Signing with Suburban Noize comes nearly 20 years after Styles quit his day job delivering pizza in Tucson and focused on music full time.

Styles, who was born in Houston, Texas, and lived in California and New Mexico before his family moved to Tucson in 1994, specializes in the fast-paced speed rhyming style that was born in the Midwest and popularized by artists including Eminem, Twista and Tech N9ne.

They call me the Southwest Chopper. When it comes to the speed and velocity, thats what I bring to the table, said Styles, who said he soon plans to challenge Eminems fastest rapper world record of 7.5 words per second. He said he recently clocked himself at 10 to 13 words per second.

Its pretty impressive how fast I can go, he said.

Even more impressive is the fact that when he was a kid, Styles, 39, stuttered to the point that he could barely get out a sentence. He credits music with helping him to overcome it; he would go to sleep listening to cassette tapes of the Blues Brothers soundtrack, Beastie Boys or the R&B duo Sam & Dave.

I really think that listening to those tapes and falling to sleep to those songs really helped with my speech, he recalled.

Doing musical musical theater as a kid taught him to memorize lines and lyrics, which boosted his stage confidence when he began rapping with a few buddies who called themselves the CCS Crew.

We were downloading beats off of Napster back in the day and we would play them on an Aiwa boom box and we would rap on a Radio Shack mic and thats really how we started freestyling, he recalled.

Friends in Tucsons hip-hop community introduced them to Tucson rappers including James Ciphurphace and The Runt from Jivin Scientists. The crew started doing shows at Vaudeville on East Congress Street with Black One (aka Jaron Ikner) and met Ryan Lameyer of Phenomenon Concerts, which books local artist showcase events at the Rialto and other Tucson venues.

He was the one who gave us our first shot, including putting us on a show with Hed P.E. and King Spade, said Styles, whose stage name reflects his diverse musical influences, from classic rock and soul to R&B and hip-hop. That led us to opening for Tech N9ne.

CCS went on to do a dozen shows with Tech N9ne as well as opening shows for Nas and Ice Cube. Soon after high school, they landed a record deal with the Canadian label Seizure Productions, which went bust six months after Styles and the crew relocated to Canada. The group came home to Tucson and continued playing the handful of local clubs that hosted rap and hip-hop, including The Rock, Club Congress, Mr. Heads and the Rialto.

In 2005, Styles, determined to land at Suburban Noize, went on tour as a roadie with the hardcore/punk jazz band Mower. The band was impressed enough with Styless style that they introduced him to Suburban Noize owner Kevin Zinger. The connections led to tour invites from other Suburban Noize artists including landing on the labels 2020 Henchlord Tour with Chucky Chuck and the 2022 Underground Alliance Tour, where he met DJ Swamp. He and the award-winning Swamp, who spent four years touring with Beck, recorded a project together that they shopped to Suburban Noize last year.

The label liked it so much that they signed Styles.

Im still trying to soak it all in, he said. It really is a dream come true.

Styles left Tucson in 2021, but he said Tucson has never left him.

Its really cool to come out of Tucson, Arizona, and really represent Tucson to the fullest. I still rep Tucson all day, every day, no matter what, he said. Its really cool to be signed to a major independent label and to be from Tucson. To me, thats gold.
The death of a man whose body was found earlier this week has been determined to be a homicide and Tucson police say they are asking for information to help solve the case.

Just after 7 a.m. Wednesday police say the body of Devon Craig Frank, 33, was found in a common area of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of West Ajo Way, west of Interstate 19, according to a Tucson police news release Friday.

The body appeared to have physical trauma, the release said.

The next day an autopsy determined that Frank had been shot and that his death was a homicide, the release said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tips line.

The killing marks the fifth homicide in Tucson so far in 2024, police said.
The City of South Tucson is suing the property managers of two apartment complexes for allowing criminal activities to continue taking place throughout last year.

The suits, filed in the Pima County Superior Court, allege AM Family Properties, LLC., and Torino Avenue LLC., have allowed criminal activities at their two properties to go unchecked despite the citys attempts to force them to take action.

AM Family Properties, LLC., owns the 89-unit Sixth Avenue Suites, near South Sixth Avenue and Interstate 10.

Torino Avenue LLC. owns the Spanish Trail Suites, a 120-unit complex near South Fourth Avenue and Interstate 10 which caught fire in 2020. At that time, the Arizona Daily Star reported that studio units these rented for about $550 a month, including utilities.

In both suits, Brian Bowers and Margeaux Bowers are named as the owners of the LLCs. The suits were filed under a state law, that requires property owners to try to control crimes by residents and visitors on their properties.

The City does not take this action lightly, we have attempted multiple avenues to remedy this situation through citations and law enforcement, said Danny Denogean, South Tucsons public safety director and police chief in a news release late last month. However, due to the high rate of crime, public safety calls, business, and community complaints, we are forced to take this action.

The city is suing to force the property owners to adopt improved safety measures that will not only benefit residents, but the public at large, according to the release, and to collaborate with law enforcement to maintain a secure environment.

Safety measures would include gates and security fencing, uniformed security guards, crime-free addendums to new leases and working security/CCTV cameras throughout the properties that could be made available to South Tucson police as needed, according to court filings.

Last August, the Arizona Daily Stars Tim Steller reported South Tucson was considering taking legal action against the Bowers. Specifically, that one idea was to pursue an injunction that would force Bowers and his wife Margeaux to deal better with the criminal problem at the two properties.

The other idea, Steller wrote, was to pursue action declaring the apartments blighted properties.

South Tucson is taking up the first option, according to Jon Paladini, one of the citys attorneys.

What were asking the court to order, in both instances, to do all things on the list within 60 days, Paladini said, referencing the safety measures requested. At this point were not looking to close down the properties, were not looking to have them demolished, this is strictly asking a specific relief from the court... The (state) statute sort of has a graduated level of things you can do. Were starting at the lowest level by asking for this injunction.

Further enforcement of the statute would be a court-appointed receiver, someone who acts as the property manager while the safety measures are employed. But the most draconian steps, Paladini said, would be to have the apartments closed altogether.

There were 918 service calls at Sixth Avenue Suites related to various crimes, averaging over 2.5 service calls per day in 2023, according to court documents. About one out of every six calls there resulted in a police report, court records say.

The nature of the police reports is alarming. In the past year alone, the South Tucson Police Department generated nine reports for theft, five for burglary, eleven for assault, five for shots fired, and eight for domestic violence  making up only 38 of the 154 police reports generated from the property in one year, court filings say of Sixth Avenues police activity.

Regarding Spanish Trail Suites, 834 calls were made for police service in 2023, which still averages over two per day; 146 police reports were generated out of those 834 calls, court documents allege, or about 17%.

From June 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, a longer representative sample, (Spanish Trail Suites) averaged roughly 8 service calls per residential unit, court documents say.

City staff met with Brian Bowers and his attorney in October to provide these statistics and to ask him to take steps to remediate the activity. No action has been taken, both suits allege. And according to Paladini, the meeting in October was not constructive.

That was an attempt to get (Brian) and his LLC to begin taking steps to reduce the criminal activities going on (at) his properties... how its not only affecting residents at his properties, because not all of them are committing the criminal acts, but how its also affecting the neighboring properties and close-by neighborhoods, Paladini said. And nothing happened, nothing came out of that meeting... (Brian and his attorney) came off to me that they really didnt believe it was as bad as they were being told.

Ann Chanecka, director of Tucsons Housing and Community Development department, said Friday that the citys affordable housing infrastructure has seen waitlists grow and grow in recent years.

The last few years we know its become more strained in terms of rental costs going up and costs of home ownership going up, Chanecka said. Beginning of 2023, we opened our waitlist for both our public housing (and our housing choice voucher program).

Tucson owns about 1,500 units for public housing, Chanecka said.

At this point, theres about 22,000 people on the waitlists, she said. We know that its strained. We know that people need additional support.

To alleviate this housing bottleneck, Chanecka says the department has been working on a couple different fronts based off past direction by Tucsons mayor and council.

Those include building new units themselves, working with community partners to add housing units, as well as the creation of a landlord team, the Housing Choice Voucher program, which tries to add Tucson landlords to the subsidy program where renters would be able to curb costs by use of the housing voucher.

But if these apartments are shut down, Chanecka says the housing department would work with community partners to find ways to house these individuals.

In this case we would be trying to work with community partners and Pima County on trying to figure out what can be done in terms of supporting the folks who could potentially be displaced, she said. Another piece to this is the shelter the city and our community partners operate and at least provide temporary housing to folks... It really depends in terms of how we can support the folks in trying to find shelter quickly, trying to find a place to live quickly.

The owners are expected to make their first appearance in court Friday.

My clients have responsibly managed these residential properties in the City of South Tucson for years, providing homes for mostly low-income residents, Carl Sammartino, the attorney representing the property owners told the Star on Friday in an email.

South Tucson  like Tucson, Phoenix, and many other communities across the country  is experiencing systemic and complex problems with homelessness, crime, and drug abuse, Sammartino wrote in the email. My clients have been doing and will continue to do their part, but they cannot solve these problems on their own. The two complaints the City of South Tucson filed in Superior Court contain allegations that tell one side of the story. My clients look forward to presenting their evidence showing their efforts as local, community-based owners to make their properties safe and secure for their residents.

Chanecka advises those struggling with housing options to get onto the city housing departments still-open waitlists, despite the number of people already on them, as a starting point. And for those experiencing homelessness, the departments Housing First team is a primary resource. For families facing eviction, Chanecka suggests the Pima County Eviction Prevention program, which the HCD works alongside.

Its hard. We want people to live in safe and secure locations that meet safety standards, Chanecka said. We really hope that the situation can be resolved in a way where theyre providing the safety for residents and not displacing them.
SIDVOKODVO  Can the Luke Commission (TLC) get assistance from government ?

This is yet to be seen as when the DPM addressed guests yesterday at the TLC premises in Sidvokodvo, she revealed that His Majesty King Mswati III has given Cabinet a directive to ensure that the Luke Commission does not crumble in view of the medical assistance they have been loyally extending to emaSwati over the years.

Even during the 11th Parliament when we met the King, he always spoke fondly about The Luke Commission and directed us to ensure that it does not crumble. The Luke Commission is very close to the Kings heart because of the medical assistance they continue to give emaSwati.

Responsibility

As per the Kings directive, it is now our responsibility as Cabinet to ensure that The Luke Commission gets governments support. Actually, I always make it a point to check with the minister of Health on how far he has gone to facilitating such support because this is what the King wants to see happening, Dladla said.

Worth noting is that the Luke Commission recently appealed for governments support in funding their operations, despite indicating that they did not want to be turned into a government parastatal. TLCs Echo Nomsa VanderWal reiterated the support they were requesting from government, stating that they were more than happy to assist emaSwati with their different medical ailments.

Our objective is to ensure healthy Eswatini and we would definitely appreciate support from government to achieve those dreams. We are very thankful for the support we are getting from the King and Queen Mother. We are mindful of the fact that the Health PS is carrying huge responsibility on his shoulders given the health challenges, she said.
Tucson police officers fatally shot a man armed with a long gun who did not comply with their commands to put his hands up during a SWAT situation, the department said.

The Tucson Police Department gave the following account in a news release early Saturday morning:

Police were called to 350 N. Silverbell Road, on the city's west side near St. Mary's Hospital, about 8:15 Friday night for reports that a man began shooting while arguing with a woman. Neighbors called 911 to report hearing several gunshots.

The woman was able to get away uninjured from the domestic violence suspect, and he went back into the home. Officers spoke with the woman and evacuated several nearby homes.

Special Weapons and Tactical Team members arrived and hostage negotiators were called, but before police could establish communication with the man, he came out of the home armed with the gun.

Officers identified themselves but he ignored their orders to put his hands up and they shot him, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name and age have not yet been released by police.

The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team will investigate the shooting, with the Pima County Sheriff's Department taking the lead role.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

When Dwight Eisenhower won the 1952 New Hampshire presidential primary, he was not even campaigning in the United States. Ike instead was fulfilling his duty as NATO commander in Europe, which was critical to building peace during the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Eisenhower wrote World peace and human freedom; American solvency, prosperity, and unity  these things dwarf every American citizens personal preferences and his personal decisions on his duty as an individual.

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of European and North American nations, needed to be built into a defensive military force. The idea was to protect each member nation from attack by the Soviet Union or other force. That is what Eisenhower was working on as the presidential campaign was taking place back in the United States during 1952.

NATO needed to be strong enough to deter the Soviet Union from invading European nations. The goal was to build peace by showing strength.

We want peace. We want freedom, too, and the individual rights to which our whole civilization is dedicated, wrote Eisenhower in a NATO report.

The Cold War was underway and there was a real fear of the Communist Soviet Union expanding its power and influence. There was the threat of invasion and the Soviet Union had just gained the atomic bomb.

The enormity of the present threat will never be met by half-hearted measures or by any superficial military facade. Required is the full awakening of the free world and the pursuit of energetic, far reaching measures to insure our form of life-even our survival explained Eisenhower of the need for NATO.

Back in the United States there was a major effort by citizens to recruit Eisenhower to run for president in the 1952 election. While Eisenhower took this call to action seriously, he would remain at NATO until June.

The key to the issue was my pledge to complete in Europe the task I was sent to do . Rather I had felt that I could consider my task complete when the organizational phase was finished and the successful building of NATO was assured, explained Eisenhower in his memoirs.

Once Eisenhower felt that goals were being met and NATO was on a solid foundation, he decided to fulfill his next duty in running for President. Eisenhower that summer would become the Republican nominee for President and win the 1952 election. Ike would be reelected in 1956.

But Eisenhower always placed duty to Americas security and building peace over politics. Today, Eisenhower would certainly be supporting military aid to Ukraine as it resists Russias invasion. Our help has been critical for helping Ukraine push back Russian forces, but we cant be abandoning them at this critical juncture in the war. Tragically, the Ukraine military aid package requested by President Biden has stalled in Congress since last fall.

We have to show strength by standing by Ukraine. It we fail to do so, it emboldens aggression both by Russia and others. Congress must realize there is a major war in Europe unfolding on the doorstep of fellow NATO nations. We cant be playing politics and delaying much needed aid to Ukraine.

Eisenhower believed in peace through strength. We have to show strength in supporting Ukraine to have any hopes for peace. Eisenhower, understanding the impact of war, was a major supporter of humanitarian aid.

Todays Ukraine aid package also contains desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Congress needs to understand the enormous hunger crisis that has been made worse by the fighting in Ukraine. Russias invasion has caused damaged to agriculture and reduced access to the abundant of supply of grain in Ukraine. Removing mines from farmland is a crucial mission.

A big part of the UN World Food Programs (WFP) relief efforts in Ukraine is helping communities impacted by mines and bombings.

The war in Ukraine has added on to to a massive global hunger crisis with multiple nations threatened by famine. There is vital funding for global hunger relief to accompany the Ukraine aid package. But it too is being held up because Congress has not acted.

We cannot build world peace upon starvation. Humanitarian aid funding needs to be approved by Congress along with the Ukraine military assistance. Its important for global security and building peace.

We need more people like Ike dedicated to duty and peace, and putting national security over politics.
Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Writer Follow Michael Dekker 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

Tucked away on a side residential street in west Tulsa is one of the metro's fastest growing companies.

Metal Building Industries may have a generic name, but it is way beyond your grandfather's utilitarian box structures.

"We try and find unique ways to solve customers' problems with the structures we build," said Kevin Andrew, CEO of the company that was purchased by his father in 2002.

Back then, there were two employees. Now the company, which has helped construct some of Tulsa's most recognizable and historic buildings, has 36 employees at its 22,000-square-foot shop and offices space.

It was named by Inc. Magazine as one of its 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S., coming in at No. 3,274, with a three-year growth of 155%.

MBI also made the Inc. 5000 list in 2017 (No. 2,823) and in 2026 (No. 3,368).

The company's motto is "Solving problems with steel." Its specialty is both building interior metal skeleton structures and unique exteriors.

Among the hundreds of projects it has helped build:

 The BOK Center

 The Boxyard development

 St. Anne Catholic Church expansion (Broken Arrow)

 Admiral Twin drive-in restoration

 Gates building restoration

 Chapman Events Center

"We're a bit of an unconventional company," Andrew said.

"I think that's one of the key things that is leading to our growth. If you think of a lot of steel companies in the construction market, you have companies that grew specifically out of the manufacturing side of the business. They are really great at fabricating steel."

And, he said, "You've got companies that they grow out of the construction side of the industry. They are really good at putting the buildings up in the field.

"We grew out of the design side of the industry."

"It's still a responsible approach, it's just different than kind of the industry standard. It's allowed us to find some opportunities and ultimately deliver a building to the customers that is better.

"And we define better as increased quality, (and) decreased time from signed contract to installed steel at a competitive price."

Andrew cited the Climb Tulsa facility, 4923 E. 32nd St., as one in which MBI solved structural challenges.

"The whole reason we got that project is it was awarded to another building company and that building company was failing to perform," Andrew said.

"They couldn't figure out how to do the design, because the nature of the building, it looks fairly simple from the outside, but if you haven't been inside, you really should go.

"It's absolutely phenomenal because every single wall inside that building is covered with some kind of rock climbing wall. And the thing about a rock climbing wall, is it's not just this perfectly vertical face. It's got all these outcroppings and bumps and features, and so that puts all kinds of weird (weight) loads back into the building. That one has a very high technical challenge in terms of just accomplishing the design.

"We try to find more efficient ways to use the materials ... to design the buildings," Andrew said.

Andrew's father, Bill Andrew, bought MBI in 2002 with two employees and later just one employee and himself.

"We've taken some of those designs that have come from an architect's drawings," Bill Andrew said.

"Maybe it was meant to be one sort of steel construction and we see it as 'Ok, we can achieve that look, but we're going to put it together this way,' whether it's got arches or whether it's got just plain old shapes," he said.

"But when you look at these buildings, they're not just a big box. They have many features about them and I think that's kind of what drives our abilities ... to still achieve the design they want, and utilizing different materials."

"The main metal building market really came about after World War II, and they were very utilitarian buildings," Kevin Andrew said.

"We fabricate from raw steel," he said. "We're not buying in directly from the (steel) mill. We're buying in from a service center that's stocking ... sections. We're buying those basic shapes and we're cutting and welding them together to make our final assemblies."

The Andrews said that like many businesses, MBI faced several challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the two main being supply chain problems and a huge spike in the cost of steel.

"There's a (market) ticker ... just like oil has a ticker. Raw steel has a similar ticker. It went from $500 a ton in May of 2021 to like $1,980 a ton in November (2021). You're talking a four-X increase in six months," Kevin Andrew said.

"And the kind of work we do, you're locked into your contract price," Bill Andrew said. "So all those increases were going on, that we had to buy our steel at, yet we couldn't adjust our pricing."

"There's no mechanism for us to pass on those costs. So we had to basically eat all those costs," Kevin Andrew said.

"We had to continue to work our way through those changes and survive through it," Bill Andrew said.

Kevin Andrew said the price of steel has since come down to as low as $800 per ton, but is now about $1,100  roughly double what it was pre-pandemic.

In addition, Kevin Andrew said, supply chain issues had an impact.

"What used to be a very plentiful market, of every shape possible was available in whatever quantity you wanted it  now all of a sudden you have this Swiss cheese effect of what was normally available was not, but a similar shape is," he said.

"You had to do a lot of substitutions of stuff. That drove prices. You can't even substitute down. You always have to substitute up. What might have been a $50 part before  you could have a $50 part in six months or you can have a $75 part today," Kevin Andrew said.

He said the company will be looking to hire this year.

"We're pretty happy where we are right now but we'll probably add to that (number of employees) this year," he said.

"We've experienced strong periods of growth. We usually try to take a little plateau after that to kind of regroup and retool. We'll probably put some energy into it this year, not for explosive growth but for intentional growth," Kevin Andrew said.

"Construction's a team sport," he said. "If you can't show yourself to be a good partner, then they won't put you on the team. That has to be true for the beginning of the project and at the end.

"Because how you you look at the end of a project is how you look at the beginning of the next one."

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Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The wife of a late Maine state trooper who overcame her husbands tragic death to become a minister and law enforcement chaplain will speak Sunday at this years edition of a longtime Tulsa interfaith lecture series.

The Rev. Kate Braestrup, a best-selling author, minister and chaplain, will be the featured speaker for the 37th annual Knippa Interfaith/Ecumenical Lecture series.

The event is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, 2331 E. Fifth Place. The event will be livestreamed on the Grace Lutheran Facebook page at facebook.com/GraceLutheranTulsa.

Organizers are extending a special invitation to Tulsa-area police officers, firefighters and other first-responders, for whom Braestrups story and experiences should be especially relevant.

Braestrups leture is titled Todays Challenge for People of Faith: Moral Clarity and Moral Courage. Her visit to Tulsa will also include speaking at All Souls Unitarian Church on Sunday morning.

Braestrup, who lives in Maine, has been a chaplain for the Maine Warden Service for several years.

The wardens lead searches for missing persons in the states wilderness areas and coastal waters, and Braestrups duties include comforting the affected families.

A daughter of a former foreign correspondent, Braestrups life took an unexpected and tragic turn in 1996 when her husband, a trooper with the Maine State Police, was killed in an on-duty car accident.

Left to raise their four children, she carried on, eventually attending seminary.

She became a Unitarian Universalist minister and chaplain and continues that work today.

Braestrup is also a New York Times bestselling author whose works include her memoir Here If You Need Me, which chronicles her journey from grief to faith in the wake of her husbands death.

A popular public speaker as well, she has spoken to audiences ranging from the American College of Surgeons to members of the FBI, along with students, aspiring authors and fans of her work.

The Knippa lecture series was established in 1988 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Clarence W. Knippa, longtime pastor of Grace Lutheran Church.

Its purpose is to promote understanding, respect and appreciation among people of different religious traditions.

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Wastewater disposal wells have been ordered to shut down in the area of an earthquake that shook Oklahomans late Friday night.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 was recorded about five miles northwest of Prague at 11:24 p.m. Friday. The depth of the quake was about three miles, according to the USGS.

Seven aftershocks had been recorded by Saturday morning, including a 3.5 that occurred around 12:30 a.m. and a 3.2 at 3:16 a.m.

Prague is about 60 miles southwest of Tulsa. Residents across the state took to social media to report they had felt the shaking.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commissions Oil and Gas Conservation Division advised Saturday afternoon that disposal wells in the area should begin shutting down.

All disposal wells that are permitted to dispose into the Arbuckle formation and are in an area within 10 miles of the February 2, 2024 5.1 magnitude earthquake are directed to begin the shutdown of operations, with a shutdown to be complete by February 17, the commission said Saturday in a press release. The gradual shutdown process is necessary to avoid sudden pressure changes that could result in more seismic activity.

The commissions release also noted that the Arbuckle formation is Oklahomas deepest geological formation and that oil and gas wastewater disposal into that formation have been linked to seismic activity in parts of the state.

Jake Walter, the state seismologist, posted on social media that Friday nights large quake occurred on the same fault structure that produced a destructive quake in 2011. Aftershocks were expected to continue in the coming days, he said.

According to a statement from the Oklahoma Geological Survey released Saturday morning: There were reports of strong shaking in the immediate area and it was widely reported as being felt statewide, including the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. We should expect several strong aftershocks in the coming weeks that may be widely felt ... The seismic hazard remains high in the area.

The quake was the first of more than a 5-point magnitude in Oklahoma since 2016.

The largest quake in Oklahoma history was a 5.8 that popped off Sept. 9, 2016, near Pawnee. That quake topped a 5.7 in 2011 near Prague at the outset of the states record rise in seismicity.

For years, oil and gas operators injected vast volumes of wastewater  which came up out of the ground with hydrocarbons from producing wells  down into Oklahomas deepest geologic formation. That formation is in contact with the states fault-laced basement granite rock, where naturally stored tectonic energy was touched off by the injected briny wastewater.

There were two other 5.0s or larger the same year as the record Pawnee quake  a 5.1 on Feb. 13, 2016, near Fairview, and a 5.0 on Nov. 7, 2016, near Cushing.

A pair of 4-plus magnitude earthquakes were recorded in central Oklahoma in January.

A 4.1 magnitude quake was recorded at 9:46 p.m. Jan. 12 near Arcadia and a 4.3 magnitude quake was recorded at 5:36 a.m. Jan. 13 near Edmond, according to USGS.

Since 2010, Oklahoma has experienced 82 earthquakes of at least magnitude 4.0.

The most 3.0 or greater earthquakes in a year was 903 in 2015.

There were 18 quakes of at least 3.0 in 2023.

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Tulsa Community Advisory Board members

The titles of the board members reflect their position and organization at the time they joined the board.

Class of 2013 and 2014 (inaugural class)

 Keith Ballard, Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools

 Mark Barcus, Tulsa County district judge

 Teresa Meinders Burkett, attorney with Conner & Winters

 Kari Caldwell, principal cellist for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

 Yolanda Charney, retired director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Tulsa and executive director of the Hispanic American Foundation of Tulsa

 Gerard Clancy, former TU and OU-Tulsa president, and psychiatrist

 Becky Frank, Schnake Turnbo Frank chairman, CEO and managing partner

 Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality

 Lee Eslicker, founder and president of D&K Oil Tools

 Judy Zarrow Kishner, trustee of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

 Glenda Love, former executive director of the Ronald McDonald House

 Ed Martinez Jr., principal of Ed Martinez Agency, an insurance and financial services agency, and Ranger Enterprises LLC

 Judy Eason-McIntyre, former state senator and representative

 Sanjay Meshri, managing director of Advance Research Chemicals Inc.

 Don Millican, chief financial officer for Kaiser-Francis Oil

 Susan Neal, vice president for public affairs, research and economic development at the University of Tulsa

 Craig Rainey, senior vice president and general counsel for Williams

 Anthony Scott, pastor of the First Baptist Church North Tulsa

 Terry Simonson, Tulsa attorney, intergovernmental affairs and contract administrator for the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office

 Deron Spoo, lead pastor of the First Baptist Church of Tulsa

 Margaret Swimmer, attorney and former Cherokee Nation first lady

 Mike Thornbrugh, manager of public and government affairs for QuikTrip

 John Tidwell, Oklahoma state director for Americans for Prosperity Foundation

 Marilyn Inhofe Tucker, retired TCC professor of humanities

 Don Walker, Arvest Bank president and chief executive officer

Class of 2015

 Chuck Jordan, Tulsa Police Chief

 Marcia MacLeod, WPX Energy executive

Class of 2016

 Richard Boone, president of St. John Health System

 Lauren Brookey, public relations and assistant VP at the OU Foundation

 Sharon King Davis, long-time business developer in Tulsa

 Shane Fernandez, president of USA BMX Freestyle and former executive with Nabholz Construction

 Tom Harrison, minister at Asbury United Methodist Church

 Kirt Hartzler, Superintendent of Union Schools

 Bill LaFortune, district judge and former Tulsa Mayor and district attorney

 Sean Latham, TU English professor, leader of the Institute for Bob Dylan Studies, editor of the James Joyce Quarterly and director of the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities

 Allison Moore, executive director of the Surayya Anne Foundation

 Dennis Neill, senior program officer for the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation and leading donor for the Equality Center named in his honor

 Janet Selser, architect and co-founder and president of Selser Schaefer Architects

 Dr. Brute Wolf, opthalmologist

Class of 2017

 David Charney, attorney, real estate developer and owner of a homebuilding company

 Jeff Dunn, CEO of Mill Creek Lumber

 Lyn Entzeroth, dean of the TU Law School

 Carmela Hill, former Williams executive and current consultant in diversity, equity and inclusion

 Lynn Jones, former Tulsa police officer

 Adam Kupetsky, attorney and senior auditor at Phillips 66

 Jeannie McDaniel, former state representative and Tulsa Mayors Office for Neighborhoods coordinator

 Ray Owens, pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church

 Dr. John Schumann, president of OU-Tulsa and host of a local NPR radio program

 Bob Sullivan, independent oil and gas producer

 Joey Wignarajah, CEO of Oklahoma Medical Waste Disposal and former COO of MedPlan Credit

Class of 2018

 Phil Albert, co-founder of Pelco Structural

 Tom Bennett Jr., chairman and co-CEO of First Oklahoma Bank

 Sarah Hansel, shareholder and director at Hall Estill and involved in child abuse issues

 Susan Harris, senior VP of education and workforce development for Tulsa Chamber

 Maggie Hoey, TYPros executive director

 Hannibal Johnson, attorney and author of several books about Greenwood

 Suzann Stewart, executive director of the Family Safety Center

 Steve Tiger, president of Tulsa Tech

 Dana Weber, CEO of Webco Industries and board member of the Kansas City Federal Reserve

 David Wiggs, senior minister at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

Class of 2019

 Melissa Abdo, Jenks school board member and coordinated the Parent Legislative Action Committee

 Bill Blankenship, head football coach at the University of Tulsa and Union High School

 Michael Dupont, program officer for the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation

 Walter Evans, police chief for OU-Tulsa and former TPD officer

 Blake Ewing, former Tulsa City Councilor

 Nehemiah Frank, publisher of Black Wall Street Times

 Deborah Gist, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent

 Leigh Goodson, Tulsa Community College president and former TPS school board member

 Dr. Yameen Khalil, family medicine physician and former chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild.

 William Kellough, former district judge now involved with criminal justice reforms

 Adrienne Watt Nesser, statewide director of Advocacy for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma

 Bill Sherman, former Tulsa World religion writer

 Robert Spoo, TU Law School professor

Class of 2020

 Maj. Gen. John Admire, retired major general of the U.S. Marine Corps

 Alison Anthony, Tulsa Area United Way president and CEO

 Marquess Dennis, business owner and executive director of Birthright Living Legacy

 Drew Diamond, executive director of the Tulsa Jewish Center and former Tulsa police chief

 Gordy Guest, senior principal and president of Cyntergy

 Cara Hair, vice president of corporate services and chief legal officer of Helmerich & Payne

 Anna Inhofe, Tulsa Arts Alliance development director

 Tim Lyons, TTCU Federal Credit Union president and CEO

 Dr. Brian Macha, anesthesiologist, founder of Cimarron Perioperative Services

 Calvin Moore, Meals on Wheels executive director

 Karl Neumaier, HILTI North America CEO

 Francisco Trevino, principal of Vega & Trevino Consulting and director of Casa de la Cultura

 Andrew Ziola, vice president of investor relations and corporate affairs at ONEOK

Class of 2021

 Dr. Robert Block, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and known for revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect

 Frank Keating, Oklahoma governor from 1995 to 2003

 Lauren Landwerlin, executive director of communications for Saint Francis Health System

 Ismael Martinez, Tulsa Hispanic American Foundation member and resource planning manager for AEP

 Heather Palacios, executive director of the Coretz Family Foundation

 Dr. Jabraan Pasha, OU-Tulsa School of Community Medicine faculty director of student recruitment and pipeline programs, associate program director for the internal medicine residency program

 Greg Robinson II, director of family and community engagement at Met Cares foundation, former Tulsa mayor candidate and civil rights activist

 Susan Savage, CEO of Morton Comprehensive Health Services, former Tulsa mayor and Oklahoma secretary of state.

 Ross Swimmer, former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief and assistant secretary with the Bureau of Indian Affairs

 Rose Washington, CEO of the Tulsa Economic Development Corp. Creative Capital

 Terri White, executive director of Mental Health Association Oklahoma

 Anne Williams, assistant governor of Rotary District 6110 and board member for the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa

Class of 2022

 Ben Alexander, vice president of culinary operations for the McNellies Group

 Jim Campos, State Farm agent and member of several Hispanic advocacy organizations

 Brad Carson, University of Tulsa president and former congressman

 Moises Echeverria, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice

 Keith Elder, executive director and CEO of the Tulsa Symphony

 Jesse Guardiola, Tulsa police officer in community outreach innovation, principal at Guardiola Consulting in Hispanic behavioral economics and strategies in workforce development

 Matt Lay, president of Tulsa Firefighters IAFF Local 176

 Sarah C. Miller, shareholder, Hall Estill, Attorneys at Law

 Aida Nozick, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa

 Raymond Red Corn, assistant principal chief of the Osage Nation

 Ahniwake Rose, executive director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute

 Aliye Shimi, executive director of the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry

 Peggy Simmons, CEO of PSO

Class of 2023

 David Blatt, public policy professor at OU-Tulsa and former director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute

 Ken Busby, Route 66 Alliance executive director and CEO

 Lauren Branch, NewView Oklahoma president and CEO

 Carlisha Williams Bradley, ImpactTulsa executive director

 Mike Brose, former executive director of Mental Health Association Oklahoma

 Bryan Crowe, BOK Center and Cox Convention Center vice president and general manager

 Dr. Syeachia Dennis, Humana regional vice president

 Kevin Harper, Food on the Move president and chief executive officer

 Dee Harris, Family and Childrens Services marketing and communications strategist

 Kimberly Johnson, Tulsa City-County Library chief executive officer

 Shiloh Kantz, Oklahoma Policy Institute executive director

 Jonathan Long, Tulsa Regional Chamber vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion

 Mike Mazzei, Tulsa Wealth Advisors president, former state senator (2004-16) and former state secretary of finance (2019-20).

 Dr. Johnny Stephens, OSU Center for Health Sciences president

 Brittany Stokes, Tulsa Girls Home and Project Orphans CEO and co-founder

 T. Lane Wilson, Williams senior vice president and general counsel

Class of 2024

 Carol Bush, former Oklahoma House representative from Tulsa

 Bruce Dart, Tulsa Health Department executive director

 Rabbi Marc Fitzerman, rabbi of counsel at Congregational BNai Emunah

 Jim Gray, former Osage Nation Chief

 Stephania Grober, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma president and CEO

 Carly Griffith Hotvedt, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative associate executive director

 Jared Jordan, The Summit Club chief executive officer

 Lisa Kelly, Arc of Oklahoma president and CEO

 Matt Kirkland, Tulsa Police Department director of planning, policy and quality control

 Rob Miller, Bixby Public Schools superintendent

 Kathy Taylor, dean of the University of Tulsa College of business, former Tulsa mayor and Oklahoma chief of education strategy and innovation (Cabinet position in Gov. Brad Henrys administration)

 Kara Vincent, Barber and Bartz shareholder and past president of the Tulsa Bar Association
Since taking office in 2015, Oklahomas U.S. Sen. James Lankford has prioritized immigration. Its one of the reasons he was asked to lead an effort to find a solution to the growing crisis at the U.S. border.

Its a heavy lift against the political winds of a presidential election year. Nothing illustrates that more than the line of fellow Republicans blasting a possible agreement before the language was even released. Former President Donald Trump called it a catastrophe waiting to happen and reportedly asked top Republicans to oppose it so he could use the border as an election talking point.

Lankford is making the rounds of interviews to tamp down rumors, many of which have dubious social media origins. Hes been a voice of reason and a strong leader in what can be an emotional issue.

For too long, U.S. presidents frustrated by the inaction of Congress on immigration used executive orders to deal with problems within that system, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  or DACA  program. Thats no way to govern, and the continued congressional gridlock led to the current border mess.

Presidents do not make immigration policy; thats the job of Congress. Lankford acknowledges this and is pushing his colleagues to do their job to enact laws that reflect our reality.

For four months Lankford has been working on a deal with Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

Ideally, border funding and policy would be part of an overall immigration reform package. That became a none-starter last year when U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would not consider aid to Ukraine or Israel without enhancements to border security.

The deal includes: increasing standards and changing eligibility to claim asylum, doubling deportation flights, upping detention beds to end the catch and release practice, increasing Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and reorganizing the appeals processes to get quicker decisions.

Some aspects address specific situations, such as that of Afghan refugees who aided American troops but remain in limbo or still havent been vetted to enter the country.

We are making changes not just for the next four years but for the next 40 years. We have got to have a long-term look at where were going to change the law, Lankford said in an interview with KRMG AM-FM radio.

It does not include giving out 5,000 work visas a day to undocumented immigrants, a claim Lankford calls twisted and preposterous.

Likely, the bill wont make anyone completely happy. Both sides of the political aisle will find things they like and dont like. Thats usually the sign of a solid, bipartisan bill  a step in the right direction.

For those on the extreme ends of politics, their all-or-nothing attitude is what has gotten in the way of progress. Johnson says the deal is dead on arrival at the U.S. House, an indication of embracing politics over governance.

Americans are better served by elected officials who can point to legislation they passed and solutions they helped implement. Those who jeer from the sidelines and are unwilling to work with others arent doing their constituents any good.

Here is a chance for lawmakers to vote in support of something that makes a difference on a decades-long and growing problem. To do otherwise is political posturing during an election year that maintains the impasse, worsening the crisis.

We appreciate Lankfords work on this long-overdue legislation and his attention to this issue through the years.

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Incense fills the air and burning sticks light up the night in an Indigenous community in Mexico where an ancient fire ritual has been brought back to life.

The tradition, which had been forgotten for centuries, was revived by the Purepecha people in the 1980s with the help of historians and anthropologists.

For three days each year, participants wearing traditional dress carry the precious flames nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from village to village through the mountains of violence-ridden western Mexico.

The "Fuego Nuevo" (New Fire) ceremony takes place on the night of February 1 to mark the turn of the year based on the Purepecha's variant of the Mesoamerican calendar.

Members of Mexico's Purepecha community light wooden sticks during an ancient fire ceremony. Photo: AFP

When the Spanish (conquistadors) arrived, they took away our way of dressing, our way of speaking, but we are trying to recover the customs of our ancestors," said Catellana Nambo, who still works in agriculture at the age of 80.

The trek through Michoacan state culminated this year in Ocumicho, where Purepecha people from around the state gathered in a burst of color, music and dancing.

The fire will be kept alight in the small town for a year before making the journey to another village.

"We realized that our ancestors held this celebration before the conquest. It's now our turn to revive it and we have been doing so since 1983," said Javier de la Luz.

An ancient Mexican fire ritual had been forgotten for centuries but was revived in the 1980s with the help of historians and anthropologists. Photo: AFP

These days the community faces a struggle to protect its forests from logging, the 66-year-old agricultural worker said.

"In some way, this celebration empowered our communities to come out in defense of their natural resources," he added.

Michoacan is one of Mexico's most violent states due to turf wars between rival gangs involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

Lucia Gutierrez, a 41-year-old midwifery student who splits her time between Michoacan and the United States where her husband lives, said the ritual was a welcome respite from modern life.

"People relate our customs with things from the past, that are obsolete, but really I think that's what the world needs -- to take a step back and realize that we're advancing very fast," she said.

"We're forgetting what really matters: nature and these celebrations."
Check out the latest news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- The national weather center on Saturday morning issued a smog advisory for the northern part of Vietnam, including Hanoi, advising people to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from poor air quality.

-- Police in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam announced on Friday that they have pressed charges against an additional 47 suspects for allegedly involving in the countrys largest loan shark ring worth more than VND20 trillion (US$824.4 million). They had earlier cracked down on the racket in July last year and prosecuted 54 foreign and Vietnamese suspects.

-- Two local students drowned in a reservoir in Duc Hoa District, Long An Province, southern Vietnam on Friday after they joined two others for bathing in the lake the same day, according to local police.

-- The State Securities Commision of Vietnam has fined two local property firms, namely Sacom Land Corporation and Vina2 Investment and Construction JSC, VND92.5 million ($3,804) each for failing to disclose corporate bond information as required.

Business

-- Two major international airports in Vietnam, including Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, will pilot electronic toll collection for vehicles entering and leaving the airports from February 6, the Airports Corporation Vietnam said on Friday.

-- The administration of Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam recently said it is seeking the prime ministers nod for its pilot project to develop hi-tech sea farms spanning various parts in this coastal locality, with VND1 trillion ($41.2 million) in investment.

World News

-- Farmers blocked the Dutch-Belgian border and occupied roads in Greece on Friday, while a Polish union announced plans to shut border crossings with Ukraine as European protests over prices and red tape spread, Reuters reported.

-- The once-popular ski runs of Dent-de-Vaulion in the Swiss Jura Mountains are now deserted as unusually mild weather has driven away winter sport enthusiasts and forced ski resorts to close across the country, according to Reuters.

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MADONSA  Manzini North MP Sifiso Mashayinkonjane Nhlengetfwa stared death in the face, as five armed men robbed him at gunpoint.

The incident took place on Thursday morning, at around 7:30am at the Manzini North member of Parliament (MPs) shopping complex at Madonsa a suburb area that is located in Eastern outskirt of the city of Manzini. The armed robbers went away with cash amounting to E36 000 and cellphones, which included his two iPhones and they are valued at about E60 000.

According to the MP, who is also a businessman who operates several butcheries across the country, he arrived at his shopping complex, where he intended to change cars, he attended to an elderly man who had come to greet him.

He said while he was talking to the elderly man, he saw five men entering the gate and two of them had covered their faces.

Comprehend

I also noticed that they were all armed with guns - pistols. While I was trying to comprehend the situation, they ordered me to not make any movement. They also informed me that they were here (shopping complex) for me, the legislature said. He said there was no chance for him to run away, as the spot where he was standing with the elderly man was a corner.

Therefore, they raised their hands to the air and the armed robbers, some of whom (the two who had covered their face), he said he was not seeing for the first time, he said they were there for money. In the meantime, some of the robbers dragged two Asian businessmen, who were there to slaughter a cow. The robbers ordered them to go to the shopping complexs administration office, and stated that they want money in the safe.

At the administration block, the businessman said they found another elderly man who had come to deliver chilli, together with two other workers and the thugs demanded their cellphones. He said they took about seven cellphones which amount to about E60 000. Thereafter, the businessman said the robbers demanded money and he did not hesitate to open the safe for them.

He said he decided to comply with the robbers because the story of slain businessman Sifiso Simelane, who was robbed by unknown men, who later slit his throat open and dumped him at a forest in Malkerns, was still fresh in his mind. I believed that if I complied with their orders, no one would get hurt, the parliamentarian said.

Safe

He said they took the money which was in the safe and money that was kept in boxes, which were used for First National Bank (FNB) Cash Plus transactions. After that, he said they ordered him to lead them to his supermarket, where the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras digital video recorder (DVR) was kept.

Upon arriving at the supermarket, they unplugged the CCTV DVR and took money that was in the teller machine. Thereafter, the MP said the armed robbers stole the Asian businessmens car, a Toyota WISH seven seater and used it as a getaway vehicle. On another note, the MP said he could not rule out an inside job, because the robbers knew where the safe was and where the CCTV DVR was kept.

Demanded

He said they were the ones who told him where to go, when they demanded money and later on when they wanted to take the recorder of the CCTV. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the armed robbery. She said the Asian businessmens vehicle which the robbers stole and used as a getaway car, was later found abandoned at Ngculwini, under Mafutseni Constituency in the Manzini Region. She said investigations were still ongoing and no arrest had been made yet.

It is worth noting that when this publication was interviewing the businessman at his complex yesterday, he received a number of phone calls from his colleagues, who wanted to know what happened. During their conversations, the parliamentarians raised concerns about their safety.

Highlighted

They even highlighted that their salaries made headlines when the media reported about politicians packages.

On top of that, they said most of them were also running businesses, thus following the incident which took place at the Manzini North MPs shopping complex, they believe they might be easy targets for thugs.

As such, some of them suggested that the matter needed to be discussed in the House of Assembly. One of them supported the suggestion by saying improving their security could be cheaper for government than hosting bi-elections in constituencies should MPs be killed during robberies.
Health authorities in southern Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City have discovered a local firm, with a Chinese staff, which launched fabricated ads in the field of medical examination and treatment on social media to lure patients.

The Inspectorate of the municipal Department of Health on Friday announced that Fruit Advertising Company Limited, located on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11, had been found launching untrue ads to help attract customers for medical service providers.

The discovery was made on Tuesday when health inspectors coordinated with local police and other concerned agencies inspected this companys office.

The company was found signing an advertising contract with Dai Viet General Clinic Company Limited, also based in District 11, to launch false ads on social media, in impersonating the health department, to lure patients to use the clinics medical services.

Specifically, a recent post on a Facebook page introduced a preferential general check-up package for women, at a cost of only VND199,000 (US$8.2), which was falsely said to be launched by the health department.

In fact, the package was offered by and performed at Dai Viet General Clinic Company Limited, which has had its operation license stripped for two months and has been fined VND35 million ($1,440) for the impersonation.

At the time of inspection, inspectors caught some employees of Fruit Advertising Company Limited giving consultancy to their clients in a non-signboard room but was glued with a board reading Authorized personnel only.

Inspectors said Fruit Advertising Company Limited has a business registration certificate granted by the Department of Planning and Investment and is headed by Chung Yen Phuong as director.

The company has a foreign staff member, Zhuo Yong Jin, with Chinese nationality, who was shown on papers as a website design consultant for Bison Advertising Co., Ltd., headquartered in District 11.

Fruit Advertising Company Limited has yet to provide inspectors with information about its relations with Bison Advertising Co., Ltd.

Phuong told inspectors that Fruit Advertising Company Limited provided medical advertising services for health facilities, including Dai Viet General Clinic Company Limited and Bac Giang General Clinic based in northern Bac Giang Province, in the forms of designing websites and running ads on Google and Facebook.

After an examination, the health department found that it owns 18 advertising and consulting accounts in the field of healthcare on social media.

Employees of Fruit Advertising Company Limited looked for potential customers on social media, such as Google, Facebook and Zalo, and then provided them with medical consultancy and suggested them to use medical services provided by health facilities with which the company had signed advertising contracts, inspectors said.

The health department warned that false advertising relating to medical examination and treatment has become an increasingly complicated problem that has really challenged law enforcement agencies.

The department called on people to immediately provide the agencys Inspectorate with any finding or doubt of untrue or illegal ads of medical services in any forms on social media.

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Vietnamese families who have spent years living and working abroad often work hard to ensure their children can build connections to their homeland by learning about traditional Vietnamese customs.

To these families, celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, Vietnams biggest national holiday, is considered the most important of these traditions.

Le Hoang Phuong Quynh, 37, who works at air carrier Emirates, has spent the past four years celebrating Tet with her family at their home in Dubai.

This year, she said, they will continue that tradition.

My children have school during the Vietnamese holiday, so we are not able to return to Vietnam for the Tet, she said, adding that she wished she would have been able to enjoy the holiday atmosphere in Vietnam with her friends and family.

Still, I am preparing for a big, warm Tet celebration here [in Dubai], she said.

Le Hoang Phuong Quynhs house in Dubai is festooned with Tet decorations. Photo: Supplied

To celebrate, Quynh has ordered peach blossoms and apricot flowers  two important Tet symbols  to decorate her home.

She also has plans to cook banh chung (square sticky rice cake), banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake), thit kho trung (caramelized pork and eggs), pickled leeks, bitter melon soup, and fruit jam.

In order to make sure her children maintain their connection to Vietnam, Quynh makes it a point to have them join her at the supermarket to buy ingredients and to have them help her cook.

A fruit tray with custard apple, coconut, mango, pineapple and papaya will be placed afront the altar in her home. The five-fruit tray represents the homeowners wishes for a financially rewarding or at least an adequate year.

Also, she will give lucky money, or li xi, in red envelopes to her two children, a girl and a boy, as a way of wishing them good luck, health, and happiness in the upcoming year.

Other traditional customs her family plans to follow on the first day of the new lunar year include not sweeping the house, not eating meat, and visiting a pagoda.

26-year-old Trang Minh Nhu is another Vietnamese citizen who lives overseas.

[Last year, in the United States] my fiance and I cooked some traditional Vietnamese Tet dishes, such as caramelized pork and eggs, and decorated our house to welcome the Lunar New Year, she shared.

Nhu, who has since moved to Australia, shared that she felt homesick during last years Tet even though she had invited a group of foreign friends for a Tet celebration at her home.

We also tried to keep many customs during Tet, like wearing red clothes to welcome lucky and good things for the new year. We also handed out li xi and sent Tet wishes to our friends, she said.

She excitedly shared that she plans to return to Vietnam to celebrate this years holiday.

Nguyen Thi Hoang Phu, an office worker, who has lived in the United States for over four years, also shared her familys plans for the upcoming holiday, which include returning to Vietnam to reunite with friends and family.

Still, before her trip, there is plenty Phu will do to celebrate the days leading up to Tet in America, including visiting a local Asian market to buy banh chung and going to a Vietnamese shop to purchase peach blossoms and marigolds.

Nguyen Thi Hoang Phu, who lives in the United States with her husband and son, poses for a photo with a fruit tray and flowers for the 2023 Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Supplied

I will also cook some traditional Vietnamese dishes for Tet to treat my husband and son, Phu shared.

Through the traditional customs of giving li xi, and going to the pagoda during the Lunar New Year, I want to introduce my son to his homelands traditions, the 33-year-old added.

Thanh Nguyen also lives abroad.

Nguyen, who has spent six years living with her husband and daughter in Victoria, Canada, plans to buy Tet-themed decorations to beautify her familys home so that it embodies the festive atmosphere.

As with years past, she plans to participate in Tet-centered programs hosted by Vietnamese organizations in Canada.

My family will also visit Chinatown for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday to watch unicorn dances, which will make us feel more festive, Nguyen said.

Thanh Nguyen and her family visit Chinatown in Canada to enjoy unicorn dances during the 2023 Tet. Photo: Supplied

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Views & Analysis

Indian Constitution Soul of India, Not Ram



Today we do face the attack on the Soul of India as it emerged during the freedom movement, in contrast the Soul of India as being presented by the present ruling dispensation's efforts to create a spectacle around the temple! Read More

Saturday February 3, 2024 10:39 AM , Ram Puniyani

The vibrations of the spectacle of inauguration of Lord Rams temple are still in the air (January 2024). This inauguration was done by Prime Minster Modi, who was at the center of the whole ceremony. He has ensured that he represents both the state power and religious power. In feudal times these two powers were working in close collaboration, boosting each other. There was King-Pope, Nawab- Shahi Imam and Raja-Rajguru. In Maharashtra there is a very apt rhyming of this collaboration, Shetji-Bhatji. (Landlord and Priest). That the country is being ruled by politics in the name of religion is seeing this fusion is a matter of deep concern.

When India became Independent and Indian Constitution came into being, the presence of religion in social space was very much there, and so the controversy around Somnath Temple. As Dr. Rajendra Prasad was planning to inaugurate the temple as the official head of the state, Nehru wrote to him:

"I confess that I do not like the idea of you associating yourself with a spectacular opening of the Somnath Temple. This is not merely visiting a temple, which can certainly be done by you or anyone else but rather participating in a significant function which unfortunately has a number of implications."

Nearly seven decades down the line Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the temple with pomp and show and the President of India, Draupadi Murmu as onlooker from her vast Rashtrapati Niwas, was the appreciative onlooker. The Central Cabinet not only hailed this act but went a step further to pass a resolution:

the body of the country attained Independence in 1947the Pran Pratishtha (Consecration of Idol of Lord Ram) was done on 22nd January 2024 As per the resolution Ram Temple movement has united the country as never before and it is the day when Indias soul got freedom. (Indian Express, January 25th Mumbai)

While on one hand this shows the erosion of the secular values which we saw was the attempt by the state to keep aloft most of the time, though in a compromised way, now the word secular is a strict no. Even Nehru at that time had realized that while the Constitution is based on secular values; the society is in the grip of religiosity.

Nehru advised the President not to inaugurate the Somanth Temple in his official capacity, now the whole Cabinet is hailing Modi not only for inaugurating the temple but also adding that this inauguration marks the freedom of Soul of India. As such the slavery of India has been another contentious matter. One big actor Kangana Ranaut, drawing a large applause, had declared that India got Independence in 2014, when Modi became Prime Minister. Prime Minister and his ideological cohorts have been saying that India was a slave for over a thousand years. Meaning that the period when the Muslim Kings ruled, was a period of slavery. How can we define the slavery of a country or a region? Broadly two major criterions can be applied. One when the region is being controlled from outside. The Muslim kings who ruled did settle here and ruled in collaboration with the local landlords-kings.

The second major criterion is when the region's wealth is drained out. The period of Muslim rule did not see any such phenomenon. This phenomenon was seen during the British period. Shashi Tharoor in his book, the Dark Era of Empire tells us the drain of wealth from India to England during this period. British rule was the period of slavery in both these counts. Some Muslim Kings plundered but they did not stay here to rule.

Now the freedom of 1947 was accompanied by the Sovereignty and bestowing the power to our representatives. What about the soul of India? What is the soul of India? The soul of Indian lies in the values which were the base of the freedom movement. The soul of India lies in these movements which accompanied and ran parallel to the freedom movement. These were the movements of workers and farmers; these were the movements for social equality. The soul of India was built on the foundation of Indian Civilization, which is well described by Nehru India as some ancient palimpsest on which layer upon layer of thought and reverie had been inscribed, and yet no succeeding layer had completely hidden or erased what had been written previously.

Freedom movement drew heavily from the movements of farmers (Bardoli, Champaran among others), movements of workers; the ones led by Narayan Meghaji Lokhande and Com. Singarvelu to name the few, and the struggles for social equality of caste and gender. This began with Joti Rao Phule, Savitri bai Phule, Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ramasami Periyar Naicker. These transformed the society from the values of feudal like society to the one with aspirations for democratic society.

The Indian Constitution is the embodiment of Soul of India for the majority of the people. Those who did not participate in the freedom movement were the ones who upheld the caste and gender hierarchy of earlier society, these were the social classes that were on one hand against the caste and gender equality and on the other were against the rights of farmers and workers. These were precisely the forces which asserted the politics in the name of religion, Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha and RSS.

Muslim League on one side was claiming that Muslims were the rulers, while Hindu Mahasabha-RSS asserted that we have been a Hindu Nation, Islam and Christianity are foreign religions. Surendra Nath Bannerjee well articulated the rising India in his book, India: Nation in the making, reflecting the countrys sentiments as it was shaping around the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Today claims of Lord Ram being the uniting figure are being made. Lord Ram has many interpretations. A mythological figure presented by Mahrishi Valmiki and later popularized by Goswami Tulisdas is one interpretation. Kabir saw the Lord as embodiment of universal humanism and Gandhi saw him as a uniting figure. RSS-BJP has presented Ram as an exclusionary figure. Around the campaign for this temple how many lives have been lost, how the society has been polarized, how the minorities have been ghettoized and how the plight of dalits, Adivasis, women and workers has been worsened during last few decades gets reflected in the social indices and the emergence of Muslim ghettos, all around.

Today we do face the attack on the Soul of India as it emerged during the freedom movement, in contrast the Soul of India as being presented by the present ruling dispensation's efforts to create a spectacle around the temple!

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Colombo, Feb 3 (UNI) Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will pay a visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Srettha was expected to spend two days at the country's executive and judicial capital of Colombo and take part in the celebrations to mark the 76th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence as a guest of honor, but the government announced that his visit would be limited to one day due to a sudden illness. Nevertheless, the Thai prime minister is expected to participate in the ceremony for about one hour as a sign of respect.

Srettha will be accompanied by a 39-member delegation, including several deputy ministers, and hold talks with Wickremesinghe. He will also witness the signing of a free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
HA NOI  There is a visible change in the taste of home seekers which is pushing developers to switch focus to more affordable segment housing.

A recent report by Finance  Economics  Real Estate Institute of at Xanh Services showed greater attention is placed on the amount of money they have to pay to own an apartment.

About 78 per cent of buyers pay attention to the total price of the apartments, while only 22 per cent care about the price per sq.m, a full reversal from the previous period.

Realtor Thu Huong said that previously the market preference was for 3-bedroom apartments of around 100sq.m. Now, apartments of one or two bedrooms are more common.

The increasing price per sq.m makes buyers interested in small apartments because the total sum they have to spend will be affordable.

Experts predict that small apartments may become a trend in the next five years in a difficult economic context.

In fact, projects with small apartments of around 45sq.m and prices of less than VN2 billion in the outskirts often have higher liquidity.

Tran Xuan Luong from the National Economics University said small apartments can meet the demand of young buyers or nuclear families. Besides, leasing this type of apartment is easy.

A survey by Property Guru which owns batdongsan.com.vn found that home buyers today are younger.

Young people aged 26-42 dominate the real estate assets market in 2023.

Specifically, the group of home seekers aged 27-30 increased from 39 per cent in 2021 to 42 per cent in 2023. Aged 32-40 accounted for 24 per cent while aged 42 or higher saw a drop from 22.3 per cent in 2021 to 15.3 per cent in 2023.

Specially, Gen Z home seekers aged 22-26 increased from 13 per cent in 2023 to 18.7 per cent last year.

Le Bao Long, strategy director of batdongsan.com.vn, said that unlike middle-aged people, young home seekers prioritise flexibility in accommodation to have better experiences. They are not afraid to travel long distances to work every day, or even change living and working environments regularly.

This group of buyers prefer projects with high living standards and modern amenities, he said.

Giang Huynh, deputy director of market research department of Savills HCM City, said that young buyers often eye apartments with areas from 50-70sq.m in the outskirt areas.

According to the International Monetary Fund, in 2025-27, Viet Nams GDP per capita is forecast to reach US$5,000 in 2024. The major workforce ages around 22-35.

Ngo inh uc from Viet Nam Institute of Directors said that the young generation is quickly taking advantage of the development of technology and innovation to increase incomes compared to the previous generations. Thus, the ability of the young to afford a home is increasing.

Increase supply

It can be seen that reducing housing price is an important solution to solve liquidity problems and improve cash flow.

However, the input costs of housing projects keep increasing, plus the prolonged implementation, making it difficult to lower prices.

Le inh Chung, general director of SGO Homes, said that while lowering housing prices is difficult, developing small-sized apartments might be reasonable.

Nguyen Van inh, President of the Viet Nam Association of Realtors, said that besides rising input costs, the shortage of supply is also a cause of skyrocketing housing prices.

He said that the Government asked the Ministry of Construction to instruct developers to restructure their products and lower costs, and raise appropriate and prompt measures to promote the development of affordable homes, social housing projects and housing projects for workers and low-income earners.

This demonstrates the determination of the Government in removing difficulties for the real estate market and promote its safe, healthy and sustainable development, inh said.

Restructuring housing projects and lowering prices are difficult problems which require coordination from all stakes, including the Government, management agencies, local authorities to banks, developers and home buyers.

First, it is necessary to simplify administrative procedures to speed up the implementation of housing projects, together with appropriate mechanisms for site clearance, he said.

Economist Can Van Luc said that developers need to be determined in restructuring their products, lowering prices and diversifying funding sources to reduce risks and increase liquidity.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams index of industrial production (IIP) in January edged up 18.3 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The IIP, however, decreased by 4.4 per cent compared to the previous month. The GSO said this development was quite similar to 2023 with a continuous decline at the beginning of the year and a return to growth in the last months of the year. This result could also be considered a basis for IIP to leap forward in the upcoming period.

According to TTJ Company in Thai Nguyen Province, the firm had orders to export agricultural machinery to Canada until the end of this year.

The company's director Nguyen Trung Thanh told baothainguyen.vn that his company aimed to achieve revenue of about VN50 billion in 2024, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the previous year.

The GSO said the manufacturing and processing sector grew by 19.3 per cent year-on-year, contributing the most to the overall growth (15.1 percentage points); electricity production and distribution surged by 21.6 per cent, contributing 1.9 percentage points; water supply, management of waste, and wastewater treatment rose by 5.7 per cent, contributing 0.1 percentage point; and the mining sector edged up by 7.3 per cent, contributing 1.2 percentage points.

Some key industries registering significant increases in IIP in the first month of this year included furniture (up 67 per cent); textile and garment (46 per cent); electrical equipment (43 per cent); metal production (39 per cent); chemicals and chemical products (38 per cent); leather and leather-made goods (35 per cent) and food processing (17 per cent).

Several goods that saw positive IIP growth such as sugar (up 66 per cent); rolled steel (60 per cent); textiles made from natural fibres (57 per cent); powdered milk (47 per cent); chemical paint (45 per cent); and NPK fertiliser (41 per cent).

The national statistical agency also outlined products recording IIP declines in January, such as phone components (down 15 per cent), television (11 per cent), handsets (4 per cent), and crude oil (2 per cent).

It added that compared to the same period last year, 60 localities posted increases in their IIP while only three localities saw decreases. Some localities witnessed a fairly high increase in the IIP due to a sharp increase in the processing and manufacturing industry, electricity production and distribution industry, including Quang Ninh (160 per cent), Bac Giang (58 per cent), Nam inh (156 per cent), Vinh Long (51 per cent), Kien Giang (48 per cent) and Phu Tho (40 per cent).

The number of workers in industrial enterprises as of January 1, 2024, increased by 0.5 per cent month-on-month and by 0.1 per cent year-on-year.

Particularly, the number of workers in the State-owned enterprise sector remained unchanged compared to the same time last month and declined by 0.9 per cent year on year. However, the number of workers in non-State enterprises increased by 0.1 per cent on month and decreased by one per cent on year; while the number in foreign-invested enterprises increased by 0.7 per cent on month and decreased by 0.8 per cent on year.  VNS
HA NOI  Trade activities between Viet Nam and China have been busy since the beginning of 2024, with a series of border gates reopened and upgraded.

According to the management board of the ong ang-Lang Son economic zone, the first week of the year saw the number of trucks transporting goods through six land border gates in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son increased by nearly 300 compared to the previous month. On a daily average, there were about 400 trucks carrying exports and about 800 trucks carrying imports.

Lang Son shares a 231.7km borderline with Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

A representative of the board stated that the demand of the Chinese market for Vietnamese agricultural products and fresh fruits during the Lunar New Year period is usually very high. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises also need to import more consumer goods and machinery components for the domestic market, hence the significant increase in cross-border trade between the countries.

Trade activities, especially on farm produce, are also in full swing at the Lao Cai border gate in the northern province of the same name, which borders Chinas Yunnan province. In the first three days of 2024, the total import-export turnover through this crossing neared US$5.4 million , with export value exceeding 2.8 million. Viet Nam's main exports include durian, bananas, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, dried cassava and charcoal.

Vuong Trinh Quoc, the head of the management board of Lao Cai economic zone, forecast that trade with China will flourish even more this year. After the state-level visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, the country has announced that it will open its market to many potential Vietnamese agricultural products, including fresh coconuts, frozen fruit, citrus fruit, avocados, bananas, custard apples, and water apples.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City will open the 2024 Binh ien Spring Flower Market for the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday from February 5 at District 8s Binh ien Commercial Centre on Nguyen Van Linh Avenue.

Organised by the Saigon Trading Group (SATRA), this year marks the 10th anniversary of the market.

There will be farms from the outskirts of the city and the Mekong Delta joining the market.

It will have over 282 stalls offering many traditional ornamental plants, including yellow apricot blossom, sunflower, Taiwanese chrysanthemum, and gerbera daisy.

There will also be new varieties, like Korean chrysanthemum morifolium, chrysanthemum from Holland, and dragon-shaped kumquat trees.

Favourable policies have helped the market attract more flower farms this year, said Nguyen Tuan, deputy director-general of SATRA and head of the markets steering committee.

Farmers can rent the stalls for a relatively low price, and lights, outdoor umbrellas, and cleaning services will be provided for free.

They can also cut back on delivery costs by keeping the unsold flowers at the market until the end of the holiday, Tuan said.

Green business communities and subsidiaries of SATRA will also participate in the market to introduce food and foodstuff products and dried and fresh fruits.

They include food and foodstuff companies, such as Satrafoods, COFIDEC, VISSAN, Heineken, Cacao Land, Fujiwa Vietnam, as well as others sectors, including Bioplas JSC (household items), Anh Kim JSC (food manufacturing), and Deng Fab High Technology Trading Production Co. Ltd.

The market will also have festive, picturesque set-ups for photography and host musical performances to attract a large number of visitors and customers.  VNS
Ngo Hai Phan, Director General of the Viet Nam Government Office's Administrative Procedure Control Department, speaks to Vietnam News Agency about the National Public Service Portal after four years of operation.

Can you evaluate the results of the National Public Service Portal (NPSP) since it was implemented?

In recent years, the Government has implemented various solutions to enhance the quality of administrative procedure resolution. Providing online public services for citizens and businesses is a crucial and groundbreaking measure in promoting the national digital transformation, meeting the requirements of the fourth industrial revolution. NPSP was built and officially launched in December, 2019. It has become the digital single window of the country, serving citizens and businesses in carrying out administrative procedures and delivering public services in the digital environment.

At the portal, 4,591 online public services out of a total of 6,349 administrative procedures are integrated and provided. It has garnered more than 3.2 billion visits for looking up information and service utilisation, handling 36.8 million online administrative procedure records and 21.2 million online payment transactions. On average, it receives over 106,000 online applications and 50,000 online payment transactions daily.

The integration and provision of public services on NPSP require ministries, sectors and localities to actively restructure procedures, resolve administrative processes in the electronic environment based on data exploitation and reuse. This aims to reduce and simplify administrative procedures, facilitating citizens and businesses in carrying out administrative procedures conveniently, simply and reducing costs and time.

As a result, many public services on the portal have generated a large number of records, such as promotion announcements, accommodation notifications and new electricity connections from low-voltage power grids.

One notable result is that the shared platforms and software of NPSP have been developed for ministries, sectors and localities to apply in receiving and resolving administrative procedures, providing public services, helping save costs and avoiding waste in investments, enhancing efficiency.

The portal has connected and integrated with 150 information systems and databases of various agencies and units. Through the portal, information in the process of administrative procedure resolution nationwide is public and transparent, facilitating citizens to monitor, supervise and assess the quality.

Among them, the evaluation system of serving people and businesses helps control the process of handling administrative procedures, providing fair services with real-time data, enhancing administrative discipline and rigor, responsibility for explanation, and individualising responsibility to agency, unit, officer, civil servant, public employee and labourer.

The results achieved are undeniable, but there are still complaints about the complicated and inconvenient implementation of administrative procedures on NPSP. What are your thoughts on this?

It is true that there are still some issues in the process of handling administrative procedures and providing online public services on the portal. Increasing the number of online records in some agencies does not truly address the service level, as many online public services do not ensure a satisfactory level of service and lack attention to process restructuring and user experience, making them not genuinely convenient, simple and sometimes even more time-consuming and complicated than direct implementation. Additionally, there is a lack of interactive form design and support for pre-filled information.

The digitisation, enrichment, and cleansing of data in some ministries, sectors, and localities are slow, without a clear roadmap and plan. In some agencies, the digitisation efforts mostly stop at scanning from paper to electronic format, failing to ensure legal value and reusability while wasting resources on digitisation and storage.

The connectivity, sharing, and data interoperability among ministries, sectors, and localities are still very limited. Transparency, especially in the process of handling administrative procedures in some agencies, is also restricted. Nationally, the transparency of the process of receiving and handling administrative procedures at the local level has only reached 43 per cent, with ministries and sectors achieving 66 per cent in the total administrative procedure files.

Although there has been an improvement in the quality of handling administrative procedures compared to 2022, the rate of correctly or timely resolving administrative procedure files in some ministries and localities remains low, especially within the administrative block where the rate in 2023 was only 52.5 per cent, falling far below the government's requirement of at least 90 per cent.

Furthermore, support for citizens and businesses from some agencies is still slow. The habits, psychology, and digital skills of some people have not yet met the requirements. Technology systems for information security and safety have not been adequately invested, synchronised, or effective in some ministries, sectors and localities.

What needs to be done in the future to continue improving the service quality?

Firstly, it is necessary to continue adhering to the principle of "placing citizens and businesses at the centre", promoting human factors, reforming leadership, and utilising supporting technologies to promote collaboration and participation in the management, development and operation of the portal.

Secondly, there needs to be a focus on reviewing and restructuring processes, reducing complexity and simplifying administrative procedures based on electronic interoperability and data reuse.

In 2024, the emphasis should be on implementing online public services that are interoperable among various agencies and units, with significant user groups and frequencies. This effort aims to overcome "bottlenecks" in connectivity, sharing, reuse and data interoperability to facilitate the resolution of administrative procedures, providing public services to citizens and businesses, and reducing the actual burden of procedures, time, and costs.

Thirdly, there should be a concentration on digitisation, data cleansing and linking digitisation to the tasks performed by officials in the process of receiving and resolving administrative procedures. The reuse of digitised documents and results of administrative procedure resolution between ministries, sectors and localities should be promoted through data connection and sharing with the personal and organisational data management warehouse on NPSP.

The completion of data connection, sharing, and synchronisation among national databases, specialised databases, and information systems providing centralised public services, managed by ministries and sectors, with NPSP and the administrative procedure resolution information system at the ministerial and provincial levels is essential to facilitate the resolution of administrative procedures and provide public services.

Fourthly, there is a need to enhance transparency and publicity. All administrative procedure records of ministries, sectors, and localities must be synchronised with NPSP to enable citizens and businesses to monitor and evaluate the implementation process.

Additionally, it is crucial to strengthen the accountability of the leaders of agencies and units and enforce administrative discipline strictly.

Lastly, there should be promotion, guidance, and support for citizens to enhance digital skills, along with policies encouraging citizens and businesses to proactively and effectively use online public services.  VNS
BRUSSELS  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has made a series of recommendations on measures to step up cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) while attending the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Brussels on February 2 (local time).

Acknowledging positive progress in the two regional groupings strategic partnership, the minister stressed the need for resolute and effective implementation of decisions made by leaders at the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in 2022, particularly regarding economic, trade, investment, sustainable development, and maritime cooperation. He also underscored the importance of fostering new growth drivers such as digital transformation, energy transition, green economy, and circular economy.

Minister Son went on calling on remaining EU countries to swiftly ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and further enhance the effectiveness of existing cooperation frameworks, including the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He proposed that the EU support Viet Nam in implementing its Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP) for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

It is necessary for ASEAN and the EU to coordinate efforts to ensure peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, to strengthen multilateralism, and to promote dialogue and cooperation, thereby reinforcing an open, transparent, inclusive regional structure based on international law with ASEAN at the centre, said the diplomat.

The minister reaffirmed Viet Nam's and ASEAN's stance on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue, urging EU countries to support ASEANs and China's efforts in fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and building a substantive, effective Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At their biennial meeting, the two blocs underscored the importance of their strategic partnership established during Viet Nam's ASEAN chairmanship in 2020, while also acknowledging the positive progress in the relationship over time. Currently, the EU stands as ASEAN's third largest partner in terms of trade and foreign direct investment, while the latter is the former's third largest trading partner outside Europe.

Participating ASEAN FMs considered the EU as one of the blocs top strategic partners with positive contributions to the ASEAN Community-building process. Meanwhile, their EU counterparts affirmed their support for ASEAN's centrality and wished to enhance the sides comprehensive cooperation and regular dialogue and consultation, as well as to continue negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with remaining ASEAN member countries following the EUs FTAs with Vietnam and Singapore.

ASEAN and the EU agreed to effectively implement the joint statement of the 2022 commemorative summit and the action plan for 2023-27. Their priority areas include economy-trade-investment cooperation, the connectivity and self-reliance of supply chains, climate change response, food and energy security, digital economy, innovation, green economy, and green services, aiming at the establishment of an ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement in the future.

Amidst increasing complexity, instability, and conflicts, both agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development. They emphasised the importance of multilateralism, compliance with international law, dialogue and cooperation promotion, and peaceful handling of disputes and conflicts.

The FMs also reiterated the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, and safety of maritime navigation and overflight across waters, including the East Sea, based on international law, especially the UNCLOS.

Concluding their meeting, ASEAN and the EU adopted a joint statement.

While in Brussels on February 1 and 2, the Vietnamese FM had separate sidelines meetings with Luxembourg Deputy PM and FM of Xavier Bettel, Portuguese FM Joao Gomes Cravinho, Cyprus FM Constantinos Kombos, and Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts. Minister Son also met with his Bangladeshi counterpart Hasan Mahmud, and Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Salman Al Farisi.  VNS
MBABANE  While the Justice Minister denies knowledge of the Masters Office probe, lawyers raise concerns and others mumble, the chief justice is unmoved.

Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala yesterday issued a statement telling all and sundry that the probe into allegations of impropriety, maladministration, abuse of power and incidental matters at the Office of the Master of the High Court will go ahead until it is finalised. In fact, Maphalala said no minister of the State should abrogate to himself the power of administrative control and supervision over the Judiciary as such conduct is unconstitutional.

Assistance

The Constitution, according to Maphalala, allowed the Judiciary to seek assistance from the other arms of government where necessary, like we do with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs from time to time.

He said this was the case because they could not sit in Cabinet or Parliament, but that did not in any way affect the independence of the Judiciary.

The CJ established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on January 16, 2023, in terms of Section 139 (5) of the Constitution (5), which provides that, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the chief justice is the head of the Judiciary and is responsible for the administration and supervision of the Judiciary.

Appointment

The commissions Chairperson is Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini. The other commissioners are Judge President Sifiso Nsibande, Judge Mzwandile Fakudze, Judge Maxine Langwenya and Judge Lorraine Hlophe. There is still no gazette for the commission, let alone the appointment of the Secretary, Siphiwo Nyoni. The commission has already heard eight complaints from six women and two men. It has also considered written submissions, mainly on Thursdays and Fridays.

After the commission was established by Maphalala, the Law Society of Eswatini (LSE) was quick to act. It served the chief justice with 22 complaints about the establishment of the commission. Their complaint, among others, was that it was not the prerogative of the CJ to establish the Commission of Inquiry, but it was the preserve of the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as per the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1963.

Section 3 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act stipulates that; Any minister may, by notice in the gazette, issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and may therein provide that one or more members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of the inquiry. 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.

Conferred

The lawyers highlighted that in doing so, the King was exercising powers conferred on him by Section 70 of the Constitution. The LSE alleged that Maphalala had exceeded his jurisdiction since the appointment of commissions of inquiry was solely preserved for the Executive arm of government.

On January 25, 2023, the Times of Eswatini reported that Simelane expressed concern and shock over the establishment of the commission. The minister said his ministry was not aware of the probe. With the CJ insisting that the commission would carry on until the end, the jury is still out on who is the rightful party to establish the Commission of Inquiry.

Enshrined

In his statement, Maphalala stated that the independence of the Judiciary as a third arm of government and as entrenched and enshrined in Section 141 of the Constitution should be respected by all. According Section 141 (1), in the exercise of the judicial power of Swaziland, the Judiciary, in both its judicial and administrative functions, including financial administration, shall be independent and subject only to this Constitution and shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or authority.

Subsection 2 states that neither the Crown nor Parliament nor any person acting under the authority of the Crown or Parliament nor any person whatsoever shall interfere with Judges or judicial officers or other persons exercising judicial power, in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Master of the High Court will continue as announced by the chief justice until it has finalised its mandate.

Section 2 of the Constitution provides for the supremacy clause that the constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Accordingly, the independence of the Judiciary as a third arm of government and as entrenched and enshrined in Section 141 of the constitution should be respected by all.

Power

This constitutional provision provides inter alia that in the exercise of judicial power of Eswatini. The Judiciary in both its judicial and administrative functions, including financial administration, shall be independent and subject only to the Constitution and shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or authority, reads part of the CJs statement.

Maphalala said Section 141 also provides that all organs or agencies of the Crown shall give to the courts such assistance as the courts may reasonably required to protect the independence, dignity and effectiveness of the courts under the constitution.

It further provides that the Judiciary shall keep its own finances and administer its own affairs and may deal directly with the ministry responsible for finance or any other person in relation to its finance or affairs. The law society called upon the CJ to reconsider his decision to establish the inquiry, disband and defer it to a lawful authority.

The lawyers informed Maphalala that the organs that were empowered to investigate the irregularities in the Masters Office had shown willingness to set up an investigation.

Correspondence

Ironically, a parliamentary investigation into the Masters Office was stopped through an application instituted by the chief justice, reads part of the correspondence that was also copied to the attorney general. The law society brought it to the attention of the CJ that the administration of estates, as per Legal Notice No.189 of 2015, fell under the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

This legal notice states where the Masters Office falls under. According to the notice annexed to the correspondence, the Masters Office is the responsibility of the minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs.
BRUSSELS  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has expressed Viet Nam's readiness to collaborate closely with the EU in building an exemplary cooperation model for green transformation, aiming to support developing nations, including Viet Nam, in bridging gaps in finance, technology and human resources training.

As the keynote speaker at the round-table discussion themed Green Transition: Partnering for a Sustainable Future, as part of the third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (IPMF-3) in Brussels, Belgium on February 2, Minister Son also affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to climate change mitigation and strong green transformation, highlighting its journey from the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to its recent distinction as one of the first three countries to establish the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP).

Turning his attention to the EU's new regulations on green transformation, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Son stressed that developed countries' policies and regulations should create opportunities for growth rather than erecting new barriers to trade - a fundamental driver for the growth of many developing countries.

He urged EU countries to assist Viet Nam and other developing nations in adapting by sharing experiences and best practices, and coordinate in building policies and mechanisms on carbon trading and pricing.

Participating ministers engaged in a comprehensive exploration of solutions to integrate economic recovery and climate change response into green transformation, ensure energy security and social fairness, and the role of the EU-Indo-Pacific partnership.

They emphasised that with the EU's expertise and experience in greening economic models, along with its financial resources, cooperation in green transformation would become a cornerstone of the EU's partnership with countries in the region.

As an EU initiative since 2022, the IPMF is held annually for foreign ministers from EU and Indo-Pacific countries to share cooperation prospects between the two regions. Priority cooperation areas have so far focused on inclusive and sustainable prosperity, green transformation, ocean governance, partnership relations and digital governance, connectivity, national security, and human security.  VNS
HA NOI  Students these days tend to exhaust themselves with extra projects and activities simply to add more lines to their resumes.

Huyen is a 20-year-old undergraduate in charge of three clubs at her university. She is so occupied with projects and extracurricular activities that she often skips breakfast and gets just five hours of sleep a day.

"In addition to the work I do in the clubs, I also organise events and perform as an MC," she said.

She squeezes it all into her tightly packed schedule to make her resume more impressive when applying for a job. However, years of overstretching herself have begun to take a toll on her health.

Burnt out, unable to concentrate, and tormented by unexplained abdominal pain, she was rushed to the emergency room a few weeks ago to be diagnosed with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Doctors told her that her habit of skipping meals and work-related stress was the cause of her condition.

Ngoc is another undergraduate working to the detriment of her health to polish her resume.

She has participated in two clubs and engaged in lots of extracurricular activities since her first year at university. Returning home late, she has just enough time to grab a quick sandwich before diving into other work until midnight.

"There was a time when I simultaneously was in two clubs, worked as an intern, and taught extra classes, in addition to my regular coursework," said Ngoc.

Sitting in front of the computer from 8pm to midnight has become her daily routine. Sometimes, she falls asleep while working because of fatigue. On her busiest days, she sleeps only five hours and has just one meal.

Once she was so worn out that she had to go to bed at 9pm and couldn't wake up until 5pm the next day. The unprecedented 20-hour sleep marked a turning point when she realised it was time for a change.

"At that very moment I looked at all the things I had to do and decided to cut them by 30 per cent," said Ngoc.

Diving into lots of extracurricular activities only to find oneself overwhelmed with work is common among Generation Z. They are aware of their health taking a hit, but see it as a trade-off for their future.

"Improving myself and polishing my resume is the only way to secure a good job after graduation," said Huyen.

"Plus, my family has great expectations for me, so I have to try even harder."

Even when she began to feel extremely tired and something weird going on with her body, she told herself: "Stay tough for four more years and everything will be fine."

Chi, an undergraduate at the University of Social Science and Humanities, believes that CV polishing is not the only reason behind the obsession with extracurricular activities. She cites peer pressure as another reason for young people to burn the candle at both ends.

"When someone shares an impressive achievement on social media, many Generation Z people blindly make it their goal to outdo the person," said Chi.

Nguyen Minh Ha, a psychological expert, believes that work addiction among young people can be attributed to external factors, including high expectations from their parents.

His recent survey shows that many people work round the clock only to seek recognition from their families.

Duong Minh Tam, a doctor at the National Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, is concerned about the increasing number of students seeking help for stress and depression.

When he surveyed students aged 10 to 19 between 2019 and 2020, he found that more than half (55.6 per cent) of the respondents suffered from mental distress associated with academic, family and peer pressure.

Stress and depression were most prevalent among those from 14 to 17, who had to study hard for transitional exams.

"Notably, stress is more common in youngsters with good academic results because they are more aware of the expectations from their parents and teachers," said Tam.

According to UNICEF Vietnam, mental issues stemming from academic and extracurricular pressures are the most significant burden for adolescents.

A recent UNICEF survey shows that 20 per cent of adolescents experience mental distress, but only 8.4 per cent get support for their emotional and behavioural problems. Only 5.1 per cent of parents acknowledge that their children need help to deal with their problems.

Tam said parents must notice early signs of stress in their children and help them overcome it before it becomes a big problem. When young people feel depressed, they might seem worried, have trouble concentrating, and easily get upset. Others might feel tired and get headaches or stomach-aches.

Families and schools should pay attention to adolescents by talking with them to understand their feelings and not put too much pressure on them. For those with anxiety, doctors might give them medicine or other treatments to help them feel better.

Ha said many parents are so busy these days that they either do not have enough time or use words that don't work to talk with their children.

"Encouraging words from their families and teachers really help to ease their stress," said Ha. VNS
THANH HOA  A campaign bringing clean water to communities in need in Viet Nam was launched on Thursday by China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) and World Vision.

The campaign "Sending love: Providing clean water for children  Medical staff walk together", will provide clean water and improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices in Thach Thanh District, Thanh Hoa central province.

The press conference launching the campaign was held at the CMUH in Taiwan (China), with online connection to the Thanh My Kindergarten in Thach Thanh District.

Thach Thanh, located 70km from the provincial centre, is one of the particularly difficult districts of Thanh Hoa Province.

Around 40 per cent of households drink unfiltered water, and many kindergartens and primary schools have to provide children with drinking water without proper treatment.

In addition, the local people's WASH practices are still poor.

These challenges have led to 20 per cent of children under five in the district suffering development delays.

The donation of VN780 million (about US$32,000) from CMUH will be used to build water supply systems, toilets and hand washing facilities in five communes in Thach Thanh District.

Communication sessions will also be implemented to improve WASH practices among local people, especially children.

De-Yang Chou, the President of CMUH, said, Lack of water, polluted water and insufficient sanitation facilities will seriously affect food security, livelihood options, and even childrens right to education in vulnerable areas. I hope that through this press conference, everyone will pay attention to the WASH issues.

Ngo Cong Thanh, North 2 Zonal Programme Manager of World Vision International in Viet Nam, said, The campaign will bring clean water to 2,500 people, thereby helping local children and communities enjoy good health and thrive. World Vision is committed to implementing the project effectively, creating positive impacts on child wellbeing.

Hoang Thi Loan, principal of the Thanh My Kindergarten, said, At Thanh My Kindergarten, there are classes with more than 20 children, but the school has only two faucets. It is very difficult for us to guide children in daily hand washing.

It is even harder on rainy days when children's hands and feet get dirty when they go to school, teachers often have to wash children's hands and feet.

With the campaigns support, we will repair four toilets and build new hand washing areas. We will also organise training sessions for students on hand washing to improve health and prevent disease," she said.

Last year, with support of domestic and international sponsors and donors, World Vision installed 2,020 household sanitation facilities and helped 10,463 people across Viet Nam access to basic drinking water service.  VNS
In an ongoing case against a Waco attorney, stemming from an alleged 2020 plot to kill another Waco attorney, a McLennan County grand jury issued superseding indictments Thursday.

The new indictments charge Seth Sutton, who recently moved from the Waco area to the Houston area, with first-degree felony criminal solicitation and second-degree felony criminal conspiracy.

Matthew Shawhan, an attorney with Texas Attorney Generals Office, is prosecuting the case because McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens recused his office based on past association with Sutton.

Originally, Sutton was indicted in 2020 for solicitation of capital murder. In his trial on that charge in August, a McLennan County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, prompting Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman to declare a mistrial.

In a status conference last month, Shawhan said he would seek the new indictments.

I want to put in a lesser included charge as well, conspiracy to commit murder, and charge it as a second-degree felony, Shawhan told Sparkman and Suttons defense attorney, Don Flanary, at the time. Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, I could add a lesser included in the charge to the jury, but Im going to take it to the grand jury.

The charge to the jury is a set of instructions the judge reads to jurors in a trial before they go to deliberate.

In most cases when there are superseding indictments, the state does not proceed on the original charges, a courthouse official said Friday. Neither Shawhan nor Flanary provided answers to the Tribune-Heralds questions by phone and email Friday.

The new indictment and the case tried against Sutton in August stem from charges brought by a Waco police undercover officer who infiltrated Suttons motorcycle club. Sutton was arrested May 22, 2020, along with Chelsea Tijerina. The undercover officer said Sutton and Tijerina wanted to hire him to kill Marcus Beaudin. Beaudin, who was Tijerinas ex-husband, was indicted in 2021 on an attempted indecency with a child charge involving a family member of Sutton.

Tijerina died in a motorcycle crash near her home in Hays County in 2021.

Sparkman issued a scheduling order during last months status conference to start Suttons trial April 15.
A juror calling in sick Friday led the judge to recess for the weekend a Waco womans manslaughter trial in the 2016 hit-and-run death of a Baylor University student.

Tammy Renee Blankenship, 56, is on trial this week in Wacos 54th State District Court on second-degree felony charges of manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid in the Oct. 6, 2016, crash that killed David Grotberg, a 19-year-old Baylor University sophomore from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Grotberg was riding his bike at about 10 p.m. in the 3200 block of Franklin Avenue when he was killed.

Judge Susan Kelly, presiding over the trial, delayed a hearing to certify an expert witness and the state calling the lead detective, so she could consider competing requests from attorneys on what to do about the juror who had tested positive for COVID-19. After lunch, she called in the jury and recessed them for the weekend with a recommendation to rest and if they feel ill, see a doctor and call in sick. The jury heard no testimony Friday.

Prosecutors asked Kelly to declare the sick juror disabled from performing jury duty and seat the alternate juror who has been observing proceedings with the rest of the jury. Blankenships defense attorney, Shane Phelps, asked the judge to wait through the weekend, saying his client deserves the jurors attorneys had picked.

McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Will Hix cited case law giving judges wide latitude in seating alternate jurors. Hix said that for the purposes of jury duty a disability can be anything that would prevent someone from fully participating in the jury and trial process. He also cited a case from 1976 in which a juror was declared disabled for being sick with the flu, saying COVID-19 and influenza could be considered similarly disabling, especially considering the health of other jurors.

Phelps argued for the defense that all jurors should have the opportunity to test since no one knew how long the sick juror might have been contagious.

My client has a constitutional right to the jurors we spent so much time selecting Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Phelps said.

Hix countered that he would caution Kelly against court-ordered medical testing or treatment to participate in jury duty. The defense agreed with that.

Outside the presence of the jury Friday afternoon, attorneys and the judge conducted a certification hearing for a cellphone tower expert the state wants to call as a witness when testimony resumes.

In testimony Thursday, the jury heard from Hannah Ashley, a co-worker Blankenship supervised at Midway Independent School District alternative schools.

Ashley said the morning of Oct. 7, 2016, Blankenship seemed normal when they both came in to work.

Blankenship remarked offhandedly that she had hit something the night before but did not know what, Ashley said. A bit later, Blankenship asked Ashley for the phone number of an assistant superintendent, saying she had too much to drink the night before during a gathering at the assistant superintendents house, left early and needed to apologize, Ashley said.

Ashley said Blankenship called her to her office later that morning, red-faced and shaking, looking at an article about the hit-and-run that had killed Grotberg, saying three times, I hit a kid. Blankenship assured Ashley she did not remember what she hit, but she said her daughter had taken the car that morning.

Tammy told me, Youre the only one who can help me protect (my daughter), Ashley said. Tammy was in crisis mode, and I went into crisis mode, too.

At Blankenships request, Ashley drove her to a parking garage near Baylor to pick up the car, which had a damaged passenger side, caved in windshield and glass in the seat, Ashley said. Blankenship drove the damaged car to the Walmart in Marlin, where Ashley got a better look at the car before they left it and headed to Woodway in Ashleys car to begin retracing the routes Blankenship may have followed home the night before.

Ashely added to the description of damage to the car, saying it had a hole in the bumper, gray scuffs near the passenger door, red scuffs on the hubcap and a yellow scuff on the fender. She said she did not see any blood on the car.

When Ashley drove her down Franklin Avenue past Valley Mills Drive toward downtown Waco, she recalled Blankenship saying she did not remember several times. Blankenship then directed her back to Interstate 35 and Highway 6 and from there, down I-35 to University Parks Drive where they turned toward downtown and saw a temporary stop sign toppled over, Ashley said.

On cross examination, Blankenships attorney asked Ashley why she did not call the police to report what Blankenship had done.

At that time on that day, I believed the colors and damage on the stop sign and the vehicle we left in Marlin matched, Ashley said. I believed she hit the stop sign on University Parks.

She is no longer sure that was what had happened, Ashley testified Thursday.

Also Thursday, Paula Zuniga testified about seeing the crash that killed Grotberg as she drove behind the vehicle that hit him on Franklin.

Zuniga, testifying in Spanish with an interpreter translating, said that even though she wrote in her statement for police that she saw maybe a white SUV hit Grotberg, what she actually saw was maybe a small white car.

When I say SUV, I mean a small car. Zuniga repeated to Phelps through the interpreter. Isnt that what an SUV is, a small car?

Prosecutors have said Blankenship was driving gray Hyundai sedan.

Testimony is expected to resume in the trial Monday, if none of the jurors call in sick.
Cleared muddy fields, new places for parents to drop off students and fresh concrete forms on the grounds outside South Waco Elementary School in recent weeks may not seem like much to celebrate at first glance.

It has been enough, however, to energize South Waco faculty and staff with the promise of a larger, renovated school in 18 months, Principal Lauren Frasure said.

District officials officially joined that energy Friday morning with a ceremony marking the start of construction work, part of a $355 million package of bond-funded projects voters approved in 2021. Attending the ceremony were Waco Independent School District trustees and administrators, South Waco faculty and staff, Future Teachers Academy students, architects from OConnell Robertson and leaders from Mazanec Construction.

While construction will be the most visible change underway for South Waco over the next 18 months, the next school year will see more changes for students, teachers and staff as they move within the school to accommodate interior renovations. Discussions on the schools attendance zone also will start next year as the larger South Waco and a new larger Kendrick Elementary School, also part of the bond package, prepare to take in Alta Vista Elementary School students when that school closes in 2025.

The ceremony was the districts fourth in two years to mark the start of school construction and was the first for an elementary School. The first new school in the bond project, G.W. Carver Middle School, opened this school year, and a new Waco High School, Tennyson Middle School and Kendrick Elementary School are underway, all remaining on the same campuses.

Following Carver, the new Tennyson is scheduled to open at the beginning of next school year. The expanded South Waco, new Kendrick and new Waco High are expected to open in the 2025-26 school year.

The $26.3 million South Waco project celebrated Friday will add a classroom wing and new gymnasium; renovate existing classrooms and cafeteria; remodel the kitchen; expand school parking; and provide an outdoor learning area.

The expansion will allow the school to accommodate up to 750 students, the same capacity as the new Kendrick and up from South Wacos current enrollment of 479. Alta Vista Elementary presently has 548 students, but its population will be divided between South Waco and Kendrick beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Waco ISD Superintendent Susan Kincannon said after Fridays ceremony that adjustment of attendance zones will start next fall with the creation of a committee of residents to discuss and recommend new lines. The administration plans to have its recommendation for the revised attendance zones ready for trustee consideration and approval by next spring, Kincannon said.

Construction underway at South Waco already has led parents to learn new pick-up and drop-off areas to accommodate site access for construction vehicles. Next year will see more changes as construction and renovation work proceed.

Once the new classroom wing is finished, expected by the end of 2024, the schools pre-K and kindergarten students will move there to free up their former classrooms for renovation, Principal Frasure said. South Waco presently houses the districts Future Teachers Academy, which aims to set students up for careers teaching in the district. The academy will move to the former Indian Spring Middle School campus so South Waco first grade classes can move into the academy space while their classrooms are renovated.

Renovation of the schools cafeteria and kitchen will cause the school to handle its meal preparation off-campus with students eating in different locations during that time, Frasure said. The classroom and cafeteria shifting will mean extra work for faculty and staff next year, but the goal of a bigger, better school motivates them, she said.

You can see it energize them, Frasure said.
16 killed, 25 injured in U.S. airstrikes in W Iraq

Baghdad, Feb 3 (UNI) The Iraqi government said on Saturday that the U.S. airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq killed 16 people, including civilians, and injured 25 others.

Calling the airstrikes "blatant aggression," government spokesman Basim al-Awadi told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the U.S. administration violated Iraq's sovereignty when its aircraft conducted airstrikes on the positions of our security forces in the Akashat and al-Qaim areas, as well as neighboring civilian places."

Al-Awadi also denied reports that claimed there was coordination between the government and the U.S. administration about the airstrikes, stressing that these reports are "a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and evading legal responsibility for this crime," according to the INA.
Candidates are not knocking the doors down to file in the first-ever election to fill three new seats on the McLennan Central Appraisal District board.

As of Friday, two candidates had filed for the at-large seats in the election, set for May 4.

They are David Schleicher, attorney and former Waco Independent School District board president; and Linda Hatchel, who has served on boards of groups such as Texas Commission on the Arts and Waco Symphony Association.

County Judge Scott Felton said he remains confident the list of choices will grow to at least three by the Feb. 16 filing deadline.

The election is mandatory under a constitutional amendment Texas voters passed in November. Proposition 4 included an $18 billion tax cut package and required counties with at least 75,000 residents to elect three members to their appraisal boards. Previously, only appointees filled the boards.

Jim Halbert, MCAD interim chief appraiser, said the county's elections office estimated the countywide election would cost $125,000, and the appraisal district would pay the largest percentage among all entities for which the county is holding elections that day. Typically, local schools and cities contract with the county to run their races in May, while the county has November elections.

Halbert said he was promised more exact figures by month's end.

The McLennan Central Appraisal District board has five voting members appointed by the largest taxing entities in the county: Waco, McLennan County, Waco Independent School District, Midway Independent School District and La Vega Independent School District, Halbert said.

After the May 4 election, the board will be expanded to eight voting members.

Board members receive no pay, and those wanting to be elected to the board must pay a $400 filing fee, county officials said.

Halbert said the governing board hires the chief appraiser and sets the budget for the appraisal office, but it does not have a direct impact on individual appraisal disputes.

The appraisal review board, whose members are appointed by a district judge, considers protests filed by taxpayers displeased with their appraisals.

Felton said voters overwhelmingly approving Proposition 4 in November represented a backlash against rising property taxes.

"People wanted more oversight than they already have, though I think there was quite a bit of oversight already," Felton said.

If the filing process fails to draw three candidates, existing board members would choose someone, said Halbert.

Applications are available at the MCAD office, 315 S. 26th St. Completed applications should be submitted to the office of County Judge Felton at the courthouse, 501 Washington Ave., Room 214.
WATERLOO  During the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 7,000 square feet of the VGM Group headquarters southeastern end was a ghost town while employees worked remotely.

Thats when Sara Laures, chief people officer, said leadership got to thinking about repurposing the unused offices and cubicles that were primarily part of the companys Homelink business unit.

VGM followed through and people can get a hint as to why its no longer quiet in that wing when they drive by on Ansborough Avenue. Those who miss the playground, however, may walk inside  like U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst did Friday near the end of the work day  to formulate a guess as to how VGM pivoted.

I hear little voices, Ernst said while noticing colorful, kid-friendly art printed on the walls before getting the chance to talk to those enjoying the new space that had been under construction for eight months.

The company spent $1.3 million  entirely covered by an Iowa Child Care Business Incentive grant  on the section of the building that was gutted and remodeled into a child care center. That was determined to be a better use of the space as some employees continued to work from home.

It just fell into place with this whole vacant wing, said Laures who can see the playground from her office. It was the only great thing about the pandemic. It freed up a lot of office space.

There are five classrooms divvied up by age  Caterpillar Canopy, Frog Pond, Butterfly Park, Tiger Den and Owl Cove  and an indoor play area called the Busy Bee Bungalow, all on site for employees children ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years old.

Its a huge benefit for employees, especially those who come to our facility every day to work, said Laures.

Think of the time were giving parents back in their day when they could be commuting, taking their kid to and picking them up from day care. Theyre able to bring their child, quite literally, to work and drop them off at a very secure, lovely brand-new facility and then make their way to their desk or office.

VGM has unlocked a recruitment tool. Finding child care was identified as a pain point among employees because its not always available and, when it is, there are often waiting lists.

This made it a possibility for me and my wife to work full-time, said Tyler Mahncke, president of U.S. Rehab at VGM. The convenience was a big factor. If the kids get sick or they need to be checked on, I can jump downstairs and dont have to miss a meeting.

The centers been open since November and available to its some 300 employees on the Waterloo campus, 1111 Van Miller Way, or at its distribution warehouse on Alexandra Drive.

What we see across Iowa is many child care deserts, Ernst told reporters while recognizing efforts at the federal level to try and fix the problem.

We know the challenges with having two working parents or maybe a single working parent and not having availability in their areas. It forces some very hard decisions.

Program Director Sara Koester, employed by Community United Child Care Centers, runs the center with her staff of a little more than a dozen teachers. Its open 7 a.m.5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CUCCC has three other Cedar Valley locations, though none of those are geared toward a business. They do go one step further and offer school-aged care.

If one of the kids is having a bad day, the parent can come and see them, said Koester. A couple of parents even came down today to give medicine. They can be here in 10 minutes whereas maybe other places they cant be there for an hour or an hour and a half.

Some 30 to 40 kids roam the center and educational spaces with plenty to do.

Leadership says the space is capable of accommodating up to 99 kids, though no plans exist to offer enrollment to the public.

VGM is expecting more workers kids in the future. Another reason for the difference between capacity and enrollment is not enough staff. Applications can be found on CUCCC and VGM websites.

Parents pay standard child care rates for the service. What they get is also a campus chef preparing nutritious meals for the kids there as well as access to lactation areas, peace of mind with security, and kid-size amenities like seats and toilets.

Having it here and being able to do one stop, at the same place Im going, is huge, said Irina Hageman, a program underwriter in the insurance department.

The Dike mother has her 13-month-old son Easton, who seemed to take a liking to a toy truck on the floor while Ernst was present. His father happens to be a Martin Bros. Distributing truck driver.

When she first became pregnant, she recalls friends and family telling her to reach out to day cares right away because a lot of them are at capacity.

Hageman heard the stories about many being full and enrolled him at another facility but was thankful when her employer gave her another option.

I was probably working a lot more from home while utilizing the other day care because it was easier for me just to turn around and come back home instead of turning around and heading to the office. That was a 35 minute drive, she said.

Almost all the employees who utilize the VGM center have one child there. Mahncke is unique as a Waterloo father who has two children, daughter Lakelyn, 4, and son Conway, 1. Their mother works at John Deere.

Lakelyn told the senator about favorite activities like reading, seeing friends or dots art. The diversity of activities, learning and art opportunities is something her father likes about the center.

We looked at in-home day cares and we just liked the day care with the educational opportunities it had here and the amount of attention and the one-on-one time, said Mahncke. Theyre regimented and communicate really well.

Every day its a different letter or number theyre learning and putting into context, he added.

VGM has more than 1,500 total employees across many different states. It offers services related to purchasing, commercial insurance, management of health care services and networks in post-acute cases, health care distribution direct to patient homes, specialty consulting, online education, digital, print, and traditional marketing and more.

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WATERLOO  The proposed merger of Waterloos three public high schools brought out some passionate discussion during the final town hall meeting.

Approximately 35 people gathered in the Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence library Thursday, offering their input on the $165 million plan over 2 1/2 hours. The combined grades 10-12 school is proposed for the Central Middle School and Waterloo Career Center campus on Katoski Drive at the western edge of the Waterloo Community School District.

Community identity was a theme throughout the night. One attendee interrupted Superintendent Jared Smith as he outlined the proposal, tying it to past slights by the district. He mentioned that West High School has received more funding because of higher enrollment and that Waterloo Schools boundaries are unfair to the community living on the northeast side of the district.

Smith outlined the vision for the new facility. Combining East, Expo and West highs in an expanded Central/Career Center building would result in one of the largest schools in the state with a projected enrollment of 1,980 students.

Once the school is built, East and West would become eighth and ninth grade schools. Sixth and seventh graders would attend Hoover, Bunger and Carver middle schools.

Smith mentioned the age and condition of both current high schools as a factor in how education is delivered for todays students.

East and West High are still serving our students. When you compare the opportunities in terms of the building and in terms of the spaces we offer our students at our high schools, its not equitable compared to other districts. Its just not, Smith said.

East High is beautiful, we all love East High, but it was built for students of 1918. Rooms are small, they do not have air conditioning, and some do not have heating. We are addressing those needs, but there are basic needs at East that are not being met.

Attendees and presenters agreed that the location at Central Middle School does present issues. However, Smith argued that recent investments in the Career Center paired with Memorial Stadium, open since 1994, along with available land for development make this the best option for the proposed merged school.

Residents questioned how the district would fund the project while making upgrades and renovations to both East and West high schools once they become junior high schools serving eighth and ninth graders.

School districts have to follow state law in how they pay for things, Jeff Sommerfeldt, Waterloo Schools chief financial officer, explained. Our day-to-day operations are paid for by our operating fund. SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) funds, also known as the local option sales tax, have to be used for construction and cannot be used for salaries.

What we are planning to do for East and West high school is going to come from something called our PPEL fund, he said, which stands for physical plant and equipment levy. We use this to maintain all of our beautiful facilities.

Smith told attendees that they could reach out to school board members or attend their meetings with further concerns. The board is set to make its final decision about the merger in the summer.

Find more about the proposed merger online at waterlooschools.org/bridging-futures.
WATERLOO  The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls is temporarily adjusting its community food programs in response to an unexpected staffing shortage.

The noon Community Meal will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday and Friday only. The Perishable Goods Pantry will continue to be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday as donations, volunteers, and staffing allow.

The most up-to-date information about the programs will be available on the organizations Facebook page, @sawaterloocf.

The Salvation Armys current food programs manager is leaving her position for medical reasons.

This job has been the honor of my lifetime, and I know Gods plan for The Salvation Army and the people we serve will continue in the Cedar Valley, said Kathy Ford.

The organization is seeking a new food programs manager. Candidates must be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday, and either possess or have the ability to obtain a food manager certificate. Candidates must be familiar with commercial kitchens and cooking for 150-200 individuals per meal.

A full job description is available on Indeed.com.

The temporary service adjustments will be in place until a food programs manager is hired. Additional adjustments may be necessary.

The Salvation Army remains committed to meeting the needs of the community, including the need for accessible and nutritious food.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (2 February 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled five attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 30th, 44th mechanised brigades, and 95th Air Assault Brigade near Terni (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up 45 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and with support of artillery repelled three attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 60th Mechanised Brigade near Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 270 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made M119 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade and 114th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kleshcheyevka and Krasnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade were repelled near Belogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 290 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, and 17 motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-30 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle were neutralised. In addition, four field ammunition depots were destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation inflicted losses on units of the AFU 58th Mechanised Brigade and 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 100 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 118th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 82nd Air Assault Brigade near Rabotino, Nesteryanka, and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the AFU 38th Marines Brigade suffered losses. The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one ammunition depot of the AFU 110th Mechanised Brigade, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day.

Air defence units intercepted two Olkha MLRS projectiles over the past 24 hours.

In addition, 40 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down during the day near Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Novoselovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), Semenovka, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,620 unmanned aerial vehicles, 457 air defence missile systems, 14,888 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,215 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,946 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,156 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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The Rios Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at Winona Area Public Schools is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 kindergarten class.

Rios is Winona Countys only language immersion program. It is open and free to all students in Winona Area Public Schools. Grades K-4 are housed at Jefferson Elementary School, 1268 W. Fifth St., Winona.

The goal of the program is to provide educational experiences, beginning in kindergarten and sustained through 12th grade, that support academic and linguistic development in Spanish and English and that develop students appreciation of their own and other cultures.

In order to help families learn more about the program, Rios teachers and administrators will be holding two informational sessions in the month of February that will include classroom visits and a Q and A session.

The informational sessions will be held at Jefferson Elementary are set for:

1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.

10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.

The informational sessions will last approximately 45 minutes. Attending the informational session is not a requirement for admission into the program.

If you are not able to attend the information sessions but still have questions about the program, please email principal Jay Woller at jay.woller@winona.k12.mn.us.

To sign up for an informational session, visit this link: https://waps.pub/rios_info.

Families can also ask questions at the All Aboard for Kindergarten at Winona Area Public Schools informational event on Monday, Feb. 5, at Winona Middle School, 1570 Homer Road. This night is for all incoming kindergartners and their families to learn why so many Winona area families continue to choose WAPS to inspire, engage and empower their child. A free dinner will be provided to all families, and future Winhawks will receive a free toy train.

To apply for the Rios Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program, families will need to complete a short online application available at winonaschools.org/rios and register their incoming kindergartner with Winona Area Public Schools at winonaschools.org/enroll.

The initial application window will close on Friday, Feb. 23. Once the initial application period has passed, WAPS administration will determine if a second kindergarten section will be needed for the 2024-25 school year.

More information is available at winonaschools.org/rios.
Five agriculture groups formally expressed their support for Daley Farm last month as the farm continues its legal battle to grow its livestock operation.

The Lewiston farm currently has a capacity of 1,608 cows and 120 calves, which is equal to 2,275 animal units.

The farm has sought for about half a decade to expand its facility to allow for a maximum capacity of 3,983 cows, 525 heifers and 120 calves, which is equal to 5,968 animal units.

The current animal cap in Winona County, created in 1998, limits farms to 1,500 animal units  a little less than a fourth of the capacity Daley Farms seeks.

The farm already operates above the county's cap and was grandfathered in, as its herd size was in place prior to the cap in 1998.

Winona County has denied repeated attempts by Daley Farms to expand beyond the cap.

Late last year, District Court Judge Douglas Bayley upheld Winona Countys decision to not allow the farm to further expand. Daley Farm is looking to have that decision overturned by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Agriculture groups Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, Minnesota State Cattlemans Association and Winona County Farm Bureau filed earlier this month a "friend of the court" motion to support Daley Farms attempt to have the decision overturned.

"It is farming operations like the Daleys that our society should be advocating for rather than actively opposing. The Daley farm is a multi-generational, independent family-owned and operated business, with no outside investment of any kind, that simply wants to modernize and expand in order to include the next generation of family farmers," the organizations said in their motion.

The organizations claim some of members of the Land Stewardship Project, an intervenor on behalf of the defendant in the case, were in positions to make decisions about the farm being allowed to go over the cap and actively worked against Daley Farm.

"The agricultural groups believe the District Court erred by finding that the process was not tainted following the District Courts remand because LSPs activism against the Daleys occurred throughout the entire process," the organizations claimed.

The Land Stewardship Project responded to the claims last month.

In a statement, the organization said: "The courts have repeatedly supported the rights of local citizens, including LSP members, to have their voices heard and to participate in local decision making when it comes to the Daley Farm issue. Its clear the groups filing this amicus are confusing a 'tainted process' with local citizen engagement and local democracy."

Editor's note: This story was updated Feb. 8 to correct the Land Stewardship Project's role in the court case.
Multiple new laws in effect this year are expected to benefit Minnesotans as voters participate in early voting or prepare to head to the polls soon.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon stopped by Winona State University, Winona Senior High School and the Minnesota Inter-County Associations 2024 Annual Legislative Forum on Thursday to discuss the impact of the laws on upcoming elections.

It was an epic legislative session, Simon said about the passage of new voting laws in 2023.

Over 55,000 Minnesotans who have served time in prison and were previously ineligible to vote have had their voting rights restored after completing their sentences.

Additionally, voting registration became easier across the state as those who receive a new or renewed drivers license can automatically be registered to vote if they are eligible.

Teenagers who are 16 or 17 years old are now able to pre-register to vote also.

I think its really important to get young people to think of themselves as voters even before they are voters, Simon said.

He said its important for youth to cast their ballots during the first election they are eligible to participate in, as they are then more likely to continue voting regularly throughout their lives.

Area elections

All of the new laws are taking effect during what will be a busy election year, with everything from school board to the presidential election on Winona area ballots.

One local race that will include a guaranteed change for the region for the first time in almost four decades is the contest for the Minnesota House 26A seat.

State Rep. Gene Pelowski announced last month that he will not run for re-election after 38 years in the position.

Three area residents  Dwayne Voegeli, Aaron Repinski and Stephen James Doerr  have announced campaigns for the seat.

Simon said the election for the 26A seat demands voters' focus and attention.

He described Pelowski as both an amazing leader for Winona and the state as a whole.

We mourn the loss of Rep. Pelowski," Simon said. "But it is an opportunity for the community to make what could be a long-term decision about who is going to represent the communitys interests.

The state is preparing for an election year full of passion and energy, Simon said.

November election preparations

Officials are preparing in case that passion turns harmful.

Last month, Simon said representatives from 50 Minnesota counties, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and state law enforcement came together to prepare for potential scenarios of what could go wrong this election year, with some focused on the use of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation.

Simon said he is optimistic about things going well this election year.

The polls will be open this year in Minnesota on March 5 for the presidential primary, Aug. 13 for other primary elections and Nov. 5 for election day.

Early voting has already started for the presidential primary.

To learn more about voting in Minnesota, including how to vote early, visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.
Bird watchers in Prairie du Sac and the surrounding area can enjoy their favorite activity while learning at the same time next weekend at the villages Overlook and other facilities in the area.

Bald Eagle Watching Days, hosted by the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, is returning for the 38th time throughout the day on Feb. 10. The event will last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include art exhibits, indoor raptor shows at Sauk Prairie High Schools River Arts Center, and a presentation about animals that live in the same habitats as bald eagles, along with watching bald eagles soar over the Wisconsin River.

The Overlook, River Arts Center and Tripp Museum in Prairie du Sac will host events for Bald Eagle Watching Days. Bird watchers can also view eagles at the Sauk City River Walk, Veterans of Foreign Wars Park and the Alliant Energy Hydro dam north of Prairie du Sac on Highway 78.

These events offer unique opportunities for people to come together to celebrate the success of bald eagle recovery and conservation in Wisconsin, Sumner Matteson, an avian ecologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said in a statement.

The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, a Sauk Prairie nonprofit that works to maintain and enhance bald eagle habitats in the area through education and research, will provide information regarding the states bald eagle population and the challenges the birds face, organization president Jeb Barzen said. He added that the community engagement from the event helps enhance the councils efforts through awareness.

Volunteers from the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council and throughout the Sauk Prairie area will be available to answer questions and supply spotting scopes to help visitors find birds. The event is free, and visitors can get tickets for the River Arts Center events starting at 9 a.m. Feb. 10. There also will be activities for children, including drawing and temporary tattooing, at the center.

Marge Gibson, a co-founder of Raptor Education Group Inc., an Antigo-based nonprofit involved with native bird rehabilitation and wildlife education, will present a video of her releasing eagles into the wild at 10 a.m. at the center. She will host a question and answer session about eagles after the video.

Bald Eagle Watching Days had initially been scheduled for Jan. 13, but cold temperatures and snow conditions caused the event to be postponed.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions latest culinary addition is aimed toward Mexican food enthusiasts.

Cinco Ninos is the newest restaurant to join the resorts lineup of eateries. The Dec. 22 opening in Wisconsin Dells is the third for Cinco Ninos. Kalahari debuted the restaurant at its Round Rock, Texas, location in 2020 and opened another at its Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, resort in 2022.

There are so many wonderful flavors in Mexican cuisine that we have honored at Cinco Ninos but given them a modern twist, Chris Hammond, Kalaharis corporate director of food and beverage, said in a statement. Guests will enjoy favorites like shrimp tacos and sizzling fajitas, while also sipping handcrafted cocktails like the Millionaire Margarita or Spicy Watermelon Martini.

Kalahari introduced Cinco Ninos to Midwestern food enthusiasts on Jan. 30 at the Taste of Kalahari. The restaurant offered its chips and salsas, queso dip, different types of tacos, rice and beans, and two drinks. All food is made from scratch, and the restaurant offers the largest selection of tequila and mezcal in the Wisconsin Dells, according to Kalahari.

Were really proud of the product that we do here, Michael Shetsky, the Wisconsin Dells Kalaharis executive chef, said. There is a large Latin population in the Dells, so we utilize some of those flavors that are close to home for them on top of the traditional Tex-Mex flavors and flavors that are up-and-coming, such as the quesa birria tacos.

Shetsky emphasized the restaurants use of fresh ingredients to create sauces, salsas and guacamole, along with tortilla chips fried in-house. The restaurant has been an absolute success, he added, referencing the popularity of Tex-Mex food and the restaurants success in its first two locations.

I think we take Tex-Mex flavors and elevate it to a really high level, he said.

The restaurant also has a breakfast buffet from 8 to 11:30 a.m., according to the Cinco Ninos page on the Kalahari website. Tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas with different protein sources are offered, as well as two soups and two salads and an appetizer menu that largely features chips with various Mexican dips. A large specialty drink menu is also available at Cinco Ninos, as well as wine and beer offerings.

Cinco Ninos is slated to expand to Kalaharis two other locations  Sandusky, Ohio, and the upcoming Spotsylvania, Virginia site  in the future, Shetsky said.
The UAE government has launched the Global TradeTech Sandbox, as part of the TradeTech Initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The TradeTech Sandbox aims to spark innovation in trade technology and establish best practices for its global adoption.

It will achieve this by implementing flexible and forward-looking regulatory frameworks that unlock the potential of these technologies. By streamlining the interaction between exporters, logistics companies, ports, regulators, and customs officials, it will create a smoother and more efficient trade environment.

This came through a memorandum of understanding signed during the WEF in the presence of Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Klaus Martin Schwab, the WEF Founder and Executive Chairman, reported Wam.

The MoU was signed by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmed Al Jasim Al Zaabi, the Chairman of ADDED, and Sean Doherty, Head, International Trade and Investment, and Member of the WEF Executive Committee at the 54th Annual Meeting of the WEF in Davos, Switzerland.

Al Zeyoudi said: The adoption of advanced technologies is accelerating in various sectors, and it is important that international trade keeps pace with these developments now more than ever. We need to re-evaluate the current regulatory frameworks in order to keep pace with the digital transformation and address the future.

"Global TradeTech Sandbox is designed to keep pace with technological developments in all fields, to provide means for start-ups to access markets. It also provides a platform through which forward-looking regulatory policies can be adopted that adapt to the future, enhance innovation, protect stakeholders, and ensure the flexibility of global trade systems," he added.

The minister called on innovators in the field of global trade technology to visit the UAE and benefit from its business environment to develop, refine, and disseminate their innovations that would stimulate the growth of global trade and increase its contribution to achieving comprehensive development around the world, in line with the aspirations of the world for the 21st century.

Al Zaabi pointed out that this partnership and other influential partnerships on the international scene showcased the UAE's commitment to spearheading solutions for the rise of automation in logistics, demonstrating proactive leadership and paving the way for a more efficient and equitable global trade system.

"This initiative embodies the imperative for collaborative efforts in shaping a better future for all. By adopting bold policies and fostering international partnerships, the UAE is setting a powerful example for proactive leadership in the face of a changing global economy," he added.
Death toll from US retaliatory airstrikes in E Syria rises to 23

Damascus, Feb 3 (UNI) The death toll from U.S. airstrikes on areas controlled by the Syrian government forces and Iranian militias in eastern Syria has risen to 23, a war monitor reported on Saturday.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 13 fighters, nine of whom were from Syria, were killed in the city of al-Mayadeen, Deir al-Zour Province. The rest of the victims were reported in the namesake provincial capital of Deir al-Zour.

The United States on Friday carried out airstrikes against Iranian forces in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan on Jan. 28.
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With spring finally on the horizon, a bouquet of new titles is sprouting up on Hulu this month. Theres a pair of brand-new original documentaries, a limited series inspired by the true story of a Jewish family separated at the beginning of World War II, and a crop of movie favorites making their debuts on the streamer  in other words, something for everyone. Here are the 12 best things coming to Hulu this month.

Coming March 1

The Descendants (2011, R)

With The Holdovers competing for the best picture Oscar, its a good time to catch up with another of director Alexander Paynes gems about complicated relationships. George Clooney, 62, stars as a land owner on the island of Kauai trying to reconnect with his two daughters (Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller) after their mother falls into a coma from a boating accident. It sounds heavy, I know. But Clooney mixes some playful moments in with the poignant ones. Plus, the Hawaiian locations are stunning.

Dune (2021, PG-13)

Itching to check out Dune: Part Two when it hits theaters, but need a refresher course on the first one? Youre in luck: Its now on Hulu. The adaptation by director Denis Villeneuve, 56, of Frank Herberts freaky sci-fi novel is a wild, trippy, shoot-the-works blockbuster about warring clans fighting over a precious resource called spice on a desert planet. Timothee Chalamet (as a messiah figure) leads a whos who cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, 54, and Josh Brolin, 56.

Dunkirk (2017, PG-13)

Another back-catalog masterpiece from a current Oscar-nominated director. Oppenheimer helmer Christopher Nolan puts viewers right in the midst of the action with his harrowing recreation of this infamously fierce battle on land, on sea and in the air between the trapped and overpowered Allies and the Germans. Tom Hardy, Barry Keoghan and Kenneth Branagh, 63, star.

Enough Said (2013, PG-13)

A grownup movie about grownups dealing with grownup things. Hollywood doesnt make many films like this anymore, so when it does and it turns out as wonderful as this, well, attention must be paid. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 63, and James Gandolfini play a pair of newly single lonelyhearts who find an unlikely spark at a time in life when they no longer thought it was possible. A great, underseen movie from writer-director Nicole Holofcener, 63.
The question Im asked most often is: Howd you do it? Howd you scale two chain-link fences at animal control, cross a busy highway in the middle of the night and find your way into a nursing home a quarter mile away? Lets just say I was born to jump. And Ive learned that to get what you want in this life, sometimes youve got to break the rules.

But the bigger question is, why here? What made me pick the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility on that night back in 2017? And when I was caught and returned to the shelter, what made me escape again and go right back? And then once more the very same week?

The short answer is, Meadow Brook has an automatic front door. And a very, very cozy couch in their front lobby. It felt safe, something I hadnt felt in a long while.

I dont want to get into my backstory. Id been through some rough times before I got here. Ive still got BB gun pellets lodged in my jowls. Not all humans are kind, but the ones in this place are.

Scout with a resident. KYLE MONK

The nursing homes administrator, Marna Robertson, decided to adopt me after my third jailbreak. I think she realized Id just keep coming back till she did. And the residents welcomed me like one of their own. I know which rooms have snacks for me  Im partial to Ritz crackers  and which residents dont mind being woken up at midnight with a wet nose on their forehead. Some keep treats in the baskets of their walkers.

But Im no freeloader. My friend Jenny Martinek, the household coordinator for the residence unit where I live, likes to tell people that I think I have a job. No, Jenny, I dont think I have a job. I know I have one. I do security. No visitor gets in or out without going through me. And Im not afraid to bark.

Scout gaining entry. KYLE MONK

I also make regular rounds to check on all the residents. Im excellent at opening doors. I like to be where the people are  what can I say? Theyve actually changed a few knobs around here because of that.

On my rounds, I give everybody attention, but I try to spend more time with people who are feeling poorly. Jenny says its like I was trained to give comfort to people. Its not training, though; its just what makes sense to me. Because this is my family now. And family looks out for family.

The world is unpredictable, and life isnt always fair. But my story shows that if you find your people, youll be OK. So keep looking till you find them.
Explosion in central Athens causes damage, no injuries

Athens, Feb 3 (UNI) A bomb exploded opposite the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in central Athens on Saturday, causing extensive material damage, but no injuries, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.

The device was placed outside a bank branch opposite the ministry building. The area has been cordoned off, as windows have been shuttered up to the fifth floor.

Shortly before the explosion in the early hours, two telephone calls were made to local media, warning about the bomb. One of the callers claimed the attack was made by a new local anti-establishment organization named "Revolutionary Class Self-Defense."
The E-Gaming Federation (EGF), Indias foremost skill-gaming industry body signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Law University (NLU), New Delhi, one of the leading law universities in the country for knowledge development, research, and capacity building in gaming and technology policy and related areas. The MoU signed on 2nd February 2024 underscores the commitment of both organizations to strengthen Indias policy framework and contribute to the enhancement of standards in the gaming and technology sector through cutting-edge research and innovation.

As part of the strategic partnership, EGF, and NLU will collaborate on various projects to analyze and discuss contemporary issues of public concern, and their legal implications and dialogue to exchange information contributing to the advancement of the gaming and technology sector.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, NLU said, EGFs concerted efforts to encourage the online gaming sector are noteworthy and inspiring. We are enthusiastic about this knowledge development journey with EGF and believe that our collaborative effort will provide informed insights to promote legal awareness and achieve political, social, and economic justice. We look forward to the opportunities for capacity-building and collaborative learning that this partnership will bring.

Expressing delight over the MoU, Anuraag Saxena, CEO of EGF said, EGF is developing a community in pursuit of education, research, and scholarship in the field of online gaming in India. By fostering an environment of collaboration and shared learning, we aim to recognize the importance of advocating for progressive policies that aid innovation, ensure consumer protection, and promote responsible gaming. We are excited to join hands with National Law University and think that this alliance would be a significant step towards leveraging academic expertise for the benefit of the industry stakeholders and wider community.

The MoU was signed by Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai of NLU and Mr. Anuraag Saxena, CEO of EGF. On this occasion, Dr. Raghav Pandey, Assistant Professor, NLU and other faculty members were also present.

EGF is the unified voice of the online skill gaming sector in India, representing the views of an overwhelming majority. The Federation counts the top 5 Gaming Developers and Operators in India, including a Unicorn amongst its members.
Style, art, and music came together with the Levi's Tailorshop at the second edition of Lollapalooza India, leaving an indelible mark with its iconic Tailor Shop experience at Mahalaxmi Race Course on January 27th & 28th 2024. The festival brought its packed musical line-up across 4 stages, while in turn the Tailor Shop brought to life self-expression thru customization for festival-goers.

For generations, Levis has been the outfit of choice for musicians and fans. This year that tradition continued with Kavya Trehan, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, Sakshi Shivdasani, Sufi Motiwala, Ankita Chawla, and Ahilya Bamroo wearing Levis in their own unique way. Live product customizations at the Levis Tailor Shop added an extra layer of excitement, one-of-a-kind pieces coming to life.

The Levis Tailor Shop featured 15 exclusive designs inspired by music, moments, and memories. Attendees had the opportunity to personalize their Levis favorites with limited-edition designs, including tailored panelling, heat press stickers, and screen prints. The Tailor Shop extended its presence to the Artist Village, allowing performing musicians to infuse their personal touch into Levis gear with these exclusive designs.

The brand also brought back its Levis Lounge, an invite-only space allowing guests with a haven to fully immerse themselves in the festival's experience. The space also served as the meeting point for creatives with fashion influencers, artists and performing musicians coming together. Dualist Inquiry, The Rose, Karan Kanchan, Ambika Nayak aka Kayan Parvaaz, Long Distances, Mali and more were spotted soaking in the festival atmosphere from the Levis Tailor Shop and Lounge.

Levis at Lollapalooza India 2024 was not just about denim; it was a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the seamless fusion of music and style, engaging a new generation of fans seeking authentic brand experiences at the intersection of music and style. All in all, a standout moment for the brand to connect with its fans in the centre of culture moment.
Shark Tank India Season 3 started premiering on January 22, 2024, showcasing a diverse array of pitches and narratives from emerging entrepreneurs. With a lineup of 12 Sharks in the latest season, the pool of guidance and support for aspiring entrepreneurs has doubled up, promising enhanced mentorship and opportunities.

Amit Jain, the Founder and CEO of CarDekho, has been an integral part of this journey since Season 2, offering investment and mentorship to ventures spanning various sectors. Amit's commitment to nurturing and empowering young entrepreneurs has been a cornerstone of his involvement. His investment decisions are often guided by a shared ethos of determination, creativity, and sustainability. The same was seen in the very first episode of Shark Tank India Season 3 where Amit saw a connection between himself and the sustainable business philosophy of The Honest Home Company founder Mayank Sisodia.



In Season 3, Episode 8 of Shark Tank India, Amit's dedication to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs was evident in his interaction with Anuva Kakkar, the founder of Tiggle. Acknowledging the importance of fostering an ecosystem that uplifts visionary entrepreneurs like Kakkar, Amit said, Magar iss show par aakar maine aap jaise entrepreneur ko support nahi kiya toh mere yahan aane ka faida hi nahi. Tiggle, which offers vegan and dairy-free ready-to-make hot chocolate mixes, represents a promising player in the rapidly evolving market landscape.



Among the ventures Jain backed in the previous season are notable names like Mopp India, Licksters, Maisha Lifestyle, Ekatra, and Gladful, showcasing his diverse portfolio and unwavering commitment to driving innovation and success in the Indian startup ecosystem.



Read about Amit Jains learnings from the three pitches below:



Tiggle:



The episode started on a sweet note with Anuva Kakkar, founder of Tiggle, pitching her brand that sells ready-to-make hot chocolate mixes. Her pitch was solid, the packaging was on point, and the chocolate tasted really good. Plus, being vegan and dairy-free, Tiggle is catering to a fast-growing market and has a bright future, even more so if they focus more on targeting their products to kids, in my opinion.



Anuva's story was also inspiring. It was inspiring to hear her bootstrapped story. This is how I feel any startup story begins, with the founder trying to find product market fit. She started from a small room and sold her first batch with a steel jar in hand at a bustling Gurgaon metro station within 40-50 minutes. It showcased the demand and appeal of Tiggle and her ambition. She lives the dream of every entrepreneur - turning their passion into a startup.



I definitely appreciated Anuva coming prepared with precise unit economic data and dressed to match her brand! Her grip on her numbers was just amazing to see. I love such founders with this level of attention to detail. Glad I partnered with Peyush and sealed the deal with Tiggle. It's a bet on Anuva's entrepreneurial passion to create not just good products but a good culture - be it a team of 9 or 9000, her strong potential, and a delicious future for Tiggle. Because like always, Pehle Banda, Phir Dhanda!



WYLD:



Next came WYLD, a Visa-powered social currency card, founded by IIT-B alumni, offering cashback for Instagram posts. I loved their idea, especially gestures like customised cards that read 'Founder Member', but I think execution is key. They had the right partnerships in place, and their algorithms for assigning "WYLD scores" seemed great. I loved the way they solved working capital by getting money to pay cashback from brands in advance.



I appreciate the founders, their love for tech and their ambitions  they were young, adaptable, and loaded with energy. Namita and Anupam saw the potential too. I gave them an offer, but they went ahead with Anupam's offer. It will be interesting to see them turn those influencer dreams into reality. I wish them all the best.



Upliance.ai:



Lastly, we had Upliance.ai, an AI-powered personal cooking assistant. Now, I love AI & innovation, but this one wasn't for me because I found the AI bit missing. While the technology and patented recipes were interesting, the price point and lack of market fit raised questions. It's great that they have a feedback system in place, but is it enough to justify the cost? The limited market and slow growth raised more questions.



AI is surely going to be a game-changer, but it needs to solve real problems and offer value at a reasonable price. Upliance.ai has to cover some distance to get there. I do hope they adapt and get there eventually!



Overall, the episode was a mixed bag of promise, treats, tech and more. And that's the beauty of Shark Tank. Stay tuned for more Shark Tales!
A Pensacola man is accused of threatening an animal control officer and then assaulting a deputy after neighbors complained his chickens were wandering free around the neighborhood.

According to an arrest report obtained by WEAR in Pensacola, an Escambia County (Fla.) Animal Control officer went to the home of 21-year-old Adrian Demone Hall to round up Halls chickens, which neighbors had said were roaming free about the neighborhood.

When the officer began to round up the chickens, however, Hall came out of the house armed with a steak knife and yelled Hell no, youre not taking my chickens, according to the report.

The animal control officer backed away, retreating to her vehicle and calling for backup. While the officer was at her vehicle, Hall took the animal control transport carrier and threw it over the fence and also cut the officers catch net.

Deputies ultimately arrived and took Hall into custody.

When they arrived at the jail, a deputy began to assist Hall out of the patrol car. As he emerged, Hall headbutted the deputy and kicked him twice, the report said.

Hall is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer; battery on a law enforcement officer; and criminal mischief. He remained in the Escambia County Jail as of Friday afternoon, held under $21,000 bond.
New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) Amid ongoing tension between India and the Maldives, both nations held a second meeting of the High Level Core Group in New Delhi on Friday.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of the Maldives said that the Government of India will replace the military personnel on one of the three aviation platforms by March 10.

The Ministry further added that India will complete replacing military personnel on the other two platforms by May 10.

The statement came following Male's demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Last month, President Muizzu requested that India withdraw all its military personnel from the Maldives by March 15.

Currently, there are approximately 80 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "Both sides agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical services to the people of the Maldives."

"During the meeting, both sides continued their discussions on wide-ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation towards identifying steps to enhance the partnership, including expediting the implementation of ongoing development cooperation projects," the ministry further added.

The third meeting of the high-level core group will be held in Male on a mutually agreeable date during the last week of February, said the ministry. UNI JA ARN SSP
Justin Timberlake has given his fans reason to be excited following the announcement of his 2024 Forget Tomorrow world tour, and tickets are officially up for grabs.

This is Timberlakes first tour in five years in support of his upcoming sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was. While he will not be visiting Alabama during the tour, a show in Atlanta has been scheduled.

Sadly, those who missed Ticketmaster presale will not only pay slightly more for tickets due to high demand, but will have slim pickings when purchasing these tickets for many of the shows scheduled.

While some tickets for his 2024 tour are still available through Ticketmaster, tickets can also be purchased though official resale ticket sites. We recommend Vivid Seats, StubHub and SeatGeek.

These ticket seller websites mentioned carry official resale tickets that have already been purchased through Ticketmaster, providing fans with more seating options that would otherwise not be available, which is especially great for events that are in high demand.

After purchase, the tickets will be transferred to your Ticketmaster account.

SeatGeek in particular will let the buyer know if the seller is actually offering a fair price for their tickets or not.

However, those who purchase tickets through Vivid Seats can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 with the promo code AL20 at checkout. This promo code will work for any tickets purchased through Vivid Seats.
A Morgan County jury on Wednesday acquitted Decatur doctor Michael Dick who was accused of harassment by female patients alleging they had been touched inappropriately during exams.

Dick had also been found not guilty of sexual abuse in 2022 in a case stemming from similar allegations. He has been acquitted of all the criminal charges alleged by patients.

The allegations against Dick became public in 2018 after several patients went to police with complaints. They also filed a lawsuit against the doctor that remains active in Morgan County. He has denied the allegations of wrongdoing in that case.

Dicks harassment case was initially brought in Decatur municipal court, but he appealed to the circuit court in Morgan County, where he received a jury trial. The website of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners shows that Dicks medical license is suspended. Documents show the board issued the suspension in 2019 after Dick was indicted.
The auditorium packed with Bessemer City third graders buzzed as little hands shot into the air, excited to ask 15-year-old best-selling author, Nia Mya Reese, about how she started reading and writing.

In 2019, lawmakers approved the Alabama Literacy Act requiring third graders to meet reading benchmarks before moving to the fourth grade. On Friday, nearly 300 Bessemer City Schools third graders participated in an assembly featuring Reese in a new partnership with Amazon introducing young scholars to literacy and careers.

Amazon provided $25,000 to fund the implementation of literacy centers in every Bessemer City elementary school.

I think there is such a great need for tools like the literacy lab. I think that its a great initiative, the young authors mother, Cherinita Reese, said.

I think it is very important for kids to see someone that looks like them. Her story inspires so many because she started when she was just a little younger than them. Teachers tell me that kids who struggled with reading and writing are inspired after learning that Nia Mya was just like them. They get that learning light.

Bessemer school improvement specialists said the literacy centers at the districts five elementary schools and New Horizon Alternative School will provide students with engaging instructional materials, desktop computers and fun tools to support the love of reading and writing in a safe, comfortable environment.

In 2016, Reese, now a Hoover High School student, wrote and published her first book, How To Deal With And Care For Your Annoying Little Brother, at only eight years old.

Soon after, she wrote and published Bully At School: A Bullys Perspective and The Sore Loser: (Dont Be One!).

I love reading. It was supportive. We supported her. She has some good books that we read. I read the bullying book in second grade, and I liked the book. Charles F. Hard Elementary School student Amar Umrani, 9, said.

Reese said she loved the younger students enthusiasm for reading and writing.

Its important to show other, smaller children living proof that their dreams can indeed happen, Reese said. I feel like especially now, since theres so much suffocation of childhood dreams and wonder, its very important to show them that there is still a chance to do great things in the world.
A Florida mom who creates adult online content has been told she cant park in front of her kids Christian school because of a large ad on the back of her SUV promoting her adult content.

According to multiple media outlets in central Florida, Michelle Cline, whose adult content persona is Piper Fawn, has been told by officials at Liberty Christian Prep she has to park her SUV and its large OnlyFans ad on the back windshield across the street.

Liberty Christian Prep is a private school in Tavares, Fla., about 40 miles northwest of Orlando.

OnlyFans is an online site for content creators, known primarily for its adult, sexually-explicit content, but also available for other users. Cline has the large OnlyFans decal on the back of her vehicle promoting her OnlyFans account. Subscribers pay $13.99 per month for access to her adult content.

My husband and I had this, you know, little wild, behind-closed doors lifestyle that weve now decided to share, Cline told WFTV in Orlando.

Cline said the schools orders to park across the street force her kids to cross a busy street, down a sidewalk and through the school parking lot to enter the school. The schools action came in the wake of other parents voicing complaints.

Lexy Thomas told the television station said the ad on Clines vehicle was promoting porn and noted its large size.

Its not just a tiny little emblem on the back of a car, she said. Its taking up the entire (rear) windshield.

School officials and other parents have said the solution to the problem is a simple one -- Cline can simply remove the decal. But she said her OnlyFans content helps provide for her family.

And that one seemed like an easy thing to say, for sure, Cline said. But for me, you know, it supports my family, this provides a very comfortable way of life for us. And its legal, you know, I pay taxes just like everyone else but Im not breaking the law. I just offended people.

Cline also said if the school is going to force her to park across the street, they should provide a crossing guard to get her kids across the street safely.
More than 100 people have fallen ill with stomach problems on a monthslong world cruise that recently stopped in Fort Lauderdale.

At least 123 passengers and 16 staff members have reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea and vomiting, while on board the Queen Victoria ship, operated by Cunard Cruise Line, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The UK cruise line has been owned since 1998 by Doral-based Carnival Corp.

The cruise, which initially departed from Southampton, England, in early January, is on a 107-night sailing journey. The cruise made its first U.S. stop on Jan. 21 at Port Canaveral and arrived at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 22, according to Cunards online cruise itinerary. The ship previously stopped in Bermuda.

The CDC report indicates that the federal agency began monitoring the cruises gastrointestinal illness outbreak on Jan. 22, when the cruise arrived in South Florida. The federal agency will continue to monitor the cruises outbreak situation over the next few weeks until the ship makes its final U.S. port stop on Feb. 12 in Hawaii.

The CDC requires cruise ships to send reports of gastrointestinal illness when in U.S. waters and before arriving to U.S. ports. The federal agency says any gastrointestinal illness cases reported are for the entire voyage and dont represent how many people are currently sick at any given port or at disembarkation.

Cunard, in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald, said the company immediately activated their enhanced health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all guests and crew on board and that its measures have been effective.

According to the CDC report, these protocols included isolating ill passengers and crew members and increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Since leaving Fort Lauderdale, the cruise ship, which has more than 2,700 passengers and crew members on board , has gone to Aruba, passed through the Panama Canal, and went to Guatemala.

The ship is now on its way to Mexico and San Francisco. Its final U.S. destination will be Hawaii before continuing the global voyage.

_____

2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Norfolk Southern engineer was killed Wednesday in an incident currently under investigation.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the incident happened at about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in a Decatur railyard.

The locomotive the engineer was in was struck by freight cars. The incident is still under investigation.

Three NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Thursday and are expected to be on scene for up to a week.

Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn identified the engineer as Chris M. Wilson, 55, of Muscle Shoals. Wilson died at Huntsville Hospital.

A final report could take up to two years, NTSB said in a statement.

In a statement, Norfolk Southern said it is grieving the loss of a member of our team and our hearts are with their loved ones during this extremely difficult time. We are cooperating fully with the NTSB to understand what happened.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville released a statement on X:
A Destin man was killed when the single-engine aircraft he was piloting crashed at the Eufaula Municipal Airport, according to the Eufaula Police Department.

Emergency personnel responded to a report of a downed aircraft about 9 a.m. Thursday. Police arriving on the scene confirmed the plane had gone down at the north end of the runway.

Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman told WDHN the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Wednesday, but was not discovered until another plane passing over the site notified authorities.

The pilot, 35-year-old Nathan ODonnell, was found dead within the wreckage of the 1958 Piper Comanche PA-24.

No other details were available. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Eufaula police said additional information would be released once the investigation is complete.
A 26-year-old Spanish Fort man was found dead in his cell inside the Baldwin County Jail Friday, according to the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.

During a routine safety check, corrections officers found Brandon Tyrell Prince unresponsive in his cell. Officers and medical staff immediately began life-saving measures until EMS personnel arrived.

EMS personnel performed additional life-saving measures, but Prince was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriffs office says initial investigation indicates there are no signs of foul play and Prince was alone in his cell at the time.

Prince was incarcerated in Dec. 26, charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and two counts of probation violation.

The sheriffs office has requested the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit conduct an independent review of Princes death, standard protocol when a subject dies while in custody.
The U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend, officials told The Associated Press.

President Joe Biden and other top U.S. leaders have been warning for days that the U.S. would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear that it wouldnt be just one hit, but would be a tiered response over time. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations not yet made public.

The initial strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft were hitting command and control headquarters, ammunition storage and other facilities. And they came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. during a somber ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. has bolstered defenses at a base in Jordan that was attacked by Iran-backed militants as it prepares for a wider U.S. response to the drone attack that killed three service members, a U.S. official said Friday.

Even as a larger U.S. military response seemed imminent, some Iran-backed factions pledged to continue to attack U.S. forces in the Middle East. In a statement released Friday, one of Iraqs strongest Iran-backed militias, Harakat al-Nujaba, announced its plans to continue military operations against U.S. troops, despite other allied factions having called off their attacks in the wake of the Sunday drone strike in Jordan.

Some of the militias have been a threat to U.S. bases for years, but the groups intensified their attacks in the wake of Israels war with Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The war has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza and spilled across four other countries now. Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or U.S. interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and U.S. warships with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

On Friday, the Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemens Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.

A second U.S. official said the military had taken additional self-defense strikes inside Yemen Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said that British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.

While previous U.S. responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22, as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said. In response, the U.S. is weighing a much wider response to include striking militia leaders. The U.S. options under consideration include targets in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, where the Iranian-made drone that killed the service members was fired from, the official said.

Also on Friday, the U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on a network of firms in Iran and Hong Kong that are accused of assisting Iran procure technology to make ballistic weapons and drones. And the U.S. hit six Iranian officials with sanctions for allegedly committing a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the U.S. and other nations.

The attack on Tower 22 led to the first combat deaths of U.S. service members since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. U.S. response options were being weighed as President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. CQ Brown traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to be with the families of those fallen soldiers as their remains were returned to the U.S.

The U.S. has blamed the Jordan attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias. In the days since the attack, the U.S. has bolstered the defenses around Tower 22, which houses about 350 U.S. troops and sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

On Thursday Defense Secretary Austin indicated that the U.S. response against the militias would widen.

At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past, Austin said in his first press conference since he was hospitalized on Jan. 1 due to complications from prostate cancer treatment.

Austin said that Iran has had a hand in the attacks by supplying and training the militias. The U.S. has tried to communicate through backchannels to Iran over the last few months to get them to rein in the militant groups, another U.S. official said.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not been acknowledged publicly.

The U.S. has also tried more limited military responses in a series of strikes against weapons storage sites and training areas. So far, the U.S. response has not deterred the groups, which have attacked U.S. facilities at least 166 times since October.

At least one group, Kataib Hezbollah, another powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, which has been watched closely by U.S. officials, said Tuesday it would suspend military and security operations against the occupying forces to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government in the wake of the Jordan attack.
This is an opinion column. Sign up for Kyle Whitmires weekly newsletter, Alabamafication, free here.

Four years ago, a delegation of state and federal law enforcement officials from Alabama traveled to Mexico on the federal governments dime to tour a meth lab.

My colleague Ashley Remkus wondered how much such a trip cost. The junket in the jungle seemed quite a production  complete with a five-minute hype video, with soundtrack, that might make Michael Bay put a call in to his lawyer.

The group of 12 narco-toursists included three United States attorneys, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and ALEA Director Hal Taylor, in addition to two district attorneys, one police chief and one sheriff.

After a stop in Mexico City, the United States Marines flew the group into the jungle in a Blackhawk helicopter. If you want to see what they saw, you can watch the video they made.

When they returned, they told how secret the whole thing had been and how much jeopardy they had been in, like theyd been riding shotgun with Seal Team Six.

It was dangerous. We had to use encrypted applications on our phones to even communicate because we knew the cartels knew we were in town. Folks knew we were in town and they knew why we were there and they didnt like it, then-U.S. Attorney Jay Town said after returning from the trip. What we saw was exactly what we thought we were going to see, and more.

We saw exactly what we thought we were going to see 

Look, there are some obvious questions here.

Like, why do you have to travel to Mexico to see a meth lab when we have our red-blooded American meth labs here in the U.S. of A.

Or, why do you need to see a meth lab to know we have a drug problem? You dont have to see Apples factories in China to know there are iPhones in America.

Or if a thing was so secret and so dangerous, why did they stop to pose for so many pictures?

But all those things aside, the most important one, perhaps, is the question Remkus later asked 

How much did this cost?

First, she asked the local officials, who told her the Drug Enforcement Agency paid for the trip and shed have to ask them.

Then she asked the DEA, submitting her request under the Freedom of Information Act, the federal law that is supposed to make public information public.

And then she waited.

And waited.

An Olympic Games, a leap year and a presidential administration went by.

Finally, last Tuesday, the DEA responded with its reply  more than four years after the request.

The DEAs answer, not in so many words: None of your business.

Please be advised that for each of the exemptions cited, it is reasonably foreseeable that disclosure of the information withheld would harm the interests protected by these exemptions, the DEA wrote back, not giving so much as the name of the official who wrote the denial.

It took the federal government four years to come up with a boilerplate denial.

Specifically, the DEA cited an exemption to FOIA  Section 552 (b)(4).

Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is confidential or privileged.

Trade secrets?

Do Mexican cartels have a patent on meth?

Confidential commercial information?

Would this put the Mexican cartels at a competitive disadvantage to Colombian cartels?

Privileged financial information?

What makes the financial information privileged? Is it the DEA embarrassed to let the public know how much its publicity stunt cost?

Because thats what it looks like.

These are our tax dollars at work, and we deserve to know how much we paid for this. If theres a sensitive issue  say, who got paid to guide our officials through the woods  the DEA could have redacted that. FOIA responses get redacted all the time.

But thats not what happened here. Instead, the DEA says what you paid for is none of your business.

Id like to ask the DEA, but when it takes 4 years to answer a simple question, who knows how many Olympiads Ill have to watch by then?

Kyle Whitmire is the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. You can follow him on Threads here and subscribe to his weekly newsletter, Alabamafication.
Baghdad, Feb 3 (UNI) US airstrikes on the border areas in western Iraq will have serious consequences for the security and stability of Iraq and the region, the Iraqi government said on Saturday.



Yahya Rasoul, the military spokesman of the Iraqi prime minister, said in a statement that U.S. airstrikes targeted the town of al-Qaim, some 400 km west of Baghdad, and other border areas in Iraq.



"These airstrikes violate Iraq's sovereignty and come at a time when Iraq is striving to ensure stability in the region," he said.



Rasoul described the airstrikes as "a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences that will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region."



A security source in Anbar province, who requested to remain anonymous, told Xinhua that at least three Iraqis were killed and five others injured by the U.S. airstrikes on some sites belonging to the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.



On Friday, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia groups.



The U.S. airstrikes came in response to attacks by Iranian-backed militias that caused the first U.S. fatalities since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

UNI/XINHUA AKS
An Alabama landlord and mobile home park owner has agreed to pay $390,000 to 12 women who rented or tried to rent homes for him and accused him of sexual harassment, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Randy Hames, the owner of Hames Marina in Cullman, reached the agreement with prosecutors as part of a Fair Housing Act lawsuit alleging that Hames sexually harassed female tenants. The Fair Housing Act bars discrimination in housing based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability and familial status.

Prosecutors claimed that since 2011, Hames pressured female tenants into having sex with him for rent or to avoid eviction, evicted female tenants when they refused his advances, made female tenants feel unsafe by stalking them and entering their residences without permission and making unwelcome sexual comments.

The agreement between Hames and prosecutors came after a three-day trial in federal court in Huntsville.

Todays resolution recognizes the significant harm that the defendant caused to the women in this case and sends a message that this type of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our communities, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department is firmly committed to vigorously pursuing landlords who sexually harass and exploit their tenants.

Sexual harassment by landlords is illegal, immoral and unacceptable, said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases because everyone deserves to feel safe at home and thrive in an environment free from fear.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager or rental agent, was encouraged to contact the Justice Department at 1-844-380-6178, or submit an online report at civilrights.justice.gov/. Reports also may be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777, or by filing an online complaint at www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint%20.
A second suspect has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a 43-year-old woman last month in Birmingham, police said Friday.

Michael Spellman, 62, of Birmingham, was found by patrol officers riding a bicycle Thursday near 9th Avenue West and 1st Street West when he was taken into custody.

Spellman was booked into the Birmingham City Jail.

On Friday, detectives obtained a warrant for capital murder (kidnapping) for Spellman in connection with the Jan. 15 slaying of 43-year-old Genise Carter.

Carter was dead in the 1200 block of 18th Street North.

Police did not initially find any signs of foul play in Carters death but an autopsy determined she was shot.

Spellman is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

On Thursday, Birmingham police announced the arrest of Jayden Gildersleeve, a 21-year-old Midfield man who was charged with capital murder and first-degree kidnapping in Carters slaying.
A Trussville man has been indicted on federal child sexual exploitation and child pornography charges, prosecutors announced Friday.

Dakota Dale Ray Wilcox, 21, was charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim F. Escalone and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Picard.

Wilcox allegedly committed the offenses in St. Clair County between May 2021 and February 2023.

He faces up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted of the sexual exploitation charges and 20 years in prison if convicted of the child pornography charge.

The case against Wilcox was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood is led by U.S. attorneys offices and the DOJ Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). The project uses federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute people who exploit children via the Internet and to help identify and rescue victims.

People who suspect a child of being a victim of exploitation were urged to call the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 and fill out the online NCMEC CyberTipline form here.
Infirmary Health has plans to add 25 additional beds to Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, according to information released at a special city council meeting Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from the Fairhope hospital presented mockups and plans for a new tower that received approval from the State Health Planning and Development Agency board in 2022, according to a representative from Infirmary Health. Any medical development, including updates to existing facilities, has to pass through this board and demonstrate a need in the community.
Two House Democrats are calling for a government investigation into how Sen. Tommy Tubervilles 10-month-long hold on military nominations impacted families and military readiness.

Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California, who both sit on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, are requesting a probe by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, The Hill reported Friday.

Sen. Tubervilles actions created a damaging ripple effect on the careers of service members at all levels. While Senator Tubervilles holds directly affected hundreds of senior military officials, junior officers indirectly lost the opportunity to rise in rank and gain experience. Such career stagnation radiates massive effects on factors such as servicemember retention, pay, pension, and future opportunities, the lawmakers wrote to the office.

Military families are also forced to bear the costs of the Senators ten-month hold on confirmations.  The hold resulted in instances of military spouses becoming unemployed because of their spouses career and location limbo; children of servicemembers ending up not enrolled in schools because expected change-of-station moves were blocked; and families having anticipated coast-to-coast moves cancelled after their belongings had already been shipped.

Democrats, including President Joe Biden, criticized Tubervilles holds over the senators contention that new Defense Department policies reimbursing travel expenses to service members who obtain abortions were illegal.

Biden and other top Democrats claimed Tuberville was harming military readiness, while the senator suggested the holds did not impact readiness.
The passing of broadcaster Charles Osgood merits a pause, both to give thanks for the gift of his many talents and to reflect on the changes in our society that will probably keep such talents from the forefront of popular culture for the foreseeable future.

Not that weve ever been overburdened with Charles Osgood types. He was a uniquely puckish polymath: a wit, writer, raconteur, musician, poet, and all-around hail-fellow-well-met who was blessed with a beguiling vocal instrument that proved to be the ideal delivery vehicle for the whimsy he shared so generously.

It takes a special sensibility to perceive the droll possibilities of a soulless, bureaucratic abbreviation like POSSLQ. The acronym was created by the U.S. Census Bureau in the late 70s to refer to Person(s) of the Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters. Osgood promptly commandeered these letters for a love poem and used the first two lines quoted below as the title of a 1981 collection of his writing:

Theres nothing that I wouldnt do

If you would be my POSSLQ

You live with me, and I with you

And you will be my POSSLQ

Ill be your friend and so much more

Thats what a POSSLQ is for...

Sometimes I wonder whatever became of charm. We used to produce personalities like Cary Grant and Fred Astaire, who seemed to be steeped in the stuff. Now it has become the rarest of commodities. When I was younger, my two favorite broadcasters were Paul Harvey and Charles Osgood, both charming men in their own way, albeit with radically different approaches. Mr. Harveys conservative commentary left no doubt where he stood politically on the issues of the day. Mr. Osgood was more concerned with adding a little something to the information at hand that might make you smile, if not outright guffaw. In both cases, when listening to them, you felt as if you were catching up with an old friend who knew you well. You were happy to have had a chance to visit.

Does anyone believe that in our lifetimes well ever encounter another amiable, avuncular presence taking up the mantle of journalist whose wares will be welcomed with such warmth and enthusiasm into a vast cross section of American homes? Sadly, I dont think so. Were much more likely to cock a jaundiced ear at any newcomer in media, carefully vetting every syllable he utters to determine on which side of the ideological divide hes planted his flag and, based on that single criteria, whether or not well ever listen to another thing he says. Unfortunately, this now extends to the arts, travel, sports, cooking, and all sorts of other subject matter that used to be discussed apolitically. We have to a degree become prisoners of our sensibilities. Being politically correct, Osgood once wryly observed, means always having to say youre sorry.

This need for scrutiny has largely been imposed on us by the sorry state of modern media, where establishing your bona fides with every utterance has transformed most news programs into showcases for a wearisome form of ideological Tourettes.

I am a conservative, and Im assuming that a Manhattan-based career like Mr. Osgoods, forged in an environment like CBS News, probably resulted in a number of viewpoints I wouldnt share. Fortunately, Osgood never asked me to. Here is how he described his approach to the CBS Sunday Morning program to his colleague Lee Cowan in 2016: I like to think of it as people watching the show and getting some satisfaction out of it, and learning something and not having something forced down their throats.

Osgood was primarily a creature of radio, so much so that Ill see you on the radio became the trademark signoff of his television broadcasts. American radio of the 1940s, he once reflected, is the reason Im doing what I do today instead of playing the organ at a skating rink. From 1971 to 2017, a remarkable run, he produced multiple weekday installments of his radio commentary program, The Osgood File. His mischievous persona translated seamlessly to television, where it was augmented by his sartorial trademark, an impish parade of bow ties. When original host Charles Kuralt retired and handed over the CBS Sunday Morning program to Osgood in 1994, it proved the most inspired changing of the guard since Jack Paar ceded The Tonight Show to Johnny Carson.

In the ensuing 22 years under Osgoods stewardship, the program earned multiple Emmy Awards and became ensconced as a Sunday-morning tradition in millions of homes. Osgood chatted with everyone from Julia Child to Chuck Berry and Keith Haring, coming across as the same gracious, intelligent, and irreverent companion in each varied setting. He also sang, played the piano and banjo, and secured his standing as the most beloved purveyor of light verse since Ogden Nash.

Its interesting to note that while many embraced the folksy and comfortable as an old shoe aspects of Osgoods persona, which echoed his predecessor, Charles Kuralt, others enjoyed him as a sort of devil-may-care sophisticate with a taste for the good things in life (which he certainly had, including a summer home in the south of France with a piano in the music room that had been used by Glenn Gould for recordings). When you radiate authenticity at your core, people can latch on to whatever trappings they fancy.

Charles Osgood was 91 when he died on January 23. He left behind a lifetime of joy and laughter, much of which is still available to be sought out and enjoyed. I only hope that if we are ever lucky enough to have someone else as uniquely wonderful in his own individual way come along and knock on our collective door, well have the good sense to let him in.

Joseph F. Laredo is a Grammy-nominated writer and popular culture historian.
Its election season and the talking heads are all singing the this will be the most important election of our lifetime chorus -- for real this time. While this years election will certainly be important, Id argue that 2008 was the most important election in our lifetime. Thats the year in which we were offered a fork in the road, and we chose the fundamentally transform America left turn. Weve just been looking for the transform it back off-ramp ever since. However, I am willing to say that 2024 is likely to be the most dangerous election in our lifetime. The deep state has invested a lot to prevent us from changing it back, and appears to have no limits on what its willing to do to that end.

We got a glimpse of how our bureaucratic overlords view the voters in 2016 when the DoJ, FBI, and CIA worked to influence the election. When their gal failed to win, they continued their efforts to unseat our electoral choice. But all of that was just a warmup for January 6, when they took things to a whole new level.

When pipe bombs were discovered outside the Democrat and Republican headquarter buildings in Washington D.C., it triggered a nationwide investigation. Thousands of MAGA supporters were intimidated interviewed by FBI agents for the suspicious behavior of being in the same zip code as the bombs on January 6 -- oh, and attending a Trump rally.

Also on January 6th, an unarmed insurrection nearly took down our government, at the encouragement of undercover federal assets planted in the crowd (snark intended). Our federal criminal justice system has subsequently imprisoned hundreds, for little more than trespassing and taking selfies -- many at the invitation of Capitol police. Now the DoJ has announced plans to prosecute thousands more for daring to cross an unmarked line on the Capitol lawn that their taxes pay for.

After the Republicans took control of the House, the stop MAGA operation seems to have moved into the coverup stage. The Swamps desperation to keep something hidden reveals just how dangerous our own government has become.

The bomb threat that triggered the nationwide interrogation of MAGA supporters is starting to look fishier than a Wuhan wet market. The device found outside the DNC headquarters was found by a person in civilian clothes (who many believe was a Capitol police officer). He reported the device to a uniformed police officer, who showed no sign of alarm, and even allowed civilians to continue walking within feet of the bomb.

Security video of the location where the DNC bomb was found shows a hooded person of interest sitting on a bench while using a phone. The FBI was able to use security video to track this person of interest throughout the Metro subway system and back to an automobile in Virginia. Investigators also tied the hooded person to a Metro transit card and license plate owned by a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who was working as a contractor with a security clearance.

Former FBI agent and current whistleblower Kyle Seraphin led a team surveilling the contractor who owned the license plate and transit card. Yet his team was denied permission to interview the contractor, and the matter was handed over to counterintelligence investigators -- the same FBI division in which Peter Strzok (of the stop Trump insurance policy) had been the deputy assistant director. Seraphin has since gone public with his concerns about the investigation.

Then head of the FBIs Washington field office, Steve DAntuono, was not happy about Seraphin coming forward with his concerns. In his congressional testimony he said:

People like Kyle Seraphin and others that are not a case agent, have no knowledge of the case, have no knowledge of what happened in the case, he also made another accusation too that there was an individual with a Metro card. My understanding is all that was chased down.

But when asked what the FBI had discovered when it chased down the lead, he said he didnt know the details -- for the most important investigation under his supervision at the time.

If the name Steve DAntuono sounds familiar: he was the special agent in charge of the Governor Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping case. When it became apparent in court that the kidnapping was an FBI setup all along, DAntuono was promoted and moved to the Washington Field office -- just in time for January 6th. Im sure thats just a coincidence.

Weve recently learned that the bomb investigation is being hindered by technical problems. Even though the location of the DNC bomb was under security surveillance, DAntuono testified that video of the bomb being placed wasnt helpful because the cameras werent the best. Apparently identifying bombers requires a higher resolution than identifying MAGA protesters. In addition, even though the hooded person of interest is seen using a cell phone, the cellular metadata was found to be corrupted as well.

The House January 6 committee investigated the bomb incident in parallel with the FBI, but hundreds of documents and hours of taped testimony have since been destroyed -- in violation of federal records retention statutes. Yet nobody has been arrested for this felony. Documents associated with the bomb threat that were not destroyed, were encrypted and the encryption keys have since been lost.

Radio host and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino asserts that the Secret Services behavior on January 6 is highly suspicious. Weve learned that Kamala Harris was in the DNC headquarters at the time the DNC bomb was discovered. Bongino reports that there is no way that the VP would be in a building which had not been swept for explosive devices. Yet the best in the business failed to spot a pipe bomb in plain view next to a park bench. Was the bomb actually there overnight, or did it appear after the bomb sweep?

Bongino also noted two significant things about the bomb. First, it had a one-hour timer, but had not detonated after 17 hours -- raising operability questions about the device. This is corroborated by Kyle Seraphins claim that FBI experts had assured him that the bombs would not have detonated. Second, Bongino said the bomb looked identical to training devices used at the Secret Service training academy.

If inert bombs were planted to cast suspicion on MAGA supporters, who would have been involved?

Capitol police?

FBI?

DoJ?

Secret Service?

If what we are observing is a massive coverup, how dangerous might our public servants become this year as the threat of exposure increases?

To what lengths might our law enforcement agencies go to keep whatever theyre hiding hidden? Will they step up prosecution of Republicans and hide behind a wall of part of an ongoing investigation? Will they fight congressional oversight, and dare it to do anything about it? Will they create another electoral insurance policy to help Joe win? Will they unleash the Lefts horde of radicals to intimidate voters and burn our cities -- as a distraction from their own actions? Finally, if the Secret Service is involved, how safe will our next President be if he looks for the truth?

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He is a staff writer for the American Free News Network and can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image: Tony Webster
A short clip of a CNN news segment about the illegal aliens who beat up New York City police officers is making the rounds, and deservedly so. In it, the team sits in stunned silence after John Miller, CNNs own Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, explains that the gangs who terrorize New York live peacefully in Florida, where they would go to jail for the same crimes. But whats notable, too, about the clip is that Miller explains how illegal aliens are instantly hooked into crime networks upon their arrival in America.

Heres the video, which Ive followed with a transcript. The relevant part begins at the 6-second mark, after Gov. Hochul stops speaking:

This is a VERY important clip. Listen closely as John Miller, CNN's Chief Law Enforcement Analyst, explains why illegals steal in New York, sell the goods in Florida, but never steal in Florida:



"So what the detectives are telling me is, they have crews here that operate in pic.twitter.com/7xf1JtnTzQ  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 2, 2024

FEMALE CNN ANCHOR: I mean, were hearing a change when it comes to immigration in general from President Biden on down. To hear her talk about that. It is also directly related to the fact that These were police officers. Does that have any impact? Does that change anything? JOHN MILLER: Well, its so complicated because, you know, youre a New Yorker. You move through the city every day, as I do. We see these people. We touch these people. Theyre out looking for work. Theyre delivering our food. Theyre at the gas stations and the car wash. I mean, these are people who came in waves, you knowa 170,000, probably, to New York City. But within that group, this hard-working, you know, throngs of people in search of hope and a better life, there is this one percent, you know, criminal element that looks at a different opportunity here. These individuals, I went over their rap sheets yesterday. Multiple charges: grand larceny, robbery, attempted robbery, grand larceny, grand larceny. This particular crew operated on mopeds and scooters. They were doing organized retail theft. They were doing snatches on the streetiPhones, iPads, clothing, so on and so forth. One of them that they are still seeking has 10 charges on one day because hes part of a pattern thats been going on. And Im looking at the dates that their arrest started, which is probably close to when they got here. Theyve only been here a couple of months. So, what the detectives are telling me is they have crews here that operate in New York through all their stealing, then go to Florida to spend the money, and then come back. And Im like, well, why dont they just stay in, steal in Florida? And they said, cause there you go to jail. FEMALE CNN ANCHOR: Oh. MALE CNN ANCHOR: Oh. [Three seconds of stunned silence.] MALE CNN ANCHOR: Great reporting.

There are several things in that short clip that are noteworthy:

One: Its almost obscene for Gov. Kathy Hochul to say that cops are off limits, whos covertly supported the Democrats anarchic defund the police movement.

Two: John Miller, a reliable leftist, cannot speak about the crime before him without doing the obligatory, and now reflexive, assurance that the millions of people illegally entering America without any vetting at all are good people who just want jobs.

Three: After only two months in the country, the men who attacked the police had developed staggering rap sheets. But despite myriad alleged criminal acts, they were on the streets again and still in America. No bail, no jail, no trial, no deportation. Indeed, when it came to walking away from the courthouse, the illegal aliens openly expressed their contempt for the American system that gives them a pass:

Remember this image.



This is 22-year-old Jhoan Boada, one of the illegals released without bail after participating in the mob beating of two NYPD officers in Times Square over the weekend.



Not only is this how many of the millions of Biden-era illegals feel about America, pic.twitter.com/qd2kKJM4aH  Denn Dunham (@DennD68) February 1, 2024

Additionally, its obvious that theyre part of a criminal network, which tells how deeply the cartelswhich already control the borderhave sunk their talons into America itself.

Four: The standards are different if you are a white person defending yourself and others:

Only in Bidens America is a heroic veteran punished for defending others while violent illegals are unleashed onto the streets after assaulting police.



Read my letter to @ManhattanDA Bragg calling on him to cease his attempts to convict Daniel Penny:https://t.co/QrWquA5nbS pic.twitter.com/t41n5aIHgP  Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) February 1, 2024

Five: And, of course, the fact that Miller and the CNN anchors were all surprised to learn that the criminals lived in Florida, a law-abiding state, and reserved their crime sprees for New York, a lawless free-for-all. To those of us who are normal, this was obvious. To those who live at the apex of the leftist bubble, the obvious comes as a surprise.

Lawlessness cannot continue indefinitely. One of two things will happen: The first is that the people themselves will rise up and put a stop to it. Its to be hoped that happens through the ballot box, as people elect politicians who promise to and then actually do enforce Americas laws. The second is that someone operating outside of our election system and singing the siren song of order will gain power through force of arms.

The window for the first option is closing; the possibility of the second option grows daily as people watch the system collapse.

Image: X screen grab.
I find it incomprehensible that a nation of 300 million, regardless of their conflicting political persuasions, would allow itself to become intimidated by brainless Marxist radicals to the point that they would openly sacrifice everything they were guaranteed in their precious Bill of Rights.

I am referring to constitutional Amendments like freedom of religion, etc.

We have achieved prosperity unlike no other nation.

Our "Bill of Rights" are unique and were crafted by our Founding Fathers.

Are we willing to exchange them for the blessings of misery, destruction, civil disorder, a series of self-inflicted stupidity in the guise of DEI, Wokeness, loss of parental authority, etc.?

Yet, this is what citizens of all stripes and kinships are in the process of doing.

Have we chosen to make peace with the devil? How did this come to be?

It came about because Americans failed to heed alleged explicit warnings given by Benjamin Franklin in response to a woman's inquiry: "A republic, if you can keep it."

It came about because as William Wordsworth wrote: "Getting and spending we lay waste our power."

We allowed far too many Trojan Horses to creep into our society, to infect our institutions, from public education, to the physical destruction of our history; from flirting with defunding the police, to electing public servants who disregarded enforcement of our laws and to depreciating the value of citizenship by allowing illegal hordes to invade our borders.

Republics have a terrible history of survival. Ours has lasted far beyond all the rest but now America's ship of state, like the Titanic, is taking on water and listing badly. Our allies have lost faith in both our word and our actions. Our enemies have chosen to challenge our resolve and, well, as enemies, it's not surprising, after our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

More recently, we failed, after more than 170 unchallenged rocket attacks, to protect our troops, until a multitude of injuries culminated in three military deaths which finally drove President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to respond in a meek manner.

I am now over 90 years of age and have lived to see a lot of turbulent water go under the bridge.

However, I have never witnessed my country as divided and reluctant to protect itself on virtually every front. In fact, I have never witnessed a president who willingly broadcast his desire to look the other way as Iran's surrogates knowingly disregard his pusillanimous warning of "don't.". Obviously, our mentally challenged president believes feeding bullies does not increase their appetite. History and Neville Chamberlain show otherwise.

What is even more disturbing, we are witnessing a president who is literally urging a loyal ally, Israel, to follow our lead, and cease fighting short of their goal of eliminating more devastating and unprovoked attacks by a terrorist group committed to their total elimination. Furthermore, President Biden seems wiling to succumb to political pressures and bad polling numbers by introducing, in a most inappropriate time, pressure on Israel to agree to a two-state "solution."

The Palestinians are committed, as with Hamas, to the elimination of Israel.

The Palestinian Authority rewards wannabe martyrs for wanton attacks on Israeli citizens.

This is the same Palestinians leadership which has been unwilling to take a half loaf and instead reject every opportunity to live in peace.

The Abraham Accords proved to be a significant breakthrough and threatened Iran's desire to increase their power in the region. These accords came about because President Trump was willing to "think outside the box," believing the time was opportunistic. Why? Because a host of Arab nations were finally willing to improve the prospects of their citizens and believed commercial and diplomatic relationships with Israel were preferable to Iran's continued chokehold in the region.

I believe that Israel's prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu, will eventually be confronted with a "Hobson Choice," a free choice in which only one choice is offered.

The world wants an end to the Hamas War and if that means Hamas's leadership is allowed to survive, so be it. Kicking the can down the road and allowing events to repeat has become the American Way of "resolving Gordian knots."

Image: Library of Congress, via Picryl // public domain
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Sanctuary state New York has a problem and so does sanctuary state California: Venezuelan thugs, now dubbed "asylum-seekers" who severely beat two New York City police officers in broad daylight in Manhattan a couple days ago are on the loose.

After fleeing the scene following what appeared to be an unprovoked attack on the two cops, seven Venezuelan thugs were eventually apprehended with one remaining at large. Good luck finding him. The migrant shelter where they were believed to be staying near Times Square is best described as a migrant hellhole reminiscent of the slums of Caracas, with "drugs, all-night brawls," featuring "knives, big sticks being swung at each other" as cops stand around, to read the account in the New York Post.

As for the ones who were caught, they were let out on the "honor system" with zero bail posted. At least two of the Venezuelan thugs gave the double-middle-fingers as they exited the court.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AFTER NYPD ATTACK



Jhoan Boada, 22, was caught on camera again, this time not for beating up police officers, but for flipping off the media.



Jhoan was involved in the attack on NYPD officers near Times Square. He and his fellow pic.twitter.com/1pQTasJbQk  GeoPolitics (@GeoPolitics52) February 1, 2024

Now authorities believe at least four of them are on the run, heading out to California on a migrant free bus, courtesy of some NGO.

According to the Post:

Four of the migrants cut loose without bail after allegedly ganging up on two NYPD cops near Times Square may be on the run, The Post has learned. Cops believe the group could have hopped on a bus bound for California on Wednesday after giving phony names to a church-affiliated nonprofit group that helps migrants get rides out of the city, according to law enforcement sources. The four accused cop-attackers believed to have skipped town were charged with assault on a police officer and obstruction immediately after the shocking, caught-on-video attack Saturday in Midtown.

Why they aren't intercepting that bus is something of a mystery, but the entire system is jury-rigged for maximum migrant rights and conveniences. It seems like an easy matter, actually, given that buses have numbers and schedules and travel across the country takes about three days. Given that the finger-giver was wearing a Los Angeles Lakes t-shirt, a good guess for their destination of choice is Los Angeles. And of course, the cops can always try to shake it out of the NGO. Perhaps New York's officials are just happy to be rid of them since it frees a migrant bed and they were never going to jail the thugs anyway, given how their justice system's lack of interest in jailing anyone except for President Trump.

In a day or two, they'll be in California, probably Los Angeles, and the next story, predictable as daylight, will be about the crime and mayhem they wreak in that city on some poor unsuspecting citizens, fellow migrants, or cops. They're Venezuelan thugs, some have rap sheets here a mile long, they've been charged with attacking police officers based on video footage and thugs are going to thug, this is how they do it in the Caracas slums, which are so crime-infested even the Lonely Planet guidebook for hardy backpacking tourists warned them never to set foot in the Caracas slums. Well, here we are, the Caracas slums have come here.

New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz has an excellent piece describing the failures of New York's city and state officials with containing the problem, with hemming and hawing galore about discussing and considering deportation for these plagues on society, to appear to be doing something but not doing jack, because actually, they don't care.

But instead of calling for a real border fix, including ending policies allowing criminals to stay in our country indefinitely waiting for a years-away court date for which they may never show, sanctuary-city Dems want to stop Texas from sending any more people. Democrats like Hochul and Adams have to dance around the problem lest they be called the same names their cohort calls others. And for New Yorkers? Double middle fingers all around.

California doesn't care, either, so California here they come. They join the tens of thousands of other illegal and criminal migrants now heading to the California border from the Mexican side now that Texas, which does care, has begun blocking them. Combine it with the migrant flotillas now hitting Southern California's tony beaches (another migrant boat came ashore at San Diego's Mission Beach yesterday), and it's quite an onslaught onto the Golden State. What's amazing here is that California will in the end be hit hard by the dregs of the dregs such as these Venezuelan thugs rolling in from New York and won't know what hit them -- how it all could have happened so quickly and so hard.

Image: Screen shot from Twitter video
Remembering Fidel Castro as a social justice warrior or human rights advocate might be an easy way to get a black eye in Miami. Nevertheless, the fools are out there. This is what we are talking about:

The students were told that Castro was a figure whose impact on Cuba and the world is undeniable. While thats true, its not for positive contributions. The script conveniently omits that Castros reign was marked by human rights abuses, mass murders, and political suppression. Instead, he was applauded because he challenged imperialistic influences. As the leader of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Castro aimed to uplift his people by overthrowing the Batista regime and ushering in a new era of social justice. His policies in healthcare and education significantly improved the standard of living for many Cubans, and his politics promoted antiracism, the script said. When an upset parent asked how Castro could possibly be celebrated, an administrator brushed off the complaint, noting he was a small part of the larger assembly. His decolonization efforts were why he was selected, but his problematic leadership and actions were also included in his blurb, the administrator said in an email forwarded to The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.

Well, read the rest of it because I cant take it anymore.

Image: Fidel Castro (edited) by Antonio Milena  ABr. CC BY 3.0 BR DEED.

A few years ago, I had a long conversation with a Cuban of my generation who had escaped the island. It was fascinating for me to get a first-hand account of what life was like in the place where I was born. In short, I grew up listening to pop music and discussing politics. He grew up reading a limited number of books and getting indoctrinated in schools.

At one point, I asked him: Why is such a ruthless dictator so popular in certain corners of the US?

He thought about it and said: Because these fools are communists. They are not ignorant they are communists, and dont let them come to power.

Enter the people calling Castro a martyr. They know they are lying. They forget to tell you that Cuba was more of a Soviet colony than it ever was an American colony. After all, did any US president ever tell a Cuban leader to send Cubans to fight anywhere? The Soviets did in Angolas and others wars of liberation. Did any Cubans get in a raft to escape pre-communist Cuba? No, they went on vacation to the US and came back to the island.

What a disgrace. Maybe this is why so many parents are homeschooling or moving to states with school choice.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
With polls showing that voters across the political spectrum are concerned about Bidens age, his handlers are spinning that hes wise. While there can be a correlation between age and wisdom, its decoupled in Bidens case.

There are two main reasons for this:

First, Biden hasnt learned from experience. He lacks experiential intelligence.

Second, the part of the brain most associated with wisdom is the prefrontal cortex. Bidens brain is ravaged by dementia, something that even those who work closely with him will not deny, instead hiding behind the euphemistic slowing down.

Age alone does not engender wisdom. Wisdom also requires an openness to learn. Wisdom is often defined as the ability to make sound decisions and to advise others to behave in ways that are more likely to bring about desired outcomes. By that measure, Biden is not only unwise, but he also repeats so many mistakes as to indicate insanity.

A trait of wisdom is having the humility to recognize that a change of course is necessary. But Biden is stupidly stubborn, jeopardizing America just so he can spite Trump and his supporters by overturning Trumps successful policies, especially on immigration and energy independence.

Image: Joe Biden (edited). YouTube screen grab.

Not only is Biden lacking the soundness of mind required for wisdom, but theres empirical evidence that his brain itself is incapable of rendering the traits associated with it. Neuropsychiatrist Dilip Jeste informs laypeople that The prefrontal cortex, hands-down, is the most important part of the neurobiology of wisdom Its the region in the brain responsible for reasoning, judgment and behavior control. 

Unfortunately for Bidenand, more importantly, usthe prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain most affected by dementia. Admittedly, no MRI or other potential Biden brain-scanning results are public (assuming they exist). However, one indication of Bidens diminished capacity is his boorish behavior, which makes it evident that his frontotemporal region, which is especially susceptible to dementia, is malfunctioning.

The part of Bidens brain thats supposed to regulate social behavior and control impulsive instincts is clearly dormant. His frequent bad-tempered outbursts are unbecoming even for a tin-pot dictator. Oh, I almost forgot: Hes trying to transform us into a banana republic, the regimes of which are often led by paranoid madmen, not wise men. But hes the president of America, not the Americas.

Theres consensus that experience wrought from aging is a prerequisite for wisdom. As Will Rogers is reputed to have said, Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. Given his huge reservoir of bad judgment, Biden should have an ample reserve of good judgment. But hes like a toddler, acting more like his shoe size than his age. If he werent so loathsome, one might even feel some compassion for him since severe dementia can impede wisdom.

Another feature of wisdom is the capacity to exercise agency. But rather than take control, Biden is dependent on a bunch of handlers manipulating his feeble mind. Attributed to Aristotle, but oft-repeated through the ages, is the observation that nature abhors a vacuum. Bidens puppeteers intuitively know this and have gleefully filled his empty mind with leftist orthodoxy.

But theres a reckoning pending, for we are not a banana republic. We are a constitutional republic that only flourishes with informed citizens and wise leaders. Its time for Jill Biden to eschew the trappings of office. Wise-up: take hubbys hand (hes bipedal but has issues with locomotion) and usher him from the White House to a more suitable placethe madhouse. Bidens age hasnt begotten wisdom; its begotten idiocy.
In 2004, when I got curious about what blogs were, I started investigating blogs on both the left and the right. I quickly realized that leftists dealt with obscenity, invective, and America hatred, and that I preferred the polite, reasoned debate on the right. One of my favorite sites was Power Line, started by a cadre of four Minneapolis-based attorneys. I still check in with Power Line on a regular basis, which is how I learned that leftists firebombed the offices of the Center of the American Experiment (CAE), a conservative think tank. John Hinderaker, one of Power Lines founders, is president of the CAE. The arsonist(s) also attacked two other conservative businesses in the building.

Writes Hinderaker:

[L]eftists firebombed my office last Saturday night. At around 2 am, they broke into the building that houses Center of the American Experiment and two other conservative organizations with which we often collaborate, along with many other businesses. The arsonists set two fires: one was in the first floor corridor between American Experiments office and the space we sublease to Take Charge, Kendall and Sheila Qualls organization. A second fire was set on the third floor, immediately outside or perhaps actually inside the office of the Upper Midwest Law Center, on whose board I serve.

He includes with his post a picture of the office hallway, which has been reduced to a burned-out skeleton. The Center of the American Experiment has further information about the fire, along with this video:

One would think that a multi-office firebombing in a Minneapolis suburb would be a newsworthy subject. However, as Scott Johnson, another of the original Power Line guys, wrote early this morning, almost a week after the bombing, Minneapoliss The Star Tribune, which is the major newspaper in that city, hasnt gotten around to covering the story yet. Someday soon, but not yet.

Someday soon finally arrived just a little before noon Central Time today. To its credit, The Star Tribune report is actually straight news, without editorializing. All newspaper writing used to look like that. The papers delay in publishing, though, is concerning.

When people commit violence against their political opponents, we should all care. But as weve learned when looking at the Democrats different responses to the BLM riots, which burned down cities and destroyed historic monuments, and to January 6 or the beheading of a Satan statue, thats not the case in 2024 America. All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than othersand thats certainly how the nations power brokers view political violence. The notion of the rule of law no longer applies.

If you want to know just how far its sunk in Minnesota, just look at the response to news of the fire from Andy Smith, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Smith has since deleted his entire Twitter account, but his misbegotten gloating was captured for posteritys sake:

Over the weekend, a building housing three of the most prominent conservative organizations in Minnesota was set on fire.



Its being investigated by the ATF as arson.



Heres how Minnesota Democrat State Rep @AndySmithMN reacted to the news. pic.twitter.com/EKngrSUtLR  Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 1, 2024

The Star Tribune reports that the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is investigating the fire as arson, along with the FBI, the local fire department, the Minnesota fire marshal, and Hennepin Countys arson investigators. Nevertheless, despite all that investigatoryahemfirepower, I remain dubious about the malfeasors ever being brought to justice.

My skepticism is because the federal government and local criminal justice in blue environs seem to have a very lopsided track record. They have the tenacity of bloodhounds and the ferocity of honey badgers when they believe conservatives have committed a crime. However, when the crime comes from a leftist constituency, their investigative efforts falter, and they dont even bother to try for charges and convictions.

Image: CAE hallway after the fire. YouTube screen grab.
Thomas Lifson recently wrote about In-N-Out Burger and Dennys fleeing Oakland, California. Crime became so constant and blatant it was too dangerous for employees and customers. At the In-N-Out, criminals were going from car to car in the drive-up lane, robbing customers as they waited for their orders.

This kind of wanton, and unrestrained criminality isnt limited to California. Its everywhere Democrats/socialist/communists rule, places across the country like Boston:

Walgreens was accused of "racial discrimination" by a Democratic lawmaker in Massachusetts after the pharmacy giant closed another location in Boston. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., railed against the "multi-billion dollar corporation" for their decision to pull out of the predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood of Roxbury during a speech on the House floor on Wednesday. It is the fourth Walgreens store to close in Boston in a little over a year.

Graphic: C-SPAN screenshot

"Mr. Speaker, Walgreens is planning to close yet another pharmacy in the Massachusetts 7th. This time on Warren Street in Roxbury, a community that is 85 percent Black and Latino. This closure is a part of a larger trend of abandoning low-income communities like the previous closures in Mattapan and Hyde Park, both in the Massachusetts 7th," Pressley began. "When a Walgreens leaves a neighborhood they disrupt the entire community and they take with them baby formula, diapers, asthma inhalers, life-saving medications, and, of course, jobs. These closures are not arbitrary and they are not innocent. They are life-threatening acts of racial and economic discrimination," she stated.

Walgreens is taking what little remains on the shelves after the entire community took everything else without the intermediate step of paying for it.

Pressley noted how she, along with fellow Massachusetts Democrats Senator Ed Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren, had demanded answers from Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth. Last month, the Democratic lawmakers protested the store's closure with locals in the neighborhood, arguing that vulnerable seniors in the low-income neighborhood would not be able to fill critical prescriptions, Boston25 News reported.

What a shame no one could have possibly foreseen that when crime runs rampant, and constant, organized shoplifting destroys any hope of making a profit, businesses tend to go where crime is not rampant and they can make a profit. In Boston, apparently profit is racist.

"Why was there no community input? No adequate notice to customers? And no transition resources to prevent gaps in health care? Shame on you, Walgreens. Having a website with talking points about health equity and underserved communities is not enough. Walgreens is a multi-billion-dollar corporation that needs to put their money where their mouth is and stop divesting from Black and brown communities," she said.

The community had plenty of input, or more accurately, output, which is why Walgreens is fleeing.

In 2022, Walgreens was accused of racism by Boston officials after it closed three other stores in mostly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. At the time, the company said "several factors are taken into account" when choosing to close a location, such as "the dynamics of the local market and changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers."

Such as not bothering to pay for things by the dynamic criminals operating in the local market? One would think adults, having lived in such places long enough to experience reality, like being robbed and constantly burglarized, would come to understand cause-effect relationships. Places like Washington, DC, for example?

s

Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb infuriated residents after claiming the city's rampant crime crisis cannot be dealt with through law and order. Angry residents met with community leaders in Washington, D.C., Tuesday for a panel to discuss the rise of violent crime in the city, specifically among juveniles, when Schwalb made the controversial comment. As residents voiced their concerns and frustrations, the Democrat suggested that if district residents want to be "safer in the long run," they must take preventative measures rather than arrest and prosecute violent criminals.

Of course, because dont has worked so well to deter Iran, it will surely work on domestic criminals.

"We as a city and a community need to be much more focused on prevention and surrounding young people and their families with resources if we want to be safer in the long run," Shwalb said in a viral clip from Fox 5. "We cannot prosecute and arrest our way out of it."

Schwalb is obviously a scientific socialist/communist who knows, like Kamala Harris, we must find and address the root causes of crime. Normal Americans are soooo simplistic. They actually believe arresting criminals and putting them in jail will keep those criminals from committing crimes and will deter others. The self-imagined elite like Schwalb know better. And so do the folks at In-N-Out and Dennys, which is why theyre fleeing.

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.
More than 10,000 pro-Palestine supporters have marched in central London calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Hundreds of officers from the Metropolitan Police were on duty with additional dispersal powers as the march started at Portland Place and headed to Whitehall.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said it was the eighth national march held for the Palestinian people, following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 in which 1,300 people were killed and more than 240 kidnapped before Israel retaliated with months of attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands.

People during a pro-Palestine march in central London (Belinda Jiao/PA)

Scotland Yard estimated around 10,000 demonstrators had marched through the West End of London, with the crowd swelling to 20,000 for the speeches in Whitehall.

Demonstrators carried banners which read end the killing that were accompanied by harrowing images of the bloodshed since the conflicted erupted.

Other banners declared free the children, freedom to Palestine and Boycott Israel.

Protesters are gathering in Whitehall for speeches. We estimate there are now around 20,000 people. This assembly must end by 5.30pm. Further details on conditions herehttps://t.co/D8nPm4ECGS pic.twitter.com/XYaScleiWY  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 3, 2024

Police said people were seen trying to disrupt the protest in Haymarket and a woman was arrested on suspicion of setting off a smoke bomb or flare.

A second woman, who was allegedly chanting slogans that may incite racial hatred, was arrested over a suspected public order offence.

Officers were on the look out for offensive placards and banners, with staff also monitoring the protest by CCTV to sport other offences or to find suspects, a spokesman said.

PSC director Ben Jamal said: We are marching again because we know we are on the right side of history and we will stand always with the oppressed and never with the oppressor.

More than 27,000 people have been killed and 66,000 wounded by Israels offensive in Gaza, the Hamas-controlled territorys health ministry said on Thursday.

Ahead of the march, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, who is leading the policing operation, said: We respect the right of people to protest, but other Londoners and visitors have rights as well.

Marchers held up banners calling for a ceasefire (Belinda Jiao/PA)

I understand the cumulative impact of repeated protests since October on businesses, residents and those who want to travel into the West End.

Getting the balance between competing rights can be difficult, but we will do it independently, impartially and always within the law.

Earlier this week, Britain said future funding for a UN relief agency that helps Palestinians hinges on the outcome of inquiries into allegations that staff took part in the October 7 attack on Israel.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is critical to delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza and the region, but added the UK is appalled by the allegations of agency staff being involved in the atrocities.

Updates on today's protest, setting off from Portland Place at noon, will be posted on this thread.  There is an extensive operation in place today to minimise disruption with 100s of officers on duty.  Watch Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward who is overseeing the pic.twitter.com/ThxqmKLwvZ  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 3, 2024

The UK joined the US, Australia, Italy and other countries in pausing funding for UNRWA after it sacked a number of staff accused of taking part in the October attack.

The funding pause has sparked concerns about the impact the decision will have on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the Israeli bombardment continues.

The row over funding for UNRWA comes amid rising tension in the Middle East after a drone attack on Sunday killed three US troops and injured dozens more in north-eastern Jordan, near the Syrian border.

Several opposition MPs have pressed the UK Government to suspend arms sales to Israel following an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa, but it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.
A father-of-two with motor neurone disease (MND) described as an inspiration to others will deliver the match ball ahead of the Doddie Weir Cup clash in the Six Nations this weekend.

Mark Williams, 39, who was diagnosed with the condition 18 months ago, will take to the pitch in front of a full house at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday as Wales take on Scotland.

It will be the first time the match has been played in Wales since the Scottish rugby legend and MND campaigners death from the condition on November 26, 2022.

The match will also mark the climax of Doddie Aid 2024, the annual fundraiser for the My Name5 Doddie Foundation, the charity Weir set up in 2017 to fund research into MND.

This years campaign has already raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the cause  all of which will help fund research into MND  with close to 20,000 fundraisers taking part.

Mark Williams with his wife and children (My Name5 Doddie Foundation/PA)

Mr Williams, who lives in Abertillery, Wales, with wife Stephanie and their children Archie, eight, and Niamh, four, has been praised as a beacon of light for others as he refuses to be defined by the limitations and difficulties of the disease.

He continues to go regularly to the gym and recently climbed Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons, the highest peak in South Wales, in defiance of his doctors.

He is also the captain of the 380-strong Defiance Army League who have collectively clocked up nearly 35,000 miles.

Mr Williams has racked up more than 800 miles for Doddie Aid in the last two years and is now calling on everyone to dig deep for the final push.

He said: It will be a massive honour to hand over the match ball for the Doddie Weir Cup, not only as a proud Welsh rugby fan, but as an ambassador for the importance of our continued fight against MND.

Doddie Weir, pictured in 2018, died in November 2022 (PA)

Doddie Weir continues to be an inspiration to the whole MND community, showing everybody whats possible even when facing this terrible disease.

The only way we can all prevent people in future facing the same devastating diagnosis that I, Doddie, and everybody with MND and their families had to go through is to raise money for research. The more we raise the more chance there is of finding a cure.

No matter who you are or whatever connection you have to this weekends game, please dig deep for Doddie Aid and help us move closer to a cure.

Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name5 Doddie Foundation, said: The Doddie Weir Cup is always a symbol of the special bond between these nations, and now a celebration of Doddies life and the impact his tireless campaigning continues to have.

Mark is an ambassador for all those in the MND community, and his powerful words remind us all why research into this disease is so vital.

Everybody can play their part in our pursuit of Doddies legacy  a world free of MND  by signing up for Doddie Aid even for these final few days. Every penny will make a difference.

Mark Williams said Doddie Weir continues to be an inspiration to the whole MND community (My Name5 Doddie Foundation/PA)

Scott Quinnell, the British and Irish Lion and captain of Team Wales for Doddie Aid, said: Doddie Weir did so much for the MND community, using his profile and personality to raise millions for vital research.

Its now up to us to finish what he started and fundraise so we can find a cure and end MND.

Mark is one of those who has picked up the baton. What hes done already has been absolutely incredible and he is an inspiration.

Doddie Aid is a five-week virtual mass-participation event which is the biggest fundraiser for My Name5 Doddie Foundation.

Since it began in 2020, the event has raised more than 4 million for MND research as a result of more than 80,000 participants covering four million miles.

For more information on Doddie Aid 2024 and to find out how to get involved, visit doddieaid.com or download the Doddie Aid app.
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has called for stronger border controls following the farce which he says allowed asylum-seeker Abdul Shokoor Ezedi to remain in the country before allegedly committing the Clapham chemical attack.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the Conservative MP for Newark says the case was a damning indictment of the countrys asylum system which he says allowed Afghan Ezedi to remain in the country on the wafer-thin claim of having converted to Christianity which would have put him under threat in his own country.

He wrote: Information is still emerging, but this case already raises serious questions for everyone in positions of authority. Why was Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, the lead suspect, not prevented from entering illegally in the first place back in 2016?

Why was he not instantly removed after he committed sexual assault, as per Home Office guidance? And why did an immigration judge ultimately grant him asylum on a wafer-thin claim and despite the Home Offices repeated protestations?

At each stage, the asylum system privileged the rights of an illegal immigrant, who committed serious crimes, over the fundamental right of the British public to feel safe and secure in their communities.

Mr Jenrick, who resigned from his ministerial position out of protest at the Prime Ministers handling of the Rwanda policy, added: Immigration judges should be applying forensic scrutiny to asylum claims relying on a damascene religious conversion, given that this widespread tactic is straight from the people smugglers playbook.

Until they shed their naivety and cautiousness, our grant rate will remain offensively high.

Mr Jenrick goes on to suggest that illegal immigration has brought with it increased crime rates, particularly around Albanian drug gangs.

He added: The lesson is to legislate for human nature, not a well-meaning but naive assumption of good faith. Strong border control is not cruel  as we keep seeing time after time, its a prerequisite of a safe society.

This case can be a watershed moment. Either you want this tragic farce to end, and are willing to pursue the tough measure necessary, or you dont. I know what side Im on.
A historic day has been hailed as devolved government is expected to return in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill is set to become the first nationalist first minister following a two-year political collapse.

MLAs will gather at Parliament Buildings at Stormont later on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

This is a day of historic change. I am determined to deliver for everyone as a First Minister for all. pic.twitter.com/VmqCYbROuT  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) February 3, 2024

In a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter, Ms ONeill pledged on Saturday morning to be a first minister for all.

This is a historic day, she said.

It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.

As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Westminster Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

2022 Stormont election results (PA Graphics)

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

Business will begin with the election of a Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

While Ms ONeill will take the first minister role due to Sinn Fein winning the most seats in the 2022 election, the DUP has not said who it will nominate for deputy first minister, although speculation is Emma Little-Pengelly could get the role.

A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments will then be filled, using the DHondt mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Jeffrey said: It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored.

Key among the priorities for new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.3 billion package to secure the regions finances when the Assembly returns, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims.

However, Sir Jeffrey indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

He added: The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.

Pleased to make into law the Stormont Brake mechanism  giving the Northern Ireland Assembly a powerful democratic safeguard. pic.twitter.com/Yahg2Dqwbl  Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) February 2, 2024

While Sir Jeffrey has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionists remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.

His deal with the Government commits to replacing the Windsor Frameworks green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires percentages of goods to be checked as they arrive from Great Britain, with a UK internal market system that will govern the movement of goods that remain within the United Kingdom.

Checks would still be carried out but on a risk-based/intelligence-led model to combat illegality and disease, rather than routine stops of disembarking lorries.

Businesses using the internal market system would also need to be signed up to a trusted trader scheme.
Here are answers to some of the key questions surrounding the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland.

 What is happening at Stormont on Saturday?

MLAs will return to Parliament Buildings in Belfast following a political impasse which has lasted for two years. Several previous attempts to restart devolved government have failed since the 2022 Assembly elections.

However, on this occasion the DUP has stated it will support the restoration of the powersharing executive, which needs the support of the largest parties in unionism and nationalism, to operate.

This will unlock the deadlock, allowing a new speaker to be elected and clearing the path for business to resume.

Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister (Niall Carson/PA)

Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister, while the DUP will fill the role of deputy first minister. The party has not yet confirmed who it will nominate, although speculation has suggested Emma Little-Pengelly could take the position.

Then a series of ministers will be appointed using the DHondt mechanism, which measures party strengths. Ministers will be appointed to departments of health, education, finance, economy, communities, infrastructure and agriculture, environment and rural affairs.

A justice minister will also be appointed on Saturday, although the rules are different for this department as the minister needs to have cross-community support.

Sinn Fein will be entitled to three ministries, the DUP and Alliance Party two and the Ulster Unionists one. The SDLP did not win enough Stormont seats to gain a ministry and will go into opposition.

Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle ONeill have said that Irish unity is within touching distance (Liam McBurney/PA)

 What is different this time?

At the 2022 Assembly election, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time. This means that their Stormont leader Michelle ONeill will make history as the first nationalist first minister in the regions history.

The republican party has emphasised that this is a moment of significance, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that their ultimate goal of Irish unity is now within touching distance.

However, under the rules of powersharing, the offices of first and deputy first minister, filled by the largest parties from the nationalist and unionist communities, have equal authority. All decisions are taken on a joint basis.

 What happens after Saturday?

The business of governing Northern Ireland will begin. A first meeting of the new powersharing executive will take place early next week followed by the first plenary session of the new Assembly. Party leaders from executive parties have already met to discuss the immediate priorities to be addressed.

Ministers will have bulging in-trays. Long periods without devolved government, combined with a series of budget crises in Stormont departments, have had a damaging impact on public services.

As part of the talks process which led to Stormonts return, the Government offered a 3.3 billion package to stabilise Northern Irelands finances, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims in the region.

Ministers will be expected to begin making decisions quickly to alleviate some of the pressures facing public services.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the powersharing executive two years ago in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements (Brian Lawless/PA)

 Why has there not been devolved government for the past two years?

During the Brexit divorce talks, former prime minister Boris Johnson negotiated the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU in order to ensure the continued free movement of goods on the island of Ireland.

However, this led to the requirement for checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was deeply unpopular with unionists, who described it as an Irish Sea border.

After feeling that the Government was not responding fast enough to his concerns, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the Stormont powersharing institutions when he withdrew Paul Givan as first minister two years ago.

In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak negotiated the Windsor Framework with the EU, introducing new rules on the movement of goods and a veto for the implementation of EU law in Northern Ireland.

However, Sir Jeffrey insisted this did not go far enough, leading to months of protracted negotiations that have culminated in the command paper Safeguarding The Union, published by the Government this week.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen negotiated the Windsor Framework in 2023 (Dan Kitwood/PA)

 Why has the DUP agreed to the deal?

Sir Jeffrey has insisted the new arrangements have removed the Irish Sea trading border and restored Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

The deal will see the end of routine post-Brexit checks on goods shipped from Great Britain to final destinations in Northern Ireland, as well as a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

The DUP leader says this is the best deal that could be achieved for the people of Northern Ireland and has persuaded him to end his boycott of the powersharing institutions.

Sir Jeffrey has long argued in favour of restoring devolved government, providing his concerns over post-Brexit trade and sovereignty were addressed.

 Does this represent a major change to the trading arrangements agreed with Brussels?

It depends who you listen to.

Sir Jeffrey says his party has delivered fundamental change to the Windsor Framework by ending routine checks on goods moving from Great Britain to, and staying in, Northern Ireland.

Downing Street, however, has insisted the measures unveiled on Wednesday and approved by MPs on Thursday do not require specific EU sign-off, characterising them instead as operational changes to the framework, without altering the fundamentals of the bilateral deal.

Around 120 people attended a meeting in protest at the DUPs deal with the Government in Co Tyrone on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

 Who is opposed to the DUP leaders move?

Not everyone in the DUP supports accepting the arrangements that will lead to a return to powersharing.

A meeting of the partys ruling executive, where Sir Jeffrey presented the proposals to members, lasted for more than five hours on Monday night.

He was ultimately able to secure the backing of the executive, insisting the margin of support was decisive, and the endorsement of the majority of his 12 party officers.

However, just hours after the command paper was published on Wednesday, senior DUP MP Sammy Wilson launched a scathing broadside against the Government in the House of Commons in a clear sign of the differing opinions at the highest levels of the party.

The arch-Brexiteer claimed the ongoing application of EU law in Northern Ireland was the result of a spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying Government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

On top of internal tensions, Sir Jeffrey faces criticism from some in the wider unionist and loyalist community.

On Thursday night, TUV leader Jim Allister and a loyalist activist addressed a meeting of unionists and loyalists opposed to Sir Jeffreys deal. They have insisted the Irish Sea trading border has not been removed.

On Friday, the pair revealed a legal opinion they had commissioned from Northern Irelands former attorney general John Larkin.

Key among the questions he was asked was whether the plan set out in the Safeguarding The Union command paper would restore the 1800 Acts of Union; whether they removed a customs and regulatory border in the Irish Sea; and do they ensure zero checks and zero paperwork for GB goods destined for Northern Ireland.

Mr Larkin argued that they achieved none of those objectives.

However, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey has rejected the findings of the legal opinion, stating that he fundamentally disagreed with it.
Police searching for alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi have released footage of empty containers with corrosive warnings being found by officers in a raid on an address in Newcastle.

Detectives have urged the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area  who is described as having very significant injuries to the right side of his face  to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be life-changing.

The injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are not likely to be life-changing.

Significant and important pieces of evidence were recovered in raids at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle, police said.

They include empty containers with corrosive warnings found at one address in Newcastle, which the new footage shows.

Forensic tests to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack are ongoing.

An empty container with corrosive warnings on the label recovered at an address in Newcastle (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The Metropolitan Police said it has received dozens of calls about the manhunt, including possible sightings of Ezedi.

The force also said it is working round the clock with British Transport Police, Northumbria Police, the National Crime Agency and Transport for London on the manhunt.

Commander Jon Savell said: The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace.

I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know.

We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.

I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.

I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him.

I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should not be approached.

Questions remain over how the suspect, who was granted asylum in the UK after two failed attempts, was able to stay in the country despite being convicted of a sex offence.

Ezedi, who is thought to have arrived in the UK from Afghanistan on the back of a lorry in 2016, claimed to have converted to Christianity, which would have put him at risk following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was handed a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9 2018 after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

He was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Handout CCTV image dated 31/01/24 issued by the Metropolitan Police of Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham alkaline substance attack, at Kings Cross underground station at 2100. Issue date: Friday February 2, 2024.

Prime Minster Rishi Sunaks spokesman said on Friday that the PM does not think foreign criminals should be able to stay in the UK.

It has been reported that the suspect was able to gain asylum after claiming he had converted to Christianity.

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement it had found nothing to suggest he had become a Catholic but checks were continuing.

It said: Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims of this appalling attack in south London.

The diocese confirmed that Ezedi visited our diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, a charitable venture which assists a wide range of people who come to us in need.

It added: After checking local parish records and central records and after consulting with clergy we have no indication that Abdul Ezedi was received into the Catholic faith in this diocese or that a Catholic priest of this diocese gave him a reference.

We do not know which Christian church received him nor which Christian minister gave him a reference.

The project says on its website that it gives food, toiletries and clothes to vulnerable people.

It does not get involved with any asylum claims clients may be pursuing, it is understood.

(PA Graphics)

The PA news agency understands that Ezedi visited it recently.

The Church of England said it is currently not aware of any links to its churches, with a spokesperson adding that it is the role of the Home Office, and not the church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.

The case has echoes of that of Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, who died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital.

He also claimed to be a Christian convert to support his asylum claim.

At a press conference on Friday, Mr Savell urged the suspect to hand himself in.

He said: Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

A CCTV image of Abdul Ezedi at Kings Cross Tube station (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Weve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.

His brother Hassan Ezedi told The Sun newspaper he would hand the suspect in if he knew where he was.

The wanted man left Newcastle in the very, very early hours of Wednesday and travelled south to the capital and was in the Tooting area by around 6.30am, police say.

His vehicle was seen again in Croydon, south London, at around 4.30pm and by around 7pm he was in Streatham.

Ezedi allegedly threw the younger child to the ground during the attack at 7.25pm, before attempting to drive away from the scene, crashing into a stationary vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Minutes later he boarded a tube at Clapham South Underground station, and by 8pm he was at Kings Cross tube station.

At 8.42pm, Ezedi was captured on CCTV in Tesco on the Caledonian Road, pictured with a fairly significant facial injury buying a bottle of water, before leaving and heading right.

He got on a Victoria line Tube at 9pm heading south, the last confirmed sighting.

Police say three members of the public who came to the aid of the family during Wednesdays attack, two in their 30s and one in her 50s, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

Police at the scene of an incident near Clapham Common, south London on Wednesday night (PA)

Five officers who responded to the incident were also treated and have now left hospital.

As well as the 11 people taken to hospital, a man in his 50s, who also helped, declined hospital treatment for minor injuries, police said.
Search for alkali attack suspect continues after last sighting at Kings Cross

The search for suspected chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi is in its third day as police say he was last seen at Londons Kings Cross Tube station before boarding a southbound Victoria line train.

Police have urged the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area  who is described as having very significant injuries to the right side of his face  to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be life-changing.

The injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are not likely to be life-changing.

Questions remain over how the suspect, who was granted asylum in the UK after two failed attempts, was able to stay in the country despite being convicted of a sex offence.

Ezedi, who is thought to have arrived in the UK from Afghanistan on the back of a lorry in 2016, claimed to have converted to Christianity, which would have put him at risk following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was handed a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9 2018 after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

He was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

A CCTV image of Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham attack, at Kings Cross Underground station (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Prime Minster Rishi Sunaks spokesman said on Friday that the PM does not think foreign criminals should be able to stay in the UK.

It has been reported that the suspect was able to gain asylum after claiming he had converted to Christianity.

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement it had found nothing to suggest he had become a Catholic but checks were continuing.

It said: Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims of this appalling attack in south London.

The diocese confirmed that Ezedi visited our diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, a charitable venture which assists a wide range of people who come to us in need.

It added: After checking local parish records and central records and after consulting with clergy we have no indication that Abdul Ezedi was received into the Catholic faith in this diocese or that a Catholic priest of this diocese gave him a reference.

We do not know which Christian church received him nor which Christian minister gave him a reference.

The project says on its website that it gives food, toiletries and clothes to vulnerable people.

It does not get involved with any asylum claims clients may be pursuing, it is understood.

(PA Graphics)

The PA news agency understands that Ezedi visited it recently and that nothing in the last few years of records suggest he had converted to Catholicism.

The Church of England said it is currently not aware of any links to its churches, with a spokesperson adding that it is the role of the Home Office, and not the church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.

The case has echoes of that of Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, who died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital.

He also claimed to be a Christian convert to support his asylum claim.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell told reporters outside Scotland Yard on Friday that significant and important pieces of evidence were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

Two empty containers labelled with corrosive warnings were found at an address in Newcastle, and forensic tests are checking if they held the substance used during the attack.

Mr Savell said: In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, weve got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

Were working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

Last night (Thursday), five search warrants were executed  two in east London and three up in Newcastle. Weve recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.

Making a direct appeal to Ezedi, Mr Savell said: Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

A CCTV image of Abdul Ezedi at Kings Cross Tube station (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Weve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.

His brother Hassan Ezedi told The Sun newspaper he would hand the suspect in if he knew where he was.

The wanted man left Newcastle in the very, very early hours of Wednesday and travelled south to the capital and was in the Tooting area by around 6.30am, police say.

His vehicle was seen again in Croydon, south London, at around 4.30pm and by around 7pm he was in Streatham.

Ezedi allegedly threw the younger child to the ground during the attack at 7.25pm, before attempting to drive away from the scene, crashing into a stationary vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Minutes later he boarded a tube at Clapham South Underground station, and by 8pm he was at Kings Cross tube station.

At 8.42pm, Ezedi was captured on CCTV in Tesco on the Caledonian Road, pictured with a fairly significant facial injury buying a bottle of water, before leaving and heading right.

He got on a Victoria line Tube at 9pm heading south, the last confirmed sighting.

Police say three members of the public who came to the aid of the family during Wednesdays attack, two in their 30s and one in her 50s, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

Police at the scene of an incident near Clapham Common, south London on Wednesday night (PA)

Five officers who responded to the incident were also treated and have now left hospital.

One witness to the attack, bus driver Shannon Christi, told the PA news agency she was affected by the substance while trying to help the woman and two children outside her home.

She told of seeing a man throwing a child on the floor, before hearing the mother saying: I cant see, I cant see.

As well as the 11 people taken to hospital, a man in his 50s, who also helped, declined hospital treatment for minor injuries, police said.

Bilal Khan, owner of Billys Garage in Byker, near where Ezedi had lived, said the wanted man had been persistent when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Mr Khan said: He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesnt let things go easily.

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house.
The search for suspected chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi has entered its third day as police follow up on significant and important evidence found in searches.

Police have called for the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area  who is described as having very significant injuries to the right side of his face  to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be life-changing.

The injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are not likely to be life-changing.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell told reporters outside Scotland Yard on Friday that significant and important pieces of evidence were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

Two empty containers labelled with corrosive warnings were found at an address in Newcastle, and forensic tests are checking if they held the substance used during the attack.

Mr Savell said: In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, weve got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

Were working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

Last night, five search warrants were executed  two in east London and three up in Newcastle. Weve recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.

Making a direct appeal to Ezedi, Mr Savell said: Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

Weve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.

The wanted man left Newcastle in the very, very early hours of Wednesday and travelled south to the capital and was in the Tooting area by around 6.30am, police say.

There was a further sighting of his vehicle at about 4.30pm in Croydon and by about 7pm he was in Streatham.

Ezedi also allegedly threw the younger child to the ground during the attack at 7.25pm, before attempting to drive away from the scene, crashing into a stationary vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Minutes later he boarded a tube at Clapham South underground station, and by 8pm he was at Kings Cross tube station.

At 8.42pm, Ezedi was captured on CCTV in Tesco on the Caledonian Road, pictured with a fairly significant facial injury buying a bottle of water, before leaving and heading right.

He got on a Victoria line tube at 9pm heading south, the last confirmed sighting.

Fridays update came after it emerged Ezedi, who is believed to be from Afghanistan, was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and given a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on January 9 of that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

Ezedi was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was granted asylum after two failed attempts, having reportedly travelled to the UK on a lorry in 2016, it is believed.

(PA Graphics)

Ezedi was allowed to stay in the country after a priest confirmed he had converted to Christianity and was wholly committed to his new religion, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.

An asylum seeker can claim asylum in the UK on the basis of religious persecution in their native country.

It is not yet known which Christian denomination the person who reportedly assisted Ezedi was from.

The Church of England said it is currently not aware of any links to its churches, with a spokesperson adding that it is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.

In November 2021, Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital.

He went to considerable lengths to stay in the UK, including converting to Christianity to support his failed asylum claim.

Police say three members of the public who came to the aid of the family during Wednesdays attack, two in their 30s and one in her 50s, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

Five officers who responded to the incident were also treated and have now left hospital.

One witness to the attack, bus driver Shannon Christi, told the PA news agency she was affected by the substance while trying to help the woman and two children outside her home.

She told of seeing a man throwing a child on the floor, before hearing the mother saying: I cant see, I cant see.

As well as the 11 people taken to hospital, a man in his 50s, who also helped, declined hospital treatment for minor injuries, police said.

Bilal Khan, owner of Billys Garage in Byker, near where Ezedi had lived, said the wanted man had been persistent when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Mr Khan said: He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesnt let things go easily.

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who described the attack as appalling, said: My thoughts are with them (the victims) and the brave members of the public and police who intervened.

I urge the public to support the Metropolitan Polices appeal and to come forward if they have any information.
Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters gathered in Edinburgh on Saturday in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Carrying Palestinian flags and placards, they marched from Edinburgh Castle down the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament, shouting slogans such as: No Justice, No Peace, and: Ceasefire now!

Arranged by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, spokesperson Mick Napier said: Israel needs to act on last weeks Order of the World Court, which requires that it take measures to prevent further genocide, and stop preventing aid getting to the two million people of Gaza. The only way that is possible is with an immediate ceasefire, which is what we are calling for.

While the Scottish Parliament has at least called for a ceasefire, the UK Government, as usual, has been entirely complicit in Israels crimes.

We need to increase the pressure on (Prime Minister Rishi) Sunak so that the UK stops facilitating the genocide.

The march was organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Lauren Gilmour/PA)

It took around half an hour for marchers to arrive at Holyrood, with deputy general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress Linda Somerville saying it was very rare for the area of grass, that had been designated as a demonstration area, to be filled.

Addressing those gathered, Ms Somerville said: Very rarely, despite the fact this building has been opened now for a number of years, do we ever see it filled. Thank you for coming today to do this.

Israel is deliberately targeting women and children  the most hideous form of oppression and torture of a nation.

Today, I bring you the support and solidarity of the STUC, on behalf of Scotlands trade unions.

When the October 7 attack on Israel happened, the STUC along with many trade unions were some of the first organisations to condemn the attack, and condemn Israels cruel response in cutting off supplies.

The demonstration called for an immediate ceasefire (Lauren Gilmour/PA)

We called for humanitarian aid to be let in and pledged our support for the people of Palestine.

This is not new  trade unions have a long and proud history of standing with Palestine.

In an emotionally charged speech, Dr Eman El Bahnassawy, a Palestinian who now works as an orthodontist in Edinburgh, said: Israel has enjoyed killing my people, displacing my family and wiping out generations of Palestinians, erasing villages, history, culture and tradition.

Shame on them.

We are empowered by uncovering the complicity and the abating of this genocide by governments like the USA and the UK.

Dr El Bahnassawy told the crowd her 79-year-old mother remains in Gaza.

She said: She is losing weight, she is exhausted, she is running out of her medication.

The 2.3 million Palestinians who have been displaced are running out of luxuries.

Toilets are a luxury, womens sanitary products are a luxury.

Where are all the feminists now?

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard also addressed the crowd at the demonstration.

He said: I can say without any hesitation that you here today, you represent the people of this city, the people of this country, in demanding there is justice for Palestine.

Crowds gathered outside the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh for the demonstration (Lauren Gilmour/PA)

Mr Sheppard said the pausing of UK funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) was an outrage and could not stand.

He urged those gathered to make a record of what people say and what people do in the lead-up to this years general election.

The MP added: We demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

We demand the release of all prisoners and hostages and we demand the beginning of a new political process to ensure the Palestinian people have recognition and justice.

Earlier this week, Britain said future funding for a UN relief agency that helps Palestinians hinges on the outcome of inquiries into allegations that staff took part in the October 7 attack on Israel.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the UNRWA is critical to delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza and the region, but added the UK is appalled by the allegations of agency staff being involved in the atrocities.

The UK joined the US, Australia, Italy and other countries in pausing funding for UNRWA after it sacked a number of staff accused of taking part in the October attack.

The funding pause has sparked concerns about the impact the decision will have on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the Israeli bombardment continues.

People during a pro-Palestine march in Edinburgh, organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Lauren Gilmour/PA)

The row over funding for UNRWA comes amid rising tension in the Middle East after a drone attack on Sunday killed three US troops and injured dozens more in north-eastern Jordan, near the Syrian border.

Several opposition MPs have pressed the UK Government to suspend arms sales to Israel following an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa, but it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.
President Joe Biden is anticipated to take the lion's share of South Carolina's 55 delegates in the state's 2024 Democratic primary on Saturday.

But observers will be closely parsing the results as Democrats gauge signs of strength or weakness for the president with his base heading into a likely November rematch with former President Donald Trump as both candidates struggle with poor approval and favorability ratings.

South Carolina proved crucial to Biden, reviving his 2020 bid after disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. He and his party then rewarded the state by shaking up the nominating calendar to have South Carolina go first this year.

This time, he faces two long shot challengers who have not yet gained much traction in the polls or with voters.

Here are three things to watch in South Carolina's primary.

How big is Biden's win, and who turns out

Biden is facing opposition from little-known Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and author Marianne Williamson, so anything less than a major victory by a major margin could spark hand-wringing from his Democratic supporters that he is already being rejected by some of the same voters he'll need to win in November.

But a solid performance could underscore party unity behind the president despite his polling issues.

MORE: Former Presidents Obama, Clinton to support Biden at campaign event

Still, some Democrats have warned against reading too much into turnout or the size of Biden's expected victory as a barometer for his popularity -- noting that this year's primary is not "seriously contested" between major candidates, especially compared to Biden's 2020 win, when several serious contenders were fighting for the nomination.

PHOTO: Rep. Jim Clyburn introduces President Biden, right, at the South Carolina Democratic Party's First-in-the-Nation Dinner, Jan. 27, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (Meg Kinnard/AP, FILE)

Beyond raw turnout, though, some Democrats did say they're watching what kind of voters go to the polls, hoping that a cross-section of the party will show up for the president.

"I don't think you can reasonably measure the success of Biden by the numbers because it's not a seriously contested race," said South Carolina Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright. "And so, this race is obviously a lot different, and there are a lot of dynamics in this race that did not exist in the last race. So I think a win is a win, but more or less, I think a diverse turnout is a big win for Biden. And when I say diverse, not just Black, but gender diverse, geographically diverse, diversity of thought is also important, too."

A test for Black voters -- and Jim Clyburn

Biden's 2020 South Carolina primary win was fueled largely by Black voters, who are a big part of the state's electorate. The demographic is likely to be key for him again this year and is historically key for Democratic victories.

But how many Black voters again cast ballots for Biden? Some polls show Trump ticking up his low support among Black voters and while Trump isn't running on Saturday, the results will give some indication of how many Black residents are still voting for Democrats compared to cycles past.

Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their campaign surrogates have sought to shore up support with those voters with multiple trips to South Carolina, considered a proving ground for politicians with Black voters.

Seawright said he expects Biden to perform well with Black voters but the results could be illuminating in other ways.

"I think more than anything, the campaign and the administration will have an opportunity to learn from the exit polls of the things that Black voters care about, in terms of the deliverables that this president has done," he said.

The primary will also serve to underscore the continued sway of Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., a member of House Democratic leadership who has been a big booster of Biden in the state -- including with a 2020 endorsement during what was then a low moment for Biden's campaign.

"I think he's proven his network and his net worth when it comes to this president in particular, and just Democratic politics," said Seawright, who is close with Clyburn.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks at South Carolina's First in the Nation dinner at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., Jan. 27, 2024. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP, FILE)

What does it mean for Phillips and Williamson?

Meanwhile, Phillips and Williamson are not really registering in their own bids. Neither was able to gain much traction with voters against Biden in New Hampshire, where he only appeared as a write-in candidate but still won with more than 63% of the ballots -- and now they're facing off against him in a state more tailor-made to his strengths.

One recent poll tracked by 538 showed Biden ahead by more than 50 points.

MORE: Democratic Biden challenger Dean Phillips asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to put him on ballot

Still, their ongoing campaigns serve as a contrast to Biden -- and an annoyance to many of his allies -- as he pushes to rally the party entirely behind him while Phillips argues the electorate needs a new, younger candidate to take on Trump.

Some party operatives said they are eager for a knockout blow to help persuade Phillips and Williamson to exit the race.

"More than anything, I hope that Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson ... will understand the urgency and importance of unity going forward after the South Carolina primary," Seawright said.

3 things to watch in South Carolina's Democratic primary originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
OSHA Cites Plumbing Contractor for Safety Failures After Fatal Employee Accident

K&D Plumbing Inc. faces $184,387 in proposed penalties for six serious violations.

K&D Plumbing Inc.a plumbing contractor based in Silver Creek, Ga.faces OSHA citations following the death of a 34-year-old employee at a Rome, Ga. work site in June 2023.

According to a recent release, the employee was part of a three-person crew working at Armuchee High School when they entered a manhole to clear a sewer line blockage. The result was a 20-foot fall compounded by exposure to a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gasmeasured at 1,910 parts per million (ppm)far exceeding OSHA's permissible limit of 20 ppm.

OSHA's findings indicated that K&D Plumbing willfully neglected to establish a confined space entry program, which should have included air testing and proper ventilation. The company was cited for six serious violations and proposed penalties totaling $184,387. These include inadequate trench egress, improper controls for water accumulation, failure to inspect the trench by a competent person and failure to ensure safe storage of excavated soil and piping.

K&D Plumbings failure to adhere to industry guidelines resulted in a preventable loss of life, said OSHA Area Office Director Jeffery Stawowy in Atlanta-West. Implementing safety controls and training employees to recognize and avoid hazards is every employers responsibility.

K&D Plumbing Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before an independent commission.
Michael Zervos visited with Hometown Life in downtown Northville just a few days before embarking on his trip around the world.

NORTHVILLE, Mich.  Michael Zervos intends to travel the globe in a record-breaking journey of happiness.

After a year of planning, Zervos, 35, recently set out to break a Guinness World Record by traveling to every country in the world, one after the next, faster than anyone's done it before. The current record is held by Taylor Demonbreun of Alabama, who in 2018 achieved the feat in 554 days.

Since his departure on Jan. 17, Zervos has been to Russia and Turkey. He's currently making his way through Africa, one country at a time.

But Project Kosmos, as Zervos calls the epic adventure, is about more than a globetrotting trip focused on how fast he can get in and out of the 193 United Nations countries, plus two "observer states," that Guinness says a person must visit for a shot at the record.

Along the way, he also plans to film snippets of happiness and share those stories with the world on his Instagram page.

I realized I did not want to just travel and break this record if that was the only thing I was getting out of it, just the thrills, he said. I wanted to get something I could share with other people. I wanted to create art out of it."

So he thought: "What is something that I could ask people? What is something valuable I could learn from this that will outlast the record?"

Records, he knew from the beginning, are meant to be broken.

After auditioning a number of queries with friends and strangers, Zervos finally decided on the one question hell ask people across the globe: What is the happiest moment of your life?

A long state of creative depression

Michael Zervos traveled the world extensively before embarking on his mission to break a Guinness World Record.

For Zervos, a 2006 graduate of Northville High School in Michigan, inspiration for his trip around the world came gradually.

After college  his mother says he was practically born with a camera in his hands  he started a filmmaking company and has since lived in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas.

Things went well in the early years, but over time he found himself falling into what he calls a long state of creative depression, or just straight up depression.

Maybe five or six years ago, I traded my creativity, my passion, for a paycheck, he said. I was doing a lot of cut-and-dry Fortune 500 commercials, where you can close your eyes and just envision what executives are going to say before you even walk in. And when you get on set, you could probably do some of these commercials sleepwalking.

Its a good living. You can retire on it, but it wasn't fulfilling.

Then the pandemic hit, and things got worse. The film industry shut down, no one wanted to talk about new projects, and Zervos found himself at his lowest point.

It was around that time he read about Anderson Dias, a Brazilian who visited every country in the world and claimed he beat the time of Demonbreun, although that record has not been recognized by Guinness.

"I thought, Man, that is such a cool thing. You're going to countries you may not have a reason to go to, and you're challenging yourself beyond anything you've ever dreamed you could do, Zervos said.

Zervos, who had previously traveled to 55 countries, jumped out of airplanes, eaten bugs in the Amazon during a survival week, and gone on numerous other adventures, was ready for more.

I enjoy the aspect of learning that traveling provides, and I also like culture shocks, he said, noting that, in order to qualify for the record, hell need to visit those 55 countries again. I like to challenge my worldview by looking from the outside in, and that's what traveling gives me.

The happiness question

After struggling with his own depression, Zervos knew he wanted to talk to others around the world about the joy they've found in everyday life.

Michael Zervos visited with Hometown Life, part of the USA TODAY Network, in downtown Northville, Mich. a few days before embarking on his trip around the world.

I know a lot of Gen Z and millennials are experiencing the same thing, he said. They have the world, but they don't have their happiness."

The questions Zervos tested on friends and strangers included, for example, "What makes you happy? or What is happiness?

Those, he found, evoked general answers like family, money or success.

Then I found that middle ground of What is the happiest moment of your life? he said. That makes somebody their own storyteller. I've asked now a hundred people this just in the States, and I've realized that people are quite animated when they pull out from themselves a story that evokes such a powerful feeling like happiness.

And so what started as a thought experiment became the foundation of a plan to break a record and create art. Project Kosmos was born.

Hardest countries first

From his experience flying around the globe to shoot movies, Zervos knew he'd have the most energy at the beginning of his trip.

I wanted to start with the hardest countries first, the ones that were going to be the most rigorous when it comes to travel, he said. Africa is by far the hardest to traverse. The infrastructure is really tough, flights are sparse. Traveling across borders by land can be unsafe, so you have to know when and where. Then there's disease, malaria and meningitis.

To help facilitate safety and fund the trip, Zervos lined up a number of sponsors, including Moosejaw, a Michigan outdoor retailer who provided the backpack and gear he will carry throughout the trip, along with some financial support.

Other sponsors include iVisa, who helped secure 69 visas, and Untamed Borders, a company that will see him into some of the more inaccessible countries on his itinerary.

They're taking me into countries like Turkmenistan or Eritrea or Guinea-Bissau or Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said.

The U.S. Department of State currently has travel advisories warning Americans of dangers related to political instability, crime, terrorism and other threats in those and many other countries.

After visiting the 54 countries of Africa, he plans to head to the Middle East, then through parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands before heading back around through New Zealand. From there, hell head to Australia and then back into southern and central Asia before heading into Europe.

That's kind of the halfway point, Zervos said, noting he intends to conclude the European part of the tour in Portugal, then head to Brazil and into South America, the Caribbean and Canada before finally coming back to the U.S.

In each country, he expects to stay from one to five days and has made some  but not all  arrangements ahead of time.

I'll be going camping in Yurts in Turkmenistan outside of this massive flaming pit that's called the Gate of Hell, he said. I'm camping with the Dinka people in South Sudan.

A scientist in Angola, he said, has invited him to tour a geological site.

Even though he'll be staying just a short time in each place, Zervos isn't worried about missing out on the whole experience of any one country.

This is about people and collecting their stories, he said. I will never know a country if I spend a month or two months there. Some of these countries are so complicated, they have a hundred different languages. It's not the purpose for my trip, but Im hoping it'll give me an idea of the places I want to revisit later.

For Christmas, Michael Zervos' parents gave him a world map that hangs in the library of their Novi, Mich. home. Every time he visits a new country, they'll put a gold pin in the map.

Back home

For Christmas, Michael Zervos' parents, Mary and Angelo Zervos, gave him a large map of the world that currently hangs in the library of their Novi home. Every time he visits a new country, they'll put a gold pin in the map.

Mary Zervos knows the eldest of their four adult children  she calls him an old soul  has prepared thoroughly, as he always does.

His itinerary, visas, sponsorships, currency, packing, vaccinations, travel insurance and more were all lined up and triple-checked before he left. Still, it has been an emotional few months that culminated when they dropped him at the airport on Jan. 17.

It was a really tough day, but I tried to be strong for him, Mary said through tears, noting it was hard to even look at her son for fear she'd break down. But shed given Michael her blessing, as he requested. I told him to come home safe and sound, and I told him I knew he was going to break the record."

Once he is back home, Zervos hopes his trip will resonate through the stories of happiness around the world.

I'm going to break the record, but then somebody else is going to break it, he said. That won't matter so much afterwards because I'm hoping that my contribution to help other people will be meaningful.

There's so much negativity and suffering and jealousy and FOMO and politics and animosity on social media. I'm hoping that if my stories pop up in your feed on Instagram or on TikTok, that it can make you smile and it can remind you that it doesn't matter who you are or where you are in the world, that happiness is accessible to you.

Follow Michael Zervos adventure on Instagram @theprojectkosmos or on his website at www.project-kosmos.com.

This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Michigan man aims to break Guinness record for fastest world travel
By Jeff Mason

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made a joint stop at their 2024 campaign headquarters on Saturday to rally staff and supporters ahead of a challenging re-election bid that is likely to pit them against former President Donald Trump.

The Democratic leaders and re-election candidates were joined by their respective spouses, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff at the office in Wilmington, Delaware, which is near the Bidens' family home.

The president, 81, is expected to face Trump, 77, the far-and-away frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in a rematch that Americans largely do not want.

"Im feeling good about where we are, I really am," Biden told staff and supporters at his campaign headquarters.

Biden has painted Trump, who faces multiple criminal charges, including for efforts to overturn the 2020 election that he lost to the current president, as a threat to democracy.

Trump has portrayed Biden as overseeing a nation in decline.

A race between them is expected to be close, highlighting deep-seated divisions in the United States and disagreements about everything from Trump's chaotic presidency to the two candidates' respective policies on immigration and abortion.

Biden's re-election bid goes before voters for the first time on Saturday when Democrats hold their inaugural 2024 primary in South Carolina.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Thousands of volunteers across the country spent a night in January canvassing their communities to look for people who may be experiencing homelessness, as part of the government's annual Point-in-Time count.

The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and its results can be used alongside other factors to determine funding. But those estimates have often not been accurate, some experts told ABC News.

"We only have one day to get a snapshot of the homeless population," said Hannah Anderson with the YWCA, a Point-in-Time count organizer in Snohomish County, Washington. "You can't be accurate when you're counting people for one day."

An ABC News analysis found that methods and resources vary from community to community, producing an inconsistent, piecemeal account that even HUD acknowledges underestimates the number of unhoused people.

"The picture that HUD is getting, and that Congress is getting, and that the public is getting, isn't as clear as it could be and should be," said Eric Tars of the National Homelessness Law Center.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge told ABC News in an interview that the count is just a sampling of the country's homelessness crisis.

"It's not an exact science," she said, noting that if methodologies change from year to year, it could cause problems.

"There's no other way at this point for us to count all of the homeless people, so we just do a sample," she added.

Still, Fudge said HUD is considering ways to improve the process, noting that the agency does "believe that there are some better ways to do it."

PHOTO: HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge told ABC News that the Point-in-Time count is a sample, not an exact science. (ABC News)

On Monday, Fudge announced HUD's largest funding award of its kind: $3.1 billion to homeless services providers across the country that will fund more than 7,000 projects. The recipients entered HUD's funding competition last year with extensive applications that included their Point-in-Time count results, among other metrics.

'Doesn't seem like it makes much sense'

Homelessness experts and institutions have been raising concerns about the Point-in-Time count for years.

Still, guidance surrounding the count has remained largely the same since it was first implemented in the mid-2000s. At least every other year, each community receiving HUD funding must conduct a Point-in-Time count in January, a time when people may crowd into homes with friends or family as much as possible to escape the cold.

"We wish that we could do [Point-in-Time] count when homelessness is at its highest, which tends to be early fall," said Maggie Thomas, a homeless services provider in Kansas City, Missouri. "But HUD says we do it in January, so we do it in January."

HUD Secretary Fudge told ABC News she doesn't know why the agency requires the count to be conducted in January, but that it will continue this practice for the time being.

"It doesn't seem like it makes a lot of sense, because it's cold, it's hard to find people, people are inside," Fudge said. "But that's what has always historically been done. And we just continue to do it the way it's always been done."

Aside from the timing, not much is standardized about the count: Organizations gather the data in different ways, with some more prone to undercounting than others, advocates for the homeless say.

"The data may not be consistent across jurisdictions, or even within a single jurisdiction from year to year," Tars said. "That makes it a little bit more challenging to draw meaningful data and trends from what's collected."

Countless ways to count

ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations' data team reached out to hundreds of Point-in-Time count organizers across the country to get a clearer picture of the scale of homelessness  and how they measure it  in their communities.

Of the several dozen coordinators that answered, most said they relied on volunteers to conduct their counts and about one in 10 said they used only hired staff or temporary workers.

The number of people conducting the counts ranged from 15 in Huntsville, Alabama, to 1,500 in San Diego.

Even in regions comparable in population, the numbers of counters varied drastically. Suburban DuPage County, Illinois, and Bergen County, New Jersey, have almost the same population and relatively similar estimates of people experiencing homelessness. But while DuPage County has about 100 volunteers for its Point-in-Time counts, Bergen County has 20 to cover a similar area.

"They can only count as many people as they have eyes to count with," Tars said.

Most count organizers said they use surveys, and a third said they tally individuals who appeared to be living on the streets, often together with another method. About one in 10 said they estimate the number of people they aren't able to find based on the sample they count.

Volunteers in St. Charles County, Missouri, reach more people than they can on foot by calling everyone on their housing prioritization list.

Across the state, Thomas and her team outside Kansas City work with law enforcement to find people.

"They tend to know, even if we don't know, where homeless encampments are," Thomas said.

Some communities use technology like mapping software to assist in their counts. Broward County, Florida, even uses drones to find encampments.

At the same time, many communities don't have access to advanced technology and may not have the resources to search as thoroughly.

"The night that I was out we didn't count anybody," Tars said of one Philadelphia Point-in-Time count, adding that he drove through neighborhoods that typically have people experiencing homelessness. "We just couldn't see them from the windows of our cars, and so they didn't get counted."

Some groups are more likely to be missed in these counts, advocates say. These include people living outside, and those who are more likely to be incarcerated, such as Black men and other people of color. People experiencing homelessness in rural areas are also more vulnerable to undercounts, because they can be more difficult to find.

Oftentimes, Point-in-Time count organizers tell volunteers to avoid dark alleys, underpasses and parks for their own safety  but people experiencing homelessness are likely to stay in those places, especially in areas with laws criminalizing homelessness, advocates say.

In 2017, the National Homelessness Law Center published a report called, "Don't Count on it: How the HUD Point-in-Time Count Underestimates the Homelessness Crisis in America." The report cited estimates that the true scale of homelessness falls between 2.5 and 10.2 times what the Point-in-Time count suggests.

The report included recommendations for HUD to improve the count, like coordinating more consistent methods and using estimation techniques to address undercounts. Tars said he hasn't seen a direct response from HUD to the concerns raised in the report.

In 2020 and 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office made similar recommendations, including checking the quality of Point-in-Time count methodologies and giving communities more detailed instructions on using sampling techniques and administrative data to improve their counts' accuracy.

In an emailed statement to ABC News, a HUD spokesperson wrote that the agency has examined other suggestions, such as conducting a count more than once per year, but has determined that many of these ideas would require significantly more federal and local resources.

Of the organizations that responded to ABC's survey, just over a quarter said they regularly conduct or have previously conducted additional counts, either at a different time of year or to measure a specific subpopulation, such as youth experiencing homelessness.

For now, HUD says that the count "is the only national dataset that captures both people sleeping in shelters or temporary housing as well as people who are sleeping in unsheltered locations."

True scale of the problem

One community has developed its own way to try to count its homeless population more accurately. In Seattle, Owen Kajfasz uses administrative data from service providers and advanced research techniques to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness on an average day over the course of a year.

In 2022, that number came out to 53,532  nearly four times that year's Point-in-Time count of 13,700 people. While the organization still has to report the smaller number to HUD, Kajfasz said he uses the larger number in local and state communications and advocacy.

"It's really important to be able to look at what the true scale of the problem is so that we can better allocate resources to it," Kajfasz said.

PHOTO: Owen Kajfasz uses administrative data and research techniques to estimate the number of people who are homeless on an average day in King County, Wash. (Jared Kofsky/ABC News)

Kajfasz added that homelessness is fundamentally a housing and economic problem.

"Homelessness, ultimately, is a pretty easy math equation," he said. "We have more people than housing units, so people cannot all be inside in homes."

Last week, Harvard researchers released a study finding that half of American renters  a record 22.4 million households  spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing in 2022. They also found that the country's supply of low-cost rentals dropped by about 23 percent over the last decade, with two million fewer units under $600 a month by 2022.

The outcome of this equation has been a sharp increase in homelessness: Despite accounting for only a fraction of true homelessness, Point-in-Time count estimates have been growing across the country in recent years.

Tars said the Point-in-Time count can help uncover patterns like the recent increase in homelessness, but that he hasn't seen a federal response to this trend.

"What good are these numbers in the first place, if Congress isn't going to react to them in the way and at the scale that we actually need to start pushing those numbers back down again?" Tars asked.

In an emailed statement to ABC News, a HUD spokesperson wrote that "HUD does use the Point-in-Time count as one data source to inform the Presidents Budget requests to Congress, and it is also factored in alongside others as one of the data points used for some funding formulas."

But while the federal government provides resources for addressing homelessness, Fudge said it is up to local governments to implement solutions.

In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee said his administration is working to clear roadside encampments and get more people into emergency shelters. He told ABC News' Jaclyn Lee that the state's homelessness crisis stems from an influx of people and a lack of housing.

"We have had some zoning rules that were overly restrictive," Inslee said. "We've changed our zoning laws now where we have more places to actually build."

Homelessness is not a new problem in Washington, but Inslee said most residents didn't notice it in their daily lives until the last few years when it became more visible with encampments. Now, as people see more encampments, he said there is more public will to act.

"You have to sort of go with what the people feel," Inslee said.

'Their voices need to be heard too'

North of Seattle, volunteers in Snohomish County packed bags with coats and socks to hand out on a cloudy January day as they surveyed community members experiencing homelessness.

"Their voices need to be heard too," said Matt Lawrence of the YWCA.

For Mindy Woods, participating in the Point-in-Time count is personal.

"I was unhoused 12 years ago, and I've been in a YWCA shelter," she said. "This is why I do it."

PHOTO: Mindy Woods lived in a YWCA shelter when she experienced homelessness, and she now volunteers with the organization to conduct the Point-in-Time count. (ABC News)

Tars said it's important to make the Point-in-Time count more accurate, but "at the end of the day, what we need is Congress to act and get the resources to communities so that people aren't on the streets to be counted in the first place."

"Housing's a basic need," Woods said. "We are stronger as a community when everybody has a safe, stable place to call home."

'You can't be accurate': Annual count of US homeless population misses large numbers of people, experts warn originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Staff Sgt. Dean Fox/U.S. Army - Wikimedia Commons

A report on Balkan media claims that Kuwait may have begun transferring some or all of the 149 M-84AB tanks it purchased from the former Yugoslavia back to the Croatian Djuro Djakovic factory where they were first assembled in the 1980s. There, theyll supposedly receive refurbishingand possibly upgradesbefore going to battle against Russian forces invading Ukraine.

Reports of the arrangement appeared in Serbian media, and six of the tan-colored Kuwaiti M-84ABs have reportedly been seen transported on trailer trucks through Slovenia to Croatia. However, the alleged transfer has not been confirmed by the involved parties.

It is also reported that 6 M-84/T-72 tanks were spotted at the Barje transfer point in the Slovenian city of Ljubljana about 4 days ago.



It is worth noting the desert camouflage of the tank, which most likely alludes to Kuwait, which, according to recent rumors, was supposed pic.twitter.com/e8HAxrfTtp  Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) January 30, 2024

If the report is accurate, that will be these tanks second war to liberate territory from an invading army bent on conquest. In 1991, they were used by exiled Kuwaiti troops to help liberate their country from Iraqi occupation.

The M-84 was Yugoslavias license-built take on the Soviet Unions mainstay T-72 tank. That means it would be relatively easy for Ukraine to integrate into service, as it already operates many different T-72 variants.

A major M-84 transfer could be a shot in the arm for Ukraines forces, as deliveries of Western tanks slow down entering the third year of Russias full-scale invasion. Furthermore, Kuwaits M-84AB variant boasts a significantly more powerful engine, tougher armor, and a superior fire control system as compared to early T-72s.

Ironically, in the mid-2010s, Kuwait planned to replace the M-84s (70 of which remained in active units, with the remainder in storage) with new Russian T-90MS tanks. But in 2019, Kuwait indefinitely postponed the purchase. For now, Kuwaits 218 M1A2 Abrams tanks can hold the line, should it sell off the M-84s.

Supposedly, Croatias upgrading and donation of the Kuwaiti M-84s will be paid back in kind by Germany, which may transfer 24 Panzer 87 tanks (newly purchased from Switzerland) to Croatia.

Croatias Air Force, meanwhile, has also reportedly transferred two Antonov An-32 light cargo planes to Ukraine, which have been in storage at Zagrebs airport since 2014.

Alan Lebeda (GNU FDL v1.2) - Wikimedia Commons

Ukraines State Emergency Service was known to operate at least three An-32s. These have likely been busily ferrying aid to Ukraineand, on one occasion, Turkey, which required earthquake aid in February of 2023. Ukraine will definitely find uses for more of these machines.

M-84: How Yugoslavias Super T-72 Ended Up in Kuwait

Early in the Cold War, neutral Yugoslavia imported hundreds of Sherman, M47 Patton, T-34/85, and T-55 tanks from both sides of the Iron Curtain. But by the 1970s, Belgrade wanted modern tanks that it could manufacture domestically.

During a 1978 visit to Moscow, Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito convinced Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to sell a license that would allow for the manufacture of the latest Soviet mass-production tankthe T-72for $39 million. But the legal permissions and schematics still left a lot of legwork for the Yugoslavians to figure out, with their smaller industrial sector.

Ultimately, over 250 companies spread across the Yugoslav Republic contributed components, with final assembly taking place at the Djuro Djakovic factory in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. A prototype T-72MJ vehicle completed in 1983 was followed by 10 pre-production vehicles and mass-production in 1985.

The first series of 370 M-84 tanks had most of the same basic characteristics as the T-72M export tank: a low-profile (2.18 meters high) tank with a three-man crew, a 760-horsepower V46-6 diesel engine, and a powerful (if not especially accurate) 2A46 125-millimeter gun fed by a rotating carousel-style autoloader with 20 rounds and 22 more spares in the crew compartment. All of this was backed up by coaxial and turret-top machine guns, and a 12-shot smoke grenade discharger. While the M-84s hull used composite materials for enhanced protection, its turret was pure cast steel.

Srdjan Popovic

However, the M-84 differed from the original in one critical regard: its superior indigenously developed sensor and fire control system. The gunners DNNS-2 sight had a 7x day magnification and 8.5x magnification night vision, and the commander had an independent night sight that could also engage the main gun. The M-84s fire control computer, meanwhile, was rife with features for its time: a meteorological sensor to account for windspeed and humidity, and computers designed to account for both the movement of the tank and its target.



Adjustments to the improved M-84A model, however, reduced the parts shared with the T-72 to just 40 percent. Protection was significantly enhanced, thanks to the addition of layers of spaced steel and textolite spaced armor, with quartz sand filling the gap between them. That increased the effectiveness of the front armor from the original 380 to 450 millimeters (the higher figure represents defense against shaped charge warheads) to over 700 millimeters RHA equivalent in places. RHA stands for Rolled Homogenous Armor steel, and its an effective or equivalent measure of thickness, rather than a literal one.

A more powerful 1,000-horsepower V46-TK engine was also swapped in, bumping maximum speed up from 37 to 45 miles per hour.

Kuwaits Army was intrigued by the M-84A, and pitted one against an American M1A1 Abrams in desert trials. The Abrams fuel system broke down, leaving Yugoslavia to win the contract for 200 tanks (including 15 recovery tanks and 15 command tanks) at $1.58 million apiece. Kuwaits customized M-84ABs had 200 small changes, including different radios, an added searchlight, desert adaptations, and an auxiliary power unit fitted to the M-84ABK command tanks.

The M-84 Tank Goes to War

Depending on how you look at, the Kuwaiti order was either tragically or fortunately too late. Only a handful of M-84As had arrived when Iraq invaded and overran Kuwait in two days, and subsequently paraded the captured factory-fresh tanks.

However, Kuwaiti troops in exile continued to receive dozens of the remaining M-84s. These equipped Kuwaits 35th Shahid (Martyrs) Brigade, which famously held the line against Iraqi tanks in the Battle of the Bridges before withdrawing over the Saudi border. The 35ths soldiers were trained to operate M-84s by U.S. special forces, as well as Yugoslavian trainers, and fought alongside the U.S. and Saudi troops that liberated Kuwait in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Two tanks were knocked out, but later repaired. Due to fears theyd be mistaken for Iraqi T-72s, these M-84ABs had three white stripes painted on their side armor as an identification measure, and were employed conservatively.

Staff Sgt. Dean M. Fox/U.S. Army - Wikimedia Commons

Just a few months after Kuwaits liberation, ethnic separatism resulted in the violent dissolution of Yugoslaviainterrupting the Kuwaiti order at 150 tanks delivered. The Yugoslav People's Army (usually abbreviated JNA) had seven brigades with M-84s when the war began: three based in Serbia, and one each in Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and North Macedonia. These were soon snatched up by the separating parties alongside older, more numerous T-34s and T-55s.

JNA M-84s were first deployed in the 10 Day War of June/July, 1991unsuccessfully attempting to stamp out Slovenian independence. Then, from August to November, JNA M-84s battled Croatian national guardsmen in the brutal, three-month-long urban battle of Vukovar. Though the JNA ultimately prevailed, it lost an estimated 100 tanks to ambushing anti-tank teams and mines. Those included around 20 M-84s, four of which were knocked out in a single ambush on Trpinjska Road. However, entrenched JNA M-84s did defeat a counterattack by Croatian T-55 tanks, knocking out three.

Peter Denton/CCA-SA2 - Wikimedia Commons

M-84s were also used in the Krajina region by Croatia, and in the Siege of Sarajevo by both Serbian Srpska troops and (in smaller numbers) Bosnian forces. In that theater, with its mountainous terrain, its insufficient gun elevation/depression proved problematic. Chinese HJ-8 anti-tank missiles supplied by Pakistan to Bosnia also proved a threat.

ODD ANDERSEN - Getty Images

Nonetheless, according to an article by Nikola Isidorovic, the M-84s front armor was never penetrated during the war. Instead, munitions hitting the lower-side armor and mines penetrating the belly armor caused fatal detonations of ammunition stored in the crew compartment, often leading to turret pop-offsan infamous vulnerability of the T-72 family of tanks. Isidorovic estimates that roughly 40 M-84s were lost by all sides during the five-year civil war, though some proved repairable.

Serbian M-84s latter battled Kosovar separatists from 1998-1999, with nine M-84s lost to the subsequent NATO air campaign. Serbias M-84s last saw combat in 2001 in the battle of Oraovice, during the Presevo Valley campaign against Albanian insurgents.

There have been several attempts to market further-upgraded M-84smost notably, the Croatian M-84D and Serbian M-84AS series, featuring much of the equipment of the Russian T-90A tank (the Shtora active protection system, French Catherine FC thermal sight, and Kontakt explosive reactive armor).

ANDREJ ISAKOVIC - Getty Images

The M-84 Tank and Ukraine

While photographic evidence shows that Russian tank losses outstrip those of Ukraine by a more than 3 to 1 ratio, Russian factories produce several hundred new tanks annually. Presently, Ukraines cannot. Thus, sourcing more tanks from abroad is vital to Ukraineespecially those that it can easily integrate into its existing training and maintenance systems. Thus, M-84s from Kuwaitor elsewhereare undoubtedly of interest to Ukraine and its allies.

Serbia retains roughly 200 M-84s tank in four battalions, and has plans to upgrade at least 40 to the new M-84AS2 model. Meanwhile, Slovenia and Croatia both retain 46 and 74 M-84A4 Snajper (Sniper) tanks outfitted with improved Slovenian Omega-84 fire control systems, including improved gun stabilization, better night sights, and new laser range finders. Bosnia and North Macedonia may also have dozens of M-84s in storage.

Migg00 photo - Wikimedia Commons

While Serbia is politically unlikely to export tanks for use against Russia, in 2022, it seemed that Ukraine might obtain some or all Slovenias M-84A4s (all but 14 of which are in storage). But that fell through, as Slovenias leadership was dissatisfied with the promised compensation from Germany.

That could change now that Germany is acquiring Swiss Panzer 87s (ie. Leopard 2A4s) that it could potentially shuffle over to Slovenia or Croatia to compensate for donated vehicles.

If Kuwaits M-84s are indeed being overhauled in Croatia prior to delivery in Ukraine, its worth considering the extent of that process. On the low end, these efforts may simply involve restoring the tanks to useable conditionparticularly as 75 of Kuwaits tanks are reportedly no longer in service. But on the higher end, its possible that the M-84ABs could be refitted with the further enhanced fire control systems that were introduced on the M-84A4 Snajper.

Any M-84s entering Ukrainian service will also surely receive explosive reactive armor (ERA) tiles to improve their survivability against shaped-charge armor-piercing weapons (including nearly all infantry anti-tank weapons).

Overall, the Balkan take on the T-72 is a bit tougher, faster, and far-sighted than the original. And, most importantly, significant numbers may become available in what could prove a difficult year for Ukraine, as American military assistance remains stymied by political machinations in Congress.

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Picture this: youre shopping online and you can put the clothing youre eyeing onto models of body and skin types that roughly match your own, thus making the product easier to visualize.

That's an option that Michael Musandu never had while growing up in Zimbabwe. The models on shopping websites never looked like him, even when the audience these brands catered to were diverse.

Thats what spurred him in 2019 to launch Lalaland, a platform that uses AI to generate human-like fashion models that can be customized for hair, body and skin types.

With services like those of Netherlands-based Lalaland, brands can display a variety of AI-generated models posing in the same garment in a fraction of the timeand without having to hire models or organize photoshoots.

We empower both brands and consumers to pluralize the beauty standards by making the web as diverse as the market, he told Fortune.

For brands, the advantages offered by such services are obvious: by adding AI to the mix, they can curb costs and speed up image production while being more inclusive.

Indeed, big fashion conglomerates like LVMH have also flirted with the idea of working more with generative AI to enhance customer experiences.

But these services also elicit worryif not dreadin parts of the industry.

For photographers, models and others involved in creating images today, they sound like a recipe for eliminating professional humans from the picture.

And others have more existential worries: Will AI, they ask, end up not furthering diversity, but turning it into a joke?

Rebecca Valentine, who runs London-based Grey Modeling Agency, believes that using AI to advocate for diversity is counterproductive.

The entire point of diversity representation is to celebrate the authentic, the cultural, the unique and the lifestyle,' Valentine said, adding that AI "does not celebrate diversity but parodies it.

The next few years will demonstrate whether AI can be instrumental in making the fashion industry inclusiveand if brands know when and where to draw the line when working with this cutting-edge tech.

Working with humans, without humans

Lalaland is one of many companies that are bringing generative AI to fashion in a push for greater diversity and innovation, but companies have been experimenting with digitally made avatars for several years now.

Shudu, a Black, 3D creation with over 240,000 followers who has modeled for established brands like Balmain and Ellesse, is one example.

For San Antonio, Texas-based Blissfully Brand, an online retail website specializing in womens clothing, these AI tools have unlocked a huge opportunity, says Jacob Flores, the brands owner.

It streamlines our process of creating on-model photography, getting our visual content to our audience efficiently, and providing these visuals of new products to be available to our clientele quicker, Flores told Fortune.

As a small business with just two employees, cost was an important consideration when launching the brand in 2019.

Models hourly rates start at roughly $35 and can soar to thousands of dollars, Bloomberg reported in January.

But agencies offering AI-rendered models can start at $29 an hour. Lalaland offers a paid subscription with access to "unlimited models" starting at 600 ($651) a month.

Flores, who uses other AI-powered platforms OnModel, Pincel and Botika, offered an example of how he uses tech to target different groups of shoppers: If a certain style of clothing would resonate more with women aged between 30 and 45 years, he uses AI to help generate a model thats fitting for that product.

We believe [AI] assists in representing a diverse range of ethnicities, body types and ages, Flores said, although he admitted that, despite the ease of use, the body language and expressions of human models were hard to replicate.

AI models can be especially attractive in e-commerce, which puts out thousands of new products and images each day, says Cameron-James Wilson, the founder of British digital modeling agency The Diigitals, which first debuted Shudu, the Black 3D visual avatar, in 2017.

Creating AI fashion models without bias

The experience of jeans-maker Levis highlights the complicated path that brands must navigate when integrating AI.

Last year, Levis announced that it would partner with Lalaland to launch AI-generated models with the aim of increasing the number and diversity of models for their products.

But backlash quickly followed, as people questioned the use of virtual creations over humans to further diversity and raised the frequent concern surrounding AI: whether actual models will be replaced by AI counterparts. (Levis later clarified that its partnership with Lalaland didn't mean it would scale back its use of human models.)

Another common concern about using AI is over its inherent ability to perpetuate biases.

Image-generation platforms have been found to exacerbate race and gender biases, owing to the datasets theyve been trained on. That adds to concerns about misrepresenting minority communities, Mhairi Aitken, an ethics research fellow at The Alan Turing Institute, told Fortune.

While bias can take various forms, in the context of image-generation platforms, that could mean leaning into tropes based on gender, race, religion and more.

For instance, a Washington Post report found that when prompted to generate images of an "attractive person," text-to-image tools would default to generating fair-skinned, light-eyed and thin people.

The issue of bias is one that Lalalands Musandu has been aware of since the get-go.

As a company with diversity front and center, Lalaland has tried to do things differently to help tackle some of the challenges that come with using AI to help amplify diversity.

Musandu explained to Fortune that the Dutch company starts by training its algorithm on actual photos of people from underrepresented communities to create a strong database on hair, skin and body types of different ethnicities.

The company then licenses these images to create a revenue stream and help these communities while ensuring the AI-made models look life-like.

Because our whole mission is to show more representation, it was not possible for us to just scrape the internet because there's so many biases that exist within misrepresentation online, Musandu said.

And Musandu argues that the influence human models bring to fashion campaigns is not something that AI-made avatars can recreateand thats why human models are hard to replace: Lalaland just aims to work alongside human models to actually make fashion more inclusive," he said.

Theres more to it than creating AI models

In October, Taiwanese-American model Shereen Wu walked the ramp for fashion designer Michael Costello, who later uploaded a photo of her on his Instagram accountexcept, the photo had been tampered with to change Wus face. The model detailed her shock via TikTok later that month, when she saw that the designer had shared a fake photo that had been tweaked using AI.

It can be hard to control how images are used once they enter the digital realmand laws surrounding the use of models images when it comes to AI are still a work in progress, Valentine said.

The main issue with AI and modeling is with copyright laws, the Grey Model Agency boss told Fortune. If photographers and illustrators can have their work/assets protected by copyright then there is no argument that a person should not have the same copyright over their own features and image.

The Turing Institute's Aitken also highlighted how transparency plays an important part when using AI tools to generate or enhance images in fashion.

At the moment, it's not hard to recognize something as AI generated," she said, but, "These technologies are getting more sophisticated and it is getting harder to reliably identify what is AI generated."

EUs AI Act, which has been passed but not yet implemented, will regulate a comprehensive list of the techs use-cases, and is an important next step in ensuring that models and consumers are aware of what theyre getting into and are protected in the process.

But while there are still moving parts to the conversation surrounding AIs role in promoting diversity in fashion, the demand for these tools is already soaring.

You'll be surprised to understand just how much is being adapted, Musandu said, adding: I have to reiterate that we really need real models. This is not something that's going to go away at all.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Apples (AAPL) Vision Pro officially hit the market on Friday, marking the most significant product launch for the company since the Apple Watch back in 2015. But the enthusiasm for the companys most ambitious product in years was tempered on Wall Street after Apple reported a slowdown in China sales during its fiscal first quarter.

The Vision Pro is, as Apple calls it, a spatial computer. But for the average person, its a high-powered AR/VR headset.

I originally used the Vision Pro after Apple debuted it during its WWDC event in June 2023, and again just before its Feb. 2 launch. And yes, its every bit as impressive as youve heard.

But a lot is riding on the Vision Pros long-term success as Apple looks for its next major product platform. And with storm clouds swirling above Apples Cupertino headquarters, the company needs a win more than ever.

Apples rough start to 2024

Apple has been dealing with an array of difficulties throughout the first few weeks of the year, and its not looking any brighter going into February. But the most pressing issue the company is facing at the moment is a slowdown in sales in Greater China.

Apples third-largest market behind North America and Europe, China has been a key catalyst in Apples growth story over the years as the countrys expanding middle class and a surge in smartphone sales provided fertile ground for the iPhones popularity to take off in the region.

According to Counterpoint Research, Apple was still the bestselling smartphone brand in China in Q4 2023, capturing 20% of the market compared to local rivals Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor, which took 16%, 15.2%, and 15.1%, respectively. But Huawei saw its year-over-year market share jump 71.1% from the year prior thanks to its new 5G smartphones, while Apples fell 9%.

That, coupled with Chinas lumbering economy, meant that Apples overall Greater China revenue declined from $23.9 billion in Q4 2022 to $20.8 billion in Q4 2023.

According to UBS analyst David Vogt, if Apples market share decline is permanent and the smartphone market grows a predicted 3% in 2024, lost share in China could pressure iPhone revenue by slightly more than $7B, a 3.5% iPhone revenue headwind and ~1.9% total company headwind.

Regulatory headwinds abound

Apple also finds itself in a tangle of regulatory problems in the European Union as it works to navigate the blocs Digital Markets Act (DMA). Set to go into effect this year, the DMA ensures large tech companies dont have too much power over the broader tech ecosystem. So far, Apple has announced that it will open up its platform, allowing users in the region to install third-party app stores and giving app developers the option to offer users third-party payment options beyond Apples in-app payment system.

Bryan Chiang tries out an Apple Vision Pro headset during the first day of sales at a Palo Alto, Calif., Apple store on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Noah Berger/AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

But theres a catch. If developers decide to use outside payment options, theyll still have to fork over cash to Apple. The tech giant, however, says the charge, which amounts to a 50 euro cent fee, only applies to developers whose apps are downloaded more than 1 million times in a year. After that theyll need to pay that charge for each subsequent download.

Critics, including Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney, have struck back at Apple with Ek calling the new rule hostile and Sweeney saying its a devious new instance of Malicious Compliance. The EU still has to determine if Apples new rules comply with the DMA.

In the US, meanwhile, Apple is staring down a potential Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit. According to the New York Times, the DOJ is looking into how Apple controls its hardware and software as a means of keeping consumers locked into its ecosystem and fighting off competitors. While any lawsuit could potentially take years to wind its way through the legal system it could distract the company at a time when its seeking to push into a new product category.

Here comes the Vision Pro

The Vision Pro serves as Apples next-generation computing platform. At $3,499 its not exactly priced to move for the typical consumer, but that doesnt minimize its importance for the company.

After years of development, the headset cant fail. And while Ive only been able to use it briefly across two separate roughly 30-minute sessions, its hard to imagine a competitor matching what Apple has to offer anytime soon.

Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance)

The display is the sharpest Ive seen on an AR/VR headset, the fit is comfortable, and the interface is incredibly easy to navigate. Apple boasts an enormous library of apps for the Vision Pro, though there are notable big names missing, including Netflix and YouTube.

Theres also the fact that the Vision Pro is powered by an external battery that Apple says gets two hours of battery life, which could be a turnoff for some users.

Ill dive deeper into what its like to use the Vision Pro when I get my hands on one for an extended period, but its safe to say Apple has created an incredible piece of technology. Now it needs to sell the general public on it.

Just add that to the list of challenges the company will have to overcome in the year ahead.

Daniel Howley is the tech editor at Yahoo Finance. He's been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @DanielHowley.

For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
WASHINGTON  Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Republicans on Saturday that the House will vote next week on a stand-alone bill to provide aid to Israel, with no offsetting spending cuts.

Johnson made the announcement in an afternoon letter to colleagues while criticizing the impending Senate legislation that would pair Israel aid with funding for Ukraine and a package of tougher border security and asylum laws.

While the Senate appears poised to finally release text of their supplemental package after months of behind closed doors negotiations, their leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for swift consideration of any legislation, Johnson wrote, adding that the House will have to work its will on these issues and our priorities will need to be addressed.

Johnson blasted the Senate for what he called its failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, arguing the House needs to act in the absence of leadership from the upper chamber amid the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel.

Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package, he wrote. During debate in the House and in numerous subsequent statements, Democrats made clear that their primary objection to the original House bill was with its offsets. The Senate will no longer have excuses, however misguided, against swift passage of this critical support for our ally.

The bill is set to include $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel as well as important funding for U.S. Forces in the region, Johnsons office said. A prior bill passed by the House, early in Johnsons speakership, would have provided $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, attached to IRS cuts that Democrats said were a poison pill.

The legislation, called the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, is set to be introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., the speakers office said.

The unexpected move indicates that Johnson is digging his heels in against an immigration compromise and Ukraine funding, while suggesting that Israel aid is the only part of President Joe Bidens national security supplemental request that House Republicans are prepared to pass.

Its unclear whether the Senate will take up a stand-alone Israel aid bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he wants to start voting next week on the broader supplemental and immigration bill, with text expected to be released on Sunday.

The White House has previously signaled opposition to a stand-alone Israel aid bill, with the National Security Councils coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, saying in November, The president would veto an only-Israel bill. We  I think that weve made that clear.
Britain and the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against the Houthi in Yemen on Saturday night, in a bid to further disable Iran-backed groups in the region.

The new strikes hit 36 targets across 13 locations following attacks by the Iran-backed groups against international and commercial shipping, as well as naval vessels travelling through the Red Sea.

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by Voyager tankers, flew from Cyprus to join US forces in a further strike against Houthi locations involved in targeting shipping in the Bab al Mandab and southern Red Sea.

The Typhoons employed Paveway IV precision guided bombs against multiple military targets identified by careful intelligence analysis at three locations.

British aircraft targeted a ground control station inside a defensive position. This had been used to control Houthi drones, both attack and reconnaissance types, launched from further inland, operating over the sea against international shipping. The Typhoons also hit a number of targets at Bani.

A picture, which emerged on social media, appears to show the latest strikes on Houthi targets

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said: The Houthis attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable and it is our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation.

That is why the RAF engaged in a third wave of proportionate and targeted strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen. We acted alongside our US allies, with the support of many international partners, in self-defence and in accordance with international law.

This is not an escalation. We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, and I am confident that our latest strikes have further degraded the Houthis capabilities.

Having recently met those British personnel stationed in the region, I know the dedication and professionalism with which they serve our nations Armed Forces and I would like to thank them for ensuring this operation was a success.

It is the third time that the round of joint strikes have been carried out by the US and UK, which were launched by ships and fighter jets.

A RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off to conduct further strikes - RAF

A joint statement from Britain and the US on Saturday night said they said they targeted buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems and radars.

The strikes were proportionate and necessary to disrupt and degrade the Houthis abilities to strike international trade, the governments said.

They were in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi actions since previous coalition strikes on Jan 11 and 22, 2024, including the Jan 27 attack which set ablaze the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda.

Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand also supported the action.

The strikes follow an air assault in Iraq and Syria on Friday that targeted other Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.

A fighter jet is launched from the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower - US Navy

The Houthi targets were in 13 different locations and were struck by US F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by the USS Gravely and the USS Carney Navy destroyers firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, the US officials told the Associated Press.

Democratic Senator Jack Reed praised US President Joe Biden for his action and said: I support President Bidens robust action. I am confident the Biden Administration will continue to respond and safeguard the American people.

Lloyd Austin III, the US Secretary of Defence, said there would be further action and added: This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.

We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi actions, the statement added.

Todays strike specifically targeted sites associated with the Houthis deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, and radars.

The Houthis now more than 30 attacks on commercial vessels and naval vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Recognising the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of like-minded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow.

01:09 AM GMT

Thank you for following

Our live coverage has ended but we will be back on Sunday to bring you the latest on the conflict in the Middle East.

12:25 AM GMT

US Central Command's statement on strikes

U.S. Forces, Allies Conduct Joint Strikes in Yemen



As part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Iranian-backed Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region, on Feb. 3 at approximately 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, pic.twitter.com/hlfLY1QjOd  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024

11:30 PM GMT

Yemen residents hear explosions

Video shared online by people in Sanaa, Yemens capital, included the sound of explosions and at least one blast was seen lighting up the night sky.

Residents said the blasts seemed to occur around buildings associated with the Yemeni presidential compound. The Houthi-controlled state-run news agency, SABA, reported strikes in al-Bayda, Dhamar, Hajjah, Hodeida, Taiz and Sanaa provinces.

Another image, which has emerged on social media, that appears to show the new strikes on Houthi targets

10:55 PM GMT

Pictured: RAF Typhoon FGR4s take off to conduct strikes

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s and Voyager tankers flew from Cyprus to join US forces in the deliberate strike against Houthi locations in Yemen.

The Typhoons employed Paveway IV precision guided bombs against multiple military targets identified by careful intelligence analysis at three locations.

British aircraft targeted a ground control station inside a defensive position. This station had been used to control Houthi drones, both attack and reconnaissance types, launched from further inland, operating over the sea against international shipping.

The Typhoons also attacked a significant number of targets at Bani.

A RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off to conduct further strikes against Houthi targets - RAF

RAF Typhoon FRG4s being prepared for the strikes - RAF

10:51 PM GMT

'We will not hesitate to defend lives and commerce'

In an additional joint statement on the strikes, the UK, US, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand said the precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners.

(They) are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi actions since previous coalition strikes on January 11 and 22 2024, including the January 27 attack which struck and set ablaze the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda, the statement read. Todays strike specifically targeted sites associated with the Houthis deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, and radars. The Houthis now more than 30 attacks on commercial vessels and naval vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Recognising the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of like-minded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow. We remain committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels. Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the worlds most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

10:44 PM GMT

Lloyd Austin: Strikes send 'clear message' to Houthis

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes also had support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels, Mr Austin said in a statement.

We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

10:41 PM GMT

Grant Shapps 'confident' strikes degraded Houthis' capabilities

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said he was confident the latest strikes had further degraded Houthis capabilities.

He called Houthis attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea illegal and unacceptable.

It is our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation, he said.

That is why the Royal Air Force engaged in a third wave of proportionate and targeted strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen. We acted alongside our US allies, with the support of many international partners, in self-defence and in accordance with international law.

Mr Shapps said the strikes were not an escalation.

We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, he said.

Having recently met those British personnel stationed in the region, I know the dedication and professionalism with which they serve our nations armed forces and I would like to thank them for ensuring this operation was a success.

A RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft ahead of the strikes - RAF

10:32 PM GMT

Joint statement: 'Necessary strikes' launched against 36 Houthi targets

A joint statement has been released from Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States on the fresh wave of strikes.

Today, at the direction of their respective governments, the militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen in response to the Houthis continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea.

10:17 PM GMT

Britain and US confirm 36 Houthi targets hit

According to a joint statement, Britain and the US carried out strikes on Saturday against 36 targets linked to Houthis in Yemen.

The strikes hit buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers and other capabilities.

Image that appears to show the latest strikes on Houthi targets has emerged on social media

10:07 PM GMT

Breaking: Britain and US begin new strikes on Houthis

Britain and the United States have struck multiple Houthi sites in Yemen in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups in the region.

This is breaking news and more will follow.

03:54 PM GMT

Eighteen Palestinians killed in airstrikes on two cities

Israeli airstrikes have killed 18 Palestinians in the Gaza cities of Rafah and Deir al Balah today, the Hamas-run Gaza ministry has said.

There was no confirmation from the Israeli military that it carried out the strike.

03:39 PM GMT

10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters march in London

More than 10,000 pro-Palestine protesters have marched in Central London to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to estimates from Scotland Yard.

Hundreds of officers from the Metropolitan Police were on duty with additional dispersal powers as the march started at Portland Place and continued to Whitehall.

People set off from Portland Place in central London during the National March for Palestine - Peter Macdiarmid/LNP/London News Pictures Ltd

03:33 PM GMT

US ships destroy 12 drones

The US has destroyed 12 drones in the last 24 hours, the US Central Command has said.

One drone was shot down by the destroyer USS Carney over the Gulf of Aden at around 7.30am UK time on Friday, the US military announced today.

An additional seven drones were shot down over the Red Sea by the USS Laboon at 6.30pm UK time, while American forces also destroyed four more before they could be launched.

CENTCOM said that the four drones destroyed on the ground belonged to Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels, but did not identify a group linked to those that were shot down.

No injuries or damage have been reported.

03:21 PM GMT

Northern Ireland's new first minister calls for immediate ceasefire

Michelle ONeill, Northern Irelands first minister, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in a historic acceptance speech.

As Northern Irelands first nationalist prime minister, ONeill remarked that we know the value of peace

03:12 PM GMT

Iraqi militants claim to launch drone attack on base hosting US troops

Islamic Resistance in Iraq fighters claimed to have launched a drone attack on the al-Harir airbase hosting American forces in northern Iraq on Saturday, the group said.

However, security sources soon told Reuters that no attack was detected.

According to reports, attacks were also carried out by Iran-aligned groups on the Tanf military base in Syria, and on the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq, which host US and coalition troops.

It comes as Joe Biden warned that the US air strikes on Iraq and Syria on Friday night were just the beginning of Washingtons response to the deadly drone attack on American troops in Jordan last week.

The US carried out airstrikes on 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, targeting command and control headquarters, intelligence centres and storage facilities.

02:11 PM GMT

IDF hits Hezbollah sites in Lebanon amid continued rocket fire towards northern Israel

The IDF says it carried out airstrikes against several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon today, in response to continued attacks on northern Israel.

A Hezbollah command centre, where operatives were gathered, and a nearby rocket launch site used in a recent attack, were hit in the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun, the IDF says, as well as two Hezbollah observation posts in Marwahin and Ayta ash-Shab.

The IDF also reported that rockets and missiles were fired by Hezbollah in the northern communities of Baram and Zarit, causing no injuries.

01:57 PM GMT

Russia condemns US airstrikes

Russia has condemned US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria and called for the situation to be examined by the UN Security Council.

Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the strikes were deliberately designed to further inflame tensions in the Middle East.

01:47 PM GMT

Pictured: The aftermath of US airstrikes in Iraq

Destruction after US airstrike in Al-Qa'im, Iraq - Anadolu/Anadolu

Damaged car at the site of strike - STRINGER/REUTERS

Shell casing at the site of a strike - STRINGER/REUTERS

12:52 PM GMT

US strikes were inevitable but will not put an end to Iran-backed militia attacks, says former ambassador

Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador to Libya and Iran, has said on Sky News that strikes on Iraq and Syria were inevitable.

He said the US is like a boxer with an extremely strong left but a very weak right hand, due to the fact that the US has not proven to be strong in getting aid into Gaza or dealing with the increasing evidence of war crimes being committed, meaning it cant advance the essentials for a more stable region.

The former ambassador said that he does not believe Americas actions will put an end to the Iran-backed militia attacks.

12:16 PM GMT

Hamas says Washington has poured 'oil on the fire'

Hamas has condemned the US strikes in Iraq and Syria, saying Washington has poured oil on the fire in the Middle East.

The Palestinian terrorist organisation went on to say that the region would remain at war until the Zionist (Israeli) aggression, genocidal crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza ends.

US air strikes killed at least 23 pro-Iranian fighters in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said. In Iraq, strikes killed 16 people, including civilians, the Baghdad government said.

11:46 AM GMT

Iranian foreign ministry urge UN Security Council to prevent US strikes

A Reuters report has added more detail to the Iranian ministrys statement on the US strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that the US attacks were designed to overshadow the Zionist regimes crime in Gaza. He did not say if Iran would take any action in response to the strikes.

He also urged the UN Security Council to prevent illegal and unilateral US attacks in the region.

Prior to the US retaliatory strikes on Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Iran would not start a war but would respond strongly to anyone who tries to bully it.

11:21 AM GMT

Iraq to summon US envoy over strikes

The Iraqi foreign ministry is to summon the US envoy to deliver a formal memorandum of protest in response to overnight US strikes.

The US has said it notified Iraq of the strikes before they took place, but Iraq has claimed that this was not the case.

The US struck 85 targets in seven locations across Syria and Iraq in response to the Iran-backed drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers.

10:51 AM GMT

Signs of Hamas resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left

Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, according to four residents and a senior Hamas official.

Gaza city residents told AP that uniformed and plain clothed police officers were deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest.

In addition, reports of partial salary payments of $200 for at least some civil servants signal that Israel has not crushed Hamas yet, despite it saying it has killed more than 9,000 fighters in the region over the last four months.

10:31 AM GMT

Gaza civilian death toll rises to 27,238

The number of civilians killed in Gaza has risen to 27,238 after 107 people were killed in the past 24 hours, Gazas Hamas-run health ministry has said.

It added 165 people have also been wounded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of people injured to 66,452 since October 7.

10:21 AM GMT

Iran condemns US airstrikes as violations of Iraqi and Syrian sovereignties

Irans foreign ministry has condemned overnight US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries.

Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, in a statement, said the attacks symbolised another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension in instability in the region.

The US military launched airstrikes against more than 85 targets linked to Irans Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in response to last weekends drone attack in Jordan that killed three US troops.

10:07 AM GMT

US airstrikes in Iraq killed 16 including civilians, says Iraqi PMs office

Sixteen people were killed, among them civilians, and 25 injured in overnight US airstrikes on pro-Iran targets in Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudanis office said on Saturday.

In a statement, it condemned the strikes as a new aggression against Iraqs sovereignty and denied they were coordinated by the Baghdad government beforehand with Washington.

09:58 AM GMT

Israel strikes Gaza as fears grow of push into Rafah

Israel continued its strikes in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, as fears grow of a push into Rafah, the southern city packed with civilians displaced by the nearly four-month war.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled south to Rafah since the outbreak of the war, with the former city of 200,000 now housing more than half of Gazas two million-plus population, according to the United Nations.

According to reports, air strikes and tank fire rocked Khan Yunis overnight, with the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza saying that more than 100 people died. The IDF has said its forces have killed dozens of terrorists in northern and central Gaza over the past 24 hours.

09:45 AM GMT

Biden says US strikes on Iraq and Syria are just the beginning

The US air strikes on Iraq and Syria on Friday night are just the beginning of Washingtons response to the deadly drone attack on American troops, Joe Biden has said.

The US carried out airstrikes on 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, targeting command and control headquarters, intelligence centres and storage facilities.

The US president had vowed to deliver a decisive response, but insisted the US did not want a wider war with Iran. However, Mr Biden warned that those who harm Americans will be punished.

This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

Senior White House sources stressed on Friday that US action would not include any strikes on targets within Iran itself.

09:38 AM GMT

Top Hamas leaders split on ceasefire deal proposal, says WSJ

Senior Hamas leaders are currently split on the US-backed ceasefire and hostage-release proposal, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The report claims US officials state that Hamas top leader, Yahya Sinwar, amongst others, are looking to accept a six-week pause in fighting that will enable Hamas to regroup and allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

Egyptian officials say that Hamas is asking for approximately 3,000 Palestinian prisoners to be freed, including some who participated in the October 7 massacre, in exchange for 36 Israeli civilian hostages, according to the report. Meanwhile, Israel is demanding the return of all hostages across a multiphase deal. The Egyptian sources told the WSJ that Hamas has said it requires more time to locate all the hostages.

09:10 AM GMT

US airstrikes fuelling conflict in 'very dangerous way,' says Syrian foreign ministry

Syrias foreign ministry has condemned overnight retaliatory US airstrikes against more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq linked to Irans Revolutionary Guards and the militias it backs.

What (the US) committed has served to fuel conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way, Damascus foreign ministry said in a statement.

08:48 AM GMT

UK calls US a 'steadfast' ally

Britain has called the US its steadfast ally and said it supports Washingtons right to respond to attacks, after the US military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran-linked targets.

The UK and US are steadfast allies. We wouldnt comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks, a British government spokesperson said in a statement.

We have long condemned Irans destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant groups.

08:43 AM GMT

Everybody must 'avoid escalation' in Middle East, says top EU diplomat

Josep Borrell, the European Union foreign policy chief, has called on all parties to avoid further escalation in the Middle East after US strikes on Iran-linked groups in Syria and Iraq.

Everybody should try to avoid that the situation becomes explosive, Mr Borrell said at a meeting on EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

The United States launched air strikes against Iranian forces and allied militias in Iraq and Syria on Friday, with Joe Biden vowing more to come in retaliation for a deadly drone attack on an American base in Jordan.

Mr Borrell did not address the US strikes directly, but repeated a warning that the Middle East is a boiler that can explode.

He pointed to the war in Gaza, violence along the Lebanese border, bombings in Iraq and Syria and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Thats why we call everybody to try to avoid an escalation, Mr Borrell said.

08:36 AM GMT

UAE allocates $5 mln to support UNRWA's Gaza efforts

The United Arab Emirates has allocated $5 million in support of efforts of chief United Nations Coordinator for the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), Sigrid Kaag, towards the reconstruction of the Gaza strip, state news agency WAM reported.

Major donors to UNRWA earlier 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.

08:33 AM GMT

US strikes result of Iranian proxies 'playing with fire'

Poland said that US retaliatory strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria were the result of Iranian proxies playing with fire.

Irans proxies have played with fire for months and years, and its now burning them, Radek Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister told reporters as he arrived for a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels.

08:20 AM GMT

Strikes came 'far too late, ' says Republican senator

Roger Wicker, a Republican Senator, has said the strikes are welcome but far too late for the three brave Americans who died and the nearly 50 wounded.

He added: Iran and its proxies have tried to kill American soldiers and sink our warships 165 times while the Biden administration congratulates itself for doing the bare minimum.

Instead of giving the Ayatollah the bloody nose that he deserves, we continue to give him a slap on the wrist.

07:52 AM GMT

Syrian defence ministry condemns 'air aggression'

The Syrian defence ministry said that US forces blatant air aggression led to a number of civilians and soldiers being killed and others being wounded and some significant damage to public and private property.

Occupying parts of Syrian lands by American forces cannot continue ... the Syrian army affirms continuing its war against terrorism until it is eliminated and is determined to liberate the entire Syrian territories from terrorism and occupation, the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The Iraqi military said the strikes were in the Iraqi border area and warned they could ignite instability in the region.

07:23 AM GMT

Republican Senator reacts to strikes

Finally.



Iran needs to know the price for American lives. https://t.co/RNH8iYyZ6c  Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) February 2, 2024

07:01 AM GMT

Who are the Iranian targets?

06:48 AM GMT

Iraq fury at US strikes

Iraq has angrily denounced US air strikes in its territory on Friday night.

American forces hit at least two Iranian militia targets in Iraq, including the headquarters of the Axis of Resistance in Al-Qaim and the base of the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Akashat.

But Gen Yehia Rasool, a spokesman for Iraqs prime minister, called the strikes a violation of his countrys sovereignty and said they would bring disastrous consequences for the security and stability of Iraq and the region.

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani has recently called for the departure of American troops from Iraq after a previous US strike in Baghdad.

John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesman, said the Biden administration did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes, but did not elaborate on Baghdads response.

06:17 AM GMT

Revealed: Israels new Gaza border

Israel is accused of clearing a 1km buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip as part of a new security border that could shrink the overall size of the Palestinian territory.

Satellite images analysed by The Telegraph show more than 1,000 buildings destroyed around the land perimeter of Gaza since the Oct 7 Hamas terror attacks.

Read more: Homes razed, orchards and schools destroyed  we reveal the truth behind Gazas new border

06:06 AM GMT

US House Speaker criticises Biden for delaying strikes

Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, has criticised the White House for delaying its retaliation against Iranian militia groups after the killing of US troops in Jordan last week.

Mr Johnson said: The public handwringing and excessive signaling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months.

My statement regarding the U.S. strikes in Syria and Iraq. pic.twitter.com/ILO93cf0kS  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 3, 2024

05:35 AM GMT

Where the strikes took place

Here are five of the seven locations targeted by US forces on Friday night. The other two sites have not yet been confirmed.

Syria

Deir al-Zour  Media in Lebanon are reporting videos of large explosions in the eastern city

Mayadin  There were reports of explosions in the ancient town, which lies on the Euphrates

Bukamal  There were also reports of strikes in Bukamal, on the border with Iraq

Iraq

Al-Qaim  US forces struck weapons depots and targeted the headquarters of the Axis of Resistance

Akashat  The base of the Popular Mobilisation Forces was reported to have been struck by a missile

04:49 AM GMT

Deadly attacks in Rafah

Deadly strikes were reported on Saturday morning in the overcrowded Gaza border town of Rafah.

Witnesses in the city heard powerful explosions shortly after midnight on Saturday, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 14 people killed in two strikes there.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled south to Rafah since the outbreak of the war, with the former city of 200,000 now housing more than half of Gazas two million-plus population, according to the United Nations.

The UN humanitarian agency Ocha said it was deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities in nearby Khan Yunis, which have pushed more and more people south in recent days.

Most are living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open, Ocha spokesman Jens Laerke said.

Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next.

Palestinians are issued food rations at a camp in Rafah on Friday - GETTY IMAGES

04:13 AM GMT

Watch: US fighter jet takes off during Friday's operation

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and pic.twitter.com/Y53nvRfjjx  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024

03:35 AM GMT

Iran escaping with a slap on the wrist, say Republicans

Democrats and Republicans are divided over Joe Bidens strikes against Iranian targets in the Middle East on Friday night.

Jack Reed, the Democratic senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, welcomed the attack and said Iran had to be held accountable for the deaths of US troops in Jordan.

Irans proxy forces in Syria and Iraq have been dealt a significant blow, and Iranian-linked militias around the Middle East should understand that they, too, will be held accountable, Mr Reed said.

I salute the brave US military members who carried out todays strikes, and I support President Bidens robust action.

These strikes, in concert with wise diplomacy, send a clear signal that the United States will continue to take appropriate action to protect our personnel and our interests.

Across the House floor, Republicans have been highly critical of the White Houses soft stance on Tehran and Senator Roger Wicker, also a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Fridays strikes will do little to frighten the Iranian regime.

These military strikes are welcome, but come far too late for the three brave Americans who died and the nearly 50 wounded, Mr Wicker said.

Iran and its proxies have tried to kill American soldiers and sink our warships 165 times while the Biden administration congratulates itself for doing the bare minimum.

Instead of giving the Ayatollah the bloody nose that he deserves, we continue to give him a slap on the wrist.

03:20 AM GMT

Analysis: Biden is entering political peril

Joe Bidens reprisal strikes on Iranian military targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday night posed one of the riskiest tests of his presidency to date.

The presidents actions were carefully aimed at treading a delicate balance: refuting charges of weak leadership while avoiding dragging the US into a wider regional conflict.

Mr Biden faced pressure at home and abroad to respond to the killing of three US troops in Jordan last weekend in a manner that would unequivocally signal he will not let American deaths go unpunished.

But in the tinderbox of the Middle East conflicts, even the most carefully planned military action can have unforeseen consequences.

Read more: Biden is entering the most dangerous days of his presidency

02:40 AM GMT

Militia deaths not yet known

It is unclear whether militia members were killed in the US attacks on Friday night.

Lt Gen Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said: We know that there are militants that use these locations, IRGC as well as Iranian-aligned militia group personnel.

He added: We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties but did not give a number.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

02:29 AM GMT

Today's top stories

The United States dropped more than 125 bombs on Irans military and its allies in Iraq and Syria on Friday night as it began retaliation for attacks on American troops

US bombers hit more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, including sites held by the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Joe Biden, the US president, vowed to retaliate for the attacks against its soldiers, saying: If you harm an American, we will respond

An Israeli minister has compared Lord Cameron to Neville Chamberlain after the foreign secretary suggested the UK may formally recognise Palestinian statehood

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Netflix

GRISELDA BLANCO CAN'T be boxed into any gender roles. She uses house bombs and bullets to carve her own space in the male-dominated world of drug trafficking in Netflix's limited series Griselda. She's not pining over a man after sex; she's stress-smoking a cigarette, contemplating how to stand up to the Ocohoa cartel before telling her partner to leave her bed quietly so her sons don't notice. She eventually had Dario Sepulveda, the father of her youngest child, killed off the show, but even the man who played him understood the gravity of her very existence.

"These old Latin American guys in the seventies and eighties, where the machismo was at its strongest, she made her voice be heard, and she stood up for herself," Guerra tells Men's Health. "Thats the beauty of the show. This is the first time you get to see that, in a show this big, being portrayed by a woman in this power position."

Dario went from being Blanco's hired gun to somewhat of a domesticated hitman dad. He doesn't shoot a single bullet after he tells her he knows she's pregnant with their son. He's her sober conscience when she's drunk on power, calmly reasoning with her to take her fortune and their family and leave the drug wars of Miami behind. He replaced the blind loyalty of a hitman who would wash away problems in a bloodbath with the unflappable decisiveness needed to take a life. He just applied it to protecting his family, even if that meant from their mother.

Netflix

Born in 1982, Guerra grew up in Cuba knowing nothing of the fearsome cocaine queen. It wasn't until he looked into the history of cocaine goliaths of Latin America while preparing for Netflix's Narcos: Mexico that she became inescapable. Guerra was intentional in portraying Dario's love for their wife as strength and not subservience. There are scenes where he channels Dario's frustration with not being told he has a child on the way or his desperation to escape Blanco's self-inflicted collapse into standing up for what he believes in without completely bringing Blanco down to Earth. He never stopped loving the badass woman who never quit. He wasn't afraid of voicing his concerns through his growl of a voice in the face of a woman he knows will kill anyone if she even thought they were going against her.

"Dario lost her to power. He didn't lose her to another man," he explains. "He couldn't fight the vengeance and the thirst for vengeance that she had."

In an interview with Men's Health, the accomplished actor explains what makes Griselda a one-of-a-kind show, the times he and Sofia Vergara had to be separated to preserve the intensity of a scene, tips on how to love a megalomaniacal drug lord, and how him being a father helped him find the complex balance between strength and vulnerability that made Dario a standout character in Griselda.

As Dario, how did you approach presenting masculinity and the typical forms of manhood in a show with such a domineering female figure?

Alberto Guerra: It was beautiful because we had an opportunity to do something that was out of the cliche and out of everything that we've ever seen. When you start thinking about hitmensicarios in the seventies and eighties, Latin American hitmenyou have this idea in your head of these macho guys who had no feelings and were cold-blooded. They go out, they get the job done, they go back home, they drink some scotch, they smoke a joint, and they do the next thing the next day. We wanted to take all of that out and explore what happened to this guy. The moment he falls in love, what happens to this guy the moment he realizes he's going to be a father? We all feel something.

I'm a father of three, and the first time I heard my wife say, You're gonna be a dad, my whole world changed at the moment. I live a pretty normal life. I wanted to explore what would happen with someone with that life, surrounded by violence and not knowing anything else but guns and blood and killing and all of that. What would happen to a guy like that when Griselda told him he was going to be a father? We found that he hadn't explored the possibility of starting to get feelings. This kind of guy gets sensitive and starts letting fear into their life. They start feeling fear, and they start questioning their decisions in life. And you don't usually get to see that.

On the other hand, it was beautiful because you usually have the role of the male power figure, and then you have the wife accompanying him. In this case, it was the exact opposite. And I wanted to make sure that it was the same. You have this person with some qualities in life, but he's there for her. He's there as a support. He wants what's best for her, and he has very few needs in life that have nothing to do with her. He devotes his life to her, and I wanted to make sure we were able to put that out there as a masculine figure.

Netflix

After a while, the protection Dario wants to give her feels like constricting limitations to her. So, how do you properly love a drug lord like Griselda Blanco?

My only tip would be to get in your car and drive as far away as you can (laughs). You have to understand so many things are going on in her head. She had all these killings, the thirst for power, and the drugs that she was consuming at the time. It was all becoming very blurry for her. It has to be hard to fall in love with a person you're trying to make some sense of, and you realize she won't listen to you. She's not going to pay attention to you. She's not gonna do what you think is best for her. And you sort of start losing that battle against power. Dario lost her to power. He didn't lose her to another man. He didn't lose her to anything else. They were perfectly fine together, but he couldn't fight the power she wanted. He couldn't fight the vengeance and the thirst for vengeance that she had. She was really angry. She had been through a lot in her life. And now she's in a position where she can put people to the same pain that she went through. She wanted that, and he wanted the exact same opposite. He wanted just to grab the kids and get out of there with her. We made enough money. Let's forget about that. Lets have a pleasant life. I've killed enough people in my life. I'm done with it. It was almost sweet. If you didn't know it was Dario and Griselda, you would say it's a sweet story, but it's not. It's a horrific story, the two of them.



You and Sofia Vergara shared some emotionally charged scenes that looked too real to be fake. What was the energy like on set? Was there ever a need to separate for a scene?

It always changes. There were some really intense things that we needed to find different ways to do it, to find different words. So we would rehearse them. Some other scenes were equally intense where wed go, I'll be in my trailer, you be in your trailer. Even the director, Andy Baiz, would come to us and say, Don't talk to each other. I don't want you guys to talk to each other before this argument. Or hed say, I want you guys to go out and have some lunch and then come back here, and we'll do it. It creates mixed emotions

One of the most unhinged scenes in the show is the birthday scene when Griseldas cocktail of drugs, paranoia, and power takes over, and she starts barking orders to have people strip at gunpoint, and she starts shooting up cars. What was it like to shoot such a wild scene?

That episode was really crazy, man. We did the whole party sequence in five days. It was really crazy. It was really intense. There were a lot of people, a lot of extras. There were a lot of actors. There were a lot of technical aspects to it. You would have to go through the whole party just to get a scene done. I remember it was one of those moments when I saw Sofias work. She was really nervous about being high and having consumed all these drugs because she was not familiar with it and she hadn't done it before. This nervousness that she had brought so much good stuff into the scene, and it worked so well. And it was really nice.

Dario is a character that tries to avoid conflict with Griselda all of the time. He tries to make her come to her senses. And this was the first time that he wasn't actually trying to avoid conflict. He was looking for conflict. He tells her, If you're going to shoot me, then shoot me, go ahead. Shoot me in the back so you don't have to look me in the eyes. As an actor, it was this sort of exploding moment for me where the character finally gets to say the things that I'm pretty sure he thought before but didn't have the guts to say. It was the first time, so it was a release. Its a crazy episode. When I first started watching it, it was like, They're going to do that? No, he's not. Hes not barking. Okay, he's barking. It was one after the other. It was the first time I saw a birthday cake with my face on it (laughs). That was amazing.

Netflix

Its impossible to fit Griseldas entire life into six episodes.

I remember they cut off some flashbacks from her past in Columbia. We did a few flashbacks there to portray her life before she got to Miami.

Wheres the golden gun?

I think Andy, the director, has it at home. It was crazy to see that gun, and I couldn't believe they actually made it work. I don't know where that ended up. I'll ask Sofia. It's probably at her place, Andy's place, or someone has it. I don't have it, but I would love to have it.

Griselda and Dario's son, Michael Corleone Blanco, has been vocal about his opposition to the Netflix series because he is not involved. Has anybody from the family or anybody associated with Griselda's family reached out to you about your role?

Not really. We tried to take as much reality from it. I didn't feel like approaching the family yet because I wanted to have the liberty to create from zero. I wanted to have the liberty to create from the script. The facts were there, and the history was there in the script. I wanted to create my own work from the ground up. I had no communication with anyone from the family.

Would you like to see a Season 2 of Griselda? If so, how should it go?

If there were a season two they would have to go back in time because half of the show dies in season one (laughs). I would love to be more specific about when they have a son and start growing because there's this timelapse from episode four to five. I would love to see what happened in that time as they were getting older, what happened with the moments that she started falling harder on drugs, and how Darios becoming softer and softer and more sensitive. I would like to explore that. They probably won't give us a show, but maybe a movie.

Emotionally, what was the hardest scene to shoot?

The first time that they meet is when Dario finds her at this motel with her kids, and he has to make the decision. I've never been, as an actor, in a position where I had to hold a gun against a kid's head. That was really hard for me. Thats one of those moments when you realize this is a serious matter that I'm doing. And I'm really glad that it came out that way for Dario. I didnt have to keep on with the shooting of the kids or anything like that because it was really hard doing it as an actor.

David Suarez

He never explained why he saved her. He did say hes never killed a kid. That part appeared to be against his moral code. But then why do you think he saved her?

His boss was an ass. He knew it, and you can see it. Andy and I talked a little bit about that. I asked the same question that you're asking me. I asked him, What's the reason? What's the real reason behind it? He said, There are times in life where you just don't know. What happens when you don't know is you improvise in the moment. Darrio improvised in the moment. He was supposed to kill this kid, and he didn't want to. When you think about a hitman, if he's not going to do what the boss says at the moment, you better kill your boss because otherwise you're dead. He didn't know what the hell was going to happen after that. That's why it was such a big surprise when she said, Come help me clean this up. Then we figured it out. I love that because it resembles life a little bit. Its improvisation. You have to improve in life. Not everything is scripted in your life.



When does Griselda switch from being simply Griselda Blanco, the woman trying to survive, to La Madrina, the feared drug lord?

Episode five. You can see it on the show. The show moves along, and then you see this monster on screen, and you can feel that on set. You can feel that she has stopped being a regular woman and become La Madrina. She had become a monster. We shot that early on. We were coming back and forth in the episode. Those were the moments. After she really gets powerful, she really becomes La Madrina.

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Career Readiness

MedCerts Launches CTE Model Allowing Students to Earn Career Skills, Credentials, and College Credits

Pennsylvania District First to Implement MedCerts Program, Offer Students School-Based CTE with Industry Certification

Stride subsidiary MedCerts, a global provider of healthcare and IT training and certification programs, has developed a public school Career and Technical Education model that allows high school students who are not college bound to graduate high school with an industry-recognized credential, career-ready skills  and college credits to boot, should the student opt to attend college later on.

MedCerts today unveiled the MedCerts Healthcare Training Program for high schools, following a two-year pilot with more than 900 students; the model allows students to study for and earn a nationally recognized credential in a variety of allied healthcare and health IT careers, the company said.

The online portions of the training are provided by MedCerts, which has been awarded college credits for its healthcare and IT CTE programs from a number of academic institutions, including:

Excelsior University

Franklin University

Capella University

Strayer University

University of Phoenix

American College of Education

Trine University

MedCerts, in partnerships with schools and local healthcare employers, is building an early talent pipeline directly from high school into well-paying, entry-level healthcare jobs, said Jen Kolb, National Director of Workforce Development at MedCerts. Students in high school can get their training and clinical experience completed in their senior year so that when they graduate from high school they can go immediately into a skilled career.

MedCerts new high school CTE program aims to help K12 school districts better prepare students who are not college-bound to graduate high school with career-ready skills and the credentials needed to immediately land a job that pays a living wage and then some, MedCerts SVP Rafael Castaneda said.

This is a proven pathway for real human beings who dont have pedigreed backgrounds, where they can go through school and starting in the 11th grade have an opportunity to begin a MedCerts certification program and take courses online through their school, Castaneda said. And by the time they graduate high school, theyre prepared to take a nationally recognized certification exam and immediately enter jobs paying them upwards of $38,000 to $40,000 a year on average  for their first job out of school.

How MedCerts High School CTE Pathway Feeds into Both Careers and College

Similar to Advanced Placement courses wherein students can earn college credits for passing high-rigor courses and passing nationally recognized exams, CTE programs may partner with an institution of higher education for a Prior Learning Assessment.

CTE training providers in a number of industries  in healthcare, IT, construction management, and others  are increasingly leaning into the Prior Learning Assessment process, according to recent reports, as training providers up their game in an exploding online training marketplace, seeking to attract new learners and meet workforce needs while not directly competing with higher ed partners.

During the PLA process, an accredited institution of higher education assesses the training providers instructional platform, curriculum, assessments, and delivery methods; then the institution determines the value of the training course in college credits.

Thanks to the articulated credit system and credit-transfer agreements within higher ed accreditation networks, one institutions assignment of college credits to a particular CTE course means that students who earn the CTE credential can later enroll and use their credits toward a degree or transfer their credits to a long list of colleges, Castaneda said.

The timing seems perfect for MedCerts healthcare CTE model for high schools, he said, as workforce shortage alarms grow louder with every monthly jobs report, and as college enrollment among new high school grads continues to trend downward.

Our goal has been to build this learner-centric pathway  to make it as beneficial as possible for the students, Castaneda said. Again, this is the so-called non-traditional route for high school students who arent planning to go to college or the military. With this program, they can graduate high school and  if theyve earned that certification  theyre immediately valuable to healthcare employers, and theyve got good jobs waiting on them.

The new high school CTE pathway combines online training and, if needed as part of the certification, workplace learning or, for healthcare certifications, clinical hands-on learning in a healthcare setting guided by healthcare professionals, which often doubles as on-the-job experience; these workplace-learning hours can be supplied through MedCerts employer partners or through the schools existing partners, MedCerts said.

Pennsylvania High School Implements MedCerts Healthcare CTE Program

Emerge Education, a national workforce development firm based in Mechanicsburg, Penn., worked with a regional healthcare system and school administrators to launch the states first public school-based healthcare certification option; 50 students at Cumberland Valley High School are enrolled in the MedCerts Healthcare Training Program this semester.

Emerge, which partnered with the nearby University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to provide the clinical portions of the students training, said the implementation is not a heavy lift for school districts, especially if they are already investing in Career and Technical Education programs for some students.
Old ruin. And, in the background, Santa Clara monastery in La Antigua Guatemala (Charlotte Hindle)

New Years Day, 1988: bienvenido a Guatemala and welcome to chaos.

Start the year with a tropical adventure: always a good plan. In that distant decade of Thatcher, Wham! and lax rules when flying, I smoked my way across from Gatwick to Miami on Virgin Atlantic. There I connected to now-defunct Eastern Airlines for the two-hour hop to a new and bewildering world. First contact: the dysfunctional and labyrinthine La Aurora airport on the outskirts of Guatemala City. Rather than the traveller choosing between red and green channels at customs, arrivals were invited to press a button connected to some traffic lights that randomly chose red or green. Mine glowed red but the officials waved me through anyway and concentrated their firepower on a gentleman whose ambitious collection of baggage made me wonder how the plane had ever got off the ground in Florida.

By the time I blearily emerged from the terminal into a melee of meeters, greeters, hustlers and taxi drivers, night had cast a cloak of uncertainty over proceedings. The driver I ended up with weaved around what appeared to be a down-at-heel trading estate rather than the grand highway to the centre of the capital. I imagined I was being abducted.

Thirty-six years, one month and one day later I felt the same absence of control and knowing what the heck was happening. This time I was flying out of Guatemala City, but everything was exactly as I remembered it. All that has changed, it seems, is the addition of intermittent wifi. And that was very much the story throughout my stay in the nation that delivers the best of Central America along with generous winter sunshine.

Street life: Guatemala City (Simon Calder)

While a few aspects of independent travel in Guatemala have been transformed over the decades, mostly it remains an analogue experience. On multiple visits I have not been abducted once, and have encountered almost universally helpful and friendly souls who enable travellers to experience a volcanic landscape rich in indigenous culture and the delicious cuisine of Guatemala. Once you get out of the city squeezed awkwardly into a hollow between peaks.

One vast improvement in the capital: better security. In 1988, backpacker lore was to get out of Guatemala City as quickly as possible. The longer you stayed, the greater the certainty that you would fall victim to robbery. I have had enough experience of Central American cities (including an attempted mugging in San Jose) to be circumspect after dark. But by day police are visible everywhere  so much so that I wonder why placing guards with semi-automatic weapons outside banks and high-end stores is still entirely necessary. With the sightseers minimum of phone, guidebook, quetzales (the local currency) and a credit card, I comfortably walked much of the length of this long, thin straggle of a metropolis. Guatemala City sprawls as far as the volcanoes will allow.

Walking is the way to take in the modest charms of churches, shopping streets and the rather plain Plaza Central (main square), where the chief attraction comprises street vendors offering fresh sliced papaya. Re-energised for 10 quetzales (1), I tackled the brutalist 1970s cultural centre, perched on a hill and softened with curves. Ridiculously, the visitor is allowed to clamber all over the concrete complex using a rather precarious network of staircases. During my series of visits in the 20th century, it would have been off-limits: away from the main drag, with the villains in the many hidden corners awaiting stray backpackers.

From the top of the cultural centre, while clinging to a low balcony wall, I surveyed the city in all its scruffiness. And, briefly, felt above the noise and extreme pollution. Traffic was bad in 1988. Today, it is terrible. The one concession to decent public transport is a fleet of green buses marked TransMetro that serve special stops. Rather than a conductor on board, you pay by tapping in with a credit card; I am looking forward to the 1 quetzal (10p) bill popping up on my statement. At rush hour, the crowds on board approach comic proportions, with more than 100 passengers squeezed into a single-decker. Payment might be contactless, but the experience certainly isnt. As the joke goes: how many people can you get on a Guatemalan bus? Answer: two more. Jostling your way off a TransMetro bus at the right stop failed to make it as an Olympic event in 1988 (Seoul) or 2024 (Paris), but I bet it would attract the viewers.

Chicken buses are identical to their 1988 forebears. The standard conveyance in Central America is a former American school bus that has passed its best-before date. But what is no longer good enough for US schoolchildren is quite sufficient for Central American travellers plus their extensive luggage, and on market days their livestock.

Driving ambition: Simon Calder by the bus from Antigua to Magdalen (Charlotte Hindle)

The best buses are exuberantly decorated, and on busy routes such as Guatemala City to the nations spiritual heartland, Antigua, they belch their way up the intestinal highway to the mountain pass every two or three minutes. Passengers  whether frail ladies in shawls woven from dazzling primary colours or backpackers  are scooped up from the roadside by the conductor. He collects cash from passengers but spends most of the journey hanging out of the door (which has the benefit of increasing the available room inside) yelling the destination of his overcrowded conveyance to anyone who will listen. In my experience, he will also be kind and helpful to confused and overburdened visitors.

Never look as though you have just arrived  that is a prime rule for backpacking in Latin America. Pale-skinned arrivals from the northern winter are routinely picked off by pickpockets. On my first evening in Antigua, though, I watched a solo female traveller bearing a backpack the size of a small house nonchalantly following directions on her phone, and I have every confidence she reached the hostel or B&B of her choice. Tourism is now recognised as fundamental to the Guatemalan economy and visitors are afforded high-visibility protection  even though the nation has, according to the Foreign Office, one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America.

Through the years to the very end of the 20th century  December 1999  I returned to Guatemala often while researching guidebooks. In those analogue days, many maps were laboriously hand-drawn to show the corner where buses leave Antigua for the capital and the location for the street moneychangers in Guatemala City (Seventh Avenue between 10th and 13th Streets; they still provide financial services there).

Life for the guidebook researcher  and user  has changed. But the basics remain the same. The best source of recommendations is not TripAdvisor but a fellow traveller who has just been where you are heading. Wander off the tourist trail to discover a crumbling chapel on the edge of town where the dedication of masons to their trade and their faith is revealed in exquisitely carved stone. And immerse yourself in daily life by wandering through the municipal market saturated with colour and noise. Your smartphone will enable you to bring your memories home in both sound and vision. But being there, surrounded by joyful chaos, is what counts.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue  and what it means for you.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A judge has rejected Abbott Laboratories' effort to dismiss a New York City grandmother's lawsuit claiming it misled consumers into believing its PediaSure Grow & Gain nutrition drinks were "clinically proven" to help children grow taller.

U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan said on Friday that Joanne Noriega's complaint set forth "strong, evidence-backed reasons" to doubt Abbott's claim that clinical studies supported its marketing claims.

Noriega cited three studies funded by Abbott itself that found no connection between PediaSure and growth in height.

"The existence of studies contradicting the label's claim reinforce the plausibility of the complaint's allegation that the label would mislead a reasonable consumer," Engelmayer wrote.

Abbott and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment after business hours.

Noriega, from Bronx, New York, said she had bought PediaSure Grow & Gain vanilla and strawberry drinks for her 8-year-old grandson, who was "short for his age," believing they would help him get taller. She said that after a year of drinking two PediaSure drinks per day, her grandson was still short but had become "so overweight" that she stopped buying the drinks.

James Denlea, a lawyer for Noriega, said in an interview he was pleased with the decision, which lets his client gather more evidence through the discovery process.

Abbott had access to studies that "completely debunked any notion that its milkshake could help children grow," Denlea said. "The marketing was misleading, and Abbott knew that to be the case."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for New Yorkers who were deceived into buying or overpaying for PediaSure.

Abbott has said PediaSure is intended for children ages 2 to 13, and helps them "grow out of at-risk weight-for-height percentiles (5th-25th percentiles)" within eight weeks.

PediaSure is part of the Abbott Park, Illinois-based company's pediatric nutritional segment, which also includes Pedialyte and Similac.

The case is Noriega v Abbott Laboratories, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-04014.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
WASHINGTON  It was in a packed courtroom in Richmond, Virginia  the former capital of the Confederacy  in December 1868 where Chief Justice Salmon Chase concluded that Jefferson Davis, the defeated rebel president, should not face prosecution for treason.

Little would anyone have known at the time that Chases decision  in addition to another one he authored the following year touching upon the same legal issue but reaching a different conclusion  would re-emerge from the mists of history to play a role in the ongoing dispute over whether former President Donald Trump should be barred from office.

Both Chase cases  the other concerned a Black man seeking to throw out his criminal conviction  feature in court filings ahead of the Supreme Courts oral argument in Trumps case next week. In each instance, Chase was sitting on a lower court so was not acting in his role as chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Both include a rare contemporary discussion of Section 3 of the then-recently enacted 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

The provision was intended to prevent former government officials who joined the Confederacy from holding office after the Civil War. It states that those who previously took an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection or rebellion are no longer qualified to serve again.

Chases rulings have taken on new relevance as the Supreme Court hears Trumps plea that he not be removed from the Republican primary ballot in Colorado. He is seeking to throw out a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that said he is ineligible under Section 3 because of his role in seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in a series of events that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

I dont know that any one case or any one justice from the past is going to be the dominant kind of theme or a talisman that the court looks at, said Vikram Amar, a professor at the University of California Davis School of Law, who filed a brief that mentions Chases rulings.

But, he added, If youre trying to convince people about the understanding of the day, you want to make sure that youre addressing what prominent people said and did back then.

The history is relevant in part because several members of the conservative-majority Supreme Court put considerable weight on how people would have understood constitutional provisions at the time they were written.

Chase, who had his own ambitions to be president, was an anti-slavery Republican former governor of Ohio whom President Abraham Lincoln appointed to the Supreme Court in 1864. Even as chief justice he eyed the presidency, and historians say his rulings are inflected with political considerations.

President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis and Chief Justice Salmon Chase. (Getty Images file)

At the time Davis case was before him, Chase was trying to win the Democratic nomination for president, although that effort had failed before he voted against proceeding with the prosecution.

Cynthia Nicoletti, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law who wrote a book about Davis prosecution, said in an interview the argument adopted by Chase in the Davis case was a weird one that seems driven by political expediency.

I do think its a clever maneuver for Chase to get rid of the case, she said.

Chase appeared to embrace an argument made by Davis lawyers that Section 3, which clearly applied to the former Confederate president, was a form of punishment, thereby barring any criminal prosecution.

The lawyers argued Section 3 was self-executing, meaning that it automatically applied to Davis without the need for Congress to pass any legislation to enforce it.

Historians have concluded that Chase himself had suggested privately that Davis lawyers make that argument.

But just the following year, Chase took the opposite approach in another case in Virginia, this one involving a Black criminal defendant, Caesar Griffin, who argued that his conviction for shooting with intent to kill should be thrown out because the judge who presided over his case was a Confederate.

Section 3 applied to the judge because he had previously made an oath to support the Constitution as a member of the Virginia state legislature, Griffin argued.

This time around, Chase ruled that legislation by Congress is necessary for someone to be disqualified under the 14th Amendment, in part because of the far-reaching consequences of invalidating thousands of decisions made by officials with similar Confederate backgrounds to the judge in Griffins case.

The question of how exactly Section 3 can be enforced is one of several legal issues raised in Trumps case, which could have far-reaching consequences if other states could then follow the lead of Colorado and remove him from the ballot.

Trumps lawyers cite Chases ruling in the Griffin case in their briefing, saying that it helps confirm congressional enforcement legislation as the exclusive means for enforcing Section 3. It is just one of several arguments they make in saying that the Colorado ruling should be overturned.

The plaintiffs  six Colorado voters  responded in their own brief that Chases opinion is non-binding and does not credibly support the claim that Section 3 is unenforceable here.

They also pointed out Chases contradictory position in the Davis case.

The Colorado Supreme Court said Chases ruling in what has been dubbed Griffins Case was not persuasive, but Justice Carlos Samour relied on it heavily in his dissenting opinion.

I consider the holding in Griffins Case compelling, he wrote.

Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law who filed a brief backing Trump, feels the same way, arguing that the Griffin ruling effectively settles the issue of how Section 3 is enforced.

If the Supreme Court is looking for a way to resolve Trumps case without delving into the meaning of insurrection under Section 3, I think Griffins Case is one way of doing it, he said. Chases vote in the Davis case carries less weight, Blackman added, in part because a full account of the ruling was only published years later.

Other legal experts strongly disagree with Blackmans reliance on the Griffin ruling.

Chief Justice Chase was not shooting straight when deciding either case that touched upon Section 3, William Baude and Michael Paulsen wrote in an influential law review article that argued the provision is self-executing.

Ellen Connally wrote a lengthy article on Davis and Chase when she was studying for a Ph.D. in history at the University of Akron 20 years ago. Like Nicoletti, her work is cited in briefs filed in the Trump case.

Connally thinks the court should look closely at the history but conceded that in the Davis case, Chase was just looking for this loophole to avoid some difficult legal questions that would arise if the case went forward, she said.

Chases ruling ended up having little practical impact.

He was sitting as part of a two-judge panel, and the other judge did not believe the prosecution should be quashed. Because of the tie vote, the case under the rules that existed at the time was initially heading toward Chases own Supreme Court.

But then there was another twist. On Dec. 25, 1868, outgoing President Andrew Johnson announced an amnesty that applied to all Confederates, including Davis.

The prosecution was dropped.
By Karen Freifeld and Michael Martina

(Reuters) - A bill in the U.S. Congress that sparked a sell-off in shares of China's WuXi AppTec hit a delay in the Senate this week, a Senate aide and three other sources said on Friday.

The bill would prohibit federal agencies from contracting with China's BGI Group, MGI, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, their subsidiaries and other biotechnology companies of concern. It would also stop the government from entering into contracts with companies that use their equipment or services.

It sent shares of Wuxi AppTec tumbling 21% overnight.

The bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Gary Peters, did not move out of committee this week, as expected. It will be considered at a future date, said a majority aide for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which Peters chairs.

The bill is not expected to move out of committee for at least a few weeks, said another congressional aide.

A companion bill proposed by Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher, chair of the House select committee on China, accuses the companies of aiding Beijing's military.

No date has yet been set to move the House bill out of committee, that congressional aide said.

The Chinese biotech companies pose a threat to how sensitive American data and personal health information can be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party, the Senate aide said on Friday.

Shares of WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics tumbled on Friday as investor fears grew over the draft legislation targeting the China biotech giants.

WuXi AppTec, which provides drug R&D and manufacturing services, has denied any ties to China's military and said its business does not pose national security risks to any country.

WuXi AppTec said last week that company-related content in proposed U.S. legislation on biosecurity is not appropriate or accurate. The company is "closely watching" the development of the bill, it said in a filing to Shanghai bourse.

BGI Group said last week that it supports protecting personal data, but the legislation "which will effectively drive BGI from the U.S. market will not accomplish this goal." The company added that in the U.S. it does not collect patient samples or have access to personal or genetic data.

Units of BGI Group appear on a U.S. Department of Commerce export control list over allegations that they pose a "significant risk" to contributing to Chinese government surveillance.

Reuters also has reported that BGI was collecting genetic data from millions of women for sweeping research on the traits of populations, and collaborates with China's military.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York and Michael Martina in Washington; Editing by Chris Sanders and Lisa Shumaker)
Special counsel Jack Smiths legal team on Friday rejected former President Donald Trumps claims of political bias in the classified documents case against him in Florida.

The 67-page filing came in a response to an effort by Trumps lawyers to get prosecutors to turn over certain documents that they claim will serve as evidence of bias and misconduct surrounding records that were retrieved from the former presidents Mar-a-Lago residence. Smiths team urged the court to deny Trumps request in its entirety.

Discovery requests must be based on specific demands, tied to the case, for items material to preparing the defense, prosecutors wrote. Instead of meeting those standards, they added, Trumps team was seeking records based on speculative, unsupported, and false theories of political bias and animus.

This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records stored in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents according to an indictment unsealed Friday, June 9, 2023. (Justice Department via AP) (Justice Dept. via AP)

Prosecutors contended that Trumps recent court filing sought to cast a cloud of suspicion over responsible actions by government officials diligently doing their jobs.

Referrals to offices with authority to consider the security concerns prompted by the revelation that Trump possessed classified records at Mar-a-Lago was, again, entirely appropriate and in no way indicative of political bias, they wrote.

Prosecutors also disputed the Trump teams timeline of events leading up to the Mar-a-Lago search. They defended the National Archives and Records Administrations formal referral to the Justice Department in February 2022, which they said came after months of efforts to retrieve government documents from Trump after he had left office.

A spokesperson and an attorney for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday night.

Fridays filing comes after Trumps attorneys indicated in a filing last month that theyll argue prosecutors carried out a politically motivated and biased probe into the former presidents handling of classified documents with the goal of damaging his 2024 bid.

Trumps attorneys had highlighted his victory in the Iowa caucuses and accused prosecutors of disregarding discovery obligations and Justice Department policy in an effort on behalf of the Biden administration to slow Trumps presidential campaign.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges against him, which relate to willfully retaining national defense information in connection with classified documents that were uncovered at his Mar-a-Lago property more than a year after he left office, and scheming to delete security video at the Mar-a-Lago property.

Co-defendants Walt Nauta, a top aide, and Carlos De Oliveira, a maintenance supervisor at Mar-a-Lago, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from allegations that they, too, were involved in an effort to delete security video.

The case is currently set to go to trial in May. It was initially expected to commence after Trumps federal election subversion trial in Washington, D.C., but the judge overseeing that case postponed the trial on Friday, writing that it would no longer begin on March 4. An appeals court has yet to weigh in on Trumps argument that the case should be dismissed on presidential immunity grounds.

The postponement in Washington means its likely that the Manhattan district attorneys case, set to begin on March 25, will be the former presidents next trial. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels that were made shortly before the conclusion of his 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Demonstration of the use of a drone jamming gun in Taipei

Taiwan is planning to buy drone jamming guns to protect its power plants, which it fears could be among the first targets of a Chinese invasion.

The guns and a passive radar detection and response system would form a two-tier defence structure to deter sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure, the ministry of economic affairs said last week.

Taiwans close observation of Russias war with Ukraine and the extensive use of drones in the conflict was behind the move to boost the defences of its electricity grid and nuclear power facilities, officials said, according to the Taipei Times

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has in recent years increased its military intimidation of the island democracy, flying fighter jets on a near daily basis close to its airspace. Outlying Taiwanese islands, which have sensitive military bases, have also seen a surge of commercial drone intrusions.

Taipower, a state-owned electric power company, has approved an initial 250,000 budget for a first batch of 60 drone jamming guns.

Even if it is able to safeguard its power plants in the event of a conflict, energy security remains an Achilles heel for Taiwan.

Energy-insecure economy

The densely populated island of 23.5 million, which dominates the global supply of semiconductors, is one of the worlds most energy-insecure economies, relying on maritime imports for about 97 per cent of its energy.

The over-dependence on imports has raised fears that Beijing could choke off Taiwans energy supplies  crippling its economy and infrastructure  through a naval blockade without resorting to a full invasion. According to some predictions, gas stockpiles would last for only 11 days.

Securing Taiwans energy reserves will be one of the major challenges facing Lai Ching-te, the new president, after his inauguration in May.

Mr Lai must quickly decide whether to plough ahead with the planned decommission of all nuclear plants by 2025  a decision that could boost his popularity ratings but further strain the power grid.

Taiwan has already committed to net zero  reducing reliance on fossil fuels  by 2050, and to increase renewables from the current eight per cent of the energy mix to about 30 per cent by 2030.

The UK is at the forefront of helping to reinforce the islands renewables industry.

Taiwan is the UKs largest offshore wind market in the Asia Pacific region, and one the UK export credit agency has been keen to back with more than 1.2 billion in financial guarantees, including for the Hai Long wind farm, the islands largest project to date.

Enhanced trade deal with Britain

British investment in Taiwans renewables sector is set to rise after London and Taipei signed an enhanced trade partnership in November, and British companies, with extensive North Sea experience, are uniquely placed to partner with Taiwanese companies to build up off-shore wind facilities.

Many UK companies have already been operating in Taiwan for years.

We can bring that British engineering knowledge and trusted brand to support them on what are huge investments, said James Taylor, regional manager for Northeast Asia for Mott MacDonald, an engineering consultancy providing technical advice on Taiwans solar and offshore wind projects.

But experts warn that Taiwan still faces a mammoth task ahead to meet its energy security challenges even if offshore wind offers a partial solution.

The urgency of the issue was rammed home in 2022 during Chinas furious reaction to the arrival of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Taipei, when its military launched missiles, war games and drills designed to practice blockade operations.

As it stands right now, Taiwan would most likely only be able to last a few weeks if there was a total blockade of all energy imports without demand side management, said Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global Energy Centre.

In terms of how Taiwan can resolve this issue or mitigate the risk, its an extremely challenging problem, he said. There is no silver bullet solution.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
You cant escape hearing about Taylor Swift right now; her music, her tour, her documentary, her new love. Thirst for the latest TS news is unquenchable, and not just for die-hard Swifties. Shes a prolific baker with impeccable taste, and favored foods of hers have gone viral more than once.

Recently, Page Six reported that Swift visited Rye restaurant in Leawood, Kansas, and ordered what is alleged to be her new favorite cocktail: a French Blonde. Its a platinum-hued gin and grapefruit beverage spiked with some swanky specialty ingredients: St-Germain elderflower liqueur, the aromatised wine Lillet Blanc and lemon bitters.

I got to try one on a night out and loved it. At first blush, its mostly about the grapefruit, bright and fruity. But, in just the way some ballads require a deeper listen, its the second sip where the interesting subtext blooms through: woodsy juniper and floral elements, with a crisp and sophisticated, if bittersweet, ending.

This chic French Blonde cocktail, from Texas Hill Country favorite Palmers Restaurant, was made with local, fresh pink grapefruit. (Courtesy Heather Martin)

St-Germain says that a thousand elderflowers go into every bottle of their liqueur, and thats one reason for this drinks perfect, and perfectly natural, finish. Its cold but not icy, herbal but not medicine-y and sweet but not syrupy  a delicate balance that will hit the right note any time of year.

Catching up with Rob Guimaraes, beverage director of another of Swifts reported haunts, Etch in Nashville, Tennessee, to get some background on the drink, and tips on making your own.

Guimaraes told us that the French Blonde is based on a style of cocktail thats had decades-long staying power because it uses a compelling cocktail trinity.

Theres a primary spirit, he says, with a citrus element and then something for sweetness. Here, thats the half-ounce of St-Germain and a fair amount of Lillet Blanc. He compares it to some better known predecessors, like the bubbly French 75, or even the brandy-based Sidecar, but with a lot of room to highlight this or that aspect, as you wish.

Depending on the gin, it could have a wintry character with stronger pine needle or juniper notes, or you might add more or less St-Germain to alter the sweetness. If you dont have a spicy, citrusty fortified wine like Lillet Blanc on hand, Guimaraes says, you could substitute vermouth, or you could even play around with a triple sec, although you might sacrifice a little of the complexity. The most important thing, though, is that your taste buds are happy.

What does he think of the strawberry blonde version we tried, made with pink grapefruit? The Ruby Reds that have taken center stage in recent years will be a bit sweeter and less aggressive, he says, but if youd like to stay true to the name, yellow grapefruit would be the original. Either way, he thinks its worth a little extra effort to squeeze your own  bottled juice will likely be too sweet, overpowering the complex but subtle flavors in the other ingredients.

Guimaraes says that since St-Germain liqueur has been on the market for less than 20 years, the French Blonde hasnt been very widely known, until now.

So, bartenders everywhere had better brush up on this recipe. If her Eras Tour can boost the global economy, any endorsement from Swift is sure to make the French Blonde the toast of the town.

French Blonde

Courtesy of St-Germain

St-Germains French Blonde cocktail. (Courtesy St-Germain)

Ingredients:

1 ounce Bombay Sapphire Gin

3/4 ounce St-Germain

1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc

1 ounces fresh strained grapefruit juice

1 dash lemon bitters

grapefruit twist (optional)

Method:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake (it off) and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a grapefruit twist, if desired.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
ERBIL, Iraq  The dozens of airstrikes launched by the United States late Friday are by far its biggest attacks against Iran-backed militants in the Middle East during this current round of conflict.

However the strikes in Iraq and Syria, an initial retaliation for the killing of three American soldiers, did not go as far as some more hawkish figures had hoped, as the White House tries to avoid an all-out war with Iran. Some regional watchers have warned that this apparent restraint  including telegraphing the attacks well in advance  may mean the militias feel emboldened to continue their violence against American forces in the region.

The bombings drew an angry reaction from Iraq itself, which summoned the U.S. envoy in protest and said the strikes on its soil had killed civilians and risked destabilizing the region. Syria said the U.S. was fueling regional conflict in a very dangerous way. Iranian officials have been similarly hostile, and Tehran, though also reluctant to see a wider war, has warned American strikes would not go unanswered.

What you saw last night and what you are going to see again was not insignificant, a senior Biden administration official told NBC News. When you hit 85 targets over 30 minutes, that sends a strong signal about the capability that we have, the official said, adding that there are other things were going to do. Some you will see and some you wont see.

Somewhere in the middle

The past 24 hours, in which U.S. fighter jets also hit Houthi rebel drones in Yemen and Israel was suspected of killing an Iranian military adviser in Syria, will do little to tamp down rising tensions across the Middle East. The European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell, described the situation Saturday as a boiler that can explode.

This is by far the most expansive military action weve taken against Irans proxies in Syria and Iraq to date  that makes this a significant development by itself, said Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, Washingtons oldest think tank focusing on the region.

In terms of measuring this by how maximalist or minimalist we could have been, this sits somewhere in the middle, not a major campaign by any means, but a notable one that if followed by more could begin to send a deterrent message, Lister told NBC News.

But for now, Id count on the militias feeling relatively confident that theyll be targeting Americans again not too long from now, he said.

The U.S. strikes are the latest salvo in the simmering, Middle East-wide unrest that has threatened to boil over since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed, and Israels subsequent war in Gaza, which has so far killed more than 27,000 people.

A young boy looks at damage to a building following Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, today. The U.S. has sought to avoid the war spreading. (Ahmad Hasaballah / Getty Images)

A network of militant groups backed by Iran  the self-styled Axis of Resistance  has been launching attacks against Israel, the U.S. and international shipping, which the militants say is a protest against Israels war and in support of the Palestinians. As part of this so-called axis, powerful Iran-backed militants have stepped up attacks against American forces across the Middle East, stationed there following the Syrian civil war and the military campaign against ISIS.

There have been more than 160 attacks by these groups across Syria and Iraq, wounding American soldiers, including some who have suffered brain injuries. Then last week, a drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan killed three American service members  prompting President Joe Biden to vow a forceful, multistage response, while simultaneously trying to avoid direct war with Iran.

This came Friday night in the form of some 85 strikes against targets in Iraq and Syria linked either to Iranian militias or Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, which is in Syria supporting President Bashar Assad.

The heavily trailed U.S. operation gave ample time for Iranian military commanders and their allies to hunker down. A senior Iraqi official told NBC News on Wednesday that they had vacated sensitive sites and moved weapons.

We are not trying to send a signal to anyone other than those who mean Americans harm, Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, director of operations of the Joint Staff, told journalists Friday.

Nonetheless some analysts did not see the strikes as a significant step up in any U.S. effort at deterrence.

They appeared to be different in terms of power, number of targets, and use of not only airstrikes but also cyberoperations. There could also be covert action elements that we dont know about, said Jason Brodsky, the policy director of the Washington-based group United Against Nuclear Iran. But, he added in a post on X, nothing thats public suggests to me anything of significant strategic value that was hit. While the quantity of targets may have increased, the quality has more or less stayed the same.

Experts say the advance warning may partly have been to give Iran and its proxies a bloody nose without triggering an escalatory response, especially in Iraq, where the U.S. has important bases and is trying to maintain ties to a Shiite-led government that is also close to Iran.

Regardless, Iraqs response was scathing, setting up a verbal conflict between Washington and Baghdad, a government that still hosts U.S. troops following the 2003 invasion and subsequent fight against ISIS.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi waves as he visits an exhibition. (Iranian Presidency Office / AP)

The U.S. said it had warned Iraq in advance of the airstrikes, something Iraq denied while accusing Washington of killing 16 people in the country, including civilians, and having deliberately deceived and falsified the facts.

The senior U.S. administration official told NBC News this was not true. It wasnt a huge heads up, the official said, which they said was to be expected given Iraqs relationship with Iranian-backed militias in the country. But it is not accurate to say they werent informed. Iraq is a sovereign nation and we respect their right to express their concerns, but then they shouldnt harbor these Iranian groups on Iraqi soil.

In Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based watchdog, said 23 people had been killed.

The current relationship between Iraq and Iran is a complex one, with Iraq politically dependent on the powerful, Iran-backed militias based there, but at the same time hosting the American troops.

One of the most powerful of these militias, Kataib Hezbollah, has its footprints on the deadly attack against U.S. forces in Jordan, the Pentagon said. Kataib Hezbollah said last week it would pause attacks against Americans in the region because it did not want to cause embarrassment for the Iraqi government, which had called on all sides for calm.

But on Saturday, the militants hinted that this may yet change, posting a video to the Telegram messaging service quoting its military spokesman Jaafar al-Husseini, interviewed last month.

The Americans will see days they will never forget throughout history, he said.

Keir Simmons and Mo Abbas reported from Erbil, and Alex Smith from London.
Guest VIewpoint

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism Requires a Collaborative Approach

Positive, proactive communication with families can help educators address the root causes of chronic absenteeism.

Chronic absenteeism has been an ongoing challenge for K12 districts, and pandemic learning disruptions have only heightened the issue. Educators are looking for ways to promote consistent attendance and meaningful engagement. Most schools reopened for the 20212022 school year, but millions of students were still missing class. A recent California study (PDF) of 320,000 students across 29 districts found that close to a third of public school students were chronically absent during the 20222023 school year. Collectively that equates to nearly 19 million hours of valuable learning time. This academic year, districts are taking a collaborative approach to improving attendance  and are making noteworthy strides. We consistently find that strategies focused on positive, proactive communication between school and home improve student outcomes.

The positive impacts of increasing learning time extend beyond school doors. Regular attendance is directly tied to students' long-term opportunities, likelihood of graduating, increased earning potential, and overall quality of life.

In addition to vital academic instruction, improved attendance creates more interactions with teachers and peers. Building friendships, collaborating on projects, and developing essential social skills improve students' self-esteem. Positive interactions and strong school communities help students stay on track academically and create a positive cycle of attendance, performance, and self-confidence.

The causes of student absenteeism can be complex. The reasons behind patterns of absenteeism can stem from a variety of factors, such as health issues, transportation constraints, and other family circumstances that students arent comfortable discussing. To truly combat absenteeism, schools need to address the unique circumstances of each student's life and create an environment of empathy, support, and personalized intervention.

Educators and school leaders have a lot on their plates and limited resources. Often, the main communication between schools and families happens when a student is already struggling. This reactive, often punitive approach is understandable but far from ideal. Shifting the focus to supportive and encouraging messages before disciplinary measures are needed consistently improves attendance by cultivating a culture of academic success.

5 Key Ways to Improve Attendance Habits This School Year

Ive collaborated with hundreds of districts across the country to address this growing issue and have seen the following strategies make a significant difference in getting students back into classrooms.

Schools and districts see significant improvement when they foster a positive school culture, educate families about the importance of attendance, build strong relationships between school and home, use data to identify trends, and tailor interventions to the unique needs of each student.

Here are five key strategies that reliably improve attendance:
Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

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Congress prez says Modis guarantee is not fulfilling promises

New Delhi: In a fiery address at the Nyay Rally in New Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised the careful selection of booth-level workers to prevent defections. He remarked, We should pick our booth level workers very carefully so that they dont run away. There is a saying that even when we buy a dog or an animal, we have to pull its ear and check it.

Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises related to job creation and tackling black money. He asserted, What is Modi's guarantee? His guarantee is not fulfilling promises."

The Congress president further accused the Prime Minister of attempting to impose his views on the country and punishing those who oppose him. He declared that the fight is against the RSS and BJP, alleging their intention to undermine the country and marginalise the poor. Kharge emphasised the need for Congress to engage in grassroots awareness campaigns against the BJP's divisive policies, stating, "Congress will have to go to every household to create awareness against BJP's divisive policy."

Kharge expressed concern about the stifling of dissent, claiming that anyone in the country, including sensible Congress members, faces FIRs. He accused the BJP of attempting to instill fear in the people and opposition parties to retain power. The Congress president alleged that 411 MLAs from Opposition parties have been booked and jailed, with the BJP resorting to framing and booking MLAs of Opposition parties in states to form governments.

Kharge also criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for quitting the Mahagathbandhan alliance, labelling him as "Paltu Kumar" despite his previous emphasis on socialism. He called upon Delhi Congress leaders and workers to focus on booth-level activities and appoint aggressive and diligent party workers to ensure a fair voting process. Kharge declared that the success of Congress in the Lok Sabha election across the country hinges on victory in Delhi.
Expert Viewpoint

The Potential of High-Impact Tutoring

There's no shortage of alarming statistics about the state of K12 education these days. Research from NWEA found that students still need, on average, an additional 4.5 and 4.1 months of math and reading instruction, respectively, to catch up to where they would have been prior to the pandemic, which was too low even then. A third of all students struggle to make it to school regularly, and when they are there, less than half feel a sense of belonging.

Looking at these numbers, there's no denying that the status quo classroom instruction is failing to meet the needs of students, and the billions of dollars spent on solutions new and old to address COVID-related learning loss have not yet had the impact they were meant to have. This is why high-impact tutoring deserves our continued attention.

Research consistently demonstrates that high-impact tutoring can yield substantial gains in student achievement. Saga Education, which receives funding from Overdeck Family Foundation, has shown that its model can double or triple the amount of math high school students learn each year, increase student grades, and reduce math and non-math course failures. The real-world benefits of high-impact tutoring can be seen throughout the country. In Texas, Ector County Independent School District began offering high-impact tutoring in 2019 in both reading and math. Three years later, 18 schools showed double-digit increases on state assessments.

High-impact tutoring also has clear social-emotional benefits: An external evaluation of the New Jersey Tutoring Corps, launched in 2021 out of the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and supported by Overdeck Family Foundation, found that 84% of students reported enjoying learning more now than they did before 20222023 school-year tutoring started. This is a critical benefit at a time when students need it most.

But not all tutoring is created equal, and the best tutoring is often the hardest to implement, a truth that has caused some schools and districts to pause existing efforts or hesitate to jump in at all. In New Mexico, for instance, the Department of Education canceled its contract with a virtual tutoring provider because the program fell short of expectations. Meanwhile, some districts are reluctant to invest in rigorous tutoring altogether, with close to one in five schools offering no tutoring whatsoever. According to a recent McKinsey survey, while more than 50% of district leaders hope to dedicate remaining ESSER funds to pandemic learning recovery, only 30% plan to invest in supports like high-dosage tutoring and intervention curricula.

To the educators who are navigating these real-time decisions about what's best for students: Don't give up on tutoring  but make sure you're investing in what works. There is evidence available to help you understand what kind of tutoring can best accelerate learning, and, importantly, there are new innovations underway to make effective tutoring easier to implement and more cost-efficient.

What makes high-impact tutoring work

We know tutoring is more likely to have a compelling impact when it is grounded in several key elements: embedded into the school day, aligned to classroom instruction, and delivered by highly trained tutors who stay consistent throughout the tutoring duration. Additionally, tutoring is most impactful when students attend sessions at least three times per week for more than 10 weeks.

These elements mean that impactful tutoring isn't an off-the-shelf solution. Specifically, effective implementation  from finding and training tutors to rethinking the school day schedule and securing funding  requires dedicated staffing to manage the program and strong relationships with providers, both of which can be a challenge for districts given resource and funding constraints.

Recognizing these challenges, organizations like Accelerate, funded by Overdeck Family Foundation, are working to build a stronger ecosystem to develop and scale high-impact tutoring, by investing in research, scaling promising practices, and supporting federal and state policy agendas that allow tutoring to occur at scale.

There are also a number of exciting innovations underway to lessen the implementation burden without sacrificing effectiveness, by adjusting the high-impact tutoring "formula."

Innovations on the horizon

When it comes to cost, opportunities exist to make in-person, high-impact tutoring more affordable. Research from the University of Chicago, funded by Overdeck Family Foundation and Arnold Ventures, shows that blended tutoring models where students receive instruction from trained tutors on some days and engage with high-quality, supplemental, online learning platforms on others can be impactful at a fraction of the cost of human-only tutoring.

Artificial intelligence is also unlocking the potential to train and provide ongoing support to tutors. Saga Education and the University of Colorado Boulder are working together to understand how generative AI tools can review tutoring sessions and provide feedback to tutors, which, if effective, can more efficiently increase tutors' efficacy. In Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University's PLUS initiative is leveraging AI to increase the ratio of students to tutors through a dashboard that offers real-time individualized suggestions, helping tutors identify which students need what kind of help, and when.
Archbishop Paglia made the announcement in Bengaluru at the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (Latin rite). Meanwhile, Tsai Ing-wen, the outgoing president of Taiwan (a leading semiconductor manufacturer) wrote to Pope Francis, saying that her country is working intelligently to develop AI technology while always keep[ing] humanity foremost in mind.

Bengaluru (AsiaNews)  A number of leaders representing Asian religions are set to sign the Rome Call for AI ethics at a meeting in July in Hiroshima, the very place that symbolises the wounds of war.

The Call is the document issued by the Pontifical Academy for Life in 2020 together with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and some IT giants to promote algorethics, that is, moral guidelines that are indispensable today to ensure that the development of increasingly advanced applications of data science always serves humanity.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, made the announcement in his address to the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Conference of Bishops of India (CCBI), Latin rite, currently underway in Bengaluru.

In January 2022, Jews and Muslims signed the Rome Appeal said Archbishop Paglia. Next July, in Hiroshima, the leaders of Asian religions will also sign it.

I hope to be able to communicate to you soon the agenda of this event, which testifies to the global responsibility of religions, called not to defend themselves in an apparently hostile environment, but to serve humanity in every age and place."

For Archbishop Paglia, it is important to focus on the benefits that AI is already bringing to humanity in so many fields, from medicine to agriculture, communications, and Church life itself.

For the prelate, Indian bishops should not to let themselves to be infected by the pessimism of those who at this moment enumerate, in worried if not apocalyptic tones, only the many dangers that this change seems to bring to human life, to the point of postulating even the end of human civilisation on the planet.

This does not mean ignoring the responsibilities that these tools bring. We are aware that articulated and complex answers can be brought to this ethical question, not always unequivocal and simple ones," the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life noted.

Indeed, "We are called upon to regulate a rapidly growing and global phenomenon, bringing together very different cultures and traditions. The fact that artificial intelligence is made with Chinese and African minerals, Western ideas and Indian CEOs must encourage us to reflect.

Suggestively, an answer to Pope Francis's message for the World Day of Peace 2024 came from Asia recently, centred on this very issue.

Tsai Ing-wen, the outgoing president of Taiwan, the world's leading manufacturer of semiconductors (an essential tool for cutting-edge technologies), responded to the pontiff with a letter in which she backs his appeal and explains the steps taken by her government for an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.

In recent years, she writes, we have been committed to bolstering resources and talent in the industry. Our aim has been to stimulate technological development, upgrade our industries, and spur digital transformation while also addressing the challenges of labor shortages, an aging society, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

For her, Taiwan will continue to play an indispensable role in global supply chains and make substantive contributions to global prosperity. However, For Taiwan, as for other democracies, one major challenge has been disinformation campaigns.

We fully understand  as you (the pope) underlined in your message  that algorithms must not be allowed to determine how we understand human rights. For this reason, Taiwan, in working intelligently to develop AI technology, will always keep humanity foremost in mind.

Hence, Working alongside like-minded partners, we will use technology to increase public trust, defend democracy and freedom, and mitigate the negative impacts that AI may bring.

To this end, Taiwan will deepen cooperation with the Holy See across many areas as we work toward exercising good technological governance, maintaining social harmony and stability, and jointly creating a peaceful future for humanity.

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
From the Holy Family parish in Gaza comes the story of Hani Abu Daoud who died because no hospital could treat his condition, deprived even of the possibility of returning to northern Gaza to spend his last days with his loved ones. His is one of the many mad stories behind the call for a ceasefire in what has already become Israel's longest war since 1948.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews)  Negotiations for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are progressing amid glimmers of hope and words of rejection.

The war that broke out with the terror attacks of 7 October is now in its 120th day today. Along with the death toll and destruction inflicted in Gaza and the pain of the families of the Israeli hostages protesting in the streets of Tel Aviv again this evening, the war between Israel and Hamas has another sad record: It is Israel's longest war since 1948, longer than the 116 days of the First Lebanon War in 1982.

Putting aside the raw numbers, individual human tragedies that occur every highlight the urgency of a ceasefire.

In the past few days, a photo shared on social media by members of Gazas small Christian community stands out, that of the smiling face of Hani Abu Daoud, another of those civilian casualties that Pope Francis spoke about in his address to the diplomatic corps a few days ago, unacceptably downgraded more and more to wars "collateral damage.

Hani's story speaks for itself. An accident several years ago left him in need of regular dialysis, on a long waiting list for a kidney transplant. This did not prevent him from working on a job creation project in Gaza promoted by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

When hospitals in northern Gaza shut down one after the other in recent weeks due to the war, Hani had to leave for southern Gaza, alone.

Without his family, he looked for a hospital that could provide him with the dialysis service he needed; he found it but the care was irregular, until the destruction made it all but impossible even in that part of the Strip.

At that point, he tried to return to the north to at least spend his final days with his family. This, too, proved impossible: no one who left northern Gaza is allowed to return.

Hani passed away yesterday, writes Sami El-Yousef, chief executive officer at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, on his Facebook page.

He died alone away from his wife and young children from the complications of his medical problem and lack of proper treatment and was buried in the south where there are no Christian cemeteries or clergy!! No one should face such circumstances.

Such a catastrophic war, Sami El-Yousef adds, must end now to avoid other human tragedies so people are allowed not only to live in dignity but also be allowed to die in dignity. May Hani rest in eternal peace and may God give strength to his wife and children to cope with their loss!
by Melani Manel Perera

The former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was questioned for 10 hours and remanded into custody in connection with fake papers involving a batch of vials that failed quality tests. The scam cost US$ 415,000 to a country whose health care is on the verge of collapse.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was taken into custody last night in Colombo by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a scandal over the importation of substandard immunoglobulin injections.

Rambukwella, the current Minister of the Environment, appeared before the Maligakanda Magistrates Court yesterday in compliance with a summon and was remanded this morning until 15 February after more than 10 hours of questioning.

The arrest came in the wake of increased pressure from civil society groups and health care sector unions in the past few days.

In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) reported that false papers were submitted for customs clearance involving a batch of vials containing human immunoglobulin that later failed quality tests.

The product, which was allegedly manufactured in India by Livealth Biopharma Pvt Ltd, was imported by a local pharmaceutical company, Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd.

The Indian manufacturer, however, denies any involvement in the fraudulent activity.

Some 130 million rupees (about US$ 415,000) were misappropriated in the operation through the unlawful procurement of 22,500 vials.

Seven other suspects are implicated in the case, including a former Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

Over the past few years, drug purchasing scams have had a serious impact in a country like Sri Lanka where the economic crisis has made it hard to supply medical drugs.

After the latest scam came to light last October, Rambukwella was moved to the Environment Ministry in a cabinet reshuffle, replaced at Health by then Minister of Industries Ramesh Pathirana.

This was the first time that a cabinet minister of a government was arrested for corruption while in office, reads a statement by the Citizen Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste campaign. Civil organisations and human rights activists fought together for many days to bring about this.

Some activists detained on Wednesday during the protests at the CID were released on Thursday.
What Is Reiki? What to Expect From This Popular Healing Technique

Feeling Anxious, Stressed, or Emotionally Stuck? Reiki Healing May Be the Answer

Reiki is having a major moment right now  but its no passing wellness trend. In fact, its been around for about 100 years. But it wasn't until more recently that it went from "woo-woo" to mainstream, at least in the Western world. Nowadays, reiki is practiced everywhere from luxury resorts to hospitals and hospices. So, what is reiki, and how can it help you?

The word reiki comes from a combination of two Japanese words: rei, which loosely translates to the higher power, and ki, which means life force energy. The practice of reiki is based on the notion that we all have life force energy flowing through us and around us, says Rebecca Mihopoulos, a reiki master at Release Well-Being Center in Westborough, MA. Its also based on the Eastern belief that the bodys natural healing capabilities depend on free-flowing energy. Reiki healing is aimed at identifying any energy points in the body that are blocked and promoting well-being.

RELATED: What Is Chakra Cleansing? And What Are the Benefits of This Ritual?

While research on the potential benefits of reiki is still somewhat limited, there is promising evidence that it can have a positive effect on your physical, emotional, and mental health.

Before you go ahead and book that reiki session, heres what you should know about this popular alternative healing technique.

What Is Reiki?

On a basic level, reiki is a practice that involves manipulating the flow of energy in your body. A reiki practitioner uses their hands to channel and guide the energy to create balance so the body is better able to heal itself.

It was originally developed in the 1920s by Buddhist priest Mikao Usui after he had a transformative experience while meditating and fasting on Mount Kurama. One of his students, Chujiro Hayashi, then opened a clinic in Tokyo to hone this new healing technique and practice it on others. Reiki master Hawayo Takata is credited for bringing this technique to Hawaii  where it then continued to spread to the U.S. in the 1970s.

What Happens During a Reiki Session

Every reiki healer has a slightly different way of working. I booked my first reiki session with Mihopoulos with the intention of getting to the root of my anxiety and relationship issues  and kickstarting the healing process from some childhood trauma. Based on my experience, heres what you can generally expect.

A reiki session usually lasts about an hour. Mihopoulos often begins her practice with a short meditation.

The client lays down face up and is asked to take some deep breaths in and out to help them ease into relaxation, she explains.

During the meditation, she invited me to imagine I had roots growing out of me that were connecting me to the earth beneath me, which made me feel grounded, present, and very much in my body. I kept my eyes closed for the entire session, and after she verbally guided me through the meditation, there was no talking for the remainder of the reiki work. Mihopoulos used crystals to complement the healing work, but note that not all reiki practitioners combine these modalities.

Mihopoulos always asks her clients if theyre comfortable with some light touch. If theyre not, shell hover her hands a few inches above the body instead. According to Mihopoulos, both are equally as effective, so it really comes down to your own personal preference and comfort level.

Then I move throughout the body using the seven chakras (energy centers) as my guide, says Mihopoulos. I start at the top of the head (the crown chakra) and move down, but some practitioners start at the feet (root chakra) and move up.

Everyones experience of reiki is different, but Mihopoulos says its not uncommon to see colors, feel warmth or tingling, or feel as if youre floating. You may even have some kind of emotional release. For men especially, who often hold the subconscious culturally-driven belief that they can not show their emotions, this release can be especially powerful.

In my experience, a wave of unparalleled relaxation came over me and my body felt so heavy and yet so light at the same time. At one point, while Mihopoulos cradled the back of my head, I felt a sudden and unexpected outpouring of emotion. When I later asked why that may have overcome me at that exact moment, she told me: Some say the back of your head represents your past. I truly felt I had released some stuck emotions that related to my childhood.

At the end of the session, the reiki practitioner will typically tell you which of the seven chakras need the most healing, and what they mean.

For example, in my case, the throat chakra and root chakra were blocked. The throat chakra is related to communication and self-expression  and this made sense to me, given that I often hold back my honest thoughts and feelings for fear of pushing people away or creating conflict. The root chakra is connected to ones sense of survival, safety, and security. Given that I had a very chaotic upbringing that involved moving a lot and living with various family members, a parent who had unpredictable mood swings and uncontrollable rage, and another parent who struggled with addiction, this resonated deeply.

RELATED: The Benefits of Sound Healing

Following a session, Mihopoulous recommends drinking lots of water to flush toxins away.

Many people like to journal about their experience and what feelings or thoughts came up for them, she adds.

What Are the Benefits of Reiki?

The best part about reiki is that its safe and beneficial for anyone and everyone, says Mihopoulos  at any stage of life, and in any health condition.

The key is being open and willing to receive the healing energy, she explains.

Skeptics may insist that the benefits of reiki are merely due to the placebo effect, but research has shown thats not true. Studies suggest that reiki healing may help to:

One of the most well-studied benefits of reiki is that it promotes relaxation. Researchers believe that this is because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system  which regulates the bodys rest and digest response. This response helps to bring the body back to a state of calm and relaxation after the fight or flight response has been activated due to perceived threat, stress, or danger.

According to Mihopoulos, some people feel the benefits of reiki immediately after a single session. Others may see gradual improvements after three or more appointments.

As for how often you should receive reiki healing, it all depends on your goals. While some receive weekly or monthly treatments, others may only opt to come once or twice a year as needed, says Mihopoulos.

I really rely on the recipient to trust their intuition on when to return for more healing, she adds.

Finding a Reiki Healer

Nowadays, you can find reiki healing services at many of your local spas, resorts, wellness centers, and wellness retreats.

One of the best ways to find a quality reiki practitioner is a recommendation from a friend or family member. If you dont know anyone whos tried reiki, simply Google reiki healing in [your location]. And if that doesnt yield any promising results, try checking out the directories created by the International Association of Reiki Professionals and The International Center for Reiki Training.

Something to keep in mind: The quality of your experience can depend largely on the level of training your reiki practitioner has had. There are four levels of reiki healers, the highest being reiki master and reiki master teacher. For best results, try seeking out someone with one of these certifications.

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Over 15 officials from federal and state agencies, as well as representatives from nonprofit organizations and the Twin Lakes Canal Co., gathered at the Rocky Mountain Institute on Thursday to present findings about metals contamination in Lincoln Creek.
EV

What Can You Tell Me About the Looks and Features?

Photo: Kolesa

Body-on-Frame Platform and Internal Combustion Power

Photo: Kolesa

kW

CRDi

Launch Date and Availability

Actually, make that two, as the upcoming Tasman, which is expected to rely on dead dinosaurs for fuel, will be joined by a second model, and this one might have battery-electric power. The rumor mill places the latter against the likes of the Rivian R1T, Ram 1500 REV, Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and one of the most controversial-looking products in this class, the Tesla Cybertruck Nevertheless, this story isn't about the alleged open-bed electric model from the Korean automaker but the Tasman, which is edging closer to production as we speak. We've seen a few rendering takes of it and a fully camouflaged prototype that revealed some of its secrets, so it is now time to cast the light on the workhorse that's expected to challenge the Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and others.Quite a few things, actually, starting with the face that should have an upright styling, an intricate lighting signature, and perhaps a very special grille. We expect the corporate logo to decorate the hood, and the vehicle should have black cladding on the lower parts of the body. Spy shots have revealed it will have roof rails, unlike the renderings shared by the peeps at Kolesa that we covered a few days ago. The window line looks spot-on, and so do the door handles, which have fortunately evaded the flush-mounted design thats becoming a bit too common in todays industry.The scooped prototype we wrote about at the end of January was kind enough to provide a glimpse of the cabin. Well, glimpse may be too small a word, as we saw the entire interior. Unfortunately, the dashboard, steering wheel, center console, and parts of the front door cards were under wraps, so we cannot tell you much about it. However, we could quote the rumor mill, which speaks about a minimalist overall layout, with a wide curved display mixing the infotainment system and digital gauges behind a single pane of glass, each display supposedly measuring 12.3 inches in diagonal.The Kia Tasman tester mentioned above had a dual-cab body style and could sit five adults, two at the front and three on the rear bench. It was a nicely specced copy, too, with black leather upholstery that will likely be part of the options list. Elsewhere, we expect it to get the usual smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, sat-nav, and perhaps Wi-Fi hotspot and over-the-air updates. A plethora of safety systems should air drivers on their daily commutes, including a 360-degree camera system and maybe a semi-autonomous system, alongside the usual hill-start assist and maybe snow/sand/mud driving modes.There is nothing official about the underpinnings yet, but word on the street is that the Kia Tasman will use the same platform as the Mohave/Borrego. Thus, it will be a body-on-frame truck capable of taking on the great outdoors when fitted with the proper rubber. Naturally, a four-wheel drive system will be on deck, yet we wouldn't be surprised if the company offered the lesser flavors with two-wheel drive to keep the costs down. We also expect it to feature an automatic transmission, perhaps a dual-clutch unit for quicker gear changes.Power-wise, it has been reported that it might get a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Sonata N-Line's mill is good for 290 hp (294 ps/216) at 5,800 rpm and produces 311 pound-feet (422 Nm) of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. A 2.2-literturbodiesel is also understood to be part of the engine family with some 200+ horsepower, albeit outside of North America, obviously, and we wouldn't be surprised if Kia upped the ante with a partially electrified unit to make it more popular with the tree-hugging pickup crowd.We're venturing farther into the unknown here, but there are a few unofficial details when it comes to this aspect, too. The first one speaks about a potential unveiling sometime this year, with the order books perhaps opening close to the end of 2025. As for the availability part of the story, it is said to become available in South Korea and Australia. Nonetheless, some believe the Kia Tasman might also arrive in North America, yet we wouldn't bet on it just yet. Would you want it in our market?
kW

CVT

Photo: Chevrolet

Launched in 2015 and facelifted three years later, the ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu is an old product. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean it's not popular, as the bowtie brand managed to shift over 130,000 copies last year and more than 115,000 the year before, data published by GoodCarBadCar reveals.Obviously, the mid-size sedan segment still has a future in North America, so Chevy is reportedly planning a new generation Malibu. The next one will reportedly share many components with the Trax, Trailblazer, Buick Encore GX, and Envista, as it is rumored to utilize the same VSS-F construction. It's too early to speak about the details, including the powertrain family, but the model might not be far away.If the latest reports are accurate, then the all-new Chevrolet Malibu might celebrate its unveiling in 2025. It might launch either as a 2025 or a 2026 model in our market, depending on when it will be presented. The current one has an MSRP of $25,000 and comes with a 1.5L turbo-four making 160 hp (162 ps/119) at 5,700 rpm and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque from 2,500 to 3,000 rpm and mated to aNevertheless, despite being around a year or so away from showing its redesigned face, the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu has already been rendered. In fact, we've seen several unofficial takes on the bowtie brand's upcoming mid-size sedan these past few months, and that list has now grown to include the virtual model shared in the image gallery above, which came from vburlapp on social media.The styling differences are obvious, as this CGI-infused machine does not look anything like its predecessor. It has a very sporty profile with a sloping roofline that makes it look more like a four-door coupe than a traditional sedan. The face is on the futuristic side, with its slender LED headlights, minimalist grille decorated by the corporate logo, and aggressive bumper with multiple air intakes.The rendering artist behind this digital illustration has gone the extra mile by also imagining this hypothetical next-gen Chevy Malibu with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. We can see it being digitally charged via the socket mounted on the right rear quarter panel.We cannot say that we're fans of this rendering, but then again, we don't hate it either. If anything, we think the car world needs more traditional models, regardless of whether they're partially electrified or not, and we're excited by the rumor that the GM-owned company will keep the Malibu around for at least another generation.
Teardrop campers come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. However, this next one is only a teardrop based on the overall figure. Other than that, Adria Mobil's Action camper is something else entirely.

Photo: Adria Mobil

Photo: Adria Mobil

Photo: Adria Mobil

GVWR

Folks, if the name Adria Mobil sounds familiar to you, it might be because you've dabbled in the European RV and camper scene. After all, this crew has been around since 1965, placing them alongside industry giants the likes of Winnebago, Airstream, and Hymer (a major European RV manufacturer).Yet, what helped this brand maintain a spot for itself among the greats is the fact that they roll with the times, often modifying existing models to keep up with current and future owner needs. One example of this notion is the Action.Now, the Action is the sort of camper that's a tad different than what we may be used to, especially if we look at this bugger as teardrop, which it clearly isn't. But, some principles of aerodynamics, such as the curved and elongated bow and bulbous backend, albeit very RV-like, are in place. Just don't expect to find an outdoor galley at the back of this unit; I told you it's a bit different.Another design aspect that's clearly not of the teardrop world is the massive shell or habitat. Teardrops are known to be small and light and typically offer the bare necessities we need to live the on-road life, but the Action actually takes things to a different level, a European one, and places everything we would need at our disposal. If you've checked out the image gallery, you understand what I'm talking about. If not, now's the time to do so.For the next few minutes or so, let's pretend that you own one of the four available floorplans of wheeled composite, steel, and aluminum. My favorite is the 391 PH, and it's a massive and modular dinette and additional bunk space - the family-friendly unit - so we'll walk through that for a moment.Entry into the camper is made via the right side of the unit and toward the rear, and upon entering this mobile habitat, you'll find yourself enveloped in an interior that reminds me of a solid Class B motorhome or campervan. Heck, we can even stretch that idea a bit and compare the Action to half of a Class C RV.From the immaculate cabinetry to the well-lit interior, this is the sort of camper that makes you want to spend time indoors. I know it's a bit of a paradox and all - outdoor living inside - but upon returning from whatever adventures you've embarked upon during that day, you'll feel at home upon your return. With composites, woods, and fabrics intertwined in perfect unity, how could you not?After you've taken in the surroundings, it's time to turn our attention to the rear of the unit and get busy making meals using a three-burner top, stainless steel sink, and 140-liter (37 gals) fridge. Since the kids are joining you on this trip, you'll have to really unfurl your abilities , and a large flush countertop lets you do that.With a quick turn in place and a step toward the front of the unit - that's all it takes - you'll be able to set the table and finally ring that dinner bell. While the kids have already explored the local surroundings, you haven't had a chance to do so yet, and so, as you enjoy your meal, you pull back the window blinds and enjoy a view of the world around you via two lateral windows, a forward view-port, and two overhead skylights, one of which, and the largest, sits above the bedroom, so peering into the depths of space until your eyes get heavy is a very real possibility.After you've enjoyed your meal and the view, you unleash the little ones back into the wild and decide to hop in the shower before the sun starts to set. Yes, this one has an indoor shower - all the Action layouts do.All nice and clean, you grab a drink from the fridge, join your significant other outside, and plop down on your outdoor dining set. Yes, with plenty of outdoor and indoor storage options, you can even get an outdoor campsite going with ease. A neat way to enjoy the setting sun, no matter if it's overlooking a beach, valley, or hidden lake in the mountains Last but not least, let's take a step back and have a look at some of the towing specifications for this model. First off, we're looking at an additional 5.97 m (19.5 ft) of trailer behind your vehicle, so this thing definitely isn't small, but in all, you'll only be towing along a unit with aof 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs), so you won't need the biggest and most powerful machine in your garage.As for off-grid capabilities, Adria doesn't seem to have added features like solar panels or a battery array as standard, but for a few more bucks, you can take this baby off-grid with ease. Speaking of bucks, how much can we expect to drop on one of these overgrown "teardrops?"Well, it really all depends on who you use as your dealer , what floorplan it may be, and the added features in store. However, my research into this question revealed 2024 units priced as low as $30K (28,000 at current exchange rates) and as high as $35K. That's a damn good price considering what's in store. The hard part now is finding one of these in North American dealerships.
Anax Developments, a subsidiary of Anax Holding, has made its foray into Dubais luxury real estate sector with the launch of Vento Tower.

The development, designed to herald a new era in luxury living, has a total investment value of AED470 million ($127.96 million) and is the companys first real estate venture.

The project, slated for completion in Q4, 2025, comprises 225 luxury residences - fully furnished and equipped studios and one bedroom apartments.

Sprawling over 19 residential floors, residents are welcomed via a five-star hotel style lobby, with 24-hour security and a fully-fledged concierge service.

Vento Tower stands as a pinnacle of contemporary living, boasting avant-garde spaces and top-notch amenities.

The oversized apartments include private balconies designed according to individual unit plans that have panoramic views of Business Bay, Burj Khalifa and the Downtown Dubai area. Moreover, the apartments come fitted with a Smart Home System featuring Bosch and Siemens, allowing residents to control a host of amenities such as lighting and cooling. Each apartment also includes branded kitchen fixtures, including smart refrigeration, a dishwasher and contemporary cooking appliances.

Vento Towers apartments range in size from 472.86 sq ft for a studio to 1,208 sq ft for a one-bedroom apartment.

Residents can take advantage of several innovative features, including a co-working space, an open-air cinema, a state-of-the-art gym and steam room, a sauna and a swimming pool.

Vento Tower is extremely well connected  just minutes away from malls, the metro, Downtown Dubai and the beach.

Satish Sanpal, Chairman of Anax Holding, said: "Our vision with Vento Tower is to set higher standards for the luxury real estate landscape. The tower is an elevated living experience, making it perfect for upwardly mobile urbanites, and investors looking for a solid investment in one of Dubais best areas.

Prices for a studio at Vento Tower begin at AED1.2 million and it offers a 30/70 payment plan option. -TradeArabia News Service
Learning Tools

Free AI Teaching Assistant and AI Tutor Designed to Enhance Teaching and Learning

Not-for-profit corporation Contact North/Contact Nord in Ontario, Canada, has released two free AI-powered tools for teachers and students: AI Teaching Assistant Pro and AI Tutor Pro.

Both of these tools are powered by AI and work on smartphones, laptops, and desktops. They do not require a login or track users, the company said.

AI Teaching Assistant Pro:

Creates multiple choice quizzes and essay questions with scoring capability at any level in any subject;

Creates a syllabus with course description, learning outcomes, and weekly topics; and

Makes lessons interactive as well as allows teachers more time to help students with critical thinking and conduct discussions.

For instance, the quiz creation feature asks teachers to input the subject, being as specific as possible (i.e., "Newton's law of gravity" rather than just "physics"), how many questions in the quiz, and how many answer options there are for each question. The AI then creates the quiz questions, shows the answer options for each, and shows the correct answer. The program urges teachers to double check the questions' accuracy.

Teachers can save the quiz, syllabus, or lesson by clicking on the "copy" icon and pasting into their own word processing program.

Watch a video presentation and try the program for free on this page.



For students, AI Tutor Pro, powered by ChatGPT:

Holds open-ended conversations with students, who can participate by expressing their thoughts and learning about any topic at an academic level;

Lets students learn at their own pace and individualize their learning experience;

Includes a review feature to help students remember what they have learned; and

Lets students copy and paste lecture transcripts, notes, and articles into the tutor and discuss the material with it.

Students can watch a video presentation here and try the program for free.

Established by the Ontario government in 1986, Contact North/Contact Nord provides free support services to underserved Ontario residents and students. Visit the About page to learn more.
A one-off. The most exclusive of exclusives. The Bugatti L'Or Blanc. That is French for White Gold. And in this case, the white gold is porcelain. Yes, Bugatti once built a car from porcelain, rated at over $2 million, and has been keeping the name of the buyer a secret ever since.

Photo: Bugatti

Photo: Bugatti

Photo: Bugatti

L'Or Blanc was the result of the collaboration between Bugatti and the Royal Porcelain Factory (Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur - KPM) in Berlin, Germany. They labeled it as the fastest porcelain. We'd dare label it as the only porcelain with a speedometer. But it was, indeed, t he first  and last car, as far as we know  to feature porcelain inlays on the interior and on several exterior parts, such as the fuel filler cap, badges, and wheel center caps, for instance. An automotive piece of art running at over 250 mph.You don't go around driving a car made from porcelain as much as you would drive a Bugatti, which is mostly a garage queen, and expect it to hold up forever. But That is why Bugatti only made one.The Moselheim carmaker premiered the car in a ceremony, which took place on June 30, 2011, at the KPM headquarters in Berlin. It was based on the Veyron Grand Sport , and it looked extravagant and abstract and everything in between.The project was coordinated by Bugatti's Head of Design, Achim Anscheidt. His team worked quietly for months to get the car ready on time. They stop, take a step back, look at it, bend up and down to see how the light falls on the car, how the porcelain parts shine from different angles, how they reflect light, and then start again.The Veyron Grand Sport was, back then, the fastest convertible in the world. It needed looks to match that performance. It could hit 254.04 mph (408.84 kph). That is not something you get to see on the race track, not to mention the street.They call it LOr Blanc. The White Gold. Simple as that. The body is pre-painted in a bright white tone that looks so porcelain-ish. To draw the blue lines, they used a precision tape of Japanese soft tissue that can be torn off by hand with ease and sticks to sulfur-containing plasticine perfectly.When stretched, the tapes are lined in pieces of up to 16.4 feet (5 meters) across the entire body of the Veyron. A correction tape above the original tape is placed when necessary. This happens again and again until the final line has just the right tension and position. Even the smallest imperfections have to be corrected with meticulous attention. When the design is completed, a grid of light reflections shows up on the car.Then the carmaker's paint specialists fill by hand each millimeter of the marked lines. Five layers of clear lacquer and three weeks later, the Bugatti L'Or Blanc is ready. In the lower section of the convertible, blue lines dominate over the white spaces. The pattern inverts toward the roof, so the white becomes dominant.There are twelve elements made of porcelain on the model, all made at the factory in Berlin. That is where more than 170 craftsmen and experts produce the items by hand. Each unique item takes several weeks to be completed. This was the case for the porcelain components designed for the Bugatti as well.Molding, testing, checking the impact of natural shrinkage, which is about 16 percent during firing and drying, making sure they fit perfectly and hold up in every driving situation, and then fitting them to the car when completed were major challenges for the team in Berlin. The factory has been operating for 261 years. But they never had to deal with a car. So they also had to thoroughly inspect each item to make sure they would not turn into danger for the occupants in case of a crash.And this is how the Bugatti L'Or Blanc became the first car ever to feature porcelain components. The inlays of the center wheel badges are made of it, and so are the fuel filler cap and the oil filler cap. The signature "EB" (standing for "Ettore Bugatti") is also in porcelain.The material found room on board the Bugatti Veyron-based one-off. It shows up on the sides of the center console, but also on the rear panel between the seats. And then, there is the fine porcelain dish with edges finished in diamond polishing, a technique that KPM used for the first time. The dish is part of a picnic set, exclusively designed by the porcelain factory for the high-end model.When Bugatti started flirting with the idea of fitting porcelain components to what was then the world's fastest convertible, it was unusual, to say the least. But hey, that was Bugatti. It didn't scare them off. They took on the challenge. They knew Ettore Bugatti would go for it. So they did, too.KPM originally intended to integrate the renowned elephant sculpture, designed by Rembrandt Bugatti, into their product lineup. But then, from one idea to another, the porcelain artisans joined forces with Bugatti to roll out an exclusive automobile: Bugatti L'Or Blanc.This piece of automotive art, this artistry on wheels, came for 1.65 million euros back then, which translated to $2.3 million. Who bought the car? Bugatti has been keeping this secret for over a decade. But the car has been spotted in Paris and Monaco, so that means that it should be a customer based in Europe.
The last few years have coalesced into something that can only be described as another golden age for space exploration. With American space agency NASA taking point, humanity's dreams of reaching further and wider into the solar system and even beyond have grown bolder and bolder.

Peregrine 1  Moon lander, failed in January 2024

Photo: Astrobotic

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER)  Moon rover, launch date late 2024

Photo: NASA

Europa Clipper  orbiter, launch date October 2024

Photo: NASA

Hera  orbiter, launch date October 2024

Photo: ESA

Starliner  human-rated spaceship, launch date April 2024

Photo: Boeing

Dream Chaser  spaceplane, launch date April 2024

Photo: Sierra Space

Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE)  orbiter, launch date August 2024

Photo: ULA

Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE)  orbiter, launch date June 2024

Photo: NASA

Lunar Trailblazer  orbiter, launch date 2024

Photo: NASA

Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)  sampler, launch date 2024

Photo: JAXA

SPHEREx  telescope, launch date after June 2024

Photo: NASA JPL

There is no doubt that of all space exploration programs now ongoing the Artemis one is the most daring. Not only because it targets human Moon landings for the first time in decades, but also because it does so using technologies that have never been tried before.On top of that, Artemis is the stepping stone to two major developments that have been dreamed of by our species for a very long time: the colonization of the Moon, and the first crewed missions to Mars.To date Artemis has had only one flight, with an empty Orion spacecraft sent to go around the planet's satellite and come back. The second mission of the program, and the first with humans on board, was scheduled to depart and do roughly the same thing this year. The actual Moon landings were expected in 2025.The complexities of the Artemis mission have however made the 2024 and 2025 launches impossible, and that prompted NASA to announce a delay of roughly one year for both missions (new dates are now 2025 and 2026).There is no doubt that Artemis II would have been the highlight of the year when it comes to space exploration, and its postponement has left many of us space enthusiasts somewhat disappointed. But 2024 remains, even without this mission, an important year in our history, with a number of exciting pieces of hardware on their way up to various points in space to conduct science and advance our goals.We tried to bring them all together in this piece and give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead. Many of the projects you'll read about below benefit from NASA's direct involvement, while others are meant to serve its needs more than anyone else's.The world started the new year with the launch of the first American mission to the Moon in half a century. It was also to be the country's first-ever privately-developed lander to touch down on the Moon.The mission was called Peregrine 1 , and centered around a spacecraft developed by private company Astrobotic. Its mission was simple: study a place that even if it's in plain view every single night, still remains a geological enigma.Using a wealth of instruments devised specifically for the mission, the Peregrine would have collected data on the lunar radiation environment, would have taken a close look at the composition and surface temperature of the lunar soil and, an essential aspect for the upcoming Artemis missions, would have determined whether there are signs of water in the lunar soil.The tech took off on January 8 on board a brand new United Launch Alliance rocket called Vulcan Centaur. Shortly after departure a problem with the ship's fuel system cascaded into something that became uncontrollable and eventually killed the mission.Peregrine 1 was intentionally brought down ten days after launch, and it burned in our planet's atmosphere, above the waters of the South Pacific.Whereas the Peregrine 1 was America's first-ever privately-developed lander to go for the Moon, the VIPER is NASA's very first robotic lunar rover. That's right, the only agency to have ever landed humans up there, and the only one to have sent several rovers to Mars, never did such a thing for our nightly companion. VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, and in its name lies its mission: map the resources of the Moon for future exploitation. And by resources I mostly mean water.The metal box on wheels packs three spectrometers to check the lunar soil for traces of water. It will not only find the stuff (most likely as ice), but also perform some analysis on selected samples.VIPER is the first vehicle meant to travel to another world that uses an artificial intelligence system to plot its course. The software is called SHERPA, and is there to help "assess risk and optimize decision-making."The mission of the rover is scheduled to last for 100 days. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will carry it to space at a date that's yet to be announced, but will surely be before the end of the year.Europa is one of Jupiter's 95 known moons, and in this respect completely unremarkable. It is however one of the largest in that impressive collection of natural satellites, and, more importantly than that, it almost certainly has a saltwater ocean underneath a crust of ice. And not just any ocean, but one that holds about twice as much water as there is on the entire Earth.With that assumption comes a near certainty that there might be life up there. A spacecraft called Europa Clipper will be sent there to determine if the place has the right conditions to support life as we know it.The mission is centered on an orbiter tasked with sampling gas and dust from above the moon's surface. It's the first purpose-made piece of hardware to be sent to Europa, and to be able to complete its task it packs a lot of hardware, including radars, magnetometers, and sensors.Europa Clipper is one of those missions that will take with it countless human names. About 2.6 million of our peers have submitted their names to be included on a chip that'll go into the orbiter, to spin aimlessly around the Galilean moon after the planned 50 orbits are completed.Europa Clipper will depart our planet on board a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in October 2024.Back in 2021, a human-made spacecraft intentionally slammed head-on into an asteroid at speeds of 14,000 mph (22,530 kph) just to see what would happen. Thanks to the many telescopes trained on the impact site, including the James Webb, we got a pretty good sense of what went on. But a special mission was devised to take a closer look.The projectile spacecraft from 2021 was called DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) and its target was the dual asteroid called Didymos - Dimorphos.The goal of the test was to see if such a method could be used by our species as a defense against dangerous space rocks. As per the data provided by NASA, the impact caused the orbit of the smaller piece of rock (Dimorphos) around the larger one to change by 33 minutes.To get a better sense of what really transpired there, the European Space Agency devised a mission called Hera . It is based on the carrier spacecraft and two CubeSats called Milani and Juventas.The CubeSats, ESA's first to be put to work on a space mission, will bombard the asteroid with radar and other instruments to get a clear picture of the damage DART caused.The Hera mission will lift off on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in October 2024, and it is expected to reach its target three years later.No more than six years ago America was still relying on Russia and its Soyuz rockets and spaceships to get its people to Earth orbit and onto the International Space Station (ISS). And then two companies came along and promised American astronauts would take off from American soil in American spacecraft once more.The two companies were SpaceX, which promised the Crew Dragon, and Boeing, which put on the table the Starliner. Of them only one kept its word and put the U.S. on the map of crewed launches one more.Boeing's Starliner spacecraft flew for the first time at about the same time as the Crew Dragon, but it failed to reach the ISS during its test run. It then tried to go again, but the launch was scrubbed for technical issues. That happened in 2021 and since then no other attempt has been made.This summer, however, NASA and Boeing will have another shot at it, trying to give the space agency more crew transport options to the ISS and back.The ship will be propped on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Kennedy Space Center and shot to the sky in April of this year.Not since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011 did America operate a non-military spaceplane. That's because all of the human-rated spaceships made since are simply boring-looking capsules.That will change possibly as soon as this April, when private company Sierra Space will launch the Dream Chaser as part of an official NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).The spacecraft is an evolution of the HL-20 spacecraft NASA was trying to build back in the 1960s and 1970s. It's a reusable piece of machinery in a lifting-body design and comprising the spaceplane itself and a cargo module called the Shooting Star.The Dream Chaser itself is reusable and will be able to launch up to 15 times before being scrapped, but the Shooting Star is disposable and will be trashed after each use.During the first mission scheduled for April 2024, the Dream Chaser will launch on top of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket, the kind that launched the Peregrine in January.The spaceplane will carry a total of 7,800 pounds (3,500 kg) of cargo, far less than its full capacity of 11,500 pounds (5,200 kg). During its inaugural mission the Dream Chaser will remain attached to the ISS for 45 days before coming back down to Earth.Despite all those other things currently taking place over at NASA, the American space agency will never forget about Mars, and 2024 too has its share of Red Planet missions. Among them is something called the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers.That would be EscaPADE for short, a term that covers not one, but two spacecraft, nicknamed Blue and Gold. They are both tasked with studying the magnetosphere of Mars as part of NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program.The transfer of solar wind energy and momentum through the planet's thin atmosphere, as well as how solar wind might have contributed to the place losing the bulk of its atmosphere over the eons are also objects of study for the mission.The ships are built by Rocket Lab and, leaving aside their scientific purposes, are meant to prove you can still do planetary exploration with low funds.EscaPADE is scheduled to launch on top of a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral.The Sun has always been a favorite target for humanity's space exploration programs, and that's understandable considering how everything on this blue marvel owes its existence to the star.By far the most glamourous recent mission to study the Sun is the Parker Solar Probe , and everything we do after it will pale by comparison. Yet upcoming missions are important too, and they are worth at least a mention here on our list.Come June 2024, a SmallSat fleet called EZIE will be launched into Earth orbit. Its name is an acronym for Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer, and it's meant to hide a "small mission with a big science return."The spaceship, comprising a set of three SmallSats, is meant to study the auroral electrojet, electrical currents flowing about 60 to 90 miles above the poles of our world. It is there NASA hopes to find a better understanding of the interaction between Earth and the space weather generated by the Sun.It's unclear at the time of writing what rocket the EZIE will use to reach orbit.Water is not only the single most useful substance we're likely to find on the Moon (at least in the immediate future), but also the most important. That's why NASA and other parties involved in space exploration efforts are so focused on it.Whereas rovers the likes of the VIPER are meant to confirm the detection of water in select places on the Moon's surface, a complete map of its presence up there will definitely help future missions a lot more. And this is where the Lunar Trailblazer comes in.A satellite by birth, the hardware will launch sometime this year and position itself in an orbit around the Moon. From there, it will try to detect the abundance and distribution of water on the rock. It will do so using a tool called Lunar Thermal Mapper, which is essentially an imaging spectrometer.Just like the EscaPADE, the Lunar Trailblazer is part of the SIMPLEx program run by NASA. It's unclear what rocket will be used to launch it into space.One of the most exciting developments in space exploration in recent years is humanity's new-found passion for bringing samples of alien worlds to Earth. Most recently we've seen the Americans do that thanks to the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, and we'll soon have to brace for the Mars Sample Return mission.Mars Sample Return will bring back pieces of the Martian surface for humans to study here on Earth, and that is possibly the most exciting space mission of the decade (Artemis III notwithstanding). But another mission, run by the Japanese space agency (JAXA) and backed by NASA and ESA, has something possibly even more exciting up its sleeve.The mission is called Martian Moons eXploration (MMX), and targets Mars' two moons, Phobos and Deimos. And by target, I mean the spacecraft will reach them, snatch samples from just one of them (Phobos), and head back home. It will pick up samples by stirring the moon's surface using the established technique, by releasing gas from high-pressure nitrogen tanks.The goal of the mission is to give us a clearer picture of how the two moons came to be. There are two competing theories at this point, one claiming they are captured asteroids and the other that they are bits of Mars itself, thrown into space by a major impact.MMX will launch sometime this year with the help of a Japanese H3 Launch Vehicle. We expect the spacecraft back, samples in tow, in 2029.When NASA finally launched the James Webb Telescope a couple of years ago it set new standards to beat for this kind of space hardware. And there are standards that will prove very hard to beat, even if other, similar gear will try to do that.One of the tools to make an attempt is the SPHEREx space observatory. That's its short name, as the long one is (brace for it) Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer.It's a very hard-to-digest name, but like all others in this field of human activity, it hides the telescope's true nature: look at the sky of our Universe in both optical and near-infrared light.Unlike Webb, which looks at the sky one cosmic target at a time, SPHEREx will absorb in one go and for very short periods of time large portions of the sky.The piece of tech will thus be capable of scanning 99 percent of the sky every six months. Such an approach will take a toll on the quality of data it snatches, but it will allow it to look so far out and back in time it will observe things that happened in the first second after the Big Bang.There is no word yet on the carrier rocket for the telescope, and the launch date, although officially set after June 2024, might very well be pushed into 2025.The above are the most important missions NASA has planned for this year. Several smaller ones (NISAR, PACE, PREFIRE) are meant for the study of our own planet, not some distant world.You should take all of the above launch dates with a grain of salt. This is space exploration we're talking about, and if history ever taught us anything it is that everything is relative in this business. As weird as that sounds...
SUV

The company has many high-riding vehicles in its portfolio, including the best-selling RAV4 crossover SUV , which placed fourth on the list of America's best-selling nameplates with almost 435k units. However, there's also a growing emphasis on the rugged side of the family  where the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser resides alongside the equally fresh N400 Tacoma and the old-school 4Runner or the Sequoia and Tundra full-size siblings.Alas, not all of Toyota's high-riding vehicles are offered in North America. For example, the Tacoma and 4Runner duet has an international correspondence in the Hilux plus Fortuner siblings. Of course, the best-known model of the latter two is the legendary Hilux  its Fortunercounterpart arrived on the mid-size market since 2004.An integral part of the Toyota IMV project for emerging markets, the Fortuner has two or three rows of seats, RWD or all-wheel drive configurations, and only two generations under its banner. The current one arrived in 2015 in places like Australia and Thailand. So, obviously, it is growing a little long in the tooth now that it's approaching a decade on the market.No worries, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has already come up with a solution  this virtual artist, known as Theottle on social media, has recently resorted to CGI slicing and dicing the N400 Tacoma into an overseas off-road SUV. The pixel master decided that one of his latest behind-the-scenes making-of videos should focus on bringing the third-generation Fortuner to unofficial life.However, as he used the styling of the all-new N400 Tacoma "to give the Fortuner a more boxy appearance akin to the Land Cruiser Prado," we also feel this overseas SUV project has precisely what it takes to come to America as the sixth generation Toyota 4Runner. In fact, that one has more than overstayed its welcome as the current N280 model is even older than the Fortuner  it was introduced at the State Fair of Texas during the fall of 2009.So, what do you think  could Toyota bridge the gap between the N400 Tacoma and the next Hilux, which is also coming soon, and then proceed to mix and match the next 4Runner and Fortuner, too? That way, they could lower costs  as they will surely use the modular TNGA-F platform for the next Hilux, Fortuner, and 4Runner, just like on the N400 Tacoma. Or is this merely wishful thinking, and they will remain separate, yet again  even though it's not entirely sane from the economic standpoint?
3 February 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Azerbaijan confirmed its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, increasing this objective to 40% by 2050. The government of Azerbaijan prioritizes fulfilling the pledges made under the 2015 Paris Agreement and actively works toward this goal.

Since 1995, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been convened every year. The event aims to examine global progress in combating climate change.

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will take place in Azerbaijan in 2024. The decision was made during the plenary session of COP28 on December 11. Addressing the event, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, thanked the Convention Secretariat and the United Arab Emirates for the exceptional organizing of COP28.

"The issues we face necessitate collective effort and adherence to broadly shared goals and ideals. Azerbaijan recognizes the critical importance of collaborative efforts to combat climate change," the minister stated.

Following that announcement, Azerbaijan hosted the first meeting of the Organizing Committee in conjunction with the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the 19th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, and the 6th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.

Samir Nuriyev, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, opened the meeting by stating that one of Azerbaijan's national priorities for social and economic development until 2030 is defined as a Country of Clean Environment and Green Growth, which is our country's base year. In comparison to 1990, he promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030, declaring the economic zones of liberated Garabagh and East Zangezur, and designating the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic a green energy zone. He further emphasized that Azerbaijan actively participates in international efforts to protect the environment and combat global climate change.

Since taking on the position of host, Azerbaijan has addressed numerous collaboration opportunities as well as preparation processes with several countries.

As an example, the Davos economic form also provided a venue for the Azerbaijani government to present its activities as COP29 host at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"We reiterated our commitment to COP29's green agenda and global climate action," said Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy.

During that event, Azerbaijan and the UAE discussed cooperation under the framework of COP29. On the fringes of the Davos Economic Forum, the delegation met with Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates and co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-UAE Joint Intergovernmental Commission.

"Those include preparations for the 9th session of the Azerbaijan-UAE Joint Intergovernmental Commission, enhancement of trade turnover and initiatives for developing business ties, collaboration within COP29, prospects for joint projects in the transition to sustainable energy sources," Mikayil Jabbarov, said.

In terms of private company corporations, the Azerbaijani delegation met with Eddy Pirard, President and CEO of Japan Tobacco International, and Ana Veljkovic, Director for International Affairs of Japan Tobacco International at the event. Their discussions centered on bilateral cooperation with the corporation. Furthermore, they addressed the future activities within the framework of COP29 that will be hosted by Azerbaijan, as well as the attraction of the private sector to the activity of COP29.

Minister also met with Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization (IOS). Their conversations focused on the application of standards to give effective answers to global concerns, as well as actions to promote a high-quality ecological environment in our country. They discussed cooperation within the COP29, which will be hosted in Azerbaijan, as well as engagement with partner organizations to establish a robust program for the worldwide standards community.

Furthermore, Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Deputy Foreign Minister of Germany, Special Envoy for International Climate Affairs Jennifer Morgan addressed activities related to the next COP29 in Baku, as well as discussion on the green energy transition.

The building of solar and wind power plants in Azerbaijan would increase the country's total electricity generation from renewable energy sources. This generation can be delivered to Europe via a unique energy corridor developed in conjunction with four countries, according to the information provided by the ministry. The parties discussed the energy sector's responsibility in reducing climate change and complying with international accords.

"We're eager to engage with the president and look forward to doing so. We are excited to collaborate with Azerbaijan on the 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, which will be hosted in Germany. We will do everything we can to make this meeting a success. We will do everything we can to ensure that this COP builds on the last one and maintains the momentum," said Jennifer Morgan.

Azerbaijan's effective collaboration with the EBRD highlights the country's commitment to expanding its relationship with the bank. Azerbaijan's cooperation initiatives with the EBRD help to expedite the adoption of advanced methods, contemporary technology, and innovations for the country's long-term growth.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, met with Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director of Climate Strategy and Delivery at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The economy minister stated that Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) provides momentum for the expansion of cooperation with the EBRD in the field of global climate strategy.

Members of the EBRD delegation expressed an interest in maintaining their beneficial relationship with Azerbaijan. They also expressed the EBRD's support for green energy transition initiatives and expanded usage of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan. The meeting also covered the preparations for Azerbaijan's hosting of the COP29 Conference, as well as the establishment of dialogue with international organizations and the implementation of appropriate energy efficiency rules.

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong visited Baku and emphasized that one critical aspect of the IPU-Azerbaijan collaboration is the battle against climate change.

"We have difficulties with climate change. This year, Azerbaijan has been chosen to host COP 29. It is a significant duty, and I applaud Azerbaijan for hosting that meeting. And, as with every major global process, the IPU wants to mobilize parliaments to support the efforts of governments and other stakeholders, particularly in the area of climate change. As we all know, climate warming is an existential threat to humanity, and everyone must work together to take action to minimize this unstoppable emergency. Another issue I've discussed with Azerbaijani authorities, and I'm pleased that we can count on the parliament's support here in Baku to organize a parliamentary summit during COP29 to mobilize parliaments' support for climate action in the context of the Paris Agreement," said the IPU secretary general.

Overall although there are several problems in getting the conference to Baku. Azerbaijan's preparation for COP29 demonstrates a comprehensive approach that includes national pledges, international cooperation, engagement with the corporate sector, and active participation in global forums. As the country prepares to host this important event, it prioritizes environmental sustainability and battling climate change. However, with correct connections and cooperation Azerbaijan can successfully host COP 29 and this will be an important milestone in showing Azerbaijans commitment to green energy and the UN 2030 agenda.

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Nigar Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SNova_000

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3 February 2024 14:57 (UTC+04:00)

Simon Steele, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), wrote on his social media page following his visit to Baku that the "Global Financial System must meet the UN's climate transition goals with a clear plan for their implementation, Azernews reports.

"Whether it is reducing emissions or building resilience to climate change, it is clear that finance is crucial to the global fight to protect the environment. Without a significant increase in finance, the 2023 climate victories at COP28 will quickly fade into empty promises. We need streams, not rivulets, of climate finance," Steele said.

He said climate finance issues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be key at the upcoming COP29 in Baku in November.

"COP29 in Baku will be a very important meeting to achieve our shared ambitions. Engagement with international financial institutions (IFIs), development banks will create confidence in the ability to realise climate goals," says Steele.

In his opinion, the annual investment of $2.4 trillion in RES development, adapting the world's economies to the energy transition is not such a critical amount, because it is about investing in innovation and technological progress.

"The industrial revolution is underway, the digitalisation of economies opens up great opportunities. Every sector of the economy should care about climate protection, there is a need for co-operation, teamwork," Steele emphasised.

He expressed hope that in 2024, private banks, IFIs will be able to demonstrate their intentions to support climate steps.

The Executive Secretary also said at a lecture at the ADA University in Baku that "the Olympic motto 'faster, higher, stronger' should become our common climate mantra".

"I had important talks in Baku and I am happy to give the lecture to ADA students. We are preparing a new, next climate conference - SOR29 in Baku. I congratulate again the government and citizens of Azerbaijan on this event. It is a great responsibility. There will be hard work ahead. But Azerbaijan will cope with it, as it has a great experience of hosting the world's most important events," Steele emphasised.

Addressing the students, he noted that the world will look beautiful in 2050 if it is possible to limit global warming to 1.5C and protect all nations from the effects of climate change.

"Although last year's agreement at COP28 was far from perfect, but only a few years ago it was unthinkable at all, it is a very strong signal that global decarbonisation is inevitable," he believes.

He believes it will take an Olympic effort over the next two years to meet the targets set by the UN on climate by 2030 and by 2050.

"Governments around the world once consciously joined the Paris climate agreement. I think it is pragmatic and achievable to achieve a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and this was mentioned at COP28.

I see a global energy system with zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UN has been trying for 25 years to change the approach to the issue of environmental protection through necessary measures in the industrial sector, in agriculture. After all, the health of all people on Earth depends on it," said the UNFCCC Executive Secretary.

He added that decarbonisation is now an important part of the transformation of the world's economies.

"The UN will present a major study in 2025 on the achievements of the Paris Climate Agreement and it is important for us to step up our efforts," Steele added.

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3 February 2024 23:13 (UTC+04:00)

Exports of sawn timber from Russia in 2023 decreased by 10 % compared to the previous year and amounted to 20.7 mln m. The top ten largest importers are Azerbaijan (516 thousand m), Tajikistan (482 thousand m), Kyrgyzstan (417 thousand m), Iran (392 thousand m), South Korea (340 thousand m), Japan (337 thousand m), Hong Kong (337 thousand m), China (392 thousand m), and China (402 thousand m), Hong Kong (283 thousand m), Azernews reprots, citing the press service of Roslesinforg (forestry institution of the Federal Forestry Agency of the Russian Federation - Rosleskhoz).

The main importer is still China, to which about 13 mln m of sawn timber was shipped from Russia in 2023 (the figure remained at the level of 2022). Next comes Uzbekistan - more than 2 mln m, an increase of 8 %. Kazakhstan closed the top three with 926 thousand cubic metres, which is 17 per cent more than in 2022.

At the same time, Azerbaijan reduced imports of sawn timber from Russia by 21 per cent.

In total, Russian sawn timber products were shipped to 51 countries last year.

Exports of Russian sawn timber in 2022 totalled 23 mln m. The top ten largest importers of Russian processed timber then included China, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Tajikistan, Japan, Singapore, Iran and Finland.

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3 February 2024 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan said on public television that New Delhi and Paris have become Yerevan's main partners in the defence sphere, "purchases in the sphere of military-technical production have increased 20 times in the last 2 years", Azernews reports.

The head of the Defence Ministry added that a territorial defence command will be formed in Armenia. The command will coordinate the training of reserve forces and will have a permanent officer staff.

The Defence Minister added that the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be described as stable and calm.

"There is no accumulation of troops on the border. Thus, the situation in recent months can be characterised as stable and calm," Papikyan said.

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3 February 2024 12:20 (UTC+04:00)

Delegation of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation headed by Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin will take part in the observation of the presidential election in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

"From 5 to 8 February the senators will participate in observation of the extraordinary presidential elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The parliamentarians will go to Azerbaijan through the observer mission of the CIS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and CIS Interparliamentary Assembly," the press service of the Upper House of Parliament reports with reference to secki-2024.az.

The delegation includes First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Ilyas Umakhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Issues Anatoly Shirokov and member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Alexander Bashkin.

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3 February 2024 17:26 (UTC+04:00)

Jean-Jacob Bissep, secretary general of the Unity Populaire pour la Liberation de Guadeloupe, has issued a statement on the occasion of the creation of the Nazione party in Corsica on the issue of decolonisation and independence of Corsica, Azernews reports.

The statement reads:

The Popular Unity Party for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG) supports the creation of the Nazione party in Corsica in order to put the decolonisation and independence of Corsica back on the agenda.

On Sunday 28 January 2024, several Corsican parties and organisations consolidated to create a new Corsican political party in order to achieve independence for their country. While the elected members of the Corsican Assembly declared their support for the autonomy project for Corsica and their willingness to enter into negotiations with the French government, the members of the new party, considering that this path leads to a dead end, oppose it. In this context, their decision coincides with the position of the Polynesians.

Despite the long struggle of the Corsican people, the French authorities continue their repression and hostile policy. Thus, the French authorities do not recognise the reality of the existence of Corsica and its people, nor do they recognise the right of the Corsican people to self-determination.

After exploring all avenues for a solution, France is doing everything to delay the process. The most determined sons of Corsica respond to this: "NO", "STOP". They do not accept the reformation of Corsica into a colony and the change in the composition of its population. At the same time, they demand the right to exercise the right to self-determination. They call on the Corsican people to mobilise, to use all means to ensure their right and independence.

The Party of Popular Unity for the Liberation of Guadeloupe expresses its full support for the activists who have consolidated to raise the issue of Corsica and solidarity in their struggle for sovereignty.

Long live a free and sovereign Corsica!

Jean-Jacob Bissep

Secretary General of the Popular Unity for the Liberation of Guadeloupe.

Pointe-a-Pitre, 1 February 2024.

Recall that The Baku Initiative Group has strongly condemned the illegal detention of pro-independence activists and their family members by the French police following the successful holding of the Nazione movement's founding meeting. The statement from the Baku Initiative Group reads:

Around 700 people have founded the "Nazione" movement in Corsica, uniting pro-independence organizations and activists, affirming their current and future commitment to the struggle against colonial rule.

Just two days after Corsicans freely expressed their aspirations, on January 30, two "Nazione" activists were apprehended at the Borgu military camp. Their family members and another activist were summoned to the police station in Bastia in the afternoon.

The methods chosen by the French search and operation team to detain the activists - broken doors, destroyed houses, parents thrown onto the ground right in front of their children - are disgraceful for a country that portrays itself as the homeland of human rights. Illegal police harassment continues and is aimed at terrorizing the Corsican people.

- We therefore strongly condemn the illegal actions of the French law enforcement agencies.

- We call on the French authorities to respect the principles of justice and human rights and to ensure that such actions do not recur in the future. The right of the Corsican people to freedom of assembly and to freely express their wishes must be guaranteed by the French government.

- We call on the French government to refrain from putting pressure on colonial peoples.

- We demand immediate release of all detainees.

- We invite other non-governmental organizations and political movements to join this statement and support the "Nazione" movement.

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Learning Tools

Swivl Debuts AI-Enabled Mirror Tool to Foster Student Reflection

Ed tech company Swivl has introduced its latest tool, Mirror, which automates helping students develop higher order skills of thought and reflection about their learning and gives teachers insights into teaching such skills.

"The time of exclusively grading based on results is behind us; assessing reflection is now crucial for advancing education," the company said in a release.

Portable but sturdy, the AI-enabled hardware/software platform device requires minimal setup and can be used as a self-service kiosk anywhere in the school, the company said. Teachers can generate goals and activities for individuals or groups, and students can use it at any time, talking to a reflection of themselves. It includes a 180 camera and whiteboarding features, and facilitates calls with remote teachers, specialists, or students, embeds content, and gives controlled access to generalized AI.

"Automated reflection can help solve the intrinsic motivation challenge by fostering goal alignment on both individual and communal levels, expediting learning processes, and establishing fresh assessment benchmarks," the company said.

Referencing a study conducted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Swivl noted that "American teachers only have three minutes per hour of instructional time to devote to activities that allow students to reflect on their learning. The Mirror makes it easier to apply reflection to more learning scenarios and will enable teachers to gather reflection insights quickly."

Brian Lamb, CEO and co-founder of Swivl, said their company believes that AI must be introduced into the classroom intentionally and that reflection should be part of that.

"Reflection is incredibly powerful, but it has been left behind other ed tech advances," he said. "Fortunately, the Mirror allows educators and students to easily and regularly reflect throughout the learning experience and develop skills, creating short-term and long-term benefits" such as "a more goal-aligned classroom and  stronger metacognitive skills  for thriving in an AI-driven world."

Visit this page to learn more and watch a video about how Mirror works.

Swivl has also launched a partnership campaign in which educators can buy a Mirror device and select a school they would like one donated to. Visit this page for more information on the campaign.
3 February 2024 17:23 (UTC+04:00)

Georgian government programme "For Building a European State" presented by Prime Ministerial candidate Irakli Kobakhidze states that Georgia will continue its efforts to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the South Caucasus, Azernews reports, citing Georgian media,

Georgia will continue its efforts to promote peace, co-operation and stability in the South Caucasus, as well as maintain high dynamics of bilateral strategic relations with Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Efforts to promote peace, co-operation and stability in the South Caucasus will be continued. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen successful cooperation with neighbouring partner states, develop bilateral relations in all spheres," the programme says.

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3 February 2024 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

In 2023, 480 thousand citizens of Azerbaijan visited Russia, which is 45.4% more than in 2022, Azernews reports, citing the border service of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

Azerbaijan entered the top 10 countries in terms of the number of citizens visiting Russia. In general, the number of foreign tourists who visited Russia last year increased by about 18.6% year-on-year to 15.48 million people.

Last year, the most frequent visitors to Russia were citizens of Kazakhstan - 3.16 million people (26.7% more compared to 2022). The second line in this rating is occupied by citizens of Uzbekistan - 3.11 million people (51.8% more than in 2022). The third line is occupied by Tajikistan - 2.15 million visitors (36.1% more than in the previous year). The next places are occupied by citizens of Kyrgyzstan (1.14 million people, 31.6% more than in 2022) and China (790 thousand people, 6.1% more than in the previous year).

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3 February 2024 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

Support group for Corsican people established in Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis issued statement.

Azernews presents the statement:

"On 28 January 2024, about 700 people in Corsica founded a new movement" Nazione", which brings together structures and activists fighting for independence and reaffirms its commitment to the fight against French colonial rule.

The police of Macron's dictatorship, called on paper democracy, which tries to interfere rudely in the internal affairs of other countries without respecting the right of people to express themselves freely in Corsica, began to harass Nazione activists two days after the movement's creation.

On 30 January, two Nazione activists were arrested on the instructions of the French National Counter-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office and taken first to the Borgou military camp and from there to Paris as terrorists. The French police attacked the homes of Nazionale activists by destroying doors with explosives, physically assaulting fathers in front of their children, destroying their homes and deliberately breaking children's toys. Family members of the detainees, as well as another activist, were then taken to the police for questioning.

For a country that positions itself as the birthplace of human rights to destroy the door of a house containing young children with explosives is hypocrisy. These acts of violence prove once again that France is still not rid of its colonial mindset, failing to respect the basic rights of people in its current colonies.

Even today, the illegal harassment by the French police continues and is aimed at intimidating the Corsican people in order to silence the supporters of independence. But, as was stated on 2 February at a press conference of the leaders of the "Nation" movement, no repression can stop the national struggle of the Corsican people and force them to submit.

Let us recall that the French government, pursuing a policy of destroying the Corsican language, spoken by more than 150 thousand people, seeking to forget the national identity of the Corsicans, has banned the use of the Corsican language during debates in the local parliament, debates of members of parliament.

This policy is a clear and violent violation of France's international commitments to universal human rights and the rights of national minorities. France denies the national identity of the peoples living on its territory by accepting only the notion of "French", which in itself is chauvinism.

By abolishing the right to use the local language in Corsica, France had violated the requirements of the international instruments to which it had acceded and the commitments it had undertaken. Among these documents is the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen", the most important document of the Great French Revolution of 1789, which defines individual human rights. As well as the "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", the "Convention on the Rights of the Child", the "European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms", the "European Charter of Fundamental Rights", the "Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights", the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the Convention on the Preservation and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the "Regional or Regional Convention for the Protection of Minority Languages" and others.

As a support group for the people of Corsica established in the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

-We strongly condemn the illegal actions of French law enforcement agencies against pro-independence supporters in Corsica;

- We demand that the French authorities respect fundamental human rights;

- The freedom of the Corsican people to assemble freely, the right to associate must be guaranteed by the French government;

- We demand the immediate release of all detainees and an end to political persecution".

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
3 February 2024 18:52 (UTC+04:00)

The website of Yemeni news agency ANN has published an analytical article on the upcoming 7 February snap presidential elections in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The article brings to the readers' attention that the extraordinary presidential elections will be held in the conditions of full ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan after the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 and anti-terrorist activities of local character in September last year in Garabagh.

"In September 2023, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces forced the Armenian separatists in Garabagh to surrender and the tricolour flag of Azerbaijan was raised in Khankandi after 30 years of occupation. Thus, the new political reality that has emerged in the South Caucasus region has been further strengthened," the publication says.

The article says that 7 candidates will fight for the post of President of Azerbaijan in the elections, and also contains information about the establishment of polling stations in diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan operating in foreign countries, including Arab states.

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3 February 2024 19:24 (UTC+04:00)

British Ambassador Fergus Auld has expressed his admiration for Azerbaijan, calling the country a priceless treasure trove in an interview with ASAN Radio, Azernews reports.

Fergus Auld noted that the period of living in Ganja helped him to better understand the country's way of life and culture. Diplomat considers Azerbaijan a country with beautiful people and unique nature.

The ambassador spoke of his love for Azerbaijani cuisine, including Shaki piti and Lankaran turshu kebab.

"In my free time I like to travel outside Baku, to explore other parts of Azerbaijan," Auld said.

The diplomat shared his experience of travelling to different parts of Azerbaijan, including the territories liberated from occupation.

"I have already visited Gubadli, Fuzuli, Zangilan and Aghdam. I have not been to Shusha, but I very much hope to visit this city if I receive an invitation," the ambassador said.

Fergus Auld noted that he feels a warm welcome wherever he goes in Azerbaijan.

"There is a special bond between Azerbaijan and the UK. It is manifested in relations between people, governments and business circles," he said.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that Azerbaijan and the UK will support each other at every important stage.

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3 February 2024 16:55 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society (RCS) employees visited Armenian residents living in the Garabagh economic region of the country in order to assess their needs, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, AzQAC staff familiarised themselves with the living conditions of the residents and conducted a survey to identify the needs of the residents in order to determine what assistance and support services the society can provide.

A bilateral meeting was also held with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross at their office in Khankandi, where ICRC staff in Azerbaijan provided the delegation with information on the committee's activities in the city. Jeyhun Mirzayev, Executive Secretary of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, emphasised the importance of the trip and spoke about its main purpose.

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3 February 2024 21:28 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends opening ceremony in Gaziantep and delivered a speech at an opening ceremony, Azernews reports.

Today, we are officially inaugurating 99 public investments with a total budget of TL14 billion 100 million and 70 factories, built by the private sector with a total budget of TL15 billion 5 million, President Erdogan said.

Noting that at the top of the investments inaugurated today was GAZIRAY (GaziRail), which had a total investment value of TL10 billion and covered a route of 25.5 kilometers, President Erdogan said: The GAZIRAY will greatly contribute to the urban transformation in the ever-developing and growing Gaziantep.

GAZIANTEP IS THE EPITOME OF UNITY AND SOLIDARITY

The progress Gaziantep have made is the epitome of unity and solidarity, our ancestors described as in unity, there is strength. Recalling that they inaugurated 300 factories two years ago in Gaziantep, which is one of the leading cities in Turkiye in trade and industry, President Erdogan said: Today, we are inaugurating 70 newly-built factories.

Recall that on 6 February 2023 in the morning in Turkiye there were two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6. The earthquake, which was 7 kilometres deep, caused serious damage in the provinces of Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Osmaniye, Malatya, Adiyaman, Sanlurfa, Diyarbakr, Adana and Kahramanmarash. The number of people killed in the earthquake reached to 50 thousand 783, earthquake destroyed 6,114 buildings in Gaziantep. A total of 25,953 buildings were demolished in the region, of which the number of severely damaged buildings totalled 14,319.

In the first phase, a tender for 25,700 houses for the demolished buildings was held and construction began. On the first anniversary of the earthquake, 11,000 of these houses were built and handed over to the beneficiaries.

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Artificial Intelligence

Curriculum Associates Acquires SoapBox Labs, Gains AI Speech Recognition Tech

Education technology company Curriculum Associates (CA) has acquired Ireland-based SoapBox Labs (SBL) to incorporate SBL's voice AI speech recognition technology into its instructional and assessment programs. SBL's voice engine recognizes and uses children's speech patterns to analyze and assess their language skills down to the phoneme level.

SBL said most speech recognition technology is built on predominantly adult voice data, which is not useful for educating children. SBL's voice AI can recognize children's speech patterns from two years old and up.

The speech engine has been trained to recognize kids' voices from thousands of hours of speech data from children across 193 countries, regardless of age, race, accent, or dialect. It has been tested to eliminate bias based on these factors, and is "highly accurate, returning pronunciation scores down to the level of individual phonemes," the company said.

SBL said on its website that its top uses for voice technology in education are:

Early literacy practice and assessment "from phonological and phonemic awareness to blending and decoding, letter sounds, words, and short sentences";

Reading fluency at all stages from phonics to oral reading and comprehension, including assessing "pronunciation, words correct per minute, reading errors, intonation, and prosody";

Language learning through pronunciation and comprehension practice and language skills assessments, including speaking, reading, and conversing; and

Mathematics, from counting and word math to times tables and multiple choice questions.

CA, which has a number of comprehensive K12 educational programs, including iReady, said in a release that its acquisition of SBL "will bring new and innovative supports to the ways in which children learn to read, how multilingual learners build oral vocabulary, how teachers monitor progress and provide feedback, and more broadly, how classrooms can better engage in all forms of discourse."

"Curriculum Associates and SoapBox Labs share a commitment to improving student outcomes by expanding access to high-quality instructional materials and innovative technologies," said Rob Waldron, CA's CEO. "This groundbreaking partnership will bring state-of-the-art voice technology to more classrooms, helping to ensure every learner is set up for success. It will also deepen and expand an asset-based, inclusive approach to learning across our entire product line."

Visit this YouTube page to watch a video of how SBL's voice AI technology works.
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?
Mexican criminal gangs and the particularly violent MS-13 from El Salvador have been expanding throughout the US by bringing in their gang members by way of Biden's open border. Under Biden, even the presence of heavy gang tattoos is ignored to let these thugs into the US. These gangs are known to be operating in North Carolina. Bringing their thugs in as "unaccopanied minors" is a common practice.

Now a particularly brutal and violent gang from Venezuela, Tren de Aragua, has also entered the US, and killed and tortured for the first time since invading the US in Florida. Tren de Aragua is one of the most powerful and brutal criminal gangs in Venezuela. Under Biden, Venezuelans have become one of the largest national groups surging across our southern border. They are bringing their criminal gang Tren de Aragua with them.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13004257/border-crisis-miami-murder-venezuela-gang-tren-aragua.html

Meanwhile Biden, Schumer, and liberal Republicans have put together a secret bill that they plan to ram through the Senate next week to legalize Biden's unlawful "parole migration" that let 1.1 million illegal aliens into the country last year bypassing the legal immigration process. They plan to release a 200 page bill shortly before they call a vote on it. It would also give work permits and other benefits to the illegal aliens.
The trial date in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump was postponed, the federal judge overseeing the case confirmed on Friday.

The court will set a new schedule if and when the mandate is returned, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in the order, handing a victory to the former president as he appeals the case on arguments that he was immune from prosecution.

More than 50 days have passed since Judge Chutkan paused the case amid the former presidents appeal to the D.C. Court of Appeals. Over the past several weeks, she has signaled that the initial March 4 trial date would not hold.

The judge on Friday also wrote that prospective jurors who were asked to appear in court in the coming days wont have to fill out a written questionnaire.

Special prosecutor Jack Smith tried to block the delay by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly issue a decision on whether President Trump is protected by presidential immunity in the election case. But the high court rejected the special counsels request, sending the case back to the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Its not clear when the D.C. appeals court will render its decision, while legal analysts have previously said that the case might very well be pushed back until after the November election. A three-judge panel for the court heard oral arguments over the immunity case in early January.

His lawyers, in their appeal to the D.C. court, have said that the former president is immune from prosecution because the activity after the 2020 election was carried out in his official capacity as president. Depending on the outcome of that appeal, President Trump may appeal that case ultimately to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The lawyers also asserted that he shouldnt face criminal charges because he wasnt convicted in the Senate during his second impeachment trial over his activity after the 2020 election and for the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Mr. Smiths team charged President Trump with four counts, including conspiring to defraud the United States and to obstruct an official proceeding. He has pleaded not guilty, saying the case is motivated by a political animus against him thats designed to upend his 2024 presidential campaign.

Other Cases

The former president still faces another trial in New York in March on state criminal charges related to alleged hush money payments he made during the 2016 election. He also faces charges in Florida for allegedly retaining classified documents after leaving the White House and in Georgia, where he faces state charges related to the election.

Source: Trumps Federal Election Trial Postponed Indefinitely by Judge | The Epoch Times
Thousands of tractors and other agricultural machinery rolled across Ireland, blocking roads and other infrastructure as Irish farmers joined the mounting farmer protests across Europe against the EU climate rules that the farmers have dubbed "climate communism" and "the climate scam" . As one German farmer put it "we want to eliminate the politicians who are trying to eliminate us". Polls contineue to show overwhelming public support for the farmer revolt. In some countries, truckers and fisherman are joining the protests.

Ireland's "woke" government has set out some particularly draconian attacks on agriculture including plans to slaughter a large proportion of dairy cows. That would cut the supply of highly regarded Irish butter on the world market.

In Belgium, farmers are ramping up pressure on the EU capital of Brusssels, dumping large loads of manure, as their siege of Paris continues to tighten its noose on the French capital. Farmers are also blockading ports in Belgium, with the help of truckers and fishermen.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/irish-farmers-fight-back-against-rising-green-regulations/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13039119/Europes-21st-century-Peasants-Revolt-drowning-eco-mad-Brussels-mountain-manure-GUY-ADAMS-joins-thousands-French-farmers-picket-line-hears-fears-saucissons-et-biere.html

And Polish farmers have declared a general strike against their new globalist prime minster who wants to kowtow to EU climate policies.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/02/two-polands-farmers-solidarity-union-call-general-strike/
Broadband

Connect K12 Report Shows Marked Increase in School District Internet Connectivity

In its fourth and final report on K12 school district internet connectivity, Connected Nation's (CN) Connect K12 program tracked a 57.4% increase in the three years since 2020, and now 74% of the nation's school districts meet or exceed the FCC's 1 Mbps bandwidth per student goal, an increase of over 5 million students since 2022.

The report was compiled in partnership with Funds for Learning and is based on 2023 application data from the FCC's School and Libraries Program (E-rate).

Under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program alone, $42.45 billion will be invested to enhance broadband infrastructure across all 50 states and the five U.S. territories. While BEAD will focus primarily on unserved and underserved locations, the whole telecom system will also be enhanced, the report noted.

Meeting or exceeding the FCC goal means a cheaper cost, the report revealed. In 2023, the cost per megabit has dropped for those districts to 85 cents, while districts who have not met it are paying a median cost of $1.55.

"This demonstrates that the FCC's goal is not just attainable, it actually benefits school districts in several ways," said Emily Jordan, vice president of education initiatives at CN. "Students and teachers are getting the connectivity they need in every classroom, every day, and the districts are potentially saving money."

Other key findings include:

In 2023, 16 states have 80% or more of their districts meeting the connectivity goal, as opposed to only nine states in 2022.

Kentucky's districts made a huge leap in 2023, going from 49th in 2022 to fifth, with 97% meeting the FCC goal.

Of the nation's 12,911 school districts (representing nearly 55 million students), 3,330 are still not meeting the goal. That translates to nearly half the nation's students (close to 24 million) who still lack adequate bandwidth to take advantage of all the possible digital learning opportunities.

To learn more and download the report, visit this page. The ConnectK12.org website will remain live through the end of the 2024 funding year, but connectivity and cost data will continue to be available for free on Funds For Learning's website.
BY Will Jones at The Daily Sceptic

Top U.S. virologist Ralph Baric engineered the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 in his lab at the University of North Carolina as part of his work in connection with the 2018 DEFUSE funding proposal. Thats the story thats been going round the internet for some months now (and not just in alternative media) and it all looks very damning for Baric and those connected with his research. Details of the DEFUSE project were first leaked by Major Joseph Murphy, an employee of U.S. military research agency DARPA, in the summer of 2021 and further details of earlier drafts have come to light this month thanks to public record requests from U.S. Right to Know (USRTK).

In DEFUSE, Baric proposed to create a virus that was, to most intents and purposes, SARS-CoV-2. The proposal included inserting a furin cleavage site into a coronavirus spike protein, an order for the restrictive enzyme BsmBI, the search for a binding domain that would infect ACE2 human receptors and a requirement for a viral genome around 25% different to SARS.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus contains a furin cleavage site in its spike protein, its genome includes the restrictive enzyme BsmBI, it has a receptor binding domain finely tuned to infect the ACE2 human receptor and its genome is around 25% different to SARS. A number of virologists have said that such features make SARS-CoV-2 a smoking gun for an engineered virus.

Baric obtained a patent for such novel viruses in 2018, just as he was putting DEFUSE together. In DEFUSE he proposed to infect wild Chinese bats with his newly patented viruses.

Many regard this as case closed for the lab leak.

But this is not the full story. Thats because Barics DEFUSE proposal did not win the DARPA funding. And while it is rightly pointed out that, with or without the funding, much of the work was already in hand, its what happened next with the winning DARPA proposal where the story really gets interesting.

U.S. researcher Jim Haslam has done an incredible job on his Substack page Reverse engineering the origins of SARS-CoV-2 documenting all the toings and froings among the virology community in connection with the creation of this peculiar virus and the subsequent cover-up. What follows is in large part indebted to his meticulous research, though any errors are of course my own.

The winning 2018 DARPA bid  for a project called PREEMPT  was led by Dr. Vincent Munster (pictured above) based at Anthony Faucis NIH Rocky Mountain Lab. Both Munsters PREEMPT proposal and Barics losing DEFUSE project had the same basic idea: to try to prevent a (hypothetical) future pandemic by using an engineered SARS virus to vaccinate the bats from which it is believed such a virus was likely to spill over. The idea being, of course, that the vaccinated bats would no longer be a reservoir for the virus, thus defusing or preempting the zoonotic spillover. Sounds crazy? Too right  far too much meddling with nature and placing too much faith in the ability of vaccines to prevent infection and transmission. But crazy or not, thats what the scientists proposed, and Munsters PREEMPT proposal won and DEFUSE lost.

The key difference between Barics DEFUSE and Munsters PREEMPT proposal  aside from Munsters proposal coming in around $4m cheaper at $10m  is that rather than relying on spraying bat caves with a non-transmissible virus-vaccine, Munsters plan involved making the virus-vaccine transmit between the bats via aerosols. This made it a self-spreading vaccine, able (in theory) to reach all the bats without humans having to go and find all their caves and spray them. The risks of such a plan should have been obvious. Indeed, Baric himself, who went awfully quiet after his DEFUSE project leaked in mid-2021, resurfaced in mid-2023 to say that such work involving engineering transmissible virus-vaccines was too edgy for him.

After the DARPA funding went to Munster, Fauci rode to Barics rescue with a bumper $82m programme called CREID, awarded in summer 2019, in which both Barics and Munsters teams would cooperate in the research into Munsters concept of self-spreading bat vaccines.

Exactly what happened next is not publicly documented, so we do need to fill in some gaps. It appears that Munster took Barics patented SARS virus-vaccine and made a transmissible version at his Rocky Mountain Lab (Barics version was not intended to be transmissible). What is the evidence for that? Perhaps most telling is that, as Jim Haslam observes, SARS-CoV-2 transmits efficiently in only five known mammals, and those five  American deer, American deer mice, Syrian hamsters, American mink and Egyptian fruit bats  are all found in Munsters (and Faucis) Rocky Mountain Lab in Montana. SARS-CoV-2 doesnt infect lab animals common in Chinese labs or present in the WIV, such as Chinese horseshoe bats. This would suggest that SARS-CoV-2 acquired its transmissibility in an American lab context and not a Chinese one or elsewhere.

The virus-vaccine having been made transmissible in Montana, it would then have been sent to the WIV to be tested on Chinese bats, which were not available in American labs. There can be little doubt who would have done this testing at the WIV, as there was only one scientist with the necessary connections and expertise. Dr. Danielle Anderson, known as Dani to her colleagues, gained fame in June 2021 as the last and only foreign scientist in the Wuhan lab as she went public to make the case for a zoonotic origin. Dani was a member of the Lancet origins commission, chaired by Jeffrey Sachs and disbanded by him in October 2021 over frustrations that the Western virologists like Dani werent cooperating. Dani was based on and off at the WIV in the high security BSL4 lab (not Shi Zhenglis BSL2 lab), but she didnt work for the WIV. She worked for Duke-NUS, the Singapore-based medical school of North Carolinas Duke University, under the virologist Dr. Linfa Wang. Linfa and Anderson were part of Barics DEFUSE proposal, and Duke-NUS was later a partner in Faucis CREID project.

Andersons role in DEFUSE was to test the virus-vaccines on wild-caught captive Chinese horseshoe bats at the WIV. It is thus reasonable to assume it is her who would be responsible for testing Munsters self-spreading virus-vaccine on the same Chinese bats. This would explain how the virus got to Wuhan.

It would explain, in other words, how a non-transmissible virus-vaccine designed by Ralph Baric at UNC as per the DEFUSE proposal became a transmissible virus and ended up on the loose in Wuhan. Namely, because it escaped via a laboratory-acquired infection during Andersons testing of it on Chinese horseshoe bats in her WIV BSL4 lab, with Dani herself or a colleague as patient zero.

Admittedly, we dont have direct evidence of this  we dont have direct evidence that a Munster-Baric SARS-2 virus-vaccine was being tested on Chinese bats in the WIV in 2019, nor that Dr. Anderson or a colleague was infected by it in the lab. But there is a heap of evidence that points to it as a likely scenario.

We know, for instance, that both Baric and Munster were proposing to vaccinate Chinese bats using an engineered virus, in Barics case with a furin cleavage site inserted to increase infectivity. We know that Munsters PREEMPT proposal, in which the virus-vaccine was to be self-spreading, won the DARPA funding, beating Barics DEFUSE proposal for a non-self-spreading virus-vaccine, and that in 2019 both teams were brought together in an $82m grant from Faucis NIAID.

We know that SARS-CoV-2 readily transmits in the lab animals found in Munsters Rocky Mountain Lab but not in the lab animals found in the WIV. From this we can further conclude that Dr. Andersons experiment to infect Chinese horseshoe bats with the new virus at the WIV presumably failed. This may be why she left Wuhan at the end of November, which was the deadline for the scientific merit review for CREID.

We also know that where Dani and her colleagues lived in central Wuhan was an early epicentre for the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, based on social media data.

It also appears that Danis supervisor Linfa Wang may have quickly realised that SARS-CoV-2 was one of his viruses. This would explain why he resigned from his post as Director of Dukes Emerging Infectious Disease programme, a position he had held for nearly a decade, on the same day that the genome was published, January 10th 2020. The reason for his abrupt resignation has never been disclosed. Four days earlier he had told the New York Times he was frustrated that scientists in China were not allowed to speak to him about the outbreak. He cautioned against panic, arguing the virus was likely not spreading between humans because health workers had not contracted the disease. But privately was he fretting that it was from his lab  is that why he immediately resigned when the genome was published? It is hard to understand what else could have led him to quit so suddenly at that point, and the lack of explanation adds to the suspicion. He later called January 10th the most important day in the COVID-19 outbreak because it was when the genome was published.

If Linfa was anticipating the bad news, it could have been because he and Dani had been aware of the leak at the time it happened. Analysis of mobile phone records discovered an apparent shutdown of Dr. Andersons BSL4 lab between October 7th and 24th 2019 (identified by the lack of mobile phone usage in the vicinity). Nothing further has come to light about this incident and what lay behind it, but if it does denote a laboratory-acquired infection that Anderson and Linfa (and presumably others) were aware of, it would explain a lot.

Such a scenario would also explain why Shi Zhengli had been eager to publish the sequence for the RaTG13 virus she held (the preprint appeared on January 23rd 2020), despite this suggesting to many a non-natural origin of SARS-CoV-2. In the paper, the WIV scientist implied that SARS-CoV-2 had not emerged naturally from RaTG13, despite it being the closest known virus (no evidence for recombination events was detected in the genome). Publishing it showed that her (BSL2) lab had nothing to hide as it was not involved in the work. The realisation that it was an engineered virus from the U.S. may also have driven the panic that pushed the Chinese Government to lock Wuhan down around the same time.

Since 2021, Ralph Baric has thrown himself into developing vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, even entertaining fantasies of ring vaccination, as is done with Ebola, to try to stop the outbreak in its tracks. Is this his way of trying to make amends, however misguided? I wonder if we are also able to detect a hint of him pointing to who he thinks is really to blame for the debacle, when he remarks that governments, rather than scientists are primarily responsible for choosing which risky gain-of-function experiments to fund and run  a reference perhaps to how Munsters edgy engineering of transmissible virus-vaccines was picked over his non-transmissible version.

It looks like American science is going to get shredded for a pandemic that started in China, he told Times Dan Werb, reverting to denial. When Werb suggested to him that despite the conspiracy theories there are many people happy that he became a scientist in the first place, he replied: A fair number that probably wished I hadnt. Lets be honest.

Is that the closest well get to a confession?
Oracle Health is laying off 124 individuals who were conducting health information technology operations for Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth, according to a WARN filing published Feb. 1.

Senior managers and project managers, as well as numerous systems, technical and business analysts, were among those affected by the job cuts. Employees were informed Feb.1, and the layoffs, which are anticipated to be permanent, take effect April 1.

According to the filing, CoxHealth has extended offers of employment to those affected by the layoff.

This comes as Cox Health said in December that it would be moving from an Oracle Health EHR system to an Epic one.

Becker's reached out to Oracle Health for comment and will add any additional information if more is learned.
Ten physicians at Johnstown, Pa.-based Conemaugh Health System, part of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Duke LifePoint Healthcare will be affected by staffing structure changes and service consolidation at some of its practices, The Tribune-Democrat reported Feb. 2.

"We are in the process of notifying our patients about these changes and working closely with those impacted on next steps," a spokesperson for Conemaugh said in a statement shared with the publication.

The Conemaugh Physician Group restructuring aims to help the health system better align with industry standards and the community's healthcare needs, the statement said.

News of the restructuring comes after Johnstown-based Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center laid off employees last May, affecting less than 1% of Conemaugh Memorial's total workforce.

Becker's has reached out to Conemaugh for more information on how the restructuring will affect the 10 physicians and will update this story if a response is received.

Duke LifePoint Healthcare, which is a joint venture of Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System and Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health, acquired Conemaugh Health System in 2014.

Conemaugh Health System has more than 5,000 employees, including over 450 physicians. It comprises the Conemaugh Physician Group and Medical Staff, specialty clinics and a network of hospitals, along with patient focused programs, according to its website.
In 2019, former UnitedHealth Group CEO David Wichmann made a clear statement to investors: Optum's growth strategy did not include ownership of inpatient care facilities. In other words, the company would not build hospitals.

Instead, one piece of the plan to eventually make Optum's care delivery arm, Optum Care, a $100 billion business by 2028 was partnering with health systems to manage administrative services such as revenue cycle management and information technology.

"Those will occur in markets where there are maybe less assets for us to accumulate and build from," Mr. Wichmann said at the time.

Fast forward to 2024, Optum has inked at least nine health system partnerships, most recently with Minneapolis-based Allina Health. Part of that deal includes Optum hiring 2,000 Allina employees, all of whom will continue to support the system's patients and providers.

"Healthcare is changing rapidly and the technological needs to support care delivery are increasingly complex," David Ingham, DO, Allina's vice president and CIO, said Feb. 1. "This new relationship with Optum brings the best of both organizations to the table in support of providers, patients and communities."

Other systems that have outsourced administrative functions and employees to Optum include Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health (1,400 employees hired by Optum); Waukesha, Wis.-based ProHealth Care (800 employees hired); Owensboro (Ky.) Health (575 employees hired); Walnut Creek, Calif.-based John Muir Health (540 employees hired); Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare Network (500 employees hired); Boulder (Colo.) Community Health (275 employees hired); and Greenbrae, Calif.-based MarinHealth (an unknown number of employees hired).

"Nobody was going to save the day for us in healthcare," Tim Dentry, Northern Light's president and CEO, told the Portland Press Herald in 2023. "This decision by Northern Light is going to take a huge amount of pressure off of individual entities like [Eastern Maine Medical Center, a hospital parented by the health system]."

Notably, Optum's largest public partnership to date was with SSM Health, which involved the hiring of 2,100 of the St. Louis-based system's employees. The partnership formally began in early 2022 and has since been terminated, an SSM Health spokesperson confirmed with Becker's on Jan. 3. Neither the health system nor Optum elaborated on why the two organizations split or the employment status of the SSM workers.

When Mr. Wichmann discussed Optum Care's $100 billion goal for 2028, Optum as a whole recorded $101.3 billion in revenue the year prior in 2018. Optum Health, the division that encompasses Optum Care, reported revenues of $24.1 billion. Five years later, Optum's revenues for 2023 exceeded $226 billion, and Optum Health surpassed $95 billion.

Optum also revealed in November it now employs or is affiliated with nearly 90,000 physicians and another 40,000 advanced practice clinicians serving tens of millions of people every year. Optum Care employed or worked with 38,000 physicians in 2018.

On top of the 2019 strategy to not build hospitals, Mr. Wichmann said Optum was also not interested in purchasing post-acute care facilities. Today, Optum owns naviHealth, a post-acute management organization, and it purchased home health provider LHC Group in 2023 for $5.4 billion. It also intends to purchase home and hospice care provider Amedisys for $3.3 billion.
If Florida's HB 739 is inked, much could change for the Titusville-based North Brevard County Hospital District.

The bill  which unanimously passed through its second House committee on Feb. 2, according to Florida's Voice  would replace the hospital district's current nine-member board with a five-member one, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.



It would also require a "valuation" of the district's assets and mandate a sale or lease if it is found to be in the hospital's best interest. Any proceeds from the sale would be directed to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, as would any remaining assets and liabilities.

Finally, the bill would remove the district's ability to levy an ad valorem tax.

At a Feb. 2 House Select Committee meeting, Rep. Randy Fine presented his bill as a response to the hospital district's financial challenges. The district has lost money eight of the past 10 years, only yielding a profit when it received COVID-19 relief funds, according to Mr. Fine. He said that despite population growth, hospital admissions have dropped 10% per year over the last decade  and although the hospital is a safety net, it has allegedly refused to contract with multiple Medicaid managed care companies.

Mr. Fine said the hospital district owes "$80 million in the name of taxpayers in our county, in addition to having $237 million in liabilities," and is ranked in the bottom 5% in the country by CMS.

However, George Mikitarian, president and CEO of the district's 210-bed Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, argued that the hospital reinvests every penny of profit into the community, and that the majority of U.S. hospitals are also in debt.

When asked if the hospital's woes might be attributable to administrative issues, Mr. Mikitarian defended against mismanagement.

Mr. Fine said he believes the hospital will "go out of business eventually" and called the bill an attempt to save it.

"It makes sense to do this test  to see if someone can come in and save this place," he said. "I don't know that they can, it may be doomed, but we owe it a shot."

Becker's has reached out to the hospital district for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.
A cross-industry survey of CEOs conducted by Fortune pinpoints the leaders who they feel receive too much or too little credit.

Fortune surveys CEOs alongside its list of most admired companies, which was released Jan. 31, to rank "which of their peers are overrated and which don't get enough credit."

The most overrated CEO, with 399 votes, is Elon Musk. The 52-year-old CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, formerly Twitter, was also rated the most overrated last year.

Mr. Musk may be the wealthiest person in the world, but the CEO community seems to see disproportionate recognition for his eccentric ideas and aggressive goals compared to his results. In 2023, he talked about self-driving Teslas by the end of the year, plans to build a town, and factory-building on Mars. At the same time, Tesla did roughly double its stock in 2023, but predicted "notably slower" growth on its January earnings call.

Coming in at second most overrated is Bob Iger, boomerang CEO of Disney, the largest global media conglomerate.

Mr. Iger returned to Disney out of retirement in November 2022 with the company renewing his contract this past summer through 2026. The 302 votes from CEOs who see Mr. Iger as overrated are aligned with Disney's fall in the most admired rankings, stumbling from the top 10 for the first time since 2012 to secure the 12th spot. Although Mr. Iger, 72, returned to help steady the company and return it to profitability with about $7.5 billion in cost-cutting, "shares keep falling, declining 9% year over year, and hit a nine-year low in stock price last summer," according to Fortune.

Fortune also seeks guidance from CEOs on who of their peers may be underrated, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella securing that superlative. Mr. Nadella, age 56, has led the company as CEO since 2014 and isn't as widely publicized as his aforementioned peers.

"Last year was a particularly visible one for the CEO, who expanded Microsoft's investment partnership with OpenAI, mediated the firing and rehiring drama of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and closed Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard despite opposition from U.K. and European regulators," Fortune noted.
Join us in this episode as Dr. Steve Davis, President & CEO of Cincinnati Children's, introduces himself and shares insights into the journey to being ranked No. 1 among pediatric health systems by U.S. News and World Report. Discover the key metrics guiding improvements and gain advice for similar endeavors. Explore Dr. Davis' strategies for aligning the staff with the hospital's goals and his hopes for the National Health Care CEO Council on Gun Violence Prevention & Safety in 2024.

Achieving the No. 1 Ranking

Dr. Steve Davis, President and CEO of Cincinnati Children's, discusses the health system's ranking as No. 1 among children's hospitals by US News and World Report for 2023-24 and its goals for the future. He credits the success to a strong culture of leadership and innovation, which was further intensified during the pandemic. The hospital focuses on metrics that address equity gaps in outcomes, particularly for underserved populations, and works with community partners to provide resources and support for families. Dr. Davis emphasizes the importance of empowering employees to think critically and problem-solve, using the approach of "how might we" when addressing challenges. Overall, the hospital strives to always put patients and employees first and continues to work towards achieving their goals through collaboration and community partnerships.

The Future of Cincinnati Children's

Dr. Davis discusses the top priorities for the hospital, including addressing health disparities, improving child health, and reducing gun violence. The hospital's mission to be a leader in improving child health and its comprehensive training programs for employees are helping to drive these goals forward. Dr. Davis also highlights the importance of healthcare leaders taking action to address gun violence, rather than just advocating for change.

Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com

This episode aired on 01/31/2024 and can be listened here.

Subscribe to Beckers Healthcare Podcast here.
Linda Stevenson, Chief Information Officer at Fisher-Titus joins the podcast to discuss key insights into her background & Fisher-Titus, trends she is paying attention to in rural health & the health IT space, areas she feels her organization could grow in, and more.

Insights from Linda Stevenson and Linda Recar: Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare IT

Insights from Linda Stevenson and Linda Recar: Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare IT

Linda Stevenson: Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare in 2024

Linda Stevenson, CIO at Fisher-Titus, discusses the biggest challenges and opportunities she sees for healthcare in 2024. She shares her passion for community health and how it allows her to make a bigger impact. Linda also talks about the financial struggles of smaller hospitals and how they prioritize technology investments. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other departments and empowering her team to research and problem-solve. Finally, Linda notes the benefits of cross-training her team and leveraging remote work.

Linda Stevenson: Healthcare IT Challenges and Opportunities

Linda also shares her experience in healthcare IT and discusses the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare leaders today. She emphasizes the importance of data and analytics in managing budgets and making effective decisions and highlights the need for leaders to stay educated on technology and continuously adapt to changing trends. She also talks about the benefits of having a diverse team and giving them flexibility in their work-life balance.

Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com

This episode aired on 02/02/2024 and can be listened here.

Subscribe to Beckers Healthcare Podcast here.
California's San Mateo County has declared loneliness a public health emergency, making it the first county in the nation to do so.

A resolution on the declaration was passed by the county's Board of Supervisors on Jan. 30. The vice president of the Board of Supervisors, David Canepa, told NBC News the measure is meant to promote social connection across San Mateo, where nearly 20% of the population is 65 or older. In 2022, the county conducted a survey that found 45% of its residents were experiencing loneliness and isolation.

The resolution itself does not allocate funds for programs to reduce loneliness, though Mr. Canepa said a county fund subsidized by sales fax may help support efforts to foster social connection, such as investing in infrastructure to make neighborhoods more walkable.

"What we're trying to do is to really get people out of the corners and say, 'Hey, look, there are a lot of people who are feeling like you. You are not alone. And moving forward, here are some of the things we can do to support you,'" Mr. Canepa told NBC News.

The declaration was inspired by a growing body of research that has tied loneliness to health consequences such as increased risks for dementia, heart conditions, depression and anxiety.

Over the past year, global leaders heightened their focus on loneliness. In November, the World Health Organization deemed it a "pressing health issue" and organized a committee to study the role of social connection in people's health and craft solutions to bolster social ties at a global level. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, who is co-chairing the WHO's committee to address loneliness, released an advisory last spring calling attention to the public health crisis posed by loneliness and isolation in the U.S.

Dr. Murthy praised San Mateo County's effort in a Feb. 2 post on X, formerly Twitter.
A new cookbook  A Culinary Journey: Recipes from The Silk Road Supper Club  has been released to raise awareness of a group of women and cookery enthusiasts who come together regularly to share stories, cultures and flavours with one another during a special supper club in Belfast.
Robotics

Imagine Learning Debuts Imagine Robotify Coding Course for Eighth Graders

Imagine Learning (IL) has announced a course specifically to teach eighth grade students how to code by controlling a browser-based virtual robot, without the need for expensive hardware or software. The course, part of IL's Imagine Robotify program, is called "Flex's Rescue Training." It's an advanced Python coding course designed to prepare middle school students for computer science credits required for graduation in a growing number of high schools.

The course aligns with Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) standards. It features over 900 coding challenges and interactive, game-based learning. It also includes extensive teacher resources, so that teachers without prior coding experience or training can begin teaching and assessing these skills easily as they use the program alongside their students.

The course is also specifically aimed at those students, particularly girls, who are not traditionally drawn to STEM subjects or who have little access to tech learning. The course helps develop the four cornerstone STEM skills: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.

"We understand the importance of early exposure to coding and computational thinking in today's digital age," said Sarah Anderson, IL's vice president of product management, supplemental. "Therefore, we've created a course that not only captivates young minds but also nurtures essential 21st-century skills. Our goal is to empower educators and inspire students, especially girls and those from diverse backgrounds, to explore the limitless possibilities in the world of technology."

The course can be accessed on multiple devices (computers, laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks), with no apps required, during school and at home, the company said. It merges Python programming with ecological problem solving in a 3D environment. Lessons are available in English and Spanish, and coding language support is available in French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Turkish.

"You don't have to have a tangible robot in front of you, because you're seeing your robot on the screen do exactly what you tell it to do," said a science teacher at Seitz Middle School in Riverview, MI.

"They're also learning that if one piece of code line doesn't work, then their whole entire program's not going to work," said another teacher. "So they're learning that they need to be precise, but it's okay to fail at the same time."

Visit this page to learn more, download a brochure, and watch a video, including student comments, about Imagine Robotify being used at Seitz Middle School.

Go here to learn more about the specific eighth grade course.
Grind subscription review: Waking up to delicious, smooth sustainable coffee

The machine itself is minimalist masterpiece. And the cost? 60 pods cost 19 every three weeks

The Grind One machine, alongside the milk frothier and the Grind pods

Kurtis Reid Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 09:00

Last year, amidst much coverage, Belfast welcomed a famous coffee shop known for its popular coffee subscription package.
A teenage girl with a fascination for serial killers watched her favourite film, Sweeney Todd, as she and a teenage boy put the finishing touches to a meticulous plan for a brutal murder.

The following day, Scarlett Jenkinson lured transgender teenager Brianna Ghey to a park in Culcheth, near Warrington, having already tried and failed to kill the 16-year-old with an overdose of ibuprofen.

In the frenzied February 11, 2023, attack, she and Eddie Ratcliffe stabbed Brianna 28 times with a hunting knife, the first victim from their kill list of at least five child targets.

The young killers were convicted of Briannas murder in December following a harrowing four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, with the pair unmasked by a judge yesterday before both were jailed for life.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe sentenced for the murder of Brianna Ghey

Speaking after the guilty verdicts, DCS Mike Evans, head of crime at Cheshire Police, described both as warped, having a thirst for killing and relishing in the enjoyment of Briannas murder. He also branded the pair arrogant, believing they would not be caught as Jenkinson claimed the local police were s***e.

Intelligent, coming from normal backgrounds, and never having been in trouble with police before, the trial, which began on November 27, heard it was difficult to fathom how the two child defendants could carry out such a disturbing crime.

Jenkinson, who has traits of autism and ADHD, and Ratcliffe, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and who is non-verbal, plunged themselves into the darkest depths of the internet in the months leading up to an intended murder spree.

Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, argued the digital evidence recovered from the pairs phones showed they were preoccupied with torture, murder and death.

Jenkinson, who described herself as a Satanist, told the jury she began to fantasise about killing people from as young as age 14, around the time she began to take an interest in dark materials, such as films of the torture and murder of real people in red rooms on the dark web.

As early as October, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe had discussed the killing of another child, boy M, in messages shown to jurors. Jenkinson said: If we kill boy M, can I keep some things, a couple of teeth and an eye.

Jenkinson said she had a knife like the one used by the murderous barber Sweeney Todd, a character she appeared to idolise after having seen the film of the same name 9,000 times.

Brianna Ghey

The court heard Ratcliffe sent an image of the weapon used to murder Brianna on New Years Day. The 13.50 wooden-handled hunting knife was found in his bedroom with Briannas blood on it and his DNA on the handle. His internet browsing history from the end of last year also showed searches on various poisons, including VX nerve agents, sarin and tabun.

The previous month, Jenkinson told Ratcliffe over WhatsApp that she was obsessed with Brianna; police would find a crumpled handwritten plan to kill her on Jenkinsons bedroom floor.

Searching Jenkinsons home after her arrest, officers found the note headed Saturday, 11th February, 2023. Victim: Brianna Ghey with the word plan written underneath and a smiley face and a heart shape drawn on the top right-hand corner.

The note read: Meet [Ratcliffe] at wooden posts 1pm. Walk down to library, bus stop. Wait until Brianna gets off bus, then the three of us walk to Linear Park. Go to the pipe/tunnel area. I say code word to [Ratcliffe]. He stabs her in the back as I stab her in stomach. [Ratcliffe] drags the body into the area. We both cover up the area with logs etc.

The jury heard Jenkinson had saved Ratcliffes phone number in her phone under the name Tesco John Wick, a reference to the film about a violent hitman played by Keanu Reeves.

Junior prosecution counsel Cheryl Mottram told jurors a list of types of serial killers was written down in Jenkinsons Pukka notebook, including mass murderers, psychopathic sexual sadists and copycat killers, and notes about Killer Clown John Wayne Gacy, a US serial killer. Among the pages were other notes made on Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez and Harold Shipman.

After being blocked on a fake Instagram account by one of their targets, boy E, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe moved their attention to Brianna, who believed both to be her friends. Jurors were told Jenkinson messaged Ratcliffe: I want to see pure horror on her face and hear her scream in pain. Ratcliffe replied: Really? All I wanted to see is what size d**k it had.

After trying and failing to murder Brianna with the ibuprofen gel tablets in January, the pair then decided to stab the 16-year-old to death in Linear Park on January 28, 2023, heard the court. Brianna did not show up to meet them then  but she did two weeks later, when the pairs dark fantasies were set to become reality.

The anxious 16-year-old, who did not tend to go out on her own, was travelling on the bus to meet Jenkinson when she messaged her mother, Esther Ghey, for the last time, telling her: Im on the bus by myself. Im scared. Jenkinson had chillingly told Brianna not to buy a return bus ticket.

Brianna, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe arrived at the park together, but at 3.06pm Brianna messaged Jenkinson: Girl where are you? Seven minutes later, a distressed 999 call, later played to jurors, was made by dog walker Kathryn Vize, reporting that somebody had been attacked and she had seen the attackers run away.

In the aftermath of Briannas murder, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe feigned ignorance, said Ms Heer, creating matching false defences before the evidence stacked up against them and each ended up blaming the other.

The next day, Jenkinson messaged Brianna: Girl, is everything okay? Some teenage girl got killed in Linear Park, its on news everywhere. And why did you ditch us for some random man from Manchester. Like wtf. That is so f***** up.

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe was online using the Crown Prosecution Service website, looking up penalties for supplying or withholding information.

Jenkinson then posted a tribute to Brianna on Snapchat, describing her as an amazing friend and that what had happened was so f****** sickening.
Watch: Forensic investigation underway at scene of Limavady murder after teenager was fatally stabbed

Police have been granted a further 36 hours to question four males arrested in connection to the murder of a teenager in Limavady.

Blake Newland (17), from the local area, was fatally stabbed on Friday evening.

A second man aged in his 50s was also injured.

Police had been responding to reports that the older male had been stabbed when they discovered Mr Newland seriously wounded.

He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

Six males remain custody at this time in connection to the incident which happened near the Woodland Walk area on Friday night.

In a new statement on Sunday afternoon, the PSNI said they had been granted a further 36 hours to question four of the men.

Blake Newland

Family members paid tribute to Mr Newland on social media.

His grandfather Henry McElwee posted on Facebook: A life taken too soon. love Grandad Henry  you will always be in my heart as well as many others too.

The PSNI issued a new appeal for information on Saturday afternoon.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said: Police received a report at around 9.35pm last night, Friday 2nd February, that a man in his 50s had been stabbed. Officers attended and while carrying out enquiries they located Blake who was also seriously injured with stab wounds in a nearby house.

"Blake was taken to hospital where he subsequently died from his injuries.

"The second injured man was taken to hospital, where he remains for treatment to injuries which are not believed to be life threatening at this time.

Six males have now been arrested and are currently in police custody assisting with enquiries."

A police forensics investigation is underway after a teenager was fatally stabbed on Friday evening. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.

Mr Gibson continued: "We are at an early stage of this murder investigation and officers remain in the area conducting enquiries.

"We are appealing to witnesses or anyone with information to contact detectives on 101 quoting 1924 02/02/24. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

East Derry Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald appealed to people to assist the police investigation.

She said: "I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of the teenage boy.

This attack has shocked the local community and I am sure the community will support his family.

I would appeal to anyone with information about this stabbing should bring it forward to the police immediately.

A police forensics investigation is underway after a teenager was fatally stabbed on Friday evening. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.

Local SDLP councillor Ashleen Schenning said the community was in shock.

This is a quiet and close-knit community where nobody expects something like this to happen on their doorstep, she said.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenager who was killed as a result of this incident.

"A young life being cut so short is utterly tragic and I can only imagine what they are dealing with today.

The scene, near a housing development, remained sealed off on Saturday afternoon.

Forensic markers had been placed near the cordon at Woodland Walk.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 9.40pm on Friday evening and four emergency crews, two rapid response paramedics and an ambulance officer were sent.
Police have launched a murder inquiry after a teenager died following a stabbing incident in Limavady, Co Londonderry on Friday night. (PA)

Five males have been arrested after police launched a murder investigation following the death of a teenager in Co Londonderry.

The 17-year-old male died in hospital following a stabbing in Limavady on Friday night.

A man, aged in his 50s, was also taken to hospital following the incident in the Woodland Walk area at around 9.35pm.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have made an appeal for any witnesses to come forward..

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Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said five males have been arrested and are helping police with their inquiries.

The victim sustained stab wounds in the Woodland Walk area, reported at around 9.35pm. He subsequently died in hospital from his injuries, he said.

Another man, aged in his 50s, has been taken to hospital where his condition is described as stable.

Five males have all been arrested and are currently assisting police with their inquiries.

He added: We are appealing to witnesses or anyone with information to contact detectives on 101 quoting 1924 02/02/24. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ONeill confirmed as NIs first nationalist First Minister The DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly named deputy First MinisterRobin Swann returns as Health Minister with Naomi Long as Justice MinisterEdwin Poots installed as SpeakerMatthew OToole named Leader of the official Opposition

Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O'Neill speaking after she has been appointed as Northern Ireland's First Minister during proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture date: Saturday February 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Stormont. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Newly-appointed First Minister Michelle ONeill has said the return of Stormont is a new opportunity to work and grow together as she became the first nationalist to hold the role.

Ms ONeill was appointed First Minister earlier today alongside the DUPs deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

As Stormont held its first substantive sitting for two years, the DUPs Edwin Poots was installed as Speaker following the retirement of his predecessor, Sinn Feins Alex Maskey.

Alliance leader Naomi Long was confirmed as Justice Minister, returning to the role she held in the last Executive.

Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill appointed as NIs first nationalist First Minister

As the largest party, Sinn Fein had the first nomination for ministerial office, and put forward Conor Murphy as Minister for the Economy before the DUP nominated Paul Givan as Education Minister.

Proceedings were briefly halted after Sinn Fein asked for an adjournment before making their next nomination, believed to be after the DUP did not take the Department of Finance as expected.

Sinn Fein then nominated Caoimhe Archibald as Finance Minister before the DUP nominated Gordon Lyons as Minister for Communities.

The UUP nominated Robin Swann to return as Health Minister.

UUP leader Doug Beattie: The people of Northern Ireland have 'suffered greatly' and many challenges lie ahead

Sinn Fein then selected John O'Dowd as Minister for Infrastructure and Alliance put forward Andrew Muir as Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The final ministers to be announced were Aisling Reilly (Sinn Fein) and Pam Cameron (DUP), who will serve as junior ministers in The Executive Office, completing an all-female line up alongside Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly.

SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole was confirmed as Leader of the official Opposition.

SDLP's Matthew O'Toole: "Today, something historic will happen"

Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed, Ms O'Neill said the restoration of the institutions marked a "moment of equality and progress".

Michelle O'Neill walks past a portrait of former DUP leader and first minister Ian Paisley (PressEye)

Ms O'Neill said the public were relying on each MLA to act in their best interests and to serve "our whole community" in good faith.

"We must make power-sharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community," she said.

"In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity."

Ms O'Neill urged all MLAs to be "respectful of each other".

Taking up her post, Ms Little-Pengelly said she and Ms O'Neill come from "very different backgrounds", but for her part she will work "tirelessly to ensure that we can deliver for all in Northern Ireland".

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris described it as a "great day for Northern Ireland".

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long confirms her party will nominate ministers to the Executive

He told the assembled media he is confident that devolved government in Northern Ireland is "sustainable in the very long term".

Here is how the days events unfolded on our live blog:
Michelle O'Neill walks past a portrait of former DUP leader and first minister Ian Paisley (PressEye)

The Assembly is appointing a new Speaker  the first step in the process of forming a new power-sharing Executive.

Edwin Poots, Patsy McGlone and Steve Aiken have been nominated for the role.

MLAs gathered in the Assembly chamber from 1pm for its first substantive sitting in two years.

Michelle ONeill will be installed as First Minister this afternoon.

The Sinn Fein vice-president said it was a historic day as travelled to Belfast.

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill (PressEye)

She was seen entering Parliament Buildings, where the Assembly will reconvene after a two-year shutdown, shortly before noon.

On Saturday morning, Ms ONeill repeated her pledge to be a first minister for all.

"This is a historic day," she said.

"It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.

"As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality."

Michelle O'Neill walks past a portrait of former DUP leader and first minister Ian Paisley (PressEye)

The parties and their MLA teams have been walking down the steps at the Great Hall at Stormont.

SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said: "Today something historic will happen.

"Michelle O'Neill is going to be nominated and appointed as first minister of Northern Ireland, the first nationalist or republican for that post.

"That is a moment of profound significance, We look forward to wishing her well."

UUP leader Doug Beattie said the people of Northern Ireland "have suffered greatly" in the absence of a power-sharing executive, describing the last two years as nonsense.

Alliance leader Naomi Long said she hopes the next few hours will see a move from "drama on this hill to delivery for the people".

She said she wants to see Northern Ireland become a more successful, fairer, more prosperous and shared society.

Todays sitting comes two years to the day that Paul Givan resigned as First Minister, triggering a political crisis.

He stepped down as part of a DUP protest against post-Brexit arrangements which they say created a trade border in the Irish Sea.

However, the party has now agreed to the recall of the Assembly after securing reforms from Westminster which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the trading border.

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

Business will begin with the election of a Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.
But prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson claims it is day of great sadness for unionism which will tear friends apart

Peter Robinson has backed the DUPs decision to return to Stormont  attacking critics who he said were talking nonsense about betrayal.

The former First Minister said a new agreement on post-Brexit trade arrangements between the DUP and the Government marked a sensible way to go forward.

He urged unionists to bank the "very substantial" progress that has been secured, restore the Assembly and then focus on further reforms.

In a video message on Saturday, Mr Robinson also urged people to ignore the nonsense from opponents of the deal.

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He said Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has carried a very heavy load and the burden should be shared by other unionists rather than adding to it.

Mr Robinsons comments come as the Assembly returns, with Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill making history as the first nationalist first minister.

MLAs will gather at Parliament buildings at Stormont later for a sitting at which a series of ministers will be appointed to a power-sharing executive, ending a two-year political impasse.

The DUP gave the green light for the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, clearing the way for the Assembly to return.

The deal has been criticised by hardline unionists, who have branded it a sell-out.

Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson said it is a day of great sadness for unionism.

He warned: It will tear friends apart, turn unionist against unionist such is the strongly held feelings. That, for me, is the real sadness of it all.

But Mr Robinson (75), who led the DUP between 2008 and 2015 said it was an unassailable fact that the new legislation was a very substantial improvement on previous attempts to reform post-Brexit trade arrangements.

For many years unionism has been agreed on its policy objective, he said.

The protocol was unsatisfactory, was not acceptable to anyone within unionism.

The Windsor Framework, it was an improvement, there might have been some debate and discussion as to the extent of the improvement, but there can be no doubt that the Safeguarding the Union command paper is a very substantial improvement upon both those previous documents. So that is an unassailable fact.

The other unassailable fact is that we have not yet reached the promised land.

There is still more work to be done, there is still room for more improvement.

Now given those two accepted facts, then we have to look at what are the best tactics for us to achieve the other objectives that are still outstanding.

You can of course continue with a boycott of Stormont - that risks losing the benefits that are contained within the command paper - or you can change your strategy, go into the Assembly and proceed using the procedures within the Safeguarding the Union document to analyse, to monitor and to review the processes and to seek further improvements.

That seems to be the sensible way forward for unionism and it certainly falls well short of the nonsense that some people are discussing of sell-out and betrayal.

It is a sensible way to go forward - bank all of the very considerable improvements that Sir Jeffrey and his team have been able to achieve and move forward to get even more.

He has carried a very heavy load. The burden should be shared by other unionists rather than adding to it.

Sir Jeffrey, sharing the message on social media, welcomed Mr Robinsons comments.

Addressing his predecessor, Sir Jeffrey said: As someone who led unionism for years you know the challenges we face.

"You are the best strategist modern unionism has had and to receive your endorsement for this agreement to safeguard the Union means a lot to our party.

The Assembly will sit at 1pm - two years to the day the resignation of Paul Givan as First Minister collapsed the power-sharing institutions.

Business will begin with the election of a new Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

In a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, incoming First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "This is an historic day.

"It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.

"As a First Minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, cooperation, and equality."

While Ms O'Neill will take the first minister role, the DUP has not said who it will nominate for deputy first minister, although speculation has suggested MLA Emma Little-Pengelly.

A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments will then be filled, using the D'Hondt mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Jeffrey said: "It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

"We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored."
Sir Bob Neill, who will quit Parlliament at the next election, celebrates winning the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election in 2006 (Chris Young/PA Wire)

Senior Conservative MP Sir Bob Neill will stand down at the next general election to spend more time with his wife who has suffered a stroke.

Sir Bob, 71, who was first elected as Bromley and Chislehurst MP in a by-election in 2006, was a junior minister in the coalition government under David Cameron until September 2012, and chairs the Commons Justice Committee.

His wife Ann-Louise suffered a stroke in 2019, and Sir Bob announced his decision not to stand at the next general election in a letter to the new Bromley and Biggin Hill Conservative Association.

He said: As you know, Ann-Louise has been fighting bravely to recover from the stroke that she suffered a while ago.

It is a tough road for her, but we are very positive about it. Even so, I have concluded that it is right for me to spend more time supporting her.

She has always been there to support me, and I want to do the same for her and our family.

Bob Neill after winning the Bromley and Chislehurst in 2006 (Chris Young/PA Wire)

Sir Bob said in May it will be 50 years since he was first elected as a Conservative councillor, and he has served Bromley for 24 years, first as its London Assembly member, and then MP.

Please rest assured that I will continue to work as actively as ever for my constituents until this Parliament is dissolved, Sir Bob said, adding he was confident the Conservatives would win the new Bromley and Biggin Hill seat.

He concluded with a tribute to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, saying he was giving the country the honest, diligent and pragmatic leadership that our country deserves and which is in the best traditions of our party.

Sir Bob had a majority of nearly 11,000 over Labour at the last general election in December 2019, an increased majority of 3.3%.

He was born and educated in Hornchurch in east London, had a career as a barrister specialising in criminal law, was made Conservative Party vice-chairman for local government in 2012, has chaired the justice committee for nine years, was knighted just after the last general election and is an avid fan of West Ham United.

Sir Bob joins a series of MPs who have announced their intention not to contest the next election, which is expected in autumn this year.

On Wednesday, justice minister Mike Freer said he will stand down at the next general election after a series of death threats and an arson attack on his constituency office.

He won his Finchley and Golders Green seat in north London by around 6,600 votes at the last contest in 2019, and has been an MP since 2010.
Grant Spotlight

Burbio Launches State-Level Grant Tracker for K12 Schools, Districts

Education data researchers at Burbio have launched a State-Level Funding Tracker newsletter to better organize information on special revenue sources for K12 schools and districts, which can subscribe at Burbios website.

The grant tracker is the newest of Burbios K12 datasets, which include ESSER III, strategic plans, school board meeting minutes, CapEx budgets, and more, the organization said.

The State-Level Funding Tracker will include the following elements, Burbio said on its website:

Grant name, Purpose, and Category

Application Deadline

District Eligibility

Public or Private

Is the Funding Competitive (Yes or No)

Whether districts are already been awarded or allocated the funding, and if so, which ones

Total Amount of Funding availability

Categories will include school security, technology, early childhood, infrastructure, CTE, professional development, SEL, mental health, arts, STEM, core curriculum, and more, as Burbio develops the new resource with feedback from stakeholders.

Burbio listed several examples of the types of grants the new tracker will cover (verbatim from its announcement):

Pre-K: In November, New Jersey awarded an additional $51.9 million in federal grant funding from the state to 23 school districts to support 30 projects that will enable the creation, expansion, and renovation of preschool facilities statewide. Preliminary award amounts range from approximately $113,000 to over $13 million.

Infrastructure: In North Carolina the application-based Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBSCF), funded through the state lottery, has $254MM to grant for construction of new school buildings and additions, repairs, and renovations of existing school facilities for lower income school districts.

Curriculum: STEM: Iowa is offering up to $40,000 in matching grants to school districts that launch new or expanded K-12 STEM models specifically focused on creating work based learning opportunities that allow students to develop future focused, high demand skills through authentic real world experiences.

CTE: The New York State Pathways in Technology Early College High School (NYS P-TECH) Program anticipates that up to $31.5 million will be available over the seven-year grant term (2023-2030). The project funds partnerships to prepare New York students for high-skilled jobs in the fields of technology, and manufacturing. The current application period has closed but the NYS FY 2024 Executive Budget includes an additional $20 million in grant funding to support the establishment of new ECHS and P-TECH programs.

Technology: Washington state awarded its second cycle of Digital Equity & Inclusion Grants focused on 1:1 device programs; inclusionary and adaptive technology; interactive displays on accessible mounts; classroom audio enhancement; devices for special education students;, and tools, software, and hardware that supports multi-language learners.

Curriculum: Core: In Massachusetts, the Genocide Education grants program supports LEAs to develop and/or select curriculum materials, implement professional development, and design other enriching learning experiences intended to further secondary students' understanding of the history and patterns of genocide. Of the total $1,250,000, the largest grant is $60,000. The funds must be spent on curriculum and instructional materials but may not be used for technology or salaries.

HVAC: Connecticuts newly established HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools offers $150 million in grants to make upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This new HVAC grant draws half its funding from the state and the other half from the states remaining share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A partial list of schools that have already received funds can be found here.

Safety and Security: Among multiple ongoing security funding sources in Texas is the SAFE Grant program which provides $800 million to districts and the GEER Assistance to Private Schools (GAPS) Grant Program funded in part by Federal dollars.

Learn more or subscribe to the State-Level Funding Tracker newsletter at https://about.burbio.com.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High near 40F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
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BENNINGTON  The Berkshire Family YMCA, which manages the Bennington Recreation Center, is conducting a nationwide search to replace former CEO and executive director Jessica Rumlow and hopes to hire someone in early April.

Rumlow was the first YMCA operations director of the Rec Center under a management agreement with the Town of Bennington, which previously managed the center on Gage Street and its programs.

In 2018, the town concluded the agreement with the Pittsfield, Mass.-based YMCA organization, and the management contract has since been extended.

Rumlow later was selected to lead the Berkshire Family YMCA, which also includes a recreation facility in North Adams, Mass.

She left her position late last year to become chief operations officer for the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs.

During her tenure as executive director and CEO, Rumlow oversaw completion of a $12.4 million renovation of the Berkshire Family YMCA's Pittsfield headquarters facility, and was credited with expanding the YMCA's recreation programming in Bennington.

In December, the organization named an interim executive director, YMCA board member Christian Bianchi.

The Bennington Recreation Center operations director is Kayla Becker.

Nationwide search

According to a YMCA media release about the job search, the deadline for candidates to submit applications is Feb. 12, and preliminary interviews will take place March 19-20.

The selection of a new CEO/executive director for Berkshire Family YMCA is expected during the week of April 15, with an anticipated start time in the position of June 1 or earlier.
Data Breach

Vulnerabilities in Edulog Portal Revealed Bus Location Data, Parent Logins for 6M Students

Researchers Warn Schools to Stop Publicly Posting Edulog Sign-Up Codes

Security researchers said this week that API vulnerabilities in the Edulog school bus tracking platform made the names and geolocation data of 6 million student riders available to anyone, and while the vulnerability has been fixed, schools that post their Edulog sign-up code on their websites are still at risk.

Tenable Research, in an advisory posted Dec. 13, said it first discovered the security problems in Edulogs Parent Portal apps in September and notified the company; researchers created a free account without a school access code and were then able to access the API endpoints directly, rather than relying on the apps.

They soon realized that the access control measures in place were client-side restrictions enforced only by the apps themselves, Tenable wrote on its blog. By submitting requests manually, they had seemingly unfettered access to any information that could be obtained via the Parent Portal API.

In their tests, researchers gained access to student riders names and assigned bus routes, parent contact information, GPS data, and configuration details  such as usernames and encrypted passwords for third-party integrations  for individual school districts, Tenable said.

Edulog, short for Education Logistics, provides school bus routing and tracking services to thousands of school districts throughout the U.S., stating on its website that 6 million students are transported on over 85,000 buses routed by Edulog software.

Its Parent Portal and Parent Portal Lite apps give parents and school staff real-time information on school buses current locations, pick-up and drop-off times, and notifications about delays or route changes.

Typically, parents or school staff of districts using Edulog can sign up for a free account for the Parent Portal apps; a registration code is required to obtain access to bussing information for a particular school or district. These registration codes are provided to parents and staff by the schools themselves; Tenable noted that some schools post the codes on their websites or in publicly available documents intended for parents.

Tenable said it reported the issues to Edulog on Sept. 13, 2023, and that by Nov. 30, Edulog responded that all reported issues have been resolved. When asked about its plans to disclose the exposed data to its users, on Dec. 11 Vendor states that they will not be posting an advisory of their own, Tenable wrote.

While there is no indication the exposed data was accessed or misused prior to the fix, Tenable emphasized that districts should not make their sign-up codes publicly available.

For example, even without the vulnerabilities discovered in the Parent Portal services, there isnt necessarily anything stopping a malicious actor from signing up for an account and obtaining a registration code for a given school through other means. The actor could ask another parent, call the school and pretend to be a parent, or simply search for one on the internet:





The security advisory noted that similar issues are common in industries where the concept of data security is often conflated with compliance standards. In fact, its likely that much of the information that could have been obtained via the Parent Portal API, such as names and addresses, was already considered open data and complied with regulatory requirements.

Tenable said that while Edulog took their report seriously and provided fixes in a timely manner, all those involved  Edulog employees, agents for the school districts, and parents using the services  are responsible for making sure the data relating to these services is handled properly.

Read the full security advisory at Tenables website.
A protest on Thursday drew a loose group of Northern Berkshire activists outside of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office on Thursday. Whether or not hes physically there today, our goal is to make that pressure increase thats coming from all walks of society."
Harm reduction supplies such as clean syringes, alcohol wipes and fentanyl test strips are among the services offered by Berkshire Harm Reduction. While the Great Barrington office has closed, officials say those supplies are still available via direct delivery and the Berkshire Harm Reduction Mobile Unit.
Lenox native James Brooke has traveled to about 100 countries reporting for The New York Times, Bloomberg and Voice of America. He reported from Russia for eight years and from Ukraine for six years.
Persecution involves the deliberate and systematic mistreatment and oppression of individuals or communities, particularly based on their identity or religious affiliations. This happens more when a particular set of beliefs goes against the norm of society. A person or group who takes a position that goes against the direction of the majority  and sometimes the minority opens themselves up to the threat of persecution.

Over the years, persecution has been something that has happened to the church and it has also been inflicted by the church.

Persecution vs. Punishment

It is important to note for Christians, persecution is suffering for doing what is right. You are trying to live right and do what God has called you to do, but if you suffer for that, then you are experiencing persecution.

If you do evil things, break the law, or mistreat people and suffer for that, you cannot claim you are being persecuted. What you are experiencing is punishment for your own behavior. Sometimes people who are crying persecution are simply reaping the actions they have sown in their own lives.

What Persecution Looked Like in the First Century

In the first century church, Christians faced opposition which led to persecution. This opposition came from the religious groups of the day, as well as the government. The new message of the gospel was threatening their way of life, and because of that, the result was persecution. The thought was since we dont like the message, if we silence the messengers, then maybe we can kill the message.

Thankfully, in relationship to the gospel, that did not happen. In fact, the persecuted church became even bolder in their witness and the message of the gospel spread. What we see in this is the heart of what persecution is all about. Lets figure out a way to silence those we dont agree with  especially those who are trying to change our way of life.

Photo credit: Getty Images/turk_stock_photographer
Connectivity

Districts, SHLB Coalition Applaud FCC Approval of E-rate Funds for Wi-Fi on School Buses

Beginning in funding year 2024, K12 school districts may use E-rate funding for school bus-based Wi-Fi, connecting students on long bus rides  and, in some districts, connecting students in homes with no internet service  just as the Emergency Connectivity Fund expires.

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that it will allow E-Rate funding to be used for Wi-Fi on school buses beginning in funding year 2024, filling the projected gaps after the ECF sunsets, the agency said. ECF funds helped school districts across the country provide internet connections to students during the height of the pandemic and ongoing intermittent closures; the FCC noted that hundreds of districts used ECF resources to equip school buses with Wi-Fi connections.

The ruling clarifies that the use of Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, on school buses serves an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-Rate funding, FCC wrote in a statement. The Commission has previously found that the off-campus use of certain services is integral to the education of students and has permitted funding of such services through E-Rate. This ruling also directs the Wireline Competition Bureau to fund Wi-Fi on school buses, as well as any E-Rate-eligible equipment needed to enable the service, as part of funding year 2024 eligible services list proceeding and seek comment on the specific services and equipment that should be funded.

Several organizations have applauded the FCCs decision, including the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, which said the ruling is a win for students, especially those in rural areas who face long bus rides and limited broadband access at home.

This will help close the homework gap and improve educational outcomes for millions of students across the country, said SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen Jr.

School districts that implemented school bus Wi-Fi for students during the pandemic also called the new FCC rule a vital solution for their students and learning outcomes.

Santa Fe Public Schools has implemented school bus Wi-Fi on every bus, extending access to the learning environment for all SFPS bus riders, said Neal Weaver, Chief Information and Strategy Officer at Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico. There is not a single solution in ensuring students have sufficient connectivity, and school bus Wi-Fi is an essential piece of the solution for Santa Fe students.

This is a game-changer for our students, especially those with long bus rides and student-athletes who spend a lot of time on the bus, said Doug Culler, Director of Network Services at Shenandoah County Public Schools in Virginia. With Wi-Fi on buses, students will be able to use their bus time to work on homework, complete assignments, and stay connected with their classmates and teachers. This is a major step forward in our efforts to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Central Consolidated School District covers almost 3000 square miles of rural/tribal lands, said Leandro M. Venturina, the New Mexico districts Director of Data, Assessment, Research and Technology. The ruling for Wi-Fi on school buses to be eligible for E-rate funding will be essential for our students who, on average, ride the bus for 90 minutes each day. Students are able to complete homework and other school-related tasks and communicate with teachers through the Learning Management System on their way to and from school. This effort will be a significant game changer for CCSD students to respond to the growing needs for digital skills.
At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.

The Biden administration is promising this is not the end of it, and the campaign could last for days or more.

First images circulating on Telegram of U.S. airstrikes on #IRGCterrorists at Al-Qa'im, #Iraq. pic.twitter.com/GFutNoyGVM  Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) February 2, 2024

* * *

Update(1640ET) : The Biden administration has begun its much anticipated retaliatory strikes:

FIRST US MILITARY RETALIATORY STRIKES UNDERWAY IN SYRIA: ABC

Regional analyst Kevork Almassian comments as this initial wave of attacks begins: "The US air force is bombing Eastern Syria near al-Mayadeen. Syria is a sovereign country which has not attacked the United States. A clear violation of international law." US B1 bombers have been involved, according to officials. Initial unconfirmed footage from the region:

Breaking: this was sent to me from Al-Qaem, Iraq moments ago, you can hear the huge explosions in the distance from the Syrian-Iraqi border area. pic.twitter.com/A4fccWLJ9u  Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) February 2, 2024

The Department of Defense has since suggested the initial eastern Syria strikes which were first reported might be the work of a partner air force, possibly Israel(?). There are a number of reports suggesting Israel is participating as a partner force. Additionally:

Initial report of a US attack against targets in the Deir ez-Zor area on the Syria-Iraq border.

US Official confirms strikes occurring in Iraq and Syria. 8 targets is just first of many courses so far

so far Reuters, citing American officials: The strikes targeted facilities in Iraq and Syria linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and groups that it supports .

. Start time was about 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

The administration appears to have waited until market close on Friday to start bombing.

BREAKING: US AIRSTRIKES HAVE ALLEGEDLY HIT 12 TARGETS IN MAYADIN AND ABU KAMAL WITH 10 DEAD AND 18 WOUNDED pic.twitter.com/GkUOyjsOnJ  Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) February 2, 2024

Significant casualties are being reported, and will likely trickle out through the evening.

Confused messaging coming from Biden administration and mainstream reports:

Total chaos in U.S. messaging tonight  with officials confirming & denying US strikes in #Syria & #Iraq tonight.



Youd think after taking 5 days to message every possible detail to #Iran, that confirming action would be simple.



Seems not.  Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) February 2, 2024

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French container shipping giant CMA CGM has announced suspension of all its Red Sea transit due to security risks, Bloomberg has reported Friday, adding to a growing list of major firms now deeming the area too unsafe.

The Bloomberg note additionally confirms that "CMA CGM will keep operating in the northern Red Sea but will not send its fleets through the southern part that is unavoidable for any vessel seeking to use Egypts Suez Canal to go between Europe and Asia." With every addition of a shipping major, there's yet further confirmation that the US-led 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' is failing.

Via Reuters

"Hundreds of container ships and large numbers of oil tankers and commodity carriers have elected to avoid the area altogether," Bloomberg underscores.

Until this week, CMA CGM had continued sending some vessels through the vital transit passage despite the almost daily Houthi missile and drone attacks, but which have been supported by French navy escort. But at this point it appears even the large Western warship presence isn't enough.

This week, the US Navy saw its closest call yet when a Houthi-launched cruise missile came within a mere mile of the destroyer USS Gravely.

Details have only just emerged late in the week based on the accounts of several US defense officials. Presumably other longer range anti-air defenses failed as the missile was inbound close the ship. CNN describes:

In the past, these missiles have been intercepted by US destroyers in the area at a range of eight miles or more, the officials said. But the USS Gravely had to use its Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for the first time since the US began intercepting the Houthi missiles late last year, which ultimately succeeded in downing the missile, officials said. The CIWS, an automated machine gun designed for close-range intercepts, is one of the final defensive lines the ship has to shoot down an incoming missile when other layers of defense have failed to intercept it.

So this "last line of defense" which utilizes a 20 mm radar-guided canon had to be activated. The mounted weapon is a General Dynamics and Raytheon-produced ship defense system which engages closely inbound targets...

Wow, the USS Gravely had to use its Phalanx CIWS against a Houthi cruise missile per a U.S. official to CNN.



This is essentially the ships last layer of defense against any incoming attacks.



(The video below shows one in action!) pic.twitter.com/I1SYYydbbZ  Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) January 31, 2024

Fox News' Pentagon correspondent Lucas Tomlinson has said this week marks the "first time in history CIWS ('sea-wiz') has been used in combat from a warship to destroy an incoming cruise missile seconds away from impact.

What has been clear based on other recent incidents is that Houthi drones and missiles are in some instances slipping through the Western navel coalitions 'defense umbrella'.

We detailed a week ago how the US Navy essentially "lost a battle at sea" given that a missile landed in the water very close to a commercial vessel which was being escorted by no less than three US warships. During that time two American merchantmen - the Maersk Detroit and the Maersk Chesapeake - had been attempting to run the Bab al-Mandeb from south to north while being covered by the USS Gravely. But as with this fresh incident of the Gravely's CIWS system having to engage at close range, one missile apparently slipped through in that Jan.17 encounter.

Below is a very different 'close call'...
Democrats talk a big game about 'Republican attacks on Social Security,' but 75% of House Dems just voted against deporting migrants who commit Social Security fraud.

Introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) in December, H.R. 6678 passed with 172 "yea" votes, and 155 "nay" votes - all Democrats, with 55 of them voting with the Republicans.

As former Trump adviser and head of the America First Legal Foundation Stephen Miller posted on X, "155 HOUSE DEMOCRATS  75% OF THEIR CONFERENCE  JUST VOTED AGAINST DEPORTING CRIMINAL MIGRANTS WHO COMMIT SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD AND ROB OUR SENIORS."

Bidens Democrat Party is so ruthlessly, menacingly, staggeringly extreme on immigration they are not even willing to remove lawbreaking criminal aliens who steal identities and prey on seniors.  Stephen Miller (@StephenM) January 31, 2024

"Theyd rather protect illegal aliens than our seniors," said the House Judiciary Committee in a Thursday post on X.

 155 House Democrats voted today against deporting criminal migrants who commit social security fraud.



Theyd rather protect illegal aliens than our seniors.



RT if you think thats insane!  House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 1, 2024

Meanwhile, 150 Democrats also voted against legislation that would quickly deport illegal aliens who drive drunk .

"I am appalled to see a majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives voting to prevent illegal aliens who endanger the lives of American citizens by drunk driving from being deported. Americans deserve leaders who put their safety and prosperity first," said Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX).

According to OA Online, "H.R. 6976, the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, introduced by Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), closes a gaping loophole in U.S. immigration law related to drunk driving. Because there is neither a ground of inadmissibility nor a ground of removability explicitly related to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, criminal aliens currently can escape accountability for their reckless actions and be free to re-offend and endanger communities. By creating a ground of inadmissibility and a ground of removability for aliens who have committed DUI offenses, this legislation provides long-awaited and much-needed reforms to safeguard American communities."

According to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the bill would create a "separate but unequal" system of justice for immigrants.
Though Trump supporters are still being arrested years later for walking through the Capitol building on January 6th, the Democratic staffer who disgraced the Capitol last month by filming a gay sex tape inside the Senate hearing room will not face any punishment.



From The Daily Mail, "Capitol Police will NOT charge Democrat's aide who made viral gay sex tape in a Senate hearing room: Suspects 'refused' to speak with investigators despite there being 'no evidence' of a crime police reveal":

The U.S. Capitol Police announced it will not charge a Democrat congressional aide who was fired for filming a gay sex tape in the Senate because 'no crime' was committed.



Aidan Maese-Czeropski, 24, was fired by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin in December, less than a day after a lewd video showing two men having sex in a Senate hearing room was exposed.



He was facing possible criminal charges after his X-rated clip swept the internet.



USCP says they will not charge anyone in the sex video incident in a Senate hearing room. pic.twitter.com/9ocL5zWg4k  Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 1, 2024

The Capitol Police were investigating the explicit incident, which occurred in the same room where Supreme Court justice nominees are grilled by senators, but announced Thursday it was closing the investigation.



'For now, we are closing the investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding a sex video that was recorded inside the Hart Senate Office Building on the morning of Wednesday, December 13,' Capitol Police wrote in a statement.



The investigation was closed due to there being 'no evidence a crime was committed,' despite the act being 'a violation of Congressional policy' because the aide had access to the committee room.

They literally filmed the crime they committed on tape and uploaded it to the internet "in a private group for gay men in politics" but according to the Capitol Police there's "no evidence."



I wonder if any members of the Capitol Police are part of this "private group" and fear getting outed?



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Workforce Readiness

New Alliance to Upskill Girls and Women in AI, Coding, and Entrepreneurship

Global tech education nonprofit Technovation has announced The AI Forward Alliance (TAIFA), backed by partners UNICEF, the Grameen Foundation, Google, and others, to increase support for girls and women to work in the AI industry globally.

The effort is being launched in 16 countries spanning five continents, with a goal of skilling 25 million young women in AI, coding, and as educational programming entrepreneurs and preparing 6 million of them to enter the tech workforce by 2030, the organization said.

Despite efforts made in the last 10 years to increase STEM education for girls and women, their numbers as tech professionals remain distressingly low, Technovation said, citing statistics from the World Economic Forum. Less than 30% enroll in information communications technology, and less than 36% in STEM areas.

TAIFA seeks not only to encourage girls and women to enter the tech workforce, but to "train, develop and deploy their own machine learning models and transformative technologies that tackle real-world problems in their communities," the organization said.

Technovation said it hopes to achieve these goals by:

Supporting women leaders and innovators as role models and trailblazers for the next generation;

Engaging the private sector to support girls' and women's education and empowerment;

Implementing large-scale skilling of girls and women in data science and machine learning; and

Mobilizing industry leaders, philanthropy, foundations, and individuals to commit resources to help.

Major partners have already stepped forward to commit their resources to the effort:

UNICEF will give TAIFA increased access to educators, ministries of education, and girls and women in 144 countries.

The Grameen Foundation has committed to expand AI-entrepreneurship training to young women in low-income communities around the world and help their families to accept their new skills.

The free, open source App Inventor Foundation will help with the development of resources and training for TAIFA's ecosystem educators and facilitators.

Girl Geek X, a 400,000-strong community of women tech, business, entrepreneurial leaders, will provide its expertise.

Google and the philanthropic Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) are funding partners, with PJMF committing to "invest in the exploration, enhancement, and development of AI and data science for good," TAIFA said.

TAIFA and UNICEF have partnered to hold a one-day event, "A World of AI Driven Tech: Addressing a Global Talent Gap," on March 12, 2024, in New York City. Visit TAIFA's event page to learn more and register.

"We are thrilled to build upon our fruitful relationship with these organizations through this groundbreaking collaboration, to elevate diverse, women AI innovators around the world," said Tara Chklovski, CEO of Technovation. "The time to act is now  we've gathered the research, data and anecdotes that effectively illustrate the positive impact young women can have in STEM fields. Together with the Alliance's key partners and supporters, we can make tangible strides towards the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, driving self-reliance and self-efficacy through technology for all women and girls."
AV Gear

LG Announces New CreateBoard with Built-in Access to Google Play Store

LG Business Solutions USA (LG) has introduced a new CreateBoard, the TR3DK-BM, to be shipped this spring. It will come with ransomware default protection ChromeOS Flex and Android 13 pre-installed and be able to access the Google Play store. LG obtained Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA) certification in response to educators who subscribe to Google's education app suite asking for the capability.

Android 13 will allow educators "to customize their apps by color, theme, and language," the company said, and every new CreateBoard model will also be able to access the Google Play store. The new display will have an up-to-40-point simultaneous multi-touch surface and be capable of content creation, sharing, and management for training in its use. It will also have Google Play Protect Service, which monitors for suspicious behavior.

Also in response to educator requests, every LG CreateBoard will be updated to integrate with the Common Alerting Protocol, a government digital format for emergency alerts, LG said. Each board then becomes an "end point" that gives help and information in an emergency. This will be implemented during the second quarter of 2024.

The new display was featured at FETC 2024 in Orlando.

LG also featured its desktop thin client and All-In-One Thin Client monitor, also with ChromeOS Flex, and another Chromebook, the 11TC50Q, running ChromeOS. In addition, the company has introduced a 55" commercial TV, its "first with Android TV, Google's operating system for smart TVs and streaming devices."

Other tech and updates also featured at the conference include two touch displays: the 27KC3PK-C Kiosk and One:Quick Flex. These integrate with Kokomo 24/7's centralized access control and health software platforms: Kokomo HOSTTM (a school check-in display); and Kokomo WELLNESSTM, a telehealth display.

The company said all displays and projectors are backed by LG ConnectedCare for setup, scheduling, and content updating.

"We are always looking for ways to make our displays and technologies easier to use and more functional for users, and the feedback we've received from the education community made it clear that native access to Google for Education Apps will help teachers better manage their time, their classrooms and their lessons," said Victoria Sanville, LG's director of education.

For more information, visit the LG site.
A historic day has been hailed as devolved government is expected to return in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill is set to become the first nationalist first minister following a two-year political collapse.

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MLAs will gather at Parliament Buildings at Stormont later on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

This is an historic day.



It is about the future.



It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.



As a First Minister for  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) February 3, 2024 Advertisement

In a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter, Ms ONeill pledged on Saturday morning to be a first minister for all.

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This is a historic day, she said.

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It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.

As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Westminster Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

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2022 Stormont election results (PA Graphics)

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

Business will begin with the election of a Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

While Ms ONeill will take the first minister role due to Sinn Fein winning the most seats in the 2022 election, the DUP has not said who it will nominate for deputy first minister, although speculation is Emma Little-Pengelly could get the role.

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A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments will then be filled, using the DHondt mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Donaldson said: It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored.

Key among the priorities for new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.3 billion (3.8 billion) package to secure the regions finances when the Assembly returns, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims.

However, he indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

He added: The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.

Pleased to make into law the Stormont Brake mechanism  giving the Northern Ireland Assembly a powerful democratic safeguard. pic.twitter.com/Yahg2Dqwbl  Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) February 2, 2024

While Mr Donaldson has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionists remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

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The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.

His deal with the Government commits to replacing the Windsor Frameworks green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires percentages of goods to be checked as they arrive from Great Britain, with a UK internal market system that will govern the movement of goods that remain within the United Kingdom.

Checks would still be carried out but on a risk-based/intelligence-led model to combat illegality and disease, rather than routine stops of disembarking lorries.

Businesses using the internal market system would also need to be signed up to a trusted trader scheme.
Here are answers to some of the key questions surrounding the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland.

 What is happening at Stormont on Saturday?

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MLAs will return to Parliament Buildings in Belfast following a political impasse which has lasted for two years. Several previous attempts to restart devolved government have failed since the 2022 Assembly elections.

However, on this occasion the DUP has stated it will support the restoration of the powersharing executive, which needs the support of the largest parties in unionism and nationalism, to operate.

This will unlock the deadlock, allowing a new speaker to be elected and clearing the path for business to resume.

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Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister (Niall Carson/PA)

Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister, while the DUP will fill the role of deputy first minister. The party has not yet confirmed who it will nominate, although speculation has suggested Emma Little-Pengelly could take the position.

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Then a series of ministers will be appointed using the DHondt mechanism, which measures party strength.

Ministers will be appointed to the departments of health, education, finance, economy, communities, infrastructure and agriculture, environment and rural affairs.

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A justice minister will also be appointed on Saturday, although the rules are different for this department as the minister needs to have cross-community support.

Sinn Fein will be entitled to three ministries, the DUP and Alliance Party two and the Ulster Unionists one. The SDLP did not win enough Stormont seats to gain a ministry and will go into opposition.

Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle ONeill have said that Irish unity is within touching distance (Liam McBurney/PA)

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 What is different this time?

At the 2022 Assembly election, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time. This means that their Stormont leader Michelle ONeill will make history as the first nationalist first minister in the regions history.

The republican party has emphasised that this is a moment of significance, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that their ultimate goal of Irish unity is now within touching distance.

However, under the rules of powersharing, the offices of first and deputy first minister, filled by the largest parties from the nationalist and unionist communities, have equal authority. All decisions are taken on a joint basis.

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 What happens after Saturday?

The business of governing Northern Ireland will begin. A first meeting of the new powersharing executive will take place early next week followed by the first plenary session of the new Assembly. Party leaders from executive parties have already met to discuss the immediate priorities to be addressed.

Ministers will have bulging in-trays. Long periods without devolved government, combined with a series of budget crises in Stormont departments, have had a damaging impact on public services.

As part of the talks process which led to Stormonts return, the Government offered a 3.3 billion (3,8 billion) package to stabilise Northern Irelands finances, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims in the region.

Ministers will be expected to begin making decisions quickly to alleviate some of the pressures facing public services.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the powersharing executive two years ago in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements (Brian Lawless/PA)

 Why has there not been devolved government for the past two years?

During the Brexit divorce talks, former prime minister Boris Johnson negotiated the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU in order to ensure the continued free movement of goods on the island of Ireland.

However, this led to the requirement for checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was deeply unpopular with unionists, who described it as an Irish Sea border.

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After feeling that the Government was not responding fast enough to his concerns, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the Stormont powersharing institutions when he withdrew Paul Givan as first minister two years ago.

In response, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak negotiated the Windsor Framework with the EU, introducing new rules on the movement of goods and a veto for the implementation of EU law in Northern Ireland.

However, Mr Donaldson insisted this did not go far enough, leading to months of protracted negotiations that have culminated in the command paper Safeguarding The Union, published by the Government this week.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen negotiated the Windsor Framework in 2023 (Dan Kitwood/PA)

 Why has the DUP agreed to the deal?

The DUP leader has insisted the new arrangements have removed the Irish Sea trading border and restored Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

The deal will see the end of routine post-Brexit checks on goods shipped from Great Britain to final destinations in Northern Ireland, as well as a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

The DUP leader says this is the best deal that could be achieved for the people of Northern Ireland and has persuaded him to end his boycott of the powersharing institutions.

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Mr Donaldson has long argued in favour of restoring devolved government, providing his concerns over post-Brexit trade and sovereignty were addressed.

 Does this represent a major change to the trading arrangements agreed with Brussels?

It depends who you listen to.

He says his party has delivered fundamental change to the Windsor Framework by ending routine checks on goods moving from Great Britain to, and staying in, Northern Ireland.

Downing Street, however, has insisted the measures unveiled on Wednesday and approved by MPs on Thursday do not require specific EU sign-off, characterising them instead as operational changes to the framework, without altering the fundamentals of the bilateral deal.

Around 120 people attended a meeting in protest at the DUPs deal with the Government in Co Tyrone on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

 Who is opposed to the DUP leaders move?

Not everyone in the DUP supports accepting the arrangements that will lead to a return to powersharing.

A meeting of the partys ruling executive, where he presented the proposals to members, lasted for more than five hours on Monday night.

He was ultimately able to secure the backing of the executive, insisting the margin of support was decisive, and the endorsement of the majority of his 12 party officers.

However, just hours after the command paper was published on Wednesday, senior DUP MP Sammy Wilson launched a scathing broadside against the Government in the House of Commons in a clear sign of the differing opinions at the highest levels of the party.

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The arch-Brexiteer claimed the ongoing application of EU law in Northern Ireland was the result of a spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying Government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

On top of internal tensions, Mr Donaldson faces criticism from some in the wider unionist and loyalist community.

On Thursday night, TUV leader Jim Allister and a loyalist activist addressed a meeting of unionists and loyalists opposed to the deal. They have insisted the Irish Sea trading border has not been removed.

On Friday, the pair revealed a legal opinion they had commissioned from Northern Irelands former attorney general John Larkin.

Key among the questions he was asked was whether the plan set out in the Safeguarding The Union command paper would restore the 1800 Acts of Union; whether they removed a customs and regulatory border in the Irish Sea; and do they ensure zero checks and zero paperwork for GB goods destined for Northern Ireland.

Mr Larkin argued that they achieved none of those objectives.

However, the DUP leader has rejected the findings of the legal opinion, stating that he fundamentally disagreed with it.
Michelle O'Neil has become the first Nationalist First Minister as Stormont returned for the first time in two years after it was collapsed by the DUP.

MLAs took their seats in the Assembly chamber on Saturday in a historical day for Northern Ireland.

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Follow our updates here as Ministers are announced.

The final ministers to be announced at the Northern Ireland Assembly were Aisling Reilly (Sinn Fein) and Pam Cameron (DUP), who will serve as junior ministers in the Executive Office.

Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole will be leader of the Opposition.

The nomination of ministers has resumed at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Sinn Fein nominated Caoimhe Archibald as Minister for Finance before the DUP nominated Gordon Lyons as Minister for Communities.

The UUP nominated Robin Swann to return as Health Minister.

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Sinn Fein then nominated John ODowd as Minister for Infrastructure, and the Alliance Party nominated Andrew Muir as Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy was nominated as minister for the economy, with DUP MLA Paul Givan nominated as education minister.

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Alliance leader Naomi Long has been appointed as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland.

The Assembly has now adjourned.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has described a great day for Northern Ireland.

He addressed media in the Great Hall in Stormont following the nomination of First Minister Michelle ONeill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Speaker Edwin Poots.

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Its a great day for Northern Ireland, its a great day for everyone here, a great day for businesses across this place and public services here, he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has hailed a special day for the people of Northern Ireland as devolved government is revived.

The Tanaiste also congratulated the First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on their appointments.

I wish them both well in what will be very demanding roles. I look forward to working with them, and with their Executive colleagues, he said.

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I also want to congratulate Edwin Poots on his election as Speaker of the Assembly.

Mr Martin said Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges.

While the last few weeks and months have focused on restoring the Assembly and Executive, the hard work now begins in earnest.

Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges, he said.

An Executive working collectively  and prioritising real, everyday needs over questions of identity  can meet these challenges.

The Government stands ready to support the work of the Executive and to work in partnership with the British Government in this.

Ms Little-Pengelly said there must be no dominating from any side to another, calling for a new approach of recognising the concerns of each other and finding solutions together.

We are all born equal and the people who look on this sitting today demand us to work together, she said.

Michelle is an Irish Republican, and I am a very proud unionist. We will never agree on those issues but what we can agree on is that cancer doesnt discriminate on our hospitals need fixed.

Let us be a source of hope to those young people watching today, not one of despair.

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Let us prove that difference is something that can be a strength through recognition and respect. That difference need not to be a barrier to progress and delivering.

This is my pledge. I love this place we call home. I will work tirelessly for delivery for all the people of Northern Ireland from every background. I will do so with the best of my abilities honoured by the privilege and opportunity to do so.

Lets do it side by side and lets keep Northern Ireland moving forward.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she grew up with conflict.

She told Stormont she is thankful that young people today do not have to face that terror that so many of us hear that but as a child, adding she will never forget the fear, the hurt and the anger.

The past with all its horror can never be forgotten, and nor will it be allowed to be rewritten but while we are shaped by the past, we are not defined by it, she said.

The experience of my childhood gave me the drive and desire to make a different future not just for myself, but to do all that I could and can to ensure a better future for all of us.

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Across this chamber we have different political viewpoints and experiences but what we also know is that the mummy waiting on her cancer diagnosis is not defined as being republican or unionist.

She is defined by the sleepless nights and worry that she may never see her children grow up.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she and First Minister Michelle ONeill come from very different backgrounds, but said she will work tirelessly to ensure that together they can deliver for all in Northern Ireland.

I recognise that for many today it is a historic moment with the nomination of Michelle ONeill and myself as first ministers, she said.

It is a day that confirms the democratic outcome of the election.

Serving people in this House in any role is an honour and a privilege. It is an opportunity to shape Northern Ireland for the better and to make a meaningful difference.

I love Northern Ireland. I am deeply proud to be from this place we call home despite our often troubled history and divisions of the past, I know that we have incredible potential.

Ms ONeill pledged she will serve everyone equally and be a first minister for all.

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To all of you who are British and unionist; your national identity, culture and traditions are important to me, she said.

I will be both inclusive and respectful to you.

None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are. Our allegiances are equally legitimate.

Lets walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway.

I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart.

Ms ONeill reflected that she was a 20-year-old mother when the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed and said she remembers vividly the sense of hope and optimism.

She said she stands proud as First Minister, and someone who represents that Good Friday Agreement-generation and someone who will lead us into the next 45 years.

She also described herself as an Ulster woman, Tyrone woman, a proud Irish and European citizen.

This is a historic day which represents a new dawn, she said.

For the first time ever, a nationalist takes up the position of first minister.

That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents generation.

Because of the Good Friday Agreement that old state that they were born into is gone. A more democratic, more equal society has been created making this a better place for everyone.

This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none is a changing portrait.

Yesterday is gone. My appointment reflects that change.

Ms ONeill said devolved government will face great challenges, and she described the rising cost of living as being a heavy burden on households and businesses.

She said the public sector workers who have taken industrial action and been on strikes over pay is a situation that demands urgent action.

Tory austerity has badly damaged our public services. They have presided over more than a decade of shame. They have caused real suffering, she said.

I wish to lead an Executive which has the freedom to make our own policy and spending choices.

We cannot continue to be hamstrung by Tories in London.

Together, we must unite and fight with one voice the corner of every citizen, to ensure that public services are funded properly.

Ms ONeill said it is an Assembly for all.

The days of second-class citizenship are long gone, she said. Today confirms that they are never coming back.

As an Irish republican I pledge co-operation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition, and who cherish the Union.

This is an assembly for all  Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.

Despite our different outlooks and views on the future constitutional position, the public rightly demands that we co-operate, deliver and work together.

We must build trust and confidence in our ability to do that. That will require courage and ambition not just from us who are elected, but from the public.

We can all invest in this and the more of us that do, the better the chance it has.

First Minister Michelle ONeill told MLAs: I look forward to a plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council shortly.

The power-sharing coalition formed by the parties here today must now dedicate itself to delivering an ambitious Agenda for Change.

I wish incoming ministers well and pledge to work and collaborate with each of you.

The public are relying on each of us to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community.

Northern Irelands first First Minister from a nationalist or republican tradition Michelle ONeill has pledged to be a leader for all.

She described the return of the Assembly and Executive as a day that opens the door to the future  a shared future.

I am honoured to stand here as First Minister, Ms ONeill told MLAs.

We mark a moment of equality and progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together, confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.

She told the Assembly chamber that she was delighted to see every MLA back in this chamber.

I welcome the fact that the DUP has decided to re-enter the democratic institutions and that the outcome of the Assembly election is now being respected, she said.

Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin, Alliance Party MLA John Blair and UUP MLA Steve Aiken have been elected as Deputy Speakers of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill is set to become the first nationalist first minister as Stormont returns after two years without powersharing.

MLAs took their seats in the Assembly chamber at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

The early proceedings focused on the process of nominating a speaker, with former DUP leader Edwin Poots elected to the role.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it has been a challenging journey to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive over the last two years.

I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldnt.

We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union, he told media in the Great Hall.

Its a day when we come together and we take on the responsibility of providing good government for the people of Northern Ireland, for addressing the many issues that confront us at this time.

My party is determined to play its part working with others to make Northern Ireland work, to make this place the best that it can be, to realise our potential to invest in our people, to ensure that our public services have the resources that they need to provide the best health care, a great education system, prosperity in our economy, housing and jobs for all.

TUV MLA Jim Allister has criticised a DUP climbdown as the Northern Ireland Assembly prepares to elect a new Speaker and ministers after two years suspended.

He claimed that not one word of the Northern Ireland Protocol has changed, and that the region remains under EU customs rules, and ruled in a significant part by foreign laws.

Mr Allister also claimed that many on the DUP benches are unhappy with the partys course of action.
Israels military has issued its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon that it would be ready to attack immediately if provoked.

The comments came as the military recounted its actions along the northern border during four months of war in Gaza and made a rare acknowledgement of dozens of air strikes inside Syria against the militant group.

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We do not choose war as our first priority, but we are certainly prepared, military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, adding: We will continue to act wherever Hezbollah is present, we will continue to act wherever it is required in the Middle East. What is true for Lebanon is true for Syria, and is true for other more distant places.

The comments followed the defence ministers warning that a ceasefire in Gaza against the militant group Hamas would not mean Israel would not attack Hezbollah as needed.

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Israeli soldiers drive in armoured vehicles in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip during ongoing ground operations. Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/AP.

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Efforts to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas in pursuit of a ceasefire continued in the region where concerns about a wider war with Iran-allied groups remain.

A top Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, said they were studying the proposal put forward by the US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel but insist on Israel accepting conditions including a permanent ceasefire.

The war in Hamas-run Gaza has levelled vast swathes of the tiny besieged enclave, displaced 85 per cent of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that 107 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing the wartime total to 27,238.

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More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

In Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, at least 17 people including women and children were killed in two separate air strikes overnight, according to the registration office at Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from a single family.

Four women and three children were among the dead, hospital officials said.

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Palestinians line up for free food distribution during the ongoing Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Photo: Hatem Ali/AP.

Two children are still under the rubble, and we dont, still we dont know anything about them, relative Ahmad Hijazi said.

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The second strike hit a house in Rafahs Jeneina area, killing at least two men and two women.

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More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas.

Israels defence minister warned earlier in the week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing on Khan Younis, southern Gazas largest city.

While the statement alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting relationships with the United States and neighbouring Egypt if it sends troops into Rafah, a key entry point for aid.

In Khan Younis, where Israels military said operations would continue for several days, the Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 11 people were injured when Israels military fired smoke bombs at displaced people sheltering at its headquarters.

It followed a siege that Israels military has laid on the Red Crescents facilities for 12 days, the group said, adding that it had documented the killing of 43 people, including three staff members, inside the buildings by Israeli fire during that time.

Israels military did not address the charitys allegations of firing on the buildings, the killings or the blocking of access, and asserted that the al Amal Hospital facilities had adequate fuel and electricity.

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Activists protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for new elections. Photo: Maya Alleruzzo/AP.

Israel says it is determined to crush Hamas and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007, in response to its October 7th attack on Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas still holds dozens of the roughly 250 hostages taken in the attack, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November.

Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Thousands of people gathered again in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening for anti-government protests to express growing frustration at how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration have handled the war.

If we need to stop the war now and call for a ceasefire in order to bring those people back home to their families, and start to rebuild them and take care of them, thats the most important thing for us to do, said one protester, Karen Levy.

In a sign of Hamass resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign in the past four months, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said it has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press (AP) that in recent days, police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest.

The residents said they saw subsequent Israeli air strikes near the makeshift offices.

Smoke rises behind rubble from buildings destroyed in the Israeli armys ground operation in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, adjacent to the Gaza border fence. Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/AP.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city, a Hamas official told AP.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to re-establish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including by helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who heeded Israeli evacuation orders and headed to southern Gaza.

Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has operated a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers and police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

Israeli military leaders had said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

Israel claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.
Hamas has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, according to residents and a senior official in the militant group.

Signs of a Hamas resurgence in the Gaza Strips largest city underscore the groups resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign against it over the past four months.

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Israel has said it is determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and north-western parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

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Israeli soldiers drive their armoured vehicles near the border with the Gaza Strip (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

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Four Gaza City residents told the Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plain-clothed police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest.

The residents said they saw both the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli air strikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police officers marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to re-establish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to the southern half of Gaza.

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During Israels ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of scrap, rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office near the hospital that was set up to distribute payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

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Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers and civil police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.



Palestinians line up for free food amid the ongoing Israeli air and ground offensive (Hatem Ali/AP)

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The partial salary payments of 200 dollars for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knock-out blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

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Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza on Saturday.

At least 11 people were injured after Israels military fired smoke bombs at displaced people sheltering at the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Khan Younis, the organisation said.

It followed a siege that Israels military has laid on the Red Crescents facilities for 12 days, the organisation said.

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The charity said it had documented the killing of 43 people, including three staff members, inside the buildings by Israeli fire in those 12 days, with another 153 injured.

Israels military did not address the charitys allegations of firing on the buildings, the killings or the blocking of access, and asserted that the al Amal Hospital facilities had adequate fuel and electricity and that the military helped to replenish two oxygen tanks.

The military said operations in Khan Younis would continue for several days.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate air strikes overnight in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at a hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said. The second strike hit a house in the Jeneina area of Rafah, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

The 17 bodies were taken to the Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, the main health facility in Rafah, and were seen by an AP journalist.



Israels defence minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

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The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that 107 people were killed over the preceding 24-hour period, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

Israels defence minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing for the last few weeks on Khan Younis, the largest city of southern Gaza.

While the statement has alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah.

The UN satellite centre said on Friday that its latest analysis of available imagery indicated more than 69,000 structures in Gaza  nearly one third of all structures in the territory  have been at least moderately damaged in nearly four months of fighting.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

International mediators continue to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed ceasefire deal put forward this week, nearly four months since Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

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Hamas continue to hold dozens of captives, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict has levelled vast swathes of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Meanwhile, the United States launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.
An Iraqi militia official has hinted at a desire to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East following retaliatory strikes launched by the United States against dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, in an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad condemned the US strikes, saying Washington must understand that every action elicits a reaction.

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But he then struck a more conciliatory tone, saying that we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.

Al-Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack.





CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria



At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY Advertisement Advertisement  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties from the strikes but did not give a number.

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Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed.

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-Awadi said in a statement on Saturday that the strikes in Iraq near the Syrian border killed 16, including civilians, and there was significant damage to homes and private properties.

A US official said on Saturday that an initial battle damage assessment showed the US had struck each of its planned targets in addition to a few dynamic targets that popped up as the mission unfolded, including a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites.

The official did not yet have a casualty assessment.

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Iraqs Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday it would summon the US embassys charge daffaires  the ambassador being outside of the country  to deliver a formal protest over US strikes on Iraqi military and civilian sites.

The US said on Friday it had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started.

The air assault was the opening salvo of US retaliation for a drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.

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US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come (Alex Brandon/AP)

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The US has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias.

Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction.

Mr al-Awadi condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, particularly since some of them targeted facilities of the Population Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

The PMF, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, was officially brought under the umbrella of the Iraqi armed forces after it joined the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in 2014, but in practice it continues to operate largely outside of state control.

The Popular Mobilisation Forces said in a statement on Saturday that one of the sites targeted was an official security headquarters of the group.

In addition to the 16 killed, it said 36 people had been wounded, while the search is still ongoing for the bodies of a number of the missing.

The Iraqi government has been in a delicate position since a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq  many of whose members are also part of the PMF  began launching attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria on October 18.

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The group described the strikes as retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza.





USCENTCOM Destroys Six Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles in Yemen



On Feb. 3, at approximately 7:20 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes in self-defense against six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. U.S. forces pic.twitter.com/W9BVxiYedU  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024

Behind the scenes, Iraqi officials have attempted to rein in the militias, while also condemning US retaliatory strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 US troops who are in the country as part of an international coalition to fight IS.

Last month, Iraqi and US military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalitions presence, a process that is likely to take years.

One of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops following Sundays strike that killed the US troops in Jordan, to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the US militarys Central Command acknowledged it had had a series of skirmishes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with Yemens Houthi rebels.

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On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage.

The US also conducted air strikes on four Houthi drones preparing to launch that it said presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy ships in the region.

On Saturday, Central Command said it struck six additional anti-ship cruise missiles that it said were prepared to launch and presented an imminent threat.

Overnight, F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier, along with the USS Laboon, shot down seven drones in the Red Sea.
North Korea said it has tested cruise missiles outfitted with new super-large warheads as well as a new type of anti-aircraft missile.

The report on Saturday by North Korean state media came a day after South Koreas military said it detected the North launching multiple cruise missiles into waters off its western coast.

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It is the countrys fourth round of launches in 2024.

North Korean photos of the test showed a low-flying cruise missile striking a target built on a coastal shore, and another projectile soaring into the air after being launched from ground.



A TV screen shows a file image of North Koreas missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea (Ahn Young-joon, AP)

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North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not specify the number of missiles tested or the details of their performance.

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The agency said the tests were part of the countrys normal activities for military development and did not affect the security of neighbours.

Cruise missiles are among a growing collection of North Korean weapons designed to overwhelm regional missile defences. They supplement the countrys vast line-up of ballistic missiles, including long-range weapons aimed at the continental United States.

Analysts say anti-aircraft missile technology is an area where North Korea could benefit from its deepening military co-operation with Russia as the two countries align in the face of their separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States.

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In January, North Korea conducted two tests of a new cruise missile designed to be launched from submarines, which leader Kim Jong Un described as a meaningful step toward his goals of building a nuclear-armed navy.

The North also conducted tests of a long-range cruise missile, which it has described as nuclear-capable and can cover ranges of up to 1,240 miles  potentially putting US military bases in Japan within reach.



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

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Those cruise missile tests followed the January 14 launch of a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile, which underscored North Korean efforts to advance weapons that could target US assets in the Pacific, including the military hub of Guam.

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Fridays launches came hours after North Korean state media reported that Mr Kim reiterated his focus on strengthening his naval forces as he inspected the construction of warships at a shipyard in Nampho on the west coast.

In recent months, Mr Kim has emphasised efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy to counter what he portrays as growing threats posed by the United States, South Korea and Japan, which have stepped up their military cooperation in response to his nuclear ambitions.

There are concerns that Mr Kim, emboldened by the steady advancement of his nuclear arsenal and strengthened ties with Russia, would further ramp up pressure against his rivals in an election year in the United States and South Korea.

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Experts say Mr Kims long-term goal is to force the US to accept the idea of the North as a nuclear power and negotiate security concessions and sanctions relief from a position of strength.
Police searching for alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi have released footage of empty containers with corrosive warnings being found by officers in a raid on an address in Newcastle.

Detectives have urged the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area  who is described as having very significant injuries to the right side of his face  to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

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A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be life-changing.

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The injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are not likely to be life-changing.

Significant and important pieces of evidence were recovered in raids at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle, police said.

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They include empty containers with corrosive warnings found at one address in Newcastle, which the new footage shows.

Forensic tests to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack are ongoing.

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An empty container with corrosive warnings on the label recovered at an address in Newcastle. Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA.

The Metropolitan Police said it has received dozens of calls about the manhunt, including possible sightings of Ezedi.

The force also said it is working round the clock with British Transport Police, Northumbria Police, the National Crime Agency and Transport for London on the manhunt.

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Commander Jon Savell said: The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace.

I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know.

We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.

I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.

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I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him.

I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should not be approached.

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Questions remain over how the suspect, who was granted asylum in the UK after two failed attempts, was able to stay in the country despite being convicted of a sex offence.

Ezedi, who is thought to have arrived in the UK from Afghanistan on the back of a lorry in 2016, claimed to have converted to Christianity, which would have put him at risk following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was handed a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9th 2018 after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

He was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Handout CCTV image dated 31/01/24 issued by the Metropolitan Police of Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham alkaline substance attack, at Kings Cross underground station at 2100. Issue date: Friday February 2, 2024.

British prime minster Rishi Sunaks spokesman said on Friday that the PM does not think foreign criminals should be able to stay in the UK.

It has been reported that the suspect was able to gain asylum after claiming he had converted to Christianity.

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement it had found nothing to suggest he had become a Catholic but checks were continuing.

It said: Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims of this appalling attack in south London.

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The diocese confirmed that Ezedi visited our diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, a charitable venture which assists a wide range of people who come to us in need.

It added: After checking local parish records and central records and after consulting with clergy we have no indication that Abdul Ezedi was received into the Catholic faith in this diocese or that a Catholic priest of this diocese gave him a reference.

We do not know which Christian church received him nor which Christian minister gave him a reference.

The project says on its website that it gives food, toiletries and clothes to vulnerable people.

It does not get involved with any asylum claims clients may be pursuing, it is understood.

Photo: PA Graphics.

The PA news agency understands that Ezedi visited it recently.

The Church of England said it is currently not aware of any links to its churches, with a spokesperson adding that it is the role of the Home Office, and not the church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.

The case has echoes of that of Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, who died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital.

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He also claimed to be a Christian convert to support his asylum claim.

At a press conference on Friday, Mr Savell urged the suspect to hand himself in.

He said: Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

A CCTV image of Abdul Ezedi at Kings Cross Tube station. Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA.

Weve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.

His brother Hassan Ezedi told The Sun newspaper he would hand the suspect in if he knew where he was.

The wanted man left Newcastle in the very, very early hours of Wednesday and travelled south to the capital and was in the Tooting area by around 6.30am, police say.

His vehicle was seen again in Croydon, south London, at around 4.30pm and by around 7pm he was in Streatham.

Ezedi allegedly threw the younger child to the ground during the attack at 7.25pm, before attempting to drive away from the scene, crashing into a stationary vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Minutes later he boarded a tube at Clapham South Underground station, and by 8pm he was at Kings Cross tube station.

At 8.42pm, Ezedi was captured on CCTV in Tesco on the Caledonian Road, pictured with a fairly significant facial injury buying a bottle of water, before leaving and heading right.

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He got on a Victoria line Tube at 9pm heading south, the last confirmed sighting.

Police say three members of the public who came to the aid of the family during Wednesdays attack, two in their 30s and one in her 50s, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

Police at the scene of an incident near Clapham Common, south London on Wednesday night. Photo: PA.

Five officers who responded to the incident were also treated and have now left hospital.

As well as the 11 people taken to hospital, a man in his 50s, who also helped, declined hospital treatment for minor injuries, police said.
Saudi Arabia has given the go-ahead for the doubling of the freight line of North Train network (formerly referred to as the North-South Railway) at an investment of SR4 billion ($1.07 billion), reported Arab News citing the kingdoms transport and logistics minister.

Saleh Al Jasser was speaking at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, a platform designed to enable the creation of resilient mineral value chains in the vast resource rich region of Africa, Western and Central Asia.

Addressing the gathering, Al Jasser said that all these efforts to enhance the transportation facilities will strengthen the mining sector in Saudi Arabia.

The North Train is a 1,550-km-long freight line that extends from the phosphate and bauxite mines in the far north of Saudi Arabia to the Al Baithah junction.

From there, it splits into a line heading south to Riyadh and a second line going east to downstream fertilizer production and alumina refining facilities at Ras Al Khair on the Gulf coast.

"Many of the roads that we have built in the past were developed to support the mining industry. Our longest rail line was built to support the mining industry, which is the Northern Railway (North Train Freight Line)," said Al Jasser.

"We have already approved the doubling of that line, with an investment of SR4 billion, to support the mining industry," he added.

The minister emphasised that Saudi Arabia had devised an ambitious strategy to position itself as a global logistics hub.

"This strategic initiative aims to foster the growth of the mining sector and enhance the Kingdoms standing in the global logistics landscape," said Al Jasser.

"Transportation and logistics are key enablers for the mining industry. The great news is that we already have a very strong infrastructure and a great partnership with the mining industry," he added.
STEM Education

Iowa Program Adds Derivita Math Resources to Bolster STEM Curricula

Digital mathematics platform company Derivita has been chosen as one of 14 providers by the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education to be part of the state's 2024-25 Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program. The program provides access to Iowa educators who apply and are accepted across the state to use STEM programs and resources in their existing curriculum to help provide professional development and improve teaching, at no cost to schools.

Educator applications for the 2024-25 school year close on Feb. 28, 2024. PreK12, public and private school cross-curricular educators, youth education leaders, informal education professionals, home school associations and individuals, and others are encouraged to apply to the Scale-Up Program, the company said. Awarded applicants will be notified in late Spring 2024.

Derivita will hold office hours throughout January and every Thursday in February at 4 p.m. CST to help educators complete their applications and answer questions.

The company's resources include Derivita's 6-12 Math Courseware program. Pre-K access to Derivita's platform, with its library of mathematical tasks and beyond, is also available, the company said.

"I am proud to launch our partnership with the Governor's STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education and our participation in the Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program," said Dog Sovde, Derivita's senior manager of school and district partnerships. "This is an exciting opportunity to offer teachers and students across the State of Iowa access to Derivita and potentially change the way they see and interact with mathematics."

In addition to Derivita's math program, learning resources from the 13 other providers for the 2024-25 school year include AI, coding, agriculture, robotics, physics/chemistry, and several other STEAM topics. Visit the 2024-25 Scale-Up menu page to learn more about topics, informational webinars, and contact information.
The US military has launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.

The massive barrage of strikes on Friday hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centres, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force.

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The Quds Force is the guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship with and arming of regional militias.

US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come.





CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria



At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY Advertisement Advertisement  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

The US strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders, as the US tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack.

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It was unclear what the impact will be of the strikes. Days of US warnings may have sent militia members scattering into hiding. With multiple groups operating at various locations in several countries, a knockout blow is unlikely.

Though one of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops, others have vowed to continue fighting, casting themselves as champions of the Palestinian cause while the war in Gaza shows no sign of ending.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, warned Mr Biden, adding: Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

He and other top US leaders had been saying for days that any American response would not be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

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US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on US personnel in the region.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt Gen Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff.

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US Central Command said the assault involved more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States.

Lt Gen Sims said weather was a factor as the US planned the strikes in order to allow the US to confirm it was hitting the right targets and avoiding civilian casualties.

It is not clear, however, whether militia members were killed.

We know that there are militants that use these locations, IRGC as well as Iranian-aligned militia group personnel, Lt Gen Sims said. We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.



President Joe Biden joined grieving families to watch as the remains of three army reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base (Matt Rourke/AP)

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Syrian state media reported that there were casualties but did not give a number. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement that the city of al-Qaim and areas along the countrys border with Syria had been hit by US air strikes. The strikes, he said, constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences.

Mr Kirby said that the US alerted the Iraqi government prior to carrying out the strikes.

The assault came came just hours after Mr Biden and top defence leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three army reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

On Friday morning, Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any US strikes targeting its interests.

Mr Raisi said we will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response.

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Defence secretary Lloyd Austin said this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East (Kevin Wolf/AP)

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government. But that assertion clearly had no impact on US strike plans. Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed on Friday to continue military operations against US troops.

The US has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan, but has not narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataib Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

Some of the militias have been a threat to US bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israels war with Hamas following the October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage.

The war has led to the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and has inflamed the Middle East.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or US interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and US warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

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Speaking to reporters on Thursday, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He said the US will take all necessary actions to defend its interests and people, and warned: At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past.

As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on US military installations since October 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a US military official. The last attack was on January 29 at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The US, meanwhile, has bolstered defences at Tower 22, the base in Jordan that was attacked by Iran-backed militants, according to a US official. While previous US responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the deaths of the three service members in Jordan crossed a line, the official said.

That attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely army national guard  was the first to result in US combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out.

Tower 22 houses about 350 US troops and sits near the demilitarised zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only six miles away.

Also on Friday, the Israeli military said its Arrow defence system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemens Houthi rebels.

And a US official said the military had taken additional self-defence strikes inside Yemen on Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When man-about Melbourne Adem Karafili took to the lectern at a trendy hotel conference in the inner suburb of Prahran he had the confidence of a man who had no idea what the next few months would hold for the company he led, Top Shelf International. At that point Karafili, a former executive at Swisse Wellness and at that time executive chairman of Top Shelf, still had the support of many shareholders in the boutique spirit maker behind brands NED whisky, Grainshaker Vodka and Act of Treason Agave. It was no mean feat for the suave businessman given Top Shelf had been a disappointment to its shareholders since listing on the stock exchange in December 2020 at $2.21 a share and was then trading at just 25 cents. Loading At that extraordinary general meeting, Top Shelf was again seeking a new injection of $30 million from investors  its third capital raising since listing  to prop up its business and keep the loss-making groups lender at bay after breaching its covenants for having too little cash on hand. The cash injection would take the total of money pumped into the group by investors since 2020 to $122 million. Along with the market capitalisation erosion, shareholders had burned close to $180 million on the boutique business. Were whizzing through, Karafili said as he read through the resolutions while looking over the sweeping views of Port Philip Bay and the Melbourne CBD skyline. The meeting was over in less than 15 minutes.

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What would happen after that meeting would quickly work to sour the relationship between Karafili and some of Top Shelfs shareholders. Within days of the capital raising closing, Top Shelf would reveal in an ASX announcement that it was the subject of a review by the market operator, the ASX, over governance issues tied to the capital raising and at risk of censure over its self-confessed breaches. Loading A month later, Top Shelf would also include in the notes of its 2023 accounts that its revenue for the year prior was $5 million, or 20 per cent, lower. That meant the revenue growth of around 30 per cent between 2021 and 2022 was actually just a 5 per cent uplift. My blood actually boiled, says one investor in the group who asked not to be named due to their wider business links. I dont think I had been that angry before. By October, Karafili had stepped aside from any form of executive position at the company, but remained a director of Top Shelf. At the groups annual general meeting later that month shareholders would vote against resolutions relating to his incentives by as much as 90 per cent against, while all other resolutions, including the groups remuneration and rewards to chief executive Trent Fraser, sailed through. It was a brutal moment for a man more used to success. The troubles at Top Shelf are another example of an ASX hopeful that holds so much promise but has so far failed to deliver for many of its shareholders.

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Its also an instance where the sum of a companys governance and strategy mistakes  all relatively small beer in business circles  can make an uninviting whole. Now the group is hoping that a new strategy, cost-cutting and an improved marketing approach that includes a scaled-down sponsorship spend championed by Fraser, can help turn the tide. A lot to distil One sign of Top Shelfs marketing misfires is found in an unexpected place. At a beer barn in the increasingly gentrified inner-city suburb of Northcote, called, confusingly, Welcome to Thornbury (the next suburb over) lies an abandoned spirit still that was once part of Top Shelfs marketing strategy. The still at the function rooms abutting Welcome to Thornbury where Top Shelf International set up a short-lived bar. Credit: Luis Ascui After its listing, Top Shelf set up The Distiller bar as part of the venue in 2021. The bar was shuttered after a little more than 12 months. The expensive venture was part of Top Shelfs high-gloss, scattergun approach to marketing its products. Grainshaker sponsored the twilight polo at St Kilda beach and the Portsea Classic swim in 2023. Ned whisky remains the official whisky of Supercars and the company continues to support the Australian Turf Club.

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At the time shareholders thought the marketing activity, while a bit frivolous, would help to build brand recognition of the groups products that had been carefully developed by the companys team of distillers. But by the time Fraser replaced co-founder Drew Fairchild as CEO in April 2023, that strategy had been drastically downscaled as part of the companys strategic review. The groups buzzwords for its products  Fearless for Ned, Exuberant for Grainshaker and Rogue for its Agave products  remained, but now exuberant was spelled correctly in its company presentations. The long road ahead Top Shelf was established in 2014 when its founders Fairchild and Jason Redfern decided to create an Australian whisky that could hit the middle market drinkers who like their whisky smooth but not highbrow  and often mixed with cola. Karafili joined as a director in 2018, giving the group a more experienced and well-known leader to drum up investor support. Soon the group had a vodka brand and premixed vodka drinks in its mix of products and more recently has added Act of Treason agave to its brands. Ned Wwhisky is a smooth blend that is complex without being highbrow or overwhelming. In February 2022, the company had scored a major win, announcing Coles network of liquor stores would stock some of its products. The day before the company announced its July 2023 capital raising, it told investors it had secured ranging at select Dan Murphys and BWS stores. Outside of retailer deals, Grainshaker is also used in some pubs as a house vodka, as is Ned whisky.

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Some industry veterans wonder if there is enough scale in these arrangements to generate the consistent sales growth institutional investors expect of an ASX-listed company. One former long-time director of a major alcohol company, who asked to speak anonymously so he could talk freely, said: Boutique spirits and beers are such an evocative area of investment. But running these companies up to scale is actually a lot harder than it looks. For everyone who succeeds in this industry there are a hundred who are capable but they just dont do that well. Its such a competitive business and those retailers and venues often expect big discounts. Capital raising hangover The other challenge the company is facing is healing its relationship with its shareholder base and the ASX. Top Shelf has been the subject of two lengthy ASX query letters regarding its capital-raising, where Karafili was allocated millions more shares than what he was entitled to without shareholder approval. The company said in answers to the ASX query that it had initially intended to ask shareholder approval to increase the allocation of shares to Karafili but withdrew the resolution ahead of the meeting without telling the lead managers of its raising, the groups largest shareholder, Melbourne investment house Salter Brothers, who declined to comment for this story.

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Counter-terrorism police arrested an autistic 14-year-old boy fixated on the Islamic State after they posed as extremists online, following a plea from the teenagers parents for help.

An undercover agent fed the boys fixation during frequent discussions that occurred day and night, including during a break at school, a Melbourne magistrate has found.

Victoria Police arrested the teenager while he was undertaking a rehabilitation program. Credit: Paul Rovere

Thomas Carrick, a pseudonym and whose real name has not been disclosed, was 13 years old and had an IQ of 71  well below the average persons IQ  when the agent initiated extremist discussions with him.

The boys parents had sought help from police less than four months earlier and Thomas had been participating in a rehabilitation program.
Some of Advances campaigning methods, such as a cartoon ad it placed in the Financial Review that was decried by voices Labor and Liberal alike as racist, were controversial. The masthead ended up apologising for publishing the ad. But the group was quite legally and legitimately putting a view, exercising the right to free political speech. Loading And angry? This is hardly disqualifying. Anger is the original political emotion. As the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk pointed out: At the beginning of the first sentence of the European tradition, in the first verse of The Iliad, the word rage occurs. Homer was writing of the rage of the warrior hero Achilles. In political movements, anger is a powerful motive force, perhaps the most powerful. Just ask Donald Trump. Anger was, no doubt, a key motive for many of the donors to Climate 200, too. Rather than being a genuinely new phenomenon, the surge of Advance is just the latest salvo in the ever-expanding arms race of Australian political finance. Total donations and other income to all political parties for the latest year came to about a quarter of a billion dollars. And thats not even an election year.

Of that huge sum, 23 per cent of the money going to the two majors is so-called dark money from sources we, the public, will never know, according to the OurDemocracy organisation. Because these funds fall into categories requiring no disclosure. For example, a donation of less than about $16,000 need not be disclosed under existing law. In other words, you can drive a truck through the system. A truck full of money. Loading Its an affront to proper democratic principles, says the chair of the Centre for Public Integrity, former NSW Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy. Enormous access and influence flows to people with a lot of money. Everyone should have equal opportunity of access [to elected officials] and the present system completely flouts that principle. I cant get access to the prime minister, says Whealy, but Im sure the big donors can. We treat the annual disclosures a bit like Academy Awards, where we wait breathlessly to see whos donated the most money. I think its scandalous. He says the system is not corrupt, but it is corrupting because of the unfair and unbalanced distortion of political influence. So who was it this time? The single biggest donation was, once again, by Clive Palmer to Clive Palmer, a $7 million payment to his United Australia Party. Palmer spent $117 million at last years election, dwarfing all previous records for an individual. He got scant representation in return - a single seat in the senate. Essentially because he doesnt know what hes doing. A different billionaire with more money than Climate 200 and better advice than Clive Palmer could have an election-changing effect.

Thats the thing about arms races. They just continue to escalate. And while a superficial look at this weeks disclosures seems to show the Liberals winning the latest iteration of the arms race, with $110 million in total receipts against Labors $83 million, its misleading. A mundane anomaly, as a Labor official put it, meant that the Liberals and Labor received their public election funding in different financial years under the payment-per-vote law. Correcting for this, Labor and Liberal received almost the same amount of income overall. Illustration: John Shakespeare. Credit: Anthony Albanese promised to end the arms race, or at least change the arms procurement processes. The Labor minister responsible for fixing the system, Don Farrell, tells me that hell sit down with the other parties and independents next week when parliament resumes for the year: Politics is the art of the possible, so its a matter of what I can negotiate with the other parties. His priority reforms are, first, to cut the disclosure threshold for donations from $16,000 to $1000. Second, to limit spending by political parties and candidates: I want to try and limit the ability of really rich people to buy election results. The Liberals oppose these reforms on the ground that theyre financial gerrymandering, and they might have a point. Farrell says, for instance, that hed want to preserve the historic relationship between the unions and Labor.
While Biden is the overwhelming frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination, a few other longshot candidates are mounting challenges to the president. The first is self-help author Marianne Williamson, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidential nomination in 2020. A former spiritual leader of the Church of Today, Williamson supports abortion rights, reparations for descendants of formerly enslaved Americans, and a single-payer health care system. Democratic presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson speaks at a campaign stop in Keene, New Hampshire. Credit: AP She has also lamented the Democratic Partys refusal to allow anyone to debate Biden, branding it as voter suppression. The other challenger is Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips, a former businessman who was elected to Congress in 2018. Phillips is a moderate with a reputation for being able to work with Republicans if it means getting things done.

The 55-year-old says that while Biden is a good man, he is too old, too much of a career politician in Washington, and that he cant beat Trump. If it comes down to Biden versus Trump, of course, I would vote for Joe Biden, but hes not going to win  and thats why Im in this race, he said at a social media forum last week. Representative Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota and a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate. Credit: Bloomberg All eyes are on the Deep South Iowa used to be the first state in the presidential nominating contest for both the Democrats and Republicans, followed by New Hampshire. But after a chaotic 2020 caucus filled with irregularities and delayed results, the Democratic National Committee rearranged the 2024 primary calendar and slotted South Carolina as the first contest of the campaign season.

In doing so, it noted that the southern state, which has a high population of black residents, was far more racially diverse than Iowa, which is predominantly white, rural and evangelical Christian. The Democratic Party looks like America, party chairman Jaime Harrison said when the calendar overhaul was announced, and so does this proposal. That said, Democrats did actually take part in the New Hampshire primaries alongside Republicans last week, but Biden wasnt on the ballot, making him the first incumbent president in more than half a century to not register in the states early voting contest. He ended up winning anyway, thanks to supporters mounting a campaign to write in his name (which is permitted under New Hampshire election laws) so that he wouldnt be upstaged by Phillips and Williamson.

Loading Biden ended up with almost 64 per cent of the vote in New Hampshire, while Phillips had 20 per cent and Williamson had 4 per cent. Black voters are the key Despite being all but assured of the nomination, this weekends primary race represents an early test of Bidens ongoing support among black voters, who helped propel him into the presidency in 2020. Four years ago, Bidens campaign for the nomination was on life support after a poor performance against progressive stalwart Bernie Sanders and Democratic rising star Pete Buttigieg in the first two contests.

But after coming a dismal fourth in Iowa and then slipping to fifth in New Hampshire, Biden won the endorsement of South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, a highly influential figure in South Carolinas black community. His fortunes changed immediately. I owe you, Biden told community leaders at a campaign event in the state capital of Charleston last month. Loading Whether they show up for him again in November is the big question. Across America, black voters have expressed disappointment over Bidens inability to deliver on campaign promises such as voting rights reform and student loan forgiveness, and many point to the rising cost of living as a key issue. A New York Times poll also recently found that 22 per cent of black voters in the six most crucial battleground states now support Trump. To put this in context, Trump won just 8 per cent of black voters nationally in 2020 and 6 per cent in 2016, according to the Pew Research Centre.

What happens on primary day? South Carolina has an open primary system, which means any registered voter can participate in any partys primary. However, voters must choose between the Democratic race this weekend or the Republican contest between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley on February 24  they cant participate in both. This has led to some voters considering skipping the Democratic vote and casting a ballot in the Republican primary race for Nikki Haley in a bid to weaken Trumps performance. Nonetheless, the contest will set the stage for what is shaping up to be an election rematch between Biden and his Republican predecessor. Polls open across South Carolinas 46 counties at 7am on Saturday (local time) and close at 7pm, with a result expected very soon after. And while Biden is expected to dominate, Democrats know it wont necessarily be smooth sailing for the president as he heads towards the general election in November.
Michelle ONeill Breaks New Ground as Northern Ireland's First Nationalist Leader (Photo: Sinn Fein/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0))

Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein has assumed the role of First Minister, marking the first time a nationalist leader has held this position in the region's devolved legislature. This significant shift comes as part of a broader agreement to resume power-sharing after a hiatus of two years, driven by disputes over post-Brexit trading arrangements among other issues.

O'Neill's ascension is a vivid illustration of the evolving political dynamics in Northern Ireland, a region historically dominated by Unionist leadership committed to maintaining ties with the United Kingdom. "Today opens the door to the future. I am honoured to stand here as First Minister," O'Neill declared, committing to serve all communities with a focus on reconciliation and building a collective future beyond the divisions of the past.

The power-sharing agreement, a cornerstone of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that ended decades of sectarian conflict known as "The Troubles," necessitates cooperation between nationalist and unionist factions within the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), representing the Unionist side, agreed to re-enter government after negotiations with the UK government addressed their concerns regarding Brexit's impact on Northern Ireland's trade with the rest of the UK.

Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP, serving as Deputy First Minister alongside O'Neill, underscored the personal and political complexities of this new era of governance. Reflecting on her own experiences with the conflict, she acknowledged the profound differences between her Unionist background and O'Neill's nationalist stance. Yet, she emphasized their shared commitment to addressing pressing social issues, such as healthcare, that transcend political divides.

The broader context of this transition involves not only the internal dynamics of Northern Ireland but also the intricate interplay of UK-EU relations post-Brexit. The DUP's return to the power-sharing government was facilitated by the Windsor Framework agreement, which aimed to smooth post-Brexit trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, and the DUP-U.K. Safeguarding the Union agreement, which seeks to affirm Northern Ireland's economic position within the UK.

As Northern Ireland navigates this new chapter, the challenges are manifold. The region's government faces immediate crises in public services and finance, exacerbated by the prolonged absence of an active executive. Moreover, the political landscape remains fraught with potential for discord, not least because of the DUP's internal divisions and the looming UK general election, which could influence the stability of this nascent power-sharing arrangement.

Michelle O'Neill's leadership symbolizes a significant departure from the vision of Northern Ireland's founders, suggesting a future where identity and governance are more fluid, and where the prospect of a united Ireland is an increasingly open question. As Fintan O'Toole, an Irish political commentator, noted, "The whole point of creating Northern Ireland a century ago was that it would always have a Protestant majority committed to staying within the United Kingdom. Michelle O'Neill's accession to office as the leader of the largest party in the assembly dramatizes the end of that project."
The original site was designed by S. Abbas Raza in 2004 but soon completely redesigned by Mikko Hypponen and deployed by Henrik Rydberg. It was later upgraded extensively by Dan Balis in 2006. The next major revision was designed by S. Abbas Raza, building upon the earlier look, and coded by Dumky de Wilde in 2013. And this current version 5.0 has been designed and deployed by Dumky de Wilde in collaboration with S. Abbas Raza.
India's financial crime fighting agency will probe Paytm Payments Bank if any fresh charges of fund siphoning are found, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra told Reuters on Saturday.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday ordered thepayments bank unit of One 97 Communications, popularlyknown as Paytm, to stop accepting fresh deposits in its accountsor popular wallets from March.

"If there are any fresh charges of money laundering against Paytm by RBI, those will be investigated by Directorate of Enforcement as per the law of the land," said Malhotra.
State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, on Saturday reported an unexpectedly steep 35% drop in net profit for the October-December quarter, weighed down by higher pension costs and wage revisions.

Net profit fell to Rs 9,164 crore ($1.1 billion) in its fiscal third quarter from Rs 14,205 crore in the same period a year earlier, SBI reported in a stock exchange filing.

Analysts had estimated a profit of Rs 12,987 crore for the quarter, according to LSEG data.

Profit was hit by a Rs 7,100 crore provision for wage revisions and pension costs, the bank said.
India and China have alternatively vied for influence in the tourism-dependent country, which sits on a busy Indian Ocean shipping lane | Photo: Pexels

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen

Maldives said India will withdraw its troops from the island nation by May 10, a move that makes good President Mohamed Muizzus election promise as he draws closer to China.



India will replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms by the date, with the first phase of the withdrawal concluding by March 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives said late Friday after the second high-level meeting between the two sides in New Delhi.

Tensions between India and the Maldives have been rising since Muizzu came to power in September on a campaign to reduce Indias influence in the island. Last month, Muizzu had asked New Delhi to pull out its troops by March 15.

India has about 70 soldiers who operate and maintain radars, helicopters and aircraft in the Maldives, some of which are used for medical evacuations. Its navy also patrols surrounding waters. Theres no clarity on whether Maldives will replace Indias military personnel with civilians to operate the helicopters and aircraft.

Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of Maldives, Indias foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.

India and China have alternatively vied for influence in the tourism-dependent country, which sits on a busy Indian Ocean shipping lane.

Beijing upgraded its diplomatic ties with the Maldives to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership during Muizzus five day visit to China in January. President Xi Jinping said China will seek to boost direct flights to the island nation, and wants to increase cooperation in areas of trade, investment, agriculture and others.
Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland has commenced delivery of its intermediate and heavy duty electric trucks to its customers, the company said.

The keys of 14T Boss Electric Truck were handed over to Billion E-Mobility at the inaugural edition of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 in New Delhi, the company said.

"Ashok Leyland is proud to deliver the first fully electric vehicle to our customer today. The Boss 4T Electric Truck was showcased in the Auto Expo last year. Today, delivering this road-ready product marks a significant milestone in our journey toward sustainable and efficient transportation," said company Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal in a statement on Saturday.

"As we stand on the cusp of a new era, these vehicles represent our firm commitment to lead the transition to green mobility offering advanced technologies focused at meeting the evolving needs of the Indian and global markets," Agarwal said.

At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo which is currently underway in New Delhi, Ashok Leyland showcased its future-ready vehicles including the 9m Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus, AVTR LNG 6x4 Tractor, 55T EV Tractor and Switch IeV4 Electric light commercial vehicles.

"As we build our energy transition platform, we embark on a journey together towards a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable tomorrow, we thank Ashok Leyland for delivering the technologically advanced 14Tonne Bos Electric Truck in quick time, enabling us to take forward our commitment to driving a sustainable and eco-friendly transportation system," Billion E-Mobility and CHARGE, founder-CEO Kartikey Hariyani said.
The state-run bank's net profit jumped 62.42% to Rs 1,869.51 crore on 15.9% rise in total income to Rs 16,411.10 crore in Q3 FY24 over Q3 FY23.

Operating profit (before provisions and contingencies) declined 17.74% YoY to Rs 3,003.94 crore in Q3 FY24. Total provisions and contingencies (other than tax) dropped 73.33% to Rs 501.11 crore in Q3 FY24 as against Rs 1,878.98 crore in Q3 FY23.

Profit before tax in Q3 FY24 stood at Rs 2,502.83 crore, up 41.17% on YoY basis.

The bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) slipped to Rs 30,237.15 crore as on 31 December 2023 as against Rs 38,884.61 crore as on 31 December 2022.

The ratio of gross NPAs was 5.35% as on 31 December 2023 as against 7.66% as of 31 December 2022. The ratio of net NPAs was 1.41% as on 31 December 2023 as compared with 1.61% as on 31 December 2022.

Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) stood at 89.95% as on 31 December 2023 as against 90.27% as on 31 December 2022.

Slippage ratio improved to 0.24% in Q3 FY24 as against 0.27% in Q3 FY23.

While bank's deposits (domestic) increased by 7.62% YoY to Rs 5,99,137 crore, advances (domestic) jumped by 11.34 % YoY to Rs 4,75,012 crore as on 31 December 2023.

The bank's CASA (domestic) rose by 5.92% YoY to Rs 2,61,335 crore while CASA Ratio stood at 44.56% as of December 2023.

Cost of deposits (global) stood at 4.62% in Q3 FY24 as compared to Rs 3.72% in Q3 FY23.

As on 31 December 2023, the bank's total capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) was at 16.06% while CET -1 ratio stood at 13.16%.

Return on assets (RoA) improved by 17 bps to 0.82% in Q3 FY24 against 0.55% in Q3 FY23.

Return on equity (RoE) improved by 275 bps to 14.96% in Q1 FY24 against 12.21% in Q1 FY23.

Bank of India is a public sector bank. The Government of India held 73.38% stake in the bank as on 31 December 2023.

The scrip rose 4.26% to settle at Rs 151.60 on Friday, 2 February 2024.

.

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Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

Net interest income (NII) decreased by 2.36% YoY to Rs 5,463 crore for Q3 FY23 as against Rs 5,596 crore for Q3 FY22. Net interest margin (NIM) (domestic) slipped to 3.21% in Q3 FY24 as compared to 3.72% in Q3 FY23.
Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, today announced a new division to the company, Future Ventures. This division will focus on opportunities and new avenues for Belkin to explore creative solutions for the modern world including content creation, spatial computing, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and more. The first two products from this new line are the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro, announced earlier this year at CES 2024, and a new Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240202187821/en/

The first two products from Belkin Future Ventures division are the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro, announced earlier this year at CES 2024, and a new Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro. (Photo: Business Wire)

Future Ventures will be comprised of forward-thinking designers, engineers and product managers all in-house at Belkins headquarters in El Segundo, CA and in satellite hubs worldwide. Belkins longstanding legacy in creating quality and human-centric peripheral mobile and computer accessories is the basis behind this new division, and steadily positions the company for new products and categories for the next generation.

Belkin has been innovating for over 40 years, and Future Ventures was a clear next step in our plans to continue bringing new ideas to the table, said Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin. We know that good ideas come from anywhere, so we are looking everywhere to explore new categories and products that we believe in. Future Ventures opens the door to new markets that Belkin has not typically been part of in previous years. We experienced major success at CES 2024 with our new Auto-Tracking Stand Pro, but this is just the beginning of what this new division is capable of.

The Auto-Tracking Stand Pro

The worlds first Apple certified Works with DockKit accessory, the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro provides seamless hands-free camerawork for content creators, filmmakers, educators, virtual presenters, social app developers, and more. DockKits automated subject tracking technology is designed to follow subjects on camera as they move around their space with 360 degrees of pan and 90 degrees of tilt. Additionally, the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is made more responsibly with a minimum of 75% PCR materials and sold in plastic-free packaging in line with Belkins commitment to find more responsible ways to build products.

The Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is $179.99 USD and is available to pre-order on belkin.com. Media kit is available for download HERE.

Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro

Designed to keep the Apple Vision Pro Battery secure, the Battery Holder allows for a convenient and versatile hands-free experience. The Battery Holder offers a quick and easy way to clip the battery onto a belt or pants, while the cross-body strap gives those without clip access a great way to secure the battery while using Apple Vision Pro.

The Battery Holder is $49.95 USD and is now available at apple.com. Media kit is available for download HERE.

For more information on Belkins products, please visit Belkin.com or follow Belkin on Instagram, Facebook,TikTok, LinkedIn and X.

About Belkin

Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240202187821/en/
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is thrilled to welcome to its Board of Directors, Mr. Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO, Mr. Raj Shah, Co-CEO, MSI Surfaces, Mr. Alex Rogers, President of Global Affairs and Qualcomm Technology Licensing for Qualcomm Incorporated, and Mr. Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar Capital.



Mr. Joe Ucuzoglu who succeeded Mr. Punit Renjen as Deloitte Global CEO in January 2023 also replaces Mr. Renjen on USISPFs Board. As Global CEO of the largest professional services organization in the world, Mr. Ucuzoglu remains actively engaged with many of Deloittes clients as well as a range of external stakeholders, working to ensure that Deloitte is consistently leveraging the full breadth of its services to deliver impactful results for clients and communities.



Mr. Prashant Ruia is a second-generation entrepreneur of the Ruia family that founded Essar. He has been an integral part of Essars operations and management since 1985, playing a key role in driving the growth, diversification, and value creation, both within India and internationally. Under his leadership, Essar is transitioning its existing assets towards a greener economy and investing in sector-transforming sustainable businesses.



Mr. Rajesh (Raj) Shah, along with his brother Mr. Rupesh Shah is President and Co-CEO at MS International, a leading importer and distributor of countertops, flooring, wall tile, and landscaping products in North America. The company was started in 1975 by Rajs parents, Manu and Rika Shah, founders of MSI, and first-generation immigrants to the United States.



Mr. Alex Rogers has been in numerous leadership roles since joining Qualcomm in 2001. Currently, he is a member of the Companys executive committee and is responsible for government and public affairs, export compliance, corporate responsibility and leads Qualcomms patent licensing business.



Speaking on the recent appointments to the USISPF Board, USISPF President and CEO, Dr. Mukesh Aghi said: The additions of Joe, Alex, Prashant, and Raj accentuate the growing synergy in U.S.-India ties across fields of critical and emerging technology, especially in semiconductors to deepening trade relations and collaborating in new domains in hydrogen and biofuels to build a clean energy economy. 2023 was a monumental year, with the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit and President Bidens visit to India for a successful G20 Summit. With our ever-expanding Board and new captains of industry and distinguished leaders from the private sector, USISPF is better positioned than ever to build on the commercial and geostrategic aspects of the partnership in 2024.



Commenting on his addition to the USISPF Board, Mr. Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO added: I am thrilled to join the Board of USISPF, an organization that is key to strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and India and providing an important platform for stakeholders to come together to create meaningful opportunities for business, government and society overall.



Mr. Alex Rogers, President of Global Affairs and Qualcomm Technology Licensing for Qualcomm Incorporated spoke about the importance of U.S.-India technology ties and said: The U.S. and India are uniquely positioned to use connectivity, processing, and artificial intelligence to advance the public good and stimulate economic growth. Qualcomm Technologies and employees have been an integral part of India's digital revolution over the past 25 years. We are proud to be part of the solution as digitization transforms the lives of people everywhere, whether it is how they work, connect, socialize, or interact with the environment.



USISPF Chairman John Chambers congratulated the new appointees and added: After all the groundbreaking accomplishments 2023 brought for the U.S.-India partnership, Im excited for the new year with the addition of these well-accomplished leaders to the USISPF Board. Alex, Prashant, Raj, and Joe will add even more breadth to USISPFs roster of private-sector experts, underscoring the passion from Fortune 250 companies to increase relations and business pursuits between the U.S. and India. These exciting appointments  along with others weve announced this year  position us for even greater success in the years to come.



Commenting on his appointment to the Board of Directors, Mr. Ruia thanked USISPF Chairman John Chambers and USISPF President and CEO, Dr. Mukesh Aghi and said: I am thrilled to step onto the prestigious platform of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) as a member of its Board of Directors. This appointment resonates with the mutual commitment to advancing stronger economic ties between the United States and India. I look forward to leveraging my experience to enhance collaboration, drive innovation, and further strengthen the strategic partnership between these two great nations, especially in fostering sustainability and ESG. We find ourselves in a momentous period for the diplomatic ties between the United States and India, and I am pleased to contribute to this significant endeavor.



Mr. Raj Shah, Co-CEO, MSI Surfaces, spoke about what the U.S.-India relationship personally means to his familys success story and said: India is playing an integral role in manufacturing and providing services to consumers in the United States. We look forward to working with the USISPF Board to continue to strengthen ties between the U.S. and India.
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts school support organization, PAPA (Performers, Artists, Parents & Advocates), announces their upcoming fundraising event dedicated to "supporting and celebrating the talent and passion of its students while advocating for the advancement of arts education within the community."On March 2 from 5-9 p.m., Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts will host the event, titled "Celebration of Creative Arts"."The event aims to showcase the remarkable artistic achievements of our students while raising vital funds to further enhance creative arts education initiatives within our school," organizers said."This event isn't just a celebration; it's a dynamic showcase of the diverse talents nurtured at CCA, offering a unique glimpse into the world of each art major we proudly cultivate. With a live art museum, a one-of-a-kind showcase performance, a grand silent auction, and delicious hors d'oeuvres, it will truly be a Celebration of Creative Arts.We invite the community, local businesses, art enthusiasts, prospective students and families, as well as supporters of education, to join us in this celebration. This event will spotlight Tennessees highest ranking art school and provide a unique glimpse into the remarkable talent at CCA. Your participation and contributions will make a meaningful difference in empowering the next generation of artists and innovators."Your involvement in our gala is a powerful statement of support for the arts and young artists in Chattanooga. We need your help to highlight this event so as to shine a light on the importance of arts education and the incredible talent brewing within our community.For more information, contact Laura Brown, PAPA president, at papapresidentcca@gmail.com or 423-580-9914, or Brooke Behar, CoCA Committee, at bhbehar@gmail.com or 423-313-7805.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will conduct a 90-minute ranger-led car-caravan tour of Chickamauga Battlefield focusing on the stories of African Americans participants on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.Officials said, "There are countless stories to be shared on Chickamauga Battlefield. Until recently, some of those stories have been buried and forgotten, especially those of African American participants. However, not only do they have stories associated with both sides of the conflict, but they risked life and limb working to seize their freedom and begin their struggle for civil rights.Join us for this special tour as we look at some of these overlooked stories."Participants are advised to dress accordingly for the weather conditions.For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.
After an investigation into the social media threat at East Hamilton Middle School on Thursday, Hamilton County Sheriffs Office School Resource deputies and detectives with Investigative Services have charged a juvenile suspect.

The youth is charged with threat of mass violence on school property (39-16-517) and filing false reports (39-16-502).

Officials said, "The HCSO takes all threats against our schools seriously and works diligently to ensure a safe learning environment for all students and school staff across Hamilton County."


String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will continue its 15th season with a special Valentine Concert featuring the Romantic Piano Quartet. The performance will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m.The concert will open with a virtuoso showcase featuring violinist Arnaud Sussmann, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, cellist Nicholas Canellakis, and pianist Gloria Chien in Gershwins Three Preludes, Handel/Halvorsens Sarabande, and Harry Thacker Burleighs nostalgic Southland Sketches.The program will conclude with Schumanns Piano Quartet in Eb major, written during the second year of his marriage to his wife Clara.Filled with lush sonorities and romantic melodies, this program promises to be a Valentine's Day treat, said Dr. Chien, founder and artistic director of String Theory.Pregame with Bob will take place at 5:45 p.m., in which Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Music Director Emeritus Bob Bernhardt will discuss the evenings program, giving an in-depth look at the featured composers and works, including interviews with the artists.Another pre-concert feature is a local collaboration with Classical 90.5 WSMC called String Theory Hour, airing on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 7-8 p.m. This will be a dedicated hour celebrating String Theory artists past and present, curated by Dr. Chien and providing listeners with a sneak preview of the upcoming concert.Mr. Sussmann, winner of a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, has appeared with the American Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Paris Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He has been a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2006 and has regularly appeared with them in New York and on tours. Winner of several international competitions, including the Andrea Postacchini of Italy and Vatelot/Rampal of France, Mr. Sussmann was named a Starling Fellow in 2006. He currently teaches at Stony Brook University and was recently named co-artistic director of Music@Menlos International Music Program.Ms. Pajaro-van de Stadt was the founding violist of the Dover Quartet and played in the group from 2008-2022. During her time in the group, the Dover Quartet was the First Prize-winner and recipient of every special award at the Banff International String Quartet Competition 2013, and winner of the Gold Medal and Grand Prize in the 2010 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. In addition to appearances as soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, she has performed in recitals and chamber-music concerts throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.Mr. Canellakis is an artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, with which he performs regularly in Alice Tully Hall and on tour internationally, including Londons Wigmore Hall, The Louvre in Paris, the Seoul Arts Center in Korea, and the Shanghai and Taipei National concert halls. He was recently renewed as the artistic director of Chamber Music Sedona, in Arizona, where he has made a major impact through his dynamic programming and educational and community outreach. He began his Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center career as a member of the Bowers Program, and he has also been in residence at Carnegie Hall as a member of Ensemble Connect.Mr. Chien is the co-artistic director of Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Oregon, as well as the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, Vermont, along with her husband, Soovin Kim. For the last decade, she was the director of the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo. She frequently appears with the Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center and is a Steinway Artist. Chien has had a 21-year relationship with Lee University, where she is currently an artist-in-residence.Tickets for the Tuesday evening performance are on sale now through February 13 and are $45 for general admission, $35 for Hunter members, and $10 for students and music teachers.The preceding Saturday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., the Aeolus Quartet will be featured at the String Theory Annual Family Concert. These two concerts will take place at the Creative Discovery Museum.Formed in 2008, the Aeolus Quartet comprises violinists Nicholas Tavani and Rachel Shapiro, violist Caitlin Lynch, and cellist Jia Kim. The Quartet has been widely recognized for its highly creative and engaging educational programs. The group was honored to receive a Chamber Music America Residency Partnership Grant, and in recognition of the Quartets artistic achievement, CMA awarded this project with the Guarneri Quartet Residency title.The Aeolus Quartet will be in-residence with String Theory Feb. 7-11, focusing on the greater Chattanooga area for a week filled with educational and community engagement. Residency activities will include school presentations and visits to local nonprofit partners, retirement communities, and additional community spaces.String Theory is so excited to bring these extremely gifted educators and talented artists to our local community, said Dr. Chien.Tickets for the family concerts are free with admission to the Creative Discovery Museum.Support for String Theorys Season 15 Artist Residency Program is generously provided by these community partners: Performing Arts League and Compass Commissioning and Design LLC.String Theory was founded in 2009 by Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical music scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers.To purchase tickets for the Valentine Concert, or for more information, visit https://www.stringtheorymusic.org/ or call 423-414-2525.




Some farewells are more than personal, they are national. A week ago, there were 65 living Medal of Honor recipients. Today, there are 63 recipients.We said goodbye to the most recent recipient, Larry Taylor, on 28 January. I previously profiled his actions on Veterans Day here (https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/9/8/474599/Profiles-Of-Valor-Captain-Larry-Taylor.aspx).I met Larry two decades ago and will never forget our first conversation when he described one of the more than 2,700 missions he flew as a Cobra pilot in Vietnam.He received a Silver Star for that daring mission, and when I inquired about a Medal of Honor nomination, Larry smiled and said, That died on the vine because in the midst of that mission, after I denied an order to retreat, I said unpleasant things about my commanding officer  on an open mic.Thanks to the tireless efforts of the men Larry and his co-pilot CWO2 J.O. Ratliff rescued, and the relentless efforts of Gen. B.B. Bell (USA, Ret.), Chairman of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center advisory board here in Chattanooga, they prevailed, ensuring Larry received due recognition. It was a privilege to attend his Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House four months ago. I will always remember Larry with that mischievous smile he sported, just before saying something irreverent. Larry was 81, and had a warriors heart until his last breath. I ask your prayers for his wife, Toni, and their family.Three days earlier, our nations first Medal of Honor recipient for actions in Vietnam, Col. Roger Donlon, died just short of his 90th birthday.Roger was a native of Saugerties, New York, the eighth child of 10. He began his military career in the Air Force for four years, then reenlisted in the Army. After completing Officer Candidate School, he earned his Green Beret and deployed with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).In July 1964, then-CPT Donlon was at Camp Nam Dong with 12 members of his Team A-726 detachment, a CIDG indigenous training base for Vietnamese soldiers. At 0245 on July 6, their outpost was attacked. Donlon awoke as he was hurled against a door by an enemy mortar round. They were surrounded and under attack by an overwhelming force of two Viet Cong battalions, about 800 NVA soldiers.Donlon recalled his initial reaction: The burning mess hall cast an eerie, dancing light over the camp, spectacular now with swirling smoke and the flashes of exploding shells. The V.C. mortars were zeroed in on us.He instructed his men to get flares up in order to see the approaching enemy: Illuminate the main gate. He and his men opened fire on the enemy, and he killed two before realizing he had a significant shrapnel wound, But nothing hurt too much, and my legs were okay. Maneuvering to a different position, he was wounded again, recounting, For the first time, I felt real pain. He said, The bedlam of bursting grenades was too much.The fighting went on for hours, an eternity when under fire, and when dawn finally arrived, the Air Force was finally able to get in with airstrikes to end the attack. Donlon recalls, Except for sporadic small-arms fire, the battle for Nam Dong was over. More than 57 South Vietnamese soldiers perished along with at least 60 North Vietnamese soldiers.Donlons leadership during the attack is credited with saving the lives of many of his own men and their Vietnam trainees.According to his Medal of Honor citation:During the violent battle that ensued, lasting five hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, Capt. Donlon directed the defense operations in the midst of an enemy barrage of mortar shells, falling grenades, and extremely heavy gunfire. Upon the initial onslaught, he swiftly marshaled his forces and ordered the removal of the needed ammunition from a blazing building. He then dashed through a hail of small arms and exploding hand grenades to abort a breach of the main gate. En route to this position he detected an enemy demolition team of three in the proximity of the main gate and quickly annihilated them. Although exposed to the intense grenade attack, he then succeeded in reaching a 60-mm mortar position despite sustaining a severe stomach wound as he was within five yards of the gun pit. When he discovered that most of the men in this gun pit were also wounded, he completely disregarded his own injury, directed their withdrawal to a location 30 meters away, and again risked his life by remaining behind and covering the movement with the utmost effectiveness. Noticing that his team sergeant was unable to evacuate the gun pit he crawled toward him and, while dragging the fallen soldier out of the gun pit, an enemy mortar exploded and inflicted a wound in Capt. Donlons left shoulder. Although suffering from multiple wounds, he carried the abandoned 60-mm mortar weapon to a new location 30 meters away where he found three wounded defenders. After administering first aid and encouragement to these men, he left the weapon with them, headed toward another position, and retrieved a 57-mm recoilless rifle. Then with great courage and coolness under fire, he returned to the abandoned gun pit, evacuated ammunition for the two weapons, and while crawling and dragging the urgently needed ammunition, received a third wound in his leg by an enemy hand grenade. Despite his critical physical condition, he again crawled 175 meters to an 81-mm mortar position and directed firing operations which protected the seriously threatened east sector of the camp. He then moved to an eastern 60-mm mortar position and upon determining that the vicious enemy assault had weakened, crawled back to the gun pit with the 60-mm mortar, set it up for defensive operations, and turned it over to two defenders with minor wounds. Without hesitation, he left this sheltered position, and moved from position to position around the beleaguered perimeter while hurling hand grenades at the enemy and inspiring his men to superhuman effort. As he bravely continued to move around the perimeter, a mortar shell exploded, wounding him in the face and body. As the long awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy forces and their retreat back to the jungle leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades, Capt. Donlon immediately reorganized his defenses and administered first aid to the wounded. His dynamic leadership, fortitude, and valiant efforts inspired not only the American personnel but the friendly Vietnamese defenders as well and resulted in the successful defense of the camp.His citation concludes, Capt. Donlons extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.Donlon was presented with the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1964. He was the first of 268 Vietnam War recipients. Typical of all recipients, he said: I wear this award on behalf of those who didnt come home. Ive had many great opportunities to share their sacrifices. He spent 30 years as an Army officer until his retirement.We ask your prayers for his family.Col. Roger Donlon: Your example of valor  a humble American Patriot defending your fellow warriors and Liberty for all  above and beyond the call of duty, and in disregard for the peril to your own life, is eternal. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. (John 15:13)(Join us in prayer for our nations Military Patriots, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a designated gift to support the National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund through Patriot Foundation Trust (https://patriotfoundationtrust.org), or make a check payable to NMoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 407, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407. Visit the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at Aquarium Plaza. (https://www.MOHHC.org))
Delays in evacuating Americans from Israel after Oct. 7 and a president who removed both sanctions on Iran (AP 2/18/21) and the designation as a terrorist group of the Houthis (PBS 2/16/21) who are attacking shipping in the Red Sea has made travel very risky. Six Americans are still held hostage in Gaza (CNN 1/19/24) with the Biden adults in charge.Bad guys here and abroad see Biden fixated on climate change, failing to secure our border and his Secretary of Defense gone AWOL for days.They see Joes wife leading him off a stage after a mumbling speech (Daily Mail 1/6/24).They hear from the Pentagon, We will not tolerate continued attacks on our military personnel (Sabrina Singh 1/29/24), yet they did for months and then Biden takes days to respond to the killing of our troops allowing Iran personnel to escape the targets according to the BBC 2/3/24.Just as Putin wanted Crimea and Palestinian terrorists are consumed with the land from the river to the sea, since the late 1940s China has desired Taiwan. Seizing Taiwan would give China control of half of the worlds semi-conductor industry as well as dominance in producing vital electronics and micro-chips. It could threatens our bases in Guam and Hawaii (BBC 4/6/23). So its no surprise China moved 30 warplanes and ships near Taiwan (AP 1/27/24) making travel now in the Pacific risky.China may feel emboldened because of Biden and his advisors poor track record on Ukraine and the militia attacks? Jake Sullivan is Joes main advisor. Hes the guy who said just days before Oct. 7, the Middle East was quieter than its been in decades (The Atlantic 9/29/23). And China may believe Biden might lose in ?ovember.There is a lot of discussion about stadiums here locally, but given the climate since Joe Biden wandered into the WH, the border, sanctuary city madness and a fentanyl crisis fueling increased violence, Americans should plan carefully any travel this year.Ralph Miller
Fans can't stop talking about how differently the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex handled a similar situation involving youngsters.

Members of the royal family just never know whats going to happen when they do walkabouts or attend engagements and interact with the public. Meghan Markle learned that when she was still a working royal.

During one public outing with her husband, the duchess found herself in an awkward situation when a young child decided to start touching her shoulder and hair. But Meghan isnt the only family member who has dealt with that royal peril. The Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) has also come across some young unpredictable fans who wanted to reach out and tug on her hair too.

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton attend the Royal Foundation Forum | CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Now, a video comparing Kate and Meghans very different reactions to the same type of situation is going viral and has people talking.

The outings when youngsters touched Kate and Meghans hair

In 2019, Kate and Prince William did a walkabout to greet well-wishers during their trip to the Scottish coastal city of Dundee. As the princess leaned down and said hello to one young fan, the little girl started touching Kates hair.

The same thing happened to Meghan back in 2018 during the Sussexes visit to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The duchess happened to be within arms length of a 3-year-old named Walter Kieran. Therefore, the little boy couldnt resist touching and trying to grab her hair.

Video shows how differently they reacted to the situations

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle join other royals as they attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey | PAUL GROVER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A video uploaded to TikTok is revisiting those encounters and highlighting the royal ladies very different reactions. The 11-second clip, which features the Cyndi Lauper tune True Colors, shows a split screen with each interaction playing side by side.

Kate, on the left side, is seen smiling brightly at the little girl and then starts laughing with her for another moment before standing up straight and moving along to shake hands with others in the crowd assembled there.

Meghan, on the right side, is seen standing awkwardly facing away from Walter apparently trying not to engage. What the TikTok video does not show is that at one point the duchess appears to have had enough and turns around playfully grabbing his hand. Prince Harry then intervened and jokingly pretended he was lecturing Walter to try and make things a little more light-hearted.

The TikTok video has racked up more than 914,000 views, over 9000 likes, and garnered hundreds of comments.

While the majority praised Kate for the better reaction, some were on Team Meghan. As one person wrote: I like Meghan [for] keeping it real.

Kate actually had a more recent incident when a fan gripped the back of her head so they could get a picture with her. That video, which made the rounds in 2023, captured the overzealous fan grabbing onto the back of Kates hair as she took a selfie with her. The princess handled that instance like a pro too and just continued smiling before moving on.
For almost 200 years, an ancient wedge tomb had been lost to history. The last written record of the tomb was during the 19th century when an English author was visiting Ireland and created a sketch of it.

Now, a local man has rediscovered the prehistoric monument on a hilltop along the southwest coast of Ireland.

Billy Mag Fhloinn, an archaeologist and folklorist at the Sacred Heart University in Dingle, an Irish town, found the 4,000-year-old tomb using a technique called photogrammetry, which consists of digitally piecing together photographs to create a virtual three-dimensional model that can be examined from all angles.

Mag Fhloinn lives below the hill where the structure was found, near a village called Ballyferriter, which is located along the water on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. For the past few years, he has been investigating the landscape, searching for the long-lost tomb.

The tomb, known locally as the Altoir na Greine, or sun altar, was said to have been destroyed a few years after it was last seen in 1838 by Georgiana Chatterton, an English author and aristocrat. She noted that it was once used to offer sacrifices to the sun.

However, 14 years later, in 1852, an archaeologist reported that the structures stone markers had disappeared. Presumably, someone had carried them away to use them for the construction of a building.

Since then, it was assumed that nothing was there, and the location of the monument was a mystery until Mag Fhloinns discovery.

He determined that only one of the ancient stones had remained standing, and an inspection revealed that at least three more large stones were buried underground. The wedge tomb was made in a megalithic style, a category of prehistoric monuments that feature large stones. This type of tomb was common in Ireland at the time.

The style of the tomb indicates that it was from the Chalcolithic or Copper Age, a period that occurred in Ireland between 4,500 and 4,000 years ago. During this era, copper was just starting to be used in Ireland.

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Not long ago, this womans mother caused her brother and his girlfriend to end their four-year relationship.

The two of them had been in a relationship since college and had moved into an apartment together in Toronto not long ago, and the cost of living in the city was extremely high.

She lives in Toronto, too, and their mother, up until recently, lived in a different city. Her father sadly passed away, and he left their mother a house, which is where shes been living.

Her mother expressed that she wanted to be near both of them, so she moved in with her brother and his girlfriend, which also made it feasible for them to afford to live in the city.

Her brother and his girlfriend wouldnt have been able to get by on their own. While her mother wasnt living in the house her late husband left her, she was renting it out to someone.

Then, my mom began nagging his girlfriend that she wasnt doing enough cooking and cleaning around the house and that she wasnt looking after her son, she said.

Her brother isnt organized, and neither is his girlfriend. However, when she found out about her mothers behavior, she told her to stop, pointing out that she could do some cleaning if she felt up for it.

She also said that if her mother was so bothered by her brothers girlfriend, she could move out. Unfortunately, her mother makes just barely more than minimum wage, so she cant afford an apartment in Toronto by herself.

She argued with his girlfriend enough that she broke up with my brother and left. My brother is angry with her for ruining his relationship, and I think she did it intentionally as she didnt like the girl, she explained.

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Unsplash/Manny Becerra

Arkansas is on the precipice of a historic vote on abortion rights, with a proposed amendment promising limited access but facing a steep climb to the ballot box. Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, finally greenlit the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024, allowing supporters to begin gathering signatures. The amendment would legalize abortion up to 18 weeks, with additional protections for rape, incest, fetal anomalies and maternal health emergencies.

"In light of the significance of the subject matter undertaken and the potential complexity and far-reaching effects of this proposal," Griffin stated, "a cautionary note is warranted."

You should be aware that experience has shown a correlation between the length and complexity of initiated measures and their susceptibility to a successful ballot-title challenge. Any ambiguity in the text of a measure could lead to a successful court challenge. Significant changes in law often have unintended consequences that, if known, would give voters serious ground for reflection.

The group "Arkansans for Limited Government" (AFLG), which supports the proposed abortion amendment, announced plans to gather signatures from state voters. They officially launched their signature collection effort on Sunday, urging Arkansans from various political backgrounds to join and support the cause.

AFLG expressed gratitude to the Attorney General's staff for their professionalism. The proposed amendment aims to legalize abortion within 18 weeks of conception or in specific situations like rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, or life-threatening emergencies.

This marks a stark contrast to Arkansas' current near-total abortion ban, permitted only to save the mother's life. Pro-life advocates including Jerry Cox, the Arkansas Family Council President, claim it as a "radical" erosion of existing restrictions and a potential gateway to "abortion on demand," while Pro-choice groups celebrate this as a "crucial step forward."

Cox said, "It writes abortion into the Arkansas Constitution. It erases virtually all of Arkansas' pro-life laws, and it allows abortion on demand without restriction through the first eighteen weeks of pregnancy."

"As many as three thousand unborn children could be aborted in Arkansas each year because of this amendment, and the State of Arkansas would be powerless to prevent it."

Attorney General Griffin rejected the abortion amendment twice due to unclear and potentially misleading language. The issue centered around the definition of "physical health," which the amendment framed as the presence of pregnancy-related disorders or risks, instead of the common understanding of its absence.

Griffin saw this as misleading and suggested a more accurate definition focusing on protecting the pregnant person from such conditions. This linguistic dispute highlights the challenges in crafting precise legal language for complex healthcare issues like abortion.
Unsplash/Hamid Roshaan

Despite Pakistan's claims of promoting religious freedom and protecting minorities, ongoing violence and discrimination paint a far grimmer picture. The recent U.S. designation of Pakistan as a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations only underscores the disconnect between official pronouncements and the lived realities of minority communities.

Reacting to this, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Pakistan released a statement, contending that it resulted from a "biased and arbitrary assessment" and was "disconnected from on-the-ground realities."

A litany of abuses casts doubt on Pakistan's commitment to equality. The August 2023 mob attacks on Christians in Jaranwala, fueled by false blasphemy accusations, stand as a stark reminder of the precarious existence of religious minorities. Unchecked forced conversions of underage girls, especially from Christian and Hindu families, add another layer of vulnerability. The government's inaction against such blatant transgressions speaks volumes about its priorities.

Religious leaders and rights activists paint a stark picture. Bishop Azad Marshall of the Church of Pakistan highlights the government's persistent refusal to hold officials accountable for the Jaranwala attacks, effectively endorsing impunity for perpetrators.

In August, Muslim mobs, incited by mosque leaders, burned 20 church buildings and attacked Christian properties in Jaranwala over a false blasphemy case against two Christians. Bishop Azad Marshall filed a petition for a judicial inquiry, but the Punjab government, citing existing joint investigation teams, opposed it. Ongoing delays, despite a court directive in December, have hindered progress.

The fear of our minor daughters being abducted by Muslim men for sexual exploitation in cover of marriage continues to haunt us, yet theres no sign that the government is committed to preventing this barbarity against children, he said.

The upcoming February elections offer a potential turning point. Religious minorities hope for a new government that truly prioritizes their safety and well-being. A leadership willing to tackle the root causes of discrimination, from legislative reforms to dismantling extremist networks, is what's desperately needed.

Samson Salamat, chairman of the Rwadari Tehreek, echoes these concerns, calling for stronger measures like constitutional amendments and zero tolerance against hate speech.

Samson Salamat, echoing Bishop Marshall's concerns, emphasizes the stark reality of shrinking religious freedom in Pakistan. He argues that despite official proclamations, the lives of religious minorities remain precarious and unpredictable due to ongoing threats. Salamat criticizes cosmetic measures like mediation centers and high-profile meetings as insufficient for minority protection.

He believes the true culprit is the presence of blasphemy laws, which grant extremists like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan impunity and fuel mob violence against minorities. Instead of engaging in political appeasement, Salamat urges the government to take decisive action.

It should make a constitutional amendment to ensure that religious minorities are equal citizens of Pakistan in letter and spirit; initiate a grand parliamentary debate to stop the misuse of the blasphemy laws and formulate a strategy to prevent religiously-motivated mob violence; show zero tolerance against hate speech; and effectively crack down on extremist outfits, Salamat suggested.

Pakistan's ranking on Open Doors' World Watch List paints a troubling picture, with the country steadily climbing the ranks of the most challenging places for Christians. This trend serves as a stark reminder that mere pronouncements do not suffice. Concrete action, genuine commitment, and robust protection mechanisms are what minorities yearn for, not empty platitudes and cosmetic gestures.
Home News 28-year-old book blogger with chronic fatigue gets euthanized

An autistic 28-year-old Dutch book blogger has died as a result of assisted suicide at her home in the Netherlands, following years of chronic pain and fatigue.

Lauren Hoeve, who went by the X handle @dutchlauren and suffered from Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, underwent assisted suicide last Saturday, reportedly with her parents and a good friend beside her.

"This will be my last tweet," she tweeted on the day of her death. "Thanks for the love, everyone. I'm going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones."

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Her final tweet, which received over 11,000 likes, included a meme with the caption "me getting euthanized" and showed a child wearing sunglasses giving a thumbs up to a doctor.

ME is a disabling illness that often prevents people from doing their usual activities and may confine them to bed.

The illness is most common in people between 40 and 60 years old but has been known to impact children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About nine out of 10 people with ME/CFS have not been diagnosed, the CDC added.

On her blog, Hoeve posted an entry three days before the procedure, saying, "I think I'm going back to what it was like before I was born: no existence, no consciousness. Ultimate peace."

"I would like to thank everyone who has been there for me during my illness  and especially in the time before I announced my euthanasia wish," she wrote, as rendered by Google translate.

"Whether it was by having a nice chat with me on social media, by occasionally asking how things are going, by having deep conversations about suffering and death, or by sending nice animal videos when you couldn't find the words."

In a post on the day of her death, Hoeve offered various pieces of life advice, considering the most important of her recommendations to be to "look for the bright spots."

In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia, following nearly three decades of debate and despite protests from Christian groups.

The 2001 law had several restrictions, was limited to patients suffering from constant and incurable pain and patients determined to have a sound mind.

According to a report by DutchNews published in April 2023, over 8,700 people died by euthanasia in the Netherlands in 2022, a 14% increase from the year before.

Last month, the Royal Dutch Society for the Promotion of Medicine created updated guidelines in which they lifted the age limit for patients seeking to die by ceasing to eat and drink.

"People increasingly need control over their own end of life. They have various options for this, including consciously stopping eating and drinking," claimed the society. "Every competent person can choose and implement this themselves. Good guidance from healthcare providers is important."

Wesley J. Smith, author and chair and senior fellow at the Discovery Institute's Center on Human Exceptionalism, wrote last November that the Netherlands "illustrates the peril" of what happens when a country legalizes euthanasia for any circumstance.

"Dutch doctors have gone from legally killing the terminally ill to the chronically ill, to people with disabilities, to the frail elderly, to the depressed and mentally ill," wrote Smith.

"Before the legalization of euthanasia, I'm confident that few Dutch would have supported allowing doctors to kill healthy geriatric patients  any more than (I hope) Americans would. But after decades of euthanasia normalization, only 10 percent think it would be wrong. See what I mean about euthanasia poisoning a nation's soul?"
Home News 'Our largest ground game yet': Pro-life group to spend nearly $100M in 2024

A national pro-life advocacy organization aims to spend nearly $100 million and knock on over 4 million doors ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the outcome of which could have major implications for the future of abortion policy in the United States.

In a statement Thursday, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America announced it will collaborate with its partner organization Women Speak Out PAC to "spend $92 million and reach 10 million voters to protect life across America." The figure exceeds the $56 million spent in the 2020 election cycle and the $78 million the group pledged to spend during the 2022 midterm election cycle.

The campaign's hundreds of thousands of volunteers will canvas in eight battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

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"Life is the human rights issue of our time and the pivotal issue in 2024 elections," said Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "Pro-abortion Democrats have declared they are going all in on abortion on demand through all nine months, as their number one campaign issue. Already, they're spending unprecedented sums to mislead voters on their stance. Many Democrats now explicitly say they want to 'Go Beyond Roe' because it wasn't enough."

Since the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, returning power to regulate abortion laws to the states, two dozen states have implemented laws restricting abortion to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy or earlier. On the other hand, voters in California, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have approved ballot measures establishing a right to abortion in their respective state constitutions.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Vice President of Communications Emily Erin Davis warned that Democrats could easily pass legislation to expand abortion rights established in the Supreme Court's Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey decisions if they win control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate and presidency.

"They could easily push through their so-called Women's Health Protection Act, which goes even further than Roe and, as we recognize, has a lot of terrible things that strip away personal freedoms, not to mention no limits or protections for the child in the womb," Davis said.

While the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Women's Health Protection Act multiple times in the 117th U.S. Congress, it failed to achieve the necessary support in the U.S. Senate. The legislation has not come up for a vote since the Republicans retook control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023.

On the other hand, if Republicans win both chambers of Congress and the presidency, Davis hopes lawmakers will "look at the fact that the U.S. is a global outlier" as one of only seven nations that allow abortions after 20 weeks gestation.

As Republican presidential candidates debated the idea of pushing for a federal abortion restriction, Davis indicated a desire for the implementation of "national protections ... particularly when they can feel the pain of that abortion as science proves."

She insists a strong ground game for the pro-life movement is necessary to reverse the setbacks experienced due to the passage of state constitutional amendments establishing a right to abortion.

The campaign will focus on "persuadable voters, but particularly the pro-life voters." After doing an audit of the various elections and ballots, Davis said the organization "recognized that pro-life voters are not getting out at the volume that they need to combat this."

"We really need to be talking to those pro-life voters and activating them to vote their values," she said.

Davis said the SBA Pro-Life America field team is "really robust," praising them as "one of the reasons why candidates love SBA because we move the needle on the ground in these key states."

"[They are] the jewel in the crown of what we can offer candidates and how we can fight for life," she said of the field team.

The volunteers Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America plans to rely on for its canvassing efforts include 500,000 college students who will be deployed on weekends, during school breaks and over the summer.

She said field team members are also encountering people who have never heard "a positive pro-life message" while door-knocking.

"We've got to get out there, and we've got to talk to people, and we do see positive effects from that," she added.

In addition to the door-knocking campaign, the campaign spending will include digital communications and communications via mail, text messaging and TV ads. The pro-life group also hopes to talk to "every single candidate" to ensure that candidates "speak about" the issue.

Davis doesn't believe candidates can "hide" from the abortion issue, lamenting that "we saw the lessons from that in the  2022 midterms  and that was devastating to the pro-life cause."

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has long maintained that a failure to articulate a clear position on abortion cost several pro-life candidates their races in the 2022 midterm elections, the first national elections to take place after the Dobbs decision.

Dannenfelser urges candidates to "go on the offense" and "communicate the 'three Cs.'"

"They must be clear about their support against painful late-term abortions, they must have compassion for women facing unplanned pregnancies and they must contrast by exposing their [opponents'] extreme stance of pushing unlimited taxpayer-funded abortions on demand," Dannenfesler said.

"This election cycle will be our largest ground game yet as we will focus on key battleground states to win a pro-life Senate and elect a National Defender of Life as president," she added. "We will take no voter for granted, whether they are pro-life and don't vote consistently or can be persuaded to vote pro-life when they hear how radical the Democrats have become. We must not grow weary in our pursuit to serve mothers and save children."

The states targeted as part of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America's campaign will all have at least one competitive federal race on the ballot this year. Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are expected to have competitive presidential and U.S. Senate races. Georgia and North Carolina will likely feature competitive presidential contests, but neither state has a U.S. Senate seat up for re-election this year.

While Republicans are expected to win the presidential contests in Montana and Ohio, both states will have Senate contests that may determine control of the U.S. Senate. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America's Candidate Fund has endorsed Republican Tim Sheehy in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana.

Democrats currently control 51 seats in the upper chamber, while Republicans control 49. Republicans are expected to pick up an open Senate seat currently held by Democrats in West Virginia. Winning that race and holding all of their own seats would bring Republicans to 50 Senate seats, which would only be enough for a Senate majority if Republicans win the 2024 presidential election.
Home News United Church of Christ lost over 286K members, 550 churches in last decade: report

The United Church of Christ declined by over 286,000 members from 2012 to 2022, according to recently released statistics on the theologically liberal mainline Protestant denomination.

A recent report by the UCC Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data found that, from 2012 to 2022, the denomination experienced a net loss of 286,610 members and 551 congregations.

Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, the UCC went from having 4,794 congregations to 4,603 congregations, with membership dropping from approximately 773,000 to approximately 712,000.

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The 2022 membership numbers also represented a sharp decline from 1960, when the denomination reported approximately 2.24 million members, over three times its current count.

According to the report, 128 congregations were removed from UCC records in 2022, an increase of 50.6% compared to 2021, when 85 congregations were removed.

The report states that this sharp increase could be related to a new policy from the UCCs Board of Directors that removes churches from records after two years of being marked inactive unless the Conference requests an extension or otherwise updates an inactive designation.

Since this was the first year the policy was enacted, the number of inactive churches removed is not expected to be as high in subsequent years; future years of data collection will demonstrate whether removals return to previous levels, the report reads.

The UCC report acknowledges a considerable decline from 2005 to 2007, when the UCC experienced a loss of nearly three congregations per week on average due to its 2005 General Synod passing a resolution supporting same-sex marriage.

CARDD Director Erica Dollhopf said in a statement last week that she hopes the report, which details data on a host of trends in the UCC, can help local congregations identify places where their church might have particular strengths and to find inspiration for how their church might find new pathways to flourishing.

Dollhopf also noted that, according to the report, smaller UCC congregations tended to have the highest percentage of volunteer engagement for their assorted projects and ministries.

This finding highlights the particular gifts of smaller churches  they tend to be close-knit, highly involved communities, she continued. The smallest churches by membership size tend to have the most people attending in-person worship relative to membership.

While not everyone who attends worship is necessarily a church member, this calculation is another way to approximate engagement, which generally is highest within smaller churches.

The statistical report also shows that 83.1% of the denomination is white, while 4.8% is African American, 4% is Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% is Hispanic.

The Great Lakes region, an area that includes Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, had the highest percentage of UCC members at 30.6%.

Behind the Great Lakes region is the Mid-Atlantic region, with 20% of UCC members; in third place is the New England region, which has 19.7% of the denominations members.

The Western region, which includes the West Coast and goes as far east as Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, has only 9.4% of the members and 13.1% of the congregations.

Last July, at their 2023 General Synod meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, the UCC elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson to be its first female president and general minister.

In her nomination speech before the General Synod last year, Thompson said that hope springs forth within the UCC, with the denomination being the place where we have seen the Spirit of God poured forth among us in many ways.

Here is where we honor the resilience of those who came before us, took risk and oftentimes did more with less than we currently have. And here is the place we identify as now, as we ponder the call of God to be salt and light to the world, Thompson stated.
Home News Anti-Christian nationalist campaign led by former pastor who warned Church about 'whiteness'

A nonpartisan campaign led by a former female pastor who has warned against churches being centered around "white cultural norms" is taking on Christian nationalism in North Texas.

Christians Against Christian Nationalism (CACN), a left-leaning coalition of interdenominational Christian leaders, announced its first local organization effort in North Texas to warn against the "dangers" of an ideology that it calls the "single biggest threat to religious freedom today in the United States."

Welcome Lisa Jacob, our new North Texas Organizer for the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign! Lisa is providing on-the-ground coordination and leadership to pilot the first local organizing project for the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. pic.twitter.com/mz0uXV6NYH Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe December 7, 2023

Lisa Jacob, CACN's new North Texas Organizer, told The Dallas Morning News her role  which officially started in November  will be to inform residents about Christian nationalism, an ideology she defined as "a convergence of religious and national identities in such a way that to be Christian is to engage politically in a very narrow way, and to be American is to uphold Christian values and Christian identity."

A Pew Research study released in 2014 found that the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has the largest Christian population by percentage of any large U.S. metro area and is home to three of the 25 largest megachurches in America.

Part of the 35-year-old's work includes "mobilizing concerned residents to speak and vote against bills that may threaten protections for religious minorities," she told the newspaper.

"The threat of Christian nationalism is large in our region, but it's a place that we've had strong existing partnerships as well," Jacob was quoted as saying.

A former pastor at Gateway Community Church in Austin and Irving Bible Church, Jacob will reportedly focus on advocating against a newly enacted state law that allows public schools to allow volunteer or employed chaplains to offer counseling support to students in conjunction with school counselors.

CACN is an effort of the progressive Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit led by executive director Amanda Tyler.

An Indian-American and first-generation Texan, Jacob's pastoral teachings are laced with social justice themes, including a study on Acts 6 in which she urged her listeners to "do an audit of what you consume" to better "pursue equity and justice."

"Who are the authors that you're reading? What are the movies that you're watching, the podcast that you're listening to?" asked Jacob. "Are they all led by voices who sound like yours? Are they all led by people who look like you, who think like you, who experience the world like you?

"Or are they instead led by those who are in the margins of our society? What would it look like to press into the discomfort of listening to voices who think, act and look differently than us?"

The former pastor shared her perspective on race in the Church in a 2020 podcast in which she suggested Christians should do more to "pursue multi-ethnicity as a Church."

"How are we seeing the actual gifts that people of color bring into the community in a way that's not centered around whiteness and not centered around white cultural norms?" she asked. "Seeing our deficit with those voices being brought to the table."

While definitions of what Christian nationalism is can vary, some Christian conservatives have argued that the recent explosion in the use of "Christian nationalism," especially in the press, is essentially a "boogie man" argument concocted by political opponents.

A Pew Research poll released in 2022 found that 31% of respondents said they don't know what Christian nationalism means, while 21% of respondents who don't think the country should be a Christian nation said Christian nationalism is defined by negative attributes like "bigotry, authoritarianism, white supremacy." The poll found that 45% of Americans think the U.S. should be a "Christian nation," while 51% disagreed.

In comments criticizing a 2022 Denver Post article, Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, believes those using the Christian nationalism label are trying to "attach it to every conservative out there that holds historically conservative positions."

"So they basically create this big scary boogie man, slapped Christian nationalism on it, and then, in the case of the Denver Post, basically say every conservative out there is a Christian nationalist," Hunt said. "Seriously, they say that Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, Kari Lake, all of them are Christian nationalists."

BJC's Tyler, in a 2020 piece published in Medium, insisted that Christianity "has been used to perpetuate racial subjugation for generations and has contributed greatly to the trauma and pain in our streets right now" during the violent and deadly George Floyd riots in which 30 Americans were killed and numerous homes and businesses were torched.

In a BJC video titled "A national conversation on white supremacy and American Christianity," Tyler warned that Christianity in the U.S. has been "white too long" and linked true religious freedom with "adding more diverse voices."

"Just as American Christianity has been white too long, so has our American concept of religious freedom," said Tyler. "Adding more diverse voices to our study of an advocacy for religious freedom will only strengthen our support for it."

In testimony before a House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on the topic of "confronting white supremacy" in December 2022, Tyler called Christian nationalism a "gross distortion of the Christian faith."

Tyler said Americans who embrace Christian nationalism are more likely to exhibit certain types of behaviors, including holding "anti-immigrant views" and believing "that men are better suited for all leadership roles while women are better suited to care for children and the home."

When asked about these and other comments made by CACN leadership, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, communications director at BJC and a spokesperson for the CACN campaign, told The Christian Post the group believes Christian nationalism "often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation."

"Christian nationalism has surged at different points in American history," Graves-Fitzsimmons told CP via email Wednesday. "Every generation of Americans is entrusted with defending and extending religious freedom for all. The single biggest threat to religious freedom today in the United States is Christian nationalism."

For CACN, one of the benchmarks of a Christian nationalist is any Christian who believes the "federal government should advocate Christian values"  a definition that some might see as overly broad and incriminating of a plurality, if not a majority, of American Christians.

Not so, according to Graves-Fitzsimmons, who said CACN believes "it's the responsibility of Christians to advocate for Christian values, not the government."

"Christians, like all Americans, should be free to advocate for our values," he said. "Government aid does not help Christianity; it will actually harm our Christian witness."

When asked why CACN partners with and promotes authors like Robert P. Jones, Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry, who have written books specifically targeting the political positions of white Evangelicals, Graves-Fitzsimmons denied any suggestion that the group is anti-Christian in its views.

"Attempts to portray our work as somehow anti-Christian or targeting any specific branch of Christianity are not credible," he insisted. "We welcome all Christians who affirm our statement to join us in this work."

In addition to its foray into North Texas, Tyler and CACN are also involved in the upcoming "God & Country," a new documentary by progressive activist and filmmaker Rob Reiner that explores the purported rise of Christian nationalism as "not only a danger to our country but to Christianity itself."

Tyler, whose BJC is behind CACN, was reportedly slated to moderate a panel with Reiner and other producers of the film. The film also features interviews with former Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore, liberal Christian leader Rev. Willie Barber and writer David French.

In an earlier interview, Dr. Richard Land, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, urged American Christians, regardless of their political persuasion, not to allow the political left to define how they see the U.S.

According to Land, the left-leaning media uses the hot-button phrase "Christian nationalism" as a pejorative term that serves to undermine the fundamental relationship between Christians and this nation as defined in the U.S. Constitution.

"I'm not a Christian nationalist," asserted Land, president emeritus and adjunct professor of theology and ethics at Southern Evangelical Seminary and executive editor of The Christian Post.

"To be a patriotic American does not make you a Christian nationalist. To believe God has played a unique role in our history, or that America is a unique nation, does not make us Christian nationalists," he added. "Pejoratively, they want to tie Christian nationalism to racism and to prejudice, and I reject those labels."
Home News As elections loom in Pakistan, Christians fear their voices will not be heard

On Aug. 16, 2023, in Jaranwala, Pakistan, more than two dozen churches and 100 Christian homes were vandalized, burned, and looted by radical religious mobs incited by blasphemy accusations against two Christian brothers. The extensive damage and fear instilled by these attacks left the Christian community reeling and in desperate need.

Now, Christians in the area are looking to the government for help. But with elections looming Feb. 8, many fear their voices will go unheard.

Urgent aid provided by local churches and Christian non-profits proved to be a lifeline to the persecuted families who were left with nothing. After the initial emergency aid ran out, many were left without resources to rebuild long-term and still cannot provide for their families.

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Recognizing the magnitude of the damage caused by the riots, the temporary government overseeing the elections in Pakistan pledged support for reconstruction efforts using government funds. Some victimized families received compensation in the form of distributed checks, but apart from the attention of a few interim representatives, mainstream political parties and their leaders have not visited the victims to offer support or solidarity.

The interim government lacks the authority to implement long-term rehabilitation efforts, and the responsibility for infrastructure restoration and community normalization has fallen upon the incoming government. Because funds have run out, construction and rebuilding efforts in Jaranwala have ceased, and the affected community eagerly hopes for support from newly elected officials.

During the run-up to the elections, however, all major political parties have failed to address or mention the challenges of the Christian community, perhaps following the lead of the local lawyers' association, which has boycotted representing Christians and their cases. The Christian community is concerned about their potential lack of inclusion in the annual development budget and other government agendas that will be managed by the soon-to-be-elected officials. They are fearful that continued neglect may prolong their reconstruction efforts and increase their marginalization and vulnerability.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a local political party leader shared with Global Christian Relief that there is a significant presence of Christian voters in Jaranwala.

Despite the sizable voter base, the leader said he lamented the absence of major political parties' interest in Jaranwala.

He attributed this neglect to a shift in social discourse against Christians following the attacks, which has only further marginalized them. He raised concerns about the electoral process, noting that constituencies with over 15,000 minority voters are being disregarded by mainstream parties, highlighting a broader issue of lack of representation for minorities. He emphasized that minority leaders are often appointed rather than elected, undermining their value in the political process.

A Christian resident and former councilor of Jaranwala who spoke with Global Christian Relief highlighted the significant presence of over 500 Christian households and more than 2,000 voters in the community.

Despite being one of the largest Christian neighborhoods in the area significantly impacted by the attacks in August, none of the major political parties paid a single visit to the community. The difference in election activities is stark compared to previous years, where election camps were set up throughout the neighborhood, and leaders regularly engaged with residents. During this election cycle, no such initiatives have been undertaken.

A Lahore-based human rights defender and minority advocate told Global Christian Relief that victims have felt neglected and isolated from government support, leading to grievances and mistrust against the establishment. He pointed to two main reasons why mainstream politicians have not visited victims in Jaranwala.

First, these leaders are mindful of the public sentiment and religious narrative in the area, which is largely influenced by hardline religious groups. They fear that associating with the victims, who many still perceive as blasphemers, could result in backlash from radical groups and harm their chances of securing majority votes. Second, political leaders may feel embarrassed for not helping the victims over the last six months. As a result, they are reluctant to seek political support from them now.

If Christians in places like Jaranwala are unable to get deeply involved in the political sphere, their issues are likely to go unaddressed after the election. Advocates are calling for increased political participation of religious minorities in Pakistan's electoral process, emphasizing the need for a community to have the right to vote for their own Christian representatives.

Many Global Christian Relief spoke with stressed the urgent need to restore normalcy and peace for the Christian community in the area.

"Authorities must engage stakeholders from both communities and initiate dialogue between political and religious leadership to rebuild interfaith harmony," one Christian said.
Home News Jailed pastor blasts Canadian politician for claiming 'wings clipped' regarding political prisoners

A Canadian pastor who was jailed after keeping his church open in defiance of COVID-19 lockdown mandates pushed back against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's recent assertion that she's had "her wings clipped" regarding alleged political prisoners in her province.

Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who was arrested multiple times during the pandemic, told The Christian Post that he found elements of Smith's interview last week with conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson "sickening."

'I had my wings clipped'

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Carlson delivered two speeches to packed audiences in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, last Wednesday, during which he railed against Canadian political leaders.

The former Fox News host suggested many of Canada's politicians have shown contempt for their own people by punishing political protesters, decriminalizing hard drugs, allowing government-funded euthanasia, legally protecting trans surgeries for minors and allowing an unprecedented surge of immigration.

Carlson also urged his listeners to beware of how Canadian Christians have been treated by state authorities who he claimed are pushing "hard-edge fascism" under the guise of "public safety."

After his speech in Calgary, Carlson sat down with Smith, who suggested she was powerless to intervene in the case of the "Coutts Four," whom Carlson implied were arrested for political reasons.

The "Coutts Four"  lineman Jerry Morin, landscaper Chris Carbert, electrician Chris Lysak and gravel truck operator Anthony Olienick  were arrested at the trucker blockade in Coutts, Alberta, in February 2022. They have since been in a provincial remand center awaiting trial and have been denied bail after being accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

The men were used as partial justification for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to clamp down on trucker protesters by invoking the Emergencies Act, which Smith noted in her talk with Carlson was ruled by a federal court last month to have been illegal.

When Carlson suggested Smith could at least visit the jailed men to send a message, she referenced a phone call she had with Pawlowski last year, during which she expressed sympathy for his case and promised to discuss it with justice ministers. The phone call stoked backlash when a recording of it leaked to the press, prompting allegations that Smith was overstepping her bounds as premier by interfering with Crown prosecution.

"I'm not proud of our country for having frozen bank accounts, I'm not proud of our country for having jailed pastors, and I'm not proud of our country for the fact that we still have people languishing in jail for going on two years," Smith told Carlson.

"What I have learned is that all I can say is the Crown operates independently, prosecutors have to make sure that they have a reasonable likelihood of conviction, and I guess they will have to assess whether or not that is the case now with the judgment that came down [regarding the Emergencies Act]."

"I must tell you, it's part of the journey we've all gone on in the last year to realize just how much limitation there is," she said, adding, "I truly wish I could do more, but I had my wings clipped in the last year."

'Not true'

Pawlowski, who told CP he was in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss the persecuted church with lawmakers, said Smith's implication that she's powerless is "not true" and that she failed to keep the promises on which she was elected.

Smith "was elected solely on the promises that there will be an amnesty bill, that there will be protection for the unvaccinated, that people will be restored if they lost jobs or were fired," Pawlowski said. "Nothing happened on all of those points. Yes, people can go back to work, but there's been no real compensation, no restitution, nothing."

Smith, who was sworn in as Alberta premier on Oct. 11, 2022, was the first Canadian politician to apologize for the treatment of unvaccinated people in the country. The Canadian government mandated vaccinations in federally regulated workplaces, issued travel restrictions, shut down businesses for months and arrested citizens such as Pawlowski who violated the lockdowns.

Pawlowski, who said he first met Smith years ago when they were both in Alberta's Wildrose political party, said she also campaigned on "going to the pastors and apologizing for what the government did to us." During their leaked 2023 phone call, he urged her to meet with them publicly, to which Smith replied by saying she would check with her executive director.

"That never happened," he said. "Then she wins, and one of the first thing she does is backpedal and say she's not going to bring the amnesty bill."

Citing a source with knowledge of the situation, Pawlowski said Smith had a document on her desk that would have dropped all charges against COVID-19 offenders but that she was persuaded to back off.

"I know that because the person who was there told me," Pawlowski said. "I have some powerful enemies, but I have some powerful friends, too."

Pawlowski believes Smith was pressured because her cabinet is staffed with the same ministers who enforced the COVID-19 protocols under the previous administration, including some of whom were caught in 2021 violating their COVID-19 rules during a lavish dinner on the roof of Sky Palace in Edmonton with then-Premier Jason Kenney.

"They told her that if you're going to bring an amnesty bill, if you're going to drop the charges and everything you promised, we will look like idiots and our entire career will be jeopardized," Pawlowski claimed.

Smith's office did not respond to CP's request for comment.

'We were left alone'

Pawlowski himself became a symbol of resistance to government overreach during the pandemic when a video went viral that showed him ejecting public health officials and armed police who were inspecting his church's sanctuary for COVID-19 compliance during services in 2021.

The pastor was subsequently arrested five times, including once in the middle of a busy highway and another time on the tarmac of Calgary International Airport. He spent 51 days in prison after officiating a church service and delivering a sermon to truckers as they blocked the border in Coutts in February 2022.

In September, an Alberta judge found Pawlowski guilty of mischief and breaching a release order related to the 19-minute sermon he gave the truckers, which authorities claim incited the protesters. He credited him for time served and allowed him to go free, though Pawlowski is appealing the guilty verdict and expects to go to court again sometime next fall.

While noting that he "loves" Carlson, Pawlowski said he was "disappointed" by his exchange with Smith, which he likened to "a friendly conversation" and "a nice chit-chat" that he believes should have included tougher questions.

"I'm a big fan of Tucker Carlson," he noted. "I am not a big fan of Danielle Smith because she's a flip-flopping politician. So today, she will be with you, tomorrow she will be with the liberals; depends on the wind. And so far, what I've heard is just good words, a lot of promises, and little action. Very little action."

Pawlowski suggested Smith has exhibited weak leadership during a time when Christians in Canada and Alberta especially are facing increased hostility.

"Yes, maybe the oil will flow a little bit better, but when it comes to moral standards, she marches with homosexuals, she advocates for abortion, and she is not protecting pastors and clergy being attacked over the drag queen story hour. Multiple pastors were arrested for that. Not a word from Danielle Smith."

"So she's not defending our freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, nothing," he added. "We were left alone."
Home News Kathie Lee Gifford, pastor's wife urge Qatar Sheikha Moza to help free Hamas hostages

The wife of a megachurch pastor as well as former talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford are pleading with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar to use her position of power to help secure the release of the over 100 individuals still held captive by Hamas.

On Wednesday, The Christian Post received a copy of an open letter Lenya Heitzig, an author and global philanthropist who heads the organization, Reload Love, wrote to Moza regarding the release of the Hamas hostages.

According to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Moza is the mother of Qatar's current emir and the wife of Qatar's former emir, with the organization describing her as "one of the most influential people in Qatar."

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Through her organization, Heitzig, whose husband, Skip, heads the Calvary Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, seeks to bring healing to children whose lives have been impacted by terrorism through relief packages and kid-friendly programs.

"Today, I appeal to your compassionate spirit regarding the urgent situation of over 100 individuals still held hostage by Hamas," Heitzig wrote. "Among them are young women whose safety is at greater risk by the day, causing immeasurable anguish to their families."

The global philanthropist stated that there are prayer vigils in America, with people holding up images of Moza that read, "It's in your hands." Heitzig believes Moza has the ability to remedy the situation.

"We need you to use your unique influence now," Heitzig added.

"Your Highness, your role in promoting humanitarian causes is deeply respected. Your actions can bring immense relief and serve as a testament to peaceful conflict resolution," the letter continued. "Honestly, this act alone may prevent our world from careening further towards a potential regional, if not global, war."

On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists killed at least 1,200 people during a surprise attack against civilian communities in Israel. During the invasion, the terror group abducted over 240 individuals, and over 100 hostages are still in captivity.

In response, Israel declared itself in a state of war and launched an offensive in Gaza to eradicate Hamas, a terror group that has run Gaza since 2007, and secure the release of the hostages.

In November, the sheikha resigned from her position with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. She claimed that this was due to UNESCO's supposed silence about the destruction of schools and the deaths of students in Gaza.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says that over 26,000 people in Gaza have died since the war began but hasn't differentiated between civilians and combatants.

On Thursday, Gifford, a Christian who has been known to openly discuss her faith, also urged Moza in a social media video to use her "beautiful voice and heart" to help secure the freedom of the hostages Hamas is still holding captive in Gaza.

"You're a very, very powerful woman where you live, and you have great influence and power to use every gift you have to do good things for people who are hurting," Gifford stated. "Obviously, I'm discussing with you the hostages that are in Gaza right now suffering. They've done nothing wrong. All they want to do is come home."

"So I ask you to reach down into that part of you  the best part of your beautiful heart  and feel compassion for them and use your beautiful voice to help free them from the despair that they're in," Gifford said in the video.

"I will pray for you and for your family as I do for all the hostages in Gaza that God will bring them home and God will bless us all and peace will come to this world. Thank you," Gifford continued.

As Reuters reported Tuesday, a senior Hamas official told the outlet that it is considering a new proposal for a ceasefire, which would include the release of more hostages. The plan would see Hamas release the hostages in stages, starting with the people it took captive on Oct. 7, then soldiers and concluding with the bodies of the deceased hostages.

The latest proposal for a ceasefire is the result of talks involving the prime minister of Qatar, as well as intelligence chiefs from Israel, the United States and Egypt, according to Reuters.
Home News Vietnamese Christian sentenced to 4.5 years in prison after holding prayer meeting in his home

A Vietnamese Montagnard Christian has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison on charges of secession and incitement for conducting prayer meetings at his home, advocates say.

The sentencing comes amid ongoing tensions between religious practices and state policies in the communist nation, particularly affecting the Montagnard minority and their Christian faith.

Nay Y Blang, 48, associated with the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ, was sentenced last Friday without legal representation, the church's founder, Pastor Aga, told Radio Free Asia. His conviction was for allegedly inciting actions against the states interests.

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The church, unrecognized by the state, has faced accusations of attempting to undermine national unity through its religious gatherings.

The United Kingdom-based rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide contends Blangs right to practice his faith has been under siege, noting his previous imprisonments and fines for similar reasons.

The Montagnard community, to which Blang belongs, is predominantly Christian and has historically clashed with the Vietnamese government.

CSW founder Mervyn Thomas expressed deep concern over the lack of due process in Blangs hearing and the broader implications for religious freedom in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese government views the simple act of prayer as a direct threat to their power and legitimacy, Thomas said. No person should fear jail for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief. These recent developments show that the human rights situation in Vietnam continues to deteriorate. We emphasize that this is part of a wider pattern of the targeting of religious and ethnic minorities across Vietnam that is often more severe in rural areas.

Aga says Blang's sentencing is "unacceptable."

"If lawyer Ha Huy Son had been present , it would have clearly been fair and transparent trial to see if Mr. Blang is guilty or not, Aga was quoted as telling RFA. But in reality, only people from the government were present, meaning the government can give Blang any sentence they want. Why were there no lawyers to defend or argue about legal issues."

Blang was previously fined and imprisoned for similar offenses, reflecting the Vietnamese governments strict control over religious expression.

The Montagnard community's recent legal challenges include a mass trial where over 100 Montagnards were convicted on Jan. 22 of terrorism-related charges following an attack on provincial party offices in Dak Lak that were blamed on them.

The situation in Vietnams Central Highlands, where the Montagnard Christians reside, remains tense following the anti-government attack that resulted in multiple deaths, including local party officials.

The Ministry of Public Security identified those arrested simply as Young people who harbored delusion and extreme attitudes and had been incited by ringleaders via the internet.

The event raised significant human rights concerns, including the fairness of the judicial process and the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in the Southeast Asian country with a one-party system led by the Communist Party.

According to CSW, 10 Montagnards were sentenced to life in prison, while other sentences ranged from 3.5 to 20 years in prison. Some overseas activists were also charged, with the government accusing U.S.-based activists of coordinating attacks, allegations those activists deny.

The international community, including human rights organizations, has criticized Vietnams treatment of the Montagnards and other minority groups, calling for greater religious freedom and justice.
Home Opinion An ex-psychics warning about after school satanic clubs

I am a former psychic medium who communicated with demons regularly, and it all started when I was a child.

I recall my days as a psychic and how the Enemy made it seem like it was a benefit to the community. I was told I had a gift and I needed to use said gift to help others through their pain, grief, and loss. I truly believed I was connecting people to their deceased loved ones, I was tricked by Satan and his minions.

God makes it clear in His Word to not practice divination, and that the dead do not communicate with the living. But I didn't know Gods Word and was easily duped. I suffered the destruction that is certain to happen when dealing with the demonic. I thank God that Jesus, in His amazing grace, set me free out of the kingdom of darkness, and now I dedicate my time to exposing the devils schemes.

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Ephesians 5:11 ESV tells us Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

All this to say, I recently came across a post on Facebook from The Satanic Temple proudly announcing their After School Satan Club meeting in Cordova, Tennessee, which left me horrified and sad given my background.

The comments on the post were so alarming I could hardly stand to read them. One can see clearly how the devil and his minions are at work here deceiving, lying, and manipulating many people. Satanists will claim they have nothing to do with evil per se and thus make their temples and clubs seem innocent and inviting.

Upon entering The Satanic Temple'' into Google I couldnt help but notice the verbiage being used on its website.

I was particularly struck by the words empathy and benevolence, seizing upon a desire many have to help other people.

I cannot help but think of Gods warning to us about how the Enemy will pretend to be helpful, healing, and innocuous just like my healing messages were as a psychic.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says: And no wonder for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Satan is the great deceiver and behind his offers is a sinister plan: The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10 ESV).

Its so important to be aware of this enticing manipulation. The Satanic Temple website also has hail Satan merchandise and supports abortion.

Reader, we need to test the spirits according to 1 John 4:1, and we do that by the Word of God. The after-school clubs being offered by the satanic temple welcomes donations that are offered through a link with the words Hell-raiser in it. This is not just a play on words. Legos and crayons are the proverbial carrots being dangled in front of the parents' faces to sign their kids up for what is really the devils snare.

I always say the devil doesnt skip over kids because they are cute.

The enemy wants to lead your children away from Jesus who is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6). I was one of those children who walked through the demonic door that was opened for me. The satanic temple is here to open the door to your kids and though the lure may be attractive, the consequences are far from ideal.

I was saved by Jesus at the age of 37, I served the devil as a psychic medium and today Im compelled to share some of what I call the side effects of demonic oppression  and this is exactly what these after-school clubs are doing behind the illusion of a fun time.

Nightmares, sleep paralysis, anxiety, depression, health issues, seeing demons, hearing demons, and even psychic attacks are notable symptoms of the demonically oppressed. The battle often starts to influence how you think, and demons want to influence your thoughts to lead you to further destructive actions.

Satan is working overtime nowadays, in my opinion, because he knows his time is short and his fate is sealed.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us that What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

The enemy has the same agenda and will use anything and anyone to push his nefarious agenda which of course is to distract souls away from God and share the fate that he is promised. I pray the eyes of many will open to see that this is a spiritual warzone.

The solution is and will always be Jesus, placing your faith and trust in Him. We must always be on guard, and continue to sound the alarm on the schemes of the devil, including after-school Satan clubs for kids.

Children are vulnerable, they have no spiritual foresight. And they need to know about Jesus, the only one who can save them and protect them.
Home Opinion Are we as a nation out of time?

Whether its children twerking on TikTok as adults applaud (its not cool; its sick and perverted), drag queens reading at libraries, pedophiles being protected, enemies entering our borders, musicians worshiping Satan while millions applaud  or an array of other disasters  whats it going to take to break us?

If you truly care for America, its time to look in the mirror and own it. At this stage of spiritual cancer, the only remedy is deep repentance and brokenness over sin.

Personally, Im still holding on to Gods words here: Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing (Joel 2:13-14).

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A proud church is not a powerful church



In these dire times, why do many Christians reflect the heart of the Laodecians rather than the power of the upper room? We have loud music but little worship, programs but no power, and big voices but little truth.



Where are the weepers and the worshippers like the prophets who cried out to return to the Lord, and pleaded with the people to walk humbly with your God? Where are those who follow in the footsteps of Isaiah, who said, I am undone, or David, who thanked God for breaking the pride out of him?

Those are the voices God hears. He is no respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of principles, and the principle of brokenness is profound.

We are going nowhere fast



Its extremely hard watching our nation crumble from within, but do we honestly think that God is pleased with arrogant memes, angry tweets, or bombastic tirades? I can assure you that He is not  something needs to change. We are going nowhere fast.



If we dont have love and humility, we have nothing (cf. 1 Cor. 13). Boldness without humility will get us nowhere as our nation continues to spiral out of control.

As Victor Davis Hanson wisely said: Our descent is self-induced; it is not a symptom of a foreign attack or subterfuge. Our erosion is not the result of poverty and want, but of leisure and excess.

In the same way that Israel grew fat with food and abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior (Deut. 32:15), America is making the same mistake. Our pride has made us fat and full of ourselves. This is why fasting is critical: it starves the flesh to be filled with the Spirit. (If you need help in this area, my fasting books are available as free downloads here.)

Repentance, not Remington



When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires  when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us (Oswald Chambers).

I believe that this is exactly what God is doing today. Salvation is not coming on Air Force One. God is trying to wake us up so we draw closer to Him. When we are desperate, God finally has our attention.

Most dont seek the Lord until there is pressure: Only when our hand is forced do we yield  when our back is to the wall and our fleshly attempts at deliverance are all washed away (Michael Catt). But surprisingly, our nation's crisis is not driving us to our knees but to the gun store. Were not using heavenly ammunition (2 Cor. 10:4) but trusting in Smith & Wesson.



The blessing of brokenness



Ill never forget the day I read the following quote by A.W. Tozer over two decades ago: It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.

I was going through a very difficult season, and I soon realized that God was breaking me down to build me up. I was at a turning point: I could become bitter and resentful or humble myself and grow from the experience.

And this is where the majority of Christians find themselves today: Instead of getting better, we become bitter. Instead of humbling ourselves, we become more arrogant. Instead of emptying ourselves to be filled with the Spirit, we are full of pride and selfish ambition.



The shepherd of the shattered



But be encouraged, broken crowns still color. God is the Shepherd of the shattered and the rebuilder of the broken. God breaks us to rebuild us but we must humble ourselves so the Potter can shape the clay, or an 11-day journey through the wilderness may take us 40 years (cf. Joshua 5:6).

We must let our pain crucify our pride. He rebuilds the broken, elevates the humble, and restores the wounded. We can rebuild the breach and strengthen what remains, but we must pray this today: "O God, take me, break me, and make me."

The clock is ticking  being broken by God is our only hope!
Home Opinion Are you eagerly anticipating Christ's return?

The Second Coming of Christ is an absolute certainty. In fact, the return of Christ is just as certain as the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection is an established historical fact that occurred 2,000 years ago, whereas the return of Christ is a future event that will most definitely take place at Gods appointed time.

Jesus said, No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36). The Savior told His disciples: You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (Luke12:40).

Are you eagerly anticipating Christs return? Christians have been looking forward to this spectacular event ever since Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection.

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Scripture is crystal clear on the matter: Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28).

Christians believe in Christ, serve Christ, follow Christ, and are waiting for Christ to appear a second time on the day He returns to Earth. Are you intently waiting for Christ to return, or does the American dream seem more exciting to you?

If you are chasing after the things of the world, I am compelled to warn you that your immortal soul does not benefit from money or material possessions. The only safe place for your soul is to come to Christ to have your sins forgiven.

Evangelist Billy Graham said, Bible teaching about the Second Coming of Christ was thought of as doomsday preaching. But not anymore. It is the only ray of hope that shines as an ever brightening beam in a darkening world.

Do you find yourself becoming easily discouraged these days? Jesus is the only One who can meet the deepest needs of your soul. The Savior said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

You will never look forward to Christs return until you first turn to the Lord in repentance and accept Gods free gift of everlasting life in Heaven. Once you embrace Jesus as your Savior, you will begin to understand things in the Bible that didnt make sense to you before your conversion.

Jesus said, Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed (Revelation 16:15). In speaking to the church in Laodicea, Jesus described their need for white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness (Revelation 3:18).

God covers your soul when you repent and believe the good news. Jesus told those in Laodicea: So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:19-20).

Once you are clothed with Christs righteousness through faith in the Savior, you begin to eagerly anticipate the Lords return. And the closer you walk with Christ, the more fervent your anticipation becomes. On the other hand, if you decide to pursue a sinful lifestyle or chase after worldly riches, you will backslide in your spiritual life and begin to lose sight of what God is preparing in Heaven for all who love Him.

Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) was a Scottish Presbyterian pastor and theologian. He said, The figure of the passing-away world is like an old mans face, full of wrinkles, and foul with weeping. We are waiting when Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven and shall come and wipe the old mans face.

Believers who eagerly anticipate Christs return are the most hopeful people on the planet. Our future is secure in Christ and Heaven is our home. God who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Believers have this assurance for one simple reason. We have been given His very great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4).

It is only by standing on Gods promises that we can look forward to Christs return. Jesus said, When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory (Matthew 25:31). Do you look forward to seeing Jesus sitting on His throne?

The Apostle John described a vision he was given. John wrote, After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes ... Then one of the elders asked me, These in white robes  who are they, and where did they come from? I answered, Sir, you know. And he said, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9,13-14).

You can come to Christ today with this simple request: Wash me Jesus with your precious blood.

Faith receives the free gift of salvation as your sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Your soul is instantly covered with the righteousness of Christ the moment you believe in Jesus and stop trying to save your soul by your own works. If you will trust Christ today and rely upon His death on the cross for salvation, you will then begin to eagerly anticipate the Saviors return.

So, what are you waiting for?
Home Opinion Now the Canadian euthanasia regime needs a heart transplant

The expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to mental health will be paused for another three years in Canada. The decision will save lives.

Only last week the expansion of euthanasia seemed inevitable. The Liberal Party, which recently signaled its confidence that sufficient safeguards were in place to offer the cost-saving, life-ending procedure, changed its mind.

Their 11th-hour decision to pause MAiD is a signal that the loud cries of concerned Canadians and critics from around the globe have temporarily slowed down one of the world's most permissive euthanasia regimes.

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The Canadian Health minister admitted what mental health experts, doctors, opposition members of Parliament, and average Canadians clearly understand: Canada is not ready to end the lives of people with treatable mental illness.

Nor should it ever be.

What the regime needs now is a heart transplant, so it can imagine a Canada in which life-saving treatment for people suffering is offered more readily, no matter the cost.

A government that can find ways to shell out billions of dollars to management consultants and channel billions more to help people in other countries can find ways to fund health care so that vulnerable Canadians have the social support they need. Making mental health treatment available to all who need it is a good place to start.

However, lets not expect life-changing answers from a government already short on ideas, that views healthcare through a lens of scarcity and without creativity.

Canadians from all parts of society need to lean into this moment, to not only raise their voices on behalf of the marginalized and vulnerable but to offer solutions. If we learned anything this week it's that when people from all walks of life raise their concerns and cry out, public policy makers have to listen.

While access to doctor-assisted suicide for mental health wont be readily available in 2024, the despair and suffering of people across Canada will not disappear. The many suffering individuals who planned to take advantage of the procedure to end their lives once MAiD expanded to mental health need help.

The pause in expansion ought to be permanent. As we pray and advocate for that policy decision, which will prevent the needless loss of thousands of lives in the future, we must find ways to support Canadians who suffer now.

Its an opportunity for communities, and especially communities of faith, to do what the government cannot do: bring people together and provide hope amid suffering and despair.

A lot can happen in a week. Imagine what good can be done in the years ahead.
Christian asylum claims under scrutiny after Clapham attack

Asylum applications based on claims of conversion to Christianity are facing fresh scrutiny after an acid attack on a woman and her two children in London's Clapham South area.

The suspect in the attack was identified by police as Abdul Ezedi, an Afghan refugee who arrived illegally in the UK in 2016 and was convicted of sexual assault in Newcastle in 2018.

A nationwide manhunt is underway to catch Ezedi after he fled the scene of Wednesday's attack.

It emerged this week that the 35 year old was allowed to stay in the UK after claiming he had converted to Christianity and that his life would be in danger if he returned to Afghanistan.

His conversion claim is reported to have been vouched for by a vicar, leading to fresh criticism of the Church of England.

The Church came under pressure in 2021 after an attempted terror attack in Liverpool. The suspect, who was the only death in the attack, was 32 year old Emad Al Swealmeen who had also claimed to be a convert to Christianity before his asylum bid was rejected.

At the time, Sam Ashworth-Hayes, of the counter-extremist Henry Jackson Society, accused the Church of England of being "hopelessly naive".

After Wednesday's attack, he said that "nothing appears to have been done" about migrants "using 'conversion' to Christianity as a backdoor route to staying in the UK".

Priest and broadcaster Calvin Robinson said that Ezedi "must be deported" and "the Church of England must be held to account".

A spokesman for the Church of England said on Friday that it was the job of the Home Office, not the Church, to weigh up the merits of asylum claims.

"This is clearly a shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by it," he said.

"It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases."
TV presenter gets behind Christian charity's sight restoring work

TV presenter Gyles Brandreth is asking the public to support the work of CBM, a Christian charity transforming the lives of people living with blindness and other disabilities.

A practising Christian, Brandreth, who is a regular on the BBC's The One Show, has 'passionately' supported CBM's work for over 20 years with his wife.

"We believe that no one should face a lifetime of blindness just because their family is poor," he said.

He continued: "People are living needlessly blind with cataracts, when simple surgery could restore their sight - if only their families could afford it. Supporting CBM means that more people can have their sight restored and live a life full of opportunity."

The organisation restores sight to people living in the poorest places in the world by tackling eye diseases, training doctors and health care workers and carrying out eye surgeries.

Supporters of the charity have donated 1.2 million to the Light Up Lives campaign, which is running across three years to change the lives of blind people in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe, a nation with one of the highest rates of blindness in the world.

Patricia, 15, from Midlands had pain in her eye for half a year as a result of a cataract. She had doubts that her eye would heal until the charity intervened.

"The project really helped me because I was slowly turning blind. Everything is now back to normal. The pains are all gone now. I am back at school. School is great. I am enjoying it," she said.

Brian, 21, also suffered from a cataract that grew in his eye as a result of an injury. After successful treatment, he believes that "God still has more" for him and "nothing is impossible". "I just hope that maybe I can start work and get employed in some better places," he said.

His experience with a cataract has even deepened his faith.

He continued: "I am in the Bible so much. I like the story of Moses when he took the Israelites out of Egypt. That was really my story concerning my cataract  I still believed that one day God would lead me into freedom."

Zimbabwe has a shortage of trained eye health workers so CBM is using funds to offer training. Over one thousand eye health workers have been trained and are now working to identify adults with eye health problems, and refer them for treatment.

Funds are also being invested to improve hospital infrastructures across district hospitals in the Midlands Province. Thousands of cataract surgeries have been delivered in hospitals as well as outreach camps that reduce the distances patients living in rural areas need to travel, helping them access treatment before they lose their sight.

By the end of the project CBM aims to have helped more than 44,000 people with eye health problems.
Why I could not attend a same-sex wedding

Leading US evangelical pastor, Alistair Begg, has spoken into the issue of trans wedding ceremonies (and I include gay weddings) and whether practising Christians can attend in good conscience. In short, he says yes with caveats, and has placed it in a wider relational and evangelistic context.

Various heavyweights have written in response, from the brilliant Rob Gagnon to academic Carl Trueman to Christian Concern's Paul Huxley and US pastor Kelly Williams. They dissent and base their views on sound exegetical, theological, biblical and pastoral arguments and insights, such as how attendance tacitly or overtly endorses and celebrates a ritually transgressive sexual union and how, given the content of 1 Corinthians, St Paul would never - could never - have given such advice.

Mourning, not dancing

Here, I have a slightly different focus, and to clarify, I address those holding to an orthodox view of sexual morality.

I believe that such an event ought to elicit mourning, not celebration. If we are convinced that this sexual union is sinful, how can we do otherwise? And to be sure, there are many relational aspects we would commend, but its essential sexual nature challenges Jesus' own authority.

The larger issue: Alfred Kinsey's lethal legacy

In my view, the Church has never properly responded to the faux science/propaganda - 'just little bits of naughty fun!' - which forms the ideological basis of Kinsey's pan sexual revolution. And to be sure, first heterosexuality was allegedly 'liberated'. After that, we saw LG (lesbians and gays) then B (bisexuals), then T (transgenders) and now Q (queer/non binary), but other less socially acceptable sexual minorities are heading out of their closets now too.

This revolution has largely enveloped, certainly infiltrated, the institutions and culture of the West, including the Church. In the main, there has been little redress or pushback.

Haunting fear

What compounds this is an aspect which the 20th century American satirist, HL Mencken, noted about Puritanism and which is arguably part of this wider conversation. For Mencken, Puritanism was 'the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy'.

Though a dreadful caricature - Jim Packer would be rightly horrified - I believe there is a semi-conscious fear lurking in wider evangelicalism that others will experience us as modern-day Mencken Puritans. And who wants that?

Even if it is completely false, how can one negotiate such minefields well? God hates sin but how do we do life well in a world filled with it?

I suggest four strategies here to answer this question.

One: do it with repentance and tears

What about us? Do we have 'stuff' which needs addressing? Has God been trying to get our attention here? What do we know we need to repent of i.e. think about and do differently, and how will we make it happen?

Jesus' admonition in Matthew 7 about removing the log from our own eye before attending to the specks in the eyes of others comes to mind. Given the serious nature and large size of these 'specks', it is vital for us to see clearly!

Secondly, the great Francis Schaeffer offers a way forward here - and thanks to Bill Muehlenberg for this quote.

"With love we must face squarely the fact that our culture really is under the judgement of God ... Through the work of the Holy Spirit there must be a simultaneous exhibition of God's holiness and His love, as we speak ... It will not do to say these things coldly. Jeremiah cried, and we must cry for the poor lost world, for we are all of one kind."

Two: do it with empathy and compassion

Many in the LGBTQ communities have been through the wars and carry the scars. I regularly note the vital role of 'coming out' as part of Kirk and Madsen's wider strategy in After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the '90s. And though it took longer, it has worked to perfection. Their other brilliant strategy was to insist 'orientation' and race were equivalent: 'anti-gay' equals a homophobe, which in turn equals a racist (hiss boo).

Their allies - non-LGBTQ families, friends, colleagues - often know of and sympathize with their tragic pasts - and rightly so. Many never asked for these desires which often emerged with a vengeance around adolescence, unwanted and unasked for, feared and loathed. Many fought them valiantly but ultimately unsuccessfully. On the surface, wouldn't it seem that the 'wedding' route was the kindest, most honourable, decent and practical way forward? We deceive ourselves - and others - if we believe this to be true.

Three: do it with reality

Sin hates us. Traditionally and historically, 'the World, the Flesh and the Devil' have been the noxious triumvirate besetting humanity, tempting, corrupting, damaging, destroying cultures, peoples, communities, us. Some evils are obvious, but others far less so.

In my view, we struggle to believe that sin is that bad, that damaging, that corrupting. We would have a far easier time engaging these minefields though if we were convinced of their harms.

My sin destroys me, even as your sin destroys you, if not sooner, then later. How is it kind or loving to pretend otherwise?

A Victorian saying comes to mind: 'All sin is dogged; and though that which follows may lag, it never loses the track' (Lucy Clifford, 'The End of her Journey', 1887).

'We've only just begun'

On another front, the sad fact is that most of the evangelical world, including leading public figures and networks, appear blissfully ignorant of the emerging, alarming pan sexual revolution. If they do realize its full extent, they largely remain mute, certainly in public.

Indeed, saying 'no' to this particular counterfeit - same-sex marriage - is in fact far harder because most have little idea of what is involved nor how, bar a miracle, what is in the pipeline will become the 'new normal'.

The tragic realities of same-sex marriage

An important caveat here. Some couples appear models of exclusivity, intimacy, care and human flourishing. I wish them well though I grieve their modelling of this template to the next generation. Also, I am appalled by the ferocity with which activists target dissenters, and the subsequent apathy and complacency of conservative leaders in the face of these public miscarriages of justice.

However, even if same-sex couples seem to be 'perfect', I cannot affirm their sexual relationship and will pray it ends. And here, Rosaria Butterfield's Afterword in her new book Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, in which she writes about the difference between acceptance and approval is helpful.

Downsides of same-sex marriage

Few seem aware that same-sex marriage does not automatically operate along heteronormatively monogamous lines. Each couple decides how they will be 'faithful' and in particular, whether they will be sexually open (to others) or closed, exclusive, monogamous.

Many male couples, especially younger ones, start 'closed' and then 'open' to survive. See the recent 'The Couples Study' and compare it with the older study, 'Beyond Non Monogamy'. See also this insightful analysis of why so many gay couples open up their relationship.

Lee Badgett, in his 2010 book When Gay People Get Married, quoted the words of one man in a same-sex marriage who had quipped that "Fidelity is not between your legs, but between your ears".

For the UK's first gay man to marry, Peter McGraith, gay men are pioneers in creating better, more "mature, rational and honest relationships". This includes being 'open'.

"Over 50% of gay men's relationships are sexually non-exclusive," he said.

A 2021 study put the figure at 30%. See also leading UK health charity, LGBT Hero, for more disturbing figures.

Among lesbian couples, there are much higher rates of divorce due to 'unreasonable behaviour'. And across the LGBTQ community, there are higher rates of rape and physical violence by an intimate partner.

A bit on sex

Given the adult nature of this content, I can only scratch the surface and as transgenderism is a huge and complex matter, I am not able to engage properly with it here. But suffice to say that there is huge damage attached to certain sexual behaviours.

For instance, RAI [Receptive Anal Intercourse] is high-risk, regardless of 'orientation' or 'identity'. Because of the fear of being accused of homophobia, however, gay men are not properly warned of the risks. Oddly, even the Guardian has admitted to the downsides, at least for females.

Existing research and the eye-opening Sandyford Protocols on health challenges among MSM [men who have sex with men] have revealed high rates of disease in a tiny population cohort. Why is this not more widely known?

Other reports give plenty of cause for concern about high-risk sex common in the LGBTQ communities and now taught to all 'potentially queer' youngsters. See also BishUK, a sex guide "for everyone over 14" - warning: it's graphic.

When two won't do

Peter McGraith, mentioned above, rightly claimed that gays like him are at the forefront of this revolution, as did cultural analyst, Anthony Giddens in his seminal Transformation of Intimacy back in 1992. You may have missed the world's first three-way gay marriages around a decade ago.

And so to circle back, would Alistair Begg encourage attendance at a same-sex polyamorous wedding?

Larger problem

As mentioned above, LGBTQ is only the start. There are other less socially acceptable sexual minorities demanding rights now. What of them? Many parrot the gay party line verbatim: born this way; tried to change; not hurting anyone; our young are being harmed by societal prejudice and cruelty; those in our communities are committing suicide etc.

Sound familiar?

Indeed, if 'love is love', and if everyone's apparently innate psychosexual desires comprise their fundamental identity, and if that identity must be socially and publicly accepted, promoted and celebrated, then society and the Church have no choice but to stop discriminating and accept 'all'! Right?

'Toggle', a zoophile - someone sexually attracted to animals - argued as much in 2021:

"It's innate. I think it's weird to assume someone would choose to put themselves through misery. Being a zoophile comes with a lot of heartache. After all, the people you form your primary bonds with have significantly shorter life spans. That said, I would never choose to be born differently because being a zoophile has shaped the person I am today, and who I am is good."

Polys now increasingly include bi and non-binary folk. They are perhaps the ones most 'out' and proud - even The Times seems onboard. But what of NOMAPs (Non Offending Minor Attracted People)? What of those with GSA (Genetic Sexual Attraction, a form of incest)?

What will Begg and others say to them?

Four: do it by offering proper help

Returning to our same-sex couples, real, proper help is needed. As noted, most have never asked for or wanted these feelings. And in fact, they tend to be symptoms of deeper malaise.

Former gay, Dr Floyd Godfrey, notes, "Homosexuality is the sexualisation of legitimate, emotional needs and wounds." This insight helps to explain some of the crusading passion behind Pride.

Though invisible, these needs and wounds are very real, yet most in these communities have no idea of their existence or how deeply they are influenced by them. For more see Godfrey's powerful autobiographical work, A Young Man's Journey: Healing for Young Men with Unwanted Homosexual Feelings.

Another former gay and counsellor Christopher Doyle observes that such attractions "will remain until the individual discovers the meaning of them and fulfils them in legitimate, non-sexual ways".

This is a much-needed message which gives hope for a better, happier life, and many have experienced profound transformation as they have gone deeper into their psychosexual 'stuff'. Their stories are told by groups like X Outloud and the Changed Movement and yet their narratives are almost uniformly ignored by evangelical entities - that is, when they are not caricatured.

Why do some voices count more than others? How is that fair?

A superb resource for further reflection on this question can be found here.

The penny may be starting to drop. Carl Trueman rightly noted in his helpful response to Begg, "To update the famous comment of Leon Trotsky, you may not be interested in the sexual revolution, but the sexual revolution is interested in you."

I end with an important insight from Rosaria Butterfield, whose book I referenced above:

"I started to understand that my lesbian friends could have this [God's] kind of love too, and I started to believe that my dearest friends would actually love each other more and better if they were sisters in Christ instead of lovers."
Getting invited to perform at the Grammy Awards is an honor.

Taking the stage during Music's Biggest Night puts your music in front of millions of viewers, not to mention some of the biggest names in the industry who are in attendance at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It also gets you one of the best gift bags in the business.

For the 25th consecutive year, Grammy performers and presenters will receive a massive gift bag courtesy of Los Angeles-based marketing company Distinctive Assets.

This year's bag, which includes gifts ranging from a smart bird feeder to wine to headphones from Dyson, is valued at $36,000, according to a comprehensive list reviewed by CNBC Make It.

Unlike the famous Oscars gift bag, which only goes to a select few nominees, Distinctive Assets founder Lash Fary says that 145 individuals will receive this year's Grammy bag.

"The Grammys is all about equity," Fary says. "Every presenter and every performer is treated the exact same way."

Most recipients will receive their bags  large duffels stuffed full of nearly 60 products  during rehearsals for the show.

"We work in concert with the talent department," Fary says. "As talent leaves rehearsals, the bag goes into the back of their car."

Here's a peek inside.
Areen Holding, a major player in the Bahrain's real estate industry, has appointed Ahmed Khalifa Khalfan as the chief marketing and sales officer of the group as well as CEO of its premium Tilal Residential Development coming up near the kingdom's Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve.

An industry veteran, Khalfan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new roles.

Located within the sprawling Areen Heights, Tilal offers breathtaking views of the renowned Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, providing residents with an unparalleled living experience.

With over 23 years of experience in business development, sales, marketing, public relations, facility and property management, and investments, Khalfan is well-positioned to lead Areen Holding's marketing and sales plans.

According to Areen, Khalfan's expertise extends to marketing and communications, where he has excelled in branding, events, digital marketing, and public relations.

He is well-versed in all aspects of the real estate industry, including facility and property management, investment placement, and market research.

Khalfan holds an MBA degree in Marketing and is a Fulbright Scholar with a focus on real estate investment practices.

Prior to this, Khalfan had held several key positions, including as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Bahrain Marina Development Company, Head of Marketing & Institutional Sales at Infracorp and Head of Sales and Marketing at GFH Financial Group - GFH Properties Portfolio.

In these roles, he successfully managed large-scale projects, generated significant revenue and built strategic partnerships, it stated.

Welcoming him into the fold, CEO Engineer Ahlam Zainal said this appointment was a significant milestone for Areen Holding and the Tilal Residential Development.

"His extensive experience and proven track record in the real estate industry make him the perfect candidate to lead our marketing and sales efforts. We are confident that under his guidance, Areen Holding will continue to grow and thrive," he stated.

On his new role, Khalfan said: "I am honoured to be a part of Areen Holding and take on the role of Chief Marketing and Sales Officer as well as CEO of Tilal Residential Development. It is an incredible opportunity for me to launch Tilal, and I am eager to contribute to its success."

"With Areen's dedication to growth and rejuvenation, we will continue to bring exceptional real estate offerings that enhance the lives of our residents and contribute to the progress of the Kingdom of Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
BP provides energy products and services to its customers. The company's segments include gas & low-carbon energy, oil production & operations and customers & products. Its gas business includes upstream activities that produce natural gas, integrated gas and power, and gas trading. Its low-carbon business includes solar, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen and CCS, power trading, and its share in BP Bunge Bioenergia. Its oil production & operations segment comprises upstream activities that produce crude oil, including Bpx Energy. The customers & products segment comprises its customer-focused businesses, which include convenience and retail fuels, electric vehicle charging, as well as Castrol, aviation and business-to-business and midstream. It also includes its products businesses, refining & oil trading, and bioenergy.

Bluebell Capital Partners is an activist investor focused on large cap European public equities. The firm, founded in November 2019, is led by founding partners and Co-CIOs Giuseppe Bivona and Marco Taricco. It evolved out of Bluebell Partners, an investment advisory business set up in 2014 by Bivona and Taricco, who together identified shareholder activism  traditionally a predominantly North American phenomenon  as a growing opportunity in Europe.

Bluebell Capital Partners sent a letter to BP Chairman Helge Lund calling on the company to take several actions, including slowing its commitment to reducing oil and gas production by 25% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, and challenging the company to reduce its investment in its transition businesses (biofuels, convenience, charging, renewables and hydrogen) by 60% between 2023 and 2030.

Bluebell is a passionate environmentalist firm that has a track record as an environmental activist investor. But it is also a financial investing firm and realist that understands the power of capital markets. In this simply astonishing, and potentially watershed, letter to BP, Bluebell states that they believe that the company is worth at least 50% more than the value currently expressed by its stock price and that it trades at a substantial 40% discount to best-in-class peers ExxonMobil and Chevron, "primarily due to an ill-conceived strategy aimed at drastically shrinking BP's core business (oil and gas), on the one hand, and rapidly promoting a risky diversification into sectors with lower targeted returns and where BP has 'no right to win'."

Yes, Bluebell is referring to BP's strategy of aligning its business with the goal set out by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change: net zero emissions by 2050. Bluebell flat out says what many people are thinking  that this is an utterly unrealistic policy that should be declared by governments as unattainable with a more realistic target proposed to replace it.

In the meantime, Bluebell is delivering a wake-up call to BP: end the collective hallucination and realign the company's climate and production targets with reality, or at least with its peers. Bluebell points out that the International Energy Agency ("IEA") has recognized that the pathway to net zero by 2050 is increasingly narrow, admitting that 35% of emissions savings needed by 2050 rely on technology not yet commercially viable or available and pointing out that even available solutions (i.e. nuclear) are being underutilized and decommissioned, calling into question global political will towards such an ambitious goal.

Accordingly, as an environmental activist, Bluebell makes the credible argument that BP's minimization of their core oil and gas production in favor of non-core alternative energy products is unlikely to meaningfully alter the trajectory of the climate crisis. As a financial investor, Bluebell makes the credible argument that this is a losing strategy that harms shareholders.

Bluebell points out that BP's capex spending to diversify away from its core oil and gas services to transition fuels, renewables, and other projects offers lower returns on capital, reduces value generation for shareholders, and positions the business for failure in sectors where the board and management have no real experience or competitive advantage.

According to BP's 2023-2030 plan, the company will allocate just over a third of its $130 billion of capex to businesses such as bioenergy, hydrogen, renewable, EV Charging, etc. These projects are expected to generate between 6-8% unlevered internal rate of return (IRR) for renewables and double digits for hydrogen versus 15-20% for oil and gas. This stands in stark contrast to peers Chevron and Exxon targeting 10% of their capex budget over the next five years.

Moreover, BP's decarbonization strategy, spearheaded in 2020 by former CEO Bernard Looney, is based on a key assumption that is at best questionable and likely false. BP forecasts a 2% cumulative growth demand for oil and gas from 2022-2030. Their peers Shell and ExxonMobil forecast 7% and 6%, respectively; and even the IEA has a significantly larger forecast of 5%. Perhaps recognizing this themselves, BP has already reduced their medium-term targets for reducing oil and gas production, their former goal of -40% established in 2020 was subsequently halved in February 2023 to -20%. Maybe more tellingly, BP shockingly remains committed to its Scope 3 targets of 10-15% reduction by 2025 and 20-30% reduction by 2030. Scope 3 emissions are third party emissions that a company generally has little control over. Not surprisingly, not only has Exxon and Chevron refused to commit to Scope 3 targets, when a shareholder officially proposed such a commitment, it was rejected by 89.5% of the vote at Exxon and 90.4% at Chevron.

In the period from Mr. Looney's appointment as CEO (February 13, 2020) to his resignation (September 12, 2023), BP total shareholder return of 32% lagged all its peers (45% for Shell; 72% for Total Energies, 79% for Chevron and 135% for ExxonMobil). As of Bluebell's October 4, 2023, letter to BP, BP traded on a price-earnings ratio of 6.7 times, a 44% discount to Chevron and ExxonMobil, which on average traded at 12 times. More tellingly, this discount averaged 48% since the new strategy initiated by Mr. Looney, but only averaged 21% in the years 2006 to 2019 and was as small as 15% in the year 2018. To make it even clearer how the market views BP's strategy, on February 7, 2023, when BP announced its partial retracement from this strategy, BP's share price rose 8% on the day and 17% on the week.

Bluebell was prepared to ask for the resignation of CEO Looney in October, but that ended up happening anyway in September. Bluebell now calls on the board to revise its 2023-2030 plan and implement the following six corrective actions: (i) remove its medium-term Scope 3 targets and qualify its 2050 target (Net-Zero) as a target to be reached 'in line with Society'; (ii) realign supply to demand revising upward BP's oil and gas production target, to ~2.5 mmboed by 2030 versus current target of 2.0 mmboed (millions of barrels of oil equivalent per day); (iii) increase investment in oil and gas by ~$1.5 bn p.a. (2023-2030) and reduce cumulative investment in Bioenergy, Hydrogen and Renewables & Power by ~60% (2023-2030), the majority of which will be financed by halting investment in Renewables & Power; (iv) increase cash to be returned to shareholders by a cumulative ~$16bn (~$2.0bn p.a., 2023-2030) to be sure it is better deployed also in support of the energy transition; (v) enhance disclosure on businesses outside core oil and gas (Convenience and EV Charging, Hydrogen) and more broadly on investment hurdles; and (vi) strengthen the Board of Directors, adding the necessary capabilities to oversee large capital deployment in areas which are not BP's core business and have BlackRock's non-independent director Pamela Daley removed from BP's Board.

Bluebell has a long history of environmental activism - agitating Solvay to end its pollution of the Rosignano Beach, urging Glencore to divest its coal unit, and pressuring BlackRock to clarify its ESG strategy due to a risk of greenwashing  which is why a campaign to rollback BPs climate targets may surprise onlookers.

However, Bluebell is what we refer to as an active ESG ("AESG") investor  a qualitative and pragmatic investor who looks to responsibly maximize shareholder value. They believe that achieving net-zero emissions is among the greatest necessities (as well as opportunities) facing this planet. But they fundamentally disagree that it is the role of an oil and gas provider to be a renewables company at the expense of shareholders. Instead, they believe that such a company should concentrate on minimizing or eliminating its own environmental impact (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions), meeting demand, and ensuring a smooth energy transition. They are calling on the board to honestly assess what their peers are committed to doing and to be honest about the global reality of decarbonization which even the world's leading climatologists are willing to recognize.

We believe this letter to BP is transformative on many levels. Only an environmental activist with the credibility of Bluebell could publicly voice such an opinion. It shows how the ESG pendulum has swung so far one way and now is swinging back to its rightful position. Moreover, European investors and companies have been well ahead of the United States on ESG matters and the fact that this is happening in Europe is a sign of things to come in the U.S. If it can happen there, it can certainly happen here. But finally, it is a refreshing departure from ESG based on hard rules, quantitative metrics and exclusions. This is a credible environmental activist eschewing those non-qualitative measures. For years, Bluebell has been known for pushing companies further into the ESG waters. It is nice to see that they are also there to take out their lasso and rein a company back in when it wanders too far out.

Ken Squire is the founder and president of 13D Monitor, an institutional research service on shareholder activism, and the founder and portfolio manager of the 13D Activist Fund, a mutual fund that invests in a portfolio of activist 13D investments.
For the first time since 2012, Sam Dogen is getting a day job.

That's the year that Dogen quit his job as an investment banker, having spent 13 years working, saving, investing and generally burning himself out.

At age 34, his portfolio and real estate investments were generating about $80,000 a year  enough for he and his wife to live on in perpetuity. So, he took his severance and left. His wife did the same in 2015.

"We've been a dual, no income household for a while," Dogen, the founder of Financial Samurai and the author of "Buy This, Not That," tells CNBC Make It.

Well, not W-2 income anyway. As the couple's plans changed, the $80,000 a year they thought would last them for life needed to be bumped up. In 2017, the pair welcomed their first child, followed by another in 2019.

Over the years, Dogen built his passive income streams to about $380,000 annually  $288,000 net of taxes. That was enough to cover the family budget while living in San Francisco  until now.

In a recent post on his website, Dogen, now 46, detailed his choice to sell a portion of his stock and bond holdings to buy a multimillion-dollar house in cash.

By swapping income-producing assets for a house, "I basically have a lot more dead money now," Dogen says. That means his passive income streams no longer cover his family budget  so back to work it is.
A Hamas fighter aims an RPG, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City, Gaza, in this still image taken from video released on Jan. 31, 2024.

Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said Saturday.

Signs of a Hamas resurgence in the Gaza Strip's largest city underscore the group's resilience despite Israel's deadly air and ground campaign against it over the past four months. Israel has said it's determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest. The residents said they saw both the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the group's leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to the southern half of Gaza.

During Israel's ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of scrap, rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office near the hospital that was set up to distribute $200 payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, traffic cops and civil police who operate separately from the group's secretive military wing.

The partial salary payments of $200 for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knock-out blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza on Saturday.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight in Gaza's southernmost town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at a hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said. The second strike struck a house in the Jeneina area of Rafah, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

The 17 bodies were taken to the Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, the main health facility in Rafah, and were seen by an AP journalist.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the preceding 24-hour period, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a "pressure cooker of despair."

Israel's defense minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing for the last few weeks on Khan Younis, the largest city of southern Gaza. While the statement has alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah.

The U.N. satellite center said Friday that its latest analysis of available imagery indicated more than 69,000 structures in Gaza  nearly one-third of all structures in the territory  have been at least moderately damaged in nearly four months of fighting.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

International mediators continue to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire deal put forth this week, nearly four months since Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas continues to hold dozens of captives, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict has leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Meanwhile, the United States  which has negotiated tenants of the deal along with Israel, Egypt and Qatar  launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a news conference following a caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on January 30, 2024 in Washington, DC.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Saturday announced an Israel-only funding package to be voted on next week, another step in the deadlocked negotiations over emergency aid that President Joe Biden initially proposed in October.

The House proposal comes as a challenge to a long-awaited Senate package that is expected to be released this weekend. The Senate's bill is expected to include broader foreign aid than just Israel and address border security funding.

But the Republican-majority House has voiced its intention to be hard on the Senate's proposal, especially as Johnson tries to appease Republican hardliners who expect him to deliver on their ultraconservative wish list to limit spending and maximize border security.

"While the Senate appears poised to finally release text of their supplemental package after months of behind closed door negotiations, their leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for swift consideration of any legislation," Johnson wrote in a letter he addressed to "Friends."

"Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package," the speaker added.

The House bill includes $17.6 billion for Israel's military and U.S. military forces in the region as the war with Hamas in Gaza continues. If approved, this funding would add to the $14.3 billion that the House passed for Israel in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

This bill separates aid to Israel from Ukraine, Taiwan and the U.S. southern border, all of which were linked in Biden's original $105 billion aid proposal. That initial bill included $61 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $6.4 billion for the U.S. border and $2 billion for Taiwan.

But disagreements over how to address the U.S. border and whether to continue funding Ukraine's defense against Russia stalled the passage of Biden's October aid package.

Democrats and Republicans have gone back and forth for months negotiating the proposal, leading to a near-miss government shutdown and eating into some lawmakers' holiday break.

Democrats argue that Ukraine funding is essential to preventing the further rise of authoritarian Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his threat to global democracy. Meanwhile, Republicans want to rein in Ukraine aid, claiming that without a clear end in sight, the nearly two-year war has led to U.S. overspending.

The border has been another major sticking point, as the number of migrants crossing over to the U.S. reached record highs over the past few months. The influx has overwhelmed some cities, whose mayors say they do not have the resources or infrastructure to accommodate the incoming migrant population. That crisis has led Republicans to press even harder for their border security wish list, which includes policies that the Democrat-majority Senate would likely never pass.

These clashes deadlocked the emergency aid package for months. Democrat and Republican lawmakers assured that they were working to find middle ground.

Both sides appeared optimistic that they were making progress. For example, in January, Johnson and Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said they had a productive meeting with Biden where they assured they would be able to reach a bipartisan agreement to address the border, Ukraine and the rest of the president's funding requests.

However, in recent weeks, politics have hindered that progress. In closed-door meetings, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky reportedly told senators that former President Donald Trump wanted to torpedo the deal so as not to deliver Biden a campaign victory during an election year. Trump has regularly used the border crisis as a campaign talking point against Biden in his 2024 bid for re-election.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - FEBRUARY 3: Michelle O'Neill makes her way to the Assembly chamber before being nominated as First Minister at Stormont on February 3, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill becomes the new Northern Ireland First Minister. This appointment marks the first time a nationalist has held the post of First Minister. The power-sharing executive's return marks two years to the day since devolution collapsed. A decision was taken by the DUP on Tuesday to end its boycott of Stormont after agreeing a new deal with the government on post-Brexit trade rules. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland's parliament appointed an Irish nationalist as First Minister for the first time on Saturday, a historic milestone in a state established a century ago to ensure the dominance of pro-British unionists.

Michelle O'Neill's appointment, the delayed result of a watershed 2022 election, is the latest sign of the rise in the British region of a Sinn Fein party that has said its ultimate dream of a united Ireland is "within touching distance".

The appointment came as Sinn Fein's pro-British rival, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), formally ended a two-year boycott of power-sharing government after striking a deal with the British government to ease post-Brexit trade frictions.

"This is an historic day which represents a new dawn," O'Neill, 47, told the assembly. "I will serve everyone equally and be a First Minister for all.

"I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception," O'Neill added.

Britain's minister for the region, Chris Heaton-Harris, said the restoration of government represented a "great day for Northern Ireland".

O'Neill represents a shift to a new generation of Sinn Fein politicians not directly involved in the region's decades-long bloody conflict between Irish nationalists seeking a united Ireland and pro-British unionists wanting to remain the United Kingdom.

As the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Sinn Fein was long shunned by the political establishment on both sides of the border. It is now also the most popular party in the Irish Republic.

The post of deputy First Minister, which has equal power but less symbolic weight, was taken by the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly.
In November 2023, the attorney general of Washington, D.C., filed a similar but more narrow complaint against RealPage and 14 landlords that collectively manage more than 50,000 apartment units in the District. "Effectively, RealPage is facilitating a housing cartel," said Attorney General of the District of Columbia Brian Schwalb in an interview with CNBC. His office filed the complaint on antitrust grounds. They allege that landlords share competitively sensitive data through RealPage, which then sets artificially high rents on a key slice of the local rental market.

Tenants say the management started to increase prices substantially after giving renters concessions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 527-unit building is located roughly 20 minutes away from the World Trade Center, on the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey. A group of tenants at the tower is involved in a sprawling class-action lawsuit against RealPage and 34 co-defendant landlords. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in the case in December 2023, arguing that the complaints adequately allege violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

"We've been told as tenants by employees of Equity that the software takes empathy out of the equation. So they can charge whatever the software tells them to charge," said Kevin Weller, a tenant at Portside Towers since 2021.

A group of renters in the U.S. say their landlords are using software to deliver inflated rent hikes.

"Rather than making independent decisions on what the market here in D.C. calls for in terms of filling vacant units, landlords are compelled, under the terms of their agreement with RealPage, to charge what RealPage tells them," said Schwalb.

RealPage says its revenue management products use anonymized, aggregated data to deliver pricing recommendations on roughly 4.5 million housing units in the U.S. The company says its tools can increase landlord revenues between 2% and 7%.

"Just turning the system on will outperform your manual analyst. There's almost no way it can't," said Jeffrey Roper, a former RealPage employee and inventor of YieldStar.



YieldStar is one of three key revenue management tools offered by RealPage. The software balances prices, occupancy and lease lengths to help property managers optimize their portfolio's yield. The company feeds data from its models into a newer tool dubbed "AIRM" that considers the effect of credit, marketing and leasing effectiveness.



RealPage told CNBC that its landlord customers are under no obligation to take their price suggestions. The company also said it charges a fixed fee on each apartment unit managed with its software.

RealPage was acquired by Miami-based private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $10.2 billion in 2021. In court filings, Thoma Bravo has claimed that it is not liable for the alleged acts of its subsidiary outlined by plaintiffs in the class-action complaints.

Renters told CNBC they discovered how revenue management software is used in real estate after reading a 2022 ProPublica investigation. Equity Residential investor materials show that the company started to experiment with Lease Rent Options between 2005 and 2008. RealPage acquired the product in 2017.

"How could we possibly know?" said Harry Gural, a tenant in an Equity Residential property located in the Van Ness neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Gural says he has been involved in legal matters against his landlord's pricing practices for more than seven years.

Affiliates of Equity Residential are contesting a separate decision made by a local housing authority in Jersey City regarding prices set on the Portside Towers property. The company has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the decision, stating that the decision could result in millions of dollars in refunds for tenants.



Equity Residential and other defendant landlords declined to comment on ongoing RealPage litigation.



Redfin reports that asking rents in the U.S. ticked down to $1,964 a month in December 2023, a decline from recent highs. Prices are coming down in markets such as Atlanta and Austin, Texas, where home construction is high. But analysts believe low rates of homebuilding on the U.S. East Coast could give well-located landlords more pricing power.



"Guys like us that own 80,000 well-located apartments, we're still in a pretty good spot," said Equity Residential CEO Mark Parrell in a June 2023 interview with CNBC.



Watch the video above to learn about the rising tide of lawsuits against U.S. corporate landlords.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated when Equity Residential purchased Portside Towers.
Joe Biden's glide path to the Democratic presidential nomination begins Saturday as South Carolina, the state that rescued his struggling campaign four years ago, kicks off the party's official primary season.

Biden stands as the overwhelming favorite to win the South Carolina primary against comparatively weak opposition: U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson, an author who ran unsuccessfully in 2020. Early voting in the state began on Jan. 22. Polls close 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Apart from the fundraising advantages that flow from incumbency, Biden is the favorite of South Carolina's Democratic establishment, notably Rep. James Clyburn, a power in Congress and a leader in the Black community.

Biden won the New Hampshire primary last month, but the result is largely symbolic. In drawing up the official primary calendar, Democratic officials put South Carolina first. New Hampshire jumped the line against the party's wishes and, as a consequence, its delegates may not count in the final tally.

Biden hopes to win South Carolina by a whopping margin, which might infuse his candidacy with more energy and help deflect attention from his low standing in public opinion polls. He made repeated visits to South Carolina in the run-up to the election, including a stop last month at the church in Charleston where a white supremacist murdered nine worshippers in 2015.

Black voters account for a majority of South Carolina's Democratic electorate. In campaign speeches, Biden has been highlighting his efforts to improve their lives, mentioning his administration's aid to historically Black colleges and programs to erase student loan debt.

He scarcely mentions his primary opponents, focusing instead on former President Donald Trump, the favorite to win the GOP nomination.

Speaking at a recent campaign dinner in Columbia, Biden said, "You're the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former president. You're the reason Donald Trump is a loser. And you're the reason we're going to win and beat him again."

Gratitude between the president and South Carolina runs both ways. Biden's 2020 campaign was on the verge of unraveling ahead of South Carolina's primary that February. He had lost badly in the two preceding contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. Buoyed by Clyburn's endorsement, he won the primary, regained momentum and began his march to the nomination.

South Carolinians, in turn, may feel they owe Biden for using his clout as party leader to let the state hold the nation's first official contest.

Historically, Iowa and New Hampshire had gone first and second, respectively. But the Democratic National Committee voted last year to vault South Carolina to the front of the pack, citing the state's racial diversity as opposed to Iowa and New Hampshire's more predominately white voting population.

"No other president ever, ever even thought about moving Iowa and New Hampshire back  until this president did," Jamie Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee who is from South Carolina, said at a recent party event in Spartanburg. "Because he saw the value that South Carolina had for him and he understands how important this state and the people in this state are to the Democratic Party."

Reluctant to cede its pole position, New Hampshire held a contest last month all the same. Biden was not on the ballot and did not campaign in the state, but he won nonetheless in a write-in vote.

A total of 55 delegates are at stake Saturday in South Carolina. The delegates will be awarded proportionally based on the outcome. A candidate needs a total of nearly 2,000 delegates to capture the Democratic nomination.

Biden's support for Israel in its war with Hamas has emerged as a new vulnerability in his re-election bid. Some younger voters, in particular, fault Biden for sending aid to Israel as its military pounds Gaza, killing thousands of civilians.

"He's given us a reason not to vote for him," said Tierra Albert, 19, a student at Claflin University, a historically Black school in Orangeburg.

Given Biden's daunting lead, the more intriguing drama in South Carolina happens on Feb. 24 when Trump and Nikki Haley square off in the state's GOP primary. Under South Carolina's open primary system, Democrats are free to vote in the Republican primary (they are barred from voting in both, however).

That dynamic has fueled speculation that some Democrats might cross over and vote in the Republican primary for the singular purpose of helping Haley  a former South Carolina governor  and slowing Trump's march to the nomination.

Yet there are crosscutting pressures at work. South Carolina Democrats want a huge turnout to justify the party's decision to bump the state to the front of the line. A poor turnout could reopen the debate about which state should go first in 2028 and thereafter.

As he cast an early vote last month in the state's primary, Clyburn told election workers that he hoped they were busy throughout the day, meaning that Democratic voters would show up in force for Biden.

Afterward, he held a news conference and NBC News asked about the possibility that Democrats might sit out the Democratic primary and instead cast votes for Haley in the upcoming GOP contest.

"I hear about it a lot," he said of that strategic ploy. "I've never endorsed it, and I don't think it ever works."
A slogan related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is displayed on Workday pavilion, during the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2024.

Watercoolers and cubicles are dens of distrust when it comes to artificial intelligence, which has emerged as a significant force over the past year.

While both rank-and-file workers and the C-suite see AI as a great opportunity for business transformation, both sides are skeptical over its deployment. The recent rise in layoffs, especially in the tech sector, isn't helping to stem that distrust either.

Experts say that while there is widespread AI anxiety no matter which side of the desk a person sits on, having leaders enthusiastic about AI as well as providing clear communication on how it will impact and alter employee jobs is critical for its long-term success.

"There is a lot of anxiety around, but there are actually a lot of opportunities, and employees aren't getting that message because employers aren't getting that message," said Emily Rose McRae, a senior director and analyst at Gartner who leads its future of work teams. McRae said many employers have anxiety over AI and pass that on to their employees. Employers, McRae said, need to better educate themselves about the opportunities and benefits of AI. And then, she added: "People need to hear from employers, 'Here are our plans.'"

According to a recent survey from HR software company Workday, 62% of business leaders welcome AI's arrival in the workplace. Employees are even more tepid in embracing AI, with just 52% welcoming it.

McRae said that employers are often uncertain about where or how to deploy AI, leading to some trepidation. Once they see how AI can increase productivity and create new opportunities, they'll spread their enthusiasm for AI to employees. However, they must communicate clearly and show how AI will help workers.

"There is media messaging that AI will take jobs, and vendors are pushing products that show how you can use AI to eliminate jobs, so people are anxious about it," McRae said.

McRae said that employers should explain that if an employee's role needs to be reimagined, they'll have a conversation and see other ways the employee can contribute to the company. All of this, she said, will help build trust with workers.
A view of destruction after the US warplanes carried out an airstrike on the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi in Al-Qa'im city of Anbar, Iraq on February 03, 2024. Hashd al-Shaabi Media Office | Anadolu | Getty Images

The United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, reportedly killing more than 30 people, in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops. The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in a multi-tiered response by President Joe Biden's administration to the attack last weekend by Iran-backed militants. More U.S. military operations were expected in the coming days. The strikes intensified a conflict that has spread into the region since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group's deadly assault on Israel on Oct.7. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the U.S. attacks represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension in instability in the region". Iraq also condemned the U.S. attacks, saying they had killed 16 people including civilians. In Syria, the strikes killed 23 people who had been guarding the targeted locations, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization that reports on war in Syria.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II arrives to brief members of the House of Representatives in a classified, closed-door briefing about Hamas' attack on Israel in the Capitol Visitors Center Auditorium on October 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images

U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said the attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry. He said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities. Despite the strikes, the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on the Biden to deal a blow directly. Iran, a backer of Hamas, has sought to stay out of the regional conflict itself even as it supports groups that have entered the fray from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria - the so-called "Axis of Resistance" that is hostile to Israeli and U.S. interests.

'We do not seek conflict'

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the strikes that Biden had directed additional action against the IRGC and those linked to it. "This is the start of our response," Austin said. "We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces," Austin said.

A view of destruction after the US warplanes carried out an airstrike on the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi in Al-Qa'im city of Anbar, Iraq on February 03, 2024. Hashd al-Shaabi Media Office | Anadolu | Getty Images

An Iraqi government statement said the areas bombed by U.S. aircraft included places where Iraqi security forces are stationed near civilian locations. It said 23 people had been wounded in addition to the 16 killed. The White House said the United States had informed Iraq ahead of strikes. Baghdad later accused the United States of deception, saying a U.S. claim of coordination with the Iraqi authorities was "unfounded". The Syrian foreign ministry said the United States was fueling conflict in the region in a "very dangerous way". On Friday, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not start a war, but it will "respond strongly" to anyone who bullies it. Hamas condemned the U.S. strikes and said Washington was pouring "oil on the fire". Britain called the United States its "steadfast" ally and said it supports Washington's right to respond to attacks. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, arriving for an EU meeting in Brussels, said the U.S. strikes were the result of Iranian proxies "playing with fire".

More than 160 attacks on U.S. troops

The strikes hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities, the U.S. military said in a statement. In Iraq, local residents said several strikes hit the Sikak Neighborhood in Al-Qaim, a residential area that locals said was also used by armed groups to store large amounts of weapons. Militants had left the area and gone into hiding in the days since the Jordan attack, local sources said.

A view of destruction after the US warplanes carried out an airstrike on the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi in Al-Qa'im city of Anbar, Iraq on February 03, 2024. Hashd al-Shaabi Media Office | Anadolu | Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential campaign has been one disaster after another  not just because hes in the suboptimal position of being a Democrat running against a Democratic incumbent president, but also because his platform reads like a hastily-assembled collage of anti-vaxxer bumper stickers. That said, RFK Jr.s candidacy is still of interest to comedy fans mainly because his wife is Cheryl Hines, the actress best known for playing Cheryl David, Larry Davids wife (and eventually ex-wife) on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

As a result, a lot of fans have viewed Kennedys recent public screwups through a Curb lens. Like when he first announced his candidacy, following an introduction from Hines

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only to abruptly leave the stage and get caught on a hot mic scrambling to obtain a paper copy of his speech because the version on the teleprompter was upside down. It didnt take long before folks on social media added the jaunty Curb Your Enthusiasm music to the video. Sadly, there was no video footage of the campaign dinner that was interrupted by a voluminous fart, otherwise it surely would have gotten the same treatment.

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Perhaps its not fair to compare an actress real-life partner with their fictional, HBO-owned counterpart. But it is more than a little funny that Hines actual husband is seemingly a way shittier spouse than Larry David, TVs most amoral misanthrope. For example, one of the most inarguably offensive moments in Curb was when Larry stole a pair of shoes from an exhibit at a Holocaust museum.

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Its hard to top that level of galling callousness to one of the worst atrocities in human history. But Kennedy was up for the challenge! In 2022, he spoke at an anti-vaccine rally and suggested that modern-day health regulations were more oppressive than Nazi Germany, positing, Even in Hitlers Germany, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland; you can hide in an attic like Anne Frank did.

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Not surprisingly, his suggestion that Anne Frank had it super-easy because she didnt have to get inoculated or wear a mask while shopping at Trader Joes didnt go over well. The comment prompted widespread condemnation, including from Hines herself, who wrote (in a now-deleted Tweet) that his speech was reprehensible and insensitive, adding, His opinions are not a reflection of my own.

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Kennedy attempted to make things right by offering Hines a separation? Or at least an announcement of one. Apparently this was done to shield her from scrutiny of his political statements. But given the persistent rumors that Kennedy is a notorious womanizer, which Kennedys friends allegedly warned Hines about prior to their marriage, one cant help but wonder if this was really so altruistic.

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And speaking of alleged philandering, before Hines came along, Kennedy proposed to second wife Mary Richardson while still married to first wife Emily Black. And during his marriage, he reportedly kept a secret diary cataloging his various sexual conquests, which he blamed on lust demons. Say what you will about Larry David, but he remained faithful to his wife, with the exception of the times he tried to capitalize on his 10th anniversary present. And even then, he didnt try to blame it all on evil spirits.

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After Kennedys second wife committed suicide in 2012, two years after he had filed for divorce, Kennedy waged a bitter legal battle with her family in order to maintain possession of the body, which he wanted to be buried in the Kennedy family plot. He won, but after the funeral, Kennedy had his late wifes body dug up and transferred to another section of the cemetery, because, as he told gravediggers at the time, it seemed less crowded.

This was after Kennedy had started dating Hines, a courtship that, oddly, began with him asking for the real Larry Davids permission, which would seem antiquated, if not for the fact that initiating a courtship by seeking the consent of a grown womans fake TV husband was never a thing.

Cheryl David broke up with her husband for paying more attention to a cable TV repair than her panicked phone call from a turbulent airline flight. Can you imagine if Larry was A) still technically married to another woman; B) fought tooth and nail for control over her corpse; and C) quietly exhumed her body on a whim?

And while Cheryl David may not have been a huge fan of many of Larrys friends, at least they werent bad enough to warrant some sort of banning. But Hines had to flat-out forbid Kennedy from communicating with far-right agitators Steve Bannon and Alex Jones, aka the Jeff Greene and Richard Lewis of the white supremacist media world.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Located at 26 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, Osteria Danny opened in 2016 under owners Danny and Patti Petrosino.

The space at 26 Henry St. in downtown Saratoga Springs has a long history in the community. It was originally Cudneys Dry Cleaners, it was then owned by Freihofer's Bakery Outlet. The property was turned into a restaurant called Dine by Ronnie Farber and Steve Knopf in 2002. Danny Petrosino said the restaurant went through a few iterations before it was then bought by James Rua, the owner of Cafe Capriccio in Albany, who turned the space into Capriccio Saratoga in 2011.

Danny Petrosino previously owned the nearby restaurant in downtown, Mio Posto. Petrosino said that Rua had made him an offer, and the Petrosinos are now in their seventh year of business at Osteria Danny.

Petrosino said that osteria is an Italian word for the place where local people would come together and meet.

Osteria Danny is family-oriented, Petrosino said. The walls are decorated with photos of family and friends. Petrosino said that when people come to his restaurant he wants them to feel like they are eating a home cooked meal, and that the most important part of the restaurant is the food. With homemade pastas, sauces and fresh ingredients, Petrosino says unlike most restaurants, he does not have a walk-in freezer, and gets everything fresh each day.

Danny Petrosino opened his first restaurant in Schenectady, the Executive Suite, in the mid 1980s. He was the general manager and the original chef at the Glen Sanders Mansion, and has also spent time in Houston and Lake Placid, and owned a restaurant in Florida called Red Sauce before returning to upstate New York in 2015.

Its taken on a life of its own, this place, he said. We try very hard to make it so when people come here it's like when they come to our house. My wife Patti, shes one-in-a-million. She works this floor, she talks to every table that comes in here, she knows them. Its like a circus in here in the summer.

The Petrosinos have family in Italy whom they have visited regularly. Sicily is very multicultural, which Danny Petrosino said has created a diverse cuisine. At the end of the day, he cooks what he likes to eat.

Some people get it, and some people dont get it, Danny Petrosino said. Some people have asked the restaurant to change the music, but he says whether it's Ted Nugent or Rolling Stones or Motown, the restaurant plays songs he had on his old iPod.

Its the soundtrack of my life, he said.

The Daily Gazette recently spoke with Danny Petrosino about the restaurant.

Question: What are some of the most popular items you serve?

Answer: The biggest selling item on the menu is our Veal Danny. It was on my menu way back at the Executive Suite in 1985. I like to change it up and do new things, but some people always come back for what they like. We sell a lot of pasta, we make all our own pasta, and I change the sauces up, we have some things other people dont have, like a pistachio pesto. We sell a lot of wine, I have a very large selection of Italian wine. I sell more wine than other places three times our size do. I dont gouge people on it like some places do on it.

Q: Should customers make reservations?

A: We start taking reservations for track season on Jan. 2, thats the rule. There is no phone in the restaurant, the phone is my wifes cell phone, so you have to go through Patti to get a reservation, she has 7,400 contacts in her phone. We have a lot of standing reservations, like someone who comes in every Thursday. So Jan. 2, at 7 a.m., the phone starts ringing. Monday nights are pretty busy for us because most places are closed. Things are a little quieter in the winter, but in the summer, its crazy.

Q: How would you describe the atmosphere at Osteria Danny?

A: We want it to feel like youre coming to eat dinner at our house. Patti talks to every table, she knows the regulars, their kids. Its all pictures of our family, and our friends on the walls. In the summer, its a circus.

Q: As far as prices go, what are your customers typically spending?

A: My pastas are what you might consider a little high, but pretty much lower than anyone else. Even though it doesnt say it on the menu, if someone wants to get a half portion, we can make them a half portion. A lot of people will come in and sit at the bar and get a salad, my salad serves two people, its $12 or $14 but two people can eat it. I would say 60-70% of the salads we sell people split, they share a salad and they each get a half portion of a pasta for $15 or $16. Theres things on there like a veal chop thats a little more expensive.

Q:Why should someone who has never been to Osteria Danny before consider coming?

A: Come for the food. Its all about the food. I like to change up the menu. They call me a dinosaur, I dont have things labeled GF for gluten free or V for vegetarian on the menu, if someone wants something made vegetarian or gluten free I can do that. Ill make anything on the menu gluten-free.
Violet a 3-year-old pug, poodle and chihuahua mix, takes in some of the action working as a therapy dog with Operation At Ease, during a stop at Niskayuna Fire District 2 in Niskayuna Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. The staff were practicing cold weather and ice rescues.
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This week above all others ought to be the trigger for a serious appraisal of immigration in 21st-century Britain.

No one denies this would be a complex  and for some, uncomfortable  subject, with passionately held views on all sides.

But it should no longer be brushed aside, because the scale of migration has huge implications for the future character, prosperity and cohesion of our nation.

The public is justifiably angry that the immigration and asylum system seems to be broken. They are baffled how, with Brexit done, the Government is still failing to control our borders.

We desperately need a mature, clear-headed and  above all  insult-free debate about what is going wrong.

Abdul Ezedi (pictured) is wanted for allegedly attacking a mother and her daughters with a corrosive substance

The question is: Are our political leaders capable of meeting this huge challenge? Depressingly, the evidence of the past three decades suggest they're not. Look, for a start, at legal migration. Official figures predict the UK's population will reach almost 74 million by 2036, after an unprecedented 6.6 million surge  equivalent to five cities the size of Birmingham.

The difference from previous population booms is this time migrants would account for a staggering 92 per cent of the rise.

Yes, the vast majority of those coming here are upstanding citizens who contribute hugely to our society. But voters never consented to such an enormous influx.

Britain couldn't possibly handle such rapid upheaval. Our housing, schools, hospitals and other services are already groaning under sheer weight of numbers.

Another downside of mass immigration reared its ugly head on Thursday. Tory MP Mike Freer, a friend of Israel who represents a strongly Jewish constituency, announced he was stepping down after a decade of death threats from Islamist extremists.

Despite enjoying the security of Britain, these religious radicals loathe our liberal values. Yet the powers-that-be, fearing racism accusations, stand supinely by as Muslim mobs threaten violence against anyone who disagrees with them.

And now we have the appalling case of Abdul Ezedi, wanted for allegedly attacking a mother and her daughters with a corrosive substance. This grimmest of crimes has left many troubling questions in its wake. But chief among them must be: What on earth was this coward doing in Britain at all?

Having illegally sneaked into this country in a lorry in 2016, the Afghan refugee was twice refused asylum. Then, despite subsequently being convicted of sexual assault, he was granted sanctuary after supposedly converting to Christianity.

Could there be more damning proof of the manifold failures of our asylum system?

Why wasn't he kicked out at the first opportunity? The unpalatable truth is, once here, the chance of deporting a foreign criminal or failed refugee is minute.

There is a brigade of human-rights activists and Left-leaning lawyers advancing spurious claims and soft judges acting as a roadblock against the public interest.

The time has come for root-and-branch reform of this broken system  after years of open abuse and failed opportunities.

Tory MP Mike Freer (pictured), a friend of Israel who represents a strongly Jewish constituency, announced he was stepping down after a decade of death threats from Islamist extremists

The public has repeatedly demanded lower immigration, the removal of bogus asylum seekers and tighter borders. The political class must now listen (File image)

Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill contains measures to deter illegal migrants. Inevitably, though, it is being held up by condescending unelected Lords.

While it's true the Government has had ample time to solve these issues, a Labour government wouldn't do any better. After all, Sir Keir Starmer has form for helping halt the deportation of violent criminals and calling for open borders.

The public has repeatedly demanded lower immigration, the removal of bogus asylum seekers and tighter borders. The political class must now listen.

As things stand, the establishment is breaking the social contract. The safety and well-being of the public seems to be of secondary concern. This cannot continue.
Do YOU have any strange dating stories. Email shannon.mcguigan@mailonline.co.uk

Shann Ng from Singapore made the 8,765 miles after only a few months

One woman moved all the way to the USA after finding love on LinkedIn, and even though it didn't work out - she would still use the platform over Tinder or Hinge.

In 2014, Shann Ng from Singapore was fresh off the back of a seven year relationship and was not on the hunt for love.

But love still found its way to her, connecting with someone on LinkedIn in the most unexpected way.

Even though, the relationship eventually ended six months after she made intercontinental journey to live with him - she still believes the platform is better than traditional dating apps.

Shann Ng (pictured), 41, from Singapore was fresh off the back of a seven-year relationship when she first met her ex-partner on LinkedIn - even though it didn't work out she would still use the platform over Hinge or Tinder

Shann told MailOnline: 'Definitely will still date on LinkedIn. I would say the chances of me dating someone from LinkedIn rather than a dating app is 99.9%.

'The likelihood I will meet up with someone from a dating app is 0 %, unless that person adds me on LinkedIn.'

She continued: 'Honestly I don't see myself re-downloading dating apps. Having to see all these things that happen to women everyday - I am better off focusing on myself.'

Shann, who works in the FinTech industry, first reached out to her ex-partner on a purely professional basis, asking for his opinion on a product.

The lovebirds quickly discovered they shared not only a similar industry, but also plenty of interests, from video games to their passion for technology.

Confessing she was in the midst of a 'mid-life crisis' and a 'stand still in her career', the 41-year-old added: 'He taught me a lot of things and we got on so well.'

'When I first clicked with him, I thought "I have never clicked with someone so similar to me". He's the male version of me. We are kind of like twins.'

Only a month into getting to know each other, Shann's former flame made the 8,765 mile journey from LA to Singapore.

She initially approached him to ask for his opinion on a product, but the pair quickly discovered they had plenty in common, from video games to their love of technology

After a couple months of knowing the fellow FinTech professional, Shann took the plunge and moved 8,765 miles to the USA to be with him, adding that she was 'really excited for this new chapter'

After a blissful trip full of introductions with her family and friends, the pair soon realised they could not be apart.

According to Shann, the pair vigorously messaged each other his whole flight journey home.

Poll What dating apps do YOU use? Hinge Tinder Bumble Badoo eHarmony OkCupid What dating apps do YOU use? Hinge 14 votes

Tinder 23 votes

Bumble 14 votes

Badoo 3 votes

eHarmony 9 votes

OkCupid 5 votes Now share your opinion





She added: 'When he left, we were like "Hey I really miss you" so he said "Why don't you fly to the US and we can go from there."'

'It wasn't even a question it was like okay lets do it.'

For many an international move would be quite daunting, but the 41-year-old admitted she wasn't frightened about the move at all.

'I am really familiar with the US so I wasn't scared of moving there.

'I was actually really excited because I had never lived there permanently,' she shared.

'I was just really excited for this new chapter of my life.'

The couple initially enjoyed their honeymoon phase when Shann first moved to their LA apartment - a time she compared to 'a rom-com.'

But six months, another living change and a dachshund dog later, the couple's relationship soon turned came to a screeching halt.

But their honeymoon did not last. Six months after her arrival to LA - one dog and another move later - the pair decided to call it a day on their romance

Citing their work-a-holic nature and increasing arguments for their split, Shann made the long-haul flight home to Singapore.

'It was the longest flight I ever had in my life, it took me a very long time to get over the pain because I had to get over two broken relationships at the same time.'

READ MORE: Single people shun Tinder and turn to LINKEDIN to find love as business platform allows them to filter potential matches by career and education  but experts warn it can spark affairs Advertisement

'Looking back I wouldn't have changed any of this. Maybe there are regrets but now there are 0.

'Everything comes together perfectly including teaching me a life lesson.'

Despite the heartache, the 41-year-old would still use LinkedIn over any other dating app.

It's even a requirement to be connected on the career oriented platform before even attempting a first date.

'Whenever a guy tries to know me add me or meet up I will always ask them to add me on LinkedIn and if they say no they don't have Linkedin I won't meet them.'

She joked: 'Its 2024. Who does great work but doesnt have LinkedIn?'

According to the Singaporean, LinkedIn gives you far more insight into who a potential suitor is, from their educational background, their job and their interests.

She also believes the platform allows you to gauge an individual's personality from their coworkers and bosses' recommendations.

But the 41-year-old has no regrets about her decisions, quipping that she would much rather use LinkedIn over a dating app. She confessed that she does not meet up with any men unless they connect on LinkedIn

'Recently, even my friend has even mentioned that LinkedIn is a great dating tool. LinkedIn is kind of like submitting your CV to get into a relationship.' she joked.

However, Shann is not encouraging everyone to hop on and misuse the career-focused social media platform.

'I think professionally you shouldn't just reach out to people on LinkedIn because you want to date them. Its a bit intrusive.

'I wasnt really using it for dating I just happened to meet my previous partner on LinkedIn.'

Since her ex-boyfriend, Shann has not met anyone new on LinkedIn, adding that she uses it in 'a very professional capacity'.

'If I am interested in someone I will take the conversation offline.'
In the video she unlocks her 'deepest memories' from her childhood days

Yolanda shared that 'Mexican babies' are 'dripped out' thanks to their parents

An influencer has been left stunned after discovering a treasure trove of gold jewelry that was left sitting in her mom's house in Mexico.

US-based content creator Yolanda Diaz posted a TikTok as she uncovered each item - ranging from earrings to bracelets to necklaces.

Yolanda humorously shared that 'Mexican babies are dripped out' thanks to their parents gifting them so much 'baby jewelry' as newborns.

In the video, she unlocked her 'deepest memories' from her childhood and learned the sentimental stories behind the gleaming gold pieces.

US-based content creator Yolanda Diaz posted a TikTok as she uncovered each item - ranging from earrings to bracelets to necklaces

Yolanda humorously shared that 'Mexican babies are dripped out' thanks to their parents gifting them so much 'baby jewelry' as newborns

In the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 2.8 million times, Yolanda explained how her reconnection to her roots was provoked when her mother suddenly asked her: 'Do you wanna take home your baby jewelry?'

She continued: 'Then she whips out the coolest jewelry that I've ever seen.'

Launching straight into the unexpected haul, she said: 'First off, we have our baby bracelets.

'Mexican babies are dripped out,' Yolanda declared pointing to the gold chain, which she referred to as a pulsera.

'I don't know if this was mine, I don't know if it was my brother's, but it still fits my wrist....'

The next item that the content creator held up to the camera was an elephant ring, which awakened a nostalgic response.

'This unlocked the deepest memory for me. The moment I saw it, it clicked that that used to be mine when I was little,' Yolanda said.

She explained that now 'it hardly fits any finger' but declared: 'How pretty is that? It's a little elephant with a little ruby in it.'

In the video, she unlocked her 'deepest memories' from her childhood and learned the sentimental stories behind the gleaming gold pieces

Yolanda showcased a pair of delicate gold earrings (left) as well as a gold-plated necklace of her name (right)

Next, Yolanda showcased a second ring that featured 'two little diamonds and a ruby on it,' and she commented that its 'so pretty' and confirmed that she 'would wear that today.'

While still in shock, she went on to explain that her mother 'just casually has the most stunning little vintage watch she's never worn.'

Yolanda vowed to wear the timepiece 'every day,' but the treasure trove did not stop there.

Holding up a pair of gold earrings, she said: 'These are decades old. They're so beautiful. They're from Oaxaca in Mexico.'

Yolanda proceeded to ask her mom about the story behind the earrings and when she heard, her jaw dropped.

With a radiant smile, she told her 1.4 million followers: 'They were my great grandmother's whose name was Celestina.

'She gave them to my grandmother on her wedding day - my grandmother's name was Delfina. How beautiful are their names?'

@yolandaadiazz The story of the earrings is  this time at home w her has been magical  original sound - Yolanda Diaz

Yolanda's video was quickly flooded with lots of supportive comments from viewers

She continued: 'Before my grandma passed, she gave these to my mom, who is now giving them to me.

'However, I'm gonna keep them here because they feel so delicate and fragile. Feel like they would be safer here.'

Yolanda then held up 'the coolest piece' that her mother wanted her to take home was a gold-plated necklace of her name.

She shared: 'I haven't seen this in years.'

The content creator concluded the video by enthusiastically saying: 'This woman had me dripped out as a toddler. How cool is all that?'

Yolanda's video was quickly flooded with lots of supportive comments from viewers.

One person wrote, 'This is so wonderful. I love that your mother kept these for you,' and Yolanda replied: 'Me too, it means the world.'

Another follower added: 'I adore you and your love for your family.'

Many commenters shared in the cultural tradition of getting jewelry as babies

Yolanda's mom (pictured with the content creator) who informed her of the touching stories behind the baby jewelry she received as a newborn

'Awww now you get to give your future babies your baby jewelry,' someone else wrote.

A fourth commenter added: 'Ugh my whole heart.'

Many commenters shared in the cultural tradition of getting jewelry as babies.

One person wrote: 'Omgg this made me emotional, some of my favorite/most special pieces of jewelry are those passed down to me from my parents. Also, the name plate. OBSESSED!'

Another follower added: 'I'm half Albanian and also have a baby bracelet like that lol.'

'I'm Honduran and my mom gave me a pulsera too when I was little,' a third person commented.

'Italian families too have the golden bracelet tradition,' someone else added.

One person wrote: 'I don't know what part of Oaxaca your mom is from, but my family is also from Oaxaca and when we got married, our parents gave us our wedding earrings.'
An upcoming documentary is set to unravel the twisted story of a mysterious hiker dubbed 'Mostly Harmless' who was found dead in the woods.

The 5'8 body of the unnamed man was discovered in a yellow tent at Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, on July 23, 2018, emaciated and weighing just 83 pounds.

He was found with no wallet, phone or ID and it took more than two years for Collier County detectives and amateur internet sleuths to crack the case.

The hiker was then unmasked as Vance Rodriguez, a 44-year-old originally from Louisiana, who was described by friends as being 'wicked smart,' reclusive, and struggled with personal relationships.

Here, FEMAIL has laid bare the chilling details of the case as Max gets set to release They Called Him Mostly Harmless.

The body of the unnamed man was discovered in a yellow tent at Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, on July 23, 2018, emaciated and weighing just 83 pounds

He was found with no wallet, phone or ID and it took more than two years for Collier County detectives and amateur internet sleuths to crack the case

The case began when a group of day hikers stumbled across the body less than five miles from a busy highway after perceiving a foul smell coming from his tent.

The man was found with $3,500 in cash, notebooks filled with computer code, and plentiful food supplies.

But commentators told the latest documentary: 'There was nothing there with a name on it - no wallet, no credit cards, no photo ID - we don't really know who he is.'

Police initially released a composite rendering of what he likely looked like before he died.

Soon after other hikers started sharing photographs of a man - who had never provided his real name and instead went by 'Denim' or 'Ben Bilemy' - that they met on their treks who appeared to match the rendering.

The most haunting moniker he gave himself was 'Mostly Harmless' - as one investigator said: 'If you're mostly harmless, you're also partly harmful.'

The case puzzled police and detectives for years as examiners determined that he had no underlying health conditions and police ruled out any foul play after the money was found inside his tent.

Furthermore, there were no reports of missing persons who matched the man's description, and his DNA and fingerprints did not yield any results in database searches - leaving investigators stumped.

But thousands of internet sleuths soon weighed in.

The most haunting nickname he gave himself was 'Mostly Harmless' - as one investigator said: 'If you're mostly harmless, you're also partly harmful'

He was eventually identified as Vance Rodriguez who was first seen in the woods in the spring of 2017 near New York's Harriman State Park before continuing southbound down Appalachian Trail, Pinhoti and Florida trails

The new documentary puts some of the amateur detectives who helped unravel the case firmly in the spotlight

The sleuths began collating evidence, recording sightings and connecting 'small bits of information that he would reveal'

The new documentary puts some of the amateur detectives who helped unravel the case firmly in the spotlight as one woman explained: 'This is my first case.

'By day I'm a mild-mannered delivery person and at night I get unidentified people identified.

'I went on to Facebook. I felt like maybe I could help... The group blew up.'

The Facebook Group dedicated to finding the real identity of Mostly Harmless grew to have nearly 7,000 members worldwide.

Another member told the documentary: 'I don't know anything about sleuthing cases but this was a member of my community - we take care of each other.

'The hikers were the only people we knew that actually had talked to this person.'

Natasha Teasley, the administrator of the group, had built a website about the case, creating a timeline of every recorded stop or run in with other hikers Mostly Harmless had made.

She also organized a fundraising effort to bring in Othram, a Texas-based DNA lab, into the case that found he had Cajun ancestry, which originates in the bayou areas of southern Louisiana.

Mostly Harmless told one hiker in Pennsylvania he went to the woods because he was 'depressed with his life and needed a complete change.'

Once his identity was finally released, friends from Louisiana made a series of revelations about him - stating he was very intelligent but struggled with personal relationships, especially with his family

The sleuths began collating evidence, recording sightings and connecting 'small bits of information that he would reveal.'

But most agreed that he was 'definitely trying to stay anonymous.'

He was eventually identified as former tech worker Vance Rodriguez - who was first seen in the woods in the spring of 2017 near New York's Harriman State Park before continuing southbound down Appalachian Trail, Pinhoti and Florida trails.

Once his identity was finally released, friends from Louisiana made a series of revelations about him - stating he was very intelligent but struggled with personal relationships, especially with his family.

One friend from Baton Rouge named Marie described him as 'hot and cold' and said he had 'outages' or depressive episodes where he could be mean and shut people out of his life.

'He was deeply kind and caring and a bit of a d***,' Marie said.

He had tried to take his own life aged just 15 after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the abdomen - from which he still had the scar.

The revelations about Rodriguez's true identity led many to speculate that he had made the intentional decision to die - with some pointing out that he was found severely underweight despite having food with him and being near a busy highway.

An autopsy report revealed his cause of death as 'undetermined'.

They Called Him Mostly Harmless premieres on Max on February 8.
A pregnant mother has divided opinion online after sharing her controversial list of baby names she loves.

Nara Smith, a model and influencer who lives in the US, has faced backlash from trolls after revealing the unique list online.

She posted the video under her TikTok handle @naraazizasmith and it has already been seen by almost 10 million people.

The 22-year-old is married to fellow model, Lucky Blue Smith, and they already have two children together.

They are parents to a little girl called Rumble Honey Smith and a boy called Slim Easy Smith.

A mother has divided opinion online after sharing her controversial list of baby names she loves

The couple faced backlash back in 2022 when their son was born and they announced his name to the world - they were criticiszed for putting a target on their baby's back for bullies in school.

However, they managed to ignore the haters and Nara is still a fan of more unusual names.

In her TikTok that was posted last month, she told viewers: 'These are some baby names that are on my list that I won't be using. For reference our kids have pretty unique names.

'My daughters name is Rumble Honey Smith and my sons name is Slim Easy Smith. So these might be a little out there, but let's get started'.

The model exclaimed: 'For a girls name I really love the names Odie, Pepper and Dawn.

'They're all really cute to me. I really like Cherry as a middle name, my husband doesn't really like that name.

'I also like Bubble as a second name. That might be controversial, and I love the name Pear as a first name'.

Moving on to boys, she adds: 'I love the name Frosty still if you guys remember. What else was there? Sunny, Silver, Zen. Those are a few but we won't be using them for this baby'.

Nara Smith, a model and influencer who lives in the US, has faced backlash from trolls after revealing the unique list online

The 22-year-old (LEFT) is married to fellow model, Lucky Blue Smith (RIGHT) and they already have two children together

The couple faced backlash back in 2022 when their son was born and they announced his name to the world - they were criticiszed for putting a target on their baby's back for bullies in school

However, commenters were quick to express their shock at the quirky choices, with one penning: 'Slim Easy and Rumble Honey? What'

However, commenters were quick to express their shock at the quirky choices, with one penning: 'Slim Easy and Rumble Honey? What'.

A second asked: 'Slim Easy? as in Eminem?,' to which Nara replied, 'No as in the iconic older name Slim that was used a lot back in the day'.

Meanwhile a third pointed out: 'Baby names.. what about when they grow up,' alongside a crying emoji.

Another added: 'I think people forget that theyre children will be adults. Imagine telling someone your name is Slim Easy at a job interview'.

Others joked: 'How about Apple bottom Jeans' and 'Frosty sister please be serious'.

Another quipped: 'Are you naming kids or cats?,' with someone else chiming in with: 'Puppy names'.

One puzzled viewer asked: 'Why are the names so unique?,' to which the model explained she prefers 'no one else having their same name or it at least not be common at all'.

Someone else reasoned: 'These names are so cute but I feel like when they grow older it wont fit anymore'.

Although, not everyone was hating and some users liked the names, writing: 'I love all of your name choices. So unique and cute'.

Another remarked: 'I love when babies have unique names! Your kids have such cool names! My kids names are River, Arrow, Storm, and Ember'.

Meanwhile, someone else pointed out: 'Y'all these babies are gonna look like models. These names are fitting'.

It comes just after the most popular baby names of 2023 were revealed, with a new choice claiming first place on the girls' list.

While Muhammad continues to reign for boys, a girls' name that was previously displaced from the top spot has once again secured the crown, according to leading pregnancy and parenting destination, BabyCentre.

Olivia has returned to the number one spot for 2023, partly due to the way in which BabyCentre ranks its names.
After several years of being a society addicted to our smartphones, a growing trend is emerging in which younger people ditch their devices and go back to basics.

The 'dumbphone' is having a renaissance among Gen Z - and one UK teen flying the flag for the trend has explained why she made the switch.

A 'dumbphone' is a mobile device based on older phone models. As more and more young people give up their high-tech phones, they say they are protecting their mental health and cutting down on screen time.

Models that were once the pinnacle of technological advancement, but have since been taken over by giants like Apple and Samsung are now making a comeback as youngsters yearn for the peace of mind that comes with living 'offline'.

Lio, from the UK, has revealed on YouTube why she chose to have a 'digital detox', after becoming concerned about how much time she was spending on her phone.

Lio, from the UK, has documented her transition to dumbphones in a series of videos on Youtube , where she encourages smartphone users to partake in a 'digital detox'

In one video, uploaded to her channel @theliopleurodon in May 2023, Lio updated viewers on her progress with switching to a 'dumbphone' after using it for a week.

In the clip, the teenager showcases her Nokia 6300 4G device, and explains how the phone has already altered how much time she spends on her Samsung Galaxy A8 smartphone.

The Nokia 6300 4G, is a model that offers the basics such as SMS messaging and a keypad. Users can still browse the internet on this model.

Explaining why she made the decision to 'downgrade' from a smartphone device, Lio blamed the 'addictiveness' of social media and access to online sites.

She said: 'I realised I was becoming more and more addicted to it. It was endless scrolling on things like Youtube shorts and Instagram reels.

'If I had a second where I wasn't doing anything, I would check my emails, find something random to Google. I watched videos on how short-form content lowers your attention span.'

She realised she could no longer 'sit down and read' and began to fear she might have undiagnosed ADHD - so she decided to take action and purchased the Nokia model.

Although she's now unable to 'listen to Spotify on the way to work,' Lio insists that the device still has plenty of fun features, such as being able to take photos and using Whatsapp to continue communicating with loved ones.

She claims her attention span has increased in the one week of using the phone, and is now able to read much more and watch movies 'without breaks' in her spare time.

Lio claims that her attention span has increased in the one week of using the phone, and is now able to read much more and watch movies 'without breaks' in her spare time

Lio said: 'It's really quick to detox yourself when you get back into these old habits. I do think using one of these phones is a great way to detox and or completely get rid of that social media addiction.

She added: 'It's been a positive experience. I've enjoyed it and I've been more aware of life. I've been living more. I feel more... present.'

To date, Lio's video has been watched more than 16,000 times and has received over 80 comments from supportive smartphone users, as well as testimonies from those who have also made the switch.

One person wrote: 'Downgraded your phone. Upgraded your life,' while another said, 'Thank you for sharing this video. Smartphones are making people dumber and dumber.'

A third commented: 'I love this trend so much. As I went through my 20s I noticed that concerts were less fun, parties were filled with people on their phones. So happy to see younger people escaping the soul sucking rectangles.'

The Nokia 6300 4G is a model that features the basics of its predecessors, such as SMS messaging, a classic keypad and an easy-to-navigate screen, but allows users to browse social media apps and stream videos online

Lio's video has garnered over 80 comments from supportive smartphone users, as well as testimonies from those who have also made the switch

A contented 'dumbphone' user wrote: 'Watching this from my Nokia 6300, got it yesterday and looove it. Very glad I made the switch finally, and yeah I relate a lot to you.'

Amid the retro revival of the models of yesteryear, Nokia launched a new, hot pink flip phone in May 2023 called the Nokia 2660 Flip.

Its launch came exactly 25 years on from the launch of Nokia's first ever flip phone back in 1998.

'There's been a surge of interest in flip phones, and we believe that the interest is coming from a need to take a break from the constant flow of incoming digital notifications, social media posts and more,' said Lars Silberbauer, Chief Marketing Officer from HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones.
On the hunt for her dream wedding dress, a bride-to-be took the ultimate gamble - and it paid off.

Charlotte Pickering, a Briton who's set to get married this year, spotted a Vera Wang gown that took her fancy on Vinted.

Taking a risk, she decided to buy the 200 bargain after seeing only a few images online and without ever viewing it in person.

She documented her journey on TikTok under her handle @charr_p, from the moment she ordered to it, to the first time she tried it on.

Viewers have dubbed the gorgrous dress the 'find of the century' and claiming it was 'made for her'.

On the hunt for her dream wedding dress, a bride-to-be took the ultimate gamble - and it paid off

Her first video captioned: 'What have I done?', which she posted last week, has been seen by more than 1.3 million people

She told viewers: 'In hunting for my wedding dress, I've ever done something really stupid or really great.

'I have bought a 200 Vera Wang dress from Vinted completely blind, I haven't seen it in person and can only find a couple of pictures of it online other than the pictures on Vinted.

'And it arrives any day now, so yeah come with me on this journey to find out whether I have just scored the bargain of the century or I have mucked up'.

The specific dress in question is an older style that's only sold now in the US - it's retailing secondhand online for around $700 (549.68).

As promised, a few days later Charlotte returned to TikTok to film herself opening up the parcel, which arrived in a large box.

Nervous, she remarked: 'So, I didn't expect it to come with Royal Mail. It's not even 9am. I'm genuinely really scared to open it.

'Classic Vinted, to be honest I thought it was gonna turn up in a plastic bag, so the box is promising. I feel we're on to a good start. The fiance in question is just upstairs'.

As promised, a few days later Charlotte returned to TikTok to film herself opening up the parcel, which arrived in a large box

'So far, so good,' she comments as she cuts through the packaging and takes a peek inside.

The mother of one first pulls out a white corsage which is in a seperate bag.

Pleased, she adds: 'Oh, so from what I could find online, there were pictures of the corsage at the very top but I couldn't see that on her picture, so I presumed she'd taken that off. But actually it's still there'.

She pulled the stunning gown out of the bag and appeared to be speechless with shock.

Viewers flocked to the comments to congratulate the bride-to-be on her find, with one user penning: 'Jesus who sold it for 200? I need the story behind the dress!'

Charlotte replied, 'The most lovely seller Ive ever come across! She genuinely just wanted it to be worn again'.

A second quipped: 'We need to see this on! What a find,' with a third adding, 'Congratulations, best story. You should try and invite the previous owner to the big day'.

Excited, another user wrote: 'Stunning, your gamble paid off. Ive never been so happy for a person Ive never met and you are right we are now all invested'.

Viewers flocked to the comments to congratulate the bride-to-be on her find, with one user penning: 'Jesus who sold it for 200? I need the story behind the dress!'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Celebrity bridal stylist reveals her three rules for picking out the PERFECT wedding dress no matter your budget Advertisement

Others chimed in with: 'Stunning what a bargain' and 'Youre getting married wearing Vera Wang! Gorgeous'.

She also filmed herself trying on the dress in a separate video, where it appeared to be a perfect fit.

With her hands over her mouth in surprise, Charlotte gushed: 'If it doesn't fit now, it's really not far off'.

One follower commented: 'You look amazing. Looks like it was made for you. What a find!'

Others exclaimed: 'Find of the century. It was made for you' and 'It is absolutely stunning on you! Wow! 200 it just cant be!

'Bargain of the century! It will fit, you look amazing and you dont have makeup on!'

The bride responded: 'I am still in shock! Even more in shock that it was on Vinted for over a year before I found it!'

Meanwhile, another fan gushed: 'That's the best vinted find I've ever seen! You look stunning in it!'

Someone else added: 'Well that gamble paid off, stunning my lovely'.

Another fan of the frock questioned: 'Do you know what the name of the dress is? It's beautiful'.

Charlotte made a video in response to reveal what she knows about her dream dress, which isn't a lot.

She explained: 'I haven't actually been able to find much information on it at all online but from what my deep dive could pull out, I believe it is called 'Tiered Organza T-back Ballgown'.

'I've only been able to find a couple of stock images so if anyone's found anything else, I'd really love to see.

'I believe it was from David's bridal originally, going off the bag it was posted in, but I don't think they operate within the UK anymore'.

She added: 'I didn't realise that it was photographed with a veil originally and I didn't ever imagine wearing a veil but it looks amazing, so now I need to start researching veils and lengths and styles'.
A South African university residence contains a horrific 'punishment room' where men are forced to drink toxic concoctions and doused with 'urine-like liquids', reports have claimed.

A former first-year student at Stellenbosch University, in the Western Cape province - who resided at the Wilgenhof residence in 2022 - has revealed the appalling allegations in a 23-page document, according to News24.

The whistleblower says he left last year because he was 'dead scared' by the abuse experienced by pupils.

He recounted how members of the so called 'Nagligte' - meaning 'night lights' - served as 'a disciplinary committee' who 'dressed like medieval executioners'.

They were said to force young men to stand in a line and take their clothes off.

A former first-year student at Stellenbosch University (pictured), in the Western Cape province - who resided at the Wilgenhof residence in 2022 - has revealed the appalling allegations in a 23-page document, according to News24

Last month, the outlet said staff at the university raided two rooms in Wilgenhof, where drawings seemingly showing 'male sexual assault' were found, along with a 'toxic' mixture said to induce diarrhoea - and ominious black hoods.

There was also an 'indemnity form' signed last year, allegedly authorising former Wilgenhof students to incite 'boot camp-style' exercises which may result 'possible death'.

The student's document also described a 'Die Loop' - meaning 'The Run' - which would take place on the first Tuesday of a new academic term and would 'punish' students who have been 'crimed' for a series of offences, but it is not clear what misdemeanors this would be for.

On the night itself - with people selected as onlookers to make sure no one from the University would catch on - students were allegedly forced to perform physical tasks while having insults and verbal abuse hurled at them.

The whistleblower revealed that in one incident, he was pulled out of bed at 4am and held down while older students 'funnelled alcohol down his throat'.

Bizarrely, his account also described an a cappella group called Kraaie (the crows), who serenaded Wilgenhof members as well as 'several ladies' residences.

The document added that 'as the year progressed, senior members of the Kraaie would, during singing sessions, randomly drop their pants and continue singing half exposed'.

A university insider speaking to News24 revealed that staff decided to investigate the rooms after worrying about the welfare of first-years - and that the whistleblower was interviewed by staff for six hours, before writing down his experiences.

A South African university residence contains a horrific 'punishment room' (pictured) where men are forced to drink toxic concoctions and doused with 'urine-like liquids', reports have claimed

South African TikToker Cool Story Bru made a video about the horrific claims, which now has more than 2.1 million views

South African TikToker Cool Story Bru made a video about the horrific claims, which now has more than 2.1 million views.

In his report, the influencer also mentioned that there were 'strange photographs of drawings linked to the initiation at the res' as well 'disturbing dark robes and hoods'.

He also told followers that the residence contained a 'punishment room' which had 'used condoms, broken eggshells, and writings on the walls' in it.

MailOnline has reached out to Stellenbosch University and the Wilgenhof men's residence for comment.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at the university told FEMAIL: 'As the Rector of this formidable institution, I want to assure all our staff, students, and parents that we are attending to the matter with the seriousness that it deserves within the approved policies and practices of our institution.'

In a statement to News24, a university spokesperson said: 'While the articles seem to point to unacceptable practices in the residence, the panel considering the material must be given a fair chance to review all the material.

'Therefore, Stellenbosch University cannot at this stage elaborate on the details of the items, since it is now the subject of a thorough review by the panel, which will advise the university on the further appropriate handling of this matter.'

He also added that leadership at the institution remain focused on 'ensuring the human dignity of all our students, and we will continue unabated to eradicate unacceptable practices from our campuses and residences'.

Meanwhile, Wilgenhof told the outlet: As is often the case with historical artefacts, some of the contents could potentially give offence or be misunderstood if not explained in its correct historical context.

'We have engaged with Stellenbosch University and offered to provide the necessary historical context in this regard. We have, however, not had sight of the archive materials and hence cannot comment on the contents comprehensively.'

According to its website Wilgenhof is 'founded on the principles of Respect, Individuality, Sense of Community and Critical Thinking, informed by the pursuit of Excellence'.
The Duchess of Edinburgh delighted guests with a surprise visit to a tea party for elderly people at The Lighthouse in Barnsbury, Woking, on Wednesday.

Sophie, who is The Lighthouse charitys patron, appeared in high spirits as joined the volunteer team in serving tea and cake while chatting to guests.

The mother-of-two, 59, looked stylishly cosy in a Max Mara pink cashmere jumper and Gabriela Hearst wool skirt, teamed with a padded gilet from Massimo Dutti.

The Tea & Cake for Senior Citizens get-together included delicious treats, a trivia quiz and knitting activity, as well as vibrant conversation.

The weekly event attracts a number of local residents who are looking for friendship in the heart of the Barnsbury estate.

The Duchess of Edinburgh delighted guests with a surprise visit to a tea party for elderly people at The Lighthouse in Barnsbury, Woking, on Wednesday

Sophie joined the volunteer team for the afternoon on Wednesday.

The royal appeared to be thrilled to join the group in serving tea and cake, playing quizmaster and chatting with guests.

Additionally, she helped sort donations for the community fridge and even joined in knitting the distinct woollen cosies that are used at The Lighthouse's social enterprise coffeehouse, appropriately named The Cosy.

Sophie looked effortlessly stylish in a Max Mara pink cashmere jumper and Gabriela Hearst wool skirt, teamed with a padded gilet from Massimo Dutti.

She topped her ensemble with a branded apron, emblazoned with 'The Lighthouse Kitchen'.

The mother-of-two showcased a natural make-up look, while her hair was tied back into a messy chignon.

'It was such a brilliant afternoon and a highlight at the start of the year for our little community,' said Anna Wright, centre manager.

'The Duchess made everyone feel so special, showing interest and care to our guests, and rolling up her sleeves with the volunteers.'

Sophie, who is The Lighthouse charitys patron, appeared in high spirits as joined the volunteer team in serving tea and cake while chatting to guests

The mother-of-two, 59, looked stylishly cosy in a Max Mara pink cashmere jumper and Gabriela Hearst wool skirt, teamed with a padded gilet from Massimo Dutti

The Tea & Cake for Senior Citizens get-together included delicious treats, a trivia quiz and knitting activity, as well as vibrant conversation

It comes after Sophie said tampons and sanitary pads should be kept 'out of the closet' to encourage more conversations about periods in the home.

Sophie, a patron of Wellbeing of Women, was speaking during a visit to Harris Girls' Academy in East Dulwich, London, to raise awareness of menstrual health issues.

During a workshop, as the largely female pupils discussed the question 'what is a normal period?', Sophie candidly revealed something of her own challenges as a senior working royal, telling the students: 'When you have heavy periods worrying about when you stand up from a chair. That's the worst one.'

Earlier she was met by Lynn Cooper, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, who presented Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair of Wellbeing of Women and Women's Health Ambassador.

The weekly event attracts a number of local residents who are looking for friendship in the heart of the Barnsbury estate

The royal appeared to be thrilled to join the group in serving tea and cake, playing quizmaster and chatting with guests

It comes after Sophie said tampons and sanitary pads should be kept 'out of the closet' to encourage more conversations about periods in the home

Dame Lesley accompanied the duchess during the visit and led the workshop for girls aged 15-18.

Ms Tanya Simon-Hall, owner of the menstrual health education workshops Adeno Gang, held a 'myth-buster talk', to break down the taboos.

The duchess heard that some of the girls were aware of friends forced to stay at home during their periods because they couldn't afford sanitary pads.

Sophie speaks to those at The Lighthouse who gathered for the event

And she spoke to the girls about how period products and how tampon size related to flow rather than body shape.

She said: 'If you were going to shopping and your friends are going for the mini and regular tampons are you going to feel self-conscious saying 'I need the big guns'?

'It's not because the size of what you are thinking 'Oh I must be really big down there'.'

She went on to say that period products should be on display at home rather than locked in a cupboard, saying: 'Let's get them out of the closet.'
Over the years, many A-list romances have fallen prey to the Hollywood curse, struggling to come to grips with the fierce spotlight that is often put on their personal lives and often succumbing to the pressures that come with dating in the public eye.

But ultra-private power couple Julia Roberts and Danny Moder have defied all odds, and their relationship is as rock solid now as it was when they first tied the knot more than two decades ago.

While the actress, 56, and the cinematographer, 55, have kept many details of their love story out of the spotlight, when they do share rare glimpses into their marriage, it's clear that they are as happy as could be together, nearly 22 years after they walked down the aisle.

Most recently, Julia shared a loved-up snap of her and Danny cuddling in honor of his 55th birthday, which she captioned, 'Happy birthday to this amazing man who lights up our world.'

Power couple Julia Roberts and Danny Moder (seen in 2020) have proven the test of time and have been together for more than two decades now

The actress recently shared a loved-up snap of her and Danny cuddling in honor of his 55th birthday, which she captioned, 'Happy birthday to this amazing man who lights up our world'

From how they met to the heartwarming things they've said about each other, here's a complete timeline of Julia and Danny's relationship. They're seen with their three kids

Perhaps it's because they work so hard to keep their romance private - something that is certainly not easy for one of the biggest movie stars on the globe - that their marriage has stayed strong for so long.

The Pretty Woman alum thinks it's their physical connection that has kept the spark alive - when asked what she thought the key to 'a happy marriage' was in an interview last month, she jokingly responded, 'Lots of kissing.'

Whatever it may be, Julia and Danny have shown time and time again that they are the real deal - but that doesn't mean they haven't faced their fair share of controversy.

In fact, their romance started off by being shrouded in scandal since they met when they were both seeing other people - Danny was married - but they both split from their respective partners soon after.

And when news hit the web that they were dating not long after he finalized his divorce, many speculated that Julia was to blame for the dissolvement of his marriage, something she has fiercely denied.

The eyebrow-raising start may not seem like the great foundation for a long-lasting love, but Julia and Danny - who went on to welcome three kids together - have proven otherwise.

Since then, she has referred to him as her 'anchor' and called seeing him walk through her door every day a 'recurring dream.' She has gushed over his ability to 'make her feel like her most comfortable self' by 'shining a light' on her best traits.

She even once referred to meeting him as a 'seismic shift' in her life, adding, 'It all starts with Danny Moder.'

As the actress shares a touching tribute to her husband of nearly 22 years in honor of his birthday, FEMAIL rounded up everything we know about the couple.

From the truth about how they met and when they got together to the heartwarming things they've said about each other, here's a complete timeline of Julia and Danny's relationship.

How it all began: Julia and Danny met in 2000 on set of a movie while they were both dating other people - but they split from their respective partners a year later and got together soon after

Julia and Danny first met in 2000 on set of the movie The Mexican, where he was working as a cameraman and she was starring as Brad Pitt's love interest, Samantha (seen)

At the time, they were both taken by other people - she was in a romance with Benjamin Bratt (pictured in 2000) while Danny was wed to makeup artist Vera Steimberg

Julia and Danny first met in 2000 on set of the movie The Mexican, where he was working as a cameraman and she was starring as Brad Pitt's love interest, Samantha.

At the time, they were both taken by other people - she was in a romance with actor Benjamin Bratt, while Danny was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg.

Julia later reflected on growing close to Danny while making the movie to Oprah in 2003.

'On the set, I get pretty relaxed. These guys see me at 5 in the morning, when I come stumbling onto the set like, "What the hell is going on?"' she joked.

'In those circumstances, you can see what a person's really made of. Some great friendships can be formed because you see one another at your best and worst.

'[I was] stressed-out, maxed-out, exhausted, not knowing which end is up. And you rely on each other so much. So I think that had a profound effect on our friendship.'

She told Oprah that right away, she could see 'how wonderful' Danny was, but because they were both in relationships, she insisted that they were just friends at first.

But after she and Benjamin split in June 2001 and Danny filed for divorce from his wife that same year, they quickly started dating. They're seen in 2002

But after she and Benjamin split in June 2001 and Danny filed for divorce from his wife that same year, they quickly started dating.

But Julia stated that their feelings for one another had nothing to do with their respective breakups.

When asked if she 'caused' the dissolvement of his marriage, Julia replied, 'No. I'm an easy person to point the finger at and I see that. I don't begrudge people the easy finger-point. It just doesn't happen to be so.

'He sorted his whole thing out, separate and apart from me. And I sorted my life out, separate and apart from him.

'I think that's the only reason we were able to ultimately fall in love with each other and be together.'

She admitted that taking the leap to got from pals to lovers was 'horrible' because she was terrified of 'losing' her close 'friend' if things went awry.

Becoming a family-of-five: Julia and Danny tied the knot in 2002 during a surprise wedding on her ranch, and went on to welcome three kids together

Julia and Danny tied the knot on July 4, 2002, during an intimate ceremony held on her New Mexico ranch. They're seen in 2002

The couple (seen in a throwback image) invited their closest friends and family members over - and didn't tell their guests that they were going to get married that day

Thankfully, things didn't, and Julia and Danny tied the knot on July 4, 2002, during an intimate ceremony held on her New Mexico ranch.

According to People, the couple invited their closest friends and family members over to 'celebrate Independence Day' - and didn't tell their guests that they were going to get married that day.

Julia and Danny tied the knot on July 4, 2002, during an intimate ceremony held on her New Mexico ranch. Seen in 2013

At midnight, the couple shocked the crowd when they revealed they were actually there for their wedding.

They exchanged vows 'under an arch made from white and pink silk sheaths,' and surrounded by 'red, white and pink rose petals' and 'flickering candles and Chinese lanterns.'

'It was such a magical, intimate gathering, it felt like we were eaves-dropping, like we were invited into someone's secret,' an onlooker dished.

The ceremony lasted 20 minutes and was officiated by Julia's longtime friend Barry Hirsch.

There were 'no flower girls, no bridesmaids, no groomsmen and no celebrity guests,' the outlet reported.

'Just the outline of the 13,000-foot Sangre de Cristo Mountains against the star-filled sky.

'And Julia, in a pale pink cotton halter dress embroidered with pearls and antique beads and hand-painted with flowers, and Danny, in a red ruffled shirt and tan pants, exchanging simple handwritten vows.'

During her sit-down with Oprah in 2003, one year after their nuptials, Julia couldn't stop gushing over Danny.

In November 2004, they welcomed twins, named Phinnaeus and Hazel

Julia then gave birth to their third child, a baby boy who they named Henry. She is seen with their three kids in 2018

She told the star, 'He's such a great listener and a great communicator. He majored in psychology in college, and I remember saying to my sister one time that he can basically fix all my problems.'

Julia added of her romance, 'Every cell in my body says yes. We're together constantly.

'Part of the reason why some of the relationships I've had in my past worked for so long is because when you're making movies, a huge gap of time can pass when you don't even see the person. Danny and I are together 21 hours a day.

'I'm so lucky to be crazy happy in my life. And I think it's not so much that I'm happier now than ever; it's that I'm more content. I'm in the harbor of my life.

'And a huge part of it is my marriage. My husband, Danny, has really shined the light for me. He makes me feel my most comfortable self. I don't alter myself in any way.

'And he points out aspects of myself, good and bad, that maybe I don't pay attention to. He shines light, so I can really see what's there and not shy away from it.'

In November 2004, they welcomed twins, named Phinnaeus and Hazel, and in June 2007, she gave birth to their third child, a baby boy who they named Henry.

Couple goals: Julia described meeting Danny as a 'seismic shift,' compared seeing him walk through the door every day to 'a recurring dream' - and credited 'lots of kissing' with keeping their love alive

While Julia and Danny (seen in 2014) have kept their romance mostly out of the spotlight since then, they have gushed over one another a few times over the years

During an interview with People in 2017, Julia (seen with Danny in 2021) said, 'Every day my husband walks in the door it's like a recurring dream,' she raved. 'I'm like, "Ah, he's back"'

While Julia and Danny have kept their romance mostly out of the spotlight since then, they have gushed over one another a few times over the years.

They have also worked together on numerous projects; most notably, she starred in 2015 thriller The Secret In Their Eyes, which he served as the cinematographer for.

They have also worked together on numerous projects. They're seen together in 2015

And afterwards, the actress credited her husband with helping her get the part just right.

'We've done a number of things together, and it's always kind of nerve-wracking for me because he's my husband and I want him to think I'm awesome,' she revealed.

'But this was a collaboration where I realized that if he hadn't been there I don't think I could have fashioned together the performance that I wanted to.'

During an interview with People in 2017, Julia had the sweetest things to say about her spouse.

'Every day my husband walks in the door it's like a recurring dream,' she raved. 'I'm like, "Ah, he's back."'

And in 2018, she called meeting Danny a 'seismic shift' during a sit-down with Gwyneth Paltrow on her Goop podcast.

'Getting married to Danny - that was the first, like, my life will never be the same in the most incredible, indescribable way,' she said.

'The best decision I ever made in my entire life was to hitch my wagon to Danny Moder.'

She added that their connection was still 'getting deeper' as time goes by, telling the fellow actress, 'He truly, to this day, to this minute is just my favorite human.

In 2018, Julia called meeting Danny a 'seismic shift' during a sit-down with Gwyneth Paltrow on her Goop podcast. They're seen kissing over the years

Julia also told CBS News in October 2022 that while being a successful actress is her 'dream come true,' her husband and kids always come first

In July of last year, the actress referred to Danny as her 'anchor' and the 'captain of her ship' during a chat with the Today show. They're seen in 2021

'I'm more interested in what he has to say or his point of view just than anybody. Really, we're so lucky in that way. We just really, really like each other and we just enjoy each other's company.'

Julia also told CBS News in October 2022 that while being a successful actress is her 'dream come true,' her husband and kids always come first.

'The life that I have built with my husband, the life that we've built with our children, that's the best stuff. To come home at the end of the day, triumphantly to them,' she explained.

In July of last year, the actress referred to Danny as her 'anchor' and the 'captain of her ship' during a chat with the Today show.

'It all starts with Danny Moder,' she added. 'For me, understanding how deeply felt life could be really started with him.'

And in December, talk show host Gayle King called the Pretty Woman star out for not being able to contain her smile when she brought up her husband.

'It's so embarrassing,' Julia joked. 'He's just my favorite human. He's so smart and kind and dynamic in the way that he looks at the world and admires people. He's just so strong and loving.'

When asked to share her secrets to 'a happy marriage' on The View that same month, Julia credited 'lots of kissing' with keeping their romance alive.

'Kissing hello and goodbye is really, I think, a critical detail to daily life,' she added.
Dear Bel,

Amy and I have been together for about 33 years, first distant friends, then boyfriend and girlfriend. When we first met she was having a relationship with a married man. She ended it, and we were together, but then one Christmas he rang her and she told him again it was over. I didnt ask but she told me.

Moving forward a few years: I moved to her town, we have two children and live in the house she shares with her mum. Amy doesnt work but runs the home. It can be trying and sometimes I feel like an outsider. Our sex life dropped off to virtually non-existent, which was an issue for me.

Then my widowed dad moved in, which put more pressure on us. One of the children slept in our room. One weekend I saw a text on her phone complaining to somebody of another wasted weekend; when I looked at the bill I saw many texts and calls to somebody who turned out to be the old married lover. I confronted her and, after a lot of tears, we managed to move on. But our sex life was still rare.

My dad and Amys mum both passed away  and I admit I had been detached and just let Amy get on with it. Then, looking for change in her handbag, I found a secret phone with texts to the same man saying she loved him and wished she was in his bed. I was devastated. She said I had driven her to contacting him again. We called a truce.

Last year, with a pretty good idea that they were still in contact, I felt justified to search, find the hidden phone and read the messages. It was clear that they were meeting. In November I found a new phone, but when I confronted her she said she was stupid and it was over. But I know they are meeting up.

I dont know what to do. Recently, I asked if she would leave me and she said no. If I give her an ultimatum, I am scared she will choose him and I will end up alone as Im not confident the years weve spent together will count for anything.

On New Years Day I asked her if this could be the year we finally get back on track. She said she will see  but I was not to try to force it.

We kiss and hug before bed in separate rooms and I say I love her and she always replies that she loves me, too. But I think thats a lie because she likes the status quo. I dont know what to do.

Do I confront her and risk the worst outcome? I want us to be in a proper relationship that includes intimacy but I am fearful I am destined to end up alone and unloved.

LAWRENCE

This week Bel advises a man who has experienced infidelity from his partner of 33 years

Your original email (nearly three times as long) describes in detail the slow start of your relationship with Amy at the time when she was seeing her married lover.

You confess that you backed out of many plans, leading her (you suspect) to give up on you before you finally got together.

Only you have the power to look back and analyse that reticence. What were you afraid of?

Your anecdotes lead me to suspect that you remained a pretty passive partner which may (Im guessing) have become a source of frustration to Amy.

You admit that you stepped back and let her do all the heavy lifting when your father and her mother were reaching the ends of their lives.

How did she judge that lack of involvement?

Was your detachment a manifestation of the same passivity which set your relationship off to such a slow start  enabling her, therefore, to continue with the married man she loved? Could it be that she was longing for a means to escape from his fascination, and wished you had been much more proactive?

Thought for the day If a man sits long enough, sorrowful and anxious, bereft of joy, his mind constantly darkening, soon it seems to him that his troubles are limitless [but] Time has passed since then, and this too can pass. From Deor, a 10th century Anglo-Saxon lament Advertisement

Did you help yourself during those years? Im asking these questions to try to make you think about the past in order to shed light on the present. After 33 years, most married couples find that their sex lives tail off  and thats without sharing a house with one parent and (later) a bedroom with a child. Lack of sexual intimacy becomes a habit, especially when you are in separate bedrooms.

It may be that, as you grow older, what you describe in your longer email as your high sex drive becomes less important than being cherished by your wife. Think about it. At the moment, youre dealing with the horrible suspicion that shes seeing her old lover and will leave you for him  if he is now free. You are provoked  but still, your language of confronting and ultimatum is not the way forward.

You sound isolated, suspicious, deeply unhappy and afraid, and the only way to face those feelings is to be brave about how you can move forward as a couple.

Perhaps Amy is secretly longing for you to be more positive (though not in any aggressive way), just as she probably wished you were all those years ago. Would she agree to attending a few sessions of couple counselling with you?

It would almost certainly help you both to pick your way through the situation and therefore I recommend it.

You say that you are scared and not confident and your last sentence is defeated  and defeatist. These are the wrong signals. Your marriage is at a crossroads; if you still love your wife and want to grow old with her, you must let her know.

This is not about demanding reassurances or promises of future intimacy, it is about giving her language she can mirror.

That means a real, expressed faith in the value of what you have shared.

Letting her know, without doubt, that you believe in your own ability to look after her and make her happy would be a start.

I'm terrified my teenager is at risk

Dear Bel,

I write because I feel such sadness and am so sickened by the increasing reports of teenage knife crime. Despite the best efforts of many individuals and organisations, the killings go on. Whats going on, that we live at a time when children are killing other children?

They do not ask to be born. It is the responsibility of their parents or guardians to act as a moral compass and steer them towards showing kindness and compassion for others  not violence.

What words of comfort can you offer the parents, families and friends of these children who are taken away from them in such tragic circumstances?

In these dark days, what advice do you have for countless parents like me, who worry so terribly about their children and are frightened the same is going to happen to them?

My only child (conceived with difficulty later in life) is in his mid-teens and Im so frightened that something is going to happen to him, stabbed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. What can I do to keep my beloved boy safe?

Ever since I had cancer, I really appreciate the fragility of life: how precious it is; how quickly and violently it can be snatched away. I tell my son to be careful when out and wary of strangers, even in the company of friends. To run away if he sees anyone with a knife. What can I do to keep him safe and to stop worrying so much?

SHEILA

Your email arrived and Id edited it, ready to use, before this weeks terrible news from Bristols Knowle West, just 20 minutes from our house.

Max Dixon (16) and Mason Rist (15) were stabbed to death near their homes. I would not dare to offer words of comfort to their families, but as you can imagine, the groundswell of compassion locally is huge.

On the local BBC news I watched mothers gather on the estate, one calling loudly for all parents to check what their sons are doing: Nobody needs to go out carrying a knife.

She is right, of course, but how realistic is it really for parents (sometimes, Im sad to point out, weighed down by problems or too busy) to police their sons?

There has been a 77 per cent rise in knife crime since 2015. Keir Starmer says, correctly: We need to roll up our sleeves and do something about it. But what? We all await cross-party solutions  without much hope.

All of which leads to your heartfelt letter, which countless mothers will read with painful fellow feeling. How to protect your beloved son must keep you awake at night, and I know it would be cruel of me to suggest that the only way we can keep children safe is to lock them up in their bedrooms with no mobile phones. Yet what else can be said?

You and I know its the truth. I look back ruefully at my childrens teens and 20s, when I know they took risks.

And now, I have four grandchildren to worry about. Im afraid theres no end to it. Parenting equals an end to peace of mind.

Be assured, you are doing all you can do. Your son is old enough to watch the news and be spoken to clearly. Warn him, yes  but dont make him too afraid to live his life, with growing independence.

Encourage him to bring friends home and hang out there, making sure you give them space, providing snacks and other sustenance  but not fussing.

Its impossible for me to help you to stop worrying, but I do warn you that too much anxiety can get on our childrens nerves.

You are a wonderful mother. Remember that. Breathe deeply, and take care of yourself.

Unlock the power of catharsis

Mrs B wrote a worrying story about a family member, ending her email: Obviously I do not want this letter printed but it has helped a bit just to set it all down. Thank you for reading it, Bel. I realise you do not enter into personal correspondence but, as youve said, it helps to write a problem down.

Im glad she did, even though it made me disturbed and sad. Yes, words on paper can be cathartic  and Ive just experienced it myself.

Contact Bel Bel answers readers' questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5hy, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Advertisement

With my parents dead, Ive been able to start writing a memoir of my childhood  or at least, I was until, last year, a set of circumstances knocked me off course. Halfway through my text, I was totally derailed.

Then last week, ill in bed, I had a FaceTime conversation with my good friend, the brilliant memoirist and novelist, Vesna Goldsworthy. Vesna teaches Life Writing at two universities and told me yet again what shed emphasised before: for heavens sake, dont think you have to write in chronological order; just set incidents down and later you can see how they fit together.

Im pretty stubborn and have my own habitual techniques but, guess what? I can take wise advice!

A key part of my book (and the reason behind my compulsion to write) was going to be the trauma that happened within my family when I was 17 extremely painful to recall.

Unsurprisingly, it was acting as a block. But (thanks to Vesna) I stopped overthinking and began, leaping right into the middle of things, bashing out the tough, sad story until my heart thumped so much it was hard to breathe.

I wrote down what Ive never fully talked about. And afterwards? Relief.

Thats how I hope it worked for Mrs B and others. The ancient Greeks defined catharsis as a means to purge the emotions, through pity and terror. Yes, I was afraid and felt pity for my familys past. But Im relieved its out  and now I can continue.
Whatever your view of his politics, when it comes to food the Prime Minister's self-discipline is remarkable. Apparently, Rishi Sunak starts his week  every week  with a 36-hour fast: he stops eating at 5pm on a Sunday and consumes only black tea, coffee or water until 5am on a Tuesday.

Even though I'm a veteran faster, I'm impressed. Not so much by the fact that he embraces fasting; there's plenty of research to show that if you're otherwise healthy, there's much to be gained by giving your body an extended break from food  and plenty of people now do this.

But few of us have the willpower to deny ourselves food for as long as he does.

I've tried pretty much every kind of fast and I've found that going for more than 24 hours without food is tough. (I'm also not sure it's the best way to get the benefits of fasting, but more on that later.)

A few years ago, I completed a four-day fast for a TV documentary. It involved just water, sugar-less black tea and coffee, and one measly cup of 25-calorie soup a day.

I've tried pretty much every kind of fast and I've found that going for more than 24 hours without food is tough

Fasting helps improve blood sugar control and can lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure

Rishi Sunak starts his week by abstaining from food for thirty-six hours, consuming only black tea, coffee, or water between 5pm on Sunday to 5am on Tuesday

It was tough, but effective health-wise: after four days I lost 3lb in weight, a significant portion of which was fat. My blood sugar levels also fell substantially, as did other biomarkers, such as insulin-like growth factor 1, linked to cancer.

Despite the benefits, I'm in no rush to do a prolonged fast again. I wasn't as hungry as I expected and didn't feel faint, but I was distracted by feeling uncomfortable and out of place. So hats off to Rishi for putting himself through a big fast every week.

Indeed, you could be forgiven for thinking that Mondays might not be the best day to ask Rishi to make crucial decisions about running the country if there's a chance he may be preoccupied with hunger pangs.

But there is evidence that, when you get used to it, fasting can improve focus. Professor Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in New York, told me that our ancestors had to cope with periods without food, during which time they would have needed to be highly focused on the best way to get the next meal.

The theory that the fasting state triggers a heightened level of concentration is one reason why it really took off in the tech world a few years ago. That may be one of the reasons why Rishi does it.

People have been fasting for centuries for religious reasons  but increasingly research backs the health benefits, showing that the metabolic changes that occur when you give your body a rest from food can be beneficial.

Kiwi fruit can boost your mood Why not put kiwi fruit on your shopping list this week? Research by the University of Otago in New Zealand has shown it can be a mood booster, particularly if you're low in vitamin C, which is known to have an impact on mental health. For the study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, 155 adults with low vitamin C levels were given a supplement, a placebo, or two kiwis every day. Although those taking the supplement experienced some improvement in mood and sleep, those eating kiwi experienced the biggest impact, with improvements in just four days. That could be because, as well as vitamin C, kiwi contains melatonin, a hormone that helps initiate and maintain sleep. It's not just kiwi  cold water swimming has recently been shown to cut mood swings, irritability and hot flushes in menopausal and younger women. So if you're feeling blue, perhaps tuck into more kiwi and consider cold water swimming when the weather is warmer. Advertisement

A study by Harvard Medical School in 2020 found it can enhance the body's defence against oxidative stress (damage caused to the cells by factors such as smoking and pollution).

Fasting also helps improve blood sugar control and can lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

It may also help brain function, with some studies suggesting it boosts the growth of new cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with learning and memory. Most impressively, it reduces chronic inflammation, which is not only linked to conditions such as arthritis, but many of the other diseases of ageing, such as heart disease and dementia.

Last week a study by Cambridge University showed that when volunteers were restricted to eating 500 calories a day for two consecutive days, the levels of arachidonic acid in their blood rose, which in turn helped reduce inflammation.

As well as lowering inflammation, another benefit of fasting is it gives your digestive system a break from food; this triggers your body to begin the important process of cellular 'spring cleaning', where cells are broken down and recycled.

Last but by no means least, fasting encourages your body to switch from burning sugar to burning fat as fuel  which is great news if you want to shed excess weight. A review of studies, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews in 2015, found that a one-day fast, once a week, for 12 to 24 weeks, reduced body weight by up to 9 per cent.

But most fasting research has been done on alternate day fasting, intermittent fasting (such as my 5:2 regimen), or time-restricted eating (TRE), where you eat within a certain window  for instance, you may start with a 14-hour 'fast', and only eat in a ten-hour window, then gradually extend it to a 16-hour fast, then perhaps 18 hours.

And when it comes to fasting, you can have too much of a good thing. Rishi's 36-hour fast is just too tough for most people. It's certainly not suitable if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have a chronic disease or history of disordered eating  and talk to a GP first if you have diabetes.

The eminent ageing expert, Professor Valter Longo, once told me: 'A prolonged fast is an extreme intervention. If it's done well, it can be very powerful in your favour. If it's done improperly, it can be very powerful against you.'

There are, of course, lots of different ways to fast.

Go to a fasting clinic in Germany and you will probably be fed around 200 calories a day in comfortable surroundings. In Russia you get nothing but water, cold showers and exercise. But it doesn't have to be that tough to be effective.

If you're otherwise healthy, some form of fasting is a very good idea. And it's great to know you don't have to go full Rishi to achieve the benefits.

We must be brave enough to call out bad behaviour

Earlier this week I was standing in a very long queue, patiently waiting, along with hundreds of others, to pass through passport control and enter France.

At one point I saw a couple of young men barge straight to the front of the queue. A few people tutted, but only one woman was brave enough to harangue them. But they ignored her and got away with it.

Michael Moseley had been waiting at passport control to enter France, when young men pushed through the queue

This, sadly, is all too common. I was too far away to join in, but I'd like to think I would have backed that woman. And that, according to a recent study by Bath University, is important  because if we don't speak up to support the lone voices of people who confront bad behaviour, that leads to bad behaviour being normalised.

Published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, the research involved showing volunteers scenes of anti-social behaviour  in some cases the people behaving badly were confronted and this was supported by other bystanders; in other cases, the confronter got no support. The volunteers were then asked what they thought  when there was no support for the confronter, they assumed this meant the behaviour they'd just witnessed wasn't that bad.

As researcher and behavioural scientist Anna Tirion pointed out: 'If no one says anything, it chips away at social norms that protect being kind and not causing harm. Over time people start to think a particular [antisocial] behaviour doesn't matter.' It takes courage to confront bad behaviour, but she suggests ways to safely do so and how to support those who are prepared to stand up and stand out.

'It depends on the situation,' says Anna Tirion. 'If your face is visible to everyone, such as on the Zoom call we simulated in one of our studies, simply nodding might be enough to send that supportive signal. Otherwise, a verbal expression of support like 'Yeah, you're right' should do it.'

She adds: 'If you're physically some distance away from the confrontation, you might want to go and stand next to the confronter before you say something so your whole body language expresses that support  if you feel safe to do so.'
Candida auris is normally detected in hospital settings, experts say

A deadly fungus that kills up to one in three people it infects is spreading rapidly across the US  and has reached yet another state.

Candida auris  a type of yeast resistant to most antifungal medication  is now infecting Americans in 36 states, having just reached Washington, according to the latest announcement from local health officials.

Four patients being treated in a Seattle hospital have been infected with the fungus since January, they said.

The yeast is highly transmissible, easily spread via touching contaminated surfaces among patients with weakened immune systems  with infections potentially triggering deadly sepsis.

And it is resistant to medicines commonly used to treat fungal infections.

The above is a stock image of Candida auris fungus, which is more common in hospital settings where it spreads via contact with contaminated equipment.

Cases of the infection have been soaring dramatically since 2021  jumping 95 percent in two years.

Last year 2,377 cases were detected, and the infection spread across six new states: New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Delaware.

Since 2016, there have been 5,654 cases in the US.

Experts have raised concerns over these rises with Dr Meghan Lyman, a chief medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saying they were 'really concerning to us'.

She told NBC: 'Especially in the most recent years, [these increases] are really concerning to us.

'We've seen increases not just in areas of ongoing transmission, but also in new areas.'

Health officials say C. auris  which can also be found in marshes and wetlands  poses little risk to healthy people because their immune systems are strong enough to fight it off.

But the fungus is dangerous in hospitals, where it can spread to patients with comorbidities or people on immune-suppressing drugs  such as those for cancer.

Patients initially suffer from fever, chills and night sweats, but the fungus can then spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis  a fatal immune reaction to an infection causing very high levels of inflammation.

The fungus  which is detected via blood test  can be easily missed in the early stages of an infection.

And it can be challenging to treat because it is resistant to common anti-fungal medications and, in some cases, stronger medications called echinocandins.

In Washington, health officials say they were alerted to the first case in a hospital patient in Seattle on January 10.

By the end of the month, another three cases had been detected in the hospital  with all three patients having tested negative when they were first admitted.

Claire Brostrom-Smith, a public health official in the state, said: 'Most healthy people do not need to worry about C. auris infections.

'The risk is mainly for patients that have long stays at hospitals and need medical interventions like breathing tubes, feeding tubes or urinary catheters.

'Healthcare facilities that provide screening are taking an important proactive step to identify cases early-on to reduce the risk of spread to other patients.'

The cases are the first-ever spotted in Washington, with the state also being only the second to detect the disease in the North West  after Oregon discovered infections in 2021.

Throughout 2022, the latest year available, six states detected the fungus for the first time.

Concerns were also raised over an outbreak in Nevada, which was not tied to hospitals, suggesting the disease was spreading outside hospital settings.

The number of cases reported rose 95 percent from 2020 to 2021  more than double the jump of 44 percent from the previous year.

There were 1,471 cases recorded in 2021.

In 2022, there were 2,377 cases of the fungus diagnosed  a rise of 61 percent.

New York state has had the most cases recorded to date, at 1,325, followed by Illinois at 1,044 and California, at 813.

Among one of the patients who became infected with the fungus was Lorraine McCreary, 86, from Florida in 2019.

She died after suffering a fatal stroke following an infection with C. auris.

Lorrie, as she was known to friends and family, was originally admitted to the hospital with pneumonia in June, not uncommon for the later stage of life she was in.

But as she began to recover, her condition rapidly deteriorated and doctors ran a battery of tests to find the cause.

Finally, she was diagnosed with C. auris, which doctors think she may have contracted from fungus in her oxygen tubes.
The number of people requiring regular life-saving dialysis treatment on the NHS is expected to rise by nearly 400 per cent in the next decade, a leading kidney disease charity has warned.

The crucial blood-cleaning procedure is needed when the kidneys fail, meaning the organs can no longer remove dangerous toxins from the blood.

Currently about 30,000 adults and children require dialysis, which involves several trips to hospital each week to be hooked up to a machine for hours at a time. But according to Kidney Research UK, this figure is expected to rise to about 143,000 by 2033.

The charity has called on the NHS to take urgent action to catch chronic kidney disease early on to help limit the number of patients who will progress to the point where they require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Currently about 30,000 adults and children require dialysis, which involves several trips to hospital each week to be hooked up to a machine for hours at a time

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys  which remove waste products from the blood and produce urine  no longer work as well as they should. It typically gets worse over time and the damage cannot be reversed.

The condition affects roughly 7.2 million Britons but is expected to rise by about 400,000 in the next decade  primarily driven by the increasing number of people with high blood pressure and obesity. Patients with high blood pressure and diabetes are most at risk of developing the disease.

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys  which remove waste products from the blood and produce urine  no longer work as well as they should

Because there are often no early symptoms of chronic kidney disease, many patients will not be diagnosed until it has become severe. At this stage, they often require dialysis. However, late last year The Mail on Sunday revealed that 40 per cent of people with high blood pressure and diabetes are not offered a simple urine test by their GP which can identify kidney problems early on. Kidney Research UK is calling for GPs to ensure all patients considered at risk are offered the test.

The urine test checks for a protein called albumin which is filtered by the kidneys. A high amount of albumin is a sign the organs are not working properly.

'Early detection of kidney disease is vital in order to slow progression and give patients the best quality of life possible,' says Alison Railton, head of policy and external affairs at Kidney Research UK.

'The Government and the NHS need to do more to ensure those at risk of developing chronic kidney disease are routinely tested.'
But if it returns, only 15 per cent of patients survive for more than five years

Kidney cancer is curable with surgery alone in 60 per cent of cases

Pembrolizumab looks set to be the standard treatment given after surgery

Patients with kidney cancer have been thrown a lifeline by an immune-boosting drug that dramatically reduces the risk of the disease returning  when it invariably turns fatal.

The injection, pembrolizumab, looks set to become the standard treatment given to patients after surgery after a trial saw survival rates soar.

Kidney cancer is curable with surgery alone in 60 per cent of cases  however, if it returns, the outlook is bleak. Just 15 per cent of patients survive for more than five years after a recurrence, with many dying within two years.

Part of the problem is that kidney cancer does not respond to standard chemotherapy  the treatment usually given to kill off cancer cells. It meant doctors could only wait until the disease returned before they were able to offer drugs, often to no avail.

Chesney Lewis (right) who was on the latest trial, pictured with his wife Marilyn (left)

But now the results of a major clinical trial suggest that being injected with pembrolizumab every three weeks for a year increases patients' chances of survival by 38 per cent.

The drug works by helping the body's immune system fighter cells to find and destroy tumours, and has already shown success in treating melanoma skin cancer, bladder and lung cancer, and lymphoma  a kind of blood cancer.

Pembrolizumab was first approved for use in the NHS for kidney cancer patients whose disease had come back in 2022 and, given alongside other targeted treatments called tyrosine kinase inhibitors which stop cancer cells growing and dividing, it boosted survival.

Prof Tom Powles, the director of Barts Cancer Centre in London, said: 'Before we had pembrolizumab and the other targeted therapies, kidney cancer patients would often die with a year of a recurrence. This then improved to between two and five years.

Pembrolizumab looks set to become the standard treatment given to patients after surgery after a trial saw survival rates soar

'Now we know if we give people pembrolizumab immediately after surgery, and patients take it for a year, we can reduce the risk of death and cure more patients.'

Prof Powles predicts that up to 80 per cent of kidney cancer patients could be offered pembrolizumab after surgery, as it has been proved to be so effective.

Previously, one in ten patients given pembrolizumab stopped taking it due to severe side effects, which can include diabetes, breathlessness and thyroid problems. However Prof Powles believes more patients might be willing to weather these problems now, as doctors are able to reassure them it is likely to help them live longer.

'We've shown there is a higher risk of dying if you're not given pembrolizumab before the cancer comes back,' he says. 'So patients will be much more inclined to have a treatment that increases the chance of them living longer.'

Retiree Chesney Lewis was one of the 1,000 people on the latest pembrolizumab trial and believes that he was in the half of patients who were given the drug over the placebo option. The 77-year-old, from Westcliffe-on-Sea in Essex, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in June 2018 during a routine screening for pancreatic cancer, which runs in his family.

A scan found that he had stage-four kidney cancer, and he was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in London, where the following week he had his kidney removed.

He says: 'It was just out of the blue. I felt like a very lucky man that they spotted the cancer. I was shocked, but relieved that it was dealt with right away.'

He was asked if he would join the study and had injections every three weeks for a year. Fortunately, he did not experience many side effects from his treatment.

He says: 'Sometimes I felt tired and a bit lethargic but it was nothing too worrying. As far as I'm concerned, the whole experience was fantastic. Doctors saved my life by taking out the kidney that had the cancer, and whatever treatment I've had afterwards has protected me from it from coming back.

'It means I can be with my family, enjoy my retirement and not worry about cancer.'
Whats the story?

Founded by David Abercrombie in 1892, originally as an outdoors equipment store, today fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch is worth almost 4 billion.

Why should I buy?

The brand has committed to using more sustainable materials and has reached its target of 100 per cent responsibly sourced down. While this is promising, little progress has been made in using more responsibly sourced wool, leather or viscose.

Why shouldnt I buy?

A&F is a fast-fashion brand. Not only is there an almost constant stream of new product being uploaded to its site, the brands framework also relies on regular sales and heavy discounts, encouraging overconsumption. Because of this, last year A&F was added to a list of banned brands by resale platform Vestiaire Collective in a bid to encourage consumers to shop more sustainably.

The extra mile

In 2011 a Greenpeace report found that, of all the brands it tested, when washed, A&F garments released some of the highest levels of NPEs (hormone-disrupting chemicals) into waterways. The brand has since improved its guidelines, putting NPEs on a restricted substances list, and requiring suppliers to responsibly store and dispose of chemicals discharged during manufacture.

Made in

According to its own data, A&F has no suppliers within Europe, meaning pieces travel a long way to the UK.

Made from

Marketed as, vegan leather, this jacket is 100 per cent plastic, so entirely derived from fossil fuels.

Journey

No details given, but A&F seems to use sea, air and road freight.

Our rating


Three years ago, aged 27, I entered a detox facility in a final attempt to kick my drug addiction. I dont want to say exactly what I was addicted to because that wasnt the point. The point was I was done with life  ashamed of who I was and unable to fathom continuing.

Living without drink and drugs scared me far more than dying. After I wept my eyes out to her, my darling mum took me to a doctor for help, who told me my liver was in very bad shape. I agreed to try rehab in Scotland as I knew my days were numbered (literally) in London.

My first couple of days at the clinic in the Highlands were lonely. The staff were caring but robotic. They were nurses, after all, not therapists. It wasnt their job to help me find insight into my excessive, destructive behaviour. Then again, I wasnt yet ready for insight, nor was I seeking it. I needed to hang on the washing line and dry out for a bit first.

Surprisingly, I was allowed to roam about as soon as I felt able, and soon found my way to a little wooden smoking shack in the grounds. It was made of thick dark wood with four log stumps for perching. Inside, sheltering from the gushing Highland rain, I came across Martin and Jason.

Had they not been slumped in a shack inside a treatment facility, you might have cast these two somewhere with slightly more highbrow leanings. A university, maybe. Or a publishing house.

In many ways they were an ode to the randomness of the disease of addiction: Jason a literacy professor (originally from Canada) and Martin an Australian who worked in tech.

Jason was tall, skinny and bearded. Martin reminded me of an out-of-shape Jeff Goldblum. Age is a tricky guess in active addiction. They were both on the young side of middle-aged, but what they shared was the defeated look that all rehab newbies have. Smiles are an effort and must be worked up.

The universal language of sympathy is an extended arm offering an open packet of cigarettes. As we smoked, Martin spoke up first. How you doing, buddy?

Thats a tricky question in a detox clinic. The answer is of course a medley of depressed, defeated, desperate and willing to give every inch of cloth on my back for something to feel different but it was kind, regardless. I replied something vague and noncommittal. Then Jason came in with a line that would always stick with me.

Youre not alone. Its dire. But youre not alone.

He meant it, and I felt it.

Martin and Jason swiftly became the closest friends I could recall having. I hadnt made any real connections in some time, and a week in detox felt like an eternity. It took just days to believe we had known each other for years.

Meeting in the little wooden smoking shack in between the horrific sessions of sitting in the shower after vomiting over the toilet became my sanity.

Jason's line stuck with me: 'It's dire. But you're not alone'

One day, as Jason and I were smoking in the hut (him trying and mostly failing to explain the beauty of gothic literature to me), Martin approached with a Cheshire-cat grin and his hands hidden behind his back. He stopped in front of us and his arms shot high above his head as if presenting the holy grail.

It was a frisbee. Jason wheezed with laughter as he drew in a smokers breath.

What are you waiting for? Lets bloody do this!

We wandered through the grounds until we found a suitable clearing. It was the first fun any of us had had in a long time  we laughed, properly, without trying, and momentarily escaped from the bitter realities facing three recovering addicts.

Jason and Martin went out of detox up to the big house before me. This was the real rehab  detox is just the first bit, the medical safety net that ensures you survive your week as a cold turkey.

It was a long two days without them, but eventually a Scottish matron came to collect me from my lone post in the smoking shack.

I was dropped off outside the grand building in a huddle of a dozen other patients on a smoke break. It felt excruciatingly awkward  I was the new kid in someone elses playground.

As I gritted my teeth and dug my feet anxiously into the gravel, unsure of what I was meant to be doing next, through the doors of the house came Jason and close behind him, Martin.

They strolled up to me with open arms and huge grins. Welcome to the madhouse, old friend, said Jason. Youve been missed. Martin raised the frisbee as if in ceremony: Youve got some catching up to do  weve got better. Jason added, Its not the same with two.

Id have had no journey to recovery without Jason and Martin, of that I am quite sure. Over the next couple of months of uncomfortable growth that held tears, anger, guilt, shame and frustration, our motley crew sustained me.

We filled the empty shells of our beings slowly on a defining but painful journey together and kept our sanity by tossing the frisbee back and forth whenever we had a moment.

In many ways your recovery starts when you leave treatment. Rehab is like a gated sanctuary that gives you a few months grace. The test is being able to stay sober in the real world. Three years later, Im still clean. It often feels like a sinister game of roulette as to who gets to stay sober.

Earlier last year, Jason and I found ourselves in a round of telephone tag. I would ring, get no answer, then go to a meeting just as he rang back. Hed call the next day, but Id be busy at work, so Id try to catch him on my break and, tediously, hed then be unavailable.

Gradually the attempts became noticeably one-sided. I was doing all the ringing. He was doing all the not answering.

Wed had a few months of radio silence prior to that but hed felt moved to contact me after reading an article Id written about my addiction journey. It had triggered in him a bright sense of nostalgia for the shelter from the storm wed briefly caught in rehab together.

I think it was a reminder of a time of hope for him, and a memory of companionship, understanding and love that a trio of dejected nomads found in one another.

Just as I was beginning to brew a light resentment towards my friends apparent lack of effort at returning my calls, Martin rang. Jason had died the previous week from an overdose.

Its not a unique ending for an addict. The odds were always stacked against him. Two-thirds of us relapse in the first few weeks after treatment, but that didnt make itany less crushingly heartbreaking. Martin is still alive but hes using again and the battle remains real. I hope to see him soon because  as Ive learnt  every moment with an addict is bitterly precious.

When we speak on the phone, we sometimes fantasise about finding a patch of green grass and breaking out that battered old frisbee again. Although I think Jason was probably right.

It wont be the same with two.
It wasnt love at first bite. It wasnt even like. In fact, on my initial visit to Pollini, an Italian restaurant in North Kensingtons newly restored Ladbroke Hall, I hated the place.

The room was cold and cavernous, the din cacophonous, with a huge bar plonked in the middle. Meaning the space was awkwardly hewn in two. Tables for any more than four were so huge that sign language was necessary to even attempt conversation, while the menu offered  wait for it  a lasagne that was the chefs interpretation of his mothers classic dish. Mamma bloody mia.

Toms verdict: Pollini has some of the best Italian cooking in London

Gloriously fresh prawns remind me of Southern Italian summers

In its defence, though, I did visit during that deranged period of pre-Christmas carousing and, thanks to a lunch that stretched on deep into the afternoon, was thoroughly, well, refreshed.

So we return, at the start of the New Year, when the festive excess is but a dyspeptic blur in the rear-view mirror, and eyes are bright once more.

Things are quiet, as they are everywhere, and the room, which still resembles the entrance hall of some grand old museum, is half empty. Which is a problem, as all that space demands the clatter of knives and forks. At the weekend, though, the place is packed.

Service is as slick as it is sweet. And the food, under the command of the eponymous Emanuele Pollini, is very good indeed. Ingredients are top notch. And left mercifully untouched too  an exceptional yellowtail crudo, with sashimi-quality fish sliced so thin that you can see the plate below, drenched in a golden, grassy olive oil.

Amalfi anchovies, possessing the intense depth of the very best, served with cold butter. And some exceptionally sweet Sicilian prosciutto.

A fritto misto is beautifully done, the crisp, greaseless batter clinging lightly to vast, gloriously fresh prawns. They remind me of Southern Italian summers, in the drear depths of West London winter. And six of the buggers too, for 34. Which, for this part of town, is almost a bargain.

Even that interpretation of Pollinis mothers lasagne is far better than it sounds  fresh pasta stuffed with bechamel, surrounded by neat piles of serious beef ragu. Along with slivers of fried pasta.

But why bother with the interpretation? I want the real thing. Anyway, Pollini has some of the best Italian cooking in London. It just needs to fill that room.

About 45 per head. Pollini, 79 Barlby Road, London W10; ladbrokehall.com/restaurant
After Shell posted its second biggest annual profit of all time this week, attention will turn to BP and its new chief executive.

Murray Auchincloss took over after Bernard Looney was forced to stand down in disgrace last year over personal relationships with colleagues.

While Auchincloss was seen as the continuity candidate, having worked closely with Looney, his appointment has not pleased everyone.

Shareholders have expressed concerns about the green agenda devised by Looney which his successor has vowed to stick to.

This week it emerged that London-based activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners has written to bosses at the energy supermajor to demand an end to the firm's 'irrational' net zero commitments.

The hedge fund argued that the FTSE 100 giant's strategy has depressed its share price and presumed a 'drastic decline in oil and gas demand, which we consider to be utterly unrealistic'.

BP is targeting a 25 per cent reduction in oil and gas output by 2030, though Looney's initial plan was a 40 per cent cut.

However, most of the other energy majors are planning flat output.

Analysts at investment platform AJ Bell said more clarity on BP's strategy will be needed  especially in light of the group's 'poor share price performance relative to its oil major peers

AJ Bell's Russ Mould said attention is likely to switch towards shareholder returns as opposed to simply profits.
Meta has leapfrogged Nvidia to become the top-performing Magnificent Seven stock of the year as Wall Street cheered the tech giant's first-ever dividend.

On a frenzied day of trading, shares in the Facebook and WhatsApp owner soared nearly 22 per cent after what was described as a 'coming of age' moment for the company.

The rally was spurred by the promise of quarterly dividend payments of 50 cents a share and a 40billion buyback programme, and propelled Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg above Bill Gates on the global rich list.

Zuckerberg is ranked fourth with a fortune of 126billion and Gates is fifth on 114billion.

They still lag behind Elon Musk at number one with a fortune of 162billion and Bernard Arnault and Jeff Bezos who are joint second with 146billion.

The latest moves came after Meta, Amazon and Apple posted their latest results on Thursday night. Microsoft, Tesla and Google-owner Alphabet are the other members of the so-called Magnificent Seven mega-stocks to have reported figures in recent weeks. Nvidia is due to follow suit later this month.

Meta, which owns Instagram as well as Facebook and WhatsApp, has been the stand out performer as far as investors are concerned.

It posted a 25 per cent jump in revenues to 32billion for the three months to the end of December and is now returning up to 68billion to shareholders.

Shares raced to a record high yesterday  taking gains for the year so far to 35 per cent. That eclipsed the immense growth seen by chip maker Nvidia in 2024. Nvidia enjoyed a record-breaking surge in market value in January, the largest monthly increase ever, driven by heightened optimism around artificial intelligence.

The world's most valuable chip maker saw its market value increase by an unprecedented 234billion, surpassing the gain of 196billion seen in May 2023.

But it was Meta's dividend announcement that seemed to excite Wall Street most this week. Big tech has traditionally avoided shareholder payouts as it focused on pumping cash into innovative projects.

Strong performance: Meta, which owns Instagram as well as Facebook and WhatsApp, has been the stand out performer as far as investors are concerned

But an increasing number of firms have moved towards divis in a quest to sweeten investors.

Meta is the fourth member of the Magnificent Seven to start a payout after Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia.

Yet it is also a sign of confidence from Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive, that his firm has turned a corner from its post-pandemic slump, which sparked major project cuts and the sacking of 21,000 employees.

'It is a coming of age,' said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P. 'It is a signal that they feel they have, and will continue to have, expectations of higher cash flow.'

And Dan Coatsworth, an analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'Paying a dividend suggests the company wants to reboot its reputation and be taken more seriously.'

Amazon was also lifted in early trading yesterday  with shares up 8 per cent  after posting its own stellar figures, which saw the online shopping giant rake in annual sales of 451billion.

This was up from the 403billion it made the previous year and came after sales in the Christmas quarter reached 133billion.

Apple shares were more subdued, however, after it warned of a slowdown in China.

Having already lost its position as the world's largest company by market valuation to Microsoft in recent weeks, it said sales fell 13 per cent in China in the three months to the end of December.

Ben Barringer, technology analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said Apple  once the golden child  is now 'becoming the laggard of big tech'.
Stereotyping: Neeraj Kanwar is managing director of Indian firm Apollo Tyres

The boss of a multinational tyre-making giant said he would not build a factory in the UK because British workers 'hardly work  they go to the pub'.

London-based Neeraj Kanwar is managing director of Indian firm Apollo Tyres, which has seven factories across the world  including a European base in Hungary  but none in the UK.

Kanwar, 52, who also owns an Italian restaurant in London called Scalini, blamed the welfare state for making it less important for people to have to hold down jobs. But an employment expert branded Kanwar's remarks as 'crude national stereotyping'.

Apollo, which enjoyed revenues of 2.3billion in the latest financial year to the end of March 2023, employs more than 18,000 staff globally and is a long-term sponsor of Manchester United.

In the UK, the company has a 'thin' team of around 30 working on its corporate brand, finance and some HR operations. It also has one of two innovation hubs in the UK  with the other in Hyderabad in India  and has a tie-up with Glasgow University, working in areas such as artificial intelligence to boost productivity at its factories.

But Kanwar dismissed the idea of manufacturing in the UK given the scarcity of workers.

'There's no incentive to go into the UK,' he said.

'Hungary gave us incentives, the cost of labour is much more competitive and then the cost of production becomes much more easy. And you know how the workforce in the UK is. They hardly work  they go to the pub.'

Kanwar said the remark was a quip but added: 'I think because of government policies, people can sit home and get pensions and they don't need to work, and that's a big policy issue.'

Apollo was founded in the 1970s by Kanwar's grandfather Raunaq Singh. Kanwar's London base is also a 'semi-HQ' for Apollo's global operations outside India. The remarks come as London faces a battle to re-establish itself as a hub for international business chiefs, many of whom have chosen to base themselves in the UK or list their businesses here even when their main operations are overseas.

Kanwar's views were criticised by labour market economist John Philpott. He said: 'This strikes me as crude national stereotyping that would be condemned if made by a British employer about workers overseas.

'Workers in all developed countries tend to get more choosy about job choices as income levels and education improves, which is one reason why migrant labour is used to fill lower paid roles.

'But there is little evidence to suggest that able-bodied people with few other options can reject jobs because of the availability of benefits. Indeed, one can see from the fact that so many young educated British people end up in less skilled and insecure work in the so-called gig economy that an easy life on benefits spent down the pub is not a widespread preference.'
Taking its name from Athena the Goddess of Wisdom, the Greek capital of Athens is considered a 'dream destination' for the millions of tourists who visit every year.

It is also famed for being Europe's oldest capital city and the birthplace of modern democracy and western civilisation.

But lurking in the shadows of its ancient gems lies a brutal underworld of gangland violence, racketeering, extortion and murder.

Known locally as the 'world of the night', in the last seven years there have been over 30 gangland killings in the historic capital.

Last month's public execution of a Greek mafia boss gunned down in a hail of bullets has now sparked fears that the country's mobster rivalries could spiral out of control.

Last month's public execution of a Greek mafia boss Vangelis Zambounis, known as 'The Ham', who was gunned down in a hail of bullets, has now sparked fears that the country's mobster rivalries could spiral out of control

Vassilis Roubetis. Known as 'Rambo' or 'Taxizis', according to police Roubetis is said to have been murdered an act of revenge for the killing of a fuel company owner and yet another prominent mafia boss, Yiannis Skaftouros who was involved in the illegal trade of fuel and cigarettes

CCTV video shows a masked man armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle approaching Zambounis's SUV and unleashing over 90 rounds through his side window

Katerina Anagnostaki. Having survived a pervious attempt on her life in 2011 when she was shot in the head, Anagnostaki had been returning to her home in the upmarket district of Kifissia. After parking her Mercedes in an underground carpark, the gangster's moll who was known as 'Katerina Bella Mafia' was gunned down in a hail of Kalashnikov fire as she stepped out of her car

Crime boss Vangelis Zambounis was ambushed in the early hours of January 14 as he sat in his BMW.

The 44-year-old known as 'The Ham' had been parked outside a petrol station he owned when his assassins pulled up behind him in a stolen Jeep Lexus with fake number plates.

CCTV video shows a masked man armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle approaching Zambounis's SUV and unleashing over 90 rounds through his side window.

The hooded killer then reloads and fires another hail of bullets into the mafia kingpin before opening the door and shooting him several times in the head with a pistol.

According to police, 'The Ham' who controlled Athens' western and southern suburbs is believed to have run a string of extortion and smuggling rackets.

He is also accused of being behind a series of murders of rival gangsters.

Police spokesman Stavros Balaskas said: 'He lived by the sword and he died by the sword - or more precisely the bullet.

'The victim was an executioner. He started his illegal career as an executioner and even tried to murder a high-ranking judge.

'The people who carried out this attack were determined that they would get him.

'The Ham' at his vehicle before the assassination outside a petrol station he owned

Zambounis, 44, entering his car before the deadly attack

A Jeep Lexus with fake number plates pulls up behind the 4x4 and an assassin runs up beside the vehicle with a gun

The gunman then unleashes a torrent of bullets through the window

The assassin fires several rounds, leaving the vehicle smoking and The Ham's bloodied corpse inside

'You saw the ferocity with which they attacked and the determination they had by opening the door and shooting him in the head with a pistol.'

Police say they have since identified seven people they suspect of being involved in the contract killing which they believe was either an act of revenge or an attempt to seize control of the country's lucrative oil smuggling business.

It is estimated that there are around 215 crime bosses known as 'Godfathers of the Night' vying for control in Greece.

Most are in collaboration with the Sicilian Mafia, Camorra and Albanian, Romanian, Russian and Serbian organised crime groups.

In addition to extortion, prostitution and racketeering, most of the groups' activities revolve around oil smuggling, money laundering, weapons, drugs and human trafficking, kidnappings and murder.

In a 2023 report, the Global Organised Crime Index which assesses countries' levels of criminality and resilience to organised crime said: 'Recent assassinations of individuals linked to these networks highlight the severity of this issue.

'The permeation of crime through the already weakened Greek economy is expected to worsen the situation.

'During the pandemic, reduced revenue in nightlife establishments led to an uptick in competition between these groups, with each trying to keep the largest share of the extortion market.'

Yiannis Skaftouros. Nicknamed 'Uncle Joe', Skaftouros was gunned down in front of his friends and family at his holiday home by two AK-47-touting masked men riding motorcycles. His 22-year-old daughter and 45-year-old brother-in-law were also injured

The execution of body building champion Vassilis Grivas in front of his 11-year-old son outside his school in May 2017 is said to have broken the 'unwritten laws off the night' and is seen as being pivotal in the escalation of violence

According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, more than 30 contract killings have swept through the Greek underworld since 2017.

One was Zambounis' girlfriend who was 'shot to pieces' by Kalashnikov-wielding hitmen outside her luxury apartment in the Greek capital in 2018.

Having survived a pervious attempt on her life in 2011 when she was shot in the head, Katerina Anagnostaki had been returning to her home in the upmarket district of Kifissia.

After parking her Mercedes in an underground carpark, the gangster's moll who was known as 'Katerina Bella Mafia' was gunned down in a hail of Kalashnikov fire as she stepped out of her car.

According to reports, her killing was connected not only with her relationship with Zambounis but also to her 2009 arrest on suspicion of carrying out a mafia-related murder and being part of a bank robbery gang.

She was later acquitted of both but it is thought that rival groups had her in their sights.

A month later, assassins made their first attempt on Zambounis' life opening fire on him in the port city of Piraeus.

The mafia boss survived after one of the killers' AK-47 jammed, leaving him with just a wounded leg.

Vassilis Stefanakos was said to be the leader of the Greek Mafia and was nicknamed 'the originator'. His assassination was thought to be in response to the execution of body-building champ Vassilis Grivas who had a leading role in a rival mafia group

Manolis Karagiannis was shot to death with an AK-47 during a mafia ambush in June 2018. He was a member of gang which included Vassilis Grivas and Giorgos Litsas

The following year saw another spate of killings including that of a 54-year-old gangster nicknamed 'The Teacher' who was accused of being behind the killing of 'Bella Mafia'.

He is also thought to have been responsible for the murders of three of 'The Ham's' associates.

In January 2018, Vassilis Stefanakos nicknamed 'The Originator' and who police referred to as the 'crime boss of crime bosses' was gunned down in his car by a team of assassins.

The hit was thought to be in revenge for the execution of body-building champ Vassilis Grivas who had a leading role in a rival mafia group.

His killing the previous year in front of his 11-year-old son outside his school is said to have broken the 'unwritten laws off the night' and is seen as being pivotal in the escalation of violence.

Mobster George Litsas, who belonged to the same crime group as Grivas, was gunned down by AK-47s in June 2018. Nicknamed 'Boumbis' or 'Boo' he is said to be among those who took part in the murder of Vassilis Stefanakos.

The same month fellow mobster Manolis Karagiannis was shot to death with an AK-47 during a mafia ambush in June 2018.

Last June, Zambounis' reputation for being involved in mafia feuds deepened following the assassination of major rival Vassilis Roubetis and his brother-in-law.

Last June, Vangelis Zambounis' reputation for being involved in mafia feuds deepened following the assassination of major rival Vassilis Roubetis (pictured) and his brother-in-law

George Litsas was gunned down by AK-47s in 2018. Nicknamed 'Boumbis' or 'Boo' he is said to be among those who murdered Stefanakos

Known as 'Rambo' or 'Taxizis', according to police Roubetis' execution was an act of revenge for the killing of a fuel company owner and yet another prominent mafia boss, Yiannis Skaftouros who was involved in the illegal trade of fuel and cigarettes.

Nicknamed 'Uncle Joe', Skaftouros was gunned down in front of his friends and family at his holiday home by two AK-47-touting masked men riding motorcycles.

His 22-year-old daughter and 45-year-old brother-in-law were also injured.

Police say they have had some success in their fight against the country's organised crime.

Last month saw dozens of gangsters rounded up during a series of raids which uncovered hundreds of kilos of drugs, firearms and hundreds of thousands of Euros.

The arrests included two men suspected of shooting Skaftouros and Roubetis.

The men, who are reported to be Georgian, were seized in Athens' notorious no-go districts of Aspropyrgos and Menidi in the west of the city.

According to the Christodoulou Hellas detective agency, Menidi is a 'gang battlefield' and 'one of the most dangerous areas of Athens.

The report added: 'Aspropyrgos is another dangerous area of Athens, which is a hotbed of petty crime but also a den of gangs involved in serious drug and human trafficking cases.

'Here you can find slums that are a result of poverty in the area, to villas that belong to dangerous gangs.'

The downtown neighbourhood of Omonoia is reported to be controlled by 'Nigerian and Moroccan gangs which have created prostitution and drug-trafficking squares.'

The execution of Zambounis has now raised concerns that bitter mob rivalries could further escalate the violence which has spread across the capital and beyond.

Police spokesman Stavros Balaskas said: 'Personal disputes are usually behind these hits.

'Most of them occur either when one mafia enters the territory of another, or to resolve financial disputes, settle scores, or to silence someone.

'These people never grow old, they have an expiration date. The chances of this situation increasing is high.'

Katerina Anagnostaki was later acquitted of both but it is thought that rival groups had her in their sights

According to reports, Anagnostaki's killing was connected not only with her relationship with Zambounis but also to her 2009 arrest on suspicion of carrying out a mafia-related murder and being part of a bank robbery gang

The rise in contract killings, police say, has been exacerbated by 'new-comers' who are carrying out targeted exterminations which causes tit-for-tat revenge killings.

In the past, the feuds were between local warring gangs vying for power and territory.

But police say that, with around 2,500 members of criminal groups in the country, foreign mafia groups are attempting to seize more and more control.

This has spurred the violence on as domestic crime bosses fight to keep their control.

According to the Global Organised Crime Index: 'Greece's strategic location as a gateway to Europe through the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean, combined with the demand for cheap services and labour, has made it a [criminal] hub.

'The presence of foreign mafia groups in Greece []continues to be a problem, with the most prominent European criminal groups [] particularly active in the country.'

Balaskas said: 'The real problem with death contracts is that they are not done by local thugs.

'They come from elsewhere, they do it and they leave, and all of this is arranged through the internet.'
These are the academics who were blasted in a stinging judgment by an employment tribunal after they hounded a lesbian lecturer out of her job.

Criminology expert Prof Jo Phoenix, 59, saw her name dragged through the mud at the Open University once her views on the importance of biological sex became known.

Despite assuring colleagues she was not transphobic, a small group of trans activist lecturers refused to set aside their personal politics to allow freedom of opinion.

Instead, ringleader Dr Leigh Downes, a female who identifies as non-binary, led a campaign against Prof Phoenix - publishing an open letter 'in order to create a pile-on', which amassed 368 staff signatures

Last week, in an extraordinary judgment, the participants were criticised for their vindictive motives; as well as their evidence, which a judge described as 'evasive' and 'not credible'.

Criminology expert Prof Jo Phoenix, 58, saw her name dragged through the mud at the Open University once her views on the importance of biological sex became known

Dr Leigh Downes, who identifies as non-binary, led a campaign against Prof Jo Phoenix - publishing an open letter 'in order to create a pile-on' which amassed 368 staff signatures

Head of department Dr Deborah Drake (pictured) likened Prof Phoenix to controversial US sociologist Charles Murray, who has been perceived as racist. She refused take action to stop the hostility against Prof Phoenix

Prof Louise Westmarland, a former friend, likened the under-fire professor to 'a racist uncle at a dinner party'

Employment Judge Jennifer Young said: 'On multiple occasions, whenever gender critical views were expressed at the Open University, Dr Downes complained or tried to get the view suppressed.

'The claimant's gender critical beliefs made Dr Downes feel palpably uncomfortable.'

The judge went on: 'The purpose of signing the open letter was to create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for Prof Phoenix.

'We conclude that having 368 of your colleagues sign a public letter saying that you are part of a group that is fundamentally transphobic, is stigmatising and damaging.'

Besides Dr Downes, other signatories in the open letter - Dr Helen Bowes-Catton, Dr Nicola Snarey, Prof Peter Keogh, Natalie Starkey and Dr Chris Williams - were found to have contributed to the hostility, despite their claims that they were expressing academic freedom.

The judge dismissed this reasoning and wrote: '[It] was not an exercise in academic freedom. There is nothing scholastic about the open letter, it stigmatised the claimant and damaged her reputation.'

Rather than stamp out the febrile atmosphere on campus, departmental leaders at the university left Prof Phoenix to face the onslaught alone and even blamed her for having spoken out in the first place.

Prof Louise Westmarland, a former friend who had unsuccessfully competed for the same job, likened the under-fire professor to 'a racist uncle at a dinner party'.

The head of the department, Dr Deborah Drake, caused huge distress by comparing Prof Phoenix to controversial US political scientist Charles Murray, whose views have been likened to a racist.

Prof Peter Keogh 'wanted to create a hostile environment for [Prof Phoenix] and her gender critical beliefs at the OU', the tribunal found

Dr Helen Bowes-Catton tweeted a link to the open letter against Prof Phoenix, which the tribunal found had contributed to the pile-on against her

Dr Chris Williams 'displayed an irrational fear' in looking at obtaining an injunction against Prof Phoenix 'and was hostile to the claimant because she had gender critical beliefs,' the tribunal noted

Dr Nicola Snarey tweeted: 'The Open University should be extremely concerned about what effect this gender critical research network will have on their academic credibility'

Despite both of their denials, Judge Young found that on balance, they had indeed made the comments and both had contributed to the harassment of Prof Phoenix.

Judge Young noted: 'We find that Dr Drake disliked the claimant expressing her gender critical position.

'This was evident in her efforts to silence the claimant speaking about her research, comparing her to a prominent sociologist Charles Murray (perceived as being racist), and her frustration in her emails to various members... in particular Dr Downes.

'We consider that this was pivotal in creating and maintaining the hostile work environment.

READ MORE: Professor Jo Phoenix breaks her silence after winning harassment case against the Open University - and likens tribunal to surviving rape when she was 15 Advertisement

'Dr Drake's role as head of department meant that she set the tone for the department. Professor Westmarland's behaviour towards the Claimant likening her to a racist uncle also contributed to the hostile atmosphere.'

The tribunal at Watford heard that Prof Phoenix, an expert in criminology, had began her academic career at the Open University 30 years earlier where she studied for her PhD.

Having held senior posts at Durham University and the University of Leicester, she returned to the Open University in 2016, taking a 18,000 pay cut in order to enjoy a 'homecoming' for the final phase of her career.

Prof Phoenix's problems began in October 2018, when she signed a letter alongside 53 other academics, which appeared in The Guardian, criticising proposals for the introduction of self-identification in gender reassignment.

The tribunal heard the Guardian letter was met with dismay from Prof Phoenix's colleagues. One of them, history lecturer Dr Chris A Williams, wrote to his colleague Dr Helen Bowes-Catton and expressed deep concern about Prof Phoenix carrying out research into the area and even discussed getting an injunction against her.

The tribunal noted: 'Dr Williams was displaying an irrational fear and was hostile to the Claimant because she had gender critical beliefs.'

On March 6 2019, a planned conference into prison abolition was axed after several academics objected to Dr Richard Garside speaking at the event. He had previously written a critique against placing transgender prisoners in the women's estate.

On April 16, 2019, Prof Phoenix spoke up for women's sex-based rights at an event hosted by campaign group Woman's Place UK and she criticised the university for cancelling its prison abolition conference.

A video of Prof Phoenix's speech was shared among colleagues.

Professor Phoenix set up a gender critical research group while at the Open University, and says the backlash led to her leaving

Prof Louise Westmarland wrote, 'I can hardly bear to watch it' while Dr Downes claimed to have been reduced to tears, writing back to her: 'I watched it yesterday and had to take a walk. I found it very upsetting. Been a while since I cried at work.'

The panel read through a transcript of Prof Phoenix speech and noted: 'There is nothing in the talk that we find that would be upsetting.'

Prof Phoenix faced wrath from her colleagues again in June 2019, when she signed another letter, this time in The Sunday Times, criticising the closeness of UK universities with the LGBTQ charity Stonewall.

In September of that year, Prof Phoenix attempted to reach out to Dr Leigh Downes, to discuss carrying out research into trans prisoners, but her attempts were rebuffed.

In May 2021, Prof Phoenix was interviewed on a podcast called Savage Minds by the presenter Julian Vigo, where she discussed her gender critical beliefs.

The following month, she launched the Open University's Gender Critical Research Network alongside Dr Jon Pike and Laura McGrath.

Giving evidence, Prof Phoenix told the tribunal she could never have imagined the level of backlash she would receive.

Almost immediately, a WhatsApp group was set up by Open University staff.

Among those involved in this WhatsApp group were Dr Leigh Downes, Dr Avi Boukli, Dr Chris Williams and Dr Helen Bowes-Catton, but they all denied before the tribunal that the group's purpose was to create a campaign against Prof Phoenix.

But the tribunal noted: 'We simply did not believe Dr Downes, Dr Boukli, Dr Bowes-Catton or Dr Williams' evidence on this point and find that the WhatsApp group was set up to counter gender critical beliefs at the OU and was being used to set up the open letter.'

On June 17, 2019, the 'open letter' blasting Prof Phoenix and the new Gender Critical Research Network was published on Google documents and was signed by 368 Open University staff.

It stated: 'We call on the OU Vice Chancellor's Executive Team to take the following actions:

'To withdraw its public support for and affiliation with the Gender Critical Research Network 'To affirm their position as a trans inclusive employer 'To commit to developing a concrete plan of action for supporting and affirming trans students and staff in this trans-hostile external and internal environment.'

Dr Downes, who published the document and was its first signatory, was unable to explain in court who drafted it, neither were fellow contributors Dr Williams and Dr Bowes-Catton.

On June 24, 2021, one of the open letter's signatories, Professor Peter Keogh, sent an email to the LGBT+ staff network email list blasting Prof Phoenix's gender critical network for 'sharing transphobic views and materials on their website'.

The tribunal noted: 'The purpose of the conduct was to violate the claimant's dignity. The claimant's email response the same day to Professor Keogh's email indicates that Professor Keogh's email affected her deeply.'

The 'punishing' backlash eventually led Prof Phoenix to leave the university in December 2021.

Last week, the court upheld almost 20 of her claims. A remedies hearing will take place to decide the damages owed to her.

It also ruled that the abuse Phoenix endured was harassment and the university's failure to protect her from it made it complicit in this treatment.

Professor Tim Blackman, Vice-Chancellor at the Open University, released this statement: 'This judgment made for difficult reading for all of us. In several areas we fell very short. We apologise unreservedly to Professor Phoenix for the hurt and distress this has caused. This is not The Open University we want to be.

'The University has supported and continues to support the work of the Gender Critical Research Network (GCRN) as part of the many important research activities that take place at the OU. But our understanding of academic freedom and freedom of speech at the time meant we did not intervene about the open letter, statements and social media posts that followed the GCRN's launch. The tribunal ruling makes it clear that we should have acted differently to address the impact of this reaction on Professor Phoenix and the working environment that she experienced.

'We are sorry that this has been a painful episode for many colleagues. Research and academic debate are the life blood of universities. They are not at odds with inclusion, and we will find a path that encourages diversity of thought and views in the inclusive environment we all want to see at the OU. We have learned from the judgment and there is now more we need to do. The experience and outcome of this case will guide us with this important and essential work.

'We will be initiating a major independent review of our internal working environment. This will include addressing the challenge we and the sector face balancing the complexities of upholding academic freedom, freedom of speech, and equality and employment rights. It will help us to work together to ensure those with differing views are safe and free to express their opinions within the law.

'Achieving our mission to be open to people, places, methods, and ideas depends on us all at the OU committing to take forward this learning and to treat each other with civility and respect however profoundly we may disagree.'
Dr Jane Goodall is renowned the world over as an expert in the field of anthropology.

But it didn't take a natural sciences expert to interpret the very direct signals coming from Harry and Meghan when Dr Goodall paid them a visit shortly after the birth of their first child, Archie.

As royal author Robert Lacey tells it, Dr Goodall had been allowed to hold the newborn and give him a cuddle, one of the first outside the family to do so.

But when Dr Good pretended to make baby Archie do the Queens wave, she got a rather tart response.

The Duke of Sussex hugs Dr Jane Goodall as he attends her Roots & Shoots Global Leadership Meeting at Windsor Castle in 2019

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward wave to the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace

The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, hold their baby son Archie during a visit to the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town in 2019

This was May, 2019 when, according to Lacey, the Duchess of Sussex was combining the new duties of motherhood with work on a special edition of Vogue magazine, which she had been asked to guest-edit.

Harry was to make his own contribution to her 'Forces for CHANGE' edition by interviewing Dr Goodall  which was why she had joined them at the newly renovated Frogmore Cottage, briefly their home, near Windsor Castle.

Meghan came into the room as the interview drew to a close, writes Lacey in his best-selling biography, Battle of Brothers.

She was holding the newborn Archie tenderly in her arms and she offered the baby to the 85-year-old Goodall, who takes up the story.

He was very tiny and very sleepy, she recalls. I think I was one of the first to cuddle him outside the family. I made Archie do the Queens Wave saying I suppose hell have to learn this.

Harrys reaction brooked no doubt:

No! Hes not growing up like that.

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex pose together with their newborn son Archie in Windsor, 2019

World-famous anthropologist Dr Jane Goodall

Frogmore Cottage - comprising a number of dwellings knocked into one - was briefly home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Princess Elizabeth demonstrates the royal wave in 1951. She is pictured arriving at the Norwegian Embassy for a dinner party hosted by King Haakon VII of Norway

Prince Harry greets crowd of admirers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2011 following the wedding of his brother, William, to Catherine

A young Prince Harry shows he's learned how to wave. He is pictured with his mother as they arrive at Mrs Mynors's nursery school in 1987

It was just a few months later in January 2020 that the Sussexes announced they would step back from frontline royal duties and spend more time in North America.

In June 2021, Archie was joined by a baby sister called Lilibet - the pet name for Harrys late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Sussexes have been understandably protective of their children's privacy.

Harry made his views on royal life abundantly clear in his explosive memoir, Spare, published in early 2022, in which he railed against the conventions and restrictions of the British Royal Family.
Expert Dr David Tolin warns 'hoarding disorder is more than just being messy'

She says 'they need support' and shared tips on how people can start trying to help themselves

Davina Furbert has helped over 300 people clean out their homes and shares before and after pictures to show they are not alone

Specialist cleaners and a clinical psychologist have revealed some of the worst hoarding cases they have worked on and shared tips on how to get help.

Hoarding is not just being 'a bit messy' - it is a psychological disorder that can leave sufferers living 'in total squalor' or forced to move out. It is often a sign or symptom of a serious underlying mental health condition such as OCD or depression.

Davina Furbert, 32, from New York, runs a compassionate cleaning company and said she has 'seen it all' through her work with over 300 clients in the past five years.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she, along with other experts, share some of their most startling discoveries and tips on how to get help.

 Slide me  Davina Furbert runs a specialist cleaning company, Compassionate Cleaning, and has helped over 300 people clear out their homes

She shares before and after pictures of the work to help people realize they are not alone

About 19 million Americans suffer from a hoarding disorder, with many needing professional help to overcome the behavioral condition.

Furbert said: 'People think they are just dirty and nasty and lazy.'

'But a lot of these people are depressed, anxious or they went through a traumatic experience like they lost a parent and are trying to fill a void.

'Some people do it subconsciously, they dont even know that theyre doing it, they dont have the capacity to realize they are doing it. They dont even realize the mess is there or they dont realize how bad it is.'

Furbert frequently shares before and after photos on her Instagram account to help show other people they are not alone, and encourage them to seek help.

For her, the most serious case she has seen was the first home she went into.

She said: 'It was roaches, mice, maggots everything you can think of.

'I went in because she had ACS cases, she was at risk of her having her kids taken away. So I said let me help you.'

She added: 'When people have children, and then everything you touch, there is roaches coming under it and then mice coming out.

'People sometimes dont understand the hazards of mice. Its very dangerous. They carry germs and leave nasty things behind.'

Sharing the photos has helped reduce the shame and stigma for people in similar positions, Furbert says

That case kickstarted her company. She said: 'After I posted those pictures, so many people reached out and said I have the same thing going on.'

Now she helps three people a week and has a friend who takes on the cases she doesn't have time for.

Meanwhile, Nicole Levine, who founded specialist cleaning company Hoarders911 in 1991, told DailyMail.com that there are different forms of hoarding.

Years ago, in Brooklyn, her company was called to a house of a deceased person.

She said: 'There was a body, a person who had died of hoarding, and they didnt know where it was. It was just somewhere in the house under the piles of the rubbish.

'A lot of the time people will have tripped and fallen and they are unable to come back to the house until it is in a liveable condition. It becomes hazardous and then we have to get involved.'

She added: 'We often get animal hoarders, people who have eight or more of the same type of animal - its different than a breeder.

'We had people who would collect pigeons from outside and they would capture them and bring them in and let them roam around the house.

One of the most interesting types of hoarding, she said, is information hoarding.

'This is people who have a lot of books, magazines from the 1940s, 1950s. Usually these are very smart people with very successful careers in the law or politics. That's a really common type,' she explained.

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist and hoarding expert, Dr David Tolin, said that in some very severe, rare cases, people have been known to save bodily fluids, nail clippings or even the bodies of dead pets.

Furbert said an early sign of hoarding is when people have multiple copies of the same unnecessary item that they never use

Some of the videos show Furbert clearing out inches worth of grime

Furbert's first and most important piece of advice for hoarders is 'don't look at the house as a whole'.

'Start with one area, clear the couch off - thats all you have to do for the day. Do one little thing and then save it for the next day,' she said.

'If you look at it as a whole, without a doubt you will burn out, you will get overwhelmed. One thing at a time. You just have to do one thing at a time.'

When deciding what to keep and what to throw out, she continued: 'I categorize it. Sometimes it's things they maybe got from family members that pass away. Its okay to keep those things, you can box those up'.

But she added: 'Drawers, if you havent opened that drawer for a season, just toss everything - unless its important papers.'

Furbert also warned that it's important to know when to get professional help.

'I would say get professional help when its at a point that its affecting your mental health when you walk through your front door.'

She said a helpful test to find out if you may have a problem is: 'Can you light a candle? Is that a hazard?'

Although some of the people she helps go 'back to square one', some are able to maintain the level of cleanliness.

She said: 'Its a personal change, you just know that somebody, you have some support, you know there is someone there to help.'

Nicole Levine started Hoarders911 in 1991, she has worked with hoarders for over 30 years and has come up with categories of different types of hoarding

Dr David Tolin has shared some of the main causes of hoarding and a few methods people can use to help themselves as well as seeking professional help

Dr Tolin, said: 'Hoarding disorder is more than just being messy, it refers to an inability to when we have great difficulty discarding possessions.'

Some of the most serious cases he has seen are 'when people have homes that are really nonfunctional and they are living in absolute squalor and they are unable to live in the home.'

He said the important first step is recognizing you have a hoarding problem by asking yourself a series of questions.

'A lot of us have a lot of clutter, but in a disorder, we are talking about a point where living spaces are no longer usable for their intended purposes: can I reasonably cook, can I use my bathroom? Or, have those parts of my living space become storage areas?'

'You need to understand what happened in your past to point you down this path. We need to understand what is propping this problem up and what makes it persist,' he added.

His research has found that hoarding can come down to issues with four main things: executive functioning, emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortion and low motivation and insights.

Tackling the issues require asking yourself difficult questions.

Often the client will keep a few things and decide to throw everything else away

 Slide me  Furbert said some of her clients tell her to just clean it as though it is her stuff

He said: 'If youre a person with hoarding disorder you have potentially four different targets. If you find your problem is primarily executive functioning, then you need to practice effective decision making by challenging yourself with making decisions.

'If it is emotional dysregulation, then we need to practice distress tolerance, practice being uncomfortable and learn that discomfort doesnt ruin your life.

'If the problem is cognitive distortion it may help to ask, am I really thinking about this accurately? Is there an alternative way to look at this?

'If it is motivation and insight, we encourage people to think about what is really important now, what do you want for your life? Is my behavior pointing me towards that life that I want or away from it?'

He added: 'They are very difficult questions, hoarding is very difficult to tackle on your own. If your initial efforts at self-help dont work, dont be discouraged, its very difficult and you must seek professional help.'

Although people can feel shame at seeking help, he said: 'This is a little bit like taking off your clothes at the doctors office, sometimes you just have to do it so that the professionals can help you.'
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

They claim the substance was sold alongside 'bundles' including suicide instruction books and anti-vomiting medication to ensure death occurs

In her final moments, suicidal teen Ava Passannanti dialed 911 begging not to die.

The 18-year-old from Tucson, Arizona had ingested sodium nitrite, a chemical compound normally used for preserving food, which is lethal at certain potencies.

She had purchased the substance on Amazon in February 2021, for just $19.99 plus shipping costs.

The high-purity product had been sold without warnings of its danger or details on how to administer an antidote, lawyers for her family claim.

The teen's suicide note blamed depression for her actions, but her grieving family say Amazon is at fault for selling the dangerous chemical as part of cheap 'suicide kits'.

Passannanti's family are among at least 12 currently suing Amazon for wrongful death in similar circumstances through New York lawyer Carrie Goldberg's firm, who says she has even more cases waiting to be filed.

Bereaved families, including those of Ava Passannanti (pictured), are suing Amazon over the sale of sodium nitrite, a food preservative that is lethal at high potencies which is being used as a means of suicide

Tyler Schmidt was just 15 when he managed to order deadly sodium nitrite. He disappeared after school one day leading his family and friends to conduct a frantic search for two days before they tragically discovered his body

Ethan McCarthy, 17, of Milton, West Virginia, died by suicide on January 7, 2021 after buying a chemical online via Amazon. His family attempted to sue Amazon along with the family of another teenager from Ohio who died in the same manner. Kristine Jonsson, 16, of Hilliard, Ohio, took her own life on September 30, 2020

Searches for the compound on Amazon direct customers to search for commercial strength potency products although these have now been restricted to business users only

The families have filed in small groups in Washington, where Amazon is headquartered.

Since at least 2018, the online retailer has been made aware that sodium nitrite is being used in suicides, according to lawyers representing families.

In household use the compound typically has a purity of around six percent, but teens were easily getting their hands on products of 99 percent plus potency, filings state.

'Instead of removing it from their shelf, Amazon doubled down, hiring lawyers who said they had no duty to stop selling sodium nitrite,' said New York lawyer Carrie Goldberg. 'The lawyers advising Amazon have blood on their hands.'

Despite numerous pleas from grief-stricken parents, the product remained readily available, with no age verification checks and often with speedy shipping, Goldberg contends.

It wasn't until October 2022 that Amazon said it had changed its rules to limit the sale of high potency sodium nitrite to just business account holders. But for the victims' loved ones this is not enough.

DJ Viglis, 19, a talented cook and punk music enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia died by the same method as Passannanti in 2020. His parents appear on a joint lawsuit against Amazon.

Their lawsuit claims the retail giant 'bundles Sodium Nitrite with other offerings to create suicide kits', including 'Tagamet, an acid reduction medicine that online suicide forums recommend to prevent lifesaving vomiting' and a copy of Dr. Philip Nitschke's suicide instruction book, The Peaceful Pill, according to the lawsuit.

The teens, 'never met or knew the other existed, but the two are bound in how identical their deaths were and the role that Amazon played to enable the untimely ends of their lives,' the filings state.

There were at least 260 suicides linked to sodium nitrite poisoning between 2018 and 2020, according to a recent study.

Mikael Scott frantically text his mom in his final hours hoping that if he threw up he could be saved. She discovered his body at his Texas home shortly after.

Tyler Muhleman, 17, died after consuming the lethal chemical. His parents have campaigned his home state of California to push through a ban on the sale of sodium nitrite

DJ Viglis, 19, with his mom Mary-Ellen Viglis prior to his suicide by sodium nitrite in 2020

Some of the most recent deaths handled by Goldberg's firm took place as late as 2022, the year Amazon said it had finally cracked down and four years after it was allegedly first notified.

Nicholas Janus, 18, Oscar Sura Jr. 22, Michael Green, Jr., 20, and Hannah Allen, 21, were all able to purchase 'high purity' sodium nitrite from Amazon with 'fast delivery', according to a lawsuit brought by their relatives.

At the time the sale was made, Amazon was 'actively litigating' in another wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of two other decedents who took their life in similar circumstances - Mikael Scott, 27, and Tyler Muhleman, 17.

'They know it's killing people,' bereaved parent Ruth Scott said in an interview with the New York Times. 'They are fully aware. They just don't care.'

Scott's son took his life at his home in Schertz, Texas after 'his long and painful struggle with a debilitating illness of both mind and body', according to his obituary.

The lawsuit detailed how he sent frantic texts to his mom in his final moments telling her how he hoped throwing up would save him.

When she found him, his face appeared 'frozen with a look of fear and agony,' the suit states.

Sodium nitrite is worryingly effective as a suicide method, often resulting in an agonizing death in 20 minutes and leaving little chance of survival if a person tries to abort their attempt.

At the same time, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that teens tend to 'underappreciate risk'.

Studies also suggest there is no correlation between the chosen method for a suicide attempt and the commitment to dying.

McCarthy and Jonsson bought Loudwolf's food preserving agent sodium nitrite online for $19.99

Scott's case was included in a complaint along with that of Muhleman from San Jose, California, who also took his life in the same way just days after purchasing sodium nitrite.

His father discovered his body behind the door to his bedroom on May 25, 2021, according to the filings, which claim that his son was never asked his age prior to signing up to Amazon.

His mom Cindy Cruz petitioned lawmakers in California to consider a ban on the chemical's sale.

'How can a potentially lethal substance be sold to anyone, much less minors?' she asked.

'It's difficult to comprehend how sodium nitrite is so easily accessible to minors-more accessible than cigarettes or alcohol. I miss my son. I miss his gentle nature, his kindness, compassion, and empathy.'

'I had no idea that there were instructions online for how to kill yourself,' another grieving mom Laura Jonsson told FOX28.

'I had no idea that you could order a dangerous chemical and have it sent to your front door.'

Jonsson's daughter Kristine took her life in September 2020 after ordering the chemical compound to the family's home in Hilliard, Ohio. She was found dead in her car.

'She was 16 when we lost her,' Jonsson added. 'I can tell you she's an artist, she's a student, she's a flute player. Those aren't the things I miss. I miss my daughter. I miss who she is. Her.'

She and her husband filed a joint lawsuit in Washington with the parents of Ethan McCarthy, 17, who died the following January.

McCarthy's mom Martinique Maynor had been emailed a confirmation of his order which she attempted to cancel to no avail.

She found him limp in his bed, his skin patchy and with liquid oozing from his mouth. On his desk was a bottle of sodium nitrite and a glass of water.

Hannah Allen, 21, was able to purchase sodium nitrite with 'fast delivery' according to a lawsuit brought by her family

Family of Michael Green Jr. , 20, filed a lawsuit along with three other families claiming that Amazon sold the chemical compound well after it became aware it was being used in suicides

The bereaved families of Tyler Muhleman, Tyler Schmidt and Aydin Wallin are pushing for tougher rules around the sale of sodium nitrite in California

Both teens had bought sodium nitrite by the brand Loudwolf, which at 99 percent purity, was well above the levels seen for its typical uses. The product was subsequently scrubbed from Amazon listings.

A federal judge dismissed the families' claims of negligence and violation of state law, ruling that Amazon had no duty to provide extra warnings on the product and that the teens purchased the substance in full knowledge of its impact.

'Kristine and Ethan's fates were undisputedly tragic, but the court can only conclude that they necessarily knew the dangers of bodily injury and death associated with ingesting sodium nitrite,' U.S. District Judge James Robart wrote.

However this has not deterred other families, including those of 15-year-old Tyler Schmidt who filed a wrongful death suit in Washington in September 2023, alleging Amazon violated the state's Consumer Protection Act.

Schmidt died in December 2020 after disappearing on an after-school walk. A vial of sodium nitrite was found near his body, according to the suit.

'His frantic parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors searched for two days, finding his body on December 16, 2020. His family then learned that, despite Amazons knowledge of the use of high-purity Sodium Nitrite for suicidespecifically by minors - Amazon continued selling Sodium Nitrite, causing their sons tragic death.

'Had [the chemical compound] not been available on Amazon.com for purchase by a minor  without parental permission or age verification, and with prompt delivery  Tyler Schmidt would not have died by suicide,' the lawsuit stated. 'Instead, Amazon sold the lethal product.'

It also claimed the compound's 99.6 percent purity was well above household use.

'Amazon knew or should have known that it was profiting off vulnerable minors contemplating self-harm,' the lawsuit states.

Ayden Wallin was just 16 when he died from sodium nitrite toxicity in 2020

At the time of 18-year-old Nick Janus' death, Amazon was already litigating in another wrongful death suit related to the sale of sodium nitrite

The filings further highlight that Amazon continued to sell the products in the US, despite knowing countries such as the UK and the Netherlands had pulled it from their shelves.

Schmidt's family is seeking damages and a ban on Amazon selling the product to minors. They joined Muhleman's family and that of Ayden Wallin, 16, another sodium nitrite victim, to campaign for reforms in California.

Wallin's mom Meredith Mitchel sent 56 messages to Amazon's customer service teams begging for the compound to be removed, screenshots show.

She was told the matter was being escalated, but continued to inform them that to her horror, the product was still being sold without an age limit.

More than a year later, on what would have been Wallin's 18th birthday, Mitchel was eventually told Amazon would be taking 'no further action', according to legal filings.

She has continued her fight, joining the lawsuit brought on behalf of Janus, Sura, Green and Allen.

'Our clients are indefatigable,' Goldberg said. 'They have already gone through the worst pain imaginable. They feel they owe it to their kids and they don't want any other parents to go through the hell that they have.

'We are never going to be able to get them full justice, it will be incomplete. These parents would trade a billion dollars for a second more with their child.

Junior Sura, 22, was sold sodium nitrite in 2022. Amazon said it changed its policy to only sell high purity versions of the compound to business users in October that yet

'Amazon is just completely removed from corporate ethics, they think the cost of doing business is that people will die.'

'Until it is clearly marked as on Amazon's restricted list, it won't be enough,' attorney Naomi Leeds who also represents the families added. 'There is nothing in their behavior to date that makes me take them at their word that they are doing enough to prevent this, it is still pretty easy to get a business account.

'Amazon exists in a grey area, unless they are told they can't do something, they will push the line,' she added.

Their work is already making waves, with a bill in Congress due to be signed imminently to restrict sales of high potency sodium nitrite.

Meanwhile legislators in California are pushing forward a strong criminal bill outlawing the sale of the deadly compound to minors, requiring age verification for purchase, and ordering warning labels. A similar measure received cross-party support in Massachusetts.

And in Colorado, officials from both sides of the political spectrum are weighing up a ban that would go even further.

'It is incumbent on us to do what we can to save lives,' said Rep. Judy Amabile, a Boulder Democrat who's co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. Marc Catlin, a Montrose Republican, the Denver Post reports. 'And this bill will save lives.'

Lawyer Carrie Goldberg represents at least 12 families suing Amazon alleging negligence or wrongful death

Reviews dating back more than a year before Amazon changed its policy detail its use on pro-suicide forums

But the lawyers still want to see the likes of Jeff Bezos given a grilling in a similar manner to big tech bosses who have been hauled before Senate to give an explanation into failures in child safety.

'They take no action to protect consumers in their home country, meanwhile in the Netherlands it is recognized as a suicide product and they agree not to sell it there,' Leeds added.

'You don't get the privilege of selling in this country while profiting off selling death to its consumers.'

Amazon said it began limiting sales of high potency sodium nitrite for business users in October 2022.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones personally affected by suicide. Customer safety is a top priority at Amazon,' a spokeswoman said.

'We are committed to a safe shopping experience and require our selling partners to follow all applicable laws and regulations when listing items in our store.

'Sodium nitrite is a legal and widely-available product offered by retailers to preserve foods, such as meats and fish, and for use in laboratories as a reagent.

'High concentration sodium nitrite is not intended for direct consumption, and unfortunately, like many products, it can be misused.'

Dailymail.com has contacted Loudwolf for comment.

For confidential support, visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website (here) or call 988.
Shadow Indigenous Affairs spokesperson Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hit out at what she calls a romanticised 'noble savage' view of Aboriginal culture that traps Indigenous people 'in abject poverty' and cycles of violence and abuse.

In a wide-ranging interview with Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Senator Price said the Voice referendum changed Australia, gave her message for 'Yes' voters and revealed how a run-in with high-profile columnist Peter FitzSimons led to taking precautions with the media.

Senator Price, who along with Warren Mundine led last year's successful campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, said embracing mainstream values was the only way forward for Indigenous people.

'For those people of Indigenous heritage in this country who live successful lives it is because they have absolutely embraced modern Australian culture that comes from western culture,' she said.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was a leading advocate in the successful campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

READ MORE: Jacinta Nampijinpa Price blasts 'corporates' for shaming Aussies who celebrate Australia Day after Woolworths stopped selling merchandise Advertisement

'Our most marginalised and most dysfunctional are told to remain in a culture and a way of life that no longer serves them in a modern western society.'

She argued 'an activist class' put 'an ideological framework over everything' that suggested Aboriginal people needed to be treated differently through a 'lens of Indigenous culture'.

'Absolutely it's the myth of the noble savage,' she said.

'We see it over and again, especially when you have academics and those who worship traditional culture desperately wanting to believe in the writings of people like Bruce Pascoe, who would prefer to liken Indigenous Australians to Europeans.'

Prof Pascoe's best known book Dark Emu, which is taught in high schools, argues Indigenous Australians had much more advanced farming, housing and cooking techniques at the time of European settlement than previously admitted.

Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price and grandmother Tess Napaljarri Ross are pictured after an Indigenous ceremony at Parliament House on July 27

The best-selling work, which was the basis for an ABC documentary, is controversial with some leading anthropologists and archaeologists saying the evidence it presents is weak and selective.

Senator Price believes a mythologised past is hampering the future of Indigenous people.

'It's really a romanticised version of what the academics and those who live in big major cities think that what culture is,' she said.

'Everything gets completely and utterly romanticised and when that occurs those who are suffering the most continued to be ignored.

'The reason we are not getting ahead is because many of those who have a bit of power continue along that narrative without treating Indigenous Australians as Australians.

'Its the easy way to shift blame and therefore agency and responsibility from the lives of our vulnerable. We have to stop doing that which is why I argue that we have to serve Australians on the basis of need rather than race.'

Senator Price believed October's Voice referendum, which saw over 60 per cent of voters reject the constitutionally enshrined advisory body, demonstrated that average Australians 'understand what is actually going on'.

Bruce Pascoe's controversial book Dark Emu argued that Indigenous people were much more advanced in agriculture, construction and cooking at the time of European settlement than has been previously admitted

'I am incredibly grateful for the common sense approach that the majority of Australians took,' she said.

'I am grateful that we dont have a nation that is going to be permanently divided along the lines that was going to be voted into our Constitution.

'For a long time you have been vilified if you address the truth of the situation so the results of the referendum have provided the opportunity for Australians to be more honest in addressing these issues.

'They are standing up and saying "I am not going to buy the nonsense anymore".'

She said ordinary Aussies wanted to help Indigenous Australians but knew 'that taking the direction it has gone has not worked and it is not going to work in the future'.

The result also gave the Northern Territory Senator confidence to 'continue the work I want to continue and a mandate to pursue an inquiry into the way in which funding is spent to the benefit of improving our marginalised'.

'I think the Australian people have demonstrated they are in favour of that,' she said.

'They are also in favour of a Royal Commission into the sexual abuse of Indigenous children to really actually address the areas of concern from where they begin.'

Progressive commentator Peter FitzSimons had a series of angry exchanges with Senator Price over different recollections of their interview

She said such a commission needed to go into 'what is causing the high levels of violence, the high levels of neglect and abuse of our children and of our women'.

The Senator also supported Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's vow to scrap funding to the Environmental Defenders Office, a legal group that challenges fossil fuel projects and will get $8.2million over four years from the Commonwealth.

'I feel as an Indigenous person in the NT and a traditional owner myself, knowing many others, a lot of traditional owners are robbed of the opportunity of economic independence through projects such as the Barossa project up there,' she said.

The Barossa Gas Project, which the Environmental Defenders Office opposes, would drill for gas in the seas off the Northern Territory.

Senator Price said well-intentioned Yes voters needed to understand that Indigenous people had to be their own saviours.

'Yes voters genuinely thought they were going to make a difference by voting Yes but sometimes it needs to be understood that weve got to find our own way,' she said.

'Doing good can often be more detrimental than actually allowing someone to fall and get back up themselves.'

In their text exchange FitzSimons reminded Price he had recorded their conversation and Price urged him to publicly release the tape

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,' the website states.

Senator Price said she didn't get offended by what she was called.

'I dont object to being called Aboriginal but I prefer proud Australian,' she said.

'I am happy to be called a blackfella too.'

The Senator's staff began recording interactions with the media after the acrimonious fallout of an interview she did with Voice supporter Peter FitzSimons shortly after being elected to parliament in 2022.

Senator Price claimed the left-wing author was 'rude' and 'aggressive' and the pair got into a shouting match, which FitzSimons denied with both sides saying they had witnesses to back up their account of the conversation.

Daily Mail Australia later obtained furious text messages FitzSimons exchanged with the Country Liberal Senator, which threatened legal action if she did not withdraw her claims.

Senator Price for her part told him to stop 'bullying her' and she later urged FitzSimons to release the interview recording so the public could make up their own minds.

The recording was not released and no legal action was undertaken.
Fed up locals have called on Luton Council to ban any more opening

The town has 19 peri peri chicken shops alone and dozens of others

Residents living in Britain's most obese area say they have been 'invaded' by chicken shops - and are urging council bosses to ban any others from opening.

The Bedfordshire town of Luton has 19 peri peri chicken shops alone and dozens of others.

And shocking stats show the town has the worst obesity rates in the country.

It has had a whopping 4,880 hospital admissions for obesity per 100,000 people in 2022/23 - the highest out of anywhere in Britain.

Another shocking stat shows two-thirds of adults in Luton are classed as overweight or obese.

One furious local told MailOnline: 'The town is full of obese people. It's the council's fault.

'They have let it get out of control. No others should be opening anytime soon.'

Luton has among the highest number of chicken takeaways of any town in Britain

Rival chicken shops are only a few metres apart, offering spicy deep fried poultry products with a range of sauces

The figures, from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, show 66.2 per cent of those in Luton were overweight or obese - up from 65 per cent five years ago.

Twenty seven per cent were obese alone.

Locals blame it on a huge number of chicken shops and other fast food outlets, which dominate the town centre.

But owners and workers have defended themselves, saying they are providing a service and have described Luton as the 'golden square' of chicken shops.

When MailOnline visited this week, many were packed with customers as early as noon - with queues and staff rushed off their feet with business.

The streets were also packed with food delivery motorcycles at that time as well.

Fitness fan George Feron, 49, said the town was 'dominated' by fast food outlets and overweight people.

He said: 'It blights the area and dominates it. They are everywhere.

Husband and wife John and Margaret Miskin returned to shop in Luton for the first time in several years. Margaret, 72, said: 'It's been a few years since we have been here. It's changed a lot and not for the better'

Sasithuran Susieulelenth, 40, who works at Sam's Chicken in the town centre, said: 'We're always packed to the rafters. 'We're flat out busy with customers. We love it. It is amazing. It is great for business'

James Nolan, 65, who lives in the city centre said: 'Something needs to be done urgently about it. 'I don't think those in power care'

'It brings the area down. Some are filthy and disgusting as well and just makes it look bad.

'It should not be allowed. It's not right. It's a joke. But I run a business in the town and it's not funny.

READ MORE: The UK's dirtiest takeaways Advertisement

'I want this area to be vibrant and varied. Not full of chicken shops and betting shops which it currently is.

'It's depressing. They are always very busy.

'The town is full of obese people. It's the council's fault.

'They have let it get out of control. No others should be opening anytime soon.'

Mr Feron, who runs a convenience store, added: 'It's terrible.

'A lot of people are fat and lazy here. And that attitude is enabled by the amount of chicken shops and fast food places.

'It's not rocket science to say that is going to be a big factor.'

Edward Parker, 55, has lived in Luton for 20 years and said the trend of fast food outlets was 'appalling'.

The plumber said: 'We're a laughing stock.

If someone misses a chicken takeaway in Luton they have only a short distance to go before they come across another one

Local Sami Khan, 84, said: 'I know there's these sort of shops all over the country, but Luton feels like it has about half a country's worth. 'When will something be done? There should be some sort of amnesty. Stop them now'

'It's an invasion. Fast food places are followed by betting shops, slot machines and just rubbish places. There's not many gyms around here.

'It would be commercial suicide to open one. Look at all the fat people, it's appalling.

'This is a ticking time bomb. There's no hope here anymore. The fact there's so much easy access to unhealthy food and obesity rates so high is clearly linked.

'People say they would be empty if it was not fast food places. Which is a point but surely give something else a go is what I would say.'

Mr Parker said he had raised the issue with local councillors. He added: 'It's not exactly a state secret, they are everywhere.

'Other than a brothel, which I imagine would be against the law, surely anything is better than just endless fast food places?

Some locals complained the number of fast food outlets is not good for the town's health

'They drive me mad.'

Husband and wife John and Margaret Miskin returned to shop in Luton for the first time in several years.

Margaret, 72, said: 'It's been a few years since we have been here. It's changed a lot and not for the better.

'They are everywhere aren't they. I cannot believe how things have changed so much.'

John, 75, said: 'It's quite shocking what it is like now. It used to be very nice.'

James Nolan, 65, who lives in the city centre said: 'Something needs to be done urgently about it.

'I don't think those in power care.'

Builder Ryan Hick, 57, said he wanted something to be done.

The city centre resident said: 'Something has got to give.

'There is a health crisis in Luton. It's full of obese and over weight people. I am fully aware I need to lose some weight myself, so I include myself in that.

'But what do those in power do? Just open chicken shop after chicken shop and fast food places everywhere.

'It's a downward spiral. I imagine they make a fortune. Good luck to them. It is supply and demand.

Fitness fan George Feron, 49, said the town was 'dominated' by fast food outlets and overweight people. He said: 'It blights the area and dominates it. They are everywhere'

'But surely councillors in charge need to realise it's just insane?'

Local Sami Khan, 84, said: 'I know there's these sort of shops all over the country, but Luton feels like it has about half a country's worth.

'When will something be done? There should be some sort of amnesty. Stop them now.'

Sasithuran Susieulelenth, 40, who works at Sam's Chicken in the town centre, said: 'We're always packed to the rafters.

'We're flat out busy with customers. We love it. It is amazing. It is great for business.

'It's not our fault. What are we supposed to do? People have free choice on what they eat and we provide that.'

One worker at a Peri Peri Chicken said: 'We all think it's quite funny. A lot of us are friends.

'Luton is the golden square of chicken shops. We provide a good service and give people what they want.'

Luton Borough Council spokesperson said: "As a Council, we recognise that obesity is one of the greatest threats to health in the UK.

"The council currently has a Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy in place that is applied across the councils estate.

"Luton was the first council in the East of England, and the 8th council nationally to introduce a Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy (HFDAP).

"Through its partner Total Wellbeing the council offers free healthy lifestyle programmes for adults, children and families, helping people to become more active, eat more healthily and improve their general health and wellbeing as well as specific weight management services.

"Active Luton provides a wide range of sports, swimming and leisure facilities throughout the town aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles.

"It provides special discounts to those from the more deprived areas of the town, who are more susceptible to higher levels of obesity."
MailOnline can exclusively reveal Britain's best paid trades - and it shows you don't always need to have a degree.

Blue collar jobs such as being a welder, bricklayer or scaffolder can often pay whopping salaries when workers gain valuable experience.

These trades jobs may require workers to go to college or earn qualifications, but often a university degree is not required.

The research has been compiled by Tool Genie ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates the 'value, benefit and opportunity that they bring'.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Our research found that the starting salary of a welder is 24,000 - but this can soar to 45,000 with experience. (File image)

The 17th annual National Apprenticeship Week's theme is 'Skills for Life', with the government encouraging young people to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career.

Our research found that the best paid trade without needing a university degree is welding. The starting salary of a welder is 24,000 - but this can soar to 45,000 with experience.

Welders, who can expect to work 42 to 46 hours a week, can get a job through college courses, apprenticeships, applying directly or by going through specialist courses run by a private training provider.

Being a heat pump engineer also pays experienced workers 45,000 for working between 35 to 43 hours a week.

You could train as a gas service technician, heating and ventilation engineer or plumber before doing additional training in heat pump installation. Again, you do not need a degree but can obtain the job through college or apprenticeships.

Other attractive vocations for those not planning to attend university include being an electrician, which pays 42,000 for experienced workers.

The National Careers Service states that electricians can get into this job through college, apprenticeships, getting accredited or applying directly.

You still need practical experience in the workplace to become fully qualified.

With experience, you could become an electrical design engineer, a site or project manager and even set up your own business.

Working as a bricklayer, plumber and scaffolder also pays 40,000, and jobs can be secured in the same way above, without needing a degree.

Working as a plumber has a starting salary of 21,000 but with experience can almost double to 40,000. (File image)

A scaffolding job can start at 19,000 but can more than double to 40,000 with experience

Working as a bricklayer can pay 40,000. You don't need to have gone to university

Elsewhere, an experienced carpenter or a gas man can earn around 38,000, while a roofer can make around 35,000.

MailOnline found that the best paid trade job was working as a building surveyor, where workers can earn up to 70,000 with experience.

However, for this role you usually need a university degree or professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in a subject such as surveying, construction, civil engineering or building engineering.

Tool Genie, which provides digital business toolkits for entrepreneurs, said tradesmen and women were 'backbone of Britain'.

A spokesperson said: 'It is clear from the data that working for yourself or starting your own business is still the best way to achieve financial freedom. At Tool Genie we're trying to make being your own boss a reality.

'It's a new year, new you  and it's time to be your own boss, and get your freedom back'.

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of job search engine Adzuna, commented: 'A degree is not the golden ticket to high-paying jobs in the trade and construction sector; it's the skills and experience that cash in.

'Employers are paying big bucks to jobseekers armed with certificates and licences from professional bodies, such as National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

'These are strong indicators of their prowess, including for jobs such as electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and scaffolders. Many workers left the field during the pandemic, or because of Brexit, meanwhile demand for construction workers has stayed sky high as Brits look to 'improve not move' their homes, buoyed by increased mortgage costs.

'This severe shortage of skilled contractors means those working in the construction trade are in high demand, and can charge high rates.

'Jump into this field with an apprenticeship where you can acquire the skills through on-the-job training, or opt for diploma courses steering you toward trainee positions. Skipping the student loan burden and earning big isn't a pipe dream in construction. Jobseekers should grab their toolboxes now and start building success.'
The lure of the Cotswolds is seeing a wave of wealthy Europeans snapping up the region's rustic cottages and elegant Georgian townhouses, much to the ire of locals.

Film and TV franchises such as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey have been credited with filling foreigners' heads with a fantasy ideal of English country life.

In the south Cotswolds, Tetbury in Gloucestershire is famed for its antique and bric-a-brac shops along its quaint Long Street, which was named one of the UK's top 10 favourite streets for shopping by Homes & Antiques magazine in December 2018.

But it seems locals aren't impressed by the latest tide of neighbours donning waxed jackets and driving Land Rovers in a homage to all things English.

Norman Nash, 84, of Tetbury, said: 'I had a second home myself in France, I have a certain sympathy with them, but given the fact that we're being overwhelmed by immigrants, illegal many of them, and housing is an issue, I'm less enthused about receiving any foreign individual into this country at the moment.

'Sorry, it's a bit old school, but yes, that's the way I see it. The world seems to be standing on his head, all the long-established norms seem to have disappeared,

Tetbury in Gloucestershire is famed for its antique and bric-a-brac shops along its quaint Long Street, which was named one of the UK's top 10 favourite streets for shopping by Homes & Antiques magazine

The market town of Stow-on-the-wold, perched on a 800ft hill at the junction of the main roads through the Cotswolds, including the famous Fosse Way, believed to be of of Roman origin

Other 'hidden gems' in the area include Burford, known for its sloping row of cottages along its high street and its 12th century parish church

'If I met a Frenchman in the high street, I'd greet him well and buy him a drink... I'm sure they're all charming. I just think it's the principle I think that needs examination.'

Will Walton, 20, who manages the BR Gallery in Tetbury's Long Street, is concerned about rising house prices but he also says the new residents are adding a boom in local business.

He said: 'I think there's, there's two ways to think about it. I think it's a struggle for people that are that are wanting to live in Tetbury, that are local to Tetbury, for example, the younger generation of Tetbury that have family here and now wanting to buy their own homes.

'However, I think it's good for the community of Tetbury and businesses in Tetbury because we're having more business, we're having tourism, we're having lots of people visiting because it's a beautiful place because it's coming up and up. We've got lots of beautiful businesses and restaurants.

'If I want to buy a house, its more or less impossible in Tetbury because of the prices going up, but it's the price you pay for if you want to have a town that's beautiful and everyone wants to live here.

'I don't think we need restrictions on who buys homes here; I don't think we're like Cornwall, where everyone's buying their second homes. You look down the street and you see most people living in their houses, not like these seaside towns.'

Besides Tetbury, other Gloucestershire villages such as Sapperton, Bisley and Cherington - known for their architectural quirks, have also been popular among Greek and German buyers, according to one estate agent Mail Online spoke to.

In the north Cotswolds, an estate agent said European buyers' favourite hotspots tended to be villages around Chipping Norton such as Daylesford and Stow-on-the-Wold, while in the south, villages near Cirencester and Stroud were favoured

Hamlets around Stroud (pictured) and Cirencester in Gloucestershire's south Cotswolds have been a drawn for European buyers over the past decade

Cirencester, alongside Tetbury, is one of the central market towns of the south Cotswolds, famed for its Roman street layout and medieval buildings

In the north Cotswolds region of Oxfordshire, the estate agent said the hotspots tended to be in the region around Chipping Norton - the former Parliamentary seat of ex-PM David Cameron.

Daylesford boasts a row of charming stone cottages and is a favourite among foreign buyers, while scattered nearby villages have also been seized upon.

Among them is the market town of Stow-on-the-wold, perched on a 800ft hill at the junction of the main roads through the Cotswolds, including the famous Fosse Way, believed to be of of Roman origin.

According to Rightmove, detached properties in the Stow-on-the Wold sell for an average of 939,500, while flats fetch around 425,757.

Nearby is Kingham, hailed by Country Life as 'England's Favourite Village in 2007, and boasts a mainline train service to London. It's population of less than 1,000 people includes Blurs' bass-player Alex James, who lives on a sheep and dairy farm just outside the village.

The abandoned medieval site of Grove Ash is located just north of another sought-after village, Sandwell St Martin, while the twin hamlets of Great Tew and Little Tew both attract visitors with their historic manor houses and Norman churches.

Other 'hidden gems' in the area include Burford, known for its sloping row of cottages along its high street and its 12th century parish church; and celebrity chef Rick Stein's birthplace Churchill, which houses a heritage centre in the remains of its medieval chapel.

Further south, Lacock village and Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, which served as filming locations for Harry Potter's childhood home and Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter films, have drawn in southern Europeans for a decade, according to Chris Jackson of Cotswold Tourism.

Ancient route: The Fosse Way stretches from Exeter to Lincoln via Corinium (modern-day Cirencester). Pictured is a wooded trail on the Fosse Way near Bath

The village of Bourton-on-the-Water, pictured, is in the heart of the Fosse Path - an ancient Roman road system from Lincoln to Exeter that passes through the Cotswolds

Cirencester, pictured, became a centre of fine living and prosperity in Roman times - much like it is today

He told the Telegraph: 'Its the built environment that charms them: the old buildings with cosy little rooms, pubs and experiences [such as afternoon tea]. Though they are often caught out by how early we eat: most restaurants in Spain would still be preparing to open by the time English ones have finished taking orders!'

Angela Marconi, former UK correspondent for Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, said period dramas have given Italians an impression of the English countryside soundtracked by ripping bodies.

She said: 'There is a long tradition of Anglomania among the upper classes here. The English countryside seems exciting compared to rural Italy and not just the theatre of some sleepy provincial life.'

Lesley Smith, 79, of Tetbury, added: 'My view is that it's very nice to have a second home, but not when it gets to the stage where local people can't afford to actually buy, especially the young people. Its pushing the prices up, it means that they have to spend more on a house. I think homeowning is very important.

We have a holiday home over in Spain. But there's not really a problem over there, we are helping the economy. We are taking finance, hiring builders, buying groceries, and eating out. We help to keep the community there going.

Second homeowners here in Tetbury will be out and about in the economy but for limited times. I can understand why they want to come here, but I think perhaps the numbers perhaps need to be limited.

Local councillor Martin Brown, 64, of Bisley, warned that younger generations will move away if the cannot afford to stay in the village. He said: 'Its a constant complaint around here that people cannot afford homes, there is no affordable, small housing.

'Theres also a national house price problem and the Cotswolds is very attractive; we have a lot of weekend second homers here.

'Young people can't afford to buy around here - so they leave, and people who would like to stay can't.

'These villages will die if people can't afford to stay here. I know that if I had not have inherited this [large cottage], I couldnt afford to live here in the village.'

He went on: 'There are also many properties that are rented out as holiday homes, through Airbnb or whatever planform it happens. Its often done by people who are themselves weekenders, but then rent them out when they're not there...

'Bisley and the other villages, Eastcombe and Oakridge, are thriving but mostly thanks to a large degree of wealth that's come from outside.'
Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the late Peta Murphy in announcing a $1.5m investment to improve outcomes for people with metastatic breast cancer.

Ms Murphy, who died in December, had been a strong advocate for breast cancer research and care, especially during her four-year parliamentary career.

Just days before her death, Ms Murphy had been in Canberra to launch a new report with Breast Cancer Network Australia, calling for a national picture on metastatic cancers.

The Prime Minister heeded her call when he made the announcement at a breast cancer event in Dunkley - the electorate Ms Murphy held and which is now up for a by-election.

Ms Murphy, who died in December, had been a strong advocate for breast cancer research and care, especially during her four-year parliamentary career

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) is seen during his visit to the Frankston Hospital on Saturday to make the breast cancer announcement

The money will accelerate the collection of cancer stage and recurrence data in Australia, which he noted was critical for identifying patterns of delayed diagnosis, cancer recurrence and survival, and would drive equity in cancer outcomes.

'Right now, I'd like to make particular mention of one - our friend who is very much on our minds today. Peta Murphy was so many things to so many: a friend, an inspiration, a wonderful Parliamentarian, a great voice for her community here in Dunkley,' Mr Albanese said.

'I will always be awed by the fact that even right up to the end, Peta was thinking of others.

'I wish Peta were here right now. I know we all do. But she would have been pleased to see this happening.

'Sometimes you need a better map to find your way forward, sometimes a brighter light to read it by. I have confidence that this registry will be a bit of both.'

The investment includes funding for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to establish the Australian Cancer Data Alliance, and funding for jurisdictional population-based cancer registries to boost capabilities of data collection.

Mr Albanese at Ms Murphy's funeral at the MCG in December last year

Vicki Durston, from Breast Cancer Network Australia, said Ms Murphy 'would have been so incredibly proud that we are now closer to ensuring that many thousands of Australians with metastatic breast cancer will no longer be hidden in plain sight'.

'This funding is a significant step forward, and will help the sector lead and pioneer the collection of these important data to inform and drive policy, innovation, planning, treatment and care.

'Now we can begin consolidating a way forward for better quality data, not just for breast cancer, but for all metastatic cancers.'

Health Minister Mark Butler said being able to collect these data would mean a 'better understanding of the symptoms people have, how their cancer is diagnosed, how they respond to treatment, and how their cancer progresses over time'.

Mr Albanese stopped in at Frankston Bowling Club during the trip to Melbourne
Evil serial killer Levi Bellfield has called off his wedding after his fiancee was reluctant to take the monster's name.

The 55year-old former wheel clamper, whose victims include Milly Dowler, 13, no longer wants to tie the knot - despite winning a legal fight allowing him to marry.

Sources say the wedding plans were scrapped because Bellfield and his fiancee realised they were never going to enjoy a proper relationship.

She was also concerned about the fact her name could appear on any marriage certificate if she went through with the ceremony.

Last night Bellfield's fiancee confirmed the pair won't be walking down the aisle at HMP Frankland where he is imprisoned alongside fellow murders Ian Huntley and Wayne Couzens.

And in an extraordinary statement she insisted she only ever agreed to marry Bellfield so he could wear a ring in his cell.

Levi Bellfield was planning to get married behind bars at HMP Frankland in County Durham

Bellfield wanted to marry the woman, pictured, so he 'could wear a ring' behind bars

He proposed to his fiancee, pictured, who does not wish to be publicly identified

Bellield got in contact with the woman through his friend and fellow serial killer Peter Sutcliffe

The woman, who does not wish to be identified, told MailOnline: 'I purchased a ring for Levi as a gift, but was told he couldn't have it unless he got married.

'We never expected the prison to push things as far as they did. But when they continued to refuse to allow Levi to wear the ring we felt as if we had no choice.

READ MORE: Levi Bellfield wins right to marry behind bars Advertisement

'But we won't be getting married. It's a joint decision. Levi is gutted but he's far more upset that he won't be able to wear the ring I've got for him.'

Revealing how she plans to carry on seeing Bellfield, who also murdered Marsha McDonnell, 19, and Amelie Delagrange, 22, she added: 'I will continue with my visits and continue to try and get the ring allowed.'

The pair have now officially told prison officials they no longer have any intention to marry - bringing an end to a costly saga which will be a huge relief to the many victims of Bellfield.

Bellfield was introduced to his fiancee through the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, who was friends with the woman.

Bellfield and Sutcliffe were on the same wing in Durham's HMP Frankland.

Bellfield asked to be put in touch with the woman, who is in her forties, after seeing her picture in Sutcliffe's cells.

Details of their engagement first emerged in May 2022 after Bellfield asked the woman for her hand in marriage during a prison visit.

The proposal caused political outrage, with the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson claiming he was 'sickened and appalled' by the prospect of the serial killer getting married behind bars.

Bellfield is known to have killed three people, including 13-year-old Milly Dowler (pictured)

Details of their engagement first emerged in May 2022 after Bellfield asked the woman for her hand in marriage during a prison visit.

He also killed 19-year-old Marsha McDonnell (left) and 22-year-old Amelie Delagrange (right)

Anger only grew when it later emerged that Bellfield had won a taxpayer-funded legal battle with justice chiefs over his right to marry.

He secured the right to be granted up to 30,000 on Legal Aid after his lawyers threatened a Judicial Review and cited the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1983 Marriage Act.

It was believed that Bellfield wanted the Harry Styles song, Watermelon Sugar, played during the ceremony.

Former Justice Minister Dominic Raab launched a Victims and Prisoners bill  currently going through parliament  which will axe the right of whole-life tariff inmates to wed.

Bellfield was put in touch with his now-fiance by Peter Sutcliffe (pictured), after seeing a picture of her in the Yorkshire Ripper's cell

Bellfield is serving two whole-life orders for a killing spree in south west London from 2002 to 2004.

In May, it was revealed he had also reportedly confessed to police under caution to the 1999 murder of student Elizabeth Chau, 19. Police later said he was lying

He is serving two whole-life tariffs and is held at Category A Frankland Prison, County Durham.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'Prisoners who have committed the most heinous crimes should not be able get married.

'That's why we are introducing new laws to block those on whole-life orders from doing so.'
'We are paying very heavily now for failing to face the insurance premiums essential for security of an Empire! This has usually been the main cause for the loss of Empires in the past.'

That was a diary entry written in February 1942 by General Sir Alan Brooke, the chief of the Imperial General Staff, whose steady pair of hands steered Britain to victory in World War II.

We no longer have an empire, only a nation state  the United Kingdom. But nation states, as much as empires, must take out insurance if they are to avoid the kind of strategic disaster that befell Britain in early 1942, when Singapore surrendered to Japan and multiple British possessions around the world  not to mention the British Isles themselves  were threatened by the Axis powers.

Could we face comparable perils in our time? It is easy to dismiss talk of World War III, especially when it comes from Donald Trump, the man who would be President again.

'Through weakness and incompetence, Joe Biden has brought us to the brink of World War III,' Trump declared in South Carolina on Saturday. 'We're at the brink of World War III, just in case anybody doesn't know it.'

President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet during the US-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland

On Saturday, Donald Trump warned that Joe Biden 'has brought us to the brink of World War III'

Today, the U.S. and its allies  not least Britain  face an increasingly well organised 'Axis of Ill Will', comprising China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Pictured: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Characteristic campaign rhetoric? The kind of red meat Trump needs to serve up to ensure he locks up the Republic nomination early in this election year? Of course. But a great many people less prone to hyperbole are talking in similar terms.

Just under three weeks ago, Conservative Defence Secretary Grant Shapps issued a stark warning at Lancaster House that Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are 'belligerent autocratic states' that pose a grave threat to Britain and the Western world. We have moved 'from a post-war world to a pre-war world', he declared.

Just a few days later, the chair of the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), Admiral Rob Bauer, called for 'a war-fighting transformation of Nato'.

In an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper, the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius argued that the Russian President Vladimir Putin 'might even attack a Nato country . . . within five to eight years'.

CIA director William Burns has an even shorter timeframe in mind. He stated twice last year that Xi Jinping has ordered the Chinese People's Liberation Army to be ready for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.

In a new article just published in Foreign Affairs, Burns argues that 'China's rise and Russia's revanchism pose daunting geopolitical challenges in a world  [where] the United States no longer enjoys uncontested primacy'  and where new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing give America's adversaries 'powerful new tools to confuse us, evade us, and spy on us'.

My own conversations with senior American defence and intelligence officials confirm that such statements are not purely for public consumption. The brass hats and spooks are, if anything, even more worried.

Privately, they mutter about the widening gap between the U.S. and China when it comes to basic manufacturing capacity. The Russian war in Ukraine has given Washington a reminder that in a protracted conventional war you need to be able to crank out 155mm calibre artillery shells  not to mention cheap and disposable drones  in large volumes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2022

The United States used to be the arsenal of democracy. These days, it lags far behind China's arsenal of autocracy.

In short, the relatively peaceful interwar period that began with the collapse of the Soviet Union is over.

True, there were wars in the 1990s and 2000s. But the conflicts in the ruins of Yugoslavia  over Bosnia and Kosovo  and in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks  in Afghanistan and Iraq  were much smaller affairs than the war currently raging in eastern Ukraine.

In two years of conflict, a staggering 315,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded, and the casualties on the Ukrainian side have not been much lower.

One of history's oldest maxims is Roman: Si vis pacem, para bellum  if you want peace, prepare for war. World War II, Churchill argued, was 'The Unnecessary War,' which could have been averted if his warnings had been heeded and Britain had begun rearming sooner.

By assuming, for budgetary reasons, that the next major war would always be ten years away, governments in the 1920s and early 1930s put off the evil of investing in the next generation of weapons  particularly the fighters and bombers that would be so crucial between 1939 and 1945.

When Neville Chamberlain  Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940  belatedly began to rearm, he adopted a policy of 'appeasement' of Germany to try to buy Britain time. He overlooked that Hitler (not to mention Mussolini and the Emperor Hirohito) also understood this  and used that time to ramp up their military readiness, too.

The result was that British rearmament failed to deter Hitler from gambling on war in September 1939 and also failed to prevent the fall of France  though it proved to be sufficient (just) to win the Battle of Britain.

Putin greets US President Joe Biden during the US-Russia Summit in Switzerland in June 2021

Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic are waking up to the harsh reality that the geopolitics of the 2020s may have more in common with that of the 1930s than they ever imagined. As after World War I, so after the First Cold War, governments cashed in a peace dividend, slashing defence budgets to the bone.

As after 1918, so after 1991, there was a deceptive lull, when it seemed that old antagonists had embraced democracy, or were just about to. And now, as in the 1930s, a menacing authoritarian Axis has emerged that requires us to up our insurance premiums  or risk a global conflagration.

To see how under-insured we are, consider the British defence budget as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP)  in other words, the share of our national output we devote to national security each year.

In the 1950s it averaged 7.9 per cent, in the 1960s 5.7 per cent, and in the 1970s and the 1980s 4.8 per cent.

But in the 1990s the percentage fell to 3.1 per cent, then to 2.4 per cent in the 2000s. It touched rock-bottom at 2.01 per cent in 2015 but is still substantially below the government's stated target of 2.5 per cent.

And Britain is one of the better-behaved members of Nato in this regard. According to the most recent estimates, the majority of Nato members  19 out of 30  are spending less than 2 per cent of GDP on defence.

What does that mean in practice? It means an Army that is risibly small: down from 102,000 in 2006 to 74,000 today 'and falling fast', in the words of the former Chief of the General Staff, Lord Dannatt.

'Parallels with the 1930s should not be dismissed as a historical indulgence,' Dannatt wrote in The Times last month. 'The woeful state of our Armed Forces in the mid-1930s failed to deter Hitler or prevent the Second World War and the Holocaust.

'There is a serious danger of history repeating itself.'

Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are constantly flexing their political muscle

The Royal Navy today is a shadow of its former self. The two Type-23 frigates and the Type-45 destroyer recently deployed to the Red Sea to counter the Houthis were originally intended to serve for 18 years, but will evidently be required for much longer.

The Navy is unable to resupply these ships at sea with additional self-defence missiles because the ships capable of performing that role were sold to Egypt in 2021.

We might just have been able to get away with our unilateral disarmament (a policy the Tories once criticised Labour for espousing!) if the United States had been filling in the gaps in our defence. After all, the U.S. accounts for more than two-thirds  69 per cent  of total Nato spending.

Most Europeans and many Britons were jubilant when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump four years ago. 'The adults are back in the room,' we were told.

Unfortunately, Biden's foreign policy has been a series of disastrous failures of deterrence. In 2021 he abandoned Afghanistan without a fight to the Taliban, the sponsors of the 9/11 attacks.

In 2022 he failed to deter President Putin from escalating his invasion of Ukraine and offered President Zelensky a plane ticket out in the expectation that Kyiv would swiftly fall. True, the U.S. has since supplied substantial military and financial aid to Ukraine  but only enough not to lose the war; not enough to win it. Now, that U.S. aid has been cut off by Congress.

Last year, Biden failed to deter Iran from unleashing its odious proxies against Israel and only last night, after weeks of dithering, has he hit back at the Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iraq that have been killing American troops. But still he does nothing against Iran itself.

Fortunately, it seems that China's economic troubles are keeping Xi Jinping so busy that he does not have the nerve to attempt a blockade of Taiwan, which he must at least have contemplated after the recent election on that island, which delivered victory to a candidate who in the past has expressed sympathy for the idea of Taiwanese independence  an anathema in Beijing's eyes.

But the Chinese have other options. Watch their intimidation of the Philippines in the coming months over disputed waters in the South China Sea.

And don't forget 'Little Rocket Man'  the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, who has been firing cruise missiles and making some very threatening noises.

Two experts on the Korean Peninsula, Robert L. Carlin and Siegfried S. Hecker recently warned: 'The situation on the Korean Peninsula is more dangerous than it has been at any time since early June 1950

'Like his grandfather in 1950, Kim Jong Un has made a strategic decision to go to war with South Korea (and potentially also with Japan and the United States).'

In short, it's not unreasonable to worry about World War III. After all, world wars are really just agglomerations of regional conflicts: Germany's ambitions in Europe were only tenuously connected to Italy's in the Mediterranean and Japan's in Asia.

A better organised Axis might have won World War II, if Japan had attacked the Soviet Union in December 1941, instead of the United States and the European empires in Asia.

In the same way, there are no direct and obvious connections between Moscow's war on Ukraine, Tehran's war on Israel, Beijing's threat to Taiwan and the Philippines, and Pyongyang's threat to South Korea. But connected they are  not least because in each case the United States and at least some of its allies are more or less committed to defend the country under attack.

Kim Jong-un with Putin at the Angara rocket launch complex in Russia last September

A key problem is that, despite having spent half a century in Washington, DC, Joe Biden appears to have learned little or nothing about deterrence  the most effective antidote to war.

Rather than make it clear to America's adversaries that they risk destruction if they threaten U.S. allies, Biden frets that any American 'escalation' could lead to World War III.

Yet it's precisely Biden's susceptibility to Putin's nuclear threats and his baffling appeasement of Iran that are making Armageddon more likely. At every turn, Biden allows America's adversaries to have escalation dominance.

Today, the U.S. and its allies  not least Britain  face an increasingly well organised 'Axis of Ill Will', comprising China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

These authoritarian regimes, despite their ideological differences, are working ever more closely together. Their common aim is to end American predominance.

As things stand, it's still a cold war  the Second Cold War, in fact  in that the U.S. and its allies are not in direct conflict with any of the Axis powers. But with every passing day, and every passing strike that claims American soldiers' lives, we edge closer to a bigger confrontation.

The lessons of history are not rocket science. Artificial intelligence is not required to understand them. If you do not prepare for war, you shall not have peace. If you speak loudly and carry a small stick, woe betide you.

My grandfathers learned those lessons the hard way, in the trenches of Flanders and the jungles of Burma. I do not want my sons to have to learn the same hard lessons.

But time is running short. We have perhaps 12 months to ensure that Ukraine is not defeated by Putin's orc army; 12 months to ensure that Israel is not laid waste by Iran's most deadly proxy, Hezbollah; 12 months to deter China from fulfilling Xi's fantasy of the conquest of Taiwan; 12 months to convince Rocket Man that a war would be the end for his odious dynasty.

Do we have the sense  this time  to pay the insurance premium?

Or would we prefer to slouch towards another Armageddon?

Niall Ferguson is the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford, and managing director of Greenmantle. A columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, he is the author of 16 books, most recently Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe (Penguin).
The world's great and good seem to have it in for dear old Blighty these days. Barely a month goes by without some grand panjandrum from a mighty global institution having a pop at us.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was the latest to have a go. This week its chief economist urged the Chancellor to forego further tax cuts in his March Budget and pump up public spending instead.

Nobody should be surprised by this. The IMF has form when it comes to lecturing Britain  often getting it completely wrong in the process. Nobody should be surprised by that either. The IMF has no particular expertise when it comes to Britain and often just regurgitates the global consensus advocating high taxes and big government.

It's also something of a slow learner. It consistently underestimates the performance of the British economy yet remains stuck in a doom loop.

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (pictured) is typical of those who dominate the global elite

A year ago it forecast that the UK would be the only G7 economy (a group of the world's major free-market economies) to suffer a recession, with a 0.6 per cent decline in GDP.

In the event the recessionary wooden spoon went to Germany, which is often the apple of its eye. The UK economy grew by only a smidgen last year. But, contrary to the IMF gloomsters, it did not decline.

Yet the political damage had been done. When the IMF predicts we'll be worst in class, a cacophony of Labour politicians, Remainers, most of the broadcast media and the many among us with a permanent grievance against their country shout loudly and gleefully about how this is yet further proof of what a basket case we've become.

When it transpires that the forecasts were wrong they've already packed their bags and moved on to some other alleged weakness. They never pay a price for running the country down on a false premise.

Of course, the IMF isn't just wrong about Britain. It forecast the U.S. economy would grow by only 1.4 per cent last year when in fact it grew by over 3 per cent. So a wee bit out.

It predicted its beloved eurozone would grow by 0.7 per cent when it barely managed 0.1 per cent. But it has a particular penchant for being down on the UK. Sometimes it looks as if the only purpose of IMF forecasts is to make astrologers look good.

Undaunted, the IMF is now forecasting the UK will be the slowest growing G7 economy this year. I wouldn't hold your breath. A study of IMF predictions about British growth since 2016 found them to be wrong 80 per cent of the time  and always for being too pessimistic. The IMF has rarely been wrong for over-estimating the performance of the British economy. I wonder why.

Brexit has given added piquancy to the gloomy predictions.

The International Monetary Fund consistently underestimates British economic performance

The worthies of the IMF, World Bank, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) et al have never forgiven the British people for blithely ignoring their advice not to vote to leave the European Union in 2016.

The current chief economist of the IMF, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, rushed into print two days after the referendum with a posse of other disgruntled international economists to warn of all the dire consequences which now lay in store for Britain. A year later, he was forced to admit none had materialised  but still thought our future was grim.

The Frenchman is typical of the Left-leaning types who now dominate the global elite. After obtaining a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, he took up teaching posts at Stanford and Princeton and so he is steeped in the fashionable Leftist thinking of America's top universities. He was economic adviser to the failed French socialist government of Francois Hollande before he found a comfortable berth in the IMF.

Yet he's a veritable moderate compared to the people who produce most of the stuff about Britain that comes out of the United Nations. Its 'special rapporteur on extreme poverty', Olivier De Schutter, recently visited these shores to opine that poverty in the UK was 'simply not acceptable' and violated international law (just how wasn't clear). Welfare payments, he concluded, were 'grossly insufficient'. You might think his time would be better spent in Somalia or North Korea but I guess the hotels there are not as plush as London's.

READ MORE: IMF on collision course with Jeremy Hunt as it downgrades UK growth forecasts and warns him NOT to cut taxes - but Chancellor hits back that easing burden can boost economy Advertisement

It is not clear exactly what qualifies this Belgian lawyer to pontificate on British welfare policy but his remarks were nothing new when it comes to UN criticism of us. His predecessor accused the Government of implementing a policy of 'systemic immiseration' when it came to the poor  this in a country which spends over 265 billion a year on welfare (over a third of all state spending).

De Schutter claims it has got 'worse' since these remarks.

It's worth quoting him at length to get the full flavour of the global elite's Leftist mindset. 'We should stop focussing on creating the macroeconomic conditions that will stimulate growth,' he says, 'and focus instead on providing support to low-income households . . .to create a much more inclusive economy rather than one that creates wealth for the elites and particularly for the shareholders of large corporations.'

And there you have it in all its unalloyed, anti-growth, anti-capitalist Corbynista glory. Put aside the fact that most shareholders these days are pension funds whose investments we all depend on for much of our retirement income. Just consider carefully what is being proposed: do not look to economic growth to help lift up the poor, look instead at greater redistribution from the better off to the poor (as if that didn't already happen). For if the cake isn't growing, the only way to help the poor is to slice it more in their favour.

Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

But the better-off in Britain already account for a huge chunk of tax revenues.

Force them to pay even more tax in a no-growth economy and they're likely to up sticks and head for friendlier climes, as Scotland is about to discover, undermining the very foundations of the tax base in the process. These days there is no end of nonsense coming out of the UN about Britain. Another 'rapporteur, one of the many dealing with human rights, recently complained about the 'severe' sentences dished out to two Just Stop Oil protesters.

They were jailed for scaling the Dartford Crossing Bridge and causing traffic chaos for 40 hours. The UN saw this as an attack on the 'right to freedom of expression'. It might want to look more closely at those currently languishing in the gulags and forced labour camps of Russia and China if it wants to see a real denial of human rights.

Instead its rapporteur doubled down, claiming new legislation last summer was a direct attack' on public protest. I guess we're just imagining the pro-Palestinian protests that have been commandeering central London almost every Saturday since the horrifying Hamas attack on Israel in early October.

But perhaps the greatest recent absurdity was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) claiming that Government plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was wrong because Rwanda was 'not a safe country'. Fair enough, you might think. I'm not a great fan of the Rwanda scheme myself. But the UNHCR has recently been relocating vulnerable migrants from war-torn Libya to, you guessed it, Rwanda.

This didn't stop the High Commissioner from accusing Britain of a 'general disregard for human rights'. This of a country in which, even if your asylum claim has been knocked back multiple times, it is well nigh impossible to be deported.

The UN has joined those queuing up to condemn the UK's economic and justice policies

The more the Left consolidates its grip on global institutions, the more we'll hear this sort of stuff and nonsense about Britain. It looks as if the global elite will also never forgive us for Brexit.

But there's one other factor at work too.

We live in an age of identity politics in which the sins of the past, from slavery to colonialism, need to be atoned for. As a country complicit in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which also presided over the largest empire the world has ever seen, Britain is in the cross-hairs of the new global elite's agenda.

It doesn't matter that we were also the first to abolish the slave trade or that so many citizens of the old empire now want to come and live on these shores. We have sinned and we must be made to pay, through reparations and being cast down in ignominy.

There is only one remedy: to stand up for ourselves.

We know our past mistakes but we also know the great contribution we have made to world progress. We don't need lectures from the global great and good. The current Government has too often bent the knee to them.

I don't hold out hopes of a sterner response from a Starmer government. I suspect we, the British people, will have to do it ourselves. Time to educate ourselves in preparation for the fray.
A former Green Beret who saved hundreds of U.S. allies from Afghanistan following Biden's deadly withdrawal in 2021 unleashed a scathing rebuke of the president's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, saying the promotion would be a 'slap in the face' to veterans.

The Biden administration nominated Tracey Jacobson, 59, to be the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq last week. She has previously served as U.S. Ambassador on three occasions  to Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kosovo.

Jacobson was in charge of the Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program to provide the U.S.' Afghan allies, such as translators and military personnel, paperwork so they could escape Taliban persecution.

But as many as 150,000 U.S. allies were left behind and are still waiting to escape, according to the 1208 Foundation, which works to help get the abandoned Afghans visas.

'The U.S. State Department role in all of this has been a colossal embarrassment and this promotion is just another slap in the face to the veteran population,' retired Army Lt. Colonel Scott Mann exclusively told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'Instead of being held to account and relieved her duties [Jacobson] was promoted,' said Mann, who led Operation Pineapple Express - a mission which evacuated hundreds of Afghan allies during the Taliban takeover in 2021.

The White House nominated Tracey Jacobson, 59, as the new ambassador to Iraq

Before horrific images of desperate parents handing their babies to U.S. soldiers emerged, Biden said he was putting Jacobson in charge of getting U.S. allies out

Lt. Colonel Scott Mann is a retired Green Beret, and headed Task Force Pineapple with two fellow special forces soldiers

Biden put Jacobson 'in charge of a whole-of-government effort to process, transport, and relocate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghan allies.'

But that was before horrific images of desperate parents handing their babies to U.S. soldiers emerged in the bloody August 2021 withdrawal that killed 13 troops and hundreds of Afghan allies.

The White House touted Jacobson's experience in the Senior Foreign Service and in the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the post announcing her nomination.

Jacobson has had a 'distinguished' career serving in multiple senior diplomatic roles overseas as well as on the National Security Council, the announcement said.

Others, however, have described her promotion as failing upwards.

'No words Tracey Jacobson Abandoned Our Afghan Allies. Now Shes Getting a Promotion,' Republican Rep. Mike Waltz, also a former Green Beret, posted on X.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul similarly ripped Jacobson's performance.

'I am extremely frustrated that the Biden administration continues to reward and promote those who played a role in the catastrophic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan,' McCaul said in a statement to DailyMail.com

'Tracy Jacobson failed American veterans and our Afghan allies when she and the Biden administration abandoned hundreds of thousands of our Afghan allies.'

The deadly pullout from Baghdad was an embarrassment to the U.S., as Afghan allies were left behind to face the Taliban

Jacobson was in charge of helping America's allies get visas to flee to the U.S., but as many as 150,000 were left behind and are still waiting for their escape

Smoke billows from the airport area after a blast outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport late last week

'If she is allowed to become the next U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, the Democratic U.S. Senate will be telling the American people  and the world  that there is no such thing as accountability or justice in the Biden administration,' McCaul said.

Meanwhile, House Republicans and Democrats heard testimony Wednesday from U.S. veterans that are still actively trying to evacuate Afghan allies from Taliban-held Afghanistan.

Witnesses testified that many of their Afghan comrades who were not able to secure SIVs are still actively being hunted and killed by the Taliban as they await paperwork from the State Department.

'900 days after the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, U.S. veterans are still maintaining the lifelines to our U.S. Allies who face retribution, torture, and execution,' Mann told DailyMail.com.

Jacobson is a 'terrible choice' for the role, Mann reiterated.
Fulton Count Georgia DA Fani Willis used a legal filing where she defended her 'personal' relationship with a special prosecutor on her team to hit directly at the lawyer for a Trump codefendant who exposed her affair.

Willis admitted to the stunning affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade in her 176-page filing Friday, saying it posed no conflict with her role overseeing the case against Trump and associates on racketeering charges.

But in between passages making dry legal arguments, she included a color picture of the lawyer who blew the whistle on her affair. She also dug up the lawyer's own past statements about Wade  which were highly complimentary.

But the lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, still might get the last laugh. She hit back within hours with yet another filing asking detailed questions about Willis' relationship  and raised doubts about her denial of ever cohabitating with Wade by pointing to information about Caribbean hotels and even alleging she and Wade used an AirBNB 'safe house' in Hapeville, outside Atlanta.

Just the questions Merchant raises suggest she has gathered substantial personal information about Willis, a Trump nemesis, after already battling to unseal divorce filings for information.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis' Friday court filing goes after attorney Ashleigh Merchant, whose own filing exposed a 'personal' relationship that Willis admitted to having with a special prosecutor on her team

The filing spells out some of the probing questions Merchant would ask Wade at an evidentiary hearing about her charges against Willis, if a judge allows it to go forward in the explosive case.

Merchant's filing cites a 2019 judicial conference where according to the Willis filing Wade says he and Willis met and became friends. 'In Paragraph 17 of your affidavit, you swore that you met Ms. Willis in October of 2019 at a Municipal Court training. Isnt it true that you began more than just a friendship at that conference?' Merchant asks, without revealing the source of her information.

Merchant's filing says 'witnesses will testify that you cohabitated with Ms. Willis at her home in South Fulton until her father moved in with her and you then began to cohabitate at the apartment of a friend of hers in East Point.'

Most of Willis' filing tries to pick apart the claim by Donald Trump and his former campaign aide Mike Roman that her relationship with Wade poses a conflict that taints her prosecution of Trump's election overturn effort in the state.

She goes after the 'salacious' January filing by Merchant that exposed the affair  even detailing luxury cruise travel and more than $600,000 in payments Wade received for his work with Willis. It states that 'sources close to both the special prosecutor and the district attorney have confirmed they had an ongoing, personal relationship'  something that Willis finally admitted in her own filing Friday.

Merchant's filing called the relationship 'improper' and 'clandestine,' referenced sealed records in a divorce, and cited records obtained 'outside of filings' indicated they took private travel to the Caribbean and Napa Valley.

Fulton Count DA Fani Willis goes after attorney for Mike Roman Ashleigh Merchant in her court filing Friday where she defended her own 'personal' relationship. Merchant exposed Willis' affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade in her own bombshell filing

Merchant shot back with yet another filing, saying she would like to question Wade about his relationship with Willis. 'Isnt it true that you began more than just a friendship at that conference?' she says she would ask him

Merchant claimed in he filing alleged that Willis and Wade used an AirBNB 'safe house' in Hapeville, outside Atlanta. Her client is Mike Roman, who has done opposition research for Republicans

It said the pair had been seen together in public and said they are 'believed' to have cohabited  something Willis denies in her filing. Merchant's filing states that she 'knows the special prosecutor and has researched his litigation experience'  saying he has never tried a felony RICO case and has a 'lack of experience in this type of felony,' and raised doubts about his 'qualifications.'

DailyMail.com was not able to confirm allegations that the pair cohabitated or were dating for longer than Wade said in his affidavit.

Willis' own filing seeks to rebut that criticism  and includes a color photo of Merchant campaigning for Wade at the Greek Festival in her hometown of Marietta when he was running for a judicial post in 2016.

It states that 'Counsel for Defendant Roman, of course, is well-familiar with the experience and qualifications of Special Prosecutor Wade, whatever contrary representations are made in Romans motion.'

'During a judicial campaign in 2016, Defendant Romans counsel Ashleigh Merchant was an enthusiastic supporter of Wades candidacy, and described him in glowing terms,' it said, quoting from her Facebook posts at the time.

It then quotes Merchant praising Wade, saying 'Nathan is ethical ... Experience matters.' It says he has 'practiced in every area of the law and cites some of his awards  which are also included in the filing.

The filing states that Merchant 'was both a vocal and a visual presence in support of Wade's campaign.'

Also on Friday, the Washington Post published a detailed report on Merchant's client, who built a long career in political research before getting charged as part of an alleged racketeering conspiracy as part of the fake electors scheme amid Trump's Georgia election overturn effort.

It says he hired ex CIA operatives when doing research for the Koch network, and helped run down information on embattled judicial nominees while working reporting to Don McGahn in the Trump White House counsel's office. He helped organize poll watchers called the 'Army for Trump' in 2020.

Merchant has told DailyMail.com and other outlets that she developed the information on Willis included in her filing.

But the Post notes that after conservative operatives crowed after the filing that it was an 'object lesson in why you dont indict the oppo guy,' Roman clicked like on the posts.

Willis admits in the new court filing Friday that she had a relationship with the fellow prosecutor she put on the payroll in the Georgia Trump probe  even as she blasted 'meritless' claims against her.

Willis made the filing after a Donald Trump co-defendant asked to have the case against him dismissed, citing information obtained from a divorce proceedings about special prosecutor Nathan Wade, alleging in a court filing that the two were carrying on a romantic relationship.

Willis blasted the claims as 'salacious' and asked a judge to dismiss conflict of interest claims, which Trump's team also indicated it would pursue.

But even as her filing attempts to knock down claims of a conflict, she acknowledges a 'private' relationship with Wade.

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) confers with lead prosecutors, Donald Wakeford (left) and Nathan Wade, during a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Friday, July 1, 2022

A new filing by Willis contains an affidavit from special prosecutor Nathan Wade about their 'personal relationship,' which he said came after he joined her team as an outside lawyer helping run the probe of Trump and multiple associates

Former President Donald Trump has regularly attacked Willis and has called his indictment in Georgia part of a 'witch hunt' against him

'Much of Defendant Romans motion relies on supposition and innuendo regarding the private relationship between District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade,' according to the filing.

Willis said there was 'no financial conflict of interest that constitutes a legal basis for disqualification' and that there was 'no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorneys Office.'

Her filing then calls the 'attacks' on Special Prosecutor Wades qualifications 'factually inaccurate, unsupported, and malicious, in addition to providing no basis whatsoever to dismiss the indictment or disqualify Special Prosecutor Wade.'

Special prosecutor Nathan Wade leaves the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis at the Fulton County Government building on August 23, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is accused by a Trump co-defendant of having a personal relationship with Willis

A lawyer representing Michael Roman made the bombshell allegations in a filing and asked that charges be dismissed

'District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office,' she writes.

Trump codefendant Mike Roman's lawyer first brought forth the stunning allegations about Willis, who has become a regular target of Trump.

The attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, dug up information on the relationship and included stunning details in a filing, alleging the pair took lavish vacations together. House Republicans have already said they plan to investigate.

Trump himself demanded that the case against him be dropped over the revelations.

'While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek,' according to the new filing Friday.

The filing includes an affidavit from Wade stating that the relationship with Willis began after his appointment, not before.

'The affidavit also clarifies that, although District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade have been professional associates and friends since 2019, there was no personal relationship between them in November 2021 at the time of Special Prosecutor Wades appointment, and Defendants offer no support for their insistence that the exercise of any prosecutorial discretion (i.e., any charging decision or plea recommendation) in this case was impacted by any personal relationship,' according to the filing.

'Without those additional factors, the existence of a relationship between members of a prosecution team, in and of itself, is simply not a status that entitles a criminal defendant any remedy.'

Her filing blasts 'wild' speculation that Willis financially benefitted from more than $600,000 in compensation that Wade received in his role. 'To be absolutely clear, the personal relationship between Special Prosecutor Wade and District Attorney Willis has never involved direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis,' it states. They have no joint or shared accounts and there 'is not now and has never been any shared household.'

According to his signed affidavit, Wade met Willis at a judicial training conference in 2019.

Willis asked him to serve on her transition team when she was elected to her post in 2020.

Wade says Willis asked him and two other lawyers in seeking out a 'competent, trustworthy attorney to manage and lead the investigation of possible attempts to interfere with the administration of the 2020 election.'

He said it paid $250 an hour, less than his typical $550 per hour rate, but that he was approached for the role after other lawyers 'expressed hesitation due to concerns related to violent rhetoric and potential safety issues for their families.'

He took the assignment after being approached by Willis and other lawyers.

'While professional associates and friends since 2019, there was no personal relationship between District Attorney Willis and me prior to or at the time of my appointment as special prosecutor in 2021,' Wade continues. 'In 2022, District Attorney Willis and I developed a personal relationship in addition to our professional association and friendship.'

'The District Attorney and I are both financially independent professionals; expenses for personal travel were roughly divided equally between us,' writes Wade. 'At times I have made and purchased travel for District Attorney Willis and myself from my personal funds. At other times District Attorney Willis has made and purchased travel for she and I from her personal funds.'

Roman was charged this summer with alleged crimes including taking part in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit forgery, and conspiracy to file false documents, all in connection with a scheme to submit fake Republican electors who would cast votes for Trump in place of electors to reflect Joe Biden's certified victory in the state.

Willis asks Judge Scott McAfee to nix a planned evidentiary hearing on February 15.

'This is not an example of zealous advocacy, nor is it a good faith effort to develop a record on a disputed legal issue  it is a ticket to the circus,' she writes.
Queensland to be hit with more rain

Parts of Australia still drenched from an ex-tropical cyclone are bracing for a similar system that is forming off the coast - while southern parts of the country are set to swelter as the weather bureau issues a fresh heatwave warning.

Just over a week after ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall off the coast of north Queensland another cyclone - tropical low 06U - began to form near K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) on Friday.

The weather system is currently a weak subtropical low but the weather bureau is forecasting the system to intensify by Wednesday or Thursday next week.

'A weak sub-tropical low 06U is moving northeast in the eastern Coral Sea outside the Australian region,' the bureau said.

'The most likely scenario is that 06U begins to move to the west across the Coral Sea next week towards the north Queensland Coast.'

Parts of Queensland is bracing for another possible cyclone, with tropical low 06U (pictured) already forming not far from the north Queensland coast

Weatherzone also believes the cyclone will spend at least a week in waters near the Coral Sea before it tracks west towards the Queensland coast.

While meteorologists remain uncertain whether the system could become a tropical cyclone, if the system does get upgraded it will be the third tropical cyclone to lash Queensland in two months following Kirrily and Cyclone Jasper, which made landfall in December.

The latest weather forecast comes as the sunshine state was battered with more than 300mm of rain in some regions in the 24 hours to 9am Friday, due to the remnants of TC Kirrily sweeping northern parts of the state.

A Bureau of Meteorology has warned the system would likely bring heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding in western parts of the Gulf Country, north-west, and Channel Country districts.

More heavy rainfall with rainfall totals exceeding 300mm is set to lash some regions while wind gusts up to 110km/h are also expected as part of a devastating combination of extreme weather.

The northern parts of the country are facing the prospect of more deluges including 300mm in some places as the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily moves across the region (pictured)

'Isolated six-hourly totals between 150 and 200mm are possible with 24-hourly totals exceeding 300 mm,' the bureau warned.

Flood warnings are also in place in several rivers including the Flinders, Nicholson, and Leichhardt Rivers with many catchments nearing capacity.

Locals and authorities are already facing devastation in the state's northwest as Kirrily finally weakens before it tracks into northern NSW by Tuesday.

Roads have been cut off by floodwater while trees have been uprooted with some towns including Mt Isa having been without fresh food for a week.

Roads have been cut off by floodwater while trees have been uprooted (pictured) following ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily

Locals and authorities are already facing devastation in the state's northwest following ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily as they brace for another threat of a tropical cyclone (pictured a flooded road in Queensland)

Parts of Australia are set to swelter with scorching conditions expected in southern parts of the country (pictured beachgoers in Sydney)

Meanwhile some parts of Australia including southern parts of the country are set to swelter through scorching conditions with temperatures in parts of WA set to push past 40 degrees.

Penrith in Sydney's west will reach tops of 39C on Sunday while Canberra and Melbourne are set to reach tops of 35C and 37C respectively.

Sydney will reach a maximum of 35C on Monday.

A severe heatwave warning remains in place across the weekend and into Monday for several parts of NSW including the the mid-north coast, the Illawarra, and the south coast.

Authorities have urged people to keep themselves cool by staying in the shade, drawing blinds and curtains during warmer parts of the day, and using an air conditioning system if available to reduce heat stress.

The warm weather is sure to provide ideal conditions for beachgoers (pictured beachgoers in Sydney)

A heatwave warning has been issued for several parts of NSW (pictured weather map of areas across the state expecting high temperatures)
A developer who defrauded investors of hundreds of millions in an elaborate Ponzi scheme has been jailed for just four years, which hasn't satisfied victims fleeced of their life savings and dreams of property ownership.

William O'Dwyer, who was formerly director of the Ralan Group, was handed a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to six counts of fraud that stole $251.5million from mum-and-dad investors in Sydney's Downing Centre court on Friday.

A number of O'Dwyer's victims turned up to discover the fate of the man who had plundered their savings by promising to use the money as deposits on around 3,000 high-rise apartments in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Despite O'Dwyer swapping his swanky mansion in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs for a jail cell, one of his 1,400 victims, David Roberts, said it did not bring back the $200,000 he lost to the fraudster.

William O'Dwyer, who was formerly director of the Ralan Group, was handed a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to six counts of fraud involving taking $251.5million from mum-and-dad investors

'It's still a sad day for several hundred investors that have lost their superannuation, lost maybe their loans, their ability to buy properties, some of these people bought properties for their children,' Mr Roberts told Channel Nine's A Current Affair.

'The purchasers don't get any benefit from this at all, so justice has been done in terms of the fraud but the several hundred purchasers like myself have no benefit.'

Between 2015 to 2018 O'Dwyer promised those seeking to buy apartments he would put their deposits in a trust account that paid between 15 and 20 per cent interest a year, with the amounts to be taken off the eventual purchase price of the apartment.

However, using two sets of books - one real and one fake - he instead used $251.5million of the money given to Ralan to fund new projects.

Following the financial collapse of his builder, Ralan, which had operated since 1998, was found to have a $277million shortfall in money on its books.

O'Dwyer's victims attended court proceedings demanding justice for their lost savings

As part of his affluent lifestyle, O'Dwyer lived in this multi-million property located in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs

When Ralan entered administration in 2019 it was found to owe $323million to creditors.

An investigation by corporate watchdog ASIC followed to unearth the extent of O'Dwyer's underhanded dealings.

In his sentencing of O'Dwyer, District Court Judge Troy Anderson said he obtained 'enormous' financial advantage from his deceitful conduct that was 'ongoing and deliberate, and a calculated fraud designed to benefit himself'.

ASIC deputy chairwoman Sarah Court said the sentence 'emphasises the seriousness of fraudulent activities'.

However, not everyone was impressed with the jail term, which includes a non-parole period of two years and four months.

O'Dwyer pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges in August, with each count having a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

An unnamed legal commentator told Channel Nine that considering the scope and severity of the theft, he thought O'Dwyer would get between five and six years' jail.
Fresh off their successful campaign to sink the Indigenous Voice to Parliament the conservative activist group Advance is now targeting the Albanese government.

In a message sent to the group's supporters, Advance Executive Director Matthew Sheahan said the group wanted to turn the upcoming Dunkley by-election in Victoria into 'a referendum on the Prime Minister'.

'It will be a vote on the dismal report card of his first two years of office,' Mr Sheahan wrote.

'If we convince voters in this one seat to put Labor last on March 2, the pressure will pile on Anthony Albanese in ways he can't imagine.'

The main issues Advance wants to focus Dunkley's voters on are 'cost of living, on broken promises, on housing and rental costs'.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese campaigned extensively for the Voice, but following the referendum defeat denied it was a loss for him personally

'The people in Dunkley are like Aussies everywhere,' Mr Sheahan writes.

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'They've been under the pump with Albo's government, just like you.

'You and I know that they've had enough of the Labor/Green/Teal experiment.

'If we can convince them to put Labor last, we'll be one step closer to ending it.'

Mr Sheahan told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that he wanted to send a message to Canberra.

'Australians have had enough  they have been smashed by Labor and the cost-of-living crisis,' he said.

'The by-election wont change the government, but it can send a message and we will be encouraging all voters to send the PM and Labor a message by putting Labor last.'

Advance are also set to remind voters of Labor woes in handling the release of foreign-born lawbreakers freed by a High Court decision against indefinite detention for those who could not be deported.

Seven of the 148 people released after November judgment have since been arrested for alleged new crimes and breaching their release conditions.

To get out their message Advance will use social media advertising, sponsor ad trucks in the electorate, make live calls to voters and be visible on election day.

Advance, who changed their name from Advance Australia in May, are prepared to splash $200,000 in Dunkley out of the $5.1m in donations the group received last year.

A number of wealthy business figures were revealed to have backed Advance in AEC disclosures released last week.

The largest donor was Perth car dealer Brian Anderson who gave Advance a whopping $1 million.

Former Shark Tank judge and tech investor Steve Baxter gave the organisation $20,000, while Kennards Self Storage's Sam Kennard put in $115,000.

Bakers Delight founder Roger Gillespie donated $20,000 and Marcus Blackmore, the son of the founder of natural health supplements giant Blackmores, also gave $25,000 and was a vocal critic of the Voice.

Melbourne Storm NRL club director and transport businessman Brett Ralph also donated $50,000 to Advance.

The war chest allowed Advance to help spearhead the successful No campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which was resoundingly defeated in October's referendum.

Advance provided the bulk of the resources for the successful campaign against the Voice (pictured Voice supporters on referendum night)

Despite its relatively low profile, Advance was forced to defend a cartoon it placed as a full-page newspaper ad in the Australian Financial Review against accusations it contained a racist depiction of leading Voice advocate Thomas Mayo.

Mr Mayo was drawn as a boy with raggedy torn pauper-like shorts and no socks who was eagerly reaching for a wad of cash labelled '$2M' from Wesfarmer's chair and Yes23 campaign director Michael Chaney.

Politicians supporting the Yes vote, including former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean, federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer, Labor MP Alicia Payne and federal Teals Zali Steggall, Monique Ryan and Sophie Scamps, labelled the cartoon as 'racist'.

Some of the Advance advertising material that will be used in the Victorian seat of Dunkley ahead of the upcoming by-election

But Advance Australia denied the cartoon was a stereotype or trope showing Indigenous Australians as childish or beggars.

'We utterly reject the premise that this cartoon racist,' an Advance spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'It is a parody of the close relationship between Teal politicians, do-gooder corporate elites and the radical activists of the Yes campaign, such as Thomas Mayo.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese campaigned extensively for the Voice but has since denied it defeat was a loss for him personally.

'It was never about politicians, it was actually about the most disadvantaged people in our society,' Mr Albanese said about the failed referendum in December.

Advance was formed by former Liberal staffer Gerard Benedet in 2018 as a counter to the left-wing group GetUp!.

It has copied GetUp! electoral strategy of not advocating for a party but rather running largely negative ads against their political opponents that urge voters to put them last.

Advance was forced to deny accusations that this Voice No vote newspaper ad was a racist depiction of Yes23 activist Thomas Mayo

The March 2 Dunkley by-election has been brought about by the death from cancer of its former sitting MP Peta Murphy.

Labor holds it on a margin of 6.3 per cent with the seat encompassing affluent areas on the Mornington Peninsula but also highly mortgage-indebted Melbourne suburbs such as Carrum Downs, Langwarrin and Frankston.
The sole Jewish member of Chicago's 50-strong city council was howled down by an angry mob for the second time in a week as the city council slammed Israel for its war on Hamas.

Alderman Debra Silverstein pleaded with colleagues not to pass a resolution which called for an immediate ceasefire without the release of hostages and made no mention of the October 7 attack.

It came just days after protesters disrupted her remarks at City Hall as she spoke movingly of the Nazi-led genocide on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters thronged the building and the public gallery for the knife-edge vote which saw Mayor Brandon Johnson strong-arm opponents before casting the deciding vote.

'There's not even a single mention of the dozens of raped women,' Silverstein said to heckles from the crowd, as a police officer stood close by.

Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of Chicago City Council, cut a lonely figure as she pleaded with colleagues not to demand a ceasefire that left Hamas in power

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters thronged City Hall to pressure aldermen ahead of the vote which left Chicago the largest US city yet to demand an unconditional ceasefire

Several protesters were evicted from the council chamber for disrupting the meeting before the entire public gallery was eventually ordered out

'No reference to the brutal depravity that is now seared into the psyche of every Israeli and every Jewish man, woman and child.'

The resolution made Chicago the largest US city yet to demand a ceasefire in the four-month war which has cost more than 26,000 Palestinian lives, and the Democrat Mayor worked furiously behind the scenes to make it pass.

He asked two senior aldermen to stay away if they could not support it, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, and was slammed for using his casting vote to inflame tensions.

'We should not pass a resolution unless it makes clear that Hamas cannot and should not attack again,' Silverstein said.

'He had an opportunity to be a unifier, and he could have sat down with us and come up with a solution that could have potentially gotten all of us a unanimous vote, and instead he didn't.'

Illinois' governor JB Pritzker also slammed the vote in a city that is due to hold the Democrat's National Convention in August.

'I was disappointed that no consideration was given to the women who were raped by Hamas fighters who crossed over into Israel, kidnapped people, that the deaths that were caused by those terrorists were not acknowledged,' he said.

'And the City Council, if they're going to talk about the challenge of war in the Middle East, you've got to make sure you include all of the perspectives. They did not do that.'

Silverstein's colleagues on the city council remained silent as she was heckled by the crowd

Chicago's Democrat Mayor was accused of strong-arming opponents and slammed for using his deciding vote to ensure the controversial measure passed

Police struggled to keep order as the corridors were taken over by protesters

And protesters erupted with joy when the controversial measure was passed by a single vote

Councilors struggled to get through as protesters occupied the building's corridors

The controversial 'From the river to the sea' slogan, denounced by many Israeli supporters as anti-Semitic was prominently on display

But the protesters did not have it all their own way with at least some support for Israel visible in the public gallery

Hundreds of anti-Israel protests have taken place in major cities since the war broke out and President Joe Biden is being repeatedly picketed at his speaking events by protesters slamming his support for the country.

Biden has been facing mounting pressure to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that started on October 7 when Hamas launched a terror attack that killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages.

The president has privately told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he won't support Israel's war in Gaza lasting a year and is concerned both about the growing death toll in Gaza and about the impact the war is having on younger U.S. voters in the run-up to the 2024 elections.

The United Nations says that 85 percent of Gaza's population have been forced from their homes, with hundreds of thousands at risk of starvation.

And earlier this Biden ordered the Pentagon to review what weaponry Israel has requested that could be used as leverage to scale down their military attack on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Silverstein who has represented the city's 50th ward since 2011 is the only Jewish alderman in a city with one of the largest Jewish populations in the US.

She glared defiantly at protesters interrupting her remarks to the city chamber until they were ordered out of the public gallery and the debate continued.

But she has been repeatedly targeted and was met with howls of protest when she said the words 'never again' on Holocaust Memorial Day.

'Never Again is a statement against all forms of anti-Jewish hate,' she tweeted afterwards.

'Holocaust denial and distortion are recognized forms of antisemitism and should never have occurred at City Hall.'

The Biden administration is reportedly considering using weapons sales as a means to convince Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back their attack in Gaza

And some protesters voiced anger at the wider threat to peace in the Middle East

Mayor Johnson defended the use of his casting vote and said the city council had already passed a resolution back in October affirming Israel's 'right and the obligation to protect its citizens against terrorism and attack by hostile foreign powers'.

'We are still making sure that our city, as a global city, that we lend our voices in matters, whether it was calling out the hideous attack against Israeli people, or whether it was calling for a ceasefire and calling for the release of the hostages,' he added.

But the Israeli consulate in the city slammed the resolution as pointless and counterproductive.

'While this resolution will have no impact in the Middle East, it will create more division among communities in Chicago and inspire more antisemitism, as we saw on the floor and in the galleries of City Hall,' it added.
Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats drivers have gone on strike in a row over pay.

An estimated 3000 workers walked out between 5pm and 10pm on Friday.

Riders staged a protest outside McDonald's branches in Western Road, London and on London Road in Brighton.

Furious drivers honked their horns and flashed their lights in unison in a bid for a pay rise.

Police attended the demonstrations in both cities.

Riders at Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats have gone on strike in a dispute over pay

Pictured: Police vehicles on the scene as food couriers stage a demonstration in south west London

Food couriers use self-employed workers, who are paid for each delivery made, with fees varying depending on the order and the distance travelled.

According to Indeed, Deliveroo drivers can earn from 14.12 an hour.

Deliveroo said that total pay for riders was up from this time last year.

A spokesperson for the courier said: 'We offer riders the self employed, flexible work they tell us they value, alongside protections.

'Riders always earn at least the national minimum wage, plus vehicle costs, for the time they are working with us, though the vast majority earn far more than this.

'Riders are also automatically insured for free, covering them if they are in an accident or injured while working and receive income protection if they are unwell and cannot work.'
It could have been any ordinary Saturday afternoon encounter between teenage friends.

Captured on CCTV, 'socially anxious' Brianna Ghey was seen meeting Scarlett Jenkinson after alighting from a No 28 bus. Excited but nervous, it was the last time Brianna would be seen alive.

Eddie Ratcliffe, his hood up over his long hair, initially loitered some distance behind Jenkinson, who Brianna considered a friend, before catching up with the two girls.

He, like Jenkinson, was there for one thing  to kill.

Little more than an hour after meeting her killers at 1.53pm on February 11 last year, Brianna was dead.

Footage shows Brianna Ghey leaving her family home in Birchwood, a suburb of Warrington, Cheshire, at 12.45pm

It could have been any ordinary Saturday afternoon encounter between teenage friends

Brianna was dressed in a short grey tartan skirt, long white socks and a fluffy white hooded jacket, and carrying a pink and white checked shoulder bag

Captured on CCTV, 'socially anxious' Brianna was seen meeting Scarlett Jenkinson after alighting from a No 28 bus

Footage of the bus stop encounter was released yesterday, adding to previous images piecing together her last day.

It shows her leaving her family home in Birchwood, a suburb of Warrington, Cheshire, at 12.45pm, and boarding the bus to the nearby village of Culcheth.

She was dressed in a short grey tartan skirt, long white socks and a fluffy white hooded jacket, and carrying a pink and white checked shoulder bag.

In what the killers' trial would later hear was a 'sinister' sign of their true intentions, Brianna was advised by Jenkinson to buy a single ticket. Jenkinson had lied to Brianna, who rarely ventured out alone, that they were going to a beauty spot to take drugs, even setting up a bogus Snapchat account for her fictional 'dealer'.

Bus driver Kieran Mercer recalled how 'very timid and quietly spoken' Brianna appeared to be 'going out of her way not to be seen' when she boarded.

At about 1.41pm, Brianna sent her mother, Esther, a WhatsApp message: 'I'm on the bus by myself, I'm scared.'

'Well, that's well good xx,' Ms Ghey replied, later explaining how she was 'really proud' of Brianna for having the courage to go to meet her friend.

But in a statement read to the murder trial, she said: 'I don't think she ever saw it because it showed as being delivered, but (the two ticks to indicate a message being read) didn't turn blue.'

Eddie Ratcliffe (Y), his hood up over his long hair, initially loitered some distance behind Jenkinson (X), who Brianna considered a friend, before catching up with the two girls

Jenkinson had lied to Brianna (BG), who rarely ventured out alone, that they were going to a beauty spot to take drugs, even setting up a bogus Snapchat account for her fictional 'dealer'

Jenkinson (SJ) and Ratcliffe (ER) were next filmed at 3.15pm after they half-ran, half-walked across a field after leaving Brianna bleeding to death

Passers-by saw Brianna walking towards Culcheth Linear Park with Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, whom she had never met. In a cruel twist, one witness was Rachel Powell, mother of Esther Ghey's partner Wes, who recalled 'nothing appeared out of the ordinary' with the teenagers 'talking and laughing'.

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were next filmed at 3.15pm after they half-ran, half-walked across a field after leaving Brianna bleeding to death. Dashcam and Ring doorbell cameras filmed the pair walking 'in lockstep' towards Jenkinson's home. Soon after, a horrified dog walker raised the alarm after finding Brianna's body.

The pair then split up, with Jenkinson entering her house at 3.20pm, deleting a Snapchat conversation with Brianna in a 'cool and calculated' move.

Ratcliffe  seen in some footage wiping blood from his hands  then caught a bus home to Leigh, arriving just after 4pm

Jenkinson at the moment of her arrest at 7.30pm the following day in an image from an officer's bodyworn camera

Ratcliffe during his police interview, in which he told detectives: 'I can explain.' A 6in hunting knife was found at his home

In police interviews, Jenkinson repeated her claims that Brianna had gone off with a 'random' man from Manchester  but became tearful as her story fell apart

Bunches of flowers wrapped up in pink  Brianna's favourite colour  left on a bench by the path where the teenager was found by a horrified dog walker. Although police were on the scene within minutes, they were unable to save her life. In court, Ratcliffe and Jenkinson blamed each other for her killing

Ratcliffe  seen in some footage wiping blood from his hands  then caught a bus home to Leigh, arriving just after 4pm.

Grotesquely, in their first communication half an hour later Ratcliffe sent a message which read: 'So how's your cat?' This referred to messages they exchanged before the murder in which he typed 'cat' instead of 'car'. Jenkinson replied: 'Good lol. How's yours?' 'It keeps trying to purr,' Ratcliffe wrote.

Through the evening the pair swapped messages feigning ignorance as social media posts about the killing began. Then at 11.11pm Jenkinson asked Ratcliffe: 'Do you have anxiety about getting caught?' 'Probably,' he answered. Jenkinson wrote: 'You're not going to get caught don't worry. Police are sh*** here.'

But the following morning they began to panic, with Jenkinson sending a message to Brianna's phone asking 'Why did you ditch us for some random man from Manchester?'  the start of her bid to create a false defence.

Officers found a note written by Jenkinson of an alleged 'murder plan' against Brianna

In a frenzied attack, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, both 15 at the time, stabbed Brianna with a hunting knife

Brianna was stabbed to death 28 times with a hunting knife on February 11, suffering 'unsurvivable' injuries

'Timid' Brianna's body was found face-down in the mud in a Cheshire village on February 11

Speaking to officers on the phone, Jenkinson repeated her false account of Brianna having 'stormed off'

She then messaged Ratcliffe to ensure they got their story 'straight'

First to friends, and then her parents Brian Jenkinson and Emma Sutton, she began repeating the lie about Brianna going off with the 'random' man. Realising this was key information, unsuspecting Ms Sutton, a teacher, called police at 5pm that Sunday.

Speaking to officers on the phone, Jenkinson repeated her false account of Brianna having 'stormed off'. She then messaged Ratcliffe to ensure they got their story 'straight'. To bolster her deceit, at 6.25pm she posted a Snapchat tribute describing Brianna as 'one of the best people I have ever met and such an amazing friend'.

At 7.30pm  just over 28 hours after Brianna was stabbed  police in body armour arrived at both teenagers' homes and arrested them.

Continuing to lay her false trail, Jenkinson was calm enough to tell officers: 'Me being a suspect, is it cos I'm the last person to see her?' before becoming tearful as her lies began to unravel.

Ratcliffe simply said: 'I can explain.'

Brianna's mother Esther Ghey arrives at Manchester Crown Court on November 27

In court, both teenagers blamed each other and denied responsibility for killing Brianna

Searches of his home yielded a jacket spattered with Brianna's blood and the six-inch hunting knife believed to have inflicted the fatal injuries.

Under police interview, while Jenkinson repeated her story, Ratcliffe eventually claimed that he had been present while Brianna was killed, but that it was his friend who had stabbed her.

In court, both blamed each other and denied responsibility for killing Brianna.
The school where Scarlett Jenkinson met her victim Brianna Ghey did not know she had been kicked out of her previous school for trying to poison another pupil with cannabis sweets, it emerged yesterday.

While a pupil at Culcheth High School, Jenkinson persuaded a 13-year-old schoolmate to take two 'gummies' laced with marijuana in the library.

But the pupil became unwell and needed hospital treatment after the attack, in September 2022, and Jenkinson was suspended, being moved to nearby Birchwood Community High School to avoid permanent expulsion.

Yesterday it was claimed the school was not given the full details of the incident, including that the child had fallen ill or that the police had been called.

Birchwood head Emma Mills said: 'We were told it was a one-off incident, where [Jenkinson] knew she'd made a mistake. There was nothing that raised a concern in terms of the information we were given.'

The school where Scarlett Jenkinson (pictured) met her victim Brianna Ghey did not know she had been kicked out of her previous school for trying to poison another pupil with cannabis sweets, it emerged yesterday

While a pupil at Culcheth High School, Jenkinson persuaded a 13-year-old schoolmate to take two 'gummies' laced with marijuana in the library

The pupil became unwell and needed hospital treatment after the attack, in September 2022, and Jenkinson (pictured during her police interview) was suspended, being moved to nearby Birchwood Community High School to avoid permanent expulsion

Jenkinson (depicted in a court sketch) met Brianna in Birchwood's 'inclusion unit', a class for vulnerable pupils separate from mainstream lessons

Jenkinson met Brianna in Birchwood's 'inclusion unit', a class for vulnerable pupils separate from mainstream lessons.

Warrington Borough Council has started a child safeguarding review into Jenkinson's interaction with key agencies, including social services and schools. Culcheth High head Chris Hunt said they have 'been working closely with partner agencies across Warrington'.

Last night the father of a Culcheth High pupil told the Mail his daughter was lucky to be alive after refusing to take the sweets Jenkinson then gave to the pupil who was hospitalised. He added: 'Listening to the murder trial has been absolutely horrific. Every parent in this village feels like their children have had a lucky escape.'
A Texas attorney is offering a $10,000 reward after her son was attacked at an Oakland gas station.

The 21-year-old was attacked by a group of armed robbers who approached his car at a gas station near Oakland International Airport on Monday.

Attorney Maxey Scherr said her son was on his way back from celebrating his 21st birthday in Sonoma and Napa over the weekend when he and his friends were attacked.

The group stopped at the station around 2pm to fill the tank at the 76 gas station on Hegenberger Road when the robbery occurred.

'It's pretty disgusting if it's true that this happens with Thrifty [rental company] vehicles once a day,' Scherr told the San Francisco Chronicle.

A Texas attorney is offering a $10,000 reward after her son was attacked at an Oakland gas station

The incident occurred in an area surrounding Oakland Airport and which have become notorious for vehicle thefts

The 21-year-old was attacked by a group of armed robbers who approached his car at a gas station near Oakland International Airport on Monday

'It puts a very bad light on Oakland.'

'I feel like this just can't be. This shouldn't be the way of life out there,' she said.

Adding: 'We shouldn't just accept that that's just how it should be.'

The incident occurred in an area surrounding Oakland Airport which has become notorious for vehicle thefts.

Within a single square mile, cops claim criminals strike a dozen times or more per day, every day, mainly targeting victims who are headed to and from the airport.

Less than a mile away a Shell gas station on Hegenberger Road is also plagued by thefts. Around five hundred yards from the Shell, another Chevron is also a hotspot. And next to that, the parking lot of an In-N-Out Burger is hit daily.

Police say the criminals, who operate in well-organized groups, follow the same playbook: a spotter keeps watch for targets, usually rentals headed to or from the airport, as they pull up at the gas stations.

Oakland's mayor, Sheng Thao, has tried to deflect blame for the uptick in crimes, which also includes a 38 percent spike in robberies between 2022 and 2023. Pictured: A vehicle which was broken into at the Shell gas station on Hegenberger Road

Pictures show an Audi that was smashed into at the Chevron on 98th Ave (left) and a car that was targeted at the In-N-Out Burger parking lot (right)

A victim at the Chevron on Hegenberger Road said their rear window was smashed as they pulled away after getting gas but nothing was taken

Patrols have also been stepped up at an In-N-Out Burger where parked cars are often targeted

They then alert accomplices, who pull up in a vehicle when the targets start to pump fuel. Often, they smash a rear window or pop the trunk of unlocked vehicles before making off with luggage and valuables. The thefts take just seconds.

The spike has earned the Shell the nickname 'America's most dangerous gas station'. The two Chevron sites are also top contenders for the unwanted title.

Online reviews for these gas stations and the In-N-Out are flooded with dozens of complaints from customers who were hit by the crooks.

One shocking video from the In-N-Out parking lot shows a thief smash into a black SUV in broad daylight. The crook leans, feet off the ground, through the vehicle's rear window and snatches up several items before escaping into a waiting getaway car as more than a dozen onlookers watch.

Another clip from outside the Shell shows a thief deploy exactly the same method to steal a backpack from the trunk. Feet of the ground, he leans into a smashed rear window to scoop up loot before making an escape.

The victim said he was parked for less than two minutes. 'Stay away from this place at all costs,' the review said. 'The thieves were bold enough to use my credit cards at this exact gas station later in the day.'

A cop who was patrolling outside the Shell on Thursday told DailyMail.com: 'This has always gone on, but not to the extent it is now.'

The officer's assessment is backed up by official crime stats for Oakland which reveal car theft has risen nearly 50 percent across the past year. There were 8,675 car theft cases in the city in 2022, compared with 12,956 last year.

The officer said they often see repeat offenders. 'We see someone and they're arrested, then a week later they are back out,' the cop said.

He said the police public information office would be able to answer further questions, but the city's media team did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Oakland's mayor, Sheng Thao, has tried to deflect blame for the uptick in crimes, which also includes a 38 percent spike in robberies between 2022 and 2023.

Thao, 38, who took office in January last year, said crime in Oakland 'has been on a steady rise since 2019' and it's 'dishonest for anyone to say that crime started rising under my watch only'.

The solution, according to officers on the ground, is to abandon the progressive legislation which has curbed their powers.

'It's a social experiment and it's not working,' one said. 'Why don't we stick with things that work?'
Reform UK has admitted it accepted a 10,000 donation from a former Tory donor who is facing sexual misconduct claims.

Crispin Odey gave money to Richard Tice's party last August - but Reform initially logged his donation as coming from City think tank, the Independent Investment Management Initiative (IIMI).

Reform have now been forced to correct the record and confirm Mr Odey, who has previously given 265,000 to the Conservatives, as the source of the funds.

Mr Odey left his asset management firm last June after allegations he had sexually harassed or assaulted 13 women over the course of 25 years.

He donated large sums to the Conservative Party between 2008 and 2019, including 10,000 to Boris Johnson's leadership campaign.

Reform UK has admitted it accepted a 10,000 donation from a former Tory donor Crispin Odey (pictured at his office in 2016) who is facing sexual misconduct claims

Crispin Odey gave money to Richard Tice's (pictured) party last August - but Reform initially logged his donation as coming from City think tank. Reform have now been forced to correct the record and confirm Mr Odey as the source of the funds

Mr Odey left his asset management firm last June after allegations he had sexually harassed or assaulted 13 women over the course of 25 years

Two months before he donated to Reform UK, allegations of sexual misconduct emerged, with the Financial Conduct Authority currently probing whether Mr Odey is a 'fit and proper' person to work in financial services.

Mr Tice said: 'We make our judgments on what we think is correct. Crispin Odey is on the electoral roll and he has not been found guilty of anything as far as I'm aware.

'In the UK we have the simple principle of innocent until proven guilty.'

The IIMI, which is a group of 40 asset management firms, said: 'The IIMI is a not-for-profit organisation, has never made any political donations, nor does it intend to do so.

'The IIMI has worked with thousands of individuals at member firms since its establishment in 2010.'

Mr Odey was a director of IIMI between June 2010 and December 2012, according to company filings.

He donated large sums to the Conservative Party between 2008 and 2019, including 10,000 to Boris Johnson's leadership campaign

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: 'We published the donation details on our register as originally reported to us by the party.

'The entry was amended on our database when the party informed us that it had provided inaccurate donor information.

'We will consider the inaccurate reporting in line with our enforcement policy.'

Reform UK is currently polling at around 10 per cent ahead of the next General Election, with the party seeking to take advantage of Conservative voters who are unimpressed with Rishi Sunak's vision.

They will hope to lay down a marker at this month's by-election in Rochdale, where they have named ex-Labour MP Simon Danczuk as the candidate.

Mr Danczuk, 57, who was the Labour MP for Rochdale from 2010 until 2017, was suspended from the party and blocked from standing in 2017 after being caught sending explicit messages to a 17 year-old girl.

'The Labour Party is just focused on the North London view of things now,' he said this week when explaining his defection.

'They have gone from work to woke.'
Liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is under pressure from fellow liberals to retire amid growing fears she might enable a Republican president to appoint a conservative successor.

CNN commentator Josh Barrow became the latest to demand the 69-year-old step down lest she follow in the footsteps liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died while serving at 87 in 2020.

That death allowed then-president Donald Trump to cement the court's conservative majority with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, and some liberals are determined it will not happen again.

'I'm not saying I think Justice Sotomayor is on death's door,' Barrow conceded to his fellow panelists on CNN This Morning.

'But I think it's important, given it's a lifetime appointment, to take a very long-time horizon view on this.

Sonia Sotomayer, 69, is one of just three liberal justices currently on the Supreme Court

Liberal commentator Josh Barrow, left, added his voice to a growing calls on the left for her retirement on CNN This Morning

It comes after the 2020 death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg while still serving at 87 allowed then-president Donald Trump to cement the court's conservative majority

'It seems like that  it would be the right time strategically for her to step down in favor of somebody younger if she's very concerned about the political balance on the court.'

The sitting president is entitled under the constitution to appoint justices to the Supreme Court, subject to Senate approval, and Trump appointed three during his four years in office.

Liberal campaigners mobilized against Justice Stephen Breyer who retired at 83 in 2022, allowing President Biden to appoint Ketanji Brown Jackson to the bench.

The court's 6-3 conservative majority has steamrolled a raft of landmark judgements including the overturning of Roe V Wade and the outlawing of positive discrimination at public institutions.

And the pressure on Sotomayor is growing after she made gloomy remarks about her role in a speech to University of California Law School students this week.

'I live in frustration,' she admitted, 'and every loss truly traumatizes me in my stomach and in my heart.

'Cases are bigger. They're more demanding. The number of amici are greater, and you know that our emergency calendar is so much more active.

'To be almost 70 years old, this isn't what I expected.

'I'm tired.'

Justice Sotomayor (left) is only the fourth-oldest member of the Supreme Court

But calls for her retirement grew after she voiced her frustration to California law students

'I find it a little bit surprising, given what Justice Sotomayor describes there about the stakes of what is happening before the Supreme Court, that she's not retired,' Barrow said.

'It's quite possible the Democrats will lose control of the Senate in the next election and who knows how long it could be before there's a next opportunity for a Democratic president to make a new appointment to the seat she sits in.'

The Bronx-born justice was the first Latino to sit on the bench when she was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009.

She has suffered from life-long Type-1 diabetes and her father died at just 43, but her mother made it to an impressive 94.

Supreme court justices are over 80 when they retire on average, but some on the left are even targeting Sotomayor's fellow liberal justice Elena Kagan who is just 63.

'Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are important. But they are important because of the values they champion,' wrote liberal lawyer and podcast host Peter Shamshiri last year.

'If they want to see those values protected, then they can't risk letting their seats fall into Republican hands.'

Justice Sotomayor stood in tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a private ceremony at the Supreme Court after her death in 2020

'If Sotomayor and Kagan do not retire within the next two years they could doom the entire country to live under a 7-2 or even an 8-1 court controlled by an increasingly radicalized Republican Party's appointees,' wrote legal journalist Ian Millhiser in Vox.

But despite her complaints, Justice Sotomayor seemed reluctant to throw in the towel.

'It is still work that is all-consuming and I understand the impact the court has on people and on the country, and sometimes the world. And so it is what keeps me going.

'You can't throw up your hands and walk away. And that's not a choice. That's an abdication. That's giving up.'
At least 18 people have been killed during US missile strikes on Syria, after the White House bombed targets there and in Iraq to avenge the killings of three US soldiers.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said those killed were members of 'Iran-backed groups', after four sites were targeted in Syria. There have not yet been updates on Iraqi death totals.

The Pentagon unleashed its first wave of bombs on Iranian-backed militias on Friday because the clear skies provided an accurate target, with 85 targets being hit in Iraq and Syria during the course of a 30-minute raid.

Seven separate facilities - four in Syria and three in Iraq - were struck by the B1 bombers, which flew directly from the United States, refueling mid air.

Iraq was warned in advance, said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, but Iran - which supports and arms the militias - was not.

Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the strikes were ordered because the weather was in their favor.

The bombs can be dropped when there is cloud cover, but the U.S. waited until the skies were clear in 'an interest of ensuring that we're hitting all the right targets,' said Sims.

Explosions are seen in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim: the site is believed to be a weapons depot for al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)

A plane is seen taking off in a video on X shared by CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and pic.twitter.com/Y53nvRfjjx  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024

He said the U.S. was looking to avoid 'unnecessary casualties' - but they did expect militants in the seven facilities to have been killed.

Footage shared on social media showed a series of explosions in the city of Al-Qaim: the first explosions from the U.S. bombs, and then the secondary explosions from the munitions detonating.

The mayor of Al-Qaim, Turki Al-Mahalawi, said the strikes hit three houses used as weapon warehouses by the PMU - al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

The PMU is backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and is believed by Washington to be responsible for many of the 165 attacks launched since October 7 on U.S. sites and personnel in the region.

Two B-1- bombers flew from the U.S. for the mission hitting seven facilities - three and Iraq and four in Syria - linked to the IRGC and Iran-backed militias

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia (left) and Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, 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

Yahya Rasool, spokesperson of Iraq's Armed Forces, said the strikes were a 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty.'

'The city of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are being subjected to airstrikes by U.S. aircraft, at a time when Iraq is striving hard to ensure the stability of the region,' Rasool said, according to CNN.

'These strikes are considered a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that could drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences, the outcomes will be dire for the security and stability in Iraq and the region.'

The U.S. has not commented on the targets.

Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon official in the Trump administration, told The New York Times that the U.S. strikes appeared to be focused on Iranian supply lines, which pass through Iraq and Syria.

Mulroy said he believed it is unlikely many Iranian soldiers would have been killed because Iran had time to move its personnel out of harm's way - likely a deliberate move by the U.S. to avoid unnecessary escalation.

The New York Times reported that a site in the Iraqi city of Akashat was also hit, describing the target as a command headquarters of the PMU.

The PMU is just part of a coalition of Iran-backed groups which call themselves the 'Axis of Resistance', and claim they are attacking U.S. targets in response to Washington's support for Israel's action in Gaza.

The U.S. has launched a devastating wave of airstrikes on Iran 's Revolutionary Guard in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops.

Analysts say Tehran is taking advantage of the chaos, and warn that the U.S. must tread a fine line between responding to the deaths of the three soldiers and plunging into war with Iran.

Joe Biden on Friday said that the airstrikes were just the beginning.

'This past Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC),' he said.

'Earlier today, I attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base, and I have spoken with each of their families.

'This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

'The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.'

Sims said the U.S. was 'really confident' in the precision of its strikes, and said they had been a success.

The operation was over in 30 minutes.

'Initial indications are we hit exactly what we meant to hit, with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations,' he said.

'We know that there are militants that use these locations.

'We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.'

Senator Jack Reed, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he endorsed the strikes.

'This was a strong, proportional response,' said Reed, a Democrat representing Rhode Island.

'In fact, the 85 targets struck tonight mark a greater number than the prior administration. Iran's proxy forces in Syria and Iraq have been dealt a significant blow, and Iranian-linked militias around the Middle East should understand that they, too, will be held accountable.'
Terrifying footage showed the moment a gang of thugs clashed with machetes in broad daylight brawl in Nottingham.

The video, which was filmed outside the city's art gallery, Nottingham Contemporary, saw workers left 'scared for their lives'.

One man was shown wielding a large zombie-style knife before putting it back into its sleeve after, as three people ran down the steps by the side of the gallery.

A woman was seen on the clip who appeared to be trying to break up the gang.

Three individuals, wearing dark clothes with hoods up, are seen to be carrying machetes.

One man wielded a large machete before placing it back into its sleeve

A gang of thugs engaged in a fight in broad daylight outside an art gallery in Nottingham

Three individuals ran off down the steps after a woman was seen trying to break the fight up

Nottinghamshire Police attended the scene to investigate the incident at Weekday Cross, the BBC reported.

One worker, who says the brawl started at 12.30pm said they were lucky there were no visitors in the gallery and locked the door as the gang ran away, adding 'I was scared for my life'.
The math teacher has gone on to file a discrimination complaint against the school district

El-Haggan offered to take it down but was told that she would still be suspended

A Muslim school teacher in Maryland said that she is a victim of racism after she was suspended for using 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' as her email signature.

Hajur El-Haggan, a math teacher at Argyle Middle School, was placed on administrative leave in November after she was told that her chosen signature was not allowed.

The Muslim and Arab-American teacher has since gone on to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Maryland Commission on Human Rights against Montgomery County Public Schools.

'I have co-workers who have "Black Lives Matter" in their email signatures, or links to their pronouns and what they mean. My quote does not fall into a different category,' El-Haggan told KUTV.

The complaint stated that after she was reprimanded by the school's principal about her email signature, she offered to take it down, but they proceeded to tell her that she would still be suspended.

Hajur El-Haggan, a math teacher at Argyle Middle School, was placed on administrative leave in November after she was told that her email signature that said 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' was not allowed

El-Haggan has since gone on to file a discrimination complaint against the Montgomery County Public Schools. Pictured: Her email signature

The discrimination complaint, which has also been filed with the local Fair Employment Practices Agency, said that El-Haggan and her colleagues at the school 'hold certain personal and political views regarding various social injustices.'

'Ms. El-Haggan was the victim of a bias attack that took place on school grounds as a result of her expression,' the complaint said.

The 13-page document went on to detail that following the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, El-Haggan started to wear shirts with pro-Palestine slogans on them, respective pins and wore a red hijab.

The complaint also noted that besides El-Haggan, other teachers in the middle school 'expressed opinions about various political and social matters.'

One staff development teacher displayed their signature alongside an image that said 'Black Lives Matter,' while another had their entire signature written in colorful letters that said "Rainbow Alliance Sponsor.'

'Just like here in America, we have "From sea to shining sea," it's no different. It's a call for freedom, peace, basic rights, and humanity and coexistence,' El-Haggan said.

According to the complaint, on the day that the Argyle Middle School Principal approached El-Haggan about her signature, he told her that 'he tired to advocate on her behalf.'

He went on to allegedly tell the teacher that 'he believed this approach by the county goes directly against its own Restorative Justice policies,' the complaint said.

The complaint also said that that three days before she was placed on leave, the Palestinian flag in her car that said 'Free Palestine was cut off of her vehicle and written on.

Another teacher's signature from Argyle Middle School is seen with a 'Black Lives Matter' image on it

An English teacher's signature from the middle school is seen in colorful letters that read "Rainbow Alliance Sponsor'

El-Haggan's family is from Egypt and Sudan, and she is 'closely connected to the region' and 'deeply resonates' with the bond between Egypt and Palestine, the complaint said.

She was hired by the district in 2015 where she started out as a fourth grade teacher before she moved on to teach at the middle school.

While at the school, El-Haggan has run multiple clubs for students like the debate team, the creative writing collective and the anime club, according to the complaint.

The phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' has long been seen as a call for destruction by the Jewish population, but for the Palestinian community and their supporters, it has been seen as a peaceful call for liberation.

Since the start of the horrific ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, protestors across the world have donned the slogan on clothing, signs, banners and chanted it at demonstrations.

The Montgomery County Public School district said that the math teacher is one of five employees in the district that have been placed on leave for their signature or social media posts but did not go into specific of each investigation, KUTV reported.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Great Washington said that El-Haggan's signature can be perceived as a 'rallying cry' for the 'murder and displacement of Jews' and anti-Semitic.

El-Haggan was hired by the district in 2015 where she started out as a fourth grade teacher before she moved on to teach at the middle school

The complaint also said that that three days before she was placed on leave, the Palestinian flag in her car that said 'Free Palestine was cut off of her vehicle and written on

'It is deeply disturbing to see professionals tasked with educating and nurturing our children endorsing and spreading such hateful messages, a spokesperson for the council said.

The council went on to say that it 'supports and greatly appreciates' the district's 'swift intervention' to remove the teachers from the school and investigate their situations.

According to the complaint, El-Haggan is still on administrative leave 'with no information on what is to come next.'

'It's been difficult. I miss my students every single day,' she said.

Though she misses her students, El-Haggan said that she wants 'advocate' for other Muslim and Arab teachers and educators and ensure that they are 'protected from discrimination.'

'Ms. El-Haggans support of freedom for Palestine and the Palestinian people stems from her own identity,' the complaint said.
The search for suspected 'acid' attacker Abdul Ezedi has entered its third day as police seek to follow up on 'significant and important' evidence found in searches.

Cops have called for the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area - who is described as having very 'significant injuries to the right side of his face' - to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesday's attack in Clapham, south London.

The fugitive is suspected of carrying out the 'targeted' attack on a mother, 31, and her two daughters, aged three and eight.

His younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi, 22, has now joined the police in urging him to give himself up.

The home of Sebaghallah in east London was raided by specialist Met Police officers in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Met Police have released new images of Clapham chemical attack Abdul Ezedi strolling injured through King's Cross station following Wednesday's events

Now Abdul Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi (pictured), 22, has urged him to give himself up to police

Police say Ezedi was last seen heading south on a Victoria Line service

He said: 'Abdul should give himself up to police. He should be caught and face justice for what he has done.'

It comes as it's revealed Abdul Ezedi is an Afghan asylum seeker had been placed on the sex offender's register for 10 years before he became the suspect of the sick 'acid' assault.

The Metropolitan Police have released more images of the injured man as he boarded a tube train on Wednesday.

CCTV images of Ezedi in a Tesco in North London had prompted speculation that he may have returned to Newcastle where he lived prior to the attack, however police now say he was last seen boarding a Victoria line train south and is thought to be in the city.

Police say that following a raid on an address connected to Ezedi in Newcastle, officers located 'two empty containers with corrosive warnings on the label [and that] tests are currently ongoing to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack.'

At a press conference this afternoon, police confirmed the mother who was attacked is now sedated with 'life changing injuries' whilst her two children are also receiving treatment for non life-changing injuries.

Making his direct appeal to Abdul Ezedi, Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said: 'Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

'We've seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.'

Police say Ezedi travelled to London in the early hours of Wednesday morning and was spotted in Tooting at 6:30am.

He then travelled to Croydon where he was seen at 4:30am and Streatham at 7:00pm.

The attack occurred at 7:25pm in Clapham South and Azedi boarded a Northern Line train heading to King's Cross from the station at 7:33pm.

Shortly after this, he was pictured sporting significant facial injuries on a Tesco on Caledonian Road, Islington before he boarded a southbound Victoria line train at 9pm.

His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Police have confirmed Abdul Ezedi, 35, may still be in London after he was seen heading south

The suspect later appeared at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt on Wednesday, January 31 at 8.48pm

The Metropolitan Police are facing questions about why vital images of the suspect in the Clapham South acid attack took so long to be published potentially helping Abdul Shokoor Ezedi evade capture.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline that it had been dealing with 'a very traumatic incident in which three people and a number of police officers had been injured' and that images were released 'less than 24 hours after the incident.'

Commander Jon Savell said that 'significant and important pieces of evidence' were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

He said: 'In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

'We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

'On Thursday night, five search warrants were executed - two in East London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.'

The mother who was injured in the chemical attack in London on Wednesday has been sedated and was described as 'very poorly' in hospital.

Giving an update on their conditions on Friday, Commander Savell said: 'The mother remains very poorly in hospital and she's sedated at the moment. We expect that those injuries will be life-changing.'

He said the two children who were with her do not have injuries as serious as initially thought.

He said: 'They are not likely to be life-changing (injuries). They remain with mum in the care of the NHS and we, of course, wish them the very best recovery that we can.'

Officers were seen smashing in the doors of the property shortly after 2am on Friday

Police in hazmat suits raid a home in east London amid the search for Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi

People who knew the suspected Clapham South chemical attacker say he was 'a good Muslim' who bought Halal meat, avoided alcohol and planned to return home 'to find a wife' prior to the incident.

But it has emerged that refugee Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, who pleaded guilty to sex assault and exposure charges in 2018 but was not jailed, had been living in Newcastle after arriving in the UK in 2016 on the back of a lorry.

Ezedi's movements on the day of the attack Police have released a timeline of Abdul Ezedi's movements on the day of the attack. 00:15  Ezedi's vehicle is seen in Newcastle 06:30  His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London 16:30  A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon 19:00  He is then seen driving in Streatham 19:25  Attack takes place in Lessar Avenue, SW4, before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off. 19:33  Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station. 19:59  He is then seen leaving that train at King's Cross Tube Station. 20:42  He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. He exits and turns right. 21:00 - Ezedi enters King's Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube Southbound. Advertisement

He avoided jail after being handed a nine-week jail term suspended for two years for the sexual assault at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018.

For the exposure he was given 36 weeks' imprisonment to be served consecutively, which was also suspended for two years.

Abdul Ezedi's crimes saw him placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

It means he still had several years to serve as a registered sex offender when his asylum application was granted at the third time of asking.

Authorities and leaders from the Church of England are now facing questions after it emerged that Ezedi, who is originally from Iran, was allowed to stay in the UK following two failed asylum applications after converting to Christianity.

In 2020 or 2021, it is understood a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion - which aided his application.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Despite Abdul Ezedi's criminal past he was later granted the right to stay in the UK on his third asylum application in either 2020 or 2021, after a priest vouched that he had converted to Christianity.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Residents in the hostel where Ezedi most recently lived in Byker, Newcastle, were unaware of his conviction.

One said: 'We didn't know we were living next to a registered sex offender.

'People knew he'd been granted asylum but it makes you wonder how when he was on the sex offenders register.

'Other residents should have been informed before he was moved in.'

Speaking to The Telegraph, Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society counter-extremism think tank, said: 'Abdul Ezedi should never have been granted asylum status in the UK in the first place following multiple failed attempts and a sexual offences conviction.

'That he was allowed to stay after an obviously false conversion to Christianity highlights the continued problem of the complicity of various British institutions in what has become a pro-asylum industry. The consequences of this are frequently devastating.'

The Church of England said it is not currently aware of any links to its churches.

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'This is clearly a shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by it.

'It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.'

Another similar case was the one of Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen.

The 32-year-old died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital in 2021.

He went to considerable lengths to stay in the UK, including converting to Christianity to support his failed asylum claim.

Meanwhile, an asylum support worker who knew wanted man Abdul Ezedi said he was shocked by the violence he is accused off.

The charity worker, based near Newcastle city centre, checked his records and said Ezedi was from Iran, not Afghanistan as had previously been thought .

He also said the 35-year-old, wanted for a horrific corrosive liquid attack in south London, showed no signs of mental health issues or violent behaviour previously.

The charity worker, who asked not to named said: 'He has been coming here for more than two years, since I took over the project here.

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street

St Vincent's Centre, in Byker, Newcastle, where acid attack suspect Abdul Ezedi visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food

'At the time he was identified as a destitute asylum seeker and did not have access to Home Office support.

'He was registered as someone who needs essential food and furniture.

'We looked at his legal documents, what is his status in the country.

'Over time, I knew him by his face.

'He often came to the centre, every three, four or five weeks.

'He seemed a calm person, sitting in the corner by himself, there was never, ever any complaint or any trouble.

'He never showed any aggressive behaviour.

'When I saw his photo on the news last night I was shocked, I never expected such a person would be violent to that extent.

'He was last here two or three weeks ago.

'We were not aware he had been granted the right to remain, we were not aware he had a criminal record.'

The project manager did not know about Ezedi's conversion to Christianity.

He was worried that the outcry about the case would affect other, innocent asylum seekers.

The worker said: 'Unfortunately, there is a stereotype about asylum matters these days.

'One incident like this can affect a lot of people and have a severe impact on others who are innocent, decent people.

'I would straight away ask him to give himself up, get medical attention and say he has to be held accountable for what he has done.

'Some clients here have mental health issues, they can sometimes react in an aggressive, violent way, but this is someone you would never expect, this is shocking.'

Meanwhile it emerged today that as well as working in a pizza takeaway, Abdul Ezedi had also been earning money working part time as a building contractor. In 2022 he was one of a team of builders working on a house renovation in Newcastle.

Ezedi was recognised by workmen from Terence Wilkinson roofing contractors.

A workman from the firm said: 'He was working on the same house while we were there, not for us but alongside our guys.

'He was part of a team of contractors and appeared to have some experience in building work.

'He's pretty distinctive to look at and when our guys saw the pictures released by the police we knew it was him.

'He didn't say much, just got on with his job but it's frightening to think he was capable of something like that.'

Staff at a Kurdish grocery shop in the Byker area of Newcastle where Ezedi lived told The Times that he would come in every two weeks to buy half of a halal sheep that he would then cut up and put in his freezer.

They claimed he told people he wanted to return to Afghanistan to find a wife, and described him as 'a good Muslim' who did not drink alcohol.

Bilal Khan, owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near where Ezedi had lived, said the wanted man had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's time in the UK: 2016 Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry after fleeing from Afghanistan. He had two applications for asylum rejected. 2018 Ezedi is handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence. He is placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. 2020 Ezedi finishes his work unpaid work order and is discharged from probation supervision. 2020-2021 It is understood Ezedi was granted asylum on his third application - despite his criminal history - after getting a priest to vouch that he had converted to Christianity. He said he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion. January 31 2024 Ezedi is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, in Clapham, south London. Advertisement

Mr Khan said: 'He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn't let things go easily.'

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house.

Wednesday's horrific attack on Lessar Road at 7.25pm left the mother, who one witness said was 'blinded', and her youngest daughter with 'life changing injuries'.

The elder child is also said to have suffered bruising and burn-like injuries. All three remain in hospital in a stable condition.

The Met has urged the public to stay away from 'dangerous' Ezedi who was also hurt in the horror that unfolded.

The force last night released CCTV footage of Ezedi buying a bottle of water in a north London Tesco, on Caledonian Road, in Islington, around an hour after the attack on Wednesday evening.

Police said Ezedi sustained 'significant injuries' in the attack, which officers say was 'targeted'.

He is accused of leaping on the 'vulnerable' mother and her two daughters, hurling a corrosive alkaline substance from a metal coffee cup leaving the woman screaming: 'I can't see, I can't see!'

Horrified locals who ran out to help described the victims' skin turning black and peeling away on contact with the highly toxic chemical, commonly found in household cleaners such as bleach and drain cleaner.

Several residents on the leafy street near Clapham Common, where houses fetch up to 3 million, were also injured as they came to help, along with five police officers who all came into contact with the chemical.

Police believe the perpetrator had travelled around 250 miles from Newcastle earlier that day to carry out the attack on the woman, who was said to be known to him.

Distressing footage from the scene showed the 31-year-old mother and her eight-year-old daughter standing in front of the man's car holding their hands to their faces around 7.25pm.

The suspect was then seen deliberately driving at the mother, hitting her before getting out of the car to haul a three-year-old girl out of the back seat.

The disturbing footage shows a man running towards the driver's door and getting inside before driving the white car into a woman as members of the public rush to her aid

This is the chilling moment a suspected acid attacker rams a car at a mother before taking a child out of a car and slamming her to the floor

CCTV footage obtained by MailOnline showed Ezedi stumbling as he ran away from the scene of the attack

Children's minister David Johnston was pressed by Sky News on reports the suspect in the alkaline substance attack in south London is a convicted sex offender who was granted asylum after two failed attempts.

Mr Johnston said: 'I don't have his case file and I can't say anything that might affect the police's investigation here.

'He is still at large and what we really need is anyone with information to come forward in order that he can be apprehended, given he is police's key suspect.

He described the attack as 'horrific' and sent his thoughts to the victims. He told Sky News: 'What has been reported in this particular case will understandably concern I think every member of the public. Concerns me, concerns every member of the government.'

Asked whether it was a failure of the Government for someone to be granted permission to stay in the UK after being convicted of a crime, he said: 'This is why this government's so determined to end the asylum merry-go-round.'

Mr Johnston added that a 'number of cases' of people appealing and claiming asylum after having their application rejected. He added that the Rwanda Bill aims to stop this from happening.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has said that he expects the Home Secretary to carry out a 'detailed review' of how Abdul Ezedi was granted asylum.

Mr Jenrick, who quit the Government last year after pushing for a tougher approach to the Rwanda plan, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the case raises 'very serious concerns'.

He said: 'It appears from what little we know of this case, that this is an individual whose asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK was granted by a tribunal, so probably by a judge rather than Home Office officials, despite the fact that he had been convicted of a sexual offence and on the basis of evidence which, we shall have to see, may well be spurious or insubstantial, such as this suggestion that he had converted to Christianity.

'I think we need to investigate the particular circumstances.

'We shouldn't jump to conclusions, and I would expect the Home Secretary to conduct a detailed review of what has happened and what may have gone seriously wrong in this case, and to put that information in the public domain, such is the public interest.'

Forensics at the scene take picture of the location close to Clapham Common

The three victims are among ten injured as eight were rushed to hospital after the horror incident in south London , police said

Rishi Sunak does not think 'foreign criminals should be able to stay' in the UK when asked about news that a sex offender hunted over a chemical attack was granted asylum to stay in the UK despite his conviction.

The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters: 'First and foremost on the attack, obviously, it was a horrific attack and the PM's thoughts are with the victims and their families.

'And he'd like to extend his thanks to the emergency services for the very quick response to the scene and the five officers who were injured in the incident.'

The official declined to comment on the suspect's immigration status during a live police investigation but said that, more broadly, 'the PM doesn't think that foreign criminals should be able to stay in the country, putting the public at risk'.

He pointed to action the Government is taking in the Nationality and Borders Act and Illegal Migration Act.

Terrified witnesses described the suspect throwing the child 'like a ragdoll' above his head before smashing her down on the ground.

One local said: 'The man was throwing the little girl on the floor like he was in a wrestling ring.'

Another horrified witness said: 'Like the Hulk, he lifted her and threw her on the floor, lifted her again and threw her on the floor again.'

Both the mother and her three-year-old suffered 'life-changing injuries'.

The elder child, who was wearing her school uniform, is said to have suffered bruising and burn-like injuries. All three remain in hospital.

One witness described the mother's horrific injuries: 'Her lips were completely black. Her face looked really burnt, like stripped off basically.'

The Acid Survivors Trust International, an organisation that records information on chemical attacks across the world, said that the heinous attack being directed at the young mother and her two children was 'unheard of', as most are related to gang violence.

Jaf Shah, chief executive of the trust, said: 'The scale of attacks and the targeting of young children by a single perpetrator is unheard of. It's important to highlight that this is not commonplace, this is very rare.'

Three women and a man in his 50s were also taken to hospital to be treated for minor burns injuries after rushing to help them, along were five police officers. All have since been discharged.

Photos show a white Hyundai i20 hatchback with its doors open and windscreen shattered abandoned on the street in Clapham, where homes sell for as much as 3million
Catherina van der Linden, who was believed to be the oldest living Australian, passed away in Adelaide on Australia Day.

Mrs van der Linden, who was born van Meegen in 1912, migrated with her family to Australia from the Netherlands in 1955 and credited her longevity to keeping active, and was still doing 10-minute bike exercise sessions up until late last year.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas led the tributes to Mrs van der Linden, taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to say meeting her had been a personal highlight for him.

Catherina van der Linden raises a toast during her 111th birthday celebration held last August

'It was one of the greatest moments to be able to meet Mrs van der Linden and to hear her story  migrating to Australia from the Netherlands and raising her beautiful family,' Mr Malinauskas wrote.

'When I asked about her secret for a long and happy life, she told me two things: regular gym sessions and regular walks.'

Mrs van der Linden spent the last three years of her life in Southern Cross Care's West Beach Residential Care but before that, she had been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels after a busy life raising her four children.

Those children had 10 grandchildren leading to 16 great grandchildren.

Throughout the span of her long life Mrs van der Linden worked as a grape picker, nursing assistant, typist and clerical assistant.

In 2023, Mrs van der Linden's son, Jerome van der Linden, received an email from a website informing him his mother was Australia's oldest living person.

Mrs van der Linden was born in 1912 and migrated to Australia with her family from the Netherlands in 1955

Mrs van der Linden said the secret behind her longevity was to 'keep moving, don't sit still'.

'I push myself sometimes when I'm getting a bit tired and I think it's about time... to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy that you had before,' she said in August.

'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes and that is a long time to spend on the bike.'

On her 111th birthday she also offered the advice: 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you.'

A spokeswoman for Southern Cross Care announced Mrs van der Linden's death and said their thoughts and prayers were with her family.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas led the tributes to Mrs van der Linden

'(Mrs van der Linden) became a healthy ageing role model for fellow residents, with her love of walking and regular gym sessions,' the spokeswoman said.

'When asked on her 111th birthday in August last year about her advice for a long life, she said 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you.'

'She will be lovingly remembered by her family and by all in the Southern Cross Care community.'

Mrs van der Linden's body has been donated to the University of Adelaide Body Donation Program 'in the hope of helping to advance medical science through research'.

A memorial service will be held at 2.30pm on Friday, March 15.
A cryptocurrency YouTuber who once claimed his business was worth $40 million during the digital currency boom 2021, has seen his empire collapse and his wife leave him.

Ben Armstrong, 41, who went by the online handle BitBoy, has since lost his production company, most of his friends and his wife has filed for divorce.

His downfall came just six years after he got into cryptocurrency as an amateur, quickly becoming a big name by posting YouTube videos where he'd share advice with the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency community.

The downfall began in August when his friends and business partners ousted him from his company HIT Network after he created a cryptocurrency named in his honor - BEN coin.

Previously, the former graphic designer and car wash owner had claimed to be worth a cool eight figure amount, although that cash belonged to an investment firm set up in his name.

Since then he has been accused of extortion, theft, sexual harassment and workplace violence, the New York Times reported.

After learning of his affair with a four-time divorcee, his wife filed for divorce and has hired a forensic accountant.

His wife Bethany Armstrong filed for divorce in October, just months after the couple posted a video stating that they would be working through the crisis together

Known for wearing a green Gucci suit and driving a Lamborghini, Armstrong lost the sportscar in a bizarre signing over of the deed with one of his former fans and an investor of his BEN cryptocurrency

Armstrong lost much of his fanbase after coming up with his own cryptocurrency called BEN coin, whose logo is pictured

'Ben lost track of the person he used to be,' T.J. Shedd, his former business partner, who was part of the ousting and is suing him, said in a statement.

He caused enormous damage to both his professional and personal relationships.'

Shedd filed a lawsuit against Armstrong for 'unlawfully directing and diverting' as much as $50,000 a month to Cassandra Wolfe, with whom he was having an affair.

The lawsuit opened the floodgates and Armstrong has now been accused of abusing steroids, inappropriate violent behavior at the office, from sexual harassment to 'throwing filled bottles of protein shake' at staff.

Three male employees at HIT Network have also accused him of touching them sexually, according to police reports reviewed by The New York Times.

His wife Bethany Armstrong filed for divorce in October, just months after the couple posted a video stating that they would be working through the crisis together.

Bethany could be seen looking supportive next to her love rat husband as he spoke about himself and his failings at length.

He said: 'Obviously a lot of people know at this point and if you don't you're gonna know now I had an affair.

'I did and I know that I have a family brand...and it went on for a while and you know the other person is not a bad person. I want to say that I take full responsibility for all of this.'

But Armstrong subsequently showed no loyalty to the mother of his three children, saying: 'I like her better than my wife,' of his glamorous mistress.

'Not to be too crass, but we have a really, really great relationship.'

Armstrong has been accused of 'unlawfully directing and diverting' as much as $50,000 a month to Cassandra Wolfe, with whom he was having an affair

Armstrong is pictured in Las Vegas with Wolfe last fall, when he claimed the pair had just won a Tesla Cybertruck

Just last year Armstrong signed a contract worth $1 million a month with the gambling company Stake

Wolfe herself has already been married and divorced four times, before meeting Armstrong at a crypto conference in 2022, where he was promoting his own cryptocurrency, BEN, named after himself.

Known for wearing a green Gucci suit and driving a Lamborghini, Armstrong lost the sportscar in a bizarre signing over of the deed with one of his former fans and an investor of his BEN cryptocurrency.

The transaction was subject to a lawsuit, in which Armstrong claimed he was extorted.

A judge ruled in favor of the new owner, after Armstrong was not able to confirm whether payment for the car had been made out of his personal funds or a business account.

'The judge is corrupt, theres no win ever for me,' he shouted, before storming out of court.

Armstrong has claimed in recent social media posts to have become the victim of a 'criminal conspiracy' and 'terrorists' who took over his YouTube channel, which once had more than 1 million subscribers.Just last year Armstrong signed a contract worth $1 million a month with the gambling company Stake, which lets users wager crypto in casino-style games.

Now, he says, 'I'm going through a midlife crisis, a spiritual crisis.'
CNN anchor Erica Hill was left stunned when the channel's veteran law enforcement analyst voiced some unexpected home truths about crime in New York.

The awkward moment came as the panel discussed Saturday's brutal assault on two police officers in Times Square, and the disappearance of the migrants arrested after they were freed without bond.

Just one of the six charged is still in jail despite multiple previous charges, and four are now thought to have fled on a bus to California with the help of a church-affiliated charity.

'Does the fact that they were police officers change anything?' pondered Hill as she probed ex-cop John Miller over the case and the suspect's backgrounds.

'What the detectives are telling me is that they have crews here that operate in New York, do all their stealing then go to Florida to spend the money then come back,' Miller, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism of the NYPD, told her.

'And I'm like 'why don't they just stay and steal in Florida' and they said 'because there you go to jail'.'

The CNN panel were discussing Saturday's brutal assault on two police officers in Times Square, and the disappearance of the migrants arrested after they were freed without bond.

John Miller, the former Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism, now the channel's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence analyst stunned his colleagues with his unexpectedly frank conclusion

Surveillance video shows more than a dozen hooded men attacking the two officers after they tried to detain one of the men

'Oh!' replied the clearly surprised presenter as the panel lapsed into silence.

'Fascinating!' ventured co-host Phil Mattingly eventually.

The brutal attack was carried out at around 8.30pm when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street.

Surveillance video shows more than a dozen hooded men attacking the two officers after they tried to detain one of the men.

Both suffered punches and kicks to the head and torso as they wrestled with the suspect on the ground. The footage shocked even hardened New Yorkers and prompted liberal state governor Kathy Hochul to call for the men's deportation.

'You don't touch our police officers, you don't touch anyone' she said.

'Get them all and send them back.'

Police are still looking for at least eight other suspects in addition to the six already charged, of whom only Yohenry Brito, 24, remains behind bars.

Brito was already known to police over a series of past offences, including charges of petty larceny for stealing $275 worth of goods from Bergdorf Goodman in October and $139 of clothing from Macy's, per court records seen by the Daily News.

Suspect Jhoan Boada, 22, was released after being charged and was seen flipping the bird at the press waiting outside court

Only Yohenry Brito, 24, remains behind bars after being charged with the attack of the two NYPD officers. The migrant has had previous encounters with police

Kelvin Servita Arocha, Wilson Juarez and Darwin Andres Gomez were released with no bail after being charged in the assault of the police officers

Yorman Reveron, one of five migrants charged with gang assault, has been previously charged with shoplifting in New York

Meanwhile Yorman Reveron - one of the five suspects charged before being released on no bail - was arrested in December for allegedly stealing from Macy's flagship store.

The 24-year-old migrant was also arrested in November and accused of stealing from a Nordstrom Rack store.

Reveron and three other charged suspects - Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel, 19, Kelvin Servat Arocha, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21 - are believed to have fled the city after their release.

Police believe they went to a Catholic church under fake names and asked for help getting to California. Suspect Jhoan Boada, 22, was also released after being charged and was seen flipping the bird at the press waiting outside court.

Jandry Barros, 21, a seventh suspect who was arrested but let go without charges for lack of evidence, also has a previous record with authorities.

New York's Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry condemned the criminal justice system that allowed the men to be released.

'Attacks on police officers are becoming an epidemic, and the reason is a revolving door we're seeing in cases like this one,' he added.

'It is impossible for police officers to deal effectively with crime and disorder if the justice system can't or won't protect us while we do that work.'

Florida governor Ron DeSantis welcomed Miller's analysis and said that criminals know they will be held accountable in the Sunshine State.

'You can see why people are fleeing some of those areas that can't even keep the streets safe, they can't even keep homeless off the streets,' he told reporters.

'It's been really, really problematic in many parts of our country, we're doing it right here.'
A Texas news anchor broke down in tears live on air as she revealed upsetting news about her first pregnancy just weeks before her baby daughter's arrival.

Shannon Murray, an anchor on FOX 4 Good Day opened up out her daughter Stella's heart condition in a segment on Friday morning.

Murray told viewers that her daughter, who is due in March, has been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia- a rare heart condition.

Those with the condition have a hole between the left and right side of their heart and do not have a pulmonary valve. The birth defect affects normal blood flow though the heart.

'In the short-term we're focused on fighting for our daughter and being her advocates, while also trying to remain joyful and excited about the pregnancy and becoming parents,' Murray tearfully said.

'And we can't wait to meet her,' she said as she donned a gold necklace with her daughters name on it.

Shannon Murray, an anchor on FOX 4 Good Day opened up out her daughter Stella's rare heart condition, Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, on Friday morning

She shared the news that doctor's told her and her husband Chris that Stella has a hole between the left and right side of their heart and does not have a pulmonary valve

Murray candidly broke the news to viewers as she has updated them on her wedding and her pregnancy in the past and said that her and her husband 'wanted to be transparent.'

Murray went on to say that once her daughter is born she will immediately go into emergency surgeries to save her life.

She said that she and her husband Chris have 'spent the last several months processing the news' while also researching the condition for themselves as first-time parents.

'There are still some unknowns, but I am thankful weve had time to wrap our heads around this and do as much research as possible,' she said in an Instagram post about the sad news.

Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia occurs when a baby's heart doesn't form correctly while in the mother's womb.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the heart defect can cause a reduction in oxygen in the blood that flows to the rest of the body.

Because of the lack of oxygen, infants that are born with the rare condition can experience cyanosis, a blue-looking skin color. The skin color change can go on to occur as the baby grows, specifically while they eat and cry.

Murray said that her and her husband Chris 'can't wait to meet' their daughter and know that she might have to have multiple open-heart procedures in her lifetime

The first-time mom is seen wiping away tears during the announcement as she said that her and her husband 'wanted to be transparent' with the show's viewers

The CDC reported that an estimated 1,660 are born with the heart condition each year in the US.

The cause of the disease remains unknown and is believed to be influenced by genetics and chromosomes.

'Heart defects such as tetralogy of Fallot also are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other risk factors, such as the things the mother or fetus come in contact with in the environment or what the mother eats or drinks or the medicines she uses,' the CDC said.

Though every baby that is born with the disease experiences it differently, Murray said that her and her husband know that Stella might need multiple open-heart surgeries in her lifetime.

She went on to bring up that the doctor told the expecting parents that Olympian snow boarder Shaun White has the same heart defect.

'Doctors made sure to tell us about his case right away because I know it gives us so much reassurance to parents when you think about someone playing such an extreme sport with a life threatening condition,' the expecting mom said.

Murray added that her husband was also a snow boarder- something she said her daughter might take up in the future.

As she broke her emotional news, her co-anchors Chip Waggoner and Lauren Przybyl sat by her side and consoled her.

'Thank you for being real. Thank you for being raw. Thank you for sharing this,' Przybyl said as tears streamed down her face.

Waggoner then went on to talk about his son Benjamin's health issues as a baby and gave Murray advice.

The CDC reported that an estimated 1,660 are born with the heart condition each year in the US. Murray is seen hugging her baby bump under a sign with her future daughter's name on it

As she broke her emotional news, her co-anchors Chip Waggoner and Lauren Przybyl sat by her side and consoled her

'They're different then what you guys are about to experience, but the best piece of advice that one of the doctor's gave us was to remember the following,' Waggoner said.

'Whatever the condition is, this will be their normal, and to not treat them any different. Let them figure out what they can and can't do. Don't put them in a box.'

'The good news is that this heart condition is treatable. Doctor's assure us that Stella can live a normal life,' Murray said during the show.

'You are already the epitome of a parent's love and strength. Shannon, sharing your story will make many families feel SEEN,' one person commented on Instagram.

'Sending love your way, as a fellow heart warrior mom,' another said.

I made it through the 5am segment just fine at 7am though, we all broke down. thank you all so much for the support,' Murray said in a Facebook post.

She also went on to share a snap of her and other anchors dressed in red for American Heart Association day which was on Thursday, and moments from a baby show that her co-workers threw for her.
An inmate who died in a prison brawl has been identified as one of the alleged killers of Lachlan Griffiths, whose body has never been found leading to lurid speculation around his fate.

Filip Grbavac, 42, was found unresponsive with critical head injuries at Woodford Correctional Centre in the south-east Queensland city of Moreton Bay at about 7pm on Friday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene with police saying he was fatally wounded in a fight with another prisoner.

An inmate who died in a prison brawl has been identified as Filip Grbavac, who was awaiting trial over the alleged murder of Lachlan Griffiths

Police were investigating the incident with the other prisoner involved assisting them.

No charges have yet been laid while Mr Grbavacs next of kin have been advised.

Following the disappearance of 34-year-old Lachlan Griffiths in January 2022, police charged Mr Grbavac along with David Lee Tans, Billy Bornstein, Francesco Giorgi for the missing man's murder in February 2022.

Despite Queensland police putting out an appeal for information, Mr Griffiths' body has never been found.

Rumours that he had his arm chopped off, was put in an acid bath or killed by bikies were aired during a November 2022 court hearing committing the four accused to trial by a friend of Mr Griffiths, Sarah Scaini.

The court heard Ms Scaini raised the gruesome possibilities about Mr Griffiths fate in a conversation she secretly recorded on November 15, 2022 with the missing man's girlfriend, Amy Turner, who had also been in a relationship with Mr Grbavac.

Lachlan Griffiths disappeared in January 2022 at the age of 34 leading police to charge four people with his murder

'I wasn't referring to anyone in particular,' Ms Scaini told the court.

'I heard a lot of things.

'It's just what I've heard ... (from) lots of different people.'

She said everything she said was based on 'rumours' she'd heard from other people.

Mr Griffiths was last seen at the Meriton Suites on Herschel Street in Brisbanes CBD on the morning of January 16, 2022.

He was not reported missing until January 26 by his mother who had grown concerned when he did not contact her.
Health authorities have issued an urgent warning for a deadly bacteria called meliodosis which has killed two people in Australia amid warnings there could be more cases as wet weather continues to deluge parts of the country.

The two people who died from the disease and 22 others who have been infected since October 2023 all resided in the Northern Territory, but there have also been cases in Queensland.

Six people contracted the disease last week with health authorities urging anyone infected to seek medical treatment immediately.

Authorities in the Top End are on high alert for the possible rise in cases with the deadly disease likely to spread in tropical weather conditions.

'If left untreated, melioidosis can lead to severe pneumonia and blood poisoning, with around 10 per cent of infections leading to death,' Northern Territory Health said.

Meliodosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria found in contaminated tropical soil and water that can infect humans and animals.

Authorities in the Top End are on high alert for the possible rise in meliodosis (stock image) after two people died and 22 others were infected with the disease

The disease can cause high fever, a cough, headaches, and chest pains.

The symptoms first start to appear 21 days after the initial infection and the disease is spread when the bacteria contained in the disease enters soil and water, especially during periods of heavy rain.

Meliodosis can also be inhaled through dust and droplets in the air when the bacteria is blown by the wind.

The bacteria is commonly found in tropical climates particularly across parts of northern Australia where it is widespread.

There have also been 21 confirmed cases of the disease in Queensland that have occurred between 1 December, 2023 to February 5, 2024.

Queensland's Chief Health Office John Gerrard told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that residents should take precaution around areas that have been washed out by the spate of wet weather due to the recent spike in cases.

'Queensland Health is reminding Queenslanders to be cautious when coming into contact with soil and muddy water, following a spike in meliodosis cases in parts of northern Queensland,' the spokesperson said.

'We urge all Queenslanders, particularly those in northern Queensland cleaning up after recent weather events to take care around soil and floodwaters by wearing protective footwear, gloves and a mask.'

Meliodosis is found in tropical climates particularly across parts of northern Australia where the disease is widespread (stock image)

Around 50 cases of the disease are reported each year in the Northern Territory with cases mostly detected between November and April.

People have been advised to wear waterproofed footwear when outdoors and to wear gloves when working in a soil-based environment.

Sores and abrasions on the skin must be washed and covered with waterproof dressing to avoid the disease from spreading from water or soil-based surfaces onto a person.

Authorities have urged people to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain and individuals infected with the disease should seek medical attention early.
Gay teenagers disturbed by their own sexuality have described deciding life would be better as a transgender person and undergoing surgery - only to regret it several years later.

The young people said that, in hindsight, drastic surgical operations were offered with insufficient discussion or thought. Their stories emerged as concern grows that so-called gender-affirming care for children is homophobic, as it permanently changes the bodies of children and young adults who are not transgender, but merely trying to come to terms with their sexuality.

One told of being abused online by trans rights activists when, after five years living as a trans man, they realized they wanted to revert to being a lesbian woman.

Another, who began transitioning from male to female at the age of 15, now campaigns against surgical intervention under 25 for anyone who has not had psychotherapy first.

Yet another, growing up as a lesbian in a conservative community, convinced herself life would be easier as a trans man and had a double mastectomy - only to revert to living as a woman six years later.

Studies cited by The New York Times showed that many teenagers wrestling with their identity and sexuality ultimately found peace: 80 percent of childhood gender dysphoria resolve themselves by puberty, and 30 percent of people on hormone therapy discontinue its use within four years, the paper said.

Activists calling for trans children to be respected are seen protesting in Washington DC. But young people who spoke to The New York Times told of their concern at the ease with which they were given life-altering treatment

Kasey Emerick, a 23-year-old woman and detransitioner from Pennsylvania, had a double mastectomy at 17 and lived as a trans man for five years

The effects of the hormone therapy, including infertility, are, however, often irreversible.

Kasey Emerick, a 23-year-old woman and detransitioner from Pennsylvania, told The New York Times she saw living as a trans man as a better alternative to being a gay woman.

'I transitioned because I didn't want to be gay,' she said. 'I believed homosexuality was a sin.'

Emerick, who grew up in a conservative Christian church, told her mother at 15 that she was gay.

Her mother told her it was likely a response to her father, who was convicted of raping and assaulting her repeatedly from the ages of four to seven.

At 16, Emerick was caught texting a girl, and her mother took her phone away: Emerick was then admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

Emerick convinced herself inside the hospital: 'If I was a boy, none of this would have happened.'

She said she found trans advocacy websites online, and felt she could 'pick the other side.'

At 17, after two 90 minute consultations, she was cleared for a double mastectomy - despite the anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, panic attacks and ADHD she was also suffering.

'I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm having my breasts removed. I'm 17. I'm too young for this,' she recalled, but said she went ahead with the operation.

'Transition felt like a way to control something when I couldn't control anything in my life,' she told the paper.

Emerick lived as a trans man for five years, but then realized she was no happier, and began detransitioning - despite online threats from trans activists.

'I thought my life was over,' she said. 'I realized that I had lived a lie for over five years.'

One man, Paul Garcia-Ryan, lived as a woman from the age of 15 to 30, undergoing bottom surgery in college.

Paul Garcia-Ryan, now 32, founded an organization to help other young people considering surgery to transition - which he had, and regrets

He has detransitioned and is now, aged 32, a psychotherapist in New York, treating young people who suffer from gender dysphoria.

Garcia-Ryan told The New York Times he believes no one under the age of 25 should be allowed surgical procedures unless they have seen a psychotherapist.

He said he was driven to identify as a trans woman because he could not countenance being a gay man.

'It was much less threatening to my psyche to think that I was a straight girl born into the wrong body  that I had a medical condition that could be tended to,' he said.

He said that, when he sought medical help aged 15, the clinic immediately confirmed his own thoughts, rather than challenging them.

He said he had surgery in college, but suffered severe complications from the surgery and hormones, which made him reconsider his decisions.

'You're made to believe these slogans,' he said. 'Evidence-based, lifesaving care, safe and effective, medically necessary, the science is settled  and none of that is evidence based.

'When a professional affirms a gender identity for a younger person, what they are doing is implementing a psychological intervention that narrows a person's sense of self and closes off their options for considering what's possible for them.'

Aaron Kimberly, a 50-year-old trans man living in British Columbia, transitioned at the age of 33, but argues that too many young people are not sufficiently questioned before undergoing the procedures

Grace Powell, who grew up in a conservative community in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said that she became convinced that her sexuality would be 'solved' by living as a trans man.

She had a double mastectomy the summer before college, then went off as a transgender man named Grayson to Sarah Lawrence College.

Powell, now 23 and detransitioned, told The New York Times she wished more questions were asked before she opted for the life-altering procedures.

'I wish there had been more open conversations,' she said.

'But I was told there is one cure and one thing to do if this is your problem, and this will help you.'

Aaron Kimberly, a 50-year-old trans man living in British Columbia, transitioned at the age of 33, and lives happily as a man.

But he said he left his job at a clinic treating gender-dysphoric young people because he felt there was not enough emphasis on mental health treatment, before surgical options or hormones.

He then founded the Gender Dysphoria Alliance and the L.G.B.T. Courage Coalition, to advocate better gender care.

'I realized something had gone totally off the rails,' he said.
This is shocking moment an Arizona man with a long criminal history attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old schoolgirl on her way to elementary school.

Joseph Leroy Ruiz, 37, was arrested after he tried to grab the fifth grader in Glendale around 8:00am on Friday.

Police rushed to Sunset Elementary School on Peoria avenue, when staff reported the attempted kidnapping before 9:00 am.

The young girl told police she left her apartment building and noticed a 'suspicious' man at the bottom of the staircase.

The man gave the girl 'an odd look' and she ran through her apartment complex. Moments later when she reached the street, a silver car stopped in front of her.

Joseph Leroy Ruiz, 37, was arrested after he tried to grab the fifth grader in Glendale around 8 am on Friday

Police identified Ruiz's car from surveillance video of the incident and took him into custody

The girl recognized the same man from the apartment building jump out of the car and run towards her, she later told police.

She screamed and yelled for help as she ran toward some of her friends as the suspect followed her for a short distance before getting back in his car and driving away, police said.

Three of the child's friends walked her to school where she reported the frightening incident.

She described the man as bearded and wearing a blue sweatpants, and a black jacket with a hood pulled over his head.

Police identified Ruiz's car from surveillance video of the incident and took him into custody.

He was charged with kidnapping and custodial interference.

Ruiz chased the girl before she managed to find shelter with her friends who escorted her to school

Ruiz has prior violent offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges from 2013, Glendale Police revealed.

'As a father myself, as a parent, it's very frightening that on her normal walk to school, she was targeted,' said Glendale police officer Moroni Mendez.

'Someone tried to take her away from her loving family' Mendez following.

On Friday, the Washington Elementary School District sent a letter to parents detailing the incident and providing safety tips for both parents and students.

The District also praised the courage of their student and the swift response of local police.
People in Generation Z have reported that they are now going to bed by 9pm so they can have a full nine hours of sleep.

A bar in New York City has also hopped on the nightly trend as they held their recent New Year's Eve countdown at 8pm so drinkers could get settled in bed by 11pm.

Those between the ages of 18 to 35 have said that they have noticed a direct link between sleep and overall health when they get the proper amount of sleep at night.

Emma Kraft, 19, and Madelyn Sugg, 25, have both gone on to adopt earlier night routines and found that it has benefited their lives.

Joyface, a bar in the East Village has decided to play into the growing trend and has hosted earlier dance parties and 'matinees.'

'All of a sudden, its so much cooler and way more accepted to sleep early, and everyone has just adapted,' Kraft said.

Emma Kraft, 19, said that she is in bed by 9.30pm every night and has been asked for help by her friends to change their sleep schedules

Joyface, a bar in the East Village has decided to play into the growing trend and has hosted earlier dance parties and 'matinees'

The Wall Street Journal reported that an analysis conducted by Sleep Number smart-bed customers revealed that people between the ages of 18 and 34 went to sleep, on average, by 10.06pm in January of this year. Last year, they got to sleep by 10.18pm.

Kraft, a junior at the University of California, Berkley, said that even as she slept in a crowded sorority house full of 65 other women in her sophomore year, she still made sure she got her sleep.

'For me, nothing good happens after 9 p.m.,' she told The Wall Street Journal.

Since her rewarding sleep schedule change, where she sees herself in bed every night by 9.30pm, Kraft said that many of her friends have gone on to ask her for guidance on how they can do the same.

As they've slept more, a recent study found that Gen-Z members have gone on to prefer drinking less than previous generations, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Though it is unclear why the generation has enjoyed less drinks, Dr. Akhil Anand, an addiction psychiatrist said that there could be many factors that play into the decision.

For one, Generation Z might have picked up on the fact that alcohol is a depressant that can effect people's mental health.

Dr. Anand said that presently, there is a huge mental health crisis taking place in the world and instead of drowning in alcohol to fulfill needs, Gen Z has 'moved in a different direction.'

He also suggested that Gen-Z has shifted to smoking cannabis as a stress reduction method.

Alcohol-free lifestyles also go hand-in-hand with better sleep patterns, weight loss, and increased energy.

Jennifer Shorr, the owner of Joyface said that her bar has hosted four 'matinees' since October that all started at 5pm.

Madelyn Sugg, 25, said that she has not only noticed a change in her energy levels and overall sleep pattern, but has managed to save money by not staying out until the early morning

Jennifer Shorr, the owner of Joyface said that when the bar hosted an early New Year's Eve that started it's countdown at 8pm, there was a waitlist of over 200 people interested in going

Another girl, Madelyn Sugg, 25, started to go to bed earlier at night once she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in November.

Sugg, who said that she used to barhop until the early morning has gone on to find happiness in early nights out.

'I was afraid of that feeling of FOMO or of feeling like I'm not succeeding at building a community, but it's actually turned out to be an improvement in all these areas,' Sugg admitted.

The fictional-operations analyst said that she now prefers enjoying getting drinks with friends around 5pm every Thursday and seeing a jazz show at 6pm on Monday's.

On top of saving her a lot of stress, anxiety and tiredness from lack of sleep, Sugg also revealed that her bank account has also benefited from the change as she's managed to avoid the costs of midnight snacks and drinks.

Shorr said that on New Year's Eve, the 1970s-style bar hosted their 2024 countdown at 8pm and had a waitlist for the event with more than 200 people on it.

'We order pizza for everyone, it peaks at 8 p.m., then everyone can still be in bed by 11,' the owner said.

In August, the New York Post reported that that a survey found that Gen Z prioritized sleep so much that they failed to complete other tasks before bed.

The study concluded that the generations is 'most likely to not finish their nighttime routine' before bed, and that 68 percent in survey of 2,000 adults fell asleep with their phone in their hand.

The study also revealed that 53 percent didn't brush their teeth before bed, while 47 percent ended up dozing off while still in their day clothes.
A man has drowned while scuba diving in the waters off a popular pier.

The man, who has yet to be identified, was found by other divers who pulled him ashore near Rye Pier on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula at 10am on Saturday.

Other divers attempted to perform CPR on the man but emergency services arrived shortly thereafter and confirmed that he had died.

Police are investigating the circumstances around his drowning and will prepare a report for the coroner.

A scuba diver drowned near Rye Pier (pictured) on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula at 10am on Saturday

Other divers attempted to perform CPR on the man but emergency services arrived shortly thereafter and confirmed that he was already dead

Earlier in the day another man drowned when his boat capsized after it was hit by a large wave at Barwon Heads, about 20km south-east of Geelong, around 6.50am.

There were two men on the boat, one who was trapped underneath and subsequently drown and another who was saved by someone on a jet ski.

The 61-year-old Moriac man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 66-year-old Anglesea man was pulled from the water by police and pronounced dead at the scene.

Senior Constable Kevin Hoare told the Herald Sun that the Anglesea man may have been tangled in the anchor rope.

'The surviving fisherman wasn't able to save him,' he said.
Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a unit of Saudi wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), has signed partnership agreements with Sinad Holdings and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development on the sidelines of the recently held Makkah Halal Forum 2024 in the Saudi city.

With these deals, Sinad Holdings and its subsidiaries will leverage HPDC strategic advisory expertise to expand market reach, fostering tailored insights to regulations. This comes as part of its efforts to drive growth across local and global halal ecosystems.

Held in Makkah for the first time, the forum acted as a comprehensive platform to showcase the worlds finest Halal services and brings together local and global experts to participate in a series of workshops, discussion panels and networking sessions.

As a main sponsor of the Forum, HPDC played a significant role in delivering a collaborative experience that presented best practices and innovatative business models in the Halal industry.

On the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Forum, Fahad S. Al Nuhait, CEO of Halal Products Development Company, signed the Sinad Holding Agreement with Mr. Abdullah Alhowaish, Managing Director of the company, and the board of directors. He signed the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development agreement with Mr. Yousef Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development.

The agreement with Sinad Holdings and its subsidiaries will leverage HPDC strategic advisory expertise to expand market reach, fostering tailored insights to regulations, and cross-industry experience to advance both local and regional Halal ecosystems, with targeted efforts to fill the gaps in supply chains and value-added chains.

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development agreement aims to strengthen the global halal industry ecosystem, facilitate the export of Saudi companies' halal products worldwide, exchange knowledge and information, and promote innovations.

This agreement will increase growth and awareness in the halal industry, and will provide opportunities for HPDCs partners to expand and enhance operations through specialised investment.
A firebomb attack on a suburban Sydney residence has left the homeowner in a critical condition in hospital as two suspects remain on the run.

Police are on the hunt for two men they believe poured petrol onto the front of the home on Chelsea Drive in Canley Heights, in the city's west, at 5:45am on Saturday.

The sole occupant of the home, a 68-year-old man, was saved by a neighbour who pulled him from the blaze as firefighters arrived.

He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with smoke inhalation and significant burns but is now in a serious but stable condition.

Investigators have not revealed any leads on a motive for the attack.

Police are on the hunt for two men they believe to have poured petrol onto a home on Chelsea Drive in Canley Heights, in Sydney's west, at 5:45am on Saturday

The sole occupant of the home, a 68-year-old man, was saved by a neighbour who pulled him from the blazing building as firefighters arrived

Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Chris Hughes said his crew 'found that the fire was rapid' and NSW Police Acting Inspector David McInerney said it was suspicious.

'There's a possibility that there's several people involved or more than one,' Acting Inspector McInerney told reporters.

'A man in his 60s has had significant burns to his arms and limbs. It's extremely dangerous and its a highly volatile situation.

'At this stage we're appealing to the public if they've got any dashcam footage or they have any CCTV footage to contact police.'

Accelerant detections dogs have since combed over the area and police confirmed two men doused the front of the home with jerrycans filled with petrol.

Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Chris Hughes said his crew 'found that the fire was rapid' and is believed to have been set in multiple places

The wreckage of the house showed that the entire front facade been destroyed after firefighters put out the fire

The wreckage of the house showed that the entire front facade been destroyed after firefighters put out the fire.

Inspector Hughes believed that the fire was lit in 'multiple sites' by the two men.

The elderly female neighbour who pulled the man from the blaze told 9News that she opened his door to find the entire house on fire.

His workmate arrived shortly after to pick the man up for work and was shocked to find out what had happened.

The two suspects remain on the run.

Anyone with dashcam footage or information is asked to contact police.
A homeless man has been charged with murder after a mother and son were found dead at a home in Adelaide's west.

South Australian police were called to the property on Rosetta Street in Rosewater at 1:20pm on Saturday.

The bodies of Antoinette Tozer, 76, and her son, Steve Tozer, 55, were found inside with significant injuries.

A 43-year-old man, of no fixed address but who resided across the street from the home, was arrested nearby and was later charged with two counts of murder.

The bodies were found by the Ms Tozer's daughter, who called police to report finding her brother and mother dead.

It is understood she went to the house on a welfare check after not hearing from them.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Graham Goodwin said the woman was confronted with a 'horrific scene'.

The body of Antoinette Tozer, 76, and her son, Steve Tozer, 55, were found inside an Adelaide home with significant injuries on Saturday afternoon

Detectives arrested a homeless 43-year-old man who is being interviewed in connection to the deaths

Police are not seeking any other suspects and believe the incident was not random

Detectives arrested the 43-year-old man near the scene and took him to be interviewed in connection to the deaths.

Police are not seeking any other suspects and believe the incident was not random.

Officers would not speculate on whether a weapon was used in the alleged attack, but they confirmed that no firearms were involved.

'The relationship between the suspect and the occupants of that address is unknown,' Acting Assistant Commissioner Goodwin said.

'It is suspected that they were known to each other, but at this stage we don't know what that relationship was.'

Police are hoping to speak to anyone who has information on the events that led up to the deaths of the woman and her son.

'I do ask for the public's support  not only for events for today, but also for events of the days leading up to these tragic circumstances,' Mr Goodwin added.

Charles Crossley, 67, who also lives on the street, told ABC News that he could not comprehend something like this happening in his typically quiet street.

'I think it's disgusting, I can't comprehend it at all, I really can't,' he said.

'This street is so quiet and nothing like this has ever happened before.'

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser that she heard a loud bang on Saturday morning from her courtyard.

More than ten police cars remain at the Rosetta Street home and forensic teams are examining the scene.

Anyone with dashcam footage or any other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The man will front Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
The Tory MP questioned how Ezedi was granted asylum on a 'wafer thin' claim

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has slammed the decision to allow suspected 'acid' attacker Abdul Ezedi to remain in the UK as a 'damning indictment' of the country's asylum system.

The Conservative MP questioned how the 35-year-old, who is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother, 31, and her two daughters, aged three and eight, was granted asylum on the 'wafer thin' claim of having converted to Christianity.

A nationwide hunt for the former Afghanistan asylum seeker - who is described as having very 'significant injuries to the right side of his face' - entered its third day today following Wednesday's attack in Clapham, south London.

Jenrick said the UK's asylum system 'privileged the rights of an illegal immigrant, who committed serious crimes' over 'the fundamental right of the British public to feel safe and secure in their communities'.

He added the horrific attack was a 'watershed moment' for immigration judges and the Government and called for stronger border controls to bring the 'farce' of cases like Ezedi's and others to an end.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick who has slammed the decision to allow suspected 'acid' attacker Abdul Ezedi to remain in the UK

Police say Ezedi was last seen heading south on a Victoria Line service

The Met Police have released new images of Clapham chemical attack Abdul Ezedi strolling injured through King's Cross station following Wednesday's events

Writing in the Daily Telegraph the MP for Newark said: 'Information is still emerging, but this case already raises serious questions for everyone in positions of authority.

'Why was Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, the lead suspect, not prevented from entering illegally in the first place back in 2016?

'Why was he not instantly removed after he committed sexual assault, as per Home Office guidance? And why did an immigration judge ultimately grant him asylum on a wafer-thin claim and despite the Home Office's repeated protestations?

'At each stage, the asylum system privileged the rights of an illegal immigrant, who committed serious crimes, over the fundamental right of the British public to feel safe and secure in their communities.'

Mr Jenrick, who resigned from his ministerial position out of protest at the Prime Minister's handling of the Rwanda policy, added: 'Immigration judges should be applying forensic scrutiny to asylum claims relying on a damascene religious conversion, given that this widespread tactic is straight from the people smugglers' playbook.

'Until they shed their naivety and cautiousness, our grant rate will remain offensively high.'

Mr Jenrick goes on to suggest that illegal immigration has brought with it increased crime rates, particularly around Albanian drug gangs.

He added: 'The lesson is to legislate for human nature, not a well-meaning but naive assumption of good faith. Strong border control is not cruel - as we keep seeing time after time, it's a prerequisite of a safe society.

'This case can be a watershed moment. Either you want this tragic farce to end, and are willing to pursue the tough measure necessary, or you don't. I know what side I'm on.'

The suspect later appeared at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt on Wednesday, January 31 at 8.48pm

Police have confirmed Abdul Ezedi, 35, may still be in London after he was seen heading south

Meanwhile a senior Conservative source told The Times Ezedi was allowed to stay in the UK on a 'margin call' based on his Christianity claims.

They added: 'This is a terrible crime commited by someone who clearly should not have been in the UK. This is exactly why we are taking action to reform our asylum system and illegal immigrants to Rwanda.

'Our new laws passed in the last two years mean serious criminals and illegal immigrants will not be able to claim asylum and stay in the UK - all of which Labour has tried to block.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday said he does not think 'foreign criminals should be able to stay' in the UK when asked about news that Ezedi was granted asylum to stay in the UK despite his conviction.

The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters: 'First and foremost on the attack, obviously, it was a horrific attack and the PM's thoughts are with the victims and their families.

'And he'd like to extend his thanks to the emergency services for the very quick response to the scene and the five officers who were injured in the incident.'

The official declined to comment on the suspect's immigration status during a live police investigation but said that, more broadly, 'the PM doesn't think that foreign criminals should be able to stay in the country, putting the public at risk'.

He pointed to action the Government is taking in the Nationality and Borders Act and Illegal Migration Act.

Rishi Sunak (right) with Robert Jenrick, hosting a roundtable for business representatives at Franco Mana in Waterloo, London, in October 2020

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds a press conference in 9 Downing Street to outline the new Rwanda legislation in December 2023

The Metropolitan Police have released more images of the injured man as he boarded a tube train on Wednesday.

CCTV images of Ezedi in a Tesco in North London had prompted speculation that he may have returned to Newcastle where he lived prior to the attack, however police now say he was last seen boarding a Victoria line train south and is thought to be in the city.

Police say that following a raid on an address connected to Ezedi in Newcastle, officers located 'two empty containers with corrosive warnings on the label [and that] tests are currently ongoing to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack.'

At a press conference on Friday afternoon, police confirmed the mother who was attacked is now sedated with 'life changing injuries' whilst her two children are also receiving treatment for non life-changing injuries.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said: 'The mother remains very poorly in hospital and she's sedated at the moment. We expect that those injuries will be life-changing.'

He said the two children who were with her do not have injuries as serious as initially thought.

He said: 'They are not likely to be life-changing (injuries). They remain with mum in the care of the NHS and we, of course, wish them the very best recovery that we can.'

Making his direct appeal to Abdul Ezedi, Commander Savell said: 'Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries. We've seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.'

Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi, 22, joined the police in urging him to give himself up.

He said: 'Abdul should give himself up to police. He should be caught and face justice for what he has done.'

Abdul Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi (pictured), 22, has urged him to give himself up to police

Police say Ezedi travelled to London in the early hours of Wednesday morning and was spotted in Tooting at 6:30am. He then travelled to Croydon where he was seen at 4:30am and Streatham at 7:00pm.

Ezedi's movements on the day of the attack Police have released a timeline of Abdul Ezedi's movements on the day of the attack. 00:15  Ezedi's vehicle is seen in Newcastle 06:30  His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London 16:30  A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon 19:00  He is then seen driving in Streatham 19:25  Attack takes place in Lessar Avenue, SW4, before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off. 19:33  Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station. 19:59  He is then seen leaving that train at King's Cross Tube Station. 20:42  He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. He exits and turns right. 21:00 - Ezedi enters King's Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube Southbound. Advertisement

The attack occurred at 7:25pm in Clapham South and Azedi boarded a Northern Line train heading to King's Cross from the station at 7:33pm.

Shortly after this, he was pictured sporting significant facial injuries on a Tesco on Caledonian Road, Islington before he boarded a southbound Victoria line train at 9pm.

His current whereabouts remain unknown.

The Metropolitan Police are facing questions about why vital images of the suspect in the Clapham South acid attack took so long to be published potentially helping Ezedi evade capture.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline that it had been dealing with 'a very traumatic incident in which three people and a number of police officers had been injured' and that images were released 'less than 24 hours after the incident.'

Commander Savell said that 'significant and important pieces of evidence' were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

He said: 'In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

'We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

'On Thursday night, five search warrants were executed - two in East London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.'

Officers were seen smashing in the doors of the property shortly after 2am on Friday

Police in hazmat suits raid a home in east London amid the search for Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi

People who knew the suspected Clapham South chemical attacker say he was 'a good Muslim' who bought Halal meat, avoided alcohol and planned to return home 'to find a wife' prior to the incident.

Ezedi, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault and exposure charges in 2018 but was not jailed, had been living in Newcastle after arriving in the UK in 2016 on the back of a lorry.

He avoided jail after being handed a nine-week jail term suspended for two years for the sexual assault at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018.

For the exposure he was given 36 weeks' imprisonment to be served consecutively, which was also suspended for two years.

Ezedi's crimes saw him placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

It means he still had several years to serve as a registered sex offender when his asylum application was granted at the third time of asking.

Authorities and leaders from the Church of England are now facing questions after it emerged that Ezedi, who is originally from Iran, was allowed to stay in the UK following two failed asylum applications after converting to Christianity.

In 2020 or 2021, it is understood a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion - which aided his application.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Despite Abdul Ezedi's criminal past he was later granted the right to stay in the UK on his third asylum application in either 2020 or 2021, after a priest vouched that he had converted to Christianity.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Residents in the hostel where Ezedi most recently lived in Byker, Newcastle, were unaware of his conviction.

One said: 'We didn't know we were living next to a registered sex offender.

'People knew he'd been granted asylum but it makes you wonder how when he was on the sex offenders register.

'Other residents should have been informed before he was moved in.'

Speaking to The Telegraph, Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society counter-extremism think tank, said: 'Abdul Ezedi should never have been granted asylum status in the UK in the first place following multiple failed attempts and a sexual offences conviction.

'That he was allowed to stay after an obviously false conversion to Christianity highlights the continued problem of the complicity of various British institutions in what has become a pro-asylum industry. The consequences of this are frequently devastating.'

The Church of England said it is not currently aware of any links to its churches.

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'This is clearly a shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by it.

'It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.'

Another similar case was the one of Iraqi-born Emad Al Swealmeen.

The 32-year-old died from a blast and subsequent fire after his homemade bomb detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital in 2021.

He went to considerable lengths to stay in the UK, including converting to Christianity to support his failed asylum claim.

Meanwhile, an asylum support worker who knew Ezedi said he was shocked by the violence he is accused off.

The charity worker, based near Newcastle city centre, checked his records and said Ezedi was from Iran, not Afghanistan as had previously been thought .

He also said the 35-year-old showed no signs of mental health issues or violent behaviour previously.

The charity worker, who asked not to named said: 'He has been coming here for more than two years, since I took over the project here.

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street

St Vincent's Centre, in Byker, Newcastle, where acid attack suspect Abdul Ezedi visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food

'At the time he was identified as a destitute asylum seeker and did not have access to Home Office support.

'He was registered as someone who needs essential food and furniture.

'We looked at his legal documents, what is his status in the country.

'Over time, I knew him by his face.

'He often came to the centre, every three, four or five weeks.

'He seemed a calm person, sitting in the corner by himself, there was never, ever any complaint or any trouble.

'He never showed any aggressive behaviour.

'When I saw his photo on the news last night I was shocked, I never expected such a person would be violent to that extent.

'He was last here two or three weeks ago.

'We were not aware he had been granted the right to remain, we were not aware he had a criminal record.'

The worker did not know about Ezedi's conversion to Christianity.

He was worried that the outcry about the case would affect other, innocent asylum seekers. The worker said: 'Unfortunately, there is a stereotype about asylum matters these days.

'One incident like this can affect a lot of people and have a severe impact on others who are innocent, decent people.

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's time in the UK: 2016 Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry after fleeing from Afghanistan. He had two applications for asylum rejected. 2018 Ezedi is handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence. He is placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. 2020 Ezedi finishes his work unpaid work order and is discharged from probation supervision. 2020-2021 It is understood Ezedi was granted asylum on his third application - despite his criminal history - after getting a priest to vouch that he had converted to Christianity. He said he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion. January 31 2024 Ezedi is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, in Clapham, south London. Advertisement

'I would straight away ask him to give himself up, get medical attention and say he has to be held accountable for what he has done.

'Some clients here have mental health issues, they can sometimes react in an aggressive, violent way, but this is someone you would never expect, this is shocking.'

As well as working in a pizza takeaway, Ezedi had also been earning money working part time as a building contractor. In 2022 he was one of a team of builders working on a house renovation in Newcastle.

Ezedi was recognised by workmen from Terence Wilkinson roofing contractors.

A workman from the firm said: 'He was working on the same house while we were there, not for us but alongside our guys.

'He was part of a team of contractors and appeared to have some experience in building work.

'He's pretty distinctive to look at and when our guys saw the pictures released by the police we knew it was him.

'He didn't say much, just got on with his job but it's frightening to think he was capable of something like that.'

Staff at a Kurdish grocery shop in the Byker area of Newcastle where Ezedi lived told The Times that he would come in every two weeks to buy half of a halal sheep that he would then cut up and put in his freezer.

They claimed he told people he wanted to return to Afghanistan to find a wife, and described him as 'a good Muslim' who did not drink alcohol.

Bilal Khan, owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near where Ezedi had lived, said the wanted man had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Mr Khan said: 'He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale.

'We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn't let things go easily.'

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house.

The disturbing footage shows a man running towards the driver's door and getting inside before driving the white car into a woman as members of the public rush to her aid

This is the chilling moment a suspected acid attacker rams a car at a mother before taking a child out of a car and slamming her to the floor

CCTV footage obtained by MailOnline showed Ezedi stumbling as he ran away from the scene of the attack

Wednesday's horrific attack on Lessar Road at 7.25pm has left the mother, who one witness said was 'blinded', with 'life changing injuries'.

Her three-year-old daughter was earlier said to have also sustained 'life-changing injuries'.

But police said on Friday they are less serious then initially thought and both the children's injuries 'are not likely to be life-changing'.

Police also said Ezedi sustained 'significant injuries' in the attack, which officers say was 'targeted'.

He is accused of leaping on the 'vulnerable' mother and her two daughters, hurling a corrosive alkaline substance from a metal coffee cup leaving the woman screaming: 'I can't see, I can't see!'

Horrified locals who ran out to help described the victims' skin turning black and peeling away on contact with the highly toxic chemical, commonly found in household cleaners such as bleach and drain cleaner.

Several residents on the leafy street near Clapham Common, where houses fetch up to 3 million, were also injured as they came to help, along with five police officers who all came into contact with the chemical.

Police believe the perpetrator had travelled around 250 miles from Newcastle earlier that day to carry out the attack on the woman, who was said to be known to him.

Distressing footage from the scene showed the 31-year-old mother and her eight-year-old daughter standing in front of the man's car holding their hands to their faces around 7.25pm.

The suspect was then seen deliberately driving at the mother, hitting her before getting out of the car to haul a three-year-old girl out of the back seat.

Forensics at the scene take picture of the location close to Clapham Common

The three victims are among ten injured as eight were rushed to hospital after the horror incident in south London , police said

Terrified witnesses described the suspect throwing the child 'like a ragdoll' above his head before smashing her down on the ground.

One local said: 'The man was throwing the little girl on the floor like he was in a wrestling ring.'

Another horrified witness said: 'Like the Hulk, he lifted her and threw her on the floor, lifted her again and threw her on the floor again.'

One witness described the mother's horrific injuries: 'Her lips were completely black. Her face looked really burnt, like stripped off basically.'

The Acid Survivors Trust International, an organisation that records information on chemical attacks across the world, said that the heinous attack being directed at the young mother and her two children was 'unheard of', as most are related to gang violence.

Jaf Shah, chief executive of the trust, said: 'The scale of attacks and the targeting of young children by a single perpetrator is unheard of. It's important to highlight that this is not commonplace, this is very rare.'

Three women and a man in his 50s were also taken to hospital to be treated for minor burns injuries after rushing to help them, along were five police officers. All have since been discharged.

Photos show a white Hyundai i20 hatchback with its doors open and windscreen shattered abandoned on the street in Clapham, where homes sell for as much as 3million
Three people have been wounded during a savage knife attack at one of the biggest railway stations in Paris today.

A 32-year-old man, who has not been named, carried out the knifing spree at the Gare de Lyon, in the east of the French capital, at 8am on Saturday.

The attacker, who has now been arrested, set his backpack on fire and then set upon travellers at the mainline station with a knife and a hammer before he was tackled to the ground a rail officer.

An investigating source said the perpetrator was a Malian national with 'severe psychiatric problems' and was found with an Italian driving licence on him.

'The first victim suffered severe stomach wounds, but his life is not in danger anymore. Two other victims suffered slight injuries, and were taken to hospital for treatment,' the source added.

Soldiers patrol inside the Gare de Lyon station after a knife attack at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris

French soldiers watch over passengers inside the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris following a savage knife attack

French forensic and judicial police attend the crime scene after a knife attack at Paris's Gare de Lyon railway station

'The suspect is a Malian national with severe psychiatric problems,' said the source.

'He had a resident's permit through Italy, and had an appointment to see a psychiatrist in Turin this weekend.

'He first ignited his backpack, and then appeared to slash people at random by an escalator.

'A rail official tackled him to begin with, and then police and anti-terrorist soldiers appeared on the scene.

'The man was found to have an Italian driving licence on him, and did not offer any motive for his actions. There were no slogans shouted.'

An investigation has been opened into attempted murder, while the suspect is held in a secure psychiatric unit.

Laurent Nunez, the Paris police prefect, said: 'As we speak, there are no elements to suggest that this is a terrorist act.

'The suspect's residence permit was issued in 2019 and remains active,' said Mr Nunez. 'The investigation is being carried out by prosecutors, with the assistance of judicial police.'

Paris Police Prefect Laurent Nunez speaks with members of the media after a man with a knife wounded several people at the Gare de Lyon rail station

French forensic police officers work on the site after a man with a knife wounded several people in Paris

A French soldier of the Sentinelle security operation stands guard in a hall after a knife attack at Paris's Gare de Lyon railway statio

Police investigators work inside the Gare de Lyon station after a knife attack

A French soldier of the Sentinelle security operation stands guard at Paris's Gare de Lyon railway station, which was immediately evacuated after the attack

French soldiers secure the area outside the Gare de Lyon rail station in Paris after a man with a knife wounded several people

A general view outside of the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris

Gare de Lyon, the second busiest station in France, which handles up to 150million passengers a year, was packed on a Saturday morning.

It was immediately evacuated after the attack, with all services cancelled.

Officers said there was no early indication as to the motive of the stabbing, but it follows a series of bomb, gun and knife attacks carried out by Islamic State and al-Qaeda operatives in France, dating back to early 2015.

The deadliest single terrorist attack ever in the country came in November 2015 when 130 people were killed in Paris.

Suicide bombers pledging allegiance to ISIS targeted the Stade de France, cafes, restaurants and the Bataclan music venue, where 90 died.

Earlier in the year, two Paris-born gunmen linked to Al-Qaeda broke into the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, leaving 17 people dead inside and three outside.

In July 2016, 86 people were called and more than 400 injured when a 19 tonne truck was deliberately driven into crowds on the seafront promenade at Nice, which is just 20 miles from Cannes.

The terrorist turned out to be a Tunisian immigrant who was shot dead by police.

During the same month, two Isis terrorists murdered an 86-year-old Catholic priest during a church service in Normandy.

And in October 2020, three people were stabbed to death by a Tunisian immigrant in the Notre Dame basilica in Nice.

There have also been frequent knife attacks on the forces of law and order, leading to the deaths of serving police.
Sadiq Khan has backed an 'innovative' plan in France for a higher parking charge for SUV owners.

The Mayor of London, who has previously been spotted being driven around using a convoy of luxury Range Rovers, appeared to praise the plan set out by his Parisian counterpart, Anne Hidalgo.

The proposal to hit SUV drivers with higher parking fees will be subject to a referendum tomorrow. Ms Hidalgo, the socialist mayor of Paris, announced the plan in December, declaring: 'It is a form of social justice.'

Mr Khan, who can sometimes be seen being ferried around the capital in his 300,000 taxpayer-funded armour-plated Range Rover, said heavier vehicles 'take up more space' and create 'issues around carbon emissions and so forth.

When quizzed on Ms Higaldo's policy, he told The Guardian: 'We always examine policies around the globe. I'm a firm believer in stealing good policies.

'Rather than inventing [new policies] badly, if other cities are doing stuff that works, we will copy them.'

Sadiq Khan has backed an 'innovative' French plan to inflict higher parking charges on SUV owners. The referendum in Paris will be held tomorrow

Mr Khan is pictured being driven around London in his Range Rover with a convoy in 2020

Mr Khan, who has been heavily scrutinised for his hated Ulez scheme and the amount of knife crime since he became mayor, added: 'We know some councils in London are taking bold policies in relation to parking fees, in relation to your tickets and so forth.'

In north London, Islington council charges parked cars depending on the weight of a motor, while Lambeth is looking at similar measures.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said that the mayor had 'no plans' to introduce an SUV parking charge in the capital, adding: 'The Mayor was making the point that leaders across the world are exploring innovative ways of tackling air pollution and improving road safety, and the Mayor continues to monitor these.'

Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for London mayor, accused Mr Khan of a 'war on motorists that show no sign of slowing'.

She told The Telegraph: 'For him, it's all about the money. This highway robbery can only be stopped by showing this highway robber the door and voting him out of office on May 2.'

But one British charity has called for wealthy drivers to be restricted from using SUVs in the capital. Three quarters of SUVs are bought in urban areas despite them being designed for rough terrain.

Hirra Khan Adeogun, co-director of the climate charity Possible, told The Standard: 'It's the richest residents of London who drive the biggest and dirtiest cars, and the poorest who live with the consequences.

'That's why it's right to bring in a charge to deter these gas guzzlers which produce up to 25 per cent more CO2 than other cars.

The Mayor of London is pictured in his Range Rover and being followed by his security team in 2020

'The Mayor should press on with these plans, cleaning our air, cutting our carbon, and calming our streets.'

The backlash against SUVs and monster pickups dates back to the 2000s, when the suburban rich began migrating en masse from sedans to king-of-the-road behemoths previously used for rough terrain.

Dubbed "stock exchange tractors" in Norway or "suburban assault vehicles" in Britain the car-trucks became much-maligned status symbols.

A key breakthrough in the bid to regulate emissions in big cities came in 2003 when London's left-wing mayor Ken Livingstone introduced a congestion charge for vehicles entering the city centre.

A year later he took aim specifically at SUVs, criticising those who used them to drive children to school as "complete idiots" and saying the vehicles should be banned from the school run.

In the past few years, a group called The Tyre Extinguishers has been drilling holes in the tyres of dozens of SUVs in the UK.

Anne Hidalgo (pictured), the socialist mayor of Paris, announced the plan for an SUV parking charge in December, declaring: 'It is a form of social justice.'

Khan was speaking at an event in which he apologised on behalf of the Greater London Authority to the family of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah - a nine-year-old girl who died in 2013 as a result of the capital's polluted air.

Ella lived just 80ft from a notorious pollution 'hotspot' on the south circular road in Lewisham, south-east London - one of the capital's busiest roads.

Asthma attacks left her struggling to breathe and she had to go to hospital on numerous occasions.

Just a few weeks after celebrating her ninth birthday, she suffered a fatal asthma attack. In December 2020, a coroner concluded that air pollution contributed to her death.

She became the first person in the world to have it recorded as a cause of death on her death certificate.
Millions of dollars worth of cocaine stamped with the image of Al Pacino's fictional drug kingpin Tony Montana has been found after what police allege is a major bust across Sydney's inner west.

According to NSW Police, 15kgs of cocaine, worth an estimated $22m on the streets, was allegedly seized at houses at Dulwich Hill and Drumoyne on Friday, with one man in custody and facing serious drug supply charges.

The episode unfolded after detectives from the Organised Crime Squad approached a property at The Parade, Dulwich Hill.

As officers pulled up to the property, a man who was removing a bag from the boot of a car tried to run from the scene but was arrested nearby.

In the bag, police allege they found a 1kg block of cocaine stamped with the image of Pacino's Tony Montana character from the cult film Scarface.

Blocks of cocaine seized by police in Sydney on Friday were stamped with a picture of fictional drug kingpin Tony Montana from the film Scarface

The 22-year-old man was arrested and taken to Ashfield Police Station before police later raided another premises at Alexandra Street, Drummoyne.

NSW Police allege it was there that a further 14kgs of cocaine was found in the home's garage.

Police estimate that the seized drugs have a street value of over $22m.

Three cars, an Audi RS3 and two Nissan Silvias, were also seized.

The man was charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and was denied bail to appear in court on Saturday.

The 1983 film stars Al Pacino as a Cuban immigrant who rises to the top of the Miami drug scene in a brazen and violent way

Organised Crime Squad commander, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said the bust should serve as a warning to the Sydney underworld.

'This arrest and seizure means a significant quantity of an illegal drug is now off Sydney's streets,' Det Supt Faux said.

'The arrest demonstrates the successful and effective combination of state-of-the-art technology as well as dogged, feet-on-the-ground investigative work by my team.

'It also serves as a warning to those seeking to traffic illicit drugs in the community: the NSW Police is committed to identifying and arresting those involved in illegal activities and put them before the court.'
As dawn rose, Maralyn looked out at the emptiness. A clear sky, the Pacific Ocean, and themselves: a small boat, sailing west.

She left her watch on deck and went down to the cabin. Her husband Maurice was still asleep. The morning would follow the usual rhythms: coffee and breakfast, then all the checks and jobs a boat requires.

Except this morning  in March 1973. At the precise moment that Maralyn put her hand on Maurice to wake him, they felt a crack, a jolt, the sound of a gun going off.

The noise split the air. Books leapt off the shelves. Cutlery flew. The tearing and splintering of wood was like the pained scream of a child.

Up on deck in an instant, they discovered the cause. A whale was next to them in the ocean, massive and alive.

Water streamed down the dark cliffs of its body as it twisted and writhed. Its tail, 10ft across, was beating at the surface in a kind of fury. Blood poured from its body.

Maurice and Maralyn pose with the sextant and life raft that saved their lives. Pictured in 1974, the year after their ordeal

Maralyn couldn't understand where it had come from. She'd just been up here and seen nothing but a fishing boat. You don't miss a whale.

But perhaps you do. It must have risen from the depths just after she'd gone down the ladder. She couldn't bear the thought that they had hurt the creature. It seemed uncanny that in the entirety of the Pacific Ocean, this would be the spot it chose.

A sperm whale, Maurice could tell, from the blunt, square block of its head. It was 40ft long, he guessed; a good 10ft longer than their small boat.

The whale was still thrashing, as if it were trying to shake something off, or escape its own body. It was dying, Maurice realised. These were its death throes.

And then it was suddenly gone, sucked into the darkness of the ocean. Great whites and blue sharks would gather, rip it apart and feast on its blubber.

Down in the cabin, water was already coming up through the decking boards. How many valuable minutes had they wasted up on deck, staring at the whale?

Maralyn worked the pump while Maurice searched for the damage. There it was: a hole where the creature had struck their vessel below the waterline near the galley, around 18 in long and 12 in wide.

Maurice was shouting to get the spare jib sheet, clip it to the corner of the head sail, lower it over the bow and drag it to cover the hole, then make it fast to secure it.

The pressure from the ocean should force the sheet into the hole, plugging it.

Maralyn kept pumping, hoping the water level would now go down. But the sheet wasn't working. The water kept rising. She found clothes, cushions and blankets and stuffed them into the hole. That didn't work either.

Perhaps there was another hole. It was too late to look for it now. The water was up to their knees and the cupboards were starting to spring open. Eggs and tins bobbed round them.

They looked at each other.

The life raft and dinghy, which they packed with essential belonging as as much fresh water containers as they could find

Maurice fetched the life raft and the inflatable dinghy, then collected as many fresh water containers as he could find. Maralyn filled bags with their things.

Two plastic bowls, a bucket, passports, a camera, a torch, their oilskins, her diary, two books, a gas canister and stove, a saucepan, two dictionaries and Maurice's navigational tools: his Nautical Almanac and sight reduction tables for navigation, his chart, sextant, compass and log book.

They worked fast and in silence, strangely calm as the water rose. It wasn't easy, gathering possessions from a vessel filling with ocean.

Then they climbed off the boat into the dinghy. Maralyn watched cushions she'd spent hours embroidering float away on the waves. The boat settled low in the ocean, then lower.

She found her camera and took photographs as the vessel they had loved like a child tipped to one side and then disappeared altogether.

On a wet November evening seven years earlier, Maralyn had said to Maurice: 'Suppose we sold our house, bought a yacht and lived on board?'

It seemed like a crazy idea. Why would they give up the home they'd only just managed to buy? Maurice Bailey, then 33, was a compositor for a printing firm in Derby, while his wife Maralyn, eight years his junior, worked at the city's tax office.

Their story is one that I, a journalist, have been captivated by since I first came across it during the pandemic winter of 2020-21. Using their published works, interviews and a diary that Maralyn kept, here, I've reimagined their all-too real ordeal.

They'd created a comfortable life together: a bungalow, a vegetable patch, modern conveniences, weekends away indulging their passion for outdoor pursuits. But both were bored with what Maurice would later describe as 'suburban domestic stress'. Gradually an ambitious idea took shape. What had seemed impossible, extraordinary, out of the question, started to become a reality.

They'd sail to New Zealand, taking in the Canaries, the Caribbean, the Galapagos. Maurice applied for a job in Wellington and had a tentative offer. 'In short,' he wrote, 'her arguments finally won me over.'

The couple's beloved yacht called Auralyn, a combination of their two names

They commissioned a Plymouth boatyard to make their dream vessel: a 31ft single-masted Bermuda sloop to their specifications. On board they would have no radio transmitters or extraneous electronic devices of any kind.

Everyone said they were mad. No radio transmitter? But Maurice wanted to rely on the same stars that had guided the great captains before him: Columbus, Cook.

Just him and Maralyn, needing no one but each other. So different as people, Maralyn popular and outgoing, Maurice shy and austere, their marriage worked. They named their boat Auralyn, a combination of their names.

For years they thought of little else. They sold their house, rented a small flat in Southampton, from where they would sail, and took new jobs. With friends they made practice voyages in Auralyn along the south coast and across the Channel to Normandy.

Maurice was captain, navigator and mechanic. Maralyn was in charge of the galley and stores.

Maurice studied books of ocean passages and pilot charts and reread the closest thing he had to a sacred text, sailor Eric Hiscock's guide to circumnavigating the globe, Voyaging Under Sail.

They had to get used to bad weather, broken sleep and sea-sickness that could render people incapable for days, he read.

Everyone said they were mad. No radio transmitter? But Maurice wanted to rely on the same stars that guided the great captains before him: Columbus, Cook

And solitude. For weeks, crossing oceans, they would be alone. You might see only one ship a month, warned Hiscock. So don't expect help if something goes wrong. If someone is hurt, if you run out of water or a crew member becomes unwell, you will only have yourselves. Weakness is not an option.

Maralyn worked out the exact quantities of food required. Eggs: one per person per day, plus four a week for cooking. Sugar: one ounce each per day, and one and three-quarter pounds per person for cooking. Cheese: an ounce each per day. Milk: quarter of a pint per person per day. Biscuits or crackers: one packet a day alternating between savoury and sweet.

A 30ft yacht, she calculated, should be capable of stowing 500 cans of meats, soups, vegetables, fruits, drinks, powdered and evaporated milk. She removed each can's paper label, marked it to indicate its contents then treated the top and bottom with clear varnish to protect it from rust.

On June 28, 1972, they were ready and set sail for the Canary Islands to catch the trade winds that would carry them across the Atlantic. Their new life was beginning.

As Auralyn slipped beneath the waves, they floated separately, Maralyn in the life raft, Maurice in the dinghy. Neither spoke.

The walls of the raft, 4ft 6in in diameter, were formed of two inflated rings. The floor was a single layer of rubber-proofed fabric. A semi-circular tube formed an arch supporting a bright orange canopy, like a floating tent.

On one side was the entrance, covered by a flap, and on the other a ventilation duct and a small look-out window. Only this flimsy structure, and the dinghy now attached to it, lay between them and the mighty Pacific Ocean.

Sitting facing each other, Maurice and Maralyn considered their chances. Maurice thought they were doomed, but didn't say so.

They had no radio transmitter and no motor. He found himself wondering if they had enough gas in the canister to kill themselves.

Around them floated items from Auralyn. Maurice, rowing the dinghy, retrieved what he could: four containers of water, one of kerosene, one of methylated spirits, a jar of Coffee-Mate, a tin of margarine, two pencils. Everything they owned in the world was arranged around them on less than 5ft of raft.

Maralyn wrote an inventory. It wasn't much: 33 tins of their original 500, a few dates and nuts. A Dundee cake for her April 24 birthday in seven weeks' time. Surely they'd be rescued by then?

She turned to what needed doing. Establish a routine, she thought. Maintain order. Don't let the structures dissolve.

It was morning. Morning meant breakfast. Maralyn spread biscuits with margarine and marmalade.

Then what? The day, like the ocean, opened out around them, empty and formless. 'What on earth can we do to keep ourselves occupied?' said Maurice.

Maralyn told him which books she'd salvaged: the Hiscock guide to circumnavigation and a biography of Richard III.

Maurice groaned. The life of a 15th-century king didn't seem relevant, and what use was the guide when their boat was sunk? Surely there was barely enough room for food, let alone books?

But Maralyn said: 'We can read them and analyse them line by line and discuss them.'

Maurice knew she was right. They'd need this kind of stimulation to occupy their minds. Keeping busy was essential. It limited the dangers of thinking too much.

Using his compass and chart, Maurice estimated they were 250 miles north of Ecuador and 300 miles east of the Galapagos Islands. Close to a shipping lane, but too far north for the current to carry them west towards the islands.

The dinghy had oars, he thought. They could row. If they took turns rowing south for ten miles a day, they would eventually reach the islands' latitude.

He wasn't sure they were capable of doing it with the raft in tow. Perhaps they should cut it off? But the dinghy had no shelter. And what if it sank? They'd have no back-up. Why did every problem seem to contain more problems?

He no longer felt able to make a decision. Maralyn would know what to do.

After lunch, a handful of peanuts each, he mentioned the idea. Maralyn was immediately convinced.

The couple at the London Boat Show in 1974. After being shipwrecked in the Pacific, they took it in turns to row with an initial plan of making ten miles' progress a day

'We'll have to do the rowing at night,' she said. 'It would be impossible in the heat of the day.' If it was too dark to read the compass they could steer by the stars. They'd start that evening, she said, taking turns to row in two-hour shifts.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, they ate their first dinner on the raft. One tin from their collection, which Maralyn heated over the stove. They passed the saucepan back and forth between them, taking one spoonful at a time. For 'afters', wrote Maralyn, they had a biscuit each.

The air cooled. Darkness fell. As they couldn't lie down at the same time on the raft, they took turns, huddling under their oilskins. Maralyn curled up in a ball while Maurice sat up and kept watch.

When a boat sinks, it is the captain's fault. There is no one else to blame, he knew. Captaincy is a series of decisions, and he'd made the wrong ones.

Think of all the things he could have done differently. Had they given up pumping too soon?

Perhaps if they'd gone on stuffing the hole they could have stabilised Auralyn long enough to get the water out. She'd been their home, their future, and he'd just watched her go down, helpless.

It was his failure. Someone else, someone better, would have known what to do.

What about the fishing boat they'd passed? Perhaps it had been a whaling ship. Perhaps it had been looking for a whale they'd harpooned but failed to catch.

Perhaps the whale had escaped, injured and angry, followed them for the rest of the night and collided with them in some sort of misguided revenge attack. It was somehow more comforting than the idea that it was all pure coincidence, pure misfortune. That their boat had sunk for no reason at all.

Any pretence that he was in charge had evaporated. All he could offer was doubt. Maralyn was captain now.

Under a high, clear moon, they began to row. Maurice wedged the compass between two water carriers to check they were going in the right direction.

Once the moon had sunk, he used the stars: the Pole Star, low on the northern horizon, Orion, Crux, and the seven bright points of the Plough.

The problem was not so much the rowing itself, but having to tow the raft behind them. It was like trying to drag a tired child up a hill, their reluctance almost pulling you back down.

They rowed, two hours on, two hours off, until the sun rose again. At one point, Maralyn thought she heard a plane overhead. But when she looked there was nothing there. Out at sea, as in the desert, things seemed to appear and disappear.

To keep them from dehydrating while rowing, Maralyn doubled the water ration. It didn't help. Their thirst felt like an illness, a throb that infected every thought.

They were racing through their supply. Maurice wasn't sure they'd be able to row far enough to reach the right latitude before they ran out of water. Maralyn refused to complain, or give in.

'I could not disillusion her,' wrote Maurice. Maralyn reminded him, instead, that it would soon be the wet season. The rains would come. Precious drinking water would fall from the sky.

Thunder clattered around them and lightning jagged across the sky. If they weren't being battered by wind, they were being hit by creatures, as if the storm had woken the ocean's inhabitants

Maurice took a morning sight with the sextant, eager to know how far they had travelled after their night of rowing. He worked out that they had rowed just over four miles south, and drifted nearly 30 miles west. Four miles! A pitiful distance.

They rowed for three more nights. Blisters formed all over their hands. They realised, through their exhaustion, that their strength was no longer endlessly renewable. The rowing might just take the rest of it.

At noon on March 9, nearly a week since Auralyn had sunk, Maurice took another sight. Four nights of rowing and they had gained ten miles to the south.

To reach the latitude of the Galapagos, they would have to keep going for at least ten more nights, but the current was carrying them west faster than they could row. By that logic, they would never reach the islands, however hard they rowed.

The whole effort had been pointless. They should stop, Maurice said, save their bodies and their last pints of water, and hope against hope for a ship.

After a string of blue days, the sky filled with fat clouds. The ocean became wild, waves frothing.

Thunder clattered around them and lightning jagged across the sky. If they weren't being battered by wind, they were being hit by creatures, as if the storm had woken the ocean's inhabitants.

Sharks circled and buffeted the raft. Danger lay in every direction.

Then, early on March 12 when the storm had passed, Maralyn saw movement on the horizon. Even in the morning haze, when shapes suggest themselves and then dissolve, the hard, dark outline of a ship heading east was unmistakable.

A ship! Here it was, and only about a mile away. It hadn't taken so long, after all. They were saved!

She laid out the flares. Maurice shortened the line between the raft and the dinghy. As the huge ship drew level with them, Maralyn passed Maurice a smoke flare. He tore off the tape and tried to light it. Nothing.

The raft, packed with her belongings, proved to be a drag on their progress

'It's a dud. A bloody dud!' he shouted and threw it into the sea.

They tried another. Same again. Then a third. No light, no smoke.

Waving didn't work; they were too easily obscured by the swell. They needed blazing fireworks 40ft above them in the sky.

The ship kept sailing. The helplessness was horrifying. To be so close to people, real people, who had no idea you were there.

Maurice could almost swim after it, if it would only slow down. He wanted to try another flare, but they only had three left and the ship was now too far away.

They watched it shrink back into the haze. Maurice gave up and sat back down in the dinghy. Maralyn kept waving her jacket. She knew it was pointless, but she couldn't just sit there knowing a ship was so close, even if all she could see was its funnel being sucked away into nothing.

They ate breakfast in silence. Maralyn wondered if it had been too early in the morning. Perhaps the crew had been eating below deck.

They'd left the ship on autopilot and there was no one on deck to spot them. That must be it. If someone had been up there, they'd have seen the raft in a second.

Next time it would be different; the ship would pass later. Someone would notice them.

Adapted from Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst to be published by Chatto & Windus on February 29 at 18.99. To order a copy for 17.09 (offer valid to 17/02/24; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
The suspected Clapham 'acid' attacker was in a relationship with the woman who he doused in the chemical along with her two young daughters in a horrific incident which has sparked a nationwide manhunt.

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, a 35-year-old Afghan asylum seeker with a previous sexual assault conviction, has been on the run for three days after injuring 12 people with a corrosive alkaline substance in south London on Wednesday night.

The Met Police revealed yesterday that the 31-year-old mother has been left with 'life-changing' injuries, while her two daughters, aged three and eight, also remain in hospital.

Pizza shop worker Ezedi, who was last seen boarding a Victoria line train at King's Cross at 9pm on Wednesday, is described as having very 'significant injuries to the right side of his face' and the public have been told not to approach the fugitive.

After police previously said the suspect and the injured mother were known to each other, a close relative of Ezedi has now confirmed to Sky News that they were in a relationship.

Neighbours previously said Ezedi also allegedly tried to run the woman over and threw her three-year-old daughter on the floor 'again and again'.

Given the extensive injuries to the right side of his face, the relative now wants to 'find out if he is alive or dead' and has pledged to 'bring him in myself'.

Police have shared footage of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi pictured on CCTV in King's Cross (left) and Tesco (right) with significant injuries after the attack

Ezedi, from the Newcastle area, has been named by police as the suspect in a corrosive alkaline substance attack in Clapham, south London

Forensics at the scene take picture of the location close to Clapham Common following the incident

'His injury is very bad and he needs medical attention,' they said. 'I will bring him in by myself if I have to.'

The relative said they are going to try and find Ezedi by travelling up from London to Newcastle, where the suspect is understood to live.

READ MORE: Brother of Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi urges him to give himself up to police Advertisement

The suspected acid attacker arrived in the UK on a lorry in 2016 after fleeing Afghanistan. He was granted asylum in the UK in 2020, following two failed attempts.

The relative described Ezedi as a 'quiet' and 'caring' person when they were growing up in Afghanistan. He believes the attack is out of character.

'We need to know the full picture, what really happened,' they added.

Ezedi was convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence at Newcastle Crown Court in 2018 and handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order, which was completed two years later. He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was later granted asylum after a priest confirmed he had converted to Christianity - despite friends revealing he was a 'good Muslim'.

Referencing the sex offence, the close relative said he didn't 'believe he would do that kind of thing'.

It comes after Ezedi's brother Sebaghallah Ezedi, 22, also urged him to give himself up to police.

As the extensive manhunt continues, a Royal Air Force helicopter believed to be helping in the hunt for Ezedi was pictured circling the Hampstead Heath in north London.

New footage has also emerged of police raiding addresses in east London on Friday morning. The Met Police deployed approximately 120 officers, including specialist units and the Territorial Support Group.

In one video, police raid a home and tell residents: 'Basically we're here because we are looking for someone... but it's not safe for you to be in here.'

They later ask: 'Have you seen anyone with an injured eye at all?'

When the locals asked why there were officers in Hazmat suits, the police said: 'There's a hazard in there that we have to be aware of. '

The Metropolitan police commander Jon Savell told reporters yesterday that 'significant and important pieces of evidence' were recovered from raids, both in London and Newcastle.

Forensic officers gather evidence as police guard a cordon in Clapham, south London

Abdul Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi (pictured), 22, has urged him to give himself up to police

A Royal Air Force helicopter on the Hampstead Heath believed to be helping in the hunt for Ezedi

An RAF helicopter and crew were seen landing on the Heath in north London

Police in hazmat suits raid a home in east London amid the search for Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi

Officers were seen smashing in the doors of the property shortly after 2am on Friday

Two empty containers labelled with corrosive warnings were found at a Newcastle address, and tests were being carried out to see if they held the same substance used in the attack.

Mr Savell said: 'In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

'We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria police as well.

'Last night, five search warrants were executed  two in east London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.'

He also issued an update on the victims. Mr Savell continued: 'The mother, aged 31, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. It is likely she has suffered life-changing injuries as a result of this incident.

'The two children, aged three and eight, also remain in hospital. However, I'm pleased to report that doctors have now assessed their injuries as not life-changing.

'The three women and a man who bravely came to the aid of the family, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns. I am also glad to update that the five officers injured have all now returned to duty.'

People who know Ezedi say he was 'a good Muslim' who bought Halal meat, avoided alcohol and planned to return home 'to find a wife' prior to the incident.

Authorities and leaders from the Church of England are now facing questions after it emerged that Ezedi, who is originally from Iran, was allowed to stay in the UK following two failed asylum applications after converting to Christianity.

In 2020 or 2021, it is understood a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion - which aided his application.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society counter-extremism think tank, said: 'Abdul Ezedi should never have been granted asylum status in the UK in the first place following multiple failed attempts and a sexual offences conviction.

'That he was allowed to stay after an obviously false conversion to Christianity highlights the continued problem of the complicity of various British institutions in what has become a pro-asylum industry. The consequences of this are frequently devastating.'

The Church of England said it is not currently aware of any links to its churches.

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'This is clearly a shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by it.

'It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.'

An asylum support worker who knew wanted man Ezedi said he was shocked by the violence he is accused off.

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street

St Vincent's Centre, in Byker, Newcastle, where acid attack suspect Abdul Ezedi visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food

The charity worker, based near Newcastle city centre, checked his records and said Ezedi was from Iran, not Afghanistan as had previously been thought .

He also said the 35-year-old showed no signs of mental health issues or violent behaviour previously.

The charity worker, who asked not to named said: 'He has been coming here for more than two years, since I took over the project here.

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's time in the UK: 2016 Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry after fleeing from Afghanistan. He had two applications for asylum rejected. 2018 Ezedi is handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence. 2020 Ezedi finishes his work unpaid work order and is discharged from probation supervision. 2020-2021 It is understood Ezedi was granted asylum on his third application - despite his criminal history - after getting a priest to vouch that he had converted to Christianity. He said he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion. January 31 2024 Ezedi is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, in Clapham, south London. Advertisement

'At the time he was identified as a destitute asylum seeker and did not have access to Home Office support.

'He was registered as someone who needs essential food and furniture.

'We looked at his legal documents, what is his status in the country. Over time, I knew him by his face.

'He often came to the centre, every three, four or five weeks.

'He seemed a calm person, sitting in the corner by himself, there was never, ever any complaint or any trouble.

'He never showed any aggressive behaviour.

'When I saw his photo on the news last night I was shocked, I never expected such a person would be violent to that extent.

'He was last here two or three weeks ago.

'We were not aware he had been granted the right to remain, we were not aware he had a criminal record.'

The project manager did not know about Ezedi's conversion to Christianity.

He was worried that the outcry about the case would affect other, innocent asylum seekers.

The worker said: 'Unfortunately, there is a stereotype about asylum matters these days.

'One incident like this can affect a lot of people and have a severe impact on others who are innocent, decent people.

'I would straight away ask him to give himself up, get medical attention and say he has to be held accountable for what he has done.

'Some clients here have mental health issues, they can sometimes react in an aggressive, violent way, but this is someone you would never expect, this is shocking.'

Staff at a Kurdish grocery shop in the Byker area of Newcastle where the man lived told The Times that he would come in every two weeks to buy half of a halal sheep that he would then cut up and put in his freezer.

They claimed he told people he wanted to return to Afghanistan to find a wife, and described him as 'a good Muslim' who did not drink alcohol.

The Met has urged the public to stay away from 'dangerous' Ezedi who was also hurt in the horror that unfolded.

The force has released CCTV footage of Ezedi buying a bottle of water in a north London Tesco, on Caledonian Road, in Islington, around an hour after the attack on Wednesday evening.

He is accused of leaping on the 'vulnerable' mother and her two daughters, hurling a corrosive alkaline substance from a metal coffee cup leaving the woman screaming: 'I can't see, I can't see!'

Horrified locals who ran out to help described the victims' skin turning black and peeling away on contact with the highly toxic chemical, commonly found in household cleaners such as bleach and drain cleaner.

Several residents on the leafy street near Clapham Common, where houses fetch up to 3 million, were also injured as they came to help, along with five police officers who all came into contact with the chemical.

Police believe the perpetrator had travelled around 250 miles from Newcastle earlier that day to carry out the attack on the woman, who was said to be known to him.

Distressing footage from the scene showed the 31-year-old mother and her eight-year-old daughter standing in front of the man's car holding their hands to their faces around 7.25pm.

The suspect was then seen deliberately driving at the mother, hitting her before getting out of the car to haul a three-year-old girl out of the back seat.

The disturbing footage shows a man running towards the driver's door and getting inside before driving the white car into a woman as members of the public rush to her aid

This is the chilling moment a suspected acid attacker rams a car at a mother before taking a child out of a car and slamming her to the floor

CCTV footage obtained by MailOnline showed Ezedi stumbling as he ran away from the scene of the attack

Children's minister David Johnston was pressed by Sky News on reports the suspect in the alkaline substance attack in south London is a convicted sex offender who was granted asylum after two failed attempts.

Mr Johnston said: 'I don't have his case file and I can't say anything that might affect the police's investigation here.

'He is still at large and what we really need is anyone with information to come forward in order that he can be apprehended, given he is police's key suspect.

He described the attack as 'horrific' and sent his thoughts to the victims. He told Sky News: 'What has been reported in this particular case will understandably concern I think every member of the public. Concerns me, concerns every member of the government.'

Asked whether it was a failure of the Government for someone to be granted permission to stay in the UK after being convicted of a crime, he said: 'This is why this government's so determined to end the asylum merry-go-round.'

Mr Johnston added that a 'number of cases' of people appealing and claiming asylum after having their application rejected. He added that the Rwanda Bill aims to stop this from happening.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has slammed the decision to allow Ezedi to remain in the UK as a 'damning indictment' of the country's asylum system.

Jenrick said the UK's asylum system 'privileged the rights of an illegal immigrant, who committed serious crimes' over 'the fundamental right of the British public to feel safe and secure in their communities'.

He added the horrific attack was a 'watershed moment' for immigration judges and the Government and called for stronger border controls to bring the 'farce' of cases like Ezedi's and others to an end.

The three victims are among ten injured as eight were rushed to hospital after the horror incident in south London , police said

Rishi Sunak does not think 'foreign criminals should be able to stay' in the UK when asked about news that a sex offender hunted over a chemical attack was granted asylum to stay in the UK despite his conviction.

The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters: 'First and foremost on the attack, obviously, it was a horrific attack and the PM's thoughts are with the victims and their families.

'And he'd like to extend his thanks to the emergency services for the very quick response to the scene and the five officers who were injured in the incident.'

The official declined to comment on the suspect's immigration status during a live police investigation but said that, more broadly, 'the PM doesn't think that foreign criminals should be able to stay in the country, putting the public at risk'.

He pointed to action the Government is taking in the Nationality and Borders Act and Illegal Migration Act.

Terrified witnesses described the suspect throwing the child 'like a ragdoll' above his head before smashing her down on the ground.

One local said: 'The man was throwing the little girl on the floor like he was in a wrestling ring.'

Another horrified witness said: 'Like the Hulk, he lifted her and threw her on the floor, lifted her again and threw her on the floor again.'

Both the mother and her three-year-old suffered 'life-changing injuries'.

The elder child, who was wearing her school uniform, is said to have suffered bruising and burn-like injuries. All three remain in hospital.

One witness described the mother's horrific injuries: 'Her lips were completely black. Her face looked really burnt, like stripped off basically.'

The Acid Survivors Trust International, an organisation that records information on chemical attacks across the world, said that the heinous attack being directed at the young mother and her two children was 'unheard of', as most are related to gang violence.

Jaf Shah, chief executive of the trust, said: 'The scale of attacks and the targeting of young children by a single perpetrator is unheard of. It's important to highlight that this is not commonplace, this is very rare.'

Forensics were seen closely examining a silver thermal carry-cup, which was located next to a bin

Shannon Christi was one of those injured. She recalled: 'They were screaming, 'Help! Help!' The little one was thrown to the floor. It was aggressive. He threw her down on the floor. Then he picked her up and threw her down again.

'That's when I ran in and just grabbed her, because I couldn't watch.

'I didn't see anything on her clothes, but there was something on her coat that got transferred to me. She landed on her face. It was scratched, bruised.

'I saw the mother afterwards. Her face was red and sore. Her eyes were closed and she was screaming: 'I can't see!'

'That's when I realised something had been thrown at her. So I called for someone to get water. Her lips went black. It was all over her face. At that point, my face and my arms started tingling.

'My lips started tingling so I knew something was wrong. I ran into my house and washed my arms and my face.'

Another resident, Mohamed Ilyas, said: 'I saw him driving into her. He smashed her with the car, then the kid went and knocked on the door, saying 'Mummy! Mummy!', hitting on the door.

'Then he got out the car, went into the backseat, pulled out the other little child and smashed her on the floor.'

After the brutal attack, the suspect tried to drive off in his car but collided with a stationary vehicle. He then fled on foot in the direction of Clapham Common.

Nearby CCTV caught him sprinting through neighbouring streets in such a hurry that he stumbled on a speed bump before tripping on a kerb.

The suspect later appeared at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, at 8.48pm dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt.

The mother and two girls were given emergency first aid at Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, a complex used to house Afghan refugees where they had been living, while detectives believe Ezedi may be heading to Newcastle, where he has links.

Two scientists could be seen crowding around the mug, which appeared to have an evidence marker

The car appeared to have crashed into other parked vehicles as it came to a stop on the residential road

The UK's current policy on asylum seekers states that they can claim asylum based on their conversion to a new religion, if they can prove they will face persecution in their country of origin as a result of their new faith.

Ezedi's case has already been compared to Enzo Almeni, a Christian convert who had changed his name by deed poll from Emad Al Swealmeen and blew himself up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Remembrance Sunday in 2021 after months of planning.

Al Swealmeen was confirmed to have converted to Christianity by Rt Revd Cyril Ashton at Liverpool Cathedral in 2017.

Police were seen outside the last known address of Ezedi

It is run by Tyne Housing Association which aims to find homes for people who are classed as homeless or vulnerable

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi has not been seen at his address in Newcastle for around six months, neighbours told MailOnline.

READ MORE: Acid attack victim says perpetrators should be jailed for life with no chance of parole - Lauren Trent speaks out as cops continue manhunt for thug who maimed mother and her two children in Clapham chemical assault Advertisement

He was last known to be living in a shared terraced house in Dilston Road in the Arthur's Hill area of the city.

Neighbours said the house had a high turnover of tenants and few remembered him.

However Mohammad Hussain Nazary, 24, who works in his family's food shop said he recalled Ezedi living in the area but assumed he was a single man.

He said: 'I'd see him around the area and he'd come in from time to time.

'He's an Afghan and I assumed he was single because I never saw him with a partner or family, he was always on his own.

'He seemed like an ordinary harmless guy, certainly not someone you'd associate with something like this.

'He was around quite a lot but I haven't seen him in maybe six or seven months.'

A neighbour said: 'There are a lot of long term residents in the street but also a couple of houses where tenants come and go all the time and that house is one of them. There are new people moving in very regularly , you can't keep track of who is living there.'

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently been living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street.

It is run by Tyne Housing Association which aims to find homes for people who are classed as homeless or vulnerable.

A resident said: 'You'd see him walking around during the day, usually on his own and I don't recall ever seeing him with a wife or partner.'

He visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food, according to a charity worker at the site which provides basic food and clothing to asylum seekers

Garage worker Michael Vinks, 37, works opposite the hostel. He said: 'He came in a while ago and chatted to my boss about possibly buying a car, but it didn't come to anything.'

The site which provides basic food and clothing to asylum seekers

Bilal Khan (pictured), owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near Ezedi's last known address, said the alleged attacker had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents

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Bilal Khan, owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near Ezedi's last known address, said the alleged attacker had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Mr Khan said: 'He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn't let things go easily.

'He was coming and going back to me about the car but I told him 'this is my price'.'

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents. 'I try to keep my distance from people like that,' he said.

The negotiation over the car ended without a sale last summer and Mr Khan said he had not seen Ezedi since around Christmas or New Year.

Asked if he was worried about the suspect returning to Newcastle, Mr Khan said: 'I don't think so. If he knows the police and the media are after him then he will stay away, if he doesn't get caught.'

Mr Khan told The Telegraph: 'He's a small, skinny guy. There's nothing threatening about him.

'I've never seen him with anyone, as far as I could see he spent his days on his own hanging around the street near the hostel.'

Tory MPs have called for the Government to reform its policy on asylum seekers in the wake of the horrific attack.

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge and the co-chair of the New Conservative group of MPs, told The Telegraph: 'This shocking and tragic case is everybody's worst nightmare but it also shows the urgent need to tighten up our asylum processes.

'This man should never have been granted asylum in this country and we need to get to the bottom of how he was able to be granted leave to remain.

'This brings home the enormous security threat that this country faces from thousands of illegal migrants entering the UK each year.'

Sir John Hayes, former minister and MP for South Holland and The Deepings, said he would be writing to the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, asking for an urgent review of the UK's asylum rules.

'This case provides an opportunity not only to review the criteria for granting asylum but also for how we deal with those who are known criminals.

'It won't take much working out who has been here and subsequently received asylum and then committed a crime and how we can deport all of them.'

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: 'This brings home the enormous security threat that this country faces from thousands of illegal migrants entering the UK each year'

Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, said: 'There should be a condition on any asylum being granted that if you commit a crime, you go back to your country'

Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings, said: 'This case provides an opportunity not only to review the criteria for granting asylum but also for how we deal with those who are known criminals'

Also calling for reform was Lee Anderson, the former deputy chairman of the Tory party, who expressed a zero-tolerance view on asylum seekers who commit crimes of any kind.

'It should apply whether it is shoplifting or another crime. That would make us a safer country. They should find him and send him straight back. No messing about.

'There should be a condition on any asylum being granted that if you commit a crime, you go back to your country. He cannot claim he is being persecuted and at risk when he is coming to the UK and committing crimes.'

Nigel Farage told MailOnline: 'This is a huge wake up call. He should have been deported after the first asylum claim.'
A major oil refinery was hit by two huge explosions in a kamikaze drone strike in Volgograd - the first air raid on the city, previously called Stalingrad, since Hitler's failed invasion 81 years ago.

The moment of the suspected Ukrainian attack at 4:49am was caught on dramatic footage.

The strike on the Lukoil facility came the day after the city marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the epic Battle of Stalingrad in the Second World War.

The Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia is one of the country's largest, and had been upgraded shortly before the war at a cost of 105 million.

It produces gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, and fuel for ships.

The moment of the suspected Ukrainian attack at 4:49am was caught on dramatic footage

The strike on the Lukoil facility came the day after the city marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the epic Battle of Stalingrad in the Second World War

The Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia is one of the country's largest, and produces gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel

The inferno from the explosion covered some 3,230 square feet, said governor of the Volgograd region, Andrei Bocharov (Pictured: a map of the oil refinery at Volgograd)

'I woke up at 4:20am from a very strong explosion, then about half an hour later there was a second one, but not as strong as the first,' said a local resident.

The inferno from the explosion covered some 3,230 square feet, said governor of the Volgograd region, Andrei Bocharov.

He reported later: 'The fire has been localised, the open burning has been eliminated. There are no casualties.'

The Volgograd attack is the latest in a recent series of strikes by Ukraine at oil and gas facilities vital to warmonger Vladimir Putin's economy.

Volgograd is some 400 miles from the nearest Ukrainian-controlled territory.

The strike represents a failure for Russian air defences.

Lukoil is Russia's second largest oil company and has close Kremlin links.

In other overnight attacks the Russian military and civilian authorities reported downed drones over the Voronezh, Belgorod and Rostov regions.

Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other's energy infrastructure in strikes designed to disrupt supply lines and logistics and to demoralise their opponent as they try to get the edge in a nearly two-year-old conflict that shows no sign of ending.

Russia energy infrastructure has been also hit by technical failures in the past month, adding to uncertainty in global oil and gas markets already rocked by the conflict in the Middle East.

Volgograd governor, Andrey Bocharov, said on the local administration's Telegram channel that there were no casualties from the incident.

'As a result of the fall of a downed UAV, a fire broke out at the Volgograd Oil Refinery. Fire and rescue forces quickly got to work - the fire was promptly localised, the open burning was eliminated. There are no casualties,' he said.

Oil producer Lukoil, which owns the refinery, has not immediately replied to a request for comment.

Volgograd oil refinery on the Volga River has capacity to process 14.8 million metric tons (almost 300,000 barrels per day) of crude oil per year.

Another Lukoil-owned oil refinery, NORSI, also suffered outages in January. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said that repairs to the refinery will take at least a month or a month and a half.

Last week, Putin lost yet another General in his war against Ukraine.

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63, was the most senior of ten military personnel killed in a suspected Storm Shadow missile strike

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63, was the most senior of ten military personnel killed in a suspected Storm Shadow missile strike on Belbek airbase in occupied Crimea.

He was commander of the base which was used for strikes on Ukraine and to consolidate Russia's grip on the Black Sea peninsula.

Russia has not officially announced Tatarenko's death in the attack two days ago - but several pro-war Russian military Telegram channels confirmed the initial reports.

Spy Dossier channel reported that 'seven British-French-made Storm Shadow/SCALP ALCMs were launched towards the airfield.

'Four were shot down by air defence forces, three hit the target.'

In particular, between 5:31pm and 5:42pm on Wednesday 'two missiles hit the command post of the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment [military unit 80159, Belbek].

'Another hit the airfield communications point.'

'Ten military personnel were killed as a result of the strike,' the report said.

'Among the dead is the commander of the aviation squadron of the fighter regiment, Alexander Tatarenko.'

Suspected Storm Shadow missile strike on Belbek military base

Suspected Storm Shadow missile strike on Belbek military base in annexed Crimea

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63 - first from the left - was reportedly killed during end of January 2024 missile attack on Belbek military aerodrome in Crimea

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63 - second from the left

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63 - marked - was reportedly killed during end of January 2024 missile attack on Belbek military aerodrome in Crimea

Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko pictured with his wife

Crimean Wind - a Ukrainian channel - reported: 'Ten Russian military personnel were liquidated, including the commander of the aviation squadron, Lieutenant General Alexander Tatarenko.'

The missiles came by a new route, over the sea, rather than overland, said reports.

Tatarenko is believed to be the 13th Russian general killed in the 23-month war.

He was married and was believed to have retired from duty prior to the war, but returned to service after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He graduated in 1981 from the Stavropol Higher Military Aviation School of Air Defence Pilots and Navigators, in 1994 from the Military Academy of Air Defence, and in 2008 from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

He was a pilot on Su-17, Su-27 and An-26 planes before his retirement.

In late November, Russia lost Major-General Vladimir Zavadsky, 45, deputy commander of the 14th Army Corps.

Reports said he was killed by an exploding Russian mine.
A teenager who got out of a taxi and chased and stabbed a schoolboy to death has been convicted of murder, the Metropolitan Police have said.

The 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the attack on May 5, was found guilty for the murder of Renell Charles at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was also found guilty of having possession of a bladed article.

Renell, 16, a pupil at Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, east London, was killed shortly after the end of the school day in front of his fellow pupils in Walthamstow in what police described as a 'brutal attack'.

He was sat at a bus stop on busy Markhouse Road with friends at around 4pm when his killer jumped out a taxi. The police said there was a brief verbal altercation and Renell tried to run away but was chased down and stabbed twice.

Renell Charles, 16, was stabbed to death close to Kelmscott School in Walthamstow in front of his fellow pupils on May 5

Police were called on the afternoon of May 5 to reports of a stabbing at Markhouse Road

Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, which was attended by 16-year-old Renell Charles

Police said Renell was lying defenceless on the ground the second time he was stabbed. He tried to get up but collapsed as his attacker fled the scene on Markhouse Road.

Renell died a short time later.

His attacker took deliberate steps to try and evade capture, immediately changing his clothes and swapping sim cards, the police said.

The teenager stayed in Clapton after the murder to avoid police who went to his his home in Newham the following day.

In the early hours of May 8, he attended Forest Gate police station claiming to be confused as to why police had visited his house.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and charged later that day.

At first, the accused told police 'no comment' during an interview but later claimed he was in fear of the victim and had acted in self-defence.

After the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers said: 'The defendant - just a child himself - subjected Renell to a brutal attack over a minor dispute on a busy road in view of countless witnesses.

'This is yet another example of a willingness by some to carry and use knives to resolve issues with seemingly no care or thought for the consequences.

Police closed the road and cordoned off the crime scene following the attack in May

'Such senseless acts of violence will never cease to shock us all, and in this case made all the more tragic given Renell was so young.

'The defendant's attempt to justify his actions as an act of self-defence were contradicted by both CCTV and witnesses, both of which confirmed that he chased Renell before stabbing him. I thank the jury for rightly seeing through his lies.'

He added: 'My thoughts today are with Renell's family and loved ones.

'Nothing will ease their pain, but I hope it is of some comfort to them that his killer has been brought to justice.

The 17 year-old is due to be sentenced at the same court on March 14.
Customers of a popular supplement brand are being warned their personal information has been breached after the company was hacked.

Elite Supplements informed its customers in an email, seen by NCA NewsWire, that the company had been cyber-attacked, which resulted 'in one or more unknown parties gaining access' to some online customer data.

The company was first alerted to the possible breach on January 30 and has been 'taking the breach extremely seriously' before informing its customers shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

However, customers were assured no credit card, sensitive payment data or passwords were compromised in the breach.

Instead, the hackers gained access to the names, shipping addresses, email addresses and phone number of online customers.

Fitness store Elite Supplements was attacked by hackers but said no sensitive data was stolen

The business has a large online store where customers input their details

'Our intention has been to verify that a breach has occurred, and to ascertain as much as we could about what data was accessed, before alerting customers,' Elite Supplements told customers in its email.

'We have begun notifying the relevant government authorities and the company is complying fully with our reporting obligations under cybersecurity laws.

'Elite Supplements deeply regrets this incident, which comes despite the considerable investment we have made in cybersecurity.

'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or distress the breach has caused our customers.'

The company confirmed the data it holds has since been secured after it engaged a cybersecurity firm.

The email encouraged customers to be wary of any further communication from Elite Supplements given data was accessed in the breach.

Elite Supplements wrote to customers telling them 'unknown parties' accessed their network

'Given that access has been gained to some customer email addresses and phone numbers we urge you to be extra vigilant with communications that appear to be from Elite Supplements,' the email stated.

'Please be reassured that responding to this incident, and doing everything we can to protect our customers interests, is our highest priority at present.

'We will keep you informed as soon as we have new information to share.'

The Australian company was launched in 2007 and now has more than 80 stores nationwide.

Elite Supplements has been contacted.
The Queensland government will encourage developers to build more homes in metropolitan areas by relieving $350 million in infrastructure charges.

Premier Steven Miles and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on Saturday vowed to address the state's housing shortage by also releasing more state-owned land for social and affordable homes.

Mr Miles said the approach to working with industry had to change if the number of homes was to keep pace with Queensland's growth.

'A key pillar of the Homes for Queenslanders plan is building more homes faster,' he said.

'The Infrastructure Infill Fund ... will deliver more housing options in demand areas - close to schools, transport and healthcare.

'This funding is in direct response to the feedback we've received from industry.'

Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has announced a new plan to get more cheap homes built in the state to tackle the housing crises (pictured right with MP Brittany Lauga)

Premier Steven Miles said infrastructure charges and red tape will also be lifted

Developers will have to show community benefit and provide smaller and more affordable housing to be eligible for the infill funding.

These are more likely to be units and townhouses.

Social and affordable housing will be provided using state-owned land, with the medium-density dwellings part of federal government housing reforms.

The government will also establish a team of bureaucrats to speed up planning and development for affordable and social housing, as well as state-significant proposals.

The team will oversee five new pilot housing projects in Varsity Lakes, Mango Hill and Pimlico based on what is called 'inclusionary planning'.

The pilot aims to provide about 20 per cent affordable housing through more flexible planning controls such as bonuses for density.

The state government changes have the potential to usurp the power of council planners.

However, Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Alison Smith said councils had warned of a housing crisis.

'Councils will welcome infrastructure charges relief however the state government needs to do more to assist councils,' she said.

The association supported the pilots of inclusionary planning but did not want this approach to be mandatory across the state.

Property research firm PropTrack in a report released on Tuesday said rental prices are unlikely to get any more affordable in 2024.

A new report released this week showed rental vacancies are at record lows (pictured: renters line up outside a Bondi flat on Saturday)

'With rental listing volumes at historic lows and well below their decade average, rental conditions are likely to remain challenging,' the report said.

'Given ongoing strong population growth and the low volume of new rental stock under construction, it is likely that competition for rental stock will remain significant'.

'These conditions will be most prevalent in major capital cities and regional areas with strong demand and limited supply, which is likely to keep pressure on rents'.

The latest PropTrack Rental Report for December shows the number of listings on realestate.com.au in December fell to a record low, sitting at 30.2 per cent below the average for the month.

Meanwhile, the number of inquiries per listing climbed 3.3 per cent over 2023, pushing the median advertised price to $580 per week.

PropTrack said the rents are unlikely to get any cheaper or more widely available in 2024

Across the nation, property investors have left the market and while there has been a rebound it is not enough to replenish depleted levels of housing stock.

As a result, rental vacancies have remained near record lows at 1.1 per cent, down from 1.3 per cent in December 2022, forcing prices upwards.

Proptrack said: 'The supply of rental stock is anticipated to remain low, while strong migration to Australia, particularly of students, is likely to drive continued strong rental demand'.

'From here, we expect rents will continue to climb, particularly in the major capital cities, due to persistent low supply and strong demand, which is being exacerbated by the rapid rate of population growth.'

'Although population growth is forecast to slow, it will remain elevated this financial year and next'.

'Increasingly, renters will be looking for smaller and cheaper properties or will be forced into share house living to save on rental costs'.
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill apologised for the lives lost during the Troubles as she was sworn in as Northern Ireland's first-ever nationalist first minister in a landmark moment.

The 47-year-old, whose father and two cousins were IRA members, pledged to work with unionists to build a better future as devolved government was restored in Northern Ireland following a two-year political collapse.

In a speech which began in Irish, Ms O'Neill declared: 'Today opens the door to the future - a shared future. I am honoured to stand here as first minister.'

Commenting on the 30 years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, she said: 'We must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families. I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict. Without exception.'

Politicians gathered at Parliament Buildings at Stormont today for a sitting where ministers were appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy first minister and despite admitting she and Ms O'Neill come from 'very different backgrounds', she vowed to work 'tirelessly' to deliver for all in Northern Ireland.

The two top jobs wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the region's largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, marks a symbolic moment.

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill has become Northern Ireland's first-ever nationalist first minister

The 47-year-old pledged to work with unionists to build a better future as devolved government was restored in Northern Ireland following a two-year political collapse

In a speech which began in Irish, Ms O'Neill declared: 'Today opens the door to the future - a shared future. I am honoured to stand here as first minister.'

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly (pictured) was nominated as deputy first minister

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal on post-Brexit trade with the UK Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border on goods remaining within the UK.

On Thursday, the Government fast-tracked two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return today.

Ms O'Neill and party leader Mary Lou McDonald represent the new face of Sinn Fein, a changing of the blood-soaked old guard under Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness previously.

Despite not being born until five years after Bloody Sunday, there is no getting away from the fact that Ms O'Neill grew up in an IRA family. Her father was an IRA prisoner and her uncle raised money for the group.

Two of her cousins were IRA members who were shot by security forces, one of whom died while on 'active duty' with the force.

Ms O'Neill has also been condemned for saying there was 'no alternative' to the violence during the Troubles and honours former members, including when she attended a large funeral in 2020 during Covid restrictions.

She reveres her late father Brendan Doris as 'a brilliant man' and 'the one involved in politics  he was the one I followed'.

But while roofer Mr Doris was a local councillor in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in the 90s, it was his membership of the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade in the 70s that led to him being jailed.

The brigade was known locally as the 'A Team', one of the IRA's most professional and effective units, killing dozens in a bombing campaign on Army bases and police stations.

Ms O'Neill's cousin Tony Doris, 21, was a part of a brigade 'death squad' preparing to assassinate a high-ranking member of the security forces in 1991 when they were ambushed by the SAS. His headstone states he was 'Killed on Active Service'.

Another cousin, Gareth Doris, was part of a cell that hurled a device packed with explosives at a police base in Co Tyrone in 1997. The 19-year-old was shot by anti-terrorist officers, but survived.

On Ms O'Neill's first day in the job, she expressed empathy for four IRA men who had been shot dead by British troops in her home village of Clonoe in Co Tyrone in the early 90s.

Ms O'Neill has since reached out to unionists, especially when she attended King Charles's coronation in May last year.

Commenting on the legacy of the Troubles at Stormont today, Ms O'Neill said much suffering and trauma persists as a result of the injustices and tragedies of the past.

'As first minister I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing the work of reconciliation between all of our people,' she said.

Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings, Stormont as Northern Ireland's MLAs prepared to elect Ms O'Neill as first minister

Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald is seen speaking to the media at Stormont

DUP leader Sir Jeffery Donaldson with Emma Little-Pengelly in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill is seen arriving at Stormont to be sworn in as Northern Ireland's First Minister

Michelle O'Neill makes her way to the Assembly chamber before being nominated as first minister

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill smiles as she walks through the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont

'The past cannot be changed or undone. But what we can do is build a better future.

'I will never ask anyone to 'move on', but I do hope that we can 'move forward'. I want us to walk in harmony and friendship.

'My eyes are firmly fixed on the future. On unifying people and society. Every generation must write its own chapter, define its own legacy.'

Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, Ms O'Neill said the restoration of the institutions marked a 'moment of equality and progress'.

'A new opportunity to work and grow together,' she said.

'Confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.

Ms O'Neill said the public were relying on each of us to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

'We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community,' she said.

'In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity.'

Brendan Doris (left), Ms O'Neill's late father, was a Sinn Fein councillor and played a role in the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade in the Seventies. Tony Doris (right), Ms O'Neill's cousin, was part of a brigade 'death squad' preparing to assassinate a high-ranking member of the security forces in 1991, but they were ambushed by the SAS and he was killed

Michelle O'Neill (centre) with the late Martin McGuiness (left), and Gerry Adams (right) at Stormont Buildings

She replaced Martin McGuinness as Sinn Fein leader, who presented her with a bunch of flowers when he new role was announced

As she embarks on making history as the first nationalist to lead Northern Ireland, she reflected that she was a 20-year-old mother when the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed and said she remembers vividly the 'sense of hope and optimism'.

She said she stands proud as first minister, and someone who represents 'that Good Friday Agreement-generation' and 'someone who will lead us into the next 45 years'.

She also described herself as an Ulster woman, Tyrone woman, a proud Irish and European citizen.

'This is a historic day which represents a new dawn,' she said. For the first time ever, a nationalist takes up the position of first minister.

'That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents' generation.

'Because of the Good Friday Agreement that old state that they were born into is gone. A more democratic, more equal society has been created making this a better place for everyone.

'This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none is a changing portrait.

'Yesterday is gone. My appointment reflects that change.'

Ms O'Neill said her appointment reflected the change that society in the region had undergone.

'I am a republican,' she said. I will serve everyone equally and be a first minister for all.

'To all of you who are British and unionist; Your national identity, culture and traditions are important to me.

'I will be both inclusive and respectful to you. None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are.

DUP leader Sir Jeffery Donaldson with his party's MLA's speaking to the media in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont

As she embarks on making history as the first nationalist to lead Northern Ireland, Ms O'Neill said: 'This is a historic day. It is about the future.'

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont

'Our allegiances are equally legitimate. Let's walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway.

'I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart.'

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Westminster Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

Business will begin with the election of a Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

While Ms O'Neill will take the first minister role due to Sinn Fein winning the most seats in the 2022 election, the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly was appointed as deputy First Minister.

She congratulated Ms O'Neill and said there is an opportunity to hape Northern Ireland for the better.

'I recognise that for many today it is a historic moment with the nomination of Michelle O'Neill and myself as first ministers,' she said.

'It is a day that confirms the democratic outcome of the election.

'Serving people in this House in any role is an honour and a privilege. It is an opportunity to shape Northern Ireland for the better and to make a meaningful difference.

'I love Northern Ireland. I am deeply proud to be from this place we call home despite our often troubled history and divisions of the past, I know that we have incredible potential.'

DUP's Edwin Poots has been elected as the new speaker of the assembly. He was first elected to the assembly in 1998.

Ms O'Neill has vowed to be a minister for everyone. She is pictured shaking hands with King Charles in Belfast in 2022

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Jeffrey said: 'It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

'We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored.'

Key among the priorities for new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.3 billion package to secure the region's finances when the Assembly returns, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims.

However, Sir Jeffrey indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill arrives at Stormont in Belfast, Northern Ireland, today

He added: 'The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.'

While Sir Jeffrey has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionists remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.

His deal with the Government commits to replacing the Windsor Framework's green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires percentages of goods to be checked as they arrive from Great Britain, with a 'UK internal market system' that will govern the movement of goods that remain within the United Kingdom.

Checks would still be carried out but on a risk-based/intelligence-led model to combat illegality and disease, rather than routine stops of disembarking lorries.

Businesses using the internal market system would also need to be signed up to a trusted trader scheme.
An Iraqi militia official hinted at a desire to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East following retaliatory strikes from the US inside Iraq and Syria.

The comments come after pictures emerged showing the aftermath of Biden's revenge strike that saw US bombers carry out attacks on 85 targets inside Iraq and Syria.

The Iraq headquarters of militia Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the People's Mobilization Committee, can be seen in ruins following the attacks.

Other images show buildings turned to rubble after 125 bombs were dropped within 30 minutes on Friday night in revenge for the deaths of three US soldiers.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 people were killed in the strikes in Syria, while Iraq said the attacks killed a further 16.

Hussein al-Mosawi, a spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian backed militias said: '[Washington] must understand that every action elicits a reaction.'

Striking a conciliatory tone, al-Mosawi added that 'we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions'.

President Joe Biden and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have both suggested that this targeted retaliation was just the beginning as eyes now turn to Tehran over a potential retaliation.

Images show buildings turned to rubble after 125 bombs were dropped within 30 minutes on Friday night

President Joe Biden and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have both suggested that this targeted retaliation was just the beginning

Security forces inspect a damaged car at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024

Syria has warned that the strikes had 'fueled the conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way'.

With tensions high in the face of the Israel-Hamas war, both Damascus and Baghdad joined Tehran in accusing Washington of undermining the stability of the region.

The New York Times reported that Washington see the Iranians choosing to de-escalate the situation rather than seeking to engage in a shooting match.

The Iraqi government confirmed that the attacks killed 16 people, including civilians, and alleged the US government did not inform them of their plan to strike.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and Iraq War Veteran, told CNN: 'I think it is a real strong deterrence. We're saying: Listen, we don't want to go to war. But have a little taste of what we can do.

'Here you go. Eighty-five targets. And I think that that is part of the balancing act that we need to be engaged in right now.'

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the overnight operation was 'another strategic mistake by the US government, which will have no result other than intensifying tension and instability.'

Hamas, whose unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel sparked the current spiral of violence in the region, accused Washington of pouring 'oil on the fire'.

Relations between the US and Iraq have soured in recent months after Washington carried out previous air strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq in response to a flurry of attacks on US-led troops since the Gaza war began last October.

Footage shared on social media showed a series of explosions in the city of Al-Qaim: the first explosions from the U.S. bombs, and then the secondary explosions from the munitions detonating.

A view of destruction after the US warplanes carried out an airstrike on the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi in Al-Qa'im city of Anbar, Iraq on February 03, 2024

The Pentagon unleashed a volley of missiles on Iranian-backed militias on Friday night, with the ruins of a building in Iraq are seen here

A destroyed building is pictured at the site of a U.S. airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq February 3, 2024

Explosions are seen in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim: the site is believed to be a weapons depot for al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)

A plane is seen taking off in a video on X shared by CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command

The mayor of Al-Qaim, Turki Al-Mahalawi, said the strikes hit three houses used as weapon warehouses by the PMU - al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

The PMU is backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and is believed by Washington to be responsible for many of the 165 attacks launched since October 7 on U.S. sites and personnel in the region.

The United States has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group, a jihadist organisation that once controlled swathes of both countries.

Yahya Rasool, spokesperson of Iraq's Armed Forces, said the strikes were a 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty.'

'The city of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are being subjected to airstrikes by U.S. aircraft, at a time when Iraq is striving hard to ensure the stability of the region,' Rasool said, according to CNN.

'These strikes are considered a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that could drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences, the outcomes will be dire for the security and stability in Iraq and the region.'

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said US warplanes struck 'more than 85 targets at seven facilities utilised by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the militant groups that they sponsor', three of them in Iraq and four in Syria.

In a statement, President Biden said: 'Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.'

Two B-1- bombers flew from the U.S. for the mission hitting seven facilities - three and Iraq and four in Syria - linked to the IRGC and Iran-backed militias

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia (left) and Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, 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

Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon official in the Trump administration, told The New York Times that the U.S. strikes appeared to be focused on Iranian supply lines, which pass through Iraq and Syria.

Mulroy said he believed it is unlikely many Iranian soldiers would have been killed because Iran had time to move its personnel out of harm's way - likely a deliberate move by the U.S. to avoid unnecessary escalation.

The New York Times reported that a site in the Iraqi city of Akashat was also hit, describing the target as a command headquarters of the PMU.

The PMU is just part of a coalition of Iran-backed groups which call themselves the 'Axis of Resistance', and claim they are attacking U.S. targets in response to Washington's support for Israel's action in Gaza.

Analysts say Tehran is taking advantage of the chaos, and warn that the U.S. must tread a fine line between responding to the deaths of the three soldiers and plunging into war with Iran.

US President Joe Biden watches the return of the remains of three US soldiers killed in a drone attack in Jordan

The bodies of three slain US soldiers were returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware

Sims said the U.S. was 'really confident' in the precision of its strikes, and said they had been a success.

He said: Initial indications are we hit exactly what we meant to hit, with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations. We know that there are militants that use these locations.

'We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.'

Senator Jack Reed, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he endorsed the strikes.

'This was a strong, proportional response,' said Reed, a Democrat representing Rhode Island.

'In fact, the 85 targets struck tonight mark a greater number than the prior administration. Iran's proxy forces in Syria and Iraq have been dealt a significant blow, and Iranian-linked militias around the Middle East should understand that they, too, will be held accountable.'
A man who died at a Japanese hospital this week told police before he passed away that he was one of the country's most wanted fugitives.

The dying man, who told the authorities that his name was Satoshi Kirishima, said he was wanted for being part of a radical group that carried out bombings in the 70s.

The force had received a tip-off and went to the hospital near Tokyo last week to question the 70-year-old man, who has been on the run for nearly 50 years.

He told them he had terminal cancer and wanted to die using his real name instead of his alias and disclosed previously unknown details about the bombings, police said.

On Monday, four days after the questioning, the man died without police having confirmed his identity.

DNA tests conducted on him and on relatives of the suspect in the case showed they were compatible, Kyodo News reported. Police would not confirm that report.

The dying man, who told the authorities that he was Satoshi Kirishima, said he was wanted for being part of a radical group that carried out bombings in the 70s

The force had received a tip-off and went to the hospital near Tokyo last week to question the 70-year-old man, who has been on the run for nearly 50 years

A picture of the wanted man on a wall in Tokyo, Japan

'We believe that the man who died at the hospital after claiming to be Satoshi Kirishima was actually the suspect,' National Police Agency chief Yasuhiro Tsuyuki said.

Born in 1954, Kirishima was a university student in Tokyo when he became involved in extremism and joined the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front, a militant group that carried out a series of bombings targeting major Japanese companies in the 70s.

Eight people died and more than 160 were injured in the 1975 bombing of a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries building, which was blamed on the group.

Kirishima was allegedly involved in a number of the bombings.

He was wanted on charges of setting off a time bomb in a building in Tokyo's posh Ginza district in April 1975 in which no one was injured.

Though not a key member of the group, he was said to be the only one of 10 members who was never caught.

While on the run, Kirishima did not have a mobile phone or health insurance and had his salary paid in cash to avoid detection, according to NHK public television.

Yesterday police investigators raided a construction company where he had lived and worked using the alias Hiroshi Uchida for about 40 years, NHK and other media said.

A photo on Kirishima's wanted poster shows him smiling, with long hair and glasses.

Two members of the group were sentenced to death, including founder Masashi Daidoji, who died on death row in 2017.

Two of the eight members of the group who were indicted in the bombings are still at large after their release in 1977 as part of a deal negotiated by another radical group, the Japanese Red Army, when it hijacked a Japan Airlines plane in Bangladesh.
A Florida father has revealed his anguish after his twin daughters were found dead and foaming at the mouth inside an SUV, after their mother attempted suicide.

The tragic episode enfolded Friday morning in Miami, when twins Milendhere Gabriel Napoleon Cadet and Milenjhit Gabriella Napoleon Cadet, aged just three, were found shortly before 2am, after their mother, Shirlene Alcime, 42, flung herself over a nearby overpass.

First responders rushed to the scene after bystanders found the girls, who were pronounced dead after they were transported to Jackson North Medical Center.

Their devastated father Milson Caldet, speaking Haitian Creole, wept as he talked of his children's sudden passing, adding: 'I really loved my kids.'

The three-year-old Florida twins, who have not ben named, were found dead and frothing at the mouth in an SUV by a highway overpass on Friday night

Their mother, Shirlene Alcime (pictured), is believed to have attempted suicide by jumping over a bridge onto train tracks, leaving her children in the SUV. She survived but remains in critical condition, and police have not indicated if she is under suspicion of a crime

The girls' devastated father, Milson Caldet, said he couldn't get in contact with his daughters' mother for days before the tragedy, and wept as he said: 'I really loved my kids'

The twins' official cause of death has not been released, however Local10 reported that they were foaming at the mouth.

WSVN reported that a 911 dispatcher described them as suffering cardiac arrest.

It is believed that Alcime attempted to commit suicide by leaping over a bridge onto train tracks below, leaving her children inside her car.

Police have not indicated if they suspect she purposefully killed her daughters before the suicide attempt.

Despite the significant distance between the bridge and train tracks, Alcime survived and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

She is listed in critical condition, and local reports noted that she was in a coma.

A friend of the mother said her actions 'weren't at all like her', and Caldet said he had no idea what happened after failing to reach Alcime for several days.

Speaking through a translator, the father said: 'I went to the office, I called her, but she never picked up... that's not the kind of person she is.'

He described his daughters as fun and excitable young children, and said: 'Normally when I come in the door, they come and they hug me. I cant, really, I cant talk right now.'

Police rushed to the scene on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade. The twins were pronounced dead on arrival at hospital, and their mother is in a coma

The twin girls were found inside Alcime's SUV after it was pull over to the side of a highway

Despite the significant distance between the bridge and train tracks, Alcime survived and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remains in a coma

Alcime's friend, Suzette Walker Morant, said she was stunned to hear of the tragedy, which was unlike the woman she knew to be a loving mother.

'That is not her, there has to be something wrong with her to do something like that,' she said.

'The person I know would never do anything like that. Thats really sad to know the kids lost their lives so young, for she is not that kind of person.

'It is just so mind-boggling right now to figure out what really went wrong.'

Police said the investigation remains active.

'Right now, our investigators are working to piece this tragic incident together,' said Miami-Dade Police Department Detective Andre Martin.

'There are many, many questions that they have that theyre working to find the answers to.'
Harvard is set to host a controversial Palestinian professor who said Hamas' October 7 attack was 'just a normal human struggle' and blamed Israel for 'making us take their children and elderly as hostages'.

Dalal Saeb Iriqat, an Associate Professor at the Arab American University, is due to appear at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard's Kennedy school on March 7.

Her appearance is part of a series entitled Middle East Dialogues, billed as conversations to 'understand what is happening and to expose them to the best thinking on how peace may be achieved'.

However, Iriqat came under fire in the wake of the terror attacks after posting online that the resulting 1,200 deaths and hundreds of abductions were 'just a normal human struggled for freedom'.

Dalal Saeb Iriqat has been invited to speak at Harvard's Kennedy school's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs on March 7

Her appearance is part of a series entitled Middle East Dialogues designed to examine how peace can be achieved. However, Iriqat has been outspoken in blaming Israel for the Hamas attack of October 7

She doubled down in the face of criticism, sharing another post blaming Israel for the attacks the next day.

'We will never forgive the Israeli right wing extreme government for making us take their children and elderly as hostages,' she posted on X, formerly Twitter.

'The Israeli public need to realize that their own government had caused all this bloodshed and they remain the ones responsible for this escalation and losses of civilians lives.'

Her invitation comes as Harvard is struggling to repair its reputation after being accused of failing to act on anti-Semitism on its campus since October 7.

The university parted ways with former president Claudine Gay amid a backlash towards her public statements around tackling anti-Semitism at her school.

These included a disastrous Congressional hearing where she failed to state calling for a Jewish genocide would constitute hate speech.

Jewish students are also filing a lawsuit accusing the school of enabling anti-Semitism.

In the months since the attack, around 25,000 Palestinians have been killed by retaliatory strikes by Israel.

Iriqat called the terror attack which killed around 1,200 'just a normal human struggled for freedom'.

Her appearance comes as Harvard continues to reckon with its failures to address anti-Semitism on campus

On October 30, Iriqat shared graphic cartoons on her Facebook page likening Israel to the Nazis.

She has also pushed conspiracy theories that Israel lied about what happened on October 7 including that bodies burned by Hamas were not Israelis.

Advertising the events, Harvard acknowledged the controversy surrounding its approach to the conflict.

'Aa time when much attention has been focused on our University and its perceived failures in fostering dialogue on difficult, divisive issues, we have been working quietly to demonstrate that this is in fact a place where open inquiry, searching debate, and honest conversation can and do happen,' the school said.

Other speakers due to appear include for senior advisor to Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Salam Fayyad, the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Einat Wilf, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, and Matt Duss, a foreign policy advisor to Bernie Sanders.

DailyMail.com has contacted Harvard and Iriqat for comment.
I knew who was underneath the black balaclava because he took it off, showed me his face and grinned after hed aimed the gun at my lover and pulled the trigger.

BANG! went the gun, catching the arm of my boyfriend Ron. Blood soaked through his sleeve.

This ones for Mickey Calvey! yelled Danny before unleashing the shot that killed Ron.

BANG! went the gun again, this time splattering blood, bone and gristle across my newly-painted kitchen.

Pieces of Rons skull rocked on my new terracotta tiles and his body slumped onto the floor, his head blown apart.

Danny showed me his face and ran, leaving me crouched in a corner, screaming.

I dont know why Danny Reece did what he did. Perhaps he was settling an old score on behalf of my dead husband, Mickey. Perhaps news had reached him that my boyfriend, Ron Cook, a big-time gangster, had threatened my son, implying hed kill him if he ever found out Id been unfaithful.

Within minutes, blue-light police cars arrived, their sirens squealing. A helicopter circled overhead. Officers swarmed into my house, and I was taken down to the local station.

The police were kind, bringing me coffee. They offered me the tests to prove I hadnt held the gun, swabbing my face and hands for traces of cordite. One of the coppers gave me his hankie to blow into. This was also taken for forensic testing.

They checked my clothes to see if there were any gun residues. They saw that there was blood all down my back from where Id crouched when Danny fired the killing shot. I had to give all my clothes to forensics to be examined.

They found nothing. The tests came back negative and so they sent me home.

Naturally, I lied to the officers saying I didnt know whod killed Ron, saying he had many enemies. There is a code of honour among crooks. You dont grass. Its dishonourable in the underworld, and I was never going to land Danny in it.

Linda with her first husband Mickey Calvey, who was killed, in the 1970s

Ronnie Cook, Linda's subsequent lover, was a gangster who had threatened her son's life

If anything, I was already thinking that Danny had done me a favour, and possibly saved my life. Ron had said my sons life would be payback if I was ever unfaithful  but that doesnt mean hed have stopped there.

Ron had controlled my life. He gave me money, yes, but the price was high. I knew I couldnt ever leave him. Thats why I felt nothing but relief, though the manner of it was horrifying.

Then the Old Bill discovered I was Mickey Calveys widow and everything changed.

Two weeks later, in December 1990, there was a knock at the door. A lone police officer stood outside. His face was stern.

Im arresting you for the murder of Ronnie Cook, he said. I was questioned under caution back at the local nick. You know I didnt kill Ron, because your tests all came back negative, I said.

Which tests were those? The officer questioning me sat back in his chair.

The swabs.

Thats funny. None of our officers remember any tests...

Is this a joke? I thought. Were they really telling me they had no recollection of the swabs Id had done? Yes, the ones that showed I hadnt picked up a gun, I said. The officer shook his head.

I was starting to panic. The results were given to me...

Nothing I said made a difference. My reputation as the Black Widow was proof enough, in their eyes, of my involvement.

So here I am. On remand in Holloway. Only this time, at least, Im an innocent woman.

HMP HOLLOWAY 1990

It had all started so well. My sister and I had really made a go of it with the curtain company wed set up after my release from prison for armed robbery. Im so lucky to have such a close-knit, loving family.

We had loads of orders and only took on the high-end ones. I loved doing the work, being creative and doing something that added to a persons life rather than taking something away. It all came to a halt when Ron was shot.

One thing Im grateful for is that Holloway holds no fear for me.

I know every trick in the book. I know how the prison operates, and I also know that being on remand for gangland murder, which is my official charge, means I wont be harassed. People keep their distance.

Right, Linda, says my solicitor. Its obvious youre innocent. If all goes well, youll be home in a year.

I learn that Danny has also been arrested. He is insisting I should name him to exonerate myself. Ive refused, thinking justice will prevail. How wrong I was.

On November 12 1991, Danny and I are found guilty. As he delivers his verdict, the judge does something strange.

As if he knows Im innocent, he says: You have both been found guilty of the murder of Ronnie Cook. There is nothing I can do but pass you directly to the Court of Appeal.

To my mind, what hes saying to the jury is: you came back with the wrong verdict.

The judge looks at me. The only sentence I can pass on you is life, but I can give you the recommended minimum tariff of seven years.

Ive been through a lot, and now a life stretch due to a miscarriage of justice. I know in my heart Ill have to accept it, but for those first few hours and days I cant.

Holloway seems more bleak. This time, I notice a lot more, including the bullying.

I can see the women who prey on the newly-convicted. Cigarettes and drugs are the main currencies as theres little money. So, when girls come onto the wing with ciggies given to them on a visit or sent in, you get the tough women circling them. It winds me up, but there is little I can do to help.

HMP DURHAM 1993

My appeal fails. Three months later Im sent to the notorious HMP Durham, which houses women who cant mix with the rest of the prison population: paedophiles, child killers, bombers and murderers. The wing is three floors high. I look up and see netting strung across each level. Its the first time Ive been in a prison with this. Its designed to stop people committing suicide or throwing someone over.

One week after being transferred to Durham, Im woken up by a screw saying: Linda, youve got a letter.

Thank you, darlin, I say, jumping out of bed and grabbing it. The envelope is stamped with HMP Maidstone. The handwriting is scrawny and hard to read.

Reggie Kray, I cant believe youve written me a letter! After all this time...

I grew up only streets away from the Krays and their names were bywords for power, influence and violence in the East End. I have to say theyve always been courteous and charming to me, so I never saw any of that side of things.

Reg has written:

Dear Linda,

I was so sorry to hear what happened to you. It may seem like youll never get out but you will. Just be brave. Id like to ask if I can call you?

Reg

It is not a long letter, but Im thrilled to get it. A week later, I receive his call. Were allowed two a week.

Allo, Reg Kray ere. His voice is so familiar, softly spoken with a real cockney accent.

Hello, its Linda Calvey ere, I reply. Theres a moments silence before Reg bursts out laughing.

There aint many people who do that, wholl answer me with their full name, he says.

We chat, and he asks me if he can call again. There is something reassuring about his voice and manner  a taste of home perhaps.

A few days later, I see a screw carrying a large basket of creamy white roses with long stems.

These are for you, Linda, she says. The card tucked inside them simply says:

To Linda Calvey, from Reggie Kray.

Looks like someones got a soft spot for ye, says one of the girls.

Rose West, convicted of ten murders, was not a welcome arrival at HMP Durham

Nine months after Im sent to Durham, Myra Hindley arrives from Cookham Wood, where I last saw her. Shes very ill with osteoporosis and other health conditions.

She nods to me, and I do the same back but I dont go over. I dont want to be known as someone who might be friends with Myra Hindley.

The months creep onwards. Despite the efforts of my legal team there are no new leads on my case, and Danny and I have been told our regular visits to each other to discuss developments now have to stop.

Myra Hindley apparently found a kindred spirit in fellow child-killer Rose West - but their relationship came to an abrupt end

At our final visit Danny reaches his hand across the table and holds mine.

Listen, Ive had a thought, he says. What would ya say if we got married? That way we can carry on with visits and work on our case. Ave a think anyway.

I will, I say, feeling grateful for his suggestion. I mull it over, but theres bigger news on the wing: a woman called Rosemary West, accused of multiple murders, is being sent here on remand.

For obvious reasons, no one wants her here. Weve all been following the case in the newspapers.

Rose turns up and, lo and behold, in a queasy turn of events, she becomes bosom buddies with Myra. The pair of them are sitting at a little table with a red-and-white checked tablecloth, looking for all the world like theyre a pair of old women outside a bistro. Their heads are together and they are chatting and smiling together.

Within days of dumpy Rose West arriving in Durham, the rumours have already started. Theyve started an affair, one of the girls tells me. F***in birds of a feather, Lin.

We both look over at them: Myra, with her purple-red hair and a brightly coloured kaftan, sitting next to Rose, with her prissy cardigan, tweed skirt and large glasses, knitting as she always does.

What Id give to ave a camera right now. A male screw sidles up behind us. That pictured be worth a f***in fortune!

We all laugh, which makes Rose and Myra turn our way. I shudder. I cant help it.

Then, just as suddenly, within a month of Rose arriving, her and Myras friendship ends abruptly. From that day, Myra and Rose avoid each other. They both continue serving their sentences without speaking to one another, which is quite hard as there are only 20 prisoners on the wing.

Meanwhile, life moves relentlessly onwards. Eating breakfast on the landing one morning, I notice one of the girls, Debbie, has not come out of her cell.

A girl who usually sits with her goes to check. The scream reaches the far ends of the corridor.

Oh my God! Oh my God! Get help, quick! I think shes committed suicide...

A nurse is called, but she refuses to call for an ambulance. Shes nearly dead, so theres no point helping her, says the nurse.

Shes a f***in murderer, says one of the girls.

The nurse is overruled and the principal officer dials 999. Two days later, Debbie walks in, very much alive.

As far as we are aware, no disciplinary action is ever taken against the nurse. Prison hardens people.

Many of the staff are as institutionalised as the girls. Prisons like Holloway and Durham are bleak, brutal places and, in time, it is my theory that the people who work in them (as well as the inmates housed inside) become just as bleak and brutal.

Perhaps Ive finally lost my mind in prison, but I have put in an application to marry Danny. Astonishingly, the governor approves it and the date is set for December 1, 1995, just a few short months away.

Dont do it, Linda. Its a bad idea. It makes you look guilty, my mum says. But the women on the wing are ecstatic about the idea.

Ignoring a nagging feeling in my gut that this isnt right, I write to Danny and say we should go ahead because we need to keep fighting.

Linda and Danny Reece married in Durham prison chapel in December 1995

Reg calls.

Reg, Ive got some news, I say.

Linda, can I stop ya there. I wanted to ask if ya might marry me...

Well, Im not expecting to hear that. Oh, is all I manage to reply.

That doesnt sound good. Sorry, Linda, I dont mean to embarrass ya. Forget I said anythin, Reg replies.

No, its alright, Reg. Its just that Ive agreed to marry Danny so we can carry on our visits. I dont think theyd ever let me out of prison if I married a Kray twin. Sorry Reg, I say, hoping this doesnt upset him.

No, Im sorry, Linda. Many appy congratulations to you and Danny. I see ya point about your freedom. Lets forget I said anythin. We chat away, but life feels quite surreal at the moment, because Regs proposal isnt the only one Ive had this week. The infamous inmate Charles Bronson has been writing to me.

Each letter contains a proposal. Ive never met Charles, but hes well known in my circles. Hes a dangerous man, yet his antics make me laugh.

NEW HALL, WAKEFIELD 1998

Im so sorry to tell you, but Ive got this memo from the Home Office... says the officer. They added eight more years on to your sentence, making your minimum term 15 years.

As he says it, I hear an audible gasp from around the wing.

The worst part is telling my children. Listen, I knew I wasnt goin home anytime soon, I tell them. Because I wont do any of the offending courses, which Id have to admit I did the crime to complete, I always knew Id be penalised. Its just like starting my sentence all over again.

Linda Calvey eventually divorced Danny after agreeing their marriage was a bad idea

HIGHPOINT PRISON, Suffolk 2002

Highpoint is a closed prison but is a Category C, which means there are fewer security measures in place. Myra Hindley is here too, and Ive been told its my job to wash and dye her hair.

It doesnt go down well to disobey a request from the higher echelons of the prison. They know I wont complain because I want a clean sheet so that they cant refuse my parole.

A couple of days later and Im standing in Myras area painting dark red dye on her hair when she suddenly shrieks and jumps up.

Linda! A spider! For a moment I think she must be joking. Then I see it. The spider is huge. Its as big as my hand and has black furry legs.

My nickname might be the Black Widow, named after a deadly arachnid, but Im just as scared of them as Myra appears to be.

Aaargghhhhh, I scream. Its massive!

You kill it! screeches Myra.

I cant kill it! I yell back. Im frightened as well!

The irony. A child killer and the proclaimed Black Widow cowering and screaming over a large spider.

EAST SUTTON PARK 2007

Time has marched on, in which Danny and I have been married and amicably divorced, both agreeing our wedding was a bad idea.

My parole application has been submitted, and Ive been told Im allowed out on day release.

Im given a volunteering job in a sustainability shop nearby as part of my re-integration programme. At the same time my friend Kate Kray, ex-wife of Ronnie, invites me to her restaurant in Kent on the next Sunday I can leave the prison.

It is here that I sit down next to a charming and rather portly man called George. The place is crowded but we manage to start chatting. He asks me if Im married and I tell him Im widowed and divorced.

He nods, and I see some sadness there as he explains he is divorced too. At the end of the meal, George asks if he can take me out.

When I say I can only do Sundays, he seems surprised.

Im only allowed out once a week.

George, who has a really kind face, looks puzzled.

Why? he says.

Because Im in prison, I reply.

George looks at me for a moment, before bursting into laughter. Youre that Linda, Linda Calvey!

Yes I am, I say, and we both dissolve into giggles. Does that mean youve changed your mind about takin me out?

Absolutely not. Id be honoured, he says, and I find myself blushing.

The following Sunday, Im waiting at the prison for my date. George is late, and for a moment I think he wont come. I dont blame him.

Suddenly there is a commotion as girls line the windows.

Linda. LINDA! Theres a red roller turned up and it must be for you!

I go to the window and, sure enough, George is there, standing by a red Rolls-Royce. He takes me to a restaurant for lunch, and that is that.

Already I know we have a future, just by how easy it all is with him, and how unconcerned he seems to be by my criminal past.

On the third date a few weeks later, George asks me straight: Did you kill Ron? When I reply: No, I didnt, he nods, satisfied.

My luck has always swung from very good to very bad, and back again. Finally, something wonderful is happening. Im an engaged woman, and my parole hearing is in a few days time.

As you know, weve been concerned throughout your sentence that youll return to your old life, mixing with criminals and gangsters, the governor says.

But now youve met George, we can see things are different. He is a decent man, with a fabulous home to go to, and we cant see any reason why youll go back to a villainous life when you have so much to look forward to.

Thank you, I say. Thats wonderful to hear. George squeezes my hand and smiles.

Just as were leaving the room, one of the officers pulls George aside. Are you looking forward to getting married? George beams at me.

Yes, of course I am, he says.

The officer clears his throat.

I feel its my duty to say this to you, but have you thought she may murder you?

For a moment I think Ive misheard him. George shakes his head. He looks back at me as if to say: Oh my God!

No, not for one moment, he says quietly. The officer stares at him, then over at me.

I think you should keep that in mind...

2008

This time, the red roller pulls up on the gravel bang on time. Out of the window, girls are leaning out and waving. Some are blowing kisses, and I have to fight to stop tears from streaming down my face.

George opens the door for me on the passenger side. Shall we? he says, smiling.

I smile back.

We shall, I say, savouring each second of this moment.

The car purrs out of the driveway, away from the prison. The window is open and I feel the breeze in my hair. Its like a blessing, a miracle that I am no longer a prisoner. Im finally free.

Life Inside by Linda Calvey (Welbeck Publishing Group, 20).  Linda Calvey 2024. To order a copy for 18 (offer valid to 17/02/24; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
The son of a sugar baron has been arrested for domestic violence over an altercation at his Palm Beach home after he reportedly became 'irate' for having to sit next to a gay couple at a restaurant.

Alexander Nicholas Fanjul, also known as Nico, was arrested on Monday night on charges of domestic battery, robbery, false imprisonment and cocaine possession.

Fanjul is the eldest son of Alexander Fanjul Sr, a director and senior vice president of Florida Crystals, one of the largest producers of sugar in the southeast of the US.

According to a police report seen by the Palm Beach Post, officers arrived at his home at 11pm after neighbors called 911 over a woman screaming.

Officers at the scene reported that they heard a woman scream 'get off me', and that Fanjul was standing over the woman who was 'in a defensive fetal position'.

Alexander Nicholas Fanjul, also known as Nico, was arrested on Monday night on charges of domestic battery, robbery, false imprisonment and cocaine possession

Officers at the scene reported that they heard a woman scream 'get off me', and that Fanjul, seen here, was standing over the woman who was 'in a defensive fetal position'

The officers say that the woman's face was bleeding, and she later told police she had bee physically assaulted by Fanjul and 'thought she was going to die'.

According to the woman, the pair had dined at the swanky Flagler Steakhouse at the Breakers Hotel when Fanjul 'became irate because the two were sat by a homosexual couple'.

After dinner, she said that Fanjul 'became increasingly irate and continued to speak about his frustration with the restaurant'.

When outside his home, the woman allegedly told 'Fanjul to drop the subject and that is when he began to punch her in the face'.

The attack is said to have caused her 'bruising, bleeding and swelling of the facial area'.

Fanjul is also accused of ripping her purse from her shoulder after she threatened to call for help and then smashed her hand and phone.

After she began screaming he 'forcibly dragged her inside the residence to prevent her from receiving aid or escaping'.

Fanjul is the eldest son of Alexander Fanjul Sr, a director and senior vice president of Florida Crystals, one of the largest producers of sugar in the southeast of the US

According to the woman, the pair had dined at the swanky Flagler Steakhouse at the Breakers Hotel when Fanjul 'became irate because the two were sat by a homosexual couple'

The officer noted redness and bruising on the woman's neck and a 'trail of blood', when he allegedly dragged her.

Fanjul was let free on a $180,000 bond following his arrest according to the Palm Beach Post.

During a hearing on Tuesday, an attorney representing Fanjul told the outlet that he denies the allegations.

Circuit Judge Donald Hafele ordered that he refrain from using nonprescribed drugs and contacting his accuser and that he surrender his firearms.

Fanjul previously had brushes with the law when he dated socialite Tinsley Mortimer, who is ten years his senior, who later went on to join 'The Real Housewives of New York City'.

Fanjul is seen here with his former girlfriend Tinsley Mortimer, who later joined the cast of 'The Real Housewives of New York City'

Fanjul and Mortimer had frequent run ins with the law, with pictures of Mortimer emerging in police reports of Mortimer with a black eye

Police were called multiple times due to bust ups between the couple, which on one occasion left Mortimer needing hospital treatment.

On another occasion, police were called for domestic violence to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Fort Lauderdale in 2014. Mortimer did not press charges.

In 2016, she was then arrested for trespassing on his property, and reflected on the relationship in an interview with DailyMail.com.

She said: 'Once youre caught up in that sort of cycle, its really hard to break out of it. I definitely was not myself during that time and it wasnt until the arrest that I was able to break free from it  the cycle was broken, thank God.'

In November of last year, Mortimer and businessman Robert Bovard tied the knot in Palm Beach.
A hard-working elderly couple has been left without their retirement nest egg thanks to government red tape after running a petrol station for four decades.

Ian and Lyn Richter, aged 73 and 74, found a buyer for the Liberty petrol station in Rathdowney, in the ranges west of the Gold Coast, in preparation to enjoy their golden years.

But three years on it sits covered in weeds, the petrol pumps frozen at $1.10 per litre, after they found out the strip of land it resides couldn't be transferred to anyone else.

The couple leased the rights to use the land, which belongs to Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, for their business and assumed that same lease could be handed to a new buyer.

But the grandparents found out not only can't they sell the business, they also can't just walking away

Ian and Lyn Richter, aged 73 and 74, not only can't sell their petrol station and retire they need to pay hundreds of thousands to demolish it, the government said

The lease terms state once it is no longer a working petrol station any 'improvements' such as underground fuel tanks need to be removed at their expense.

The endeavour would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

'I just could not believe that this was not happening because we basically lost a good portion of what other people would call their superannuation, it's just gone,' Lyn told A Current Affair.

'So many sleepless nights over all this, it's just very, very hard to deal with,' Ian added.

The service station is the only one in town and operating for four decades

The couple have already spent $13,000 on legal costs.

But the department is not budging.

'The conditions of this permit have not changed since 1986 and are quite clear that tenure can be terminated with minimal notice and the permit cannot be transferred,' the spokesperson said.

'The land is part of Mt Lindesay Highway and is needed for future road development.'

Ian said the whole ordeal was an 'absurdity' with any new road there not likely to happen for decades.

The are hoping the government will return to the negotiating table.
A 13-year-old boy in Colorado has been arrested over the murder of a grandfather who was shot dead while on a bus.

Richard Sanchez, 60, was only a few blocks away from his house in Denver when he was killed on January 27 after he allegedly got into an argument with a teenager, according to Fox 31.

He was shot at about 6.40pm at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue but his family only found out he died after they attempted to file a missing person report days later.

Sanchez was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead. Another person was hurt in the incident and treated at the scene but did not need to go to hospital.

Denver police arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with the murder on Thursday.

A 13-year-old boy in Colorado has been arrested over the murder of grandfather Richard Sanchez, 60, (pictured) who was shot dead while on a bus

Sanchez was only a few blocks away from his house in Denver when he was killed on January 27 after he allegedly got into an argument with a teenager

Sanchez allegedly got into the dispute with the teenager over complaints his leg was blocking the aisle.

'At this stage of the investigation, it appears there was a verbal exchange between the suspect and victim about the victims leg blocking the aisle on the bus, and the suspect then shot the victim,' a police spokesman said.

The victim's family was not told he was killed until they went to the police to file a missing report on Monday.

'It feels unreal,' Sanchezs grandson Joseph Chavez said. 'He was always happy. He was a really happy dude.

'I was really heartbroken, honestly. I dont understand how someone could do that to such an honest person.

He was shot at about 6.40pm at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue but his family only found out he died after they attempted to file a missing person report days later

Denver police arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with the murder on Thursday

Around 178 passengers have reported assaults or injury while using the RTD transit in 2021 and the first two months of 2022

'Its been hard because we didnt know where he was at, and the whole time, he was at the hospital and they didnt contact us. Nobody was there with him during his last breath.'

Authorities said the 13-year-old boy is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder and the Denver District Attorneys Office will determine which charges are brought.

Around 178 passengers have reported assaults or injury while using the RTD transit in 2021 and the first two months of 2022.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Denver police department for comment.
A grandmother has been killed at a Queensland shopping centre carpark while out with her granddaughter.

Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of the 70-year-old woman at Town Square in Redbank Plains, southwest of Brisbane, on Saturday.

Emergency services were called at about 6.10pm to the shops on Redbank Plains Road following reports a woman had been stabbed.

Upon arrival they found the woman in the below ground carpark with life-threatening injuries.

The woman had been at Town Square Redbank Plains (pictured) when she was attacked

Emergency services attempted to revive the woman but she was declared dead at the scene.

Police said a six-year-old girl, known to the woman, was present and was also assessed at the scene. She was not physically injured.

It is understood the child was the woman's granddaughter.

Police believe a man, described as African in appearance, left the scene prior to the arrival of emergency services.

A crime scene has been declared and investigations are continuing.

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to immediately contact police.
The moment a pilot crash landed his single-engine plane into a mobile home in Clearwater, Florida has been captured on chilling cockpit audio.

'I can't see the other airport... I'm losing engine... oh s***,' the pilot said, following an apparent engine failure on Thursday.

The crashed killed the pilot and two people who were inside mobile home, while injuring several others.

As many as nine people were inside at the time of the deadly accident.

Police stress the tragedy is still under investigation and no identities have been released, with the newly released audio from Fox13 offering the clearest picture yet of how the episode unfolded.

Hellish scenes filled the Bayside Waters mobile home park on Thursday after a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35 crashed into the community

The pilot and two people inside the home died in the sudden tragedy, which left the mobile home in ash

The pilot reportedly sent out a 'mayday' alert to air traffic control over the radio shortly before the crash.

Terrifying footage showed the mobile home engulfed in flames immediately after the crash landing, with scattered debris flung across the trailer park neighborhood.

Other videos posted to social media show firefighters struggling to combat the blaze with hoses as the flames engulf the homes and surrounding trees.

The plane, a Beechcraft Bonanza V35, was also obliterated in the wreckage, instantly killing the pilot and leading to the deaths of two others inside.

At the same moment the pilot was frantically alerting air traffic control, audio from another nearby plane also captured their chilling details of the moment the plane burst into a fireball.

The other pilot said the plane 'went down hard' as soon as the engines failed, continuing: 'They're in flames.'

'He is definitely into a house, a whole house is demolished,' the pilot said. 'I just saw him going down at an extremely high rate of speed.'

'Looks like theres a structure fire. It looks like it went into a building.'

Fire officials said that they had been put on alert to prepare for an emergency landing at nearby St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport when the pilot was radioing in the mayday.

Investigators look at the burned out remains of a mobile home after a plane crash Thursday

Firefighters respond to the fireball after the small plane crash, which officials admitted 'could have been even worse'

First responders found four trailer homes on fire, one of which had the crashed plane inside, City Fire Chief Scott Ehlers (pictured) said at a news briefing on Thursday night

Despite the pilot saying he couldn't see the airport, the crash site and emergency runway were only 3 miles away from each other.

After the mobile home was slammed into by the plane, several other mobile homes also caught ablaze.

City Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said at a news briefing on Thursday night that he was not able to confirm how many people were injured or died, and warned the number of deceased could rise.

'I can confirm that we have several fatalities both from the aircraft and within the mobile home,' he added.

Eyewitnesses described a large explosion before smoke and flames engulfed the area.

'We heard a racing engine,' said Janet Barclay to the New York Times, 'then an explosion.'

Ted Atwood, wo was inside the mobile home that was struck shortly before the crash, told the outlet that he and three others left just 10 minutes before, and five others left even closer to the incident.

He said it was 'pure luck' that he survived, adding: 'I'm going to buy a lottery ticket today and thank God that we left just in time.'

Authorities are yet to release the identities of those who perished in the tragedy, and say it is still under investigation

Firefighters said that they had been put on alert to prepare for an emergency landing at nearby St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport when the pilot was radioing in the mayday

Delivery driver Laketa Collins described seeing a ball of 'bright, white light falling in the dark sky' from her car window nearby.

Clearwater resident, Steven Ascari, said he heard what sounded like an explosion when his entire home began to tremble.

'And next thing you know a giant pillar of smoke was seen,' he recalled to CNN.

Another resident, Noreen Adams, said on Facebook the next day that 'smoke still drifts to the bay where we are located.'

The majority of the community are elderly with health issues, she added.

Despite the horrific scenes, Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy concluded: 'This tragedy could have been even worse.'
A TikTok love story has gone tragically wrong after the man appeared in court accused of murdering his fellow influencer.

TikTok stars Mateus Johannes, 28, and Claudia Kambanza, 22, wowed their followers with videos showing their supposedly perfect romance.

Johannes has appeared in court charged with murdering Claudia.

She was found stabbed in Hinderwell Street, off Princes Avenue, around 3am a week ago on Friday and died in hospital.

Claudia's family has paid tribute to her via a statement published by Humberside Police.

They said: 'Claudia was a kind and bubbly warm-hearted person, who wasn't afraid of challenges and always wanted good for other people.

Mateus Johannes has appeared in court charged with murdering 22-year-old Claudia Kambanza (pictured)

TikTok stars Mateus Johannes, 28, and Claudia Kambanza, 22, wowed their followers with videos showing their supposedly perfect romance

She was found stabbed in Hinderwell Street, off Princes Avenue (pictured), around 3am a week ago on Friday and died in hospital

'She always loved to cook and host people. She had an accommodative spirit and was a people's person.'

Johannes has been accused of murdering Claudia in Hull, East Yorkshire.

Claudia and Johannes are said to have regularly appeared online together since relocating to the UK from Namibia.

It is claimed they raked in a fortune from their appearances, featuring glimpses of their lives and happy outings as a couple.

In one video, posted to the couple's shared account, Claudia and Johannes show their followers a romantic evening at Hull Fair with clips of them kissing on rides and holding hands.

The loved up couple shared videos from a romantic trip to the funfair

In one TikTok video, they kissed on a funfair ride

Mateus Johannes, 28, and Claudia Kambanza, 22, hold hands at the funfair

Another video captioned 'POV: dating a Namibian gent' gives a glimpse into the lives of the seemingly happy couple.

The video shows the couple having romantic evenings with cocktails and bedrooms strewn with rose petals and candles.

Johannes, of no fixed address, appeared at Hull Crown Court charged with her murder earlier in the week.

He was remanded in custody and will appear again before the same court on 28 March.
Dr. Phil slammed President Biden's immigration policies for fueling a 'humanitarian crisis' at the southern border, saying it is 'unlike anything we've seen before.'

The talk show host, 73, said he visited the border in Texas because he had to 'see for myself' the unfettered illegal immigration flooding the US.

'More than six million illegal immigrants have crossed Texas Southern border in just three years,' he said.

'That's more than the population of 33 different states in this country.'

It comes as tensions are rising between Texas officials and the federal government over how to halt the constant caravans, after December broke the record for migrants encountered by border officers at a staggering 302,000 incidents.

Dr. Phil slammed President Biden's immigration policies for fueling a 'humanitarian crisis' at the southern border, saying it is 'unlike anything we've seen before'

The talk show host, 73, gave a scathing review of his

NEW: Dr. Phil is at the Southern Border blasting Kamala Harris and speaking out against the Biden Border Crisis calling it a "humanitarian crisis unlike anything we've seen before."



You know it's bad when Dr. Phil is involved.



The move from Dr. Phil came after he announced that pic.twitter.com/qBZhqZCGTn  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 2, 2024

Dr. Phil - real name Phil McGraw - took aim at the federal government's response to the sharp rise in illegal migration crossings, which has seen a tense legal battle with Texas officials over the use of razor wire to block access.

The 73-year-old took particular offense to Vice President Kamala Harris' role as 'Immigration Czar', arguing she has been missing in action since taking on the divisive issue.

'Guess how many times she's been to the border? Once,' he said in a clip from Rebel News, which was later shared by Dr. Phil.

'Texas law enforcement has seized over 454 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this mission,' he began in the scathing review of his trip.

'Governor Abbott has said that the federal government has broken the pact between the United States federal government and the states.

'Governor Abbott says President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them.

'The result is a humanitarian crisis, unlike anything we've seen before, smashing records for illegal immigration by wasting taxpayer dollars to tear open Texas border security infrastructure.

'Governor Abbott says President Biden has enticed tens of thousands of illegal immigrants away from 28 legal entry points along the Texas border and into the dangerous deadly waters of the Rio Grande.'

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

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 clash between Texas and the federal government was ignited this month when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration, 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.

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.

The standoff fueled outlandish speculation the situation could devolve into a civil war or see Texas secede from the Union - which it joined in 1845.

Last week, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged President Biden to de-escalate the situation, while insisting his state has the right to defend itself and America.

'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?'

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

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

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.

Experts are warning the crisis is reaching fever pitch, as top national security brass wrote a scathing letter to Congressional leaders warning the lax laws are dramatically raising the odds of a terrorist attack.

The letter, penned by ex-FBI and Homeland Security officials, warned that a terror attack on the U.S. is 'imminent' after 'military-aged' foreigners have streamed across the porous southern border.

Members were warned over '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.
An old rusted rocket which was found in a resident's backyard in Seattle has been identified as an inert nuclear missile.

The missile was offered as a donation to a Ohio military museum which then contacted authorities in Bellevue.

A bomb squad was sent to the man's home to check out the device he was offering and found it was an unguided air-to-air rocket that is designed to carry a 1.5 kiloton nuclear warhead.

But there was no warhead attached which meant it posed no threat to the community.

The man who discovered the missile in his backyard wants to remain anonymous as he is 'extremely irritated' by media coverage and was surprised the museum reported his donation offer to the police.

An old rusted rocket which was found in a resident's backyard in Seattle has been identified as an inert nuclear missile

A bomb squad was sent to the man's home to check out the device and found it was an unguided air-to-air rocket that is designed to carry a 1.5 kiloton nuclear warhead

The Bellevue Police Department said the weapon is 'in fact a Douglas AIR-2 Genie (previous designation MB-1), an unguided air-to-air rocket that is designed to carry a 1.5 kiloton W25 nuclear warhead'.

A spokesman added that it is 'just basically a gas tank for rocket fuel', while describing the discovery as 'not serious at all'.

'In fact, our bomb squad member asked me why we were releasing a news release on a rusted piece of metal,' he said.

The National Museum of the US Air Force reported the resident's donation offer to authorities and he 'was not expecting a call from us', the police said.

'He was gracious enough to let us have a look at it and we determined that it was safe,' a police spokesman said.

The man told police it belonged to a neighbor who recently died and was originally bought from an estate sale.

Authorities in Bellevue received a phone call from the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio to report the offer of an unusual donation it received

There was no warhead attached which meant it posed no threat to the community. Pictured: Similar AIR-2 Genie rocket with a replica nuclear warhead attached

It was then found to be an 'artefact with no explosive hazard'.

'Because the item was inert and the military did not request it back, police left the item with the neighbor to be restored for display in a museum,' the police said.

There was never any suspicion the missile would have a nuclear warhead attached so there was no need for the city, which has a population of 150,000 people, to be evacuated.

The Genie rocket was used by the US and Canada during the Cold War, according to the Seattle Times.

It was only fired once in 1957 and the production was stopped in 1962.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Bellevue Police Department and National Museum of the US Air Force for comment.
A Houston high school was put into lockdown on Friday after students walked out in protest of an impending cellphone ban.

James Madison High School staff ordered a shelter-in-place order after physical altercations broke out on campus the day before after news of the policy was shared.

The school said the new policy was due to cellphones being at the center of fights on campus.

As of Monday, students who bring a phone in to school will have to turn it in to the front office when they arrive and can pick it back up at dismissal.

In a message to parents seen by the Houston Chronicle, Principal Edgar Contreras said: 'Beginning on Monday, students will not be allowed to use their cell phones  at any time  while they are inside the school building.'

James Madison High School Senior Amba Adoghe branded the cellphone ban as 'oppressive'

Houston Independent School District confirmed that there would be extra security on campus as of Monday when the change is to be rolled out

Contreras continued: 'Cell phones have been at the center of fights that have broken out at our school.'

The principal did not elaborate on how phones had been at the center of the altercations.

Senior Amba Adoghe told KHOU: 'There were a lot of fights that happened. It was mostly the same people.

'They are making a lot of rules that they dont know how to enforce. Theyre putting more restrictive, more oppressive rules that with stricter consequences that everyone knows is really not going to play out well.'

Other students argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student body over the action of a select few.

Stephanie Martinez told the Chronicle: 'We have responsibilities. Our moms might need to reach us. We need our phones.

'Were cool staying off our phones in class, but they shouldnt just take them from us.'

According to a flier, offenders would be issued a warning, but a second offense would result in confiscation and a $15 administrative fee.

As well as students, parents have also been vocal about the change in rules, with Veronica Vargas telling ABC13: 'It's a public school.

'We have to know what the kids are doing and the location, what's going on, are they afraid of something? We, as parents, we are worried at this time.'

Blurred footage seen by KHOU showed the fights that had happened at the school over the week

Principal Edgar Contreras announced the change in policy earlier this week, which prompted a revolt from some students

Other students argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student body over the action of a select few

The school labeled itself a 'cell phone-free zone' at the start of the academic year, saying students would only be permitted to use devices if allowed by a teacher.

Houston Independent School District confirmed to the outlet that there would be extra security on campus as of Monday when the policy was implemented.

Several states are moving to ban cell phones in schools, claiming the devices have greatly contributed to cyberbullying, poor mental health and a lack of learning.

Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia and California have prohibited use during school hours or are working on such restrictions.

One Minnesota school has completely banned smartphones from 8am to 3pm, claiming the move has led to more socializing, fewer distractions and overall happiness for children.
Tesco shoppers have today been left fuming as contactless payment systems have gone down at supermarkets across the UK causing 'huge queues like Christmas'.

All forms of the speedy payment method such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet were reportedly not working at Tesco stores.

Customers said they faced massive waits in queues to pay for their shopping.

The issue was caused by a by a third-party system that has also affected a number of businesses today.

Reports of Tesco payments not working spiked at around 1pm today on Down Detector, where people can log the issues they face with websites and services.

Tesco shoppers have today been left fuming as contactless payment systems have gone down at supermarkets across the UK causing 'huge queues like Christmas' (file photo)

Reports of Tesco payments not working spiked at around 1pm today on Down Detector, where people can log the issues they face with websites and services

The website recorded more than 400 issues from users who were mainly facing issues with contactless not being accepted.

'There were huge queues at the checkouts and it reminded me of Christmas,' customer Penny Carlton told The Sun.

On X, formerly Twitter, customer Jo Peters, who had visited a Tesco petrol station in Totteridge, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire said payments were not working.

She tweeted at 2.40pm: '@Tesco awful service in your Totteridge,Bucks petrol branch today.Contactless payments not working but the staff,of which number 2 incompetent nitwits,have decided not to tell customers until they've already put petrol in Lying about how long problem had been and being rude.'

Customer Craig posted at 4.26pm: '@Tesco so the online payment issue is apparently sorted yet I still can't pay for my delivery which is due tonight as it still says there is an issue ... what to do ? Why no call from anyone to take payment and advice is just keep trying?'

Andrew Richardson tweeted at 1.31pm: 'Contactless payments not working in @Tesco. The whole shop completed and no ability to pay using Apple Pay. The staff in Oakham store don't care. You need a better way of looking after your customers when this happens'

Other customers reported issues with payments being taken for deliveries due today.

Sarah Edwards tweeted at 2.03pm: '@Tesco Hi there, is there a problem with payments as my local store has contacted me saying a problem has occurred, and I have an order due today?'

Tesco customer service replied: 'Hello Sarah, We have fixed a technical issue which briefly meant we were unable to process payments for some online orders. You will now be able to make payment or update your payment details online if needed. We apologise for the inconvenience.'

It is now understood that payments will now be going through normally in Tesco stores and online and customer can reprocess payments for deliveries online or through the app.

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We have fixed a technical issue which briefly meant we were unable to accept contactless payments in store and which also impacted some online orders. We apologise for the inconvenience.'
This is the shocking moment police raided a home in Newcastle to hunt for suspect Abdul Ezedi following a sickening assault on a mother and two young daughters.

Police are testing containers found at the address which may have held dangerous substances after they were found with corrosive warning labels on them.

Forensic tests are ongoing to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack, which saw 35-year-old Ezedi throw 'acid' on the mother and children in Clapham on January 31.

Searches have taken place at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle.

Dramatic footage shows the moment police raided one of the properties in search for the suspect who is still on the run days after the attack, sparking a nationwide manhunt.

Ezedi was in a relationship with the woman who he doused in the chemical along with her two children in the horrific incident.

Abdul Ezedi (pictured) is suspected to have thrown a corrosive substance over a mother and two daughters in Clapham on January 31

Dramatic footage shows police raiding a home following the 'acid' attack in Clapham

Police are searching for suspect Ezedi who has been on the run for days since the attack

Footage shows the moment police raid a property in search for the suspect who is still on the run days after the attack

Police are testing containers that may have held corrosive substances after they were found with corrosive warning labels on them

Forensic tests are ongoing to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, an Afghan asylum seeker with a previous sexual assault conviction, has been on the run for three days after injuring 12 people with a corrosive alkaline substance in south London on Wednesday night.

The Met Police revealed yesterday that the 31-year-old mother has been left with 'life-changing' injuries, while her two daughters, aged three and eight, also remain in hospital.

Pizza shop worker Ezedi, who was last seen boarding a Victoria line train at King's Cross at 9pm on Wednesday, is described as having very 'significant injuries to the right side of his face' and the public have been told not to approach the fugitive.

After police previously said the suspect and the injured mother were known to each other, a close relative of Ezedi has now confirmed to Sky News that they were in a relationship.

Neighbours previously said Ezedi also allegedly tried to run the woman over and threw her three-year-old daughter on the floor 'again and again'.

Given the extensive injuries to the right side of his face, the relative now wants to 'find out if he is alive or dead' and has pledged to 'bring him in myself'.

'His injury is very bad and he needs medical attention,' they said. 'I will bring him in by myself if I have to.'

The relative said they are going to try and find Ezedi by travelling up from London to Newcastle, where the suspect is understood to live.

The suspected acid attacker arrived in the UK on a lorry in 2016 after fleeing Afghanistan. He was granted asylum in the UK in 2020, following two failed attempts.

Police have shared footage of Ezedi pictured on CCTV in King's Cross (left) and Tesco (right) with significant injuries after the attack

Ezedi, from the Newcastle area, has been named by police as the suspect in a corrosive alkaline substance attack in Clapham, south London

Forensics at the scene take picture of the location close to Clapham Common following the incident

The relative described Ezedi as a 'quiet' and 'caring' person when they were growing up in Afghanistan. He believes the attack is out of character.

READ MORE: Brother of Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi urges him to give himself up to police Advertisement

'We need to know the full picture, what really happened,' they added.

Ezedi was convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence at Newcastle Crown Court in 2018 and handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order, which was completed two years later. He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was later granted asylum after a priest confirmed he had converted to Christianity - despite friends revealing he was a 'good Muslim'.

Referencing the sex offence, the close relative said he didn't 'believe he would do that kind of thing'.

It comes after Ezedi's brother Sebaghallah Ezedi, 22, also urged him to give himself up to police.

As the extensive manhunt continues, a Royal Air Force helicopter believed to be helping in the hunt for Ezedi was pictured circling the Hampstead Heath in north London.

New footage has also emerged of police raiding addresses in east London on Friday morning. The Met Police deployed approximately 120 officers, including specialist units and the Territorial Support Group.

In one video, police raid a home and tell residents: 'Basically we're here because we are looking for someone... but it's not safe for you to be in here.'

They later ask: 'Have you seen anyone with an injured eye at all?'

When the locals asked why there were officers in Hazmat suits, the police said: 'There's a hazard in there that we have to be aware of. '

The Metropolitan police commander Jon Savell told reporters yesterday that 'significant and important pieces of evidence' were recovered from raids, both in London and Newcastle.

Forensic officers gather evidence as police guard a cordon in Clapham, south London

Abdul Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi (pictured), 22, has urged him to give himself up to police

A Royal Air Force helicopter on the Hampstead Heath believed to be helping in the hunt for Ezedi

An RAF helicopter and crew were seen landing on the Heath in north London

Police in hazmat suits raid a home in east London amid the search for Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi

Officers were seen smashing in the doors of the property shortly after 2am on Friday

Two empty containers labelled with corrosive warnings were found at a Newcastle address, and tests were being carried out to see if they held the same substance used in the attack.

Mr Savell said: 'In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

'We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria police as well.

'Last night, five search warrants were executed  two in east London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation.'

He also issued an update on the victims. Mr Savell continued: 'The mother, aged 31, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. It is likely she has suffered life-changing injuries as a result of this incident.

'The two children, aged three and eight, also remain in hospital. However, I'm pleased to report that doctors have now assessed their injuries as not life-changing.

'The three women and a man who bravely came to the aid of the family, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns. I am also glad to update that the five officers injured have all now returned to duty.'

People who know Ezedi say he was 'a good Muslim' who bought Halal meat, avoided alcohol and planned to return home 'to find a wife' prior to the incident.

Authorities and leaders from the Church of England are now facing questions after it emerged that Ezedi, who is originally from Iran, was allowed to stay in the UK following two failed asylum applications after converting to Christianity.

In 2020 or 2021, it is understood a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion - which aided his application.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society counter-extremism think tank, said: 'Abdul Ezedi should never have been granted asylum status in the UK in the first place following multiple failed attempts and a sexual offences conviction.

'That he was allowed to stay after an obviously false conversion to Christianity highlights the continued problem of the complicity of various British institutions in what has become a pro-asylum industry. The consequences of this are frequently devastating.'

The Church of England said it is not currently aware of any links to its churches.

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'This is clearly a shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by it.

'It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.'

An asylum support worker who knew wanted man Ezedi said he was shocked by the violence he is accused off.

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street

St Vincent's Centre, in Byker, Newcastle, where acid attack suspect Abdul Ezedi visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food

The charity worker, based near Newcastle city centre, checked his records and said Ezedi was from Iran, not Afghanistan as had previously been thought .

He also said the 35-year-old showed no signs of mental health issues or violent behaviour previously.

The charity worker, who asked not to named said: 'He has been coming here for more than two years, since I took over the project here.

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's time in the UK: 2016 Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry after fleeing from Afghanistan. He had two applications for asylum rejected. 2018 Ezedi is handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence. 2020 Ezedi finishes his work unpaid work order and is discharged from probation supervision. 2020-2021 It is understood Ezedi was granted asylum on his third application - despite his criminal history - after getting a priest to vouch that he had converted to Christianity. He said he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion. January 31 2024 Ezedi is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, in Clapham, south London. Advertisement

'At the time he was identified as a destitute asylum seeker and did not have access to Home Office support.

'He was registered as someone who needs essential food and furniture.

'We looked at his legal documents, what is his status in the country. Over time, I knew him by his face.

'He often came to the centre, every three, four or five weeks.

'He seemed a calm person, sitting in the corner by himself, there was never, ever any complaint or any trouble.

'He never showed any aggressive behaviour.

'When I saw his photo on the news last night I was shocked, I never expected such a person would be violent to that extent.

'He was last here two or three weeks ago.

'We were not aware he had been granted the right to remain, we were not aware he had a criminal record.'

The project manager did not know about Ezedi's conversion to Christianity.

He was worried that the outcry about the case would affect other, innocent asylum seekers.

The worker said: 'Unfortunately, there is a stereotype about asylum matters these days.

'One incident like this can affect a lot of people and have a severe impact on others who are innocent, decent people.

'I would straight away ask him to give himself up, get medical attention and say he has to be held accountable for what he has done.

'Some clients here have mental health issues, they can sometimes react in an aggressive, violent way, but this is someone you would never expect, this is shocking.'

Staff at a Kurdish grocery shop in the Byker area of Newcastle where the man lived told The Times that he would come in every two weeks to buy half of a halal sheep that he would then cut up and put in his freezer.

They claimed he told people he wanted to return to Afghanistan to find a wife, and described him as 'a good Muslim' who did not drink alcohol.

The Met has urged the public to stay away from 'dangerous' Ezedi who was also hurt in the horror that unfolded.

The force has released CCTV footage of Ezedi buying a bottle of water in a north London Tesco, on Caledonian Road, in Islington, around an hour after the attack on Wednesday evening.

He is accused of leaping on the 'vulnerable' mother and her two daughters, hurling a corrosive alkaline substance from a metal coffee cup leaving the woman screaming: 'I can't see, I can't see!'

Horrified locals who ran out to help described the victims' skin turning black and peeling away on contact with the highly toxic chemical, commonly found in household cleaners such as bleach and drain cleaner.

Several residents on the leafy street near Clapham Common, where houses fetch up to 3 million, were also injured as they came to help, along with five police officers who all came into contact with the chemical.

Police believe the perpetrator had travelled around 250 miles from Newcastle earlier that day to carry out the attack on the woman, who was said to be known to him.

Distressing footage from the scene showed the 31-year-old mother and her eight-year-old daughter standing in front of the man's car holding their hands to their faces around 7.25pm.

The suspect was then seen deliberately driving at the mother, hitting her before getting out of the car to haul a three-year-old girl out of the back seat.

The disturbing footage shows a man running towards the driver's door and getting inside before driving the white car into a woman as members of the public rush to her aid

This is the chilling moment a suspected acid attacker rams a car at a mother before taking a child out of a car and slamming her to the floor

CCTV footage obtained by MailOnline showed Ezedi stumbling as he ran away from the scene of the attack

Children's minister David Johnston was pressed by Sky News on reports the suspect in the alkaline substance attack in south London is a convicted sex offender who was granted asylum after two failed attempts.

Mr Johnston said: 'I don't have his case file and I can't say anything that might affect the police's investigation here.

'He is still at large and what we really need is anyone with information to come forward in order that he can be apprehended, given he is police's key suspect.

He described the attack as 'horrific' and sent his thoughts to the victims. He told Sky News: 'What has been reported in this particular case will understandably concern I think every member of the public. Concerns me, concerns every member of the government.'

Asked whether it was a failure of the Government for someone to be granted permission to stay in the UK after being convicted of a crime, he said: 'This is why this government's so determined to end the asylum merry-go-round.'

Mr Johnston added that a 'number of cases' of people appealing and claiming asylum after having their application rejected. He added that the Rwanda Bill aims to stop this from happening.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has slammed the decision to allow Ezedi to remain in the UK as a 'damning indictment' of the country's asylum system.

Jenrick said the UK's asylum system 'privileged the rights of an illegal immigrant, who committed serious crimes' over 'the fundamental right of the British public to feel safe and secure in their communities'.

He added the horrific attack was a 'watershed moment' for immigration judges and the Government and called for stronger border controls to bring the 'farce' of cases like Ezedi's and others to an end.

The three victims are among ten injured as eight were rushed to hospital after the horror incident in south London , police said

Rishi Sunak does not think 'foreign criminals should be able to stay' in the UK when asked about news that a sex offender hunted over a chemical attack was granted asylum to stay in the UK despite his conviction.

The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters: 'First and foremost on the attack, obviously, it was a horrific attack and the PM's thoughts are with the victims and their families.

'And he'd like to extend his thanks to the emergency services for the very quick response to the scene and the five officers who were injured in the incident.'

The official declined to comment on the suspect's immigration status during a live police investigation but said that, more broadly, 'the PM doesn't think that foreign criminals should be able to stay in the country, putting the public at risk'.

He pointed to action the Government is taking in the Nationality and Borders Act and Illegal Migration Act.

Terrified witnesses described the suspect throwing the child 'like a ragdoll' above his head before smashing her down on the ground.

One local said: 'The man was throwing the little girl on the floor like he was in a wrestling ring.'

Another horrified witness said: 'Like the Hulk, he lifted her and threw her on the floor, lifted her again and threw her on the floor again.'

Both the mother and her three-year-old suffered 'life-changing injuries'.

The elder child, who was wearing her school uniform, is said to have suffered bruising and burn-like injuries. All three remain in hospital.

One witness described the mother's horrific injuries: 'Her lips were completely black. Her face looked really burnt, like stripped off basically.'

The Acid Survivors Trust International, an organisation that records information on chemical attacks across the world, said that the heinous attack being directed at the young mother and her two children was 'unheard of', as most are related to gang violence.

Jaf Shah, chief executive of the trust, said: 'The scale of attacks and the targeting of young children by a single perpetrator is unheard of. It's important to highlight that this is not commonplace, this is very rare.'

Forensics were seen closely examining a silver thermal carry-cup, which was located next to a bin

Shannon Christi was one of those injured. She recalled: 'They were screaming, 'Help! Help!' The little one was thrown to the floor. It was aggressive. He threw her down on the floor. Then he picked her up and threw her down again.

'That's when I ran in and just grabbed her, because I couldn't watch.

'I didn't see anything on her clothes, but there was something on her coat that got transferred to me. She landed on her face. It was scratched, bruised.

'I saw the mother afterwards. Her face was red and sore. Her eyes were closed and she was screaming: 'I can't see!'

'That's when I realised something had been thrown at her. So I called for someone to get water. Her lips went black. It was all over her face. At that point, my face and my arms started tingling.

'My lips started tingling so I knew something was wrong. I ran into my house and washed my arms and my face.'

Another resident, Mohamed Ilyas, said: 'I saw him driving into her. He smashed her with the car, then the kid went and knocked on the door, saying 'Mummy! Mummy!', hitting on the door.

'Then he got out the car, went into the backseat, pulled out the other little child and smashed her on the floor.'

After the brutal attack, the suspect tried to drive off in his car but collided with a stationary vehicle. He then fled on foot in the direction of Clapham Common.

Nearby CCTV caught him sprinting through neighbouring streets in such a hurry that he stumbled on a speed bump before tripping on a kerb.

The suspect later appeared at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, at 8.48pm dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt.

The mother and two girls were given emergency first aid at Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, a complex used to house Afghan refugees where they had been living, while detectives believe Ezedi may be heading to Newcastle, where he has links.

Two scientists could be seen crowding around the mug, which appeared to have an evidence marker

The car appeared to have crashed into other parked vehicles as it came to a stop on the residential road

The UK's current policy on asylum seekers states that they can claim asylum based on their conversion to a new religion, if they can prove they will face persecution in their country of origin as a result of their new faith.

Ezedi's case has already been compared to Enzo Almeni, a Christian convert who had changed his name by deed poll from Emad Al Swealmeen and blew himself up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Remembrance Sunday in 2021 after months of planning.

Al Swealmeen was confirmed to have converted to Christianity by Rt Revd Cyril Ashton at Liverpool Cathedral in 2017.

Police were seen outside the last known address of Ezedi

It is run by Tyne Housing Association which aims to find homes for people who are classed as homeless or vulnerable

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi has not been seen at his address in Newcastle for around six months, neighbours told MailOnline.

READ MORE: Acid attack victim says perpetrators should be jailed for life with no chance of parole - Lauren Trent speaks out as cops continue manhunt for thug who maimed mother and her two children in Clapham chemical assault Advertisement

He was last known to be living in a shared terraced house in Dilston Road in the Arthur's Hill area of the city.

Neighbours said the house had a high turnover of tenants and few remembered him.

However Mohammad Hussain Nazary, 24, who works in his family's food shop said he recalled Ezedi living in the area but assumed he was a single man.

He said: 'I'd see him around the area and he'd come in from time to time.

'He's an Afghan and I assumed he was single because I never saw him with a partner or family, he was always on his own.

'He seemed like an ordinary harmless guy, certainly not someone you'd associate with something like this.

'He was around quite a lot but I haven't seen him in maybe six or seven months.'

A neighbour said: 'There are a lot of long term residents in the street but also a couple of houses where tenants come and go all the time and that house is one of them. There are new people moving in very regularly , you can't keep track of who is living there.'

MailOnline revealed that Ezedi has more recently been living in the Byker area of Newcastle in a hostel on the city's Wilfred Street.

It is run by Tyne Housing Association which aims to find homes for people who are classed as homeless or vulnerable.

A resident said: 'You'd see him walking around during the day, usually on his own and I don't recall ever seeing him with a wife or partner.'

He visited the Justice and Peace Refugee Project every two weeks for toiletries and food, according to a charity worker at the site which provides basic food and clothing to asylum seekers

Garage worker Michael Vinks, 37, works opposite the hostel. He said: 'He came in a while ago and chatted to my boss about possibly buying a car, but it didn't come to anything.'

The site which provides basic food and clothing to asylum seekers

Bilal Khan (pictured), owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near Ezedi's last known address, said the alleged attacker had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents

Acid attacks in London rise by 45 per cent in a year Acid attacks have risen in London by 45 per cent in a year, Met Police figures show. The force recorded 107 attacks in 2022, up from 74 in 2021. The data was released by the charity Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) following a freedom of information request. Overall, police in England and Wales recorded 472 violent and robbery offences involving a corrosive substance in the year to March 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There were 525 recorded in the previous 12-month period. The data is published annually and only dates back to March 2020, when current records began. The Home Office started collecting data on some offences involving corrosive substances from April 2019 as part of a government pledge to tackle such attacks. The figures to March 2023 exclude any reports that may have been made to Devon and Cornwall Police because the force has been unable to supply data due to problems with a new computer system. Advertisement

Bilal Khan, owner of Billy's Garage in Byker, near Ezedi's last known address, said the alleged attacker had been 'persistent' when trying to buy a car off him last summer.

Mr Khan said: 'He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn't let things go easily.

'He was coming and going back to me about the car but I told him 'this is my price'.'

Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents. 'I try to keep my distance from people like that,' he said.

The negotiation over the car ended without a sale last summer and Mr Khan said he had not seen Ezedi since around Christmas or New Year.

Asked if he was worried about the suspect returning to Newcastle, Mr Khan said: 'I don't think so. If he knows the police and the media are after him then he will stay away, if he doesn't get caught.'

Mr Khan told The Telegraph: 'He's a small, skinny guy. There's nothing threatening about him.

'I've never seen him with anyone, as far as I could see he spent his days on his own hanging around the street near the hostel.'

Tory MPs have called for the Government to reform its policy on asylum seekers in the wake of the horrific attack.

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge and the co-chair of the New Conservative group of MPs, told The Telegraph: 'This shocking and tragic case is everybody's worst nightmare but it also shows the urgent need to tighten up our asylum processes.

'This man should never have been granted asylum in this country and we need to get to the bottom of how he was able to be granted leave to remain.

'This brings home the enormous security threat that this country faces from thousands of illegal migrants entering the UK each year.'

Sir John Hayes, former minister and MP for South Holland and The Deepings, said he would be writing to the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, asking for an urgent review of the UK's asylum rules.

'This case provides an opportunity not only to review the criteria for granting asylum but also for how we deal with those who are known criminals.

'It won't take much working out who has been here and subsequently received asylum and then committed a crime and how we can deport all of them.'

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: 'This brings home the enormous security threat that this country faces from thousands of illegal migrants entering the UK each year'

Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, said: 'There should be a condition on any asylum being granted that if you commit a crime, you go back to your country'

Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings, said: 'This case provides an opportunity not only to review the criteria for granting asylum but also for how we deal with those who are known criminals'

Also calling for reform was Lee Anderson, the former deputy chairman of the Tory party, who expressed a zero-tolerance view on asylum seekers who commit crimes of any kind.

'It should apply whether it is shoplifting or another crime. That would make us a safer country. They should find him and send him straight back. No messing about.

'There should be a condition on any asylum being granted that if you commit a crime, you go back to your country. He cannot claim he is being persecuted and at risk when he is coming to the UK and committing crimes.'

Nigel Farage told MailOnline: 'This is a huge wake up call. He should have been deported after the first asylum claim.'
Northern Ireland now has its first-ever nationalist first minister as Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill was sworn into the role in a landmark moment today.

Her election has sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland as it became the first time a nationalist has held the post since it was created at partition in 1921.

Although Ms O'Neill said in her first speech she came from a 'different background' to her deputy first minister DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly she promised to work 'tirelessly' to deliver for all in Northern Ireland.

The two top jobs wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the region's largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, marks a symbolic moment.

But the 47-year-old with her glossy blonde hair, bright lipstick, curled eyelashes and painted nails marks a change in direction for Northern Ireland in more ways than one.

Here is everything we know about Northern Ireland's first-ever nationalist first minister Michelle O'Neill.

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill has become Northern Ireland's first-ever nationalist first minister

In 2017 the newly appointed Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill (centre) with Martin McGuiness (left), and Gerry Adams (right) at Stormont Buildings

The 47-year-old with her glossy blonde hair, bright lipstick, curled eyelashes and painted nails marks a change in direction for Northern Ireland. Picture shows her making her first speech as First Minister of Northern Ireland

When she took over from Martin McGuinness as the new face of Sinn Fein, Michelle O'Neill was hailed as a clean break from the republican movement's blood-soaked old guard.

With her loud outfits and an avowed devotion to the peace process, the mother-of-two was held up as a modern leader for the post-ceasefire generation.

She represents, to quote Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, a 'new generation' for the party. She is supposedly free, in other words, of the IRA baggage that tarnished Sinn Fein under her predecessor.

Ms O'Neill was not born until five years after Bloody Sunday and was only 17 at the time of the IRA ceasefire in 1994. And yet there is no getting away from the fact that she grew up in an IRA family.

She was brought up in rural County Tyrone and became pregnant at 16 before marrying a local man, Paddy O'Neill, when she was 18. Together they had two children, Saoirse and Ryan, who are now grown up.

Michelle O'Neill was brought up in rural County Tyrone and became pregnant at 16 before marrying a local man, Paddy O'Neill, when she was 18. Together they had two children (pictured), Saoirse and Ryan, who are now grown up.

Michelle O'Neill with her son Ryan and daughter Saoirse

Ms O'Neill is seen as the new guard of republican politicians. Here pictured with Martin McGuinness (centre) and Gerry Adams (right). Security sources believe Adams was once a senior IRA commander

The couple separated in 2014 but are reportedly still friends.

She has previously spoken about how being a young mum turned her into a 'stronger person' who learned to be responsible from a young age.

Although her kids are now adults, she told The Irish Times in 2021 that her kids 'still need their mummy'.

Behind her much-publicised liberal credentials (championing 'issues of equality, autism, disability and mental health') and behind the make-up and stylish clothes, an interesting picture emerges of Miss O'Neill's family history.

Put simply, she was born into a very political IRA family. Her father and uncle were IRA prisoners and at least two of her cousins were shot, one fatally, while on 'active duty' with the IRA.

She reveres her late father Brendan Doris as 'a brilliant man' and 'the one involved in politics  he was the one I followed'.

'He was a brilliant man,' Miss O'Neill said of her father in a promotional video released on the internet in 2017. 'He definitely played a big part in shaping who I am today.'

Michelle O'Neill tweeted a photograph of herself as a child in 2021

Brendan Doris (left), Ms O'Neill's late father, was a Sinn Fein councillor and played a role in the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade in the Seventies. Tony Doris (right), Ms O'Neill's cousin, was part of a brigade 'death squad' preparing to assassinate a high-ranking member of the security forces in 1991, but they were ambushed by the SAS and he was killed

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry by Gerry Adams, Raymond McCartney and Michelle O'Neill after he died aged 66 in 2017

Brendan Doris is fondly remembered in the area; not just for his time on Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council from 1989 to 2001, but also for his role in the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade in the Seventies.

Known locally as the 'A Team', the notorious unit became one of the IRA's most professional and effective units, killing dozens of British soldiers and Royal Ulster Constabulary officers in a bombing campaign on Army bases and police stations.

Friends say he was 'popular' but had a 'bad temper' and was regularly involved in confrontations with the prison guards.

Brendan Doris died suddenly of a heart attack, aged 54, in 2006. Gerry Adams delivered a graveside eulogy at his funeral and his obituary appeared in the Republican newspaper An Phoblacht.

Her cousin Tony Doris, 21, was a part of a brigade 'death squad' preparing to assassinate a high-ranking member of the security forces in 1991 when they were ambushed by the SAS. His headstone states he was 'Killed on Active Service'.

Ms O'Neill was quickly noticed as someone who had her father's republican leadership qualities.

She joined Sinn Fein following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, at the age of 21.

Her first experience in politics was as Dungannon Councillor in South Tyrone from 2005 to 2010.

She was then elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2007 she was tipped for big things and rapidly established herself as the 'poster girl' of the new generation.

As health minister, she enhanced her liberal credentials by lifting Northern Ireland's ban on gay men donating blood.

In 2010 she became the area's first female Mayor.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill signing the book of condolence to Queen Elizabeth II in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast following her death

King Charles III meets with Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill at Hillsborough Castle on September 13, 2022, when he came to Northern Ireland for the first time since ascending to the throne

Throughout her time in Sinn Fein she has been associated with a socialist left-wing position and has campaigned for issues of equality, autism, disability, mental health and the rights of rural dwellers.

Ms O'Neill was also a vocal opponent of Brexit - arguing it would 'undermine' the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

However she also thinks Brexit could create the possibility of a United Ireland and in 2017 predicted it would lead to one in 10 years.

Ms O'Neill shot into the mainstream in 2017 when she took over as the new Sinn Fein Leader in Northern Ireland following Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness' resignation in response to the renewable heat incentive scandal.

Her election meant she was the first leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland not to have an IRA past.

In 2017 she outlined her hectic daily schedule in a newspaper interview. 'I get up at 6 am, attempt a gym class, maybe spin or body pump,' she said. 'I always check in with emails and social media and put the radio on to hear the headlines.'

In February 2018 O'Neill became the Vice President of Sinn Fein succeeding Mary Lou McDonald in the role after she became Party President following the resignation of long-time leader Gerry Adams.

While Ms O'Neill led Sinn Fein, she made a rare public relations slip when she expressed empathy for four IRA men who had been shot dead by British troops in her home village of Clonoe in Co Tyrone in the early 90s.

Critics mocked up a photograph of a 'miniature' Ms O'Neill in Gerry Adams' pocket. Adams  who has always denied having been a senior IRA commander  and McGuinness, who was IRA second-in-command in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday in 1972, were among Ms O'Neill's political mentors.

In January 2020 O'Neill became Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, where she played a key role in response to the pandemic with her background as Northern Irish Health Minister from 2016 to 2017.

But Ms O'Neill is no stranger to controversy and throughout her time in frontline politics has made headlines.

Picture shows Ms O'Neill attending veteran IRA terrorist Bobby Storey's funeral in June 2020. She was singled out for strong criticism from political rivals in Northern Ireland, given her role as the joint head of a Stormont Executive that has been instructing people to limit the size of funerals during the lockdown

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf welcomes Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O'Neill to Edinburgh in November 2023

Scotland's First Minister at the time Nicola Sturgeon and Michelle O'Neill pose for a photograph in May 2022

She was heavily criticised for her attendance at veteran IRA terrorist Bobby Storey's funeral in June 2020 despite social distancing rules.

Ms O'Neill also claimed the pandemic made a united Ireland more likely.

In 2022 she was condemned for saying there had been 'no alternative' to IRA violence during the Troubles.

And in September of the same year she broke with Republican tradition to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

She also attended the coronation of King Charles in May 2023, and said at the time she 'wanted to be there'.

'We live in changing times and it was the respectful thing to do, to show respect and to be here for all those people at home, who I had said I would be a first minister for all. Attendance here is about honouring that and fulfilling my promise' she said.

But Ms O'Neill remains steadfast in her belief that a united Ireland is ever closer and has visited SNP leaders in Scotland several times.

In February 2022 she said in an interview that nationalists are 'closer than we have ever been and I think now is the time to plan'.
One of the billionaire brothers who co-owns Asda is said to be contemplating selling his stake in the debt-ridden supermarket, amid speculation of a rift following his sibling leaving his wife of 30 years for a new lover.

Zuber Issa, 51, is exploring a sale of his 22.5 per cent shareholding in Asda, which he bought with brother Mohsin and private equity firm TDR Capital in 2021 from Walmart for 6.8billion, according to sources.

The move is said to potentially free up Zuber to focus more on EG Group, founded by the brothers in 2001 and one of Europe's largest independent fuel retailers, The Telegraph reports.

But it would also provide a distance from the supermarket, which is said to be battling around 4.2bn of debt and falling market share.

In recent months, MPs have begun investigating the supermarket's 'opaque' accounts and ownership structure, and have raised concerns over Mohsin Issa's lack of experience in food retailing.

Zuber Issa, 51, (pictured right with brother Mohsin) is said to be exploring a sale of his 22.5 per cent shareholding in Asda

The potential parting of ways comes as it was revealed on Friday that Mohsin (right) has left his wife of 30 years and is engaged to Victoria Price, a high-flying accountant who used to work at the grocer's auditor

Asda  which runs 320 petrol stations across the UK  was taken over by the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital in 2021

The potential parting of ways comes as it was revealed on Friday that Mohsin has left his wife of 30 years and is engaged to Victoria Price, a high-flying accountant who used to work at the grocer's auditor.

Mr Issa is said to have moved out of the family compound near Blackburn and into a nearby mansion, which he bought for 18.2million in 2022.

The billionaire Issa brothers' petrol garage starting point in Bury Brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa founded EG Group, one of Europe's largest independent fuel retailers. The company began as one petrol station that the brothers ran in Bury, Greater Manchester. It then became Euro Garages, with locations across the UK, before private equity giant TDR Capital came onboard. The business then became EG group, and expanded into Europe. The EG Group has acquired brands including Cooplands, Cumberland Farms, Go Fresh, Leon and Loaf 'N Jug. The Issa brothers separately bought supermarket giant Asda with TDR Capital. Earlier this year, the brothers lost out on bids to acquire corner shop chain McColl's, and the Walgreens Boots Alliance. Advertisement

The father-of-two met Ms Price, 41, at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester in 2018 when she presented him and his brother with an entrepreneur of the year award at a ceremony.

The award was sponsored by Big Four accountancy firm EY, where Ms Price was a partner specialising in tax.

He is understood to be in process of divorcing his wife, Shamim, whom he married three decades ago.

They have two children in their twenties; daughter Mariya and son Sauban.

Ms Price divorced her second husband, Alastair Nuttall, in December 2021, citing irreconcilable differences.

The accountant began working at EY in 2006, rising through the ranks to become a partner heading up its private tax unit.

Her relationship with Mr Issa raised questions of a conflict of interest, as he was the director of a firm, Asda, being audited by EY.

But lawyers for the couple have stressed that Ms Price never worked on the Asda audit and made 'all appropriate disclosures' to its ethics and compliance committee.

Her affair with Mr Issa was also disclosed, they added.

Ms Price left EY last July  the day after the firm resigned as Asda's auditor.

EY said they did so after the supermarket bought EG Group's UK business a month earlier, citing the increased scale and complexity of the business.

According to the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List, the Issa brothers have a combined net worth of more than 5billion.

The apparent feud between the brothers has resulted in Mohsin running Asda and Zuber increasingly becoming more involved in EG Group.

The company began as one petrol station that the brothers ran in Bury, Greater Manchester, before becoming Euro Garages,with locations across the UK.

When private equity giant TDR Capital came on board, the business evolved into EG group, which expanded into Europe.

The relationship between Mohsin, who has left his wife of 30 years for, Victoria Price, a high-flying accountant, is said to have caused a rift with brother Zuber

The EG Group has since acquired several brands including Cooplands, Cumberland Farms, Go Fresh, Leon and Loaf 'N Jug.

TDR is also a major shareholder in EG Group after acquiring a 50pc stake in 2015.

It is understood that Zuber wants to sale his stake for upwards of 500m for Asda's next phase, which could see a bid for high street chemist Boots.

Mohsin and TDR would need to both approve any sale.

However, some sources say a sale is unlikely unless Mohsin considers also exiting.

A senior retail source said: 'Everyone they have spoken to so far has said no chance until Mohsin disappears. This recent mess will only make people more nervous about taking it on.'

Both Asda and TDR have declined to comment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has defended the decision to release a group of migrants who allegedly attacked police officers in Times Square, as a Supreme Court justice slams him for prosecuting COVID vaccine card dodgers.

Seven suspects were arrested and charged with Robbery and Felony Assault following a vicious attack on NYPD officers in Times Square last Saturday.

Four of those believed to have been involved were released without bail are now feared to have fled by bus to California using a church-affiliated migrant charity.

When confronted by reporters about his decision on Friday, Bragg refused to engage and walked away without answering questions.

One reporter can be heard asking 'why were those migrants released?', while another said 'do you regret it? do your regret letting these migrants free?'

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg ignores questions about why he RELEASED the illegal immigrants who attacked NYPD officers without bail. pic.twitter.com/JvtYydE2bO  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 3, 2024

When confronted by reporters about his decision on Friday, Bragg refused to engage and walked away without answering questions

Bragg kept his mouth closed the whole time, refusing to engage with the group who follow him to his car.

During a press conference later that day, Bragg defended the move to release the group, stating that it was based on evidence available at the time.

He said: 'While the video is shocking and disturbing, in order to secure convictions in the court of law, it is essential that we conclusively identify each defendant.

'In Manhattan, we dont tolerate or accept assaults on police officers. I watched the tape this week. Despicable behavior. It sickened me and outraged me.'

Yohenry Brito, 24, was arraigned in Manhattan criminal court on Thursday and is the only one of the suspects being held on bail.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said the $15,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond was warranted because Brito had been positively identified in video of the attack through a 'distinct tattoo.'

The brutal attack occurred around 8:30 pm when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street.

A fight broke out between a suspect in a yellow sweatshirt and the police officers.

The sixth suspect, Yohenry Brito, 24, was arraigned in Manhattan criminal court on Thursday and is the only one of the suspects being held on bail

Darwin Andres Gomez (left) and Kelvin Servita Arocha were also released without bail

Wilson Juarez (lef) and Yorman Reveron are charged with ganging up on two cops in Times Square

Jhoan Boada (pictured), 22, was arrested Monday night and charged with Attempted Assault on a Police Officer and Gang Assault

According to the NYPD, the migrants then started to attack the officers, kicking them in the head and body while the two officers tried to pin down one of the other men, tearing off his sweatshirt.

The migrants then ran away, making their getaway east on 42nd Street toward Seventh Avenue.

At around 10:44 p.m. that night, four of them - Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel, 19, Kelvin Servat Arocha, 19, Juarez Wilson, 21, and Yorman Reveron, 24 - were arrested.

They were all charged with Assault on a Police Officer, Gang Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct but were released without monetary bail.

Gomez, Arocha, Juarez and Reveron are believed to have given fake names to a church-affiliated nonprofit group that helps migrants get rides out of the city, law enforcement sources told the Post.

As he left the courthouse, the 22-year-old raised his middle fingers up at reporters and smirked

The gang are said to have struck after being asked to keep moving without cops. The suspected attackers were later arrested...and subsequently freed without bail

Police sources confirmed the men's migrant status to the New York Post. Several addresses of the men provided by the police are homeless and migrant shelters

Three of the men - Izquiel, Arocha and Wilson - were release on their own recognizance, meaning they were freed from custody without bail while their case is pending.

Reveron was granted supervised release without bail. He already has two open cases for assault and robbery in Manhattan, having stolen from and assaulted a Nordstrom Rack employee in November.

Earlier this week, state Supreme Court Judge Brendan T. Lantry slammed Bragg and dismissed felony charges brought by his office against two New Yorkers who bought fake COVID vaccine cards.

In a ruling, Lantry called the case overkill and threw out the charges against them the two unknown individuals.

Nursing student J.O. and R.V., an employee with the Department of Environmental Protection, were among hundreds accused of buying the fake document from stripper Jasmine Clifford.

State Supreme Court Justice Brendan T. Lantry slammed Bragg and dismissed felony charges brought by his office against two New Yorkers

Jasmine Clifford, seen here in 2021, allegedly sold several hundred fake COVID-19 vaccination cards at $200 a pop to New York City-area jab dodgers

Clifford is alleged to have sold hundreds of fake vaccination cards at $200 a pop to New York City-area jab dodgers.

Lantry said that Bragg's office had 'cherry picked' to prosecute and charge with felony criminal possession of a forged instrument, according to the New York Post.

In the opinion, filed on Tuesday, Lantry said Bragg's office 'routinely move to dismiss significantly more serious counts or entire indictment to avoid harsher penalties for previously convicted felons or to avoid jeopardizing peoples immigration status.'

It added: 'These motions submitted [by Bragg and his prosecutors] are made months or even years after the 45-day period has expired to dismiss sexual assaults, drug sales, robbery, burglary, and other violent and non-violent serious felony offenses.'

Since taking office in 2022, Bragg has came under fire not seeking prison time for certain charges, and downgrading felony charges in a slew of cases, including armed robbery and some drug offenses.

Actor Michael Rapaport shared his comments on the group of migrants who allegedly attacked police officers in Times Square

He said that is open to voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 election due to outrage over the Times Square migrant beating of an NYPD police officer.

Rapaport took to X on Friday to slam the decision and the deterioration of law enforcement in the Big Apple.

'Let me tell you something, what the f*** is the world coming to?' he said. 'If you could be from another country, beat up a cop in New York City , and walk out with no f****ing bail?'

'Released without bail. Came out of the courtroom on some Tupac  raising the middle finger with the Detroit Redwings jersey.'

He added: 'Youve got nothing to say about motherf****** beating up cops in New York City? The greatest city on earth?'

While Elon Musk claimed Biden's plan is to let as many migrants in the country as possible.

'Biden's strategy is very simple,' he said. '1. Get as many illegals in the country as possible.

'2. Legalize them to create a permanent majority- a one-party state. That is why they are encouraging so much illegal immigration. Simple yet effective.'

He added: 'Here is the full text of the bill. It sounds so reasonable at first, just like "The Committee of Public Safety" actually meant "The Cutting Off Heads Committee" in revolutionary France.'

In another post, Musk said: '[It] explains why there are so few deportations, as every deportation is a lost vote.

'As happened this week, you can literally assault police officers in broad daylight in New York, be released with no bail, give everyone the finger and *still* not be deported!! Outrageous.'

The migrant crisis previously affected southern states near the border like Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

But the issue has increasingly impacted cities including New York, Boston and Chicago as buses filled with thousands of migrants are sent to Democratic-led area across the US.

The humanitarian crisis has put Democrats including President Joe Biden under increased pressure as the numbers crossing the border reaches unprecedented levels.

A record 300,000 migrants crossed the U.S. southern border in December, according to a new report, topping the highest amount ever recorded.

New York City in particular has struggled under the weight of tens of thousands of migrants arriving at its borders in need of places to stay and other accommodations.

In 2023 alone, the city dealt with the arrival of more than 100,000 migrants.

Adams has repeatedly asked for federal aid to help house and feed the migrants in the city but has been denied.

New York is a Right to Shelter state and is required to house the asylum seekers but shelters have filled up at an astronomical rate.

In Manhattan, a number of landmark hotels have been turned into makeshift shelters and temporary housing.

Back in September, Hochul said: 'We have to get the word out, that when you come to New York, you're not going to have more hotel rooms, we don't have capacity.

'So we have to also message properly that we're at a limit - if you're going to leave your country, go somewhere else.'
The wife of former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been left broken and devastated following claims he had an affair with a childhood sweetheart, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

A close family friend said: She used to be his political rock and confidante. Now he has ruined her life. She just doesnt recognise him any more.

The friend added: People need to know what Ian Blackford is really like.

Mr Blackford, 62, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, was pictured last week grinning and strolling hand in hand with his new lover Kim Lyons outside BBC studios in London.

A grinning Ian Blackford arrives at a BBC studio in London last week hand in hand with his new lover Kim Lyons

He also introduced the bleached blonde to MPs during the Hogmanay fireworks celebrations on the House of Commons terrace.

The new controversy surrounding Mr Blackford, who once described himself as a humble crofter, is the latest sleaze scandal to hit the troubled SNP at Westminster.

Now, in a bombshell interview with The Mail on Sunday, furious family friends have lambasted the high-profile politician for destroying his 66-year-old wife Anns life and labelled him emotionally bereft.

They have told how:

He cruelly dumped his wife after almost 24 years together just weeks after the pair returned from a trip to France, where they were hoping to buy a holiday home;

The MP told his wife he was leaving her  and initially cited the fact she had raised questions about him buying a vintage Citroen car as a reason for their separation;

He later confessed he was seeing another woman  someone he had first met when he was just 19;

He spent 300 from the couples joint bank account on sexy lingerie for his new girlfriend  and also bought her jewellery;

He has paid to rent a love nest in Cardiff so he could conduct his affair with Ms Lyons  an avid Bay City Rollers fan;

Before the split he and his family discussed the possibility of him getting a seat in the House of Lords.

The friend also revealed Mr Blackford is now property hunting in London in case he gets into the Lords and is also looking for a new home in Glasgow that he and his girlfriend can use as a base if he is nominated by the SNP to stand at the next Holyrood election.

Last night, the family friend said: He has got to be exposed for who he is and what he has done. He has absolutely destroyed his wife. She doesnt sleep, she doesnt eat. She does not know who he is now.

He is emotionally bereft. He hides it well, but he has got two or three sides to him. Friends found him and the way he spoke to Ann off-putting sometimes, but he was always kind to her and protected her until now. She feels humiliated.

They told how Mr Blackford, who Boris Johnson was once accused of body shaming in the Commons after making a reference to cake and the SNP politicians weight, returned to the family croft on Skye after a routine dental appointment in November and sternly told his wife to sit down.

Ann Blackford supports her husband Ian as he wins the Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat for the SNP at the 2019 General Election

The family friend said: She thought there was something seriously wrong medically at first, but then he just said: Were separating. She said: Who is separating? What do you mean?

She could not fathom that he was talking about them. She couldnt move, she couldnt speak, she was just in such shock.

He is then said to have embarked on a 20-minute tirade explaining his seemingly out-of-the-blue decision to leave his loving wife during which he listed a host of bizarre reasons as to why he was unhappy in the marriage.

The friend added: He said he had wanted a Citroen vintage car and he was annoyed she had told him that it was a ridiculous idea because he had just bought an 80,000 Jaguar.

And he complained he was overall just miserable, despite never raising any issues before. He said he didnt like her attitude, whatever that means.

He told her that before the conversation he had already spoken to a solicitor and that was it.

But he insisted he hadnt planned it because he would have bought a ticket for the Hibs game if he had planned it and that he was leaving her in the morning and that he would have gone to the Hibs game in the afternoon.

She asked him: How do you think this makes me feel? and he replied: I dont know, I never thought about it. It is frightening. Theres clearly just nothing in there, is there?

The married couple smile at the camera as they enjoy one of their many holidays together

Sitting in the living room of their cosy croft house  once the setting for numerous family events  Mrs Blackford looked out at the beautiful sea off Skye and rugged burnt orange and red hills in the distance, and felt her life fall apart in a moment, the friend said.

She was absolutely devastated. She sat there and just cried and cried. She didnt go to bed that night, she couldnt, she was so shocked.

Just weeks previously, the couple had been to Brittany in France, one of their many holidays together, where they were considering buying a holiday home to embark on the next chapter in their lives.

The friend said: They were really serious about it and were even talking to estate agents.

Slumped on the sofa in the aftermath of her husbands shock announcement, Mrs Blackfords mind must have raced with fond memories of raising the pairs blended family including six children as she tried to get to grips with the hammer blow she had just been delivered.

The friend continued: After a while she went down to the other house on the croft, the black house, where Ian had gone and asked him to tell her the truth: was there another woman? He admitted it.

The next morning, he tapped her on the shoulder and said: Thats me away then. Goodbye. And then he left. It went from a good marriage to nothing in one night.

She was his political confidante. His political rock. He always asked her for advice and she kept him on the straight and narrow.

He has this penchant for making knee-jerk decisions and reacting and she pulled him back from them.

He would phone her every night from Westminster and tell her she was his soulmate. Obviously, she wasnt.

How do you go from soulmate to nothing in one night? She doesnt know who he is any more.

It is not the first time Mr Blackford has been accused of engaging in cruel behaviour.

In his bid to become the MP for the Highland region, it is claimed he conducted a vile campaign to oust the former holder of the seat, the embattled Liberal Democrat Charles Kennedy, who was known to suffer from a crippling alcohol dependency.

Mr Blackford, then a newly self-styled humble crofter  and former banker for Deutsche Bank  was criticised for his campaign slogan which read: Wheres Charlie?, a tagline many felt made a not-so-subtle reference to Mr Kennedys mental and physical condition.

Former Labour MP Brian Wilson wrote that the poison of the campaign did not kill him [Mr Kennedy] but it robbed him of peace and dignity in the last months of his life.

Yet, in the intervening decade, Mr Blackford has worked hard to polish that sullied image, transforming himself into a Nationalist icon, a close ally to both the cause and Nicola Sturgeon.

In 2017, he was rewarded for his commitment and made the SNPs Westminster leader.

He had it all, the job, the family, the loving wife.

And for more than 20 years, Mrs Blackford, also a fervent Nationalist and SNP supporter, felt the same, the friend said.

She enjoyed a good life, which included regular lunches out with her husband and daily phone contact even when he was hundreds of miles away in Westminster.

Kim Lyons Facebook image after she was invited to Commons terrace to watch fireworks

The family friend said: She loved the croft, she loved her family.

She was happy to step back from politics herself and be the wife and maintain the family unit. It suited her. They were a strong family but he obviously did not feel the same.

The friend added: I think things started to change from December 2021, when he lost the Westminster leadership. It had a huge bearing on him. He absolutely loved having his picture taken and the celebrity stuff that came with the job.

He bought into Westminster. They work in a bubble and he loves it all. But he didnt get any of that when he lost the leadership. He likes attention, he likes publicity, and he wasnt getting it any more.

With the new woman, they went out when they were 19 but she broke up with him because she didnt want to be in the political limelight.

But the family did not know anything about her until now.

Other former girlfriends were mentioned but the name Kim Lyons was never brought up. He said that she had tried contacting him over the years, and this summer he began calling her back.

Perhaps he just wanted the attention. She called, and he bit.

For Mrs Blackford, there were no warning signs that her husband might have been playing away, the family friend said.

Yet the true scale of the affair was laid bare weeks after the MP told her they were separating, when Mrs Blackford discovered a number of purchases made by her husband from the joint account.

The friend said: She saw that he started buying the girlfriend lingerie for three hundred odd pounds and jewellery for around 200.

He started to go for dinners in London, according to the accounts, and even on cinema trips.

Then, he started taking out money to rent a love nest in Cardiff for him and the new woman. Ann felt broken.

The friend also revealed: A few weeks ago it seems the other woman dumped him but he must have got her back.

He travelled to Cardiff to save the relationship and it has clearly worked looking at the picture in last weeks newspaper.

The Mail on Sundays sister paper the Daily Mail exclusively published the image, which showed Mr Blackford grinning as he led his new girlfriend  dressed in a pink turtleneck jumper and sporting a string of pearls  into a television studio.

The friend said: They were also spotted on Skye a few weeks back and one person went up to Kim from behind thinking it was Ann, but she saw it was a different person when she turned around.

They did not get a great reception here.

But if you look at her Facebook page, she lists all of the places they have been together, including the Christmas market in Edinburgh and the Hogmanay fireworks on the House of Commons terrace.

The distressed friend added: Ann was meant to go to that, but Ian gave her ticket to the new woman instead. Ian did not spend Christmas with the family, and refused to spend Hogmanay with them too.

For now, Mr Blackford and his new fling appear to be on steadier ground. He is even said to be property hunting in London and looking to buy a flat in Glasgow for the two of them.

The family confidante said: Household discussions have looked at whether he should go for a position in the House of Lords or as an MSP but he would likely want to live in Glasgow.

He is looking to buy a house for himself and his new woman there at the moment.

It remains to be seen if Mr Blackford will attempt to divorce his wife.

Such a move would spark one of the most high-profile asset splits ever seen as a result of an MPs separation from their spouse, as he is known to have a portfolio of properties, as well as a high net worth.

But for Mrs Blackford, the money is secondary to the heartbreak she currently feels, the family friend said.

For now, the people of Skye are said to be rallying around her as best they can, and the church  of which the couple were weekly worshippers  will provide Mrs Blackford with the community and connection she needs to help her through the pain caused by her husbands actions.

The friend said: In the Free Church of Scotland there are certain principles. What he has done certainly doesnt go with the ethos.

Insisting that the tight-knit community would not usually speak out about what happens on the island, the friend said Mr Blackford had behaved so appallingly that the public needed to know.

They said: He has got to be exposed for who he is and what he has done. He has absolutely destroyed his wife. She doesnt sleep, she doesnt eat. She does not know who he is now.

Its up to the SNP or the public to decide if they want to support him but youd think you would have to look at someones behaviour and make a judgment.

Last night Mr Blackford declined to comment on the friends testimony. Mrs Blackford also declined to comment.
Humza Yousaf faces a new rebellion from within his own party over his 'damaging' plans to hike income tax.

Former SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has launched a blistering attack on the tax increases  which are set to come into effect in April  branding them 'counter-productive'.

Ms Forbes, who stood against Mr Yousaf for the party leadership, said the tax rises could force people to switch jobs or leave Scotland to avoid the new financial burden.

Humza Yousaf is facing civil war in the SNP

At the end of last year the First Minister earned the nickname 'high tax Humza' after unveiling a raft of massive increases.

From April, anyone in Scotland who makes more than 28,850 will pay higher taxes than workers elsewhere in the UK.

In a tax triple whammy announced in December's Budget, a new 45p income tax band will be introduced on earnings above 75,000, the top rate on earnings above 125,140 will rise by 1p to 48p, and the higher rate threshold will be frozen at 43,663.

Someone earning a 35,000 salary will pay 61 more in Scotland than the rest of the UK, rising to 442 at 45,000, 1,696 at 55,000, and 2,096 at 75,000.

Now Ms Forbes has highlighted a brewing civil war in the SNP by wading into the row, claiming that pushing up taxes would ultimately shrink public revenue over time.

Writing in a Highland newsletter, Ms Forbes, the Nationalist MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: 'Continually increasing taxes is ultimately counter-productive over the long term, even if you agree with it ideologically, because it ultimately reduces public revenue.

'The forecasts for what the Scottish Government will raise through its latest changes to the top tax bands is just over 80 million. That isn't to be sniffed at.

'But the forecasts also suggest that they'll lose 118 million that they could have raised because of behavioural change  people leaving or reducing their hours or treating their income differently.

'That illustrates that we need to invest in people, in job creation, and in better wages. That way the tax take will increase.'

Ms Forbes hit out at hikes

In Ms Forbes' latest column  which is set to be published in the coming weeks but has been obtained by The Mail on Sunday  the former Finance Minister said that Scotland needs to grow the 'tax base', or increase the number of people who pay tax, by encouraging population growth.

She said: 'I'm constantly going on about the tax base. What I am really talking about is people. Calling for a bigger population, through inward migration and retaining our people, is exactly the same thing as wanting to see the tax base increase.'

If Mr Yousaf's plans are approved by MSPs this year, an eye-watering 69.5 per cent of earnings between 100,000 and 125,140 will be siphoned into income tax and National Insurance.

Critics include Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who said increases will damage the economy north of the Border and could spark an exodus of workers to England.

Ms Forbes also took the opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by SNP leader Mr Yousaf since he took up the position of First Minister.

In a thinly veiled dig at her former leadership competitor, she suggested that his was a premiership characterised by sudden changes of direction.

She said: 'There's no doubt that every political party, politician and government should be open to constructive criticism and feedback. None of us get everything right, and it is a mark of strength to stop, consider and change course. That strength has characterised the First Minister's tenure.'

Her warning comes as last week she appeared to fan the flames of an SNP civil war by telling the UK Covid-19 Inquiry she was 'surprised' that minutes were not kept following some of Nicola Sturgeon's key meetings in the pandemic.

Ms Forbes, who unsuccessfully stood to replace Ms Sturgeon as First Minister last year, also told the inquiry she did not delete any of her WhatsApp messages with fellow Ministers or top officials until January 2022, unlike Ms Sturgeon or Mr Yousaf.

Some in the SNP believe that Ms Forbes is now positioning herself for another crack at the party leadership.

Last year she said she would 'never say never' to running again and claimed that the SNP could do with a 'Highlander at the helm'.

The Mail on Sunday revealed that a group of Highlands and Islands Nationalist MSPs were arranging what some insiders humorously called a 'Highland coup' in a bid to part from the power-sharing deal with the left-wing Scottish Greens.

Some SNP politicians fear the party will face ruinous losses at the ballot box owing to Green policies that threaten to disproportionately affect rural Scotland.

One said: 'I don't see the SNP going anywhere without Kate Forbes in charge.'

The Scottish Government said: 'Evidence of taxpayer behaviour is an essential part of tax policy decisions and the Scottish Government continues to work with stakeholders such as HMRC to develop the evidence base on this subject.'
Scotland is seeing an explosion of 'county lines' gangs forcing children and vulnerable adults to smuggle drugs to every corner of the country.

The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal at least 55 gangs have been identified operating north of the Border  more than double the number in 2020.

County lines is the phenomenon whereby drug dealers from cities expand their operation by crossing county borders into smaller towns and rural areas.

Police target a house used by a county lines gang

Gangs from parts of England have forced youngsters and vulnerable adults  aged from 14 to 77  to smuggle packages of heroin, crack cocaine and other narcotics into Scotland on buses and trains.

The officer leading Police Scotland's response to the growing threat has now laid bare the extent of the illegal trade.

In an exclusive interview, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn, executive lead for Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence, said: 'We estimate we have 55 groups. That's significantly increased but we have a new county lines researcher and analyst so those gangs were maybe always there and we've just got better at finding them.

'And that's useful because if we know they are there we can start to tackle them.

'County lines is extremely worrying. We took part in a UK-wide intensification week in October and in Scotland alone we made 25 arrests, including a 17-year-old.

'That week we seized 250,000 of cocaine and 220,000 in cash.'

The officer said the main drug threats in Scotland are threefold; western Balkans countries involved in large-scale cannabis cultivations; serious organised crime groups; and county lines gangs.

The latter have wormed their way into neighbourhoods across Scotland, exploiting children as young as 14, often from care home backgrounds, to act as drug mules.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn planning more raids to crack down on the drugs gangs

To avoid detection, the gangs frequently switch premises  and force addicts and their families to let their homes be used for drug deals in a practice known as 'cuckooing'.

The gangs are known to use kidnapping and violence, backed by weapons, and have particularly targeted Aberdeenshire and the north-east of Scotland.

A recent UK Government report found county lines gangs have ensnared tens of thousands of children throughout Britain.

Statistics from the National Crime Agency suggest there are more than 2,000 deal lines in the UK.

Police Scotland is working in a multi-agency partnership, which includes the Scottish Prison Service and HMRC.

The force's crackdown in October led to arrests for attempted murder, possession of a firearm and supplying drugs.

The raids were part of a week-long UK-wide blitz that resulted in 1,613 arrests, 1.2 million of drugs being recovered and 250 supply routes taken down.

In a direct message to the criminals behind the networks, Mr Freeburn said: 'We will do our best to make Scotland a really hostile place for you to operate. We will bring together all our capabilities and powers and it will be an enduring mission.'

But he is aware it will take more than raids to bring the situation under control. He said: 'We are never going to arrest our way out the problem so we have the twin track approach to prosecute but also prevention.

'That week in October we visited 373 addresses we believed were vulnerable and exploited by cuckooing and safeguarded 17 people.'

He added: 'That 17-year-old we arrested also saw an amount of machetes, knives and other weapons seized on that occasion.

'Young people being involved happens anyway because criminals don't care. They are happy to exploit young people. We are working to stop that.'
Brianna Ghey's murderer was sent to the same secure unit as the killer behind James Bulger's brutal murder.

Eddie Ratcliffe, who murdered 16-year-old transgender schoolgirl Brianna alongside his female accomplice Scarlett Jenkinson, was placed in Barton Moss young offenders institution following his arrest last year.

More than three decades ago killer Robert Thompson - who was just 10 when he murdered two-year-old James, was sent to the same unit.

Thompson's accomplice, 10-year-old Jon Venables, was locked up in the secure Vardy House wing of Red Bank, Newton-le-Willows.

The boys abducted the toddler from a shopping centre before taking him near a train track to brutally torture and kill him - making them the youngest killers in modern English history.

Eddie Ratcliffe (pictured) murdered 16-year-old Brianna Ghey alongside his female accomplice Scarlett Jenkinson

Robert Thompson (pictured) murdered two-year-old James Bulger alongside his accomplice Jon Venables

Transgender schoolgirl Brianna Ghey (pictured) was stabbed 28 times to the head, neck, chest and back

Toddler James Bulger (pictured) was abducted from a shopping centre and taken near a train track where he was tortured and killed by two 10-year-old boys

Once they were found guilty at Preston court court they were ordered to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure in the same units, according to The Mirror.

It is anticipated Ratcliffe, 16, will stay at Barton Moss in the short term but may be transferred to Wetherby after he was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years at Manchester crown court this week.

Ratcliffe's teenage accomplice Jenkinson, who was obsessed with serial killers and horror films, is currently held in Adel Beck, a modern secure children's home in Leeds.

She was given a minimum term of 22 years before parole by trial judge Mrs Justice Yip.

Ratcliffe was found guilty of murder alongside Jenkinson after they lured transgender teen Brianna to Linear Park, Culcheth, where she was stabbed 28 times to the head, neck, chest and back.

As jurors heard the grim details of Brianna's 'frenzied' stabbing, the accused sat in the dock doing puzzles in a Sudoku magazine on his knee.

Like Jenkinson, Ratcliffe claimed his back was turned when his accomplice began impaling Brianna to death with a hunting knife - although both were found to have planned the killing for weeks.

Photos of Ratcliffe show an innocent-looking child enjoying a seemingly ordinary upbringing, complete with pets and days out in the countryside.

But what lay beneath the surface was a child 'genius' who has taught himself A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and English Literature within the confines of a secure unit.

Brianna was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife on February 11 after being lured to the scene under the guise of friendship

Scarlett Jenkinson (pictured) was convicted of Brianna's murder and admitted to being obsessed with serial killers and torture videos

Ratcliffe, 16, was 'genius' level smart and a 'sociopath' who friends deemed socially awkward

One source said of the teen: 'He was a top set student with a small group of friends. He always got good grades, all his school reports were good. His parents described him as a shy, quiet boy who loved animals.'

A former teacher added: 'I couldn't believe it when I found out he had been arrested for Brianna's murder. He's the last boy in the world I could ever imagine doing something like that.'

The pair, who were 15 at the time of the killing, had a fascination with violence, torture and murder and allegedly planned the murder for weeks - both 'in it together from first to last'.

In police interviews played to the jury in December, twisted Ratcliffe tried to claim he was just 'playing along' with a 'fantasy' dreamt up by Jenkinson who boasted about already having killed people, a court heard.

Ratcliffe, who brought the hunting knife to the scene himself, said he thought Jenkinson was 'joking' in a message about killing Brianna.

He said online chats about people she had supposedly killed before was his way of 'playing along with that fantasy', saying he wrote things 'I don't actually believe' in order to 'fit in'.

'She likes to make up lots of stories and things,' he said.

Ratcliffe (pictured) being interviewed by police about the murder of Brianna Ghey who was found with 28 stab wounds

Jenkinson (pictured) being interviewed by police. Dr Holmes said Jenkinson is far more 'interactive' in footage of her arrest, making eye contact and being 'far more alert and responsive'

Body language expert Doctor David Holmes said 'He (Ratcliffe pictured) avoids gaze and interaction, there's a lot of displacement activity'

In contrast, Dr Holmes said Jenkinson (pictured) appears to be curious as to why they think she has done it

Questioned about a comment to Jenkinson that he was going to 'research Chinese torture', Ratcliffe answered that he liked to know 'how they used to punish people' from studying history.

In a police interview two days after Brianna's death, Ratcliffe was asked: 'At what point would it have stopped being a joke?'

He replied: 'If I'd seen that she was carrying a knife I would have questioned it.'

The officer said: 'You're talking about taking a hunting knife out with you.'

Ratcliffe replied: 'I'm not good at judging what jokes are. I think I go too far with jokes.'

The officer asked: 'Do you think this joke has possibly gone too far?'

Ratcliffe replied: 'Yeah. I see it now. But then I didn't notice it.'

Ratcliffe and Jenkinson, brought up in hard-working, loving families, lured Brianna to a meeting in a village park under the guise of friendship, only to then stab her to death.

Following his arrest, Ratcliffe was found to be autistic and to have gradually stopped speaking to anyone but his mother. This 'selective mutism', the jury was told, was beyond his control.

At one stage his lawyers claimed that his silence might have in part been caused by the shock of seeing Brianna being killed.

It meant that when he entered his plea, he was allowed to point to a card saying 'Not Guilty', rather than speak the words.
Houthi troopers were seen defiantly launching rockets and firing at positions marked with Israeli flags while on military exercise just hours after America launched a devastating wave of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, in retaliation for last week's fatal drone attack on US troops.

The Houthi rebels were seen on Saturday on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen, preparing for a possible confrontation with the United States and Israel amid fears of a wider regional conflict stemming from their escalation of attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

In January 2024, the US Department of State designated Yemen's Houthis as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist group' due to their increased attacks on commercial ships and US warships in the Red Sea with drones and ballistic missiles.

In response, US and British forces have conducted strikes against the rebels as part of a multinational operation to safeguard trade and protect ships in the Red Sea.

On Saturday, the rebels practiced manoeuvres from their heavily-armoured vehicles, with Palestinian flags and Yemen flags flying side by side, in pictures released by the Houthis.

Houthi troopers were seen defiantly launching rockets and firing at positions marked with Israeli flags while on military exercise just hours after America launched a devastating wave of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria

Clouds of dust and smoke rose from the desert landscape as missiles and bullets were fired by the rebels at mock positions on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen

One photograph captured the potentially deadly devastation caused by the weapons, with the mock targets bursting into flames

Clouds of dust and smoke rose from the desert landscape as missiles and bullets were fired by the rebels at mock positions.

One photograph captured the potentially deadly devastation caused by the weapons, with the mock targets bursting into flames.

Another showed a structure adorned with the flag of Israel as a mock target for the rebels to strike.

The militants, dressed in army fatigues, are seen are thrusting their hands in the air as the target is struck by their weaponry.

The rebels practiced manoeuvres from their heavily-armoured vehicles, with Palestinian flags and Yemen flags flying side by side,

This image shows a structure adorned with the flag of Israel as a mock target for the rebels

The well-equipped Houthi rebels were also seen practicing military moves with large tanks

A Houthi militant looks out from a fortified position built from rocks in the desert on Saturday

A target with the flags of Britain, Israel and the United States is seen amid an explosion

The Houthi rebels practiced their moves in the remote area of Sana'a in Yemen on Saturday

A missile appears to take off during the military exercise targeting mock US and Israeli targets

A fleet of drones take off through the skies while operators watch on from the ground nearby

Another photograph appears to show tanks moving through the desert, ready to strike their next target, while one soldier builds a fortified structure out of rocks from which to shoot his weapon.

Meanwhile, targets decorated with Israeli, British and American flags are seen at the moment of being struck by a weapon and bursting into flames.

The scale of the well-armoured rebels is made clear with other images showing missiles launching and a fleet of drones taking off through the skies while operators watch on from the ground nearby.

The military exercises come just hours after the US launched airstrikes on Iran's Revolutionary Guard and militants in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops.

The U.S. has launched a devastating wave of airstrikes on Iran 's Revolutionary Guard in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops

Multiple long-range bombers and drones hit 85 targets with 125 bombs over 30 minutes in the widespread military operation on Friday night ordered by President Joe Biden.

As explosions rang out across the Middle East, the president said the payback strikes will continue 'at times and places of our choosing' and warned militias: 'If you harm an American, we will respond'.

Two B-1- bombers flew from the U.S. for the mission hitting seven facilities - three and Iraq and four in Syria - linked to the IRGC and Iran-backed militias.

The targets included command and intelligence centers and warehouses where missiles and drones were stored.

Shocking footage from Al-Qaim, an Iraqi border town, showed rockets flying from a munitions factory believed to have been hit by American bombers at midnight local time.

Shocking footage from Al-Qaim, an Iraqi border town, showed rockets flying from a munitions factory believed to have been hit by American bombers at midnight local time

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 18 pro-Iranian fighters were killed in eastern Syria and Iraq called the strikes a 'violation of sovereignty'.

The huge operation is the first from the U.S. striking back after Iran-backed militias' deadly strike on the Tower 22 base near Jordan's border with Syria and Iraq last Sunday.

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, were killed and more than 40 troops were injured in the attack that sparked further tensions in the Middle East.

Biden ordered the strikes just hours after he attended the dignified transfer ceremony for their remains at Dover Air Force Base.

He held his hand over his heart as he watched their flag-draped coffins being carried across the tarmac after arriving back on home soil.

A short time after the solemn ceremony finished, he authorized the huge response he has threatened for days.

'This past Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC),' Biden said on Friday.

'Earlier today, I attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base, and I have spoken with each of their families.

'This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.

'Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.

'But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.'

It's unclear what the next steps will be or when they will take place, or whether the days of U.S. warnings have sent militia members scattering into hiding.

But the recent statement released by Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, saying it was suspending attacks on American troops had no impact on the administration's plans to retaliate.

Two B-1- bombers flew from the U.S. for the mission hitting seven facilities - three and Iraq and four in Syria - linked to the IRGC and Iran-backed militias

National Security Council John Kirby said earlier in the week response to the deadly drone strike will be 'tiered' and could 'potentially include multiple actions over a period of time.'

After the strikes, he said: 'These targets were chosen to degrade and disrupt the capabilities of the IRGC and the groups that they sponsor and support.

'The goal here is to get these attacks to stop. We're not looking for a war with Iran'.

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia (left) and Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, died in the drone strike of a US airbase in Jordan
A woman is set to appear in court after being charged with murdering grandmother Ann Coll, who was discovered dead in her home just days before Christmas.

The unnamed 37-year-old is accused of killing Coll, 61, who was found with serious injuries in her first floor flat at Newfield Place in Rutherglen, south Lanarkshire at around 12.45am on December 22.

Officers immediately launched a probe into the grandmother's death which was being treated as murder.

The charged suspect is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, February 5.

A woman is set to appear in court after being charged with the murder of grandmother Ann Coll

Coll, 61, was found with serious injuries in her first floor flat at Newfield Place in Rutherglen, south Lanarkshire days before Christmas

The 61-year-old pictured on CCTV at a her local on shop on December 19

Forensics search the grandmother's home where she was found at 12.45am on December 22

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'A 37-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Ann Coll in Rutherglen.

'Ann, 61, was found at a flat on Newfield Place around 12.45am on Friday, 22 December, 2023.

'The 37-year-old is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 5 February, 2024.

'A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'

Ms Coll was believed to have left her home at around 5pm on Thursday December 21, the day before her body was found, to walk her dog.

She left her home again at 8pm and returned around 8.30pm, and was safe and well when she spoke to family members at 9.15pm the same evening.
A terror attack suspect in Paris has been revealed as an asylum seeker who posted TikTok videos claiming Africa should 'never forgive France'.

Sagou Gouno Kassogue, 32, was in custody in the French capital on Saturday night following an attack that saw a backpack set on fire and rail passengers slashed with a knife in a rampage that left three in hospital.

'He first ignited his backpack, and then appeared to slash people at random by an escalator,' said an investigating source.

'The first victim suffered severe stomach wounds, but his life is not in danger anymore.

Sagou Gouno Kassogue, 32, was in custody in the French capital on Saturday night following the savage assaults at the Gare de Lyon

Police investigators work inside the Gare de Lyon station in Paris after an attack today

An asylum seeker from Mali wounded three people during a knife and hammer attack at the Paris station

Police investigators work on the crime inside the Gare de Lyon station after an attack today

'Two other victims suffered slight injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.'

It was revealed that Kassogue arrived in Italy from Mali in 2016, and was given a residence permit as he pursued an asylum claim.

He was suffering from extreme mental problems, and had been due to visit a psychiatrist in Turin this weekend.

Prosecutors in France said the initial enquiry was for 'attempted murder', and that Kassogue had no criminal history or links to terrorist groups.

There was 'no sign of religiosity', said the investigating source, but security sources said he had regularly posted videos online expressing his anger at what he called 'colonialism'.

This included the presence of French troops in his native Mali fighting Islamist groups, including Al-Qaeda.

Investigators are particularly interested in a TikTok account - which has yet to be authenticated - in which Kassogue criticizes the French.

In one posting, dated December 2, 2023, Kassogue writes: 'R.I.P. (Rest in Peace) in three months, may Allah welcome me to his paradise'.

Gare de Lyon, the second busiest station in France, handles up to 150million passengers a year, and was packed on a Saturday morning

A man seemingly armed with a knife and a hammer injured three people in the attack today

There has been a series of knife attacks carried out by violent extremists linked to Islamist groups in France over the past decade

Police investigators work inside the Gare de Lyon station after an attack earlier today

'Africa should never forgive France,' says Kassogue, who is wearing glasses and a beard in the Tik Tok video.

Laurent Nunez, the Paris police prefect, said: 'As we speak, there are no elements to suggest that this is a terrorist act.

'The suspect's residence permit was issued in 2019 and remains active,' said Mr Nunez. 'The investigation is being carried out by prosecutors, with the assistance of judicial police.'

Gare de Lyon, the second busiest station in France, handles up to 150million passengers a year, and was packed on a Saturday morning.

It was immediately evacuated after the attack, with all services cancelled.

It follows a series of knife attacks carried out by violent extremists linked to Islamist groups in France over the past decade.

In October last year, a teacher was killed, and three others were seriously wounded in a knife attack by a radicalised Chechen national at a school in Arras.

And in 2022 a Chechen refugee beheaded Samuel Paty at a school in the Paris suburbs after the history teacher showed children caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.
Sickening footage captured the moment 10 middle schoolers viciously beat a fellow student on a New York City bus in broad daylight, before they claimed he deserved it because he was a 'weirdo.'

The teenage mob was pictured in cuffs on Monday, two days after the attack, in a Snapchat image seemingly captioned by a student: '(He) f****** deserved that he's a f****** weirdo and he shoulda died.'

Video of the attack sparked outrage online, showing the victim cowering while unable to escape a rain of punches, kicks and slaps from the other youths.

It later emerged that the teens attend Mark Twain Intermediate School in New York City's Coney Island, which is supposedly for 'Gifted and Talented' students, but also saw another savage beating of an 11-year-old girl on a bus just weeks prior.

Sickening footage captured the moment ten middle schoolers viciously beat a fellow student on a New York City bus in broad daylight

The teen cowered in fear and desperately covered his head, while other teens simply watched on and filmed it on their phones

In the footage of the latest bus attack, students could be heard roaring in excitement as they pummeled the teenager, while he tries in vain to protect his head.

The boy gradually makes his way down the length of the bus, continuing through a gauntlet of punches before even taking a hit from a flying sneaker.

Numerous other teens can be seen filming the violence and deciding not to help. The bus was reportedly only containing students, and shuttled them from their school in Coney Island through Brooklyn.

Two days after the incident, police were seen in Snapchat images placing several students in handcuffs.

The NYPD told DailyMail.com that no arrests were made at the school on Monday, and said it is possible the incident was dealt with internally within the school.

The shocking snapchat caption also called for the cops to 'free them' - a sentiment seemingly not shared by the millions of viewers of the footage on social media.

The NYC School Safety Commission, which advocates for increased safety measures in New York schools, shared the footage as it declared: 'This is why we need safe corridors. We need police officers on buses, not just trains.'

Viewers also took issue with the students reportedly attending a school for the 'gifted and talented'.

'If this happens there, imagine what goes on in regular schools,' said one commenter.

The mob reportedly attends the Mark Twain Intermediate School in New York City, which is supposedly for the 'Gifted and Talented'

Just weeks before the attack on the bus, students laughed and filmed as the 11-year-old was approached from behind and punched to the ground in front of shocked pedestrians at the same school

The incident comes after an 11-year-old girl was savagely beaten at the same school, which sparked outrage after the bully was set to return despite the incident.

The shocking assault was also caught on film with gloating friends pulling out their phones to record the moment the attacker strode up to the 11-year-old before flooring her with a punch and kicking her repeatedly as she lay in the street.

Stylized videos celebrated the attack outside Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented, with slow motion replays and laughing emojis adding to the humiliation.

But the attacker was served only with a suspension from the Brooklyn school while the victim now has been assigned a staff 'bodyguard' to escort her through the premises.

'Imagine knowing you could not like someone, harass them, plot an attack and film it and spread the evidence,' the victim's father said.
More than two dozen people, mostly journalists, were detained on Saturday at a protest in central Moscow, as wives and other relatives of Russian servicemen mobilised to fight in Ukraine called for their return, according to independent Russian news reports.

The relatives gathered to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, just outside the Kremlin walls.

They marked 500 days since Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2022 ordered a 'partial mobilisation' of up to 300,000 reservists following battlefield setbacks in Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The call-up was widely unpopular and prompted hundreds of thousands to flee abroad to avoid being drafted.

Wives and relatives of some of the reservists called up in 2022 have campaigned for them to be discharged and replaced with contract soldiers.

Wives of Russian troops sent to fight in Ukraine called for their return in a protest in Moscow on Saturday

Members of the movement 'Way Home' are surrounded by police officers in central Moscow

A protester is detained by police during Saturday's protests in the Russian capital

Dozens gathered to lay flowers on the Unknown Soldier's Tomb by the Kremlin Wall on the 500th day since the Vladimir Putin ordered the partial mobilisation of up to 300,000 reservists

One man holding a slogan on a ribbon reading 'They paid their debt. Is demobilisation soon?'

Saturday's demonstration was organised by one such campaign group, The Way Home, that on Friday posted on Telegram calling on 'wives, mothers, sisters and children' of reservists from across Russia to come to Moscow to 'demonstrate (their) unity'.

'We want our husbands back alive,' one of the protesters, who only gave her name as Antonina for fear of reprisals, is heard saying in a video published by independent Russian news outlet SOTAvision.

Antonina insisted she does not want compensation from the Russian government if her husband is killed, and said she would instead 'either go to a convent or follow him'.

'I don't want to live alone! And if (Russian authorities) don't understand this ... I don't know. God be their judge,' she told a SOTAvision reporter, struggling to hold back tears.

Saturday's demonstration was the ninth and largest of similar weekly gatherings organised by The Way Home.

One popular Russian Telegram news channel estimated that some 200 people turned out.

Allies of jailed Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny and Russian opposition politician Maksim Kats voiced support for the protest on Friday, while the Moscow prosecutor's office early on Saturday warned Russians not to participate in 'unauthorised mass events'.

According to OVD-Info, an independent website that monitors political arrests in Russia, police detained 27 people during the protest, mostly journalists.

According to SOTA, most were later released, although a male protester, Yaroslav Ryazanov, was still in detention on Saturday evening.

Aware of the public backlash, the Russian military has since late 2022 increasingly sought to bolster the forces in Ukraine by enlisting more volunteers.

The authorities claimed that about 500,000 signed contracts with the Defence Ministry last year.

Still, the wives' and relatives' calls to bring mobilised reservists home have been stonewalled by Russia's government-controlled media, and some pro-Kremlin politicians have sought to cast them as Western stooges.

Protesters on Saturday angrily rejected the accusation.

A wife of a soldier holds the sign 'Return my husband back'

Over 200 people turned out to protest, one news channel estimated

Police reportedly detained 27 people during the protest, mostly journalists

Maria Andreyeva, whose husband and brother are fighting in Ukraine, told SOTAvision that she saw the fighting in Ukraine as 'a great tragedy that happened between two brotherly peoples'.

'Almost every Russian has relatives in Ukraine, close and distant, so... this is a situation that has struck us to the core. After the Second World War, it seemed to us that our grandfathers died so that there would never be another (conflict),' Ms Andreyeva said.

The protest came just weeks before the Russian presidential election, scheduled to take place over three days on March 15-17, that Mr Putin is all but assured to win.

After Ms Andreyeva and others laid flowers at the monument, they headed to Mr Putin's campaign headquarters to present their demands to him.

Last month, another Russian presidential hopeful met Ms Andreyeva and other soldiers' relatives campaigning for their return.

Former local legislator Boris Nadezhdin, who openly opposes the war in Ukraine, criticised the Kremlin's decision to keep them in the ranks as long as the fighting continues.

'We want (the authorities) to treat people who are doing their duty in a decent way,' Mr Nadezhdin said.
The wife of the former SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford has been left 'broken' and 'devastated' following claims he has been having an affair with a childhood sweetheart, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Mr Blackford, a former investment banker and one of the country's wealthiest MPs  who was once mocked by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for describing himself as a 'humble crofter'  abruptly ended his 22-year marriage to wife Ann in November.

He has been pictured grinning and strolling hand-in-hand with his new lover, Kim Lyons.

Now furious family friends have accused the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP of 'destroying' Ann's life, calling him 'emotionally bereft'.

They say the politician, 62, had been renting a love nest in Cardiff for more than 1,000-a-month to conduct his affair with Ms Lyons, whom he first met when he was 19, and spent 300 from the couple's joint bank account on lingerie.

Ian Blackford (left) has been pictured grinning and strolling hand-in-hand with his new lover Kim Lyons (right)

Furious family friends have accused the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP of 'destroying' his ex-wife Ann's life, calling him 'emotionally bereft'

Mr Blackford, a former investment banker and one of the country's wealthiest MPs  who was once mocked by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for describing himself as a 'humble crofter'

He is said to have cruelly dumped Ann 'out of the blue' just weeks after the couple, who have six grown-up children between them, had returned from a trip to France where they discussed buying a holiday home.

A close family friend told The Mail on Sunday: 'Ann used to be his political rock and confidante. Now, he has ruined her life. She doesn't sleep, she doesn't eat. She just doesn't recognise him any more.

'He has got to be exposed for who he is and what he has done. He is emotionally bereft. He hides it well, but he has got two or three sides to him. Friends found him and the way he spoke to Ann off-putting sometimes, but he was always kind to her and protected her, until now. She feels humiliated.'

Mr Blackford, who owns a portfolio of properties, lost the Westminster leadership in 2021 and is now hoping for a seat in the Lords.

The friend added that being away from the limelight 'had a huge bearing on him' and speculated this may have led to his affair. 'He absolutely loved having his picture taken and he loved the celebrity stuff that came with the job.' they said.

'The family did not know anything about Kim Lyons until now. He said that she had tried contacting him over the years and last summer, he began calling her back. Perhaps he just wanted the attention. She called, and he bit.'

The scale of the affair was laid bare when, after their separation, Mrs Blackford found purchases made from their joint account.

The friend said: 'She saw that in November, he started buying the girlfriend lingerie and jewellery.

'He started to go for dinners in London, according to the accounts, and even on cinema trips. Then, he started taking out more than 1,000 a month to rent a love nest in Cardiff for him and the new woman.'

The friend also revealed: 'A few weeks ago it seems the other woman dumped him, but he must have got her back.'

Mr Blackford and Ms Lyons were pictured last week entering a television studio together in London.

Last night Mr Blackford declined to comment. Mrs Blackford refused to comment.
Lying in her Luxembourg hotel room, waiting for sleep to fall, Louise Crabtree heard the familiar ping of a WhatsApp message.

But while the sender told her he loved her and signed off 'sleepies tight', Louise's heart didn't lift as she read it. It wasn't from her boyfriend, who was 350 miles away, near Hampshire, where single mum Louise, 49, lives with her three teenage children.

Instead her heart sank, because the message was from her boss, Marc Bandemer, a married businessman, father and grandfather ten years her senior, with whom she was in Europe for work. It would be followed in the early hours by another.

'Seems you're asleep,' this message read. 'I am leaving the door slightly ajar and will sleep on the floor if you would like to sleep on the right side of the bed to have a better night's rest.' He appeared to be inviting Louise into his hotel bedroom  indeed, into his bed  in the middle of the night.

This incident in February 2022, Louise claims, was the 'final straw' in a prolonged and stressful campaign of sexual harassment to which she was subjected during the 14 months she worked as an executive director for Bandemer's company, Integer Wealth Global.

Louise Crabtree (pictured) claims her boss has subjected her to a prolonged and stressful campaign of sexual harassment in the last 14 months

Marc Bandemer (pictured) suggested buying a 'love nest' in Cyprus with Louise and followed her into shops and omplimented her 'great little body' in a swimsuit during a work tip

On that same trip, she says, he followed her into shops, accompanied her swimming and complimented her 'great little body' in a swimsuit  behaviour that she says made her feel 'degraded' and 'uncomfortable'.

At no point, she insists, did she encourage or reciprocate it. Bandemer had taken to calling Louise 'honey' and 'girl' in text messages, referred to her as his 'second wife' in business meetings and presented her and her children with expensive gifts, she insists, they felt unable to refuse.

One of these was a diamond solitaire ring; another a Hugo Boss coat.

By March 2022, he'd even suggested buying a 'love nest' in Cyprus together, calling it 'our house'. 'Looking back, I feel groomed by him,' Louise says. 'It got worse and worse, to the point where I was completely overwhelmed and under his control.'

Last October, an employment tribunal upheld her complaint, filed after her dismissal from the company in June 2022, finding she had been a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of Bandemer.

Though he refuted Louise's version of events, a substantial body of evidence  comprising WhatsApp messages and video-call recordings  backed her up, with the tribunal finding Bandemer to be a 'forceful individual who expects to get his own way'.

A fortnight ago, he was ordered to pay Louise nearly 100,000 in compensation for her financial losses, and the mental and emotional strain she endured.

When we meet at her detached house in the market town of Romsey, Hampshire, it's clear Louise is still feeling the toll of the past few years. She is teary, often anxious and doesn't sleep well.

Her doctor thinks she may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as she finds herself repeatedly asking the question that will be on many readers' lips: why did she, an articulate businesswoman who doesn't seem afraid to speak her mind, put up with it for so long?

'I blame myself,' she says. 'I feel like I should have been stronger and I'm angry at myself for not standing up to him sooner.

'I lie awake at night thinking about what I should have done differently. But you can only understand it if you were in my position at that time. As a single mum with three kids, I was depending on my job. I was getting paid well.

The threat of losing that job, of not being able to support my family  that was great enough for me to keep going. There were several times when I thought, 'I'll suck it up for a few more months, then I'll walk.'

Louise joined Integer Wealth Global with plenty of experience. Privately educated in Bristol, with a psychology degree from Plymouth University, she moved to Tokyo in 1996, where she taught English for two years before moving into finance.

She met her husband, from whom she is now legally separated  in Japan and they had their first child there, before moving to Hong Kong and then Canada, where they had two more children.

But when her marriage broke down in 2019, Louise decided to uproot her family by returning to the UK to be near her mum, stepdad and sister.

Last October, an employment tribunal upheld Louise's complaint, filed after her dismissal from the company in June 2022, finding she had been a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of Bandemer

'It was the right thing to do, but it was a very difficult and emotional time,' she says. Determined to rebuild her professional life, she was put in touch with Bandemer, 59, the founder of an investment management company, by a work contact  and a few online messages soon turned into a job offer.

She found herself having lunch with Bandemer, his wife Lioni and two friends, who were also company directors, at his home in Basingstoke.

'It was all very informal, but I liked that,' she says. 'He was friendly, with lots of banter and a great sense of humour.

'He was also very religious, talking about God and telling me how much he loved his wife. I felt like this was someone I could trust.'

Louise signed two contracts with the company in April 2021, one detailing her role as a strategic development executive; the other outlining the commission she would earn from bringing in work.

She was, she says, 'excited'. But things began to sour after only a month. 'I quickly realised that Marc brought his 'banter' to meetings,' Louise explains. 'He'd say completely inappropriate things about me in front of clients, like 'she's so naughty, we need to get the whips and chains out' and 'don't you think she's gorgeous?' He thought I should be flattered. I felt it detracted from my skillset and undermined my professionalism.

'I tried to address it [a transcript from a Microsoft Teams meeting in May 2021 attests to this] by asking him to stop the flattery. I said other people had noticed it. 'He said, 'I don't care two rocks about what other people think. I'm way too arrogant for that.''

Bandemer's behaviour continued unabashed. He told Louise she was 'easy to become addicted to', 'could be a top-ranking fashion model' and complimented her 'gorgeous feet' and 'candy toes'. In another message, he told her: 'You're a gorgeous woman and any red-blooded single guy would be fond of you'.

She claims he took pictures of her without her consent, and once encouraged her to join a video call while wearing her dressing gown. His over-familiarity caught the attention of her partner at the time, who was furious to find a text message from Bandemer addressing Louise as 'stunner'.

'I explained that he didn't mean it, and somehow found myself defending Marc, when really I agreed that it was inappropriate; I was just trying to get on with my job,' she explains. 'It caused significant problems in my relationship. I won't say it ended it, but things changed for the worse and we broke up in the summer of 2021.'

Things then escalated at Louise's birthday party in July that year. Bandemer, whom she says had had too much to drink, tried to pull her on to his lap in front of all her friends and family.

'I felt shocked and humiliated,' Louise recalls. 'I pulled and pulled away. I was trying to ignore it and laugh it off, but everyone had seen. His wife was there. The last thing I wanted my family to think was, 'Well, your boss is hitting on you. Is that why you got the job?'

Louise told Bandemer how upset she was and pleaded with him never to behave that way again.

She says he dismissed her objections, then weeks later issued her with a disciplinary notice, accusing her  wrongly, she insists  of insubordination. 'He'd decided to reprimand me, because I pulled him up on his behaviour,' she claims.

By December that year, however, things had intensified once again.

Louise told Bandemer how upset she was and pleaded with him never to behave that way again

Bandemer began outlining lavish Christmas presents he wanted to buy Louise and her children, now 13, 16 and 18, including a smartwatch for her son and 200 in cash for her daughters.

Louise protested, but admits they did accept smaller tokens from Bandemer. 'It seemed appropriate to exchange gifts to each other and the other directors. I gave some to him and his wife, too.'

In January, Bandemer discovered Louise was dating again. Her current partner, Andy, she says, was fully supportive of her plight, even helping her compose messages to fend off her boss's advances.

The news left Bandemer 'really upset', Louise remembers. 'He wanted to question Andy, to talk to him and see if he was worthy of me. It felt possessive and wrong.'

Soon afterwards, he offered her a promotion with a salary jump from 6,700 to 10,250 a month, plus benefits and commission. Louise says this left her feeling 'stuck'. 'I knew I had to put a stop to what he was doing, but I couldn't afford to say no to that sort of money.'

The trip to Luxembourg came shortly afterwards, followed by an unsettling encounter at Louise's house, when Bandemer  visiting on the pretence of doing some work on her computer  placed his hand on her knee in front of her horrified daughter, then 17.

'When he left the room she looked at me and said, 'Mum, what are you doing? Why are you letting him behave like this?'

'I was so proud of her but also mortified she had seen that. I saw it all through her eyes and everything I'd been burying came out.'

Louise called Bandemer the next day and told him categorically that his behaviour had to stop.

'He was crying, saying he hadn't meant anything by it, and I felt sorry for him, so I started placating him. I thought, at long last, I'd got through to him.'

But it wasn't to be. Alongside messages about buying a house in Cyprus together, which Bandemer later claimed was for 'training' purposes, there was a Valentine's card expressing his love and several lavish gifts: a designer coat, a vase inscribed with the words 'the flowers herein will never surpass your beauty'  and finally, in March 2022, the ring.

Louise recalls: 'He came to my house, sat down and said, 'I've got a gift for you. I've had it for months. This is the last one, I promise. Think of it as a commitment ring, for the company.' I said 'no'. He got upset again and said, 'Please. Take the ring. It's just for work.'

To this day, the sparkling diamond sits in a drawer upstairs, unworn.

'I don't know why I still have it,' she says. 'I should sell it, but I can't bear to touch it.'

Louise says she continued to stand up to Bandemer and refused any further gifts from him. His affections for her seemed to cool in the following months. She found herself being excluded from meetings and, in her words, 'ostracised'. In May 2022, she received a message offering an inferior role and reduced salary.

Louise found herself being excluded from meetings and, in her words, 'ostracised' after she started to refuse gifts from him

When she refused, she was dismissed, without being paid her notice period, holiday pay or pension contributions. She felt she had no choice but to file a claim against Bandemer. 'He turned a job I loved into something awful, and then he took it from me,' she says.

Not only did she have to face him in court, but she had to put herself in the spotlight, laying bare the lurid details of his round-the-clock messages, calls and emails.

'Somebody had to stop him,' Louise says. 'He might go and do it again to someone else.'

To date, Bandemer has made no public statement about the tribunal decision. He did not reply to requests to comment. There are still pictures of, and messages about, Louise on his social media accounts, which this month show him enjoying a trip to South Africa with his wife. On his professional website, he says he is 'just trying to be a good dad, husband and grandad, and helping others get to where they want to be'. The irony of this is not lost on Louise.

For now, she is focusing on her mental health, building her own fledgling finance company, and being there for her children.

'I want to be a good role model, not only to other women out there but to my kids, especially my daughters. I want them to see that Mum's doing OK: she went through something horrible but she stood up to that man, she stood up for her principles and she won.

'I may not have spoken up during my employment but I am speaking up now. And I hope, in years to come, that will make them proud.'
Britain's 6billion fleet of Royal Navy destroyers have gyms where land attack missiles should be due to the weapons being too expensive to buy.

The lack of weapons on the Type 45 warships has raised concerns the Navy is falling even further behind the United States, with drastic shortages of sailors also prompting warnings.

The warships were created to house the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System installed in their bows, enabling them to launch cruise missiles, but are instead accommodating treadmills.

The space has only been used as a gym for crew because the Navy did not obtain the weapons due to them being too expensive, The Telegraph reported.

Last month the US Navy Secretary, Carlos Del Toro, said that 'given the near-term threats to the UK and US', investments in the Royal Navy are 'significantly important'.

Britain's 6billion fleet of Royal Navy destroyers have treadmills (pictured) where land attack missiles should be due to the weapons being too expensive to buy

The lack of weapons on the Type 45 warships has raised concerns the Navy is falling even further behind the United States

Former chairman of the defence select committee, Tobias Ellwood, said: 'When advances in missile technology saw the phasing out of battleships with those mighty 16in guns that could strike targets at sea and on land, the Navy prioritised blue-water warfare, focusing only on defending against and striking air, surface and subsurface targets.

'It is now clear the UK should have followed the example of the US and fitted the Type 45s with Tomahawks rather than only placing them in our submarine fleet.'

Since then, Mr Ellwood has reportedly written to the Defence Secretary suggesting 'consideration of short-term solutions for our destroyer fleet', such as adapting the newest model of guided multiple launch rocket system launchers.

One defence source backed the existence of the gyms, claiming that 'space in any warship is at a premium' and that 'available space is often used to house gym equipment'.

Pete Sandeman, director of Navy Lookout, said: 'For years, many commentators and naval advocates have urged the Navy to add land attack capability to its surface ships.

'For the majority of other top-tier navies this is a standard feature of major surface combatants.'

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: 'The Type 45 destroyers are optimised for air defence and this capability is due to be further enhanced by the incorporation of the common anti-air modular missile.'

The warnings raised over the gyms comes after a drastic shortage of sailors forced the Royal Navy to decommission two of its warships, it was reported last month

The warnings raised over the gyms comes after a drastic shortage of sailors forced the Royal Navy to decommission two of its warships, it was reported last month.

HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll were allegedly retired so their crews could transfer to the service's new Type 26 frigates. The news came as UK sailors were sent to the Red Sea to protect merchant vessels from Houthi rebels.

The retirement of HMS Westminster was controversial as it underwent expensive repairs in 2017 and only recently returned to service.

James Cartlidge, minister for defence procurement, told MPs in October that the estimated cost for refitting HMS Westminster was 100million.

The decommissioning of the ships came as record numbers of sailors, such as navy divers and engineers, have been signing off. Many have been headhunted by private sector companies who can double their wages.

Whitehall sources quoted in the Daily Telegraph justified the pensioning off of older ships so the Royal Navy can perform as a 'modern, hi-tech fighting force'.

A source said: 'It is always emotive when ships with long histories come to the end of their working lives. But decommissioning is the right decision.

'The new Type 26 frigates will be in service before those ships can be refitted.'
He is normally seen in public in kilt and uniform, just a few steps behind the King.

But yesterday Charles's dashing equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, was dressed down in a hoodie and trainers  and strolling along a London street with his new love.

Despite acquiring an army of female fans at the Coronation, the 40-year-old soldier only had eyes for Olivia Lewis, 33, a well-connected PR executive, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The couple have been together for a year and are said to be 'well matched and very happy'.

Last year Thompson received the seal of approval from society bible Tatler, which placed him third on its annual Social Power Index list.

The King's equerry Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, was seen dressed down in a hoodie and trainers  and strolling along a London street with his new love Olivia Lewis

Thompson was promoted last year and has become Charles's right-hand man or 'super equerry'

The magazine wrote: 'It is from within the Palace walls that the King's equerry wields his unique brand of quiet, charming power.'

Not short on Royal connections herself, Ms Lewis met Thompson  who separated from his wife nearly two years ago  while working for Charles and Camilla.

Her father is Simon Lewis, once the Queen's communications supremo and the man credited with 'rescuing' her reputation in the period following the death of Princess Diana. Switching from the Palace to No 10, he became former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spin doctor.

Olivia's uncle is ex-Daily Telegraph editor Sir Will Lewis, now publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post.

Following his appearance at the Coronation and other high-profile engagements, Thompson set social media ablaze and was dubbed 'Major Eye Candy' and the 'Hot Equerry'.

Following his appearance at the Coronation and other high-profile engagements, Thompson set social media ablaze and was dubbed 'Major Eye Candy' and the 'Hot Equerry'

Popular, too, with the King and Queen, he was promoted last year and has become Charles's right-hand man or 'super equerry'. He joined them at the front of the Royal Family procession into church at Sandringham on Christmas Day. From now on, though, his role will be more office-based, meaning he will be seen less in public as he helps organise the King's private affairs.

He serves with the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the decision to extend his secondment from the Army to enable him to remain with the Royal Household was considered an indication of how highly he is valued.

He once recalled an invitation from the late Queen at Balmoral, telling the BBC: 'One evening, myself and my wife, we were invited to one of the bothies (huts) on the estates to dine with Her Majesty.

'She straight away would start making the salad dressing, setting the table and the night culminated with me doing the washing up alongside her, which is a lovely memory.'

Thompson married a marketing manager, who is 12 years older than London-based Ms Lewis, in 2010.

They lived in at least seven homes because of his Army career.
The current asylum system is collapsing. The pressures caused by illegal and dangerous routes to claim asylum, facilitated by serious organised criminal gangs exploiting people and profiting from human misery, not only costs lives but undermines public confidence.

This is counter to our national interest because the same criminal gangs and networks are also responsible for other illicit activity, ranging from drugs and firearms trafficking to serious violent crimes.

It is also counter to our moral interest, as it means people are put in the hands of ruthless criminals who facilitate illegal entry by barbaric means.

We've seen the consequences of people being lost at sea after being placed on to small and unsafe boats, and the tragic loss of life at Purfleet in October 2019, when 39 people died after a gang sealed them in a lorry.

As Home Secretary in 2021, I created a clear approach, called the New Plan for Immigration, which set out a simple principle: access to the UK's asylum system should be based on genuine need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers.

PRITI PATEL: As Home Secretary in 2021, I created a clear approach, called the New Plan for Immigration

We've seen the consequences of people being lost at sea after being placed on to small and unsafe boats. Pictured: Migrants try to cross the Channel

Yaqub Ahmed tried to block deportation after five years, 24 court appearances, 20 judges and 85,000 in legal aid

The first objective was to increase the fairness of the asylum system so that we can better protect and support those in genuine need of refuge.

Second, the focus was to deter illegal entry into the UK, breaking the business model of people-smuggling networks.

If you illegally enter the UK via a safe country in which you could have claimed asylum, you are not seeking refuge or are in imminent peril, you are an economic migrant.

The third objective was to remove more easily from the UK those with no right to be here.

This is vital to tackling the legal merry-go-round in which multiple and often last-minute asylum claims and appeals to the immigration court are made.

Those legal processes have often frustrated the removal of foreign-national offenders, but at every turn our actions were challenged by the Labour opposition, lawyers and campaigners.

During my time as Home Secretary I was bombarded with letters from publicity-seeking Labour MPs posted on social media trying to stop flights removing dangerous criminals from our country.

Showing no regard for public safety or the victims of crime, they sought to defend the rights of criminals.

Mary Harper, BBC's Africa Editor was hired by Ahmed's lawyers to give evidence in Ahmed's appeal to block deportation to Somalia

It is vital to tackling the legal merry-go-round in which multiple and often last-minute asylum claims and appeals to the immigration court are made

In the case of rapist Yaqub Ahmed, whose victim I had supported, this newspaper reported last year how, after five years, 24 court appearances, 20 judges and 85,000 in legal aid, we then learned that the BBC's Africa Editor was hired by his lawyers to give evidence in his appeal to block deportation to Somalia.

Today, the MoS has exposed lawyers who hire 'expert witnesses' to help convicted criminals appeal against deportation. Enough is enough.

Our Nationality and Borders Act legislated so that the way in which asylum seekers enter our country should be taken into account.

I put into legislation a 'one-stop' process to require all rights-based claims to be considered in a single court assessment. The Government has announced it will set this up.

This must ensure that how people enter the country will affect how their asylum claim progresses, and on their status if that claim is legitimate.

For people who have their claims refused, the Government must seek rapid removal to their country of origin or to another safe country.

I also established a way to stop asylum-seeking men posing as children, by introducing tougher age assessments.

The country wants a robust approach to asylum claims that delivers on our commitment to taking back control of our borders, which offers protection for genuine humanitarian needs and which addresses abuses of our system.
It came a day after Iranian military facilities and proxy targets were bombarded by the US in Iraq and Syria

The additional strikes send a clear message to the Iran-backed militia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said

US forces launched a second wave of air and missile strikes aimed at destabilizing Iran-backed proxy militias

The United States and Britain struck 36 targets Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday in a second wave of assaults intended to further disable Iran-backed proxy militias.

The additional strikes send a clear message to the Iran-backed militia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

'These strikes are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilizing attacks against U.S. and international vessels lawfully transiting the Red Sea' Austin said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

'Coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars' he explained.

Adding: 'This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.'

A Tomahawk land attack missile is launched from the USS Gravely against Houthi targets on Saturday evening

A fighter jet is seen taking off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Saturday night, with 36 Iranian-backed targets struck in Yemen

Another dramatic photo shows a British RAF Typhoon jet taking part in Saturday's strikes, which were carried out by the United States and its allies

A British aircraft engineer checks a missile on a Typhoon ahead of Saturday night's strikes

Images that appear to show the latest strikes on Houthi targets emerged on social media on Saturday

No official images of the strikes have yet been made available

The additional strikes send a clear message to the Iran-backed militia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said

Officials said cruise missiles were launched in response to movements by an Iranian-backed rebel group preparing to strike more ships in the Red Sea, the day after the US also shot down at least eight drones in the region.

The latest strikes, approved by Biden earlier this week, came the day after an air assault in Iraq and Syria that targeted other Iranian-backed groups and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

It marks an escalation of the conflict, in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

Officials told The Associated Press that the strikes were targeted on groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

The Houthi targets were in 10 different locations, and were struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by American warships firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, the U.S. officials said.

The latest strikes on Saturday come as the US Military expands its presence in the Middle East, opening up the possibility for further conflict as it now wages wars on two fronts.

A satellite photo of a military base known as Tower 22, a Jordanian base targeted by a bomb-carrying drone that killed three U.S. soldiers. The damage can be seen in the center left of the photo

The strikes come in retaliation to the deaths of Spc. Kennedy Sanders, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers (center) and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett (right), who were killed by a drone strike Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, on their base in Jordan near the Syrian border

The U.K. said the latest strikes were about protecting innocent lives.

'The Houthis attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable and it is our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation,' UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said Saturday night.

Alongside targeting the Houthis' shipment disruptions in Yemen, military leaders are also focused on Iranian proxies that continue to strike US bases in Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

It comes after an Iraqi militia official on Saturday hinted at a desire to deescalate tensions in the Middle East following the retaliatory strikes launched by the United States.

Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, told The Associated Press that Washington 'must understand that every action elicits a reaction.'

While condemning the US's actions, the military official added that 'we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.'

Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly 'devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack.'

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties from the strikes, but did not give a number. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet service members before boarding Air Force One, after attending a casualty return for the three servicemembers killed in the strike

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown and Marine Corp. Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black watch as an Army carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of three servicemembers killed by an Iranian-backed strike

An Army carry team loads the transfer case containing the remains of the three military servicemembers, whose deaths have triggered several waves of retaliatory strikes

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-Awadi said in a statement Saturday that the strikes in Iraq near the Syrian border killed 16, including civilians, and there was 'significant damage' to homes and private properties.

A U.S. official said Saturday that an initial battle damage assessment showed the U.S. had struck each of its planned targets, in addition to a few 'dynamic targets' that popped up as the mission unfolded.

These new targets included a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that were not yet public, did not yet have a casualty assessment.

Iraqs foreign ministry announced Saturday it would summon the U.S. embassys charge daffaires - the ambassador being outside of the country - to deliver a formal protest over U.S. strikes on 'Iraqi military and civilian sites.'

The U.S. said Friday it had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started.

The air assault was the opening salvo of U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The U.S. has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias.

Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction.

Iraqi spokesperson al-Awadi condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, particularly since some of them targeted facilities of the Population Mobilization Forces.

US officials said they had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started Friday. Pictured is US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

The PMF, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, was officially brought under the umbrella of the Iraqi armed forces after it joined the fight against the Islamic State in 2014, but in practice it continues to operate largely outside of state control.

The Popular Mobilization Forces said in a statement Saturday that one of the sites targeted was an official security headquarters of the group.

In addition to the 16 killed, it said 36 people had been wounded, 'while the search is still ongoing for the bodies of a number of the missing.'

The Iraqi government has been in a delicate position since a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq - many of whose members are also part of the PMF - began launching attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria on October 18.

The group described the strikes as retaliation for Washington's support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Behind the scenes, Iraqi officials have attempted to rein in the militias, while also condemning U.S. retaliatory strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 U.S. troops who are in the country as part of an international coalition to fight IS.

Last month, Iraqi and U.S. military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalition's presence, a process that will likely take years.

One of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops following Sunday's strike that killed the U.S. troops in Jordan, to avoid "embarrassing" the Iraqi government.

Meanwhile Saturday, the U.S. militarys Central Command acknowledged it had had a series of skirmishes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with Yemens Houthi rebels. On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage.

The U.S. also conducted airstrikes on four Houthi drones preparing to launch that it said 'presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.'

On Saturday, Central Command said it struck six additional anti-ship cruise missiles that it said were prepared to launch and presented an imminent threat.

Overnight, F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, along with the USS Laboon, shot down seven drones in the Red Sea.
Britain said it engaged in another wave of 'proportionate and targeted strikes'

Britain last night joined the US in a fresh wave of strikes against Houthis in Yemen - with at least 36 targets blasted in the third set of attacks to 'protect innocent lives', Grant Shapps has said.

The UK said on Saturday it had engaged in another wave of 'proportionate and targeted strikes' against Iran-linked Houthi militants.

The attacks are meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly assaulted American and international interests with drones and missiles in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

Defence Secretary Mr Shapps insisted the bombings are 'not an escalation' of the Red Sea crisis and claimed the latest strikes will have further degraded the Houthis' capabilities.

'The Houthis' attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable and it is our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation,' he said.

'That is why the Royal Air Force engaged in a third wave of proportionate and targeted strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen.

'We acted alongside our US allies, with the support of many international partners, in self-defence and in accordance with international law.'

An RAF Typhoon aircraft was seen taking off to conduct further strikes against Houthi targets

An explosion is seen amid the fresh waves of attacks from the UK and US against Houthi targets

A Houthi trooper takes part in a military exercise at a remote area on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen on Saturday

An RAF Typhoon FRG4s being prepared to conduct further strikes against Houthi targets

US Strikes in Yemen as part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Iranian-backed Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the re

The strikes were meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests

Britain said on Saturday it had engaged in another wave of 'proportionate and targeted strikes' against Iran-linked Houthi militants

He added: 'This is not an escalation. We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, and I am confident that our latest strikes have further degraded the Houthis' capabilities.

'Having recently met those British personnel stationed in the region, I know the dedication and professionalism with which they serve our nation's armed forces and I would like to thank them for ensuring this operation was a success.'

Dramatic footage showed a large explosion rocking parts of Yemen, turning the sky orange and fire raged.

The additional strikes send a clear message to the Iran-backed militia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

'These strikes are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilizing attacks against U.S. and international vessels lawfully transiting the Red Sea' Austin said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

'Coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars' he explained.

He added: 'This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.'

Officials said cruise missiles were launched in response to movements by an Iranian-backed rebel group preparing to strike more ships in the Red Sea, the day after the US also shot down at least eight drones in the region.

The skyline above Sana'a in Yemen glows orange following a missile strike by US and UK forces

Video footage shows an explosion taking place behind a built-up area in Yemen

An RAF Typhoon launches from Britain's military base on Cyprus

An RAF Typhoon FGR4 gets ready to go to conduct further strikes against Houthi targets

And RAF jet prepares for take off from Britain's military base on Cyprus

The strikes came as news broke that Britain's 3.5billion aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth had suffered a technical fault which is set to put the warship out of action 'for months' - potentially scuppering hopes of it being sent to the Red Sea.

The mighty 65,000-tonne behemoth - Britain's biggest warship - was due to set sail on Sunday to join one of the largest Nato exercises in a decade.

But just hours before departure from her home base of Portsmouth, in Hampshire, the Royal Navy announced that engineers had spotted an issue with a coupling on one of Queen Elizabeth's propeller shafts during 'routine checks'.

'As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday,' the Navy said, adding Britain's second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, would take her place at the Nato war game.

The development will come as a bitter blow for naval top brass, who have faced political pressure to send one of the UK's two aircraft carriers to the Red Sea in a show of force - and to relieve an American carrier already in the region.

Only last week, Mr Shapps had hinted that the ship could soon head to the Red Sea. Both carriers are purpose built to embark the new F-35 stealth jet.

HMS Queen Elizabeth's woe echoes a similar - but more costly problem - faced by her sister ship the Prince of Wales, which suffered a catastrophic breakdown shortly after departing Portsmouth for America in August 2022.

The bedevilled carrier's propeller was ruined in the incident, putting the ship out of action for the best part of a year while she was fixed in Scotland and leaving the navy with a multi-million pound repair bill.

HMS Queen Elizabeth's fault isn't believed to be as serious. But a former British frigate captain told the MailOnline that it could be severe enough to put the ship out of action for 'a couple of months' as she is fixed in a dry dock in Rosyth, Scotland.

Commander Tom Sharpe said: 'HMS Queen Elizabeth will now most likely have to dock down (which will take time). What this does to her status as the high readiness carrier and her programmed maintenance schedule is to be confirmed.'

If Britain is to send any aircraft carrier to the Red Sea, it is now likely to be the Prince of Wales.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales are seen in Portsmouth

Earlier Houthi rebels were pictured as they practiced manoeuvres from their heavily-armoured vehicles, with Palestinian flags and Yemen flags flying side by side,

One photograph captured the potentially deadly devastation caused by the weapons, with the mock targets bursting into flames

The Houthi rebels practiced their moves in the remote area of Sana'a in Yemen on Saturday

A missile appears to take off during the military exercise targeting mock US and Israeli targets

A fleet of drones take off through the skies while operators watch on from the ground nearby

The latest strikes against the Houthis came the day after an air assault in Iraq and Syria that targeted other Iranian-backed groups and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

It marks an escalation of the conflict, in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

Officials told The Associated Press that the strikes were targeted on groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

READ MORE: Defiant Houthis launch missiles during military drill in Yemen amid escalating attacks on Red Sea shipping: Middle East crisis reaches boiling point with American threatening MORE airstrikes after bombing Syria and Iraq Advertisement

The Houthi targets were in 10 different locations, and were struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by American warships firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, the U.S. officials said.

Later, Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed RAF Typhoon FGR4s were supported by Voyager tankers during the joint mission with Washington, with more than 30 sites across 13 locations hit by coalition forces, according to a joint statement by the eight nations involved.

The coalition reiterated its warning to Houthi leadership, saying 'we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways'.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron has vowed to hold Iran to account for the actions of its proxy groups, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Conservative peer told The Sunday Times: 'I have met with the Iranian foreign minister and had a very robust conversation where I said that these proxies are your proxies, you cannot disclaim your responsibility for them.

'Of course you can claim they have a certain amount of independence but you created them, you backed them, you financed them, you provided them with weapons, and you will ultimately be held accountable for what they do.'

But in a defiant display, the Iran-backed rebel group last night released a series of pictures showing their fighters carrying out military drills and mock attacks in Yemen.

Last night's attacks come MPs warned Britain's overstretched Armed Forces may be unable to fight an all-out war, and chronic shortages of troops and equipment are being covered up in a 'veil of secrecy'.

In a damning report released today, the Defence Select Committee concluded the Army is the UK's 'weakest service' due to 'significant capability deficiencies'  which included drastic shortages of vehicles, tanks and even ammunition.

After facing a wall of silence while compiling their Ready For War report, the MPs urged military top brass and Ministers to be more transparent about shortcomings so they can be addressed urgently.

The report further highlights war-readiness issues with the Royal Navy's 3.5 billion aircraft carriers.

Despite spending about 50 billion a year on defence, 'sustained ongoing investment' is needed for the UK to fight a 'high-intensity war', today's report concludes.

It comes just days after an outgoing Army chief said the public would have to be called up to fight if Britain goes to war because the regular Forces are too small.

Concerns have been raised by MPs about the state of Britain's military (file picture)

Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will now replace HMS Queen Elizabeth on the exercise

The absence of a UK carrier in the Red Sea region has left the US to conduct almost the entirety of air strikes on Houthi military infrastructure

Sir Jeremy Quin, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, said: 'A steady, continuous drip of operations and ongoing commitments has meant the military is unable to devote sufficient training and resources to high-intensity war fighting. On top of this, the high tempo of operations and unrelenting pressure on our Services has led to a drop in retention, compounded by a period of low recruitment and difficulties introducing and maintaining capabilities, thereby creating a vicious cycle.'

MPs were most concerned by the military's 'war-fighting readiness', saying its ability at a sustained high intensity was 'in doubt'.

Witnesses told the inquiry that the Armed Forces would struggle in a major conflict, claiming the British Army does not have enough new infantry fighting vehicles, Challenger tanks or adequate missile defence capabilities. The Royal Navy is suffering from delays to a new frigate programme and an 'over-tasked' aircraft fleet, while the RAF has a shortfall of combat aircraft, delays to new Chinook helicopters and too few pilots.

The heads of the Forces also raised concerns about stockpiles used by Ukraine reducing the amount available to the UK.

MPs found basic staples of national security, such as the number of warships the Royal Navy can muster, are no longer being acknowledged because the situation is so bad. They also said it was 'unacceptable' that a lack of transparency had compromised their attempts to assess readiness. Previously the information they needed was in the public domain. Today it is either graded as classified or simply not recorded.

Former Labour Defence Minister Kevan Jones said: 'The MoD needs to lift the veil of secrecy put in place to hide the truth and be clear with the people about the limitations of our Armed Forces.'

An Mod spokesman said: 'Our Armed Forces are always ready to protect the UK and we continue to meet all operational commitments.'

The dire warning came as the US military expands its presence in the Middle East, opening up the possibility for further conflict as it now wages wars on two fronts.

Alongside targeting the Houthis' shipment disruptions in Yemen, military leaders are also focused on Iranian proxies that continue to strike US bases in Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

It comes after an Iraqi militia official on Saturday hinted at a desire to deescalate tensions in the Middle East following the retaliatory strikes launched by the United States.

A satellite photo of a military base known as Tower 22, a Jordanian base targeted by a bomb-carrying drone that killed three U.S. soldiers. The damage can be seen in the center left of the photo

The strikes come in retaliation to the deaths of Spc. Kennedy Sanders, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers (center) and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett (right), who were killed by a drone strike Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, on their base in Jordan near the Syrian border

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet service members before boarding Air Force One, after attending a casualty return for the three servicemembers killed in the strike

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown and Marine Corp. Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black watch as an Army carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of three servicemembers killed by an Iranian-backed strike

An Army carry team loads the transfer case containing the remains of the three military servicemembers, whose deaths have triggered several waves of retaliatory strikes

Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, told The Associated Press that Washington 'must understand that every action elicits a reaction.'

While condemning the US's actions, the military official added that 'we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.'

Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly 'devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack.'

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties from the strikes, but did not give a number. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed.

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-Awadi said in a statement Saturday that the strikes in Iraq near the Syrian border killed 16, including civilians, and there was 'significant damage' to homes and private properties.

A U.S. official said Saturday that an initial battle damage assessment showed the U.S. had struck each of its planned targets, in addition to a few 'dynamic targets' that popped up as the mission unfolded.

These new targets included a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that were not yet public, did not yet have a casualty assessment.

Iraqs foreign ministry announced Saturday it would summon the U.S. embassys charge daffaires - the ambassador being outside of the country - to deliver a formal protest over U.S. strikes on 'Iraqi military and civilian sites.'

The U.S. said Friday it had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started.

The air assault was the opening salvo of U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The U.S. has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias.

Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction.

Iraqi spokesperson al-Awadi condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, particularly since some of them targeted facilities of the Population Mobilization Forces.

US officials said they had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started Friday. Pictured is US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

The PMF, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, was officially brought under the umbrella of the Iraqi armed forces after it joined the fight against the Islamic State in 2014, but in practice it continues to operate largely outside of state control.

The Popular Mobilization Forces said in a statement Saturday that one of the sites targeted was an official security headquarters of the group.

In addition to the 16 killed, it said 36 people had been wounded, 'while the search is still ongoing for the bodies of a number of the missing.'

The Iraqi government has been in a delicate position since a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq - many of whose members are also part of the PMF - began launching attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria on October 18.

The group described the strikes as retaliation for Washington's support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Behind the scenes, Iraqi officials have attempted to rein in the militias, while also condemning U.S. retaliatory strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 U.S. troops who are in the country as part of an international coalition to fight IS.

Last month, Iraqi and U.S. military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalition's presence, a process that will likely take years.

One of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops following Sunday's strike that killed the U.S. troops in Jordan, to avoid 'embarrassing' the Iraqi government.

Meanwhile Saturday, the U.S. militarys Central Command acknowledged it had had a series of skirmishes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with Yemens Houthi rebels. On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage.

The U.S. also conducted airstrikes on four Houthi drones preparing to launch that it said 'presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.'

On Saturday, Central Command said it struck six additional anti-ship cruise missiles that it said were prepared to launch and presented an imminent threat.

Overnight, F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, along with the USS Laboon, shot down seven drones in the Red Sea.
Are you ready for some news that will make you feel old? Today Facebook, the social media giant that changed the world, turns 20 years old.

In those two decades Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has morphed from a nerdy frat boy into Silicon Valley's billionaire bogeyman.

And, the product he created has undergone a no less bewildering transformation.

From the birth of the Newsfeed to the death of long-forgotten features, the Facebook we know has come a long way since its inception.

So, what is the oldest Facebook feature you remember? Read on to find out.

Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) launched Facebook in 2004 as a tool to connect students on college campuses, but the site is now 20 years old and a lot has changed

 Slide me  If you joined Facebook in 2004 (pictured left) even the 2011 version of the site (pictured right) may be almost unrecognizable

 Slide me  It's been a long journey for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) from building a website out of his college dorm (pictured left in May 2004) to testifying before Congress about the harms of the social media network he created (pictured right in January 2024)

READ MORE: Online safety experts hail new restrictions on Facebook and Meta Advertisement

Facebook  or The Facebook, as it was then called  was founded on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates.

Back then, the website was meant to replace the real 'Facebook' which was a paper handout profiling Harvard's students and teachers.

But, compared to the modern version of the site this original iteration might appear pretty bare bones.

There was no Newsfeed, no timeline, no walls or status updates, and only one picture per profile.

The site was simply a collection of isolated profile pages with a collection of biographical information

This is what a profile on 'The Facebook' looked like when the site launched in 2004. No thrills, only one picture, and not even a function for messaging. The site did have a now-removed function to visualise your social network

When Facebook launched it did have the option to create groups, like this one here. But they were very simple and didn't include much information

But, unless you happened to be a university student in 2004, there is almost no chance that you ever saw this version of the site.

When The Facebook first launched users needed a @harvard.edu email address to even sign up, although throughout 2004 it came to other universities too, including Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge.

It wouldn't be till 2006 that it became accessible to the general public  and anyone over 13 years old could sign up for the first time.

But, in those years between the site being founded and opening up to the public a lot of big changes were put in place.

The first is that Facebook dropped the 'The' in its name after buying the domain facebook.com for $200,000.

The other big change was that on February 5, 2006, only 20 days before Facebook would open up the world, the site added the first iteration of the Newsfeed.

In 2006, when it was first made open to the public, Facebook added the Newsfeed and Mini Newsfeed (pictured) these collected all the updates to users' profiles in one place

With this change, it marked the first time Facebook became more than just a collection of profiles and groups.

Now, users could see a list of every time someone in their network made a change to their profile.

In a blog post made at the time, Facebook wrote: 'It updates a personalized list of news stories throughout the day, so you'll know when Mark adds Britney Spears to his Favorites or when your crush is single again.'

But, in what would become a running theme of Zuckerberg's career, users were outraged that what they had thought of as private information was suddenly made very public.

Groups such as Students Against Facebook News Feed amassed hundreds of thousands of members and Zuckerberg himself had to make an official response.

Yet, despite the strong initial pushback, the Newsfeed persisted and has become one of Facebook's most instantly recognisable features.

If you were an early adopter of social media, this is probably very similar to the version of the site you remember.

Facebook Newsfeed has come a long way since it was first created. In the original version (pictured) users only saw updates to their friend's profiles, but in the modern version the feed is filled with content from third-parties

READ MORE: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly shut down calls from execs to improve teen safety on Facebook Advertisement

Another classic feature you might remember from this era of Facebook is the poke button.

In an early FAQ page from 2005, Facebook said the poke button was made because 'we thought it would be fun to make a feature that has no specific purpose and to see what happens from there'.

But the pointless feature proved to be wildly popular with users launching into 'poke wars' with their friends, sending a flurry of digital nudges  or as a way of subtly telling their crush they liked them.

And, while you might think that the feature has been canned this actually isn't the case.

The poke menu is simply hidden somewhere within Facebook's web of settings and menus.

But by following this link, you can rediscover the Poke menu and start annoying your friends all over again.

You might remember the Facebook Poke button as either a beloved memory or a long-forgotten annoyance. Facebook, for their part, says they added it because they 'thought it would be fun to make a feature that has no specific purpose'

The Poke feature isn't actually gone, it is simply hidden and is easiest accessed through a direct link

But this version of Facebook is still very different to the version we have today as the introduction of the Newsfeed preceded a number of further changes.

2008 was a year of iconic developments for Facebook.

That year company launched Facebook Chat, the messaging service that would one day be spun out to become Messenger.

Facebook also created the Wall and the first Facebook app for iPhone.

The Wall allowed users to build a collection of posts, media, comments, and messages that were linked to them.

In 2009, the homepage got a few cosmetic updates and the timeline began to update in real time.

And it was only in 2010 that Facebook first got a notifications tab in the top navigation bar.

In 2008 Facebook first created the Wall. This iconic development allowed users to collect all the updates, comments, messages, and media related to them in one place

 Slide me  2008 also saw the launch of Facebook for iPhone (left). Compared to the modern version (right) this might seem clunky but it was hugely exciting for the time

In 2011, Facebook underwent another huge overhaul that did away with some old features.

This time, it was the introduction of the 'Timeline' as we know it today.

This replaced the old concept of profiles with a visual timeline that allowed Facebook users to tell the story of their life from their birth to the present day.

And, with the inclusion of recognisable features such as banner images, the 2011 version is still similar to what we have today.

As of today, Facebook retains most of the original features added in these early years.

Users still have timelines rather than profile pages, and content is still delivered by an algorithmically selected Newsfeed.

However, anyone who has been on Facebook recently will tell you, the user experience is quite different.

In 2011 Facebook finally replaced its old profiles with the Timeline (pictured) that we have today. This collected information about users from their birth right up until the present day

READ MORE: Mark Zuckerberg told Facebook engineers to tweak its algorithm to throttle traffic to certain news websites, according to report Advertisement

In the last decade or so Facebook has introduced a number of new features which have added different functionalities to the site.

In 2015, Facebook Live was introduced, bringing live video to the platform for the first time, and in 2016 launched the Facebook Marketplace.

But the most recent new features seem aimed at helping Facebook compete with its new rivals.

In 2018 Snapchat Evan Spiegel poked fun at Facebook's habit of stealing ideas after the company introduced a host of features which appeared to be direct clones of their rival.

Facebook introduced filters in Facebook Messenger, an in-app camera, and Facebook Stories: all of which appeared to have originated with Snapchat.

More recently, in 2022 Facebook launched its short video service: Reels.

However, this was a fairly obvious attempt to cash in on the success of TikTok, Facebook's fast-growing rival.

Behind the scenes, things have been changing quickly.

Since its origin, the Newsfeed selected which posts to prioritise based on algorithmic selection rather than chronological order.

But this simple algorithm was limited to updates about your friends' profile updates, statuses, and posts.

Now, your Facebook feed is largely populated with adverts, accounts you don't follow, and suggested content  all vying for attention thanks to powerful algorithms.

This all makes for a very different type of user experience, quite far removed from Facebook's origins as a tool for connecting friends on campus.

Now Facebook faces criticism that its algorithm is responsible for promoting harmful and inflammatory content.

Recently, at a US Senate Hearing Facebook's algorithm was even accused of promoting child sex abuse material to paedophiles.

Mr Zuckerberg apologised to families who said their children had been harmed by social media but insists that the company does the utmost to protect young users.
NASA has discovered a 'super-Earth' 137-light years away in the habitable zone that could be a promising candidate for life.

Called TOI-715 b, the exoplanet is 1.5 times larger than Earth and orbits at a small, reddish star that could emit the right temperature for liquid water to form on the surface - a key ingredient for supporting life.

Astronomers now plan to analyzeTOI-715 b's properties and atmospheres to determine if it possible companion planet.

The super-Earth is located 137 light-years from Earth and completes one orbit every 19 days

Exoplanets are worlds located outside of our solar system and have been studied since 2018 by instruments like NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), allowing astronomers to not only discover new worlds but to also reveal some of their intrinsic characteristics.

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) launched six years ago to observe these 'transiting' planets, which orbit around stars like our sun.

An international team of scientists led by the University of Birmingham used an array of Earth-based telescopes to narrow down TOI-715 b's location once TESS sent back clues of its existance.

The team found that TOI-715 b has a much tighter orbit than Earth, meaning it crosses the face of its stars more often and completes one orbit every 19 days.

This is comparable to one 'year' by Earth's standards.

NASA has discovered other super-Earths but many are not habitable because they are either too hot for survival or are fully covered in water

However, that also means one side of the super-Earth always faces toward its star.

The position could cause extreme temperature differences between the day and night sides and affect climate and weather.

The same system also might harbor a second, Earth-sized planet.

The researchers said if they can confirm the second Earth-like planet within TOI-175 b's orbit, it would be the smallest habitable zone planet discovered by TESS to date.

'Planet TOI-175 b joins the list of habitable-zone planets that could be more closely scrutinized by the Webb telescope, perhaps even for signs of an atmosphere,' NASA said.

'Much will depend on the planet's other properties, including how massive it is and whether it can be classed as a 'water world'  making its atmosphere, if present, more prominent and far less difficult to detect than that of a more massive, denser and drier world, likely to hold its lower-profile atmosphere closer to the surface.'

Although the super-Earth's findings are unique in many ways, exoplanets themselves are not unusual, and NASA has discovered more than 5,000 of these planets and confirmed there are likely over a trillion exoplanets in the Milky Way alone.

The first exoplanet was discovered more than three decades ago and gives astronomers hope that other planets could harbor life.

Not all super-Earths are candidates for life, with some hosting extreme temperatures while others could be entirely covered in water or have active lava flows.

'We don't know a lot about super-Earths, because we don't have one in our solar system,' Chris Impey, a professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, told Mashable.

But if one thing is for certain, Renyu Hu, an exoplanet researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory told the outlet: 'They are indeed very exciting planets.'
The US leg of her Eras tour bolstered the economy Stateside by at least $10bn

Taylor Swift is redefining what it is to be a success in the music industry - and simultaneously changing the travel industry.

Last year, the U.S leg of her Eras tour bolstered the economy Stateside by at least $10billion (8.6billion), according to the U.S Travel Association. The 'Taylor Swift Effect' was name-checked in the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's annual report as a growth factor for local economies in cities she visited.

Swift is now at the vanguard of 'tour tourism' - a burgeoning trend where holidaymakers choose their destination based on attending a gig there.

And it's big business. During the US leg of Swift's tour, hotels in cities she played in reported record-breaking occupancy rates. But those hotels weren't just full, they were coining it.

Travel analysis firm Lighthouse aggregated data across 13 tour stops in North America, and found hotel room prices experienced an average bump of 7.7 per cent compared to the month prior to tour dates. This rise happened across the entire month, with Swift only playing for two to three nights, suggesting concert-going correlated to people taking mini-breaks.

Last year, the U.S leg of Taylor Swift's Eras tour broke records and bolstered the economy Stateside by at least $10billion (8.6billion), according to the U.S Travel Association

Look what you made me do with my travel plans: In 2024, Swift is taking her Eras Tour to both Europe and Australasia. According to Opodo, searches of travel to cities during the dates of the Swift concerts are well up compared to searches to the same cities the year prior. Above fans enjoy a Taylor Swift performance in Inglewood, California

Swift is now at the vanguard of 'tour tourism' - a burgeoning trend where holidaymakers choose their destination based on attending a gig there

WORLD LEADERS PETITION FOR AN ERAS TOUR PIT-STOP With a guaranteed boost to the local economy and tourist trade, it's little wonder world leaders have openly petitioned to have Taylor Swift visit their countries. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Swift last year, imploring her to visit; Chilean President Gabriel Boric all but begged for a gig stop; while the the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, penned her a pleading letter and posted it on Instagram. Most moving is Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party, who tweeted Swift: 'Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election, and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours.' Advertisement

It's a conclusion corroborated by travel and hospitality data analysts RateGain, which said that within the U.S tour, destinations experienced a 'long-tail effect' around concert dates: people used the gig as a lynchpin around which to plan a 'Swiftcation', staying a week or two after the date Swift played.

These pilgrimages to see Swift are representative of a growing trend. In a November 2023 survey Expedia conducted about tour tourism, 70 per cent of respondents said they were more likely than ever to travel outside their home town to attend a concert.

Expedia says tour tourism is on the rise due to myriad factors, from post-pandemic enthusiasm for travel, consumer hunger to attend large-scale gigs again and, in the case of Swift, an unusually devoted fan base willing to go to great lengths to see her, considering how elusive Eras tickets are (one analysis of TicketMaster data concluded those trying to score a ticket had a 1 in 25 chance).

In 2024, Swift is taking her Eras Tour to both Europe and Australasia.

Evidence is already mounting that the record-breaking tour is inspiring holiday plans in Europe.

According to Opodo, searches of travel to cities during the dates of the Swift concerts are well up compared to searches to the same cities the year prior. 'Searches [for travel to] Stockholm have increased almost five-fold (473 per cent) year on year for [the dates Swift is playing],' Opodo reports.

Searches for travel to Warsaw are 339 per cent higher over her August tour dates compared to the same period in 2023, while searches for travel to Edinburgh and Liverpool over 7 to 15 June have grown 176 per cent and 133 per cent respectively.

Despite 53 dates in the U.S in 2023, the Eras tour continues to lure Americans abroad. According to Opodo 'U.S travellers lead the board globally for the most searches over concert dates to Paris, Madrid, Dublin, Amsterdam, Zurich, Hamburg and London'

Opodo also reports significant spikes in searches to Zurich, Lyon, Milan, Amsterdam, and Vienna.

Notably, despite 53 dates in the U.S in 2023, the Eras tour continues to lure Americans abroad. According to Opodo 'U.S travellers lead the board globally for the most searches over concert dates to Paris, Madrid, Dublin, Amsterdam, Zurich, Hamburg and London'.

Most impressively, Opodo suggests Australians are willing to make a long-haul Taylor Swift pilgrimage: their travel searches suggest they are looking to head to London over any other Swift-tour destination.

Expedia says tour tourism is on the rise due to myriad factors, from post-pandemic enthusiasm for travel, consumer hunger to attend large-scale gigs again and, in the case of Swift, an unusually devoted fan base willing to go to great lengths to see her

For those touring Swifties worried they'll be bereft when the Eras Tour finally ends, there's a salve - in October 2024, a four-night, Swift-Themed Cruise is setting sail from Port of Miami, the day after Swift performs her last show in the city.

It could be Aussies are looking to make a trip of a lifetime, using Swift as an excuse. Or it could be a more cost-effective trip to make than seeing her closer to home.

Australian hotel prices are already surging for the period Swift is playing down under, with hotel prices in Melbourne and Sydney climbing to over AUS $1,000 (785) a night, while one hostel in Sydney Central is charging AUS $565 (482) for a private room on the night of her gig.

Aware of how far (literally) people are willing to go to see Swift, savvy tour companies are helping music lovers build out their holidays. London-based Contiki, a company that specialises in social travel for 18 to 35-year-olds, is catering directly to the tour tourism market during the European leg of Swift's Eras Tour.

The 'Taylor Your Itinerary 2024' is an offer selling five trips pinned to the Eras concert dates across four European cities. The trips have Swift-inspired itineraries and, cannily, the company has offered a 13 per cent discount (13 being Taylor Swift's favourite number) to Eras Tour ticket holders booking any trip longer than two weeks.

And for those touring Swifties worried they'll be bereft when the Eras Tour finally ends, there's a salve - in October 2024, a four-night, Swift-Themed Cruise is setting sail from Port of Miami, the day after Swift performs her last show in the city.
A flight attendant has revealed her four top tips to ensure your holiday kicks off without a hitch.

TikToker Caroline, from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, who goes by @xoblondevoyage, revealed to her followers exactly what to do when travelling - especially in the run-up to summer.

These include booking your flights early, the optimum time to get to the airport and why you should not panic when you see condensation on plane windows.

Floridian air stewardess, Caroline warned that airports begin to get hectic as early as mid-June, advising customers to give themselves at least two hours between flights

1. LEAVE MORE THAN 2 HOURS BETWEEN FLIGHTS

Hopping from one plane and racing to the gate of your next can be a very stressful experience to say the least.

Because of this, the flight attendant reccomends you give yourself ample time to get from one flight to another.

She said: 'If you are booking a connecting flight make sure to give yourself at least two hours in-between flights.'

READ MORE: Flight attendant reveals the WILDEST stunts passengers pull to try and get upgraded to first class - as she lifts the lid on how plane staff are really trained to deal with them Advertisement

Divulging how often third-party websites will only give travellers 30 minutes between flights, she explained that this is 'not enough time'.

She added: 'Even an hour these days is just not enough time.

'You dont want to be stressed and rushing from your flight and not make the next flight and then the one after is oversold.'

She urged her followers to at least give themselves two hours between one flight and the next.

2. BOOK AN EARLY FLIGHT

Perhaps unwelcome advice for those who enjoy an extra five minutes snuggled up in bed, but Caroline suggested flying earlier will make your journey easier.

She quipped: 'I know you don't want to wake up at three in the morning to catch a 5 am flight

'But I promise you the earlier you flight is the smoother everything is going to go.'

Caroline explained that the earlier you go the more time you have to prepare if something goes awry - so regardless you can make sure you get to your destination.

The flight attendant also recommended customers book the earliest possible flight as it will make their travel a lot smoother

3. DOWNLOAD THE AIRLINE'S APP

Installing extra apps may seem like quite the hassle, however the Floridian assures viewers that it will make the travelling process easier.

She instructed: 'Download the app of whatever airline you are flying.'

READ MORE: Flight attendant 'traumatises' travelers after revealing why you should NEVER drink the coffee served on airplanes Advertisement

Elaborating on how useful these applications are, Caroline explained that not only does it mean you have your boarding pass to hand but you can even track your checked-in bags.

She added: 'You can find out if there are any delays and get information on your connecting flight and which gate it is at. There is just so much information on them.'

Caroline added that you should download the app of whatever airline you are using.

She quipped: 'It will help you out so much as you are travelling throughout the airport.'

4. DON'T PANIC ABOUT THE CONDENSATION

In another clip, imparting her advice to less seasoned travellers, Caroline urged them not to become panicked by the smoke.

Whilst flying you may have not there is the tiniest bit of 'smoke' from the head-panel above.

However, she explained that this is perfectly normal to see when you are jetting in the skies.

'I get asked this everytime it happens' she penned, divulging: 'This isn't smoke it's condensation it's normal.'
TRIGGER POINT

Sundays, ITV1

Rating:

Im going to stick my neck out, critically speaking, and say that Trigger Point  back for a second series  is not merely TVs most explode-y show but also the only one with a final credit that reads Expo bomb suit provided by NA Aerospace.

The wearer of this suit is Lana Washington (Vicky McClure), who sounds as if she should be working her way through the Great American Songbook at Ronnie Scotts but is, in fact, a very deadpan Army veteran-turned-police bomb disposal officer (aka an expo).

Bombs away! But can Lana (Vicky McClure) defuse her love life in Trigger Point?

In the opening episode, Lana is talking about her work at a London conference, having just returned to the UK from Estonia, where shes spent six months teaching Ukrainians how to defuse bombs. At the precise moment she observes (with some understatement) that we have to be on our guard at all times, Lanas attention is distracted. Glancing through the plate glass windows of the conference room she witnesses an enormous explosion nearby, on the Isle of Dogs.

How exciting  and convenient!  that this event should occur in Lanas professional sightline. How disappointing for the delegates, though, when she inevitably shoots off to discover whether theres anything left to defuse.

Meanwhile, theres office politics. Never mind defusing the tension between her and her ex, DCI Thom Youngblood (Mark Stanley), theres Lanas on-probation colleague John to contend with too. What the f***s he doing here? He almost had me killed! Hes dangerous. Hes a racist!

And this isnt even the biggest clue that John might  spoiler alert!  be a goner before the end of the episode. That, in fact, is when Lanas new boss is introduced as Commander John Francis (Julian Ovenden)  because there is no safe space for two different Johns to happily co-habit in the same cast. For the racist John who nearly offed Lana, its, well, boom!

It doesnt really matter what Trigger Points specific terrorist threat is, though it appears to be a bunch who say theyre taking back the power for the people  which (if only to me) calls to mind the lyrics my father, Doug, wrote for Cliff Richards UK Eurovision entry Power To All Our Friends, in 1973.

Whatever, were mostly here for the explosions, right? Or potential explosions  like that booby-trap pressure-plate on which DCI Thom is standing while Lana not only shouts at him to stay still but tests his mettle further by declaring her love for him before she goes to snip the wire. Talk about multi-tasking! Thom, meanwhile, is recently re-coupled to colleague Helen, whos waiting nervously round the corner. Should he survive hes wondering who to hug first.

I love McClure in everything she does  however, through no fault of her own, I probably love her just a little less in this over-adrenalised, po-faced, plausibility-stretching thriller. Nonetheless, its entertaining, with sufficient edge-of-the- seat clock-ticking to make even Countdowns Rachel Riley break out in a cold sweat.

An unmissable early draft of history

PUTIN VS THE WEST: AT WAR

Mondays, BBC 2

Rating:

As recent events in the Middle East threaten to eclipse the two-year-old war in Ukraine, Putin Vs The West is a near-perfect early draft of history. In the two-parters first episode, distinguished US documentary-maker Norma Percy gathered a stellar array of talking heads to shed light on the dark early days of the invasion ordered by the Russian leader.

From Boris Johnson to Volodymyr Zelensky (both above), via numerous other European Presidents, PMs, foreign secretaries and diplomats, the insider contributions paint an evocative picture, says Kathryn

Wed expect to hear from several  if not quite this many  key players in the west. However, from Boris Johnson to Volodymyr Zelensky, via numerous other European Presidents, PMs, foreign secretaries and diplomats, the insider contributions paint an evocative picture. Less expected  though no less riveting  were contributions from Russias ambassadors to the UK and UN.

I was particularly struck by German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, defending her countrys initially reluctant engagement with the crisis: As the country that inflicted the worst crimes in history on other countries with the Second World War and the Holocaust, our entire country was founded on the fact we would not become a strong military power again. If you turn your politics 180 degrees, you have to do it with full awareness. Unmissable.

Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley, was one of Netflixs biggest January hits.

With glamorous leads, beautiful British locations and twisty-turny thrills, the Harlan Coben adaptation (by Danny Brocklehurst: Brassic, Ten Pound Poms) offered perfect winter escapism.

Having happily surrendered myself, it was around episode five out of eight that I wondered if it might just have a little too much plot. Its non-stop fun though, so if you havent yet caught it, start bingeing!

Low-key but delightful

Here We Go (Fridays, BBC1) inhabits the same cosy sitcom territory as My Family and Friday Night Dinner.

Low concept (ostensibly its a school project filmed by teenage son Sam), with even lower stakes (episode one stars an inflatable boat), it breaks zero new comedy ground.

But, now in its second series, its still a total delight. Among the cracking cast, Alison Steadman steals every scene.
EMMERDALE

Parting is not such sweet sorrow. When Gus announces that he and Ivy are moving to France, he leaves the baby with Marlon and Rhona so that they can say their goodbyes. Rhonas broken and, clinging to Ivy, makes a bold decision.

When Marlon returns home, he finds Rhona, Ivy and their belongings gone. Still, its good to see that Rhona found the time to steal the coat of many colours from a local production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for their travels. Or is the shawl a discarded wrap of solidarity left over from Pride Week?

One thing is certain: Ivys not going to feel any cold. Shes better wrapped than a Subway sandwich. As Marlon and Mary begin their search, will they find the runaways before Gus returns?

Moiras in counselling mode, encouraging Tracy not to throw her life away. Fat lot of good that does; Moira is to relationship advice what Hannibal Lecter was to veganism.

Rhona flees with baby Ivy in Emmerdale after Gus says he and Ivy are moving to France

Sure enough, Tracy tells Nate she no longer loves him, leaving the poor guy dazed. He tells Cain that he thinks Tracy is seeing someone else.

French connection Despite Gus promising that Rhona will be able to visit Ivy in France, shes unhappy. She lives in Yorkshire  how often are they going to get to France? says Zoe Henry (Rhona). Its hardly Siberia. Advertisement

Finally! The penny drops, even though theres been a veritable mint of them falling before him for months.

Despite Nate staying for a brief spell with his secret love rival Caleb (come on, Caleb; even by your standards, thats dumb), he moves back home, and he and Tracy agree to keep living together for Frankies sake.

Thats not going to work. Just give the baby to Rhona; theres room in that shawl for two.

Belle is upset with Tom, who appears to know more about their wedding than she does, but along with Suzy they organise a joint stag and hen do  a Sten.

Just as it begins, Mandy and Sarah handcuff Belle and force her home for a proper hen do that includes a cardboard cut-out of a hunked up Tom. Hmmm. A cardboard cut-out? Will anyone be able to tell the difference?

After pouring his heart out to Suni, a drunken Tom is eventually escorted home by Belle. Personally, Id stick with the cardboard.

CORONATION STREET

Remember 15 years ago when Simon was a sweet five-year-old? Then he went so far off the rails, they built a station for him outside Manchester. Having been involved with a drugs gang, now drinking is his problem and, after downing vodka, he crashes when driving Sam to a chess competition.

Leanne is horrified, but when Nick returns from shopping for an engagement ring, will it put a smile on her face? Doubtful. She could give the Mona Lisa a run for her money in her ongoing mire of misery.

Tracys going for it big time with Tommy, despite Steve returning from France aiming to put some oomph back into their marriage. Hoping to impress her, hes laid on a French buffet. Youll have to do better than that  theres a bigger, better baguette thats got her attention. Will it be croissants at dawn when Steve finds Tracy and Tommy in the locked shop?

In a panic, Simon orders Sam out of the car and tells him to run after crashing on Coronation Street

It's time to get a grip, Simon

Simon isnt really a bad lad, says Alex Bain, who plays him. Hes not outwardly a villain, I think hes just a broken individual who has dealt with a lot.

And, being Peters son, its not a huge surprise that hes turned to drink. I read that youre up to four times more likely to become an alcoholic if one of your parents is, says Alex. He isnt there yet, but hes heading down that path unless he gets a grip.

EASTENDERS

A heart to heart with Alfie gives Linda a lift

Lets hope that if Linda kisses Alfie again, she cleans her teeth, otherwise the guy is going to expire from alcohol fumes. With Alfie deciding to take a holiday, will Linda say yes when, over a heart to heart, he asks her to go with him. Seriously, Alfie? Let Linda loose in Duty Free?

Its not a good start to any of the six murder conspirators week (apart from Sharon, in Australia), when Nish realises the floor of the cafe has a leak and may need replacing.

In EastEnders, a heart to heart with Alfie gives Linda a lift

While Linda takes solace in Alfie, Denise wants to confess all and is encouraged to unburden herself by Pastor Clayton at the community centre.

Oh, please not more unburdening, Denise; there arent enough couches in the world to take the weight of your self-analysis. If Freud were alive and your doctor, hed have committed hara-kiri by now.

Karens back and soon clashes with Nish, before things get even worse when Phil turns up, demanding his 50k. With Karen wanting answers about Christmas, Kaffy worries shes a threat to The Sixs freedom and decides to report her to the police for Albies kidnapping.

Just bury her with the other body under the concrete and put us all out of our misery.
Bitconned was released on Netflix on January 1 and has already amassed an impressive 100 per cent positive rating on reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

The series chronicles the cryptocurrency craze of the late 2010s and centres specifically on the Centra Tech scandal in 2017 which was a company operating in Florida.

Directed by Bryan Storkel, also known for The Legend of Cocaine Island, the show stars real life businessman Ray Trapani, who openly boasts that he dreamt up the entire scam.

In the documentary he said: 'Crypto [was] just this new unfound territory, completely unregulated by the SE. Anytime you find a market like that, you just have to figure out how to exploit [it]'.

Fans were shocked by Ray's candour, with viewers describing the Netflix original as 'insane and wild'.

Bitconned was released on Netflix on January 1 and has already amassed an impressive 100 per cent positive rating on reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes

The evil mastermind behind it all is Ray Trapani, who has never been imprisoned for his crimes

Sam Sharma, Raymond Trapani and Robert Farkas were central to the huge Miami scam

One user said: 'Bitconned is ridiculous', and another said it was 'the craziest documentaries [they've seen] in a while'.

A more scathing viewer felt: 'Bitconned on Netflix glorifies scammery, being a criminal who is protected by govt because he snitched.

'And I wonder at the intent of doing such documentaries in such a way. Like making the bad guy an anti-hero type thing'.

Others were more concerned that viewers would fall prey to such scams: 'Bitconned is actually the wildest documentary on netflix right now. Also, reminder, crypto is a scam'.

Another had trust issues after finishing the series: 'GM! Just watched Bitconned on Netflix and now I don't trust any of you!'

One user came to the sad realisation: 'Once you have charisma and can talk, you are halfway there #Bitconned'.

More positive reviewers claimed: 'Oh yeah that Bitconned doc was fire' and 'Bitconned on Netflix was a good watch'.

But some weren't so pleased afterwards: 'Bitconned on Netflix p***** me off. I didn't need the show to remind me of the painful truth that evil people can win after all'.

Fans were shocked to the core by Netflix documentary Bitconned

There were more who were shocked with just how 'brazen' the scam was.

Others remarked how 'sad' it was that 'so many people are gullible', while another deemed the show an 'insane watch'.

In the 'wild' documentary, Trapani explains: 'But it didn't matter at all. . We lied, we cheated, we made millions of dollars' unashamedly.

Despite having been out for less than a month, it has achieved a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Beloved comedy actress Catherine O'Hara is returning to television for the second season of the HBO hit drama The Last of Us.

HBO confirmed that the Second City alum would be playing an as yet 'undisclosed role' in the series based on the popular PlayStation game on Friday.

The official word comes after the Best in Show actress made an appearance on Andy Cohen's, 55, Watch What Happens Live on Thursday and a fan asked her if the rumors that she'd be joining the cast were true.

'How do you know these things?' O'Hara, 69, said, before confirming: 'It's in discussion  yeah.'

O'Hara is best known for her roles in Christopher Guest's films, the Home Alone franchise, Beetlejuice and as Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek.

Beloved comedy actress Catherine O'Hara is returning to television for the second season of the HBO hit drama The Last of Us

O'Hara will join series stars Pedro Pascal (pictured in January) and Bella Ramsey as well as fellow newcomers to the cast including Dopesick's Kaitlyn Dever , Isabela Merced and Beef's Young Mazino

O'Hara cracked a joke, saying: 'Wait, what? Do you work on the show? And you're about to quit and you just want to give everything away?'

She also revealed a family connection to the show. 'My son's a set dresser on the show,' she shared with Cohen.

O'Hara will join series stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as well as fellow newcomers to the cast including Dopesick's Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced and Beef's Young Mazino.

The series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world 20 years after the end of modern civilization and follows survivor Joel, played by Pascal, who is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie (Ramsey) out of the quarantine zone.

A virus has infected humanity and caused a zombie outbreak.

What was supposed to be a small job becomes a brutal journey as they must depend on each other for survival while they travel across the U.S.

The second season of The Last of Us is expected to start shooting later this month in O'Hara's native Canada and premiere on HBO in 2025.

O'Hara is one of the most celebrated comedic actresses of her time and will be cutting her teeth on a drama series on The Last of Us.

Previously it was rumored that O'Hara would play a brand new character on the show rather than an established character from the video game, which was first revealed by reporter Daniel Richtman.

O'Hara is best known for her roles in Christopher Guest's films, the Home Alone franchise , Beetlejuice and as Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek

O'Hara is one of the most celebrated comedic actresses of her time and will be cutting her teeth on a drama series on The Last of Us

She is best known for her role as Moira Rose on the six seasons of the popular comedy Schitt's Creek.

Catherine was nominated for two Emmys for Best Actress in a comedy for her role and won the award in 2020 for the final season of the show starring Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy.

O'Hara also known for her work in films of Christopher Guest including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and Waiting for Guffman and for her roles in Beetlejuice, Home Alone and Home Alone 2.

And she has a history with HBO. She played Carol Ward on seasons three and five of Six Feet Under.
Tammy Hembrow is ever so close to tying the knot with fiance Matt Zukowski.

And on Friday, the fitness influencer travelled from the Gold Coast to Sydney with her bridesmaids and daughter Posy to try on designer wedding gowns for her special day.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Tammy gave fans a glimpse inside the glamorous fitting rooms at Vera Wang's Sydney boutique.

In the video, the 29-year-old and her bridal entourage were treated to glasses of champagne as Tammy tried on several stunning gowns from the luxury brand.

The blonde influencer got emotional in a gorgeous strapless gown.

Tammy Hembrow travelled from the Gold Coast to Sydney with her bridesmaids and daughter Posy to try on designer wedding gowns for her special day

Tammy's bridal party included her sisters Emilee and Amy, as well as half-sisters Starlette Thynne and Ava Olympia.

'Felt like a real life princess,' she captioned the video.

Over a photo she shared of a consult room, Tammy wrote on Friday that she spent the morning at the fashion brand, which is known for its high-end bridal wear: 'It was so perfect. So many tears and such a special day.'

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Tammy gave fans a glimpse inside the glamorous fitting rooms at Vera Wang's Sydney boutique

She also shared a close-up of the consult room's coffee table with two mimosas, a plate of macaroons, and a rack of bridal gowns in the background

She then shared an image of a Vera Wang-branded cookie, followed by a close-up of the consult room's coffee table with two mimosas, a plate of macaroons, and a rack of bridal gowns in the background.

Tammy then shared images of her walking up the stairs towards more gowns, turning back to smile at the camera.

In the caption to the image, Tammy wrote 'Always dreamt of this day. I'll remember this forever. Thank you, Vera Wang Australia.'

In the video, the 29-year-old and her bridal entourage were treated to glasses of champagne as Tammy tried on several stunning gowns from the luxury brand

The blonde influencer got emotional as she modelled a gorgeous strapless gown

In the caption to the image, Tammy wrote 'Always dreamt of this day. I'll remember this forever. Thank you, Vera Wang Australia'

Tammy later reshared a story from her sister Emilee Hembrow's Instagram account showing the Vera Wang shopfront.

Over the picture, Emilee wrote 'here we go, dress fitting for our girl's big day,' confirming that Tammy has taken the next step to her wedding day.

Tammy recently sparked concerns she is racing down the aisle with her new fiance Matthew Zukowski too quickly.

Tammy's bridal party included her sisters Emilee and Amy, as well as half-sisters Starlette Thynne and Ava Olympia (all pictured)

Tammy later reshared a story from her sister Emilee Hembrow's Instagram account showing the Vera Wang shopfront. Over the picture, Emilee wrote 'here we go, dress fitting for our girl's big day,' confirming that Tammy has taken the next step to her wedding day

She recently made headlines when she posted a video to Instagram capturing the heartwarming moment Matt proposed to her while on holiday in the Maldives.

The footage showed the precious moment Matt got down on one knee at the beach and pulled out an engagement ring for Tammy.

Even though the influencer and the Love Island Australia star became engaged a matter of weeks ago, they're already planning their wedding.

Even though the influencer and the Love Island Australia star became engaged a matter of weeks ago, they're already planning their wedding. Pictured: Matt Zukowski and Tammy Hembrow

Earlier this month, Tammy shared a video to Instagram in which she asks her sisters to be her bridesmaids at the upcoming nuptials.

'Asked my sisters to be my bridesmaids. Such a special day and so lucky to have four amazing sissys,' she wrote.

Tammy has been engaged two times before. Her first time was with fellow influencer Reece Hawkins.

In November 2021, the fitness guru became engaged to restaurateur and former Ironman Matt Poole. The pair split in December 2022.
Jackie 'O' Henderson turned heads in a showstopping yellow dress as she set sail on Sydney Harbour among a slew of other stars.

On Friday, the Kyle & Jackie O radio co-host, 49, rocked a bright yellow flared mini dress by Alexis, which retails at approximately $900, as she celebrated SailGP's fifth visit to Sydney ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix.

The blonde wore her hair tied back in a ponytail for the windy weather and accessorised with gold and yellow bangles, as well as a neutral manicure and matching pedicure.

She opted for a natural makeup palette and a bright pink lip and showed off her golden tan onboard.

In one photo, Jackie posed with the winning trophy for the sailing competition.

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) turned heads in a showstopping yellow dress as she set sail on Sydney Harbour among a slew of other stars

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at Luke McLeod's book launch for Everyday Enlightenment on Thursday, Jackie revealed the secret to looking youthful after celebrating her 49th birthday.

'I'm a smoker of all things and I haven't really looked after my body over the years,' she revealed.

'But I've always been a very, positive kind of person and generally happy. I couldn't attribute [my youthful looks] to anything else, to be honest.'

On Friday, the radio queen, 49, rocked a bright yellow flared Alexis mini dress, which retails at approximately $900, as she celebrated SailGP's fifth visit to Sydney ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix

Jackie posed with the winning trophy for the sailing competition alongside Sam Newton (left), grinder of the Australia SailGP team, and strategist Tash Bryant (right)

Jackie also shared her own photos from the fun-filled day to her Instagram account

Other stars to join Jackie on the yacht were Married At First Sight's golden couple Evelyn Ellis and Duncan James.

The lovebirds were all smiles and didn't lose sight of each other at the glamorous event.

Evelyn, known as MAFS' 'hottest bride ever', looked chic in a white shirt and miniskirt, while accessorising with a white Chanel handbag.

Married At First Sight's golden couple Evelyn Ellis (right) and Duncan James (left) were also on the yacht

The lovebirds were all smiles and didn't lose sight of each other at the glamorous event

Former NRL star Braith Anasta, 42, also held the trophy as he posed in front of a stunning Sydney Harbour skyline

As for Duncan, the former MAFS groom rocked a black polo shirt and white trousers while wearing transparent framed sunglasses.

Former NRL star Braith Anasta, 42, also held the trophy as he posed in front of a stunning Sydney Harbour skyline.

The footy player-turned-television presenter dressed casually in a black T-shirt and white shorts and was seen chatting with Jackie's bestie Gemma O'Neill, as well as Melissa Hoyer.

The footy player-turned-television presenter dressed casually in a black T-shirt and white shorts and was seen chatting with Jackie's bestie Gemma O'Neill (centre left), as well as Melissa Hoyer (centre right)

Radio host Brendan Jones, of Jonesy and Amanda, also attended the event

Mack Horton (right) posed alongside the trophy with grinder of the Australia SailGP team Sam Newton (left) and strategist Tash Bryant (centre)

Radio host Brendan Jones also attended the event, while retired gold medal swimming champion Mack Horton posed alongside the trophy with grinder of the Australia SailGP team Sam Newton and strategist Tash Bryant.

The Aussie swimmer announced his retirement from the sport six months out from the Paris Olympic Games.

Tammy Christina oozed elegance in a very expensive outfit.

Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins (pictured) of Bondi Rescue almost matched Brendan Jones' fit in a casual grey button-up shirt

Lawyer-turned-influencer Tammy Christina oozed elegance in a very expensive outfit

The lawyer-turned-influencer was dressed in a blue Venroy silk top and pant set, retailing at a total of $420.

She also modelled a matching blue Bvlgari handbag, which cost an eye-watering $33,000.

Former Bachelor hunk Tim Robards was spotted chatting with fellow reality star Duncan James, while rugby league legend Wendell Sailor also made an appearance.

Former Bachelor hunk Tim Robards was spotted chatting with fellow reality star Duncan James

Rugby legend Wendell Sailor (pictured) also made an appearance

The Australia SailGP Team hosted the exclusive boat party aboard the luxury superyacht Ghost II on Friday night.

Celebrations marked the record fifth time the flying F50 fleet returns to the iconic Sydney Harbour.

The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix takes place on February 24 and 25.

The Australia SailGP Team hosted the exclusive boat party aboard the luxury superyacht Ghost II on Friday night

Celebrations marked the record fifth time the flying F50 fleet returns to the iconic Sydney Harbour
The actor described death as 'just a known peace- beautiful, exhilarating peace'

Just over a year ago Renner was nearly killed after a snow plow ran him over in his Mount Rose, Nevada neighborhood

Jeremy Renner recently admitted that he's 'kind of excited' about death just a little over a year after the actor was nearly killed in a snowplow accident.

Renner, 53, joined James Corden on his SirusXM podcast 'This Life of Mine with James Corden' on Thursday and opened up about the accident that almost took his life on January 1, 2023.

'I was never afraid, mind you, of death prior. Now, I'm really not afraid of it. Now, I'm double downing,' Renner told Corden.

'Yes, certainly not afraid of it. Now, I'm kind of excited for it. To be honest it's what life really is.'

'This rock that we're spinning on, and this body and this language that we're speaking, and all these feelings and emotions and conflict is all horse s***. It's meaningless in the scheme of things,' Renner said.

Jeremy Renner sat down with James Corden and described his near-death experience after he was run over by a snow plow a little over a year ago in his Mount Rose, Nevada neighborhood

On the day of the incident Renner was plowing snow around his neighborhood in Mount Rose, Nevada when he stopped to help a family member whose car was stuck.

His 14,000lb industrial vehicle then ran him over as footage showed the moments after he was left critically injured with 35 broken bones, a collapsed lung and a punctured liver.

The harrowing video captured by police body cam showed the Mayor Of Kingstown actor on the ground surrounded by a team of medics that raced over to save his life.

The surreal scene played out as rescuers desperately worked to save Renner who was seen lying next to a huge pool of blood.

The footage revealed the tense moments of the rescue operations as first responders worked swiftly to stabilize Renner who managed to survive the near-death accident.

Once he was stabilized, Renner was then airlifted and taken to a nearby hospital as his nephew, who Renner was trying to help, recounted what took place just before.

'That's when it was coming at me full force. He tried to jump on it and it took him under. Right where the blood is at is right where it happened,' Alexander Fries said.

As the plow started to roll toward him, Renner then attempted to climb back into the cab and stop it from hitting his nephew, but was unable to prevent the accident after slipping under the metal tread of the snowplow.

Renner told Corden that though he wasn't afraid of death before the incident, he really isn't now and said that he is 'kind of excited for it'

On the day of the accident, Renner was helping his nephew with his car when the 14,000lb industrial vehicle ran him over and left him critically injured with 35 broken bones, a collapsed lung and a punctured liver. Picture: The snow plow that ran the actor over

'It was horrible. I thought he was going to die, man. I'm holding him and his color is just going,' Fries said.

As he sat in critical condition in the hospital, Renner revealed that he wrote a goodbye note to his family on phone, and wondered to himself: 'What's my body look like? Am I just going to be like a spine and a brain like a science experiment?'

Doctors went on to rebuild his rib cage with metal and also used metallic plates to reconstruct his eye socket. He now has a titanium rod and screws in his leg.

'I've lost a lot of flesh and bone in this experience,' he said in an interview with ABC News last April. 'But I've been refueled and refilled with love and titanium.'

During his recent interview with Corden, the Avengers actor said that his 'recovery was a one-way road.'

'I wasn't going to come back from death, which I thought was glorious by the way,' Renner said.

He went on to speak about death and said that it is a 'glorious' and 'energetic' thing that has 'no time, place, space or color, or anything.' Renner went on to add that it is 'just a known peace- beautiful, exhilarating peace.'

On the one year anniversary of the incident, Renner took to his Instagram story and shared the milestone with his 21.2 million followers.

He uploaded a photo of himself from the day he arrived home from the hospital after the snow plow accident and said: 'My friend reminded me I got home from ICU a year ago.'

He was dressed in a light gray T-shirt and darker gray shorts as he stood in what appeared to be a physical therapy facility.

Renner added underneath the photo that he is a 'lucky man...'

The first five responders frantically worked to stabilize Renner on the snow next to a large pool of blood left by the snowplow. He was then airlifted to a nearby hospital

Renner is seen in an Instagram post on the one year anniversary of his nearly fatal experience where he said that he was a 'lucky man' for surviving

He then shared that same photo on his Instagram page along with a heartfelt note.

'I was reminded that love, good will, hard work and a legion of good humans are getting me through every day  thank you, bless you . And as always, I hold my promise to be better, be stronger, and grow to surpass potential. Bless you all,' he wrote.

Prior to that, Renner admitted that he was 'nervous' to return to acting.

He took to Instagram to confirm he was back to working on his Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown and noted that he was also excited to be back on set.

'Day one on set,' he wrote in a caption alongside a selfie, adding, 'Nervous today.'

He also said that he was doing it all for his fans.

'Hope this works out that I can ACTUALLY pull this off for our production and more importantly the fans,' he continued.

On the same day, he also shared a joint post with the official Instagram account of his thriller series announcing that production began.

The photo showed him posing in a suit alongside text that read: 'THE MAYOR IS BACK.'
Sam Waterston is officially leaving the hit legal drama series Law & Order after appearing in over 400 episodes.

According to People, the 83-year-old actor will be stepping down from his longstanding role as District Attorney Jack McCoy after first joining the series 30 years ago. Fans can catch his final episode on February 22.

Tony Goldwyn - best known for his work as President Fitzgerald Grant III in Scandal - will now be joining the cast.

Goldwyn is set to portray another district attorney, whose name has not been publicly revealed as of yet.

The actor shared a statement to confirm the news, where he stated via The Washington Post that 'the time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me.'

Sam Waterston is officially leaving the hit legal drama series Law & Order after nearly 30 years; seen in 2022

The Academy Award-nominated figure then stated that, although he would miss the program, he was enthusiastic about the next part of his career.

'There's sadness in leaving, but I'm just too curious about what's next. An actor doesn't want to let himself get too comfortable,' he said.

Waterston made his debut as McCoy during Law & Order's fifth season, which premiered in 1994.

The performer went on to reprise his role in several episodes of the spinoff series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The actor remained with Law & Order until its original cancellation, which took place in 2010.

Waterston returned to the Dick Wolf-created program when it was revived for a 21st season, which premiered in 2022.

He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1997, 1999 and 2000 for his work on the program.

The actor was also put up for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor  Television Series Drama in 1995.

According to People , the 83-year-old actor will be stepping down from his longstanding role as District Attorney Jack McCoy after portraying the character in over 400 episodes of the program, and his final episode will air on February 22

The performer - who returned to his old part in 2021 - will be replaced by Tony Goldwyn, best known for his work as President Fitzgerald Grant III in Scandal; Goldwyn is seen in 2023

Waterston made his debut as McCoy during Law & Order's fifth season, which premiered in 1994

The performer spoke about working on the show during an interview with NPR , where he stated that, had it not been for his role in Law & Order, he would have likely taken on less fulfilling jobs; he is seen in 2022

Waterston won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series in 1998 for his role on the show.

The performer spoke about working on the show during an interview with NPR, where he stated that, had it not been for his role in Law & Order, he would have likely taken on less fulfilling jobs.

'I might have wound up doing other things that I wasn't as glad to be in  dumb roles or dumb projects,' he admitted.

He added: 'Let's not leave out the fact that [my wife] Lynn and I had four kids who needed to go to school and go to college and Law & Order paid for it.'
Ashton Kutcher is continuing to return to the public eye, after facing backlash over his decision to ask a judge for leniency in Danny Masterson's rape sentencing.

While attending a Chase Bank event in Miami Beach, Florida, the Your Place or Mine star, 45, looked sharp in a charcoal grey suit, white button-down and brown leather loafers.

As he walked outside, alongside a man wearing a name tag on his blazer, the father-of-two was seen holding a notebook in his left hand.

The venture capital investor, who made millions as an early investor in successful startups such as Skype, Uber, Airbnb, Spotify and Warby Parker, appeared relaxed as he spoke with another attendee.

Ashton Kutcher is continuing to return to the public eye, after facing backlash over his decision to ask a judge for leniency in Danny Masterson's rape sentencing

While attending a Chase Bank event in Miami Beach, Florida, the Your Place or Mine star, 45, looked sharp in a charcoal grey suit, white button-down and brown leather loafers

Earlier this week, he attended another function for Chase Bank, which marked his first public event since he and his wife Mila Kunis were slammed for supporting their That '70s Show co-star and convicted rapist.

Masterson, 47 - who was recently moved to a maximum security prison that previously housed cult leader Charles Manson - was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s and sentenced to at least 30 years in prison.

It was uncovered in September that Ashton and his spouse, 40, had penned letters to the judge on Masterson's behalf begging for 'leniency' after the trial.

In response to the backlash, the couple issued a poorly-received video apology and Ashton stepped down as chair of his anti-sex trafficking organization Thorn.

Following the Danny Masterson backlash, insiders claimed Mila and Ashton were worried that the 'damage of it all' could be detrimental to their careers.

'We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson,' Ashton began in their short Instagram apology video.

'We support victims,' Mila, added. 'We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future.' The comments on the post were disabled.

Critics were quick to take to X to unleash their dismay over the 'lawyered' apology.

As he walked outside, alongside a man wearing a name tag on his blazer, the father-of-two was seen holding a notebook in his left hand

The venture capital investor, who made millions as an early investor in successful startups such as Skype, Uber, Airbnb, Spotify, Warby Parker, Pinterest and Shazam, appeared relaxed as he spoke with another attendee

The couple reportedly chose to stay out of the spotlight for the last several months in the hopes that people would 'forget' about the ordeal.

The situation also saw their own relationship called into question, with many highlighting that Mila was only 14-years-old when she was cast in That 70's Show, alongside a then-19-year-old Ashton.

Ashton and Mila tied the knot in 2015 and share two children: daughter Wyatt, nine, and son Dimitri, seven.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Masterson has been moved to a maximum-security facility that was the longtime holding place of Charles Manson.

He was sentenced in September by a Los Angeles jury to 30-years-to-life behind bars with the possibility of parole for two counts of rape with force, violence or fear of bodily injury.

Since sentencing, Masterson, who was denied bail last week, has been held at the North Kern state prison.

He was recently moved to Corcoran State Prison in Central California.

Earlier this week, he attended another function for Chase Bank, which marked his first public event since he and his wife Mila Kunis were slammed for supporting That '70s Show co-star and convicted rapist Danny Masterson; seen in 2000

The disgraced actor's current location is where he will likely serve the bulk of his sentence.

Records indicate that the once-prominent member of the Church of Scientology will first be eligible for parole in 2042, when the now-42-year-old is 66.

Masterson, who shares a pre-teen daughter with actress Bijou Phillips, will reportedly live in the maximum-security prison's Level 4 housing unit - the highest tier of security available at the facility.

In addition to cult leader Manson, Corcoran was also the prison where Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated RFK was held.

The prison, which was built in 1988, houses some of California's most dangerous prisoners and has a sizable population of Level 4 inmates in need of extra protection and/or supervision.

If Masterson is still in danger or otherwise showing signs of severe 'mental distress,' the prison has a small wing called the Protective Housing unit for inmates who remain in danger of being harmed.

Manson infamously spent nearly ten years in Corcoran's Protective Housing wing.

Following Masterson's sentencing, it was reported that he was under round-the-clock surveillance due to potentially showing signs of 'mental distress.'

Deputies would come by his cell every half hour to check on him 'with the goal of keeping tabs on his mental state and making sure he's safe.'

It was uncovered in September that Ashton, 45, and Mila, 40, had penned letters to the judge on Masterson's behalf begging for 'leniency' after the trial

Masterson's legal team is currently attempting to appeal his conviction.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo said last week that Masterson will 'likely remain in custody for decades, and perhaps the rest of his life' if his sentence is upheld on appeal.

The judge, who oversaw his trial and subsequently denied him bail, said that he is a flight risk in part because his now-ex-wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce following his guilty verdict last year.

The judge's order read: 'In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful.'

The denial comes after Masterson's attorneys Clifford Gardner and Eric Multhaup wrote in a motion on January 17 asking for the court to grant the disgraced actor bail.

Their motion read: 'Defendant requests that this Court grant bail on appeal, and offers to comply with any relevant terms and conditions imposed by the Court that enable him to be an at-home parent and financial provider for his family, including house arrest and/or participation in an electronic monitoring program administered by the probation department.'

After his conviction for the two rapes, Masterson was declared a 'suppressive person' - or 'SP' - which the church defines as someone whose behavior seeks to impede the spiritual progress of those around him.
The new season of Channel Nine's ratings juggernaut Married at First Sight has only just begun.

And now, a former star of the reality series has revealed a major spoiler for fans after sharing telltale pics to his social media on Thursday.

It appears that Jayden Eynaud, 26, and Eden Harper, 28, who tied the knot only this week, have survived the experiment and are still together.

Jayden's brother Mitch Eynaud, who appeared on the show in 2022, posted a gallery of photos of himself cuddling a large dog that looks suspiciously like Eden's golden retriever named Cub.

Fans were quick to conclude that Mitch, 28, was clueing in viewers to Jayden and Eden's current relationship status.

It appears that Jayden Eynaud, 26, and Eden Harper (pictured), 28, who tied the knot only this week, have survived the experiment and are still together Pictured: Eden Harper with her dog Cub

'I see what you did there,' one fan commented on Mitch's photo.

'Dead giveaway, thanks Mitch,' wrote another disappointed fan, who signed their comment with a kiss.

'Spoiler alert,' wrote another fan.

Meanwhile, another viewer warned Mitch, who was matched with Ella Ding on MAFS back in 2022, of a possible network backlash.

Spoiler alert! Mitch Eynaud posted a gallery of photos of himself posing with a dog that looked suspiciously like Eden's to his social media this week, clueing fans that Eden and Jayden may have survived the experiment as a couple

'Isn't this showing us that Eden and Jayden stay together!' a follower said of the photos, which show the former reality star smooching the dog on a couch in a variety of poses.

They added: 'Surely Channel 9 wouldn't want you posting this!'

One eagle-eyed viewer thought there was no doubt that the large dog was the same one Eden paid tribute to on her social media in October after spotting a vital clue.

Fans were quick to conclude that Mitch was clueing in viewers to Jayden and Eden's current relationship status

'Definitely Eden's dog. Check the red chain,' they wrote.

Still, at least one fan appeared to appreciate Mitch's spoiler.

'Oh my God, I hope this is a good sign,' they wrote.

Jayden and Eden are set to be one of the standout couples this year, with production sources dubbing them early fan favourites.

Jayden and Eden (both pictured) are set to be one of the standout couples this year, with production sources dubbing them early fan favourites

The couple, who hit it off immediately on their wedding day, might have encountered their first hiccup - and it's all to do with personal grooming.

'Jayden doesn't wash his hair,' Eden told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

In response to his wife's comment, Jayden was quick to clarify, 'Well I do wash it,' he retorted.

'Like every fortnight, once every couple of weeks,' laughed the athlete-turned-reality TV star.
Jake Gyllenhaal's former director, Thomas Bidegain, clarified his comments on the circumstances surrounding Gyllenhaal's departure from the 2021 production Suddenly on Friday.

Bidegain claimed he halted production on the English-language adaptation of his film after just four days due to Gyllenhaal's erratic behavior on set in Iceland during an interview with French outlet Technikart last week, per TMZ.

The famed French auteur said the actor demanded wild rewrites, used an offensive Pepe-Le-Pew style accent and surprised the crew by stripping down to his underwear before plunging into the freezing ocean, declaring 'When I see the sea, I swim in the sea,' according to Variety.

Now, he appears to have revised his claims regarding Gyllenhaal, stating to Variety that production was shut down due to simple 'creative differences.'

However, in the conversation with the outlet, Bidegain did not retract the stories about Gyllenhaal that were initially disclosed by Technikart.

Jake Gyllenhaal 's former director, Thomas Bidegain, clarified his comments on the circumstances surrounding Gyllenhaal's departure from the 2021 production Suddenly on Friday; pictured 2023

Bidegain claimed he halted production on the English-language adaptation of his film after just four days due to Gyllenhaal's erratic behavior on set in Iceland during an interview with French outlet Technikart last week; seen in 2019

'People dont understand how a film is made. We were not shooting, and we were not in pre-production. The tentative date of the shoot was eight weeks away,' Bidegain said.

'This project came together during the pandemic, so we had only discussed via Zoom. We would talk every week, but we had not met to talk about the film.'

The talks included actress Vanessa Kirby, whose exit from the film was also reported to have contributed to the demise of Suddenly.

'So I came up with the idea of setting up that week in Iceland to read the script together, with Jake and Vanessa,' Bidegain continued.

At first, the director thought they were all on the same page, but as they worked on the script together, it became clear that Kirby and Gyllenhaal had different opinions on the story's meaning and themes.

'Its normal when there are changes to the script before shooting, but this was different. We each had our own idea of what the message of the film was,' he told Variety.

'I tried to smooth things over once, twice  and then I just realized it wasnt going to work out, so it had to stop.'

Bidegain, a highly successful screenwriter, co-wrote A Prophet and The Sisters Brothers, where Gyllenhaal also starred.

The talks included actress Vanessa Kirby, whose exit from the film was also reported to have contributed to the demise of Suddenly

said the actor demanded wild rewrites, used an offensive Pepe-Le-Pew style accent and surprised the crew by stripping down to his underwear before plunging into the freezing ocean, declaring 'When I see the sea, I swim in the sea'

Suddenly, based on Isabelle Autissiers novel Soudain Seuls about a couple stranded on an island, was set to be Bidegains second directorial venture.

Gyllenhaal has joined as a producer and was set to co-star alongside Kirby.

'Its a very strange experience when you work with an actor-producer who doesnt have the same vision than the director  in France, the director is the one in charge of the telling the story, and hes in charge of the script, the set design, etc.,' Bidegain told Variety.

'We have very different ways to make films in France and in the U.S.'

According to the Technikart report, Gyllenhaal also 'forced set builders to sleep in their cars as a COVID precaution' and demanded a car that was neither 'red or white,.'

appears to have revised his claims regarding Gyllenhaal, stating to Variety that production was shut down due to simple 'creative differences;' pictured in 2023

Representatives for Gyllenhaal and StudioCanal - the company that financed the project - refuted Technikarts account, claiming that' this English-language version of the film was never greenlit and Gyllenhaal and Kirbys time in Iceland was part of the development process,' per the AV Club.

'Creative differences are very normal, if unfortunate, regularities in film development,' the reps' statement continued.

'In this case, there were concerns which simply could not be overcome despite great efforts on both sides. We greatly value all our relationships at STUDIOCANAL and are happy that Thomas Bidegain was able to fulfill his vision on the French language version of Suddenly.

'We remain deeply committed to our working partnerships with both Thomas Bidegain and Jake Gyllenhaal, with whom we have always enjoyed a very strong creative relationship.'
Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach has reportedly been told to 'tread carefully' with her rumoured new flame Bobby Brazier.

The pair are said to have enjoyed a string of secret dates while taking part in the BBC ballroom dance contest last year while they are now spending time together on the show's nationwide live tour.

It has now been claimed Bobby previously left a girl alone in a hotel room to go on a date with another female in the bar downstairs.

The actor, 20, is said to have spent the night away with Belle Smith, 19, when he vanished to go and meet the other girl.

It is claimed Belle found out when she saw a picture of them together at the Corinthia London hotel in London on Instagram.

Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach has reportedly been told to 'tread carefully' with her rumoured new flame Bobby Brazier (pictured)

Ellie and Bobby are said to have enjoyed a string of secret dates while taking part in the BBC ballroom dance contest last year and are now on the show's nationwide live tour

A source told The Sun: 'Bobby is a nice, good-looking lad whos obviously a big hit with the ladies.

'He and Ellie would make a great couple  but she should tread carefully.'

EastEnders star Bobby is said to have been seeing Belle for more than six months when it happened in 2021.

Another source told the newspaper: 'Things seemed to be going really well between Bobby and Belle. Then he went and did this.

'To top things off, shed paid for the hotel room for the night. Belle was devastated.

'She felt betrayed by Bobby and called things off with him soon after.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Bobby for comment.

Model Bobby - who is the son of late Big Brother star Jade Goody and television presenter Jeff Brazier - was dating fellow model Liberty Love, 18, for 18 months before they split in September last year.

Bobby was recently linked to Liberty Love. They split shortly before his stint on Strictly Come Dancing began (pictured May 2022)

He was then said to have been messaging his ex Tillie Amartey, 20, in October last year.

It comes soon after Bobby was reportedly seen knocking on Ellie's hotel room door in just his pants, while staying at the Malmaison hotel in Birmingham.

To celebrate the tour kicking off, a party was thrown in the hotel bar when the soap star was spotted in his underwear on the sixth floor.

A hotel guest told The Sun: 'Bobby was in our corridor knocking on Ellie's door after their late-night bash at the hotel.

'Bobby was clearly not shy about nearly being in the buff as we were making our way down to breakfast.'

Bobby and the former Coronation Street actress have continued to fuel romance rumours they are an item.

The EastEnders actor was 'constantly messaging' his Waterloo Road star ex Tillie Amartey after splitting from Liberty (Tillie pictured in September)

According to insiders, the two have grown closer since embarking on the UK tour this month.

The pair have also been pictured enjoying time together away from their Strictly co-stars, cosying up on a low-key date at Nando's earlier this month and arriving at the hotels together.

Ellie and her pro partner Vito Coppola were crowned Strictly champions last year, with the pair repeatedly dogged by romance rumours throughout the series.

The former Coronation Street actress became the show's youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby and Layton Williams to the post.

Following the news about her and Bobby's rumoured romance, her cheating ex-boyfriend Reagan Pettman says he wants to 'rebuild the trust' with the star while admitting he's 'not proud' of kissing another girl behind her back.

Ellie dated dancer Reagan for five years before they went their separate ways in May last year.

It comes after Ellie's cheating ex-boyfriend Reagan Pettman said he wanted to 'rebuild the trust' with the star while admitting he was 'not proud' to have kissed another girl (Ellie and Reagan pictured before their split last year)

She reportedly joined the cast of Strictly last year to heal her heartbreak following her break-up.

He told The Sun on Sunday: 'I hurt her and broke her heart. I'm not proud of it.

'It sounds cliche but I was really drunk and it all happened at once. I knew what I had done was wrong and instantly regretted it.

'I want to rebuild the trust again and for her to be back in my life. But if shes happy with Bobby, then I am happy for her. But I really miss her.'
Camille Grammer recently shared her thoughts on the drama between Caroline Manzo and Brandi Glanville.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alumna, 55, defended Glanville, 51, claiming that she personally witnessed them 'getting along', and said Manzo, 62, went 'too far' with the lawsuit.

A little over a week ago, it was reported that Manzo is suing the Bravo network, streaming service Peacock, and other involved companies.

She claimed they were complicit when production allegedly plied the reality TV stars with alcohol during filming for the Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip in January 2023.

On the topic of the situation, Grammer shared her thoughts and commented below an Instagram post by the All About the Real Housewives account, writing: 'We all think Caroline has gone too far with this lawsuit.'

Camille Grammer recently shared her thoughts on the drama between Caroline Manzo and Brandi Glanville

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alumna, 55, defended Glanville, 51, claiming that she personally witnessed them 'getting along', and said Manzo, 62, went 'too far' with the lawsuit

She pointed out that she did not witness the sexual assault Manzo claimed had happened in a bathroom in Morocco.

'I wasn't in the bathroom when the so-called alleged event happened,' she added.

However, she noted that she did see the Real Housewives of New Jersey star and Glanville on good terms.

'What I did see was the two ladies laughing and getting along,' she clarified.

In late January, it was reported that Manzo filed a lawsuit over the alleged sexual assault incident.

Shortly after, Glanville told DailyMail.com through her rep's statement that the allegations are 'defamatory', 'false' and 'absurd'.

She insisted 'there was no sexual assault' and also called out Bravo for staying silent.

Manzo claimed in her lawsuit that Glanville forced herself on her and kissed her without consent during their Morocco vacation and filming.

A little over a week ago, it was reported that Manzo is suing the Bravo network, streaming service Peacock, and other involved companies. She claimed they were complicit in when production allegedly plied the reality TV stars with alcohol during filming for the Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip in January 2023; seen in November 2019

Grammer pointed out that she did not witness Glanville (seen here) sexually assaulting Manzo as the latter had claimed. She said she saw the pair 'laughing' and 'getting along'

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Glanville kissed her and 'forced her vagina against her back' without her consent.

She then 'proceeded to mount Manzo on the couch holding Manzo down with her body, forcibly squeezed Manzo's cheeks together and thrust her tongue in Manzo's mouth, while humping her.'

She claimed the alleged assault continued as she tried to escape to the bathroom to hide.

The documents from Manzo's lawsuit state: 'Defendants, including Bravo, regularly ply the Real Housewives cast with alcohol, cause them to become severely intoxicated, and then direct, encourage and/or allow them to sexually harass other cast members because that is good for ratings.'

'Caroline Manzo is a victim of those harmful actions,' it added about the lawsuit, which is still pending and ongoing.
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Dakota Fanning was red hot as she attended the latest New York runway show from Marc Jacobs, for whom she has been a longtime muse.

The 29-year-old was a reliably eye-catching figure as she showed her loyalty to her pal and arrived at the row of the extravaganza.

Held at the Park Avenue Armory a few days before the official start of New York Fashion Week, the show welcomed a fleet of glittering names to its audience.

Among them, Dakota was a standout, protecting herself from the wintertime northeastern chill with an eye-popping scarlet coat.

Letting her signature curtains of flaxen hair cascade freely over her shoulders, she stayed true to the theme and carried one of Marc's Black Bags.

Dakota Fanning was red hot as she attended the latest New York runway show from Marc Jacobs , for whom she has been a longtime muse

The 29-year-old was a reliably eye-catching figure as she showed her loyalty to her pal and arrived at the row of the extravaganza

Held at the Park Avenue Armory a few days before the official start of New York Fashion Week , the show welcomed a fleet of glittering names to its audience including Lori Harvey

Among them, Dakota was a standout, protecting herself from the wintertime northeastern chill with an eye-popping scarlet coat

She settled down to watch the show just two seats away from Blondie icon Debbie Harry, whom she cheerfully engaged in conversation.

Debbie cut a stylish picture in a set of polka-dot leggings certain to grab attention, particularly since they were a perfect match for her gloves.

One of Marc's fellow fashion designers Anna Sui also paid her respects at his show, where she could be glimpsed hobnobbing with Debbie.

Lori Harvey, the busty model daughter of Steve Harvey, put her assets on display as she arrived at the fete in a plunging white tank top.

She slid into a long grey coat and a matching jacket, the latter of which she allowed to slide beguilingly off her shoulders to reveal the top below.

The leggy 'nepo baby,' who once carried on a headline-grabbing romance with Michael B. Jordan, lent her look a touch of sparkle with a drop necklace.

Lil' Kim played up her hourglass frame in a tantalizingly skintight camouflage dress as she sauntered into the Park Avenue Armory on a towering pair of platforms.

Nicky Hilton was the image of New York chic in a snappy grey coat over a black dress, while Chrishelle Lim was a sight to see in green.

Nicky Hilton (left) was the image of New York chic in a snappy grey coat over a black dress, while Chrishelle Lim (right) was a sight to see in green

Lori Harvey, the busty model daughter of Steve Harvey, put her assets on display as she arrived at the fete in a plunging white tank top

She slid into a long grey coat and a matching jacket, the latter of which she allowed to slide beguilingly off her shoulders to reveal the top below

Dakota settled down to watch the show just two seats away from Blondie icon Debbie Harry, whom she cheerfully engaged in conversation

Debbie cut a stylish picture in a set of polka-dot leggings certain to grab attention, particularly since they were a perfect match for her gloves

One of Marc's fellow fashion designers Anna Sui also paid her respects at his show, where she could be glimpsed hobnobbing with Debbie

Lil' Kim played up her hourglass frame in a tantalizingly skintight camouflage dress as she sauntered into the Park Avenue Armory on a towering pair of platforms

Winnie Harlow, the first contestant with vitiligo to win America's Next Top Model, made her presence felt in a plush fur coat

Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon was caught sneaking into the even wearing a racy black bodystocking

She stepped along the sidewalk in a kitten heels and wore a black, knit cardigan

Winnie Harlow, the first contestant with vitiligo to win America's Next Top Model, made her presence felt in a plush fur coat.

Kathryn Newton rocked a tiny minidress reminiscent of a negligee, while Meredith Duxbury strikingly teamed a floral strapless number with a headscarf.

Dance Moms alum Maddie Ziegler commanded attention in a slinky LBD, paired with sky-high platform boots and a blood-red chiffon scarf.

Olivia Ponton threw her enviably taut midriff into relief in a clinging camouflage top, while Madeline Brewer did the same in a Muppets chic fuzzy pink crop top.

Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of the new series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans, could be spotted hobnobbing with Priscilla director Sofia Coppola.

Kathryn Newton (left) rocked a tiny minidress reminiscent of a negligee, while Meredith Duxbury (right) strikingly teamed a floral strapless number with a headscarf

Dance Moms alum Maddie Ziegler commanded attention in a slinky LBD, paired with sky-high platform boots and a blood-red chiffon scarf

Olivia Ponton (left) threw her enviably taut midriff into relief in a clinging camouflage top, while Madeline Brewer (right) did the same in a Muppets chic fuzzy pink crop top

Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of the new series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans, could be spotted hobnobbing with Priscilla director Sofia Coppola

(from left) Influencer Charlotte Groeneveld opted for head-to-toe black, whilst influencer Jessica Wang posed with Real House If New York City Sai De Silva

Rowan Blanchard, who has appeared on such shows as Snowpiercer and Girl Meets World, was a sight to see, swathed in a glinting gold wrap dress

Marc Jacobs, the designer himself, could be sighted among the cavalcade of celebrities who paraded into the Park Avenue Armory that day

Statuesque models strutted their stuff up the catwalk, baring their vertiginous legs in casual-tinged outfits that included hoodie bodysuits

One of them sported an extravagant candyfloss hairdo straight out of a 1960s cartoon, all while wrapped in a sequined gown redolent of the era

Heightening the doll-like effect, the models walked among a massively oversized set of furniture designed to make the women look a few inches tall

Influencer Charlotte Groeneveld opted for head-to-toe black, whilst influencer Jessica Wang posed with Real House If New York City Sai De Silva.

Rowan Blanchard, who has appeared on such shows as Snowpiercer and Girl Meets World, was a sight to see, swathed in a glinting gold wrap dress.

Marc Jacobs, the designer himself, could be sighted among the cavalcade of celebrities who paraded into the Park Avenue Armory that day.

Statuesque models strutted their stuff up the catwalk, baring their vertiginous legs in casual-tinged outfits that included hoodie bodysuits.

One of them sported an extravagant candyfloss hairdo straight out of a 1960s cartoon, all while wrapped in a sequined gown redolent of the era.

Heightening the doll-like effect, the models walked among a massively oversized set of furniture designed to make the women look a few inches tall.
AFL great Dale Thomas has spilled details about his upcoming nuptials with long-term sweetheart Natasha Bongiorno.

The 36-year-old is set to marry his PR queen fiancee at a lavish three-day 'glamping' celebration in the tiny town of Dunkeld, some 283km west of Melbourne.

Their star-studded guest list includes former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers, footy guru and media star Eddie McGuire and his wife Carla, and Australia's Next Top Model star Brooke Pitt.

Dale, who's nicknamed Daisy, told Triple M's Rush Hour that he chose the 'glamping' theme - a form of luxurious camping - because he wanted to set a party mood for the event.

'It's all about having fun,' he said.

AFL champ Dale Thomas has spilled details about his upcoming nuptials with long-term sweetheart Natasha Bongiorno. (both pictured)

'Itll be parents, speeches, best man, maid of honour and then Tash and I and on with the party. Ninety per cent [of the guests] are glamping so it should be good.

Elsewhere in the chat, Dale revealed he got a new set of teeth especially for his wedding.

'New chompers, had to get the whole lot done in the end,' he revealed.

The 36-year-old is set to marry his PR queen fiancee at a lavish three-day 'glamping' celebration in the tiny town of Dunkeld some 283kms from Melbourne.

The star-studded guest list includes former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers (left), footy guru and Channel Nine star Eddie McGuire and his wife Carla (right), and Australia's Top Model star Brooke Pitt

The procedure was not entirely cosmetic since one of his teeth was 'dead' in the gum.

'[I had to] get it pulled so I rolled the whole of summer without a tooth,' he explained.

'I honestly was so nervous picking the colour but delighted with how they've come up.'

The hard-hitting former AFL champ also revealed a soft side, telling fans he had already written his wedding vows, which brought him to tears.

Rhonda Burchmore (pictured) and Billy Brownless, whom Dale befriended during his stint on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2020, will also be there to send off the bride and groom

'It is tough, you start to actually think about why you like someone and not just hang out with someone at home.

Rhonda Burchmore and Billy Brownless, whom Dale befriended during his stint on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2020, will also be there to send off the bride and groom.

AFL champ Jack Silvagni will be the master of ceremonies at the high-profile event, alongside another footy champ, groomsman Heath Shaw.

Dale Thomas got down on bended knee and proposed to long-time girlfriend Natasha Bongiorno in 2022. Pictured together

Dale made headlines in November 2022 after telling fans on his socials he had gotten on bended knee to propose to his long-term girlfriend Natasha.

The former Carlton and Collingwood player selected picturesque Lake House in Daylesford, rural Victoria top pop the question.

Dale, who was a runner-up on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2010, has a daughter, Tilly, from a previous relationship.
Great British Bake Off contestant Marc Elliott has reportedly admitted to over 20K disability benefit fraud.

The sculptor, who finished fifth in the 2020 series, claimed to be unable to perform tasks after losing his left leg in a 2016 motorcycle accident.

According to The Sun, he also professed to suffer from 'severe anxiety' despite appearing for weeks in front of the Bake Off cameras.

The publication reported that Marc pleaded guilty to defrauding a total of 20,430, at Bodmin Magistrates' Court last week and was sentenced to three-years conditional discharge.

Single-dad Marc became an instant fan favourite during his time on the show as competed with the support of his two daughters.

Great British Bake Off contestant Marc Elliott has reportedly admitted to over 20K disability benefit fraud

The sculptor, who finished fifth in the 2020 series, claimed to be unable to perform tasks after losing his left leg in a 2016 motorcycle accident

Viewers were left devastated by his exit in 2020, but in a heartfelt note to fans, the amateur baker praised the experience as 'crazy, intense and wonderful.'

Leicester-born Marc decided to enter in a bid to show his daughters that even when life throws obstacles at you, you can rise to new challenges and develop new passions.

Losing his leg led him to baking bread as a form of therapy, and from there he came to baking cakes and pastries.

Despite failing to make the final Paul Hollywood admitted that he'd gone on the biggest journey of them all, getting 'better and better' each week during the competition, and added that it was a 'shame to see him go.'

After failing to impress the judges with his quarter-final offerings, viewers were left in tears as Marc was filmed walking away with his arms wrapped around his two daughters.

Fans of the show took to X, formerly Twitter, in their droves after the father-of-two was sent home, to voice their upset and admiration for him.

'I'm heartbroken. Marc was simply amazing!' tweeted one person, with someone else adding: 'I'm so gutted about Marc! He was my favourite ever contestant! Ever!'

'So emotional watching Marc leave - he's too pure for the cruel mistress that is 2020 #GBBO,' wrote another, while someone else tweeted: 'I'm devastated Marc's gone!! He's the nicest man ever and an absolute legend! I thought he was amazing!'

According to reports he also professed to suffer from 'severe anxiety' despite appearing for weeks in front of the Bake Off cameras

It was reported that Marc pleaded guilty to defrauding a total of 20,430, at Bodmin Magistrates' Court last week and was sentenced to three-years conditional discharge (pictured with his two daughters)

'Seeing Marc walk offscreen with his daughters...... No you're crying #GBBO' tweeted one fan of the show, while another wrote: 'Actually shed tears at Marc's departure.'

#GBBO genuinely cried for Marc leaving. He truly did come out of himself each week and just grew stronger, not just as a baker, but in himself,' praised someone else.

Ever-gracious, Marc penned a note for his fans, which was shared to the Great British Bake-Off shortly after his departure aired.

The note read: 'Just the most crazy, intense, wonderful, once in a lifetime experience. And I feel honoured to be part of this years Great British Bake Off.

'The bonds and friendships made this year are extra special as we were living, baking and socialising 24/7.

For me personally being able to share this bonkers experience with my daughters and dog Hamish, just made it one of the most memorable periods of my life.

A massive thank you to love productions, the amazing camera and sound crew, the food team, the runners, the down hall staff for making us feel so welcome. Love you all - Marc.'
Jennifer Lopez made a stylish appearance in her hometown of New York City on Friday.

The 54-year-old Bronx-bred beauty  who is promoting her new music and film This Is Me... Now: A Love Story  stepped out in a plush, brown and caramel-toned fur coat.

She beat the northeast chill fashionably as she teamed the luxe outerwear with a pair of distressed light wash jeans.

The mother-of-two upped the glamour factor by placing a pair of oversized, dark-tinted sunglasses over her brown eyes.

She hit the pavement in a pair of pointy-toe brown boots while she was escorted by security personnel.

Jennifer Lopez made a stylish appearance in her hometown of New York City on Friday

The 54-year-old Bronx-bred beauty stepped out in a plush, brown and caramel-toned fur coat

She beat the northeast chill fashionably as she teamed the luxe outerwear with a pair of distressed light wash jeans

Lopez's long, honey-blonde locks were beautifully arranged in a center part and cascading waves.

They framed her face, which was flawlessly made up in glowy, matte makeup including peach-toned blush and a matching lipstick.

Her long nails were filed into a square shape and painted a natural color.

She drew attention to the impeccable manicure as she carried a small, brown and cream print purse.

The multihyphenate is scheduled to appear as the musical guest on this weekend's episode of Saturday Night Live.

Her highly-anticipated musical film's release on February 16 coincides with the release of her brand new album, This Is Me... Now.

While teasing the project last month, she said she has not 'been this nervous, excited, scared and thrilled to share something with' her fans 'in years.'

'The story of the journey from This Is MeThen to This Is MeNow is the most personal thing Ive ever done,' she wrote on Instagram.

The mother-of-two upped the glamour factor by placing a pair of oversized, dark-tinted sunglasses over her brown eyes

She hit the pavement in a pair of pointy-toe brown boots while she was escorted by security personnel

In a press release from Amazon MGM Studios, the production is described as 'nothing youve ever seen from' Lopez.

The movie, directed by Dave Meyers, was created to be a 'narrative-driven cinematic odyssey' with 'fantastical costumes, breathtaking choreography, and star-studded cameos.'

Her husband Ben Affleck, Trevor Noah, Kim Petras, Post Malone, Keke Palmer and Sofia Vergara are among the A-listers named in the film's cast.

Lopez worked hard for it to be an 'introspective retrospective of' her heart as she releases her first record in a decade.

'Its definitely kind of a meta story about the journey that it takes from getting from heartbreak back to love I am somewhat of an expert you could say in a real way.

'Not so much about marriage but on weddings,' Lopez, who has been married four times, told Variety in January.

Lopez's long, honey-blonde locks were beautifully arranged in a center part and cascading waves

Her locks framed her face, which was flawlessly made up in glowy, matte makeup including peach-toned blush and a matching lipstick

Jennifer braced for the cold as she exited a building

Lopez's forthcoming material is inspired by her marriage to Affleck, with whom her love story began two decades ago.

This Is Me Now is a follow-up to her 2003 album This Is Me Then, which was also inspired by and dedicated to Affleck.

The pair ended their engagement a year after the record's release, but they got back together almost two decades later, rekindling their romance in 2021.

By 2022 they were officially married, after one intimate ceremony in Las Vegas and another more traditional wedding in Georgia.

They've since blended their families. Ben shares three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner and Lopez shares teenage twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
Teresa Giudice is showering her love and admiration on her 'mini me' daughter on her 18th birthday.

On Friday, as part of her special day and celebration, The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star took to Instagram and shared a healthy dose of compliments and high praise for her 'mini me' daughter, along with a carousel of photos of her third born.

'Happy 18th birthday to my gorgeous Milania, my mini me! You've blossomed into an incredible young woman with a heart of gold,' the proud mother, 51, wrote in her caption.

'Your beauty radiates both inside and out, and your love, care, and kindness never cease to amaze me,' she continued. 'I am with so much pride for the amazing young woman you've become, and the hard work and dedication you put into everything you do.'

She ended by writing, 'You truly are the life of the party, bringing joy and laughter wherever you go. Love you endlessly!'

Teresa Giudice, 51, offered up plenty of love and high praise for her 'mini me' daughter on her 18th birthday on Friday, February 2

In the social media post, the Paterson, New Jersey native shared a number of throwback snaps of her daughter as a child, and a couple of Milania during more recent times.

One of the newer images showed mother and daughter posing side-by-side in stylish dresses.

She also resembles her mother in a solo image of Milania decked out in a green ensemble that she, herself, shared on her birthday, in a repost from her visit to the Bahamas in August 2022.

The pictures of the teenager as a youngster appear to be old home and school photos, which also include one from high school days.

Teresa's ex-husband Giuseppe 'Joe' Giudice also got in on the virtual celebration by sharing a throwback photo of the birthday girl as a toddler, along with a snippet of the song I Wish U Happy Happy Birthday blaring away.

The Giudice family had a reunion of sorts this past December when Teresa and her husband Luis 'Louie' Ruelas traveled with all four of her daughters to the Bahamas to meet up their father for a holiday celebration, as reported by People.

Along with Milania, Teresa and Joe also are proud parents to Gia, 23, Gabriella, 19, and Audriana, 14.

Both Teresa and Milania used this photo of the teen in the Bahamas in 2022 as the cover photo for their respective Instagram posts

Milania also showed a strong resemblance to her mother in a recent school photo

The proud mother shared a series of throwback snaps of Milania in celebration of her birthday

'Your beauty radiates both inside and out, and your love, care, and kindness never cease to amaze me,' The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star said of her third born

'I am with so much pride for the amazing young woman you've become, and the hard work and dedication you put into everything you do.' the reality star gushed

Milania and her three sisters regularly travel to the Bahamas to visit with heir father, Joe Giudice, who moved to the tropical paradise in 2020 after beig deported to Italy following his 41 prison term for federal fraud charges

The group also included The Real Housewives of New Jersey castmate Jennifer Aydin and her family.

Joe, 51, and Teresa ended up separating after they both served prison time on federal fraud charges.

After Joe finished up 41 months in prison he was deported to his native Italy in 2019, even though he lived nearly his entire life in the U.S.

The former couple subsequently divorced in 2020 and then Joe then moved to the Bahamas, where his daughters take turns visiting him.
Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem hit the red carpet in Los Angeles on Friday for the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Event in honour of Jon Bon Jovi.

The Australian-born pair of pop legends dazzled the star-studded guests who gathered to celebrate the U.S. icon.

Kylie, 55, looked radiant in a neon yellow, $3,390 Versace minidress that contained ruched details throughout the fabric.

The left portion was off-the-shoulder while a thin strap with the brand's logo wrapped around her right shoulder.

She accessorised her look with a pair of silver-hooped earrings while also adding a glittering bracelet on her right wrist as well as a flashy ring.

Kylie Minogue hit the red carpet in Los Angeles on Friday for the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Event in honour of Jon Bon Jovi. (pictured)

The Padam Padam hitmaker slipped into a pair of open-toed, silver heels to coincide with the colour scheme of the look.

Her locks were parted to the side and effortlessly flowed down to brush past her shoulders in light waves.

Minogue's makeup was glammed up for the festivities and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a shimmering, bronze shadow around her eyes.

Kylie was one of the many stars that attended the ceremony to support the music artist and wowed in a neon yellow, $3,390 Versace minidress that contained ruched details throughout the fabric

The left portion was off-the-shoulder while a thin strap with the brand's logo wrapped around her right shoulder

A rosy, pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a satin, nude-coloured tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Kylie was seen stepping onto the red carpet upon arriving to the star-studded venue and showed off her eye-catching look before the event commenced.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Delta wore an amazing black and grey gown with slate pleat worth $3,800 from Australian designer Toni Maticevski, which featured a daring split up her left thigh.

Delta wore an amazing black and grey gown with slate pleat worth $3,800 from Australian designer Toni Maticevski, which featured a daring split up her left thigh

The pop star flashed a 'peace' sign to onlookers as she showed off her slim legs in the stunning outfit

The pop star flashed a 'peace' sign to onlookers as she showed off her slim legs in the stunning outfit.

She styled it with a pair of sheer long-sleeve evening gloves and accessorised with drop earrings, a delicate necklace, silver bangles, and rings.

Delta wore her long dark hair and completed her look with a rosy gloss of makeup, nude lipstick and a pair of silver studded high heels.

She styled it with a pair of sheer long-sleeve evening gloves and accessorised with drop earrings, a delicate necklace, silver bangles and rings

Delta wore her long dark hair and completed her look with a rosy gloss of make up, nude lipstick and a pair of silver studded high heels.

Other guests on the red carpet who were there to celebrate Bon Jovi's charitable contribution to the music industry included Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Etheridge and Shania Twain.

This year marked the 33rd MusiCares Person of the Year Award, which is held as charity benefit held ahead of the Grammy Awards every year to raise funds for the Recording Academy in the U.S.

The money raised is used to fund projects in support of the health and welfare of people in the music industry.
Sofia Richie was spotted on a shopping spree in Los Angeles on Friday, just a day after debuting her baby bump on the red carpet at a pre-Grammy soiree.

The 25-year-old model looked every inch the fashionista as she showed off her pregnancy belly in a chic brown dress and matching coat.

Accessorizing with a red leather handbag and a gold-and-diamond pendant necklace from Logan Hollowell, the starlet strutted along the Beverly Hills pavement in stylish white sandals for the unseasonably warm outing.

The daughter of music legend Lionel Richie looked happy and healthy during the sunny retail therapy session.

Although she was solo for Friday's excursion, Sofia's handsome husband, Elliot Grainge, had accompanied her the night before to the Warner Music Group pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles.

Sofia Richie was spotted on a shopping spree in Los Angeles on Friday, just a day after debuting her baby bump on the red carpet at a pre-Grammy soiree.

Sofia - who is expecting her first child with Elliot - had swept her signature blonde locks up in a bun allowing her natural beauty to take center stage for the event.

Richie's outing comes following news that her legendary father Lionel, 74, is already weighing in on potential baby names and has even banned one.

'You can't call her Lionella,' the four-time Grammy winner joked during an interview with E! News at The Greatest Night in Pop premiere in Los Angeles. 'You know what? I'm gonna leave that to the parents.'

He proceeded to explain that he just plans on being 'that loving Pop-Pop that comes in the door and spoils the child.'

Lionella, an Italian name that derives from his own first name, means 'little lioness.'

Lionel is already a grandparent to his eldest daughter Nicole Richie's two kids Harlow, 16, and Sparrow, 14.

Last week, Sofia revealed that she is six months pregnant with a baby girl.

'Ive learned more in the past six months than I have in my entire life,' she told Vogue, before noting her little one is a 'Gemini.'

The 25-year-old model looked every inch the fashionista as she showed off her pregnancy belly in a chic brown dress and matching coat

While Sofia grew up in the spotlight as the daughter of legendary performer Lionel Richie, from a young age, her husband, Elliot Grainge, only became a public figure after they went public with their relationship in in early 2021 (seen in September)

Sofia is six months pregnant with her first child with husband Elliot (pictured November 2023)

Sofia and Elliot sparked romance speculation in January 2021, just a few months after Sofia and Scott Disick, 40, broke up after dating on and off for almost four years.

Things heated up and got serious between Sofia and Elliot quickly.

Grainge proposed to Sofia in April 2022 and she shared the news on Instagram, captioning the photo: 'Forever isnt long enough @elliot.'

A year later, the couple tied the knot at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France.

The wedding was attended by several celebrity guests including her father, her sister Nicole Richie,42, and her husband Joel Madden, Cameron Diaz, 51, and her husband Benji Madden, as well as Paris Hilton, 42, and her husband Carter Reum.
Australian media icon Derryn Hinch has revealed that he was clinically dead while on an operating table.

Speaking to the Herald Sun over the weekend as he approaches his 80th birthday, Hinch expressed his gratitude for each day, since nearly losing his life during a liver transplant in 2011.

'I found out from my surgeon, Bob Jones, that I died on the table and they managed to get me back. I am now living 13 years longer than I should have because I carked it,' the media personality said.

'Since then, I have had a political career, I have been a senator. I have been in the business of journalism for more than 60 years,' he added.

Hinch is planning to enjoy a big birthday bash for his 80th in Melbourne, where he will be joined by his partner of six years, Lynda Stoner.

Derryn Hinch has revealed he was clinically dead while on an operating table. As he approaches his 80th birthday, Hinch expressed his gratitude for each day, since nearly losing his life during a liver transplant in 2011. Pictured

'I used to hate the word lucky, but I have been lucky. I have had a fantastic life,' Hinch said, reflecting on his new lease on life since his health woes over a decade ago.

The former senator underwent a liver transplant in 2011 after being diagnosed with aggressive cancer, and the organ was donated by the family of Heath Gardner.

But the New Zealand-born broadcaster said in 2020 he has not spoken with the Gardner family for more than two years after he began drinking alcohol again following the operation.

'They got very angry when I announced that, "yes, I have been having a drink again sometimes". Even though I had my doctors permission, they did not like that,' Hinch told the Herald Sun's Sacked Showbiz podcast.

'I found out from my surgeon, Bob Jones, that I died on the table and they managed to get me back. I am now living 13 years longer than I should have because I carked it,' he said

'I will always recognise that family for what they did and the fact that without them I would not be here.'

Hinch credits the family's generosity for keeping him alive for another decade and had hoped to repair the tattered relationship before the ten-year anniversary of the transplant in 2021.

The relationship first began to crumble after Hinch appeared on 60 Minutes in 2012 following the operation.

The family believe Mr Gardner was painted as a criminal in the program after focusing on his troubled past in the segment.

Hinch said his cancer diagnosis in 2010 changed his outlook to start living his life to the absolute fullest for the remaining time he had left.
She's one-half of an Australian duo whose fashion label went from a stall at Paddington Markets to become a global brand with fans who spend as much as AU$5000 on a dress.

Now Simone Zimmermann has added to her real estate portfolio with a Bondi home that cost $30million.

The purchase of the five-bedroom home has topped house price records for the area, and is one house back from the famous Bronte beach walk.

The property, which is has a pool and several outdoor areas, and while fairly modern, is anticipated to undergo renovations before Zimmermann moves in.

The north-facing home looks out towards Ben Buckler peninsula, where Simone bought her last home in 2017 for $5.5million.

She's one-half of an Australian duo whose fashion label went from a stall at Paddington Markets to become a global brand. Now Simone Zimmermann (pictured left) has added to her real estate portfolio with a Bondi home that cost $30million

The purchase of the five-bedroom home has topped house price records for the area, and is one house back from the famous Bronte beach walk

Adjacent to the property stands a 1960s house that established the prior purchase price record in the suburb, reaching $15 million in 2013.

This residence was acquired by James Taylor, a venture capitalist and supporter of teal independents.

Just a short distance away is the home of Brett Robson, the head of real estate at Macquarie.

Last year, Simone and her sister Nicky sold their luxury fashion brand Zimmermann for reportedly more than $1billion.

The property, which is has a pool and several outdoor areas

The north-facing home looks out towards Ben Buckler peninsula, where Simone bought her last home in 2017 for $5.5million

While the property is fairly modern, it is anticipated to undergo renovations before Zimmermann moves in.

The Zimmermann sisters sold their business to US equity firm Advent International in August for an undisclosed amount.

Around that time, Advent International had reportedly put forward an offer of $1.75billion for the company which has been worn by A-listers such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner.

Zimmermann has 58 stores around the world after launching in 1991 in Sydney.

Nicky began her career by designing dresses in her parent's garage and selling them at Paddington markets.

'While working the markets, I had two pages of editorial in Australian Vogue. That was a significant moment because I suddenly started to receive orders from boutiques around Australia and I could feel some real momentum,' she said.

'Soon after I opened a small store in Darlinghurst.'

Nicky (right) and Simone Zimmermann (left) sold their business to US equity firm Advent International last year for an undisclosed amount believed to be upwards of $1billion

Simone joined the business in 1991 which is now sold in stores in the UK, Europe, US and China.

Zimmermann recently opened a second design studio in Paris.

Dresses by the high-end brand range from $495 to $3,500.

A 70 per cent stake in the business had already been snapped up by Milan-based investment fund, Style Capital, in 2020 for $408million.

Last year's sale leaves the Zimmermann duo and Style Capital with significant minority shareholdings.

The founders and the Zimmermann management team will continue to drive the brand's future growth.
MARCH 2020

Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got 'relatively close' at the Prince's Trust Awards on March 11 - Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.

She said: 'Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] 'god you look ill.'

'He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe,

'I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance'

Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition.

APRIL

Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed 'mild symptoms'.

Kate said: 'Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I'm afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time.

'I'm afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.'

MAY

Kate said: 'The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight.

'But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.'

That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers

She said: 'I'll never give up on that because Derek's the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty'

JUNE

On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body

JULY

On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition.

On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to 'get on with life' during Derek's recovery.

She added that Derek had 'opened his eyes' after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years.

On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised.

On July 28, Kate revealed she'd paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, and admitted she's 'frustrated' by his slow progress.

AUGUST

On August 14, Kate reassured GMB viewers that Derek was 'still with us,' but it was 'a waiting game.'

On August 19, Kate revealed she celebrated Derek's birthday with their two children, and described the day as 'challenging' for her family.

SEPTEMBER

At the end of September, Derek reportedly becomes the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.

Kate reveals Derek has lost eight stone during his battle.

The presenter announces she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice.

OCTOBER

On October 30 Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word 'pain' to his wife, who watched on 'in tears' over FaceTime.

Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe.

NOVEMBER

Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in latest 'body blow' to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.

She says she feels 'physically sick' at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.

DECEMBER

The GMB star tells viewers it is her dream to visit Derek on Christmas Day.

She also reveals she missed two weeks on GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the kids tested negative.

On December 17, Kate has an emotional conversation live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London.

On New Year's Eve she reflects on a 'calamitous' Christmas without Derek, as her house was flooded and she struggled to get a food delivery slot until her pal Emma Willis stepped in to help.

JANUARY 2021

Kate reveals she and her children got to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period, and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalised.

She also says she's banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government's third lockdown.

FEBRUARY

Kate reveals she is unsure how much Derek will 'ever be able to recover' following warning from doctors that he may never wake from his coma

MARCH

Kate revealed that was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek's needs when he is finally released from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.

The programmed was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of coronavirus.

Kate also revealed that Derek has 'no muscle left' since battling Covid

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave hospital, but would require round-the-clock care once he was returned home.

MAY

Kate revealed that despite now being home with his family, his communication abilities were 'minimal' and he 'couldn't really move'

DECEMBER

During an appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said 'I love you' for the first time.

After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family

JANUARY 2022

Kate revealed that Derek was 'very fatigued' and 'very weak' following the family outing, adding: 'I don't know what this year is going to bring.'

FEBRUARY

Kate offered a glimpse into the daily struggles of looking after her husband amid his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek

She also revealed that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone to care for himself.

JULY

On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after suffering a 'downturn,' and in a later interview said she takes things 'day by day.'

On July 20, it was reported that Kate had pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek's bedside after he took a 'very serious' turn for the worse.

Recalling the day, the presenter told The Sun: 'At one point Derek said to me, "This is it, this time. I am gone." It was just terrifying.

'His sepsis was gut-wrenching for all of us because it had gone undiagnosed until the point where it was about to take his life away again.'

JANUARY 2023

Kate became overwhelmed as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.

She then became tearful and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for approaching three years.

Describing public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: 'This gives the impression you still don't get why they are cross. You still don't get why people are upset. They want to hold you to more account.'

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was once again receiving care in hospital, as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspiring' couple.

She shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspiring' couple, writing on Instagram: 'Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week & yes there's such a long road ahead but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish you gave the kids & Derek a moment that we will never forget and has lifted their spirits again to feel anything is possible.'

It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip across the world for pioneering treatment in a 'final hope' to help her husband.

MAY

Kate reportedly faced a huge 716,000 tax bill after she was forced to close her husband's business two years after he became stricken with Covid-19.

The final total will be settled within the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay whatever is owed.

A friend told The Sun: 'The figures are terrifying and Kate is of course worried about all the financial pressures, but she has to trust the process.

'When it comes to an end, she is determined to pay back anything that's owed.

'It's no secret that Kate has been battling to keep her husband alive and working through some heartbreaking situations in her personal life in recent years.

'Sadly as well as the emotional stress of Derek's terrible illnesses the financial burden has also been crippling.'

DECEMBER

Derek was left fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack.

Kate held a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and cancelled all work commitments while the family 'prayed for a miracle'.

A source said: 'It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.

'This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.

'Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.'

JANUARY 2024

Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away.

She said: 'Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.

'I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible'.

MailOnline understands he passed away on January 3 in a North London hospital.

He is survived by wife Kate and their children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14.
Duncan Bannatyne celebrated his milestone 75th birthday with a posh lunch on Friday as he spent some quality time with his beloved wife Nigora Whitehorn.

The acclaimed entrepreneur, 75, started the special day by hopping on an electric bike alongside his wife to explore what Miami has to offer.

After their bike ride, the happy couple were then spotted settling down in a luxurious restaurant in Miami as they tucked into a delicious lunch and enjoyed a glass of wine to mark his special day.

The former dental surgery receptionist, 43, looked nothing short of sensational as she donned a white cardigan and a pair of black mini shorts that showed off her washboard abs and toned pins.

The beauty also opted for a comfy pair of white trainers for the outing and styled her brunette locks in loose voluminous waves.

Duncan Bannatyne celebrated his milestone 75th birthday with a posh lunch on Friday as he spent some quality time with his beloved wife Nigora Whitehorn

the happy couple were spotted settling down in a luxurious restaurant in Miami as they tucked into a delicious lunch and enjoyed a glass of wine to mark his special day

Meanwhile, her husband Duncan, sported a snazzy zig-zag textured co-ord consisting of a zip-up polo shirt and shorts to embrace the hot weather.

Taking to her stories, Nigora ensured to document the day of celebrations.

In one sweet snap, the happy couple can be seen clinking their glasses as they posed for a selfie together.

Meanwhile, another snap captured Duncan's silly side as the pair posed in front of an electric bike.

Later on in the day, the pair could then be seen enjoying some downtime in matching Versace robes before heading out for the evening to celebrate.

Taking to her Instagram stories once again, Nigora looked nothing short of sensational as she posted a snap of herself and her beloved husband celebrating his special day in a swanky restaurant.

The Uzbekistan-born beauty exuded fashion as she dazzled in a sheer diamante encrusted maxi dress.

She opted for further elevating her height with a pair of silver court heels and donned a glam makeup look consisting of a smokey eye and a nude lip.

The former dental surgery receptionist, 43, looked nothing short of sensational as she donned a white cardigan and a pair of black mini shorts that showed off her washboard abs and toned pins

The beauty also opted for a comfy pair of white trainers for the outing and styled her brunette locks in loose voluminous waves

She also donned a pair of classic black shades to shield her eyes from the sun as they enjoyed their lunch

Meanwhile, Duncan on the other hand, looked incredibly dapper in a Versace gold print jacket.

He then opted for teaming a smart black shirt and a pair of slim-fit black jeans with the designer number.

Duncan was in high spirits and appeared to have fully recovered from his recent injury after he was seen using a walking stick and wearing a knee brace.

Right after New Year's celebrations, the philanthropist was seen boarding a plane to depart St Barts' Gustaf III Airport - after spending the festive season on the island alongside his beloved wife.

Meanwhile, her husband Duncan, sported a snazzy zig-zag textured co-ord consisting of a zip-up polo shirt and shorts to embrace the hot weather

Earlier in the day, the acclaimed entrepreneur, 75, started the special day by hopping on an electric bike alongside his wife to explore what Miami has to offer

Taking to her stories, Nigora ensured to document the day of celebrations

As one sweet snap captured Duncan's silly side as the pair posed in front of an electric bike

In another adorable snap, the happy couple can be seen clinking their glasses as they posed for a selfie together

Nigora then proceeded to post a snap of Duncan enjoying himself at the lavish restaurant before captioning it with: 'Happy boy'

In the evening, the Uzbekistan-born beauty exuded fashion as she dazzled in a sheer diamante encrusted maxi dress. Meanwhile, Duncan on the other hand, looked incredibly dapper in a Versace gold print jacket

Duncan was seen posing with his loved ones as they celebrated his birthday

The businessman was seen wearing a crow as he sat alongside Nigora and blew out the candles on his cake

The television personality raised a glass with his friends as he marked his special day

Duncan was see wearing a sailor's hat while surrounded by Nigora and and fellow partygoers

The TV favourite was seen using a walking aid and wearing a large black knee brace as he headed towards the plane.

It appeared Duncan hurt himself while 'strutting his stuff on the dance floor at the Gyp Sea resort', Richard Eden exclusively revealed a day after.

'He broke his leg in London eight weeks ago and was making a great recovery until his active holiday in the Caribbean, which involved dancing until 4am.

'He used his leg brace to get back in recovery for his flight and is feeling fine now,' Duncan's spokesman told Richard.

The happy snaps come after Duncan appeared in his element earlier in the day as he hopped on the electric bike that was gifted to him

The Dragons Den star donned a pair of snazzy shades and comfy trainers as he headed off to explore
Louis Walsh was seen attending a funeral mass in Dublin on Saturday.

The former X Factor judge wrapped up warm for the outing in a black jacket and white shirt.

The music manager, 71, was seen hugging and chatting with other attendees outside the church.

Louis was a judge on The X Factor from the first series in 2004 up until 2014. He rejoined the show again in 2016 and left again the following year.

He returned for The X Factor: Celebrity and mentored former TOWIE star Megan McKenna who won the show.

Louis Walsh was seen attending a funeral mass in Dublin on Saturday

The former X Factor judge wrapped up warm for the outing in a black jacket and white shirt

The music manager, 71, was seen hugging and chatting with other attendees outside the church

Louis later went on to become a judge on Ireland's Got Talent alongside Denise Van Outen and Michelle Visage.

Louis is also known for managing several pop groups including Westlife, Boyzone and Girls Aloud for the first two years of their career.

The TV star recently admitted he doesn't bother keeping in touch with Cheryl and said they didn't get along while judges on The X Factor together.

The pair infamously had a years-long feud that started when Louis branded the members of Girls Aloud 'fat'.

Asked about his relationship with Cheryl now that Girls Aloud are making a comeback, Louis said: 'I don't have a relationship with Cheryl, I don't bother.

'I haven't seen her, I haven't heard from her. We didn't get on great on X Factor because she didn't get the fun of it. She didn't understand that side of it.'

Despite the harsh words, Louis added that he thinks Cheryl should release more solo music, with her last record coming out nearly a decade ago in 2014.

He said: 'But she is a nice girl, she is talented, and I do think she should be making more music, to be honest. I really do.'
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have figured out how to put aside their differences for the sake of their family.

Following a few 'rocky' years of co-parenting, a source told Us Weekly that the pair, who recently reunited for dinner at Nobu, have 'really overcome those challenges' and are, now, 'able to communicate in a mature manner.'

'Kim and Kanye may not always see eye to eye, but they have managed an amicable relationship based solely on their kids,' an insider added.

They continued: 'Kim knows that North has a happy relationship with Bianca [Censori] and thats all that matters to her. What happens in their personal life is none of her business, just like she knows that Kanye doesnt pry into her personal life either.'

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have figured out how to put aside their differences for the sake of their family

Ultimately, the former couple feel they know 'what is healthiest when it comes to their childrens lives' and 'share a lot of history together and will always be family.'

This means that they will continue to 'attend the same events for their kids or get together.'

The reality star, 43, and 46-year-old rapper share four children: daughters North, 10, and Chicago, 6, and sons Saint, 8, and Psalm, 4.

Kardashian and West finalized their divorce in November 2022 after a bitter two-year battle.

Since their split, the 24-time Grammy winner publicly hit out at the Kardashian family multiple times after their split.

In 2022, he accused the family of 'basically kidnapping' his daughter Chicago on his Instagram while Kim's sister Khloe begged him to 'stop tearing Kimberly down and using our family when you want to deflect.

She insisted that he 'Leave her and the family out of it so that the kids can be raised peacefully.'

While appearing on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast last year, Kardashian revealed that she is still a 'hopeless romantic.'

Following a few 'rocky' years of co-parenting, a source told Us Weekly that the pair have 'really overcome those challenges' and are, now, 'able to communicate in a mature manner' (seen last month)

The SKIMS founder  who's been married three times  said of dating again: 'I definitely will take my time, and I think there's so many factors especially when you have kids and being mindful of people that enter in your life.'

'If I can look at everything that I did wrong and try to not make the same mistakes and really take my time, I think it just has to be different for me,' she went on.

Kim, whose last romance was with comedian Pete Davidson, added that she's not giving up on love, 'I think I'll always be a hopeless romantic and always want to be in love and definitely love sharing my life with someone and love creating a life with someone.'

'It's obviously such a hard place to be in because how do you go about it?' she continued.

'Kim and Kanye may not always see eye to eye, but they have managed an amicable relationship based solely on their kids,' an insider added; pictured in 2019

'There's so many factors, but I'll always believe in love and Ill always want that and I think thats such a magical part of life. But I think Im so comfortable taking my time to not rush it.'

'There's so much going on that I'm not lonely, and I think that that is really important,' the Kardashians star added.

'I believe, like, I always believe. And I think that whatever's meant to be will be.'

As for what she thinks can make a relationship long-lasting Kim revealed: 'I think just having that mutual respect, treating people with respect is just a given.'

'Every relationship can be different. If you have just a mutual respect around the, across the board, that's I think the number one thing,' she stressed.

As much as she believes in love, Kim added that she doesn't 'need people to make me happy' and is 'not really ever searching for something.'

'I'm really content. My babies make me happy, my family, my life. You know, experiences make me happy.'
Jonnie Irwin tragically lost his battle with lung cancer, aged 50.

Known for presenting A Place In The Sun, the TV host's wife Jessica announced the news in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday.

Jonnie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, and went public two years later revealing the cancer had spread and it was terminal.

Jessica, 40, remained a steadfast pillar of support during her husband's challenging health battle.

The couple, who wed in 2016 in what Jonnie fondly described as the 'happiest weekend of my life,' have three sons, Rex, five, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three.

TV presenter Jonnie Irwin tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50, his wife Jessica Holmes announced in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday

Inside Jonnie Irwin's family life with beloved wife Jessica and three sons as A Place In The Sun presenter dies aged 50 following cancer battle

Before Jonnie's diagnosis, Jessica occasionally appeared in his Instagram posts, including a trip to Paris to celebrate his 49th birthday.

At the time, pictured by the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Jonnie wrote: 'Been a hell of a week. Im bowled over by the lovely messages thank you all so much.

'As touching as its been, Ive also found it quite surreal - almost like were talking about some else. By my side throughout this is my wife so thought Id take us to Paris for the weekend.

'We could only do this with the help from my family, in particular my amazing sisters who dropped everything and have driven up to the Toon to look after the boy band. We are having an amazing time. Thanks so much. xxx. #family #onelife #paris'.

In December 2018, Jonnie and Jessica welcomed their firstborn, Rex, with the presenter sharing a heartwarming Christmas Day photo on Instagram.

He penned: 'Merry Christmas! Hope you had a great day - we spent all morning unwrapping this fella.

'No name yet but at 8.8 pounds he's already making an impression. Mum and baby doing well. #bruiser.'

Jonnie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, and went public two years later revealing the cancer had spread and it was terminal

Jessica who married in 2016, occasionally appeared in Jonnie's Instagram posts, including this trip to Paris to celebrate his 49th birthday

In December 2018, Jonnie and Jessica welcomed their firstborn, Rex, with Jonnie sharing a heartwarming Christmas Day photo on Instagram

Two years later, Jonnie posted a touching picture to Instagram of Jessica and him holding their newborn twin boys

In the caption he thanked the hospital staff and spoke about the strains of the lockdown restrictions, due to COVID-19

Two years later in June 2020, Jonnie posted a touching picture to Instagram of Jessica and him with their newborn twin boys.

In the caption he thanked the hospital staff and affectionately shared the challenges and joys of parenthood.

With COVID-19 lockdown in full swing, he spoke of the strains of restrictions, and how the couple would navigate the early stages of raising three boys under 18 months.

He wrote: 'Theyve arrived! After a long day in hospital the boys finally decided to make an appearance. They are identical in every way including weighing a good 5 pounds 7 each. No names yet.

'Jess was her usual magnificent self. Im so proud of her for carrying around what looked like a planet these last few weeks and huge thanks to the amazing staff at The RVI in Newcastle.

He added: 'Due to lockdown restrictions Ive had to leave mum and twins in the hospital and await their return home so giving Rex as much fun & love as possible.

'We know having 3 boys under 18 months is gonna be hard but its better to have a surfeit of good news rather than a deficit. Bring it on!'

TV host Jonnie revealed in November his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed in 2020.

Jonnie and Jessica marked their seven-year anniversary, with Jonnie praising his 'angel' wife in a heartfelt tribute (pictured here in October 2023)

Jonnie and Jessica kept his terminal cancer battle a secret from his three sons reasoning that it was too complex for their young children to process and understand

Sharing a sweet snap of her and Jonnie to his account, the tribute read: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnies passing

Despite not share his courageous battle with the public straightaway, he later revealed the reason he kept it a secret was to 'pay the bills' but that he was 'overwhelmed' by the 'kind messages' he had received from the public.

Jonnie also kept fans updated on his home renovations, on social media, after the family moved up north to Newcastle so his wife could be nearer her family.

The huge house renovation which included ripping out the porch, moving doorways, and changing window panels, as well as interior changes, was done in order for Jonnie to set his family up after he was gone.

In October 2023, Jonnie and Jessica marked their seven-year anniversary, with Jonnie praising his 'angel' wife in a heartfelt tribute.

The couple celebrated with a dinner and toasted their long-lasting love with some bubbles.

He captioned the post: '7 years married to this Angel. I use this term because the love she shows to others is beyond comparison.

'Last night was just us; chatting, planning and gossiping. So good. Amazing food and staff at @lovagejesmond made our evening perfect.'

Initially given a six-month prognosis, Jonnie defied medical expectations, facing the spread of cancer to his brain with a combination of medication, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Just before Fathers Day 2023, Jonnie revealed he and Jessica decided not to tell his young children that he was dying.

He reasoned that the information would be too complex for his young children to process and understand.

Jonnie hoped that keeping his kids none-the-wiser would mean the family could create more happy memories together.

Jonnie told Hello! at the time: 'I keep being asked: "Are you going to tell them? but tell them what?

'It would be horrible news that theyd have to get their heads around. And it would confuse the hell out of Rex  hes got a shocking enough day coming. Lets bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible.'

Jonnie planned ahead and bought his three boys a special gift each to mark their 18th birthdays, more than a decade early, knowing he wouldn't be there.

In a statement announcing his death on Friday, Jessica said: 'In Loving Memory. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnies passing.

'A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit.

'At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnies family as they navigate through this profound loss. Their grief is immeasurable, and your thoughts, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated.

'As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts.

'Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on.

'Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.'

Jessica later took to her own account to share a snap of her late husband beaming and made a heart-wrenching tribute.

She said: 'Goodnight my favourite. Thank you for everything. I will always love you.

'The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldnt come. Its with all the the sadness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today.

'His magical brain that continued to fight to the end has now gone to sleep. He has given me more than I could ever have wished for, 8 bonkers years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys'.

'I will continue to make you proud but only with your love still finding me and guiding me for the rest of my life, me and the boys still need you. Jonnie you really were the most handsome man I ever knew and I am so sorry for this cruel end.

'It really wasnt fair and you didnt deserve any of this. You gave so much time to others and touched everyone you met, I have never experienced anything like the effect you had on people.

Jessica finished: 'I love you so much and forever proud of you xxx.'
Simon Cowell was forced to pull out of Britain's Got Talent filming after he was struck down by an illness.

The music boss, 64, missed a number of auditions after developing a crippling headache which left him too unwell to work.

A source told the Daily Star: 'Simon was due to film as normal but he started to feel unwell.

'After some deliberation, he told everyone he was unable to take part in filming.

'To say he was frustrated was an understatement. Simon loves making Britains Got Talent, so he was annoyed that he had to miss filming.'

Simon Cowell was forced to pull out of Britain's Got Talent filming after he was struck down by an illness (pictured last month)

The music boss, 64, missed a number of auditions after developing a crippling headache which left him too unwell to work (pictured last month)

Simon missed a small number of evening auditions after his headache came on and he left the tryouts early before returning for the next run in Manchester as planned.

MailOnline has contacted Britain's Got Talent and a representative for Simon for comment.

Simon and his fellow Britain's Got Talent judges Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Amanda Holden, along with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, returned to filming for the upcoming series last month.

They were seen posing on the red carpet outside The London Palladium where hopefuls turned out in their hoards in the hope of finding success on the show.

SImon's illness comes after police led away a female intruder from the BGT set last month after she 'tried to get backstage' to see the judges.

The unidentified woman, who was pictured with her hood up, allegedly tried to 'sneak' past security and trespass into the restricted area.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'Police were called at 1.23 pm today to reports of a woman suffering a mental health crisis at Argyll Street, W1.

'Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. The woman was assisted by officers who made arrangements for her to be met by a family member. There were no offences.'

Simon and fellow BGT judges Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Amanda Holden, along with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returned to filming for the new series last month (front row: judges Bruno, Alesha, Amanda and Simon. Back row: hosts Ant and Dec)

A spokesperson from Fremantle added: 'Police were dealing with an individual outside of the Palladium who was causing a bit of a stir, and the BGT team helped out. But BGT didnt call the police and there was no threat to the judges as they didn't get inside the Palladium.'

Audience members allegedly heard chattering amongst theatre staff who said that an intruder 'tried to sneak in backstage' to see Simon and his celebrity counterparts.

The auditions for the hit televised talent show, which seeks to find the nation's next star, were delayed following the chaos caused by the 'intruder', according to reports.

She was pictured wearing a hooded tracksuit top, flanked by officers, as she was escorted out of the theatre. Officers were seen speaking to door staff at the theatre following the incident as a small crowd gathered outside the stage door, with security staff standing by it.
Camila Mendes showed off her incredibly toned physique while spending a day at the beach with her boyfriend, Rudy Mancuso, in Miami on Saturday.

The 29-year-old performer was first spotted while taking a call as she made her way along the sand and enjoyed the pleasant tropical weather.

The Riverdale star - who was recently spotted during a date night in Los Angeles - was later joined by the 31-year-old social media personality while relaxing in a lounge chair.

Mendes showcased her toned abs and chiseled arms while wearing a floral-print bikini top, which was paired with a matching bottom.

The Do Revenge actress accessorized with a chic pair of orange sunglasses during her trip to the beach.

Camila Mendes showed off her sculpted form while spending a day at the beach with her boyfriend, Rudy Mancuso, in Miami on Saturday

Her gorgeous dark brunette hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her back and shoulders.

Mancuso kept it casual in a pair of orange-and-blue trunks as he spent time with his girlfriend.

Mendes and her boyfriend initially met while working on the set of the upcoming romantic comedy film, Musica.

In addition to leading the feature's cast, the YouTube personality serves as its director and co-wrote its script.

Before she began dating her current boyfriend, the actress was in a relationship with cinematographer Ian Wallace, which lasted from 2013 until 2017.

Mendes was subsequently linked to her Riverdale costar Charles Melton, and the pair maintained an on-off relationship that lasted until 2021.

She eventually moved on with Mancuso, and the pair sparked dating rumors when they accompanied each other to the Venice Film Festival in September of 2022.

'The happy couple later went Instagram official with their romance in November of that year.

The Riverdale star joined by the 31-year-old social media personality while relaxing in a lounge chair

Mendes showcased her toned tummy and chiseled arms while wearing a floral-print bikini top, which was paired with a matching bottom

The Do Revenge actress accessorized with a chic pair of orange sunglasses during her trip to the beach

Her gorgeous dark brunette hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her back and shoulders

Mancuso kept it casual in a pair of orange-and-blue trunks as he spent time with his girlfriend

Mendes and her boyfriend initially met while working on the set of the upcoming romantic comedy film Musica, in which they will co-star

The actress opened up about her dating history during an episode of the Going Mental podcast, where she stated that she quickly established a close relationship with her boyfriend, whom she did not name at the time.

'I feel like I've known him my whole life, and that's something I actually have never felt before,' she said.

Mendes also spoke about her tendency to let the public know about each of her romantic partners.

'I love so hard when I love that I always want to show off my lover...I get so mushy gushy with that [stuff],' she said.
The Yanomami people in Brazils Roraima province face a dire threat to their existence, marked by severe malnutrition, malaria, and encroachment by illegal miners. President Lula, who declared their plight a genocide, blames his predecessor, but the crisis is rooted in years of exploitation, including Lulas own policies, making urgent action imperative for this indigenous community.

The Yanomami people of Brazil are confronting a significant threat to their lives and livelihoods. They reside in the northernmost province of Brazil, known as Roraima, which is one of the 26 states in the country and is the most logistically and geographically isolated from the rest of the nation. This region constitutes the largest indigenous territory in the country, comparable in size to Portugal in Europe. Currently, nearly 30,000 Yanomamis live in Roraima, and some also reside in southern Venezuela.

Ironically, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the current Brazilian President, popularly known as Lula, assumed power for the third time in January 2023 as the 39th President and visited the province of Roraima. During his visit, he declared that the Yanomami indigenous group is facing genocide. Lula promptly attributed the situation to his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, and committed to addressing the issue urgently. This response was prompted by a series of publications in the Brazilian media that quickly disseminated photos of malnourished children in December 2023.

The reports have genuinely shocked the entire nation, raising awareness about the current situation of the Yanomami community in the distant province. Many argue that it poses an existential threat to this group of indigenous people.

The crisis has unfolded, leaving many questioning how and who is responsible for it. For centuries, the Yanomami community sustained their way of life through hunting, farming, and gathering food from the bountiful rainforest provided by the Amazon. Each year, they moved from one place to another, allowing their lands to regenerate. Their ancestral lands and the surrounding forests were their sole sources of sustainability. However, with the ascent to power of Bolsonaro, a far-right and populist leader who served as the 38th President from 2019 to 2022 in this Amazon-rainfed state, things quickly took a turn for the worse.

It must be clearly stated that the deterioration of the health and environment of the Yanomami continued for an extended period, not specifically during Bolsonaros tenure. However, it is notable that he openly encouraged miners and other forest contractors to operate in the region, aiming to enhance employment opportunities and the nations wealth. The exploitation of the Yanomami was well underway during the two terms of President Lula from 2003-2010 and his protege Dilma Rousseff from 2011-2016, until her impeachment. The conditions of the Yanomami group came to public attention primarily during the last few months of Bolsonaros presidency.

Lula has completed one year in office, promising Brazilians high hopes and commitments. The primary entities responsible for the Yanomami genocide are the Brazilian State, mega business corporations, illegal miners, and loggers, all with the knowledge of the government. Specifically, illegal gold miners inundated the region in the 1980s, but were largely expelled thereafter. However, with the rise in gold prices and an invitation by the Bolsonaro Government, these miners returned to the region. Environmental and media reports suggest that around 20,000 of these miners came back to Roraima during Bolsonaros presidency. They are encroaching on the indigenous lands of the Yanomami group, forcing many to flee from their homelands. Unfortunately, despite a year of lofty promises by the newly elected Lula in January 2023, many illegal miners and loggers have indeed returned to the Amazon rainforest, continuing their age-old exploitation of the local Yanomami.

Currently, severe malnutrition and malaria are actively decimating the Yanomami. For years, stern warnings have been issued to the Federal Government in Brasilia, but no serious measures have been taken to halt the slow killing of the Yanomami. On record, the Federal Administration has declared a public health emergency regarding the conditions faced by the Yanomami.

How do miners and other outsiders pose a threat to the Yanomami? Primarily, all the miners substantially destroy the animal habitat that these people rely on for their food. Secondly, these miners gradually occupy their fertile lands, which the community uses for farming.

Thirdly, these miners use mercury during mining, directly releasing poison into the local rivers upon which the Yanomami have depended for generations to catch fish and fetch water for their daily livelihoods. Fourthly, years of mining have contributed to the creation of hundreds of water pools, providing fertile grounds for mosquitoes to breed. This, in turn, causes a massive malaria epidemic among the locals. Finally, these miners continually search for new lands and grounds for profitable mining each year. This leads to the spread of illness, disturbances in normal lifestyle, and instability in the entire Roraima province. The Yanomami people, mainly living in isolation, have been exposed to outsiders for years, posing significant threats to their well-being.

It is worth discussing here why genocide is an existential threat and what it entails. The term genocide was first coined by the Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944 in his book titled Axis Rule in Occupied Europe. The term genocide is composed of the Greek prefix genos, meaning tribe or race, and the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing. Lemkin developed this term for two purposes: one against the systematic killing of the Jewish people under Adolf Hitlers Nazi regime during the Second World War and also for earlier instances of targeted killing of a particular group or section of a community. Genocide was first recognised as a crime by the UN General Assembly in 1946 under international law (A/RES/96-I). To date, 153 countries have ratified the Genocide Convention.

Clearly, genocide is defined by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, also known as the Genocide Convention. It is an instrument of international law that, for the first time, codified Genocide as a crime. On December 9, 1948, the Genocide Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly as the first human rights treaty. This Convention once again reiterated the international communitys commitment to never again after experiencing the loss of massive economic resources, grave hostilities, and heinous crimes, including the infamous Holocaust in Germany during the Second World War. The adoption of this Convention is a watershed moment in the modern history of humanity as it underscores the importance of universal human rights and condemnation of such acts by all civilized nations. The Convention, in its Article II, defines Genocide as any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, as such:

A. Killing members of the group;

B. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

C. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

D. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

E. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Brazil, being a signatory of the Genocide Convention, is fully responsible for protecting and preventing the menace against the Yanomami community in this northwestern part of the country. Brasilia must put in place all available legal instruments to hold the perpetrators of the crime accountable as early as possible.

Under Lula da Inacio, Brazil is rapidly witnessing a severe crisis, encompassing both environmental and humanitarian hazards for the Yanomami indigenous people. There is widespread belief that genocide is being perpetrated against the Yanomami group. Lulas two terms of presidency in the 2000s were also marked by policies directly impacting the lives of indigenous people. For instance, he permitted the construction of the Bel Monte Dam on the Xingu River, which was later completed during the tenure of his successor and Workers Party (PT) President, Rousseff. This dam resulted in the flooding of about 500 square kilometres, displacing over 20,000 people, devastating the livelihoods of indigenous communities, and creating another deforestation zone in the Amazon, widely known as the Lungs of the Planet.

Furthermore, Lulas administration allowed land rights for squatters, leading to the legalisation of land grabs in the Amazon Forest. It offered amnesty to all those responsible for encroachment and deforestation of the lands of indigenous communities in the Amazon areas. Lula also favored the agri-business industry, equally responsible for exploiting indigenous communities. His permission for the meat lobby to expand their business directly impacts the lands of local people. Hence, Lula cannot simply blame Bolsonaro for the current environmental and humanitarian wreckage affecting the Yanomami people.

The current crisis is not of recent origin; it has been escalating over many years. In 2020, a study conducted by UNICEF and Fiocruz, the Brazilian State Health Research Institute, confirmed that eight out of every ten children aged five or under suffered from chronic malnutrition. Lula, often hailed as a champion of social reform with economic growth, must reflect upon the tragedies unfolding against the disadvantaged and indigenous people of Brazil, particularly the Yanomami. Before he chairs the much-talked-about global conference summit called COP-30 next year, it is his responsibility to address one of the worst humanitarian and environmental catastrophes that has been occurring right under his nose.

In March 2022, Junior Hekurari Yanomami, the President of the Yanomami Local Health Council, wrote on Twitter (Now X): The miners are destroying our rivers, forests, and our children. Our air is no longer pure, our game is disappearing, and our people are crying out for clean water. We want to live; we want our peace back and our territory. So, the writing on the wall is clear. Lula is well aware of the tragedy. It is time for action, not to exacerbate the Yanomami tragedy!

(The writer is a Senior Faculty at the Department of Political Science in the School of Liberal Education, Galgotias University, Greater Noida.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the Congress and its allied parties for insulting President of India Droupadi Murmu, whose candidature was opposed by Opposition parties in the Presidential elections.

Addressing a rally at Sambalpur in Odisha, the PM said the insult of Murmuji was an insult to all Adivasis and the entire State of Odisha. I have worked with tribal people and know their plight and difficulties. They (Congress) have always used tribals as their vote banks. However, in the last 10 years, the BJP has been continuously working towards the development of tribals in Odisha and other States, the Prime Minister said during his Odisha tour. Late in the evening, the PM reached Guwahati, Assam, for a two-day whirlwind tour of the State and to dedicate several projects to benefit the northeastern region.

While assuring the people of Odisha that his party would ensure the development of the State and its people, Modi said the recent Budget provides a guarantee for the development of all sections of society, including youths, women, the poor, farmers, and tribals.

Modi said his guarantee is the guarantee of guarantees, as his Government is the last hope for helpless people across the country. Modis guarantee means a guarantee of complete fulfillment, said the Prime Minister.

He added that under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, crores of farmers have received direct benefits, including around 40 lakh in Odisha.

Farmers in Odisha have received Rs 30,000 in their bank accounts under the PM Kisan Yojana, he said. Citing an instance of farmers development, Modi pointed out that while the Government prior to 2014 was procuring paddy worth Rs 36,000 crore under the MSP mechanism from Odisha, the present Government has procured paddy worth Rs 1.10 lakh crore from the State. This is because the BJP is seriously working for the real empowerment of farmers, Modi said.

Similarly, he said the BJP Government is taking all steps to uplift the fishing community. The Government continues to lay emphasis on improving the lives of fish farmers, he said.

Making his first public rally address in five years in Odisha, Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 68,000 crore in Odisha.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor Raghubar Das, and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Bishweswar Tudu, and Ashwini Vaishnaw were present at the function. Besides inaugurating the Rs 400-crore permanent campus of IIM, Sambalpur, Modi unveiled several infrastructure projects across various sectors such as power, roads, and railways in the state.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the IIM campus in 2021. After unveiling 18 projects in the state, the prime minister said, These projects will benefit the youth of Odisha and will create employment opportunities. The Centre is supporting Odisha in every sector.

The PM also flagged off the Puri-Sonepur-Puri weekly express, which will improve connectivity in the region, and dedicated the Jharsuguda Head Post Office Heritage Building to the nation. He also inaugurated the 412-km Dhamra-Angul pipeline section of the Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline project (JHBDPL).

Built at a cost of around Rs 2,450 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga, the project will connect Odisha with the National Gas Grid.

The PM also said the Central Government is also working towards ensuring increasing household savings with the provision of Rs 10,000 crore for the rooftop solar scheme in the Budget. With the rooftop solar scheme, people will have zero energy bills, he said. On women empowerment, the Prime Minister said the Centre also extended the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to ASHA and anganwadi workers who will get medical care services up to Rs 5 lakh.

Modi late evening reached Guwahati where he was received by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, State Ministers, and senior civil and police officers. Modi will address a public meeting on Sunday at the Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara, from where many State and Central projects will be unveiled.
After a five-hour drama, Crime Branch officials of the Delhi Police on Saturday served a notice to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to reply within three days in a probe into his claims that the BJP attempted to poach seven AAP MLAs.

A Delhi Police officer said, We have served the notice on him (Kejriwal). He can give the reply in three days in written form.

The police sources said the notice was finally handed over to the officials present at the CM residence. The Crime Branch has asked Kejriwal to reveal the names of AAP MLAs who were claimed to have been approached by the BJP.

The development comes a day after a Crime Branch team visited the Chief Ministers residence but failed to deliver the notice. The Delhi Police Crime Branch notices came at a time when Kejriwal is under scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor scam.

The AAP leader has skipped five summons by the probe agency so far. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, in a Press statement, alleged that Kejriwals behaviour has become like that of criminals.

He has no evidence, and the allegation of Lotus 2.0 is a fabricated story to divert attention from his corruption, he said. BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, in the statement, said FIRs should be filed against Kejriwal and Atishi if they fail to prove their allegations. Stringent action should be taken against them, he added.

Earlier, a drama unfolded at Kejriwals residence at Civil Lines on Saturday as a Crime Branch team arrived again for the second straight day to serve him a notice to join a probe over his claim that the BJP was trying to poach AAP MLAs.

The team, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-level officer, insisted they would hand over the notice to Kejriwal only as it is in his name, while officials at the Chief Ministers residence said they are ready to take the notice and give a receipt to the Crime Branch. AAP sources claimed the police have brought the media with them to tarnish the chief ministers image.

The polices aim is to defame the CM, not to serve the notice, the sources added.

Outside the premises, AAP leader Jasmine Shah was seen trying to seek an explanation from a Crime Branch official on the legal provision under which he was insisting on handing over the notice to Kejriwal personally.

I asked a simple question of the Delhi Police officer standing in front of the entrance of the residence of Kejriwal: Under which law is he insisting on handing over a notice personally to the CM? He had no answers. It is clear they are only here to do nautanki (drama), Shah wrote, posting a video on X.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed the police were deliberately not delivering the notice to the CMs office. This is so embarrassing for the Modi Government. The BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged the CM office did not receive a police notice.

Today, they are exposed. Police ACP deliberately not delivering notice to CM office, he wrote on X.

Another AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said, All officials will now have to learn to say no, no matter how much pressure they face (from the Centre).

Refuting the claims, a senior Crime Branch officer said that the notice will be served only to the CM in person and not to any of his office staff.

The officer added that some preliminary questioning will also take place, besides serving him the notice. According to police sources, the notice purportedly contains questions, asking Kejriwal to furnish evidence related to the allegations made. An officer said the team is again expected to go to his residence on Saturday to serve him the notice in person.

Reacting to the polices attempts to serve him a notice over his MLA poaching charge against the BJP, Kejriwal said he sympathised with the police who were being made to indulge in drama by their political bosses instead of preventing crime in the city.

Sharing a video of some policemen at his residence, Kejriwal posted on X that he sympathised with the police officers sent to serve him notice and added its their duty to stop crime in Delhi, but they are being made to indulge in drama. That is why crime is rising in Delhi.

He also said in the post, without naming any party or leader, that the political bosses are asking him which AAP MLAs were contacted for switching sides. In an apparent swipe at the BJP, he asked why there was drama on the issue when the party knew who was behind toppling Governments of other parties across the country in the last few years by poaching MLAs.

Last week, Kejriwal, in a post on X, had alleged that the BJP offered Rs 25 crore each to seven AAP MLAs to quit the party in order to topple his Government. Shortly after Kejriwal, Delhi Minister Atishi held a Press conference and alleged that the BJP had launched Operation Lotus 2.0 in Delhi. They had made a similar attempt to poach AAP MLAs last year by offering them money but failed, she said.

After the allegations were made, a delegation of the Delhi BJP led by its chief Virender Sachdeva met Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on January 30, seeking a probe.

A team of Delhi Police officials reached Kejriwals residence on Friday to serve notice but failed, with sources saying the men at his home refused to accept it. A Crime Branch team had visited the residence of Atishi also on Friday but could not deliver the notice as she was not present.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, citing personal reasons.

Due to my personal reasons and certain other commitments, I tender my resignation from the post of Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh. Please accept the same and oblige, Purohit (84) wrote in his resignation letter.

Purohits resignation came a day after he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

Their meeting came days after the BJP swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls, retaining all three posts, a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance which alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer. Before being appointed as the Governor Punjab and administrator of Chandigarh, Purohit had also been the Governor of Assam from 2016 to 2017 and the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 2017 to 2021.

Purohit had also been a three-time Lok Sabha member from Nagpur in 1984, 1989 and 1996. He had also won the Assembly elections from Nagpur East in 1978 and from Nagpur South in 1980.

In his more than two-year eventful term as the Governor, Purohit had been at loggerheads with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over several issues, including holding the Assembly sessions and appointments of vice-chancellors. They had not been on the best of terms as squabble between the Raj Bhavan and the AAP Government surfaced over many issues.

Their relationship nose-dived when the Governor thwarted the Mann-led regimes plan to summon a special Assembly session in September 2022 to bring a confidence motion after he withdrew his order of summoning it. AAP had alleged that the BJP offered money to its 10 MLAs.

The row between the Raj Bhavan and the AAP Government escalated when Purohit declined appointment of a cardiologist as Vice Chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and also sought removal of Punjab Agricultural University Vice Chancellor.

The AAP had accused the Governor of interfering into the functioning of the Mann Government at the behest of the BJP and dubbed the Raj Bhavan as the head office of the BJP.
A preliminary inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi Government has revealed that, during the 11 months of 2023, 65,000 ghost patients underwent pathological tests at the Mohalla Clinics through private labs. These Mohalla Clinics are the pet project of the Arvind Kejriwal Government.

Analysis of patient data from one of the private laboratories revealed the listing of 12,457 tests with blank mobile numbers, 25,732 tests with zero mobile numbers, 913 tests with fake mobile numbers like 1, 2, 3, etc., and 2,467 tests with mobile numbers repeated more than 80 times for different patients, as shown in the report.

Approximately 6,121 tests were conducted using the mobile number 9999999999 for different patients, identified as an invalid/fake number. Similarly, 2,399 tests were conducted using the mobile number 9821749455 for different patients, and the inquiry revealed that the mobile holder had never undergone any tests.

Additionally, 11,350 tests were conducted using mobile numbers that were repeated more than 130 times for different patients. There are significant discrepancies between the registration of patients and the number of patients whose tests were conducted with the same mobile number.

According to sources, the preliminary inquiry revealed that from February 2023 to December 2023, nearly 22 lakh tests were conducted by the two private labs, for which they were paid `4.63 crore by the Delhi Government. Out of this, more than 65,000 tests were found to be fake or manipulated.

The cost of conducting each of these tests varied from `100 to `300. On further probing with random people whose mobile numbers were picked up during investigations, it was revealed that an overwhelming 63 per cent had neither undergone any tests nor visited any Mohalla Clinic. The labs were paid `4.63 crore by the Government for the tests conducted by them, according to the sources.

Last month, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the reports of irregularities in lab tests conducted at the Mohalla Clinics.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the CBI to undertake an investigation into the matter. The private labs allegedly conducted tests on ghost patients who never visited any Mohalla Clinic, as claimed by an ACB official.

The ACB also conducted random tele-verification of mobile numbers of patients at both private labs, revealing that a large number of tests were conducted on either invalid mobile numbers or mobile numbers not related to the patients.

The examination of the patients revealed that they had never visited or undergone any tests at Mohalla Clinics. While the two private labs conducted tests on ghost patients who never visited any Mohalla Clinic, it has also emerged that the Lab Management Information System (LIMS) containing the names and mobile numbers of the patients was developed, operated, and conveniently manipulated by the two private labs, namely, Agilus Diagnostic Ltd. and M/s Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.

The report found that the two private vendors have full control and access over the data and system software, and hence, the possibility of manipulation of data by the outsourced lab vendors could not be ruled out. The cost of conducting different tests at Mohalla clinics varied from `100 to `300.

The preliminary inquiry revealed that a tender process for outsourcing lab tests/diagnostic services in AAMCs, etc., was initiated vide tender file No. F.11(25)/LBSH/Outsourcing/Lab services/2022/2983 dated 29.04.2022, and the same was awarded to M/s Agilus Diagnostic Ltd. (formerly SRL Ltd.) for cluster A 86B (comprising 8 revenue districts-North District, Centre District, South-West District, West District, South-East District, South District, New Delhi District, North-West District) and M/s Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. for cluster-C (comprising 3 revenue districts-North-East District, East District, Shandara District) as the lowest bidder.

Reacting to the ACB findings, Delhi BJP slammed the Kejriwal Government over the procurement and supply of alleged spurious and non-standard drugs in Government hospitals and Mohalla Clinics, saying the alleged scam was being undertaken at the behest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Delhi BJP president Veerendra Sachdeva has said the Kejriwal Government conducted 22 lakh fraudulent or unnecessary tests with no contact details provided for over 25,000 tests.

Sachdeva said Delhi has a Government with a long list of corruption cases, and recent revelations about a major scam in Mohalla Clinics popped up by the Delhi Government confirm the extent of corruption.
At a time when the entire tribal community of the State is rejoicing the State Cabinets historic decision to have a Language Commission for the preservation and promotion of languages of the Scheduled Tribes of Odisha, the ongoing Adivasi Mela at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground in Unit-I area will have three-day-long multilingual drama fest of Santali, Desia, Ho and Mundari languages, between February 3 and 5.



While Aya Baba Gayan Semled from Ulidihi under Udala block of Mayurbhanj district will stage a Santali play and the Koraputia Desia Dramatic Club from Koraput district will stage a drama in Desia language on February 3. The Pandit Lokobadra Dramatic Club of Balibhoi in Karanjia from Mayurbhanj district will stage a drama in Ho language and the Baba Chintamani Dramatic Club from Astajharana under Badasahi block in Mayurbhanj district will stage a drama in Mundari on February 4.



Similarly, the Maa Biratpat Tayanburu Gangamandil Dramatic Club from Khadiabasa near Udala in Mayurbhanj district will stage a drama in Mundari language on February 5.



Commissioner-cum-Secretary Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes Development Minorities and Backward Communities Welfare Department Roopa Roshan Sahoo said, Odisha is home to 62 tribal groups and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). There are 21 tribal languages in Odisha and thus State Government wants to preserve, promote, develop, disseminate and safeguard the tribal languages and dialects and this multilingual drama fest is a step in that direction. We are also organizing it as a sideline event during the first World Odia Language Conference (WOLC) to be organized in the Temple City."



She also added that the State Government has already taken up multilingual education and efforts for documenting and preserving tribal languages, promoting the use of those languages and protecting linguistic rights among several enriching activities for the development of the rich tribal languages.



State Language Coordinator at SC,ST Research and Training Institute Paramananda Patel said, For research in tribal culture and languages, the Academy of Tribal Languages and Culture (ATLC) is working for different tribal groups as they have 74 dialects apart from 21 tribal languages which is a treasure in itself as we also have 22.85 percent of our States population belonging to tribal communities."



The three-day-long multilingual drama festival at Adivasi Mela will also celebrate the occasion of Scheduled Tribe Drama Day.
Renowned actor from Odisha Sadhu Meher passed away in Mumbai on Friday. He was 84.

Meher carved a niche for himself in both Odia and Hindi film industries. He had been conferred with Padma Shri award in 2017.

Meher was well-known for movies like Ankur, Manthan, Mrigaya and Bhuvan Shome. He had won National Film Award for Best Actor for Ankur.

He had acted in critically-acclaimed Odia movie Bhukha. He was also the director and producer of a few movies.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the demise of the veteran actor.

Meher was a popular actor and director in both Odia and Hindi film industries. He had received laurels for his brilliant acting skills. He was the first Odia actor to receive the National Film Award. His demise has left a void in the film industry, said the Chief Minister in a condolence message.
The Odisha Government on Friday blacklisted an agency that was engaged to erect the structure for the Bhadrayani Lok Mahotsav at the Nehru Stadium in Bhadrak district for allegedly abandoning an idol of Lord Jagannath at the festival venue.

The Lok Mahotsav was jointly organised by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and the Agriculture Department from January 25 to 29. The festival started with lighting of lamps and worshiping of an idol of Lord Jagannath. However, after the festival, the idol was found abandoned on the ground.

Taking the matter seriously, the district administration blacklisted the concerned tent house supplier and was served a notice to refrain from doing any programme in the district.

This apart, the Additional District Magistrate has been asked to conduct a probe into the incident. Once his report is received, stringent action will be taken against those found responsible, said Bhadak Collector Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar.

The Jagannath lovers took strong exception to the act of showing disrespect to the Lord. They staged a unique protest in front of the Collectors office on Friday by performing a Sankirtan and demanded an apology from the district administration.

Convenor of Puri Jagannath Sena Priyadarshan Pattanayak lodged a complaint at the Singhadwar police station against the Bhadrak Collector and the Bhadrak MLA.

Meanwhile, tent house owner Birupaksha Mishra acknowledged his mistake and tendered an apology.
BJP state spokesperson and former IPS officer Arun Oraon today reacted strongly to the statement of JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya. He said that former Chief Minister Hemant Soren has gone to jail due to his actions.

Oraon said that State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi wrote letters to Hemant Soren several times and warned him. Advised to take action against the culprits but he did not pay any attention due to arrogance of power.

He said that ED's action is a legal action. Institutions like ED, CBI are working in this country to take action against those involved in loot and corruption.

He said that whether it is JMM's good fortune or bad luck, during the tenure of many non-BJP governments, their leaders had to go to jail in action. But today, due to the greed for power, he is forced not to speak about the Congress Prime Minister.

He said that with time all the layers of corruption will be exposed in the coming days. JMM should wait for it. And they should wait for the decision of the court to which they have been appealing to get relief and to save their brokers and middlemen.

He said that the public has understood the compulsion under which JMM has chosen Champai Soren as its leader. If this was all then JMM should tell why Sarfaraz Ahmed ji resigned? Why was Kalpana Soren included in the legislature party meeting?

Oraon said that if JMM has courage then tell why the Chief Minister absconded from his Delhi residence. Why did you go by chartered plane and reach Ranchi running like a fugitive?

JMM should tell what was the route chart of the then Chief Minister Hemant Soren when he fled from Delhi to Ranchi and which security officers were with him.

JMM should tell in whose trust Hemant Soren had left the state for 48 hours. After all, what was the compulsion that the people of the state were not given clear information about the news of the Chief Minister's disappearance?

He said that JMM should issue a white paper on its failures and setbacks. It should tell about the injustice done to the people, youth, unemployed and farmers against their promises. Issue a white paper on the loot of water and forest land in Jharkhand. He asked JMM to issue a white paper on more than 6 thousand incidents of rape against women.

He said that JMM wants to divert public attention from its failures and corruption with false statements.

Box:

Advani is a gem of India: Marandi

BJP State President Babulal Marandi today said that the decision of the Central Government to honour Bharat Ratna to the patriarch of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the inspiration for crores of workers, Lal Krishna Advani, is commendable. Marandi said that the contribution of Advani in changing the direction of Indian politics forever with his skilled leadership and realizing the resolve of building a grand Shri Ram temple by organizing the people of the country is exemplary for all of us. He said that Advani has played an important role in the reconstruction of the country after independence. Advani is a living example of purity in politics. Marandi said that he is thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision to honour Advani with Bharat Ratna for his incomparable contribution.
CMD, CMPDI Manoj Kumar, launched CMPDI's, flagship CSR initiative,"Badthe Kadam: Elimination of disability from Clubfoot in Children of Jharkhand State" at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital, Ranchi on Saturday. After launching the project, Kumar interacted with the beneficiaries at RIMS hospital. Achyut Ghatak, Director (T/RD&T) and other senior officials from CMPDI were present.

CMPDI on 24th January 2024 signed an Memorandum of Association (MoA) with Cure India Foundation, New Delhi for the project, "Badhte Kadam: Elimination of disability from Clubfoot through Ponseti method in children of Jharkhand State" amounting to Rs.93 lakhs for the FY 2023-27. This is the first of its kind of project being taken up by CMPDIL for treatment of 500 children and supporting towards elimination of clubfoot in the Jharkhand State.

The treatment of clubfoot patients will be done in following govt. hospitals i.e Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi; District Hospital, Ranchi; Bokaro General Hospital, Bokaro; Patliputra Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad; Hazaribagh Medical College and Hospital, Hazaribagh; Palamu Medical College and Hospital, Medininagar; District Hospital, Chaibasa and AIIMS, Deoghar.
The Gurugram Police on Friday night rescued a youth from the clutches of three kidnappers and arrested the accused from Sonepat within hours of the kidnapping incident.

They had allegedly kidnapped the youth for not returning Rs 8.5 lakh out of the Rs 15 lakh which the youth had allegedly taken in the name of getting one of the accused a government job.

Police have seized one licensed revolver, three cartridges and four mobiles from their possession, police added.

According to police, a woman complained to police on Thursday that her son Manoj was kidnapped by three people from an area around M3M Residential society near the Naurangpur village and taken to Sonepat.

A team led by Sub-inspector Lalit Kumar, in-charge of the crime unit, Manesar and another team led by Inspector Ajay Kumar, SHO of the Kherki Daula police station were formed.Both the teams reached Sonepat and rescued Manoj by arresting the three accused. The arrested accused were identified as Sandeep alias Kala (42), resident of village Sanpera, Mohit (28), resident of village Dheeran and Kunal Kumar (23), resident of village Hasanyarpur Tihar Kalan in the Sonepat district, said police.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that the victim Manoj had taken Rs 15 lakh in the name of providing a job to accused Sandeeps nephew. When he could not return the money, the accused took away Manojs Hyundai car. Even after this, Rs 8.5 lakh remained outstanding, said Varun Dahiya, ACP crime.
Regarding the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha election 2024 a meeting was organized under the chairmanship of District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Shekhar Jamuar at the Conference hall of the Collectorate on Saturday.

In the meeting, the District Election Officer mainly discussed the availability of minimum facilities at polling stations, reliable polling stations/critical/non-critical polling stations, reliability mapping, route chart, booth awareness, need and availability of wheelchairs and other issues.

In the meeting, the Excise Superintendent was instructed to conduct raid operations in various areas as per requirement.

Taking information about the checkpoints in the border areas of the district, the District Election Officer directed the police personnel deployed at the checkpoints to remain active and keep an eye on every activity. The District Election Officer directed to submit a complete report within the next one week regarding reliability mapping of polling stations/critical/non-critical polling stations.

All Block Development Officers and Zonal Officers were directed to ensure arrangements including drinking water, toilets, electrification, ramps and other arrangements under the AMF (Assured Minimum Facility) at the polling stations, so that on the day of polling, the polling party and the voters do not face any inconvenience. There should not be any kind of problem.

In order to make the voters aware about their voting rights, the District Election Officer also directed to conduct awareness campaigns through Sweep Cell from time to time.

In this meeting, mainly Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Pandey, Additional Collector Matiyash Vijay Toppo, Sub-Divisional Officer Sri Banshidhar Nagar Ratan Kumar Singh, Deputy Election Officer Sushil Kumar Rai along with Excise Superintendent, all police station in-charges, all Block Development Officers and all zonal officers were present.
In a strategic move to enhance cancer care accessibility, HCG Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Hospital, Ranchi, and HCG EKO Cancer Centre, Kolkata, have introduced cancer Outpatient Department (OPD) services at Apex Hospital in Jamshedpur. The collaboration aims to provide top-tier cancer treatment through a team of expert oncologists, reinforcing HCG's commitment to comprehensive cancer care for local communities.

The announcement, graced by chief guests Dr. G.C. Manjhi, IMA President, Dr. Saurabh Chowdhury, IMA Secretary, and Dr. S.K Kundu, Director Oncology, Apex Hospital, highlights the involvement of distinguished doctors, including Dr. Aftab Alam Ansari and Dr. Abhishek Kumar from HCG Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Hospital, Ranchi, and Dr. Joydeep Chakrabartty and Dr. Arjit Bishnu from HCG EKO Cancer Centre, Kolkata.

To ensure accessibility, specialized OPDs will offer consultations on specified days. Notably, Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Pediatric Oncologist, will be available on the first Saturday of each month, Dr. Joydeep Chakrabartty for Hematology consultation on the second Wednesday, and Dr. Arjit Bishnu on the fourth Wednesday.

The OPD, equipped with renowned oncologists, advanced diagnostics, and a patient-centric approach, promises hope and healing for cancer patients in Jamshedpur and neighboring areas. Both HCG Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Hospital, Ranchi, and HCG EKO Cancer Centre, Kolkata, are renowned centers of excellence in cancer care, offering cutting-edge technology and expert specialists.

Speaking at the occasion, Prateek Jain, Regional Business Head AP & East, Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited said, We at HCG provide comprehensive services backed by best-in-class technology, treatment and care. Our aim is to ensure patients suffering from cancer receive the right consultation and treatment, from the expert oncologist. Through the launch of this OPD HCG endeavors to make healthcare services accessible to all. We are sure that this OPD in Jamshedpur will benefit residents of the region to avail healthcare services in their own city.

Dr. Saurabh Chowdhury, IMA SECRETARY said, Access to quality cancer care is crucial in our fight against this life-threatening disease. The joint efforts between HCG EKO Cancer Centre, HCG Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Hospital in Jamshedpur will undoubtedly enhance the availability of comprehensive cancer services in the city and adjoining regions. I commend their efforts and look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will have on the community. Such partnerships underscore a shared commitment to advancing healthcare and addressing the complex needs of cancer patients.

Dr. Aftab Alam Ansari, Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, HCG Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Hospital, Ranchi, added, "The launch of cancer OPD services in Jamshedpur marks a significant milestone in our collective mission to combat cancer. By joining forces, we can pool our resources and knowledge to deliver exceptional care to the people in and around the city. We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration holds and the positive impact it will have on cancer patients and their families."

Dr. Joydeep Chakrabartty, HOD & Sr. Consultant - Haemato Oncology & BMT, HCG EKO Cancer Centre Kolkata said, Through this association, our team of doctors are committed to provide the highest standard of care and personalized treatment plans, ensuring that each patient receives the attention they deserve. The OPDs will encourage individuals for proactive and regular screenings that can aid in early detection, intervention, and care. We believe through our continuous efforts, together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer."
The KIIT University here is set to host the Odia Poets Conclave as part of the First World Odia Language Conference 2024 on February 4 and 5 in collaboration with the State Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.

The main event, first World Odia Language Conference 2024 is a celebration of the antiquity and continuity of Odia, which is one of the six classical languages of India.

KIIT & KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta has expressed gratitude to the State Government and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for entrusting KIIT with the responsibility of organising the Odia Poets Conclave.

The conference will discuss in detail how the classical language Odia can be made more popular. About 400 poets, both local and international, are expected to participate in the conclave. The primary focus will be to celebrate the richness of Odia poetry. The event in its first day will feature intellectual dialogues, addressing the evolution and significance of Odia poetry in the contemporary era.

The first day of the conference will include poetry recitations in different cohorts like Rural Poetry, Modern Poetry, Ancient Poetry, Lyric Poetry and Patriotic Poetry. Besides, an innovative session has been planned to showcase integration of poetry with music, dance and art. On the second day, a special panel session on translation is scheduled.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said Rahul Gandhi is taking out Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra under adverse conditions to save the countrys democracy and constitution and if this struggle fails people will suffer under the Modi government. He was speaking at the Nyay Sankalp Sammelan rally at Ramlila maidan, Geeta Colony, in east Delhi, organised by the Delhi Congress.

Kharge thanked Rahul on behalf of the Congress and said that his decision to take out Yatra was perhaps the biggest step taken by any leader in the party so far. He is seeking justice for all including youth, women, farmers and poor people. Despite such adverse situations and cold conditions, he is taking out the Yatra. He is fighting against the atrocities of the BJP government, Kharge said. This fight is to save democracy and the constitution of the country. If you fail to support the Congress in this fight, you will become a slave of Modi, Kharge said. In a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress president charged him with not fulfilling his promises to provide jobs to the youth and recover black money generated in the country.

What is Modis guarantee? His guarantee is not fulfilling promises, Kharge said. He accused the prime minister of trying to impose his views on the country and punishing everyone for gaining power.

Our fight is against the RSS and BJP. They want to finish the country and alienate the poor. Congress will have to go to every household to create awareness against BJPs divisive policy, he said. He claimed that 411 legislators of opposition parties have been booked and sent to jail and the BJP tried to form governments in the states by framing and booking the MLAs of opposition parties ruling there. Kharge also lashed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for quitting the Mahagathbandhan alliance. He used to talk a lot about socialism but turned out to be Paltu Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely said the presence of thousands of Congress workers and local residents at the Workers Convention was proof enough that Congress was fully geared to contest the Lok Sabha elections in all the seven Lok Sabha seats.

He said that Congress party does not try to derive political mileage from religious beliefs which was a personal thing while the presence of the RSS Chief at the consecration of the Ram Temple was proof enough that it was a function of the RSS and BJP.

The Nyay Sankalp Sammelan rally at Ramlila maidan, Geeta Colony witnessed presence of a large number of Congress workers and leaders including AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, Mukesh Sharma, Harun Yusuf, Jai Kishan, Chhattar Singh and others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Sambalpur on Saturday. He would inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay foundation-stones of multiple infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 68,000 crore during a public programme, official sources said.

The PM will inaugurate a Dhamra-Angul Pipeline Section (412 km) of Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline Project. Built at a cost of more than Rs 2,450 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga, the project will connect Odisha with the National Gas Grid.

Modi will also lay foundation-stone of Nagpur-Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Section (692 km) of Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline. The project, which will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 2,660 crore, will improve the natural gas availability to States like Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

During the programme, the PM will also dedicate to nation and lay foundation-stones of multiple power projects worth about Rs 28,980 crore. The projects to be dedicated to nation include NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1250 MW) in Sundargarh district.

He will also lay foundation-stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2660 MW) in Angul district. These projects will supply low-cost power to Odisha as well as several other States.

Modi will lay foundation-stone of the Neyveli Lignite Corporations (NLC) Talabira thermal power project worth more than Rs 27,000 crore. This state-of-the-art project will provide reliable, affordable power round the clock.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is installing solar panels on rooftop spaces along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, which is expected to yield 12.5 million units of solar energy and reduce 11,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

According to official, a solar capacity of about three MW has already been installed over the platform sheds of RRTS stations at Sahibabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot station and Duhai workshop of the priority section, which will be able to meet the auxiliary load requirement of these locations.

The NCRTC is poised to install about 11 megawatt of solar capacity over its rooftop spaces along the 82 km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. This initiative is expected to yield 12.5 million units of solar energy annually and a reduction of 11,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, an official said.

Further solar power plants will be installed at the remaining stations of the RRTS corridor progressively. NCRTC aspires to cover 70 per cent of the total energy requirement of the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor through solar energy, officials said.

The Sahibabad stations solar power plant, with a total capacity of 729 kilowatt and 1,620 high-efficiency solar panels, is expected to generate about 10 lakh units of electricity annually. The Duhai Depot houses a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 585 KW, they stated.

The adoption of green technologies, including low-carbon initiatives, has been integral from the pre-design stage of the RRTS project, officials said.

Initiatives such as the use of fly ash bricks, efficient disposal of construction and demolition waste, creation of airy and comfortable interiors, energy-efficient designs, implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, and extensive utilisation of solar energy underscore NCRTCs dedication to sustainability, officials said.

Throughout the design, construction, and operation stages, careful adherence to green parameters has been a priority, they said.

Moreover, elaborate landscaping efforts at Sahibabad station and Ghaziabad RSS and the space beneath the RRTS viaduct contribute to a comprehensive approach that significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon footprint, they said.

The NCRTC will further explore potential opportunities in electric and transformative mobility, a hydrogen-based economy, and other alternative fuel and energy sources to reduce the carbon footprint, they said.

The 17-km long priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is currently operational. Team NCRTC is working rapidly towards running Namo Bharat trains in the additional 25 km long section from Duhai to Meerut South i.E. Beyond the priority section in another two months.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took out a road show in Pauri on Saturday. He attended the Disha Dhyani Bwei Bwari programme held at Ransi stadium. Speaking on the occasion he said that Pauri is the centre of cultural consciousness and is the land of Teelu Rauteli, Veer Madho Singh Bhandari, Jaswant Singh Rawat and the first CDS of India, general Bipin Rawat. Lauding the exhibition on local products by the women self help groups, the CM said that women are endeavouring to bring the mantra of Atmanirbhar Bharat and vocal for local on ground. He said that women are making SHGs in the remote areas of the State and are lending momentum to the rural economy. The CM said that the State government has made the most stringent anti-copying law and has made a law to prevent religious conversions. The State government also gave 30 per cent reservation to the women of the State in government jobs. Dhami said that the State government is moving forward in the direction of implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state and the expert committee on UCC has submitted its draft to the government. He said that the state government is working with dedication to fulfil the vision the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has for the State.

The CM also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 335 development schemes for Pauri district in the programme. He said that these projects will help in the development of the area.

In his address the CM informed about the schemes of women empowerment of the state government and said that women are the backbone of the mountainous State. He said that women are taking advantage of schemes of the government such as Ujjwala Yojana and contributing to the progress of the state.

In the programme the CM unveiled a statue of late General Bipin Rawat and released a coffee table book on Ganga Path by the tourism department.

The cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaj and Dhan Singh Rawat, MLAs Rajkumar Pori, Dilip Rawat, Renu Bisht, district panchayat president Shanti Devi and others were present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister L K Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.

"One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister," Modi said on X.

The prime minister said the conferring of the Bharat Ratna on Advani is a very "emotional moment for me".

"Advani Ji's decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence," he said.

"The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him," he said.

Modi spoke to the BJP's longest serving president, who is credited with crafting the party's rise through the 90s when it came to power for the first time with Atal Bihari Vajpayee heading coalition governments, and congratulated him.

Advani's parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary and full of rich insights, Modi said.

Last month, the government had named the late Karpoori Thakur, a socialist stalwart and former Bihar chief minister, for the highest honour.

If the recognition for Thakur years after he passed away in 1988 was seen by many political experts as part of the BJP's push to deepen its roots among the economically backward classes (EBC), a category from which he came from, the honour for Advani is being seen as an ode to his instrumental role in shaping the party's core ideology which has come to dominate the country's polity under Modi.

The Bharat Ratna will be bestowed on Advani in a year of the Ram temple's consecration, which marks a triumphant closure for the BJP of an issue which was thrust into popular consciousness by the veteran leader through his 'Ram Rath Yatra' in 1990.

The yatra and the mass appeal it drew boosted the party's vote share and made it the key challenger to the Congress, then the biggest national party.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (Mbrah) at Dubai South said it is continuing to achieve record private jet movements, with a record 16,657 movements in 2023, a growth of 8% over 2022, marking the highest-ever movements achieved in Dubai.

The growth of movements is attributed to several factors, including the hosting of the Dubai Airshow, COP28, and the soft opening of the new ExecuJet FBO and hangar.

The milestone reaffirms Al Maktoum International Airports position as the busiest airport for international business aviation movements in the Middle East.

2023 was also a successful year at Mbrah, witnessing several agreements with new partners seeking to set up their facilities across different zones to provide different MRO services, including manufacturing aircraft parts and structures, sealing and painting, AOG and aircraft parts supply, sourcing engine assets, and refurbishing private jet interiors.

Additionally, the MRO trade from MBRAHs Aerospace Supply Chain, which includes import, export and re-export, has increased and is expected to reach over AED 8 billion over the next few years, emphasising the growth of MRO activities.

Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, said: Last year marked an extraordinary milestone for us at MBRAH; not only did we record the highest-ever business aviation movements, but we also enriched our portfolio with new companies and announced the expansion of facilities.

These achievements underscore the trust and immense value we offer through our cutting-edge infrastructure and world-class facilities, all within Dubais strategic embrace of the sectors global growth.

Mbrah offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the worlds leading airlines, private jet companies, and associated industries. Located in and developed by Dubai South, Mbrah is also home to maintenance centres and training and education campuses.  TradeArabia News Service
The US has bolstered defences at a base in Jordan that was attacked by Iran-backed militants as it prepares for a wider US response to a drone attack that killed three service members, a US official said on Friday. Even as a larger US military response seemed imminent, some Iran-backed factions pledged to continue to attack US forces in the region. In a statement released on Friday, one of Iraqs strongest Iran-backed militias, Harakat al-Nujaba, announced its plans to continue military operations against US troops, despite other allied factions having called off their attacks in the wake of a Sunday drone strike that killed three US service members in Jordan.

While previous US responses have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22, as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said. The base was struck by an Iranian-made drone fired from Iraq, the official said. In the days since the attack, the US has bolstered the defences around Tower 22, which houses about 350 US troops and sits near the demilitarised zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. In response, the US is weighing response options to include striking militia leaders. The US options under consideration include targets in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, where the Iranian-made drone that killed the service members was fired from, the official said. The US has blamed the Jordan attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias. On Thursday Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin indicated that the US response against the militias would widen.

At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past, Austin said in his first press conference since he was hospitalised on January 1 due to complications from prostate cancer treatment.

Austin said that Iran has had a hand in the attacks by supplying and training the militias. The US has tried to communicate through backchannels to Iran over the last few months to get them to rein in the militant groups, a second US official said.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not been acknowledged publicly.

The US has also tried more limited military responses in a series of strikes against weapons storage sites and training areas. So far, the US response has not deterred the groups, which have attacked US facilities at least 166 times since October. Kataib Hezbollah, another powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, which has been watched closely by US officials, said on Tuesday it would suspend military and security operations against the occupying forces to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government. The attack on Tower 22 led to the first deaths of US service members since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out and President Joe Biden, Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. CQ Brown were travelling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Friday to be with the families of the fallen as the soldiers remains are honoured at a dignified transfer ceremony.
In an era where geopolitical tensions simmer and the specter of high-intensity conflicts looms, France has embarked on a monumental expedition to bolster its military strength. The country has earmarked an impressive 1.1 billion for cutting-edge weaponry and equipment. This strategic infusion into defense assets signals a robust commitment to safeguarding national security and reinforcing Frances stature on the global stage as a formidable military power ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Get alerts:

The howitzer, helicopter, and Humvee haul

Frances latest military procurement underscores a strategic shift towards enhancing operational agility and firepower by acquiring 109 Caesar truck-mounted howitzers and eight NH90 tactical transport helicopters. Nexter Systems, a renowned defense manufacturer, is tasked with delivering these advanced artillery units at a cost of 350 million, highlighting a commitment to deploying high-precision firepower with exceptional mobility on the battlefield. Concurrently, the addition of NH90 helicopters aims to significantly boost the rapid deployment capabilities of French special forces, ensuring swift, versatile, and effective transportation to critical operational theaters. These acquisitions are pivotal in modernizing Frances military assets, aligning with strategic objectives to maintain and extend operational superiority across diverse environments.

Steering toward the next-gen ground game

In a significant stride towards modernizing its ground forces, France has committed to an extensive enhancement program by procuring 420 Serval armored troop carriers. This initiative, valued at nearly half a billion euros, underscores Frances strategic focus on reinforcing its military personnels safety and operational efficiency. The Serval carriers, emerging from the production lines, are designed to provide superior protection and mobility, ensuring that deployed troops can operate with increased confidence and tactical advantage in diverse operational scenarios.

The investment in the Serval armored troop carriers clearly indicates Frances proactive approach to upgrading its military capabilities in alignment with contemporary warfare requirements. These vehicles, pivotal to the ground forces tactical mobility, are engineered to deliver enhanced armor protection, enabling the safe transport of troops across various terrains. The strategic allocation of funds towards this procurement reflects a comprehensive understanding of the necessity for advanced armored vehicles that can support rapid deployment and maneuverability, optimizing ground operations effectiveness.

This procurement not only signifies an upgrade in the quality of equipment available to French ground forces but also represents a deliberate investment in the operational readiness and versatility of the military. The Serval armored troop carriers advanced design and capability to shield personnel against a spectrum of threats are a key component of Frances broader military modernization efforts. By integrating these state-of-the-art vehicles into its arsenal, France is poised to improve how ground operations are conducted, emphasizing protection, mobility, and tactical superiority.

The Charles de Gaulles facelift

The jewel in the crown of Frances naval might, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, is slated for a comprehensive modernization. This floating fortress will emerge from its overhaul as a sign of naval supremacy, renovated with advanced radar, combat systems, and anti-missile defenses, ready to project power and deterrence across the worlds oceans.

With an eye on the horizon, Frances 1.1 billion military modernization spree is an investment in the future. A future where France continues to stand tall as a beacon of strength, resilience, and strategic foresight. As the world watches, potential adversaries weigh their options. Through this comprehensive upgrade of its defense capabilities, France aims to safeguard its sovereignty and contribute to global stability. Modernizing its military assets is a bold statement of intent, underscoring Frances readiness to face future challenges head-on with valor, vigilance, and an unyielding commitment to peace and security.
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; data and analytics solutions; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. Its Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearing and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth and investment management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
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McCormick & Company, Incorporated manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the food industry. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Flavor Solutions. The Consumer segment offers spices, herbs, and seasonings, as well as condiments and sauces, and desserts. This segment markets its products under the McCormick, French's, Frank's RedHot, Lawry's, Cholula Hot Sauce, Gourmet Garden, Club House, and OLD BAY brands in the Americas; Ducros, Schwartz, Kamis, LA Drogheria, and Vahine brands in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; McCormick and DaQiao brands in the Asia/Pacific; McCormick, Aeroplane, and Gourmet Garden brands in China; and the McCormick brand and other brands in Australia, as well as markets regional and ethnic brands, such as Zatarain's, Stubb's, Thai Kitchen, and Simply Asia. It also supplies its products under the private labels. This segment serves retailers comprising grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores, and e-commerce retailers directly and indirectly through distributors and wholesale foodservice suppliers. The Flavor Solutions segment offers seasoning blends, spices and herbs, condiments, coating systems, and compound flavors to multinational food manufacturers and foodservice customers. It serves foodservice customers directly and indirectly through distributors. The company was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County. As of December 31, 2023, it offered electric services to approximately 3.6 million population and natural gas services to approximately 3.3 million population that covers 4,100 square miles. This segment owns and operates a natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage system that supplies natural gas. As of December 31, 2023, it serves a population of 21 million covering an area of 24,000 square miles. The Sempra Texas Utilities segment engages in the regulated electricity transmission and distribution. As of December 31, 2023, its transmission system included 18,298 circuit miles of transmission lines; 1,257 transmission and distribution substations; interconnection to 173 third-party generation facilities totaling 54,277 MW; and distribution system included approximately 4.0 million points of delivery and consisted of 125,116 miles of overhead and underground lines. The Sempra Infrastructure segment develops, builds, operates, and invests in energy infrastructure to help enable the energy transition in North American markets and worldwide. The company was formerly known as Sempra Energy and changed its name to Sempra in May 2023. Sempra was founded in 1998 and is based in San Diego, California.
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Stormonts first nationalist First Minister Michelle ONeill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.

In her speech to the reconvened Assembly, Ms ONeill said: Today opens the door to the future  a shared future.

I am honoured to stand here as First Minister.

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy First Minister.

Taking up the post, she said she and Ms ONeill come from very different backgrounds, but for her part she will work tirelessly to ensure that we can deliver for all in Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris described it as a great day for Northern Ireland.

He told the assembled media he is confident that devolved government in Northern Ireland is sustainable in the very long term.

The two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the regions largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, is undoubtedly a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.

The sitting started with the election of former DUP leader Edwin Poots as Speaker, a move which allowed the rest of the business to proceed.

Following the nomination of Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly, Alliance leader Naomi Long was confirmed as returning to serve as Justice Minister.

The remaining ministerial portfolios were decided by the DHondt process based on party strengths.

As the largest party, Sinn Fein had the first nomination, and put forward Conor Murphy as Minister for the Economy before the DUP nominated Paul Givan as Education Minister.

Proceedings were briefly halted after Sinn Fein asked for an adjournment before making their next nomination, believed to be after the DUP did not take the department of finance as expected.

Sinn Fein then nominated Caoimhe Archibald as Minister for Finance before the DUP nominated Gordon Lyons as Minister for Communities.

The UUP nominated Robin Swann to return as Health Minister.

The nominations concluded with Sinn Fein selecting John ODowd as Minister for Infrastructure and Alliance put forward Andrew Muir as Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The final ministers to be announced were Aisling Reilly (Sinn Fein) and Pam Cameron (DUP), who will serve as junior ministers in the Executive Office completing an all-female line up alongside Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly.

Meanwhile SDLP MLA Matthew OToole was confirmed as leader of the official Opposition.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal on post-Brexit trade with the UK Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border on goods remaining within the UK.

On Thursday, the Government fast-tracked two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return on Saturday.

Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, Ms ONeill said the restoration of the institutions marked a moment of equality and progress.

Ms ONeill said the public were relying on each MLA to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community, she said.

In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity.

Ms ONeill urged all MLAs to be respectful of each other.

The days of second-class citizenship are long gone, she said.

Today confirms that they are never coming back.

As an Irish republican I pledge co-operation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition and who cherish the Union.

This is an assembly for all  Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.

Despite our different outlooks and views on the future constitutional position, the public rightly demands that we co-operate, deliver and work together.

We must build trust and confidence in our ability to do that.

The republican leader said the new ministerial executive undoubtedly face great challenges as she listed the issues besetting public services in the region.

She said ministers had to work together to challenge the UK Government to provide more funding for Northern Ireland.

She added: This is an historic day which represents a new dawn.

For the first time ever, a nationalist takes up the position of First Minister.

That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents generation.

A more democratic, more equal society has been created making this a better place for everyone.

This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none is a changing portrait.

I will be both inclusive and respectful to you. None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are.

Our allegiances are equally legitimate. Lets walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway.

I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart.

Commenting on the legacy of the Troubles, Ms ONeill said much suffering and trauma persists as a result of the injustices and tragedies of the past.

We must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families, she said.

I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict. Without exception.

As First Minister I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing the work of reconciliation between all of our people.

The past cannot be changed or undone.

But what we can do is build a better future.

I will never ask anyone to move on, but I do hope that we can move forward. I want us to walk in harmony and friendship.

My eyes are firmly fixed on the future. On unifying people and society.

Every generation must write its own chapter, define its own legacy.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she recognised that for many, it is a historic moment.

She said there must be no dominating from any side to another, calling for a new approach of recognising the concerns of each other and finding solutions together.

We are all born equal and the people who look on this sitting today demand us to work together, Ms Little-Pengelly said.

Michelle is an Irish republican, and I am a very proud unionist. We will never agree on those issues but what we can agree on is that cancer doesnt discriminate on our hospitals need fixed.

Let us be a source of hope to those young people watching today, not one of despair.

Let us prove that difference is something that can be a strength through recognition and respect. That difference need not be a barrier to progress and delivering.

This is my pledge. I love this place we call home. I will work tirelessly for delivery for all the people of Northern Ireland from every background. I will do so with the best of my abilities honoured by the privilege and opportunity to do so.

Lets do it side by side and lets keep Northern Ireland moving forward.
An Irish-language film based on rap trio Kneecap and filmed in parts of Dundalk and Greenore has won an audience award at the prestigious Sundance film festival.

The movie held its world premiere last week and has since signed a major international distribution deal with Sony Pictures Classics at the festival in Utah.

The win also marks the first Irish film since John Carneys Once (2007) to win an award at the prestigious US film festival, and the first Irish-language film ever to do so.

Based on the origin story of the raucous Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the bands Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai in their acting debuts alongside Michael Fassbender.

Promoters say the film, set in west Belfast in 2019, chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever.

Kneecap, the film, was awarded the Next audience award during the festival.

Writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: Theres a saying in Irish  Ni mhaireann solas na maidine don la  which means no morning sun lasts all day.

Well, the amazing week weve had here at Sundance since premiering our movie has certainly tested that wisdom  and were basking in every moment.

In a statement, the band said: We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish-language film at Sundance.

Hopefully, it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue.

Kneecap was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick ONeill at Wildcard acting as co-producer.

Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Screen Ireland, the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, Coimisiun na Mean and TG4, with backing from Great Point Media.

It will be released in cinemas later this year.

Commenting on the win, Keith Potter, Head of Feature Film at Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland, said:

Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate writer/director Rich Peppiatt and the entire creative team behind Kneecap on winning the Audience Award: NEXT at the Sundance Film Festival. This is a history-making achievement, and we are truly in the midst of a new wave of Irish-language filmmaking, across all genres and voices. Were looking forward to the film making its way to audiences in Ireland and around the world this year.
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If you cant wait to land in the beautiful island of the Philippines to experience the food and culture, Philippine Airlines got you! You can try your first ever halo-halo up 10,000 feet from the ground at the Philippine Airlines Business Class where they now serve Halo-Halo in their in-flight menu.

Fly PAL Business Class to the US Mainland and Canada and experience a unique in-flight culinary delight featuring the best Filipino flavors. Its time to taste some sweet ice in the skies with Philippine Airlines halo-halo, the first of its kind in the industry!

Considered the unofficial national dessert of the Philippines, the halo-halo, which literally translates to mix-mix, refers not only to the combination of ingredients that it has, but also the action of mixing required to get all the flavors and textures together. A mainstay in every corner and city in the country, halo-halo now gets elevated into a special in-flight treat, offered only by Philippine Airlines.

PALs special halo-halo is pre-made with banana, langka, gulaman, beans, and coconut in the serving glass. Then, upon ordering, cabin crew members will finish the treat in-flight, adding ube halaya, leche flan, vanilla ice cream, pinipig, and shaved milk. The result? A refreshing experience for PALs Business Class passengers.

First offered only on flights from Manila to San Francisco last September 2023, the dessert became a mainstay for PAL passengers flying Business Class to North America starting December 2023.

With its halo-halo offering, PAL reiterates its commitment to strengthening Filipino representation by bringing Filipino cuisine and its unique flavors around the world.
The decline in the number of gardai stationed in Cork city from a high of 734 in January of 2022 to 699 at the end of 2023 has been described as scandalous by Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD, Thomas Gould.

The figures for the current Garda deployment in the Cork City Division were provided by Justice Minister Helen McEntee in response to a Dail Question from the Sinn Fein TD.

In her response to the query, Ms McEntee added that the current figure of 699 gardai was up by 8% on the figure from December 2016.

Fall

Mr Gould said the fall in garda numbers was coming in the face of increasing numbers of burglaries and robberies and other violent crime in the city.

The Government consistently tell the public that they are providing additional garda resources and additional garda numbers, but the facts say otherwise, said Mr Gould.

In December, the Sinn Fein group on Cork City Council had a significant motion passed which called for a fair allocation of gardai for Cork, and it is high time our concerns were listened to, he added.

Cork City South West Sinn Fein candidate Joe Lynch said Cork city was consistently being left behind when it came to the allocation of new gardai.

The fact that there are less Gardai in Cork compared to this time last year speaks volumes, said Mr Lynch.

Reality

The reality is that the policing needs of Cork city are being neglected.

In Ballincollig, we have a garda station that opens for a grand total of 15 hours a week  if were lucky  and it is little wonder that the feeling on the ground is that there is less visible policing in the community.

It is time that Sinn Feins concerns were listened to, and for the Government to move heaven and Earth to ensure Cork gets more gardai.

The people of Cork deserve no less.

Ms McEntee told Mr Gould in response to his query that the Garda Commissioner was responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Siochana, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State.

As minister, I have no role in such matters, said Ms McEntee.

I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimal use.

Allocation

In a response to a query from The Echo, a Garda spokesperson said that An Garda Siochana does not comment on specific details of numbers/members attached to specific units, which could vary on a month-to-month basis due to many variables including individual Garda members personal circumstances, family-friendly transfer policies, promotions, and retirements.

The allocation of resources is managed to ensure effective policing and public safety, and is kept under constant review by local and senior garda management, the spokesperson added.
A DOCTOR opening an out-of-hours service in Macroom believes it could be a gamechanger in paving the way for the service in other Cork towns.

Dr Rawle Maicoo, who works in his own private Brooklane Medical practice in Bandon, saw the opportunity to open SwiftDoc in Macroom following the effective closure of the SouthDoc service at the beginning of the year.

SouthDoc now states that patients will only be treated out-of-hours, in the towns Primary Care Centre, if they make an appointment and are unable to travel to the SouthDoc facility in Cork.

According to Dr Maicoo  who has worked in the emergency department of the CUH, the Mercy, and in Mullingar, and whose practice in Bandon provides urgent care and carries out minor surgical procedures  he knows of several doctors who provide locum and out-of-hour cover in the Bandon-Ballincollig-Macroom region who would be interested in setting up similar services to SwiftDoc in other towns.

In the past year, communities in and around Kanturk, Charleville, and Fermoy have expressed concern about the service they are receiving from SouthDoc.

Strain

The service is likely to come under further strain in the future, as GPs with medical card contracts retire.

SwiftDoc will be open from 5pm-9pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Dr Maicoo confirmed that an adult consultation will cost 65, while it will cost 40 for a child.

At present, medical card holders will be charged at SwiftDoc.

Dr Maicoo has been trying to get the HSE to budge on allowing him to be able to treat medical card holders and then claim fees, like GPs who have medical card contracts, from the service. However, theyre not budging, he told The Echo.

The idea for SwiftDoc came following the recent SouthDoc announcement of its new service offering in Macroom.

Shock

Dr Maicoo said: It came as a shock to everybody, including myself, but then I was talking with one of my patients and they said: Why dont you step in and do something? And this whole concept burst forth.

The doctors who want to provide emergency cover and out-of-hours take the chance and do it.

If you really think about it, theres no GP who likes the out-of-hours service, and for good reason.

Theyre so busy during the day, who wants to work all day and the out-of-hours service as well? There are some doctors who actually want to do this, so why dont they take the opportunity to step in?

The SwiftDoc service will be available in Macroom at Workbase, which is located at Deasys Pharmacy on Main St.

Differently

We want to do things differently  when you call SouthDoc, because of the sheer number of patients, you have to be screened and go through a triage process, said Dr Maicoo.

The purpose of SwiftDoc is to do things differently, where the patient can come straight in, they can call, they can book online, they can be seen very quickly  its about making healthcare more accessible to the average user.

Dr Maicoo said, having worked in SouthDoc and similar services elsewhere, that he was aware of a huge number of locum GPs who  if given the opportunity  would prefer to work in a system where they would benefit a bit more.

When you work with these companies, youre not really working for yourself, youre working for a company, he said. Theres nothing wrong with that inherently, but I know for a fact that theres a great number of qualified, skilled doctors who would primarily be looking to do out-of-hours work.

Dr Maicoo views GPs and out-of-hours services, such as SwiftDoc, as vital in the campaign to keep emergency departments in hospitals free for patients with serious injuries and illnesses.

He believes the new service will be a support for GPs, rather than a competitor to SouthDoc and other similar services elsewhere.

He added that SwiftDoc would provide for doctors who wished to set up similar services in their own towns.
SOPHIE Toscan du Plantiers son has opened up about the moment he set eyes on the chief suspect in her murder case while having ice-cream with his kids in West Cork.

Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud, the son of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier, was speaking on RTEs the Late Late Show when he said he felt free again in Ireland following the death of Ian Bailey.

The years leading up to his recent death from a heart attack had been steeped in controversy due to his suspected involvement in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case.

It comes 27 years after Ms Du Plantiers body was discovered outside her holiday home in Toormore on the outskirts of Schull in West Cork.

Bailey was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in jail by a French court in 2019 for the murder which dates back to 1996.

Nonetheless, the Irish High Court prevented his extradition to France to serve a prison sentence.

Mr Baudey-Vignaud described his visits to Schull where he saw Bailey three times.

"The first two times, he didn't recognise me because we crossed him on the street or in the supermarket, he told presenter Patrick Kielty.

"The last time I was with my kids at Schull harbour having tea and ice cream and I felt a look on me. I saw someone and he was looking at me with a dark look with no empathy. I was under shock. It was before the Paris criminal case. I felt so much violence in this look."

Mr Bailey had denied any involvement in the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier up until his death at age 66 on Sunday January 21 of this year.

Mr Baudey-Vignaud described the shock he experienced after hearing about Baileys passing.

"I was fighting for 27 years," he said, "and it's like a game over. Finally, this is a game over. There is no happy ending but it's a game over."

His certainty around the late Baileys guilt remains.

"I am 100% sure that Ian Bailey was a convicted murder," Mr Baudey-Vignaud said.

"For me it's important that at least he's [Ian Bailey] been convicted for murder once."

Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignauds is calling on the public to remember his mother as a free spirit".

"She was French and when she was 31, she decided to buy a house in Ireland. She had no money at the time ... and she succeeded. She made her dream to have a house in Ireland, just to be alone, to be free. Maybe her mind and her legend can be free again. So this is game over of this case."

Speaking about his visits to her former home in Schull he remarked:

"It's a very good way for my kids to meet their grandmother and even for me to be in the cocoon she created. I feel so good there. I am free again here in Ireland and I don't want any more interviews, I don't want any more pressure. It's the end of this story. Another story now ... a peaceful story."
Saudi Arabia has launched a key initiative for the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) members - including Bahrain, Kuwait, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gambia and Morocco - that will support their research and development work linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A global organization, DCO is aimed at bolstering innovation driven areas and spurring growth of the digital economy, was set up in 2020 with its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Besides Saudi Arabia, the DCO members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Djibouti, Gambia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Announcing the key Generative Artificial Intelligence for All initiative for the DCO member states, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha said this Saudi initiative will help govern policies for AI across member states.

"It will also increase awareness of its ethics and support capacity building for AI," he stated during his address at the Third General Assembly of the DCO, in Manama, Bahrain.

The kingdom hosted the third General Assembly Meeting of the Organisation, co-chaired by Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chair of the Council of the DCO, and Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO.

The meeting discussed the organisations plans and initiatives aimed at promoting digital prosperity.

The Saudi minister launched it alongside officials from the 16 member states, as well as high-level delegations from partner members and observers. The event was also attended by ministers, ambassadors as well as the GCC Secretary-General and local and international observers.

Alswaha pointed out that the Saudi initiative was being supervised by the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), which is led by the Saudi Data and Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

This Saudi initiative aligns with the Kingdom's continuous support for the organization's mission, focusing on enhancing digital inclusiveness and prosperity. It further highlights Saudi Arabia's dedication to expediting digital transformation and backing Generative Artificial Intelligence for the global benefit of nations, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
By Jonathan McCambridge and Rebecca Black, PA

A historic day has been hailed as devolved government is expected to return in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill is set to become the first nationalist first minister following a two-year political collapse.

MLAs will gather at Parliament Buildings at Stormont later on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

This is an historic day.



It is about the future.



It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.



As a First Minister for  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) February 3, 2024

In a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter, Ms ONeill pledged on Saturday morning to be a first minister for all.

This is a historic day, she said.

It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.

As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Westminster Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

2022 Stormont election results (PA Graphics)

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

Business will begin with the election of a Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

While Ms ONeill will take the first minister role due to Sinn Fein winning the most seats in the 2022 election, the DUP has not said who it will nominate for deputy first minister, although speculation is Emma Little-Pengelly could get the role.

A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments will then be filled, using the DHondt mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Donaldson said: It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored.

Key among the priorities for new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.3 billion (3.8 billion) package to secure the regions finances when the Assembly returns, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims.

However, he indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

He added: The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.

Pleased to make into law the Stormont Brake mechanism  giving the Northern Ireland Assembly a powerful democratic safeguard. pic.twitter.com/Yahg2Dqwbl  Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) February 2, 2024

While Mr Donaldson has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionists remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.

His deal with the Government commits to replacing the Windsor Frameworks green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires percentages of goods to be checked as they arrive from Great Britain, with a UK internal market system that will govern the movement of goods that remain within the United Kingdom.

Checks would still be carried out but on a risk-based/intelligence-led model to combat illegality and disease, rather than routine stops of disembarking lorries.

Businesses using the internal market system would also need to be signed up to a trusted trader scheme.
By Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PA

Here are answers to some of the key questions surrounding the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland.

 What is happening at Stormont on Saturday?

MLAs will return to Parliament Buildings in Belfast following a political impasse which has lasted for two years. Several previous attempts to restart devolved government have failed since the 2022 Assembly elections.

However, on this occasion the DUP has stated it will support the restoration of the powersharing executive, which needs the support of the largest parties in unionism and nationalism, to operate.

This will unlock the deadlock, allowing a new speaker to be elected and clearing the path for business to resume.

Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister (Niall Carson/PA)

Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein will be nominated as first minister, while the DUP will fill the role of deputy first minister. The party has not yet confirmed who it will nominate, although speculation has suggested Emma Little-Pengelly could take the position.

Then a series of ministers will be appointed using the DHondt mechanism, which measures party strength.

Ministers will be appointed to the departments of health, education, finance, economy, communities, infrastructure and agriculture, environment and rural affairs.

A justice minister will also be appointed on Saturday, although the rules are different for this department as the minister needs to have cross-community support.

Sinn Fein will be entitled to three ministries, the DUP and Alliance Party two and the Ulster Unionists one. The SDLP did not win enough Stormont seats to gain a ministry and will go into opposition.

Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle ONeill have said that Irish unity is within touching distance (Liam McBurney/PA)

 What is different this time?

At the 2022 Assembly election, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time. This means that their Stormont leader Michelle ONeill will make history as the first nationalist first minister in the regions history.

The republican party has emphasised that this is a moment of significance, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that their ultimate goal of Irish unity is now within touching distance.

However, under the rules of powersharing, the offices of first and deputy first minister, filled by the largest parties from the nationalist and unionist communities, have equal authority. All decisions are taken on a joint basis.

 What happens after Saturday?

The business of governing Northern Ireland will begin. A first meeting of the new powersharing executive will take place early next week followed by the first plenary session of the new Assembly. Party leaders from executive parties have already met to discuss the immediate priorities to be addressed.

Ministers will have bulging in-trays. Long periods without devolved government, combined with a series of budget crises in Stormont departments, have had a damaging impact on public services.

As part of the talks process which led to Stormonts return, the Government offered a 3.3 billion (3,8 billion) package to stabilise Northern Irelands finances, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims in the region.

Ministers will be expected to begin making decisions quickly to alleviate some of the pressures facing public services.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the powersharing executive two years ago in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements (Brian Lawless/PA)

 Why has there not been devolved government for the past two years?

During the Brexit divorce talks, former prime minister Boris Johnson negotiated the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU in order to ensure the continued free movement of goods on the island of Ireland.

However, this led to the requirement for checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was deeply unpopular with unionists, who described it as an Irish Sea border.

After feeling that the Government was not responding fast enough to his concerns, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson collapsed the Stormont powersharing institutions when he withdrew Paul Givan as first minister two years ago.

In response, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak negotiated the Windsor Framework with the EU, introducing new rules on the movement of goods and a veto for the implementation of EU law in Northern Ireland.

However, Mr Donaldson insisted this did not go far enough, leading to months of protracted negotiations that have culminated in the command paper Safeguarding The Union, published by the Government this week.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen negotiated the Windsor Framework in 2023 (Dan Kitwood/PA)

 Why has the DUP agreed to the deal?

The DUP leader has insisted the new arrangements have removed the Irish Sea trading border and restored Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

The deal will see the end of routine post-Brexit checks on goods shipped from Great Britain to final destinations in Northern Ireland, as well as a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

The DUP leader says this is the best deal that could be achieved for the people of Northern Ireland and has persuaded him to end his boycott of the powersharing institutions.

Mr Donaldson has long argued in favour of restoring devolved government, providing his concerns over post-Brexit trade and sovereignty were addressed.

 Does this represent a major change to the trading arrangements agreed with Brussels?

It depends who you listen to.

He says his party has delivered fundamental change to the Windsor Framework by ending routine checks on goods moving from Great Britain to, and staying in, Northern Ireland.

Downing Street, however, has insisted the measures unveiled on Wednesday and approved by MPs on Thursday do not require specific EU sign-off, characterising them instead as operational changes to the framework, without altering the fundamentals of the bilateral deal.

Around 120 people attended a meeting in protest at the DUPs deal with the Government in Co Tyrone on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

 Who is opposed to the DUP leaders move?

Not everyone in the DUP supports accepting the arrangements that will lead to a return to powersharing.

A meeting of the partys ruling executive, where he presented the proposals to members, lasted for more than five hours on Monday night.

He was ultimately able to secure the backing of the executive, insisting the margin of support was decisive, and the endorsement of the majority of his 12 party officers.

However, just hours after the command paper was published on Wednesday, senior DUP MP Sammy Wilson launched a scathing broadside against the Government in the House of Commons in a clear sign of the differing opinions at the highest levels of the party.

The arch-Brexiteer claimed the ongoing application of EU law in Northern Ireland was the result of a spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying Government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

On top of internal tensions, Mr Donaldson faces criticism from some in the wider unionist and loyalist community.

On Thursday night, TUV leader Jim Allister and a loyalist activist addressed a meeting of unionists and loyalists opposed to the deal. They have insisted the Irish Sea trading border has not been removed.

On Friday, the pair revealed a legal opinion they had commissioned from Northern Irelands former attorney general John Larkin.

Key among the questions he was asked was whether the plan set out in the Safeguarding The Union command paper would restore the 1800 Acts of Union; whether they removed a customs and regulatory border in the Irish Sea; and do they ensure zero checks and zero paperwork for GB goods destined for Northern Ireland.

Mr Larkin argued that they achieved none of those objectives.

However, the DUP leader has rejected the findings of the legal opinion, stating that he fundamentally disagreed with it.
A total of 403 incidents of death of Indian students abroad have been reported since 2018 due to various reasons including natural causes, accidents and medical conditions with Canada topping the list with 91 cases followed by 48 in the UK, the government informed Lok Sabha on February 2. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the welfare of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the government.



"As per the information available with the ministry, 403 incidents of death of Indian students abroad have been reported since 2018 due to various reasons including natural causes, accidents and medical conditions," he said. Jaishankar said this while replying to a question on the safety of Indian students abroad. "Indian missions/posts abroad respond to any issues faced by Indian students on a priority basis," he said.
New Yorkers can say goodbye  for now  to the robot the New York Police Department (NYPD) used to patrol the Times Square subway station. The Knightscope K5, which is a 400-pound machine that looks like it could be R2-D2's massive sibling, was one of Mayor Eric Adams' high-tech experiments for New York City. It was deployed in a pilot last year ostensibly to help keep commuters safe, but it had no actual capabilities that could be useful in situations that had to be addressed on site. "The K5 Knightscope has completed its pilot in the NYC subway system," a spokesperson for the department told The New York Times in an email.

The K5 has cameras that can record video and a button that people can press to get in touch with a live agent. It patrolled the station from midnight until 6AM throughout its trial run that lasted for two months, though "patrolled" might be a generous way of putting it. The machine has no arms and can't go up or down the stairs. Commuters told The Times that it usually has a couple of cops with it and that it almost always seemed to be plugged in.

New York leased the K5 for around $9 an hour during its trial phase that ended in December. "This is below minimum wage," Adams said when he announced the robot's deployment at the Times Square station. "No bathroom breaks, no meal breaks." At the time, privacy advocates had been concerned that the machine could eventually be equipped with facial recognition and other surveillance tools. They no longer have to worry about the K5 being used for surveillance in NYC, unless, of course, city officials decide to keep on leasing it for other purposes. A Knightscope spokesperson told The Times that the company is "not authorized to speak about certain clients," which presumably includes the NYC government.
Candace Owens expressed her disapproval of Ice Spice's lastest single, 'Think U The S**t (Fart),' claiming it sets American as a society back.

On her Candace Owens Podcast, the conservative pundit criticized the track's lyrical content, drawing parallels to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's 'Wap,' a song she called "disgusting."

Owens, 34, played a questioned it's musical quality after playing a snippet of the song:

"Think you the s**t, b***h? / You not even the fart / I be goin' hard/ I'm breakin' they hearts, like / B*****s be quick, but I'm quicker / B*****s be thick, but I'm thicker / She could be rich, but I'm richer."

"If you're wondering whether or not it's a good song, what do you think? It's called 'Think U The S**t (Fart)," she said. "Now I think we can all admit that we've fallen as a society."

RELATED: Whoopi Golderg To Leave 'The View' Is This Controversial Host Joins The Panel?

She continued: "I mean, I wouldn't say that was Mozart or Beethoven. But I'm not all of these mainstream media publications that routinely run to defend this kind of music similar to what they did with 'WAP' the most disgusting and filthiest lyrics I've ever read. They will then sit down and write an article trying to convince you that what you just heard was magical and they did this with this Ice Spice song."

The New York native urged the American public to revert back to a time when songs like 'Fart' weren't celebrated, calling the single "s**t fart" during her commentary.

Candace Owens seems to think that Ice Spices new single Think U The Shit (Fart) is aiding Americas downfall.



Now, I think we can all admit that we've fallen as a society. 

pic.twitter.com/IzXeSCkn6Q  No Jumper (@nojumper) February 1, 2024

"Let's move on," she concluded.

Ice Spice, 24, dropped her single "Think U The Sh*t (Fart)" on January 26, set to be the lead for her debut album, Y2K. Produced by RIOTUSA and Synthetic, the track features a Jersey club-inspired beat, simple synthesizer, and 808-driven composition. "Fart" interpolates Jay-Z and Kanye West's "N*****as in Paris" and her own track "Munch."
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One day before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its interim ruling on 26 January 2024 in the case filed by South Africa against Israel, alleging that the latter has violated the genocide convention. Finding it plausible that Israels actions could amount to genocide, the ICJ has passed interim measures putting obligations on Israel, including abstaining from actions that violate the genocide convention, stopping and punishing the public encouragement of genocide, and ensuring the immediate and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Importantly, the Court also required Israel to preserve evidence related to allegations of genocidal acts and report to the Court, within one month, on all actions taken in accordance with its decision. Although the ICJ did not concur with South Africas demand for an immediate ceasefire, it directed Israel to do everything possible to avoid death, devastation, and any acts of genocide in Gaza. The ICJ ruling, which will keep Israel under legal scrutiny for years to come, will be hard to fulfil without some form of break in the ongoing hostilities; in other words, a ceasefire.
The Jammu and Kashmir Food Entitlement Scheme, launched to cover the scanty food entitlement under the National Food Security Act, has some serious flaws besides having the upper cap on household entitlement. The foodgrains provided under the scheme are sold at higher prices than those provided under the NFSA, which would not be affordable to most households living below the poverty line. Additionally, households are unaware of the implementation of JKFES and many do not purchase foodgrains under the scheme due to higher prices and poor quality.

As per the Census 2011, the total population of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is 1.254 crore, with a decadal growth rate of 23.71%rural 19.77% and urban 35.66% (Wani and Mir 2019). To address the rising foodgrain demand, the agriculture department, agricultural institutions, and other organisations in J&K must collectively accept the challenge by implementing various interventions/new production techniques. It is a matter of concern that the poverty ratio of J&K increased from 9.4% to 10.4% between 2009 and 2013 (Planning Commission 2014). Also, the multidimensional poverty index report revealed that 12.58% of the population in J&K is multidimensionally poor (NITI Aayog 2023), which indicates that more people are now food insecure and covered under welfare schemes like the public distribution system (PDS) in the state. The department of consumer affairs and public distribution is one of the oldest in J&K and is entrusted with providing food security for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable sections of society. The PDS envisages the management system of the food economy and the distribution of foodgrains at affordable prices. It aims to ensure that foodgrains are available to beneficiaries regularly at reasonable rates.

Previously, PDS in J&K provided 35 kilograms (kg) of subsidised foodgrains to each ration cardholder irrespective of the number of members registered on it. However, the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed by Parliament in 2013 and implemented in J&K on 1 February 2016. It covers around 95% of the population under PDS. Implementing the NFSA (2016) in the state brought tremendous changes in the coverage of the population, prices, and entitlement of foodgrains. The categories of ration cards have also changed. Before the NFSA, there were Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), below the poverty line (BPL), and above the poverty line (APL) ration cards, whereas, at the time of the survey (2019), five types of beneficiaries were in each district (AAY, BPL, priority households [PHH], non-priority household [NPHH], EX1 [exclusion category]). However, in 2023, there are AAY ration cards, PHH ration cards, NPHH ration cards, and EX-ration cards. The eligible beneficiaries under PHH are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person, per month at the highly subsidised price of `3/`2 per kg for rice/wheat, respectively. Also, beneficiaries under the NPHH category are provided 5 kg per person, per month foodgrains at subsidised prices of `15/`13/`12 for rice/atta/wheat, respectively, as against the pre-NFSA entitlement criteria of 35 kg for each eligible ration card. The NFSA entitlement caused outrage across J&K in 2015 and 2016. There were civil protests across the state against the monthly entitlement criteria covered by various newspapers in the country (In Protest against NFSA, People Set Ablaze Their Ration Cards [Ramzan 2016]; Why the Food Security Act Has Kashmir in Rage [Masood and Ehsan 2016]; Protests in Kashmir over Food Security Act, Parties Demand Rollback [Masoodi 2016]; Food Security Act to Benefit 60% of J&K Population [Hindu 2015]).
U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Alonso Pineda-Torres (52, Colombia), a/k/a Galladita, to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine on board vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Pineda-Torres entered a guilty plea on October 11, 2019, after his arrest and extradition from Colombia.





According to court records, Pineda-Torres was a member of a transnational criminal organization that dispatched self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels from Colombia into the Pacific Ocean, destined for Sinaloa Cartel members in Oaxaca, Mexico. Pineda-Torres recruited SPSS crew members for these trips, delivered money to them, and assisted in the departure of an SPSS. Two of these SPSS vessels were interdicted in international waters, resulting in the seizure of over 12,000 kilograms of cocaine and the prosecution of the crewmembers in the Middle District of Florida.





This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South.





The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nations drug supply. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Sections Judicial Attaches office at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Pineda-Torres. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.
The US launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three US troops.
As a Black woman, Charity Watkins is among two of the groups most likely to experience a medical misdiagnosis. Hers put her life at risk. (Photo by Kate Medley for KFF Health News).

Charity Watkins sensed something was deeply wrong when she experienced exhaustion after her daughter was born.

At times, Watkins, then 30, had to stop on the stairway to catch her breath. Her obstetrician said postpartum depression likely caused the weakness and fatigue. When Watkins, who is Black, complained of a cough, her doctor blamed the flu.

About eight weeks after delivery, Watkins thought she was having a heart attack, and her husband took her to the emergency room. After a 5-hour wait in a North Carolina hospital, she returned home to nurse her baby without seeing a doctor.

When a physician finally examined Watkins three days later, he immediately noticed her legs and stomach were swollen, a sign that her body was retaining fluid. After a chest X-ray, the doctor diagnosed her with heart failure, a serious condition in which the heart becomes too weak to adequately pump oxygen-rich blood to organs throughout the body. Watkins spent two weeks in intensive care.

She said a cardiologist later told her, We almost lost you.

Watkins is among 12 million adults misdiagnosed every year in the U.S.

In a study published Jan. 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that nearly 1 in 4 hospital patients who died or were transferred to intensive care had experienced a diagnostic error. Nearly 18% of misdiagnosed patients were harmed or died.

In all, an estimated 795,000 patients a year die or are permanently disabled because of misdiagnosis, according to a study published in July in the BMJ Quality & Safety periodical.

Some patients are at higher risk than others.

Women and racial and ethnic minorities are 20% to 30% more likely than white men to experience a misdiagnosis, said David Newman-Toker, a professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the lead author of the BMJ study.

Thats significant and inexcusable, he said.

Researchers call misdiagnosis an urgent public health problem. The study found that rates of misdiagnosis range from 1.5% of heart attacks to 17.5% of strokes and 22.5% of lung cancers.

Weakening of the heart muscle  which led to Watkins heart failure  is the most common cause of maternal death one week to one year after delivery, and is more common among Black women.

Heart failure should have been No. 1 on the list of possible causes for Watkins symptoms, said Ronald Wyatt, chief science and chief medical officer at the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, a nonprofit research and advocacy group.

Maternal mortality for Black mothers has increased dramatically in recent years. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, non-Hispanic Black mothers are 2.6 times as likely to die as non-Hispanic white moms. More than half of these deaths take place within a year after delivery.

Research shows that Black women with childbirth-related heart failure are typically diagnosed later than white women, said Jennifer Lewey, co-director of the pregnancy and heart disease program at Penn Medicine. That can allow patients to further deteriorate, making Black women less likely to fully recover and more likely to suffer from weakened hearts for the rest of their lives.

Watkins said the diagnosis changed her life. Doctors advised her not to have another baby, or I might need a heart transplant, she said. Being deprived of the chance to have another child, she said, was devastating.

Racial and gender disparities are widespread.

Women and minority patients suffering from heart attacks are more likely than others to be discharged without diagnosis or treatment.

Black people with depression are more likely than others to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.

Minorities are less likely than whites to be diagnosed early with dementia, depriving them of the opportunities to receive treatments that work best in the early stages of the disease.

Misdiagnosis isnt new. Doctors have used autopsy studies to estimate the percentage of patients who died with undiagnosed diseases for more than a century. Although those studies show some improvement over time, life-threatening mistakes remain all too common, despite an array of sophisticated diagnostic tools, said Hardeep Singh, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine who studies ways to improve diagnosis.

The vast majority of diagnoses can be made by getting to know the patients story really well, asking follow-up questions, examining the patient, and ordering basic tests, said Singh, who is also a researcher at Houstons Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. When talking to people whove been misdiagnosed, one of the things we hear over and over is, The doctor didnt listen to me.

Racial disparities in misdiagnosis are sometimes explained by noting that minority patients are less likely to be insured than white patients and often lack access to high-quality hospitals. But the picture is more complicated, said Monika Goyal, an emergency physician at Childrens National Hospital in Washington, D.C., who has documented racial bias in childrens health care.

In a 2020 study, Goyal and her colleagues found that Black kids with appendicitis were less likely than their white peers to be correctly diagnosed, even when both groups of patients visited the same hospital.

Although few doctors deliberately discriminate against women or minorities, Goyal said, many are biased without realizing it.

Racial bias is baked into our culture, Goyal said. Its important for all of us to start recognizing that.

Demanding schedules, which prevent doctors from spending as much time with patients as theyd like, can contribute to diagnostic errors, said Karen Lutfey Spencer, a professor of health and behavioral sciences at the University of Colorado-Denver.

Doctors are more likely to make biased decisions when they are busy and overworked, Spencer said. There are some really smart, well-intentioned providers who are getting chewed up in a system thats very unforgiving.

Doctors make better treatment decisions when theyre more confident of a diagnosis, Spencer said.

In an experiment, researchers asked doctors to view videos of actors pretending to be patients with heart disease or depression, make a diagnosis, and recommend follow-up actions. Doctors felt far more certain diagnosing white men than Black patients or younger women.

If they were less certain, they were less likely to take action, such as ordering tests, Spencer said. If they were less certain, they might just wait to prescribe treatment.

Its easy to see why doctors are more confident when diagnosing white men, Spencer said. For more than a century, medical textbooks have illustrated diseases with stereotypical images of white men. Only 4.5% of images in general medical textbooks feature patients with dark skin.

That may help explain why patients with darker complexions are less likely to receive a timely diagnosis with conditions that affect the skin, from cancer to Lyme disease, which causes a red or pink rash in the earliest stage of infection. Black patients with Lyme disease are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced disease, which can cause arthritis and damage the heart. Black people with melanoma are about three times as likely as whites to die within five years.

The COVID-19 pandemic helped raise awareness that pulse oximeters  the fingertip devices used to measure a patients pulse and oxygen levels  are less accurate for people with dark skin. The devices work by shining light through the skin; their failures have delayed critical care for many Black patients.

Seven years after her misdiagnosis, Watkins is an assistant professor of social work at North Carolina Central University in Durham, where she studies the psychosocial effects experienced by Black mothers who survive severe childbirth complications.

Sharing my story is part of my healing, said Watkins, who speaks to medical groups to help doctors improve their care. It has helped me reclaim power in my life, just to be able to help others.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

The post Women and minorities bear the brunt of medical misdiagnosis appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Glen Powell's mom has helped him to remain "humble".

Glen Powell has heaped praise on his mom

The 35-year-old actor has enjoyed a meteoric rise over recent years, but Glen's mom, Cyndy, has helped him to remain grounded.

Speaking about the influence of his parents, Glen told E! News: "They do keep me humble, it's very funny to be on this journey with them.

"Obviously sometimes you don't realise the changes that are happening, but often your mother is the first person to realise that the temperature has changed a little."

Glen also revealed that he actually leans on his mom for fashion advice.

The actor - who recently starred in 'Anyone but You' alongside Sydney Sweeney - shared: "You know you go for style moments every once in awhile, like popping my collar she keeps trying to take down my collar. She's like, 'Glen, you know, could look a little douchey'. And I'm like, 'Well, Hollywood is sort of douchey sometimes. That's what we're doing here.'"

Meanwhile, Glen previously claimed that he's been forced to "fight" for his recent success.

The movie star suggested that he's earned his success, after working tirelessly for years without achieving much success.

He told Bustle magazine: "Hollywood, for some people, it serves it up.

"It's not my path. I had to kind of fight a little longer and harder for it."

Glen - who split from model Gigi Paris in 2023 - also revealed that he feels slightly envious of his own parents, describing them as "goofy and really fun".

He explained: "It's really fun to see your parents be romantic. I know that sounds weird, but theyre goofy and really fun.

"If I could have what my parents have, Id be really, really happy."
Professor Green "worried" about his reputation when he decided to open up about his mental health struggles.

Professor Green used to worry about being honest about his mental health struggles

The 40-year-old rapper- whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson - decided to speak out about his mental health through his documentaries, he was concerned what others would think of him because of the image often associated with the type of artist he is but was pleasantly surprised at the response.

He told Heat magazine: "I worried about so many things-especially being a rap artist, because you have a certain rep - but the support I received from everyone after first my radio documentary and then the TV documentary Professor Green, Suicide And Mewas insane. It was bittersweet to see how much engagement there was because I realised that so many people were suffering themselves. It was quite hard to take all that on at some points."

The 'Never Be a Right Time' hitmaker added that these days, he continues to be "so proud" of the work he does with mental health charity CALM and the other things he does to help others amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

He said: "I'm so proud of all of the work I do with that. I was the least likely candidate to join in that conversation and I still continue to do a lot now, as a patron of CALM, as well as with the work I'm doing at the moment with the British Gas Energy Trust, who are helping people who are struggling during this current cost of living crisis!"

Meanwhile, Professor Green has two-year-old son Slimane with partner actress Karima McAdams but admitted that his partner had a "really fragile" pregnancy and he did all he could to just try to be with her during that time.

He said: "Karima had a really fragile pregnancy and had to be very sedentary, so I tried to spend as much time with her as I could during that time. I just wanted to be there for her
Rachel Leviss believes she owes Ariana Madix an apology.

Rachel Leviss wants to apologise to her former co-star

The 38-year-old TV star split from Tom Sandoval after it emerged that he had a months-long affair with Rachel, and the 29-year-old beauty has now conceded that she ought to apologise for her behaviour.

The former 'Vanderpump Rules' star said on her 'Rachel Goes Rogue' podcast: "It was hard to see because I'm in a different place than I was back then.

"It's a weird time warp when you're watching a show like this and living one reality in that moment and then, months later when the episodes air, you're living in another reality but you're also reliving those moments that they captured on camera. And so it's a nod to my younger self who was still in love and infatuated."

Rachel delivered an apology at the 'Vanderpump Rules' reunion, but she accepts that her subsequent behaviour didn't chime with what she said at the time.

Rachel explained: "I feel like, with my apology that I made at the reunion, I had all the right intentions and I was extremely sorry.

"But there's another part of an apology, which is your actions afterward - they have to align with what you're saying. And by sending [Tom] letters and being in contact for a good amount of time, I still want to take this time now to apologise again because I am in a different place than I was back then, and I can see things a lot clearer now."

Last year, Rachel took to social media to apologise to Ariana.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. (sic)"
Statement in Support of U.S. Retaliatory Actions Against Iran-backed Militants in Iraq and Syria

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / The American College of National Security Leaders, composed of retired Generals, Admirals, Ambassadors, and Senior U.S. Government Executives, endorses the actions ordered by President Biden in retaliation for the attack on our troops in Jordan by Iran-supported entities.

The attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, five says ago, resulting in three fatalities and scores of injuries, requires significant and appropriate response by the United States in retaliation and to provide deterrence against further illegal actions by Iran and/or its proxies. Therefore, we strongly concur that the forceful and ongoing military response authorized by President Biden is warranted and appropriate.

We emphasize that the safety and security of all US citizens, military and civilian, are and shall always be critical national interests of highest priority, and that our presence in the region is vital to U.S. national interests, strategic and economic, and those of our allies. U.S. military involvement and presence in the Middle East is based on precedent, dating back to the 1950s and the Eisenhower Administration.

Additionally, and importantly, our response sends a clear and unmistakable signal to those who would consider challenging the United States. In dealing with the current threats in the region, we must be mindful that kinetic solutions are just part of the solution. We must continue to employ the other elements of national power, including our diplomatic, economic and intelligence capabilities to ensure our security and that of our allies and friends around the world.

*****

For in-person interviews and appearances by ACNSL Fellows on this release, contact:

Lou Crenshaw, Vice Admiral USN (Retired)

ACNSL Spokesperson via

Dianna Carson, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired}

ACNSL Chief of Staff

diannalcarson@gmail.com

(458) 245-6600

For more information, contact:

Jamie Barnett, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired)

President, American College of the National Security Leaders

Jamie.Barnett@acnsl.net

(202) 997-1940

About the American College of National Security Leaders

ACNSL is a non-partisan voice of experience on national security issues. Our Fellows are retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors and Senior Government Executives with decades of experience in national security, diplomacy, and defense. Together, we are committed to strengthening the security of the United States by informing the debate and educating the public. www.acnsl.net

SOURCE: American College of National Security Leaders

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2024) - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (FSE: D4E) (WKN: A1JQW5) ("Defiance" or the "Company") announces that, as a result of a continuous disclosure review by the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Company is issuing the following news release to clarify its disclosure as it pertains to its technical reports entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Tepal Project, Michoacan, Mexico" dated February 24, 2017 with an effective date of January 19, 2017 on the Tepal project (the "Tepal Report") and its technical report entitled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate, San Acacio Silver Deposit, Zacatecas State, Mexico" dated September 26, 2014 with an effective date of April 1, 2014 on the San Acacio project (the "San Acacio Report", and together with the Tepal Report the "Technical Reports").

In order to address these deficiencies under National Instrument 43- 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), the Company understands it will need to amend the Technical Reports accordingly. On the Tepal project, as some of the authors of the Tepal Report are no longer Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 due to notably, retirement, the Company is presently working with its technical advisors who participated in the preparation of the Tepal Report on (i) a feasible timeline to complete an amended report and (ii) identifying new Qualified Persons to take on responsibility for the relevant chapters of the Tepal Report in connection with the amended report. The Company is working to file an amended technical report as soon as possible. The Company will provide regular updates in connection with the preparation and filing of the amended technical report for its Tepal project.

As for the San Acacio Report, the Company is incapable of preparing an amended report for reasons beyond its control. Indeed, the authors of the San Acacio Report were independent consultants and are no longer Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 due to notably, retirement. In light of this regrettable situation, Defiance will be working with new technical advisors to prepare a new technical report that will replace the current San Acacio Report. The Company expects to file this new technical report by the end of March 2024. The Company will provide regular updates in connection with the preparation and filing of this new report for its San Acacio project.

At the present time, in light of the current situation, the Company advises that the information relating to its projects contained in the Technical Reports should not be relied upon as they are not supported by compliant technical reports under NI 43-101.

Further, and separate from the Tepal Report and the San Acacio Report addressed above, the Company is also currently updating and clarifying additional disclosure contained on its website and in its corporate presentation.

About Defiance Silver Corp.

Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale Zacatecas project, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan state, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing, and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects. Defiance's corporate mandate is to expand the San Acacio and Tepal projects to become premier Mexican silver and gold deposits.

On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp.

"Chris Wright"

CEO & Chairman of the Board

For more information, please contact: Investor Relations at +1 (604) 343-4677 or via email at info@defiancesilver.com

www.defiancesilver.com

Suite 2900-550 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

Canada

Tel: +1 (604) 343-4677

Email: info@defiancesilver.com

Disclaimer

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Information contained in this news release which are not statements of historical facts may be "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "plan", "intend", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule", "understand" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Company's ability to address the deficiencies raised by the British Columbia Securities Commission and to complete and file an amended technical report for its Tepal project and a new technical report for its San Acacio project.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Defiance, are inherently subject to significant technical, political, business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things and without limitation: the inability of the Company to regain possession of its concessions on the Tepal project; political risks associated with the Company's operations in Mexico; the failure of the Mining Bureau in Mexico City to take any coercive action to reinstate ownership of the concessions forming part of the Tepal project to the Company; the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances; failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. For additional risk factors, please see the Company's most recently filed Management Discussions & Analysis for its quarter ended September 30, 2023 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known, and unknown could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ materially from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Defiance, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is made as at the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Defiance Silver Corp.
Filmmaker Anirban Duttas Anubhuti will have its World Premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) 2024.

About Anubhuti

Meera Bai defies traditional devotion by expressing her profound love for Krishna through music and writing. The emotional connection involves Radha as a poignant thread connecting Meera and Krishna in a unique way. Meeras timeless poetry reflects a lasting desire for a divine connection, making her story relevant in todays chaotic world and amid modern social issues.

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The filmmakers works have spanned diverse mediums such as fiction, visual arts, shorts, poetry, photography, creative writing, and travel. His travel features have been published in renowned publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Conde Nast, The Guardian and Outlook Traveller.

Anirban is currently working on the film, Road to Kiarostami.

Anirbans short film Outside the Burning Ghats secured its place as one of the top 22 works submitted, as recognized by Asian Movie Pulse in 2020. His debut feature, Jahnabi premiered at the Mediawave Film and Music Festival in Hungary, earning him acclaim and establishing him as a notable voice in Indian independent cinema. Unknowingly she would perform Meera Bhajan

And in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the filmmaker spoke about one and all.

Edited excerpts from the interview

Where did the idea, the inspiration for Anubhuti come from?

The idea came when I was visiting a border between India and Bangladesh. I visited a village house where I happened to meet a girl who was 14 or 15 years old, and that was the time I was doing my research regarding Meera Bhajan. That girl and her entire family were color blind, and she performed a lot of dramas in the village during any occasion or rituals. She only had an imagination of Meera as Hema Malini because a film was made in Bollywood, by Gulzar, I guess. The more I spoke to her I realized she was unable to feel the colours, but the music and poetry of Meera bring the colors back in her life.

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Anubhuti will have its World Premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) 2024. Whats the significance of this validation for you?

This is a great moment for me, as well as for independent Indian cinema. Last year the festival had chosen 30 films from India. Now we have Movies premiering in festivals like Venice, Berlin each year. Im happy films like Three Of Us and Joram are coming to cinemas and people are coming to watch these films. I feel happy, but also responsible because now I have to do justice and deliver that benchmark.

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What were some of the responses you received for your previous films?

Some of the responses were really remarkable. Janhabi was my debut as a filmmaker and even though I couldnt screen it at many festivals, I had the opportunity to get invited at different cinema theatres across UK and France.

What do you have to say about cinema changing?

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Now we are making cinema thats more sensible and the story is more of ours. I dont like films that are always bashing us with messaging. There can be different takeaways that can be different for each of us. We are now making films on regular events.
Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain were among the most talked about contestants on Bigg Boss 17. While their constant fights, arguments, and accusations against each other remained a major highlight on the show since day one, their mothers entry into the house took things to the next level, however, only for the worse. Ankita Lokhandes mother Vandana Lokhande and Vicky Jains mother Ranjana Jain entered Bigg Boss 17 during a Family Special week and were seen talking to the couple about their relationship being shown in a negative light on national television. However, it was Ankitas mother-in-laws statement inside the house and even after coming out that made all the news.

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From claiming that her daughter-in-law was using her ex, Sushant Singh Rajputs name for sympathy to blaming her for their fights on the show, the actress mother-in-law through multiple interviews made controversial statements regarding Ankita which left fans quite upset. A section of fans were also seen slamming Vicky Jain for not taking a a support for his wife.

After all the criticism and backlash from fans, Vicky Jain finally broke his silence on his mothers controversial comments. In a recent interview, Vicky while explaining that it was his mothers emotions that made her give such reactions, he further clarified that he and Ankita are back home and things have been resolved.

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Her words were wrong but it was a mothers emotion

Talking to the outlet, Vicky Jain said, It was her emotions that made her give such reactions. But the words she used were not right. Our families saw us and heard us. They are both connected to us. They could see that we were facing issues but they could not talk to us nor could understand it. The reaction should not have come out that way but it happened because of the emotions.

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In another interview with Pinkvilla, Vicky was seen explaining that it was an emotional situation where their families were not able to connect with them which is why such reactions came out.

The comments come days after Vicky Jain shared an appreciative post for his wife Ankita Lokhande on social media, stating that she made the Jain and the Lokhande families feel proud. He lauded the Pavitra Rishta actress for her game and performance on the show, adding that everyone feels proud of her.
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter recently hit theatres and has gained a lot of attention from audiences. The aerial action film, which shows the actors taking on the role of Indian Air Force officers, serves as a tribute to the sacrifice of the IAF officers. However, as soon as the trailer was dropped, fans were seen drawing parallels between Fighter and Tom Cruises Top Gun films, highlighting several similarities between the two movies.

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Days after repetitive comparisons between Fighter and the Hollywood film, director Siddharth Anand recently broke his silence on the same, calling it nothing but social media chatter which only gains a lot of negativity.

In a conversation with Gallata Plus, Siddharth Anand shared his thoughts about his film being compared to Top Gun and said that they have blatantly taken inspiration from films.

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Nowadays anything you do now is compared as a cheap copy of Hollywood films. Yes, we have had instances of taking inspiration from films. We as an audience have lost respect for films, which I feel is very sad. Because Fighter is about fighter jets, the instant analogy is that its Top Gun. I think eventually when you saw the trailer, you realised that there is nothing to do with Top Gun.

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He further went on to add that the only reference point is Top Gun and continued, So theyll say Oh they have copy Top Gun. Its all social media chatter, which is really out there to put your work down and bring negativity which gets a lot of traction.

We need to watch our films with more respect

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This is not the first time that the director, who also has films like War and Pathaan to his credit has spoken about the comparisons with Top Gun films.

Earlier, after the films trailer was released, Siddharth, in a conversation with Zoom, said, It is inevitable. As a filmmaker, one has to be prepared that if films are made on airplanes, they will be compared to Top Gun because people have no reference point. We need to start looking at our films with more respect and not constantly believe that we are not creative. People do get inspired, even in the West, by content that is created in the East.
Indias news was dominated by the Budget and the Paytm issue. The Reserve Bank of India has barred Paytm Payments Bank from offering its services including accounts and wallet after 29 February. What does this mean for its customers? This and much more in our roundup of the weekly news

In India, the biggest headline from this week was the announcement of the Union Budget. It was an interim one  a Budget that comes before the upcoming general election. In her speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman looked back at the achievements of her government and set the roadmap for India in the years to come.

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There were no income tax slabs announced but the FinMin spoke about Indias economy, fiscal deficit, and more. We were tracking the Budget closely and tell you everything that you need to know. Sitharaman in an interview with Network18 appeared confident about Indias growth.

The other big development is the political drama unfolding in Jharkhand. Hemant Soren was arrested and now the state has a new CM, Champai Soren .

Its bad news for Paytm, once the poster child of Indias fintech revolution. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered action against Paytm Payments Bank, barring it from accepting fresh deposits and making credit transactions. We decode the RBI order.

All this and more in our weekly roundup, where we dont just bring you headlines but explain the news.

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1. Lets begin with the Budget. It was a milestone for Nirmala Sitharaman, who delivered her sixth Budget speech. It lasted for 58 minutes, the shortest by her record . She spoke about the economy and the governments plan for a Viksit (developed) nation by 2047. The big numbers and financial jargon can be a little confusing. But we break it down for you. Here are takeaways from the interim Budget .

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2. Taxes. That is what is of key interest to everyday Indians. But Budget 2024 saw no changes in income tax slabs. This might have disappointed the salaried class but it came as no surprise. The finance minister was keeping with the convention of interim budgets . We tell you all about it.

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3. A day after the Budget, Sitharaman gave an exclusive interview to Network18 Managing Director Rahul Joshi. She was confident that seven per cent growth is possible, as she spoke about Indias economy.

The FM hit out at the United Progressive Alliance and corruption during its regime and lauded PM Modis efforts to restore the economy. Here are the big talking points from the interview.

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4. In early January, when Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outraged Indians said they would cancel their holiday to the island nations. They probably did. Data reveals that Indian tourists have given the Maldives a skip. The numbers fell in January and India has dropped to the fifth position behind Russia and China. Last year, the honeymoon destination received the most number of visitors from India.

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Looks like the #BoycottMaldives was effective. We explain how the diplomatic spat could have impacted tourism .

5. Paytm mat karo? The fintech company is in trouble. The RBI has barred Paytm Payments Bank from offering its services including accounts and wallet after 29 February. The move restricts Paytms operations and impacts its huge customer base. So can you use Paytm FASTag after the central bank deadline? What happens to your money if you are a Paytm user? We explain.

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6. In Budget 2024, the government made it clear that the cervical cancer vaccine was a priority. FM said that the government will encourage vaccination for girls in the age group of nine to 14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer.

A day later, model-actor Poonam Pandeys team claimed the reality TV star has died of cervical cancer at the age of 32. The news turned out to be fake. What is this form of cancer and how common is it in India? Find out about the disease in our explainer .

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Thats it from us this week. Hope our recommendations help you catch up on the news. And if you are looking for more, you can find our explainers here .
The US military carried out strikes at seven locations in Iraq and Syria on Friday, hitting targets used by Iran-backed militias. The expected attack comes nearly a week after a drone strike in Jordan killed three American soldiers. Will this further fan tensions in West Asia?

The United States bombed dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria which it claims were linked to Iranian-backed militias, nearly a week after a drone strike in Jordan killed three American soldiers. According to US officials, its forces targeted Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force and allied militia groups.

The B-1 bombers hit 85 targets at seven locations in Iraq and Syria on Friday (2 February). The expected strikes came days after US warnings. More action is likely in the coming days.

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What do we know about the US strikes in Iraq and Syria? Will this further escalate tensions between the US and Iran? Lets take a closer look.

US bombs targets in Iraq and Syria

The airstrikes that lasted 30 minutes occurred at 9:00 pm GMT (2:30 am IST), as per a statement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The sites in Iraq and Syria were allegedly linked to Iran-backed militias, which the US blames for the drone attack at Tower 22 , an American base in north-eastern Jordan, that killed three US service members and wounded over 40 others.

The US forces used several aircraft, including B-1 long-range bombers, to hit more than 85 targets, including the command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities linked to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force, Associated Press (AP) reported.

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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and pic.twitter.com/Y53nvRfjjx  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024

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The US military targeted facilities used by al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), in Iraqs Al-Qaim city, situated in the western part of Anbar province along the countrys border with Syria, as per CNN.

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Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasool confirmed the strikes in al-Qaim and areas along Iraq-Syria border. Condemning the US strikes, he said they constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences.

According to the mayor of Al-Qaim, Turki Al-Mahalawi, the US bombed three houses allegedly used by the PMU as weapon warehouses, reported CNN.

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According to the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 18 militants were killed in the strikes in Syria where four facilities were reportedly targeted.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the operation was successful, adding the US did not know the number of casualties or injuries, reported CNN.

Without citing evidence, he said the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on US personnel in the region.

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What has Iran said?

Iran previously denied any role in the Tower 22 attack.

On Friday, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not start a war but will respond strongly to bullies.

We have said many times that we will not start any war; but if an oppressive country or force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond strongly, he said in a televised speech, as per CNN.

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No threat will be left unanswered, Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami, who advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had said before the US attack, according to a BBC report.

Will this escalate conflict in West Asia?

The US has said for days that its response would be a tiered response over time. Following Fridays strikes, President Joe Biden said in a statement that the US military response will continue at times and places of our choosing.

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The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East (West Asia) or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, Biden was quoted as saying by CNN.

Republicans hit out at the Biden administration over the delay in response. The US officials justified the delay citing cloudy weather which made it tough to retaliate earlier.

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Experts believe the nearly one-week delay in the US response was to allow Iran to remove personnel to deter a wider conflict.

This would allow them to degrade the capacity of these Iranian-backed militias to attack US forces, but not escalate, Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, told BBC. Although it is likely not going to be a deterrent to future attacks.

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Mulroy said it was likely that the US allowed Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel to leave the facilities that are going to be struck.

According to him, the ultimate benefit of this would be to avoid a direct war between the US and Iran.

The US has already said it would not hit targets on Iranian soil. We dont seek a war with Iran. Were not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East, National Security Council spokesman Kirby told CNN earlier.
As per an intelligence report, Canadas national security agency named India as having potentially interfered in the North American countrys elections. It also identified China as by far the most significant threat

Canadas national security agency reportedly identified India as having potentially interfered in the North American countrys elections. An intelligence report recently accessed by Canadian media has accused India and China of foreign interference.

New Delhi is yet to react to the development. This comes amid strained ties between the two countries following Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus allegation last September linking Indian government agents to the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

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What does Canadas intelligence report say about India and China? Lets take a closer look.

On India

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has named India as a foreign interference threat, India Today reported citing Canadas Global News.

A briefing note accessed by the Canadian news outlet was titled Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference. The note quoted by Global News stated: India engages in FI (foreign interference) activities.

The declassified document dated 24 February 2023 alleged Indias interference would worsen, saying the government must do more to protect Canadas robust democratic institutions and processes, as per an Independent report.

The document obtained by the Canadian broadcaster had three pages about India but the rest were redacted, the British online newspaper report added.

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While China and Russia are already suspected of meddling in the North American nations politics, this is the first time that Canada has accused India of election interference.

Indian officials have previously denied any role in influencing elections in Canada. As a democratic nation, we dont interfere in the affairs of other democracies, an official had told Hindustan Times (HT) earlier.

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On China

Canadas intelligence report said China was by far the most significant threat" to the North American country.

The report stated: We know that the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

It further alleged that Beijings activities are broad in scope and significant in the level of expended resources, adding that they are pervasive, and directed against all levels of government and civil society across the country.

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China has earlier denied the charges and asked Ottawa to stop hyping up China-related lies and false information.

Whats going on?

Last September, the Trudeau government set up an inquiry commission into foreign interference allegations in Canadas 2019 and 2021 elections. A public probe was sought after leaked intelligence documents alleged Chinas meddling in Canadian elections.

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The independent commission led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josee Hogue is conducting the probe. As per Reuters, the panel asked the Trudeau government on 25 January to share information over allegations of meddling in elections by India.

The commission said in a statement that it had asked Canadian government to provide documents relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.

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The commission will also examine the flow of information within the federal government in relation to these issues, evaluate the actions taken in response, assess the federal governments capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, and make recommendations on these issues, it said.

The panel is expected to send its interim report by 3 May and release the final report by 31 December.

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India-Canada tensions

Diplomatic ties have soured between India and Canada since Trudeau alleged Indias role in the murder of Nijjar. The accusations drew a sharp reaction from India which called them absurd and motivated.

The row escalated as both countries removed their top envoys in a tit-for-tat move. India also temporarily suspended visa issuance to Canadians. In October, Canada had to recall its 40 diplomats from India as New Delhi called for parity in diplomatic presence.

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Recently, Canada announced a two-year cap on new international student admissions, citing pressure on housing and healthcare in the country. The move will impact Indian students as Canada is one of the most popular destinations for desis to study abroad. Indians make for the largest group of international students in Canada.

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With the relations already at a low, it remains to be seen how the fresh allegations will impact the fragile ties between India and Canada.

With inputs from agencies
The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, US president Joe Biden said in an statement.

Following a drone attack that claimed the lives of three US soldiers at a remote base in Jordan, the US military on Friday launched multiple retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian forces and militia groups backed by Tehran in both Iraq and Syria.

US Central Command reported that using a combination of drones and long-range B1 bombers operating from US territory, more than 125 precision munitions were used to hit 85 targets in seven facilitiesfour in Syria and three in Iraqas a show of the power of the US air force.

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According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, strikes in eastern Syria have claimed the lives of at least 18 terrorists supported by Iran. The monitoring group told AFP that raids that covered a wide swath of eastern Syria, from the city of Deir ez-Zor to Albu Kamal, close to the Iraqi border, destroyed at least 26 significant sites housing pro-Iranian groups, including weapons depots.

Charles Lister, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, posted on social media platform X, saying, Tonights strikes in western Iraq and eastern Syria are FAR bigger than any action undertaken before against Irans proxies - huge secondary explosions on both sides of the border suggest big rocket/missile depots have been hit.

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While refraining from attacking Irans territory in retaliation for the drone attack on Sunday, the United States blamed Iran-backed forces for the incident. Both Tehran and Washington have been trying to avert full-scale conflict.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

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The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, he added.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that the strikes lasted about 30 minutes, though they involved a lengthy trip for the B-1 bombers that took part after flying from the United States.

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He said the Defense Department is still assessing damage from the strikes  which hit dozens of targets at seven separate facilities  but that the United States believes the raids were successful, and made clear that more would follow.

- Dignified transfer -

Iraq, whose prime minister called for the departure of international troops after a previous US strike in Baghdad, condemned the latest military action as a violation of its sovereignty.

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Kirby said Washington did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes, but did not elaborate on Baghdads private response to that information.

Biden  who had vowed to strike back against those responsible for the drone attack in Jordan  earlier Friday attended a solemn military ritual at a Delaware air base for the return of the three dead soldiers.

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The secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown, also attended what is known as a dignified transfer  their presence highlighting the importance, as well as relative rarity, of returning dead service members in the wake of the US exit from Afghanistan in 2021.

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The three soldiers killed Sunday were the first US military deaths from hostile fire in the Middle East since the October 7 Hamas surprise attack on Israel that sparked a devastating Israeli assault on Gaza, which has stoked tensions and violence in the region and dragged it ever closer to an all-out conflict.

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US and coalition troops have been attacked more than 165 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since mid-October with weapons including drones, rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.

Dozens of American personnel were wounded in previous attacks, many of which have been claimed by a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that opposes US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict and wants American troops out of the region.

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Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels meanwhile began targeting international shipping in November, sparking US and British air strikes aimed at reducing their ability to hit commercial vessels.

Two SEALS  among the most elite special forces in the US military  were declared dead after being lost at sea during an operation to seize Iranian weapons bound for the Huthis on a ship off the coast of Somalia.

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(With inputs from Agencies)
The deadliest of the fires were occurring in the region of Valparaiso, where authorities urged people not to leave their homes so that fire engines, ambulances and other emergency vehicles could transit with greater ease.

Intense forest fires burning around a densely populated area of central Chile have left at least 19 people dead and destroyed about 1,100 homes, officials said Saturday.

According to Chiles Interior Minister Carolina Toha, a total of 92 forest fires are currently burning in the central and southern regions of the country, exacerbated by unusually high temperatures this week.

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The most fatal blazes are concentrated in the Valparaiso region, prompting officials to advise residents against evacuating their homes to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances.

Toha did not offer any details about the 19 people killed.

She said that two fires near the towns of Quilpue and Villa Alemana had burnt through at least 8,000 hectares (19,770 acres) since Friday. One of the fires was threatening the coastal resort town of Vina del Mar, where some neighbourhoods have already been badly affected.

In Villa Independencia, a hillside neighbourhood on the eastern edge of town, several blocks of homes and businesses were destroyed. Burnt-out cars with broken windows lined the streets, which were covered in ashes.

Ive been here 32 years, and never imagined this would happen said Rolando Fernandez, one of the residents who lost his home. He explained that he first saw the fire burning on a nearby hill on Friday afternoon. Within 15 minutes the area was engulfed in flames and smoke, forcing everyone to run for their lives.

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Ive worked my whole life, and now Im left with nothing, Fernandez said.

Three shelters have been set up in the Valparaiso region, and 19 helicopters and more than 450 firefighters have been brought into the area to control the blazes, Toha said. Rescue teams were still struggling to reach the most heavily affected neighbourhoods, she said.

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The fires are burning on mountains that are hard to reach and have affected neighbourhoods that were built precariously on the edge of Vina del Mar.

Officials have also reported blackouts as a result of the fire. Toha said that in the region of Valparaiso, four hospitals had to be evacuated as well as three nursing homes for the elderly. The fire also destroyed two bus terminals, the interior minister said.

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The El Nino weather pattern has caused droughts and hotter-than-usual temperatures along the west of South America this year, increasing the risk of forest fires. In January, more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forests were destroyed in Colombia by fires that followed several weeks of dry weather.

With inputs from AP.
In a report released on Friday, the IMF projected that Chinas economic growth will reduce to 4.6 per cent this year, down from its 5.2 per cent growth in 2023, and drop further to 3.4 per cent by 2028.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) anticipates a continued economic slowdown in China over the next four years, as Beijing grapples with various challenges including an ageing population, rising unemployment, and a property crisis.

The IMFs report, released on Friday, forecasts a decline in Chinas economic growth to 4.6 per cent this year, down from the 5.2 per cent growth recorded in 2023. It further predicts a decrease to 3.4 per cent by the year 2028.

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The property market has been a significant concern for the Chinese economy, highlighted by a Hong Kong courts recent decision on Monday directing the Chinese property giant Evergrande to liquidate.

According to IMF analysis released on Friday, the real estate investment is likely to see a drop from 30 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 10 years relative to 2022 levels, VOA News reported.

The IMF report reads, Absent a comprehensive restructuring policy package for the troubled property sector, real estate investment could drop more than expected, and for longer, with negative implications for domestic growth and trading partners.

Christopher Tang, Senior Associate Dean of Global Initiatives at the University of California Los Angeles Anderson School and Faculty Director of the UCLA Center for Global Management, stressed that the real estate crisis is closely related to Chinese consumers spending habits.

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In an email statement to VOA, Christopher Tang stated, As they see their equity in their home investment declining, they spend less on everything - lower consumer spending, the demand falls which reduces production and hence slower economic growth.

Tang added, There is a domino effect when the real estate market is so huge and intertwined with decades of aggressive housing development and easy lending from banks. Tang stressed that China needs to promote new demand-side economic policies and ease market regulations.

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The IMF suggested the Chinese government to encourage its citizens to find new means of investment and make market-oriented reforms to boost the economy of China, VOA News reported citing the report.

Ali Wyne, the senior research and advocacy adviser for US-China at the think tank International Crisis Group, suggested that local government debt and tensions between China and Western nations are also reasons behind the predictions of the Chinese economic downturn, according to VOA News report.

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In an email statement to VOA, Wyne stated, The evidence thus far does not suggest that a hard landing is in the offing, but it does suggest that Chinas growth headwinds are more intractable than they were a decade ago or even at the outset of the 2020s.

Meanwhile, Chinese stocks experienced a tumultuous week, marking their worst performance in years despite efforts by Beijing to restore confidence in the economy and address the prolonged stock market decline that has seen a staggering USD 6 trillion in value disappear over three years, CNN reported.

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The Shanghai Composite Index witnessed a significant 6.2 per cent drop, the most substantial weekly loss since October 2018, while the Shenzhen Component Index recorded an 8.1 per cent decline, marking its largest drop in three years. Year-to-date, both indexes have lost more than 8 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

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The CSI 300 index, composed of 300 major stocks listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, also suffered a 4.6 per cent decline, marking its worst week since October 2022, according to CNN report. The index is down 7 per cent since the beginning of the year.

With inputs from ANI.
The EUs top diplomat warned that conflict is likely to spread throughout the region unless a cease-fire is agreed upon between Israel and Hamas after U.S. airstrikes hit dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Expressing deep concern over reports that the Israeli military intends to take its battle against Hamas to the town of Rafah at Gazas border with Egypt, the European Union on Saturday a cease-fire is agreed upon between Israel and Hamas otherwise the conflict will spread throughout the region.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that around 1 million Palestinians have been displaced progressively against the Egyptian border. They claimed they were safe zones, but in fact what we see is that the bombing affecting the civilian population continues and it is creating a very dire situation.

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The EUs top diplomat warned that conflict is likely to spread throughout the region unless a cease-fire is agreed upon between Israel and Hamas after U.S. airstrikes hit dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday that after Israeli troops seize the southern city of Khan Younis, from where tens of thousands of people have fled, they will move on to Rafah. He did not give a time frame.

Such an offensive could push the refugees into Egypt, undermining Israels peace agreement with the country and angering the United States. It might also torpedo slow-moving peace talks with Hamas and complicate efforts to release scores of Israelis abducted when the militant group rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The prospect of a ground war in Rafah has raised fears about where the population would go to find safety. The United Nations said the town is becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

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Speaking in Brussels before chairing informal talks among EU foreign ministers, Borrell said that the Israel-Hamas war has created a domino effect, with conflict also erupting in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and in the Red Sea area.

We are living a critical situation in the Middle East, in the whole region, he said. As long as the war in Gaza continues, it is very difficult to believe that the situation in the Red Sea will improve, because one thing is related with the other.

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Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, warned of a real risk of spillover of the conflict.

Its a huge concern. We ask for restraint, and we ask for dialogue and diplomacy. Its the only way we can calm down the situation in the Middle East, she told reporters.

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Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski from Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, said those targeted in the U.S. airstrikes had it coming. Irans proxies have played with fire for months and years and its now burning them, he said.

With inputs from agencies.
Trumps defense contends that, as a sitting president at the time, he should be exempt from criminal charges. The trial, a result of charges filed last year, centers on his alleged attempts to reverse his 2020 electoral defeat to Democrat Joe Biden

A federal judge, Tanya Chutkan, announced on Friday the indefinite postponement of the trial concerning former US president Donald Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Originally scheduled for March 4, the delay arises from ongoing legal appeals.

Trumps defense contends that, as a sitting president at the time, he should be exempt from criminal charges. The trial, a result of charges filed last year, centers on his alleged attempts to reverse his 2020 electoral defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.

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The appeal process could extend the trial for several months, with a panel of three federal appeals judges currently considering Trumps argument that presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution for actions during their tenure. A decision may be reached as early as next week.

Anticipation surrounds the possibility of the case reaching the US Supreme Court, where conservatives maintain a 6-3 majority. Legal experts suggest that the outcome could significantly influence the future limitations on presidential actions.

The indictment lists four charges: conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.

Despite the legal challenges, the 77-year-old Trump vehemently denies any wrongdoing, alleging political persecution by the Justice Department and the Biden administration.

In addition to the election subversion case, Trump faces three other criminal trials. One pertains to alleged attempts to influence the 2020 election results in Georgia, another involves mishandling classified documents post-presidency, and the third concerns a purported hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels.

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The delay in the federal election subversion case means that Trumps initial criminal trial will revolve around the alleged 2016 hush money payments, scheduled for March 25 in New York.
District Judge John Law ruled on Friday that the conditions set by the police were so unclear that it is unlawful, stating that individuals failing to comply were not committing any offense

Climate activist Greta Thunberg and four others have been cleared of a public order offence after a judge dismissed the case, citing unlawful conditions imposed by the police during a protest outside a fossil fuel conference in London last October.

District Judge John Law ruled on Friday that the conditions set by the police were so unclear that it is unlawful, stating that individuals failing to comply were not committing any offense. The protesters had been ordered to move away from the oil and gas conference to a designated area after five hours of protest.

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The prosecution argued that the order was necessary due to the protest making access to the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair impossible. However, Judge Law found that the main entrance to the hotel remained accessible, rendering the conditions imposed on the protesters unnecessary.

The judge further emphasised that the protest was peaceful and non-violent throughout. He concluded that the unclear and unreasonable conditions disproportionately interfered with the protesters right to free speech under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

During the proceedings, footage was presented in which Greta Thunberg resisted moving when asked by a police officer, responding with Im staying. The judge noted the lack of evidence regarding any impediment to the hotel, interference with emergency services, or risk to life.

Protesters watching from the gallery cheered as all five defendants, including Thunberg, were acquitted. The verdict highlighted the importance of protecting peaceful protest, with Thunbergs lawyer Raj Chada emphasizing that the state should focus on addressing the climate crisis.

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The acquittal follows months of disruptive climate protests in central London, putting pressure on the police to respond to such actions. The decision underscores the delicate balance between the right to protest and the concerns of those affected.

The outcome of this case marks a step towards rebalancing the right to protest against environmental concerns. Solicitor Mike Schwarz, representing two of the activists, stressed the need for legislation and policies to align with rhetoric about protecting the environment.
Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, traffic cops and civil police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days after Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, a senior official in the militant group was quoted by AP as saying on Saturday.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

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The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to the southern half of Gaza.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest. The residents said they saw both the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

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Signs of a Hamas resurgence in the Gaza Strips largest city underscore the groups resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign against it over the past four months. Israel has said its determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007.

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During Israels ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of scrap, rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office near the hospital that was set up to distribute $200 payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

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Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, traffic cops and civil police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

The partial salary payments of $200 for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knock-out blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

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Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

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Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza on Saturday.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at a hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said. The second strike struck a house in the Jeneina area of Rafah, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

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The 17 bodies were taken to the Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, the main health facility in Rafah, and were seen by an AP journalist.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the preceding 24-hour period, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

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More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

Israels defence minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing for the last few weeks on Khan Younis, the largest city of southern Gaza. While the statement has alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah.

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The U.N. satellite centre said Friday that its latest analysis of available imagery indicated more than 69,000 structures in Gaza  nearly one-third of all structures in the territory  have been at least moderately damaged in nearly four months of fighting.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

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International mediators continue to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire deal put forth this week, nearly four months since Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas continue to hold dozens of captives after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

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The conflict has levelled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Meanwhile, United States  which has negotiated tenants of the deal along with Israel, Egypt and Qatar  launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

With inputs from AP.
President Xi Jinping has called for the expansion of strategic industries including the commercial space sector, deemed key to building constellations of satellites for communications, remote sensing and navigation.

A small yet potent Chinese rocket, capable of delivering payloads at competitive costs, successfully launched nine satellites into orbit on Saturday. The rocket, known as the Jielong-3 or Smart Dragon-3, took off from a floating barge located off the coast of Yangjiang in southern Guangdong province.

Developed by China Rocket Co, a commercial subsidiary of a state-owned launch vehicle manufacturer, this launch marked the third mission of the rocket since December 2022.

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President Xi Jinping has called for the expansion of strategic industries including the commercial space sector, deemed key to building constellations of satellites for communications, remote sensing and navigation.

Also on Saturday, Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group, opens new tab launched 11 satellites to boost its capacity to provide more accurate navigation for autonomous vehicles.

Critical to the construction of commercial satellite networks is Chinas ability to open more launch windows, expand rocket types to accommodate different payload sizes, lower launch costs, and increase the number of launch sites such as building more spaceports and using sea launch vessels.

Jielong-3 can carry a 1,500 kg (3,300 pounds) payload into a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit. China Rocket Co has previously said the rocket could carry over 20 satellites at a launch cost of under $10,000 per kg - a globally competitive rate for small-lift rockets.

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The cost is similar to the launches of other Chinese small-lift rockets including the Long March 11, but their payload sizes are significantly smaller.

Jielong-3 is comparable to the powerful Lijian-1, which first flew in 2022. Developed by CAS Space, a Guangzhou-headquartered commercial spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lijian-1 can also send a 1,500 kg payload to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit. Other commercial companies in the Chinese vehicle launch sector includes Galactic Energy, whose Ceres-1 rocket made its debut flight in November 2020.

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Ceres-1 is capable of delivering a 300 kg payload to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Beijing-based Galactic Energy made at least seven Ceres-1 launches in 2023, up from four in 2020-2022.

Also in the fray is Landspace, whose launch of the Zhuque-2 in 2023 marked the worlds first successful payload delivery by a liquid oxygen-methane rocket and a breakthrough in Chinas use of low-cost liquid propellants.

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In the realm of larger rockets, Orienspace in January launched Gravity-1 from a ship off the coast of eastern Shandong province. The rocket is capable of sending a payload of up to 6,500 kg into low-earth orbit, making it the most powerful launch vehicle developed by a private Chinese enterprise.

A small-lift rocket carries payloads of up to 2,000 kg, while medium ones deliver up to 20,000 kg and heavy rockets can easily carry in excess of 20,000 kg. SpaceXs Falcon Heavy can lift up to 64,000 kg into orbit.

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With inputs from Reuters.
Amid the conflict, more than half of Gazas 2.3 million residents are now homeless, with many seeking refuge in Rafah on the Egyptian border. As per UNICEF data as many as 17000 children have separated from families amid war

Israeli forces intensified their assault on the outskirts of Rafah, the last refuge in the southern Gaza Strip, leading to dire conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals trapped against the border fence.

Simultaneously, the United States launched retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria following a drone attack in Jordan that claimed the lives of three U.S. troops. The escalating tensions are heightening concerns about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

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Amid the conflict, more than half of Gazas 2.3 million residents are now homeless, with many seeking refuge in Rafah on the Egyptian border. UNICEF estimated that 17,000 children in Gaza were unaccompanied or had been separated from their families during the conflict. The recent Israeli assault on Khan Younis has exacerbated the crisis, resulting in a significant influx of displaced individuals into Rafah.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to eliminate terror elements in Rafah, marking one of the last areas yet to be taken in the prolonged assault. With access to limited food and medical aid, Rafah and nearby parts of Khan Younis have transformed into makeshift tent settlements, amplifying the already dire conditions for those affected.

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The United Nations expressed grave concerns, with Jens Laerke stating that Rafah has become a pressure cooker of despair. The situation is dire, with rescuers unable to reach the sick and wounded in Khan Younis, and the prospect of combat reaching Rafah is almost unthinkable.

The ongoing Gaza war, triggered by Hamas militants storming across the border fence into Israel, has resulted in a significant loss of lives and widespread destruction. Mediators are awaiting a response from Hamas regarding a proposal for the wars first extended ceasefire, but challenges persist in reaching a comprehensive agreement.

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As the humanitarian crisis deepens, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to the region, aiming to broker a humanitarian pause and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. envoy to the United Nations, said an Algerian draft Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire could jeopardize sensitive negotiations aimed at brokering a pause in fighting.

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And Washington said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would work for a humanitarian pause and the release of hostages still held by Hamas when he begins his latest trip to Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar from Sunday.

U.S. officials have said the response against Iran-backed militias will involve strikes over multiple days. Tehran says it will respond if its territory or interests are hit.

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On another front, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile heading for Israel in the area of the Red Sea, and Yemens Houthis, allied with Iran, confirmed they had fired ballistic missiles in the direction of the Israeli port and resort city of Eilat.

(with inputs from Reuters)
The Maldives defence ministry said in a statement Friday night that its military was informed on Wednesday that personnel from a foreign military had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel, and on reaching the location it was found that they were from the Indian coast guard.

The Maldives government has requested clarification regarding the recent incident where Indian Coast Guard personnel boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels operating within its economic zone without prior consultation.

In a statement released on Friday night, the Maldives defence ministry conveyed that its military was notified on Wednesday about personnel from a foreign military boarding a Maldivian fishing vessel. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals were from the Indian Coast Guard.

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The Maldives military discovered that Indian Coast Guard personnel had boarded two additional boats. However, the statement did not provide details regarding the actions taken by the Indian Coast Guard personnel on the boats.

On Feb. 1, 2024 , the foreign ministry of the Maldives has asked (India) officially for the details of the operation that was carried out while Maldivians were fishing in the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, without any coordination with the relevant authorities and against all international laws, the statement said in the native Dhivehi language.

This is the latest in a series of conflicts that has led to a setback in relations between the two nations since a pro-China leader was elected in the Maldives last November.

Both India and China have been vying for influence in the Maldives, which is located strategically along a key sea route, in their competition to control the Indian Ocean.

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Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was part of an India Out campaign as an opposition politician, demanding the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in some islands. He campaigned for the presidency on the same promise and made an official request to India soon after his election.

On Friday contradictory statements emerged from the two countries in relation to the withdrawal of Indian troops.

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The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement that officials from both countries met in New Delhi and agreed that India would begin withdrawing troops from the Maldives on March 10 and complete the process by withdrawing from all three aviation platforms by May 10.

But an Indian foreign ministry statement did not mention a withdrawal, saying instead that both sides agreed on a set of solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives.

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It is believed there are at least 75 Indian military personnel in the Maldives and their known activities include transporting patients from remote islands and rescuing people at sea.

The dispute between the two countries worsened last month when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted pictures on social media of himself strolling and snorkelling on the beaches of Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago that looks nearly identical to the Maldives islands.

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The Indian government believes that its chain of islands has untapped potential for tourism, and some in the Maldives thought that Modis posts were a way of luring tourists away from the famous white sand beaches and luxury island resorts of the Maldives.

Three Maldivian deputy ministers posted derogatory posts against Modi which inflamed many Indians, leading to a social media campaign to boycott Maldives. The largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives come from India, making up 11% of the total last year.

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The posts were taken down, the deputy ministers were suspended and the Maldives government stressed that the views expressed did not reflect government policy.

Muizzus China visit also coincided with the dispute, and he came back announcing plans to rid his nation of dependence on India for health and education and import of staples. He also cautioned that the Maldives smaller size did not give any country the license to bully it, an apparent indirect reference to India.

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With inputs from AP.
The attack occurred in the south-western region of Kwara state, prompting swift action from the state police, who have launched an investigation into the incident

Unidentified gunmen shot dead Oba Aremu Olusegun Cole, one of Nigerias revered traditional monarch in Kwara state. The assailants, after storming the palace, not only claimed the life of the monarch but also abducted his wife and another individual on Thursday.

This incident contributes to the growing concern and outrage surrounding the escalating number of abductions taking place across the nation.

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The attack occurred in the south-western region of Kwara state, prompting swift action from the state police, who have launched an investigation into the incident. In response to the rising security challenges, authorities have bolstered security measures in the affected areas.

This unfortunate event adds to a series of similar attacks that have become distressingly common in Nigeria, a country grappling with a multifaceted security crisis. Just days before this incident, two traditional rulers fell victim to unknown gunmen in the neighboring Ekiti state, underscoring the pervasiveness of violence in the region.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office with a promise to address the nations security issues, now faces mounting criticism as violence continues to spiral out of control.

His commitment to tackling challenges ranging from jihadist threats in the north-east to criminal militias in the north-west and intercommunal violence in the central regions appears to be increasingly tested.

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According to a report by the Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, the period since President Tinubu took office in May has witnessed a disturbing surge in abductions, with a recorded total of 3,964 people falling victim to such incidents.

This tragedy comes on the heels of a harrowing incident at the beginning of the year, where criminals abducted five young sisters near the capital, Abuja. The situation got worse when one of the sisters lost her life following the expiration of a ransom deadline, sparking a nationwide outcry and further highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive security measures.

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As Nigeria grapples with these distressing realities, there is a pressing demand for decisive actions and strategies to curb the rising tide of violence and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Pyongyang has been testing its armaments more and more, launching several cruise missiles, a underwater nuclear weapon system test, and a hypersonic ballistic missile propelled by solid fuel

The military in Seoul reported that North Korea launched several cruise missiles on Friday, extending a recent wave of weapon tests as Kim Jong Uns government intensifies war preparations.

Kim has threatened war over even 0.001 mm of territorial infringement, dissolved agencies devoted to outreach and reunification, and labeled South Korea as his nations principal enemy thus far this year.

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A super-large warhead cruise missile and a new-type anti-aircraft missile were tested during the launch, according to a report released on Saturday by North Korean state media, KCNA.

Pyongyang has been testing its armaments more and more, launching several cruise missiles, a underwater nuclear weapon system test, and a hypersonic ballistic missile propelled by solid fuel.

The most recent tests were part of the normal activities of the administration, KCNA said, adding that the missiles were fired into the West Sea and posed no adverse effect on the security of a neighboring country.

Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday that the military had detected at around 11 am (0200 GMT) the firing of multiple unidentified cruise missiles into the sea off the countrys west coast.

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The South Korean military has stepped up surveillance in close coordination with the United States, the JCS said in the statement.

The military is closely monitoring for signs of additional activity by the North Korean army, it said, adding they were closely analysing the launch.

Unlike their ballistic counterparts, the testing of cruise missiles is not banned under current UN sanctions on Pyongyang.

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Cruise missiles tend to be jet-propelled and fly at a lower altitude than more sophisticated ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Analysts have warned that North Korea could be testing cruise missiles ahead of sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine, with Washington and Seoul claiming Kim has shipped weapons to Moscow, despite rafts of UN sanctions banning any such moves.

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North Korea could be using recent launches as a way to show Russians the capability of their missiles before sending them off to Moscow, Han Kwon-hee of Korea Association of Defence Industry Studies.

The need to do it could be especially acute given recent reports of North Korean shells going awry when used by Russian troops, he said.

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Even as Kim ramps up the rhetorical threats against the South, the testing spree plus suspected Russian arms deals indicate a dog that barks never bites, he said.

If he was really serious about a war, he wouldnt have said it but kept it in the dark for a surprise attack. He also wouldnt have sold arms to Russia if he were really into going to war with the South.

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- Warships -

The latest launch follows Kim Jong Un inspecting warships at a naval shipyard as he looks to bolster his maritime forces as part of war preparations, state media said Friday.

The strengthening of the naval force presents itself as the most important issue in reliably defending the maritime sovereignty of the country and stepping up the war preparations at present, Kim said at the Nampho Dockyard, according to KCNA.

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A nuclear-powered submarine was on Kims strategic weapons wish list set out at a key party congress in 2021, along with a hypersonic warhead, spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.

During his visit to the dockyard, Kim was briefed on various warships under construction as well as preparations for a new huge plan assigned by the ruling party.

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No details of the plan were provided.

Kim expressed expectation that the workers of the dockyard would successfully build on the world level the major warships, KCNA said.

North Korea last year launched what it called its first tactical nuclear attack submarine, which Seouls military at the time said did not look to be operational.

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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.

(with inputs from AFP)
Orlov, 70, was penalised last year for discrediting the Russian military, which was done in violation of a new censorship law that Russia implemented to quell criticism of its aggression against Ukraine

The head of the Nobel Prize-winning Memorial group, Oleg Orlov, is a seasoned human rights activist who was labeled a foreign agent by Russia on Friday.

As part of a massive crackdown on dissent, Moscow has labeled hundreds of activists and independent journalists as foreign agents in recent years.

The justice ministry of Russia stated that Orlov opposed the special military operation in Ukraine, disseminated false information about decisions taken by public bodies of the Russian Federation, (and) participated in the creation of messages and materials for foreign agents .

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Orlov, 70, was penalised last year for discrediting the Russian military, which was done in violation of a new censorship law that Russia implemented to quell criticism of its aggression against Ukraine.

His Memorial organisation was the most prominent and respected human rights group inside Russia in the decades after the fall of the Soviet Union.

It established itself by battling to preserve the memory of victims of Communist repressions and campaigning against rights violations linked to Russias brutal wars in Chechnya and beyond.

It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, months after Russian authorities outlawed the group as part of a sweeping crackdown against independent civil society.

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Russias Supreme Court ordered it to dissolve in December 2021, weeks before Moscow launched its military campaign against Ukraine, finding it had violated the foreign agents law.

Its closure was seen as a stark example of how far political freedoms and human rights had been quashed under President Vladimir Putins more than two decades in power.

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Despite the pressure and as tens of thousands of anti-Kremlin campaigners fled the country, Orlov stayed in Russia and has tried to appeal the ruling that he discredited Russias armed forces  marshalling support from Nobel Prize-winning editor Dmitry Muratov in court hearings.

The foreign agent designation carries Soviet-era spying connotations and is designed to cut off groups and individuals from their funding and support inside Russia.

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Individuals named foreign agents are required to submit financial reports to the justice ministry and label all their communications and public statements with a lengthy disclaimer.

(with inputs from AFP)
Despite Nadezhdins extensive efforts to gather support, a briefing at the central elections commission on Friday suggested the presence of deceased individuals among the submitted signatures

Russias elections commission has identified potential irregularities in over 100,000 signatures supporting Boris Nadezhdin, the sole anti-war candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

The revelation raises uncertainties about his candidacys validity, with a looming risk of disqualification, a move that could impact the carefully orchestrated ballot aimed at securing victory for Vladimir Putin.

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Despite Nadezhdins extensive efforts to gather support, a briefing at the central elections commission on Friday suggested the presence of deceased individuals among the submitted signatures.

While no disqualification has occurred yet, a review of the errors is scheduled for Monday, heightening the possibility of his removal from the ballot.

Deputy Head Nikolai Bulayev expressed surprise at the errors and raised ethical concerns about the signature collection process. Nadezhdin, a seasoned politician with ties to both Kremlin insiders and Putins opposition, faces scrutiny as his past association with government figures becomes controversial.

Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya suggests that Nadezhdins candidacy, initially allowed to demonstrate the futility of the anti-war agenda, has become politically inconvenient for the Kremlin.

His recent support from jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalnys camp, meetings with soldiers wives, and outreach to anti-war Russians abroad have made him a source of embarrassment.

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Despite polling in the single digits, Nadezhdins surge in popularity during signature collection poses a challenge for the Kremlin, particularly as other anti-war candidates face disqualification.

Yekaterina Duntsova has already been disqualified due to alleged paperwork errors, prompting a shift in grassroots organizing efforts to support Nadezhdin.

With Putin seeking an overwhelming victory for a fifth term, the uncertainty surrounding Nadezhdins candidacy adds a layer of complexity to the upcoming election, reflecting broader tensions around Russias military operations.
Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days after Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago.

Hamas has reportedly started resurfacing in areas where Israeli troops withdrew a month ago, with reports indicating the deployment of police officers and the payments of salaries to certain civil servants in Gaza City were also made.

This resurgence underscores the groups resilience despite Israels recent military actions in response to previous attacks. Israel has expressed determination to prevent Hamas from regaining control in Gaza, which it has ruled since 2007.

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In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest. The residents said they saw the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including by helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to southern Gaza.

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During Israels ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office that was set up to distribute $200 payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

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Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers and police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

The partial salary payments for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knockout blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

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Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

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Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza.

At least 11 people were injured when Israels military fired smoke bombs at displaced people sheltering at the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent in the southern city of Khan Younis, the organization said. It followed a siege that Israels military has laid on the Red Crescents facilities for 12 days, the organization said.

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The charity said it had documented the killing of 43 people, including three staff members, inside the buildings by Israeli fire in those 12 days, with another 153 injured.

Israels military didnt address the charitys allegations of firing on the buildings, the killings or the blocking of access, and asserted that the Al-Amal Hospital facilities had adequate fuel and electricity and that the military helped to replenish two oxygen tanks.

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The military said operations in Khan Younis would continue for several days.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, where the bodies were taken.

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The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said.

Two children are still under the rubble, and we dont, still we dont know anything about them, relative Ahmad Hijazi said.

The second struck a house in Rafahs Jeneina area, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

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The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

The conflict has leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

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More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

Israels defense minister warned earlier in the week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing on Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza. While the statement alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah, a key entry point for aid.

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International mediators continued to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire deal.

Hamas continues to hold dozens of the roughly 250 hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, the United States  which has negotiated tenants of the deal along with Israel, Egypt and Qatar  launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

With inputs from AP.
Sri Lanka has been renewing a focus on trade deals to foster economic growth and help its battered economy, which is estimated by the World Bank to have contracted 3.8 per cent last year, after a severe foreign exchange crisis plunged it into a financial crisis.

In a significant move, Sri Lanka has inked a Free Trade Agreement with Thailand on Saturday as it strives to overcome its most severe financial downturn in years.

According to World Bank estimates, the countrys economy shrank by 3.8 percent last year, largely due to a severe foreign exchange shortage that precipitated the financial turmoil.

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A Free Trade Agreement was signed at the Presidential Secretariat between #Thailand & #SriLanka aimed at enhancing market opportunities, with negotiations covering various aspects such as Trade in Goods, Investment, Customs Procedure & Intellectual Property Rights.#DiplomacyLK pic.twitter.com/TiZDvwsFsS  President's Media Division of Sri Lanka - PMD (@PMDNewsGov) February 3, 2024

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is aimed at enhancing market opportunities, with negotiations covering various aspects such as Trade in Goods, Investment, Customs Procedure and Intellectual Property Rights, the short statement added.

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With its economy battered and facing a deepening crisis, Sri Lanka has been prioritising trade agreements to stimulate growth.

A delegation headed by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrived in Colombo on Saturday to sign the FTA along with other agreements and Thavisin will also attend Sri Lankas 76th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.

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The two countries also signed a new bilateral air services agreement, providing for liberalized air services between the two countries. The countries two-way trade was worth about $460 million in 2021, Sri Lankan central bank data shows. Sri Lanka exports mainly tea and precious stones to Thailand and imports electronic equipment, food, rubber, plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine had been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who gave the order for the invasion on February 24, 2022

The top court of the United Nations declared that it had jurisdiction over the majority of the arguments made by Kyiv, meaning that a case brought by Ukraine against Russia over the horrific invasion in 2022 could proceed.

Just a few days after the invasion, Ukraine brought Russia before the International Court of Justice, popularly known as the World Court, in an effort to fight its neighbor on all frontslegal, diplomatic, and military.

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Pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine had been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who gave the order for the invasion on February 24, 2022.

Ukraine filed a suit at the ICJ, emphatically denying this and arguing that Russias use of genocide as a pretext for invasion went against the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.

In a preliminary ruling in March 2022, the ICJ sided with Ukraine and ordered Russia to halt its invasion immediately. But Russia objected to this judgment, saying the ICJ, which decides on disputes between states, had no legal right to decide in this case.

The ICJ Friday tossed out Moscows argument, saying it did indeed have jurisdiction to rule on Ukraines argument that there is no credible evidence that Ukraine is responsible for committing genocide, over which Russia justified its invasion.

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However, Ukraine had also claimed in its submission that Russias use of force during the invasion was itself in contravention of the Genocide Convention. The ICJ said it did not have competence to decide on this part of the case.

The court also said it did not have the power to rule on another point raised by Ukraine  that Moscows recognition of the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk breached the Convention.

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Ukraines lead lawyer Anton Korynevych declared the ICJ ruling a victory for Ukraine and hailed the fact that the case will now continue.

It is important that the court will decide on the issue that Ukraine is not responsible for some mythical genocide that the Russian Federation falsely alleged Ukraine has been committing since 2014 in Donbas, he told reporters.

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The ICJs rulings are binding and cannot be appealed but it has no means to enforce its decisions.

The court noted that it had already ordered Russia back in March 2022 to immediately suspend its military operations but that the armed conflict continues to this day.

Every day of Russias brutal war in Ukraine is a violation of this  order, said Korynevych. Those orders remain valid while the case continues.

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Representatives from the Russian side declined to speak to media after the judgment.

Thirty-two allies of Ukraine also argued in support of Kyiv. The ICJ dismissed a bid by the United States to join the case.

This is the second major case at the ICJ concerning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The ICJ ruled on Wednesday in a separate case filed by Ukraine alleging that Russia financially backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine for years before the invasion.

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The court mostly sided with Russia in that case, rejecting most of Ukraines requests and saying that Moscow had only failed to investigate possible breaches of terrorism financing law.

The ICJ is under heightened scrutiny at the moment with a high-profile case about the war in Gaza.

In a judgment beamed all around the world last Friday, it ordered Israel to take all action necessary to prevent genocide during its operations in response to the October 7 Hamas attack.

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(with inputs from AFP)
A US naval destroyer shot down one drone Friday morning and fighter jets and another warship downed seven later in the day, while American forces destroyed four more on the ground before they could be launched, the US Central Command said Saturday on social media.

The US Central Command said on Saturday that US forces engaged and shot down several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Red Sea on Friday, and also destroyed four drones that Houthi forces were preparing to launch from Yemen.

A US naval destroyer shot down one drone Friday morning and fighter jets and another warship downed seven later in the day, while American forces destroyed four more on the ground before they could be launched, the US Central Command said Saturday on social media.
The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in response to the attack last weekend in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days.

In response to the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend, the United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Irans Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 people.

The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in response to the attack last weekend in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days.

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The extensive series of strikes targeted over 85 locations across seven sites, including command and control centres, intelligence facilities, weapon storage sites, and other infrastructure linked to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force, which oversees Irans support for regional militias. President Joe Biden emphasised that these strikes are just the beginning, indicating further action.

While the U.S. attacks did not directly target Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within Iranian territory, the aim was to prevent further escalation of the conflict. Iran has denied involvement in the Jordan attack.

The strikes intensified a conflict that has spread into the region since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian groups deadly assault on Israel on Oct.7.

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Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the attacks represented another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability.

Iraq summoned the U.S. charge daffaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal protest. Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, a state security force including Iran-backed groups, said 16 of its members were killed including fighters and medics. The government earlier said civilians were among 16 dead.

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In Syria, the strikes killed 23 people who had been guarding the targeted locations, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on war in Syria.

U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said the attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry. He said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities.

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Despite the strikes, the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on U.S. President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly.

Iran, which backs Hamas, has sought to stay out of the regional conflict itself even as it backs groups that have entered the fray from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria - the so-called Axis of Resistance that is hostile to Israel and U.S. interests.

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WE DO NOT SEEK CONFLICT

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the strikes that Biden had directed additional action against the IRGC and those linked to it. This is the start of our response, Austin said. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, Austin said.

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An Iraqi government statement said the areas bombed by U.S. aircraft included places where Iraqi security forces are stationed near civilian locations. It said 23 people had been wounded in addition to the 16 killed.

The White House said the United States had informed Iraq ahead of strikes. Baghdad later accused the United States of deception, saying a U.S. claim of coordination with the Iraqi authorities was unfounded.

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On Friday, Irans President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not start a war, but it will respond strongly to anyone who bullies it. He did not mention the U.S. strikes in a speech on Saturday marking Irans space technology day.

Irans ambassador in Damascus Hossein Akbari, in comments reported by the semi-official Fars news agency, played down the airstrikes, denying Iran-linked targets were hit and saying the aim was to destroy Syrias civil infrastructure. Hamas said Washington was pouring oil on the fire.

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Britain called the United States its steadfast ally and said it supports Washingtons right to respond to attacks. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, arriving for an EU meeting in Brussels, said the U.S. strikes were the result of Iranian proxies playing with fire.

MORE THAN 160 ATTACKS ON U.S. TROOPS

The strikes hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities, the U.S. military said. In Iraq, residents said several strikes hit the Sikak Neighborhood in Al-Qaim, a residential area that locals said was also used by armed groups to store large amounts of weapons.

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Militants had left the area and gone into hiding in the days since the Jordan attack, local sources said. Khaled Walid, a Sikak resident, said that the U.S. strikes and secondary explosions of munitions stored in the neighbourhood had caused widespread damage.

U.S. troops have been attacked over 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since Oct. 7, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones, prompting the United States to mount several retaliatory attacks even before the latest strikes.

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The United States has assessed that the drone that killed the three soldiers and wounded more than 40 other people in Jordan was made by Iran, U.S. officials have told Reuters. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, Biden said.

The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, criticized Biden for failing to impose a high enough cost on Iran, and taking too long to respond. Iranian advisers assist armed groups in both Iraq, where the United States has around 2,500 troops, and Syria, where it has 900.

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With inputs from agencies.
According to a source close to Zelenskiys office, the president is against Zaluzhnyis plan to mobilize an additional 500,000 troops, and the two are at odds over this new military mobilization drive

The Ukrainian government has notified the White House of its intention to remove the nations top military commander, who is in charge of managing the fight against Russian occupation forces, as per reports based on sources.

The decision to remove General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who has disagreements with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on a number of matters, comes after a counteroffensive by Ukraine last year that was unable to retake a sizable portion of territory held by Russia.

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According to a source close to Zelenskiys office, the president is against Zaluzhnyis plan to mobilize an additional 500,000 troops, and the two are at odds over this new military mobilization drive.

The source, however, added that the process for relieving Zaluzhnyi of his post as the commander in chief of Ukraines armed forces was on hold for the time being as the sides work out their next steps.

It was unclear how long that process would take, added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A second knowledgeable source said that the White House did not express a position on the plan to replace Zaluzhnyi.

I would emphasize that the White House response was that we did not support or object to their sovereign decision, said the source, who requested anonymity in order to discuss the issue.

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The White House expressed that it is up to Ukraine to make its own sovereign decisions about its personnel, the source continued.

The Washington Post was first to report that Ukraine had informed the White House of the plan to fire Zaluzhnyi. U.S. officials told Ukraine that they were not opposed to the firing of Zaluzhnyi, said the source close to the Ukrainian presidents office.

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The U.S. is okay with Ukraine firing him, said the source.

Right now, both sides (the president and the general) have taken a pause in determining what the future will look like, and for now the status quo will remain until further notice, the source said.

The source said the frictions between Zelenskiy and Zaluzhnyi over mobilization involved the presidents view that the military has enough personnel that could be used more efficiently.

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Zaluzhnyi insists on mobilising half a million men. Zelenskiy thinks thats not necessary now, the source said. Zaluzhnyi on Thursday published a column on the CNN website in which he wrote that the government had failed to mobilize enough troops.

Known as the Iron General, Zaluzhnyi is extremely popular. His removal could hurt morale among Ukrainian troops battling to hold positions along more than 620 miles (1,000 km) of frontlines against a vast Russian force armed with large munitions stockpiles.

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Ukrainian forces are experiencing shortages of critical ammunition. Supplies from the United States, the countrys largest arms provider, have run down, and a dispute between the White House and some Republican lawmakers has stalled approval of a new aid package.

A flurry of Western and Ukrainian media reports said that Zaluzhnyi rejected Zelenskiys request that he step aside this week.

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The plan to replace Zaluzhnyi despite his popularity and ability as an inspiring commander may signal Kyivs desire for a fresh approach to the conflict.

(with inputs from Reuters)
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.
Injaz Bahrain ended the third edition of Bahrain Youth Festival on a high note, recording a 10,000-strong visitor turnout during the two-day festival.

The event, held under the patronage of Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, at The Avenues, Manama, was aimed at empowering young Bahrainis to thrive in the global economy.

It saw over 700 students, with 66 student companies representing 41 under the High School Trackand 25 companies under the University Track from across the kingdom, taking part.

A major highlight at the event was a marketplace showcasing the innovative products and services of Bahraini Young Entrepreneurs from various schools and universities, creating an atmosphere of innovation and creativity for families.

The second day witnessed the official inauguration of the festival by Sheikha Hessa accompanied by senior officials including Marwan Fouad Kamal, Undersecretary of Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Ebrahim Al Bourshaid, Acting Assistannt Undersecretary for Education at the Ministry of Education, Essam Alalawi, Training and Manpower Development Director at the Ministry of Labour Akef Aqrabawi, President & CEO of Injaz Al Arab, and Injaz Bahrain board members.

A distinguished panel of judges including Abulrahman Al Mulla from Alba, Dr Ahmed Bucheeri from GPIC, Mariam Rahimi from Tamkeen and Mohamed AlSayed CEO of Accelera evaluated student companies for the High School Track, and Ammar Al Raees from bni, Sheikh Ebrahim Al Khalifa from Bapco Refining, Bassam Hatem from stc Bahrain, and Safa Sharif, the Co-Founder of WSI Consulting were the judges for the University Track assessing and nominating outstanding company ideas for Injaz Bahrains national competition scheduled for April, said the statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikha Hessa said: "The remarkable success of the festival is the culmination of weeks of relentless dedication and hard work from students, volunteers, and the Injaz Bahrain team. Witnessing over 10,000 visitors in a span of two days is truly gratifying."

"The Injaz Bahrain ,Youth Festival has not only provided a valuable platform for showcasing the next generation of Bahrains business leaders, innovators, and change-makers but has also highlighted the distinctive accomplishments of the kingdoms forward-thinking minds to the public," she stated.

Lauding the event partners for their support, Sheikha Hessa said: "Over the years, Injaz Bahrain Youth Festival has served as a platform gathering innovative youth from across the kingdom to showcase their innovations, and the tradition will continue in the years to come with even more success."

Injaz Bahrains annual flagship competition aims to enrich the entrepreneurial skills of Bahraini youth, showcasing their growth and remarkable achievements throughout the year, she added.-TradeArabia News Service
Former CIA Officer Joshua Adam Schulte Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Espionage And Child Pornography Crimes

Thursday, February 1, 2024

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced today that JOSHUA ADAM SCHULTE was sentenced to 40 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman for crimes of espionage, computer hacking, contempt of Court, making false statements to the FBI, and child pornography. SCHULTE's theft is the largest data breach in the history of the CIA, and his transmission of that stolen information to WikiLeaks is one of the largest unauthorized disclosures of classified information in the history of the U.S. Today's sentencing followed SCHULTE's convictions at trials that concluded on March 9, 2020, July 13, 2022, and September 13, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: "Joshua Schulte betrayed his country by committing some of the most brazen, heinous crimes of espionage in American history. He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte's security breaches while employed there. When the FBI caught him, Schulte doubled down and tried to cause even more harm to this nation by waging what he described as an 'information war' of publishing top secret information from behind bars. And all the while, Schulte collected thousands upon thousands of videos and images of children being subjected to sickening abuse for his own personal gratification. The outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the career prosecutors in this Office unmasked Schulte for the traitor and predator that he is and made sure that he will spend 40 years behind bars - right where he belongs."

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: "Mr. Schulte severely harmed U.S. national security and directly risked the lives of CIA personnel, persisting in his efforts even after his arrest. As today's sentence reaffirms, the Department of Justice is committed to investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable those who would violate their constitutional oath and betray the trust of the American people they pledged to protect."

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: "Today, Joshua Schulte was rightly punished not only for his betrayal of our country, but for his substantial possession of horrific child pornographic material. The severity of his actions is evident, and the sentence imposed reflects the magnitude of the disturbing and harmful threat posed by his criminal conduct. The FBI will not yield in our efforts to bring to justice anyone who endangers innocent children or threatens our national security."

According to court documents and evidence at trial:

From 2012 to 2016, SCHULTE was employed as a software developer in the Center for Cyber Intelligence ("CCI"), which conducts offensive cyber operations: cyber espionage relating to terrorist organizations and foreign governments. SCHULTE and other CCI developers worked on tools that were used in, among other things, human-enabled operations: cyber operations that involved a person with access to the computer network being targeted by the cyber tool. In addition to being a developer, SCHULTE was also temporarily one of the administrators of one of the servers and suite of development programs used to build cyber tools.

In March 2016, SCHULTE was moved within branches of CCI as a result of personnel disputes between SCHULTE and another developer. Following that transfer, in April 2016, SCHULTE abused his administrator powers to grant himself administrator privileges over a development project from which he had been removed as a result of the branch change. SCHULTE's abuse of administrator privileges was detected, and CCI leadership directed that administrator privileges would immediately be transferred from developers, including SCHULTE, to another division. SCHULTE was also given a warning about self-granting administrator privileges that had previously been revoked.

SCHULTE had, however, secretly opened an administrator session on one of the servers before his privileges were removed. On April 20, 2016, after other developers had left the CCI office, SCHULTE used his secret server administrator session to execute a series of cyber-maneuvers on the CIA network to restore his revoked privileges, break in to the backups, steal copies of the entire CCI tool development archives (the "Stolen CIA Files"), revert the network back to its prior state, and delete hundreds of log files in an attempt to cover his tracks. SCHULTE's theft of the Stolen CIA Files is the largest data breach in CIA history.

From his home computer, SCHULTE then transmitted the Stolen CIA Files to WikiLeaks, using anonymizing tools recommended by WikiLeaks to potential leakers, such as the Tails operating system and the Tor browser. On May 5, 2016, having transmitted the Stolen CIA Files to WikiLeaks, SCHULTE wiped and reformatted his home computer's internal hard drives.

On March 7, 2017, WikiLeaks began publishing classified data from the Stolen CIA Files. Between March and November 2017, there were a total of 26 disclosures of classified data from the Stolen CIA Files that WikiLeaks denominated as Vault 7 and Vault 8 (the "WikiLeaks Disclosures"). The WikiLeaks Disclosures were one of the largest unauthorized disclosures of classified information in the history of the U.S., and SCHULTE's theft and disclosure immediately and profoundly damaged the CIA's ability to collect foreign intelligence against America's adversaries; placed CIA personnel, programs, and assets directly at risk; and cost the CIA hundreds of millions of dollars. The effect was described at trial by the former CIA Deputy Director of Digital Innovation as a "digital Pearl Harbor," and the disclosure caused exceptionally grave harm to the national security of the U.S.

Following the WikiLeaks Disclosures, SCHULTE was voluntarily interviewed on multiple occasions by the FBI in March 2017. During those interviews, SCHULTE repeatedly lied, including denying being responsible for the theft of the Stolen CIA Files or for the WikiLeaks Disclosures and spinning fake narratives about ways the Stolen CIA Files could have been obtained from CIA computers, in the hope of deflecting suspicion away from SCHULTE and diverting law enforcement resources to false leads.

In March 2017, the FBI searched SCHULTE's apartment in New York pursuant to a search warrant and recovered, among other things, multiple computers, servers, and other electronic storage devices, including SCHULTE's personal desktop computer (the "Desktop Computer"), which SCHULTE built while living in Virginia and then transported to New York in November 2016. On the Desktop Computer, FBI agents found layers of encryption hiding tens of thousands of videos and images of child sexual abuse materials, including approximately 3,400 images and videos of disturbing and horrific child pornography and the rape and sexual abuse of children as young as two years old, as well as images of bestiality and sadomasochism. SCHULTE collected some of these files during his employment with the CIA and continued to stockpile child pornography from the dark web and Russian websites after moving to New York.

While detained pending trial, in approximately April 2018, SCHULTE sent a copy of the affidavit in support of the warrant to search his apartment, which a protective order entered by the Court prohibiting SCHULTE from disseminating, to reporters from two different newspapers, and SCHULTE acknowledged in recorded phone calls that he knew he was prohibited from sharing protected material like the affidavit.

Despite being warned by the Court not to violate the protective order further, in the summer and fall of 2018, SCHULTE made plans to wage what he proclaimed to be an "information war" against the U.S. government. To pursue these ends, SCHULTE obtained access to contraband cellphones while in jail that he used to create anonymous, encrypted email and social media accounts. SCHULTE also attempted to use the contraband cellphones to transmit protected discovery materials to WikiLeaks and planned to use the anonymous email and social media accounts to publish a manifesto and various other postings containing classified information about CIA cyber techniques and cyber tools. In a journal, SCHULTE wrote that he planned to "breakup diplomatic relationships, close embassies, [and] end U.S. occupation across the world[.]" SCHULTE successfully sent emails containing classified information about the CCI development network and the number of employees in particular CIA cyber intelligence groups to a reporter.

As a result of this conduct, on March 9, 2020, SCHULTE was found guilty at trial of contempt of court and making material false statements. On July 13, 2022, SCHULTE was found guilty at trial of eight counts: illegal gathering and transmission of national defense information in connection with his theft and dissemination of the Stolen CIA Files, illegal transmission and attempted transmission of national defense information, unauthorized access to a computer to obtain classified information and information from a department or agency of the U.S. in connection with his theft of the Stolen CIA Files, and two counts of causing transmission of harmful computer commands in connection with his theft of the Stolen CIA Files. Finally, on September 13, 2023, SCHULTE was found guilty at trial on charges of receiving, possessing, and transporting child pornography.

* * *

In addition to the prison term, SCHULTE, 35, of New York, New York, was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the Counterintelligence Division and the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force of the FBI's New York Field Office, as well as the extraordinary work of FBI computer scientists from the Cyber Action Team. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI Washington Field Office, the CIA Office of General Counsel, and the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section for their assistance.

This case is being handled by the Office's National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W. Denton Jr., Michael D. Lockard, and Nicholas S. Bradley are in charge of the prosecution.

Contact

Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff

(212) 637-2600

Topic: National Security

Component: USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-040

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February 02, 2024

By By David Vergun , DOD News

DIA's Intelligence Mission Valuable for U.S., Ally Security, Says Hicks

The intelligence that Defense Intelligence Agency collects, analyzes and disseminates is indispensable to the Defense Department and the wider intelligence community, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

The department is "smarter and stronger, thanks to the hard work of DIA professionals, military and civilian, who work day and night around the world," said Hicks, who presided over a DIA change of director ceremony from Army Lt. Gen. Scott D. Berrier to Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Kruse, at Joint Base Andrews-Bolling, in Washington, D.C. today.

DOD relies on DIA and the entire defense intelligence enterprise for insights on all the challenges faced, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and violent extremist organizations. DIA also collects intelligence from borderless threats like pandemics and climate change, Hicks said.

Adapting to confront a decade's long strategic competition with China as the department's pacing challenge requires deliberate doubling down with confidence and urgency, recognizing that the DOD is in a persistent generational competition for advantage, she said, and "we have no time to waste."

To a greater extent today, intelligence sharing with allies and partners is important. It is especially true for supporting Ukraine, she said.

Regarding Berrier, Hicks said that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, said: "Through every assignment and deployment your analytical expertise protected American and allied warfighters and defended our national security interests. Your vision and measured leadership under pressure provided our country's leaders with decision advantage and made America safer."

Hicks said she's confident that Kruse will continue Berrier's good work.

Kruse's career has well prepared him for the task ahead, she added. He understands what it will take to continue to deter China's and Russia's aggression, and to deal with regional threats like North Korea or Iran, "because we're a global force with global responsibilities."

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Former CIA employee given 40-year term for giving secrets to WikiLeaks

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 4:32 PM

A former CIA software engineer tried for leaking the US spy agency's most valuable hacking tools to WikiLeaks has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The hefty sentence handed down to Joshua Schulte, 35, included "crimes of espionage, computer hacking, contempt of court, making false statements to the FBI, and child pornography," federal prosecutors said in a statement on Thursday.

They said the whistleblower was responsible for the CIA's largest data leak in its history.

In 2022, Schulte was found guilty of espionage and other charges in what the CIA referred to as the "digital Pearl Harbor" - in reference to a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in 1941.

"Schulte betrayed his country by committing some of the most brazen, heinous crimes of espionage in American history," Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte's security breaches while employed there."

The former CIA employee, who had studied at the University of Texas in Austin, worked in the agency's elite hacking unit from 2012 to 2016, when he quietly took cyber tools used to break into computer and technology systems, according to court documents. After quitting his job, Schulte sent them to WikiLeaks, which began publishing the classified data in March 2017.

"Schulte's theft and disclosure immediately and profoundly damaged the CIA's ability to collect foreign intelligence against America's adversaries; placed CIA personnel, programs, and assets directly at risk; and cost the CIA hundreds of millions of dollars," prosecutors said.

The data leaked by Schulte was comprised of malware, viruses, trojans, and "zero day" exploits that, once leaked out, were available for use by foreign intelligence groups, hackers and cyber extortionists around the world, prosecutors said.

After WikiLeaks began publishing the leaks, Schulte was quietly charged in September 2017 for the child pornography on his computer. The other charges related to the theft and transmission of national defense information were later added.

In 2020, a jury convicted Schulte on two lesser charges of lying and contempt of court, but it was hung on the other charges, and in 2022, a new jury convicted Schulte on eight counts under the Espionage Act and one count of obstruction. In 2023, Schulte was convicted for the child pornography charges.

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Iran Intelligence forces identify 'tens' of Mossad spies in 28 countries

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 11:33 AM

Iran's Intelligence Ministry says its forces have identified a significant number of spies linked to the Israeli Mossad spy agency in 28 countries across the world.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry announced what it described as the "largest combined intelligence and counter-intelligence operation" against the Israeli regime's espionage and security organizations.

The statement underlined that the "venturesome" operation was conducted in the form of a series of intelligence-counterintelligence, offensive-defensive actions, and through the use of various methods of intelligence gathering, which led to obtaining a "unique" and "unprecedented" collection of information.

"In addition to intelligence and security findings, obtaining special information related to some of the most important secret military facilities, weapons factories, and strategic civilian industries of the usurping Zionist regime is also among the achievements of the ministry's large and multi-stage operation," the statement added.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry stressed that the combined project resulted in spotting "tens of spies and terrorist elements" affiliated with the Israeli regime in 28 countries across the world and in three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Stopping short of naming the countries involved in the operation, the statement said, "A number of spies in Tehran and several provinces of the country" were identified and dealt with legally or kept under security surveillance. "Also, several Iranian spies residing abroad were identified."

Iran's Intelligence Ministry said the particulars of foreign spies active in countries with which the Islamic Republic maintains relations will be provided to their respective intelligence bodies for due measures, including punitive and intelligence.

Pointing to the background and records of the identified spies, the statement said some of them "voluntarily" cooperated with the Mossad and committed treason against their countries, adding that the Israeli agency "forced" them to carry out various treacherous operations against the interests of their respective countries.

The ministry also underlined that the Israeli regime tapped into various methods and abused social media platforms as well as immigration and job-seeking sites to identify and communicate with the victims.

The statement said investigation and obtaining further information regarding the spies would continue.

On Monday, four individuals convicted of working for the Israeli spy agency and plotting a bomb attack in the country's central province of Isfahan were executed in Iran.

In December last year, four main members of a sabotage team affiliated with Mossad were also executed in the northwestern Iranian province of West Azarbaijan after being convicted of acting against the country's security.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry has over the past years foiled numerous terrorist attacks by Mossad and its affiliated stooges against the country, also arresting and bringing to justice many terrorist members linked to Daesh and separatist outfits.

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Turkey arrests 34 people suspected of spying for Israel's Mossad

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 11:12 AM

Turkish authorities have detained 34 people on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities and planning abductions on behalf of the Israel's Mossad spy agency, security sources say.

Officials said Friday 57 addresses were raided in Istanbul and seven other provinces, resulting in the capture of the suspects, while they were still searching for 12 more suspects.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said authorities took action once they determined that Mossad was planning to execute "tactical tasks such as reconnaissance, pursuit, assault, and kidnapping against foreign nationals residing in our country".

Videos of some of the Turkish raids posted by Yerlikaya showed police bursting into people's flats, handcuffing suspects and escorting them towards police cars.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office conducted an inquiry which uncovered that nine individuals had sold information to Mossad via private investigators, Anadolu Agency said.

They were recruited to spy on Palestinians residing in Turkey as well as Israeli activists opposed to their regime, the news agency added.

Israeli officials contacted the suspects via social media, it said.

The report comes weeks after the head of Israel's domestic spy agency, Shin Bet, said in an audio recording that his organization was prepared to destroy Hamas "in every place," including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar.

"We will do this everywhere, in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Lebanon, in Turkey, in Qatar. It will take a few years but we will be there to do it," Shin Bet head Ronen Bar was quoted as saying.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier cautioned Israel saying that it would be "doomed to pay a heavy price" if it proceeded with its intention to target Hamas officials on Turkish territory.

Ankara just like Iran, but unlike the United Kingdom, United States, and European Union, does not identify Hamas as a terrorist organization. It calls them as "liberators who protect their land".

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Support units help NATO Soldiers prepare for potential deployment

By Troy Darr, U.S. Army NATO February 1, 2024

VALENCIA, Spain -- Dozens of U.S. Soldiers assigned to three NATO units headquartered in Spain and Portugal participated in Regulator Week Jan. 23-26 to ensure they meet all the Army's training, medical and administrative requirements.

"We are here in Valencia, Spain, for Regulator Week to make sure the NATO Soldiers here are ready whenever they're called upon," said Lt. Col. Ebrima F. M'Bai, Allied Forces South Battalion commander. "In a complex, dynamic and everchanging world, it is essential for the military to maintain a high level of readiness to ensure our folks are trained and equipped and when called upon they can rapidly deploy."

In the past, Allied Forces South Battalion brought Soldiers to Naples, Italy, for individual readiness training because all the facilities and capabilities were available in one place. Recently, the battalion has worked on increasing their capability to ensure Soldier readiness closer to their home stations.

"The reason we are doing this here in Valencia instead of Naples (Italy) is to test our own capability to provide our Soldiers with all the expertise they need rather than them coming to us," said M'Bai. "This is a proof of concept. We will see what the future looks like, and we will probably replicate this process through our other locations across our formation."

The training was a combined effort of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Allied Forces South Battalion, U.S. Army NATO Brigade, and NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Spain with assistance from the TRICARE Overseas Program.

"In coordination with the NRDC-Spain and the HHC leadership we were able to bring in all the expertise from legal to human resources to provide our Soldiers with the support they need to ensure a high level of readiness across their formations," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Asuncion, Allied Forces South Battalion.

The three units that received training during Regulator Week were the NATO Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Center of Excellence headquartered in Madrid, the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, and NRDC-Spain.

"I think that having Regulator Week here in Valencia was beneficial to us because it gave us a chance to pause our operations, what we normally do day-to-day, to focus on readiness, administrative tasks, things that we need to be in compliance with the Army that honestly tend to be put on the back burner here as we focus more on NATO tasks," said Lt. Col. Tim Martin, NRDC-Spain. "This was a great opportunity.

"Readiness is important because at any moment, especially with the situation globally, at any moment we could be called on to do missions outside of the Spain AO (area of operations)," said Martin. "And if that was the case, then we need to focus on having our own unit readiness and especially our family readiness in line, so we could focus on our NATO mission going forward."

For Master Sgt. Dewon Crumpton, C-IED COE, the training was especially valuable for the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the chaplain and other representatives who often provide resources online or telephonically.

"In addition to focusing on the Soldier Readiness Program processes and access to medical personnel for regular checkups, this week was a great opportunity to put faces to names of our various counterparts spread across multiple countries," said Crumpton.

Another advantage to Regulator Week is that the Soldiers have a few free hours each evening to enjoy the local culture and get to know each other in social settings.

U.S. Army NATO supports about 1,000 Soldiers assigned to NATO billets at 81 locations in 22 countries.

"The U.S. Army makes a difference in global security by initiating and maintaining strong alliances and partnerships," said Col. Troy V. Alexander, U.S. Army NATO Brigade commander. "The brigade's role is to conduct individual Soldier and Family training, logistics, human resources, and administrative agent support at NATO locations to ensure U.S. Soldiers are fully prepared to support NATO force structure units' commitment to defend every inch of allied territory."

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Director of Global Posture Policy visits APS-2 site to discuss infrastructure investment plans

By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer February 2, 2024

MANNHEIM, Germany -- Army Field Support Battalion-Mannheim hosted the director of Global Posture Policy from the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Mannheim, Jan. 29.

While at the APS-2 worksite, Dorothy Ohl received a firsthand visualization of what the future infrastructure at Coleman will look like and exactly what the infrastructure investment is buying. John Glasgow, the deputy to the commander for AFSBn-Mannheim, along with Herb Gately, the Coleman APS-2 worksite director, discussed the purpose and reasoning for the investment with Ohl.

Accompanying Ohl was Col. Robert Gleckler, the senior plans advisor for European Posture at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and several other representatives from various organizations and agencies.

Glasgow and Gately escorted the Office of the Secretary of Defense representatives around the APS-2 worksite on a combination windshield and walking tour, stopping at multiple site areas and facilities so that Ohl and Gleckler could see for themselves the current conditions and capabilities of the facilities and what the overall impacts of outdoor care of supplies in storage are in regard to costs and readiness.

Additional discussion points during the visit were what makes the Coleman worksite an important strategic location for the APS-2 program, what are the potential returns on investment, and whether the capital investment at the APS-2 worksite is in the best interest of the Army and U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Ohl, who holds a doctorate degree from George Washington University, previously served as the deputy director for Global Posture Policy for about 2.5 years. She was promoted to director at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in June of 2023. She was also a Middle East and Africa posture advisor and the Israel and Egypt country director.

Ohl graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston College in 2009, earning her bachelor of arts degree in Islamic civilization and societies. She then studied in Oman, Jordan, as a Fulbright Fellow, which is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world. Ohl earned her doctorate in political science from GWU in 2016, focusing on military cohesion, military effectiveness and social unrest.

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade's Mannheim Battalion, also known as AFSBn-Mannheim, is charged with receiving, maintaining, storing and issuing APS-2 at the Coleman APS-2 worksite, which is located on a former Army airfield. In August 2021, U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced that it will retain the Coleman worksite, which was previously scheduled to be returned to the German government.

As part of the 405th AFSB's regional alignment and transformation initiative, Army Field Support Battalion-Germany is set to assume mission command of the Coleman APS-2 worksite later this year, and AFSBn-Mannheim will redesignate to Army Field Support Battalion-Poland, move operations to Powidz, Poland, and assume mission command of the new Long Term Equipment Storage and Maintenance-Complex, there.

The 405th AFSB's APS-2 program provides turn-key power projection packages ready to deploy at a moment's notice while helping to reduce the amount of equipment needed from the deploying forces' home stations. APS-2 sites like Coleman help reduce deployment timelines, improve deterrence capabilities and provide additional combat power for contingency operations. APS-2 equipment may also be drawn for use in training and exercises.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command's materiel enterprise to support joint forces.

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Directors of Training Conference identifies focus areas of improvement, modernization for Army learning environment

By Sarah Hauck, The Army University Public Affairs Office February 2, 2024

THE ARMY UNIVERSITY, FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas -- The Army's perpetual pursuit of lethality requires constant adaptation to current operating systems and procedures.

The revolving door of modernization requires the most up-to-date and accurate training and education on the latest technologies, doctrine, equipment, and methods.

Training goes beyond instruction with Power Point and falls to the Army's Directors of Training (DOTs) and doctrine across the force's centers of excellence to ensure each piece of instruction delivered aids in the Soldier's ability to fight and win in a contested environment.

Keeping pace with policy and leader initiatives require training to be adaptive, nimble, and improve quickly. How DOTs can accomplish that without losing core lessons or falling behind was one topic discussed during the 2024 DOTs Conference hosted by the Combined Arms Center and The Army University Jan. 23-25, 2024, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Representatives from the CoE and Army schools gathered to share ideas on how to meet the high demand for flexible, but effective training and instruction for Soldiers across the Army, how to strengthen relationships to bolster these fast-pace changes and discuss actional plans to solve gaps they identified in the Army 2023 learning environment.

"The DOT Conference is a sleeves-up event. It's an opportunity to have all the right people in the room at once to really make some decisions and accomplish some things," Brig. Gen. David Foley, Provst, The Army University, said.

Through a series of working groups and panel discussions, the DOTs analyzed the structure of the DOT community for potential improvement, ways to strengthen collaboration across training and doctrine leads, and resource options and stressors to meet critical and shifting priorities.

Outcomes and potential plans of actions were presented to Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr., Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center (USACAC); Mr. Gregg Thompson, Deputy to the Commanding General, USACAC, and Mr. Michael Johnson, Deputy Provost, The Army University.

The 2024 DOT Conference was the first since 2019 due to the pandemic.

The event is usually held annually to assist DOTs and the Army Learning Environment community remain agile and aligned to provide critical training and education of an Army moving toward senior leadership priorities.

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February 2, 2024

Release

Readout of the Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons Site Visits to California and Arizona

Representatives from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Crane Division, and National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) visited three Microelectronics Commons Hubs in California and Arizona to connect with Hub leaders, members, and staff, and engage with local government leaders, Jan. 22-26.

As part of the implementation of the bipartisan "Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act" and President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the Microelectronics Commons (Commons) is already delivering benefits to the domestic microchip industry by closing gaps between federally funded research and commercial technology production as well as investing in the semiconductor workforce.

With $2 billion in funding from Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027, the Commons program aims to leverage these Hubs to accelerate domestic microelectronics hardware prototyping and for workforce development. The goal of the Commons is to connect regional organizations through Innovation Hubs to accelerate prototyping for technology that is vital to the Department of Defense (DoD), and to strengthen local economies through a workforce that supports those regions, complementing programs run by the Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation.

The California Defense Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub (California DREAMS) site visit on January 22nd included representatives from Boeing; Northrop Grumman; Raytheon Technologies; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, Irvine; the University of California, Santa Barbara; the University of Southern California (USC); the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, and other key stakeholders. Discussions focused on 5G/6G and electromagnetic warfare microelectronics, two focus areas that are critical for national security.

The Commons is accelerating cooperation and collaboration between industry, academia, and government, expediting project development by reducing set-up and coordination from one year to two to three weeks. To address future semiconductor workforce needs, California DREAMS is also spearheading a certification process to create national standards.

The California-Pacific-Northwest Artificial Intelligence Hardware Hub (Northwest-AI Hub) site visit on January 24th included representatives from Intel; Lockheed Martin; Raytheon Technologies; SI Catalyst; Synopsys; Arizona State University (ASU); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Purdue University; Stanford University; the University of California, Berkeley; and the University of California, Davis. Mayor of Fremont Lily Mei and representatives from the Offices of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor of San Jose Matt Mahan also attended. Discussions focused on microelectronics for artificial intelligence, and Hub leadership shared that they have assembled a board with three other Hubs (California DREAMS, Southwest Advanced Prototyping, and Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons) and the University of Texas at Austin to drive their shared mission to domestically produce cutting edge AI chips.

Northwest-AI is dedicating 20 percent of its budget to workforce development, which goes towards technician training, chip design classes, community college engagement, and K-12 engagement.

The Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub (SWAP) site visit on January 26th included representatives from Applied Materials, Cadence, Deca Technologies, Raytheon Technologies, Synopsys, ASU, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Office of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. Discussions focused on 5G/6G, AI Hardware, and Commercial Leap Ahead Technologies, as well as SWAP's representation and enablement of public-private partnerships. Hub leaders have already presented a detailed account of intellectual property and licensing obstacles and a plan to work through them, advancing rapid project development.

SWAP's plans to meet workforce development needs include leveraging ASU's alternative continuing education offerings to tailor learning pathways that could produce customizable curricula in the near future.

Current Hub efforts and resources are directed at establishing onshore capabilities to accelerate lab to fab transitions of microelectronics prototypes. OUSD(R&E) and NSWC - Crane Division look forward to reviewing the Fiscal Year 2024 Call for Projects (CFP) submissions, announced last December. This CFP will provide up to $280 million to projects focused on domestic prototyping and fabrication of microelectronics, with the goal of building a sustainable pipeline of domestically produced, state-of-the-art microelectronics for the United States and our military.

Readouts of the following Commons site visits are forthcoming:

30 January: Massachusetts, where the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative leads the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC)

1 February: New York, where The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (SUNY) on behalf of The SUNY Center for Economic Development leads the Northeast Regional Defense Tech Hub (NORDTECH)

5 February: North Carolina, where North Carolina State leads the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide-bandgap Semiconductors Hub (CLAWS)

7 February: Ohio, where the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium leads the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium Hub (MMEC)

9 February: Indiana, where the Applied Research Institute leads the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub (SCMC)

For more information, please visit the Commons website: MicroelectronicsCommons.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Office of the Secretary of Defense

CDR Timothy Gorman

Spokesperson

Timothy.p.gorman6.mil@mail.mil

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering

Mr. Jason Lapadula

Director of Strategic Communications

daniel.j.lapadula.civ@mail.mil

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3665156/

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February 2, 2024

Speech

Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Change of Directorship (As Delivered)

Good morning everyone. Good morning to Director Haines, Lieutenant General Berrier, Lieutenant General Kruse; many distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic community, family, and friends of DIA; and finally, to the people of the Defense Intelligence Agency: thank you all for joining us.

It's great for me to be back at DIA. As I said the last time I was here, the intelligence you collect, analyze, and disseminate is indispensable, and a vital tool that Secretary Austin and I use every day.

The Defense Department is smarter and stronger thanks to the hard work of DIA's professionals, military and civilian, who work day and night, around the world. And please, join me in a round of applause for this workforce. (Applause.)

We rely on DIA, and the entire defense intelligence enterprise, for insights on all the challenges we face:

from the People's Republic of China, which is today America's most consequential strategic competitor on the global stage;

from Russia, which presents an acute threat to the international system, as illustrated by its ongoing cruel war of choice against Ukraine;

from persistent regional threats, like North Korea, Iran, and violent extremist organizations;

and from borderless threats, like pandemics and climate change.

Most of these are areas DIA has focused on for a long time. But over the last three-plus years, this entire agency and its leadership has made a concerted effort to better posture DIA for enduring strategic competition with the PRC. That's been a good thing, because it's what the nation and our military need.

And I know it isn't easy to reorient an agency like DIA, with its over 16,000 personnel. There are many obstacles to overcome  operational and organizational.

For example, our competitors have increasingly shut off their own people and the world from the free flow of information, making them what you in the intel community would call denied territory. That requires shifting our approach and mindset. Even as we shouldn't forget lessons learned over the last 20-plus years, it's also true that collection and analytic techniques for understanding a closed society  like the Soviet Union was  are becoming more applicable again.

There's also the workforce dynamic of combining "old hands" with "new blood"  the challenge of learning from longtime subject-matter experts, while benefitting from new perspectives. Bringing the two together can be transformational, but it requires active management, mutual respect, and leadership at all levels.

In many ways, adapting to confront a decades-long strategic competition, with the PRC as our pacing challenge, requires deliberate disruption and discomfort  not unlike the pendulum swing toward counter-terrorism that the national security community experienced after 9/11.

It requires doubling down with confidence and urgency  recognizing that we're in a persistent, generational competition for advantage, and we have no time to waste doing more of the same.

It also requires sharing more, and partnering more  as DIA has done to great effect in recent years, operationalizing intelligence to provide crisis-support for Ukraine since Russia began its latest invasion two years ago this month. And as you know, we can't surge trust, which makes it so important to strengthen collaboration with all of our allies and partners  early and often.

For over three years, the DIA team has done just this under the leadership of one of our most experienced military intelligence professionals: Lieutenant General Scotty Berrier.

Before I go on, I want to share a few words about Scotty from Secretary Austin. Here's what he had to say: "Through every assignment and deployment, your analytical expertise protected American and allied warfighters and defended our national security interests. ... Your vision and measured leadership under pressure provided our country's leaders with decision advantage and made America safer."

The Secretary of Defense is speaking from the heart here, based on years of working with Scotty, going back more than two decades  from the 10th Mountain Division, to U.S. Central Command, to here at DIA  and notably as his former CO.

Scotty's career began during our nation's last period of strategic competition  and he rose through the ranks amid the transformation and turmoil of the post-Cold War and post-9/11 eras.

Those experiences gave him a unique perspective that shaped his leadership of DIA in this new era of strategic competition. It's a perspective we must maintain: knowing that even as we focus on the pacing challenge, there are many threats out there. We need strong I&W in every region of the world. We can and will leave no stone unturned as we defend America and her interests.

Scotty, your time leading DIA caps off almost 40 years of outstanding service in the U.S. Army  during which you commanded intel formations from the company-size to this agency. You served as the "2" at all levels  battalion and brigade S-2; division, corps, and Army G-2; and J-2 for U.S. and allied forces in Korea, Afghanistan, and at CENTCOM.

And through it all, you've had the support of your wife, Annie: over 25-plus moves, and eight deployments, since your Army journey began together up at Alaska's Fort Richardson so many years ago.

I'm told that Annie, a dedicated equestrienne, even joined in the soldiering at times  like at Fort Huachuca, where she rode with B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial), a ceremonial unit that keeps alive the 150-year-old heritage of the U.S. Army in the Southwest.

Together, you've raised two sons who've continued your commitment to public service. Cole served on Capitol Hill, in the office of Senator Brian Schatz. And Connor  or, as the Defense Department calls him, Lieutenant Commander Berrier  is an active-duty naval officer.

Like all military spouses, Annie has served and sacrificed. So have Cole and Connor, and their wives Mika and Amanda. To them, to Scotty's grandkids Jack  who is really enjoying that lollipop, I have say. Excellent. (Laughter.) And Maeve, and to the whole Berrier family that's supported him throughout his career: America thanks you.

And Scotty, we're also grateful to you  and Annie  that you delayed your well-deserved retirement until your relief could get in place.

The fact is, last year's unnecessary hold on general and flag officer confirmations had a real impact on leaders and their families  and DoD continues to repair the damage caused by its cascading effects.

While we hope the worst is now behind us, make no mistake: that must never happen again.

The good news is, today  even though it is Groundhog Day  Scotty's relief is here. (Laughter.) And as DIA's colors pass to Lieutenant General Jeff Kruse, we know he'll keep up the great work.

Like Scotty, Jeff was an intelligence officer from his first assignment after commissioning out of ROTC. After his junior year in college, he stayed on campus to recruit new freshmen into ROTC. It's unclear how many he recruited, though, because that was also when Jeff met Susie, and ended up engaged. (Laughter.) "A truly great summer," he later recalled. And we're grateful for Susie's service and sacrifice ever since.

Spanning nearly three-and-a-half decades, Jeff's career has well prepared him for this moment.

From being the INDOPACOM J2: he deeply understands what it will take to continue deterring PRC aggression  and also why we can't take our eye off regional threats, like North Korea, or Iran. Because we're a global force, with global responsibilities, we must always be ready for anything.

From being the Pentagon's Director of Defense Intelligence for Warfighter Support, and the first yearlong embedded J2 of the counter-ISIS campaign: he knows what it means to get your clients the actionable intelligence they need to accomplish their missions.

From his nearly-10-years-long serving in continuous joint assignments  since 2014, his entire time as a general officer; leading DIA will be his sixth joint assignment in a row: Jeff knows the value of bringing together intelligence from across the services, across domains, across the "INTS," to meet the strategic and operational needs of America's joint force.

And, as Director Haines noted, he knows from serving at ODNI why it's so vital that DoD and the IC keep working well together.

Now, I will assess  with more than moderate confidence  that today that partnership is pretty great, thanks to the many leaders in this room.

But, if anyone thinks they can take our collaboration to even higher heights, chances are it's an Air Force general. (Laughter.) (Applause.)

In all seriousness, we welcome that. And Jeff is more than ready to continue strengthening the DoD-IC relationship.

He'll be served well by the steady hand and the sense of humor that Director Haines mentioned. And all of DIA will be, too.

Jeff, as you and your fellow intel professionals know well  even if it's not said nearly enough  intelligence isn't just a product; it's a relationship. You've got to be proactive on behalf of your clients, trust your people, and inspire them to meet the moment. And I have high confidence that you will.

So to Jeff, and Susie: welcome to an exciting new adventure.

And to Scotty, and Annie: thank you for everything you've done  for DIA, for the Army, and for America. We wish you both and your family the best.

Thank you. (Applause.)

https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/3665665/

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February 2, 2024

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

U.S. Strikes Targets in Iraq and Syria in Response to Deadly Drone Attack

U.S. forces conducted a series of strikes today against Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq and Syria in response to last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers.

The strikes, which were carried out by U.S. Central Command forces, included more than 85 targets across seven facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.

Those targets included command and control centers, intelligence facilities and weapons storage facilities used by the Iran-backed militias to attack U.S. and coalition forces.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the strikes were the first in a series of actions by the U.S. in response to the attack in Jordan.

"Our response began today," he said. "It will continue at times and places of our choosing."

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world," he said. "But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III echoed the president's resolve to hold the Iran-backed groups accountable.

"This is the start of our response," Austin said.

"The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces," he said. "These will unfold at times and places of our choosing."

He added that, while the U.S. does not seek conflict in the region, "the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces."

Today's strikes were announced just hours after Biden and Austin attended the dignified transfer in Dover, Delaware, of the remains of the three soldiers killed in last weekend's attack  Army Sgts. William J. Rivers, Kennedy L. Sanders and Breonna A. Moffett.

National security officials said the facilities targeted in today's strikes were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and were based on clear evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel.

"The Department of Defense is in the early stages of battle damage assessment, but we believe that the strikes were successful," said John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, during a briefing following the strikes.

Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, director of operations for the Joint Staff, said today's strikes employed multiple aircraft, including B-1 Lancers that flew from bases in the U.S.

"This has been in the planning since we were asked to look at it," Sims said, adding that weather played a factor in the timing of the strikes.

"Good weather presented itself today and, as a result, this took place," he said.

Kirby said the president was kept informed throughout the afternoon.

"As President Biden has made clear, we will not hesitate to defend our people and hold responsible all those who harm Americans at a time and place of our choosing," Kirby said. "That began tonightbut it will not end tonight."

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Guatemala: Council sanctions an additional five individuals for undermining democracy and the rule of law

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

2 February 2024

The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures against five individuals for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.

The listings include the Attorney General of Guatemala, Maria Consuelo Porras Argueta De Porres and three other officials at the Guatemalan Public Prosecutor's Office - Secretary General Angel Arnoldo Pineda Avila, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity Jose Rafael Curruchiche Cucul and prosecutor Leonor Eugenia Morales Lazo De Sanchez - as well as judge Fredy Raul Orellana Letona.

Those targeted are responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.

The listed individuals are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. The individuals are also subject to a travel restriction, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

Today's decision follows the adoption, on 12 January 2024, of a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in support of democracy and a peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Guatemala. The framework was adopted ahead of the inauguration of democratically elected President Bernardo Arevalo on 14 January 2024, attended by the High Representative Josep Borrell.

"When I travelled to Guatemala City, I did so knowing that the presence of numerous international guests would not only send a strong message of support to democracy in Guatemala, but also a strong signal to obstructionists that circumventing democratic processes would not be tolerated by the international community. The EU stands ready to take further steps to hold those responsible accountable.

- Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The EU remains fully committed to support democracy in Guatemala and stands ready to work closely together with the new government of President Bernardo Arevalo on key issues of mutual interest such as to strengthen the rule of law, enhance sustainable and inclusive economic development and promote social justice to the benefit of the Guatemalan population.

Background

The sanctions regime in respect of Guatemala was established on 12 January 2024, to hold accountable those obstructing a democratic transition following the 2023 general elections, which resulted in a clear victory of President Bernardo Arevalo, as attested by the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Guatemala.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell attended the inauguration of President Bernardo Arevalo in January 2024.

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EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference

European External Action Service (EEAS)

02.02.2024

Brussels, 02/02/2024

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

You have already heard my interventions I suppose, so I am not going to repeat what I said in the plenaries.

Just to stress the importance that 70 delegations from Europe and the Indo-Pacific have been gathering here.

And I want to express my gratitude to the Belgian Presidency [of the Council of the EU] and Her Highness Princess Astrid for her presence.

The fact that 70 delegations have come to Brussels shows the deep connections that bind Europe with the Indo-Pacific, from many points of view. From the economic [point of view] certainly, but also the geopolitical, security and environmental [points of view].

We have been discussing about all these topics.

Let me also stress why the Indo-Pacific region is so important for the European Union. You know, but it is good because people maybe do not know that every day 2,000 ships transport goods between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

This is [approximately] 60% of global maritime trade [by] volume.

We import from the Indo-Pacific region almost 40% of everything we import. 40% [of EU imports] comes from the Indo-Pacific, and we export there one out of four euros of our exports - 25%.

And it is a very dynamic region. Last year, the Indo-Pacific region contributed with two thirds [67.4%] of the global growth.

The dynamic of the whole economy is certainly depending on what is happening there. Two thirds of the global growth came from the Indo-Pacific. It shows how interconnected we are. But not only economically but also from the geopolitical and security points of view, we are interlinked.

The pandemic showed that the shocks come from one region to the other.

Also, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has been sending shockwaves around the world. And now the Red Sea situation is another epicentre of the crises that affect all of us.

We have to continue working on ensuring a shared prosperity, a green transition and address the security challenges.

I think the European Union has a lot to offer. We are a transparent and reliable partner. We have [achieved] a lot of successes since the Indo-Pacific Strategy was launched in 2021. [I am] happy that I was able to finish this strategy which will be part of the [legacy] of the High Representative in this term.

We have been building a strong network of Free Trade Agreements - with Japan, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, recently with New Zealand - and also an Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya, because Kenya is also part of the Indo-Pacific region. It is in Africa, but the Indo-Pacific goes to the coast of Africa - Somalia, Kenya, Mozambique.

These agreements are opportunities for new trade and investment. They diversify and integrate our supply [and] value chains, and we have to continue working on that.

With these partners, and with India, we are working on cutting edge-technologies: semiconductors, 5G/6G connectivity, regulation of Artificial Intelligence.

Needless to say, how important is climate change.

The Indo-Pacific is responsible for about 60% of global gas emissions, and adapting and mitigating is the paramount importance.

Some States of the Indo-Pacific said clearly that they have little or no responsibility for climate change and on the contrary, they are among the most severely affected. And that is true: we have here countries that have never participated in the industrial revolution so, they are not responsible at all for the [past] emissions and the climate accidents are having strong devastating effects against them.

It puts on the table the issue of the 'just transition'. And we do a lot in order to make this transition 'just'.

We want to support some of these members of the Indo-Pacific area to develop a Green Alliance. We built one with Japan and Korea. We contributed with 500 million to support Vietnam's energy transition. Same thing for renewable energy projects in Bangladesh.

This is more or less what we have been discussing. [Then], we went to the pressing issue of the security at sea.

We discussed the mission in the Red Sea [that we are establishing] - ASPIDES - to protect merchant vessels.

Right after this meeting, I will co-chair the EU-ASEAN Ministerial meeting together with the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo, who was with us this morning.

Let me say something about ASEAN. ASEAN is part of the Indo-Pacific, it is at the epicentre of the region. We want to upgrade our relations.

In 2020, we upgraded the relations to the level of Strategic Partners.

In 2022, we held the [EU-ASEAN] Commemorative Summit, and today's Ministerial meeting marks another milestone.

Thank you to our partners from the Pacific for being here. Yesterday, we held the "Pacific Day" hosted at the European Parliament.

We signed recently the 'Samoa Agreement' and the EU-Pacific Regional Protocol. So, there is a great political dynamism and today's meetings and tomorrow's meeting starting tonight will be a proof of this dynamism for the good of the two regions.

Q&A

Q. This year, several countries downgraded their participation. We saw junior ministers or ambassadors instead of ministers, including for example EU heavy weights France and Germany. Do you think that cooperation is getting more difficult, particularly in light of geopolitical challenges and divisions. Are you hopeful for cooperation in the future? Do you think that it is getting more difficult particularly on divisions on Gaza?

Yes, the participation at the ministerial level - what can I say - changes every day. Look, for example, the ministers [for Foreign Affairs] of Germany and France were not here today. Does it mean something? Does it mean that the European Union is less interested this year than last year because Germany and France are not being represented at the level the ministers? Certainly not. They have other things to do, more pressing and urgent responsibilities. The Minister [for Foreign Affairs of] Singapore [Vivian Balakrishnan] was going to be here and at the last minute, he had to cancel his travel because he [was] ill. You know, the political agenda is so complicated that you can never foresee who will be able to attend or not. I could not expect that France and Germany would not be here today. Am I blaming them? No, I understand. They have to be in the Parliament, they have to be in the Ministries, there have been changes in government. The same thing happens to the Indo-Pacific countries so, do not look for strange explanations. If they are not here, it is because they could not be here. And I have to apologise to them [Indo-Pacific states] for the fact that not all European ministers are here, but I do not see that it represents any kind of different approach or willingness to show any kind of feeling. Life is life, people have agendas and not everybody can be everywhere at the same time.

Q. When the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum was started two years ago in Paris, security was already listed as a big topic. Two years down the road, do you see more or less security cooperation in the region when Europe is so busily focused with Ukraine and now the Middle East? What more fresh security commitments are you offering your Indo-Pacific partners today?

No, I do not see less cooperation on security. On the contrary, during these years, we have been forging agreements on security. We have been forging new partnerships with them. We want to be present in these waters. Certainly, we do not have a fleet to deploy but we have a Coordinated Maritime Presence. And with everybody in the region, we have been working on security issues. And I plan - I hope - to be able to go to the region in order to sign agreements on security partnerships with some of these countries. Yes, we, Europeans are very much busy with the wars in our neighbourhood, but we understand well that the South China Sea will be one of the hotspots of the world. In fact, there are three hotspots in the world today: Black Sea, Red Sea and South China Sea. We are focusing on the Black Sea and the Red Sea because it is closer, but we are very much aware of the boiling situation that the South China Sea is and we consider that one of the centres of attention for our security policy. And I hope to be able to travel to the region before the end of my mandate to sign agreements with some of these countries on security.

Q. You have talked about the issues raised by your partners on climate. Have your partners raised questions about the protests that are happening here in Brussels, in France, in Germany. Do they question the European Union's ability and willingness to deliver on its climate objectives?

Well, I suppose they have noticed that the ambiance in Brussels was a little bit troubled due to the important demonstrations that have been taking place. I suppose they noticed physically because everybody has been impacted [in terms of] logistics by these events. And well, to tell the truth, I personally have not discussed about it with them but certainly, they should be aware that in Europe, as everywhere, the policies that we have to implement have to be fine-tuned in order to take care of the consequences for different economic and social actors. That is what we have to do. What I said is that the green transition in general is a matter of justice - inside the societies and between countries. Because it puts important questions about how people have to support [and] are affected by the consequences of climate [change] and by the policies that we have to implement to fight against climate change. And this puts the clear question of justice among generations, among people, among countries. Not everybody has the same responsibility, not everybody is being affected in the same way - different layers of revenues in different societies are being affected in a different manner. That is why we have to fine-tune our policies, because the green transition will be 'just' or it will not happen because it will be rejected. And this is a permanent process of recalibrating - but it is not my portfolio. It is not my portfolio, I am sure the [European] Commission, my colleagues, will take care of that.

Q. In this morning remarks, the Indonesian Foreign Minister [Retno Marsudi] critique of the EU's positions on Gaza. In the doorsteps, the Sri Lankan Minister [for Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry] accused the EU of double standards. Can you tell us how these were discussed behind closed doors? What message were you receiving? How do you react to those accusations?

You know, it is not the first time that I receive this kind of considerations. In fact, every time I have a meeting with our international partners, be it with Latin Americans, be it with Africans, with the [ASEAN] [or] Indo-Pacific [states], this is a permanent issue. The war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza are being perceived in different manners around the world. And certainly, the blame is there. The first thing I have to explain is that the European Union does not have a unified position. We have a minimum common position which is "humanitarian pauses" and humanitarian support, and release of hostages. This is the minimum common position. But they are aware that, when we vote at the United Nations, some Member States vote in favour of the ceasefire - at the first vote, they were 8, at the second vote, they were 17 I think. Others voted against - in the last vote, two voted against - and others abstained. My role is to try to put together different approaches. If there [were to be] double standards, I can say that there are different positions to start with - what is the standard? The one that is represented by some Member States who are strongly pushing for a ceasefire in the United Nations or the others that do not share this view. I represent a common minimum denominator of the European Union and try to push for a position that takes into account the perceptions of the others. Yesterday, I think that at the European Council, I had the opportunity to explain that the perception around the world is in some cases different from ours. They perceive things in a different manner. We have to explain first [that] before the war, we already were big supporters of the Palestinian Authority, and now we do our best in order to alleviate the human suffering of [the people in] Gaza. But I think that the European Union has to continue debating its position. At the next European Council, I am sure there will be a deeper debate about that, and I will transmit, to the heads of states and governments, this perception. And it is good to have this kind of meetings, it is good to understand how the others perceive us. And this is something that makes sense, and that is why we gather, to tell each other what we disagree or on how we perceive each other's position. It is good to know, and it has to be taken into consideration.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-251627

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ASEAN: Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

European External Action Service (EEAS)

02.02.2024

Brussels

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Dear colleagues, Excellencies,

This is the 24th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, we have a lot of history behind us. And I am very happy to welcome you at this meeting that will be co-chaired by Secretary [of Foreign Affairs of Philippines, Enrique] Manalo and myself.

It is a year after the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, and today, this meeting marks a significant milestone in our relations - Europe and Southeast Asia. Everybody knows - everybody knows is a song, no? - how important, how crucial your region is for our prosperity and security.

Last year's Summit already underscored our shared commitment to foster our ties.

Crucial commitments were made by our Leaders, including the pledge by the European Union to mobilise 10 billion for connectivity projects in ASEAN through our Global Gateway initiative.

Today, we are translating commitments into actions by reviewing the implementation of these Leaders' decisions and agreeing on next steps.

We can say that both, we are global leaders, regional leaders - European Union and ASEAN. We are leaders in regional integration, we are leaders in championing multilateralism, we are leaders in defending international law.

As the European Union, we are certainly looking forward to deepening our partnership even further. Let us hope that our common declaration that, I hope we can agree by the end of our meeting, will represent this common commitment, taking into account the different approaches and several questions that have to be also taken into consideration also in order to understand each other.

Now, I pass the floor to Secretary Manalo, who will continue chairing the meeting.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-251628

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U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

Conference discussions centered on the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and wide-ranging considerations to implement and execute NATO's regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command Stuttgart, Germany Feb 02, 2024

Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in the U.S. European Command Strategy Conference and Workshop to discuss security in Ramstein, Germany, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2024.

In his keynote address, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of USEUCOM and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, highlighted the strength of the NATO Alliance and the command's commitment to collective defense.

"The Alliance continues to exhibit unprecedented cohesion, focus and determination during its transformation to conduct large-scale, theater-wide deterrence and defensive operations," said Cavoli. "USEUCOM stands resolutely with the Alliance, committed to supporting its modernized system of collective defense every step of the way."

The week-long conference included two days of plenary sessions under the theme, "Unite, Adapt and Protect." During the forum, leaders from NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense and USEUCOM discussed the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and wide-ranging considerations to implement and execute NATO's regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

"This event was an opportunity for representatives from multiple nations to discuss strategies and initiatives to enhance capabilities within the NATO Alliance," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, USEUCOM's director of strategy, plans and policy. "By bringing together experts and decision-makers from across the Alliance, we solidify our impactful partnerships and develop practical solutions and strategies to promote peace and stability."

In addition to Cavoli's keynote address, plenary sessions were led by: U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander; NATO Military Committee Chair, Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer; NATO Defence Policy and Planning Assistant Secretary General, Angus Lapsley; and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.K. Navy Adm. Keith Edward Blount.

Additional panel discussions and workshops throughout the week centered on the continued defense and deterrence of the Euro-Atlantic, NATO's role in the 21st century and strategic planning for the year ahead.

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Norway and USA agree on additional agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 02/02/2024

Today, Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram and U.S. ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, signed an amendment agreement under the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA). The agreement declares intent to establish eight additional agreed facilities and areas in Norway. Pending the consent of the Norwegian Parliament, these sites can be used by Norway, the United States and other allied forces for a number of military purposes. The signing contributes to a further development of the SDCA, which the Norwegian parliament agreed to in June 2022.

- In today's security environment, we must continue to strengthen the relationship with our allies. It is important for our security and for the entire Nordic region. The United States is our closest ally, and the bilateral cooperation between our two countries has developed over more than 75 years. The security challenges and the operational requirements are greater and more serious now, compared to when the SDCA was negotiated in 2021. More agreed facilities and areas in Norway will also have a positive effect in a Nordic context, says Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram.

The proposed new agreed facilities and areas are Andya air station and airfield, rland air station and airfield, Haakonsvern naval station, Vrnes garrison, air station and air field, Bardufoss air station and airfield, Setermoen garrison with firing range and exercise area, Osmarka cave complex and Namsen fuel terminal. Together with the pre-existing agreed facilities and areas in Norway, the air stations Rygge, Evenes and Sola, as well as Ramsund naval station, this could entail a total number of twelve agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA.

In December 2023, Sweden, Denmark and Finland signed bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreements (DCAs) with the United States. The agreements, which have not yet entered into force, provide for the creation of 17 agreed facilities and areas in Sweden, 15 in Finland and three in Denmark. These DCAs are built on the same structure as the SDCA.

- This implies great potential for even stronger Nordic defence cooperation. This will strengthen Norway, the Nordic countries and NATO, says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The signed agreement will be subject to a public comment period, before it is submitted to Parliament.

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US, UK carry out fresh strikes on Yemen

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 2, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and Britain have conducted a fresh round of air strikes on different areas of Yemen's Hajjah Province, according to local media.

A statement posted on the official website of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement said on Friday that the US-UK jointly carried out attacks on the north-western Yemeni province.

In four separate attacks, warplanes of a recently formed US-led coalition bombed the city of Abas in Hajjah Province, a Yemeni intelligence official said.

The official stressed, however that the aggression on Yemen will not go unpunished.

Aerial strikes were launched hours after the Yemeni army reported that it hit a British vessel off the country's west coast.

Meanwhile, millions of Yemenis have hit the streets of the capital Sana'a once again to express solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and denounce the US-led aggression against their country.

Al-Masirah TV reported on Friday that the Yemeni protesters with their presence in millions once more emphasized their steadfast, principled, moral and religious stances toward Palestinians who have been facing massacre and genocide the occupying Zionist regime.

The protesters chanted slogans in support for Gaza while denouncing the killing of innocent civilians there.

They also condemned the US-UK aggression against Yemenis for standing by the Palestinian people and imposing a maritime blockade on the Israeli regime.

Similar rallies were also held in different parts of Sa'ada Province.

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'Awakened conscience to judge' UNRWA funding suspension: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 2, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has reacted to a recent suspension of funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by certain countries, noting that "the awakened consciences will judge".

Nasser Kanaani said the UNRWA aid suspension comes at a time Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been experiencing the most difficult conditions.

Kanaani on his personal social media page also said that the funding was cut only because of the accusations leveled by the Zionist regime against several UNRWA employees.

He cited UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini who said on Thursday that "if the funding remains suspended, we will most likely be forced to shut down our operations by the end of February not only in Gaza but also across the region."

According to the official news published by the UNRWA, a significant number of countries have withdrawn their aid only because of the unfounded Israeli claim that a number of UNRWA employees assisted the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in the October 7 Al-Aqsa Storm Operation.

Kanaani likened the finding cut to a bitter and painful humor, saying the Zionist regime has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians in 120 days, injured tens of thousands and made more than 80% of Gaza residentshomeless and displaced, contrary to the request of the UN Security Council and the interim order of the International Court of Justice.

The Iranian spokesman called it ironic that none of these countries, apart from expressing concerns and ineffective political drama, have continued their relations with the Zionist regime and even sending their military, and financial aid to the regime.

"Awakened conscience will judge those countries that simply over the allegation against several UNRWA employees by the regime that itself is accused of genocide of Palestinians, have stopped their aid to this agency", he underlined.

The United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Finland, and the Netherlands are among western countries that have stopped funding to UNRWA, that agency assisting over 5 million Palestinians across the region since 1949, just months after the creation of Zionist entity on the occupied Palestinian land.

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Yemeni army hits British vessel amid tensions with US, UK

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 2, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni army has carried out yet another attack in the Red Sea, this time targeting a British vessel amid tensions over the UK-US joint aggression against the Arab country to protect Israeli maritime interests in the region.

A Yemeni military source has been quoted by Al Jazeera that the British vessel was en route to an Israeli port in the occupied Palestinian territories when it was hit by Yemeni missiles on Thursday night.

The spokesman for Yemen's Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree has confirmed the attack, noting that the strike on the vessel was part of the country's support for the Palestinian people in Gaza who have been under unprecedented bloody aggression by the Zionist regime nearly the four months.

Yemen says it will keep targeting any Zionist or Zionist-linked vessels in the Red Sea as long as the war in Gaza continues and the besieged territory remains under the blockade.

The Yemeni army has conducted over two dozen attacks on Israeli-linked commercial vessels in the Ted and Arab Seas since mid-November.

Even the US-British strikes against Yemen over the past couple of weeks have failed to stop the Yemeni maritime campaign against the Zionist regime.

On Wednesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it shot down Yemeni drones and their command centers, also claiming that American forces destroyed "a Yemeni suicide boat in the Red Sea".

Meanwhile, a top official of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement said his country is prepared to confront with American and British forces.

Ali al-Qahoum was quoted by Russia's Sputnik news agency as saying that the US and the UK despite their attacks, have failed to protect Israeli interests in the Red Sea.

"As America and Britain are supporting the Israeli regime, we are witnessing desperate efforts by the Yemeni government and people for their calls to keep supporting Palestine", al-Qahoum added.

He also warned the US and the UK that they would face the consequences of their aggression against the Yemeni nation and the support for the Zionist regime.

Following a UN Security Council resolution on the Red Sea last month, the United States and the United Kingdom began attacking the positions of the Yemeni army and Ansarullah inside Yemen despite criticism from many countries that such attacks are in violation of international laws and the UN charter.

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Ending Israeli crimes only way to restore stability to West Asia: Iran FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 2, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the only way for stability to return to the West Asia region is to put an end to the Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Amirabdollahian made the remarks in a phone conversation on Thursday with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

In the phone call, Amirabdollahian and Borrell discussed the latest issues in Iran-EU relations as well as regional and international developments.

The Iranian minister reiterated in the conversation that a recent decision by the United States and Britain to attack Yemen had escalated the situation in the region.

He said the root cause of the current crisis in the West Asia region is the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Amirabdollahian hailed the positive role played by Borrell in regional and international issues and welcomed efforts to resolve differences between Iran and the EU countries through constructive dialogue.

For his part, Borrell elaborated on the role that can be played by Iran for restoring stability to the region as he expressed concern about the recent escalation in the Red Sea region.

He also ensured Amirabdollahian that EU's decision to form a maritime coalition will be aimed at protecting European commercial ships sailing in the region and will not target any country.

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The Foreign Ministry calls for evaluation of involvement in Latvian enterprises of foreign citizens supporting Russian aggression

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

02.02.2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approached line ministries and public authorities with a call for providing proposals for further strengthening of the European Union sanctions against Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites them to assess whether citizens of Russia, Belarus or other third countries who directly or indirectly support the Russian aggression against Ukraine or may be associated with Russia's state institutions are present in the management structures of significant Latvian companies and organisations. If such persons and their links to the aggression by the Putin regime are identified, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will propose that they be subject to the European Union's restrictive measures.

"Since 24 February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the responsible authorities of Latvia have consistently worked to identify and prevent cases of the Russian or other third-country citizens connected to Putin's regime and its aggression against Ukraine operating in Latvia. This is an ongoing effort and in order to accomplish that, we have approached the line ministries with a request to assess whether third-country citizens who support the Putin regime and its aggression against Ukraine are holding high-ranking positions in important Latvian companies," says the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krisjanis Karins.

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The Foreign Minister: strong unity and cooperation is needed in security matters

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

02.02.2024

On 1 and 2 February 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krisjanis Karins, took part in the Third European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the 24th Ministerial Meeting of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Brussels, Belgium. For the EU, the Ministerial Meeting was chaired by Joseph Borell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and for the ASEAN, Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Afairs of the Philippines, the ASEAN country coordinator.

In his address to the participants of the EU Indo-Pacific Forum, Krisjanis Karins, underlined that Europe and the Indo-pacific region were equally affected by current global challenges - climate change, maritime security, energy and food security, and hybrid threat. The strengthening of a rules-based international order has a major role to play in addressing them. The Foreign Minister emphasized Latvia's interest in cooperation with partners in the region to reinforce economic security and resilience to hybrid threat.

At the EU-ASAEAN meeting, the ministers discussed the plans for future cooperation, which is based on respect for international law thereby promoting peace, stability and prosperity in both Europe and Southeast Asia. Those present demonstrated their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. Ministers also expressed confidence in the importance of peace, security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in compliance with international law.

Addressing the participants, the Latvian Foreign Minister underlined the importance of economic cooperation, which is in the interests of both the EU and ASEAN.

"We are interested in diversifying trade and investment flows to strengthen supply chain security and the overall economic security," Krisjanis Karins emphasized.

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Israeli enemy in crosshairs: Yemen fires ballistic missiles against Eilat

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 9:35 PM

Yemen's Armed Forces have carried out a ballistic missile strike against the city of Eilat in the southern part of the occupied Palestinian territories in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal Israeli war.

The forces announced the strike in a statement on Friday.

"The missile force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation against specific targets of the Israeli enemy in the Umm Al-Rashrash (Eilat) area with several ballistic missiles," the statement read.

For over a month now, the Yemeni military has been conducting many strikes against Israeli targets, including those lying across the occupied territories and Israeli vessels.

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.

More than 27,100 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have died in the war so far.

According to the statement, the forces considered the anti-Israeli operations to be rooted in "their religious, ethical, and humanitarian duties towards the oppressed Palestinian people," and a response to "the calls of our the free Yemeni people and all the free people of our Arab and Islamic nation."

"The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to carry out more military operations against the Zionist enemy on land and sea until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted."

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Iran censures West for 'bitter' defunding of UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 6:03 PM

Iran has once again denounced a "bitter" move by certain Western countries in suspending the funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main lifeline for the Palestinian refugees.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana'ani said it is a "painful irony" that those countries cut their aid to UNRWA following unfounded allegations leveled by a regime widely accused of genocide in Gaza.

He said the "awakened conscience" of the world will judge the decision those countries made at a time when the Palestinians are going through terribly tough circumstances.

Israel's unproven claim is that some of the UNRWA employees were involved in Operation Al-Aqsa Storm of October 7, 2023 conducted by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. Israel has killed nearly 27,000 people in Gaza ever since.

The Iranian official said Israel prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, which stands contrary to a UN Security Council resolution and an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He also criticized hollow expressions of concern by certain countries about the genocidal campaign in Gaza and their lack of will to limit diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime. Some of these countries are even providing the regime with military assistance, the Iranian spokesman said.

In a joint statement, 28 aid NGOs have voiced deep concern over the decision by the United States, Britain and some other countries in cutting the UNRWA funding.

"The suspension of funding by donor states will impact life-saving assistance for over two million civilians, over half of whom are children, who rely on UNRWA aid in Gaza," the statement read.

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Millions-strong Yemen rally vows continued Palestine support

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 5:12 PM

Millions took to the streets of Yemen on Friday to voice support for Gazans in the face of a brutal Israeli onslaught against the besieged territory.

The rallies in the capital San'aa converged in the Al-Sabeen Square, the largest square in the city.

The protesters waved Palestinian flags and stressed their support for the oppressed nation until all the Palestinian lands were liberated.

They also chanted slogans against the US and UK, condemning their support for Israel and their aggression against Yemen.

The demonstrators chanted slogans including "Oh Gaza, oh Palestine... all Yemenis are with you" and "Oh Gaza, we are with you... you are not alone".

One of the signs carried by marchers read, "America is the mother of terrorism."

In a declaration issued at the end of the event, protestors urged Yemeni armed forces to carry out larger attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden against Israeli interests.

The statement called on the Arab and Muslim people to put pressure on their governments, especially those governments who hold ties with the Israeli regime, to do more to support Palestine.

The statement also called for the globe to boycott American and Israeli goods, noting that this would increase the financial strain on the regime and its backers.

The northern city of Sa'ada and dozens of other cities across the Arab country also witnessed similar protests.

Yemenis have been holding massive rallies in solidarity with Gaza for 17 consecutive weeks since the regime's brutal war on Gaza began.

The first pro-Palestine march was held on October 7, the day Hamas launched a surprise multi-pronged operation that caught the regime flat-footed.

Yemen has launched military operations against the Israeli regime in support of Gaza and targeted Israeli-linked ships in the Red and Arabian seas, vowing to continue such operations until the regime stops its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

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Malaysia halves jail term of former Prime Minister Razak in 1MDB scandal

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 2:21 PM

Malaysia has halved the sentence of disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib, who is currently in jail for corruption in the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, has had his 12-year sentence halved to six years, the country's pardon's board said on Friday.

Najib's fines were reduced from 210 million ringgit ($44.5 million) to 50 million ($10.6 million), the pardons board said. He is now set to be freed on August 23, 2028.

However, if he fails to pay the fine, an additional year will be imposed on his jail term, the board added.

In the meantime, he remains on trial in multiple cases related to 1MDB.

Najib, who has not shown any signs of remorse, is the country's first prime minister to be jailed.

He blames Jho Low, the fugitive financier behind the scheme, for the $4.5 billion that was stolen from the fund.

Investigators say the money in the fund meant for the economic development of the country was plundered by the former prime minister and his lackeys to buy cars, boats, high-end property, and lots of other expensive commoties, in addition to financing the production of The Wolf of Wall Street film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The British-educated son of Malay nobility, Najib was prime minister from 2009 until 2018 when public fury over the scandal led to his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party losing power for the first time since Malaysia secured its independence in 1957.

On July 28, 2020, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali found Najib guilty of all seven counts of misappropriation of state funds and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

In August 2022, shortly after his conviction and his sentence was upheld by Malaysia's highest court, Najib applied for a royal pardon.

Najib's application was among five other pardon bids reviewed on Monday by the board, chaired by King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. The king plays a largely ceremonial role but can pardon convicted people among discretionary powers granted by the federal constitution.

King Abdullah, who is from Pahang, the same central state as Najib, ended his five-year reign on January 30 under the country's rotating system of monarchy. He was succeeded by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar from the southern state of Johor.

Malaysia's pardon's board did not give a reason for reducing Najib's sentence, but its decision is likely to renew concerns about the way in which politics might be playing into Malaysia's fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, the reduction in Najib's sentence comes amid accusations that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration is backsliding on anticorruption reforms after a string of corruption cases linked to Najib and the corruption-tainted UMNO leaders were dropped last year.

Ibrahim formed a coalition government with UMNO in November 2022, after an election that ended in a hung parliament.

Observers believe that being seen as going easy on Najib would be food for Malaysia's image and likely to put further pressure on the ringgit, the region's worst-performing currency in 2023.

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WHO warns of high risk of famine in Gaza as Israeli aggression goes on

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 10:10 AM

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "high" risk of famine in the besieged Gaza Strip amid a brutal Israeli aggression, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

"The risk of famine is high and increasing each day," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We continue to call for safe access for humanitarian personnel and supplies...We continue to call for a ceasefire," he said.

Ghebreyesus also noted that "Over 100,000 Gazans are either dead, injured, or missing and presumed dead."

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in response to Tel Aviv's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

The Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 27,019 Palestinians and injured 66,139 others since the start of the invasion, the health ministry in Gaza said.

Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under "complete siege" by Israel.

UN experts have described Israel's war on Gaza as the deadliest, most dangerous conflict for journalists in recent history.

"We are alarmed at the extraordinarily high numbers of journalists and media workers who have been killed, attacked, injured and detained in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, in recent months blatantly disregarding international law," they said on Thursday.

"We condemn all killings, threats and attacks on journalists and call on all parties to the conflict to protect them," they said.

Referring to Israeli attacks on journalists who were "clearly identifiable in jackets and helmets marked "press" or travelling in well-marked press vehicles", the UN experts said the reports "would seem to indicate that the killings, injury, and detention are a deliberate strategy by Israeli forces to obstruct the media and silence critical reporting."

They stressed that the attacks on journalists are war crimes.

"Journalists are entitled to protection as civilians under international humanitarian law. Targeted attacks and killings of journalists are war crimes," the experts warned.

They also slammed Israel for refusing to let media from outside Gaza to enter and report.

"The attacks on media in Gaza and restrictions on other journalists from accessing Gaza, combined with severe disruptions of the Internet, are major impediments to the right of information of the people of Gaza as well as the outside world."

The experts also urged the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to "give particular attention to the dangerous pattern of attacks and impunity for crimes against journalists, which has intensified since October 7."

"Targeting and killing of journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory must stop," they stressed.

According to UN reports, over 122 journalists and media workers have been killed and many have been injured in Gaza since October 7. Israeli forces have also detained dozens of Palestinian journalists in both Gaza and in the West Bank "where harassment, intimidation and attacks on journalists have increased" since the start of the Israeli genocidal war.

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Scores of Gazans killed after Qatar says Israel approved ceasefire plan

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 9:52 AM

Scores of Palestinians have been killed in overnight Israeli aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip, after mediator Qatar said Tel Aviv had approved a proposal to pause its war on the besieged territory.

The health ministry in Gaza said 105 people were killed overnight from Thursday to Friday, as Israeli raids and shelling of Khan Younis continued.

The southern Gaza's main city has recently become the epicenter of relentless strikes and intense fighting between Palestinian resistance combatants and Israeli forces.

One of the Israeli strikes targeted a residential building near the European Hospital in Khan Younis overnight, officials said.

Nearly four months of the Israeli invasion have rendered Gaza "uninhabitable", according to the UN, while an Israeli siege has led to dire shortages of food, water, fuel and medicines.

The humanitarian crisis, coupled with soaring civilian casualties, has spurred increasing international calls for a ceasefire.

Qatar said Thursday that a truce proposal made in Paris "has been approved by the Israeli side and now we have an initial positive confirmation from the Hamas side".

A source close to Hamas, however, was quoted as saying that there was no agreement on the framework of the agreement yet.

"The factions have important observations and the Qatari statement is rushed and not true," AFP quoted the unnamed source as saying.

Israel's minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant said Friday the regime's forces will continue their Gaza invasion to Rafah, despite the huge numbers of Palestinian civilians there who have no where else to go.

"We will continue until the end, there is no other way," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

More than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7 as Israel intensifies its strikes on the besieged strip.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (RCS) said the Israeli military continues to encircle al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.

Raed al-Nems, a spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, said Israeli forces are still "targeting every moving object in al-Amal Hospital, which houses 100 medical staff and nurses in addition to 7,000 displaced people."

He noted that bodies are lying outside the hospital, while medical staff can't carry them because of the siege.

According to the RCS, Naeem Yusuf Hasan, 49, was killed by an Israeli sniper while he was attempting to help a wounded volunteer near the southern gate of the hospital.

Officials said the hospital is completely encircled from all sides, with Israeli special forces and snipers positioned on the roofs of nearby buildings.

Amid the siege on al-Amal hospital, the RCS said Thursday there are "critical shortages in medical supplies, medications, and fuel" as well as a "severe shortage of available food for staff, patients, and displaced individuals, leading to reducing meals to one per day to preserve remaining supplies."

On Wednesday, RCS medical teams performed funeral prayer at al-Amal Hospital after a 75-year-old woman and a 45-day-old girl died because of a lack of oxygen at the hospital.

The health ministry in Gaza says more than 30,000 displaced Palestinians in schools near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis have no food or water.

The ministry urged the United Nations and its institutions to urgently intervene to provide aid to the displaced people.

'Situation in northern Gaza increasingly dangerous'

To the north of Gaza, the Middle East Eye reported that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous.

"The situation in the north is very difficult, it is very miserable, many areas have become very dangerous," the news outlet's correspondent said.

According to the report, Palestinians have crowded into the al-Sahaba area, al-Darraj and Shujaeyya and the Zaytoun neighborhoods.

"It is a very scary situation, and there is also a communications blackout," it said.

According to the report, Israeli forces are conducting raids on homes in northern Gaza on foot.

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US-occupied base in eastern Syria targeted by explosive-laden drones: Report

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 9:32 AM

A US base in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has reportedly come under an attack by explosive-laden drones, the latest in a series of strikes on American forces in the Arab country.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network, citing local sources speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that three drones targeted US forces based at the al-Omar oil field on Thursday evening.

The sources added that massive explosions were heard at the US-run facility as the unmanned aerial vehicles flew overhead.

The US military scrambled helicopters in response to the attack. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties or the extent of damage at the installation.

Iraqi resistance forces have conducted dozens of strikes on the US-run military installations in both Iraq and Syria amid growing anti-US sentiments in the region over Washington's support for the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza.

Israel launched hostilities in Gaza following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

More than 110 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 27,000 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children. Another 66,130 individuals have been wounded as well.

The United States has supplied Israel with weapons and intelligence support and blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

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Iran: Cessation of Israeli crimes in Gaza sole way to halt regional crisis

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 7:33 AM

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has underlined the need for stopping Israeli war crimes and genocide of Palestinians as a fundamental step in halting the crisis in the entire region.

In a telephone conversation with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Thursday night, Amir-Abdollahian pointed to unraveling developments in Gaza, and stressed that an end to Israeli war crimes and genocide of Palestinian people serves as an important step towards settlement of regional crises.

"Any coalition and escalatory measures similar to what the US and the UK did by attacking Yemen will not only fail to help restore stability to the region but will also lead to a more complicated situation," the top Iranian diplomat pointed out, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry's press service.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran advises all parties to take immediate, effective, and sustainable measures, focusing on the main roots of the crisis, because the root of the crisis lies in the occupation," Amir-Abdollahian added.

Israel launched hostilities in Gaza following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity on October 7 in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

More than 110 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 27,000 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children. Another 66,139 individuals have sustained injuries as well.

Amir-Abdollahian praised Borrell for his positive role and stressed the need to keep on the path of dialogue to resolve crises. He also highlighted the strong and constructive communication channel between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

For his part, Borrell voiced his concern over rising tensions in the Red Sea and underscored the role that Iran can play in restoring stability in West Asia.

He elaborated on the European Union's decision to form a maritime alliance to allegedly protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea, saying that the maritime coalition is not aimed at any third country.

The two sides also underlined the importance of dialogue in helping restore regional and international stability and called for contact between Iran and the European Union at different levels.

The conversation came after the Iranian minister held separate phone talks with Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Islamic Jihad chief Ziyad Nakhala, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to discuss the regional developments, in particular the situation in Gaza.

Taking to X on Thursday, Amir-Abdollahian wrote in a post in Persian that during the conversations, "the latest proposals to end the Zionist regime's genocide in Gaza, deliver extensive aid to this area and prevent the forced displacement of people in Gaza and the West Bank were discussed."

Despite the heavy toll of deaths, injuries, and destruction in Gaza, the resistance and the Palestinian people remain steadfast and determined in their quest for securing their rights, he added.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran always says that war is not the solution," he stressed.

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Feb. 1: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 4:32 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 27,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, February 1, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Feb. 1:

Seized three Israeli spy drones south of the Zaytoun neighborhood in southern Gaza City.

Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers hiding inside a building, west of Khan Younis city, with a TBG anti-fortification explosive, resulting in one killing and one injury.

Targeted an Israeli military D9-bulldozer, west of Khan Younis city, south of the Gaza Strip.

Targeted four Israeli military vehicles with Al-Yassin-105 shells on the outskirts of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City.

Shelled Israeli military concentrations, west of Gaza City, with heavy caliber mortars.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Feb. 1:

Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers positioned inside an apartment in the industrial square west of Gaza City with a TPG.

Engaged in intense clashes with Israeli forces aboard vehicles in the western and southwestern Khan Younis city.

Targeted two Israeli military vehicles and an APC with tandem shells in the center of Khan Younis city.

Shelled Israeli military concentrations around the Kisufim military site with a barrage of mortars.

Shelled Israeli soldiers and their vehicles, east of the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, with mortars.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 1:

Shelled the Israeli military command headquarters and the airstrip in the settlement of Raim with several rockets.

Targeted Israeli military vehicles and troops in southern Gaza with short-range rockets.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli military forces in the western axes of Gaza City, using appropriate weapons.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades' operations on Feb. 1:

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces using machine guns and anti-tank shells on the axes west of Gaza City.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces, using appropriate weapons, on the axes in the west and center of Gaza City.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces, using machine guns and other appropriate weapons, on the axes west and southwest of Khan Younis city.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces aboard vehicles, using machine guns and RPGs, on the axes east of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Feb. 1:

Bombed Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the axis of Al-Zaitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, with mortars.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Feb. 1:

Fired RPGs at an Israeli military vehicle near the neighborhood east of Khan Younis city.

Hezbollah's operations on Feb. 1:

Eastern sector:

At around 9:00 local time, Israeli surveillance equipment at the Radar site in Shebaa was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 15:55 local time, the Al-Sammaqa site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

At around 16:12 local time, the Ramtha site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

Western sector:

At around 21:30 local time, a deployment of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Zarit Barracks was targeted with missiles.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Feb. 1:

Attacked the occupied port of Haifa with a suicide drone, causing extensive damage

Yemeni military's operations on Feb. 1:

Targeted a British commercial ship in the Red Sea heading to the Israeli-occupied ports with anti-ship missiles, causing destruction.

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Yemen strikes British merchant ship in support of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 2:22 AM

Yemen's Armed Forces say they have targeted a British merchant vessel heading towards the occupied territories in continued support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal Israeli war.

"The naval forces in the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted a British commercial ship in the Red Sea that was headed to the ports of occupied Palestine with appropriate naval missiles," the forces announced on Thursday.

The forces have been conducting many such operations against Israeli vessels or those heading towards 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 27,000 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have died in the war so far.

The United States and the UK have also conducted several missile attacks against Yemeni targets in response to the Yemeni operations.

The Yemeni forces said the strike targeting the British ship was also carried out "as part of the response to the American-British aggression against our country."

The forces said they would keep up their operations "until the cessation of [the Israeli war of] aggression and the lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip."

Also on Thursday, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, who is a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, refuted allegations by the American and British officials, who have claimed that the Yemeni operations had "endangered" marital navigation.

"Passage of 4,874 ships through the Red Sea without any objection confirms that American and British claims are false," he said.

"The US's problems stem from its desire to maintain hegemony over the region," he added, noting that Washington was rather seeking "to contain any reaction against the genocidal crimes they (the Israelis) are committing in Gaza."

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US, Thailand to hold annual military drills with troops from 30 nations

The Cobra Gold war games will be conducted in the Gulf of Thailand from Feb. 27 to March 10.

By Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA 2024.02.02 -- The United States will stage annual, large-scale military drills in Thailand at the end of February, the allied nations announced Friday, with more than 10,000 troops from 30 nations slated to participate.

As part of the maneuvers, the U.S. and Thai navies will salvage a U.S.-made corvette that sank in the Gulf of Thailand in December 2022, leaving 34 crewmen dead or unaccounted for.

The Cobra Gold war games will be held Feb. 27 to March 10 - the 43rd iteration of the world's longest-running international military training program and one of the Indo-Pacific region's largest combined military exercises.

Troops from the seven main participants - the U.S., Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan - will join combat rehearsals at five locations, including amphibious landings, strategic parachute jumps, ground and air live-fire and cyber warfare.

China will not take part in combat drills but will join civic action missions with India.

The exercises follow a late January high-level meeting in Bangkok between U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

That meeting was aimed at lessening tensions on the Taiwan issue and in the South China Sea.

Light salvage operation

Thailand and the United States will work together on the light salvage of the HTMS Sukhothai, which capsized and sank off Prachuap Khiri Khan province in stormy seas, officials from the two host countries said Friday.

Twenty-nine died while five crewmen remain undiscovered, according to the Royal Thai Navy.

"This salvage, which will be executed as part of Cobra Gold 2024, will hopefully bring some comfort and closure to the families of all the brave sailors and marines who were lost," U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Godec, told a joint news conference at a Thai military headquarters on Friday.

The chief of Royal Thai Navy, meanwhile, denied local reports that the U.S. has forced it to give up a contract with a Chinese-linked company to fully salvage the corvette from the 50-meter-deep seafloor.

"The U.S. Navy's offer came properly and it has nothing to do with any Chinese company," commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, Adm. Chatchai Tongsaard, said at the same conference, adding that the delay was due to the Thai Navy miscalculating its ability to perform the salvage on its own.

The light salvage operation will include a search for the deceased, a damage survey, the destroyal of damaged weapons and the retrieval of undamaged components. The ship is likely to be discarded, he said.

Amphibious landing rehearsals

Premiered in 1982, this year's Cobra Gold exercise will feature greater arrays of sophisticated military hardware as it follows its heavy year format of a two-year cycle.

"The objective of the exercise for 2024 is to enhance the relations of all participating nations, to enhance the forces' capability and interoperability in conducting missions under the joint-combined environment and adapt to various kinds of threats and crises," said Gen. Thitichai Tiantong, the Royal Thai Armed Forces' chief of Joint Staff.

The U.S. will not deploy any carrier strike groups, according to Col. Kurt Leffler, the chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group. The focus instead will be on the amphibious landing rehearsals, he said.

Godec stressed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, where up to 60 percent of the world's maritime trade transits.

"Cobra Gold maintains our shared readiness to secure the global commons, which is particularly relevant with piracy on the rise in key shipping routes around the world," he said.

"Protecting Indo-Pacific maritime trade routes ensures the free flow of goods and services, which keeps transportation costs low, enabling Thai and American businesses to thrive and prosper and benefiting consumers through lower prices."

The war games were scaled down in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe that year.

Myanmar, whose military junta staged a coup against a civilian government in 2021, was not invited to observe the drills in 2022 due to limited seats, according to the Thai military. It was unclear whether it took part in Cobra Gold 2021, which was partly held virtually.

Edited by Mike Firn and Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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The Azadi Briefing: China Upgrades Diplomatic Ties With The Taliban

By Abubakar Siddique February 02, 2024

The Key Issue

Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 30 formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed ambassador, becoming the first head of state to do so.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move did not mean Beijing officially recognized the Taliban government.

"Diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed," he said.

The Taliban, however, celebrated the move as a major diplomatic victory.

"China understands what the rest of the world needs to understand," chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, urging other countries to expand bilateral relations with his government.

Why It's Important: China's move is a boost to the Taliban-led government, which has not been recognized by any country since the extremist group seized power in 2021.

Beijing's expanding diplomatic ties with the Taliban government could prompt other countries in the region, including Iran and Russia, to follow suit.

Ibraheem Bahiss, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing's decision suggested that the Taliban was making headway in its strategy to gain official recognition from regional countries.

Countries in the region are growing "more and more skeptical about the Western consensus that the Taliban should stay confined to pariah status on the world stage," he wrote.

Najib Azad, an exiled former Afghan government official, said that without full diplomatic recognition from all five permanent United Nations Security Council members, Beijing's move was meaningless.

"Until that time, it is only a PR opportunity for the Taliban to claim success," he told Radio Azadi.

What's Next: A planned UN conference on Afghanistan later this month is expected to debate the question of Taliban recognition and engagement with the group.

The hard-line Islamist group faces major hurdles in gaining international recognition and legitimacy.

Many nations have tied recognition to the Taliban establishing an inclusive government, ensuring women's rights, and breaking ties with extremist groups.

But the Taliban has refused to share power, severely eroded women's freedoms, and maintained links with extremist groups, according to experts.

What To Keep An Eye On

Afghanistan dropped 12 places in Transparency International's global corruption rankings.

Afghanistan was ranked 162nd out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index. Last year, the same index ranked it 150th. In 2021, under the Western-backed Afghan government, the country ranked 176th.

Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, attempted to downplay Afghanistan's significant drop in the rankings.

"The drop in ranking doesn't mean that corruption has increased in Afghanistan," he said. "But it is possible that other countries have become more transparent."

Why It's Important: The ranking is a blow for the Taliban government, which has touted its fight against corruption as one of its major achievements.

But Afghanistan's declining score suggests that corruption, which was endemic under the previous government, remains pervasive.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-china- diplomatic-ties-credentials-corruption/32802674.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Launches Retaliatory Strikes On Iranian-Linked Sites In Syria, Iraq

By RFE/RL February 02, 2024

U.S. forces have launched multiple strikes against dozens of Iranian-linked sites in Syria and Iraq, U.S. officials said on February 2, in retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members on January 28 and which Washington blamed on Tehran.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement released shortly afterward.

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he added.

The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, which has extensive contacts inside Syria, said at least 18 pro-Iranian fighters had been killed in a strike in Syria.

"At least 18 pro-Iran fighters have been killed in strikes in eastern Syria likely carried out by the Unites States," it said, adding that three "non-Syrians" were among those killed in strikes near Mayadin in Syria.

U.S. Central Command earlier confirmed the strikes, saying its forces "conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups."

"U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States," it said on social media.

"The facilities that were struck included command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces," it added.

U.S. officials later called the action "successful" and said all aircraft returned safely to their bases.

Syrian state media said that "American aggression" had caused a number of casualties in several sites in Syria's desert areas along the border with Iraq.

An Iraqi military spokesman also assailed what he called a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. The Pentagon still bases about 2,000 troops in Iraq, and any U.S. military action there is a sensitive issue with the government in Baghdad.

U.S. officials have said the deadly January 28 attack in Jordan carried the "footprints" of the Tehran-sponsored Kataib Hizballah militia in Iraq and vowed to hold those responsible to account at a time and place of Washington's choosing, most likely in Syria or Iraq.

On January 31, Kataib Hizballah extremists in Iraq announced a "suspension" of operations against U.S. forces. The group said the pause was meant to prevent "embarrassing" the Iraqi government and hinted that the drone attack had been linked to the U.S. support of Israel in the war in Gaza.

U.S. President Joe Biden has been under pressure from opposition Republicans to take a harder line against Iran following the Jordan attack.

When asked by reporters in Florida on January 30 if he had decided on how to respond to the attack, Biden said, "Yes."

"I don't think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That's not what I'm looking for," he added.

Biden on February 2 witnessed the return to the United States of the remains of the three soldiers killed in Jordan at a service at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

With reporting by AFP, CNN, ABC, and Fox

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran- strikes-syria-iraq/32803316.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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In Presidential Election, Azerbaijan's Government Makes It Clear There Is No Alternative

By Joshua Kucera February 02, 2024

At a debate held before Azerbaijan's February 7 presidential election, the viewer could be forgiven for not being sure who was supporting the incumbent and who represented the opposition.

"President Ilham Aliyev has kept his word and fulfilled every promise he has made," said one candidate, Fuad Aliyev (no relation to the president), at the January 15 public television debate. Another candidate, Zahid Oruc, argued that great Azerbaijani statesmen throughout history would all have voted for Aliyev.

The president himself did not appear at the debate but sent an emissary, Tahir Budagov, to absorb some of the flattery.

"Dear Mr. Tahir, do you know the strengths of the candidate you represent?" Razi Nurullayev, the head of the National Front Party, asked Budagov. "For years, our party has stated that we will liberate Karabakh and restore the integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, but your candidate has done it," Nurullayev said, referring to Azerbaijan's recapture of the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.

The parties in Azerbaijan that offer a genuine opposition to Aliyev -- who has exercised authoritarian control over the country since assuming power from his father, Heydar, in 2003 -- are all boycotting the race, ceding the field to these ersatz challengers. The only drama in Azerbaijan's election, scheduled for February 7, is whether the margin of Aliyev's fifth straight victory will top his record of 89 percent of the vote in 2008. (The next two elections, in 2013 and 2018, saw him get, a more modest 85 percent and 86 percent of the vote, respectively.)

The most unexpected thing about the election so far is that it was called at all. The vote had been scheduled for 2025, but Aliyev announced in early December that it would be moved up. While Aliyev is sure to maintain power no matter when the election takes place, the way it is being conducted indicates the degree to which he is unwilling to let even the slightest cracks emerge in the hardened armor of his rule.

Aliyev is still riding high on Azerbaijan's complete victory over the self-proclaimed ethnic Armenian separatist government in Karabakh last fall, the quest that has defined his entire presidency. Over 100,000 ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh fled to Armenia in September 2023 as a result of Baku's lightning military offensive.

Baku and Yerevan have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. The two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks before a Russia-brokered cease-fire.

It's not clear how long the euphoria of victory will distract from the country's stagnant economy -- gross domestic product grew by a mere 0.8 percent in the first 11 months of 2023, the World Bank reported -- and rising social problems.

Aliyev "has more political capital after the [war], so for him it is much easier to run now," said Anar Mammadli, a political analyst and head of the Baku-based Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center. "There is uncertainty about the future of the country, especially in terms of the social and economic situation. So that's why they use this momentum."

Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan with an iron fist since 2003, taking over for his father, Heydar Aliyev, who served as president for a decade.

Aliyev has offered his own three-part explanation for why the election was moved forward. In a January 10 interview with local television stations, he argued that the victory in Karabakh represented a "new era" that should be marked by new elections; that it will be the first time in post-Soviet Azerbaijan that elections can be held in Karabakh; and that Aliyev recently marked the 20th anniversary of his own time in power.

"Conducting elections after 20 years will, of course, sum up this chronological period," he said.

Azerbaijan's true opposition parties were not convinced and are boycotting the vote, as they have done the last several cycles. The last time a candidate who genuinely opposed Aliyev ran -- historian Camil Hasanli in 2013 -- he got under 6 percent of the vote.

"We were offered a bit role in this play, but we don't want to take part in this performance," Ali Karimli, the head of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, wrote on Facebook. "Let everyone see that this has nothing to do with an election or fair competition."

The Musavat Party also declined to put forward a candidate.

There was some speculation that Qubad Ibadoglu, an economist who had recently entered politics and founded a new opposition party, might have been eyeing a run for the presidency, Mammadli said. But Ibadoglu was arrested in July 2023 on counterfeiting charges that he says are politically motivated. He remains behind bars.

While it's not clear how much support Ibadoglu would have gotten in an election, he certainly would have been a thorn in Aliyev's side, analyst Mammadli argued.

"Maybe Qubad is not as popular as Ali Karimli, but he is an outspoken person and could have challenged the government" as a presidential candidate, Mammadli said. "His arrest, I think, was part of the government's preparation [for the vote] because they didn't want to see any alternatives for this election."

In the absence of any real competition, the role of the opposition is being played by a number of marginal figures. Three of this year's candidates (aside from Aliyev) also ran in the 2018 presidential election, which was also characterized by a conspicuous lack of debate. (One of the candidates in that election even said he voted for Aliyev rather than himself.)

Most of this year's candidates are members of parliament representing parties that are different in name from Aliyev's New Azerbaijan Party but which, in reality, never challenge the government.

"They are completely government-created parties," said Zohrab Ismayil, head of the Baku-based NGO Open Azerbaijan.

"Of the six presidential candidates standing in this election other than the incumbent, all have been supportive of the president in the recent past," the mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights wrote in its interim report on the election.

Four of this year's candidates were among the signatories of an October 2023 open letter fulsomely praising Aliyev: "The political parties operating in Azerbaijan once again express their political solidarity for the sake of the happy future of our country and declare their support to Your Excellency in your successful domestic and foreign policy for the prosperity of our people and the eternal sovereignty of our state."

Another of the candidates, Oruc, is the head of the government-run Social Research Center and was appointed to his position directly by Aliyev.

The astroturf nature of the opposition candidates was underscored by the statistically improbable official figures for the number of signatures that they were receiving to get on the ballot: At one point, one candidate had 4,444 signatures, another 4,000, two had precisely 3,333, and the last two each had precisely 3,076.

The parties they represent are funded by the government and generally consist of just one or two figures, according to reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.

"In the past, they were paid illegally [by the government]," said Azer Gasimli, the head of the Baku-based Institute of Political Management think tank. "Now they have legalized these payments."

The "opposition" candidates have brought some color to the election campaign by mooting a number of unlikely policy proposals: renaming the country the North Azerbaijan Republic, a nod to nationalist discourse that dreams of a greater Azerbaijan, including the ethnic Azerbaijani minority regions of Iran; formally claiming Armenia's Syunik Province as Azerbaijani; or sending Azerbaijani troops to support Russian forces in Syria.

"They want to talk about all these stupid ideas in order to show that Aliyev is better [and] that these are the only alternatives," Open Azerbaijan's Ismayil said.

The election is taking place under unprecedentedly restrictive conditions. Azerbaijan has long been one of the most unfree countries in the post-Soviet space, according to international rankings. A new media law passed in 2022 and a law on political parties adopted the following year further tightened the space for political discussion. That was followed by a wave of arrests of independent journalists and other opposition figures over the last few months.

"We always knew that there was a good chance of election fraud by the authorities and that we would not win the elections. But at least we used to take advantage of the election periods to conduct our own campaign and to expose the regime," Ilham Huseyn, a top official in the Popular Front Party, told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.

"Now, they have arrested some of the journalists who were supposed to cover the election campaign and expose election fraud, and one of the main figures of the opposition camp, Tofiq Yagublu, was arrested on the most shameful charges."

Nevertheless, the leading opposition parties have garnered some criticism for sitting out the vote.

"Unfortunately, the real opposition contributes to this picture" of a lack of alternatives in Azerbaijan, NGO head Ismayil said. "It's not important just to win, but to organize a movement, to try to change the situation."

"It seems that none of [the opposition leaders] have prepared for the elections and did not expect the decree on early elections," Gasimli told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service. "What has the opposition been doing all these years? The government created an agenda, and the opposition followed the agenda. Nothing else."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-ilham-aliyev- opposition-election-nagorno-karabakh/32802712.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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Moldova Vows To 'Accelerate' Efforts To Comply With EU's Russia Sanctions

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service February 02, 2024

CHISINAU -- Moldova is "accelerating work" to comply with EU sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a government spokesman said on February 2, a day after an RFE/RL investigation showed Moldovan firms have continued to supply airplane parts to Russian airlines and companies.

"In order not to allow evasion of international sanctions to which our country has joined, the government has accelerated work on the observance of sectorial sanctions and will continue to do so in the future," Daniel Voda wrote on Telegram.

His comments come a day after an investigation by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service found that three Moldovan-based companies had brokered airplane-parts sales worth more than $15 million to Russian firms in 2022-23.

The sales did not violate Moldovan law but were made after Brussels adopted sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In June 2022, Moldova was granted official candidate status for EU membership. Those aspirations were further buoyed in December 2023, when Brussels said it would open accession negotiations for Moldova to the 27-member bloc, alongside Ukraine. In November, Chisinau joined EU sanctions against Russia.

An EU spokesman told RFE/RL that it was concerned by reports of sanctions evasion and that Moldova should take action.

In the aftermath of its invasion, Russia's aviation industry has been subject to strict international sanctions.

Despite those sanctions, Russian airlines have managed to import some $1.2 billion worth of parts for Airbus and Boeing aircraft since May 2022, according to a Reuters report from August 2023.

The Moldovan companies in question denied selling to Russian firms, claiming instead that contracts were signed with companies in other, unspecified countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a Moscow-led grouping of former Soviet republics.

However, documents seen by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service suggest otherwise.

Data from Russia's Customs Service examined by RFE/RL show that transactions through Moldovan companies began a few months after the start of the invasion.

The Moldovan companies named in those documents were Airrock Solutions, Aerostage Services, and Maxjet Service.

Airrock Solutions and Aerostage were founded in November 2021 and April 2022, respectively, and are owned by Ivan Melnikov, a former top official of the Moldovan airline, Air Moldova. Maxjet, founded in 2011, is owned by Sergei Ranga.

Among the Russian airlines mentioned in the documents was Pobeda, a Russian low-cost airline, and S7 Group, which owns S7 Airlines.

Both Melnikov and Ranga told RFE/RL that they did not know the parts purchased by their companies were destined for Russia, saying they did not have direct contracts with Russian customers.

EU spokesman Peter Stano told RFE/RL that Russia's circumvention of sanctions through third countries was a matter of "great concern" for the EU.

Stano said Moldova had already made "considerable progress" to align with EU sanctions actions against Russia, but he added that Chisinau "must" take measures in relation to "questions regarding the alleged deliveries to Russia of some components by Moldovan companies."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-sanctions-evasion- russia/32803093.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Reaffirms Support For Bosnia's High Representative

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service February 02, 2024

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien reaffirmed Washington's support for High Representative Christian Schmidt during a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina on February 2.

At a meeting in Sarajevo, O'Brien and Schmidt discussed what they described as the most urgent challenges facing Bosnia, the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia said on X, formerly Twitter.

Since the Dayton peace agreement that ended the 1992-95 Bosnian War, the country has consisted of the Bosniak-Croat federation and the ethnic Serb-dominated Republika Srpska under a weak central government.

The country has been overseen by a civilian high representative with UN backing and sweeping powers, the position currently held by Schmidt, who has been embroiled in a dispute with the leader of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, who has close ties to Russia.

Dodik, who is under U.S. and U.K. sanctions, has called for Republika Srpska's secession from Bosnia.

Dodik has been charged over two laws he signed in July that allow the Bosnian Serb entity to bypass or ignore decisions made by Schmidt.

Both laws were adopted in June by the assembly of Republika Srpska in which Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) has the majority.

Schmidt on July 1 annulled both laws using his so-called "Bonn powers," which allow him to adopt binding decisions and remove public officials from office.

He also imposed changes to Bosnia's Criminal Code stipulating that an official who does not respect the decisions of the high representative can be punished with a prison sentence of six months to five years and banned from all public duties.

O'Brien "reaffirmed the United States' strong support for the high representative and his use of the Bonn Powers to implement and defend the Dayton Peace Agreement, support Bosnia and its institutions as well as ensure those institutions' functionality, and counter inflammatory rhetoric and actions aimed at undermining both," the embassy said.

O'Brien also "underscored the United States' unwavering commitment to Bosnia-Herzegovina's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character" during meetings with Bosnian leaders, including Foreign Minister [Elmedin] Konakovic and the members of the tripartite presidency of Bosnia.

He reaffirmed Washington's support for Bosnia's "integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions and encouraged leaders to adopt reforms that meet international standards necessary to accomplish this," the embassy said.

Bosnia was officially given the status of candidate for European Union membership in December 2022, but has yet to start accession talks with the bloc, which require fulfilling certain criteria.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-us-support-high- representative/32803003.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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Romanian Army Chief Warns Country Must Be Ready For Putin

By Anca Gradinaru February 02, 2024

Romania urgently needs to adopt a legal framework that would allow civilian volunteers to pursue military training as the country need to be better prepared in case Russia's war against Ukraine spreads, the NATO member's new army chief has told RFE/RL.

"Yes, the population of Romania, like the entire population of the European Union, of Europe, must be concerned," General Gheorghita Vlad told RFE/RL's Romanian Service in an interview on February 1.

"Personally, though not necessarily as a career soldier, I consider that the Russian Federation will not stop there [in Ukraine]. If it wins in Ukraine, its next main target will be Moldova. We'll see tensions in the Western Balkans as well. I'm more than convinced that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin will escalate his policies in the immediate future."

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, bringing war right up to Romania's northern and Black Sea borders.

Following the Russian invasion, NATO beefed up its effectiveness in Europe and established four more multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.

The battlegroup in Romania, under the framework of France, consists of troops from Belgium, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, and the United States.

In January last year, the Pentagon decided to extend by at least nine months the deployment of some 4,000 U.S. troops to southeast Romania.

Pointing to the beefed-up NATO presence in Romania, President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu poured cold water on Vlad's comments.

"Romania was never better protected than it is now, as a NATO member state," Iohannis said on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

Ciolacu added that while issuing warnings is part of the role of the army chief, "there is no risk for Romania to be involved into any war right now. Romania has never been safer."

"It's extremely important that we are part of NATO, and one can see that forces from all over Europe and most importantly, from the United States have been deployed on Romanian soil. Let's calm down, Romania is not going to war at all," Ciolacu said.

Romania canceled mandatory military service in 2007, three years after joining NATO in March 2004, and established a professional army and a reservist corps.

Vlad said a law drafted by the Defense Ministry is currently in both chambers of parliament and would most likely be debated after this year's several rounds of local, parliamentary, and presidential elections.

"Among other things, we want to introduce a fixed-term voluntary military service," Vlad said, adding that the program would be separate from professional soldiers but participants would still get paid.

"We are aiming for the age segment between 18-35 years old regardless of sex, nationality or religion, young people who want to wear the military uniform. We should pay this type of service and train the participants in the basic rules of war."

Gheorghita said such a program is needed since Romania's reservist corps is aging and would not be able to face the challenges of a military conflict.

"Imagine a 50-year-old person carrying an 80-liter military backpack," he said.

Romania, a key NATO member on the alliance's southeastern flank that has a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine, currently has an 80,000-strong professional army.

Gheorghita, who took the helm of Romania's military in November, says that number is insufficient in the current geopolitical climate and it should be beefed up by 50 percent.

"An adequate number for a professional Romanian Army should be around 120,000," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romanian-army-chief- warns-country-must-be-ready-for-putin/32802640.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Airstrikes Hit Iranian Targets in Syria and Iraq - CENTCOM

Sputnik News

20240202

Ian DeMartino

The attack comes in response to a drone strike on a US garrison on the border of Jordan and Syria that killed three US service members and injured dozens more. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US response would be "multi-tiered," implying that more strikes are likely in the coming days.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that US forces have conducted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, hitting forces "Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups," according to a statement by the agency.

The strikes hit 85 targets according to the statement and utilized more than 125 precision munitions from "numerous aircraft" including long-range bombers.

"At 4:00 p.m. (EST) [21:00 GMT] Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. US military forces struck more than 85 targets," the statement said on Friday.

There have been questions about how forceful the US response would be, and exactly where the attacks would take place. The US blames Iran for the drone attack, arguing that Iran provided the weapons that the militant group used to carry out the attack. Iran has continually insisted that it does not control the groups, who say their attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which encompasses multiple Iran-linked groups, claimed responsibility for the drone attack.

According to the CENTCOM statement, the attacks hit "control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities," of the militia groups "and their IRGC sponsors."

Western media has reported that B-1 bombers were used in the attack, citing an unnamed official.

Syrian state media described the attacks as "American aggression" and reported several casualties and injuries.

Previously, Iran warned that it would respond to any attack on "Iran's territory, or its interests or citizens abroad" will result in a "decisive response."

On Thursday, it was reported that US President Joe Biden authorized attacks in Iraq and Syria, but there was no mention of attacks inside of Iranian territory. It has been speculated that the Biden administration hopes that will lessen the risk of a full-blown war between the two countries.

However, the attacks are certain to increase tensions and raise fears that Israel's war in Gaza, now over three months old, will spread across the Middle East.

On Tuesday, the Kata'ib Hezbollah group, which has been blamed for the attacks by the US, said it would stop targeting US sites, but that promise did not seem to lessen the calls for retaliatory strikes coming out of Washington.

On Wednesday, US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) urged Biden to strike targets inside of Iran, and predicted that a war between the two countries would occur this year, "the only thing the Iranian regime understands is force," the senator posted on X.

Hours before the attack, Biden met with family members of the three slain US service members as their remains arrived in the US. The event was also attended by the First Lady Jill Biden and Austin.

A statement released by the White House promised further attacks. "Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," the statement reads, while also claiming that "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world."

The attack comes one day after US and UK forces hit Houthi targets in Yemen, the latest in a series of attacks that the US says is in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

On Friday local time, before the recent US attack in Syria, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told crowds that "Iran will not initiate a war but will answer bullies firmly and authoritatively," noting that the IRGC "it not a threat" but that "regional countries can rely on [its] power."

 Sputnik

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Mudavadi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 2, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi to discuss the U.S.-Kenya bilateral relationship and security cooperation in the East Africa region. Secretary Blinken thanked Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi for Kenya's role in promoting peace and security and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to collaborating with Kenya as it leads the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti. The Secretary affirmed the strong social and economic ties between the United States and Kenya and underscored the shared values that form a solid foundation for further partnership on global issues.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

2 February 2024

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon.

I will start with some travel.

** Deputy Secretary-General  Trip Announcement

At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will travel to Rabat over the weekend, on Sunday. Once in Morocco, she will take part in the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries. This conference brings together middle-income countries, the UN system, international and regional financial institutions and key development partners to identify new and innovative approaches required to support the development needs of these countries and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Deputy Secretary-General will also have bilateral meetings with senior government officials, UN colleagues on the ground and other stakeholders.

And she will be returning to New York on 6 February.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to Gaza, in a statement issued today, Philippe Lazzarini, the Head of UNRWA [the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East], said that the colossal humanitarian needs of over 2 million people in Gaza now face the risk of deepening following the decision of 16 donor countries to stop financial contributions to the organization.

He reiterated the Secretary-General's call to resume funding to UNRWA, warning that if the funding remains suspended, the Agency will most likely be forced to shut down operations by the end of February  not only in Gaza but across the region.

In Gaza itself, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report that thousands of Palestinians continue fleeing to the southern town of Rafah, which is already hosting half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people. Most are living in makeshift structures, tents, or out in the open, according to UNRWA.

Meanwhile, UNICEF estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated from their families. This corresponds to 1 per cent of the overall displaced population of 1.7 million people.

The conflict has had a severe impact on children's mental health. UNICEF now estimates that almost all children in the Gaza Strip need some sort of mental health or psychosocial support  that's more than 1 million children.

Since the start of the conflict, UNICEF and its partners have provided this kind of support to more than 40,000 children and 10,000 caregivers. Given the scale of needs, this is far from sufficient  and the only way to deliver these services at scale is with a humanitarian ceasefire.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations in Ukraine, Denise Brown, has condemned a deadly attack on aid workers that took place in the south of the country. Two aid workers from an NGO were killed yesterday and several others injured when their vehicles were attacked.

Just a week ago, a similar attack on humanitarian vehicles took place in the town of Chasiv Yar, in the east. Last year, 50 aid workers were killed or injured in Ukraine, including 11 who were killed in the line of duty.

Despite the challenges and insecurity, humanitarian workers continue to deliver aid. Today, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy delivered three trucks of humanitarian supplies to the residents of front-line communities in the Kharkiv area.

The supplies included hygiene kits, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, kitchen sets, evacuation kits and construction materials to repair damaged homes.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

A quick update from our peacekeeping colleagues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are reporting that, earlier today, presumed members of the M23 armed group fired upon one of our UN helicopters. That took place in the Karuba region in the North Kivu province, in Masisi territory.

The incident resulted in injuries to two South African peacekeepers, including one that was seriously wounded. The helicopter was able to land safely in Goma, and the peacekeepers are currently receiving medical attention.

In a press statement today, the head of our peacekeeping mission there, Bintou Keita, strongly condemned the attack against an aircraft bearing the UN emblem, which comes almost a year after a similar attack caused the death of a South African peacekeeper. She recalled that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. The mission will spare no effort, in cooperation with the Congolese authorities, to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, the head of our peacekeeping department, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, joined by Catherine Pollard, the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, along with Christian Saunders, the Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are all in the DRC. They arrived in Beni, in North Kivu, today, where they will continue their visit to the eastern part of that country.

** Ethiopia

A humanitarian update from Ethiopia, where we are told that the impact of an El Nino-driven drought is ravaging communities in Afar, Amhara, Tigray and Oromia, as well as Southern and South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region. Severe water shortages, dried pastures and reduced harvests are impacting millions of lives of human beings, as well as the livestock, with reports of food insecurity and rising malnutrition.

In a joint statement, the UN and the Government of Ethiopia called for urgent funding to respond to food insecurity across the northern highlands. A recent joint assessment by our humanitarian partners and the Government concluded that the number of critically food-insecure people will continue to grow over the next few months, reaching a peak of 10.8 million people during the lean season, which is from July and to September.

Malnutrition rates in parts of Afar, Amhara and Tigray and other regions have already surpassed globally recognized crisis thresholds, although the situation is currently not reflective of famine-like conditions.

Meanwhile the situation in many of these areas is already alarming. Our humanitarian colleagues note that there is an opportunity to avert a serious humanitarian catastrophe through additional funding to urgently scale up and sustain response efforts. More than 6 million people are already being assisted with food and cash across affected areas, but much more needs to be done.

** Central African Republic

In the Central African Republic, we and our partners today launched the 2024 humanitarian appeal for that country, which calls for $370 million to support 1.9 million people this year.

While the situation has improved in some areas, humanitarian needs will remain high this year. This is mainly due to the consequences of conflict, as well as the impact of the war in Sudan and insecurity in the border region with Chad.

In some relatively stable areas across the country's interior, and after consultation with authorities and communities, humanitarian organizations will work with development partners to provide support in protection, as well as resilience.

** Sudan

And in Sudan, our World Food Programme colleagues are ringing the alarm and warning that almost 18 million men, women and children across Sudan are currently facing acute hunger  which translates to a phase 3 on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system.

WFP is also raising the alarm about the number of hungry people that has more than doubled from a year ago.

Despite the efforts by WFP to reach as many people in need as possible, the food agency is currently only able to regularly deliver food assistance to 1 in 10 people facing emergency levels of hunger that are trapped in conflict hotspots, including Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan and now Al-Jazira State, which we have been talking about. It's becoming nearly impossible for aid agencies to get to these hotspots due to continued insecurity, enforced roadblocks, and demands for fees and taxation. And that is a diplomatic way of talking about other things.

The situation will get worse if immediate guarantees for the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian food assistance to conflict-hit parts of Sudan are not provided.

To prevent a crisis from becoming a catastrophe, WFP continues to underscore that people in Sudan must be able to access aid and food immediately.

** Food Index

Speaking of food. WFP's partner agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today on the Food Price Index that the benchmark for world food commodity prices fell further in January.

This was highlighted by decreases in the prices of cereals and meat.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities, averaged 118 points in January, down 1 per cent from December and 10.4 per cent from its corresponding value one year ago.

** International Days

Two international days, and James, you are fascinated.

Today is World Wetlands Day. A broad definition of wetlands includes freshwater, marine and coastal ecosystems, lakes and rivers. As you know, these are critical to people and nature.

And on Sunday, we mark the International Day of Human Fraternity. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General calls to reaffirm our commitment to bridging divides, fostering religious understanding and cooperation among people of all cultures and beliefs.

** Noon Briefing Guest  Monday

On Monday, we will have a guest and that is Rabab Fatima, the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

She will be here to brief on the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, called SIDS4, which will be held from 27 to 30 May in St. John's, in Antigua and Barbuda.

** Honour Roll

Lastly, a quiz. Jane is back.

This Member State has not only paid its dues in full, but it's the only place in the world where you will find the bee hummingbird.

Totally tiny, light as a feather, this creature weighs only 2 grams. The male is stunning with an iridescent red head and turquoise upperparts; while the female is mostly turquoise. The bee hummingbird boasts the smallest nest in the world, at only 1 inch in diameter and depth. And their eggs are also the smallest bird eggs, measuring half the weight of a standard paper clip!

What country is this? [...] Not too far.

Cuba, so we say thank you to our friends in Havana. We are happy they gave us the money and we hope they will keep that bee hummingbird safe.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : James, then Edith.

Question : So, the Secretary-General in the last couple of hours has been meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar. As you know, there have been talks going on between Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the US with the aim to try and get another cessation. Can you tell us what they discussed? And was the Secretary-General brought up to date with the latest on those negotiations?

Spokesman : Sure. I mean, this is part of the Secretary-General's ongoing consultations with the Qatari leadership. The Prime Minister was here. They've, no surprise, discussed the efforts under way to end the fighting, to secure the release of the hostages and to ensure support for humanitarian operations.

Question : Was the Secretary-General given any timeline for a potential start to a new cessation?

Spokesman : He was briefed on the latest, and I will not brief you on the latest. Edie, and then Margaret, then Michelle.

Question : [inaudible]

Spokesman : Yeah. Okay. What?

Correspondent : I have a question.

Spokesman : Yeah, yeah. [cross talk]

Question : That was my question, on what was the latest. On another subject then. Kim Jong Un in North Korea has called for his military to step up war preparations as the country carried out another one in a series of missile tests. Does the Secretary-General have any reaction to this?

Spokesman : You know, I think we're very concerned, increasingly concerned by everything we've seen in the last few weeks. The Secretary-General, for his part, will continue to call for a de-escalation, a resumption of the diplomatic dialogue, and also just for the creation of an environment that is conducive to such a diplomatic dialogue because diplomatic engagement remains the only possible way forward. Margaret?

Question : Just on the Qatari Prime Minister, did he offer any new funding for UNRWA while he spoke with the Secretary-General?

Spokesman : I think the issue of humanitarian funding was discussed in a very positive atmosphere, and I will leave it at that. Dezhi, then Sylviane.

Question : First, two follow-ups. The first one, on the funding of UNRWA. Do you have any update of those donor countries which suspends the funding? Have any of them changed their minds?

Spokesman : You should be in touch with UNRWA. They can give you the latest, but it's about 16.

Question : Okay. The second, I believe you said the UN is trying to have a delegation to visit the northern Gaza, which hasn't been there yet. What's the latest update on that?

Spokesman : We sent a reconnaissance mission that went yesterday and the day before, that was there. This is sort of the first... first, we want to send reconnaissance, but it's not the full assessment mission that we've been talking about. As soon as that happens, we will let you know.

Question : Okay. So, one last question. Several countries, including the United States, are considering putting sanctions on some violent settlers in West Bank. What's the position of the UN on this? Do you think this could help to stabilize the situation in the West Bank?

Spokesman : We have no comment on these bilateral sanctions. On the issue of settler violence, I think we've been very clear on that. Sylviane?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. On Lebanon, a British military delegation and another French visited Israel twice to discuss how to implement resolution 1701 and avoid escalation. Among the ideas put forward, is the British proposed building surveillance towers along the border of the Lebanese side, similar than the surveillance towers built in 2014 along the Lebanese border between Syria and Lebanon. Do you have any reaction on that?

Spokesman : I haven't seen those particular reports. What I do know is that there are a lot of people who have a responsibility to ensuring that resolution 1701 is fully implemented. This has been our message to a number of interlocutors and, of course, to see the full implementation of that resolution, I think would help stabilize the situation along the Blue Line.

Question : Another question, another proposal, it's to form an international commission responsible for supervising the situation at the Lebanese border. It's on the table. Do you have any reaction on that?

Spokesman : Yeah. I haven't seen detail of that, but I'm happy to look into it.

Question : And yesterday David Cameron was in Lebanon to discuss the question of recognition of Palestinian State, including at the UN. How many countries till now have expressed their recognition of a Palestinian State, please?

Spokesman : That's not an accounting that we keep. Obviously, if you talk about full membership into the UN, there is a procedure outlined in the Charter for that. But in terms of what countries have publicly talked about it, it's not a number that we keep.

Correspondent : Thank you.

Spokesman : Lenka?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Please, I have a question. Thank you so much for the statement you put out on the immigration over the UN exporter. But I was wondering, would there be any chance, please, to get some numbers like how many debit cards were handed out and how much cash?

Spokesman : We will put you in touch directly with our colleagues at the International Organization for Migration who would have that detail.

Correspondent : Thank you. I tried to contact them, but they didn't reply. [cross talk]

Spokesman : Well, we will help you.

Correspondent : Thank you.

Spokesman : Okay, Stefano, please go ahead.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Two questions. One is about Lebanon. It's a kind of follow-up, but because the Defence Minister Gallant said that basically very soon there could be more action in the north border, what is the plan of the UN? I mean, if really the Israel end up to invade Lebanon, what will happen to the over 10,000 blue helmets there? There is a plan to move them in the place?

Spokesman : I'm not going to get into the business of hypotheticals. What we do not want to see is increased kinetic activity across the Blue Line or a full-out war across the Blue Line, which would have a devastating impact for civilians on both sides of that line and not to mention the region.

Question : And then I have another question is, do you confirm that this morning in front of the residence of the Secretary-General, there was a protest by a pro-Israeli? But I don't know more. I don't know much. So, I would like to know from you first of all, if you can confirm that and who were those people?

Spokesman : Sure. What I can tell you is that every Friday morning there is a presence in front of the Secretary-General's residence of relatives of Israeli hostages who are held in Gaza. And I can tell you every Friday morning, the Secretary-General steps out of his home and has a discussion and talks to them and engages with them in his way, which, you know, is on a very human level. And it's every Friday morning.

Question : But since... Can you be more precise? Since when?

Spokesman : I'm not the one organizing the demonstration, but it's been going on for quite some time now. You, please.

Question : Thank you, Steph. So, I have just a quick follow-up question about assessment mission on northern Gaza. So, do you have more detailed timeline? Like when will they start a full investigation?

Spokesman : Obviously for us to get into northern Gaza is challenging. There are a lot of moving parts that have to be aligned. The reconnaissance mission went in. And as soon as the assessment mission can go in, we will let you know. Edith?

Question : Thank you, Steph. The Israeli military has said they're finishing their operations in the Khan Younis area and are planning to move south to Rafah, where a very significant majority of Gaza's population was initially ordered to move. How concerned is the Secretary-General about this planned new offensive in an area where there are so many civilians who've fled?

Spokesman : Extremely. I mean, we've already seen the impact on civilians with the actions in Khan Younis. And also, the impact on our own facility when our compound was hit. Obviously, since the beginning of the ground operations, there's been movement of people to the south. And so, the further south you get, the more densely populated it is and people living in dire makeshift conditions out in the open and/or in very flimsy tents in cold and wet weather. So, it's very worrying indeed.

Thank you all. Have a wonderful weekend. If we speak over the weekend, that will not be good news. So, let's hope we speak on Monday.

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Stories of loss and grief: At least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in the Gaza Strip

UNICEF

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF State of Palestine Chief of Communication Jonathan Crickx - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

02 February 2024

GENEVA, 2 February 2023 -- "UNICEF estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated. Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief.

"This corresponds to 1% of the overall displaced population - 1.7 million people.

"Of course, this is an estimation since it is nearly impossible to gather and verify information under the current security and humanitarian conditions.

"I returned from Gaza this week. I met many children, each one with her or his own devastating story to tell.

"Of 12 children I met or interviewed, more than half of them had lost a family member in this war. Three had lost a parent, of which, two had lost both their mother and their father. Behind each of these statistics is a child who is coming to terms with this horrible new reality.

"11 year old Razan was with her family in her uncle's house when it was bombed in the first weeks of the war. She lost almost all her family members. Her mother, father, brother, and two sisters were killed. Razan's leg was also injured and had to be amputated. Following the surgery, her wound got infected. Razan is now being taken care of by her aunt and uncle, all of whom have been displaced to Rafah.

"In a center where unaccompanied children are hosted and cared for, I also saw two very young children aged 6 and 4. They are cousins and their entire respective families were killed in the first half of December. The four year old girl - in particular - is still very much in shock.

"I met these children in Rafah. We fear that the situation of children who have lost their parents is much worse in the North and the Center of the Gaza Strip.

"In the middle of a conflict, it is common for extended families to take care of children who lost their parents. But currently, due to the sheer lack of food, water or shelter, extended families are distressed and face challenges to immediately take care of another child as they themselves are struggling to cater for their own children and family.

"In these situations, immediate interim care must be made available at scale while keeping children connected to or tracing their families so that they can be reunited when the situation stabilizes.

"Razan, like most of the children who went through such a traumatic experience, is still in shock. Each time she recalls the events, she falls in tears and gets exhausted. Razan's situation is also particularly distressing since her mobility is severely limited and specialized support and rehabilitation services are not available.

"Children's mental health is severely impacted. They present symptoms like extremely high levels of persistent anxiety, loss of appetite, they can't sleep, they have emotional outbursts or panic every time they hear the bombings.

"Before this war, UNICEF was considering that more than 500,000 children were already in need of Mental Health and Psychosocial support in the Gaza Strip. Today, we estimate that almost all children are in need of MHPSS, more than 1 million children.

"UNICEF and its partners have provided mental health and psychosocial support to more than 40,000 children and 10,000 caregivers since the beginning of this conflict. I attended one of these activities and it is really a relief to see children play, draw, dance, sing and smile. It helps them to cope with the terrible situation they are going through. But of course, this is far from sufficient when we see the scale of the needs.

"The only way to have this mental health and psychosocial support delivered at scale is with a ceasefire. Before this war, in 2022, the child protection cluster led by UNICEF provided this support to nearly 100,000 children. It is possible to scale up now. We have done it before. But it is not possible under the current security and humanitarian conditions.

"Before I conclude, I would like to add just one thing. These children don't have anything to do with this conflict. Yet they are suffering like no child should ever suffer. Not a single child, whatever the religion, the nationality, the language, the race, no child should ever be exposed to the level of violence seen on the 7th of October, or to the level of violence that we have witnessed since then."

# # #



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Rafah a 'pressure cooker of despair' in Gaza; US ambassador to UN stresses vital role of UNRWA

2 February 2024 - The UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) plays a "critical role" in delivering aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip and it is vital to restore international confidence in the agency, the United States Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Friday.

This is why there must be a "swift, comprehensive investigation" by the UN and an independent external review by a non-UN body into UNRWA, including the allegations that a number of employees participated in the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups on Israeli communities, she added.

"That is how we restore donor confidence and it is how we ensure that nothing like this happens again. And we appreciate the Secretary-General's commitment to that end," she added, speaking in her individual capacity to correspondents at a stakeout at UN Headquarters in New York.

'Get behind' Security Council resolutions

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the need to "get behind" and implement the two humanitarian resolutions that have already been adopted by the Security Council, and for strongly supporting UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator Sigrid Kaag, who has been mandated by the Council to help scale up aid into the enclave.

"Her success, and we have been clear on this, her success is the UN's success in Gaza," she added, noting "we cannot afford to undermine her efforts or the sensitive negotiations taking place as we speak."

The ambassador noted her country's ongoing efforts with regional actors on developing a proposal that will secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups, as has been called for by the Security Council.

Such a move would enable a prolonged humanitarian pause, "longer than the one we saw in November, allowing for more lifesaving food, water, fuel, medicines to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who desperately need it," she stated.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said that a new draft resolution on the crisis, proposed by Security Council member Algeria, "could put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy, derailing the exhaustive, ongoing diplomatic efforts" to secure the release of hostages and secure an extended humanitarian pause desperately needed by Palestinian civilians and aid workers.

In the two resolutions, adopted on 15 November and 22 December last year, the Council called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses through the Gaza Strip to enable aid to civilians, as well as for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. In the latter, the Council also asked the Secretary-General to appoint a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to "facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify" the humanitarian nature of aid consignments.

Efforts to address rising West Bank violence

The US Permanent Representative also noted steps recently announced by the White House to address the "disturbing rise" of settler violence in the West Bank.

US President Joseph Biden signed, an executive order on Thursday that imposes financial sanctions and visa bans, initially for four Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been attacking Palestinians, according to media reports.

The executive order is a means of "addressing these actions" including violence against civilians or intimidation which may cause them to leave their homes, destroy or seize their priorities, and other acts of terrorism "which undermine security, peace and stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike", Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.

"Now is the time to allow space for the sensitive hostage negotiations to proceed, to get behind Special Coordinator Kaag's proposal, and to hold accountable those perpetrating violence that undermine safety and stability," she said.

A 'pressure cooker of despair'

Meanwhile, thousands of Gazans have continued to flee intense hostilities in Khan Younis towards the massively overcrowded southern city of Rafah which UN humanitarians described as a "pressure cooker of despair".

The warning from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA comes nearly four months since Israel commenced a devastating bombing campaign in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October that left some 1,200 people butchered in southern Israeli communities and more than 250 taken hostage.

"In recent days, thousands of Palestinians have been fleeing to the south to Rafah, which is already hosting over half of Gaza's population of some 2.3 million people," said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.

100,000 dead, injured or missing

Repeating deep concerns that nowhere in Gaza is safe amid reports of Israeli shelling on the periphery of Rafah on Friday, Mr. Laerke told journalists that most of the new arrivals were "living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open. Rafah is now a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what happens next."

To date, 100,000 people in Gaza "are either dead, injured or missing and presumed dead" as a result of bombing raids and fighting on the ground between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Sixty per cent of the 27,019 fatalities reported by the enclave's health authorities have been women and children, the UN health agency reported, with more than 66,000 now injured and requiring medical care that remains difficult to access.

Health system crumbling

Highlighting the "extremely challenging" task of replenishing hospitals and medical centres throughout the wartorn enclave, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Dr. Rick Peeperkorn explained that of 15 planned missions to the north in January, three had been carried out, four had been impeded by impassable routes, one postponed and eight were denied.

Dr. Peeperkorn added that of the 11 planned missions to the south last month, four had gone ahead, two were postponed and two were impeded either because checkpoints opened late or owing to excessive delays. Authorizations were denied for three missions.

"Lack of safety guarantees and humanitarian corridors in Gaza are making it increasingly challenging to safely and rapidly carry out humanitarian operations," the WHO official said, speaking from Jerusalem. "Lack of sustained access to hospitals could dismantle the health system."

Child trauma

The development came as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that at least 17,000 children in Gaza are unaccompanied or separated.

"Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief," said Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF Chief of Communication in the State of Palestine.

Speaking from Jerusalem to journalists in Geneva, the UNICEF official described meeting youngsters in Gaza earlier this week. Among them was 11-year-old Razan, who lost almost all her family during a bombing raid in the first weeks of the war.

"Her mother, father, brother and two sisters were killed," Mr. Crickx continued. "Razan's leg was also injured and had to be amputated. Following the surgery, her wound got infected. Razan is now being taken care of by her aunt and uncle, all of whom have been displaced to Rafah."

Because of the lack of food, water and shelter, extended families are struggling to look after themselves, let alone orphaned or unaccompanied children, the UNICEF officer said.

"I met these children in Rafah. We fear that the situation of children who have lost their parents is much worse in the north and the centre of the Gaza Strip."

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WFP pleads for aid access in Sudan, amid reports of starvation

2 February 2024 - The number of hungry people in Sudan has doubled over the past year, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday, adding that it is already receiving reports of people dying from starvation.

WFP described the situation as dire, noting that almost 18 million people across the country are currently facing acute hunger.

An estimated five million are experiencing emergency levels of hunger due to conflict in areas such as Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.

Obstacles to aid delivery

"The situation in Sudan today is nothing short of catastrophic," said Eddie Rowe, WFP Sudan Representative and Country Director.

"WFP has food in Sudan, but lack of humanitarian access and other unnecessary hurdles are slowing operations and preventing us from getting vital aid to the people who most urgently need our support."

The Sudanese Army and a rival military known as the Rapid Security Forces (RSF) have been locked in battle since last April. WFP is urging them to provide immediate security guarantees so that it can reach millions in need.

Starvation reports

The UN agency has repeatedly warned of a looming hunger catastrophe in Sudan, where it has assisted more than 6.5 million people since war broke out.

"Yet life-saving assistance is not reaching those who need it the most, and we are already receiving reports of people dying of starvation," Mr. Rowe said.

WFP is only able to regularly deliver food aid to one in 10 people facing emergency levels of hunger in conflict hotspots, including Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, and most recently Gezira.

To reach these areas, humanitarian convoys must be allowed to cross frontlines which is "becoming nearly impossible" due to security threats, enforced roadblocks and demands for fees and taxation, the agency said.

'Look beyond the battlefield'

WFP is trying to obtain security guarantees to resume operations in Gezira state, a vital humanitarian hub that supported more than 800,000 people a month.

Fighting in December forced half a million people to flee, many of whom were previously displaced. However, only 40,000 people so far have received aid because 70 WFP trucks were stuck in the coastal city of Port Sudan for more than two weeks.

Another 31 trucks that would have delivered aid to the Kordofans, Kosti and Wad Madani, have not been able to leave El Obeid for over three months.

"Both parties to this gruesome conflict must look beyond the battlefield and allow aid organisations operate," said Mr. Rowe.

"For that, we need the uninhibited freedom of movement, including across conflict lines, to help people who so desperately need it right now, regardless of where they are."

Humanitarians response plans

The UN continues to call for an end to the war in Sudan, which has killed more than 13,000 people. Nearly eight million have been displaced, including more than 1.5 million who have fled across the border.

UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, announced on Friday that it will launch two response plans next week to respond to the needs in Sudan and to support displaced Sudanese in neighbouring countries.

Overall, 25 million people urgently need assistance, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva.

UN refugee chief in Sudan

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has been drawing attention to the situation of people affected by the war during a visit to the region this week.

Filippo Grandi arrived in Sudan on Thursday to "highlight the plight of Sudanese civilians (millions of whom are displaced), and of the refugees they still host, all caught in a brutal, worsening war which most of the world seems to ignore."

Writing on the social media platform X, Mr. Grandi reflected on his conversations with displaced people in Port Sudan.

"They told me how war suddenly disrupted their peaceful lives. And how they're losing hope  for them and for their children. Only a ceasefire and meaningful peace talks can put an end to this tragedy," he said.

Support Sudanese refugees

His visit to Sudan followed a three-day mission to Ethiopia, where he called for urgent and additional support for Sudanese refugees, more than 100,000 of whom fled to the country since war broke out in April.

Ethiopia is one of six countries neighbouring Sudan that continue to receive thousands fleeing the fighting.

Mr. Grandi heads the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which is supporting the Ethiopian Government, as well as regional and local authorities, to provide protection and life-saving services to the new arrivals.

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Central African Republic: $367.7 million needed to reinforce strictly humanitarian response in 2024

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Launch of the 2024 Central African Republic Humanitarian Response Plan

Bangui, 2 February, 2024 -- The situation has generally improved in the Central African Republic (CAR), but humanitarian needs remain high as a result of the conflict that has persisted for over a decade, and the recent impact of the war in Sudan and insecurity in the northwestern border region with Chad. 2.8 million people -- 46 per cent of the population - are extremely vulnerable in 2024, to the extent that humanitarian assistance alone will not be sufficient to restore their well-being. "We refined needs through early consultations with authorities and affected communities in the interior of the country, and found out that some relatively stable areas require the engagement of other actors, such as those involved in development, to consolidate gains from humanitarian efforts, and to sustainably support the protection and resilience of vulnerable communities", explained Mr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, Humanitarian Coordinator in CAR.

To meet the needs of the most vulnerable Central Africans, the CAR Government and the Humanitarian Country Team officially launched today the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan. The humanitarian community is seeking to meet urgent needs of 1.9 million of the most vulnerable people, and is calling for the mobilization of US$ 367.7 million. In responding to these needs, the humanitarian community will ensure addressing multisectoral needs in the face of various vulnerabilities, prioritizing protection throughout all sectors, and localizing the humanitarian response for systematic engagement of national actors. The strategy also includes accountability to affected people ensuring humanitarian response meets their expectations, the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to take advantage of stable areas, and thus strengthening the resilience of populations by promoting durable solutions to displacement.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence that has forced to displacement one in five Central Africans either within the country or abroad, and logistical and security constraints significantly hamper the efforts of humanitarian actors to provide them with required assistance. In 2023, at least one security incident affected humanitarian actors every two days. One humanitarian actor was killed and four other were injured. "When humanitarian actors are attacked, access to water, food, education, health and many other vital services is threatened for hundreds of thousands of Central Africans", stressed Mr. Ayoya, condemning this violence against humanitarian actors.

Thanks to donors' generosity in 2023, 2 million of the most vulnerable Central Africans received vital assistance in at least one sector, particularly in regions that have been inaccessible by road for several years. "The humanitarian community is extremely grateful to donors, whom I thank for their generosity in 2023, and I invite them not to forget Central Africans in 2024, in the face of the ever-changing dynamics of emergency aid funding at global level," concluded Mr. Ayoya.

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UNRWA Situation Report #72 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information from 30-31 January 2024, is valid as of 31 January 2024 at 22:30)

UNRWA

2 Feb 2024

Key points

The Gaza Strip

 Intense fghting in/around Khan Younis (southwest of Gaza) over the last ten days is causing loss of life and damage to civilian infrastructure, including UNRWA's largest shelter in the southern area, the Khan Younis Training Centre (KYTC). Continued fghting in Khan Younis is forcing Palestinians feeing further south towards Rafah, which is severely overcrowded.

 As of 31 January, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is now 152.

 On 30 January, according to the Ministry of Health up to 100 bodies were returned by Israeli authorities to the Gaza Strip. Most of the bodies received had been buried in a mass grave in Rafah and were unidentifable.

 As of 31 January, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fghting in Khan Younis and the Middle Areas in recent days, a signifcant number of displaced people have moved further south.  According to OCHA, on 29 January, the Israeli military ordered several neighborhoods in Gaza City to evacuate towards the south. This area consisted of around 59 shelters with an estimated 88,000 IDPs who are being forcibly displaced again.

 On 29 January, aid trucks entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing following days of disruption due to Israeli protesters in the area.

*This includes one million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of October 12, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in north Gaza and Gaza governorates. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by Israeli Forces, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA has reported in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs are either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fghting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

*** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fuid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

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CNO Hosts Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations for Counterpart Visit

US Navy - Press Release

02 February 2024

WASHINGTON (Feb. 2, 2024) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti hosted the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo for an official counterpart visit, Jan. 30 - Feb. 2.

Yang's trip to Washington D.C. was part of a week-long trip to the United States, that included stops in Kings Bay, Ga., Jacksonville, Fla., Patuxent River, Md., and Annapolis, Md., where he visited Navy commands and spoke with Navy leaders and Sailors.

"We remain aligned, and our alliance is ironclad," said Franchetti. "MCPON Honea and I served together 10 years ago at Commander, Naval Forces Korea. It has been an honor to see how the already strong alliance has grown. The commitment of our navies has grown exponentially over the past 70 years, and I am excited for the next 70 years, and the 70 years after that."

While in Washington D.C., the two leaders had multiple engagements to include a full-honor's welcoming ceremony, an office call and a roundtable, where Franchetti emphasized a collaborative approach to strategic deterrence and global interoperability as topline priorities.

"The ROK-US navies have enhanced collective response capabilities against threats that disturb maritime security through various combined exercises and military cooperation, such as RIMPAC, Maritime Maneuver Drills with USN CSGs, ROK-US-Japan Trilateral Missile Defense Training and etc, ultimately contributing to the establishment of rules-based international order," said Yang.

The ROKN CNO further noted that "as the core force of the Alliance, ROK Navy will continue to solemnly safeguard freedom, peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region through sailing together with the US Navy."

Franchetti also noted that for seven decades the U.S. - ROK alliance has proven to be among the most capable, cooperative, and durable in the world. She applauded the significant advances in interoperability between the U.S. and ROK navies and committed to advance Navy-to-Navy relations with purpose and urgency.

Prior to the CNO-hosted round-table, Yang received a brief on unmanned aviation and strike weapons while at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River.

At the round-table, Franchetti and Yang led a discussion on maritime security cooperation with the ROK Navy delegation and Deputy CNOs. They also discussed their shared commitment to interoperability, the importance of ensuring joint forces are ready and trained for the high-end fight, and how the two navies can integrate conventional capabilities with new technologies, adapting different tactics and ideas.

"Discussions, like the round-table, help our efforts to increase interoperability with the ROK Navy," said Franchetti. "Having Adm. Yang Yong-mo here as my first official visitor during my tenure as the Chief of Naval Operations, demonstrates the importance of our navy-to-navy relationship. His visit this week shows that our alliance remains the linchpin of peace, stability, and prosperity."

Following his visit to Washington, D.C., Yang traveled to NAS Jacksonville to visit the P-8 squadron where the ROK Navy is training on their new capability; and then travelled to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay to tour the base, as a follow-on to the recent visit by USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) to Busan in July 2023.

Yang then returned to the National Capitol Region for a visit to Annapolis to meet with the ROK Navy Midshipmen enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy.

This was Franchetti's first counterpart visit as Chief of Naval Operations.

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Israeli Forces Target Southern Gaza City of Khan Younis, Outskirts of Rafah

By VOA News February 02, 2024

Fighting continued Friday in the Gaza Strip, with health officials in the territory reporting that 105 people were killed overnight, according to Agence France-Presse. The news service quoted the Hamas press office as saying Israeli air and artillery strikes targeted the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Reuters reported Friday that Israeli forces shelled the outskirts of Rafah in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled since Israel began its assault on Khan Younis, one of its biggest offensives since the war began.

Speaking at a news briefing in Geneva Friday, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Jens Laerke, expressed his deep concern about the escalation of hostilities in Khan Younis and the subsequent increased number of people fleeing to Rafah.

Laerke told reporters that in recent days thousands of Palestinians have continued to flee south to Rafah, which is already hosting over half Gaza's population of some 2.3 million people.

"Most are living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open," Laerke told reporters Friday. "Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next."

Laerke said that among the U.N. agencies and their health partners, the greatest fear is disease. He said there is not enough food, clean drinking water or shelter.

At the same news briefing Friday, World Health Organization representative for occupied Palestinian areas, Rik Peeperkorn, said there are, at the minimum, 8,000 critically injured or sick people in Gaza who need to be sent to Egypt or elsewhere for medical treatment.

Potential cease-fire

Also on Friday, Hamas leaders indicated they have received and will respond soon to a proposal for a cease-fire agreement negotiated by Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators in Paris earlier this week and approved by Israel.

AFP reported the proposal includes a three-stage plan, which would start with an initial six-week halt to the fighting and bring more aid deliveries to Gaza.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani made a brief visit to the United Nations on Friday to meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a day after meetings in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"This is part of the secretary-general's ongoing consultations with the Qatari leadership," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "The prime minister was here. They, no surprise, discussed the efforts underway to end the fighting, to secure the release of the hostages and to ensure support for humanitarian operations."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters Friday that the deal under negotiation is a "strong, compelling proposal," and she urged the U.N. Security Council to increase pressure on Hamas to accept it.

She warned that a draft resolution circulated in the council by Algeria on Wednesday, which referenced the International Court of Justice's recent decision to impose provisional measures on Israel to protect Palestinians in Gaza, would not be constructive and could jeopardize the sensitive negotiations.

"We don't see that this [draft] resolution adds anything to what we already have, but we worry that the resolution will hurt what we are doing on the ground right now," Thomas-Greenfield said.

The Algerian text calls for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, the protection of civilians and unhindered aid access. It also rejects the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza. No vote is imminent.

U.S. opinion shifts

Also Friday, a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicated 50% of U.S. adults think Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza has "gone too far." That is up from 40% in a similar poll taken in November, shortly after the war started.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Children in Gaza Face Mental Health Crisis

By Lisa Schlein February 02, 2024

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, is warning that children in Gaza are facing a mental health crisis and are in desperate need of psychosocial support, which is largely unavailable under the security and humanitarian conditions prevailing in the war-torn enclave.

"The only way to have this mental health and psychosocial support delivered at scale is with a cease-fire," said Jonathan Crickx, who is UNICEF's chief of Communication and Advocacy-State of Palestine.

"Palestinian children's mental health is severely impacted," he said. "They present symptoms like extremely high levels of persistent anxiety, loss of appetite. They cannot sleep. They have emotional outbursts or panic every time they hear the bombings."

Speaking from Jerusalem, Crickx told journalists in Geneva Friday that UNICEF estimates at least 17,000 children, or 1% of the 1.7 million displaced population in the Gaza Strip, are unaccompanied or separated.

"Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief," he said.

While he was in Gaza this week, he said he met many children, each one with her or his own devastating story to tell.

"Of 12 children I met or interviewed, more than half of them had lost a family member in this war. Three had lost a parent, of which two had lost both their mother and their father," he said. "Behind each of these statistics is a child who is coming to terms with this horrible new reality."

He noted that in the middle of a conflict, it is common for extended families to care for children who lost their parents. But this is not happening in Gaza, he said, because "extended families are distressed and ... are struggling to cater for their own children and family."

Before the war began, UNICEF reported, more than 500,000 children already needed mental health and psychosocial support in the Gaza Strip. It now estimates this number has risen to more than a million.

UNICEF and its partners have provided support for 40,000 children and 10,000 caregivers since Israel began its offensive in Gaza following the brutal invasion of its territory by Hamas militants on October 7 that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 240 people taken hostage.

"This is far from sufficient when we see the scale of the needs. It is possible to scale up now," Crickx said. "We have done it before. But it is not possible under the current security and humanitarian conditions."

Richard Peeperkorn, World Health Organization representative for the Palestinian territory, confirms that the large number of Gazans affected by mental health problems before the war has now "massively increased."

"It should be something to focus on as soon as we can focus on regular health care, primary health care, including mental health and psychosocial support," he said, adding that many health care workers who are dealing with trauma each day also suffer from mental health issues and need help.

But for now, he said, the WHO is not able to give this issue the attention it deserves because of its focus on some 27,000 fatalities and 67,000 injured.

"When we go around the hospitals, we talk a lot about trauma, spinal injuries, burns, et cetera," he said. "I have never seen so many amputees in my life, including among children. And if you also think about all those injured people ... [you can't help but think about] the impact it has and will have, not only on themselves, but their families and communities."

Peeperkorn said the focus is now mostly on converting the majority of the "partly functional hospitals ... into trauma centers."

"And what is important there is basic health services, primary health care, a whole range of mother and child health, reproductive health services, including noncommunicable diseases," he said, adding that access for patients and health partners who resupply hospitals remains "extremely challenging."

OCHA, the U.N.s Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is reporting that thousands of Palestinians in Gaza continue fleeing to the southern town of Rafah, whose population has increased from 200,000 to more than a million people  most living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open.

"Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next," said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. "As we have heard, [Khan Younis] has also come increasingly under attack, and it has been shocking to hear about the heavy fighting in the vicinity of the hospitals."

Laerke also said that there was no safe place in Gaza, and further fighting in Rafah would make the situation even worse.

"There is not enough food, there is not enough clean drinking water, and there is no protection. Nobody is guaranteed [to be safe] from the next wave of fighting that we fear is coming on," he said. "It is, like, every week; we think it cannot get any worse. Well, go figure. It gets worse."

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World Food Programme forced to prioritise limited food assistance as funding shortages persist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

World Food Programme

2 February 2024

Kinshasa -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has embarked on an extreme prioritization of assistance leaving millions of vulnerable people without food assistance as needs continue to outpace available resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

More than 6 million people have been displaced - one of the largest in the world - and now live in makeshift camps and with host families. "We are having to prioritise assistance. We are providing full rations to the worst affected people for only six months rather than spreading assistance too thinly such that no one is not adequately served," says Natasha Nadazdin, WFP's Deputy Country Director in the DRC. "It's a painful decision, which is why we urgently need funds."

Donors have been very supportive. In 2023, the European Union's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) provided an invaluable contribution of US$ 14.5 million ( 13.6) to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the DRC. The funding helped WFP provide critical life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu through cash assistance, addressing immediate needs in the ongoing crisis. As the conflict rages on, humanitarian needs continue to grow, and WFP urgently needs US$ 397 million for essential food and nutrition assistance in eastern DRC over the next six months to provide assistance to the 1.5 million people prioritized and a total US$ 543 million to keep operations going countrywide.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Feb. 2: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 03 February 2024 4:31 AM

Resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against Israel and its Western backers amid the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Friday, February 2, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Feb. 2:

Targeted an armored personnel carrier (APC) in the neighborhood west of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza.

Targeted a Merkava tank with Yassin-105 shells, which led it to catch fire in the Jora al-Aqad area west of Khan Younis city.

Destroyed an Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) with Yassin-105 shells in the Gaza City axis.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces and eliminated 15 regime soldiers at a point-blank range west of Gaza City.

Shelled a gathering of invading Israeli soldiers in the west of Gaza City with mortars.

Targeted and destroyed three Merkava tanks in a complex ambush with Yassin-105 shells and "Shoav" improvised explosive devices north of Gaza City.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Feb. 2:

Shelled the Israeli military site of "Fajah" in a joint operation with the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades using 107mm rockets.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles west of Khan Younis city in southern Gaza with 60mm mortars.

Targeted an Israeli contingent of 10 soldiers with a TPG rocket, resulting in casualties, in the neighborhood west of Khan Younis city.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Feb. 2:

Targeted and destroyed Merkava-3 tank with an anti-armor rocket on the southwestern axis of Gaza.

Shelled an Israeli military tank parked near Street 10, southwest of Gaza, with a barrage of short-range rockets.

Targeted and destroyed a D9-bulldozer with an advanced anti-armor rocket on the western axis of Khan Younis city.

Launched a barrage of 107mm rockets at Israeli military positions east of Maghazi.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Feb. 2:

Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers behind dirt berm with several mortars east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.

Launched a volley of mortars at a gathering of Israeli military vehicles at Kissufim military site.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Feb. 2:

Targeted two Merkava tanks and a D9-military bulldozer with RPGs on the axis southwest of Khan Younis city.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 2:

Shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the axis west of Gaza City with short-range rocket barrages.

Targeted a Merkava tank with an anti-tank rocket in the vicinity of the Soussi Tower in Gaza City.

Targeted the positions and deployment of Israeli soldiers southwest of Gaza City with mortars.

Hezbollah operations on Feb. 2:

Eastern sector:

At around 15:50 local time, the Ruwaisat al-Alam site was targeted with missiles.

At around 16:40 local time, a deployment of Israeli enemy soldiers was targeted in the vicinity of the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site.

Western sector:

At around 17:20 local time, a building in the Avivim settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons and it was directly hit.

Yemeni military's operation on Feb. 2:

Carried out a military operation against specific Israeli targets in [Eilat], Umm al-Rashrash, south of occupied Palestine, with several ballistic missiles.

The Yemeni military reiterates its commitment to carry out its "religious, moral, and humanitarian duties towards the oppressed Palestinian people in response to the calls of our free Yemeni people and all free people in our Arab and Islamic nations", the statement noted.

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Iraqi resistance strikes back at US after American aerial assaults

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 03 February 2024 3:22 AM

The Islamic Resistance, an umbrella group of Iraqi anti-terror groups, announces carrying out a raft of strikes against American targets in the Arab country and neighboring Syria in response to a flurry of US aerial assaults.

In a statement released in early Saturday, the resistance said it had conducted missile strikes against the Ain al-Assad Airbase housing US occupation forces in the western Iraqi al-Anbar Province.

The group also said it had staged missile and drone strikes against the strategic al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria near the border with Jordan and Iraq as well as the al-Khadra Village in Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah.

Earlier, Reuters news agency cited three American officials as saying that the United States had carried out aerial attacks against 85 targets inside the Arab countries.

The US staged the so-called "retaliatory" assaults against those whom it alleged were responsible for a deadly attack against American forces in Jordan on Sunday.

The US Central Command claimed that the targets of the aerial attacks included depots containing rockets, missiles, and unmanned drones, saying, "The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions."

US President Joe Biden said the strikes would continue at times and places of Washington's choosing.

Repeating an earlier claim made by himself and other US officials, Biden had purported on Tuesday that he held Iran "responsible in the sense that they're supplying the weapons."

Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks on US forces in the region, saying regional resistance groups did not take orders from Tehran, nor did the Islamic Republic have a role in their decisions to carry out retaliatory operations.

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US says it carried out airstrikes on 85 targets inside Iraq and Syria

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 03 February 2024 2:19 AM

The United States says it has carried out airstrikes on 85 targets inside Iraq and Syria.

The US began what it called "retaliatory strikes" against targets inside Iraq and Syria on Friday, claiming that those who were responsible for a recent deadly attack against American forces in Jordan were targetted.

The US Central Command claimed the targets include depots of rockets, missiles and unmanned drones.

"The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions," US Central Command said on social media.

The US president said the strikes will continue at times and places of Washington's choosing.

Joe Biden said in a statement that the strikes were the first in a series of actions by the US in response to the attack in Jordan.

"Our response began today," he said. "It will continue at times and places of our choosing," he stated.

Reuters news agency carried the report, citing "three US officials."

The report cited "the US military" as saying that the strikes had hit "more than 85 targets with more than 125 munitions."

Citing "security sources," AFP reported taking place of a strike in western Iraq near the border with Syria.

Syrian state media also said an "American aggression" on sites in Syria's desert areas and the Syrian and Iraqi border had resulted in a number of casualties.

The Sunday drone attack, which has prompted the alleged reprisal, targeted a small US outpost in Jordan, leaving three American troops dead and injuring at least 34 others.

On Tuesday, Biden said he had "decided" on how he wanted the country to respond to the attack.

Repeating an earlier claim made by himself and other US officials, Biden purported that he held Iran "responsible in the sense that they're supplying the weapons."

In a statement on Monday, Iran's mission to the United Nations said Tehran had no links to attacks on US forces in the region as they were related to a conflict between regional resistance groups and the US military.

The statement was echoed in a letter that was written by Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations, to the world body's Security Council.

Iravani categorically rejected accusations leveled by the United States about the Islamic Republic's involvement in anti-American operations in the region.

He asserted unequivocally that "there is no group affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces, whether in Iraq, Syria, or elsewhere that operates directly or indirectly under the control of the Islamic Republic of Iran or acts on its behalf."

"Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran is not responsible for the actions of any individual or group within the region," Iran's UN ambassador added.

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US Begins Retaliation for Deadly Drone Attack on Its Soldiers

By Steve Herman February 03, 2024

The United States has begun carrying out airstrikes in the Middle East in retaliation for last Sunday's fatal drone attack on an American base in Jordan.

The U.S. Central Command said its forces on Friday "conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps [IRGC] Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from [the] United States."

"We hit exactly what we meant to hit," said U.S. Army Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, who serves as the operations director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He explained the air assault took place over about 30 minutes and said that three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria.

Iraq, but not Iran, was informed prior to the strikes, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the attacks were carried out at his direction.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," said Biden in a Friday evening statement.

However, Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives, was critical of the Biden administration's weeklong delay in launching a retaliatory attack.

"Unfortunately, the administration waited for a week and telegraphed to the world, including to Iran, the nature of our response," Johnson said in a statement. "The public handwringing and excessive signaling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months."

Hours before the U.S. military response, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises to potentially retaliate for any U.S. strikes targeting its interests.

Iran, he said, "will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response."

Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement that the strikes are a "violation of Iraqi sovereignty" and "pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences."

B-1 bombers were flown from the United States and were part of the operation that used more than 125 precision munitions, according to U.S. military officials.

"This is the start of our response," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. "The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and Coalition Forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.

"There will be additional response actions taken in [the] coming days."

On a call with journalists, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, "There will be additional response actions taken in [the] coming days."

The U.S military said it struck "command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aired vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and coalition forces."

A U.S. military official, speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity, said that while some Iranian operatives and militia members may have been killed in the attacks, that was not the goal of the strikes.

They were "not for personnel purposes but for a major disruption in logistics," the official said. "These [targets] are critical to their supply chain."

The NSC's Kirby suggested additional U.S. strikes would have a similar goal.

"There will be additional action that we will take  all designed to put an end to these attacks [on U.S. forces] and to take away capability [from the] IRGC," he said.

Syrian state media in Damascus reported that "U.S. aggression" at several sites in desert areas and along the Syria-Iraq border had resulted in casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that "13 members of Iranian groups" were killed in the strikes.

Biden and Austin, among other U.S. government officials, had made clear in recent days there would be a multi-tiered military response after the first American deaths under fire in what some describe as an escalating proxy war with Iranian-supported militias in the region.

Sunday's attack on Tower 22, a base in Jordan, killed three U.S. soldiers and injured more than 40 others. There has been no U.S. communication with Iran since that attack, Kirby said.

There have been more than 165 attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East since mid-October.

"I think anytime you lose men and women overseas in an operation, it does put additional pressure on any administration, whether they're Democrats or Republicans, to take a very firm response," Jeremi Suri, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin told VOA.

"The huge issue that the administration is dealing with is having a strong deterrence policy without having escalation throughout the region, and threading that needle is difficult. I would say the choices that they made so far have been good ones," said Suri.

The latest conflict in the Middle East was sparked nearly four months ago by Hamas terrorists and other militant groups crossing from Gaza into Israel and slaughtering 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, in their homes, at a music festival and elsewhere.

Soldiers' remains brought back to US

The first indication of Friday's retaliatory bombings came minutes after a dignified transfer of the remains of the three U.S. Army reservists concluded at Dover Air Force Base in the state of Delaware.

The Friday airstrikes by U.S. warplanes "had no connection, none whatsoever, with the timing of the dignified transfer," Kirby said in response to a question from VOA.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden watched for 15 minutes as a carry team of seven soldiers wearing white gloves in a formation of two lines marched slowly toward a C5 Galaxy military transport plane to individually retrieve the transfer cases that were draped with American flags.

They carried each case about 100 meters toward a vehicle, slowly passing a somber-looking president who had his right hand on his chest. The other civilians, including the first lady and Austin, also had their hands on hearts, as did attending lawmakers and grieving family members.

The president's attendance at the event came amid a ray of optimism that Hamas and Israel were moving slowly toward a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a freeing by Israel of Palestinian prisoners and a truce.

Israel, Hezbollah trade fire

Israel has relentlessly bombarded Gaza in response to the October 7 terror attacks. The response has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians and wounded 66,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Officials with the United Nations say the war has created a humanitarian catastrophe with about a quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people starving.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday it attacked a Hezbollah military complex and trucks that were storing weapons in southern Lebanon.

Fighter jets attacked the complex near the village of Lida, and the truck hit was near the village of Shuba, according to the IDF. This operation followed rocket launches into northern Israel from Hezbollah earlier in the day.

The Houthi movement said it fired ballistic missiles Friday at the Red Sea port city of Eilat in Israel. The IDF said its Arrow aerial defense system had intercepted a surface-to-surface missile over the Red Sea.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin also contributed to this report.

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Australian Foreign Minister Wong

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 1, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong today regarding their trips to the Middle East. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Wong emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid reaching those in need in Gaza. The leaders also stressed the need to protect civilian lives in Gaza and called for Hamas to immediately release all hostages. The Secretary underscored the importance of protecting the flow of goods and holding the Houthis accountable for their reckless attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

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Australia joins Japan-United States exercise for first time

Issued by Defence Media

2 February 2024

The Australian Defence Force has joined Japan and the United States for Exercise Keen Edge for the first time.

Historically a bilateral activity between Japan and the United States, Keen Edge 24 will test the combined readiness of all three nations to respond to security challenges in the region.

A contingent of Australian Defence Force personnel have deployed to Hawaii and mainland Japan for the exercise which will improve interoperability, practise command and control in a dynamic scenario, and test communications across different locations.

Australia's participation in Keen Edge 24 was first announced during the 2023 Defence Ministers' Meeting between the Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP and Japanese Minister of Defense, Kihara Minoru.

Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said Keen Edge 24 followed Exercise Yama Sakura 23 in December, another Japan-US exercise that Australia participated in for the first time.

"The Australia-Japan relationship is underpinned by engagement and collaboration across all aspects of defence and we are actively strengthening our commitment to security cooperation," Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said.

"Following Exercise Yama Sakura in late 2023, Australia's participation in Exercise Keen Edge with two of our most important partners in Japan and the United States, reinforces our shared commitment to regional security."

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UK relaxes partner rules for its BNO visa scheme for Hong Kongers

The move could prompt a renewed wave of interest in emigration to the United Kingdom.

By Cheryl Tung for RFA Cantonese 2024.02.02 -- The British government has loosened requirements for people wanting to emigrate from Hong Kong with their partner under the British National Overseas route to citizenship, which has already seen hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers settle in the country amid a crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement.

The move, which comes as the city's government gears up to introduce more sweeping security legislation, will potentially make it easier for people to bring their partners along when they apply to emigrate to the United Kingdom, according to the updated rules.

Now, holders of the British National Overseas, or BNO, passport can apply for a visa, which offers a pathway to residency and eventual citizenship, and bring their partners along, even if the couple is unmarried and doesn't live at the same address.

Previously, partners didn't need to be married but did need to prove two years' cohabitation before being eligible.

"If you're not living together, they'll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you: communicate regularly with each other; support each other financially; care for any children you have together [and] spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events," according to the updated rules.

The rules recognise that cultural differences, or the demands of study or work, could make it impossible for partners to live together, according to the official government web page explaining the BNO visa process.

Article 23

The update comes amid growing anxiety in Hong Kong over the impact of forthcoming national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, which commentators say will likely expand the authorities' powers to arrest and charge people for actions that were once a normal part of their daily lives.

More than 10,000 people have been arrested and at least 2,800 prosecuted in a citywide crackdown in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, mostly under public order charges.

At least 230 arrests under the 2020 National Security Law, which criminalizes public criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, as well as ties and funding arrangements with overseas organizations deemed hostile to China.

A 26-year-old BNO passport-holder who gave only the nickname Alex for fear of reprisals said she plans to apply for the visa, and for her boyfriend, with whom she has been conducting a long-distance relationship for two years, to go to the United Kingdom with her.

She said the Article 23 legislation was a key reason for her decision.

"Whenever I talk to my family on the phone, they talk about how [my younger relatives] want to emigrate, and they all talk about the Article 23 legislation," she said. "They are more motivated to emigrate because of it."

She said the Hong Kong government's attempts to attract fresh talent to the city is also causing concern for many born and raised in the city.

"They are maybe a little worried about the economy and the talent plan, which could mean greater competition for jobs if they bring in more mainlanders," she said.

Faced with an exodus of middle-class families, fleeing ever-widening curbs on freedom of speech and growing political interference in schools, officials have been trawling the region for talent.

The city's population rose by more than 2% in August 2023, as more people are being allowed to settle there from elsewhere, and following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, officials said.

But there are other concerns for Alex.

"I believe in a free society, and many things are restricted [now]," she said. "I don't want Hong Kong to be restricted like mainland Chinese."

More interest likely

A case officer for the U.K.-based advocacy group Hong Kong Aid, who gave only the surname Chow for fear of reprisals, said his organization has received more than 100 enquiries from Hong Kongers wanting to bring their partners along on the BNO visa scheme since March 2021, including those wanting to know how to prove cohabitation.

He said the relaxation of the rules, which was announced on the third anniversary of the BNO visa program's launch, could encourage more people to apply for the scheme.

"This was a policy that needed to be reconsidered for many Hong Kongers," Chow told RFA in an interview. "It comes just as they are running the consultation for the Article 23 legislation."

"I think the crimes covered by the Article 23 legislation will further affect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, and so we believe it will prompt more people, especially young people, to leave using various visa schemes including the BNO visa program," he said, adding that the issue is being widely discussed on social media.

The London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch said the new rules would make the scheme "more inclusive."

"We are delighted that the government has taken the step to further expand the BNO Visa for those brave young Hong Kongers who are not currently covered by the scheme, and to recognise the relationships that they have that may not be included in the current policy," Hong Kong Watch Chief Executive Officer Benedict Rogers said in a statement on the group's website.

"We welcome this step that will allow even more Hong Kongers to migrate to the UK and help those in need of a lifeline out of the city, be reunited with their loved ones, and make decisions as a family," he said.

To date, 191,000 people have applied to the BNO visa scheme, according figures from the British government.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China's Communist Party Liaison Chief Considered Top Foreign Minister Pick

By Lin Feng February 02, 2024

There is growing consensus among analysts that the Communist Party of China's international liaison Liu Jianchao is likely to be chosen as the country's next foreign minister, perhaps as early as March during China's most important annual political meetings, the Two Sessions.

If appointed, analysts say, the 59-year-old translator-turned-diplomat a and former hunter of corrupt officials a would succeed Wang Yi as China's top diplomat and could help repair fraught relations between Beijing and Western nations, especially the United States.

Jeremy Chan, a senior analyst at the New York-based consultancy Eurasia Group, told VOA if Liu Jianchao is promoted to foreign minister in March, as we expect, the world can expect a kinder and gentler China on the global stage in 2024.

"Liu Jianchao is a friendlier figure than Wang and more fluent in English, so it will likely aid diplomatic communications with the U.S. and other Western countries," Chan said.

However, he added, "it's also worth remembering that even as the foreign minister, Liu Jianchao would not make foreign policy but rather implement directives from Wang and other senior party leaders."

Wang Yi, 70, was re-appointed last July to serve as foreign minister until a replacement was named following the removal of Qin Gang.

Analysts VOA spoke with say Liu is clearly being groomed for the position.

In early January, he led a Chinese delegation to the United States and met with think tanks, business figures and top officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer. He also attended a public seminar on U.S.-China relations at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations.

Yun Sun, director of the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center's China Program met with Liu during his visit.

"I think Liu Jianchao's trip to D.C. is good evidence that he will be tasked with the important bilateral relationship," Sun said, adding that during his visit to three cities in the U.S., hehad multiple engagements with the think tank and policy communities. "This would be quite unusual if he is not being positioned to carry a bigger portfolio."

Liu previously served as a foreign ministry spokesman before moving on to become ambassador to the Philippines and later in Indonesia. After that, he served as assistant foreign minister before moving on to become deputy director, a vice-minister level position, of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention and Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Liu played a key role in Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Operation Fox Hunt," which sought to track down and extradite corrupt officials who fled abroad, analysts say.

"Liu Jianchao's experience leading the international office of Xi's anti-corruption campaign suggests that he enjoys a high level of political trust and is deemed capable of handling especially sensitive negotiations with foreign governments," Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the New York-based Asia Society Policy Institute, told VOA in an emailed response.

Liu Yawei, senior adviser on China at The Carter Center and an adjunct professor of political science at Georgia's Emory University, said it also helped him become familiar with the operation of China's domestic politics.

"This will allow him to understand the provincial-level government and the operation of the entire Chinese bureaucracy because diplomats and even the entire foreign ministry are relatively different from [China's] domestic bureaucracy," Liu said. "It is somewhat out of touch, but China's diplomacy is also subject to domestic politics and each province's pursuit and protection of overseas interests."

In 2018, Liu Jianchao returned to the diplomatic system and worked in the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission. In 2022, he was appointed minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, whose traditional role is to liaise with other communist party-ruled countries such as Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam.

Eurasia Group's Chan says Liu's wide-ranging experience make him a strong candidate for foreign minister.

"His anti-corruption bona fides are admittedly unusual for a foreign minister, but his experience on the [Central Commission for Discipline Inspection] also likely makes him more trustworthy in the eyes of the leadership, which has signaled concern about the reliability of the country's broader diplomatic corps," he said. "At his core, however, Liu is a diplomat a a deft communicator in both Chinese and English and possessing a global worldview and self-confidence in engaging with foreign counterparts."

Since returning to diplomacy, Liu has visited 18 countries, including Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, and the United States, reports the South China Morning Post.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

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MA Spokesman on Cruise Missile Super-large Warhead Power Test and New-type Anti-aircraft Missile Test-fire

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Missile Administration (MA) conducted a cruise missile super-large warhead power test and a new-type anti-aircraft missile test-fire in the West Sea of Korea on February 2.

The tests are a part of the normal activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes for the rapid development of the technologies in various aspects such as function, performance and operation of new-type weapon systems and had nothing to do with the regional situation.

The tests had no adverse effect on the security of a neighboring country. -0-

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Germany to Send Frigate to Red Sea Next Week to Take Part in EU Operation - Reports

Sputnik News

20240202

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany will send its frigate Hessen to the Red Sea next week to take part in a European operation to protect merchant vessels from Yemen's Houthi rebels, DPA news agency reported.

The frigate, equipped, among other weapons, with air defense missiles, is expected to arrive in the Red Sea by the end of the month.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on January 31 that the EU aimed to establish and launch the maritime mission in the Red Sea no later than February 19, adding that it would be defensive and no operations would be carried out on land.

The Houthis vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships linked to Israel until it halted military actions in the Gaza Strip. This prompted US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to announce the creation of a multinational operation to secure navigation in the Red Sea. The United States and the United Kingdom later launched major strikes against Houthi positions in a bid to degrade the rebels' ability to target commercial vessels.

In mid-January, Borrell called on the Houthis to show restraint and stressed that countries had the right to protect their ships from attack. He said the Red Sea was a vital maritime route for the whole world and Europe in particular, which is the reason why he would propose that the EU establish its own mission in the Red Sea to ensure safety of navigation. Last week, Borrell said EU foreign ministers had agreed to set up the mission.

A Sputnik

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??#Comunicado | EsSalud informa lo siguiente: pic.twitter.com/UYCShoQqR0
MARITIME SECURITY

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 02 FEB 2024 3:35PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Navy units are regularly deployed on Mission Based Deployments in our areas of interest in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance maritime security. Further, Indian Navy units undertake surveillance to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness and address contingencies that may arise. Since 2008, Indian Navy has deployed units in Gulf of Aden and East coast of Africa towards antipiracy patrols. A total of 3,440 ships and over 25,000 seafarers have been safely escorted.

Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with regional and extra-regional navies/maritime forces, to promote maritime security in the IOR. Bilateral/multilateral maritime exercises, Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs) with Friendly Foreign Countries are being undertaken by Indian Navy to enhance maritime security and countering non-traditional threats in an inclusive and cooperative manner. Further, towards strengthening regional maritime security, Government of India has established Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) which has linkages with 25 partner nations and over 40 international multinational organisations for real-time information exchange towards enhancing maritime security. Moreover, due to the ongoing maritime security situation in the region, Indian Navy units are being deployed off Djibouti/ Gulf of Aden, in the North/ Central Arabian Sea/ off East Coast of Somalia for protection of Merchant Vessels/rendering assistance, if required. In addition, information exchange/intelligence sharing is also being undertaken with Friendly Foreign Countries to identify the source/reason/players involved in the attacks/incidents.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel in the Lok Sabha today.

*****

ABB/Savvy/Nirmit



(Release ID: 2001842)

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INDUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN INDIAN ARMY

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 02 FEB 2024 3:34PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Army has proposed to introduce phased induction of a limited number of Electric Vehicles in 'Peace Stations' across the country. The aim and objectives are to adapt to latest technological advancements, give impetus to green energy and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The Indian Army is inducting the following Electric Vehicles at peace stations:

Light Vehicles (Electric)

Buses (Electric)

Motor Cycles (Electric)

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy and Shri Kuruva Gorantla Madhav in the Lok Sabha today.

ABB/Savvy/Nirmit

(Release ID: 2001841)

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Justice Department Announces Terrorism and Sanctions-Evasion Charges and Seizures Linked to Illicit, Billion-Dollar Global Oil Trafficking Network That Finances Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Its Malign Activities

Friday, February 2, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Leadership and Others Indicted, More Than $108 Million Seized, and More Than 500,000 Barrels of Sanctioned Fuel Seized

The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of three federal cases, across two U.S. Attorneys' Offices, as the most recent in a series of efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of Iranian oil that funds Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and its Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Iran's primary mechanism for cultivating and providing lethal support to terrorist organizations abroad.

In the Southern District of New York, seven defendants, including a leader within Iran's IRGC and officers of a Turkish energy group, are charged with terrorism, sanctions-evasion, fraud, and money laundering offenses in connection with their trafficking and selling of Iranian oil to government-affiliated buyers in China, Russia, and Syria, in order to finance the IRGC-QF. Additionally, the United States seized $108 million used as part of these defendants' scheme to fund the IRGC-QF.

In a related action, in the District of Columbia, a Chinese woman and Omani man are charged with sanctions-evasion and money laundering offenses in connection with the trafficking and selling of Iranian oil to Chinese government-owned refineries. Additionally, in the District of Columbia, a forfeiture complaint for the seizure of illicit Iranian oil was unsealed, alleging that more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel is forfeitable under terrorism laws as property that provides a source of funding to the IRGC and IRGC-QF.

"Iran utilizes the proceeds of its black-market oil sales to fund its criminal activities, including its support of the IRGC, Hamas, Hizballah, and other Iranian aligned terrorist groups," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "The Justice Department is targeting this funding source by seizing over $108 million and 500,000 barrels of fuel that would otherwise have enabled Iran to further its destabilizing activities that threaten our national security. In addition to disrupting Iran's unlawful funding streams, the Justice Department has also charged nine individuals for their roles in supporting Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The Justice Department will continue to use every authority we have to cut off the illegal financing and enabling of Iran's malicious activities, which have become even more evident in recent months."

"While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Qods Force are the regime's terrorist strongarms, oil is its lifeblood," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. "Today's enforcement actions show that the Justice Department is committed to using every tool - from criminal prosecutions to the lawful seizures of Iranian oil and oil profits - to shut down Iran's pipeline of petroleum and profits. The charges and seizures announced today strike at the core of the global oil smuggling network that Iran has built to fund its regime of terror and repression, and deny the regime millions of dollars in proceeds to further its nefarious agenda."

"Iran presents a constant threat to the United States - trying to murder Americans right here within our borders, conducting a cyber-attack on a children's hospital, supporting terrorists around the world, and more," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "All of Iran's crimes cost money. And the FBI will remain committed to enforcing U.S. sanctions that keep money out of its coffers."

"Today's cases are part of the Department's ongoing efforts to cut off the flow of black-market Iranian oil that funds the regime's malign activity, threatening the United States and our interests around the world," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "We remain focused on holding accountable those involved in these smuggling schemes, from the officials who oversee the laundering operations, to the network of shadowy businesses that enable them, to the brokers who help facilitate these unlawful transactions."

United States v. Shahriyari et al. (SDNY)

Note: view the indictment here

Seven defendants - including a senior IRGC-QF official, the son of Rostam Ghasemi, a former IRGC Commander and Iranian Minister of Petroleum, an Iranian shipping official, an agent of the IRGC-QF - are charged in a five-count indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court. In connection with these charges, the United States has seized $108 million that China Oil & Petrolium Company Limited, an IRGC front company, attempted to launder through correspondent transaction accounts at U.S. financial institutions in furtherance of the scheme to fund the IRGC-QF's malign activities through the illicit sale of Iranian oil. In addition, the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) announced today

that it has sanctioned China Oil & Petroleum Company Limited for its role in the oil trafficking network.

"For years, the IRGC and its Qods Force have been instrumental in the Iranian regime's violent suppression of political dissent, targeting of Iranian dissidents living abroad, and support of international terrorism a including groups like Hamas, Hizballah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Today's charges show how, as alleged, the IRGC's Qods force built a sprawling international network of front companies to launder sanctioned Iranian oil using lies, forgery, and threats of violence," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. "This alleged scheme to finance the Qods Force succeeds through the complicity of wealthy businessmen in countries like Turkey who are eager to turn a corrupt profit from supporting terror groups. The Qods Force oil-laundering network allegedly delivered millions of barrels of Iranian oil to government-affiliated buyers in Russia, China, and Syria, and transferred billions of dollars through the U.S. financial system. This office has long served at the forefront of law enforcement efforts to fight terrorism and terror finance and to protect the integrity of the U.S. banking system. I commend the tireless and outstanding efforts of our law enforcement partners in unraveling and disrupting the IRGC's scheme."

The indictment charges:

, 58, an Iranian national, is a publicly identified IRGC-QF senior official. In 2011, OFAC designated Shahriyari as a Specially Designated National (SDN).

Morteza Rostam Ghasemi

, 32, an Iranian national and SDN since 2019, is the son of IRGC-QF Commander Rostam Ghasemi.

Mohammadreza Aliakbari

, an Iranian national and SDN since 2019, is a senior officer with Safiran Payam Darya Shipping Company, which acts on behalf of the Government of Iran.

Mohammad Sadegh Karimian

l, 36, an Iranian national and SDN since 2022, acts as an IRGC-QF agent.

, which includes Som Petrol Ticaret A.S., Baslam Petrol Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S., and Baslam Nakliyat Ve Dis Ticaret Ltd. Sirketi, all of which have been designated by OFAC as SDNs since December 2022.

Bahaddin Ayan

, 35, a Turkish national, is the son of Sitki Ayan and a vice president of the ASB Group of companies and SDN since December 2022.

, 41, a Turkish national and SDN since December 2022, has been managing director of the ASB Group of companies.

, 61, a Turkish national and SDN since December 2022, is the chairman of the ASB Group of companies

According to the indictment, following the imposition of U.S. sanctions against Iran's petroleum sector in 2018, the Government of Iran's ability to finance itself through sales of crude oil and petroleum products - Iran's most important economic sector - was severely diminished. In response, the IRGC-QF built a large-scale global oil laundering network to give Iran's government-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) illicit access to global markets to sell crude oil and petroleum products and to use the proceeds to finance the IRGC-QF.

To sell NIOC crude oil to the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the network used an intermediary company in Lebanon to conceal the Government of Iran's involvement in the oil sales and a ship management company based in India to buy, lease, and manage oil tankers to use in the scheme. The oil tanker fleet was supervised by Aliakbari, and the key agreements between the Government of Iran and its foreign partners were authorized and approved by IRGC-QF Commander Rostam Ghasemi, who previously served as Iran's Minister of Oil, Minister of Transportation and Urban Development, and the Iranian chair of the Iranian-Syrian Economic Relations Development Committee.

To sell NIOC crude oil to government-affiliated buyers in China, the network used the ASB Group of companies in Turkey, owned by Sitki Ayan, as well as intermediary companies in Oman, Greece, and elsewhere. Commander Ghasemi again authorized and approved key agreements between the Government of Iran and its foreign partners and resolved financial disputes that arose among the participants in the scheme. Companies in the ASB Group acted as intermediaries in the oil sales to conceal the Government of Iran's role and the Iranian origin of the oil and leased oil tankers that were operated by co-conspirators. Sitki Ayan's son and senior ASB Group officer, Bahaddin Ayan, assisted Sitki Ayan in the scheme and caused millions of dollars of wire transfers through the U.S. banking system for the leasing and operation of oil tankers. Oztas, who was a manager of the ASB Group of companies, also assisted Sitki Ayan in carrying out the scheme and finalizing agreements with ASB Group's partners. Shahriyari, Karimian, and Aliakbari participated in negotiations among the participants and monitored the progress of the oil sales, oil shipments, and the IRGC-QF's receipt of the oil proceeds.

To sell NIOC crude oil to government-affiliated buyers in Russia, the network again used the ASB Group of companies, along with other companies in the United Arab Emirites, Cyprus, Russia, and Turkey. Shahriyari and Karimian organized a complex web of companies, with Sitki Ayan's ASB Group of companies at the center, to launder NIOC oil and the proceeds through layered transactions with a Cypriot company and to launder the oil sales through bulk cash smuggling and trade-based money laundering involving Russian agricultural products. Commander Ghasemi and his co-conspirators, including Karimian, controlled the proceeds of the oil sales, which were collected in Russia and transferred through cash couriers, Sitki Ayan's companies, or the Iranian Embassy in Moscow.

In furtherance of the oil-laundering scheme, the defendants used a myriad of deceptive techniques including: 1) the use of front companies and intermediaries in countries outside of Iran to disguise the IRGC's role in the oil transactions and the Iranian source of the oil; 2) the use of falsified documentation to misrepresent the source of the oil and deceive unwitting companies and banks and cause them to provide services in furtherance of the scheme; and 3) the use of ship-to-ship transfers and the manipulation of location and shipping data for vessels used in furtherance of the scheme in order to obscure the loading and unloading of their Iranian oil cargoes and avoid the identification of the vessels used to facilitate the oil laundering.

One of the key IRGC-QF front companies involved in the scheme was China Oil and Petroleum Company Limited (China Oil and Petroleum), which, despite its name, was controlled from Iran by Commander Ghasemi and his associates, including Karimian. China Oil and Petroleum acted as an intermediary in sales of NIOC oil, including deals involving Sitki Ayan's ASB Group of companies, in order to facilitate the ultimate delivery to government-affiliated buyers in China. Between at least 2019 and the present, China Oil and Petroleum has been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion through the U.S. financial system in furtherance of the scheme to finance the IRGC-QF.

Each of the defendants is charged with: (i) conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; (ii) conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and sanctions against the Governments of Iran and Syria, global terrorists and proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; (iii) conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; (iv) conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and (v) conspiring to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, David W. Denton Jr., and Nicholas S. Bradley are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorneys David Lim, Beaudre Barnes, and Christopher Magnani of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Trial Attorneys Joshua Champagne and Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

United States v. Wang et al. (DDC)

Note: View the indictment here.

Two defendants - Shaoyun Wang, 54, of China, and Mahmood Rashid Amur Al Habsi

, 39, of Muscat, Oman - are charged in a 12-count indictment that was unsealed today in the District of Colombia. The indictment charges the defendants with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and sanctions against Iran; conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering stemming from their scheme to sell Iranian petroleum to Chinese government-owned refineries and illegally use the U.S. financial system to facilitate the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of oil to benefit the IRGC. Also unsealed today was a warrant for a related seizure of $8.5 million connected to this network.

"The only way that Iran can illegally sell oil is if people and business organizations outside Iran help it to do so," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. "The indictment unsealed today demonstrates that the U.S. government will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly help Iran illegally sell oil - wherever in the world they are located."

According to the indictment, between December 2019 and July 2021, Wang, Al Habsi, and other co-conspirators negotiated the sale of and sold illicit Iranian oil to the People's Republic of China (PRC). They allegedly obtained the oil from Iran using surreptitious means which included AIS spoofing and multiple transfers between ocean-going tankers. The scheme relied on the use of the U.S. financial system and was facilitated by Turkish, Omani, and U.S. persons and entities, all in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran.

The indictment further alleges that Wang and Al Habsi created fraudulent documents to mask that the oil originated from Iran, used electronic communications to arrange for Chinese buyers of the Iranian oil, used shell corporations to launder the proceeds through the U.S. financial system and provided false information to the U.S. companies about the source of the money generated by the transactions. In addition, the defendants used U.S. companies as a "trust" to hold the profits for the IRGC.

Al Habsi, acting through one of his companies, procured a $16.5 million loan in June 2020 from U.S. financial companies to purchase an oil tanker, later named M/T Oman Pride. Beginning in July 2020, the Oman Pride transported Iranian oil, which was ultimately transferred to third-party vessels for sale to Chinese government-owned refineries and companies in China.

As alleged, Wang used a U.S. front company, worked with a U.S. person, and relied on U.S. financial institutions to facilitate the sale of the Iranian oil to China. Wang - who served as a director of a Chinese oil refinery - was also the chair of a U.S. company in Las Vegas, Nevada, and general manager of the U.S. company's Hong Kong-based parent company. The Hong Kong company acted as a front for transactions. Wang engaged with senior IRGC officials to effect the purchases. The scheme resulted in millions of dollars' worth of transactions that were processed by U.S. banks and facilitated by U.S. persons.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington D.C. and the FBI Minneapolis Field Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Seifert, Maeghan Mikorski, Rajbir Datta, and Prava Palacharla for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorneys David Lim, Beaudre Barnes, and Christopher Magnani of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Trial Attorneys Joshua Champagne and Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

U.S. v. Approximately 523,507 Barrels Aboard Crude Oil Tanker Abyss (DDC)

A civil forfeiture complaint was unsealed today in the District of Columbia, alleging that more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel oil valued at over $25 million previously onboard M/T Abyss is forfeitable under terrorism laws as property that provides a source of funds to the IRGC and IRGC-QF.

"The complaint unsealed today is the latest in a series of actions our Office has taken to seize and to forfeit oil that Iran has attempted to illegally sell," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. "Forfeiture actions like this one disrupt Iran's efforts to illegally sell oil. The proceeds from these illegal sales are the lifeblood of the Iranian's efforts to sew war and terror around the globe, disrupting these sales is critical to our national security."

The document alleges a scheme to facilitate the shipment and sale of Iranian fuel oil for the benefit of the IRGC and the IRGC-QF. The IRGC and its facilitators used deceptive practices to masquerade the oil as Iraqi, including manipulating the vessel's automatic identification system reporting and presenting falsified documents.

The civil forfeiture action further alleges that the fuel oil constitutes the property of the NIOC, which has provided material support to the IRGC and IRGC-QF. As alleged, profits from petroleum product sales support the IRGC's full range of malign activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and both domestic and international human rights abuses.

Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.

The FBI Minneapolis Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York are investigating the Abyss case related to Iranian fuel oil, and other cases were investigated by these offices as well as HSI's Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs offices.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert, Maeghan O. Mikorski, Brian Hudak, Rajbir S. Datta, and Erika Oblea for the District of Columbia are litigating the case related to Iranian fuel oil aboard the Abyss, with support from the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. They received assistance from Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers. The U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in this matter.

A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.

***

These enforcement actions are the latest in Justice Department efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of Iranian oil in violation of U.S. law. On Sept. 8, 2023, the Department announced a seizure of oil onboard the tanker Suez Rajan, a criminal plea by its ownership company, and a deferred prosecution agreement by its operating company, all arising out of the tanker's transport of illicit Iranian oil. The oil was sold for $74 million, and the proceeds of the sale are now subject to the civil forfeiture process.

These recent actions build on prior enforcement cases the Department of Justice has brought in the District of Columbia related to seizures of illicit Iranian oil since 2019. For example, on July 1, 2020, the Department filed a civil asset forfeiture complaint against all the petroleum seized onboard the four oil tankers, the Bella, Bering, Pandi, and Luna, which were carrying Iranian petroleum to Venezuela. The petroleum onboard these four tankers was sold for approximately $45 million.

Similarly, on Feb. 2, 2021, the Department of Justice filed a civil asset forfeiture against all petroleum seized onboard the oil tanker Achilleas, which was transporting NIOC petroleum. The petroleum on the Achilleas was sold for approximately $111 million.

***

In December 2023, the Department of Justice joined with the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury to issue a joint "Know Your Cargo" compliance note highlighting common tactics deployed by malign actors in the maritime and other transportation industries as well as recent enforcement actions taken in response to alleged violations.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic: Countering Nation-State Threats

Components: Office of the Attorney General

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

Office of the Deputy Attorney General

USAO - District of Columbia

USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-136

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'Iran not after war but will respond to those who bully'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 2, 2024

Bandar Abbas, IRNA -- President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a stark warning to Iran's enemies, saying the Islamic Republic does not intend to start a war but will respond firmly and decisively to an oppressor or force that wants to bully the country.

President Raisi issued the warning while addressing a large gathering of the people in Minab, a city in the eastern Iranian province of Hormuzgan on Friday.

"We have often clarified that Iran will not initiate a war but will answer bullies firmly and authoritatively", he said, stressing that Iran's military is for self-defense and does not pose any threat to regional countries.

"The military power of the Islamic Republic of Iran is not a threat to any country, rather it is a security generator and the regional countries can rely on this power', the Iranian president underlined.

Raisi also pointed to threats and rhetoric used against the Islamic Republic.

"In the past, whenever they wanted to talk to Iran, they used the language of threats such as the military option is on the table but now we don't hear those words rather they say even that they are not seeking war", he said in an indirect reference to past US policies as well as the recent remarks by some American officials following a deadly drone strike on a US military base in Jordan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president hailed the country's achievement in the defensive arena, calling it a power of deterrence.

"This morning I visited the IRGC (Islamic Revolution Guards Corps) Navy exhibition where many of innovations by our elite forces and experts were valuable that the enemy would never believe in", Raisi noted, adding that these works are aimed at enhancing the country's defense and creating security in the air, sea and land.

9341**4399

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Raeisi: Iran's response to any potential attack would be 'decisive and strong'

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 2:26 PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Tehran will not start a war but will give a decisive and strong response to any adventurism seeking to bully the Islamic Republic.

"We have said many times that we will not be the initiator of any war, but if a country or a cruel force wants to bully the Islamic Republic of Iran, it will respond firmly," Raeisi said in an address to a large crowd of people in the city of Minab in the southern province of Hormozgan on Friday.

He said Iran's military power does not pose any threat to the countries in West Asia but it is a source of security that the regional states can rely on.

Raeisi said the enemies used to resort to the language of threat against Iran and even said a military option was on the table, but now they announce that they do not seek any confrontation with the Islamic Republic.

Raeisi reiterated the deterrent nature of Iran's military might.

The president further pointed to his tour of an exhibition of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy earlier in the day and said the enemies cannot tolerate such innovations by Iranian experts and specialists.

US officials have in recent days spoken of plans to launch a series of strikes against Iranian targets inside Iraq and Syria in response to an attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan at the weekend. US President Joe Biden blamed what he called "Iranian-backed groups" mainly based in Iraq for the attack, which also wounded at least 34.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks on US forces in the region, saying regional resistance groups do not take orders from Tehran, nor does the Islamic Republic have a role in their decisions to carry out retaliatory operations in defense of the Palestinian people.

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Super project: Iran begins construction of $15bn nuclear plant

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 8:24 AM

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has begun the construction work on a new nuclear power plant in the country's southern coastal province of Hormozgan with an investment of $15 billion.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi launched the project, called "Iran-Hormoz", through a video call on Thursday, as part of his administration's trip to the southern province. Mohammad Eslami, the head of AEOI, and other officials attended the ceremony at the plant's location in Sirik city.

The power plant is a "significant undertaking," serving as a crucial infrastructure for the country's economy and development, Raeisi said.

Praising the efforts of skilled Iranian experts, he hoped that the project would bring prosperity to the people.

He noted that the project was "much bigger" than the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, a 1,000-MW plant built by Russia and handed over in September 2013 after years of delay.

Addressing the event, Eslami said the project is part of national plans to develop Iran's nuclear industry in the next two decades.

He noted that the Iran-Hormoz Plant is designed to have an electricity generation capacity of 5,000 MW and will be comprised of four 1,250-MW units.

He said the major power plant is in line with the implementation of the Makran coast development plan.

"By the year 2041, we should reach the generation capacity of 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity in the country, and the realization of this goal has been taken into consideration in the Makran coast of Hormozgan Province," Iran's nuclear chief said.

"It is hoped that it will be completed as planned and coordinated, and based on scheduled timing."

Eslami also praised the Iran-Hormoz Power Plant as a "super project" and said the nuclear power plant will be constructed with an investment of $15 billion.

Over the past years, Iran has recorded many achievements in its peaceful nuclear energy program in defiance of US sanctions as well as hurdles created by the West.

The country has also been closely cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Meanwhile, Iran has taken steps to answer its rising needs for energy by tapping renewable sources.

Late in December, Raeisi ordered the implementation of the largest plan in the West Asia region for the construction of a renewable energy power plant in the country.

The 4,000-megawatt renewable energy power plant is expected to be put into operation before summer to redress the imbalance in energy when the electricity consumption rate hits its peak

Iran's Energy Ministry has a plan to reach a 10,900-MW increase in energy production capacity from renewable sources. There are 381 renewable energy power plants with a capacity of about 11,000 megawatts across Iran.

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Iranian 'Spy Ship' In Spotlight As U.S. Seeks Retaliation Against Tehran

By Kian Sharifi February 02, 2024

Since a Tehran-backed militia in Iraq killed three U.S. soldiers in a drone trike in Jordan, there has been mounting speculation about how Washington might retaliate against Iran.

While unnamed U.S. officials speaking to the media have ruled out a direct strike on Iranian territory, they have suggested that Washington could attack Iranian targets in Iraq or Syria, or naval assets in the region.

Media reports suggest one target could be the Behshad, an Iranian vessel in the Red Sea that experts believe is a spy ship that is operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and provides intelligence to Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen. Tehran maintains that it is a cargo ship.

The Huthis have attacked commercial shipping in the key global trade route in recent months, in a move that has triggered retaliatory U.S. and U.K. air strikes.

Experts say the United States is unlikely to hit the Behshad, which would be viewed by Iran as a major escalation and could trigger a direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Repurposed Cargo Ship

Built in 1999, the Behshad was constructed as a cargo ship. But it only attracted wider attention in 2021, when it replaced another vessel -- the Saviz -- in the Red Sea.

The Saviz had long been suspected of helping to smuggle weapons and provide intelligence to the Huthis, but it had to be towed back to Iran after a mysterious explosion.

Aurora Intel, an open-source intelligence group that monitors the Behshad via satellite imagery, told RFE/RL that the vessel has remained largely stationery in the Red Sea since it replaced the Saviz.

The group said the Behshad had switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) -- meaning it was not broadcasting its location -- and was being guarded by Iranian Navy vessels.

The Iranian Navy has maintained a presence in the Red Sea for years. Currently, two Iranian warships -- the IRIS Alborz and IRIS Bushehr -- are believed to be located close to the Behshad.

Aurora Intel said that small boats regularly visit the Behshad.

"Why would you constantly have small vessels going back and forth from a cargo vessel that is monitored by the navy?" the group asked. "They are moving people, not cargo."

Aurora Intel said the Behshad turned on its AIS transponder on January 3, a day before it departed its position in the Red Sea, moving south and through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to the Gulf of Aden.

Since January 11, it has been in a holding pattern just 100 kilometers east of the port of Djibouti, according to the ship-tracking and maritime intelligence service MariTrace.

"Not only is this a less suitable position for disembarking security teams protecting Iranian vessels through a danger zone, [but] it also coincided with an increase in Huthi attacks in the Gulf of Aden," Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense specialist at the global intelligence company Janes, told RFE/RL.

Many of the Huthis' drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels have occurred in the Gulf of Aden.

"Keep in mind that the Huthis don't control any coastline on the Gulf of Aden, making it far harder for them to find and verify the ships they want to target there," he said. "Using a ship [like the Behshad] as a near-permanent observation post would help greatly in this situation."

Iranian officials and state media have been tight-lipped about the Behshad. But a little-known entity that calls itself the Center for Combating Online Rumors, which appears to be run by a group of pro-government Iranian journalists, said the Behshad "can be of great help" to the Huthis to "punish the aggressors."

Unlikely Target For The U.S.

Some circles in the United States have called on Washington to strike the Behshad after the Huthis started targeting commercial vessels linked to Israel in November.

The Huthis say they are striking Israeli-linked ships in support of Palestinians following the October outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Israel launched an offensive in Gaza that has killed thousands of people in the Palestinian enclave in retaliation to a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Since last month, the Huthis have expanded their targets to include U.S.- and British-linked vessels in response to U.S. and U.K. air strikes on Huthi positions in Yemen.

The calls to strike the Behshad have only grown since the Tehran-sponsored Kataib Hizballah militia carried out a drone strike on a U.S. outpost, known as Tower 22, in Jordan on January 29, which killed three soldiers and injured dozens of service members.

U.S. media, citing officials, have said Washington's response will come in waves and can take weeks. The targets, they say, include Iranian-backed militias and Iranian assets outside Iran.

While observers believe Washington is likely to strike IRGC targets in Iraq and Syria, some have not ruled out attacks against Tehran's navy assets.

But experts say the Behshad is an unlikely target.

"My sense is that both Iran and the U.S. are seeking to avoid a direct military confrontation," said Raz Zimmt, a senior researcher at the Israel-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). "Therefore, hitting this ship, particularly in response to the activities of Iraqi militias, might be perceived as a disproportionate reaction."

Binnie said any U.S. attack on the Behshad would lead to "allegations that it is doing what the Huthis are doing -- illegally attacking commercial ships."

Binnie added that the United States could make the Behshad a "legitimate target in time of war" by releasing intelligence to make the case that it was being used for military purposes, "but that would effectively represent a direct attack on the Iranian military."

And if Washington hit the Behshad, Iran would find itself in a conundrum, according to Zimmt.

"Iran has usually tried to respond directly in such cases," he said. "But... the Iranian dilemma will be very difficult due to Tehran's concern over the possibility of a U.S. response."

Binnie suggested the United States could reduce the threat posed by the Behshad without using force.

"Perhaps the better way to neutralize Behshad is by using what militaries call 'non-kinetic' means, most obviously by jamming its communications so it cannot pass intelligence to the Huthis on land," he said.

This could already be happening, Binnie stated, but that would mean dedicating assets, such as naval vessels or aircraft, to the job "that could not then be used elsewhere."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-spy-ship-behshad- washington-retaliation-huthis/32803034.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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Iran Says It's 'Not Looking For War,' But Is Ready For One

By Michael Scollon February 02, 2024

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said during a trip to an impoverished southern region that Tehran is not looking for military conflict but would respond forcefully to any country that threatens the Islamic republic.

"We will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us, they will receive a strong response," Raisi said in a televised speech on February 2 in Hormozgan Province, located along the Gulf of Oman.

Raisi's comments were the latest from officials this week that signaled Iran's openness to a diplomatic resolution to rising tensions with the United States but which also projected the Islamic republic as a powerful country unafraid to hit back if attacked.

The twinned messaging, including by Iran's foreign minister and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), came as the United States considered ways to strike back after three U.S. troops stationed at a base in Jordan were killed and more than 40 were wounded in a January 28 drone attack.

While the Pentagon did not initially say who was responsible for the attack, Washington later blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias that includes Kataib Hizbollah. The groups are part of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance" against Israel and the West whose members have attacked Israeli and U.S. targets in opposition to Israel's ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Amid speculation that the U.S. response to the attack on its base in Jordan could include strikes on Iran itself, the U.S. outlet CBS News on February 1 quoted unidentified U.S. officials as saying that Washington had approved plans to strike targets -- including Iranian personnel and facilities -- in Syria and Iraq. U.S. forces have come under attack by Iranian-backed militants in those countries where IRGC forces are also present.

At the start of his visit to Hormozgan, Raisi attended an exhibition of the naval and technological capabilities of the IRGC, the elite branch of the Iranian military that has launched recent missile strikes that were seen as a warning to Israel and the United States.

The exhibition, held under the slogan "We Can," showed enemies that they would "never be able" to harm Iran, according to the semiofficial Mehr news agency.

"The enemy does not have the ability to act against the Islamic republic," Raisi was quoted as saying. "Because they know our forces are powerful and capable."

During a later public address in Hormozgan, Raisi said that Iran's military might was not a threat to any country but was a powerful security guarantor that its allies in the region could depend on.

Raisi described the weapons he had seen at the IRGC exhibition as evidence of Iran's status as a "deterrent power."

The United States has repeatedly said that it seeks to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and is not pursuing a war with Iran.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated that message during a press briefing on January 31 in which he also said Washington had obligations to protect U.S. troops and facilities in the region.

"We will have to do -- we will do what we need to do -- to make sure that that those responsible are held properly accountable," Kirby said, repeating that Washington believed the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq "planned, resourced, and facilitated" the deadly attack on U.S. troops in Jordan.

He also said that Kaitab Hizballah, which this week announced that it was suspending attacks against the United States, was "not the only group that has been attacking our troops and our facilities in Iraq and Syria."

When asked whether Iran, which has no official diplomatic ties with the United States, had conveyed a message that Tehran was not interested in escalating tensions, Kirby said: "I don't have any private communications with Iran."

On February 1, Kirby declined to comment on reports that Iranian-linked sites were among the targets the United States planned to strike in Iraq or Syria in response to the deadly drone attack in Jordan.

"I'm not going to telegraph punches," Kirby said, while noting that U.S. President Joe Biden had "made his choices."

On February 2, Raisi said that the United States had first suggested that a "military option was on the table" but that "now they say they have no intention of a conflict with Iran."

The comments echoed those made earlier by high-ranking Iranian officials and military leaders who weighed in on the prospect of an impending U.S. strike.

The messaging came amid reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had advised an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council this week to avoid a war with the United States and distance Iran from partners and proxies who killed Americans, but to prepare to strike back if Iran was hit itself.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who has broadly called for diplomacy to reduce tensions in the Middle East, was quoted by the reformist Shargh daily as telling a government meeting that "America should stop the language of threats...and focus on a political solution."

"Iran's response in the face of threats will be decisive and immediate," he added.

IRGC commander Hossein Salami on January 31 shrugged off what Iranian state media referred to as the "threatening rhetoric against Iran," saying the United States and Iran "know each other."

"We will not let any threat remain unanswered," Salami said at a gathering in Tehran. "We are not looking for a war, but are not afraid of war either."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states-war-rhetoric- jordan-soldiers-killed-milita/32803078.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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Imposing Sanctions on Those Supporting Iran's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Missile Production

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

February 2, 2024

The United States is imposing sanctions today on four entities operating as front companies and subsidiaries for U.S.-designated Hamed Dehghan and Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB). These entities have supplied materials and sensitive technology for Iran's ballistic missile and UAV programs, including Shahed-series UAVs being used by the Russian military against Ukraine.

Iranian-made UAVs are used to commit acts of terror, including dozens of attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups on U.S. personnel that have resulted in the deaths of U.S. soldiers. Iran-backed Houthis have also launched attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. naval assets using Iranian-made UAVs and missiles. The United States is committed to utilizing all available means to expose and hold individuals and entities accountable for contributing to the Iranian regime's proliferation, which directly harms U.S. personnel in the region and contributes to regional instability in the Middle East and Russia's war against Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's actions were taken pursuant to the Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferations of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release.

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Treasury Sanctions Transnational Procurement Network Supporting Iran's Ballistic Missile and UAV Programs

U.S. Department of the Treasury

February 2, 2024

Action includes designation of a Qods Force financial front company

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a key procurement network of prolific suppliers of materials and sensitive technology for Iran's ballistic missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs, including the Shahed-series UAV produced by Iran's Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC). The four Iran- and Hong Kong-based entities designated today have operated as covert procurement entities for OFAC designated Hamed Dehghan and Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB), who are actively engaged in supporting multiple Iranian military organizations, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Additionally, OFAC is designating a Hong Kong-based front company involved in the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian commodities for the benefit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

"Iran's continued proliferation of its advanced conventional weapons, including the UAVs and missiles that target U.S. soldiers, remains a critical threat to the stability of the region," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "We will not hesitate to leverage our full suite of tools to disrupt the illicit procurement networks that supply the components for these weapons systems, as well as hold accountable those who seek to export these weapons to terrorist proxy groups."

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. This designation was enabled by key data from Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

HONG KONG-BASED FRONT COMPANIES

FY International Trading Co., Limited (FYIT) is a Hong Kong-based front company for PKGB that has procured orders of UAV engines and Western-origin carburetors for PKGB. FYIT has conducted millions of dollars' worth of transactions through the U.S. financial system, including sending or receiving transactions of more than $16 million since 2021. FYIT has received transactions from OFAC designated Torgan Co. Limited and Lowell Limited, demonstrating FYIT's connection to Iranian shadow banking networks, a multi-jurisdictional illicit finance system that grants Iranian entities access to the international financial system and obfuscates Iranian trade with foreign customers.

End users of FYIT's UAV-related procurements for PKGB include the Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center. On November 15, 2022, OFAC designated Iran's SAIRC, a firm subordinate to the IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC ASF) that designs and manufactures the Shahed-136 one-way attack UAV that Iran has supplied to Russia for use against Ukraine. The IRGC ASF was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 on June 16, 2010.

Hong Kong-based Duling Technology HK Limited (Duling Technology) has facilitated procurements of U.S.- and Western-origin matrix switches, turbine engines, and other items with UAV applications totaling millions of dollars for PKGB. PKGB officials, including OFAC designated PKGB managing director Hamed Dehghan and OFAC designated PKGB employee Mehdi Ebrahimzadeh-Ardakani, have used Duling Technology to procure these U.S.- and Western-origin items with UAV applications totaling millions of dollars for PKGB.

Advantage Trading Co., Limited (Advantage Trading) is a Hong Kong-based front company incorporated by PKGB in 2023. PKGB has used Advantage Trading to procure U.S.- and Western-origin microelectronics and aviation parts with UAV applications.

FYIT, Duling Technology, and Advantage Trading were designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PKGB.

IRAN-BASED SUBSIDIARY

Narin Sepehr Mobin Istatis (NSMI), an Iran-based subsidiary of PKGB, is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, PKGB.

IRGC-QF COMMODITY SALES TO PRC ENTITIES

Hong Kong-based IRGC-QF front company China Oil and Petroleum Company Limited (COPC) has arranged contracts and sold hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian commodities for the benefit of the IRGC-QF. IRGC-QF officials, to include deceased IRGC-QF official Rostam Ghasemi, have represented COPC, which has used falsified documents to mask the origin of the Iranian commodities. COPC coordinated with Mira to sell Iranian commodities to a PRC-based entity via the M/T SARAK, a vessel that was identified as blocked property of the Mehdi Group, which was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in August 2019 for its provision of support to Rostam Ghasemi. COPC similarly coordinated with U.S.-designated Kasim Oztas, a member of U.S.-designated Sitki Ayan's ASB Group network, to facilitate trade with PRC-based entities for the benefit of the IRGC-QF.

China Oil and Petroleum Company Limited is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF.

Kasim Oztas and Sitki Ayan were designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, on December 8, 2022, for providing support to the IRGC-QF. ASB Group was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, on December 8, 2022, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Sitki Ayan.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the entities named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. All transactions by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited.

In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the or entities designated today could be subject to U.S. sanctions.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here.

For identifying information on the individuals and entities designated today, click here.

###

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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS.

Mortality from tumor diseases in Armenia decreased by 6.4 percent in the last 4 years. Narek Manukyan, the Director of the National Oncology Center, shared this information in his speech at the fourth Armenian Oncology Congress held in Jermuk.

"In the last 4 years, mortality from tumor diseases in Armenia decreased by 6.4 percent. However, I want us to understand that we have achieved such success as a result of the daily hard work of three important links, both separately and together, " said the director of the center.

According to Manukyan, the first factor contributing to the progress is the continuous training of oncologists. The director of the center also emphasized the role of the government, particularly the Ministry of Health.

Since 2019, surgery and radiation treatment of malignant tumors have been carried out within the framework of the state order, and drug treatment is provided based on the principle of co-payment. Patients, knowing that the treatment is free, have started to consult oncologists more frequently when needed. In the past, a significant number of patients did not seek treatment after being diagnosed due to the lack of funds. Now, the number of such cases has sharply decreased, he said.

According to him, such results have been influenced by the additional large sums of money provided by the state.

Director of the National Oncology Center noted that such results had been influenced by the additional large sums of money provided by the state.

Manukyan identified the third contributing factor as the increased attention of medical institutions to oncology.
Cleric Urges Iran to Clarify How Student Died in IRGC Custody

By VOA Persian Service February 02, 2024

In his Friday prayer sermons, Molavi Abdol Hamid, a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni Muslim population, urged government agencies to disclose the details surrounding the death of Sepehr Shirani in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Zahedan.

Shirani, a 19-year-old student, was found dead days after being arrested by the intelligence forces of the IRGC, which informed his family of his death on Thursday.

The news outlet Hal-Vash, which focuses on reporting from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, quoted Molavi Abdol Hamid as saying, "The relevant authorities must ensure transparency and clarify to the public the circumstances surrounding Sepehr Shirani's death."

Shirani left his home around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and his phone was later turned off, according to media reports. His family searched for him and confirmed his detention by the intelligence forces of the IRGC. They were told that he was to be questioned, Hal-Vash reported, about his online activities and released.

According to published information, Shirani had received warnings and cautions from security forces regarding his online activities, involvement in the administration of Maki Mosque, and support for Friday's protests in Zahedan.

Hal-Vash reported on Thursday that Shirani, who had been detained in Zahedan for "online activities," had "lost his life under torture." The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitor in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, citing its sources, reported the same cause of death.

The IRGC informed his family of his death on Thursday, according to Iran Focus. His family is following the procedures to receive his body from the IRGC, it said.

Amnesty International has accused the Islamic Republic's intelligence and security forces of torturing those arrested during and in the aftermath of nationwide protests in 2022-23.

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Iraq condemns US airstrikes as 'breach of sovereignty', warns of 'disasterous consequences'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 03 February 2024 5:01 AM

The Iraqi government has condemned in the strongest terms the US military's airstrikes against dozens of sites in the country and neighboring Syria used by anti-terror resistance groups as a "violation of the Iraqi sovereignty."

"These airstrikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty," General Yehya Rasool, a spokesman for Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, said in a statement.

He noted that the actions taken by Washington will have "disastrous consequences for the security and stability of Iraq and the region".

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its military forces struck more than 85 targets in the two countries "with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States".

"The air strikes employed more than 125 precision munitions," it added in a statement.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Friday that the strikes were the first in a series of actions by Washington in response to a drone attack that killed a number of soldiers at a remote US base in Jordan.

"Our response began today," Biden said. "It will continue at times and places of our choosing," he stated.

Three US soldiers were killed and about 40 others injured in the assault on the military base known as Tower 22 near the Jordan-Syria border on Sunday.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the drone strike.

In retaliation for the latest flurry of US aerial assaults on several locations in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that it had conducted missile strikes against the Ain al-Asad Airbase, housing US occupation forces in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.

The group also said it had staged missile and drone strikes against the strategic al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria near the border with Jordan and Iraq, as well as the al-Khadra Village in Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah.

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Iraq's Nujaba vows to keep up attacks on US forces in protest at occupation, Gaza war

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 11:14 AM

Iraqi resistance group Harakat Hezbollah Nujaba has vowed to keep up strikes against US military bases in the country and neighboring Syria.

Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi in a statement on Friday dismissed US threats to carry out airstrikes on Iraq, stressing that "Any strike will result in an appropriate response."

He added that his group would continue its actions against American forces until its demands for the occupation troops to leave Iraq and an end to the relentless Israeli ground and aerial offensives against Palestinians in Gaza are met.

The remarks come as Washington has threatened to strike targets in Iraq after three of its troops were killed in a drone strike at an occupied base last week near the Syria-Jordan border.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, that claimed responsibility for that attack announced on Tuesday a "suspension" in its operations against American targets across the region.

The group cited "consideration for the Iraqi government" as the reason for the decision, without elaborating.

Anti-US sentiments are running high in Iraq over the strong support of Washington for Israeli crimes in Gaza as well as Washington's refraining from withdrawing its forces from Iraq, 19 years after invading the country.

Iraq adopted the law to expel foreign forces after Washington assassinated top Iraqi and Iranian anti-terror commanders four years ago.

General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), were assassinated along with their comrades in a US drone strike that was authorized by then-president Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.

The two iconic anti-terror commanders are greatly admired for their instrumental role in fighting and decimating the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria.

The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has provided the occupying regime with a raft of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war.

Washington has also vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression.

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INTERVIEW: 'After three years ... it is impossible for these dictators to win'

On the third anniversary of Myanmar's coup d'Atat, prominent activist Tayzar San assesses the people's revolution against the regime.

By Htet Htet Eindra Aung for RFA Burmese 2024.02.01 -- Burmese physician and pro-democracy activist Tayzar San has been a leading figure in Myanmar's 'Spring Revolution,' a series of protests that began in early 2021 in opposition to the coup d'Atat that ousted the elected government. He organized the first public street protest against the coup in Mandalay, sparking a string of similar peaceful demonstrations across the country.

On the anniversary of the Feb. 1, 2021, government takeover by the military, Tayzar San, 34, and other organizers called for the Burmese people to participate in a fifth nationwide 'Silent Strike,' by remaining in their homes and keeping their shops closed for the day. They also called for the continuation of the so-called 'White Campaign,' in which people wear white clothing, ribbons or armbands to demand an end to junta rule.

RFA Burmese reporter Htet Htet Eindra Aung spoke with Tayzar San about the third anniversary of the takeover, ongoing popular strikes and his assessment of where the people's revolution is headed. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RFA: What kind of activities will the people's revolutionary strike forces be engaging in now?

Tayzar San: The People's Revolution has been around for three years. When we look back at the three-year journey, we can say that the people have played a key part in the revolution. However, at the end of three years, we all need to continue the revolution. In addition to saying that we support the revolution, we all need to prove it with actual work. This campaign is aimed at encouraging public participation.

RFA: The people also have been called on to participate in the Silent Strike and the White Campaign. How will these activities be carried out?

Tayzar San: While we are carrying out this revolution, other anti-coup forces are strategically and simultaneously implementing armed struggles and public protests. Everyone can participate in these campaigns to mark the three-year anniversary of the coup.

The Silent Strike ... has demonstrated to the world how unified and enduring this movement is. This campaign can be conducted in both rural and urban areas. The military is also afraid of this campaign. Therefore, on Feb.1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., we will again hold a silent strike.

Our other movement is the White Campaign. We have three main messages for the public. First, while the military council is losing heavily in ground battles, they are killing and bombing civilians in aerial strikes, which is to their advantage. To prevent it, we are conducting the White Campaign to call on international organizations not to sell aviation fuel to the Myanmar military.

Second, the junta has a need for foreign currency. It's a battle they are facing on the financial front. Now the junta is collecting taxes from Myanmar nationals abroad for its budget to kill people at home. So, the White Campaign is to alert people not to pay taxes to the junta.

Another objective of White Campaign is to urge both commanders and lower-ranking soldiers on the ground to join hands with the people as soon as possible. With these three objectives, the White Campaign will be carried out every Monday.

RFA: Won't it be difficult for some people to participate in these movements under the current situation?

Tayzar San: Of course. There are difficulties and challenges in any revolution. Particularly, the terrorist army is inhumane and very cruel. For years, the military has repressed its opponents in the most brutal ways in its controlled areas. However, people have not surrendered to them in fear. People have not accepted the bad military bureaucracy. That is why we are conducting this revolution. as we fully believe in the people.

The people will surely join both the Silent Strike and the White Campaign. On the other hand, the military regime is forcing people to leave their homes on campaign days to make towns and villages appear busy, and they are ordering their supporters to do the same. These are their traditional methods. However, they do not realize that the more they oppress people, the stronger the popular resistance to the military will be. The more they try to rule with fear, the more aware the people become.

RFA: It's now been three years since the beginning of the Spring Revolution. What's your assessment of the situation?

Tayzar San: Three years back, at the start of our revolution, some international experts noted that the military was very strong, and they concluded that it would be impossible to remove the junta. However, after three years, they have changed their views. After three years, it is clear that it is impossible for these dictators to win. It is also the time to prove that we can go beyond this three-year span with our unwavering efforts to reach our final goals.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Joshua Lipes.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Three arrested over anti-junta 'silent strike' in Mandalay

The arrests came alongside a spate of bombings in the commercial capital Yangon.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.02 -- Authorities in Myanmar's second city Mandalay have arrested at least three people for taking part in a "silent strike" protesting the third anniversary of military rule, according to residents.

People in Myanmar staged a nationwide silent strike on Thursday, forgoing work and staying inside their homes to demonstrate their opposition to the Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat that saw the military seize control of the country.

The protest was held from 10 am to 4 pm in several major cities, including the commercial capital Yangon, and marked by noticeably reduced vehicle and foot traffic, while security appeared heightened, following the deployment of additional junta troops and security vehicles.

Sources told RFA Burmese that authorities in Mandalay arrested Kyaw Soe Oo, a 48-year-old English teacher, and two as-of-yet unidentified people who joined the silent strike or posted messages in support of the protest.

A source close to Kyaw Soe Oo's family, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said he knew something was wrong when the teacher failed to show up at either his 4 pm or 8 pm classes on Thursday.

"I only found out about his arrest when his students called me," the source said, adding that Kyaw Soe Oo's phone was turned off when he later tried to contact him. "He is just a tuition teacher, who is also a member of the board of trustees for the Ein Daw Yar pagoda. He was never actively involved in politics."

After learning of his arrest, Kyaw Soe Oo's family members went to the No. 6 Police Station in Mandalay's Chan Aye Thar Zan township to see him, but were told that he was not there, according to the source.

Arrested for FB posts

Ahead of Thursday's protest, Kyaw Soe Oo posted a message on his Facebook account urging people to stay at home after 10 am. Pro-junta channels on the social media platform Telegram claimed that he was arrested for his posts.

Other reports on pro-junta Telegram channels claimed that a 25-year-old man and a woman from Mandalay were also arrested on Thursday. The woman had allegedly taken part in silent strike activities on Mandalay's U Pein Bridge, but no other details were provided.

An official from the group that organized the strike in Mandalay, known as the Mandalay Strike Force, told RFA that the arrested woman "was not one of our members."

Sources in Mandalay suggested that the number of arrests related to the strike could be higher, as "nearly everyone" took part.

Most of the shops at the city's normally bustling Maha Aung Myay wholesale gem market were closed on Thursday, prompting municipal officers and the police to investigate and force owners to open, residents said.

There were similar reports of authorities forcing shops to open on Thursday in Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy regions, as well as forced attendance at pro-junta rallies.

Yangon blasts

Meanwhile, residents of Yangon reported that anti-junta groups detonated at least six bombs in three townships of Yangon on Wednesday and Thursday in a bid to undermine military rule on the third anniversary of the coup.

On Wednesday night, three explosions occurred at the North Okkalapa Township Electricity Office near a roundabout where junta security personnel were stationed, sources in the city told RFA.

Another two explosions took place at a sawmill in Kyimyinedine township's Thardukan West ward on the same day, they said.

The last explosion occurred on Thursday near a traffic checkpoint where police were inspecting cars at the corner of 5th Street Hlaing River in Hlaingtharyar township, sources said.

A member of the anti-junta organization Operation Flame said the attacks were jointly carried out by rebel groups that included Company 2 of the People's Defense Force in North Okkalapa, the Kyimyinedine Township Operation Flame, the People's Defense Organization of Yangon's West District and the Yangon Army.

"We conducted the missions to mark the three-year anniversary of the military coup on behalf of all revolutionary forces, in response to junta oppression," the Operation Flame member said. "We will continue to fight together with the people until the junta is removed from power."

Reports indicated that four soldiers on security duty were seriously injured in the explosions in North Okkalapa and Kyimyindine townships. However, RFA was unable to independently verify the claims.

The junta did not release any statements related to the bombings and attempts by RFA to contact Htay Aung, the junta's attorney general and spokesperson for the Yangon region government, went unanswered Friday.

Residents told RFA that the junta has tightened security by deploying soldier and vehicle convoys in Yangon in response to the blasts.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Setbacks raise question of whether Myanmar's leader can maintain control

Low public and international support and regular reports of soldiers surrendering leave the junta with few choices.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.02 -- Recent battlefield setbacks and little apparent public support are raising the question of whether the leader of Myanmar's junta can expect to maintain influence within the military and his hold over the country, several observers told Radio Free Asia this week.

Myanmar's two other post-independence military dictator generals - Than Shwe and Ne Win - ruled the country for decades following their own coup d'etats.

But just three years after Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and the military took control of the government in February 2021, the junta continues to be faced with regular reports of military officers and soldiers who have either surrendered to rebel groups or voluntarily switched sides.

"There aren't many choices left for them," said Jason Tower, country director for the Burma program at the United States Institute of Peace. "At some point, the Burmese military will have to surrender or find some way to escape from the current situation."

Entire regiments and numerous senior military officers switched to the opposition in the months after the 2021 coup - something that wasn't true following the 1962 and 1988 military coups, both of which encountered some armed resistance.

Since then, junta troops have abandoned more than 30 border towns and hundreds of military outposts, including several strategic regional headquarters.

Junta battlefield losses have accelerated since the rebel ethnic armies that make up the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched a coordinated offensive in October.

In November, Min Aung Hlaing warned that the recent attacks - known as Operation 1027 - could "break Myanmar into pieces." The comments at an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council in the capital Naypyitaw seemed to be a plea for public support of the military for the sake of stability.

'No public legitimacy'

But regular air force and artillery bombings of civilian populations that have killed thousands have pushed public opinion of the military to unprecedented lows.

Since the coup, nearly 80,000 homes have been burnt down or destroyed, more than 20,000 people have been arrested, and 2.5 million residents have fled their homes, according to the United Nations and human rights groups.

"The Burmese military has no public legitimacy. They have also lost international support," Tower said. "And on every battlefield, they are facing losses."

Discontent within the military is also driven by long standing corruption practices that the current regime has continued and in some cases even increased, according to Hla Kyaw Zaw, a political analyst based in China.

"Min Aung Hlaing is different from Than Shwe and Ne Win," he said. "He's more notorious for his corruption."

A soldier affiliated with the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, or CDM, told RFA that every member of Myanmar's junta is expected to contribute a certain portion of their salary to Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, a fund managed by junta leaders.

They also must pay a monthly fee to a life insurance company owned by top junta leaders under threats of punitive actions, the CDM soldier said.

'The mood is so dark'

Much of Myanmar's current turmoil and chaos could be blamed on Min Aung Hlaing's ambition to be president, several observers told RFA.

He wasn't content to just be the country's top military leader, and apparently couldn't accept the poor showing that the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party received in the 2020 election, said Win Htein, a senior aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the junta in 2021.

Suu Kyi is the former de facto leader of Myanmar and Nobel laureate who was also sentenced to prison by a junta court.

Junta leaders may have also been surprised by the response to the 2021 coup from ethnic armed organizations, anti-junta People's Defense Forces and pro-democracy groups, said Ko Naung Roo, a member of the CDM military.

"Without understanding the changes in the modern system, they went with the tradition of a coup d'Atat," he said. "Min Aung Hlaing should be called the weakest dictator rather than the worst dictator."

Attempts by RFA to contact a junta spokesperson for comment went unanswered this week.

Former lawmaker Tint Swe told RFA that if things get worse, Myanmar's leader could face a fate similar to Iraq's Saddam Hussein, who was found guilty of crimes against humanity and executed in 2006, or Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed in 2011.

"It is still difficult to predict how Gen. Min Aung Hlaing will end up," he said. "But I do see that the entire military power and economic system is headed for collapse."

Tun Kyi, a former political prisoner, predicted that Min Aung Hlaing will eventually be put on trial for war crimes.

"The last breath of dictators is ugly, and the mood is so dark for the country," he said. "If you look at the world, from Hitler to Saddam Hussein, and so on, if you look at their essence, their paths are the same at the end of time."

Translated by Aung Khin. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Myanmar's junta storms 3 townships in bid for northern town

About 15 civilians are missing and 6 are dead after junta land and aerial attacks, residents said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.02 -- Six civilians are dead after junta air raids and maneuvers in several townships in Myanmar's Sagaing region, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

At least 10 were injured and 15 people were arrested in Pale, Kanbalu, and Khin-U townships during two days of military operations on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Pale, two women were killed and five others were injured when junta fighter jets bombarded Kan Gyi village, a member of Pale People's Defense Forces said.

"Kan Gyi village was bombarded without a fight. A woman died on the spot at home and another woman died at the hospital," he said, declining to be named for security reasons. "The other five were critically injured. One had to have his hand amputated."

Resistance fighters told RFA the aerial attack was likely retaliation after the Pale People's Defense Forces attacked a military camp.

On Wednesday, Pale People's Defense Forces launched an assault on a joint junta and Pyu Saw Htee militia camp in the township's Zee Phyu Kone village. The following day, the junta retaliated, bombarding Zee Phyu Kone and Kan Gyi villages with airstrikes.

North of Pale, junta forces simultaneously launched eight more airstrikes across Kanbalu township's Thin Taw, Zaw Chaung, and Ma Gyi Kone villages on Thursday. The attack killed a 40-year-old man and injured five other residents, locals said.

The military attacked the villages bordering Kawlin and Kanbalu townships in Sagaing's east in order to recapture Kawlin town, said Kanbalu People's Defense Forces' information officer, who declined to give his name for fear of reprisals. Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government and its armed wing of People's Defense Forces captured Kawlin in November.

"The junta council wants to regain Kawlin, so it is clearing the route its forces are going to take," he told RFA on Friday. "The junta air force is continuously shooting at places where there is no battle - where not even a single bullet was shot."

A woman from Ma Gyi Kone village, and two men and three women from Zaw Chaung villages were seriously injured in Thursday's assault on Kanbalu township. However, their injuries were not life-threatening, the information officer added. Another man from Zaw Chaung village bled to death while receiving medical treatment.

Regime troops also stormed Khin-U township's Tha Yet Kone and Kin Pyit villages on Wednesday. The following morning, villagers found the bodies of three civilians, residents and defense force officials said.

The victims were 31-year-old Ye Aung from Tha Yet Kone village and 51-year-old Than Tun and 42-year-old Than Lwin Gyi, both from Kin Pyit village. Another 15 people are missing and may have been arrested, a defense force official said.

After junta troops captured the three victims, they were killed near Ka Lon village, said defense force spokesperson Ah Lin Yaung.

"The column entered Tha Yet Kone village at night and arrested Ko Ye Aung, who was sleeping at home. The other two men were caught while fleeing in the forest. The people who have been arrested are yet to be identified and counted," he said.

"There are many people who are still missing. We are still investigating whether they are in other villages or not. There are approximately 15 people [we can't find]. But it could be more than that."

Calls by RFA to Sagaing region's junta spokesperson Sai Naing Naing Kyaw went unanswered.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a total of 4,477 people have died since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Q&A: UN Envoy Exposes Russia's Role in Myanmar Coup, Calls for More International Support

By Ingyin Naing February 02, 2024

In an interview at VOA this week marking the third anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, spoke about the worsening humanitarian crisis there.

Andrews said the junta continues to strike mainly civilian targets, with Russia standing out as the primary source of weapons. Andrews also spoke about the need for coordination between the U.S. and its allies to impose stronger sanctions on the junta, and the need to find common ground with China to help bring an end to the crisis.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

VOA: As many anticipated, the junta has extended the state of emergency, citing the need to continue the fight against what they label as terrorists in the country. How do you interpret the junta's reasoning?

U.N. Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Tom Andrews: They are the terrorists. They are the ones who are engaged in bombing innocent villages. As the conflict continues to heat up and greater conflict engulfs more and more of Myanmar, as they continue to lose ground, lose soldiers, lose weapons, their response is to attack citizens.

I was talking to a military analyst who said that 95% of the military operations engaged by this military are against civilians. So, in my mind, that is the very definition of terrorism a terrorizing and attacking innocent people. Whenever the junta declares an extension of a state of emergency, it says it's doing so to create stability and security for the people of Myanmar. They are, in fact, the source of instability and insecurity for the people of Myanmar.

Of course, this announcement is linked to their idea of trying to create a facade of legitimacy by following the constitution of Myanmar. But it's a farce, and anyone can see that. The fact that elections have been delayed is significant. You cannot have elections under any circumstances under the conditions that we're in right now in Myanmar. You can't expect people to vote while you're bombing their villages.

VOA: In your recent statement on the human rights situation in Myanmar, you emphasized the substantial losses experienced by the military junta in recent months. How has this affected the junta's hold on power, and what challenges are they confronting as a result of these offensives?

Andrews: They are losing ground. They have lost soldiers a more than 4,000 soldiers have been lost, either because they surrendered or defected. They lost commanding generals and literally hundreds of outposts. So, from a military point of view, they are losing. They already had been losing territory, but now the loss of territory is even more significant, and we know that the junta, the military, controls less than half of the country, and those numbers continue to dwindle.

The problem with that from a human rights point of view is that they're responding to those losses by taking advantage of what they do have, which is advanced military weapons, and they're training those advanced military weapons against innocent civilians. So, in the short run, that is a huge problem for the people of Myanmar, even though, in the long run, it's in the interest of the people of Myanmar to see this military junta and its military continue to weaken.

VOA: You've called for U.N. member states to reassess the situation and act urgently. What specific actions do you believe the international community, particularly U.N. member states, should take to address the crisis in Myanmar and save lives?

Andrews: First, the reassessment. The junta has tried to project this idea of inevitability in the international community, saying, "Look, we're here to stay. So just get used to it, accept it, and let's go on from there. Engage with us. You may not like us, but engage with us because we're inevitable." It's very clear they're not. It's very clear that they continue to weaken. So, the first part of the reassessment is to understand that the myth they're trying to perpetrate is just that a it's a myth that simply isn't holding any water. They are not inevitable.

In terms of what we can do as an international community, we start by engaging with and recognizing the legitimate leaders of the country. Secondly, we have to build on what we know is working a sanctions. Targeted sanctions are geared to weakening the capacity of the junta. We know they are working. We know that the junta is having an increasingly difficult time getting access to aviation fuel, for example, to fly those jet fighters over villages dropping bombs. We know that they're losing access to weapons and materials to produce weapons. We know that financial resources are decreasing, so we need to build upon that momentum.

VOA: China has upheld strong ties with the military junta, particularly in joint efforts to suppress cyber-criminal groups. Recently, the junta handed over leaders of the Kokang Border Guards, who were previously under their protection but sought by Chinese authorities. Additionally, China faces accusations of consistently shielding the junta at the United Nations. How could the junta's partnership with China against cybercriminal groups influence the U.N.'s role in Myanmar affairs?

Andrews: It is clear that it is in China's interest to recognize its own security, economic and social interests amidst the evolving situation in Myanmar. Acknowledging the shifting ground in Myanmar and understanding that the military junta is by no means inevitable is crucial. In fact, I would argue that it is the lawlessness being permitted to flourish under this military junta that poses a direct threat to the people of China.

For many reasons, considering China's status as a great nation with significant influence on this crisis, I believe the solution will come through the cooperation and engagement of China. While China may not agree with everything I have to say, I express the truth as I see it and respect their views. On the other hand, within the United Nations, it's worth noting that Kyaw Moe Tun is the representative of Myanmar in the General Assembly and is as strong a critic of the military junta as anyone I know.

The reason he holds that position is because nations like China are supportive. So, I believe that China has shown pragmatism and an acknowledgment of the value of opposition voices, including in the General Assembly. By engaging China in whatever constructive manner possible, I think that is beneficial.

VOA: The U.N. is reporting that the warplanes employed in junta airstrikes are Russian-made, but Russia denied that. How would you evaluate Russia's contribution to providing the junta with essential elements of money, power, and legitimacy, as you mentioned?

Andrews: Well, Russia is the single largest source of weapons for the military junta. I don't say that lightly; I've documented it in two major reports issued to the United Nations.

It's deeply unfortunate because these weapons are being used in the most horrific ways. These are helicopter gunships, these are jet fighters with very sophisticated weaponry and bombs, and they're being used against civilians, against innocent villages. That's the tragedy, that's the horror. I was criticized in one of my presentations to the United Nations by Russia for criticizing these weapons transfers.

When I'm being critical, when I'm saying it's unacceptable, I'm referring to the slaughter of innocent people. Providing sophisticated weapons of war to entities that are using those weapons to kill innocent men, women and children is horrific. It means aiding in a horrific situation, a nightmare for the people of Myanmar, and it has to stop.

VOA: In your recent statement, you emphasized the significance of humanitarian aid reaching the most vulnerable, including displaced populations in opposition-controlled areas. Given the complexity of the current situation, what steps can donors and humanitarian agencies take to ensure the effective delivery of aid and support those in need?

Andrews: 18.6 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid in Myanmar right now. Last year, 10,000 children died of what the United Nations describes as severe acute malnutrition. That means that thousands and thousands of Myanmar children are dying of starvation every year. There's a desperate need for humanitarian aid. We know that the areas controlled by the junta continue to become less and less. We know that the obstacles they put in the way of humanitarian aid in those areas increase.

So we, as an international community, need to take advantage of the vast network of organizations and networks inside the country and operating on the borders that know how to get aid in and get that aid to the people in need. The problem is they just don't have the resources to do this. So I'm encouraging member states of the United Nations to broaden their approach to getting aid out, increase the opportunities for aid going to this network of organizations and provide the funding necessary to address this grave humanitarian crisis that frankly is only getting worse.

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Pakistan Kills 24 Insurgents in Volatile Baluchistan

By Ayaz Gul February 02, 2024

Authorities in Pakistan said Friday that security forces killed 24 separatist militants, including key commanders, in a three-day counterinsurgency operation in turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province.

The military's media wing confirmed in a statement that the clashes in the town of Mach had also killed four security personnel and two civilians since they erupted early Tuesday when key government installations there came under insurgent attack.

"These terrorists were then hunted down in the ensuing sanitization and clearance operations, which have now been concluded after clearing and securing the area," the military said. It noted in an earlier statement that several suicide bombers were also among the slain assailants.

An uptick in militant violence in the country of about 241 million people has fueled security concerns ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for February 8.

The separatist Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, took responsibility for this week's coordinated raid in Mach, saying it targeted Pakistani paramilitary forces' installations in Mach.

A BLA statement sent to journalists Friday said that nearly 400 of its fighters, including several suicide bombers, had carried out the attacks, killing dozens of security forces. It confirmed the deaths of 13 fighters in the ensuing clashes.

The group, however, is known for downplaying its losses and inflating the number of casualties caused by its attacks in sparsely populated Baluchistan, the country's largest and natural resource-rich region.

The poverty-stricken province has for years been the scene of a low-level Baluch insurgency, prompting the Pakistan military to routinely launch counterinsurgency operations amid persistent allegations of state repression.

Militants linked to outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a local branch of Islamic State, known as Islamic State-Khorasan, are also active in the province, which shares the country's border with Iran and Afghanistan.

Human rights groups and victims' families in Baluchistan have regularly staged street protests to demand accountability and called for an end to the practice of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, accusations that Pakistani authorities reject.

Amnesty International, in a statement last week, renewed a call for Pakistan to return all victims of alleged enforced disappearances or inform families of the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones.

"Concrete steps must be taken to criminalize enforced disappearance as per international human rights law, standards and best practice," said Carolyn Horn, program director of law and policy at Amnesty International.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question about statements by the South Korean leadership on nuclear issues

1 February 2024 21:26

167-01-02-2024

Question: President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol said: "North Korea is the only country in the world that explicitly specifies invasion and preemptive nuclear use in its constitution." Your comment?

Maria Zakharova: I believe the statement is blatantly biased. Such statements are designed to obscure aggressive plans as regards the DPRK. They look particularly odious against the backdrop of what is happening on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding situation. The degree of tension and conflict is continuously growing there, primarily due to the brazen policy of the United States and its allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan.

The authors of such strategic revelations should know that the doctrines of Seoul's American curators assert for themselves the possibility of a nuclear first strike. They also justify "preventive" disarming and decapitating strikes on countries that Washington has listed as its enemies. As for being unique, the US is truly the only country to have used nuclear weapons, having cynically dropped bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the final stage of the war. The US was confident it would get away with this. This action was unjustified from a military or any other point of view but Washington needed to demonstrate vividly that it possessed super-powerful weapons. It became one of its first claims to global domination.

Unfortunately, Seoul doesn't seem to realise that the United States' leading position is irrevocably becoming a thing of the past. South Korea is doing all it can to support the deployment of US strategic weapons, including nuclear arms carriers, and is participating in increasingly intensive exercises and other training activities. Moreover, Seoul is also joining destabilising schemes of "expanded nuclear deterrence" that already provide for joint plans of using nuclear arms.

This shortsighted approach is reflected in provocative rhetoric. A vivid example of this is the recent statement by the South Korean leaders to the effect that the Republic of Korea and the US have already reached the nuclear alliance level. But does Seoul understand that if it comes to testing these statements in practice, South Korea may turn out to be no more than a small bargaining chip in Washington's geopolitical games?

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One of the biggest questions viewers have had following week one of Married At First Sight is how the producers decide where to send the couples on their honeymoons.

While Tori and Jack flew to exotic Vanuatu after their wedding and Sara and Tim spent time in tropical Fiji, their co-stars stayed in Australia.

Cassandra and Tristan enjoyed time in Adelaide, Lucinda and Timothy visited Port Stephens, Eden and Jayden went to Airlie Beach, Natalie and Collins travelled to Broome, and Ellie and Ben honeymooned in Bowral.

MAFS Tori and Jack spent their honeymoon in Vanuatu while Lucinda and Timothy visited Port Stephens, which is a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney. Photos: Channel Nine

This is similar to last years season, where Sandy and Dan went to Singapore and Tahnee and Ollie flew to Fiji while Bronte and Harrison spent time in the Hunter Valley.

During an interview on Yahoo Australia's Behind The Edit podcast, season 10 bride Melinda Willis explained that the weddings and honeymoons are staggered over two weeks before everyone attends the very first dinner party.

When you do your hens and you do your bucks, some of the girls were off in the next few days to get married and I had two weeks to wait, she detailed. You know how you see us all kind of get married at the same time, do the honeymoon at the same time and do the dinner party at the same time? Thats not all correct.

If youre first, they actually have to separate you for a few days while everyone else catches up so that no more happens and they don't get it on camera. So they have to separate you and then bring you back together to go into the dinner party.

RELATED:

Melinda added that the producers decision to send you on an international or regional honeymoon comes down to two things: timing and drama.

I think they kind of look at who's going to bring the drama and how much content they're going to get, and obviously they're going to send them away longer which is the overseas trips, she shared.

Story continues

Whereas ours was in the Hawkesbury river and I think we had a day and a half of our honeymoon. Then we went from our honeymoon that morning straight into the dinner party while everyone else had either been separated or were still together, got to sleep, wake up and get ready for the dinner party.

Melinda says couples will get an international honeymoon if producers think they will bring the drama. Photo: Supplied

It appears the reality show has had a similar filming schedule for the past few years as season six bride Melissa Lucarelli told Yahoo Lifestyle last year that she had a very similar experience.

The weddings are divided over two weeks, so if you're married in the first week you go international, and if you're in the second you go local because you all have to be back on that weekend to do the first dinner party, she revealed.

I went international because I was married in the first week. So yes, it means I went international, but it was also meant another week with my husband. Could be good for some, maybe not for others!

Subscribe to Yahoo Australia's Behind The Edit and listen to the full interview with Melinda Willis here.

Subscribe to our new MAFS newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Got a story tip? Email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.
Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu addresses special teleconference with leadership of Russian Armed Forces

02.02.2024

Today, the National Centre for State Defence Control hosted a special teleconference with the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Defence Minister of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu addressed the special teleconfrence:

'Today is a memorable date, the Day of Military Glory of Russia - the Day of the defeat of the Nazi troops in the Battle of Stalingrad. Congratulations to everyone on this event, on this date. The date is historic, a date earned, conquered by those who were before us: our fathers and grandfathers. So, I congratulate you all on this day.

I would like to start with the situation in the special military operation zone.

After the enemy's counteroffensive failed, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation retain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact.

Our units are moving forward, expanding areas of control, improving positions along the front lines.

As a result of the Russian troops' actions, Veseloye, Krakhmalnoye, and Tabayevka were liberated in Kupyansk, Krasny Liman, and Donetsk directions.

The Russian Groups of Forces continue to methodically reduce the enemy's combat potential.

As a result of systemic strikes, the AFU losses over the past month exceeded 23,000 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded.

More than 3,000 pieces of weaponry, including foreign-made samples, were destroyed. That includes German-made Leopard tanks, U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Patriot and HIMARS combat vehicles.

In January, the Russian Armed Forces launched 127 strikes by precision weapons at Ukrainian military infrastructure and military industrial complex facilities.

Weapons production, modernisation and repair facilities, arsenals, military airfields, POL bases, deployment areas of AFU units and foreign mercenaries were struck.

In order to prevent the defence from collapsing, the Ukrainian leadership is throwing its remaining reserves into the battle and hastily carrying out another forced mobilisation.

The Zelensky regime carries out terrorist acts against Russian civilians to show its Western handlers some success.

At the same time, the leaders in Kiev do not shy away from killing their own citizens.

For example, last week a Russian aircraft with Ukrainian servicemen onboard transported for exchange was attacked and shot down from Ukrainian territory.

This speaks of the cynical nature of Kiev's actions, which is ready to commit any crime to achieve selfish goals.

The Russian Groups of Forces continue to perform tasks set out by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

***

Next, we shall discuss the thematic part of our meeting.

The first question concerns the organisation of the participation of the personnel of the Armed Forces in the forthcoming presidential elections of the Russian Federation. This event will be the most significant political one in 2024.

For the first time, voting will last three days, from 15 to 17 March.

The preparations have entered their final phase.

Issues relating to the participation in the elections of military personnel, members of their families, and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces are being worked out in detail.

Particular attention is payed to organisation of voting of the military personnel deployed in the special military operation zone.

Today, let's discuss how preparations are going for the military electorate's participation in the election campaign.

Next, let us consider the state and prospects for the development of military training aviation.

For flight personnel to master and effectively use modern aviation systems, high-quality initial training at universities is required.

To this end, the Russian Defence Ministry is expanding the material means of the Russian Aerospace Forces flight training institutions and increasing the enrolment of cadets.

Industrial enterprises are developing promising models of aircraft to renew the fleet of training aircraft.

At the meeting, we will discuss what else is needed to be done to improve the quality of cadet pilot training'.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russia's Newest Arms Clearly Better Than NATO's - Putin

Sputnik News

20240202

TULA (Sputnik) - Russia's newest arms are clearly better compared to the ones of NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"Of course, if we compare NATO's modern arms to the arms of the latest Soviet period, they [Soviet ones] rank below in some qualities, by the way, not always. But if we are talking about our new arms, they are clearly better. It is an obvious fact," Putin said at the Everything for the Victory forum in the Russian city of Tula.

Russia's defense industry has been showing good pace and quality, the president added.

Russia has exported military equipment worth billions of dollars last year, Putin said.

"Last year, we supplied a decent amount of our military equipment to world markets a worth billions of dollars," Putin said at the Everything for the Victory forum in the Russian city of Tula.

Putin mentioned that the Pantsir missile systems are especially popular among foreign buyers.

A Sputnik

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 2, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Secretary discussed his upcoming travel to the region and ongoing work to establish a more integrated, peaceful region that includes lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The Secretary reiterated the importance of securing a humanitarian pause that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas.

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Syria says downed Israeli missiles over Damascus

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 February 2024 11:17 AM

Syria says its air defenses have confronted an Israeli missile attack over the capital Damascus, in the latest act of aggression by Tel Aviv against the Arab country.

Syria's state news agency SANA quoted a Syrian military source as saying that the country's military had intercepted a number of Israeli missiles targeting southern Damascus.

The military source said the attack was launched at 04:20 am local time from the occupied Golan Heights.

"Our air defenses confronted the hostile missiles and downed some of them," the source said, noting that only material damage was caused.

On Monday, Syrian media said the Israeli regime had launched a missile attack on an area near the Sayeda Zeinab shrine in a southern suburb of Damascus.

That attacks come as Israel continues its brutal ground and air aggression against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Iranian military advisors have been assassinated in the Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood by Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks.

Syrian sources said the Monday attack was a failed attempt by the Israeli regime to assassinate more members of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in that area.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to Tel Aviv's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 27,019 Palestinians and injured 66,139 others.

Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under "complete siege" by Israel.

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U.S. State Department critical of China's modified M503 flight path

ROC Central News Agency

02/02/2024 12:34 PM

Washington, Feb. 1 (CNA) The United States Department of State expressed concerns Thursday over changes to China's M503 flight path, saying the U.S. was opposed to any unilateral changes to the cross-strait status quo by either side.

In an email response to CNA, a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in "meaningful dialogue" with Taiwan.

"Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the Taiwan Strait should be decided through dialogue between both sides," the spokesperson said.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Tuesday that it was canceling an "offset" of its north-south M503 flight path agreed to with Taiwan in 2015.

As a result, the flight path, used mostly by Chinese airlines but also some foreign airlines on flights between China and Southeast Asia, will revert to its original status, coming as close as 4.2 nautical miles to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

Furthermore, eastbound flights on the W122 and W123 paths connecting the M503 flight path to the cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen, respectively, will be launched, the CAAC announced.

It said the adjustments were made to ease air traffic caused by an increase of flights between key locations, ensure flight safety, and prevent delays.

Taiwanese experts raised concerns over such moves, however.

Many argued that China's unilateral changes to flight paths close to the median line were meant to further encroach on the tacit boundary in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China and put more pressure on Taiwan as it monitors the airspace in its vicinity.

Officially, Taiwan has urged China to engage in talks to discuss the moves, but China called the changes "routine" and said "there was no need to discuss them with the Taiwanese side."

It also rejected the existence of the median line, claiming that the "mainland and Taiwan are both part of one China."

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers also reacted to China's controversial flight path adjustments.

Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday in a statement that "the PRC's unilateral decision to adjust a disputed flight path in the Taiwan Strait is dangerous and provocative, representing yet another concerning example of Beijing's unrelenting efforts to coerce Taipei."

He further said "it is no coincidence that this action is being taken within weeks of a free and fair election in Taiwan, the result of which Beijing had made abundantly clear was not its preferred outcome."

Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that "between military fly-bys and now civilian flights close to the median line, the CCP continues to threaten Taiwan and unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait."

"We must stand with Taiwan against this aggression," he said.

(By Chiang Chin-yeh and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/ls

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Taiwan's pro-China speaker choice stirs fears of deeper Beijing influence

Han Kuo-yu's win may challenge the ruling party's president-elect in setting direction in the legislature.

By Huang Chunmei for RFA Mandarin 2024.02.02 -- The former pro-China mayor of Taiwan's Kaohsiung has been elected speaker of the Legislative Yuan sparking local civic groups' protests to "reject China's choice".

Han Kuo-yu of the main opposition and Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) emerged victorious after two rounds of voting on Thursday, an outcome that could challenge the ruling and pro-independent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which last month won the presidential election. Neither of the two parties, along with the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), had more than half of the seats of the legislature - DPP with 51 seats, KMT 52, and TPP eight.

By law, the Speaker is to remain neutral in Parliament, but plays a crucial role in determining which bills are put up for discussion in the legislature that controls spending.

Speaking to reporters after his win, Han thanked the KMT and independent legislators, as well as urged the public to look forward to a new and reform-driven legislature that will create happiness for the Taiwanese people.

The DPP issued a statement to congratulate the new speaker, and emphasized that "in the future, the three parties will jointly bear the responsibility for national progress."

Hours before the voting for speakership began, a coalition of about ten civic and non-governmental organizations gathered outside the legislature complex to protest against the voting for "China's preferred candidate."

"Kuo-yu becomes Speaker and introduces the Communist Party. We reject China's choice. We don't want China's choice," read one placard.

"Taiwan is the Taiwan of Taiwanese people, the Taiwan of the world, not the Taiwan of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]. Stop lying to young people, and don't go back to the old politics," Kao Fan-hsi, leader of the rally, told the crowd.

Separately, the Taiwan Green Party, one of civic groups, stated: "Letting a person who agrees with the CCP's '1992 consensus' become the speaker of Taiwan's parliament is probably the biggest breakthrough for the CCP to infiltrate and unite Taiwan. It is undoubtedly a humiliation and threat to Taiwan's democracy."

The "1992 consensus" refers to a tacit understanding reached in that year between the then-ruling KMT and Beijing. Both sides acknowledge that there is only "one China," with each side free to interpret what that "one China" refers to.

Han seen as a "national security risk"

Elected as Kaohsiung's mayor in late 2018, Han swiftly visited Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China in March of the following year. His meeting with Wang Zhimin, the then-director of China's Liaison Office for Hong Kong and Macau, sparked significant controversy within Taiwan's political spheres.

Before the speaker's vote on Thursday, president-elect Lai raised concerns about how Han's election and potential meetings between the island's mayors and Chinese officials would affect Taiwan's international image.

After being sworn in, Han addressed Lai's concerns directly, saying: "Don't be overly nervous and don't overinterpret."

Han also affirmed his commitment to Taiwan, promising to uphold the constitution, remain neutral, and empower the Legislative Yuan to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.

Taiwan Association of University Professors President Chen Li-Fu described Han's win as "an unprecedented congressional crisis."

He believes that China had hoped for Han to be elected as Han has visited the Liaison Office and it would be no surprise if the speaker eventually visits or delivers a speech at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The CPPCC is the CCP's political advisory body.

"China's preparations for the threat of force against Taiwan and its annexation ambitions have never stopped," Chen told Radio Free Asia.

"In the future, when Han presides over discussions in the legislature, he doesn't even need to object, but only has to be passive and uncooperative - the domestic submarine production or the US military procurement funds will be delayed, or initiate a technical delay of a few years until the United States no longer wants to sell, we'd achieve the goal."

Although Taiwan only has 12 diplomatic allies, Chen stressed that the self-governing island, which Beijing considers its own, has maintained very close congressional exchanges in recent years with democratic countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, and in Europe.

Taiwan needs to leverage this second-track and alternate congressional diplomacy to increase its international space, he noted.

Translated by RFA staff. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 2, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/02/02

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

0900hr (UTC+8), Feb. 2, 2024

1.Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Thursday to Friday, Feb. 1-2.

2.PLA activitiesis

8 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

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PM call with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 2 February 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni earlier today.

2 February 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this morning.

They discussed ongoing UK - Italy collaboration to tackle criminal people smuggling gangs and deal with illegal migration.

The Prime Minister noted the passage of the Italy-Albania agreement, and leaders agreed to continue working closely together to develop innovative partnerships across Europe and with countries along the migration route.

The Prime Minister welcomed the agreement of a new European Union funding package for Ukraine, following the UK's commitment of A2.5 billion in military assistance last month, stressing the importance of maintaining international support for Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression.

They also discussed wider UK-Italy defence and security cooperation, including the successful Global Combat Air Programme to develop next-generation fighter jets.

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Smarter maintenance for Navy Fleet under A1.85 billion contract

UK security will be boosted through a vast new contract - worth nearly A2 billion - that will ensure the long-term availability and resilience of critical naval assets.

2 February 2024

A1.85 billion contract to sustain world-class leading sonar and sensors for Royal Navy ships and submarines

Defence Secretary announces 450 UK jobs to be created or sustained across the UK

AI and data management to analyse availability and reduce repair times and increase ship availability

UK security will be boosted through a vast new contract - worth nearly A2 billion - that will ensure the long-term availability and resilience of critical assets used by Royal Navy ships and submarines over the next 15 years.

Announced by Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, on his first visit to His Majesty's Naval Base Devonport, the Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET) contract with Thales UK will aim to provide full availability of the equipment that is the eyes and ears of the Royal Navy.

Utilising data technology, including AI and virtual reality to be more proactive and predictive maintenance systems, the contract will see the Royal Navy maximise the days they are ready to deploy.

The contract will support sonar - our ability to hear underneath the water - masts, periscopes and also electronic warfare equipment that enable the Royal Navy to detect and target potential threats. Crucially, by increasing the longevity of our sensor and sonar capability, it will significantly increase equipment availability which is critical for the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) and wider ship and submarine capabilities.

Touring the naval base and speaking with Royal Navy sailors and civilian staff, Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, thanked the workforce for the incredibly important role they play in maintaining UK security, particularly at a time of heightened global tensions.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

In a time of global instability, it is imperative we minimise the time our ships and submarines are out for maintenance. This is another partnership with Thales UK and our outstanding UK defence sector that not only boosts national security but provides a boost to local communities and helps fuel economic growth. Devonport Naval Base is an incredibly impressive facility with staff who play a role of such magnitude it cannot be underestimated.

Around 300 UK jobs from a previous Thales UK support contract will be sustained and a further 150 STEM jobs, including highly skilled engineering roles and apprenticeships, will be created across Devonport, Faslane, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Cheadle, Crawley and Bristol. This contract also safeguards jobs from across an extensive UK supply chain.

The contract, awarded by Defence Equipment & Support - the MOD's procurement arm - will improve the facilities at HMNB Devonport, Faslane, Portsmouth and Bahrain and deliver advanced test and repair capabilities. This enhanced waterfront presence will allow equipment to be triaged at source, thereby enabling rapid improvements in fault diagnosis, thereby reducing repair times.

The Defence Secretary's visit to HMNB Devonport follows a A750 million funding boost to the naval base, announced in November 2023, that will significantly improve the infrastructure. Creating around 1,000 construction roles, the work will also support maintenance of existing and future submarines, and enhance the dockyard's ability to deliver major defence projects.

The Southwest recently became the country's Marine and Maritime Launchpad, recognising its leadership in the sector. The area will receive an additional A7.5 million in funding to support outstanding innovation projects within maritime. The shipbuilding enterprise directly supports over 43,000 jobs across the country, with over 19,000 employed in the Southwest alone.

Alex Cresswell, Chairman and CEO of Thales in the UK, said:

Thales is delighted to strengthen our century long partnership with the Royal Navy, and support its vital role in defending the UK and keeping the world's critical sea lanes open. This A1.8 billion contract with Thales will help keep more Royal Navy ships at sea for longer, by harnessing the latest developments in artificial intelligence, data analysis and improved dockland facilities.

Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Martin Connell said:

The warships and submarines of the Royal Navy rely on the latest cutting-edge sensors and sonars to give us a key warfighting edge.

The new contract is a significant commitment from the MoD and Thales-UK to improving the availability of our equipment, maximising its effectiveness and enabling the Royal Navy to operate with confidence. This significant investment in our ship and submarine sensors will ensure our equipment is at the cutting edge of technology.

Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, Director General Ships, DE&S said:

I am delighted that we have been able to secure a 15-year contract with Thales UK that will ensure the long-term support for major sonar, mast, periscope and electronic warfare equipment that are critical for Ship and Submarine capabilities. Achieving this notable milestone is testament to the tremendous effort from all involved, both DE&S and Thales, where there has been determined focus on establishing long-term efficiencies and improvements that are vital to improving overall equipment availability.

Senior Responsible Owner for Naval Support Integrated Global Network Program, Graeme Little, said:

The signing of the contract is a significant milestone for the Support of Sonars and Sensors across the Royal Navy, I am delighted that we have put in place a contract focussed on a Value for Money solution that will drive availability and resilience into these critical capabilities and improve the Lived Experience of Royal Navy Engineers.

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UK Commandos train in Arctic ahead of largest NATO exercise since Cold War

Hundreds of Royal Marines and Army Commandos are conducting extreme cold weather training alongside allies in Norway ahead of Exercise Nordic Response.

2 February 2024

Royal Marines and Army Commandos are conducting cold weather training alongside allies in Norway.

The Commando Force is based at Camp Viking - established last year as the UK's main operations hub for the High North.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, met the commandos this week during a visit for bilateral talks on defence cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Minister.

Hundreds of Royal Marines and Army Commandos are conducting extreme cold weather training alongside allies in Norway, operating where temperatures can plummet below -50C, ahead of Exercise Nordic Response.

This year, they are based out of Camp Viking in Averbygd, established last year as the UK's main operations hub in the Arctic for the next decade. Around a thousand commandos are stationed at the camp, practicing cold weather and mountain warfare techniques and testing new equipment and tactics.

The Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, visited the camp this week to observe the training programme.

He was in Norway for bilateral meetings on Tuesday with Defence Minister BjArn Arild Gram, State Secretary Anne Marie Aanerud, and Chief of Defence General Eirik Kristoffersen. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the situation in Ukraine, and Norway's approach to maintaining security in the Barents Sea.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, said:

The UK and Norway's close alliance was forged through adversity in the darkest days of the Second World War, when British commandos were key to challenging the occupation of Norway by Nazi forces. Today our enduring relationship is more important than ever, and our joint activity in the High North both increases our collective readiness and sends a powerful message of deterrence to Putin's forces.

Every year, members of the UK Commando Force travel to Norway, in partnership with personnel from other militaries, to rehearse cold weather fighting techniques in a range of training scenarios, from high-intensity warfare to terror threats and mass demonstrations.

Camp Viking is the focal point for delivery of Mountain and Cold Weather Warfare training and is strategically placed to support NATO operations.

The skills and lessons learned in the mountains and fjords of Norway can be applied to any environment in which UK commandos may operate in the future - the idea being that if you can operate in the Arctic Circle, you can operate anywhere.

Exercise Nordic Response, a biannual training exercise in which the UK participates alongside Norway, Sweden, and Finland, will this year form part of the major multi-domain NATO exercise Steadfast Defender, which is the alliance's largest exercise since the Cold War.

20,000 personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force will be contributing to Steadfast Defender 24 alongside 31 NATO allies and Sweden - with the UK forming 40 per cent of the exercise's land forces.

Enhancing the coalition between the UK and her NATO allies, Steadfast Defender 24 will bring NATO nations together to test and refine defence plans approved at the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius.

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Minor Hotels is targeting more than 200 new openings globally within three years, as the Bangkok-based hotel owner and operator unveils new details of its dynamic commercial strategy for 2024 and beyond.

The target for new hotels would increase the group's global portfolio by almost 40% from its current count of 540 properties, as well as adding more than 30,000 rooms to its present inventory of almost 80,000.

The rapid acceleration of Minor's global growth ambition builds on record financial performance in 2023 and will be driven by a multipronged commercial strategy that will see the company enhance its portfolio of brands and overhaul its digital strategy, while pursuing a more balanced mix of management and franchise operating models.

Under its long-standing asset right strategy, Minor Hotels owns or leases almost 70% of its global portfolio of 540 hotels. That percentage is expected to decrease to approximately 50% as the group pursues a more aggressive mix of management and franchise agreement options.

Notably, Minor is targeting more than 150 new management agreements over the next three years, which would grow its share of the overall operating model mix from 19% in 2023 to 38% by 2026.

New franchise agreements are also being targeted, while Minor will continue to grow its hotel investment portfolio.

Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, said: 2023 has been a record year and the figures, both financial and regarding the groups expansion, confirm this.

Looking ahead, we intend to increase this pace of openings, expanding our brands within our existing areas of operation and growing our global footprint into new regions in which we are not yet present.

Minor Hotels is also looking to shift its geographic mix, targeting a more balanced global distribution of hotels and resorts. Of the more than 200 openings targeted by the end of 2026, approximately half will be in the Asia region, while Europe and the Middle East are expected to add more than 50 properties each.

Other regions, such as Australia & New Zealand, the Americas and Africa, will also see new openings across the Minor Hotels brand portfolio.

The strategy will see greater balance globally, with Asia expected to grow from 12% to 23% of global room inventory, and Middle East & Africa from 9% to 16%, by 2026.

Europe meanwhile is expected to comprise 45% of room inventory, down from the current 60%, due to outsized growth in other regions.

The Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli and NH Hotels brands are expected to be the key drivers of portfolio growth over the next three years, with Avani alone expected to more than double its property count to almost 100.

As part of a major review and optimisation of its global brand portfolio, Minor Hotels also expects to unveil multiple new brands in 2024 and 2025 to fill unmet consumer demand and provide more tailored options to hotel owners, further enhancing its competitive positioning.

Ian Di Tullio, Chief Commercial Officer of Minor Hotels, said: Were focused on cross-developing our brands to create a harmonious blend of luxury and accessibility in diverse locations. Were also moving towards a lighter 'asset-right' model.

While we will always retain direct ownership of key flagship assets, embracing modern trends were shifting towards an increased focus on management and also franchised contracts. This strategic move is set to organically expand our global footprint while retaining our strict owner-driven mindset across all management categories.

Having already launched Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort in the UAE earlier this month, the luxury brand Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will continue its strategic growth during 2024 with key openings including Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel, further strengthening the brands European portfolio, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat in the UAE, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort in Indonesia, and Anantara Jaipur Resort, which will represent Anantaras debut in India.

Additions to Avani Hotels & Resorts in 2024 will include properties in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and the Seychelles, in addition to the upper upscale brands first hotel in China.

NH Collection Hotels & Resorts, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2024, will continue to grow its global footprint with new openings including in Thailand, Qatar, Finland and Portugal, while NH Hotels & Resorts has added Minor Hotels first properties in Paris this year, with further hotels coming on stream in Mexico and China.

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts will continue its accelerated expansion in Europe and the Middle East, while nhow Hotels will debut in Peru in 2024 with nhow Lima and will also add a property in Italy with the launch of nhow Rome.

Elewana Collection, a collection of boutique lodges, camps and hotels in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania, recently announced the new Explorer by Elewana collection of upscale safari lodges. The first lodge, Serengeti Explorer, is scheduled to open in March.

Amid this unprecedented growth, Minor Hotels said it remains committed to its goal of expansion into new experience categories and growing its culinary and non-hotel brands.

The forthcoming 12-key Anantara Kafue River Zambia Tented Camp will offer an entirely new luxury experience for guests of Minor Hotels flagship brand, while Vietnam-based luxury rail experience The Vietage by Anantara is adding a new Quy Nhon  Nha Trang route to its itinerary from May this year.  TradeArabia News Service
Repeated warnings shared by tourists being "cooked" by the Australian sun in recent months underline the stark reality of how beach days in the country can turn into something more sinister.

One US ex-pat shared a video online on Thursday showing his red, sunburnt body while stating he doesn't "understand the Australian sun". "I put SPF 50 everywhere like four times today. I was outside for three hours. I got cooked," he stressed while Aussies quickly gave him tips on what to do next time.

Just days earlier, Moon, another US traveller, warned people not to "underestimate the Australian sun" after getting burnt to a "shrimp cocktail" himself. "Get an Australian brand sunscreen," he urged in his online audience.

Sunburned travellers are warning others: 'Do not underestimate the Australian sun'. Source: TikTok/geigez/kimchipedia

These warnings come after 2024's joint Australian of the Year Professors Georgina Long and Richard Scolyer, the co-medical directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia called on advertisers and social media influencers to "stop glamorising tanning" in their acceptance speech. "Everyone knows someone with melanoma. It's as Aussie as our golden beaches and our sweeping plains," Scolyer said.

Australia experiences 'extreme' levels of UV during summer

Professor Anne Cust of the Melanoma Institute Australia and Chair of Cancer Councils National Skin Cancer Committee previously told Yahoo News Australia that sunburn can occur in as little as 15 minutes on a fine January day in Australia.

"The UV index levels are much higher here so we have very intense exposure to UV radiation  particularly in the spring and summer, it doesn't take long to be to get burned."

According to the Cancer Council, the UV index at solar noon  when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky  is generally between 0-12. Anything above 11 is "considered extreme" and sun protection is recommended when the UV index is 3 or more.

Story continues

In Australia, peak daily UV levels in summer are often higher than 12-14 and can even reach 16-17. Darwin and Brisbane have the two highest average daily maximum UV out of the capital cities, while Melbourne and Hobart have the lowest averages, though are still within a high range.

On Friday UV levels reached 12.8 in Sydney and 12.9 in Brisbane, both in the extreme range, while Perth was expected to climb over 13 with the temperature there forecast to be a scorching 39 degrees.

Aussies have highest rate of skin cancer in the world

Given the high UV levels, it is no surprise Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Cust explained this is because when your unprotected skin is exposed to this radiation, the structure and behaviour of the cells can change which can permanently damage the skin.

"There's been a lot of studies that have demonstrated convincingly that getting sunburned is related to increased risk of melanoma," she said.

Tips for staying safe in the sun

Australians need to be SunSmart and protect themselves from the sun by using all forms of sun protection, as sunscreen on its own just won't cut it.

Slip on protective clothing.

Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.

Slap on a broad-brimmed hat.

Seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

Avoid the sun during the middle of the day.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
In Rare Intervention, US Urges Britain to 'Reassess' Cuts to Armed Forces

By Henry Ridgwell February 02, 2024

Britain's readiness and ability to fight a major conflict is under the spotlight after senior military officials at home and abroad questioned cuts to the country's armed forces at a time of heightened global threats.

In a rare intervention, a senior United States official urged its ally Britain to reassess the size of its armed forces. The remarks, by U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, echo concerns of senior military commanders in Britain.

"I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today," Del Toro told an audience at London's Royal United Services Institute January 25, adding that Britain had to make a "decision around whether the army needs to be strengthened."

He also spoke of his "tremendous respect" for the UK's armed forces and praised the joint efforts between Britain and the U.S. in Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational force targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen to safeguard commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Britain's government defended its spending on the armed forces. A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement following Del Toro's remarks: "The UK is the second biggest defense spender in NATO and the largest in Europe. The Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are all playing an active global role, operating across every ocean and continent. Our military strength is also why we are the U.S.'s partner of choice in taking action to defend against the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea."

Meanwhile, some 20,000 British troops are set to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 a NATO's biggest drills since the Cold War. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted Britain's contribution in a speech last month.

"It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries a plus Sweden a providing reassurance against the Putin menace. Our carrier strike group will be out in full force, with our magnificent flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth leading the way, and flying from her decks will be the fifth generation F-35 Lightning jets," Shapps said.

Behind that veneer, however, critics argue Britain's armed forces are underfunded, underequipped and facing a recruitment crisis.

General Patrick Sanders, the outgoing head of the British army, warned recently that more needs to be done to equip and modernize the country's armed forces in the face of the threat from Russia. Britain has about 73,000 soldiers a half the size it was 30 years ago. Sanders said Britain may need to train a "civilian army" in the event of a major war.

"Although there's a lot of rhetoric from British defense ministers and senior officials that numbers aren't everything, numbers are pretty important," said Brigadier (Retired) Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

"For example, a tank or a frigate or an F-35 can't be in two places at once. It's also fair to say that the British armed forces have a broad range of capabilities, which I think the U.S. welcomes, but many of those are themselves very small. For example, the British army can only produce a single division. The French army can produce two, the German army can produce three," Barry told VOA.

The British army, navy and air force have all missed recruitment targets, according to government figures, with navy recruitment down by 22 percent in the 12 months to March 2023, compared with the previous year.

Two British naval frigates, the HMS Westminster and the HMS Argyll, are set to be decommissioned this year owing to a lack of crew able to operate them, reducing the total to nine, according to a report by London's The Daily Telegraph.

The government did not comment on the newspaper report but highlighted that it has ordered eight new frigates a although these won't be in service until at least the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, there are shortages of equipment across the armed forces, according to Barry, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"All three armed forces don't have sufficient stockpiles of ammunition and spare parts to conduct a sustained battle for the length of time that NATO envisages, and that NATO requires them to do," Barry said.

"What we've seen over the last couple of years is the relative hollowing out of Europe's armed forces, very publicly displayed with the well-reported difficulties of supplying enough equipment a weapons and ammunition a for Ukraine," he said.

The British government has pledged to spend 2.5 percent of GDP on defense by 2030 and said it was committed to spending more "when conditions allow."

Barry said the British military was still effective.

"One key ingredient is actually that they are willing to fight. And I think it's fair to say the British armed forces still retain an ethos of combat in their DNA. And the British public, politicians and the media all see the use of force against the country's enemies, in extremis [in highly difficult circumstances], as what the armed forces are for. That's not true in all European or Western countries," he told VOA.

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Norway's support to Ukraine is of vital importance

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 02/02/2024

The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine is helping Ukraine both to defend its people and territory against Russia's attacks and to maintain critical public functions.

Just under a year ago, the Storting (Norwegian parliament) reached agreement on an unprecedented package of support for Ukraine, the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Under the support programme, Norway will provide military and civilian support totalling NOK 75 billion over a period of five years. Today, 2 February, the Government presented a white paper on the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, which provides an overview of Norway's support.

'Norway's support to Ukraine ranges from donations of air defence missiles to the provision of funding to pay teachers' salaries. Our contributions are important both for Ukraine's fight to defend itself and for the everyday lives of Ukrainians. Our support to Ukraine is a long-term commitment that has the unanimous backing of the Storting. Russia's war against Ukraine is the greatest security policy challenge of our time. The Ukrainian people are fighting for their survival and freedom. Their fight to defend themselves is also our fight - for democratic values and European security. That is why Norway will continue to support Ukraine,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StAre.

Key areas of Norwegian support

Broad military support along several tracks to support Ukraine's fight to defend itself. Air defence and artillery ammunition have long been a high priority for Ukraine, and Norway has provided support in these areas. Together with the UK, Norway is leading a maritime coalition to help Ukraine build up its coastal and maritime defences.

Extensive civilian support to the Ukrainian government administration and to maintain critical public functions in sectors such as energy, nuclear safety and health, in order to keep the wheels of society turning in the face of ongoing Russian attacks.

Emergency aid to Ukrainians in need. Some 14. 6 million Ukrainians are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

An overview of Norwegian support under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine can be found here: Norwegian support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries

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Norway extends agreement on medical evacuation from Ukraine

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 02/02/2024

Norway is extending its cooperation with the EU on transporting Ukrainian patients to Norway and other European hospitals for medical treatment. Norway will continue the medical evacuation operation until November 2024.

'These efforts are of vital importance to Ukraine and are a key component of our support,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 'This medical evacuation operation is part of Norway's extensive engagement in support of Ukraine. Norway's close cooperation with other European countries is helping to alleviate pressure on the Ukrainian healthcare system and ensure that wounded soldiers and ill and injured Ukrainians receive the hospital treatment and care they need,' said Mr Eide.

Since August 2022, Norway has been providing regular weekly flights to evacuate Ukrainian patients to countries across Europe. A total of 1538 patients have been evacuated, in 100 operations, by the Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services in close cooperation with the Norwegian health authorities, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and other key actors. The European Commission has described the transport as a cornerstone of the medical evacuation effort. In response to a request from the EU, the Norwegian Government has decided to extend the medical evacuation operation until November 2024.

Important effort

Many countries have available hospital capacity but do not have the means to transport patients. Norway's airlift operation means better use of hospital capacity in Europe, which in turn reduces the burden on health care services in Ukraine. Thus, Norway is providing support on the basis of Ukraine's needs. Patients of all ages, many accompanied by family members, are first transported out of Ukraine to a medical hub in Poland before being transferred to hospitals in other European countries for treatment. Norway is also assisting with this onward transport from Poland. The majority of the patients are suffering from cancer or war injuries, but there are also patients with infections and other medical conditions.

A long-term agreement between the Norwegian Armed Forces and SAS has made it possible to convert an ordinary airliner into an air ambulance that is equipped to provide intensive care and to transport patients in stretchers. SAS operates and pilots the aircraft, and the Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services provide the medical and operational expertise. The business sector, civil society and military authorities are all working together in this important effort.

The medical evacuation operation from Ukraine is a coordinated effort involving several Norwegian ministries, the regional health authorities and the Norwegian Directorate of Health, as well as the Norwegian Armed Forces, SAS and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.

'The Ukrainian people's fight to defend themselves requires considerable resources across the country, and despite the tremendous efforts of the Ukrainian health system, health services in the country are under enormous pressure. Our agreement on the evacuation of Ukrainian patients to European hospitals helps to ensure the patients receive the treatment they need and reduces the burden on health services in Ukraine. The health care personnel on board normally work in the Norwegian health services, but have an agreement to be deployed at short notice for the Armed Forces,' said Minister of Defence BjArn Arild Gram.

Receiving high-quality care in Norway

'Norway is one of the countries that has received the most patients from Ukraine. I am proud of the capacity and willingness shown by our health services to provide high-quality treatment to patients from Ukraine since the start of the war. The health services have also provided Ukraine with donations of medications and equipment. We will continue to support Ukraine in cooperation with the EU,' said Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol.

Since the operation started in the spring of 2022, 359 patients have been treated in Norwegian hospitals. The operation is being coordinated under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Norway receives evacuated patients on the basis of an assessment of treatment capacity and the needs of each individual patient.

Facts

The European Commission estimates that some 7.7 million Ukrainians will be in need of medical help in 2024.

Since 24 February 2022, over 1500 attacks on the health sector in Ukraine have been registered by the World Health Organization (WHO). The actual numbers are likely to be higher.

Norway is one of the countries that has received the most patients from Ukraine. So far, some 359 patients have been evacuated to Norway for treatment in Norwegian hospitals.

In addition, Norway has provided transport that has enabled the evacuation of some 1200 Ukrainian patients for treatment in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands.

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Lithuania transferred latest aid package to Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-02-02

International cooperation

The Ministry of National Defence renders military assistance to Ukraine on a continued basis. On February 2 the Lithuanian Armed Forces delivered and handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine thousands of anti-tank grenade launcher Carl Gustaf rounds and the RISE-1 long-range smart initiation system for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Our assistance to Ukraine is active and consistent because it is an investment in our own security. We are dedicating most of the most recent assistance efforts to the demining coalition we are assembling for Ukraine," says Minister of National Defence Arvydas AnuAauskas.

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Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Whether Kyiv Has Requested Bodies From Belgorod Plane Crash

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 02, 2024

Ukraine says it has repeatedly asked Moscow to return the bodies of dozens of prisoners of war that Russia says died in a plane crash last week, contradicting Kremlin statements that no request has been received on the matter.

Andriy Yusov, the spokesman for Ukraine's military intelligence, said Kyiv's calls for the return of the remains of 65 POWs Russia claims were on the plane have fallen on deaf ears. He also said in comments on state television late on February 1 that an international probe is needed to establish the facts on the crash of the Il-76 military transport plane that purportedly left 74 dead in total.

"Regarding information about the deaths, Ukraine made requests and continues to do so regarding the transfer of the bodies. So far, the Russian side is not going for it.... So far, Russia has not intensified the process related to an open international investigation," Yusov added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on February 2, however, said Moscow had not received a request.

When asked how Russia would react to such a request, Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Russian law enforcement agencies would have to consider such a request in light of the ongoing investigation into the crash in the Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine.

Russia has accused Ukraine of shooting down the military cargo plane on January 24, but Kyiv has yet to confirm that claim or that there were Ukrainian POWs on board who were to be involved in a prisoner exchange.

Ukrainian officials say Moscow didn't ask for any airspace clearance, as it has in the past, to allow for the transport and exchange of POWs.

Neither side has put forward any evidence to help clear up the matter.

Aviation experts have told RFE/RL that it was possible a Ukrainian antiaircraft missile downed the plane but added that a Russian antiaircraft could have been responsible.

A Planet Labs satellite image showing the crash site, published by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, shows an approximately 500-meter-long trail left by the plane crash.

Schemes journalists previously managed to establish the names of the crew members of the Russian Il-76 plane, the death of three of whom was confirmed by their relatives.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-bodies- belgorod-plane-crash/32802820.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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France Says Russia Will 'Answer' For Deaths Of French Aid Workers In Ukraine

By RFE/RL February 02, 2024

France says Russia will have to answer for the deaths of two French nationals killed in a drone attack in the Kherson region of Ukraine as they performed humanitarian duties.

Kherson regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote in a post on Telegram that the two French nationals were killed, and three other foreigners injured in the attack in Beryslav, a town just outside the southern city of Kherson, on February 1.

Prokudin did not say which humanitarian group the casualties worked for.

"Russian barbarity has targeted civilians in Ukraine," French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Russia will have to answer for its crimes," he added.

The French remarks come as the United Nations' highest court on February 2 ruled that it has jurisdiction in most aspects of a case filed by Ukraine against Russia shortly after the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbor almost two years ago.

The case filed by Kyiv at the International Court of Justice in The Hague accuses Russia of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention by falsely claiming that the February 24, 2022, invasion was launched in order to curb an alleged genocide of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a post on social media that "the brave French aid workers assisted people and we will always be grateful for their humanity."

Kherson has been the focus of intense attacks by Russian forces for months.

Ukraine's military said on February 2 that its air defenses shot down 11 out of 24 Russian drones launched early on February 2 at critical infrastructure facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, and Kharkiv regions.

The strikes hit a thermal power plant in the Kryviy Rih area of Dnipropetrovsk, leaving more than 40,000 people without electricity, regional officials said, while some 100 miners were temporarily trapped in two nearby mines due to the lack of electricity.

An unspecified number were later brought to the surface, authorities said, without elaborating.

The Energy Ministry said there were fires at the power plant and damage to substations.

Ukraine is in desperate need of financial and military assistance amid signs of political fatigue in the West as the war kicked off by Russia's unprovoked invasion nears the two-year mark.

Kyiv is hoping that a four-year, 50 billion-euro aid package approved by the European Union on February 1 will help bring in fresh supplies of weapons and ammunition as a counteroffensive stalls.

They are also hoping it will push U.S. lawmakers toward approving a supplementary spending bill that includes $61 billion in aid.

That package has been stalled in the U.S. Congress amid opposition from Republican lawmakers who want any spending package to also include sweeping changes to border protection policy in the United States.

Separately, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on February 2 said that Toomas Nakhkur, who led the ministry's technical-policy and weapons-development unit, has been suspended after being named a suspect in an undisclosed criminal case.

The move follows an announcement by the Ukrainian Security Service on January 27 that it had uncovered a scheme to embezzle the equivalent of some $40 million earmarked to buy mortar shells for the country's military.

It was unknown if the Nakhkur situation is related.

Kyiv is attempting 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.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/france-russia-answer-for- deaths-aid-workers-ukraine/32802756.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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UN Court Says It Has Jurisdiction In Parts Of Ukraine's Case Against Russia

By RFE/RL February 02, 2024

The United Nations' highest court on February 2 said it had jurisdiction to hear most parts of a case filed by Ukraine that alleges Russia violated the Genocide Convention by using trumped-up claims to justify its full-scale invasion almost two years ago.

The case filed by Kyiv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague accuses Russia of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention by falsely claiming that the February 24, 2022, invasion was launched in order to curb an alleged genocide of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

In a preliminary ruling, ICJ judges ordered Russia in March 2022 to stop the invasion, but Moscow rejected the decision, arguing the court, which resolves legal complaints by states over alleged breaches of international law, had no legal right to decide in this case.

In September, lawyers for Russia asked the court at a preliminary hearing to throw out the case, reiterating that the court had no jurisdiction.

In a ruling read out by ICJ President Joan Donoghue, the judges rejected Moscow's argument that the court does have jurisdiction. But it also ruled it didn't have competence to decide on Ukraine's motion that Russia's use of force contradicted the Genocide Convention, nor could it rule on Kyiv's argument that Russia's recognition of separatist areas in eastern Ukraine breached the convention.

While its decisions are legally binding, the court has no means to enforce them.

In a separate case earlier this week, the ICJ issued a mixed ruling on a terrorism-financing complaint filed by Ukraine against Russia over Moscow's activities in eastern Ukraine and on "racial discrimination" by Russia after it illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

In a ruling on January 31, the court said that while Moscow had violated the United Nations anti-discrimination treaties by failing to protect education in the Ukrainian language in Crimea, it didn't agree with Ukraine's claim it was due compensation from Russia.

The court also rejected Ukraine's claims of Russia's discrimination against ethnic Tatars and Ukrainians after its annexation of Crimea.

In total, the ICJ agreed with Ukraine that Moscow violated two article of the treaties, but rejected several others.

The court has been in the world's attention in recent days due to a high-profile case brought by South Africa against Israel's handling of the war in Gaza.

In a ruling on January 26, the court ruled that Israel must do everything to prevent genocide during its offensive in response to an attack in October by Hamas -- which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU -- but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/icj-jurisdiction-ruling-ukraine- russia/32802376.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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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the ruling of the UN International Court of Justice to reject Ukraine's accusations that Russia violated the Genocide Convention

2 February 2024 18:40

178-02-02-2024

On February 2, 2024, the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued a judgment in the case "Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation)." For the time being, the judgment is limited by the procedural issue of the court's jurisdiction. However, even at that preliminary stage, the case concocted by Ukraine has already fallen apart. The court totally rejected all Ukraine's claims that Russia has violated and "abused" the convention to justify starting its special military operation.

The court accepted Russia's preliminary objections and agreed that Kiev's accusations have nothing to do with the convention. The issue is not even about Russia committing genocide or failing to fulfil its commitments to prevent it; on the contrary, Kiev claims that Russia was too zealous in fulfilling the convention by initiating the special military operation to protect Donbass from genocide without sufficient grounds. However, the special military operation is based on the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, about which the UN Security Council was notified. It was the military escalation - armed attacks on the DPR and LPR by the Armed Forces of Ukraine - that prompted Moscow to respond.

The collective West's unprecedented interference in the case did not help Ukraine. As many as 47 countries (mostly NATO and EU members) declared their intention to support Ukraine by joining the process. Out of this number, 33 countries have already filed relevant applications at the jurisdiction stage. We blocked the US application - the United States itself does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction under said convention. Thus, thirty two teams of lawyers spoke in turn at the hearings in The Hague in September 2023, turning them into a total farce. They represented the following countries - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia. It is worth noting that these same NATO countries, when earlier accused by Serbia of violating the Genocide Convention by bombing Yugoslavia, argued to the same court that the convention did not regulate the use of force and that the military campaign "in defence" of the Kosovo Albanians was justified. At that time, the court listened to these arguments and refused to review all Serbian-filed cases. Naturally, we reminded the court about these precedents. Russia long warned the West that Kosovo will backfire, as it has again.

So now the court will review only one issue - whether Ukraine committed genocide in Donbass. In other words, Kiev has put itself in the dock as part of its own claims. We can only applaud Kiev and its Western patrons for so deftly shooting themselves in the foot.

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Ukraine Loses Up to 290 Soldiers Near Donetsk in Past Day - MoD

Sputnik News

20240202

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 290 soldiers in the Donetsk area over the past 24 hours, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday.

Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled three attacks by Ukrainian troops around Krasny Liman and two attacks in the Donetsk area.

"The enemy lost up to 290 military personnel, three armored combat vehicles, including one US-made M113 armored personnel carrier and 17 vehicles [around Donetsk]," the MoD said in a statement.

Ukraine has also lost up to 270 soldiers in the Krasny Liman region and over 100 soldiers South of Donetsk, the MoD added.

A Sputnik

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Russian Investigators Dealing With Return of Bodies of Ukrainian PoWs - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20240202

TULA (Sputnik) - The Russian investigative authorities are currently dealing with the issue of return of the bodies of Ukrainian PoWs who were killed in the downing of the Il-76 military aircraft in the Belgorod Region, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"The issue is now entirely in the hands of investigative authorities. An investigation is underway. And while an investigation is underway, all of the regimes are determined by the investigation," Peskov told reporters.

Not a single international organization responded to the call of Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch an investigation into the matter, Peskov added.

On January 24, an Il-76 transport aircraft with 65 Ukrainian PoWs being transported for exchange crashed in Russia's Belgorod Region, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.All the PoWs, along with six crew members and three accompanying persons on board died. Russian military accused the Ukrainian forces of downing the plane.

President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that the Russian Investigative Committee had determined that Ukraine used a US-made Patriot missile system to bring down the Ilyushin Il-76 plane with the Ukrainian PoWs.

A Sputnik

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A motorist copped a $302 fine for parking in front of a misleading clearway sign outside an Aussie cafe  leaving him determined to fight the penalty as a matter of principle.

The local, who lives near Mosman in Sydneys North Shore, claimed he and his partner were visiting a popular cafe at 1:49 pm and parked on Military Road when they were unknowingly slapped with the fine.

The nearest road sign that outlined the details of the special event clearway was obscured by a folded-over piece of paper, so the couple looked at seven or eight other signs in the vicinity which they understood to mean that the clearway was from 6 pm to 3 am on New Years Eve, which fell on a Sunday.

The motorist copped a $300 fine for parking near the 'deceptive' sign. Source: Supplied

Its understood that the clearway where they parked actually began at 11 am - but the time frame is obscured by a folded-over piece of paper on the sign. When Yahoo requested clarification, a spokesperson from Mosman Council refused, stating only that the recipient could request a review through Revenue NSW.

The sign is folded over. You can see clearly that the sign is not fully into the slot, the man told Yahoo News Australia. To me its deception.

Motorist took evidence of incident

The driver in question explained that it was only when he left the cafe that his partner realised that there was a fine affixed to the windscreen. We pulled up, checked everything and went back to take photographs as evidence, he said, confident that they were in the right.

I came straight home and did the appeal, he said. The man has since twice and been denied both times.

The point I'm making is [the sign] wasn't visible to us and we relied on the other side [of the road, he said. It's as simple as that. It's not clear. Now, he claims that he will continue to fight the matter as a matter of principle adding I honestly dont think its fair.

Story continues

Have you experienced a misleading road sign? Contact News Editor Courtney Greatrex at courtney.greatrex@yahooinc.com

Two more signs in the area indicate that the clearway began at 6pm on December 31. Source: Supplied

Aussies just as baffled by sign

Sharing images of the sign to social media, other Aussies were just as confused by the signage. I'm sure we weren't the only ones fined like this on the day, he said.

While some thought the sign said that the clearway was from 9 am-6 pm, others thought it was from 6 pm to 3 am. But no one suggested that it began at 11 am from the images provided.

Clear as mud, said one local. Good luck with your fight. Id certainly be challenging this.

When the driver clarified that the clearway began at 11 am, one said Thatd be unlucky.

People (and the sign) are telling you there was a clearway on NYE from 9 am to 6 pm and then 6 pm to 3 am. If you're told 11 am then where is that?! Again, good luck to you! they added.

Mosman Council responds

A spokesperson from Mosman Council told Yahoo: Revenue NSW is responsible for the review of penalty representations, the receipt and processing of fines issued by Council and the administering of the fine enforcement system for the collection of unpaid fines.

Reviews of penalty notices must be requested through Revenue NSW if the recipient believes an error has been made or wishes to seek leniency because there were special circumstances that contributed to the offence.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Russia Delivered 127 High-Precision Strikes on Ukraine's Military Sites in January - Shoigu

Sputnik News

20240202

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces carried out 127 strikes with high-precision weapons on military infrastructure and facilities of the defense industry of Ukraine in January, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.

"In January, the Russian armed forces carried out 127 strikes with precision weapons on military infrastructure and defense industry facilities in Ukraine. Enterprises for the production, modernization and repair of weapons, arsenals, military airfields, fuel depots, deployment points of units of the armed forces of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries were hit," Shoigu said at a meeting with the military leadership.

The Russian armed forces destroyed over 3,000 pieces of Ukrainian military equipment in January, including Leopard tanks, Patriot and HIMARS launchers, Shoigu said.

"More than 3,000 units of various weapons, including foreign ones, were destroyed. They include German Leopard tanks, US Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Patriot and HIMARS launchers," Shoigu said at a meeting with the military leadership.

The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces have exceeded 23,000 both killed and injured in January, the minister said.

The Russian armed forces maintain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact in the special military operation zone after Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed, Sergei Shoigu stressed.

"After the failure of the enemy's counteroffensive, the Russian armed forces retain the strategic initiative along the entire line of combat contact. Our units are moving forward, expanding their control zones, and improving their position along the front line. During active operations in the Kupyansk, Krasny Liman and Donetsk directions, the settlements of Veseloe, Krokhmalnoe, Tabaevka were liberated," Shoigu said at a meeting with the military leadership.

In January, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Ukraine's Armed Forces had lost over 215,000 men and 28,000 weapons in 2023. Russian forces retain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact, Shoigu said.

A Sputnik

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New $54Bln for Ukraine Aimed at Supporting Economy, Not Arms Procurement - Orban

Sputnik News

20240202

BUDAPEST (Sputnik) - A new 50 billion euro ($54.4 billion) package for Ukraine is aimed at supporting the country's economy, which cannot survive without European and US support, and is not related to arms procurement, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.

"This 50 billion euros we are talking about will not be spent on weapons, but is aimed at preventing the Ukrainian state, which has reached bankruptcy, from collapsing. In terms of the Ukrainian economy, Ukraine has collapsed ... If the Americans and we, the Europeans, do not send weapons, 'the shop can be shut down,' which means no pensions, no payments, no nothing," Orban told Hungary's Kossuth Radio.

The issue of military aid to Ukraine from the European Peace Facility will be discussed at the meeting of the EU foreign ministers, Orban added.

Hungary has not sent any weapons to Ukraine and has no plans to do so, the prime minister said.

"Hungary would like to talk about peace, we have sent money for peace and so on. But this was impossible, as the West thinks time is on our side and the longer the war is, the better the military situation in Ukraine gets. I think the opposite is true, that time is on the Russian side and the longer the war lasts, the more people will die and the balance of power will not change in favor of Ukraine. Why are we continuing the war then?" Orban told the radio.

On Thursday, EU leaders reached an agreement to allocate 50 billion euros as part of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine for the period until 2027.

The total amount of EU macro-financial assistance to Ukraine last year amounted to 18 billion euros, transferred in monthly payments of 1.5 billion euros. This assistance was provided to Kiev regardless of the implementation of reforms and the fight against corruption.

A Sputnik

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The head of President's Office met with the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 21:34

Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President, met with OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, visiting Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak thanked Malta for its active support of the steps aimed at implementing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. He highly appreciated the third national security and foreign policy advisors' meeting regarding the implementation of the principles of peace restoration in Ukraine, which took place in Malta at the end of October 2023. According to the head of the Office of the President, the meeting, attended by representatives of 66 states and international organizations, was not only productive but also contributed to the growing number of countries expressing readiness to join the work on the Peace Formula.

Separately, Andriy Yermak thanked Ian Borg and all of Malta for supporting the launch of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The head of the Office of the President expressed hope that Malta's chairmanship in the OSCE would contribute to the intensification of the process of returning Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to Russia.

Andriy Yermak expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation between the two countries and Malta's participation in the Global Peace Summit.

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Andriy Yermak met with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 21:07

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with the former Secretary of State of the United States and ex-CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who arrived in Kyiv.

Andriy Yermak thanked the President of the United States, both chambers and parties of the Congress of the United States, and the entire American society for the powerful support of Ukraine. He also expressed hope for the continuation of support from the United States, as it is based on shared democratic values and respect for international law, which the Ukrainian people protect.

The head of the Office of the President emphasized the need to send a clear signal to Russia that its aggression cannot violate the sovereignty of independent states and determine the fate of other free nations.

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Two more air defense systems capable of intercepting anything arrive in Ukraine - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 21:06

I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

Report on this day.

I held a Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff meeting. Today's focus was strongly on front-line issues, front-line supply, fortifications, and the protection of our energy networks. We have good results, including continuous growth in Ukrainian drone production. A clear plan for 2024 regarding drones is in place. We're adding contracts, increasing funding. I thank each and every one who is contributing to the development of this area in our Defense Forces, implementing necessary changes. To everyone scaling up drone production, this truly preserves the lives of our soldiers.

Today, there was also a report on fortifications at the meeting. Prime Minister Shmyhal and Defense Minister Umerov reported on the speed of construction and financing. Tasks are being performed.

Of course, we discussed issues related to projectiles - we're expediting manufacturers, contracting additional volumes. Priorities are entirely clear.

The situation on key front lines, with special attention to Avdiivka, where conditions are extremely difficult. I'm grateful to all the guys in positions - every soldier, every sergeant, all the combat commanders. Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny, and commanders Moskaliov and Syrsky reported on the front issues.

A separate report regarding energy facilities - physical protection, recovery after strikes, and the progress of the heating season. I am grateful to everyone ensuring the stability of our energy and adding energy resilience to our state.

International work today. A talk with the President of Kazakhstan - our bilateral cooperation, we can add activity. I informed the President about our global work in preparing for the Global Peace Summit. And, of course, thanked the people of Kazakhstan and companies for their humanitarian support for our people and society. It is important to preserve a shared vision of principles. And most importantly - peace.

I had several meetings today. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada - I thanked for the unwavering support of Ukraine, for the assistance that strengthens the most. We discussed the further agenda of our relations - Ukraine and Canada. And the work of the created coalition for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia. Today, at the meeting in Kyiv, this coalition began its work, and the Framework Document for its activities was presented. Canada is one of the coalition's co-leaders, and I am grateful for the actions.

Also I had a meeting with the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta - the OSCE Chair-in-Office. For everyone worldwide who values international law, it is crucial to implement all points of the Peace Formula. This includes efforts to return Ukrainians who were deported to Russia.

Gradually, we are preparing for international work in the coming weeks. We need even more activity for our collective strength. Not only for Ukraine and Ukrainians, not only for Europe, but for all those in the world who strive for stability and value human life. There will be corresponding formats of work, and details are being prepared for new support packages for Ukraine.

And the main news today - the news we have all been eagerly anticipating. The news for which we have been working for months on various levels. Here is the result - two more air defense systems have arrived in Ukraine. All the details, of course, should not be discussed in public. But these are systems capable of intercepting anything. We will defend the regions. While the systems are still insufficient for the complete protection of Ukraine, we work towards this goal every day.

I am grateful to everyone who is helping Ukraine! Grateful to everyone strengthening Ukraine! I am thankful to each and every one fighting and working for Ukraine to succeed!

Glory to Ukraine!

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The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children under the leadership of Andriy Yermak and MAlanie Joly has been launched

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 20:19

The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, co-headed by Ukraine and Canada, has commenced its work and presented the Framework Document of its activities at a meeting in Kyiv.

At the beginning of the session, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak thanked Canada and the present Minister of Foreign Affairs of this country, MAlanie Joly, for their leadership in creating the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

He emphasized that today, the world is concerned about the fate of the hostages of the Kremlin, and many countries and international organizations have expressed readiness to help Ukraine return deported and forcibly displaced children.

"The return of abducted children is the foundation of the Bring Kids Back UA action plan initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is also a key element of the fourth point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula - Release of Prisoners and Deported Persons," he said.

The Head of the Office of the President announced that Ukraine and Canada jointly prepared the Framework Document of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. This founding document outlines its mandate, goals, guiding principles, and vectors of activities.

Additionally, it explains what membership in the coalition entails and outlines how countries can participate in its work. Each state can independently determine the areas in which it wants to act or even take leadership based on its experience, expertise, and resources.

According to Andriy Yermak, the coalition will focus on the following key goals: coordinating joint efforts, exchanging information, especially at the intelligence level, to enhance understanding and response to Russia's criminal actions, leveraging the capabilities of Ukraine, partner states, and international organizations to support the coalition's goals, activating and coordinating actions aimed at strong collective advocacy and communication.

"It is crucial that the coalition unites around the principles of humanity, freedom, and the value of human life," he said.

From now on, the coalition will focus on facilitating the return of Ukrainian children, including identifying the whereabouts of illegally deported and forcibly displaced young citizens of Ukraine, developing mechanisms for their return, and participating in relevant diplomatic negotiations. The coalition will also address issues related to the preparation and issuance of documents to establish the identity of children and their family members, including those necessary for crossing borders and, consequently, the physical return of children to Ukraine. Supporting children after their return, facilitating reunification with family members, or placement in family-based care, and providing necessary rehabilitation assistance are also important. Another key issue is ensuring access to justice for children who were victims and witnesses of crimes, holding those responsible for organizing illegal actions against Ukrainian children accountable under the law.

On her part, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada MAlanie Joly emphasized the need to do everything possible today to return and protect illegally deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children to their homeland.

"I am very pleased that Canada, together with Ukraine, is launching the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Our goal is to ensure that we protect every child. We will assist Ukraine in working with many countries in the coalition, including Global South nations. We will engage partner countries, experts, and civil society for this purpose," she said.

MAlanie Joly pointed out that using children as instruments during war is unacceptable in any way. According to her, she was moved by the story of Serhiy Cherednychenko, a boy from Kharkiv region who was forcibly deported to Russia after the start of the full-scale war. He shared his story with the participants of the meeting.

Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to all the countries that joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. He also thanked Qatar and the Vatican for their continuous assistance to Ukraine in returning deported children.

"Our ultimate goal remains unchanged - to do everything possible to expedite the safe return of abducted Ukrainian children to Russia," the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine said.

During today's meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, six more countries officially joined: Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and Germany. The total number of participating countries in the coalition now is 28.

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President met with OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 18:53

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, currently visiting our country.

The Head of the State congratulated Malta on assuming the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and emphasized the priority of issues related to the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia to their homeland.

"It is crucial for us that the OSCE focuses on the return of unlawfully deported children, helping us, along with our partners, bring them back home. I consider this the most important issue," the President said.

In turn, the OSCE Chair-in-Office emphasized solidarity with Ukraine and assured that the security issues of our country are a priority during Malta's chairmanship in the OSCE.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the successful hosting of the third meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors regarding the Ukrainian Peace Formula in Malta in October of last year.

"Thank you for successfully organizing the advisors' meeting in Malta to discuss the Peace Formula. It was held at an extremely high level, with representatives from 66 countries participating. This is a significant achievement," the Head of the State concluded.

The President extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Malta to visit Ukraine and participate in the Global Peace Summit.

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In Warsaw, Ihor Zhovkva met with the Minister for the European Union of Poland and the Head of the Polish Prime Minister's Chancellery

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 15:50

On instructions of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva met with Minister for the European Union of Poland Adam SzAapka during his working visit to Poland.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Poland for supporting yesterday's decision at a special meeting of the European Council to create a new a50 billion financial instrument for Ukraine, the Ukraine Facility, for 2024-2027.

"We appreciate the role of Poland in the EU's decision on long-term support for Ukraine. This is clear proof of the EU's unity and determination to help our country in this difficult time," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

Referring to yesterday's conclusions of the European Council, Ihor Zhovkva also noted the importance of adopting a decision in March 2024 to provide military assistance to Ukraine and expedite the supply of the necessary amount of ammunition.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the priorities of bilateral cooperation on the path of Ukraine's integration into the EU, especially in the context of the launch of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Special attention was paid to the discussion of the initiative of the Polish side to establish a mechanism of bilateral dialogue on Ukraine's European integration. The participants discussed the issues of using the relevant experience of Poland, the importance of personnel training and technical assistance in the area of European integration. This mechanism will also help identify problematic issues on the bilateral agenda that may arise in the course of Ukraine's pre-accession negotiations with the EU.

During a meeting with Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland PaweA GraA, Ihor Zhovkva thanked Poland for joining the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. The parties discussed the modalities of starting negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security commitments for our country.

The parties exchanged views on the outcome of the recent visit of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to Ukraine and the importance of implementing the agreements reached.

"It is symbolic that your first official meeting in this new position is with a representative of Ukraine. This is yet another proof of the importance of our strategic partnership and further mutual support in all areas," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

The interlocutors also discussed the schedule of contacts at the highest level and the possible timing of the start of bilateral security talks.

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President of Ukraine discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and intensification of bilateral economic relations with the President of Kazakhstan

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 14:31

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Kazakh people and business for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine.

During the conversation, the parties emphasized the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles of international law with regard to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The President of Ukraine outlined the results achieved by the national security advisors and foreign policy advisors in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and measures to hold the Global Peace Summit.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed of the meeting of the International coalition for the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children that will be held in Kyiv today.

The two leaders touched upon the intensification of bilateral trade, economic relations and political dialogue.

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President of Ukraine met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 14:19

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada MAlanie Joly, who is on a visit to Kyiv.

The Head of State thanked Canada and all Canadians for their powerful support and assistance to Ukraine during the war.

"We highly appreciate Canada's special commitment, along with its substantial financial, military and humanitarian support for Ukraine since the first days of the aggression. This truly demonstrates the strength of our relations and partnership. I would also like to express my gratitude for the decision of the Canadian government to provide another package of military assistance. It further empowers our Armed Forces in the effective battle against the aggressor," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed about the measures taken to implement the Peace Formula and prepare and hold the Global Peace Summit. He also thanked Canada for its leadership role in the work of the International coalition for the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children, which will convene today in Kyiv under the co-chairmanship of Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and MAlanie Joly.

"For us, the return of all Ukrainian citizens, including children, remains one of the key priorities. We are grateful to Canada for its significant role in the creation of the International coalition for the return of Ukrainian children that will help all our children to return to their homeland soon," the Head of State noted.

According to him, MAlanie Joly's participation in today's meeting of the International coalition in Kyiv demonstrates Canada's powerful role in the process of returning Ukrainian children.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the preparation of a bilateral document with Canada on security commitments for Ukraine in order to conclude it in the near future.

Steps were also coordinated to further the dialogue between the two countries at the highest level and within international organizations.

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One hopeful home buyer believes she was unnecessarily asked to "jump through hoops" by a real estate agent who told her and her fiance they were "front-runners" in their bid to secure their dream family home. But a blunt phone call was all it took to dash their hopes after a lengthy buying process.

Maddie Langshaw, 25, and her partner Ante Jungbluth Miocic, 30, have been house hunting for several weeks and are admittedly "already buggered" from the process. She asked her parents to view a property on the NSW Central Coast over the weekend for them and were told everything "looked great" and to make an offer  but there was one catch.

"The real estate agent was like, 'Look, your offer is really good. But you have to come and see the house... you really need to have a personal connection it'," Maddie told Yahoo News Australia.

Home buyers Maddie Langshaw and fiance Ante Jungbluth Miocic believe the real estate agent played an 'emotional game' in the hope to secure more money for a property. Source: Instagram

The couple jumped in their car and drove up from Sydney to attend in person. Langshaw said the real estate agent kept "selling us on that dream when we were literally at the front door".

Realtor allegedly emphasised need for 'emotional connection' to property

Not only did the real estate agent allegedly share stories about the previous owner who had recently died  saying he knew him personally  but he also asked the couple to "write a story" for the owner's daughter on who they are and what their plans are for the property.

"He asked us to write a story about what our vision in the house would be, how we would plan out our life there, why we want the house... We thought it was an odd request but we were so keen to get it," she said.

After spending an hour on the "story" and following advice to make an offer "north" of a specified figure, the couple sent off their offer on Sunday and were left to wait for hours with no response. The real estate agent allegedly ignoring their calls when they reached out for updates.

Story continues

Couple 'sideswiped' by change in tone

The following day the couple managed to get hold of the real estate agent who told them they had lost out to a higher offer on the property.

"That afternoon he rings us and just said, 'Sorry, house is gone'... He said the contracts had been signed [by someone else]," she said. "We were absolutely sideswiped."

Despite questioning why they had not been given the chance to make a counter-offer, the real estate agent was allegedly so blunt the couple decided they didn't want to be involved with him going forward, to which he allegedly replied, "it's just the way it works", and hung up the phone.

Buying a house is 'taxing' on Aussies

It's becoming increasingly more difficult to secure a property with house prices skyrocketing and competition going through the roof, and that's not taking into consideration how difficult it is to be in a position to buy in the current market.

The process of buying a home is not only expensive and time consuming but also causes an immense amount of emotional strain on those involved.

"This whole white picket fence, Australian dream just doesn't feel like a reality and that was my immediate feeling on Monday," Langshaw admitted. "It is very taxing... and it's pretty disheartening, honestly."

She firmly believes the real estate agent was "playing an emotional game" in the hope of scoring a higher price for the property but somewhere it backfired  with the couple left to deal with the fallout.

"We genuinely got played."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Jake Sullivan

President of Ukraine

2 February 2024 - 09:04

As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan.

Andriy Yermak noted the effectiveness of his recent meeting with U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Christopher Smith in Kyiv.

The interlocutors also discussed the current situation at the frontline and the actions of the Ukrainian defense forces to repel the Russian invasion. In this context, the current needs of the Ukrainian army were discussed.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that every day and night Ukrainian cities and communities suffer from Russia's terrorist aerial attacks, so the need to bolster Ukraine's air defense system remains highly pressing.

For his part, Jake Sullivan congratulated Ukraine and the entire team of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the decision of the EU leaders to allocate a50 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program.

He noted that the U.S. Presidential Administration is engaged in an active dialogue with congressmen of both parties to reach an agreement with the U.S. Congress on approving funding for Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to Jake Sullivan, the whole team of U.S. President Joseph Biden, both houses and parties of the U.S. Congress and all Americans for their constant attention and unflagging support for Ukraine, which is countering Russian aggression and fighting for freedom and democracy in Europe.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Relentless Violence Against Aid Workers Must Stop: Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown Condemns Attacks That Kill And Injure Aid Workers

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I am profoundly distressed by the tragic news that two aid workers from the NGO HEKS/EPER were killed and others injured in an attack on 1 February in southern Ukraine.

My thoughts are with their families and colleagues during this absolutely horrific time.

I am shocked to hear that their vehicles were attacked in a manner similar to a tragic incident in Chasiv Yar Town, in the east of Ukraine just a week ago, when a humanitarian vehicle was hit, and an aid worker injured.

Last year, 50 aid workers were killed or injured in Ukraine, including 11 killed in the line of duty. Since the beginning of the year, this repeated pattern of attacks appears to have intensified. In January alone, five aid workers were injured.

This comes at a time when people in front-line areas are facing an extremely dire humanitarian situation with Russia's invasion impacting every aspect of their daily lives.

International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on humanitarian workers and the repeated violations should be of grave concern to the world.

Kyiv, 2 February 2024

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UN Official Condemns Attack That Killed Aid Workers in Ukraine

By VOA News February 02, 2024

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, on Friday condemned a Thursday attack on aid workers in southern Ukraine that left two dead and injured three others.

The Swiss nongovernmental aid group HEKS/EPER reported two of its employees were targeted in an attack late Thursday while conducting a field assessment in southeastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials later reported the two aid workers were French nationals killed in a drone attack in the town of Beryslav in the Kherson region.

The aid workers have not been identified.

In a statement, Brown said she was "profoundly distressed" by the deaths of the two aid workers and that her thoughts were with their families and colleagues "during this absolutely horrific time."

The humanitarian coordinator went on to say she was "shocked to hear the aid workers' vehicles were attacked in a manner similar to a tragic incident in Chasiv Yar Town, in the east of Ukraine just a week ago, when a humanitarian vehicle was hit, and an aid worker injured."

Brown said international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on humanitarian workers and "the repeated violations should be of grave concern to the world."

French President Emmanuel Macron called the attacks on the French aid workers "a cowardly and outrageous act."

"My solidarity goes out to all the volunteers who are committed to helping people," he wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on X that Russia "will have to answer for its crimes."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences and expressed gratitude for the service of the French aid workers.

"Russian terror knows no boundaries or victims' nationalities," he said on X. "The brave French aid workers assisted people and we will always be grateful for their humanity."

Ukrainian, Canadian diplomats meet

Also Friday, Canada's foreign minister, Melanie Joly, was in Kyiv where she met for talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

At a joint news conference following their talks, the two top diplomats announced a new international coalition to bring back Ukrainian children taken illegally to Russia.

Kuleba also said he is continuing to work to use frozen Russian assets to help pay for Ukraine's recovery from the war.

Attack cuts off electricity

Earlier Friday, military officials in Ukraine said Russia launched two dozen drones overnight that targeted the country's critical infrastructure, knocking out electricity to areas in central Ukraine and the northeast.

Ukraine energy provider Ukrenergo said Friday that damage was sustained at its facilities, resulting in a cutoff of electricity in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Agence France-Presse quoted officials in northeastern Kharkiv as saying some 64 towns and settlements had also been left without electricity because of Russian shelling. Ukraine said its forces shot down 11 Russian drones.

Some information in this report came from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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International Court of Justice to Hear Ukraine-Russia Genocide Case

By VOA News February 02, 2024

The U.N.'s International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Friday it will hear a case in which Ukraine has asked the court to declare it did not commit genocide in eastern parts of the country, a claim Russia made as a pretext for its invasion.

Ukraine filed its case at the ICJ just days after the February 2022 invasion, asserting Moscow violated the 1948 Genocide Convention when it said the invasion was necessary to stop an alleged genocide of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

The court Friday said it did not have jurisdiction to rule directly on that issue. Instead, it will rule on whether Ukraine violated the convention and did, in fact, commit genocide in eastern Ukraine. That decision will not likely come for years.

Even though the court only partially supported its complaint, Ukraine's representative to the ICJ, Anton Korynevych, told reporters Friday in The Hague the court's ruling was important, because it will decide on the issue of whether Ukraine is responsible, in his words, "for some mythical genocide."

Korynevych also noted that a preliminary ruling the ICJ made in March 2022, ordering Russia to immediately halt its military operations in Ukraine, is still in force.

Russia has continued to ignore that ruling. While the court's rulings are legally binding, it has no enforcement mechanism.

The Associated Press reports Russia's representatives left the court without making a comment.

Earlier this week, Ukraine won another small victory at the ICJ when the judges ruled Russia had violated U.N. treaties against the financing of terrorism and discrimination in a different case that dealt with incidents from 2014.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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WUXI, China, Feb. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyu, a renowned brand in the flooring industry, took center stage at DOMOTEX 2024, underlining its position as a leader in SPC flooring manufacturing. As a leading SPC flooring manufacturer, Boyu captured the latest innovations and commitment to sustainability, demonstrated at the prestigious international flooring trade fair.



DOMOTEX is one of the largest and most influential global flooring trade shows, serving as an international center for networking from the flooring sector. Boyu's advanced SPC Flooring Production Line possesses a patented printed film synchronous matching system to ensure large extrusion volume, dispersibility, stability, and excellent accuracy throughout production. The SPC Parallel Twin Screw Production Line and the SPC Conical Twin Screw Production Line were unveiled at DOMOTEX to showcase the patented technology of EIR Embossing, further enhancing the design versatility.





Besides, the SPC flooring production lines embrace sustainability by reusing industrial waste, lowering toxicity, enhancing durability, and achieving recyclability with comprehensive sustainable solutions to flooring disposal issues. Boyu's R&D center underscores its ambition to stay at the forefront as a leading manufacturer and its commitment to continuously delivering innovation to the flooring industry. Boyu's R&D team extends their roles beyond machine repair, consistently empowering flooring equipment innovation by collaborating with top universities.

As your trusted manufacturer in the sustainable flooring sector, we aim to provide high-quality, innovative, and eco-efficient extrusion production lines, ensuring top-notch performance and is designed with environmental consciousness. The flooring produced by our equipment boasts a green footprint, free of formaldehyde and heavy metals, aligning with our dedication to environmentally responsible solutions. As an inventor with a remarkable portfolio of 60 patents and your strategic partner, our ambition knows no bounds. As we set our sights on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate connecting with more clients from Europe, said Boyu's CEO, Mr. Lu, in DOMOTEX 2024.

In conclusion, Boyu's presence at DOMOTEX 2024 marked a significant milestone. As Boyu looks ahead, there is a clear vision for continued excellence and innovation. Visit Boyu today to access more information on flooring production lines: https://www.boyuextruder.com/.

Media contacts:

Company Name: Wuxi Boyu Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd.

Website: https://www.boyuextruder.com/

Tel: (+86) 13861875916

Email: boyu@byjh.cn

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c0583d4-e2f5-49be-9e37-4d59b4ca8e00
New York, NY, Feb. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real Smurf Cat (Shailushai) makes waves with artist Nate Hallinan's NFT collaboration, community donations, US copyright grant, and strategic partnerships, solidifying its position as a pioneering force in the meme coin market.

Real Smurf Cat (Shailushai), the popular meme coin, is thrilled to unveil significant advancements in its journey, including the collaboration with esteemed artist Nate Hallinan, community empowerment initiatives, and a milestone achievement in copyright recognition.

Nate Hallinan, the acclaimed artist behind the original Smurfcat image, has taken the helm in crafting exclusive NFTs for Real Smurf Cat, fostering a deeper connection with the community and breathing new life into the Shailushai universe. Nate's dedication to the project and close collaboration with the core community members signify a pivotal moment in Real Smurf Cat's evolution. His tweet, expressing excitement about the collaboration and community engagement, can be viewed here: Nate Hallinan's Tweet.



Furthermore, the Real Smurf Cat community has demonstrated unwavering support for Nate's involvement by donating 1.2% of the project's resources to his wallet. This generous gesture underscores the community's recognition of Nate's invaluable contributions and commitment to supporting his continued involvement in the project's development and success.

In a monumental achievement, the US Copyright Office has granted Nate Hallinan full intellectual property rights to the Shailushai image/meme. This recognition not only validates Nate's artistic talent and creativity but also solidifies Real Smurf Cat's commitment to upholding the integrity and authenticity of its iconic imagery. Nate shared this milestone accomplishment with his followers through a tweet, which can be found here: Nate Hallinan's Tweet.

In line with its long-term vision and dedication to community building, Real Smurf Cat has allocated 2% of its token supply (market bought) for an airdrop to Pudgy Penguin NFT holders. This strategic move underscores Real Smurf Cat's commitment to fostering partnerships and collaborations within the broader crypto community, further solidifying its position as a forward-thinking and community-driven project.

Real Smurf Cat is excited to embark on new endeavors aimed at advancing the Shailushai universe and enhancing the overall experience for its community. With plans in place to further develop and expand the project's reach, Real Smurf Cat is poised to make significant strides in the meme coin market and beyond.

Real Smurf Cat continues to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity, and with Nate Hallinan's artistic brilliance, the project is set to reach new heights. The collaboration with Nate, coupled with the community's unwavering support and recent copyright recognition, reaffirms Real Smurf Cat's position as a pioneering force in the cryptocurrency landscape.

About Real Smurf Cat

Real Smurf Cat (Shailushai) is a community-based meme coin launched on the Ethereum blockchain. The project pays homage to the viral Shailushai meme that has gained immense popularity on social media platforms. With unique features like a no-tax policy and a rewarding redistribution system, Real Smurf Cat aims to establish itself as a prominent player in the meme coin market.

Website | Twitter | Telegram | DEXTools | Uniswap | CoinMarketCap

Real Smurf Cat

realsmurfcat@outlook.com

https://smurfcat.eth.limo/



Disclaimer:

This announcement is not directed at any investors or potential investors, and does not constitute an offer to sell  or a solicitation of an offer to buy  any securities, and may not be used or relied upon in evaluating the merits of any investment. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in this release are subject to change without notice. The contents here should not be construed as or relied upon in any manner as investment, legal, tax, or other advice.

This project, Real Smurf Cat, is unrelated to and not affiliated with the famous animated series "The Smurfs."


Washington, DC, Feb. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Religious Freedom Requires Constant Protection,

Speakers Tell UPF, Washington Times Foundation Event

If a nation disrespects religious freedom, all other rights

surely will be limited, oppressed or violated

Constant and vigorous protection of religious freedom is essential to world peace and democracy, an array of human rights experts and religious freedom leaders told the audience at a recent event hosted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and The Washington Times Foundation.

The core value of being able to approach God without interference really underlies all freedom, said former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich during the Jan. 31 luncheon organized by UPF and the Times Foundation, which was part of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2024. A government which can block you from approaching God can block you from anything, Mr. Gingrich said.

The two-day IRF Summit, held in Washington, DC and led by co-chairs Ambassador Sam Brownback and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, shared testimonies and details about religious persecution from around the world, including Chinas attacks on Uyghur Muslims, Nigerian Muslim herdsmen killing Christians, Hindu and Muslim battles in India, and the recent massacre in Israel.

The UPF and Times Foundation luncheon further highlighted the unjust efforts of the Japanese government to dissolve  and confiscate assets from  the Family Federation of World Peace and Unification in Japan. (The dissolution case is currently before a judge in Tokyo District Court.)

The pretext for attacking the Family Federation in Japan was the July 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; the shooter reportedly said he felt hate and a grudge toward the church because his mother, a member, made large donations to it some 20 years ago.

Religious freedom serves communities as well as individuals, said Prof. Cole Durham Jr., director of the Brigham Young University's International Center for Law and Religious Studies. So, if there is wrongful conduct by an individual believer (or a believers relative), that individual should be sanctioned, but the entire religious community should not be shut down or crippled, he said.

Several speakers said the true reason the Family Federation in Japan is being targeted is because it publicly opposes communism, and the political opposition wants it neutralized.

The Japanese Communist Party has alleged that the church is engaged in corruption and is a threat to society, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a video shown at the luncheon. Nothing could be further from the truth. The church, founded by Reverend Moon, has long stood against communism and has always championed stronger ties between Japan, Korea, and the United States. If there is anything the Unification Church undermines, it is communism.

We should see the [Japanese Communist Partys] attack for what it is: an attempt to undermine and weaken the vital U.S.-Japan alliance, Mr. Pompeo added.

It is not OK to engage in collective punishment or use government and media power to marginalize a faith community and make it an easy picking for state abuse, Dr. Lantos Swett said in a panel discussion led by Washington Times Opinion Editor Charles Hurt.

Japan is at the crossroads, said Dr. Jan Figel, a renowned religious freedom advocate and member of the IRF Summit Global Leadership Council. Religious freedom is a litmus test of all human rights, he said, recalling how half his life was spent under the anti-religious communist regime in the former Czechoslovakia. If religious freedom is disrespected in a nation, then all other rights surely will be limited, oppressed or violated, he said.

Religious freedom means we are friends [of every faith], and as friends, governments can help other governments protect it, said Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the US State Department.

Church lawyer Tatsu Nakayama said his research showed that the Japan Communist Party and its activist lawyers began their Family Federation Japan dissolution campaign in 1987 and are eager now to get it done. After Abes assassination, he said, the leftist lawyers aggressively worked to defame the Family Federation in Japans mass media. They especially promoted testimonies of church apostates (former members who are actively hostile to the former faith). This includes people who, with help from these same leftist lawyers, partnered with professional deprogrammers (faith breakers) who stimulated fear about the faith and convinced them to have their relatives kidnapped, illegally confined and harassed, coerced to recant their beliefs, and then forcedon pain of more confinementto sue the Family Federation in Japan for damages.

In order to dissolve a religious corporation [church], criminal law must be broken, said Mr. Nakayama, whose arguments have been reprinted at length in Bitter Winter, the magazine of Center for Studies on New Religions. However, in the present case of the Family Federation, since its foundation about 60 years ago, no criminal law has been brokenwhich means there is no legal reason to dissolve the Family Federation, Mr. Nakayama said in a video.

If the Family Federation is dissolved, it will not only lose its tax exemption, it will lose its places of worship, assets, everything. It will be a death sentence, Bitter Winter Editor in Chief Dr. Massimo Introvigne told the UPF and Times Foundation panel discussion.

Moreover, the Japanese laws passed to sequester the Family Federation will impact the freedom of all religions in Japan to collect donations and pass their faith to their children, he said, adding that the Jehovahs Witnesses are already under attack.

The UPF and Times Foundation program included personal testimonies on Japans oppression and abuse. Rev. Luke Higuchi, a US Family Federation member who was kidnapped by his family in Japan and sent to a mental hospital to break his faith, recalled the deprogrammers telling him, Unless you give up your faith, you will never be released. He eventually escaped and reconciled with his family, but his repentant father admitted he had paid a lot of cash to the deprogrammers to harm his son.

Moriko Hori, president of the Womens Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), an NGO that has enjoyed general consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1997, said their global projects have been impacted by the inexplicable attacks by Japanese government officials, left-wing lawyers and mass media.

For instance, years ago, the Japanese Embassy in Mozambique had recommended that WFWP and Mrs. Akiko Hozan, a school director and WFWP Japan volunteer, receive an award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. The foreign minister honored Mrs. Hozan and the WFWP with prestigious national recognition.

But in 2022, Mrs. Hozan received a call from the Japanese Embassy in Mozambique, informing her that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan had decided to revoke the Ministers Award she had received for her outstanding educational work there. This occurred after Member of Parliament Keiji Kokuta, from the Japanese Communist Party, accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of having given an award to an organization affiliated with the Unification Church during a parliamentary budget meeting, according to an interview with Mrs. Hori and Dr. Introvigne, editor of Bitter Winter.

Thus, due to the persecution by the Japanese government, the lawyers groups and the newspapers, our service project was crushed, Mrs. Hori told the luncheon.

Dr. Michael Jenkins, president of UPF International and The Washington Times Foundation, founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband Reverend Sun Myung Moon, stated The protection and promotion of religious freedom is the critical responsibility of all who affirm God. UPF and The Washington Times Foundation are committed to protect, defend and advance religious liberty universally. As we join together at the IRF Summit 2024 which is the global leader in this arena, we will forge our collective commitment to fight religious persecution. Together we will roll back the tyranny of all God-denying ideologies and build a better world.

The UPF and Washington Times Foundation event was covered in a Jan. 31 Washington Times article, under the headline, Japans dispute with church a test of liberty everywhere.

Article link: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jan/31/key-test-japans-clash-with-church-seen-as-pivotal-/

Media contact:

Larry Moffitt

Secretary General, North America

Universal Peace Federation

3600 New York Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20002

mobile: 202-669-0387

SanViejo@gmail.com

lmoffit@us.upf.org
NEW YORK, Feb. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) between August 18, 2022 and May 2, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important February 5, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.



SO WHAT: If you purchased Estee Lauder securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Estee Lauder class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21096 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 5, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: The Complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants misled investors with unrealistic and materially false statements about market demand regarding Estee Lauders products, as well as supply chain issues and mismanagement of inventory levels in Asia and the United States. These statements concealed the truth about Estee Lauders weakness in the market until, on May 3, 2023, Estee Lauder announced weaker sales and profit for the year than estimated and accordingly cut its fiscal year outlook for a third consecutive time. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Estee Lauder class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21096 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
A tourist has sparked outrage by performing a disgusting act at a giant Buddha statue at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The man was captured urinating on the sacred sculpture.

He took advantage of a CCTV blind spot to scale a fence and climb on top of the giant statue. He then paraded around on the monuments head before allegedly urinating in front of scores of visitors on January 31.

After being informed of what was happening, security guards rushed to remove the man from the Leshan Giant Buddha.

The tourist sparked outrage by urinating on the giant Buddha statue. Source: Jam Press

Man handed over to police

The 71-metre-tall monument is based in the Mount Emei Scenic Area, located in Sichuan Province in China. It was carved out of a cliff face between 713 and 803 AD. With the confluence of the Min and Dadu rivers flowing below its feet, the Buddha sculpture faces Mount Emei.

It is considered the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. The Mount Emei Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

After being detained, the man was handed over to the police who took him to a nearby hospital to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. If found to be in a healthy mental state, the suspect will be punished in accordance with the law.

One of many examples of bad behaviour by tourists

The act comes as tourists have been repeatedly called out for acting inappropriately abroad recently. This week, a photo of two Speedo-clad tourists at a Thai airport has renewed pleas for travellers to be respectful of different cultures, particularly in countries where there are strict laws around public decency.

The photo, taken at Phuket International Airport  one of the country's busiest portals that serves almost 10 million people each year  went viral earlier this week after two men wearing only budgie smugglers were snapped stacking their bags onto a trolley.

Story continues

Two men donning speedos at Phuket International Airport have been criticised for disrespecting local culture. Source: Facebook

Jam Press

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

VANCOUVER, Feb. 2, 2024 - P2 Gold Inc. ("P2" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGLD) (OTCQB: PGLDF) reports that it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement of units (the "Private Placement") consisting of 6,250,000 units in the capital of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.08 per Unit for gross proceeds of $500,000.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.15 per common share for a period of two years from the date of issue (the "Expiry Time"), provided that, if after four months from the date of issue, the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the TSXV Enture Exchange (the "Exchange") is equal to or greater than $0.30 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days at any time prior to the Expiry Time, the Company will have the right to accelerate the Expiry Time by giving notice to the holders of the Warrants by news release or other form of notice permitted by the certificate representing the Warrants that the Warrants will expire at 4:30 p.m. (Vancouver time) on a date that is not less than 15 days from the date notice is given.

The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund engineering expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

The securities issued pursuant to the First Tranche will be subject to a four-month hold period expiring on June 2, 2024. In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid finder's fees of an aggregate of $9,732 to arm's length finders, representing 6% of the proceeds raised from subscriptions by certain placees. The securities offered pursuant to the Private Placement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of such Act.

Insiders of the Company subscribed for 1,122,500 Units of the First Tranche. The issuance of Units to insiders is considered a related party transaction subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 on the basis that the participation in the Private Placement by the insiders did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the company's market capitalization.

About P2 Gold Inc.

P2 is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing precious metals and copper discoveries and acquisitions in the western United States and British Columbia.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, information with respect to the Company's expectations, strategies and plans for exploration properties including the Company's planned expenditures and exploration activities and the use of proceeds from the Private Placement.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated, as well as the other assumptions disclosed in this news release. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including without limitation, the inability to use the proceeds from the Private Placement as expected and risks associated with mineral exploration, including the risk that actual results and timing of exploration and development will be different from those expected by management. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 16, 2023 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a discussion of these risks.

The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

SOURCE P2 Gold Inc.
In his first public comments nearly three months after a hit-and-run crash in Owasco, Cayuga County Clerk Brian Scanlan took responsibility for the incident and admitted he erred when he left the scene after striking a parked vehicle.

"We're all human. We all make mistakes," Scanlan told The Citizen in an interview Thursday. "I made a mistake. As a newly elected official, I was scared, I was nervous, so I made the choice that I made and I have to live with that."

The incident occurred Nov. 11, four days after Scanlan won a three-way race for county clerk. He was operating a pickup truck when hit a vehicle parked outside 12 Fairway Drive. The vehicle, a Subaru owned by Dr. Cyndy King, of North Carolina, was totaled.

Scanlan left the scene of the crash. The next day, his attorney contacted the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office  a fact confirmed by Sheriff Brian Schenck.

When Scanlan and his attorney appeared at the sheriff's office on Nov. 15, he was ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, a violation.

Scanlan pleaded guilty by mail and was sentenced Dec. 1 to pay a $250 fine with a $93 surcharge. He was also required to complete a defensive driving course and 50 hours of community service, and cover King's expenses not covered by insurance.

There were attempts by local attorney Joe Camardo, who owns 12 Fairway Drive, to have a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case. But Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said there was no basis to appoint a special prosecutor.

Camardo has said he will pursue civil action against Scanlan, and has hired a private investigator.

Scanlan is aware of Camardo's comments and other criticisms from the public. He has seen claims made about what may have happened before the crash, which he said are "unjustifiable."

"Nothing is going to knock me down. I may fall down, but I will get right back up," he said. "I made a mistake, like I said. I took responsibility for that."

While transitioning into his new role as county clerk, Scanlan began his community service. He is nearing completion of the 50-hour requirement.

"I'm looking forward to moving on and going forward," he said. "I wish others could do the same."

Brian Scanlan embraces challenge, settles in as Cayuga County clerk With his first month on the job behind him, Brian Scanlan has settled in as Cayuga County clerk.
The city of Auburn is inviting the community to experience April's once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse together at Falcon Park.

The city and the Auburn Doubledays will hold Falcon Park Eclipse Fest from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the park at 130 N. Division St. in Auburn. The free event will feature children's activities on the field and concessions available from the Doubledays, the city said in a news release, and mascots Abner and Casey will be in attendance as well.

The total solar eclipse will be the first where Cayuga County lies in the path of totality  when the moon's shadow fully covers the sun  since 1925. The next such eclipse will take place in 2144.

Auburn will see about a minute of totality beginning at 3:22 p.m. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available from the Cayuga County Office of Tourism.

The Cayuga Museum of History & Art will also be holding a weekend of events celebrating the spectacle in the sky, and the county is anticipating a surge of tourists.

For more information on Falcon Park Eclipse Fest, contact Brian Rhodes by phone at (315) 255-2489 or by email at brhodes@auburnny.gov.

For more information on solar eclipse events in Cayuga County, visit tourcayuga.com/total-solar-eclipse.

Umbraphiles unite: Cayuga County preparing for eclipse tourism A once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon will grace the skies of central New York this spring when a total solar eclipse is visible the after
Longtime local physician Dr. Thomas Shieh said that statements made about him in a recent press release from the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority are false.

On Friday at 5:41 p.m., the Pacific Daily News received a press release from hospital Public Information Officer Cindy Hanson with the subject line: Update on the availability of Butorphanol.

The release stated that GMH is still without access to Butorphanol, a narcotic pain medication often used during labor to alleviate pain. Formerly known as Stadol, the medication is also used as part of the anesthesia for surgery and cardiac procedures.

Hospital Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas is then quoted in the release. She said that GMH is thankful for Dr. Tom Shiehs offer to donate Butorphanol medication that he said he was able to procure from a vendor in Honolulu. Unfortunately, it never materialized. Dr. Shieh graciously provided the contact details for the vendor in Hawaii. When our pharmacist contacted the vendor, it turned out that Dr. Shieh was unable to secure the medication.

But Shieh said his order was secure before he canceled it in favor of GMH ordering its own supply. Shieh said the press release was an attempt to mislead the public and patients. He offered screenshots of his correspondence with his supplier, which appears to support Shiehs version of events.

The release goes on to say why a shortage of the pain reliever exists which is due to manufacturing delays. The lack of medication is not exclusive to Guam. There is currently a nationwide shortage of Butorphanol and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists anticipated stock of the medicine would be replenished in March or April, but further manufacturing delays will result in more delays, the GMH release states. Butorphanol is not expected to be available until August, the release adds.

Shieh warned other companies to think twice before donating to GMH and he said hell never donate to GMH again. He said he has personally donated thousands of dollars and also surgical equipment and bunk beds among other supplies over the years to GMH.

It is so sad that they stoop so low and waste so much time to create these immature, defamatory press releases, Shieh said.

In the interim, GMHA said in the release that it has other pain relief options for mothers in labor, including epidurals, which are the most commonly used method for pain relief during labor. Over 60% of women take advantage of an epidural to relieve the pain of childbirth, the release concluded.
Guam got one step closer to be able to deport non-U.S. citizens who are convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired, according to a letter sent by Del. James C. Moylan.

In a letter sent to Attorney General of Guam Douglas Moylan, the delegate said that the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6976, the Protect our Communities from DUIs Act. The measure authorizes the deportation of any alien who is convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired and will apply whether the conviction is classified as a misdemeanor or felony.

Alien, as used in the measure means any person not a citizen or national of the United States.

The delegate recommended that the AGs office seek guidance from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security on whether the measure would apply to Compact of Free Association migrants in Guam.

Douglas Moylan said that while DUI convictions and eventual deportations for non-U.S. citizens will help, it wasnt what he had hoped for.

Its like, why are you talking about DUIs when the crimes are so much bigger than DUIs? Im not saying that DUIs arent big. But thats not the only one. Were talking about murders, rapes, violent crimes out there, that are caused by these COFA citizens.

Douglas Moylan added that his office is working on pre- and post-judgment offers for COFA members convicted of crimes to be deported. It would be a voluntary program, he said.

Krystal Paco-San Agustin, director of communications for the Office of the Governor, said the administration is considering direct and indirect impacts of the measure becoming law.

Because this measure will broaden the categories of deportable offenses to include all DUIs, regardless of severity, it should be weighed against its potential impact on our immigrant communities and families, particularly on U.S. citizen minor children of possible offenders, she wrote in a response. Our island is home to many immigrant and migrant communities, and legislation that will impact their ability to stay on or reenter Guam requires due consideration. We expect these issues will be carefully vetted if this measure is to pass in the Senate.
Graduates of the Judiciarys Veterans Treatment Court are getting their lives back on track following a ceremony celebrating their achievements last week.

The ceremony was held in the courtroom of Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III, who oversees the Veterans Treatment Court.

Lamorena pioneered the Veterans Treatment Court and its sister treatment programs, first offering its services to offenders in 2015.

Since then, the program has graduated 62 justice-involved veterans with a recidivism rate of 5% and a success rate of 95%.

Id like to congratulate our two graduates. I know theyve worked very hard to come to this point, said Lamorena, emphasizing the treatment courts therapeutic and recovery-focused approach.

The Veterans Treatment Court is a hybrid drug and mental health court that serves veterans who are struggling with addiction and/ or mental illness by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system into a specialized veterans court.

The program requires justice-involved veterans to participate in four intense treatment phases that address post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, drug and alcohol dependency, co-occurring mental illness, and substance abuse programs.

During the ceremony, veterans received a certificate, a Justice for Vets coin, a Chamber of Commerce coin, and a VTC challenge coin as a reminder of their special accomplishment.

In addition to the awards, graduates of the program have their cases dismissed and expunged.

The key point I have to emphasize is to maintain your sobriety. Sobriety is the number one priority in your recovery, Lamorena said. The Veterans Treatment Court is always open to all of you, whether youre a graduate or not.
A flood of students, parents, and teachers aired their concerns to lawmakers Tuesday night about the continued double-session classes of Simon Sanchez High School kids at the John F. Kennedy High School campus.

A loss of class time, a lack of space for studying and after school activities, and a general loss of a regular high school experience for kids were among the issues raised during a community meeting at the Yigo Senior Center.

Sen. Chris Barnett, chairman of the committee on education, hosted the community meeting.

The old Sanchez High campus in Yigo was abandoned after Typhoon Mawar severely damaged the school last May, leaving Sanchez High students attending classes at the Tamuning campus until further notice.

Several students stepped forward to talk about the impact it was having.

JFK student Rachel Cho said she has to get up at 5 a.m. to get to class because of the double session schedule, and has had to move her classes around because she found it hard to learn in a calculus class that started at 6 a.m.

Class time has also been cut back from 70 minutes to 50 minutes a day, she said.

Were rushing through the chapters because we got to get ready to take the (advancement placement) test, and we dont even know if were going to be able to finish all the chapters on time, Cho, who represents JFK in the Guam Youth Congress, told lawmakers.

No interaction at all

Sanchez High School freshman Summer Wusstig told senators she was in fifth grade when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and had to attend online classes with no interaction at all, where she found it hard to learn.

The situation was similar in middle school, and now she attends double-session classes that begin in the middle of the day, she said.

Her graduation ceremony from elementary school was canceled by the pandemic, and Typhoon Mawar put the brakes on any middle school ceremony.

My parents would usually tell me before, back then, you guys will have banquets, proms and stuff like that. Me and some other students  up till now we have never had that type of experience, Wusstig said, adding that Sanchez students did not even have a library to study in.

None of the members of the graduating class of 2024 had the opportunity to have a normal high school experience, noted JFK teacher Antonio Whatley II.

A number of students of the class of 2025 had appeared Tuesday night, Whatley said.

My hope is to really push that you dont make them the next victims of not being able to have a full high school career. Because theyre right after and a lot of the things I mentioned theyve also went through, he said.

A number of those who came said they were worried about how long it would take to build a new Simon Sanchez campus.

Construction of the new campus has yet to go out to bid eight months after Mawar rendered the old campus unusable.

Concerning

JFK teacher and father Angelo Andres said the possibility of double session continuing until the project was completed was concerning.

With the current school year already more than halfway done, there was no word yet from the Guam Department of Education leadership about what the fate of double session students at JFK would be in the coming school year.

When JFK was being rebuilt back in the 2000s, they had spent just a year of double-session classes at George Washington High School before being moved over to what is now Tiyan High School, the teacher said.

Andres said he wanted the discussion of other options for kids to start now.

We dont want to wait up to June or July for, discussions to take place and also for solutions to be provided, he said.

Yigo resident Francis Lizama said she has five children that are alumni of Sanchez.

Lizama said her granddaughter is a student at F. B. Leon Guerrero Middle School now, attending double-session classes at Okkodo High School in Dededo.

Her granddaughter got home from school at 6:30 p.m., and Lizama said she was worried the girl would never get to attend school at the new Sanchez campus, given how long the government was taking.

She asked that construction of a temporary campus be considered.

All the parents want and all the students want is to be in Yigo at Simon Sanchez High School. Thats all they want. Thats what I want for my grands. Thats all, Lizama said.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





The E-Power power plant, attacked

Thursday January 1st, 2024, Armed individuals attacked the power plant of the E-Power company in the town of Cite Soleil. At least one of the company's employees was injured. The information was confirmed by the former mayor of the town Esaie Beauchard.



Moise clarifies his statements

Jean Charles Moise, the leader of the radical opposition party "Pitit Dessalin" criticized for his call to destroy everything, made it clear that his call had been misinterpreted "[...] I did not ask to destroy walls but rather an entire economic system."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41559-haiti-politic-moise-jean-charles-calls-to-destroy-everything.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41555-haiti-flash-jean-charles-moise-evokes-violence-to-force-the-departure-of-the-pm.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41536-haiti-flash-moise-jean-charles-promises-at-least-5-days-of-chaos.html



Massive participation in the Perdernales market

Friday February 2nd, 2024, a massive participation of Haitians and Dominicans was observed at the Pedernales border market. The three-wheeled motorcycles left local traders, loaded with manufactured goods, rice, groceries and other agricultural products.



70 passengers on a boat held hostage

Wednesday January 31, 2024, armed individuals who were part of a gang led by "Bout ba" hijacked a boat which was traveling from Port-au-Prince to various communities in GrandAnse. Which was transporting goods and nearly 70 passengers including children and a 14-month-old baby... who were all taken hostage.



A former Ambassador of Haiti, insults and accuses PM Henry

The former ambassador of Haiti to the Dominican Republic, Paul Arcelin who lives in this country, during an interview in the program "55 Minutos" on CDN described Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry as "a thief" and assured that he had "participated in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise [...]" adding "I believe that this week will be Ariel Henrys last."



NOTICE Jacmel carnival

Jacmel Town Hall informs the general public that Monday February 5, 2024 will be a holiday following the completion of the festivities linked to the 32nd edition of the Jacmel carnival. Indeed, the public and private administration as well as the schools will be unemployed. She takes this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Carnival 2024, always in union, love, peace, fraternity and patriotism.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Elite charge earns challenger a smackdown from Edwards

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and challenger Christian Reagan squared off in a debate in Brasstown on Jan. 13.

BRASSTOWN  Christian Reagan, the cowboy-hat wearing Texas transplant running for Congress, earned a smackdown from U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards when he tried to score debate points by casting the first-term incumbent as part of the Washington elite.

A mortgage broker from Hayesville who is challenging Edwards in the March 5 Republican primary for the 11th Congressional District seat, Reagan said Edwards had done nothing to fix illegal migration over the southern border.

You just said it was 8 million people that illegally crossed the border. Its 10 million, congressman, in the last three years, Reagan said during a debate in Brasstown on Jan. 13. This country is in trouble because of people like this  the elite that represent Washington, D.C. Weve got to change how we do things as a country, and we will never do it with people like this.

Edwards was not having it.

I need the gentleman from Smith County, Texas, to recognize there is nothing elite about Chuck Edwards, the congressman from Flat Rock replied, his voice rising. I was born over here in Haywood County. I got to watch my familys lights turned out many times, I got to watch our car repossessed, I lived in mill housing, I lived in trailers and Ive worked my tail off all my life like my mother and my father did. There is nothing elite about this person who has asked to go to Congress and represent you because I understand how hard people in these mountains work and what it takes to live the American dream. I totally reject anyone that thinks that I am elite. My wife and I once went and found 83 cents so that we could buy kerosene to keep our house warm through the night until I could get paid the next day. That is not elite.

Reagan tried to recover by saying, I never used the word elite. He must have a short memory; he had uttered the phrase the elite that represent Washington, D.C. 1 minute and 41 seconds earlier.

The audience chuckled and someone shouted, Yes you did.

Chastened, the gentleman from Smith County, Texas, turned to Edwards the next time he had the floor and said, Sir, I apologize if I called you elite.


Photo: Screenshot of Douyin



Iconic Hong Kong film star and director Stephen Chow announced his upcoming venture, the "9527 Theater," a comedy label dedicated to micro-dramas, on Monday.

In a video posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, Chow displayed the "9527 Theater" written in Chinese on a whiteboard. On the same day, Douyin disclosed an exclusive collaboration with Chow for the development and operation of the "9527 Theater." Media reports suggest that Chow's first production under this label, titled Jinzhuyuye, is anticipated to premiere on the platform in May.

The name "9527" is inspired by one of Stephen Chow's iconic characters in the film Flirting Scholar. In the movie, Chow's character, Tang Bohu, used the code name "9527," and this quirky reference has become a trademark for the actor.

Chow has expressed that micro-dramas are a rapidly growing field in recent years, driven by technological and media innovations. He hopes that this new venture into micro-dramas will bring more joy to the audience, as reported by the media.

Micro-dramas, known for their brevity, low production costs, and diverse themes, have gained immense popularity in recent years.

The industry has experienced significant growth, with data from the think tank China'En Data indicating that over 1,400 micro-drama series were released in 2023, representing a consecutive year-on-year growth rate exceeding 50 percent.

Since its boom in 2023, many traditional film and television institutions have been making efforts to enter this field.

"The advantage of micro-drama content lies in its short and fast production cycle, enabling immediate connections with audiences and hot topics," Beijing-based film commentator Tang Shuang told the Global Times.

"With the participation of numerous companies and institutions, we can anticipate higher quality micro-dramas," Tang added.

On January 10, China's media regulator, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), announced the production of approximately 100 outstanding micro-drama series to align with the surging trend. Themed "Traveling with Micro-Dramas," the broadcast of this series later in 2024 will cover a range of topics such as China's significant archaeological projects in recent years, historical and cultural landmarks, and famous ancient Chinese towns and villages. The aim is to vividly narrate the origin and cultural inheritance of Chinese civilization, according to NRTA.

Additionally, micro-dramas for the Spring Festival season will be introduced. Shi Wenxue, a film critic and judge with the Beijing International Film Festival, told the Global Times that promoting films on short video platforms could attract more users to theaters, creating a new "incremental market."

Chinese micro-drama platforms have witnessed rapid international development. The overseas expansion of micro-dramas has already generated significant interest. Webnovel, a Chinese online literature platform that has excelled in the interactive novel business abroad, launched a short drama app called ReelShort overseas in August 2022. The successful localization of this platform has resonated with overseas audiences, particularly in English-speaking countries heavily influenced by Hollywood.








On February 3, 2024, at 02:44 PM, Jupiter has transited into Bharani Nakshatra. It will stay in this nakshatra till April 17, 2024. Bharani Nakshatra, the 2nd lunar mansion in Vedic astrology, is symbolised by the female reproductive organs, representing the cosmic womb of creation. It is ruled by the deity Yama, the god of death, transformation, and dharma. Bharani's energy is intense, transformative, and associated with matters of life, death, and rebirth. This nakshatra is believed to have a fiery nature, encouraging us to burn away the old and make way for the new. Let us look at how we can use this Nakshatra transit of Jupiter to improve different areas of our lives.

Jupiter, known as the planet of expansion and benevolence in Vedic astrology, plays a pivotal role in shaping our destinies. It represents wisdom, growth, and abundance, and its transits through different nakshatras (lunar mansions) bring about distinct energies. As Jupiter moves into Bharani Nakshatra, we will experience a unique blend of powerful energies that may guide us towards self-discovery and personal evolution.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The fiery nature of Bharani Nakshatra, combined with Jupiter's expansive energy, creates a potent alchemy for rebirth and renewal. It's a time to shed old skin, release attachments, and embrace a fresh perspective on life. Jupiter's benevolence will guide us towards opportunities for personal and professional growth, leading to a renewed sense of optimism. Let us look at how we can use this Nakshatra transit of Jupiter to improve different areas of our lives.

Career and financial success: Adopt a growth mindset and acquire new skills to stay relevant and adaptable. Continuous learning will enhance your employability and position you for career advancements and higher income opportunities. On the financial front, this is an auspicious time to explore opportunities to diversify your sources of income. This might include side gigs, investments, or passive income streams. Diversification will add stability and increase your overall earning potential, providing a financial safety net and room for growth. Regarding salary negotiations or freelance contracts, advocate for your worth. Research industry standards, highlight your achievements, and confidently communicate your value. Negotiating efficiently will significantly impact your income and long-term financial stability.

Love and relationships: Enjoy the freedom and opportunities of being single. Use this time to explore your passions, travel, and connect with diverse people. Appreciating your independence will allow you to develop a strong sense of identity, making you better prepared for a healthy relationship when the time comes. If you are committed, your relationship will continue to evolve. Look at personal growth and encourage your partner to do the same. Support each other's aspirations, celebrate achievements, and address challenges as a team. Trust and respect are fundamental to a thriving relationship. Create an environment where both of you feel secure, valued, and appreciated. This foundation will strengthen the emotional bond between you and enhance the overall quality of your connection. Those who are married can look to expand their family.

Family life: Amidst busy schedules, make it a point to prioritise quality time with your family. Whether it's a shared meal, a movie night, or outdoor activities, spending time together will strengthen the familial connection. Make an effort to create special memories and build traditions that bind the family. While closeness is vital, it's advisable to establish healthy boundaries. Understand each other's personal space and needs, and allow room for individual growth and independence. Clear boundaries will help prevent conflicts and promote respect. At the same time, make it a point to distribute household responsibilities and caregiving duties equitably. A shared sense of responsibility will encourage collaboration and prevent the burden from falling on one individual.

Health: For those ailing or dealing with persistent health concerns, the transit suggests a favourable window for recovery. This is an opportune time to schedule check-ups, consultations, and treatments. Regular health assessments can catch potential issues early and pave the way for effective interventions. Even if you are not currently facing health challenges, consider a preventive visit to the hospital. Routine health check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations are essential for early detection and prevention of potential health issues. Proactive care is a critical component of maintaining overall well-being. This transit highlights the need for vigilance regarding throat and mouth-related diseases. Practice good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, and consider scheduling a dental check-up. Be mindful of any persistent discomfort or changes in your throat, and consult a healthcare professional if needed.

Education: Students in their academic pursuits will receive positive news, such as success in competitive exams, particularly government exams. While celebrating your achievements, remain humble and express gratitude for the support you've received along the way. Recognise the contributions of teachers, mentors, and loved ones who have played a role in your success. Gratitude will cultivate a positive mindset and strengthen your relationships.

----------------------

Mr Neeraj Dhankher is a Vedic Astrologer based out of India. He is the founder of Astro Zindagi, a prominent platform for astrology and spiritual guidance. He can be contacted as under:

Email: info@astrozindagi.in

Phone: +919910094779

Web: www.astrozindagi.in
The directives issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will only impact the Paytm Payments Bank operations, not the Paytm's application, the company's founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma wrote on X. Paytm Payments Bank may shut down after February 29(Bloomberg)

Amid RBI's crackdown against Paytm Payments Bank, many customers have expressed concern about whether the QR payments app would work or not after February 29. Addressing these concerns, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma assured that the app will continue to work even if Paytm Payments Bank shuts down.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"To every Paytmer, Your favourite app is working, will keep working beyond 29 February as usual. I, with every Paytm team member, salute you for your relentless support. For every challenge, there is a solution and we are sincerely committed to serve our nation in full compliance. India will keep winning global accolades in payment innovation and inclusion in financial services - with PaytmKaro as the biggest champion of it," he said.

Madhur Deora, President and Group CFO at Paytm, also issued a clarification on the same earlier, saying that Paytm and Paytm Payments Bank cannot be treated as a single entity and have no impact on each other.

"There may be this impression that Paytm and Paytm Payment Bank is one, but by design and by structure, it is not and it cannot be. First it is an associate company and second is not an associate company in the sense that is some Bank. And first and foremost for a bank is that, it has to follow the governance that a bank is supposed to follow, which is to say that has to has its independent management team, which reports to the board and the matters that have to go to committees of the board where can only be independent directors," Deora said earlier.

The board of the payment company also said in its exchange filings that its associate bank Paytm Payments Bank is run independently by its management and board.

RBI's directive against Paytm Payment Bank

RBI is currently considering cancelling the operating licensee of Paytm's associate bank Paytm Payments Bank once the money of the depositors is safeguarded. It is likely that the same can be done by the banking regulator by February 29.

After February 29, Paytm Payments Bank will bar customers from replenishing their savings accounts or the popular digital payment wallet. However, RBI has not issued a final decision regarding the matter yet.

RBI issued a directive against Paytm Payments Bank for violations including misuse of customer documentation rules and non-disclosure of material transactions. According to the RBI, thousands of Paytm bank users have not yet submitted their KYC documents, raising money laundering concerns.

(With inputs from PTI)
Circumventing the tight security arrangements of Punjab Police, hundreds of farmers, along with supporters of social media influencer Bhana Sidhu, reached as close as a few kilometres away from the residence of chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Farmers, along with supporters of social media influencer Bhana Sidhu, protesting on the Bathinda-Chandigarh national highway on Saturday. (HT Photo)

The protesters blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh national highway and staged a sit-in in the middle of the road, raising slogans against the Punjab Police for arresting Sidhu.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

To deter the protesters from reaching the CM house in Sangrur, the entire district has been turned into a fortress with multiple layers of security. Farmer leaders Ruldu Singh Mansa of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Kaka Singh Kokda of BKU Siddhupur were interrupted from marching towards Sangrur to join the protest. Others heading towards the protest site were also rounded up.

ADGP (Law and Order) GS Dhillon, along with Patiala Range DIG HS Bhullar, reached the protest site.

Dhillon, when asked whether the situation could have been managed in a better manner, said, The situation is very much under control. We will take action if the protesters take law into their hands.

Sidhu was arrested by the Mohali police on Monday for allegedly seeking extortion, threatening and abusing the owner of an immigration firm. He was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Wednesday.
Homage was paid to former Haryana IAS officer ML Verma, his wife, Preeti, and sons Gaurav and Saurabh at his ancestral village Lalhari Kalan in Yamunanagar on Thursday. Rohtak divisional commissioner Sanjeev Verma, who is his younger brother and was appointed in government service on compassionate grounds, paid respects to the departed souls at a memorial at Lalhari Kalan, Yamunanagar. (HT Photo)

Verma, who was additional principal secretary to the then chief minister Bhajan Lal, was gunned down, along with his wife, sons, his driver and gunman, by militants in 1992.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

According to a release, Rohtak divisional commissioner Sanjeev Verma, who is his younger brother and was appointed in government service on compassionate grounds, paid respects to the departed souls at a memorial at Lalhari Kalan.
A Delhi court on Saturday allowed jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh to go to Parliament under police custody and take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on February 5. Singh has been arrested in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Singh has been arrested in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. (HT Archive)

Meanwhile, the court extended the judicial custody of Singh and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia till February 17.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Singh, one of Delhis three Rajya Sabha MPs, was renominated by the AAP for another term in January of this year. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 4. Special judge M K Nagpal directed jail authorities to take Singh to Parliament at 10 am on February 5 to take the oath.

Read here: Delhi court allows AAPs Sanjay Singh to take oath as Rajya Sabha MP on Feb 5

The court directed that adequate security arrangements shall be made, and Singh shall not be allowed to use mobile phones or talk with any accused, suspect, witness, or media persons. The court also allowed his family members and lawyers to accompany him.

Singh had approached the court on Thursday seeking interim bail for seven days to take his oath and to attend the ongoing Parliament session from February 5 to February 9. But on Saturday, he submitted that he no longer wanted seven days interim bail because he has to go to Sultanpur on February 7 for a hearing in another case. He asked that he may only be allowed to go to Parliament to take the oath on February 5.

ED did not oppose Singhs modified prayer. The court dismissed Singhs interim bail application as not pressed and allowed him to take oath on February 5. The application seeking interim bail of Sanjay Singh is being dismissed as not pressed. However, jail superintendent concerned is directed to ensure that the accused is taken to Parliament on February 5 by 10am under adequate security for the purpose of taking of oath as a Member of Rajya Sabha and after the oath, he be brought back to the jail, the court order said.

Singh had made a regular bail application on December 22, which was dismissed by the trial court. He then approached the high court on January 3, but the plea is still pending because the court reserved its order.
A day after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal skipped the fifth summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the agency on Saturday approached a Delhi court against him for non-compliance with the summons. New Delhi, India - Feb. 2, 2024: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during protest against the BJP for allegedly rigging the Chandigarh Mayoral election at DDU Marg near BJP office, in New Delhi, India, on Friday, February 2, 2024. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra has listed the matter for hearing on February 7, 2024.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Read here: ED approaches court against Kejriwal for skipping summons 5 times

The complaint has been moved by the agency under sections 190 and 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure read with section 174 of the Indian Penal Code for not complying with the summons issued to him under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and not joining the investigation. Section 50 of PMLA grants power to the agency to issue summons to any person enforcing their attendance and examining them in an investigation.

The national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal, has skipped five summons  on November 2, December 22, January 3, January 18, and February 2. AAP has maintained that the summons to Kejriwal were illegal and politically motivated because they do not explain whether he is being called as a witness or an accused.

In his response to EDs third summons, Kejriwal said he was ready to cooperate in the probe but alleged that the agency intended to arrest and prevent him from campaigning for this years Lok Sabha elections.

The agency, however, said it wants to question Kejriwal on the formulation of the now-scrapped excise policy, meetings held before it was finalised, and allegations of bribery.

The federal agency has been conducting a money laundering probe into the Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22 and filed six charge sheets in the matter so far.

The case before the court is regarding the Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business in a bid to replace a sales volume-based regime with a license fee-based one for traders and promised swankier stores, free of the infamous metal grilles, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience. The policy also introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor, a first for Delhi.

However, the policy ended abruptly after lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in its framing and implementation.
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday allowed jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh to take oath as the Rajya Sabha member at the parliament in policy custody. Special judge M K Nagpal directed the jail authorities to take Singh to the parliament on February 5 by 10am for him to take oath as a member of parliament. AAP MP Sanjay Singh (File Photo)

Singh had approached the court on Thursday seeking interim bail for seven days to take oath on February 5 and also to attend the ongoing parliament session from February 5 to February 9.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However, advocate Rajat Bharadwaj, appearing for Singh, submitted that the prayer for interim bail is not being pressed as Singh has to go to Sultanpur for a hearing in another case filed against him on February 7, instead he may only be allowed to go to the parliament to take oath as member of Rajya Sabha on February 5.

Singhs modified prayer was not opposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court dismissed thus Singhs interim bail application and allowed him to go and take oath on February 5.

Also Read: MLA poaching claim: Delhi Police team reaches CM Kejriwals home with notice

The court also directed that adequate security arrangements be made and Singh shall not be allowed to use mobile phones or talk with any accused, suspect, witness, or media persons. The court also allowed his family members and advocates to be present along with him.

Meanwhile, the court also extended his judicial custody till February 17.

Arrested by the ED, Singh has been in jail since October in connection with the alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy.

He was earlier granted permission on January 4 to go to the returning officer and file his nomination for Rajya Sabha membership and also on January 10 to go to the returning officer to receive his membership certificate.

The court had earlier dismissed a regular bail application moved by Singh on December 22. His bail application is still pending before the Delhi high court, where orders have been reserved.

The ED is probing the alleged money laundering case into the now-scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy scam and has to date filed six charge sheets in the matter.

The case pertains to the Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business. It aimed to replace a sales-volume-based regime with a license fee-based one for traders. The policy also introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor, a first for Delhi.

However, the policy ended abruptly after Delhis Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in its framing and implementation.
A Delhi Police crime branch team on Saturday reached the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to serve him a notice to join a probe over the Aam Aadmi Party chiefs allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to poach its MLAs, triggering a row. Delhi Police crime branch officials at CM Arvind Kejriwals residence on Saturday. (HT Photo)

While the officials from the chief ministers office said that they were ready to accept the police notice, the police officer insisted on handing it over to the chief minister in person. This led to an argument between the two sides.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A video shared on X by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) showed a police official and party leader Jasmine Shah arguing over the notice.

Read here: Arvind Kejriwal skips summons again, ED approaches court

I asked a simple question to the Delhi police officer standing in front of entrance of residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Under which law is he insisting to hand over a notice personally to CM? He had no answers. It is clear they are only here to do nautanki (drama), Shah said in a post on X. In the video, Shah was heard telling the police officer that the summons by ED and CBI are also sent through emails, then why was the officer insisting on meeting the CM.

The police officer insisted on meeting the CM and tell about some facts, the video shows. I am working within the limits of the law, the office is heard telling Shah in the video.

Hours later, Kejriwal said the political mastersof the police was forcing them to indulge in the drama. I sympathise with this crime branch police officer. What is their fault? Their job is to prevent crime in Delhi. But instead of preventing crime, they are being made to do this kind of drama. This is why crime is rising in Delhi. Their political masters are asking which AAP MLAs were asked to switch over. But you know it more than me. You know everything. Not just Delhi, which parties were broken and their MLAs poached to topple governments in various states. You know everything. So why do drama over it, Kejriwal said in a post on X in Hindi.

On January 27, Kejriwal alleged that the BJP offered 25 crore each to seven AAP MLAs to topple his government, a claim termed absurd and baseless by the BJP. Commenting on an alleged conversation between AAP MLAs and BJP, Kejriwal posted on X: We will arrest Kejriwal after a few days and then break the MLAs. Talks have been held with 21 MLAs, and we are talking to others as well. After that, we will topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. You should also come. Will give 25 crore and field you as BJP candidate in the election. Kejriwal added that all the seven AAP MLAs refused to quit the party.

Addressing a press conference last week, Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats.

On Tuesday (January 30), Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, the leader of the Opposition in Delhi assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, North Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari and other BJP leaders submitted a complaint to the Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora, seeking an investigation into the AAPs allegations.

A senior Delhi Police crime branch officer said that since Kejriwal had alleged that BJP leaders were trying to poach AAP MLAs, it is necessary to meet him in person. He must have better knowledge than his party leaders about it, so we need to meet him and hand over the notice to him in person. He can tell us that what will be the suitable time for him to join the investigation in which he can give us complete details about the grounds on which he made the allegations. It is a one-minute procedure. But we are unable to understand, why did his office stop us from meeting him. If the notice was meant to be sent to his office only, we could have sent it by post, the officer said, asking not to be named.

The officer said that a unit led by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) was assigned to give the notice to Kejriwal under section 41 of the CrPC. As per this section, police can summon a person to join the investigation if there is reason to believe that their interrogation is needed to establish the truth behind the allegations, the officer said.

Officials in the chief ministers office (CMO), however. said that they were ready to receive the notice but the Delhi Police was not giving it to them. The CM office is ready to accept the notice and also give an acknowledgement of the same, but the police are not handing the notice. The police have come with media, proving that the purpose was not just handing over the notice but to defame the chief minister, a CMO official said, asking not to be named.

A crime branch team visited the residences of Kejriwal and Atishi on Friday evening but left without handing over the notice to them.

The Delhi BJP, however, alleged that Kejriwal refused to accept the notice on Friday. The crime branch had gone to CMs house to give him a notice, but they (the officials) refused to accept, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.

In a press conference on Saturday,Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said CM Arvind Kejriwal was trying to evade investigation. The CM has skipped the summons of ED, and now he is evading a probe into his own allegations of poaching, said Sachdeva.
The killing of three people in a Malihabad village here on Friday was the result of personal enmity arising from suspicion about the victims alleged support to another set of the attackers rivals, a senior district administration official said, coining a new theory on Saturday and citing the report that the Malihabad sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has submitted to Lucknow district magistrate SP Gangwar. For Representation Only (HT File)

There was no direct land dispute between the assailants and the victims, this official added.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The assailants suspected the victims were hatching a conspiracy against them with the support of these other opponents, the official added on the basis of the same report.

On Friday, Muneer Ahmad Khan alias Taj (55), his nephew Hanzala Khan (15) and Hanzals mother Farheen Khan (40), all residents of Mohammed Nagar in Malihabad, were shot dead in indiscriminate firing by a group of men. Farheen was the wife of Muneers younger brother Fareed Khan.

The 50-second video of the incident also went viral on social media right after the incident. The clip purportedly shows a 70-year-old history sheeter Siraj Ahmad Khan alias Lallan Khan and his son Faraz Khan targeting the victims with a licensed rifle.

The SDMs report stated that there was no direct land dispute between the group led by Lallan Khan and the families of Muneer and Fareed, the official said.

In fact, Lallan Khan suspected that the families of Muneer and Fareed supported one Tayyab Khan and this led to the killings, according to the report.

The SDM mentioned in the report that Tayyab Khans land partition application against Roshan Jahan and others, including the assailants group, was filed in the court of the SDM Malihabad on June 5, 2014.

The appeal in the case was pending in the court of the additional commissioner. An order was issued by the court concerned to maintain status quo on October 23, 2018, which was been followed since then.

In the meantime, Tayyab Khan approached the court of the SDM Malihabad for partition of the private land at Meethe Nagar village on January 24 this year. Thereafter, the lekhpal issued notices to both the parties concerned on January 28, calling them for partition. When the lekhpal reached the site for a physical examination, he came to know about the additional commissioners order for status quo. The lekhpal then cancelled the process in compliance with the status quo order.

After the Fridays killings, the Lucknow police registered a first information report (FIR) under the Indian Penal Code section 302 for murder and section 442 for criminal house trespass against Lallan Khan, his sons Faraz, Furqan and their driver Asharfi. The driver has been arrested while efforts are on to nab the remaining accused. Five police teams have been constituted to track them down.

The police also recovered .315 bore licensed rifle used in the attack and a jeep of the assailants.
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has become the first airline customer to adopt the newly launched RISE with SAP on Google Cloud in the country.

The move is part of the airlines wider strategic digital transformation aimed at strengthening its support for the kingdoms Vision 2030 to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.

Having unveiled its new branding and livery at the end of September last year, Saudia has since announced a host of innovations and partnerships with SAP and Google Cloud aimed at optimising operational efficiency, improving safety and reducing operational and maintenance costs.

In the latest development, Saudia will benefit from an accelerated move to the cloud, upgrades to the newest technologies and SAP-powered sustainability focused solutions, in addition to SAPs aviation industry-specific software.

Mission-critical data will be hosted on Google Cloud, underpinning Saudias commitment to align with the kingdoms data sovereignty and sustainability goals.

Abdulgader Attiah, Chief Data and Technology Officer of Saudia Group, said: Saudias transformation focuses on ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability, while simultaneously delivering an exceptional service to our guests.

Moving our mission-critical business to the cloud is an important element in this process. With the new system in place, solutions will be upgraded automatically so we remain on the cutting edge of technology developments while storing data in a sustainable and secure way within the kingdom.

SAP has been selected for the project due to its successful long-term technology partnership with Saudia and because of its extensive experience in the aviation industry.

Included in the RISE package is S/4HANA, SAPs enterprise resource planning solution, offering 360-degree visibility over all operations, real-time data insights, automated processes, and increased efficiencies.

In addition, SAP will implement industry-specific programmes that include route profitability and analysis solutions that enable airlines to adjust flight frequencies to optimize schedules to enhance passenger convenience, profitability, and sustainability.

Ahmed AlFaifi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, SAP Middle East & Africa  North, said: We have partnered with Saudia since 2009, and have supported its growth strategy from strength to strength, always seeking to enhance services through the latest technologies, and now future proofing its operations.

With RISE, Saudia will free up time to focus on innovation and exceptional service delivery, knowing their systems are optimised and their data secure. Saudia is leading the way for customers in the kingdom who want to run SAP on a fast, secure and reliable cloud, achieving a compelling return on investment.

We have tailor-made solutions for customers of all sizes and in all industries who wish to accelerate their digital transformation.

AlFaifi added that as part of the wider digital transformation, Saudia will deploy SAP solutions for its human resources, procurement and other functions including SAP SuccessFactors Employee Suite, SAP Fieldglass Services Procurement, SAP BW/4HANA data warehouse solution, SAP Analytical Cloud and Ariba.

Google Clouds Dammam-based cloud region launch was announced in November 2023. With this new cloud region, Google Cloud aims to enhance innovation, accelerate transformation, and support the growth of the Saudi digital economy through cloud computing services.

Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Google Cloud, said: Google Cloud offers world-class cloud infrastructure, designed to maximise availability and performance, which is key for mission critical applications.

Google Cloud offers a suite of industry-tailored solutions, while using its robust infrastructure to deepen insights through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics in an environmentally sustainable way.  TradeArabia News Service
RANDOLPH  Rufus is staying put.

The dog's owner, Kandice Cooke, has settled her federal lawsuit with the city of Randolph, allowing her to keep the emotional support dog within city limits.

"He's licensed with the city now, which is what I wanted in the first place," Cooke said.

The city had previously ordered Cooke to remove the dog because it was believed to be a pit bull and was thus prohibited from living within city limits under Randolph's dangerous dog ordinance.

Cooke sued the city in June, saying the Randolph City Council was denying her right to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and also was violating the Fair Housing Act. Cooke, who moved to Randolph in March, said she'd been harassed by police about Rufus and had been ticketed four times totaling $400 for violating the city ordinance. The city dismissed those tickets as part of the settlement.

The city was pleased with the quick resolution of the dispute, city administrator Benjamin Benton said.

"It all started with her wanting to keep her dog, and that's the outcome," Benton said.

A federal judge had granted an injunction to allow Cooke to keep Rufus in her home while the lawsuit proceeded, but said the only viable claim she had against the city was under the Fair Housing Act.

The injunction was dissolved in a dismissal order signed on Jan. 26 in U.S. District Court in Omaha. Cooke has dismissed a complaint she filed with the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission.

Cooke said Rufus, who she's had for four years, is a licensed and certified emotional support dog which she said is a boxer-pit bull mix, mostly boxer. The city's dangerous dog ordinance prohibits American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers within city limits but says the breeds are permissible if the dog is a certified service animal. The city had argued that Cooke's documentation filed with her city pet registration didn't make it clear Rufus is a service animal.

Cooke said she supplied documents from two psychologists and her treating physician supporting her need for a support animal.

Cooke also registered him with the city as a pit bull, but said she did so because that's what his previous owners who surrendered him to the Humane Society called him. She said the Humane Society and her veterinarian were required to list Rufus as a pit bull because of the previous owners' statement.

According to the settlement, the city will rewrite its dangerous dog ordinance, action the city had been considering before the lawsuit, Benton said.

Cooke said she hoped the new ordinance would make it easier for future dog owners to register their animals with the city.

"The next person who has a service dog as an emotional support animal won't have to go through the hassles I went through," she said.

Video, photos: Pets gone wild of Nebraska Watch: Pet tricks Elli, Kate and Chloe love the snow Maximus Pearl Penny Saber Maximus Naughty pet Naughty pet Pet Pet Honey Olive Muddy pet Finnegan Lucifer Pets Cats Pets Cat Kitten Jack Christmas Cat Messi and Meelo Mollie Pet Chanel Maverick Kitty baer Cat Pet Pet Dog Dog Enid Pets Pets Pets Pets Pets Cat Naughty dog Norman Cat Pets Cat Pets Cat Cooper Spook Deer Dog Naughty cat Naughty dog Mattie Dog Milo Sadie Naughty dog Pfizer Charlie Mary Jane
Ganpat Gaikwad, the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA who was arrested for shooting a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction over a land dispute in Thane, said he has no regrets. BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad (left), Shiv Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad.(HT Marathi)

Speaking to Zee24Taas news channel, Gaikwad said he used the weapon because his son was being beaten at the police station. He hit out at Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of trying to create a kingdom of criminals in the state.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do?, asked Ganpat Gaikwad on firing five rounds.

If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today, he said.

According to report, Gaikwad opened fire at Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) chief of Kalyan inside the chamber of senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night.

Additional commissioner of police Dattatrya Shinde told PTI that the BJP legislator's son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at the Sena leader inside the senior inspectors chamber, injuring him and his associate.

Gaikwad accused CMs son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up boards and grabbing credit for the work done by him. I had told my seniors many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders, he said.

What did the BJP MLA say on land dispute?

Ganpat Gaikwad said he bought a plot ten 10 years ago. There were legal issues but was settled in his favour in the court. The BJP leader accused the Sena functionary of occupying the land by force.

Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray BJP he owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis (deputy CM) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.

Fadnavis on Saturday ordered a high-level inquiry into the Ulhasnagar firing incident involving a BJP MLA and a local Shiv Sena leader, calling it serious.

The Incident is serious and I have asked the DGP (director general of police) to hold a high-level Inquiry. Everyone is equal before the law irrespective of their political affiliations, the deputy chief minister said.
BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad was arrested by police on Saturday for allegedly opening fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Mahesh Gaikwad at the Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra. BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad (left), Shiv Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad.(HT Marathi)

Gaikwad and a supporter reportedly sustained injuries from five bullets. The incident occurred during a conversation between BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and city chief Mahesh Gaikwad in the presence of senior inspector Anil Jagtap at the police station.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ- PM Modi to inaugurate partial stretch of Mumbais coastal road on Feb 19

The Shiv Sena leader has been badly injured in the incident and is under medical supervision at Thane's Jupiter hospital.

"Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway," said DCP Sudhakar Pathare.

"Three people, including BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, arrested in connection with Ulhasnagar firing incident. Six rounds of firing took place," said DCP Pathare, ANI reported.

ALSO READ- Mumbai Congress leader Baba Siddique, son's rebuttal on joining NCP only fuels buzz

What Opposition leaders said?

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey attacked the state government and said: "This firing has taken place inside the police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, and the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is unfortunate that an MLA who needs to work for the welfare of lakhs of people is shooting people. In the 3-engine government, leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other.

ALSO READ- What went into making Mumbais Coastal Road

Youth Congress president Srinivas BV lambasted the ruling BJP-Sena alliance for the incident. He alleged that the shooter is close to deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, while the one being shot in the police station is close to chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Ramrajya in Maharashtra! he posted on X.

ALSO READ- INDIA alliance over: Prakash Ambedkar as he begins talks with MVA

Why Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Sena leader?

The two leaders reportedly want to contest on the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly seat. They often criticised each other.

The police are probing the real reason behind the attack.

(Inputs from wire)
The Goa Police have booked the owner of a resort after Paula Ferri, the wife of Italian Ambassador to India suffered a grievous injury to her head from a fireworks mishap. Paula Ferri, who is the wife of Vincenzo Deluca, who has been the Italian Ambassador to India and Nepal since 2018, was in Goa on a private visit to celebrate the new year. (Representative Image)

The incident took place on New Years Eve at the Anahata Resort Ashwem. Ferri didnt immediately lodge a complaint. However, Srinivas Dempo, a Goan industrialist and honorary vice consul of Italy in Goa, formally lodged a complaint on February 2 following which an FIR was lodged.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

We have begun probing the case and will approach the Italian Embassy via official channels and record the statement of the victim, said Jivba Dalvi, the deputy superintendent of police of Pernem.

According to the complaint, the resort owner negligently allowed launching fireworks from the premises of the resort which struck Paula Ferri resulting in grievous injury to her head.

Ferri, who is the wife of Vincenzo Deluca, who has been the Italian Ambassador to India and Nepal since 2018, was in Goa on a private visit to celebrate the new year.

The resort owner has been booked under section 338 ((endangering human life) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
A two-day International Buyer Seller Meet and Exhibition focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) in improving farm yield was inaugurated on Saturday in Agra. Forty buyers from ten different nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Greece, Nepal, and Bahrain, are attending the ongoing two-day meet. The two-day International Buyer Seller Meet and Exhibition has been inaugurated on Saturday (HT Photo)

The event, organised in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, was inaugurated by Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Manoj Kumar Singh. Agra division commissioner Ritu Maheshwari and district magistrate Agra, Bhanu Chandra Goswami, were also present.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Minister for horticulture in the state cabinet, Dinesh Pratap Singh, and agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi are set to attend the meet on Sunday, marking the closing day. A significant announcement was made regarding the establishment of the International Potato Centre in Agra.

Uttar Pradesh has agriculture at the epicentre of its economy, with farming covering 75% of the states land, compared to the national average of 55%. Globally, farming is carried out on only 10% of the available land, said APC Manoj Singh.

Irrigation facilities are available for 21% of the land in Uttar Pradesh, while the national average is 55%, with 86% irrigated land. Uttar Pradesh leads in potato production and contributes 35% to the total wheat grown in India, stated Singh, highlighting that experienced farmers often surpass expert scientists in farming knowledge.

Singh visited the exhibition organised at the venue in Agra, which is awaiting the establishment of the International Potato Center. The Agra, Aligarh, Kannauj, Farukkhabad belt is a major potato-producing region expected to benefit from the center, as assured by officials attending the meet.

Discussions on the use of artificial intelligence in enhancing farm produce are also a part of the event. The agenda also includes a meeting on Digital Agriculture and Export Promotion Council, with an emphasis on water conservation through the Uttar Pradesh Micro Irrigation Programme, in collaboration with the World Resource Group.
A trial of the regional rapid transport system (RRTS), also known as RapidX train, was conducted in a 25-kilometre stretch between Duhai in Ghaziabad and Meerut South (outer Meerut) on Friday, a railway official said on Saturday. Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System Train runs over the track. (HT File)

The train touched a speed of 160 km per hour during the trial, said Puneet Vats, chief public relations officer of National Capital Region Transport Corporation that operates RapidX.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

RapidX is the countrys first regional rapid transit system which will enable reach commuters to reach Delhi from Meerut in an hour.

The trial went off very well, said Vats.

We shall start operation of the train in a 42-km stretch (between Sahibabad and Meerut South) of the first and second phases in the next two months, Vats said.

The project spans 79 km between Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and the Sarai Kale Khan terminal in Delhi.

The deadline for completion of the project is June 2025, Vats said, adding but (the authorities are) hopeful of doing it before the given time.

The first phase of 17 km between Sahibabad and Duhai in Ghaziabad district became operational in October 2023. Work is in full swing to start operations in the next 25 km stretch between Duhai and Meerut South (Outer Meerut) as early as possible. The trains first trial at low speed was conducted in December over a 25-km stretch.

The RRTS initiative encompasses semi-high-speed rail corridors. The goal of RapidX is to replace the conventional non-air-conditioned local train network with a rapid rail system. The semi-high speed trainsets, which are providing services on RapidX, have been named as Namo Bharat.
A professor and five students of Pune University were arrested on Saturday for hurting religious sentiments by staging a play based on the epic Ramayan. The play is said to have objectionable dialogues and scenes in it. It also shows a male actor dressed as Sita smoking cigarettes. Functionaries of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and students of the Pune Lalit Kala Kendra which is part of the Pune University entered into a scuffle over the play which was staged on Friday evening. Actor playing the role of Sita seen smoking in the play.(X/Pablo)

Based on a complaint lodged by the ABVP's Harshvardhan Harpude, a case was registered under section 295 (A) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, said police inspector Ankush Chintaman.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the play depicted a male actor playing the role of Sita engaging in smoking and using offensive language. According to the First Information Report (FIR), when members of the ABVP raised objections to the play and intervened to halt the performance, the actors responded by heckling and assaulting them.

Professor, students arrested

The police have arrested the head of the department of the Lalit Kala Kendra, Dr Pravin Bhole, and students Bhavesh Patil, Jay Pednekar, Prathamesh Sawant, Rishikesh Dalvi and Yash Chikhle in connection with the incident.

(With PTI inputs)
A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act ( PMLA) court in Ranchi on Saturday allowed former chief minister Hemant Soren to be present in the state Assembly for the floor test of the Champai Soren government on February 5, even as the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) took the Jarkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader into five-day remand. A team of ED officers leaves for Birsa Munda Central Jail to take custody of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. (PTI)

The ED officials took custody of Hemant from Ranchi central jail and shifted him to their zonal office for questioning. Soren would now be stationed at ED zonal office as the PMLA court rejected the formers plea to shift him to central jail during the night in the course of the ED remand period.

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Meanwhile, the direction allowing Soren to participate in the trust vote came after Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan moved a petition saying Soren is Barhet MLA and it is his constitutional duty to remain present in the Assembly during the floor test.

Before the court granted permission, senior counsel Zohaib, appearing on behalf of ED virtually from Delhi, opposed the petition in the presence of ED officials, saying it would be wrong to allow Soren to participate in the floor test as he is in five-day remand. He said the lower court has no power to grant such permission in this circumstance and this power is only with the high court.

ED lawyer cited Supreme Court judgement in B. Prasad Singh Vs Kali Singh case in 1977. He said the subordinate court has no power in this matter.

AG Ranjan countered the argument citing several rulings of the Jharkhand high court and the Supreme Court involving MLAs like Dhullu Mahto, Basant Rao, Sahabuddin and others. He said there will be nothing wrong if Soren is allowed to appear in the floor test to carry out his constitutional responsibility.

After a brief argument, the court allowed Sorens petition. What will be wrong if he participates in a floor test for an hour, the bench verbally observed during the argument.

The court, however, did not allow the night stay of Hemant Soren away from ED custody. The court, which had reserved judgement in the petition moved yesterday, dismissed it, saying that during the five-day remand, he will be in the custody of ED.

Sorens advocate Pradeep Chandra also said that the court directed Soren to maintain distance from the media during his appearance during the floor test.
The ongoing legal feud between Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie regarding a $500 million French winery has seen a recent twist. Brad Pitt has emerged victorious in the latest phase of the legal battle against his ex, Angelina Jolie, concerning their substantial French vineyard, according to sources as reported by Page Six. his high-profile case centered around the ownership of the 1,300-acre French winemaking estate Chateau Miraval which the couple purchased jointly in 2008 during their marriage. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were together for over 12 years. (Image Credit: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)(Shutterstock)

Also read: Bill Clinton blames Presidential stress for Monica Lewinsky scandal, 'did to manage my anxieties'

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Brad Pitt wins big against Angelina Jolie in the winery war

In an ongoing legal clash between Brad Pitt (60) and Angelina Jolie (48) over their French winery, the Deadpool star is pushing for a controlling interest. As per Page Six, the Moneyball actor is presenting arguments in both California and Luxembourg courts. This dispute arose after Jolie sold her shares to Yuri Shefler, the owner of the Russian vodka giant Stoli. Notably, before their marriage, Pitt held a 60% stake in the estate, compared to Jolie's 40%.

What is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies Winery dispute?

Before parting ways in 2016, the Hollywood celebrities exchanged vows in 2014. According to reports, Pitt gave Jolie an extra 10% of the business as part of their marriage, which gave them a 50/50 ownership split after their 2016 divorce. However, things took a messier turn when after the breakup, Jolie sold her shares, but Pitt says he still owns 60% of the company and that the transaction is void.

As per Pagesix, a source close to the case said, He owned 60 [percent] (Brad Pitt) and she owned 40 [percent](Angelina Jolie). When they got married, it was a conversation where everything was all roses [at the time]. The agreement was for her to get 10 percent from him, a 50/50 agreement that they reached for one euro. It was symbolic of their partnership.

According to Variety, in the countersuit, the legal team representing Jolie back in October 2022, responded that negotiations to sell her business interest went south when Pitt made her sign a non-disclosure agreement that would bar her from publicly discussing his alleged emotional and physical abuse of her and their children. The countersuit alleges that during a 2016 incident, "Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face" and "grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her." Read: Brad Pitt choked, hit his kids and Angelina Jolie on 2016 flight, show court docs; his rep reacts
Jason Momoa graced the pages of People this week, chatting about his latest travel docuseries On the Roam. During the interview, he revealed that had he not become an actor, he would have opted for a political path to contribute towards saving the planet. Jason Momoa at the Los Angeles special screening of Common Ground on January 11, 2024 .(REUTERS)

Momoa expressed his desire to make a positive impact on the environment. He was quoted as saying, "If I was still young Jason, 12-year-old Jason, I'd probably try to do something to get into politics, really fight for our planet.

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(Also Read: Rocky star Carl Weathers dead at 76, fans pay tribute to the Predator actor: Rest in Power)

Jason Momoa's Practical Tips

Following his recent participation in the sustainability documentary Common Ground, Momoa imparts the practices he advocates for those aspiring to make a difference.

Rebecca Harrell Tickell, Jason Momoa, Laura Dern, and Josh Tickell at the premiere of Common Ground on January. 11, 2024(AP)

His advice centers on initiating change at home, emphasizing the importance of small actions such as saving energy and reconsidering what we consume with a question, Do we need that?

As the new year begins, Momoa reveals that his primary goal is to sustain a healthy lifestyle. In addition to conventional well-being practices, he expresses a desire to prioritize his mental health, emphasizing self-love and stress management.

Jason Momoa's Signature Dirty Momo Cocktail

In the spirit of self-love, Momoa indulges in a treat from time to time. The founder of Meili Vodka shares his preferred way of enjoying a drink, favouring it neat and at room temperature.

Jason Momoa at the special screening of Common Ground(REUTERS)

However, if he opts for a mixed drink, he leans towards a 'Dirty Momo,' a nickname affectionately given by those who know him, especially for his fondness for dirty martinis.

Momoa's latest endeavor, On the Roam, showcases his nomadic lifestyle as he travels the globe, delving into the lives of individuals with unique crafts and skills. The show revolves around his curiosity and eagerness to learn about subjects close to his heart.

(Also Read: Brad Pitt scores latest win in Chateau Miraval dispute against Angelina Jolie over $500M French Winery)

In an interview with People earlier this month, Momoa shared his aspirations for his children to prioritize environmental care in the future. He emphasized his efforts to impart his knowledge and actions to them, noting that his film Common Ground serves as an extension of that educational journey.
On Friday, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued a statement demanding an FIR against model-actor Poonam Pandey. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, AICWA said that 'using the guise of cervical cancer for self-promotion is not acceptable'. On Saturday, All Indian Cine Workers Association's president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta issued a fresh statement slamming Poonam and said he had asked for an FIR to be filed against her. (Also Read | Poonam Pandey defends death stunt, shares clip from FM Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech on cervical cancer vaccination) Poonam Pandey has been slammed by AICWAU.

You stooped so low for cheap publicity

Poonam's team on Friday shared a statement on Instagram saying that she had died from cervical cancer. On Saturday, Poonam shared fresh videos of herself and said she had faked her death to create awareness about cervical canver. Criticising her, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta told ANI, "Is this a joke?... You stooped so low for cheap publicity. No one has stooped this low in the Bollywood industry... You have played with the sentiments of the people... There is a way to raise awareness. You can approach the government, an NGO or do a media conference... I have asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner that an FIR should be registered against Poonam Pandey and her manager..."

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AICWA slams Poonam

AICWA's statement read, "The fake PR stunt by model and actress Poonam Pandey is highly wrong. Using the guise of cervical cancer for self-promotion is not acceptable. After this news, people may hesitate to believe any death news in the Indian film industry. No one in the film industry stoops to such levels for PR."

AICWA demands FIR against Poonam

It also read, "Poonam Pandey's manager had confirmed the False News, so there should be an FIR against Poonam Pandey and her manager to prevent anyone exploiting their own death news for personal gains (PR). The entire Indian film industry, along with the entire nation, paid tribute."

Poonam clarified why she did the publicity stunt

On Saturday, Poonam shared a video in which she clarified that she is alive and 'cervical cancer didnt claim me'. The news of her death was fake, a stunt pulled off by the actor and her team to spread "critical awareness" about cervical cancer. In a video, posted on her official Instagram page, she said, "I feel compelled to share something significant with you all - I am here, alive. Cervical cancer didnt claim me, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who stemmed from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease... Together, lets strive to put an end to the devastating impact of the disease and bring #DeathToCervicalCancer."

In a follow-up video, Poonam apologised for the stunt but said she wanted to spread awareness about the disease. "I am sorry I caused this tear and I am sorry to those I have hurt. My intention: to shock everyone into the conversation that we are not talking enough about cervical cancer," she said. The news of her death serve a "greater purpose", she added.

What happened on Friday

On Friday, the actor's team made the shock announcement on Instagram. As per news agency PTI, when contacted for the confirmation of the death, the actor's publicist said she died in her hometown but was not forthcoming with details about her battle with the disease as well as when and where she passed away.

The post on her Instagram page on Friday read, "Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness." "In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared," the statement read.

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A Billings man pleaded not guilty earlier this week to dealing a fatal dose of fentanyl.

Erik Matthew Castillo, 25, has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with drug distribution resulting in a death, along with an alternative count of criminal distribution of fentanyl. The charges against Castillo came as local police seized a record-setting amount of the deadly drug in the past year.

Castillo is alleged to have given a man two halves of a fentanyl pill, said Yellowstone County Prosecutor Margaret Gallagher during Castillos arraignment Thursday. Just hours later, he died.

In December 2022, more than a year before Castillos initial appearance in court, the roommate of Cadden Winnick entered the 23-year-olds room and found him dead. An autopsy later concluded Winnicks cause of death to be mixed drug toxicity, with state medical examiners finding alcohol and fentanyl in his system. Alcohol alone, according to court documents, was not enough to cause his death.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid produced as a powder or pressed into pills to mimic prescription drugs, has been linked to a spike in fatal overdoses nationwide since 2020. Last year, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration seized nearly 78.5 million pills containing fentanyl. The bulk of fentanyl found in the United States is produced by drug cartels in Mexico, which receive the raw ingredients and equipment for their manufacturing operations from China. U.S. citizens make up the majority of those convicted in federal courts for fentanyl smuggling.

The Biden Administration has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States, including additional dollars and staffing for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area programs, and collaborating with Chinese officials to halt shipments of chemicals used to create synthetic opioids to cartels.

Federal officials also recently launched a dashboard though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that tracks nonfatal overdoses from the nationwide to countywide levels. Over the past year, opioid overdose rates in Montana were fairly consistent with the national average, according to the dashboard. That is, a nonfatal overdose rate of about 67 people per 100,000. The dashboard draws its data from 14,000 EMS agencies across the country.

Despite investments made into law enforcement, last year ended with over 100,000 people dead from overdosing, according to a preliminary count by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An agent with the federally funded Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force followed up on the investigation in Winnicks death. The agent allegedly recovered a text exchange between Winnick and Castillo that appeared to be a drug transaction.

The agent also spoke with family and friends of Winnick about the hours before his overdose, and pulled online exchanges between Castillo and two others, court documents said. Castillo allegedly arranged to buy $100 worth of fentanyl two days before Winnick died.

In July 2023, the agent and a detective with the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office spoke with Castillo, according to charging documents. Castillo allegedly admitted to giving Winnick half of a fentanyl pill and smoking it with him in the early hours of Dec. 15, 2022. He denied giving Winnick any more pills.

Throughout last year, officers from the Billings Police Department seized more than 80,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl, according to data from department. BPDs Street Crimes Unit confiscated about 20,600 pills, more than five times the amount seized in 2022. The City-County Specialized Investigations Unit, which works with EMHIDTA, seized nearly 66,000 pills.

On Thursday, Yellowstone County District Judge Rod Souza set Castillos bond at $50,000. If convicted of drug distribution that results in a death, he could be sentenced up to 100 years in Montana State Prison, while a conviction for fentanyl distribution comes with the possibility of up to 25 years in prison.

Since 2017, fatal overdoses in Montana have steadily increased, according to data compiled by that state Department of Public Health and Human Services. From 2020 through 2022, 561 people in Montana died of drug overdoses, 119 of them in Yellowstone County. Those include unintentional and suicidal overdoses, and more than half of those 561 died due to synthetic opioids. Deaths in Montana linked specifically to fentanyl similarly increased during that time, with 95 people fatally overdosing in 2022 alone. DPHHS also maintains a database showing where naloxone, the life-saving medication for countering a narcotics overdose, is available.

The Montana State Crime Lab reported 73 deaths related to fentanyl from January through October 2023, per data provided by the state Department of Justice. Of note is that the crime lab data only includes information on deaths that results in autopsies.

In the fallout of a multi-state lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies in their role in cultivating the national opioid epidemic, Montana is slated to receive over $75 million over the next two decades. The funds will be managed by the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust, and invested into addiction treatment and prevention.
Poonam Pandey's manager claimed on Friday that the model, actor and reality TV star had died of cervical cancer on Thursday night. Her team had also shared a post on her official Instagram account to break the news of her death. However, turns out Poonam is alive. She posted a couple of videos announcing the same on Instagram on Saturday. Social media users and celebs alike are slamming her. Also read: Kusha Kapila, Aly Goni, Saisha Shinde lash out at Poonam Pandey for faking death Poonam Pandey's team claimed she died on Thursday. Turns out it was all a publicity stunt.

What Poonam said in new video

She said, "I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I can't say that about those hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives because of cervical cancer." She went on to talk about the disease. Sharing the video, Poonam wrote, I feel compelled to share something significant with you all - I am here, alive. Cervical Cancer didnt claim me, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who stemmed from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease.

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Internet is angry with Poonam

Twitter and Instagram are filled with posts and comments slamming Poonam. An X user said, As expected! All of this was a publicity stunt! All the people who were questioning her were right! A tweet read, Poonam Pandey is the biggest fraud, she is alive. This is beyond shameless."

Celebrities including her own friends from the industry are not ready to forgive her for the insensitive joke. Responding to news about Poonam's publicity stunt, Kusha Kapila said, Here is an agency behind this. Someone actually came up with idea and also greenlit it I cannot.

Poonam Pandey's team had confirmed cause of death

While Poonam's unexpected 'death was mourned by numerous fans and celebs on Friday, there was speculation about whether it was a stunt, the cause, as well as her family's silence.

On Friday, a post shared by the late actor-model's team on Poonam Pandey's official Instagram account read, "This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared."

Speaking to Hauterrfly.com, Poonams manager Nikita Sharma further said, Poonam Pandeys commitment to her work and her unwavering spirit amidst her health struggles was truly remarkable. Her demise will continue to remind us of the urgency to prioritise health, particularly in the case of preventable diseases like cervical cancer.

Why did Poonam Pandey's family not say anything?

Some reports said Poonam Pandeys family was unreachable after her shock announcement. As per a report by India Today, a source revealed that Poonam's family members are untraceable as attempts were made to get in touch with them, but their phones were either switched off or unreachable.

A source told the portal, "We tried calling Poonams sister after our last call with her but ever since, her phone has been switched off. Not only that, but her other family members are also not reachable. We tried to get in touch with 2-3 members of Poonams team as well and, surprisingly, everybodys phone is either switched off or unreachable. Hence, we are also confused at this moment.

Kamaal R Khan's reaction

Former actor and film critic Kamaal R Khan (KRK) has rubbished the news of Poonams death, calling it a publicity stunt. Sharing a photo of Poonam on Instagram on Friday, he wrote in his caption, "Her death news is a publicity stunt. Poonam Pandey is alive." He also shared a video of Poonam with others from a bash, and wrote, Poonam was enjoying in a party just 2 days ago!

Speculation around her last Instagram post

Others on social media were on Friday also reacting to a video from a Goa bash that Poonam posted on Instagram a couple of days before news of her death broke. It was her last Instagram post. Many said they were shocked by Poonam's sudden death.

Actor Sambhavna Seth also said that Poonam Pandey never mentioned her cervical cancer. Sambhavna, who participated in the reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi with Poonam, said in an interview with News18, "Oh my god! I knew her. We have done Khatron Ke Khiladi together. I met her last year. We actually would keep meeting sometimes socially or at an event. But she never mentioned that she was going through any problems. Its absolutely unbelievable, I still cant digest it. Poonam was so young, hardly 30-32 years old. Life is just so unpredictable."

Bodyguard says Poonam never mentioned illness

In a new interview with India Today, Poonam Pandey's bodyguard Amin Khan said he last saw her on Monday. Amin also said that the model-actor 'never mentioned her illness to him or any of her staff' and added that Poonam's family, including her sister, are not his answering calls.

"I last left madam (Poonam Pandey) on January 29; we had a photo shoot with Rohit Verma (fashion designer) in Mumbai. After that, I dropped her home. She never mentioned any illness to me or any staff We went home, but the watchman refused to let anyone in."

This story has been updated to incorporate Poonam Pandey's latest social media posts that reveal her death announcement to be a stunt.
Actor-model Poonam Pandey faked her own death from cervical cancer to spread awareness about the HPV vaccine. Let that sink in. A day after numerous celebrities, fans, and know-alls went back and forth about the circumstances of her 'death' and her family and PR team evading calls, Poonam released a video on Saturday declaring she's well and alive. However, while some of the conversations did revolve around cervical cancer, like she supposedly wanted with Friday's death stunt, here's why her publicity gimmick did more harm than good. (Also Read | Pooja Bhatt deletes tweet about Poonam Pandey after fake death stunt, explains why) Poonam Pandey released a video on Saturday declaring she's well and alive.

Dwindling the importance of the vaccine

Poonam Pandey pulled her death stunt just a day after it was announced that the government intends to include the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14 in the country's immunisation programme. Instead of spreading awareness about why it's imperative people get their children vaccinated, her stunt did the exact opposite. What could have and should have been a healthy conversation around women's health was reduced into a tone-deaf stunt.

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Her intentions can't matter

A PR team somewhere sat down, discussed it and greenlit this idea for her to pull off. They coordinated to pull a fast one not just over the media, but also Poonam's friends, fans and social media followers. While Poonam claims she had nothing but good intentions, while pulling this stunt, you can't help but wonder why they couldn't have found a better way to 'spread awareness.' Right now, the only thing the stunt managed to do is keep Poonam in the news.

The issue with influencer culture

It's not a laughing matter, when a death hoax is pulled -- even if it is by the celeb themselves. In a country with an unhealthy obsession with celebrities and their lives, the repercussions could've been far worse. It's already an issue many celebs face, when netizens decide to spread rumours on someone's health without proof. To spread such rumours about yourself is nothing but dangerous. It just proves that anything can be done to gain clout, even faking death.

A mockery of the disease itself

Cancer is not a laughing matter, especially cervical cancer. Even within the film industry there are actors, who have battled cancer, and emerged on the other side, affected but victorious. Anyone who has been touched by cancer would've been triggered for 24 whole hours for no reason because Poonam and her team thought it was a great idea to pull a publicity stunt to keep her in the news.

Problem child extraordinaire

This is not the first time and will probably not be the last time that Poonam sought problematic methods to stay in the news. So, this is just another feather added to her already full cap. Instead, the repercussions will be felt by other celebs now. Some will be inspired by it, harmless others will pay the price. Imagine hearing about someone's death on social media again. Even if it's legit, would you believe it? Exactly!

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Poonam Pandey created a shocking revelation when she announced that she was alive on Saturday, a day after her team claimed that she died from cervical cancer. Several celebrities have criticised the actor-model on social media. Now, Sambhavna Seth, her good friend and reality TV star, has furiously slammed Poonam for faking her death and apologized to the media. (Also read: Poonam Pandey never mentioned her cervical cancer, says Sambhavna Seth) Sambhavna Seth angrily reacted to Poonam Pandey's cancer awareness stint.

What Sambhavna said

Sambhava Seth shared a video on her Instagram video, where she was seen speaking directly to the camera in Hindi. She began: "The person who died yesterday has become alive again today. So this was a cancer awareness program which was wrapped in a PR activity. I want to know what kind of a PR activity is this? Did your PR not advise you before to not go ahead with this? The entire media has been disturbed from yesterday. I am in Dubai and when I got this news, I am speaking on behalf of everyone who processed this news yesterday. In the name of awareness, you are playing with the mental health of crores of people."

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This is such a shameful activity

She further added, "Yesterday for the entire day I was thinking that a 32 year-old woman has passed away. That she is no more. From morning till night I was thinking about the same thing and even in my dreams. Then I get to know that this is an awareness program. So what else are you going to do in the name of awareness I want to know? This is such a shameful activity that one cannot even think about it. When something like this will happen to you in reality then no one will react. Yesterday the entire media was up. They are also humans. They asked me whatever they could. They even asked that it might be cancer awareness but I was like no, that cannot be the case with something like death. I am so sorry for not believing them."

Sambhavna Seth said that she lost her father during the pandemic and she knows what that mental state can be. She then added that now no one will believe in the news of someone passing away.

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Craving a good mental workout? Look no further than these mind-bending Korean psychological thrillers on Netflix. From Si Wan Yim, Woo Hee Chuns Unlocked to Yoo Ji Tae, Lee Jung Jaes Svaha: The Sixth Finger, and more, these brain teasers will make you doubt everything you thought you understood. They come with intricate storylines, narrators you can't always trust, and surprising turns that will leave you stunned. Korean psychological thriller- Forgotten(IMDB)

Best Korean psychological thrillers on Netflix

Also read: BTS' J-Hope proudly leads soldier trainees in 20 km ruck march as drill instructor: Photos

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Forgotten (2017)

Director: Hang Jun Jang

Year of release: 2017

Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime, Mystery

K Drama Star Cast: Kang Ha Neul, Yeon Je Hyung, Mu Yeol Kim

Writer: Hang jun Jang

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: Gi Eok ui bam

Known as one of the best Korean psychological thrillers to date, Jin Seoks (Kang Ha Neul) life turns upside down when he and his family relocate to a new house. Jin Seok notices an unsettling mood in their strange circumstances alongside his father, mother, and older brother Yoo-seok (played by Kim Mu Yeol). The situation takes a tragic turn when Yoo Seok is abducted. Upon his return after 19 days, Yoo Seok has no recollection of the incident. However, Jin Seok begins to detect peculiarities in his family's behavior, leading him to the unsettling realisation that they are not his biological family but impostors pretending to be so.

Unlocked (2023)

Director: Tae Joon Kim

Running Time: 1 hour 57 min

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Adventure, Horror

K Drama Star Cast: Si Wan Yim, Woo Hee Chun, Kim Hee Won

Writer: Tae Joon Kim, Akira Shiga

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

The official synopsis of the show reads, A womans life is turned upside-down when a dangerous man gets a hold of her lost cell phone and uses it to track her every move. The narrative revolves around a girl named Lee Na Mi who loses her phone and things turn eerie when Oh Jun-Yeong comes up with a sneaky plan. He uses a fake voice app to trick her into going to a repair shop, all to get her password. Under the guise of repairing her phone, Jun-Yeong covertly installs spyware, enabling him to observe all of Na-Mi's activities.

Also read: Netflix 2024 Alert: Release dates for 80+ titles, including Bridgerton 3, Squid Game 2, Cobra Kai 6, & more

Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019)

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime, Horror, Mystery

Running Time: 2 hours 2 minutes

Director: Jae Hyun Jang

K Drama Star Cast: Yoo Ji tae, Lee Jung Jae, Suk Mun

Writer: Kang Full, Jae hyun Jang

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: Sabaha

The birth of Lee Geum Hwa and her twin sister marks the beginning of the story. Geum Hwa's leg is malformed as a result of the fetus of her sister absorbing nutrients from it while they were still inside their mothers womb. Pastor Park, who has a reputation for busting cults, is simultaneously assigned to investigate Dongbanggyo, also known as Deer Mountain, a clandestine organization. Meanwhile, police launched an investigation on the finding of a girl's body buried under concrete. The official synopsis reads, A minister who researches religious cults turns to his Buddhist monk friend for help investigating a new group with mysterious origins.

Lucid Dream (2017)

Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi

Director: Joon Sung Kim

K Drama Star Cast: Sol Kyung Gu, Go Soo, Kang Hye Jeong

Writer: Joon Sung Kim

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: Loosideu deurim

The plot reads: After searching for his abducted son for three years, a devastated father attempts to track down his missing child through lucid dreams. After three years of nonstop searching for his abducted son, a heartbroken father uses his vivid dreams to try to find his lost son. The narrative revolves around Choi Dae Ho, an investigative journalist who seeks to locate his kid by using lucid dreams and therapy to uncover memories that have been buried.

The Call (2020)

Running Time: 1 hour 52 minutes

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime, Horror, Mystery

Director: Chung Hyun Lee

K Drama Star Cast: Park Shin Hye, Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Sung Ryung

Writer: Sergio Casci, Chung Hyun Lee

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: Kol

Drawn back to this place of painful memories, Kim Seo Yeon returns to visit her ailing, estranged mother, Eun Ae. The old, ramshackle house, a dark secret, whispering from the depths of a forgotten cordless phone. Distressed, the voice pierces through the years as it crackles to life and begs for rescue from the grasp of a tormentor.

The 8th Night(2021)

Director: Kim Tae hyung

Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror

K Drama Star Cast: Lee Sung min, Park Hae joon, Yoo jung Kim

Writer: Kim Tae hyung

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: Je8ileui bam

As per the official plot, A man, who was once an exorcist, suffers until he faces a demon that is freed. The night exists between real and unreal, their struggle to stop the resurrection of the demon has begun!" The Korean drama, accessible on Netflix, centers on supernatural themes. Armed with prayer beads and an axe, a monk embarks on a quest spanning millennia.

#Alive (2020)

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

K Drama Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror

Director: Il Cho

K Drama Star Cast: (Information missing)

Writer: Il Cho, Matt Naylor

Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Also known as: #Saraitda

In this zombie apocalypse movie, we follow the gripping story of a video game live streamer as he battles for survival in a world crumbling around him. Isolated in his Seoul apartment, the chaos ensues from the rapid spread of an unknown infection, plunging the entire city into disarray. Amidst this turmoil, one lone survivor must navigate the challenges of isolation to endure the relentless onslaught of the undead.
After being a household name of Indian television, actor Tina Datta is looking to explore the OTT medium and break stereotypes. She tells us, I am really looking to experiment with projects right now, I am extremely flexible, and continues, I am in talks for two web projects from the same platform, one of which is a series. I am a workaholic and mujhe ghar par baithna acha nahi lagta. Tina Datta on leaving OTT

The actor doesnt want to draw a line when it comes to bold scenes in OTT projects, but the script has to demand it. One of the projects has bold scenes so I am currently thinking how creative it is or how bold, I dont want to go overboard with it, I have to know if its required or not. As long as they are shot and portrayed well, its fine, the character or script should demand that scene, zabardasti or vulgar nahi lagna chahiye, expresses Datta.

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Emphasising her experience as a television face for so many years, she shares her struggle in switching to a different medium and says, Its very difficult to switch or portray another character when people have already seen you in a sati savitri bahu role for so long. For me also, it will be very difficult, further adding, Nowadays also, people think that ki daily soap actors ko nahi lena hai, and I dont think thats going anytime soon. Its not easy for an actor to take breaks and move forward. You just need to have patience and just be at it. Lage raho, aaj nahi toh kal hona hi hona hai.

It is the TV actors stereotype that becomes a block in the road for her. Because of the TV actor box, I did face difficulty in getting opportunities. Even after doing Uttaran for more than 5 years, people couldnt see me in another character, even in auditions. It was so difficult to even get another show. Its a blessing but it can backfire as well, shares Datta.

On OTT, every character has its own importance. If theres a strong character with a great personality, I would love to do it. Right now, if the shoot is well planned, it is not difficult to do both the things together. However, sometimes the channel only does not want you to be a part of any other project. But yes, I want to do both (OTT and television) things together. It can get taxing, but I will try my best, she signs off.
Chennai: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday registered an FIR against three builders for allegedly bribing government officials and peoples representatives between 2015 and 2017 when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was in power, said officials of the agency aware of the development. Vigilance sleuths conducted raids in multiple locations in Chennai over the charges that the three people from construction companies bribed officials across departments with over  50 crore to obtain clearances to build a multi-storey apartment in the city. (HT Archives)

Searches were conducted in multiple locations in Chennai over the charges that the three people from construction companies bribed various officials across departments with more than 50 crore to obtain clearances to build a multi-storey apartment in the city.

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The accused individuals are T Udhayakumar, managing director, Landmark housing projects, Sunil Khetpalia and Maneesh Parmar who are directors of KLP Projects Private Limited. Besides them, unknown officials of various departments and peoples representatives are involved in the case, DVACs FIR read.

The case had gone to the Madras high court in 2017 when a man, Rajiv Naidu, initiated legal proceedings against Landmark housing projects. The first accused, Udhayakumar, submitted documents to the high court and a sworn statement to the Income Tax department disclosing cash payments worth more than 50 crore to different public servants. The court directed the DVAC in 2018 to complete a preliminary enquiry within four months, officials said.

A day before the national lockdown was imposed due to Covid-19 in March 2020, DVAC officials received Udayakumars documents in which he had produced a list of names and the amount paid to each of them. Without full names and designations, the list showed that then AIADMK MP Balaganga was paid 23 lakh, a DMK worker Jawahar was paid 33 lakh and another DMK worker PKS was given 10 lakh. A former MLA Neelakandan was given 40 lakh, a former MP Venkatesan was given 20 lakh and another unnamed former MP was given 1.67 lakh. An ex-councillor of the Chennai corporation, Saroja, was paid 2 lakh, according to the FIR.

DVAC officials did not disclose full names. Udayakumar also listed cash payments to officials in Metro Water and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), but officials did not disclose names. It is clear that Udhayakumar paid 50,00,86,125 by the way of bribe to various officials and public servants, the DVACs FIR said.

While buying 14.16 acres of land from Binny Limited for 370 crore in Chennais Perambur, the accused had paid the bribes to execute the project, the DVAC has charged. This clearly shows how widespread the problem of bribery is, said anti-corruption activist Jayaram Venkatesan.

AIADMKs former MP Balaganga told HT he wasnt aware of the case. I have not received any bribe. Ive no connection to this case. What do I have to do with it? They have simply put my name. The DVAC, nobody has contacted me on this, he said.
Three members of a family, including a minor, were shot dead by their relatives over a long-standing land dispute in Lucknow on Friday, police officials said. A video of the firing in Lucknow went viral.

The brazen firing, which was caught on CCTV and the footage of which went viral, took place in Mohammed Nagar in Malihabad area and has sent a shock wave through the village, prompting police to step up security amid fears of a possible counter attack by the kin of the deceased, the officials said.

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While an accomplice of the accused has been detained, efforts are on to nab the shooters and another aide of theirs who accompanied them during the attack, the officials added.

According to additional deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Vishwajeet Srivastava, the incident took place at around 3pm when 70-year-old Siraz and his son Firaz (25) arrived at the house of the deceased  Muneer Khan (55), his nephew Hanzal (17) and Hanzals mother Farheen (40)  to discuss the dispute over a piece of land. Firaz and Muneer are cousins, police said.

An argument broke out between the deceased and the accused after the land measurement process was completed in the presence of a lekhpal (accountant) at the premises. Firaz and Siraz opened fire, killing Muneer, Hanzal and Farheen on the spot, Srivastava said.

A video of the attack shows the accused taking turns to fire at their relatives using a rifle. Police said the .315 bore rifle, which was left behind by the accused before the fled the spot, was recovered later.

Police also said they have recovered the vehicle that was used in the crime.

On the basis of a complaint by the deceaseds family, a first information report (FIR) was registered against four people  Firaz, Siraz, Furqan (25) and Asharfi (30) under sections 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

While Asharfi was nabbed later, raids are underway to trace the other accused, Lucknow police commissioner SB Shiradkar said. Police also said that they have detained some other associates of the accused and a probe is underway.

We are also investigating how the accused got a licenced arm, Srivastava said.

While the deceaseds family ruled out any land dispute, prima facie, it appears that was the reason behind the attack, Lucknow district magistrate Suryapal Gangwar said.

Following the incident, security was stepped up in the area amid fears of a possible retaliation by the family of the deceased, police said.
Senior diplomat Pavan Kapoor, currently Indias envoy to Russia, was on Saturday appointed the new secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry, while Jaideep Mazumdar, currently the ambassador to Austria, was appointed the new secretary (east). Indias envoy to Russia, Pavan Kapoor, has been appointed the new secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry. (File)

The appointments committee of the cabinet approved both appointments, according to official notifications issued on Saturday.

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People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that additional secretary Abhay Thakur, who is the officer on special duty for G20 and played a key role in negotiations during Indias presidency of the grouping of the worlds 20 largest economies, will be Indias next ambassador to Russia.

Kapoor, who belongs to the 1990 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), will take over as secretary (west) from Sanjay Verma, who resigned from the IFS on Thursday to become a member of the Union Public Service Commission. Kapoor, who has a masters in international political economy from the London School of Economics, has also served as the envoy to Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mazumdar, an officer of the 1989 batch of the IFS who is also Indias permanent representative to UN organisations in Vienna, will replace Saurabh Kumar as secretary (east). Mazumdar earlier served as deputy chief of mission in China and Nepal and as ambassador to the Philippines. He also had a stint in the Prime Ministers Office, where he worked on foreign affairs, defence and security issues.

The secretary (east) and secretary (west) are, along with the foreign secretary, among the five senior-most diplomats in the foreign ministry. While the secretary (east) oversees relations with countries in the eastern part of the globe, including key regions such as Southeast Asia, the secretary (west) oversees relations with western countries, including European and Eurasian states.

Thakur, a former engineer, joined the IFS in 1992. The post of the envoy in Moscow is among the most influential positions within the foreign ministry in view of Indias long-standing strategic ties with Russia. Thakur has earlier served as Indias envoy to Mauritius and Nigeria and as a director in the external affairs ministers office, and speaks Russian.

The people said Shambhu Kumaran, who joined the IFS in 1995 and currently the ambassador to the Philippines, is expected to replace Mazumdar in Vienna.

The latest appointments are being seen as the first in a series of postings that are set to be announced in the coming weeks and months. Indias ambassador to the US, Taranjit Sandhu, retired on January 31 while the permanent representative to the UN, Ruchika Kamboj, is set to retire on May 31, and there is considerable speculation on who will replace them.

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, who was due to retire on December 31, 2022, was given an extension until April 30 this year. There is still no indication whether he will be given a further extension or an important ambassadorial posting in case he isnt granted an extension, the people said.
Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday, adding that the award was being bestowed on the Bharatiya Janata Party veteran for his monumental contribution to Indias development. Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI)

Advani, 96, accepted the honour with utmost humility and gratitude and said in a statement that it was not only an honour for him as a person but also for the ideals and principles that he strove to serve throughout his life.

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Ever since I joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its volunteer at the age of 14, I have sought reward in only one thing  in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me. What has inspired my life is the motto: This life is not mine. My life is for my Nation..., the statement read.

Read here: When I look at Advani and PM Modi, I recall two incidents: Jairam Ramesh on Bharat Ratna

Modi, who earlier announced the Bharat Ratna for socialist stalwart and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, said that he spoke to Advani about the award. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental, the Prime Minister said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Modi also referred to Advanis stints as a minister with different portfolios. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, Modi said.

Advani, who served as deputy Prime Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 2002-04, is a founding member of the BJP and the face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He led a Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 to mobilize public opinion in favour of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya at the spot where Babri Masjid stood. The mosque was razed by a mob in 1992.

The award for Advani comes at a time when the BJP has fulfilled its poll promise of building the Ram temple. Advanis absence from the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 was seen as a snub to the leader who is credited to have changed the fortunes of the party after he led the Ram Rath Yatra. Although his family said the leader could not attend the grand ceremony due to ill-health, there was a section of political leaders who expressed discomfiture at his absence from the ceremony presided over by Modi.

After the BJP came to power in 2014, Advani, along with Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha, were elevated to the Margdarshak Mandal (guidance committee), which was again seen as sidelining of the older generation.

The Bharat Ratna for Advani, the Karachi-born architect of the Ram temple movement and party president who had to step down in 2005 after his praise for the founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, set off a kerfuffle, is also seen as an attempt to appease the more hardline vote bank of the BJP.

It was Advani ji whose Rath Yatra in 1990 from Somnath (in Gujarat) to Ayodhya (in Uttar Pradesh) galvanized the Hindu votebank and set the stage for the resurgence of Hindutva. There were many attempts made covertly and overtly to stop him. But he was unrelenting and ensured the growth of the BJP from 85 MPs party to 120 MPs (in 1991), a BJP functionary said on condition of anonymity.

It was Advani who steered the RSS-BJP equation towards stability when friction between Vajpayee and K Sudarshan, the then chief of the RSS, had deepened, and differences were out in the open, the functionary said.

Though he was often seen as hardliner, Advani straddled the role of swayamsevak (volunteer) and seasoned politician with ease, he said. He had great political acumen, could make friends across party lines, played a key role in shaping the Janata Party coalition to counter the Congress and the vision that laid the foundation of Kamandal politics to cut the Mandal politics.

Kamandal politics refers to the rise of Hindu nationalistic sentiment, while Mandal politics is seen as a movement for social justice to traditionally oppressed caste groups.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and swine flu. Ashok Gehlot. (PTI Photo)

In a post on X, the Congress leader advised people to take care of their health in the changing season.

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"Due to fever for the last few days, today I got myself tested on the advice of doctors which confirmed (that I have) Covid and swine flu. Because of this, I will not be able to meet (anyone) for the next seven days," Gehlot said.

"In this changing season, everyone should also take care of their health," he said.
As he teases another U.S. Senate run, two-term Rep. Matt Rosendales bank campaign account suggests campaign might be a check the Republican cannot cash.

Rosendale, the U.S. Representative for Montanas Eastern District, reported $1.6 million cash on hand Wednesday in his year-ending financing report for 2023. In the final three months of last year, Rosendale raised $98,073, but spent $165,723. His total receipts for the year rank in the middle of the pack for House incumbents, federal elections data shows.

The Republicans would-be primary opponent, Tim Sheehy, a political newcomer, finished his six months as a candidate with $5.3 million raised and $4 million spent. The Democratic incumbent, Sen. Jon Tester, had $11.2 million in the bank, after raising $25.1 million in 2023.

Federal elections data shows Tester's cash on hand ranking fourth nationally, with Sheehy ranking 51st. Rosendale would rank 49th in that pack of 205 Senate candidates.

But Rosendale's fundraising is headed in the wrong direction. In the last three months of 2023, Rosendale raised just $92,000. He spent $160,000.

If I were to look at that number alone, just that number, it tells me that is unserious Senate material, said David Parker, chairman of the Montana State university Department of Political Science, speaking of Rosendale's report.

Rosendales campaign was contacted for this story but chose not to respond. While other candidates issue press releases touting fundraising totals, sometimes weeks ahead of filing detailed reports. Rosendale gives his finances no pomp.

Most of Members of the Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of Republican legislators Rosendale was instrumental in starting, haven't contributed to Rosendale's campaign. Four out of 21 have.

This isnt the first time Rosendale has trailed in fundraising. He mustered $5.9 million in his race against Tester in 2018. Tester raised $21.2 million.

But outside conservative groups, specifically Club for Growth and the campaign arm of the NRA, made substantial investments in the 2018 race, doing some of the heavy lifting for Rosendale.

Already, there is a left-leaning issue advocacy group, the Last Best Place PAC, spending money on ads attacking Sheehy, $2.1 million according to campaign finance reports and TV ad disclosures.

Groups showing interest in Rosendale include Gunowners of America and Ever Relentless in Conservativism. Also two conservative, Senate-specific political action committees donated to Rosendale. The Senate Conservatives Fund, a Club for Growth affiliate associated with Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley has invested in Rosendale. The Lead Encourage Elect PAC affiliated with Utah conservative Sen. Mike Lee, is also involved.

Those PAC backing Rosendale are relatively small compared to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, lead by Montana Sen. Steve Daines. NRSC if the official Republican PAC for supporting U.S. Senate candidates.

Currently, Rosendale is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a U.S. House candidate, where he captured a Trumpian 56.6% of the vote in 2022. Rosendale also won 56% of the vote as a statewide candidate in 2020, defeating Democrat Kathleen Williams for what was at the time Montanas only U.S. House seat.

There are seven Republicans lined up to compete for the Eastern District House seat if Rosendale clears out, but only a couple have indicated they will be on the primary ballot in May even if Rosendale seeks reelection.

Rosendale keeps teasing a Senate run. Hes stepped right up to the boundary of what a politician can say without violating election law concerning what constitutes a candidacy.

In a December campaign solicitation putting himself in tandem with Donald Trump, Rosendale never mentions the House, or reelection. Instead, he targets RINO Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Alphabet Agency bureaucrats.

So, join me. Make your endorsement today, Friend! Rosendale says. Then in 2024, well take back the White House, take back the Senate, and save our country from the D.C. Cartel.

Nowhere in the ad does it mention that Rosendale is a U.S. Representative.

I think he has a preference to keep people guessing. Its sort of what he likes to do, said Jeremy Johnson, professor of political science at Carroll College. We even saw that with McCarthy when the ballots came in for House Speaker in January 2023. That one ballot, Rosendale says Kevin. . . Hearn! to keep the drama going. He likes to keep his options open. The longer he waits, the harder it is to do. Its harder to be competitive, but its still within the realm of reason.

With the primary election approaching, Rosendale would have three months or less to campaign before early voting begins May 6. The primary ends June 4.

The Republican primary for Senate includes former Montana Public Service Commissioner and Secretary of State Brad Johnson, who reported $57,691 raised last year, including $53,500 in personal loans.

In Montanas Western District, incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke reported $1.8 million in the bank and $3.5 million raised for the year, putting Zinke in the top 30 House candidates for money raised. The Republicans challenger, Democrat Monica Tranel reported $895,022 cash on hand and $1,2 million raised for the year. Tranel ranks in the top 200 nationally for money raised by a House candidate.

There is a second candidate registered as a Republican in the Western District House race, Cory Moran, who in Great Falls, outside the district, reported raising no money.

Waiting on a Rosendale decision in the Eastern District, three Republican candidates reported raising at least $100,000. State Auditor Troy Downing reported $353,274 raised and $294,000 on hand. Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen reported $253,125 raised and $118,565 in the bank.

Former state legislator Ed Walker reported $103,597 raised, with $73,845 on hand.

The rest of the Republican field, former legislators Joel Krautter, Ric Holden, Ken Bogner, and retired DEA officer Stacy Zinn reported a combined $70,112 raised.

Democratic candidate Ming Cabrera, of Billings, reported $46,725 raised, about half as much spent. Democrat Kevin Hamm, of Helena, reported $30,771 raised, of which $2,813 remained.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has never gone for election campaigning on official expenses and every such cost was borne by the BJP, his office said on Saturday. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (PTI)

The chief minister's office issued the statement on expenditures in response to allegations regarding the use of public funds for chartering flights for BJP activities and attending weddings, as reported by two media outlets.

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"No expenditure of HCM Dr @himantabiswa election campaigns are borne by the state exchequer. All expenses, including flights, are paid for by the political party via bank transfer/cheque," the CMO said in a post on X.

It, however, said whenever Sarma visits any district in the state or neighbouring states for official engagements, there could be social functions such as condolence meetings or weddings that coincide with the visit.

"Compared to all the official visits undertaken by HCM since May 2021, such coincidences are far and few. It is appalling to see the authors of this story make sweeping conjectures based on incidental social programmes which HCM has attended," the CMO said.

Referring to the news article, which hyperlinked several past tweets of the Chief Minister, his office said using a single tweet from a given day to assume it was the sole agenda of that very day reeks of a "malicious attempt to spread disinformation and dishonest intention of the authors".

Earlier during the day, two digital media organisations -- New Delhi-based The Wire and Guwahati-based The Crosscurrent -- in a joint investigative report claimed that Sarma used state government funds amounting to crores of rupees to hire helicopters and chartered planes to campaign for the BJP, both within and outside the state.

Slamming the report, the CMO said, "This story by 'The Wire' is mischievous, misleading and a lazy hit job based on selective reading of handful of tweets".

Citing RTI replies, the media portals stated that Sarma had also hired chartered planes with taxpayers' money to attend a number of weddings, apart from party meetings.
New Delhi: BRS leader K Kavitha on Saturday reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of Bharat Ratna to BJP leader LK Advani, saying the party's "agenda" is now being completed. BRS leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha took a jibe at the BJP. (File)

"Many congratulations to Lal Krishna Advani for being conferred Bharat Ratna...This is good that the Ram temple was also built and Lal Krishna Advani has been conferred Bharat Ratna. BJP's agenda seems to be being completed," she said.

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Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit claimed the BJP had misbehaved with LK Advani.

"Greetings to him. BJP and PM Modi thought of LK Advani very late. He has been a tall leader of their party. The position that the BJP is in today - its foundation was laid by LK Advani...The way in which the BJP behaved with him was not good but now that he is being awarded the Bharat Ratna, best wishes to him," he added.

LK Advani is credited with catapulting the BJP into national reckoning with his Ram Temple Rath Yatra in the 1990s.

Also read: BJP stalwart LK Advani to be conferred with Bharat Ratna, announces PM Modi

BJP hails LK Advani

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lauded Advani's contribution to the country.

"We are all very happy...Braving all difficulties he hoisted the flag of cultural nationalism in the country. He connected the country to nationalism...His personality has been a lesson and message for the entire country - especially for those who are still the facilitators of feudalism politics," he said.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said awarding Bharat Ratna to "our source of inspiration" Lal Krishna Advani is a proud moment for the entire country.

"He dedicated his entire life to the country and society...Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he played an important role in the expansion of the BJP," he added.

Also read: Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Politician who catapulted BJP to national reckoning

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath wrote on X: The decision to award Bharat Ratna to Lal Krishna Advani is a move to honour the decades of his service to the nation, commitment for the integrity of the country and setting high standards of morality in political life.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said his rise from humble origins is a shining example of conviction and courage in politics.

"Conferring the Bharat Ratna to Adarniya Lal Krishna Advani is a fitting tribute towards his gigantic contribution in nation building. He is an inspiration to millions of Indians," he said.
Thane, Feb 3 (PTI) A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA has been arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over a land dispute in Maharashtras Thane district, officials said on Saturday. HT Image

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena chief of Kalyan, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatrya Shinde told the media.

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Talking to a news channel over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra, he alleged.

Mahesh Gaikwad was taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city. He underwent surgery, which was successful, said Gopal Landge, Kalyan in-charge of Sena.

According to Additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwads son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspectors chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do, asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.

The BJP MLA alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra. BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), said an official.

If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today, he said and described his action as self-defence.

The BJP MLA accused CMs son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up boards and grabbing credit for the work done by him. I had told my seniors many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders, he said.

Talking about the land dispute that led to the firing, Ganpat Gaikwad said he had bought a plot ten years ago. He said there were some legal issues but they won the matter in the court. However, Mahesh Gaikwad occupied it by force, he alleged.

The MLA said his son had gone to the police station in Ulhasnagar to lodge a complaint concerning the land.

I have no regrets at all. As a father, I cant tolerate if someone beats up my child, he said.

The lawmaker added, Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray BJP he owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis (deputy CM) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi: The Centre is set to take some important decisions related to ethnic strife-torn Manipur, chief minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday after meeting Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Manipur CM N Biren Singh called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi on Saturday. (N Biren Singh X)

Singh said matters of importance concerning the northeastern state were discussed with the home minister. He, however, did not divulge details of the decisions the Centre was set to take.

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Read here: 2 killed, 3 injured as fresh clashes erupt in Manipur

Engaging in a profound exchange, we discussed matters of paramount importance concerning our state. Rest assured, the Government of India is set to take some important decisions in the interests of the people of Manipur, Singh said in a post on X, sharing a photo with Shah.

Later in the day, the Manipur chief minister also held a meeting with senior officials of the ministry of home affairs (MHA) at the North Block of the Central Secretariat in the national capital.

Held a productive discussion on the strategic measures undertaken for fostering peace in Manipur, Singh said.

Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis since May 3 last year, with other communities increasingly sucked into the violence that has continued unabated. Over the past eight months, at least 210 people have lost their lives, and over 50,000 people have been displaced.

More than half the states population of 3.2 million belongs to the Meitei community, who primarily inhabit in valley regions in and around Imphal, while the Kuki community, who make up about 43%, live mostly in the hills.

In the last few months, militant groups from both the warring communities have joined the conflict, targeting police and security forces. According to officials on ground, extortion cases have become rampant as criminals and militant groups still are in the possession of thousands of arms looted from police armouries towards the beginning of the ethnic violence in May-June last year.

It is unclear what the important decisions could be, a senior Manipur government official said, requesting anonymity.

The chief minister will return to Manipur on Sunday.

Amid ongoing violence in different pockets of Manipur, both Kuki and Meitei groups have come up with separate demands.

Meiteis have demanded the abrogation of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement  the tripartite agreement signed by the Centre and the Manipur government in August 2008 with 25 Kuki militant groups  with Kuki militant groups claiming the latter have joined the violence. Besides, the community has also backed the proposal of fencing states border with Myanmar and removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur. Meitei legislators also urged the Centre to remove Kukis from the scheduled tribes (ST) list and to set 1951 as the base year for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the northeastern state.

The Kuki groups, on the other hand, have remained steadfast in their demand for a separate administration, a demand vehemently opposed by the Meiteis. Kuki-Zo legislators have also urged the Centre not to abrogate the SoO and retain Assam Rifles for the safety of tribal people.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said he welcomes the Centre's decision to confer LK Advani with Bharat Ratna. However, this was not the first reaction coming from the Grand Old Party hours after PM Modi made the announcement through a post on X. Delhi Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the PM and the BJP remembered Advani quite late. Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed the government's decision of conferring Bharat Ratna to LK Advani.

"What the BJP earlier did to LK Advani was hurtful. The position the BJP is in today has been because of Advani. Best wishes to him," Sandeep Dikshit said.

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Jairam Ramesh later reacted with a reminder of 2002 and 2014. "In 2002, LK Advani saved Narendra Modi when Atal Bihari Vajpayee asked then Gujarat CM Modi to observe Rajdharma. In 2014, Advani said Modi was not his disciple but a brilliant event manager. When I look at Advani and PM Modi, I remember these two incidents," Jairam Ramesh said.

After PM Modi's announcement, a communication from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said President Droupadi Murmu has been pleased to award the Bharat Ratna to Advani.

Among the opposition, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) also welcomed the decision but asked why Balasaheb Thackeray and Savarkar have not yet been conferred with Bharat Ratna. "We came to know just now that Lal Krishna Advani is being awarded with the Bharat Ratna. This is a matter of great joy. He always did the politics of humility and tried to bring everyone together. But when will Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb Thackeray get Bharat Ratna? We have raised this demand for years. BJP takes their names when elections come," Uddhav faction leader Anand Dubey said.

LK Advani issued a statement accepting the Bharat Ratna with utmost humility and gratitude. "It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I store to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability," Advani wrote asserting that his motto has always been that his life is for his nation.

In January, the government named the late Karpoori Thakur, former chief minister of Bihar, for the highest honour.

Advani's son Jayant Advani and daughter Pratibha Advani expressed happiness over the decision and said their father is overwhelmed with the honour. "He is very overwhelmed. He is a man of few words. But he had tears in his eyes. He was very happy even at the time of Pran Pratishtha of Ram temple. This was such a dream of his life for which he struggled and worked for a long time. His personality is such that when someone praises him, tears come to his eyes," Pratibha said.

"My father's contribution to public life has been immense and it is wonderful to note that at this stage in his life, his efforts are being recognised in this magnificent way," Jayant said.
A Delhi police crime branch team on Saturday morning visited the official residence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for the second straight day. The police team reportedly visited the house to serve him a notice in connection with his claim that the BJP tried to poach AAP MLAs. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (ANI Photo)

The crime branch team is led by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP)-level officer.

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Earlier on Friday, the crime branch team visited Kejriwal and AAP minister Atishi's residence to serve notices. They were, however, not present. The police had said they would visit the leaders' houses again.

This comes as last week, Kejriwal, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), claimed the BJP offered 25 crore each to seven of his party MLAs to quit AAP.

Recently, they (BJP) contacted our 7 MLAs in Delhi and said  We will arrest Kejriwal after a few days. After that we will break the MLAs. Talks have been held with 21 MLAs. Talking to others also. After that, we will topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. You can also come. Will give 25 crore and contest the elections on BJP ticket, Kejriwal wrote in the X post.

However, Kejriwal said that the MLAs have refused to do so.

This means that I am not being arrested to investigate any liquor scam but they are conspiring to topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. In the last nine years, they hatched many conspiracies to topple our government. But they were not successful. God and the people always supported us. All our MLAs are also strong together. This time as well these people will fail in their nefarious intentions, he added.

The BJP immediately called those allegations baseless.

This shows how politically desperate Kejriwal has become. This unfounded allegation by him is an attempt to keep himself politically alive. The allegation that the BJP wants to break away MLAs of the ruling AAP, having 62 out of 70 MLAs in Delhi, shows his mental bankruptcy, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.

This comes at a time when Kejriwal is under scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor scam. The AAP leader has skipped five summons by the probe agency so far.
Three persons, including a Thane resident who is already in jail in a similar case, have been booked in connection with the seizure, he said. HT Image

An FDA official said the medicine was purchased through the government contract process last year. It was recently seized from the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, which supplies medicines to state-run facilities in the district.

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The fake tablets of ciprofloxacin, which is prescribed to treat a number of bacterial infections, worth crores of rupees were supplied to many government hospitals across Maharashtra, said the FDA official.

In March 2023, the FDA had picked samples of 'ciprofloxacin' tablets from a state-run healthcare facility in Kalmeshwar tehsil, about 40 km from Nagpur, and sent it to a government lab in Mumbai for testing, said a police official.

The test report, which came in December 2023, showed that the tablets had no medicinal value as they had no trace of ciprofloxacin at all, he said.

Since the tablets had been supplied through the Nagpur-based Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, FDA officials recently raided the store there and seized a stock of 21,600 tablets of the same brand.

Investigations revealed that the drug was manufactured by a bogus company named Refined Pharma, Gujarat. The company does not exist, the official said.

The Kalmeshwar police have booked Vijay Shailendra Choudhary of Thane, Hemant Dhondiba Mule, a resident of Latur, and Mihir Trivedi of Bhiwandi near Thane in connection with this case.

Prime accused Choudhary is already in jail in a bogus medicine sale case. Choudhary had given the tablets to Trivedi, who passed them onto Mule for supply to government facilities, the officials added.
To encourage adoption of 5G and internet of things (IoT) devices, the government needs to make approval processes leaner and give financial incentives to start-ups involved in the field, industry stakeholders said in response to Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias consultation on Digital Transformation through 5G Ecosystem, which ended on January 22. In its consultation paper, TRAI had posited internet of things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and metaverse as some of the key applications of 5G ecosystem. (File)

In its consultation paper, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had posited internet of things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and metaverse as some of the key applications of 5G ecosystem. The regulatory body had sought inputs on three main issues: how to increase adoption of 5G and what are the barriers to this; how to increase adoption of IoT devices and how to develop regulatory policies to maintain user privacy and security of data; and third, how to regulate metaverse and issues of privacy and content moderation that may arise.

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The key hurdles to 5G deployment that stakeholders highlighted included infrastructure limitations, spectrum availability and affordability, and regulatory hurdles while getting permissions and licences. All stakeholders called for easing the spectrum allocation process and approval processes related to installing small cells on available street furniture.

Vi lauded the new Telecommunications Act, 2023, for making the process to get RoW (right of way) approvals easier. The beleaguered telecom service provider (TSP) also wants heavy levies on operators and huge spectrum prices to be reconsidered.

BSNL recommended that the government should create an umbrella regulatory body that prepares a single set of policies and regulatory guidelines for the 5G ecosystem which includes cross-sectoral stakeholders. Vi, Ericsson and Nokia also called for the creation of cross-sectoral and multistakeholder bodies to create a roadmap for identifying 5G use cases and 5G deployment.

Jio called net neutrality and data charging rules restrictive and called for a more agile regulatory framework to deal with 5G.

Tata Communication, Ericsson and Vi recommended the creation of a 5G sandbox to test new use cases. Tata Communication also warned that India should be vigilant against repeating errors, particularly those related to enabling a single companys monopolistic control over the 5G market.

Nasscom and Jio want a sunset date for 2G and 3G networks to lower operational costs and to develop new 5G cases. Vi said that the penetration of 5G phones and smartphones is low because of high costs. Vi and Nokia want handset subsidies for users which could be provided through the TSP concerned for giving up feature phones and purchasing subsided smartphones, Nokia said.

Vi also wants 4G/5G infrastructure to be declared critical infrastructure under the new Telecom Act so that incidents of vandalism and theft of telecom equipment can be addressed. It also wants guidelines on vandalism proof design, installations and real time protection of infrastructure components.

Tata Communications wants the Department of Telecommunications to allow micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to set up a cellular private network for their own use without depending on any TSP. Currently, all licences to set up any network are routed through the department of telecommunications (DoT).

Broadband India Forum (BIF), an industry body whose members include Google, Amazon and Meta, recommended that to allow M2M communication in private networks, which is a novel use case of 5G, there is a need to offer direct spectrum allocation of 5G to enterprises. While this was approved by the Union Cabinet on June 15, 2022, it has not been implemented yet.

Financial incentives for IoT adoption

To encourage adoption of IoT, BSNL, Tata Communication, Vi want policies and regulations for developers and start-ups working on IoT to be eased. BSNL wants import duty on telecom equipment to be relaxed to encourage R&D around 5G and IoT use cases.

BIF and Vi called for financial incentives for startups to focus on IoTs. These incentives could include government grants, seed funding, long-term tax holidays, subsidies, subsidised loans, tax breaks, or discounted access to technology like analytics platforms, cloud services, etc. Nokia wants IoT devices to be subsidised for SMEs and agricultural applications. It wants the government to provide rebates or vouchers for IoT home devices to encourage consumer adoption.

Jio has also recommended that IoT and M2M applications that cover critical areas such as manufacturing, telemedicine and healthcare, connected vehicles, home equipment, smart meters, should not be covered when the government orders internet shutdowns. It is pertinent that as these SIMs comply with restrictive communication requirements, they cannot be used for any anti-social activities and can easily be excluded for data services shutdown requirements, Jio said.

Nasscom and Jio want the government to review current restrictions on data connectivity for IoT and M2M uses. Currently, data communication or M2M SIMs can only be allowed to four predefined public URLs/IPs. This restriction is proving to be a major issue with most popular M2M solutions, Jio wrote.

Jio also called for standardisation and interoperability standards for M2M devices.

Jio and Nasscom have also asked the government to develop a uniform policy to integrate Subscription Manager Secure Routing (SM-SR) platform for all M2M devices imported to India. Jio wants TRAI to consult and enunciate a clear policy that will address both the requirements of global interoperability and national security.

Privacy and security

BSNL wants TRAI to lay more emphasis on data privacy, data protection and cybersecurity as IoT and M2M communication grow in scale.

BIF mentioned that nearly 98% of IoT traffic is unencrypted. BIF called for all M2M and IoT data to be encrypted. It recommended that the National Trust Centre (NTC) framework should be made an independent legal entity, and NTC certification should be made mandatory for all new devices. BIF said that for non-critical IoT applications like smart meter reading, end to end encryption can be made optional to control price of IoT devices.

Vi wants a common framework and methodology that focuses on interoperability, compliance and assessment and adaptability to emerging threats to govern sector specific IoT security and privacy guidelines. Sector-specific guidelines are required given the different risk profiles in different sectors, sector specific regulatory requirement, varying data sensitivity (telemetric data versus personal data), diverse operational environments (factory versus home), and legacy systems integrations.

Regulatory clarity needed

Tata Communications said that the new Telecom Act does specifically address the requirements of new and emerging fields in the telecom sector such as Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) Services, M2M communication and IoT. Thus, the law may not be able to address the issues that are affecting these businesses leading to loss of opportunities.

BIF said that exemptions granted under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act are not in consonance with principles of necessity and proportionality given in the apex courts Puttaswamy judgement on right to privacy. Hence, such exemptions must be narrowly constructed to foster greater trust among the citizens regarding sharing and processing their personal data, BIF wrote.

Nasscom said that it could not comment on the effectiveness of DPDP Act to address IoT-related concerns as the law depends on delegated legislation and operational practices of Data Protection Board.

Nokia wants clarity on how the DPDP Act would be applied to IoT devices, especially for data minimisation and user consent.
To lose Dr Homi Bhabha is a terrible blow for the nation, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said as she paid tributes to the architect of Indias atomic energy programme after his sudden death in a plane crash in France. The wreckage of the Air India Boeing 707 near Mont Blanc. (HT Archive)

We mourn a great son of India, the PM said, calling Bhabhas demise a personal loss for her.

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The sense of loss was deepened as the crash on January 24, 1966, came just days after Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent, only a few hours after signing the Tashkent Declaration.

Bhabha was 56 when he died . The Air India plane crashed near the peak of a mist-shrouded Mont Blanc, killing all 106 passengers and 11 crew members aboard.

The wreckage and bodies were scattered for miles over the snow-covered Alps. Scorched mail from the plane was found as far as five miles away on the Italian side of the peak.

The Boeing 707 Kanchenjunga was a few minutes behind schedule as it was preparing to make its descent.

But the captain of the plane, JT dSousa, who was one of the airlines most experienced pilots, had radioed the control tower a few minutes earlier to report that his instruments were working fine and the aircraft was flying at 19,000ft  at least 3,000ft higher than the Mont Blanc summit.

The plane crashed into the mountain seconds after receiving permission to land at Genevas Cointrin airport at 8am.

Sixteen years ago, an Air India Constellation flying from Cairo to Geneva crashed near the same spot, killing 48 passengers  Indian and Pakistani marines  and crew.

Dr Bhabha, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, was to have left for Geneva a day earlier and had booked his passage on the plane which left Bombay on January 22, but changed his plans at the last minute.

He was on his way to Vienna to attend a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Atomic Energy Commission.

Besides Dr Bhabha, Regional Director in Europe for Air India G Bertoli, General Manager of Burmah Shell MP PCR Coates, a member of the trade delegation from British Guiana A Kissoon, 11 members of a goodwill delegation visiting India from Belgium, and 46 seamen of the South India Shipping Corporation on their way to Paris to bring out a ship, were on board the flight.

The deceased included 12 women, two air hostesses and two children. Captain JT dSousa was a crack pilot of Air India who once flew out Pope Paul VI from Rome to Bombay for the eucharistic congress.

The Boeing hit the mountain at a huge rock shoulder called La Tournette, not far from the Vallot Refuge, the last Alpine height before the Mt Blanc summit.

French mountain rescue helicopter pilots landed near the main wreckage about three hours after the crash. Heavy snowfall hit the area around 8am  about the time the plane was due for a stopover at Geneva.

Local officials speculated that the crash may have been caused by snowfall, coupled with the heavy mist on Mt Blanc. At -20C, the bitter cold made the rescue operation arduous.The wreckage was spread over more than one and a half kilometre. Rescue experts said the planes pilot might have seen the mountain loom up but was unable to avoid the crash.

A Chamonix guide, Gerard Devouassoux, one of the first persons to make a detailed survey of the disaster scene, said: Another 15 metres and the plane would have missed the rock. It made a huge crater in the mountain. Everything was completely pulverised. There were bits of bodies and wreckage everywhere. Nothing was identifiable except for a few letters and packets.

The first rescue helicopter brought down some of the charred remains before abandoning operations for the night.

The circumstances of the crash raised the possibility of an explosion. Although carried objects were recovered miles away from the scene of the disaster, officials in Geneva said nothing could be determined yet.

Mountain winds could have carried letters and smaller objects after the plane smashed into the mountain. an official at Genevas Cointrin airport said.

The wreckage indicates the possibility of explosion during the crash but not in the air, the official said.
Global collaboration and trust building is key to address diverse cross-border challenges to justice delivery, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday while addressing an international conference of Commonwealth law officers in Delhi. . Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud during the inaugural event of the Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference 2024 in Delhi on Saturday. (ANI)

Stating that the sustainable development goals resonate deeply with Indias core constitutional principles of justice, equality and human rights, CJI said, The legal community plays a crucial role in translating these goals into action by utilising its expertise to navigate the complexities of law and governance and ensuring that justice and sustainability go hand in hand.

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CJI was speaking at the Commonwealth Attorney and Solicitors Generals Conference 2024 organised by the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) and the ministry of law and justice. The inaugural event was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

I am compelled to underscore the significance of global collaboration and trust-building in addressing the diverse cross-border challenges to justice delivery...by fostering partnerships and sharing best practices, we can amplify our impact and pave the way for a more sustainable future, said CJI addressing the law officers of 30 countries who assembled for the two-day conference at Vigyan Bhawan.

CJI said that the judiciary and executive must cultivate a shared commitment to justice and the law officers, who serve as the primary point of contact between courts and the government, should remain impervious to the politics of the day.

Law officers bear a greater responsibility in upholding ethical standards compared to private practitioners, given their role as guardians of the rule of law, CJI said, sharing the example of late Soli Sorabjee, a former Attorney General, who, during his tenure demonstrated a commitment to justice by advising the then National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when it lacked a valid legal case.

It is imperative that law officers remain impervious to the politics of the day and conduct themselves with dignity in court, ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings, said justice Chandrachud, while adding, A crucial aspect of executive accountability rests on the ethical conduct and responsibility of law officers, who function not only as representatives of the government but also as officers of the court.

Supreme Court judge and CLEA chief patron, justice Surya Kant, spoke on the theme of the conference  Cross border challenges in justice delivery. There were speeches also by Attorney General R Venkataramani, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and solicitor general Tushar Mehta.

This collaborative approach involving legal officers, government officials, and the judiciary reinforces the ethical underpinnings of executive accountability while fostering a culture of mutual respect and cooperation within the justice system, CJI said.

Advocating technology being a powerful force to enhance the speed and accessibility of justice, the head of the Indian judiciary sounded a note of caution too. He said, Modernising courtrooms and facilities is as crucial as bolstering overall infrastructure. Ensuring that technology serves to enhance transparency and accountability and not to perpetuate opacity and inequality.

While technology promises to enhance the speed and accessibility of justice, CJI said, We must navigate carefully. The deep-seated structural and financial hierarchies within Indian society demand consideration to ensure that technology does not inadvertently exacerbate existing problems...we must ensure that technological solutions are designed keeping in mind equity and inclusivity, taking into account the diverse needs and capabilities of all our stakeholders.

His speech also focused on the emerging trends in legal education, such as the integration of technology and interdisciplinary studies, providing exciting opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

In the recent past, fostering collaboration among nations on the judicial front, India hosted chief justices, judges and law ministers of Global South nations in November last year and formulated the New Delhi Principles on the Role of Judiciary in Ensuring Equal Access to Justice for All in the Global South. Early last year, the Supreme Court of India hosted members of the e-committee of the UK Courts and judges of the countries belonging to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and discussed the best practices for the administration of justice.

In todays rapidly evolving world, characterised by an array of pressing issues, the need to fortify institutional capacity is more urgent than ever before...Courts not only refer to the jurisprudence evolved by courts of other jurisdictions while deciding questions of constitutional importance but also refer to the best practices on the administrative side, CJI said.

He also spoke about recent initiatives introduced by the Supreme Court, which among many things included a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guiding courts in summoning government officials. The SOP, that was part of a judicial order laid down uniform standards to be adopted by high courts and Supreme Court for treating government officials with dignity and respect, discouraging disparaging remarks based on appearance or attire unless there is a violation of the dress code.

The SOP cautions against leveraging the power to summon officials as a tool to pressure the government, emphasising that such actions should be reserved for circumstances crucial to the administration of justice, said CJI, while adding, We need to recognise the significance of cultivating a shared commitment to justice.
Gate City Bank promotes

Hayley Kuntz has been promoted to personal lender at Gate City Bank. She joined the bank in April 2013, previously serving as senior personal banker, personal banker, customer service representative and teller.

Kuntz has 10 years of experience and earned associates degrees in science and art from Bismarck State College.

NDHP Academy graduates

Jacob Hudson and Landon Jacobson, both of Bismarck, and Kolton Krance, of Mandan, have graduated from the North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy.

The newly sworn troopers began field training with assigned North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers Monday and will be temporarily stationed at posts throughout the state.

Grinsteiner named faculty member

Retired South Central District Judge John Grinsteiner has been named as a faculty member for All Rise, formerly the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

He serves as the North Dakota state judicial outreach liaison, working on impaired driving issues, and assisting in the planning of the states first Mental Health Treatment Court.
The Delhi high court has said that the assets seized in connection with a money laundering case must be returned if the investigation continues beyond 365 days and does not result in any charge sheet as it directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED)to return the property it seized from a man more than three years ago. The Delhi high court has said that the assets seized in connection with a money laundering case must be returned if the investigation continues beyond 365 days.

In an order, Justice Navin Chawla said the continuation of a seizure beyond 365 days, in the absence of the pendency of any proceedings, will be confiscatory in nature and violative of the right to property (Article 300A of the Constitution).

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The natural consequence of the investigation for a period beyond 365 days not resulting in any proceedings relating to any offence under the Act, in terms of section 8(3) of the (Prevention of Money Laundering) Act, is that such seizure lapses and the property so seized must be returned to the person from whom it was so seized, the court said.

The courts decision came on a petition filed by Mahender Kumar Khandelwal, the former resolution professional of Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL) against the continued seizure of various documents, records, digital devices and gold and diamond jewellery worth 85 lakh by the central agency since 2020.

The respondents (ED) are directed to return the documents, digital devices, property and other material seized from the petitioner pursuant to the search-and-seizure operation conducted on August 19 and 20, 2020 forthwith to the petitioner, subject to any order to the contrary passed by any competent court, it ordered.
As a special court in Ranchi on Saturday allowed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to take part in the floor test on February 5, advocate general Rajiv Ranjan said the ED vehemently objected to the petition as the actual intention was to bring down the government. "Now the cat is out of the bag. The purpose of arresting Hemant Soren was to bring down the government by not allowing one MLA to participate in the floor test voting. The entire exercise is malafide which has been our stand from the very beginning," the advocate general said. Hemant Soren will be present in the Assembly on February 5 to take part in the floor test.

The floor test will begin at 11am on February 5 and Hemant Soren will participate in the process as long as the voting continues.

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Jharkhand floor test on February 5: Here are the top 10 developments

1. Champai Soren will prove his majority in the Assembly on February 5. The JMM-led coalition MLAs have been parked at a Hyderabad resort to keep the flock together -- safe from BJP's poaching attempts, if any.

2. "Applicant (Soren) is, therefore, filing the present Application seeking an order from this Hon'ble Court to permit the Applicant to attend the Special Session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and participate in the proceedings of the Floor Test slated for February 5 at 11 AM," the petition said. The court allowed the plea.

3. The AG said the ED has no business to object to proceedings of the Assembly when he (Hemant Soren) is not interfering with the investigation but still they did. "Our petition has been allowed," Rajiv Ranjan said.

4. Congress is safeguarding the MLAs ensuring police personnel, and separate dining arrangements for the MLAs at the resort.

5. According to reports, police officers are guarding the entry and exit points of the lifts through which one can reach the MLAs. They are not accessible by other guests of the resorts.

6. Hemant Soren has been lodged at the Birsa Munda jail. The ED would bring him to its office for questioning today. Hemant Soren moved the Supreme Court against the arrest but the top court asked him to approach the high court.

7. In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has 29, its ally the Congress has 17 seats while the RJD and the CPI (ML) have 1 seat each. The majority mark is 41. JMM-coalition claimed the support of 43 MLAs.

The BJP has 26 seats, AJSU 3 while Independents and others have 3 MLAs. One seat in the assembly is vacant.

8. The MLAs will leave Hyderabad on Monday morning, hours before the floor test.

9. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Saturday said there would hardly be a case in the history where a sitting CM is arrested. "The Supreme Court did not even hear our case. It could have first heard the case and then told us to go to the high court," Sibal said. "Now 10 more baseless cases will now be added on Hemant Soren ji so that he does not come out and the BJP reaps the benefits in the 2024 Lok Sabha election," Sibal added.

10. The land which is at the centre of the alleged scam is tribal land and it cannot be transferred to anyone, Sibal said adding that that land has no connection with Hemant Soren.
BJP leader Harish Khurana on Friday hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for skipping the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons for the fifth time, asserting that the former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren - who was arrested by ED in an alleged land scam case - did the same. According to Khurana, if the probe agency takes a strong step against Kejriwal, he will try to play vendetta politics. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

A person is evading ED summons for the 5th time, not following the law...if ED takes a strong step, then he will try to play vendetta politics, this is their (AAP) politics. Kejriwal has to answer a lot of questions...if the summons is illegal, why is he not approaching the court and getting it quashed? the BJP leader questioned.

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He added, Hemant Soren did the same, he kept evading summons, then went to court and when he wasn't successful, he had to appear before ED...I want to tell Kejriwal that no matter how much you evade, one day you will have to appear before ED.

The probe agency summoned Kejriwal for the fifth time to appear before it for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Friday, but he did not depose. Calling the summons illegal, the AAP alleged that the BJP wants to topple its government in Delhi by getting Kejriwal arrested.

Also read: Delhi crime branch notice to Arvind Kejriwal over BJP complaint

The CM was first summoned by the ED on November 2, but he skipped it alleging that the notice was vague, motivated and unsustainable in law and instead flew to Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh to address a political rally. The probe agency called him for questioning on December 21, however, Kejriwal went for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course at a center in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district. This year, he was summoned two times - once on January 3 and then on January 18.

What is the Delhi excise policy case?

The Delhi government had come up with an excise policy in 2021-22 aiming to revitalise the city's flagging liquor business by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders. However, it was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a CBI probe into the policy alleging irregularities.

According to the ED, AAP received kickbacks to the tune of 100 crore to finalise the excise policy, and a large chunk of this money was used by the party in its Goa election campaign. The central agency in its charge sheet said that there was an involvement of certain South Group in the alleged irregularities.

So far, the probe agency has arrested top AAP leaders - former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in the case.
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani responded to the Bharat Ratna award conferred to him on Saturday and said that it is an honour not only for him as a person but also for the ideals and principles he stood by. Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani (ANI )

In an official statement issued Advani wrote, "With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the 'Bharat Ratna' that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I have strived to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability"

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Ever since I joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its volunteer. I have sought reward in only thing - in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me he added.

On Saturday, Lal Krishna Advani, a prominent figure in the BJP who played a pivotal role in bringing the party to national prominence through his Rath Yatra advocating for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in the early 1990s, was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

READ | Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Politician who catapulted BJP to national reckoning

Speaking about the award conferred to Advani BJP leader and Prime Minister of the country Modi said, I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour.

'A monumental role'

During the announcement of the honour for the veteran, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the monumental role played by LK Advani in India's development, hailing him as one of the most esteemed statesmen in the country.

One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well" the PM added.

Hailing from Karachi, LK Advani relocated to India following the partition and resided in Bombay. He became a member of the RSS at the age of fourteen in 1941. In 1951, LK Advani joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee, which served as the political precursor to the BJP.

Advani secured his first term in the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and served in the upper house for four terms until 1989. In 1990, LK Advani initiated the Ram Rath Yatra to advocate for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, starting from Somnath in Gujarat and concluding in Ayodhya. The Rath Yatra garnered widespread support, and in the 1991 general elections, the BJP, which had previously played a minor role in national politics, emerged as the second-largest party in the parliament after the Congress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India's highest civilian honour would be conferred to the BJP patriarch Lal Krishna Advani, days after the pran pratishtha of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.



PM Modi presiding over the pran pratishtha ceremony of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 fulfilled the BJP's 34-year-old resolution that was adopted in Himachal Pradesh's Palampur. BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani and Narendra Modi on the chariot during the 1990's Rath Yatra. (PTI file)

Advani, was the party chief when the Mandir pledge was adopted. When Narendra Modi consecrates the (Lord Ram's idol at the) temple, he will represent every citizen of our India. I pray that this temple inspires all Indians to adopt the qualities of Shri Ram, the nonagenarian BJP stalwart who did not attend the consecration ceremony, had written in an article days ahead of the event.



It is impossible to imagine the Ram Janmabhoomi movement without Advani, whose September 1990 rath yatra' changed the course of Indian politics.



ALSO READ: What LK Advani, has said about Ram Temple: A flashback

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

How Advani-led BJP jumped into Mandir movement

Founded in 1980, the BJP had a forgettable performance in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, winning just two seats. BJP heavyweight Atal Bihari Vajpayee also lost his election. In 1986, Advani became the BJP chief and the party turned towards Hindutva ideology.



The Ayodhya movement had gained nationwide attention after the Rajiv Gandhi government had ordered the locks of Babri Masjid to be opened for prayers. On November 9, 1989, the shilanyas or foundation stone ceremony of the Ram temple was conducted, just five months before the BJP had adopted the resolution at Palampur.



The Ram Mandir resolution reaped dividends and the BJP's seat tally under Advani skyrocketed from two to 86. In 1989, Rajiv Gandhi lost power and the National Front formed the government under Vishwanath Pratap Singh with BJP extending support.



On September 25, 1990, Advani embarked on a rath yatra from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in UP to build the Ram temple, this amid the furore over the Mandal Commission report that recommended quota for OBCs in government jobs.

Among those accompanying Advani was Narendra Modi, then the Gujarat BJP's general secretary.

"He was not very famous then. But at that very time Lord Ram had chosen his devotee (Modi) to rebuild his temple," Advani spoke about Modi in his article last month.

The aim for the yatra was to intensify the demand for the grand temple. However, Advani's yatra was cut short in Bihar when he was arrested in Samastipur on the orders of then Lalu Prasad government.



The BJP contested the elections in 1991 in wake of Advani's rath yatra. The party's seat tally increased further to 120 as it became the principal opposition party for the first time.



I believe the phenomenal growth of the BJP between 1989 and 1996 owed a great deal to our support for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. For us, Ayodhya will always remain a potent symbol of a national awakening, Advani had said.



On December 6, 1992, karsevaks brought down the 16th century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, triggering widespread riots across the country. Twenty eight years later, Advani along with 31 other people were acquitted by a CBI court in a case pertaining to the mosque's demolition.



For the BJP, participation in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was not prompted by religiosity. We were angered by the duplicity and double-standards of then Congress government and used the occasion to initiate a much-needed debate on secularism in India, the BJP leader, who later served as India's deputy prime minister, said in 2004.



Finally in 2019, the Supreme Court in its judgment paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple.
New Delhi: The INDIA bloc stopped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from stealing the popular mandate in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday. Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is touring the eastern state. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting as the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra reaches Jharkhand, in Pakur on Friday.(Congress's X account)

Gandhi, flanked by new Jharkhand CM Champai Soren, said the BJP used money power and probe agencies. He said Gandhi and he are not scared of the BJP and would keep fighting what he called the divisive ideology.

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The former Congress president said that while the earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra was against the "divisive agenda" of the RSS and the BJP, the current yatra is seeking justice for the people of the country.

He said the BJP tried to destabilise an elected government in Jharkhand.

He said the INDIA bloc didn't let the party steal the mandate.

There is widespread injustice prevailing across the country, including "back-breaking price rise and increasing unemployment". It is impossible for the youth to get employment in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's India, he added.

Rahul Gandhi also blamed Narendra Modi's government's economic policies like demonetisation policy and "flawed GST" for "destruction of small and medium industries".

Also read: Rahul Gandhi asserts himself, says perfectly okay' with 'people like Himanta, Milind leaving Congress

He claimed the rate of unemployment in the country was the highest in 40 years.

Gandhi invited the people of Jharkhand to participate in the Yatra. He also took a jibe at PM Modi over his Mann ki Baat. "We listen to your Mann Ki Baat and not do our Mann Ki Baat," he said.

Champai Soren became the chief minister of Jharkhand two days after his JMM boss Hemant Soren resigned and was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.

The JMM and the Congress claimed there was a deliberate delay in government formation as the BJP wanted to carry out "horse trading" to topple the government. The two parties later sequestered their MLAs.

Also read: Prashant Kishor finds 'no logic' in Rahul Gandhi's Nyay Yatra. Explains why

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote: "Picture of the day: @RahulGandhi with the newly sworn-in CM of Jharkhand, Shri Champai Soren ji, in Pakur at the flag handover ceremony of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Champai Soren ji is popularly known as the Tiger of Jharkhand for his remarkable role in the public agitation for the creation of a separate state.

"The horse-traders in Delhi please take note -- the land of Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda will resist and defeat your politics of injustice," he added.

With inputs from PTI
India and UAE will integrate their economies when Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a big ticket visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on February 13-14. UAE is the third largest source of FDI into Bharat and seventh largest trade partner of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

While the Modi government is tight-lipped about the visit, it is learnt that the PM's trip to UAE will be a milestone as India already has a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Abu Dhabi from February 2022.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

To put the BIT in perspective, the treaty was cleared by the Modi cabinet on February 1 after which UAE became the only country with which India has both CEPA and BIT. Even countries like South Korea, Japan and Singapore have a CEPA with India but no BIT.

It is understood a host of big items are on PM Modis agenda apart from his inaugurating the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, a Bharat Mart for Indian MSMEs to trade in Dubai and the Indian leader is the keynote speaker at the government summit in Dubai.

PM Modi will have a separate engagement with Sheikh Rashid A Maktoum in Dubai apart from his bilateral engagement with President MBZ. PM Modi shares a close relationship with President MBZ, who surprised everyone when he spoke at the Vibrant Gujarat event this year as the UAE ruler hardly ever addresses any global event including G-20 in India or COP 28 in UAE.

While India is already buying crude from UAE on local currency basis, GAIL last Monday signed an agreement with UAE to purchase 0.5 million metric tons of natural gas from the Emirates.

In 2023, India signed an agreement to purchase 1.2 million metric tons of LNG with the UAE as India look to diversify its gas purchases and not remain dependent only on one country in the Gulf.

The India-UAE bilateral investment will pave the way for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a UAE sovereign wealth fund worth over USD one trillion, and another sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Fund, worth nearly USD 500 billion, to invest in big ticket projects in India.

India and UAE are also key partners in the Middle-East Economic Corridor project, which links Mundra Port in Gujarat to Fujairah Port in UAE by sea, then to Saudi Arabia and Jordan by railroad and there on to Europe via sea as the new trade route to rival Chinese new Silk Road project and North-South corridor via Iran.
IndiGo airline on Saturday issued a statement of apology amid allegations that it failed to meet the requirements of its passengers. In an official statement, the airline said, We reaffirm our commitment to being an inclusive airline and are dedicated to addressing this matter promptly. We are in touch with Suvarna Raj and conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of customer experience and apologise for the inconvenience caused to Suvarna Raj. Indian para-athlete Suvarna Raj(ANI)

The statement was issued after Indian para-athlete Suvarna Raj alleged that she was mistreated by IndiGo's crew members while onboard the flight from Delhi to Chennai. "I told them 10 times that I want my personal wheelchair at the aircraft door, but no matter how many times you tell them, they don't listen..." she said.

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Raj also claimed that her personal wheelchair, which cost 3 lakh, was damaged by the airline crew. My wheelchair was damaged. It cost me 3 lakh. Indigo should pay for the damage to my wheelchair and I want it to be restored to its old state, she fumed.

Reacting to the incident where another woman passenger in a wheelchair was mistreated despite her inability, Suvarna Raj said The day before yesterday, a security staffer asked my friend, who also happens to be wheelchair-bound, to rise from the chair for a check. She was asked to stand not just once but thrice. My friend said she couldn't but the crew member kept asking her to stand up saying, 'You can stand up.' Where has the sensitivity of people gone?

The incident concerns the one where a a security personnel asked a disabled woman to stand up. The incident took place at Kolkata airport. Taking to her X account, the woman Arushi Singh said she was asked by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to stand up thrice during the security clearance.

"Yesterday evening during the security clearance at Kolkata airport, the officer asked me (a wheelchair user) to stand up, not once but thrice," she wrote on X on February 1.

"First she asked me to get up and walk two steps into the kiosk. Told her I can't as I have a disability. Inside she again asked me to stand up. I said I can't. She said sirf 2 minute khade ho jao (stand up for just two minutes). I explained again that I have a disability by birth," said Singh.

IndiGo has been criticised by passengers for its services several times before. On one occasion, a passenger claimed that she had found a live worm in her sandwich, which had been served by the airline. In another incident, the airline was criticised for its delay in take off despite claiming to be on time.

(With inputs from ANI)
Hyderabad: Around 40 MLAs of the ruling JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand were on Friday shifted to Congress-ruled Telangana amid fears that the BJP may try to poach them ahead of the floor test of the Champai Soren government. Ranchi: MLAs of the JMM-led alliance at the Birsa Munda Airport as they leave for Hyderabad. (PTI)

The floor test will take place on February 5, said Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Saturday. The Congress politician declared that the MLAs will camp at a "protected place" outside Hyderabad till the floor test takes place on Monday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Champai Soren became the chief minister of Jharkhand after Hemant Soren stepped down ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony took two days after Soren's resignation, prompting allegations of a deliberate delay to allow the BJP to poach MLAs.

Here are the top updates on the Jharkhand crisis:

"It's unthinkable and unprecedented for a sitting chief minister to step down and hand the reins to a party colleague. The entire coalition unanimously picked Hemant Soren's successor and formally proposed his name as the next chief minister to the governor. We are thankful to the Governor for allowing the oath-taking ceremony to take place yesterday. The alliance will be invited for a floor test in the Assembly on February 5. Till then, all our MLAs will remain in a protected place," Congress leader Mir said. Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC Telangana in-charge, is looking after all arrangements at the resort. Over 50 policemen have been deployed for the security of the MLAs. Soon after their arrival on Friday, the MLAs reached the "Leonia Holistic Destination" at Shamirpet in Hyderabad. The resort has banquet halls, meeting and event facilities. The police have placed barricades on the approach road. The MLAs will leave for Jharkhand on February 5, Monday. "They will leave on Monday. The trust vote is on Monday," a source told PTI. The MLAs wanted to reach Hyderabad on Thursday but their flights couldn't take off due to poor visibility. "We were given 10 days to prove the government's majority. We cannot take any chances during the period as the BJP might try to contact our MLAs," a senior told PTI. Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur said on Saturday that the MLAs wanted to face the vote of confidence together. "When 'chowkidar' becomes a 'chor', one has to be cautious of its own people. So, there is not an issue with that. We have had such a big victory after a lot of struggle. When MLAs want to be together and face the Vote of Confidence together, what is the issue with it? So, we are doing this as per strategy. We have benefitted from this strategy and we will benefit in future too," he said. On the floor test, he exuded confidence in the alliance. "These things will be done very soon. The worst phase was when we presented the letter of support but the Governor was seeking opinions of legal experts. Do the governors not know that when someone presents a letter of support and stakes a claim to form the government, they have to be sworn in within 4 hours? So, many times it feels like a conspiracy," he added. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Irfan Ansari on Friday said if some ministers are repeated, there could be a revolt in the party. Reacting to the remark, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said: "It is not like that. The governor delayed the swearing-in ceremony...Champai Soren has become the CM, and a Cabinet will be formed. First they (BJP) split Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, then Nitish Kumar was forced for a U-Turn in Bihar, now ED and CBI have been unleashed on Hemant Soren in Jharkhand. This is the politics of destabilisation. BJP is baffled by the Bharat Jodo Yatra and INDIA Alliance". In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has 29, its ally the Congress has 17 seats while the RJD and the CPI (ML) have 1 seat each. With the support of 43 MLAs, the INDIA bloc has the numbers to sail through a floor test. On the opposition bench, the Bharatiya Janata Party has 26 seats, AJSU 3 while Independents and others have 3 MLAs. One seat in the assembly is vacant. Champai Soren took oath on Friday along with Congress leader Alamgir Alam and RJD's Satyanand Bhokta as ministers.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit out at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday amid the latter skipping multiple summons of the Enforcement Directorate. Poonawalla called Kejriwal a bhagoda. He said, "Today people of Delhi are saying "Bhag Kejriwal Bhag", he has become 'bhagoda'...Kejriwal is on the run when it comes to the allegations of corruption in liquor scam and Kejriwal believes in hit and run when it comes to making wholesale scurrilous allegations without any basis or substance..." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla(PTI)

Poonawalla also called out Kejriwal's claim concerning poaching AAP MLAs in the national capital. He said, Today when Delhi Police asked them for evidence, Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers ran away. These allegations are like the allegations that Arvind Kejriwal once made against Nitin Gadkari... When nothing was found, he apologised to him

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has skipped multiple summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. On Wednesday, the ED issued a fifth summons to the CM after he skipped multiple summonses issued earlier. However, the AAP supremo steered clear of it.

Earlier, the CM also claimed that the BJP was trying to poach its MLAs by offering 25 crore to each. The Delhi Police crime branch team visited the CM's house on Saturday and handed over the notice issued to him concerning the probe into the MLA poaching claims. In response, the AAP supremo said, I sympathise with this crime branch police officer. What is their (officers') fault? Their job is to stop crime. But instead, this kind of drama is being done. That is why crime is increasing so much in Delhi.

The Delhi Police crime branch team visited the chief minister's residence on Friday and Saturday to serve the notice to the CM in person.

The Aam Aadmi Party has repeatedly accused the BJP of trying to topple its government through illegal means. However, the BJP labelled his claims as baseless and said he was a corrupt leader.

(With agencies' inputs)
Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part series examining the impact of the U.S. Air Force Sentinel ICBM upgrade in Montana and across the Midwest.

LEWISTOWN  A watchful traveler sees several things poking out of the landscape around the geographic center of Montana: Cows, wind turbines, nuclear missile silos.

Unlike the first two, the missile silos dont display much activity. Thats about to change.

Central Montana has 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch facilities scattered across dozens of farms and ranches from the Rocky Mountain Front to the Little Snowy Mountains. This year, the U.S. Air Force hopes to start replacing that half-century-old weapons system with new Sentinel ICBMs in an upgrade estimated to cost around $132 billion.

We havent done anything like this since the first time we did it, Air Force Col. Charles Clegg told a packed trade center building at the Fergus County Fairgrounds last week. This is extremely large.

And complicated. Montanas missiles are one of three concentrations in the United States land-based nuclear defense system. The swarm of silos near Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska will be the first to undergo Sentinel replacement. A third cluster arcs around Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and will be last on the upgrade list. The whole project could take around 10 years to complete.

At public meetings in Lewistown and Great Falls, local residents had lots of questions. The project will employ thousands of outside workers: Where will they live and who will keep them out of trouble? It will require hundreds of truckloads of cement: Can the dirt roads and wooden bridges handle the traffic? Sentinel is about $40 billion over budget estimates: Will it still go forward? Are nuclear missiles still a strategic or moral necessity?

Big changes

Each Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, weighs 79,432 pounds. Within minutes of a launch order, they can fly at least 6,000 miles and reach speeds of 15,000 mph. By treaty, they carry a single 300-kiloton nuclear warhead capable of hitting within 400 feet of its intended target. Anything within 3.5 miles of that spot (roughly the size of the Missoula Valley) would be incinerated. Little Boy, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, had a 15-kiloton blast that initially killed at least 70,000 people.

The original Minuteman missiles went on full alert Oct. 27, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They have remained on active launch status ever since. Rotating crews of missileers sit in the underground launch centers all day, every day, drilling the steps for firing the rocket in the silo a few dozen feet away. Other crews travel from site to site, sometimes doing small maintenance tasks, sometimes playing an international shell game of hide-the-warhead.

You dont know what to expect until youve seen it, Lewistown City Commission Chairwoman KellyAnne Terry said of the occasional missile convoys that come through town. First you have the six Blackhawk helicopters flying right up Main Street. Then theres the 10 or 12 trucks, and you dont know which one has the missile in it, and the security trucks, and theyre all close together so no one can get between them. Its quite a production to watch.

There might be no missile inside. The Air Force has 400 of them, shuffled among 450 silos dotted across 40,000 square miles of the northern Great Plains of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Nebraska. To inconvenience any nuclear adversary thinking of launching a preemptive strike, the military doesn't reveal how many silos are actually loaded.

The coming Sentinels are three-stage, solid-fuel rockets carrying a single nuclear bomb. Further details of their capabilities are not reliably available. Minuteman III missiles were capable of delivering three nuclear warheads, but staged with only one by treaty limitations.

The Montana portion of the project involves all those underground launch facilities, eight to 15 aboveground missile alert facilities, 32 communications towers, possibly 1,277 miles of new utility corridor and 1,750 miles of existing corridor right-of-way.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 workers will live at two hubs  one near Great Falls and one near Lewistown. The location of those two 60-acre compounds hasnt been chosen yet. Each will have several rows of three-story modular apartments, plus a grocery store, meeting/training building, gas station and medical clinic.

Those workers will be experienced pipefitters, electricians and other tradecraft experts who specialize in federal construction projects. They typically come without families, work two or three weeks at a stretch of 10-hour days and stay on the hub grounds. All will go through background checks and many will have security clearances.

As the project gets rolling, the Air Force will acquire 13-acre laydown areas close to clusters of silos to stockpile construction supplies and equipment. In Montana, those will be near Augusta, Vaughn, Belt, Winifred, Stanford, Denton and Judith Gap. Those sites would include mobile concrete batch plants to produce two to three truckloads of concrete a day.

Work crews will travel by bus to individual construction sites to reduce the number of vehicles on rural roads.

Sticking out of the ground

A hardwired web of buried cables link the missileers to the president of the United States, who has the ultimate authority to order a launch. Much of the most modern technology in the system dates to the 1980s. As Clegg told the Associated Press, to test an individual missile, someone must dig up the cable and splice in a patch to isolate it from the rest of the system: Its a very cyber-resilient platform.

The new launch-control system will partially depend on new 300-foot-tall communications towers dispersed among the silos. Cost overruns may force extensive reuse of the existing underground lines, which may in turn affect the future launch control technology.

The holes in the ground will continue where they are, Air Force Brig. Gen. Colin Connor said in Lewistown. The lines in the ground  well lay new lines on top of those. Youre not going to see anything different when its all said and done.

But you might see some new relics of the U.S. nuclear strategic triad. A Minuteman I rocket stands in the town park. Sentinel Acquisition Program Manager Russell Bartholomew said once the warheads and solid-fuel motors are disposed of, souvenirs could be available.

If you want one of the old missiles, theres paperwork for that, Bartholomew told the Lewistown crowd. There will be a lot of those coming up out of the holes.
Lal Krishna Advani's son, Jayant Advani, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring his father with the Bharat Ratna. He said that it is wonderful to see his father's efforts being recognised in this magnificent way at this stage of his life. LK Advani is pictured with his family, Jayant Advani is on the extreme left.(Live Hindustan)

On Saturday, PM Modi announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart will be conferred with Bharat Ratna award, the country's most coveted honour, which has been awarded to only 50 individuals until now.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also read- Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Politician who catapulted BJP to national reckoning

On this, Jayant Advani said: "...My family and I are extremely delighted on this new development. I would like to thank PM Narendra Modi for conferring this award on my father.

He added, "My father's contribution to public life has been immense and it is wonderful to note that at this stage in his life, his efforts are being recognised in this magnificent way."

LK Advani tied the knot with Kamla Advani in February 1965. Jayant and Pratibha are their two children. Advani's wife passed away in 2016.

Bharat Ratna to LK Advani

"One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister," PM Modi announced the decision on X.

The prime minister said the conferring of the Bharat Ratna on Advani is a very "emotional moment for me".

ALSO READ- Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Here's the full list of awardees

"Advani Ji's decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence," he said.
Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday lashed out at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her remark doubting that the grand old party will win 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mamata Banerjee

"Neither BJP nor Mamata Banerjee wants good results for Congress. It is unfortunate if a leader of the INDIA bloc says this. She (Mamata Banerjee) herself joined the INDIA alliance. She is afraid of BJP and that's why she is changing her stance," Chowdhury, who is also the Bengal Congress unit chief, was quoted by PTI as saying at a briefing in Murshidabad.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

BJP says that Congress is over, Congress has nothing. Echoing BJP, Mamata Banerjee says that even if Congress gets 40 seats, it is enough. BJP and PM Modi say that Congress does appeasement politics, Mamata Banerjee also says the same thing, he was quoted by ANI as saying.

"Why are BJP and Didi speaking the same language?... For you (Mamata Banerjee), the state is later...For Rahul Gandhi the country is first, everything else is later..." the Congress leader added.



ALSO READ: Not local level elections: Cong's reply to INDIA ally Mamata's 40 seats barb



Chowdhury's attack comes a day after th TMC chief dared the Congress to defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh including in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi. If you have the courage, defeat the BJP in UP, Banaras, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, she had said days after declaring he intention to contest all 42 seats in the state alone.



ALSO READ: Mamata an opportunist: Adhir Ranjan's jibe after Rahul Gandhi says seat talks underway

Will never forgive CPM

The differences between INDIA allies TMC and Congress have come to the fore over seat sharing for the upcoming general elections. Mamata Banerjee has already said that she will not share a single seat with the Congress till it severs ties with the Left, the CPM-led alliance that ruled Bengal for 34 year before being routed by her party in 2011.



I told them (Congress) I wont spare even a single seat. I asked them to first sever ties with the CPI(M). I havent forgotten how the CPI(M) tortured our men," she had said.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Interim Budget speech announced that the government will undertake infrastructure and port connectivity projects in the islands including Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal(PTI file)

To address the emerging fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities will be taken up on our islands, including Lakshadweep, she had said.



Sitharaman's announcement comes a month after Lakshadweep grabbed limelight, first with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there, but also due to the diplomatic row between India and Maldives.



Lakshadweep's MP Mohammed Faizal, who belongs to Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, spoke to Hindustan Times' Kumkum Chadha on the response the UT has received and the challenges it faces in terms of infrastructure development.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:-

Infrastructure challenges faced by Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep MP Faizal said a lot of things need to be done on the infrastructural front. There are two ways to connect with Lakshadweep, via ships and by air. At present there is only one flight arriving at Agatt Island. We need to increase flight frequencies and also encourage private air operators to come to Lakshadweep.

Faizal also spoke on accommodation challenges, vis a vis availability of rooms for travellers to stay in the island. We have very limited number of rooms here. The resorts of Lakshadweep administration are in a dilapidated state. The administration is going ahead with a different kind of attitude. There is an uninhabited land where there was no claim by the administration. Now, the present administrator is claiming that the land belongs to the government and the people have no right on that. All the issues have to be sorted through talks. It is our internal matter, he said.

'Local people must be taken into confidence'

Is Lakshadweep ready for a change? When asked, Faizal said the local population must be taken into confidence.



There should be no hasty step by the administration to snatch the land away from people who have owned it for centuries. If this is ensured, it is not a far-reaching goal. It will be an attainable goal for both the Indian government and Lakshadweep, he said.



Developing Lakshadweep islands as tourist destination fraught with risks?

Faizal said that the land which was supposed to be developed by an authority, raised questions in the minds of the people.



"Secondly, the island is formed of corals. The corals which grows under it, turned into sand and makes the present island. It took centuries for the corals to transform into the present form," he said.

On Maldives ministers remark against PM Modi

On his remarks criticising Maldivian ministers' statements against PM Modi, Faizal said,"I am not talking like BJP. I made the remarks on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep. He advocated himself as the brand ambassador for Lakshadweep tourism, and Maldives has nothing to say."



The PM is advocating for my constituency. I am thankful to him, and Maldives could have avoided the comment. Our prime minister being called naive or insulted is not a welcome sign for anybody. As the citizens of India, we must oppose that, Faizal told HT.

Why did Maldives jump into the issue?

When asked why Maldives jumped into the issue when it was not even mentioned by the prime minister, Faizal said,"There could be two reasons: The first one could be India's bilateral relations with the new Maldivian government. The second reason could be Lakshadweep as a possible competitor for Maldives in tourism in coming years."

Maldives following anti-India, pro-China policy?

Maldives' new president Mohammed Muizzu is said to be inclined towards China. When asked about Male regime's pro-Beijing stance, Faizal said,"I am not in a position to comment on this. I am talking about the relations which we (Lakshadweep) has maintained with Maldives. One of the islands in Lakshadweep called Minicoy has people whose relatives are in Maldives."
New Delhi: A Delhi Police crime branch team on Saturday arrived at the residence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to serve him a notice to join a probe over the Aam Aadmi Party chiefs claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to poach its MLAs. Delhi Police crime branch sleuths outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence (PTI Photo)

A senior crime branch officer said that unit led by the assistant commissioner of police (ACP) was assigned to give the notice to Kejriwal under section 41 of the CrPC. As per this section, police can summon a person to join the investigation if there is reason to believe that their interrogation is needed to establish the truth behind the allegations, said the officer, asking not to be named.

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Officials at the chief ministers office (CMO) however claimed that they were ready to receive the notice but the Delhi Police is not giving him a receiving note for the same.

The CM office is ready to accept the notice and also give an acknowledgement of the same, but the police are not handing in the notice. The police have come with media as the purpose of the police is not to give the notice but to defame the chief minister, an official from the CM office said.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal skips ED summons; AAP, BJP hold parallel stirs

A crime branch officer said that since Kejriwal had alleged that the BJP was trying to poach his party MLAs, it is necessary to meet him in person.

He must have better knowledge than his party leaders about it, so we need to meet him and hand over notice to him in person. He can tell us what date will be suitable for him to join the investigation and give complete details about the grounds on which he made allegations. It is a one-minute procedure, the officer said, asking not to be named.

On Friday evening too, the crime branch team visited the residences of Kejriwal and Delhi minister Atishi but left without handing over the notice, a claim that was refuted by the BJP.

The Delhi unit of the BJP slammed Kejriwal for refusing to accept the notice on Friday. The crime branch had gone to CMs house to give him a notice, but they (the officials) refused to accept. The lies of Kejriwal are going to be exposed. With his fake poaching claims, Kejriwal wanted to create a sensation in Delhi because he has lost political grounds, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.

Kejriwal-led AAP had accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government.

Kejriwal had on January 27 alleged that the BJP had offered 25 crore each to seven of its MLAs, in an attempt to topple the Delhi government, adding that all the seven MLAs refused to quit the party.

The AAP chiefs allegations appeared on X soon after senior Delhi cabinet minister Atishi levelled similar allegations at a press conference held at AAP headquarters in New Delhi.

Addressing a press conference last week, Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats.

The BJP leader told seven AAP MLAs that Kejriwal is going to be arrested, Atishi had said, adding that the BJP has launched Operation Lotus 2.0 to topple Delhi government.

Alos Read: Arvind Kejriwal running away from probe: BJP as it stages counter protest

The claims evoked sharp reactions from the BJP which termed it as absurd and baseless while threatening to sue Kejriwal over his defamatory statement.

On Tuesday (January 30), Delhi BJP chief Sachdeva, the leader of the Opposition in the Delhi assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, northeast Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari and other BJP leaders submitted a complaint to Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora seeking an investigation into the AAPs allegations.

BJP has also termed the AAPs allegations false and not based on evidence.

We have sought an investigation into the allegations... We have challenged AAP leaders to present evidence in support of their allegations, but they have not yet shown anything evidence. Making false allegations against BJP leaders without proof has become their habit, but this time we have decided that we will expose the lies of Kejriwal and that is why we have submitted a complaint, Sachdeva said.
Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday broke his silence on the Delhi Police crime branch visiting his residence to serve him notice over his recent claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to poach seven legislators from his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), offering them 25 crore. Delhi Police crime branch sleuths outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence (PTI Photo)

Instead of stopping crime, Delhi Police, which comes under the Union home ministry, was being made to do drama,' Kejriwal said. The incumbent Union government is led by the BJP, a bitter rival to the AAP.

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I sympathise with this crime branch police officer. What is their (officers') fault? Their job is to stop crime. But instead, this kind of drama is being done. That is why crime is increasing so much in Delhi, the AAP national convenor posted on X.

Attacking the BJP, The Delhi chief minister added: Their (police's) political bosses are asking me which AAP MLA they (BJP) tried to break? But don't you know more than medon't you know everything? Don't you know how, besides Delhi, MLAs from various parties were poached to topple (opposition-led state) governments, in the past few years? Then why this drama?

On Saturday morning, the crime branch visited the chief minister's residence after failing to serve him notice the previous evening. This time, however, the team was able to serve the notice. The BJP, in opposition in the national capital, had filed a complaint against him and Atishi, a minister in the Delhi government.

These developments come at a time when Kejriwal is already in the crosshairs of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a central agency that probes financial crimes, over his alleged role in the Delhi excise policy case. He has, however, refused to appear before the agency, ignoring five summons in the process.

Two of his senior party colleagues  Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh  are among those already behind bars in the excise policy case. Kejriwal and the AAP have called the summons illegal and an attempt by the BJP to jail him too, as the saffron party is scared of the chief minister.
Modis Guarantees are assurances that would be fulfilled and that work for those who do not have anything, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a public meeting in Odisha on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Odishas Sambalpur on Saturday. (ANI)

Modis Guarantee means a guarantee to fulfil guarantees. Modis Guarantee works for those who do not have anything. Two days ago, interim budget was presented, and it aims to empower the poor, women, youths and others. This budget guarantees everybodys development. It is Modis guarantee that each poor in the country will have a pucca house, Modi said in Sambalpur town.

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Read here: PM Modi calls Odisha CM Patnaik his friend, Congress mocks BJD-BJP ties

Modi said his aim was to ensure that no one stays in temporary shelters. Over 4 crore poor families have been provided their own pucca houses in the country of which around 25 lakh beneficiaries are in Odisha. The Centre is working for those who have been left out. The Centre has announced construction of 2 crore more houses in the budget, he said.

In last 10 years of our government, Odisha paddy farmers have got 1.10 lakh crore towards MSP. In this budget also, several schemes have been launched for the farmers through which their income will increase. PM Kisan Saman Nidhi farmers have got direct benefits. Around 40 lakh farmers from Odisha have also benefited from the scheme, said PM Modi. He said before 2014, paddy procurement worth 36,000 crore was done by those in power.

He said BJP is providing free ration and 3.5 crore people in Odisha do not have to think about food for the next five years. A lot of people from Odisha are migrating and working in large numbers in Gujarat and contributing to the states development. We have understood the problems of the migrant workers. Earlier, they were deprived of having ration card of a particular state. We have now brought One Nation, One Ration Card policy and the people of the state will benefit from this, he said.

Talking about the tribals, the PM said for years tribal communities were neglected and used as vote bank.

I worked with tribals for years together and today the BJP government is giving prominence to tribal development, and the budget has been increased in the last 10 years towards the same. The BJP government is bringing the achievements of tribals and particularly the vulnerable tribal groups to the fore in the nations development. For the first time, PM Janman Yojana worth thousands of crores has been made and lakhs of people of 1,700 communities will benefit in Odisha with development in the form of employment and basic amenities, including houses, water, road and employment, said Modi.

He said though the BJP recognised and made the representative of tribal community Droupadi Murmu the President of India, the Congress insulted her. The entire world was listening carefully when she addressed Parliament three days ago. But it was the Congress and its allies who tried their best against her and even insulted her. It was not just an insult to Droupadi Murmu Ji, rather it was an insult to the entire tribal community and the people of Odisha, he said.

He said the BJP government is working to make the lives of people easier and increase the income of every individual. In the last 10 years, electricity has been provided to the areas which were still dark. Electricity has also reached 25 lakh families in Odisha. The BJP also brought LED revolution and now the partys efforts are on to ensure that the electricity bill of poor becomes zero. Hence, rooftop solar power scheme has been announced for 1 crore families, said the PM.

Earlier, inaugurating the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur, the PM said the Bharat Ratna award to former deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani was proof that the country does not forget people who spend their life in the service of the nation.

Speaking in Sambalpur town of Odisha after inaugurating several projects in power and education worth 69,000 crore, he said Advani worked dedicatedly for decades. The service he has given to the nation is unparalleled. It was my sheer fortune that I got his continuous love and guidance. I am praying for his longevity, he said.
The Congress on Saturday responded to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's jibe saying she doubted if the grand old party would win even 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh.(ANI file)

We are assuming she (West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) is still a part of the INDIA group, a group of 27 parties which have formed the alliance. Her priority, she claims, is to fight the BJP. Our priority is also to fight the BJP," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told PTI.



"I think its better if we all come together. I think we should realise that this is not local level elections, Ramesh added.



While addressing a public meeting in West Bengal's Murshidabad, Banerjee had lashed out at the Congress. I doubt if you (Congress) will win 40. I was offering two seats and would have let them win. But they wanted more. I said okay, contest on all 42 then. Rejected! There has been no conversation with them since," she said. Murshidabad.



ALSO READ: Amid seat-sharing tussle, Rahul Gandhi says Mamata Banerjee close to me



Banerjee even dared the Congress to defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, including in Varanasi, which is represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha.



In the 2014 and 2019 general elections, PM Modi had defeated his Congress rival Ajay Rai by more than five lakh votes.



If you have the courage, defeat the BJP in UP, Banaras, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, the Trinamool Congress chief had said.



TMC and Congress, both members of the opposition INDIA bloc, have been locking horns over seat sharing in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha elections, whose dates are yet to be announced. Mamata Banerjee has already announced her decision to contest the elections alone, even declaring she will not share a single seat with INDIA allies Congress as well as Communist Party of India (Marxist).



(With PTI inputs)
Bageshwar Dham chief or popularly known as 'sarkar', Dhirendra Shastri on Saturday said Nandi God has already emerged in Gyanvapi and it is certain that 'Shankar ji will also emerge'. "If you are questioning the court order, it means you don't even trust yourself. Because the judiciary functions independently, not under any party. Also, there has been no verdict on Gyanvapi. The court has only allowed the tahkhana to be opened where the Vyas family used to worship. It was closed in 1992. But Shankar ji will certainly emerge," the religious leader said in New Delhi at his book launch event. Hindu side has been allowed to offer prayers at Vyas ji ka tahkhana inside Gyanvapi mosque.

On January 31, the Varanasi district court allowed the Hindu side to open a cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque. Hours after, the cellar known as Vyas ji ka tahkhana was opened and prayers were offered. The Muslim side approached the Supreme Court and then the Allahabad high court against the order while the All India Muslim Personal Law Board sought the intervention of the President and the Chief Justice of India.

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Friday namaz peaceful at Gyanvapi mosque, mixed response to AIMC bandh call

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind vice president Mohammed Saleem said now the trust is breaking as strange things are happening. "The strange thing that is happening is that the court is also seeing which side the crowd is more and what they are thinking. This is the weakness of our country and Democracy," he said.

What Arshad Madani said on puja at Gyanvapi

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani said idols were brought from outside and then placed inside Vyas ji ka tahkhana for worshipping; they were not excavated during the ASI survey. "There would have been an idol here from the beginning. But there is no idol here from the beginning. Then how can it be said that there was a temple here and a mosque has been built in its place?" asked Madani.

Before the January 31 order, the court on January 17 ordered that the keys of Vyas ji ka tahkhana be handed over to the district magistrate. As the Muslim side has now opposed the January 31 order allowing Hindus to offer puja at the basement cellar, the court asked them why they did not oppose the January 17 order.

Gyanvapi row

The Hindu side claimed the mosque was built on an ancient temple during Aurangzeb's rule. The ASI survey has also suggested the same. The tahkhana was closed for the last 32 years.

The barricades between the Kashi Vishwanath temples Nandi that faces the wazukhana of the Gyanvapi mosque were removed after the January 31 order.
Michelle O'Neill on Saturday became the first nationalist leader of Northern Ireland's government, a historic moment for the British territory prompted by the return of power-sharing after the biggest pro-UK party ended a two-year boycott. Northern Ireland's First Minster designate, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill(AFP)

In a special sitting, the Northern Ireland Assembly first voted to resume devolved governing and then nominated the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein politician as first minister.

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The landmark move came after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ended its walkout from the Stormont institutions after striking a deal this week with the UK government over post-Brexit trade rules.

The assembly also appointed the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly to be O'Neill's deputy and filled other top ministerial posts.

Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, that ended three decades of sectarian violence over British rule in Northern Ireland, the first minister and deputy first minister posts are equal.

But the appointment of a Roman Catholic, pro-Irish unity first minister in a nation set up as a Protestant-majority state under British rule is hugely symbolic.

It not only reflects Sinn Fein's position as Northern Ireland's biggest party but also shifting demographics, since the island of Ireland was split into two self-governing entities in 1921.

"This is an historic day and it does represent a new dawn," O'Neill told fellow lawmakers shortly after her selection, noting it was "unimaginable to my parents' and grandparents' generation".

"We must never forget all those who have died or been injured or their families," she said.

"I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception," she said, adding: "I am wholeheartedly committed to continue in the work of reconciliation between all of our people."

US President Joe Biden welcomed the development as "an important step".

"I look forward to seeing the renewed stability of a power-sharing government that strengthens the peace dividend, restores public services, and continues building on the immense progress of the last decades," he said in a statement.

O'Neill takes office facing the pressing problem of fixing budgetary constraints and crumbling public services that have sparked widespread industrial disputes in Northern Ireland.

She has called the assembly's restoration "a day of optimism" and urged a joint effort to tackle the problems.

The 47-year-old has been first minister-designate since May 2022, when Sinn Fein became the largest party in elections for the 90-seat assembly.

But until now, the DUP boycott of the assembly had prevented her from taking up the role.

Northern Ireland shares the UK's only land border with the European Union, with the Republic of Ireland to the south. Under the 1998 peace accord it needs to be kept open, without infrastructure.

London struck a separate Brexit trade pact with Brussels over Northern Ireland, which mandated port checks on goods arriving there from mainland Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales.

Unionists, though, said that effectively keeping only Northern Ireland in the EU single market and customs union risked cutting it adrift from the rest of the UK, and made a united Ireland more likely.

But after two years of protracted negotiations, the DUP has returned to power-sharing.

The deal it struck with London this week will ease routine checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea destined to remain in Northern Ireland.

The UK government will release a 3.3 billion ($4.2 billion) package to bolster struggling public services there, after a series of strikes in recent weeks over pay.

"Today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected," DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said at Stormont.

Chris Heaton-Harris, Northern Ireland Secretary in the UK government, said he was "confident" it would now have "sustainable government... for a very long time".

However, smaller, more hardline unionists remain bitterly opposed to Stormont's return.

pmu-jj/gv
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday lauded Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Lal Krishna Advani, who will be conferred with India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna.



I am extremely elated on hearing about the Bharat Ratna being awarded to our inspiration and senior leader Shri Lal Krishna Advani ji. He is a symbol of dedication in India's politics. His contribution to the country's development in his long public life is memorable and inspiring, Singh posted on social platform X.



He has played a pivotal role in ensuring the unity and integrity of India. As a national leader, his knowledge, parliamentarian and administrative capabilities strengthened the democracy and India. It is a matter of great joy for all Indians that he has been honoured with Bharat Ratna. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and congratulate Advani ji on this occasion, the minister added.



ALSO READ: Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Politician who catapulted BJP to national reckoning



Union minister Nitin Gadkari took to X to express his delight on the occasion. It is a matter of immense joy to learn about senior leader and our mentor Lal Krishna Advani ji being conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Advani ji's contribution to nation-building since independence is worth remembering. He is known for his uprightness. I thank PM Modi and pray for Advani ji's good health and long life. A file photo of Rajnath Singh with Lal Krishna Advani

Union minister Kiren Rijiju posted,"With profound respect I extend hearty congratulations Shri LK Advani ji on Govt's decision to confer him "Bharat Ratna". Advani ji has been inspiration to millions & guided ordinary party workers like me. As a young MP, I drew encouragements from him in performing my duty in the Lok Sabha. Praying for his good health & long life."



Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu too congratulated the BJP stalwart."Congratulations to Shri #LKAdvani Ji on being awarded the nation's highest civilian honour, the #BharatRatna. Advani Ji has distinguished himself through exemplary hard work and devotion towards the nation. A scholar and statesman, he has made exceptional contributions to the country."



I've had the privilege of working with him. His genuine warmth and affectionate nature leaves a lasting impression on everyone, he added.
Three candidates have entered the race for North Dakota state school superintendent in recent days, mounting challenges against incumbent Kirstin Baesler.

Former state Sen. Jason Heitkamp announced his candidacy on Thursday. Former North Dakota Homeschool Association Executive Director Jim Bartlett has launched a campaign website and is seeking signatures to make it on the ballot. And Darko Draganic, a former United Tribes Technical College dean, has filed as a candidate with the Secretary of State's Office. Baesler announced in January that she would run for another four-year term in the role.

Heitkamp served in the Legislature from 2020-22, losing in the Republican primary after the state's 2021 redistricting redrew his district's boundaries and forced a new election. In the Legislature, he opposed property taxes on primary residences, an effort that included a bill he sponsored that would have forbidden public school districts to have a mill levy.

In his campaign announcement, Heitkamp said he wants to get "back to the basics" in an effort to raise test scores and graduation rates. He also said he wants to stabilize educators' retirement plans. The Republican said he is a cousin of former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and former state Sen. Joel Heitkamp, who are both Democrats.

Bartlett is a former New Hampshire higher education commissioner and the president of Bartlett Farms in Bottineau. Much of his initial campaign materials are centered around Christianity in education, and he's decried the "influence of secular humanism" in schools.

In a statement announcing his candidacy, Bartlett references the Ten Commandments, including as a reason for school districts to "unhook from all federal and state funds" as his campaign's first objective. Bartlett said he wants teachers to be taught entrepreneurship so they can "be very creative and make more money."

Draganic served as the director of student retention at the University of Mary in Bismarck from 2017-19. He then spent two years as health and wellness director at UTTC before becoming the school's dean of enrollment management. He is campaigning full time in 2024. Though the race and the state superintendent role are nonpartisan, Draganic identifies as a Republican.

Draganic hopes to prioritize the enhancement of rural education and community engagement in North Dakota schools. He's also looking to expand career readiness programs and invest in educational technology.

Baesler was first elected state superintendent in 2012 after a stint on the Mandan School Board. Shes been in office longer than any other current top state education official in the country.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the Bharat Ratna Award, the countrys highest civilian honour, to be conferred to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) patriarch Lal Krishna Advani. PM Modi (left) with LK Advani (right) (Twitter/@narendramodi)

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental, the Prime Minister wrote on X.

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Modi said Advani, who was a former minister, a founding member of the BJP and the face of the Ramajanmabhoomi movement, started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as Indias deputy Prime Minister.

He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, the PM said.

In a statement, Advani said he accepts the honour with utmost humility and gratitude.

It is not only an honour for me as a person but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability. Ever since I joined the RSS as its volunteer at the age of 14, I have sought reward in only thing - dedicated and selfless service to my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me."

He also paid tribute to then prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was conferred the award in 2015, Deen Dayal to the millions of party workers, swayamsevaks and others with whom I had the privilege of working throughout my journey in public life.

Advani also thanked President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi and paid tribute to his late wife Kamala. I also express my deepest feelings for all members of my family, especially my dear departed wife Kamla. They have been the greatest source of strength and sustenance in my life.

LK Advani's political journey

Advani began his parliamentary stint in 1970 when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha. He contested his first Lok Sabha election in 1989 from New Delhi, defeating Mohini Giri.

In 1991, he contested from two constituencies, Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat and New Delhi, and won both. He subsequently opted to represent Gandhi Nagar. He fought his last election in 2014 from the same seat.

Advani catapulted the BJP into national reckoning with his Rath Yatra for Ayodhyas Ram Temple in the early 1990s.

Advani, who was considered to represent the hardline ideological faction of the BJP, had to resign when his name came up in connection with the Hawala diaries.

Although he was committed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology, he earned the wrath of the Sangh Parivar during his visit to Pakistan in 2005, where he praised Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The furore led to Advani, who was born in Karachi, stepping down as the president of the BJP.
The Congress party in Odisha on Saturday described the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Biju Janata Dal as political partners, hours after Prime Minister Modi addressed CM Naveen Patnaik as his mitra (friend). Inaugurating the campus of the Indian Institute of Management in Odisha's Sambalpur Modi addressed CM Patnaik as "Mukhyamantri, Mere Mitra Sriman Naveen Patnaik ji (chief minister, my friend Naveen Patnaik ji)" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik (ANI)

Reacting to this statement of the Prime Minister AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said that the PM did not utter a single word about Patnaik or his close aide VK Pandian and that this proved both BJD and BJP are together.

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"This proves that both BJD and BJP are together, thats why we organised their symbolic marriage recently. They are in a secret alliance and Pandian had set up the bond by holding discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJD is no more a different party, it has now become BJP," the Congress leader alleged.

However, the BJP president of Odisha Manmohan Samal refuted the allegations. He said, "He (PM) has indicated that some parties were opposing development works. Now, the people can witness what can be done for them, if BJP forms government in the state."

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Odisha on Saturday to unveil development projects worth over 68,000 crore. The PM also took a walkthrough of the model of IIM Sambalpur and looked at the photo exhibition showcased on the occasion. The PM underlined that the people of Odisha will reap the benefits of development projects. He said that it will create thousands of new employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha across all sections.

(With inputs from ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched an attack on Prime Minister Modi amid the Opposition's calls for a caste census in the country. Gandhi asked why the Prime Minister identified himself as OBC when he considered rich and poor as the only caste in the country. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (X/Congress)

Nowadays the Prime Minister says there are only two castes in the country  rich and poor When there is no one backward, no Dalit and no tribal, then why did Modi ji call himself OBC for so many years? So now there will be no more gossip - it will be counted To provide social and economic justicethere will be a count. To bring the weak and deprived into the mainstreamthere will be a count. BJP government should count its days, we will get the caste census done, he wrote on X.

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Rahul Gandhi's comments came as the Opposition continued to corner the Centre on the topic of caste census. Pressing the need for a caste census, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in Parliament on Friday, We are pressing for this, not because of politics, but because if a caste census is done, we will know how many graduates are there; how many jobs are there, and how much land is owned by different communities you can make policies. You (government) think about it again. If you dont do it, we will come and do it, Kharge said.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar state governments have already conducted the caste census. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy said last week that the state will soon conduct the caste census, as promised by the Congress party. The officials concerned have been asked to take necessary action to launch the caste census, an official release from the Telangana government said.

Speaking at the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in West Bengal's Malda district Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated that his party would conduct caste census if it comes to power at the Centre. "We want social justice and the biggest aspect of delivering it will be a countrywide caste census. After we come to power at the Centre, we will conduct a caste census across the nation to find out the number of Dalits, tribals and people from other backward communities," he said.

Caste census is the caste-wise tabulation of the country's population. The last cast census was conducted in 1931. Though caste data was collected later for 2011 census it was never made public.

(With agencies' inputs)
The Union government on Friday notified the appointment of chief justices in six high courts even as three of these recommendations of the collegium remained pending for the last three months. While the government notified three recommendations made by the collegium on December 27, it left out two others (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The names of justices Ritu Bahri, Chakradhari Sharan Singh and S Vaidyanathan were recommended as chief justices for the high courts of Uttarakhand, Orissa and Meghalaya on November 2. After withholding the collegiums recommendations for three months, the government on Friday evening notified their appointments.

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While Orissa high court was functioning without a full-time chief justice since October 4, the Uttarakhand high court did not have its chief since October 27. The other four high courts have also functioned without their full-time chief justices for over two months each.

Three other names cleared as chief justices for the high courts of Allahabad, Rajasthan and Gauhati are justices Arun Bhansali, Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Vijay Bishnoi.These three names were recommended by the collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, on December 27.

While the government notified three recommendations made by the collegium on December 27, it left out two others. The collegium had on the same day made the recommendations for appointing justices Sheel Nagu and BR Sarangi as chief justices in the high courts of Punjab and Haryana and Jharkhand respectively. But their names are yet to be cleared. In contrast, the government cleared the name of the new chief justice of Karnataka high court in less than a fortnight. The collegium recommended the appointment of justice PS Dinesh Kumar as the chief justice of Karnataka high court on January 19 and his appointment was notified on January 31.

The memorandum of procedure of appointment (MoP) of high court judges  a guidebook of understanding between the Supreme Court collegium and the central government in matters of appointment and transfer of judges of constitutional courts, lays down that the Government have, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, decided as a matter of policy to appoint the Chief Justice of all High Courts from outside. The MoP was framed in 1999 as the standard based on three decisions of the Supreme Court that evolved the collegium system as the selection mechanism for the appointment of judges in India.

The first three judges of the Supreme Court, including the CJI, comprise the collegium that make the recommendation for the appointment of chief justices in high courts.
The Supreme Court on Friday witnessed an amusing exchange in courtroom when a judge confused Amazon's Kindle reader with popular dating app Tinder.



Justice PV Sanjay Kumar along with Justice Aniruddha Bose were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the setting up of rural libraries and encourage reading among people in villages across the country for a holistic development of children. The hearing was taking place nearly a month after the top court issued notice to all the states and UTs on the PIL filed by Swati Jindal, the Advocate on Record (AOR), legal website Bar and Bench reported. Justice PV Sanjay Kumar along with Justice Aniruddha Bose were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the setting up of rural libraries and encourage reading among people in villages

When additional solicitor general Vikramjit Banerjee told the court that the plans were underway for setting up e-libraries and digitisation of textbooks, Justice Kumar made a remark that set off a hilarious exchange in the courtroom.

"Mr ASG, the joy and feel of turning over a new page, where is it available on those digital readers - what do you call it? Tinder?" he remarked.



The ASG immediately corrected the judge saying that the device in question was called Kindle.



With a smile, Justice Kumar said,"Yes. Tinder is a dating app."

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The aditional solicitor general told court that traditional ways of consumption had to change as everything is now is available in e-form, be it business publications like Economist.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday took a jibe at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's remark doubting if the Congress party would even win 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey(PTI)

Mamata Banerjee said this because she is a bit emotional towards the Congress. I think they will not win more than 10 seats, the BJP MP told the media.

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The TMC supremo on Friday lashed out at the INDIA ally Congress, days after she announced that her party will contest on all 42 seats alone in the general elections. She also dared the grand old party to defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, especially in Varanasi which is represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

I doubt if you (Congress) will win 40. I was offering two seats and would have let them win. But they wanted more. I said okay, contest on all 42 then. Rejected! There has been no conversation with them since, she said.

Congress reacts to Mamata's remarks

Meanwhile, the Congress on Saturday responded to Banerjee's remarks, asserting that they should realise they are not contesting for local level elections.

We are assuming she (West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) is still a part of the INDIA group, a group of 27 parties which have formed the alliance. Her priority, she claims, is to fight the BJP. Our priority is also to fight the BJP," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told PTI.

He added, I think its better if we all come together. I think we should realise that this is not local level elections.

(With inputs from agencies)
UK member of parliament Bob Blackman has criticised the British media's biased reporting of the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Blackman spoke in the UK parliament on Friday and expressed disappointment over BBC's reporting on the matter which pointed to the destruction of the Babri Masjid. He highlighted that the British media ignored the fact that a temple stood at the disputed site for more than 2000 years before the mosque was built and then razed and that the Indian muslims have been allocated five acres of land to build a mosque in Ayodhya. A glimpse of Ram Lalla idol at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya(ANI)

"Last week in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the Ram Mandir was consecrated. This was of great joy to Hindus across the world as being the birthplace of Lord Ram," said Blackman as quoted by news agency ANI.

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"Very sadly, the BBC, in their coverage reported, of course, that this was the site of the destruction of a mosque forgetting the fact that it had been a temple for more than 2000 years before that happened and that the muslims had been allocated a five-acre site on which to erect a mosque adjacent to the town," he said.

ALSO READ| US vows to continue action against Iran-backed militia groups

Blackman also urged the parliament members to "allow time for a debate in government time on the impartiality of the BBC and its failure to provide a decent record of what is actually going on all over the world."

Ram temple construction was welcomed at the UK parliament

Earlier in January, before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Sanatan Sanstha of UK (SSUK) initiated joyous celebrations to welcome the construction of the Ram Mandir, at the British Parliament. During the celebrations, bhajan was also recited.

Notably, the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya took place on January 22 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The auspicious event was attended by hundreds of VVIPs, sages and top dignitaries. Since the inauguration of the temple, more than a million pilgrims and devotees have already visited the holy site for blessings of Lord Ram Lalla.
Ben Cardin, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), has said that he lifted his hold on the proposed sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India after the US administration assured him that the Indian government is committed to thoroughly investigating the situation stemming from the allegations that implicate an Indian government official in an assassination plot on US soil. In November, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against a Nikhil Gupta, who, it was alleged, was deployed by a serving government of India official to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (AP)

On Thursday, after obtaining the first-tier clearance from the relevant Congressional leadership including Cardin, the US administration announced that it had formally notified the Congress of the proposed foreign military sale, a key milestone in the India-US defence relationship. If there is no objection from a member of the Congress in the next 30 days, the deal would be seen as having legislative clearance.

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While SFRC ranking member Republican James Risch, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) chair Republican Michael McCaul and ranking member Democrat Gregory Meeks had given their nod to the proposed deal, Cardin, a Senator from Maryland, took longer to sign on, a fact that administration officials say is a part of a regular process of consultations.

In a statement on Friday, Cardin said, My approval of this sale was the result of months of painstaking discussions with the Biden administration. While Im fully aware of the significance of this sale for U.S. national security and strategic interests, I have consistently conveyed my concerns regarding the timing of this sale to administration officials in light of the alleged murder-for-hire plot involving Indian officials to attempt to assassinate an American citizen on U.S. soil.

In November, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against a Nikhil Gupta, who, it was alleged, was deployed by a serving government of India official to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual Canadian-American citizen, in New York last June. The US administration sent a clear message to India that this was unacceptable; it publicly sought accountability; and it privately warned India that this must never happen again. India clarified that this was not government of India policy; it set up an investigation committee to examine the allegations and American inputs; and it shared the broad composition of the committee with the US. Both countries have however made a conscious effort to ensure that the broader strategic relationship remains on track and high level engagements have continued.

Cardin added that the US administration had assured him that the Indian government is committed to thoroughly investigating the situation and fully cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation so that there is credible accountability in this case. He said that he intended to hold the administration to account on this issue.

At the same time, Cardin reiterated his support for the wider relationship with India. In the same statement, he said, The U.S.-India partnership plays a key role in Indo Pacific stability, including through regional mechanisms such as the Quad. I support deepening our bilateral relationship with India as long as that partnership is based on mutual trust and respect.

He, however, added that one of his top priorities was championing democratic values and human rights abroad and that progress on these issues required difficult conversations both within US and with allies and friends. . I will continue raising human rights issues with the Administration, as well as our Indian counterparts, because I believe that our shared values are fundamental to the growth and longevity of our partnership. Among Democrats on the Hill, there is a widespread view that there has been an erosion of democratic values in India under the current government, a charge that India has rejected.

A person familiar with the issue told HT that while Cardins position was a reminder that the Pannun issue was still a factor, it would be wrong to see this as Cardin blocking the deal, but must be viewed as a part of the wider consultations that take place between the administration and the Hill on foreign policy issues. The fact that the Congress is keeping a watchful eye on the administrations actions in West Asia and is seeking a role before the administration takes specific actions in the region provides the wider context for these discussions.

For India, what is relevant is the fact that the administration has formally notified the Congress and the government-to-government deal is proceeding as per the bilateral understanding and according to US domestic processes. But it is also a reminder that as the judicial process takes its course on the Pannun issue in the US, it will continue to be a factor in the US public sphere.

Cardin took over the committee after the last chair, Bob Menendez, a Senator from New Jersey, was charged with corruption allegations. Cardin doesnt intend to contest elections later this year and this is his final year in the Senate.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the central government felt the need for a white paper over the mismanagement of the Indian economy before 2014 during the UPA-led government, saying that glorious 10 years were lost. FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Hitting out at the previous Congress government, Sitharaman said, "The kind of impact that it had, the mismanagement, it is not just talking about policy paralysis for a fragile five, its talking about every one of these steps, which, number one were immoral in the sense of not being right, and equally the kind of positive effect, if it had happened very well in a transparent fashion, it would have had on the economy. We lost 10 glorious years, Sitharaman said during an interview with News18.

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'Policy paralysis during UPA'

The finance minister added that during the 10 years of the UPA government, the country saw policy paralysis, corruption, and loss of endowments. According to Sitharaman, restoring the economy's position in the last 10 years of the BJP government and now getting closer to the world's third-largest economy has been a herculean task. However, she said that is grateful that the country has a Prime Minister like Modi.

Sitharaman's remark comes after she announced that the Centre will present a white paper on the economic performance of the last 10 years compared with the previous 10 years during the 2024-25 interim budget on Thursday.

Notably, a white paper is a way the government can present policy preferences before it introduces a legislation.

Earlier while presenting the interim budget, Sitharaman lauded the central government saying it has got the trust, confidence, and blessings of the people based on its exemplary track record of GDP that is Governance, development and performance.
Continents are a lot like people. They drift about, break old bonds, develop new ones, go around in circles.

There was, of course, the great joint family, Pangea, about 299 million years ago, when almost all the land on Earth was a single fertile mass. In about 250 million years, all the continents will likely fuse again.

Whats interesting, in the present, is that we are still discovering what happens when continents split. Proof of this lies in the recently discovered continent of Zealandia.

Zoom out for a quick recap: About 200 million years ago, Pangea broke up into two supercontinents. One of these, Gondwana, broke up further, about 150 million years ago, causing one chunk  now India and Africa  to drift north, and another  now Australia and Antarctica  to stay south.

Tectonic activity would tear these apart over time. In the midst of which, about 80 million years ago, the worlds thinnest and youngest continent was born, as a ribbon-like strip twisted away from the edges of the southward-drifting chunk, caught fire, and eventually sank.

This ribbon only broke the surface as a series of small plateaus, and so, for all of recorded history, were considered a group of islands, which we know as New Zealand.

Now it turns out those islands have been on a continent all their own, spread across 4.9 million sq km (about half the size of the US and more than half the size of Australia).

How did we miss it?

Until recently, it was assumed that much of the seabed around New Zealand was oceanic crust. It was only in the 1990s that researchers studying the ocean floor here discovered that this wasnt an oceanic plate, but a continental one.

The difference? An ocean crust consists largely of heavy, dense basaltic rock. Continents consist largely of the lighter, less dense granite, which coalesced on the surface of a still-molten Earth, billions of years ago, to form land masses.

Zealandia was first identified as a large land mass in 1995, by American geophysicist Bruce Luyendyk, who also gave it its name. But its identity as a full continent remained unproven, and it fell off the radar again.

It was only when a group of 11 scientists from New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia published a study in 2017 that it was officially confirmed. With its well-defined plateau rising above the ocean floor, and a total area greater than 1 million sq km isolated from other continents, it met the criteria for continent.

We wrote the report as a tidy-up paper, not with a blockbuster announcement in mind, says geologist Nick Mortimer, laughing. He works with New Zealands Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science), and led the 2017 study. Continents are the largest solid objects on Earth. That we had missed one, hidden in plain sight, until now, was quite surprising.

Where exactly is it?

Most of Zealandia lies about 2 km deep in the South Pacific Ocean.

In a symbolic nod to the largely sidelined native inhabitants of this region, it has been given a Maori name too: Te Riu-a-Maui, or the hills, valleys and plains of Maui, a Polynesian folk hero.

In September, Zealandia became the first continent to be fully mapped, out to its underwater limits. Details usually stop at the high-tide mark, Mortimer explains. Few maps or globes show the bathymetry of the ocean seabed. Our rock map of Zealandia is a first reconnaissance, but it is a world first.

. (GNS Science)

What made Zealandia sink?

The mapping has revealed that the crust, in some places, is just 10 km thick, which, geologists say, could account for why much of it remains underwater. Most continents have a crust about 40 km thick across most of their area.

The only portions of this one visible above water are New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Australian territories of Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid, making it the only continent on Earth where far more surface area is submerged than is visible.

What made it so thin?

By 2023, researchers from GNS Science had studied rocks dredged up from the crust and formed a picture of Zealandias early years.

Giant volcanic regions typically erupt as supercontinents split, Mortimer says. A well-known example is the Deccan Traps, large parts of present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that were covered in lava, as India and Africa tore away from each other.

Here, a rift in southeast Gondwana birthed the Tasman Sea, which sits between Australia and New Zealand. Another rift led Zealandia to split from West Antarctica. A giant volcanic region, the size of New Zealand itself, then emerged between Zealandia and Antarctica, between 100 and 60 million years ago.

For about 40 million years, as magma flooded out of cracks and fissures, Zealandia stretched and thinned like pizza dough, Mortimer has said.

This activity eventually ceased, Zealandia cooled, and as its thin crust solidified, it sank.

The Australian territories of Balls Pyramid and Lord Howe Island.

But but

Numerous questions remain. Why did the thin ribbon not crumble, as the Seychelles microcontinent did? What flora and fauna lived on it before it sank? Could the rocks hold revelatory fossil remains?

We are satisfied at the moment to have put Zealandia on the map, Mortimer says. But as the youngest continent is studied further, he admits, it is likely to throw up more surprises.
The North Dakota Attorney General's Office is intervening in a lawsuit that challenges how federal regulators have evaluated air quality plans in multiple states.

A number of environmental groups brought the lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency. It alleges the EPA's failure to approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the federally required regional haze plans from about three dozen states -- including North Dakota -- within the necessary period of 12 months has harmed the groups' members who regularly visit parks that are protected from pollution. The suit asks for the EPA to be required to make a decision on the plans "as expeditiously as possible."

The EPA has acknowledged in legal documents to not implementing the plans after 12 months have passed, but it does not address whether that means it failed to perform its duties as the Sierra Club alleges. Recent legal filings indicate the two sides are working on a settlement to resolve the matter.

Sierra Club declined Tribune requests for comment, as did EPA.

The potential for a settlement between EPA and the Sierra Club is in part why the state sought intervention, according to Department of Environmental Quality Environmental Engineer David Stroh, who wrote North Dakota's plan.

Stroh said the DEQ, like the environmental groups, wants the EPA to move more quickly in coming to a decision on the state's plan, but it also wants to ensure the speed of the process is the only thing at play.

"If we didn't get involved at this stage we would have fear that there would be some behind-the-scenes agreements between EPA and the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) beyond timelines," he said.

Stroh added that the state wants to ensure the case does not concern "whether our plan is approvable, or what technical requirements or limitations or conditions in our plan the NGOs feel should be there."

"(Compared to) what we feel should be there, that's likely ripe for debate," he said.

Regional Haze Program

The state argues in its legal filings that the environmental groups' request puts "North Dakota's Regional Haze Plan in a large bucket along with thirty-three other states."

The EPA has run the Regional Haze Program since 1999 with the goal of returning air quality and visibility levels in 156 national parks and wilderness areas to what are considered natural levels by 2064. Areas where haze plans are enforced are referred to as Class I areas. North Dakota's two Class I areas are Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the western Badlands and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge in the northwest part of the state. The plans crafted by states must also account for how Class I areas in other states could be affected by their emissions.

States are required to file plans on reducing haze with the EPA every 10 years. North Dakota's DEQ submitted its most recent plan in August 2022. It was deemed "administratively complete" later that month, but the EPA has not yet issued a decision on whether the plan will be approved.

The Attorney General's Office sought intervention in the lawsuit in December, and it was granted due to a lack of opposition from the EPA as well as North Dakota proving its interests were not adequately represented, according to the judge's order. Nevada and the western utilities company PacifiCorp are also intervening.

North Dakota plan

North Dakota's 2022 plan did not include additional visibility-enhancing emissions controls at power plants or other sources of emissions in North Dakota. DEQ at the time said the state is in line with its visibility goals and that most visibility concerns result from out-of-state wildfires.

DEQ Director Dave Glatt in comments to the Tribune referenced state law which prevents the department from including controls in its regional haze plan that it determines would increase costs with little in the way of visibility benefits. That part of the law was added by the 2021 state Legislature.

The state's 2022 plan garnered some criticism from environmental groups, who questioned whether it went far enough.

Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Scott Skokos said he can't directly speak to Sierra Club's suit. His organization is not party to it. Still, his views represent where the state and environmental groups may diverge.

"It should be enforced to the letter of the law and if that means we need to ratchet down some of our coal assets to reduce those emissions temporarily, that's what we're going to need to do and that's not what I want to see happen ... (but) we have all these Class I airsheds that are fairly close to a lot of our emitting plants, so what I would say is that, 'It should be enforced but there's probably some compromise that could be made,'" he said.

Badlands Conservation Alliance Executive Director Shannon Straight said he was "not surprised" by the state's actions to involve itself in the case.

Straight said his organization is encouraged by some of the state's attempts to reduce pollution, such as the DEQ's decision to seek millions in funding from an EPA program to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

"Now is the time to uphold TR's (Roosevelt's) conservation legacy with greater protections around our lone national park ... and in the Badlands of western North Dakota," he said. "Especially, in the leadup to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library" under development at Medora.

Both of North Dakota's U.S. senators praised the approval of the state's intervention.

Time and again, North Dakota has been rated as having some of the best air quality in the nation, which has been achieved through a state-led plan, not federal mandates, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said in a statement. "Thats why we were able to secure prior approval by the EPA of North Dakotas regional haze plan, which has been proven effective and is still on track to meet or exceed its emissions targets."

North Dakota's air quality clocks in at 22nd best out of the 50 states, according to U.S. News and World Report. The rankings are population-weighted and the data comes from the EPA.

Officials from the state Attorney General's Office and other environmental organizations involved in the case did not provide comment to Tribune requests.
January is marked as cervical cancer awareness month but Bollywood actor and model Poonam Pandey's death hoax has once again brought the deadly disease into spotlight where beneath the surface lies a significant contributor to this disease  Human Papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, that is responsible for over 95% of the cases of cervical cancer (the second cause of death from cancer in females in India). It is crucial to understand the role of the cervix in female reproductive anatomy and the uniqueness of cervical cancer due to its detectability through regular screening methods. Cervical cancer: Causes, symptoms, prevention tips and everything you need to know about HPV infection (Photo by Shutterstock)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Dharma Kumar KG, Consultant - Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospital, shared, Cervical health matters significantly as early detection is possible through regular screening, a feature distinct from cervical cancer. Unlike other cancers lacking preventive vaccines, cervical cancer benefits from a vaccine, contributing significantly to women's healthcare, particularly in addressing persistent HPV infections.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

According to him, the important aspects of awareness and prevention of cervical cancer are -

Spreading awareness about the risk factors that include:

- Females indulging in sexual intercourse very early in their life, those who have multiple sexual partners, or intercourse with a partner with HPV infection.

- Females with compromised immunity, smoking habits, and those on oral contraceptive

Early identification of cervical cancer symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention

- The early symptoms are postcoital bleeding, irregular periods, bleeding between the periods, abnormal discharge, and lower back pain.

Regular screening program , starting with pap smears at 21 for sexually active women every three years, transitioning to HPV DNA testing after 30 for a comprehensive screening process.

, starting with pap smears at 21 for sexually active women every three years, transitioning to HPV DNA testing after 30 for a comprehensive screening process. Vaccination administration as per standard recommendations. It is best to administer vaccination at an early age (between 9 to 13 years) or before commencing sexual activity. Two or three timely vaccination doses are crucial for optimal cancer prevention.

He asserted, Women should prioritise cervical health by understanding risks, recognising warning signs and actively participating in screenings and vaccinations. Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief Oncologist from Unique Hospital Cancer Centre in Delhi, elaborated -
Partner Yoga poses are an excellent way to build trust and connection between individuals. These poses involve two people working together to achieve a balanced and synchronised sequence, requiring communication, cooperation and mutual support. Heating up your connection: 8 Couple Yoga exercises for warm evenings (Photo by Miriam Alonso on Pexels)

By engaging in partner Yoga, participants can strengthen their bond and deepen their connection in various ways. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared, The physical aspect of partner Yoga also promotes a sense of connection. As partners synchronise their movements, they become attuned to each other's bodies and breath. This shared physical experience creates a harmonious connection, fostering a deeper understanding of one another. This synchronised movement can be especially powerful in fostering a sense of unity and togetherness.

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He suggested the following Couple Yoga exercises for warm evenings:

Double Downward Dog: Begin in a traditional downward dog position. Your partner stands facing your back, aligning their hands with yours. Adjust your distance to find a comfortable stretch for both partners. Seated Forward Bend: Sit facing your partner with your legs extended straight. Reach for each other's hands and maintain a gentle pull to deepen the stretch. Partner Boat Pose: Sit facing each other with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold hands and lean back, lifting your feet off the ground, forming a "V" shape. Back-to-Back Chair Pose: Stand back-to-back with your partner. Bend your knees and sink into a chair pose, keeping your backs connected. Partner Tree Pose: Stand beside your partner and lift one leg, placing the sole of your foot against the inner thigh of the standing leg. Hold hands for balance and support. Partner Camel Pose: Kneel facing each other, about an arm's length apart. Reach back and hold onto your partner's hips while extending your spine backward. Double Child's Pose: Begin in a child's pose position. Your partner mirrors your position, creating a mirrored symmetry. Partner Twist: Sit cross-legged facing each other, legs intertwined. Place one hand on your partner's opposite knee and gently twist in opposite directions.

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar revealed, Partner Yoga poses not only enhance physical well-being but also foster trust and communication. They encourage individuals to be present in the moment, focusing on the connection with their partner. Incorporate these poses into your routine for a fun and rewarding shared Yoga experience. Beyond the physical benefits, partner Yoga poses encourage mutual support. The act of supporting each other in various poses reinforces the idea that partners are there for each other, both on and off the mat. This mutual support strengthens the emotional connection between individuals, creating a sense of reliability and dependability in the relationship.

He concluded, Partner Yoga can also be a source of laughter and joy. Some poses may challenge participants to step out of their comfort zones, leading to shared moments of lightheartedness. Laughter is a powerful bonding tool and experiencing it together in a Yoga setting can create lasting memories that contribute to a positive and resilient relationship.
Were all familiar with deserters and turncoats. Theyre not as uncommon as one would hope. But would you agree that Nitish Kumar simply takes the cake? Although many were anticipating it, I was, quite frankly, stunned by his behaviour. I did not believe a self-respecting person  even a politician  could stoop so low to place his own political survival way ahead of any principles and ideology he might espouse.

Since 2013, this is the fifth time Kumar has abruptly changed political allies in order to take forward his own political career. However, my colleague Ashok Upadhyay says if you go back to his break with Lalu Yadav and the Janata Dal to form the Samata Party in 1994, its the sixth occasion.

So you could ask why am I so surprised? For two reasons. First, I did not expect he could do it again. I thought hed reached a point at which his credibility would be at stake if he did. Perhaps the second reason was more convincing. Its what he said of the possibility of reuniting with the BJP and what that party said of the prospects of embracing him a second time. Both insisted it wasnt on the cards.

Asked on January 30, 2023, just a year earlier, if he might someday return to the BJP, this is what Kumar said: Mar jana kabool hai, unke saath jana humko kabhi kabool nahi hai. Yeh achhi tarah jaan lijiyega. (Death would be acceptable but going with them can never be acceptable to me. You must understand this properly).

Just a few weeks later, on February 25, 2023, a similar query was posed to Union home minister Amit Shah. Would the BJP be willing to embrace Nitish Kumar once again? According to The Hindu, this is what he replied: Enough of Aya Ram Gaya Ram, (the) BJPs doors are closed forever for Nitish Kumar.

Well, clearly Kumar has sought and accepted a fate he considered worse than death a year ago and Shahs understanding of forever is not just temporary but of ludicrously short duration!

No wonder derogatory nicknames have proliferated. Not surprisingly, Shashi Tharoor has dug out a little-used American word. Its snollygoster, a shrewd but unprincipled politician.

Today, however, my concern goes further. Has Kumar brought into focus a sad and sorry truth about Indian politics? This sort of opportunistic and repeated changing of allies would be not just unacceptable in any major western democracy but condemnable. It would destroy the credibility of the individual or party concerned. When the Liberals allied with the Conservatives in the United Kingdom in 2010, which, of course, cannot be compared to Kumars acrobatic somersaults, it was considered unprincipled and the partys vote collapsed in subsequent elections. Not so in India.

Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh are just a few examples of how we behave differently and voters respond differently. In Madhya Pradesh, the turncoats who deserted Congress to bring the BJP to power continued to ride a high tide, culminating in a whopping majority in December last year.

Why do our voters accept this? Why dont they punish politicians who betray the very basis on which theyve been elected? Who clearly place their own preferment and fortunes ahead of any service to the people or commitment to beliefs.

I dont have an answer although many are bandied about. They include the claim such politicians deliver to their constituents and the view their personal dexterity and political mobility are admired rather than derided. But theyre not convincing. Theyre excuses or convenient, if lame, justifications.

Ultimately, the fault lies in ourselves, not in our stars. We knowingly vote for those who are in it for themselves  even if they occasionally share a bit  and dont stand for any bigger goal or greater good. As long as that continues, the Nitish Kumars of India will have a free run of our politics. And our future.

Karan Thapar is the author of Devils Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal
A K9 named Biza is being hailed as a hero after the dog helped the police locate a 12-year-old missing child. Auburn MA Police Department took to Facebook to share the incident and a picture of the brave dog. The image shows a K9 named Biza who helped sThe image shows a K9 named Biza who helped find a missing 12-year-old. (Facebook/@Auburn MA Police Department )

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm the Auburn Police Department learned that a 12-year-old child left their home at approximately 8:30 pm. The child was last seen in the Pakachoag Hill area of Auburn and their whereabouts was currently unknown, the department wrote.

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"Due to the freezing temperatures and nature of the incident, numerous Auburn Police Officers and Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police converged on the area in an attempt to locate the child. Detectives from the Auburn Police Department, and Detective Bureau responded to assist as well, they added.

How did the K9 help?

In the next few lines, the department shared that K9 Biza was able to pick up a scent and began to track the scent. K9 Biza tracked for a length of over two miles and led Officers to an area where evidence showed that the child had been present a short time earlier:. After that, the cops located the child and reunited the kid with their family.

We are proud of the hard work put in by K9 Biza and are happy to report a positive outcome! the department wrote as they wrapped up the post about the dog.

Take a look at this entire post about the K9 here:

The post was shared two days ago. Since then, the share has accumulated close to 900 likes. The post has also prompted people to share various comments.

What Did Facebook users say about this post?

You are a rockstar Biza! Nice job, posted a Facebook user. Awesome!! Great job Biza and everyone involved, commented another. Great work and outcome, shared a third. Such an incredibly beautiful blessing! Thank you Biza and your team for your dedication and diligence to serve our community! You guys are amazing! wrote a fourth.
Ukrainian shelling on the eastern occupied city of Lysychansk killed at least 20 people, Russia said Saturday, with at least 10 others wounded and rescue operations ongoing. Severodonetsk, with a pre-war population of around 100,000 people, is one of several important urban hubs that lie on Russia's path to capturing the entire Lugansk region.(AFP)

Moscow's occupation forces said Kyiv had targeted a bakery that is popular on weekends.

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The attack hit almost two years into Russia's Ukraine offensive.

Lysychansk, a city in the Lugansk region that had a population of around 110,000 people before Moscow's offensive, fell to Russian forces after a brutal battle in the summer of 2022.

"In Lysychansk, employees of the Russian emergency ministry recovered the bodies of 20 people from under the rubble," the ministry said on Telegram.

It showed a video of rescuers working in the dark, pulling out one dead body from the rubble before finding a wounded woman alive and putting her on a stretcher to take her out of the heavily destroyed building.

The ministry earlier said it had pulled out 10 survivors from under the rubble and said rescue operations will continue into the night.

The Moscow-installed governor of Lugansk, Leonid Pasechnik, said earlier that Kyiv had targeted a bakery that was known to have fresh bread on weekends.

RIA Novosti published a video of a heavily damaged building, with emergency workers pulling out an entirely crushed car.

The one-storey building had a large sign on it that read "Restaurant Adriatic" and appeared entirely destroyed and covered in rubble.

Russia's foreign ministry claimed western Weapons were used in the attack and said it expected "quick and unconditional condemnation" from international organisations.

The front in eastern Ukraine has barely moved in months but battles continue to be bloody with intensified attacks on both sides this winter.

The attack came as Kyiv said Russia hit it with a fresh barrage of Iranian-made drones, which targeted energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving thousands without power.

- Rescuing underway -

Moscow-installed authorities said one wounded man in "serious condition" was taken to hospital in the city of Lugansk.

Lysychansk lies some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Russia took control of it and its twin city of Severodonetsk in summer 2022 after some of the most brutal battles of its almost two-year offensive.

Ukraine, meanwhile, said its airforce had downed nine out of 14 Iranian-made drones Russia launched at central and southern regions Saturday.

Kyiv said most of the drones were directed at energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, where thousands have been without power since Russian strikes on Friday.

The outages have mainly affected the main city of Krivyi Rig -- the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Regional head Sergey Lysak said 15,000 people were without electricity in the city after the drone strikes.

Ukraine's energy ministry said it was working to restore critical infrastructure.

- 'Spectacular act' -

Zelensky, meanwhile, praised his country's security services for hitting Moscow's forces outside the battlefield "both at land and at sea."

He spoke two days after Ukraine said it had destroyed a Russian warship off the Crimea peninsula and on the same day as Russia said a Ukrainian drone strike had caused a fire at an oil refinery in southern Russia.

"Russia really feels pain from your actions," Zelensky said.

On Thursday, Kyiv said it had destroyed a Russian warship -- the "Ivanovets" -- on Donuzlav Bay on the western coast of Crimea.

"A spectacular act," Zelensky said of the alleged downing.

"The less Russian navy in the Black Sea, the more security there is in the region and in the world," he said.

Moscow had said earlier that a Ukrainian drone in the Russian southwestern Volgograd region had set a major oil refinery ablaze.

A Ukrainian defence source told AFP that Kyiv's SBU security service had "organised" the attack.

"Last night, the air defence and electronic jamming repelled an attack by drones in the Volgograd region's Kalachyovsky and Zakanalye districts," Volgograd governor Andrei Bocharov said on Telegram.

"A fire started at the Volgograd refinery after one of the downed drones fell," he said, adding that the fire service had already brought the blaze under control by early morning.

No one was hurt, Bocharov said.
An explosion occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Karachi, as per police sources reported by ARY News. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Sajid Sadozai, no casualties were reported in the incident. The bomb disposal squad was called to the scene to assess the intensity and nature of the blast. The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) issued a report indicating that a 'homemade' bomb, using approximately 400 grams of explosives, caused the explosion. (AP/Representative Image)

SSP Sajid Sadozai said, "The explosive material was placed in a shopping bag along the wall of the ECP office in Karachi's red zone area. Ball bearings were not found in the explosive material."

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) swiftly took notice of the blast and has requested reports from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South and District Monitoring Officer. The ECP directed both officials to submit an immediate report.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) issued a report indicating that a 'homemade' bomb, using approximately 400 grams of explosives, caused the explosion. The report mentioned about the discovery of a time device and a 12-volt battery at the blast site.

According to the BDS report, "The detonator of the blast and about 400 grams of explosives were blown away with the explosion." It further noted that the homemade bomb was contained in a soft container. The BDS confirmed no casualties in the blast.

The blast was held in Pakistan ahead of the general elections scheduled to be held on February 8 to elect the members of the 16th National Assembly.
In Brazil, an overhaul of consumption taxes passed by Congress in December has been called historic, revolutionary and a miracle. Nobody believed this would be possible, boasted President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, to a standing ovation in Congress. For once, the superlatives are not misplaced. More than 30 years in the making, the reform will simplify the worlds most complicated tax system. But can Lulas government withstand the pressure from special interest groups in order to fully implement it? Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva(AFP)

The tax overhaul is the latest and most significant in a series of structural reforms in Brazil. In 2017 labour laws were modernised under Michel Temer, a centre-right president. Under Mr Temers right-wing populist successor, Jair Bolsonaro, Congress approved a pension reform that raised the retirement age. The flurry of reforms is happening because frankly, the state ran out of money, says Tatiana Ribeiro of the Competitive Brazil Movement, a research and advocacy group. A deep recession in 2014 was made worse by fiscal profligacy, and prompted giant protests in Brazils cities.

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To understand why the tax reform is considered revolutionary, consider the current system. The constitution, enacted in 1988, gave all three levels of governmentfederal, state, and municipalthe power to levy consumption taxes. This makes Brazil an outlier. Of the 174 countries that have value-added taxes (VAT), the most common consumption tax, the vast majority collect them at the national level. Brazil is unique in how it allocates responsibility for the taxation of services to municipalities and the high degree of freedom it gives them. As Brazil has 27 states and 5,570 municipalities the country became a madhouse for taxes, says Mailson da Nobrega, a former finance minister.

This chaotic system has generated copious litigation. In 2019 the World Bank estimated that it took companies 1,501 hours a year to comply with Brazilian tax law, compared with a global average of 234. Many businesses are unsure which taxes they must pay, and to which entity. The value of ongoing cases in Brazilian courts involving tax credits is over 5trn reais ($1trn), equivalent to 75% of the countrys GDP.

Many companies go to court to have their products reclassified in order to avoid taxes. Crocs, a maker of plastic clogs, has been in a legal battle since 2015 to have its flagship product recognised as slippers, which are exempt from certain taxes, rather than footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, which are not.

The tax system also introduces distortions. Unusually, Brazil charges VAT where a good is produced, rather than where it is consumed. This has led states and cities to offer tax breaks to attract companies. It is impossible to quantify their cost, since most local governments do not tally them. But the IMF has estimated that such breaks amount to more than 5% of GDP in lost revenue every year.

The system also raises the cost of production and harms investment. Many of Brazils taxes are cumulative. This means that companies producing goods have to pay tax on each input that is purchased without securing refunds, as happens elsewhere. Products which are more complex to produce, requiring more technology and inputs, are disproportionately burdened.

Under the new system, the five main consumption taxes will turn into two VAT rates: one collected by the federal government and the other by a steering committee with representatives from states and municipalities. Companies will now only have to register with the committee, rather than register and file tax returns in each state and municipality in which they are present.

The committee will harmonise taxes across regions, ending the discretion of states and municipalities. Taxes will no longer be cumulative, credits for inputs will be automatic and taxes will be charged where products are bought. The simplification means that the standard VAT rate may end up at 27.5% by the end of 2033 (by when the reform is due to be fully in force).

That rate would still be the highest of any big economy, but a step down from the 34% which can apply today. EY, a professional services firm, calculates that the typical number of hours needed to comply with consumption taxes alone will fall from 885 per year to 285.

But the battle is not yet over. Though the reform will significantly reduce the number of special tax regimes, many exemptions will remain. Congress will define limits for these in the coming months. Lobbies have been hard at work. Tax benefits for Manaus, a manufacturing hub, will remain untouched. Agribusiness has wrangled a 60% reduction from the general rate for its inputs. The intellectual professions will get a 30% reduction. This includes accountants, lawyers and journalists, many of whose jobs depend on tax chaos.

Lula and Fernando Haddad, the finance minister, are fighting an uphill battle. In November Lula vetoed a bill extending payroll-tax exemptions for 17 sectors, including construction and retail. This exemption was introduced on a temporary basis in 2012. Instead of paying a 20% tax on payrolls for social security, companies in this scheme must pay only between 1% and 4.5% on their gross revenue.

Studies have shown that the fiscal costs of the exemption far outweigh any benefits to job creation. Even so, the exemption has continually been renewed. Mr Haddad has pushed to scrap it, saying it is too expensive. But in December Congress overturned Lulas veto. The exemption will now remain for another four years.

It can sometimes feel as if Mr Haddad has to fight against his own boss, too. Mr Haddad has been repeatedly criticised by his party for trying to keep fiscal accounts in order. On January 22nd Lula announced a new industrial policy that will involve deploying 300bn reais in grants and subsidised loans to national companies between now and 2026. As part of the announcement, the government mentioned it could introduce import-tax exemptions for inputs. Such moves undermine the idea of a simplified tax system.

Brazils elites are in favour of reform as long as it maintains their privileges, says Mr Nobrega. For the tax reform to be considered truly revolutionary, Congress will have to resist the lobbies that have helped sustain the current morass.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
A small but powerful Chinese rocket capable of carrying payloads at competitive costs delivered nine satellites into orbit on Saturday, Chinese state media reported, in what is gearing up to be another busy year for Chinese commercial launches. People walk past sounding rockets displayed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, in Zhuhai.(Reuters File)

The Jielong-3, or Smart Dragon-3, blasted off from a floating barge off the coast of Yangjiang in southern Guangdong province, the second launch of the rocket in just two months.

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Developed by China Rocket Co, a commercial offshoot of a state-owned launch vehicle manufacturer, Jielong-3 made its first flight in December 2022.

President Xi Jinping has called for the expansion of strategic industries including the commercial space sector, deemed key to building constellations of satellites for communications, remote sensing and navigation.

Also on Saturday, Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group launched 11 satellites to boost its capacity to provide more accurate navigation for autonomous vehicles.

Last year saw 17 Chinese commercial launches with one failure, among a new record 67 orbital launches by China. That was up from 10 Chinese commercial launches in 2022, including two failures.

In 2023, China conducted more launches than any other country save the United States, which made 116 launch attempts, including just under 100 by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Critical to the construction of commercial satellite networks is China's ability to open more launch windows, expand rocket types to accommodate different payload sizes, lower launch costs, and increase the number of launch sites such as building more spaceports and using sea launch vessels.

COSTS

Jielong-3 can carry a 1,500 kg (3,300 pounds) payload into a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit. China Rocket Co has previously said the rocket could carry over 20 satellites at a launch cost of under $10,000 per kg - a globally competitive rate for small-lift rockets.

The cost is similar to the launches of other Chinese small-lift rockets including the Long March 11, but their payload sizes are significantly smaller.

Jielong-3 is comparable to the powerful Lijian-1, which first flew in 2022.

Developed by CAS Space, a Guangzhou-headquartered commercial spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lijian-1 can also send a 1,500 kg payload to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit.

Other commercial companies in the Chinese vehicle launch sector includes Galactic Energy, whose Ceres-1 rocket is capable of delivering a 300 kg payload to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit.

Beijing-based Galactic Energy made seven Ceres-1 launches in 2023, up from four in 2020-2022.

But Galactic Energy logged its first mishap in September last year with the loss of a Ceres-1 rocket and its payload, forcing the company to apologise to its customers.

Also in the fray is Landspace, whose launch of the Zhuque-2 in 2023 marked the world's first successful payload delivery by a liquid oxygen-methane rocket and a breakthrough in China's use of low-cost liquid propellants.

In the realm of larger rockets, Orienspace in January launched Gravity-1 from a ship off the coast of eastern Shandong province.

The rocket is capable of sending a payload of up to 6,500 kg into low-earth orbit, making it the most powerful launch vehicle developed by a private Chinese enterprise.

A small-lift rocket carries payloads of up to 2,000 kg, while medium ones deliver up to 20,000 kg and heavy rockets can easily carry in excess of 20,000 kg. SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is capable of lifting 64,000 kg into orbit, but it has yet to make such an attempt.
THE UNITED NATIONS Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is almost as old as the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. And it has often found itself at its heart. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought safety in its schools and compounds during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. And more than 150 of the agencys staff are among the 26,000 people who have been killed.

The agency is now in crisis. On Friday, January 26th, Israel said it had evidence that at least a dozen of the organisations 13,000 staff members based in Gaza were involved in Hamass assault on Israel on October 7th. In response more than ten governments, including those of America and Germanyits two largest fundershave announced that they are freezing donations. It is unclear exactly how much cash is being withheld and how long the freeze will last. But UNRWA says that without the money it will be forced to cease operations at the end of February.

Some of the evidence for Israels allegations came from interrogations of Palestinians captured during and after the Hamas attack. Israeli officials said that intelligence was also gained from computers and documents that Israeli troops have found in Gaza. Israel said that UNRWA IDs were found on the bodies of some of the Palestinian militants killed in Israel. Phone intercepts place other employees inside Israel at the time of the attacks. Those implicated are accused of participating in the abduction of a woman, distributing grenades, and helping bring the body of a dead Israeli soldier back to Gaza.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, sacked nine of them. At least one has been confirmed dead. What has happened to the other two is unclear. On January 26th Mr Lazzarini said that he had decided to launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay. On January 28th the United Nations itself said there would be an investigation by the UNs Office of Internal Oversight Services.

Read all our coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas

Whether this satisfies the agencys critics or some donors remains to be seen. On January 29th the European Union demanded a separate audit of UNRWA by EU-appointed external experts into whether its control systems are capable of preventing the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities, and also asked for a review of all UNRWA staff to confirm that they did not participate in terrorist attacks.

This is not the first controversy to beset UNRWA. In 2017 the head of one of its schools was fired shortly after being elected to the Hamas politburo. Israel has long said the organisations school textbooks incite hatred against Jews; an investigation by UNRWA which was presented to Americas State Department in 2018 found anti-Israel bias in 3% of the pages of its books. UNRWA has admitted in the past to finding Hamas weapons stored in its schools. The Trump administration suspended funding in 2018, saying the organisation was fundamentally misguided. Joe Biden, the current American president, restored it in 2021.

UNRWA is markedly different from other UN bodies. It was founded in the aftermath of Israels war of independence in 1948 to care for the 700,000 Palestinians displaced from their homes (in its first four years it also helped Jewish refugees displaced in the same war). It now caters to the almost 6m descendants of those Palestinians and operates in Gaza and the West Bank as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It is the only UN agency that serves a specific group of refugees in a specific geographical area. Some of the controversy over it stems from the broadness of its definition of a refugee. The 1951 refugee convention defines one as a person who is actually fleeing conflict and persecution. UNRWA, by contrast, deems as refugees the descendants of all those whose normal place of residence was historic Palestine between June 1st 1946 and May 15th 1948 before being displaced.

As a result, UNRWAs position is politically sensitive. Israeli officials have long thought of shutting it down. They accuse it of needlessly perpetuating the refugee status of Palestinians and preventing their integration into their host countries. To many Israelis UNRWAs very title sustains the idea that the Palestinian refugees might one day return to their old homes in Israel, a right that Israel does not recognise; its prospect would undermine the Jewish nature of the state. For Palestinians, UNRWAs perpetuation of their refugee status keeps alive the idea that they might one day return to the homes they fled in 1948.

UNRWA is also a lifeline for millions, especially in Gaza and especially during the current war. It is the backbone of humanitarian logistics in the strip. Much of the aid going into Gaza, wherever it comes from, is distributed by UNRWAs lorries, warehouses and staff. Its collapse would make the humanitarian crisis far worse and create longer-term problems too. UNRWA is a major employer in Gaza; the vast majority of its 13,000 staff are local. If the organisation went under, another outfit would have to take on its work. As a UN official in Jerusalem puts it: You can cut all the funding in the world, but it isnt going to make the Palestinians disappear.

It is hardly surprising that some members of an organisation that has been embedded in Gaza so deeply and for so long have links to Hamas. But that defence of UNRWA in turn raises difficult questions about whether it is sufficiently neutral, transparent and accountable. UNRWA is probably essential in the short term in order to avoid an even deeper humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Whether it should be an essential part of Gazas long-term future is far less clear.

Correction: (January 30th 2024): This article originally said that a report by Americas State Department had found anti-Israel bias in 3% of textbooks. In fact, the department cited an investigation by UNRWA which found bias in 3% of the pages of its textbooks. Sorry for the error.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Former US President Donald Trump's financial investments and legal matters remain checkered by bankruptcies and blunders ahead of the Presidential elections. Trump has also spent a fortune on legal fees in the last two years, reported Associated Press. Former US President Donald Trump (AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Trump's investment in Eli Bartov, a New York University accounting professor, is being seen as another failed venture in the portfolio of the billionaire, causing more financial strain for the former US president.

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Trump's Save America political action committee paid Bartov nearly $930,000 last year as an expert witness in the New York attorney general's civil fraud case that threatens the former president's real estate empire, according to new Federal Election Commission filings.

An Associated Press analysis of new Federal Election Commission filings shows the payments to Bartov are among $54 million in legal expenditures made last year by Trump's political fundraising machine.

Trump has been spending big on attorneys as he battles multiple lawsuits and dozens of felony charges in four criminal cases. Majority of these payments came from Save America, 84 per cent of the total expenditure of the committee going towards legal fees.

Coupled with FEC data from 2022, AP's review found that Save America, Trump's presidential campaign and his other fundraising organisations have devoted $76.7 million to legal fees over the two years. The hefty sum underscores the legal jeopardy Trump faces as he marches toward securing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The most prominent lawyers associated with Trump's legal matters have all received more than $5 million in legal fees, with the bill footed by the campaign donors of the former president, said the FEC filings.

Alina Habba, who represented Trump in the sexual assault and defamation suit brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, ended up earning the most in legal fees when it comes to the former US president, getting over $6 million.

Trump suffered a stinging loss in the Carroll case. Juries awarded her more than $88 million. And the criminal cases carry greater political and personal risk for him. Even as the former president drains his campaign coffers to pay for his personal attorney fees, he's sought to transform the legal woes into an opportunity by portraying himself as the victim of a corrupt justice system.

(With inputs from PTI)
PHOTO: CAMERON DAVIDSON

Respect for, and trust in, science may be at an all-time low. In the United States, a 2023 Pew Research poll showed that only 57% of the population believed science has had a positive impact on society, and a Gallup poll showed that confidence in higher education was down to 36% . If the Gallup poll were done now, support would likely be even lower, given recent events with university presidents, from questions about their research integrity to their explanations for policies on student speech. Im frequently asked what can be done about all of this, especially in the realm of science. Many scientists think the challenge has largely to do with science communication, which is certainly important. But first, the scientific community must begin to conduct itself in the same manner that it is asking of the public, and that means treating everyone in the scientific community with respect.

As Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals, I work with a highly skilled staff in scientific publishing. The professional editors are scholars in their fields and intensely dedicated to the goal of a robust scientific record. In addition, the visuals experts produce striking and educational imagery; the social media crew runs widely subscribed accounts; gifted news reporters provide outstanding global coverage; and a sharp communications team spreads the message far and wide. Plenty of scientists recognize the importance of all of this.

But far too often, I see my colleagues at the journals treated disrespectfully by authors, reviewers, and readers who consider running a research lab as somehow more meaningful than anything else in science. This is simply ludicrous. If anything, the challenges that science is experiencing now are not due to a lack of success in the laboratory. They are due to a lack of emphasis on other aspects of sciencegreat teaching; communicating; policy-making; and performing the hard intellectual labor of choosing, from the mass of research, those discoveries that deserve publication in a top journaland then working with authors to make the findings publishable. The notion that lab work is the only purposeful endeavor in science is obtuse and is an example of precisely what leads to the view that scientists are intellectual elites who do not value the contributions or abilities of anyone except themselves and the small group they deign to recognize as their peers. Every time this academic hauteur is revealed to the public, confidence is lost for a simple reasonscientists like these are not inspiring the peoples trust.

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When I was a university administrator, I was frequently visited by graduate students who were in distress after they had informed their adviser that they did not intend to pursue an academic research career. Suddenly, their adviser became less interested in them. I was dismayed by faculty who had apparently forgotten that they worked at a school, where helping students achieve success in the life that they choose is the goal. Academic researchers should be excited for students who want to contribute to scientific publishing, education, policy, and other endeavors where science needs much more help than it does in producing more grants and papers.

Nowhere is this elitism more apparent than in the behavior I sometimes see from academics toward the staff at Sciences journals. Many seem to think that having highly cited work and membership in exclusive academies gives them license to be dismissive of others. This is pure arrogance and ignorance. Professional editors are scientists who are highly capable and trained to handle papers. Too often, an editors decisions are attacked as thoughtless output from an underling rather than insightful determinations from a true colleague. I have worked with both excellent academic departments and with outstanding professional editors, and talking science in both environments is equally stimulating and challenging. Furthermore, the people who handle the visual, communication, and technical details do important things that no researcher can. As it turns out, these individuals are not just among the most capable people in scientific publishing, theyre among the most capable people in the enterprise of science.

The way to restore trust in science and higher education is by earning it. Lets start by recognizing everyone within the scientific community as peers in the scientific quest.
Around 20 journalists were detained by police in central Moscow for several hours on Saturday at a rally of Russian soldiers' wives calling for their men to be returned from the front in Ukraine, a Reuters witness said. Members of the women's movement "Way Home", demanding the return of their husbands who joined the Russian armed forces involved in a military campaign in Ukraine. (REUTERS)

The journalists, including a video journalist from Reuters, who were covering the protest, filmed the women laying red carnations at the tomb of the unknown soldier in the shadow of the Kremlin's walls in central Moscow.

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Russian police ordered about 20 male journalists, many wearing press vests, onto a bus and took them to a police station. They were released a few hours later without charge.

Moscow police did not respond to a request for comment.

"A Reuters journalist was detained while covering a story in Moscow, Russia today and released after several hours," a Reuters spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"Journalists should be free to report the news without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are. We are committed to covering world events in an independent, unbiased, and reliable way, in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles", the statement added.

Agence France-Presse reported that one of its video journalists had been detained and later released.

AFP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia, said at least 27 people were detained. Most of the detained were journalists, it said.

Additionally, a number of people were also detained at other locations in central Moscow, also protesting against the mobilisation, OVD-Info said.

A growing movement of Russian women is demanding the return from the front of their husbands, sons and brothers who were mobilised after a decree by President Vladimir Putin in September 2022.

The Moscow prosecutor's office said Saturday's rally had not been coordinated with the authorities, issuing a warning about calling and participating in unauthorised mass events.
Northern Ireland's power-sharing assembly in Belfast will be restored Saturday following two years of political deadlock. HT Image

This is how the assembly works.

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Northern Ireland is governed differently from the rest of the United Kingdom after the 1998 Belfast or Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended decades of sectarian violence.

A finely balanced model of governance at the Stormont parliament buildings in Belfast ensures that the two main communities -- pro-UK unionists on the one hand and pro-Irish unity nationalists on the other -- share power in the assembly and executive.

The Northern Ireland Executive, which makes decisions and policies, is made up of the first and deputy first ministers and their cabinet.

There are 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Everyone in Northern Ireland has five MLAs in their constituency who represent them.

First business at Stormont on Saturday will be the election of a Speaker in the assembly. Then the parties entitled to form the executive will nominate ministers.

In a historic first, Sinn Fein, the largest pro-Irish unity party and former political wing of the paramilitary IRA, became the largest party after the last assembly election in May 2022, entitling it to nominate a first minister.

Also for the first time, the largest pro-UK party the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) will nominate a deputy first minister.

Until 2022, a unionist party was always the largest party, so the first minister has always been unionist.

The first and deputy first minister posts have different titles but both offices hold equal weight and one minister cannot act without the other.

As well as jointly leading the executive, Sinn Fein and the DUP are also entitled to several other ministerial posts each.

There are nine departments at Stormont.

Apart from the justice portfolio all are allocated to the parties based on how many MLAs they have, using the "d'Hondt mechanism" -- a formula used widely in proportional representation systems.

Policing and justice powers, which were not devolved until 2010 as the DUP opposed Sinn Fein controlling the brief, require a cross-community vote.

The third-largest party, the liberal centrist Alliance, and a smaller pro-UK unionist party, the UUP, are expected to take the remaining ministerial jobs.

A smaller pro-Irish unity nationalist party, the SDLP, will form the executive's opposition.

pmu/phz/jwp/rlp/tym
The Israeli military said on Saturday that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7 it had struck more than 50 targets in Syria linked to the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah. Israel-Hamas War: Smoke rises following what the Israeli armed forces say was an air strike on Hezbollah targets at a location given as Lebanon.(Reuters)

The remarks, in a briefing by chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari that mainly discussed efforts to beat back Hezbollah attacks launched in solidarity with Hamas, were a departure from Israel's usual reticence about Syria operations.

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"Everywhere Hezbollah is, we shall be. We will take action everywhere required in the Middle East," Hagari said.

Israeli forces have attacked 34,000 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including 120 border surveillance outposts, 40 caches of missiles and other weaponry and more than 40 command centres, Hagari said. He put the number of enemy dead at more than 200.

Hagari said Israel had deployed three army divisions along its side of the Lebanese border in anticipation of Hezbollah getting involved after Palestinian Hamas launched a shock cross-border attack on Oct. 7, triggering the war in the Gaza Strip.

With tens of thousands of its northern residents having evacuated, Israel has threatened to escalate the Lebanon fighting unless Hezbollah backs off from the border - and has sought Western help in finding a diplomatic solution in Beirut.
Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday condemned the sanctions imposed by US President Joe Biden on Israeli settlers accused of being involved in violence in the West Bank amid the Israel-Hamas war, saying that such exceptional measures are unnecessary since Israel ensures to take action against such incidents. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)

The overwhelming majority of residents in Judea and Samaria are law-abiding citizens, many of whom are currently fighting - as conscripts and reservists - to defend IsraelIsrael acts against all Israelis who break the law, everywhere; therefore, exceptional measures are unnecessary, Netanyahu said.

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On Thursday, Biden imposed sanctions on four Israeli men it accused of being involved in settler violence in the West Bank. He also termed the Israelis as extremist settlers - those who commit acts of violence against Palestinians.

I find that the situation in the West Bank - in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction - has reached intolerable levels and constitutes a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East region, Biden said.

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began on October 7 following Hamas' attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. According to the Gaza health ministry, over 27,000 people have been killed in the region so far.

He added that such actions undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution and ensuring Israelis and Palestinians can attain equal measures of security, prosperity, and freedom, and also undermine the security of Israel.

According to Biden, the violent acts have potential to lead to broader regional destabilisation across the Middle East, threatening United States personnel and interest.

For these reasons, the actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, he added.

Meanwhile, Canada is also looking at imposing sanctions on the settlers in the West Bank. We are looking into how to make sure that those responsible for extremist violence or extreme settler violence in the West Bank are held to account for it, Trudeau told the media on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)
North Korea tested its cruise missiles as well as new land-to-air missiles off its west coast on Feb. 2, state media reported on Saturday, confirming a barrage of launches for weapons it said are aimed at enhancing defense capabilities. A missile is launched, as the state media report North Korea tested its new land-to-air cruise missiles off its west coast, North Korea, (via REUTERS)

The launch on Friday marked the fourth time in just over a week that Pyongyang has launched such missiles.

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"These tests are part of the normal activities of the General Directorate and the Agency for Defense Development under its jurisdiction to advance the technology of new weapon systems in various aspects such as their function, performance, and operation, and are unrelated to the regional situation," the KCNA said.

The KCNA usually comments on their missile tests about a day after the launch takes place.
Three people were injured Saturday in a knife attack at Paris's Gare de Lyon railway station, a major travel hub, police said, adding that the suspect had been arrested. Several people were injured Saturday in a knife attack at Paris's Gare de Lyon railway station, a major travel hub, police said, adding that the suspected attacker had been arrested.(AFP)

The detained man, whose nationality was not revealed, went on a stabbing spree at around 8:00 am (0700 GMT) at the station, which serves domestic trains as well as those heading to Switzerland and Italy.

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One person suffered serious injuries while two others were lightly wounded, police said.

"The suspect did not cry out (any religious slogans) during his attack," a police source said. "He presented the police an Italian driving licence".

The area between halls one and three were temporarily inaccessible, rail operator SNCF said on X, formerly Twitter.
Sikh community groups have sought standing in the public inquiry into foreign interference currently in progress in Canada. Their focus is the alleged Indian interference in the country by India. HT Image

Even as these groups asked for that status, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has accused the Government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of insufficient response to the killing of is principal figure in the province of British Columbia Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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Three organisations, World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC), and British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC) have jointly applied for standing in the public inquiry in a letter addressed to Justice Marie-Josee Hogue, who is leading the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions.

The letter stated that with India now included in the mandate, the absence of Sikh voices would be unacceptable. WSO said it had written to Hogue in December last year requesting the Commission to examine the role of Indian interference in Canada.

The organisations emphasized the importance of including Sikh voices in the inquiry, particularly in light of recent developments regarding Indias interference and involvement in influencing electoral outcomes in Canada.

Each of these organisations has been critical of the Indian Government for several years.

They noted their readiness to apply for standing had India been named in the Terms of Reference, and they urged Justice Hogue to exercise discretion in allowing their participation in the inquiry process.

The original terms of reference named China, Russia and other foreign states. On January 24, the Commission said it requested that the Government of Canadas collection and production of document should include include information and documents relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.

It is expected to release an interim report by May 3, 2024 and deliver its final report by December 31, 2024.

Meanwhile, a day after shots were fired at the residence of an associate of Nijjar, Simranjeet Singh, in Surrey, SFJs general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun alleged that the Governments insufficient response had further emboldened India resulting in the violent attack on pro-Khalistan Sikh.

Pannuns statement also carried a warning, as he said whenever Sikhs are attacked they have a history of defending their community and faith tooth and nail.

With continued Indian repression and frustrated by the Canadian Governments inaction against India,, he said he was apprehensive that Sikhs may not take it upon themselves to defend their community from the Indian Governments violent attacks.
The government of the Bahamas reassured tourists this week that the island nation is a safe place to visit, despite the US embassys warning about the increasing gang violence in the paradise destination. GREAT EXUMA ISLAND, BAHAMAS - JANUARY 21: A general view of the seventh hole during the first round of The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in Great Abaco Island, The Bahamas. Mike Mulholland/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Mike Mulholland / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis said in a statement on Tuesday that the government is alert, attentive, and proactive in ensuring that the Bahamas remains welcoming to travellers.

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His statement came after the US embassy issued a serious security alert and travel advisory on Jan. 24, following 18 mostly gang-related homicides in the Bahamas in January.

Davis reportedly said in his statement The rating of the Bahamas has not changed; we remain a Level 2 alongside most tourism destinations.

ALSO READ| Why the US Govt warns Americans to reconsider travelling to Jamaica

He added that The incidents described in the January 2024 US Embassy crime alert do not reflect general safety in The Bahamas, a country of sixteen (16) tourism destinations, and many more islands.

US Embassy issues travel caution

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that the Bahamas has been a Level 2 since 2022 and received its first level in 2018.

The US embassys warning advised travellers to exercise extreme caution on the eastern side of Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas.

It also recommended Americans to be particularly careful at night and keep a low profile at all times.

Davis said that the government is working on a robust and innovative crime prevention strategy that includes more police forces and a zero-tolerance policy for firearm possession, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

ALSO READ| US issues travel warning for Bahamas after 18 murders reported this month

The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced that it seized nine firearms and 1,500 rounds of ammunition last week.

In spite of the surge in crime, the Bahamas attracted more than eight million tourists last year, making it more popular than ever, as Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said at an event in Florida.

Cooper said that The year 2023 was a banner year in tourism.
The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal is one of the most discussed and controversial parts of American political history. It started as a quiet rumor but quickly turned into a nationwide spectacle, leading to an impeachment trial that captured global attention. But how did an anonymous tip morph into a political earthquake? Former President Bill Clinton, reflecting on the sex scandal that led to his impeachment in 1998, explored the matter in the 2020 Hulu docuseries titled Hillary. He suggested that it was his presidency that ultimately triggered the affair. Former President Bill Clinton applauds as his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, where she conceded her defeat to Republican Donald Trump after the hard-fought presidential election. President Trump and his allies are harking back to his own transition four years ago to make a false argument that his own presidency was denied a fair chance for a clean launch. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany laid out the case from the White House podium last week and the same idea has been floated by Trump's personal lawyer and his former director of national intelligence. The day after her defeat in 2016, Hillary Clinton conceded. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)(AP)

Bill Clinton opens up on Monica Lewinsky scandal

Also read: Japan wants Taylor Swift to attend Super Bowl for Travis Kelce, embassy plans Tokyo to LA route

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The four-part documentary series Hillary, which is presently streaming on Hulu, explores the life of Hillary Clinton, her relationship with Mr. Clinton, and her failed 2016 presidential bid. But the series wouldn't be complete if it didn't cover the scandal that caused outrage on a personal as well as political level. In the documentary series, director Nanette Burstein questions 73-year-old Mr. Clinton about his involvement in the affair. Nobody sits down and thinks, I think Ill take a really irresponsible risk, the former POTUS said. Its bad for my family, bad for my country, bad for the people who work with me. He continued.

Bill Clinton cites Presidential stress for Monica Lewinsky affair

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Amid the scandal at the age of 49, which had a significant impact on his presidency and had adverse effects on his wife, Hillary Clinton, as well as the young intern involved, Clinton expressed deep regret. He openly acknowledged the intense pressure he was under and unequivocally admitted that his actions were inexcusable.

You feel like youre staggering around  youve been in a 15-round prizefight that was extended to 30 rounds, and heres something thatll take your mind off it for a while, he said. The former President continued, Everybodys life has pressures and disappointments and terrors, fears of whatever, things I did to manage my anxieties for years.

Upon the initial emergence of the claims, Mrs. Clinton steadfastly stood by her husband. Reflecting on that time, she expressed, "I was just devastated." Mrs. Clinton also mentioned, "Well, youve got to go tell your daughter." Mr. Clinton acknowledges that he is a changed person today. He states, You know, we all bring our baggage to life and sometimes we do things we shouldnt do. It was awful what I did.

What was the Monica Lewinsky scandal

The Monica Lewinsky scandal unfolded as a political sex scandal entangling Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a 22-year-old intern at the White House. The affair became public knowledge in 1998, leading to Clinton's impeachment by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Getting the blues may be pushed aside as something trivialising elsewhere, but not in San Mateo County of California. This US county is now become the first one to have declared loneliness a public health emergency. County of San Mateo, California, is now the first county in US to have officially declared loneliness a health epidemic. (Facebook / County of San Mateo - Government )

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the county's Board of Supervisors sat down to a unanimous vote on Tuesday, officially recognising the issue as a health crisis. With the declaration now in place, the county will reach out for different ways to tackle it. While no funds have been announced to deal with the crisis yet, this move will work as an official conversation starter for it to be addressed efficiently.

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About San Mateo County's vote to declare loneliness a health emergency

The Board of Supervisors' VP, David Canepa, highlighted that this development will promote the validation of residents' experiences. Further in his statement, he opened up about how this will assist in getting people out of the corners, in addition to reminding them that they're not alone.

Also read: What is Candida auris? Washington state sees deadly fungal infection outbreak

Canepa added that this measure came as a follow-up consequence inspired by the UK and Japan's decisions of appointing national ministers for the crisis. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy, who released his advisory on the matter in May to emphasise the importance of social connection, also took to his X (formerly Twitter) profile on February 2 to applaud the county's initiative.

Dr Murthy had also reminded back then that though the problem had existed in the country for decades, it only worsened during the COVID pandemic. Canepa also took into account the large section of older residents who were subjected to severe isolation during the pandemic.

Taking yet another progressive step forward, Canepa is also addressing a letter to the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. In this letter, he extends his hope for a new ministerial post to be created for this epidemic to be dealt with on a bigger scale in addition to the county-wide stance.

Its approval would be a progressive step towards confronting the overall mental health crisis. The county's decision is merely the first step in the right direction.
Farmers descended on Brussels to press a summit of European Union leaders to do more to help them with taxes, rising costs and cheap imports, throwing eggs at the European Parliament, starting fires near the building and setting off fireworks.

BRUSSELS 

Major thoroughfares in Brussels, the heart of the European Union, were blocked by around 1,000 tractors, according to a police estimate.

One tractor displayed a banner saying "If you love the earth, support those who manage it" as farmers from Belgium and other European countries try to make themselves heard by EU leaders meeting later.

Another banner read: "No farmers, no food."

Security personnel in riot gear stood guard behind barriers where the leaders are due to meet, a few blocks away from the European Parliament building where tractors were parked in a central square.

"If you see with how many people we are here today, and if you see it's all over Europe, so you must have hope. We must have hope that these people see that farming is necessary. It's the food, you know," said Kevin Bertens, a farmer from just outside Brussels.

Farmers say they are not being paid enough, are choked by taxes and green rules and face unfair competition from abroad.

They have already secured several measures, including the bloc's executive commission proposals to limit farm imports from Ukraine and loosen some environmental regulations on fallow lands.

This photograph taken on Feb. 1, 2024, shows rows of tractors between buildings in the Belliard street during a protest action in the European district in Brussels.

In France, where farmers have been protesting for weeks, the government has dropped plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel and promised more aid.

But farmers say that is not enough, and protests have spread to countries including Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal.



Mercosur trade talks

The protests across Europe come ahead of European Parliament elections in June in which the far right, for whom farmers represent a growing constituency, is seen making gains.

While the farmers' crisis is not officially on the agenda of the EU summit, it is bound to be discussed, at least on the margins.

Already, with all eyes on Viktor Orban as the other 26 EU leaders want to convince him at the summit to join a plan to offer stable financing to Ukraine, the Hungarian Prime Minister made a point of meeting farmers overnight.

"We need to find new leaders who truly represent the interests of the people," his spokesman quoted him as saying, referring to the European Parliament elections.

"The @EU_Commission should represent the interests of European farmers against those of Ukraine, not the other way around," he quoted Orban as saying.

As he arrived at the summit, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said farmers' grievances should be discussed.

"They offer products of high quality, we also need to make sure that they can get the right price for the high quality products that they provide," he said.

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar echoed French resident Emmanuel Macron's opposition to signing a trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries in its current form - another key demand for farmers.

In France, where farmers stepped up protests at the start of the week, the impact of dozens of blockades is starting to be felt, said Eric Hemar, the head of a federation of transport and logistics employers.

"We did a poll among our federation members: all transport firms are impacted (by the farmers' protest) and have lost over the past 10 days about 30% of their revenue, because we are not able to deliver on time or with delays," he told franceinfo broadcaster.
Walt Nauta, who served as Donald Trumps personal assistant at his Mar-a-Lago resort, is facing multiple charges related to his alleged involvement in a scheme to hide classified documents from federal investigators. Ex-Trump aide accused of concealing classified documents and sexually harassing service members(JONATHAN ERNST, REUTERS)

Nauta is also accused of sexually harassing and exploiting three female service members while he was part of the White House Presidential Support Detail, according to the Daily Beast.

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The report claims that Nauta engaged in fraternization, adultery, inappropriate sexual conduct and blackmail with the women, who were under his command or supervision. He allegedly kept revenge porn photos of them and threatened to expose them if they did not comply with his demands.

The accusations came to light in May 2021, when one of the victims reported an inappropriate relationship between a senior person and a junior person in a command climate survey. The Navy launched an investigation and identified Nauta as the senior person involved in multiple misconduct cases.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump loses his London lawsuit against ex-UK spy over shocking and scandalous claims

Nauta was removed from his White House position and lost his security clearance as a result of the investigation. However, he was not discharged from the Navy and instead received approval to work for Trump as his body man at Mar-a-Lago in August 2021.

Trump campaign dismissed all allegations against the butler

The New York Times reported that Navy officials had considered sending Mr. Nauta back out to sea on a ship before he joined Trumps staff. It is unclear if Nauta faced any disciplinary action from the Navy or if Trump was aware of his allegations before hiring him.

The Trump campaign dismissed the report as a smear campaign against Nauta. This is nothing more than a blatant attempt to smear Mr. Nauta for political purposes, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement to The Post.

He is a distinguished veteran of over 20 years who honorably served his country, and no amount of baseless and fabricated attacks will ever change that.

Nautas troubles did not end with his move to Mar-a-Lago

In December 2021, he discovered several boxes of White House documents marked confidential in a storage room at the resort, according to federal prosecutors.

The documents were part of a subpoena issued by special counsel Jack Smith, who was investigating Trumps handling of classified information after his presidency. Smith alleged that Trump instructed Nauta to remove at least 64 boxes of documents from the storage room and conceal them from the authorities in May 2022.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump trolls reporter who asked him about red spots on his hand: 'Maybe it's AI'

Nauta denied any knowledge of the documents when he was questioned by the FBI. He allegedly lied to the agents and said, I dont know. I dont  I honestly dont know. He was indicted on six charges in June 2023, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, corruptly concealing a document in a federal investigation, scheme to conceal and making false statements and representations.
Jonnie Irwin, the English TV presenter, met a tragic death from cancer at the age of 50 on Friday, February 2. A Place in the Sun star is survived by his wife and three sons. Jonnie Irwin, the English TV presenter, met a tragic death from cancer at the age of 50 on Friday,(Instagram)

The news of Irwin's demise, following a three-and-a-half year battle with lung cancer, was shared on his Instagram handle with his friends and fans on Friday night.

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The post had an old picture of Jonnie and his wife Jessica riding a motorcycle with a big smile on their faces.

As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched into our hearts. Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on. Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten," the caption read.

Irwin's wife pays devastating tribute: Me and the boys still need you

Meanwhile in a post on Instagram, Irwin's wife Jessica shared apicture of beaming Jonnie and penned an emotional tribute to her late husband, calling him "magical and most handsome man" and vowed to make him proud.

"Good night my favourite. Thank you for everything," she wrote

I will always love you. The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldnt come. Its with all the the saddness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today.

His magical brain that continued to fight to the end has now gone to sleep. He has given me more than I could ever have wished for, 8 bonkers years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys, Jessica, who married Jonnie in 2016, added.

As tributes poured in, his former A Place In The Sun co-presenter Jasmine Harman shared some heart-touching words on social media.

Jonnie Irwin - I will always remember the first time I heard your name. When I was doing a screen test for a new show, they said we definitely want Jonnie, but we need to find another presenter, she wrote while sharing a picture of them looking off towards a sunset.

In a post on X, Channel 4 said Irwin would be greatly missed. Everyone at Channel 4 is deeply saddened by the news of Jonnies death, it said. Jonnie was a beloved presenter on A Place In The Sun for over 18 years. He helped realise the dreams of many on the show and inspired countless viewers to find their own place in the sun. Much loved by colleagues and audiences alike, he will be greatly missed.

Rob Unsworth, head of BBC daytime and early peak commissioning, extended condolences, stating : Jonnie Irwin was an extraordinary man and wonderful presenter. He brought such warmth and fun to Escape to the Country, where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too.

More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end-of-life care and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.

His kindness will be hugely missed by everyone he worked with and we are sending all of our thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.

Jonnie Irwin & his prolonged battle with cancer

Jonnie was only given six months to live when he initially diagnosed in August 2020. However, the presenter managed to survive far longer. The presenter's survivor includes his wife and their five-year-old son Rex and and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa.

Born in 1973, Irwin raised in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, and went to Community College and Lutterworth Grammar School before getting into real estate.

A Place In The Sun - Home Or Away, a Channel 4 program, was presented by Irwin and co-presenter Jasmine Harman in 2004 after they were picked from hundreds of applicants. The property show became an unexpected smash and was widely distributed.

After disclosing his diagnosis of lung cancer in 2022, Irwin, the host of A Place in the Sun, said that the show had fired him. Irwin spent eighteen years hosting the show, filming more than two hundred episodes throughout Britain. In 2011, Irwin also served as a host for The Renovation Game on Channel 4.

Irwin was also given the chance to host Dream Lives on Sale, a show on Sky1 where he assisted viewers in purchasing a business and leaving behind their previous lives, in 2011.

Irwin had an advantage in his acting career because of his practical expertise and experience in the real estate and property sector. In addition, he introduced Escape to the Perfect Town, a spin-off of the well-liked BBC real estate program Escape to the Country. Irwin had already presented multiple episodes of Escape to the Country before joining the spinoff.

In addition to being a TV host, Irwin was a writer, a lecturer, and an authority on real estate and business.
A recent study from the City University of New York (CUNY) found a link between cannabis legalization and asthma among kids and teens. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, showed that in states where marijuana is legal, more teens have asthma than in states where it is illegal. FILE - A Japanese tourist smokes cannabis at a Dutch passion shop(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)(AP)

The study used data from the National Survey on Childrens Health, which included 227,451 U.S. children aged 17 and below. The researchers found a positive linear relationship between the frequency of cannabis use and asthma prevalence among both youth and adults.

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The relationship was not explained by confounding cigarette smoking, and an even stronger relationship between the frequency of blunt smoking and asthma was found, said Renee Goodwin, CUNY SPH professor and lead author of the study.

Goodwin pointed out that there is very little information available on the respiratory health risks of cannabis use. He said that smoking cannabis may have similar health risks as cigarettes, especially for people with asthma. He also warned that the public may be misled by the commercialization and advertising of cannabis use, which may make them think it is risk-free.

ALSO READ| Bahamas refutes US travel warning, PM assures tourists they are safe and welcoming

That is not based on science or any data on long-term outcomes, he said.

Asthma risks increase significantly for those who smoke marijuana

Goodwin also noted that todays cannabis products have higher THC concentrations than the joints of decades ago, and that cannabis oils and waxes are chemically manufactured substances.

The potential short- and long-term effects of exposure to this level of THC on the human brain, respiratory or other aspects of physical health have never been studied, he said.

He urged consumers to demand information on safety and purity, as well as dose, potency, and health and safety risks, from any commercial cannabis retail outlet.

Dr. Eric Heffelfinger, staff physician at Caron Treatment Centers, an addiction center in Pennsylvania, commented on the study.

This study is significant not just in its size, but in its findings that asthma risks increase significantly for those who smoke marijuana, especially those who smoke blunts for more than 20 days per month, he said.

According to Dr. Heffelfinger, an addiction medicine specialist and former pulmonologist, marijuana use is linked to asthma risk, as nicotine is. We expected this to be the case for marijuana, but now we have the data to prove it, he said.

He added that the data, collected in 2020, might not reflect the current situation, as marijuana and cannabis products have become more accessible in the last three years.

ALSO READ| US strikes Iran linked targets after Jordan retaliation: 10 points you must know

We anticipate that the number of people impacted with asthma because of marijuana use will also have increased significantly, he said.

He warned that marijuana users and those exposed to secondhand smoke face serious health risks, such as psychiatric symptoms, psychosis, and cannabis use disorder.

The known health impacts from marijuana and cannabis products are just the tip of the iceberg, he said.

He also pointed out the unknown effects of genetically and chemically enhanced products that are smoked or vaped, causing lung damage.

Because these products are so easily accessible, the long-term health implications are worrisome and likely to increase in frequency and severity across the spectrum of occurrences, he said.
President Joe Biden said on Friday he had directed military strikes on facilities in Iraq and Syria affiliated with the groups that attacked U.S. forces and said the response would continue. President Joe Biden (AP)

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden said in a statement. "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."
An old rusted rocket, which was designed to carry an inert Cold War-era nuclear missile, was found in a Ohio mans garage. Police in Bellevue, Washington, discovered the rusted rocket after they were alerted about a call received by the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio. Markings are still visible on the side of this inert AIR-2 Genie rocket (Bellevue Police Department)

A Bellevue resident expressed the desire to donate the extraordinary item to the museum over a call. When museum alerted the police, they sent a bomb team to the possible donor's house.

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"And we think it's gonna be a long, long time before we get another call like this again," the cops stated on X (formerly Twitter), making reference to Elton John's well-known song Space Jam.

The device discovered is "in fact a Douglas AIR-2 Genie (previous designation MB-1), an unguided air-to-air rocket that is designed to carry a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead," according to a news release from the police. However, the rocket had no warhead attached.

According to The Seattle Times, this kind of rocket was the most potent interceptor missile the Air Force had ever used. It was used by both the US and Canadian Air Forces during the Cold War.

Also Read: 6 dead in Ohio highway crash involving five vehicles; bus with students reportedly rear-ended by a semi truck

It was 'an artefact with no explosive hazard, say Police

Bellevue Police Department spokesman Seth Tyler told BBC News on Friday, February 2, that the device was "basically a gas tank for rocket fuel."

The incident, in his words, was "not serious at all". "In fact, our bomb squad member asked me why we were releasing a news release on a rusted piece of metal," Tyler recalled.

The National Museum of the US Air Force, located close to Dayton, Ohio, made the contact to the police.

"He was gracious enough to let us have a look at it and we determined that it was safe," Tyler said.

The authorities did not feel the need to evacuate the 150,000-person metropolis because they were unaware that there was a nuclear warhead in the neighborhood, the police department said in a statement.

The man told the authorities that the rocket belonged to his deceased neighbour, who had originally bought it from an estate sale. Finally, the police determined that the object was a "artefact with no explosive hazard".

"Because the item was inert and the military did not request it back, police left the item with the neighbour to be restored for display in a museum, they added.
John Bolton, a former national security advisor, appealed to the Biden administration to approve direct strikes on Iran in order to "send a message" in response to Jordan attack that killed three American soldiers. Former US national security advisor John Bolton (REUTERS)

Bolton stated that the US military's retaliatory attacks on Friday were the right thing to do, but he also expressed doubt if they would be sufficient.

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They have declared a red line against any targets inside their borders. Well, they crossed an American red line by killing Americans and until we cross their red lines, they will not view this as a serious problem," Bolton said in an interview with CBS News' Catherine Herridge.

Im not saying this first attack has to be regime threatening. There are lots of targets inside Iran, Quds Force bases, air defense systems and others that would be a good thing to destroy and which would send the message, the ex-NSA continued. If the Iranian government doesnt get it, we can send more messages.

Also Read: 'If you harm an American, will respond': Biden after US strikes in Iraq, Syria

In the first act of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three American servicemen in Jordan last weekend, the US military launched an airstrike on dozens of targets in Iraq and Syria that were utilised by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Friday.

More than 85 targets were hit by the massive onslaught of strikes at seven different locations. These targets included intelligence and command centers, missile and rocket launchers, and drone and ammunition storage sites associated with the militias or the IRGC's Quds Force, the Guard's expeditionary division that manages Tehran's relations with and arming of regional militias.

Just not a significant enough retaliation: Bolton

During his Friday's interview, Bolton went on say that the approach chosen by the United States was just not a significant enough retaliation.

He also targetted the Biden administration for acting inadequately "throughout this crisis," which started on October 7 when Hamas launched an unexpected offensive into Israel, starting the current Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, Bolton took to Twitter to react on latest US strike at militias in Iraq and Syria, asserting that Biden's failure to establish any degree of deterrence against Iran culminated in today's actions.

Also Read: US strikes Iran linked targets after Jordan retaliation: 10 points you must know

Biden vows to continue airstrikes, Iraq reacts

After the US strike, President Joe Biden said a statement that the air strikes would continue at times and places of our choosing.

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, Biden said. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

In response, Iraq said that the US initiated the assaults "against the sovereignty" of the nation and has accused the United States of "disavowing legal responsibility" and "misleading international public opinion".
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who was involved in the ousting of former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, hinted that the same fate could await his successor, Mike Johnson. Republican Rep. Boebert threatens to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson(AP)

Boebert made the remark on Thursday, during an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast, a platform for far-right views. She claimed that she played a key role in changing the House rules in January 2023 to allow a single member to initiate a motion to remove the speaker.

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She did not name the person who did so, Rep. Chip Roy has admitted it in interviews  but said that many of her Republican allies had urged her to use that lever of accountability against the current speaker if the House failed to function effectively.

I dont want to get there, but we need leadership, Boebert said.

We have to have some follow-through on the promises that we have made to the American people.

ALSO READ| Who's Lauren Boebert? Trump supporter asked to define 'carpetbagger' in GOP debate

If Boebert or any other Republican member filed a motion to unseat Johnson from leadership, and he was voted out by the House, it would be the second time in half a year and the second time in US history that a speaker was removed.

Boebert bonanza

Boeberts attack on the Republican House speaker came shortly after she praised his endorsement of her reelection campaign in a different congressional district and several months after she was embroiled in a groping and vaping scandal at a Denver Beetlejuice show.

I am very grateful to have the support of Speaker Mike Johnson! Boebert tweeted on January 3. I look forward to working with him to get President Trump reelected and defend our majority.

On Wednesday, Representative Lisa McClain took a jab at Boeberts lack of decorum before the Washington Press Club Foundation Dinner. She singled out Boebert by name.

ALSO READ| US Rep Lauren Boebert steps back from current Congressional campaign, eyes more GOP-friendly district

If everyone could, please keep their hands above the table. And I know its date night for some of you, but no inappropriate touching, McClain said.

That includes you Lauren Boebert. No vaping, either, she continued, to a burst of astonished laughter.

McClain, who calls herself a Trump-lovin MAGA Republican, also used the humorous occasion to mock Oscar winner, an Emmy winner, a two-time Olympian George Santos, and to caution the press club to watch out for the cutlery with Senator Bob Menendez, who faces bribery charges.
In an odd fundraising email on Friday, Donald Trump chastised US President Joe Biden, claiming that the latter had used vulgar language to express his dissatisfaction with the Republican front-runner, who is his potential White House challenger. US President Joe Biden and Republican front-runner Donald Trump (AP )

What a fking ahole the guy is, Biden has recently said of Trump in closed-door conversation, according to Politico.

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Responding to it, Trump wrote in a fundraising email titled, BIDEN JUST CALLED ME A SICK F-WORD!

Friend, but you know he doesnt just think that about me, he thinks that about EVERY SINGLE ONE of my proud supporters," Trump said, urging adherents to chip in. He further reminded his supporters that former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls us deplorables.

Also Read: Donald Trump trolls reporter who asked him about red spots on his hand: 'Maybe it's AI'

Biden will spit on us and call us every curse word in the dictionary. BUT I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU BECAUSE YOU LOVE AMERICA! And I know with your patriotic support at this very moment, WE WILL STOP HIM! he claimed in the email highlighted by Mediaite.

With Trump's signature at the end, the email said, "If you stand with me now, we'll be the ones laughing on Election Day."

Supporters were even urged to click a large red button labeled "I LOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP," which took them to a Winred page where they could make a $3,300 donation.

Its shame': Trump's campaign hits back at Biden

Meanwhile, a spokesman from Trump's campaign said the fact that Biden employs derogatory language when discussing the ex-President is "a shame" but "no surprise".

Its a shame that Crooked Joe Biden disrespects the presidency both publicly and privately, said Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser. But then again, its no surprise he disrespects the 45th president the same way he disrespects the American people with his failed policies.

Trumps email is his latest fundraising attempt. In the past, he has raised money using his criminal indictments, his Georgia mugshot, and state efforts to throw him off primary ballots.

The email comes just days after campaign filings revealed that over $50 million in money from pro-Trump political action committees were utilised to cover the rising costs of the 45th president's legal defence during the previous year.

Also Read: Donald Trump spends $76 million on attorneys as legal troubles mount ahead of US Presidential elections

Trump holds lead over Biden

Biden is trailing Trump by just 4 points in a recent poll.

According to the SSRS-conducted CNN survey, 49% of registered voters stated they would be "more likely to vote" for Trump, while 45% said they would be "more likely to vote" for Biden.

In the same survey, 38% of participants indicated they were satisfied with "the way" Biden is "handling his job," while 62% disagreed. Additionally, 34% of respondents stated that the president "deserves to be" reelected, while 66% disagree.
Hitting out at Joe Biden for prioritising legal status for millions of immigrants, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed on Friday that the US President is attempting to get as many illegals in the country as possible in order to establish a one-party state. US President Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Bidens strategy is very simple: 1. Get as many illegals in the country as possible. 2. Legalize them to create a permanent majority  a one-party state. That is why they are encouraging so much illegal immigration. Simple, yet effective, the SpaceX CEO, who voted for Biden in 2020, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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It is to mention that Musk was responding to a report -- Biden to prioritize legal status for millions of immigrants -- published by the Associated Press on January 17, 2021.

The billionaire added, Here is the full text of the bill. It sounds so reasonable at first, just like The Committee of Public Safety actually meant The Cutting Off Heads Committee in revolutionary France.

Also Read: Who is Justin McCauley? Tesla employee arrested for threatening to kill Joe Biden and Elon Musk

Elon Musk highlights recent migrant attack on NY Police

In his another post, he went on to say that Bidens supposed strategy explains why there are so few deportations, as every deportation is a lost vote.

Musk continued, As happened this week, you can literally assault police officers in broad daylight in New York, be released with no bail, give everyone the finger and *still* not be deported!! Outrageous.

An attack on cops in New York City's Times Square, allegedly by a group of migrants, has sparked an uproar ahead of the 2024 US elections. At least six people, out of 12 suspects were allegedly involved in the attack, have been arrested.

US saw surge in migrants deportation under Biden administration

According to the Washington Post, the number of deportations in 2023 almost doubled that of the previous year under Biden.

It even revealed that the Biden administration has deported fewer immigrants annually than the Donald Trump administration, despite the fact that more than 142,000 people were deported in 2023.

Immigration has gained attention as the 2024 presidential campaign is expected to be a rematch between Biden and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. In an attempt to counter it, Biden has already endorsed a comprehensive bipartisan bill that is currently being drafted in the Senate and would give him more power to impose stringent new restrictions on border crossings.

Last weekend, Biden declared, "I would shut down the border right now and fix it quickly if that bill were the law today."

Also Read: Elon Musk slams President Joe Biden over border deal amid Texas crisis, Building a wall is

Trump has voiced opposition to the law, but Biden's allies are waiting on the president to take action.

Social agencies in places like Denver, New York, and Chicago are under pressure from the surge, and they are finding it difficult to house thousands of people seeking refuge without a work permit or accommodation. Local newscasts have been dominated by pictures of homeless migrants camped out in public.

Over the weekend, Trump decried the fact that, when he stood for reelection in 2020, his message on immigration did not resonate. He said that the reason he "took it out of play" was because he had controlled the border so effectively, even though voters at the time were primarily concerned about COVID-19 and the pandemic had made it harder for immigrants to get employment.
A food truck named Sweetly Seasoned recently faced severe backlash after receiving a substantial tip. Keith Lee, a TikTok star famous for food review videos, recently gave a $4,000 tip to the owner of Sweetly Seasoned food truck. However, he donated the amount under one condition, which was sadly unfulfilled. Netizens were left furious after the Dallas food truck owner, Kim Viverette, failed to split the money despite Lee's request. Keith Lee paid $4,000 to Sweetly Seasoned Dallas food truck(X, formerly Twitter)

Sweetly Seasoned Dallas TX food truck faces backlash

In his video shared on January 31, Lee visited the food truck Sweetly Seasoned in Dallas, Texas. He made the visit after requests from the Viverette's son. In addition to sharing feedback about the food, Lee also shared constructive advice on how to enhance business. He told them to up their marketing game to drive sales and advised them to get more workers in the kitchen.

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Towards the end of the TikTok video, Lee prayed along with Viverette before telling her to charge his card $4,000. However, he gave her some instructions, which included giving $1,000 to a barber who was outside the food truck and another $1,000 to a woman doing braids, and told her to keep the remaining $2,000 for herself.

In addition to the hefty tip, Lee also made a heartwarming gesture of paying $300 worth of orders after him. Despite Lee's efforts to help her business, Viverette did not honour his requests as she kept the entire $4,000 with herself, neither did she give out free orders that the TikToker had already paid for.

Viverette sparked major outrage online due to her dishonest behaviour. Netizens flooded the comment section, calling her out. One Instagram user wrote, Why didn't you pay everybody like he asked you to do. Many others also lashed out at Viverette for being dishonest, per Dexerto.
Police have identified the 36-year-old Jamestown woman who was killed in a bathroom struggle with a Town of Hamburg police officer Friday morning, not long after she allegedly stabbed a passenger in a van on the Thruway and was involved in break-ins at two homes.

But officials are not saying anything more about Lisa Haight or the case before a press conference scheduled for Tuesday, and information about Haight remained limited on Sunday.

In the meantime, the New York State Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigation has already opened a probe into the shooting, in accordance with state law governing any death that involves a police officer.

Police said on Facebook that Haight was responsible for a burglary at a home on Willet Road, and then broke into the second home on McKinley Parkway, where she died after being shot by the officer. An emergency medical services call was made at 11:17 a.m. Friday for a McKinley Parkway address for a shooting with police on scene, according to a scanner report.

Hamburg police said that early in their investigation they were made aware of the incident on the Thruway in a private transport van.

We now know that Lisa Haight, a short time before the Willet Road burglary, repeatedly and without provocation stabbed a passenger in that van, causing extensive serious physical injuries to the victim, the statement said.

At some point after the stabbing, Haight left the van near Willet Road a short time before the first burglary.

The victim of the stabbing was rushed to a hospital to receive treatment for extensive injuries to the face, shoulder and head, according to police.

At about 10:30 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a 911 call about a burglary in progress on Willet Road, which connects to the northern tip of McKinley and veers east before it becomes Berg Road. Responding to the call, Hamburg police officers got a description of a suspect from the homeowner and tracked the person to a home a short distance away on McKinley, Hamburg Police Capt. Todd Ehret said during a news conference Friday.

In a press release, the Attorney Generals Office said that officers followed the potential suspect to another home nearby and encountered her in the bathroom. After a struggle, an officer shot the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a knife at the home.

The Office of Special Investigations is required to assess any incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission.

Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If the office determines that an officer may have caused the death, it moves ahead with a full investigation of the incident.
It's time you reconsider your travel plans for Jamaica and other countries. On January 23, the US Department of State issued a level three travel advisory. This advisory recommends residents to rethink their travel due to arising safety risks. It comes right below the highest advisory level, i.e. level four, which lists countries under the Do No Travel mark. The US Department of State is seen in Washington, DC in February 2, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP)

Warning residents of the possible violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides, the Department of State has cautioned people that local police doesn't always respond well to severe criminal incidents.

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The warning note also reminds US citizens that if subjected to such accidents, their families would have to wait a year or even more for the Jamaican authorities to issue final death certificates.

Also read: What is Candida auris? Washington state sees deadly fungal infection outbreak

State Department's travel advisories explained

Ranking from level one, these advisories go up to level four. The first one recommends normal precautions, whereas the precaution level heightens in level 2. Despite the increased precaution" warning, this rating doesn't fully guide one to avoid the country altogether.

On the other hand, countries marked with the level four rating are listed as Do Not Travel". Both level three and four countries are marked under Reconsider Travel.

Countries listed in the Level three US travel advisory

Burundi

Chad

Colombia

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Egypt

El Salvador

Ethiopia

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Honduras

Jamaica

Lebanon

Macau

Mauritania

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Saudi Arabia

South Sudan

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

Countries with Level 4 travel warning

Afghanistan

Belarus

Burkina Faso

Burma

Central African Republic

Haiti

Iran

Iraq

Libya

Mali

North Korea

Russia

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Syria

Ukraine

Venezuela

Yemen

Find more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Safety tips for travelling abroad

US citizens are recommended to join the free service of the Step Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which will help you prepare for emergencies. Find more about it here https://step.state.gov/

Additionally, other general tips to keep in mind while travelling outside the US are as follows. Keep an eye out. Pay attention to the surrounding and never travel alone. Be alert of what's happening around you and keep communicating with someone. Make sure to keep a check of the news so that you're well aware of what's going on.

If you spot something suspicious, speak up by reporting it to local law enforcement. In order for you to have a contingency plan, you should know about the airports in the region as well. Keep contact details for the nearest US embassy in the region handy in case of emergency. You may also want to update your social media so that your loved ones are in the loop about where you are.
The United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 people, in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops. A Houthi follower holds an RPG launcher as he parades during a protest to decry the U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets and to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Sanaa, Yemen January 25, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah(REUTERS)

The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in response to the attack last weekend in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days.

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The strikes intensified a conflict that has spread into the region since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group's deadly assault on Israel on Oct.7.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the attacks represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability".

Iraq summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal protest. Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a state security force including Iran-backed groups, said 16 of its members were killed including fighters and medics. The government earlier said civilians were among 16 dead.

In Syria, the strikes killed 23 people who had been guarding the targeted locations, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on war in Syria.

U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said the attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry. He said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities.

Despite the strikes, the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on U.S. President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly.

Iran, which backs Hamas, has sought to stay out of the regional conflict itself even as it backs groups that have entered the fray from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria - the so-called "Axis of Resistance" that is hostile to Israel and U.S. interests.

'WE DO NOT SEEK CONFLICT'

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the strikes that Biden had directed additional action against the IRGC and those linked to it. "This is the start of our response," Austin said.

"We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces," Austin said.

An Iraqi government statement said the areas bombed by U.S. aircraft included places where Iraqi security forces are stationed near civilian locations. It said 23 people had been wounded in addition to the 16 killed.

The White House said the United States had informed Iraq ahead of strikes. Baghdad later accused the United States of deception, saying a U.S. claim of coordination with the Iraqi authorities was "unfounded".

On Friday, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not start a war, but it will "respond strongly" to anyone who bullies it. He did not mention the U.S. strikes in a speech on Saturday marking Iran's space technology day.

Iran's ambassador in Damascus Hossein Akbari, in comments reported by the semi-official Fars news agency, played down the airstrikes, denying Iran-linked targets were hit and saying the aim was "to destroy Syria's civil infrastructure".

Hamas said Washington was pouring "oil on the fire".

Britain called the United States its "steadfast" ally and said it supports Washington's right to respond to attacks.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, arriving for an EU meeting in Brussels, said the U.S. strikes were the result of Iranian proxies "playing with fire".

MORE THAN 160 ATTACKS ON U.S. TROOPS

The strikes hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities, the U.S. military said.

In Iraq, residents said several strikes hit the Sikak Neighborhood in Al-Qaim, a residential area that locals said was also used by armed groups to store large amounts of weapons. Militants had left the area and gone into hiding in the days since the Jordan attack, local sources said.

Khaled Walid, a Sikak resident, said that the U.S. strikes and secondary explosions of munitions stored in the neighborhood had caused widespread damage.

U.S. troops have been attacked over 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since Oct. 7, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones, prompting the United States to mount several retaliatory attacks even before the latest strikes.

The United States has assessed that the drone that killed the three soldiers and wounded more than 40 other people in Jordan was made by Iran, U.S. officials have told Reuters.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden said.

The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, criticized Biden for failing to impose a high enough cost on Iran, and taking too long to respond.

Iranian advisers assist armed groups in both Iraq, where the United States has around 2,500 troops, and Syria, where it has 900.
In a massive air raid on Iran-backed militants in Iraq and Syria, US Air Force hit over 80 targets with more than 125 bombs in retaliation to a deadly drone strike targeting an American base in Jordan last Sunday, resulting in the unfortunate loss of three U.S. service members. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden says "If you harm an American, will respond" after US strikes in Iraq, Syria. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo(REUTERS)

The US president, Joe Biden, said the attack was a response to the drone strike that killed three US soldiers in Jordan. He warned, If you harm an American, we will respond. He also said that this was not the end of the US action.

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Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

The US militarys Central Command (Centcom) said the attack happened around midnight local time (4pm ET) and was the first of several planned strikes. Centcom said, US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States.

ALSO READ| 'If you harm an American, will respond': Biden after US strikes in Iraq, Syria

The targets were facilities used by the IRGC Quds Force and its allied militias.

Here are the 10 key takeaways from the deadly drone attack retaliation:
As Candida auris continues to spread in the United States, four persons in Washington state have tested positive for the deadly fungal infection. Washington State reports four cases of Candida auris (Getty Images)

In a statement, Public Health - Seattle & King County said this is the state's first known outbreak of the fungus. However, the first case was detected last year in July. No deaths have been reported so far.

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A proactive screening method discovered the patient in the first case, who had just been admitted to Kindred Hospital Seattle.

The health department reported that further tests turned up two other cases in addition to a case connected to Kindred, who had initially tested negative for C. Auris upon admission.

Officials stated that an investigation is underway, although it is currently unknown what the infection's original source is.

In a statement, Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill stated that all three of the infected patients "were appropriately isolated from the rest of the patient population with extra clinical and cleaning precautions to prevent spread." As of now, none of the three patients have symptoms, NBC News reported.

The agency further declared that it received notification of the first occurrence on January 10 and the subsequent two cases on January 22 and January 26. When the patients were admitted to Kindred, one of them tested negative for Candida auris, indicating that they contracted the fungus sometime later.

According to the health department, one patient experienced an infection, meaning the fungus entered into a body organ (the bloodstream, the ears, or an open wound) where it could potentially cause symptoms.

Most healthy people do not need to worry about C. auris infections, said Claire Brostrom-Smith, Manager of the Healthcare Associated Infections Program at Public Health. The risk is mainly for patients that have long stays at hospitals and need medical interventions like breathing tubes, feeding tubes or urinary catheters.

Also Read: Syphilis cases in US reach a record high since 1950, other STDs remain low

Origin of Candida auris

The first case of Candida auris was discovered in Japan in 2009. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked that laboratories in the United States report cases of it. A subsequent check of records revealed cases back from 2013.

The most dramatic increase was reported between 2020 and 2021, when there was a 94% increase in cases of Candida auris.

What is Candida auris & why is it dangerous?

A fungus called Candida auris has the potential to seriously infect humans. The number of C. auris infections found in the United States has been rising, despite the fact that instances were formerly more prevalent in other nations.

C. auris frequently responds poorly to antifungal medications that are typically used to treat fungal infections. Certain C. auris infections have actually been shown to be resistant to each of the three primary categories of antifungal medications.

It is possible for C. auris to spread throughout the body while a patient exhibits no symptoms. This is referred to as "colonization" when it occurs. However, invasive infections, which can be extremely dangerous, will eventually develop in 5 to 10% of people who have been "colonized" with C. auris. In fact, over 45% of patients die within the first 30 days of developing symptoms of deadly infection.

Also Read: 15 USA states report salmonella infections, cantaloupes feared to be the cause

Candida auris: Are you at risk?

Patients in long-term acute care facilities are usually the ones who are most at risk in the United States. They frequently have endotracheal tubes or central venous catheters, and they are generally quite sick. For a variety of causes, including strokes and severe brain injuries, some individuals are dependent on artificial ventilation.

Although healthy individuals seldom contract the infection, severe Candida auris infections in the United States have a 30% to 60% fatality rate.

Individuals can contract Candida auris by coming into close contact with a carrier of the fungus or by touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with it. The fungus can survive on surfaces for at least two weeks, according to studies.

Ways to prevent C. auris

C. auris infections are treated with antifungal drugs. Doctors typically recommend a class of drugs known as echinocandins.

Nevertheless, some infections caused by Candida auris are immune to all antifungal drugs, including echinocandins. Doctors prescribe high dosages of several antifungal drugs when this happens.

This particular fungal infection cannot be treated at home or with "natural" methods. Medical care is constantly required. Therefore, CDC recommends person to remain in isolation during treatment.
A Tesla employee from Minnesota was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill US President Joe Biden and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, confirmed Tesla Police. US President Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon Musk(AP )

On Tuesday, Justin McCauley, 31, who had tweeted that he was "planning to kill" Biden, Musk, X, and Tesla, was charged with felony terroristic threats.

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I will arrive in Texas, where the war has began on many fronts @X, @Tesla and @JoeBiden @X @Tesla @Elonmusk, I am planning to Kill all of you, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

According to a Kxan report, court documents state that McCauley's wife called Rogers Police when he declared that he was leaving for Texas and would never return. She informed authorities he had left his cell phone unattended so it couldn't be tracked.

Also Read: Not Elon Musk, world's richest man now is

McCauley's encounter with police

When McCauley was approached by Oklahoman police last Friday, they say he told them he only wanted to speak with the president. "Wouldn't you want to talk to the president if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?" he allegedly remarked in response to a police's question.

McCauley was not arrested by law enforcement at that time as he did not meet the requirements for emergency detention, the documents stated. Further into the investigation, law enforcement started working with a Secret Service field agent in Dallas in order to get to the hotel in Oklahoma. However, the search warrant states that McCauley had already left the hotel by the time the field agent reached there.

Police later learned that McCauley worked at Tesla in Minnesota but was on workers compensation after suffering an injury.

When McCauley was pulled over by police on Sunday afternoon in Austin, he reportedly informed them he was driving to the Tesla Gigafactory to try to get in touch with CEO Musk to "provide him with a password only he would know about. He was then taken into custody, the report added.

The day before his arrest, deputies responded to a terroristic threat at the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin. It's still unclear if the call was made by McCauley.

Following his arrest, McCauley faced charges of terroristic threat, a third-degree felony. He was taken to Travis County Jail on a $20,000 bond, according to court documents.

Also Read: Should Tesla change state? Elon Musk launches poll after $56bn pay deal setback

Musk claims his life is in danger

In December 2022, Musk hinted, during an interview on Twitter Spaces, that he feared for his life.

"Frankly the risk of something bad happening to me, or even literally being shot, is quite significant, he said during that two-hour Q&A chat on Twitter Spaces.

Its not that hard to kill somebody if you wanted to, so hopefully they dont, and fate smiles upon the situation with me and it does not happen  Theres definitely some risk there, he added.
The United States and Britain struck at least 30 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The US and British militaries bombed multiple targets in locations used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. (AP/File)

The latest strikes against the Houthis were launched by ships and fighter jets. The strikes follow an air assault in Iraq and Syria on Friday that targeted other Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

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The Houthi targets were in 10 different locations and were struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by American warships firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, the U.S. officials said.

They were not authorized to publicly discuss the military operation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

An Iraqi militia official on Saturday hinted at a desire to deescalate tensions in the Middle East following retaliatory strikes launched by the United States against dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, in an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad condemned the U.S. strikes, saying Washington must understand that every action elicits a reaction. But he then struck a more conciliatory tone, saying that we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.

Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack.

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties from the strikes but did not give a number. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed.

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-Awadi said in a statement Saturday that the strikes in Iraq near the Syrian border killed 16, including civilians, and there was significant damage to homes and private properties.

A U.S. official said Saturday that an initial battle damage assessment showed the U.S. had struck each of its planned targets in addition to a few dynamic targets that popped up as the mission unfolded, including a surface-to-air missile site and drone launch sites. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that were not yet public, did not yet have a casualty assessment.

Iraqs foreign ministry announced Saturday it would summon the U.S. embassys charge daffaires  the ambassador being outside of the country  to deliver a formal protest over U.S. strikes on Iraqi military and civilian sites. The U.S. said Friday it had informed Iraq of the impending strikes before they started.

The air assault was the opening salvo of U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The U.S. has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias.

Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction.

Iraqi spokesperson al-Awadi condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, particularly since some of them targeted facilities of the Population Mobilization Forces. The PMF, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, was officially brought under the umbrella of the Iraqi armed forces after it joined the fight against the Islamic State in 2014, but in practice it continues to operate largely outside of state control.

The Popular Mobilization Forces said in a statement Saturday that one of the sites targeted was an official security headquarters of the group. In addition to the 16 killed, it said 36 people had been wounded, while the search is still ongoing for the bodies of a number of the missing.

The Iraqi government has been in a delicate position since a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq  many of whose members are also part of the PMF  began launching attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria on Oct. 18. The group described the strikes as retaliation for Washington's support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Behind the scenes, Iraqi officials have attempted to rein in the militias, while also condemning U.S. retaliatory strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 U.S. troops who are in the country as part of an international coalition to fight IS. Last month, Iraqi and U.S. military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalition's presence, a process that will likely take years.

One of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops following Sunday's strike that killed the U.S. troops in Jordan, to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government.

Meanwhile Saturday, the U.S. militarys Central Command acknowledged it had had a series of skirmishes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with Yemens Houthi rebels. On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage. The U.S. also conducted airstrikes on four Houthi drones preparing to launch that it said "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.

On Saturday, Central Command said it struck six additional anti-ship cruise missiles that it said were prepared to launch and presented an imminent threat.

Overnight, F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, along with the USS Laboon, shot down seven drones in the Red Sea.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla has said it will continue offensive against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups as they threaten the stability of Iraq and the safety of Americans. On Friday, US forces targeted Iran-backed militia positions in both Iraq and Syria. A plane takes off from an unidentified location, as the U.S. launches airstrikes on targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in the screen grab from a handout video(via REUTERS)

"Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and hold those responsible who threaten their safety," said General Michael as quoted by news agency ANI.

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ALSO READ| 3 people injured in knife attack at major Paris railway station, suspect arrested

Meanwhile, the US airstrikes has rattled Iraq. The spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces has warned of the undesirable consequences for security and stability in Iraq and the region.

"These strikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, an undermining of the efforts of the Iraqi government, and a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences, the consequences of which will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region," Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted the spokesman as saying.

Why the US carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria

The airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday were done in retaliation to a recent deadly attack in Jordan by Iran-backed militants. Three US military personnel had got killed and dozens were injured in the attack by Iran-backed militants.

In the airstrikes on Friday, US military hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities.

What US President Joe Biden said on the airstrikes

US President Joe Biden has said the US does not seek conflict in the Middle East. In a statement, he said: "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."
The United States military launched an air assault targeting dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria that are supposedly used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on Friday.

The strike was made in retaliation to a fatal drone attack that resulted in the death of three U.S. troops deployed in Jordan that was conducted last weekend. In a statement, United States President Joe Biden said that they do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.

US Retaliates Against Militants in Iraq and Syria

However, he noted that any individual, party, or entity that seeks to do them harm will be responded to if they do hurt an American. The Democratic president and other top U.S. leaders had been issuing warnings for days that the American government would strike back at the militias.

They also made it clear that it would not just be one assault but a "tiered response" made over time. Biden said that at his direction, the U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities located in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack American forces, as per the Associated Press.

The large-scale barrage of strikes made by manned and unmanned aircraft struck more than 85 targets at seven different locations. These included command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites, and other facilities.

The American strikes took place over roughly 30 minutes and three of the targeted sites that were struck were located in Iraq while the other four were in Syria. The assaults appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders.

This is primarily because the U.S. government is trying to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has repeatedly denied that it was responsible for the drone attack in Jordan but National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties.

Read Also: Biden to Honor U.S. Soldiers Killed in Jordan

Continued Attacks

The American military used more than 125 precision munitions to strike the targets and a Defense Department official said that long-range B-1B Lancer bombers were utilized for the assaults, according to Politico.

The attack that prompted the U.S. assaults targeted Tower 22, which was a small outpost located in northeast Jordan. The Biden administration attributed that particular attack to the umbrella group known as the Islamic Resistance which is based in Iraq.

The Quds Force is one of five branches of the IRGC, which is attached to the Iranian military that former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019 designated as a terrorist organization. It was initially created during the Iran-Iraq war and was meant to be a special intelligence unit.

The recent strikes were also seen as more significant compared to previous attacks on Iranian-backed militias that were conducted over the last few weeks. The latter were primarily focused on striking weapons storage or training facilities.

However, the Biden administration is seen as threading a needle with its desire to deter and prevent further attacks while also avoiding a full-scale conflict with Iran from breaking out. This is in a region that is already in high tensions over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, said CNN.

Related Article: United States Considering Strike Options as Defense at Tower 22 Heightened
United States President Joe Biden has been working to address the migrant crisis in the country ever since taking office and rolling back his predecessor's immigration policies.

But now, the Democrat is now sounding increasingly like former President Donald Trump regarding immigration. He has been pressing Congress for asylum restrictions that would have been unthinkable during the time that he was elected as president.

Toughening Migrant Restrictions

Biden's recent decisions are being influenced by the situation as he faces mounting pressure not just from Republican lawmakers but also from his fellow Democrats. These include elected officials in cities that are located thousands of miles away from the border who are also feeling the effects of asylum seekers entering the United States in record numbers.

While the 2024 presidential campaign is shaping up as a possible rematch between Biden and Trump, immigration has become one of the focal points among the president's biggest potential liabilities. Biden has already embraced a sweeping bipartisan measure that is still being negotiated in the Senate, as per the Associated Press.

Last weekend, the Democratic president said that if that bill were the law today, he would shut down the border immediately and fix it quickly. This is because the measure would expand his authority to put strict new limits on border crossings.

However, the future of the said bill remains uncertain because former President Trump has opposed it and Biden's Democratic allies have become impatient waiting for their leader to act.

In a recent statement, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a liberal Democrat, called on Biden to call up the National Guard. When the president declined the request, Hobbs did it herself at the expense of the state.

Senate negotiators have recently made a breakthrough on tougher immigration and asylum laws. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the full text of the immigration package will include aid funding for Ukraine and Israel and is expected to be released soon and no later than Sunday, according to NBC News.

Read Also: Congressional Negotiations on Wartime Aid and Border Security Hit Roadblock as Deadline Nears for Ukraine Support

Ongoing Migrant Crisis

The Democratic lawmaker's proclamation came after key Senate negotiators said that they were able to strike a tentative deal to enact tougher immigration and asylum laws. This marked a significant breakthrough on a politically explosive issue.

The new deal would take a three-pronged approach to curbing chaos at the border by limiting asylum options for those who are outside the US. It would also raise the standard for migrants at the border to qualify for asylum and speed up the processing of claims, cutting off avenues of appeal and ending a practice that is known as "catch and release."

The situation comes as a vehicle convoy that was carrying Americans opposed to illegal immigration plan to rally at three points near the US-Mexico border on Saturday. Organizers of the event said they would focus on peaceful protest and prayer.

However, critics of the convoy expressed concern that it could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment during a time of acrimonious political sparring over the border and high numbers of migrant crossings, said Reuters.

Related Article: Chicago Migrants Face Felony Charges for Fake ID Operation
A $450 million project to replace or renovate 27 service areas over 570 miles along the New York State Thruway is on target to be completed by the fall of 2025, acting Thruway Authority Commissioner Frank Hoare said during a recent legislative budget hearing in Albany.

Thirteen are already completed, and another 10 are under construction, Hoare said.

Bigger WNY rest stop earns rave reviews compared to other new Thruway service areas The Pembroke service area is the 10th new service area to open to Thruway customers, as part of a $450 million initiative to modernize all 27 Thruway service areas.

A spokeswoman for the Thruway Authority said more renovated service areas are slated to reopen before the start of the summer travel season.

We are looking at a significant portion being completed by the end of this calendar year, as well, said Jennifer Givner, director of media relations and communications for the Thruway Authority.

The project began in July 2021, when the Thruway closed 10 of its rest stops for reconstruction. Empire State Thruway Partners  an entity created by Applegreen, a convenience store conglomerate based in Ireland  was awarded the contract to operate the service areas and is leading the privately funded project.

'Like you couldn't even move': Can new Thruway rest stops handle summer travel crush? JUNIUS  Amy Chait can only imagine how crowded some of the new service areas along the Thruway will be this holiday weekend.

Its a private-public partnership project, with no toll or tax dollars going into the construction, Givner said.

Initial reviews on the first few renovated rest stops were mixed, with complaints about the new amenities, such as restroom facilities being too small and a lack of adequate dining space, as well as long lines for restaurants.

The first three that we opened ... were among some of the smaller ones of the 27, and those were the ones the contractor, Applegreen, decided to move most quickly with, Givner said. The smaller ones were easier to get opened. And remember, this started back in July of 2021, so we were still in the middle of Covid at the time. And the contractor has claimed that these delays are due to supply chain issues, and a variety of other factors.

Completed Thruway rest stops are not getting rave reviews Early reviews for new Thruway rest stops are starting to come in and users are finding lots to complain about.

There are three different sized rest stop buildings, from less than 4,000 square feet  such as the Indian Castle service area that is about 220 miles east of Buffalo on the way to Albany  to more than 20,000 square feet. The sizes have been determined by traffic and service data compiled by the Thruway Authority, Givner said.

When completed, 17 of the 27 service areas will be nearly triple the size or larger, compared to the first three locations that opened. In addition, many will have significantly larger buildings, greater seating capacity and larger restroom accommodations. For example, the Pembroke service area will be more than 20,000 square feet.

As more of the buildings are completed, fewer delays in service and crowding at the facilities exist, Hoare told lawmakers.

Were seeing faster flow and less crowds as each one opens up, like relieving pressure on a valve. We had initial complaints with only three or four open. Were now up to 13, soon to be 16, Hoare said.

Givner added: Remember, as more open, there will be different size facilities, more room to sit, different things. Remember, the sizes were chosen based on previous sales and traffic data. So, they werent chosen in a vacuum. These were based on actual traveler data and sales at the previous service areas.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Some flurries this morning. Then cloudy skies through the afternoon. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 45F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A few flurries are possible. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
30-Year Firefighter Named Fire Academy Director

Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine (far left) has named Eric S. Littmann (center) as the director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Littmann is seen here with Academy Deputy Director for Administration Joanne Gardiner (center left), Deputy Director for Training Dennis Ball (center right) and Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier (far right).

STOW, Mass.  A career firefighter with 30 years of experience in Massachusetts and Nevada has been named director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said.

Eric S. Littmann, who most recently held the rank of captain at the Medfield Fire Department, took over as Academy director on Jan. 8. He previously served for more than 20 years with the Las Vegas Fire Rescue Department, where he held a series of high-level training positions including training captain of the LVFR Training Center and regional flashover instructor for three fire departments in the Las Vegas Valley area.

A 1997 graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Career Recruit Training Program with a degree in Fire Science Management, Littmann is a Massachusetts native and began his career at the Cotuit Fire Department. He is a certified paramedic, fire instructor, fire officer, safety officer, and fire prevention officer.

"The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy provides the highest levels of professional training to firefighters at every level of experience, from recruit to chief officer," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Mr. Littmann's extensive fire service background, his leadership experience, and his commitment to firefighters' professional development will serve him and our Commonwealth well in the months and years to come."

"As a graduate of the Academy, I have the highest level of respect for the institution, its staff, and its mission," Mr. Littmann said. "I look forward to working with our instructors, our partners, and our stakeholders to meet the emerging needs of Massachusetts firefighters, their departments, and the communities they protect."

In his new role, Mr. Littmann supervises about 13 full-time employees and 450 part-time instructors, most of whom are active duty or retired firefighters. First established by the Legislature in 1971 under what was then the Division of Occupational Education, the MFA is now a division of the Department of Fire Services and provides recruit and in-service training at campuses in Stow, Springfield, and Bridgewater. It also offers certain courses online and delivers others directly to local fire departments. The Academy serves more than 10,000 Massachusetts firefighters at every level of experience from recruit to chief each year.

As the MFA's chief administrator, Mr. Littmann is supported by the MFA's Deputy Director for Training, Dennis A. Ball, and Deputy Director for Administration, Joanne Gardiner. He succeeds former MFA director Jeffrey P. Winn, who now serves as director of the Department of Fire Services' Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division.
Berkshire Leaders Show Support for State's Municipal Empowerment Act

BOSTON  Governor Maura T. Healey filed two bills that would increase resources for Massachusetts 351 cities and towns.

The Municipal Empowerment Act expands on tools available to municipal leaders to generate revenue by allowing them to increase local option taxes on meals and lodging. The bill would also create a new local Motor Vehicle Excise surcharge option  a provision that could benefit every city and town in the state. It also makes permanent a number of popular COVID-era allowances for hybrid public meetings, outdoor dining permits and to-go cocktail sales.

Governor Healey also filed a two-year, $400 million Chapter 90 bill (HD4811) for local road and bridge repair, proposing a multi-year authorization to help build in predictability for municipalities looking to plan longer-term projects. The annual Chapter 90 authorization would be supplemented by another $100 million for local road and bridge repairs through Fair Share surtax spending proposed in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and an additional $24 million dedicated to rural communities.

Local leaders from across Massachusetts have shown their support for Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscolls plan to support municipalities including two Berkshire County towns.

Sean Curran, Washington Town Administrator:

"The Healey-Driscoll administrations fall listening tour was a catalyst for the most ambitious municipal assistance legislation in the last 10 years. From streamlining the procurement process, adding Chapter 90 funds, addressing double poles, its clear the Administration was laser beam focused on improving the efficiency of municipal government in small rural communities. The Governors immediate response to this summers flooding, the appointment of a Director of Rural Affairs, and filing of the Municipal Empowerment Act, demonstrate a newfound commitment to small towns, especially in Western Massachusetts."

Andy Hogeland, Williamstown Select Board Member and President of the Massachusetts Select Board Association:

"This is a very strong and thoughtful package from the Administration. I particularly appreciate the provisions that demonstrate the Administrations ongoing support for rural towns, and for giving all municipalities greater latitude in local control over topics such as a means-tested senior property tax exemption and local-option taxes. We look forward to helping enact the provisions to give relief to all municipalities."
Marilyn Macks lasting impression of an American legend was formed years ago, across a kitchen table in Buffalo. As a teenager, a high school teacher expected Mack to attend a play based on Greek mythology at DYouville College, and it looked as if she had to go by herself.

She mentioned that assignment casually to the Rev. Joseph De Laine, founder and former pastor of her familys church, who was staying for a few days at their house. He listened intently, then surprised her by saying: Well, lets go!

De Laine accompanied Mack to the play, a gentle gift of presence that only grows in magnitude.

Mack is a longtime member of the De Laine-Waring AME Church on Swan Street. She describes it as the place where I learned about the Lord, and his spirit.

Its also a landmark in the national movement for civil rights, a purpose its new pastor, the Rev. Earl Perrin Jr., sees as imperative as Buffalo steps into another Black History Month.

Mack is pleased about De Laine-Warings trajectory with Perrin, like herself retired from the Buffalo Police Department. The energys linked to growing awareness of the significance of that church, and the hearts and souls behind it, said Roy Jones, a Clemson University distinguished professor of education who has researched De Laine and what he sacrificed.

The name of the church goes to the essence of the Briggs v. Elliott case in South Carolina, a court action that Jones said led directly to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka  the nation-changing Supreme Court decision that reaches its 70th anniversary this year.

That 1954 ruling established state-enforced school segregation as unconstitutional, providing spiritual rocket fuel to the escalating quest for civil rights.

De Laine came to Buffalo in the mid-1950s, after his church was burned in South Carolina and he fired back at racist attackers, outside his house. They came to kill him, recalls Joseph Jay De Laine Jr., 90, one of the late ministers children, who said his parents arrived in Buffalo with no way of looking back or going home.

The reason for the violence?

Jones said De Laine provided central leadership for two South Carolina cases that began in the late 1940s. African American families in Clarendon County began by seeking decent books, transportation and equipment in the schools, like white children already had. Those efforts, Jones said, spontaneously linked to a larger quest demanding full citizenship for Black Americans.

Thurgood Marshall, legendary NAACP lawyer and eventual Supreme Court justice, was part of a legal team that Jones said embraced the advice of J. Waties Waring, a white judge who was sickened by the hatred of Jim Crow:

File another suit in federal court, challenging school segregation itself.

Marshall listened, Jones said. A three-judge federal panel knocked down the legal action, 2-1, with Warings passionate dissent calling segregation an evil that must be eradicated. All of it served as a bedrock piece of the cases rolled into Brown v. Board, the 1954 Supreme Court decision that upended Jim Crow school segregation.

In South Carolina, De Laine paid a high price. In 1955, in the fallout for that ruling, his church in Lake City was burned, Jones said. He received a letter threatening his life and giving him 10 days to leave town. His home was attacked.

De Laine shot back at his assailants, before he and his wife, Mattie, escaped to the North. He was charged in South Carolina with felonious assault, accusations dismissed by officials in New York  where AME leaders gave De Laine an assignment in then-booming Buffalo to complement the existing Bethel AME Church.

He started a new AME congregation  originally on Jefferson Avenue, and then on Hickory Street. Such longtime church members as Mack, Patria Pullins and Beatrice Davis-Canty recall how De Laine-Warings worshippers soon included many, like themselves, with South Carolina roots.

Family, is the way its described by Pullins, whose parents knew De Laine as a minister, long before Buffalo.

Waring also escaped hostility by moving to New York, where he and De Laine nurtured their friendship. In a 1956 letter to De Laine thats stored in a collection at the University of South Carolina, Waring wrote of his relief that De Laine and his family were safe in Buffalo.

As for the name of the congregation, Waring wrote:

I note that your group suggests naming the new church, De Laine-Waring. I not only approve but am deeply moved at this honor, which however undeserved, I accept with thanks.

Mattie De Laine, a longtime educator, became a teacher in the Buffalo schools. Jay De Laine was returning at the time from military service in Korea. He financed a house for his parents on Gerhardt Street, he said, and later took a job as a researcher at what is now Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

They were refugees, Jay said of his mother and father. With no safe way to return to South Carolina, his mother wanted to be closer to relatives in greater New York. The couple moved to another church in New Rochelle after spending about 30 months in Buffalo, Jay said.

Yet the founding pastor often returned to a community he appreciated, where Mack and Pullins remember him staying at their parents homes. In 1961, De Laine was a guest when De Laine-Waring moved into its existing building on Swan Street, built in 1868 as St. Matthews German Evangelical Church.

On a program from that day, stored with those South Carolina papers, De Laine wrote:

This is the church I founded during my distress.

To Perrin, the new pastor, that history underlines a clear direction. He started attending De Laine-Waring in the 1990s, moved for a time between other churches and returned about a decade ago. Before long, he was teaching Sunday school.

The pandemic  combined with structural problems in the church complex  represented a hard blow. Active membership fell to a dozen or less, Perrin said. A year ago, roof and basement damage from the Christmas weekend blizzard led the members to take a vote:

Should they keep going, or let it go?

Expressing deep love for their church, they chose to stay together  a decision reinforced by the commitment of Sister Willie Ida Greene, at 85, the congregations oldest member. Perrin, last spring, accepted the role as pastor, immediately focusing on much-needed repairs.

His congregants made deep sacrifices to help, Perrin said, and the church received a major boost when Howard Zemsky  central to the creation of nearby Larkinville  stopped by and offered financial support for the restoration.

Zemsky described De Laine-Waring as irreplaceable, a place of incredible consequence, and said hes impressed by Perrins vision.

I think, Zemsky said, the pastor is going to grow that parish.

That confidence is shared by the Rev. Paul Thomas, pastor of Bethel AME in Buffalo and presiding elder for the Buffalo-Rochester AME district. De Laine-Waring will always be important, Thomas said, as a reflection of the ideals on which its based.

The church provides another profound link to Brown v. Board in Buffalo, where the late Irene Taylor McVay  an educator whose teenage role in a Farmville, Va., walkout also had direct ties to the case  taught for years in the city.

Perrin speaks of the timing as an act of God. He was close with Aaron Salter Jr., the security guard who died attempting to protect staff and shoppers during the racist massacre on May 14, 2022, that claimed 10 lives at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue.

Last year, after a racist murderer killed three African Americans at a Dollar General in Jacksonville, Fla., De Laine-Waring hosted a citywide memorial in Buffalo, solidarity from a community that understood the pain.

The 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education is May 17. Perrin, at a congregation where a Black History Month remembrance will be inspired by those lost at Tops, said its more important than ever to recall how his church is named for a Black civil rights leader and a white judge whose friendship grew from a sense of love and justice.

Active membership is already climbing, said Perrin, offering this invitation: The church schedule begins at 9 a.m. each Sunday, and the door is open to anyone, period.

Jones, the South Carolina educator and historian, hopes to soon visit De Laine-Waring, which he sees as a living part of De Laines legacy. As for Beatrice Davis-Canty, a longtime parishioner raised in South Carolina, she said the church reaffirms the faith, hope and love through which  as a great-grandmother  she looks back on her life.

Who would believe, Davis-Canty said, that such heritage still stands?

The Black History Month remembrance at De Laine-Waring AME - "Social Justice Heroes, Past and Present" - will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Perrin, the pastor, offers an open invitation to the greater Buffalo community, and says additional details are available on the church Facebook page.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump's storied business career is checkered by bankruptcies and blunders. His investment in Eli Bartov, a New York University accounting professor, looms as another failed venture.

Trump's Save America political action committee paid Bartov nearly $930,000 last year as an expert witness in the New York attorney general's civil fraud case that threatens the former president's real estate empire, according to new Federal Election Commission filings.

Bartov bombed. New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron declared in December the professor's testimony proved only that "for a million or so dollars, some experts will say whatever you want them to say."

An Associated Press analysis of new Federal Election Commission filings shows the payments to Bartov are among $54 million in legal expenditures made last year by Trump's political fundraising machine. The spending came as Trump battles multiple lawsuits and dozens of felony charges in four criminal cases.

Save America accounted for the bulk of the payments, with 84% of the committee's spending going toward legal costs.

Coupled with FEC data from 2022, AP's review found that Save America, Trump's presidential campaign and his other fundraising organizations devoted $76.7 million to legal fees over the past two years. The hefty sum underscores the legal jeopardy Trump faces as he marches toward securing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School in New York who specializes in campaign finance regulation and government ethics, said that while the legal expenses are large, they're unlikely to hamper Trump's run for the White House.

"He seems to be able to raise a lot of money, so I wouldn't really worry about the long-term impact on his campaign," Briffault said.

Trump denies any wrongdoing and blasted the lengthy list of felony charges and lawsuits as partisan attempts to upend his presidential bid. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the legal spending.

Several of his most prominent lawyers surpassed $5 million each in payments, all footed by the former president's campaign donors, according to the FEC filings. Alina Habba, whose New Jersey-based law firm represented Trump in the sexual assault and defamation suit brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, earned the most: $6 million.

Trump suffered a stinging loss in the Carroll case. Juries awarded her more than $88 million.

The criminal cases carry greater political and personal risk for him. Even as the former president drains his campaign coffers to pay for his personal attorney fees, he's sought to transform the legal woes into an opportunity by portraying himself as the victim of a corrupt justice system.

Reporters and cameras often show up in large numbers when he makes a courtroom appearance, as he's done in the Carroll and New York fraud cases, and he seizes the stage to pound the message that his political enemies are aiming to silence him and his supporters.

"It's a terrible thing that's happening here," Trump told reporters in early November after exiting the courtroom where the New York fraud case was being held. "I think it's a very sad day for America."

Trump is battling two sets of federal charges over his retention of classified records at his Mar-a-Largo resort in Florida and for his alleged role in seeking to undermine the 2020 election.

He faces state charges in Georgia that he illegally schemed to overturn the election in the state. He has been charged by New York City prosecutors with making hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep a sexual relationship from becoming public.

Scaramucci: I'll help President Biden and fundraise for his re-election campaign Former Trump White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci says that he will support Joe Biden's re-election campaign, and will fundr

Chris Kise, who left the megafirm Foley & Lardner to be one of Trump's attorneys, was paid $5.1 million in donor dollars over the past two years, according to the FEC filings. Kise and Habba represented Trump in the New York fraud lawsuit, which could end up banning him from doing business in the state and requiring him to pay several hundred million dollars in penalties.

Continental PLLC, a Florida law firm Kise joined after leaving Foley & Lardner, separately received $5.4 million in Trump donor money, according to the records.

Trump's campaign paid Atlanta attorney Steven Sadow $1.5 million in the second half of 2023. Trump hired Sadow to represent him in the Georgia election subversion case.

Campaign money was also used to pay attorneys who represented co-defendants and potential witnesses in the Trump cases. Brand Woodward Law in Washington received $660,000, with the bulk of that money coming in 2023. One of the firm's clients, Trump valet Walt Nauta, is accused to scheming to conceal Mar-a-Lago security camera footage from government investigators.

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In a celebration of excellence at the 59th Anvil Awards, Home Credit Philippines' innovative "Home Credit is the Key: Back-to-School (BTS) Campaign" secured the prestigious Silver Anvil in the Marketing and Brand Communication sub category under the Public Relations Programs category.

The awards ceremony, dubbed the 'Oscars of Public Relations' in the Philippines, took place at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport City on January 31, drawing representatives from companies and agencies across the country.

Home Credit, a leading consumer finance company, addressed the challenges faced by parents, particularly moms, during the back-to-school season. The campaign aimed to empower mothers as the primary financial decision-makers and budget planners in their families, navigating the rising costs of education and school supplies.

Running from July 1 to September 30, 2023, the "Home Credit is the Key" campaign provided a backup for moms by offering affordable financing options. Home Credit introduced zero-interest payment plans, easing the financial burden on mothers striving to provide their children with the best education. Flexible payment plans were also made available, ensuring that the cost of education could be spread over manageable installments, thus alleviating financial strain.

"We understand the challenges that parents face during the back-to-school season. Our Back-to School Campaign aimed to provide not just financial assistance but also peace of mind to mothers who work tirelessly to ensure their children receive a quality education. Winning the Silver Anvil is a testament to the campaign's impact and the recognition of our Public Relations efforts to support families in this crucial aspect of their lives," said Ken Lerona, Head of PR, Home Credit Philippines.

The campaign also emphasized maintaining peace of mind for mothers by using Home Credit's services, allowing them to preserve their savings as a safety net for emergencies or future investments.

The campaign strategically employed public relations and communication tactics to engage and empower its target audience, specifically mothers and their children. Home Credit Philippines collaborated with its agency-on-record, Dugenia, Marayan and Associates Company (DM&A Co.), to implement this compelling initiative.

A key aspect of the campaign's success was the dissemination of impactful narratives to various media titles, partners, and bloggers. By pitching these powerful stories, the campaign effectively resonated with the intended audience, making their back-to-school shopping experience easier and lighter.

Working with Home Credit Philippines on this campaign was a rewarding experience. We aimed to not only meet the challenges faced by parents but to exceed expectations in providing practical solutions. The Silver Anvil is a validation of the effectiveness and innovation embedded in our approach, said Michael Dugenia, Managing Partner of DM&A Co.

The Anvil Awards, presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), received nearly 500 entries from over 100 companies and agencies, including local government units. The 59th Anvil Awards showcased new categories under PR Programs, such as Best Use of Digital, Best Use of Social Media, and Best PR-led Integrated Campaign.

Home Credit Philippines' Back-to-School Campaign stood out among the top entries, securing the Silver Anvil, and reinforcing its commitment to excellence in community support.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see whats new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

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Quentin Tarantino will reportedly reunite with Brad Pitt for his final film, The Movie Critic.

The director has cast the 60-year-old star twice before, in 2009s Nazi-hunting war film Inglourious Basterds and as a storied stuntman in 2019s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Pitt won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Cliff Booth in the latter film.

According to reports in Deadline, the new film could be set for release in 2025.

While details about the new project remain scant, Tarantino said last year at the Cannes Film Festival that it would be set in 1977, and would be based on a guy who really lived but was never really famous, and he used to write movie reviews for a porno rag.

It had previously been rumoured that the subject of the film could be Pauline Kael, the late New Yorker film critic who wrote for the magazine from 1968 to 1991.

Tarantino has praised Kael in the past and published a Kael-inspired book of essays titled Cinema Speculation.

Quentin Tarantino in Rome in 2021 (Getty Images for RFF)

Tarantino has long said that he would retire after his 10th movie. In 2021, the Pulp Fiction director reiterated that planned to call it a day after his next film.

I know film history and from here on in, filmmakers do not get better, he told Bill Maher.

I dont have a reason that I would want to say out loud, thats going to win any argument in a court of public opinion or supreme court or anything like that.

At the same time, working for 30 years doing as many movies as Ive done, its not as many as other people, but thats a long career. Thats a really long career.

Tarantino, who lives in Israel with his wife Daniella Pick and their three-year-old son, Leo, said hed given it everything I have, every single solitary thing I have.

In a three-star review of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey wrote: What is there left for Quentin Tarantino to say in 2019? His work in the 1990s, from Pulp Fiction to Jackie Brown, sparked a minor revolution in the way we employ cinematic language.

Nowadays, we see his influence everywhere  even his biggest critics wont deny that. But how do you stay fresh in an industry when youve already become enshrined in its history? And what happens when cinema moves on without you?

When 2015s The Hateful Eight was met with mixed reactions from both critics and audiences, those seemed like fair questions to ask. Now, in his ninth (and supposedly penultimate) film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino tackles those ideas of creative insecurity head-on.
The Indian National Congress, the party of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru that has led independent India for most of the seven-and-a-half decades since it won its freedom from British colonialism, has a dire warning for the countrys upcoming general election: if Narendra Modi wins a rare third term in power, India will devolve into a dictatorship.

This will be the last opportunity for the people to save democracy in India. If Narendra Modi wins another election, there will be a dictatorship in the country. The BJP will rule India like (Vladimir) Putin in Russia, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said earlier this week in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

The problem for Kharge and Congress as a whole is that internal divisions within the partys opposition alliance  dubbed INDIA  seem to be making more headlines than any concerned statements about the direction of the country under Modis Hindu nationalist BJP.
 Close Toppled tree falls on roof of California house as state battles floods and landslides

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Flash flood warnings were announced in parts of California early on Thursday amid reports of a possible tornado in the southern half of the state.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected to continue Thursday with widespread flooding risk including in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Pomona, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

A possible tornado was reported overnight in Grover Beach, southern California after warnings were issued late Wednesday.

The threat of mudslides remains high from the storm, which unleashed historic amounts of rain this week, leaving the ground saturated.

At least nine people have been killed from falling trees, car crashes, and being swept away in raging waters.

Community organisers told The Independent on Wednesday that Los Angeles storm response for the citys large homeless population was abysmal and accused authorities of telling bold-faced-lies.
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A progressive young woman and a conservative-minded young man walk into a bar. Theyre on a Hinge date. The young woman, by the young mans account, spends the opening 20 minutes talking about the insanity of having to learn science in school, the backwardness of the Church, and the awfulness of conservatism.

The young man, having booked a table at a rather nice restaurant, begins to realise that an expensive meal no longer seems a good use of time and money. I decided that I was going to tank the date, he explained to me later, by saying things she would find so awful that we would have to end it. And it was very interesting, because the level of what I said was actually very minor.

Lets call the young man Peter. Peter tells his date that he wouldnt have voted Brexit in 2016 (when he was 17), but would vote for it today. He tells her he thinks that some of those who reach Britain illegally are economic migrants, and should be treated differently from refugees. He admits that he has voted Tory and attends church. I did say I might vote Reform, says Peter  Reform UK being the right-wing, rebranded Brexit Party originally led by Nigel Farage  but that was because it was getting close to time, and I needed to hurry it up. A mere 40 minutes after meeting, he and the young woman parted ways. Ive never seen anyone move so fast.

Saying youd vote for Reform UK could put off your date (Getty)

The date was last Saturday. A day earlier, an analysis of survey data from across the developing world had found that a new global gender divide is emerging. The analysis, conducted by the Financial Times John Burn-Murdoch, showed that the developed worlds young women have rapidly become more liberal. Young men, however, have either become more conservative (as in the US) or been much slower to become more progressive (as in the UK). Gen Z, Burn-Murdoch concluded, is two generations, not one.

If real, the trend is extraordinary. The divergence is ahistorical and has accelerated remarkably quickly. Quoting similar figures to those in the FT, and noting that political views have become more tightly bound to personal identity, a Washington Post editorial warned that members of Gen Z will struggle to pair off romantically. If that hypothesis is true, then it will be exacerbated by what Alice Evans, an academic who specialises in the ideology gap, calls the Great Gender Divergence.

So whats going on? Before we dig in, some caveats. Other examinations of the American ideology gap have shown it to be significantly smaller than suggested by the Gallup data used by the FT. The surveys that inform the analysis are limited (they tend to ask about voting choices rather than policy preferences) and inconsistent (they vary between countries). Even if the gap is overstated, though, it demands explanation. Something strange is happening  but what?

Social media platforms are built on engagement, and engagement comes from very precise targeting of inflammatory or polarising content Nicole Seredenko

Correlation is not causation, but there is something very fishy about all this taking place from the early 2010s onwards. This was just as recommender algorithms  which are the bits of social media code that decide which posts youre shown  became sophisticated. Ask any member of Gen Z about the divergence, and they will cite social media. As Nicole Seredenko, a 26-year-old who works on AI and bias at the recruitment firm Green Park, told me, Gen Z is more politically divided than any other age group. Were also the most sucked into TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, she says. Those social media platforms are built on engagement, and engagement comes from very precise targeting of inflammatory or polarising content. Social media survives and thrives by showing us content that stirs us, taking advantage of human weakness to draw out emotions such as righteous anger.

When youre dealing with something like an algorithm, a 25-year-old female lawyer tells me, youre pushing people much further away from the middle ground.

But why is gender the fissure to which social media has applied such pressure? Seredenko, who describes herself as a progressive but views the term woke as silly, believes that the divergence is mostly a consequence of young women becoming more educated  it is now young women, more than young men, who earn the majority of university degrees  and realising that the system does not serve them. Seredenko cited sexual harassment and the fact that the majority of senior positions are still held by men. This state of affairs, she said, makes women more likely to be in favour of politics that redresses those imbalances. In short, it makes them more progressive.

#MeToo was a defining movement for womens political development (AP)

One event in particular seems to have had a defining role. Daniel Cox, director of the Survey Center on American Life, drew on interviews and a raft of surveys to conclude that among women, no event was more influential to their political development than the #MeToo movement. The movement could not have happened without social media, which enables vast whisper networks, rapid idea exchange, and large swells of communal emotion. There is no #MeToo without the hashtag.

It was a phenomenon enabled by Twitter, though each of the major social networks has been involved in its own way in the march of progressivism. Tumblr, for instance, is theorised to have been an important melting pot for concepts and terminology to do with gender identity. Instagram, the majority of whose users are female, was, in June 2020, the scene of millions of black squares, posted by people expressing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests.

Instagram, unlike X/Twitter, is designed such that replies to stories, which are the transient (and often annotated) images and videos that make up the majority of posts, are private. You say your piece, but people dont see the replies. You get a preachy, slightly dictatorial style, said Peter, the young man whod been on the discordant date.

It is no coincidence, he believes, that the preachy posts he sees are typically authored by women. The architecture of Instagram supports what Peter sees as a broadly feminine style of discourse. He referred to the evidence that women are more empathetic than men, a leaning that might support progressive views. This leaning, he said, combines with a tendency among women to do disagreement very differently from men. Peter referred to the concept, circulated among the online right, of the longhouse: a matriarchal culture where comfort and safety are prioritised above other considerations, and where non-conformity is punished with exclusion. Altogether, said Peter (a former volunteer for the Womens Equality Party), social media has created a self-reinforcing monoculture of which young men like himself have become sceptical. A well-circulated X/Twitter thread likened Greta Gerwigs Barbieland  safe, comfortable and stifling  to the Longhouse. Instagram comes to mind.

Women and men are becoming more and more polarised, not on classical Republican vs Democrat policy issues, as much as on aesthetic, cultural issues. Its all about vibes Ruxandra Teslo

And whereas Seredenko, a rower, said she was relaxed about trans women competing in her sport, Peter described the discussion of trans participation in womens arenas as a wake-up point.

You had a lot of men basically saying, Well, its insane, when talking about sport, that anyone would say that a man and a woman are equally strong or equally fast. Hence their further disillusionment with the new progressivism, and the widening of the gender gap.

Disillusionment drives some boys and young men towards the macho world of Andrew Tate. The former kickboxer is not just an exogenous shock, single-handedly brainwashing innocent young men, writes Alice Evans. Rather, hes surfing a wave of economic frustration, turbo-charged by corporate algorithms that fire-up sensationalist content for clicks.

I spoke to a progressive Gen Z woman whose younger brother is a Tate fan. She was dismayed by her brothers approval of Tate, but had some sympathy for those who are attracted to online spaces where his views are espoused. There has been a hyper-focus on correcting the inequalities of the past, she said, and I think on net, thats probably a good thing. But sometimes progressive views  especially the habit of categorising people as either oppressor or oppressed  lacked nuance. The left can be really dismissive of male pain or male struggle, she argued, citing the oft-quoted line that Men are trash.

Theres some hope that the divergence is overestimated and that things will settle down. Tim Ellis-Dale, a Teesside University historian who specialises in the history of masculinity, said: I think the likelihood is that what well see is maybe women becoming a little bit more conservative as they get older, and men probably also becoming a little bit more conservative, but maybe not as much. The gap, in other words, might narrow. Conceptions of masculinity had changed in the past, he said, referring to the replacement of the Victorian and Edwardian soldier-hero archetype with the family man model that followed the First World War. Tates hegemonic masculinity, to use the academic term, might also be transient.

Logan Paul calls out Andrew Tate for 'dangerous' rhetoric

One of the most enlightening takes on the Great Gender Divide comes from Ruxandra Teslo, a geneticist, Substacker and Gen Z-er. She writes that there is a contradiction between the data that supports the idea of a Great Gender Divergence, and the data that suggests that, when you break politics into specific policies, there appears to be much less difference between genders. The discord, she says, can be explained by a simple idea: women and men are becoming more and more polarised not on classical Republican vs Democrat [the two major US political parties] substantive policy issues, for example gun control, as much as on aesthetic, cultural issues. Its all about VIBES.

Conservatives, Teslo argues, have given women the ick. She explains that this is partially a result of specific policy stances, such as the American rollback of abortion rights. She cites social media too, of course. These factors, and others, contribute to a situation where young women dont want to identify with conservative politics, even if they might approve of some conservative policies. Young men, meanwhile, pitch up not in the longhouse, but online environments that are driven by a relentless pursuit of transgression and a need to affirm feelings of anger and hostility.

How can we restore some level of alignment? Evans writes that the gap could be closed by a combination of economic prosperity, the popping of filter bubbles via the regulation of algorithms, and cross-gender friendships.

By reversing the Gen Z trend towards staying indoors rather than mingling, the regulation of algorithms might support cross-gender friendships. But regulation will be extremely difficult. Even if there is political appetite for it, regulation would take years. The Great Gender Divergence might widen before it narrows.
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Florence Pugh has admitted her mom acted young, wild, and free with Snoop Dogg at an Oscars party a few years ago.

During a Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance with her Dune: Part Two co-stars, the 28-year-old actress made an unlikely confession about her mom, Deborah Mackin. Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, and Austin Butler played the shows classic game of True or False.

The Dont Worry Darling lead couldnt contain her laughter as she told everyone how her mom could cross out get high with Snoop Dogg on a bingo card at the 92nd Academy Awards. That year, Pughs parents accompanied her as she was nominated for her Little Women role. But her mom and dad didnt just come with her to the ceremony, they were with her at a few after-parties as well.

We went to the after-parties and... my mom disappeared for an hour, Pugh proclaimed. She came back and shed... got high with Snoop Dogg.

To make matters more hilarious, Pugh thought back to when she encountered the rapper at a celebration for Oppenheimer.

I was like, You... you got my mom high, she said to Snoop Dogg at the 2023 party. And he was like: Where is she?

Pugh imitated Snoop Doggs voice, adding how the artist told her they had to send a video of the two of them to her mom. In the video, he exclaimed: Where are you, baby? I miss you!

In November of 2023, the Doggyland creator announced that he was done smoking. Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram to share a candid admission with his audience.

After much consideration and conversation with my family, Ive decided to give up smoke, he wrote. Please respect my privacy at this time.

Fans were confused about what smoke meant to him, and whether he was talking about marijuana. The beloved music icon is known for his relationship with weed, as hes openly talked about smoking weed at the White House.

To clarify the confusion, Snoop Dogg posted an advertisement for the smokeless fire pit company Solo Stove.

I have an announcement. Im giving up smoke. I know what youre thinking: Snoop, smoke is kind of your whole thing, he said. But Im done with it. Done with the coughing and my clothes smelling all sticky icky. Im going smokeless.

The camera backed away to show Snoop Dogg sitting by a Solo Stove designed to remove any smoke.
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TikTok has banned the term legging legs after an alarming trend circulated on the platform that was flagged as potentially triggering for those with eating disorders.

Although the hashtag #legginglegs has since been deleted from the platform and now directs users to information about eating disorders or disordered eating, the short-lived trend made its impact. It first went viral after women began to share videos of themselves in yoga pants showing off their thigh gaps.

As it was gaining traction, TikTok users swiftly began to push back against the trend, saying that the trend could be particularly damaging by encouraging eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Therapist Holly Essler condemned the trend in a video, saying: If you have seen this on social media, its repulsing.

Basically its a trend saying that if you have leggings and you wear leggings your legs have to look a certain way in them, she continued. Again, this is disgusting. Do not let social media tell your body that it is a trend. If you have a body and you have leggings, you have legging legs.

Thank you for speaking up against these toxic trends that lead girls to so much insecurity and worse, one person wrote in the comment section of Esslers video.

It isnt just Essler who criticised the popularity of the trend, plus-sized influencer Ashlee Rose Hartley (@ashleyrosehartley) shared her thoughts in another video that has received over 2.1mil views on the platform and 900 comments from women who felt the same way about the toxic trend.

In the overlaid text of her video, Hartley wrote: I just saw a new trend called legging legs thats circulating on the internet & its young people critiquing their legs in leggings & saying that the perfect legs for leggings is a giant square thigh gap & small legs...here to remind you all that legs are legging legs.

I have been crying for the past 4 hours bc I dont have legging legs and my bf has been trying to comfort me the entire time, one viewer commented below the video. Hartley responded, Im so sorry youre feeling that. Just know youre beautiful no matter what. Trends like this are designed to be exclusive but keep shining.

Another TikTok user @emilyxpearl chimed in on the discourse, expressing how appalled she was at the people on the app.

Do we understand what we are doing to the younger generation of women? she said in her video. Do we understand that there are 15-year-old girls that wear leggings every single day that now feel that they cannot wear leggings because they dont have legging legs...the most stupid thing Ive ever heard in my life.

She added, Do you understand that because of your video telling some little girl that she doesnt have legging legs, she now feels that she cant fit into society?

The legging legs trend perpetuates the idea that one singular body type and look is ideal, spreading misinformation and potentially harming impressionable and vulnerable minds in the process. An estimated 28.8 mil Americans reportedly experience an eating disorder within their lifetime, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Researchers have found that social media usage can cause body image issues including eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
 Close Brianna Ghey's killers sentenced to 22 and 20 years in prison for teen's murder

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The family of teenager killer Scarlett Jenkinson has broken their silence as they said they have been living out their worst nightmares.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe stabbed 16-year-old Brianna Ghey 28 times with a hunting knife in a horrific attack on 11 February last year after luring her to Linear Park near Warrington.

The judge at Manchester Crown Court said the exceptionally brutal murder had elements of sadism by Jenkinson and transphobic hate by Ratcliffe.

Saying their lives were in turmoil, Jenkinsons family thanked Briannas mother Esther Ghey for her incredible selflessness and empathy towards our family.

In a statement to the Warrington Guardian, Scarlett Jenkinsons family said: All of our thoughts are for Brianna and her family.

The last 12 months have been beyond our worst nightmares as we have come to realise the brutal truth of Scarletts actions.

The four-week trial heard the pair, who were 15, had a fascination with violence, torture and serial killers, with Jenkinson wanting to keep a part of Briannas flesh as a token.

Jenkinson was jailed for a minimum term of 22 years, and Ratcliffe 20.
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A fugitive was reportedly in a relationship with the mother he is accused of attacking with chemicals in south London on Wednesday, a relative has said.

The relative, who has not been named, said they would bring in 35-year-old suspect Abdul Ezedi themselves and expressed concern about his wellbeing.

Ezedi fled Clapham after allegedly dousing a woman, 31, and her two children aged three and eight, in an alkaline substance which left the mother in a serious condition with life-changing injuries.

Follow live updates here

In an update on Saturday, police revealed new footage of a raid in Newcastle, one of five carried out in properties in Northumbria and London, during which significant evidence was found.

The evidence uncovered in the overnight raids included containers featuring a corrosive warning, which are now being forensically tested to see if they match the corrosive alkaline substance used in the attack on Wednesday night in Lessar Avenue.

It came as the hunt for Ezedi entered its third day, with the Met Police saying it had received dozens of calls with information about possible sightings.

The Met Police said it had received dozens of calls about possible sightings of Ezedi (PA)

Speaking about the wound seen on the suspects face on CCTV footage, the relative told Sky News: His injury is very bad and he needs medical attention. I will bring him in by myself if I have to.

Ezedi, who came to the UK from Afghanistan, attempted to drive away from the scene but crashed into a stationary vehicle and fled on foot, police said.

He then boarded a tube at Clapham South underground station and travelled to Kings Cross. He was last seen boarding a southbound Victoria line tube at 9pm on Wednesday night.

A total of 12 people were injured in the attack. Ezedi allegedly threw the three-year-old girl to the ground like a ragdoll as witnesses heard the mother screaming my eyes, my eyes.

Three women, who tried to defend the family, were injured and taken to hospital. Five police officers were also taken to hospital. A man in his 50s was also injured but refused hospital treatment.

View more

Met police commander Jon Savell said: We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.

I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.

Previously, he said: Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries. Weve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.

And as the manhunt was stepped up, it emerged that Ezedi was understood to have been convicted of a sexual offence in 2018, before being granted asylum in 2021 or 2022.

He had previously been twice refused asylum after arriving from his native Afghanistan in 2016. Members of the public were being warned not to approach Ezedi and to dial 999 instead.

For almost a year, Ezedi had lived in accommodation provided by Action Foundation, which houses and provides support to migrants.

Chief executive Duncan McAuley said: Wed like to first of all express our sympathy to the people involved in this shocking incident.
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More than 10,000 pro-Palestine supporters have marched in central London calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in the first such demonstration since the UNs top court ordered Israel to ensure it does not commit acts of genocide.

Scotland Yard estimated that around 10,000 demonstrators marched through the capitals West End of London, with the crowd swelling to double that size for the speeches in Whitehall.

Hundreds of officers from the Metropolitan Police were on duty with additional dispersal powers as the march started at Portland Place and headed to Whitehall.

Pro-Palestinian protesters carry placards during a 'National March for Palestine' demonstration in central London (EPA/ANDY RAIN)

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said it was the eighth national march held for the Palestinian people, following Hamass brutal massacre on 7 October in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 kidnapped before Israel retaliated with months of attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands.

It comes as the UK becomes increasingly embroiled in rising tensions in the Middle East, with Britain and the United States striking Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Iraq warned the region was on the brink of the abyss on Saturday after the US struck 85 targets at seven facilities across Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a drone attack last week which killed three American troops and injured dozens more in northeastern Jordan.

Demonstrators in London carried banners on Saturday which read end the killing, free the children and freedom to Palestine, accompanied by harrowing images of the bloodshed since the conflicted erupted.

Officers were on the look out for offensive placards and banners, with staff also monitoring the protest by CCTV to sport other offences or to find suspects, a spokesperson said.

Thousands gathered to call for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas (Belinda Jiao/PA Wire)

PSC director Ben Jamal said: We are marching again because we know we are on the right side of history and we will stand always with the oppressed and never with the oppressor.

More than 27,000 people have been killed and 66,000 wounded by Israels offensive in Gaza, the Hamas-controlled territorys health ministry said on Thursday.

Ahead of the march, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, who is leading the policing operation, said: We respect the right of people to protest, but other Londoners and visitors have rights as well.

I understand the cumulative impact of repeated protests since October on businesses, residents and those who want to travel into the West End. Getting the balance between competing rights can be difficult, but we will do it independently, impartially and always within the law.

Earlier this week, Britain said future funding for a UN relief agency that helps Palestinians hinges on the outcome of inquiries into allegations that staff took part in the 7 October attack on Israel.

Netanyahu vows Israel will 'go it alone' in Gaza if international support wavers

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is critical to delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza and the region, but added the UK is appalled by the allegations of agency staff being involved in the atrocities.

The UK joined the US, Australia, Italy and other countries in pausing funding for UNRWA after it sacked a number of staff accused of taking part in the October attack. The funding pause has sparked concerns about the impact the decision will have on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Meawhile, several opposition MPs have pressed the UK government to suspend arms sales to Israel following an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa, but it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.

Additional reporting by PA
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New laws designed to make the internet safer could put sex workers lives at risk by pushing them into street-based prostitution, a former chief prosecutor and senior politicians have warned.

Campaigners raised concerns the Online Safety Bill, which became law last October, will lead to online adverts posted by sex workers being removed from platforms, pressuring them into more dangerous situations.

The legislation forces advertising platforms to remove material they judge to be promoting prostitution for gain, with the threat of fines for bosses if they do not comply.

Audrey*, a 29-year-old sex worker, said anxiety about the bill and the cost of living crisis have pushed her into working at a brothel where a pimp takes half of her money and she is at greater risk from customers due to being unable to screen them online.

Nazir Afzal, the ex-chief crown prosecutor for North West England, told The Independent: The protection of sex workers is not a morality issue, its a safeguarding one.

Mr Afzal, who took on cases involving violence against women and child exploitation while working for the Crown Prosecution Service, added: Anything that pushes them into more dangerous ways of working is to be avoided. This prohibition on online contact will only drive them further underground and more liable to abuse and exploitation.

While the bill has already come into force, details about how it will be implemented in practice are still being decided, with UK communications regulator Ofcom currently consulting on the first draft of codes of practice for firms and recently meeting with the Sex Workers Union to discuss the rollout.

Senior Labour MP John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, said: We should not forget the key lesson of past tragedies of incidents of violence against, and cases of murder of, sex workers that anything forcing sex workers back onto the streets is inherently dangerous.

Street-based sex workers are so much more at risk of receiving harassment or violence, whether from clients or the police Audrey

Naomi McAuliffe, Amnesty International UKs policy director, also warned the legislation could make sex work impossible or risky.

She added: Sex workers face human rights abuses daily and they are consistently at risk of rape, violence, extortion and discrimination. Far too often they receive no, or very little, protection from the law or means for redress. We should not add another law that disproportionately harms sex workers.

It is not illegal for individuals to buy or sell sex from each other in England, Scotland and Wales, but many activities associated with sex work are against the law, including a prostitute working with another person or a group to stay safe.

Audrey, who has been doing sex work for five years, told The Independent she juggles her shifts at a brothel with work she gets from online prostitution advertising platforms.

She added: I dont really want to work in a brothel. I would prefer to work for myself so I dont have to deal with a pimp taking half of my money or the fact that I dont have a say over my own working conditions. Yet because of the online safety bill, I feel forced to keep my job in this brothel  just in case the websites that I sell independently on get shut down.

Out of fear, I feel forced to stay in a criminalised workplace where I have zero rights and the police might come in. I am breaking the law because there is more than one person working from there.

Obviously women depend on advertising online to screen clients and everyone knows that if clients think they cant be traced, they are more likely to be abusive or rob women Niki Adams

Audrey, who lives in Bristol, said many of her colleagues have started working in brothels due to the threat of the online safety bill hanging over them.

Street-based sex workers are so much more at risk of receiving harassment or violence, whether from clients or the police, she added. The main driver of people entering sex work is poverty. And to me, the way that sex workers are criminalised seems like a consistent attack on the working class. Its also patriarchal. Its 100 per cent misogynistic.

Andrew Boff, chair of the London Assembly, condemned the online safety bill as an illegal constraint on a legal business, arguing sex work will always take place irrespective of whether the government or the public likes it or not.

Mr Boff, a Tory Party member, added: If it is going to carry on, it should be safe. One of the advantages of getting customers online is you can do routine checks about whether they are a problem customer. There are many checking services.

All that [checking] goes if your only interest is pushing it underground. The online safety act is very, very dangerous. There are going to be some serious violent implications as sex workers go underground.

Reports of violence and rape are far more prevalent among street-based sex workers than those who work inside, research has found.

Niki Adams, a spokesperson for the English Collective of Prostitutes, which supports sex workers, said they are getting calls every week from frightened sex workers asking for information about the legislation.

Obviously women depend on advertising online to screen clients and everyone knows that if clients think they cant be traced, they are more likely to be abusive or rob women. Robbery is a really big problem.

Sex workers sometimes use messaging groups to pass on information about violent customers. Ms Adams said fear about the legislation is prompting women to censor themselves due to anxiety they could be punished for helping other sex workers.

She noted the term controlling prostitution for gain, which the online safety bill explicitly contains, is troublesome due to being vague, warning the only definition that exists is what is used in the criminal courts.

Nadia Whittome, a Labour MP who campaigns for sex workers rights, said if sex workers lose the right to advertise online, they could be plunged into the arms of those who want to exploit or control them.

It is vital that the impact of the Online Safety Act on sex workers is reviewed and that any necessary changes are made to help protect them from harm, she added.

A government spokesperson said: In-scope online service providers have a legal duty to tackle the harm and exploitation that can be associated with prostitution by swiftly removing illegal content. The act will not prevent people from engaging in lawful activities where there is no exploitation involved.

However, Audrey explained the sense of threat fellow sex workers feel about the legislation is profound. Every other sex worker I know is also terrified of this bill, she added.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: We recognise the importance of making sure sex workers can operate safely online, and arent driven towards less safe environments. This is something we have considered in our draft guidance on how the new laws should be implemented.

*Name has been changed
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The late Queen thought that the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress was "too white" because she had been married before she met Prince Harry, a new book has claimed.

Ingrid Seward, the former editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, wrote in her book My Mother and I that Elizabeth II only revealed her opinion to her closest confidantes.

The Queens cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson is said to have been among those confidantes and reportedly claimed the monarch thought the dress was improper for a divorcee.

In the monarchs view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal, Seward wrote in an extract of the book.

The book also reports that the late Prince Philip nicknamed the Duchess of Sussex DoW because she reminded him of the Duchess of Windsor.

The divorcee Wallis Simpsons frowned-upon relationship with Edward VIII caused a crisis in the monarchy in the twentieth century, leading to his abdication of the throne.

Meghan was previously married to film producer Trevor Engleson but they divorced four years before she married Harry in 2018.

The late Queen thought it was inappropriate for Meghan to look flamboyantly virginal (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The late Queen was also not comfortable with Prince Charles standing in for Meghans father to walk her down the aisle and was concerned about 96-year-old Philips decision to walk without a stick during the wedding, according to the extract of the book published in the Daily Mail.

Queen Elizabeth II was also reportedly upset at Harrys attitude during the wedding preparations, and that their relationship was quite badly damaged by it all, a rupture that worsened when Harry decided to give up being a working royal.

It comes as a senior Netflix executive announced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a bunch of new projects in development at the streaming giant.

Harry and Meghan signed a five-year deal with Netflix that is estimated to be worth $100m (approximately 78m) in 2020, after they resigned as senior members of the royal family and relocated to the US.

Under the deal, the couple have released a six-part series titled Harry & Meghan about their relationship, marriage, and decision to leave the UK and move to Los Angeles.
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Tesco has issued a four-week warning to customers to spend their Clubcard vouchers before they expire at the end of the month.

The supermarket giant warned Clubcard shoppers only have until 29 February to use 18m worth of Clubcard vouchers before they expire.

More than 20 million people in the UK hold a Tesco Clubcard, which allows shoppers to receive discounts on selected items as well as rack up points they can redeem later as vouchers for use in-store.

The vouchers were issued in February 2022, and while shoppers are racking up points, many are forgetting to use them before they expire.

The reminder for shoppers to use their old vouchers comes as more than 125m of new ones will be ready to use from 5 February.

Clubcard shoppers are urged to spend more than 18m worth of Clubcard vouchers before they expire on February 29 (PA Media)

Emma Botton, Tesco Group Customer Director, said: Household budgets are still under pressure, and we want to help them stretch further.

With more than 18m worth of vouchers due to expire at the end of the month, were reminding customers to spend them now.

Tesco Clubcard vouchers are issued every three months in February, May, August and November. Customers can use their Clubcard vouchers on their weekly shop or fuel, or to pick up a new deal with Tesco Mobile.

They can also treat themselves by exchanging their Clubcard vouchers for 2x the value with 100+ Reward Partners including PizzaExpress, Alton Towers Resort and Hotels.com.

Earlier this year, Tesco announced that customers can collect double Clubcard points when they shop until February 25.

It is the first time the supermarket has offered a double points event like this in over a decade, with over 20 million Tesco Clubcard members set to benefit.
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Watch as Stormont sat on Saturday, 3 February, after two years of political collapse in Northern Ireland.

Devolved government returned as MLAs gathered at Parliament Buildings for a sitting where ministers were appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

Michelle ONeill became the first nationalist first minister.

Sinn Fein's vice president hailed Saturday as a "historic day."

It is about the future. It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life," Ms O'Neill added.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, agreed to drop its two-year Stormont blockade in exchange for government measures aimed at addressing its concerns about post-Brexit trading arrangements that created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
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A Vermont mother wanted to teach her then-14-year-old son a lesson after he came home with electronic cigarettes he stole from a gas station. So she called the police.

What happened next that evening in May 2021 is the basis for a lawsuit by the mother alleging that Burlington police used excessive force and discriminated against her unarmed son, who is Black and has behavioral and intellectual disabilities.

After he failed to hand over the last of the stolen e-cigarettes, two officers physically forced him to do so, then Cathy Austrians son was handcuffed and pinned to the ground as he screamed and struggled, according to a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday and police body-camera video shared with The Associated Press by the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont.

The teen eventually was injected with a ketamine, a sedative, then taken to a hospital, according to the lawsuit and video.

The police chose to respond to my son with unprovoked violence and use of force, when they could and should have followed their own procedures and used safe, supportive methods, Austrian said in a statement provided by the ACLU of Vermont, which is representing her case.

The ordeal underscores the need for sufficient police training in dealing with people with disabilities and mental health challenges, and raises questions about whether police are best suited to respond to such situations, advocates say. A growing number of U.S. communities are responding to nonviolent mental health crises with clinicians and EMTs or paramedics, instead of police.

Burlington police officers had visited the home before and were aware of the teen's disabilites, the lawsuit says. Austrian fostered the child, who had developmental and intellectual disabilities like his birth mother, since he was 5 months old and adopted him at age 2, according to the lawsuit.

The Associated Press generally doesn't identify minors who are accused of crimes or who are witnesses to them.

Body-camera video shows two officers talking calmly to the teen, who is sitting on a bed. His mother tells him to cooperate; she goes through drawers and finds most of the remaining e-cigarettes and tries to get the last one from him.

Officers say if he turns the e-cigarettes over, they'll leave and he won't be charged. He doesn't respond. After about 10 minutes, the officers move in to forcibly remove the last of the e-cigarettes from his hand by pulling his arms behind his back and pinning the 230-pound teen against the bed.

Adante Pointer, a civil rights attorney in the San Francisco Bay area, said officers were doing the appropriate thing at first  discussing consequences and trying to establish rapport.

"The turning point in this chain of events is when officers decided to go hands-on, said Pointer, who watched the video but isn't connected to the case.

There wasn't any urgency here, there wasn't any emergency where they had to force physical confrontation, said Pointer, who noted the teen was contained in a room with his mother and wasn't a violent felon trying to flee.

The lawsuit seeks punitive damages against the city and monetary damages and relief for the teen. It also seeks an order for the city to accommodate people with disabilities in policing interactions, including implementing officer training and modifying policies on ketamine use.

The use of ketamine has come under scrutiny. In Colorado, two paramedics were convicted late last year for injecting Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, with an overdose of the sedative after police put him in a neck hold and he later died.

A city spokeswoman said Burlington investigated and found that officers and fire department EMTs acted according to city policy and state law and regulations.

We expect to vigorously and successfully defend against the allegations, Samantha Sheehan said in a statement Wednesday.

After the investigation, Mayor Miro Weinberger ordered the Burlington Fire Department to review the use of ketamine, Sheehan said via email. The state has updated protocols to require doctor permission for all sedation of patients with combative behavior, which wasn't required at the time, although responding paramedics did get a doctor's permission, she wrote. A directive on dealing with people with diminished capacities is being reviewed and is expected to be rewritten by the Police Commission, according to Sheehan.

When the two officers arrived to speak to the teen, Austrian told them her son was acting erratically and had a rough week. She said he had an MRI of his heart that week, and his medicine for ADHD had been increased the week before. She said he left the house with a hammer and scissors and returned with a bag full of e-cigarettes he admitted he'd stolen from a Cumberland Farms convenience store. He gave her half of them but wouldnt give up the others, she said.

After officers got the final stolen item, they said in their police reports, the teen tried to kick and punch them. The lawsuit says the teen reflexively rose from the bed and flailed his arms haphazardly at the officers."

That response is typical of individuals with his disability and trauma history who are placed in unnecessary physical restraints and denied space, the lawsuit says.

The officers handcuffed him and eventually pinned him to the floor on his stomach. The teen thrashed, screamed and swore. Officers told him to stop spitting, and paramedics, who police called, placed a spit hood over his head.

They then injected the teen with ketamine. They said the teen's distress was excited delirium, a term the medical community has rejected, the ACLU said.

He was carried out of the house unconscious on a stretcher and spent the night in the hospital, the lawsuit states.

In calling the police, his mother was looking for help in getting him to do the right thing, said Pointer, the attorney.

Instead of getting that type of help, her kid was brutalized, said Pointer. Her kid was handcuffed, man-handled, a spit bag placed over his head, and administered a very powerful and deadly sedative, and now shes left to pick up the pieces.
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Jennifer Crumbleys lawyer told the court about her own lack of showering in a bizarre defence of the school shooters mother, during closing arguments on Friday.

Ms Crumbley is facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter after her son fatally shot four of his classmates in November 2021. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In closing arguments, defence attorney Shannon Smith detailed a series of snapshots into her own personal life as a messy working mother-of-four in an effort to relate to her client and suggest that she easily could have ended up in Mrs Crumbleys shoes.

I say sorry a lot, Ms Smith said, and referred to a TikTok video that apparently shows the attorney apologising throughout the trial.

The attorney told the court that she messes up a lot because Im human  and so is Mrs Crumbley.

The defendant is not a perfect person or a perfect parent, she said, and neither is she.

Ms Smith said that as a working mother, she sometimes doesnt have time to take a true shower but has to just grab a handful of wipes and scrub off the best I can.

I realised I am Jennifer Crumbley, Ms Smith said, outlining similarities between the two women.

Calling your child an oopsie baby was designed to try to make her look bad with no context, Ms Smith argued, adding that she calls her son an oopsie baby all the time.

Ms Smith said that she has called her child a psycho or a nutcase, just as Ms Crumbley called her son weird in texts to her friend.

Shannon Smith, the defendants attorney

The lawyer said that she doesnt own a gun, but has a butcher block of big knives.

My kids could easily grab a knife without me knowing itand walk out the door of my house and go play with the other kidsand my son could kill somebody, she said. And I never would have expected it to happen.

She added other hypotheticals of why she believes this case is too extreme. Am I going to be held responsible if my son sends a picture of his penis over to some girl? Ms Smith asked.

Can parents really be responsible for everything their children do? Especially when its not foreseeable? the lawyer added.

It was unforeseeable. No one expected this. No one could have expected this  including Mrs Crumbley, the attorney said, as she repeatedly tried to add distance between her client and her son Ethan Crumbley.

The prosecution cherry-picked evidence out of mountains of evidence, Ms Smith said, while pointing to colourful stacks of papers and folders on the defence table. The prosecution, by contrast, maintained that it provided the whole story in its closing arguments earlier.

The prosecutor said that there were many tragically small things the defendant could have done that could have prevented the massacre. One of those things, the prosecutor argued, was that the mother could have simply told her son at the meeting with school staff hours before the shooting: I care about you, I love you.

Ms Smith described this suggestion as ridiculous, saying: Giving him a hug that day in the office is going to stop a mass shooting?

Nothing could have stopped him that day and that Ethan had pleaded guilty to his crimes, she argued.

Ms Smith also described Ethan as a skilled manipulator although he never showed his parents signs of mental illness. No parent would purchase a weapon if they believed their child had mental illnesses, she said, adding that the Crumbleys had two other firearms in the house and nothing had ever happened prior to the mass shooting.

The lawyer also argued that there was a lack of evidence to show that Ms Crumbley found her son weird or acting depressed. There are not texts [between the Crumbley parents] that their son was exhibiting anything close to a mental health concern, she said.

Ms Smith also characterised a voicemail left by a school counsellor for Ms Crumbley as very nonchalant. She added that the voicemail didnt require a call back.

The lawyer also sought to place the blame for the shooting on the school.

She brought up the school meeting between the parents and the school staff on the morning of the shooting, after Ethan was found with disturbing drawings.

The school reportedly gave the Crumbleys a choice of whether to take Ethan home or keep him in class.

They chose to keep him in school  which he shot up hours later. Reasonable doubt can be found in the fact that trained professionals told Ms Crumbley that her son was not a risk, Ms Smith said, emphasising that the school did not force the parents to take the high school sophomore home.

The defence also brought up the prosecutions claim that Ms Crumbley did not tell the school that she and her husband had just bought a gun for their son. Experts testified that students are known to go to the gun ranges often and know that its a gun community.

Earlier this week, Ms Crumbleys lover Brian Meloche testified that the pair had a six-month affair starting in the spring of 2021. They havent talked since Ms Crumbley was arrested in December 2021, he said.

Ms Smith claimed that Mr Meloche was inconsistent and called him a terrible witness.

Hes just an idiot and has no clue, she said, referring to him claiming that Ms Crumbley told him the 9mm handgun was in her car on the day of the shooting.

During her own testimony, Ms Crumbley called that claim inaccurate and said that Mr Meloche mustve been confused about the timing.

The defence also pushed back on the prosecutions attempt to cut into the defences claim that Ms Crumbley is a hypervigilant and helicopter mom.

Ms Smith also defended her clients text on the day of the shooting to her son: Ethan dont do it. Ms Crumbley was worried that her son would kill himself, she said.

The defence attorney also addressed the Crumbleys behaviour after the shooting, insisting that Ms Crumbley wasnt trying to flee authorities.

Staying at her friends artist studio is evidence of that, because there were security cameras all around it and the couple were smoking in plain sight outside, she argued.

The Crumbleys werent running. They were just trying to turn themselves in, she said, before reading texts that indicate that the pair knew that they were surrounded by police at the studio.

Ms Smith also emphasised that this was not James Crumbleys trial  but hes the one who knew about the guns. Ms Crumbley meanwhile didnt know the difference between string and cable locks.

It also is not unreasonable for Ms Crumbley to have suggested that her husband go to meet with school officials instead of her. He had a more flexible schedule since he was a DoorDash driver and she had a professional career, the attorney argued. She shouldnt be dinged for that.

Ms Smith said the prosecution made a charging decision way too fast. Despite ragging on Mr Meloche earlier, the defence attorney agreed with his description that this case is a witch hunt.

The prosecution had no context because they had tunnel vision, Ms Smith said. They were hellbent on convincing jurors that she was negligent.

A not guilty verdict is the only fair and just result in this case, the defence attorney argued.

The trial ended on Friday. The jury will return on Monday at 9am to receive instructions and begin deliberations.
Positive news on the educational front comes in a tiny package.

Say Yes Little Scholars, a prekindergarten program for 3-year-olds in Buffalo Public Schools, has taken off. The program debuted just last spring as a key opportunity for economically disadvantaged families wanting to provide their young ones a head start on education.

The enthusiasm for the school-acclimation program is palpable.

It is run through the school district and its partner, Say Yes Buffalo. As News staff reporter Ben Tsujimoto wrote, demand has soared, and Buffalo is fast at work in expanding its scope.

Eligibility and income thresholds for families of prospective Little Scholars are available through sayyesbuffalo.org.

The program helps youngsters grow accustomed to all the things that were once scary to us all  new environment, tall school buildings and a class full of peers. Moreover, it helps ease the transition and better support these little ones who will one day grow up to be leaders. What a great start.

***

New York State has come through with funding to help revitalize and enhance communities, making them more walkable, enjoyable and generally adding to the quality of life while making the case for economic investment by businesses and visitors.

As reported in The Buffalo News, the City of Tonawanda, the Town of Aurora and the Village of Gowanda have been awarded state grants totaling nearly $20 million. The push is to help the communities revitalize their downtowns by capitalizing on their waterfronts, natural assets and small-town charm.

The funds derive from the states Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs, which are designed to accelerate transformations of municipalities with walkable urban cores. These are areas with the potential for change but need a financial boost. The downtown initiative was created in 2016, focusing on larger downtowns and neighborhoods. The New York Forward effort is targeted toward smaller and rural areas.

The City of Tonawanda stands to benefit with a $10 million DRI grant. Tonawanda is the Western New York winner of the programs seventh round and will 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. All this will be done based on its location and convergence of waterfronts with its wealth of natural resources in the Erie Canal, Niagara River and Ellicott Creek.

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. And Gowanda will receive $4.5 million from NY Forward. The vision in Gowanda includes restoring the historic Hollywood Theatre, developing a microbrewery, improving the New York and Lake Erie Railroad excursions, and cleaning up and redeveloping a federal Superfund site into Gateway Park along Cattaraugus Creek. The work would build on what the village did previously.

***

Turns out, theres an app for snowplow services.

A recent Buffalo News article featured Wills Mahoneys big idea  Uber for snow removal that could provide relief for lots of weary residents. Mahoney thought of the idea about 10 years ago, when he needed someone to plow his mothers driveway.

That lightbulb moment resulted in the Syracuse-based Plowz & Mowz app that with a tap on the smartphone produces a professional plow driver to come clear the driveway. The payment particulars are handled through the Plowz & Mowz app or website.

It especially works for plow drivers new to the trade but even more key it works for the homeowner wondering how theyre going to dig out of a snow-clogged headache.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
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Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the convicted Oxford High School shooter, has been found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter in a historic case for America.

Ms Crumbleys guilty verdict marks the first time a parent has been charged, tried and convicted for their role in a mass school shooting perpetrated by their child.

She had pleaded not guilty to the four counts of involuntary manslaughter, after her son killed four of his classmates in November 2021.

But, after hearing two weeks of bombshell evidence about the days surrounding the massacre  and after 10 hours of deliberations  the jury found the 45-year-old guilty of all charges.

Her husband James Crumbley is set to be tried separately in March on the same charges. He has also pleaded not guilty.

From an extramarital affair to Taylor Swift quotes, here are the key revelations from Ms Crumbleys trial:

Bad Blood

The trial got off to an interesting start when Ms Crumbleys attorney Shannon Smith quoted Taylor Swifts song Bad Blood in her opening statement. Ms Smith said this case was about the prosecution attempting to put a Band-Aid on problems that cant be fixed with a Band-Aid.

A Band-Aid will never bring back the lives that were lost, she added.

The defence attorney also insisted that Ethans mental condition was not on her radar, yet also described her as a hypervigilant mother. Ms Smith also emphasised Mr Crumbleys love of guns and placed blame on the school.

The prosecution, by contrast, argued in its opening statement that Ms Crumbley was well aware of her sons deteriorating mental health.

Despite this, she and her husband purchased a gun for him and took him to a shooting range. While there, the defence said, her son showed her how to use the gun.

Jennifer Crumbley didnt pull the trigger that day. But shes responsible for their deaths, Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said.

Just before opening statements, there was also a dramatic moment in the courtroom when Ms Crumbleys friend was removed from the courtroom.

Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marc Keast announced that Megan Imirowicz, a convicted killer who befriended Ms Crumbley in prison, was in court despite having been subpoenaed as a witness.

Chilling shooting footage played in court

Ms Crumbley broke down in tears while the court was shown video footage of her 15-year-old son pointing his weapon at teachers and classmates in his high school.

The defendants sobs sparked a heated exchange among the attorneys.

The prosecution took issue with the response from Ms Crumbley  and her lawyer Ms Smith  to the footage, arguing they were not adhering to the courts instructions to try to remain composed.

Youre concerned about the influence of the jury. I take no issue with it. But it was a difficult thing and were doing it, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald told the judge. And then to have not just the defendant, her lawyer sobbing.

Tearful Jennifer Crumbley takes stand at involuntary manslaughter trial (Fox News)

Ms Smith interjected: I did not sob. She told the judge that this footage isnt relevant to her clients case and added that her team has never seen it before.

We were not sobbing or making a scene. All my eye makeup is still on, she said.

Everyone here is human, Judge Cheryl Matthews said, underscoring that shes striving for a fair trial. The judge added: Im not a robot. Im trying to keep myself from sobbing. Ill do it at six tonight.

Video shows Crumbley parents arrest

The court was shown police bodycam footage from the early hours of 4 December 2021, capturing the moment when authorities burst into a dark, industrial-looking room to arrest Jennifer and James Crumbley who were sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

The Crumbleys had been asked to turn themselves into authorities the day prior.

As a manhunt ensued, they were tracked down to Ms Crumbleys friends artist studio.

In the video, the officers are seen pointing their guns at the couple.

Let me see these hands! the officers shout.

Moment that police arrested Jennifer and James Crumbley (screengrab)

Mr Crumbley is heard screaming and seemingly struggling to stand on his own two feet. Stand up! an officer yells at him. When officers ask him his name he says, James. When they press him James what?, he replies with an exhausted, Crumbley.

Body camera footage then shows a fleet of officers investigating the room.

The police interview admission

On the morning of the shooting, school staff had grown increasingly concerned after finding Ethans drawing, depicting a semiautomatic handgun pointing at the words the thoughts wont stop help me.

The Crumbley parents were called in to meet with school staff and their son to discuss it.

While given the choice of whether to keep Ethan in school or take him home, the parents opted for him to return to class. He shot up his school hours later.

A videotaped interview in the hours after the shooting shows investigators asking the parents about this meeting.

Mr Crumbley says their son was doodling on a test or a practice test, seemingly referring to the disturbing drawing, when Ms Crumbley interrupts: I think we probably should have a lawyer.

Mr Crumbley then says: I think we can speak to the cops.

Later in the interview, Ms Crumbley is seen telling police that the school counsellor didnt seem worried about the drawing and that Ethan could either stay at school or his parents could take him home.

Crumbleys parents are seen in first police interview after school shooting (Michigan AGs office)

And I really wish we took him home, she is heard admitting.

Mr Crumbley also says at the start of the interview that he is freaking out and asks for some water.

He later tells police that their 15-year-old is a great kid, adding that he doesnt get in trouble at school.

When an officer tells the parents that they will need to talk to Ethan, an emotional Ms Crumbley is heard asking: Why?... Hes never done anything bad.

The interview also revealed that Ethan had texted his mother  telling her that he loved her  not long before he opened fire on his classmates.

During the interview, Mr Crumbley also shares details with police about where his son had gotten hold of the gun.

He says that the weapon was hidden in a gun case in an armoire and that the bullets were in a completely different spot underneath some jeans.

Extramarital affair

Brian Meloche, a long-time friend of Ms Crumbley who had an affair with her in 2021, took the stand and told the court about his relationship with the convicted shooters mother.

After her son opened fire inside the school, Ms Crumbley texted Mr Meloche that the massacre could have been prevented, according to a message revealed in court.

Separate messages showed her describing the schools response to Ethans disturbing behaviour  such as drawing a doodle of a mass shooting or searching online for ammunition  as nonchalant.

Despite both the Crumbley parents allegedly citing that they had jobs to return to and so couldnt take him out of school on the morning of the shooting, Ms Crumbley messaged Mr Meloche saying that she could meet up with him, he testified.

Brian Meloche, a fire department chief with whom Ms Crumbley had an affair, testifies

Texts also revealed that Ms Crumbley said she wished the school wouldnt have allowed him to stay in school.

Mr Meloche also told the court that Ms Crumbley told him on the day of the shooting that she realised the gun was gone from their home. He suggested she notify the police, he said.

She also texted him saying: I failed as a parent, I failed miserably.

As well as her affair with Mr Meloche, it emerged during Ms Crumbleys cross-examination that she had been using the site AdultFriendFinder.

The website describes it as the worlds largest dating and social network for adults. She didnt deny talking to others on the website, but no further details about those conversations were revealed.

Wish he wouldve killed us instead

Ms Crumbley took the stand to testify in her own defence.

Her voice quivered as she talked about the day of the shooting.

I couldnt believe he had actually shot anybody in the school, she said, adding that the whole situation felt surreal.

That was the hardest thing I had to stomach  that my child harmed and killed other people, Ms Crumbley said, stumbling over the last few words and uttering them quietly.

Although she spent most of her time on the stand on Thursday making direct eye contact either with her attorney or the jury box, when she mentioned her sons shooting, she looked down, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Her attorney also asked whether Ms Crumbley thought her son was a danger to others, she said: As a parent you spend your whole life trying to protect your child from other dangers. You never would think youd have to protect your child from harming somebody else.

The 45-year-old was then asked whether she considered herself a victim. She said no because she didnt want to disrespect those families that truly are the victims. She then added: We did lose a lot.

In the last few moments of the defences questioning on Thursday, she was asked whether she could change what had happened if she could. Ms Crumbley said, Oh absolutely. I wish he wouldve killed us instead.
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Justin Mohn legally purchased a gun just one day before he shot his father dead and decapitated his corpse in a deranged attack fueled by his hostile views against the federal government, according to authorities.

Officials with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office in Pennsylvania held a press conference on Friday to discuss the gruesome circumstances of Mr Mohns alleged attack on his 68-year-old father Michael Mohn, a federal employee.

DA Jennifer Schorn confirmed that the victims wife Denice Mohn made the gruesome discovery when she arrived back to the home she shared with her husband and adult son at around 7pm on Tuesday.

Responding officers found Mohns body in the first-floor bathroom and his head with a gunshot wound inside a plastic bag in a kitchen pot placed in a first-floor bedroom, according to a police affidavit.

Ms Mohns son was later arrested in connection at a military base that he had forced his way into after fleeing the crime scene.

Ms Schorn revealed that Mr Mohn allegedly shot his father dead with a 9mm handgun he had legally bought on 29 January  one day before the attack.

Mr Mohn reportedly gave up his medical marijuana card in the days that preceded the purchase in order to become eligible, the DA said.

There was nothing legally precluding him from purchasing that gun, Ms Schorn said, pushing against suggestions that Mr Mohns actions may have been the result of a mental health crisis.

It also shows the clear state of mind he was in, having planned what he ultimately carried out, she said.

After the attack, Mr Mohn allegedly severed his fathers head and then displayed it in a disturbing YouTube video in which he also launched violent calls for FBI, Border Patrol, and US Marshals employees to be tortured for information and publicly executed.

Michael Mohns corpse and head, which was wrapped in plastic, were found by his wife in the bathroom of their home in Bucks Countys Middletown Township on Tuesday night (Buck County DA Office)

Mr Mohn called his father, a 20-year veteran engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, a traitor who is going to hell for betraying his country, according to Ms Schorns description of the graphic video that remained online for six hours after the murder. He also leaked personal information about a local judge, whose name was not released by authorities during the press conference and put a bounty on the judges head.

The video, titled Mohns Militia, a call of arms for American Patriots, had more than 5,000 views before it was taken down.

He demands violence against all federal employees but exempts state governors and state employees, Ms Schorn said. ... From an evidentiary value, this video is very important, but its quite horrifying how many views it had before we understand it was taken down.

Ms Schorn said that Mr Mohn allegedly travelled to Fort Indiantown Gap after killing his father, drove past barricades and jumped a fence to gain access inside the military base.

Mr Schorn had the loaded gun on him at the time of his capture, but he was arrested without incident. According to Ms Schorn, law enforcement was able to locate Mr Mohn after his phone pinged near the military base and his fathers Toyota Corolla was spotted outside the facility.

After he was taken into custody, he reportedly stated that he wanted to mobilise the National Guard to raise arms against the government, and demanded to speak with Governor John Shapiro to convince him to join forces with him, Ms Schorn said.

A vehicle is parked in the driveway of a home that was a scene of a murder in Levittown, Pa ( Copyright The Philadelphia Inquirer 2023)

Ms Schorn noted that the suspect had no known history of mental illness or involuntary hospitalisations. However, officials declined to answer questions about calls made by neighbours regarding their concern for Mr Mohns behaviour.

It also emerged during the press conference that Mr Mohns former employer had tried to flag his erratic behaviour to local police last year.

Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla said his department could not proceed with an investigation because the employer was seeking legal advice on how to terminate Mr Mohn.

Me and my entire department ... our hearts ache for the Mohn family, Middletown Township Police Chief Bartorilla, who met with Denice Mohn on Thursday, said. The [Mohns] have a lot of neighbours and close friends who care about them.

It remains unclear whether Mr Mohn will be charged at the federal level. He is expected to appear in court next on 8 February.
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A man who fatally shot himself at a Colorado amusement park last year had previously researched mass shootings online, police said.

Diego Barajas Medina, 20, was found dead in a bathroom at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in October. He was wearing tactical gear and body armour and had a handgun, explosives, and an AR-15 style rifle with him. The phrase Im not a killer. I just wanted to get in the cave" was found written on the bathroom wall.

"Given the preparation, given the amount of weapons and ordinance he had, it almost seemed very highly likely he intended to use those against the community. He chose not to," Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said in a press conference at the time.

In a search of Mr Medinas phone and computer, law enforcement determined he had visited several sites discussing other mass shootings, the sheriffs office said in a press release Thursday.

It remains a mystery why Mr Medina had seemingly planned a deadly attack  and why he killed himself instead of enacting it. The investigation was unable to uncover any motive for Diego amassing such a lethal arsenal, nor did it explain what happened to change his mind and why he did not follow through with whatever he was planning, the press release stated.

There were no drugs or alcohol in Mr Medinas system at the time of his death, officials said, despite alcohol being found alongside his body.

Investigators said he entered the park before it opened, when no other people were present.

There were no known ties between Mr Medina and the park, officials told the Associated Press , noting that people who knew him described him as a bit of loner.

The Sheriffs Office acknowledges that given the amount of weaponry, ammunition, and explosive devices found, Diego could have implemented an attack of devastating proportions on our community resulting in multiple injuries and possibly death to members of the public as well as first responders, the sheriffs office said in the press release. As a community, we are fortunate and thankful that this did not happen.
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New Yorkers received a rude awakening this week after finding out that their newly-unveiled garbage system, one touted by city officials as a historic win in the war on trash, was old news even to small cities in America.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whose dislike for trash and rats has been well-documented, introduced the new trash collection system at a press conference on Thursday while the song, Empire State of Mind, blasted in the background.

That is, a system novel to New Yorkers, who have their black trash bags collected manually from piles on the sidewalk or from wheeled containers by sanitation workees who then throw them in the back of a truck.

Mr Adams even arrived at the event driving one of the new garbage trucks. He said they were one of first steps to make New York the cleanest major city in the United States. Mr Adams has also appointed a rat czar to lead the war on rats.

The future of trash is here, the side of the truck read.

But users on X, formerly Twitter, were quick to point out that automatic trash trucks have been in place for decades in other US cities. But New York, a city that polled as the second filthiest on the planet last year, is seemingly just coming to that realisation.

New York is making a deal out of something thats utterly mundane in places like Akron, Ohio and Boise, Idaho, a user tweeted. I dont even live in a city and we have these!

Mr Adams credited the new truck for New Yorks bright future in the trash collection department.

The new garbage truck were unveiling today  four years ahead of schedule  represents the future of New York City garbage collection, he said in a statement. It means well be able to containerize trash from our large residential buildings, something people didnt believe would be possible in our dense city.

The new system features a side-loading truck that can lift large stationary containers on the street. Starting 1 March, businesses in the city will be required to dispose of their trash in the rodent-proof containers. Later this year, the requirements will go into effect for low-density residential buildings that have one to nine units.

Manhattan Community Board 9 in West Harlem, a district with high-density residential buildings, will become the first full-district containerization pilot when the containers are fully implemented in Spring 2025.
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Allen Weisselberg, the longtime Trump Organization executive who pleaded guilty to tax-related crimes in 2022, is reportedly negotiating a plea agreement on a pending perjury charge in a case stemming from Donald Trumps civil fraud trial in Manhattan.

The potential agreement with the Manhattan district attorneys office would reportedly require his admission that he lied during his testimony in that separate case and in his interviews with the office of New York attorney general.

The deal, first reported by the New York Times, follows Weisselbergs 2022 conviction on 15 violations of New York tax law, after prosecutors accused him of participating in a years-long systemic fraud scheme. That case involved a sweeping and audacious illegal payment arrangement in which Trump companies paid him generous benefits  including free rent, luxury car leases, and private school tuition for his grandchildren  that were not reported for tax purposes.

Another potential plea arrangement comes after years-long parallel criminal and civil cases from the New York attorney general and Manhattan district attorney, whose office has reportedly sought Weisselbergs cooperation in its criminal investigation into Mr Trumps alleged financial crimes. That case is tentatively headed to trial on 25 March. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Weisselberg is not expected to testify against his former boss in that case, according to the Times.

The Independent has requested comment from an attorney for Weisselberg, and a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorneys office.

Allen Weisselberg stands next to Donald Trump in 2017 (AP)

If he does reach an agreement with prosecutors, it will be Weisselbergs second guilty plea in as many years for crimes stemming from a mountain of fraud and tax evasion allegations in New York civil and criminal courts.

Last year, Mr Trumps former top financial lieutenant spent 100 days in Rikers Island jail and testified at a civil fraud trial targeting the Trump family business and the former presidents sprawling real estate empire.

He also was enmeshed in a criminal tax fraud trial involving two Trump Organization subsidiaries, among the first Trump-connected entities to be convicted of crimes. A New York City jury found the Trump Corporation and the Trump Payroll Corporation guilty on more than a dozen charges and they were fined $1.6m.

It remains unclear what statements Weisselberg would agree were false. He is also a defendant in the civil fraud case, along with Mr Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and a host of Trump-related entities.

In his time on the witness stand, lawyers for the state grilled Weisselberg over what he knew about the creation of statements of financial condition, the documents at the heart of the case. Those documents included grossly inflated valuations of Mr Trumps net worth and assets in an effort to obtain favourable financing terms for some of his brand-building properties, according to a lawsuit.

The attorney generals office is seeking to recover $370m in so-called ill-gotten gains that the defendants would not otherwise have obtained if they had included accurate assessments of his wealth in those documents.

Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, also wants to bar Mr Trump and Weisselberg from the states real estate industry for the rest of their lives.

Following 11 weeks of trial testimony, the judge overseeing that case is expected to issue a final judgment by mid-February.
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The top lawyer for writer E Jean Carroll has said that former President Donald Trump used a thinly veiled and well-known coded expression to call her the c-word during a deposition.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan represented Ms Carroll in both her defamation trials after Mr Trump repeatedly called the writer a liar and personally insulted her following the release of her 2019 memoir in which she claimed that the ex-president raped her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.

Mr Trump was found liable for sexual abuse in the first defamation trial, a ruling which was also applied to the second trial, meaning that the second jury only had to decide on damages, awarding Ms Carroll $83.3m.

On Friday, Ms Kaplan appeared on the George Conway Explains It All podcast, hosted by the conservative attorney who initially advised Ms Carroll to sue Mr Trump.

Ms Kaplan said the incident took place when Mr Trump was being deposed at Mar-a-Lago in an unrelated case regarding supposed connections with a fraudulent marketing firm, a case which has since been dismissed.

According to the attorney, as the questioning came to an end, the Trump legal team made sure the proceedings were over and no longer on the record before Mr Trump looked at her and said: See you next Tuesday.

The phrase is derived from a combination of the letters c and u, which when pronounced aloud sound like see you, and the first letters of the words next and Tuesday. This forms an acronym which stands for c***, according to Dictionary.com.

The phrase appeared online as early as 1999 and initially appeared on Twitter in 2006.

I, thank God, had no idea what that meant, so I said to him, What are you talking about? Im coming back on Wednesday, Ms Kaplan told Mr Conway on the podcast.

Literally, it was an honest answer. I had no idea what hes talking about, she added, noting that her colleagues made her aware of what Mr Trump had supposedly meant by the phrase.

Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican strategist and podcast co-host, said it was a teenage boy-level joke.

Had I known, I for sure would have gotten angry, Ms Kaplan said. I looked like I was being above it all, which I wasnt. I just did not know.

Ms Kaplan also said that Mr Trump threw a pile of documents across the table after his legal team offered lunch to Ms Kaplan and her colleagues.

There was a huge pile of documents, exhibits, sitting in front of him, and he took the pile and he just threw it across the table  and stormed out of the room, she said.

In an appearance on CNN, Mr Conway called Mr Trumps behaviour appalling.

I mean, hes a pig, and the fact that he was president of the United States makes it all the more distressing, he said. It was misogynistic  to call a woman that to her face and trying to be cute about it. I mean, it was just disgraceful and the kind of indecent conduct that you wouldnt expect in any adult.

I wouldnt even say it was teenage boy-level conduct. It was just utterly, utterly childish, and you know, its not that surprising that Trump does this ... weve seen him do all sorts of crude things over time, he added.

Mr Conway told CNN that it reminded him of an incident in 2019 when Mr Trump was congratulating a pair of female astronauts who had conducted an EVA, a spacewalk outside the space shuttle, and it was the first all-female EVA.

He said, Oh, this is the first time a womans ever been outside the space shuttle. And then the astronaut, the female astronaut gently corrected him, and he clearly was taken aback. It was a very gentle, very respectful correction, and he starts to touch his forehead as if to scratch an itch, but he used his middle finger, and there was this huge controversy: Was he really giving the finger to these astronauts? Mr Conway recalled.

People gave him the benefit of the doubt, but I find it hard to give him the benefit of the doubt after seeing all of this conduct, he added.

The Independent has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
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Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene is being mocked after a video emerged of her struggling to pronounce the word indictable.

This historical evidence is overwhelming that the Founding Fathers intended impeachment to be used to deal with the commission of in-dick-table crimes and the abuse of power, she said.

Ms Greenes gaffe occurred on Tuesday while the House Homeland Security Committee were debating whether or not the homeland security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas should be impeached for his handling of the US-Mexico border crisis.

Mr Mayorkas was accused of wilful and systemic refusal to comply with the law by allowing the release of migrants awaiting legal proceedings and breached public trust when he told lawmakers the US-Mexico border was secure, according to impeachment papers.

It comes as Texas is embroiled in a row with the Supreme Court over measures to curb illegal migration in the state.

The committee ultimately voted to impeach the homeland security secretary on Wednesday, in a move that was opposed by Democrats. The articles of impeachment will now be considered in the House of Representatives.

US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene listens as fellow members speak during a House Homeland Security Committee meeting to vote on impeachment charges against Alejandro Mayorkas on Capitol Hill, 30 January 2024 (Reuters)

The majority of House Republicans have supported Mr Mayorkas impeachment, with Rep Greene blasting eight members of her own party who voted against it.

Many users on X were amused by Ms Greenes blunder on Tuesday.

Marge Greene is an example of our lowest common denominator. She does not represent the best, the brightest, or even the median-IQ American, one person wrote.

Now that I think about it, Ive never seen Marge and a box of rocks together in the same room, another person said.

Alejandro Mayorkas has been accused of wilful and systemic refusal to comply with the law (Getty Images)

My 7th grader knows the word INDICTABLE... this is a UNITED STATES CONGRESSWOMAN. Georgia should be embarrassed right now, a third person added.

Others pointed out that her glasses are not helping.

Ahead of Tuesdays hearing, Mr Mayorkas wrote a letter to Mr Green, accusing her of making false accusations against him.

I assure you that your false accusations do not rattle me and do not divert me from the law enforcement and broader public service mission to which I have devoted most of my career and to which I remain devoted, Mr Mayorkas wrote.

Ms Greene first attempted to impeach Mr Mayorkas in November over what she claimed was his failure to protect the US border with Mexico by not restricting the numbers of migrants crossing into the US, but the House voted to halt the bid to remove the Homeland Security Secretary.

Rep Greene said she was outraged at the vote, according to Reuters.

Following Tuesdays hearing, one X user suggested: Maybe a person who cant even read/pronounce indictable shouldnt be allowed to use it as a political weapon?
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For much of his time in the White House, President Joe Biden has faced low approval ratings. In addition, a steady stream of polls last year showed him losing to Donald Trump in a hypothetical rematch.

Progressives warned that Bidens handling of the Israel-Gaza war, in particular, would risk him losing support among young people. Rising cost of living prices in 2021 and 2022 also caused his approval to take a hit  as well as the US exit from Afghanistan, which led to the deaths of 13 US servicemembers. More than a few surveys have shown that Bidens age also remains a problem for him, despite the fact Trump is only a few years younger.

Yet, with the exception of Republican primary voters, most voters did not believe that the United States would undertake another Trump-Biden election. We moved from denial that it could ever happen; to anger at the realization that no other candidates would challenge Biden; to bargaining (what if we could convince a Democratic Biden challenger? What if Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis or someone else could beat Trump in a primary?) It was a very American progression through the classic stages of grief.

Now, it appears that we are moving from depression to acceptance. Trumps overwhelming victories have made it clear that theres really no other option  and make no mistake: Regardless of how pundits spin it, Trump still has an iron grip on a large portion of the GOP.

In the same respect, the fact that no one prominent in the party stepped up to challenge Biden and the one elected official who did  Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota  flamed out fantastically has made Democrats realize theyre going to have to go to polls for him again.

Earlier this week, Quinnipiac University releasing a poll showing that Biden beats Trump by six points. In particular, Biden shot up among women voters by five points, likely the result of Trump bragging regularly that he nominated the three Supreme Court justices who facilitated the death of Roe v Wade. Increased headlines about him having to pay more than $83 million for defaming E Jean Carroll likely wont help him. And his habit of regularly insulting Nikki Haley  a Republican that many suburban women could see themselves supporting if she had a snowballs chance  wont endear him much to swing voters, either.

Biden also got an unexpected boost on Friday when the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US economy added 353,000 jobs. That gives him much-needed proof that the economy is generally improving. While many people continue to feel lousy about the economy, signs exist that voters do think it has turned the corner. Biden will need to hammer the message home.

At the same time, there are still some flashing red lights for Biden in that Quinnipiac poll  namely that Trump slightly leads among Hispanic voters.

Two additional polls show that Biden is in trouble. Morning Consult found that Biden trails Trump in seven swing states  Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia  with Trump having an eight-point lead in Nevada, a state Biden won last time around. Trump also holds a three-point lead in Pennsylvania, where Biden was born, and, despite the case in Fulton County, an eight-point lead in Georgia.

Similarly, CNN released a poll showing that Trump holds a four-point lead, showing the spread is the same as it was in December. It showed 34 per cent of Americans have a favourable opinion of Biden while 39 per cent have a favourable opinion of Trump. While that might help the former president, its not exactly a ringing endorsement.

At this point, its quite hard for people to change their opinions on either men. Both have been in the public eye for a long time. Trump has been running for president for more than eight years now, and Biden for five.

Biden being the incumbent when most people feel the state of the country is lousy, if improving, puts him at a significant disadvantage. Meanwhile, Trumps biggest advantage is that people will look upon the pre-Covid economy over which he presided and wish for that, despite the concerns around his erratic behaviour, his pronouncements of authoritarian wishes and dwindling abortion rights. Biden hopes that the economy that he is selling with higher wages and better jobs  alongside a sturdy democracy and protecting womens rights  will be enough for people to look past the rising prices of the past few years.

But just because voters have accepted their fate does not mean they will gleefully waltz to the polls. After all, grieving is never that straightforward.
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The US launched airstrikes against Iranian forces and allied militias in Iraq and Syria on Friday as it began its retaliation for a drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan last week.

Dozens of strikes launched by long-range bombers flown from the US targeted Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups just hours after president Joe Biden received the remains of the three service members at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Mr Biden said in a statement that he had ordered US military forces to strike at facilities that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, Mr Biden said.

The strikes began at midnight local time and hit more than 85 targets with more than 125 precision munitions, the Pentagon said in a statement. They targeted four locations in Syria, and three in Iraq.

The facilities that were struck included command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aired vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces, the statement said.

It is yet unclear what impact the strikes will have on the militias after many claimed to have evacuated bases or went into hiding after days of US warnings that a multi-tiered response was imminent. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon was still assessing the results of the military action, but we believe that the strikes were successful.

The decision to strike directly at the IRGC marks a significant escalation in a volatile regional power struggle that pits the US against Iran and a network of allied armed groups across the Middle East. Previous US airstrikes have targeted only the militias, but not their backer.

US forces in the region have come under frequent attack for years by Iran-linked militias opposed to their presence in the region, but those attacks have increased dramatically in the wake of the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas militants, and Israels invasion of Gaza in response.

US bases have been struck by more than 160 rocket and drone attacks in Iraq and Syria since mid-October by Iran-backed militias who view the US as complicit in the devastation caused by the Gaza war due to its support for Israel. US warships and international merchant vessels have come under frequent attack from Yemens Houthi rebels, who are also backed by Iran.

Concerns have been growing over the spread of violence across the Middle East linked to Israels war in Gaza, which was triggered by an attack by Hamas inside Israel in which around 1,200 people were killed and another 240 taken hostage. Israels war against Hamas, which is allied with Iran, has drawn in Irans allies from across the region  from Yemens Houthis to Lebanons Hezbollah. Israels war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, which the United Nations and other aid groups deem reliable.

The Biden administration has said repeatedly that it hoped to prevent a wider regional escalation as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, but the intervention of the Houthis and the killing of US soldiers has resulted in a series of military confrontations that resemble a low-level regional war. The US now regularly carries out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, as well as Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

When questioned by The Independent about whether the US classifies the fighting on multiple fronts as a war, Mr Kirby said he disagreed.

There were attacks against our troops and facilities in Iraq and Syria well before 7 October  certainly in the last administration as well, he said on Thursday. And as for the Houthis, they can claim all they want that this is linked to Gaza but two-thirds of the ships that theyre hitting have no connection to Israel whatsoever. So, its just not true. Its a falsehood.

Other White House officials contacted by The Independent have shied away from even the suggestion that the series of interconnected conflicts in which the US is embroiled constitutes a regional war, and Mr Biden has insisted that he does not need to seek approval from Congress before this or any other retaliatory strikes against the Iran-backed militias, including strikes against the Houthis carried out by American and British forces over the last several weeks.

These latest strikes, which US officials have privately described as the opening salvos in what will be a longer retaliatory campaign, come after three US service personnel were killed and 34 wounded by a drone strike on a military outpost in Jordan known as Tower 22, on the border between Iraq and Syria. It marked the first time US soldiers have been killed by the attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The Pentagon named the fallen soldiers on Monday 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.

The White House said it had determined that the attack was carried out by a loose alliance of Iran-backed militias in the region.

We believe that the attack in Jordan was a plan resourced and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups, including Kataib Hezbollah, Mr Kirby said.

US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that the military response to those deaths will be multi-tiered.

Again, we have the ability to respond a number of times, depending on what the situation is, he added.

Following the strikes on Friday, he reiterated that more strikes were likely to follow.

This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces, he said in a statement.

President Biden told reporters on Wednesday that he had decided on a response to the attacks but did not want an escalation in fighting.

I dont think we need a wider war in the Middle East. Thats not what Im looking for, he said.

Syrian state media reported on Friday that an American aggression had caused casualties and injuries in an area near the Iraq-Syria border.
Through the years, music has defined my life. Gathering all my memories through the years, I used my favorite A to Z approach. I traveled through the alphabet, with the help of my 78, 45 and 33 wax and vinyl collections, and my three-speed record player. Lets spin a few musical memories of some of my favorites to awaken your memories.

A means Patti, Maxine, and Laverne. My favorite Andrews Sisters recording is The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, followed by Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar. B is for The Banjos Back in Town by Teresa Brewer. C has to be Chubby Checker, mainly for The Twist, a dance I like to do.

For D, I inject a vocal group, the Dawn Breakers, made popular on KB Radio, with the Coral Records hit, Boy with the Be-Bop Glasses and the Suede Shoes. E has to be Elvis Presley and his Hound Dog. F means The Four Lads, who were always my favorite male quartet, especially with that gospel tune turned romantic, Down By The Riverside. Gs Glenn Miller is more my parents generation, but I love his music.

H has to be Bill Haley and his Comets, on Decca, with Rock Around the Clock. With a stretch, the letter I can stand for Patti Page, whose The Voice Inside is more lively than most of her songs. With J, many would pick Jerry Lee Lewis, but I choose Johnny Ray, the cry guy, in particular Aint Misbehavin.

K stands for Ko-Ko-Mo, by the Crew Cuts, also known for Oop-Shoop. L means Little Richard, whose Keep a Knockin is a favorite. I have his recordings on all technologies. For M, I think of Guy Mitchell who made me swoon as a teen, especially when he was Singing The Blues or Knee Deep In The Blues.

N demands that Nick Todd be mentioned, because he is Pat Boones  my all time favorite  brother. Anybody ever hear Ever Since I Met Lucy? A song that starts with O, On the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe is still alive and well, from my moms collection of Judy Garland. P again recalls Pat Boone, who was known for his ballads  but I prefer his fast ones.

Q recalls songs that ask questions. One is Why, Baby, Why? a fast one by Pat Boone, the guy in the white bucks. R makes me think of Bobby Rydell, who I saw in person several times, when he sang his version of Volare. S means the Skeleton Jangle, backed by Tiger Rag  my oldest 78, with just a little crack.

T makes me think of Great Grandmas Talking Machine, which was used to play many of these. For U, we cant neglect the umbrellas, called parasols. Whats your favorite umbrella parade song? I vote for When the Saints Come Marching In. V stands for that Talking Machine again, RCA Victor; the famous gramophone and dog is shown on my 78s.

My W is not well known, but I still like Washboard Bill, with his River Boat Dock. X has to be Xaviar Cougats Brazil.

Y is for my discounted yellow label records on the Prom label, like Jambalaya with the Enoch Light Orchestra and Chorus. Z stands for the Sunnysiders Zoom Zoom Zoom, recorded for Knapp records. No online meetings back then.

Last, but not least, my name is Barbara Ann. That calls for another hooray for the Beach Boys!

Whats on your turntable?
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A man seemingly armed with a knife and hammer has injured three people in an early-morning attack at the major Gare de Lyon train station in Paris.

The attack unfolded at around 7.35am on Saturday morning and left one person in a serious condition in hospital, while two others suffered minor injuries.

Prosecutors in Paris said a security guard tackled the suspect to the ground at the Gare de Lyon, Frances second-busiest station, before he was taken into police custody.

A spokesperson for the prosecutors office said that a knife and hammer believed to have been used in the attack are being analysed by police.

The man's motives have not yet been determined and the attack is not immediately being treated as a possible terrorist incident.

A general view outside of the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, France (AP)

The police investigation was looking at a potential preliminary charge of attempted murder, the prosecutors office said.

Posting on social media, interior minister Gerald Darmanin described the attack as an "unbearable act" and thanked those who detained the suspect.

The attack on Saturday is another nerve-rattling security incident in the Olympic host city before the Summer Games open in six months.

Security in Paris is being ramped up as it prepares to welcome 10,500 Olympians and millions of visitors for the first Olympic Games in a century in the French capital.

The Games are to open with a massive open-air ceremony along the River Seine on 26 July, a major security challenge in the city that has been repeatedly hit by terror attacks.

Most recently, a man targeted passersby near the Eiffel Tower in December, killing a German tourist with a knife and injuring two others.
 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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The US military on Friday struck Iran-backed militants and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan.

The US Central Command said American forces struck more than 85 targets at seven locations in both Middle Eastern countries using bombers and precision munitions, just hours after president Joe Biden received the remains of the three service members.

The US strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders in an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

View more

Iran has denied its involvement in the attack on American troops in Jordan.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Mr Biden said in a statement following Republican backlash over what they described as delayed action.

"Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he added.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Baghdad was informed ahead of the strikes and the targets "were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties".

Iraq condemned the strikes as an attack on its sovereignty and warned of dire consequences for the region.

Where did the US strike?

The US military hit more than 85 individual targets in seven locations  four in Syria and three in Iraq. The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, Lt Gen Douglas Sims, the director of the joint staff, said.

The military struck targets in Iraq's remote western Al Anbar province bordering Syria, located 250 miles from Baghdad.

US begins retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq, Syria, hits more than 85 targets (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Among the targets were missile warehouses in the border city of al-Qaim and the town of Akashat in the middle of the Anbar desert, which houses a key base for Iran-backed militants, NPR reported.

The Imam Ali base operated by an Iran-backed militia near the city of Abu Kamal was also targeted in the attack.

The strikes across both countries included command and control operations, intelligence centres, rocket stores, missiles, unmanned vehicle storage and supply chain facilities, officials said.

US warplanes hit Hashd al-Shaabi headquarters in Iraq (Anadolu via Getty Images)

They largely targeted the Quds Force, the foreign espionage and paramilitary arm of the Revolutionary Guards that heavily influences its allied militia across the Middle East, from Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen to Syria.

Let Gen Sims said attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry, though it was not clear if any militants were killed.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

US President Joe Biden attends the dignified transfer of the remains of three US service members killed in Jordan (AFP via Getty Images)

What weapons were used by US?

US Central Command said the assault involved more than 125 precision munitions, and that they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including two long-range B-1 bombers flown from the US.

All the airstrikes were conducted by US warplanes and not navy vessels, a defence official said.

Let Gen Sims said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities. He added that the weather was a key factor in the timing of the operation, with clear visibility providing the best chance of avoiding civilian casualties.

How have Iraq and Syria responded?

Iraqi army spokesperson Yahya Rasool said the strikes "constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences".

"The outcomes will have severe implications on the security and stability in Iraq and the surrounding region.

The Syrian defence ministry called the strikes "blatant air aggression" that led to a number of civilians and soldiers being killed and others being wounded and some significant damage to public and private property.

"Occupying parts of Syrian lands by American forces cannot continue ... the Syrian army affirms continuing its war against terrorism until it is eliminated and is determined to liberate the entire Syrian territories from terrorism and occupation," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Washington has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan, but hasnt narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataib Hezbollah, a top suspect, announced on Tuesday it would pause attacks on US forces.
 Close Related: US launches missiles towards Houthi targets in Yemen from warship

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Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen fired six ballistic missiles at two ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with one ship reporting minor damage.

A Greek-owned bulked carrier was struck by three of the projectiles fired by the Houthis on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the militants struck a British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea.

The USS Laboon operating near the Greek ship intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, the US Central Command said.

The Greek-owned Star Nasia was damaged by an explosion at 11.15am GMT, a Greek shipping ministry official said.

The fresh attacks come just two days after the US and the UK conducted joint airstrikes targeting Houthi bases in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the US has walked back its previous claims that it informed the Iraqi government it would be conducting airstrikes, saying that information was relayed incorrectly.

Vedant Patel, the state department spokesperson, clarified there was not a pre-notification but that they notified the Iraqi government immediately after the strikes occurred.

The US conducted retaliatory strikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday, resulting in at least 39 casualties.

Following the strikes, the White House refused to rule out US action inside Iran.

On Sunday, president Joe Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan told US news networks that further military action was likely, and would not rule out the possibility of strikes inside Irans borders.

Im not going to get into whats on the table and off the table when it comes to the American response, he told CBS.

Mr Sullivan called the airstrikes the beginning, not the end of our response. However, the US has insisted that it does not want a wider conflict across the Middle East.
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The Iraqi government has warned that the Middle East is on the brink of the abyss after retaliatory US airstrikes reportedly killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

On Friday, the US carried out strikes on 85 targets at seven facilities in Iraq and Syria in response to a drone attack at a remote base in Jordan that killed three American service members and injured around 40 others on 28 January.

The US strikes killed almost 40 people, according to a Reuters report. Shortly after the attack, Iraqi government spokesperson, Bassem Al-Awadi, warned that the attacks risked destabilizing the entire Middle East.

This aggressive strike will put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, and it also contradicts efforts to establish the required stability, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr Awadi claimed that the US deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and disavowing legal responsibility for this rejected crime in accordance with all international laws.

The US strikes took place over the course of half an hour, and several were carried out by B-1B bombers flying more than 6,000 miles from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, NBC News reported.

Members of Iraqi Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces clean the rubble after a US airstrike in al-Qaim on February 3 2024 (AP)

Three American soldiers were killed in Jordan last week during an attack on US and coalition forces by Iran-backed militias, the US government said.

The bodies of Sgt William Jerome Rivers, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, all from Georgia, were returned to the US on Friday. President Joe Biden took part in the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, said on Friday that the US airstrike targets were chosen based on intelligence that connected them to attacks against American troops, according to Axios.

Earlier this week, the US retaliated for attacks on international shipping vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels in Yemen. A government official said that the US struck up to 10 unmanned drones in Yemen that were about to launch, Voice of America reported on Wednesday.

Following Fridays US air strikes, the Iraqi foreign ministry called the American embassy in Baghdad to deliver an official note of protest regarding the American attack that targeted military and civilian sites in the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions yesterday evening, the Iraqi News Agency reported.

Iraqs prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, also claimed that it was lies that the US had given his country advanced warning about the strikes.

The US contradicted this claim. It wasnt a huge heads up, a US official told NBC News. But it is not accurate to say they werent informed.

After the strikes, US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said that President Biden had directed further actions against Irans Revolutionary Guard and its linked militia groups.

However, he also said that the US isnt seeking conflict in the Middle East.

This is the start of our response, Mr Austin said in a statement. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces.

Officials in Iraq and Syria said that those killed included soldiers as well as civilians. An Iraqi military spokesperson said that the strikes were a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into unforeseen consequences.

Hussein al-Mosawi, a spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iraqi militia groups backed by Iran, told the Associated Press that the US must understand that every action elicits a reaction.

However, he added that we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions and that the sites struck in Iraq were mostly devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack. Such comments could provide cover if the group chooses not to launch a major counterattack.

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, said that the retaliatory action was a strategic mistake that would only lead to an escalation of tension and instability in the region.

Violence has flared across the Middle East since the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group ruling Gaza, which killed 1,200 people and saw 240 people abducted. Hamas has been designated as a terror organisation by the US and the EU.

Israels response in Gaza has killed more than 27,000 people and left more than 66,000 people wounded, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

Arab nations have taken action to show support for Gaza. Late last year, there were widespread protests in Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Manama in support of the Palestinians. Many protesters in Arab nations have called on their governments to do more to push back against Israel.
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In the nightclubs and hacker houses of San Francisco, a battle is under way for the future of humanity.

In one corner are the champions of progress, charging headlong towards a utopian future of technological godhood. Against them are the forces of doom and despair, who would condemn our species to slow death by stagnation. So: whose side are you on?

That's the recruitment pitch for a rapidly-prototyped philosophical movement that has been making waves in Silicon Valley over the past year, known as Effective Accelerationism (or E/Acc for short).

As artificial intelligence advances at breakneck pace, threatening massive economic disruption and prompting hearings in Congress about the possibility of "human extinction", E/Acc offers a counter-intuitive message: Don't stop. Don't even slow down. Speed up.

Last December this tension between growth and safety exploded into corporate warfare when the non-profit foundation in control of OpenAI  the company behind ChatGPT  attempted to fire its longtime chief executive and co-founder Sam Altman.

While the board members exact reasons remain mysterious, an inside source tells The Independent that they feared Altman was making it impossible for them to supervise the company and direct it towards social good  which was the goal of putting a non-profit in charge to begin with.

For some, E/Acc is simply about opposing burdensome regulation and pushing back against AI "doomers" who advocate sharp curbs on AI development in order to prevent a machine apocalypse.

"What E/Acc really means is that progress can only be cured by more progress," Nick Davidov, an AI-focused venture capitalist, tells The Independent. "We just need to help society accelerate, and then the additional value this generates will help us find the resources to fix the bad things that happen because of the progress."

For others, the movement has a grander, even spiritual purpose: to help our species embrace an interstellar destiny dictated by the most basic laws of physics.

"E/Acc is [about] realising that our role as builders of AI is literally in line with, or emerges directly from, the fundamental thermodynamic will of the universe," says Rohan Pandey, an AI research engineer who recently organised an E/Acc gathering with about 65 attendees, including well-known start-up founders and investors.

Prolific venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is an unabashed fan, as is fellow investor Garry Tan, and the hundreds of people who flocked to an exclusive E/Acc-themed club night in November (with a DJ set by Grimes). Martin Shkreli, the convicted fraudster and sometime "Pharma Bro" turned medical AI entrepreneur, is also a supporter.

E/Acc represents a growing sectarian split within the still relatively young AI industry, which is highly concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area. But the debate exposes a deeper conflict relevant to all regardless of location: who will control and benefit from the next wave of AI?

'Acceleration or death'

When Malcolm Collins first heard about E/Acc, it sounded right up his alley. As a leader of the similarly future-focused pronatalist movement , who often extols the benefits of AI, he was eager to make new allies.

"What I found is that its not a movement in the way I thought it was," Collins tells The Independent. "They dont seem to have conferences, meetings, foundations, anything like that."

Instead, there was only an ever-expanding cloud of memes and blog posts heavy with cyberpunk technobabble  and a loose network of people who had chosen to fly the E/Acc flag.

At the centre was a pseudonymous blogger then known only as Beff Jezos, described by the E/Acc Wki as "the primary leader of the leaderless movement," who began sketching out the philosophy in summer 2022. Last month Forbes unmasked Jezos as a quantum computing engineer named Guillaume Verdon from Canada.

The second law of thermodynamics tells us that all energy within a closed system will eventually spread out into a state of useless equilibrium. One physicist, Jeremy England, has proposed that the cosmos is inherently biased towards forms of matter that hasten this process  such as life, which relentlessly replicates itself to consume all available energy.

E/Acc extrapolates this novel but contested theory to claim that maximising our energy consumption is the supreme purpose of our existence . The universe, sometimes personified as "the thermodynamic god", wants us to conquer the stars and turn them into vast power plants, and all human history has been a stepping stone towards that cosmic destiny.

To keep going we must unleash ever more powerful forms of intelligence, starting with capitalism  "the most powerful form of information technology known to man", according to Verdon  and then artificial general intelligence (AGI), capable of matching or surpassing humans at any task.

Trying to delay or control this process would doom humanity to live out its days on one fragile planet. "Acceleration or death are the only two options. Dont be on the side of death," wrote Verdon.

This mix of mysticism and hypercapitalist libertarianism proved catnip for many in the industry. In October it won the endorsement of Andreessen, who declared : "There is no material problem, whether created by nature or technology, that cannot be solved with more technology deaths that were preventable by AI that was prevented from existing [are] a form of murder."

(Reena Ratan for The Independent / Getty)

Not every E/Acc supporter vibes with the theology. "For me, E/Acc is about: how do we solve dilemmas that we have at hand, here and now?" says Davidov.

Verdon, though, regards E/Acc as a meta-religion, and its that aspect that appealed to Pandey when he first encountered it last May or June. "Its ethical system... was very much in line with the utility function that I go about optimising in my life," he says.

In November, supporters danced beneath giant banners reading "ACCELERATE OR DIE" and "COME AND TAKE IT" at a rave co-sponsored by Verdons company, Extropic. (Grimes, the pop star, said she deeply disagree[s] with the movements ideas but wanted to DJ in enemy territory to promote healthy discussion.) There is even a merchandise store, touting hoodies emblazoned with a stylised graph showing exponential increase.

The us-vs-them rhetoric has alienated some AI builders, with one businessman branding E/Acc "a cult" . Others have criticised the founders stated comfort with the possibility of biological humans being replaced by machines (though Pandey argues that this would be evolution rather than "extinction").

But E/Acc is a deliberately fragmented philosophy, and supporters see no need to agree on every point. Far more important is what they are against.

Rise of the doomers?

On the evening of Friday 17 November, eight hours after OpenAI fired Altman, a young AI entrepreneur named Christian Lewis posted a defiant message to his followers on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"We really are at war now. This is the doomer terrorist opening salvo," Lewis said.

Lewis was one of many E/Acc supporters who interpreted OpenAIs failed coup as, in the words of Slate journalist Nitish Pahwa , the AI equivalent of the "shot heard round the world" . "E/Acc!" tweeted Marc Andreessen. "The doomers won," wrote the Elon Musk fan account Whole Mars Catalogue. "No one will trust doomers ever again," said Verdon.

"Doomerism", together with "deccelerationism", is the name E/Accers give to a sentiment that has become inescapable in AI circles since the explosive launch of ChatGPT at the end of 2022.

Machine learning, the technology that underpins ChatGPT, dates back to the 1950s and has been in regular use by various industries for more than a decade. Many experts dispute that this type of AI could ever evolve into AGI, and some argue that apocalyptic predictions are merely a roundabout form of hype.

Nevertheless, the astonishing sophistication of ChatGPTs output made many AI developers increase their estimate of the probability that AI will destroy humanity  known as their "p(doom)".

Protesters calling on AI companies to "hit pause" have become a regular sight in San Francisco. British prime minister Rishi Sunak has begun warning that AI could lead to human extinction . One influential philosopher of AI, Eliezer Yudkowsky, has even called for a worldwide ban on complex AI development to be enforced by military action  arguing that even a nuclear war would be less dangerous than uncontrolled hyperintelligence.

"I think were absolutely facing an extinction threat from the way were handling AI, says Andrew Critch, chief executive of the AI safety research firm Encultured.AI and a former fellow at Yudkowskys Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI). And I think a lot of people in the E/Acc group either dont believe that, or think that its okay."

Much of this doomerism is associated with the Effective Altruist (EA) movement, on which E/Accs name is a pun, and the broader "rationalist" subculture. Rationalists such as Yudkowsky have long believed that work done on "aligning" AI with human values today could mean the difference between utopia and annihilation tomorrow, which drew many into the industry.

Buoyed by donations from like-minded billionaires such as Sam Bankman-Fried , and clustering together in group houses and dedicated social functions, EAs have achieved influence in Silicon Valley , Washington DC , and beyond .

"It really is an ecosystem, with billions and billions of dollars, that has been incredibly successful at infiltrating Silicon Valley and spreading this worldview," says Emile P Torres, a philosopher and former rationalist who studies the movement.

In truth, Torres argues, EA and E/Acc are kindred ideologies: both preoccupied with sci-fi prognostications, and sharing a utilitarian zeal for maximising "value". Still, E/Accers talk about EA with real venom, and Verdon, aka Jezos, has repeatedly branded it a "death cult".

"I view E/Acc as a response to the moral judgemental-ness of EAs," says Dan Hendrycks, director of the Centre for AI Safety. "This is a balm for researchers who are getting paid obscene amounts of money to automate away lots of people[s jobs]... it makes them feel good about themselves, by telling themselves a cosmic story about how theyre a hero in it."

The technocapital machine

OpenAI was founded in 2015 with a noble yet paradoxical ambition: to ensure that future AGI would "benefit humanity as a whole" by being the first company to build it.

With $1bn in donations from Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and other Big Tech luminaries, it hoped to be "unconstrained by a need to generate financial return". Its charter , published in 2018, declared that "our primary fiduciary duty is to humanity".

But over the years, OpenAI has behaved more and more like a traditional tech company. In 2019, driven by the eye-watering cost of training large AI systems, it created its for-profit arm to attract more investors, and reports since then indicate that it has become ever more secretive and competitive as it seeks to maintain its edge. This year, it relaxed a longstanding ban on military uses of its technology.

This is what E/Accs core thinkers, borrowing a term from Nick Land, call "the technocapital machine". It is the same engine that produced Facebook, Amazon, and Google: one that systematically pushes companies to prioritise profit above all else.

Verdon and Andreessen would say that is a good thing. They follow in the tradition of free-market thinkers such as Ayn Rand and Friedrich Hayek, rejecting not just EA-flavoured doomerism but all attempts to restrain AI.

Altmans position on this E/Acc v EA spectrum has long been a matter of speculation. He is a confessed "prepper" who spent last year jetting around the world warning politicians about the "existential" danger of AI. Yet he has also pushed to commercialise OpenAIs products, while publicly flirting with Verdons ideas.

And so, when OpenAI board members with ties to the EA movement attempted to depose Altman, it wasnt just E/Accers who interpreted their move as an attempt to hit the brakes on AGI.

Subsequent reporting has revealed a more complex picture. Workers had accused Altman of dishonest and sometimes "psychologically abusive" behaviour, with one former OpenAI employee publicly describing him as "deceptive" and "manipulative".

Altman has said that he never attempted to manipulate the board, although he admitted he had sometimes been ham-fisted in his conflicts with them. He also said that he welcomes an independent investigation into what happened.

Speaking to The Independent, a person familiar with the boards thinking says that existential risk played little role in their decision. Rather, their primary concern was that Altman was centralising power within the company and insulating himself from oversight  jeopardising a host of more conventional principles such as making sure OpenAIs technology does not exacerbate injustice.

In this light, what happened at OpenAI was less a duel between two arcane philosophies than a test of whether even a company specifically set up to resist this machine could continue doing so once the industry grew big enough.

"Corporate power has shown that the major events in AI development will be best approximated by competitive pressures and racing dynamics," says Hendrycks. "Other intentions, other ideologies, dont really matter that much. The players in the arena will align not with human values but with the continued evolution of this technocapital system."

That is an alarming prospect not only to those concerned with "existential risk"  which includes 75 per cent of Americans, according to one poll  but to the wide range of scholars and activists who reject the rationalist preoccupation with extinction scenarios.

"The debate between [EA and E/Acc] is a family dispute," argues Torres. "Whats missing is all of the questions that AI ethicists are asking about algorithmic bias, discrimination, the environmental impact of [AI systems], and so on."

AI systems currently deployed by Big Tech have long been accused of harming society, from social media algorithms that choose what billions of people see on their feeds to risk scoring software that tells judges how likely a criminal is to reoffend .

Meanwhile, generative AI such as ChatGPT already appears to be costing jobs and empowering scammers and spammers . It is plagued by "hallucinations" and created by ingesting vast quantities of copyrighted work without compensation or permission.

Historically, some doomers saw these issues as inconsequential compared to the risk of extinction. But both Critch and Hendrycks emphatically reject that logic, arguing that finding equitable solutions to shorter-term problems is a crucial prelude to addressing long-term ones.

"The fairness that should be used to control the impact of AI [now] should also be controlling the catastrophic impacts of AI," says Critch. "If it poses a risk to society, there should be a diversely representative set of people who get to say no to that before it happens."

Even Davidov, while broadly pro-acceleration, is worried about the short-term job loss AI will cause, especially in countries such as Pakistan or Indonesia where clerical work outsourced by the first world is a significant chunk of the economy.

None of which is likely to dim the ardour of both E/Accers and doomers who believe that all prior political issues will soon be rendered moot.

"The difference is, these two camps believe that we are going to create God within the next 20 years," observes Noah, a 24-year-old machine learning scientist at a major tech company in San Francisco. "And if you believe that, then that totally shifts the way you think about something like climate change."
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For hundreds of thousands of rail passengers, Sunday will prove chaotic. There are no actual rail strikes: its a one-day pause in the current round of walkouts by train drivers. Yet their overtime ban continues, and as a result, thousands of trains will be cancelled.

Large swathes of the nation will be without trains, with West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway and Chiltern Railways cancelling all their services.

In the early hours of Sunday, Thameslink and Great Northern issued a Do Not Travel notice for their networks.

In addition, key intercity links including London to Bristol, Cardiff and Cambridge will be closed to passengers and many other lines will be affected.

Here we take a look at the key questions and answers ahead of the day of travel chaos:

Are the railways still affected by industrial action?

Many rail passengers may feel the strikes have been going on forever. In fact, the first national rail walkouts since the 1980s began in the summer of 2022.

The larger rail union, the RMT, has ended its campaign of strikes for now. But Aslef, the smaller yet more powerful train drivers union, is as far from an agreement as ever with the 14 English rail firms whose operations are controlled by the government.

Since the dispute began, Aslef has called regular strikes and bans on rest-day working. Train drivers are currently in the middle of a nine-day spell of industrial action, comprising an overtime ban and rolling regional strikes.

On Saturday, it hit passengers on the West Coast main line and East Midlands network. Tomorrow its the turn of West of England and CrossCountry routes.

Whats different this time?

Its only the second time in 19 months of strikes and overtime bans by train drivers that Aslef has included Sunday in a prohibition on rest-day working. On other days of the week, overtime bans cause cancellations because many rail firms dont have enough train drivers to cover their schedules without bringing in staff on overtime.

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.

The effect of an overtime ban on Sunday services will be dramatic. While staff on most forms of public transport, such as buses and planes, can be required to work on any day of the week, Sunday is a day of rest for many rail staff. Train drivers whose contracts dont have Sunday in the working week are perfectly entitled to choose not to work. As a result, large swathes of the nation will be without rail services  with the Midlands and the West of England particularly hard hit.

Do rail firms normally rely on train drivers working overtime to cover Sundays?

Yes, in some parts of the country. And not just train drivers, other rail staff as well. Even within the same rail firm, the Sunday rule can vary. Northern Trains staff who are based west of the Pennines do not have Sunday included in their working week, while their colleagues on the east side of the range must work on Sundays if instructed to do so.

On Great Western, only newer train drivers are required to work on any day of the week. Those who joined over seven years ago can choose whether or not to work Sundays.

What about the new minimum service levels law?

Even if one or more of the train operators had decided to impose minimum service levels as the law now allows them to do, it would make no difference  because the new rules cant force people to work on their days off.

Where are the key Sunday problems?

Chiltern Railways, which connects London with Oxford and Birmingham, says no trains will run at all anywhere on its network. The same applies for West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway. That means dozens of stations will see no trains at all, including every station on the line between London Euston and Rugby except Watford Junction and Milton Keynes.

For the first time on any day with industrial action, Great Western will not connect London with Bristol. Trains from the capital will go no further west than Swindon, which means Cardiff is also cut off from London.

In the early hours of Sunday, Thameslink and Great Northern issued a Do Not Travel notice for their networks. Some key routes including London to Cambridge and Kings Lynn are completely closed, while others linking Brighton with London and Bedford face severe disruption.

In East Anglia, some rail links will be replaced by buses, while C2C, serving south Essex, says it will have a severely reduced service.

On top of that ban on rest-day working, there is 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.

The Gatwick Express between the capital and the Sussex airport is suspended due to the overtime ban, as is the Night Riviera sleeper train between London Paddington and Penzance.

Whats at the root of the dispute?

Since the pandemic, travel patterns have changed. Ticket revenue is about one-fifth down on pre-Covid levels. The public subsidy to keep the railways running is currently running at over 17,000 per minute  a rise of 43 per cent on the usual subsidy, according to the government. As taxpayers will foot the eventual bill for the train drivers pay rise, the Department for Transport will sign off any deal. Ministers believe train drivers terms and conditions are part of the problem.

To keep costs down, they must accept changes to how they work, such as making Sunday part of the working week everywhere. The union say this is completely unacceptable. The train drivers will negotiate on such changes, but only after they get a decent no-strings pay offer on top of their current pay, averaging 60,000 a year. Theyve always sold reforms to working arrangements for an extra few per cent on their pay, and they dont intend to stop now. Stuck in the middle: the passenger.

What are the warring sides saying?

Rail minister Huw Merriman told The Independent: 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 are paid an average 60,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week. The pay deal would take them up to 65,000.

But Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, says its a rubbish deal that he cant possibly put to his members  some of whom have not had a pay rise for five years. He says ministers have refused to engage with the union for over 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.

One rail industry insider said the Sunday move by Aslef could turn out to be counter-productive for the union  by drawing attention to the restrictive agreements that ministers say they want to reform.

Meanwhile, the corrosion in confidence among travellers continues, with no rail passenger able to plan journeys more than two weeks ahead  that being the minimum notice the union must give for industrial action.
Footage showed a US jet taking off for Syria and Iraq to conduct retaliatory strikes in response to the deaths of three American soldiers killed in a drone attack in Jordan by Iran-backed militants.

US forces struck more than 85 targets at seven locations in both Middle Eastern countries using bombers and precision munitions, the US Central Command said.

It came after Joe Biden received the remains of the three service members.

Iraq has warned the region is now on the brink of the abyss after the retaliatory strikes, which killed 16 people loyal to Iran.
A trader who says he witnessed a stabbing attack at Gare de Lyon in Paris on Saturday, 3 February, described the scene that unfolded at the station.

Gabriel told BFMTV: I was on my way to work, suddenly I saw all of the security guards running into the station... there were no screams, I didnt even realise it at the time. I was with my colleague, and then two or three minutes later, everyone was running to the outside.

The knife attack left three people injured, one of whom police described as in a serious condition.

A man has been arrested.
Comreg was concerned that Eircom had engaged in discussions with other operators about proposed discount schemes before they had been approved by the watchdog

The High Court has directed that the communications regulator (ComReg) can conduct searches of data seized from Eircom as part of an investigation into whether the company is complying with market competition obligations.

Comreg began an investigation into Eircom (trading as Eir) after the company published details of a proposed discount for access to its fibre to the home/businesses scheme by its wholesale customers, namely other service providers like Sky.

Comreg said this scheme did not meet regulatory requirements and was concerned about the impact it would have on competition.

Eircom, which is the dominant provider in the market, withdrew the discount scheme but Comreg remained concerned about the fact that Eircom had engaged in discussions with other operators about proposed discount schemes before the scheme had been approved by the watchdog.

As a result, ComReg conducted an unannounced search of the premises of Eircom over three days, between May 31 and June 2 last and it seized some of the company's digital data.

Comreg then applied to the High Court asking it to approve a step plan it had proposed for the purpose of eliminating privileged and irrelevant or private information from the seized data.

Eircom argued that if ComReg conducted the electronic key word search to remove privileged or irrelevant information, then, it was likely that ComReg will have access to Eircom's privileged or private and confidential information.

This will mean, it says, that the confidentiality of its information is not maintained, as required by statute.

Therefore, it argued, Eircom itself should conduct the search and provide the refined data to Comreg with privileged or irrelevant information removed. Comreg disagreed.

Eircom also refused to make any submissions to Comreg about the format of electronic word searches that should be carried out other than that related to certain lawyers and staff who authored or appeared on privileged documents.

Eircom said it did so because it believed the scope of the investigation was not sufficiently clear.

In a judgment on Friday, Mr Justice Michael Twomey said Comreg should conduct the search.

Otherwise, he said "the very purpose of search and seizure powers by a regulator as part of its investigation of a regulated entity, would be undermined."

He also approved a plan proposed by Comreg which involves the use of an electronic word search designed to eliminate privileged and irrelevant material from the seized data... subject to a small number of minor modifications.

He also encouraged the parties to engage to see if agreement can be reached regarding all outstanding matters, without the need for further court time.
Share of contribution seen as proxy for relative role in tragedy that led to 72 deaths

Irish stock market-listed insulation maker Kingspan paid just over 4m (4.7m) of an out-of-court settlement for victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster, which saw 72 people killed in a huge fire at a London tower block in 2017.

The share of the bill indicates a relatively marginal role in the circumstances that caused the tragedy.

The payment was part of an agreed redress scheme totalling 150m paid to around 900 victims and families affected by the tower fire.

Kingspan, which supplied part of the insulation on the building, has been criticised over its role since a public inquiry unearthed evidence of employees questioning their own products safety record long before the tragedy and appearing to joke about it.

UK housing minister Michael Gove last month described Kingspan as a company that gives capitalism a bad name.

Last year, he called on Kingspan to pay remediation costs arising from the Grenfell Tower inquiry and threatened commercial consequences if the company does not right the wrongs of the past.

In an excoriating letter to Kingspan CEO Gene Murtagh, dated March 23, 2023, and published on Twitter, now X, Mr Gove said the inquiry into the fire uncovered shameful practices and an abhorrent culture of disregard for safety in the building industry.

However, the company has always insisted its products played a limited role in the spread of the fire and had been fitted incorrectly, while apologising for the conduct of its former staff revealed during the inquiry.

An article in UK news outlet Byline Times by journalist Chris Blackwood appears to bear that out. He reported for the first time the breakdown of contributions into the 150m Grenfell redress package. The report says the single biggest contribution was from the Kensington and Chelsea local authority, which owned the block, at 35.84pc of the total.

The council has long been controlled by Mr Goves Conservative Party.

The next biggest payment was from Arconic, which made the cladding on the exterior of the tower where the fire spread, which paid in 22.84pc. Kingspans contribution was the smallest of eight.

Mr Blackwood said the terms of the settlement were agreed by all parties, indicating that the contributions were based on a mutual understanding of relative roles in the circumstances that created the conditions for the fire.

The settlement is known as Bindman Settlement, based on the name of a law firm involved in agreeing its terms. The terms were confidential.

A spokesman for Kingspan said it could not comment on the details.

Whilst we confirm that Kingspan was involved in the negotiated settlement between the government and other parties, we cannot confirm or deny the details of this settlement, which is confidential information, he said.
The three young people who died in a crash in Carlow have been remembered as a gentleman, a role model and a kind and beautiful lady.

Daryl Culbert (21), Michael Kelly (25) and Katie Graham (19) died in the single- vehicle crash at about 11.30pm on Wednesday.

One senior investigator described the scene as one of the most severe cases he had dealt with in 25 years.

The first of the funerals is due to take place on Monday when Katie Graham, from Ballinagall, Ballickmoyler in Carlow / Laois will be laid to rest. She will repose at her residence on Sunday afternoon from 3pm until 8pm with a rosary at 7pm, followed by a service at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Arles.

Dozens of condolence messages have been left on her death notice, with many expressing their sympathies with the family for the loss of their beautiful daughter.

One friend described Ms Graham as a kind and beautiful lady, while a representative of Arles National School, which she attended, said they had learned of her death with great sadness.

Meanwhile the funeral of Daryl Culbert (21), from Kiltegan in Wicklow, will also take place on Monday at St Peters Church at 2pm, followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard.

Mr Culbert has been remembered as a keen off-road karting talent by the Rallysport Association.

The group said in a statement his ability was clear for all to see, with a number of victories and podium finishes, always accompanied with a smile alongside his father Trevor.

A true gentleman who will be sorely missed by all at the RSA, it added.

The funeral of Michael Kelly (25), from Nurney in Co Carlow, will take place on Tuesday at St Brigids Church, Hacketstown at 1pm, which can be viewed on the church webcam.

Following his Requiem Mass he will be laid to rest with his grandparents in Hacketstown Cemetery.

Mr Kelly, a trainee electrician from Nurney in Co Carlow, was described by his devastated family as a very good big brother who loved his cars.

His bother Jordan told RTE News: Its kind of hard to believe, to be honest. Everyone that met Mike just loved him so much... from my own point of view, he was a very good big brother to me. He was a role model, he didnt drink, all he cared about was his family and he loved his cars.

When he was with his friends and with his family, he just seemed to have a sense of glow about him.

Youd be nearly lifted off the ground, hed have a smile from ear to ear.

Although himself and myself had different interests, we always managed to support each other, whether he was sitting in a GAA stand with me or I was standing on a racetrack with him. From a very young age we could see that cars were his calling.

He was a very quiet person, he didnt want to be the loudest person in the room, he was quite happy to blend into the back. I dont think Ill ever be able to forget him.

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place at University Hospital Waterford.

A fourth passenger in the car, a man in his 20s, was transferred from St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny, to the Mater Hospital, Dublin, and is continuing to receive treatment for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The accident happened on the N80 at Leagh around 5km outside of Carlow town.

The red Lexus car in which the young people were travelling is understood to have left a Circle K garage in Rathcrogue and travelled to the Ballon area before it set off towards Carlow town.

Two of the people involved in the crash had travelled to the garage separately in their own vehicles to meet up with each other before the accident.

They all went off for a spin together that unfortunately led to a terrible tragedy, a source said.

It is not known if the trip was a regular occurrence, but gardai are satisfied they all knew each other.

Its understood that Mr Culbert, a trainee mechanic from a highly respected family, was the driver of the car.

Speaking at Carlow garda station on Thursday, Superintendent Anthony Farrell said it was one of the most severe cases he had ever attended in his 25 years on the force.

An Garda Siochana want to express their sincere sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy and indeed the wider community, he said.

It was a horrific scene last night and Im very conscious of the impact this will have on our own teams to see three young people in very bad conditions.

We are conscious of the impact this will have on the families involved but also on the wider community. In my 25 years of service, it is one of the most severe cases that I have attended. It was really, really traumatic.

We had our local parish priest, Father Tom Little, attend the scene and exercise last rites with all the family and he also said a prayer with emergency services.

There is no indication yet as to what caused the crash. An Garda Siochana are exploring all avenues as part of this investigation and we make a media appeal for people who might have been on the Wexford Road area of the town.
Breda Smyth will take up an academic position with the Royal College of Surgeons. Photo: Gareth Chaney

The chief medical officer who replaced Dr Tony Holohan 18 months ago is resigning from her 202,000-a-year job now that the post is no longer a pivotal role.

It means the Department of Health will again have to advertise for a chief medical officer who is the overall guardian and adviser on the nations health.

Professor Breda Smyth will take up an academic position with the Royal College of Surgeons where her salary could be potentially higher.

She has been in the chief medical officer role for around 18 months and followed Dr Holohan, who steered the country through the pandemic and stepped down in July 2022, moving to a post in UCD.

However, the role of chief medical officer in the Department of Health is no longer as crucial as it was, with much influence now coming from the HSE.

Unlike the past, where the post was paramount in the health service, it is now more in the background.

It does, however, still involve crucial decisions.

There are now senior doctors in place in key HSE roles covering various areas such as disease prevention.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry will have a major say in health service decisions.

There are a number of posts for medical officers in the Department of Health and an acting chief medical officer may be appointed from their ranks.

However, while some of these are vacant, it is expected a number of public health doctors, or doctors from other areas of medicine, would be interested in the chief medical officer role.

Prof Smyth was previously professor for public health medicine at NUI Galway and consultant in public health in HSE West.

She contributed significantly to Irelands response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She has been a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Rapid Testing Expert Advisory Group and chief investigator on the multi-site study UniCoV.

She also carried out important duties as the director of public Health in HSE West.

Prof Smyth was also a founding member of the Covid-19 Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG).

The Department said in a statement: Prof Smyth will take up the role of professor of public health with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland in partnership with the HSE.

She was successful in applying for the post.
Practice continues despite Department of Education stating a childs place in a school cannot be dependent on making such a payment

Some schools not accepting new students unless voluntary contributions are paid

Some secondary schools are refusing to accept new students until voluntary contributions of up to 200 are paid.

Acceptance letters sent by some public schools across the country state that the offer is conditional on certain requirements being met  including the payment of contributions.

Despite the Department of Education stating that a childs place in a school cannot be dependent on making such a payment, some schools are still engaging in this practice.

The Irish Independent has seen correspondence which advises parents that places can be confirmed only once enrolment requirements are met, including payment of fees to cover stationery, insurance and heat.

Some schools are also asking parents to pay Junior Cycle administration charges of up to 150 to cover assessments and stationery when accepting a childs place.

In one letter, a public school requested a registration fee of 120 and 13 for insurance.

Charities have been campaigning for voluntary contributions to be abolished because parents from lower-income backgrounds are struggling to afford them.

A report by the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) found the average payment for contributions per child is 140, with some schools charging as much as 550.

SVP also found children are sometimes called out in class due to non-payment, and some had lockers and journals withheld if their parents did not pay. The charity criticised some schools for not making it clear such contributions are optional.

However, schools have said they are forced to seek money from parents because they do not get enough state funding to meet everyday expenses. Voluntary contributions are used to plug gaps in school finances and often fund vital resources and activities.

Childrens charity Barnardos said it was unacceptable that some schools were potentially refusing school places unless voluntary contributions were paid, but also called on the Department of Education to ensure schools were adequately funded.

The department said the Education Act 2018 explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to, or for continued enrolment in school.

A spokesperson said the department had been made aware of a very small number of instances of this happening and had acted accordingly.

In the event that the department becomes aware of a school seeking contributions as a condition of enrolment, the department will contact the school without delay to ensure that the practice ceases immediately and that any contributions received are returned to parents, the spokesperson added.

Voluntary contributions are sometimes referred to as some variation of administration fees, school fees, student support fund or school development fees. In some cases both a voluntary contribution and additional fees are requested.

Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said that some parents may refuse to pay due to their inability to do so due to their financial situation.

The Barnardos annual Back to School Survey indicated that schools across Ireland ask parents to make a voluntary contribution to help fund the running costs of the school for the upcoming year, due to insufficient funding from the Department of Education, she said.

We appreciate that there was an increase of 21m to the capitation grant announced in Budget 2024 and hoped that this would reduce the need for principals to ask for voluntary contributions.

Many parents stated that they feel compelled to pay this fee despite not having the financial means to do so and reported being chased up by schools when they do not pay the contribution.

Barnardos believes that parents should not be required to cover the daily cost of running a school. The Department of Education should appropriately fund schools, so that they do not require additional income from parents. At an absolute minimum, no school should ever be entitled to threaten a childs placement in that school based on their parents ability to pay the voluntary contribution.

The Department of Education said that the manner in which voluntary contributions were sought was a matter for school management. Their collection, however, must not create a situation where parents or pupils could infer the contributions are compulsory in nature, the spokesperson added.

The department said it was committed to providing funding to schools in the free education system by way of per-capita grants.

In addition to these grants, 20m in funding was issued during the mid-term break in late 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, a department spokesperson said.

This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional 60m funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity.

A further 40m in funding was delivered in early 2024.

In a report conducted by SVP and published last year, schools expressed concern about the level of funding they get.

They said they relied on voluntary contributions for essential resources such as books, classroom materials, journals, insurance and stationary.
It was a day when a crisp winter sun shone brightly, but a gloom hung over the seaside suburb of Blackrock, Co Dublin, as mourners gathered to say farewell to a life cut down in its prime.

Paul Tanney, deputy editor of RTEs Prime Time and long-time resident of Blackrock, lost his lengthy battle with leukaemia on January 27. He was aged just 50. The proud Belfast man, however, has left an indelible impression on his family, friends and colleagues, many of whom gathered at St John the Baptist Church on St Brigids Day for his funeral mass.

Among those who spoke were Prime Time presenters Miriam OCallaghan and David McCullagh. It was a lovely gesture for these two well-known faces to pay such glowing and heartfelt tribute to the person behind the camera who often called the shots.

David recalled his professionalism, integrity and self-deprecating humour. Miriam paid tribute to a rock of common sense, a man with superlative editorial judgment and also a man with a unique, sharp wit.

While the occasion was incredibly sad, there were smiles as Miriam recalled that Pauls jokes were sometimes so cerebral or oblique that they initially went over her head  though the penny would often drop 30 minutes later.

Paul had an encyclopaedic knowledge, but he wore this very lightly. His calm demeanour and good humour were appreciated in the often frenetic environment of RTE.

David recalled that while Paul had a highly organised mind, he was less adept at keeping his desk clean or dressing smartly. Long before dressing down was common in offices, Paul had this down to a fine art.

His stoicism and wit stayed with him throughout his long illness. Another former colleague, Arthur Beesley of the Irish Times, recalled his incredible resilience and how his primary concern was always his wife Jessica and children Sadhbh and Daniel.

The oldest of three children, Paul was born in 1973 and grew up in the Stranmillis area of Belfast. It was in this area that straddles the River Lagan that Paul learned his love of walking along the towpath and Lagan Meadows.

His friend Dale Connolly told the mourners how he often accompanied Paul on his hill-walking expeditions as an adult. Paul, an assiduous planner, made sure he had everything from water-proof clothing to compasses. Dale only had to look after the coffee.

Paul attended St Brides Primary School on the Malone Road and then Methodist College Belfast. He revelled in his time at both schools, and an old school tie from each were among the tributes brought to the altar during the funeral mass.

Paul went on to study at Trinity College, Dublin, but found his calling when he entered the first year of the new Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism course at the University of Ulster in the autumn of 1997.

It was a year of unprecedented hope in Northern Ireland as the country inched towards the Good Friday Agreement.

Belfast itself was still a city scarred by decades of sectarian violence and the area around the art college, where the course was taught, was pretty bleak. This was long before the redevelopment of the Cathedral Quarter and the building of the MAC and St Annes Square.

It was also, conversely, a great time to start work in journalism. Northern Ireland was a big story internationally and the internet was opening up new opportunities before the challenges became apparent.

It was a small class and tight bonds and lifelong friendships were formed. There is great sadness at Pauls untimely passing.

It was on this course that I met Paul and an enduring friendship formed that continued in Dublin when I lived there and we formed another circle of friends.

Paul started his career in journalism at the Belfast office of the Irish Times and later went on to work for Newstalk in Dublin as a producer before moving to RTE, where he worked on the Six One and Nine OClock TV news and as editor on RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland.

Paul met his wife Jessica around this time and they married in 2008. The family home was a short distance from St John the Baptist Church in Blackrock and within easy commuting distance from his long-time workplace, RTEs Donnybrook headquarters.

Paul died at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin. He is mourned by his mother Enda, his father Brian, his brother David, sister Claire, father-in-law Gabriel and mother-in-law Sylvia, brother-in-law John, sister-in-law Samantha, nieces Olivia and Sophia and nephews Eoin and Finn.

He now rests not far from Blackrock, the place he made his home and raised his family.

A place not far from his beloved RTE where his passing was mourned this week with separate tributes at the end of an episode of Prime Time and during Morning Ireland.

The tributes would probably have come as a surprise to Paul, whose self-deprecating nature always underestimated his profound positive influence. As his sister Claire said, he is probably looking down and thinking, what is all this fuss about?

Edward McCann is Director of Publishing Operations at Mediahuis Ireland
Sophie Toscan du Plantiers son Pierre-Louis Baudey Vignaud has said he now feels at peace following the death of Ian Bailey.

Speaking on the Late Late Show in his first interview since Mr Baileys death, Mr Baudey Vignaud said his first reaction upon hearing the news was to sit and digest this.

Ms Toscan du Plantiers body was found on the laneway outside her holiday home in Toormore, Goleen, Co Cork, on December 23, 1996.

Mr Bailey, who was the chief suspect, died on January 21, following a sudden heart attack.

Its been now more than 27 years since my mother was murdered in Ireland, Mr Baudey Vignaud told host Patrick Kielty on Friday night.

I saw some texts from journalists with the news and it was a shock for me. I have been fighting for 27 years and its like game over.

Now we will have peace again in Ireland and in my head.

Mr Baudey Vignaud said he saw Mr Bailey in Schull three times over the years following his mothers death.

"The first two times he didnt recognise me and the last time I was with my kids in the Schull harbour having tea and ice cream and I saw someone looking at me, he said.

"I wasnt shocked because it was before the Paris court but that was not easy for me to go back to this house, in this very beautiful village.

"The killer took my mothers life and he has no right to take my life and my freedom so I wanted to face it.

He said his grandparents who are in ill-health, are unaware of Mr Baileys death.

Mr Baudey Vignaud described his mother as a free spirit who succeeded in her dream of buying a home in Ireland.

The father-of-two lives in France but visits his mothers holiday home in Schull up to five times a year with his two children, Sophie and Louis.

For me, its not the place where she was killed. Its her paradise. Its a very good way for my kids to meet their grandmother. I feel so good there, I feel confident, and I feel protective, he said.

Its a remote house and its a little paradise, so now we can really enjoy this place again.

My mother loved this country and I want to continue that.

We must turn the page, this is game over of this case, I am free again here in Ireland. I dont want any more interviews. Its the end of this story and another story now, a peaceful story.

In 2019, Ian Bailey was convicted of Ms du Plantiers murder in absentia by a three-judge French court and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

His legal team labelled those proceedings a farce and Mr Bailey has always vigorously denied any involvement in the death of the 39-year-old.
Stormont's first nationalist First Minister Michelle O'Neill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy First Minister.

Taking up the post, she said she and Ms O'Neill come from "very different backgrounds", but for her part she will work "tirelessly to ensure that we can deliver for all in Northern Ireland".

The two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the region's largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, is undoubtedly a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal on post-Brexit trade with the UK Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border on goods remaining within the UK.

On Thursday, the Government fast-tracked two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return on Saturday.

The proceedings commenced with the process of nominating a speaker, with former DUP leader Edwin Poots elected to the role.

Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, Ms O'Neill said the restoration of the institutions marked a "moment of equality and progress".

"A new opportunity to work and grow together," she said.

"Confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.

Ms O'Neill said the public were relying on each of us to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

"We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community," she said.

"In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity."

Ms O'Neill urged all MLAs to be "respectful of each other".

"The days of second-class citizenship are long gone," she said.

"Today confirms that they are never coming back.

"As an Irish republican I pledge co-operation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition and who cherish the Union.

"This is an assembly for all - Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.

"Despite our different outlooks and views on the future constitutional position, the public rightly demands that we co-operate, deliver and work together.

"We must build trust and confidence in our ability to do that.

"That will require courage and ambition not just from us who are elected but from the public.

"We can all invest in this and the more of us that do the better the chance it has."

The republican leader said the new ministerial executive "undoubtedly face great challenges" as she listed the issues besetting public services in the region.

She said ministers had to work together to challenge the UK Government to provide more funding for Northern Ireland.

Ms O'Neill reflected on the achievement of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

"I was a 20-year-old mother at the time of the agreement, and I remember vividly the sense of hope and optimism," she said.

"I got right in behind politics and have worked since then to build the peace.

"There is no question that our society has been fundamentally transformed because of the peace process.

"I stand here proud, elected First Minister as someone who represents the Good Friday generation, and someone who will lead us into the next 25 years.

"I am also an Ulster woman, a Tyrone woman and a deeply proud Irish and European citizen.

"This is an historic day which represents a new dawn.

"For the first time ever, a nationalist takes up the position of First Minister.

"That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents' generation.

"Because of the Good Friday Agreement that old state that they were born into is gone.

"A more democratic, more equal society has been created making this a better place for everyone.

"This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none is a changing portrait.

"Yesterday is gone."

Ms O'Neill said her appointment reflected the change that society in the region had undergone.

"I am a republican," she said.

"I will serve everyone equally and be a First Minister for all.

"To all of you who are British and unionist; Your national identity, culture and traditions are important to me.

"I will be both inclusive and respectful to you. None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are.

"Our allegiances are equally legitimate. Let's walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway.

"I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart."

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill speaking after being appointed as Northern Irelands First Minister during proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings, Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Commenting on the legacy of the Troubles, Ms O'Neill said much suffering and trauma persists as a result of the injustices and tragedies of the past.

"We must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families," she said.

"I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict. Without exception.

"As First Minister I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing the work of reconciliation between all of our people.

"The past cannot be changed or undone.

"But what we can do is build a better future.

"I will never ask anyone to 'move on', but I do hope that we can 'move forward'. I want us to walk in harmony and friendship.

"My eyes are firmly fixed on the future. On unifying people and society.

"Every generation must write its own chapter, define its own legacy."

Ms Little-Pengelly said she recognised that for many, it is a "historic moment".

She said there must be no dominating from any side to another, calling for a "new approach of recognising the concerns of each other and finding solutions together".

"We are all born equal and the people who look on this sitting today demand us to work together," Ms Little-Pengelly said.

"Michelle is an Irish republican, and I am a very proud unionist. We will never agree on those issues but what we can agree on is that cancer doesn't discriminate on our hospitals need fixed.

"Let us be a source of hope to those young people watching today, not one of despair.

"Let us prove that difference is something that can be a strength through recognition and respect. That difference need not be a barrier to progress and delivering.

"This is my pledge. I love this place we call home. I will work tirelessly for delivery for all the people of Northern Ireland from every background. I will do so with the best of my abilities honoured by the privilege and opportunity to do so.

"Let's do it side by side and let's keep Northern Ireland moving forward."

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Irish Government in Dublin is ready to support the work of the Executive and to work in partnership with the British Government.

Today is a special day for the people of Northern Ireland. Two years after the Assembly and Executive were collapsed, they have been restored. MLAs who were given a mandate by their electorate back in May 2022 can now take up that mandate in full, said Mr Martin.

"I want to congratulate Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly on assuming their roles as First Minister and deputy First Minister.

"I wish them both well in what will be very demanding roles. I look forward to working with them, and with their Executive colleagues.

I also want to congratulate Edwin Poots on his election as Speaker of the Assembly.

While the last few weeks and months have focused on restoring the Assembly and Executive, the hard work now begins in earnest. Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges. An Executive working collectively - and prioritising real, everyday needs over questions of identity - can meet these challenges.

Meanwhile, President Micheal D Higgins said the reactivation of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be welcomed by all those who wish to see an effective system of power-sharing.

May I congratulate Edwin Poots on his election as Speaker of Stormont and wish him every success in the role, he said in a statement.

May I send warmest regards to Michelle ONeill on her nomination as First Minister and to Emma Little-Pengelly on her nomination as Deputy First Minister and convey to both of them every good wish in the responsibilities they are undertaking.

The speeches of both the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister were most impressive in their inclusion, warmth and their wish to get to grips with all of the important practical tasks that they will face.

"This obvious shared desire to work together offers the best of prospects for the institutions to serve all of the people and to meet their differing needs.

I wish the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and their Ministers well in their new roles in the work that lies ahead of them as we look ahead to the full restoration of all of the institutions of devolved Government.

Traoslaim libh uilig agus guidhim gach beannacht don todhchai.
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkars controversial trip to Miami for less than 20 hours last year cost just under 15,000, including more than 6,000 on hospitality, new figures show.

Mr Varadkar and six accompanying officials left the UN General Assembly in New York last September to travel to the Florida city to officially open an Irish consulate that was already open since October 2022 before returning the following day.

Despite the consulate being open for nearly a year and the carbon emissions created by the trip, Mr Varadkar argued it was important that he, as Taoiseach, should fly down to the sunshine state and officially open the office which is a hub for Irish diplomatic connections to the Caribbean.

"The alternative way to have done it is to make a dedicated trip from Ireland which would have cost more and more CO2 emissions, Mr Varadkar argued.

Mr Varadkar and his six-strong delegation flew out of New Yorks La Guardia on the evening Wednesday 20 September, before returning from Miami the following afternoon so that the Taoiseach could deliver Irelands statement at the UN General Assembly.

His office later confirmed the trip was less than 24 hours though it was reported at the time to have lasted less than 20 hours in total.

Just over 4,477 was spent on flights for the Taoiseach and the accompanying delegation of six people from New York to Miami, according to figures released to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy this week.

In response to Ms Murphy's parliamentary question, Mr Varadkar confirmed that just over 1,610 was spent on accommodation costs for him and his delegation with more than 1,048 spent on ground transportation for the travelling party. There were also travel and subsistence expenses of 150.15.

On top of this, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin disclosed to Ms Murphy in a written answer this week that the consulate general in Miami paid out 6,272 on hospitality, 1,058 on car hire and paid 250 in photographer fees during Mr Varadkars brief trip to Florida.

Mr Martins written answer states that the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, described as an important repository for Irish culture in Miami, was provided free of charge and that cultural performances were also arranged without a fee.

The total cost between the Taoiseach and his delegations travel and accommodation and the events in Miami itself was just over 14,866.

Mr Martins answer also pointed out that during his visit, his Coalition colleague Mr Varadkar held a number of high-level meetings, including a meeting Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and addressing a very well-attended gathering of political, economic and cultural contacts, including Irish community members.

Speaking to reporters in New York in advance of the trip last September, Mr Varadkar said: The State of Florida is one of the most important States now in the union, a huge economic powerhouse, and also it's our new office to the Caribbean. It's actually something that I set out as part of our Global Ireland ambition back in 2017.

So I was keen to do it, I have a number of other engagements as well. The fact that the Head of Government is there makes a big difference in terms of the meetings that you get and the access we can secure for our staff there.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, who was also in New York at the time having travelled by train from Washington DC, defended the greenhouse gas emissions created by the Taoiseachs short trip. I don't think we should turn this into a kind of a moral quiz, in terms of who's the most virtuous, he said.
A man is due in court later this morning in connection with the seizure of 3.1million and 350,000 cash by gardai during a Day of Action.

Detectives carried out a total of 37 searches across the capital and Wicklow on Thursday including a business which gardai suspect is used to launder the gang's drug money.

Gardai conducted the raids as part of an operation targeting a crime organisation predominately based in south Dublin who are suspected of being major suppliers of drugs on the east coast.

During Thursday's operation a vehicle was stopped and searched in the Aughrim area of Wicklow during which 44kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 3.1m, was seized.

Gardai also searched a Clondalkin property linked to a close associate of the gang during which 213,000 in cash was seized, while a further 140,000 was seized in further searches.

Two suspects were detained as part of the operation.

A garda spokesman has now confirmed one of the arrested men  who is in his 30s  will be brought before Bray District Court this morning.

He said: "Gardai have charged a man (30s) arrested as part of the day of action in Dublin and Wicklow, which saw 3.1 Million cocaine and 350,000 cash seized.

"He is due to appear before a special sitting of Bray District Court this morning at 9:15am, Saturday 3rd February 2024.

The second man (30s) arrested has been released from custody pending file to the DPP.

As a result of the operation more than 280,000 in bank accounts was frozen and eight vehicles with a total value of over 200,000 was seized on suspicion of being the proceeds of crime or used for money laundering.

A quantity of jewellery, including designer watches, electronic devices, laptops, and smartphones were also seized.

Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, who is in charge of policing in Dublin, described it as a "very significant seizure".
Kathy Enersen has years of experience in retail. She recently decided to come out of retirement to open her own apparel and jewelry store in downtown Chippewa Falls.

Dressed Up!! features sparkly gowns and dress clothes for women of all shapes and sizes.

The stores collection has styles available for immediate purchase off the rack and multiple apparel lines that can be special ordered. Prices range from $43 to $475 to accommodate various budgets.

The Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Dressed Up!! on Wednesday. About two dozen people showed up to celebrate its opening and welcome the store owner to downtown.

Women can now avoid the anxiety that comes with online orders or lengthy drives to metropolitan areas," Enersen said.

Half-century of experience

Enersen has over 50 years of work experience in the Chippewa Valley. She spent 25 years of running a hair salon and 26 years working retail in Chippewa Falls. Her professional background includes owning and running The Metropolitan Shops, Duncan Creek Apparel and managing the Foreign 5 Bridal Sweet, which closed in 2023.

I take pride in delivering old-fashioned customer service, ensuring a tailored experience for each individual," she said. "If a customer cannot find what they seek, I am dedicated to personally curating options until we discover the perfect dress for their occasion.

Drawing on decades of formal business experience, Enersen decided to "un-retire" and establish the specialty store, which had a soft opening in November. She is dedicated to providing women with a unique shopping experience for their perfect dress, she said.

Dressed Up!! Address: 15 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday Information: www.dressedupfashions.com or 715-861-3899

To take on a new business venture and come out of retirement to create her own shop has been a lot of work  a labor of love, she said.

Sue Vanderhyden was at the store opening Wednesday.

People need to be feeling beautiful. You have to feel pretty, she said. I mean were girls. We want to be glamorous.

Enersen said business has picked up significantly in recent weeks.

It's almost, well, it's not scaring me, I can handle it. But I just want to make sure I can service everyone properly and keep everything straight. I'm getting quite a few customers from all over Wisconsin, she said. Its just really amazing. I think it's due to social media, but also I've got advertising out there and I've got a lot of referral bases out there, too, that are sending me people.

Unique approach

Dressed Up!! offers a unique approach to shopping. It operates with limited hours but provides personalized private appointments. The location at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Chippewa Falls has walk-in shopping three days a week, as well as private appointments, with a range of options from formal, elaborately beaded gowns to simple casual dresses.

During appointments a shopper and up to three guests can receive personalized assistance and refreshments such as coffee, wine, snacks and hors doeuvres while they shop at their leisure.

While there is a fee for appointments, rest assured that the benefits include a discount on your purchase, making the entire experience truly worthwhile, Enersen said.

I just hope that people give me a try and see if I can find something for them. I love it. I love the store. I walk around here by myself every day and just love being here. It's just such a nice place to be. And I want people to experience that  to come in, get comfortable and enjoy it.

Formal wear

Enersen said shes currently working with some people looking for ball gowns and formal wear. While she doesnt advertise herself as a vendor of prom dresses, she said she will work with young women looking for prom attire. She also sells reasonably priced dresses for those attending weddings or formal events  everything from jumpsuits to pant suits to gowns.

I'm really happy that you've made the decision to become part of the downtown," Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman said during a ribbon cutting. "The community is very excited and Chippewa Valley is very excited to have you here. We wish you many years of success.

Chippewa Area Chamber of Commerce president Allyson Wisniewski said she was impressed with the turnout.

I hope that's an indication of what we are here to do, (which) is to support you as part of our some 720 chamber members. You are one of the newest to our family and that family comes from the city, the county and Main Street. We all work together to support businesses, Wisniewski said. Thank you for your investment in Chippewa Falls in the downtown area. We will be here and we look forward to supporting you in all the ways that we can.

Although the store specializes in catering to the needs of the mother of the bride or groom and filling the void left by the absence of department stores and specialty dress shops in the area, the store will work with anyone who seeks special occasion dresses and jewelry.

Enersen said she has a passion for assisting women in finding the perfect dress for special occasions.

During my time in the industry, I observed a gap in places offering a diverse selection, the chance to try on styles and the convenience of ordering the right size and color, she said.
March exodus as 38 politicians will visit 86 cities in 48 countries

Ministers have been warned to keep the price of their St. Patrick's Day visits across the world as low as possible

Ministers have been warned to keep the costs of their St Patricks Day visits across the world as low as possible and avoid extravagant spending on first-class flights, hotel suites and limousines.

A cabinet memo circulated before the annual exodus said all costs should be carefully considered when ministers are booking flights and accommodation for their travels.

Senior and junior ministers were told delegations should be kept to a minimum and first-class flights should not be used.

It added: All personal costs should be paid or refunded as soon as possible.

A government source said ministers had also been told they should not book entire hotel suites or limousine services while travelling abroad for St Patricks Day.

Ministers are allowed to take business-class flights if they travel a certain distance or if they have meetings soon after they land.

Senior ministerial staff and civil service officials also have clearance to book business-class flights.

First-class flights are more luxurious and dearer than business class.

Generally, junior staff travel economy class while the minister and senior officials fly in business.

The annual St Patricks day exodus will involve 38 ministers travelling to 86 cities in 48 countries as part of the Governments drive to promote Ireland abroad.

During the globetrotting, Green Party ministers will clock up an estimated 11 tonnes of carbon emissions, which has the same impact on the environment as two fossil-fuel-run cars over the course of a year.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan will be in Brazil between March 13 and 17 and will visit the cities of Brasilia and Sao Paulo, creating 2.37 tonnes of emissions.

Mr Ryan decided to travel to Brazil because the climate-change summit Cop30 will be held there next year.

Transport and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, the partys deputy leader, will also travel long-haul.

She is going the US, with visits to Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas from March 8 to 14, a trip that will create 1.90 tonnes of emissions.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman will travel to Tokyo and Osaka, resulting in 2.69 tonnes of carbon emissions, while junior minister Ossian Smyth will travel to Seoul, South Korea, creating 2.41 tonnes.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is flying to Washington DC and Boston for St Patricks Day, while Tanaiste Micheal Martin will travel to Canada.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney will travel to India and Bangladesh, while Education Minister Norma Foley is heading to Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and London.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien will travel to South Africa and Zambia, while Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will visit Springfield, Chicago, and Madison, Wisconsin.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue will travel to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will travel to Australia, visiting Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris will visit London, while Justice Minister Helen McEntee is heading to New York.

Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton will travel to Singapore.
President Michael D Higgins has called for an "immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid Israeli air strikes and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

He said this will offer the best prospect for the release of all hostages and allow essential supports to the population which so desperately needs them.

President Higgins spoke by phone last night with Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisations Health Emergencies Programme.

Dr Ryan updated President Higgins on the death figure for Gaza, which now surpasses 27,000, adding that the death toll for UNRWA humanitarian aid staff in Gaza is 152.

Their discussion followed from a recent meeting with Dr Ryan and the Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus in December.

Mr Higgins said: Listening to the update which Dr Ryan provided, it is clear that it is more vital than ever that the space for diplomacy be forefronted and supported as steps that are necessary for saving life and helping discussions towards peace, and that those negotiations on which all sides are engaging are brought to an early and positive conclusion.

The consensus of all those interested in an enduring peace is holding and widening on the principle that an immediate ceasefire is necessary, which will offer the best prospect for the achievement of the release of all hostages and allow the essential humanitarian supports access to the population which so desperately needs them.

The WHO expressed key concerns around the continued dismantling of the health system within Gaza, the deepening of levels of food insecurity with over half a million people facing catastrophic hunger and starvation, and the ongoing outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Given all of these facts, any further extension of the bombing campaign into what is a densely populated area to which so many people have fled would leave any respect for humanitarian law in tatters, President Higgins said.

He said that given the deaths of women and children, what is at stake now is the potential emptying out of the entire space and discourse of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Such an eschewing of moral considerations is a moment of global crisis that offers a terrible nadir of human concern and must be opposed in order to prevent it being invoked in future conflicts.

It is of the utmost importance that demand and support for serious discussions resume on a meaningful long-term settlement which can provide peace and security to both the people of Palestine and the people of Israel, he said.

President Higgins also stressed that this must include the recognition of a Palestinian State.

Mr Higgins called on other countries to follow Irelands example in continuing to support aid agency UNRWA.

According to WHOs lates Emergency Situation Update, published earlier this week, 70pc of those who have been killed in Gaza to date are women and children.

While the violence has left 17,000 children without parents.

Mr Higgins said: The 30,000 UNRWA staff in the region, including 13,000 in Gaza, are assisting some of the most broken people on the planet in the most devastating of circumstances.

"The small number of those suspected of being connected to the appalling atrocities carried out by Hamas on 7 October have correctly been dealt with.

"It is now of the utmost importance that all countries demonstrate their commitment to the vital humanitarian supports that are needed and follow the example of the Irish Government and other Governments who are committing their support to the vitally important work which UNRWA carries out on behalf of the international community.

Those countries who have removed their funding from UNRWA must be reminded of the unavoidable consequences their actions are likely to have on this most vulnerable. This is not a matter on which anyone who believes in the vital need for a humanitarian response can remain silent.
The St Brigid's public holiday will join a small number of other public holidays in which the Tricolour will be flown to mark the occasion

Irish workers get 10 public holidays a year. So far, weve had one on New Years Day. The rest in the first half of this year are St Brigids Day, on Monday, and St Patricks Day next month.

St Patricks Day falls on a Sunday, with the holiday being observed on March 18. That is followed by Easter Monday (April 1), the May bank holiday on May 6 and the June bank holiday on June 3.

In the second half of the year, workers can look forward to the August bank holiday on August 5, the October bank holiday on October 28, Christmas Day on December 25 and St Stephens Day on December 26.

Good Friday is not a public holiday, so any decision to give staff the day off is at the discretion of individual workplaces.

It is viewed as a bank holiday by many, and was traditionally a day when businesses closed because they had no access to cash.

Our 10-day public holiday entitlements do not compare all that favourably to other EU countries, according to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Entitlements range from 15 days in Finland to 10 in the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland, according to its figures.

According to the Trades Union Congress in Britain a few years ago, workers beyond Europe get more public holidays. Japan gets 17 days, Australia gets 12, while it is 11 in China and New Zealand. It said the EU average is 12.8 days, adding that this is almost five days more than UK workers get.

Ireland had nine public holidays until St Brigids Day was introduced last year. The additional holiday was announced along with a bonus payment following Government talks on rewarding frontline workers in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Employers do not have to give their workers a day off on a public holiday. However, workers are entitled to either a paid day off on the public holiday, a paid day off within a month of the public holiday, an extra days annual leave or an extra days pay.

Full-time workers have an immediate entitlement to public holidays, but part-time workers must have worked 40 hours in the previous five weeks.

If a public holiday falls on a weekend, workers are still entitled to benefit from a day off or a days pay. However, there is no legal entitlement to get the next working day off.
Sinn Fein deputy leader to make history as Northern Irelands first nationalist head

Ms ONeill has faced criticism in the past for her attendance at events commemorating IRA members. Photo: PA Photo: PA

From a background steeped in Irish republicanism, Michelle ONeill has risen to the cusp of making history as Northern Irelands first nationalist first minister.

When MLAs gather at Stormont today, 47-year-old Ms ONeill will finally be nominated to the position she became entitled to by leading Sinn Fein to victory in the 2022 Assembly elections.

Her ascent has been delayed by the DUPs boycott of the power-sharing institutions.

Since the collapse of Stormont, Ms ONeill has been the face of her partys long campaign to have the Assembly restored, repeatedly promoted as a first minister for all.

When she appeared with party leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Great Hall of Stormont this week, after the DUP agreed to end the political impasse, the two women were quick to point out the huge political significance of the moment, stating that their ultimate goal of Irish unity is within touching distance.

Ms ONeill and Ms McDonald have forged a formidable partnership. Ms McDonald leads Sinn Feins electoral charge in the Republic, where the party holds a lead in the opinion polls, while Ms ONeill has grown in prominence as the Stormont leader.

Together, their public appearances are often cheerful and personable, a departure from the men in grey suits image of politics in past years.

Also, both women come from a generation of Irish republicanism which had no direct role in IRA activities, unlike previous leaders such as Martin McGuinness.

While the symbolism of having a republican first minister at Stormont will not go unnoticed, the political reality is that the first and deputy first minster posts hold equal authority.

It is often cited in Northern Ireland that one cannot send a letter without the signature of the other.

Ms ONeill knows this better than most, having previously served as deputy first minister alongside the DUPs Arlene Foster and Paul Givan when they occupied the office of first minister.

During that time, however, Stormonts overwhelming priority was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. When devolved government returns to Northern Ireland today, Ms ONeill and her new team of ministerial colleagues will be tasked with dealing with a budget crisis and crumbling public services.

Born Michelle Doris on January 10 1977 in Fermoy, Co Cork, Ms ONeill was raised in the village of Clonoe in rural County Tyrone in a family of prominent Irish republicans.

Her father, Brendan Doris, was a former IRA prisoner who later became a Sinn Fein councillor in Dungannon. Her uncle, Paul Doris, was the president of Noraid, a republican fundraising group.

She had her daughter Saoirse at the age of 16 and her own mother gave up work so she could continue her education.

In a 2021 interview, Ms ONeill spoke about the difficulties of being a teenage mother from a Catholic background.

She said: Certainly I had some very, very negative experiences when I was pregnant.

The school that I went to werent particularly supportive at times. Certainly not all of them, but some in the school. I went to a Catholic grammar.

You were nearly made to feel girls like you cant be at school, that kind of a thing.

She had her second child, Ryan, five years later. Last year she became a grandmother.

Her political career began when she replaced her father on Dungannon Borough Council in 2005, later becoming the first woman to hold the post of mayor in the borough.

She was first elected to the Stormont Assembly in 2007, alongside party veterans Mr McGuinness and Francie Molloy, as representatives for Mid Ulster.

Mr Molloy, now the areas MP, said of her: She is not one of these people who rushes into commentary on things, she would be a good listener and sit back and observe and take account of things, so she would not be a reactionary sort of person.

She would certainly be more on the lines of consideration and looking at all the effects of it and looking at the good points of people as well as the issues.

Ms ONeill soon became Sinn Feins Stormont spokesperson for health and sat on the education committee. Her rapid rise within the party continued when she was appointed agriculture minister in 2011.

In 2015, she took on her more high-profile role of health minister, where one of her first actions was to lift the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood.

By the time Sinn Fein collapsed the political institutions in 2017, in protest at the DUPs handling of the bungled green energy scheme, then deputy first minister Mr McGuinness was in poor health and Ms ONeill had been identified as his replacement.

Following Mr McGuinnesss death later that year, she became Sinn Feins Stormont leader and the following year was elected as vice president. She then led her partys team in the talks process which led to the restoration of Stormont in 2020.

In January of that year, Ms ONeill became Stormonts deputy first minister, just months before the Covid pandemic struck. The power-sharing executive was to be in place for just two years before the DUP collapsed it again in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

In 2022, Sinn Fein, with Ms ONeill at the forefront, made history when it became the biggest party in Northern Ireland during the Assembly elections for the first time, a result repeated in the 2023 council elections.

However, Ms ONeill has also faced criticism in the past for her attendance at events commemorating IRA members.

In 2020, she faced calls to resign as deputy first minister after attending the funeral of republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in 2020 at a time when strict limits on such events were in place due to the pandemic.

In 2022, ONeill said in an interview there was no alternative to the IRAs armed campaign during the Troubles.

She said: I dont think any Irish person ever woke up one morning and thought that conflict was a good idea, but the war came to Ireland.

I think at the time there was no alternative, but now, thankfully, we have an alternative to conflict, and thats the Good Friday agreement.

However, Ms ONeill has also broken new ground for republicans through her attendance at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles in 2023.

She said: We live in changing times and it was the respectful thing to do, to show respect and to be here for all those people at home, who I had said I would be a first minister for all.

Attendance here is about honouring that and fulfilling my promise.
The enslaved Americans who helped Irish famine victims

A wealthy US plantation owner had asked his enslaved workers to give up food for the Irish. They refused, but did something more remarkable instead, as revealed in this extract from a new book, Aiding Ireland

Bravery: The donation by the enslaved people was risky as it was evidence of illicit activity, as they were prohibited from profiting by their own labour. Photo via Getty

Anelise Hanson Shrout Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 03:30







In the spring of 1847, on a plantation near Lowndesboro, Alabama, a group of enslaved people collected $50 for victims of famine in Ireland.
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
Minister Simon Harris has said that before asking the people to invest in RTE we need to be certain the organisation is being run properly (Morning Ireland, February 1).

What the minister really means is that despite the financial mismanagement of RTE and the refusal by some former executives to be held accountable, it is clear the Government intends to continue to fund the national broadcaster by mandatory financial support from the public.

The non-payment of the TV licence fee continues to be rigorously pursued, because, as the ads remind us, its the law.

The Government obviously feels it needs the national broadcaster  a broadcaster funded by citizens whether they use it or not.

As I am a senior citizen, my TV licence is paid for me under the universal household package for those of us who have reached 70.

I also subscribe to one of the major streaming services. This is actually considerably more expensive than the current licence fee, but it is my choice.

Clearly, despite the mismanagement and largesse with public money in RTE, the enforced support of the broadcaster is set to continue in whatever guise is chosen.

Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford

Our Constitution needs to be brought as a matter of urgency into 21st century

Estelle Birdy tells us child benefit and spousal maintenance could be threatened by the removal of Article 41.2 from the Constitution.

This is patent nonsense as both can be paid to men where circumstances so warrant. Are we once again tending towards the sort of scaremongering we saw in previous referendums? Who can forget Hello Divorce, Bye Bye Daddy?

The Constitution as it stands uses the words woman and mother only in reference to womens life and work in the home. I can find no reference to the place or work of fathers. Its time to bring the Constitution into the 21st century and take a step towards affording all carers the recognition they deserve, regardless of gender.

Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

Trump is all bluster and resembles nothing more than mad bull on the loose

Ian ODoherty is no doubt enjoying the drama of the forthcoming US election (Madness surrounds this US election  but just because Trump is paranoid doesnt mean theyre not out to get him, Irish Independent, February 1).

However, your columnist is clearly biased in favour of Trump. Consider what he says in his latest column about Biden: In the other corner, we have an elderly man suffering visible cognitive decline, causing concern about his mental capacity to govern the United States.

Its funny, really, because I thought it was Trump who was suffering visible cognitive impairment when he constantly mixed up Nancy Pelosi and Niki Haley over the January 6 insurrection while campaigning recently in Iowa.

Were going to hear a lot about Trump being a victim and Biden being frail and old over the next 10 months or so.

However, as Nikki Haley and now E Jean Carroll have demonstrated, Trump is all bluster, and without his minders and the political machine backing him up he resembles nothing more than a raging bull let loose.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

Pandering to DUP and its diminishing power base is totally counterproductive

The agreement reached between the British government and Jeffrey Donaldson in pretend negotiations is being highlighted as some sort of major breakthrough with a return to the Stormont assembly institutions for the DUP.

In reality, it is a reward for discrim- inatory behaviour on the part of Donaldson and his ilk who refused to recognise the result of an election in 2021. Since the DUP brought down the institutions, they have been pandered to by the British government and a seemingly neutered Irish Government.

The pandering and facilitation of demands that favour the diminishing power base unionism had manufactured over the decades must stop so that normal politics can get to work as it should under the principles of democratic practices such as the result of elections.

James Woods, Gort an Choirce, Dun na nGall

Before welcoming North into a united Ireland, we should get house in order

Its breathtaking just how quickly Sinn Fein started beating the united Ireland drum in the wake of the DUPs decision to return to power-sharing.

In Mary Lou McDonalds words a united Ireland is within touching distance. Is there anything more incendiary to say to unionists?

Outside a united Ireland, Sinn Fein has zero interest in how to manage or finance something on this scale.

But with a tax take surplus of 1.2bn in 2023, we cannot yet get hospital waiting lists and trolley issues sorted, nor can we manage our growing homeless and refugee crises. If we take on another 1.9 million people who all have free medical care, where does that leave us?

Northern Ireland has 23,000 civil servants who will transfer to the New Ireland model, and they will have to receive serious increases to get commensurate wages with their southern counterparts. How is this possible when we are floundering in all aspects of our economy other than foreign investment?

We have serious issues to deal with in our own backyard without taking on a severally divided six counties.

Eamon Kearney, Dublin 13

Visiting Granard grotto, you would think tragic Ann had never existed

After reading Patrick McGartys article commemorating Ann Lovett and her sons tragic deaths at the church grotto in Granard (Irish Independent, January 30), my wife and I visited the grotto yesterday on the anniversary of that day 40 years ago when Ann gave birth to her stillborn son Patrick without any medical assistance.

It was a rainy, overcast day, not very different from that day in 1984, when we arrived at the grotto. We expected to see some grieving people or find some plaque to commemorate their deaths, but there was no one and no sign, save a bunch of tulips and the alabaster statues of St Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes where the young girl sought refuge.

It was as if isolated 15-year-old schoolgirl Ann and her baby never existed or died in childbirth among these rain-soaked grotto rocks.

Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin
After years of false dawns a programme of safety works was concluded at the notorious North Cork road junction that was once branded the most dangerous in the country when the long-awaited roundabout on the busy Mallow to Millstreet N72 road was officially opened on Friday, November 17.

Niall Healy Director of Services, Roads and Transportation with Cork County Council said the feedback from all road users has been very positive since the multi-million upgrade of the Ballymacquirke Cross junction was completed. Ballymacquirke Junction has been a particularly dangerous junction down through the years with a lot of fatalities. The members of Northern Committee and Kanturk/Mallow MD were very forceful in their concerns in relation to the junction. Funding was secured going back to 2021. That allowed us to proceed with CPOs.

That project was completed in early November and officially opened in mid-November. There has been very positive feedback from all roads users in that vicinity. It was quite a blind junction but the roundabout that was developed there has improved safety for all. That is a significant achievement for last year, he added.
Calls for an increase in garda numbers in various Cork towns and rural areas were made by a number of councillors at a recent Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting.

Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle highlighted that Charleville Garda Station has lost a number of members of An Garda Siochana in recent months. Certainly from a Charleville Garda Station point of view, over the last six months we have lost two very young community based guards in our station. Fantastic people and in a weeks time we are losing another one, he said.

Cllr Doyle stressed the need for more gardai to be relocated to the various rural areas and county towns in Cork County. Recruitment and retention is key. I know there is a new recruitment drive. It is good to the see the age being moved to 50. I think it will bring in a lot of people with experience that would have an interest in the community.

I would like to see the new people being recruited being put down into rural areas and our county towns such as Charleville or Mallow. We definitely need more gardai on our streets and more gardai in our stations, he added.

Visibility is hugely important, said his party colleague Cllr Michael Looney. It is equally important they are there in rural Ireland. We really want more gardai on the ground.

Fine Gael councillor Una McCarthy posed the question whether An Garda Siochana would consider going into secondary schools to help with their current recruitment campaigns.

Superintendent Michael Corbett from the Fermoy Garda District echoed the sentiments of Cllr Doyle regarding the departing garda members in Charleville. I fully appreciate where you are coming from in relation to Charleville because I am very familiar with that part of the division. I know the two gardai you are referring to. They are two excellent members who have chosen to retire after long exemplary careers.

Supt Corbett said that recruitment to An Garda Siochana is tough due to full employment and acknowledged they are recruiting in a a very 'competitive market. A recruitment campaign has just started. Every division is having recruitment evenings to try and promote a career in An Garda Siochana. We have a very comprehensive schools programme that is delivered out to all the schools both national schools and secondary schools that is age appropriate. We took part in a careers day in the Patrician Academy in Mallow.

The difficulty we find ourselves in as regards recruitment is that we are in full employment and we are in competition with an awful lot of other employment agencies, bodies and professions. It is a very competitive market in order to get people to join An Garda Siochana. It is something that we have been trying to get better at as each passing year goes by. Going forward we must be more proactive in the schools regarding promoting a career in An Garda Siochana, he added.

Supt Corbett expressed confidence that once new members of the gardai have completed their training, numbers will filter out to the various towns and villages in Cork County. Once we get people joining, numbers will then filter out to the various country towns and stations once we get people in.
Chippewa Valley Technical College has been certified as a gold-level Family Friendly Workplace, the highest distinction given by an organization that recognizes employers that account for the needs of workers and their families.

Woodville-based Family Friendly Workplaces announced recently that it has recognized the college as an employer that offers its employees a high level of family-related benefits. The certification recognizes CVTC's commitment to providing a workplace that strongly supports the needs of employees and their families.

Receiving the designation of a family-friendly workplace is more than just an accolade; it is a reflection of the values we hold dear at CVTC, said Sunem Beaton-Garcia, CVTC president. It reaffirms our commitment to creating a supportive atmosphere where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally.

To be certified, Family Friendly Workplaces reviewed CVTCs human resources policies and practices, awarding points for those that support families and children. The rankings cover a wide range of topics, such as health care, time off, flexible work arrangements, employee assistance programs and others.

Our institution has implemented various initiatives to ensure a family-friendly work environment, said Beaton-Garcia. From flexible scheduling to family-oriented events, we have strived to create a culture that values the well-being of our colleagues. We believe that a happy and fulfilled individual is a more engaged and productive contributor to our collective success.

Family Friendly Workplaces strives to address western Wisconsin's workforce shortage and to strengthen western Wisconsin families by certifying businesses as family-friendly and encouraging the adoption of practices that benefit families.

The willingness of workplaces to provide employees with benefits is more important than ever amid an ongoing worker shortage, said Neil Kline, executive director of Family Friendly Workplaces.

We are proud to recognize CVTC for its robust family-supporting benefits, Kline said. Employers, both public and private, are facing a challenging labor force environment. We hope CVTCs certification sets an example for how an organization can not only be competitive in the marketplace, but also support children and families through their benefits.

CVTC is among more than 30 employers in western and northwestern Wisconsin that offer market-leading benefits to their employees and who are committed to supporting children and families, Kline said.

To learn more about Family Friendly Workplaces and its certification program, visit www.familyfriendlyworkplaces.org.
Guest speaker Kevin Hughes sharing some facts and figures on the carbon dioxide omissions and other gases on farms during farmers meeting in Tara Rocks GAA Club's complex on Tuesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Local young farmer Daniel Kennedy describing what the life of a farmer is at farmers meeting in Tara Rocks GAA Club's complex on Tuesday evening pictured with Paul O'Brien (IFA South Leinster Chairman), Dennis Drennan (ICMSA Deputy President), Kevin Murphy (Secretary), Padraig Doyle (Chairman), Seamus Hughes (guest speaker), Frank Kennedy (Tirlan Advisory). Pic: Jim Campbell

The meeting was attended by a number of representatives from major farming organisations including both the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan and the deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Alice Doyle.

One of the major concerns raised at the meeting was the drop in the derogation stocking rate to 220kg of organic nitrogen per hectare in some parts of the country. We had no agenda but to help our fellow farmers and educate ourselves and get our point of view across because that hasnt happened so far, said Kevin Murphy.

Just Farmers organised the event so farmers voices could be heard. "We feel that all the rules and regulations arent scientifically based, its political and theyre being foisted upon us. We need to have things based on science at least, said Kevin.

Members of Farming organisations such as the Irish Farming Association (IFA) engaged with the dairy, beef, tillage and sheep farmers who were all in attendance at the meeting and listened to their concerns.

"With all the rules and regulation changes that are going on with nitrates and environmental stuff. The farmers voice has been lost and we were just trying to get farmers together and see what they think about it.

"If it keeps going it will put us out of business eventually. Were just getting the farmers to be heard, we want to give every farmer a say. It gave farmers an opportunity to speak, farm organisations were there because we wanted them to hear what we had to say, said Kevin.
ASTI retirements in the Horse & Hound. Front from left; Jim Duhig CBS, Fiona Kidd St Marys and Kevin Kehoe Good Counsel College. Back; Karen Ryan chairperson and Shane Curran treasurer. Photo; Mary Browne

OVER 70 of New Ross teachers Fiona Kidd, Jim Duhig and Kevin Kehoes colleagues, family and friends gathered for their retirement party, where warm tributes were paid to them.

They all got together to share their congratulations for their long and successful careers in the Horse and Hound Inn Hotel. There were many speeches on the night made by the school shop stewards, friends and the chairperson of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) branch Karen Ryan, congratulating Fiona, Jim and Kevin for their many years of service.

The New Ross branch of the ASTI stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of its members towards promoting excellence in secondary education in the local community, said Ms Ryan.

With a mission to shape the future of education and empower its members, the New Ross ASTI branch has consistently provided a platform for professional growth and collective voice. As time marches forward, change becomes an integral part of life. In the world of education, the inevitable cycle of retirement ushers in both nostalgia and anticipation of the future. At the ASTI branch, we bid farewell to three exceptional teachers who have played a pivotal role in shaping the minds and lives of countless students.

For over three decades, Mrs Fiona Kidd has tirelessly nurtured young talents, fostering a love for learning within the walls of St. Marys.

As a visionary English and P.E. teacher, she enlightened her students with the beauty and power of literature and a love of sport and physical education.

Her classrooms were vibrant sanctuaries of creativity, where students were inspired to think critically, explore diverse perspectives and articulate their ideas confidently, said Ms Ryan.

Ms Kidds guidance extended far beyond academics, as she mentored countless students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges with resilience. Her retirement marks the end of an era at St. Marys and a committed teacher involved with the ASTI.

For over three decades, Mr Jim Duhig has been a beacon of inspiration at the C.B.S New Ross, as an inspirational Deputy Principal igniting a passion for science and maths in his students at the beginning.

Known for his unwavering dedication to his craft, Mr. Duhig has made complex concepts accessible to students of all abilities. Jim has made arithmetic come alive for his students and ignited a thirst for lifelong learning.

As time passed he then entered into the field of being a career guidance teacher. As a mentor, Mr. Duhig has inspired countless students. His unwavering dedication to teaching goes beyond textbooks as he instilled in his pupils a love for learning.

She said Jim Duhig has consistently fostered a supportive environment in his classroom and career guidance office, that encouraged open-mindedness and creativity amongst all his pupils. His commitment to his students success and their welfare has shaped countless lives and earned him the admiration and respect of both his colleagues and students alike.

A highly respected teacher of Technical Graphics in Good Counsel College, Mr Kevin Kehoe has dedicated her career to unlocking the potential of young minds, she added.

With his unwavering belief in the power of T.G, he has inspired generations of students to embrace logical reasoning and strive for excellence. Known for his patience, Mr Kehoe has expertly guided students through even the most challenging Technical Graphics concepts, encouraging them to discover their latent abilities.

As his tenure comes to a close, his remarkable legacy will forever be cherished by those who have had the privilege to learn under his guidance. He also had a fantastic sporting career in the school, leading the students to many All Ireland Finals over the years, his legacy will be hard to fill for sure!

The ASTI community bid farewell to three extraordinary teachers who have dedicated their lives to nurturing young minds.

We express our deepest gratitude for their immeasurable contributions to education and wish them a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.

As their collective years of experience step back from the forefront, their influence will forever resonate within the hallowed halls of ASTI.
Martina Cronin, County Wicklow Development Manager at South Leinster Citizens Information Service, in Bray, described how St Brigid extended a bridge between the old stories and myths celebrating the powerful, compassionate nature of women and the more pragmatic, recent vision of an Ireland of Equals  as one of the first countries to promote universal suffrage to women and men alike, with the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916.

That is why we are taking this moment to celebrate our contemporary heroes, women of all ages and backgrounds who make our community in County Wicklow an inclusive space for everyone, no matter the age, gender, economic status or ethnic background, she said.

The caring, protective, nurturing energy can be seen in society as a fundamentally feminine trait - not in the sense that it is solely reserved to women, but that it is more socially accessible to them.

That is why we will see, statistically, more women in community-centric roles, such as teaching, caring or social services. That is also in the case for our Citizen Information Centres in Bray and Arklow, where many of our staff and volunteers are female.

Talking about what inspired her, Martina, who is originally from Kerry and is now based in Bray, said: My inspiration for working in the community sector is that my values align to the culture of Citizens Information where we provide an emphatic, non-judgmental and caring information service for all of our clients whom we treat with courtesy, dignity and respect.

Some of Brays other Citizen Information Centre workers spoke of their vocation, which too was built on empowering and caring for others, and which brings them satisfaction, despite the challenges and difficulties the role can also possess.

Julie, who is an Information Officer in Bray, but is originally from Clare, said it was a privilege to work in an environment where I can use my natural caring abilities to help and support others, in particular the more vulnerable members of our community.

While I use my knowledge and skills to assist clients, I also learn something from each of them, which in turn helps me to be better at my role. This makes the whole process seem very holistic. I get immense fulfilment from providing support in this way, which could never be achieved in a different industry, and I feel very grateful, she said.

Claire, who is a Director on the Board of South Leinster CIS and a volunteer Information Provider, originally from Dublin, but based in Bray, said: I volunteer as an information provider as well as a director on the Board of the Citizens Information Service, so I can appreciate how we focus on caring for the customer at every level. My motivation is the positive feedback I receive and knowing that we provide real help to our clients.

Meanwhile, discussing the sense of belonging that involvement with the service brings, Raluca, a volunteer PR Coordinator who is originally from Bucharest in Romania, said that she had always been motivated to use her communications management know-how to help organisations that help communities and individuals have a wider outreach.

Working with Bray CIC gives me a sense of belonging in Ireland and allows me to gain a better understanding of social services here, she said.

While the service in Bray is predominately a female environment, there is also a male volunteer, Ben, who was comfortable operating in a more diverse environment.

Ive always worked in information services of one kind or another, where women usually outnumber men, he said. So, that kind of work environment is very familiar to me. Yet, its probably fair to say that the more diverse a workforce you can achieve, the more rounded your service is likely to be. I enjoy what I do because it involves helping people assert their civic rights and fulfil their civic responsibilities in a very practical way  something which is essential to sustain our sense of community in fast-changing times, he said.

Working with the belief that we should all contribute to empower our communities and transform them into welcoming, inclusive, non-judgmental spaces, Brays Citizens Information Centre adopted the oft-quoted but rarely embraced saying: Theres room for everyone under Brigids cloak.

Citizens Information Centre has offices in Arklow and Bray, where customers can drop-in, telephone or make an appointment. Telephone: Arklow  0818 07 6750 and Bray - 0818 07 6780. A support line is also available on 0818 07 4000.
Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture for an update on when the 335 Wicklow farmers awaiting ACRES and ACRES Co-operation Project payments will be paid.

ACRES Co-operation is open to any farmer with land in one of the co-operation zones. The first tranche of entrants joined the scheme in January of 2023, and a second tranche also opened for applications in autumn of last year.

Speaking after her contribution to the Dail, Deputy Whitmore said: I raised this issue on behalf of farmers in Wicklow because it is wholly unacceptable that so many farms have been left in the lurch for so long when it comes to payment of ACRES support. ACRES is a programme that the government has championed and which farmers have been participating in in huge numbers. It's aims to assist farmers in transitioning to more nature-friendly farming practices.

"To have spent so much time and capital getting farmers to join ACRES, it is now very disappointing to see the payment delay. I would be worried that this could have a chill effect on sign-ups for ACRES in the future. I asked the Minister when the ACRES payments to all farmers waiting in Wicklow and around the country would be issued. In his response, the Minister for Agriculture said the delay was due to increased applicants. The Department had only expected 30,000 applicants and instead found themselves with 46,000 thousand applicants.

Deputy Whitmore welcomed the Ministers confirmation that all outstanding payments would be made in February and has vowed to keep a close eye on the situation to ensure that Minister Charlie McConalogue meets his commitment.
Young Lions Sorcha O'Neill, Karla McEvoy and Lilly O'Donoghue and the new Lion's from the Domincan College, Wicklow with Sean Olohan and Ethna Neiland of the Wicklow Lion's Club.

Young Lions Sorcha O'Neill, Karla McEvoy and Lilly O'Donoghue from the Domincan College, Wicklow with Sean Olohan and Ethna Neiland of the Wicklow Lion's Club.

Wicklow and District Lions Club have formed the only Leo Lions Club in Ireland, which aims to empower young leaders and foster a commitment of community spirit.

On Thursday, 20 students attending the Dominican College Wicklow were presented with their Leo Lions badges, and have plenty of fundraising plans in the pipe-line.

Sean Olohan of Wicklow and District Lions Club had been working away behind the scenes for some time before the Wicklow Lions Leo Club came to fruition.

Myself and Eithne Neiland have been pushing this for a considerable time now and we approached Lorraine Mynes, the Principal of Dominican College Wicklow, with the idea of forming a Leo club, and she felt it was a great idea.

It was mainly transition year students who were interested so we organised a meeting and around 40 students showed up. They all voted for president, treasurer and secretary, the same as our own club.

They also formed a committee and myself and Eithne meet with them around once a month to talk about what fundraising or community efforts they could focus on.

Wicklow is the first Lions Club in Ireland to form its own Leo group, and other Lions clubs based in the country have been keen to talk to Sean and his Wicklow cohorts about how they too should go about forming their own Leo club.

We had to register with the Lions HQ in America and are extremely proud of being the only Leo club in the whole of Ireland, its a huge deal, and there is no sign of any other Leo clubs starting in Ireland any time soon.

There are around 200 Leo clubs around the world, but the only one in Ireland is in Wicklow. Other Lions clubs have been in contact asking how they can do the same and how should they go about it, added Sean.

20 young and proud Wicklow Leo Lions were presented with their official badges by Sean at the Dominican College Wicklow on Thursday.

Sean said: The Leo Lions will now be more involved in Wicklow and District Lions activities, such as our quiz nights. There are also plans to run a photography competition.

The Leos are also coming up with their own ideas.

They also recently voted for a vice-president, vice-treasurer and vice-secretary, because some of the current members will be heading onto do their Leaving Cert and may not have the time to continue, so everything is set in place so a new cohort are ready to continue with all the great work the Wicklow Leos carry out.
Devastating news  Tributes paid following death of former model and TV star Lisa Murphy

The TV producer who worked with Lisa Murphy on the series Dublin Wives, has spoken of her kindness and said those who worked with her on the programme fell in love with her a little bit.

Murphy (51), from Ballinteer, Dublin, died peacefully on Thursday after bravely fighting a long illness, her death notice said.

She had worked as a model before becoming a TV personality on various reality programmes.

Murphy was among the cast of women who appeared on the TV3 reality series which detailed the lives of five Dublin socialites and housewives.

Dublin Wives

John Norton, the programme's producer, knew straightaway that he wanted to cast Murphy in the programme because of her high profile.

When he met her, he found she was a much softer person than he had anticipated.

"She was a very likeable person. Everyone who worked on that show and with her loved her. She was very easy to get on with, but she was a very gentle soul," he said.

"When I first met her I thought because of the life she had previously led... I thought she may have been slightly diva-ish.

"But she was the exact opposite. She was so loving, and caring and soft, and kind. We all fell in love with her a little bit. Those are my memories of her."

He said that Murphy had a lovely air about her and made time for everyone she met on set.

"There was a vulnerability to her. I don't know where that stemmed from... She was an intelligent person, he said.

"Anyone who met her found that she didn't have airs and graces about herself...she was aware of everyone around her, and wanted everyone to feel comfortable."

They lost contact but he said he will remember her kindness.

Michael Flatley also paid tribute to Lisa, who he described as a lovely, caring person and said her death was heartbreaking.

The Riverdance star revealed he was aware of Murphys illness and had visited her in St Vincents Hospital in Dublin last week. They were engaged for a time in the early 2000s.

Celebrity lawyer Gerald Kean, who had a 10-year relationship with Ms Murphy, described her as a wonderful lady.

Its devastating news, he said. She was a big part of my life and also in particular of my daughters. The couple parted in 2016.

In September 2012, Mr Kean threw a surprise 40th birthday party for his then fiancee at his mansion in Co Wicklow.

Hundreds of guests attended and Sinead OConnor sang several of her hits, including Nothing Compares 2U.

Ms Murphy will be reposing at the Larry Massey Funeral Home in Rathfarnham on Monday from 2pm to 4pm.

Her funeral mass will take place at 11am on Tuesday in the Church of St John the Evangelist in Ballinteer followed by burial in Mount Venus Cemetery.

"Lisas family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to all the staff at St Vincents Hospital for all their care and support over the years especially all the staff in the Oncology Department, her funeral notice read.
No amount of jail time will be enough for these monsters, says Brianna Gheys grieving father

Parents react as daughters teen killers are sentenced to life in prison for murder of transgender girl: They preyed on her vulnerabilities

Parents of Brianna Ghey remember her as funny, witty and fearless

Pat Hurst Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 03:30







Two teenagers who lured transgender girl Brianna Ghey to her death should never be released from prison, her parents have suggested.
Could growing farmer protests change the political face of Europe?

As June elections approach, unrest of farmers is a political goldmine

IFA farmers in Galway protest in their tractors in solidarity with their EU counterparts

Ine Renson Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 03:30

The growing protest movement by European farmers, including the demonstrations by Irish farmers on Thursday night, is approaching boiling point.
Israeli air strikes killed 18 Palestinians in Rafah and Deir Al-Balah, Gaza health officials said on Saturday, in the last two Gaza Strip cities where troops had not been deployed, adding to residents' fears Israel would expand its ground operation.
Palestinians have nowhere left to flee as Israelis attack Rafah

Border with Egypt is the only part of Gaza with access to the limited food and medical aid trickling in

Palestinians line up for free food in Khan Younis, Gaza yesterday. Photo: AP Photo/Hatem Ali

Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammed Salem Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 03:30







Israeli forces shelled the outskirts of the last refuge on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip yesterday, where the displaced population, penned against the border fence in their hundreds of thousands, feared a new assault with nowhere left to flee.
A 23-year-old Bennington woman has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter in connection with a fatal Saunders County crash.

Madisyn Haack turned herself in to authorities Monday on charges related to the November crash south of Mead that killed 23-year-old Bryce Budz of Ashland, according to a press release from Saunders County Sheriff Chris Lichtenburg.

The Saunders County 911 dispatch center received a call reporting the crash along County Road 10 between County Road L and Eighth Street at 6:06 a.m. on Nov. 22, The World-Herald previously reported.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by Haack was traveling north when the vehicle started to go off the road. The investigation found that Haack overcorrected, and then the pickup went off the road in the opposite direction. The pickup ended up rolling over and landed on its top in the west ditch.

The pickups lone passenger, Budz, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Sheriffs Office. Haack was airlifted by a LifeNet helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to be treated for critical injuries.
U.S. President Joe Biden attends the dignified transfer of the remains of Army Reserve Sergeants William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffett, three U.S. service members who were killed in Jordan during a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed militants, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., February 2, 2024. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

The US military has launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.
Biden meets grieving families of US troops killed in attack on Jordan base

Solemn transfer ritual has become relatively uncommon since the US has withdrawn from conflicts abroad

US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk from Air Force One onto Dover Air Force Base in Delaware yesterday where they joined the grieving families of the three soldiers killed. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Seung Min Kim Sat 3 Feb 2024 at 03:30







President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base yesterday to honour the three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

An Indian-origin man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in New Zealand's Dunedin on Monday.

He was identified as 28-year-old Gurjit Singh.

Singh was reportedly found dead covered in blood and glass outside his Dunedin home.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis confirmed pathological findings indicate Singh died as a result of multiple stab wounds inflicted by a sharp instrument at a Hillary St address in Dunedin, reported New Zealand Herald.

Our thoughts go out to his wife and family, as well as his friends and colleagues, at this distressing time, he said.

This news will be difficult to process, and police are committed to finding answers of what has happened to Mr Singh and providing closure for his loved ones," he said.

Otago Punjabi Foundation Trust member Narindervir Singh told New Zealand Herald that he had met Singh, a Chorus technician, at a bi-annual temple, and knew him to be a friendly, hard-working and good guy.
Image Credit: facebook.com/AAPkaArvind

New Delhi: A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal failed to attend the fifth summons in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) lodged a complaint with the court, being to notice his non-compliance with the interrogation process.

The Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi is set to address the case on Wednesday.

Kejriwal, who declined to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Friday, has repeatedly asserted that the summonses issued to him are illegal, and he alleges that the agency's sole objective is to arrest him.

There has been speculation about the possible arrest of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief since the initial summons was issued by the agency on November 2.

Two other AAP leaders, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, were also arrested last year in connection with the same case.
Photo courtesy: AITC Media Cell

Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced her government will clear the payments- allegedly held by the Centre- of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers (who work under the 100-day work scheme), in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mamata, who has been holding a dharna in downtown Kolkata against the Centre's withholding of the payments, announced she will transfer the money to the respective bank accounts on February 21.

The Chief Minister's announcement left the crowd burst into loud cheer on the second day of her 48-hour dharna at Red Road, Kolkata.

Mamata has been relentless in raising the issue of dues in cornering the Modi government, which is aiming to return to power for the third straight term in 2024 summer.

"We do not want to beg. We will clear the dues of all workers under the 100-day work scheme. The state government will bank transfer the money on February 21," the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

In an attack on the BJP, which had won 18 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 giving a jolt to TMC, Mamata on Saturday said the BJP will be defeated if all parties- national and regional- fight together.

"No one stays in power forever. BJP will be no exception," she said with confidence.

In the course of her dharna, Mamata lashed out at the Congress for trying to dominate the INDIA alliance, which she has already opted out of in West Bengal.

"I proposed that Congress contest 300 seats (across the country where BJP is the main opposition), but they refused to heed. Now, they've arrived in the state to stir up Muslim voters. I doubt whether they will secure even 40 seats if they contest 300," Mamata said on Friday.

"We were open to an alliance, offering them two seats, which they rejected. Now let them contest in all 42 seats alone. Since then, there has been no dialogue between us. We will fight alone and defeat the BJP in Bengal," she added.

The INDIA alliance has almost been reduced to dust as not just Mamata's TMC but the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too has announced it will go solo in Punjab in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The nail in the coffin perhaps came after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar- one of the key architects of the alliance- quit the Grand Alliance and rejoined BJP.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

At least three people were injured in a stabbing attack at Gare de Lyon railway station in southeastern Paris on Saturday.

A suspect in the incident has been taken into custody.

One of the persons has been seriously injured in the attack.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin poste don X: "This morning at Gare de Lyon, an individual injured 3 people with a knife before being arrested. One person is seriously injured."

Ce matin a la Gare de Lyon, un individu a blesse 3 personnes a larme blanche avant detre interpelle. Une personne est blessee gravement. Deux autres le sont plus legerement. Elles ont ete prises en charge par les services de secours. Merci a ceux qui ont maitrise lauteur de  Gerald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 3, 2024

"Two others are more lightly. They were taken care of by the emergency services," he said.

"Thank you to those who restrained the perpetrator of this unbearable act," the Minister said.

Paris has witnessed several knife attacks in recent months.

In December, a tourist was killed in a knife attack close to the Eiffel Tower.
Photo Courtesy: Wallpaper Cave

Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department on Saturday arrested five suspected terrorists while conducting different intelligence-based operations across the Punjab, media reports said.

As per details, the CTD carried out 70 operations in Punjab and arrested five terrorists who were identified as Sharafat, Yaseen, Talha, Abdurehman and Usaid, reported ARY News.

The CTD spokesperson told the newspaper that explosives, two IED bombs, 10 detonators, weapons and cash were recovered from the terrorists who were arrested in the operations carried out in Mianwali, Jehlum, Hafizabad and Okara.

According to reports, weapons, explosives, detonators and batteries were recovered from the arrested people.
Photo Courtesy: ShareAlike 2.5 Generic/Wikimedia Commons

The Interior Ministry in Balochistan has imposed Section 144 in Quetta for the next two days ahead of the national polls in Pakistan.

Polling in the country is scheduled to be held on February 8.

As per details, the Balochistan government has banned the display of arms, and pillion riding, (commonly known as double sawari), ARY News reported.

Pakistan witnessed a spike in terrorist activities in recent times especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

The incidents started to spike after outlawed militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

According to ECP sources, out of the total 90,675 polling stations 46,065 have been declared as sensitive or most sensitive across the country, reported ARY News.
Photo Courtesy: UNOCHA/Charlotte Cans

UN independent human rights experts on Friday expressed profound concern over multiple reports detailing arbitrary arrests, detention and ill-treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The incidents, which have surged since early January, are purportedly linked to violations of the Talibans stringent dress code for women.

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts called on de facto authorities to comply with Afghanistans human rights obligations, including under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Taliban crackdown initially began in western Kabul, predominantly inhabited by the minority ethnic Hazara community  which has been the target of extremist violence for years  but swiftly expanded to other areas, including Tajik-populated regions and provinces such as Bamiyan, Baghlan, Balkh, Daykundi and Kunduz.

Forcibly taken

Women and girls reportedly accused by the Taliban of wearing bad hijab were arrested during the operation in public places, including shopping centres, schools and street markets.

Some were forcibly taken to police vehicles, held incommunicado and denied legal representation, according to a news release issued by UN rights office OHCHR on behalf of the experts.

Women and girls were reportedly held in overcrowded spaces in police stations, received only one meal a day, with some of them being subjected to physical violence, threats and intimidation, they said.

In May 2022, the de facto authorities ordered all women to observe proper hijab, preferably by wearing a chadari  a loose black garment covering the body and face  in public and made male relatives responsible for enforcing the ban or face punishment.

Institutionalized discrimination

While some detainees were released after a few hours, others reportedly languished in custody for days or weeks.

The lack of transparency and access to justice means the current number of detainees potentially held incommunicado is hard to assess.

Their release has been made contingent on male family members and community elders providing assurances, often in writing, that they would comply with the prescribed dress code in the future.

In addition to punishing women for what they wear, assigning responsibility for what women wear to men violates womens agency and perpetuates an institutionalized system of discrimination, control of women and girls and further diminishes their place in society, the experts said.

The experts speaking out are mandated by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on the rights situation in the country as well as on violence and discrimination against women and girls.

They work on a voluntary basis, serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

Troubling pattern

Last month, a UN report found that several hundred Afghan women were forced to quit their jobs or were arrested and denied access to essential services in the last quarter of 2023.

Those arrested included women purchasing contraceptive pills, female staff of a healthcare facility and women who were not accompanied by a mahram  a male chaperone.

The de facto authorities reportedly stated that it was inappropriate for an unmarried woman to work.

Dire humanitarian situation

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation across the country continues to deteriorate.

Four decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate change-induced and natural disasters and severe restrictions on rights has left almost 24 million people, including over 12 million children, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

In response, the UN and relief partners have launched a $3.06 billion response plan for 2024, targeting 17.3 million for assistance.

Greater food supplies are needed alongside rebuilding the agricultural sector, health systems, water and sanitation. Protection for women, children and other vulnerable groups is also a key priority.
US conducts airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against 85 targets linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.

The United States on Friday (February 2, 2024) conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against 85 targets linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups, officials confirmed.

"U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States," US Central Command said in a statement.

The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria



At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

"The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces," the statement said.

Why US conduct the strike?

The strike was conducted in retaliation to last week's attack on an American base in Jordan.

"Our response began today," US President Joe Biden said. "It will continue at times and places of our choosing."

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world," he said. "But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."

Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.



We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.



But to all those who seek to do us harm: We will respond.  President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III echoed the president's resolve to hold the Iran-backed groups accountable.

"This is the start of our response," Austin said.

"The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces," he said. "These will unfold at times and places of our choosing."
In an effort to remove so-called pornographic materials from school libraries, a Nebraska State Board of Education member has proposed rule changes that would prevent what he believes to be inappropriate content from reaching students.

Kirk Penner released a copy of his proposed changes to Rule 10  which must be followed by all accredited schools in the state  on social media last month. While the long-standing rule also outlines many other regulations and procedures, Penners changes specifically target the media and technology resources portion.

In his proposal, Penner, whose district encompasses much of southeast Nebraska and parts of Lancaster County, alters several current rules, including how many new reading materials schools are required to purchase each year, and creates new ones.

Penners main focus, however, is on pornographic materials, aiming to stop sexually explicit materials from entering schools with the help of language pulled from a state statute intended to prevent child pornography, he said.

The Board of Education held a regular meeting Friday where two people spoke during the public comment period and seven more submitted written public comments, all of them against the proposed changes.

The board will vote on the measure at the next meeting on March 8.

The proposal would ban books with content pertaining to sexual intercourse or related topics, whether that be in the format of text or images. Materials purchased specifically for sex education classes would be exempt.

It does appear in some of our school libraries. It's just a fact, Penner said. So that's what I'm trying to do, trying to garner some type of consensus. I'm trying to work with the rest of the board to keep sexually explicit content out of our schools.

However, Chris Haeffner, president of the Nebraska School Library Association, said even without this rule in place, Nebraskas school libraries are already free of sexually inappropriate materials because of the processes librarians take to vet books.

Students do not come to their school libraries to find pornography. They do not use school databases to access pornography. The materials that are in our books are carefully selected by school librarians, she told the Journal Star.

No, we do not have pornography in our school libraries.

Because school librarians not only have teaching certificates but have also taken additional classes to receive a library certification, they are qualified to make decisions regarding inappropriate content, said Courtney Pentland, president of the American Association of School Librarians.

I think there should be a deeper level of trust for educators  and school librarians are educators  that they can do their job because they're professionals who have been trained to do those jobs, said Pentland, who also is a current school librarian in Lincoln.

But board member Sherry Jones said she feels there needs to be more eyes on content than only certified school librarians.

I appreciate the work of media specialists and their knowledge, Jones said, but I dont think they can be the only safeguard to ensure that sexually explicit materials are not accessible to our students.

Additionally, with Penners proposed changes, school libraries would no longer have to purchase a minimum number of new reading materials each year. As it currently stands, elementary schools are required to buy at least 25 new media resources per teacher, or up to 150 total, and middle and high school libraries must acquire at least 150 every year.

Penner said the purpose of the proposed change is to get rid of an unfunded mandate.

However, Haeffner said that a lack of current materials could play a role in deterring students from reading and lead them to continue to fall behind in literacy.

It goes back to whether we want our kids to be readers, she said. If we have books that are old and worn out and are not keeping with the current trends of literature, then their motivation to pick those books up and actually read them is pretty low.

Since the pandemic, school districts across the nation, including Lincoln Public Schools, have been working to address an early literacy crisis. Without access to the quality resources school libraries provide, Haeffner said literacy levels in the state would be greatly impacted.

Kids learn how to read in the classroom, but they become great readers by practicing those reading skills. And they practice those reading skills by reading, she said. It's our libraries that offer really high-interest materials, or high-interest titles, and books that will keep kids reading.

Under Penner's proposal, schools would also be required to now keep a current record of acquisition, classification and circulation of materials, and create an accurate, online catalog that can be accessed by the general public if approved.

By Aug. 1, superintendents would need to send proof of the public catalog and would need to repeat this annually every October.

Penners original proposal also included removing the current requirements that libraries are open and available to students throughout the entire school day, and that materials are properly cataloged and organized. However, he revised the proposal prior to Fridays meeting to maintain this rule.

The proposal also states that Nebraska taxpayers would be able to file complaints to their local superintendent if they believe a district or educator has not complied with the rules. If complainants feel their issues have not been properly addressed at the district level, they can take it to the Nebraska Department of Education, which would prompt an investigation.

Attempts to ban books or increase rules surrounding the content in school libraries have been on the rise across the country, Pentland said, including in Nebraska.

Most notably, in January, a Plattsmouth school board member was recalled after her attempts to ban a number of books from the school libraries.

We've seen an increase in challenges to materials and we've seen an increase in legislation related to materials in school and public libraries at unprecedented rates in the last few years, she said, noting lawsuits in Florida, Missouri and Texas. And there will continue to be more.

But, Pentland said the top priority for both educators and school board members remains the same.

At the end of the day, we all want our students to be successful. We all want them to be well looked after and taken care of and learning in the best environment possible, she said. We all want that for the students in our state.
Now that actor-model Poonam Pandey has personally confirmed her well-being with the statement, "I am alive," meme creators have seized the ideal moment to flood social media platforms like 'X' and Instagram with their imaginative content.

On Saturday, Instagram and Twitter were abuzz with Poonam Pandey memes and amusing videos made in response to the unfounded death rumours circulating on Friday, allegedly linked to cervical cancer.

Poonam Pandey Is 'Alive': Here's A Treat For Meme Lovers

Meme creators linked Poonam Pandey's Saturday announcement to many scenes from the Bollywood movie 'Welcome', starring actors like Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, and Anil Kapoor.

One of the Twitter users jokingly also labelled Poonam Pandey "The Poonamtaker," relating her publicity stunt to wrestler Undertaker, who is famous for his "Deadman" persona, which earned substantial mainstream recognition and got him the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for Best Gimmick for an unprecedented five consecutive years.





If something happens to Poonam Pandey in Real



Public and doctor: #PoonamPandey pic.twitter.com/WfX9aB6W08  Simple man (@ArbazAh87590755) February 3, 2024





Instagram Screenshot/Instagram

Twitter Screenshot

The circulation of news Poonam Pandey's news came to an end on Saturday morning after she posted a video on Instagram saying that she was "alive." In the video caption, she wrote that cervical cancer didnt kill her, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who suffered from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease.



So basically, the news of her supposedly succumbing to cervical cancer turned out to be an awareness campaign about the deadly disease.

What All Happened After Poonam Pandey's Death News On Friday?

Following her team's Friday Instagram story, which attributed her death to cervical cancer, fans were left in shock, giving rise to various theories circulating on the internet.

Some immediately labelled it as a publicity stunt, while others, including a segment of concerned and surprised fans, took the news seriously. Some industry colleagues also expressed sorrow over the false death report, including Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui and Kangana Ranaut.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Following the shocking announcement of Poonam Pandey's sudden demise on her Instagram handle on Friday, the latest media reports suggest a possibility that the actor-model may have faked her own death. Some speculations even propose a narrative of her passing due to a drug overdose



Did Poonam Pandey Fake Her Own Death?

Fans Express Shock Over Poonam Pandey's Death/Indiatimes

Meanwhile, people online remain divided on the credibility of her reported demise. Contrary to the initial announcement, alternative reports assert that Poonam is alive, labelling the claim as a mere publicity stunt.

One user said, "Death is not a normal thing. Shouldn't have taken the help of Death for Public Stunt."

Another said, "If she's alive then imagine what these media house and chennals are doing to us now a days."

Screenshot Of Twitter Comment On Poonam Pandey's Death/Twitter

Screenshot Of Twitter Comment On Poonam Pandey's Death/Twitter

Screenshot Of Twitter Comment On Poonam Pandey's Death/Twitter

Poonam's Family Is 'Unreachable'

According to some media reports, Poonam's bodyguard has also revealed that the entrance to her residence in Uttar Pradesh is locked, and efforts to reach her family have proven futile.

After the widespread news of the actress's reported demise, new reports say that Poonam Pandey is actually alive and is not in Mumbai. She is reportedly on vacation, and no one knows exactly where.

What Has Poonam Pandey Done So Far?

Poonam was born on March 11, 1991, in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. She started her career as a model before stepping into acting.



Pandey, recognised for her old photos and videos, entered the Hindi film industry with her debut in Nasha in 2013.



She later participated in Kangana Ranaut's reality show, Lock Upp, season 1, in 2022. She also showcased her skills in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 4.

As fans grapple with disbelief and confusion, questions linger about whether the Poonam mentioned in the post is indeed the same person or someone else entirely. The comments on social media express a mix of concern and scepticism.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.

PM Modi said Advani's contribution to the development of India is monumental.

"I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights," PM Modi said in a social media post.

NARENDRA MODI

Who is LK Advani

Lal Krishna Advani was born in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, and migrated to Rajasthan along with his family in 1947, following India's Independence and the formation of Pakistan. He later moved to Bombay, and then Delhi.

Advani began his political career in Rajasthan with the RSS in 1941 at the age of fourteen and joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1951.

LK Advani's election debut

The first elected office Advani held was that of a Delhi Metropolitan Council Chairman in 1967.

BCCL

Advani made his Parliamentary debut in 1970 as a Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi.

Advani becomes minister for first time

Advani became a Union Minister for the first time in 1977 in the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government where he held the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting.

After the collapse of the Desai government, in 1980, Advani became the Leader of Opposition as the Congress came back to power.

Formation of BJP

In 1980 Advani along with others like Atal Bihari Vajpayee quit the Janata Party to form the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

While Vajpayee served as the first President of the BJP, Advani went on to hold the office for the longest time.

After the setback, the BJP suffered in the 1984 elections, the party went back to its Jana Sangh roots and soon became the face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Involvement in Ram Janmabhoomi dispute

Advani became one of the most prominent leaders of the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and played a key role in the events that led to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

BCCL

Most famously, in 1990 Advani delivered the 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge' speech, which went on to become the slogan of the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement.

In the speech, Advani defied calls by then-Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, who asked him to cancel his march towards Ayodhya and also challenged the court asking "if the court can decide whether Ram was born in Ayodhya or not."

Rath Yatra

On September 25, 1990, Advani launched his Rath Yatra to Ayodhya, from Somnath but it ended in Bihar after he was arrested.

But his speech and the Rath Yatra are widely believed to be the trigger that led to the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

The Ram Janmabhoomi movement catapulted the BJP to power in the Center in 1996, though the government collapsed after just thirteen days.

Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

BJP returned to power in 1998 once again under Vajpayee as PM and Advani became the Home Minister. After the 13-month-old government collapsed, BJP returned to power in 1999 where Advani was once again made the Home Minister and later the Deputy Prime Minister of India, the highest office he has held.

Following the BJP's election lose in 2004, Advani became the Leader of opposition. In the 2009 General Election Advani was projected as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, but the party could not succeed.

Advani contested his last Lok Sabha election in 2014, where he was elected from Gandhinagar, winning the for the fifth consecutive time.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
India on Friday said that a "set of mutually workable solutions" was agreed upon with the Maldives for continuing the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the archipelago, after the government there asked New Delhi to withdraw its troops.

Both sides "agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms" that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

REUTERS

India to withdraw military personnel from Maldives

"Both sides agreed that the government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10," the Maldivian foreign ministry said.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had called for a withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country by March 15.

Indian troops in Maldives

At present, around 80 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.

AP

The Indian platforms have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years.

Maldivian President Muizzu who came into power in November had asked India to withdraw its troops from the island, a day after assuming office.

India-Maldives relations

The relations between the two neighbours have strained considerably ever since, especially after the provocative comments made by some Maldivian politicians over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.

Narendra Modi

This uncalled-for provocation led to a massive backlash in India with Indians, who accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists in the Maldives boycotting and cancelling their trips to the island.

India cuts aid to Maldives in Budget 2024

In the interim budget, India also announced a 22 per cent reduction in financial aid to Maldives.

India had allotted Rs 400 crore in aid to Maldives in the previous budget, but it was later increased to Rs 770 crore.

THINKSTOCK

In the interim budget presented on Thursday, the aid to Maldives was cut down by Rs 170 crore to 600 crores.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The Indian Navy on Friday carried out yet another successful anti-piracy operation and foiled a hijack attempt by Somali pirates along the east coast of Somalia.

The Indian Navy was responding to a distress call by an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel which had a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals.

INDIAN NAVY

Somali pirate hijack Iranian ship

Seven pirates had taken control of the FV Omari on Friday and took the crew hostage.

The Indian Navy mission deployed INS Sharada, a Sukanya class patrol vessel that intercepted the hijacked boat after a remotely piloted aircraft, undertaking surveillance in the area, successfully located FV Omari.

Indian Navy frees ship, crew

"FV Omaril, an Iranian-flagged vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates who had taken the crew as hostages. INS Sharda intercepted the vessel in the early hours of Friday and used her integral helo and boats to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the vessel. The ship has ensured the successful release of the 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani crew members," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

INDIAN NAVY

"The ship also undertook confirmatory boarding on FV Omari to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates," Madhwal said.

Anti-piracy operation by Navy

"Relentless efforts by Indian Naval platforms, mission deployed for anti-piracy and maritime security operations, continue to save precious life at sea, symbolising Indian Navy's resolve towards safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea," he said.

INDIAN NAVY

Navy warship saves two vessels

Last week, the Indian Navy's warship INS Sumitra rescued two Iranian-flagged fishing vessels, FV Al Naeemi and FV Iman that were hijacked by Somali pirates within a span of 36 hours.

Recently there has been an increase in piracy activities and drone attacks on ships in the Indian Ocean.

The Indian Navy had 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.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In a groundbreaking stride towards environmental conservation, a revolutionary river-cleaning robot has captured the attention of business magnate Anand Mahindra.

Expressing profound admiration, Mahindra declared his eagerness to contribute to the cause.

The innovative robot showcases cutting-edge technology designed to tackle river pollution effectively. Its impressive capabilities have sparked discussions on the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat environmental degradation.

As Mahindra pledges support, the spotlight is now on the collaborative efforts to deploy this advanced technology for the betterment of our rivers, underlining the significance of private sector involvement in environmental stewardship.

What Made Anand Mahindra Impressed?

Anand Mahindra expresses interest in the river cleaning robot and tells us he is ready to get started | Image: X

Due to technological advancements, there is a growing trend of incorporating robots in diverse professional sectors.



An example of this was highlighted by Anand Mahindra, who posted a video on X featuring an autonomous robot engaged in river cleaning.

The demonstration impressed the business mogul to the extent that he expressed a willingness to invest in any startup focused on similar initiatives in India.

Anand Mahindra expressed his interest in the autonomous river-cleaning robot, speculating that it might be of Chinese origin.

Anand Mahindra expresses interest in the river cleaning robot and tells us he is ready to get started | Image: X

He emphasized the need for such technology to be produced locally, stating, "We need to make these... right here... right now." Furthermore, he conveyed his readiness to invest in any startups involved in developing similar solutions.



Where Can You Watch This River Cleaning Robot Video?

You can watch the viral video on X posted by Business tycoon Anand Mahindra.

Autonomous robot for cleaning rivers.



Looks like its Chinese?



We need to make these.right hereright now..



If any startups are doing thisIm ready to invest



pic.twitter.com/DDB1hkL6G1  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 2, 2024

How Did The Internet React?

Anand Mahindra expresses interest in the river cleaning robot and tells us he is ready to get started | Image: X

The initiative garnered praise from social media users, who expressed their positive reactions in the comments section of the post.



Many individuals commended Anand Mahindra for his proactive stance in supporting innovations and his willingness to back such initiatives.

This viral video of river cleaning robot has over 2 million views.

Internet reacts to the River cleaning robot shared by Anand Mahindra on X | Image: X

Internet reacts to the River cleaning robot shared by Anand Mahindra on X | Image: X

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
A chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that it was time for Igbos to begin to withdraw and relocate their businesses back to the South-East.

Isiguzoro, made this known on Saturday, following a viral online video depicting distressed Igbo traders at the Trinity spare parts market in Apapa, Lagos, on February 1, 2024, expressing their frustration over their inability to salvage their goods and products.

Isiguzoro stated that the organization was meticulously documenting the systematic demolition of Igbo-populated markets in the State..

He said: In light of these distressing events, Ndigbo must acknowledge that it is now time to gradually retreat and redirect their businesses back home.

READ MORE: Govt Has Right To Demolish Buildings  Ohanaeze Tells Igbos In Lagos

The relentless targeting of Igbo traders and their businesses under the guise of development is unacceptable.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores Igbo traders to relocate the headquarters of their businesses to Igbo land to avoid further complications arising from future market demolitions.

We fervently urge President Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos State to demonstrate true leadership by intervening decisively to protect the rights and interests of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity.
Following the intervention of an animal welfare organization, a pigeon that spent eight months in Indian police custody was released this week.

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the pigeon was suspected of spying for China.

Indias RCF Police Station in Mumbai found the pigeon in May 2023, with writing on its wings, but the message was illegible.

The pigeon was sent to Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals to be examined medically and investigated.

Months later, the animal hospital asked police if they could release the bird, since the bird was healthy and was taking up a cage at the hospital.

Times of India reports that the bird was caught at a port in the financial capital, Mumbai, with messages written in a Chinese-like script on its wings.

Initially, the police had registered a case of spying against the bird, but after completing their inquiry, they dropped the charge, the report added.

READ ALSO: US Bureau Vows To Investigate Hushpuppi Following Tunde Ednut Birthday Celebration In Prison

PETA India said police had granted formal permission for the hospital to release the pigeon on Wednesday.

According to reports from Radio Free Asia, a United States (US) government-funded radio station, China runs a pigeon military unit at its Guilin Joint Logistics Support Center in Kunming, Yunnan province.

Militaries have previously used pigeons to carry out operations. During World War I, more than 100,000 pigeons flew missions as part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France.

One famous pigeon, Cher Ami, was used to deliver 12 messages in Verdun, France during the war, but was shot and killed in 1918, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.

His last message delivery helped save 194 troops.

Similarly, the British military deployed about 250,000 pigeons during World War II.
Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, a Nigerian prisoner serving an 11-year term, is the subject of an investigation by the US Bureau of Prisons, according to the Peoples Gazette.

After a widely circulated video appeared online that allegedly showed Abbas and other people feasting inside what seemed to be his detention facility in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The prison institution informed Peoples Gazette on Thursday night said, We take these matters seriously, adding that the investigation into the viral videos facts or lack thereof would be led by the Investigative Department.

Remember that Tunde Adekunle, popularly known as Tunde Ednut, had his birthday on January 22, 2024.

A voice in the widely shared video from January 22 that many Nigerians claimed to be Hushpuppi said,

You can see that we are celebrating you in our own little way, Tude Ednut,. Happy birthday, Tunde Ednut! Fried rice is ready. The voice continued, Jollof loading, pasta is here as you can see, as the man with his face hidden behind the camera presented a selection of foods on a white table.

According to The Gazette analysis, it showed a grey double bunk and a bed covered in white sheets.

READ MORE: Mission Accomplished I Have A Legal Visa  Isreal DMW Says As He Storms Italy, Days After Visiting Paris

The features reminiscent of a prison interior, stoked rumours that Abbas was really having a swell time celebrating his friends birthday behind bars.
People browse the tables of books at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the 32nd annual African American Children's Book Fair on Saturday. Read more

Patrice Parks-Smith told her 9- and 12-year-old nieces to take their time Saturday afternoon as they perused the tables at the African American Childrens Book Fair: In their school libraries, they dont see as many books by Black authors, featuring Black characters, educating about racism and Black history.

Having books with characters that look like us  it shows we can be more than what they see on social media, said Parks-Smith, a 43-year-old charter school assistant principal from Strawberry Mansion.

Nearby in the crowded conference room at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Jazmine Stewart held a stack of books that her 6-year-old son, Justice Chandler, had picked out as part of his quest to read at least 100 books this school year. The kindergartner is on track to far surpass that goal, his mother said, having already read more than 70 books and averaging three to four books a day.

Stewart, a 31-year-old mental health and addiction counselor, said she made the trip over the river from Delran because she wanted him to stock up on books about prominent African Americans in honor of Black History Month. And like Parks-Smith, she said she cant find these books everywhere.

You dont see characters that look like him, she said, noting that their ancestors fought for the kind of representation that was on display around her. Its important to see.

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That sums up the importance of the annual event, meant to increase the visibility of Black authors and promote literacy among children of all races and backgrounds, said founder Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati. Now in its 32nd year, it is one of the countrys largest and longest-running single-day events of its kind, she added.

 READ MORE: Phillys African American Childrens Book Fair celebrates icons so young readers can discover their heritage

Throughout the day, I run into parents who say, I used to come to the book fair when I was a kid and now Im bringing my children, Lloyd-Sgambati said. We are creating generational readers.

Children who read books that reflect their image are more inclined to be long-term readers, she added.

When the African American Childrens Book Fair started in 1992, a couple hundred people showed up. Now, she said, it draws about 3,500 people on average. In the years before the pandemic, it was held at Community College of Philadelphia, before going virtual in 2021 and then returning in person at the larger Convention Center space in 2022.

Every year, it gets bigger, said Paulette Poole-Phillips, 71, a retired U.S. postal worker from Morton, Delaware County, who has been attending the book fair for 25 years. She excitedly took photos of her 10-year-old grandson, Karter Walker, with author Vashti Harrison, who signed one of his favorite books, Hair Love, which she illustrated. Every year, Poole-Phillips said, they have more authors.

About 40 childrens authors lined up at tables. They included industry stars such as Harrison, the first Black woman to win the Caldecott Medal for her illustrated childrens book Big, which tackles anti-fat bias and promotes body positivity, and Ibi Zoboi, who recently won the Coretta Scott King Award for her young-adult novel Nigeria Jones. While there were some book giveaways for children and educators throughout the day, most books on display were for sale for $8 to $20.

Every year, the books are more exciting, Lloyd-Sgambati said. Every year, these authors and illustrators are winning tons of awards. Weve got some of the best books of our generation.

The book fair was among the first of many local events being held for Black History Month, the theme of which is African Americans and the Arts, and is one of several free book-related activities happening across the city. Philadelphia libraries are holding events throughout the month. Visit Philadelphia and the Little Free Library have also pledged to give away 1,500 banned books, all of which are written by Black authors, at 13 stops on the Little Free(dom) Library trail.

The mission of the book fair and other events is especially timely as libraries have become ground zero for conservative culture wars about education, race, and LGBTQ representation.

The number of book bans has increased nationwide, with books that include characters of color or themes about race or racism making up about 37% of banned content over the last two school years, according to PEN America.

 READ MORE: Pa. ranks near the top nationally in book bans  mainly because of one school district

Pennsylvania recorded the third-highest number of book bans of any state from July 2021 to June 2023, with 644 instances across 16 school districts, according PEN, a free-speech advocacy group that tracks bans through news reports, information on district websites, and communication with school staff. Pennsylvania ranked behind only Florida, which logged 1,972 instances across 37 districts, and Texas, which had 1,426 reports across 28 districts. New Jersey, meanwhile, recorded only six instances.

I dont like to talk about banned books, because the chorus, yes, its loud, but the choir is resonating even louder, Lloyd-Sgambati said above the cacophony of hundreds of people talking as they browsed the book fairs offerings.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Maj. Gen. Craig Strong of the Nebraska National Guard are traveling to Texas on Sunday for a security update on the situation at the southern border, according to a news release from the governor's office.

Pillen and Strong will join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and more than a dozen other governors for a 2:30 p.m. news conference at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, following the security briefing.

The mission to secure the border is critical to the security of Nebraskans as well as all Americans, Pillen said in the release.

Pillen expressed the need for Nebraskas continued support of "Operation Lone Star" and said he would assess additional resources Nebraska could offer to "secure the border."

Nebraskas previous support of border security involved deploying drone operators from the State Patrol to assist in surveillance last year, and sending more than 60 members of the Nebraska National Guard to aid Texas authorities in illegal border crossings last summer.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
A police officer in Chester County was convicted Friday by a Common Pleas Court jury of wrongfully firing his gun at a car fleeing a traffic stop in 2021, the district attorney said.

Sgt. Anthony Sparano, 55, of Coatesville, was found guilty of recklessly endangering another person and propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a news release. Sparano was found not guilty of simple assault.

The driver of the car, Takeshia Landry, now 44, was not struck by the bullet.

Vincent DiFabio, Sparanos lawyer, declined to comment Friday night.

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The website for the West Caln Township Police Department still lists Sparano as a full-time officer. Police Chief Curt A. Martinez could not be reached for comment.

Shooting into a moving vehicle, as Sgt. Sparano did here, is strictly prohibited unless the officer reasonably believes that death or serious bodily injury may occur, former District Attorney Deb Ryan said in 2021 when Sparano was arrested. Even then, such an inherently dangerous step should only be taken after all other efforts have been exhausted.

The events occurred about 12:30 a.m. Nov. 10, 2021. Landry was driving a white Chrysler 300 and allegedly made a left turn at a red light. Sparano stopped her on the 100 block of Octorara Trail Road.

During the stop, Landry was holding a camera and apparently trying to record Sparano, according to the criminal complaint filed against him. Sparano repeatedly asked for her license and registration, but she did not comply.

When Sparano then tried to open the drivers door, Landry sped away.

Sparano fired one shot at the Chrysler 300, shattering the rear drivers side window.

Sparano then got back in his police vehicle and pursued the Chrysler for about two miles before Landry stopped again.

In video shown during the trial, Sparano was seen struggling to remove Landry from the Chrysler and punched her, the Daily Local News reported.

Landry was taken to Brandywine Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and then was released.

Court records show the only criminal charge that was prosecuted from Landrys arrest was for illegal possession of a firearm. In September 2022, Landry pleaded guilty to the firearms violation and was sentenced to a minimum of eight days of incarceration up to a maximum of 23 months, according to court records.

The Daily Local News reported that Landry served probation.

Landry testified this week that she was driving that night from her home at the time in Ohio to Washington, where she intended to tell the FBI about police misconduct against her in her hometown, the Daily Local News reported.

She testified that as she was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that night, tractor-trailer drivers were flashing their high beams at her to try to cause an accident. She testified she got lost in Chester County because her GPS had been hacked, the Daily Local News reported.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro gives commencement address at Temple University in May 2023. Read more

In his budget address last year, Gov. Josh Shapiro made clear that Pennsylvanias system of higher education wasnt working, with colleges competing with one another for a limited dollar  duplicating degree programs, driving up costs, and actually reducing access.

He vowed by the following year to present a comprehensive and meaningful reform plan for higher education.

On Tuesday, Shapiro will deliver that plan during his budget address, promising more details on a blueprint he rolled out Jan. 26 that called for combining Pennsylvanias state universities with its community colleges under a new governing structure, reducing tuition at state-owned colleges to $1,000 for families making the median income of $70,000 or less, and instituting a performance-based funding system for public colleges.

 READ MORE: Gov. Josh Shapiro proposes sweeping reform of Pa. state-funded higher education

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And the new funding plan, he said, would include a component that for the first time in Pennsylvania would award colleges money for keeping their graduates in the state  addressing a long-standing brain drain concern that too many leave for jobs elsewhere.

So if a college or university knows they are going to get measured by how many students stay in Pennsylvania, they are going to be more eager to connect them with internships and employers here in the commonwealth, Shapiro said.

 READ MORE: Temple aid to help make tuition free for low-income Philadelphia families

Many questions about the overhaul proposal remain. And whether Shapiro can muster bipartisan political support he needs to get more funding remains to be seen.

But a couple things are clear: The governors multipronged effort would put Pennsylvania at the forefront nationally among states trying to improve their higher education systems. Experts say the state demands it, considering the precipitous decline in enrollment at both its state universities and community colleges. The 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), enrolling 82,688, have lost more than 30% of enrollment since 2010, and community colleges are down 37%.

Second, many are pleased that a governor is finally trying.

The fact that he has even surfaced higher education as a major policy issue is quite an accomplishment in this state, which has been reluctant to do anything, said Joni E. Finney, retired director of the University of Pennsylvanias Institute for Research on Higher Education.

 READ MORE: Penn State expanded its branch campuses decades ago. Now, some say thats one reason state universities are struggling.

But she pointed out that it doesnt deal with Pennsylvania State Universitys Commonwealth campuses, some of which are in the same or neighboring counties as PASSHE schools  and act as competitors.

Its a saturated market out there and we have fewer and fewer students, Finney said. Thats the most difficult thing to address, and not surprisingly, it wasnt addressed: How does Penn State and this new system work together?

Here are the plans key points.

State universities and community colleges should remain equals

PASSHEs universities and the states 15 community colleges would operate under a new governance structure, aimed at streamlining pathways between schools to improve offerings for students. Some other states, the nearest being New York, have such a structure.

Asked whether closures or mergers were being considered  PASSHE merged six schools into two in 2022  Shapiro said in an interview: I want to keep them open. I want to add resources so we can strengthen these schools.

Whether the current PASSHE board of governors would survive is uncertain. But the governor has been clear that community colleges  which do not have an overarching governing board  would not be absorbed by PASSHE, but remain equals.

The devil is in the details, said Donald Guy Generals, president of Community College of Philadelphia. None of us agrees with giving up local control.

He thought that was a challenge when he previously headed a community college in the State University of New York, where community colleges and four-year universities are part of the same system.

Just about everything had to go through Albany, he said.

But he said he favors developing a strategy that meets Shapiros goals.

The governors vision is something we should all embrace and get behind, he said.

Dan Greenstein, PASSHEs chancellor, agreed, noting that Pennsylvania ranks 49th in state funding for higher education and not much better in affordability.

Sure, it doesnt include everything that maybe some people want, and it includes some things that some people dont want, but if that becomes an impediment, we see that gap growing between our workforce needs and our ability to fill them and we see ourselves falling further and further behind other states.

The success of performance-based funding depends on the criteria and priorities set

Performance-based funding  which awards colleges money based on their performance in certain criteria, such as graduation and retention rates  isnt new. About 30 states have some form, and they have received mixed reviews, noted Dustin Weeden, associate vice president of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, based in Colorado.

A 2016 article for the Century Foundation outlined some criticism: States employing performance-based funding either decreased their degree productivity or they simply do not outperform other states. In some cases, colleges responded to performance-based funding by enrolling fewer low-income students while spending more on non-needy students.

The programs that perform best limit the number of metrics so that the money has an impact, and there has to be enough money set aside to make a difference, Finney said.

If the state sets clear priorities like Shapiro is trying to do on this with affordability and cost-effectiveness, we may be able to get somewhere, she said.

Its also important to differentiate among schools, such as community colleges and state-related colleges, that serve different populations and have different admission standards, said Greenstein, who previously worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which invested in performance-based funding.

PASSHE recently instituted a program for its schools but found it was using too many measures. Now, it has honed the list, looking mainly at enrollment, but also mission, and its working better, he said.

You get a certain amount for every student in the door, and you get premiums for low-income students, underrepresented minority students, and students who are retained beyond the second year, he said.

Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi has long championed performance-based funding, and in an October op-ed that appeared in PennLive, called for lawmakers, the governor, universities and other constituents to develop a system.

I have worked in states that distribute funds to public universities in this way, and it ensures that universities and states are working together on shared goals for workforce and economic development, she wrote.

Shapiro said a bipartisan group will develop criteria. In addition to awarding money for keeping graduates in-state, he said, there also will be incentives for producing graduates in such shortage areas as nursing and enrolling first-generation students.

$1,000 tuition may not have much impact  unless its a first-dollar scholarship.

A lot of questions remain about Shapiros proposal to reduce tuition to $1,000 a semester for low-income families. If its a so-called last-dollar scholarship, which means students other aid would be applied first, its questionable how much impact it would have.

Students from those families likely already qualify for a federal Pell grant, which at most is $7,395, and a state grant, which at most is $5,750. Annual tuition at PASSHE universities is $7,716, and even after adding fees, it would not rise above the federal and state aid students already receive.

At community colleges, the tuition is even less.

For the $1,000-a-semester thing to be meaningful, we have to know that it is not what we call last-dollar, said Sara Goldrick-Rab, an expert on college affordability. Most community college and PASSHE students at those income levels have their tuition covered.

But if it is a first-dollar scholarship, then students could reserve their federal and state aid to cover room and board, which is more expensive than tuition.

When asked whether it would be a last-dollar scholarship, Shapiro said: That will be something that is worked out through our higher education working group.

Shapiros plan proposes to increase by $1,000 state grants to students attending state-related and private universities, which could have greater impact, considering their higher tuition rates. Temple University, one of Pennsylvanias four state-related schools, announced Thursday a last-dollar scholarship that would help make tuition free for Philadelphia students who come from families earning $65,000 or less.

Competition from Penn States Commonwealth campuses cant be ignored.

While Shapiros plan doesnt address what should happen with Penn States Commonwealth campuses, the university is already discussing cuts.

Bendapudi last month proposed that the university cut $54 million, or 14.1%, from its 2025-26 budget for the 19 Commonwealth campuses, which have lost nearly 30% of enrollment since 2010. Some campuses enroll only a few hundred, she said.

She has not indicated whether the university will consider campus closures. In an interview Friday, she said: We are actually nowhere near making any such decision.

Shapiro said the state-related universities have been wonderful participants in the process of working toward his blueprint, along with PASSHE and community colleges. Many of the presidents, including Bendapudi, sit on the group that has helped to shape Shapiros plan.

What is clear from the hard work they put in over the last eight or nine months is that they dont want to be in competition with one another, Shapiro said. They dont want to harm one another.
Much of the hustle and bustle happens on Baltimore Avenue in West Philly's Cedar Park neighborhood. Read more

During nine years slinging seitan on the grill at Hibiscus Cafe in Cedar Park, Earl Young welcomed the ever-shifting demographic of visitors and residents popping in for vegan Philly cheesesteaks and Jamaican jerk tofu wraps.

Getting familiarized with the people that grew up around here, they say the exact same thing  [the neighborhood] is always changing, he said. You see more diverse [groups of] people and a lot more younger [people].

But you still see the grassroots community of the neighborhood, too, Young added.

Cedar Parks boundaries often get misconstrued with its neighbor Spruce Hill to the east. According to Cedar Park Neighbors, this West Philly neighborhood is defined by Larchwood Avenue to the north, 52nd Street to the west, SEPTA Rail Line and Kingsessing Avenue to the south, and 46th Street to the east.

Much of the hustle and bustle happens on Baltimore Avenue. Folks venture into heavy metal hair salon Talking Headz, then pop over with a fresh haircut to Mariposa Food Co-op to buy ingredients for dinner. Students settle in at Buna Cafe with a book and an Ethiopian tea, or Satellite Cafe with a laptop and a macadamia nut latte.

The communitys generations of families exhibit its deep sense of history, said Keri Girmindl of Common Beats Music store. Meanwhile, the multicultural, communal backbone of this West Philly neighborhood is bolstered by creative businesses offering Ethiopian cheesesteaks, newcomers serving home-grown brews, and even a communal jazz concert series celebrating local musicians.

Heres how to spend the day in Cedar Park.

Try the vegan Philly cheesesteak at Hibiscus Cafe. Read more Hira Qureshi

Where to eat in Cedar Park?

Hibiscus Cafe

A sign that says Hibiscus Food for Life beckons you to experience Earl Youngs Caribbean vegan food. Here, regulars are devoted to menu items like the spiced seitan piled into a cheesesteak, Jamaican jerk tofu neatly stuffed into a wrap, and freshly blended smoothies. The quick ordering and fast service are ideal for those looking for good grub to go, but you can also dine in as Youngs cat, Cathy, comes scurrying out to greet everyone.

4907 Catharine St., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-307-3749,  instagram.com/hibiscus_cafe__

Fu-Wah Mini Market

Among the tubs of gochujang and Kewpie mayo, this mini-mart goes through about 100 to 150 Liscios hoagie rolls daily, serving Vietnamese and Philadelphia-style sandwiches. Find chargrilled pork, tofu, shredded chicken, and classic pork with pate in bahn mi sandwiches, and tuna salad, salami, and more in hoagies. This grab-and-go spot has plenty of snacks and drinks to accompany your sandwich of choice. When it comes to the stores inventory, owner Dave Lai thinks about his customers. My focus is the neighborhood and what they want, said Lai, whose parents opened the mini-mart in 1982 and also own Vietnam Cafe nearby.

810 S. 47th St., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-729-2993,  fuwahminimarket.com

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Dahlak Paradise

Platters of meat and veggies to scoop up with injera and DJd dance parties sound like an unlikely pairing, but Dahlak is a neighborhood hotspot. Come for classic Eritrean-Ethiopian dishes, including flavorful beef stir-fry and braised lamb meat stew. Its also known for hosting community events, including comedy showcases and karaoke nights. If you pop in after 10 p.m., get your hands on Ethiopian braised beef cheesesteaks or vegan sloppy joes.

4708 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-726-6464,  dahlakrestaurant.com

Bookers Restaurant & Bar

With tables and chairs under a pergola and ample seating, Bookers is a favorite for outdoor and group dining in Philly. As described by founder Saba Tedla, the neighborhood restaurant opened in 2017 with fried chicken and waffles, seafood mac and cheese, and blackened catfish, fueling a thriving brunch and dinner scene. The Baltimore Avenue hotspot is now owned by the husband-and-wife team Tracey and Cheri Syphax, who bought the restaurant and its adjoining lounge, the Bayou, in March 2023. The new menu boasts lamb lollipops, bourbon-glazed pork chops, barbecue shrimp, and more. The Bayou hosts weekly events, including paint and sip, live music, karaoke nights, and spoken-word performances.

5021 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-883-0960,  bookersrestaurantandbar.com

At Satellite Cafe, there are plenty of teas to choose from. Read more Hira Qureshi

Where to drink in Cedar Park?

Satellite Cafe

Next to Firehouse Bicycles sits Satellite Cafe, where youll find herbal tea blends (curry cardamom root, turmeric root, fennel, and more) purported to help with head-to-toe arthritis, Sri Lankan black tea, Earl Grey with hints of rose, spicy-sweet chai, and more. Satellite Cafe also pumps out aromatic blends for specialty lattes featuring almond, hazelnut, nutmeg ginger, and macadamia nut syrups.

701 S. 50th St., Philadelphia, 19143,  484-640-8023,  instagram.com/satellitecafe

Grab some Thai tea or Thai coffee from Vientiane Cafe. Read more Hira Qureshi

Vientiane Cafe

At this Laotian restaurant, the Thai iced coffee or tea are great options for a quick pick-me-up. Vientiane Cafes blends of bold black tea and strong coffee with sugar and milk (or coconut milk) hit the spot when looking for a cold, sweet drink. And you cant go wrong pairing that with a fried banana tempura drizzled with honey. Just remember to bring cash to this BYOB.

4728 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-726-1095,  vientiane-cafe.com

The samosa pizza with a side of 12-hour onion dip and chips at Carbon Copy in West Philadelphia. Read more Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

Carbon Copy

Beer and wine lovers can find the best of both worlds inside the bright blue doors of the former city firehouse next to Satellite Cafe. In 2022, owners Kyle Wolak and Brendon Boudwin opened Carbon Copy in the former home of Dock Street West Brewery, bringing two decades of their combined brewery expertise to West Philly. Beers on tap include IPAs, an English-style porter, and other beers made on-site, also available in 32-ounce growlers and 16-ounce cans. Or try a Virginia white wine, a New York riesling, the American dry cider from Adams Countys Ploughman Cider. Theres even a Carbon Copy Citywide, a full pour of their light lager plus a shot of Manatawny whiskey. (Dont skip the six varieties of thin-crust pizzas, including the samosa-themed one.)

701 S. 50th St., Philadelphia, 19143,  carboncopyphilly.com

Warm up with the homeland shai, baklava, and sambusa at Buna Cafe. Read more Hira Qureshi

Buna Cafe

While Buna Cafe is known for its platter-sized injera topped with colorful stews, the Ethiopian teas are a treat for many. In this yellow cafe on Baltimore Avenue, owners Belaynesh Bella Wondimagegnehu and Demelash Demessie pour out homeland shai in plain white ceramic mugs. The soothing, hot tea of black pepper, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and thyme is a popular beverage that pairs well with baklava or sambusa.

5121 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, 19143,  610-615-8575,  bunacafephilly.com

Common Beat Music offers equipment repairs, along with records, cassettes, and CDs. Read more Hira Qureshi

Things to do in Cedar Park

Common Beat Music

Spend the afternoon browsing through 10,000 vinyl records, or get your hands on a colorful bass guitar at this Baltimore Avenue staple. Owners Keri Girmindl and Carlo Frese took over the former Marvelous Music record stores location and inventory seven years ago, adding a gear repair business. Inside Common Beat Music, youll find records from Madonna to Billy Ocean organized by genre. The two owners buy used items from neighborhood residents to add to their stores collection, including cassettes and CDs  an effort to put money back into Cedar Park. Were becoming a part of the neighborhood instead of making the neighborhood adapt to us by doing it this way, Girmindl explained.

4916 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-726-8742,  commonbeatmusic.com

Blackhound Clay Studios

For West Philly ceramic artists, Blackhound Clay Studios provides community space to create and connect. The studio on South 50th Street offers affordable workspace, classes, and events throughout the year. From one-day wheel workshops to eight weeks of in-depth classes, folks of all levels can learn pottery making. Workshops range from $72 per person, to hand-building classes, offered on a sliding scale based on your financial ability. Memberships open up quarterly from Jan. 1 to 15, April 1 to 15, and Oct. 1 to 15. At the annual Made at Black Hound Night Market, artists sell their handmade items in the parking lot among firepits with smores.

715 S. 50th St., Philadelphia, 19143,  215-558-0243,  blackhoundclaywest.com

Homes in the Cedar Park neighborhood along Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Read more Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Jazz Concert Series

Grab a lawn chair, cooler, and your dancing shoes for Cedar Park Neighbors annual summer Jazz Concert Series. On Friday nights in June and July, the Jazz Committee hosts this free, family-friendly event highlighting West Phillys musical talent with lineups of local artists. Last year, Ray Wrights Jasz Lab, Webb Thomas Super Band, Glenn Bryan & Friends, Bobby Zankel & the Wonderful Sound 5, and the Philadelphia Clef Club performed.

 cedarparkneighbors.org/cedar-park-jazz

Third Wheel Cheese Co. offers a wide selection of rinds in Cedar Park. Read more Hira Qureshi

Third Wheel Cheese Co.

Finding great cheese isnt hard when Ann Karlens got a shop dedicated to offering wedges sourced from Virginia to Vermont in your neighborhood. In the summer of 2023, Karlen converted the front of the wholesale distributing warehouse into a small cut-to-order cheese shop for residents and visitors looking to make cheese boards of all sizes. Youll find creamy American Havarti, sweet and peppery Birchrun Blue, six-month cellar-aged smoky, sweet curd Abruzze Jawn, and other individual cheeses, along with assortment packages of rinds and accoutrements. And if youre unsure of where to start, the friendly staff will guide you through the selections  there are also cheese tastings to learn more.

705 S. 50th St., Philadelphia, 19143,  267-702-4231,  thirdwheelcheeseco.com
Peggy Malone walks the quiet halls of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, the hospital where shes worked as a registered nurse for the past 35 years, with the feeling shes drifting through a ghost town.

The sprawling hospital serves Delco and surrounding regions, and a large proportion of its patients earn low incomes. Malone remembers a time when the hospital was such a hub that neighbors would come to the cafeteria just to have dinner.

Now many of the units sit empty. Gone are the pediatric unit, the transplant program, and the detox program where Malone used to work. The surgical residency lost its accreditation and was ordered to close, but then that decision was appealed. Staff has been reduced and supplies are scarce.

Patients rooms in the main building havent had television since the cable was disconnected last month, she said.

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Malone has grown accustomed to telling this story over and over to reporters, to researchers, even to Congress in recent years. Her community  her hospital  is a cautionary tale for what can happen when private equity comes to town.

We want to give good patient care, she told Stateline. We want to not be using broken equipment and piecing supplies together. But we dont have the power to stop whats happening.

Private equity firms use pooled investments from pension funds, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and wealthy individuals to buy controlling stakes in companies. In the past couple of years, private equitys foray into hospital ownership has drawn public outrage and, increasingly, legislative scrutiny.

"It's now a familiar story," U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, said last month in a statement announcing a bipartisan investigation with Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley into the impacts of private equity ownership of hospitals. "[P]rivate equity buys out a hospital, saddles it with debt, and then reduces operating costs by cutting services and staff  all while investors pocket millions. Before the dust settles, the private equity firm sells and leaves town, leaving communities to pick up the pieces."

That familiar story played out in Malones backyard.

Prospect Medical Holdings, the for-profit hospital chain that owns Crozer-Chester hospital, was majority-owned by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners from 2010 until 2021. Under Leonard Green's ownership, Prospect loaded its hospitals with massive debt and then used the proceeds to pay shareholders more than half a billion dollars in dividends, according to an investigation by the Rhode Island attorney general's office.

Leonard Green & Partners sold its controlling interest in the chain in 2021. Neither company responded to Statelines requests for comment as of press time.

Meanwhile, Prospects hospitals  most of them serving economically vulnerable communities such as Chester  slashed services, laid off hundreds of workers, and, in some cases, closed permanently.

But state laws, and how aggressively theyre enforced, can change the trajectory of the story. Prospect treated its hospitals similarly across Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Yet a robust state law and aggressive state regulators improved the forecast for Prospects hospitals in Rhode Island, at least temporarily.

As Prospect continues to founder, state and local leaders in Connecticut and Pennsylvania are considering legislative solutions to better protect communities from exploitative financial transactions. Roughly half the states enacted related laws last year, and more are pursuing bills this year.

We cant do anything about whats already happened with Prospect, said Pennsylvania state Sen. Tim Kearney. The Democrat represents parts of Delaware County, home to Crozer-Chester and other Prospect-owned hospitals, two of which have now closed. But we can certainly prevent it from happening in the future.

Behind the curtain

Nearly 400 U.S. hospitals are owned by private equity investors, representing 1 out of every 3 for-profit hospitals, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a research and advocacy group.

Typically, private equity firms focus on boosting the value of an asset before selling it within a few years, ideally at a profit. Over the past decade, private equity investors have spent $1 trillion acquiring health care companies.

But private equitys financial transactions and business structures can be so complex that state lawmakers, judges, and others charged with protecting the public interest can have a hard time deciphering exactly what theyre doing.

"It's a shell game," said Connecticut state Rep. Kevin Brown. The Democrat's district includes the working-class borough of Rockville, where the Prospect-owned Rockville General Hospital has closed most of its inpatient units in recent years and offers few services beyond emergency care and one-day surgery. Brown said he'd had no idea how much money private equity could extract from hospitals until it happened in his community.

These giant amounts of money are being moved around from one corporate entity to another. Its bad in any industry, but were talking health care and peoples lives, he said. To me, that should never coexist, this idea of turning a profit on peoples lives and health, [or] to see these mergers and payoffs happen to satisfy the needs of shareholders as opposed to putting the money back into the hospital.

Supporters of private equity say its investments fill critical gaps in the U.S. health care system, providing much-needed capital to help hospitals and physicians upgrade technology and streamline their processes.

Jamal Hagler, vice president of research for the American Investment Council, an advocacy and lobbying organization for the private equity industry, said most private equity deals in health care are successful and create positive benefits for both the investors and the businesses.

Health care is very complicated. Its hard to point to private equity and lay the blame when there are lots of other factors that can cause hospitals to have financial issues, Hagler said.

What weve seen in the academic literature is that the changes and the helpful expertise private equity provides to their portfolio companies continue long after theyve exited the investment.

One study from Indiana University suggests private equity improves efficiency at hospitals without compromising health care quality.

Research into private equitys impact on health care  from quality to access to costs  is still in the early stages, said Joseph Bruch, an assistant professor of public health sciences at the University of Chicago whose research has focused on private equity in health care.

Last month, Bruch and a team of researchers from Harvard Medical School published a study that found patients were more likely to fall or contract infections in a hospital after its acquisition by a private equity firm. A 2022 Moodys Investors Service report found that almost 90% of financially stressed health care companies are owned by private equity, though some could have been there previously and been ripe for a private-equity purchase.

So far, one of the most consistent findings in recently published studies has been that private equity tends to be associated with increased costs for both patients and insurance providers, Bruch said. Quality of care tends to be more of a mixed bag. A 2020 study, also co-authored by Bruch, found hospitals acquired by private equity saw improvement in some quality measures.

And while private equitys enthusiasm for hospitals appears to be cooling under mounting pressure from states, federal regulators, and the public, Americans will continue to see private equity seeping into nearly every aspect of their health care.

Private equity firms are buying physician practices, dialysis clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, Bruch said. From cradle to grave, fertility clinics to hospice, theyre involved.

Rhode Island roadblock

In 2019, Prospect sold the real estate out from under its hospitals in California, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania to a real estate investment trust for $1.55 billion. The deal allowed Prospect to pay off loan debts. Then the trust leased the property back to Prospect, meaning the hospitals now had to pay rent on property they once owned. The deal saddled Crozer Health with $35 million in yearly rent.

By 2020, Prospect and its hospitals were showing signs of financial distress and Leonard Green tried to offload the company by selling its majority stake.

But the deal hit a snag in Rhode Island. Prospect's change of ownership would require the approval of the state attorney general and health department, thanks to a 1997 law called the Hospital Conversions Act. The law gives the state the power to review such transactions to ensure they serve the public interest.

Rhode Island has the most robust legislation of this kind that Im aware of, said Mary Bugbee, senior research and campaign coordinator for health care at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. Leonard Green had to jump through a lot of hoops so it could exit its investment, and Rhode Island did a great job in holding them accountable for some of their extractive and exploitative practices.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, a Democrat, launched an investigation into Leonard Green and Prospect. He didnt like what he found, including the recapitalization transactions that loaded hospitals with debt while paying shareholders hundreds of millions in dividends.

As the team and I dug into it, it became apparent to me that this was a very different Prospect Medical Holdings than it had been even three or four years ago, he said. They werent capable of supporting our hospitals here in Rhode Island and if we didnt do something, there was a strong possibility they would close them.

His office ultimately approved the sale, but with conditions that included requiring Prospect and Leonard Green to set aside $80 million in escrow to ensure the hospitals' expenses would be covered for the next five years. The sale was finalized and Leonard Green left Prospect and its hospitals  but only after contributing $34 million.

It was insidious

In Pennsylvania, things werent going as well. By early 2022, Prospect-owned Crozer Health system, which included Crozer-Chester and three other hospitals, was hemorrhaging money and Prospect was looking for a buyer.

It announced it would temporarily close Springfield Hospital and its emergency department. Then it closed the obstetrics unit at Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

It was insidious, the way it started, said Kearney. They literally put a sign on the door [at Delaware County Memorial] telling expectant mothers which two buses to take to get to the next closest Prospect-owned hospital.

Prospect continued cutting services and closing wards at Delaware County Memorial, including the intensive care and surgery units. It laid off more than 200 workers. By September, a month after one potential buyer walked away from a deal to purchase the troubled system, Prospect announced it was closing Delaware County Memorial to transition it to a behavioral health facility, leaving the community without an emergency room.

That prompted legal action from the county and a local nonprofit foundation, which took Prospect to court, seeking an emergency injunction to halt the closure. They said the plan endangered public health. A judge granted their request, but in November the state health department shuttered the hospital anyway, citing a lack of staffing.

A raft of new legislation

This year, Kearney is working with Democratic and Republican colleagues in Pennsylvania to introduce legislation inspired by Rhode Islands law as well as antitrust laws in states such as California and Washington.

The bill would require health systems to file details of major transactions such as mergers and acquisitions with the state attorney generals office. The attorney general would be able to legally challenge deals deemed to be against the public interest. Lawmakers in Connecticut are also looking at options for improving their states review and approval process.

Illinois passed a similar bill last summer, granting the attorney general more oversight of health care transactions; it was signed into law and went into effect on Jan. 1. Colorado, Minnesota, and New York also added requirements for hospitals, health systems, and private investment firms to notify states of proposed mergers or other transactions.

In 2023 alone, 24 states enacted laws related to health system consolidation and competition, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, an advisory think tank for lawmakers. At the federal level, the Biden administration recently announced new efforts to subject mergers and acquisitions to more scrutiny by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Whitehouse and Grassley, in their Senate investigation, sent letters to a handful of current and former hospital owners, including Leonard Green and Prospect, demanding answers to a list of detailed questions about their financial transactions.

Were excited to see theres bipartisan appetite to look at some of these actors, said Bugbee, of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. The increased scrutiny is great, but its such a beast to deal with that while they may have an impact in one sector of the health care system, theres still going to be so much more work to be done, for a long time.

Wall Street and private equity firms are popular villains in Americas complex and troubled health care system. But private equity can extract wealth from vulnerable communities because the system is broken, said Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat. He also is a physician specializing in pulmonology and is chair of the department of internal medicine at two Prospect-owned hospitals, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General.

He points to systemic problems such as ineffective regulations and low physician reimbursement rates from public and private health insurance that make American health care an unsustainable business model.

As a result, private equity has an opportunity to come in and find ways to slice and dice the system, make their money, and then run, he said. While we need to make sure we restrict how these financial groups come into the health care world, we also have to make sure the alternative is functioning.

New mergers and acquisitions (maybe)

In Pennsylvania, Prospect reached a deal with the Pennsylvania attorney generals office to pause the active lawsuit against it, to open a nine-month window in which the firm could sell its hospitals to a successor.

Local leaders are hoping a nonprofit system will step forward.

So does Malone, the Crozer-Chester nurse.

We leave work every day feeling like we couldnt do enough, she said. But were going to keep believing that if we keep fighting, we can make this place become whats best for our community again.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization focused on state policy.

2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. Congress Members Push Back Against SECs Controversial Accounting Bulletin SAB 121

U.S. Congress Members introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday in hopes of overturning the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) controversial Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121).

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Representative Wiley Nickel (D-NC), and Mike Flood (R-NE) have joined forces to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution set to challenge SAB 121, which requires banks safeguarding crypto assets to present a corresponding liability on its balance sheets.

Is The SEC Overstepping Regulatory Authority With SAB 121?



A press release from Senator Lummis office stated that SAB 121 has serious implications for consumers and banks by confusing the distinction between customer assets and bank assets, threatening the foundation of essential custody services and increasing bankruptcy risk for consumers.

Chair @GaryGenslers SAB 121 has virtually blocked banks from serving as custodians of digital assets. Today, @RepWileyNickel, @SenLummis, and I introduced resolutions to repeal @SECGov's terrible bulletin. SAB 121s days are numbered  its time for it to go!  pic.twitter.com/jTQDdbMm3I  Rep. Mike Flood (@USRepMikeFlood) February 1, 2024

Representative Nickel suggested that the accounting bulletin is just another way the SEC continues to overstep regulatory authority, labeling the federal agencys regulatory approach on digital assets untenable.

Congress Steps Up Crypto Regulation Efforts



Despite recent Congressional criticism, this is far from the first time the SEC has faced claims that their regulatory stance is unsustainable.

In July 2023, Coinbases chief legal officer and general counsel Paul Grewal told CNBC in part that SECs reliance on an enforcement-only approach in the absence of clear rules for the digital asset industry is hurting Americas economic competitiveness.

Additionally, a recent report from 21Shares stated that regulatory uncertainty is pushing several valuable crypto firms overseas.

In the face of overreach by a regulator, it is the role of Congress to serve as a check, Representative Flood stated. I am proud to jointly introduce a bipartisan resolution of congressional disapproval with Senator Lummis and Congressman Nickel to fulfill that role.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler Doubles Down



Some players from the banking industry joined their voices in support of Thursdays legislative pushback against the SEC.

SAB 121s requirement for balance sheet recognition deviates from current accounting treatment for traditional assets held in custody, which are not required to be recorded on a firms balance sheet, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association president and CEO Kenneth E. Bentson Jr. said. Because of its impact on bank capital and liquidity ratios, SAB 121 has disincentivized banks from providing custodial services for digital assets.

We do not disagree with the need for regulatory oversight, Bentson continued, But the process should be deliberate and comprehensive to avoid unintended knock-on effects.

According to a report from Thomson Reuters, SEC Chair Gary Gensler recently defended SAB 121 at an American Bar Association event in December, claiming its just a staff accounting bulletin that basically addresses whether liabilities should be on a balance sheet.

SAB 121 has massive implications, and the SEC should have received feedback on it from the federal banking regulators and the public before implementing this legally binding directive, Senator Lummis said.
Claire always wanted to write fiction, and at 11  inspired by her grandmother, who wrote short stories  she sent essays to Irelands Own.

They sent me a hopeful rejection slip.

Opting for journalism as a more feasible career, Claire gained two weeks unpaid work experience at the Evening Herald.

Then I started getting paid. I also wrote for U Magazine, Irish Tatler, and Womans Way. More recently, she has become a book journalist, writing and reviewing for the Sunday Independent.

Ten years ago, wanting to write literary fiction, Claire invented a character, actress Gloria, and was a runner up in a competition run by Louise Doughty.

She loved my writing style. I read about Ireland in the 50s, and a paper on abortion in mid-century Ireland, and was struck by the culture of secrecy, but I gradually realised I wanted to write crime fiction, she says.

And, having been paired with a mentor, she began to streamline the novel. That took time, but she never lost heart.

Every time I was about to give up there would be a glimmer of hope.

In 2018, when she was working as a books journalist for a UK publication, she met the editor Katherine Armstrong, who later, in February 2022, offered her a two-book deal.

Its been great, she says. It feels like vindication.

Claire now fits writing around her daughters playschool.

Who is Claire Coughlan?

Date/place of birth: 1981/Naas.

Education: Alexandra College; University College, Dublin, English and Italian; Griffith College, one-year journalism course; University College, Dublin, MA in creative writing.

Home: Co Kildare.

Family: Husband, Chris, a solicitor. Hannah, four years. Cat, Bellamy.

The day job: Full-time writer.

In another life: Id have been a lawyer.

Favourite writers: John Banville; Patricia Highsmith; Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine; Stephen King; Marian Keyes.

Second book: Its a sequel set in the summer of 1970.

Top tip: Keep going. Think about genre. And befriend other writers.

Instagram: @claireelizabethco

The debut

Where They Lie; Simon and Schuster, 16.99/ Kindle, 10.51

Its Christmas 1968, and journalist Nicoletta Sarto is investigating a 25-year-old mystery concerning the convicted murderess, actress Gloria Fitzpatrick. But as she become emmeshed in the story, it all becomes personal.

The verdict: Atmospheric, mesmerising, and compulsive. I adored it.
Year of Bambie

Opening the show was Bambie Thug who has taken the country by storm since winning the Eurosong on last week's Late Late special.

This week, it was a much tamer affair but one that gave the audience a chance to get to know the person behind the performer.

Speaking about the support they've received since being named Ireland's entry for Eurovision 2024, Bambie said it felt like a homecoming.

They also addressed some of the negative reactions from a small number of people, specifically one person who began a petition to kick Bambie off of Eurosong.

Bambie simply told them: "I wish you love and light".

The petition accused them of being a satanist because of their love of witchcraft and paganism and their appearance while on stage.

"I'm sorry that upsets you. That's why I came out with not the white face on or anything today - to show you that I am just a person."

The stage make-up may have been missing but Bambie was still dressed for the occasion in a hooded black gown and long black gloves.

The look was completed with the addition of a fake black rat which earned a lot of love on social media.

'It is the end of this story'

Among the guests on this week's Late Late Show was Sophie Toscan du Plantiers son, Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud. Picture: RTE

Following the death of Ian Bailey, Sophie Toscan du Plantier's son joined Patrick Kielty to discuss how this has impacted him and his family.

Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud revealed that he learned of Bailey's death while out with his children, the phone had been ringing a lot and then he saw a text from a journalist telling him that the chief suspect in his mother's murder was dead.

"It's like a game over. There is a game over. There is no happy ending but it's game over," he said.

Baudey-Vignaud said that he remains 100% certain that Bailey is the person who killed his mother and he remains hopeful that one day the Irish investigation will find him guilty.

The family never sold the Cork home where Toscan du Plantier was killed and Baudey-Vignaud visits with his children up to five times a year.

He said Schull was his mother's paradise and bringing his children there is a way for them to meet their grandmother.

They feel their grandmother here for sure #latelate pic.twitter.com/1uS1uYhXbG  The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) February 2, 2024

With Bailey now gone, Baudey-Vignaud spoke of his hope to move on saying that one of the reasons he came on the Late Late was to tell everyone "We must turn the page".

"I am free again here in Ireland and I dont want any more interviews, I dont want any more pressure. Its the end of this story."

As he has many times since he took over as host of the Late Late, Kielty was praised by viewers for his sensitivity and compassion during the interview.

Kielty never rushed his guest or interjected in moments where Baudey-Vignaud was trying to find the words to express himself. He was given the time and space to express himself freely.

"Patrick and Pierre both lost parents in the most violent of circumstances as young teenage boys. That was a very touching conversation between them both," said one viewer.

Things got Wet Wet Wet

Marti Pellow treated the audience to a medley of hits. Picture: RTE

Marti Pellow was on hand to serenade the audience with a medley of hits.

The former frontman of Wet Wet Wet reminisced about his decades-long career and plugged his upcoming show in the 3Arena - although, just like us, it will always be The Point to him.

Pellow was charming, funny and a general delight but probably the best part of his time on the show was when three superfans tried to win tickets to the gig.

Very straightforward, each contestant was asked a question and got tickets if they answered correctly but would have a bucket of water dumped on them if they were wrong. It gave flashbacks to the ice bucket challenge days.

Enter Sharon from Finglas. When she was asked how excited she would be to see Marti live, Sharon quickly responded by saying: "I'd be very wet".

Sending everyone into a fit of the giggles, there was immediate regret from Sharon who hid her face in her hands while shaking her head.

Thankfully, she got her question right and should be over the embarrassment by the time the concert comes around.

Talking Bollox

There was a huge amount of love and support for the presenters of the hugely popular podcast, Talking Bollox.

Terence Power and Calvin O'Brien turned the tables on Kielty immediately asking him some of their unique ice-breaker questions. We learned about the Late Late host's shower habits and who he prefers between Gay Byrne and Ryan Tubridy.

Doing what they do best, the two men switched seamlessly between taking the piss and getting into serious issues.

Both are from inner city Dublin and spoke about how they try to rid society of the stereotypes that plague their community.

"There's this perception of young men, especially if you speak like me or if you wear tracksuits, that you're scum or you're less than," said Power.

Viewers were impressed with Terence Power and Calvin O'Brien saying that their community would be very proud of them. Picture: RTE

Power shared the story of a time a woman in a coffee shop heard the podcasters talking while behind her in the queue and pulled her handbag tight and took steps away from them.

While O'Brien said that at his first work Christmas party in the job he got when he graduated college, a senior staff member pulled him aside and told him he would need to tone down his accent if he wanted to be successful.

They never imagined Talking Bollox would reach the success it has - selling out the National Stadium and interviewing Tanaiste Micheal Martin - but they are making sure that they are using the platform they have.

Sharing their lives, stories, and experiences they bring awareness to the issues facing people in the inner city but they also highlight the wonderful community of people.

Looking back at the Dublin riots that took place last November, O'Brien shared his disappointment that while children and a creche worker were in hospital after being attacked, he was being contacted by news outlets to give a statement on the events that unfolded on the city's streets.

"My response to that was, I'm as worried about them kids as anybody else and you want me to have a conversation with you about riots," said O'Brien.

He added: "There was a lot of hatred and finger-pointing going on but that's not going to help anybody. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave us all mumbling and blind. So we try to move past it and coming together is how we'll get through it."

The two men were praised for how open and honest they are about their lives and for the work they do to improve the lives of others.

"Fair play lads for addressing the likes of stigma and asking the hard questions. It shows that we all should never judge a book by the cover," one viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"Great ambassadors for Dublin's inner city and brilliant role models," another said.
Grief is the price we pay for love. Ive heard this quote often since losing my dad, Trevor, to cancer in 2020.

It contains a fundamental truth that is devastating: in allowing ourselves to love, we become hostages to fortune, with the all-encompassing sorrow of grief an inevitability.

Yet, despite the knowledge that grief will face us all one day, whod choose a life without love?

Certainly not Maia Dunphy.

The broadcaster, writer, and as per her X bio, happy wrangler of a small boy  Tom, her son, whom she describes as an amazing little person  is navigating the pain of the loss of her beautiful mum, Helen, who passed away two years ago from pancreatic cancer.

Maia Dunphy: "I firmly believe you have to take the lead from the person who is leaving this world." Pics: Nina Val Photography

Today, Maia, who is busy writing scripts, a children's book, and being a mum, is speaking to me as an ambassador for Face Up To Cancer, an innovative new digital campaign.

Its aim is to raise significant funds for cancer research and support services across the island of Ireland, while humanising what can be a hugely isolating experience for those diagnosed with the illness.

Maia depicts in this poignant photoshoot, surrounded by water, that nothing can signify the heaviness of grief like water. And water also reminds us that life keeps flowing on, that we must learn to live alongside loss.

When I ask Maia about her own experience of grief and coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer, she chooses to share a deeply personal memory.

I think I am only processing it now. I did a little bit of counselling last year and I just wanted to talk about the memories of those last few weeks...

"My mum, she really loved coffee. I hadn't talked about it with anybody. My mum, she really loved food, but she particularly loved coffee, and I remember going down to the cafe in Vincents, and I didnt want to be a nag, but I said to them, Look, it has got to be really hot and really strong. She only managed a sip of it, but even the smell of it was amazing for her.

She continues, I dont know if it was defiance or denial in my mum but she never, ever spoke about the fact she was dying. I firmly believe you have to take the lead from the person who is leaving this world. I think the most awful human emotion is fear and I never want anyone I love to be afraid, so if that kind of defiance of, I am going to get better is what that person needs, then I think you have to go with that, but I remember every day of that last week.

Maia Dunphy: "You couldnt exist forever in that raw state of new grief. Nobody could exist in that. It is brutal and it is awful, but certainly what I have realised is that I am far more resilient than I ever thought I was. Having my little boy is great because I wasnt able to fall apart." Pics: Nina Val Photography

Beauty and solace can be found in those difficult days, too. Maia, whose writing many will be familiar with, had written a piece titled A Wanderer in Paris for Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 and cherishes the fact that Helen got to hear it a few hours before she died.

She recalls, My mum died on a Sunday. The Wednesday before I had recorded my first and probably last Sunday Miscellany and I brought my son Tom with me. It was half-term and we planned to go into Vincents Hospital, where my mum was, afterwards. I did the recording and then the lovely producer Sarah said, Where are you going now? and I said, Oh, we are going into Vincents. I kind of feel like I am bringing my son to say goodbye and I burst into tears.

"Sarah texted me afterwards to say, Listen, we are going to put yours out this Sunday. So I went in [to Vincents] very early on the Sunday morning to listen to it with my mum. She was still conscious, and she could hear. I put on the radio and we listened to it together and then I just thought, I have to call my family. And she died that lunchtime. I will never forget it.

I ask if, in knowing grief, she feels she has changed.

There is a theory that from great trauma comes a time of growth. Maia pauses, I dont know if I have changed for the better. My mum was the queen of perspective and perspective is always important. But I think it is also important to acknowledge when things have been tough. I have had a really rough few years. Around the time my mum got sick I was still only putting myself back together after my marriage [to British comedian Johnny Vegas] ended.

Maia Dunphy: "I had to get on and keep doing things. I never knew that about myself. It is nice to know that when things happen, I wont completely collapse." Pics: Nina Val Photography

"I came back from London and my parents became my family unit again. They were both very hearty, vibrant people so I spent weekends with them and we went on holidays together. I relied on my mum completely for any childcare outside school hours. She adored Tom.

"Then Covid hit, and then she got sick and she died. So I feel like it has been a treadmill. I have never trotted out the old time heals thing. It is just about adjusting to a new reality and of course I have learned to cope better.

"You couldnt exist forever in that raw state of new grief. Nobody could exist in that. It is brutal and it is awful, but certainly what I have realised is that I am far more resilient than I ever thought I was. Having my little boy is great because I wasnt able to fall apart.

"The next morning, I got up and got my son to school for 8.30. I had to get on and keep doing things. I never knew that about myself. It is nice to know that when things happen, I wont completely collapse. Now, Maia says, she tries to be grateful for the moments she had with her mum.

Sometimes, of course, you feel hard done by and other times I hear stories and the perspective kicks in. My mum always wanted to be a granny. She became one when Tom was born and it changed her life, so I am trying, two years on, to be grateful for that.

"That is the strange thing about grief. It is not just that you miss the person. I feel so sad for the things I know she would love. Things that my son does now. I suppose it is a secondhand grief on her behalf. But I am glad she got those six years with Tom.

Therapy was a beneficial support, she says.

I didnt do a huge amount of it. I have a very good friend, Louise. Our voice notes were getting into 15 minutes each way and I thought, I cant keep bombarding her with all this stuff so I decided to go to therapy as I thought it might be helpful. And it was. Even just discussing that last day with mum and being able to say things I wouldn't say to my friends or my family. I am not sure how good I am at opening up about things. It is not easy, so I think you need to find the right person and you need to give it a bit of time. And if it is not the right person, you need to find someone else. It was definitely helpful.

The Face Up To Cancer campaign launches ahead of World Cancer Day tomorrow, February 4.

Upload your selfie and make a donation at faceuptocancer.ie with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Ireland, the Marie Keating Foundation and Breakthrough Cancer Research.
One wedding led to another for Shea Kiernan and James Down.

Shea, from New Rochelle, New York, and James, from Crookstown, Cork, met eight years ago in a bar in Manhattan, Stout Grand Central.

At the time, I was living on the Upper East Side and James was living on Roosevelt Island, says Shea.

Even though Shea moved to Los Angeles shortly after for work they kept in touch and a long-distance romance ensued.

Shea Kiernan. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Later that year (2016), James invited Shea to Ireland for a family wedding and the rest is history. We spent the week leading up to that occasion touring around beautiful West Cork, says Shea.

Four years later, Shea returned to live in New York. Everything was sped up by the start of the covid pandemic so we lived and worked in James studio apartment on Roosevelt Island for three months before moving into our current apartment in Stamford, Connecticut, she says.

James popped the question in January 2022 at Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York.

I had arranged for Sheas parents to meet us later that day to celebrate, he says.

She adds: For the record, it was only 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 degrees Celsius), with 22-mile-per-hour winds at the lighthouse when James proposed!

The weather was slightly more temperate for their Kerry nuptials the following year. We wanted to get married in Ireland, having travelled back for several family and friends weddings over the years and my family has Irish roots, on both sides, says Shea.

They were wed by celebrant Helen OSullivan, Spiritual Ceremonies, at The Europe Hotel & Resort, Fossa, Killarney, and their reception took place in the same five-star venue.

Congratulating them were both sets of parents, Susan and Raymond Kiernan and Mary and Niall Down.

Shea Kiernan with Samantha DeSantis, Brittany Freeman and Emily Kiernan. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Shea had two maids of honour, her friends Samantha DeSantis and Brittany Freeman, and a junior bridesmaid, her niece Emily Kiernan, Shea's niece, and James had two best men, his friend John OCallaghan, and his brother Stephen Down.

Their nephews James and Ryan Kiernan and Sean and Conor Tierney were the pageboys.

Shea Kiernan and James Down's wedding at the Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Nova String Quartet performed during the ceremony and wedding band Harlequin kept the party going all night, adds Shea.

We held a welcome party for the US guests the night before the wedding at JM Reidys in Killarney. The night after the wedding we had another party at The Laurels which was also a fantastic night.

Shea Kiernan and James Down. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Gotcha Covered handled all of the decor, and we ended the event with a gorgeous cake from OCarrolls Cakes and surprised our guests with fireworks from Rocket Pyrotechnics which capped off the perfect evening.

Shea chose an elegant Suzanne Neville wedding dress and the groom and his party were dapper thanks to Fitzgeralds Menswear and Morleys Formal Hire, Cork City.

Tablescaping at Shea Kiernan and James Down's wedding. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Behind the camera was photographer Sean Lordan (www.studiolordan.com), assisted by Aidan Fitzgerald, and Evan Heneghan of Irish Eye Wedding Videos.

Between the Briars created the floral arrangements.

Floral decor at Shea Kiernan and James Down's wedding. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Instead of favours, we donated to two charities, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital of New York and The Jack & Jill Childrens Foundation, says Shea.

They enjoyed a short break at Lake Como, Italy after the big day. Later in the year we went on a longer break, spending two weeks in Japan, says the bride.

Shea Kiernan and James Down. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan

Shea is a senior associate at an investment company and James is a senior manager at PwC.

They live in Stamford, Connecticut, USA.

If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
A virtual gifting feature on social media has not been explicitly included in Coimisiun na Means Draft Online Safety Code, which is designed to protect the public from various harms.

This comes amid claims made in online posts that financial debt racked up as a result of 'gifting' may have been a contributory factor in the recent suicide of a Munster woman. Fears have also been expressed by one expert that the app risks encouraging addictive or compulsive behaviour in users.

The woman, who was a middle-aged healthcare professional and mother, took her own life before Christmas. An inquest into her death has not yet taken place. It has since been alleged by dozens of people who knew her through TikTok that she had accrued significant debts as a result of gifting several UK-based TikTok content creators.

Gifting was introduced by TikTok in 2019 as a way for TikTokers to monetise their popularity by allowing viewers to show their appreciation by buying virtual gifts. Gifts are tiny animated emojis or cartoons that dance or move around the screen. Content creators can then exchange these gifts for diamonds, and the diamonds are then transferred into cash.

Once a creator makes enough diamonds, they can cash them out for real money using Paypal, transferring the actual worth into their account. TikTok takes a 50% cut of the net revenue of the virtual gifts, making them the most obvious winners, according to Dr Stephen Murphy of Trinity Business School.

Gifting is a major feature of TikToks Livestreams, more commonly known as box battles, a fast-paced, live-streaming format where content creators compete to get the most virtual gifts from fans within five minutes. File picture

Gifting is a major feature of TikToks Livestreams, more commonly known as box battles, a fast-paced, live-streaming format where content creators compete to get the most virtual gifts from fans within five minutes. Get me on the leaderboard, send me them gifts! is a typical scream from TikTokers at their team during such battles.

Users must be over 18 years to buy a virtual gift costing from as low as .29c for a modest rose gift right up to splurging 386 on a roaring lion or 506 on a TikTok Universe.

Gifting incentivises Tik Toks content creators to keep making content, it gives them a way of making revenue outside of paid advertising from brands. This continuous stream of never-ending content is crucial for the success of social media sites like Tik Tok, says Murphy.

Critics say the gamification of the app and its algorithm has led to addictive and/or compulsive behaviour among users. What do the gift-givers get out of gifting? Usually a shout-out by the recipient of their gift, the content creator or the beggars as their critics call them.

When this happens, gift-givers feel like they have real relationships with the content creators they follow, says Murphy.

The more generous the gift they give the bigger the reaction they will receive from their beloved content creator. Of course, the difficulty with this is that despite their casual presentation, live streams are highly curated and designed to make users feel like the connection is real."

Murphy warns:

This is one of the potential dangers of gifting, where users become addicted to the emotional responses that they feel when interacting directly with famous content creators.

One US TikToker Cindi White is reported to have spent her inheritance  more than 23,000  looking for companionship on TikTok livestreams.

More worryingly, Murphy points to livestreams being known to be popular places for sexual predators to lurk and to use gifts to entice young people to perform sexual acts.

TikTok response

In response to queries from the Irish Examiner in relation to the Irish TikTok viewer who died by suicide in December, TikTok said their deepest sympathies are with the family experiencing this tragic loss.

They declined to answer a question asking if they agreed that gifting could be addictive  especially during Live Matches  but defended their monetization, gifting and matches safeguards by claiming that TikTok had some of the industry's firmest standards for using monetization features.

According to TikTok, they may temporarily restrict creators' access to matches or gifting if they ask for gifts by promising giveaways or soliciting gifts in exchange for items or services; attempt to bait gifts or engagement in matches by presenting sensitive topics in an inflammatory manner or if they attempt to exploit a potentially traumatic ongoing tragedy in matches (including making false claims) for personal gain.

When asked if it would introduce a limit on the amount a user could spend on gifting in a month, TikTok said viewers could set customizable live gifting reminders that let them know when they've hit their preferred spending limit for gifts. The app declined to say, however, if they would go as far as limiting the actual spend by viewers.

Danger of falling between two stools

Irelands new regulator for online safety and media, Coimisiun na Mean, has published its first Draft Online Safety Code to protect the general public and children from various harms, which, when finalised this year, will apply to video-sharing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Udemy, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Tumblr and Reddit.

It is proposed to protect users from video commercial communications which are harmful such as any communications which encourage behaviour prejudicial to health or safety. Yet, there is no explicit mention of gifting per se in the Draft Code.

Coimisiun na Means initial response to queries on gifting was that the activity may fall within the remit of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

In a rapidly-evolving online world, the consequences and dangers of gifting are yet to be fully revealed. File picture

However, the Department of Justice, which presides over the GRAI, was quick to wash their hands of any responsibility for the regulation of online gifting, with a spokesperson telling the Irish Examiner that the practice of gifting is not considered gambling and that, as such, there were no plans for it to be addressed in the Gambling Regulation Bill or by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

In their most recent response to the Irish Examiner on gifting and if it would be included in their Draft Online Safety Code, Coimisiun na Mean said they would encourage people to respond to the consultation". That consultation closed on January 31.

In a rapidly-evolving online world, the consequences and dangers of gifting are yet to be fully revealed. A spokesperson for the National Suicide Research Foundation said they were not aware of any research on this phenomenon.

None of the content creators who the Irish woman is alleged to have very generously gifted responded to requests for comment. Hundreds of TikTokers expressed their shock and sympathy on the app for her, with one person going so far as to setting up a petition calling on the British Government to ban gifting to protect vulnerable people online. It has so far gathered 1,115 signatures.

Read More Girl's suicide cited in call to regulate social media

Tiktok wont be the same without you, you brought the banter and giggles you had the life and soul of the party, wrote one user called Demi. A kind hearted lady such a laugh we had on tik tok you will be missed by your tik tok [sic] family, said Amy Shekleton.

There was little to no political or online reaction in Ireland to her death, except among her grieving family and the community that mourns her loss. Work colleagues described her as an exceptional person who was so kind and caring and had so much knowledge that she shared with her colleagues. Her laugh was infectious, she had the best sense of humour and lit up every room she walked into.
The Greene County Sheriffs Office is encouraging parents whose children attended programs at Victory Church in Ruckersville to have open and honest conversations after a pastor there was arrested this past week.

The pastor, 47-year-old Rodney Locklear, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with abduction with intent to defile and aggravated sexual battery of a child.

Locklear led childrens Bible study classes at Victory Church on Wednesdays.

He has been a pastor at Victory Church the past six years. Before that, he was a pastor at Abundant Life Church.

The Greene County Sheriffs Office said it received information on Tuesday that prompted it to open an investigation into Locklear.

Due to the alleged victims age  between 13 and 14, according to charging documents  their identity and identifying details are being withheld from the public.

Locklear is being held at Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange without bond.

An investigation is ongoing. The sheriffs office encourages anyone with information regarding Locklear to contact authorities at (434) 939-7914 or (434) 566-2813.
Dublin Airport is to exceed its passenger cap of 32m passengers, as it seeks to raise that limit to 40m people in the coming years.

Based on official statistics from Dublin Airport Authority (Daa), the administrative body overseeing Cork and Dublin Airports, some 31.1m travellers had passed through Dublin Airport by the end of November 2023.

While the airports official statistics for December have yet to be released to the CSO, a news release from late January stated that 2.3m passengers passed through Dublin Airport in the final month of 2023, a figure that would see the 32m cap breached comprehensively by well over 1m people.

The final official total passenger tally for 2023, once Decembers figures are accounted for, is expected to be 33.5m.

However, the Daa news release had said that just 31.9m passengers had used Dublin Airport last year, in compliance with the planning cap.

The 32m passenger cap is a source of some controversy given it is seen by some stakeholders as stunting Dublin Airports growth in terms of the number of flights it can carry.

Last November the Airport filed a planning application to increase the number of passengers it can handle to 40m.

That application is unlikely to be decided upon before 2025.

Local residents groups have argued that given the 32m cap will be breached for 2023, the airport should not have applied for an increase to the cap, but rather should have attempted to secure retention planning permission to legitimise that breach.

On a rolling 12-month basis, going by Daas own investor relation statistics, the passenger limit of 32m per year has been breached every month since July of 2023.

A spokesperson for Daa however denied that the cap had been breached for 2023, and said that its numbers were presented in a transparent manner last week to demonstrate that compliance.

They said that the 32m cap was first put in place principally to limit the amount of traffic pressure on the access road infrastructure at Dublin Airport.

The spokesperson added that the gross passenger figure at the airport needs to be adjusted to remove passengers boarding connecting flights, and also those who land on its runways but never disembark before proceeding on their journey, in order to reach a net figure of passengers who enter both terminals.

Given transit passengers do not get off the aircraft and connecting passengers move airside within the terminals at Dublin Airport, they do not impact on surface access, they said.

In 2018, Daa attempted to have the passenger cap amended within the original planning decision to account for only origin-destination passengers, thus removing the need to account for connecting travellers twice.

However, this application was denied by An Bord Pleanala which ruled that to do so would have material planning consequences and would go beyond what was permitted in the permission granted.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed his very strong view that Dublins cap should be raised.

I think it's important that we invest in our regional airports. Knock, Shannon, Cork, we've been doing that as a government, he said.

But we shouldn't forget that Dublin is the main gateway to Ireland."
Devolved government will return in Northern Ireland, with Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill making history as the first nationalist first minister.

MLAs will gather at Parliament buildings at Stormont later for a sitting at which a series of ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, and bring an end to a two-year political impasse.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has given the green light for the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Government, which party leader Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.

MLAs will return to Stormont on Saturday, bringing an end to a two-year political deadlock (Liam McBurney/PA)

Business will begin with the election of a new Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

While Ms ONeill will take the first minister role, the DUP has not said who it will nominate for deputy first minister, although speculation has suggested MLA Emma Little-Pengelly.

A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments will then be filled, using the DHondt mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Donaldson said: It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland."

We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored," he said.

Key among the priorities of new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis which is affecting public services in Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.86 billion (3.3 billion) package to secure Northern Irelands finances when the Assembly returns, including 701 million (600 million) to settle public sector pay claims.

However, Mr Donaldson indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

He added: The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.

The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish

While Mr Donaldson has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, there are those within the DUP who remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.

His deal with the Government commits to replacing the Windsor Frameworks green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires percentages of goods to be checked as they arrive from Great Britain, with a UK internal market system that will govern the movement of goods that remain within the United Kingdom.

Checks would still be carried out but on a risk-based/intelligence-led model to combat illegality and disease, rather than routine stops of disembarking lorries.

Businesses using the internal market system would also need to be signed up to a trusted trader scheme.
Stormonts first nationalist First Minister Michelle ONeill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy First Minister.

The DUPs Edwin Poots has been elected Speaker (PA)

The two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the regions largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, is undoubtedly a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.

The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal on post-Brexit trade with the UK Government, which party leader Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border on goods remaining within the UK.

On Thursday, the Government fast-tracked two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return on Saturday.

The proceedings commenced with the process of nominating a speaker, with former DUP leader Edwin Poots elected to the role.

Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, Ms ONeill said the restoration of the institutions marked a moment of equality and progress.

A new opportunity to work and grow together, she said.

Confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.

DUP leader Sir Jeffery Donaldson with his partys MLAs in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms ONeill said the public were relying on each of us to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community, she said.

In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity.

Northern Ireland Assembly state of the parties at the 2022 election (PA Graphics)

Key among the priorities for new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has offered a 3.3 billion package to secure the regions finances when the Assembly returns, including 600 million to settle public sector pay claims.

However, Mr Donadlson has indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.

While the DUP leader has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionists remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore powersharing.

Mr Donaldson is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.
President Michael D Higgins has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the death toll passed 27,000  the majority of whom are women and children.

He was speaking after a comprehensive phone call with Sligo native Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organisations Health Emergencies Programme last night.

President Higgins said it is vital that there is an urgent positive conclusion to peace talks in order to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The current figure for UN Relief Work Agency (UNRWA) staff deaths in Gaza is 152, Mr Ryan told Mr Higgins.

An attack on the densely packed Rafah crossing is being reported while ceasefire talks are at a crucial stage - all the more reason for urgency, Mr Higgins said.

Listening to the update which Dr Ryan provided, it is clear that it is more vital than ever that the space for diplomacy be forefronted and supported as steps that are necessary for saving life and helping discussions towards peace, and that those negotiations on which all sides are engaging are brought to an early and positive conclusion he said.

The consensus of all those interested in an enduring peace is holding and widening on the principle that an immediate ceasefire is necessary, which will offer the best prospect for the achievement of the release of all hostages and allow the essential humanitarian supports access to the population which so desperately needs them."

The President's statement said that the WHOs latest Emergency Situation Update which was published this week, shows that 70% of those killed in Gaza to date are women and children.

UNICEF in particular have highlighted that the violence has left 17,000 children without parents. The WHO have further stressed that 75% of the population of Gaza have been displaced. The main concerns, include the dismantling of the health service in Gaza, as well as food insecurity which has left half a million people facing catastrophic hunger and starvation, and the ongoing outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Given all of these facts, any further extension of the bombing campaign into what is a densely populated area to which so many people have fled would leave any respect for humanitarian law in tatters," President Higgins said.

Watching the situation unfold in near silence is a suggestion that removes all morality from any stated position of public concern for the most basic of human rights", he added.

He said it is a global crisis that offers a terrible nadir of human concern and must be opposed in order to prevent it being invoked in future conflicts.

The President has now called for an immediately required ceasefire, release of hostages and provision of humanitarian supports, it is of the utmost importance that demand and support for serious discussions resume on a meaningful long-term settlement which can provide peace and security to both the people of Palestine and the people of Israel".

As the Irish Government with others have stated, this must include the recognition of a Palestinian State. Any rhetoric which suggests a future without such a State needs to be confronted directly. He also called on countries around the world to continue to support the United Nations Relief Work Agency (UNRWA).
A 35-year-old man accused of breaking into a pub and a shop in Cork city was remanded in custody until February 15.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Tony Coffey, of no fixed address in Cork and originally from Tralee, in custody on the application of Sergeant Pat Lyons at Cork District Court. Sgt Lyons said the alleged offences are the subject of an ongoing investigation.

Mr Coffey is accused of breaking into the Wetherspoons Linen Weaver pub in Cork City at 3am in the morning to steal drink and then forcing his way into a nearby store to steal beer.

Garda David Murphy originally arrested and brought him before Cork District Court where there was an objection to bail.

The two burglary charges relate to the early hours of Thursday, November 30.

Garda Murphy said in his initial bail objection in the case that it was alleged that after 3am on November 30, the accused went to a side door of the Linen Weaver pub, on Paul Street, Cork, and he entered and stole three bottles of spirts valued 150.

It was alleged that after 5am on the same date at Herlihys Centra on St Patricks Street there was a burglary by a man seen prising open the front door with his hands.

The premises was closed to the public at the time but there was a member of staff upstairs getting ready for the day ahead. He stole eight cans of beer.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said the defendant was anxious for the case to progress as quickly as possible as he is in custody on the charges.
Struggling to cope with a wave of priests retiring, and already short of clerics due to a decline in vocations, the Diocese of Kerry is laying the ground for a new kind of church  with laity at its core.

This shift from a priest-dependent to people-centred Church will be "radical". The move is being billed as one of the most dramatic changes the Irish Church has ever encountered, becoming "circular rather than a top down", in the words of one of the strategists responsible.

Last weekend, an open "invitation" was issued by the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, to Catholics in Kerry to step forward and pay a role in securing the church's future.

And by the end of May, when the consultation period closes, it is hoped a clearer vision will be established. It is being heralded by those involved as a "make or break" moment.

Fr Roy Donovan of the Association of Catholic Priests said the pastoral letter called for "a radically different way of going about everything".

It also reflected the findings of research commissioned by the National Steering Committee of the Irish Synodal Pathway presented to all bishops last year.

This involves priests having to let go of power and the laity taking up the call to become more active, Fr Donovan said.

"This calls for a radical and different circular type of Church," he added.

The Diocese of Kerry, one of the largest of the 26 dioceses geographically, with 53 parishes extending into North and West Cork, is perhaps more advanced than others in terms of changes introduced over the past 15 years, he said.

Parishes without priests

Thanks to deaths, retirements and a sharp drop in vocations, Kerry now has more parishes than priests, with 41 priests ministering the 53-parish diocese.

The reality is no parish in Kerry now has a full-time priest, Or, as Bishop Browne put it, no priest is now full-time in his own parish. The next three years will see up to five retirees, and there have been just two ordinations in recent years, with a third in prospect.

Fifteen parishes are now without priests, and these have been grouped into what is known as pastoral areas, along the likes of old deaneries. Priests serve a group of parishes essentially.

Even the biggest remaining parishes are under strain. Twenty five years ago, six priests served the Parish of Killarney, the seat of the diocese  it now has three.

The pastoral area approach, however, is only a short-term solution, and cannot ensure the church's survival  something touched on by Bishop Browne last Sunday when he said parish and pastoral areas were being reviewed in the light of the upcoming retirements.

"The challenge is imminent," the bishop said, invoking the help of Kerry saint and sixth-century voyager Brendan.

Fr Gearoid Godley is the diocesan pastoral director. He recognises the changes afoot are radical for Catholics in this country.

Its a big shift for us in Ireland. Here, we traditionally had a provided-for model. Where priests provide. People were like consumers. Now we are moving to a model where priests just wont be there.

"The reduction in numbers is forcing us to do what we do, in a way that's not about the priest providing. The numbers of priests in Ireland was extraordinary, it was exceptional," he said.

But the change, when negotiated fully, will lead to a more vibrant church, the pastoral leader believes.

"It will be circular and communal rather than top down."

He said Pope Francis, being from Latin America, comes from a background where the laity are much more central because of the shortages of priests and the sizes of the dioceses involved. And the pope is keen to advance the kind of non-clerical Church introduced in Vatican 2, Fr Godley points out.

These changes are not a stop-gap measure until more priests can be ordained  there can be no return to that priest-centred model, Fr Godley, who spent many years in Kenya, said

Training lay people

The pastoral director believes training lay people is key. Currently, 26 lay people in Kerry are midway through a certificate in lay pastoral leadership. This is two and a half years in course work in conjunction with Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.

"The Church really is about people and community and helping people to take a sense of ownership," Fr Godley said.

Asked about the buildings  some parishes have two or three churches  he says these will be repurposed.

The deacon

The role of the deacon is something Kerry introduced ahead of several other dioceses. It is an all-male office. There are six permanent deacons currently serving in the diocese for the first time in the history.

While all baptised persons can welcome a funeral into a church for instance  and funeral teams now will be in place in a lot of dioceses  an ordained deacon administers baptisms and officiates at marriages, along with assisting priests at Mass.

Thady OConnor is a deacon attached to Castleisland-Scartaglin and Currow.

Now in his 60s, and retired, Mr O'Connor's love of Church began as an altar server in his native Kilcummin. It was something that stayed with him. He contemplated being a priest at one stage. "That was in my younger days but Carmel [his wife] came along," he said.

In 2017, after four years of study beginning with a year of discernment where both participants and those overseeing decide on suitability, Mr O'Connor was ordained a deacon.

Being a married deacon and father of four adult children and three grandchildren, gives him an added dimension.

"Baptism is a gateway to all the sacraments. I do baptism on a regular basis and am able to share as a father and as a grandfather. People can identify with that,"

He has no doubt there is an appetite for involvement in the Church and for spirituality, "especially in Kerry".

"I am absolutely convinced the lay people will come forward. Kerry in particular is blessed. Bishop Ray has opened the door.
It is hard to be a woman with a body in this crazy world. The truth of that has been all too evident in this deeply depressing week.

In Australia, the TV show Nine News digitally modified a photo of a female politician to give her bigger breasts and an exposed mid-riff. I cant even get my head around the why? of that, although the MP at the centre of it was the first to call it out.

Georgie Purcell, of the Animal Justice Party in the state parliament of Victoria, posted an unedited image of herself alongside the doctored one: Note the enlarged boobs and outfit to be made more revealing. Cant imagine this happening to a male MP, she tweeted.

Hugh Nailon, director of Nine News Melbourne, blamed automation by Photoshop and said it happened when the networks graphics department was resizing the image. As a one-time user of Adobes Photoshop who has resized many a photograph, I never knew it had a bigger boobs button, but technology moves on.

Now, Im almost inclined to believe Nailon because there is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme called a generative expand tool that fills in parts of the photo that arent there. When the network asked it to generate a bigger version of a cropped photo of Georgie Purcell, the tech responded by adding to the bustline and revealing her mid-riff.

The software apparently draws from a vast library of stock images and it is here, it seems, that youll find the sexualise, fetishise and undermine setting.

Generative AI routinely sexualises images of women and girls, according to journalist Tracey Spicer author of Man-Made: How the bias of the past is being built into the future. That is a subtitle that should make us sit up and take notice.

To give one unsettling example. When Spicer was looking for a design for her book cover, she put in the prompt: Strong robot woman looking to the future with hope but concern. The AI generator gave her an image of a sexy gold robot with huge breasts and a tiny waist.

She has warned that we are on "the verge of a tsunami when it comes to the weaponisation of AI against women.

Whats the point of making strides in the 21st century if the cutting-edge technology of our brave new world is pulling us back into the 1950s?

There was an upside to the News Nine gaffe (Im erring on the side of benign), though. It gave Georgie Purcell a global platform to talk about every single young persons struggle with body image, not to mention her own campaign to end recreational duck shooting in Victoria.

I want womens words to be enough, without bringing our bodies into it, she wrote earlier this week. And so say all of us.

There are no words, though, to describe the level of misogyny behind the deepfake porn images, probably AI-generated, of Taylor Swift that the platform X (or should we say X-rated?) took far too long to take down.

Fake, AI-generated explicit images of pop star Taylor Swift were posted online.

Again, there was, if not quite an upside, an uplifting display of loyalty by fans whose message Protect Taylor Swift trended on X.

Its cold comfort for the many others  mostly women, though no surprise there  who are being targeted in posts designed to undermine anyone with the temerity to put their head above the parapet. The mental age and mindset? Disgruntled, hormonal (most likely male) teenager.

There is no doubt about it: artificial intelligence is going to intensify the male gaze.

Its worth revisiting the origin of that phrase to illustrate how little has changed. In her 1973 essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema, film theorist Laura Mulvey coined the term to explain how, in Hollywood cinema, the male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure and then styles the film accordingly.

The man is active; the woman passive. She is there simply because of her to-be-looked-at-ness eroticism, as Mulvey put it.

Drawing on psychoanalytic theory, she explained that hypersexualising women was one way of rendering them less threatening to men.

She also spoke about a three-way gaze: the cameras gaze focused on woman as erotic object; the male character in the screen story treated her as an erotic object and, most potently of all, their combined way of looking influenced the spectators in the auditorium. They looked at what they were seeing through the male gaze without even realising it.

What better way to make a male-centric view of the world seem normal?

If film-making has changed over the decades  though sometimes, youd have to wonder  any nuance or sensibility gained in the process is entirely lost in the blunt instrument of AI.

The same kind of three-way gaze operates in social media but with even fewer checks or controls. There is no cinematography, no crew, no production debate; just citizen techie, or citizen social-media user who is free to formulate any kind of content at will.

If we have any power at all, it is as citizen spectator. And that power is not to be underestimated. Georgie Powell called out the news channel or the technical error  you decide  when it tried to turn her into a to-be-looked-at object rather than a to-be-listened-to elected politician.

She wasnt having it. In the same way, fans of Taylor Swift gathered around to say this is not on. There was uproar. And we need to raise our voices for all people affected, not just the high-profile ones.

It feels like the right time to start talking about the male gaze again, this time applying it to AI and social media.

Social media also has three gazes: the camera as it films/photographs; the person it captures in the frame, and the people who scroll and see it. How often do all three undermine women? Or indeed men? Because the male gaze affects men too, undermining the millions of good, decent men out there who are guided by the principles of respect, no matter what your gender.

The male gaze theory also provides a useful framework to explain why the leader of an Irish political party, Holly Cairns, was forced to close down her constituency office in Bandon, Co Cork, after security concerns.

Holly Cairns, TD., leader of the Social Democrats, has been forced to close her Bandon constituency office permanently due to security concerns.

Or why female local councillors are most likely to encounter direct and online abuse from the public. They said they faced deeply problematic biases, both from the public and in the workplace, according to research conducted by Maynooth University for the Association of Irish Local Government.

It really is time to develop a new way of seeing.
As a general election comes into sharper focus, Leo Varadkars party is realising that the seat of power is lot more comfortable than the cold hard benches of opposition.

Fine Gael members have long assumed and expected that this will be their final term in government before a stint recuperating and rebuilding from the opposition.

After the last election, many didnt want to go into government, including Varadkar himself.

Immediately after the poll in 2020, the Fine Gael leader said he was relishing a future out of power.

One thing I didnt have the opportunity to do as Taoiseach was to modernise and reform my party because I was very busy with the work of government and work of State so I relish the opportunity to do that, Varadkar said before eventually entering coalition talks.

We were defeated in this election, theres no point in trying to dress that up in any way. It may have been a tight finish but we were defeated so that means that people are saying to us Fine Gael should go into opposition and were absolutely willing to do that."

But even some of those who were previously allergic to the notion are now actively promoting the prospect of yet another term in office. Senator John Cummins says he was one of the few who has always believed that another term at the helm would be the best option.

I might have been a minority two years ago, one year ago and even three months ago, but I think people are coming more around to my way of thinking now.

One senior party member this week joked that no one is slamming doors in his face when out on the canvass with local candidates, which for a government party is always a positive sign. Minister of State Neale Richmond said:

We are in an election year, people are starting to focus their minds, both the public and politicians, its becoming clear that there is an appetite to retain this government.

Last year was a bruising one for the parliamentary party, which started with the announcement by Kerry TD Brendan Griffin that he would not be standing in the general election, he was followed in his decision to leave national politics by the likes of Richard Bruton, John Paul Phelan, and Michael Creed.

But the exodus of many senior and experienced members is now seen as providing an opportunity for green shoots to emerge. One minister went as far as to suggest there has been a spring in the step of members since the New Year. Cork councillors Sinead Sheppard and Eileen Lynch have been mentioned among a new generation of Fine Gael candidates that will be promoted heavily ahead of a general election.

While January can be a difficult political month with the annual trolley crisis; pressure on household finances; and a general low mood among the public, there is a sense that the Government has managed to avoid any major controversies and has maneuvered around the tricky issues of housing, immigration, and health.

Before the Dail reconvened last month, Varadkar rallied the troops ahead of what will be a year of elections.

During a private meeting of the parliamentary party, he suggested that the local elections in June are far from a fait accompli.

Varadkars read on it was that even if Sinn Fein doubles its current number of seats, the party will still only have around 18% representation, given the near wipeout it experienced in the 2019 local elections.

He therefore suggested that the three main parties could all end up with a 20% share of council seats, which would alter the perceived position Sinn Fein is in.

The summer and autumn of 2022, when Sinn Fein was sailing comfortably ahead of political rivals on around 36%, is now a distant bad memory for Fine Gael.

Back then, one senior Fine Gael minister noted that if Sinn Fein sunk below 30% in three consecutive polls it would reset political thinking around both the timing of a general election and what might happen afterwards.

The three polls have come to pass, with all eyes now on another expected in the SundayIndependent this weekend.

The Coalition also sees that, for Sinn Fein, the thorny issue of asylum and accommodation for those seeking refuge here is a problem for Mary Lou McDonald.

Privately, many Fine Gael members in Leinster House say they are buoyed up by Sinn Feins recent polling. One backbencher said:

Theres definitely a sense in the party that Sinn Fein flustering and they seem to be panicking a little bit, theyre going back to the tried and tested which is just housing, housing, housing.

Bring it on, said one minister of what could be a scrappy election, adding that there is nothing that unites the party more than working to ensure Sinn Fein stays out of power.

While Sinn Feins plunge to 25% in the most recent poll gives cause for hope to Fine Gael, the lack of a bounce for any of the Government parties must also be considered.

People are talking about it, there are people who want to remain ministers, but there are also people who are in the back benches who would be very happy to [be] opposition for a while, one senator said.

My view is theres only two governments that can be formed, both of which have Fianna Fail in it and only one of those has a certainty to have the numbers, the other might have the numbers.

But a weakened Sinn Fein does create the opportunity, and crucially could return the numbers, for the current coalition to do a second deal with each other.

Another senior source said: Theres definitely a sense in the party that Sinn Fein flustering and they seem to be panicking a little bit, theyre going back to the tried and tested which is just housing, housing, housing.

In comparison to even a few years ago, members of the coalition feel they now have real and tangible examples that they can point to when faced with criticisms on housing.

Donning a hi-vis over his suit, the Taoiseach was yesterday out turning the sod on a development in his constituency. His Green Party Cabinet colleague Roderic OGorman, along with Fianna Fail Ministers Darragh OBrien and Jack Chambers, were on hand to give a dig out with the shovelling.

Asked whether he would like to see the same line-up after the next general election or retreat to the opposition, Varadkar was clear: Sinn Fein was at 25% in the last poll. They got 24.5% in the last election and theyre not in government. To form a government in Ireland you need 50% or thereabouts, thats why Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens are together in government because we got 51% together in the last election.

Id like us to be in a position after the next election to be in government together again, but ultimately, thats going to be a matter for the people to decide.
North Korea said it has tested cruise missiles outfitted with new super-large warheads as well as a new type of anti-aircraft missile.

The report on Saturday by North Korean state media came a day after South Koreas military said it detected the North launching multiple cruise missiles into waters off its western coast.

It is the countrys fourth round of launches in 2024.

North Korean photos of the test showed a low-flying cruise missile striking a target built on a coastal shore, and another projectile soaring into the air after being launched from ground.

A TV screen shows a file image of North Koreas missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea (Ahn Young-joon, AP)

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not specify the number of missiles tested or the details of their performance.

The agency said the tests were part of the countrys normal activities for military development and did not affect the security of neighbours.

Cruise missiles are among a growing collection of North Korean weapons designed to overwhelm regional missile defences. They supplement the countrys vast line-up of ballistic missiles, including long-range weapons aimed at the continental United States.

Analysts say anti-aircraft missile technology is an area where North Korea could benefit from its deepening military co-operation with Russia as the two countries align in the face of their separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States.

In January, North Korea conducted two tests of a new cruise missile designed to be launched from submarines, which leader Kim Jong Un described as a meaningful step toward his goals of building a nuclear-armed navy.

The North also conducted tests of a long-range cruise missile, which it has described as nuclear-capable and can cover ranges of up to 1,240 miles  potentially putting US military bases in Japan within reach.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Those cruise missile tests followed the January 14 launch of a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile, which underscored North Korean efforts to advance weapons that could target US assets in the Pacific, including the military hub of Guam.

Fridays launches came hours after North Korean state media reported that Mr Kim reiterated his focus on strengthening his naval forces as he inspected the construction of warships at a shipyard in Nampho on the west coast.

In recent months, Mr Kim has emphasised efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy to counter what he portrays as growing threats posed by the United States, South Korea and Japan, which have stepped up their military cooperation in response to his nuclear ambitions.

There are concerns that Mr Kim, emboldened by the steady advancement of his nuclear arsenal and strengthened ties with Russia, would further ramp up pressure against his rivals in an election year in the United States and South Korea.

Experts say Mr Kims long-term goal is to force the US to accept the idea of the North as a nuclear power and negotiate security concessions and sanctions relief from a position of strength.
The US military has launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.

The massive barrage of strikes on Friday hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centres, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force.

The Quds Force is the guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship with and arming of regional militias.

US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come.

The US strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders, as the US tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack.

It was unclear what the impact will be of the strikes. Days of US warnings may have sent militia members scattering into hiding. With multiple groups operating at various locations in several countries, a knockout blow is unlikely.

Though one of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops, others have vowed to continue fighting, casting themselves as champions of the Palestinian cause while the war in Gaza shows no sign of ending.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, warned Mr Biden, adding: Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

He and other top US leaders had been saying for days that any American response would not be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on US personnel in the region.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt Gen Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff.

US Central Command said the assault involved more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States.

Lt Gen Sims said weather was a factor as the US planned the strikes in order to allow the US to confirm it was hitting the right targets and avoiding civilian casualties.

It is not clear, however, whether militia members were killed.

We know that there are militants that use these locations, IRGC as well as Iranian-aligned militia group personnel, Lt Gen Sims said. We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.

President Joe Biden joined grieving families to watch as the remains of three army reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base (Matt Rourke/AP)

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties but did not give a number. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement that the city of al-Qaim and areas along the countrys border with Syria had been hit by US air strikes. The strikes, he said, constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences.

Mr Kirby said that the US alerted the Iraqi government prior to carrying out the strikes.

The assault came came just hours after Mr Biden and top defence leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three army reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

On Friday morning, Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any US strikes targeting its interests.

Mr Raisi said we will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response.

Lloyd Austin said the US will not hesitate to take action (Kevin Wolf/AP)

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government. But that assertion clearly had no impact on US strike plans. Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed on Friday to continue military operations against US troops.

The US has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan, but has not narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataib Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

Some of the militias have been a threat to US bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israels war with Hamas following the October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage.

The war has led to the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and has inflamed the Middle East.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or US interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and US warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He said the US will take all necessary actions to defend its interests and people, and warned: At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past.

As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on US military installations since October 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a US military official. The last attack was on January 29 at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The US, meanwhile, has bolstered defences at Tower 22, the base in Jordan that was attacked by Iran-backed militants, according to a US official. While previous US responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the deaths of the three service members in Jordan crossed a line, the official said.

That attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely army national guard  was the first to result in US combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out.

Tower 22 houses about 350 US troops and sits near the demilitarised zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only six miles away.

Also on Friday, the Israeli military said its Arrow defence system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemens Houthi rebels.

And a US official said the military had taken additional self-defence strikes inside Yemen on Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.
A new exhibit opening this weekend begins by sweeping viewers back in time.

Madayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, which opens Saturday at the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, premiered at the Hood Museum of Art in Dartmouth in September 2022 before heading out on a national tour that led it back to its Charlottesville connections.

The idea for bringing the paintings together and sharing them with the world came to Yolnu artist and leader Djambara Marawili in 2015 during his residency at Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at UVa. But the origins of the artworks, and the generations of creation stories and family bonds that give them life, go back far deeper into history.

When asked Thursday how long it takes to complete one of the intricate paintings on painstakingly prepared and cured eucalyptus bark, Henry Skerritt, Kluge-Ruhe curator and assistant professor of art history at UVa, responded, About 65,000 years.

A six-member delegation of Yolnu artists and curators who attended a media preview Thursday at the Fralin explained how the paintings on display reflect not merely aesthetic principles, but also a rich oral history handed down from parent to child and grandparent to grandchild.

Its art to an outside eye, but to us, it is text, said Mayatili Marika, who will present the W. Wanambi Distinguished Lecture at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Dome Room of the Rotunda. Its multifaceted and multidimensional.

Even her talk will make connections, tying in Madayin with another exhibit, Wanupini: Clouds of Remembrance and Return, which will remain in the Upper West Oval Room at the Rotunda through July 8.

In the Yolnu culture, storytelling is an important way to convey intricacies of family history and the behavior of natural world. What can sound like a tangent to someone outside the culture can offer vital information about connections among family and community members to someone who cherishes the stories.

We talk in spirals. To get from Point A to Point B is not linear, Marika said. Each and every thing that exists  everything on the seas, the land  fits into a finite space in the cosmos. Just as the tides go in and out, so do guests, and knowledge.

A video of crashing ocean waves, accompanied by traditional singing paired with didgeridoo and percussion, spans a wall to greet visitors climbing the stairs to see Madayin at the Fralin. It extends a welcome to visitors as they enter the realm of the paintings and their stories of connection.

Dhukumul Wanambi, 20, took time to explain the background of Destiny, a bark painting by her father, Wukun Wanambi. A small mullet-like fish swims through rivers, creeks and oceans in search of his destiny, which he discovers while he is surrounded by his family.

Other paintings document the traditional motifs that would have been painted on a human body during ceremonies.

The shimmering power of it is the ancestors still occupy your mind, Skerritt said. Youre only seeing the surface.

Attention shown to the artworks serves different purposes in different cultural environments. Westerners often are far more impressed by prestigious international accolades the artists have won for their paintings, while the artists themselves are more gratified to see how modern technology and wider exposure can bring the stories they treasure to wider audiences and new generations, Skerritt said.

Marikas lecture is one of a dozen events connected to the exhibition. The artists led a tour of Madayin on Friday afternoon, followed by a First Fridays reception.

Other local galleries have opened complementary exhibitions, including Second Street Gallerys First Nation Australia: Contemporary Artists from the Buku-Larrngay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, which can be seen through March 22, and UKAPALAMIN: ETI KO ETI: RESILIENCE: Stories from the Torres Strait, on view through April 22.

Already on view at the Fralin is Voices of Connection: Garamut Slit Drums of New Guinea, which features handmade drums capable of communicating over long distances to connect people in remote areas who otherwise could be hard to reach.

Madayin is organized by Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at UVa in partnership with the Buku-Larrngay Mulka Center in Australia and curated by Djambara Marawili, W. Wanambi, Yinimala Gumana, Waka Munungurr, Henry Skerritt and Kate McDonald.

Madayin can be seen at the Fralin through July 14 before moving to the Asia Society in New York, where it will open in September. To access a digital resource that accompanies the 348-page catalog in Yolnu Matha and English, go to https://Madayin.kluge-ruhe.org.
An Iraqi militia official has hinted at a desire to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East following retaliatory strikes launched by the US against dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesman for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, condemned the US strikes, saying Washington must understand that every action elicits a reaction. But he then struck a more conciliatory tone, saying that we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.

Mossawi, speaking during in an interview with the Associated Press in Baghdad, said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack.

Suggesting there was not too much damage could allow him to justify the lack of a strong response.

CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria



At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

Syrian state media reported that there were casualties from the strikes but did not give a number. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people were killed in the Syria strikes, all rank-and-file fighters.

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-Awadi said in a statement on Saturday that the strikes in Iraq near the Syrian border killed 16, including civilians, and there was significant damage to homes and private properties.

A US official said on Saturday that an initial battle damage assessment showed it had struck each of its planned targets in addition to a few dynamic targets that popped up as the mission unfolded, including a surface to air missile site and drone launch sites. The official did not yet have a casualty assessment.

Iraqs foreign ministry announced it would summon the US embassys charge daffaires  the ambassador being outside of the country  to deliver a formal protest over US strikes on Iraqi military and civilian sites.

The air assault was the opening salvo of US retaliation for a drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend. The US has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias.

US President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction.

Iraqi spokesperson Mr al-Awadi condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, particularly since some of them targeted facilities of the Population Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

The PMF, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, was officially brought under the umbrella of the Iraqi armed forces after it joined the fight against the so-called Islamic State in 2014, but in practice it continues to operate largely outside of state control.

The PMF said in a statement on Saturday that one of the sites targeted was an official security headquarters of the group. In addition to 16 killed, it said 36 had been wounded, while the search is still ongoing for the bodies of a number of the missing.

President Joe Biden joined grieving families to watch as the remains of three army reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base (Matt Rourke/AP)

The Iraqi government has been in a delicate position since a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq  many of whose members are also part of the PMF  began launching attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria on October 18.

The group described the strikes as retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Iraqi officials have attempted behind the scenes to rein in the militias, while also condemning US retaliatory strikes as a violation of the countrys sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 US troops in the country as part of an international coalition to fight IS.

Last month, Iraqi and US military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalitions presence, a process that will probably take years.

One of the main Iran-backed militias, Kataib Hezbollah, said it was suspending attacks on American troops following Sundays strike that killed the US troops in Jordan, to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government.

Lloyd Austin said the US will not hesitate to take action (Kevin Wolf/AP)

US President Joe Biden had made it clear in a statement that there will be more strikes to come.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, warned Mr Biden, adding: Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

He and other top US leaders had been saying for days that any American response would not be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on US personnel in the region.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt Gen Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff.

US Central Command said the assault involved more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States.

Lt Gen Sims said weather was a factor as the US planned the strikes in order to allow the US to confirm it was hitting the right targets and avoiding civilian casualties.

Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.



We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.



But to all those who seek to do us harm: We will respond.  President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or US interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and US warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He said the US will take all necessary actions to defend its interests and people, and warned: At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past.

The US, meanwhile, has bolstered defences at Tower 22, the base in Jordan that was attacked by Iran-backed militants, according to a US official. While previous US responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the deaths of the three service members in Jordan crossed a line, the official said.

That attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely army national guard  was the first to result in US combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out.

Tower 22 houses about 350 US troops and sits near the demilitarised zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only six miles away.
A 56-year-old man died in what authorities called a tragic accident at a dairy farm south of Corvallis.

Dallas resident David Breyman III was unconscious, not breathing and had no pulse when he was found at around 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, according to a news release from the Benton County Sheriffs Office.

A Place to Sleep, episode 3: Corvallis Do unhoused people know where to go in Corvallis? Well, the city has outlined where they shouldn't be: near creeks, rivers, wetlands, sidewalks or within 20 feet of trees.

Deputies and people at the scene attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, the news release states.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family, Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said in a statement. Your dedication to put food on our tables does not go unnoticed, and were terribly sorry for your loss.

Breyman was reportedly alone, unloading a truck carrying 27 tons of corn meal feed when he was killed. While using the truck trailers unloading mechanism, feed apparently caused the gate to swing open, pushing Breyman against a barn wall and pinning him, the release states.

A nearby farm worker heard Breyman yell, according to the release, and used his phone to call for help. He was able to shut off the trailers unloading mechanism to stop more feed from piling up.

Corvallis Fire Department personnel assisted in unpinning Breyman by removing part of the wall, the release states, adding they also tried life-saving efforts to no avail.

Breyman was working for a trucking and feed company based out of Polk County, the release states. The exact location of the dairy farm was not reported.
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A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
A federal court in Eugene is now poised to hear the request from Ward 5 Corvallis Councilor Charlyn Ellis  originally filed in Benton County Circuit Court on Jan. 22  to put on hold a due process hearing that could remove her from her office.

The outside attorneys representing the city moved the case from the county court to federal district court.

After being pushed back several times, the due process hearing was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 5. Its purpose is to ascertain if Ellis' actions at a policy advisory board and council meetings violated the city charter by interfering with the city manager's duties.
( Middle East Monitor )  Since 7 October 2023, the relentless Israeli aggression on Gaza has displaced more than 85 per cent of the enclaves population, with over 27,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children. This displacement has plunged civilians into a dire situation with shortages of food, water and medicines, made worse by the cold weather. In the words of Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, famine was imminent and now it is inevitable.

At a time when Gaza is going through an extreme humanitarian crisis, including famine, epidemics, and diseases, the abrupt funding cuts by Western liberal democracies to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), amid unproven allegations, contradict the humanitarian values they typically champion. This decision lies contrary to the basic principles of humanity and risks worsening the plight of innocent civilians in Gaza. To date, 18 countries, including the UK, the US and Canada, have suspended aid to UNRWA following Israels accusations that a handful of agency workers, of the 30,000 strong workforce in Gaza, were involved in the 7 October attack.

For the past few months, Israel has aggressively adopted the collective punishment of the entire community in Gaza through continued indiscriminate bombardment and deliberate deprivation of aid, which is prohibited in all circumstances under International humanitarian law. In October 2023, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called to stop collective punishment of the entire population in Gaza. Referring to the aid suspension, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, said: 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.

Aid suspension to UNRWA and its potential impact

UNRWA isnt just an organisation; its a lifeline for the two million people, over half of whom are children in Gaza. Beyond flashy headlines and unproven allegations, UNRWA is a beacon of hope to war-struck people, providing aid, shelter, food and healthcare in all circumstances. The suspension of funding by donor states will impact life-saving assistance for millions of civilians who rely on UNRWA aid in Gaza. Moreover, the aid cuts significantly threaten its ability to maintain operations, potentially leading to a shutdown and creating an unimaginable humanitarian disaster.

An important factor as to why Israel is razing Gaza to the ground, including schools, hospitals and cultural and religious sites, followed by this aid cut, is to physically and psychologically break the civilians, potentially forcing displacement. Ashok Swain, professor and head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, shared that the current Israeli regime seems to be creating unbearable conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, possibly pushing them to leave, and a major obstacle in this plan is the presence and work of UN agencies, particularly the UNRWA, in providing humanitarian support to the people of Gaza.

Aljazeera English Video: Its immoral: UN special rapporteur on UNRWA funding cuts | UpFront

Additionally, in the ongoing conflict, nearly 136 UNRWA aid workers have been killed, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked, 136 of our colleagues in Gaza have been killed in 75 days  something we have never seen in UN history, besides the decision to suspended funding came on the same day as the ICJs ruling on potentially genocidal actions by Israel in Gaza. One cannot deny a political motive behind this move, as Israel has been lobbying against it for long. Being the only UN agency to have a specific mandate to provide assistance and protection for registered Palestine refugees, it stands as a threat. Thus, Israel aims to close UNRWA to eliminate the refugee issue, denying the right of return for Palestinian refugees to their land. Noga Arbell, a former Israeli Foreign Ministry official, said in January that, It will be impossible to win the war if we do not destroy UNRWA, this destruction must begin immediately. So, all those countries stopping their aid to UNRWA align with a political agenda to undermine the agency and its efforts.

The war in Gaza, entering its fourth month, has caused enormous suffering  many families struggle to find flour, many only eat once a day, and some have even resorted to eating animal feed. As per the International Rescue Committees Bob Kitchen: It is the most intense hunger crisis I have ever seen. Moreover, Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war, which is a war crime. As per the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentionally starving civilians by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supplies is a prohibited method of warfare.

Geopolitical motives should not hinder the considerations of humanitarian aid. Penalising an entire aid agency and a starving, dying community is akin to a crime against humanity. Countries like Ireland and Norway expressed continued support for UNRWA, highlighting the distinction between individual actions and the agencys vital role in Gaza.

Instead of cutting crucial funding for those in need, the global community should call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and full humanitarian access. It is high time for the Western nations to shun their double standards, as saving human lives should come above anything else.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment .
By Salsabel Almanssori, University of Windsor and Muna Saleh, Concordia University of Edmonton | 

World Hijab Day recognizes the millions of Muslim women and girls who wear the traditional Islamic headscarf.

(The Conversation)  Around the world, Muslim girls in hijab are experiencing unique forms and heightened rates of gender and race-based violence and discrimination. Overt violence against girls and women in hijab have captured global attention, evidenced most recently in the violent Canadian attacks on women in hijabs in Alberta and the horrific murders of the Afzaal family in London, Ont.

Violence against hijabi girls is often situated in structural oppression, including gendered Islamophobia and white supremacy. Understanding the underpinnings of this violence is key to imagining more just and equitable futures for girls and young women in hijab.

Islamophobia

The term Islamophobia has often been used and understood in different ways. While often used interchangeably, some have argued that the term anti-Muslim racism, rather than the term Islamophobia, better encapsulates the systemic nature of anti-Muslim hate and violence.

Sociologist and Muslim studies scholar Jasmin Zine has outlined how Islamophobia in Canada is comprised of systemic oppressive networks and industries that are both fueled by and fuel anti-Muslim racism. Zine explains that an industry behind purveying anti-Muslim hate distinguishes Islamophobia from other forms of oppression.

According to Zine, this well-funded, lucrative and often transnational industry is comprised of media outlets, political figures and donors, white nationalist groups, think tanks, influencers and ideologues that support and engage in activities that demonize and marginalize Islam and Muslims in Canada.

Gendered Islamophobia

Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism is part of the fabric of institutions. Critics of laws such as Bill 21 in Quebec and similar measures in France have argued that Muslim women who wear the hijab are most affected. These measures reflect narratives that position Muslim girls and women as oppressed victims in need of rescue, as well as Orientalist tropes in the form of the save us from the Muslim girl narratives.

As Muslim women in hijab, we grieve horrific violence alongside our communities. Violent attacks highlight how anti-Muslim racism is often situated at a nexus of anti-Black racism, xenophobia, white supremacy and patriarchy.

We know that anti-Muslim violence is often aimed at girls and women in hijab. Yet, academic literature on hijabi girlhood is relatively scarce. Two years ago, we put out a call to the international academic community seeking papers and creative submissions on the experiences of girls and young women in hijabs.

The girl in the hijab

Two years later, our new special issue, called The Girl in the Hijab, has now been published in the international journal Girlhood Studies. It comes at a time when anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism are on the rise around the country and around the world.



Image by Chan Factory from Pixabay

The special issue includes academic articles written by mostly Muslim women and creative works produced by hijab-wearing girls themselves. Both types of work provide insight into the current global landscape of hijabi girl experiences.

Cultural politics lecturer Noha Beydoun explores the events surrounding the donning of the American flag as a method of protest. She finds that this phenomenon gained popularity because it worked to conceal complicated U.S. histories regarding Muslim immigration and broader imperial interests. Beydouns analysis evidences that the American flag as hijab for girls and women reinforces the larger constructs it seeks to resist.

Gender studies professor Ana Carolina Antunes highlights how unconscious bias and microaggressions hinder a positive sense of belonging among hijab-wearing students and impacts their academic success. This study also reveals that anti-Muslim sentiment in schools affects the everyday experiences of Muslim girls, leading to disconnection from the school community.

Among the central themes in the special issue is how women and girls resist gendered and Islamophobic discrimination in their everyday lives. Hijabi girls resist oppressive narratives through their everyday actions and activist engagements. In Antuness study, girls asserted their right to occupy space in the educational environment.

Clinical social workers Amilah Baksh and her mother, Bibi Baksh, provide insight into their lived experiences as Indo-Caribbean social workers and university educators. In their article, they identify the hijab as a form of resistance and resilience in their personal and professional lives. In their words, it was never the hijab that rendered us voiceless. It is Islamophobia.

The special issue highlights how Muslim girls and women, racialized through donning hijab, continue to be at the forefront of the struggle against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence, even as we remain among the primary targets of that violence.

The articles in this special issue demonstrate the need for better policies, education and laws that consider the unique experiences of girls and women in hijab. To counter violence against girls and women in hijab, we must name and understand the complexities of anti-Muslim racism and gendered Islamophobia.

Critically, this must center the voices of girls and women in hijab, opening or widening spaces for girls and women in hijab to practise acts of resistance in ways that are not bound by colonial logics and respectability politics.

Salsabel Almanssori, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor and Muna Saleh, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Concordia University of Edmonton

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Biden administration launched 85 air strikes on Friday against small bases of the Party of God Brigades (Kataib Hizbullah), an Iraqi Shiite militia active in Iraq and Syria. The organization is likely the culprit in Sundays drone strike against the Tower 22 US base in the far north of Jordan on the border with Syria. The communique issued by something calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said that the strike had been in the cause 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.

Sot al-Iraq, an independent Baghdad daily, reported that the US counter-strike on Qaim on the border of Iraq and Syria killed two civilians and wounded 5 other people.

Although US military analysts and spokesmen will say that the US air strikes are aimed at degrading the militias capabilities and at deterring it from future such attacks, it isnt very likely that either goal will be achieved in this way. Bombing guerrilla groups from 30,000 feet is as close to a futile military tactic as you can get. It is not as though these light, mobile forces were likely sitting around in their known bases and hideouts, oblivious that the US was coming for them.

In any case, the Party of God Brigades already announced that it was pausing its attacks on US forces after the Jordan operation killed three US servicemen. It makes you wonder whether they had been expecting the US to shoot down their drone and were appalled that it got through and killed servicemen. The Saudi owned, London-based daily, al-Sharq al-Awsat alleges that the militia was pressured afterwards by Iran and by Shiite political parties in the Iraqi parliament to suspend their anti-American attacks.

Iraqs president, Abdul Latif Rashid, and the prime minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, warned against Iraq becoming an arena of regional conflict.

Although Fridays air strikes on the Party of God Brigades known facilities are unlikely to spiral into a general war, you never know about these things. People dont usually start out trying to have a war they often fall into it.

MSNBC Video: More airstrikes and Tomahawk missiles: How U.S. may continue targeting Iran-backed militia groups

President Joe Biden could easily avoid the necessity of bombing Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and the good Lord knows how many other countries in the region. He just has to do three things to make US troop secure in the region.

1. He could cut Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu off from resupply of armaments and ammunition, forcing a ceasefire in Gaza. Whatever is going on there, it isnt primarily a war on Hamas. It is a total war on Gaza civilians, hundreds of whom are likely dying of hunger daily, on top of the innocent civilians killed by air strikes and sniping. No one can understand Bidens single-minded dedication to the killing of 27,000 Palestinians, 70% of them women and children.

2. Biden could just pull the US troops out of Syria. It is crazy that they are still there. They only total 900, spread across three small forward operating bases. The Syrian government doesnt want them there and given the defeat of ISIL (ISIS, Daesh), their presence is no longer required for self-defense. Their presence is by now illegal in international law. They are also exposed to danger, being so few. Bring them home.

3. Biden could also withdraw the 2500 US troops from Iraq. The Iraqi parliament voted against their continued presence in January 2020, so they are there illegally, as well. They are also exposed and vulnerable.

Presto change-o, the extreme tensions and crisis that threaten to draw the US into a wider war would likely evaporate.

Or, Biden could go on the mule-headed and amoral way he is going. It is starting to cast a dark cloud over his presidential campaign. Yesterday his swing through Michigan did not include an appearance in Dearborn, which has a significant Arab and Muslim population. They are an important swing vote in the state. The Biden people tried to set up a meeting, but were rebuffed.

Ceasefire.
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG | OTC: PAANF | FRA: SS60) ("Pan American or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results on 14 holes from the ongoing 2023/2024 diamond drill program on the Big Mack Lithium Project (Property), located approximately 80 kilometers north of the town of Kenora, ON. The drilling campaign is being carried out by Full force Diamond Drilling Ltd. (Full Force) under the geological guidance of Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. (Axiom).

HIGHLIGHTS

Drilling encountered high grade lithium-bearing intercepts within the Big Mack and Eleven Zone pegmatites: 1.90% Li 2 O over 16.90 meters within the western flank of the Big Mack pegmatite of 1.67% Li 2 O over 22.85 meters (BM23-011) 1.78% Li 2 O over 6.75 meters within the western flank of the Big Mack pegmatite of 1.46% Li 2 O over 12.00 meters (BM23-012) 2.36% Li 2 O over 1.90 meters and 1.79% Li 2 O over 6.60 meters within the western flank of the Big Mack pegmatite of 1.51% Li 2 O over 16.60 meters (BM23-014) 2.13% Li 2 O over 2.00 meters within the Eleven Zone pegmatite of 1.34% Li 2 O over 7.67 meters (BM23-017) 1.51% Li 2 O over 4.00 meters, 1.77% Li 2 O over 6.00 meters and 1.59% Li 2 O over 4.80 meters within the Eleven Zone pegmatite of 1.32% Li 2 O over 22.20 meters (BM23-021)

Holes 10 to 15 show multiple lenses of lithium mineralization continue west from the interior of the Big Mack pegmatite.

of the Big Mack pegmatite. Holes 16 to 22 show multiple lenses of lithium mineralization stack below surface at the Eleven Zone pegmatite and remain open at depth.

at the Eleven Zone pegmatite and remain open at depth. The on-going drilling program is currently testing a lithium surface anomaly that coincides with a geophysical target along strike of the Eleven Zone towards the west.

Drill hole BM23-009 to BM23-015 were drilled to test the western flank of the Big Mack pegmatite, while BM23-016 to BM23-022 were drilled to test the Eleven Zone pegmatite. Big Mack targets BM23-010 and BM23-011 returned encouraging values of 1.23% Li 2 O over 22.60 m and 1.67% Li 2 O over 22.85 m respectively, while BM23-0014 returned 1.51% over 16.60 m. Eleven Zone targets BM23-017 and BM23-021 intercepted 1.50% Li 2 O over 14.53 m and 1.32% Li 2 O over 22.20 m respectively. These results indicate that meaningful mineralization may continue at depth through the western zone of the pegmatite, and provide valuable insights into mapping of the internal structure for Big Mack and Eleven Zone. Table 1 highlights assay result details on holes BM23-009 to BM23-022, and Table 2 describes the attributes associated with these drill holes.

Phase one of the 2023/2024 drilling program was completed in late-2023, when the Company drilled 35 holes (including one abandoned hole), to a total meterage of 4,582 meters. Targeting is based upon historical drilling analyses, the UAV magnetic survey conducted on the Property, and the Companys 2023 field prospecting program. In this second phase of the program, the Company plans to drill approximately 5,000 meters to delineate the Big Mack and Eleven Zone pegmatites, test their down-dip extensions, explore the Sprinkler Zone, and test other exploration targets. To-date, over 6,800 meters have been drilled across 50 collar locations as part of the 2023/2024 drill program, with 2,317 samples having been submitted for analysis at the time of this news release.

Jason Latkowcer, Chief Executive Officer, commented, We continue to see promising intercepts at the Big Mack western flank drilling and the Eleven Zone pegmatite to the west. These impressive intercepts will help the team plan follow-up drilling to test deeper targets and understand the geometry of these pegmatite bodies and their lenses. Strategic drilling will continue to test the western side of Big Mack before moving to focus on exploration drilling toward the Sprinkler Zone to understand the geology between the two eastern pegmatite bodies. Our ranked targets are quickly becoming higher confidence with our successful intercepts and promising assays, and further exploration step-outs will be planned as the drill campaign continues.

Table 1: 2023 Big Mack Drill Hole Assay Highlights Table * (not true widths)

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Li 2 O (wt%) BM23-009 - - - No Significant values BM23-010 24.00 46.60 22.60 1.23 Inc. 27.00 34.00 7.00 1.58 Inc. 38.00 42.80 4.80 1.53 Inc. 45.00 46.60 1.60 1.44 BM23-011 22.60 45.45 22.85 1.67 Inc. 23.90 40.80 16.90 1.90 BM23-012 49.00 61.00 12.00 1.46 Inc. 51.00 57.75 6.75 1.78 Inc. 52.00 53.75 1.75 2.54 BM23-013 42.00 58.30 16.30 1.04 Inc. 42.00 51.00 9.00 1.28 BM23-014 80.00 96.60 16.60 1.48 Inc. 82.60 89.20 6.60 1.79 Inc. 83.60 85.50 1.90 2.36 BM23-015 98.30 109.00 10.70 1.14 Inc. 98.30 106.00 7.70 1.44 BM23-016 30.90 39.60 8.70 0.94 Inc. 33.90 37.00 3.10 1.33 BM23-017 23.87 38.40 14.53 1.50 Inc. 30.45 36.00 5.55 2.54 43.33 51.00 7.67 1.34 Inc. 49.00 51.00 2.00 2.13 BM23-018 63.35 65.26 1.91 0.89 71.07 76.37 5.30 1.00 Inc. 73 74.87 1.87 1.69 90.50 99.00 8.50 0.96 BM23-019 66.60 68.40 1.80 1.38 Inc. 66.60 67.60 1.00 2.13 95.00 98.00 3.00 1.24 Inc. 96.00 97.00 1.00 2.86 BM23-020 22.48 26.40 3.92 0.65 BM23-021 97.60 119.80 22.20 1.32 Inc. 98.60 103.00 4.40 1.51 Inc. 106.00 112.00 6.00 1.77 Inc. 115.00 119.80 4.80 1.56 BM23-022 74.67 84.00 9.33 0.87 Inc. 76.00 81.00 5.00 1.32

Table 2: Attributes for Drill Hole BM23-009 to BM23-022

Hole ID Easting

NAD 83/UTM

Zone 15N Northing

NAD 83/UTM

Zone 15N Elevation

(m) Dip

() Azimuth

() Total

Depth (m) Core

Size Target BM23-009 386422.16 5569925.65 365.17 -45 358 174 NQ Exploration BM23-010 386469.09 5569907.95 364.46 -45 185 72 NQ Big Mack BM23-011 386496.74 5569899.54 364.06 -45 180 84 NQ Big Mack BM23-012 386450.2 5569925 360.823 -47 181 93 NQ Big Mack BM23-013 386508.33 5569917.472 359.754 -48 180 108 NQ Big Mack BM23-014 386465.48 5569947.81 357.859 -45 179 133 NQ Big Mack BM23-015 386465.48 5569947.805 357.859 -58 179 180 NQ Big Mack BM23-016 386387.994 5569948.48 364.279 -45 0 72 NQ Eleven BM23-017 386358.527 5569947.713 361.749 -45 0 72 NQ Eleven BM23-018 386343.486 5569924.532 358.096 -46 359 120 NQ Eleven BM23-019 386314.163 5569927.112 351.723 -46 358.5 162 NQ Eleven BM23-020 386300.259 5569952.75 345.827 -46 0 132 NQ Eleven BM23-021 386356.224 5569911.126 359.34 -47 359 180 NQ Eleven BM23-022 386368.955 5569933.38 361.998 -50 6 141 NQ Eleven

Figure 1: Core photo of hole BM23-017 (21.14m to 38.04m) highlighting Li 2 O% values in high grade intercepts from 30.45 to 36.0 m (blue).

Figure 2: Core photo of hole BM23-021 (98.4 to 115.25m) highlighting Li 2 O% values in high grade intercepts from 98.6 to 103 m (red) and 106 to 112 m (blue).

Figure 3: Completed and planned drillholes (Assays reported on holes in red).

Figure 4: Close up view of Big Mack (Assayed holes in Red)

Figure 5: Cross section of BM23-011, -012, -014.

Figure 6: Holes BM23-017 and BM23-021.

General Statements

All 14 holes described in this news release were drilled broadly perpendicular and inclined to the pegmatite orientations so that the true thickness of reported intercepts is estimated to range somewhere between 60-80% of the drilled widths. A collar header table is provided above. Visual core logging indicates that the predominant host mineral for the Big Mack pegmatites is petalite.

Sample Quality Assurance / Quality Control

A thorough chain-of-custody and QA/QC program is being carried out on the ongoing drill program. Samples are taken across all pegmatite intervals with shoulder samples into the host rock on either side of the dykes. Sample lengths are ranging from 0.3 m  1.5 m, dependant on internal zoning of the dykes, mineralization, and lithology contacts. Core to be sampled is cut in half onsite, with half being sent for analysis and the other half remaining in the box for future reference and re-sampling, if needed.

A malfunction of downhole location survey equipment could cause inaccurate dip and azimuth tracking due to drillhole deviation, which would affect the planned drillhole spacing and required density for the resource estimation. To ensure accuracy, downhole surveys are performed every 30 meters of drilling, with survey tests repeated in the event of results that are outside planned drillhole drift. Additional downhole survey tools are kept on-site in the event of malfunction during drilling.

The Companys implemented QA/QC procedures include the insertion of certified standard control samples,  cut duplicates, and blanks. This is being used to test for natural variability / sampling bias / testing the lab for homogeneity during sample preparation processes within the lab, as well as testing the precision and any possible contamination from the lab and ensure proper calibration of lab equipment.

Sample analyses are being conducted by ALS Canada LTD (ALS), an independent lab. Samples are shipped to the Winnipeg, Manitoba prep lab, and then shipped by ALS to the geochemistry analysis lab in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Drill core samples are subject to sodium peroxide fusion analyses using ICP-MS for Trace element values on total digestion and ICP-AES on samples with values greater than 25,000 ppm Li. ALS follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025  General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories and ISO 9001  Quality Management Systems.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jared Suchan, Ph.D., P.Geo., who is an independent consultant to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Suchan verified the data disclosed (or underlying the information disclosed) in this news release by reviewing imported and sorted assay data; checking the performance of blank samples and certified reference materials; reviewing the variance in field duplicate results; and reviewing grade calculation formulas.

About the Property

The Property is located 2 km east of the all-weather Snook Lake Road, about 80 km north of Kenora, ON. The property is proximal (~1.3 km) to Avalons Separation Rapids, Big Whopper deposit which hosts a measured and indicated resource. The Property is within an Ontario registered mining lease, with over 30 years of exploration history. The Property lies within the traditional land use area of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of Whitedog, Ontario: an Aboriginal community located approximately 35 km southwest of the property.

The Property hosts four known Li-bearing pegmatites including the Big Mack pegmatite, Eleven Zone, Sprinkler Zone, and 6095 pegmatite which are thought to be related to the Separation Rapids Pluton. They are interpreted as zoned Complex Type, Petalite Subtype LCT Pegmatites. The Big Mack pegmatite represents the largest petalite-bearing mass on the Property and is exposed over an 80 by 225 m area. Historic drilling campaigns (1998, 1999, 2001) intersected mineralization extending along a strike length of ~150 meters and to a depth of 75 meters. The mineralization at the Property remains open at depth and along strike.

About Pan American Energy Corp.

Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America.

The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources, providing for the right to acquire up to a 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC providing for the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within Esmeralda County  Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA.

To register for investor updates, please visit https://panam-energy.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors



Jason Latkowcer

CEO & Director

Contact

Phone : (587) 885-5970

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Note Regarding 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 Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Companys exploration plans at the Property, including the nature and type of the Companys planned exploration activities, the timing of such exploration activities and the aim and objectives of the Companys exploration efforts, including that the results of the drilling undertaken on the Property will allow the Company to further refine its approach to the exploration of the Property and enhance its understanding of the exploration area; and the timing of the Companys receipt of further drilling results.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the Companys ability to execute on its exploration plans at the Property, including that it will be successful in carrying out such exploration activities on the anticipated timeline and that such exploration activities will yield the expected information and the desired outcomes, including that the results of the drilling undertaken on the Property will allow the Company to further refine its approach to the exploration of the Property and enhance its understanding of the exploration area; and that the Company will receive further results from its drilling activities on the timeline expected.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that exploration at the Property does not proceed in the manner and on the timeline currently contemplated, or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; and that mineral exploration activities are often unsuccessful. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company 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.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.
Quebec Culture and Communication Minister Mathieu Lacombe responds to the Opposition during question period, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the legislature in Quebec City. Quebec is considering legislation to boost French content on streaming platforms as it seeks to fight back against the overwhelming influence of American digital culture and corporations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
A lawyer representing the father of a 13-year-old girl killed in a Burnaby, B.C., park denies allegations that he brought a gun into court the day Ibrahim Ali was convicted of the killing. The Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Taylor Swift, who recently became a prominent victim of deepfake pornography, stands on the field after an AFC Championship NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Baltimore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Julio Cortez


Friday, February 2, 2024  Hollywood actor, Carl Weathers who got popular for being Sylvester Stallone's early nemesis in the 'Rocky' movies has passed on at the age of 76.

He died peacefully on Thursday, February 1, while surrounded by loved ones. His family said in a statement;

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.  Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."



Carl was a titan in the movie industry, with acting credits dating back to the early 1970s when he was guest starring on shows like 'Good Times,' 'Kung Fu,' 'S.W.A.T.,' 'The Six Million Dollar Man,' 'Cannon' 'McCloud' and more.

His big break came after being cast as the brash and bold heavyweight champ of the world, Apollo, and he was pitted against Rocky in the ring for two films.





Carl's character stuck around for another two 'Rocky' films. In the third one, he actually brought the Italian Stallion out of a slump and back to glory with a new type of training he'd never experienced.

While Apollo was killed off in Rocky IV, his imprint in that movie franchise lives on even today. Michael B. Jordan plays his fictional son in the 'Creed' flicks, which are still going strong and which continue to be cranked out in Hollywood.


Friday, February 2, 2024  "Griselda" star, Sofia Vergara couldn't hold back her smile after being spotted out on a date with surgeon, Justin Saliman.

Sofia had a romantic date night on Thursday, February 1, with the dashing orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman at Beverly Hill's Cipriani. They looked quite happy and turned heads, not only with their palpable chemistry but their synced-up outfits too.





Sofia looked stunning in her sheer black corset top and coat, while Justin exuded laid-back charm in a black leather jacket.

They were laughing, smiling and interacting with the paps while exiting the upscale Italian eatery.





The couple were first linked in October 2023 when they were spotted on a date and this coming amid claim of the surgeon being just a rebound for Sofia after a failed romance with Joe Manganiello.

The "Modern Family" star and "Magic Mike" hunk split in July 2023, mainly cause of their differences in wanting kids. Joe wanted them, she didn't.
Saturday, February 3, 2024 - The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has woken up from its deep slumber after realizing who President William Ruto truly is.

In a statement, the churches indirectly asked for forgiveness for overwhelmingly supporting and voting for Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

They accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of harsh taxation measures and neglecting the concerns raised by different stakeholders.

Led by NCCK Secretary General Chris Kinyanjui, the council alleged that Ruto disrespected the rule of law by failing to adhere to principles of good governance.

Yes, our members voted for you but they did not vote for you to increase taxes, he stated.

Kinyanjui further argued that Rutos policies were not working as Kenyans were struggling to pay taxes and make ends meet.

"Our church members are saying although they supported Kenya Kwanza, we did not support Kenya Kwanza to increase taxes," Kinyanjui commented.

The NCCK lamented that taxation measures, particularly the housing levy and the social health fund, had significantly affected Kenyans' take-home pay.

"We did not give the Kenya Kwanza mandate, to charge them the housing levy for houses they don't need,"

"We don't want to be charged more, for health like NHIF, increasing it and also the other taxes that are being increased is unjustified," he further clarified.

NCCK further urged the government to set up a social and economic council to address the countrys economic challenges.

The clerics stated that the council should be mandated to address and create public awareness of other proposed taxes, especially in the agriculture sector.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, February 3, 2024 - Former Nominated Senator, Millicent Omanga, has surprised Kenyans after she dared ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to a TV interview face-off.

This was after Sifuna clashed with Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana in a live TV interview on Wednesday.

Sifuna, who is a brilliant lawyer, reduced Mungatana to a mere heckler when exposing how President William Ruto has been lying to Kenyans daily.

Kenyans were impressed by Sifunas grasp of national matters and how he reduced Kenya Kwanza leaders to mere clowns.

Following the embarrassment of Kenya Kwanza leaders, Omanga has dared Sifuna to a live TV interview, claiming he will scamper for safety.

"Senator Edwin Sifuna is a good debater. He can be cantankerous during live TV debates.

"Be it as it may, we must call his bluff over his penchant for calling the president a liar. I'm ready to take on him any day.

"Trust me, he'll scamper for safety," Omanga wrote on her X platform.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Saturday, February 3, 2024 - A police officer based in Murang'a County is fighting for his life at Muranga County Level 5 hospital after he was beaten badly by a gang of criminals.

According to witnesses, the officer and his colleagues had raided the Kayole area to crack down on a drug trafficking network.

However, they encountered a gang who claimed that the officers had taken bribes to allow the illegal bhang business to continue.

"The gang claimed that not even 20 minutes had passed since other police officers arrived and took bribes," one of the witnesses said.

This led to a confrontation between the gang and the police, forcing the other two to scamper for safety.

Their colleague was left at the mercy of the gang that coerced him into smoking the banned substance.

Confirming the incident, Muranga East Police Commander Mary Wakuu said they had initiated an investigation.

The police boss reiterated that a search would be conducted to apprehend the suspects, adding that the area was under scrutiny over drug peddling.

"It is an area that we must clean up. I also warn the police to execute their duties with prudence and integrity.

"All these matters will be investigated, and a comprehensive report will be prepared," she said.

Wakuu further stated that they would probe whether the three officers were demanding a bribe, as claimed by the witness.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Saturday, February 3, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has sensed a great danger ahead of the 2027 General Election.

This is after he claimed that President William Ruto wants to make former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati the next Chief Justice of Kenya before 2027.

Addressing the media in Nairobi yesterday, Raila alleged that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) offered Ruto slots in the gazetted Court of Appeal vacancies.

Two of the slots, according to Raila, will be used by Ruto to appoint Chebukati and his predecessor at IEBC, Issack Hassan, as Court of Appeal judges.

Later on, Chebukati would rise to Chief Justice before the 2027 General Election.

Raila claimed that the plot to elevate Chebukati was hatched at the recent meeting between Ruto, Chief Justice Martha Koome and Speaker Moses Wetangula held in State House on Monday, January 22.

"At the meeting, the Chief Justice and Mr Ruto reached an agreement that will allow Mr Ruto to make additional funding to the Judiciary, in return, Justice Koome was to advertise vacancies for five additional judges and 11 Court of Appeal judges.

"This is in addition to the 20 high court judges advertised last year.

"As a matter of fact, the advertisement of the 11 judges has been gazetted today.

"In that agreement, the five high court judges and two Court of Appeal judges will be for Mr. Ruto to forward to the JSC, and he floated the names, of immediate former IEBC chairpersons Mr Wafula Chebukati and Ahmed Issack Hassan to be appointed Court of Appeal judges with Chebukati later being elevated as the Chief Justice before the 2027 general elections," Raila claimed.

The ODM Party leader further refuted the alleged promise by Ruto to fund the Judiciary, stating that it was a scheme to blindfold Kenyans from accessing the truth.

Officially, Mr. Ruto is supposed to have agreed to give additional funding to the judiciary, that is a cover-up.

"Judiciary does not draw any funds from the Executive or State House. Article 173 of the Constitution of Kenya established the judiciary fund which is administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, the ODM leader stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Saturday, February 3, 2024 - President William Ruto has ordered the dismissal, arrest, and detainment of government officials who issued licenses to the gas-filling plant that exploded in Embakasi on Thursday night.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for Chekalini Market in Lugari, Kakamega County, Ruto explained that the gas-filling plant was operating contrary to the law.

He added that unscrupulous government officials issued permits to the gas dealer to conduct business in a residential area hence endangering lives.

The president thus demanded the dismissal and arrest of the government officials within 24 hours to face charges levelled against them.

"In Nairobi, there was an explosion causing grave injuries to many people because of laziness, deceit, and corruption in government offices.

"Some granted a license for the plant to be established at a residential area endangering the lives of Kenyans," Ruto stated.

"I have instructed the Ministry that those responsible for granting the license should be fired, arrested, and detained today," he added.

He added that such government officials received bribes to turn a blind eye to the law, which consequently led to the Thursday night explosion that has claimed three lives to date.

"They (gas filling plant owners) were instructed not to establish the facility but due to bribery and lack of discipline, the licence was issued and now we have a problem in our hands," the head of state noted.

Ruto's directive comes hours after Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) boss Daniel Kiptoo confirmed that the gas filling plant conducted operations in Embakasi and Nanyuki.

Kiptoo added that EPRA officials raided the facility in Nanyuki and arrested the staff for operating without authorization.

He confirmed that the company was only licensed as a transporter of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, February 2, 2024  A single-engine plane crashed into a waterfront mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday evening, Feb. 1, after the pilot reported an engine failure.

The crash killed several people, damaged four homes and set the area on fire, officials said.

The plane slammed directly into one home, causing "several fatalities, both from the aircraft and within the mobile home," Scott Ehlers, the fire chief of Clearwater, said at a news conference.

The crash left part of the mobile home park, Bayside Waters, engulfed in flames.

Three other homes were damaged, though no one inside those was injured, Chief Ehlers said.

The aircraft, which crashed at around 7 p.m., was a Beechcraft Bonanza V35, and the number of people on board was unknown as of early Friday, Feb. 2, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.





Videos posted online showed a blaze and a wall of thick smoke billowing over homes.

The Fire Department received the initial call at 7:08 p.m., and crews quickly extinguished the blaze after arriving at the park at about 7:15 p.m., Chief Ehlers said.

"The aircraft went off radar about three miles north of the runway, which is in this location here," the chief said at the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation, the F.A.A. said.
Saturday, February 3, 2024  President William Ruto is getting vindicated every day over his claims that Chief Justice Martha Koomes Judiciary is rotten to the core and full of corrupt cartels out to sabotage the success of his government.

This is after it emerged that the Judiciary is responsible for the Embakasi gas explosion that has painted Rutos government in a negative light.

The Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) has put the Judiciary on the spot over a past case involving owners of the controversial Embakasi gas plant that killed four and left over 300 injured.

The body in charge of the oil and gas industry in East Africa criticized a Nairobi Court for offering the owners of the gas plant a lenient ruling despite being found guilty of running the site illegally.

According to PIEA, in 2020 a criminal case was filed against the facility owner alongside some of his clients under criminal case number E3776/2020 at Milimani Law Courts.

"All the accused persons were found guilty and convicted with a sentence issued on May 18, 2023," read part of a statement by PIEA.

PIEA claimed that the court disregarded an initial ruling that gave the plant holders a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years or a penalty of Ksh20 million.

"The learned Magistrate of Court Number 11 imposed total fines of Ksh500,000 or one-year imprisonment instead of Ksh20 million or 5 years for the proprietor (first accused)," noted the East African petroleum body.

It further accused the magistrate of issuing a lenient ruling to their accomplice. The magistrate was said to have fined the accomplice Ksh50,000 instead of Ksh10 million or a 5-year jail term.

According to PIEA, the magistrate even after issuing moderate penalties, continued to release all vehicles including two Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tankers together with the confiscated bulk with a net weight of 4,660 kgs despite the law providing for mandatory forfeiture.

An LPG tanker, which had been released by the court according to procedure, was reportedly involved in the Embakasi tragic incident.

It was further noted that the illegal gas plant had also been demolished twice on grounds of carrying out illicit refilling of cylinders belonging to other licensed brand owners.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, February 2, 2024  Western Cape police in South Africa on Thursday, said a man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 12-year-old girl, Firdous Kleinsmidt.

The girl was killed when she was struck by a stray bullet outside her Cape Town school on Tuesday, January 20, 2024.

Kleinsmidt, who was in Grade 7 at Leglaasi Nieyah Primary School, was shot while waiting for her scholar transport.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Anti-Gang Unit officers arrested a 27-year-old man in Eastridge, Mitchells Plain, on Wednesday afternoon.

He added the shooting happened at around 11:20 on Tuesday.

According to reports, the girl was caught in a crossfire between rival gangs and was shot and killed by a stray bullet.

"She was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel," said Swartbooi

The suspect will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court on Friday, February 2.

Firdous was buried on Wednesday afternoon.

Beacon Valley residents gathered afterwards to protest her murder.

The chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, Abie Isaacs, said the community was angered by the incident, along with crime in the area.




Saturday, February 3, 2024 - The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has accused President William Ruto of reneging on the pledges he promised Kenyans during the campaign period.

Addressing a press conference at Jumuiya Conference and Country Home in Limuru on Friday, the clerics said Ruto was elected based on what he promised Kenyans.

However, upon assuming the presidency, he appears to have forgotten the commitments he had made to the Kenyan people.

The religious leaders, led by NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui, told the President William Ruto-led government that they were fed up with the continuous increase in taxes.

"The current administration of Kenya Kwanza was supported by the church and in a way that is true and correct.

"However, our church members are saying although they supported Kenya Kwanza, they did not support Kenya Kwanza to increase taxes.

"They also did not give Kenya Kwanza the mandate to charge them the housing levy for houses they don't need.

"They also are saying, they don't want to be charged more for health; like NHIF increasing it.

"They are also complaining that they're seeing KRA officials going to their farms to count their chickens, pigs, and donkeys," he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
It has been almost two decades since I worked at this hospital. This is where I grew up as a physician. After my home, I have spent most of my life within these walls and walking these hallways. The hospital used to have two main buildings, but a few years ago, the administration decided to erect a third building, which is a state-of-the-art facility. The hospital is situated at the northernmost part of the country along the coastline of Lake Ontario. On a sunny clear day, you can imagine the breathtaking view of Torontos skyline from the top floor of the building.

When the construction of the building was near completion, we were given a tour of the facility. We were amazed by how large and well-equipped the patient rooms were. Walking through the yet unfinished rooms, I made a comment that my colleagues thought was in bad taste. Take a good look. Whoever amongst us ends up living in Rochester long enough, it is a good possibility that we will die in one of these rooms.

It was a Monday, the beginning of the workweek. I looked at the list of cancer patients that I had to round on. Although most of the patients were on the oncology floor, others were distributed all over the hospital, including the Old Building and the now fully operational New Building. I started rounds along with the residents and medical students in the New Building first. I took some of the new residents to the break area to have a look at the views of the lake and downtown through the large window panes. The patient rooms were exorbitantly spacious and outfitted with comfortable furniture for family members. Each room had a beautiful view surpassing any that local hotels offered.

After seeing a few patients, we headed to the Old Building. Among others on my list was Mark, my patient suffering from stage IV lung cancer but doing exceptionally well on immune therapy. Unfortunately, he was now admitted with shortness of breath, and we were debating whether it was from pneumonia or medication-induced pneumonitis, or both. Mark has an auto repair shop on Dewey Avenue and trades in luxury cars and often jokes that if I cure his cancer, he will get me the best car deal possible. I told him that I am perfectly happy with the car that I am currently driving, to which he quipped, Doc, is that your way of saying that you dont want to cure my cancer?

We walked into Marks room. This was a tiny room (compared to the rooms in the New Building), and his two sisters were by his bedside. I had three students with me, totaling seven people in the room, including Mark and me. We were clearly having problems fitting in the room.

How are you feeling, Mark? I inquired.

My breathing is so much better but still not yet back to normal. I would have liked to stay another couple of days in the hospital but I really want to get the hell out of here, Mark replied.

But why dont you stay in the hospital until your full recovery, Mark? Why the impatience? I asked.

Well, have you looked at this room? This is smaller than the bathroom at my house. Last time I was admitted to the hospital, I was in a room in the New Building, and that was like a room from the Ritz Carlton. This one is as if Im in a Motel 6! He complained.

I understand what youre saying, Mark, but the size of the room is not reflective of the quality of care you are receiving. The nurses are doing an excellent job, and your treatment is working just fine, I pointed out.

I understand that, Doc. I know this is not the priority, but if either I could go home as soon as I can or if you can pull some strings and move me to the New Building, I would appreciate it, He persisted.

OK, well, I will see what I can do, I falsely promised.

Next up on the list was a patient that I was going to see for the first time. The resident had presented her history to me. She was newly diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer, and while she was informed of the diagnosis, this was the first time she was going to meet an oncologist. I had to inform her about the incurability of the disease and that she had no more than another few months to live. This would be one of, if not the most, important conversations of her life for which I wanted to create as comfortable of an environment as possible. However, as I walked into the room, I realized that it was one of the few rooms in the Old Building that was a shared room, meaning there was another patient in the same room. In administrative meetings, I had heard that they were trying to convert all the rooms into private rooms, but they did not yet have the capacity to do that. Many hospitals in the country now have private rooms, and a shared room is now considered a thing of the past.

It was a room about half the size of the rooms in the New Building. There were two beds, which were separated from each other by a flimsy curtain. Sue, our patient, was in the bed closer to the entryway. The nurses were administering medications to the other patient, also a woman. There was hardly any room for additional people. I pulled up a chair and set it up as close to Sues bed as possible. The residents had to stand in the corners of the room. I pulled the curtain a little bit more to give Sue as much privacy as possible. I asked her if she had any close family members or friends whom she wanted to be part of the conversation. It turned out that she was close to only one of her daughters, who because of her own medical issues could not be there. Sue had to partake in this conversation all on her own. I started telling her about scan findings, pathology reports, and explained her diagnosis in detail.

She appeared impatient and eventually asked, How long do I have to live, doc?

I wished there was someone with her before I gave her the answer. If we dont do any treatments, you may have another few months to live, but with treatments, if they are successful, Im hoping we could be looking at a year or two as a best-case scenario.

Sues hands started trembling, her mouth appeared to be dry, and her palpitations could be felt by everyone in the room. She broke down into tears that started rolling down her eyes.

As I looked around the room to find a tissue box, trying desperately to do something to comfort her, I saw the curtain move. I saw a hand emerge from behind the curtain that was trying to reach for something. I got puzzled. There was the IV stand carrying the infusion bags, and for a moment, I thought that it might be one of the nurses trying to reach it to stop the infusion. The hand kept exploring and finally reached for Sues hand and held it firmly. Then the other hand removed the curtain fully, and I saw the other patient, not moving from her bed but having reached out to Sue to ease her pain and sorrow. At that moment, no number of sympathetic words could replace the loving touch of a fellow human being, and I saw a hint of comfort in Sues eye.

Here I was, worried about the lack of privacy afforded to Sue at the time of having such a difficult conversation. Part of me worried about the HIPAA laws that have been ingrained into our minds over the years. I came to find out that Sue and Jenna had been in the same room for a few days now, had become good friends, and were sharing each others worries through their illnesses. Sue was discharged from the hospital soon afterward and now follows with me in the clinic. Her cancer is responding to chemotherapy, and she has a decent quality of life. She tells me that she is still in touch with Jenna. They dont live too far away from each other and now meet on a regular basis.

Loneliness amongst the elderly and the ill is an epidemic that the US Surgeon General declared to be a central issue in his advisory statement in 2023. What leads to loneliness? There could be multiple possible explanations. But to me, societys emphasis on individualism is one reason behind rising rates of loneliness. The individual is at the top of the agenda. In the world of family law, as children and the elderly are being helped in the form of preventing abuse, they are separated from their families and put into foster and nursing homes respectively. In the world of rising womens rights, they are being burdened with two jobs of employment as well as rearing a household, often alone as single mothers, driving them to the brink at times. The nuclear family living together happily is being destroyed by having the children leave the house upon adulthood in search of their own livelihood. The grandparents are being left alone in the guise of autonomy and independence. Next-door neighbors are estranged in pursuit of privacy and seclusion. Work-from-home jobs are more convenient but the bonds with work-colleagues are becoming increasingly scarce.

Having a private room in the hospital should not be considered a luxury in todays world. Dont get me wrong. If Im admitted to the hospital, I want a private room too. But the days when there used to be a ward with multiple patients in one large room together, although inconvenient, built a sense of community. Now you have more privacy and comfort, but it comes with another unwanted, uninvited, ominous visitor  loneliness.

Farhan S. Imran is a hematology-oncology physician who blogs at Did I Ask?
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(Spoiler alert: contains spoilers for the movie Barbie.)

In Barbie, a singular scene resonated powerfully with Women in Medicine across the land.

You know the one. Shortly after Ken and Barbie leave Barbie Land and arrive in the Real World, Ken ventures off, discovers The Patriarchy, waltzes into a hospital emergency room, and demands the first woman he sees to perform an appendectomy.

What are his qualifications? He doesnt need any. Hes a man.

When the woman, dressed in hospital scrubs, promptly dismisses his absurd claim, he doubles down and insists on speaking to a doctor.

You are talking to a doctor, she says, in a voice that tells the audience shes said this many (many) times before.

He stares at her blankly until he spots a man in a white coat in another room.

There he is! Ken turns his back on the woman to chase down the manwho was probably a radiology tech.

Poor Ken. The Patriarchy can be so confusing.

But theres so much more to the movie. Last month, I wrote a Women in Medicine adaptation of America Ferreras characters viral monologue in the film. While the responses I received were overwhelmingly positive, I received angry messages, too, along the lines of How dare you.

The answer to that question is, in essence, the heart of the Barbie movie.

To further explain, I want to highlight another scene I found even more impactful for women physicians, even though it occurs outside of a hospital. In the boardroom scene (where Will Ferrell plays the Mattel CEO), the men try to flatter Barbie into returning to her box. In the movie, this is a life-size version of the box that houses the toy Barbie.

At first, Barbie cooperates, stepping into the box.

As the scene progressed and the men started to secure the cartoonishly giant plastic ties at the back of the box, I had a visceral response. I became nauseated, followed by chills, and the backs of my eyes burned.

To my immense relief, Barbie steps out of the box just in time.

Later, when I reflected on my intense reaction, I realized the box is so omnipresent that we, as women, arent even consciously aware of it most of the time. But my body knewand reacted.

The scene showcases Gerwigs brilliant simplicity throughout the movie. She shows us how the Patriarchy keeps women in boxed-in roles by, well, a literal giant-sized box. As the adage goes, its funny because its true.

After I watched the movie with my (non-doctor) husband (my second viewing; his first), I tried to explain how this scene affected me.

You have to understand, I said, Were fighting against being put in the boxes every day, and at the same time, were trying to do our jobs and save lives. Its exhausting.

Because in the Mojo Dojo Casa House of Medicine, women may be gaining equality in numbers but not leadership roles.

The situation can be summed up in a line delivered by Ferrells character: There was a female CEO in the 90s and then another one  at some point. So thats two right there!

What does the box look like for Women in Medicine? Its every time a patient calls us honey or sweetheart or some other gender-charged diminutive to try to reduce us to less than what we are. (Im a 50-year-old woman, and Ive been called both, plus kiddo twice, by my patients this week already.) Or when the team ignores the recommendations of the female physician only to jump at the same recommendations from a male doctor. Its being treated as too young to take seriously, followed by too old to be relevant. Surprisethere never was going to be a just right. Its being told to speak up more if we want recognition, but in the same breath, criticized for being too aggressive. Its when female trainees are described as friendly and nurturing in a letter of recommendation, while Resident Ken is called intelligent and skilled.

Of course, this isnt limited to medicineor law or business or Hollywood or any profession. Nor to women who work outside the home. The boxes are waiting for us everywhere.

Last week, there was a flurry of talk about the Oscar nomination snubs: Greta Gerwig passed over for a best director nomination and Margot Robbie for best actress. While in a plotline that could have been lifted from the movie, Ryan Gosling received a nomination for best supporting actor. (Read his statement on this.)

But what no one is saying is that in the most meta of ways, by denying them the nominations, the Patriarchy is sending a message: Ladies, get back in your boxes.

How. Dare. You.

By forcing the audience to confront the big and small ways the Patriarchy controls womens lives and roles in our society, Gerwig and Robbie and America Ferrera (who received a well-deserved nomination for Best Supporting Actress) did what makes the Patriarchy most afraid. They refused to stay in their boxes.

In other words, to quote from the movie, By giving voice to the cognitive dissonance required to be a woman under the Patriarchy, [they] robbed it of its power.

National Women Physicians Day was started in 2016 by the Physician Moms Group. Its celebrated on February 3rd each year in honor of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, the first woman to attain a medical degree in the U.S., in 1849. She was famously only allowed to matriculate to medical school as a joke among the men. Despite this, she persevered. She refused to be put in the box they created for her, and her success changed the face of medicine.

To learn more about Elizabeth Blackwell and other under-recognized Women in Medicine who broke barriersand by so doing not only paved the way for the rest of us but made landmark improvements in patient care and public healthI highly recommend the following two books:

Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine by Olivia Campbell and Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century by Jasmine Brown.

To Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, Women in Medicine have your back. Were long used to doing the invisible work that goes unacknowledged to achieve world-class outcomes for our patients while, often, a man receives credit. Thank you for making us feel seen.

Jennifer Lycette is a novelist, award-winning essayist, rural hematology-oncology physician, wife, and mom. Mid-career, Dr. Lycette discovered the power of narrative medicine on her path back from physician burnout and has been writing ever since. Her essays can be found in The Intima, NEJM, JAMA, and other journals. She can be reached on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Her books explore the overarching theme of humanism in medicine. Her first novel, The Algorithm Will See You Now (Black Rose Writing Press), a near-future medical thriller, is available now. Her second novel, The Committee Will Kill You Now, a prequel in the form of a near-historical medical suspense, is available in paperback and on Kindle.
1 of 4

India Stonemart 2024: Captivating Global Entrepreneurs with Unmatched Allure



khaskhabar.com : Sat, 03 Feb 2024 6:09 PM

Jaipur,Mineral stones, along with the industries intertwined with them, serve as indispensable pillars driving the industrial evolution of any nation. Rajasthan stands proud with its diverse and abundant mineral stones, holding a distinguished position in the export of these valuable resources. Beyond its historical and cultural significance on a global scale, Rajasthan is increasingly becoming a hub for foreign entrepreneurs, lured not only by its unique identity but also by its growing commercial relevance. Foreign investors are now embracing the warmth of "Padharo Mhare Desh" (Welcome to our Country).



The ongoing 12th edition of India Stonemart at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center serves as a testament to the brilliance of the stone industry. Renowned companies, conglomerates, representatives from Stone Industries Associations, and buyers from various leading nations are converging to showcase their products, conducting marketing initiatives, and exploring businesses opportunities here.



In this premier national exhibition, Antonia Di Maria, representing GDA Marble and Granite from Italy, highlighted that their business organization stands among the stalwarts in the stone industry and they specifically opt for Jaipur as the prime destination to present and promote their products for marketing endeavors because Jaipur's global recognition as a historical and tourist hotspot presents exceptional business prospects. He emphasized the suitability of their products for all kind of construction purposes.



Meanwhile, Mahnaz Haji Ali, the director of Porfiman Marble from Iran, shared that they have been an integral part of the stone industry for the past 18 years. Her enthusiasm for participating in Stonemart has always been unwavering. She highlighted the rapid advancement of India, witnessing a continuous surge in construction and commercial activities. With Jaipur being a vital business hub in Northern India, it holds promising opportunities. Mahnaz emphasized the popularity of Iranian onyx marble in this region. Porfiman entered the mineral stone market in 2000, extracting top-quality Iranian marble, travertine, onyx, and limestone blocks from nearly 30 different mines. She expresses confidence that the evident upward trajectory in market demand will lead to substantial sales growth.



Bekzod Fazulleov, representing Uzbekistan's Foreign Economic Relations Department, informed that Uzbekistan's mining machinery has been actively employed in projects in Rajasthan for an extended period. Displaying their machinery at Stonemart presents their inaugural opportunity, undoubtedly contributing to the enhancement of commercial activities between the two nations.



A total of 411 exhibitors, representing diverse facets of the stone industry, are actively participating in this exhibition. These include producers, exporters-importers, consumers, buyers, specialists, technology providers, architects, builders, developers, corporate entities, and more. Among them, 85 exhibitors hail from 9 different countries, Turkey-68, Italy-5 , Iran-5 , America-2, 1 each from Vietnam, Spain, Russia, Ethiopia, and China. Noteworthy is the participation of 198 stone industry players, 195 tools and machinery manufacturers, and 18 exhibitors providing services related to the stone industry. India Stonemart is not merely a showcase of products; it's an opportunity for business expansion and collaboration between participating nations. The exhibition is attracting attention with pavilions from Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, and Jharkhand states, along with Iran, Italy, and Turkey.



It is noteworthy that India Stonemart, held biennially, is one of the largest stone industry exhibitions in the country. The 12th edition, organized by Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd (RIICO) and the Center for Development of Stones (CDOS) in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday. This international exhibition marks a significant milestone for the newly formed state government, reflecting their first major international exhibition at such a grand level. Read More...


Many buy iPhones as symbol of luxury, not as practical choice

February 2, 2024 | 04:33 pm PT

A lot of the people I know prefer iPhones over other brands despite their high prices just because they look lavish.

On a train from Hue to Da Nang a while ago, I sat in the same car with a group of tourists from Europe.

As the train slowly passed through the Hai Van Pass, the group marveled at the beautiful scenery and took out their phones to capture the moment.

Surprisingly, I saw that they were either using cheap Android phones or older models of the iPhone.

Feeling curious, I asked the person next to me if people in Europe disliked the newer iPhones.

The person said they did like the brand but found it too expensive.

Instead of spending money on an iPhone, they prefer to save money for traveling.

Then this person proudly told me about their experiences in Nepal, Cambodia, and India.

This got me wondering, what is with the iPhone "craze" in Vietnam?

In smartphone retail stores in Vietnam, there is a small counter dedicated to employees from financial institutes, who help customers set up a payment plan or take out a loan to buy new phones.

With just an ID card, some other personal documents, and a few minutes of waiting, just about anyone can buy a new iPhone.

However, my boss, a wealthy person with many real estate properties and stocks, uses a phone that costs less than VND10 million (US$410).

Many employees suggest that the boss treat herself to a more expensive phone, but she always replies: "For what? Calling and texting are all the features I need."

Vietnam is probably one of Apples fastest-growing markets for the iPhone product line, seeing how Vietnamese people are so willing to line up in front of retail stores the night before the launch of any new iPhone model.

Many people say that iPhones are smoother and easier to use, but is that really true?

I bought a basic phone for less than VND5 million and it has been functioning well for over a year.

However, the only downside is that it is not an iPhone.

Many people would even take out loans just to buy an iPhone to show off.

"Holding an iPhone in my hand when I go to the coffee shops or the gym makes me feel a lot more confident," a colleague once told me.

I realize that many people just lack confidence, so they try to compensate with material items, even if they have to borrow money to buy them.

Many people say it is their money and they can spend it however they want.

But I believe their habits also reflect their character.

Why buy on installment an iPhone costing over VND30 million that will lose millions in value after a few months and become outdated after a year?

Why not travel to experience, learn a new language, or take courses to improve oneself?

Motorcycle, car, and phone companies can easily use this insecurity to empty consumers pockets.

I find it dangerous to always choose the most prestigious and expensive despite there being much cheaper alternatives with the same features.

So what do you think about the iPhone craze?

Reader Duy Nhat

*This opinion was translated into English by AI. Readers views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress viewpoints.
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International airports Noi Bai in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, will begin a one-month trial of a new electronic toll collection (ETC) system for motor vehicles Tuesday.

A representative from the Airport Corporation of Vietnam said more than VND210 billion (US$8.6 million) was spent investing in the ETC systems at the airports.

Car owners with valid ETC accounts used for expressways will be able to use them at the airports without having to go through any more procedures, the source said.

Cars enter Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC in January 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh

Vietnam's two largest airports receive 16,000-20,000 cars every day, and manual toll collection has caused severe traffic congestion on high travel demand days such as the Lunar New Year holiday, which officially begins next week.

With the ETC system adopted, the fee will remain VND10,000-25,000 for every 10 minutes, depending on the car size.

Nearly five million cars in Vietnam, 96% of all legally-registered cars in the nation, have ETC accounts.
Earlier Saturday, the US struck six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles before they were launched toward the Red Sea, US Central Command said.
In this March 2022 photo, the Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, DC.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 5.000-5.150 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 5.080. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Altria Group also updated its FY24 guidance to $5.00-5.15 EPS.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MO. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. UBS Group reiterated a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.22.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Report on MO

Altria Group Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of MO stock traded down $0.34 during trading on Friday, reaching $41.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 10,856,439 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,320,962. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $41.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.26. Altria Group has a one year low of $39.06 and a one year high of $48.11. The company has a market cap of $73.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.66.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 35.58% and a negative return on equity of 237.91%. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Altria Group will post 4.95 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.47%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 79.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Robert Matthews Davis acquired 1,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $40.50 per share, for a total transaction of $48,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares in the company, valued at $343,156.50. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,248,000 after acquiring an additional 6,324 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after acquiring an additional 89,334 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter valued at about $498,000. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Malaysia is actively developing a strategy to attract more than 5 million tourists from China this year.

Ammar Abd Ghapar, director-general of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), said the strategy includes increasing flight frequencies from China and encouraging new airlines in the country to consider promoting Malaysia as a top destination of choice.

Speaking after welcoming Loong Air's inaugural flight from China's Hangzhou at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Feb. 2, the official said that Malaysia is encouraging more charter flights from China to implement the initiative and leveraging with travel agents and airlines to increase the frequency of flights from maybe twice a week to the target of four flights a week.

He said the target is also in line with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China this year, in addition to boosting tourism efforts for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

He was also optimistic that Tourism Malaysia can reach the target of between 5 million and 7 million Chinese tourists for this year, which means a five-fold increase on last years Chinese arrivals, in line with the 30-day visa exemption initiative for Chinese and Indian tourists which started on Dec. 1, 2023.

Earlier, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said China is a key tourist source market to Malaysia and remains in the top six markets for tourist arrivals into Malaysia.

In 2023, Malaysia received about 1.4 million Chinese tourists and in total about 18 million international tourist arrivals with US$14.02 billion in tourism expenditure.

Yeoh Soon Hin said that the new route from Hangzhou, new routes and package flights connecting first- and second-tier cities in China with Malaysia are expected to be able to meet the growing demand of tourists from China.

Loong Air plans to operate three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to KLIA and round trip in the opposite direction.
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NOTE  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $1.82 and traded as low as $1.15. FiscalNote shares last traded at $1.24, with a volume of 2,312,623 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, BTIG Research downgraded shares of FiscalNote from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $6.25.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FiscalNote

FiscalNote Trading Up 12.5 %

The company has a market capitalization of $186.09 million, a P/E ratio of -1.76 and a beta of 0.34. The stocks 50 day moving average is $1.09 and its 200-day moving average is $1.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.74.

FiscalNote (NYSE:NOTE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 14th. The company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.04. FiscalNote had a negative net margin of 97.67% and a negative return on equity of 89.16%. The company had revenue of $34.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.52 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. will post -0.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at FiscalNote

In related news, CEO Tim Hwang sold 35,882 shares of FiscalNote stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.01, for a total transaction of $36,240.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,868,414 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,897,098.14. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 62,626 shares of company stock valued at $64,946 in the last three months. Company insiders own 50.78% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FiscalNote

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Citigroup Inc. bought a new position in FiscalNote in the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Worth Venture Partners LLC boosted its stake in FiscalNote by 35.0% in the 2nd quarter. Worth Venture Partners LLC now owns 44,670 shares of the companys stock worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 11,570 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in FiscalNote in the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in FiscalNote by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 376,563 shares of the companys stock worth $2,384,000 after purchasing an additional 11,931 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP bought a new position in FiscalNote in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors own 42.76% of the companys stock.

FiscalNote Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FiscalNote Holdings, Inc operates as technology company. It combines artificial intelligence technology, machine learning, and other technologies with analytics, workflow tools, and expert research. The company delivers that intelligence through its suite of public policy and issues management products, as well as powerful tools to manage workflows, advocacy campaigns, and constituent relationships.

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Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01, Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 243.71% and a net margin of 33.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. Altria Group updated its FY24 guidance to $5.00-5.15 EPS and its FY 2024 guidance to 5.000-5.150 EPS.

Altria Group Trading Down 0.9 %

MO stock traded down $0.36 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.36. The companys stock had a trading volume of 10,858,891 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,610,558. The company has a market cap of $73.15 billion, a PE ratio of 9.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group has a 12 month low of $39.06 and a 12 month high of $48.11. The firms 50-day moving average is $41.15 and its 200-day moving average is $42.23.

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Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.48%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. StockNews.com upgraded Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Bank of America reduced their price target on Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. UBS Group restated a sell rating and set a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MO

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Robert Matthews Davis acquired 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $40.50 per share, with a total value of $48,600.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Altria Group

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Simmons Bank increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 39,392 shares of the companys stock worth $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares in the last quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC now owns 31,007 shares of the companys stock worth $1,304,000 after buying an additional 2,122 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Altria Group by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 773,980 shares of the companys stock worth $35,050,000 after buying an additional 133,685 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 1,276,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,814,000 after purchasing an additional 200,981 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,459,613 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,377,000 after purchasing an additional 32,844 shares during the last quarter. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. (NYSE:MHNC  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 1.8% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $18.26 and last traded at $18.26. 2,021 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 31% from the average session volume of 2,928 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.94.

Maiden Holdings North America Stock Up 1.8 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $18.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.18.

Maiden Holdings North America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $0.4844 per share. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th.

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Swiss National Bank lowered its holdings in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 11.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,581,090 shares of the companys stock after selling 939,300 shares during the period. Procter & Gamble comprises about 0.9% of Swiss National Banks portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Swiss National Bank owned about 0.32% of Procter & Gamble worth $1,105,778,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. State Street Corp grew its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 103,104,467 shares of the companys stock worth $15,645,072,000 after acquiring an additional 817,674 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 46,754,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,936,343,000 after buying an additional 510,559 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,717,246,000 after buying an additional 4,959,527 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,535,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,840,449,000 after buying an additional 38,495,676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,752,321,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on PG. Truist Financial upped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. 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, January 24th. 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. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.06.

Procter & Gamble Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of Procter & Gamble stock traded down $1.09 on Friday, hitting $158.09. The company had a trading volume of 7,937,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,352,462. The stock has a market capitalization of $371.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.48, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 0.45. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $135.83 and a 1 year high of $159.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $149.41 and a 200-day moving average of $150.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 34.04% 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 prior year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th will be issued a $0.9407 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 18th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.98%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 45,000 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.00, for a total value of $7,020,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 973 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $151,788. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,097,637.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.00, for a total transaction of $7,020,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 973 shares of the companys stock, valued at $151,788. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 318,956 shares of company stock valued at $48,991,013 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

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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Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (OTCMKTS:TKGBY  Get Free Report) fell 2.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $2.00 and last traded at $2.00. 7,395 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 80,925 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.06.

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Trading Down 2.9 %

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.86.

About Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.

(Get Free Report)

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. provides various banking products and services. It offers current, savings, time and term deposit, ELMA, structured deposit, and gold accounts; and general purpose, auto, revolving, house, discount, SME project, installment, working capital, foreign currency, mortgage, and other loans, as well as spot TL and foreign currency, letters of guarantee and reference, and overdraft accounts.

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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. High 34F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. High around 35F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Editor's note:

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, has been officially listed as a U.N. floating holiday as of 2024. This year, it falls on Feb. 10. To enjoy a traditional and fascinating Spring Festival, the most important festival for Chinese people, here are 16 days with unique traditions you won't want to miss this holiday season.

Day 3, House-cleaning Day (Feb. 3, 2024)









Families traditionally clean their homes on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, seven days before Spring Festival, in preparation for the Lunar New Year. In 2024, the House-cleaning Day falls on Feb. 3.





In the past, families would sweep the courtyard, clean household appliances, wash bedclothes and dredge the farm ditches on this day. The tradition of thoroughly cleaning one's house carries the meaning of dispelling diseases and praying for good health in the coming year.





Day 2, Little New Year (Feb. 2 or 3, 2024)

Little New Year, regarded as the prologue to Spring Festival, is celebrated on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month in North China and on the 24th day of the same month in South China, eight or seven days before Spring Festival. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, respectively.







This day is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God and families usually make offerings to the deity on the day. It is said that the Kitchen God returns to heaven on this day to submit his annual report to the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity of Taoism). Therefore, families offer sticky sweets to him in order to sweeten his tongue so that he only reports good things. Family members, especially children, also enjoy more sweets on this day.





Day 1, Laba Festival (Jan. 18, 2024)

Traditionally, Spring Festival countdown preparations begin on Laba Festival, the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, the last month of a lunar year. In 2024, it falls on Jan. 18.





Laba Festival was originally held to mark the Buddha's enlightenment and has since evolved into a popular folk festival. Eating Laba porridge on this day is an established tradition, as the porridge symbolizes good fortune, long life and a fruitful harvest.





The specialty is usually made with at least eight ingredients; therefore, it is also called eight-treasure porridge. Filled with cereals, beans, nuts and dried fruits, today's Laba porridge is both tasty and nourishing. Local festive food also includes Laba wine, Laba noodle soup, garlic pickled in vinegar and pickled Chinese cabbage.





More about Laba Festival

 Chinese keywords and Laba Festival

 From mom-made porridge to Laba Festival




ELKO  The audience inside the G Three Bar Theater didnt have far to go for the next performance on Thursday night.

Fans of cowboy poetry and music began to fill the Pioneer Saloon, ordering drinks from the bar and sitting at small tables surrounded by three, four or five people.

Most people unable to get a seat, stood in groups in and around the saloon. They watched as the seating area by the fireplace was quickly transformed into a stage for the late-night Jam Session featuring Geno Delafose and the French Rockin Boogie.

After a sound-check, the bands toe-tapping Zydeco melodies filled the narrow room. Some people captured the moment on their phones, while others got a dance partner and found enough space to twirl and move to the beat.

My music is supposed to move you, Delafose said. Its happy, good-time music. It puts pep in your step and dip in your hip.

Before the Jam Session started, Delafose said he has played Zydeco for 46 years and has seen it grow to have a larger following thanks to the internet.

Its folk music. Back in the day, to know about Zydeco you had to know someone who knew about it and they would introduce you to it, he said. Now in todays world with modern technology and the internet, you can find Zydeco music, see the dancing and get the origin and roots of it. Its helped put it on the map.

For four years, Delafose and the French Rockin Boogie have performed to enthusiastic audiences of all ages at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Being in Elko is a highlight for him and the band. Im always happy and honored to be here. Its a wonderful event, he said.

The people are wonderful. They come from all over, they enjoy the music and appreciate the music, Delafose said. They accept us with open arms, so we love it.

It also gives the band a chance to make people happy, he added.

Its music that makes you forget your troubles for a little while. You live, love, dance and have a good time, Delafose said.

First-time visitors

Among the crowd in at the Pioneer Saloon waiting for the Jam Session to start was Crystal Munoz of Northern California. A first-time visitor to the Gathering, she said she always wanted to come to Elko and was taking notes on the ones I like.

Im a total newbie. I dont know who all these people are, Munoz said. So far, Ive loved everybody. There hasnt been a person I didnt like.

Munoz also took in the Basque cooking and Day at the Ranch workshops and was looked forward to Jeff Mundells keynote speech.

Its been an eye-opening experience for a self-proclaimed city girl who has lived among Northern California ranchers for a decade and is a member of the local cattlewomens association.

Munoz said shes taking in all the events and activities, including the Jam Session and Friday and Saturday night dances.

I didnt know about cowboys or poetry. Its like trying to learn about a whole different culture, Munoz said. Jeffs message about the grasslands, cattle, ecosystem, ecology, biodiversity, thats what Ill bring back to my group to get them inspired.

Jan Streming of Denver, Colorado, another first-time visitor to the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, was among those in the crowd, listening to the music and watching the activity.

One show on her schedule was sold out, so she decided to see what the Jam Session was like.

These guys are good, she said. The only problem is I cant hear them so I had to leave.

Since arriving on Monday, Streming said she met poet Yvonne Hollenbeck, who signed a copy of her book, and made five new friends. For the rest of the Gathering, she said she planned to see Dave Stamey onstage and attend shows to discover new favorite artists.

Mostly, what Im looking forward to is giving my ears a treat, Streming said.

Rockin from Cajun country

Before the Jam Session, Delafose talked about his music and his home in Mamou, Louisiana, an hour north of Lafayette. His band was among the featured performers for Delafose farms rice and soybean and raise cattle on big, green, lush pastures back home.

Delafose said he looks forward to performing in Elko and meeting other cowboy poets and musicians who have similar experiences, trading stories about the highs and lows of working the land.

This is what I love so much about the Gathering. So many of the performers and artists here we all share that passion for outdoors, country lifestyles, western living, he said. We all have stories, but theyre all about the same, just different parts of the world.

Ive never played an event like this until I came here, he said. Its one of the top events I play.

The French Rockin Boogie performed with Sam Platts and the Plainsman and Wylie and the Wild West at the Big Band Show on Wednesday night.

This is a very prestigious event for me, Delafose said. Ive always wanted to meet cattle people, horse people, foremen, ranchers and musicians like myself who share that same passion we can all relate to one another. Its a wonderful thing.
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Funeral services will be held this week for a Stonewall man who died Friday from injuries sustained in a natural gas pipeli
The Arizona Land Department violated the open meetings law in approving a pipeline to carry mine wastes across a section of ecologically sensitive state land, opponents of a large planned copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains claim in a lawsuit.

The suit accuses the Land Department of failing to disclose in late 2022 that it was recommending approval of a tailings pipeline to its Board of Land Appeals as part of an application by Hudbay Minerals Inc. for a right-of-way.

The departments November 2022 recommendation was to allow two aboveground, 24-inch water pipelines across a small section of the state-owned Santa Rita Experimental Range. That state parcel abuts private land slated for Hudbays planned Copper World complex of multiple open-pit mines southeast of Tucson.

That recommendation was on the agenda for the land boards Dec. 8 meeting, at which it approved the right-of-way to serve Copper World.

In their lawsuit, the opponents allege that emails written by Land Department officials show the approval allows Hudbay to run the tailings pipeline and five other pipelines with various purposes across an 11-acre section of the 52,000-acre experimental range.

Filing the suit Jan. 19 were the conservation group Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and the Sahuarita-based pecan grower Farmers Investment Company, known as FICO. Theyve both fought Copper World and its predecessor the Rosemont Mine since the latter was first proposed in 2005.

Land Department spokeswoman Lynn Cordova told the Star in an email, Our department does not comment on pending litigation.

Hudbay emailed the Star, We will respond to the lawsuit in due course.

Document didnt mention tailings

Under the right-of-way agreement, Hudbay will pay the state close to $64,000 every 10 years, during the right-of-ways 30-year tenure that expires in December 2052. The pipeline would connect the Copper World complex with non-contiguous, Hudbay-owned land where tailings would be disposed.

After the state land board approved the right-of-way that December, department officials then secretly expanded the pipeline plan from two to six lines, including the tailings pipeline, the lawsuit says. The department gave a final signoff to the right-of-way at the end of January 2023, as shown in a Land Department approval document obtained by opponents through a public records request.

But that document also made no mention of the tailings pipeline. The document said the right-of-ways purpose was for a Non Exclusive Access and Service Road(s), Overhead Electric Transmission Lines(s), a 48-count fiber optic communication line for internal purposes only and six above-ground 24" transmission lines."

These material revisions to the right-of-way constituted legal action taken by defendants outside of a public meeting, and entirely without notice, in violation of the Open Meetings Law, says the lawsuit.

The opponents base much of their case on emails between an official of Rosemont Copper, Hudbays Arizona subsidiary, and a Land Department official from late 2022 and early 2023.

The emails showed that the Rosemont Copper official, Robin Barnes, told the Land Department official, Michael Romero, that the company was proposing a tailings pipeline prior to the Board of Land Appeals vote to approve the right-of-way.

Toxicity, spills potential debated

In the lawsuit and accompanying documents, the opponents said theyre concerned about a spill of tailings into the experimental range if the pipeline were to rupture.

The experimental range, run by the University of Arizona, describes itself as a world-class facility because of the long-term historical and biological databases maintained there on the restoration, protection, and management of semiarid grasslands in the arid Southwest.

The suit said mine tailings are finely ground toxic waste created during ore processing. Copper tailings in particular often contain arsenic, lead, cadmium and uranium, among other metals. Tailings pipelines sometimes rupture, leak or otherwise fail, causing environmental harm and hazards to human health.

To back up its concern about a possible pipeline failure, Save the Santa Ritas gave the Star a 2012 report on copper mine tailings spills and other incidents from the national environmental group Earthworks. It dealt with what it said is the track record of water quality impacts resulting from pipeline spills, tailings failures and water collection and treatment failures. It studied 14 copper mines in five Western states, including nine in Arizona.

Summarizing its findings, the report said, At 14 of the 14 mines, pipeline spills or other accidental releases occurred. The most frequent spills were reported at the Ray Mine in Arizona, where over fifty pipeline spills occurred from 1988 to 2012.

Examples of recent pipeline spills include a 2012 spill at the Ray Mine which washed tailings into the Gila River, and a 2008 pipeline spill at the Morenci Mine of 186,000 gallons of sulfuric acid along two miles of Chase Creek  a tributary of the San Francisco River.

Hudbays email to the Star disputed opponents characterization of copper tailings as toxic, saying, Tailings are not toxic under any normal understanding of the word.

Tailings are ground up rock after all of the recoverable metals have been separated out. They are transported through pipelines as a slurry, which is simply the ground up rock mixed with water.

As part of Hudbays application for an aquifer protection permit for Copper World from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the company used modeling to describe the mine tailings chemical composition, Hudbay said.

In summary, the seepage from the tailings is expected to meet all (state) aquifer water quality standards and even EPAs primary drinking water standards, the company said.

Hudbay also noted the right-of-way it obtained for the pipeline includes a comprehensive environmental indemnity that would require Copper World to remedy any environmental issues arising from our use of the area and to protect State Land from any damages.

Further, the tailings pipelines at Copper World will either be double-lined or located within secondary containment systems to reduce the possibility of any environmental impacts in the unlikely event of a spill. The pipeline will be equipped with multiple redundant systems for leak detection, that would immediately shut down the system if a leak developed, Hudbay said.

Opponents emphasize the experimental ranges ecologic importance, and their suit asks the Land Department to void its approval of the pipeline.

The range is one of the most important state-owned land conservation research centers in the United States. The range is managed by the University of Arizona and is legally required to conduct ecological and rangeland research, said Dick Walden, Farmers Investment Co.s president and CEO.

The state should be doing everything in its power to protect the environmental integrity of the range rather than secretly working with a foreign mining company to allow mine tailings pipelines to cross the range with absolutely no environmental review, he said.

But Toronto-based Hudbay told the Star, The Santa Rita Experimental Range was notified about the right-of-way prior to its approval, and didnt object as it is not expected to have any impact on their research activities.

Waste disposal key to mine

The pipeline would be central to Hudbays ability to operate Copper World.

Hudbay has proposed mining 92,000 tons of copper annually during its first decade of operations, a pre-feasibility study it published on the mine last year said. Hudbay has said it would create 400 permanent, high-paying jobs at the mine, and has projected that income from those jobs and other factors would generate another 3,000 jobs.

It plans to build Copper World first on the west slope of the mountain range using four open pits. That project would be an alternative to its now-shelved Rosemont Mine proposal on the Santa Ritas east slope, which was stopped by unfavorable federal court rulings in 2019 and 2022. The company has said that over time, it will return to the east slope to build another pit, and that it will focus its operations on 5,500 acres of its private land on both sides of the mountain range.

It plans to operate the entire Copper World project over 44 years, with the first phase lasting 20 years.

But to operate the mine, Hudbay has to find a way to dispose of its waste rock and tailings. Its attempt to place them on U.S. Forest Service land near the original Rosemont site was rebuffed by a federal judge in Tucson in 2019.

U.S. District Court Judge James Soto ruled in favor of a suit by opponents who alleged the placement of Rosemont tailings on federal land would violate the 1872 Mining Law because those forest lands arent known to contain valuable minerals  a requirement for the filing of federal land mining claims.

Later, Hudbay planned to run a tailings pipeline on neighboring U.S. Bureau of Land Management land to take its tailings to disposal areas on its private land on the west slope. But it eventually opted to run a tailings pipeline through state land, where it would not have to face what could be a time-consuming federal review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Hudbay made a strategic decision to work with state regulators to secure a right-of-way for the infrastructure that will connect two of Copper Worlds private properties, currently separated by BLM and state lands, the company told the Star.

Working with the Arizona State Land Department offered a more timely and predictable process for obtaining this authorization while also providing funding for Arizonas public school system. The Land Department puts money it receives from the sale or lease of its land into public schools.

This is super huge for us

Mine opponents case against the Land Department rests on a series of emails and other documents they obtained from the department via public records requests. But while they filed such requests in April and June 2023, they said they didnt get a lot of the most important records they requested until December.

That came after they hired David Bodney, a longtime Phoenix lawyer with an extensive background in dealing with public records, and after Bodney notified the department of possible litigation, they said.

The only mention made of the tailings pipeline in any record they got from the state  other than in email correspondence between Land Department and Hudbay officials  was found in a Sept. 1, 2022 letter from an archeological compliance specialist for the department to Michael Romero, the departments Rights of Way Project Leader.

The letter said Hudbays Arizona subsidiary, Rosemont Copper Co., had filed a right-of-way application to gain use of 11.4 acres of state land for installation and maintenance of an access road, fresh water pipeline, tailings pipeline, process water return pipeline, electrical services and telecommunications ...

But on Nov. 28, 2022, Robin Barnes of Rosemont Copper emailed Romero that the description of the project in the Land Departments formal application form does not match the current projected uses of the right of way.

Our application provides for 3 above-ground pipelines and we expect to have 3 above-ground pipelines for tailings, sand, reclaimed water and other uses. Do these need to be included in the recommendations being described to the Board? asked Barnes, Rosemont Coppers land manager, referring to the Land Departments Board of Appeals that was scheduled to hear the companys application on Dec. 8, 2022.

Romero quickly emailed back, No, the Board only reviews the value. I can change the description in our system.

On Dec. 6, Romero wrote to Barnes, We will correct the water line numbers in our system. Since the number of water lines does not affect the value, were ok. The Boards purpose is to approve the valuation.

Two minutes later, Barnes replied, The current no. of pipelines is 6. I am not sure my prior email was clear. Thank you.

Romero replied, Noted.

The departments official agenda for that meeting again described Hudbays project as only including an access road, an electric transmission line, the fiber optic line and two 24-inch water transmission lines. This item, like two other right-of-way proposals, was placed on that meetings consent agenda. Consent agendas are typically reserved by most government bodies for routine, non-controversial items.

After the board approved the right of way on Dec. 8, Romero emailed Barnes, Congratulations.

Barnes emailed back, I cant thank you enough. This is super huge for us.

Asked by the Star about that comment, Hudbay replied, It was an important step in our development process and she was showing appreciation to Department staff who had worked on the project.

Not aware of the true purpose

In a declaration filed as part of the opponents lawsuit, Save the Santa Ritas President Thomas Nelson wrote that if the group had known in advance of the true purpose of Hudbays proposed right of way, it would have communicated its concerns to the Land Department. Nan Walden, vice president of FICO, echoed Nelsons statement in her declaration for the lawsuit.

Because the Board of Appeals agenda referred to the right-of-way as including water pipelines rather than a tailings pipeline, we were not aware of the true purpose and scope of the proposed use for the right-of-way. I only learned the true scope and purpose of the right-of-way via documents the Land Department provided in response to SSSRs public records requests as late as December 2023, Nelson wrote.

Board of Appeals Chairman Travis Bard and Vice Chairman Bruce Francis declined to tell the Star how they would have voted or otherwise responded if the Land Department agenda had mentioned that the right of way for Hudbay would be for a mine tailings pipeline.

On Friday, Francis responded by email, Whenever there is ongoing litigation we refer all inquiries to the Land Departments Public Information Officer, Lynn Cordova. I hope this is helpful.

On Thursday, Bard said in a telephone interview, Thats been 14 months ago. I dont remember specific details of that. I dont really have a comment. The details of that are a chapter past me. Last year was a different chapter.
VMPL

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 3: Narayana Health, one of India's leading healthcare providers, has released a touching brand film that emphasizes its commitment to an integrated approach to cancer care. Aligned with the theme of World Cancer Day this year, "Close the Care Gap," the campaign reflects Narayana Health's commitment to compassionate care and a focus on cancer treatment. As a part of this initiative, patients get a free second opinion from cancer specialists across the Narayana Health network.

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The brand film takes viewers through the various facets of a doctor's daily life, portraying him as a loving father, a kind stranger, and a devoted oncologist.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efw5dZVVcoM

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It starts with him being a loving father, smoothly transitioning to a scene where he helps an old man enter into an elevator that is on the verge of closing. While on his way to work, he halts his car to facilitate the safe crossing of an elderly woman, showcasing both care and attention. Later, as an oncologist in the hospital, he treats the same elderly lady, who visits his OPD as a cancer patient along with her grandson.

This engaging sequence not only highlights the doctor's versatility in playing different roles with the same dedication & compassion but also symbolizes Narayana Health's empathetic approach to patient care. The theme of the brand film encapsulates the institution's ethos: "Care is not something you do; it comes from within you."

Commenting on the brand film, Dr Ashish Bajaj, Chief Marketing Officer of Narayana Health, said, "Through this film, we celebrate those exceptional individuals who consistently go the extra mile in their everyday lives. At Narayana Health, empathy is not a choice; it is an integral part of our DNA & forms the essence of our caregiving philosophy. Every member of our team, including our dedicated doctors, nurses, technicians & support staff exemplifies the power of care in both their personal and professional lives. Through these small gestures, we make a big impact on the journey of healing and hope for our patients. This film is a tribute to the genuine care that defines us and strengthens our mission to make a difference in every life we touch."

The ICMR's National Cancer Registry Programme Report projected a 12% rise in cancer cases by 2025. As per estimates, there will be about 15.7 lakh cancer cases by 2025. The alarming surge in cancer cases has led Narayana Health to refocus on oncology, transforming its major hospitals into comprehensive cancer care centres equipped with top-notch medical, surgical, and radiation facilities.

The Brand Film went live on 2nd February 2024. Narayana Health has launched a massive pan India campaign around the same targeting all major mediums.

Campaign Links:

Facebook - https://fb.watch/pYqm4R4kK2/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/C21poTNI5zL/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7159101235264958465

Twitter - https://x.com/NarayanaHealth/status/1753340070994857996?s=20

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efw5dZVVcoM

Narayana Health, founded by the visionary cardiac surgeon Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty and headquartered in Bengaluru, is a leading presence in the global healthcare landscape. As one of the largest healthcare providers in India, Narayana Health offers a comprehensive range of super-specialty tertiary care facilities, establishing itself as the ultimate destination for healthcare needs. Narayana Health has grown exponentially, expanding its reach to include a vast network of 45 healthcare facilities, both domestically and internationally. This network comprises 18 owned/operated hospitals, one managed hospital, three heart centers, 21 primary healthcare facilities, and a hospital in the Cayman Islands. With a total bed capacity of 6,164 beds, Narayana Health is committed to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare services to those in need. - www.narayanahealth.org

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NewsVoir

New Delhi [India], February 3: Swiss Watch Brand, Rado, known for its innovation in the area of materials and design, launched the new Anatom at the India Art Fair 2024 embracing the successful 40 years of its predecessor. The new Anatom features a stunning rounded edge-to-edge sapphire crystal and a high-tech ceramic case perfectly fitting the wrist. A timepiece designed to last a lifetime, at the pinnacle of both aesthetics and wearer comfort.

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The first Anatom watch was launched in 1983 and quickly drew worldwide attention, thanks to its ergonomic shape in close harmony with the human wrist. The innovative merging of timepiece contours and design into more subtle "anatomical" aspects not only brought greater comfort but beautiful visual flow. It set the stage for a product line that spanned four decades and which everyone noticed, the world over.

Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard on the unveiling of the launch said, "I am very proud to present to you the latest evolution in the Anatom Journey, with an astonishing step forward, in a totally new case made of the latest Rado high-tech ceramic, from our best engineers and watchmakers. In the true spirit of the earlier watch, our R&D team has revisited this iconic product, updating key aspects with Rado's signature material and the latest production technics including a stunning edge-to-edge sapphire crystal impressively shaped to follow the anatomical contours of the new timepiece."

Also Read | Odisha: PM Narendra Modi Unveils Several Infrastructure Projects Worth Over Rs 68,000 Crore in State (Watch Video).

For the first time, a textured rubber strap is used, for a slightly sportier feel, alongside a high-tech ceramic case whose smooth surface totally invites touch. The new Anatom is not only shaped for comfort but brings the exceptionally sensuous feel that only high-tech ceramics can provide, and visually, the various elements merge together perfectly.

Discover the four new Anatom references. They stand today as they did in 1983 - for timeless unique design and incomparable wearing pleasure.

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VMPL

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 3: The event also marks the launch of The Digital Fifth's Accelerator Program. It will provide a launchpad for innovative startups seeking funding in angel, pre-series, or series A rounds through its accelerator program. Aimed at tapping the ever-evolving banking and financial services ecosystem, the second edition of Bharat Fintech Summit will focus on the growth of enterprise Fintech and the digitization of retail and SME financing in India by 2030.

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To be held in Mumbai on February 7 and 8, 2024, the Bharat Fintech Summit will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on the ever-evolving Fintech ecosystem with a deep impact on BFSI Business Models.

The fintech industry in India is now amongst the best in the world and is expected to contribute significantly to India's target of becoming a $7 trillion economy by 2030.

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While B2C fintech companies have received attention for achieving unicorn status and pursuing IPOs, the exceptional growth of Indian Enterprise Fintechs often goes unnoticed. This event will focus on the B2B aspect of the fintech industry, which is helping the entire BFSI industry go digital. B2B space is getting redefined are LendingTech where entities like Perfios Software Solutions, Backbase, Vayana, Finbox, Finezza, and Synoriq are doing extensive work B2B Lending space, Payment Tech: Zaggle, Bharatpe, EPS, Transbank, Plural by Pine Lab, Wibmo, Regtech where entities like Signzy, Spice Route Legal are doing extensive work. Some of the B2B entities are also tasting success in the equity market by going public.

Entities like AdvantageClub (HRMS), Cygnet Digital (GST), Stellapps (Dairy Ecosystem), Tally (Accounting platform) Hyperface (Cards) are creating unique ecosystems to augment the existing systems to drive innovation and inclusiveness.

On the other side Regulated entities like Airtel Payments Bank, Karnataka Bank, Axis Mutual Fund, Bureau, Credit Saison, Kinara are supporting the fintechs to offer digitally enabled products to the end customers.

Industry experts believe that Secured Lending, MSME lending, B2B payments, Cross-Border Payments, and Insurance will see a significant digital push in 2024.

The Bharat Fintech Summit aims to provide deep insights into the present and future trends that will shape the sector. Innovation, Digitisation, Globalisation, and Inclusion are the key themes covered across the panel discussions planned during the two-day summit.

Spread over five tracks, with 40+ panels and 250+ speakers, the Summit fosters collaboration among key financial players, aligning with India's advancement in digital Finance.

The summit will host 50 + expo booths, master classes, and product demos showcasing innovation in payments, lending, wealth, open banking, and more.

The event also marks the launch of The Digital Fifth's Accelerator Program. Itwill provide a launchpad for innovative startups seeking funding in angel, pre-series, or series A rounds through its accelerator program.

"Our primary objective is to empower each participant with valuable insights and knowledge, facilitating collaborative efforts tocatalyze innovation and advancing digitization. We aspire to pave the way for the extensive dissemination of Digital financial services to even the remotest corners, ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution reach the farthest segments of our society," said, Sameer Singh Jaini, Founder of The Digital Fifth.

Jaini also said that Banks and NBFCs will evolve to become fully digital for the Retail and MSME segments in the next 10 years. This would mean cheaper and more accessible financial services for a broader audience.

Detailed discussions on topics like the convergence of digital payments and credit, reimagining the future of financial services through digital public infrastructure, how small banks are leading the inclusion agenda of the country and evolution of due diligence in fintech investments will take place at the summit.

For more information visit: https://www.bharatfintechsummit.com/agenda

https://www.bharatfintechsummit.com/event-details/bharat-fintech-summit-2024-2

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BusinessWire India

New Delhi [India], February 3: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is thrilled to welcome to its Board of Directors, Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO, Raj Shah, Co-CEO, MSI Surfaces, Alex Rogers, President of Global Affairs and Qualcomm Technology Licensing for Qualcomm Incorporated, and Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar Capital.

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Joe Ucuzoglu who succeeded Punit Renjen as Deloitte Global CEO in January 2023 also replaces Renjen on USISPF's Board. As Global CEO of the largest professional services organization in the world, Ucuzoglu remains actively engaged with many of Deloitte's clients as well as a range of external stakeholders, working to ensure that Deloitte is consistently leveraging the full breadth of its services to deliver impactful results for clients and communities.

Prashant Ruia is a second-generation entrepreneur of the Ruia family that founded Essar. He has been an integral part of Essar's operations and management since 1985, playing a key role in driving the growth, diversification, and value creation, both within India and internationally. Under his leadership, Essar is transitioning its existing assets towards a greener economy and investing in sector-transforming sustainable businesses.

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Rajesh (Raj) Shah, along with his brother Rupesh Shah is President and Co-CEO at MS International, a leading importer and distributor of countertops, flooring, wall tile, and landscaping products in North America. The company was started in 1975 by Raj's parents, Manu and Rika Shah, founders of MSI, and first-generation immigrants to the United States.

Alex Rogers has been in numerous leadership roles since joining Qualcomm in 2001. Currently, he is a member of the Company's executive committee and is responsible for government and public affairs, export compliance, corporate responsibility and leads Qualcomm's patent licensing business.

Speaking on the recent appointments to the USISPF Board, USISPF President and CEO, Dr. Mukesh Aghi said: "The additions of Joe, Alex, Prashant, and Raj accentuate the growing synergy in U.S.-India ties across fields of critical and emerging technology, especially in semiconductors to deepening trade relations and collaborating in new domains in hydrogen and biofuels to build a clean energy economy. 2023 was a monumental year, with the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit and President Biden's visit to India for a successful G20 Summit. With our ever-expanding Board and new captains of industry and distinguished leaders from the private sector, USISPF is better positioned than ever to build on the commercial and geostrategic aspects of the partnership in 2024."

Commenting on his addition to the USISPF Board, Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO added: "I am thrilled to join the Board of USISPF, an organization that is key to strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and India and providing an important platform for stakeholders to come together to create meaningful opportunities for business, government and society overall."

Alex Rogers, President of Global Affairs and Qualcomm Technology Licensing for Qualcomm Incorporated spoke about the importance of U.S.-India technology ties and said: "The U.S. and India are uniquely positioned to use connectivity, processing, and artificial intelligence to advance the public good and stimulate economic growth. Qualcomm Technologies and employees have been an integral part of India's digital revolution over the past 25 years. We are proud to be part of the solution as digitization transforms the lives of people everywhere, whether it is how they work, connect, socialize, or interact with the environment."

USISPF Chairman John Chambers congratulated the new appointees and added: "After all the groundbreaking accomplishments 2023 brought for the U.S.-India partnership, I'm excited for the new year with the addition of these well-accomplished leaders to the USISPF Board. Alex, Prashant, Raj, and Joe will add even more breadth to USISPF's roster of private-sector experts, underscoring the passion from Fortune 250 companies to increase relations and business pursuits between the U.S. and India. These exciting appointments - along with others we've announced this year - position us for even greater success in the years to come."

Commenting on his appointment to the Board of Directors, Ruia thanked USISPF Chairman John Chambers and USISPF President and CEO, Dr. Mukesh Aghi and said: "I am thrilled to step onto the prestigious platform of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) as a member of its Board of Directors. This appointment resonates with the mutual commitment to advancing stronger economic ties between the United States and India. I look forward to leveraging my experience to enhance collaboration, drive innovation, and further strengthen the strategic partnership between these two great nations, especially in fostering sustainability and ESG. We find ourselves in a momentous period for the diplomatic ties between the United States and India, and I am pleased to contribute to this significant endeavor."

Raj Shah, Co-CEO, MSI Surfaces, spoke about what the U.S.-India relationship personally means to his family's success story and said: "India is playing an integral role in manufacturing and providing services to consumers in the United States. We look forward to working with the USISPF Board to continue to strengthen ties between the U.S. and India."

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New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): The Department of Rheumatology, AIIMS New Delhi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Employment (DGE), Minister of Labour and Employment, at Shram Shakti Bhawan in the national capital.

The MoU with DGE, signed on Thursday, is tipped to bring a ray of hope to patients with disabilities arising due to rheumatological disorders by addressing various aspects of their challenges.

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The MoU will help instill hope in patients regarding their livelihood. It may provide institutionalised support for their economic upliftment and offer better opportunities for vocational rehabilitation, thereby fostering resilience among the patients.

Patients with rheumatological diseases often possess employable skills but lack the necessary certifications. Through collaboration with the National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (NCSC-DA), MoU aims to help these individuals obtain certifications for their skills, enhancing their chances of gainful employment. Furthermore, training in various industrial trades based on their residual skills can open doors to new opportunities.

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The chronic nature of rheumatological illnesses often leads to a significant caregiver burden among family members and relatives. Economic independence resulting from the MoU's initiatives is expected to alleviate this burden, providing relief to the caregivers and empowering patients.

The MoU creates opportunities for patients with disabilities to participate in job fares organised by NCSC-DA enabling them to secure gainful employment and progress in their careers. This aligns with the recent advances in the employment landscape made by the Directorate General of Employment, offering new avenues for such patients.

Stressors associated with rheumatological diseases have been linked to poor control of disease despite optimum therapy. The better economic prospects facilitated by the MoU are anticipated to improve the overall quality of life for these patients, their relationships, educational status, work environment, social status, wealth, and a sense of security and safety.

The MoU with DGE holds the promise of significantly improving the lives of patients with disabilities developing as a consequence of rheumatological diseases. By instilling hope and providing opportunities for skill certification and gainful employment, it will reduce caregivers' burden and enhance the overall quality of life of such patients. This collaboration is poised to bring about positive and meaningful changes for these individuals with rheumatic diseases with disabilities.

Prof Uma Kumar who signed the MoU on behalf of AIIMS lauded the efforts taken by the Director General of Employment, MoLE towards employment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

The event was graced by Prof. M. Srinivas, Director AIIMS, New Delhi; Arti Ahuja, Secretary M/o Labour & Employment; Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Additional Secretary MoLE; and Amit Nirmal, Deputy Director General (Employment), MoLE, Government of India.

Rheumatological disorders are one of the top 10 reasons for total disability. Patients with rheumatological disorders often face significant challenges, including the development of disabilities, despite receiving appropriate treatment.

Psychological trauma, societal stigmatisation, and the burden of increasing medical costs further exacerbate their struggles.

Additionally, the lack of vocational opportunities and their impact on education and vocation, particularly for those with juvenile-onset diseases, contribute to their overall hardships.

We have seen locomotor impairments in spondyloarthritides, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. There have been visual impairments in certain immune-mediated diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, Sjogren's syndrome, etc.

With neuropsychological involvement, there have been cases of intellectual disabilities too. The need for lifelong treatment adds to the economic burden on the family. Many a time, these patients are left unattended, even by their families. (ANI)

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New Delhi, February 3: With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, the ruling BJP has convened a national convention on February 17-18. The two-day key meeting will be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The inaugural session will be inaugurated on February 17 by the party's national president JP Nadda and the convention will conclude with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's closing or valedictory address on February 18.

However, a day before that, a meeting of BJP's national office bearers has been scheduled. The general secretaries, convenors of cells, presidents of all Morchas, municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats, and district panchayats will be invited to the convention. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP Appoints Election In-Charges, Co-in-Charges for 23 States and Union Territories.

The National Executive, National Council office bearers, district presidents across the country, district in-charges, Lok Sabha in-charges, Cluster in-charges, Lok Sabha convenors, Lok Sabha extensionists, Disciplinary Committee, Finance Committee, chief spokespersons of states, Media Cell convenors, IT Cell officials at different levels from across the country, including convenors, have also been invited to the two-day brain-storming session. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Home Minister Amit Shah To Hold Key Meetings in Telangana on January 28 Ahead of General Polls.

The ruling party has set sights on PM Modi's return to his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence for a third straight term in office in the next general elections, which are scheduled to be held between April and May this year.

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Palghar, Feb 3 (PTI) A 14-year-old boy was killed and a man injured when a speeding truck overturned and hit the tempo they were travelling in on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Saturday, police said.

The accident occurred around 10.30 am at Waghoba Khind on Palghar-Manor Road of the highway, an official said.

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A speeding truck overturned and hit the tempo coming from the opposite direction, killing the boy and injuring the tempo driver, he said.

The tempo was left mangled, and firefighters and police had to extricate the boy's body and rescue the injured driver from the wreckage, the official said.

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The boy's body has been sent to a government hospital for post-mortem, he said, adding that the police are probing into the incident.

The movement of vehicles was affected on the highway for some time due to the accident, it was stated.

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Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], February 3 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy gave a clarion call to the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) cadre to get ready to bring another historic victory for the Party in the ensuing elections by spreading the message of welfare and social justice to the doorstep of people.

Addressing a sea of humanity at the Party's preparatory public meeting 'Siddham' here on Saturday, Chief Minister Reddy told them that YSRCP took birth from the sweat and aspirations of people and its clean sweep only will ensure the continuity of the slew of welfare schemes.

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"Our target is to get clear mandate for 175 assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. A vote for the TDP and Jana Sena will only result in revoking of all welfare schemes," he said.

Stating that he had clicked the button 124 times to disburse a whopping Rs 2,55,000 crore through DBT for welfare schemes to eligible beneficiaries with transparency in the last 57 months, the Chief Minister said and called upon the cadre to advise people to press two buttons for the YSRCP, one for the Assembly and the other for the Lok Sabha in the ensuing elections.

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He further said that, unable to pedal his cycle alone, Chandrababu Naidu, who is a non-resident Andhra, is seeking the support of other non-resident politicians like Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, his coverts in BJP like his sister-in-law and the political parties that ditched the State, to push it through.

"The gang of four, like a pack of wolves, is aiming all sorts of arrows at me, thinking I am alone. But they don't know you are my armour and would teach them a fitting lesson," he said.Asserting that he is the servant of people, a clean sweep of YSRCP will help them get perennial relief from Chandragrahanam, he said, adding that the reality is that Jagan has earned a permanent place in the hearts of crores of people.

"You and God are my confidence and strength, The sea of humanity here proves that if people believe in a leader, the response becomes like this," he said.

The opposition, with the support of the friendly media, has declared a war on welfare, administrative reforms, and the transformation of villages, the Chief Minister said, adding that it is an attack on the transformation of education, schools and the health sector.

"If people want to get the enhanced monthly pension at their door step at sun rise on the first of every month along with the benefits of other welfare schemes without any bias, YSRCP needs to continue in power, and this should be clearly conveyed to the people," he said.

While Chandrababu cannot claim to have even a single achievement to his credit despite ruling the state for 14 years, we have transformed all villages from Kuppam to Ichhapuram by launching the volunteer system, secretariats, RBKs, village clinics, and family doctors, and taking preventive health care to the doorstep of people through Jagananna Arogya Suraksha, he said.

"We have also rendered social justice to SC, ST, BC and minorities by allotting them 68 percent positions in the Cabinet and 50 percent in nominated posts and contracts, besides building 17 new medical colleges, 10 fishing harbours, 4 new sea ports, creating 213, 000 new government job, distributing 31 lakh house site pattas, and constructing 22 lakh houses," he said.

He asked the cadre to become his soldiers and star campaigners and script a historical victory for the YSRCP in the forthcoming elections by defeating the forces led by the TDP. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Montana Tunnels mined gold, silver, zinc and lead at its open-pit mine near Jefferson City, Montana.

But the troubled mine hasnt operated since 2008, and its permit was suspended in 2018 for failure to post an adequate bond. In December 2022, Montana Tunnels filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection.

At the time, Derf Johnson, deputy director for the Montana Environmental Information Center, described the bankruptcy petition as predictable and appalling.

Another shoe dropped on Jan. 25.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality announced it is initiating the bond forfeiture process for the Montana Tunnels mine after the mine failed to make a $1.5 million reclamation bond payment in December that was a court-approved bankruptcy stipulation.

Dan Walsh, DEQs mining bureau chief, addressed the bond forfeiture in a news release.

DEQ has worked diligently with the current operator to come to a resolution, Walsh said. While this wasnt the outcome we were hoping for via the bankruptcy proceedings, we will take the necessary steps to forfeit the bond and allow other operators to consider the mining permit or well ensure that the site is reclaimed.

DEQ holds $23.7 million in bond, and the total required bond for the current site disturbance is $40.9 million. A potential successor would be required to post the difference between the required $40.9 million bond and the bond currently held by DEQ.

DEQ said it could use a small portion of the current bond to maintain the mine during the interim period. If a successor operator is not identified or a situation arises where the property would not be viable for a successor operator, DEQ said it will begin the reclamation process.

DEQ may hold the suspended permit for up to five years before terminating it.

According to the bankruptcy stipulation, the operator is required to make payments toward the reclamation bond on scheduled dates. The initial $1.5 million installment due Nov. 30 was paid and accepted by DEQ. A subsequent $1.5 million payment was due Dec. 31, and complete payment toward the full reclamation bond was due by March 31. The operator previously paid $1.5 million toward the delinquent bond in 2022 as part of an agreement with DEQ to bring the mine into compliance.

When Montana Tunnels announced its intention to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it rang familiar bells for many in the environmental community.

Bonnie Gestring, Northwest program director for Earthworks, said then that the filing was ominous.

Unfortunately, this comes on the heels of a long line of similar bankruptcies at other Montana mines: Pegasus Gold (Zortman/Landusky and Beal Mountain); ASARCO (Mike Horse); W.R. Grace (asbestos in Libby); and Canyon Resources (Kendall Mine), she said.

DEQs bond forfeiture and next steps do not affect property ownership of the mine itself. The majority of the land within the operating permit boundary is private property owned by Montana Tunnels Mining Inc. Some land within the operating permit boundary is federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has unveiled 1,700 fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) cases involving a sum of Rs 18,000 crore in the current financial year up to December 2023.

Moreover, the agency has made 98 arrests in connection with these fraudulent activities across the country, according to the Ministry of Finance.

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In the current financial year, the DGGI has prioritized the identification and apprehension of masterminds orchestrating fake ITC schemes, the release said.

As per the release, DGGI has unravelled cases using data analysis aided by advanced technical tools which led to the arrest of tax evaders.

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These tax syndicates often use gullible persons and entice them with job/commission/bank loans etc to extract their Know Your Customers (KYC) documents which were then used for the creation of fake / shell firms/companies without their knowledge and consent, it stated.

In some cases, the KYC method was used with the knowledge of the concerned person by paying them small pecuniary benefits.

It was gathered by the DGGI that a well-organized racket of fake/bogus firms is operated from Sirsa, Haryana.

Based on data analytics using the E-way bill portal, it was revealed that SD Traders, Delhi, was a newly registered firm having NIL inward supplies at the root level, yet it generated a significant number of E-way bills.

Further, on analysis of outward supplies M/s. S.D. Traders, initially 38 non-existent firms in Delhi and Haryana areas were revealed. On analysis of IP Address, a premises at Sirsa was identified, which was being used for filling GST Returns.

The search was conducted at Sirsa, Haryana, and it was found that a well-organised racket of fake/bogus firms was being operated from the said premises. Certain documentary evidence, 2 Laptops, 7 mobile phones, and various SIM cards were seized and Manoj Kumar, one of the key operators of the racket of fake firms, was arrested from Sirsa by the DGGI. The analysis of outward supplies data indicates a potential evasion of Rs 1,100 crore of fraudulent ITC.

In another interesting case, as per the release, cases against a beneficiary firm based in Jaipur, Rajasthan booked by DGGI for availing ITC from certain fake firms based in Sonipat, Haryana, and Delhi, without receipt of actual goods.

On further investigation, it was revealed that Ashutosh Garg, a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, is the proprietor of Shree Jee Spices, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, was engaged in the creation, operation and selling of fake firms to pass on ineligible ITC for a commission. Searches were conducted at the business premises (Delhi) as well as the residential premises (Ghaziabad) of Garg and related persons.

Crucial evidence has been collected from the above premises which indicate that Garg passed on fake ITC amounting to Rs 1,033 crores through 294 fake firms and received commission @ 1.25 per cent of taxable value. Further, Mr. Garg was arrested and sent to Judicial Custody.

Further as per the release, in another case, intelligence gathered that a specific IP address was utilised for filing GST returns of various unrelated/fake firms in West Sagarpur, Delhi. Accordingly, a search was conducted at Sagarpur, New Delhi, and one desktop, electronics storage device, several mobile phones, chequebooks, rubber stamps, rent agreements, banners, etc were resumed from one Mukesh Kumar Jha.

Kumar informed that he works under the direction of Amit Kumar Jha, Roshan and Vansh Chaudhary and they operate from an office in Uttam Nagar, Delhi.

Accordingly, a search was also conducted at Uttam Nagar, Delhi, and all three persons were found present at the said premises. Based on search and evidence in custody, all four persons admitted their role in a recorded statement admitting the creation and operation of 122 fake firms through which fake ITC of Rs 315 crore was passed on to the recipient firms without concomitant supply of goods/ services. Accordingly, all four masterminds were arrested.

A gathered intelligence indicated that various OPCs (one-person companies) were formed or bought from the market to initiate ITC fraud dealing in the supply of services, mainly using co-working spaces, for commission @4-8 per cent.

Based on gathered intelligence and further analysis, a search was conducted in Pitampura, Delhi and various incriminating documents, Pan Cards, Aadhar Cards having the same photo but different names, 1 laptop, and 4 mobile phones with SIM cards were recovered. Evidence indicated that 190 fake firms were created and ineligible ITC amounting to Rs 393 crore passed on.

One Rahul, who was available at the premise, admitted to being instrumental in operating fake firms, having 6 PAN cards and 5 Aadhar cards forged for obtaining Digital Signatures used in creating/operating the fake firms in Delhi-NCR, was arrested by DGGI and remanded for 14-day judicial custody. (AN)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gorakhpur (UP), Feb 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the entire society will become capable if specially-abled people get empowered and become self-reliant.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the state-level three-day arts and skills exhibition organised by the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities at Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given up the word handicapped and given the word 'Divyangjan' because they have a special power from God."

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"The disabled should not be neglected but they should be given respect and self-reliance," he said.

The chief minister said, "Divyangjans have unlimited inherent talent. There is a need to hone that talent and give them a platform."

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Persons with disabilities deserve encouragement from the government and the society.

He said, "With this spirit, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the double engine government is supporting the specially-abled and taking them on the path of respect and self-reliance."

Boosting the confidence of the specially-abled, the chief minister said if a person has any disability, God compensates for it. Maharishi Ashtavakra, who guided the society through the Upanishads; the great poet Surdas, who depicted the Leelas of Lord Krishna in the medieval period; and in the present times, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and renowned scientist Stephen Hawking are examples of this.

Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh is the land of God's incarnation. Probably this is the first state in the country where two rehabilitation universities - Dr Shakuntala Mishra Rehabilitation University, Lucknow; and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang University, Chitrakoot - are running at the government level, he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], February 3 (ANI): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday that if critical care service is available on time, many lives can be saved in emergency situations.

The Union Minister said this as he inaugurated 24 health facilities across AIIMS Bilaspur, Rishikesh, Gorakhpur, Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar, and Deoghar and laid the foundation stone for 68 health services for AIIMS Jodhpur. He delivered a keynote address at the 4th convocation in AIIMS Jodhpur, Rajasthan, today.

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"He was joined by Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Health Minister, Rajasthan, and Rajendra Gehlot MP, Rajya Sabha," as per a press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Bhajan Lal Sharma jointly inaugurated and lay the foundation stone for 5 Sub-Health Centres under National Health Mission, 63 projects of the National Health Mission civil wing under the 15th Finance Commission, which include 7 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 2 hospitals containing residential housing, 3 hospitals including newly built MNC units, 2 hospitals containing newly built delivery rooms, 4 Jan Aushadhi centres, 3 newly built BPHU rooms, and 42 sub-health centres.

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"These projects are funded under the Prime Minister's Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, on centre-state sharing basis, SMS Medical College, Jaipur will be upgraded and dedicated to the nation. It will host 5 divisions namely cardiology, neurology, nephrology, neuro-surgery and medical gerontology," the release stated.

Dr Mandaviya awarded meritorious students with gold medals, appreciating their achievements. The event was marked by distribution of degrees to students who completed their studies in medical, nursing undergraduate, post graduate and super specialty courses.

Reiterating the Prime Minister's vision of Ayushman Bharat, where health facilities become affordable, accessible and available to every citizen and everyone gets healthcare facilities with the same quality standards, Dr Mandaviya commended the expansion and improvement of medical education stating "Our hospitals are temples of medicine and as a doctor, it is your responsibility to serve them."

Elaborating further, Dr Mandaviya cited that momentous growth in health facilities such as addition of 16 new AIIMS institutes that provide free treatment to the poor as well as the establishment of over 1,60,00 Ayushman Aarogya Mandir that adopt a preventative and holistic approach entailing preventative screening, lifestyle education and wellness components.

Expanding the umbrella of health infrastructure, India leverages digital medium to ensure that health services reach the last mile, providing connectivity, consultancy to doctors through mediums such as eSanjeevni and Tele-MANAS saving immense time and money of patients," Mandaviya said.

Dr Mandaviya emphasized initiatives such as Sickle Cell Elimination Program,TB Free India campaign, which has witnessed multitude of TB patients of the country are being adopted by Ni-kshay Mitras are aligned with the goal of achieving Ayushman Bharat.

"Praising the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma lauded the proactive approach to health, underscoring the magnitude of change ushered in for the benefit of all enhancing the accessibility and availability of healthcare services," as per the release.

Applauding the impact of the health initiatives, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated, "the transformation taking place in India has meaningful impact on the whole world and we must strive to strengthen our medical and health infrastructure to serve our nation and the world at our best capacity."

"The event was attended by Shubhra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health Department, Government of Rajasthan, Dr SS Agarwal, Director AIIMS Jodhpur, senior government officials along with executives, dean, faculty and graduating students of AIIMS," the release stated. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], February 3 (ANI): Alleging injustice to Karnataka in the interim budget by the Centre, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused the BJP-led central government of not releasing any drought relief and announced that the state unit of the Congress party, including all MLAs, MLCs and MPs, will protest against the Union government on February 7 in New Delhi for not allocating proper funds to the state in the interim Budget.

said the state unit of the Congress party, including all MLAs, MLCs and MPs, will protest against the Union government on February 7 in New Delhi for not allocating proper funds to the state in the interim Budget.

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Speaking to reporters at Kalburgi airport, he said, "The State BJP leaders must introspect about their inability to get justice for Karnataka from the Centre. They haven't made any attempt to meet the Prime Minister and discuss the State's interests and the injustice caused by the disparity. The people of the state have answered their apathy by rejecting them in the recent elections."

"On February 7th, we will all protest to give justice to Karnataka. India will remain united..." he said.

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Shivakumar said the state unit of the Congress party, including all MLAs, MLCs and MPs, will protest against the Union government on February 7 in New Delhi for not allocating proper funds to the state in the interim Budget.

He said that the Centre was not releasing enough funds for the state and that this was the reason for the protest.

"The Center hasn't released any drought relief and it is not devolving enough funds for the state. The funds earmarked for the state in the previous budgets are also not being released, hence the protest. All MLAs, MLCs, MPs, Ministers and the Chief Minister will take part in the protest."

"We decided to protest against it, and we (all MLAs, MPs and MLCs) will travel to New Delhi on February 6 and will hold a protest there on February 7," he added.

He said that the Centre ignored Karnataka, one of the country's major tax-generated states.

Asked about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejecting wearing vermillion, he said, "Who said Siddaramaiah doesn't wear vermillion? He does wear it but he can't wear it prominently like women do."

Replying to a question on the rejection of entry to a Swamiji into a temple, he said, "I saw this on television. It is natural for temples to be cleaned in the morning and evening. I will speak to the Muzarai officials and the district in-charge minister to understand exactly what transpired. There is no place for untouchability; all of us are equal. All are allowed in our temples, irrespective of caste or creed."

Asked about DK Suresh's comments, he said, "India is one and the Congress party is the one that is keeping it united. Congress leaders have sacrificed their lives for the country. Suresh is asking for equal treatment for all states to keep the country united."

Stoking a massive row on Thursday, DK Suresh, a Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru who also happens to be the brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, claimed that the Centre was mopping up crores in taxes from the southern states while giving them a negligible share of the same, adding that there will soon be a demand for separate nationhood if the 'injustice' continued.

"The Centre is not giving the proper share of GST and direct taxes to South Indian states. We are facing grave injustice. The money collected from southern states through taxes is going to North Indian states. If this continues, we will be forced to demand a separate country," the Congress leader said.

"The Centre is taking over Rs 4 lakh crore from us (from tax mop-ups) and we are only receiving a negligible share of it. We need to come out against this and question this government. If the government doesn't go in for necessary course correction, all southern states will have to raise the demand for a separate country," Suresh 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)
Behrampore, Feb 3 (PTI) West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday criticised TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and alleged that her changing statements and shifting stance were indicative of her fear of the BJP.

Chowdhury, who has been held responsible by the TMC for a failed alliance between the two parties in Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, said it was quite unfortunate to see a senior leader such as Banerjee attack the Congress.

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"Mamata Banerjee has been alleging that the Congress is talking about different things to get Muslim votes. The BJP is also saying that grand-old party will be weaker in the coming days, and Didi (Mamata) is saying nothing is possible by the Congress. I am unable to understand what is actually in their mind. But it's quite unfortunate to see that a leader who is in the INDIA bloc say such things," Chowdhury told reporters at the party office here in Murshidabad district.

"It seems that Mamata Banerjee is scared of the BJP and that is the reason she is changing her stance every day," he said while reacting on TMC chief's remark that the Congress is unlikely to win even 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

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Banerjee's remarks followed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertion that discussions on seat-sharing with the ruling TMC were ongoing and the matter would be resolved.

The TMC chief had strongly criticised the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', which traversed through six districts of Bengal, and compared it to a "mere photo opportunity" for "migratory birds" aimed at dividing minority votes in the state.

"I proposed that Congress contest 300 seats (across the country where BJP is the main opposition), but they refused to heed. Now, they have arrived in the state to stir up Muslim voters. I doubt whether they will secure even 40 seats if they contested 300," Banerjee said on Friday.

"We were open to an alliance, offering them two seats, which they rejected. Now let them contest in all 42 seats alone. Since then, there has been no dialogue between us. We will fight alone and defeat the BJP in Bengal," she said.

Banerjee's remarks came a day after Gandhi expressed his optimism of resolving the seat-sharing stalemate while interacting with the party's 'digital media warriors' in West Bengal on Thursday night.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Golaghat (Assam) [India], February 3 (ANI): One person was injured after being attacked by a Rhino at the Bokakhat area near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam's Golaghat district on Saturday.

Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, told ANI over the phone, "I have also heard about the incident. Our team has now rushed to the spot."

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According to the reports, the incident took place at the Difaloopathar area of Bokakhat on Saturday, where a Rhino attacked a man in a paddy field.

Bidyut Borah, Range Officer of Agoratoli Forest Range, said that forest staff have reached the area.

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The injured person was rushed to the hospital.

More details are awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) Money laundering concerns and questionable dealings of hundreds of crores of rupees between popular wallet Paytm and its lesser-known banking arm had led Reserve Bank of India to clamp down on tech poster boy Vijay Sekhar Sharma-run entities, sources said.

The central bank has ordered Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) to halt most of its business including taking further deposits, conducting credit transactions and carrying out top-ups on any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, and cards for paying road tolls after February 29.

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This means customers can access their existing deposits and pay for services with money stored in their wallets till February 29. And in case, RBI does not relent, top-up for Paytm wallet will stop and transactions through it would no longer can be carried.

In a major action against PPBL, the Reserve Bank earlier this week directed the lender to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in customer accounts, wallets, FASTags and other instruments after February 29.

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The PPBL, sources said, had lakhs of non-KYC (Know Your Customer) compliant accounts and in thousands of cases single PANs were used for opening multiple accounts.

There were instances where the total value of transactions - running into crores of rupees, much beyond regulatory limits in minimum KYC pre-paid instruments raising money laundering concerns, sources said.

According to an analyst, Paytm Payments Bank has about 35 crore e-wallets. Of this, about 31 crore are dormant while only about 4 crore would be operative with either no balance or a small balance.

An unusually high number of dormant accounts are prone to have been used as mule accounts.

So, there were major irregularities in KYC, which exposed the customers, depositors and wallet holders to serious risk.

Sources said the RBI in 2021 detected serious KYC Anti Money Laundering violations and the bank was directed to address these deficiencies. However, they continued to persist.

The compliances submitted by the bank were found to be incomplete and false on many occasions, sources said.

Accordingly, in March 2022, RBI imposed supervisory restriction on PPBL to stop on-boarding new customers with immediate effect and to appoint an external audit firm to conduct a comprehensive system audit.

There are several cases where the accounts and wallets have been frozen by various law enforcement agencies across the country as such accounts were used for committing digital frauds.

As part of a clean-up exercise, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2022 had conducted raids at the premises of PPBL and its parent entity One97 Communications Ltd (OCL) and other payment aggregators.

The ED had initiated a probe under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after a number of instances of gullible debtors ending their lives came to the fore from various states.

It was alleged that the illegal digital loan companies sourced all personal data of the loan-taker at the time of downloading these apps on their phones.

The agency had said the alleged proceeds of crime in the case were routed through e-wallets and some other payment aggregators.

According to a senior government official, ED would further probe money laundering allegations going forward if required.

Following the RBI's direction, shares of One97 Communications Ltd, which owns Paytm brand, slumped 40 per cent in the last two days. The stock tanked 20 per cent to Rs 487.05, its lowest trading permissible limit for the day, on the BSE on Friday.

In two days, the company's market capitalisation (mcap) eroded by Rs 17,378.41 crore to Rs 30,931.59 crore.

(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], February 3 (ANI): The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), an apex-level autonomous institution completed the two-week Advanced Leadership Development Programme on Public Policy and Governance for civil servants of the African Region.

It was organised for the first time by the centre.

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As per an official release, 34 senior officers from five African countries, Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Gambia participated in the program.

The participants included Tamsir Ann Presidential Advisor, Office of President, Government of Gambia, Mahat Abukar Yussuf Director, Garissa County Government of Kenya, Tumaini Luanda Mtetemela Principal Examination Officer University of Dododma Government of Tanzania, Rahel Beyene Teklu Protocol Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Eritrea, Etmet Assefa Asamrie, Presiding Judge Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia.

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V Srinivas, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), addressed the valedictory session.

The historic relationship between India and Africa and the efforts made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen relations were presented.

The valedictory session also discussed the Digital Public Infrastructure policies of India as a shared global public good for bringing citizens and government closer using technology, improving justice delivery systems in land administration, effective redressal of public grievances and the creation of a MyGov portal in Gambia with Indian collaboration.

The delegates expressed the need to collaborate with various institutions of India which will help in providing people-centric governance to improve the quality of life of people in their respective country.

They also requested to organize some more training programmes in future for Civil servants of the African region having a duration of two weeks.

AP Singh, Course Coordinator and Associate Professor NCGG gave the welcome address and provided a comprehensive overview of the two-week program, detailing the diverse topics covered during the training.

The program included sessions on Changing paradigms of governance, Aadhar: a tool for good governance, Land record modernization, GeM, Swamitva Scheme, Public-private partnerships, Climate change policies, and Sustainable development goals among others.

He also highlighted that the participants of the programme had the valuable opportunity to partake in exposure visits, which proved to augment their overall learning journey.

Among the planned visits were the Ministry of Rural Development, DMRC, AIIMS, PM Sangrahalaya, and Taj Mahal among others.

The capacity-building program was supervised by AP Singh, Course Coordinator, Mukesh Bhandari, Associate Course Coordinator, Sanjay Dutt Pant, Programme Assistant, and the dedicated capacity-building team of NCGG.

The successful conduct of the 5-Nation Africa program represents a milestone for the National Centre for Good Governance in its efforts as an apex capacity-building institution for international civil servants under the ITEC program. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Punjab [India], February 3 (ANI): In a breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has apprehended two operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar Gang.

The accused have been identified as Mandeep Singh and Jatinder Singh.

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Taking to social media handle, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav posted on X, "Both the accused have a criminal history with several criminal cases of attempt to murder, extortion, robbery, and arms act registered against them in Chandigarh and Haryana."

The accused Mandeep had provided hideouts to the accused involved in Sidhu Moosewala's murder and also facilitated the escape of Gangster Deepak Tinu in 2017, he said.

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Punjab's AGTF arrested the individuals and also recovered two pistols and 12 live cartridges from their possession.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were tasked to carry out target killings of rival gangsters by their foreign-based handlers.

Punjab police are fully committed to destroying the organised criminal network as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, posted the official on X.

Earlier on January 30, in a major breakthrough Bathinda Police successfully recovered Rs1.78 crore of drug money in the Canal Colony case. Multiple arrests made, including those linked to Heroin smuggling across Punjab.

On the same day, the Amritsar Police also arrested 'Drug Big Fish' Manjit also known as Manna and Lavjit also known as Lav along with 3 others. Police seized 3 Kg Heroin, Rs 5.25 lakh drug money along with 3 cars. The arrested were most wanted by DRI Mumbai in 260 Kg Heroin seizure and by the Delhi Police Special Cell in 356 Kg Heroin seizure.

Both arrested were absconding since 2015 and had a dozen cases registered against them They were having fake passports made from Lucknow on the addresses of Lakhimpur Kheri, UP They were also involved deeply in Hawala network, which has also been destroyed. (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, Feb 3 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday condemned the threats to his party colleague from Andhra Pradesh, Y S Sharmila, and termed it a disgraceful act.

"Insulting and threatening women, a vile and cowardly act, is unfortunately the most common weapon of the weak," Gandhi said in a post on X.

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"The Congress party and I stand firmly beside Y S Sharmilaji and Suneethaji and strongly condemn this disgraceful attack," he added.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said certain elements in Andhra Pradesh are clearly rattled by the huge support Sharmila and the Congress are getting in the southern state with every passing day.

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"The death threats and trolling against Sharmilaji and Suneethaji are highly deplorable and the entire party stands firmly with them against these pathetic attempts to tarnish their reputation and the great legacy of Y S Rajashekhar Reddy garu," Venugopal said in a post on X.

Former Union minister M M Pallam Raju said on the microblogging platform: "It is sad to see the ugly online trolling of @realyssharmila, the AP Congress chief, who has adopted the ideology embraced by her late father, Dr YSR, the popular CM of AP. Similarly, Sri YS Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Suneetha has been subjected to this pathetic abuse."

Raju also posted a media report that said Suneetha Narreddy, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy, has got a complaint lodged at the Gachibowli cyber crime police station in Hyderabad against a man for abusive and threatening Facebook posts.

Sharmila staged a demonstration at the Andhra Bhavan in Delhi on Friday to protest against the non-conferment of special category status to Andhra Pradesh and the failure to fulfil bifurcation promises.

She protested before the B R Ambedkar statue at the Andhra Bhavan and was accompanied by Manickam Tagore and senior Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
WASHINGTON  On Jan. 31, the United States Geological Survey released its annual Mineral Commodity Summaries report, which found the U.S. is reliant on imports for more than half of the U.S. apparent consumption for 49 nonfuel mineral commodities and 100 percent import dependent for 15 of them.

Despite all the discussion of reducing U.S. import dependence on China, China continues to be the top supplier of the minerals our economy needs, including for those needed by our energy, manufacturing, technology, transportation, infrastructure and defense sectors.

Our mineral import dependence continues to be a gaping hole in our economic and national security and were clearly not moving fast enough to course correct, said Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association.

From electrification and grid transmission buildout to infrastructure and transportation needs, mineral demands are going vertical while mine approvals are at a standstill and unnecessary land withdrawals are taking mineral access in the wrong direction. Despite a great deal of rhetoric around supply chain security, China continues to be our top source of the minerals needed by our economy and these numbers show very little movement to get us back on competitive and secure footing.

Key points from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries:

In 2023, imports made up more than one-half of the U.S. apparent consumption for 49 nonfuel mineral commodities, and the United States was 100% net import reliant for 15 of those.

Of the 50 mineral commodities identified in the 2022 Final List of Critical Minerals, the United States was 100% net import reliant for 12, and an additional 29 critical mineral commodities had a net import reliance greater than 50% of apparent consumption.

Underscoring the vulnerability of U.S. mineral supply chains, China was the leading source of mineral commodities with a greater than 50% import reliance providing 24, with significant imports of other essential commodities also coming from Russia.

The estimated value of U.S. metal mine production in 2022 was $34.9 billion, less than the revised value of $35.4 billion in 2022. In 2023, the capacity utilization for the metals mining industry continued a 5-year downward trend and was 59%, less than the 60% capacity utilization in 2022.
Thane (Maharashtra) [India], February 3 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad accused of shooting at Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad was sent to police custody till February 14 by a Magistrate court on Saturday.

BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and two other accused were brought to Ulhasnagar court. The other two accused in the case have also been sent to police custody till February 14.

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During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor submitted that this crime which has shaken the whole society and a detailed investigation is needed into the matter.

"It has been committed by a public representative inside a police station and it's not any political matter. That is why a detailed investigation is needed," Special Public Prosecutor told the Magistrate court.

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Arguing in defence of the BJP MLA, lawyer Rahul Arote submitted before the court that there was no question of preparation to kill someone and Ganpat Gaikwad had just went to the police station to register his complaint.

"MLA had not gone to police station just to open fire. He had gone there to register his complaint . There is not any question of preparation to kill someone. He is MLA and by virtue of his designation he had a body guard with his service revolver. Hebhasbalso been made accused," Rahul Arote submitted.

"They have not brought the injury certificate with the remand so it's not clear that if the bullets fired hit them," he added.

Objecting to this, Special Public Prosecutor submitted that there have been six bullets which hit the first injured and two bullets hit the body of the second injured.

"One patient is in ICU and they are saying that no one was injured," Special Public Prosecutor said in the court.

When the accused were presented before the court for remand and Magistrate asked the accused that if they had any complaint against police, MLA Ganpat Gaikwad said that accused people were not involved or not even present at the spot and they are being framed and arrested in this case. "Everything is being done in this case on the pressure of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," Gaikwad said.

Earlier, police arrested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and two of his associates in the Ulhasnagar firing incident which happened over a land dispute.

Mahesh Gaikwad and Rahul Patil who were critically injured at the firing incident, have been admitted to the Jupiter Hospital in Thane for treatment.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis have ordered a high-level inquiry into the police station firing incident. Eknath Shinde also visited Jupiter Hospital in Thane to meet his party leader Mahesh Gaikwad.

A Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed to investigate the incident.

Ganpat Gaikwad is MLA from Kalyan east constituency. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram, Feb 3 (PTI) A man was burnt alive in his car when it caught fire after crashing into an electric pole near a village in Sohna area, police said on Saturday.

Police said as the man attempted to avoid crashing into an oncoming vehicle near Lohatki village on Friday night, he rammed into the electric pole and the car caught fire. The fire spread rapidly and before he could be taken out of the car he died on the spot, they said.

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A fire brigade team reached the spot and controlled the fire, but by then the car was fully gutted in the blaze, fire official Jaiveer Bhadana said, adding that the driver had also been charred to death.

Mohit, a resident of Dohla village, was identified as the deceased, police said.

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According to police, late Friday night, Mohit was on his way to Sohna for some work in his car when crashed into the electric pole on the side of the road near Lohatki village.

The fire spread very quickly and Mohit could not come out of the car, they said. Hearing the sound of the crash, people of a nearby village gathered and tried to extinguish the fire.

The villagers managed to pull Mohit out of the car but he was already dead by then, police said.

Inspector Deepak Kumar, SHO of Sohna police station, said that a police team reached the spot and took the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) State Bank of India on Saturday said it is ready to help Paytm customers who will be affected by the Reserve Bank of India's order to stop almost all its activities from March 1.

Addressing the media during the third quarter earnings here, SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara ruled out going directly to the rescue of the once-storied Paytm, saying "we've no such plans" if the RBI cancels its payment bank licence.

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Khara, however, was quick to add that if there is a direction from the RBI to any effect, we will be there. He did not elaborate, though.

The SBI reported a 35 per cent fall in net profit to Rs 9,164 crore.

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The RBI on January 31 directed Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, Fastags and other instruments after February 29, effectively asking it to stop all its primary activities. However, the regulator said any interest, cashbacks, or refunds may be credited back to customers anytime.

The direction follows persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns, the central bank said in a statement.

Asked whether SBI has any relationship with the fintech firm, Khara said, "there isn't anything beyond the settlement part".

Asked if the bank is ready to help the millions of Paytm customers who are merchants, he said, "absolutely."

"Our subsidiary SBI Payments are already in touch with these merchants, and we're ready to lap them up anytime. We are ready to supply them our PoS machines and all other payment needs they face. While now there is a more focused approach to them this is broadly their job," Khara.

To another query whether the bank is ready to support Paytm merchants with their accounts, as any app is linked to a bank account, he said of course; we can take them on board in all possible manner.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Feb 3 (PTI) Members of the Opposition Samajwadi Party walked out of the Legislative Council on Saturday, the second day of the budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, expressing dissatisfaction over the government's response on the case relating to the gang rape of a Banaras Hindu University (BHU)-IIT student.

Under Rule 105 (adjournment of business) in the Legislative Council, SP members Lal Bihari Yadav, Naresh Chandra Uttam, and others filed a complaint against the district police in the case.

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A BHU-IIT student was raped on November 1 last year and videographed by the accused.

SP members Swami Prasad Maurya, Mukul Yadav, and Dr Man Singh Yadav demanded that the proceedings of the House be stopped and a discussion be held on the incident.

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The lawmakers alleged that the accused were associated with the ruling BJP, which failed to take action against them.

BJP's 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' slogan is just a show, the real face of BJP has come to the fore, they alleged.

Leader of the House in the Legislative Council and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya informed the House about the action taken so far in the matter but the opposition members were not satisfied with his reply.

Legislative Council Chairman Kunwar Manvendra Singh rejected the notice of adjournment and referred the matter to the government for necessary action.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], February 3 (ANI): The International Monetary Fund predicted China's economic decline to continue over the next four years as Beijing continues to tackle a range of challenges, including a rapidly aging population, higher unemployment and a property crisis, VOA News reported.

In a report released on Friday, the IMF projected that China's economic growth will reduce to 4.6 per cent this year, down from its 5.2 per cent growth in 2023, and drop further to 3.4 per cent by 2028.

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The property market has been a particular area of trouble for the Chinese economy lately, with a Hong Kong court on Monday directing Chinese property giant Evergrande to liquidate.

According to IMF analysis released on Friday, the real estate investment is likely to see a drop from 30 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 10 years relative to 2022 levels, VOA News reported.

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The IMF report reads, "Absent a comprehensive restructuring policy package for the troubled property sector, real estate investment could drop more than expected, and for longer, with negative implications for domestic growth and trading partners."

Christopher Tang, Senior Associate Dean of Global Initiatives at the University of California Los Angeles Anderson School and Faculty Director of the UCLA Center for Global Management, stressed that the real estate crisis is closely related to Chinese consumers' spending habits.

In an email statement to VOA, Christopher Tang stated, "As they see their equity in their home investment declining, they spend less on everything - lower consumer spending, the demand falls which reduces production and hence slower economic growth."

Tang added, "There is a domino effect when the real estate market is so huge and intertwined with decades of aggressive housing development and easy lending from banks." Tang stressed that China needs to promote new demand-side economic policies and ease market regulations.

The IMF suggested the Chinese government to encourage its citizens to find new means of investment and make market-oriented reforms to boost the economy of China, VOA News reported citing the report.

Ali Wyne, the senior research and advocacy adviser for US-China at the think tank International Crisis Group, suggested that local government debt and tensions between China and Western nations are also reasons behind the predictions of the Chinese economic downturn, according to VOA News report.

In an email statement to VOA, Wyne stated, "The evidence thus far does not suggest that a hard landing is in the offing, but it does suggest that China's growth headwinds are more intractable than they were a decade ago or even at the outset of the 2020s."

Meanwhile, Chinese stocks experienced a tumultuous week, marking their worst performance in years despite efforts by Beijing to restore confidence in the economy and address the prolonged stock market decline that has seen a staggering USD 6 trillion in value disappear over three years, CNN reported.

The Shanghai Composite Index witnessed a significant 6.2 per cent drop, the most substantial weekly loss since October 2018, while the Shenzhen Component Index recorded an 8.1 per cent decline, marking its largest drop in three years. Year-to-date, both indexes have lost more than 8 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

The CSI 300 index, composed of 300 major stocks listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, also suffered a 4.6 per cent decline, marking its worst week since October 2022, according to CNN report. The index is down 7 per cent since the beginning of the year. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Balochistan [Pakistan], February 3 (ANI): The Baloch Yakjahti Committee - Kech has said that the families of Baloch victims of enforced disappearance continue to hold sit-in protest for third consecutive day in the D Baloch Turbat area of Pakistan's Balochistan. It noted that the demand of the people is to stop the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.

The Baloch Yakjahti Committee - Kech noted that the people continue to hold sit-in despite continuous rain and severe cold. However, the government and the authorities have so far made no progress in addressing the matter. The pictures shared by Baloch Yakjahti Committee - Kech showed people holding pictures of their loved ones.

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In a post on X, the Baloch Yakjahti Committee - Kech stated, "The families of Baloch victims of enforced disappearance continued their dharna at D Baloch's place for the third day despite continuous rain and severe cold."

"So far no progress has been made by the state and its administration. Our only demand is to stop the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan, but unfortunately, instead of ending its policies, the state continues to perpetuate the genocide of Baloch people by showing stubbornness. The relatives say that the dharna will continue at De Baloch until the recovery of their children," it added.

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https://twitter.com/BYCKech/status/1753710462561394861

Meanwhile, Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch said that the sit-in continues for third day. She called enforced disappearance a "serious crime" and added that people of Balochistan remain steadfast in its fight against enforced disappearance.

In a post on X, Mahrang Baloch stated, "In D-Baloch Turbat, sit-in persists for the 3rd day, enduring continuous rain & severe cold weather. Enforced disappearance is a serious crime, and d Baloch nation remains steadfast in its fight against it. We're committed to eradicating all forms of HR abuses, in Balochistan."

On Friday, Mahrang Baloch said that the sit-in protests against the enforced disappearances of Baloch youth were being conducted in three different locations of Balochistan.

In a post on X, Baloch stated, "In the three different locations of Balochistan, Saami, D-Baloch, & Gwadar--sit-in protests are going on against the enforced disappearances of Baloch youth. I believe the @WGEID should promptly address d cases of ED & hold the Pakistani govt accountable for this issue."

https://twitter.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1753475930499027192

She urged all human rights organisations, including the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, to address the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. She called on the international media to raise their voice on the matter and inform the world about the Baloch genocide.

Taking to X, Baloch stated, "The sit-in protest by the families of victims of enforced disappearance is ongoing at D Baloch Chowk in Turbat. We urge all human rights organizations, including the @WGEID, to promptly address this issue. Additionally, we call on the international media to amplify their voice on this matter and inform the world about the Baloch genocide."

https://twitter.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1753136853400862729

Mahrang Baloch said that the Baloch genocide has been going on for decades. She called the silence of "human rights champions" extremely frustrating.

"The Baloch Genocide has been ongoing for decades, and its identity is under threat. Similarly, the silence and soporific behaviour of human rights champions are extremely frustrating. Please help us by signing this petition to raise awareness among international communities," Mahrang Baloch posted on X.

https://twitter.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1752999380162859102

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, they accused the Pakistani security forces of blocking 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 the police. After holding a 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. The Pakistan government has been accused of employing force against relatives of missing persons and engaging in political vendettas. (ANI)

(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], February 3 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has said that it has detected 10 Chinese military aircraft and five naval ships around Taiwan in the past 24 hours, till 6 am (local time) on Saturday, Taiwan News reported.

Taiwan's MND did not reveal whether the Chinese military aircraft crossed into China's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Following China's action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to keep a watch on the Chinese activity.

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In a post shared on X, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence stated, "10 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond."

Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Notably, China's Communist Party considers Taiwan as its territory, despite never having controlled it.

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According to Taiwan News report, gray zone tactics are "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force."

It is not the first time China has made such a move. On Friday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval ships were detected operating around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Thursday and 6 am (local time) on Friday (local time), Taiwan News reported.

According to Taiwan's MND, of the eight People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeast sector of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Furthermore, one PLA aircraft entered the southwest corner of the ADIZ.

In response to China's action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to keep a watch on the activity of China's PLA, Taiwan News reported.

"8 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's Sw ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond," Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence posted on X.

On January 30, Taiwan's envoy to the United Kingdom Yao Chin-hsiang has urged the United Kingdom and other Western allies to help deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan, Taiwan News reported.

Yao Chin-hsiang made the remarks during a Council on Geostrategy public panel event on January 30. He said that the UK should continue to express concern regarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo and actively take concrete measures to defend the freedom of navigation in the region, Taiwan News reported citing Central News Agency (CNA).

He stressed that if the Taiwan Strait faces a Chinese military blockade, it would have a catastrophic effect on global economic and trade activities and harm China significantly. Taiwan envoy called it essential for the UK and its allies to make it clear to China that it recognises this reality. Yao Chin-hsiang said that Taiwan wants to be a force for good in the world and it has a responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Yao stated that Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te has said that apart from bolstering national defence, he will seek to engage in cross-strait dialogue based on dignity and equality, according to Taiwan News reported. He spoke about the unprecedented level of China's interference in the elections conducted in Taiwan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

Honolulu, Feb 3 (AP) The US Coast Guard on Friday asked mariners for help in finding a 60-year-old man sailing from California to Hawaii.

Noel Rubio left Long Beach on December 28 on the 32-foot (9.7-meter) sailboat Malulani, the Coast Guard said in a news release. He planned to arrive in Kaneohe on the island of Oahu three weeks later.

Also Read | US Plane Crash: Three Killed As Small Aircraft Crashes Into Florida Mobile Home (Watch Videos).

He last made contact via cellphone on December 28th south of Catalina Island in California.

The agency has been unable to find him despite searching harbours in California, Hawaii and Mexico and sending urgent marine information broadcasts.

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Rubio's only form of communication on board the Malulani is a VHF-FM marine band radio.

The Coast Guard is asking people to report information or sightings of the vessel or Rubio to rescue and coordination centers in Alameda, California, or Honolulu.

The Coast Guard recommends that mariners crossing the open ocean travel with multiple forms of communication, including radios and satellite and an electronic position radio beacon so authorities can find those needing rescue. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], February 3 (ANI): The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is set to hold a sit-in in front of the White House on Saturday to demand justice for Manzoor Pashteen and other activists who have been subjected to unlawful arrest and torture by the security agencies in Pakistan.

Many Pashtun activists are expected to join the sit-in today to demand an intervention by the United States to compel Pakistan to release the prominent Pashtun leader and other activists.

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Earlier on December 4, the PTM chief was arrested for addressing a protest in Turbat. Police made charges against him and his associates for opening fire on them. The court had granted him bail. But, he was again arrested on January 5 and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to the PTM, Pashteen was transferred to Attock Jail in Punjab province following severe torture by security agencies.

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In their post on X (formerly Twitter), PTM Khyber informed that "His health is critical, reportedly subjected to brutal physical and mental torture Concerns rise as he awaits medical attention."

Manzoor Pashteen, who hails from the South Waziristan area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, founded the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (Pashtun Protection Movement) in 2014 to protect the Pashtuns from terrorists and the Pakistani military.

In a post on X, PTM United States said, "Today's youth find inspiration in Manzoor Pashteen, embodying hope against oppression. Carrying his message, they aim to spark a revolution for justice and equality, breaking free from tyranny to create a future where every child can thrive with dignity and freedom."

https://twitter.com/ptm_usa/status/1752171896009797952

Pashtuns make up about 15 to 18 percent of Pakistan's population, mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along with its porous border with Afghanistan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Soumik Saha

London [UK], February 3 (ANI): Carol Heginbottom, Deputy Director, International Operations, Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC) at the UK Home Office, has said that UK has been able to reduce illegal migrant crossings through the English Channel through surveillance and technical capability.

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Calling it the "most dangerous" way to enter the UK, Heginbottom further stated that Britain wants to reduce illegal crossings through the English Channel to zero.

Speaking about the people entering the UK through the English Channel, She said, "Well, I can tell you that it's the most dangerous way to enter the UK illegally. People are risking their lives to come illegally to this country, duped by the criminal gangs that are organizing and exploiting these poor people."

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In an interview with ANI, Carol Heginbottom said, "Last year we managed to cut down on the numbers. We had 26,000 arrive, which is a good number compared to the previous year, but no number is a good number. We want those down to absolutely zero. That is the only way that we will end the the tragedy of the last three years of small boats coming across the Channel."

Her remarks come as the UK Home Office organised an international media visit to Dover on February 2 with the team at the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC). Through the visit, the international journalists got the chance to see first-hand the vessels carrying illegal immigrants that cross the English Channel and the conditions they are in.

James Grace, Assistant Director, International Operations, Small Boats Operational Command demonstrated the unseaworthy vessels to show the callous disregard people smugglers have for the lives and safety of the vulnerable people they exploit. The aim of the visit was to reach a wider international audience to deter migrants from making these perilous journeys in the first place.

Heginbottom lauded the joint efforts of the UK and France in reducing illegal crossings through the English Channel. She said the French government has increased the deployment of personnel to stop the illegal crossings. She noted that the UK has increased surveillance and technical capability to help in the initiative.

Highlighting the efforts made by UK and France to reduce the illegal migrant crossings, Heginbottom stated, "So, it's been a number of initiatives that we have taken. Probably the most important one is our excellent work with the French and the cooperation that we've had working with our French counterparts."

"They have increased their number of personnel to prevent the launches. We have increased our surveillance and technical capability to help in this initiative. We've had agreements with Albania so that we can send people back, those that are breaking the law coming into this country illegally. And we've worked with law enforcement further upstream as well to try and stop that boat supply," she added.

She said that there are a number of Indians who have entered the UK by crossing the English Channel. She noted that the number of Indians entering the UK on small boats is growing.

Asked about the number of Indians crossing the Channel on small boats, she said, "Of course, there are a number of Indians that have crossed the channel in small boats and the number is sadly growing and our work is to try and prevent as many of these crossings as possible to stop the boats to get that message out to as many people as we can that they are risking their lives and the lives of their family making this treacherous journey across that small stretch of water. You would have seen how dangerous the boats are, how they are put together with no care or regard for the people that will be travelling in them. So the number is increasing and we need that number to be zero."

According to the UK Home Office Press Office, India is among the top 10 nations from where illegal immigrants make this perilous journey through the English Channel to reach the UK.

In the last two years, 76,000 people from countries across the world have taken the dangerous and illegal journey across the English Channel to try to reach the UK. This crisis has been fuelled by evil Organised Crime Groups operating across Europe who tells lies to vulnerable people in order to get them to risk their lives.

She highlighted that organized criminal gangs only care for profits and they seek to make more profits year on year. She added that there is a lot of violence involved in the operation.

On being asked about the ways smugglers conduct the whole operation, the UK Home Office official said, "The organised criminal gangs only care about profits, they only care about making as much money out of this terrible journey and so they care nothing about the people involved. They will take their money and put them more or less to their deaths in these death traps to cross the channel and enter illegally. They care nothing other than building more profits year on year."

She also spoke about the terrible condition of people when they enter the UK. She said that people are scared when they reach the beaches because it is dark and cold.

Speaking about the violence involved in the process, she said, "There's an incredible amount of violence. We have heard from migrants who have made it over the terrifying ordeal that they've had when sometimes forced to leave France in these boats. The criminal gangs want to make money. They want a good reputation to say that they can bring people to the UK. So a lot of people are scared when they get to the beaches. It's dark. It's cold. The children are crying. They're upset, they can see just how bad the boats are. They can see that they're starting to sink and sometimes at knife point they can be forced into that boat to get over here."

Sharing details on how people are being pushed into this method to enter the UK, Carol Heginbottom said, "The communication that is involved is generally on social media. They are in touch with criminal gangs. The criminal gangs know how to target these people and they're brought across Europe in a number of ways. But once they get to France, they are told that this is the only way to get across and they are forced into these dangerous crossings."

She noted that the crossing costs depend on how many people are going to sit in the boat, weather and the risk involved in crossing through the English Channel.

Asked on how much does it cost to enter UK by crossing the English Channel, Heginbottom said, "The crossing costs, it all depends on how many people are going to get into that boat. It depends on the time of year. It depends on the weather and how much risk there is involved. It's becoming increasingly expensive, and so the migrants are pushed in in higher numbers so that the criminal gangs can increase their profits at all costs. So numbers vary, but they only care about making the profits out of people."

She stated that people who have crossed the English Channel on boats arrive in the UK in terrible condition. She said that the people who have crossed the English Channel will have terrible injuries and fuel burns.

Speaking about the authorities' first step after people enter the UK by crossing the English Channel, She said, "So, the first thing, because of the treachery at sea, a lot of the people will arrive in a terrible condition. They will have terrible injuries that they've suffered either on the beach in France or during the journey from fuel burns, from cuts, from knives. You've seen some of the hard flooring on the boats. Their nails stuck out. Children have had nail injuries into their feet and things like that. So, first and foremost, our job is to take care of them and give them the medical attention that a lot of people need having carried out this horrible journey."

The UK has introduced new legislation so that people arriving in the country illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country such as Rwanda.

The Small Boats Operational Command, alongside French counterparts and other law enforcement colleagues, have been able to reduce small boat arrivals by more than a third in 2023 in comparison to the previous year.

The UK in cooperation with France has been able to reduce 26,000 dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts. However, despite the drop in numbers, fatalities in 2023 were up three-fold in comparison to 2022, caused by the ruthless behaviour of organised criminals.

On January 15, five people tragically perished in their attempt to cross the Channel, the third fatal crossing in three months. Winter weather meant there were only 13 days with crossings from November 1 to January 15. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
LAS VEGAS  Gov. Joe Lombardo, a long-time law enforcement official and former Southern Nevada sheriff, is one of several Republican governors who have sided with Texass defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows federal law enforcement to tear down razor wire on the shores of the Rio Grande River.

Those barriers have increased safety risk to border agents and migrants alike, the court ruled.

Though his support could be interpreted as political theater, Michael Kagan, director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, warned it is political theater playing with some pretty explosive material so things can go really awry.

There is a bigger argument that is being made by Texas and other states aligned with Texas, which now include Gov. Lombardo, which potentially seems kind of jaw dropping, Kagan said. It invokes possibilities of even something like a civil war or a major, possibly even violent, standoff between state and federal government.

Lombardos office did not respond to requests for comment.

According to the Department of Homeland Security v. Texas, in which the Supreme Court sided with the federal government, the state placed coiled razor wire along a 29-mile stretch of Rio Grande riverbank. Included in the states barrier was land in the vicinity of the town of Eagle Pass, a place of frequent border crossings..

The razor wire has increased safety risks to agents and migrants, according to federal officials, who say there are stretches of land that dont have any access points or breaks in the wire to allow Border Patrol agents or migrants to reach the other side, according to the suit filed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Justice Department said at one point an agent saw an unconscious subject floating on top of the water but was unable to retrieve or render aid to the subject due to the concertina wire barrier placed along the riverbank.

The fundamental question at play, Kagan said, is about immigration law and control of the border.

Kagan said that it is established constitutional law that managing immigration is a nearly exclusively a federal responsibility and that it should be done at a national level so states dont have opposing immigration policies that get in the way of federal implementation.

Its also a matter of foreign policy, he added. The border involves a delicate relationship with Mexico and its the responsibility of the federal government to handle foreign affairs.

Texas is contesting that long-standing interpretation of the law, he said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in November ruled Texas could use razor wire barriers that prevent federal border patrol from doing their job.

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Jan. 22, blocked that court ruling.

First of all, the legal and Constitutional argument that Texas is trying to make is really outlandish and ridiculous, Kagan said.

What the Supreme Court actually did was lift an injunction, he said. Border control, the federal government, should be permitted to access the border through this razor wire, which might mean cutting the wire that Texas has put up.

Nearly two weeks later, Texas officials said it would not stop.

After the Supreme Courts action, the federal government could send agents to just cut the wire and access the border, Kagan said. But how would Texas respond to that? We would hope it would just be theater, just talk. But there is a risk there could be a bigger confrontation and so far it seems like the federal government is trying to avoid it.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tried to justify his action, arguing the state was fighting an invasion.

Lombardo, along with every Republican governor in the country except Vermonts Phil Scott, signed a letter late last week supporting Texass defiance of the Supreme Court.

In the letter, they argued that Texas has the constitutional right to self-defense

We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border, the governors wrote. 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.

Lombardo added on a social media post that the Biden Administration has failed to defend the border, and Texas has a constitutional right to self-defense.

Some governors have additionally pledged to send national guard to the border to support, though Lombardo isnt considering it.

That keeps the Nevada National Guard out of this potential standoff with federal officers, Kagan said.

Signing onto the letter is still significant.

On a legal basis, Kagan said the Texas argument that it is fighting an invasion is absurd.

First of all, the legal and Constitutional argument that Texas is trying to make is really outlandish and ridiculous, he said. Unarmed migrants seeking a better life, no matter what one may think about that, are not an invasion. If words still have meaning in a court of law, the Texas argument is absurd.

Kagan warned that such rhetoric being used in the letter from the Republican governors and other Republican politicians is incredibly dangerous because it uses many words that are violent.

It uses terminology, like that concept of invasion, that is invoked by white supremacists and inspired acts of violence like the Walmart shooting in Texas, where a person killed Latinos at a Walmart because he thought it was an invasion, Kagan said.

Lombardo, he added, is in a position to know better.

He is the governor of a very diverse state and one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, Kagan said. He might think he is just signing on to a bizarre, Constitutional argument, but some people might think he is endorsing an act of violence. He needs to be careful.

Kagan wasnt the only one to decry Lombardos action.

In a statement, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada criticized Lombardo for his lack of action on the housing crisis and added that it hopes when Governor Lombardo finishes showing off for his friends, he can start doing the work to improve the lives of all Nevadans.
New Delhi, February 3: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said Rahul Gandhi has taken out the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra under adverse conditions to save the country's democracy and Constitution and if his struggle fails, the people of the country will be enslaved and will suffer under the Narendra Modi government.

Addressing a party workers' convention organised by the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee here, Kharge warned that if Prime Minister Modi is not defeated in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he will enslave everyone permanently. He also highlighted how opposition leaders were threatened, intimidated and made to fall in line and join or align with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Ab Ki Baar 400 Par Ho Raha: Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharges Remarks Left PM Narendra Modi Laughing (Watch Video).

Kharge thanked Gandhi on behalf of the Congress and said his decision to take out the yatra is perhaps the biggest step taken by any party leader so far. He said Gandhi is seeking justice for everyone, including youngsters, women, farmers and the poor. Despite such adverse situations and cold conditions, he is leading the yatra in the fight against the atrocities of the BJP-led Centre, the Congress chief said at the "Nyay Sankalp Sammelan" rally in east Delhi.

"This fight is to save democracy and the Constitution. If you fail to support the Congress in this fight, you will become a slave of Modi," he said. Kharge called upon the leaders and workers of the Delhi Congress to focus on booth-level activities and appoint party workers who are aggressive and diligent to ensure that there are no irregularities during polls. India May Have Dictatorship, No More Elections if PM Narendra Modi Wins 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, Says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

"When you appoint booth agents, you should think and test them. There is a saying that when someone buys a dog or an animal, he pulls the chain. If the animal barks, it is okay, but if it does not, he does not buy it. "While selecting the booth agents, you should also ensure that those loyal to you and those who fight for you are appointed. You should appoint such a person who is available all the time. Otherwise they will cast their votes with the help of the officials appointed by them. It is important to focus on this," he said.

His remarks drew criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress chief of comparing the party workers with dogs, saying it was "shameful". Kharge charged Modi with not fulfilling his promises of providing jobs to youngsters and recovering black money generated in the country. "What is Modi's guarantee? His guarantee is not fulfilling promises," he said. Kharge accused the prime minister of trying to "impose his views on the country and punishing everyone for gaining power".

"Modi is moving towards dictatorship. People from all over the country come to Delhi and if we win Delhi, we will win the entire country. He plays the emotion card, he also plays the religion card," he said, urging the Congress workers to reach out to every household and raise awareness against the BJP's "divisive" agenda.

"Modiji wants to enslave the people of the country once again, due to which Dalits, backwards and tribals will suffer. While we fight for the poor, those sitting in power are only doing the work of dividing people," the Congress president said. He said the Congress's victory should begin from Delhi and only then will democracy and the Constitution survive. Accusing the BJP of dividing people to rule, Kharge said youngsters would have to remain vigilant as it is the question of the country.

"Their only contribution is to divide people. When they do not get anything, they will do Hindu-Muslim, otherwise accuse the Congress of being anti-god. All of us do puja at home. While we do it for our peace, they do it for votes. They do it for only showing it to others...," he said. Condemning the Modi government for "misusing" probe agencies like the ED, CBI and income-tax department, the Congress chief claimed that in the last 10 years, 411 MPs, MLAs and senior leaders from opposition parties were intimidated, harassed or made to join or align with the BJP.

He said in Jharkhand, the BJP tried to break off the opposition MLAs but the tribal legislators of the Congress and the JMM remained resolute to resist such a move and the alliance's government was formed again. Kharge also lashed out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for quitting the Mahagathbandhan alliance. "He used to talk a lot about socialism, but turned out to be Palturam," he said.

"The moment Palturam went there, the BJP claimed that it is their government in the state. What ideals do you have? They preach something, but practise something else," Kharge added. The Congress president invoked Guru Gobind Singh who had said one should neither fear anyone nor make anyone fear. "Modi has fear in his mind, that is why he is creating fear in the minds of others," he said.

Taking a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah's "wonder washing machine" that "washes" off the corruption allegations of defectors, Kharge said "as long as these leaders are with us, they are being accused of corruption, but they get cleaned in Modi-Shah's washing machine the moment they join the BJP".

Among those present on the occasion were the Congress's Delhi in-charge Dipak Babaria, AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, DPCC president Arvinder Singh Lovely, party leaders Alka Lamba, Sandeep Dikshit, Gurdeep Sappal, Devender Yadav, Haroun Yousuf, Rajesh Lilothia and Amrita Dhawan.
Pune, February 3: A professor and five students of the Pune University have been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by staging a play based on Ramleela that reportedly had objectionable dialogues and scenes, police said on Saturday. Functionaries of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and students of the Pune Universitys Lalit Kala Kendra had entered into a scuffle over the play staged on Friday evening.

The play by the Lalit Kala Kendra, officially called the Centre for Performing Arts, was based on the backstage banter of actors who perform various roles in Ramleela. Pune Shocker: Tea Vendor Offers Lift to Hospitality Firm Manager, Takes Her to Lodge and Rapes Her; Arrested.

Ramleela Play Showing Sita Smoking

In a play staged at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Mata Sita is being shown smoking a cigarette and Prabhu Shri Ram ji is assisting her in lighting it. Requesting @CPPuneCity @DGPMaharashtra @PuneCityPolice to register a case under 295A and take strict action against pic.twitter.com/QRjOnD4i9R  Randomsena (@randomsena) February 3, 2024

Based on a complaint lodged by the ABVP functionary Harshvardhan Harpude, a case was registered under section 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, inspector Ankush Chintaman said.

The police have arrested Dr Pravin Bhole, the head of the department of the Lalit Kala Kendra, and students Bhavesh Patil, Jay Pednekar, Prathamesh Sawant, Rishikesh Dalvi and Yash Chikhle, he said. Pune Shocker: Tailor Shot Dead for Refusing To Pay Rs 5,000 to Criminal in Ghorpade Peth, Accused Arrested.

As per the first information report (FIR), in the play, a male artiste portraying Sita was shown smoking a cigarette and using abusive language. The FIR stated that when members of the ABVP took objection to the play and stopped the performance, the artistes started heckling and assaulted them.
Visakhapatnam, February 3: A government official was murdered by an unidentified man in Kommadi, a suburb of Visakhapatnam, police said on Saturday. Ramanaiah, a tahsildar, was attacked by the assailant with iron rods on Friday night in the cellar of an apartment complex. According to police, the tahsildar, who was living in a rented flat, reached home from the office at around 8 p.m. He received a phone call around 10.15 p.m. and he went to the cellar to meet a person. Andhra Pradesh Shocker: Software Engineer Dies by Suicide in Visakhapatnam After Girlfriend Ditches Him

CCTV footage shows there was a heated argument between the two, and the assailant attacked him with an iron rod and escaped. Ramanaiah sustained injuries on head. Hearing the commotion, the security staff of the building rushed to the cellar. They informed his family members, who shifted him to a hospital. The official succumbed early Saturday. Andhra Pradesh Shocker: Minor Girl From Odisha Gang-Raped by Her Boyfriend, His Friend and Several Other Men in Visakhapatnam; Eight Arrested

Police registered a case and took up investigation. Sources said four suspects have been picked up for questioning. Police commissioner A Ravi Shankar and other police officials visited the spot. Ramanaiah was recently transferred from Chinagadali (Visakhapatnam Rural) to Bantupalli in Vizianagaram district two days ago as part of transfers ahead of elections. He had joined the revenue department a decade ago and is survived by wife and two children.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring Bharat Ratna to former Union Minister LK Advani and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart has strengthened the country and democracy through his parliamentary and administrative abilities.
San Francisco, February 3: Elon Musk-run Tesla is recalling more than two million vehicles -- almost all of the cars it sold in the US -- due to incorrect font size on warning lights. According to a recall notice filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall of almost 2.2 million vehicles includes nearly all Tesla EV models, including Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles.

"An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, 'Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems' and 135, 'Light Vehicle Brake Systems'," the notice reads. The NHTSA also noted that warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. Elon Musks Tesla Ordered To Pay USD 1.5 Million Over Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations in California

Tesla has started releasing an over-the-air software update free of charge to fix the issue. According to the agency, owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 30, 2024. In recent months, safety concerns have prompted Elon Musk's electric vehicle company to issue multiple recalls. X Outperforms Facebook, Instagram in Driving Traffic Via Google Again, Elon Musk Reacts

Last month, Tesla recalled more than 4,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles made between 2022 and 2023 in Australia due to a software issue. In December last year, Tesla recalled more than 2 million vehicles in the US to address a defect with Autopilot, the companys controversial advanced driver-assist system.
Exploring the diverse culinary delights of Sint Maarten is a highlight of any Caribbean cruise. The island's fusion of French and Creole influences creates a unique dining experience, appealing to both seasoned visitors and first-timers.

With a myriad of dining options catering to various tastes and budgets, the challenge lies in choosing from the extensive array of excellent Sint Maarten dishes.

Sint Maarten's culinary tapestry invites travelers to savor the freshness of locally caught seafood and indulge in Creole-inspired flavors.

From quaint local eateries to upscale restaurants, the island's dining establishments showcase its culinary prowess.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, sample succulent barbecue, enjoy the bold flavors of Creole stews, and relish tropical fruits that grace many Sint Maarten dishes.

Navigating Sint Maarten's culinary landscape is not about scarcity but abundance.

With tempting options offering unique experiences, the island invites both returning and first-time visitors to embark on a gastronomic adventure that complements its cultural and natural treasures.

Embrace the diverse and delicious offerings of Sint Maarten to make your Caribbean cruise an unforgettable experience.

READ NEXT: Antigua and Barbuda: 4 Must-Try Foods

Conch and Dumplings

A Caribbean culinary masterpiece, this must-try dish features the local conch, a sea snail seasoned with a medley of herbs and spices, then expertly pressure-cooked for sublime tenderness, according to Carnival Cruise Line.

Accompanied by airy dumplings, their composition varying, and crowned with a savory gravy, it's a flavorful journey celebrating the region's culinary heritage and fresh, local ingredients.

Sint Maarten Spare Ribs

Within the vibrant culinary landscape of the island, barbecue shacks, affectionately called lolos, stand as celebrated havens for the epitome of spare rib perfection.

These succulent ribs, grilled to tender perfection, are elevated by a carefully crafted barbecue sauce-a harmonious blend of sweetness, spice, and savory notes.

The lolos' unique sauce recipes, closely guarded family secrets, contribute to the distinctiveness of each culinary offering.

As you indulge in this cultural celebration, the aroma of expertly grilled spare ribs and the anticipation of tasting the unique barbecue sauce become an immersive experience, leaving an indelible mark on your taste buds.

Whether a barbecue enthusiast or a lolo newcomer, these spare ribs offer a delicious glimpse into the heart and soul of the Caribbean's barbecue culture.

Locri

Locri, one of the cherished Sint Maarten dishes, holds a special place in Sint Maarten's culinary tapestry.

Reminiscent of Spanish paella, it combines rice, vegetables, and chicken, becoming a culinary masterpiece with an aromatic allure.

Infused with spices like oregano, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, Locri represents the essence of Caribbean cuisine.

The method of cooking all components together allows flavors to meld, offering an authentic taste of Sint Maarten.

The dish's versatility shines as variations with beef or pork attract tourists, providing a delightful encounter with the local culinary scene, Sint Maarten.net said.

Each bite becomes a journey through the diverse and rich tastes of Sint Maarten, a cultural expression in Caribbean dining.

Whelk Soup

Whelk soup, a prevalent and delightful food in Sint Maarten, highlights the culinary diversity of the island.

Featuring whelks and abundant saltwater mollusks, this creation comes in various recipes.

A common Sint Maarten preparation involves stewing whelks in rich coconut milk or combining them with a vegetable stew seasoned to perfection.

The resulting symphony of tastes, enriched by ingredients like celery, sweet pepper, onion, potatoes, and noodles, showcases the island's commitment to locally sourced, flavorful, and culturally resonant culinary experiences.

Whelk soup captivates the senses, offering a satisfying journey for both locals and visitors exploring Sint Maarten's culinary treasures.

READ MORE: Cayman Islands Historical Sites

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Top 10 Foods in St Martin / What to EAT When in the Caribbean / Must Try LOCAL Sint Maarten Foods - From Tuesday Bingo
The trial date for the federal election subversion case against former President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, has been postponed, according to a recent court order.

The original Trump criminal case trial date set for March 4 has been put on hold as a federal appeals court considers Trump's argument for immunity from prosecution based on his role as president leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to CNN.

The delay, not officially confirmed until US District Judge Tanya Chutkan's order on Friday, aligns with Trump's ongoing efforts to push the trial beyond the 2024 presidential election.

However, it remains uncertain whether Trump will succeed in delaying the trial until after the November vote.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Must Pay E. Jean Carroll Another $83.3 Million

Chutkan's Decision and Potential Trial Duration

Judge Chutkan's decision to postpone Donald Trump criminal case trial was anticipated given the former president's pursuit of immunity from charges related to his attempts to subvert the 2020 election.

Chutkan, in a brief order, indicated that she would reschedule the trial "if and when" the immunity issue is resolved.

The trial, if it proceeds, is expected to span several months, POLITICO noted.

At a recent proceeding, Chutkan acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the case's impact on her schedule.

While not explicitly mentioning Trump's case, she hinted at the possibility of rescheduling.

"I do not know what my schedule will be in mid-April," the judge said.

Chutkan has kept her calendar flexible, suggesting a potential trial rescheduling if the immunity matter is settled.

Judge Chutkan, who recently scheduled the trial of another Jan. 6 defendant for April 2, hinted that Donald Trump criminal case trial might not occur before the latter half of April.

She mentioned the possibility of adjusting other trial dates depending on various factors.

Ripple Effect on Other Cases

The delay in the Washington trial could have implications for other cases against Trump.

With the change in Washington, Trump's first criminal trial is likely to occur in New York, where he faces charges of falsifying business records in a scheme to pay hush money, per USA Today

The New York trial is tentatively set for March 25, pending developments in other jurisdictions.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has indicated that the judge is awaiting outcomes in other cases, with a potential schedule update expected after the next hearing on February 15.

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals is considering Trump's immunity argument, and the decision, with no fixed deadline, could be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Depending on the length of the delay in the Washington trial and the timing of the New York trial, Trump's federal trial in Florida on charges related to hoarding national security documents after leaving the White House may also face postponement.

The documents trial is tentatively scheduled for May 20.

Meanwhile, a Georgia trial on charges of conspiracy to interfere with the 2020 election involving Trump and others has yet to be scheduled.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has proposed an August 5 trial date, potentially overlapping with the election.

The Donald Trump criminal case trial date remains undecided, with a hearing set for February 15 to address accusations against Willis, ensuring ongoing legal complexities.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Faces Backlash From Arab American Voters in Michigan

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WATCH: Federal judge in DC postpones Trump's March trial on charges of plotting to overturn 2020 election - From 13WMAZ
At Dover Air Force Base, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden participated in a solemn ceremony on Friday, witnessing the dignified transfer of three American soldiers killed in a Jordan drone attack, AP reports.

This ritual, honoring fallen troops, stands as one of the most solemn duties for a commander-in-chief.

With a gloved hand over his heart, President Biden observed as transfer cases draped in American flags were moved from a military transport aircraft to a waiting van.

The 15-minute dignified transfer, marked by an Air Force chaplain's prayer for "grace and mercy," was a poignant moment.

The transfer included the remains of Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Georgia, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Gets Campaign Cash in Trump's Territory

First Lady and Dignitaries Join President Joe Biden

First Lady Jill Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accompanied Joe President Biden.

The parents of Specialist Sanders shared a video of a previous call with Biden, where he expressed empathy, drawing on his personal experience of loss.

The Jordan drone attack, carried out by Iran-backed militants on the American outpost known as Tower 22 in Jordan, resulted in three fatalities and over 40 injuries, according to Reuters.

President Biden, who has decided on a response, hinted at retaliatory strikes, though ruling out a war with Iran.

The United States, based on its assessment, has concluded that Iran manufactured the drone used in the attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan, as reported by four US officials to Reuters.

US Conducts Major Airstrikes in Response to Jordan Drone Attack

In response to the Jordan drone attack that killed three American soldiers, the US initiated major airstrikes on 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria, per CNN.

The strikes were aimed at Iranian-backed militias that have targeted US troops in the Middle East. President Biden emphasized that the military response "will continue at times and places of our choosing."

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," Joe Biden said.

The airstrikes, lasting 30 minutes, targeted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

The strikes, marked by over 125 precision munitions, focused on command and control operations, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics facilities.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that these strikes represent the beginning of the response.

"We believe that the strikes were successful," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

The administration seeks to deter further attacks while avoiding a full-scale conflict with Iran amid heightened tensions in the region.

This decisive action comes after the Jordan drone attack raised concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East, already strained by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

President Joe Biden affirmed the United States' commitment to responding to harm against Americans while expressing a desire to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

READ MORE: Michigan Arab American Voters Slam Joe Biden During Campaign Visit

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WATCH: Jordan drone attack: Biden attends dignified transfer of the 3 fallen soldiers - From LiveNOW from FOX


Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2020 shows an expedition vessel in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Some waters of the South China Sea have not been calm over the past couple of months, as the Philippines has been stirring up troubles through provocative acts one after another targeting China's Ren'ai Jiao and Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea.

On Dec. 10, 2023, Philippine vessels intruded into adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao in an attempt to illegally ship construction materials to its warship deliberately "grounded" at the reef in 1999. The Philippines has explicitly promised to tow away the military vessel, however, in the 24 years since, the Philippines has sought to repair and reinforce it to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao.

On Jan. 28, four Philippine personnel illegally broke into the reef plate of Huangyan Dao, and the China Coast Guard warned and drove them away in a law-based and professional way.

What the Philippine side has done, in collusion with some countries outside the region, has seriously infringed China's sovereignty, soured bilateral relations, and raised tensions in the South China Sea. The actions also contravene international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Such provocations are not only unwise but futile.

China's Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) consist of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). These Islands include, among others, islands, reefs, shoals and cays of various numbers and sizes.

The activities of the Chinese people in the South China Sea date back to over 2,000 years ago. China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters, and the first to have continuously, peacefully and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them. China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea have been established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and law.

Peace and stability in the South China Sea is vital to the security, development and prosperity of the countries and people of the region. The realization of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea region is the shared aspiration and responsibility of China and ASEAN member states.

China adheres to the position of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation and managing differences through rules and mechanisms, and remains committed to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship. But China also stands firm in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Historical facts regarding China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao must be respected. Common understandings should be binding and commitments must be honored. China's goodwill, sincerity and restraint cannot be exploited without limits.

To maintain stability in the South China Sea, all parties must follow the "dual-track approach," namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation, and peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly safeguarded by China and ASEAN countries.

Attempts to court external forces or create a small bloc in the region to pressure China will do nothing to manage differences. For peace and stability in the South China Sea, it would be wise for the Philippine side to change track and return to the right path of dialogue and consultation to resolve the maritime differences between the two countries.
By David Keating

State lawmakers have a golden opportunity to strengthen free speech for all Pennsylvanians this year.

A bill currently under consideration by the General Assembly, HB1466, would correct a significant weakness in the lawa weakness that puts you and other Pennsylvanians at risk of costly lawsuits for speaking out.

Those suits are SLAPPs, which means strategic lawsuits against public participation. Such suits aim to prevent people from exercising their First Amendment right to speak out on a matter of public concern. Deep-pocketed plaintiffs bring SLAPPs, usually in the form of a frivolous defamation lawsuit, not only to silence a particular speaker but also as a way of chilling the speech of other would-be speakers who may now remain silent for fear of facing a similar suit.

Even when a SLAPP defendant ultimately prevails, the cost and stress of fighting such a suit inflicts a severe punishment for exercising the right to speak freely.

HB1466 would change that. And its already passed the House. Now, the bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits further action.

The bill contains strong anti-SLAPP protections and tracks the nonpartisan Uniform Law Commissions model Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA). Notably, HB1466 cures the main defect of the commonwealths existing anti-SLAPP provisions by protecting all expression on any matter of public concern. Current law only protects communications to government agencies about environmental laws and regulations.

In other words, Pennsylvanias current law offers no protection if you speak out about taxes, abortion, education, health care, guns, transportation, or countless other topics. Even doing something as simple as leaving an online product review could leave you vulnerable to a SLAPP. The UPEPA-modeled HB1466 fixes this shortcoming.

The bill also contains essential provisions that deter SLAPPs and minimize litigation costs for defendants. UPEPA-based anti-SLAPP protections require plaintiffs to show they have a legitimate case early in the proceedings. They also give defendants a right to an immediate appeal if the court denies the anti-SLAPP motion. Finally, the proposed provisions allow a winning defendant to recover an award of costs and attorney fees and instruct judges to interpret the laws speech protections broadly.

All of that would be great news for Pennsylvania, which just received a D-minus in the Institute for Free Speechs 2023 Anti-SLAPP Report Card. This report analyzes anti-SLAPP protections in all 50 states plus DC. Pennsylvanias overall score was just 25 points out of a possible 100. Pennsylvania is the most populous state in the country to receive a D or F.

Besides being detrimental to free speech, Pennsylvanias law is also increasingly an outlier amid a growing national trend toward stronger anti-SLAPP protections. In fact, neighboring New York earned an A+ grade with a score of 99, while New Jersey recently passed a new, strong anti-SLAPP law that instantly raised its grade from an F to a solid A with a score of 97.

Moreover, for the first time, over half of Americans now live in a state with strong anti-SLAPP protections. UPEPA has helped foster this trend, and six states have already used UPEPA to enact new or improved laws since the 2022 edition of the Anti-SLAPP Report Card, including New Jersey this past September.

Notably, New Jerseys bill enjoyed deep bipartisan sponsorship and passed unanimously. That level of supportparticularly remarkable in deeply partisan timesspeaks to the ability of these laws to unite advocates across the ideological spectrum to safeguard a fundamental right.

On the precipice of a major victory for free speech, legislators should move quickly to pass this bill, joining the growing number of states that have wisely chosen to protect their citizens from lawsuits that undermine their First Amendment rights.
The Route 611 closure at the Northampton-Monroe county border is a bit like the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day: Affected residents and business owners, hopeful for change, find disappointment day after day.

On Friday, Groundhog Day, congressional lawmakers from Pennsylvania sent a letter to federal and state officials, who they say need to come together on a solution with the situation ... at a standstill.

The inability to find a path forward on the part of the two agencies has kept the road closed for over a year and become a burden on residents, businesses, commuters, and emergency vehicles that have had to follow detours around the closure, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Reps. Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild wrote to National Park Service Director Charles F. Sams III and Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll.

We emphasize our collective frustration over this situation and request both PennDOT and NPS come together and find a compromise that satisfies NPSs statutory requirements, prioritizes safety, and reopens Route 611, the Congress members, all Democrats, continued.

The continuing Route 611 closure passed its year anniversary in early December. The state road closure is within the Park Services Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, between Slateford Road to the south in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, and Cherry Valley Road/Oak Street to the north in the Borough of Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County.

Its due to a rock slide along the federal parklands Mount Minsi that occurred during heavy rains.

PennDOT has a plan to shore up the mountainside but needs an Emergency Special Use Permit from the National Park Service for the first of two phases of work as outlined. The scope of Phase 1 consists of the scaling to remove loose rock throughout the project area within PennDOTs right-of-way.

Once permitted, Phase 1 scaling and construction is expected to last less than six months, according to PennDOT, and will allow Route 611 to reopen as a single lane controlled with temporary traffic signals.

Phase 2 is outside PennDOT right-of-way and will include long-term stabilization of slope sections, and will require separate clearance once the full scope of work is identified. The road will not fully reopen until Phase 2 is complete, and there is no estimated timeline for that to occur.

National Park Service officials, however, have yet to grant a permit for PennDOT to remove rock along Mount Minsi. Mount Minsi is a defining feature of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Helping to justify a close look at the permit request, the park service says, the mountain has a high level of significance for the ancestral homelands of four federally recognized sovereign of Native American tribes.

Cartwright, representing Pennsylvanias 8th Congressional District, also convened a meeting on the closure last month with PennDOT and Park Service officials.

While we recognize the statutory limitations both parties must navigate, this impasse cannot continue, the lawmakers letter Friday states. The Route 611 closure contributes to regional frustrations with government parties seeming unwilling to work together or compromise.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A man appeared in court accused of burglary of shops in Portlaoise.

Paul Houlihan, 40, with an address at Apartment 2, 1 Emmett Street, Mountmellick is accused of burglary at Polonez, Bridge Street, Portlaoise on January 31 last.

He is also accused of burglary at Eurogiant, Lyster Square, Portlaoise on December 14, 2023 when vapes valued at 360 were stolen.

Objecting to bail, Garda Seamus OConnor said the defendant was arrested at 6am on the New Road in Portlaoise on suspicion of burglary at the Polish shop on January 31.

Garda OConnor objected to bail for the defendant and said the evidence against the accused was strong. He said there was CCTV evidence and the defendant had nowhere to stay.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had difficulties with heroin addiction but was now on methadone. He said the man presents well in court and would turn up for trial.

He is asking the court for a chance, said Mr Fitzgerald.

Mr Fitzgerald said the man was working with the council to try and get accommodation for the man.

I am homeless basically since my mother passed away two years ago, the defendant told Judge Andrew Cody.

Judge Cody said he would be inclined to grant bail if an address could be provided. He gave the defendant some time to secure an address and returned to the case after lunch.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald told the court that an address at Apartment 2, 1 Emmett Street, Mountmellick had been secured. He introduced Kevin Houlihan, who he said lived at the address and was not related to the accused despite having the same surname.

The man said he had been living at the address for three years and was willing to have the defendant stay. He explained that he was in a relationship with the defendants cousin.

Judge Andrew Cody said the defendant would have to adhere to a curfew.

Will you be there to make sure he does comply, he asked. The man said he would.

Judge Cody agreed to grant bail with a number of strict conditions which included signing on three days a week at Portlaoise Garda Station, observing a curfew and to remain of sober habits. He remanded the defendant on bail and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on February 8.
Laois County Council is continuing to crack down on undocumented horses.

It has issued a new notice in relation to the seizure of a horse.

The notice was issued after a black female horse was impounded under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, in Portarlington.

The council said the horse was seized from Castlegate, Portarlington on Tuesday, January 30.

Statutory Instruments S.I. No. 399 of 2994 and S.I. No. 530 of 2007 require all horses, ponies and donkeys in the Republic of Ireland to have a passport, the council stated.

Under Laois County Councils Control of Horses Bye-Laws, the animal will be rehomed/disposed of if they remain unclaimed after 6th February, 2024, the council said.

Last week Laois County Council issued a notice in relation to five horses seized from Knockmay in Portlaoise.

The horses were impounded by Laois County Council under the the Control of Horses Act, 1996 on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

The horses are described as a black male, chestnut male and three bay females. The council said that all horses in Ireland are required to have a passport.

Under Laois County Councils Control of Horses Bye-Laws, animals will be rehomed/disposed of if they remain unclaimed after a period of five working days. The animals listed above must be claimed by 5.00 pm on Friday, 2nd February, 2024, the council warned.
The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which took place in Hanoi from January 25 to February 1, 2021. (Photo: VNA)

Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Uruguay Senator Juan Castillo said the CPVs responsibility for promoting the sustainable development of the nation is extremely enormous.



President Ho Chi Minh, who founded the CPV on February 3, 1930, and generations of Vietnamese leaders have been leading Vietnam on the path to socialism and much progress during the cause of Doi moi (Renewal), he emphasised.



Gaston Fiorda, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the National Radio of Argentina (RNA), held that during its 94 years of development, the CPV has shown its mettle and talent as seen in its flexible response to every challenge of the era.



He said he is impressed with the country's development achievements, particularly public transport infrastructure as well as modern urban areas and considerably improved life quality.



Highlighting the CPVs leadership role, Fiorda attributed all the achievements to the sound direction by the CPV, which has created a politically and legally stable society with long-term development policies and programmes.



In a constantly changing world full of challenges, the Vietnamese people, under the CPVs leadership, have always shown their capacity of rising from all circumstances to develop, even when the whole world fell into tragic circumstances such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, or the expansion of capitalism, the expert noted.



Chairman of the Israel - Vietnam Friendship Association Amikam Levy, who served as Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam during 2001 - 2003, emphasised that Party and State leaders of Vietnam are visionary and dedicated to developing a more powerful country and ensuring more happiness and wealth for the people.



He held that the country has chosen the right direction and had a strong leadership with clear aspirations and commitments.



Meanwhile, both Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Hernandez, Director of the Education Institute at the Central University of Venezuela, and Dr. Juan Gamez, a lecturer at the Venezuela-based Simon Bolivar University, expressed their admiration for the achievements of the Doi moi cause, initiated and led by the CPV.



They stressed that Vietnam has been setting an example for other nations around the world in the struggle for independence and peoples happiness.



In his article written on the occasion of the CPVs 94th anniversary, Chairman of the Russian Council of Experts of the Eurasian Research Fund Grigory Trofimchuk used the image of an enduring lighthouse on the chosen path to affirm the CPVs leadership role in the cause of revolution, construction, and development of Vietnam.



He added that the CPV has become the factor ensuring stability and security for not only Vietnam but also the entire Southeast Asia and the world. With its guiding role, it is the foundation of Vietnams prestige in the world./.
Hundreds of Laois farmers brought Portlaoise to a standstill this week as part of the national protest which the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) described as a show of solidarity.

Portlaoise's streets, main approach roads and junctions were jammed for hours on Thursday, Friday 1 as farmers demonstrated there dissatisfaction with several aspects of farm policy. The protest was mounted as part of a Europe-wide campaign to demand a better deal from the EU and its member states for farmers.

New IFA President Francie Gorman from Ballinakill was to the fore in explaining why the protest took place. He said the huge turnout of farmers across the country in Laois and other counties week cannot be ignored by the Government and the EU Commission.

The deep frustration among farmers manifested itself in thousands taking to the streets to send a strong message that issues cannot continue to be ignored, he said in a statement.

Mr Gorman said there will have to be a fundamental re-set in the way that farm policy is designed and implemented.

Time and again, we have seen a level of complexity introduced that does not take account of the practicalities of day-to-day farming. One example would be the failure to pay farmers who are doing excellent work for the environment through the ACRES scheme. Its simply not good enough and shows a lack of understanding of how these schemes work and deliver for farmers, he said.

The Laois man said the IFA will meet with the Minister for Agriculture and the Taoiseach.

We will reflect the anger and frustration that exists among farmers. The onus is on the Minister to respond in a way that farmers can see a tangible change in the approach that brings some common sense to the way farm policy is devised, he warned. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

He said the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged that red tape has to be cut.

This in itself is an admission that there is a problem, but the words have to be matched by actions.

The CAP budget is completely insufficient. We need increased funding to support both food production and environmental ambition. The EU Commission has to engage directly with farmers on how this will be done.

It is also time the European Commission and our own Government start to engage in proper consultation with farmers that takes on board their concerns rather than the top-down approach, as we saw with the farcical handling of the Nitrates derogation, the President said.

The IFA President has said he has the backing of IFA National Council to do whatever is needed.
One of Irelands best-loved comedians, Emma Doran is coming to the Riverbank, Newbridge on May 23 with her brand new show Dilemma.

She has just sold out her show in Naas at the Moat on April 19.

Fresh from appearing on the extremely popular show, Last One Laughing Ireland, fronted by Graham Norton, Emmas 21-date nationwide tour is set to kick off in March and will conclude with two nights in Vicar Street in May, before she brings the shows to UK audiences in October.

It's the post-apocalyptic world. There's only one contraceptive pill left. Do you give it to your 20-year-old daughter or keep it for yourself? Is it better to be a 40-year-old grandmother or a 40-year-old new mam? These are the dilemmas facing Emma Doran, aged 39 and 7/8s, even though the most obvious outcome is neither. If turning 40 is the start of something new, what is it the end of? "Ah here, where's me vape?"

Join Emma Doran for a night of belly laughs where critics have raved about her performances, with the Evening Standard declaring, "Youd be mad to miss her," and The Guardian praising her "Pleasing streak of wickedness."

I am so excited to be bringing my new show around Ireland this spring. We are hitting almost every county across Ireland and doing even bigger venues. I am so excited to be returning to Vicar Street; we sold it out the last time I was there, so its going to be great craic performing there again," said Emma.

Emma has made appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox Ireland, The Late Late Show, and most recently on Last One Laughing Ireland on Prime Video.
Austrian musician Karin Leitner brings her 2024 tour to Monorhamilton at The Glens Centre on February 09 at 8pm.

Although born in Austria, she has an Irish soul and has toured Ireland with many ensembles throughout the years.

Karin has lived in a cottage on the Birr Castle Estate, where she heard a lot of music inside. She composed many Celtic Irish pieces and used traditional Irish instruments.

In this programme, she will tell stories of her travelling life as a musician and about her compositions. The programme will also contain famous film music tunes.

She has recorded with huge orchestras in Bulgaria and Slovakia to make her backing tracks, which she performs live on flute and Irish tin whistle.

Karin has composed four new inspirations for flute, harp and orchestra, performing on a wooden flute, piccolo, Irish tin whistle and Native American flute. She also uses Celtic and tribal instruments.

She is a tutor at the Sandor Vegh Symposium for woodwinds and chamber music workshops in Ireland, Northern Ireland, China, Iran and South Africa.

Karin performed solo concerts with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Vienna Mozart Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra Hradec Kralove, and many others.

The Austrian musician is the Artistic Director of the Vienna Film Orchestra, played Titanic at Vienna Filmball 2010 and was awarded a Competition Prize by the City of Vienna in 2010. and was an Artist and Composer in Residence in Tehran, Ireland, in 2012.

She received a United Nations Award for performance in Nepal during the Civil War and is also a member of the Jury of the Prima La Musica Flute Competition, Klagenfurt.

Come to hear the enchanting stories and be transported by the music into happy realms. Tickets are 17/15 and available at https://glenscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873656105.
The Taoiseach has said the government is not clamping down on immigration, but is ramping up efforts to tackle those who travel to Ireland illegally.

Leo Varadkar said they are targeting people who are trying to abuse the generosity of the Irish system.

The Fine Gael leader said the number of people seeking international protection has increased ten-fold, which he said needed a government response.

Speaking during an event in Dublin, Mr Varadkar also stated that while the state has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration, he could not guarantee immigration numbers would decline.

Ireland has seen a rise in protests at buildings across the country earmarked to house asylum seekers.

There have also been arson attacks on several buildings proposed as accommodation locations for international protection applicants.

Mr Varadkar said that talking about immigration has been difficult.

We all need to be better at learning the language and speaking about migration properly and competently, he added.

He described Irelands immigration policy as fair.

We are welcoming more people to Ireland all the time.

Theres no way we could run our health service, Blanchardstown Hospital down the road, without all the people who come from overseas.

Far from clamping down on immigration, we are welcoming immigration, but we are cracking down on people who come into the country illegally and try to abuse the generosity of our system.

A lot of the things that are being done arent particularly new, its just the context has changed. So we would have had maybe only 2,000 or 3,000 people seeking international protection each year, thats increased pretty much ten-fold and that requires a response from government.

That means making decisions more quickly and giving those who are entitled to protection the protection they need and deserve but also to those who arent entitled to protection, saying to them if you are served with a deportation order, youve to leave the country.

If you dont leave voluntarily, then we will deport you.

Ireland issues up to 40,000 work permits every year to allow people to live and work in the country.

The area that has become controversial is a small part of immigration and thats international protection (applicants), the Fine Gael leader added.

When it comes to people seeking international protection, we want to grant protection to those who are entitled to it as quickly as possible and bring them into our society.

For those who try and get around the scrum and use the international protection system incorrectly when they should be applying for work permit or visa, yes there is a crackdown on that and I stand over it.

While the government said it will clamp down on illegal immigration, Mr Varadkar said he could not guarantee the number of illegal immigrants in Ireland will decline.

I cant guarantee you that were going to have peace in the world and that climate change is going to end. I wish I could, he added.
Passengers wearing hoodies, jumpers and other oversized garments "should be prepared" to be remove them when passing through security screenings, Dublin Airport has said.

In a post on X this Friday morning, Dublin Airport said passengers "should be prepared to remove any hoodies or loose oversize jumpers or sweaters when going through security screening", instructing that passengers "please remove the top and place it in the tray for screening".

Passengers should be prepared to remove any hoodies or loose oversize jumpers or sweaters when going through security screening. Please remove the top and place it in the tray for screening.



More advice on preparing for security  https://t.co/Z7v0gXA9VS pic.twitter.com/OnLwnqP6sO  Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 2, 2024

According to the airport's website, "any oversized garments, which may conceal additional items or the outline of your person, will have to be removed for Security screening. Please remove the top, be it an over-sized hoodie, jumper, jacket or sweater and place in the tray for screening."

Social media users appeared confused by the announcement with several replying to the post with follow-up questions.

One user asked, "so, if I'm wearing a hoodie with just a bra underneath do I still have to remove my hoodie?"

In response, Dublin Airport replied: "All passengers should be prepared to remove their hoodie when they reach security screening."

A later post from the airport's account clarified that "private screenings/hand searches can be an option too.

Regarding the enforcement of the rule that has surprised many, Dublin Airport said that regulations have been tightened recently regarding this.

The original post has been viewed over 130,000 views and racked up almost 90 comments with social media users struggling to make sense of the announcement.

We've seen worse. We've even seen Liverpool jerseys.  Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 2, 2024

I always wear a hoodie when flying and never, not once, have I been told it has to be removed.  The Legendary One (@AnnieAura) February 2, 2024

So, when I try to defeat airline charges and wear half my suitcase, hope security have the time for me to undress and take off 5 jumpers , 3t shirts and 2 coats  Adventuring with Peter & Dolores (@outdoorsligo) February 2, 2024

This is absolute nonsense. Passengers are already removing belts, shoes, jewellery etc.



May as well go through security in the nip at this stage!  Simy (@Simy_78) February 2, 2024

Seriously?!



In 2024  Y (@Yopsycles) February 2, 2024

So whats the point of the scanners if this is happening?  N (@NeewWorldLeader) February 2, 2024

Please please please filter this information through airlines so more passengers are prepared and delays/drama/comments section in real life is minimised  Stephie Graphics (@cloudsteph) February 2, 2024

What is the reason for this enhanced (and utterly ridiculous) step? Dont the security frisk you anyway if you beep going through the gate? What has happened for things to change ? Especially as other airports are doing all they can to reduce screening  Niall Horan (@niallhoran) February 2, 2024
Parks Canada recognizes Chloe Cooley for her courage and determination during her forced transportation in 1793





NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, Feb. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada commemorates the national historic significance of Chloe Cooley at a special plaque unveiling ceremony at Navy Hall in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The commemoration was made by Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Chloe Cooley was an enslaved woman of African descent living in Queenston, Upper Canada. In March 1793, her enslaver Adam Vrooman arranged to sell Cooley to an American in upstate New York. Cooley resisted her forced transportation, and in response, she was bound with rope to prevent her escape and gagged to silence her protest. With the help of his brother Isaac Vrooman and a son of Loyalist McGregory Van Every, Adam Vrooman violently forced Cooley into a small boat and transported her across the Niagara River to the American shore. Cooley continued to resist but was ultimately unable to escape.

Though Cooley's resistance did not result in her freedom, it left a strong impression on Peter Martin, a free man of African descent and a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, and William Grisley (Crisley), a white employee of Vrooman's. The two men later testified to her capture before Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and two members of the Executive Council of Upper Canada. Though Attorney General John White was instructed to prosecute Adam Vrooman, no charges were laid as he was acting within his legal rights in selling Cooley. This served as a catalyst for Simcoe to instruct the Attorney General to draft legislation imposing limits on enslavement in Upper Canada.

Cooley's resistance led to legislative changes resulting in the 1793 Act to prevent the further introduction of Slaves, and to limit the Term of Contracts for Servitude within this Province, which contributed to the extension of the Underground Railroad into Upper Canada and the gradual abolition of slavery. Her story became a well-known example of the everyday acts of resistance of enslaved women.

The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped this country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present.

The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,250 designations have been made nationwide. To nominate a person, place or historic event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application .

Quotes

"Chloe Cooley's acts of resistance demonstrate her enormous courage and determination against her enslavers, and her story is a testament to the struggles of enslaved people in Upper Canada in the late 1700s. Her actions contributed to changes in legislation which limited slavery in Upper Canada, and as a result, had an enormous impact on the lives of others and on future generations. Designations such as Chloe Cooley's shed light on the lives of those whose stories have long been overlooked. By commemorating Chloe Cooley, we can better understand Canada's history of enslavement and how the effects of its legacy can still be felt today."

Chris Bittle,

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

And Member of Parliament for St. Catharines

Quick Facts

The exact location of Chloe Cooley's crossing along the Niagara River is unknown.

crossing along the Niagara River is unknown. The Government of Canada has recognized the Upper Canadian Act of 1793 Against Slavery as a National Historic Event.

has recognized the Upper Canadian Act of 1793 Against Slavery as a National Historic Event. Along with banning the importation of enslaved people into the province, the Act to prevent the further introduction of Slaves, and to limit the Term of Contracts for Servitude within this Province placed limits on contracts of labour, and declared that children born after July 3, 1793 , would be freed at age 25, and that their children would be free at birth.

placed limits on contracts of labour, and declared that children born after , would be freed at age 25, and that their children would be free at birth. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating Chloe Cooley is to be unveiled in Niagara-on-the-Lake , which is the traditional territory of First Nations including the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabeg. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

plaque commemorating is to be unveiled in , which is the traditional territory of First Nations including the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabeg. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the lands protected by the Dish with wampum agreement. Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada's history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration and these important stories are shared with Canadians.

advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration and these important stories are shared with Canadians. Parks Canada is committed to working with Canadians in our efforts to tell broader, more inclusive stories in the places that it manages. In support of this goal, the Framework for History and Commemoration outlines a comprehensive, and engaging approach to sharing Canada's history through diverse perspectives, including shedding light on tragic and difficult periods of Canada's past.

Related Documents

Backgrounder: Chloe Cooley National Historic Person

Related Links

Parks Canada

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

Government of Canada recognizes Chloe Cooley as a person of national historic significance

SOURCE Parks Canada

3 february 2024 at 15:00

News published onand distributed by:
Police investigators work inside the Gare de Lyon station after an attack, in Paris, France, on February 3, 2024. CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP

A man suspected of stabbing several people on the morning of Saturday, February 3, at Paris's Gare de Lyon train station has been arrested, the Police Prefecture told news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), without being able to specify the attacker's motives at this stage.

According to a provisional report from the police, the attack, which took place at around 8 am local time at the major travel hub, left one person seriously injured, with a non-life-threatening prognosis, and two slightly injured. Police Prefect Laurent Nunez spoke of a fourth person who was "very shocked" by the attack. According to the public prosecutor's office, "the blows were inflicted with a hammer and a knife, weapons which are currently being analyzed."

The injured "were taken care of by the emergency services. A thank you to those who overpowered the man who carried out this unbearable act," said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on X, formerly Twitter.

According to Nunez, the initial findings of the investigation "do not suggest that this was a terrorist act." He added that the assailant "clearly suffers from psychiatric disorders" and mentioned medication " that attests to the fact that he is receiving treatment."

Investigation into attempted murder

"The suspect did not cry out [any religious slogans] during his attack," added a police source. "He presented the police with an Italian driving license," said the same source.

The assailant, of Malian nationality, has been "legally resident in Italy since 2016, with a fully valid permit issued in 2019," according to the documents in his possession. This document allowed him to travel legally to France. He was previously unknown to the French and Italian police, according to a police source.

"We will see if terrorism can be ruled out, after checks underway on his telephone records, life in Italy and comments to investigators," said Nunez, speaking at a press briefing at the Gare de Lyon.

The assailant "was first subdued by passers-by" before the intervention of SUGE, the SNCF railway police, who then handed him over to the police, the police source detailed. According to the Paris public prosecutor's office, an investigation into the attempted murder has been opened. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said it was observing the case.

The individual was taken into custody. An initial medical examination declared his state of health compatible with police custody, said another source close to the case, according to whom he should undergo a subsequent psychiatric examination.

The attack took place less than six months before the Paris Olympic Games, where 15 million visitors are expected to attend against a tense security backdrop.
A Senegalese migrant in front of a bus that will take him to the Guatemalan border, then on to the US. In Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on August 24, 2023. ORLANDO SIERRA / AFP

"Ticket to Nicaragua available. Price: $8,500." "Senegal-Nicaragua air ticket available. Interested, inbox for more info thanks." "Tickets and papers 3 million [CFA francs]." On Facebook, there's a multitude of adverts. For over a year now, one migration route has been taking off for Senegalese wishing to reach the United States. They're booking flights to Managua, Nicaragua, then traveling overland through Central America to their final destination. "In 2023, travel agencies said they were swamped with requests in Dakar," reported Nelly Robin of the French Institute of Development Research. "At one point, up to 300 people were taking the plane every day," added Aly Tandian, president of the Senegalese Migration Observatory. "Flights have emerged via Casablanca and Madrid, or via Turkey. For all these countries, the Senegalese didn't need a visa."

This situation is about to change. On Tuesday, January 30, anxious to dissuade potential asylum seekers, the Spanish government decided that as of February 19, Senegalese stopping over at the Madrid-Barajas Airport would require an airport transit visa. Since January 20, this key document has also been required of Kenyans. In August 2023, the same formality was imposed by Spain on Uzbekistan nationals and a year earlier, on Turks.

Tierno (first name changed) came to the US in the fall of 2023. The 29-year-old Senegalese national landed in Managua on September 29 and entered Arizona 12 days later. Today, he is staying with a fellow countryman in Ohio. "I'm waiting to get my work permit," he said. "After that, there are jobs in warehouses like Amazon's."

Read more Subscribers only Nicaragua, a new pathway to the US for Senegalese would-be emigrants

Tierno has long wanted to go to France, where one of his brothers lives. "But we're watching the news and I have a lot of friends in Europe, so I know that their situation isn't easy, especially when you don't have papers," said the young geography graduate. "In the US, the work permit lasts five years and allows you to be part of the country."

By bus, by car, by boat

Senegalese migration across the Atlantic is nothing new. "In the early 2000s, there were flights to Brazil," explained Robin. "Some Senegalese continued on to the United States. Today, the boom in the route via Nicaragua is also linked to the danger of the trans-Saharan routes or the sea route via the Canaries."

Tierno paid almost 7,000 for his trip, which took him not only by plane but also by bus, car and boat up Central America and Mexico. "In Nicaragua," he recalled, "you get out of the airport and there are lots of people offering you their services. I paid a certain Pedro $60 [55] to go to Honduras. I stayed in his hotel and we traveled in 44s. We were a group with Cameroonians, Mauritanians, Indians..."

You have 67.01% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
In this image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, RAF Armourers (Weapon Technicians) prepare a Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 for air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, in RAF Akrotiri, on January 21, 2024. AS1 LEAH JONES / AP

The United States and Britain struck dozens of targets in Yemen on Saturday, February 3, in response to repeated attacks on shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels that have disrupted global trade and put lives at risk.

The joint air raids in Yemen come a day after a wave of unilateral American strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria that were carried out in response to the killing of three US soldiers in Jordan on January 28.

The strikes hit "36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen in response to the Houthiis' continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea," the US, Britain and other countries that provided support for the operation said in a statement.

"These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners," the statement said. The assault "targeted sites associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars."

US forces earlier Saturday separately carried out strikes against six Houthi anti-ship missiles that were "prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea," the Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

Read more US, UK launch new round of joint strikes against multiple Houthi sites in Yemen

The military command also said Saturday that US forces shot down eight drones near Yemen the day before and destroyed four more before they could be launched. CENTCOM said the four drones hit on the ground belonged to the Houthis but did not identify a country or group linked to those that were shot out of the air.

Houthis retaliated in support of Palestinians

The Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war. US and British forces have responded with strikes against the Houthis, who have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.

In addition to strikes against the Houthis, the US set up a multinational naval task force aimed at protecting shipping on the transit route, which carries up to 12% of global trade.

Anger over Israel's devastating campaign in Gaza  which began after an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7  has grown across the Middle East, stoking violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Last weekend, a drone slammed into a base in Jordan, killing three US soldiers and wounding more than 40  an attack Washington blamed on Iran-backed forces.

Read more Subscribers only Saudi Arabia attempts to position itself as mediator after US-British strikes against Houthis in Yemen

The US responded Friday with strikes against dozens of targets at seven Tehran-linked facilities in Iraq and Syria, but did not hit Iranian territory.
TY STUDENTS across the Mid-West are being given an opportunity to have their say on our future by visualising the transformational potential of the Shannon Estuary as a global renewable energy hub in the decades ahead.

The students will have their say as part of the return of the Shannon Foynes Port Company Compass schools competition.

Organised by the port authority, the biennial competition will be an opportunity for Transition Year students in counties Limerick, Clare and Kerry to create a short film that predicts what realising the unprecedented renewable energy opportunity on the Shannon Estuary will do for the region and nation.

Themed Shooting the Breeze, the competition returns for the first time since pre-Covid and has a top prize of 2,000 for the winning school.

Students create a film of a maximum duration of seven minutes that will focus on the impact of wind power, what it will deliver in terms of sustainability and the downstream economic opportunities as the Shannon Estuary becomes the production hub for

Irelands estimated 80GW of offshore wind  ten times our domestic requirement - waiting to be tapped off the Atlantic seaboard.

Shannon Foynes Port is partnering on this years competition with the Hunt Museum, leveraging off its Nights Candles are Burnt Out exhibition, which charts the previous renewable energy revolution of the Shannon system via the development almost a century ago of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme at Ardnacrusha.

Students will get ample inspiration and insight for their film by visiting the captivating exhibition, which is free to all schools participating in Shooting the Breeze.

Information packs and entry forms for the competition are available from eadams@sfpc.ie; telephone 069 73102.

Entry forms must be returned by mid-February, with a number of weeks for the TY teams to create their short-film, which must be submitted by March 21.

The five best film nominations will be announced on April 8, with the chosen teams presenting their films at the gala awards event in the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum on April 26.

Shannon Foynes Port chief executive Pat Keating said: Compass has been a great instrument for growing awareness among the youth of the region of the opportunity for the Shannon Estuary to become an international renewable energy generation hub.

Participating schools have found it beneficial in terms of gaining awareness of our unique opportunity in this region to lead Irelands, and influence Europes, green transition, but they have really enjoyed the process. So, we would encourage as many as possible to enter. Our partnership with the Hunt Museum is an extra attraction as students visiting the exhibition will get plenty of inspiration and insight from it for their short film.

Mr Keating added: Returning this year with the competition is particularly timely following the publication last year of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce report, which sets out just why the Shannon Estuary can become the green digital powerhouse for the country and export huge volumes of renewable energy to Europe.

This is a cue for these young film makers and Ive no doubt that this will be a project they will be passionate about given this generations focus on and demand for the sustainable future that the Estuary can deliver.

Sinead Hutchison, exhibition and events manager at Hunt Museum, said, Were delighted to partner with Shannon Foynes Port on Shooting the Breeze. This is all about the future but learnings from the past can certainly inspire the future and museums are enablers of that.

What happened on the Shannon system here almost 100 years ago, which is the subject of our Nights Candles are Burnt Out exhibition, with Ardnacrusha is not just inspiration for the students participating in this competition but is an inspiration to everyone, including government, to go after todays opportunity on the Shannon Estuary.

Ardnacrusha was one of the top engineering feats in the world in its day, was what the Hoover Dam in the US was modelled on and yet this was committed to and developed in the very early years of our state. If we replicate that courage today, it will bring us to a whole new and better world tomorrow and thats what this competition will showcase.

A panel of independent judges will adjudicate on the film submissions and pay particular attention to creativity, knowledge, ingenuity and presentation of the outcomes.

Evidence of teamwork is also essential.

In addition to the 2,000 for their school, the winning team will also receive the coveted Compass Trophy.

Each team member also receives an iPad and commemorative medal.

The runner-up prizes for each of the five teams are commemorative medals and sailing day at Foynes Yacht Club.
Russia attacked Ukraine's port infrastructure facilities more than 30 times since July 18, 2023, and more than 600 units of movable and immovable property of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority were damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the press service of the state enterprise said on Facebook on February 2.

Such data were announced by Head of International Relations of the USPA Oleksiy Panasiuk at Ukraine Reconstruction Forum in Istanbul on January 31.

According to the official, 109 facilities and six civilian buildings were damaged or partially destroyed, particularly grain elevators, grain warehouses, oil and oil products, pipelines, administrative and other buildings, transport, cargo, including grain.

"According to preliminary estimates, the restoration and reconstruction of the Izmail port terminal comprise $1.6 million, and the reconstruction of Odesa passenger terminal - $18 million. To ensure the stable operation of Odesa port, it is necessary to conduct capital repair works of more than 2,000 meters of overpass, which was damaged during the missile attack, with a preliminary cost of $35 million. In total, since February 24, 2022, more than 600 items of USPA movable and immovable property have been damaged or destroyed," the press service quoted Panasiuk as saying.

The USPA constantly works to restore infrastructure, keeps records of destroyed facilities and engages international financial institutions, international programs and funds, such as JICA, USAID, HGBF, World Bank, etc.

In 2024, the USPA also plans to carry out operational dredging of water areas, repair works of roads and railways, maintenance of pilot equipment and upgrade of ship traffic monitoring systems to digitalize processes in the Danube ports.

As reported, a joint Turkish-Ukrainian Reconstruction Task Force was set up at Ukraine Reconstruction Forum in Istanbul. Its work will be focused on the implementation of road infrastructure, water transport and aviation projects.
Hyderabad-India, 03 February 2024: The Hyderabad team at Deliveroo India Development Centre (IDC), a key player in Deliveroo's global tech landscape, has showcased the achievements and significant milestones reached in 2023.

IDC consistently acquired top tech talent and implemented crucial tech improvements that played a vital part in the achievements of the global Deliveroo success.

IDC's workforce experienced remarkable 125% growth, focusing on hiring experts in various fields such as front-end, back-end, full stack, mobile, DevOps, analytics, product, data science, and machine learning.

Moreover, IDC achieved a higher gender diversity rate of 24%, ensuring a stronger representation of women in the workforce and the engineering sector. In early 2023, the company introduced the 'India Women in Tech' Group as part of its global Women in Tech Employee Resource Group (ERG), dedicated to enhancing gender diversity and empowering women in technical roles. Additionally, IDC launched a robust internship program aimed at diversifying the talent pipeline by collaborating with various colleges in India.

Throughout 2023, IDC significantly enhanced the consumer value proposition by refining their overall in-app experience. This included improvements in search functionality, promotional features, the Deliveroo Plus subscription offering, launching a gifting functionality and a new shopping service, and smoother payment methods.

Furthermore, the IDC helped in launching Deliveroos in-app advertising allowing thousands of partners to advertise and run campaigns, which led to doubling Deliveroos global revenue. The IDC was also instrumental in revamping the rider onboarding platform, resulting in a remarkable reduction of onboarding costs per rider, substantially saving millions of pounds.

Chowdary Venigalla, the Engineering Director at the IDC commented: We take pride in the notable achievements of IDC in 2023, and as we move into the new year, our commitment involves expanding our team in India through strategic talent acquisition and strengthening leadership capabilities. We prioritise employee well-being programs and the implementation of training initiatives to ensure our team stays abreast of the latest industry trends. Our tech teams focus continues to be on enhancing efficiency across all sides of our marketplace, Riders, Restaurants & shops, and Consumers."

Tech talents in India can be part of the team that is driving technological innovation in the food tech space by checking the roles at Deliveroo's India Development Centre: https://careers.deliveroo.co.uk/locations/india/

About Deliveroo:

Deliveroo is an award-winning delivery service founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski. Deliveroo works with approximately 176,000 best-loved restaurants and grocery partners, as well as around 150,000 riders to provide the best food delivery experience in the world. Deliveroo is headquartered in London, with offices around the globe. Deliveroo operates across 10 markets, including Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and the United Kingdom.

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.

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Pele Bapere paid $3,500 for a new Apple gadget he never tried.

This is sight unseen," he said Friday morning at a New York Apple store. I cant wait to get home."

The pricey gadget is Apples Vision Pro, a virtual-reality headset that looks like ski goggles and went on sale for the first time Friday morning. A crowd of people waited outside Apples Fifth Avenue store in New York, mostly die-hard Apple fans who wanted to be the first to get their hands on the companys first new major product launch since the Apple Watch in 2015.

Also there: Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, who opened the doors at 8 a.m., like he has for new iPhone launches.

Bapere, a transit authority manager, said the Vision Pro would replace his 10-year-old MacBook to send emails, watch movies or video chat with his mom. He wont, however, be walking around the streets of New York with a $3,500 device strapped to his face.

I think thatll be inviting the wrong kind of attention," he said.

The Vision Pro was unveiled in June, with Cook calling it a revolutionary new product. Putting on the device allows users to see apps, movies and personal photos overlaid on the real world.

This is a day thats been years in the making," Cook said at the time. Blending digital content with the real world can unlock experiences like nothing weve ever seen."

On Friday, inside the store, Cook was surrounded at all times by Apple fans who took selfies with the CEO or asked for his autograph.

Yam Olisker, who flew in from Modiin, Israel, had Cook sign the back of his iPhone and the box of his Vision Pro. His hands were shaking. Im so excited," said Olisker.

He believes the Vision Pro will one day replace the iPhone and wanted to be the first to try it.

I want to be a part of history," he said.

Friday was also the first day people could try out the device by signing up online. At the Fifth Avenue store, 16 half-circle, leather-like sofas were set up to give 30-minute demonstrations. Shoppers sat with an Apple employee the entire time.

Amol Kodan said he watched a clip of The Super Mario Bros. Movie" during his demo.

It looked amazing," said the 26-year-old New Yorker, who purchased a Vision Pro afterward. I have never experienced anything like it."

After Kodans demo was done, the Apple worker asked to take a selfie with him. He said I was one of the first people to get the demo," Kodan said.

Arthur Benhamou, who has an artificial-intelligence consulting firm in Paris, said he watched the AppleTV+ series For All Mankind" during the demo. The device made him feel like he was watching it on a giant screen by a California lake.

Benhamou, 24, plans to use it for work. Its a real computer," he said, and not a gadget hell just use once.

In addition to the Vision Pro, he bought a $200 white case that looks like a pillow.

Apple hasnt disclosed how many headsets it has sold. One analyst at TF International Securities projected the number to be between 160,000 and 180,000 units when it initially went on sale.

One man said he was the first one in the door Friday morning, after waiting outside since 9:30 p.m. the night before.

I didnt sleep," he said.

He didnt give his name, because when Cook walked by, he asked to borrow a reporters pen to get Cooks autograph, disappearing into the crowd.

Write to Joseph Pisani at joseph.pisani@wsj.com
In India, Tier-II and Tier-III cities are often overlooked for building businesses but the trend is changing as investors are shifting their interest towards small-town startups . These small cities which hold abundant potential for entrepreneurship, approximately account for 37% of the country's gross domestic product.

The latest report by Primus Partners, quoted by Forbes, revealed that about 90% of startups in 2023 emerged from Tier-II and Tier-III cities. These small-town ventures received around 22% of the total funding.

There has been a surge in funding for small-town startups. The report stated that about 44% of investors have made investments in startups based in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The funding increased from 37,500 crore in 2021 and 75,000 crore in 2022 to Rs1,12,500 crore in 2023.

Investors are more inclined toward tech-based startups in small towns as about 64% of VC investments went for tech ventures in Tier-II and Tier-II cities, the report said.

Besides investment, these startups have also generated 50 lakhs in 2021, 100 lakhs in 2023, and 150 lakhs in 2023. Several state governments have launched initiatives to support local startups, including iStart Rajasthan, Startup Odisha, Startup Haryana, and others, in recognition of their contribution to job creation.

The report highlighted the critical role that digitalization and state and federal government initiatives, like the National Entrepreneurship Policy and Startup India Initiative, have played in facilitating the connection between investors and founders. More than 66% of investors get in touch with the founder via government networking sites.

Despite the increase in government support, many small-town startups also face obstacles in getting funds for growth. The report claimed that about 12% of these businesses received pre-seed funding, 10% got seed funding, and only 2% secured Series A funding.

Technology, social media, business shows

The startup ecosystem in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is primarily flourishing due to the technological advancements that have made it easier for businesses to venture into smaller markets, said Adrija Agarwal, founder of Sattva Ventures, adding that social media has also started to play a key role in leveling the playing field, allowing startups to reach wider audiences with minimal marketing expenditure.

There is an evident cultural shift in these regions where entrepreneurship is increasingly celebrated, partly due to the popularity of shows like Shark Tank. More people are encouraged by this cultural change to be enterprising realizing that they have deep knowledge of their respective local market needs," she said.

The Sattva Ventures founder stated that there are five reasons including untapped markets, cost efficiency, huge talent pool, government support, and improved digital penetration investors are eyeing small-town startups.

Vinayak Kamath, Co-founder and Partner of Hearth Ventures told LiveMint that there are possibly four factors at play  one is that there may be a hometown angle for the investor, they understand the geography and culture and derive comfort from it, some investors might also be successful entrepreneurs with roots in small towns.

Second, the fixed cost of doing business is lesser therefore positive unit economics can quickly translate to positive cash flow; third, the focus continues to be on value rather than convenience, and hence basic business models like micro-credit, sustainable agriculture-inputs, micro-grids, solar pumps, etc. rather than a ten-minute subsidized grocery delivery etc," he said.

Kamath also re-emphasized the importance of state government initiatives of catalytic capital that draws both entrepreneurs and commercial investors.

Funngro CEO Payal Jain attributed this surge to the transformative shift towards digital solutions and the increasing reliance on freelance talent. As new-age platforms continue to acquire momentum in the marketplace, the technology sector is responsible for 70% of the funding inflow."

This success may be credited to startups' fast adaptation to changing market demands. In addition, with the gig economy gaining prominence, startups using freelance talent have witnessed a 40% increase in funding compared to traditional models," she added.

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The State Bank of India will remain open today, February 3, following the regular Sunday closure . The banks are usually closed in India on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.

However, the first Saturday of February falls today, hence, all branches of SBI near you will remain open on February 3. The fifth Saturday, if a particular happens to have one, is a working day for all banks.

SBI holiday on Saturdays in 2024

- 13 January 2024: Second Saturday

- 27 January 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 10 February 2024: Second Saturday

- 24 February 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 9 March 2024: Second Saturday

- 23 March 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 13 April 2024: Second Saturday

- 27 April 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 11 May 2024: Second Saturday

- 25 May 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 8 June 2024: Second Saturday

- 22 June 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 13 July 2024: Second Saturday

- 27 July 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 10 August 2024: Second Saturday

- 24 August 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 14 September 2024: Second Saturday

- 28 September 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 12 October 2024: Second Saturday

- 26 October 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 9 November 2024: Second Saturday

- 23 November 2024: Fourth Saturday

- 14 December 2024: Second Saturday

- 28 December 2024: Fourth Saturday

SBI closed on February 5 (Monday)

All SBI branches will remain closed in Uttar Pradesh on February 5 on the occasion of Hazrat Ali Jayanti. Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims around the world. He was known for his wisdom, bravery, and devotion to Islam.

The apex institution, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), releases the list of bank holidays. The list is based on various factors including national/state holidays, cultural or religious observance, operational requirements, government announcements, and coordination with other banks. A total of 16 holidays were allotted to banks in the month of January 2024 including second, and fourth Saturdays, Sundays, and other regional holidays.

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Bank Holidays in February 2024: February 3 is a Saturday and while many may wonder if it is a bank holiday, the simple answer is no. Banks are usually off on the second and fourth Saturdays in any given month. Thus, all first and third Saturdays and duty days are as usual. And further, in case the month has a fifth Saturday, that would also be a working day.

But, this month does have a total of 11 holidays including, Saturdays and Sundays off. Moreover, the holidays will be as per the local customs of different regions in India and will vary in different states.

See | Maharashtra Bank Holidays in 2024

When are the holidays?

Here are the weekend dates where banks will be shut  February 4 (Sunday), February 10 (Second Saturday), February 11 (Sunday), February 24 (Sunday), and February 25 (Fourth Saturday).

Below is the full list of other bank holidays in February 2024:

4 February: Sunday

10 February: Second Saturday/Losar wherein Gangtok will remain closed.

11 February: Sunday

14 February: Basanta Panchami/Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami) (Banks will remain closed in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata)

15 February: Lui-Ngai-Ni (Banks will remain closed in Imphal)

18 February: Sunday

Also Read | Bank Holidays in 2024. Check the full list here

19 February: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Banks will remain closed in Belapur, Mumbai, Nagpur)

20 February: Banks will remain closed in Aizawl, Itanagar, due to State Day/Statehood Day

24 February: Second Saturday

25 February: Sunday

26 February: Nyokum (Banks will remain closed in Itanagar)

Also Read | Are SBI branches near you open today? Here's when the bank will remain closed on Saturdays in 2024

Meanwhile, access to online banking services will continue regardless of holidays for either private or public sector banks. It thus is imperative for customers to take note of scheduled bank holidays and their specific dates, to meticulously plan their visits to their nearby branches.

Bank Holidays List

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases the list of bank holidays, which is based on various factors including national/state holidays, cultural or religious observance, operational requirements, government announcements, and coordination with other banks. It's important to note that the RBI communicates its holiday schedule through official channels, including its website and notifications to banks and financial institutions.

Also See | Stock market holiday 2024: Check days, dates, and trading holidays in the new year

Nationwide access to online banking services will persist despite the shutdown of either private or public sector banks. It becomes imperative for individuals to cultivate a heightened awareness of scheduled bank holidays, taking note of the specific dates, thereby enabling them to meticulously plan their visits to their nearby branches.

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Small-cap stock under 100: Shares of Pioneer Embroideries Ltd are one of the small-cap stocks listed on Dalal Street that are priced below 100. The small-cap stock is in the news these days for attracting offshore investment. The share allotment committee of the company has allotted 25 lakh company shares at a premium of 33 per share upon conversion of share warrants into equity shares.

The small-cap company took this decision on Friday while considering the unaudited financial results for the third quarter of the current fiscal. The offshore investor is Mauritius-based FII Tano Investment Opportunities Fund.

Also Read: Appejay Surendra Park Hotels IPO: GMP, price, other details of upcoming IPO

Pioneer Embroideries news

The small-cap company informed Indian stock market bourses about the developments in an exchange filing saying, "Pursuant to Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligation & Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 Board has inter-alia considered and approved the following: 1] Unaudited Standalone & Consolidated Financial Results of the Company for the quarter ended 31st December, 2023; 2] Limited Review on the Unaudited Standalone & Consolidated Financial Results of the Company for the quarter ended 31st December, 2023; and 3] Allotment of 25,00,000 Equity shares of Rs.10/- each at a premium of Rs. 33/- each to M/s. Tano Investment Opportunities Fund, upon conversion of Share Warrants into Equity Shares."

Also Read: 1:10 stock split: Defense stock gives 350% return to allottees in six years

In Q3FY24 results declared on Friday, the small-cap company posted a total income of 85.89 crore, which is 3.15 higher than the total income of 83.27 crore in Q2FY24. On a YoY basis, the small-cap company posted a net rise of over 30 percent in total income. company's total income in the first nine months of the current financial year stood at 243.22 crore, which was around 225 crore in the first nine months of the previous financial year. However, due to the rise in expenses of the company, net profit dipped both sequentially and YoY.

Also Read: BLS E-Services IPO allotment declared. GMP, how to check allotment status online

Pioneer Embroideries share price history

In the last one month, the small-cap stock under 100 surged to the tune of a mere 2 percent whereas, in the last six months, it has delivered over 35 percent return to its positional investors. In the last one year, Pioneer Embroideries' share price has ascended from around 38.80 to 56.50 apiece on NSE, recording around a 45 percent rise in this time. However, in the last five years, this small-cap stock has risen to the tune of 140 percent.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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Facebook parent Meta Platforms saw a record-breaking one-day gain of $196 billion in stock market value on February 2, Reuters reported. The surge, which came after Meta declared its inaugural dividend and revealed robust financial results, marks the largest single-day increase in Wall Street history.

Days ahead of Facebook's 20th anniversary, Meta authorised an additional $50 billion in share repurchases and announced a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share. While dividends are commonly associated with mature companies, Meta has become the fourth among Silicon Valley's leading tech giants, alongside Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, to offer dividends.

Also Read | SBI Q3 results 2024: Market estimates better set of numbers on lower slippages

In 2023, Meta also reduced its headcount by 22 percent, demonstrating a commitment to cost-cutting measures, as per a Bloomberg report.

"The 'Year of Efficiency' has paid off, with both headcount and costs dropping, and Meta exceeding expectations for full-year 2023 ad revenue," Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at Insider Intelligence told Reuters.

Highest Highs, Lowest Lows

During the session, Meta's stock surged by 20.3 percent, marking its most significant one-day percentage increase in a year and the third-largest since its 2012 Wall Street debut. As a result, Meta's current stock market value has surpassed $1.22 trillion.

Also Read | Q3 results today: State Bank of India, Grindwell Norton, Central Depository Services and more

The increase in Meta's market cap surpassed the previous record set by Amazon, which experienced a $190 billion surge on February 4, 2022. This followed a remarkable quarterly report. One day before, Meta faced the largest loss in United States stock market history, losing over $200 billion, after issuing a dismal forecast.

"Paying a dividend suggests the company wants to reboot its reputation and be taken more seriously. But ultimately the amount being paid is only a token gesture," investment analyst Dan Coatsworth from AJ Bell told Reuters.

"This can start attracting investors who really do look for dividends and more steady income," Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management told the agency.

"Solid execution, faster growth, and increased capital structure efficiency improve the outlook from here. Metas AI pipeline for both users and advertisers is robust, with more tools set to launch and scale throughout 24," Brian Nowak, an analyst at Morgan Stanley said in a note on February 2, Bloomberg reported.

Also Read | Nifty February series outlook: 4 stocks where investors can park their money; do you own?

CEO Payout and Future Outlook

Meta's dividend plan implies a substantial payout for CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns approximately 350 million Meta Class A and Class B shares. Zuckerberg could receive around $175 million every quarter. With a positive outlook for artificial intelligence (AI), Meta is up 35 percent in 2024, contributing to a 24 percent S&P 500 rally last year.

Strong ad sales and a rebound in user growth contributed to Meta's fourth-quarter results, leading to a 25 percent surge in revenue. The company tripled its net income to $14.02 billion, driven by a notable 8 percent reduction in costs and expenses after eliminating over 21,000 jobs since late 2022.

Also Read | Tata Motors Q3 Results: Net profit surges 137% to 7,025 crore, revenue up 25% YoY; 5 key highlights

While Meta's dividend yield is modest at about 0.4 percent, it could attract a broader range of investors, including those interested in stocks with dividends. This move aligns with a trend in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) focused on US dividend payers, which currently hold assets exceeding $400 billion, constituting over 5 percent of the domestic ETF universe.

Meta has invested billions over the past decade to enhance its computing capacity for generative AI products integrated into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and hardware devices such as its Ray-Ban smart glasses.

(With inputs from Bloomberg and Reuters)

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Q3 results today on February 3: Investors would be on edge with some of the major companies releasing their Q3 earnings . A slew of companies, including State Bank of India (SBI) , Grindwell Norton, Central Depository Services (India) and more, will be the focus today as they release their Q3 results.

On February 2 close, the domestic equity benchmarks Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex experienced robust buying during intraday trading, concluding the day with substantial gains in the previous session, propelled by the performance of heavyweights in the energy and IT sectors, such as Reliance Industries, Infosys, TCS, Power Grid, and NTPC.

The domestic market witnessed across-the-board buying amid positive global cues while experts observed that the pro-growth Interim Budget 2024 also influenced investors to buy quality stocks after the recent correction.

Also Read | Nifty February series outlook: 4 stocks where investors can park their money; do you own?

The Sensex settled at 72,085.63, up 440 points, or 0.61 percent on Friday and is still 1,342 points down from its all-time high of 73,427.59 which it hit on January 16, 2024. BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices hit their fresh all-time highs of 39,140.16 and 46,169.7 respectively, during the session.

Nifty 50 jumped two percent during the session to hit its fresh all-time high of 22,126.80, however, the index cooled off and closed with a gain of 156 points, or 0.72 percent, at 21,853.80 on February 2. Nifty 50 ended the month of January little changed, after rising nearly 14 percent in the last two months of 2023.

Approximately 8 companies will release their Q3 quarter results today  February 3

SBI, Grindwell Norton, Central Depository Services (India), Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Sarda Energy & Minerals, Archean Chemical Industries, D-Link (India), Mirza International.

As the quarter results season continues, a marquee list of Indian companies will be revealing their financial results in the upcoming week. Industry leaders to versatile giants are some of the big corporates who will be expected to declare their results for the current fiscal year.

SBI Q3 results 2024: Market estimates better set of numbers on lower slippages

In an exchange communication with the Indian exchanges, SBI said that its board of directors would consider and approve unaudited financial results in its meeting scheduled on 3rd February 2024. Post-declaration of the SBI Q3 results 2024, a conference call will be conducted at 5:00 PM on Saturday.

On SBI Q3 results expectations, Shreyansh Shah, Research Analyst at StoxBox said, "We expect the banking elephant SBI to come out with a good set of numbers in Q3FY24. Though some marginal decline in NIMs is expected from the PSB due to the ongoing high cost of funds, we anticipate the bank's absolute profitability to witness mid-teen-digit growth in the current quarter on account of high disbursals of advances backed by elevated infra spends. Furthermore, the bank has a large share in the salary account, and the CASA and the CD ratio would not show signs of concern. The highlight of this quarters numbers would be seen in the significant growth in its other income backed by the banks focus on optimizing its vast branch network of 22,405 for cross-selling opportunities."

Expecting SBI to beat challenges posed by the rising cost of funding, Sandeep Pandey, Founder & Director at Basav Capital said, "Due to the Government of India's focus on infrastructure and rising government expenditure in the segment, the corporate lending business of the Indian banking major is expected to enable SBI to maintain the profitability in Q3FY24."

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts and broking companies, not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decision.

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India's pump industry is rapidly expanding, standing out as a significant exporter on the global stage. The surge in demand spans across various sectors, driven by government initiatives in irrigation, sanitation, drinking water, and urban housing projects, alongside the push from growing industrialization and capital expenditure in diverse industries.

This momentum has propelled the industry to a valuation of $930 million, with projections to reach $1.19 billion by 2029, thanks in part to India's ambitious moves towards solar energy integration.

The PM KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana) scheme aims to significantly boost solar capacity by 2026, adding 38,000 megawatt (MW), through the installation of solar-powered agricultural pumps and small solar power plants. For this it plans to install small solar power plants, 2 million standalone solar powered agriculture pumps, and 1.5 million grid connected agriculture pumps.

This initiative is already benefiting Indian pump manufacturers, poised for further growth.

In this article, well look at the top companies that already have a leg up and could possibly benefit as the sector grows overall.

#1 Shakti Pumps

Shakti Pumps leads the pack with a strong foothold in manufacturing a comprehensive range of pumps, motors, and controllers.

Dominating the solar pump market with a 30% share, it thrives as a primary beneficiary of the PM KUSUM scheme. The company boasts a robust product line-up and impressive manufacturing capabilities, producing over 500,000 pumps annually.

Shakti Pumps is also the only company with in-house manufacturing of an entire range of products, such as variable frequency drives, motors, and inventors for solar pump installation.

In the last five years, its revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%, driven by volume growth led by a strong distribution network and a dominant presence in the solar pump market.

Its net profit saw a degrowth of 11.8% CAGR, primarily due to high raw material prices and intense competition.

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However, the company's profit and margins have grown in the last three quarters. High order inflow, faster execution, and its focus on cost-cutting have led to a sharp rerating for Shakti Pumps.

Its order book as of December 2023 stood at 22.5 billion.

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Despite challenges, Shakti Pumps has shown remarkable revenue growth and is aggressively expanding its capacity to venture into new markets, including the electric vehicle sector.

The company is expanding its capacity to 700,000 units per annum to venture into the electric vehicles (EV) segment.

It is also investing heavily in research and technology (R&D) and secured four new patents in the financial year 2024, taking the total patent count to 11.

#2 KSB

Second on the list is KSB, offering a wide array of pumps for various industries. With a significant presence in India, marked by extensive manufacturing and service networks, KSB enjoys a healthy market share.

The company has seven manufacturing facilities, 200 authorised service centres, and 1,000 authorised dealers in India, and a market share of around 7.5% in the domestic pumps and valves industry.

In the last five years, the company's revenue has grown at a CAGR of 10.8%, driven by its leadership position in the energy, oil and gas, and nuclear (pumps) sectors in the domestic market.

Net profit grew at a CAGR of 20.6% on the back of cost optimisation measures, increased share of after-sale services, and high order inflow from customers.

As of September 2023, its order book stood at 22 billion.

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Its stellar financial results positively impacted its performance on the share market. In the last one year, its shares zoomed by 100%.

The company has moderate capex plans with a focus on expanding its product portfolio across petrochemical, water handling, and building services segments.

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It s also focussing on developing new hydraulics and sizes to cater to the market needs.

#3 WPIL

Third on the list is WPIL.

The company is engaged in the entire value chain of pumps and pumping systems. It is involved in the commissioning and executing of water supply projects on a turnkey basis.

It also manufactures conventional and large water pumps and motors, which are used for irrigation, industrial, and municipal purposes.

The company has 12 manufacturing units across the world, with 5 in India and the rest in other countries such as South Africa, Australia, Zambia, Singapore, UAE, and Switzerland.

In the last five years, its revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.1%, driven by higher volumes. The net profit also grew by a CAGR of 7% on the back of higher execution of turnkey projects.

It has a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.1x and an interest coverage ratio of 13.6 times, indicating low financial obligations and high liquidity.

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Its strong financial performance is also reflected in its performance on the bourses.

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WPIL has a strong domestic order book of 37.3 billion and an international order book of 8.2 billion as of September 2023.

Being one of the leading players in the industry, WPIL continues to expand its operations in newer markets.

Moreover, it plans to diversify its portfolio to capture the growing demand for pumps in the domestic market.

The company is also investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to develop new products and new techniques to execute its turnkey projects.

To add to this, the governments Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal URBAN Renewal Mission 2 schemes will create a healthy demand for pumps in India over the next five years.

#4 Roto Pumps

Next on the list is Roto Pumps.

The company is a pioneer manufacturer of progressive cavity pumps in India. It also manufactures twin screw pumps, gear pumps, macerators, AODD pumps, and retrofit spare parts.

Its products offer reliable pumping solutions to diverse industries, including sugar, paper, paint, oil and gas, chemicals, renewable energy, mining, and defence.

The company has state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facilities allow it to innovate and develop new products to cater to new sectors.

In the last five years, its revenue has grown at a CAGR of 11%, driven by higher domestic and overseas sales.

Its net profit also grew by a CAGR of 15.4% despite a hike in steel prices.

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Good performance has trickled down to returns as can be seen from the chart below.

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Roto Pumps is focussing on reducing costs and improving profitability. It is implementing SAP software to cut costs and manage inventory efficiently.

The company is also investing in R&D to develop new products and cut the life cycle costs of products.

Given the company's long-established presence in the industry, its efforts will drive revenue and profit growth in the medium term.

#5 Latteys Industries

Last on the list is Latteys Industries.

The company is engaged in the business of manufacturing submersible pumps and motors.

It has a portfolio of over 1,200 pumps that are useful for domestic, agricultural, horticultural, and industrial purposes.

With a manufacturing capacity of 120 thousand pumps per annum, the company caters to Indian and international markets.

In the last five years, its revenue has grown at a CAGR of 14.4%, driven by higher volumes. The net profit also grew by a CAGR of 10.2% during the same period.

It has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.1x with an interest coverage ratio of 2.4x.

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The company's shares migrated from the NSE Emerge platform to the main board of NSE in May 2023. Ever since its listing, the shares have fallen by 45%, primarily due to a fall in profits driven by high raw material prices.

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Given the rapid growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors, the demand for pumps is expected to go up.

Since the company is primarily into manufacturing pumps, there is a significant growth opportunity.

To further diversify its revenue, the company also ventured into manufacturing EV charging stations, electric garbage vans and LED lights.

All this can help the company grow its revenue and profits in the medium term.

List of Other Pump Manufacturers in India

Apart from the above, here are other companies which primarily focus on pump manufacturing:

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Although the sector is witnessing high growth, it is important to treat these stocks with the same amount of caution as other stocks.

Track pump stocks closely and keep a watch on their developments.

Happy Investing!

Disclaimer:This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Delhi Police Crime Branch team on Saturday morning reached CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence to serve notice to join the probe in MLA 'poaching' claim case. The cops asked him to provide evidence. On Friday, police officials came here to serve notice in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party's allegation against the BJP "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". ACP Crime Branch, Pankaj Arora has also arrived at the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. CM office is ready to accept the notice. Crime Branch officers are not giving 'receiving' to the CM office," Delhi CMO Sources claimed.

This came after Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier hit back at Kejriwal for alleging that the BJP had offered seven AAP MLAs 25 crore, and a ticket to contest polls to switch sides. BJP rejected the claims as 'false" and baseless". The saffron party also asked CM Kejriwal to provide evidence of his claim.

AAP leaders, including convener Arvind Kejriwal, alleged that seven MLAs of the party were offered 25 crore each and a BJP ticket to contest polls if they switched sides.

Following the allegations, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that Kejriwal should stop "lying" and dared him to tell the names of the MLAs who, the AAP chief has claimed, were contacted by the BJP.

"Kejriwal's statement shows his political frustration. He said that the BJP wants to break off his party MLAs. This shows his mental bankruptcy and how much a party of 62 MLAs (out of 70 in Assembly) is frustrated after losing its political ground," he said.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that Chief Minister Kejriwal has made "false allegations to defame the BJP".

"He should provide proof of his statement otherwise he should resign from the post of chief minister," Bidhuri said, adding that the BJP is consulting experts for legal action in this matter.

He also claimed that Arvind Kejriwal's dream of becoming a major political leader in the country was disintegrating as the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was soaring after the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The AAP leaders have also alleged that the BJP was conspiring to get Kejriwal arrested in a "fake" liquor scam case and topple his government by poaching AAP MLAs.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has so far skipped four notices of the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise policy scam in his government.

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The Ukrainian sea corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy since August 2023 has ensured the export of almost 20 million tonnes of products, including 14.3 million tonnes of agricultural products, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine said, citing Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

"During the six months of operation of the Ukrainian corridor, 661 ships exported more than 20 million tonnes of cargo from the ports of Big Odesa to 32 countries," the ministry said on Facebook on Saturday.

In January, 6.3 million tonnes were exported from the ports of Big Odessa, which is almost equal to the pre-war level, it said.

Another 104 ships are expected to arrive for the transportation of more than 3 million tonnes of cargo.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and swine flu. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Congress leader advised people to take care of their health in the changing season.

"Due to fever for the last few days, today I got myself tested on the advice of doctors which confirmed (that I have) Covid and swine flu. Because of this, I will not be able to meet (anyone) for the next seven days," Gehlot wrote. "In this changing season, everyone should also take care of their health," he said.

Sources told ANI that the former Chief Minister has been admitted to the IDH center of SMS Hospital in Jaipur for better recovery. The condition of the former CM is stable as of now and he is recovering under the supervision of doctors.

(Disclaimer: This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)

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BJP stalwart LK Advani said on Saturday that receiving Bharat Ratna is "not only an honour for me as a person but also for ideals and principles that I strove to serve." The BJP leader also expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing him with Bharat Ratna.

"Since joining the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), I sought reward only in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me," he was quoted by PTI as saying.

His statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.

Making an announcement in a post on X, PM Modi said, I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour." He said Advani is "one of the most respected statesmen of our times" and his contribution to the development of India is monumental.

"His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights," the Prime Minister said.

While speaking in Odisha on Saturday, PM Modi said, "Advani ji is a symbol of the fact that the nation never forgets those who spend their lives in the service of the nation..." He added, Bharat Ratna to LK Advani is honour to ideology of nation first."

How top BJP leaders and allies reacted:

Union ministers, top BJP leaders and the party's allies said the award to Advani is "well deserved" and serves as a poignant acknowledgement of a "national hero's life" devoted to the service of the nation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The decision to award Bharat Ratna to the revered Lal Krishna Advani ji, an inspiration to all of us and a senior leader of the country, has brought great joy and happiness. He is a symbol of purity, dedication and determination in politics."

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur extended "sincerest wishes" to the party veteran on being conferred the highest civilian award. He said it serves as a "poignant acknowledgement of a national hero's life" devoted to the service of the nation.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to BJP stalwart and former deputy PM LK Advani over the phone and congratulated him after his name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.

Kumar said in a tweet, I also got an opportunity to work with him in the Union cabinet during the tenure of former PM respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I learnt a lot from him."

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, whose party is a BJP ally in Bihar, said, "...I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani ji. Many thanks and gratitude to Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji."'

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "It is a matter of great happiness for us that BJP stalwart and our guide Sri Lal Krishna Advani ji is to be conferred the Bharat Ratna." He added, "He has been an inspiration for all of us."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said this is a matter of happiness. "We have seen him working in various capacities. We thank Modiji. We know the various stages of Advaniji's life. During the Emergency, he was a fighter for democracy," Yadav said.

How Opposition leaders reacted

RJD leader Manoj Jha, too, expressed his happiness over the announcement. "...His (Advani's) is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our home minister and information and broadcasting minister as well. His parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights," he was quoted by PTI as saying.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, while congratulating the veteran BJP leader, took a veiled dig at the ruling party at the Centre.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, she said the announcement of the country's highest civilian honour for LK Advani marks the fulfilment of the BJP's agenda after the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"It is good that the Ram Temple finally saw the light of day and Advani-ji would also be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. It marks the fulfilment of the BJP's agenda. I would like to wish heartiest congratulations to Lal Krishna Advani on being picked for the country's highest (civilian) honour," Kavitha told ANI on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said LK Advani made a place for himself in politics. "We (Samajwadi Party) always had and will have a great respect for him," he told media on Saturday.

AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also said, "Many congratulations and best wishes to senior leader Lal Krishna Advani ji on the announcement of the Bharat Ratna award. I pray to God that he always remains healthy and lives long."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said, India's former Deputy Prime Minister and senior leader, LK Advani, is delighted to be awarded Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour. He has made a valuable contribution in the development of the country. Heartiest congratulations."

Telugu Desam Party (TDP chief) Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated Advani and said, Advani Ji has distinguished himself through exemplary hard work and devotion towards the nation. A scholar and statesman, he has made exceptional contributions to the country. I've had the privilege of working with him. His genuine warmth and affectionate nature leave a lasting impression on everyone."

Who is LK Advani

Born in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani through the years had served as the president of the BJP for the longest period since its inception in 1980.

Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, he was, first, the home minister and, later, the deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004). Read more about him here

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)

ARVIND More Information

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In Ulhasnagar near Mumbai, a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Ganpat Gaikwad, allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad on Friday night. The incident reportedly occurred inside Hill Line Police Station. Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad allegedly over a land dispute and has been detained.

An eyewitness told the media that Mahesh Gaikwad and one of his supporters were hit by five bullets. Mahesh Gaikwad, a Sena leader, was injured and admitted to a hospital in Thane city and an FIR was filed.

As per reports, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and city chief Mahesh Gaikwad were having a conversation in the hall of senior inspector Anil Jagtap of Hill Line police station on Friday when supporters of BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad indulged in a clash and opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad.

Shiv Sena MLA Mahesh Gaikwad has been badly injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Thane's Jupiter hospital.

Ganpat Gaikwad represents the Kalyan East constituency in Kalyan, about 40 km from Mumbai. His party is in alliance with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Sena in the Maharashtra government.

"Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway," said Sudhakar Pathare, DCP.

According to Additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwads son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived along with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspectors chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do," asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.

The BJP MLA alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra". BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today," he said.

Since last year, both Gaikwads have been in a tug of war over the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly's candidature. Both leave no opportunity to target each other, and the firing incident has been suspected to be out of enmity between the two.

(With ANI inputs)

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Canadian Security Intelligence Service 's declassified document to Canadian government shows that the authorities had marked India as a 'foreign interference threat' that could potentially interfere in Canadian elections.

The Canadian intelligence agency report mentions India engages in Foreign Interference activities." According to a report by Global News, that accessed the declassified documents, almost three pages of the report were devoted to India, although they were entirely redacted except for a single sentence that claimed India engages in Foreign Interference activities.

The Canadian intelligence report points to the need for clearly articulated strategies," and said raising awareness and briefing officials and politicians was central to these efforts."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had ordered the inquiry of foreign interference in attempting to sway Canadian elections after media reports flagged Chinese activities.

The declassified document, dated 24 February 2023, is titled, Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference." It called China by far the most significant threat."

The intelligence report advised PM Justin Trudeau's government to do more to protect Canadas robust democratic institutions and processes."

India and China were the countries that were named as threat in the report. We know that the People's Republic of China sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections," the report stated.

This is the first time India has been accused of election interference in Canada. China and Russia were already facing charges of meddling in Canadian politics.

Foreign interference is different from traditional diplomacy since it used secrecy and deception to influence public narratives and policy-making, Global News cited the report as saying.

Bloomberg quoted an official informing that Prime Minister Narendra Modis government will be investigated  according to a statement, the inquiry has requested information and documents related to alleged election interference.

Justin Trudeau stunned the world in September when he accused India of orchestrating the June 2023 murder of a pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh on Canadian soil. Masked assailants had gunned down Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian who was designated a terrorist by India.

The allegation upended Canada-India relations. PM Modis administration forcefully denied the claim, calling it absurd and motivated."

India temporarily suspended visas for Canadians and threatened to revoke the immunity of two-thirds of Canadas diplomats, forcing them to leave India. Trade talks between India and Canada have been on pause for months.

However, Canadas claim appeared to be reinforced in November when federal prosecutors in the US accused an Indian government agent of directing a thwarted plot to kill another Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. India struck a more cooperative tone with the US, saying it had convened a committee to look into the allegations.

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TEL AVIVIran on Saturday condemned U.S. strikes on its forces and allies in Syria and Iraq, as Washington left open the prospect of further bombing to deter attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East.

The U.S. on Friday said it hit seven locations across the two countries, targeting the Quds Force unit of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia groups, after a drone strike in Jordan last week killed three U.S. troops.

Iran has denied any involvement in the drone attack and on Saturday criticized the U.S. strikes, warning that they were a threat to regional and international security.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the strikes would make the U.S. more entangled in the region than ever before. Last nights strike was another adventure and strategic mistake by the U.S. administration whose result will not be other than escalation and instability in the region," he said.

The Iraqi and Syrian governments said the U.S. airstrikes violated their sovereignty and endangered the safety of their citizens.

This aggressive airstrike will push the security situation in Iraq and the region to the brink of the abyss," Iraqs government said, adding to the growing rift between the U.S. and Baghdad. Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani last month said the U.S.-led military coalition that has been helping his country fight Islamic State militants is no longer needed, though he still wants strong ties with Washington.

An Iraqi government spokesman said 16 people were killed, including civilians, and 25 wounded. The U.S. strikes hit two towns, Akashat and al-Qaim, in western Iraq near the border with Syria, the spokesman said.

The Syrian military in a statement carried by the countrys official news agency said the strikes killed a number of civilians and military personnel, wounding others, but it didnt disclose exact figures.

The U.S. strikes were designed to halt militia assaults against U.S. forces in the Middle East, which have increased in recent months over Washingtons support for Israel in its war in Gaza against Hamas.

In the worst of the attacks, a drone from an Iranian-backed group struck a housing barracks in Jordan, killing three Army reservists, the U.S. said last Sunday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the U.S. will repeat its strikes as long as militias continue to threaten U.S. personnel in the region.

Still, the U.S. attack on Friday appeared calibrated to ensure the war in Gaza doesnt expand around the Middle East and drag Washington into a regional conflict with Iran.

For days, the U.S. signaled it was going to launch strikes, allowing Iranian-backed militias to withdraw troops from bases and redirect arms and military equipment.

As the Biden administration weighed a response, Kataib Hezbollah, the Iraqi militia suspected of involvement in the drone strike, also said it was suspending attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, indicating it was attempting to de-escalate tensions.

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi told a crowd in a speech Friday that it wouldnt initiate a war, but if a country or a cruel force wants to bully the Islamic Republic of Iran, it will respond firmly."

Should attacks by militias continue, the U.S. could more aggressively strike Quds Force personnel in Syria, Iraq and Yemen without warning or hit Iranian ships at sea.

The U.S. is likely to stop short of hitting Iran directly, however, as that could draw Tehran more aggressively into a war that neither side has said it wants, though Republican lawmakers have said a strike on Iranian soil should remain an option.

While Fridays strikes diminished the capabilities of pro-Iranian militias, Andrew Tabler, a former Syria director at the White Houses National Security Council, said that he expected militia attacks to continue. The Iranians and their militias were moving their forces out of harms way" before the strikes, he said.

Previous efforts by the Biden administration to deter Iran-backed groups have fallen short since Oct. 7, when Israel began a war against Hamas in response to a cross-border attack from Gaza that left 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli authorities, with more than 200 taken hostage.

After militant attacks on U.S. troops, the Biden administration initially confined its response to targets in Syria before then mounting a handful of limited retaliatory strikes in Iraq. When the militia attacks continued and a U.S. service member was seriously wounded, Washington stepped up its response by carrying out a drone attack against a militia leader in Baghdad early last month.

The attacks by militias in Iraq and Syria now exceed 165 strikes with rockets, missiles, drones or mortars.

Joel Rayburn, a former U.S. envoy to Syria, said he would be surprised if the U.S. strikes were taken seriously by the IRGC. They appear to be just a rerun of the strikes the U.S. has been doing periodically for the last several months with little effect," he said.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has also struck targets belonging to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to the groups threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region.

Since the Gaza war began, the Houthis have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial ships and military vessels, hampering passage through the Red Sea, a key shipping transit point. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israels offensive has killed more than 27,000 people, mostly women and children, according to health authorities in the enclave. The figures dont distinguish between civilians and combatants.

In Iraq, the Biden administration has sought to respond delicately to the Iran-backed militia attacks while trying to avoid inflaming politics in the country, where the presence of U.S. troops has been criticized by Shia hard-liners.

Israel officials didnt make any public statement about Fridays U.S. strikes. Hamas said the U.S. action threatened the security of Syria and Iraq and covered up for Israels operation in Gaza and the deaths of Palestinians.

Suha Maayeh contributed to this article.

Write to Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com and Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com
US President Joe Biden has warned if militants harm an American, they will hit back" amid several incidents including the Tower 22 drone attack that killed US soldiers, Red Sea attacks by Houthi militants followed by several Middle east militia attack, which inflated as a result of Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," US President Joe Biden warned, adding, let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond." US President Joe Biden and other top US leaders has reiterated that any American response wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response" over time.

On Saturday reports emerged that the united States military had launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria allegedly used by Iran-backed militias, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The attack is being seen as a part of the tiered response attack by the US in retaliation to the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend.

US launched a massive barrage of strikes that hit more than 85 targets in at least seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGCs Quds Force, the Guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship with and arming of regional militias.

Further, President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more to come.

Notably on Friday morning, Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any US strikes targeting its interests. We will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response," Raisi said.

According to reports, till 30 January, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on US military installations since 18 October, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a U.S. military official. The last attack was 29 January at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

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Amid the ongoing row between India and Maldives, the latter accused Indian coast guard personnel were recently spotted on three Maldivian fishing vessels and sought why they boarded the vessels without consultation.

As per the Maldives defense ministry, they were informed on Wednesday that personnel from a foreign military had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel. Later as they reached the vessel, they realised that the members were the Indian coast guard.

Defense ministry statement said, On Feb. 1, 2024 , the foreign ministry of the Maldives has asked (India) officially for the details of the operation that was carried out while Maldivians were fishing in the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, without any coordination with the relevant authorities and against all international laws."

There was no immediate response from the Indian government to the Maldivian allegations.

The dispute between India and Maldives

The recent election of a pro-China leader in the Maldives has intensified tensions between India and China, both vying for influence in the strategically located nation along key sea routes.

President Mohamed Muizzu, formerly part of an "India Out" campaign, has exacerbated the situation by demanding the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in some islands. He campaigned for the presidency on the same promise and made an official request to India soon after his election.

On Friday contradictory statements emerged from the two countries in relation to the withdrawal of Indian troops.

The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement that officials from both countries met in New Delhi and agreed that India would begin withdrawing troops from the Maldives on March 10 and complete the process by withdrawing from all three aviation platforms by May 10. But an Indian foreign ministry statement did not mention a withdrawal, saying instead that both sides agreed on a set of solutions.

The dispute between the two countries worsened last month when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted pictures on social media of himself strolling and snorkelling on the beaches of Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago that looks nearly identical to the Maldives islands.

(With agency inputs)

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Ahead of Pakistan General Elections, scheduled to be held on 8 February, an explosion reportedly occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Karachi. The local media agency ARY News quoted Pakistan Police to report that bomb disposal squad was called to the scene to assess the intensity and nature of the blast.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Sajid Sadozai, no casualties were reported in the incident.

SSP Sajid Sadozai said, "The explosive material was placed in a shopping bag along the wall of the ECP office in Karachi's red zone area. Ball bearings were not found in the explosive material."

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) swiftly took notice of the blast and has requested reports from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South and District Monitoring Officer. The ECP directed both officials to submit an immediate report.

The ECP has said that the Pakistan elections will be held on the scheduled date-8 February, despite the security challenges Pakistan is facing.

Pakistan's Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) issued a report indicating that a 'homemade' bomb, using approximately 400 grams of explosives, caused the explosion. The report mentioned about the discovery of a time device and a 12-volt battery at the blast site.

According to the BDS report, "The detonator of the blast and about 400 grams of explosives were blown away with the explosion." It further noted that the homemade bomb was contained in a soft container. The BDS confirmed no casualties in the blast.

Pakistan is gearing up for two key events in quick succession: a general election and the expiry of an International Monetary Fund bailout program. The election winner will be tasked with striking a new deal with the IMF, which investors say is crucial to the nations outlook.

The IMFs current rescue package ends in March 2024, just before $1 billion in dollar bonds come due the following month. Pakistans finances will collapse without a new funding agreement, according to all 12 respondents to a Bloomberg survey.

The primary reason behind Pakistans economic woes is its staggering debt levels, which, as of 2023, amount to nearly USD 125 billion owed to external creditors, with approximately one-third to China.

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(Bloomberg) -- General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi is a national hero for Ukrainians after repelling the first wave of Vladimir Putins invasion on the outskirts of Kyiv.

But two years into the war, setbacks on the battlefield and political jealousies in the capital have soured his relationship with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This week, the president tried  and failed  to force out his commander-in-chief, pulling back the curtain on a damaging rift at the heart of the Ukraine war effort.

Their dispute helps explain the indecision over military strategy that is worrying officials in Washington and adds an unwanted element of uncertainty at a point when US military aid hangs in the balance, troops are running dangerously short on ammunition and Russia is on the offensive again.

Zelenskiy could just fire his general, and that may well be the end game. One senior European diplomat who speaks regularly to Zelenskiys team said they thought it most likely Zaluzhnyi would be dismissed and worried about the signal it would send to Ukraines allies. The commander met with his boss for a regular military planning discussion on Friday evening.

Their dispute comes at a delicate moment for the president and ousting Zaluzhnyi would be certain to hurt morale among both troops and civilians.

If it weren't for Zaluzhnyi, we would all be speaking Russian already," said Yevhen, a 38-year-old soldier serving on the front lines in southern Ukraine, who asked not to have his full name cited due to security concerns. If Zaluzhnyi is fired, there could be a riot."

The 50-year-old generals appeal is partly down to the deep respect for the military in a country under attack. But Ukrainians also like the way hes stayed focused on his job rather than building a public profile. And they love his disdain for the countrys old Soviet ways.

When Zaluzhnyi was appointed in July 2021, he became the first modern army chief to have been trained in independent Ukraine rather than Soviet academies and he has championed a new generation of officers.

This new breed will completely change the army in five years  almost everyone knows a foreign language well, works well with sophisticated kit and is well read," he said in a 2020 interview with ArmyInform, a military news website. We want to move away from maps and from writing battle plans like it was 1943."

In combat, that means that junior officers have more authority to make decisions, according to Oleh Gorbachev, who is also serving near the front lines. His character wasnt shaped by the Soviet system and this is good," Gorbachev said in a message exchange on Facebook. The older officers just slow things down," he added.

Read More About Ukraines War Effort:

Zaluzhnyi strikes an informal tone with his troops, chatting to them as equals regardless of their rank. His Facebook page shows pictures of him with his wife and with his soldiers. Of his two daughters, the elder one is also serving in the military.

He has no pretentions, this grandeur people expect from a general," his former spokeswoman Liudmyla Dolhonovska said in an interview. There is no formality."

He came to prominence during the first phase of the conflict in 2014, leading combat units in fighting around Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine, where hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were killed and injured. There was a feeling of constant threat," he said in the ArmyInform interview, in the soul and in the heart."

In the months leading up to the war, Zaluzhnyi ran war games in Ukraine to prepare his troops for the coming invasion, according to Simon Shuster, who interviewed the general for his recent biography of Zelenskiy, `The Showman. According to Shuster, Zaluzhnyi had sought to conceal his work from Putin, but also from Zelenskiy, who had wanted to play down the risk of an invasion due to concerns that alarmism would hurt the economy.

During the first months of the war, the general lived and worked with his inner circle out of a bunker beneath the Defense Ministry in Kyiv, Shuster said. Once the Russians had been pushed back from the capital, he moved to a hotel nearby that had been commandeered by the army, and was reunited with his spouse.

That was a heady time for the Ukrainian military, as they took advantage of ill-prepared Russian forces to reclaim large swathes of territory in the north and south of the country. But the hopes that stoked for a second counteroffensive in 2023 were frustrated as Zaluzhnyis troops ran into deep Russian defenses backed up by drones that limited the impact of their western-supplied battle tanks.

Those kinds of setbacks invariably stoke tensions between politicians and generals  on the other side of the frontlines, Russian losses had encouraged last summers mutiny by Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhins revolt ostensibly targeted Russian Defense Ministry leaders for perceived military failings, but it quickly spiraled into the most serious threat to Putins nearly quarter-century grip on power in Moscow.

Ukraines frustrated attempts to breach the Russian lines in the fall created tensions with the western allies whod supplied Zaluzhnyis troops with billions of dollars of military hardware. The US wanted the Ukrainians to focus their firepower in one area to maximize the chances of a breakthrough even though it would mean more casualties. Zaluzhnyi and Zelenskiy instead divided their forces between the eastern front and the south.

The failed counteroffensive also created tensions between the two Ukrainian leaders and they broke into the open in November, when the Economist published a rare interview in which the general said that the fighting had reached a stalemate. That earned him a rebuke from the president who insisted that Ukraine could still achieve a breakthrough.

That definitely irked Zelenskiy, who is very thin-skinned when it comes to criticism of the progress of the war and may even see it as a threat to his leadership, said European diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity. The president has seemed to be under particular strain in recent months, the diplomats said.

The shifting public opinion in Ukraine might also have made things worse. While Zelenskiy has seen his popularity start to wane as the war has dragged on, support for his general remains sky-high  88% of Ukrainians trust Zaluzhnyi, according to a December survey from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, while 62% had confidence in Zelenskiy.

The latest point of contention has been Zaluzhnyis increasingly vocal calls for a new wave of conscription to boost the ranks of the military, in which the average age has edged up into the 40s and some troops have been fighting without a break for almost two years. On Thursday, the general published an article on CNNs website in which he criticized the government for holding back the defense industry with bureaucracy and delays over recruiting new soldiers.

That only sharpens the dilemma for Zelenskiy as he contemplates his next move. And it adds to the anxiety for millions of Ukrainians waiting to see how the dispute will be settled.

Zaluzhnyi represents hope for victory, honesty, professionalism and integrity," said Olha Zhuravska, a 44-year-old engineer from Kharkiv who fled the war and now lives in Prague. To remove Zaluzhnyi means to deprive people of the hope."

--With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Alex Wickham, Aliaksandr Kudrytski, Daryna Krasnolutska, Volodymyr Verbianyi and Natalia Drozdiak.

(Updates with confirmation of meeting in fourth paragraph)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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US Presidential Elections 2024: Democrats held their first presidential primary in South Carolina on Saturday. US President Joe Biden is looking for an easy victory in the South Carolinas primary that officially kicked off the party's presidential nomination process.

The US president received a boost last month after he won an unsanctioned primary election in New Hampshire without even appearing on the ballot, the Guardian reported.

ALSO READ: 'If you harm an American...': Joe Biden warns as US bombs Iraq, Syria after 3 soldiers die in Jordan

According to the Associated Press, Biden is overwhelmingly favored against Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson. Yet the Democratic National Committee officially replaced Iowa with South Carolina in its presidential primary's leadoff spot following a "long and sometimes contentious process".

Biden pushed for South Carolina to go first followed three days later by Nevada. The new calendar also moves the Democratic primary of Michigan, a large and diverse swing state, to Feb. 27, before the expansive field of states voting on March 5, known as Super Tuesday.

ALSO READ: US Election 2024: Why Taylor Swift is making headlines amid Donald Trump vs Joe Biden battle | 5 reasons

"South Carolina, you are the first primary in the nation and President Biden and I are counting on you," Vice President Kamala Harris was quoted by the Associated Press as saying on Friday. The president and first lady Jill Biden also recently campaigned in the state.

What happened in 2020 in South Carolina?

It was Bidens win in South Carolina in the 2020 Democratic primary that "rescued his broke and flailing campaign". His victory back then had reportedly convinced rivals that he was best positioned to win with Black voters and defeat Donald Trump.

ALSO READ | Explained: How US elects its President? A look at the electoral process

In the 2020 general election, Black voters made up 11 percent of the national electorate, and 9 in 10 of them supported Biden, according to AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of that election's voters.

The state is reliably Republican, but 26 percent of its residents are Black, the Associated Press reported. Many Black Democrats in South Carolina are still loyal to Biden after he was vice president to the nation's first Black president, Barack Obama, the Associated Press reported.

Why Black voters support Biden

Black voters, interviewed during the recent early voting period, listed a range of reasons for supporting Biden  from his administration's defense of abortion rights to appointing Black jurists and other minorities to the federal courts.

Some echoed Biden's warnings that former President Donald Trump, the heavy front-runner for the Republican nomination, would threaten democracy as he continues to push lies that the 2020 vote was stolen.

We cant live with a leader that will make this into a dictatorship. We cant live in a place that is not a democracy. That will be a fall for America," said LaJoia Broughton, a 42-year-old small business owner in Columbia. So my vote is with Biden. It has been with Biden and will continue to be with Biden."

Biden's age a concern?

Some voters said they were concerned about the 81-year-old Biden's age, as many Americans have said they are in public polling. Trump is 77. Both men have had a series of public flubs that have fueled skepticism about their readiness.

Theyre as old as I am and to have these two guys be the only choices, thats kind of difficult," said Charles Trower, a 77-year-old from Blythewood, South Carolina. But I would much rather have President Biden than even consider the other guy."

New Hampshire held a primary last week that defied the new calendar and wasn't sanctioned by the DNC. Still, Biden won the state via write-in and a big South Carolina victory could begin to allay concerns of a majority of voters.

In the meantime, the Democratic establishment  and even potential presidential hopefuls who could have competed against the president from the left or middle  have lined up behind Biden.

The GOPs South Carolina primary is February 24.

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Czech Republic urges EU states to buy up to 500,000 shells for Ukraine beyond bloc  media

Europe is falling way short on its pledge to send 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March, and the Czech Republic says it is high time to look beyond the borders of the EU for supplies, Politico reported.

"Frustrated by this shortfall, Prague is pushing EU countries to finance the purchase of what it estimates are 450,000 rounds of artillery available outside the bloc," the publication said referring to diplomats familiar with the talks.

When the EU was calibrating its military aid commitments in early 2023, France  the bloc's defense industry leader  had been pushing to make sure that subsidies were focused only on local production, rather than being funneled abroad.

According to Politico, the Czech call raises the prospect that Europe would turn instead to arms companies in South Korea, Turkey and South Africa.
The United States has retaliated against the killing of its soldiers in Jordan by striking dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, according to a report published by the news agency PTI .

President Joe Biden along with other top US leaders had been warning that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response" over time.

In an official statement after the Friday strikes, Biden said, The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or elsewhere in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."

Last Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said Biden after attending the dignified return of these brave Americans at Drover Airforce Base where he also spoke with each of their families.

This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden added.

According to US Central Command, at 4:00 pm EST (2.30 am IST) its forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against IRGC Quds Force and affiliated militia groups, as per PTI reports.

US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft including long-range bombers flown from America. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces, the CENTCOM said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said these strikes were at seven facilities that IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack US forces.

Violation of sovereignty

The spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces said these strikes come at a time when Iraq is "striving to ensure stability in the region," Al Jazeera reported, citing local outlet Iraqi News Agency (INA).

"These strikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, an undermining of the efforts of the Iraqi government, and a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences, the consequences of which will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region," INA quoted the spokesman as saying.

Syrian state media accused the "US aggression" for the attacks, which according to them targeted Syria's desert areas and those around the Syrian-Iraq border, resulting in several casualties, according to Al Jazeera.

(With inputs from agencies)

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on February 2, taking a dig at the Congress and posing a challenge to the party said she has doubts whether the grand-old party will secure "even 40 seats" in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Mamata Banerjee while charging at Congress mentioned that Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was merely party's strategy to gain Muslim vote. She said, "I proposed that Congress contest 300 seats (across the country where BJP is the main opposition), but they refused to heed. Now, they've arrived in the state to stir up Muslim voters. I doubt whether they will secure even 40 seats if they contested 300," reported PTI.

Also read: India to replace military personnel in three aviation platforms in Maldives amid diplomatic row

Congresss Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra received immense criticism from West Bengal CM. This yatra led by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi traversed through Bengal's six districts. Mamata Banerjee compared this venture to a "mere photo opportunity" for "migratory birds" in the state.

The CM demanded the clearance of the state's dues by the Centre while speaking during a dharna in the state. She emphasised that her party was willing to form an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. However, she highlighted that her offer was declined by the grand-old party.

The TMC chief was steadfast in her refusal to allocate seats and stated, "We were open to an alliance, offering them two seats which they rejected. Now let them contest in all the 42 seats alone. Since then, there has been no dialogue between us," reported PTI.

Congress's yatra through six districts of North Bengal which are known for their significant minority population and traditional Congress support, might have triggered the CM's shift in stance, according to media sources. Congress' support is widespread especially in the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Malda and Murshidabad. CM Mamata Banerjee had earlier declared her party's intention to contest alone, remained steadfast in her refusal to allocate seats.

The TMC chief while giving outright challenge to the Congress to defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh said, "If you have the courage, defeat the BJP in UP, Banaras, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. Where were you (Congress) when Manipur was burning? We had sent a team," reported PTI.

Banerjee while stating that the Congress did not inform her about the yatra, she said, "Despite being an alliance partner of INDIA, they did not inform me. I got to know through administrative sources. They had called Derek O'Brien to request that the rally be allowed to pass through. Why come to Bengal then?"

(With inputs from PTI)

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Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is in its Jharkhand leg right now. The Congress MP from Wayanad hit out at the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, and accused it of attempting to topple the Jharkhand Government with Hemant Soren's arrest. On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi reiterated his Adani-Modi allegations while addressing the public, and said, If the name 'Adani' is taken in India, people understand it in a second... Narendra Modi is his capital".

Rahul Gandhi has been vocal about his allegations of crony capitalism between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group. The Congress leader have seized domestic and international platforms to pipe up the allegations of collusion between Gautam Adani and PM Modi. Rahul Gandhi stepped up his accusations after the Hindenburg report accusing Adani group of stock manipulation. On Saturday during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, We brought the Land Tribunal Bill... Prime Minister Modi cancelled the Land Tribunal Bill... Injustice is being done against everyone... Justice for Adani. And injustice is being done to the rest of the people ..."

Accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Centre, Rahul Gandhi said, "The aim of this yatra is also that they (BJP) are spreading hatred... We have come against this. We have come to unite everyone... In the entire country, injustice is being done against the poor and the weaker sections. Injustice is being done against the youth, against the farmers..."

During the Bihar leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi has said that PM Modi had taken away land from farmers and gifted it to Adani. "Land is taken from you and given as gift to big industrialists like Adani," the Congress leader told the farmers.

"You are pressured when it comes to fertilisers and seed & money is taken away from you.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' on Friday entered Jharkhand and alleged the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to topple the Jharkhand government adding that the people of the state stood against their "conspiracy."

Congress spent 71.8 crore on its Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra which amounts to an average of more than 49 lakh per day for the 145-day journey that culminated in Srinagar on January 30 last year.

Congress spent 40,10,15,572 on pre-poll surveys in 2022-23, up from 23,00,000 that it had spent in the previous fiscal, as per the party's latest annual audit report filed with the Election Commission for FY 2022-23.

Further, Congress's election expenditure was more than 192.5 crore in 2022-23, down from more than 279.5 crore in the previous fiscal.

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On Delhi Police serving notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said Sympathise with police, they're being made to do drama instead of stopping crime.

Earlier in the day, a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch officials arrived at the residence of AAP leader and issued notice alleging that his party charged that Bharatiya Janata Party "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also sought a reply from him in the next three days

Police officials also came to serve notice on Friday and asked him to provide evidence that BJP "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also visited the residence of AAP minister Atishi.

Sources close to ANI cited that both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences.

The Aam Aadmi Party accuses the BJP of attempting to destabilize the elected Delhi government through "Operation Lotus 2.0," and also alleged that BJP has offered bribes and threats to AAP MLAs to induce defection.

Atishi said BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered 25 crores each. Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected. Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples,"

Atishi also revealed that the AAP possesses a recording of one such "Operation Lotus 2.0" conversation, hinting at its potential release if necessary.

"Currently, 7 MLAs have been offered by BJP; we have the recording of one of them and will release it when required," said Atishi.

ARVIND More Information

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Day after Mamata Banerjee questioned Congress's ability to make an impression in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Jairam Ramesh said that we should realise this is not local-level elections and the main agenda is to fight against BJP.

On Friday, the West Bengal Chief Minister opined it is doubtful whether Congress will be able to secure even 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to her comments, the senior Congress leader on Saturday told PTI, "We are assuming that she (Mamata Banerjee) is still part of the INDIA bloc, a group of 27 parties. Her priority, she claims, is to fight the BJP. Our priority is also to fight the BJP. I think it is better if we all come together".

We were together in Patna, in Bengaluru and Mumbai. But, something seems to have happened. First, Shiv Sena split, then Nitish Kumar did his 'Palti'. Now, Mamata Banerjee ji is making these comments. I think we should realise this is not local-level elections"

Mamata Banerjee should not doubt: Jairam Ramesh

Further, addressing a dharna in Kolkata on Friday, Banerjee said, CM Mamata said, "I doubt if you (Congress) will win 40. I was offering two seats and would have let them win. But they wanted more. I said okay, contest on all 42 then. Rejected! There has been no conversation with them since. If you have the courage, defeat the BJP in UP, Banaras, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh".

Ramesh accepted the challenge and told news agency ANI, "We will definitely go to Uttar Pradesh. Mamata Banerjee should not have any doubt in her mind. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be in UP for 11 days. She has said a lot of things about Congress party but I would not like to say anything."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' on Friday entered Jharkhand.

Earlier, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, received a rousing welcome from the people of the Seemanchal region of Bihar and West Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party BJP has opened a shop of revenge, hate..."

At the Nyay Sankalp Workers Convention in Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...Modi ji baat nahi karte andar se sab ko kaat dete hai. Muh mein ram bagal mein churi rakh ke nikalte hai aur sab ko kat'te phirte hai" (This roughly translates to: Modi ji does not talk, he cuts everyone off from within) ...We've opened a shop of love but they have opened a shop of revenge, hate," he adds.

Noting that the government hasn't been able to keep its promise to provide 2 crore jobs to the youth, the Congress chief said, "They (BJP) had promised to provide 2 crore jobs, 20 crore jobs every year, where are these jobs?... Not fulfilling this is Modi's guarantee. And he said I will give 15 lakh to everyone. What can we call him (PM Modi) other than 'Jhuthon ka Sardar'? He betrayed our farmers, youth and women."

Further, sharpening his barbs against the Centre, Kharge said that the employment opportunities in the country are decreasing.

"Today employment is decreasing. There are 30 lakh government posts vacant. Why is Modi Saheb not giving this, (this is) because, if he gives permission then SC/ST, poor and backward people will come to those places. So they decided to stop recruitment for these posts," Kharge added.

In contrast, he said, "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru established many public sectors which created employment opportunities for the public."

Speaking on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, Kharge said it is a fight to save the Constitution and democracy.

"This fight is to save the Constitution and democracy and if you fail in this, you will become the slave of (PM) Modi permanently. If we do not fight this BJP firmly, then our youth, women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, all of them will suffer in the days to come. Because the Prime Minister will put the people of this country into slavery," the Congress leader said.

(With agency inputs)

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Boeing Faces New Hurdles as FAA Halts 737 MAX Production Expansion

Concerns over passenger safety resurface as the FAA imposes restrictions on Boeings 737 MAX planes.

The aviation industry is once again facing turbulence as Boeing, a major player in the aircraft manufacturing sector, encounters fresh challenges that cast a shadow over its stock performance. The recent decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to halt Boeings plans for expanding production of its 737 MAX planes raises significant concerns regarding passenger safety.

The move follows a mid-air blowout incident on January 5 involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which was forced to make an emergency landing after a door panel was torn off during the flight. Although no serious injuries were reported, the FAA took swift action by grounding 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX airplanes for rigorous inspections. Boeing acknowledged a mistake in the aftermath of the incident.

Boeing Faces $BA New Hurdles as FAA Halts 737 MAX Production Expansion



Concerns over passenger safety resurface as the FAA imposes restrictions on Boeing's 737 MAX planes. pic.twitter.com/hvmSkaJzwP  LTN  (@Livetradingnews) January 25, 2024

A particular safety concern identified in the inspections is the presence of loose bolts, a factor that has drawn attention from Boeing, the FAA, and operating airlines. In response to these findings, the FAA announced on Wednesday that it would not permit any expansion in the production of the 737 MAX, emphasizing that the recent safety lapses must not recur.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated firmly, Let me be clear: This wont be back to business as usual for Boeing. We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.

The FAAs enhanced maintenance process includes specific measures such as the inspection of bolts, correction of any abnormalities, and detailed visual checks of various aircraft parts. This stringent oversight aims to ensure that the grounded jets can safely return to service once the required measures are completed.

This latest setback for Boeing follows previous challenges, including the tragic crashes of two of its planes in Ethiopia (2019) and Indonesia (2018), resulting in the loss of 346 lives. The aftermath of these incidents led to a 20-month grounding of 737 MAX aircraft.

As Boeing grapples with renewed safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny, investors in $BA stock may experience increased unease about the companys stability and reputation. The FAAs insistence on resolving quality control issues before any production expansion underscores the gravity of the situation for Boeing and its stakeholders. The trajectory of $BA stock will likely be closely monitored in the coming weeks as the aviation giant works to address these challenges and rebuild confidence in its aircraft.

Shayne Heffernan
China is embarking on an ambitious plan to broaden its global network of high-standard Free Trade Areas (FTAs) in 2024, leveraging the success of 22 FTAs already signed with 29 countries or regions. Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen outlines the comprehensive agenda, highlighting efforts to conclude the negotiations for Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and signaling Chinas commitment to high-standard openness.

1. Robust Free Trade Achievements: Chinas commitment to FTAs is evident with 22 agreements already in place, covering 29 countries or regions. The combined trade value with these partners represents a significant portion of Chinas total trade, showcasing the success and importance of these agreements.

2. Strategic Focus on ASEAN: Negotiations for Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area take center stage, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN as a key economic partner. The upgrade aims to cover diverse fields such as trade in goods, investment, digital and green economy, fostering a modern, inclusive, and mutually beneficial FTA.

3. Ripple Effects on RCEP: Experts anticipate that the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area will set an example for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Leveraging coordinating and superimposing effects, the RCEP is poised to benefit from the advancements made in the China-ASEAN FTA.

4. Global Free Trade Outreach: Beyond ASEAN, Chinas FTA agenda includes negotiations with countries like Honduras and upgrading agreements with Peru. Furthermore, China is actively pursuing FTAs with the Gulf Cooperation Council, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland. The intention is to enhance global economic connectivity.

5. Aspirations for CPTPP and DEPA: Chinas aspirations extend to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). Aligning with CPTPP rules, China is introducing documents and reform measures to enhance institutional opening-up.

6. Services and Investment Opening-up: China has committed to a negative-list model for services and investment opening-up, exemplified by recent FTAs with Nicaragua and Singapore. This approach signals a historic advancement in Chinas FTA strategy, moving toward high standards in services and investment.

7. RCEP Collaboration: Collaboration within the RCEP framework is identified as having ample room for growth. Consumer goods trade, cross-border e-commerce, service trade, and investment are highlighted as potential spheres for increased cooperation, strengthening ties among RCEP members.

8. Free Trade Facilitation through RCEP: RCEP has proven to be mutually beneficial, with Chinese trade companies enjoying tariff concessions and RCEP countries benefiting from tax breaks. This collaborative approach underscores Chinas commitment to being both a beneficiary of and contributor to RCEP enforcement.

9. High-Standard FTA Network: To achieve a high-standard FTA network, China aims to increase the proportion of zero-tariff products, promote comprehensive opening-up of service trade and investment through market-access negative lists, and include trade rules related to the digital economy, green economy, standard certification, and government purchases in new FTA negotiations.

Chinas strategic push for high-standard FTAs in 2024 reflects its commitment to global economic integration and openness. With a focus on upgrading existing agreements, expanding regional collaboration, and embracing emerging economic trends, Chinas FTA vision sets the stage for a more interconnected and mutually beneficial global trade landscape.

China and ASEAN: A Strategic Free Trade Partnership for Regional Prosperity

Chinas relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has evolved into a crucial strategic partnership with far-reaching implications for regional prosperity and stability. This article explores the close ties between China and ASEAN, highlighting the significance of this partnership and its multifaceted impact.

1. Historical Ties: China and ASEAN share a rich history of cultural, economic, and diplomatic interactions. The ancient maritime Silk Road facilitated trade and cultural exchange between the two regions, laying the groundwork for the modern partnership.

2. Economic Cooperation: Economic collaboration stands as a cornerstone of the China-ASEAN relationship. China is ASEANs largest trading partner, and ASEAN is one of Chinas most vital economic partners. Bilateral trade has flourished, contributing to the economic growth of both sides.

3. Trade Volumes and Investment: The trade volumes between China and ASEAN have surged, with investments flowing in both directions. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aligns with ASEANs infrastructure development needs, fostering connectivity and economic integration.

4. Regional Stability and Security: China and ASEAN share a vested interest in maintaining regional stability and security. Collaborative efforts have been made to address regional challenges, ensuring a peaceful environment that facilitates economic growth and development.

5. Diplomatic Dialogue: Regular high-level diplomatic dialogues and forums, such as the China-ASEAN Expo, provide platforms for constructive discussions on shared concerns. Diplomatic engagements help build mutual understanding and trust.

6. Mutual Respect and Non-Interference: The principle of non-interference in each others internal affairs is a foundational aspect of China-ASEAN relations. This principle has contributed to a relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.

7. People-to-People Exchanges: People-to-people exchanges play a vital role in fostering cultural understanding. Educational, cultural, and tourism initiatives have strengthened ties between the people of China and ASEAN countries, creating a sense of community.

8. ASEAN as a Strategic Partner: ASEAN holds strategic importance for China due to its geopolitical location, economic potential, and role as a key player in regional forums. The partnership enables China to actively participate in shaping the regional agenda.

9. Regional Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: Collaboration on infrastructure projects under the BRI enhances regional connectivity. The construction of ports, railways, and other critical infrastructure not only facilitates trade but also contributes to the overall development of ASEAN nations.

10. Shared Commitment to Multilateralism: Both China and ASEAN share a commitment to multilateralism and the importance of international cooperation. This shared commitment is reflected in joint efforts to address global challenges, such as climate change and public health crises.

The close relationship between China and ASEAN is characterized by economic interdependence, diplomatic cooperation, and a shared commitment to regional stability. As China continues to prioritize its ties with ASEAN, the partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific region, fostering mutual prosperity, and contributing to global peace and development.

Unveiling the Dynamic Tapestry of Southeast Asia

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) represents a diverse and dynamic region, comprising ten member countries. This article explores the population, economy, and size of ASEAN, shedding light on the collective strength and individual uniqueness of its member states.

1. Population Diversity: ASEANs member countries boast a combined population exceeding 650 million people. The region is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities, cultures, and languages, making it one of the most populous and vibrant parts of the world.

2. Member States and Their Populations:

Indonesia: The largest ASEAN member, with over 270 million people.

Vietnam: Over 97 million people.

Thailand: Approximately 69 million people.

Philippines: Over 113 million people.

Myanmar: Over 54 million people.

Malaysia: Around 32 million people.

Cambodia: Over 16 million people.

Laos: Around 7 million people.

Brunei: Approximately 0.4 million people.

Singapore: Over 5.8 million people.

3. Economic Powerhouse: ASEAN collectively forms a substantial economic bloc. The regions combined GDP surpasses $3 trillion, making it one of the worlds largest economic entities. ASEANs economic strength lies in its diverse industries, including manufacturing, services, and agriculture.

4. Economic Contribution of Key Members:

Indonesia: A major contributor to ASEANs GDP, driven by its vast population and diverse economy.

Singapore: A global financial hub with a highly developed and diverse economy.

Malaysia: An industrialized nation with a focus on technology, manufacturing, and palm oil production.

Thailand: Known for its export-oriented economy, particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors.

Vietnam: Experiencing rapid economic growth, driven by manufacturing and export activities.

Philippines: A burgeoning economy with strengths in services, manufacturing, and agriculture.

5. Geographic Size and Importance: ASEAN spans a vast geographical area, covering around 4.5 million square kilometers. The regions strategic location connects the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making it a crucial crossroads for global trade and commerce.

6. Strategic Location and Trade Hub: The strategic positioning of ASEAN countries has turned the region into a vital trade and transportation hub. Ports like Singapore and major shipping routes contribute significantly to global trade flows.

7. Collective Strength in Unity: ASEANs collaborative approach is driven by the principle of unity in diversity. The regional blocs collective strength lies in its ability to harness the potential of each member state, fostering cooperation in economic, political, and cultural spheres.

8. Regional Integration and Connectivity: ASEAN actively pursues regional integration initiatives, emphasizing connectivity through projects like the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and infrastructure development under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC).

ASEANs population diversity, economic prowess, and strategic importance underscore its significance on the global stage. As the region continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the collective strength of ASEAN, combined with the unique contributions of its member states, positions it as a key player in shaping the future of Southeast Asia and beyond.

ASEAN Plus Three (APT): Fostering Regional Cooperation and Economic Growth

ASEAN Plus Three (APT) is a strategic framework that brings together the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with China, Japan, and South Korea. This collaborative initiative plays a pivotal role in promoting regional stability, economic growth, and cultural exchange. This article delves into the significance of ASEAN Plus Three and its multifaceted contributions to the Asia-Pacific region.

1. The Foundation of ASEAN Plus Three:

Established in 1997, APT aims to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and South Korea.

APT recognizes the interdependence of the regional economies and seeks to enhance political, economic, and socio-cultural ties.

2. Economic Cooperation:

APT focuses on bolstering economic integration through initiatives such as the Chiang Mai Initiative, a multilateral currency swap arrangement designed to enhance financial stability.

The APT cooperation extends to various sectors, including trade, investment, finance, and technology, fostering economic resilience and sustainability.

3. Financial Stability and Currency Swap Arrangements:

The Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) serves as a financial safety net, allowing member countries to access a pool of currency reserves during times of economic uncertainty.

Currency swap agreements enhance liquidity and contribute to maintaining stability in the face of financial challenges.

4. Disaster Management and Public Health:

APT collaboration extends beyond economic matters to address non-traditional security challenges, including disaster management and public health.

Joint efforts aim to build resilience and enhance the collective response to natural disasters and health crises.

5. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges:

APT places a strong emphasis on cultural exchange and people-to-people connections to foster mutual understanding and friendship.

Educational programs, youth exchanges, and cultural events contribute to building a strong sense of community among the diverse nations involved.

6. Regional Security and Diplomacy:

APT provides a platform for diplomatic dialogues and security cooperation to address regional challenges.

Shared concerns such as maritime security, territorial disputes, and the Korean Peninsula situation are discussed to promote peace and stability.

7. ASEAN Plus Three Summit:

The annual ASEAN Plus Three Summit serves as a key forum for leaders to discuss regional issues and chart the course for future cooperation.

It provides a space for open dialogues and the formulation of collaborative strategies.

8. Future Prospects and Challenges:

APT faces challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and the evolving regional landscape.

The frameworks adaptability and commitment to cooperation will be crucial in addressing emerging challenges and seizing opportunities.

ASEAN Plus Three stands as a testament to the power of regional collaboration. By fostering economic integration, addressing security concerns, and promoting cultural understanding, APT plays a vital role in shaping the collective destiny of ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and South Korea. As the region continues to evolve, APT remains a dynamic platform for building a resilient and interconnected Asia-Pacific community.

Shayne Heffernan
Chinas Listed Companies Receive Government Boost Amid Market Challenges

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for increased support for listed companies as part of efforts to stabilize capital markets during a prolonged stock market downturn. The move comes as policymakers in China aim to mitigate the impact of recent market fluctuations and provide a supportive environment for listed firms.

At a national video conference focused on promoting the development of listed companies, Vice Premier He emphasized the crucial role these companies play as a micro foundation for high-quality economic development. The conference aimed to address the challenges faced by listed firms and explore ways to enhance their contribution to technological self-reliance and the development of a modern industrial system.

Key Points from Vice Premier Hes Address for Chinas Listed Companies:

Micro Foundation for High-Quality Development: He Lifeng highlighted the importance of listed companies in driving high-quality economic development. Their role extends beyond economic contributions, encompassing the acceleration of technological self-reliance and the construction of a modern industrial system. Support for High-Quality Listed Firms: Government departments are urged to intensify their support for high-quality listed firms, signaling a commitment to fostering confidence in capital markets. This support aims to create a conducive environment for listed companies to thrive and contribute to the overall economic landscape. Boosting Market Confidence: By promoting the high-quality development of listed companies, authorities seek to enhance market confidence. This strategic move is part of broader efforts to stabilize capital markets and address challenges arising from recent market fluctuations. Property Financing Coordination Mechanisms: The conference also touched upon property financing, emphasizing the need for localities to establish and efficiently operate urban real estate financing coordination mechanisms. This indicates a comprehensive approach to addressing challenges in the property market.

Notable Chinas Listed Companies Stocks Listed in the USA:

Company Ticker Focus Area BYD Company Ltd. BYD Electric Vehicles, Battery Alibaba Group BABA E-commerce, Cloud Services NIO Inc. NIO Electric Vehicles JD.com JD E-commerce, Logistics Pinduoduo Inc. PDD Agriculture, E-commerce Baidu Inc. BIDU Search, AI

Chinas Listed Companies

1. BYD (Build Your Dreams)  $BYD:

Description: BYD is a leading Chinese multinational automotive company specializing in electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and new energy solutions. It is renowned for its innovation in green technology and has played a significant role in the development of electric transportation.

BYD is a leading Chinese multinational automotive company specializing in electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and new energy solutions. It is renowned for its innovation in green technology and has played a significant role in the development of electric transportation. Importance in China: BYD is crucial to Chinas efforts to promote clean and sustainable transportation. As a major player in the EV market, BYD contributes to reducing carbon emissions and advancing the countrys green mobility initiatives.

2. Alibaba Group Holding Limited  $BABA:

Description: Alibaba is a global e-commerce, technology, and retail conglomerate headquartered in China. Founded by Jack Ma, Alibaba operates a diverse range of businesses, including e-commerce platforms, cloud computing, digital media, and more.

Alibaba is a global e-commerce, technology, and retail conglomerate headquartered in China. Founded by Jack Ma, Alibaba operates a diverse range of businesses, including e-commerce platforms, cloud computing, digital media, and more. Importance in China: Alibaba is a key player in Chinas digital economy, connecting consumers and businesses through its e-commerce platforms. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the online retail landscape and fostering digital innovation in the country.

3. NIO Inc.  $NIO:

Description: NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer known for its high-performance electric cars. The company is focused on creating premium electric vehicles with advanced autonomous driving capabilities and innovative battery-swapping technology.

NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer known for its high-performance electric cars. The company is focused on creating premium electric vehicles with advanced autonomous driving capabilities and innovative battery-swapping technology. Importance in China: NIO contributes to Chinas ambitions in becoming a global leader in the electric vehicle industry. Its focus on innovation and sustainable transportation aligns with the countrys goals to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels.

4. JD.com, Inc.  $JD:

Description: JD.com is one of Chinas largest e-commerce companies, providing a wide range of products and services through its online platform. The company is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality and authentic products to consumers.

JD.com is one of Chinas largest e-commerce companies, providing a wide range of products and services through its online platform. The company is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality and authentic products to consumers. Importance in China: JD.com is a key player in Chinas e-commerce sector, contributing to the growth of online retail. Its logistics and supply chain capabilities have been instrumental in expanding access to a diverse array of products for Chinese consumers.

5. Pinduoduo Inc.  $PDD:

Description: Pinduoduo is a Chinese e-commerce platform that focuses on social commerce. It allows users to participate in group-buying deals and enjoy discounts by forming purchasing groups. Pinduoduo has gained popularity for its interactive and community-driven approach.

Pinduoduo is a Chinese e-commerce platform that focuses on social commerce. It allows users to participate in group-buying deals and enjoy discounts by forming purchasing groups. Pinduoduo has gained popularity for its interactive and community-driven approach. Importance in China: Pinduoduo has emerged as a major player in Chinas e-commerce ecosystem, particularly among value-conscious consumers. Its innovative group-buying model has contributed to the diversification of online shopping experiences.

6. Baidu, Inc.  $BIDU:

Description: Baidu is a leading Chinese technology company specializing in internet-related services and products. It is widely recognized for its search engine, artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, autonomous driving projects, and cloud computing services.

Baidu is a leading Chinese technology company specializing in internet-related services and products. It is widely recognized for its search engine, artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, autonomous driving projects, and cloud computing services. Importance in China: Baidu plays a crucial role in Chinas tech landscape, driving advancements in AI, autonomous vehicles, and other cutting-edge technologies. Its contributions extend to shaping the future of digital innovation and intelligent services in the country.

These companies collectively represent the dynamism and innovation within Chinas business landscape, contributing to technological advancements, e-commerce growth, and the development of sustainable transportation solutions.

As China reinforces its support for listed companies, investors may find opportunities for growth and stability, especially in the technology sector. Keeping an eye on these notable companies can provide insights into potential market movements and investment opportunities.

Reversal of Outflows: Positive Signs Emerge in Chinese Stock Markets

In a notable turn of events, there are positive indications that the outflows from Chinese stock markets, which have been a cause for concern, are beginning to reverse. Recent developments suggest a potential shift in investor sentiment, bringing optimism to the forefront.

Key Factors Contributing to the Reversal:

Government Supportive Measures: Chinese authorities have implemented various measures to stabilize the stock markets and boost investor confidence. The governments commitment to supporting the financial markets has played a crucial role in instilling faith among investors. Enhanced Regulatory Clarity: Clarity in regulatory frameworks and policies has been instrumental in alleviating uncertainties. The Chinese governments efforts to provide a transparent and stable regulatory environment have addressed concerns and contributed to a more favorable outlook. Market Reforms and Reassurances: Reforms in market structures and policy adjustments aimed at fostering a healthier investment climate have been welcomed by investors. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to address issues and create a conducive atmosphere for sustainable growth. Improving Economic Indicators: Positive economic indicators and signs of recovery have bolstered investor confidence. As economic conditions improve, investors are gaining more assurance in the resilience and potential of Chinese companies.

Implications for Investors:

Opportunities in Chinese Equities: The reversal of outflows suggests potential opportunities for investors in Chinese equities. As sentiment turns more positive, there may be increased interest in the diverse range of companies listed on Chinese stock exchanges. Technology Sector Resurgence: The technology sector, which experienced challenges in the past, could see a resurgence. Positive developments in regulatory frameworks and government support may lead to renewed interest in innovative and growth-oriented tech companies. Long-Term Investment Appeal: The changing landscape indicates a shift toward a more stable and investor-friendly environment. Long-term investors may find Chinese stocks increasingly attractive as the market stabilizes and matures. Monitoring Regulatory Developments: While positive trends emerge, staying informed about ongoing regulatory developments remains crucial. Investors should remain vigilant and adapt their strategies based on the evolving regulatory landscape.

The reversal of outflows from Chinese stock markets signals a turning point and brings renewed optimism. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research, stay updated on market dynamics, and consider the evolving landscape when making investment decisions. As China continues to implement supportive measures, the investment climate may become increasingly favorable for those seeking opportunities in the countrys dynamic markets.

Confidence in Chinas Listed Companies: A Multifaceted Outlook

The Chinese stock market, with its unique dynamics and resilient nature, presents investors with a multitude of reasons to be confident. While markets worldwide experience fluctuations, several factors contribute to the robustness and potential growth of the Chinese stock market.

1. Economic Resilience: Chinas economic resilience has been a cornerstone of its stock market stability. Despite global economic challenges, the country has demonstrated adaptability and resilience, ensuring sustained economic growth. This resilience translates into a stable foundation for the stock market.

2. Innovation and Technology: China has emerged as a global leader in innovation and technology. Companies listed on Chinese stock exchanges are at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and biotechnology. These sectors contribute to the markets vibrancy and growth potential.

3. Consumption and Middle-Class Expansion: The continuous expansion of the Chinese middle class is a key driver of economic growth. As more citizens join the middle class, there is an increased demand for goods and services, driving the success of domestic companies. This rise in consumption contributes to the positive outlook for many listed companies.

4. Government Policies: Proactive government policies play a pivotal role in supporting the stability and growth of the Chinese stock market. The governments commitment to economic development, innovation, and market reforms creates an environment conducive to investment.

5. Global Integration: Chinas increasing integration into the global economy enhances its stock markets attractiveness to international investors. With initiatives like Stock Connect programs, international investors can access Chinese stocks, fostering a more globally interconnected financial market.

6. Financial Reforms: Ongoing financial reforms contribute to the maturation and efficiency of Chinas financial markets. Reforms such as the opening up of capital markets and improvements in regulatory frameworks aim to create a more transparent and investor-friendly environment.

7. Infrastructure Investment: Massive infrastructure projects, both domestic and international, contribute to sustained economic development. Companies involved in infrastructure development stand to benefit, providing investors with opportunities for stable returns.

Confidence in the Chinese stock market is rooted in its economic resilience, technological prowess, expanding consumer base, supportive government policies, global integration, financial reforms, and infrastructure investments. While markets inherently involve risks, the multifaceted strengths of the Chinese stock market offer investors a compelling case for long-term confidence and potential returns. As with any investment, thorough research and consideration of individual risk tolerance are essential for making informed decisions in the dynamic landscape of the Chinese stock market.
Investors have demonstrated growing confidence in Chinese stocks, injecting nearly $12 billion into Chinese equity funds in the week ending Wednesday, marking the largest weekly inflow since 2015 and the second largest on record, according to data compiled by Bank of America.

This surge in allocations is considered a positive indicator for the Chinese stock market, which has faced significant challenges over the past three years, resulting in a loss of approximately $6 trillion. The economic impact of issues such as deflation, rising debt, and a real estate crisis, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, contributed to the struggles. Currently, onshore Chinese blue-chip stocks are trading near a five-year low, while the Hong Kong benchmark is at its lowest level in over a year, according to Reuters.

Symbol Company Name Market Cap (USD Billion) Industry BABA Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. 212.9 Technology JD JD.com, Inc. 130.3 Technology TCEHY Tencent Holdings Ltd. 415.5 Technology BIDU Baidu, Inc. 58.0 Technology PDD Pinduoduo Inc. 109.5 Technology NIO NIO Inc. 39.5 Automobiles NET Netease, Inc. 57.4 Technology CXO ConocoPhillips 109.3 Energy SBE China Southern Airlines Company Limited 14.9 Transportation MHK Meituan Dianping 83.9 Technology LHX Lufax Holding Ltd. 14.6 Financial Services GSX GSX Techedu Inc. 4.0 Education BJH BEIJING HAIDILAO CATERING INTERNATIONAL LTD. 12.1 Consumer Staples TSL Tesla, Inc. 883.0 Consumer Discretionary YY YY Inc. 8.5 Technology VIP Huazhu Group Limited 17.0 Consumer Discretionary DIDI DiDi Global Inc. 14.0 Technology MBT China Mobile Limited 138.1 Telecommunications CTR China Three Gorges Corporation 50.9 Utilities CINF China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited 31.2 Telecommunications CHT China Telecom Corporation Limited 49.3 Telecommunications HTHT Huazhu Group Limited ADR 16.8 Consumer Discretionary JD.COM JD.com, Inc. ADR 130.0 Technology PDDY Pinduoduo Inc. ADR 109.2 Technology BABA.COM Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR 212.3 Technology VIP -2.70% Huazhu Group Limited ADR 16.5 Consumer Discretionary

The recent influx of funds into Chinese stocks follows Beijings proactive measures to support the countrys economy. The central bank announced a reduction in reserve requirements for banks, freeing up liquidity for increased lending. Beijing also unveiled initiatives to alleviate liquidity constraints faced by real estate developers, earmarking 2 trillion yuan ($278 billion) to purchase their shares. In addition, operations were conducted in the foreign exchange market to bolster the yuan.

Describing the move as the worlds most enticing contrarian long trade, Michael Hartnett, Chief Strategist of Bank of Americas global research team, highlighted the appeal of buying Chinese shares. This sentiment was echoed by Bridgewater Associates, which expressed being moderately bullish on Chinese stocks, and Hong Kong-based financial services company Gavekal, labeling Chinese stocks as the best value globally.

Chinas economy, the second-largest in the world, reported a growth rate of 5.2% last year, marking its slowest expansion since 1990, excluding the pandemic years through 2022. With the property market still experiencing weakness, economists predict a further slowdown in growth to approximately 4.0-4.5% in 2024. The recent influx of investment suggests growing optimism about the potential for a recovery and positive performance in the Chinese stock market.

Why High-Net-Worth Investors Trust Knightsbridge for China Expertise

Chinas economic juggernaut continues to reshape the global landscape, presenting both challenges and unparalleled opportunities for investors. Navigating this complex market, however, demands specialized knowledge and a trusted guide. For high-net-worth individuals and institutions seeking premium access to China, theres one name synonymous with expertise  Knightsbridge.

Leading the Charge on China: Knightsbridge wasnt just a latecomer to the China game. Recognizing its vast potential long ago, the firm has been a vocal advocate for investing in China for more than a decade. Through insightful research, tailored investment strategies, and unparalleled market access, Knightsbridge has consistently steered its clients towards lucrative opportunities in this dynamic landscape.

Beyond Numbers: Unveiling the Nuances: Knightsbridge knows that Chinas story is more than just impressive GDP figures. The firms team of seasoned analysts delves deep into the intricacies of the Chinese economy, political landscape, and cultural nuances. This comprehensive understanding is woven into bespoke research reports, providing clients with actionable insights they can trust.

Direct Lines of Access: Knightsbridges network in China is unrivaled. From top government officials to industry leaders, the firms deep connections open doors to exclusive information and investment opportunities often unavailable to others. This unparalleled access ensures that clients stay ahead of the curve, anticipating and capitalizing on emerging trends.

Trusted Partner, Not Just a Guide: Knightsbridge doesnt merely offer access and information; it fosters genuine partnerships with its clients. The firms advisors understand the unique needs and risk tolerance of each individual and institution, crafting personalized investment strategies that align with their long-term goals. This level of dedication creates a true partnership, one built on trust and a shared vision for success in China.

Navigating the Dragon with Confidence: Chinas potential can be overwhelming, but with Knightsbridge as your guide, you can approach it with confidence. The firms proven track record, unparalleled expertise, and deep-rooted network empower clients to unlock the lucrative possibilities within this dynamic market.

So, if youre a high-net-worth individual or institution seeking premium access to China, remember  the path to success starts with Knightsbridge. Their long-standing commitment to China, exceptional research, and personalized approach make them the ultimate partner for navigating the complexities of the Dragon and securing a prosperous future in this ever-evolving market.

A Guide to Chinas Diverse Stock Markets

China, the worlds second-largest economy, boasts a vibrant and complex stock market landscape. Understanding its intricacies is crucial for investors seeking to tap into the immense potential of the Chinese economic juggernaut. From established exchanges to niche platforms, heres a comprehensive guide to Chinas diverse stock markets:

Mainland China:

Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): Established in 1990, the SSE is the largest bourse in mainland China, handling blue-chip companies and state-owned enterprises. Its renowned for its volatility and focus on long-term investments.

Established in 1990, the SSE is the largest bourse in mainland China, handling blue-chip companies and state-owned enterprises. Its renowned for its volatility and focus on long-term investments. Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE): Founded in 1990, the SZSE is known for its focus on smaller, growth-oriented companies, particularly in technology and innovation. It boasts a more dynamic and fast-paced trading environment than the SSE.

Founded in 1990, the SZSE is known for its focus on smaller, growth-oriented companies, particularly in technology and innovation. It boasts a more dynamic and fast-paced trading environment than the SSE. ChiNext (SZSE): A dedicated sub-board within the SZSE, ChiNext caters to startups and technology companies with high growth potential. It offers investors access to emerging players in Chinas booming tech sector.

Secondary Markets:

National Equities Exchange (NEEQ): Launched in 2012, the NEEQ caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less stringent listing requirements compared to the main exchanges. It offers SMEs access to capital and investors exposure to promising young companies.

Launched in 2012, the NEEQ caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less stringent listing requirements compared to the main exchanges. It offers SMEs access to capital and investors exposure to promising young companies. China New Over-the-Counter Market (CNOTC): Established in 2013, the CNOTC is a privately owned platform focusing on debt financing and private equity placements. It offers alternative investment opportunities for sophisticated investors.

Regional Exchanges:

Beijing Stock Exchange (BSX): Launched in 2021, the BSX prioritizes innovative firms and SMEs serving national strategic needs. It aims to support technology, environmental protection, and other priority sectors.

Launched in 2021, the BSX prioritizes innovative firms and SMEs serving national strategic needs. It aims to support technology, environmental protection, and other priority sectors. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Stock Exchange: Planned for launch in 2024, the GBA exchange will focus on companies within the Greater Bay Area, a key economic engine in South China.

Key Considerations:

Regulation: Chinas stock market is subject to stricter regulations compared to Western markets. Understanding these regulations is crucial for risk management.

Chinas stock market is subject to stricter regulations compared to Western markets. Understanding these regulations is crucial for risk management. Foreign Investor Access: Access to some markets and specific instruments might be restricted for foreign investors. Seek qualified advice on investment channels available to you.

Access to some markets and specific instruments might be restricted for foreign investors. Seek qualified advice on investment channels available to you. Currency Fluctuations: The Chinese yuan can be volatile, impacting returns for foreign investors. Hedging strategies might be necessary.

Navigating the Landscape:

Chinas diverse stock market landscape offers immense potential for savvy investors. However, navigating its complexities requires a deep understanding of regulations, market dynamics, and investment strategies. Seeking professional guidance from qualified financial advisors specializing in China is vital for maximizing your returns while minimizing risks.

Decoding the Dragons Roadmap: Why Understanding Chinas 5-Year Plan Matters for Your Stock Trades

Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) isnt just a government document; its a blueprint for the nations future, outlining economic priorities, technological advancements, and social goals. For investors navigating the complexities of Chinas stock market, understanding its key tenets is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Heres why:

1. Guiding Lights for Growth: The Five-Year Plan sets the direction for Chinas economic engine, highlighting industries targeted for growth, infrastructure projects planned, and regulatory landscapes that will shape specific sectors. This foresight allows investors to identify emerging opportunities and anticipate disruptions in advance.

2. Policy Predictability (with Twists): Though subject to adjustments based on economic realities, the Five-Year Plan provides a general framework for policy direction. This stability offers investors a buffer against sudden policy shifts that can rattle markets. However, be mindful of potential adjustments and keep your finger on the pulse of policy updates.

3. Sector Spotlight: The plan identifies key sectors deemed crucial for future development, such as high-tech manufacturing, environmental protection, and domestic consumption. By aligning your investments with these prioritized sectors, you can tap into the governments tailwinds and potentially outperform the broader market.

4. Risk Assessment Canvas: The plan also reveals areas where the government might tighten regulations or face potential headwinds. Identifying these sectors allows you to mitigate risks and avoid potential pitfalls that could impact your portfolio.

5. Beyond Numbers: The Five-Year Plan isnt just about economic targets; it also reflects the governments social and environmental goals. By factoring in these priorities, you can make informed investment decisions that align with your ESG (environmental, social, and governance) values.

Unlocking the Dragons Secrets:

Chinas Five-Year Plan offers a powerful lens through which to view the future of its economy and stock market. By deciphering its key priorities, you can make informed investment decisions, identify promising sectors, and navigate potential risks with greater confidence. Remember, thorough research, continuous monitoring of policy updates, and seeking professional guidance from China-savvy financial advisors are key to unlocking the lucrative potential of the Chinese market.

This article provides a general overview of the importance of the Five-Year Plan for stock market investors in China. For specific investment advice and sector analysis, consulting with financial professionals with expertise in Chinese markets is highly recommended.

With the right tools and understanding, the Five-Year Plan can be your compass for navigating the ever-evolving Chinese stock market, paving the way for profitable and responsible investment choices. So, keep your eyes on the dragons roadmap, and watch your portfolio soar!

Shayne Heffernan
"Argylle," a new spy action comedy film from Matthew Vaughn, premiered in Beijing on Jan. 31, marking a significant milestone in movie projection development in China.

An installation featuring Alfie the cat in a cat backpack at the IMAX premiere of "Argylle" in Beijing, Jan. 31, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

The film, starring a stellar cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson, tells the story of Elly Conway (Howard), a reclusive author known for her best-selling espionage novels following secret agent Argylle. When Elly discovers that the plots of her books mirror the actions of a real-life spy organization, she puts her cat Alfie in a backpack and teams up with Aidan (Rockwell), racing across the world trying to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Elly's fictional world and her real one begins to blur.

This delightfully preposterous popcorn movie is bolstered by Vaughn's signature extravagant and artfully violent action sequences and a roller coaster of plot twists, bringing garishly off-the-wall fun to the audience.

Howard and Cavill greeted Chinese audiences via a pre-recorded video at the premiere. "This movie is about to take you on an incredible globetrotting experience where everything is not always quite what it seems," Howard said, adding, "So remember, once you know the secret of our film, please do not let the cat out of the bag!

The film project "Argylle" was announced in June 2021, with director Vaughn describing it as his "ode" to 1980s action thrillers such as "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon." Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the film for $200 million for online release, but the film will first be released in theaters by Universal Pictures and Apple Original Films. The film is intended to be the first in a trilogy as well as a part of a shared spy universe with the "Kingsman" franchise.

Audiences come to the Cinity premiere of "Argylle" in Beijing, Jan. 31, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Cinity]

The film is set to be released nationwide in China on Feb. 23, marking the first time an imported foreign film has been shown in 48fps Cinity AI Master Reproduction (AMR). This cutting-edge movie projection technology, developed in China, greatly enhances the film in terms of color, dynamic range, brightness, resolution, and frame rate, further elevating the movie viewing experience. Audiences were amazed and thrilled by the AMR 48fps version of "Argylle" at a premiere screening in Beijing's Cinity theater, incorporating advanced film technologies such as 4K resolution, a high frame rate, increased brightness, high dynamic range, a wide color gamut, and immersive sound. Cinity promises to release more high-frame-rate versions of films in the future, ushering in a new era of high-frame-rate viewing for audiences.

"Argylle" will kick off a post-Spring Festival film period, including several imported Hollywood films, such as the re-release of the recently Oscar-nominated "Oppenheimer," "Kung Fu Panda 4," "Dune: Part Two," and "Madame Web."
The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (Pnat) has announced the opening of an investigation after the death of two French humanitarian workers as a result of a Russian bombing of Beryslav, Kherson region, BFMTV reported.

"The investigation is open for war crimes and intentional harm to the life of a person protected by international humanitarian law in particular. Entrusted to the gendarmes of the Central Office for the Fight against Crimes Against Humanity (OCLCH), this is the 10th procedure opened by the Pnat since the start of the conflict in February 2022," it said.

As reported, on February 1, two citizens of France were killed and three were injured as a result of a drone attack on Beryslav, Kherson region, by the Russian occupation forces.
Last night, the Russian occupation forces attacked Ukraine by Kh-59 missiles and Shahed kamikaze drones, nine of 14 enemy drones were destroyed, the Ukrainian Air Force has said on Saturday morning.

"On the night of February 3, 2024, the enemy launched an attack by 14 Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones from the following directions: Primorsko-Akhtyrsk  Russia, Chauda  Crimea, and two Kh-59 guided bombs from Belgorod region," it said.

"Just like the night before, the enemy aimed a major part of the Shahed drones at the energy infrastructure objects in Dnipropetrovsk region," it said.

The mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down nine enemy drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Zhytomyr regions.
UPDATE: Lanes have been cleared near the multivehicle crash reported on I24 WB
As Waterways Ireland opened the second phase of the public consultation on proposed byelaw changes - inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and Canal Byelaws - a local activist says they will be bad for business, bad for tourism and bad for boaters.



The leader of the Shannon Lakes & River Group, Liam Finnegan believes Waterways Ireland are overstepping the mark with some of the proposals in the byelaws: We totally object to it, he told the Leader.

Mr Finnegan objects to the moves by the State body tasked with overseeing Ireland's watercourses: Waterways Ireland are in the process of drafting new By-Laws for the Canals and River Shannon Navigation. Some of these bye-laws are draconian and will affect people who own a boat with an afloat charge of 200 per annum registration fee among other major changes to many other bye-laws.



Mr Finnegan was one of a group of concerned boaters who addressed the Dail Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the end of last year.

Luckily we got them [Waterways Ireland] brought before a Dail committee last year. The committee requested the consultation period be extended, reluctantly they agreed and published revised draft bye-laws on January 15 with a further six weeks consultation period, Mr Finnegan said.

The Shannon Lakes & River Group member feels that the approach by Waterways Ireland to the new byelaws ignores the concerns of many who use the waterways: We feel most of these bye-laws can best be summed up as bad for business, bad for tourism and bad for boaters and their implementation needs to be paused until major issues with Governance within Waterways Ireland are resolved.
Pierre-Louis Baudey Vignaud, son of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, has recounted the moment a Dublin taxi driver spoke to him about the death of Ian Bailey.

On this Friday's episode of The Late Late Show, Patrick Kielty asked Mr Baudey Vignaud about the support he has received from the Irish community since his mother's killing, and whether or not it is easier now coming back to Ireland since Ian Bailey has died.

As this is his first trip to Ireland since Mr Bailey's death, Mr Baudey Vignaud recalled an interesting moment he had with a Dublin taxi driver who collected him from the airport to bring him to the RTE studios.

He was "an Irish man, an old guy, maybe he is watching The Late Late Show," began the Frenchman.

Without any chat during the drive, Mr Baudey Vignaud describes his last minute with the driver: "When I pay him, he [said], good for you, this b*stard passed away." This solidifies to the father-of-two that "everybody knows this story."

Ms Toscan du Plantiers body was found on outside her home in Co Cork, on December 23, 1996, and Mr Bailey, who was the chief suspect, died on January 21, after a heart attack.

On the show this Friday, Mr Baudey Vignaud said: "Its been now more than 27 years since my mother was murdered in Ireland."

Remembering how he heard the news of Ian Bailey's death, he said: "I saw some texts from journalists with the news and it was a shock for me. I have been fighting for 27 years and its like game over."

He now says he can find peace in Ireland, seeing his mother's Cork home as "her paradise" and somewhere he can bring her grandchildren and feel close to her, not as the place where her life was tragically taken.
An illegally raised flag on Longford town's Market Square will be removed by Longford County Council.

The flag features the symbols of the four provinces of Ireland and was the subject of debate at the January meeting of Longford Municipal District members.

Four provinces' flags have been appearing all over the country since 2022, but the hoisting of the flat on the town centre flagpole is a recent occurrence.

Longford is one of many locations around the country where the flag flies on ESB poles, at roundabouts, and on poles along the motorways.

The Ireland Four Provinces flag incorporates the flags of the four Irish provinces of Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht.

Cllr Seamus Butler asked the Executive to remove the town centre flag: Longford, in common with many towns around the country, is inundated with flags on lamp posts bearing the symbols of the four provinces. They have the cheek to use the flagpole on the Market Square.

Cllr Butler speculated on the origin of the symbol: My understanding is that these originate from a splinter Republican group who are campaigning for a united Ireland.

Putting it up on our flagpole on the Market Square, without any authorisation, is an affront. It should be removed immediately. As far as I am concerned it is littering, he said.

John Brannigan, the Director of Services with Responsibility for Housing, Planning, Regeneration and Capital Projects, assured the members action would be taken on the matter: We will remove it, and any other we see that have been erected illegally. There is no consent from us. It is similar to any poster or advertisement, if it's not authorised it is illegal.
Canada considering CRV7 missiles as part of possible military donation package for Ukraine

The Conservative Party of Canada is demanding that the country's government donate to Ukraine tens of thousands of surplus air-to-ground rockets that are slated for disposal, CBC reported.

"Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre issued the call Friday during the House of Commons debate on legislation to update the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. The Canadian Armed Forces has a stockpile of 83,303 CRV7 rockets, a 1980s-vintage weapon that was taken out of service in the early 2000s," it said.

Three years ago, the federal government signed a contract to dispose of the rockets over several years.

Poilievre said he understands Ukraine has asked Canada to donate the CRV7s instead of destroying them.

"It's time for less talk and more action. Instead of making Canadians pay millions of dollars to decommission these weapons, the weapons should be given to Ukraine who can use them in the defence of sovereignty," he said in a media statement.

The Department of National Defence of Canada acknowledged Friday that it still has the rockets and they're being considered as part of a possible future military donation package.

The problem  according to a defense official who spoke on background  is that while Canada still has tens of thousands of the rockets and their motors, not all of them have warheads.

A spokesperson for Defense Minister Bill Blair confirmed the government is considering donating the rockets.

"Before sending equipment to Ukraine, we coordinate closely with Ukraine to ensure that any donation would meet its military needs, and we examine the operational effectiveness of the equipment. We are following this same process for the CAF's stock of CRV7 rockets, purchased decades ago. In particular, we are pursuing testing to ensure that this equipment is operationally effective and safe to transport to Ukraine before any potential donation," he said.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: February 03 2024

Terence Wolffe pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging parkland in Suffolk County and is mandated to contribute to environmental restoration efforts as part of his sentence.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney yesterday announced that Terence Wolffe, 42, of Mastic, pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and related charges for intentionally damaging parkland in the undeveloped wilderness of Walter S. Commerdinger Jr. County Park. He is now mandated to contribute socially, physically, and financially towards the countys efforts to improve the environment.

This is the perfect balance of what we believe is the future of combatting environmental crimes. Not only will this defendant have to pay for the damage he has done, but he is also mandated to be a part of the solution or face jail time, said District Attorney Tierney. Beyond simple remediation, this court-mandated comprehensive plan develops, cleans and adds stewards of environmental care in Suffolk County.

According to court documents and the defendants statements during his plea allocution, Wolffe damaged county parkland within the confines of Walter S. Commerdinger Jr. County Park. Beginning in April 2023, Wolffe travelled to an off-trail area in the interior of the park to clear and excavate a personal hang-out spot in the woods. Using machetes, axes, and shovels, Wolffe chopped down native trees, removed native vegetation, and dug up ground-brush, thatch, soil, dirt and earth from an area approximately 1,150 square feet in dimension.

Wolffe then piled the displaced brush, soil, and tree limbs upon adjacent park land (smothering other native vegetation). While some trees around the periphery were left standing, Wolffe had allegedly hacked and sectioned their roots, causing severe and fatal damage that, in turn,

jeopardized those on trails from falling timber. The depth of Wolffes excavation caused the adjacent wetland to flood into the pit.

Wolffes conduct was detected in November 2023 by Suffolk County Park Rangers. He was confronted at the scene and ultimately arrested on December 5, 2023, after a full site investigation was completed. He was also cited for having a machete on county parklands.

In December, District Attorney Tierney announced his Evergreen Initiative, a broad-based enforcement, awareness, and legislative plan to counter-act destruction of Suffolks natural environment. A component of this initiative is the DAs commitment to incorporate environmental stewardship into plea agreements. As an illustration of this plan in action, the conditions of Wolffes plea require him to accumulate a total of 100 Green Points.

Wolffe is mandated, under terms of his plea, to accumulate his points through a combination of Green Point types, rather than focus purely on just one avenue.

Wolffe must achieve at least 50 Green Points within seven months of his entering a guilty plea. Wolffe then must acquire any outstanding points within six months of his sentencing. Any unearned points will convert to jail-time.

Additionally, Wolffe will also have to file monthly reports to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office on his progress and submit a personal statement describing, at a minimum, his experiences in undertaking the activities, a review of the organizations he came into contact with, ideas for future environmental endeavors and lessons learned from his experiences.

On February 2, 2024, Wolffe pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro to Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and eight counts of Suffolk County Parks violations. He is being represented by Steven M. Politi, Esq. His next court date is September 3, 2024.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: February 02 2024

Awards Fund Services for Veterans, Individuals with Serious Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorder, Domestic Violence Survivors, and Older Adults With Disabilities.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $30 million in supportive housing funding to serve older adults, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, veterans and chronically homeless families, and individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the eighth round of funding through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative resulted in 122 awards, which will provide conditional funding for services and operating expenses for up to 4,839 units of supportive housing. Supportive housing plays a critical role in our efforts to strengthen New Yorks mental health care system and ensure all New Yorkers can live successfully within their community, Governor Hochul said. The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative provides the funding needed to provide the services vulnerable populations can rely on to live safely in independent settings. Since its inception, the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative has provided operating funding for more than 8,400 units serving vulnerable populations. View a full list of awards from the eighth round. This initiative provides operating funding for supportive service providers serving homeless veterans and their families; survivors of domestic and gender-based violence; older adults who are disabled or frail; young adults with a history of incarceration, homelessness, or foster care; chronically homeless individuals and families; individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; individuals reentering the community from prison; and those living with HIV or AIDS, serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders. The state Office of Mental Health serves as the lead procurement agency for the funding, which is dispersed by an interagency workgroup of eight state agencies serving vulnerable New Yorkers. Funding may be used for rental assistance and services to eligible target populations to ensure their housing stability. Permissible uses include rental subsidies and other occupancy costs; services or staff to identify and locate eligible individuals that need housing; primary and behavioral health services; employment and vocational training; educational assistance, parenting skills development and support; child care assistance counseling and crisis intervention; childrens services, including educational advocacy, support and counseling; and costs associated with services that help individuals and families remain stably housed. Projects may receive up to $25,000 per unit per year for service and operating funding needed to operate permanent supportive housing units. Awards are conditional and are contingent on a project securing capital funding for new construction, the adaptive reuse of non-residential property, or the rehabilitation of unregulated residential property to create integrated affordable supportive housing. Research has shown that permanent supportive housing reduces the demand for shelters, hospital beds, emergency rooms, prisons, and jails, in addition to having a positive effect on employment, school attendance, and mental and physical wellbeing. Supportive housing projects can also positively impact neighborhoods through new construction or by rehabilitating existing buildings.

The initiative complements Governor Hochuls landmark $1 billion multi-year plan to strengthen the states mental healthcare system and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state. Adopted as part of the FY 2024 budget, the plan also includes funding for 3,500 new residential units for New Yorkers struggling with mental illness, dramatically expands outpatient services, and closes gaps in insurance coverage for behavioral health services, prohibiting carriers from denying access to medically necessary, high-need, acute and crisis mental health services for both adults and children.

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, Governor Hochul has long been an advocate for supportive housing and understands the need to establish more capacity throughout the state. Her commitment has helped thousands of individuals and families to receive the services they need while living in their own homes. Safe and dignified housing will give people living with mental illness and substance use, our veterans and many others dealing with critical life issues the stability and support they need for a successful recovery.

Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, Supportive housing for individuals impacted by addiction can have a strong impact on their health and well-being and is an important part of the continuum of addiction services available here in New York State. Thanks to Governor Hochuls ongoing efforts, this initiative continues to support vital expansions to supportive housing across New York State, helping individuals and their families who have been affected by addiction find the help and resources that they need. We look forward to the continued benefits this will bring to New Yorkers. Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, We are grateful that Governor Hochul recognizes the essential role that supportive housing has in empowering formerly homeless families and individuals to achieve and maintain stable lives in their communities. The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative funding is a core component of OTDAs work to provide permanent supportive housing to families and individuals who have experienced homelessness.

Office of Children and Family Services Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave, Esq., said, "We thank Governor Hochul for continuing to take bold action to improve the health and well-being of all children and families. At a time when New Yorkers are facing increasingly complex challenges, those in need of our unwavering support will be provided stable, more equitable housing and direct access to life-changing mental health and substance use disorder programs. These cross-systems services are at the heart of OCFSs work alongside our partner state agencies, helping build a stronger sense of security that allows vulnerable communities to thrive in ways that simply wouldnt be possible without these vital resources.

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, Under Governor Hochuls leadership, the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and this annual investment is making a difference in the lives and future health outcomes of our most vulnerable New Yorkers, including veterans, domestic violence survivors and those with serious mental illness or substance use disorders. Having a safe and affordable place to live has a positive impact on ones overall health.
Bill is joined again by FDDs Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) senior director Bradley Bowman to discuss broader U.S. military posture in the Middle East amidst the the death of three American service members last weekend in Jordan.

Housekeeping note: This was (naturally) recorded just hours before the U.S. announced that retaliatory strikes are in fact underway in Iraq and Syria on Friday, February 2.

Keeping this in mind while listening, all points are still relevant .

Stay tuned for LWJ and CMPP coverage and analysis of the strikes  and for real-time hot takes, follow @billroggio and @Brad_L_Bowman on X.

Powered by RedCircle

Bradley Bowman is the senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.
U.S. airstrikes targeted sites in Iraq and Syria belonging to the IRGC and Iranian-backed militias. The strikes are a response to the killing and wounding of American soldiers in Jordan on Jan. 28.

At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States, CENTCOM stated.

Additionally, CENTCOM noted it attacked command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities belonging to the IRGC and affiliated militia groups.

According to the The Wall Street Journal, the Jordanian military is expected to contribute aircraft to attack the militias.

Separately, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that President Biden directed additional actions against the IRGC and Iranian-backed militia groups that will occur at times and places of our choosing.

Iranian proxy militias have launched 165 attacks on U.S. bases since Oct. 17. The U.S. response has been restrained, with only eight strikes that primarily targeted militia weapons storage facilities and safe houses. In one strike, the U.S. killed a mid-level commander from Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba.

The U.S. has telegraphed its intention to strike IRGC and militia infrastructure since the Jan. 28 militia attack that killed three U.S. soldiers at the Tower 22 base in Jordan near the border of Iraq. It has been rumored that IRGC personnel and militia leaders have since abandoned command centers and safe houses, with some senior militia leaders fleeing Iraq for the safety of Iran.

It is unclear if the U.S. response is retaliatory in nature or if the strikes are designed to force Iran into reining in its proxy terror militias to cease their attacks. Given the U.S. response to incessant attacks by the Houthis against shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab Al Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden along with the Biden administrations repeated signaling that it does not seek to escalate the conflict and statements that the U.S. is not at war with Iran, it is likely that the former and not the latter is in the cards.

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.
Around 250 people joined the march from the Gare area of Luxembourg City to the countrys parliament on Saturday, organisers said

Around 250 people joined the march from the Gare area of Luxembourg City to the countrys parliament on Saturday, organisers said  Photo credit: Laurent Blum

Around 250 people joined the march from the Gare area of Luxembourg City to the countrys parliament on Saturday, organisers said  Photo credit: Laurent Blum

Crowds descended on Luxembourgs parliament on Saturday after a march through the capital calling for action to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in the citys Gare district.

The protest, the second of its kind in four months, was organised in response to long-standing complaints from residents about widespread drug use in the area, as well as squatting, prostitution, theft and physical violence, which often happens in plain view.

Around 250 people attended the march, organisers said, roughly half the number estimated to have joined the demonstration last September, which was held two weeks before the 8 October national election.

Amanda, a resident in the area, said that there had been sporadic improvements in police presence in the neighbourhood since Luxembourgs new coalition government  which has prioritised the implementation of a controversial begging ban in the city - took office in November.

At times we do see more police patrolling the area, but it is not consistent. We still see a lot of garbage, human waste and needles, she said.

Ricardo, who owned a business in the area for six years, said growing insecurity was one of the main reasons why he had decided to sell up and move on.

People were breaking into the basement. The feeling I have is that it has got worse over the last three to four years, he said.

Also read:

Gare businesses boost security amid crime concerns

As in September, the route and demands of the protesters remained largely the same. The march set off from the top of Rue de Strasbourg and proceeded along Avenue de la Liberte, passing through the old town before heading towards the Chamber of Deputies.

Politicians largely stay away

There were also fewer senior politicians lending their support to the protest compared to Septembers march, with none from any of the ruling parties. Elisabeth Margue and Serge Wilmes, for example, who at the time of the last protest served as city councillors demanding government action, stayed away. Both now sit in the CSV-DP coalitions cabinet.

Franz Fayot, who served as economy minister in the previous coalition government but who is now in the opposition in parliament, said he was attending the march as a resident of the district, where he was also born and went to school.

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I have lived there again for the past ten years, so I see that obviously the problems that are there have been getting worse, he told the Luxembourg Times.

Its a complicated problem, its not only about police presence - that is a big part of it - but it is also about making sure that there are no empty houses [which can be used for squatting]. It is also a social problem with all the people who are using drugs, a health problem, added the current LSAP member of parliament.

Asked about criticism that the previous coalition of which he was a part had presided over a further deterioration in the safety and security of the neighbourhood, Fayot said it was clear there had been some shortcomings and failures but added: We can always accept criticism, but it has to be shared.

It all comes from the concentration of the problem in one residential neighbourhood, which is Gare, and if we are honest, has always been accepted by the city [authorities] because it was contained and located in one specific area, he said.

Mayor Lydie Polfers DP party has been in power in the capital for more than five decades.

It [an action plan] needs to be co-ordinated by someone, and I think that actor needs to be the Ville de Luxembourg. This demonstration could also have gone to the mayors office rather than parliament, added Fayot.

Protests to continue until action taken

Participants held balloons and again carried signs in French, English and Luxembourgish with slogans such as Stop the dealers and The Gare hasnt always been like this.

At the steps of the countrys parliament, speeches were delivered in French and Luxembourgish, calling for a 24/7 police presence in the area and a co-ordinated action plan to offer services such as enhanced treatment options for drug addicts.

Laurence Gillen, one of the co-organisers of the protest, blamed school holidays and the weather  an overcast, rainy backdrop  for the lower turnout.

Im not disappointed because our objectives were reached, people were made aware of the issues, she said, adding that the subject had received widespread media attention and that since the election both the Home Affairs Minister Leon Gloden and Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer had visited the neighbourhood to see the problems first-hand.

However, despite what she described as progress, she did not rule out the possibility of a third demonstration in the coming months.

We are obviously planning a new protest. As long as the situation does not improve, we are not going to stop our actions, she added.
Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky made a working visit to the military units and detachments which are currently defending the Kupyansk axis, the press service of the Ground Forces has said.

"The operational situation remains tense. Heavy fighting continues on all sections of the frontline. The enemy goes on with highly intensive assault operations and regularly deploys new reserves. Oleksandr Syrsky heard commanders' reports directly at the command centers. He held operational meetings. Possible scenarios of the adversary's actions based on intelligence were considered," it said on the Telegram channel on Saturday.

Necessary orders were issued and redistribution of forces and means was carried out following the meetings with the aim of solving critically important defense sustainability issues.

"As Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky said, the key priorities are effective reconnaissance, coordinated use of all fire weapons, protection of our detachments by electronic warfare, preservation of our servicemen's lives," the press service said.
HOLYOKE  State Commissioner of Education Jeffrey C. Riley is not ready to end the receivership of Holyoke Public Schools.

In a Friday letter to Holyoke Mayor Joshua A Garcia, Riley said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would like to meet with the school receiver, Anthony Soto, and the School Committee to discuss how to build on the districts progress and to make plans for returning the district to local control.

Riley said in the letter that Sotos arguments and supporting documents in a Dec. 21 letter celebrated the progress the district has made under receivership. It identifies remaining areas for improvement.

Continued collaboration between the receiver and the School Committee will be key to keeping up with the districts progress, Riley wrote, along with investments in the districts teaching and learning systems and continued focus on student attendance.

In short, the system is not at the point where he believes it is ready to resume full control.

As we discussed last fall, state receivership is a temporary status, with a return to local control as the ultimate goal, Riley wrote. Thank you for your work on behalf of Holyoke students, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.

Garcia was not immediately available for comment.

A special School Committee retreat is scheduled for Sunday at the Holyoke High, North Campus from 9 a.m. to noon in the media room.

The purpose of the meeting is to digest the commissioners response and to plan the year ahead, said Erin Brunelle, vice chair of the committee.

Anthony Soto presented the Salutatory Address at the Holyoke High School Dean Tech Campus Class of 2022 Commencement Ceremony. (Ed Cohen Photo)

In April 2015, after student achievement fell in the bottom 10% of schools, the state designated HPS as chronically underperforming. At the time, Holyoke schools had the lowest graduation and highest dropout rates in all of the states K-12 districts.

Holyoke, Lawrence and Southbridge Public Schools are the three communities whose schools are run by the state.

A district can leave receivership with Riley and DESEs OK if it has made necessary progress and meets academic and other performance measures, officials previously said.

If Holyokes petition to end the receivership is approved, the district will be the first in the state to successfully close out receivership status.
The three suspects in connection with a high-end brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia were indicted by a federal grand jury, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge, Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham and James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution; and one count of money laundering conspiracy, Levys office said in a statement on Friday.
Several notable figures of African American history have had ties to Massachusetts. From the early days of the abolitionist movement to the Civil Rights era and beyond, many African American scholars, activists and writers have had ties to the Bay State.

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry in America, lived in Boston. Sojourner Truth, who delivered her famous Aint I a Woman? speech got her start in the abolition movement in Northampton. W.E.B. Du Bois, the first African American to obtain a Ph.D. from Harvard University, was born in Great Barrington.

As we celebrate Black History Month, MassLive is highlighting six notable and historically prominent African Americans with ties to Massachusetts.

Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753-1784)

Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman and the third American woman to have a book of poems published in colonial America, according to the National Womens History Museum.

Phillis Wheatley was born in Gambia in 1753. She was sold to the Wheatley family in Boston in 1761 after being abducted from her home by slave traders, according to the museum.

Under the tutelage of the Wheatley family, Phillis learned how to read and write in English, Greek and Latin by age 9, according to Poets.org.

Phillis Wheatley began writing poetry at 13. Her poem, An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of the Celebrated Divine George Whitefield, which was published in 1770, garnered her national attention, according to Poets.org.

In 1771, Phillis traveled to London with the Wheatleys, where her poetry was also well-received, according to Poets.org. While in the U.K., Phillis published a collection of poems, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, which was the first book of poetry written by an African American. A shipment of the book came to Boston on the Dartmouth, the same ship revolting Bostonians threw thousands of pounds of tea from into the Boston Harbor on Dec. 16, 1773, according to the Bay State Banner. But, Wheatleys work was unloaded the night before the famous Boston Tea Party, escaping a watery demise.

The book includes poems about race such as On Being Brought from Africa to America, which discusses Phillis experience of being stripped from her homeland and brought to America as an enslaved girl.

Enslavers and abolitionists both read her work; the former to convince the enslaved population to convert, the latter as proof of the intellectual abilities of people of color, according to the National Womens History Museum.

Phillis returned to Boston in 1773, according to Poetry.org. She was freed shortly after the Wheatleys died  sometime between 1774 and 1778, according to Poets.org.

She later married, John Peters, a grocery store owner, in 1778 and had three children with him  all of whom died young, according to Poets.org. Phillis struggled to continue to support herself as a writer later in her life. Although she died around 1784, scholars continue to read her work.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)

Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist, speaker and feminist of the 19th century.

Truth was born as Isabella Bomfree, an enslaved person in New York in 1797, according to Britannica. After gaining her freedom, she left New York in 1843 and took the name Sojourner Truth. She traveled across the country, preaching about accepting God and the brotherhood of man.

Truth spent a significant portion of her life in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she became involved in the abolitionist movement. A statue honors her life in Florence at Pine and Park streets. She worked with fellow abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass and Wendell Phillips to advocate for the freedom of enslaved people, according to historicnorthampton.com.

Truths relationship with fellow abolitionists helped her gain notoriety in the world of 19th-century reform, historicnorthampton.com reported.

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818 and escaped to Massachusetts in 1838, where he became a leading abolitionist, according to the National Park Service.

In Massachusetts, Douglass became involved in the abolitionist movement, according to PBS.org. In 1841, after seeing William Lloyd Garrison speak at the Bristol Anti-Slavery Societys annual meeting, he was inspired to write a speech, too.

Later, Douglass gave his speech at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Societys annual convention in Nantucket, according to PBS.org.

Before leaving Nantucket, Douglass was asked to become a lecturer for the Anti-Slavery Society for three years, which helped launch his career as an abolitionist nationwide, PBS.org reported.

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 1868, according to The Du Bois National Historic Site Project.

Du Bois attended Fisk University in 1885, according to Harvard University. He later obtained a second bachelors degree from Harvard University, followed by a masters degree and Ph.D., making him the first African American to receive a doctorate from the school.

The honor, I assure you, was Harvards, he said, according to Harvard University.

Known for his scholarship, Du Bois has written several works such as The Suppression of the African Slave Trade, and The Philadelphia Negro, according to The Du Bois National Historic Site Project.

But, Du Bois is known for his most famous work, The Souls of Black Folk, where he coins the term double consciousness. The phrase describes the competing mindsets African Americans have feeling both Black and both American in a predominately white society.

He was also the founder of the Niagara Movement, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Pan-African Congresses, The Du Bois National Historic Site Project reported.

Malcolm X (1925-1965)

Civil rights leader Malcolm X moved to Boston after his father was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan and his mother was institutionalized, according to Britannica.

While he was in the city, he fell into a life of petty crime and was ultimately sent to prison for burglary, Britannica reported. He later joined the Nation of Islam, a movement that combined the teachings of Islam with elements of Black nationalism.

After he left prison in 1952, Malcolm chose X as his last name as a way to signify his rejection of his slave name Little, Britannica reported.

Malcolm X became a vocal speaker and leader for the Nation of Islam after he met the organizations leader, Elijah Muhammad, Britannica reported.

As a leader, Malcolm X expressed his frustrations regarding how African Americans were treated in white society. He also criticized the civil rights movement and called for Black Americans to defend themselves against violence, Britannica reported.

But, after taking a pilgrimage to Mecca  also known as the Hajj  Malcolm X adopted a more worldly understanding of Islam and abandoned the Nation of Islam in 1964, Britannica reported.

7 1 / 7 The Embrace, Boston

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

Although Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, when he moved up to Boston, he considered the city his second home, according to Meet Boston, a non-profit visitors bureau for Greater Boston.

Boston was not only the place where King earned his Ph.D. in theology from Boston University, it was also the place where he met his wife, Coretta Scott King, Meet Boston reported.

King visited Boston and held several speeches in the city regarding unity, racial equality and perseverance in the 1960s, Meet Boston reported. The civil rights activist spoke at Ford Hall weeks before he went to jail in Birmingham, the website said.

Two years down the road, King visited Boston again to address the Massachusetts state Legislature before leading his march from Roxbury to Boston Common, Meet Boston reported.

While giving a speech on the Boston Common, King spoke of the twin evils of housing and employment discrimination, Meet Boston reported.

Today, a statue, The Embrace, dedicated to King and his wife Coretta, stands in the middle of Boston Common. The statue portrays King and his wife embracing each other after he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Amid freezing temperatures, a police dog in Auburn searched more than two miles to find a missing 12-year-old child this week, authorities said.

Police learned around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday the 12-year-old child had left their home roughly two hours earlier. The child was last seen in the Pakachoag Hill area of Auburn, and their whereabouts were unknown, according to a statement from the Auburn Police Department.

Due to the freezing temperatures and nature of the incident, numerous Auburn police officers and detectives as well as Massachusetts State Police troopers converged on the area to try to locate the child, the department detailed.

Officer David Ljunggren and his K-9 partner, Biza, were deployed as well. The police dog was able to pick up and begin to track a scent. For a length of more than two miles, Biza tracked the scent, leading officers to an area where evidence showed the child had been present a short time earlier, according to the department.

Officers converged on this area and located the child a short time later, the department said. The child was reunited with their family and is safe.

We are proud of the hard work put in by K9 Biza and are happy to report a positive outcome! the department added.
Bishop William D. Byrne, spiritual leader of the Springfield Diocese, has been selected as the keynote speaker at the 19th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington to be held on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Former President George W. Bush, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Cardinal Robert Sarah have been past speakers at the breakfast.

I am delighted to be speaking on the True Presence of Jesus and the Eucharist, Bishop Byrne said in response to his invitation to speak. Here in the Diocese of Springfield, we had a Year of the Eucharist which moved into the parish phase.
BRIDGEPORT, CT  The Springfield Thunderbirds (20-19-3-2) could not recover from two early goals by the Bridgeport Islanders (13-24-5-0) in a 5-1 loss on Friday night at Total Mortgage Arena.

Things did not start on the right foot for the T-Birds this evening, as the Islanders fourth line picked up where they left off on Wednesday to open the scoring. Cole Bardreau moved into the slot and redirected an Eetu Liukas wristshot past a screened Colten Ellis to give Bridgeport a 1-0 lead.

Just over five minutes later, the Islanders added to their total as Matt Maggio slipped a shot under Elliss glove hand at 7:32 to make it a 2-0 game.

Despite the deficit, the T-Birds had an energetic and physical edge to their game, and just 1:24 after the Maggio tally, Springfields efforts got a lucky reward as a Hunter Skinner point slapper ticked off an Islander defender and past a stunned Henrik Tikkanen, cutting the lead to 2-1 at 8:56.

everyone enjoy this Hunter Skinner goal pic.twitter.com/gZCGn2aaoL  Springfield Thunderbirds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) February 3, 2024

It was Skinners second goal in the last three games, and with an assist on the goal, Hugh McGing picked up his 100th career AHL point.

Ellis bounced back from the two goals and locked it down in the back half of the first period, making a trio of solid saves off rush opportunities from Karson Kuhlman, William Dufour, and Jeff Kubiak.

The Springfield penalty kill was forced into work at the tail end of the first and in the opening half of period two. The unit got the job done both times, but as a result, the Islanders would generate nine of the first 10 second-period shots.

After nothing on the score sheet for the first 15 minutes of the middle stanza, the Islanders erupted for two in less than a minute to increase the lead to 4-1. Eetu Liukas deflected a Travis Mitchell shot off a draw win by Bardreau at 15:38.

And then Carsen Twarynski followed at 16:20 with a wrap chance around Elliss right pad to bolster the lead for the home team.

Neither team could find much in the way of scoring chances in a tightly-checked third period. Tikkanen finished the night with 37 saves for his second straight win in as many starts against Springfield. With Ellis on the bench in the closing minutes, Bardreau potted an empty-netter to round out the scoring.

The Thunderbirds complete their three-game swing in Connecticut on Saturday night when they face the Hartford Wolf Pack inside the XL Center at 7 p.m.
Were officially past the 10 darkest weeks of the year. Its not much to notice yet, but Ive been enjoying the sunlight that weve been getting after the workday.

Speaking of the work week, weve had a busy one here in the Hampden and Hampshire District. Monday morning, I met with fellow committee members from the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery at the Afiya Peer Respite Center in Northampton. This facility provides an essential service to families and loved ones who serve as caregivers in their home. The mental health of our caregivers all too often goes overlooked as an essential part of the care process, and this organization does great work in providing care for those who provide care. I am grateful to the committee for traveling out to Western Massachusetts to see this great organization at work.

Wednesday afternoon, I met with the secretary of veterans services, Jon Santiago, to discuss the HERO Act. This landmark piece of legislation, which recently had its first hearing before the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs, would go a long way to expanding services for our well-deserving veterans here in the commonwealth. I look forward to continuing the work on this bill and reviewing all other legislation concerning my fellow veteran as Senate Chair on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs ahead of the Joint Rule 10 deadline next week.
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba described the "elections" which are being prepared by Russia on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as another farce and called on the OSCE to respond to these criminal actions of the aggressor state.

"It is a well-known fact that Russia is preparing another farce on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, which it will call elections. I would like to make it clear once again that current Russian dictatorship has nothing in common with either elections or democracy, and, hence, the OSCE should respond to these criminal actions," he said at a joint press conference with OSCE Chair-in-Office Ian Borg in Kyiv on February 2.

In addition, the Ukrainian minister raised with his colleague the issue of protecting the rights of national minorities on the territory of Russia.

"It is not only about the Ukrainian minority  the recent events in Ufa have become another evidence of the fact that Russia is, as the classic said, a prison of nations. Bashkirs stood up for an activist who is being tried by the Kremlin for opposing the war and supporting the Bashkir culture and identity," Kuleba said.

He also emphasized that "Russia has been mobilizing exactly national minorities for death in Ukraine to pursuit two goals: continued aggression and ethnic cleansing on its territory."

The OSCE has instruments to protect the rights of national minorities, the minister said.

"We are calling on the OSCE to make the issue of national minority rights in Russia a priority one on the agenda of the human dimension of the OSCE," he said.

Kuleba also noted that further isolation of Russian diplomats and propagandists "is a matter of both collective security and collective information hygiene."
Cursive writing was removed from schools Common Core standards, which are set by a group of governors and school administrators from around the country, in 2010. Wait, this is a public health column, why cursive as a topic? It has been sad and disappointing to watch cursive handwriting removed from our schools. A recent study came out, adding to other studies, showing clear evidence of the benefits of handwriting. I am taking the liberty of sharing this study and advocating for the restoration of cursive handwriting.

Those that made the decision to delete cursive writing in schools stated that they received feedback from teachers that it was very time-consuming to teach. With the introduction of technology, they felt keyboarding was a priority for young students.

A new study discussed in Science News has shown that cursive writing boosts connectivity in the brain. The study shows there is a fundamental difference in brain organization for hand-writing as opposed to typing. Electrodes were attached to participants heads. The participants were monitored while writing cursive or typing. Researchers saw increased activity in sensory, motor and memory areas of the brain while writing. Typing did not show the same activity. It suggests that this stimulation increased learning.

This supports previous research that illustrated that handwriting improves spelling accuracy, memory recall and conceptual understanding. The process of tracing out letters and words gives individuals more time to process and learn.

Historically, many were judged by their legible handwriting and fine penmanship. English handwriting is very distinct. My British grandmother explained to me that one could tell anothers place in society in England and the quality of their schooling by their handwriting. In watching The Crown, I recognized handwriting similar to that of my English relatives. My mother bought me a typewriter for college that printed in cursive. I guess there is some history that instilled the value and love of cursive writing for me.

Until the last five years, our charts in the emergency department were all hand-written. Mostly people wrote in cursive, but some printing. Some wrote nearly illegibly and others beautifully. What I found interesting was that we all could, with a quick glance, identify everyones handwriting. To this day, I could still see any of those coworkers handwriting and know who it belonged to. I do not have this type of familiarity with my coworkers today, as all our documenting is in the computer.

Drew Gilpin Faust, historian and former president of Harvard, voiced concern for a future with a small group who can translate cursive writing of historical documents. She was teaching a class at Harvard on the Civil War and discovered that two-thirds of the class could not read cursive. She is concerned that eventually only a small group of translators will be able to read cursive. There is always concern about the accuracy of a translated document.

The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are written in cursive. Many other historical documents and records are in cursive. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren will not be able to read old family letters written in war times and good times, the backs of photographs and other memorabilia. It is a loss of access to a means of communication. In present day, I have heard of some parents having to read their school-age childrens cards and letters from their grandparents to them because they cant read cursive.

Experts say cursive handwriting shouldnt be left behind in the digital age. One cannot replace or substitute one for the other. Drew Gilpin Faust stated, Writing is good for young brains, we shouldnt use this generation as guinea pigs to see how their brains end up without any handwriting.

So, it can be loosely concluded that if our youth have more learning potential because of the use of cursive writing, it can improve our public health. Education gives children knowledge, reasoning, values, socio-emotional awareness and control so they can become engaged, productive, creative and self-governing members of society. Education has been shown to have a direct effect on individual and public health.

I am happy to report at this time 25 states, including Massachusetts, have brought cursive writing back to school curriculums, and five states have legislation in the works.

From signing your first library card, to endorsing your first check, driving license or mortgage, writing a postcard while on vacation or a greeting card signed by Mrs. C with hearts, xs and os, cursive handwriting follows us through life. Although the utility of cursive writing may not be evident in everyday life, like calligraphy or any other art form, it is valued for its aesthetic worth. In the future, our handwriting may appear as archaic as the ancient writing on cave walls looks to us today. And will be appreciated for the history it provides.

Handwriting enables civilization.  Toba Beta

Take care of yourself and someone else.

Westfield Health Department staff and Board of Health members Juanita Carnes, FNP-BC, Carrie Hildreth-Fiordalice, LICSW, and Stan Strzempko, M.D., are dedicated to protecting the public health of this community and keeping you safe.
Le ministere des Arts et du Patrimoine Culturel a presente le programme officiel dans le cadre de la Fete du Printemps qui sera celebree la 10 fevrier 2024 et marquera lannee du Dragon de Bois.

Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities being organised in the context of the National Spring Festival 2024 by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, the China Cultural Centre, the Chinese Speaking Union and the United Chinese Associations.

Under the Executive Programme 2022-2025 signed between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius, the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group from China, comprising 32 members would be in Mauritius from 08 to 12 February 2024. The following activities would be organised for the National Spring Festival 2024:

(a) Chinese Spring Festival Parade and Fair on 03 February 2024;

(b) Annual Banquet on 07 February 2024;

(c) Regional Show by the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group on 09 February 2024; and

(d)Gala Show on 10 February 2024.
After nearly three months of successful delivery of the GMAT Focus Edition, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) today confirmed that it has become the only version of the GMAT exam available to prospective test takers around the world. GMAC, a global association representing leading business schools, delivered the updated version of the most widely used business school exam last fall in parallel with the existing GMAT to facilitate candidates in-progress preparation and applications for business school.

First launched seven decades ago, the GMAT has been the gold standard by continuously evolving to ensure it maintains its psychometric rigor while remaining a highly relevant indicator of candidate preparedness for graduate business programs. The test was revamped last year with a more efficient test taking experience and flexible new features to better support candidates on their journey of business education and career.

We have been reassured and encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from many who have taken the latest edition of GMAT and gained newfound confidence to pursue advanced business education, said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. I believe that we have achieved what we set out to do at the inception of the redesign more than two years ago, allowing business school aspirants to best demonstrate their capabilities in the most relevant and in-demand skillsets like critical thinking and data intelligence. We are confident that business schools will benefit from the uptick of demonstrated interest and commitment from a more expansive and inclusive global applicant pool.

GMAC revealed the GMAT Focus Edition after extensive research efforts involving hundreds of school professionals and in-depth concept testing with thousands of prospective students globally. With just three 45-minute sections, including the newly developed Data Insights section, it is nearly one hour shorter than the previous version of the GMAT and requires less content to prepare. While the previous version of the GMAT exam is no longer available, its scores continue to be valid for five years. Test takers and schools have been provided with helpful information so that they can readily make use of scores from both exam editions during this period.

The redesign makes the exam more focused, more accessible, and less daunting. But more focused doesnt mean easier or less valuable. It just means smarter, said Rodrigo Malta, managing director of MBA recruitment and admissions at University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Sun Long, executive director of international MBA program at Chinas Fudan University, noted that his school is amongst the many top business schools around the world with a positive view of the latest iteration of GMAT.
THE final touches are being put to the St Marys Secondary School in Ballina 50th anniversary musical special Time after Time.

With over 90 Transition Year students taking to the stage in a fully in-house led production, this show on Thursday and Friday, February 8 and 9 next, is not to be missed.

This years musical features sing-along classics and spectacular dance, brought together by an original script, marking fifty years since St Marys students first treaded the boards with the 1974 production, Zurika, under the expert eye of Mother Benedict. In 1984, then-Principal Sr Attracta directed students in Joseph commencing an unbroken forty years of musical theatre at the school.

This year, the show is a story of determination, dance and a little romance! St Marys invites you to come along and meet Fran; a student in Shirleys School of Dance, but after two years without a dance partner, and thus, little chance of progression, she fears she will be a beginner forever. Fran can only watch in admiration at the schools rising star. Dancing since he was six years old, Scott is destined for all the sparkle, sequins and silverware of competitive ballroom dancing. On the outside, Scott has it all. But inside, he is torn between his own dancing dream and the rules laid down by the ballroom federation. Add in outspoken Shirley and downtrodden Doug; the forceful duo of Barry and Les, and drama  as well as dance  ensues. Will Scott dare to dream or will fear flash its red light?

Fran sees Scotts strength and his struggle  but she remains invisible to him. Can she find a way to escape her own restricted reality and make him realise they are not so different after all?

This tale is not just about glamour and gloss, fringes and feathers. Time After Time is the story of determination, dedication and defying the odds - and a reminder to dance away the fears that threaten to grip us all.

Sing along to classics such as Im So Excited, 9 to 5 and River Deep Mountain High to the more contemporary A Thousand Years and I Wanna Dance with Somebody  not to mention the Cyndi Lauper classic title number.

Special show

TAKING time out of rehearsals, Choreographer, Annette Leonard said: This show is very special. It is a story of a young girl who wants to become a leading lady in her own life and she has a lesson to teach us all. Like dance for Fran, musical is transformative for our students. It is a huge production and is the most ambitious yet in terms of dance, music and drama. The students are sensational and have worked so hard since September; they really are fantastic!

Annette is ably assisted by Sharon Cullinane in the Choreography Department, as well as Acting Directors Sinead Leonard and Anna Marie Henry. The team also incorporates the talents of the Home Economics and Art Department, as well as an extensive backstage crew of staff and students.

Principal Mr Robert O'Reilly added: As always, staff and students have come together to write, plan, produce and showcase this year's musical which really is a highlight in our school year. This year is extremely special as it is half a century since the very first musical production. When Mother Benedict showcased Zurika in 1974 to mark the opening of the assembly hall, could she ever have imagined the rich legacy of her decision? Five decades on, and a brand-new school, our St. Marys story continues and musical theatre is a tradition we are so proud to carry on.

Shows like this don't happen overnight. The final production is the result of months of hard work and dedication by staff and students, spearheaded by our current TY cohort. It is a credit to all involved.

MORE

Time after Time takes place in the St Marys School Hall with performance at 7.30pm nightly. Raffle each night. Tickets can be purchased through the box office ticket line on 096 70333. Adults 12 and Students/OAP 8.
Approval has been granted for the construction of four new bus shelters in the Castlebar area, according to Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.

Following discussions with Mayo County Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA), these shelters will be established at Killawalla, Balla, Ballyvary, and Straide this year.

Deputy Dillon expressed his delight at the prospect of providing much-needed shelter for four local bus stops. The shelters, positioned in pairs opposite each other, are scheduled to be installed during the summer. However, preparatory work, including upgrading footpaths and roads and relocating underground services, will precede the installation. The Castlebar Municipal District of Mayo County Council will handle these tasks, while the actual bus shelter structures will be put in place by the NTAs bus shelter contractor.

Design work for the selected locations is currently underway, and the plans will be submitted to the NTA for approval before construction begins, ideally in May or June. The funding for these projects will come from the NTA, according to Deputy Dillon.

As a member of the Oireachtas Transport committee, Deputy Dillon hopes that this positive development is just the beginning: I will continue to call for additional shelters across the county to support the valuable work carried out by Local Link Mayo and both regional and intercity operators, which connects rural towns and villages.

Deputy Dillon emphasised the governments commitment to delivering local transport services and maintaining essential infrastructure. Deputy Dillon said: It is vital for the NTA to continue its ongoing investment in amenities such as bus shelters, bike racks, and train station upgrades to enhance local and regional connectivity.

While progress is being made in transport links, there remains much more to be done to improve accessibility and convenience for residents and visitors alike he added.

Finally, I want to commend the work of the NTA and David Mellett, Head of Castlebar MD in bringing these four projects to fruition. I also want to acknowledge the support of Cllr Ger Deere in relation to the shelters at Straide and Ballyvary along with Cllr Cyril Burke for pushing the Killawalla shelter.






A consignment of Javelin missiles, which had been approved by Estonia in December, has arrived in Ukraine, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling reported on Saturday, citing the Defense Ministry of Estonia.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced on Saturday through the ministry's press service that the next aid package is now being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"Recent events in Europe show that the supply of much-needed missiles and other military assistance to Ukraine will continue on a large scale, and with this we, together with our allies, are sending a clear signal to the Kremlin that we will continue to support Ukraine until the bitter end," he said.

In addition to Javelin anti-tank missiles, the next aid package from Estonia, worth EUR 80 million, included machine guns, small arms ammunition, various equipment, and diving equipment.

The exact volume, arrival time of this aid package and other details of the delivery are not disclosed for security reasons.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 3. The support group for the Corsican people, established in the Azerbaijani parliament, has issued a statement, Trend reports.

On January 28, 2024, around 700 people on Corsica founded a new, Nazione movement which unites structures and activists advocating for independence and confirms its commitment to the struggle against French colonial rule.

The dictatorship of Macron's police, which attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and is only democracy on paper, without showing respect for the Corsicans' right to freely express their opinions, began persecuting Nazione activists two days after the movement's establishment.

On January 30, two Nazione activists were arrested on the orders of the French National Prosecutor for combating terrorism and initially taken to the military camp in Borgo, and from there as terrorists to Paris. The French police attacked the homes of Nazione activists, blew up doors with explosives, used physical force against fathers in front of their children, destroyed their homes, and deliberately broke children's toys. Then, the detained activists' family members, as well as another activist, were taken to the police for questioning.

For a country that positions itself as the 'homeland of human rights' blowing up the door of a house with minors inside is hypocrisy. These acts of violence once again prove that France has not yet rid itself of its colonial mindset, disrespecting the basic rights of people in its current colonies.

Even today, illegal persecution by the French police continues, aimed at intimidating the Corsican people to silence independence supporters. However, as stated on February 2 at a press conference by the leaders of the Nazione movement, no repression can stop the national struggle of the Corsican people or force them to submit.

The French government, implementing a policy of destroying the Corsican language spoken by over 150,000 people, seeking to make the Corsican people forget their national identity, has prohibited the use of the Corsican language during debates of parliament members in the local parliament.

This policy is a clear and violent violation of France's international obligations regarding universal human rights and the rights of national minorities. France denies the national identity of the peoples living on its territory, accepting only the concept of 'French', which is in itself chauvinism.

By canceling the right to use the local language in Corsica, France has violated the requirements of international documents to which it has acceded and the commitments it has undertaken. These documents include the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, the most important document of the Great French Revolution of 1789, defining individual human rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Universal Declaration on Linguistic Rights, UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and others.

As the support group for the Corsican people, established in the Azerbaijani parliament, we:

- strongly condemn the illegal actions of French law enforcement agencies against Corsican independence supporters;

- urge the French authorities to respect fundamental human rights;

- urge the French government to guarantee the right of the Corsican people to freely assemble and the right to association.

- urge to immediately release all detainees and cease political persecution, the statement says.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 2, 2024

Anti-vax doctor Joseph Mercola is pressing a federal appeals court to revive a lawsuit claiming Google's YouTube wrongly terminated his account and deprived him of access to his videos.

Mercola was one of several high-profile vaccine critics whose accounts were abruptly taken down by YouTube in September 2021, when the company revised its medical misinformation policies by banning videos that claim vaccines cause harmful side effects or don't work.

He subsequently sued Google, arguing the company broke its contract with him by canceling his YouTube account -- and preventing him from accessing the videos he had uploaded -- without reasonable notice.

The vaccine critic pointed to language in YouTube's terms of service that said the company would provide reasonable advance notice of any material modifications to the user agreement.

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U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler dismissed Mercola's complaint at an early stage in September, effectively ruling that even if his allegations were true, they wouldn't show that YouTube broke its contract. She said YouTube's terms provided that the company wasn't obligated to host content, and that it may remove content that it believed could harm the company or its users.

Mercola is now appealing that ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where he reiterated his argument that Google should have given him advance notice before terminating his channel.

Last month, Google urged the appellate court to reject Mercola's appeal, writing that the YouTube user agreement expressly provides that YouTube may remove content in its discretion, including when it determines -- as it did here -- that such content may harm others.

Mercola counters in papers filed Wednesday that the plain language of the terms of service supports his interpretation. He adds that even if the terms of service were ambiguous, he should have been allowed to present evidence to support his interpretation.

The 9th Circuit hasn't yet said when it will hold a hearing in the case.
by Erik Oster , February 2, 2024

A pair of Utz brands are passing hands to another company known for its salty snacks, Our Home.

Our Home, an operating company whose better-for-you food brands include Popchips and Food Should Taste Good, has agreed to acquire the Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands from Utz, along with its Lincolnton, North Carolina, and Lititz, Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities, and related assets. The deal is valued at around $182.5 million and expected to close on Feb. 5.

RW Garcias products include tortilla chips, corn chips and gluten-free crackers, while Good Healths broader portfolio features pretzels, veggie chips, popcorn, puffs and fries.

According to Utz, the deal will result in after-tax net proceeds of around $150 million, which it will use to pay off long-term debts.

In a statement, Our Home founder and CEO Aaron Greenwald said the acquisition significantly scales the companys snacking platform and manufacturing capabilities across the country.

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Both companies will also operate under reciprocal co-manufacturing agreements following the deal with Our Home co-manufacturing certain Utz products and Utz co-manufacturing certain Good Health products. Certain Good Health products will also be distributed and sold as part of Utzs network for Our Home, while Our Home will offer employment to Utz associates working inw the manufacturing facilities it acquires as part of the agreement.

The news comes off a quarter of strong retail sales for Utz company, with Utz seeing Q4 total retail sales increase 4.1% and its power brands increase 5.3%, according to Circana data cited by the company  well ahead of 2.8% growth for the salty snacks category. Utz positioned the transaction as aligned with its focus on optimizing its brand portfolio and supply chain efficiencies as it eyes expansion.

We expect these transactions to deliver on our supply chain transformation and value creation initiatives, to fast-track our deleveraging timeline by a full year, and to accelerate our brand portfolio strategy to better optimize for growth," Utz CEO Howard Friedman said in a statement. 
  Trusted Source

Data reduction techniques for highly imbalanced medicare Big Data



Go to source Trusted Source



Medicare grapples with intermittent compromises from fraudulent insurance claims, enabling dedicated criminals and unscrupulous health providers to exploit system weaknesses. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates the annual fraud to be over $100 billion, potentially even higher. #medicare #fraudulentclaims #healthcare #criminals 

Struggle Against System Exploitation

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The Billion-Dollar Fraud Epidemic

Data reduction techniques for highly imbalanced medicare Big Data - (https://journalofbigdata.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40537-023-00869-3)

National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association reports that Medicare experiences intermittent compromises due to fraudulent insurance claims, enabling full-time criminals and unscrupulous health providers to exploit system weaknesses, resulting in an estimated annual fraud exceeding $100 billion ().Traditionally, to detect Medicare fraud, abut only have enough time to look for very specific patterns indicating suspicious behaviors.Moreover, there are not enough investigators to keep up with the various Medicare fraud schemes.Utilizing big data, such as from patient records and provider payments, often is considered the best way to produce effective machine learning models to detect fraud.However, in the domain of Medicare insurance fraud detection, handling imbalanced big data and high dimensionality  data in which the number of features is staggeringly high so that calculations become extremely difficult  remains a significant challenge.New research from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University addresses this challenge by pinpointing fraudulent activity in the vast sea of big Medicare data.Since identification of fraud is the first step in stopping it, this novel technique could conserve substantial resources for the Medicare system.For the study, researchers systematically tested two imbalanced big Medicare datasets, Part B and Part D. Part B involves Medicares coverage of medical services like doctors visits, outpatient care, and other medical services not covered under hospitalization.Part D, on the other hand, relates to Medicares prescription drug benefit and covers medication costs.These datasets were labeled with theThe LEIE is provided by the United States Office of the Inspector General.Researchers delved deep into the influence of Random Undersampling (RUS), a straightforward, yet potent data sampling technique, and their novel ensemble supervised feature selection technique.RUS works by randomly removing samples from the majority class until a specific balance between the minority and majority classes is met.The experimental design investigated various scenarios, ranging from using each technique in isolation to employing them in combination.Following analyses of the individual scenarios, researchers again selected the techniques that yielded the best results and performed an analysis of results between all scenarios.Results of the study, published in thedemonstrate that intelligent data reduction techniques improve the classification of highly imbalanced big Medicare data.The synergistic application of both techniques  RUS and supervised feature selection  outperformed models that utilize all available features and data.Findings showed thator using RUS followed by the feature selection technique,Consequently, in the classification of either dataset, researchers discovered that a technique with the largest amount of data reduction also yields the best performance, which is the technique of performing feature selection and then applying RUS.Reduction in the number of features leads to more explainable models and performance is significantly better than using all features.The performance of a classifier or algorithm can be swayed by multiple effects, said Taghi Khoshgoftaar, Ph.D., senior author and Motorola Professor, FAU Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.Two factors that can make data more difficult to classify are dimensionality and class imbalance. Class imbalance in labeled data happens when the overwhelming majority of instances in the dataset have one particular label. This imbalance presents obstacles, as it is possible for a classifier optimized for a metric such as accuracy, which will mislabel fraudulent activities as non-fraudulent to boost overall scores in terms of the metric.For feature selection, researchers incorporated a supervised feature selection method based on feature ranking lists. Subsequently, through the implementation of an innovative approach, these lists were combined to yield a conclusive feature ranking.To furnish a benchmark, models also were built utilizing all features of the datasets. Upon the derivation of this consolidated ranking, features were selected based on their position in the list.Our systematic approach provided a greater comprehension regarding the interplay between feature selection and model robustness within the context of multiple learning algorithms, said John T. Hancock, first author and a Ph.D. student in FAUs Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.It is easier to reason about how a model performs classifications when it is built with fewer features.For boththat exhausted the possible ways to utilize, or omit, the RUS and feature selection data reduction techniques.For both datasets, researchers found that data reduction techniques also improve classification results.Given the enormous financial implications of Medicare fraud, findings from this important study not only offer computational advantages but also significantly enhance the effectiveness of fraud detection systems, said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, of FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science.These methods, if properly applied to detect and stop Medicare insurance fraud, could substantially elevate the standard of health care service by reducing costs related to fraud.Source-Eurekalert
A lot of celebrities in Bollywood have time and again been suspected of having gotten plastic surgery done. Whether it is Katrina Kaif, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan or even Ranbir Kapoor, stars are often accused of getting work done on their faces.

One such celebrity who is new to the list of celebrities who have allegedly gotten work done on their faces is Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 star Kartik Aaryan.

The Pyaar Ka Punchnama fame actor Kartik Aaryan is a favourite among fans, especially after his films like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Quite recently, the actor posted a few pictures of himself on his social media which caused people to speculate whether or not hes gotten a jaw surgery.

One user shared his picture on Reddit and wrote, y'all think kartik aryan got a jaw surgery? bcs why should girls have all the fun haha and another one added to that saying, Ive always said he has undergone knife n his jaw was area was evidently seen. I also feel certain subtle surgery is done.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 3. A citizen of the Czech Republic was detained by the Azerbaijani side at one of the checkpoints in the border zone with Armenia, an informed source told Trend.

According to the source, the foreigner managed to cross the border from Armenia, and pass through the territory mined by Armenians already on Azerbaijani side of the border.

Investigation will show how he got through the Armenian posts, and the minefield unharmed, or whether he had the minefield maps.

Proceedings are already underway with him, and the Czech side has already been informed about the detention.
BAY CITY, MI  Decorating cakes at Baskin-Robbins is how it all began for 20-year-old Hanna Facundo.

After mastering the creation of art with icing, Facundo said the orders for specialized cakes began rolling in from family members.

One of those orders was an Incredible Hulk-themed cake for Facundos little brothers birthday. Only an hour after the party, Facundo said she received a text from her grandmother urging her to start her own business.

Something about that message coming from my grandmother, who like practically raised me, was just like, I need to do this, Facundo said.

Another hour passed, and Facundo said she got right to work launching her Facebook and Instagram accounts, and Hannas Cakery was officially launched in 2022.

Cupcakes are Facundos favorite to make, but she said she also offers custom wedding cakes, birthday cakes, baby and wedding shower cakes, cinnamon rolls, brownies, cake pops and a variety of breads. In addition, she offers Mexican treats, such as tres leches cakes and conchas, which is a sweet bread.

Just in time for Valentines Day, Facundo is offering cupcake bouquets, chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes, an 8-inch heart shaped cake and chocolate covered strawberries. Orders must be placed by Saturday, Feb. 10.

A view of a cupcake bouquet made by Hanna Facundo, owner of Hannas Cakery in Bay City on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Last year, Facundo filled out an application to win a contest, The Greatest Baker presented by Buddy Valastro. Support from the community poured in from every direction, and while Facundo didnt win, she made it to tenth place in the quarter finals.

The baking community in Bay City is incredible. There is no competition at all, Facundo said. We all have our own specialties, and we all buy from each other. Theyre just all so supportive.

Along with running her own business, Facundo says she works part time at Heidis Darn Good Cookies. The owners, Heidi and Mark Niernberg, have been the perfect mentors to Facundo as she learns more about how to operate her business better, she said.

It was just like all meant to be. Theyve been really good to me; I couldnt have done it without them, Facundo said.

Facundos fiance, Gabe, and her mother, Deanna, have also been a help to her as she continues building up Hannas Cakery, she added.

To order from Hannas Cakery, check out the Facebook page here. Facundo said she offers delivery, a contactless pick-up method, and customers are also able to pick up their treats from her directly.

I hope, one day, to own a bakery, to own like a storefront business, but right now, I have to work my way up to that, Facundo said.

Hannas Cakery is currently considered a cottage bakery. In Michigan, select foods, such as baked goods, can be prepared in a home kitchen and sold directly to customers. Learn more about cottage food requirements here.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

Would you like MLive to feature your favorite restaurant in Michigans Best Local Eats? Send the details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Kaytie Boomer at kboomer@mlive.com.
PONTIAC, MI -- In a first-of-its-kind trial, a jury must decide if the mother of a Michigan school shooter is guilty for her sons murders and should go to prison.

Attorneys on Friday, Feb. 2, gave closing statements in the trial of Jennifer Crumbley, who is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of four Oxford High School students murdered by her son, Ethan Crumbley, on Nov. 30, 2021.

The jury will return for instructions and the start of deliberations on Monday, Feb. 5.

If convicted, the 45-year-old mother faces up to 60 years in prison. She is charged alongside her husband, 47-year-old James Crumbley, who is scheduled to go on trial in March.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald delivered closing statements for the government, arguing that the shooters rampage was reasonably foreseeable and the deaths directly caused by Jennifer Crumbleys failure to perform her duty of ordinary care as a mother.

On the Friday prior to the shooting, James Crumbley purchased a gun for his son as an early Christmas gift. Jennifer Crumbley visited a gun range with her son to practice with new firearm the next day. On Monday, Jennifer Crumbley was notified by the school that her son was caught by a teacher looking at bullets on his phone in class.

On the day of the shooting, both parents were called to the school for an emergency meeting after a teacher discovered concerning violent drawings and statements scrawled on their sons geometry assignment. The teen wrote, Blood everywhere, My life is useless, and The world is dead, near drawings of a gun and a bleeding body with two bullet holes.

McDonald argued that the mother needed only to do the smallest thing to head off the killings.

Jennifer Crumbley could have ensured the gun was locked and inaccessible, removed her son from school after seeing the violent drawing or driven home and checked on the gun after that meeting, McDonald said.

She knew her son had been gifted a gun, McDonald said. She knew that the gun looked identical to the one in the drawing. She knew that gun was accessible to him. She knew it wasnt stored properly.

She knew that he was proficient with the gun. She knew he had access to ammunition. And she knew that her son was upset the night before.

Jennifer Crumbley previously testified the gun was hidden by James Crumbley in a locked case and kept separate from the key and ammunition.

She was not responsible, at all, for the storage of that weapon, said defense attorney Shannon Smith.

The jury must believe the shooting was foreseeable and that Jennifer Crumbley was egregiously negligent, the prosecutor told the jury.

Smith, who called the investigation a witch hunt, countered that the tragedy was clearly unforeseeable, since theres no one in the world, including Mrs. Crumbley, who would let a school shooting happen.

Can every parent really be responsible for everything their children do, Smith asked the jury. This case is a very dangerous one for parents out there and it is one of the first of its kind.

Related: Mother of Michigan school shooter: I wish he would have killed us instead

Smith argued that a child having access to a gun in Oxford isnt abnormal.

She referenced students taking homecoming pictures with guns, school announcements reminding students not to bring guns to school during hunting season and students regularly spending free time at shooting ranges.

Prosecutors know this is a gun community, Smith said.

Related: Why, Michigan school shooters mom asks handcuffed son following murders in video

Smith called Jennifer Crumbley a hypervigilant mother who loved, spent quality time with and tried to guide her son.

I am asking you to find Jennifer Crumbley not guilty, Smith said. Not just for Jennifer Crumbley but for every mother whos out there doing the best they can, who could easily be in her shoes.

McDonald said other mothers dont need to worry about ending up where Jennifer Crumbley has; her situation is unique.

Ladies and gentlemen, McDonald said, he literally drew a picture of what he was going to do.

Presiding Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews said she will sequester the jury during deliberations. Five alternate jurors will likewise be sequestered separately at the courthouse until a verdict is reached.

Jennifer and James Crumbley have remained jailed since their arrests on Dec. 3, 2021.

Shooter Ethan Crumbley is serving a life prison.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A criminal conviction in Washtenaw County can come with costs that go far beyond a prison sentence or restitution payments.

Defendants in the county Trial Court can also face more than $2,300 in added fines and fees that keep the court up and running, and officials recognize that can be a major roadblock for anyone trying to get their life together.

Thats why for more than a year, defendants who cant afford a private attorney have seen those costs waived completely, part of an initiative to make the justice system more fair for low-income people trapped by costs tacked onto a conviction.

Were asking people to put their lives on track and that should be the No. 1 focus of what were doing, said Washtenaw County Trial Court Chief Judge Carol Kuhnke, who authorized the change.

Its harder for someone if theyre trying to pay rent, trying to feed themselves, feed their kids, get themselves back and forth to work, pay their auto insurance or buy an auto, and then at the same time theyre faced with what is to most people an onerous debt that looms over them, she said.

The new policy of waiving the discretionary fines and fees for defendants determined to be indigent, or unable to afford a defense lawyer, already wiped out at least $924,749 in costs in 409 cases in its first year, according a county report.

Its the major shift to come out of the countys participation in the national Cities and Counties for Fine and Fee Justice initiative, a program offering technical assistance and strategic guidance to local officials hoping to reform monetary penalties and charges. Advocates say the costs have a disproportionately negative effect on communities of color.

Read more: Could Washtenaw County eliminate justice system fines and fees? The work has begun

Involvement in the program is a collaboration between a bevy of county departments, including the Prosecutors Office, Public Defenders Office, Sheriffs Office, Racial Equity Office, Treasurers Office, county administration, the Trial Court and two community groups doing reentry work, according to Terrence Williams, executive assistant to the county administrator and a participant.

What we found is that, in other jurisdictions also, that we put a lot of money into collections and oftentimes we dont even collect what were putting into collecting those fines and fees, Williams said.

But axing those costs also runs against how courts are set up to operate in Michigan and can mean a major budgetary hit.

The state pays judges salaries but local units, usually cities and counties attached to a court, are supposed to fund everything else, from staff to buildings to equipment, Kuhnke said. To do that, theyre able to impose fines and fees on the people who move through the criminal legal system.

In Washtenaw County Trial Court, which handles felonies and certain serious misdemeanors, those costs are calculated at $1,611 per defendant. On top that, theres a $60 fingerprint fee, $650 in attorney costs and a $30 or $60 supervision fee that goes to operating probation systems, Kuhnke said.

But research has indicated those kinds of fines and fees are bad for the community, she said, resulting in people not able to pay rent, child support or afford basic expenses for themselves and relatives.

Thats a draw on the community as a whole, and the idea is that if we dont impose these fines that folks are going to do better in the community, and its going to raise everybody up, that the money comes back into the community in different ways, and its a net gain and not a net loss, Kuhnke said.

Read more: Racial disparities plague Washtenaw County criminal legal system. New report has 65 solutions

Washtenaw County, the funding unit for the Trial Court, is fully behind the decision to waive the fines and fees for those who clearly cant afford them, Kuhnke said.

It would be her preference to eliminate them across the board, but shes aware of the significant budgetary impact and wants to evaluate how the policy plays out, making sure its sustainable.

Between Oct. 5, 2022 and July 31, 2023, the costs were fully waived on nearly 75% of the 550 sentencings that took place, according to the county report. The policy applies at the Trial Court level, and lower district courts in the county operate under their own authority.

Its not the only change to come out of the work toward fine and fee justice.

Williams said the county is working to establish a juvenile earn and learn program for court-involved youth. It would provide an allowance for young people to participate in the countys Day Treatment Program, offering life skills, employment and educational training.

Michigan law requires mandatory restitution for many crimes involving harm to others, and thats not going away.

The elimination of discretionary court costs and the juvenile program will help people focus on those restitution payments, Williams said, particularly for young people previously dependent on parents to do so.

Williams sees that many parts of the legal system in Washtenaw County are aligned in working to lessen the burden of fines and fees, with the work happening even before participation in the national program.

We had county buy-in too, and I think it was kind of like, were all in this together. Were going to take this bold step, and hope that it works out in the end, Kuhnke said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
YPSILANTI, MI -- While many people stray away from the topic of death, one Ypsilanti group believes it should be something people talk about more.

Ypsilanti Death Cafe hopes to redefine how death is perceived by normalizing the topic. The group meets from 5 to 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of each at Stone & Spoon, 110 W. Michigan Ave.

Ypsilanti resident Hanna Hasselschwert organized the first death cafe in November 2021, and has been the person behind planning each meeting since.

I think Ypsilanti has a really diverse environment and its just a safe, comfortable place so I thought that this would be a great place to have something like this, she said.

Hasselschwert is a death doula and runs her business, Acacia End of Life Services, to help dying people in spiritual and emotional ways.

Ypsilantis Death Cafe is just one of many chapters of the worldwide social franchise that began in 2011 to talk about the taboo topic. Ann Arbor also has its own cafe.

Related: We live in a death-denying culture. Death Cafe tackles taboo subject

Death Cafe was developed in the United Kingdom by Jon Underwood and his mother Susan Barsky Reid. The mission of these cafes is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives, according to the organizations website.

When Underwood died at 44 in 2017, his mother and sister, Jools Barsky, took over the operation. However, todays cafes still must follow the guidelines set up by Underwood.

No matter what death cafe someone attends, there must not be an agenda, objectives or themes, nor should a meeting become a grief support group or counseling.

Ypsilantis chapter often starts with people introducing themselves and why theyre attending and quickly shift into different conversations from there, Hasselschwert said.

Meetings must be done on a not-for-profit basis, must not lead people to any conclusions, products or course of actions and must provide an accessible, respectful and confidential space.

Underwood also wanted these cafes to include drinks, food and cake. Hasselschwert often supplies the group with snacks like candy, chips, popcorn, baked goods and tea.

The meetings are open to anyone willing to talk or listen, with conversations ranging from discussions about loved ones dying to the legal process behind death.

People can come and go as they like (because) its a really welcoming space, Hasselschwert said. I encourage that people, if theyre unsure about it, come and just listen.

Roughly eight to 12 people regularly attend the cafe, Hasselschwert said, adding those who show up are all kinds of people. They range anywhere from 22 to 85 years old, but she has noticed a lot of younger people attending meetings as a way to join the death positivity movement.

I want people to feel seen and know theyre not alone, she said. Theres other people who want to talk about this and who are there for them as a community.

Crystal Schumacker found a safe space at the cafe after her 16-year-old sons death. The Dundee resident started attending in June 2023 and now has plans to open her own death cafe in Monroe.

I think I was really looking for that sense of community without pity, she said. When you go to the death cafe, we all are creating this culture where people get this chance to learn about things you could say to somebody else who lost their son perhaps.

The meetings allow people to not only create community, but impact culture as well, Schumacker said.

Death touches everybody in the world. Its not anything that someone wont experience in some way, she said. Maybe we can help change the way the culture looks when people are approached with death or dying.

Death may always be the topic of discussion, but Hasselschwert said she constantly finds herself learning something new and feeling reenergized with each cafe.

Im proud of the environment that I created and (becoming) a space that people rely on. I never knew I could do something like this and do something that is so impactful for so many people, she said.

While it may be easier said than done, Hasselschwert hopes Ypsilanti Death Cafe can get people to live their lives to the fullest and realize death doesnt have to be an afterthought.

We can make (death) a less scary thing, so we dont fear it, but we prepare for it, she said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Two women were stabbed in a fight outside Dukes Bar in Grand Rapids early Saturday morning.

Grand Rapids police responded to the stabbing around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the bar at 700 Michigan St. NE, Lt. Brad Bush told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

The incident started as a verbal altercation between two women inside the bar, Bush said. They brought the altercation outside, and one of the women brought a group of friends outside with her, Bush said.

The suspect was by herself and alleged she was attacked by the group and produced a knife in self-defense, Bush told MLive. She then allegedly stabbed two women in the fight and fled the scene before police arrived, Bush said.

Police arrived at the scene and the victims provided a description of the vehicle the suspect left in, Bush said. Officers located the vehicle a short while later in the area of Sherman and Eastern and conducted a traffic stop, and the suspect was interviewed and arrested for assault with intent to murder, Bush said.

One of the victims was transported to a local hospital with severe, but non-life-threatening injuries from the stabbing, Bush said. Another victim showed up to a different hospital a few hours later with non-life-threatening injuries from the stabbing.

Bush did not say the ages of anyone involved, but said they were all adults.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 3. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan in effective cooperation with relevant structures of foreign countries continues to take measures to detain and bring to Azerbaijan persons accused of committing crimes and put on the international wanted list, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Justice.

According to the information, the department extradited one more internationally wanted person to Azerbaijan.

Thus, it was found that Ali Huseynov, accused of committing a crime under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (fraud with large-scale damage), was in the Republic of Hungary, where he was arrested.

Based on the request of the ministry related to the extradition of that person and all the required documents in accordance with the international procedures submitted, an agreement was reached and Ali Huseynov was brought to Azerbaijan from Hungary by the responsible employees of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Penitentiary Service and was placed in the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center according to the arrest decision of the court.

The Ministry continues measures in this area to ensure the principle of fairness of punishment, which plays an exceptional role in the fight against crime, preventing criminals from feeling free and safe anywhere in the world.

To note, last month, an internationally wanted person was extradited from Colombia and an agreement was reached on the extradition of two persons who committed cyber and property crimes to Azerbaijan from European countries.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Just days after Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker announced plans to retire, three candidates have filed to take his place.

The candidates to file so far to run in the August primary are all Republican and include Ottawa County Sheriffs Sgt. Eric DeBoer, Grand Rapids Police Capt. Michael Maycroft and retired Riverside County (California) Sheriffs Capt. Jon Anderson.

Kempker announced Jan. 29 that he would not seek reelection this year and would retire sometime in 2024.

Ottawa County election records show that Maycroft filed his candidacy on Jan. 30, followed by DeBoer on Jan. 31 and Anderson on Feb. 1.

DeBoer, of Holland, recently was selected by Kempker to become the countys next undersheriff.

DeBoer has been with the sheriffs office for 25 years, beginning as a reserve deputy on marine patrol. He worked as a road-patrol deputy and later as a detective and sergeant. He currently supervises the night shift.

He has a masters degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University and bachelors in criminal justice from Calvin University.

Maycroft, of Allendale, began his career with Grand Rapids police in 1997 as a patrol officer. He worked his way up through the ranks to become a captain in 2015, according to his LinkedIn page.

His is the commander of the citys North End Service Area. Maycroft also is commander of the departments bomb squad and crime prevention unit.

He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy in 2018 and earned a masters degree in criminal justice administration from Ferris State University in 2002.

In a Jan. 30 Facebook post, Maycroft wrote: After 29 years in law enforcement, I still have the fire to lead. The outstanding men and women of the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office want to see their department continue to move in a positive direction, and I am all in to help.

Anderson, of Grand Haven, started his law enforcement career in 1985 in California and began working at the Riverside County Sheriffs Department in 1996.

He also worked his way up through the ranks to become a captain in the special investigations and homicide bureau before retiring.

He said the sheriffs department employed about 5,000 people.

Anderson now is co-owner of Bullet Hole Firearms & Training in Holland.

He wants to improve technology at the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office, including the use of mobile fingerprint identification. He also wants to improve community policing and change the public image of officers so they seem more like ambassadors.

The filing deadline to run for county elected office seats is April 23.

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.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Shujaa Wright is willing to drive an hour to Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant.

I live in Lansing, but Ive been eating here now about four or five years, Wright said. Its an hour drive, but its worth it.

As Wright talked with MLive on Wednesday, Jan. 24, smells of spices, frankincense and roasting coffee beans fill the restaurant located inside Grand Rapids Towne and Country Shopping Center at 4301 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.

Wright likes to order Sega Wat (beef stew in a spicy, dark berbere sauce) for $15. Each meat dish comes with two sides.

Its not just the food, its also the owner, Wright said of Gursha owner, Kasahun Behareselase. He doesnt speak the best English but you can just tell through his actions how sincere and caring he is.

Behareselase immigrated to the U.S. in 2009 and began operating the restaurant in 2013.

We treat them like family, Behareselase said of his customer hospitality, as translated to English by his wife.

Examples of both veggie and meat options at Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. The veggie options in the picture include: Misser Wat; Kike Alecha; Tikel Gomen; Gomen Qosta and Gursha Salad. The meat options in the picture include Lebleb Tibs, Yebeg Dereg Tibs and Doro Wat.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Orion Netsanet, a Grand Rapids vegetarian who describes himself as American by birth and Ethiopian by blood, said he is loyal to Gursha because of the authenticity.

The food here definitely is exceptional, Netsanet said.

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians eat vegan food for much of the year as part of their faith.

If youre vegan, this is the right cuisine, Netsanet said. But if youre a meat lover, this is also the great cuisine because theres an eclectic mix.

An example of a vegan fare on the menu is gomen (chopped greens slow cooked with mild spices) for $5.

The $12 vegetarian combo includes:

Misser Wat (pureed red lentils in a spicy berbere sauce)

Kike Alecha (yellow split peas cooked with onions, garlic, ginger and green peppers)

Tikel Gomen (mildly spiced cabbage, potato and carrot stew)

Gomen Qosta (chopped greens slow cooked with mild spices)

Gursha Salad (daily mix of fresh greens and vegetables with a light, tangy dressing)

Meat entrees on the menu include Yebeg Dereq Tibs (lamb tibs pan-fried with onions garlic, green peppers and rosemary) for $18 and Qelulu (premium steak cut into small pieces cooked with shallots, garlic, ginger, berbere and spices) for $15.

Traditional hot coffee goes for $5. Behareselase roasts raw coffee beans in the kitchen.

Coffee grown worldwide can trace its heritage back centuries to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau, according to the National Coffee Association.

Behareselases favorite dinner is a chicken stew called Doro Wat (chicken and egg cooked in a spicy berbere sauce). He sells it for $16.

Doro Wat is Ethiopias national dish.

Hut where traditional coffee is served during special occasions at Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Everybody is home in Ethiopia during holidays, whether they are poor or rich, they all serve that dish, Behareselase said of Doro Wat. It smells like holidays.

Gursha celebrates three holidays - New Year, Easter and Christmas.

The Ethiopian New Year Enkutatash is on Sept. 11 in 2024 because the East African country follows the Julian calendar system. Easter Fasika will be on May 5 in 2024 and the next Ethiopian Christmas will be celebrated on Jan. 7, 2025.

People come (for the holidays) and we have traditional dances, traditional food, traditional coffee, Behareselase said. Many people come here from all over West Michigan.

There is a hut inside the restaurants dining room where traditional coffee is served during special occasions.

Customer Meselech Beld eats at Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Customer Meselech Beld, who frequently makes a 30 minute drive from Hudsonville, said she likes how the owners welcome the community for Ethiopian holidays.

Im adopted and so this has become a place where I can call it home for myself and just kind of go back to my roots, Beld said. They just have always welcomed me with open arms and I cant find better company to show my culture and my heritage.

We want to introduce our culture, our tradition, our food, our belief system - everything, Behareselase later explained. Everything thats served here, everything thats in here, is traditional.

Utensils arent given out at Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant.

The menus cover says Gursha is the Ethiopian custom of sharing a plate and feeding a friend or a loved with bare hands as both a cause and effect of the harmonious nature of their society.

The restaurants customers use traditional Ethiopian injera bread to scoop up the food.

Injera is a flat spongy bread made of fermented teff flour, according to Merriam-Webster.

Behareselase said he hopes his restaurant will bring people together, by serving together and eating together.

The restaurant operates Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To see pictures of the menu and follow on Facebook, click here.

More from MLive:

Michigans Best Local Eats: Its all about the spices at Jamaican Daves in Grand Rapids

Michigans Best Local Eats: Wing Heaven in Grand Rapids features chicken wings, Soul Food Wednesdays

Michigans Best Local Eats: Grand Rapids Mosbys Popcorn plans expansion into Van Andel Arena
BARRY COUNTY, MI  A house in Southwest Michigan was destroyed in a fire on Saturday morning.

The home in the 8000 block of E Tasker Road in Assyria Township was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived at 10:07 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, said Bellevue Community Fire Chief Jacob Jackson.

No one was home when firefighters arrived, Jackson said. There were no victims in the fire.

Firefighters extinguished the flames within 40 minutes, but Jackson said the two-story home was a complete loss in the fire. A detached garaged on the side of the home was also damaged in the fire.

Jackson said the cause of the fire is unknown due to the extent of the damage. The flames started in the rear of the home, he said.

Authorities have not yet been able to contact the owners of the home, Jackson said. The house was a rental home, he said.

Bellevue firefighters were assisted on the scene by Nashville Fire, Johnstown Fire, Pennfield Fire, Michigan State Police, Barry County Central Dispatch and Consumers Energy.
SAGINAW, MI  This month, Saginaw voters will decide if they want to renew a special assessment district to continue funding police and firefighters.

If voters readopt the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 27, it will fund resources from 2026 through 2030.
Gavin Brown was paying $875 a month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Grand Rapids until a new landlord bought his building last summer.

The new owners wanted to bump Browns rent up to at least $1,300  nearly a 50% increase he couldnt afford. Instead, they gave Brown a six-month grace period of $1,050 until he can find a new place.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 3. Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Foundation (ADIF) has appealed to creditors of Demir Bank OJSC, which is in the process of liquidation, Trend reports.

The appeal says that the next payments on unsecured claims of creditors, who are the last in the queue, will start on February 5, 2024.

Payment of claims will be carried out in non-cash order.

To note, creditors are requested to provide bank details for payment by applying with relevant documents to the Fund's building located at the address: 16, Babek Avenue, Baku City.

Hotline for additional information: (+994) 941

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
You are here: Business

Staff members work at a battery production facility in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 2, 2023.

The battery production facility co-invested by China's leading automaker First Automotive Works (FAW) and leading new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD were put into operation on Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A battery production facility co-invested by China's leading automaker First Automotive Works (FAW) and leading new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD were put into operation on Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province.

The total planned production capacity of the project is 45 GWh, with the first stage of 15 GWh put into operation on Friday.

Applying advanced blade battery technology, the project balances the three key issues of battery safety, high-mileage and battery life, and its first products will be used on new electric vehicle models produced by Hongqi, the iconic sedan brand under FAW.

Covering a total land area of 370,000 square meters, the project is located in the Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone.

As the first NEV battery base in northeast China, the facility will promote the transformation and upgrade of the automobile industry and high-quality development of the traditional industrial base.

Qiu Xiandong, chairman of FAW, said the project will rely on the advantages of FAW and BYD resources, promote efficient operation and contribute to low-carbon development of the automobile industry and the comprehensive revitalization of Jilin.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 19. Kazakhstan plans to produce up to 88.3 million tons of oil in 2024 from three large fields - Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak, the country's Energy Ministry told Trend.

Earlier, the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev said that the country plans oil production in 2024 at the level of 90.3 million tons.

As the minister noted, in 2023 the oil production amounted to about 90 million tons, although it was initially planned to produce 92-93 million tons of oil.

According to him, about 18 million tons of oil produced in 2023 came from the domestic market. About 56 million tons were exported through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 3. Uzbekistan is ready to provide necessary assistance to Kyrgyzstan in response to the accident that occurred at the Bishkek thermal power plant (TPP), Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, said, during a phone call with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, Trend reports.

According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saidov said that, at the direction of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek side is prepared to offer the required support to Kyrgyzstan regarding the incident at the Bishkek TPP.

Specifically, as part of the assistance, the Uzbek side mentioned the dispatch of liquefied gas cylinders from Uzbekistan's Andijan to Kyrgyz Osh. In response, Kulubaev expressed sincere gratitude for the readiness to provide fraternal humanitarian aid.

On February 2, 2024, at around 03:00 AM (GMT+6), an explosion occurred at the Bishkek TPP. As a result, five workers with various injuries were taken to medical facilities, and the supply of heating to residential homes and businesses in the city of Bishkek was suspended.
BlackRock Comms Income Inv Tst Plc (LON:BRCI  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 70.60 ($0.90) and traded as high as GBX 71 ($0.90). BlackRock Comms Income Inv Tst shares last traded at GBX 70.60 ($0.90), with a volume of 814,552 shares trading hands.

BlackRock Comms Income Inv Tst Stock Down 1.0 %

The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 70.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 70.60.

BlackRock Comms Income Inv Tst Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock Commodities Income Investment Trust plc is a United Kingdom-based investment trust company. The Companys objectives are to achieve an annual dividend target and, over the long term, capital growth by investing primarily in securities of companies operating in the mining and energy sectors.

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B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 557.86 ($7.09) and traded as low as GBX 518.60 ($6.59). B&M European Value Retail shares last traded at GBX 518.60 ($6.59), with a volume of 2,634,500 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 645 ($8.20) to GBX 630 ($8.01) and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Citigroup raised B&M European Value Retail to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from GBX 540 ($6.86) to GBX 640 ($8.14) in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 513 ($6.52) to GBX 550 ($6.99) and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, B&M European Value Retail currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 541 ($6.88).

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BME

B&M European Value Retail Trading Down 1.0 %

B&M European Value Retail Increases Dividend

The firm has a market cap of 5.08 billion, a PE ratio of 1,466.29 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 560.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 557.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 280.00, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.38.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 18th will be issued a GBX 20 ($0.25) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.53%. This is a boost from B&M European Value Retails previous dividend of $5.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 18th. B&M European Value Retails payout ratio is 4,285.71%.

Insider Transactions at B&M European Value Retail

In related news, insider Oliver Tant purchased 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 519 ($6.60) per share, with a total value of 25,950 ($32,990.08). In other B&M European Value Retail news, insider Oliver Tant acquired 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 519 ($6.60) per share, for a total transaction of 25,950 ($32,990.08). Also, insider Mike Schmidt sold 17,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 547 ($6.95), for a total value of 93,290.85 ($118,600.11). Insiders own 4.23% of the companys stock.

About B&M European Value Retail

(Get Free Report)

B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Munsbach, Luxembourg.

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PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:RCS  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $5.92 and traded as high as $6.10. PIMCO Strategic Income Fund shares last traded at $6.06, with a volume of 121,327 shares changing hands.

PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Stock Down 1.1 %

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $5.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.55.

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PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th were paid a dividend of $0.051 per share. This represents a $0.61 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 11th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO Strategic Income Fund

PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Company Profile

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 858,411 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $4,464,000 after purchasing an additional 25,506 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 643,213 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,415,000 after acquiring an additional 102,907 shares in the last quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,156,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its position in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 15.2% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 518,117 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,047,000 after acquiring an additional 68,369 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 507,748 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,696,000 after purchasing an additional 20,195 shares during the period. 14.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

PIMCO Strategic Global Government Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in government securities, including bonds issued or guaranteed by the United States or foreign governments, by their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or by supranational entities.

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) EVP David E. Marra sold 750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $229.00, for a total value of $171,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 79,699 shares in the company, valued at $18,251,071. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

RenaissanceRe Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RNR traded up $3.22 during trading on Friday, hitting $226.41. 464,082 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 431,964. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.39, a PEG ratio of 0.13 and a beta of 0.31. The businesss fifty day moving average is $205.08 and its 200-day moving average is $202.06. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a one year low of $174.22 and a one year high of $233.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

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RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $11.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.13 by $3.64. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. RenaissanceRe had a return on equity of 26.93% and a net margin of 28.04%. The businesss revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $7.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 33.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.67%. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio is presently 2.97%.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on RNR. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on RenaissanceRe from $249.00 to $246.00 in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on RenaissanceRe from $229.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on RenaissanceRe in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. TD Cowen began coverage on RenaissanceRe in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Finally, TheStreet upgraded RenaissanceRe from a c rating to a b- rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $232.44.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on RNR

Hedge Funds Weigh In On RenaissanceRe

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its position in RenaissanceRe by 22.2% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 26,074 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,863,000 after purchasing an additional 4,743 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the second quarter worth approximately $930,000. Manning & Napier Group LLC lifted its position in RenaissanceRe by 67.3% in the third quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 122,963 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $24,337,000 after purchasing an additional 49,475 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the second quarter worth approximately $560,000. Finally, Junto Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the second quarter worth approximately $25,853,000. 91.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

RenaissanceRe Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) and Taseko Mines (NYSE:TGB  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Agnico Eagle Mines and Taseko Mines net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agnico Eagle Mines 40.40% 5.26% 3.58% Taseko Mines 2.77% 7.49% 1.97%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Agnico Eagle Mines and Taseko Mines, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agnico Eagle Mines 0 0 6 0 3.00 Taseko Mines 0 0 0 0 N/A

Risk & Volatility

Agnico Eagle Mines currently has a consensus price target of $71.00, suggesting a potential upside of 46.03%. Taseko Mines has a consensus price target of $2.28, suggesting a potential upside of 60.56%. Given Taseko Mines higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Taseko Mines is more favorable than Agnico Eagle Mines.

Agnico Eagle Mines has a beta of 1.04, meaning that its stock price is 4% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Taseko Mines has a beta of 1.97, meaning that its stock price is 97% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Agnico Eagle Mines and Taseko Mines revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agnico Eagle Mines $5.74 billion 4.22 $670.25 million $5.33 9.12 Taseko Mines $301.22 million 1.37 -$19.98 million $0.02 71.04

Agnico Eagle Mines has higher revenue and earnings than Taseko Mines. Agnico Eagle Mines is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Taseko Mines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

59.4% of Agnico Eagle Mines shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 16.8% of Taseko Mines shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Agnico Eagle Mines shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.3% of Taseko Mines shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Agnico Eagle Mines beats Taseko Mines on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Get Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited was incorporated in 1953 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Taseko Mines

(Get Free Report)

Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The company holds 75% interest in the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds 100% interest in Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona. Taseko Mines Limited was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $7.10-7.40 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $7.02. The company issued revenue guidance of ~$45.5-46.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $45.67 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 7.100-7.400 EPS.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on BMY. UBS Group reiterated 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. William Blair cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price target for the company. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.41.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $48.69. The company had a trading volume of 27,987,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,101,546. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $50.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.38. The stock has a market cap of $99.07 billion, a PE ratio of 12.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $48.08 and a 1-year high of $75.18.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.82 earnings per share. Bristol-Myers Squibbs quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. This is a boost 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 4.93%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.91%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II acquired 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,768,255. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders purchased 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BMY. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake 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 worth $1,544,751,000 after purchasing an additional 21,451,006 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,005,473 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $803,730,000 after purchasing an additional 197,000 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 21.6% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,397,454 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $532,246,000 after purchasing an additional 1,311,960 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.0% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 4,717,901 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $301,710,000 after purchasing an additional 389,729 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

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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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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) updated its first quarter earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.30-1.40 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.3-1.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.62 billion. Brunswick also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 7.000-8.000 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Brunswick from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Roth Mkm increased their price objective on Brunswick from $85.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Brunswick from $84.00 to $77.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Brunswick from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, B. Riley downgraded shares of Brunswick from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $106.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $96.50.

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Brunswick Price Performance

Shares of Brunswick stock traded up $1.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $85.60. 1,848,251 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 784,265. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The business has a 50-day moving average of $88.22 and a 200 day moving average of $81.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.98 billion, a PE ratio of 14.39 and a beta of 1.55. Brunswick has a fifty-two week low of $66.47 and a fifty-two week high of $99.68.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.66 by ($0.21). Brunswick had a return on equity of 29.78% and a net margin of 6.57%. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.44 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.99 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 14.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Brunswick will post 7.78 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its holdings in Brunswick by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 2,187 shares of the companys stock valued at $179,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,812 shares of the companys stock valued at $330,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Brunswick by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 10,249 shares of the companys stock worth $840,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in Brunswick by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 5,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $435,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the period. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL grew its position in Brunswick by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 99,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,136,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. 94.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Brunswick Company Profile

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Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Propulsion, Parts & Accessories, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines for independent boat builders and governments through marine dealers and distributors, specialty marine retailers, and marine service centers; and propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses.

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The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM  Get Free Report) insider Carolyn L. Oboyle sold 102 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.72, for a total transaction of $35,773.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at $922,393.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

Boston Beer Price Performance

Boston Beer stock traded up $0.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $357.07. 72,689 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 121,826. The firms fifty day moving average is $349.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $353.32. The company has a market capitalization of $4.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.09. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $296.27 and a fifty-two week high of $414.22.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SAM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Boston Beer in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Boston Beer in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a hold rating and a $375.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Boston Beer from $270.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Boston Beer from $350.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Roth Mkm raised their price objective on shares of Boston Beer from $406.00 to $422.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Boston Beer currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $350.31.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boston Beer

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Boston Beer by 2.0% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,610 shares of the companys stock worth $6,452,000 after purchasing an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Boston Beer by 64.3% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 1,778 shares of the companys stock worth $691,000 after purchasing an additional 696 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,961 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,151,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 220.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,080 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,414,000 after acquiring an additional 4,185 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Boston Beer by 42.6% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 6,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,520,000 after buying an additional 1,938 shares during the period. 64.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Boston Beer Company Profile

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The Boston Beer Company, Inc engages in the production and sale of alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, Coney Island, and Havana Lager brand names.

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Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL  Get Free Report) Director C Martin Harris sold 2,760 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.50, for a total transaction of $233,220.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 19,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,628,484. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Colgate-Palmolive Price Performance

CL traded down $1.51 during trading on Friday, reaching $84.61. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,440,959 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,518,329. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $79.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $75.99. The company has a market cap of $69.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.98, a PEG ratio of 3.70 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.40. Colgate-Palmolive has a 1 year low of $67.62 and a 1 year high of $86.14.

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Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $4.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a net margin of 11.82% and a return on equity of 509.75%. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.48 EPS for the current year.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Monday, January 22nd will be issued a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 19th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. Colgate-Palmolives dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.06%.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CL shares. Bank of America raised shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $90.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $82.00 to $76.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a hold rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the company from $85.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Colgate-Palmolive presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $86.93.

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Institutional Trading of Colgate-Palmolive

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avion Wealth increased its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 78.1% in the 4th quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 399 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Quarry LP increased its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 48.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 446 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Tower Group LLC acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.36% of the companys stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Company Profile

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Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items.

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Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $17.75 and traded as high as $17.96. Community Bancorp shares last traded at $17.90, with a volume of 860 shares traded.

Community Bancorp Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $17.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.33.

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Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 13th. The financial services provider reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter. Community Bancorp had a net margin of 28.07% and a return on equity of 18.95%. The business had revenue of $10.14 million for the quarter.

Community Bancorp Announces Dividend

Community Bancorp Company Profile

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 15th were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.11%.

(Get Free Report)

Community Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for Community National Bank that provides financial services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities in northern and central Vermont. It offers financing for commercial business properties, equipment, inventories, and accounts receivable, as well as standby letters of credit; and business checking and other deposit accounts, cash management services, repurchase agreements, ACH and wire transfer services, card processing, and remote deposit capture.

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Community Capital Bancshares (OTCMKTS:ALBY  Get Free Report) and Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Community Capital Bancshares and Capital One Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Community Capital Bancshares 0 0 0 0 N/A Capital One Financial 3 10 4 0 2.06

Capital One Financial has a consensus price target of $122.68, indicating a potential downside of 10.12%. Given Capital One Financials higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Capital One Financial is more favorable than Community Capital Bancshares.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Community Capital Bancshares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Capital One Financial $49.48 billion 1.05 $4.89 billion $11.95 11.42

This table compares Community Capital Bancshares and Capital One Financials revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Capital One Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Community Capital Bancshares.

Dividends

Community Capital Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. Capital One Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Capital One Financial pays out 20.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

90.1% of Capital One Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 42.4% of Community Capital Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Capital One Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Community Capital Bancshares and Capital One Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Community Capital Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Capital One Financial 9.88% 9.24% 1.08%

Volatility and Risk

Community Capital Bancshares has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Capital One Financial has a beta of 1.49, meaning that its stock price is 49% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Capital One Financial beats Community Capital Bancshares on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Community Capital Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Community Capital Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for AB&T that provides various banking products and services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various deposit products, such as checking, savings, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposits. Its loan products include commercial and residential real estate, commercial, financial, agricultural, consumer installment, overdrafts and other revolving credit, and educational loans. The company also offers money transfer, bill pay, remote deposit capture, ACH origination, and merchant services, as well as online, mobile, and text message banking services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Albany, Georgia.

About Capital One Financial

(Get Free Report)

Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; and Capital One, National Association, which provides various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. The company accepts checking accounts, money market deposits, negotiable order of withdrawals, savings deposits, and time deposits. Its loan products include credit card loans; auto and retail banking loans; and commercial and multifamily real estate, and commercial and industrial loans. The company also offers credit and debit card products; online direct banking services; and treasury management and depository services. It serves consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients through digital channels, branches, cafes, and other distribution channels located in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and California. Capital One Financial Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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Deluxe (NYSE:DLX  Get Free Report) updated its FY24 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $3.10-$3.40 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.23. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.14-$2.18 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.16 billion. Deluxe also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 3.100-3.400 EPS.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut Deluxe from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on Deluxe

Deluxe Price Performance

Deluxe stock traded up $0.39 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $20.80. 315,421 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 206,198. The company has a market capitalization of $908.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.48. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $19.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.28. Deluxe has a 1 year low of $13.61 and a 1 year high of $21.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.49, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.93.

Deluxe (NYSE:DLX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $537.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $537.80 million. Deluxe had a return on equity of 21.53% and a net margin of 1.20%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.98 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Deluxe will post 2.92 EPS for the current year.

Deluxe Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. Deluxes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 203.39%.

Institutional Trading of Deluxe

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Deluxe during the 1st quarter worth approximately $209,000. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Deluxe in the 1st quarter worth approximately $161,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Deluxe by 44.2% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,543 shares of the business services providers stock worth $149,000 after acquiring an additional 2,620 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in Deluxe by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 7,966 shares of the business services providers stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 850 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in Deluxe by 21.9% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 7,018 shares of the business services providers stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 1,262 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.97% of the companys stock.

About Deluxe

(Get Free Report)

Deluxe Corporation provides technology-enabled solutions to enterprises, small businesses, and financial institutions in the United States, Canada, Australia, South America, and Europe. It operates through four segments: Payments, Data Solutions, Promotional Solutions, and Checks. The company provides treasury management solutions, including remittance and lockbox processing, remote deposit capture, receivables management, payment processing, and paperless treasury management solutions, as well as payment exchange, and fraud and security services; data-driven marketing solutions and hosted solutions, such as digital engagement, logo design, financial institution profitability reporting, and business incorporation services, as well as web hosting and design services.

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Dolly Varden Silver Co. (CVE:DV  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 2.9% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$0.67 and last traded at C$0.68. 864,246 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 141% from the average session volume of 358,944 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.70.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Raymond James increased their price target on Dolly Varden Silver from C$1.00 to C$1.10 in a research note on Friday, January 12th.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dolly Varden Silver

Dolly Varden Silver Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of C$183.65 million, a PE ratio of -6.80 and a beta of 1.23. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.75.

Dolly Varden Silver (CVE:DV  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 27th. The company reported C($0.05) EPS for the quarter. Equities research analysts expect that Dolly Varden Silver Co. will post 0.0107873 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dolly Varden Silver Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Kitsault Valley project, which comprises the Dolly Varden property and the Homestake Ridge property covering an area of 163 square kilometers located in Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada; and the Big Bulk property located in Canada.

Further Reading

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Fiske plc (LON:FKE  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 51.70 ($0.66) and traded as low as GBX 46.50 ($0.59). Fiske shares last traded at GBX 46.50 ($0.59), with a volume of 1,461 shares trading hands.

Fiske Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 2.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07. The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 51.42 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 58.59. The company has a market capitalization of 5.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,325.00 and a beta of 0.04.

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Insider Activity at Fiske

In other Fiske news, insider James Philip Quibell Harrison purchased 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 52 ($0.66) per share, with a total value of 10,400 ($13,221.46). 73.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Fiske Company Profile

Fiske plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial intermediation services in the United Kingdom. The company offers discretionary investment management, advisory managed, execution-only, and stockbroking services; and other services, such as client cash accounts, individual savings accounts, self-invested personal pensions and small self-administered schemes, nominee services, and custody services to private clients.

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Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) insider Craig Vosburg sold 13,542 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $460.06, for a total value of $6,230,132.52. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 46,491 shares in the company, valued at $21,388,649.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Craig Vosburg also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, January 11th, Craig Vosburg sold 8,900 shares of Mastercard stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $430.26, for a total value of $3,829,314.00.

Mastercard Price Performance

NYSE:MA traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $460.54. The stock had a trading volume of 2,050,262 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,591,370. The stock has a market capitalization of $431.89 billion, a PE ratio of 39.04, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $424.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $407.35. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $340.21 and a 52 week high of $463.84.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.08 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.46 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 191.22% and a net margin of 44.60%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.65 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders 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 represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.57%. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Mastercards payout ratio is currently 22.32%.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback 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 often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mastercard

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, Bollard Group LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 74.94% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. HSBC initiated coverage on Mastercard in a research report on Friday, October 13th. They set a hold rating and a $424.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $433.00 to $482.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $510.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com began coverage on Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Mastercard from $432.00 to $499.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $471.85.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

Mastercard Company Profile

(Get 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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JSF Financial LLC lifted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 24.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 123,635 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 24,549 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for 20.6% of JSF Financial LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest position. JSF Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $53,093,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IVV. PrairieView Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the second quarter worth $25,000. CGC Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the second quarter valued at $30,000. Pacific Center for Financial Services grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 134.4% in the second quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services now owns 75 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock traded up $4.92 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $496.56. The company had a trading volume of 4,694,216 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,211,520. The firm has a market cap of $384.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $474.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $453.49. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1 year low of $382.37 and a 1 year high of $498.43.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report).

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Legato Merger Corp. III (LEGT.U) is planning to raise $175 million in an IPO on Tuesday, February 6th, IPO Scoop reports. The company plans to issue 17,500,000 shares at $10.00 per share.

Legato Merger Corp. III has a market cap of $224.9 million.

BTIG served as the underwriter for the IPO and Craig-Hallum Group was co-manager.

Legato Merger Corp. III provided the following description of their company for its IPO: We are a newly organized blank check company.A We currently intend to focus on target businesses in the infrastructure, engineering and construction (asE&Cat), industrial and renewables industries. (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)A (Note: Legato Merger Corp. III filed an S-1 dated Dec. 7, 2023,A in which it disclosed the terms for its SPAC IPO: 17.5 million units at $10.00 each to raise $175.0 million. Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share.)A .

Legato Merger Corp. III was founded in 2023 and has 0 employees. The company is located at 777 Third Avenue, 37thA Floor New York, NY 10017 and can be reached via phone at (212) 319-7676.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 3. Uzbekistan and three Korean companies agreed on implementation of green economy projects, Trend reports.

This was discussed at a meeting between Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance with representatives of three Korean companies - Korea Institute for Climate Change (KICC), Korea Investment&Securities, Korea Western Power.

During the meeting, the Korean companies expressed their interest in developing cooperation in the field of greenhouse gas emission reduction. They discussed the prospects of implementing joint projects aimed at improving the environmental situation and achieving climate goals. The Korean side expressed readiness to provide its advanced technologies and experience in this area.

At the end of the meeting, the parties also agreed to develop and strengthen partnership in the field of greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Meanwhile, volume of trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Korea reached $2.34 billion. Exports amounted to $40.4 million, while imports - to $2.3 billion.
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided EPS guidance of 9.500-9.700 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 9.190. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Royal Caribbean Cruises also updated its FY24 guidance to $9.50-$9.70 EPS.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Down 2.8 %

Shares of RCL traded down $3.52 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $123.44. The company had a trading volume of 5,004,281 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,337,780. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $121.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $105.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.03, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio of 0.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.85 and a beta of 2.54. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a 52-week low of $59.37 and a 52-week high of $133.77.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.12. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a return on equity of 45.55% and a net margin of 12.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.36 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($1.12) EPS. Royal Caribbean Cruisess quarterly revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Royal Caribbean Cruises will post 9.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on RCL shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 19th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $120.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Wednesday. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $139.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Argus boosted their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $95.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a $127.00 price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Royal Caribbean Cruises presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $122.79.

Get Our Latest Analysis on RCL

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Harri U. Kulovaara sold 24,707 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.90, for a total transaction of $2,641,178.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,597,185. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 315,234 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.19, for a total value of $37,887,974.46. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,852,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,386,044,691.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Harri U. Kulovaara sold 24,707 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.90, for a total value of $2,641,178.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,650 shares in the company, valued at $3,597,185. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 632,507 shares of company stock valued at $76,012,718 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCL. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 38.5% during the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 928 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 63.1% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 742 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp raised its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 527.8% during the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 1,651 shares of the companys stock worth $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,388 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 17.4% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 1,350 shares of the companys stock worth $116,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 23.4% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,471 shares of the companys stock worth $122,000 after acquiring an additional 468 shares in the last quarter. 75.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Company Profile

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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 13, 2023, it operated 64 ships. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Further Reading

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Schneider National (NYSE:SNDR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 1.150-1.300 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 1.380. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Schneider National also updated its FY24 guidance to $1.15-1.30 EPS.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on SNDR. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Schneider National from $35.00 to $25.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Schneider National from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Schneider National from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday. Bank of America downgraded Schneider National from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $35.00 to $24.00 in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on Schneider National from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.13.

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Schneider National Stock Performance

SNDR traded up $0.37 on Friday, reaching $24.20. 1,056,025 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 784,549. The companys 50-day moving average price is $24.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.39. Schneider National has a fifty-two week low of $21.39 and a fifty-two week high of $31.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of 13.51 and a beta of 0.92.

Schneider National (NYSE:SNDR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by ($0.05). Schneider National had a return on equity of 11.29% and a net margin of 5.65%. The firm had revenue of $1.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Schneider National will post 1.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Schneider National Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $0.095 dividend. This represents a $0.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This is a boost from Schneider Nationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. Schneider Nationals payout ratio is 20.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Schneider National

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SNDR. Quantinno Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Schneider National in the 4th quarter worth about $205,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in Schneider National by 66.7% during the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 5,845 shares of the companys stock worth $156,000 after buying an additional 2,338 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Schneider National by 17.1% during the 1st quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,690 shares of the companys stock worth $152,000 after buying an additional 829 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its stake in Schneider National by 20.7% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 4,954 shares of the companys stock worth $134,000 after buying an additional 851 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Schneider National by 30.5% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 5,435 shares of the companys stock worth $122,000 after buying an additional 1,269 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.26% of the companys stock.

About Schneider National

(Get Free Report)

Schneider National, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of surface transportation and logistics solutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company operates through three segments: Truckload, Intermodal, and Logistics. The Truckload segment offers over the road freight transportation services primarily through dry van, bulk, temperature-controlled, and flat-bed equipment across either network or dedicated configurations.

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Scottish American (LON:SAIN  Get Free Report) shares fell 0.2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 500 ($6.36) and last traded at GBX 503 ($6.39). 206,278 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 55% from the average session volume of 133,258 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 504 ($6.41).

Scottish American Trading Down 0.2 %

The stock has a market cap of 896.95 million, a PE ratio of 986.27 and a beta of 0.63. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 516.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 504.17. The company has a quick ratio of 3.87, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.43.

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Scottish American Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 16th were given a dividend of GBX 3.55 ($0.05) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.74%. This is an increase from Scottish Americans previous dividend of $3.45. Scottish Americans dividend payout ratio is currently 2,745.10%.

Scottish American Company Profile

The Scottish American Investment Company P.L.C. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co and OLIM Property Limited. It invests in public equity markets across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Siddharth Upasani is a Special Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He has been covering the Indian economy, economic data, and monetary and fiscal policies for nine years. He tweets at @SiddharthUbiWan. Contact: siddharth.upasani@nw18.com
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 3. A ceremony of handing over keys to apartments to victims of the earthquake in February last year was held in the Turkish province of Hatay, Trend reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the ceremony.

The head of state said that today the keys to 7,275 apartments were handed over to citizens.

The President of Turkiye noted that the delivery of 75 thousand apartments in the earthquake-affected area will be completed within 2 months. Erdogan also expressed gratitude to the countries that provided assistance:

"On my behalf, I thank the 35 thousand search and rescue workers, health workers, foresters of Turkey and all our brothers, including the foreign group of 11,500 people".
Manish Anand is Delhi-based journalist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
February 03, 2024 / 09:06 PM IST



On ED filing a complaint against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with the summons, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "Till date, people of Delhi and India knew Kejriwal as 'Bhashtachari Kejriwal' for the kind of corruption he has done right from 'Dawa' to 'Daru'. But now they are saying he is 'Bhagoda Kejriwal' because the same Kejriwal when he skips summons from the agency five times making all kinds of lame excuses then normally any other agency will pursue the course of law and will approach the court for the next legal action..."
There is lots to catch up on this week from groundbreaking innovation to exclusive interviews and exciting new releases. See what you missed in our special weekly round-up

Editorial  The Last Monday in January

To kick off this thrilling week, our Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Wong shares her excitement for the LVMH Watch Week  the last week of January, and the first of the horological salons planned for 2024 - and gives us all the details about this weeks coverage of Bulgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith.

Bulgari  A Golden Opportunity

Also from Suzanne on the topic of LVMH Watch Week, she rose to the challenge of summarizing and yet still covering all of the most important aspects of Bulgaris launches in this informative review. And let me tell you: it was no easy task since the Italian brand decided to spoil us this week with a myriad of beautifully complicated timepieces. Click here to find out more.

Bulgari Bulgari X LISA  Bulgari

Hublot: Continuous Reinvention

Next up is Hublot, the brand that continues its unwavering commitment to innovation, showing no sign of slowing down. At each watchmaking event, the brand introduces groundbreaking products at an astonishing rate. Its releases this week are no exception, and WorldTempuss Marie de Pimodan takes us through all you need to know.

TAG Heuer, an Evergreen Choice

Innovation versus tradition? Delving into the depths of the ocean or speeding around motor racing tracks? For TAG Heuer, there's no need to make a choice. The Swiss brand effortlessly navigates various realms, showcasing its versatile capabilities. TAG Heuer highlighted its diverse approach with a collection of new releases this week. Heres a sneak peek.

Zenith - The Master of Time

Moving along, I had the pleasure of delving into Zeniths releases of the week  and to keep it short: it was all about the Chronomaster (I think I even used the term Chronomaster-bang!). There was lots of ground to cover, from green ceramic bezels and Windmanstatten patterns to triple calendars, and what a ride it was! Make sure to check out the new timepieces, right over here.

Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar  Zenith

Zenith - In the Pilots Seat

Next, Suzanne Wong sits down with Benoit de Clerck for his first interview with WorldTempus as the CEO of Zenith, and they discuss his journey to his current position, his take on leadership and what he sees as the brands greatest unexplored potential. You can catch the whole conversation here.

Three Key Trends at LVMH Watch Week

Our correspondent, Ming Liu, who was at the fair in Miami this week, delivers an expert round-up of the bustling week and shares the three key trends she spotted at LVMH Watch Week. From gem-set watches to plays on complications, get the full scoop here.

New Releases

Last but not least, for our new releases of the week (what you have all been waiting for!!), we have the Bulgari Bulgari X Lisa, two variations of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo, more variations of the Bulgari Lvcea, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Green Saxem, the Hublot Classic Fusion Orlinski, the Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon, the TAG Heuer Carrera Date Plasma Diamant dAvant-Garde, the TAG Heuer Calibre E4 Green, the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar and the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Green and gem-set variation.
Narendra Banad is an independent journalist. Views expressed are personal.
Shinie Antony is a writer and editor based in Bangalore. Her books include The Girl Who Couldn't Love, Barefoot and Pregnant, Planet Polygamous, and the anthologies Why We Dont Talk, An Unsuitable Woman, Boo. Winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Asia Prize for her story A Dogs Death in 2002, she is the co-founder of the Bangalore Literature Festival and director of the Bengaluru Poetry Festival.
A small studio called Radio Ternopil, 1997. "What can you do?" the director Oksana Yatsynovska asked the unknown Ihor Pelykh. "I can talk," he replied laconically, mentioning the only experience as a shoe repairman and a little bit of work at another radio station. As it turned out later, he was a masterful speaker, such a good one that he became a television legend, a professional journalist and producer. He didn't need scripts or preparations. Pelykh knew how to improvise...

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This year, on February 3, the presenter would have turned 50. Unfortunately, fate decreed otherwise. At 35, his life was cut short by a terrible accident in Kyiv. In an article by OBOZ.UA, we decided to recall what kind of person Ihor Pelykh was like on screen and in daily life.

Hot-tempered youth

Ihor was born in Ternopil and had a rather difficult childhood. His parents divorced, so the boy lived some time with his mother, and then his father. After finishing the 8th grade, he studied to become a shoe repairman at the Ternopil Higher Vocational School of Services and Tourism. "I remember reading a lot as a child and being a guy with a completely non-mathematical mindset. I had a hard time with the exact sciences, and if the lesson was not related to letters, I always cheated. A lot of time in my childhood was spent on the street, despite all my parents' attempts to get me to listen to some music," Pelykh described his childhood in a simple and frank way in an interview with the NGO Detector Media.

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He earned my first money at a shoe factory. At the same time, he managed to practice freestyle wrestling and play bass in the rock band Nameless. By the way, the band has trained many young and creative musicians, including Serhii Nedashkovskyi (drummer of the band S.K.A.Y.) and Oleh Lomakovskyi (formerly a drummer of the band Haidamaky, and now defending Ukrainian lands from Russian invaders with arms).

In an interview for Vsem.ua, the leader of the rock band Zorian Bezkorovainyi shared how he remembers Pelykh, "At one time, Nameless was the first band in Ukraine to perform with peculiar performances... Imagine the shock when some other strange movie was broadcast on the wall behind the musicians. This, by the way, was Ihor's idea. He really appreciated all kinds of video stuff. His passion for video at the time influenced him to become a TV journalist... He was proud, ambitious, and self-loving enough to accept help from us. Ihor achieved everything in this life on his own."

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Bezkorovainyi and Pelykh were united by something more than music. The two met in 1989 and became members of the youth organization SNUM (Union of Independent Ukrainian Youth).

"We used to paste leaflets together calling for the declaration of Ukraine's independence. As a result, we spent two days together in a Ternopil detention center, where we became true friends and like-minded people," Zorian shared his memories with Open.ua.

How he won the minds and hearts of listeners/viewers

Ihor Pelykh began his career in the media at the Ternopil Regional State Radio Company, where he hosted the youth program Veselyi Rodzher for a year. In 1997, he moved to the FM station Radio Ternopil, where he was given more freedom in the way he presented information (of course, he chose informal, sincere and relaxed reporting).

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In the late 90s, Pelykh decided to further his career, so he moved to Kyiv. In the capital, he studied at the Institute of Journalism at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv from 1998 to 1999, where he improved his skills in public speaking.

Immediately after graduation, he worked as an announcer at Radio Capital. Two years later, he became a TV presenter on the 1+1 channel, where he hosted the interactive program Ne Vsi Vdoma (he was cast thanks to his future wife, Oleksandra Lozynska, whom he met on the Internet). While the younger generation was unlikely to see these episodes, the older generation will never forget them. Even though Pelykh often joked and talked fast, he was loved for that.

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As usual, the program's guests were young Ukrainian artists, including vocalists Kuzma Scriabin, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk and TNMK. It is immodest to add that the format and presentation of the show helped these and other stars to improve their recognition. What is the secret? Ihor's unconventional, friendly communication with the guests of the program, as if there were no cameras around.

When the program was canceled, the TV presenter was not too upset and, together with his mother-in-law, came up with an interesting idea for the next show, Halopom po Evropam (on ICTV). In short, Ihor had to catch people on the streets and look for those who had a foreign passport (back in the early 2000s, not every Ukrainian had such a "treasure"). The way the host stopped passers-by deserves a movie of its own! The lucky ones had the opportunity to go on a seven-day vacation to one of the world's resorts with their beloved or with a stranger. However, they had to complete some quests before traveling.

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The new project lasted for four seasons. During this time, Ihor managed to win the hearts of a large cohort of fans. He broke stereotypes about camera filming and appropriately added tracks by Ukrainian musicians to the stories. In addition, he managed to get even the most modest strangers talking. Where did this skill come from?

"As for television, we started doing this when we were children, in Ternopil. We used to put a microphone cord and a broken camera lens into an old backpack and imitate a reporter's shooting. We approached people on the street, choosing the most prominent personalities, and asked all sorts of provocative questions while choking on their laughter. Then they would run away, laugh enough and go hunting again," said musician, composer and TV presenter Andrii "Nichlava" Pidluzhnyi, who "met" Ihor in the hospital, in an interview.

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He added, "Ihor was the same in real life as on camera, which is absolutely open, honest, cheerful... He was such a sunshine person! Ihor was also a huge patriot. He was one of the first to be taken to the police for hanging a yellow and blue flag instead of a red one! Ihor was among the students who went on hunger strike and in the forefront of the Orange Revolution."

Pelykh closed the travel project on his own initiative. The reason is that the channel's vision of the Orange Revolution was different. As viewers were waiting for a sequel, he and Fozzy (a member of the TNMK band; real name: Oleksandr Sydorenko) launched another successful show, Na Svoiu Holovu (2004-2007), and created the Rohy i Kopyta Production studio.

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The hosts became friends not only on the set but also in real life. This is evidenced by the lyrics of the song "Fidel" by TNMK, recorded in 2015, "Pelykh is still alive... I'm a child, I'm still a kid." With these words, Fozzy hints that Pelykh can remain forever alive in the hearts and memories of people who knew and loved him. In 2019, the artist released another track in honor of his friend, "Zioma, Ne Chudi". On February 3, 2023, on Ihor's birthday, Fozzy posted an archive photo of Pelykh sitting on a bed in his room, with Oleksandr Polozhynskyi, the former leader of the Tartak band, next to him. "What's up, Ihor? Happy birthday," the author wrote.

Fozzy does not forget about his friend's family. In December 2023, he pleased his fans with a new song "Znaidy Mene". The video features Ihor Pelykh's son Ivan. By the way, the 21-year-old has been defending Ukraine from the Russian invaders since the beginning of the full-scale war.

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Oleksandr Polozhynskyi, who left the Tartak band and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine (mentioned above), gave a comprehensive answer about Ihor's professionalism, "During one difficult period when Ihor was unemployed, he complained to me about dishonest TV producers to whom he offered his projects: they listened to his ideas, took the projects he had written, and then tried to implement them without him. And none of these projects were successful. This was because these producers did not understand one thing: only Pelykh could make Pelykh's project successful."

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On screen, the host often looked frivolous, but this is a misconception. In fact, he always analyzed which format would be interesting for the audience. He also filled the stories with joyful emotions (which were so needed in the turbulent noughties). Pelykh formed the budget for the programs, looked for sponsors and channels to cooperate with. How did he manage all this? This man could do anything?

"It is very important not to be afraid to delegate some authority to the team, to individuals. To give them the opportunity to feel that they are responsible for it, that they have to cope with it, that they are important. Every producer needs a "gut feeling," regardless of whether it's a producer on television or in show business," Pelykh said.

He also had bigger projects in mind (for example, filming a movie). However, he did not have time to realize these dreams... Ihor tragically died on May 8, 2009, in a car accident in Kyiv. He was a passenger in a Volkswagen Passat. The car was hit by a Honda, and Pelykh died on the spot from the injuries he sustained in the collision. He is survived by his wife, Oleksandra Lozynska, and three children, his son Ivan, and daughters Solomiia and Ustyna.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Bindu Gopal Rao is a Bengaluru-based freelance writer and photographer. Views expressed are personal. She's on Instagram @bindugopalrao
Deepali Singh is a Mumbai-based freelance journalist who writes on movies, shows, music, art, and food. Twitter: @DeepaliSingh05
The third season of White Lotus will not feature Serbian Milos Bikovic, who has built a career in Russia, supports the war, and has a passport from a terrorist country. After the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry appealed to the studio and fans bombarded the official HBO page with angry comments, the Putinist was finally removed from the cast.

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No one will be hired to take his place. According to the plot, Milos was supposed to play a Russian yogi. However, the scenes mentioning Russia will be completely rewritten, Deadline writes.

The journalists said that the Russian was supposed to play a "flirty yoga instructor and life-improvement mentor" but now the script is being changed.

"Milos Bikovic, the Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, is now going to play the lead role in season 3 of HBO's White Lotus. HBO, is it okay for you to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?" read a tweet from the Foreign Ministry published a week ago.

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It seems that HBO has since set a condition for the star: condemnation of the war or termination of the contract. Milos made his choice. He mentioned the fighting not in Ukraine but in Yugoslavia.

Regarding the genocide of Ukrainians, he used the standart narrative that "not everything is so clear" and complained about the "triumph of absurdity."

"I grew up in a country torn apart by war. When I was 11 years old, I spent days and nights in shelters while my country and my hometown were being bombed. I don't want anyone to go through that. There are more and more active wars and conflicts in the world. Everyone has their own circumstances. Everyone has their own pain," the actor said cynically.

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The Russian called the terminated contract with HBO a "targeted information campaign" and complained that external circumstances - i.e. murder, occupation, bombing of peaceful cities, ecocide, etc. - influence creative decisions and crowd out "freedom of creativity".

"The result of this narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art. My participation in the project has become impossible for reasons that go beyond creativity. I am not ready to change my principles," the Serb said, not mentioning the fact that his "stance" is to support Russia in its intentions to destroy Ukraine.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska chose a restrained look for her visit to Germany. The president's wife arrived in Berlin to take part in a press conference on mental health, psychosocial support and rehabilitation.

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Photos from the official event were published on the first lady's Telegram channel. In the pictures, you can see Zelenska's look in more detail.

This time, she chose a restrained but stylish business suit of a jacket and flared pants. The president's wife added elegant leather loafers to the look. Zelenska's hairstyle was a side parting. She also complemented the look with massive silver earrings.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets supporters as he makes a visit to a polling station on election day in the New Hampshire presidential primary in Londonderry, New Hampshire, January 23, 2024.
U.S. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown attend the dignified transfer of the remains of Army Reserve Sergeants William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffett, three U.S. service members who were killed in Jordan during a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed militants, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., February 2, 2024.
More than a century ago, the famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein proposed a "cosmological constant" in his theory of relativity, a type of energy that would ensure the stability of the universe. Subsequently, when other scientists proved that the Universe is expanding, he called his idea "the greatest mistake," but perhaps the brilliant scientist was overreacting.

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Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist and cosmologist at the Australian National University, wrote about this in an article for The Conversation. Together with his colleagues, he conducted a study to be published in the Astronomical Journal, which revealed that Einstein's idea could be very useful.

It is known that the atoms and molecules that make up humans, the Earth, and almost everything else that can be seen make up only 5% of the Universe. Another 25% is filled with mysterious "dark matter" that we can't see, but notice traces of by observing its effect on normal matter through gravity.

The remaining 70% of space is made up of "dark energy". This unknown form of energy was discovered in 1998 and is believed to be causing the universe to expand at an ever-increasing rate.

In the study, Tucker and his colleagues were able to measure the properties of dark energy in more detail than ever before. Their data suggest that Einstein's rejected error could be very close to the truth.

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General Relativity, developed by Einstein, stated that the universe must either expand or contract. The physicist decided that this was wrong, and so he introduced a "cosmological constant" into his equations, a type of energy inherent in empty space. This made it possible to balance the force of gravity and keep the Universe static.

Later, however, the physicist called this decision his "biggest mistake," as later work by Henrietta Swan Levitt and Edwin Hubble revealed that the universe was expanding.

Already in 1998, it turned out that it was not just expanding, but that this process was accelerating. This hinted that there might be something very similar to Einstein's cosmological constant - what is now commonly thought of as dark energy.

In order to measure the nature of this dark energy, scientists used supernovae and found that dark energy does not change in any way as the Universe expands. That is, it does not spread out and does not become weaker. Scientists measure it with a number called w, which was actually set by Einstein at minus 1.

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As Tucker explained, although it is quite difficult to determine, all you really need to do is find a supernova of a particular type and observe it.

In their research, the scientists studied Type Ia (read "one a") supernovae, which are white dwarf stars that often suck in matter from a neighboring star and grow until they reach a mass 1.44 times that of our Sun, and then explode.

It is the aftermath of this explosion that scientists are interested in. Since scientists know how powerful the explosion is in reality, they compare it to the power of the light seen through telescopes and thus can determine how far away from us this explosion occurred.

In total, the study, in which Tucker was a participant, lasted almost ten years. During this time, they saw the explosions of about 1500 stars.

Their calculations showed that the value of w set by Einstein at -1 is probably somewhat inaccurate.

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"We found w = -0.80  0.18, which is somewhere between -0.62 and -0.98. This is a very interesting result. It is close to -1, but not quite there. To be a cosmological constant, or the energy of empty space, it would have to be exactly -1," Tucker explained.

At the same time, he does not exclude that Einstein could still be accurate about the value of w, but the existing model of dark energy may not be complex enough. Tucker believes that perhaps scientists need a new model that would suggest that this mysterious energy can change during the life of the Universe.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Woods Creek in Sonora (File Photo 2-7-17) View Photo

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park above 5,000 feet, until 4 AM Tuesday.

Heavy snow is expected to continue above 5,000 feet. Heavier snow bands may be accompanied by snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour.

The snow levels will remain between 5,000 to 6,000 feet.

Additional snow accumulations above the 5,000 foot elevation, will range from half-a-foot to as much as seven feet. The higher you go, the more the snow.

Winds will gust as high as fifty to sixty mph. Such strong winds can cause extensive tree damage.

Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Expect travel delays, snow covered roads with possible chain controls and road closures. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Mother Lode, Mariposa County, the Yosemite National Park Valley floor and the entire San Joaquin Valley through late tonight (Monday).

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. Lines of moderate to heavy rain, along with scattered afternoon thunderstorms, will be possible today resulting in the potential for urban and small stream flooding. The heaviest additional rainfall is anticipated this afternoon and evening. Rises are expected along mainstream rivers.

Excessive runoff could result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Mud and rock slides will remain possible.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Senior BBC employee branded White people a parasitical deviant breed

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Modernity.news)

Tell us what you really think.

Dawn Queva, who is a scheduling coordinator at BBC Three, made the comments on her Facebook page. It is unclear whether they were made before or after she was hired by the BBC, which appears to have done no checks on her background.

While Queva appears to vehemently hate white people, that didnt stop her living in the UK, a country she branded bigoted and genocidal, while also referring to Britain as the UKKK, a reference to the Ku Klux Klan.

According to the BBC staffer, white people are barbaric bloodthirsty rapacious murderous genocidal thieving parasitical deviant breed who disturb the natural order of the planet.

Dawn Queva, a BBC3 senior scheduler & playout planner has been found making vile anti-Semitic comments on Facebook. She referred to Jews as "Nazi parasites" who funded a "holohoax, japhetic AshkeNazi. She called white people "a virus, barbaric & bloodthirsty". P45 time then? pic.twitter.com/fAGeDcW9lz  David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) February 2, 2024

She also called Jewish people Nazi apartheid parasites that funded a holohoax.

Ms Quevas posts were made under the name of Dawn Las Quevas-Allen on Facebook, but it has the same profile picture as her regular profile, and trade magazine Deadline reports that her identity has been confirmed, reports the Telegraph.

Quevas comments are made all the more remarkable by a story we highlighted earlier in the week.

BBC staff are being ordered not to hire anyone who refuses to embrace diversity indoctrination, meaning candidates who are dismissive of diversity and inclusion are not being considered for roles at the British broadcaster.

Recruiters are told, Dont hire [candidates who are] unsuited to the organisation if they are dismissive or derisory of diversity and inclusion and surrounding topics.

So while it rejects candidates who dont fully embrace diversity, the BBC hired a senior employee who described white people as a parasitical deviant breed and a mutant invader species.

But theyre not biased at all, honest.

Read more at: Modernity.news
A new oilfield with crude oil reserves totaling 107 million metric tons was recently discovered in the Sanmenxia basin in Central China's Henan province, marking a key milestone in the region's 50-yearlong petroleum exploration.



Although China's petroleum resources discovered so far are mainly in six major basins such as the Ordos Basin and the Tarim Basin, areas like Sanmenxia, characterized by numerous small to medium-sized basins, also boast huge potential for oil and gas exploration, said the China Geological Survey, which is undertaking the Sanmenxia project. The CGS is a bureau affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Sanmenxia discovery comes against the backdrop of China's mature oil regions gradually entering the later stages of development, which are typically marked by challenges in maintaining stable supply and high production costs. Therefore, the exploration of new oilfields holds crucial significance, experts said.

Lyu Jianzhong, deputy director of the CNPC Research Center of China Top Think Tanks, part of State-owned China National Petroleum Corp, said that currently, about 70 percent of China's crude oil consumption relies on imports. The corresponding figure for natural gas exceeds 40 percent.

"China should take measures to ensure energy security while developing new energy. It should continue to enhance domestic oil and gas exploration and development, expand petroleum and natural gas reserve capacities, and build a comprehensive production-supply-reserve-sales system," Lyu said.

Latest data from the National Energy Administration showed that in 2023, crude oil production in China reached 208 million tons, up by over 3 million tons, and by nearly 19 million tons over the 2018 level.

Last year, output of domestic oil and gas equivalent  the amount of gas and oil converted into crude oil by equaling the energy produced from the latter  exceeded 390 million tons, maintaining a rapid growth trend of over 10 million tons annually for seven consecutive years, according to the NEA.

"Under China's strong green commitment, there is a push to promote the green transformation of energy-intensive industries and actively develop new energies," Lyu said.

Last year, the NEA released an action plan to accelerate the integration of oil and gas exploration with the development of new energies. The plan called for further efforts to actively expand the scale of green electricity used by oil and gas companies.
Japan attracts not only tourists or fans of its culture, but also people who make movies. Some allow themselves to romanticize, while others stay away from traditions and look at the culture of this country from afar. But all of them somehow portray the land of cherry blossoms, the latest technologies, and the terrible tragedy in Hiroshima as they experienced it from their European or American backgrounds.

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As the film Perfect Days, which was nominated for an Oscar from Japan this year, is currently screening in Ukrainian cinemas, we have interviewed other directors and discussed how their views differ.

Wim Wenders

Oscar nominee - Perfect Days (2023)

Sunny morning Tokyo to the tunes of The Animals, Patti Smith, Velvet Underground or Nina Simone. In the middle of the glass jungle stands an inconspicuous house. Here lives Hirayama (Koji Yakusho - Memoirs of a Geisha), a toilet cleaner. Despite his seemingly unattractive life, the man finds happiness in the little things. Every morning he listens to his favorite cassettes in the car and spends the afternoon on his hobbies: photography, reading books, and growing plants. He considers every day to be perfect. But is it really so only when he is alone?

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The film was directed by Wim Wenders, a pioneer of new German cinema, known for films such as Paris, Texas and The Skies Over Berlin from the 70s. For more than 50 years, Wenders has filmed in more than ten different countries, and this is his second project in Japan. The 78-year-old director saw Tokyo as meditative, calm, and devoid of stereotypical romanticization, which is not the case with his predecessors. The Japanese liked this view so much that they nominated the film on behalf of their country for the most prestigious film award in the world, and they were right.

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Sofia Coppola

The Difficulty of Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola also saw Tokyo without unnecessary dynamics. In her eyes, it is also a city of hermits, but in this story, two people on the verge of depression meet and give each other a few unforgettable days. Bob (Bill Murray - Groundhog Day) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson - Black Widow) have come to Tokyo for different reasons. They wander the streets in the rain, spend hours in hotel rooms. Both of them can't even sleep at night, which helps the college graduate and the star get to know each other.

Through the eyes of the Oscar-winning Sofia, only people decorate the Japanese capital, add color and brightness to it. Without a native soul, it always rains there. Even so, Tokyo has a chance to be remembered as sunny.

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Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

film Babylon (2006)

In his star-studded film, the Spanish director intertwines four storylines. Each of them takes place in a different country. The stories of characters who do not know each other intertwine. The Japanese storyline revolves around a girl with a hearing impairment who lacks attention. She lives with her father after her mother's suicide and, having accidentally met a detective, tries to seduce him.

Inarritu resorts to anime culture and seeks to show Japan as a cluster of people, money, and secrets. But, as in all other lines, the main thing here is to listen to understand. And even in a noisy Japanese city, this is important.

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Quentin Tarantino

action movie Kill Bill. Movie 1 (2003)

Another Tokyo story opens with the Chinese thinker Sun Tzu's statement "Revenge is a dish best served cold." The story then revolves around a bride who wakes up from a four-year coma. The child she was carrying in her womb is gone. Now she must take revenge on the team of assassins who betrayed her - the team she once was a part of. Japan through the eyes of the classic American action movie is a geisha with a machete, although the fights here take place in any corner of the planet.

Alain Resnais

adaptation of Hiroshima, I Love You (1959)

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The French New Wave did not ignore Japanese history either. Based on a screenplay by French writer Marguerite Duras, this black-and-white love story is set in postwar Hiroshima. A French actress and a Japanese architect spend a couple of nights in a hotel, knowing that their story has no continuation.

In his first film, Alain Resnais has created a unique work of cinema that combines existential questions, innovation in cinematic language and a socio-political message that he dared to show the world. What is Japan like after the Hiroshima explosion? And what is love if the world is full of death?
Bizarre SATANIC tapestry displayed at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos goes viral

A bizarre and disturbing work of "art" prominently displayed at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) recent summit in Davos, Switzerland has gone viral.

The mural dubbed the Walthamstow Tapestry was made in 2009 by Grayson Perry, a cross-dressing contemporary artist. Depicted in the style of cave paintings and hieroglyphs, it chronicles the life journey of a man from birth until death  replete with personified corporations he encountered along the way. The tapestry begins with the birth of a baby along a river of blood that eventually flows into the waiting mouth of the Devil, ending in the death of an old man.

"I've always been interested in the pilgrimage, in the journey and the idea of the journey through life," Perry said in 2012 while at the Victoria Miro Gallery in London, when asked about the tapestry.

"And then I thought about: Is this the kind of shopping trip of life? The kind of glossy, sort of meaningless trek from one department store to another that is modern Western consumerism."

According to a write-up about the tapestry, it's design "brings to mind its most famous medieval precursor  the Bayeaux Tapestry." The work is also replete with mentions of brand names including Coca-Cola, the Sotheby's auction house, Red Bull energy drink, Aldi supermarket and the BBC.

The tapestry's existence was divulged by journalist Larry Alex Taunton, who went undercover at the WEF summit in Davos. According to him, the said artwork was featured at the summit's dining hall. "These bleak and death-themed works of art are just the kind these elites love to surround themselves with," InfoWars commented.

Social media users comment on the tapestry

Following Taunton's expose, the tapestry gained a lot of attention on social media. Several users put in their two cents on the satanic art piece.

"Why would they put [that] up as a decoration?" asked user @ErikaLLJ on X. "You'd think it would make some attendees get a clue. So oddly blatant."

User @NotTinaKotex remarked: "How much did all these [corporations] pay for that product placement?" Their comments came as a response to a post by user @JebraFaushay, who challenged "all culture and art critics" to analyze the tapestry.

Two users took up the challenge. @mS52680571 stated that the tapestry centered on three things  corporations, abortion and population control. Meanwhile, @orwellshandmaid commented: "The message is clear. In fact, explicitly clear  it's satanic."

User @IngaBingaBoo had a more humorous take on the piece, writing: "It looks like Satan went on a bad acid trip and broke out the paint." But @grilli_deborah pointed out that the tapestry reminded her of the murals at Denver International Airport (DIA). The murals at the DIA appear to envision various globalist goals, foremost of them is the depopulation of humanity under the guise of "protecting nature."

"The murals  tell a terrifying story of future events about to happen, as if it was some sort of prophecy," the Vigilant Citizen noted. "There are specific social and political references and other occult details that basically turn those paintings into a New World Order Manifesto."

Head over to Satanism.news to read more stories like this.

Watch this clip about a Satanic witch doctor appearing at the WEF 2024 summit in Davos.

This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Top Archbishop: WEF plotting global coup to enforce Great Reset.

Marine LePens Impassioned plea in the dark shadow of the WEF.

Globalist WEF claims MISINFO and DISINFO are the greatest threats to humanity.

Why 2024 will be the year of chaos.

WEF globalist Yuval Harari hints that Trump will get elected, but then what?

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

ParagonPress.co.uk

VigilantCitizen.com

Brighteon.com
COVID injections confirmed to weaken immunity, cause brain disorders and cancer

Thein Thailand published a piece recently that exposes Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" for causing all sorts of serious health issues, including autoimmunity, brain disorders and cancer.

Receiving multiple COVID injections, i.e., a double-dose mRNA (modRNA) from Pfizer-BioNTech followed by a "booster," can cause all sorts of health horrors to manifest, potentially resulting in early death.

The leading English-language daily newspaper in both print and digital formats in Thailand, the Bangkok Post is doing the Lord's work by sharing these truths with its roughly 16.7 million readers.

The fact that the Bangkok Post even published this kind of article at all is surprising, considering the paper teamed up with the New York Times in 2021 to produce a supplement, as well as with The Wall Street Journal to produce articles for its daily business section.

"This places the Bangkok Post firmly in corporate media territory," commented The Expose (United Kingdom).

The article in question, entitled "Long COVID, vaccines may cause disease and death: Chula, Rangsit," is centered around a study. It is worth a full read, and worth the support of your click.

(Related: Did you know that the "fully vaccinated" for COVID are now developing a new mystery disease called VAXES syndrome?)

Kudos to the Bangkok Post for telling the truth

The study the Bangkok Post article centers around points out that far too many medical professionals are blaming post-injection health woes on the SARS-CoV-2 "virus," which is often an incorrect diagnosis.

"Persistent physical symptoms after COVID-19 infection should not be automatically ascribed to SARS-CoV-2; a complete medical evaluation may be needed to prevent erroneously attributing symptoms to the virus," the paper reads.

Another common error in post-injection poor health diagnoses is the standard claim among medical professionals that it must be "long" COVID, even though so-called long COVID was never associated with the types of extreme symptoms showing up exclusively in the fully jabbed.

"It is perhaps among the first of the corporate media outlets in the world to publicise the harms caused by COVID injections and their cover-up without vilifying those who are raising the alarm as 'conspiracy theorists,'" The Expose further noted about the laudability of the Bangkok Post for daring to speak truth to the world.

A special thanks also goes to Prof. Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, director of the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, as well as Panthep Puapongphan, dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, also in Thailand. These two gentlemen are behind the research in question, which reveals secret efforts by the powers that be to hide data about the number of people damaged and killed by COVID so-called "vaccines."

"As a result, many people are unaware that the COVID 'vaccines' have adversely affected them and they have not been able to find proper treatment," notes The Expose.

The Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University also found in an evaluation of 100 cases of COVID that occurred in people who were fully jabbed that they developed weak T-cell immunity, suggesting the shots are destroying people's health, not improving it.

Numerous studies from other countries have similarly found that COVID jabs are killing people by destroying their heart, blood and respiratory systems.

"Prof. Thiravat and Panthep also said that Thailand's mortality rate has risen compared to levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic," The Expose further commented on the study. "They urged for an investigation to establish whether the increase in deaths was related to COVID injections."

More related news about the consequences of participation in Operation Warp Speed can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

BangkokPost.com

NaturalNews.com
PATRIOTS UNITE: DeSantis deploys Florida National Guard to help Texas counterparts secure the southern border

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the deployment of the Florida National Guard (FNG) to "assist" the Texas National Guard (TNG) in securing the southern border.

DeSantis made the announcement on Feb. 1. Up to 1,000 FNG members, alongside members of the Florida State Guard, will be sent to the Lone Star State "based on Texas' needs." The move forms part of Florida's effort to aid Texas in its efforts to stop the invasion at the southern border.

"States have every right to defend their sovereignty, and we are pleased to increase our support to Texas as the Lone Star State works to stop the invasion across the border," the Florida governor said in a statement. "Our reinforcements will help Texas to add additional barriers, including razor wire, along the border. We don't have a country if we don't have a border."

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared an invasion in his state amid a surge in border crossings by illegal aliens. He doubled down on this declaration in recent weeks, most especially after the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents are allowed to remove razor-wire state law enforcement has installed at the border. Thankfully, the USBP has refused to comply with the order  and has even helped Texas in border security. (Related: Border Patrol defies Bidens orders by REFUSING to remove Texas razor wire barriers  and adding MORE.)

DeSantis and several Republican governors have since announced their full support of Abbott's actions after the TNG appeared to ignore the Supreme Court ruling. The Lone Star State is currently in a battle with the federal government, which has advocated for an open-border policy under President Joe Biden.

Not the first time Florida extended a helping hand

According to The Hill, this is not the first time Florida has sent its forces to the southern border. "Last year, DeSantis announced his state was sending troops and personnel from state agencies to Texas to help 'defend' itself at the border. Florida has sent direct law enforcement and military assistance to Texas since 2021, the DeSantis administration noted in the [Feb. 1] announcement," the outlet reported.

Last May, DeSantis posted on X: "We are proud to help Texas fight Biden's border crisis." The post came as a response to Abbott's earlier remark that said: "FNG service members arrived in Texas over the weekend; thank you to Gov. DeSantis for deploying troops to support our border response. While Biden refuses to secure the border, we've stepped up to fill the gaps he created."

The governor of the Lone Star State said TNG members are assisting in reinforcing areas of the border that otherwise lack a physical barrier. The guardsmen are combating a flow of illegal immigrants that continues to outpace those recorded in the previous two years. Fortunately, several GOP-led states have recently announced efforts to send troops, law enforcement and other resources to help stop the surge at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Earlier in May, the Florida governor announced that the Sunshine State was deploying more than 1,100 resources available to assist. These included 101 officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, 200 officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 800 guardsmen and emergency management personnel. Also included were 17 unmanned drones and 10 vessels, including airboats.

The impacts of Biden's border crisis are felt by communities across the nation, and the federal government's abdication of duty undermines the sovereignty of our country and the rule of law," DeSantis remarked.

"At my direction, state agencies  including law enforcement and the FNG  are being deployed to Texas, with assets including personnel, boats and planes. While Biden ignores the crisis he created, Florida stands ready to help Texas respond to this crisis."

Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories about the border war between Texas and the federal government.

Watch this clip of TNG troopers preventing USBP agents from accessing Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas.

This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden regime threatens WAR with Texas over border security: "Give us access, or else."

Texas takes control of park in Eagle Pass along the U.S.-Mexico border to halt endless flow of migrants.

TEXAS takes over: Biden asks SCOTUS to stop Gov. Abbott from blocking his Border Patrol in Eagle Pass.

DeSantis: Florida National Guard "proud to help" Texas counterparts in addressing Biden-inflicted BORDER CRISIS.

BORDER FEUD: Democrats call on Biden to seize control of Texas National Guard to ensure an endless INVASION by illegals.

Sources include:

TheHill.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Elon Musk Goes to Auschwitz: How an otherwise smart man keeps missing the key lesson of the Holocaust

The worlds richest man has visited one of the worlds darkest places. Elon Musk has gone to Auschwitz  to be precise, to the museum that preserves the memory of the Nazi camp in that location.

(Article republished from RT.com)

A whole complex of camps  which combined mass murder with brutal slave-labor  Auschwitz played a key role in the Holocaust, the genocide of Jews committed by Germany (with some help from others) between 1933 and 1945.

The background of Musks visit is simple: Last year, the tech billionaire got himself into serious  and well-deserved  trouble by retweeting and endorsing an anti-Semitic tweet on X, the powerful social media platform (formerly known as Twitter) that he took over in 2022. Since then, he has been on what the New York Times gloatingly calls his rehabilitation (as in criminal) and penitence (as in sinner) tour.

He has called his own nasty tweet literally the worst and dumbest post Ive ever done. He has gone to Israel and de facto helped its government in its propaganda effort to justify its ongoing genocidal attack on the Palestinians. And now he has visited Auschwitz in an attempt to signal that he understands the gravity of anti-Semitism and what it led to, namely, a genocide. Contradictory? Indeed. We will get back to that.

Lets get one thing out of the way: Lets not simply assume that Musk is nothing but a deliberate and complete opportunist, doing anything he calculates he has to do in order to mitigate the consequences of his endorsement of an antisemitic message. Lets instead give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that, like most of us, he is acting out of both base and sincere (not the same as ethically correct!) motives. While (again like most of us) rationalizing away his more sordid motivations and idealizing himself as simply true to himself (as he has tweeted).

Once we see him as ordinary in that sense, then, clearly  and without any undue tech-hero worship or billionaire vilification  this is an important moment: Because it is not so much about Musk personally (although he gets no free pass on his great personal failure). Instead, it is about a pathological but also morally reprehensible blindness in much of the societies that make up, to use two shorthands, the West or the Global North, and especially among their elites.

For Musk could easily have shown a true and genuinely compassionate understanding of what the lessons of the Holocaust are. Imagine the richest man in the world, who also has a lot of cultural (in the wider and more important sense of that word) and political influence, going to Auschwitz and saying one simple and (moderately) courageous thing: The lesson of the Holocaust is indeed never again. And that never, actually, means never: never and to no one and by no one. Hence, the best  and, really, the only  way to honor the memory of the victims of the German genocide of the Jews is to now stand with the victims of the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians.

But Musk, probably very predictably, did no such thing. Instead, he took along the well-known right-wing talking head Ben Shapiro, who has recently spent much of his usual venom on running interference for Israels great crime. Once again, I cannot help but agree with Jackson Hinkel. His conclusion was spot-on: The visit to Auschwitz  a site to remember a horrific genocide in the past  was perversely instrumentalized to make us forget a genocide in our own time.

How did this happen? And how did Musk end up in such a low farce?

Regarding his initial anti-Semitic tweet, Musk is now pleading ignorance. Or, in his own words, he has come to feel that he used to be naive about the extent of anti-Semitism. That is, on the face of it, a commendably frank admission. Its shameful for a man of his age (and means) to choose to be so ill-informed for so long. Maybe theres some merit in being open about it now.

Yet, in reality, his admission also betrays that he is not honest enough to face the root of his own moral failure: If he used to be naive about how much anti-Semitism there is, then he should avoid being (or appearing?) even more naive now.

But he is. Musk, in his obsessive crusade against wokeness sometimes invokes George Orwell, whom  I suspect  he has never read, like most libertarians and other right-wingers who misunderstand that complicated socialist as their guru. Orwell would have kicked Musks behind, very hard. Because Musk is right about one thing: He hated lying. Yet, here is Musk lending his considerable influence to three big lies:

First, that criticizing Israel is the same as anti-Semitism. That is a blatant untruth, repeated ad nauseam around his visit to Auschwitz. And he himself has endorsed it explicitly by joining the chorus of those who smear US students  from whose guts and sense of right and wrong Musk could learn  who come out to resist Israels apartheid and genocide, as simply supporting Hamas and sponsoring hate.

The second big lie Musk is now helping to spread is that the opposite of anti-Semitism is relentless support for an Israeli state that is run by a far-right government that systematically and massively abuses millions of Palestinians  including by killing tens of thousands of their civilians  and openly defies basic morality and international law. In reality, the opposite of anti-Semitism is, of course, to resist and reject all forms of murderous stereotyping. Always, everywhere, and against everyone. You never side with the stereotypers and the perpetrators. No, not even those who claim to represent former victims. (And, by the way, it doesnt matter if you feel aspirationally Jewish, as Musk now tells us he does. There are many Jews  real ones, not the aspirational type, freshly fine-tuned by Ben Shapiro  who are opposed to Israels crimes, too.)

And the third big lie Musk is supporting now is that the memory of the Holocaust is the property of Zionists to do with as they please. And what they want is always the same: Namely, use it to shut down any resistance to their own agenda.

Again, lets assume that Musk genuinely aspires to be more than a humdrum conformist adjusting to pressure. After all, he prides himself on knowing his own mind, doing his own thing, and pursuing the truth. Lets take these claims seriously, not because they reflect much reality but because he shares them with many others in the West (even if they are less blunt about their self-adulation). How does such a personality reconcile this flattering self-image with such obvious intellectual inconsistency and moral failure?

By not perceiving the equal humanity of others. There are, for Musk, clearly, always those who matter and those who dont. Recall, for instance, that the anti-Semitic tweet he endorsed was also a mean, racist complaint about migrants, who were caricatured as nothing but a tool to demographically attack white societies. Yet Musk is now on his penitence tour to show contrition to Jews (as he should, just not the way he does), but not to migrants. See a pattern?

Recall also that one reason Musk has given for his former underestimating of the virulence of anti-Semitism is that so many of his friends are Jews (so that anti-Semitism does not appear much among them, he says). I doubt, Musk has  or cares to make  many Palestinian friends. And the Palestinian victims in Gaza (and elsewhere) simply do not matter enough for him to be worth mentioning in Auschwitz, which is precisely where they must be mentioned, because Auschwitz is not only about the Holocaust but about all genocides as well.

Palestinian victims also have not mattered enough to Musk to utter one word of regret for his much worse than misguided photo-ops and sit-downs with the Israeli perpetrators while their genocide was already on its way. Musk can  as he is now showing  be (or pretend to be?) humble. But, it seems, only when under pressure from those he fears, not from his own conscience.

The ultimate tragedy (if that is the word) of Elon Musk  and so many like him  is that he is far less special or individualist than he believes. His lazy lack of attention to  and empathy for  those who do not have the power to bother and push him is the sign of a deeply ordinary personality responding to very ordinary stimuli. One day he may realize that being true to oneself is a primitive, petty motto worthy only of an immature narcissist. (Shakespeare hinted at that fact by making an idiot say it.) If Musk could learn to, instead, be true to his conscience and to what other humans justly deserve, all other humans  now that would be the beginning of progress. The richest man in the world surely has the means for some genuine self-improvement. The good news: Its all still ahead of him. Less Netanyahu, more, say, Ali Abunimah and Norman Finkelstein; less Shapiro, much more Kant would be my prescription.

Read more at: RT.com
Mexican Defense Department seeks probe on how cartels acquired high-grade U.S. weapons

Mexico's top diplomat is demanding an urgent investigation into how military-grade weapons such as belt-fed machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades are being found in the hands of Mexican drug cartels . Said weapons are not sold for civilian use in the United States.

"The [Mexican] Defense Department has warned the United States about weapons entering Mexico that are for the exclusive use of the U.S. army," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena said. "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out."

The Associated Press reported that as per the Mexican army, back in June, it had seized 221 fully automatic machine guns, 56 grenade launchers and a dozen rocket launchers from drug cartels since late 2018. In the same month, Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said five rocket launchers had been found in the possession of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, four were seized from the rival Sinaloa cartel and three more were seized from other cartels. Sandoval did not specifically say the weapons were from U.S. military stockpiles.

#Mexico ??: A noteable video allegedly shows members of Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (#CJNG Cartel) in #Jalisco. A member of the cartel seemingly fires a noteable RPG-7 Launcher with 85mm PG-7V projectile quite interesting to see. pic.twitter.com/IvhMN9GWF4  War Noir (@war_noir) January 1, 2023

The Mexican government estimates that 70 percent of the weapons trafficked into Mexico come from the U.S., according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Kristina Mastropasqua, a spokesperson for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), told Fox News Digital that weapons like this present an extreme danger when they land in the hands of criminals. "A danger not only to the public but to the law enforcement agents on both sides of the border as well," she further warned. (Related: CONFIRMED: Mexican cartels are now INSIDE the U.S. forming gangs and SNIPER NESTS to take out Americans.)

"Operation Southbound is ATF's primary operational initiative to disrupt the trafficking of firearms from the United States to Mexico," Mastropasqua explained. It is focused on the four southwest border states, she said, as the majority of the firearms being trafficked to Mexico originate from there, but it is not exclusive to just those states. "Cross-border firearms trafficking is diffuse, does not only occur on the border, and does not always include dozens of firearms being illegally transported at once; often only a few are trafficked, and they originate in states far from the southwest border," she added.

Meanwhile, U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar confirmed Monday that Mexican officials had brought up the issue at meetings last week, and while he had not been aware of the problem, he pledged the United States would look into it. "We are going to look into it, we are committed to working with Sedena [Mexico's Defense Department] to see what's going on, Salazar said.

Barcena, describing talks on immigration and security last week with U.S. officials, also said the United States is planning to announce sanctions against airlines and transportation companies that move migrants to South and Central America and through Mexico to the U.S. border. "The United States said it was going to impose sanctions on South American and Central American companies that are transporting migrants irregularly, and they want us to do the same," the Mexican diplomat said. "The [Mexican] Interior Department is going to call on the bus and airline companies, but we don't want them [the United States] to act unilaterally."

American appeals court revives Mexico's $10B lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers

The $10 billion lawsuit that seeks to hold manufacturers responsible for coordinating weapons trafficking to drug cartels across the U.S.-Mexico border has just been revived by the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It overturned a lower-court judge's decision dismissing the case because a U.S. law barred Mexico from suing Smith & Wesson Brands, Sturm, Ruger & Co. and others.

That law, the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), provides the firearms industry broad protection from lawsuits over their products' misuse.

Per Mexico's lawyers, the law only bars lawsuits over injuries that occur in the U.S. and does not shield the seven manufacturers and one distributor it sued from liability over the trafficking of guns to Mexican criminals.

Judge William Kayatta said that while the law can be applied to lawsuits by foreign governments, the lawsuit "plausibly alleges a type of claim that is statutorily exempt from the PLCAA's general prohibition," adding that that was because the law was only designed to protect lawful firearms-related commerce, yet Mexico had accused the companies of aiding and abetting illegal gun sales by facilitating the trafficking of firearms into the country.

Barcena lauded the decision and called the ruling "great news" via a post on X, formerly Twitter. The country's U.S. attorney Steve Shadowen called it "an important step forward in holding the gun industry accountable." "It should now be clear that those who contribute to gun violence must face legal consequences, regardless of borders," Shadowen said in a statement.

Meanwhile, representatives for the gunmakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories related to human and gun trafficking to and from the United States.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

APNews.com

FoxNews.com

TheGuardian.coma
Poll: Majority of Americans believe COVID-19 vaccines caused a significant number of unexplained deaths

A recent poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports reveals that 53 percent of American adults believe it is likely that side effects from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine have " caused a significant number of unexplained deaths ."

The survey, conducted between Jan. 7 and 9 on 1,133 American adults, shows a four-point increase from 2022 in the number of Americans who believe that the vaccines may be linked to unexplained deaths in the United States.

Now, 30 percent of respondents said it is "very likely" that the vaccines are connected, in contrast to just 16 percent who find it "not at all likely" that a significant number of deaths can be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccines. Another 11 percent remain unsure, while the rest either find it slightly likely or unlikely that the vaccines are involved.

Moreover, the results show that 24 percent of the respondents claim to "personally know someone" whom they believe died due to COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects. This is a substantial increase from the 28 percent reported a year ago. Meanwhile, 61 percent stated they don't personally know someone with such an experience, and 10 percent remain uncertain. (Related: Survey reveals most Americans WONT get new COVID-19 booster shots.)

The survey also shed light on broader perceptions of vaccine safety, with 54 percent expressing doubts about the supposed safety of the vaccines. Another 33 percent believe that respondents expressing concerns about vaccine safety are only "spreading conspiracy theories," while the remaining 13 percent are uncertain.

Ladapo: mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have a terrible safety profile

In a press conference held in March 2023, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo warned the public about the safety profile of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and questioned the necessity of their administration.

"These vaccines have a terrible safety profile. I'm not sure anyone should be taking them; that is the honest truth," Ladapo stated.

He rebuked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for "denying the truth," and criticized their policies, particularly the vaccination of children for COVID-19.

Ladapo cited a study published in the Lancet to prove his point about COVID-19 vaccines. The study found that vaccinated individuals faced a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to their unvaccinated counterparts over time.

"They showed that after seven months, the protection from an infection started around 70 percent, [then it goes] down, down, down. At seven months, it hops onto the other side of the axis. So, it is negative, and that continues. The magnitude of that negativity increases over time. That is a fact; has the CDC or FDA ever said a word about that? No," Ladapo said.

Moreover, Ladapo issued a health alert on the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in February of the same year based on the data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The statistics from the VAERS revealed a significant increase in adverse events in Florida after the rollout of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

"In Florida alone, there was a 1,700 percent increase in VAERS reports after the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to an increase of 400 percent in overall vaccine administration for the same time period," the alert stated.

Head over to BadMedicine.news for more stories about the dangers of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo expound on the mRNA COVID-19 injections' "terrible safety profile" below.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

COVID-19 vaccine data administrator reveals deaths related to bad batch of Pfizer shots.

Florida surgeon general: mRNA COVID shots have TERRIBLE safety profile.

Insurance industry CRUMBLING amid covid vaccine excess deaths and massive investment losses.

State surgeon general EXPOSES DNA fragments in experimental COVID shots, sounds alarm.

Dr. Peter McCullough: COVID shots should be taken completely off the market.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalHealth365.com

Brighteon.com
Texas showdown with the federal government continues as Gov. Abbott says state is prepared to handle potential Biden federalization of state national guard

One of the latest threats from the Biden regime against Texas concerning the crisis at the southern border involves federalizing the Texas National Guard, a move that Gov. Greg Abbott says he is "prepared" to deal with should the federal government decide to take that antagonistic route.

On January 22, the United States Supreme Court ruled that federal agents cannot be blocked by Texas from removing razor wire that was set up along the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, a Texas border town separate from Mexico by the Rio Grande River.

SCOTUS basically ordered Texas to remove the razor wire, or allow Customs and Border Control (CBP) to remove the razor wire, but Abbott is not budging. He says he will never "back down from our efforts to secure the border," regardless of what D.C. says.

After Abbott stated this, Democrats everywhere started calling on the Biden regime to federalize the National Guard, which would prevent Texas from utilizing it to protect its own border with Mexico.

(Related: No matter what the Biden regime does or does not do, Gov. Abbott is promising to secure his state's southern border with Mexico.)

Biden's war on America

Abbott recently appeared with Tucker Carlson for an interview in which he was asked what he plans to do should the Biden regime federalize the Texas National Guard.

"Well, first, I'd be shocked," Abbott told Carlson. "That would be a boneheaded move on his part  total disaster. For one, as you might imagine, we are prepared in the event that that unlikely event does occur to make sure that we will be able to continue exactly what we've been doing over the past month, and that is building these barriers."

"Whatever we've been building, the Biden administration is now trying to attack us because of it, and we will continue to do exactly what we're doing to expand our denial of illegal entry into the state of Texas."

Holy smokes. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he is prepared in the event Biden attempts to take control of the Texas National Guard. That would be a boneheaded move on his part, a total disaster, Abbott said. We are prepared, in the event that that unlikely event does pic.twitter.com/l4BhiWzWbP  The Vigilant Fox ? (@VigilantFox) January 26, 2024

Abbott clarified that state forces were already at the Texas border with Mexico long before all of this, but that only in recent days has the situation received the type of attention it is now receiving, which is leading other states to send their forces in to help as well.

"There've been about 10 [states] so far that have sent National Guard or other law enforcement," Abbott said. "They now are joined together with us. This is a fight for the future of America, and they all know it. And so, I believe that they will all be in on this effort."

In a separate interview with Bloomberg, Abbott stated that Texas is now "adding more razor wire as we speak right now to make sure that we are doing even more to secure the border."

"There would be times when the federal government does not do its job, and states have a right to self-defense," Abbott added, specifying that what Texas is now doing fully aligns with the U.S. Constitution, and specifically Article IV, Section 4, which deals with states that have to protect themselves against an "invasion."

President Biden's failure, Abbott continued, effectively triggered Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution, "which reserves to this state the right of self-defense."

The latest news about the showdown between Texas and the feds can be found at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
They dont want a nation of critical thinkers

When you read quotes from H.L. Mencken and John D. Rockefeller from over a century ago describing how government schools, in conspiracy with Big Business, had the sole purpose of matriculating non-thinking, non-questioning, standardized robotic workers into the workforce, you understand why the country is in such a state of degeneracy, degradation, debt, and dumbed down state of infantilism. This didnt happen over night.

(Article republished from TheBurningPlatform.com)

It was a plan implemented methodically over the last century by those controlling the levers of society. They were described succinctly by Edward Bernays in his 1928 book Propaganda as:

Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.

These men operate in the shadows; have enormous wealth which they use to buy politicians, academics, government bureaucrats, the media, international organizations, and technological platforms; and have a primary objective of increasing their wealth, power and control, while enslaving the working class in debt, and keeping them distracted with high tech bread and circuses. Even though a few slip through their net, educate themselves, think critically, question everything, and distrust their government, they probably comprise less than 5% of the population.

After decades of government indoctrination, propaganda, disinformation, and Big Corporation poisoning of mind and body, the ignorant masses have become so mentally and physically debilitated they are incapable of comprehending how they have been manipulated and misled and unequipped to revolt against their captors. The covid/vaccine scamdemic was the ultimate test, and the ignorant masses failed miserably. The noose is tightening and they are still focused on Taylor Swift, the stock market, climate change, border invasion, and ongoing presidential political clown show.

They have a number of irons in the fire to utilize in taking away more of your liberties, freedoms, rights, and wealth. These irons include: possible war with Iran, Russia, and China; possible civil war initiated with Texas over the border invasion; the fake climate emergency; Disease X or some other fake health crisis; denying Trump the presidency in 2024 through illegal means; and whatever financial crisis they create as cover for more pillaging the national treasury.

The Great Taking/Great Reset is real. They want it all and they will take it, if we let them. You will own nothing, if they have their way. They have the power and will not relinquish it willingly. The power will need to be reclaimed through the use of force, cunning, and surprise. We cant let them set the rules of the conflict. The 5% constituting the critical thinkers will need to convince a portion of the ignorant masses to start thinking. We will need to throw sand into the gears of their machinery. The middle level bureaucrats doing the bidding of the elite ruling class, will need to worry about whether they will make it home at night to their families. Removing ourselves from their system will further degrade their system.

Apathy and passivity are no longer possible when they are trying to strip you of your wealth and force you into their digital gulag of CBDCs and social credit scores. Obedience to corrupt, powerful, psychopaths who want us dead is an unacceptable choice for me. Voting is absolutely worthless at this point. The politicians are not running anything. The system has been rigged to benefit the few, while impoverishing the rest. When they pull the plug on this system, they have legally arranged for all the wealth to be consolidated in their hands. We know what they want. The question is whether we allow it to happen.

Read more at: TheBurningPlatform.com
Toyota issues do not drive advisory for 50,000 U.S. vehicles due to faulty Takata airbag inflators

Toyota Motor Corporation has advised owners of approximately 50,000 vehicles in the United States not to drive their cars due to potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators

The advisory, released on Jan. 25, specifies a range of affected models, including certain 2003-2004 Corollas, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix and 2004-2005 RAV4s equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators.

"Owners should not drive these vehicles until the free safety recall repair has been conducted. Toyota urges owners to contact their local dealer instead of driving their vehicle to be repaired," Toyota said in a media statement.

According to Toyota, the affected vehicles fall into two categories: the RAV4 recall specifically involves the driver-side airbag, while the recalls for Corolla and Corolla Matrix models pertain to the front passenger airbag. Some Corolla and Corolla Matrix models are also subject to a second notice due to concerns that the airbag could deploy without the impact of a crash.

"Certain airbags found in the subject vehicles are under an URGENT airbag safety recall. Due to the age of the vehicles, if the airbag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers," Toyota stated.

Toyota advises owners not to drive these vehicles until the necessary safety recall repair has been conducted. The company urges affected individuals to contact their local Toyota dealer immediately for assistance, providing options such as arranging a tow, mobile repair or other alternatives that do not involve driving the vehicle. An online tool is also available for owners to check if their vehicle is part of the recall. The do not drive advisory follows a series of similar warnings from other automakers, including Honda and Chrysler parent company Stellantis. (Related: HAZARDOUS AIRBAG: General Motors faces recall of 20 million vehicles.) Takata airbag issue has been haunting the automotive industry for over a decade

The Takata airbag issue has been haunting the automotive industry for over a decade now, resulting in the largest auto safety recall in history. The Takata airbag issue first surfaced in 2013, triggering a domino effect of recalls by more than 20 automakers globally and encompassing a staggering 100 million inflators. The problem lies in the propellant of the infiltrator, volatile ammonium nitrate, which can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. This degradation can lead to an explosive deployment upon activation, propelling shrapnel into the vehicle cabin and causing severe injuries or fatalities. The Takata airbag crisis reached its nadir in 2017 when Takata Corporation filed for bankruptcy. Investigations revealed the use of ammonium nitrate as a propellant, and subsequent recalls unveiled the magnitude of the safety hazard. Since 2009, these faulty Takata airbags have been linked to at least 33 deaths worldwide, with 24 of them occurring in the United States.

Learn more about cars and their possible defects at RoboCars.news. Watch this video that talks about the electric car scam.

This video is from the KevinJJohnston channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

BMW issues "do not drive" order for 90,000 vehicles due to defective airbags that can explode metal fragments into your face.

EV owners complain about "logistical nightmare" caused by lack of charging stations.

Ford halts production and shipping of F-150 Lightning EV due to unspecified battery issue.

Biden infrastructure bill includes provision to install KILL SWITCHES in new cars beginning in 2026.

Trial involving Tesla's autopilot could decide if tech or driver is responsible for fatal crashes.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

ZeroHedge.com
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov tells EU counterparts: Ukraine is OUTGUNNED 3-to-1 by Russia

Ukraine has issued a dire warning to its allies, highlighting a critical shortage of artillery shells in the face of Russia's overwhelming firepower.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, in a letter to his European Union (EU) counterparts, emphasized the significant numerical disadvantage his forces are confronting amid Russia's threefold increase in daily firepower along the extensive frontlines.

The document, seen by Bloomberg, noted that Ukraine can only deploy around 2,000 shells daily, less than one-third of Russia's ammunition usage. (Related: German reporter: Frontline situation is becoming increasingly disastrous for Ukraine.)

Umerov urgently appealed to EU allies to fulfill their commitment to supply one million artillery rounds, stressing that it is imperative for Ukraine to match its adversary's firepower. He underscored the pivotal role of ammunition in determining the outcome of battles, emphasizing that the side with superior firepower tends to prevail.

Acknowledging the severity of Ukraine's weapons shortages, Umerov implored EU allies to escalate their support.

However, the EU conceded on Wednesday, Jan. 31, that it would only deliver approximately half of the pledged shells by the March deadline, committing to provide an additional 600,000 rounds by year-end.

The document revealed that Ukraine's monthly requirement of 200,000 155mm shells, while estimates from Estonia indicated that Moscow is poised to acquire nearly double that amount, including supplies from North Korea.

In response, the EU announced plans to enhance its annual shell production capacity to one million rounds, with a projection to double it to two million by 2025.

The United States is also intensifying its efforts to assist Ukraine in meeting its pressing artillery needs.

As early as December, Ukrainian forces on the front lines were contending with a severe shortage of artillery shells, leading some units to curtail planned offensives and raising concerns about the sustainability of Kyiv's defense against ongoing Russian attacks.

Ammo shortage adds to heightened anxiety in Kyiv

The scarcity of ammunition has added to the heightened anxiety in the Ukrainian capital, particularly as U.S. and European aid is facing delays, compounded by the onset of winter conditions.

Soldiers have reported strict limits on the number of shells allocated for each target, significantly diminishing their operational capacity. A member of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade pointed out the exhaustion among troops, emphasizing that while motivation remains high, numerical advantages and weaponry are deteriorating.

The constrained ammunition supply has prompted a shift in military tactics, with a focus on defense and a reevaluation of operational tasks. Artem, a gunner in the 148th Artillery Brigade, highlighted a dramatic reduction in shell usage, indicating a potential inability to suppress advancing forces.

Ukraine has been grappling with insufficient shell supplies since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in February 2022, exacerbating challenges on the front lines.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the existing shortage during a year-end news conference. The delays in foreign aid, including the stalling of a proposed $60 billion aid package by the U.S., have added hurdles amid ongoing Russian offensives.

Soldiers stationed at the front have not observed a corresponding shortage of artillery shells on the Russian side, indicating Moscow's sustained military production and effective subversion of sanctions.

The lack of international support for Ukraine has created additional obstacles ahead of the winter holidays, with Russia continuing efforts to advance on multiple fronts and target Ukrainian cities.

Despite Ukraine's dependency on external aid, the country is making efforts to enhance domestic weapons manufacturing. Plans include producing 1 million first-person-view drones and various mid- and long-range weapons.

While external support remains crucial, Ukraine recognizes the need to bolster its self-reliance amid challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.

The urgency of the situation highlights the complex dynamics on the ground and the critical importance of timely and sufficient aid to sustain Ukraine's defense efforts.

Watch Ukraine seeks PR wins as West admits war may be lost.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukraine's barbaric Donetsk market attack kills 27 civilians, seriously injures 25 more.

It's never enough  NATO chief wants MORE AID for Ukraine.

Trump: COMPROMISE with Russia could have helped Ukraine avoid war.

Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

Brighteon.com
In the Russian city of Engels, an attempt was made on the life of Tu-95 bomber pilot Major Oleg Stregachev. The Kremlin terrorist, who launched missile strikes against Ukraine and killed civilians, was shot in his car.

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This was reported in the Telegram of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence is currently clarifying whether the war criminal survived or died.

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"We remind you that all war criminals will face retribution - we know your names, addresses, car numbers, usual routes and habits," the DIU assured and promised that justice is inevitable.

We would like to remind you that the other day, near the Russian city of Bryansk, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated a group of Russian FSB officers who were training to participate in the war against Ukraine. As a result of a "brilliant hit" on the enemy, almost two dozen were eliminated, with the prospect of increasing this number. In total, 18 invaders were eliminated, two more are in serious condition.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Anton Gorobets, an engineer of the main system design bureau of the Almaz Antey air defense concern, shot himself in Russia. In his suicide note, he wrote that he was involved in the manufacture of a missile that destroyed a multi-storey apartment building and killed his grandmother in Kharkiv on January 23.

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- In order to survive, one of the Russian infantrymen surrendered to a Ukrainian drone of the 128th Separate Mechanized Brigade. After the drone had accurately dropped a grenade into a trench, the occupier illustrated with gestures that he wanted to surrender.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
U.S. supplies Ukraine with new, cheaper long-range bomb that can hit civilian targets in Russian territory

A new long-range bomb supplied by the United States is heading to Ukraine , with the first batch of these guided bombs set to arrive in Kyiv within days

This new weapon is known as the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), a brand-new long-range missile made by Boeing. Analysts have noted that this missile is so new that even the U.S. Armed Forces don't have it in its inventory. (Related: Iran has developed a new, high-tech combat drone for Russia to use in Ukraine.)

The GLSDB is expected to be "a significant capability [upgrade] for Ukraine," according to one U.S. official who spoke with Politico on condition of anonymity.

The GLSDB is expected to augment the limited number of Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets the U.S. has already provided Kyiv and has been severely depleted by use. It will allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to hit targets at twice the distance reachable by the rockets Kyiv now fires from U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and could force Russia to move its troops and supplies further away from the frontlines.

"It gives them a deeper strike capability they haven't had, it complements their long-range fire arsenal," said the U.S. official. "It's just an extra arrow in the quiver that's gonna allow them to do more."

The GLSDB is a glide bomb that can travel around 90 miles and is made up of a precision-guided 250-pound bomb strapped to a rocket motor and fired from ground launchers such as pneumatic catapults. Swedish defense company Saab AB, which co-developed the GLSDB with Boeing, bragged on its website that the precision guidance systems on the missile are so accurate that it can hit within the radius of a car tire, or about three feet.

Saab's description of the GLSDB claims that the missile is designed for forces looking to defend against attackers from elevated terrain like mountains and strike against targets ranging from hardened facilities to "soft-skin assets" from all angles, including behind launch points.

"The GLSDB is the ultimate solution for a customer that is looking for an affordable, high precision and long-range solution," said Saab Director of Sales and Marketing Svein Daae.

Ukraine will be the first country to use the bomb in combat, making Russia's special military operation in Ukraine a critical test case as Boeing looks to possibly export the GLSDB to other countries that have begun their own military modernization and buildup programs since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022.

GLSDBs could enable more frequent and deeper strikes on Russian lines

The new glide bombs have been described as not too powerful, but much cheaper to manufacture and are smaller and easier to deploy than traditional ATACMS. More importantly, the GLSDB extends the range of Ukraine's missile fleet and provides Kyiv with a new way to hit Russian forces and infrastructure behind the front lines which have settled into a kind of stalemate.

Furthermore, the GSLDBs are better suited for Ukraine's new strategy in this new phase of the conflict by allowing Ukrainian troops to disrupt Russian operations with missile strikes and creating tactical advantages throughout the frontline that can either lead to severe attrition or moments that troops can take advantage of.

"It's long past time to find creative means to provide the capability and capacity needed to strike deep and often behind Russian lines," said Tom Karako, a weapons technology and security expert at the think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Boeing pitched the weapon to Department of Defense commanders in early 2023, presenting them with an "expedited nine-month option" for delivery that required exempting Boeing from an in-depth review that ensures the Pentagon is getting the best deal possible for the cost of the contract.

The Pentagon approved funding for the GLSDB deliveries to Ukraine in February last year, with a contract to begin production signed and approved by the government a month later. The U.S. Army oversaw several months of testing of the new precision-guided bomb before it was sent to Ukraine.

The latest tests of the newly-built GLSDB occurred less than a month ago on Jan. 16 at the Eglin Air Force Base test range in Florida. Six rockets were fired in this test as part of an early morning test over the Gulf of Mexico.

Moscow is concerned that the GLSDB's relatively inexpensive manufacturing and longer range could enable deeper and more frequent strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory, leading to more civilian casualties.

The Kremlin has denounced previous Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure as acts of terrorism and has called for an end to Western military aid to Kyiv, warning that the arms shipments are only prolonging the conflict and leading to more bloodshed  especially civilian casualties  without really changing the outcome in Ukraine's favor.

Learn more about the new weapons being sent to Ukraine at WeaponsTechnology.news.

Watch this clip from U.S. Military News discussing the military capabilities of the GLSDBs.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

German lawmaker: Most Leopard 2 tanks Berlin sent to Ukraine are now NON-OPERATIONAL.

Iran, Russia finalize deal for purchase of advanced military aircraft.

Ukrainian commander laments INACCURACY of U.S.-provided M109 Paladin howitzer.

Iran may provide Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, say U.S. officials.

Ukraine's experimental DRONE BOATS strike two Russian Navy ships in Crimea.

Sources include:

RT.com

Politico.com

Reuters.com

BusinessInsider.com

Brighteon.com
CLAIM: White House quietly pondering replacing Kamala Harris, fessing up about Joe Bidens mental decline

Investigator James O'Keefe is reporting that the White House is eager to replace both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, but with who?

Charlie Kraiger, a top White House cybersecurity policy analyst and foreign affairs desk officer in the executive office, told a disguised O'Keefe that while "they can't say it publicly," Biden has got to go because of serious mental decline.

"Biden is definitely slowing down," the official told O'Keefe. "I'm just telling you what I've heard ... they're really concerned about it."

Harris also has to go, but for different reasons, one of which is the fact that she cannot keep any black staff members, despite having blackish skin herself.

"I think they need to get rid of him or her," the source added. "But no one in modern history has ever said, like, 'We're not going to renominate the president for a second term.'"

Watch the video below:

BREAKING VIDEO: Top White House Cyber Official tells OKeefe in Disguise they can't say it publicly the White House wants to replace Kamala Harris and Confirms President @JoeBiden mental decline: Biden is definitely slowing down. I'm just telling you what I've heard pic.twitter.com/75Wdw03DHs  James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) January 31, 2024

(Related: Biden wants Texas to take down all the razor wire in Eagle Pass, but Texas is refusing, adding more.)

They want Michelle Obama, but she's done with politics

Kraiger says he recently attended a meeting with Michelle Obama at which someone asked the former First Lady if she has any plans to ever again run for office.

"No," Obama reportedly said empathically. "I've seen all this s*** my husband has had to go through and that does not interest me."

As for Harris, she will more than likely remain as the nominee for vice president in 2024, though many Democrats wish she could be removed and replaced with someone else.

"There was a debate about removing her from the ticket, but sadly they didn't," Kraiger says. "She's not popular, but you can't remove the first black lady to be vice president from the go****n presidential ticket."

"Like, what kind of message are you going to send to, like, African-American voters ... People would be, like, 'What the f***?' Like, she's a woman and she's multiracial."

On X, an account called "Shipwreckedcrew" (@shipwreckedcrew) that claims to be run by someone with 22 years of experience as a federal prosecutor who worked as defense attorney for more than 25 defendants in the January 6 "insurrection" cases confirmed what O'Keefe reported about Obama.

"I have very good cause to believe that the comments attributed to Michelle Obama are 100% true based on my own solid source on that subject," the account tweeted. "She has no interest in returning to the life they lived from 2009-2016."

When someone else challenged this, claiming that the Obamas would love for nothing more than to rule America once again, the Shipwreckedcrew account responded as follows:

"If you understand where I live, and you understand where they hang out, you might understand why I might have very good sources with insights into their actual thinking  based on conversations with them."

Others noted that Kraiger's admissions are telling concerning the well-known fact among those in D.C. that neither Biden nor Harris are popular among Americans, including Democrat Americans who work in the nation's capital.

"The White House is admitting that everyone hates the president and vice president," one of them wrote. "How much longer must we maintain the charade?"

What do you think? Will Michelle Obama end up replacing Biden on the 2024 Democratic ticket? Will someone else mysteriously arise to seize control of American politics following a "black swan" event? Let us know below.

American politics is an embarrassing joke. Find out more at BigGovernment.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com
In an awe-inspiring medical case, Tyson, a French Bulldog puppy, defies the odds and scientific understanding by spontaneously regrowing his jaw after a significant portion was removed due to cancer.

This unprecedented event not only offers hope but also opens new avenues for veterinary and possibly human medicine.

The Miracle Recovery

Tyson's story is nothing short of miraculous. At just three months old, he was diagnosed with cancer leading to the removal of a majority of his lower left mandible.

The veterinarians at Cornell's Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service were prepared for the challenges that lay ahead in Tyson's life. However, nature had other plans.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tyson's jaw began to regrow. This phenomenon has been documented in children but never before in dogs or any other animals for that matter. It was a first-of-its-kind recovery that baffled and amazed the medical team at Cornell.

The puppy's primary veterinarian noted the cancerous tumor during what was supposed to be preparations for cleft palate surgery scheduled for spring 2023.

The discovery led to an immediate change in plans as they prioritized treating the malignant oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma - a type of cancer previously observed in dogs.

The veterinarians explained to Tyson's owners, Melissa Forsythe and Mike Lacagnina of Rochester, New York, that to remove the tumor, a majority of the puppy's lower left mandible had to be removed, which meant life without a fully functioning lower jaw. "We didn't know if we wanted to put a puppy through all this. The prognosis at the time was uncertain," Forsythe said.

However, since Tyson's CT scans were clear, meaning that the cancer hadn't spread to other sites in the body, "we decided to give him a chance and continue with surgery. We had no idea his jaw would grow back," she added.

Given the extent of bone loss in Tyson's case, it did not appear likely that sections of his mandible would regenerate, despite anecdotal reports of partial mandible regeneration in young dogs.

The case report indicates that a large portion of the periosteum, a thin membrane covering the surfaces of bones, was maintained during surgery, which allowed him to achieve remarkable results.

Blood veins and nerves that sustain the bone and are essential to the development of the original mandibles are found in the periosteum. "This was likely imperative to the regeneration of new bone," said Alexandra Wright, DVM '18, who led Tyson's care team.

It also helped because the tumor in the dog was discovered at an early stage; yet, Tyson's exact cause of the regeneration of his jaw is still a mystery. "More has to be done to understand the likelihood of this occurring in other dogs and if a specific age range makes a difference," Wright said, "but this case documents a very positive surgical outcome in a life-threatening situation."

Even though Tyson's new mandible lacks some traits and is almost exactly as functional as the old, it is nonetheless regarded as weird.

It has no teeth and no mandibular canal, an area containing blood vessels and nerves, but it allows Tyson to eat, drink, and play normally.

Also Read: This Adorable French Bulldog Is a Better Skateboarder Than You [Video]

Implications for Medical Science

This unprecedented case has far-reaching implications extending beyond veterinary medicine. It prompts essential questions about regenerative capabilities inherent within living organisms - including humans.

Wright, who published a report on this case in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, remarked on this extraordinary occurrence, emphasizing its rarity and potential significance in medical science.

The spontaneous regeneration of Tyson's jaw could potentially unlock new understandings about cellular regeneration and tissue repair mechanisms.

As researchers delve into this mystifying event, there is anticipation that findings could potentially revolutionize treatments for severe tissue loss resulting from injury or illnesses like cancer not only in animals but also humans.

The world watches with bated breath as Tyson lives his life as a beacon of hope and mystery - an enigma that could hold secrets capable of transforming our understanding of biology forevermore.

Related article: Jackadors: A New Breed or a Genetic Gamble? How Labradors and Jack Russell Terriers Produce Highly Variable Offspring
Permafrost is a layer of frozen soil that covers about a quarter of the northern hemisphere. It has been there for thousands of years, but it is now thawing rapidly due to climate change.

This has profound implications for the Earth's ecosystems, climate, and human societies. In this article, we will explore the science, the impacts, and the solutions of permafrost.

The Science of Permafrost

Permafrost forms when the ground temperature stays below freezing for at least two consecutive years. It can be found in the Arctic regions of Siberia, Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, as well as in high-altitude areas like the Tibetan Plateau and the Rocky Mountains. Permafrost can be several meters thick and contain a lot of ice, organic matter, and even ancient microbes.

Permafrost is not uniform, but rather has different patterns and features depending on the local conditions. For example, some permafrost areas have thermokarst lakes, which are formed when the ice melts and the ground collapses, creating pools of water.

These lakes can accelerate the thawing process and release greenhouse gases. Other permafrost areas have polygonal networks, which are formed by cracks in the frozen soil that create geometric shapes.

These cracks can also allow water and heat to penetrate the permafrost and affect its stability.

Permafrost is sensitive to changes in the climate, especially the air temperature.

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, and this is causing the permafrost to thaw at an alarming rate. Scientists estimate that up to 70% of the near-surface permafrost could disappear by 2100.

This would have major consequences for the environment and the people who live on or near permafrost.

Alaso Read: Swiss Mountain Summit Collapses as Permafrost Thaws; No Injuries Reported in Rockfall

The Impacts of Permafrost Thaw

Permafrost thaw has multiple impacts on the natural and human systems. One of the most significant impacts is the release of carbon dioxide and methane, which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Permafrost contains about 1,500 gigatons of carbon, which is twice as much as the atmosphere.

As the permafrost thaws, the organic matter that was frozen for millennia becomes available for decomposition by bacteria, which produce carbon dioxide or methane depending on the oxygen level.

Scientists estimate that permafrost could release up to 240 gigatons of carbon by 2100, which would increase the global temperature by 0.3C.

Another impact of permafrost thaw is the alteration of the hydrology and the ecology of the Arctic. Permafrost acts as a barrier that prevents water from infiltrating the ground, and thus shapes the drainage patterns and the river systems of the region.

When permafrost thaws, the water can seep into the soil, creating wetlands, ponds, and lakes, or drain away, creating drylands and erosion.

These changes affect the vegetation, the wildlife, and the biodiversity of the Arctic, as well as the availability and quality of water resources.

A third impact of permafrost thaw is the damage to the infrastructure and the livelihoods of the people who live in the permafrost zone.

Many buildings, roads, pipelines, and other structures are built on or near permafrost, and rely on its stability and strength. When permafrost thaws, the ground becomes unstable and uneven, causing the infrastructure to crack, sink, or collapse.

This can pose serious risks to the safety, the health, and the economy of the people who depend on these facilities. Moreover, permafrost thaw can also expose ancient pathogens, such as anthrax or plague, that could infect humans or animals.

The Solutions for Permafrost Thaw

Permafrost thaw is a complex and urgent problem that requires coordinated and comprehensive solutions.

The most effective solution is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and permafrost thaw in the first place.

This can be achieved by switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting low-carbon lifestyles.

However, this solution alone may not be enough to prevent permafrost thaw, as some of it is already inevitable due to the inertia of the climate system.

Therefore, other solutions are needed to adapt to the impacts of permafrost thaw and to mitigate its feedbacks.

These include monitoring and modeling the permafrost dynamics, improving the design and the maintenance of the infrastructure, restoring and conserving the ecosystems, and supporting the resilience and the adaptation of the communities.

These solutions require collaboration and innovation among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and local stakeholders.

Permafrost is a vital component of our planet and our future. It holds a treasure of information, resources, and challenges that we need to understand and address. By protecting the permafrost, we are protecting ourselves and our future generations.

Related article: Melting of Arctic Permafrost Brings Long-dead Viruses Back
Poisonous frogs were found inside the luggage of a Brazilian woman at a Colombia airport in South America on Monday, January 29. Local authorities arrested the woman and charged her with wildlife trafficking. Officials at Bogota's El Dorado International Airport found 130 toxic frogs inside small film canisters, in what they describe to be in dire health conditions.

The seized amphibians are known as harlequin frogs (Atelopus varius), which are highly toxic animals that are found in Central America and South America. Their population is decreasing and conservation authorities have classified A. varius as a critically endangered species. However, wildlife trafficking and continuous demand by international private collectors pose a threat to the frogs.

Poisonous Frogs Found in Luggage

The poisonous frogs were in a state of dehydrated and stressful conditions when they were found by the authorities inside the woman's luggage. The alleged smuggler was reportedly bound for the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo via Panama. According to reports, the amphibians can be sold for up to $1,000 each, according to Bogota police commander Juan Carlos Arevalo.

The suspected wildlife trafficker was caught after airport authorities searched the woman's suitcase, containing 130 harlequin poison-dart frogs. The 37-year-old passenger was stopped by uniformed airport police before even boarding the flight with a stop in Panama. Details of the busted frog-trafficking incident are according to a new release by the National Police of Colombia on Monday.

Furthermore, the arrested woman claimed that the tiny harlequin frogs were a "gift" from a local community in an unspecified location in southern Colombia. Local officials also estimated that the Brazilian woman was carrying the contraband frogs worth $130,000 in total, intended to be bought by international private collectors. No other arrests have been made in connection to the incident.

Also Read: Poisonous Frogs: How to Identify Poisonous from Venomous Animals?

Wildlife Trafficking

This is not the first time that frogs were smuggled through an airport, as previous related cases are part of illegal wildlife trade or wildlife trafficking. In its World Wildlife Crime Report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that the trafficking of wildlife is increasingly recognized as both a specialized crime and a danger to many of the world's plant and animal species.

This underground, black market activity involves not only amphibians but also other animals, including mammals and reptiles, ranging from elephants to pangolins, and rhinoceroses. The main driving force of this trade is from collectors or customers that demand these wild animals, including their body parts. These activities have persisted over the past several decades.

In 2022, two women were arrested in Thailand for the alleged trafficking of at least 109 live animals, including chameleons, snakes, and turtles. In 2011, a Dutch passenger was caught smuggling over a dozen live hummingbirds from French Guiana. In 2010, a baby tiger cub was found inside a woman's suitcase while trying to fly from Bangkok to Iran.

Related Article: Airport X-Ray Finds 109 Live Animals in Luggage; Authorities Detains Two Passengers
One hundred armored personnel carriers, which Bulgaria donated to Ukraine by the decision of the National Assembly, are already being transported to Ukraine. This was stated by Defense Minister Todor Tagarev, who released the relevant photos.

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This was reported by the BGNEWS agency. Journalists remind that at the end of November 2023, MPs adopted a bill to ratify the Agreement between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the free provision of armored vehicles. 152 MPs voted in favor, while 57 voted against.

The agreement was concluded to implement the decision to provide additional military and technical support to Ukraine. According to the agreement, the Ukrainian side will be provided with armored vehicles with existing weapons, as well as spare parts for its maintenance, which are no longer needed for the needs of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Only a few days ago, Defense Minister Todor Tagarev commented that the tanks are still in their country because their transportation to Ukraine would be quite expensive for the state budget.

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"The three ministries are working together. It's already clear who will load them where and where they will go. This is a very serious logistical operation," he said, adding that the ministry would, however, seek to have the transportation financed by one of the countries participating in the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense (the so-called Ramstein format).

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In the Media

Yale Daily News: Rick Fontana to the rescue

Rick Fontana 98 A.S., 99, 06 M.S., an adjunct faculty of fire science, discusses the University of New Havens national security program, developed after 9/11, which was the first of its kind in the country, as he becomes West Havens emergency operations director stepping down from the same position for the City of New Haven.
Polish President Andrzej Duda says he doubts the de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula. According to him, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is a "special place for historical reasons".

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In particular, the Polish head of state hinted that the peninsula allegedly belongs to Russia. He said this in an interview with Kanal Zero.

The Polish president complained that if the Russian terrorist state retains control over the occupied territories, there is a high probability of new Moscow aggression in the future.

"Today, Russia is trying to win in Ukraine. If Russia retains the territories of Ukraine, it will actually be a victory for Russia, and then the likelihood of a new attack by Russia will be very high," Duda said.

He also added that he was not sure about the de-occupation of Crimea. At the same time, Duda emphasized that Ukraine will regain control of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"I don't know if Ukraine will regain Crimea, but I believe that it will regain Donetsk and Luhansk. Crimea is a special place, including for historical reasons. Because in fact, if we look at history, it has been in Russian hands for a long time," Duda said.

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Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, reacted to these statements. The diplomat said on social network X that Crimea was and will remain Ukrainian. He also reminded the Polish president that the temporary occupation of Crimea is a war crime for which Russia will be punished.

"Crimea is Ukraine: it is and will remain. International law is the basis. Russia's temporary occupation of Crimea is a war crime for which it will be punished. De-occupation of Crimea is our common task and obligation to the free world. We will do it without a doubt. We believe and work together," the ambassador wrote.

As a reminder, Duda believes that assistance to Ukraine should not only be continued, but also strengthened. According to him, without the transfer of weapons to Kyiv, it will be difficult to deter the Russian occupiers and liberate the territories they have seized.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, despite the plans of the country's top leadership, the Ukrainian Defense Forces failed to enter Crimea in 2023 for a number of objective reasons. Due to the difficult situation on the peninsula, our troops are somewhat behind schedule, but they are still making progress.

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Zendaya helped Timothee Chalamet 'set up his apartment'

Los Angeles, Feb 3

Singer-actress Zendaya spoke about how she helped actor Timothee Chalamet after he moved into a new apartment in New York City.

During a joint appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', Zendaya explained: "The vibe was very teenage boy. And we just needed a few necessities - you know, cups and plates, knives and forks, things to clean. We needed some structure."

Zendaya actually took Timothee, 28, to Bed, Bath and Beyond, the homeware store, to ensure that he had everything he needed.

Zendaya, who stars alongside Timothee in 'Dune: Part Two', said that they got "all the big-boy stuff" during their shopping trip.

Meanwhile, Zendaya previously admitted that fame has complicated her social life.

The actress observed that her fame and success has prompted a big change in her lifestyle.

Speaking to ELLE magazine, Zendaya shared: "Before, I could get away with going places and getting in and out. But in Boston, I would end up going right back home, because it was really overstimulating."

"Everybody would go hang out at a bar or something, and I'd be like, 'I'd love to, but I think I could ruin everybody's night. Because it's just not going to be fun once I'm there'."

On the other hand, Zendaya is also determined to try to live a relatively normal lifestyle.

The actress, who is dating her 'Spider-Man' co-star Tom Holland, explained: "I do have control over what I choose to share. It's about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist. You can't hide. That's not fun, either. I am navigating it more than ever now."

(IANS - Posted on 03 February 2024)

Zendaya helped Timothee Chalamet 'set up his apartment'

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Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Popcorn might just be a movie theater snack to most of us, but associate professor of crop sciences Tony Studer plans to make it the basis of an entire curriculum.
Data from the Department on Healthcare and Family Services shows the per-patient costs for a pair of health programs that serve certain immigrant populations have declined in recent months as the J.B. Pritzker administration has initiated cost-saving measures.
Canada may transfer tens of thousands of air-to-ground missiles to the Ukrainian army that were planned to be disposed of. However, no final decision has been made yet, and discussions on this issue in parliament are ongoing.

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In particular, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre supports the transfer of missiles to Ukraine. During a debate in the House of Commons on a bill to update the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, the politician said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine need these missiles. This was reported by the CBC.

According to him, the Canadian Armed Forces have a stockpile of more than 83,000 CRV7 missiles that were decommissioned in the early 2000s. Three years ago, the federal government signed a contract to dispose of the missiles over several years. However, Poilievre said Ukraine has asked Canada to donate the CRV7s instead of destroying them.

"It's time for less talk and more action. Instead of forcing Canadians to pay millions of dollars to write off these weapons, they should be donated to Ukraine for it to use them to defend its sovereignty," the opposition politician said.

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It is worth noting that the Canadian Department of National Defense has acknowledged that it still has the missiles, and they are being considered as part of a possible future military aid package to Kyiv. However, the defense ministry explained that Canada still has tens of thousands of missiles and their engines. However, without warheads.

Defense Minister Bill Blair's spokesman confirmed that the government is considering the possibility of transferring missiles to Ukraine. However, he said that before sending weapons to Ukraine, Canada must ensure that this assistance meets the military needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"We are applying the same process to the stockpile of CRV7 missiles purchased decades ago by the US Air Force. In particular, we are conducting tests to make sure that this equipment is operationally effective and safe for transportation to Ukraine," the Defense Ministry spokesman said.

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CRV7 is a Canadian 70 mm caliber unguided air-to-ground missile with a folding wing designed to strike ground targets. The missile was adopted in the early 1970s. It remains one of the most powerful unguided missiles to this day, having become the de facto standard aircraft missile of Western countries (except the United States) and their allies.

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This week, Neuralink's Elon Musk announced that human clinical trials have begun on its Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface (PRIME) study, a medical device trail that uses wireless, brain-computer interface designed to enable people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts.

According to Arizona State University's Bradley Greger, an associate professor of neural engineering who first addressed the plausibility of Neuralink's technology in late 2022, "This technology is going to be such a gamechanger."

Greger has worked on restoring vision and speech using brain-computer interfaces, and is currently investigating how deep brain stimulation (DBS) treats patients with movement and pain disorders.

"We are using DBS technology to record signals from the human brain, but we only have several channels," said Greger. "Neuralink is using different technology to record from what is equivalent to thousands of channels."

As a neural engineer, Professor Greger offers his insights on what may be coming from Neuralink's PRIME study.

Question: How accessible will this technology be to other researchers?

Answer: That's going to be up to Neuralink. Every researcher I've ever talked with about Neuralink has asked the same question: "When are we going to be able to get our hands on it?"

Q: Is Neuralink currently partnering with a research hospital?

A: They definitely have partnered with a major neuro-surgical center somewhere in America with this first patient study. Nobody knows which one  they don't want media hounding the hospital, the family and most importantly, the patient.

Q: Do you think Neuralink will soon partner with additional neurological research institutions?

A: Oh, absolutely  with multiple medical centers. I suspect that conversations and visits have been underway for a while. But potential partners are totally locked down by nondisclosure agreements as a precursor to research relationships.

The criteria for partnership will be finding qualifying patients, but also institutions with the surgical skill and support infrastructure. There are not a lot of places that meet that criteria.

If I were making the rounds for Neuralink, I'd be talking to the folks at Stanford, UC San Francisco and Massachusetts General  the places that have the neurosurgical expertise and have a proven track record of performing well in this type of research.

Q: Will each of the partnering institutions have to go through the FDA approval process?

A: Probably not. The technology and procedures are already FDA approved. The partners will go through an institutional review board (IRB) process at their institutions  every major hospital has its own IRB.

Q: Will the initial study focus exclusively on paralysis patients?

A: Yes. I think the research partnerships they will take on first will focus on restoring movement for those with paralysis  patients that have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or severe spinal cord lesions.

Control of movement is one of the things we understand most about the brain, so I'd say it's the easiest target to begin with.

I haven't seen the actual protocol, but for this type of study you would typically want to work with about 10 or so patients.

Q: How long do you think it will be before they expand the trial?

A: This phase of the study will probably go about a year or two.

If it all goes well and the devices are working as anticipated, and the patients are healthy beyond their paralysis issues, Neuralink may then move beyond feasibility trials into testing safety and efficacy. For instance, they might have a patients try to control robotic arms with their minds. With Neuralink's technology, I think you could see that as soon as one year from now, or at the outside, two or three years.

In the approval process for the FDA, they have to specify the type of patients they will work with.

Q: If and when Neuralink moves beyond paralysis studies, will they have to go through the FDA approval process again for a speech restoration study?

A: They will certainly need additional IRB approvals. FDA approvals revolve around the device. If they move to a speech restoration study, for example, researchers may have to get an investigational device exemption (IDE), but that's much more simple process than establishing the safety of the device itself.

For a vision restoration trial, they likely will have to go back to the FDA for another approval because that involves stimulation of the brain, which is quite different than this study. They probably have been working on a vision protocol in the background for years.

Although vision restoration will use the same technology, the same wiring and the same device, it will be implanted in in a different location and will involve electricity going into the brain rather than out of the brain. That's what may make it different from the FDA's perspective.

Q: How long do you think it will take before Neuralink's technology is actually available to the general public?

A: The technology may be generally available with a physician's or surgeon's prescription in several years. Therefore, most initial users will be patients with neurological disorders. I am somewhat skeptical that healthy people will undergo neurosurgery to get the device or that the surgery would be allowed without some medical condition to be treated by the device.
A group of patients with a hereditary disorder have had their lives transformed by a single treatment of a breakthrough gene-editing therapy, according to the lead researcher.

The patients from New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK have hereditary angioedema, a genetic disorder characterized by severe, painful and unpredictable swelling attacks. These interfere with daily life and can affect airways and prove fatal.

Now researchers from the University of Auckland, Amsterdam University Medical Center and Cambridge University Hospitals have successfully treated more than ten patients with the CRISPR/Cas9 therapy, with interim results just published in a leading journal.

"It looks as if the single-dose treatment will provide a permanent cure for my hereditary angioedema patients' very disabling symptoms," says principal investigator Dr Hilary Longhurst, who is both a clinical immunologist at Auckland Hospital Te Toku Tumai and an honorary associate professor at the University of Auckland.

"Plus, of course, there is huge potential for development of similar CRISPR/Cas9 treatments for other genetic disorders."

Globally, it is estimated one in 50,000 people have hereditary angioedema, however, because it is rare, it is often not correctly diagnosed.

In the phase one study, there were no serious or lasting side-effects from the single infusion, which took place over two to four hours under clinical supervision from late 2021 and onwards.

The investigational therapy, called NTLA-2002, utilises in vivo CRISPR/Cas9

technology to target the KLKB1 gene, which is responsible for producing plasma prekallikrein.

By editing this gene, the therapy reduces the levels of total plasma kallikrein, effectively preventing angioedema (swelling) attacks.

The trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated dose-dependent reduction in total plasma kallikrein protein with reductions of up to 95 percent achieved.

A mean reduction of 95 percent in angioedema attacks was observed across all patients through to the latest follow-up.

The patients from the initial study will be followed up for a further 15 years to continue to assess long-term safety and efficacy.

A larger and more robust, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase two trial is under way and a Phase 3 trial is planned to start in the second half of 2024.

Dr Danny Cohn, from the Department of Vascular Medicine at the Amsterdam University Medical Center says these promising results are a step forward for this group of patients.

We've never been closer to the ultimate treatment goal of normalizing hereditary angioedema patients' lives and offering total control of the disease." Dr Danny Cohn, Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center

Dr Padmalal Gurugama, consultant in clinical immunology and allergy at Cambridge University Hospitals, UK says the gene editing therapy has the potential to significantly improve patients' lives.

"Hereditary angioedema can cause patients severe swellings and intense pain which can be life-threatening as well as restricting normal activities, such as going to work or school.

"Because it is often misdiagnosed, many patients undergo unnecessary treatments and invasive procedures."

The therapy affects only the patient and is not passed onto their children, who still have an even chance of inheriting the disorder.

The studies have been funded by US company Intellia Therapeutics, which chose New Zealand to lead the research as, at that time  late 2021, it had relatively fewer Covid-19 cases than other countries.

So far, the only approved CRISPR therapy, CASGEVY, is for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. However, CASGEVY is an ex vivo CRISPR therapy, where the cells are taken from the patient and edited outside of the body and then reinfused, whereas NTLA-2002 is an in vivo CRISPR therapy, where the targeted gene editing occurs directly within the body.

CRISPR technologies are being used to develop treatment for a wide range of diseases, such as genetic disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. See Intellia's website.

'A medical magic wand'

One New Zealand patient, Judy Knox, says, "Having had the CRISPR/Cas9 therapy has been like a medical magic wand, it's changed my life."

Before she was diagnosed, Judy would get abdominal swelling with vomiting and severe pain that could last several days.

Dental surgery could prompt dangerous swelling in her mouth, including her tongue and palette, and her throat that were excruciatingly painful and threatened to suffocate her.

Once diagnosed Judy, who is a nurse in Whangarei, carefully managed her androgen medication and was prepared to increase it (within prescribed dose) to deal with any flare-ups.

In recent years supply of this medication was not always reliable which became a very real concern for her. Judy knew that there were emergency medications available in New Zealand that, although funded, are still extremely expensive.

When the opportunity to participate in the study came up, she wasted no time volunteering and was one of the first people in the world to receive the CRISPR/Cas9 therapy in a clinical research center in New Zealand.

"I put my hand up and said, 'I'll do it.' And because it was beneficial to others."

Another factor was her concern about the continuing availability of the drugs she needed.

Now she has weaned herself off her medicines and feels she has a 'whole new life'.

To anyone contemplating the therapy, she would say, "Go for it, because it really works."
Doctors have nearly a dozen new targeted drugs to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, yet three of four patients still die within five years. Some patients succumb within just a month or two, despite the battery of drugs used to treat the aggressive blood disease, where blood cells don't develop properly.

A new study draws on a field of science known as proteogenomics to try to improve the outlook. In a paper published Jan. 16 in Cell Reports Medicine, scientists report new findings about how drug resistance in some AML patients develops and how doctors might someday stop or slow the process.

The research comes from a team of researchers from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oregon Health & Science University. For nearly a decade, OHSU and PNNL researchers have worked together to fill a critical gap in our knowledge of how cancer and other diseases happen. At one end of the spectrum, our body's genes can go awry, creating mutations that can be harmful or deadly. At the other end of the spectrum is a real person whose life is affected or even ended as a result.

What happens in the middle, between the genes and the person's health?

The answer: a dizzying number of complex molecular processes that scientists are grappling to understand. At the center are the body's proteins and a field of study known as proteogenomics.

Sorting the data with machine learning

The PNNL-OHSU team is studying thousands of proteins that could play a role in AML. Proteins are the body's molecular workhorses, ferrying nutrients and other supplies back and forth between cells, turning genes on or off, and maintaining dozens of basic body processes. Even though genes get the glory, they do little directly to keep our bodies going. That's the job of proteins. For nearly 20 years, study author Karin Rodland of OHSU, formerly of PNNL, has been a pioneer exploring the role of proteins in health and disease, building a program with OHSU and PNNL colleagues to study AML.

In the latest study, a team led by Sara Gosline, a data scientist and computational biologist at PNNL, did an exhaustive study of the protein activity in 210 patients with AML. Altogether, the team measured levels of nearly half a million pieces of proteins from more than 9,000 proteins in patients' blood samples. The team combined those findings with extensive data already known about the disease-;the genes and mutations involved, the molecular messengers that indicate which genes are active, and the effects of 46 drugs on AML patients, along with information about how the disease progressed in those patients.

We were able to look at patterns of drug responses in hundreds of people by including protein and gene measurements together, and this gave us a level of detail that hasn't been possible in prior studies. This is a great example where we are able to put our growing knowledge of protein signaling and machine learning models to benefit patients in the future." Sara Gosline, data scientist and computational biologist at PNNL

Gosline and colleagues, including first author James Pino of PNNL, deployed artificial intelligence, using several machine learning algorithms to make sense of the data.

Beating drug resistance

While the study yielded a load of data about what happens in the body of an AML patient, one finding stood out, pointing to a possible way to sidestep or delay drug resistance for some patients.

The team showed that treatment with quizartinib, approved last year to treat AML, can shift how cancer cells respond to other drugs often used in combination to treat patients.

Specifically, the team found that when patients on quizartinib stop responding to venetoclax, doctors might consider switching to another drug, panobinostat. It's an example of how proteogenomic information could alter the roadmap that doctors use to navigate which medications patients receive at different stages of the disease.

"The difficulty is that cancer keeps evolving," said Gosline. "You hit the tumor with one drug and the tumor changes. This is what happens when patients experience drug resistance and the medicines stop working. Our study helps us understand exactly how this happens and what might be done in response. Which medication is best to turn to?"

AML poses a particular challenge, said study author Cristina Tognon at OHSU.

"When you treat a tumor with a drug, you are putting pressure on the tumor cells as they try to figure out a way to escape that pressure and survive. It's a big problem in AML patients. What's even more difficult is that in AML, there are many mutations at work; the disease doesn't come in just one flavor," said Tognon, who is an associate research professor and scientific director of the Druker Laboratory at OHSU.

Ultimately, the team focused on 147 proteins and specific molecular locations known as phosphosites that play a key role in determining which proteins are turned on and which are off.

Using just the protein data, the team sorted the samples into four distinct groups that predicted how the patients fared. Patients whose samples placed them in one of the groups had a better prognosis than the others, surviving far more than five years. Doctors hope that this type of information will eventually become available in the clinic. That would allow some patients who do not need aggressive therapies with severe side effects to avoid them while assuring that patients who have the worst prognosis are treated as aggressively as possible.

"There is potential for clinical applications to be derived from this work, for example, diagnostics, such as protein biomarkers to predict responses to therapies, and the design of new drug combinations that might outperform current ones," said OHSU's Jeff Tyner, professor of medicine at the OHSU School of Medicine and Knight Cancer Institute.

The work is the latest of more than 200 studies that have looked at protein activity in many forms of cancer, including colon, brain, endometrial, brain, blood and ovarian cancers. An OHSU-PNNL team

discussed the emerging role of proteins for treating patients with precision medicine in a recent article in the Annual Reviews of Pharmacology and Toxicology. More and more, scientists are using proteomics-;the study of proteins-;to bridge the gap between genomics (the study of genes) to phenomics (phenotypes or observable characteristics).

PMedIC: an OHSU-PNNL collaboration

OHSU and PNNL scientists work collaboratively on many projects. OHSU brings outstanding clinical expertise about disease as well as extensive laboratory knowledge and is a world-class center for new treatments of leukemia. PNNL offers an unparalleled ability to measure tiny amounts of important molecules in great detail. Much of this work happens through the Pacific Northwest Biomedical Innovation Co-Laboratory, or PMedIC, a joint research collaboration between the two organizations. Through PMedIC and other collaborations, the institutions have made discoveries about several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19, and the Zika virus.

At PNNL, additional authors include Camilo Posso, Michael Nestor, Jamie Moon, Joshua Hansen, Chelsea Hutchinson-Bunch, Marina Gritsenko, Karl Weitz, Jason McDermott, Tao Liu and Paul Piehowski. Other authors from OHSU include Sunil Joshi, Kevin Watanabe-Smith, Nicola Long, Brian Druker, Anupriya Agarwal and Elie Traer.

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research (CPTAC U01CA271412), the ARCS Scholar Foundation, a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship, the National Cancer Institute (F30CA239335, R01 CA229875-01A1), the American Cancer Society (RSG-17-187-01-LIB), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01 HL155426-01), the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation/RUNX1 Research Program, and the EvansMDS Foundation.
An international team, led by researchers at Nagoya University in Japan, may have determined why the diffuse anaplasia (DA) subtype of Wilms tumor (WT) resists chemotherapy. This subtype grows even when it has a high burden of DNA damage and increases the mutation rate of tumor protein 53 (TP53), a gene that plays a critical role in the regulation of cell growth and division. The team's findings, published in Modern Pathology, suggest new ways to treat this subtype.

WT, also known as nephroblastoma, is the most common childhood cancer originating in the kidney. Fortunately, the survival rate of adolescents affected by this disease is increasing. However, 5-10% of WT patients are diagnosed with the DA subtype.

Cells of the DA subtype have an unusual structure that leads them to divide rapidly and invade the surrounding tissue. Patients with this subtype often become much sicker and face difficult treatment because the tumor is often resistant to chemotherapy.

To better understand the resistance of the DA subtype to chemotherapy, a group of researchers led by Kaname Uno, a Ph.D. student in the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and Lund University Joint Degree Program, compared areas of tumors with and without DA.

The group found that, in response to chemotherapy, DA WT continued to grow even if it had a high burden of DNA damage and deletions of DNA segments (known as copy number aberrations, or CNAs). Since chemotherapy works by causing DNA damage, the ability of the damaged tumor to grow may help explain its resistance to the treatment.

Uno and his colleagues also looked at the TP53 gene, which creates a protein that prevents the division of cells with damaged DNA. In cancer patients, TP53 increases the development of cancer because tumors use altered DNA to create conditions that help their growth. The researchers found that 95% of areas that showed high DA also had mutations in the TP53 gene, suggesting that TP53 mutations may play a key role in driving DA WT proliferation.

However, unexpectedly, the group also found that even areas lacking DA had unusual features. Almost half of the non-DA areas had TP53 mutations, and one non-DA region grew even though it had relatively high DNA damage. They concluded that even in areas lacking DA, selection pressure existed for mutation of the TP53 gene. As mutation of the TP53 is associated with the DA subtype, this may allow all these areas to potentially become DA.

Our results suggest that WTs 'grow bad'. That is, they develop DA histology, rather than being 'born bad', meaning they either have DA or are non-DA from the start." Kaname Uno, Ph.D. student in the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and Lund University Joint Degree Program

This key finding suggests a theory that explains why WT are so difficult to treat. Uno explained: "This suggests that DA histology gradually emerges by accumulating burdens of DNA damage and CNAs. These conditions create selection pressures for TP53 mutations. When WT cells acquire TP53 mutation, they can grow under chemotherapy, even with a very high burden of DNA damage and CNAs."

This research may suggest treatment strategies for the DA subtype. Most chemotherapies work by inducing DNA damage, but DA WT cells have TP53 mutations that allow them to continue growing even with a high level of DNA damage. Disrupting this process could potentially offer treatment to patients with this subtype of this terrible disease.
With a $300,000 grant, the Welch Foundation is supporting University of Texas at Arlington research into why some types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria that causes the lung disease tuberculosis (TB), do not respond to treatments.

Since its founding in 1954, the Houston-based Welch Foundation has contributed to the advancement of chemistry through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs and other special projects in Texas.

As one of the nation's largest private funding sources for chemical research, it is our job to ensure we support the field in a way that advances the field while changing lives. TB has an enormous impact on society, and I look forward to seeing how Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters' research can help advance our understanding of this dreaded disease." Adam Kuspa, president of Welch Foundation

Johnson-Winters, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UTA, is leading the project.

"I'm honored that the Welch Foundation sees the value in supporting our research. TB is a global pandemic that is killing about 1.5 million people per year," Johnson-Winters said. "An estimated 1.8 billion people-;about a quarter of the world's population-;are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of those carrying the bacterium, about 10% will become ill with the disease, enabling them to infect others."

Since TB is caused by a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics. Infected individuals must take a combination of antibiotics diligently over six to 12 months to stamp out the infection. Patients who stop taking their medications mid-treatment are more likely to see their infection return, only this time, the infection does not respond to treatments.

This new drug-resistant TB can lead to a new infection in the original patient, who can then spread the disease-resistant TB to other people. Drug-resistant TB is much more difficult to treat, often requiring a regimen of a least five medications over 15 to 24 months.

With this new award, Johnson-Winters will study the enzymes within Mtb to understand why they act differently to certain interventions. The grant will also provide resources for additional purification equipment, columns and chemicals needed to further the research. The funds will also support specialized software that will allow researchers to get a better understanding of what is occurring within the enzymes.

"Once we've performed our experiments, we will also prepare a library of the mutations to better understand the mechanism of specific enzymes that are targeted for treatment for those hard-to-treat TB disease cases," Johnson-Winters said.
One of the big ideas of the Narendra Modi governments interim budget, experts say, has been the announcement of a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore to provide interest-free or low-interest loans for research and innovation. Speaking about it in an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi on Friday, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this is not something that is happening for the first time.

Earlier, too, there were several funds within different departments, like the science and technology. They had, CSIR, its own Funds were all over the place. You had them doing supportive activities for innovation, each from their own side. Two years ago, I remember announcing the National Research Foundation which brought together all these thinly spread resources to one pool. And from there each of the departments would claim whatever they would want to fund in terms of innovation-supportive activities," she said.

But the government would now bring in an institution or a vehicle, said the minister, which can take this Rs 1 lakh crore, which will be given to them in next few years in total as an interest-free corpus amount. Using that, they can then identify innovation-related exercises which are happening in private sector and fund them. I may give this interest-free 50-year loan to the corpus, but the managers of that fund will then decide to whom at what cost should they give it. The cost may vary depending on the risk factors and the judgment of the professionals who manage it. But its certainly a fund from where private innovation will be supported," said Sitharaman.

Asked why the government has seemingly underperformed in the disinvestment of public sector undertakings (PSUs), the finance minister said that issue needs to be put into the frame laid by her in the matter of public sector enterprise policy.

If a policy framework has been announced, and in that we have said that there are only core strategic sectors, which government recognises, where the government will be having a minimal presence and even in those sectors, private sector will be allowed to, or it will be completely open for them to participate in total, in the sense, there will not be any one sector inclusive of the core strategic sector, which will be exclusively reserved for public sector, whereby consolidation will have to happen to make them big enough for a big country like India," she said.

Efficiencies will have to be brought in, their values will have to be increased, added the minister.

I will not reverse any of the cabinet-approved decisions, but at the same time, you should probably also have noticed that for each of them, we are working to make sure, we are not allowing them to remain there, till they are getting disinvested. Equally, we are working to make sure that their valuations are kept up. They are improved upon. That if you look at the public sector listed companies and their valuation in the market today, you see the kind of vibrancy which has been brought into them. The share values have gone up, the dividends are even much better than earlier. So, disinvestment is one thing, but bringing value to them and make sure that the markets look at them absolutely favourably," Sitharaman said.

There is investment happening, she pointed out. The PLI scheme is also helping them. So investments in newer areas do have a slightly longer gestation period. Its not as if their brownfield projects are getting additional money. That also is happening. But the interest in the sunrise sector is really obvious now. People are taking a lot of interest and youre seeing them coming forward," the minister told News18.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier this week took a major action against One97 Communications, the owner of Paytm, regarding Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) due to persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns. It barred PPBL, which houses all of Paytms 330 million wallet accounts, from accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, FASTags and other instruments after February 29. Heres what customers need to know:

What Paytm Services Will Be Affected Due To RBIs Action?

In its directive, the RBI on January 31 said, No further deposits or credit transactions or top-ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc. after February 29, 2024, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime.

No other banking services like fund transfers (irrespective of name and nature of services like AEPS, IMPS, etc.), BBPOU and UPI facility should be provided by PPBL after February 29, 2024, the RBI said.

The Nodal Accounts of One97 Communications Ltd and Paytm Payments Services Ltd are to be terminated at the earliest, in any case not later than February 29, 2024.

Settlement of all pipeline transactions and nodal accounts (in respect of all transactions initiated on or before February 29, 2024) shall be completed by March 15, 2024, and no further transactions shall be permitted thereafter.

What Paytm Services Will Continue?

The RBI, however, said withdrawal or utilisation of balances by its customers from their accounts are to be permitted without any restrictions, up to their available balance.

One97 Communications said, Paytm and its services continue to remain operational beyond February 29 also, as most of the services offered by Paytm are in partnership with various banks (not just Paytm Bank).

It added that the directives from RBI are on Paytm Payments Bank and not Paytm.

No impact on user deposits in savings, wallets, FASTags, NCMC accounts: Paytm says the company has been informed that the RBI action does not impact user deposits in their savings accounts, wallets, FASTags, and NCMC accounts, where they can continue to use the existing balances.

Investments with Paytm Money Safe: Customers investments with Paytm Money are safe. The company assured that the recent RBI directives on Paytms associate bank wont affect Paytm Money Ltds (PML) operations or customers investments in equity, mutual funds, or NPS.

Loan and insurance distribution to remain unaffected: Paytms other financial services such as loan distribution, and insurance distribution are not in any way related to PPBL and are expected to be unaffected by this direction, Paytm clarified in its exchange filing.

Paytm Payment Gateway: The Paytm Payment Gateway business (online merchants) will continue to offer payment solutions to its existing merchants. Paytms offline merchant payment network offerings like Paytm QR, Paytm Soundbox, Paytm Card Machine, will continue as usual, where it can onboard new offline merchants as well.

PPSL will move the nodal to other banks: Paytm said it will pursue partnerships with various other banks, to offer various payment products to its customers.

Paytms offline payments: Paytm offers acquiring services to merchants in partnership with several leading banks in the country and will continue to expand third-party bank partnerships.

Bills payments remain unaffected: Mobile recharges, subscriptions and other recurring payments will continue to operate smoothly even after the RBI directive.
As the Uttar Pradesh board exams 2024 are around the corner, the Yogi Adityanath government is set to take decisive action to combat cheating in the 10th and 12th exams, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to their integrity. While adhering to existing protocols, new measures are being implemented to further strengthen the examination process.

To ensure that these measures are implemented smoothly, central administrators are being trained extensively by expert trainers. According to a press release from the Chief Ministers office, this training covers all aspects of the exams and is designed to eliminate any potential errors during the examination process.

Meanwhile, Dibyakant Shukla, Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Board (UPSEB), informed that three master trainers have been appointed for each of the states 75 districts, and they are providing centre administrators with detailed examination information via audio-video presentations. Shukla stated that the training will cover important topics such as preventing cheating, maintaining order, ensuring the security of question papers, and maintaining answer sheets, as per reports.

The UPSEB Secretary reportedly stated that new arrangements are being made this time as well. In a first, protective QR codes, logos, and coding have been added to the cover page of the answer sheets, and they have been published in four different colours than last year, along with the page numbers, reports suggest.

According to the official schedule, the UP Board 2024 exams will commence on February 22 and will conclude on March 9. The Uttar Pradesh Board examinations will be held in two shifts; the first shift is from 8:30 am to 11:45 am (morning session) and the second shift is scheduled from 2 pm to 5.15 pm (evening session).

This year, a total of 55,25,290 lakh students have registered for the UP Board exam. Out of which, about 29,47,325 lakh have registered for high school (Class 10) exams, and around 25,77,965 lakh are going to appear for intermediate (Class 12) exams.

To accommodate this large cohort, the board has strategically established 8,265 exam centres across the state. This includes 566 government exam centres, 3,479 funded exam centres, and 4,220 non-funded exam centres, underscoring the comprehensive efforts undertaken to ensure a fair and secure examination environment, a press release mentioned.

On February 1, the Uttar Pradesh Education Board released the admit card for the Class 10 and 12 board exam candidates. Students will be able to access their admit cards from their respective schools.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that veteran BJP leader and former deputy prime minister LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the countrys highest civilian award.

The Prime Minister made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) saying he is very happy to share that 96-year-old Advani will be conferred the honour.

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a pic.twitter.com/Ya78qjJbPK Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2024

One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister," Modi said on X.

Here is all you need to know about Lal Krishna Advani:

Lal Krishna Advani was born on November 8, 1927 in Karachi in the undivided India in a Sindhi family. As a student in St Patricks School, Karachi, his patriotic ideals inspired him to join the Rashtriya Swayamasevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of fourteen in 1941. He was forced to migrate to Delhi during the Partition of the country and became an RSS pracharak in Rajasthan. Soft-spoken and mild mannered Advani became the face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. During his initial political career, Advani became part of BJPs predecessor Jana Sangh in 1951, formed by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He was appointed as the secretary of the partys Rajasthan unit and in 1957 he was shifted to Delhi to assist Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and held his seat till 1989. In December 1972, he was elected president of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Advani became the face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980 that shaped, and continues to define the saffron partys electoral and political fortunes. Together with Vajpayee, he went on to build the BJP brick by brick and orchestrated its steep rise in the 1990s. In the late 1980s and the 1990s, he focused on building the BJP into a national political force and the results reflected in the 1989 General Election. BJP bounced back from 2 seats in 1984 to 86 seats in 1989. He served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980, according to the partys website. A 10-term parliamentarian, Advani has also served as the home minister and deputy prime minister and has been a key figure in the BJPs evolution. In the 2009 general elections, Advani projected himself as the PM candidate, despite many leaders unsupportive of the move. The BJP suffered a resounding defeat to the Congress-led UPA in the 2009 polls and impacted Advanis stature and position within the party. The 96-year-old leader was made a member of the Margdarshak Mandal after the BJP won the election under Narendra Modi in 2014.

The Bharat Ratna has been bestowed on Advani in a year of the Ram temples consecration, which marks a triumphant closure for the BJP of an issue which was thrust into popular consciousness by the veteran leader through his Ram Rath Yatra in 1990. The yatra and the mass appeal it drew boosted the partys vote share and made it the key challenger to the Congress, then the biggest national party.

(With inputs from PTI)
Russian troops have no progress on the front line in Ukraine, although they retain the initiative in ground operations. The Russian army is far from achieving its military objectives, while Ukraine continues to conduct successful attacks on the aggressor country's facilities located far from the front line.

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This was stated by Colonel Eero Rebo, Chief of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces. His words were quoted by err.ee on Friday, February 2.

He reminded that for several weeks, Russian energy and military infrastructure in the Krasnodar Territory, Bryansk, Ryazan, Leningrad and Nizhny Novgorod regions of Russia, as well as in the territory of Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russian troops, had been under attack.

He stated that the situation on the frontline in Ukraine has not changed over the past week and that the main fighting is taking place in the east of the country. The main efforts of the Russian Federation in the Donetsk sector are aimed at capturing Avdiivka, and fighting is also taking place in the Bakhmut and Donetsk sectors.

ADVERTISIMENT

"For some time, there were signs in Avdiivka that maneuvering or reconnaissance units were spotted inside the settlement. However, they failed to organize a siege. In fact, there are fierce battles there, but the tactical situation has not changed much," the Estonian colonel said.

At the same time, in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian occupants continue to attack the territories liberated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Rebo also noted that Ukrainian troops continue to hold the bridgehead created on the banks of the Dnipro River, for which the battles are ongoing.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
January 22, 2024, will forever be a red-letter day for LK Advani. As India and the world welcomed Lord Ram in Ayodhya after a 200-year-old dispute, the political face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement watched the fruition of his legacy from the side-lines.

The long and arduous journey for the Ram Mandir  BJPs poll plank and electoral promise  would be incomplete without mentioning the efforts of charioteer Advani who will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social networking site X on Saturday morning to share the news. I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, he said.

Mandir Wahin Banayenge

It was 1990 when Advanis Rath Yatra changed the political discourse of India as the now 96-year-old veteran gave the clarion call for establishing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

As Advani roared Mandir Wahin Banayenge  the slogan synonymous with the struggle for the temple  he found resonance in a huge number of Hindus who gathered to accompany him on his quest for undoing a historic wrong.

In its 10,000-kilometres-long journey, the Yatra drew huge crowds as it traversed from Gujarats Somnath towards Ayodhya.

Not one to be cowed down by opposition leaders  including then Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to cancel his march  Advani asked if the courts would decide where Lord Ram was born.

Log kehte hain ki aap adalat ka faisla kyun nahi maante? Adalat kya is baat ka faisla karegi ke yahan par Ram ka janm hua tha ke nahi hua tha? (Several people are asking me to cancel the yatra. They say why dont you respect the courts verdict? Can the court decide whether Ram was born here or not?), he asked.

Appealing to the Opposition to give him free passage, he said: Aap se toh itni hi asha hai ke beech mein mat pado. Raaste mein mat aao. Kyunki yeh jo Rath hai, Lokrath hai. Janata ka Rath hai. (We request you to not try to interfere. Allow us free passage. Because this Rath is the will of people and that of people).

Later, Advani and his associates were stopped and arrested in Samastipur in October 1990. Two years later, the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 by Kar Sevaks who had assembled in Ayodhya from across the country. Advani described the incident as the saddest day of my life.

Legal Tangle

The Babri Masjid demolition dealt a body blow to BJP. Advani and 32 other leaders, including Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Nritya Gopal Das, president of the existing Ram Mandir Trust, were named as accused in the case.

It was after a 28-year-long struggle that they were acquitted by a special CBI court which said there was no conclusive evidence against the 32 accused of being involved in any conspiracy to bring down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.

Advanis journey in his words

Penning a piece titled Shri Ram Mandir: Divya Swapn Ki Poorti (Shri Ram temple: Fulfilment Of A Divine Dream) in the 76-year-old Rashtradharma magazine, Advani said destiny had decided that the temple would become a reality one day.

Days after the rath yatra started, I realised that I was only the charioteer. The real messenger of the yatra was the chariot itself. It was venerable, as it was going to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, for the noble purpose of the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Him, Advani wrote in the article.

Recalling that PM Modi was his aide in the Yatra, he said: When PM Modi will consecrate the temple, he will represent each citizen of India. I hope that this temple will inspire Indians to imbibe the values of Lord Ram.
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani accepted the honour of Bharat Ratna with humility and gratitude and said that the motto  This life is not mine. My life is for my Nation  is what inspired his life.

With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the Bharat Ratna that has been conferred on me today, the 96-year-old co-founder of BJP said in his statement.

Advani said that ever since he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a volunteer at the age of 14, he has sought just one thing in his life, that is to be dedicated and selfless in his service to the nation in whatever task life assigned to him.

What has inspired my life is the motto  This life is not mine. My life is for my Nation, the BJP stalwart said in his statement.

He extended his gratitude towards the two persons, with whom he had the honour of working closely  Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Followed by this, the now Bharat Ratna LK Advani, wrote about his heartfelt gratitude to the millions of party workers, RSS workers and others with whom he has worked throughout his journey in public life.

I also express my deepest feelings for all members of my family, especially my dear departed wife Kamla, the BJP veteran said, adding that these people have been his greatest strength in life.

He noted his sincere thanks to President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for bestowing this honour on me.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the highest civilian award of the country, for the BJP stalwart.

Taking to microblogging site X, PM Modi wrote, I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour.

One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, the prime minister added.

The 96-year-old leader was the Deputy Prime Minister in PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee-led NDA government. The saffron party leader has been a member of both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament between 1970 and 2019, before retiring from active, day-to-day politics.

Advani has been the longest-serving president of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA KR-639 RESULT ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Karunya KR-639 lucky draw for Saturday, February 3. Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Karunya Plus KN-508 WINNERS for February 8, 2024; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh!

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ALSO READ: Puducherry Man Wins Rs 20 Crore Kerala Xmas New Year Bumper Lottery 2024

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Maharashtra BJP legislator Ganpat Gaikwad, who shot and injured Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad over a land dispute inside a police station in Maharashtras Ulhasnagar on Friday night, said his move came in self-defence and he had no regrets as they were beating his son inside the police station.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do, he said.

The shooting took place inside the cabin of senior police personnel at the Hill Line police station where the two politicians and their supporters had gathered to file a complaint over a long-standing land dispute.

The two politicians were indulged in a conversation in the hall of senior inspector Anil Jagtap of Hill Line Police station when a clash broke out between their supporters.

Following the ruckus, an argument ensued between the two and BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot four rounds of bullets at Mahesh Gaikwad. Shiv Sena MLA Rahul Patil also got injured in the incident.

The arrested BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad was taken out of the police station for a medical examination on Saturday. He will be produced before the court later in the day. Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

WHO IS GANPAT GAIKWAD

According to a report by Hindustan Times, Ganpat Gaikwad is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA representing the Kalyan (East) constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

He has emerged victorious in this constituency three times consecutivelyfirst as an independent candidate in 2009 and 2014 and later securing a BJP ticket in 2019. His 2019 assembly election affidavit reveals that Ganpat Gaikwad faces 18 pending criminal cases.

OPPOSITION DEMANDS SHINDES RESIGNATION

The opposition in Maharashtra on Saturday demanded Chief Minister Eknath Shindes resignation after the BJP MLA opened fire at a Shiv Sena leader over a land dispute in Thane district. BJP and Shinde-led Sena are ruling partners in the state. The Congress claimed that the incident pointed to a law and order breakdown in the state, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) said Shinde was responsible for it. NCP president Sharad Pawar termed it worrisome and said there is a limit to the misuse of power.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis told the media that he has ordered a high-level probe into the firing incident, while his peer Ajit Pawar said it was wrong for elected representatives to take the law into their own hands.

Talking to the news channel Zee24taas over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad alleged that CM Shinde was trying to establish a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra. Former chief minister Ashok Chavan called the shooting extremely serious and worrisome.

The incident at the Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar is not only a challenge to law and order but also puts a question mark on the trustworthiness and responsibility of the state government to deliver justice, Chavan said in a post on his X handle.

Leader of opposition in the state assembly Vijay Wadettiwar attributed the firing to arrogance of power and vendetta politics and accused Shinde of encouraging mob culture in the state. There is a law and order breakdown, he said.

Wadettiwar said Shinde betrayed Uddhav Thackeray and will do the same with BJP. Ganpat Gaikwads statement that Shindes son is indulging in corruption and nothing happened despite complaining to Devendra Fadnavis and senior BJP leaders is shocking. It shows the true colours of Maha Yuti (ruling coalition). As elections draw close, their internal strife will also grow, he claimed. State Congress President Nana Patole said the allegations made by the BJP MLA against the CM are serious and he should resign immediately.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut held the CM responsible for the shooting incident, claiming that the government in Maharashtra has been formed through mobocracy and gundagiri. The incident has occurred in CMs district and he is responsible for it. Gaikwad has blamed Eknath Shinde, Raut told reporters.

(With PTI inputs)
A firing incident surfaced in Maharashtras Ulhasnagar where a BJP MLA opened fire at Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction leader on Friday night. The shooting took place inside the cabin of senior police personnel at the Hill Line police station where the two politicians, Shinde leader Mahesh Gaikwad and BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and their supporters had gathered to file a complaint over a long-standing land dispute.

Maharashtra Deputy CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadanavis has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. A Crime branch SIT led by ACP Nilesh Sonawane has been formed for the investigation of the incident.

Meanwhile, a magistrate court on Saturday sent BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad to Police custody till February 14.

According to an ANI report, the two politicians were indulged in a conversation in the hall of senior inspector Anil Jagtap of Hill Line Police station when a clash broke out between their supporters.

Following the ruckus, an argument ensued between the two and BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot four rounds of bullets at Mahesh Gaikwad. Shiv Sena MLA Rahul Patil also got injured in the incident.

VIDEO | Shiv Senas Kalyan City President Mahesh Gaikwad was shot at in Ulhasnagar. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/wp43OmdDgG Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 2, 2024

The arrested BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad was taken out of the police station for a medical examination on Saturday. He will be produced before the court later in the day.

Three people, including Gaikwad, were arrested in connection with the incident, DCP Sudhakar Pathare said. The accused have been kept in Kalwa Police Station for security purposes. A large force of police has been deployed outside Kalwa police station. The accused will be produced before the Thane court later in the day.

The other accused arrested in connection with the shooting include Ganpat Gaikwad, Harshal Kene, and Sandeep Saravankar.

Shinde Faction Leader Critical

Mahesh Gaikwad sustained serious injuries in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Thanes Jupiter Hospital. He was initially admitted to Mira Hospital in Ulhasnagar. However, after his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane at around 11:00 pm.

According to an NDTV report, five bullets have been removed from his body, but his condition remains critical.

Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway, Sudhakar Pathare, DCP was quoted by ANI as saying.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Saturday visited Jupiter Hospital in Thane to meet party leader Gaikwad who was shot by BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad.

Gaikwad Sent to Custody Till Feb 14

A magistrate court in Ulhasnagar sent BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad to Police custody till February 14. The accused were to be presented via video conferencing but, the court has denied permission for video conferencing.

The court asked the accused to physically appear for the hearing.

Who are Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad?

Ganpat Gaikwad is a BJP MLA from the Kalyan East constituency. He has won the seat three times since 2009. Mahesh Gaikwad, on the other hand, is a corporator from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the groups Ulhasnagar chief.

It is not immediately clear if the two are related.

Ready to Face Consequences Have No Regrets: Ganpat Gaikwad

According to an India Today report, Ganpat Gaikwad said he is ready to accept whatever decision the court takes on the incident. He further levelled corruption charges against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and alleged that crime has increased under his governance. He also accused the CM of turning him into a criminal.

According to an Indian Express report, in an audio clip circulated after the incident, Ganpat Gaikwad alleged that his son was manhandled inside the police station.

I was frustrated and that is the reason I opened fire. I do not have any regrets. If my son is beaten up inside the police station what do you expect me to do? I was not planning to kill them but if someone behaves this way right in front of the police then I have to act in self-defense, Gaikwad was quoted Indian Express as saying.

Gaikwad also went on to say that Eknath Shinde will betray the BJP.

Eknath Shinde betrayed Uddhav Thackeray and he is going to commit the same betrayal with the BJP. Eknath Shinde has also embezzled lakhs of rupees from me. Whatever decision the court takes regarding this incident, I will accept, the BJP MLA was quoted by India Today as saying.

Gaikwad further added that he wants to tell the people that he is not a criminal and expressed confidence that the publics trust will remain with him as they know him well.

Opposition Leaders React to Shooting Ulhasnagar Shooting

Calling the firing incident in Ulhasnagar unfortunate, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey remarked that leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other in the 3-engine government.

This firing has taken place inside the Police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is unfortunate that an MLA who needs to work for the welfare of lakhs of people is shooting peoplein the 3-engine government, leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other,  Anand Dubey said.

#WATCH | On Ulhasnagar firing incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey says,  This firing has taken place inside the Police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is https://t.co/TUSbgwzleg pic.twitter.com/yWfxpT1t4V ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2024

Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar took to microblogging sit X and wrote, An incident of firing between BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and former corporator of Shinde group Mahesh Gaikwad at Ulhasnagar police station has recently taken place. BJPs boss Sagar is sitting in the bungalow and Shinde groups Boss Varsha is sitting in the bungalow. Therefore, MLAs and office bearers of both the parties are confident that they can dance this maj by putting the police and the law in the state.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi reacted to the incident saying panaas khoke party and its ally, Bhrashtachari Jodo Party (BJP) are imploding.

Shoot out inside a police station! The panaas khoke party and its ally, bhrashtachari jodo party (BJP) are imploding and how. Kalyan BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad held for shooting at Shinde Sena leader, Chaturvedi saidn in an X post.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, Firing incident is happening in the home town of CM Eknath Shinde and the MLA openly says that Shinde forced him to shoot, that the CM should resignToday, it happened at a Police station. The manner in which the CMO has become a den of goons, I fear that such incidents can take place even at Mantralaya and CMO.

#WATCH | Ulhasnagar firing incident | Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, Firing incident is happening in the home town of CM Eknath Shinde and the MLA openly says that Shinde forced him to shoot, that the CM should resignToday, it happened at a Police station. The manner pic.twitter.com/NBQwvxyhJP ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2024

LoP Maharashtra, Vijay Wadettiwar remarked that an even bigger incident can occur if the government pays no attention as the election approaches.

If a ruling side leader or a public representative does firing of this kind, it means that the Law and Order situation of the country is in complete disorderI think that as the elections approach, an even bigger incident can occur if the government pays no attention. We demand that strict action should be taken against public representatives with a criminal mindset Wadettiwar said.

(With inputs from Yesha Kotak and Vinaya Deshpande in Mumbai)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted on Saturday that criminals have been using the latest technology for funding and operating across regions as he called for rethinking, reimagining and reforming legal systems to deliver justice.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA)  Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC), he said countries already work with each other in the domain of air traffic control and maritime traffic, and advocated extending this to investigation and justice delivery.

When we work together then jurisdiction becomes a tool to deliver justice and not to delay it, he said, adding that the nature and scope of crime have seen radical changes.

Sometime ensuring justice in one country requires working with other countries, he said.

He expressed hope that the conference works to ensure that everyone has access to timely justice and no one is left behind.

The rise of cryptocurrency and cyber threats presents new challenges and there is a need for making justice delivery system more flexible and adaptable, he said.

The 21st century challenges cannot be fought with 20th century approach, Modi said.

Citing ancient Indian beliefs, he said justice is at the root of independent self- governance and without justice the very existence of nation is not possible.

Noting the presence of a large number of delegates from African countries, he said India has a special relation with the African Union. We are proud that the African Union became part of the G20 during Indias presidency, he said.

The prime minister said legal education is a key instrument in justice delivery and pitched for having more women in law schools so that there presence rises in the legal system.

World needs young legal minds who have diverse exposure, he said, adding that legal education needs to adapt to changing time and technology.

The theme of the conference is Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery.

This conference will deliberate on important issues pertaining to law and justice like judicial transition and the ethical dimensions of legal practice; executive accountability; and revisiting modern-day legal education, among others.
The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government on Saturday held a cabinet meeting to discuss and approve the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which would make way for the BJP-ruled state to become the first in the country to adopt the UCC.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister spoke to reporters and said that many issues were discussed in the meeting, adding that in this session, they will bring UCC, whatever formalities are being completed.

Dhami noted that there will be another cabinet meeting, after which the draft will be brought.

Once the cabinet gives a green light, the bill is likely to be tabled during a special four-day session of the assembly that has already been convened from February 5-8.

This comes after a government-appointed panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, on Friday submitted a voluminous document to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who said the long-awaited moment has arrived.

As the Uttarakhand government gets closer to making UCC a reality, heres all you need to know about the experts responsible for the draft.

The five-member committee, responsible for the UCC draft, is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. The expert committee had two sub-committees the first panel consisting of Justice (retired) Permod Kohli, Gaur, and Singh was given the responsibility of drafting the code. The second one consisting of Gaur, Singh, and Dr Dangwal was given the responsibility of consulting stakeholders.

Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai

A retired Supreme Court justice, Desai had a law degree from the Government Law College in 1973 and later joined the legal profession. She was appointed government pleader at the Bombay High Court in 1979, and then Special Public Prosecutor for preventive detention matters at the High Court.

Desai headed several crucial search committees constituted by the government including the one to recommend a panel from which the chairperson and members of the Lokpal can be chosen. She also assumed charge as chairperson of the Delimitation Commission with effect from March 6, 2020, for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.

Justice (retired) Permod Kohli

Justice Kohli completed his law degree from the University of Jammu in 1972. He was appointed Additional Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir during a period of Governors Rule in 1990 and later took over as the Advocate General of the then state.

In 2011, Kohli was made the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, from where he retired in 2013. Afterwards, he was appointed chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

Shatrughan Singh

Another member of the expert committee, Singh is the 1983-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre and is an engineer by qualification. He became the 13th Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand in November 2015 and served in the post for a year.

After retirement, Singh was appointed the states Chief Information Commissioner by the then BJP government. Singh was also a member of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Construction Committee.

Dr Surekha Dangwal

Dangwal, the Vice-Chancellor of Doon University in Dehradun, served as Head of the Department of English, Modern European and Other Foreign Languages, at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in the city of Srinagar in Uttarakhand.

With a 34-year-long career in teaching and research experience, her research interests focus on South Asian Womens Studies, Diaspora Literature and Literary Theory.

Manu Gaur

Gaur is an agriculturist by profession. He is also the president of TAXAB (Taxpayers Association of Bharat) and a prominent social worker.

He is said to have been instrumental in drafting the first-ever Responsible Parenthood Bill on population control. Gaur has also been working on the issue of UCC and population control since 2012.
Actress Sonalee Kulkarni, who predominantly works in Marathi cinema, is making headlines as she recently forayed into South cinema. She has made her mark in the Malayalam film industry with a significant role in Malaikottai Vaaliban. The makers recently released a song titled Ezhimala Kottayile from the film.

The song unveils the stunning character Rangapattinam Rangarani, portrayed by Sonalee Kulkarni. The lyrics are penned by PS Rafeeque, and Prashant Pillai has composed the song. Sonalee delivers a bold performance in the film Malaikottai Vaaliban. The actress is enthralling the South audience with her graceful dance moves, showcasing the renowned Lavani dance from Maharashtra.

The actresss performance gained huge traction from the audience. So far, the video has received over half a million views and is still counting more. Several social media users have commented on the video. One user wrote, The way they captured feminine beauty. This song had a great theatre vibe." Another user added, My favourite songenjoyed it." One user also commented, National awards and state awards waiting. This film is a gem."

Sonalee Kulkarni, in her Malayalam film debut Malaikottai Vaaliban, directed by National Award winner Lijo Jose Pellissery, joined forces with South superstar Mohanlal. Sonalee expressed her joy at the opportunity to work with industry legends in her first Malayalam film. The film hit the screens in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, with plans to reach audiences in countries like the UK, US, and Canada. Notably, it stands as the first grand regional film to be released in Canada.

Malaikottai Vaaliban hit theatres on January 25. The Hindi version is set to be released later this week. Some of the key roles in the film were played by actors such as Sonalee Kulkarni, Hareesh Peradi, Manoj Moses, Katha Nandi, Danish Sait, and Manikandan Achari.
Get ready for the musical event of the year as the 2024 Grammy Awards is just around the corner. Set to be hosted by the charismatic Trevor Noah, the 66th annual ceremony promises an unforgettable night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, on Monday, February 5 at 7 AM. The star-studded affair is expected to host industry giants, with performances by iconic artists including Billie Eilish, Billy Joel, Burna Boy, Dua Lipa, Joni Mitchell, Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Travis Scott and U2. Although Taylor Swift will be in attendance, she wont be performing this year, as shell head towards Japan for the next leg of her Eras Tour. Find out how you can enjoy every moment of this sensational event.

Where To Watch Grammys 2024

Indian viewers eager to catch the Grammy Awards live can tune in at 6:30 AM on February 5. Watching from the comfort of your home is made easy this year. The Premiere Ceremony, red carpet moments and the main event will be all available for free streaming on Grammy.com and the Recording Academys YouTube channel. Additionally, viewers can catch the action on CBS or access the live stream on CBS.com. For those with VPN services, the Grammy Awards can also be accessed on CBS and Paramount Plus.

Talking about hosting the awards night for the fourth time and earning a nomination for I Wish You Would, Trevor Noah told Hollywood Reporter, Im glad that its happening in my fourth year because I think in my first year that wouldve been an emotional overload. Being nominated for a Grammy is so momentous that I dont know how you could focus on hosting a show at the same time. And hosting the show is so much stress and theres so much thats happening live that you dont want to be distracted by this idea that you may or may not win an award. This is may be the perfect time for it to happen.

In this years Grammy Awards 2024 nominations, SZA has taken the lead with an impressive nine nominations, while Phoebe Bridgers, Victoria Monet and Serban Ghenea follow closely with seven nods each. The nominees also include top artists such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Jon Batiste, Brandy Clark, Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Jelly Roll, Ice Spice, Coco Jones, Fred again, The War & Treaty, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran and many others.

Meanwhile, the upcoming awards night can bring several interesting possibilities, including SZAs SOS potentially becoming the first album by a Black woman to win Album of the Year in 25 years. Taylor Swift has the chance to make history as the first artist to win the top award four times with Midnights. Additionally, artists like Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Victoria Monet and more have the opportunity to win their first-ever Grammy after years of contributing to the music industry.
South Korean actress Han So-hee has reportedly charged a whopping fee for her role in Gyeongseong Creature. The hit K-drama, which also starred Park Seo-joon in the lead, was released in December 2023 on Netflix. While fans are eagerly waiting for season 2, a new report has claimed to have gained access to the salary details of Han So-hee. If reports are to be believed, the popular South Korean drama actress has charged a whopping 200 million KRW (about $149,000 USD). When converted to INR, it comes up to about Rs 1.23 crore.

The details about her fees for the show were reported by Koreaboo. The fee is jaw-dropping considering that Han So-hee has starred in just 10 series so far and Gyeongseong Creature is her fourth K-drama as a lead actress. Han So-hee is expected to return for season 2 of the show as well.

Despite the limited leading roles, Han So-hee has achieved international fame courtesy her performance in Nvertheless and My Name. She went on to cement her position in the international market with her performance in Soundtrack No 1, co-starring Park Hyung-sik. She also starred in the music video of Jungkooks hit song Seven.

In Gyeongseong Creature, she played the role of Yoon Chae-ok. The action-thriller K-drama Gyeongseong Creature on Netflix, launched on December 22, takes place in 1945, portraying the Japanese imperial Army committing atrocities against civilians. As per the Time Magazine, the narrative is inspired by real-life war crimes of Unit 731 and introduces General Kato and his monstrous creations. Focused on his pet project, General Kato relocates to Gyeongseong (modern-day Seoul), shaping the course of the series.

Han So-hee has faced criticism after addressing concerns about the portrayal of Korean independence fighters, fighting against the Japanese army, in the K-drama Gyeongseong Creature. Despite initial backlash, the show managed to shift fan sentiment and concluded its first act successfully.
On the morning of February 3, the Russian terrorist army attacked Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, with guided aerial bombs. The attack damaged a multi-story residential building and an agricultural enterprise in the town.

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Russian troops struck the city at about 6 a.m. with an airplane bomb with a warhead weight of 500 kg in TNT equivalent. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported this on Telegram.

According to him, they hit civilian infrastructure. Russian troops dropped a FAB-500 with a universal planning and correction module on civilians.

The attack damaged a nine-story residential building, private homes, power grids and other civilian non-residential infrastructure. The consequences of the terrorist attack are currently being eliminated.

In turn, the police of Kharkiv region said that the village of Olkhovatka in the Kupiansk district also came under an air strike. A warehouse building and the territory of an agricultural enterprise were damaged in the village.

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In addition, a private household and a warehouse of a private enterprise were damaged in Kupiansk due to shelling from Uragan MLRS. In the city of Vovchansk, Russians attacked private houses.

More than ten other settlements in the Kharkiv region were also shelled. Investigators opened criminal proceedings over the violation of the laws and customs of war under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

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Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt gave fans the best Christmas gift last year  the first look at their daughter Raha. The actors, who welcomed their daughter in 2022, finally introduced their daughter Raha to the media at the Kapoor family Christmas lunch and it broke the internet. Ever since then, Raha has been captured by the paparazzi countless times whenever she accompanied her parents. On Saturday too, Raha along with Ranbir and Alia were spotted at the Mumbai airport.

In a clip that was shared by the popular paparazzo handle Manav Manglani, one could catch a brief glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and their adorable daughter Raha entering the premises of the Kalina airport in Mumbai.

While we cant see their faces, Alia Bhatt wore a black coat and Ranbir Kapoor complimented her in a black outfit. The doting father carried Raha in his arms.

Take a look:

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt gave fans the best Christmas gift last year  the first look at their daughter Raha. The actors, who welcomed their daughter in 2022, finally introduced their daughter Raha to the media at the Kapoor family Christmas lunch and it broke the internet.

Although they chose to keep her away from the limelight, Ranbir has often spoken about her. In the past, the actor said he doesnt shy away from showing pictures of Raha to people he meets frequently. Ranbir also recently revealed that he has got his daughter Rahas name inked on his collar bone.

In a Zoom interview, Alias dad, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also shared about his granddaughter. He also mentioned being surprised when Alia and Ranbir revealed Rahas face in public. He said, I, myself, was quite surprised that they did that. I think they must have felt that okay, now, shes one year, and its time for her to be introduced to the world at large, who was very curious to know what their baby looks like. And I think, they did it with tremendous grace and must say the media behaved very decent. Alia and Ranbir talked with the media before introducing the baby as they dont want Raha and them to be hounded and they grant us this. I must say that the paps were very decent. In this intrusive age, where the media just gets everywhere. I think thats where we are more civilized than the West  in reference to keeping Alia and Ranbirs right to their child private.
Rakul Preet Singh is making heads turn, and how! Be it glamorous red carpet appearances or casual candid outings, the actress always manages to make heads turn. Having said that, the actress recently glammed up for an event in an off-shoulder black satin dress and looked all things elegant. Sharing the photos on her Instagram handle, she wrote, Black is a mystery .

In the photos, Rakul looked drop-dead gorgeous. She completed her look with well-defined eyes and statement jewellery. Finding the right balance between elegance and charm, the actress was a complete vision to behold.

Meanwhile, it was recently confirmed that Rakul Preet Singh is all set to get married to producer Jackky Bhagnani this February. The couple has chosen to tie the knot in an intimate two-day celebration, set to conclude on February 21 in Goa. They had originally planned a destination wedding overseas and made a last-minute decision to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for families to host their wedding festivities within India.

Rakul and Jackky have been dating for a few years now, leading to this joyous moment of matrimony. From their first few encounters to the love they share today, their journey has captivated fans and set the stage for a heartwarming celebration.

Just a few months ago, Rakul penned a heartwarming note for her beau on his birthday. Happppppy bdayyyyyyy my  on this bday and everyday I wish you receive abundance of all that you desire. Your kindness and innocence are rare to find. Your jokes are the silliest, but I have to admit they are funny. Protect all of this because they dont make men like you anymore. Here is to adventures, traveling, eating, and laughing together always, @jackkybhagnani, she wrote.

Previously, in an interview with Anupama Chopra, Rakul spoke about her relationship with Jackky. She said, Were both of the opinion that there is nothing to hide or be sly about a relationship. If you are in one, the best thing is to give each other that respect and acknowledge it. Lets face it. We all know who the couples are, hiding and running. Both of us dont come from that school of thought.
Vicky Jain has finally admitted that his mothers words against Ankita Lokhande were not right while the couple was inside the Bigg Boss 17 house. In a recent interview, Vicky explained that her mother said what she did because of her emotions towards her son. Although Vicky mentioned that the reactions werent right, he argued that they were reasonable at that time. However, he also clarified that now that he and Ankita are back home, issues have been resolved.

Her emotion was for her son. Thats the only right thing. But the words she used were not right. Either it is my family or her (Ankitas) family, they are connected to both of us. We were inside the show. They could see that we were facing some issues but they could not talk to us, neither could they understand it. Their reactions should not have come out the way they did. But it happened because she has that emotion for her son. Therefore, both the aspects are somewhere right but words werent right at all, he told Bollywood Bubble.

It was also because they werent able to meet us. When we came back, half of the problems were already solved. The feeling that your children are back at home ends most of the problems, he added.

During Vicky and Ankitas Bigg Boss 17 stint, the formers mother made several comments against her daughter-in-law. When Vickys mother, Ranjana Jain, entered the show as a guest, she scolded Ankita for hitting her husband. In one of the interviews, Ranjana Jain claimed that the family wasnt in support of the couples wedding.

Bigg Boss 17 concluded on January 28, 2024. Both Anktia and Vicky were a part of the finale week. While Vicky was eliminated during the week as a part of a surprise eviction, Ankita was the third runner-up of the show. The show was won by Munawar Faruqui.
When Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain were inside the Bigg Boss 17 house, the two often fought with each other. During their massive arguments, Ankita often brought up divorce. Now that Salman Khans controversial reality show is over, Vicky has clarified that whatever was said in the house was in anger and therefore should not be taken seriously.

A husband and wife also share a kind of comfort and humour. In love marriages, you dont have to change yourself as a person, you dont have to behave in a certain way, you have the freedom, so we are just free and we have a certain kind of humour which we both keep cracking with each other, Vicky told Siddharth Kannan during a recent interview.

Vicky further explained that even during their fights, if one of them takes offence, the other keeps playing along with it. It cant be a very straight and boring kind of a relationship. Its not what we have with each other. We have a lot of fun, we are more of friends, we fight, we argue and still be together. I feel that is the most real kind of a relationship, he said, adding that it prevents their relationship from becoming boring.

Asked if they discussed their fights after coming out of the Bigg Boss 17 house, Vicky shared, We dont even feel the need to discuss it as we know where we are, where we were and where we would be in our relationship.

Ankita Lokhande married businessman Vicky Jain in December 2021. The two entered Bigg Boss 17 together in October 2023. Both, Vicky and Ankita were part of the finale week. While Vicky was eliminated during the week as a part of a surprise eviction, Ankita was the third runner-up of the show. The show was won by Munawar Faruqui.
We are living in a time when the very idea of Bharat as a modern nation-state has come under intense scrutiny. Newspaper columns are brimming with arguments and counter-arguments, each vying to establish a specific narrative. With the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, this debate has reached its crescendo. A section of intelligentsia, both in India and abroad, outraged by the prospect of Hindu resurgence, has gone to extremes to proclaim the demise of secular ideals in the countrys polity.

There is no gainsaying the fact that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has seen a marked departure from the Nehruvian idea of secularism, demonstrating a palpable desire to embrace its ancient roots which Nehru once disparagingly referred to as the deadwood of the past. The question emerges: does the fall of Nehrus secular temple inherently signify the fall of India as a pluralist society? The question necessitates a detailed and nuanced response.

Nehru, who called himself the last Englishman to rule India, viewed the country through a Westernised lens and consistently failed to appreciate Indias civilisational strength. The type of secularism he attempted to impose on India ran counter to the dharmic character of the land. After all, India is known to be the land where dharma forms an integral part of the individual and collective existence of its people; even our identity as a modern nation-state has intricately been shaped by ideals enshrined in our dharmic texts.

Terms like Satyameva Jayate (the national motto), Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah (ideal of the Research and Analysis Wing), Yato Dharmastato Jayah (Supreme Courts baseline), Bahujan Hitaya, Bahujan Sukhaya (All India Radio), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Doordarshan), Seva Asmakam Dharmah (Indian Army), Nabhah Sparsham Deeptam (Indian Air Force), Kosh Mulo Dand (Income Tax) and Yogakshemam Vahamyaham (LIC) have all been borrowed from our ancient scriptures.

The original copy of the Constitution document had 22 illustrations to record Indias 5,000-year-old cultural history  from epic heroes like Rama and Krishna to Hanuman, Buddha and Mahavira, and further to Akbar, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh and Rani Laxmibai. Interestingly, part III on Fundamental Rights carries an illustration of Rama, Sita and Lakshman  an implicit acknowledgement of Rams revered status as the supreme guardian of peoples rights.

In another intriguing example of the substantial influence wielded by dharma on a states functioning, the Gujarat High Court, in 2011, ruled that the performance of a Hindu ritual known as Bhoomi Pujan to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the courts new building, at which Brahmin priests recited Sanskrit slokas, did not conflict with Indias secular Constitution. While dismissing the Rajesh Himmatlal Solanki versus Union of India case, the court held that secularism is not the antithesis of religious devoutness, and that since the prayer ceremony was noble and meant to benefit everyone who used the courts building regardless of their religion, it was secular. Most recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the new Parliament building which was conducted almost exclusively according to Hindu rituals, in the presence of representatives of other religions.

Despite concerted efforts by those opposing Hindu values to erode their indelible imprint on Indias national character, it remains undeniable that our foundational identity is firmly rooted in the essence of dharma. India cannot truly embody secularism as conceived in the Western worldview, as this concept is fundamentally alien to the cultural fabric of this land. Secularism was not originally a part of the Constitution; it was inserted through the 42nd constitutional amendment in 1976 during the period of Emergency when the entire Opposition was in jail. The question arises: why did our founding fathers and mothers opt not to include this word in the Constitution?

It is important to note that secularism, as a statecraft principle, is a relatively recent concept marked by a lack of consensus on its precise definition. The interpretation of the idea appears to vary, based on the social, cultural, and political practices inherent in each country. For instance, European societies may exhibit high secular values, and many European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Greece, and Sweden, maintain established churches. Federal states like the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria allow local communities to determine the role of religion in education, some having a church tax until recently. In contrast, France staunchly advocates for the formal separation of State and Church, emphasising the removal of religious values from the public sphere, replaced by secular principles like liberty, equality, and fraternity. The American Constitution remains somewhat ambiguous on the matter, with the term secular absent in the text. However, the First Amendment (1791) prohibits Congress from establishing a religion and guarantees the free exercise thereof, often interpreted as the establishment clause and the free exercise clause, described as a wall of separation by Thomas Jefferson.

In the Indian context, secularism was introduced during the colonial period, when religious identity became essential markers to secure privileges. In his book Republic of Religion, Abhinav Chandrachud argues that secularism was artificially imposed by the British colonial government in India even though it did not fully exist in England. The British rulers adopted a policy of secularism in India to safeguard colonial interests while deepening the religious schism in the country that helped them to rule over the country for an extended period of time. They saw the diversity of races in India, and the presence of a powerful Mohammedan community as circumstances favourable to the maintenance of their rule. Undeniably, the colonial rulers used secularism as a tool to exploit existing religious fault lines in Indian society. The deleterious impact of skewed secularism practised by the British resulted in the partition of India in 1947 which was the direct consequence of the grant of a separate electorate for the Muslims.

Prior to delving into the constituent assembly debates on secularism, it is important to remember that in the West, secularism gained ground as a movement against a theocratic state that was unjust and oppressive. The idea found little resonance in India, a historically pluralist society with robust religious foundations. However, in the constituent assembly debates, we see fervent arguments both in favour of and against secularism as a guiding principle for India as a modern nation-state.

Sabyasachi Bhattacharya identified three distinct groups among the members based on their views on secularism:

First there was a section of members who wanted to declare clearly that the Republic would be a secular state. They demanded that the specific word secular should be included in the Constitution. The second group was of members who rejected the above approach and desired that the place of religion be recognised in public life. The third group advocated a middle path between the above two approaches. They rejected the religious bias of the second group and also differed from the first group regarding the addition of the word secular as a redundancy.

Interestingly, both Dr BR Ambedkar and Pandit Nehru were averse to the idea of including the word secularism (and socialism) in the text of the Constitution. When Prof. K.T. Shah, a constituent assembly member from Bihar, tried to move an amendment to include the words secular, federal, socialist in the Constitution, Dr Ambedkar rejected it. In his response to Shahs argument, Dr Ambedkar said that there was no need to include the term secular as the entire Constitution embodied the concept of a secular state, which meant non-discrimination on grounds of religion and equal rights and status to all citizens.

Another senior member of the assembly, K.M. Munshi argued that the state must take into account the religiosity of Indians; underlining the tolerance inherent in the Hindu belief system, he said, We are a people with deeply religious moorings. At the same time, we have a living tradition of religious tolerance  the result of the broad outlook of Hinduism that all religions lead to the same god. He passionately argued that the non-establishment clause of the American Constitution was inappropriate to Indian conditions and we had to evolve a characteristically Indian secularism, and the Indian state could not possibly have a state religion, nor could a rigid line be drawn between the state and church as in the US. He added, A secular state is not a Godless State. It is not a state which is pledged to eradicate or ignore religion. It is not a state which refuses to take notice of religious belief in this country.

H.V. Kamath, an assembly member from the Central Provinces repeatedly mentioned how the US constitution makers believed in basing the foundational pacts of the US democratic republic in the name of God. He also proposed to move an amendment to begin the preamble with in the name of God. Other members such as Shiban Lal Saxena and Pandit Govind Malaviya also proposed to move similar amendments. Purnima Banerji, a member from the United Provinces, opposed Kamaths amendment. In her response, she said, To most of us, believers and non-believers, it will be difficult to affirm or deny God. Let us not try to invoke His name in vain. It should not be brought up in this form and the Members compelled to vote one way or the other. The flame of God is invoked by every nation upon earth and God is an Impartial Entity and He should be allowed to remain so. With these words, I appeal to Mr. Kamath not to put us to the embarrassment of having to vote upon God.

Ultimately, it was decided that the word secularism would not be explicitly incorporated in the constitution and the state would adhere to the equal respect theory where the state respects and tolerates all religions.

However, despite the best intentions of the founding fathers and mothers, over the last 75 years, the idea of secularism has faced recurrent scrutiny, at times due to its perceived detachment from the social realities of the country and, on occasion for its skewed implementation, as witnessed in the Shah Bano case (1985). One of the biggest examples of the inadequacy of Indian secularism is its failure to bring the Uniform Civil Code. Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution says, The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. In his judgement in the Shah Bano case, Chief Justice YV Chandrachud regretted that Article 44 of the Constitution had remained a dead letter. In another case Sarla Mudgal vs. Union of India (1995), the Supreme Court held that there was no necessary connection between religion and personal law in a civilised society. In both cases, the Supreme Court highlighted the need for the Uniform Civil Code which it believed would help the cause of national integration by removing disparate loyalties to laws which have conflicting ideologies.

India is inherently secular, not solely due to constitutional mandates but as an ingrained philosophy in this ancient civilisation. The foundational character of Hindus, comprising eighty per cent of the population, is rooted in principles of pluralism and tolerance, shaping the essence of the nation. Swami Vivekananda eloquently conveyed the essence of pluralism and tolerance in his renowned Chicago speech, stating, I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.

Medieval traveller Al-Biruni, French traveller Francois Bernier, British scholar and Sanskritist Monier Monier-Williams, and German Indologist Paul Hacker have all comprehensively documented the inclusivism, pluralism and tolerance ingrained in Hindu philosophy. The foundational principles of modern secularism, encapsulated in the trio of inclusivism, pluralism, and tolerance, find their roots in the timeless teachings of Sanatana Dharma. These three philosophical tenets are eloquently expressed in the philosophical verses of ancient Hindu scriptures: ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti (Rig Veda), meaning  the Absolute Truth is one but has different manifestations; aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah (Rig Veda), meaning  Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions; and udar Charitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam (Maha Upanishad), meaning  for those who have a big heart, the entire world is one family.

India, as a civilisation, has weathered numerous assaults on its identity, emerging each time with increased resilience and vitality. This remarkable resilience is attributed to the steadfast connection of the Indian people with their dharmic roots. Rather than viewing the resurgence of Hindus with anxiety, one can find reassurance in the fact that Hinduism, deeply ingrained in the national character, provides a robust guarantee for the enduring secular fabric of India. This assurance is not borrowed from Western concepts but is intrinsic to the essence of Hinduism, underscoring the nations unique ability to harmonise diverse beliefs and coexist with unity.

Abhijeet Sriwastava is the Head of Policy Research of Bihar BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The two tallest leaders of the BJP, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, have now been conferred the Bharat Ratna by the Narendra Modi government. Both have been awarded the Bharat Ratna in their lifetime, Vajpayee in 2015 and Advani when he is 96, silencing critics who accused Narendra Modi of side-lining senior-most BJP leaders.

Advani was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Modi government in 2015 soon after coming to power. Now, at the age of 96, Advani has been awarded the Bharat Ratna in a major move that will prove to be the political legacy of Modi. It also cements the Modi governments claim that it has acknowledged the political contributions of stalwarts from both sides of the political spectrum, which the Congress ignored.

For example, the likes of senior Congress leaders like Pranab Mukherjee and Madan Mohan Malviya were also awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Modi government, along with socialist icon Karpoori Thakur awarded this year.

Modi in his message on Saturday said he had learnt a lot from Advani who has been the architect of the BJP. Advani has been among the partys tallest leaders who rose to limelight by making the BJP the political face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990. He co-founded the party in 1980 and was the party president three times. He also served as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, was the Leader of the Opposition in both houses of Parliament and became the partys prime ministerial face in the 2009 elections. In 2014, Advani became a part of the margdarshak mandal of the party along with Murli Manohar Joshi.

Advanis political rise came from his Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya to press for the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the site of the Babri Masjid. He was stopped in Bihar by then state chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on the orders of then prime minister VP Singh.

In 1992, when kar sewaks demolished the mosque on December 6, Advani was accused of delivering provocative speeches near the site. CBI charged him and other BJP leaders with criminal conspiracy in bringing down the Babri Masjid. Twenty-eight years later, in 2020, a court acquitted Advani in the case citing lack of evidence and said the demolition of the mosque was a spontaneous act and not pre-planned. In 2022, the High Court upheld the same.

Despite being the face of the party and nurturing many BJP stalwarts like Sushma Swaraj, Pramod Mahajan and Arun Jaitley, Advani could never realize his dream of becoming the Prime Minister. The rise of Modi in 2013-14 made Advani withdraw to the sidelines. But, Modi kept his unwavering respect for Advani, including making it a point to visit him on his birthday every year.

A Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and now a Bharat Ratna now underlines Modis respect for Advani and silences those who questioned Advanis absence at the Pan Prathistha event in Ayodhya on January 22. Advani had cited harsh weather conditions to skip the event.

Advani Jis decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege to have countless opportunities to interact with and learn from him, PM Modi posted on X on Saturday.
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is set to hold a two-day national convention meeting on February 17 and 18 at New Delhis Pragati Maidan. This will be the ruling partys mega poll preparation exercise ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, which are likely to take place this year.

BJP National Chief JP Nadda will preside over the meetings where discussions on the partys strategy, agendas and poll review will be held. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the convention.

The inaugural session of this two-day convention will begin on February 17 at 3 pm and the session will conclude on the second day with PM Modis address.

BJP Convention: Whats on Agenda?

Discussion on the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, resolutions, and review report from the last meeting, will be the main agendas of the two-day meeting in Delhi.

Organisational and current issues, discussion on resolutions and reports on future programmes and activities will also be discussed in this convention, which is likely to be attended by all the key BJP leaders.

Sources say that a few resolutions based on the achievements of the 10 years of the Modi government will also be passed during the meeting. The saffron party will also congratulate the prime minister for fulfilling key promises on issues like Ram Mandir, Article 370 etc.

PM Modi To Attend The BJP Convention

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the two-day convention, and will also give the Victory Mantra to party leaders on the last day of the convention.

As per sources, more than 8000 party workers from panchayat level representatives to national executive committee members, national council members, MPs, MLAs Ex MPs, national office bearers, and all morcha national office bearers, are expected to participate in this convention.

Who All Will Attend The BJP Convention

All National executive committee members, national council members, MPs, MLAs Ex MPs, national office bearers, and all morcha national office bearers. State office bearers, core committee, disciplinary committee, finance Committee, election committee members, and Ex-state presidents, will attend the two-day convention under the leadership of Nadda.

This apart, Lok Sabha cluster In charge, Lok Sabha convenor, Lok Sabha vistarak, National spokespersons, state spokespersons, state media convenors, Social media ( IT convenors) Chairman /Deputy Chairman of Nagar Nigam, Nagar Palika and Nagar panchayat. Chairman /Deputy Chairman Zila Panchayat chairman .Deputy Chairman of different state-level boards and Corporation and National teams of various ongoing programs will also be in attendance.

The party also held a similar 2 days convention before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

No official date has been declared for the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls that will see the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) contest for the Lok Sabha seats for the third straight term. This time, the NDA will face the INDIA bloc as opposition, which aims to overthrow Prime Minister Narendra Modis government.
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani, who led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s, will be conferred the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian award, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning.

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour, PM Modi said in a post on X.

Describing the 96-year-old former deputy PM as one of the most respected statesmen of our times, PM Modi said the veteran politicians contribution to the development of India is monumental.

Also Read:Inspiration To Millions: Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Others Wish LK Advani After PM Modis Bharat Ratna Declaration

His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, PM Modi further wrote.

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a pic.twitter.com/Ya78qjJbPK Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2024

Further praising the veteran leader PM Modi noted that Advanis decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics.

He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him, PM Modi added.

The honour for Advani is being seen as an ode to his instrumental role in shaping the partys core ideology which has come to dominate the countrys polity under Modi.

The announcement came days after Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 24 said Karpoori Thakur, the late former Bihar chief minister and socialist leader, will be awarded the highest civilian honour posthumously, in time for his 100th birth anniversary celebrations.

About LK Advani

Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Before retiring from active politics, the BJP leader had been a member of both Houses of Parliament between 1970 and 2019.

BJPs longest-serving president, Advani, is credited with crafting the partys rise through the 90s when it came to power for the first time as the head of coalition governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

During his initial political career, Advani became part of BJPs predecessor Jana Sangh in 1951, formed by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He was appointed as the secretary of the partys Rajasthan unit and in 1957 he was shifted to Delhi to assist Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Together with Vajpayee, he is credited for building the BJP brick by brick and orchestrating its steep rise in the 1990s.

Also Read: LK Advani Gets Bharat Ratna: All About His Life, Political Career, Contribution to BJP

In 1990, Advani embarked on the Ram Rath Yatra a chariot processionto mobilise volunteers for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The Yatra began from Somnath in Gujarat and headed to converge at Ayodhya.

The effect of the Yatra was such that in the 1991 general election, the BJP emerged as the second largest party after the Congress with Advani winning for the second time from Gandhinagar and becoming the leader of opposition again.

The Bharat Ratna will be bestowed on Advani in a year of the Ram temples consecration, which marks a triumphant closure for the BJP of an issue.
The Opposition Congress in Odisha on Saturday described the BJP and ruling BJD as political partners, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as Mitra (friend).

Inaugurating the IIM Sambalpur campus, Modi had addressed Patnaik as Mukhyamantri, Mere Mitra Sriman Naveen Patnaik ji.

Reacting to it, AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said the PM did not utter a single word on Patnaik and his close aide VK Pandian.

This proves that both BJD and BJP are together, thats why we organised their symbolic marriage recently. They are in a secret alliance and Pandian had set up the bond by holding discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJD is no more a different party, it has now become BJP, Kumar alleged. Refuting the allegation, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal said,

He (PM) has indicated that some parties were opposing development works. Now, the people can witness what can be done for them, if BJP forms government in the state. While addressing the meeting, Patnaik as usual was very sober towards Modi and addressed him as Honble Prime Minister-ji.

Patnaik thanked Modi for taking time off his busy schedule to come Odisha and grace the inauguration of the IIM Sambalpurs new campus. Honble prime minister has set a new direction for India, and we are on the path to become an economic powerhouse, Patnaik said adding, Our endeavour is to be the manufacturing hub of eastern India and I am sure the prime minister will extend all necessary support to achieve it.

Patnaik also lauded Modi by saying, Today, we are hosting the First World Odia Language Conference and are fortunate to have the prime minister, who is a lover of Indian languages, with us in Odisha.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, kick-starting the campaign for Lok Sabha polls at Indravelli in Adilabad district, said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will soon launch the Rs 500 gas cylinder scheme in the state. This was one of the guarantees mentioned in the Congress election manifesto.

The next scheme to be launched, he said, is free electricity up to 200 units. Besides these, he promised that the cabinet will soon take a decision to fill 15,000 vacancies for constables.

Tribals constitute almost 32 per cent of the population in Adilabad district. At present, BJPs Soyam Bapu Rao is the MP from here.

If we talk about the heroes of Telangana, Ramji Gond and Komaram Bheem will find a special mention. That is why we have started development work from this area. In the last 10 years, the BRS government did nothing for the families of the martyrs of Indravelli massacre. We have to now rebuild this state which has been destroyed by the KCR family. An amount of Rs 40 lakh crore was looted in the name of Mission Bhagiratha. Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, on which crores were spent, is sinking. KCR never thought about anyone except his own family members, the chief minister said at a public meeting.

The Adivasi Factor

After announcing that the BC Caste Census Bill will be debated in the upcoming Budget session of the assembly, Reddy laid the foundation of Indravelli Memorial during his visit on Friday.

In 1981, many Gond Adivasis were killed in police firing at this site. Though official reports say only 13 persons lost their lives, unofficial estimates peg the number at around 100.

Before this, Reddy visited the Nagoba temple in Keslapur and laid the foundation for development work worth Rs 5 crore in the temple. This temple in Adilabad district is famous for Nagoba Jathara which concluded on January 28. It is one of the largest tribal festivals in the country.

After this, the chief minister distributed bank linkage cheques worth Rs 60 crore among women self-help groups.
Satellite images of the Belbek airfield in occupied Sevastopol have been leaked, showing the aftermath of the Ukrainian Defense Forces' strike. The occupiers lost personnel and at least three aircraft there.

ADVERTISIMENT

The photo was published by the DeepState analytical project on February 3. According to preliminary information, an enemy command post was hit at the airfield.

"The losses in personnel will be known with the passage of time and with the first obituaries on the enemy's social media," the analysts said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The day before, Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that the occupiers had lost at least three aircraft and manpower as a result of the attack on the Belbek airfield. According to him, the best confirmation is satellite imagery, but even better is "obituaries in Russian publics."

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On the afternoon of January 31, a series of explosions occurred in Crimea. Russian media reported an attack with "dozens of missiles", and the network reported a fire in the area of the Belbek airfield.

- The network showed footage of a fire at the Belbek airfield, which engulfed a cluster of vehicles.

ADVERTISIMENT

- The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, thanked "everyone who joined the cleansing of Crimea from the Russian presence". Yuriy Ignat, in turn, said that Russian facilities were attacked in Crimea, but urged to wait for intelligence confirmation or satellite images.

- According to media reports, ten Russian servicemen were killed at the Belbek airfield. Among them was the squadron commander of a fighter regiment, Alexander Tatarenko.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
One of the biggest headlines in the tech media this week was the reports about Nokia as a branding coming to an end. In fact, multiple reports said we wont be seeing a Nokia-branded phone anymore in the market. HMD Global has the rights to make and sell Nokia Android phones across various markets and the company says it is now going to make its own HMD-branded phones for consumers. Does that mean it will stop selling Nokia phones?

HMD Global has officially denied those rumours and confirmed that Nokia phones will be available in the market and it will continue to make new Nokia phones in the near future. HMD Global explains the changes going around at the company which includes rebranding the Nokia Mobile website to HMD, one of the reasons why many people thought this is the end of the brand Nokia.

I am sure you may have seen that at HMD, we are updating our channels from Nokia Mobile to HMD. This change is more than just a new name  were introducing a fresh new multi-brand strategy, HMD Global mentioned in its statement.

The company also assured that Nokia phones are not going anywhere, in fact, you will see more new Nokia phones later this year and further. You will continue to see new Nokia phones. True to our values, HMD will continue to design more sustainable and affordable phones.

The changes are most likely happening because HMD Global is finally spreading its wings beyond a brand licensee which allows the company to sell phones with its own brand name. Nokia has a big nostalgia value in the market but the next phase of growth of HMD will be a challenge as it looks to focus on two brands rather than one big entity.

HMD or Nokia, either way, the market has moved quite ahead and the company has changed its focus, and even there it needs a more proactive approach to succeed, which allows the brand Nokia to live for years to come.
A routine date night for Kerigan Nardi and her husband took a nightmarish turn when their home security system alerted them to an unexpected guest making himself at home. Last Saturday, January 27, the Nardi couple received a chilling notification of movement within their southeast Nashville residence. Initially dismissing it as a potential false alarm triggered by their pets, the US couple decided to check their security cameras remotely. To their shock, they witnessed a stranger forcefully breaking into their home, rummaging through their belongings, and then, in an unexpected turn of events, taking a shower, according to a report by UNILAD.

The bewildered homeowners immediately dialled 911 while worrying about the safety of their dogs inside the house. Our fur babies are there. Theres a man in our house we dont know. We just need to get home, Kerigan expressed to WIS 10 in the aftermath of the incident.

Law enforcement swiftly responded to the distress call, arriving at the Nardi residence to find the intruder, identified as Samuel Smith, casually sitting on their couch with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Smith was promptly arrested and charged with aggravated criminal trespassing and possession of methamphetamine, as per the arrest affidavit.

He was naked, sitting on our couch, Kerigan recounted, expressing the violation felt by the couple. You dont just violate people like that. It doesnt matter what kind of psychosis youre in. It doesnt matter what kind of drugs you use. You dont break into peoples houses and violate them that way, she added.

The Nardis, shaken by the incident, have taken extensive measures to restore a sense of security to their home. They thoroughly disinfected the rooms the intruder entered, discarded the towel he used, and even bleached their shower. However, the cleanup process turned out to be more challenging than expected.

As he was taking a shower, in my home, he left some excrement behind, Kerigan disclosed to WIS 10. Yes, he decided that that would be a nice present for the homeowners, I suppose.

Traumatised by the experience, the couple has reinforced their home security by installing a deadbolt lock and adding a barricade to their door for extra protection when they are away. They are also planning to expand their surveillance system with additional cameras and are encouraging their neighbours to do the same.

I think that people need to just get cameras and be careful because you never know, Kerigan emphasised, highlighting the importance of vigilance in safeguarding ones home.
Nicholas McGee, 45, resident of Brooklyn, New York, admitted this week that he killed sex offender Kawsheen Gelzer during a dispute over drugs and stashed his severed head in the freezer of his apartment in New York Citys Flatbush.

The case has garnered significant attention in the US with many concerned over rising crime rates in major American cities, including New York.

McGee told the police that he committed the murder in March 2022 and before killing Gelzer he told him that he deserved to be killed. Because you are a piece of s**t and I am sick of you, McGee told that these were his words before committing the murder, according to a report by the New York Post.

Nicholas McGee is currently in custody in Chesapeake, Virginia in a separate case where he faces charges of identity fraud. In custody, while speaking to the police, he said he just snapped and killed the sex offender, who molested children in the past.

He also admitted that he sliced up Gelzers body while sharing a bottle of vodka with his wife, Heather Stines, 45, and then sifted through Gelzers pockets for the drugs and smoked them.

The newspaper said that McGee revealed all of this information in exchange for a cigarette.

Gelzers wife, Heather Stine, last month told cops that her husband was responsible for murder after he and Gelzer got into a fight over drugs. McGee told the cops that the alleged murder took place on March 22, 2022. Police initially thought the murder happened on Aug-Sep 2023. Gelzer was reported missing in August 2023.

McGee told the police that he was the victim as he was upset with Gelzer for not handing over the drugs to him and his wife as they allowed him to crash in Flatbush flat regularly. He also said that Gelzer, who has been on the state sex offender registry since he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy in 2005, disrespected the couple.

Following the fight, Gelzer fell asleep on their couch in the Flatbush apartment. As he was asleep, McGee allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and lodged it into his back and this led to a struggle. The struggle ended after McGee stabbed him multiple times and hit him with a hammer. Before dying, Gelzer reportedly begged McGee to tell him why he killed him. McGee told Gelzer he was tired of him and then as he killed him he sifted through the dying mans pockets and took out the drugs he was denied moments earlier.

McGee and Stines left the mutilated body in their Flatbush apartment for several days until it showed signs of decomposition. Stines said that her husband was at home but didnt participate in the murder earlier but McGee recalled that he decided to cut Gelzer into pieces. I got to cut this motherf**ker up, he said and then he took a small saw to cut the body while the couple passed a bottle of vodka back and forth.

The body was cut and put in plastic bags which then went into a suitcase he stuck in their fridge. I put it in there and tried to forget about it, McGee admitted. He told the police that he and his wife considered tossing the remains but found that it would be too complicated a task with other people in the busy building.

The body was discovered last month but the neighbours said they were aware of a deadly struggle in the unit. Heather Stines was not allowing that many people into the apartment in recent months and also refused to let visitors near the fridge she had taped up.

She also tried to prevent the cops from looking inside when they finally raided the home Monday where they found a severed head and other body parts on ice. Stines was charged was concealment of a corpse after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation on Wednesday and her husband McGee will be charged with murder soon, the newspaper said citing law enforcement officials.
Anti-Israel protesters clashed with police at a rally outside Columbia University on Friday leading to nine arrests within a couple of hours. The protesters allegedly were making anti-police chants and comparing them to white supremacist, far-right terrorist group the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

NYPD, KKK. IDF theyre all the same, the protesters screamed as they clashed with the police. They also charged at a few pro-Israel protesters and ripped a pro-Israeli poster from the hands of a woman and convened around her.

The demonstrators were part of the All Out for Palestine demonstration with protesters marching with Palestinian flags which later transformed into a scuffle with New York Police Department (NYPD) officers in the street.

As cops tried to detain a woman, a swarm of screaming protesters attempted to intervene and rip her off the custody of the cops.

The protesters took out the march in response to allegations that anti-Israel student demonstrators were sprayed with an unknown, foul-smelling chemical last month during a protest staged on the campus of Columbia University.

The two alleged assailants were banned from campus after the incident. The police also launched a probe into what interim provost Dennis A. Mitchell says appears to have been serious crimes, possibly hate crimes.

After the main protest on Friday died down, a smaller group marched south to West 107th Street and Broadway. More protesters were arrested there. The main protest was attended by hundreds of protesters.

You are violent thugs. You are criminals! You are the most violent. You are the most fking violent. It is right to rebel. NYPD, burn in hell! It is right to rebel. NYPD, burn in hell! the protesters chanted.

The US and several other countries in the world have seen protests in solidarity with both Israelis and Palestinians as the war rages on in Gaza. The protests have also led to law and order issues in several cities of the US. Large-scale protests also disrupted normal life in the UK and several other western countries.
Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said Saturday.

Signs of a Hamas resurgence in the Gaza Strips largest city underscore the groups resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign against it over the past four months. Israel has said its determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest. The residents said they saw both the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to the southern half of Gaza.

During Israels ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of scrap, rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office near the hospital that was set up to distribute $200 payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, traffic cops and civil police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

The partial salary payments of $200 for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knock-out blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza on Saturday.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at a hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said. The second strike struck a house in the Jeneina area of Rafah, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

The 17 bodies were taken to the Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, the main health facility in Rafah, and were seen by an AP journalist.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the preceding 24-hour period, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

Israels defense minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing for the last few weeks on Khan Younis, the largest city of southern Gaza.

While the statement has alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah.

The U.N. satellite center said Friday that its latest analysis of available imagery indicated more than 69,000 structures in Gaza  nearly one-third of all structures in the territory  have been at least moderately damaged in nearly four months of fighting.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

International mediators continue to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire deal put forth this week, nearly four month since Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas continue to hold dozens of captives, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict has leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Meanwhile, United States  which has negotiated tenants of the deal along with Israel, Egypt and Qatar  launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.
Amid ongoing diplomatic tension, India and Maldives have found mutually workable solutions for operating three aviation platforms in the Indian Ocean archipelago, by replacing all Indian military personnel, who fly and maintain the aircraft, by May.

Following the second meeting of the India-Maldives high-level core group in Delhi, set up to address the issue of withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the solutions worked out by the two sides would enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives.

During the meeting, both sides continued their discussions on wide-ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation towards identifying steps to enhance the partnership, including expediting the implementation of ongoing development cooperation projects, the MEA said.

Last month, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw all its military personnel from the island nation by March 15.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the high-level core group in Male on a mutually convenient date, it added.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, in its statement, said that India will replace its military personnel in the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10.

Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10 and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10, the Maldivian foreign ministry said.

India-Maldives Diplomatic Tension

The ties between India and Maldives have come under some strain since Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in November.

The two sides decided to set up the core group following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Muizzu on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December.

At present, around 80 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft which carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.

Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, maintained after assuming charge as the president that he would keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year.

The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male.

Muizzu was sworn in as the new Maldivian president on November 17.

A day after taking charge of the top office, he called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.

After the first meeting of the core group on January 14, the Ministry of External Affairs said that sides were looking at finding a mutually workable solution to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of Maldives.
Jennifer Crumbley, 45, the mother of a Michigan boy who shot dead four high-school classmates in 2021 while testifying in her own defence before the closing arguments to examine whether the parents of the school shooter are liable for manslaughter or not admitted to using an adultery app to pursue multiple affairs.

According to reports by news agencies, she also hosted sex parties with her lover Brian Meloche with other participants. She has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over her sons school shooting incident. She has testified that she was not responsible for buying or storing the gun used in the killings.

A panel of 12 jurors will decide the fate of Jennifer Crumbley who has pleaded not guilty and faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter.

This is the first trial where prosecutors are attempting to find a parent of a school shooter criminally responsible. Her husband, James Crumbley, was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and his trial will begin separately in a few weeks. James bought a 9mm handgun for his son a few days before the shooting at Oxford High School near Detroit

The prosecutors are alleging that the parents were negligent in failing to secure the gun their son, Ethan, used in the shooting.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting on Nov. 30, 2021, pleaded guilty in 2022 to two dozen counts, including four of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December.

Prosecutors have accused his parents of knowing their sons mental health was in a downward spiral and posed a danger to others, yet allowed him to have access to firearms, including the handgun he used to kill classmates.

Prosecutors want to examine Jennifers claims that she was a hyper-vigilant helicopter parent and was close to her son before he shot four of his classmates.
Fighting raged Friday in Gaza forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee seeking shelter, after Qatar said Hamas had given initial support to a hostage-prisoner exchange that would pause its war with Israel.

The Hamas press office reported Israeli air and artillery bombardment around Khan Yunis  southern Gazas main city and the focus of recent fighting.

Winter storms and torrential rain also pounded the devastated coastal territory, with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA saying on social media: Gaza is being strangled and the world seems to have lost its humanity.

Israeli raids targeted central and southern Gaza, witnesses said, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee, some wearing hazmat suits left over from the Covid pandemic to protect themselves against the harsh weather.

AFP video footage showed people running amid the sound of gunfire in Khan Yunis, as black smoke billowed from an explosion nearby.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced the deaths of three Palestinian Red Crescent workers  two on Wednesday and one on Friday  around Al-Amal hospital in Khan Yunis.

Any attack on healthcare workers, ambulances, and medical facilities is unacceptable, the IFRC said in a statement.

The Palestinian Red Crescent earlier said Israeli snipers were firing at one of its buildings where thousands of displaced people were sheltering.

Nearly four months of fighting have devastated Gaza while an Israeli siege has resulted in dire shortages of food, water, fuel and medicines.

Images released Friday by the UNs satellite centre UNITAR based on footage collected on January 6 and 7 show that approximately 30 percent of Gazas structures have been affected by the war.

The new findings provide an estimated figure of 93,800 housing units damaged in the Gaza Strip, UNITAR said.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians are sheltering in bombed out buildings and makeshift camps.

Diplomatic push for truce

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the Middle East to press a proposal to release Israeli hostages in return for a pause in the Gaza offensive, the US State Department said.

Blinken will visit Qatar and Egypt  the mediators of the proposal  as well as Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia starting Sunday, it said.

This comes after Qatars foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said there were hopes of good news about a fresh pause to the fighting in the next couple of weeks.

He said a truce proposal agreed with Israeli negotiators was presented to Hamas and had received a positive initial response from the Palestinian militant group and was approved by the Israeli side.

The plan was thrashed out with Israeli negotiators by Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators in Paris earlier this week.

A source close to Hamas told AFP however: There is no agreement on the framework of the agreement yet  the factions have important observations  and the Qatari statement is rushed and not true.

A Hamas source said the group had been presented with a three-stage plan which would start with an initial six-week halt to the fighting that would see more aid deliveries into Gaza.

The pause would also see the release of women, children and sick men over 60 among the Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, the source said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

The leaders of Hamas and its Gaza ally Islamic Jihad, Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh and Ziyad al-Nakhalah, discussed the latest development and said any future ceasefire must lead to a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, Haniyehs office said.

The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamass October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages, and Israel says 132 remain in Gaza, including at least 27 believed to have been killed.

In response, Israel launched a withering offensive that has killed at least 27,131 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Rafah a pressure cooker

The humanitarian crisis and the mounting civilian death toll have triggered growing international calls for a ceasefire.

On Friday the UNs humanitarian agency OCHA said it was deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities in Khan Yunis, which has pushed a flood of people into Rafah for shelter.

Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next, OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke said.

The UN childrens agency UNICEF meanwhile estimated that at least 17,000 children in Gaza have been left unaccompanied or separated from their parents due to the war.

Each one has a heartbreaking story of loss and grief, said Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF spokesman in the Palestinian territories.

Tracing the childrens identities was proving extremely difficult, as sometimes they were brought to a hospital where they may be wounded or in shock, and they simply cant even say their names, he added.

Regional spillover

Violence has also flared in the occupied West Bank, where more than 370 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers since October 7.

In a rare move against Israelis, the United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on four Jewish settlers over the violence.

Hamass war with Israel has sparked a surge in attacks by Iran-backed groups in the region in support of the Palestinians.

On Friday, the Israeli army said its defence system successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israeli territory in the area of the Red Sea, as Yemens Huthi rebels claimed they fired missiles towards Israel.

A drone attack Sunday by Iraq-based militants killed three US soldiers  the first American military losses since the start of the Israel-Hamas war  in Jordan.

American media on Friday reported retaliatory US strikes on eastern Syria, which a war monitor said killed six pro-Iran fighters.

Washington had earlier warned of multiple actions against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria.
The US military struck Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militia groups in both Iraq and Syria on Friday as a retaliation for the drone attack that killed three American soldiers at a base in Jordan.

The US has blamed Iran-backed forces for the attack but did not directly strike its rival. Washington seeks to deter future attacks and wants to avoid an all-out war with Tehran. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that at least 13 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the attack. At least 13 pro-Iran fighters have been killed, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But to all those who seek to do us harm: We will respond.  President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and SyriaAt 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, he added.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that the strikes targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force as well as affiliated militia groups. The US targeted and struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States.

The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions, CENTCOM said, adding that the targets included command and control and intelligence centres as well as rocket, missile and drone storage facilities belonging to militia groups and Iranian forces who facilitated attacks against US and coalition forces.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that the strikes lasted about 30 minutes, though they involved a lengthy trip for the B-1 bombers that took part after flying from the United States.

He said the Defense Department is still assessing damage from the strikes  which hit dozens of targets at seven separate facilities  but that the United States believes the raids were successful, and made clear that more would follow.

Violation of Sovereignty

Iraq condemned the latest military action and said the actions were a violation of its sovereignty. But John Kirby said the US did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes but did not comment on how Iraq responded to that information.

        :               .#_ pic.twitter.com/1jSJHXb2Hd Government of Iraq    (@IraqiGovt) February 2, 2024

The American air strikes in Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and an undermining of the governments efforts, Major General Yahya Rasoul, the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces said in a statement.

Dignified Return

Biden  who had vowed to strike back against those responsible for the drone attack in Jordan  earlier Friday attended a solemn military ritual at a Delaware air base for the return of the three dead soldiers.

The secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown, also attended what is known as a dignified transfer  their presence highlighting the importance, as well as relative rarity, of returning dead service members in the wake of the US exit from Afghanistan in 2021.

The three soldiers killed Sunday were the first US military deaths from hostile fire in the Middle East since the October 7 Hamas surprise attack on Israel that sparked a devastating Israeli assault on Gaza, which has stoked tensions and violence in the region and dragged it ever closer to an all-out conflict.

US and coalition troops have been attacked more than 165 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since mid-October with weapons including drones, rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.

Dozens of American personnel were wounded in previous attacks, many of which have been claimed by a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that opposes US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict and wants American troops out of the region.

(with inputs from AFP)
In a historic moment after the end of a two-year boycott, the North Irelands government named Sinn Fein politician, Michelle ONeill, as their first nationalist leader.

This is an historic day and it does represent a new dawn, ONeill told fellow lawmakers shortly after her appointment, adding it was unimaginable to my parents and grandparents generation.

This is a day of historic change.I am determined to deliver for everyone as a First Minister for all. pic.twitter.com/VmqCYbROuT  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) February 3, 2024

I am wholeheartedly committed to continue in the work of reconciliation between all of our people. The past cannot be changed or cannot be undone but what we can do, what we all can do, is build a better future, she added.

The Northern Ireland Assembly, in a special sitting, first voted to resume the delegated local government and then nominated the pro-Irish unitys politician as the first minister.

This landmark move follows the DUP ending its walkout from the Stormont institutions after its deal with the UK government over post-Brexit trade rules.

The DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly, another lawmaker, was appointed by the assembly to be ONeills deputy while other top ministerial posts were also being filled.

Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement  also known as the Belfast Agreement  that ended violence and restored self-government in Northern Ireland on the basis of power-sharing, the posts of first minister and deputy first minister are equal.

However, the appointment of a Roman Catholic pro-Irish unity first minister to the assembly is absolutely symbolic, especially in a nation set up as a Protestant-majority state under British rule.

It not only reflects Sinn Feins position as Northern Irelands biggest political party but also the changing demographics since Ireland was split into two self-governing entities in 1921.

DAY OF OPTIMISM

The 47-year-old pro-Irishu unity leader is taking up the office amid widespread industrial disputes in Northern Ireland over budgetary limitations and collapsing public services.

Called the assemblys restoration a day of optimism, ONeill urged everyone to put in a joint effort into tackling the problems.

The 47-year-old ONeill has been first minister-designate since May 2022, when Sinn Fein became the largest party at elections for the 90-seat assembly, which has responsibility for domestic policy areas when sitting. However, she had been unable to take up the post because of the boycott of the assembly by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

With the Republic of Ireland to the south, the Northern Ireland shares the UKs only land border with the European Union, but under the 1998 peace accord it needs to be kept open, without any infrastructure.

London, meanwhile, struck a separate Brexit trade deal with Brussels over Northern Ireland. The pact mandated port checks on goods arriving in Northern Ireland from mainland Britain, i,e., England, Scotland and Wales.

Unionists countered that a united Ireland was more likely and that breaking Northern Ireland off from the rest of the UK would be risky if it remained alone in the EU single market and customs union.

After two years of prolonged negotiations, the DUP has returned to power-sharing. It struck a deal with London this week easing the routine checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea, which were destined to remain in Northern Ireland.

The UK government will release a 3.3-billion ($4.2-billion) package to strengthen the struggling public services there. This came after a series of strikes over pay in the last few weeks.

Today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said at Stormont.

FORMALITIES, PORTFOLIOS & SURRENDER DEAL

Saturdays formalities began with the election of a neutral speaker, followed by nominations for the parties entitled to jointly lead the decision-making executive, and ministers for nine departments.

The non-aligned third-biggest party, Alliance, said it will be willing to take the justice portfolio again, and is eligible for another ministry.

The smaller Ulster Unionists are also entitled to a ministerial position but the fifth-largest party, the nationalist SDLP, are not and will form the opposition.

However, smaller, more hardline unionists continue to be bitterly opposed to Stormonts return, arguing that the surrender deal changes nothing.

We will not be surrendering our land to the EU, pro-UK activist Mark McKendry told fellow loyalists Thursday, calling on them to mobilise in protest.

But others are backing the agreement.

Former first minister and ex-DUP leader Peter Robinson, in a video message shared on Saturday by the party, said it secures very substantial progress on safeguarding the union.
On February 2, Ukraine received two Western air defense systems. These air defense systems are capable of shooting down all types of missiles Russia launches at our territory.

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This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who summed up the day. According to him, this is "the news we have all been waiting for."

"Two more air defense systems have arrived in Ukraine. All the details, of course, should not be said in public. However, these are systems that shoot down everything. We will defend the regions," Zelenskyy said, adding that these systems are not enough to fully protect the country.

The President did not specify which air defense systems Ukraine received and which country sent them. However, we should remind you that recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to send "several air defense systems", meaning IRIS-T and Patriot.

Zelenskyy also said that he had held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

"We focused on the issues of the front, ammunition, fortification, and protection of our energy networks. There are good results. In particular, Ukrainian drone production is constantly increasing. We have a clear plan for 2024 for drones. We are adding contracts and funding," he emphasized.

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According to the Ukrainian leader, the meeting also touched upon fortifications, namelythe speed of construction and financing. The tasks are being fulfilled, the President said.

"As for Avdiivka, it is extremely difficult there," the President noted.

Zelenskyy also spoke about his international work, including a conversation with the president of Kazakhstan and a meeting with the foreign ministers of Canada and Malta (the latter is the current OSCE chair). He thanked his interlocutors "for their continued support of Ukraine."

The president added that a coalition for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia was launched in Kyiv.

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"A framework document on its activities was presented. Canada is one of the co-leaders of the coalition," Zelenskyy said.

Traditionally, the president thanked everyone who helps Ukraine, who strengthens the country, and "everyone who fights and works for Ukraine to win."

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The United States announced new sanctions and charges Friday aimed at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, as Washington retaliated for a strike killing three Americans in Jordan that was blamed on Iran-backed militias.

They were part of a number of measures taken by Washington, apparently timed to coincide with deadly US strikes on pro-Iran fighters the Pentagon said hit more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria.

At least 18 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the strikes so far in eastern Syria, a war monitor said.

The US Treasury Department said it was imposing sanctions on six officials in the cyber-electronic command of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), over activities targeting critical infrastructure.

In a separate notice, the Treasury added that it was also hitting a network of suppliers providing materials and sensitive technology for Irans ballistic missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs.

In a third measure, prosecutors also announced they had seized $108 million used in an oil laundering scheme to fund the Revolutionary Guards elite Qods Force.

The moves came shortly after President Joe Biden blamed radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq for the Sunday drone attack on a base in Jordan that killed three American troops.

As the US launched Fridays strikes, Biden warned that such attacks would continue at times and places of our choosing.

The casualties were the first US military deaths in an attack in the region since the Israel-Hamas war started.

But Iran said it had nothing to do with the strike, with its president vowing it would respond firmly to any attack.

In issuing the latest US sanctions on Friday, the Treasury said IRGC-affiliated cyber actors recently hacked and posted images on screens of controllers manufactured by an Israeli company, Unitronics.

Unauthorized access to critical infrastructure systems can enable actions that harm the public and cause devastating humanitarian consequences, the department said.

A State Department spokesperson added that actors used default credentials to display an anti-Israel message on the controllers interface.

Separately, the United States sanctioned four Iran- and Hong Kong-based entities, saying they operated as covert procurement entities for individuals actively supporting Iranian military organizations like the IRGC.

Another target was Hong Kong-based China Oil and Petroleum Company, allegedly involved in selling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian commodities for the benefit of the IRGC Quds Force  the foreign operations arm of the Revolutionary Guards.

Terrorism, sanctions-evasion, fraud, and money laundering charges were unveiled in New York, the US financial center, by prosecutors against seven key figures in the oil-laundering network.

Todays charges show how, as alleged, the IRGCs Qods force built a sprawling international network of front companies to launder sanctioned Iranian oil using lies, forgery, and threats of violence, US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.
Ukraine has already sunk a fifth of Russia's "invincible" Black Sea Fleet. Prior to the full-scale invasion, it consisted of 70 ships.

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The relevant statistics were cited by Bild. It was compiled by the publication's analyst Julian Ropke based on the analysis of open data.

It is noted that the Russian Black Sea Fleet left the shores of Ukraine forever after the destruction of its flagship cruiser Moskva. Since then, 13 ships and the Black Sea Fleetheadquarters building in Sevastopol have been destroyed in the high seas and at docks. In addition, a missile boat "Ivanovets" was recently destroyed in Crimea.

A visual infographic on Russia's losses in a full-scale war was published by German expert on Ukraine Mattia Nelles. According to the expert, judging by the total tonnage of ships, the Defense Forces have already thinned out the enemy fleet by 20%.

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Historian Jan Behrends from the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt am Oder said in a commentary to the publication that Russia has never had a strong navy, and was only famous for its army. The current successes of our state against Putin's warships after 2022 illustrate the lack of modern technology and the unprofessionalism of sailors.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- The head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the attack on the Russian military boat "Ivanovets" was carried out with the help of new Ukrainian MAGURA 5 drones. The attack on the vessel was planned and carried out on January 31-February 1.

- The Navy noted that it will be very difficult for the occupiers to restore the Ivanivets missile boat, which was destroyed in Crimea as a result of a special operation by the DIU on the night of February 1. These units have long been discontinued, and there were only three of them in the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Donald Trump's federal trial on charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election will not start on March 4 after all. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan revoked her order on Friday that had set that date, saying she'll reschedule once a decision by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals on Trump's immunity claim is in, USA Today reports. It's also possible the US Supreme Court will take up the case, further delaying, at least, the trial process. Chutkan's decision gives a victory to Trump, who has taken steps to delay the trial until after this year's presidential election.
US forces launched new airstrikes against Iranian-backed militants in Iraq and Syria on Friday, kicking off a campaign of retaliation for the killing of three American soldiers in Jordan on Sunday and escalating the fighting in the Middle East. More than 85 targets were hit, US Central Command said. US officials said the attacks could be broadened to more targets and other militia groups, the New York Times reports. President Biden wanted to avoid measures that could spread the fighting tied to the Israel-Hamas war, administration officials said, but believed the deaths of the Americans in a drone strike left him no options.

No targets in Iran were struck because of concern over escalation. A security official in Al Qaim, Iraq, said weapons warehouses and the headquarters of Axis of Resistance groups were attacked. Mosques were advising people to not leave their homes. The 85 sites hit are connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as the local militias it backs, per the Washington Post. They included command centers, intelligence sites, and drone storage sites. US officials have said many Iranian commanders moved out of the area in anticipation of the retaliation.

The strikes began hours after Biden attended the return of the three Army Reserve soldiers' remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he met privately with their families, per the AP. The retaliatory campaign will continue "will continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden said in a statement Friday. "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world," he said. "But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond." (More US military stories.)
Sen. Ted Cruz has an idea that could prevent any more awkward photos of a member of Congress jetting to Cancun during a time of crisis from going viral. The Texas Republican has proposed a measure that would have lawmakers receive special, expedited screening at airports out of public sight. They'd also have a dedicated security escort for the entire time they're at the airport, Politico reports. Cruz, who was photographed on a plane heading to Mexico while his state endured a fatal winter storm, said public officials face serious security threats. "It's important that we take reasonable measures to keep everyone safe," he said.

The Transportation Security Administration, which would be given an increased workload, did not comment on the Cruz's idea. But the executive director of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network, a nonprofit that represents airport police, doesn't like it. The escort duties would divert officers from "crime suppression and security functions at airports, which is our fundamental duty," said Kevin Murphy, and be a burden to police agencies that already need greater funding. Cruz's plan would also cover federal judges, Cabinet members, and a limited number of family members and staffprovided they've been threatened at some point.

The measure's wording provides for the TSA to "arrange" security escorts, who could be local law enforcement officers, per Politico. A trade group, Airports Council International-North America, said many airports lack the resources "to facilitate this sort of operation." The Capitol Police reported investigating about 8,000 threats to lawmakers last year, 500 more than in 2022. Cruz lacked such privacy when he returned from his 2021 Cancun trip; he was snapped cutting his vacation short after widespread criticism and late-night mockery. (More Ted Cruz stories.)
Pope Francis on Saturday reaffirmed Christians' special relationship with Jews amid rising antisemitism since the outbreak of the Gaza war in a letter to the Jews of Israel that he said was prompted by messages from Jewish organizations around the world. The letter served as fence-mending after Francis was criticized for his initial response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the AP reports. Francis said the Holy Land has been "cast into a spiral of unprecedented violence," part of what he referred to as "a sort of 'piecemeal world war,' with serious consequences on the lives of many populations."

"My heart is torn at the sight of what is happening in the Holy Land, by the power of so much division and so much hatred," Francis wrote. "The whole world looks on at what is happening in that land with apprehension and pain." In November, the pope set off a firestorm by using the word "terrorism" during separate, closed meetings with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinians living through the war. Without elaborating, he said in the letter to Israeli Jews that he was moved by communication from friends and Jewish organizations to "assure you of my closeness and affection. I embrace each of you and especially those who are consumed by anguish, pain, fear and even anger."

Francis said Catholics are concerned about the increase in attacks against Jews around the world. The Catholic Church "rejects every form of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred towards Jews and Judaism as a sin against God," the pope wrote, per Vatican News. "We had hoped that 'never again' would be a refrain heard by the new generations," he said.

(More Pope Francis stories.)
The Prime Minister has admitted his sister-in-law works for a tobacco company but says he has not discussed tobacco policy with her.

It comes as the government faces more pressure over its connection with the tobacco industry.

On Thursday, RNZ revealed Associate Health Minister Casey Costello sent notes to health officials on reforming smoke free laws and freezing excise tax on tobacco.

But Costello doubled down on comments that she did not write notes asking for information on pausing excise tax on tobacco products

There was a line in a document last year about removing excise tax for three years, but she did not know who collated it.
President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people during his inspection tour in north China's Tianjin Municipality from Thursday to Friday.



Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese good health and happiness in the Year of the Dragon, and the motherland prosperity.

On Thursday morning, Xi visited a village in Xinkou Town in the municipality's Xiqing District.

From late July to early August last year, extreme rainfall hit northern China, causing anomalous floods in the Haihe River Basin, and a large area of land in the flood storage and detention basins in Tianjin was inundated.

Briefed about the impact of floods on the city and district, Xi walked into greenhouses to check the growth of vegetables. He asked the farmers in detail about the restoration of greenhouses and the reseeding and sales of vegetables.

Xi then visited a villager's home, where he chatted with four generations of the family. He inquired about the family's losses during the disaster, their post-disaster production and income, and carefully tallied the numbers during the talk.

Stressing the importance of ensuring the people's livelihoods, Xi said the issue is always on the mind of the CPC Central Committee as well as Party committees and governments at all levels. He also expressed the hope that villagers would make their own efforts to rebuild their beautiful homes.

Before Xi left the village, the villagers gathered around and greeted him. Xi said he was happy to see the successful restoration of life and production and that winter heating had been ensured for the residents.

Since last year, the country has been hit by natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, landslides and snowstorms, Xi said, adding that he is keeping a close eye on them.

As the Spring Festival approaches, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended his sincere regards to all those affected by disasters and those at the forefront of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

On Thursday afternoon, Xi went to an ancient cultural street and visited local distinctive shops, learning about the products, their sales, and the development of traditional culture.

Speaking of the importance of carrying forward fine traditional Chinese culture in realizing Chinese modernization, Xi asked Tianjin to better preserve and utilize blocks with historical and cultural interest.

In Chinese culture, the upcoming lunar year will be the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon symbolizes bravery, progress, boundless vitality, and auspiciousness, conveying optimistic aspirations for the future, Xi said, encouraging the residents to embrace the new year with confidence and strive toward an even better life.

On Friday morning, Xi visited the Peking-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Museum, where he underscored the necessity of studying and frequently reviewing the history of China's revolutionary war. The revolutionary traditions should be carried on and the fighting spirit should be strengthened, he said.

On Friday afternoon, Xi was briefed by the Party committee and the government of Tianjin about their work, and affirmed the achievements that Tianjin has made in various areas.

Xi urged Tianjin to focus on the central work of economic development and the primary task of high-quality development, and write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

As a base of research and development for advanced manufacturing, Tianjin should be a pioneer in developing new productive forces, Xi said. He called for sci-tech and industrial innovation and the development of high-end, smart and green manufacturing.

Tianjin should coordinate with Beijing to promote sci-tech innovation and the integration of the two cities' industrial systems, Xi said.

Reform and opening up is the fundamental force that propels the development of all causes, Xi stressed.

He called on Tianjin to make further progress in improving the basic systems underpinning the market economy, developing a new system for a higher-standard open economy, and promoting regional integration and innovation in mechanisms and institutions that support Beijing-Tianjin urban integration.

Tianjin should also make an in-depth exploration into its historical and cultural resources, and strengthen the protection of its historical and cultural legacies as well as cultural resources related to the Party's heritage, Xi said.

Tianjin should act on the principle that a city should be built by the people and for the people, said Xi, adding that efforts are needed to expand basic public services, safeguard people's well-being and boost the sense of fulfillment among the people.

Stressing the importance of ensuring people's security and livelihood needs, supply of goods and energy, as well as social harmony and stability, Xi said that efforts should be made to ensure a joyful and peaceful Spring Festival.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.
On Friday, February 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The entire military command considered five key issues.

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In particular, it was about Ukrainian drone production and the situation at the front. The Head of State announced this on his Telegram channel.

"I have held a HQ meeting. Five issues were discussed today," the message reads.

In particular, the meeting participants discussed Ukrainian drone production and agreed on a plan for 2024 .

"Contracts have been increased. We have planned an additional budget specifically for drones and will ensure its implementation. Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov and Defense Minister Umerov made reports. Overall, over 90% of the drones at the front this year are domestically produced. I am grateful to every Ukrainian company that works for our strength. I thank everyone who trains drone operators. I thank every volunteer who helps," the President said.

The second issue was shells, their production and import

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"We are also increasing contracts. And we are speeding up the production. The Minister of Defense made a report. I thank everyone who works 24/7 at the production facilities," Zelenskyy explained.

The participants of the meeting also focused on the situation at the front in all key areas.

"Avdiivka is particularly difficult. Chief Zaluzhnyi and the area commanders Moskalev and Syrskyi made reports. I am grateful to all Ukrainian soldiers who are holding their positions and destroying the enemy. We are working with partners to give Ukrainian soldiers more strength," the Head of State noted.

The meeting also included issues of fortifications, in particular, the build-up of such structures .

"Prime Minister Shmyhal's report on financing. The report of the Minister of Defense on the timing of tasks. We are implementing it quickly. I thank everyone involved," Zelenskyy said.

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In addition, the participants of the meeting discussed the problems of the Ukrainian energy sector. Among other things, they discussed the restoration of energy facilities after Russian strikes, the physical protection of the energy sector, and our systemic steps.

"Detailed reports. Shmyhal, Kubrakov, Chernyshov, Kudrytskyi. We are going through this heating season steadily. I am grateful to all our energy sector employees and to every soldier who protects us from Russian missiles and drones. The stability of our state and each of its systems is a prerequisite for Ukraine's strength," the president summarized.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Hyun Tak-Kim, the K in LK99 korean discover possible room temperature and room pressure superconductivity provided details about the American Physical Society Presentation on March 4.

There will be very detail information included in the upcoming APL (Applied Physical Letters paper).

The Applied Physical Letters is being delayed but Hyun-tak Kim will be revealing it in the APS March 4, 2024 meeting.

APS (the American Physical Society presentation) will be recorded and the recorded talk will be open to public for 6 months.

The March 4 talk will and the Applied Physical Letters paper verifies the room temperature and room pressure superconductivity. W

 Today Hyuntak-Kim on email > very detail info are included in the upcoming APL paper

> but it's being delayed so i'm revealing it in the APS

> APS will be recorded, and it's open to public for 6 months

> it verifies superconductivity. Watch it. pic.twitter.com/WvLwCdEfKj  sejong (@gimjiun79102152) February 2, 2024

The American Physical Society March 4, 2024 presentation is described here.

Abstract: A16.00002 : Partial levitation, type-II-superconductor characteristic, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in PCPOSOS

8:12 AM8:24 AM

Presenter:

Hyun-Tak Kim

(College of William and Mary)

Authors:

Hyun-Tak Kim

(College of William and Mary)

Sukbae Lee

(QERC in Korea)

Sungyeon Im

(QERC in Korea)

SooMin An

(QERC in Korea)

Keun Ho Auh

(QERC in Korea)

Collaboration:

College of William & Mary, Quantum Energy Research Center in Korea

We synthesized materials, Pb10-xCux(P(O1-ySy)4)6O1-zSz (PCPOSOS), called PCPOSOS, which exhibit superconducting behavior at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. These materials displayed characteristics of a superconductor, including zero resistance, the Meissner effect, and partial levitation when placed on a magnet (arXiv: 2307.12037). The partial levitation is caused by an inhomogeneity in the magnetic field of the magnet and occurred within the range of critical magnetic fields, Hc1 and Hc2. That is, the magnetic field of the magnet increased with going from center to the edge of magnet. The magnet had approximately 2000G at the center and approximately 3,000G at its edge. The levitation occurred near center. This indicates the center of the magnet is close to Hc1. It disappeared between center and the edge near Hc2, with Hc1 being much smaller than Hc2, because the magnetic moment at Hc2 is much smaller than that at Hc1. When the magnet is slightly moved, the levitation returns to its original position. This phenomenon is analyzed as flux pinning, which is typical of a type-II superconductor. Moreover, the quantum-locking phenomenon, characteristic of a Type-I superconductor, may appear. However, we interpret PCPOSOS as a Type-II superconductor. We will show two videos of levitations and two videos of magnets.
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is an enhanced fibrous and cementitious concrete with high compressive strength (120250 MPa) particle packing density (0.8250.855, tensile strength (1520 MPa) and extraordinary durability. UHPC has 300 times the ductility and energy absorption of high performance concrete (HPC) and three to sixteen times the compressive strength of regular concrete.

A $100+ billion US Air Force contract given to Northrop Grumman to upgrade US ICBMs also includes funds to build new missile silos. Old missile silos have outdated weaker concrete materials given the transformation of these materials over the last 20 years and the continuing developments. In 2024, the total program cost was estimated above $131 billion, could grow further as the U.S. Secretary of Defense concludes a review by the summer. Program changes, such as making bigger silos and switching to more durable materials, have also raised costs. The cost overrun is most acutely felt in modernizing the 450 missile silos and their command infrastructure, which includes 7,500 miles of new cables. The program will also buy trucks, training, command buildings and 659 missiles. The 70 year old Minute Man silos used 2000 PSI concrete. There are some US silos with 5000 PSI concrete. This is far below the 40,000 to 60,000 PSI state of the art materials. In 2010, there was 150,000 cubic yards of 10,000-14000 PSI concrete for the Freedom Tower in New York.

About $500 million of the billions spent on the Freedom Tower was the UHPC concrete. It has stronger material than the old Minute Man silos. The large amount of UHPC has moved it into the mainstream higher end option for skyscrapers, bridges and roads.



In total there were 1,000 Minuteman missiles deployed from the 1960s into the early 1990s. The launch facility consists of a silo 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep made of reinforced concrete with a steel-plate liner.

Russian silos are reportedly hardened to 15,000-25,000 pounds per square inch (psi). China has hundreds of new nuclear silo with ultra hard concrete.

The bomb can penetrate 200 feet of 5000 psi hardened concrete and is accurate enough for multiple hits on the same location to penetrate deeper targets or targets with even stronger concrete. One GBUJ-57A/B can only penetrate 8 meters (26 feet) of 10,000 psi rock or concrete. This could drop to 2 meters (6.5 feet) of 30,000 psi material. Rock of over 10,000 psi is considered hard. The strongest granite is about 30,000 psi. In 2007, the University of Tehran made several concrete cubes between 50,000 to 60,000 psi, and possible stronger.

Mark Zuckerberg is building an underground bunker. This is definitely using UHPC.

A dome house using UHPC would only need about 40 cubic meters of material for a highly bomb resistant structure. This only need $120,000 worth of UHPC material. IF the efforts to develop low-cost UHPC are successful then the cost of UHPC for such a building would drop to $30,000. The high strength material could replace larger amounts of regular concrete.



The high strength also allows interesting architectural choices with strong but thin elements.

akes it a perfect material for applications where strength is a primary design criterion and concrete structural element sizes can be lowered to make them smaller, thinner, and more aesthetically acceptable. It is commonly composed of Portland cement, fine aggregate, SF, a waterreducing additive with a high range of effectiveness, and fibers.

According to the concretes market survey, the global UHPC market size was estimated at $892 million in 2016 and is projected to increase by 8.6% to $1,870 million by 2025.

There is currently a trend to simplify low-cost UHPC production methods by substituting affordable local resources for expensive components such as cement, steel

fiber, and silica powder. In addition, UHPC consisting of silica sand with a maximum particle size of 500 m, GGBS, and steel fibers of 13 mm in length can be utilized to augment already existing RC beams.

Portable bridge deck panels can be made from the upgraded lightweight UHPC. 3D printing is a promising technique in a variety of fields, including the concrete industry. Theoretically, it is simple and quick to construct a complicated three-dimensional structure utilizing concrete extrusion via a printing machine.

As a cement-based engineering material, UHPC offers superior strength properties, great durability, and a dense microstructure, which leads to its increased application in infrastructure development. In most cases, UHPC cannot meet engineering performance criteria and is prohibitively costly compared to typical

concrete combinations. UHPC offers outstanding mechanical performance and high durability compared with conventional strength concrete; however, its use is restricted because of its large cement content (up to 1100 kg/m3), considerable environmental effect, limited design codes, and high initial cost. In addition, the high cost of raw materials, such as steel fibers and fine silica sand, which made up roughly 50 percent of the total cost, limited its applicability.

There are four distinct strategies to minimize the cost of UHPC are reported:

* Reducing the proportion of high-strength steel fibers

* Increasing the amount of fine aggregate to decrease the bond content

* Replacing natural curing for thermal curing to reduce energy costs

* Promoting the use of locally available materials that usually have lower costs

Nanotechnology could improve UHPCs performance, including downsizing. Nanotechnology leads UHPC research. Scientists have studied the nanoscale structure of UHPC hydration products. Experiments using nano-silica and nano-fibers improve cement-based concretes.

UHPC mixes cost $2500$3000 per cubic meter compared to $170 per cubic meter for ordinary concrete. There are efforts to make low cost UHPC at $600 per cubic meter.

FGCC is a new concrete composite that has different functions and properties across its spatial position. FGCC is made up of multiple concrete mixes in one or more dimensions of a concrete element. A chinese study found FGCC resisted penetration and explosion far better than UHPC. FGCC with its hard top layers would resist even regular high explosives. It would take special bunkers buster to get substantial penetration of even 1 meter.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the success of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine at sea, in particular the defeat of the Russian missile ship Ivanivets . According to the head of state, the six hits on the vessel were the result of a complex operation at the Donuzlav Lake raid.

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The president made the statement on February 3 during a ceremony of awarding the defenders. A video of the speech was published on Zelenskyy's official Telegram channel.

"A complicated operation at the Donuzlav Lake raid: six direct hits by naval drones on the hull of the Ivanovets. It was strong. And I thank you for this strength!" the post says.

According to Zelenskyy, the DIU soldiers did a lot for Ukraine's victory at sea and on land, inflicting losses on the aggressor country.

"A lot has already been done by the DIU soldiers, both on land and at sea. And Russia is really feeling the pain of your actions, of the actions of your brothers. And it is important that the Russian perpetrators of this war really lose from it. Today, I want to especially note your success at sea - the defeat of a Russian missile ship," the President said.

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Earlier, the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said that the attack on the boat "Ivanivets" was carried out by new Ukrainian maritime drones MAGURA 5, resulting in six hits. The UAV was operated by a drone unit of the 13th Group of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- The attack on the occupiers' boat "Ivanovets" was carried out on the night of February 1. The missile boat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was raiding Lake Donuzlav in the Black Sea region of Crimea at that time. The ship's hull was heavily damaged, heeled over and sank.

- According to Russian media, the "Ivanovets" boat was carrying supersonic Moskit anti-ship cruise missiles. Propagandists claim that the crew allegedly managed to evacuate.

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- Up to 40 crew members could have been on the destroyed boat, the Ukrainian Navy said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!




The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the suspension of the ongoing re-run elections in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa lbom State,

Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State over disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olamekun disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The commission noted that necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commissions meeting on Monday.

It called on security agencies to investigate the incidents.

Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa lbom State

Suspension of elections in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.

Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State.

Suspension of elections in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.

Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.

Suspension of elections in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.

The decision of the Commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the

Electoral Act, 2022. Further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commissions meeting on Monday.

INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the Commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials, it stated.

Recall that INEC announced re-run elections in 34 constituencies nationwide.




The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says there are no plans to convert $30 billion deposits in domiciliary accounts to naira.

A report, on Saturday, had claimed that the apex bank is considering a policy that will result in the conversion of foreign currencies in domiciliary accounts of citizens to naira to stabilise increase liquidity in the FX market.

According to the report, a source had said the government will order the conversion of foreign currencies sitting idly in individuals and corporate organisations domiciliary accounts to naira  at a rate to be determined by the CBN.

However, the apex bank, in a post on its official X handle on Saturday, debunked the report, describing it as fake news.





No plans to convert $30bn domiciliary deposits to naira. This news is fake! CBN said.

There have been speculations that dollars denominated deposits of individuals may be at risk following recent moves by the CBN to restore normalcy in the foreign exchange (FX) market.

On January 31, 2024, the CBN directed banks to sell dollars to prevent losses.

The CBN had said the net open position (NOP) limit of the overall foreign currency assets and liabilities of banks should not exceed 20% short or 0% long of shareholders funds.

The apex bank said the move was due to concerns over the growth in foreign currency exposures of banks through their NOPs.

The regulatory body also removed the allowable limit of exchange rate quoted by the international money transfer operators (IMTOs).

The CBN directed IMTOs to use prevailing market rates in Nigerias FX market.

Following the announcement of the policies, the naira, on February 2, 2024, appreciated at the official section of the FX market, closing at N1,435 per dollar.
Mariam Muftaudeen, the Yoruba actress fondly called Omo VC, has asked the public to hold MC Oluomo, the Lagos state park management chairman better known as responsible should any harm befalls me or my daughter.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the actress claimed she has a daughter for MC Oluomo but he has failed to take responsibility for the childs welfare.

In the post titled open letter to Musiliu Akinsaya, Muftaudeen also accused MC Oluomo of threatening to hurt her and her daughter.

She claimed the last time she took her daughter to MC Oluomos residence, he ordered his security men to shoot at her.





The film star alleged that efforts to take legal actions against him failed because the judiciary backed out before commencement of the case.

See the full post below:

It is no longer news to the public that our escapades provided a child, Zeenat Abebi. You made life unbearable for me not just during the pregnancy but even after the birth of Zeenat.

All effort to reconcile with you and make you responsible was frustrated by you.

I had no option than to reach out to people I believed you respect and love but nothing good cane out of it. Instead, you result to threatening my life and that of the child physically and spiritually (I have some evidences of the physical if the spiritual attacks cannot be established in the law court).

You lied to people that you gave me 20m Naira, Where? When? Through who? Just as I told those that confronted me, you should rather call out whoever you give such amount to though I believe you are lying.

Not until my last visitation to your house, Ive been responsible for this girls welfare. All you sent a third party was one million naira a week after I came to your house that you even instructed the police officer to shoot at me.

All I ask from you is be responsible for her, stop coming after my life, still coming after my daughters life and leave out my fiances life too because he believe he is not safe with all thats ongoing.

All effort to go legal proved abortive because those I even believe their chamber would be respected are jittery. They back out of the case even before it commence.

I know you are Tinubus boy so you believe the world evolve around you but their is one being who give and take

Oluomo, ma pa mi, ma pa mi lomo. Je n roju raye se iya omo mi.

If anything bad happen to me or my daughter, hold MUSILIU AKINSANYA responsible.





MC Oluomo has yet to respond to the allegation as of the time of this report.
A convoy transporting a newlywed bride and her companions faced terror along Gamji Road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State Thursday night.

According to a reliable source, the bride accompanied by approximately 30 women, was en route to her husbands residence in Ungwan Murjiya in Dandume LGA between 8:30-9pm when the convoy fell prey to the hoodlums.





The assailants, believed to be armed bandits, intercepted the truck and abducted the women.





It was learnt that during the attack, the source revealed that the truck conductor was shot, and he is currently receiving medical treatment at Damari Hospital.





In a separate incident around the same time, gunmen reportedly from Siddi forest infiltrated Tashar Nadaya, near the Gazari district border in Sabuwa LGA.





The criminals killed a commercial motorcycle rider, seizing his bike.





They also opened fire on a group of four individuals, confiscating their motorcycles.





Chairman of Dandume Local Government Council, Alhaji Basiru Musa, confirmed the report.





While some unconfirmed reports suggest that a few kidnapped women managed to escape, the chairman promised to verify and provide updates.





He clarified that although the women were from Dandume, the criminals intercepted them on their way from Sabuwa Local Government Area at about 9pm.





Sabuwa and Dandume are among the local government areas being heavily tormented by bandits in Katsina State.





Despite the relentless efforts of the Katsina Security Watch Corps and other security forces, a day hardly goes by without a report of their nefarious activities.




Laolu Akande, a former spokesman to ex-Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and National Assembly members to establish state police in the face of the prevailing insecurity in the country.

Akande said the current centralized security structure was inadequate to resolve the insecurity situation in the country.

Speaking on Channels TVs Inside Sources, on Friday, Akande said: The time has come to give that authority and power.

Now, this has to be done properly and that is why we are calling for a proper constitutional amendment that will define how this will not be abused.

It is also important for all the stakeholders to come together and ensure proper rules of engagement. The time for state police is now. We are calling on the President.

We are calling on the governors, the members of the National Assembly and the State Assemblies to set the ball rolling and we are also calling on the traditional rulers, religious leaders and all leaders of thought to come behind this idea of state police.




The Kano State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of some thugs allegedly hired to disrupt the re-run election in the Kunchi Local Government Area of the state.





The state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, who did not disclose the exact number of arrests while speaking with newsmen, said the thugs apprehended were with arms.





According to him, the suspects were allegedly hired by a politician contesting in the election.





The thugs were arrested around the Kunchi/Tsanyawa area, one of the constituencies in Kano State where the rerun election is taking place.





We saw a truck that was faulty by the roadside. We saw people in large numbers by the roadside. At first, they gave us the impression that it was the fuel of the vehicle that was finished. But upon close observation, we saw them in possession of arms.





One Abdulrazaq Muhammad aka Mai Salati, from Kano Municipal told us one man who is contesting in the area invited them over.





We will get the man to know if he is truly a candidate contesting and why he invited them to the area.





We suspect they are in the bush to lay ambush on the electoral officers while on their way with the election results, Gumel said.





Recall that the CP had to visit the Kunchi/Tsanyawa constituency because of the reported disruption of the election process in the areas involving 10 polling units.




A chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Saturday, said it was time for Igbos to gradually start retreating and redirecting their businesses back to the South-East.

Isiguzoro was reacting to a circulated online video of helpless Igbo traders at the Trinity spare parts market in Apapa, Lagos, on February 1, 2024, lamenting over their inability to salvage their goods and products.

While describing the situation as disheartening, Isiguzoro said the organization was meticulously documenting the systematic demolition of Igbo-populated markets in Lagos State, adding that the body is closely observing the distinct pattern of these demolitions.

A statement by the factional Secretary General of Ohanaeze, decried the use of state machinery against peaceful Igbo traders in Lagos State.

According to Isiguzoro: In light of these distressing events, Ndigbo must acknowledge that it is now time to gradually retreat and redirect their businesses back home.

The factional Secretary General urged President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to urgently intervene and stop future demolitions.

He added: The relentless targeting of Igbo traders and their businesses under the guise of development is unacceptable.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores Igbo traders to relocate the headquarters of their businesses to Igbo land to avoid further complications arising from future market demolitions.

We fervently urge President Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos State to demonstrate true leadership by intervening decisively to protect the rights and interests of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity.
Authorities have charged a Monmouth County doctor with sexually assaulting one of his patients.

Dr. Jeng K. Kuan, 57, an acupuncturist from Matawan, was charged with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, according to a statement Saturday from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

The investigation, which was conducted by the offices Special Victims Bureau and the Matawan Police Department, stemmed from a January police report. The person reported that a recent patient of his at the Prosperity Health Center located at 952 State Highway 34, Suite 207, was assaulted, according to the statement.

Kuan was arrested Feb. 1 and is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. His first court appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court is slated for Feb. 7.

The defense counsel for Kuan did not respond to a request for comment by noon Saturday.

The investigation is ongoing and the prosecutors office asked anyone with relevant information about Kuan to contact Det. Joseph Mason at 800-533-7443 or Matawan Police Det. Michael Denino at 732-290-2038. Information about submitting anonymous, confidential tips is available here.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com
The U.S. State Department has issued a security warning, urging people to reconsider travel to Jamaica after 65 people were murdered in one month.

According to the State Department, the most recent reconsider travel warning comes due to high crime and lack of medical services.

The crimes have become so prevalent that even people staying at all-inclusive resorts are not safe.

Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts, the warning from the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica stated.

Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence, the embassys warning continued.

The amount of murders in Jamaica has caused the island nation to have one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, at least 65 people were killed from Jan. 1-27, 2024.

Jamaica is not the only island nation U.S. officials have issued warnings to tourists about the lack of safety in the region.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning to tourists traveling to The Bahamas, advising them to exercise increased caution due to crime.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
The Krewe of Carrollton will celebrate a century of parading on Sunday, (Feb. 4). Only the Rex, Proteus and Zulu parades are older. Not surprisingly, the theme of the venerable organizations 2024 roll is 100 Years of Carrollton Memories.

Too bad theres nobody around who can actually remember the first time the Seventh District Carnival Club, as the krewe was originally known, took to the streets. A newspaper previewed the event, though without much detail.

The krewe, named for the municipal district where it originated, paraded on Mardi Gras, sometime after the Rex parade took place further downtown. The new parade followed a labyrinthine route that included three separate stretches of Carrollton Avenue.

The future Carrollton parade popped up during the economic prosperity and optimism of the Roaring 20s, as Carnival celebrations reawakened from a hibernation during World War I and the flu pandemic that followed. Carrollton was a bedroom community at the top of the streetcar line, with burgeoning businesses along Oak and Maple streets and elsewhere.
The pizza magic happens in 90 seconds.

Thats all it takes for Adrian Chelette to transform hand-thrown dough and a variety of toppings into a Neapolitan-style pizza.

His pies have a thin crust, but not too thin, with just the right touch of sourdough tang to the chew and a surface blistered by the intense heat of the oak-fired oven. Its a style he has been working on since 2011.

Nighthawk Napolitana Where 141 Delaronde St., (504) 381-5178; nighthawknapolitana.com When Dinner Wed.-Mon. How Dine-in Check it out Neopolitan-style sourdough pizza in Algiers Point

Chelette made a name for himself as a pizza maker at Ancora on Freret Street and Margots on Frenchmen Street. He also had a pop-up called Nighthawk, which he turned into Algiers Point brick-and-mortar Nighthawk Napoletana. It opened in early December.

Chelette transformed the space that housed Tavolino Pizza & Lounge for six years. With his emphasis on pristine ingredients, the pizza is outstanding, making Nighthawk a worthy dining destination no matter what side of the river youre coming from.

The bright and cozy neighborhood spot is inviting, with a back patio and a scattering of tables covered by red-and-white checked tablecloths. Theres a back bar with a cocktail list that includes a killer negroni and a wine list with many Italian bottles.

This is the first time the 34-year-old chef has been in charge of his own restaurant. Although he has a few business partners available for counsel, its Chelette who runs the show.

Its the first time Ive been as much on the floor as in the kitchen, he says. As the [general manager], I also want to touch the tables and make sure the guests are good. Its a different aspect of the job that I really enjoy.

His menu is powered by locally sourced ingredients and is understated in its simplicity. Two appetizers are available: the tenderest of beef and pork meatballs and arancini, fried rice balls stuffed with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce.

The pizza lineup features the Fun Gus, built on a creamy sauce made with house-roasted poblano peppers and a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, Taleggio and pecorino cheeses. The wild mushrooms come from Mushroom Maggies Farm in St. Francisville.

While the chef sticks with the classics for the margherita and the pepperoni pizza, the menu shows plenty of creativity. Hot Boi is a tomato-based pie with Calabrian chili paste, mozzarella and nduja, a spicy, spreadable pork sausage also from the southern region of Calabria. There is a cold cut pizza with mortadella, the popular Italian version of bologna studded with pistachios. Salsiccia adds fresh Italian sausage to the poblano cream base with buttery Taleggio on top.

The Caesar salad has house-made sourdough croutons and a revelatory dressing informed by more of the charred poblano peppers. With the classic ingredients of lemon zest and juice, anchovies and confit garlic, the peppers arent obvious, but they add an umami goodness that is meant to be sopped up with pieces of pizza crust. No wonder diners can order an extra side of Caesar dressing. Its really that good.

Ive developed a few new recipes, the chef says. I wasnt doing this exact pizza five years ago. Ive changed to an all-American flour for one thing. It just all came together here.

For dessert, theres a dark chocolate budino, which is an Italian pudding.

The best seat in the house might be at the counter, where one can see the glowing bonfire of oak logs cook each pizza. Theres also a view of the levee that leads to the Algiers Point ferry landing, a fine way to make a pizza outing a real excursion.

All in all, Nighthawk Napoletana is an impressive new spot on the local pizza map.
For a quarter of a century, the annual Legendary Grand Tour has been a driving force on North Devon's August Bank Holiday, drawing Mini enthusiasts from across the UK.

Organised by dedicated Mini lovers Terry and Linda Baker from Minehead, this year's event raised a remarkable 22,204, contributing to an astonishing total of 626,218.36 raised for Childrens Hospice South West (CHSW) since its inception.

Often known as the 'little cars with the big hearts', the Minis tour North Devon and Torridge throughout the weekend, with a long run on the Monday passing through many local villages and towns, beeping as they go.

The sight of more than 150 Minis and their drivers, complete with fancy dress, is an amazing spectacle. Each year volunteer motorcycle outriders, also in fancy dress, help out as marshalls to manage traffic and keep everyone safe.

Mary Gray, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, expressed gratitude and said: "The recent Legendary Grand Tour saw 200 Minis take part, many in fancy dress, and the response from spectators was once again incredible. We can't thank the Mini run team enough for organising, yet again, a wonderful event!"

The event's roots trace back to 1996 when organiser Terry was asked to bring his Mini to Little Bridge House to surprise a young Mini fan named Christopher, who was staying at the hospice. The encounter led to the birth of the Legendary Grand Tour, and Christopher's legacy lives on through the annual event.

Adele Smyth-Richards and Sally Norden, Sibling Workers at CHSWs Little Bridge House childrens hospice, joined the Mini adventure this year, which highlighted the community support. Ms Smyth-Richards said: "Taking part is a highlight of my year, and Im looking forward to taking part again this August!"

The Legendary Grand Tour not only celebrates Minis but also funds CHSW, providing invaluable support for families facing life-limiting conditions.

To learn more about fundraising for CHSW, visit www.chsw.org.uk/getinvolved.
The musical "Anything Goes" is currently running in Chicago courtesy of Porchlight Music Theatre. The show has been extended to March 10 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

Portraying character Moonface Martin in "Anything Goes" is Steve McDonagh, one half of popular The Hearty Boys catering duo.

"It's a very funny role," said McDonagh about Moonface. He said he's happy to be given the opportunity to sing Cole Porter tunes such as "Friendship" in the show.

Fans of the culinary industry will be familiar with McDonagh's work with fellow Hearty Boy and partner Dan Smith through the years. McDonagh, though, has also been enthusiastically involved with the theater scene and has worked with various theaters in The Windy City including Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre and others.

He's been a host of "Party Line with The Hearty Boys," did a podcast titled "But I Digest," has operated restaurants with Smith, authored cookbooks and other projects.

McDonagh praised the "wonderful" songs in the show "Anything Goes." "There's also lots of tap dancing and fast-paced humor," he said about the production.

Since he's working on the musical "Anything Goes," McDonagh wanted to share a specialty drink with a tropical, type of tiki-bar theme. And since the play "takes place on a cruise ship," McDonagh thought the tiki-style drink he's calling Naughty Missionary would be a perfect choice. (McDonagh's character Moonface Martin poses as a minister on the ship). The drink blends gin, fresh mint, apricot brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup.

"The apricot brandy with the gin makes it so bright and fresh," he said, adding it also has great depth.

"Tiki drinks (traditionally) are not light, they're bold," McDonagh said.

McDonagh concentrated on the cocktail side while fellow Hearty Boy Smith focused more on the culinary side in their business. In 2012, they released the book "The New Old Bar," which featured a variety of cocktails.

McDonagh's approach to cocktail making involves helping people "take the fear out" of creating them. About the cocktail book, he said, "I want people to actually learn from it and try to do it and feel confident."

For those interested in "Anything Goes," visit PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

The following is a recipe for McDonagh's Naughty Missionary.

Naughty Missionary

Fresh mint

1 1/2 ounces (45 mL) gin

1 1/2 ounces (45 mL) apricot brandy

1/4 ounce (8 mL) fresh lemon juice

1/4 ounce (8 mL) simple syrup (optional)

In a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker, lightly muddle 3 to 4 mint leaves. Add the remaining ingredients and ice and shake well. Strain into a tiki mug filled with crushed ice. Serve garnished with a sprig of mint.

Yield: 1 cocktail
BMW of North America  the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana BMW Centers are supporting the American Heart Association through the American Heart Association's "Life Is Why" campaign.

We like to think that the B in BMW also stands for 'Big Hearts.' Our customers, our dealers and the company itself are coming together in this campaign to support the 100th anniversary of the American Heart Association, said Kirk Cordill of BMW of Schererville. Why? Heart disease and stroke have impacted our friends, family, customers, our associates in the dealerships and our associates at the corporate level. It is the leading cause of death. Its also the most detectable and treatable. We talk a lot about preventative maintenance on vehicles, we also need to talk about preventative maintenance in the form of simple screenings for heart health.

Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana BMW Centers will donate $100 for each new car sold during February, which is American Heart Month, to the American Heart Association in support of its research, education and advocacy efforts.

BMW and our dealer network are committed to making an impact in the communities in which we live and work. This February, we are delighted to work with our Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana BMW centers to support lifesaving research, advocate for healthier communities, improve patient care, and work for equitable health for all people through our support of the Life is Why Campaign, said Broderick McKinney, Central Region vice president for BMW of North America. It is only through the support of our caring and engaged dealers that we are able to make this generous contribution to the American Heart Association.

Through BMWs generosity, the American Heart Association will advance lifesaving research and education to help build stronger longer lives for those counting on us. As we celebrate the American Heart Associations Centennial, lifesaving advancements are touching lives throughout our communities, our work is not done, said Dave Wilkinson, chief operating officer of Strack & Van Til and chairman of the board of the Northwest Indiana American Heart Association. Everyone needs to know that cardiovascular disease is then No. 1 killer and through this awareness, lives will be saved.

Donations through the Life is Why campaign help the American Heart Association to fund research that can improve the health outcomes of heart and stroke patients, train more than 2.5 million high school students in CPR annually and support the work of local entrepreneurs and organizations working to improve health outcomes in under-resourced communities.

To learn more about the "Life is Why" campaign and other participating companies, visit heart.org.
GARY  A 30-year-old Gary man was shot Wednesday at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the hallway of an apartment building located in the 500 block of South Vermillion Place, police said.

"The victim told police he was in the hallway and saw an unknown man," Gary police said. "He stated that he heard a gunshot, felt pain and noticed blood."

The victim ran to a nearby apartment to call for help. Once the victim arrived at the hospital he informed police he wasn't aware who had shot him. Witnesses told officers they overheard two men arguing before two shots were fired.

This incident is being investigated by Sgt. William Fazekas 219-881-1210.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Jamille Walker Rebecca Strand Jennifer Phillips William Riley Damien Sahagun Jillian Sencaj Lashawntel Mackay Tursena Harris Semaj Irvin Todd Kasperan Imelda Lopez Tinotchy Evans Luke Hardin Lazarius Allison Patrick Colvin Antonio Santana Cameron Smith Primas Sweet Don Wiley Steven Mikel Jr. Jesus Morales Marcus Nash Mark Nicpon Ann Horta Enrique Feliciano Jacoby Gibson Eugene Clay Haley Austin Robert Van Noort Michael Udrow Derrick Keys Richard Morris Larry Newman Jr. Terrane Robinson Christian Saavedra Ibn Jones Donald Elmore III Brian Hawkins Brian Jablonski LaTeshia Adams Nashee Burns Stephanie Crilley Tonya Stevens Joseph Szilagyi Daniel Tyrka Jessica Smith Victor Sandoval Al Sepulveda Paul Slagle Crystal McLain Stuart Roane III Kelly Klapkowski Alyssa Hecker Eve Holt Lori Kikkert Mosell Gordon Jr. David Garcia Luveli Gipson Xavier Binder Jose Cotto Jr. Stephanie Crilley
GARY  At approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Gary police responded to the 2200 block of Carolina Street for a report of multiple groups of people fighting and shots fired, police said.

Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple shell casings in the area. A 20-year-old Gary man who had been shot was located in the grass.

"The victim told police that he was shot as he was watching several women fighting," Gary police said. "He stated that he heard the shots and felt pain to his right thigh."

The man told police he didn't know who was shooting.

Officers located a second gunshot victim inside of a residence near the scene of the incident. A 21-year-old Gary woman informed police she was involved in the fight and had been shot in the left thigh, but did not know who shot her. The woman refused to cooperate with officers, police said.

Officers were dispatched to Northlake Methodist Hospital for a third shooting victim. A 24-year-old Gary woman told police she was shot in her left thigh while watching a group of women fight from the inside of a friend's car.

The third victim was taken to the hospital by her friend, and later transported to another hospital for further treatment. She stated hearing multiple gunshots, but not knowing who shot her, police said.

A Ford Fiesta was also damaged during the shooting.

Sgt. William Fazekas is investigating this case. Anyone with information can contact Fazekas at 219-881-1210.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Jamille Walker Rebecca Strand Jennifer Phillips William Riley Damien Sahagun Jillian Sencaj Lashawntel Mackay Tursena Harris Semaj Irvin Todd Kasperan Imelda Lopez Tinotchy Evans Luke Hardin Lazarius Allison Patrick Colvin Antonio Santana Cameron Smith Primas Sweet Don Wiley Steven Mikel Jr. Jesus Morales Marcus Nash Mark Nicpon Ann Horta Enrique Feliciano Jacoby Gibson Eugene Clay Haley Austin Robert Van Noort Michael Udrow Derrick Keys Richard Morris Larry Newman Jr. Terrane Robinson Christian Saavedra Ibn Jones Donald Elmore III Brian Hawkins Brian Jablonski LaTeshia Adams Nashee Burns Stephanie Crilley Tonya Stevens Joseph Szilagyi Daniel Tyrka Jessica Smith Victor Sandoval Al Sepulveda Paul Slagle Crystal McLain Stuart Roane III Kelly Klapkowski Alyssa Hecker Eve Holt Lori Kikkert Mosell Gordon Jr. David Garcia Luveli Gipson Xavier Binder Jose Cotto Jr. Stephanie Crilley
HAMMOND  Just over a week ago, residents throughout Hammond and Whiting complained of foul odors after the BP Whiting Refinery experienced two tank leaks.

On Thursday, images of large flames and thick smoke coming out of the refinery's flare stacks were shared across social media after the company suffered a power outage.

The three incidents have left many nearby residents confused and concerned. Community members will get a chance to share this unease with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, or IDEM, this Thursday during an air permit renewal hearing.

"Once again, IDEM has allowed industry to set the rules while they look the other way on oversight, enforcement, and transparency long owed to this region," the environmental nonprofit Just Transition NWI wrote in a Jan. 25 new release. "We encourage all residents of impacted towns and communities to join us in attending and speaking out at IDEMs Public Comment Meeting for BPs Air Permit Request."

BP's Whiting refinery, which is the largest oil refinery in the Midwest, is seeking an air permit renewal from IDEM. During the Thursday meeting, residents will be able to ask IDEM questions and share concerns. The meeting will take place 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in the East Chicago High School Auditorium, 1100 W. Columbus Drive.

According to IDEM, BP experienced a tank leak on Jan. 18 that led to a spill of dirty gas oil giving off benzene and hydrogen sulfide vapors.

"It is suspected that the recent low temperatures caused the valve to freeze and crack. Hydrogen sulfide and DGO give off odors that may have been experienced by area residents," IDEM said in a statement.

A second leak occurred Jan. 23. According to IDEM, an isolated equipment failure cause liquefied petroleum gas to leak from a separate BP tank. As a result, hydrogen sulfide vapor was released into the air.

Benzene and hydrogen sulfide are both toxic chemicals that can be harmful if one is exposed to them. The Centers for Disease Control says hydrogen sulfide is "a highly toxic gas that can produce extremely rapid central nervous system and respiratory depression," as well as an irritant that can inflame skin and mucous membranes.

As of Jan. 26, BP was cleaning up the impacted areas and had employed air monitoring equipment. So far, no elevated readings have been observed.

"The (Jan. 23) leak remained within the containment area designed to safely capture material from the tanks in the event of a release," BP spokeswoman Christina Audisho said. "That area has been covered with plastic sheeting, which has helped to significantly reduce odors, and response teams are preparing to remove and safely dispose of contaminated material."

Then on Thursday, BP suffered a power outage and had to temporarily shut down the entire facility. Employees were evacuated and surrounding roads were closed. According to updates provided by the city of Whiting, BP had to burn excess gas during the power outage to relieve pressure on the system. The excess gas caused the increased flaring.

As of Friday afternoon power had been restored at the refinery. The road closures were lifted and employees were able to return to work. BP said they have been monitoring the surrounding air and have not observed any elevated readings.

The two tank leaks were a hot-topic during a community meeting held in Hammond's Robertsdale neighborhood on Wednesday, the night before the power outage. During the Wednesday meeting, Ronald Novak, Hammond's head of Environmental Management, said the cleanup will likely be a "long-term process."

"Theyve put foam down to keep the odors down. I was out there the last several days. They have five baker tanks out there. For you folks that are not familiar with baker tanks, they take contaminated wastewater and store it, anywhere from 7,000 to 21,000 gallons, and they have five of them out there, Novak told the crowd of about 100 attendees.

Being a "good neighbor"

When Whiting resident Carolyn Marsh smelled the strong natural gas odors on Jan. 23, she thought her house was going to explode.

"I checked my stove, I went outside and looked around," Marsh recalled during the Wednesday meeting. "It was frightening."

Marsh said BP needs to do a better job notifying residents.

"They need to be a good neighbor," Marsh added.

Novak said the odors wafted all the way to City Hall and even into Lansing, IL. the city has asked BP to improve its crisis communication.

"We told BP, at the request of the fire department, you need to starting getting public notices out there that you guys are causing the natural gas odor in Northwest Indiana,'" Novak said.

IDEM will accept public comment on BP's air permit renewal through Feb. 12. Comments can be sent to dalogan@idem.IN.gov. More information is available at in.gov/idem.

PHOTOS: Hammond's 2024 Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration 2024 Annual Black History Month Celebration
"There would be a proportionate benefit specific to Northwest Indiana too because those projects would need to be implemented where the benefits are needed the most," Deloney told attendees. Quite frankly, because this (Northwest Indiana) is where the emissions are driving, thats where the reductions are going to have to be coming from."

IDEM has already received four projects from Northwest Indiana nonprofits and two projects from Northwest Indiana municipalities.

Based on the public input IDEM has gotten so far, the most popular projects ideas involve funding the transition to renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency in homes and buildings and improving public transit.

Speakers at the Gary meeting, which had about 50 attendees, talked about expanding community solar, protecting greenspace and placing stricter regulations on industrial emissions. The meeting included representatives from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Just Transition NWI, Faith Farms, Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, Earth Charter Indiana and Drive Clean Indiana.

IDEM will hold their final public input session in Evansville on Feb. 8. To submit a project idea to IDEM, visit on.in.gov/cprg.
A bill that could increase the number of third graders held back for not having the proper reading skills passed the Indiana Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 1, if passed, would require students to take the state's standardized reading exam, IREAD-3, in second grade. Currently, around 60% of Indiana schools already administer IREAD to second graders.

Students who pass the exam in second grade won't have to take it again in third grade. Those that don't pass would be provided additional reading support, and the option to take summer school, before retaking the test in third grade.

Third graders who don't pass the IREAD on their second try would be given one more opportunity to take the exam. If the student doesn't pass it after three attempts, they would be held back from moving on to fourth grade.

The piece of legislation does allow for exemptions from being held back, including for some English learners, students with disabilities and students already retained once.

The bill also creates an exemption for students who don't pass IREAD but do pass the math portion of the ILEARN standardized exam, although they would be provided additional reading support in fourth grade.

Improving reading comprehension and third grade retention have been a priority for state lawmakers as reading scores had been in decline before the COVID-19 pandemic and dropped even more in the past three years.

Around 82% of third graders passed the IREAD test last spring.

In December, Indiana Department of Education officials revealed nearly 14,000 students who didn't pass the exam were still moved on to fourth grade, with more than half of those students not receiving an exemption.

During debate on Thursday the bill's author, Sen. Linda Rodgers, R-Granger, said the legislation was necessary policy, and it was unacceptable to move students on to the next grade level without the ability to read, as they'll struggle in other subjects.

Rodgers also argued Senate Bill 1 was not a "retention bill".

"Retention is the absolute last resort if we have exhausted all other methods to help struggling readers," Rodgers said.

Opponents of the bill, mainly Democrats, argued the mandated retention of students would negatively affect students, with Sen. David Vinzant, D-Hobart, stating the stigma of being retained would socially impact them.

"These children will never go back to the level they were originally and they will forever be the old kid in the group," Vinzant said.

Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said the retention policy would disproportionally affect students of color and those in poverty.

While most Republicans, Gov. Eric Holcomb, as well as the state's education department, have expressed support for the bill, some Republican state senators did express their reservations.

Sen. Eric Bassler, R-Washington called retention a "blunt instrument" and recounted his personal experience of not learning how to read until the fifth grade.

Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, said the legislators hadn't even "let the ink dry" on House Enrolled Act 1558, which passed last year. It mandates all Indiana schools adopt their curriculum to align with the science of reading  and instructional method that emphasizes phonics when teaching children how to read  by next school year.

The bill passed with all Democrats and four Republicans voting against it.

Senate Bill 1 now moves on to the House.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie
HBO has parted ways with Milos Bikovic, a Serbian actor whose casting in the third season of The White Lotus had drawn criticism from Ukraines foreign ministry for his ties to Russia, according to an HBO spokeswoman.

Bikovics role in the dark comedy will be recast, the spokeswoman said.

In a statement provided through a spokesman on Friday, Bikovic said that he was leaving because of external pressure.

Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom, Bikovic said in the statement. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art.

HBO announced on Jan. 12 that Bikovic, 36, would be joining the White Lotus cast. Ukraines foreign ministry criticized the decision on social media weeks later, writing on X, HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?
In closing arguments at the trial against Jennifer Crumbley on Friday, lawyers for the prosecution and defense differed sharply over whether jurors should take the extraordinary step of holding a mother responsible for her childs horrific crimes.

But both sides agreed on one point: This has been a singular trial.

Prosecutors are seeking to hold Ms. Crumbley partially responsible for the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. Her son, Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time, killed four classmates at the school and injured seven others, in the deadliest school shooting in the state.

Its a rare case, said the Oakland County prosecutor, Karen D. McDonald, who accused Ms. Crumbley of negligence but acknowledged the high burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she had committed a crime.

It takes the unthinkable, Ms. McDonald added. And she has done the unthinkable, and because of that, four kids have died.
President Bidens visit to Michigan yesterday had all the hallmarks of a vintage Scranton Joe event, as he talked to United Automobile Workers members about his love of cars and affinity for the labor movement.

But if the appearance was a throwback to previous campaigns  and a reminder of his historical appeal to a multiracial bloc of working-class voters  the Michigan trip itself underscored the fresh challenges Biden faces this year.

Michigan is home to many Arab American and Muslim voters, who were once a solid Biden constituency but are now livid about the presidents support of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian groups protested his visit, carrying signs that called for voters to abandon Biden. Demonstrators chanted Genocide Joe and How many kids have you killed today? outside a campaign stop later in the day, my colleague Michael Shear reported.
The United States has quietly resumed deporting some Mexicans on flights that carry them far from the southern border, U.S. and Mexican officials said, a move designed in part to discourage them from repeatedly trying to cross into the United States.

The first flight to Morelia, a city in central Mexico hundreds of miles from the nearest U.S. border crossing, took off on Tuesday carrying more than 100 Mexicans, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details.

A senior Mexican official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the flights were expected to continue on a regular basis.

Tuesdays flight was the first of its kind in nearly two years. U.S. authorities more commonly deport Mexicans over land, near the border. But the number of Mexicans crossing into the United States has spiked in recent months, prompting U.S. authorities to find more forceful ways to discourage people from making the trip north.
On the final day before South Carolinas primary election officially kicks off the Democratic presidential nominating contest, Vice President Kamala Harris urged supporters not to ignore a contest that is widely expected to be uncompetitive but where she and President Biden are hoping for a morale-lifting rout.

South Carolina, you are the first primary in the nation, and President Biden and I are counting on you, Ms. Harris told a crowd on Friday at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Are you ready to make your voices heard? Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in democracy? Do we believe in opportunity for all, and are we ready to fight for it?

The rally was Ms. Harriss ninth trip to South Carolina as vice president and was already her third of the year, an indication of the importance she and Mr. Bidens campaign have placed on a dominant performance to begin their partys presidential nominating season.

Standing before two banners bearing the slogan First in the Nation  with the word First underlined  Ms. Harris highlighted the Biden administrations achievements, including expanding high-speed internet access, increasing federal funding for historically Black colleges and universities, and reducing prescription drug costs.
Israels defense minister has signaled that ground forces will advance toward the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, which has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians pushed from their homes by nearly 13 weeks of war.

Rafah, which has also been a gateway for humanitarian aid, is a sprawl of tents and makeshift shelters crammed against the border with Egypt. About half of Gazas 2.2 million residents have piled into and around the city, where about 200,000 people lived before the war, the United Nations said on Friday.

The city is one of the last in southern Gaza that Israeli ground forces, which have been fighting house-to-house battles in nearby Khan Younis, have not yet reached.
Taylor Swift, you may have noticed, is everywhere: packing arenas on the Eras Tour; filling theaters with her concert film; popping onto your TV screen from a luxury suite at Kansas City Chiefs games, cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

And now shes living rent-free in Fox News hosts heads.

After reports that the Biden re-election campaign was angling for an endorsement from the superstar (who backed President Biden in 2020), commentators on the network strapped on their culture-war helmets. Dont get involved in politics! Jeanine Pirro urged her. We dont want to see you there! Another commentator, Charly Arnolt, pleaded, Please dont believe everything Taylor Swift says. Sean Hannity addressed the issue in prime time: Maybe she wants to think twice.

Foxs anxiety attack follows months in which MAGA opinionators have spun baroque conspiracy theories about the power couple: that Ms. Swift and Mr. Kelces romance was staged; that the N.F.L. was rigging the Super Bowl for the Chiefs; and that it was all an unholy plot to supercharge an eventual Biden endorsement. The Fox host Jesse Watters even flirted with the speculation, floating the idea that Swifts success was a psyop masterminded by the Defense Department.

In retrospect, Paul is dead lacked imagination.

Of course, people are entitled to their opinions on celebrity political speech or the possible existence of a secret Pentagon diva lab. But if Fox Newss hosts truly believe that its irresponsible and dangerous to invite celebrities to weigh in on politics, they might want to turn their attention to  Fox News.
Dear readers,

To quote Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka:

Hold your breath/Make a wish/Count to three/Come with me and youll be/In a world of pure imagination.

Instead of touring a surreal chocolate manufacturer today, were wishing ourselves to someplace much realer and saltier, which is  Italy! I was fortunate enough to travel to lovely Parma last month on assignment for this newspaper. That article isnt print-ready yet, but I will alert you when its out. Until then, we can armchair-travel together through the power of text.

The only thing I read while in Parma was a phrasebook that proved indispensable for ordering cornetti and requesting napkins after being aerially struck by an Italian pigeon. But the real gold was what I read before the trip, in anticipation.

Buon divertimento,

Molly
She also pointed to a magnet that was mislabeled as DuBois. It actually pictured Booker T. Washington, the reformist educator who led the founding of the college that became Tuskegee University. Similarly, a magnet labeled Washington actually depicted Woodson, she said.

Ms. Espy said the accompanying cards also misidentified Woodson, DuBois and Washington.

I get it, mistakes happen, but this needs to be corrected ASAP, Ms. Espy said in the video.

In an interview on Saturday, Ms. Espy, 26, who teaches 11th-grade U.S. history at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas, said she bought the tin of magnets for her children, ages 4 and 6, as an educational tool for Black History Month.

Ms. Espy said she was alarmed to discover the mistakes.

I was upset because I was like, how does this get to so many people, so many levels, and put into stores, and I caught it in 10 seconds? she said. Whoa, this is not OK.

Bendon Publishing, which produces books of stickers, dress-up dolls and other magnet kits, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but on Saturday, the magnet kit was not listed among its titles on the companys website and Amazon page.
Two years ago, Bank of America won kudos from climate activists for saying it would no longer finance new coal mines, coal-burning power plants or Arctic drilling projects because of the toll they take on the environment.

The banks latest environment and social-risk policy reneged on those commitments. The policy, updated in December, says that such projects will instead be subject to enhanced due diligence.

Bank of Americas change follows intensifying backlash from Republican lawmakers against corporations that consider environmental and social factors in their operations. Wall Street in particular has come under fire for what some Republicans have called woke capitalism, a campaign that has pulled banks into the wider culture wars.

States including Texas and West Virginia have passed financial regulations designed to ward off efforts to deny fossil-fuel companies access to banking services. In New Hampshire, state lawmakers have sought to criminalize the business principle known as E.S.G., shorthand for environmental, social and governance.
Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, a longtime spiritual counselor at Americas largest yeshiva who spearheaded a crusade to warn observant Jews of the risks posed by the internet, died on Jan. 2 in Lakewood, N.J. He was 86.

The death was confirmed by Rabbi Avi Shafran, public affairs director of Agudath Israel of America, the umbrella organization for numerous Hasidic and other ultra-Orthodox groups. He said Rabbi Salomon had been ill for many years.

Rabbi Salomon was dean of students during his three decades at Beth Medrash Govoha, a religious school in Lakewood, whose enrollment of almost 9,000 students is exceeded only by the Mir Yeshiva in Israel. But he achieved far more influence than that title might suggest, through weekly lectures and personal encounters that guided thousands of young men in ethical and pious conduct.

Many of his acolytes became leaders of the teeming haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, communities in Brooklyn, England and Israel, as well as in smaller enclaves around the world.
On the campaign trail, Mazi Pilip wears a Star of David around her neck. She speaks with a thick Ethiopian-Israeli accent. And when it comes to the Israel-Hamas war, Ms. Pilip, the Republican nominee in a special House election in New York, adds no political polish.

Oct. 7 changed me forever, she said the other day, her voice cracking, at a vigil for a local man who was taken hostage by Hamas. Ms. Pilip, an Israeli military veteran, called him my brother.

The vicious attack of Hamas on my people, on my brothers and sisters, and our Jewish land  a vicious attack  we are never going to forget, she said, as the packed gymnasium of the suburban Jewish community center nodded along.

Many politicians have rushed to stand by American Jews since the war began. But few have made the conflict so viscerally central to their political identity as Ms. Pilip, 44, a little-known county legislator whose remarkable personal story and unusual overtures to Jews across the political spectrum have propelled her into a dead heat with Tom Suozzi, a former Democratic congressman.
When Senator Robert Menendez was indicted in September, prosecutors accused him of twice calling a senior federal law enforcement official in New Jersey in an effort to halt a criminal investigation involving an ally.

But the official had previously told the authorities that he had no memory of ever discussing particular cases with the senator, according to a court document made public for the first time on Friday.

The officials recollection is contained in a legal brief filed last month by Mr. Menendezs lawyers seeking dismissal of the indictment against the senator. Until now, that detail and other portions of the brief were redacted  hidden from public view  because they included material from the confidential government investigation.

On Thursday, a Manhattan judge, at the request of The New York Times and two other news outlets, ordered some of those redactions removed, making it possible to get a fuller picture of the evidence Mr. Menendezs lawyers are citing to bolster their argument that the indictment against the senator should be dismissed.
Every new year Dan Wang, a technology analyst with an East Asia-based economics research firm and a gifted observer of contemporary China, writes a long, reflective letter about the year just past, mixing analysis with personal experience. In this years letter the most memorable element is a single piece of Chinese slang: run.

The term means exactly what it sounds like: Chinese youths have in recent years appropriated this word in its English meaning to express a desire to flee. Initially it could just mean escaping the expectations of parents or the big city grind. But after years of Zero Covid policy, with Chinas economy disappointing and its political culture constricting, Wang writes that its increasingly evolved to mean emigrating from China altogether.

The lucky escapees are the ones who can move legally to Europe or America. The boldest are the ones traveling to Latin America and braving the Darien Gap to reach Mexico and then the United States; the migrant surge at our southern border, Wang notes, now includes thousands of Chinese nationals each month. But mostly, run means heading for Singapore, Japan or Thailand  the last of which Wang recently visited, to hang out with a mixture of remote workers, spiritual seekers, crypto enthusiasts and drug users.

He came away from the experience feeling a bit more optimistic about Chinas uncertain future. The China of the future will not look like the China ruled by old men today, he writes, and some of the creative Chinese kids hanging out in Thailand may do good things for the China theyll one day inherit.
After nearly four months of war, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. More than 75 percent of the areas more than two million people are displaced. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, many of them children. The United Nations warns that famine is imminent. Infectious diseases are spreading. The lack of health care is critical.

The main lifeline for Gazans in this landscape is the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, the nearly 75-year-old agency that is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions. Now at least 15 countries, including the United States, have announced a halt to payments to UNRWA, pending an investigation, because of Israeli intelligence reports that a dozen of its workers took part in the terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

But now is exactly the wrong time to halt funding for UNRWA. Norway is standing fast to our commitment to continue funding this crucial agency and to the Palestinian people. As the Norwegian foreign minister, I urge fellow donor countries to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting UNRWA off.

If these decisions are not reversed, we run a serious risk of worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. And since UNRWA also supports millions of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, a stop to payments could further destabilize an already extremely volatile region.
On a sweltering July evening, the din from thousands of computers mining for Bitcoins pierced the night. Nearby, Matt Brown, a member of the Arkansas legislature, monitored the noise alongside a local magistrate.

As the two men investigated complaints about the operation, Mr. Brown said, a security guard for the mine loaded rounds into an AR-15-style assault rifle that had been stored in a car.

He wanted to make sure that we knew he had his gun  that we knew it was loaded, Mr. Brown, a Republican, said in an interview.

The Bitcoin outfit here, 45 minutes north of Little Rock, is one of three sites in Arkansas owned by a network of companies embroiled in tense disputes with residents, who say the noise generated by computers performing trillions of calculations per second ruins lives, lowers property values and drives away wildlife.
Members of a local church waved signs with images of hellfire and used a bullhorn to shout Bible verses and accusations about sin and pedophile groomers in the library. Parents had to escort the teens inside that night, and the library beefed up security. But the next month police arrested a protester outside the doors who was carrying a knife and a loaded gun.

In May, religious conservatives won a majority on the library board and named as its chair a member who had called the Rainbow Squad a sex club. Ms. Neujahr, who created the group as a program of crafts, snacks and conversation for L.G.B.T.Q. youth and their parents, said she was told the groups funding was in danger. But she refused to disband it.
For Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, the conflict in Gaza has come home.

Protesters angry over Israels assault on Gaza have become a regular presence outside Mr. Blinkens residence in Northern Virginia, with some camping out for days in roadside tents. Palestinian flags and handmade signs express their fury at a diplomat who has become the face of President Bidens policy toward the conflict.

Bloody Blinken lives here, read one this week. Caution: War Criminal Inside, read another. Passing cars drove over the words Secretary of genocide scrawled along the road in pastel chalk colors.

And when Mr. Blinkens official motorcade pulled out of his driveway one day in early January, protesters splashed fake blood on the armored black Suburban in which he was riding.

Organizers of the protests have even given their effort a name, Occupy Blinken, and said in a statement that their encampment has held more than 100 people. (On Thursday afternoon perhaps two dozen were visible, along with numerous police officers and vehicles.) They have braved cold temperatures, winds and rain, 24 hours a day, to plead with Blinken to support an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the statement said.
Follow for live updates on the South Carolina primary.

For decades, ambitious politicians with eyes on a future presidential run made pilgrimages to Iowa and New Hampshire, casually popping in at fairs and local fund-raising dinners as if they just happened to be in the area.

When President Biden pushed Democrats to place South Carolina first on their presidential primary calendar, the geography for the partys political strivers changed. They are now working to build support not in mostly white Northern places but in a Southern state with a predominantly Black primary voting base that better represents the modern Democratic Party.

So when Vice President Kamala Harris arrived on Friday in Orangeburg, S.C., for her ninth visit to South Carolina since taking office, she came as a known quantity. While she and Mr. Biden are running for renomination without serious challengers, the relationships she has developed in the state are expected to play a part in lifting their ticket to a comfortable triumph on Saturday in the partys first recognized primary election.

Ms. Harriss trip, as well as her college tour last year and an ongoing circuit to defend abortion rights and promote the Democratic agenda, also served two larger purposes: working to shore up Mr. Bidens lingering vulnerabilities with Black voters and young voters, and keeping the first woman and first woman of color to serve as vice president at the forefront for the next presidential contest in 2028.
Rich Boulet, the director of the Blue Hill Public Library, was working in his office when a regular patron stopped by to ask how to donate a book to the library. You just hand it over, Mr. Boulet said.

The book was Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, by the journalist Abigail Shrier. The book posits that gender dysphoria is a diagnostic craze fueled by adolescent confusion, social media and peer influence, and that teenagers are too young to undergo potentially irreversible gender transition surgery.

Many transgender people and their advocates say the book is harmful to trans youth, and some have tried to suppress its distribution.

If Im being totally honest, my heart sank when I saw it, Mr. Boulet recalled.

Founded in 1796, the library has a $7.9 million endowment in a coastal enclave popular among affluent summer residents. Blue Hill delivered a 35-point victory for Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the 2020 presidential race. The communities around it are a blend of liberal, conservative and none-of-your-business, all of which helped its library resist political proxy battles like those roiling the nations libraries.
If you requested and received an absentee ballot but havent put it in the mail, you can still deliver it to a local election office until 7 p.m. You can find the address of the office that is nearest to you online here. If youve already mailed your absentee ballot and want to make sure it will arrive before the deadline, you can track its status online here.

Where to vote

You can find your polling place by entering some personal information online here.

What to bring

South Carolina requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls before they vote. Election officials will accept a few different kinds of identification, including drivers licenses, passports and voter ID cards with photos. If you forget to bring a photo ID but have a voter registration card without a photo, you can cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted in the election if you present a photo ID to election officials before Thursday, Feb. 8, when the primary results will be certified.

Whos on the ballot?

Only three candidates will appear on the Democratic primary ballot on Saturday: President Biden and his two challengers, Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota and the self-help author Marianne Williamson. You can find a complete sample ballot through this form.
In early 2021, when former President Donald J. Trump was unhappily exiting the White House, he suggested in a private conversation with Ronna McDaniel, the head of the Republican National Committee, the possibility of running for the White House again in 2024, not as a Republican but as a third-party candidate.

Mr. Trump quickly scrapped the idea. Three years later, the rest is nearly history. After his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire last month, Mr. Trump is on the precipice of again becoming the Republican Partys official standard-bearer.

Despite a sometimes fraught history  most party insiders were leery of Mr. Trump when he first won the Republican nomination in 2016  the former president and his party are now largely aligned, a sign of how much Republicanism has transformed in the last eight years.

As members of the Republican National Committee gathered in Las Vegas this week for their winter meeting, the looming remarriage of the party apparatus with Mr. Trump generated only the smallest pockets of resistance. Instead, much of the drama and discussion on the sidelines was about how Mr. Trump would seek to put his imprint on the partys leadership.
The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email.

I had just moved to New Zealand, at age 12, when a new friend suggested that we slip out to the corner store (dairy in New Zealand English) for some candy (lollies).

It wasnt a warm day  July or August in Auckland hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit  yet when I stopped to put on my shoes, she looked at me with bemusement. Why would I need shoes for a quick trip down the road?

New Zealanders  and their Australian cousins  like to go barefoot. Theyll often eschew footwear to go to the gas station, the grocery store, the playground and even the pub.

Seth Kugel, a writer for The New York Times, who visited New Zealand in 2012, put it like this: People walk around barefoot. On the street. In supermarkets. All over. Its not everyone, but its a significant enough minority to be quite striking and a bit disconcerting. Sure, city sidewalks are clean. But theyre still city sidewalks.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has begun warning Germans that they should prepare for decades of confrontation with Russia  and that they must speedily rebuild the countrys military in case Vladimir V. Putin does not plan to stop at the border with Ukraine.

Russias military, he has said in a series of recent interviews with German news media, is fully occupied with Ukraine. But if there is a truce, and Mr. Putin, Russias president, has a few years to reset, he thinks the Russian leader will consider testing NATOs unity.

Nobody knows how or whether this will last, Mr. Pistorius said of the current war, arguing for a rapid buildup in the size of the German military and a restocking of its arsenal.

Mr. Pistoriuss public warnings reflect a significant shift at the top levels of leadership in a country that has shunned a strong military since the end of the Cold War. The alarm is growing louder, but the German public remains unconvinced that the security of Germany and Europe has been fundamentally threatened by a newly aggressive Russia.
The aftermath of the U.S. military strikes targeting sites in Syria and Iraq began coming into focus on Saturday morning as a Britain-based Syria monitoring group said that at least 18 members of an Iran-backed group had been killed in strikes there and the Iraqi government said that 16 people had been killed, including civilians.

The Biden administration warned that the strikes overnight on sites used by Iranian forces and Iran-backed militias in retaliation for the killing of three U.S. troops last week would not be the last.

Civilians, as well as soldiers, were among those killed in Syria, the countrys defense ministry said. At least 18 members of Iran-backed groups were killed in strikes on 26 sites there, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group that has researchers in Syria.

The Iraqi government said in a statement on Saturday that the strikes had killed 16 people, including civilians, and wounded 25 more.

American officials said they were confident that the strikes, on 85 targets at seven sites in the two countries, had hit exactly what they meant to hit, but said that analysts would make a closer assessment in daylight.

American officials also said the targets were all linked to specific attacks against U.S. troops in the region, describing them as command and control operations, intelligence centers, weapons facilities and bunkers used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

Our response began today, President Biden said in a statement shortly after witnessing the return of the bodies of the U.S. soldiers who were killed at a military outpost in Jordan last week.

Fridays strikes did not hit any targets inside Iran. Both Washington and Tehran have made it clear in recent days that they do not want a direct conflict.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for Iraqs military, issued a statement calling the strikes on Iraq unacceptable and a violation of the countrys sovereignty, warning that the escalation will drag Iraq and the region into unforeseen consequences. John F. Kirby, a U.S. National Security Council spokesman, said the Iraqi government had been notified ahead of the strikes.

The strikes used more than 125 precision-guided munitions, according to a statement by United States Central Command. The strikes took 30 minutes, officials said, and were largely conducted by two American B-1B bombers, which departed from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas early Friday for a more than 6,000-mile flight. Using U.S.-based bombers allowed commanders in the region to keep their land- and carrier-based strike aircraft in reserve for follow-up strikes, one official said.

Since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Hamas war, which has devastated Gaza and inflamed the Middle East, Iran and its allied militias have launched more than 160 attacks on U.S. troops in the region and have struck at commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The post by the Palestine Red Crescent was a haunting plea, hoping to learn the fate of three people not heard from for five days.

Where is Hind? Where are Ahmed and Yousef? We need to know, it said.

Two of the groups rescuers were dispatched on Monday to find 6-year-old Hind Rajab, believed to be trapped in a vehicle in northern Gaza with a number of dead family members.

The Red Crescent said one of its workers had spoken extensively by phone with Hind on Monday and that it believed that all six of her relatives inside the vehicle with her had been killed that same day by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military said it was not aware of the incident.

The Red Crescent said in a statement on Saturday evening, 118 hours have passed, and the fate of the PRCS ambulance team, Yousef Zeino and Ahmed al Madhoun, who went to rescue the 6-year-old girl, Hind, remains unknown.
When a senior U.S. diplomat called the Israeli military last week to request further details about Israeli allegations against a United Nations agency in Gaza, military leaders were so surprised that they ordered an internal inquiry about how the information had reached the ears of foreign officials.

The allegations were grave: 12 employees of the organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, were accused of joining Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel or its aftermath.

The claims reinforced Israels decades-old narrative about UNRWA: that it is biased against Israel and influenced by Hamas and other armed groups, charges that the agency strongly rejects.

But while most Israeli officials oppose UNRWA, some military leaders did not want to see it shuttered amid a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. In fact, it was not the military that disclosed the information to the United States but UNRWA itself.
How the U.S. Became the Worlds Biggest Gas Supplier

Top exporters of liquefied natural gas 12 billion cubic feet per day U.S. Qatar 10 Australia 8 6 Russia 4 Malaysia 2 2014 2023 12 billion cubic feet per day United States Qatar Australia 10 8 6 Russia 4 Malaysia 2 2014 2023 Source: S&P Global Note: Data reflects annual average liquefied natural gas exports by country.

In just eight years, the United States has rocketed from barely selling any gas overseas to becoming the worlds No. 1 supplier, a remarkable shift that has profited oil and gas companies and strengthened American influence abroad. But climate activists worry that soaring exports of liquefied natural gas could make global warming worse.

Last month, the Biden administration said it would pause the permitting process for new facilities that export liquefied natural gas in order to study their impact on climate change, the economy and national security. Even with the pause, the United States is still on track to nearly double its export capacity by 2027 because of projects already permitted and under construction. But any expansions beyond that are now in doubt.

At the core of the debate over whether to allow more exports is a thorny question: With governments across the globe pledging to transition away from fossil fuels, how much more natural gas does the world need?

Americas gas export boom initially caught many policymakers by surprise. In the early 2000s, natural gas was relatively scarce at home, and companies were spending billions of dollars to build terminals to import gas from places like Qatar and Australia.

Fracking changed all that. In the mid-2000s, U.S. drillers perfected methods to unlock vast reserves of cheap natural gas from shale rock. At the same time, natural gas prices began spiking elsewhere in the world, especially after Japan shut down its nuclear plants in the wake of the Fukushima reactor meltdown in 2011 and began demanding more fuel.

That led to a stunning reversal. American companies, led by Cheniere Energy, began spending billions more to convert import terminals into export terminals, and shipments of U.S. gas to other countries began to surge.

Major demand growth

Natural gas is most easily transported by pipeline. To send it across oceans, the gas must be chilled to 260 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, turning it into a liquid. The process of making and shipping liquefied natural gas adds complexity and cost, but if the difference between U.S. natural gas prices and overseas prices is big enough, it is profitable.

It comes down to economics, said Kenneth Medlock, senior director at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University. Production just keeps growing in the United States, which keeps prices low. And then we keep seeing major demand growth in the rest of the world.

The export boom has transformed Americas role in energy geopolitics.

Where U.S. liquefied natural gas exports go In cubic feet per month Rest of world 300 billion Asia 200 100 Europe 2020 2021 2022 2023 In cubic feet per month 300 billion Rest of world 200 Asia 100 Europe 2020 2021 2022 2023 Source: Department of Energy Note: Data available through Oct. 2023

Europe has become the biggest importer of American gas in recent years, enabling the continent to slash by more than half its reliance on Russian gas since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In the future, Europe is expected to curb its appetite for gas by adding more renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. The main growth markets for natural gas are expected to be fast-growing Asian countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam that want to use the fuel for electricity, heating or industrial purposes.

But as U.S. exports keep skyrocketing, critics have raised concerns about the climate change impact of transporting and selling more gas around the world.

A complex climate question

The last time the Energy Department studied this issue, in 2019, it concluded that U.S. liquefied natural gas often produced fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other types of coal or gas used around the world. That meant that more exports could actually be beneficial for climate change if U.S. gas replaced those other fossil fuels. (When gas is scarce, some countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have recently opted to burn more coal instead.)

But some environmentalists have disputed those conclusions, arguing that the analysis didnt fully account for all the planet-warming methane leaks that can accompany natural gas production, and that it didnt study whether a glut of gas might displace cleaner renewable energy rather than coal. The Energy Department is expected to study these questions while it puts permits for new projects on hold.

In the meantime, the U.S. gas boom is far from over, even with the permitting pause.

U.S. export capacity is set to nearly double, even with a permitting pause U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity by facility, in billions of cubic feet per day 20 Under construction 15 Existing export capacity 10 5 One facility 2017 2024 2028 History Forecast U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity by facility, in billions of cubic feet per day 20 Under construction 15 Existing export capacity 10 5 One facility 2017 2024 2028 History Forecast U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity by facility, in billions of cubic feet per day 20 Under construction 15 Existing export capacity 10 5 One facility 2017 2024 2028 History Forecast U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity by facility, in billions of cubic feet per day 20 Under construction 15 Existing export capacity 10 5 One facility 2017 2024 2028 History Forecast Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Note: Export capacity shown reflects each facilitys baseload capacity. Start dates are approximate.

Since 2016, U.S. energy companies have built seven large facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Maryland and Georgia that can export around 11.4 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas per day, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Another five projects along the Gulf Coast are already permitted and under construction and will be able to export an additional 9.7 billion cubic feet per day by 2027  nearly doubling Americas export capacity. Three more facilities are currently being built in Mexico that will receive U.S. gas by pipeline and then ship it abroad.

The pause, however, could affect nearly a dozen proposed projects in the United States and Mexico that, if built, could boost export capacity by another 10 billion cubic feet per day, according to research by Clearview Energy Partners, a consulting firm. Whether those projects ultimately go forward remains to be seen.

With so many projects locked in, experts say it will be crucial to ensure that methane leaks from gas production are kept as low as possible. (The Biden administration has put forward several new regulations on methane.) This is an area where we can actually deliver an emissions win, maybe more so than delaying or even killing a future supply project, said Ben Cahill, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Because its what we do with the emissions on the projects that we know are with us today.
Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern time. In 2020, results began to come in soon after, and about 98 percent of votes had been reported by midnight. South Carolina does not have voter registration by party, but those who participate in the Democratic election may not vote in the Republican election on Feb. 24. Voter registration deadlines were in January.

The state offered two weeks of early voting, and those with valid excuses were allowed to vote absentee by mail. More than 52,000 voters had already cast their ballots as of Friday.

The primary is the first 2024 Democratic contest that will award delegates, a change to the calendar that has historically placed Iowa and New Hampshire first. New Hampshire went ahead with its primary on Jan. 23, but no delegates were awarded.
Publicis Health has agreed to shell out $350M to settle claims that its predatory and deceptive marketing for Purdue Pharma designed to increase sales of OxyContin helped fuel the opioid crisis, according to New York attorney general Letitia James. Her office co-led a coalition of 50 state attorneys general.

The French healthcare firm created ads, brochures and pamphlets that promoted OxyContin as safe and unable to be abused.

It implemented McKinsey & Co.s Evolve to Excellence campaign that targeted doctors who prescribed the most OxyContin and flooded them with sales calls and marketing.

Those physicians received a barrage of messaging touting the abuse-deterrent aspects of OxyContin and the so-called benefits of increasing dosages.

The aggressive marketing resulted in a rise in opioid prescriptions nationwide, which led to abuse, addiction and overdose deaths.

James said Publicis and its clients fueled and profited from the opioid epidemic. In 2020, 4,233 New Yorkers died from opioid-involved overdoses, up 294 percent from 2010. The Empire State will receive $19.2M of the settlement.

Publicis, which also handled Purdues Butrans and Hysingla opioid, is required to pay the $350M within 60 days and refrain from accepting any future opioid marketing or sales work.

For its part, Publicis Groupe said that its opioid efforts were carried out by its Rosetta ad agency that was shuttered ten years ago.

It also noted that the settlement recognized Publicis Healths good faith and responsible corporate citizenship and is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
Ireland is bracing for a fresh blast of Arctic weather with temperatures set to plummet to -5 or -6 and the possibility of widespread snow at the end of next week and second week of February, according to forecasters.

Forecasters are now monitoring the new cold snap which looks to be making its way towards Ireland on weather models. Weather Alerts Ireland were first to say "there are signs that winter could return with Arctic air pushing down over Ireland from later next week."

Met Eireann's outlook predicts things will remain "mild and breezy for a time with further spells of rain on Thursday [next week]", though they say "there's a chance it'll turn colder later in the week or for the following weekend with clear or bright spells and showers or longer spells of precipitation, some of it possibly wintry, and with some frost and ice."

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has said "major changes are on the way as we head into next week as the jet stream that dictates our weather looks like slipping away to the south allowing a corridor of much colder air from the north to take hold through next Tuesday, and then especially from Thursday/Friday onwards."

The meteorologist added: "Until then however, the Atlantic remains firmly in control with a mild westerly airflow bringing with it plenty of cloud, some rain and temperatures well above average for the time of year. This will make for an overcast weekend with plenty of cloud and little in the way of sunshine.

"A cold front passes southwards on Tuesday, delivering an initial change to colder weather, but a second Atlantic low pressure brings a risk of snow to parts of Ulster initially next Thursday and the later to the south as well. Given the time constraints however the timing and location is likely to change.

"Thereafter a classic Atlantic blocking ridge across Greenland begins to develop with a cold north to northeasterly flow developing, feeding down plenty of showers, the majority of which by next weekend will be falling as snow, leading to some accumulations in places.

"In conclusion, the milder Atlantic flow were experiencing at present will hold out until Tuesday, with a more definite change occurring through Thursday, followed then by a return to wintry conditions and a renewed risk of snowfall and associated wintry hazards."

READ MORE: Bank Holiday weekend weather as Met Eireann makes grim prediction

In the meantime, Met Eireann forecasters say that "Saturday will be mostly cloudy in Munster, Leinster and southern parts of Connacht with scattered outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. Ulster and north Connacht will be mainly dry with some bright or sunny intervals and a few isolated light showers. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with light to moderate westerly breezes.

"Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Some mist and hill and coastal fog too. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in mostly moderate westerly winds.

"Cloudy for a time with rain and drizzle, becoming mostly confined to Ulster into the afternoon [on Sunday], where it'll be persistent in parts. Drier and becoming a little brighter elsewhere with some sunny spells, the best chance across Munster and south Leinster. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty southwest winds."

Met Eireann's latest forecast says "the persistent rain in Ulster will clear away northwards early on Sunday night" and that "there'll be some clear spells, but overall a good lot of cloud with a little patchy light rain and drizzle at times, especially further west. Some mist too. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in mostly moderate southwest winds, occasionally fresh and gusty at times in some coastal parts.

"On Monday, A few bright spells, the best of these further east, but mostly cloudy and while there'll be plenty of dry weather, there'll be scattered patches of light rain and drizzle around, especially in western parts. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees. Breezy; with fresh and gusty southwest winds, becoming strong at times in coastal parts of the northwest and west."

They add: "A cold front will start to move down from the northwest on Monday night, bringing persistent and at times heavier rain, mainly into the north and west, while staying drier further to the south and east. Continuing breezy with fresh and gusty southwest winds, stronger in some coastal parts. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

"Tuesday will be a cloudy day with that band of rain continuing to move down across the country, persistent and heavy at times. Still mild for many for much of the day, but drier, clearer and colder weather will start to follow from the north. Highest afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in parts of the north, to between 9 and 12 degrees elsewhere. Breezy with the rain with mostly fresh, occasionally strong and gusty southwest winds, but the winds will veer northwesterly as the rain clears and ease.

"Dry, bright and chilly for a time on Wednesday, probably for much of the day, but with rain starting to move up from the southwest later. Cooler than previous days with highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

"That rain will extend countrywide on Wednesday night and will be heavy at times. Breezy too, with moderate to fresh southeast winds. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees, but becoming milder with the rain."

It's after that our weather will turn colder. Met Eireann says: "The weather will turn a bit more changeable and unsettled then next week with pressure dropping, bringing more in the way of persistent and heavy rain at times, though some drier, brighter weather at times too. Temperatures will fluctuate through next week with alternating mild and colder spells."
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) reinforces its stance on cashback bonuses, amending regulations to prevent gambling-related harm and ensure a safer Dutch gambling market.

The Dutch gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), recently revised its cashback bonus regulations after identifying breaches among licensed operators. In the Netherlands, laws prohibit operators from offering cashback bonuses, where players receive a portion of their losses back. However, the KSA's investigation uncovered that some operators were circumventing these rules by providing bonuses linked to losses in other forms.

Findings and Regulatory Adjustments

During its scrutiny, the KSA discovered three operators providing bonuses akin to cashback. One operator received a formal warning for directly offering a cashback bonus, while two others were cautioned for introducing bonuses tied to gambling losses. The KSA's findings underscored how such bonuses could encourage risky gambling behaviors, prompting players to wager higher stakes and play more frequently due to the anticipation of recouping some losses.

In response, the KSA has refined the wording in its regulations to explicitly mention "bonus based on loss," thereby encompassing any bonus connected to gambling losses under prohibited market practices. KSA chairman Rene Jansen emphasized the regulator's commitment to player safety and a gambling market free from harm, stating that any losses-related bonus directly contradicts these principles.

Broader Efforts to Prevent Problem Gambling

The KSA's actions are part of broader efforts to combat problem gambling and ensure player protection in the Dutch market. Following alerts to breaches in bonus regulations last summer, the regulator had previously instructed all Dutch iGaming licensees to cease offering cashback bonuses, highlighting the potential for such incentives to encourage excessive gambling.

Further measures introduced by Franc Weerwind, the Dutch minister for legal protection, aim to strengthen player safeguards. Among these initiatives are requirements for operators to engage with players who set high deposit limits, advising them of the associated risks, and proposals to make financial transactions more transparent by displaying amounts in euros. Additionally, the government is advocating for more comprehensive research into setting overall gaming limits.

Implications for the Dutch Gambling Market

The KSA's updated regulations and the government's ongoing initiatives reflect a concerted effort to address problem gambling and promote responsible gambling practices among operators and players alike. By tightening rules on cashback and loss-based bonuses, the Dutch regulator seeks to mitigate the incentives for risky gambling behavior, aligning with its goal of a safer and more responsible gambling environment.

As the KSA continues its vigilant oversight of the market, these regulatory adjustments signal a clear message to operators about the importance of adhering to responsible gambling principles. The emphasis on player protection and the prevention of gambling-related harm remains paramount, ensuring that the Dutch gambling market operates within a framework that prioritizes the well-being of its participants.
As the global iGaming landscape evolves, so do the regulatory frameworks governing it. In 2024, significant changes loom for several key licensing jurisdictions. Slotegrator, a leader in iGaming solutions, offers an invaluable deep dive into these developments, providing a roadmap for Curacao, Isle of Man, Kahnawake, Malta, and Anjouan operators.

The iGaming industry's regulatory environment is in constant flux, with jurisdictions worldwide adapting to the dynamic needs of operators, players, and regulatory bodies. Slotegrator, with its finger on the pulse of these changes, provides a detailed overview of what operators can expect in 2024 across several pivotal licensing territories.

Curacao: A Pivotal Transition

Curacao's reputation as a favorable destination for iGaming operators is transforming with the impending National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This transition signals a move towards more regulated operations, with the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) set to oversee a new licensing regime. The introduction of standardized fees and the potential for legislative changes underscore a period of uncertainty and adaptation for stakeholders. Slotegrator emphasizes the importance of vigilance for operators navigating this transitional landscape.

Isle of Man: A Beacon of Opportunity

The Isle of Man shines as a beacon for iGaming businesses, drawing operators with its balanced approach to liberal legislation and stringent regulatory standards. This jurisdiction's appeal is bolstered by its commitment to fair and responsible gaming. It has operational advantages such as a single license covering all game types, robust business support schemes, and a tax-friendly environment. Slotegrator views the Isle of Man as a jurisdiction that marries operational freedom with a strong emphasis on player safety and industry credibility.

Kahnawake: A Stable Haven

Kahnawake remains a preferred choice for iGaming operators, thanks to its respected regulatory authority, tax benefits, and operational flexibility. The Client Provider Authorisation, offering a broad functional scope and a tax-free environment, positions Kahnawake as an attractive long-term licensing option. Slotegrator highlights the jurisdiction's commitment to responsible gaming and its universal appeal as key factors in its ongoing popularity.

Malta: The Heart of iGaming

Malta stands as the epicenter of the iGaming world, with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) leading the charge in fostering a secure and vibrant online gambling sector. The MGA's licensing framework is designed to support many iGaming activities, further enhanced by Malta's pro-business stance and supportive measures for startups. Slotegrator points to Malta's role in driving industry growth and innovation, emphasizing its status as a key player in the global iGaming ecosystem.

Anjouan: A Rising Star

The island of Anjouan in the Comoros is emerging as a compelling licensing destination, particularly appealing to startups seeking a cost-effective entry point into the iGaming industry. With its straightforward application process and inclusive operational scope, Anjouan offers a viable alternative to established jurisdictions. Slotegrator notes the potential of Anjouan to serve as a new frontier for iGaming operators amidst the changing regulatory landscapes of more traditional jurisdictions.

Judgment

As the iGaming industry approaches 2024, the regulatory terrain presents challenges and opportunities. Slotegrator's in-depth analysis of licensing jurisdictions equips operators with the knowledge to navigate these changes strategically. Operators can leverage these insights to thrive in a competitive and regulated market by staying informed and adaptable.

About Slotegrator

Since 2012, Slotegrator has solidified its position as a premier software and business solution provider for the iGaming industry. Known for its innovative approach to software development and platform support, Slotegrator continues to push the boundaries of iGaming with its extensive portfolio of casino content and commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology and game content.


Is the bloom off the rose in the Trump/Haley relationship?

(Image by RJ Photography) Details DMCA



Throughout history, there has been no shortage of famous duos. Most famously perhaps, there was Romeo and Juliet. But also, remember Antony and Cleopatra, Ozzie and Harriet, Napoleon and Josephine, Abbott and Costello, Batman and Robin, Butch and Sundance, Sonny and Cher, Charles and Diana, Franklin and Eleanor, Heckle and Jeckle, Jekyll and Hyde, Bonnie and Clyde ...

That seems an appropriate place to stop to consider this year's dynamic duo: Donald and Nikki. A match made in MAGA heaven.

Or maybe not.

As Donald Trump's would-be challengers for the Republican Party's presidential nomination have quickly dropped by the wayside, being too honest (Chris Christie) or too boring (Ron DeSantis), the party found itself in January with only Nikki Haley still running against the man facing 91 felony indictments.

This is all very un-Republican, what with Haley being a woman and an accomplished, outspoken one at that. Where are her traditional family values? Doesn't she know her place? Did she really question Der Donald's mental status just because he repeatedly confused her with Nancy Pelosi and said Joe Biden could ignite World War uh Two? Did she really suggest Trump (and Biden) might be too old to be president?

Yes, she did and Trump reacted in his customary style, with insults and threats, typed in all caps and misspelled on his social media platform. The ultimate threat: Anyone supporting Haley will be cut off from any MAGA connection. Ostracized financially. Out of the cult.

Still she persists, to borrow a Democratic Party notion. And, having shown some surprising support among Republicans in New Hampshire, she moves on to the primary in South Carolina, where she was a popular governor, offering a more traditional Republican message than Trump's scorched-earth, I-am-a-victim-of-Biden-oppression-and-will-get-revenge-on-my-enemies-when-I-am-re-elected message.

Haley presents a dilemma for those Republicans who can't stand Trump, but are too afraid to say so because they need the votes of the aggrieved, angry whites who make up MAGA, the volatile base of the GOP, but who don't outnumber the relatively sane voters populating the rest of the electorate. Haley speaks to some of those people. When she wants to. Sometimes, she bows to the Trump persecution complex strategy. She'll pardon him if necessary. But now that she seems to be on the verge of being labeled a disloyal, ungrateful (Trump did make her his UN ambassador) umm, woman, she runs the risk of breaking up the Donald/Nikki duo before it becomes official. Before the tango becomes a waltz. As in running mates. With Donald taking the lead, of course.

Trump's most avid supporters say that must never happen. Assuming Trump wins the Republican nomination and assuming he is not in prison and assuming the Supreme Court allows him to run anyway (not a given), the MAGAs want no part of Haley as a vice presidential candidate.

But, if she is left standing and looking legit, she would bring some voters Trump can't reach. Non-MAGA women. Some sane Republicans. And, as the daughter of parents who came from India, immigrants.

I don't see it happening, Trump being Trump. He likes the easy way, predictably obedient foot soldiers willing to take the fall and not complain or testify against him.

For her part, Haley has tried to play it both ways, sometimes supporting Trump so as not to anger his base, and sometimes speaking the truth, acknowledging other views. Ignoring slavery as a cause of the Civil War, talking about raising the Social Security age and cutting government controls but, unlike Trump, supporting more U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and for Israel in its war against terrorist groups.

Who knows, maybe Trump will be convicted of one or more of the 91 felonies before the Republican nominating convention. Maybe some judge will actually lock him up for defying a gag order.

Liz Cheney, another accomplished, outspoken woman who was, in effect, expelled from the Republican Party for daring to speak the truth about Trump and the January 6 insurrection, has encouraged Haley to stay in the race. To continue the tango. The male chorus remains mute.

It remains to be seen whether Donald and Nikki become a true couple or wind up like another famous duo, Jack and Rose on the Titanic. A brief flirtation, but only room for one on the raft.

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The White House is working hard to paint their rapidly-expanding genocidal carpet-bombing programs as some unforeseen natural disaster. Despite the stupendous windfall for Ford, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, and the rest, 1 the administration is "heartbroken" now, from the career-endangered president down to the last career-endangered press-flak.

I had to go to bed without reading anymore "news." But it's gotten into my dreams lately, and sure enough, it was worse by morning.

Damning Israeli "settler" violence with faint praise, the Biden administration announces financial sanctions on individual perpetrators (Can they do that?) while opening up a new front on "Iran-backed" (sic) Yemeni upstarts (wait, where did they come from?) and loading up the next shipments of toxic bunker-busters for the last designated "safe" (read: "free-fire") zones in Palestine.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Twenty-five (count them: 25) state governors just signed a letter declaring they would stand with the governor of Texas in "stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country" (AKA his xenophobic floating-chainsaw-razorwire immigrant-drowning system).

Seriously.

According to watchdog groups, the next episode is to be a "Take Back the Border convoy" reported to be converging on Eagle Pass, TX, Yuma, AZ and San Ysidro, CA, including contingents from various militia- and vigilante-style groups (many seen at "J6"), thought likely to be armed and angry, but somewhat disorganized. Texas Governor Abbott has announced 2 that he and 13 other governors will visit Eagle Pass this weekend for a "border security briefing"; other public servants reportedly involved include Rep. Keith Self, Johnson City Mayor Stephanie Fisher and the Cochise County Republican Committee.

That would be quite a party.

If Abbott pulls this off, and it goes, um, south, the feds will have few options. The potential for massive disorder, loss of life, and law enforcement failure could supersede all other priorities overnight. Maybe Mexico would be well-advised to seal its own border, at least for the weekend.

45 may look like a cherry bomb in a dormitory sewer by comparison. If he doesn't manage to top a bizarre border war involving rival state and federal law enforcement, military, ICE, FBI, and who knows what other agencies, up against/alongside of armed militias and vigilantes, then Abbott, with impeccable timing, may be expecting 70 million genocide-happy write-in voters waiting to landslide his ass into the White House. Should there happen to be an opening.

The US "election" isn't going to make much difference in Palestine. The Genocide-Industrial-Complex won't even "pause" before locking-on to another population of long-marginalized and helpless civilians. Presidents don't control it now, quite the contrary, and none of the possible candidates show any sign that they care how many people have to be incinerated as long as it keeps unemployment and gas prices low, and dissent distracted and ineffective.

Why should we believe this will stop, given a level of corruption that provides blanket impunity for live-streaming extermination of an entire people? It's a growth industry after all.

Gaza was only the biggest-ever-concentration-camp-in-the-world. The Wall stands between the Empire and the biggest-ever-world-in-a-concentration-camp.

Welcome to "Zion."

1 American Friends Service Committee

Database of Israeli Military and Security Export

2 Governors to Texas
Politics for the people or people for politics? The answer to this question divided humanity into two parts. These parts of humanity are not equal.

Two worlds of humanity

A good policy is a safe and comfortable policy. This motto is valid for the population of the richest and most technologically advanced countries in the world.

Anything that requires a lot of effort cannot be a political goal for such countries. Not only numerous casualties, but even a serious and lasting deterioration in living conditions are now unacceptable for achieving political goals.

Politics is for the people, not the people for politics. This new philosophy separates the citizens of cool countries from the majority of the world's population. The rest of humanity is ready, as before, to achieve anything without sparing themselves. Most of the earth is a territory where people exist for politics.

Daily life of the new world order

Ukraine is an ally of democratic countries. However, these countries did not send their own armies to help Ukraine. Military support to Ukraine is provided only to the extent that does not threaten the security of these states. Even a long-term deterioration in life due to support for Ukraine causes displeasure among the population of democratic countries. However, this is not how states fight, at least outside the democratic world!

Ukraine loses about 30 thousand people killed and wounded every month. (1) However, the attitude of Ukraine's allies to this tragedy does not seem to be a true desire to help. Democracies agree to assert their ideals, but without dying, without taking great risks and without creating inconvenience for themselves.

In these countries, human capital has become the most important value! And this was achieved through political skill, technological superiority and financial capital. Democracies have learned to influence the world without oppressing their own human resources. But for this, democracies had to abandon moral dogmas and replace it with self-interest!

An excellent example of modern democratic thinking is the situation with the storming on January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (2) US officials condemned this action and prosecuted those involved. However, in other countries the United States supported similar actions. This shows that one and the same event can be thought about differently depending on the political benefits! It is this ideology that has allowed Western democracies to achieve a dominant position.

But there is another world. A world where political, technological and financial opportunities are not as great as in cool democracies. In this world, people's opportunities are so small that people are ready to take their own lives to achieve what they want. An example of this world is Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen and even Afghanistan! These countries have nothing in common except for one exception. In these states, political goals are above all! This means that political beliefs are sacred. That is, it is impossible to think differently about the same event!

Large population losses, economic and social problems are not an obstacle to achieving political goals. Even the possible destruction of the state does not stop participation in this struggle!

In a world outside of democracies, people exist for politics, not politics for people! It is hard to imagine that half a million Finns would decide to die for their country to join NATO. In this case, NATO would be considered a threat to Finland and not a defense. Finland's accession to NATO was only possible due to the absence of serious obstacles.

However, the Ukrainians did the opposite. Wanting to receive NATO protection, half a million Ukrainians died, (1) and Ukraine itself was destroyed. The desire to join NATO did not protect, but destroyed Ukraine. But even after this, formal entry into NATO did not happen. This happened because the skills of the political elites of Ukraine are worse than the skills of the political elites of Western democracies. But the Ukrainian people were unable to replace moral norms with self-interest. In the world of Ukrainians, dying for an idea is normal. But in the world of cool democracies, mass death for an idea is prohibited. Ukrainians decided that NATO is so wonderful that it is worth dying for. All the democratic countries that make up NATO did not do this! And these countries will never do this!

Ukrainians paid a huge price to become part of the Western world. But the Western world would not pay so dearly for itself! This is not envisaged by the new ideology of Western democracies. The lack of understanding by Ukrainians of the meaning of democracy was the cause of the Ukrainian tragedy. Incredible!

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Special Report: Retaliatory strikes are underway in Syria The U.S. on Friday began retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, likely against Iran-backed militants for a drone strike on an ...

(Image by YouTube, Channel: ABC15 Arizona) Details DMCA



US retaliation of Iranian affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria that killed 3 US troops in Jordan

As we now know President Biden authorized the US bombing of some 85 targets in Iraq and Syria yesterday in retaliation against suspected Iran backed militants that killed 3 US troops last week in a base in Jordan near the Iraq Syrian border.

Biden issued the following statement after the bombing, "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world".

As I read that statement I couldn't believe he actually said what he did.

First of all Iraq and Syria are sovereign countries. The US is not at war with those countries. Congress didn't declare war on those countries-the only entity in the Constitution authorized to do so. Yes I realize Congress hasn't declared war since after the the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Ever since Congress has evaded that responsibility essentially ceding it to the President although he hasn't actually declared war on any country.

To wit:

In Korea in 1950 after North Korea invaded South Korea President Truman along with other UN countries sent the US military to help defend South Korea. The war was referred to as a "Police Action".

In Vietnam the US military was there to help the South Vietnamese government against Communist North Vietnam. Also to avoid the "Domino Theory" to prevent a Communist country from invading a neighboring country.

Afghanistan in October 2001 President "Dubya" Bush sent US troops in pursuit of Osama bin Laden the alleged perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks.

Iraq in March 2003 "Dubya" bombed Baghdad accusing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of having WMD along with him being allied with bin Laden in the 9/11 attacks.

The point here being there have been various methods the US president has used to go to war without declaring it.

Currently the US is fighting a proxy war in Ukraine using Kiev government troops against Russia that invaded the country in February 2022. The US government conveniently ignores the US State Department's involvement in the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovych the legitimately elected president of Ukraine in February 2014.

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Police arrested a 52-year-old man suspected of killing his 78-year-old mother Friday morning in Lake Oswego.

Virginia Brix of Redmond, Washington, was found dead inside a home in the 17000 block of Mardee Avenue after police arrived to do a welfare check at 8:40 a.m., authorities said. She had been appointed her sons guardian two years ago after his mental health seriously deteriorated and he was suffering escalating delusions, according to court records.
Editors note: This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Illustration by Maria Contreras for palabraMaria Contreras for palabra

A majority of judges in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals have shot down a lawsuit by south Texas citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal who alleged officials violated her rights by arresting her for publishing basic police news. But the ruling has touched off a larger debate over the governments power to limit reporters  even arrest them  when they pursue information via backchannels.

Implications of the ruling are significant, say advocates of First Amendment rights who fear the court is opening the door to criminal sanctions for journalism that, for example, pursued and published leaked video and records that exposed police failures during the May 24, 2022, shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas.

In a dissent, Appeals Court Judge James Graves, an Obama appointee, wrote that the majority opinion means journalists will only be able to report information the government chooses to share.

In a profile, palabra and The Texas Observer detailed the exploits of Villareal, a popular and provocative independent reporter who goes by the name La Gordiloca, and her high-stakes court battle.

The majority opinion, authored by Judge Edith Jones, a Reagan appointee, finds that local officials were reasonable when they used an obscure Texas law to arrest La Gordiloca and thereby criminalize a wide range of what has been considered basic accountability journalism. The ruling applies in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Any law enforcement agency basically has a green light right now to go out and arrest and threaten or detain journalists who publish documents that are leaked from the government, said attorney Daxton Chip Stewart, a media law professor at Texas Christian University, in an interview about the ruling. And  if that journalist spends a night in jail, they dont have a remedy and cant sue for a civil rights violation.

The court sidestepped addressing the Texas laws constitutionality, and Jones couched her findings on whether Laredo officials knowingly violated Villarreals civil rights when they arrested her in 2017.

Illustration by Maria Contreras for palabraMaria Contreras for palabra

Villarreal and others portray her as a martyr for the sake of journalism, Jones wrote for the majority. That is inappropriate. She could have followed Texas law, or challenged that law in court, before reporting nonpublic information from the backchannel source. By skirting Texas law, Villarreal revealed information that could have severely emotionally harmed the families of decedents and interfered with ongoing investigations.

The sharply divided Fifth Circuit and impassioned dissenting opinionsthree Trump appointees from Texas and one George W. Bush appointee broke with the conservative majorityincreases the likelihood the U.S. Supreme Court would take the case up on appeal. On Wednesday, Villarreal said that was her next step.

In a text Wednesday, she wrote that she wants to make an impact, to make a point that what was done to me isnt right, they violated constitutional rights and someone needed to set these people straight. The Constitution guarantees our basic liberties, and Im hopeful the Supreme Court protects those liberties here.

Villarreal is a complex and controversial figure in Laredo whose nickname translates to Chubby Crazy Lady. She eschews the ethics and practices of traditional media outlets. But despite, or because her persona more closely resembles a social media influencer than a journalist  she delivers breaking news in expletive-filled Spanish rants on her Lagordiloca News Laredo Tx Facebook page  Villarreal has developed a following greater than any of Laredos legacy media outlets.

Villarreals lawsuit stems from her 2017 arrest under Texass law against misuse of official information. Laredo police had alleged she broke the law by texting a source in the department for details about a federal official who died by suicide on a major highway. A judge later threw out the charges, and Villarreal filed a lawsuit alleging top officials at the Laredo Police Department and Webb County District Attorneys Office violated her civil rights by orchestrating her arrest in retaliation for her reporting. It eventually reached the Fifth Circuit, where a panel of three judges initially ruled in her favor.

On Tuesday, nine of the 16 judges who took part in a rehearing of her case overturned that decision. Villarreal and her attorney said they plan to appeal. In an email, her attorney JT Morris wrote that the majority decision spurns that core First Amendment protection, allowing public officials to evade accountability when they jail Americans who say something the government disapproves of.

Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, who along with First Assistant Marisela Jacaman is among those named in Villarreals lawsuit, wrote in a text Wednesday: The Fifth Circuit has spoken and said it best. We will continue doing our job of protecting victims and their families.

The judges could have thrown out Villareals case without endorsing Joness view, which she had previewed in oral arguments last year: that governmental bodies can find ways to arrest reporters for publishing leaked information without running afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

The court was being asked to decide only whether the city and county officials involved in Villarreals arrest were entitled to qualified immunity, a judicial doctrine that protects government employees from lawsuits over most of their on-the-job activity. To overcome qualified immunity, Villarreal had to prove that her rights had been violated and that the officials should have known that when they arrested her.

The Texas law used against Villarreal, which legal experts have said was written to criminalize activity like bid rigging, makes it illegal to solicit for commercial gain information that would not be released under the Texas Public Information Act.

But First Amendment advocatesfree speech organizations across the political spectrum filed friend of the court briefs supporting the bloggerhave noted that most journalism is for commercial gain and that local officials twisted the laws intent to find a pretext for her arrest.

Villarreals lawyers have argued that anyone in the U.S. has a right to do what she did: ask a government official for information about a public event. In court, they highlighted her status as a journalist, arguing that reporters use sources to get information so often that the government should be on notice that such behavior is protected by the Constitution. The fact that the officials spent months finding a little-used state statute to arrest Villarreal is further evidence they should have been aware of the constitutional implications of their actions, her lawyers argued.

Jones in her opinion responded that the officials were reasonable to believe the State of Texas chose to protect certain information from immediate disclosure in order to ensure that the government can function.

If citizens possessed some overarching constitutional right to obtain information from the government, laws like the (Texas Public Information Act) and the Freedom of Information Act would be superfluous, she added.

Those sentiments run contrary to the spirit of previous Supreme Court rulings, which in the latter half of the 20th Century gave broad protections to journalists reporting leaked information and treated public information laws as matters separate from First Amendment rights, legal experts said.

Jones drew a distinction, writing that a right to publish information that is no longer within the governments control is different from what Villarreal did: she solicited and received nonpublic information from a public official for personal gain.

But Villarreals supporters argue that the First Amendment right to petition the government protects anyones, including journalists, rights to ask questions.

Illustration by Maria Contreras for palabraMaria Contreras for palabra

This is very, very unsettling if you are a journalist in Texas, Louisiana, or Mississippi, because they are basically saying you cant do certain things that are obviously something you would do as a journalist, said Anya Bidwell, an attorney for the libertarian-leaning public interest law firm the Institute for Justice, which also filed an amicus brief on Villarreals behalf. Working with a source figuring out details of a story, thats just basic journalism. And the idea you could be thrown in jail for it is disturbing.

In her opinion, Jones expressed distaste with Villarreals ethics and practices, writing: Mainstream, legitimate media outlets routinely withhold the identity of accident victims or those who committed suicide until public officials or family members release that information publicly.

Villarreal sought to capitalize on others tragedies to propel her reputation and career.

In his dissent, Graves countered that the majority opinion insinuates that Villarreals First Amendment rights are somehow diminished because she makes a modest living while exercising them.

Four judges wrote dissents, but in a show of solidarity, largely joined each others opinions. Graves touted the long history of U.S. journalists breaking important news about government abuses through leaked information.

There is simply no way such freedom can meaningfully exist unless journalists are allowed to seek non-public information from the government, he wrote.

Judge James Ho, a Donald Trump appointee and former Texas solicitor general, both joined Graves and wrote his own fiery dissent, adding: The Constitution doesnt mean much if you can only ask questions approved by the state. Freedom of speech is worthless if you can only express opinions favored by the authorities. The government may not answer or agreebut the citizen gets to ask and to speak.



Jason Buch is a freelance reporter based in Texas. Hes spent most of his 15-year career covering the U.S.-Mexico border.

Maria Contreras is an illustrator born and raised in southern Chile. Her illustrations feature loud and saturated colors and are filled with memories. Fear and humor are her two inspirations. Her current clients include The New York Times, The Atlantic, Texas Monthly, Penguin Random House, NPR, The New Yorker, The Telegraph, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, among many other outlets. Her work has been featured in Its Nice That, Domestika, Wetransfer, Colossal, Creative Boom and other brands. In 2022, she won the Young Guns award from The One Club for Creativity. In 2023, she was an AI42 Selected Winner, was short-listed for WIA2023, served as a judge of Latin American design awards for the D&AD New Blood Portfolio Competition in collaboration with Editor X and was also a judge for the Young Guns award.
A new poll commissioned by the Oregon Realtors shows that Oregon voters view housing costs and availability as the top issue facing the state.

The survey of 694 registered Oregon voters, conducted by national firm American Strategies, found that 29% believe housing affordability and availability should be the top concern for Gov. Tina Kotek and the Legislature during the upcoming session, which begins Monday.

Respondents identified housing as their top concern above homelessness, which a fourth of respondents rated as the top issue, and crime, which 15% said was the biggest problem facing the state. That differs from several statewide and Portland-area polls from the last few years that consistently found homelessness to be the top policy concern for Oregon voters.

A total of 84% of respondents said they are moderately or very concerned about rent and mortgage prices.

Housing affordability is seen as a big problem all across the state among all demographic groups, be you young, be you old, be you Democrat or Republican, Joe Goode, CEO of American Strategies, said at a press conference Friday. It is a top of mind issue for all Oregon voters because it affects all Oregon voters.

The survey was conducted from Jan. 16 to 21 via phone and online. The poll included a representative demographic sample of Oregon voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7%.

Young adults in particular said housing bills create financial hardship. A total of 40% of 18 to 34 year olds said paying their rent or mortgage causes significant financial strain, while 34% said it causes slight strain.

Respondents across all ages and income levels reported a shortage of available housing. A total of 81% of respondents said the state does not have enough low-income housing, and just over three-fourths said the same for middle-income housing.

Kotek and lawmakers have promised to make housing their top priority this legislative session. The governor has proposed a $500 million housing production bill, which would funnel $200 million into infrastructure projects and $200 million into middle-income housing, and create a one-time tool for eligible cities to quickly expand their urban growth boundaries to accommodate more housing.

Another piece of the bill, however, has proved controversial. Koteks proposal of a one-time tool for cities to expand their urban growth boundaries has sparked protest among environmentalists, who say the program would roll back Oregons famously strict land-use laws.

On Jan. 29, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and a coalition of 40 environmental groups sent a letter to Kotek and lawmakers stating their opposition to the urban growth boundary expansion provision. The letter was first reported by Willamette Week.

Protecting our land use system is not only important for solving our housing crisis, its important for addressing the climate crisis, core to our environmental values, and its important to the people of Oregon, the letter states.

A similar Kotek-backed proposal died in the Senate at the end of last years session. However, Kotek has said that this sessions bill addresses last years concerns by providing more stringent requirements for the urban growth boundary expansion.

The results of the poll could be advantageous to Kotek. According to the poll, 67% of respondents say creating more housing options for Oregonians should take priority over preserving land and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, only 6% of respondents identified climate change and the environment as their top concern.

Jodi Hack, CEO of the Oregon Home Builders Association, said she hopes the poll results will push the Legislature to approve Koteks housing bill.

We keep recognizing that we need land and we need infrastructure, so its time to act on that, Hack said. So we hope that the legislators are bold in their decision making, and we hope that this gives them some backing that they need to do that.

Oregonians continue to have a bleak outlook on the states future, according to the poll. A total of 61% of respondents said Oregon is headed in the wrong direction, an increase from a poll conducted last year by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, which reported that 46% of Oregonians believed that the state was off on the wrong track.

Koteks approval rating has remained consistently low throughout her tenure, with 43% of respondents saying they approve of the governors performance, compared to a 44% approval rating in an October poll conducted by Morning Consult.

The governors disapproval rating, however, has steadily risen in the last year. A total of 42% of respondents said they disapprove of Koteks performance in the most recent Oregon Realtors poll. Last year, Morning Consult reported Koteks disapproval rating at 19% in the spring and 39% in October.

State lawmakers also saw low approval ratings, according to the poll. Democrats in the Legislature received a 39% approval rating, while Republican lawmakers received a 29% approval rating.

 Carlos Fuentes; cfuentes@oregonian.com; 503-221-5386; @carlos_reports

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After a lackluster end to 2023 and beginning of 2024, television roars back to life in February with some interesting offerings. There are several period dramas, which travel from the Japan of the samurai to Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II to high society New York in the 1960s and 1970s. There are also alternative worlds and science fiction for your viewing pleasure.

In addition, Curb Your Enthusiasm returns with its 12th and final season to close a story arc that began in 2000 with Larry David telling the adventures of a fictional version of himself. Looking ahead to Valentines Day, the British show One Day (on Netflix) will appeal to romance fans. Meanwhile, the second season of Tokyo Vice (February 8 on HBO Max) continues the dangerous wanderings of an American journalist entangled with the Japanese mafia, while Mr. & Mrs. Smith offers an action-packed espionage tale (February 2 on Amazon Prime). The new episodes of Alpha Males (February 9 on Netflix) continue to humorously address the deconstruction of masculinity. Those who miss zombies will also have a new installment this month, with Rick and Michonne living adventures in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (on AMC+ on February 26).

Of this months premieres and returning shows, we recommend checking out the series below.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, in an image from 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith.' David Lee (David Lee/Prime Video)

Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane (who worked together on Atlanta) transform the 2005 film that brought Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie into a series that combines action, espionage and some romance. Glover and Maya Erskine star as John and Jane Smith, two lonely people willing to leave their lives behind to carry out the missions a spy agency establishes for them. The problem is that, in order to avoid arousing suspicion, they must assume new identities as a husband and wife. The series has taken several turns in its development (Phoebe Waller-Bridge was co-creator and co-star but left the project due to creative differences). The cast includes actors Alexander Skarsgard, Sarah Paulson, Sharon Horgan, John Turturro, Wagner Moura and Ursula Corbero.

When and where to watch it? All eight episodes premiere on Friday, February 2, on Amazon Prime Video.

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans

Calista Flockhart as Lee Radziwill in 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.' PARI DUKOVIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Truman Capote managed to become the confidant of a group of elite New York women, whom he nicknamed the Swans. After years of cultivating their friendship, the author ended up writing fiction based on their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets. Through time jumps and changes in perspective, this series traces the relationship between the writer and his swans with a stellar cast: Tom Hollander plays the author and actresses Naomi Watts, Demi Moore, Chloe Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Diane Lane and Molly Ringwald bring the Swans to life. The second season of Ryan Murphys anthology series about great rivalries feels more melancholy than acidic. Those who have seen the entire thing highlight Wattss and Hollanders performances in particular.

When and where to watch it? FX and Hulu. The first two episodes premiered on January 31; a new episode will air each week for a total of eight episodes.

The Sixth Commandment

Timothy Spall and Sheila Hancock, in 'The Sixth Commandment.' Amanda Searle

British critics have praised this crime drama based on true events. Ben Field was a charming and religious young man who befriended vulnerable people in order to be included in their wills and then killed them in what he believed would be the perfect crime. His two victims were a professor he met at university and a retired headmistress, two lonely neighbors in a Buckinghamshire village. Critics point out that, unlike other true crime adaptations that recreate both the facts and the criminal, in this series the story does not lose focus on its victims to reflect the horror and drama behind them.

When and where to watch it? Britbox (four episodes in total).

The New Look

Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior in 'The New Look.'

The show could have also been titled Dior, Chanel and the Nazis. On the heels of the Cristobal Balenciaga biopic that approached the Spanish designers career, this new offering is a thriller that covers little-known facts and moments in the lives of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. The two designers worlds change with the Nazi takeover of Paris during World War II. Their rivalry occurs in the context of the different circumstances they experienced: while Diors younger sister joined the French Resistance, Chanel collaborated with Nazi intelligence. The series vindicates Diors view of creation and art as survival. Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche star as the titular designers, and the shows powerhouse cast includes John Malkovich, Emily Mortimer, Glenn Close, Maisie Williams and Claes Bang.

When and where to watch? The first three episodes premiere on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, February 14; thereafter, a new episode will be aired every Wednesday for a total of six episodes.

Constellation

Rosie Coleman and Noomi Rapace, in the fifth episode of 'Constellation.'

Swedish actress Noomi Rapace stars in this psychological thriller with elements of conspiracy and science fiction. An astronaut returns to Earth after a fatal space mission in which important research was being carried out. But things have changed upon her return, and she, her daughter and her husband are not where she thought they were. Key pieces of her life seem to be missing, and she becomes obsessed with unraveling what happened on her space travels in order to recover what she has lost. Jonathan Banks and James DArcy join Rapace in this haunting show that combines a psychological thriller with a space adventure.

When and where to watch it? It debuts on Wednesday, February 21, on Apple TV+; the first three episodes will be available right away, with a new episode each week thereafter for a total of eight episodes.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Gordon Cormier as Aang in the first season of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender.' ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX

Its currently trendy to turn popular anime stories into live-action series, and now it is Avatar: The Last Airbenders turn. Not much is known about the three-season animated series beyond a trailer and a brief synopsis, but the previews seem promising. Gone are the days when the four nations of the world lived in harmony with the Avatar, the master of the four elements, who keeps the peace among them. Everything changed with the Fire Nations attack and the destruction of the Air Nomads. Now, a young Air Nomad awakens in a world ravaged by war and will try to reclaim his place as the new Avatar.

When and where to watch it? It premieres on Thursday, February 22, on Netflix.

Shogun

A still shot from 'Shogun.'

In this miniseries that adapts James Clavells novel set in 1600s Japan, Lord Yoshii Toranaga struggles to stay alive as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. Toranaga will find a lifeline in the arrival of a mysterious European ship, commanded by Englishman John Blackthorne, who has his own enemies. The fates of the two men will depend on a translator, Toda Mariko, the last of a disgraced lineage, who will try to balance loyalties in this tense political landscape. Samurai Japan meets Western pirates in a different type of period drama.

When and where to see it? The first two episodes air on Disney+ on Tuesday, February 27, followed by a new one each week for a total of ten episodes.

Red Queen

Hovik Keuchkerian and Vicky Luengo in 'Red Queen.' julia carballada

Vicky Luengo and Hovik Keuchkerian lead the cast of the series that adapts Juan Gomez-Jurados bestseller. Antonia Scott (Luengo), the smartest person on Earth, will have to collaborate with Jon Gutierrez (Keuchkerian), a temperamental Basque cop, in a twisted investigation as they discover how their personalities complement each other even as they irritate each other. It is one of the most ambitious projects that Prime Video has undertaken in Spain, and while some images and previews point to a rather dark and even macabre tone, its producers highlight the luminosity that Madrid brings to the series. There is still no trailer available.

When and where to watch it? The seven episodes premiere on Thursday, February 29, on Amazon Prime Video.

Other notable shows to watch in February

Curb Your Enthusiasm. 12th and final season. February 5 on HBO Max.

Tokyo Vice. Second season. February 8 on HBO Max.

One Day. Premiere. February 8 on Netflix.

Alpha Males. Season 2. February 9 on Netflix.

Silent Cargo. Third and final season. February 9 on Amazon Prime Video.

Halo. Season 2. February y 9 on Paramount+.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Third season. February 21 on Disney+

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Premiere. February 26 on AMC+.

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Photo: (Photo : OLI SCARFF / Getty Images)

Justice for Brianna Ghey has now been served as her 16-year-old teen killers receive life sentences for gruesome stabbing.

Almost one year ago, a 16-year-old transgender teenager, Brianna Ghey, was murdered in northwest England.

The killers have also been revealed to be the same age as her, 16-year-olds whom Justice Amanda Yip placed a reporting restriction on not naming.

The killers, named Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe in their court documents, both received the sentences on Friday, marking the end of a harrowing legal battle that captivated the nation.

Justice for Brianna Ghey: Unveiling the Sentences

Justice Amanda Yip, presiding over the case at Manchester Crown Court, revealed the life sentences for Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, who were found guilty last month.

The brutal nature of the crime, where Ghey was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife in broad daylight after being lured to a Warrington park on February 11, 2023, shocked the entire nation.

During the trial, the court heard chilling details of the gruesome murder, with Ghey suffering 28 stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, and back.

The prosecution presented evidence that the teen killers had meticulously planned the attack for weeks, detailing their dark intentions in handwritten plans and phone messages.

The horrific incident, described as sadistic in nature by Justice Yip, unfolded in a manner that left no doubt about its brutality.

The court proceedings culminated in mandatory life sentences for both Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, with Justice Yip decreeing minimum prison terms of 20 and 22 years, respectively, before they could be considered for parole.

Notably, the judge emphasized that the sentences were a result of the brutal and planned murder, driven by a sadistic nature and hostility towards Brianna due to her transgender identity.

The severity of the sentences underscores the gravity of the crime committed by the two teen killers.

Read Also: Financial Aid Chaos: Colleges Face Delays Until March as Education Department Grapples with FAFSA Errors

Identity Revelation Despite Legal Protections

In an unusual move, Justice Yip lifted the reporting restrictions on naming the killers after they were found guilty, despite the usual legal protections granted to young offenders.

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, formerly known as "Girl X" and "Boy Y," were identified as the perpetrators responsible for the tragic loss of Brianna Ghey.

The judge justified this decision, citing a strong public interest in the exceptional case and dismissing concerns about potential ramifications for the welfare of the teen killers.

The sentencing occurred after the court heard victim impact statements from Brianna Ghey's family, highlighting the profound loss experienced by her loved ones.

The father, Peter Spooner, expressed the family's devastation, stating that while justice had been served with the guilty verdicts, no amount of prison time would be sufficient for the anguish caused by these "monsters."

The trial painted a chilling picture of intelligent young individuals, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, with a morbid fascination for violence, torture, and serial killers.

The revelation that the pair had planned the attack for weeks, discussing the possibility of killing others, further underscored the gravity of their actions.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams stated that the two seemed to have a deadly influence on each other, turning dark fantasies into gruesome realities.

Brianna Ghey's parents urged that the teen killers should never be released from prison, emphasizing the lack of empathy displayed by Jenkinson and Ratcliffe during and after the premeditated attack.

The hope is that the sentencing will bring some closure to the grieving family, even though the pain of their loss will persist.

In the aftermath of this landmark verdict, the nation reflects on the need for justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

The revelation of the teen killers' life sentences serves as a somber reminder of the heinous acts that led to Brianna Ghey's untimely death.

Related Article: Florida Bans Gender Changes on Driver's License, Sparking Outcry from Transgender Community
Temple Themes in the Book of Abraham, written by Stephen O. Smoot

Abstract: The Book of Abraham is replete with temple themes, although not all of them are readily obvious from a surface reading of the text. Temple themes in the book include Abraham seeking to become a high priest, the interplay between theophany and covenant, and Abraham building altars and dedicating sacred space as he sojourns into Canaan. In addition to these, the dramatic opening episode of the Book of Abraham unfolds in a cultic or ritual setting. This paper explores these and other temple elements in the Book of Abraham and discusses how they heighten appreciation for the texts narrative and teachings, as well as how they ground the text in an ancient context. [Editors Note: This article is an updated and edited version of a paper presented on November 5, 2022, at The Temple on Mount Zion: The Sixth Interpreter Matthew B. Brown Memorial Conference. A slightly different version of this article will appear in the formal published proceedings of the conference, currently in preparation.]

Interpreting Interpreter: Abrahamic Temple Themes, written by Kyler Rasmussen

This post is a summary of the article Temple Themes in the Book of Abraham by Stephen O. Smoot in Volume 60 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreter articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. The Takeaway: Smoot argues that the Book of Abraham contains subtle temple-related themes, including Abrahams role of high priest, Abrahams theophany and covenant experiences, Abrahams description of altars and sacred space, and in the figures included in Facsimile 2.

The Covenant Path in 2 Nephi 31:1920, written and presented by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

I have heard people say that the Book of Mormon does not contain the fulness of the Gospel because the only references to the higher temple ordinances are short and superficial. However, a careful examination of the writings of Nephi and Lehi, including the well-known verses of 2 Nephi 31:1920, will reveal that the Book of Mormon prophets were familiar with the details of the doctrine of Christ and the covenant path from start to finish. This post is an expanded version of an eleven-minute video devotional given to the Collections Zone of the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission on 1 February 2024.

In honor of the solemn holiday that we celebrate today, I give you a link to Phil Connors Purgatorio

I havent actually heard any news yet about Punxsutawney Phils prediction for Winter 2024. Of course, given where Im currently located, I dont really care what he had to say.

However, Im happy to note, a political controversy is brewing about Groundhog Day. (Is there any part of our lives that shouldnt be politicized? It seems not. And, anyway, couldnt we all really use a bit more factionalism?) So this story needs to be monitored. Its too late to make a change for 2024, but maybe we can already begin thinking about 2025: Is it time for Punxsutawney Phil to retire? PETA proposes a coin toss for Groundhog Day tradition: In a letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, PETA urges the group to cease the exploitation of the animal

Ive written several posts recently  and Im not yet done with the topic  about what is sometimes called ESP  extrasensory perception (e.g., telepathy, clairvoyance or remote viewing, and similar matters). In that light, I think that some of you might find this 52.5-minute interview, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, of interest: Remote Viewing and Mormon Metaphysics, with Paul H. Smith

Paul H. Smith (PhD in philosophy, University of Texas at Austin, focused on philosophy of mind, consciousness, philosophy of science, and philosophy of parapsychology; preceded by a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Brigham Young University and an MS in Strategic Intelligence [Middle East emphasis] from the Defense Intelligence University), has served twice as president of the International Remote Viewing Association, an organization of which he is a founder. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a former Army intelligence officer (he reached the rank of Major), he served for seven years in the militarys top-secret remote viewing program, serving as an operational remote viewer, theory instructor and trainer, security officer, and unit historian. He is author of Reading the Enemys Mind: Inside Star Gate, America s Psychic Espionage Program and The Essential Guide to Remote Viewing. He currently serves as president and chief trainer for Remote Viewing Instructional Services. His website is https://rviewer.com/. Here he shares his unique perspective as a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as a teacher of remote viewing. He points out that there has been very little conflict between these two roles. Latter-day Saint metaphysics has a strong materialist component. Additionally, Latter-day Saint doctrine is that the soul extends infinitely throughout all time. Latter-day Saints do not accept reincarnation. However, they believe we will be resurrected in an immortal physical body. New Thinking Allowed host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in parapsychology ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980).

To a large extent, Pauls interview with Dr. Mishlove focuses on explaining relevant Latter-day Saint doctrine to the interviewer, who admits that he knows little about it, and to an audience that presumably, on the whole, knows just as little, attempting to make the point that accepting the reality of such alleged phenomena as remote viewing is compatible with Latter-day Saint ideas and does not conflict with orthodox membership in the Church.

Posted from Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii
Its been argued that Jesus Himself, cited by St. John in the book of Revelation (written around 95 AD), taught monepiscopacy (the notion of one bishop overseeing a city or region). In Revelation 1:16, St. John states that he saw seven stars in Jesus right hand. Then Jesus explains in 1:20 that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. Then Jesus tells John seven times in Revelation 2 and 3 to write certain things to the angel of each church. The seven churches are as follows:

2:1 Ephesus 2:8 Smyrna 2:12 Pergamum 2:18 Thyatira 3:1 Sardis 3:7 Philadelphia 3:14 Laodicea

Many classic Protestant commentators and scholars of biblical Greek think this is describing a single bishop of each local church. For example, Ellicotts Commentary states that the generally adopted view is that the angel is the chief pastor or bishop of the Church. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Bible Commentary concurs that it is the bishop, or superintendent pastor. Pulpit Commentary, while noting that the interpretation is very much disputed comments that the common explanation that they are the bishops of the Churches is attractive on account of its simplicity.

Henry Alford, in his Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary wrote about Revelation 2:8: in accordance with the idea of the angel representing the bishop, many of the ancient Commentators have inferred that Polycarp must have been here addressed. Adam Clarkes Commentary states that the stars are the seven angels, messengers, or bishops of the seven Churches. W. E. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that the Greek word angelos is also used of a [human] guardian or representative in Rev. 1:20. Likewise, Ralph Earles Word Meanings of the New Testament opines that angelos is used for human messengers in Luke 7:24; 9:52; and James 2:25 . . . we feel that here it may possibly mean the pastors of the 7 churches.

Vincents Word Studies opines that one of two possible takes is that The angels are Bishops. Philip Schaff, the renowned church historian draws the remarkable conclusion that This phraseology of the Apocalypse already looks towards the idea of episcopacy in its primitive form, that is, to a monarchical concentration of governmental form in one person, bearing a patriarchal relation to the congregation. John Wesley, in his Explanatory Notes, stated that In each church there was one pastor or ruling minister, to whom all the rest were subordinate. This pastor, bishop, or overseer, had the peculiar care over that flock . . . Evangelical scholar Colin J. Hemer accepts bishops here as one possible interpretation:

A choice is generally offered between (1) heavenly guardians of the churches, and (2) human representatives of them, generally their bishops. Three other principal variants deserve consideration: (3) that the angels are personifications of the churches; (4) that they are literally human messengers; and (5) that the term is used in some complex and elusive way or at differing levels, so that we cannot expect to assign it a lexical equivalent that tells the whole story. (Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1989, p. 32)

Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer offered further commentary on this, posted to my Facebook page:

Jesus warning to the angels about their possible imprisonment and spiritual lukewarmness (see Rev. 2:5, 10) suggest that were not to understand these to be literal angels. Theyre also not personifications of the churches, since Jesus explicitly says that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). The stars/angels are clearly connected to the lampstands/churches, but are not the same as them.

The Septuagint translation of Malachi 2:7 (the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts) refers to the priest as an , angel/messenger. So reading the seven angels (literally seven messengers) as the seven bishops makes the most grammatical and contextual sense.

He elaborates further in his book about early ecclesiology:

[H]ow can John be expected to write and deliver a letter to angels? . . . how could a purely spiritual being like an angel get arrested [2:10] or repent after growing lukewarm? [2:5] . . . [T]hey dont appear to be simply messengers: they are . . . praised or rebuked for the spiritual state of their respective churches. . . . the best reading is that these are the seven local bishops. (The Early Church Was the Catholic Church, El Cajon, California: Catholic Answers Press, 2021, 117)

St. Augustine in his Letter 43 commented on this:

[I]f He wished this to be understood as addressed to a celestial angel, and not to those invested with authority in the Church, He would not go on to say: Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, . . . [Augustine cites Revelation 2:4-5] This could not be said to the heavenly angels, who retain their love unchanged, as the only beings of their order that have departed and fallen from their love are the devil and his angels.

St. Epiphanius believed the same, commenting on Revelation 2:6 in his Panarion (2:25): John writes in the Lords name to one of the churches  that is, to the bishop appointed there . . . So this shows that at least two of the Church fathers took this view. If this interpretation is followed (and I just cited eleven major Protestant commentators who hold it or note that it is a common or respectable exegetical opinion), then it would follow that the question of monepiscopacy was already settled in the inspired revelation of the New Testament, describing the ecclesial scene around 100 AD, and by the words of our Lord Jesus.

I thought it might be interesting to see what I could find about the history of each of the seven churches of Revelation 1-3 (all located in far-western Asia Minor, or Anatolia; i.e., present-day Turkey).

Ephesus

Ephesus was considered part of Greece. Its mentioned 14 times in the NT outside of Revelation (in Acts, 1 Corinthians, and 1 and 2 Timothy), and also Ephesians occurs four times in Acts. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History (III, 4, 6) states that Timothy, so it is recorded, was the first to receive the episcopate of the parish in Ephesus, . . . St. Timothy, thought to have died in 97 AD, was with St. Paul in Ephesus, c. 54-57. Paul seems to be commissioning Timothy as the bishop in Ephesus in this passage (c. 64):

1 Timothy 1:2-5 (RSV) To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. [3] As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4] nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith; [5] whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.

Biblical proofs for four of the five duties of bishops that I wrote about in my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism, were partially drawn from Pauls two epistles to Timothy (perhaps indicating that some of these were Timothys own duties):

Jurisdiction over priests and local churches, and the power to ordain priests: 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6.

Special responsibility to defend the Faith: 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

Power to rebuke false doctrine and to excommunicate: 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:2.

Management of Church finances: 1 Timothy 3:3-4.

The 1880 work, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature by James Strong and John McClintock (Timothy) stated that he was thus to exercise authority as the delegate of an apostle  a vicar apostolic rather than a bishop. This seems to me to be both a distinction without a difference and a perhaps unintentional mini-argument for apostolic succession (an apostle appoints as leader of a local church a person who would remain such after he was dead; hence, bishops succeed apostles). The same work then makes a rather remarkable statement:

A somewhat startling theory as to the intervening period of his life has found favor with Calmet (s.v. Timothee), Tillemont (2, 147), and others. If he continued, according to the received tradition, to be bishop of Ephesus, then he, and no other, must have been the angel of that Church to whom the message of Re 2:1-7 was addressed. It may be urged, as in some degree confirming this view, that both the praise and the blame of that message are such as harmonize with the impressions as to the character of Timothy derived from the Acts and the Epistles. The refusal to acknowledge the self-styled apostles, the abhorrence of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, the unwearied labor, all this belongs to the man of God of the Pastoral Epistles. Nor is the fault less characteristic. The strong language of Pauls entreaty would lead us to expect that the temptation of such a man would be to fall away from the glow of his first love, the zeal of his first faith. The promise of the Lord of the churches is in substance the same as that implied in the language of the apostle (2 Timothy 2, 4-6). . . . It must be remembered, . . . at the time of Pauls death, Timothy was still young, probably not more than thirty-five; that he might, therefore, well be living, even on the assumption of the later date of the Apocalypse, and that the traditions (valeant quantum) place his death after that date. . . . the death of Paul may have made a great difference in the work of one who had hitherto been employed in traveling as his representative. The special charge committed to him in the Pastoral Epistles might not unnaturally give fixity to a life which had previously been wandering.

The 1939 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Timothy) takes a similar view:

Paul . . . tells us that he had left Timothy as his delegate or representative in Ephesus (1Ti 1:3); and soon thereafter he wrote the First Epistle to Timothy, in which he gave full instructions in regard to the manner in which he should conduct the affairs of the Ephesian church, until Paul himself should again revisit Ephesus: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly (1Ti 3:14).

It then cites Theodor Zahns 1909 work, Introduction to the New Testament (II, 34):

[I]n Asia Minor, where, although as early as the time of Revelation and the time of Ignatius, bishoprics were numerous and closely adjacent, the office always retained its local character. . . . Timothy was acting as a temporary representative of Paul in his apostolic capacity at Ephesus, as he had done earlier in Corinth, and in Thessalonica and Philippi (1Co 4:17; 1Th 3:2 f; Php 2:19-23).

Is this not an excellent and thoroughly biblical argument for bishops following apostles, in apostolic succession? They might first be  like Timothy  representatives of the apostles in given locations, and then after the apostles death, become their successors as bishops. I made a similar argument in my first book in 1996: St. Paul appears to pass on his office to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:1-6), shortly before his death, around 65 A.D. This succession shows an authoritative equivalency between Apostles and bishops, who are the successors of the Apostles (p. 256).

Onesimus  possibly the same man mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:9 (the faithful and beloved brother) and Philemon 1:10 (whose father I have become in my imprisonment) is named as a bishop of Ephesus (presumably the successor of Timothy) by St. Ignatius of Antioch, who died c. 110-117:

I received, therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop. (Letter to the Ephesians, 1; cf. 6)

Smyrna

Smyrna doesnt appear in the NT outside of Revelation. St. Polycarp (c. 69  c. 155-167) was a bishop there:

Polycarp . . . having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna. (Martyrdom of Polycarp, 16; written by eyewitnesses of his death)

St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote a letter to Polycarp, which began with the words, Ignatius, . . . to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church of the Smyrnans, . . . He died between 110 and 117. St. Irenaeus (130-202), in his Against Heresies (Bk III, 3, 3, 4), written around 180, stated that Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna, whom I also saw in my early youth, . . . and referred to men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time. Tertullian, writing about bishops around 200 AD, wrote about the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John; . . . (Prescription Against Heretics, 32).

If indeed he was appointed bishop by either apostles in Asia or by St. John, then this would be in the late first century and around the time that Revelation was written, and would bear witness that monepiscopacy had reached Smyrna by the end of the apostolic age. The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (James Strong and John McClintock) states in its article, Polycarp:

That John was one of the apostles referred to by Irenaeus there is not the slightest reason to doubt; and we are disposed, with Tillemont, to regard Philip, whom Polycrates of Ephesus (apud Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 5, 24) states to have ended his days in the Phrygian Hierapolis, as another of those with whom Polycarp had intercourse. We believe that intercourse with these apostles, and perhaps with some other old disciples who had seen Jesus Christ, is sufficient to bear out the statements of Irenaeus, and is not inconsistent with the general truth of the ancient narrative given by Bollandus. His statement of the ordination of Polycarp by the apostles may perhaps be reduced to the fact that John, of whom alone Tertullian (i.c.) makes mention, was among the bishops of the neighboring churches, who came, according to the narrative, to the consecration of Polycarp. This circumstance enables us to fix that consecration in or before A.D. 104, the latest date assigned to the death of the venerable apostle, and which is not inconsistent with the narrative.

Pergamum

Pergamum is not referenced in the NT outside of Revelation. Revelation offers a clue as to its possible first bishop:

Revelation 2:13 I know where you dwell, where Satans throne is; you hold fast my name and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, Antipas was appointed the first bishop of Pergamum by St. John, during the reign of Domitian (81-96) or possibly Nero (54-68). The traditional accounts assert that Antipas was martyred during the persecutions of one of those two tyrants: burned alive at the temple of Artemis in a pagan bull-shaped altar incense burner, which represented the bull god Apis. Pergamum was one of the centers of worship of the Greek god Asclepius (or Aesculapius), and also of Zeus, Athena, and Dionysus. Hence, Jesus description of it as where Satan dwells.

The 4th century Apostolic Constitutions (see Bk VII, sec. 4, 46), on the other hand, states that Gaius was the first bishop. The third epistle of John was written to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth (3 Jn 1:1), who may be the same person, and possibly the same man in one of four other references to Gaius in the NT. John wrote to him, you do follow the truth (1:3) and that strangers . . . have testified to your love before the church (1:5-6). It could be that both men were bishops there in the first century.

In any event, we have two exceptionally righteous men who were both mentioned in the NT in conjunction with St. John, described in words from Jesus and John not inconsistent with the possibility that one or both were bishops in Pergamum, with Christian traditions backing up each scenario. When the pagans persecuted Christians, they always went after the leaders, if possible. Hence, all of the original disciples, save John, were martyrs.

Thyatira

Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Thyatira is only tangentially mentioned once outside of Revelation (Acts 16:14). Anglican bishop Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), younger brother of the post William Wordsworth, offers a very interesting and plausible theory about this passage, which assumes a bishop present at the time that John wrote:

Jezebel . . . is described as calling herself a prophetess, and as having children, i. e. disciples. See the use of this word texvia in 2 John i. 4. 13; 3 John 4. Doubtless a female false Teacher (hretica fmina, says Tertullian, de Pudicit. c. 18) is here condemned, such as in the next age were Priscilla and Maximilla, the prophetesses of Montanus (Euseb. v. 14. 16. 18), and it is observable that Thyatira was infested by the ravages of Montanism (Epiphan. hr. 51; cp. Tillemont, ii. pp. 195-203). It has been remarked by S. Jerome (ad Ctesiphontem), as a characteristic of heresies, that their promoters have usually associated women with themselves in propagating them. Simon Magus had his Helena; Nicolas and Marcion had their female votaries. Apelles had his Philumena. Montanus, Arius, Donatus, were aided by women in their heretical and sectarian designs. We are not able to ascertain whether this false prophetess was actually the wife of the Chief Pastor of Thyatira. The name Jezebel is doubtless a symbolical one, like Sodom and Egypt (xi. 8), and Babylon, as used in this book; and is adopted to characterize the wickedness of this false prophetess, making herself like to the Sidonian Queen, who perverted the Israelites to Idolatry, and destroyed the true prophets of the Lord (1 Kings xvi. 31; 2 Kings ix. 7) , and who, as almost all idolaters did, joined harlotry with false worship (1 Kings xviii. 19; xxi. 25). This false prophetess, thus symbolically designated, may have been the wife of the Bishop. . . . If this false prophetess of Thyatira was the wife of the Angel of the Church, then by conniving at the wickedness of a wife like Jezebel, he made himself like unto Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up (1 Kings xxi. 25); and, if this was the case, here is a warning to Rulers of the Church, not to permit considerations of private affection to interfere with the discharge of public duty. If the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee, thou shalt not consent unto him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him (Deut. xiii. 68). But perhaps the word wife is used figuratively here; as the word children is, and as the words who commit fornication with her are. And then the word wife would intimate that the Angel of Thyatira, by his weak connivance, and even overweening fondness for this false Prophetess, treated her as if she were endeared to him as his own partner. He, the Ruler of the Church of Thyatira, who was bound to love, and cherish, and protect that Church espoused to himself in a holy union in Christ, he, by his blind partiality and indulgence, made this false teacher to be as his own consort in spiritual wedlock, and he made himself a partner in her sins (1 Tim. v. 22). This interpretation seems most in accordance with the strong and fervid language of the Apocalypse, where the faithful Church is called the wife of the Lamb (xix. 7; xxi. 9. Cp. Isa. liv. 6) . (, Volume 4: The General Epistles, Book of Revelation and Indexes, 3rd Edition, London: Rivingtons, 1864, p. 177 [310 of 591 in the index on the left])

If the sense thy wife Jezebel be right, the allusion must be to 1 Kings 21:25: there is some one (or something) at Thyatira who is, to the Angel of the Church, such a temptress as Jezebel was to Ahab. No doubt, if we suppose the Angel to be the Bishop, it is probable that his actual wife is intended; . . . * Who Jezebel waswhether a real woman, or a personification of a sect,is almost equally doubtful on any view: but it seems simplest to suppose a real person.

Sardis

Sardis also doesnt appear in the NT outside of Revelation. Melito of Sardis (c. 100  c. 180) was a prominent bishop of Sardis, and was mentioned eight times by Eusebius, in Book IV of his Ecclesiastical History. The McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia (Melito of Sardis) wrote about him:

So little is known of his personal history that it cannot be determined at what date he was elevated to the episcopacy, though he probably held the bishopric when the controversy arose at Laodicea respecting the observance of Easter, which caused him to write a book on the subject. This took place under Marcus Aurelius, to whom Melito presented an Apology for Christianity, according to Eusebius, in his Chronicon, in AD. 169-170.

If he had become bishop there somewhere between the ages of, say, 35-50, then his episcopacy would have been only that many years removed from the apostolic age, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that he has a predecessor. Episcopal bishop Arthur Cleveland Coxe (1818-1896) wrote about him in a collection of the Church fathers:

Melito may have been the immediate successor of the angel (or apostle) of the church of Sardis, to whom our Great High Priest addressed one of the apocalyptic messages. He was an Apostolic Father in point of fact; he very probably knew the blessed Polycarp and his disciple Irenus. ( : Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325, Volume 8, Alexander Roberts, Sir James Donaldson, editors, New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1906, p. 750)

Bishop Wordsworth, mentioned in the previous section, wrote that he was a successor, therefore, of one of the Seven Angels addressed in the Apocalypse (

Philadelphia

Philadelphia also isnt mentioned in the NT outside of Revelation. St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 110-117) referred to the bishop of Philadelphia several times in his epistle to the church in that city (notably, in his Greeting and chapters 1-2, 7), but for some reason doesnt name him. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Philadelphia) asserts that One of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation (Re 3:7 ff) was there, and it was the seat of a bishop.

According to the 4th century Apostolic Constitutions (see Bk VII, sec. 4, 46), Demetrius was the first bishop of Philadelphia, purportedly appointed by St. John. If this is true, he may have been the same person mentioned in 3 John 12: Demetrius has testimony from every one, and from the truth itself; I testify to him too, and you know my testimony is true.

Laodicea

Laodicea appears five other times in the NT outside of Revelation: in Colossians 2:1; 4:13, and the following passage:

Colossians 4:15-17 Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. [16] And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the La-odiceans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odicea. [17] And say to Archippus, See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord.

The celebrated Anglican patristic scholar, Bishop J. B. Lightfoot (1828-1889) drew the conclusion from this passage that Archippus (whom St. Paul calls a our fellow soldier in Philemon 1:2) was a bishop or at least a presbyter in Laodicea. In his book, Saint Pauls Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon (London: Macmillan, revised, 1879), he stated:

[T]he Laodiceans were closely connected with the ae Colossians by local and spiritual ties. To the Church of Laodicea therefore, and to the household of one Nymphas who was a prominent member of it, he sends greeting. At the same time he directs them to interchange letters with the Laodiceans; for to Laodicea also he had written. And he closes his salutations with a message to Archippus, a resident either at Colossae or at Laodicea (for on this point we are left to conjecture), who held some important office in the Church, . . . (p. 36) [A]fter a parting salutation to the Church of Laodicea St Paul closes with a warning to Archippus, apparently its chief pastor, to take heed to his ministry. (p. 42) Our Archippus held some important office in the Church . . . but what this was, we are not told. St Paul speaks of it as a ministry . . . Some have interpreted the term technically as signifying the diaconate; but St Pauls emphatic message seems to imply a more important position than this. . . . Another question too arises respecting Archippus. Where was he exercising this ministry, whatever it may have been? At Colossae, or at Laodicea? . . . in the Epistle to the Colossians his name is mentioned immediately after the salutation to the Laodiceans and the directions affecting that Church; and this fact seems to connect him with Laodicea. On the whole this appears to be the more probable solution. Laodicea was within walking distance of Colossae [about 10 1/2 miles west]. (p. 309)

According to the 4th century Apostolic Constitutions (see Bk VII, sec. 4, 46), Archippus was the first bishop of Laodicea. Markus Barth and Helmut Blanke, in their book, The Letter to Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000, p. 257) state that because diakonia and diakonos can as well mean any high or low function in Gods, Christs, the gospels, Pauls, or a congregations service, Archippus may also have . . . [been] a priest . . . or even a bishop.

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Photo credit: Temple of Hadrian (2nd c. AD), in Ephesus; photograph by Gokhan Okur; used on the back cover of my book, Catholic Church Fathers: Patristic and Scholarly Proofs (Nov. 2007 / rev. Aug. 2013)

Summary: I examine what can be historically determined about the seven churches of Revelation 1-3 (around 95 AD), whose angels have been interpreted to be bishops.
A new wave of taste and flavour is hitting Ghana's kitchens following the ambassadorial partnership between Deedew Spices, produced and manufactured by Bloomway Industries, a food company aiming to elevate everyday meals with its tasty spice blends and celebrated screen icon, Nana Ama McBrown.



Recognizing the vast potential of the nations culinary space, the move seeks to not only tantalise taste buds and promote healthy living but also contribute to the country's booming hospitality industry.



"We know Ghana boasts of an abundance of spices. But we believe everyone deserves to experience the true richness and depth of taste and flavour they offer. That's why we use only real spice ingredients, carefully sourced and blended to create unique taste profiles that capture the essence of Ghanaian cooking, Willam Achaempong, Resource and Optimisation [Finance] Manager of the 200-plus-employee-strong company said during a ceremony to formalise the partnership.



He added that the choice of Nana Ama McBrown as its brand ambassador was a demonstration of Deedew Spices understanding of the power of community. This partnership with iconic actress Nana Ama McBrown, a household name synonymous with warmth, authenticity, and culinary expertise not only strengthens Deedew's connection to our roots but also leverages McBrown's extensive audience and influence to reach a wider audience and celebrate the cultural significance of food, he added.



This comes as Ghana's food sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.4 percent between 2024 and 2028. This surge is driven by several factors, including a growing middle class with an appetite for new flavours, a tourism industry hungry for authentic experiences, and a global fascination with African cuisine.



Deedew Spices will capitalise on this trend by offering a convenient, tasty and flavorful way to explore the depths of Ghanaian cuisine, both at home and abroad, Mr. Acheampong added.



On her part, Nana Ama McBrown said the strategic partnership was not a rushed one but had been years in the offing. She added that being mindful of her position and range of influence, she approached partnerships with extra caution. She was selective, ensuring collaborations aligned with her values and maintained her professional image but more importantly, consumer well-being and was confident that Deedew Spices had ticked all the right boxes.



"I'm thrilled to be partnering with Deedew Spices. Food is more than just sustenance; it's a way to connect with our culture and share moments of joy with loved ones. Deedew's dedication to using natural ingredients and capturing the true essence of Ghanaian flavors and taste resonates deeply with me, she said, adding that emphasis will be placed on healthy eating during the campaign.



Touching on the potential impact for tourism she also said, Imagine tourists returning home not just with souvenirs, but also with the ability to recreate authentic Ghanaian dishes in their kitchens, fueled by Deedew's vibrant spice blends.



Nana Ama McBrown's association with Deedew goes beyond simply lending her name. She will be actively involved in promoting the brand through various initiatives, including social media campaigns, recipe demonstrations, and even exclusive collaborations. Patrons can expect to see the icon showcasing her culinary skills using Deedew spices, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal favorites and kitchen tips.



Deedew currently offers various distinct blends: Stew, Jollof, Curry, Noodles, and All-Purpose, available in multiple sizes to cater to individual and family needs, with a particular emphasis on commercial scale food vendors. Each blend is meticulously crafted to complement specific dishes, ensuring an explosion of flavour in every bite.



















Source: Peacefmonline.com









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One cannot visit South Africa without going to the site created purposely to celebrate the revered freedom fighter and first black president of the rainbow nation, Nelson Mandela.



Drakensburg in the KwaZulu Natal Province, is situated at the capture site of Nelson Mandela, to make visitors relive the events before he went into incarceration for twenty-seven years (27).



Join MzGee, the presenter and producers of United Showbiz on UTV and together in the spirit of Pan-Africanism, show how they own the moment in Drakensburg.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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The Ashanti Youth has rendered an unqualified apology to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako and all others affected by their press conference, which happened on Wednesday, 17th January 2024.



According to the youth, they failed to exercise restraint and patience to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegations against Chairman Wontumi which pushed them to organize that press conference. Still, upon sober reflection, particularly after the wise judgment from the Kumasi Traditional Council, they find it appropriate to render this unqualified apology to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP, and also to the Manhyia Palace.



They then seized the opportunity to advise the youth of Asanteman to desist from such acts that aim to harm the dignity and image of innocent people, particularly when evidence has not been provided to support such claims.



The Ashanti Youth finally appealed to Chairman Wontumi to find a place in his heart to accept their apology as they are one big family in Asanteman.



The Kumasi Traditional Council on Monday, 29th January 2024, cleared the Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP of all the allegations levelled against him by the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Duah, which included an alleged disrespect towards the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the NPP parliamentary vetting committee meeting.



The decision by the Traditional Council affirmed the widely held view that Chairman Wontumi is one of the few, and probably the only politician who prides himself with the Asantehene in all that he does, particularly during radio and TV interviews.

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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Caretakers at the Antoa Nyamaa shrine have directed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako aka Wontumi, and the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Duah, to return to Manhyia to resolve their differences before a curse placed on the latters head can be lifted.



According to them, based on the two persons narratives at the shrine, it appears that the matter was not properly resolved at Manhyia, making it difficult for them to perform any rites to overturn the curse.



This came to the fore when Wontumi and the Kokosohene visited the sacred place yesterday to overturn the curse placed on the Kokosohene by Wontumi.



The duo has recently made headlines after it was revealed that Wontumi had cursed the Kokosohene with the dreadful Antoa Nyamaa, asking the river deity to strike the chief and his family dead for wrongfully accusing him for passing derogatory remarks again Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



The matter was sent to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi last week, where the Asante chiefs instructed Wontumi and the Kokosohene to visit Antoa on Thursday to perform the needed rituals to overturn the cause, but this was not made to be.



At the shrine, Wontumi denied making insulting remarks about Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the vetting of NPP Ashanti Regional parliamentary candidates, whereas Kokosohene said that he (Wontumi) did.



Also, Wontumi reportedly admitted that he cursed the Kokosohene with the Antoa river deity out of anger because he believed the chief was falsely accusing him of a crime he had not committed.



The guardians of the Antoa shrine firmly declared that they could not carry out the procedures to lift the curse since the case had not been adequately settled after carefully listening to both Wontumi and the Kokosohene.



They then, ordered Wontumi and the Kokosohene to return to the Manhyia Palace, Otumfuos seat in Kumasi, for the case to be properly settled before the two could return to the shrine to have the curse lifted.



The Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) yesterday cleared the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard AntwiBoasiako aka Chairman Wontumi of any insulting remarks made about the Asantehene during the NPPs parliamentary vetting process.



The Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Duah, who is the Chairman of the NPP Manhyia South Council of Elders, made the claims against Wontumi.



During a confrontation with the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, the chief accused Wontumi of insulting the Asantehene and lodged a complaint before the KTC.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Down in the allays of community based narcotic dens in notable spots in the Kumasi Metropolis, a crystal notoriously called rock is making drug peddlers millions and destroying lives faster than the eye could trace.



This crystal no bigger than a usual rock salt possesses a psychoactive kick that drives users to heights, leaving anyone who tries a shot, ecstatically and inextricably addicted.



Ali, not his real name, describing the potency of this drug recounts when persons with wealth have gone with crack peddlers to value property including buildings in exchange for a constant supply of this narcotic substance.



The least you can get one small crystal of rock is fifteen cedis GHc15 and it dissipates in just about five seconds and its gone. But the feeling it gives you; is over the skies, he described.



A user holds a small pipe known in the ghettoes as a bunker and drops this tiny crystal into it. A butt of a used cigarette is crushed and spread over it. He then begins to suck at the tip of the pipe and lights a match unto the crystal. It dissipates in less than five seconds but dazes off the user into cloud nine.



For peddlers; the price of the merchandize coupled with its ruthlessly addictive allure, provides them another cash cow for their illegal but very gainful business.



Rock comes across as a reinforcement for the chains and prison gates keeping its users forever incarcerated in their highly expensive escapades with narcotic drugs.



As word of this substance spreads like wild fire in drug peddling ghettoes and narcotic hubs; Ghana can only dread the health hazards and the risk it poses to persons rushing to excite their addictive ecstasies with rock.



Tie



Tie another addition to the market leaders is another substance made up of inferior cocaine mixed with powdered Indian hemp. Though Ali couldnt tell me its price, tie is rolled in a small wrapper, and smoked like a cigarette.



Its psychoactive potency is said to be in the heights of rock and its variants on the trade.



Ali tells Ultimate News reporter Ivan Heathcote  Fumador some addicts on these drugs have turned out with very dry skins indicative of the ability of the substances to literally dehydrate the body of its fluids.



Amnesia



A type of indian hemp which getto dwellers have named amnesia has gain grounds competing with the traditional indian hemp popularly called weed.



They claim this type is imported from other countries making peddlers call it foreign weed.



It is unclear whether it is a brand creation of the peddlers to tease the Ghanaian preference for foreign products or a real drug trafficking issue on Ghanas hands.



Users would not tell from which country the variant of the hemp is being trafficked through Ghanas borders.



Fighting The Menace



Fighting this menace might not be easy because of the involvement of security operatives working within the units mandated to lead the fight.



Ali tells me, most of the pedlers were not around and many had gone into hiding on the day we were speaking because they were told by an insider that the police was coming for a swoop.



He pointed to a woman who was nearly arrested because she did not get the announcement on time to pack off early enough before the personnel got to the scene.



Just a few meters ahead, a police vehicle was parked with officers looking through their wind shields as if to catch a culprit redhanded.



Unfortunately law enforcement in the Ashanti Regional capital has tacitly without official admission, accepted that some areas including Allah Bar Tinka, Krofrom Columbia, Bantama Nsuoase just to mention a few are plagued with a chronic drug menace which can never be purged.



To be fair, each region across the country has its own narcotic drug dens well established for years with cartels, cells, kingpins and drug Lords operating for generations.



Health and Security Threats



As a majority of these drug addicts loosely called jonkies crave their lifeblood without which they slip into unimaginable withdrawal symptoms, the public bears the brunt.



The only avenue to make enough money to go for a shot is the proceeds of crime by way of fraud, burglary, bag snatching, petty thievery and armed robbery.



For the women in the ghettoes, trading sex for cash with its attendant risk of contracting and spreading Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections is the order of the day.



Children born by these veritable vectors face a hard life of living with drugs right from childhood with no hope of a formal education because their single mothers have nothing to spare after buying hard stuff.



Without any intervention, these children face a fate of very likely becoming drug addicts themselves from an early age, perhaps surviving the precarious streets full of predators or finding a trade in the narcotics value chain.



None of these paths lead towards any good earns except for high crime, incarceration or hard death.



As this menace festers, intergenerational chronic poverty aggravates an already precarious situation too humongous for the Ghanaian system to roundly tackle.









Source: starrfm.com.gh









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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Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva.

Born in communist Bulgaria, in 2001 Hristina Tasheva arrived as an undocumented immigrant in the Netherlands. She left her country with the idea that shed earn a little money and return to start a new life in her homeland. One day, a Dutch citizen asked her: Are you a communist? The young woman didnt know what to think of the question. Was it a reproach or approval? Today, the author has her Dutch nationality, but from that misunderstanding, a publication was born: Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery, a timely and compelling visual inquiry into the meaning of ideological utopias and their drift; concepts as necessary for rebellion against the present as they are constant in their failures of development.

Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Untitled. Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Cover of the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva

All utopias are depressing because they leave no room for chance, for difference, for the miscellaneous. Everything has been set in order and order reigns. Behind every utopia there is always some great taxonomic design: a place for each thing and each thing in its place, writes Georges Perec. This is one of the quotations in which Tasheva finds meaning, having based her research on the communist resistance in Holland and its persecution during the Nazi occupation, as well as on the criminal acts committed by the Bulgarian communist government after World War II, forces that lend shape to the exhaustive Far Away From Home. Over four years, Tasheva would visit the Nazi labor and extermination camps in Germany, France and Poland and, with much more difficulty, try to locate the remains and exact locations of the communist concentration camps in her own country, of which hardly anyone speaks. She tries to answer a question that never leaves her head: How do they see me, as a victim (resistance fighter) or a perpetrator? What do they think of me?

With a clean and simple design, which places emphasis on the books content, the voluminous publication is structured by historic archives, collages, drawings and photographs taken by Tasheva, as well as different kinds of texts, written testimony and extensive indexes against a white background, lists that lend a certain cryptic tone to the whole, and warn of the many layers and interpretations to which the story lends itself. The figure of Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch columnist who was guillotined in 1933 after setting fire to the Reichstag, introduces the reader to the twists and turns of the story. The fire, whose true authorship remains in doubt, precipitated the rise to power of Adolf Hitler, who took advantage of the event to spread fear of a possible communist revolution. Among the accused was also the Bulgarian Georgi Dimitrov, general secretary of the Communist International (Komintern), who later became the first head of the government of the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria. An image in which the two militants appear, their two disparate personalities in front of the Leipzig court, serves as a connective point for the storys two opposing sides.

Double page spread from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva.

The photographers gaze remains neutral and aseptic in the black and white images that shape the publication. She dispenses with all figurative representation in order to focus on the space itself, on the sensations produced by traversing these extermination camps and monuments, and on the collective and individual memory that each contains. Likewise, she incorporates drawings made to scale in order to offer the most accurate representation possible of what it was like to live in these places.

How to transcend evil without being taken as the embodiment of good, posits the author in the second section of the book, where she introduces a series of collages made with what many consider the single best book of anatomy drawings, Atlas of Topography and Applied Human Anatomy. Made by the University of Viennas rector and dean of its medical school Eduard Pernkopf during the Third Reich, with the bodies of prisoners who were executed in the concentration camps, its reprinting was banned in 1994. Far Away From Homes collages also incorporate its authors self-portraits. In these images, Tasheva covers her head with mud in order to achieve a sculptural effect, similar to the death mask made by prisoners who worked in the morgues, in an effort to preserve the memory of their comrades. Its an approach that at the same time evokes an effect of emptying; of the forgotten, or manipulated.

Image from the book Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery,' by Hristina Tasheva. Hristina Tasheva

The books cover is illustrated with one of these collages, and serves as metaphor of the two contrasting faces that can coexist in a single personality. In the same way, the authors family archives compose the last section of the photobook. I wanted to find out if my relatives had been victims or perpetrators, or just what we call normal people, explains the author during a telephone conversation. Its a distinction that has always been extremely interesting to me, as I am very interested in the ambiguity of human nature. How the same person, in different circumstances, can be the victim or the perpetrator. It is easy to judge and identity with the forces of good when you are in a position of comfort. The line that separates evil from good, at times, can be very thin.

Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery is an attempt at understanding our own history through the history of others. A book about memory that leaves us with several questions: What is the common ground of ideologies like communism and National Socialism and what is their significance for the average citizen of Europe? How do different societies organize their memory culture and are they able to bring it into a critical perspective? asks the author.

A Primo Levi quotation reminds us that: Perhaps one cannot, what is more one must not, understand what happened, because to understand is almost to justify. If understanding is impossible, knowing is imperative, because what happened could happen again. Consciences can be seduced and obscured again  even our consciences.

Far Away From Home: The Voices, the Body and the Periphery. Hristina Tasheva. Self-published. 459 pages. $76.
Police in York County shot and killed a 37-year-old wanted man at a gas station Friday morning, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Richard Benjamin Bolen, who was wanted by police for waving a gun at an officer earlier this week, was spotted at a Sunoco in Hanover, police said. As police entered the gas station, Bolen ran out of the stores back door, where more officers were waiting, police said.

Bolen then circled toward the front of the Sunoco while pulling out a handgun, state police said. Once at the front of the store, Bolen pointed the gun at officers before police fired several shots toward him, killing him, state police said in a press release.

Pennsylvania State Polices York Criminal Investigation Unit and Troop J Major Case Team responded to the scene to start their investigation, the release said.

The Hanover Police officers who fired their weapons will be placed on administrative duty while the investigation takes place.

Penn Township Police issued a press release Friday morning notifying the public of Bolen, who was driving a gray Honda Pilot. There was a warrant for his arrest for multiple firearms offenses, eluding officers, and related charges.

Around 10:45 a.m. the York County Office of Emergency Management reported a police incident on the 400 block of Broadway in Hanover.

State Police said an officer with the Hanover Borough Police Department noticed a gray Honda Pilot at the Sunoco Gas Station at 403 Broadway, prompting the officers to respond to the area.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A case with the potential to disrupt Donald Trumps drive to return to the White House is putting the Supreme Court uncomfortably at the center of the 2024 presidential campaign.

In arguments Thursday, the justices will, for the first time, wrestle with a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from reclaiming power.
Gov. Josh Shapiro did the right thing by providing $282.2 million to SEPTA to offset the $240 million budget shortfall.

Public transportation will be the lifeline between Philadelphia and the suburbs in the future. Climate change is ravaging the planet faster than originally anticipated. Originally, scientists thought the amount of destruction we see now wouldnt begin until around the year 2100.

According to NOAA, since 1980 the United States sustained 341 climate disasters, totaling over one million dollars each, tallying to $2.475 trillion.
Confetti and smoke in the colors of the Indian national flag mark the entry of INS Vindhyagiri, a new warship for the Indian navy, in Kolkata, India, Aug. 17, 2023.

For decades, India has focused its defense policy on its land borders with rivals Pakistan and China. Now, as its global ambitions expand, it is beginning to flex its naval power in international waters, including anti-piracy patrols and a widely publicized deployment close to the Red Sea to help protect ships from attacks during Israels war with Hamas.

India sent three guided missile destroyers and reconnaissance aircraft in November when Yemen-based Houthi rebels began targeting ships in solidarity with Hamas, causing disruptions in a key trading route that handles about 12% of global trade.

The deployment highlights the country as a proactive contributor to international maritime stability, said Vice Adm. Anil Kumar Chawla, who retired in 2021 as head of Indias southern naval command.

We are not doing it only out of altruism. Unless you are a maritime power you can never aspire to be a global power, Chawla said. India, already a regional power, is positioning itself as a global player today, an upcoming global power, he said.

India is widely publicizing the deployments, signaling its desire to assume a wider responsibility in maritime security to the world and its growing maritime ambitions to regional rival China.

It is a message to China that, look, we can deploy such a large force here. This is our backyard. Though we dont own it, but we are probably the most capable and responsible resident naval power, Chawla said.

The Indian navy has helped at least four ships, three of which were attacked by Houthi rebels and another that Washington blamed on Iran, a charge denied by Tehran. It has also conducted several anti-piracy missions.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted dozens of ships in the Red Sea, saying they are seeking a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. and its allies have responded with multiple rounds of bombings of rebel positions. India has not joined the U.S.-led force battling the Houthis.

On Jan. 26, the Indian guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam assisted the crew of a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in fighting a fire after it was hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. About 10 days earlier, the Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call by the U.S.-owned Genco Picardy merchant vessel following a drone attack in the same waters.

Maritime security has not been a strong pillar of Indias foreign policy engagements in a way we are beginning to see now, said Darshana M. Baruah, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. China is a factor in this.

The rivals are already locked in a military standoff along their disputed border high in the mountains.

China has built up its presence over the years in the Indian Ocean, a key route for its energy supplies. It has the worlds largest navy by number of ships, more than three times the size of the Indian navy. China also operates a powerful fleet of large coast guard ships and what is referred to as its maritime militia consisting of fishing vessels that cooperate with the coast guard in asserting territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Beijing has deepened its engagement in the Indian Ocean mainly through infrastructure deals with Indias neighbors, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and most recently the Maldives.

The Chinese are looking for more and more naval bases in the extended Indian Ocean, said Lt. Gen. D. S. Hooda, a former Indian military officer and now a strategic expert. Seeing that, India doesnt have any other option but to keep building up its own.

The Maldives government last week gave clearance to a Chinese research ship to dock in its port. Similar Chinese ships have made port calls in Sri Lanka in 2022 and 2023 amid fears in India that they could be used to surveil the region. Indias concerns led Sri Lanka earlier this year to declare a one-year moratorium on foreign research ships entering its waters.

Experts say the growing competition with China is energizing India to acquire more advanced ships, submarines and aircraft and invest more in technology and infrastructure. The navys share of Indias burgeoning defense budget, which reached $72.6 billion last year, has increased to 19% from about 14%. The Indian army has traditionally received the lions share of the military budget.

The navy has also built strategic partnerships through participation in joint exercises with other nations in the region and beyond.

Baruah, who directs the Indian Ocean Initiative at the Carnegie Endowment, said there is a need for Delhis strategic thinking to be maritime-oriented, not just as an option for crisis response but as a theater to advance Indias most pressing geopolitical and strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific.

India, the U.S., Australia and Japan are members of the Indo-Pacific strategic alliance known as the Quad, which has repeatedly accused China of flexing its military muscles in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims. The navies of the four countries regularly hold drills seen as part of an initiative to counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the Pacific.

Beijing maintains that its military is purely defensive to protect what it says are its sovereign rights, and calls the Quad an attempt to contain its economic growth and influence.

For Indian naval planners, the South China Sea remains a top concern, with about 60% of Indias cargo passing through shipping lanes in the Beijing-dominated region.

Chawla said India doesnt have strength to project power into the South China Sea right now because of the vast Chinese maritime assets there.

Frankly, if it comes to a shooting war, India does not really have the capability and Quad does not have the mandate, he said. You know, its not a NATO-like alliance yet.

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Trump spent $20,000 to hold his fake UAW speech at a non-union factory with non-union workers in Michigan.

Here is the line item in his FEC report:

<blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>Trump paid a nonunion shop in Clinton Township $20,000 to pretend he was addressing the United Auto Workers. <a href=https://t.co/pzU7nsTitc>https://t.co/pzU7nsTitc</a> <a href=https://t.co/VlRIYShccl>pic.twitter.com/VlRIYShccl</a></p> Michigan GOP Watch (@MiMagaWatch) <a href=https://twitter.com/MiMagaWatch/status/1753510468411691183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>February 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>

The whole setup was a fake.

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After the Trump campaign announced the speech, it was revealed that Trump wasnt going to the UAW picket line. The former president wasnt addressing autoworkers, and he wasnt speaking a union shop. It was all a con.

President Biden wrecked Trumps stunt by showing up ahead of Trump and walking the picket line with UAW workers.

Trumps speech ended up being a disaster that didnt address any of the concerns of the auto workers, and the story concluded with the UAW endorsing President Biden for reelection.

Donald Trump could not risk meeting with actual union members, so he set up a fake event for the television cameras and had non-union workers hold up union members for Trump signs.

None of it was real, and it didnt work. The former president didnt fool anyone. His staged event was seen through and did not generate the media coverage that he was hoping for.

Never assume anything is real with Donald Trump. Even his address to union workers was a fraud.

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Jack Smith took on Trumps lies and laid out the timeline while concluding that Trumps legal problems are his own making in a new court filing.

How Did Jack Smith Debunk Trumps Lies?

Smith spent nearly one-third of a 68-page court filing debunking Trumps lies about the classified documents case:

As the exhibits and an accurate timeline attest, the defendants narrative overlooks the fact that various federal agencies confronted and appropriately responded to an extraordinary situation resulting entirely from the defendants conduct. NARA first sought over a protracted period to retrieve documents from Trumps PRA representatives, whose responses were dilatory, shifting, and incomplete. As NARA attempted to carry out its statutory responsibilities from 2021 into 2022, highly classified documents sat in a ballroom, bathroom, office space, and a basement storage room at a social club traversed by thousands of members, employees, and guests.

NARA rightly involved other government agencies that had equities and authorities that it did not, as necessary to navigate an unprecedented situation. The White House Counsels office became involved because of the need to consult its personnel about missing Trump Administration Presidential records. DOJ became involved because of the Attorney Generals authority to retrieve records through court action and later to assess whether a criminal inquiry was warrantedall well outside of NARAs archival function. And the Intelligence Community became relevant once the alarming fact emerged that Trumps boxes contained classified records that he had no authority to keep, let alone store in boxes at his residence. Where the defendants perceive bias, weaponize[d] use of authorities, and a sham referral, all attributed to an undifferentiated Biden Administration, ECF No. 262 at 5-9, the record shows only different government agencies, with specific portfolios and responsibilities, at work to solve an increasingly vexing and concerning problem.

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That is hardly surprising, and it in no way, shape, or form supports the defendants well know, that it is false. Rather, the fact that the two cases have overlapping witnesses has resulted in some degree of overlapping discovery production, out of an abundance of caution. But, in any event, the defendants mischaracterization has no bearing on the motion to

compel, since the Government has considered all of the prosecutors in the Special Counsels Office part of the prosecution team, as it has stated in its correspondence with defense counsel. See Exhibit 27. hyperbolic claim of politically motivated operatives launching a crusade against President Trump. Id. at 1.

The defendants legal problems are solely of their own making.

Jack Smith Sets The Record Straight

The Special Counsel set the record straight with a point-by-point debunking that pointed to the evidence that the classified documents case has nothing to do with the presidential election. Smith showed that the origins of the case go back to the end of the Trump administration and have nothing to do with Trump running for president. There were reports before Trump announced his candidate that the opposite was true. Trump is running for president because he thought that his candidacy would shield him from prosecution and potential conviction.

The Trump defense is based on an imaginary timeline, conspiracy theories, and lies.

Trump and his lawyers dont have evidence of his innocence, but Jack Smith has overwhelming evidence that could prove the former presidents guilt.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) responded to the Biden Middle East strikes with an un-American attack on the President.

What Did Mike Johnson Say About Bidens Middle East Strikes?

Johnson said in a statement about the Presidents Middle East strikes:

The tragic deaths of three U.S. troops in Jordan, perpetrated by Iran-backed militias, demanded a clear and forceful response. Unfortunately, the administration waited for a week and telegraphed to the world, including to Iran, the nature of our response. The public handwringing and excessive signaling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months.

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We have suffered more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces, lost American lives, and spent billions of dollars in the region since October. It is long overdue for the Biden administration to admit that its policy of appeasing Iran has been disastrous for the international community and regional stability. We must stand firm against those who would harm Americans, propagate terror, or harm our allies. Now is the time for President Biden to wake up to the reality that his policy of placating Iran has failed.

To promote peace America must project strength.

Why Mike Johnson Is A Hypocrite

Speaker Johnson said that America must stand firm against those that would harm its allies, but he is blocking aid to American ally Ukraine that would help them stand firm in their war to remove Putins Russian invaders from their country.

Johnson suggested that Bidens response was weak and that the President should attack Iran, but any attack on Iran directly would be an act of war instead of the promotion of peace. Republicans like Johnson talk a big game about Iran when a Democratic president is in office, but no Republican since the current regime took power decades ago has ever launched strikes inside Iran. Ronald Reagan didnt do it. George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush didnt strike inside Iran, and neither did Donald Trump.

The reason is that directly striking Iran would start a war.

Johnsons attack on Biden was un-American and made the nation look divided and weak in the eyes of its enemies. Smearing the President after American servicemembers were killed on the same day that their bodies were returned to the United States is despicable, and it shows that Mike Johnson is a small-time partisan hack who is not fit to be the speaker.

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Aiken Standard Reporter

Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County.

Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022.

To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers 
Voting is underway in the first in the nation South Carolina Democratic presidential primary and no major problems were reported in Aiken County.

Aiken Board of Voter Registration and Elections Executive Director Cynthia Holland, Aiken County Democratic Party Chairman Harold Crawford Jr. and Aiken County Democratic Party Second Vice Chair Ann Willbrand reported no major problems.

Willbrand added there was a parking parking problem at Aiken High School that had since been resolved.

Several precincts are combined for Saturday's Democratic primary and the Feb. 24 Republican primary and Aiken High School is the location of Aiken No. 1-5, China Springs 11 and Six Points 46.

There are also two other events at the school Saturday: a teacher hiring fair and a chance for Aiken County residents to meet the three finalists for the next superintendent of the county school district.

Laverne Moody, precinct clerk at the combined precinct, also mentioned the parking problem but said voters had been "really patient."

Holland and Willbrand both said turnout for the primary has been low so far.

Holland said 371 people voted as of 10:37 a.m. Saturday.

Aiken County has 109,200 registered voters, according to the South Carolina Election Commission. As of 10:37 a.m., turnout was 0.34%.

Holland said 33 people voted at Aiken High School and 32 people voted at Mercy Church. Holland added the lowest turnout, two voters, was at Couchton Fire Station 2.

There are several possible reasons why Election Day turnout has been low.

First, Aiken County voters have leaned Republican for decades.

Republicans have carried Aiken County in every presidential election since 1956.

Second, Democrats are more likely to vote early  South Carolina law mandates a two-week early voting period for elections  and, thus, could have already voted in the primary.
There is a place called Nuevo Cuscatlan that embodies Nayib Bukeles ambitions. Its a small town about 15 minutes from San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. In this mountainous and tropical setting, surrounded by coffee plantations, youll find humble shacks and mansions with swimming pools. This is where Bukeles political career was born and later grew into a leader who has captivated the world and his nation of 6.3 million. Bukele became mayor here in 2012, and took office with a $2 million annual budget and very little experience. Before that, he had only managed a nightclub and a Yamaha dealership. Shortly after taking office, he began cruising through the streets in a pickup truck with tinted windows accompanied by bodyguards. He made impromptu speeches to the people of Nuevo Cuscatlan about paradigms and abstract concepts with the confidence of someone born into privilege. His audience was often left speechless, captivated as they watched the young mayor.

Nayib Bukele in his office as mayor of San Salvador on June 20, 2017. RR.SS.

Those who know him say his arrogance is only matched by his ambition. Back then, Bukele believed his destiny was to be the next president, not just a small-town mayor. Despite belonging to the FMLN, El Salvadors main left-wing party since the civil war ended in 1992, he often denounced it as outdated and incompetent. His millennial self-assurance made his FMLN colleagues uncomfortable. He was a wolf and we were the sheep. But we didnt realize it back then, said a person who was present at those FMLN meetings. Bukele later ran for mayor of San Salvador and won, but it was also too confining for the driven politician. When the FMLN balked at nominating Bukele as its presidential candidate in 2019 citing his youth, the 37-year-old mayor lost his patience and launched a campaign to discredit the party. The FMLN promptly kicked him out. Absolute power now seemed within reach.

Walking around Nuevo Cuscatlan today, its hard not to think that it was all part of a master plan. The letter N is emblazoned all over town, representing both its name and Bukeles. Buildings, sidewalks and curbs are painted cyan, the greenish-blue color of Bukeles Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas, in English) party. The embryo was here, although many chose to ignore it. The cult of personality, the omnipresence, the command and control. Luis Ponce, a 47-year-old municipal worker with metal-capped teeth, shows the same fascination with Bukele that captivates the entire country. He recounts how Bukele came to his wedding and served as master of ceremonies. Bukele brought order to this place, painting the houses in cheerful colors and attending the modest parties of ordinary people. When Bukele moved on to bigger and better things, the locals cried. Ponce doesnt care that his son was imprisoned during Bukeles extended state of emergency. He believes his son is better off inside because he was involved in illegal activities. He thinks that Bukele, who enjoys an approval rating of almost 90% in El Salvador, has divine help. This president has Gods power within him. This man is a quality person.

A park in Nuevo Cuscatlan where Nayib Bukele first won public office in 2012. Gladys Serrano

Bukele will almost certainly be reelected as president on February 4 with an overwhelming majority. The Salvadoran Constitution prohibits consecutive presidential terms, but some sleight of hand by a Constitutional Court handpicked by Bukele allowed him to run on a technicality. Polls suggest he may win over 80% of the vote. His iron-fisted leadership style has crushed almost all opposition since he won the presidency five years ago. Responding to rampant gang violence, Bukele declared a state of emergency in March 2002 that remains in effect. He targeted the two main gangs, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18, ignoring protests by human rights organizations denouncing the thousands of people arrested and jailed without trial or due process. Lawyers have very limited access to their clients, who are held in a mega-prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center. Families are left to wonder about their loved ones in prison, who are not allowed to make any calls.

The countrys economy isnt doing well. Local newspapers report people going hungry and eating meager meals. However, breaking the gangs grip on everyday life has made Bukele immensely popular, and Salvadorans ignore the international outcry about authoritarianism. Bukele is all-powerful and omnipresent in El Salvador. The airport terminal has a replica of the presidential office with portraits of Bukele and First Lady Gabriela Rodriguez where travelers happily take selfies. Roads are lined with billboards promoting the president and his partys candidates for Congress. There is no sign of FMLN or Arena, the right-wing party. Images of Bukele with his neatly groomed beard, slicked-back hair and tough-guy look are everywhere.

A calendar featuring President Nayib Bukele for sale in a San Salvador store; February 1, 2024. Gladys Serrano

The Bukele magic didnt work on Bertha Deleon, who led his legal team for four years. Shes not sure if its because of his age (Deleon is three years older than Bukele), but she always saw him as an immature and impulsive man, addicted to his phone and social media. He couldnt go 30 minutes without checking Twitter to see what people were saying about him. He was always very scattered. Its hard for him to focus and get organized, she said. But I think hes really skilled at sticking to the script hes given, and thats what he communicates very well. He totally captivated the younger generation. Deleon defended Bukele in three legal proceedings before he became president in 2019. Bukele relies heavily on his brother Karim for support. Karim is his closest advisor and campaign manager, providing calm analysis and decision-making guidance.

Nayib is the fifth child of Armando Bukele, an influential entrepreneur of Palestinian origin who founded the first mosque in El Salvador. Don Armando, as everyone called him, is the biggest role model for his son. Nayib has gone so far as to inflate his fathers accomplishments, saying he had a higher IQ than Einstein and even suggesting he was nominated for a Nobel Prize. The Bukele patriarch also fathered Karim, Ibrajim Antonio and Yusef Ali with Olga Marina Ortez, siblings who are all part of the presidents tight inner circle. Other long-time Bukele confidantes include classmates from the Panamerican School in San Salvador and President of Congress Ernesto Castro.

Nayib Bukele at a campaign rally in April 2019. RR.SS.

Bukele hasnt strayed far from his roots. He still lives in Los Suenos, an exclusive neighborhood on a hill overlooking Nuevo Cuscatlan that is now guarded by the army. He has turned a town that everyone used to confuse with its neighbor, Antiguo Cuscatlan, into a magnet for YouTubers and influencers, and a coveted location for other wealthy homeowners who want to live near the president. Bukeles neighbors know when he comes and goes because the streets are closed off as his convoy roars past. But the president has not held a single campaign event in the three months. Bukele always claimed that he could govern the country from a mobile phone. Its great for his image that his millions of followers see him still living in Los Suenos.
The Merriwether Community Coalition will be able to intervene in developer Blue Sky Properties case against Edgefield County, a circuit court judge decided Jan. 26.

Judge Walton McLeod, after taking the matter under advisement, ordered that the community action group may partake in pre-litigation mediation between Blue Sky and the county over the rejected application for Trestle Run subdivision. Trestle Run is Blue Skys proposed development of 254 new homes, set for 97 acres off Stephens Road across from Fox Creek High School.

The order granting intervention to the coalition states the coalition has a substantial interest in the proceedings  the legal benchmark for intervention, per South Carolina statute.

The coalition has established a valid substantial interest and thus statutory right to participate in the pre-litigation mediation, the order reads. But this right does not change the fact that settlement success ultimately rests on an agreement between [Blue Sky Properties] and [Edgefield County et al].

It was also determined that the coalitions interests were not already represented in the case, as asserted by attorneys for Blue Sky, both in the developers filed response and during the Jan. 17 hearing on the motion.

Blue Sky has maintained that the Coalition, with Edgefield County planning commissioner Rhonda Nowicki as its administrator, already had its interests represented: Blue Skys appeal names both the county planning commission and Nowicki as an individual commissioner in its case.
Its back to the drawing board for Clemson as its Charleston-based architecture and urban design program resumes its search for a permanent home.

The university said this week it has canceled a $12.1 million deal to purchase a 1.12-acre compound in the historic Wraggborough neighborhood.

"Unfortunately, during our due diligence phase on the property, it was discovered that there would be additional significant funds required for the program to work on that site," it said in a written statement. "After some discussion and negotiation with the seller, Clemson submitted a notice to terminate the contract."

The university also said it "continues to explore options for the continued success and growth of the architecture program on the Charleston peninsula where we have been for over 35 years."

In June, the school's board of trustees approved the acquisition of three properties, including a historic home that had been converted into offices, at 16 Charlotte, 515 East Bay and 102 Alexander streets. The site is a few blocks south of the Clemson Design Center's existing campus.

The sale was expected to close Dec. 31, after a four-month inspection period.

The property owner is affiliated with the former Charleston-based medical firm NCGS Inc., which used it for its headquarters and put it on the market early last year after the business was sold.

Mark Mizell and Richard Callari of Birchin Lane Realty Advisors, who represents the seller, said the decision to terminate the deal wasn't "driven by issues discovered about the building" during the inspection period and that it "was not in the best interest of our client to accommodate" Clemson's "request to keep the property off the market for non-building related issues."

"The seller, who has close ties to the university, was exceedingly accommodating ... but ultimately had to make the decision not to further extend," they said. "The uniqueness of this offering and expressions of interest from other prospective buyers necessitated a return to the market."
The readySC center tucked off Interstate 26 in Summerville has housed a training site for Volvo employees for years, laying the foundation for the carmaker to take employment programming to the next level.

The Swedish company is spearheading a new effort to continue building its labor pipeline  an accelerator program geared toward high schoolers on the cusp of graduating and entering the workforce.

The purpose of the program will expose them to a manufacturing environment, educate them on a career path, set workplace expectations and teach soft skills, according to Volvo staff.

Four area high schools  Woodland, Ashley Ridge, Cross and Stall  are participating by identifying students who would be a good fit. Fifty were selected for the initial cohort, and the program will be spread out over four Saturdays that end with pre-hire interviews.

Elizabeth Richardson, Volvo's human resources director, said some of the students involved with the program dont have plans after high school while others are exploring manufacturing careers.

There are not many people who walk in with manufacturing experience, she said. These processes give us the opportunity to give them the skills and training they need to successfully and confidently enter our industry.

Richardson said the program officially kicks off in the summer when the cohort classes begin, but interest for the next years group is already building.

Volvo plans to employ at least 3,910 workers at its Ridgeville manufacturing campus over the next several years, as the company goes all-electric and ramps up production to prepare for the EX90 and the Polestar 3 sport-utility vehicles. It is about halfway to meeting that hiring goal.

Volvo is one example of the growing list of manufacturing companies investing in the Palmetto State. South Carolina's employment numbers hit new highs last year, as it surpassed 2.4 million workers in December, setting a new record.
Charleston is home to one of the oldest Jewish congregations and the first Reform Jewish movement in the country. As Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim celebrates its 275th anniversary this year, the congregation aims to continue its trajectory as a modern, relevant synagogue.

"There's no other synagogue I can name within the country that has this rich legacy of history and yet isn't ossified in a certain time period from its past," Rabbi Stephanie Alexander said.

Walking into the historic synagogue on Hasell Street in downtown Charleston, Alexander said the rich history is tangible. The sun filtered through colorful stained glass windows that line the walls. The wooden floors and pews creaked.

The large Santo Domingo mahogany wood ark serves as a backdrop, displaying the four Torah scrolls  one survived the Holocaust, another dates back to the 1600s. The synagogue's fourth organ sits in the balcony of the sanctuary, a reminder of a significant part of the synagogue's Reform history.

The Greek Revival style building is colloquially referred to as the "new synagogue," even though it was constructed in 1840, because KKBE's first building from the late 18th century was destroyed by the fire that ripped through the city in 1838.

Over the past 275 years, the synagogue has welcomed generations of Jewish families in Charleston as a familiar, sacred place of worship week in and week out.

However, KKBE's leaders are hardly set in their ways, just as their predecessors, the first American Jewish reformists of the early 19th century, remained open to change. Alexander said congregants today have welcomed conversations about current issues.

"Today, the practices change and evolve, but the values that drive those changes, I think, are the same: wanting to be an open and inclusive community," Alexander said.

In recent years, the synagogue has acknowledged the enslaved Black laborers who built the sanctuary in 1840 with a plaque that emphasizes KKBE's commitment to equality.
Greenville, SC (29601)

Today

Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 62F. W winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Clear skies. Scattered frost possible. Low 31F. NW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
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
The deafening silence that greeted Wednesdays "draft recommendations" by the S.C. Houses special committee on reforming the judicial selection process speaks volumes.

The good thing about the panel is that it provided a very public forum for solicitors to unload on the way a handful of lawyer-legislators have manipulated the current system. And unload they did, recounting hair-raising tales of lawyer-legislators reminding judges of who they answer to and carefully explaining the significance of more subtle power plays. If you didnt tune in, you should go back and watch, or at least read my columns about it.

Note that I didnt say this exposure was a good thing the panel provided; I said it was the good thing.

The bad thing is the propriety of that silence  which stems from that Southern admonition to say nothing if you can say nothing positive.

On Thursday, I asked the committee chairman, House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope, if it was unfair of me to feel underwhelmed. He said it was, and started reeling off recommendations that didnt change my opinion.

Bless his heart, I know he means well. I know if it were up to him, wed have a muscular proposal to address the unacceptable amount of pressure that our judges feel to coddle the lawyer-legislators who decide whether they get to remain on the bench and then represent clients before them. But hes only one vote on the panel that has more than its share of status-quo defenders.

Token input?

It's possible that Mr. Pope was smart not to try to ram a respectable reform plan through his Ad Hoc Committee to Examine the Judicial Selection and Retention Process in South Carolina, because an ad hoc committee can't take any official action. Even if it produced an impressive bill  and theres no bill at all now, just vague recommendations  the legislation still would have to be approved by the House Judiciary Committee, which includes several anti-reformers. Why give opponents two opportunities to kill reform in committee instead of just one?
Happy Sunshine Week indeed. As we hope youve noticed, our newsroom is spending the week recounting successes its had using South Carolinas Freedom of Information Act to illumine your understanding of what your government is doing on your behalf, in your name and with your tax dollars. Read moreEditorial: SC judges support sunshine whenever they get a chance. They need more chances.
HEADLINES FOR REPUBLICANS

U.S. Rep Nancy Mace said her decision to support Donald Trump over Nikki Haley was "an easy call" despite benefitting from Haley's endorsement in her 2022 GOP primary.

"Politics is a bloodsport, as you know, and when someone's endorsing you, you accept it, you take it, and I respect her as a woman," Mace, R-Isle of Palms, said Feb. 2 after a Trump for president press event at Patriots Point.

The comment follows Haley's 2022 support for Mace when she faced Trump-backed candidate Katie Arrington. At the time Trump called Mace "terrible" and actively campaigned against her.

"Obviously as a female lawmaker I respect her and have appreciated her support then and do now, but this is a different race, and this is a different scenario" Mace said. "Trump is the only guy that can do this."

The GOP presidential race should have been finished "weeks ago," she added.

Mace got cheers and laughs from more than 30 people who attended the event.

"Donald Trump would have never allowed a spy balloon over America's coast, and it certainly would never have made it to South Carolina," Mace said. "But on the other hand, we have Gov. Nikki Haley who, if she had her way, would probably have spy balloons manufactured right here in South Carolina."

Mace has previously said she wanted to see a woman on the Republican ticket. Mace insisted she still wants that, as vice president.  filed by reporter Caitlin Byrd

HALEY GROUNDHOG DAY

The Haley campaign used Feb. 2 as a reminder that the Hollywood film "Groundhog Day," in which the same events are played over ad nauseum, is how the 2024 presidential race is shaping up should it be a Joe Biden-Trump rematch.

"Nearly 70 percent of Americans are waking up on Groundhog Day feeling like Bill Murrays Phil Connors in the iconic movie of the same name," her camp said.
SPARTANBURG  The family of a schizophrenic man shot dead by a Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputy has filed a lawsuit that could force the department to release body-camera footage in response to a subpoena. They hope the video's release will prompt charges and a federal investigation.

"And the public will demand and wonder why charges werent brought originally," said family attorney and state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-North Charleston.

Darius Holcomb, a 39-year-old schizophrenic man, was shot while he was holed up in his bedroom in his mother's home as a SWAT team tried to arrest him for low-level warrants.

It was a scenario that never should have happened, the lawsuit contends.

The events leading up to his death exactly one year ago on Feb. 2, 2023, were marred by insubordinate police officers, poor communication and, according to a new lawsuit, a reckless disregard for his need for psychiatric and medical care.

Details of the encounter were made public in a state investigation into the shooting.

Officers shot tear gas where he was hiding, sent in a police dog to subdue him and seconds later shot him to death while he tried to defend himself from the attacking dog.

Darius was murdered in his own home by members of the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, Pendarvis said. Darius should not have died. And what happened was an injustice.

Holcombs family filed the suit Feb. 2 against Spartanburg County, Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright, the sheriffs office and sheriffs deputy Sgt. Wesley Bennett, the officer who fired the fatal shots.

Sheriffs office spokesman Lt. Kevin Bobo said the agency didn't yet have a response to the suit.
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

On the African continent, a dozen genetic-editing projects are being put at the forefront of agriculture. However, for the past 20 years, European countries have been repressing this technology, due to pressure from certain environmental groups and  above all  uncritical acceptance by a large part of upper-income countries. These opinions contradict science. As Norman Borlaug  the father of the Green Revolution  noted in a past interview with EL PAIS: environmentalists oppose GMOs because their bellies are full.

Greenpeace made the biggest mistake in its history by turning its opposition to GMOs into one of its main campaigns, alongside the rightful battles that it wages against radioactive waste, ocean pollution and climate change. Scientists have been pointing out this anomaly for decades, but the directors of Greenpeace have insisted on being on the side of irrationality even after a hundred Nobel Prize winners accused them of crimes against humanity for maintaining this position. Fortunately, the situation is changing, right where its most-needed.

Sorghum is an essential crop in many African countries, not only for food, but also as building material. However, 60% of the continents fields are suffering from a devastating invasion of Striga hermonthica, a parasitic plant sometimes called witchweed. This weed attaches itself to the roots of sorghum and sucks away water and nutrients, until it destroys the entire crop.

Scientists from all over the African continent have solved the problem with CRISPR, the groundbreaking gene-editing technique that has revolutionized biology laboratories in recent years. Field trials will begin this year. Molecular biologist Steven Runo  from the University of Kenya in Nairobi  announced this at the Plant & Animal Genome Conference held in mid-January in San Diego, California.

CRISPR has two advantages over its transgenic predecessors. Firstly, its cheap and easy to use. This allows any country to modify seeds to solve its local problems  be they pests or nutritional deficiencies  instead of depending on those generated by a few multinationals, such as the defunct Monsanto, whose commercial practices were the main cause of opposition from environmentalists. But what were talking about now has nothing to do with Monsanto  rather, it has to do with human health and bolstering nutritional security in developing countries.

Secondly, CRISPR doesnt require adding foreign genetic material to solve agricultural problems. In fact, it can introduce a genetic variant into a plant that already exists in nature and that, therefore, could be obtained through conventional crosses that farmers have used for 10 millennia. Nobody has the slightest ethical objection to such a process. Obtaining the desired hybrid sans technology, however, is a frustratingly slow process, especially given the pressing needs of low and middle-income countries. CRISPR achieves the same results in the blink of an eye. Dr. Runo has applied it successfully to the case of sorghum in Kenya.

While the members of the European Union debate about whether CRISPR deserves to be excluded from a ban on genetically-modified plants that it imposed 20 years ago (without the slightest scientific argument), various countries in Africa have pushed forward with more rational regulations.

Since 2022, Kenya, Nigeria and Malawi have approved that plants edited with CRISPR should be classified in the same way as any conventional variety. Uganda and Ethiopia are in the process of doing the same.

Sorghum is just the beginning. Regardless of what the EU stipulates, African and Asian countries will use genetic-editing more and more, because they have perceived that it will be useful to improve the nutrition of their human populations and their livestock. As far as we know so far, researchers working in Africa and Asia have set up projects to generate corn thats resistant to necrosis, pearl millet that isnt ruined by oxidation shortly after its grinded, peanuts that are resistant to infection by carcinogenic fungi and  going from the plant world to the animal world  cows that produce more milk, despite high temperatures.

Those who work at Greenpeace are good people with the best intentions. Many of their campaigns are laudable. If Greenpeace didnt exist, it would have to be invented. But we all make mistakes on occasion. And its best to recognize this, to stop confusing the public and delaying vital advances for disadvantaged populations.
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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / DentPrime Health Tourism Agency, a leading health tourism agency accredited by the Turkish Dental Associations and the Ministry of Health, announces its comprehensive dental care services in Turkey. Led by Abdullah Ozkarsl, CEO and Founder ofDentPrime , the agency is committed to providing high-quality, full-package dental treatments in the top Turkish tourist destinations.DentPrimeensures a seamless experience for international patients, offering agreements with several 5-star and boutique hotels in Antalya and Istanbul. Patient comfort is prioritized during the treatment process, with stays typically ranging from 5 to 7 days, varying based on the type of treatment received. For extensive procedures, like implant surgeries, Hollywood smiles, or smile designs, DentPrime provides VIP transfer services. Patients are collected at the airport in VIP vehicles to ensure their comfort. A native-speaking translator is also provided to assist patients during their time in Turkey.DentPrime's Dental Clinic. Image: DentPrime TurkeyOzkarsl expresses the agency's commitment to quality and experience, stating that top-quality materials and specialized dentists make a difference in precise dental work.DentPrimepresents the best options in Turkey, selecting clinics and dentists meeting global standards. DentPrime's selection process involves a thorough verification process for luxury clinics, ensuring top-brand materials, dental surgery degrees, up-to-date equipment, modern facilities near tourist attractions, certifications in implant dentistry, a minimum of 5 years of experience, stable and affordable prices for tourists, and long warranty periods in dental treatments.The agency seeks to address challenges in the health tourism sector, particularly concerns about unauthorized companies and poor-quality clinics. DentPrime's focus on offering pocket-friendly prices, experienced dentists, high-quality equipment, multilingual staff service, hygienic and luxurious clinics, and partnerships with 5-star hotels craft a smooth and revitalizing experience from start to finish.DentPrime's dental implant treatments boast some of the world's best dentists and state-of-the-art technology, ensuring patients undergo treatment using the latest techniques. Dental treatment prices in Turkey are significantly more affordable, making it an ideal destination for those seeking advanced treatment. The agency also ensures short waiting times for dental procedures.The touristic experience offered byDentPrimeallows patients to enjoy an unforgettable holiday along with dental treatments. By getting dental implants in Turkey, patients can recover missing teeth while exploring Turkey's historical and natural beauty.By organising promotional and introduction events in different cities in England, DentPrime brought together their team and doctors with hundreds of prospective patients. In this way, they were able to explain themselves better and establish stronger relationships of trust with potential patients.DentPrime started official procedures to open an information office in London. And they announced their London office with an advertisement prepared with CGI technology.Employing a unique marketing approach, DentPrime participated in a CGI advertising trend at Piccadilly Circus, London.With its advertising workin Picadilly Circus, London's world-famous square, the Turkish company managed to capture the attention of thousands of British citizens who will travel from England to Turkey for treatment.Using CGI technology and numerous drones, a massive box was transported to Picadilly Circus, the most famous square in London, England's capital. When the box's cover is removed, the lids fall off and a shiny, brand new and shiny spinning tooth emerges from the package. Throughout this, promotional videos about Turkey are being shown on the square's famous giant LED screens.DentPrime's CGI Event in London. Image: DentPrime Turkey The brand, which has previously produced many popular advertisements, has become the first Turkish brand to use this trending advertising model in the field of health tourism, which is prepared using CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) technology, which is the latest trend and in which brands all over the world compete.DentPrime wants to continue launching their drones by opening offices in different capitals in Europe to establish a stronger communication with potential patients.DentPrime continues to grow with the agency devoted to maintaining boutique, high-quality, and affordable services. Monthly consultation events in England cities and the establishment of Information Offices in cities like Glasgow and Manchester within the next year are part of DentPrime's expansion plans.DentPrime's Dental Clinic. Image: DentPrime Turkey About DentPrime Health Tourism Agency:DentPrime Health Tourism Agency, under the leadership ofAbdullah Ozkarsl , stands as a premier health tourism agency accredited by both the Turkish Dental Associations and the Ministry of Health. Specializing in dental care services, DentPrime is dedicated to providing top-notch dental treatments in the most sought-after Turkish tourist destinations. DentPrime is not a dental clinic but an innovative health tourism company, offering a full-service approach to address the various needs of patients. The agency is internationally accredited and authorized to provide comprehensive solutions, making it a reliable choice for those seeking dental treatments in Turkey.Media Contact:Website URL: https://www.dentprime.com/ Company Name: DentPrime TurkeyEmail:info@ dentprime.com SOURCE: DentPrime
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / Kenai's House and Brooks Family K9 are collaborating to host the first annual Black Tie & Tails' Winter Gala. The gala will raise money and find new sponsors for their upcoming expansion project.Kenai's House, Inc.is a 501  (3) nonprofit animal rescue founded by Shareen Harding. Located in Temecula, California, Kenai's House works to provide a safe and healthy environment for abandoned and neglected animals to thrive, giving them a second chance at life. Kenai's House was founded on the four R's - Rescue, Rehab, Rehome, and Retention. They match the right pet with the right person and the right person with the right pet.Brooks Family K9, also based in Temecula, is a family-owned and operated dog training business founded by Jefferson Brooks. With over 5 years of professional experience and a decade of training dogs, Brooks Family K9 provides services like obedience training, behavior modification, protection training, puppy training, and more.Kenai's House and Brooks Family K9 have worked together to aid the animal shelter crisis happening in Southern California. At many high-kill shelters, getting a dog trained could be their one chance at survival, making them more adoptable for the average family. Brooks Family K9 and Kenai's House work together to provide training sessions for these animals and recommend services to existing and future adopters. As a beautiful continuation of their relationship, the Black Tie & Tails' Winter Gala serves to bring these groups together once again.The gala will raise funds for a new expansion project to significantly increase the reach of both organizations. Shareen Harding is currently running Kenai's House out of her own home and has been forced to turn away dogs due to lack of space. Brooks is hoping to provide more services, like doggy daycare, and integrate Kenai's House animal residents into his training programs. This will serve to better socialize the animals. Harding and Brooks are already looking at property in Temecula that could become a new home for their organizations.Black Tie & Tails' will be held on Saturday, March 9 starting at 6 p.m. at Luke's in Old Town Temecula. The inaugural event will feature live and silent auctions, live music, a DJ and dance floor, a delicious dinner, and networking. Multiple sponsorship opportunities will be available for businesses that want to help Kenai's House and Brooks Family K9 expand their reach.One sponsor has already been fortunate enough to secure a spot at the new ranch. Desert Capital Management Group, Inc. has committed to partnering with Kenai's House and Brooks Family K9 on the project. The financial company guides clients and offers comprehensive financial and tax planning services. Their sponsorship of Kenai's House and Brooks Family K9 is an exciting venture for the group and the two organizations.About Kenai's HouseKenai's House is a 501  (3) nonprofit animal rescue that provides shelter for abandoned animals. The organization strives to rescue, rehabilitate, rehome, and retain animal adoption. Founded by Shareen Harding, the animal rescue is based in Temecula, California, and serves the entire region of Southern California.About Brooks Family K9Brooks Family K9 is a dog training business located in Temecula, California. Jefferson Brooks founded this family-owned and operated company, offering services such as dog training and behavior modification. With over ten years of experience, Brooks Family K9 specializes in training dogs of all breeds and sizes.Media Contact:Website URL: https://www.kenaishouse.org/ Company Name: Kenai's HouseEmail Contact:Becca@ only1mediapr.com SOURCE: Kenai's House
Supermarkets increasingly offer vegetables that, within just a few minutes of microwaving them in the same plastic bag in which they were purchased, are ready to eat. Potatoes, cabbages, or mixtures of various vegetables come already pre-cooked and  according to the producers instructions  its not necessary to put them in another container to microwave them. But new research shows that perhaps it would be better to take your veggies out of the bag before heating them up.

Researchers from the University of Almeria (Spain)  led by Dr. Francisco Jose Diaz Galiano  have discovered that this microwave cooking process actually causes a very pronounced transfer of plastic components from the bag to the vegetable. The research  published in the journal Food Chemistry  has also identified that the action of the microwave in these cases creates a new compound in the potato, which they call HMPP-maltose. According to Diaz Galiano, this is a potentially toxic compound, although new studies are still required to confirm this. Regardless, the transfer of plastic to potatoes remains an issue.

The researchers had the feeling that in a very energetic situation  like that of the microwave  it was more than possible for certain plastic components to migrate into the food. They began to do all kinds of tests with potatoes from different brands, dispensed in bags and ready to be cooked or heated up. They were made with all possible variants: In the microwave in a plastic bag or in a microwave in a glass container in both cases using the recommended time for the bag, or cooked in water over fire. In this case, we gave [the potatoes] more time, between 10 and 15 minutes, Diaz Galiano explains. He remembers that the potatoes were also analyzed before cooking them. They did 27 replicates of the experiment and the same differences always appeared.

The experimentation gave rise to two results: one intuited and another totally unexpected, the head researcher notes. The one that didnt cause them any surprise was the transfer of polymer from plastic to food. It has been demonstrated that theres a very pronounced migration of polypropylene glycol (PPG) polymers from plastic bags to potatoes [and] only when theyre cooked in the microwave in contact with the plastic. That is, these PPGs  if present in the bags  arent transferred to the food unless theyre cooked together, as is done in the microwave, Diaz Galiano specifies. This transfer, he adds, doesnt rule out the possibility of other compounds present in plastic.

Its possible that other [compounds] migrate to the food only by contact, he acknowledges, but, in this case, weve focused on the differences during the cooking process in contact with the food. For the researchers, the conclusions are beyond reproach, because there are chemical compounds that are the exclusive result of the cooking process of the potato in contact with the plastic that arent observed either in the raw potato, or in the one boiled in water, or in the cooked in glass in the microwave.

Along with this more or less expected result, the experience offered an unforeseen one that still has a long way to go until its importance is determined. This is regarding the appearance of a new compound. Plastics, Diaz Galiano explains, have, among their components, synthetic photoinitiators, [which are] reactive compounds eager to interact and find something to join with to create new plastic molecules, new polymers that will arise from the creation of structures that multiply and multiply. The microwave energy on the bag, he adds, seems to trigger a process whose final result is a combination between one of those synthetic photoinitiators used in the synthesis of plastics  HMPP and maltose, a natural component made of the starch from the potato. Since this structure which they have provisionally named HMPP-maltose  hadnt been described before, the research notes, its properties cannot yet be determined, including its [level of] toxicity or safety.

In any case, the signs arent positive for health. The professor of analytical chemistry affirms that on the one hand, HMPP  2-hydroxy-2 methylpropiophenone  in and of itself is toxic. On the other hand, the studies using software models indicate that the HMPP-maltose combination is potentially toxic to living beings. For now, the team is investigating possible synthetic routes to create said compound. Then, its properties can be evaluated, he concludes.

The toxicity (or lack of toxicity) in a plastic for food use has been regulated by the European Union since 2011, specifically in its regulations concerning plastic materials and objects intended to come into contact with food. The suitability of the material is determined from tests that analyze the interaction of foods with so-called food simulants products that, in the tests, simulate being plastic wrappers. There are six simulants, five of them liquid  acetic acid, vegetable oil and three dilutions of ethanol and water  and one solid, called Tenax TA, which is used, for instance, to analyze powdered soup sachets. The interaction between food and these simulants determines their safety based on whether or not theyre transferred to the food.

Diaz Galiano believes that the aforementioned method isnt totally reliable today, because they reduce all food possibilities to only six groups. He also points out that, after experimenting with potatoes (also with simulants), no transfer of these compounds to the vegetables was determined, hence his research team wasnt able to attain conclusive results.

The tests determined that there was no transfer of the food simulant either by mere contact with the plastic, neither before nor after cooking, he clarifies, which contradicts what happens when cooking the potato in its bag.

The transfer of plastic polymer components and their additives to food is a well-known and studied issue, comments Nicolas Olea, upon analyzing the recent study. Hes a medical doctor and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Almeria. An expert in health and the environment, he says that the transfer places plastic materials for food and kitchen use in continuous doubt [due to safety concerns]. Theres an imperative need to subject any new material to analysis, given the plethora of chemical compounds that plastic transfers to food.

Unfortunately, he continues, as the researchers of this pioneering work demonstrate, the protocols to investigate this transfer fail in two aspects. On the one hand, because they dont cover all possible combinations of cooking methods and types of food. On the other hand, whats most striking in this work is that it has never before been evaluated which new chemical compounds appear in food when plastics are used in its preparation.

For Dr. Olea, the conclusion is resounding: Not only is stricter control of any proposed innovation necessary  a task that far exceeds the possibilities of the current food safety and control system  but it is the obligation of the producer and the seller to warn the public about the risks in changes to the usual way of cooking [foodstuffs]. Its not ethical to wait for the European Food Safety Authority [or the FDA] to give its opinion on the issue; you should simply let the public know that cooking potatoes in the microwave using ready-to-cook plastic containers poses a risk of exposure to toxic contaminants that you would never encounter while boiling them in your typical pot. Its very straightforward, the researcher shrugs. Hes recently authored a book  Liberate Yourself From Toxins  that emphasizes his message.

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15-Year Agreement Carved to Enhance Sustainable Hospitality ExperienceKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - KJTS Group Berhad (KJTS or the Group), a building support services provider in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, is pleased to announce that the Groups subsidiary, KJTN Engineering Co., Ltd. (KJTN Engineering) has signed an Agreement with Central World Hotel Company Limited (CENTARA) for the works of retrofit, the provision of management, supervision, personnel, materials, equipment and supplies necessary to operate and maintain the chiller plant (O&M services) and the chilled water supply at Centara Grand Hotel at Central World in Bangkok, Thailand for a 15-years period.CENTARA, a Thailand's hospitality business entity and has been operational for over 19 years, is a part of the esteemed Central Group, one of Thailand's largest private commercial conglomerates with more than 50 subsidiaries with diverse investments in various corporations domestically and internationally. Central Group's business sectors include retail, property development, brand management, hospitality, food and beverage sectors, and digital lifestyle. This partnership underscores KJTN Engineering's expertise and commitment to delivering innovative and eco-friendly solutions in the building support services industry.Under the terms of the Agreement, KJTN Engineering shall finance the retrofit works and during the O&M services period charge a fixed fee of THB698,147 monthly which is equivalent to approximately RM93,155 and a variable fee monthly based on the chilled water supplied. The total fixed fee for 15 years will be THB125,666,460 which is equivalent to approximately RM16,767,927.The retrofit works are expected to commence on 1st February 2024 and to be completed on 30th November 2024. The O&M services and chilled water supply will commence on 1st December 2024 and be completed on 30th November 2039. The ownership interest in the chiller plant will be transferred to the CENTARA at the end of the Agreement.Director of KJTN Engineering Co., Ltd., Mr. Kitti Chungsawanant said, "This agreement with CENTARA symbolises our commitment to expand our business in Thailand as one of KJTS group's core regional markets. It also marks the start of an important business relationship for the KJTS group with the Central Group and we are hopeful that KJTS group will be able to provide more building support services to the Central Group in the future." This venture is poised to bolster KJTSs position in the market, reflecting the strategic focus on expanding the Groups services and influence across Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
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RICHMOND, VA / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / The Virginia House of Delegates Courts of Justice - Criminal Subcommittee, has favorably reported HB 928, legislation to protect commercial watermen, by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 8-0.In response to a rising number of threats and at-sea harassment targeting commercial fishermen operating legally in Virginia waters, two bills were introduced in the 2024 Virginia legislative session. The bills, from Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent and Delegate Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. would increase the penalties for intentionally interfering with commercial fishing operations. Today Delegate Kent's bill was considered, amended, and passed by the subcommittee. The bill increases penalties to a Class 1 misdemeanor which is confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. Additionally, anyone convicted will forfeit hunting and fishing licenses for one year on first offense, and three years on a second offense.Dangerous incidents are growing in number and aggression and physical injury, and the lives of union-member, commercial fishermen are being increasingly threatened. These hazardous confrontations have been conducted on jet skis and with recreational boats, endangering all involved. Current law provides for minor penalties, like small fines, which are an insufficient deterrent to individuals with the financial means to own and operate recreational watercraft.One example occurred on September 23, 2023, approximately 1.5 miles east of Buckroe Beach off Hampton. An Ocean Harvesters vessel, the Rappahannock , was deploying its net when a man on a jet ski overtook them, harassed the fishermen while they were in the smaller purse vessels, rode his jet ski inside the net, sprayed the crew with his wake, and yelled obscenities at them, including "how do you like this m****f*** ers." In light of threats posted on social media, the crew of the Rappahannock feared the operator might be armed and could start shooting.Video of the incident was taken from the spotter plane operating in tandem with the Rappahannock .Photo from video of a jet ski harassing commercial watermen on September 23, 2023This was the third incident of this type which occurred during the late summer months of last year.While it is individuals who are carrying out these attacks, they are being instigated and fueled by the rhetoric of participants in various sport fishing organizations. These groups monitor and report where commercial boats are operating and where they are anchoring each evening, which appears to have encouraged their membership to harass and disrupt fishing operations.Some of the threats made online include:"Navy should use them for target practice." "Sink them and blame it on Putin. Need to do like they do on Whale Wars." "Fire the cannons." "Starting to wonder if we can't do some Whale Wars type stuff to these guys." "We need Greenpeace to harass them. Or attack submarines." "Where's the Sea Shepherd Get the prop fouler out. It can't be that illegal to mess with them." "I have several rifles with scopes and suppression. If someone is a better shot than me, you're welcome to borrow them to sever the net ropes." "It's going to take an organization such as Sea Shepherd in order to wake this state up into action. Now I know why Capt. Paul took matters into his own hands on Whale Wars." "You got whale war, it's time for menhaden war." "Yeah, I'd love to do a local 'Sea Shepherd' operation on these fools. Jet skis with prop foulers, etc." "Where is the Sea Shepherd when you need it?" "Where's an errant WWII German U-Boat when you really need one? I've got a small boat and plenty of bottle rockets." "Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done, at least non-violently." The jet ski incident described above was reported to the United States Coast Guard and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). The incident was investigated by the VMRC. When the investigator was unable to get a commitment from local prosecutors to take the case, it was prosecuted as a VMRC offense. The perpetrator plead guilty and received a $500 fine, but bragged about his actions on social media, showing no remorse."While it's no secret that there have been disagreements between recreational boaters and the commercial menhaden fishery, that animosity has previously been confined to places where it belongs -- debates in public meetings before the regulatory commissions that oversee our fisheries," said Kenny Pinkard , United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 Executive Board Vice President. "We want to thank the delegates and senators who share the concern for our union members who are being put in danger by harassment on the water from individuals in pleasure craft, and who are being threatened with bodily harm online." (Screenshots of the social media threats listed above can be made available to journalists upon request.)About the Menhaden Fisheries CoalitionThe Menhaden Fisheries Coalition(MFC) is a collective of menhaden fishermen, related businesses, and supporting industries. Comprised of businesses along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition conducts media and public outreach on behalf of the menhaden industry to ensure that members of the public, media, and government are informed of important issues, events, and facts about the fishery.PRESS CONTACT Stove Boat Communications(202) 333-2628 contact@ stoveboat.com SOURCE: Menhaden Fisheries Coalition
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing re-run elections in 20 polling units in specific constituencies in Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Kano states.

It said this was due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Saturday in Abuja.

The affected constituencies according to Mr Olumekun include Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom; Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State; and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.

Mr Olumekun said that elections in two polling units: Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA, where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums, have been suspended.

In Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State l, Mr Olumekun also announced the suspension of elections in all eight polling units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.

For Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State, he said that the commission also suspended elections in all 10 polling units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalisation and disruption by thugs.

According to him, the decision of the commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Further, necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the commissions meeting on Monday.

INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials, Olumekun said.

The commission had earlier said it was monitoring and investigating reported cases of disruption in the ongoing re-run and by-elections in the three states.(NAN)

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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Casiva Limited, Nasir Danu, on Friday, presented copies of books on the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to the Jigawa State Government for distribution to various schools and emirates in the state.

Governor Umar Namada received the books on behalf of the state government at an event in Abuja.

I am presenting these books to you so that you help to share them with the five Emirates and tertiary institutions in the state, Mr Danu said.

The first book, titled, Muhammadu Buhari: Nigerian Legacy 2015-2023 Governance and Development, was written by a team of 94 experts from different backgrounds.

The book, with 125 chapters, gives an overview of the policies, programmes, projects, challenges, achievements, and shortcomings of the Buhari administration.

The second book, titled, Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity 2015-2023, authored by Femi Adesina, details some behind-the-scene developments and shed light on some events that took place during the Buhari administration.

About 60 cartons of the books were donated to the Jigawa State Government at Fridays event.

Governor Namada, expressing gratitude for Mr Danus gesture, acknowledged the significant roles of partnerships between the government and the private sector in advancing education in the state.

He commended Mr Danus commitment to philanthropy and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in driving sustainable development.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Danu spoke on the roles of education as a catalyst for socio-economic development.

He said, Without education, the development you are seeing in the United Arab Emirates in general and particularly Dubai will not be there. Without education, even the progress you are seeing today in our country, will not be there.

Today, in West Africa, I can say boldly that Nigerians are the most educated and I know with our population of over 200 million, all we need is to educate more people. It will help us in terms of literacy, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

On why he donated the books to Jigawa State, he said, That whole idea is for people to get information that they couldnt get in public or the media from the books. They can see what the last government did for the country.

The donor, a Jigawa native, said he was not just a titleholder from Dutse Emirate, but also the Sardauna of Dutse, and a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said he gave strong support to the Buhari administration and remained ready to support the current administration of President Bola Tinubu as well.

He said he is committed to the development of education in Nigeria because it is one of the most effective strategies for fighting poverty.

I support education because people are in abject poverty, and some people cannot go to school. If you listen to what I told the governor, I am ready to partner with him to see how we can improve the education of our ordinary citizens in the state and also beyond, he said.

Mr Danu reaffirmed his dedication to supporting initiatives aimed at equipping the youth with the necessary tools for success in todays competitive world.

He emphasised the need for concerted efforts to enhance educational opportunities, particularly in underserved communities, to uplift the socio-economic status of citizens.

He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors in addressing societal challenges and fostering inclusive growth.

In my foundation, we have been doing the best we could. We support healthcare development. We also support security.

For people like us in the private sector, no amount of support is too much or too small. I am calling on all the people in the private sector, not only people from Jigawa State, people from Rivers, Lagos and everybody to partner with the local governments, councillors, state governors, members of state Assemblies, members of the House of Representatives and senators. Let us partner with them to see what we can do to give back to society, the donor said.

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He pledged to continue supporting educational initiatives Jigawa and beyond.

We partnered with North Side Hospital in Atlanta for a medical programme for six thousand families in 2020. We are looking at education, and how we can help in education and healthcare. We are going to sit with the board and the trustees of our foundation to determine the areas in the country we can support because for some people, malaria is their problem, some people need solution for typhoid while some need money to register JAMB.

I believe all of us can come together and see areas we can help, without thinking I have to be a multi-billionaire in dollars or billionaire in naira. Its just to do your part.

He stressed the importance of philanthropy in addressing societal needs and urged other stakeholders in the private sector to join hands in supporting educational and community development initiatives.

He also outlined plans to expand his Energy Foundations reach and support educational and healthcare initiatives across different regions.

Who is Mr Danu

Nasir Danu is a renowned Nigerian businessman and influential figure in politics, and embodies leadership and philanthropy.

He was born into a family with a strong leaning towards business and politics.

Mr Danus journey into politics began in 2002 when he joined the political group of future President Muhammadu Buhari, who was preparing to run for president in the 2003 presidential election.

Since then, Mr Danu has remained a loyal supporter of Mr Buhari, actively participating in political activities aimed at installing Mr Buhari as president.

Mr Danus belief in the transformative power of education led him to support various educational initiatives aimed at empowering youth and uplifting communities in Nigeria.

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The re-run elections into Kano State House of Assembly for six constituencies kicked off with early arrival of election materials on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC officials were seen at polling units as early as 7:30 a.m., with registrations and voting starting simultaneously at 8 a.m. at different polling units.

There was a large turnout of voters at Kura and Garun Malam local government areas.

At Garun Malam Local Government Area, election materials arrived on time, and the electorate came out early to cast their votes.

NAN reports that the re-run elections will be conducted in 60 polling units of the three constituencies for the state assembly seats.

The constituencies include Kura-Garun Malam, Rimin Gado-Tofa, and Kunchi-Tsanyawa.

NAN reports that there were peaceful elections at Rimin Gado and Tofa constituencies without any distractions.

There was heavy presence of security personnel in all the polling units, and people came out en mass to carry out their constitutional mandate.( NAN)

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The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has directed the Federal Ministry of Interior to immediately withdraw all camouflage uniforms from security and law enforcement agencies under its supervision.

ONSAs directive was in a circular dated 16 January 2024 and addressed to the Minister of Interior.

The circular sighted by PRNigeria and titled Observation on Proliferation in the Use of Camouflage Uniforms by Other Security Agencies in Nigeria was signed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser of the NSA.

According to Mr Ribadu, personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, together with the Federal Fire Service, among others, are to discontinue henceforth using the camouflage uniforms at the disposal, following the directive issued by ONSA.

The NSA observed that the persistent proliferation of camouflaged uniforms by the aforementioned security and law enforcement agencies makes the outfit easily accessible to criminals and impostors while also exacerbating the already challenging security situation facing the country.

He said: Case in point was the recent unfortunate attack on communities in Plateau State where the perpetrators were reportedly dressed in camouflage uniforms. This further underscores the need to ensure that the ban placed on camouflage uniforms by security agencies other than the Armed Forces and the Police on special occasions, such as joint operations, is strictly enforced.

Mr Ribadu urged the interior minister to take necessary steps and place stringent measures to ensure that the ban on camouflage uniforms is upheld, enforced, and strictly complied with by all security and enforcement establishments under his supervision.

PRNigeria gathered that ONSA has been inundated with concerns over the upsurge in the use of camouflage uniforms by various security agencies other than the Armed Forces and, on special occasions such as joint operations, the Nigeria Police.

Over the years, the federal government has taken several measures to ensure that camouflage uniforms are restricted to the Armed Forces and, on special occasions, the police. Still, the concerned agencies have not obeyed the orders.

The major culprits who have disregarded the ban and included camouflage uniforms in their dress code, according to PRNigerias findings, are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Federal Fire Service (FFS).

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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has ordered security agencies to end illegal crude oil bunkering in the state.

Mr Uzodinma was reacting to the recent pipeline explosion that rocked the Obitti Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

Five vandals were killed when the explosion occurred on Tuesday in the state.

The vandals were said to have stormed the Obitti Rubber Estate in the area with an articulated vehicle and dug through to an oil pipeline that passed through the area.

Uzodinma speaks

Reacting, Mr Uzodinma said the frequent pipeline vandalism in the area was a cause of concern to the state government, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Oguwike Nwachukwu, on Friday.

The governor, who condemned the pipeline explosion, said the state cannot afford to be embroiled in incessant economic sabotage as a result of the activities of illegal oil bunkers.

He stressed that apart from the attendant loss of lives, pipeline vandalism has dealt a serious blow to the economy of the state.

Mr Uzodinma, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, urged youths of the area to desist from such nefarious activities.

The governor assured that his administration will continue to take necessary measures to protect oil pipelines running in the state.

Not the first time

Illegal oil bunkering and explosion in Imo State is not new.

At least 100 people, in April 2022, lost their lives in a similar explosion that occurred at an illegal oil refining site in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

On 4 May, the same year, two persons also died in an explosion at an oil facility belonging to Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Ltd., in Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, however, was a suspected bomb attack on the oil facility.

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State says his administration has begun prosecution of a female lawyer who allegedly abused an 11-year-old house girl (name withheld) in the state.

The lawyer, Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor, was said to have used a broken bottle, knife and electric iron to brutalise the child who began staying with the lawyer on 5 January.

The incident happened in Akpaka, Onitsha in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The suspect, Mrs Cukelu-Okafor, reportedly accused the survivor of touching her daughter.

The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra, Ify Obinabo, has since rescued the survivor from the suspect, according to a statement by the commissioners media aide, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu.

The statement said the commissioner was notified of the incident by a human rights group, Defend Your Rights Foundation, on Thursday.

Mrs Obinabo, who immediately took the survivor to an undisclosed hospital, said the suspect was quoted by neighbours as boasting that nothing will happen because she is a lawyer.

Soludo speaks

Mr Soludo, in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, said abuse or violation of vulnerable persons and minors will not be tolerated in the state.

Mrs Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor who visibly violated the young girl left in her custody is one out of many who do not deserve a place amongst decent humanity.

We have commenced actions to ensure she (Cukelu-Okafor) is brought to justice, he said.

The governor said the suspects prosecution will serve as a firm warning to all abusers of any kind in the state.

He said the Childs Right Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2017) have long been domesticated in the state in addition to other laws against abuse and violence.

My administration is big on entrenching law and order as a foundation for building the liveable and prosperous homeland that we all seek, Mr Soludo stated.

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Long queues of voters were seen at some polling units on Saturday during the court-ordered re-run election for the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency of Cross River State on Saturday.

A large number of the voters were seen at Polling Unit 007 Akaravuni Bus Stop, Akpet Central, in Biase Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the re-run , which commenced at about 9 a.m., saw a large presence of security operatives deployed to ensure peaceful conduct of the process in Calabar.

The Polling Unit had 1,124 registered voters who underwent accreditation one after the other with the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

One of the voters, Mary Joseph, who spoke to NAN ,said they came out en masse to vote because they wanted good representation in the House of Representatives.

This is not the time to sit down and watch, we have been docile for too long, we need to come out and choose our representative, someone we can hold accountable. Joseph said.

Similarly, in Polling Unit 002, Playground Emouno in Agwagune/Okurike in Biase LGA, voting went on peacefully and smoothly with a large presence of security operatives.

NAN reports that the polling unit had 526 registered voters and there was a good turnout of voters, who conducted themselves appropriately .

It would be recalled that mil Inyang of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was initially declared winner of the 25 February 2023 National Assembly election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to represent Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency.

However, after securing the highest number of votes and his declaration by INEC as winner, his victory was challenged at the Election Petition Tribunal by Austin Aidam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The matter went on to the Appeal Court, where a re-run was ordered. (NAN)

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The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) candidate has said he is confident of victory in Saturdays re-run election for the Akoko North East/ Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State.

Olalekan Bada, who voted at the Edo Ward 1, Polling Unit 12, said this in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State.

This House of Representatives seat belongs to Akoko North East Local Government Area. So, people from the other local government area, Akoko North West Local Government Area, are just voting for us to win.

It is our turn to produce the next House of Representatives member, he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a peaceful election.

The Director General, Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs, Emmanuel Ade, described the election as one of the most peaceful in the annals of history in the state.

Mr Ade said that the election was rancour-free and devoid of the usual thuggery and ballot box snatching.

He commended the candidates in the election for conducting themselves in orderly manner, and for instructing their respective followers to toe the path of peace.( NAN)

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 21:39 | World, All, Japan

China Coast Guard vessels began last month to issue warnings for Japanese Self-Defense Forces planes to leave airspace over and around the Japan-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday.

The warnings via radio communications are based on Beijing's claim that SDF aircraft could violate Chinese territorial airspace around the islands, called Diaoyu in China, and have been made several times since January, the sources said.

They said Tokyo has refuted the claim and told Beijing through diplomatic channels that such warnings are "totally unacceptable," without publicly announcing the move in an apparent effort not to damage bilateral relations further.

The development came after Chinese President Xi Jinping called for bolstering Beijing's sovereignty claim over the islets during a rare visit in November to the command office for the East China Sea area of the China Coast Guard in Shanghai.

In the past, Chinese military vessels have urged Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft to leave airspace near the Senkakus. A Japanese government official said it marks the first time for China Coast Guard ships that regularly sail around the isles to issue such warnings to SDF planes in Japanese territorial airspace.

The issuance of warnings may have been newly added to tasks of the China Coast Guard, which frequently sends ships to waters near the Senkakus and chases Japanese fishing boats in the sea area.

During the Nov. 29 visit, Xi pointed out the need for Beijing to "constantly strengthen" its efforts to safeguard the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands, according to sources close to the matter.

The coast guard has subsequently drafted a plan to keep the presence of its ships near the islets every day in 2024 and conduct inspections of Japanese fishing boats in the sea area, if necessary.

In 2023, Chinese vessels were spotted near the Senkakus on 352 days, hitting a record-high figure since Japan brought the islets under state control in 2012.

Among China Coast Guard vessels that issued warnings to SDF aircraft while sailing in the contiguous zone outside Japanese territorial waters was a ship equipped with a 76-millimeter rapid-fire gun with a range of about a dozen kilometers, according to the sources.

The row over the Senkakus has been a longstanding source of tension between the two Asian neighbors. Since the escalation of the situation in 2012, Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly intruded into Japanese waters near the islands.

Related coverage:

Record 87% of Japanese "do not feel friendly" toward China: survey

China's Xi Jinping says reunification inevitable, as Taiwan election nears

China plans to keep ships near Senkakus 365 days in 2024
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has cast his ballot in the House of Representatives bye-election for Surulere Federal Constituency 1.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who was accompanied by Wasiu Eshinlokun, a senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, voted around 11 a.m. at Polling Unit 014 Elizabeth Fowler, Ward 08.

Speaking with journalists after voting, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives assured that President Tinubu remains committed to solving the lingering issue of insecurity in the country.

President Tinubu has his gaze fixed on solving that problem. Weve had this issue for years, not just in the last government. Now, we have somebody who will address those issues positively. But, it is not going to be a walk in the pack. It is important that we come together as Nigerians, he said.

Mr Gbajabiamilas seat in the lower chamber became vacant following his appointment as the Chief of Staff by President Tinubu.

The candidates vying to replace Gbajabiamila are Fuad Kayode Laguda of the All Progressives Congress, Adeola Adebanjo Damilola of the Labour Party; Afemighie Jerry of the Peoples Democratic Party; Jonathan Ololade of All Progressives Grand Alliance; Samuel Uchechi Ekwuruke of Allied Peoples Movement, and Yinusa Musa Adisa of the Action Peoples Party.

Others include Muyiwa Adedeji of Social Democratic Party, Oluwole Austine Brito of the Young Progressives Party, and Akinyemi Da-Silva of Accord Party, among others.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES observed that residents did not fully comply with the restriction of vehicular movement order in the election area, as announced by the Lagos State Police Command.

Private vehicles, commercial buses and tricycles were seen flouting the order.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba state has denied pressurising the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Innocent Jabayang, to step down for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sadik Tafida, in Saturdays bye election for Jalingo/Yorro and Zing federal constituency of Taraba State.

The CAN chairman, Magaji Jirapye, dismissed the speculation in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday in Jalingo, the state capital.

The ongoing bye-election followed the death of Ismaila Maihanchi who won the February 25, 2023 election.

Mr Jirapye said Mr Jabayang voluntarily stepped down a few hours to the alection after Governor Agbu Kefas spoke with him. He said CAN was only informed after the decision.

CAN was informed about the decision because of our earlier resolve to support the aspiration of the SDP candidate.

When he willingly decided to withdraw to support the PDP candidate, the governor reached out to us because of our earlier resolve and we held a meeting with the SDP candidate and he confirmed his decision to us.

CAN did not force him to step down. Mr Jipreye said.

Mr Jabayang could not be immediately reached through phone calls and text messages.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that voter turnout was low in the re-run election.

Our correspondent who monitored the election reported that people went about doing their normal activities as if unaware of the exercise.

Though security personnel and INEC ad-hoc staff were on ground at the various polling units visited, there was largely voter apathy.

The major contenders in the election are Sadiq Abbas of the Peoples Democratic Party, Aminu Liman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, and Aminu Malle of the All Progressives Congress.

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The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kebbi, Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa-Danbo, has advised political parties participating in Saturdays re-run and by-elections to accept the outcome of the elections in good fate.

He gave the advice in an interview with journalists at Yauri in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was on an inspection tour of the election at Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency.

Mr Sarkin-Pawa-Danbo said: The contest is between brothers in view of the fact that they are all from the same constituency and all their ambition is to move the area to next level of development.

Therefore, I want to appeal to them to remain as so and respect each others interest for the progress of their area.

I urge the politicians to bear in mind that only God Almighty gives and retrieves power to and from whom He pleases. So, there is no need for do-or-die to grab power, he said.

The commissioner said that he was in Shanga Local Government Area for a similar inspection tour and the exercise was smooth, as there was no report of any hitches, adding that the exercise was also peaceful in Yauri.

We thank God Almighty, everything is going on smoothly, our men were at different polling units very early, election started as scheduled and we have not received any complain on shortage of election materials from any polling unit because election officials were deployed in good time, he said.

According to him, there is no need for anybody to reject the outcome, as long as the exercise is conducted peacefully and if really they need their area to progress.

On performance of INEC officials on duty, the REC commended their zeal and determination to ensure a hitch-free exercise and appealed to them to sustain the tempo toward making it more credible.

Sarkin-Pawa-Danbo also appealed to the electorate to call themselves to order.

We are all Nigerians and we have no other country than it, as such, we have to do everything possible to protect our motherland. (NAN)

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The rerun election for the Keana Constituency seat in Nasarawa State on Saturday witnessed a large turnout of voters in Agaza ward. The voters showed eagerness to exercise their franchise.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the exercise in the five polling units where election held, reports that voters were seen on queue as early as 7 a.m. waiting for the poll to commence at 8:30 a.m.

At Kofar Sarki polling unit 001, Kofar Inuwa unit 002, Central Primary School A unit 003, Central Primary School B unit, 004, voters conducted themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner.

NAN reports that accreditation and voting began simultaneously at about 8:30 a.m. in all polling units amidst tight security presence.

Some voters who spoke to NAN after casting their votes, expressed satisfaction with the process and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Abel Kuza, a voter, said that he was impressed with how fast he was accredited using the Bimodal Voter Accredited System (BVAS) machine.

Another voter, Sadiya Umar, said that unlike in the past, electoral material and officials arrived early for the rerun election and voting began at the stipulated time.

Ms Umar also commended the security arrangement put in place, with a joint team of various security agencies geared towards ensuring a hitch-free election.

Shehu El-Wahab, INECs Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state and Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, were also on ground to monitor the exercise.

The duo assured of their commitment to ensure a transparent and peaceful conduct of the election, while expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the voters. (NAN)

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IN THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA

IN THE UYO JUDICIAL DIVISION

HOLDEN AT UYO

BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP HON. JUSTICE M. A. NAMTARI

DATE: 23RDJANUARY, 2020 SUIT NO: NICN/UY/33/2017

BETWEEN:

DR. INIH A. EBONG ....CLAIMANT

AND

1. UNIVERSITY OF UYO

2. MR. PETER JEROME EFFIONG

(REGISTRAR & SECRETARY TO COUNCIL DEFENDANTS

UNIVERSITY OF UYO)

3. THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

(UNIVERSITY OF UYO:

REPRESENTATION

Nsikak Effiong with Imabong Ukanna and Iberitam Abasi Ofon for the Claimant.

Inibong Okon with A.C. Ohia For Defendants.

JUDGMENT

This case has a protracted history. It was originally instituted sometimes in 2002 at the Federal High Court, Calabar with Suit no. FHC/CA/CS/58/2002. Upon the creation of Uyo division of the Federal High Court, the case was transferred to the Federal High Court, Uyo and given Suit no. FHC/UY/CS/144/2003. At the end of trial, judgment was entered for the Claimant after which an appeal was entered at the Court of Appeal, Calabar in Appeal No. CA/C/164/2012.The appeal was allowed and the action was transferred from the Federal High Court, Uyo to this Court for trial de novo. The case was registered as Suit No. NICN/UY/12/2015and came up for mention on 13thOctober, 2015. On 26th September, 2017 with the leave of court, the suit was withdrawn. On 22nd November, 2017 the Claimant refiled the Suit as Suit No. NICN/UY/33/2017 praying for the following reliefs against the Defendants as follows:

(a) A declaration that the stoppage of the Claimants salary, the indefinite suspension of him from duties, and the purported termination of his appointment, by the Defendants without due process were malicious, ultra vires; and unlawful, and therefore null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

(b) A declaration that the indefinite suspension of the Claimant from duties for taking his employer to court was a flagrant breach of the Claimants right of access to court, and is therefore unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

(c) A declaration that the purported termination of the Claimants appointment by the Defendants was actuated by malice, improper motives and bad conscience.

(d) A mandatory order compelling the Defendants, their servants, agents, assigns, and privies, howsoever known or called to withdraw forthwith their letter with reference number UU/REG/76/Vol.1/52 dated 28th March, 2002 terminating the Claimants appointment and reinstate the Claimant to his duty post with effect from 28th March, 2002 when they terminated his appointment and, further, to restore the Claimants salary that was stopped; withdraw forthwith their indefinite suspension of the Claimant from duties, and pay to the Claimant all the salaries, allowances and non-pecuniary entitlements accruing to him since 1st August, 2001 when his salary was stopped and from 28th March, 2002 when his appointment was wrongfully and unlawfully terminated.

(e) An order that the Defendants pay in addition to the Claimant the equivalent of his full annual salaries and allowances for the 2001/2002, 2007/2008 and 2014/2015 academic years, being the academic years the Claimant should have proceeded on Sabbatical leave in accordance with the terms and conditions of his employment, had the Defendants not unlawfully suspended him indefinitely from duties and terminated his appointment.

(f) An order that the Defendants approve and allow the Claimant to take and enjoy his accumulated annual leave of 30 working days a year from May, 1995 when he joined the service of the 1st Defendant, and his research leave of 26 days a year from May, 1995 when he joined the service of the 1st Defendant.

(g) N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) damages for violation of the Claimants fundamental right to fair hearing and right of access to court.

(h) N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) aggravated damages.

(i) N100,000,00.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) exemplary damages.

The Claimant opened his case on the 16thOctober, 2018 and tendered fifty four (54) (Exhibits CW1  CW54) and was cross examined on the 24thJanuary, 2019 and 5th May, 2019. On the other hand, the Defendants opened their defence on the 3rdJuly, 2019 and tendered three (3) documents as Exhibits (DW1-DW3) through a lone witness, Otu Etukudo, Esq. who was cross examined on 4thJuly, 2019 and 5th July, 2019. The matter was adjourned to October 23, 2019 for adoption of Final Written Addresses. And the Defendants Written Address was filed on the 23rdNovember, 2019 while that of the Claimant was filed only on 5thNovember, 2019. Parties adopted their Final Written Addresses on 18th November, 2019.

The Case of the Claimant

The Claimant was appointed as a Senior Lecturer by the 1st Defendant by a letter No. UU/REG/DPA/SE/8/VOL.6/280 dated 8/3/1995 under the terms and conditions applicable in Federal Universities in Nigeria. The Claimant accepted the appointment by a letter dated 30/3/1995 and reported on 2/5/1995. The Claimant worked assiduously for the1st Defendant and rose to the position of the Head of Department of Theatre Arts, from April 23, 1997 to October 11, 2000 when he voluntarily resigned. The Claimant was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Theatre Arts by the 1st Defendant on December 28, 2001. However, problems began to set in between the Defendants and the Claimant for his refusal to belong to a group of colleagues who bitterly wanted to oust the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant, Prof. Fola Lasisi from office and to compromise academic standards.

The Claimant who had never gone on annual leave since employment on 3rdSeptember, 1999, applied for deferment of his leave pursuant to the 1st Defendants policy directive but the requests was refused for being against the policy of the 1st Defendant with an advise that leave should be taken as and when due and when the academic session will be in progress. Based on the above, the Claimant timeously applied for his annual leave on 11thJune, 2001, through the Head of Department of Theatre Arts, who recommended on 12thJune, 2001 and it was approved by the 2nd Defendant on June 22, 2001. The leave was to run from 1stAugust, 2001 to 12thSeptember, 2001 and was issued with a Leave Certificate endorsed by the Head of Department and the Registrar thereon. No sooner had the Claimant embarked on leave than the Defendants to stop the Claimants salary on 31stAugust, 2001 with retrospective effect from 1stAugust, 2001, the day the leave commenced. On 12thSeptember, 2001, the Claimant resumed for work and notified the Defendants accordingly. The Claimant had prior to resumption for duties, written to the Defendants on 7thSeptember, 2001 to protest the stoppage of his salary. On receipt of this letter, the Defendants wrote to the Claimant accusing him of abandonment of duty and threatening to take severe disciplinary action against him to which the Claimant promptly responded by explaining the circumstances that led to his going on the annual leave for 2001.

Thereafter, the Defendants, in a manner suggestive of a premeditated act, belatedly constituted a panel to investigate the allegation of abandonment of duty by the Claimant on 15thOctober, 2001. The Panel absolved the Claimant of wrongdoing on the issue and recommended the reversal of the directive stopping his salary. But the Defendants not only refused to implement the recommendation of their own panel but suspended the Claimant indefinitely for instituting the said suit against them without their consent or resigning. This was in flagrant breach of the Claimants fundamental right of access to court and without affording the Claimant an opportunity to defend himself or be heard.

The Claimant was, thereupon, invited to appear before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee over an allegation of Walking out on a Panel of Investigation. Even though the letter of invitation was dated 25th January, 2002, it was served on the Claimant at 8.20a.m for him to appear by 10:00a.m the same day. The Claimant promptly reacted to this late invitation by writing Exhibit DW2 and also appearing in person to raise objections on the composition of the panel and was never invited to the Panel again. The Claimant pointed out the double standard for suspending him and placing him on half salary for challenging the action in court while nothing was done to the 2nd Defendant (also member of the panel) and other staff who instituted a case (Suit No. HC/438/1999) against the 1st Defendant.

It was the case of the Claimant that even though the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee was not properly constituted as mandatorily required by law, it produced, a report of sort, which recommended that Panel of Prof. E. D. Qkon should be reconstituted on the basis that, it could not give fair hearing to the appellants.

It is against this background that the Defendants without any notice, proceeded to terminate the appointment of the Claimant for serious misconduct, even when he was allegedly investigated for gross misconduct. To the Claimant, the stoppage of salary, suspension and eventual termination of appointment, did not comply strictly with the terms and conditions of services of employment as provided in Exhibit CW4.The Claimant has suffered hugely by the acts of the Defendants in material, financial and emotional terms hence this action with all the attendant reliefs.

The Case of the Defendant

The Claimant was until 28th March, 2002, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts of the 1st Defendant. The case of the Defendants is that following the allegations of misconduct levelled against the Claimant, two investigative panels were set up at various times to investigate the conduct of the Claimant regarding:

a) Allegations of abandonment of duty from 1st August 2001 to September 12, 2001.

b) Allegation of sexual harassment of a female student.

The 1st panel absolved the Claimant on the ground that though, it was wrong by virtue of the Conditions of Service of the 1st Defendant for the Claimant, a Senior Academic Staff to proceed on leave while School was in session without any arrangement as to his students academic activities; the Claimant couldnt be totally condemned since he had not gone for long vacation for some times. On the date of sitting of the 2nd panel to investigate alleged sexual harassment of a female student, the Claimant appeared before the panel and walked out on the panel.

It is the case of the Defendants that in accordance with the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the 1st Defendant particularly Chapter 2.22, Defendants duly constituted a Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee to review the Reports of the two panels. The Claimant was duly invited to appear before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee by a letter dated 25th January, 2002 which the Claimant received and replied by a letter dated 28thJanuary, 2002. It is the further case of the Defendants that the Claimant appeared before this Committee only at its first meeting and abandoned the proceedings. The Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee stayed action on the allegation of abandonment of duty as a result of the action instituted by the Claimant challenging stoppage of his salary. As for the allegation of sexual harassment in which the Claimant walked out on the panel, the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the 1stDefendant stated in its report that was admitted in evidence as follows:

A panel of investigation headed by Prof E. D. Okon had been directed by the Vice-Chancellor to look into a report of sexual harassment against Dr. Inih Ebong. Dr. Inih Ebong walked out on the panel. He was earlier condoned for a similar act. This action constituted gross misconduct.

It was on the basis of the Report of all the panels set up to investigate the Claimants acts of misconduct particularly the one he walked out on and subsequently the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee which he shunned their subsequent meetings, that the 3rd Defendant in its 32nd meeting held on 27th March, 2002 decided that the Services of the Claimant was no longer required by the Defendants. Hence the termination of the Claimants appointment on 28thMarch, 2002.

Defendants Submission:

The Defendant formulated four (4) issues for determination, to wit:

1. Whether by virtue of the unsigned writ & summons by which this present Suit was commenced as Suit No. FHC/OVCS/58/2002 at the Federal High Court, Calabar; all subsequent proceedings founded on that writ of summons including this present action is not incompetent which incompetence robs this Honourable Court of jurisdiction

2. If the answer to question one (1) above is resolved to the effect that the proceedings before this Honourable Court is an entirely new action; whether this present action is not statute barred regard being had to the Public Officers Protection Act.

3. Whether the Claimant has established that his employment with the 1st Defendant was terminated in breach of the Conditions of Service of the 1st Defendant?

4. Whether or not the Claimant was granted fair hearing before his appointment was terminated?

The Defendants argued issues 1 and 2 together. It is the contention of the Defendants that the suit which this court inherited was not commenced and was neither signed by the Claimant or any Legal Practitioner thereby robbing this court the requisite jurisdiction to entertain it.

The Defendants submitted that the Claimants, having admitted in their pleadings particularly paragraph 24 that the instant Suit is a continuation of Suit No. FHC/CA/CS/58//2002, whatever defect is found to be inherent in the said suit would invariably affect the present suit like a virus.

The Defendants submitted that any such process not signed by a Legal Practitioner or the litigating party is invalid and the jurisdiction of the court is ousted. In support of this proposition of the law, the Defendants cited the case of Aaron Karma & 4ors v. Isaiah Samuel (2013) 7 NWLR (Pt 1352) pg. 19 6 43 paras. A-C, where it was held thus:

Once an Originating Process, be it Writ of Summons or Notice of Appeal is not signed or authenticated either by the Litigating Party or the Legal Practitioner on his behalf, then the Process is invalid and the Jurisdiction of the Court is ousted. The defect is taken as incurable and the process signed in the name of the Legal Firm will not suffice.

The Defendants further cited the cases of Alhaji Tajudeen Baba Tunde Hamzat & Anor v. Alhaji Saliu Ireyemi Sanni (2015) 5 NWLR (PT. 1453) P. 486 505 paras F; 506 paras A-C;507 para D-F. and Dr. Tunji Braithwaite v. Skye Bank Plc (2013) 5 N.W.L.R (PT.1348) Pg.1@ p .15 paras. D-E.

It is therefore the submission of the Defendants that since the Claimant commenced this action by an invalid Writ of Summons, all other accompanying processes as well as evidence led in respect thereof cannot stand as the Claimant cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. The Defendants also placed reliance on the locus classicus case of Madukolu v. Nkemdilim (1962) 2 SCNLR 341 to the effect that the Jurisdiction of a Court can only be exercised when the case comes before the court initiated by the due process of law and upon the fulfilment of any condition precedent to the exercise of Jurisdiction.

The Defendants further submitted that lack of signing an Originating Processes is not an issue of technicality and as such is incurable as strongly held by the Supreme Court in the case of First Bank Plc v. Maiwaida (supra) as follows:

The Legal Practitioners Act seeks to make Legal Practitioners responsible and accountable more especially in modern times. There is nothing technical in insisting that a Legal Practitioner should abide by the dictates of the Law in signing Court Processes. The issue is not in the domain of public policy. The Convenience of Counsel should have no pre-eminence over the dictates of the Law. The law as enacted should be followed.

Similarly, the Defendants contended that the instant action is incompetent as the three months period prescribed by the Public Officers Protection Act, Cap. P41 within which the action can be commenced had long expired.

On the authority of the recent case of University of Jos v. Dr. M. C. Ikegwuoha (2013) 9 NWLR (P1.1360) p. 478 R. 1, the Defendants submitted that itis now firmly established that Federal Universities in Nigeria are Public Officers within the meaning of the Public Officers (Protection) Act.

The Defendants asked when did the cause of action in this suit arise and when did the Claimants approach this Court? For an answer, the Defendants proffered the definition of cause of action in the Supreme Court case of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc v. Romanus C. Umeoduagu (2004) 11 MJSC 127 :

The combination of facts and circumstances giving rise to the right to file a claim in court for a remedy. It includes all things which are necessary to give a right of action  and every material fact which is to be proved to entitle the Plaintiff to succeed.

The Defendants therefore posited that a cause of action accrues on the date on which the incident giving rise to the cause of action arose and statute of limitation begins to run from the moment the cause of action arose, citing Okenwa v. Military Governor of Imo State (1997)6 NWLR (P1507) P.154 at 167.

Applying the above to the facts of the instant case, the Defendants noted that the grudge the Claimant is the termination of his appointment dated 28th March, 2002 and submitted that having waited for 14 years before approaching this Court, the Claimant has lost his right of action if any, relying on the case of Cross River University of Technology (Crutech) v. Obeten (2011) 15 NWLR PT. 1271.

Finally on the point, the Defendants submitted that under the circumstance, the proper order for the Court to make is that of dismissal as in Cross River University of Technology (Crutech) v. Obeten (supra).

On issue three, the Defendants submitted that in determining the appointment of the Claimant, the Defendants complied with the spirit and letters of the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the University of Uyo 1998to the hilt. Quoting the Chapter 2, 21 of the Regulation 770111, the Defendants submitted that to terminate the appointment of an Academic Staff like the Claimant, the 1st Defendant must:

(i) Set up a joint Committee appointed by the Council and the Senate and at least one-third of its members must be appointed by the senate and,

(ii) The person concerned, has if he so request be permitted to appear to defend himself either in person or through his representative.

(iii) And the report of the Committee should be considered by senate and ultimately the Governing Council which shall take appropriate action.

It is the further contention of the Defendants that the 1st Defendant complied with the above provisions in terminating the appointment of the Claimant by the following actions:

1. Setting up investigative panels to investigate various acts of misconduct levelled against the Claimant.

2. The panels invited the Claimant, took evidence and submitted its reports to a Joint Committee appointed by the Senate which is also christened Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.

3. The Joint Committee duly invited the Claimant who not only replied to the letter of invitation but attended the sitting of the Committee once.

4. A report of this Committee was eventually presented to the senate and ultimately the Governing Council being the highest decision making body in the University.

5. The Council considered all the Reports and came to a conclusion that the services of the Claimant was no longer required.

Having followed the above procedure, it is the submission of the Defendants that the termination of the Claimant employment was lawful and without reproach particularly given the position of the law that once an employer complies with the terms of its contract with its employee it can terminate the services of the Employee and the Court will have no business with the motive behind the termination of such contract relying on the case of Fakuade v. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Management Board (1993) 5 NWLR (Pt 291) 47.

The Defendants strongly maintained that the walking away from the panel set to investigate his alleged act of sexual misconduct constituted gross misconduct which is enough to earn the Claimant a dismissal as in the case of Teliat Sule v. Nigerian Cotton Board (1985) 6 5012, where Obaseki, J.S.C (as he then was) stated:

When a Servant grows too big to obey his master, the Honourable course open to him is to resign in order to avoid unpleasant consequences should an occasion which calls for obedience be serviced with disobedience both common law and statutes law brook no disobedience of lawful order from any servant, high or low, big or small such conduct normally or usually attracts the penalty of summary dismissal. Disobedience ranks as one of the worst form of misconduct in any establishments.

On the contention by the Claimant that the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee was not properly constituted as there being no representation of Senate on the Committee., the Defendants advanced that nothing could be farther from the truth as this much was admitted by the Claimant himself when confronted with the names of the Representatives of the Senate as clearly spelt out on Exhibit C41.

The Defendants also argued that by- virtue of Section 4 (m) of Exhibit C4, misconduct by an employee of the 1st Defendant is construed to include, acts that embarrasses officers, Committees, Senate or Council of the 1st Defendant and that that if the Governing Council of the 1st Defendant comes to a conclusion that the act of walking out on a panel set up by the 1st Defendant by the Claimant is embarrassing enough to amount to misconduct warranting the disengagement of the Claimant from the services of the 1st Defendant; it does not lie in the mouth of the Claimant nor this Court with respect to state otherwise. The rationale for this, according to the Defendants is that the right to discipline any employee of the 1st Defendant including suspension is sacrosanct, once the rules, of engagement have been duly complied with. It is therefore the further submission of the Defendants that an employer can suspend his employee pending investigation of any allegation against him and such suspension will not give rise to an action by virtue of the cases of Ayewa v. University of Jos (2000) 6 NWLR (Pt. 659) Pg 142 Para F-L; Amadiume v. Ibok (2006) 6 NWLR (P7975) P. 158 R. 4; Longe v. First Bank of Nigeria Plc (2010) 6 NWLR (P7 1189) Pg. 1 060 Para E.

By way of conclusion, the Defendants reproduced extensively the report of the Governing Council on the Claimant on page 38 of Exhibit C 41 as follows:

The Registrar thereafter presented a report on gross misconduct by Dr. Inih A. Ebong to the Council. The report catalogued Dr. Ebongs acts of gross misconduct since his employment by the University of Uyo in 1995. Council observed among other things that:

i. Dr. Ebong has caused lots of problems in the Department of theatre Arts;

ii. He was very rude to the constituted authorities of the University and consistently undermined the authority of Investigation Panels set up by Management to look into cases involving him. He either bluntly refused to appear before such panels or when he did, he would abuse the members and would walk out on them. The cases of Prof. E.D Okon and Prof. E.O. Ekpos Panels were cited.

iii. He volunteered the information that he had faced thirteen (13) different panels in the University within his short stay.

Council considered the report of Prof. E. D Okons panel in which Dr. Ebong was indicted for walking out on the panel. Prof. Okons Panel was investigating a case of sexual harassment preferred against Dr. Ebong. The Panel had recommended his dismissal from service in line with Public Service Rules. Council expressed dismay at the consistent and flagrant acts of gross misconduct displayed Dr. Ebong and decided that Dr. Ebongs services were no longer required in the University. Council approved the termination of his appointment with immediate effect.

Finally on the point, the Defendants submitted that it ought not to keep an employee with these damning report in its employ and urged the court to hold that the 1stDefendant was justified in terminating the Appointment of the Claimant having complied with the spirit a letter of the Condition of Service that governed the Claimants employment.

On issue four, which is whether the Claimant was granted fair hearing before his appointment was terminated, the Defendants contended that the Claimant was afforded all the opportunity to defend himself, some of which he utilized and others he spurned.

The Defendants thereafter recounted how two panels were constituted to 1ook into the allegations against the Claimant and how the Claimant attended the panel that looked into abandonment of duty made a short representation and left and how the Claimant attended the second panel on sexual harassment and walked out on the panel mid-way into the sitting. The Defendants also recalled the setting up of a third panel, the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (also called the joint Committee of the Council and Senate) as prescribed by the Regulations Governing Senior Staff of the 1st Defendant wherein a formal invitation letter was sent to the Claimant only for him to reply vide a letter dated 28th January, 2012, appear once before the Committee and no more.

To the Defendants, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

a) If the Claimant was not given a hearing, how come he gave evidence before the panel on abandonment of duty? Did he deny appearing before that panel?

b) What happened to the reply written by the Claimant to the letter of invitation sent to him to appear before the Senior Staff disciplinary Committee? Did he deny writing the said letter or appearing before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee once?

c) Was it not only the panel set to investigate allegations of sexual harassment that he denied appearing before even in the face of the Report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee before the Court?

Referring to the cases of S & D Construction Company Limited v. Chief Bayo Ayoku & Anor (2011) 13 NWLR (PE 1265) Pg. 487 Particularly at Page 509 Paragraph E-Fand Omo v. Judicial Service Commission Delta State (2000) 12 NWLR. (PE 682) 444, the Defendants submitted that the position of the law is that a party who had opportunity of being heard but failed to utilise same cannot complain of breach of fair hearing.

Having noted that the panels in the instant case were merely administrative panels, the Defendants submitted that where a body as a panel of inquiry acts in an administrative and not in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity, the need for a hearing is satisfied by an opportunity to make representations, written or oral to the body. The essential thing is that the body gives a fair opportunity to the person to be affected to present his own side of the case. This is the case of Udo v. Cross Rover State Newspaper Corporation (2001) 14 NWLR (Pt. 732) P. 116 @ 153, 154.

By way of conclusion, the Defendants posited that the Claimants appointment was lawfully terminated and accordingly this action deserves to fail.

Claimants Submission

The Claimant formulated three (3) issues for determination as follows:

1. Whether the Suit, as it is presently constituted, is incompetent.

2. Whether in the circumstances of this case, the Defendants had complied strictly with the conditions of service before stopping the Claimants salary, suspending him from duties and terminating his appointment.

3. Whether the Claimant is entitle to the reliefs sought.

On issue one (1) which is whether this Suit as it is presently constituted is incompetent, the Claimant noted that the Defendants challenged the competence of the suit on two prongs: The non-signing of the Writ of summons of the previous Suit transferred from the Court of Appeal, Calabar which led to the institution of Suit No. NICN/UY/12/2015 and the three months period prescribed by the Public Officers Protection Act, Cap. P41 within which the action can be commenced had expired.

The Claimant stressed the importance of jurisdiction as enunciated in the case of Madukolu v. Nkemdilim (1962) 1 SCNLR 341 and responded to the Defendants position in turns. On the issue of non-signing of the writ, the Claimant asserted that jurisdiction is a question of law relying on Heritage Bank Ltd. v. Benthworth Finance Nig. Ltd (2019) All FWLR (Pt. 997)1 at 23, line G; Attorney General, Kwara State & Anor v. Adeyemo & Ors (2016) 7 SC (Pt. 11) 149and submitted that the law establishing and creating this Court is donated, both by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the National Industrial Court Act (Third Alteration) Act, 2011 (sic) as distinct from the law establishing the Federal High Court. It is the further submission of the Claimant that the jurisdiction of this court is as donated by section 254C of the National Industrial Court (Third Alteration) Act, 2011 (sic) which does not confer it with unlimited powers to determine claims or matters relating to the interpretation and application of the rules of any other Court, be it Federal or State. It is therefore the submission of the Claimant that the argument canvassed by the Defendants that the unsigned Writ of Summons issued as Suit No. FHC/CA/CS/58/2002 by the Federal High Court, Calabar on June 27, 2002 was incompetent is an attempt to invite this Court to interpret and apply the law and the rules of another Court which is not allowed in law. The Claimant cited the case of Onagoruwa v. IGP (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt.193) 593 at 636 ratio 12, where it was held thus:

In law, a Court of law is basically and generally bound by the law establishing it and not that establishing some other Court. While a Court exercising an appellate jurisdiction can draw attention to a lower Court for act complying with a provision of a statute establishing it in the process of invoking its interpretative jurisdiction, it is not competent to make use of a section of that statute as if it is bound by it.

It is also submitted by the Claimant that the Writ of Summons dated June 27, 2002 issued in Suit No. FHC/CA/CS/58/2002 was validly issued as required by the provisions of Order 6 Rule 13 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2000 which provided thus:

Issue of a Writ takes place upon its being signed by the Judge in Chambers.

On the cases cited by the Defendants is support of their position on this, the Claimant taking refuge in the cases of Emeka v. Okadigbo (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 651) 1426and Adedara v. Arowoio (2014) All FWLR (Pt. 761) 1536 at 1558, ratio 1 submitted that cases are only authority for what they decides and that for cases to be binding on Courts, it must relate to the facts of the case. The Claimant advanced that the modern approach adopted by the Supreme Court in the case of Akeredolu v. Abraham (2019) All FWLR (Pt. 998) 179, is that it is no longer opened to the Court to apply principles of law without scant reference to the facts of the case cited and the prevailing circumstance of the case under consideration. It was held at 221, lines B as follows:

It is trite law that legal principles established in decided authorities are not to be applied across board and in all matters without regard to the facts and issues submitted for adjudication in a particular case. Secondly, each case remains authority for what it decided. Therefore, an earlier decision of this Court will only bind the Court and subordinate Courts in subsequent case if the facts and the law which informed the earlier decision are the same or similar to those in the subsequent case. Where the facts and/or legislation which are to inform the decision in the subsequent case lifter from those which informed the Courts earlier decision, the earlier decision cannot serve as a precedent to the subsequent one.

Applying the above principles to the facts of the instant case, the Claimant observed and argued as follows. First, unlike the issue before this Court, in all the cases cited, the issue was the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of Section 2 (1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004 from where the Rules of the Federal High Court on signing of the Writ of Summons derives its validity and force. Second, and most importantly, the principles of law enunciated in these cases are in relation to processes filed by a legal practitioner, without more. Third, the true intent and purpose of the principles in the earlier cases cited are only intended to protect the legal profession, not the ways of a litigant who seeks justice in the court. This is even so in the case of Ministry of Works & Transport, Adamawa State & Ors v. Yakubu pon) at 53 NSCQR (Pt. 11) 1 at 18-19cited by the Defendants, where the Supreme Court held thus:

It is not in doubt that the provisions of the law cited above are meant to protect the legal profession. To ensure that no person other than a lawyer whose name is on the call roll sign legal documents and eliminate impersonators and fake lawyers from legal practice.

Four, none of the cases cited and relied upon by the Defendants had decided any issue concerning or arising from a case transferred from the Court of Appeal to this court for trial denovo or the validity or otherwise of a prior process in the subsequent trial or on the basis of a writ of summons issued under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2000 by a Plaintiff in person.

On the issue of this action being statute barred, the Claimant posited that this court having ruled previously that the suit was instituted within time and not statute barred per Exhibit CW49, the Defendants wanted another bite at the cherry, the implication of which amounted to inviting this Court to sit on appeal over its decision. Referring to paragraph 3 (c) of the Reply to Statement of Defence and the proceedings of September 26, 2017, the Claimant urged the court to be bound its record as constituting resjudicata as the Defendants cannot easily resurrect the ghost of an issue that was long buried in the labyrinth of the past. To the Claimant, the law is settled that, an issue that has been resolved and settled by the Court between the parties cannot be re-litigated again as it constituted issue estoppel in accordance with the case of Polyvalent (Mg.) Ltd. & Ors v. Akin Akinbote(2010) 8.NWLR pt. 1197) 506 at 519.

Not only that, the Claimant submitted that on the authorities of Addax Petroleum Development (Nig.) Ltd. v. Emef International Operations (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 621) 1585 at1596 ratio 3and Sifax (Nig.) Ltd v. Migfo (Nig.) Ltd (2015) All FWLR (Pt. 803) 1857 at 1901,a suit that was filed within time and later struck out and re-filed is not caught up by the Public Officers Protection Act. It was held in Sifax (Nig.) Ltd v. Migfo (Nig.) Ltd (supra) at 1901 ratio 8, thus:

Where an aggrieved person commences an action within the period prescribed by statute and such action is subsequently struck out for one reason or the other without being heard on the merit or subjected to an outright dismissal, such an action is still open to be recommenced at the instance of the Claimant and the limitation period shall not count during the pending of the earlier Suit. In other words, computation of time during the pendency of an action shall remain frozen from the filing of the action until it is determined or abates.

It is also the contention of the Claimant that the argument of the Defendants on the issue can no longer be an issue for debate given the position of the law which has since navigated the ocean of rigidity has berthed at the shore of flexibility. To buttress this, the Claimant cited the case of Osun State Government v. D. N. Ltd (2007) 17 WRN 1 at 16, ratio 2, where the Supreme Court held thus:

It is now settled that Section 2 of the Public Officers (Protection) Act does not apply to cases of contract.

This principle of law has been re-echoed by the Supreme Court in the recent case of N.R.M.A.F.C v. Johnson (2019) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1656) 246 at 269 270,1ines H-A, G, where the law was put in its proper perspective thus:

Ordinarily, the purpose of the Public Officer Protection law is to protect officers in civil liability for any wrongdoing that occasions damages to any citizen, if the action is not instituted within three months after the act, default or neglect complained of. The law is said to be designed to protect only officer, who acts in good faith and does not apply to acts done in abuse of office and without semblance of legal justification. There is no doubt, a careful reading of the respondents claim will show clearly that it is on contract of service. It is now law settled that section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Act does not apply to cases of contract.

The Claimants issue no. 2 is whether in the circumstances of this case, the Defendants had complied strictly with the conditions of service before stopping the Claimants salary, suspending him from duties and terminating his appointment. The Claimant answered in the negative. Asserting that the law is settled that parties are bound by their pleadings as in the cases of Sapo & Anor v. Sunmonu (2010-2013) 6 SOL 78 at 85; Kyari v. Alkali (2001) 11 NWLR (Pt. 724) 412 at 433-434 paras H-A; Ngige v. Obi (2006) 14 NWLR (Pt. 999) 1 at 141, the Claimant reeled out the pertinent paragraphs the Statement of Facts, Statement of Defence and Reply to the Statement of Defence which represented the substance of the claim against the Defendants. These were paragraphs 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 of his Statement of Facts and paragraphs 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10 the Statement of Defence.

Noting that the law is settled that cases are decided on the facts before the Court as in Buhari v. INEC (2009) 7 WRN 1 at 122 ratio 20, the Claimant submitted that from the facts pleaded in this case, it is safe to assert, as proved and establish that, parties are agreed that, the contract of employment is governed by the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service 1998 (Exhibit CW4). To the Claimant the court is bound to accept the fact as proved because it is not the business of the Court to spend judicial time resolving matters not in dispute relying on the case of Ogundalu v. Macjob (2015) All FWLR (Pt. 784) 103 at 123 ratio 10.

It is the submission of the Claimant that by the nature of the contract employment which is one with statutory favour, the Defendant must strictly comply with all the terms and conditions of service. For this proposition of the law, the Claimant cited the cases of Shitta-Bey v. The Federal Public Service Commission (1981) 1 SC 40; Olaniyan v. University of Lagos (1985) 2 NNLR (Pt. 9) 599; Ekpereokun v. University of Lagos (1986) 4 NINR (Pt. 34); Bakare v. L.S.C.S.C. (1992) 8 (Pt. 252) 641; CBN v. Igwillo (2007) 147 LRCN 913; SPDCN v. Olarenwaju (2009) 6 WRN 72.The Claimant further quoted the Court of Appeal in the recent case of University of Uyo v. Dr. E. P. Akpan (2014) All FWLR (Pt. 736) 472 at 515, thus:

When an office or employment has a statutory flavour in the sense that, its conditions of service are provided for and protected by statute or regulations made thereunder, any person holding that office or in that employment enjoys a special status over and above the ordinary master and servant relationship. In the matter of discipline of such a person, the procedure laid down by the applicable statute or regulations must be fully complied with. If materially contravened, any decision affecting the right of reputation or tenure of office of that person may be declared null and void in an appropriate proceeding.

It is the contention of the Claimant in this case that, the Defendants did not comply with the terms and conditions of service of his employment before stopping his salary, suspending him from duties and terminating his appointment. Having noted that both the Claimant and Defendants relied on the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service 1998 (Exhibit CW4) as the centre-piece of all their arguments in this case, the Claimant set out the provisions of Paragraph 2.21 at Page 8 of the document thus:

The appointment of any member of the academic staff who, holds an appointment until retiring age shall not be determined by the Council unless there has been an investigation relating to his case by a Joint Committee nominated by the Council and the Senate of which Joint Committee, at least one third of the members, have been appointed by Senate and the person concerned, has, if he so requests, been permitted to appear to defend himself in person or through his chosen representative before the Joint Committee, and the report of the Joint Committee considered by the Senate and by the Council which shall take an appropriate decision on the case.

To demonstrate that the above provisions were not followed, the Claimant submitted that his salary was wrongfully stopped vide Exhibit CW13after he validly obtained permission and approval to embark on his annual leave for 2001 vide Exhibit CW11 which was endorsed by the 3rd Defendant. Since the Defendants have in nowhere repudiated the validity and content of Exhibit CW11, the Claimant urged the court accept as credible calling in support the recent case of Solomon v. Monday (2015) All FWLR (Pt. 762) 1695-1720, where it was held thus:

Documentary evidence if not challenged in any manner pejorative to its integrity and authenticity must be believed and accepted.

The Claimant also posited that the Report of the Investigation Panel of the Case of Abandonment of Duty (Exhibit CW17) not only supported the evidence of the Claimant but clearly vindicated the Claimant and absolved him of any blame as stated at page 3 thus:

(1) Dr Ebong was authorized by the Registry on the recommendation of the Head of Department to proceed on leave within the period of 1st August to12 September, 2001.

The Claimant further singled out Exhibits CW11 and CW17 as documentary evidence to support the credibility of his evidence, the combined effect of which makes his oral evidence more credible referring to Jolasun v. Bamboye (2010) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1225) 285 at 318-319.Alluding to the principle that documentary evidence is the best evidence as held in the cases of AG, Bendel State & 2 Ors v. United Bank for Africa Ltd (1986) 4 NWLR (Pt. 337) 547 at 563; Egharevba v Osagie (2010) 180 LRCN 75 at 103, ratio 6, the Claimant asserted that these documents cannot be faulted or controverted as documentary evidence carry the heavy weight of a hanger upon which oral evidence is assessed: B. Stabilini & Co. Ltd v. Obasi (1997) 9 NWLR (Pt. 520) 293 at 305.

Thereafter, the Claimant attacked the position of the Defendants that they have followed the provisions of the Rules to the hilt in determining his appointment on three (3) grounds. First, Claimant strongly submitted that the composition of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee is unknown to the regulations of the 1st Defendant (Exhibit CW4). The committee envisaged under section 2.21 (a) of Exhibit CW4 is a Joint Committee to be nominated by Council and the Senate, of which number, at least one third of the members should be nominated by the Senate and not the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee. It is also the submission of the Claimant that, neither the pleadings of the Defendants and the evidence of DW1 have proved or established, in concrete terms, that, the composition of the members in Exhibit DW3was in strict compliance with the regulations. In fact, it is the argument of the Claimant that DW1 did not even know the members of the panel, let alone the number of those that were appointed by the Council or nominated by the Senate to satisfy the mandatory number.

The Claimant contended that general proposition of the law is that the burden of proof lies on that person who would fail if no evidence at all were given on either side referring to section 132 of the Evidence Act, 2011; Olaiya v. Olaiya & Ors (2000-2006) 6 SCE 560.But further contended that it is not static as provided for by section 136 (1) and (2) of the Evidence Act, 2011 thus:

(1) The burden of proof as to any particular fact lies on that person who wishes the Court to believe in its existence unless.

(2) In considering the amount of evidence necessary to shift the burden of proof, regard shall be heard by the Court to the opportunity of knowledge with respect to the fact to be proved which may be possessed by the parties respectively.

Based on the above provision, the Claimant submitted that having denied and refuted the composition of the Joint Committee as provided in paragraph 2.21 (a) of Exhibit CW4, the burden has been shifted to the Defendants, who had the opportunity of knowledge with respect to the fact of the membership of the Committee. According to the Claimant this position has found judicial expression in the Supreme Court case of David Itauma v. Akpe-lme (2000-2006) 6 SOE 184 at 191 where it was held:

In civil cases the burden of proof is not static. While the burden of proof initially lies on the Plaintiff, the proof or rebuttal of issues, which arise in the course of proceedings may shift from the plaintiff to the Defendant and vice versa.

Thereafter the Claimant quoted the answers elicited from DW1 under cross examination on 5th July, 2019 to demonstrate the ignorance of the DW1 on the composition of the committee as follows:

Q: Are you familiar with the composition of the Committee, the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee?

A: As to the names, no. But is usually comprises members of the Senate and Governing Council with the Directorate of Counsel Affairs as the Secretary.

Q. Since you are not familiar with the names, what was the number of the people in the Committee?

A: I cannot recall the number, although there is usually a static number as specified by the law and extant regulation of the school.

Q: Since you do not know the number and the names of the people who constituted the Committee, I will also be correct to say that, you did not know the number of those that were nominated by the Senate?

A: I cannot recall the number.

Arising from the above, it is the submission of the Claimant that the inconsistencies and endless equivocation in the evidence of DW1 have, no doubt, proved that, the testimony of the witness is hearsay and therefore unreliable and that, evidence of a party that is not believed cannot possibly form the foundation of any defence, legal or equitable as in the cases of Kakih v. PDP (2014) 59 NSCQR 1 at 61 and Alade v. Alemuloke & 2 Ors (1988) (Pt. 1) (Reprint) 1 at 8, lines 25-30.

In the further argument of the Claimant that even if the composition of the Committee was faultless, the mere fact that the procedure for the consideration of the report failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.21 (a) of Exhibit CW4render it void ab initio. The Claimant reiterated that under the said paragraph, the report of the joint committee must be considered by the Senate and by Council. The Claimant also asserted that there is evidence which is uncontroverted, that, Exhibit DW3, which is the sole mantra of the Defendants or any other report, was never considered by the Senate of the 1st Defendant before relying upon it to terminate the appointment of the Claimant. The Claimant invited the court to note that even DW1 admitted this under cross examination on 5th July, 2019 thus:

Q: Was the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee considered by the Council?

A: Yes, My Lord, all the reports concerning the Claimant that were made by the Committee were considered at various times.

Q: The proceedings of the Senate of the 1st Defendant are usually recorded?

A: Yes, My Lord.

Q: And it is true that they are reproduced in the form of minutes?

A: Yes, that is correct.

Q: Was the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee considered by the Senate?

A: No, My Lord. The Senate considers only student matters. It is the Governing Council that considers staff matters.

It is therefore the submission of Claimant that unless the report is first considered by the Senate, as mandatorily required; it will be futile if the Council takes a decision there upon as the consideration of the report of the Joint Committee by the Senate is a sine qua non as envisaged by Exhibit CW4. In the case of U.N.T.H.M.B v. Nnoli (1994) 8 NWLR (Pt. 363) 376 at 413, the Supreme Court held thus:

Where a public body fails to comply with certain procedural safeguards in an enabling act or regulation, there is a breach of a duty imposed on it and its decision in such circumstance is ultra vires. To render the decision void, however, the procedural provision must be mandatory and not merely directory. Thus, where the procedural provision is mandatory, a breach of it by the public body renders its decision ultra vires and void.

The Claimant also submitted that since the evidence of DW1 above supported the case of the Claimant, the Court is entitled to rely upon it, without more as stated in the case of Akomolafe v. Guardian Press (2010) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1181) 338 at 351 where it was held:

Evidence elicited from a party or his witness under cross examination, which goes to support the case of the party cross-examining; constitutes evidence in support of the case or defence of the party.

Third, and having regard to Exhibit DW3, the Claimant submitted that there was nothing incriminating or indicting in the report for the 3rd Defendant to have relied upon in terminating the appointment of the Claimant. In fact to the Claimant, the findings and recommendation of the Committee clearly supported the Claimant, in that at page.12, Recommendation No. 2 Exhibit DW3 recommended that the panel headed by Prof. E.D. Okon should be reconstituted because its report misled the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee and Council.

The Claimant also posited that even the content of Exhibits DW3 contradicted CW17. Whereas Exhibit CW 17 at page 2 contains record of proceedings where the Claimant appeared before the Panel and testified, Exhibit DW3, at page 4, (A) (2), it is stated Dr. Inih Ebong was invited to appear before the Committee. He failed to do so.

To the Claimant this contradiction is too material to be ignored and the court is entitled to reject the entire evidence as unproven given the fact that it cannot pick and choose which one to believe relying on Olaiya v. The State (2018) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1626) 1 at 18, line C. and Zakirai v. Muhammed (2017) 70 NSCQR (Pt. 2) 833 at 898, where the Supreme Court held:

The law insists that, where there are material contradictions in the evidence adduced by a party, the Court is enjoined to reject the entire evidence as it cannot pick and choose which of the conflicting version to follow.

Similarly, the Claimant cited the case of Effiom v. C.R.S.I.E.C (2010) All FWLR (Pt. 552)1610 at 1631, ratio 1, in which the Supreme Court held:

Itwill be extremely dangerous to uphold or sustain a claim in the face of glaring and unresolved conflicts in exhibits.

The Claimant accused the Defendants of prevarication or evasiveness and noted the copious reference by the Defendants to the damning report of the panel of investigation of Prof. E. D. Okon on the allegation of sexual harassment against the Claimant but made no effort to tender the report before this court. To the Claimant, the deliberate withholding of the report by the Defendants knowing that if produced, the report would have been unfavourable to them entitled the court invoke the provisions of section 167 (d) of the Evidence Act, 2011; Onwiyuba & Ors v. Obienu & Ors (1989-1992) 3 SCE 574 at 581. The attempt by DW1 to avoid the question by alleging that, some documents were burnt in an inferno according to the Claimant is lame and unassailable as even a Police Extract of the incident was not made.It is therefore the submission of the Claimant that in the absence of the report the Court cannot speculate, after all the Court is an adjudicator and not an investigator. On this, the Claimant referred to the cases of Ajanaku v. Osuma (2014) All FWLR (Pt. 727) 698 at 724and Ogundele v. Agiri (2010) 9 WRN 1 at 35-36, ratio 12.

The Claimant also took a swipe at the manner and procedure the report, Exhibit CW3, was presentedto the 3rd Defendant for being irregular and void. The Claimant also highlighted the disconnection between the report (Exhibit DW3) and the decision taken by the 3rd Defendant in Exhibit CW41.While it was recorded in paragraph 9, pages 16-22 of Exhibit 41 that, the 3rd Defendant received, considered and decided on the report of the Exhibit DW3, paragraph 9.2, pages 20-22 of Exhibit CW41 expressed no decision or comment on the alleged two cases investigated against the Claimant. It is therefore curious that at page 38 paragraph (c) of Exhibit CW41, the 2nd Defendant presented another strange and yet to be identified report on the basis of which the appointment of the Claimant was terminated. The Claimant went ahead to refer to page 38, paragraph (c) of Exhibit CW41 thus:

The Registrar thereafter presented a report on gross misconduct by Dr. Inih A. Ebong to Council. The report catalogued Dr. Ebongs acts of gross misconduct since his employment by the University of Uyo in 1995.

Under the circumstances, the Claimant asked on which of the reports did the 3rd Defendant rely on to terminate the Claimants appointment and submitted that if it is the latter report as presented by the 2nd Defendant, who was not a member of any panel or committee that investigated the Claimant, the purported termination was a nullity ab intio. The reason being that the Claimant cannot be suspended from duty on one allegation, while his appointment was terminated for a different allegation on which he was not heard. The Claimant alleged that there was no report of any panel or Committee set up by the 1st Defendant and headed by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the Claimant for gross misconduct against him and pointed out the laughable and spurious contradiction in which he was accused of gross misconduct, while his appointment was terminated for a case of serious misconduct noting that they are not synonymous.

Noting that the contention of the Defendants that the appointment of the Claimant was validly terminated upon a damning report was to no avail, the Claimant submitted that there was no fair hearing on the allegations which led to his termination. To support this the Claimant submitted that the evidence before this court has shown that none of the allegations were communicated to him in violation of his right to be heard and that this failure to communicate these allegations meant there was a denial of fair hearing. The Claimant found judicial support for this in the cases of PHCN v. Offoelo (2013)16 WRN 28 at 48-49, ratio 2; Tsokwa & Sons Co. Ltd v. CFAD (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 291) 120; Bamboye v. University of Ilorin (1999) 70 LRCN 2146.

On the suspension of the Claimant, it was contended on behalf of the Claimant that it was tainted with illegality and fraught with anomalies. The Claimant admitted that byParagraph 2.25 of Exhibit CW4, the 1st Defendant is empowered to suspend any employee from duties as circumstances and occasion would arise. The Claimant quoted the exact provision of Paragraph 2.25 of Exhibit CW4thus:

A member of staff shall be suspended from duty where a prima facie case (the nature of which is serious) has been established against him and it is considered necessary in the interest of the University that he should forthwith be prohibited from carrying on his duties. Pending investigation into the misconduct, the Vice Chancellor shall forthwith, suspend him from the exercise of the powers and functions of his office. A member of staff placed on suspension shall be entitled to only half of his monthly salary.

From the above provision the Claimant advanced three cardinal points. The first is that, the prerogative of suspension of a staff from duties is exclusive to and exercisable by the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant. The second is that, the reason for suspension must be based on the establishment of a prima facie case of a serious nature against the staff. The third, and the most profound, is that, a staff can only be placed on half of his monthly salary onlyafter he has been suspended from duties. Applying these points to the facts of this case, the Claimant submitted that his suspension by the 3rd Defendant was wrongfully and illegally as the 3rd Defendant had no mandate under the regulations that governs the contract of employment to suspend him. To the Claimant it was a fact that his suspension was the decision of the 3rd Defendant, not the Vice Chancellor as required by law. This is clear from paragraph 2 of Exhibit CW18:

This decision of Council takes effect from today, December 18, 2001.

It is the further submission of the Claimant that the prerogative to suspend a staff of the 1st Defendant is exclusive to and exercisable only by the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant and therefore not delegatable and that the principle of delegates non potest delegare is on all fours with the provisions of paragraph 2.25 of Exhibit CW4in respect of this case.

Another aspect in which the Claimant attacked his suspension and eventual termination is that these actions were taken during the pendency of Suit No. FHC/CA/CS/110/2001 challenging his suspension from duty. While the Motion restraining the Defendants from interfering with his employment, the Defendantswho entered appearance on 15thMarch, 2002 and applied for time to file processes,terminated the appointment of the Claimant on 28thMarch, 2002, 12 days before the adjourned date of 9thApril, 2002. The Claimant submitted thatthis action of the Defendants, alone, is enough to vitiate the decision of the Defendants on the Claimant relying on the settled law that, where there is a Motion on Notice or a dispute which has been submitted to the Court for adjudication, all parties must stay action as in Governor, Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) All NLR 194; Registered Trustees, Apostolic Church v. Olowoleni (1990) 6 NWLR (Pt. 156) 514; AG, Anambra State v. Okafor (1992) 2 NWLR (Pt. 224) 396; FATS v. Ezegbu (1993) 6 NWLR (Pt. 297) 1; Doma v. Igiri (1998) 3 NWLR (Pt. 960) 145.

Finally on the point, the Claimant while conceding thatan employer can suspend his employee in appropriate cases, submitted that the power is not absolute or total and does not deny the employee the right of actionif his right is violated. This is the position of the Supreme Court as elucidated in the case of Longe v. First Bank of Nigeria Plc (2010) 5 NSCR 1 at 29 Line B,where it was held thus:

Suspension is not a demotion and does not entail a diminution ofrank, office or position of the employee. Certainly, it cannot import a diminution of the right of the employee given to him under the law.

On the stoppage of Claimants salary, it was submitted that the stoppage of his salary before suspension and in the absence of any prima facie case against the Claimant by a person who had no prior authority, was a fundamental breach of both the procedural safeguard embedded in the Regulation and the right to fair hearing. It was the further argument of Claimant that it was not opened to the Director of Personal of the 1st Defendant vide Exhibit CW13, to issue the letter stopping the salary of the Claimant and thereafter proceeded to copy the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant, who alone, was vested with the power to suspend beforethe stoppage of salary.Similarly, it was the case of the Claimant that Exhibit CW13 was issued on August 31, 2001, preceding the suspension of the Claimant vide Exhibit CW18 in December 18, 2001, a period of 4 months after the stoppage of his salary by a kangaroo agent of the 1st Defendant. The Claimant was therefore of the firm view that stoppage of his salarywas a nullity which in the eyes of the lawis void with no legal effect or consequences referring to Oyeneyin v. Akinkugbe (2010) All FWLR (Pt. 517) 597 at 613and Omoniyi v. Alabi (2015) All FWLR (Pt. 774) 181 at.197, ratio 5.

It is in the light of the foregoing that the Claimant urged this Courtto resolve Issue No. 2 in favour of the Claimant and grant all the reliefs sought.

Issue No.3: Whether the Claimant is entitled to the reliefs sought.

The Claimant answered this in the affirmative and reiterated that his employment has statutory flavour which placed it on a higher pedestal over and above the ordinary master and servant relationship.

The Claimant submitted that in an employment with statutory flavour, termination must be in strict compliance and in accordance with the relevant statute, otherwise it would be null and void. The Claimant found support for this proposition of the law in Patrick Ziideh v. Rivers State Civil Service Commission (2001) All FWLR (Pt 46) 821 at 828-829; CBN v. Jidda (2001) All FWLR (Pt. 47) 1065 at 1082; Iderima v. Rivers State Civil Service Commission (2005) All FWLR (Pt. 285) 431,431-445.

The Claimant submitted that he has shored up enough credible facts to have the court declare all the decisions and actions of the Defendant unlawful and ultra viresto entitle him an order of specific performance as held in Kabelmetal Nig. Ltd v. Gabriel Ativie (2001) All FWLR (Pt. 66) 662 at 678.

Not only that, the Claimant also submitted that he has copiously pleaded the ignoble role played by the 2nd Defendant in the arbitrary and unlawful stoppage of his salary, suspensionand the termination contrary to the provisions of the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service 1998 (Exhibit CW4). For effect, the Claimant cited the recent case ofB. S. S. C. v. Danjuma (2017) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1565) 432 at 455thus:

In a plethora of cases, courts have held severally that any action to terminate the employees service must comply with the statute or regulation governing his employment otherwise the termination will be null and void and the employee be entitled to remain in his employment.

Consequently, the Claimant asked if under the circumstances he is entitled to an order of reinstatement and damages and found an answer in the recent Supreme Court casesof Comp. General, Customs v. Gusau (2017) NWLR (Pt. 1598) 353 at 378,lines HandBusari v. Edo State Civil Service Commission (2014) 42 NLLR 1 at 20, lines C-D.In Comp. General, Customs v. Gusau(supra), itheld:

The effect of a party terminating a contract of servicegoverned by regulations, rules or statutory instrument is that such arbitrary or unilateral termination is invalid and ineffectual.

Similarly, in the case of Busari v. Edo State Civil Service Commission (supra) it was held:

Where a servants appointment is founded on statute or has statutory flavour and the appointment is not brought to an end in compliance with laid down procedure in the statute, he will be entitled to reinstatement as a matter of course without much ado.

Flowing from the above and on the authority of Texaco Nigeria Plc v. Kehinde (2014) 42 NLLR 480 at523 line B; the Claimantsubmitted that he is entitled to damages for the unlawful stoppage of his salary, suspension from duties and termination of appointment by the Defendants. This is the approach and the law as stated in that case in which the Court held as follows:

It follows therefore that the measure of damages in action for wrongful dismissal is founded on the law of contract. It is aimed at putting the injured party at the position he would have been but for the breach.

Decision of the Court

I have digested the facts of this case as given in the various processes and heard the witnesses and evaluated all the evidence particularly the copious documentary evidenceas it were, and I think two issues will determine the justice of this case:

a) Whether this Suit is not incompetent.

b) Whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to any or all of the reliefs sought.

a) Whether this Suit is not incompetent.

The competence of this suit has been impeached by the Defendant on two (2) fronts. First, the factthis suit which commenced originally at the Federal High Court, Calabar by unsigned writ of summons and which was transferred to this court, was ab initio incompetent having not been signed by neither the Claimant nor by any legal practitioner. Second, the suit is incompetent as the three months period prescribed by the Public Officers Protection Actwithin which the action can be brought had long expired.

It should be noted from the onset that it is trite that a defective originating process cannot activate the courts jurisdiction and failure to sign a writ or statement of claim goes to the root of the action. See the cases of Braithwaite v. Skye (2012) 12 S.C.N.J. 119,Alawiye v. Ogunsanya (2012) 12 S.C.N.J. 981-982, Okarika v. Samuel (2013) 2 S.C.N.J. 500-501, Obaro v. Hassan (2013) 2 S.C.N.J. 807 to mention but a few. To this extent, I find merit in the submission of the Defendants that Suit no. FHC/CA/CS/58/2002 is incompetent and incapable of initiating proceedings in the Federal High Court. But I am not prepared to accept that suit no. NICN/UY/33/2017 as instituted in this court is incompetent.I am therefore in total agreement with distinctions advanced by the Claimant to the effect that the cases cited by the Defendant dealt with the provisions of Section 2 (1) and 24 of theLegal Practitioners Act, 2004

and not with the transfer of a case from the Federal High Court to this court or any other courtfor that matter. For our purpose here, I have taken a careful look at the Compliant filed on the 22nd November, 2017 and can say the process does not suffer from the signature defects as it was duly signed by Edima Isua, Legal Practitioner with NBA NO. 04978913 in compliance with the rules of this court. So it will be unjust to declare this suit incompetent in that regard and I so hold.

On the suit being statute barred, it is on record that this same issue was canvassed and a ruling dismissing the objection delivered by my learned brother, Esowe, J on 26th September, 2016. The question now is, can an issue raised and conclusively determined at an earlier stage of a proceeding, be available for fresh consideration and determination at a later stage?For a complete answer, I will place reliance on two (2) cases, one from the Court of Appeal and the other from the Supreme Court. In the Court of Appeal case of Senator Chris Adighje v. Hon. Nkechi J. N. Nwaogu (2008) LPELR-3626 (CA), Eko, J.C.A., (as he then was) stated as follows:

No trial judge or court has any legal justification to alter the effect of his own ruling or decision on an issue previously decided by him in the course of the proceedings: See Nnajiofor v. Ukonu (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt.9) 686 at p.706. He cannot also,as a general rule, set aside his ownor another Judges previous ruling. Rehearing the matter upon which he has delivered his decision or judgment is not his function, butthe function of the appellate or superior court: See Grace Amanoba v. Alex Okafor (1966) 1 ALL NLR 205 at 207; Chief Uku v. Okumagba (974)1All NLR (1) 475.

Similarly, in the Supreme Court case of Dingyadi v. INEC (2010) 44 N.S.C.Q.R. 327-328,C. M. Chukwuma-Eneh, J.S.C.stated thus:

In other words, the big deal is whether this court has become functus officio, thus lacking the power of entertaining this case. In this regard, having had another look at the principle of functus officio, it connotes that a court as this court, having given its decision in a matter before it ceases to have the power to reopen the same matter all over again in the same proceedings. See: Mohammed v. Hussein (1998) 11-12 S.C.N.J. 136 at 163-164. Albeit, where a court has duly performed its duty by handing down its decision/ruling as in this case it has exhausted as it were, all its, powers with regard to that matter. And so, the court becomes functus officio and incapable of giving any decision or making any competent orders with regard to the same matter it has previously decided for want of the jurisdiction to do so.

In any case, I am at one with the Claimant that the application of the Public Officers Protection Act on this case being one rooted in contract of employment is no more tenable.In his concurring judgment,in the very recent case of National Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission & Ors v. Ajibola Johnson & Ors (2019) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1656) 247 at 279, Kumai Bayang Akaahs, J.S.C., put this beyond reproach thus:

Since the action instituted by the respondents is a contract of employment, the Public Officers Protection Law cannot be invoked to bar the action undertaken by the plaintiffs/respondents. The main appeal therefore fails and it is dismissed.

In the final analysis, it is my finding and holding that that this suit is competent and deserves to be heard on the merit.

b) Whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to any or all of the reliefs sought.

The case of the Claimant is that the stoppage of his salary, the indefinite suspension and termination of appointment by the Defendants without following due process were malicious, unlawful and therefore null and void. Generally, the law is that he who asserts must prove and since this is the assertion of Claimant, the burden is on him to so prove. I have identified three (3) actions of the Defendants the Claimant wish to declare null and void and wish to consider them in turns.

My first port of call is the stoppage of Claimants Salary. A recap of the facts here will do no harm. On 3rd September, 1999, the Claimant who had never gone on annual leave, applied for deferment of his leave, pursuant to the 1st Defendants policy directive vide Exhibit CW7. The application was refused for being against the policy of the 1st Defendant with a proviso that the leave should be taken as and when due and that the Registrar and the Dean should be informed when you are ready to proceed on the leave. These are Exhibits CW8 and CW9 dated on the same day i.e 2nd November, 1999. On the strength of Exhibit CW10, the Claimant rescheduled his leavefrom June, 2001, when the academic session will be in progress. The Claimant then applied for annual leave on 11thJune, 2001, through the Head of Department of Theatre Arts, who recommended on 12thJune, 2001 and was approved by the 2nd Defendant on 22ndJune, 2001. This is the Leave Certificate, Exhibit CW11. The leave was to runfrom 1stAugust, 2001 to 12thSeptember, 2001. The Claimant resumed duty from Annual Leave on 12th September, 2001 as evidenced in Exhibit CW12. While on leave, the Defendants stopped the salary of the Claimant on 31st August, 2001 with retrospective effect from 1st August, 2001. This is Exhibit CW13. By Exhibit CW15, the Defendants wrote to the Claimant accusing him of abandonment of duty and threatening to take severe disciplinary action against him. In reply, the Claimant wrote Exhibit CW 16, explaining the circumstances that led to his going on the annual leave for 2001. Thereafter and on 15th October, 2001, the Defendantsconstituted a panel to investigate the allegation of abandonment of duty by the Claimant. The Claimant appeared before the panel to deny the allegation and to posit that the Leave Certificate speaks for itself and declined any further comment because the matter is in court. At the end of its deliberations, the panel found that the Claimant never went on leave for the past five (5) and was authorised to proceed on leave by the Registry upon the recommendation of his Head of Department and recommended that The University should reverse the punishment if any already meted on Dr. Ibong. This is found in Exhibit CW17. This is the evidence of the Claimant on the events leading to the stoppage of his salary which is clearly punctuated by documentary evidence.

For the Defendants, the justification for stopping the salary of the Claimant can only be found in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the Statement of Defence. Paragraph 10 is to the effect that the Claimant went on leave during school session against the directive of 1st Defendant. Paragraph 11 only asserted the Defendants power to stop the Claimants salary and suspend him to enforce discipline in the university.

The validity or otherwise of the stoppage of Claimants salary can only be determined upon a consideration of the available evidence against the provisions of the Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service, 1998 (Exhibit CW 4). The pertinent provision is Chapter 2.24, Termination on Absence from Duty, which provides thus:

A member of Senior Staff who absents himself from duty without leave or who fails to resume duty at the end of a leave period shall forfeit his salary for the period of his absence and shall render himself liable to be removed from office without formality and the onus shall rest on him to show that the circumstances do not justify the imposition of the full penalty.

From the evidence of the Claimant, I am of the firm view that he has discharged the onus placed on him to justify the non-imposition of the penalty on him of either removal from office or forfeiture of salary for the period. Not only did the Claimant proceeded on leave upon recommendation and authorisation of his Head of Department and Registrar but he has resumed duty at the expiration of the leave. This is also the stand of the Panel constituted to investigate the alleged abandonment of duty by the 1st Defendant. A further perusal of the record of event also reveals some fair hearing infractions by the Defendant. The Claimants salary was stopped on the 31st August,2001 with retrospective effect from 1st August, 2001 without being notified. In a serious allegation of absence from work which is likely to result in dismissal, the Claimant should have been at least confronted with the allegation or the documents to be used against him. See the case of F.M.C, Ido-Ekiti v. Alabi (2012) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1285) 411 CA. The letter of query dated 18th September, 2001 (Exhibit CW15) and the Panel constituted to investigate the matter on 15th October, 2001 are clear after-thoughts and akin to medicine after death. I have therefore no doubt in finding and holding that the stoppage of Claimants salary was utra vires, unlawful, null and void.

Next is the issue of suspension. The suspension is procured by a letter dated 18th December, 2001 tendered in evidence as Exhibit CW18. The reason for the suspension is given in paragraph 2 of the letter as:

As a public servant you are required to resign your appointment or seek for and obtain the consent of your employer (the University of Uyo) before you can bring any form of litigation against it. In the circumstance that you did not do either, you are hereby suspended with half pay (basic salary only) until the case you have instituted against the University is disposed of. This decision of Council takes effect from today, December 18, 2001.

`

The Claimant asserted that his suspension was wrongful and illegal. It is therefore his duty to prove the wrongfulness and illegality of the said suspension.In his effort to proof this, the Claimant argued that by the Regulation (Exhibit CW 4) at paragraph 2.25,the prerogative of the suspension of a staff is exclusive and exercisable by the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant and not that of the 3rd Defendant as evidenced in the letter of suspension (Exhibit CW18). The reason for the suspension must also be based on the establishment of a prima facie case of a serious nature against the staff which is non-existent. And that a staff can only be placed on half monthly salary only after he has been suspended. Under the foregoing circumstances, the Claimant argued that the stoppage of salary before suspension, the absence prima of a facie case against him and the suspension by a person with no authority constituted fundamental breach of both the Regulations and his right to fair hearing. It is also the position taken by the Claimant that even though the Defendants have a right to suspend the Claimant, that right cannot deny the Claimant the right of action where his right is violated or there is a fundamental breach of the conditions of his service as in this case. The Claimant further placed on record that his suspension and eventual termination were done during the pendency of suit FHC/CA/CS/110/2001 in flagrant breach of the rule of law and in contempt of court as shown in Exhibits CW20 to CW24.

As their only defence on this, the Defendants submitted that an employer can suspend his employee pending investigation and such suspension will not give rise to a right of action and sought support in the cases of Ayewa v. University of Jos (2000) 6 NWLR (Pt. 659) PA 142 Para F-L; Amadiume v. Ibok(2006) 6 NWLR (P7975) P. 158 R. 4; Longe v. First Bank of Nigeria Plc (2010) 6 NWLR (P7 1189) Pg. 1 060 Para E.The Defendants also maintained this stance that suspension does not entitled the Claimant to a right of action in paragraph 11 of the Statement of Defence.I want to state straight away that the cases cited by the Defendants did not say suspension do not give a right of action. The correct position as reiterated in these cases is that a master can suspend his servant when necessary and there can be no issue of breach of his fundamental rights. In the case of Ayewa v. University of Jos (2000) 2 S.C.N.J. 246, for example, S. O. Uwaifo, J.S.C. stated the position thus:

The main issue in this matter is whether a servant who is suspended by his master so as to investigate allegations of impropriety levelled against him can have a recourse to the Fundamental Rights provision to prevent that suspension from operating. The lower court has decided that such a scenario is not appropriate for asserting a breach of fundamental rights. I endorse that view. This is matter of master and servant. The law is that a master can suspend his servant when necessary and there can be no issue of breach of fundamental rights.

Be that as it may,it now settled that an aggrieved employee has the right to approach this Court to challenge his/her suspension. The only condition is for the Claimant to show that the suspension is unnecessary, unreasonable, invalid and hence unlawful.SeeBisiriyu Adegoke Sheu v. Lagos NURTW (First BRT) Cooperative Society Limited (2015) 62 NLLR (Pt. 216) 40.

It is now imperative to refer to the exact provision of regulations dealing with suspension and see if the reasons advanced by the Claimant will prove the unlawfulness of the suspension. Paragraph 2.25 of The Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service, 1998 (Exhibit CW 4) provides thus:

A member of staff shall be suspended from duty where a prima facie case (the nature of which is serious) has been established against him and it is considered necessary in the interest of the University that he should forthwith be prohibited from carrying on his duties. Pending investigation into the misconduct, the Vice Chancellor shall forthwith, suspend him from the exercise of the powers and functions of his office. A member of staff placed on suspension shall be entitled to only half of his monthly salary for the first three months of that suspension. Thereafter, the case shall be reviewed provided that if it is considered that he should still continue on suspension, he shall be placed on one half of his salary for a final period of three months after which the case shall be determined by the relevant Appointment and Promotion Committees.

The Claimant complained that his suspension was a breach of his right of fair hearing. This is untenable in law because when it comes to suspension, the question of fair hearing and/or natural justice is immaterial. See the case of Longe v. First Bank Nigeria Plc (supra) where it was held that the suspension of an employee when necessary cannot amount to a breach of the employees fundamental or common law rights. See also Ayewa v. University of Jos (supra), Akinyanju v. University of Ilorin(2005) 7 NWLR (Pt. 923) 87 andShell Pet. Dev. Co. v. Lawson Jack (1998) 4 NWLR (Pt. 545) 249.The submission of the Claimant on this issue is therefore hereby discountenanced.

The Claimant also complained that there was no prima facie case against him of a serious nature to warrant further investigation. There is force in thisassertion in the sense that the Claimant was accused of taking his employers to court which is a completed act as is shown in exhibits CW20 to CW23 and therefore requires no further investigation or suspension. It is therefore unreasonable for the Defendants to embark on suspension when they can head-long tackle the disciplinary issue. Similarly, suspending the Claimant until the case he instituted is disposed of is not only unreasonable but in clear breach ofParagraph 2.25 which does not envisage an open-ended suspension. The paragraph provided for first period of the months and the final period of three months after which the matter should be referred to any of the disciplinary committees. See Sergeant Nte Ibada v. The Inspector-General of Police, Suit no. NICN/LA/91/2013, delivered on 3rd March, 2017, per B. B. Kayip, J.(as he then was).

There is alsothe issue of the suspension by the 3rd Defendant instead of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant in clear violation of Paragraph 2.25.A perusal of the letter of suspension (Exhibit CW18) vis-a-vis paragraph 2.25 of The Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service, 1998(Exhibit CW 4) confirms this in no uncertain terms. This apparent anomaly or irregularity has successfully impeached the lawfulness of the suspension. See the case of A.G, Kwara State v. Abolaji (2009) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1139) 199 CA, where it was held that any disciplinary action taken pursuant to a statute, law or rule, there must be full compliance with law before the disciplinary action can be properly justified.

Last but not the least is that this suspension was done during the pendency of suit FHC/CA/CS/110/2001. This to say the least is done to pre-empt the court and overreach the Claimant thereby giving credence to the unlawful nature of the suspension. From all I am saying, the Claimant has been able to prove that his suspension was unnecessary, unreasonable and unlawful.

I am now left with the termination of Claimants employment. In the considering the legality or otherwise of the Claimants termination, I will be guided at all times by the dictates of the Supreme Court in a long line of cases such as Kato v. CBN (1999) 6 NWLR (Pt. 607) 390, Ibama v. S.P.D.C. (Nigeria) Limited (2005) 17 NWLR (Pt. 954) 364 and Ziideel v. R.S.C.S.C (2007) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1022) 554.The underlining principles in all these cases and many more, is to the effect that an employee seeking the declaration that the termination of his appointment is a nullity must plead and prove the following material facts:

a) The nature of the employment.

b) The condition of service.

c) The circumstances under which the appointment can be terminated.

I intend to analyse the pleadings and evidence in this case in the light of material facts (a-c) above and will only refer to the argument of the parties where necessary.

On the nature of employment, the consensus is that the relationship between the parties in this case is one clothed with statutory flavour enjoying special legal status over and above the ordinary master and servant relationship. The foundation of the Claimants case are the Offer of Appointment as Senior Lecturer (Exhibit CW1), theTermination of Appointment (Exhibit CW5) and the Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service, 1998 (Exhibit CW 4).So, the basic principles governing the contract of employment with statutory flavourwill hold sway here.In this sort of relationship, employment must be terminated in the way and manner prescribed by the relevant statute or regulations and any other manner of termination inconsistent thereof is null and void and of no effect.

Next is the circumstances under which the appointment can be terminated.Generally, the onus is on the Claimant to prove that the determination of his employment is unlawful, null and void. But where, as in this case, the employer gives a reason or cause for the determination of the appointment, the law imposes on the employer the duty to establish the reason to the satisfaction of the court. See the cases of Shell v. Olarewaju (2008) 12 S.C.N.J.(Pt. 11) 696-697and Institute of Health v. Anyip (2011) 5 S.C.N.J. 262, whereC. M. Chukwuma-Eneh, J.S.C. put it succinctly thus:

Although it is trite that an employer is not obliged to give any reason for firing his servant all the same it is settled law that where he has proffered any reason at all it is obliged to satisfactorily prove the same as the onus is on him in that regard, otherwise the termination/dismissal may constitute a wrongful dismissal without more.

The reason given by the Defendants for the termination of the Claimants appointment can be found in Exhibit CW5:

The University Governing Council had at its 32nd meeting held on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 considered a case of serious misconduct made against you. Council decided that your services are no longer required with effect from the date of this letter. Your appointment is hereby terminated.

It should also be notedthat the case of the Defendants is that the Claimants employment was determined in compliance with sprit and letters of the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the University of Uyo (Exhibit CW4). Under the circumstance,the onus is also on the Defendants to so prove.See the case of Mgt. Board v. Ejitagha (2000) 6 S. C.N.J 280, whereE. O. Ayoola, J.S.C. put it bluntly:

The law is also trite that where a person, body or authority claims to have acted pursuant to powers granted by a statute, such person, body, or authority must justify the act, if challenged, by showing that the statute applied in the circumstances and that he or it was empowered to act under it.

The question now is,can the Defendantsbe said to establish a case serious misconduct to justify the termination of the Claimants employment and in accordance with the Regulations Governing the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the University of Uyo (Exhibit CW4)? At the risk of repetition but for clarity, the provision of the Chapter 2, paragraph 2.20 Exhibit CW4 is reproduced:

The appointment of any member of the academic staff who, holds an appointment until retiring age shall not be determined by the Council unless there has been an investigation relating to his case by a Joint Committee nominated by the Council and the Senate of which Joint Committee, at least one third of the members, have been appointed by Senate and the person concerned, has, if he so requests, been permitted to appear to defend himself in person or through his chosen representative before the Joint Committee, and the report of the Joint Committee considered by the Senate and by the Council which shall take an appropriate decision on the case.

To answer this, there is the need to have a re-cap of the case and arguments of the Defendants. The 1st defendant submitted that it complied to the hilt with the provisions of its Regulations in determining the appointment of the Claimant by the following actions:

a) Setting up investigative panels to investigate various acts of misconduct levelled against the Claimant.

b) Thepanels invited the Claimant, took evidence and submitted its

reports to a Joint Committee appointed by the senate also christened Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.

c) The Joint Committee duly invited the Claimant who not only replied to

the letter of invitation but attended the sitting of the Committee once.

d) A report of this Committee was eventually presented to the senate and

ultimately the Governing Council being the highest decision making body in the University.

e) The Council considered all the Reports and came to a conclusion that the services of the Claimant was no longer required.

Now, given the circumstances of this case, are the contentions of the Defendants enough to discharge the burden of proving a serious misconduct for the termination or any justification under Exhibit CW4? I think not.To start with, the letter of termination (Exhibit CW 5) itself tersely stated the reason for the determination as a case serious misconductwithout more. What constituted serious misconduct or gross misconduct against the Claimant can only be a subject of guess work. Could it be is a case of serious misconduct as evidenced in the letter of termination (Exhibit CW5)? Could it be the allegation of sexual harassment which got a mention in the minutes of the meeting of 3rd Defendant (Exhibit CW41) and Report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (Exhibit DW3)? Could be the rested issue of abandonment of duty? Or the allegation of walking out on a panel which appeared in CW41 and DW3?In all the 57 documents tendered (54 by the Claimants and 3 by the Defendants), there was no query on serious misconduct, gross misconduct, sexual harassment or walking out of a panel.In fact, there was no serious effort to even investigate these allegations against the Claimant or enough materials placed before the court. Be it noted that there is no fixed rule defining the degree or level of misconduct that will justify a dismissal or termination and that it is enough if the conduct is grave and weighty as to undermine the confidence of the employer on the employee. See Ajayi v. Texaco Nigeria Limited (1987) 3 NWLR (Pt. 62) 577 SC.Even with this liberal position of the law, the Defendants have failed to prove any case of serious misconduct against the Claimant to warrant his termination. I so hold.

Second, the submission of the Defendants that Claimants termination was in compliance with regulations is suspect. From the records, only two committee reports are tendered in this suit, one is the Report on the Investigation Panel on the case of Abandonment of Duty (Exhibit CW17) and the other the Report of the Senior StaffDisciplinary Committee (Exhibit DW3). There is no evidence that the said Committees are Joint Committees nominated by Senate or Council in accordance with Regulation 2.20. Even the name Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee has put paid to the fallacy of the Defendants that it a Joint Committee. Can Federal Government Appointees or the representatives of Federal Ministry of Education on the Council be members of 1st Defendants Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee? Your answer is as good as mine.I am therefore in total agreement with the Claimant that the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee is unknown to the regulations of the 1st Defendant (Exhibit CW4) in terms of both nomination and composition as under paragraph 2.21 (a) of Exhibit CW4 it should be a Joint Committee to be nominated by Council and the Senate, of which at least one third of the members.It is also equally true that Defendants have failed to establishthe composition of the members in both their pleadings and evidence of DW.Similarly, there is no evidence that the report considered by 3rd Defendant passed through the Senate as envisaged by the paragraph 2.21 (a). This alone on the authority of U.N.T.H.M.B v. Nnoli (1994) 8 NWLR (Pt. 363) 376 at 413 renders the decision to terminate the appointment of the Claimant ultra vires.

Third, the minutes of the 3rd Defendant held on Wenesday, 27th March, 2002 (Exhibit CW41)also leaves much to be desired. This is the proceedings which sealed the fate of the Claimant as it were. It is based on the presentation of a report on gross misconduct against the Claimant by the Registrar, Mr. P. J. Efiong. The Report catalogued Claimants acts of gross misconduct since his employment in 1995 which led the 3rd Defendant to observe among others: that the Claimant had caused problems in the Department of Theatre Arts and consistently undermined Investigation Panels set up by Management by refusing to appear before the panels, abusing members and walking out on the panels. Examples were given of the panels headed by Prof. E. D. Okon and Prof. O. E. Ekpo.It is also reported that the 3rd Defendant also considered the report of Prof. E. D. Okons panel in which the Claimant was indicted for walking out of the panelset up to investigate a case of sexual harassment against the Claimant. The panel recommended the dismissal of the Claimant.

From the barrage of documents tendered in this case and the evidence by the parties, I cannot see where the case of gross misconduct is made out against the Claimant. The case of sexual harassment remained passive with no evidence without documentary evidence or otherwise, to make it active or give it life. The only resemblance of an act of gross misconduct was the allegation of walking out on the panels. Even here, if the 3rd Defendant had done its homework properly and probed further, it would have found that the Claimant had a viable defence. It is in evidence that the Claimant was invited to appear before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee on a case of walking out on a panel which investigated a case of gross misconduct against him. The letter of invitation dated 25th January, 2002 was served on the Claimant on 28th January, 2002 at 8.20 a.m for a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. See Exhibit DW1. By Exhibit DW2, the Claimant not only responded to the letter of invitation with a promise to appear for the purpose making some fundamental observations, to wit: That invitation was served a few hours to the time of sitting of the Committee so that the Claimant will not have enough time to organize his mind and prepare for his defence. That the Claimant was not availed with a copy of the allegation against him to prepare for his defence. Under cross-examination on 27th March, 2019, the Claimant testified that he made good his promise and appeared before the Committee under protest and registered his observations, among which were some of the members of the Committee such as the 2nd Defendant, Prof E. Okon, Dr. Effiong E. Inyang, Mr. Samsom Brown and Mr. Ukana should disqualify themselves for likelihood of bias. The Claimant also challenged the composition of the said panel because there was no representatives of the Senate in contravention of paragraph 21.4 of Exhibit CW4. I am not sure if the foregoing information were available to the 3rd Defendant during the proceedings of 27th March, 2002.

Four, the question is which Panel Report the 3rd Defendant considered in arriving at the Decision to terminate the employment of the Claimant.There are only two (2) Panel Reports in evidence in this suit. Exhibit CW17is the report on the case of abandonment of duty to which the Claimant was absolved. DW3 is the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee to investigate the case of the Claimants walking out on a Panel but which ended in recommending the reconstituting the Panel of Investigation headed by Prof. E. D. Okon for being high-handed as it could not ensure fair hearing and for misleading the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee and 3rd Defendant. So the decisions taken by the 3rd Defendant could have been borne out of these two (2) panels. I must say I am as confused as the Claimant on this. Was it the nameless report which catalogued the Claimants acts of gross misconduct since 1995 presented Registrar? Or was it the elusive and discredited report of the panel headed by Prof. E. D. Okon? Whichever of these reports relied upon by the 3rd Defendant, it should be noted that the Defendants have failed or/and neglected to tender the reports in evidence. I therefore agree with the Claimant that the withholding of any of this report is deliberate knowing that if produced it would be unfavourable to the Defendants. I also find section 167 (d) of the Evidence Act, 2011 and Onwiyuba & Ors v. Obiena & Ors (1989-1992) 3 SCJE 574 at 581cited by the Claimant apposite on this.

Five and the most crucial one is that the decision of the 3rd Defendant is not carried in compliance with the rules of natural justice. In Oloruntoba-Oju v. Abdul-raheem (2009) 6 S.C.N.J. 47, the Supreme Court has stated what compliance with Rules of Natural Justice in terminating the appointment of a University employee entails as:

(1) That the complaint must be brought to the notice of the person and

(2) He must be given an opportunity of making representation in person to council on the matter.

The Claimant was not afforded the opportunity of being heard by the University Council(3rd Defendant) before his appointments was unilaterally and prematurely terminated on 27th March, 2002 upon a questionable report. The decision of the 3rd Defendant fell short of the standard of fair hearing and is hereby declared null and void and no effect whatsoever. I take judicial cover in the dicta of A. M. Mukhtar, J.S.C.(as she then was) in Olufeagba v. Abdur-Raheem (2009) 12 S.C.N.J. 392:

As the appellants were not afforded fair hearing, by being invited to make their representation, the above provision of the constitution has been violated, and so their dismissal from the employment of the respondents was not in accordance with the tenets of the law. Authorities abound that in a case of this nature with same facts where a party is deprived of his livelihood, a contravention of the law that requires that an aggrieved party must be availed the opportunity to be heard renders the termination or dismissal null and void. See Olaniyan v. University of Lagos (1985) 2 N.W.L.R. (pt. 9) 599, Busari v. Edo State Civil Service Commission (1999) 4 N.W.L.R. (pt. 599) 365, and Eperokun v. University of Lagos (1986) 4 N.W.L.R. (pt. 34) 162.

The next question is, what is the fate of the Claimants reliefs in this case? Having found that the stoppage of Claimants salary, suspension and termination of appointment unlawful, null and void, the Claimant is automatically entitled to all the declaratory reliefs sought.

Similarly, reliefs (d) and (e) succeeds because the order of reinstatement follows naturally upon the declaration of an employment with statutory flavour null and void. The effect of such a pronouncement is that the Claimant was always and still is an employee of the Defendants. See Iderima v. Rivers State (2005) 7 S.C.N.J. 511.

The relief (g) for N50,000,000.00 damages for violation of Claimants fundamental right to fair hearing and right of access to court cannot stand. This is because with the order of reinstatement, the issue of measure of damages for such reliefs becomes irrelevant as upon reinstatement the Claimant is entitled to be paid all his arrears of salary/emoluments including fringe benefits up to the point/time of reinstatement and thereafter as when due and payable. See the case Ekeagwu v. Nig. Army (2010) 42 (pt. 2) N.S.C.Q.R. 1248.

Relief (f) for an order that the Defendants approve and allow the Claimant to take and enjoy his accumulated annual leave of 30 working days a year from May 1995 when he joined the service of the 1st Defendant, and his research leave of 26 days a year from May 1995 when he joined the service of the 1st Defendant is not tenable and hereby refused.

Reliefs (h) and (i) for N50,000,000.00 and N100,000,000.00 f
Voting was disrupted on Saturday in the Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency by-election at Unit 5, Ward 13 in Oyinmo, Ikare-Akoko of Ondo State, when suspected political thugs snatched the ballot box.

The Akoko North East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives became vacant, prompting Saturdays by-election, following the resignation of the member representing the constituency, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in August last year to become the Minister of Interior.

Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack by the hoodlums caused panic with many voters taking to their heels.

An eyewitness, who did not want his name published, said that the attack occurred just before noon after not less than 63 people had cast their votes.

He explained that the hoodlums caused some commotion and while security personnel at the polling unit were trying to restore peace and order, one of them snatched the ballot box and fled the scene.

The eyewitness said that though the hoodlums made away with the ballot box, the result sheet, BVAS machine and other materials were not taken.

NAN reports that 407 voters were registered at the polling unit for the election.

Meanwhile, INEC has lauded the turnout of voters in the by-election for Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal constituency in Ondo State.

Kunle Ajayi, National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun and Ondo State, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen at Okeagbe in Akoko North-West LGA, after monitoring the election.

From what we have observed since morning, the election is going on peacefully, and the turnout is impressive, no violence, no vote buying anywhere.

So, we have not recorded any terrible incident since the start of the election and by grace of God everything will end peacefully

Everywhere we have been to, there was no report of challenges with the BVAS machine or cases of it malfunctioning, he said.

Commenting on the incident of ballot box snatching at Unit 5,Ward 13, Oyinmo, Ikare-Akoko, the national commissioner said that the situation had been restored to normalcy.

Is normal that miscreants will remain miscreants. They attempted to disturb the election there but the police overpowered them and we have restored everything to order and no other incident apart from that, he said.

(NAN)

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Surulere 1 House of Representatives by-election holding on Saturday, Jerry Afemikhe, says he is impressed with the conduct so far.

Mr Afemikhe, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, commended the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) for conducting an election free of rancour.

The election has been calm without issues.

I am quite impressed by INEC and the security agencies efforts to conduct a free and fair election, he said.

The candidate, however, hoped that INEC would do the right thing by being fair during the vote counting and result announcement.

Mr Afemikhe said that if he emerged the winner of the election, the constituents should be expecting a whole lot of positive impact in diverse areas.

My developmental initiatives will target women empowerment, a good environment for artisans and a conducive environment to do business as well as lots of youth development programmes.

I will turn Surulere around for good with my initiatives targeted at building a conducive environment for the masses, he said.

The candidate congratulated the former member of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the Chief of Staff to the President.

Mr Afemikhe said that this was a new dispensation and a new change for him and Surulere as a whole.

Augustine Alechenu, a registered voter, said that his expectation was for INEC to be free and fair and give them credibility for their votes.

Mr Alechenu said that whoever won the election would have to perform above average because of the precedent that the former representative of the constituency, Mr Gbajabiamila, had set.

I expect the winner of this election to be accessible to the people regardless of the constituency they belong to.

I believe that was one of the strong points of Gbajabiamila, who made himself easily accessible to the people of the community up to even the beggars on the street.

That is why whenever he comes around, you will see a lot of crowd because he has laid a good foundation, he said.

Mr Alechenu said he hoped that the candidate he voted for would continue in that foundation and make Surulere community a greater one.

Decker Dehinde, the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent for polling unit 019, said that all was well and peaceful.

Also, the PDP agent for polling unit 025, Abdulsalam Ijagboabee said the electoral exercise was peaceful but decried the low turn-out of voters.

People didnt come out for the election compared to the last election we had in 2023, Mr Ijagboabee said.

Also, the Labour Party agent, Christian Igbokwe commended the security personnel on duty, saying that their presence alone warded off evil intentioned people. (NAN)

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Two French giant pharmaceutical companies- CFAO Healthcare, a unit of the French conglomerate CFAO Group, and Sanofi Pharmaceutical Industry Company, have strengthened their partnership by extending what they described as the exclusive distribution of general medicines in Nigeria.

In a statement Friday, CFAO announced the expansion with Sanofi noting that the move fortifies their strategic partnership.

Aware of the evolutions and challenges in the Nigerian pharmaceutical landscape, CFAO Healthcare and Sanofi are joining forces, capitalising on their expertise and historical presence to optimise access to quality healthcare, CFAO noted in the statement.

It added that CFAO Healthcare is addressing todays challenges, highlighting the continuity and stability of pharmaceutical distribution  a strategic alliance dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

Sanofi had in November 2023 reportedly planned to cease operations from Nigeria as it announced the appointment of a third-party distributor to handle its commercial portfolio of medicines from February 2024 solely.

In 2023, at least five multinationals ceased operations in Nigeria, including the British multinational drugmaker and biotechnology company GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), Procter & Gamble, and Unilever, the manufacturer of iconic products such as Omo, Sunlight Soap and others.

CFAOs aim

According to CFAO, with its acclaimed continuous presence in Nigeria for 120 years, the company said it is actively deepening its roots, consolidating its position in the country, and making Nigeria the 26th country in the ongoing partnership with Sanofi.

This aim is to maintain product availability and quality services for the different local operators and patients, CFAO noted.

CFAO added that an exclusive partnership it initiated with Sanofi in 2021 for the distribution and marketing of medicines and vaccines across 25 sub-Saharan African countries has been highly successful, enhancing trust between the two companies.

The Sanofi General Medicines range, comprising essential pharmaceutical products, underscores CFAO Healthcare and Sanofis shared commitment to providing quality therapeutic solutions while solidifying their footprint in the Nigerian market, it explained in the statement.

CFAO CEO speaks

In his remarks, Jean-Marc Leccia, CEO and Chair of CFAO Healthcare was quoted to have said that CFAO Healthcare is actively strengthening its presence in the Nigerian market to respond effectively to the growing healthcare needs of the population and to secure access to quality medicines.

Also, Sanofi Foundation Community Head for Turkey, Africa & Middle East, Cem Ozturk, was said to have hailed the partnership, noting that it will improve access to quality healthcare in Africas most populous nation.

This strategic move represents a significant milestone for our organization and is driven by our commitment to continually improve access to our medicines and to better serve our patients and the Nigerian health system, Mr Ozturk was quoted to have said.

About CFAO Healthcare

CFAO Healthcare is a leader in the African pharmaceutical market supplying drugs and pharmaceutical products in over 28 countries.

Wholesaler-distributor as well as agent for world-renowned laboratories, we also produce licensed drugs in Morocco and Algeria. A commitment that promotes employment based on local skills and on the innovations of international pharmaceutical laboratories, CFAO noted.

The CFAO Group also partners with leading international brands and covers the entire value chain  import, production, and distribution  in line with the best international standards.

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has increased the fare for the 2024 hajj exercise amidst the recent plunge in the value of Naira against the US dollar.

The commission initially announced N4.5 million as the fare for the 2024 Hajj but the fee has now been increased to N4.6 million for northern pilgrims and N4.8 million for pilgrims from the south.

This latest adjustment was announced in a statement on Saturday by NAHCONs Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara.

Mrs Usara said the naira crash compelled a necessary adjustment, as the commission was forced to review the fee.

She said the prospect of maintaining the N4.5 million rate was high until the well-known Naira crash that occurred mid-week.

Intending pilgrims from Nigerias Southern centre are required to pay N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the Northern centre will pay N4,699,000, for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri centre will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj, NAHCON stated in the statement.

The commission urged those who have paid to balance up ahead of the 25 February deadline.

Intending pilgrims are therefore advised to balance their Hajj fare by Monday 12th of February accordingly to enable the Commission to transfer the funds before the imminent deadline, the statement reads in part.

NAHCON stated that the fare could have been as much as N6 million if not for the recent negotiation with service providers in Saudi Arabia.

The free fall of Naira

The naira slipped to an all-time low against the United States dollar across forex markets during the week. According to data published by FMDQ, naira closed Tuesday at N1,482.57 per $1 at the official market.

By Wednesday, the currency crossed the N1,500 and above mark at the parallel market on Wednesday raising concerns over the effectiveness of the CBNs policy intervention.

Amidst this disturbing trend, the CBN in a new circular issued Wednesday ordered Deposit Money Banks to sell their excess dollar stock by 1 February.

Also, Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in Abuja shut down operations as part of desperate measures to save the naira from free fall.

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Aminu Malle, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State, has decried the low voter turnout for the Saturday by-election.

Mr Malle, who cast his vote at Waziri Malle polling unit in Jalingo, the state capital, blamed the low turnout on lack of adequate publicity by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged INEC to always strive to give massive publicity to such elections to enable people to participate actively.

Mr Malle expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the end of the day given his track record of achievements as a former member of the House of Representatives.

Alhaji Jauro Hassan, the Taraba Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who also voted at the unit, commended INEC and security personnel for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The chairman, who also expressed concern over very low turnout of voters, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) would emerge victorious at the end of the day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the seat became vacant following the death of Ismaila Maihanci shortly after winning the seat in February 2023.

Mr Maihanchi had contested the seat on the platform of the PDP. (NAN)

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 Flash

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that he stands ready to work with the Vietnamese side to promote the China-Vietnam community with a shared future and see it take root and bear fruits.

Xi made the remarks in an exchange of Spring Festival greetings with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.

In his message, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes for the Spring Festival to Trong, the CPV as well as the Vietnamese government and people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

The year 2023 was epoch-making in the history of China-Vietnam relations, with frequent high-level exchanges between the two sides, a more solid political mutual trust, an acceleration in synergy of their development strategies, a robust momentum of comprehensive cooperation, vibrant people-to-people exchange activities and a traditional friendship that grows ever stronger, Xi said.

He said that amidst an atmosphere of goodwill marking the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he visited Vietnam as promised, thus realizing the third round of mutual visits between him and Trong in the new era.

Noting that he and Trong jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, Xi said that it has opened up a new journey and a new chapter for the development of ties between the two parties and two nations, a manifestation of the firm will and resolve of the two sides to cooperate and forge ahead.

Xi said that in 2024, he stands ready to maintain close contacts with Trong in guiding the two sides to anchor the new positioning of bilateral ties, and make concerted and solid efforts to promote high-level and high-quality development of exchanges and cooperation via all channels, at all levels and in all sectors.

All the vivid practices and practical results will inject new impetus into the modernization cause of the two countries, so as to provide positive energy for the prosperity and development of the Asia-Pacific region, and make greater contribution to the cause of peace and progress of mankind, Xi said.

For his part, Trong said bilateral relations have shown a positive momentum of development and achieved significant progress ever since his official visit to China in October 2022 following the 20th CPC National Congress.

Xi's successful state visit to Vietnam in December 2023 demonstrated the great importance the CPC, China and Xi attach to Vietnam's socialist construction and to bilateral relations, Trong said.

During Xi's Vietnam visit, the two sides conducted comprehensive and in-depth exchanges in the spirit of the deep friendship of comrades plus brothers between Vietnam and China, issued a joint statement on further upgrading the bilateral relations, and signed dozens of cooperation documents of historic significance, Trong noted.

These fruitful results have laid a solid foundation and provided strategic guidance for the relations between the two parties and the two countries to enter a healthier, practical and fruitful new development stage and maintain a long-term stable and positive momentum, he said.

Trong said he highly values and is willing to maintain exchanges and contact with Xi, adding that he stands ready to continuously offer care and guidance to various localities and departments at all levels from the two sides in implementing the important consensus and agreements reached by high-level officials of both sides during Xi's Vietnam visit.

Doing so will benefit the development of relations between the two parties and between the two countries, serve the interests of the two peoples, and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Trong also wished the CPC continued growth, the People's Republic of China prosperity, and the brotherly Chinese people a happy and peaceful New Year.




By Keiichiro Otsuka, KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 17:55 | Feature, All, Japan

A coastline-hugging hiking trail in northeastern Japan has been gaining acclaim with overseas adventurers, raising hopes it will bring a tourism boom to the area that is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

The 1,025-kilometer Michinoku Coastal Trail, which fully opened in 2019 and spans four prefectures on the Pacific Ocean-facing Sanriku coast, has received rave reviews from overseas visitors who have walked the path -- either in parts or all of it.

They speak of not only the spectacular scenery visible along the trail but also the emotion-provoking reminders of the natural disaster and the resilience of the locals, many of whom are still reeling from the tragedy.

The MCT runs from the city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture at the northern end to the city of Soma in Fukushima Prefecture at the southern, taking in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures along the way. Many of the coastal areas in these prefectures were devastated by the disaster triggered by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake that struck on March 11 almost 13 years ago.

A total of 29 cities, towns and villages host the trail. The project was launched on the initiative of the Environment Ministry as part of post-disaster reconstruction efforts and is currently maintained in a collaboration between public- and private-sector entities as well as civic groups.

Areas along the MCT route include a number of scenic spots, cultural sites, traditional ryokan inns with private hot tubs, and hotels with onsen communal hot springs. Those who have hiked the trail also strongly recommend the "world-class" food available at small eateries in the tiny towns along the way.

But there are also stark reminders of the disaster, such as imposing coastal seawalls, small memorials and derelict buildings, the latter proof of the revitalization work that still needs to be done, hopefully aided by the increased tourism.

Some people aim to walk the entire route, which usually takes around 50 days, while others use public transport and walk only a section, or stick to day hikes. A total of 10 maps of the MCT are available for hikers.

People involved in the MCT project acknowledge a need to expand marketing efforts to woo more visitors, especially from overseas.

A recent survey by the Japan National Tourism Organization showed that luring foreign visitors to the Tohoku region is still a difficult proposition.

Among the four prefectures in which the MCT crosses, Miyagi was the most popular in 2019 with foreign visitors with 1 percent traveling there. Aomori, Iwate, and Fukushima came in at just 0.7 percent, 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

As a comparison, the same year around 40 percent of foreign tourists visited each of Japan's largest metropolises, Tokyo and Osaka. The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to lengthy shutdowns everywhere, did not help matters for Tohoku.

In December, Kumi Aizawa, 54, executive director of the Natori, Miyagi Prefecture-based, Michinoku Trail Club -- a nonprofit organization engaged in management and operations of the MCT -- led a delegation to New York and other U.S. cities.

One of the delegation's aims was to visit and strengthen the relationship with popular U.S. outdoor clothing brand Hikerkind, which selected the MCT route as one of its Top 10 nature trails to trek in 2024.

Journalists and writers also gave the MCT rave reviews.

Graham Hiemstra, 36, founding editor of U.S. outdoor magazine Field Mag, said in an article published on his company's website in October that the "little-known trail offers...a compelling alternative for those looking to experience the 'real' Japan."

Hiemstra, himself an avid hiker who lives in New York City, said he was very impressed with the MCT after spending one week in September touring the northern third of the trail.

Although he said the trail is not easy, with its rugged coastline terrain featuring steps in certain locations instead of switchbacks, extreme elevation changes and caution points, he went as far as to add the MCT to his Japan "bucket list."

"The local terrain is stunning and truly unique. The fresh food was inspiring and all the local people I met along the way, from aging fishermen to restaurant and hotel owners, and even local hikers, were all very kind and generous."

He added, "I have hiked many places in North America and I have never seen such an incredible combination of beautiful landscapes, high-quality food, and quality accommodations for hikers."

As for the ongoing impact of the 2011 disaster, Hiemstra said, "Visiting gave me a stronger understanding of the event and how big of a mountain it is to climb for these small villages to recover."

James Clark, 47, a British writer whose articles appear in various travel media publications, has visited the MCT three times.

"The Michinoku Coastal Trail is one of those rare hiking trails where hikers have choices. You can walk for days in outstanding natural beauty without seeing another human, or decide on a more populated part of the trail and spend your time hanging out with welcoming locals," he told Kyodo News.

Clark suggested that the MCT still has not attracted the attention it truly deserves from international hikers, but quickly added, "It's only a matter of time before they start arriving in larger numbers."

German writer Christine Thuermer, 56, who has hiked some 62,000 kilometers in 41 countries around the world, also gave the MCT high marks as one of her Top 10 nature trails -- mainly for its links to quake recovery.

"The MCT is very unique! It is the only long-distance trail I know that is dedicated to a natural disaster. To visit the many memorial sites along the trail is an extremely emotional experience," Thuermer said in an email.

"It is very shocking to learn about the destruction and the victims, but at the same time inspirational to see the resilience of Japanese people. This trail makes you very thoughtful."

As of the end of 2023, there were 135 people registered who had walked the length of the MCT, only 10 of whom were foreigners. But Aizawa suggested that Tohoku will see a spike in the number of foreign hikers making the journey before long.

"I think the number of foreign hikers who traverse the entire trail will grow since more and more maps are being purchased from overseas," she said.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Support helps lift spirits of foreigners in quake-hit central Japan

FEATURE: Social media trends driving Britain's Japanese literature boom

FEATURE: 1st Hong Kong AV actress in Japan market breaking barriers
A nonagenarian, Bathromy Ike, on Saturday cast his vote in Obiagu Uruagu, Ward 2, during the re-run election for the Nnewi South/South Ikwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra State.

Mr Ike, 94, later on reaffirmed his support for the electoral process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the election on Saturday in Nnewi, reports that Mr Ike came to the polling unit with the help of his daughter, Ifeoma Ike.

The nonagenarian spoke with NAN.

I am 94 years old; I am here to vote for my candidate who was leading before now; I am sure he will emerge victorious after todays conduct.

He won before; but they denied him his victory for a repeat of the election; as long as it is electronic voting, they cant stop him.

Whoever that wins must be proved by the electric system of voting; I strongly believe in the electronic process in conducting this election, Ike said.

(NAN)

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Residents in Bauchi State turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in Saturdays re-run election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election is being held across 42 Polling Units in four State House Assembly constituencies.

The constituencies are: Bauchi Central, Zungur/Galambi, Ningi 1 and Madara/Chinade.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the exercise, reports that voting commenced early in most polling centres with large turnout of women.

The exercise witnessed massive turnout of female voters at Mararaba Liman Katagum PU 10 and Mutum Primary School PU 016 in Bauchi Central State Constituency.

Also, the election recorded similar large turnout of women at Tudun Wada PU 1 and Kofar Fada PU in the Madara/Chinade State Constituency.

Some of the women told NAN that they came out en masse to exercise their franchise.

Aisha Abubakar said that she came to the polling unit at about 7:00 a.m. to cast her vote.

We thank God that the INEC officials came right on time at about 7:30 a.m., and commenced the arrangement in earnest.

I cast my vote hoping that our votes will count, and just as the process has been free and fair, we hope that the final result will also be fair, she said.

Another voter, Rahman Aliyu, at Tudun Wada PU 1, said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) went smoothly without glitches.

She lauded INEC and the security personnel for being diligent in the discharge of their duties.

Also commenting, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mohammed Nura, lauded the smooth conduct of the exercise.

So far the exercise has been peaceful in all the 42 PUs, there is no issue of malfunction of election machines, materials and missing names of voters.

By-election is ongoing in 42 PUs of four State Assembly Constituencies in Bauchi, Ningi and Katagum Local Government Areas, he said

Mr Nura also commended voters for conducting themselves in order and coming out in large numbers to cast their votes peacefully.

We are encouraged with the large turnout of the voters, we dont expect that number but it still went well.

Because of the large turnout we are compelled to inform security agencies to deploy more personnel for crowd control.

We are in fact satisfied with the zeal of the voters coming to cast their votes accordingly, he said

The REC advised political parties to play by the rules and shun acts capable of disrupting the process, and urged voters to stay 10 to 15 meters away from the center to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise. (NAN)

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The senatorial by-election for Yobe East witnessed a large turnout in Damaturu, the state capital, and Katarko polling units of Gujba Local Government Area of the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Some dignitaries who spoke with NAN at Katarko polling units, on Saturday at Katarko Primary School and Government Day Junior Secondary School, expressed appreciation for the turnout of voters.

Ali Mustapha, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, who is a member of the APC, Gujba LGA, said the turnout was impressive.

Mr Mustapha attributed the turnout to the exemplary leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni under the APC.

He described the election as peaceful and orderly, saying voters conducted themselves in accordance with laid down rules and regulations of the electoral laws.

Also, Musa Bularafa, a voter, commended the efforts of security personnel and INEC officials for adequate arrangements.

He also appreciated them for coming out so early, the support and cooperation for the electoral personnel.

He added that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) were in good condition, making the process smooth and successful. (NAN)

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The re-run election in Orumba North and Orumba South Federal Constituency in Anambra State recorded low turnout as town criers were used to call out voters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the election in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area on Saturday reports that voters were seen trickling to the polling units.

Emeka Uganeme, the chairperson, Umudala village in Nanka, said that they decided to use services of town criers to mobilise voters to come out.

Mr Uganeme expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the election as it was hitch-free.

Ebele Nwosu, a Lagos-based businessman, said he travelled back home for the election to encourage the electorate to come out to vote their choice candidates.

I consider it important to come home to encourage our people to take part in the rerun election.

We need to get it right in electing representives in public seats; the era of political inducement is over, he said.

Sunday Ezeokoil, a 35 year-old physically-challenged voter, expressed joy over the quick attention accorded him to vote.

INEC officials called me up without any push around and I was accredited immediately before casting my vote, I am happy for the honour, Mr Ezeokoil said.

Veronica Onyiba, said she observed that elderly people were given priority attention and commended INEC officials for more organised election process.

Okwudili Ezenwankwo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the re-run, also commended INEC for a brilliant improvement in the by-election.

Mr Ezenwankwo said, after casting his vote at Okaa Agbiligba Hall polling unit 15, that he was satisfied with the conduct of the security personnel on ground for the election.

He said that no report of confusion had been reported across the 16 polling units and prayed for peaceful process.

An octogenarian, Simeon Okafor, said he was impressed with the peaceful conduct of voters who came out to vote but lamented poor turnout of eligible voters.

Calistus Nwosu, the party agent for Young Progressive Party (YPP), said that the low turnout of voters was discouraging but remained positive of the outcome of the election.

The only concern I have is that our candidate, the incumbent member representing the federal constituency is not involved in the rerun election.

The court decision that directed INEC to conduct election in the community of PDP candidate, Nwankwo, has raised fears but God chooses a leader, he said.

NAN reports that petty traders had a field day in selling off all the wares to voters.

Also most of the shops and markets were open and selling their wares to people who want to buy from them.

The rerun election was scheduled by INEC after a court of competent jurisdiction ordered a rerun to determine the actual winner of the election.

The PDP candidate, Mr Ezenwankwo challenged INEC declaration of Chinwe Nnabuife of Young Progressive Party (YPP) as the winner of the 25 February 2023 National Assembly election to represent the Orumba North and Orumba South Federal Constituency. (NAN)

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Ifeanyi Eleje, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District by-election, has described the election as hugely flawed.

Mr Eleje, who made the assertion on Saturday at Afikpo while speaking to journalists, further described the process as marred with intimidation.

This is the first election I witnessed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) telling voters to vote and go.

Does it mean that the accreditation details would be used for thump print?

I have reported to the INEC leadership in the state and it has not responded as promised, he said.

He said that there was no hope for the nations electoral system if such trend continued and called for urgent steps to check such.

This is an off-season elections so we expected more effectiveness in its conduct.

What we however, saw was the use of authority to intimidate voters.

This election just as all off-season elections, experienced low voter turnout and we expect such to reflect in the results, he said.

The Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department of INEC in Ebonyi, Christian Elekwa, however, dismissed Mr Elejes assertion, noting that the commission should not be associated with such.

Mr Elekwa told NAN in an interview that the approved practice was voters being accredited and allowed to vote immediately.

It is a simultaneous process and I dont know where this sort of insinuation is coming from, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opposition in Ebonyi have described the election as a charade riddled with irregularities. (NAN)

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is optimistic of winning Saturdays Ebonyi South senatorial by-election in Ebonyi State.

Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state APC chairman, said this on Saturday when he spoke with journalists at Nguzu-Edda, headquarters of Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state, after monitoring the election.

He commended voters in the zone for turning out en masse to exercise their franchise, describing the election as credible, free and transparent.

The election is free, fair, credible and transparent and I give kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for doing a great job.

INEC did well in all the areas that I monitored; in fact, reports from across the senatorial zone show that the election is transparent and witnessed a large turnout of voters.

This is the first time INEC restricted government officials from coming close to their gates during any election, despite my putting on the election observer tag, I was still barred from entering the premises and this was an indication of how serious the commission was, he said.

Mr Okoro-Emegha described the allegation of vote- buying and intimidation of voters by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as unfounded.

The allegation is an excuse of a failed person; they know that they were going to fail, INEC by error or commission comes out and declares them as a winner there will not be any snatching of boxes or irregularities, so, it is a complaint of a failed person.

 I have called all the quarters and reports that I got is that turnout was very impressive and many who queued to vote were begging INEC officials to extend the time since it was already getting late but I appealed to officials to allow them to vote, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election followed the appointment of Dave Umahi, a former governor of the state who was elected to the senate during last years National Assembmy election, as the Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu.

The PDP candidate, Stanley Onu, and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ifeanyi Eleje had described the election as non credible, calling for its cancellation.

(NAN)

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Politicians and observers in Surulere, Lagos State, have disagreed on the reasons for low turnout of voters in the ongoing by-election in Surulere Federal Constituency I in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Saturdays by-election in Surulere Federal Constituency I was marred by poor turnout across various units and wards in the constituency.

For instance, at Polling Unit (PU) 017 Ward 8, Alhaji Masha Road, Adeniran Ogunsanya, as at 2 p.m., only 198 voters came to vote, out of the 1,154 registered in the area.

Also, at PU 037 in same area and at same time, only 41 voters of the 172 registered voters came to vote.

Also at PU 014, Ward 08 at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Surulere, Lagos, Surulere Constituency I, where Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, cast his vote, observation showed that there was voter apathy.

The record showed that less than 10 per cent of registered voters came to vote, as only 63 were accredited and voted, out of 669 registered at the end of the election.

Similarly, at PU 002, located at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo St., Eric Moore in Surulere, where former Governor Babatunde Fashola was expected to vote, out of 750 registered voters, only 45 came to exercise their franchise.

Speaking on the low turnout, Salimon Arisekola, the PDP agent at PU 037 in Ward 8, said: The election is very peaceful, but we have a very low turnout.

I think what is responsible for this is the circumstances in the country now; where people are hungry and angry.

Mr Arisekola said that stakeholders might need to engage with the people in future elections not to shun electoral process because of hardship, adding, we must get it right.

Also speaking, Ashimiyu Adeyemi, the APC agent in same unit, added that the low turnout might be unconnected with the fact that most people were disenchanted and not happy with the situation.

In her reaction, Islamiat Badru, a domestic observer with the National Council for Women Society, told NAN at Polling Unit 017, Alhaji Masha Road, that the election was credible but marred by low turnout.

This is a credible election, though the turnout is low. People have come here to vote and return to their homes. No stress and violence, Ms Badru said.

On reasons for the low turnout, Ms Badru, who noted that most people seemed not to understand what by-election was all about, added that it might be due to the economic hardship in the country.

Ibrahim Mukaila, the PDP agent for PU 017, who described the poll as violence-free, said it was sad that people did did not come out to vote.

This is as a result of the situation in the country where people have lost hope in their representatives.

It is sad that many people are still ignorant of what they want. The country is in dire need of people that will rescue it, he said.

Reacting, Tunde Bafunsho, an INEC accredited election observer from the Organisation of Justice for Equity Sustainance, told NAN in Ward 8 that the election was properly organised by the electoral body.

We have covered some polling units from the six Registration Areas in the Surulere Federal Constituency I and what we observed was that there is a low turnout.

The low turnout can be attributed to peoples attitude to electoral process based on the financial, economic and high level of insecurity in Nigeria.

People are still committed to the sustainance of credible electoral process in Nigeria, but for the fear of the unknown many people still hide in their houses.

However, it is after the final collation of results that we will know the percentage of the turnout but I believe if might not be above 30 per cent, Mr Bafunsho said.

Speaking, Bilikis Aremu, the APC chairperson, Ward G2, Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere Constituency I, who described the exercise as cool and calm without any hitch, said that the turnout was not impressive compared to general elections.

Ms Aremu, who spoke to NAN, attributed the low turnout to lack of strict restriction of movement of people in the constituency.

The low turnout has nothing to do with economic situation in the country, it is because there is movement of people.

If the government shuts down everywhere here, people will come out, she said.

According to her, people around polling units 017 and 037 where she came to monitor, tried a little bit in turnout, unlike elite areas where it was poor.

Ms Aremu, however, expressed high hope that APC would win the election in all the 38 polling units.

INEC had said that 140,377 voters registered in Surulere Federal Constituency I, only 121,111 of them collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote.

(NAN)

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The police in Rivers State have dismissed allegations that three officers it earlier paraded over allegations of abduction and extortion of $3000 from two Nigerians were walking freely in the streets without prosecution.

The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringke-Koko made the rebuttal in a statement posted on X on Friday.

Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, was reacting after a human rights activist from Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, made a post on the microblogging platform, alleging that the accused officers were seen walking free in the streets without prosecution.

The police spokesperson described the allegation as false, malicious and misleading.

She said the officers were in detention at the states Criminal Investigation Department undergoing the standard disciplinary process of the police.

Mrs Iringe-Koko also said, without providing details, that another complaint has been lodged against the officers  two assistant police superintendents Doubara Edonyabo, Talent Mungo, and an inspector, Odey Michael.

She said: Furthermore, the accused officers participated in an identification parade held at the State Criminal Investigation Department on February 2, 2024, in connection with another complaint against them.

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We urge the general public to disregard the publication, as we will provide updates on the outcome of the disciplinary committee in due course.

Mr Gwamnishu had in the post, tagged the police authorities including the force spokesperson and the police commissioner in Rivers State.

Mr Gwamnishu last month drew the attention of the police in Rivers State to the abduction and extortion of $3000 from two Nigerians by police officers from the state.

The officers, Mr Gwamnishu said, had left Rivers State for Aba in Abia State where they abducted two men, took them to Delta State, Bayelsa State before dumping them in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after extorting the $3000 from them.

Mrs Iringe-Koko had acted swiftly to identify the accused officers and paraded them before reporters. The money was recovered and returned to the victims.

She had said the officers would face query and orderly room trial.

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As Lagos rapidly expands, with over 15.9 million residents, it faces a significant challenge in managing the growing amount of waste generated by its increasing population. In recent years, the daily waste generation in Lagos has steadily increased from 9,000 metric tonnes in 2014 to 12,000 metric tonnes in 2018, with an individual generating an average of 0.5 kg/day and 0.72 kg/day, respectively. Currently, Lagos produces between 13,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes of waste equivalent to about 490 trailer loads daily, with each Lagosian generating an average of 1.2kg/day, a figure expected to rise to 1.4kg in the next 15 years.

efforts by the Lagos Waste Management Authority

(LAWMA)

, a significant portion of this waste remains uncollected, cluttering sidewalks, open spaces, and waterways. This growing crisis in waste management not only poses a threat to the environment but also significantly impacts the health and well-being of Lagosians. Without effective solutions and attention, Lagos faces the risk of becoming overwhelmed by its own

The unseen impact of landfills

Despite

Landfills, often overlooked, are more than just mountains of trash; theyre significant sources of harmful gases that contribute to climate change. Every day, tonnes of waste from homes and businesses in Lagos find their way to landfills. Here, amidst a mix of discarded food, plastic, and other refuse, a silent but harmful process is at play. As this waste breaks down, it releases gases, notably methane, a gas that is over 25 times more potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

A World Bank report highlighted that solid waste management was responsible for about five per cent of global emissions in 2016, with methane emissions from landfills being a key contributor. While sectors like agriculture, oil, and gas are well-known for their methane emissions, the waste sector also accounts for 20 per cent of human-related methane emissions. Waste emits methane when organic waste, like food, wood, and paper, decomposes under anaerobic conditions in landfills. Lagos, with 62 per cent of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) being wet, biodegradable, and organic, faces a unique environmental challenge. This situation is further aggravated by a lack of proper waste disposal education, leading to an increasing trend of organic waste being improperly mixed with recyclable materials in landfills. This mix accelerates the production of methane during the decomposition process. The science is clear: organic waste mixed with materials like plastic triggers methane release, making landfills potent contributors to climate change.

Before we delve further into this report, lets understand a few key scientific terms:

Anthropogenic Emissions: These emissions are the result of human activities that significantly contribute to climate change like Methane (CH4) and Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Methane: This is a powerful greenhouse gas, produced during the decomposition of organic matter, with a substantial warming effect.

Waste Methane: Specifically, this is the methane produced from the breakdown of organic waste in landfills and dumpsites.

The Igando Landfills Saga: A Firsthand Account

In the heart of Lagos, the Igando landfills, namely Solous 1, Solous 2, and Solous 3 stand as a glaring testament to the citys escalating waste management crisis. Operated by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), these landfills are very massive in scale, covering over 16 hectares, an area even larger than the famous Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). They are also strategically located within the densely populated Alimosho Local Government Area.

Daily, they receive about 4,000 tonnes of waste, making them the second-largest landfill complex in Lagos, surpassed only by the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota. Initially, these landfills coexisted relatively unnoticed by the local populace. However, as the city expanded, residential areas, businesses, and critical infrastructure like the Alimosho Medical Centre edged closer to these dumpsites. This proximity has turned the landfills from harmless landmarks into significant health hazards for the neighbouring communities. Residents in Igando now wake up to the pervasive and unpleasant smell of decomposing waste, a stark reminder of the growing environmental challenge at their doorstep.

READ ALSO:

In 2017, there was little hope that the government might close these landfills due to the escalating complaints about the odour. However, a 2019 follow-up revealed little had changed. By 2022, LAWMAs managing director Ibrahim Odumboni announced plans to relocate the landfills due to the increasing population and continuous grievances. Yet, during my visit in October 2023, the reality on the ground was starkly different. Waste trucks continued their operations as usual, and the overwhelming stench was palpable long before reaching the landfill site. As I neared Abule-onilu, known as hotel, about 10 minutes from the landfills, the odour grew even more intense. Covering my nose was futile. Interestingly, the locals, including drivers, residents, and traders, seemed unfazed by the stench, a telling sign of their reluctant adaptation to this harsh reality. This experience was eye-opening, especially considering the impact of such living conditions on vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

The Hidden World of Igandos Landfills Scavengers

As I ventured into the landfills, it felt like entering a different realm. Here, amidst the towering piles of refuse, were the waste scavengers, the heroes and hidden residents of this landfill city. Right at the entrance, some were gearing up for the day, while others delved deeper into the waste mounds, scavenging for anything of value. Surprisingly, a few had even set up makeshift homes within the landfill, blurring the lines between work and personal life.

Contrary to official statements claiming that these scavengers only operate during daylight hours, my guide, an anonymous local familiar with the intricacies of this place, revealed a different story. Many scavengers not only work here but also spend their nights, creating a unique community that thrives in the shadows of waste. Wandering deeper into the landfills, I discovered a bustling underground market. Amidst the debris, people sold various items from grilled meats popularly known as suya to chilled drinks.

A particular spot drew my attention: a collection of plastic waste neatly packed in sacks, ready for sale. These transactions, often bypassing official channels, deprive the formal waste management system of valuable resources. It is a secretive world, with participants reportedly avoiding the media spotlight. As I attempted to document this hidden economy by taking pictures, I faced resistance.

The scavengers were adamant and insisted that I should not take pictures. What struck me most was the sheer lack of protective measures among the scavengers. Amidst hazardous waste and overpowering stench, they worked without gloves or masks, exposing themselves to a myriad of health risks. As I stood there in my safety gear, I was overwhelmed by the smell, which gave me a severe headache, making me ponder the health implications for those who face these conditions daily.

The scavengers belief in natural immunity against diseases from the landfills seemed both admirable and troubling, considering the potential risks to the wider community. The Igando landfills scavengers live a life of resilience, but their story is also one of neglect and health hazards. Their existence in these landfills is not just about survival; it highlights the dire need for improved safety measures and health awareness in such environments.

The Communitys Struggle for Normalcy

The story extends to the residents living in the shadow of these landfills. For them, each day begins and ends with the inescapable stench of decomposing waste. Close to the landfills, a school stands where young children, as little as three years old, breathe in this polluted air, leading to widespread health complaints like cough and malaria. The school owner, alongside other residents, voices frustration over the unrelenting odour and its health impact, yet their pleas for intervention often fall on deaf ears. The community chairman too shares this distress, highlighting how residents, especially children, are frequently sickened by diseases exacerbated by the conditions of the landfills, with mosquito-borne illnesses being a common affliction. In his words, Every week, my tenants are battling coughs and malaria.

The water crisis in this area further complicates their plight. With the absence of effective wastewater management systems, only a couple of houses in the entire community have access to uncontaminated water. Most residents are left to contend with a compromised groundwater supply, heavily polluted by the landfills leachate.

Financial constraints hinder the majority from installing proper water filtration systems, leaving them dependent on purchasing sachet water for their daily needs. Additional interviews with residents reveal the worsening situation. One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, My water was clear when I first moved here, but over the years, it has changed colour and is no longer safe to drink. Rainy seasons bring additional woes to the community by turning the streets into streams of waste. The communitys already strained infrastructure fails to cope with the increased water flow, leading to severe flooding. This disrupts daily life and forces business operations to shut down.

In extreme cases, the floods unearth remains from a nearby cemetery, adding more distress to the communitys existing hardships.

A visit to Alimosho General Hospital

To grasp the full impact of this crisis, I visited the nearby Alimosho General Hospital, a two-minute drive from the landfills. Workers at the hospital, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, shed light on the daily challenges they face. The most pressing issue was the pervasive odour, particularly overwhelming during the rainy and hot seasons, permeating the walls of this place of healing. According to a medical worker, the hospital sees about 500 patients each day. Walking through its corridors, I could not help but notice the look of discomfort on the faces of patients and visitors, a reaction to the ever-present stench. For many seeking treatments here, theres no alternative; this public hospital offers free healthcare, a crucial service for the community, yet one marred by the landfills proximity. The staff spoke candidly about additional problems. Flooding, a frequent occurrence exacerbated by inadequate drainage and the lack of proper facilities to manage runoff from the landfills, regularly disrupts hospital operations. This environmental issue not only impacts patient care but also poses a logistical nightmare for those trying to access the hospital. Moreover, the traffic caused by the constant flow of waste trucks further complicates the situation, turning what should be a straightforward journey into a daily struggle.

Unveiling the environmental crisis at Igandos landfills

The situation at Igandos landfills presents a stark example of anthropogenic emissions and their impacts. The most evident sign is the relentless, foul odour that blankets the area, signalling the release of methane and other harmful gases from decomposing organic waste, affecting air quality and the health of residents. The problem is exacerbated by makeshift settlements clinging to the edges of these landfills. The high density of people in these areas leads to an increase in waste, further disrupting the waste layers. This results in an accelerated release of methane, particularly problematic due to the inadequate ventilation in these settlements. The environmental fallout of these landfills extends to the very soil and water that sustain the Igando community. Leachate, a toxic byproduct of waste decomposition, seeps into the soil, contaminating their groundwater. Runoff from the landfills further carries pollutants to nearby water bodies, affecting the quality of water that many in Igando rely on. Lastly, health issues prevalent in the community, such as respiratory problems and malaria, are indicative of the harmful effects of landfill emissions, with stagnant water in this area serving as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Why should you care?

You might wonder, Why should this matter to me? The answer, while straightforward, is deeply concerning. The emissions from the Igando landfills are not just a local nuisance; theyre contributing to global climate change. This means more heatwaves, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and harsher weather conditions, affecting everything from our food supply to our health. Take, for instance, the plight of African farmers, who are already witnessing the effects of changing climatic conditions on their agricultural outputs. Their experiences serve as a real-world illustration of the broader impacts of a warming planet, highlighting the interconnectedness of local environmental issues and global climatic changes.

Whats being done?

In pursuit of deeper insights into the Igando landfills, I reached out to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for their plans and strategies to alleviate the burden on the Igando community. As of now, their response is still pending. But the responsibility does not solely lie with LAWMA and the government; theres a role for every Lagosian. By adopting simple practices like minimising waste, separating recyclables, and composting, we can significantly reduce the pressure on our landfills. Just imagine the collective impact if every one of us committed to these actions. The story of Igandos landfills is not just about waste; its about our citys health, our well-being, our climate, and our future. By understanding the problem and actively participating in solutions, we can all contribute to a cleaner and greener Lagos.

This report was sponsored by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, with funding support from the Public Diplomacy Section of the US Embassy, Abuja.

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Voting has begun in Surulere Federal Constituency 1, Surulere, Lagos state.

In some of the polling units visited, PREMIUM TIMES observed voters performing their civic right amid presence of security operatives.

The House of Representatives bye-election is expected to fill in the vacancy left by

the former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila following his appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

The election, which kicked off in some polling units around 8:30 a.m. is expected to close at 2:30 p.m.

READ ALSO:

According to the Public Affairs Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State, Adenike Oriowo, 121,111 voters are expected to participate in the election.

INEC also disclosed that 12 candidates are jostling for the vacant seat.

As of the time of filing this report, the ongoing bye-election has recorded low voter turnout.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 11:22 | World, All

The United States on Friday launched retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, about a week after a drone attack killed three U.S. troops at a remote base in Jordan.

U.S. Central Command said more than 85 targets associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Quds Force and militias were hit with over 125 precision munitions.

It said the targets the military struck using various aircraft included command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle storage areas.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Biden added, "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond."

According to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, seven facilities the Iranian force and its proxies used to attack the U.S. military were struck.

Of the seven, three were in Iraq and four were in Syria, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff, said in a hastily arranged press briefing.

The strikes carried out by B-1 bombers flown from the United States and other aircraft lasted about 30 minutes, according to John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman.

The drone attack near the Syrian border on Sunday was the first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas erupted in October.

The United States had warned of impending retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed militants after the attack, in which more than 40 service members were also injured.

Kirby stressed that the targets were "carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region."

"The Department of Defense is in the early stages of battle damage assessment, but we believe that the strikes were successful," Kirby told reporters. "We do not know at this time if or how many militants may have been killed or wounded."

The strikes were carried out amid rising concern that the United States could be drawn into a broader regional conflict and with Biden facing low approval ratings ahead of the presidential election due in November.

Kirby reiterated Washington's position that it is not looking for "war with Iran." He also said the United States informed the Iraqi government before carrying out the strikes.

The strikes were announced just hours after the U.S. president, who is seeking reelection in 2024, and first lady Jill Biden joined Austin at a military ritual at an air base in Delaware for the return of the three soldiers' bodies.
DUBLIN , Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Diageo Plc. - ?Digital Transformation Strategies" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Diageo Plc (Diageo) is an alcoholic beverages company that produces, distributes, markets, and sells spirits and beer products. Its product portfolio includes whisky, liqueur, beer, vodka, Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) whisky, Canadian whisky, rum, ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages, liqueurs, gin, and tequila.

The report furnishes a wealth of information and valuable insights into Diageo's technology activities, making it an indispensable resource for those interested in the company's digital transformation endeavors. It offers a deep understanding of Diageo's digital transformation strategies and innovation programs, shedding light on how the company leverages technology to drive growth and innovation.

Furthermore, the report presents an overview of Diageo's technology initiatives, encompassing details about partnerships, product launches, and acquisitions. This provides readers with a comprehensive view of the company's technology-driven initiatives and its commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation within its industry.

The company own more than 200 brands. Some of the company's renowned brands are Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Guinness, and Tanqueray. Diageo owns and leases manufacturing, distilling, blending, bottling, and packaging facilities. The company distributes products through independent wholesalers and retailers, distributors and brokers, subsidiary companies, joint venture arrangements, and third-party distributors. It also sells its products through brewers, retail groups, and regional independent wholesalers and on-trade and off-trade operations. Diageo is headquartered in London.

Scope

Diageo has been applying a range of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics process automation (RPA) to improve productivity and business processes.

Diageo has begun using drones for watering its agave fields in Jalisco, Mexico . As opposed to conventional spraying methods which spray every plant evenly regardless of its water and nutritional feed needs, the drones identify agave plants which require water and nutritional feed and sprays only those ones.

. As opposed to conventional spraying methods which spray every plant evenly regardless of its water and nutritional feed needs, the drones identify agave plants which require water and nutritional feed and sprays only those ones. In the US, Diageo has been tapping big data and predictive analytics to understand consumer behavior and help store-owners stock more of high-demand products.

Diageo opened the Diageo Collaboration Center, a 17,000 square-foot facility, in Stamford, Connecticut . The facility helps Diageo's partners, distributors, and customers to unlock new opportunities and find solutions for challenges confronting the alcohol beverages industry. It enables Diageo to quickly share insights and work more closely with partners to generate new business opportunities.

Reasons to Buy

Gain insights into Diageo' tech operations.

Gain insights into its tech strategies and innovation initiatives.

Gain insights into its technology themes under focus.

Gain insights into various product launches, partnerships and acquisition strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview

Digital Transformation Strategy

Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs

Technology Focus

Technology Initiatives

Acquisitions

Partnership & Acquisition Network Map

ICT Budget and Contracts

Key Executives

Contact the Publisher

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Vivanda

Instagram

Beerboard

GladCloud

IBM

SAP

Siemens

Google

DFS

For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9f79vu

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Legal Services Pricing Platform" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

An unprecedented level of transparency and strategic insight into legal pricing is now available through the latest research publication added to a comprehensive Legal Services Pricing Platform. This transformative resource provides exhaustive details on the hourly rates of individual attorneys and support staff from more than 1,900 law firms around the world, including the AMLAW 200, the NLJ 500, and the prestigious Magic Circle.

The cutting-edge platform empowers stakeholders within the legal profession, from law firms to corporate counsel and consulting firms, by:

Facilitating annual rate adjustments for law firms to remain competitive

Enabling corporate counsel to efficiently negotiate multi-year agreements

Assisting consulting firms in determining transfer pricing and advisory services pricing

Presenting decision-makers with real-time comparative rate evidence to inform their hourly rates adjustments

Developing strategies for enterprise-wide pricing or on an individual engagement basis

With a focus foremost on enhanced decision-making capabilities, the Platform departs from traditional surveys and reports by offering an interactive, comparative analysis that positions users at the forefront of market intelligence. Legal professionals can now establish pricing with evidence-based confidence, fostered through access to extensive real-time, granular data.

Utilizing Real-Time Data for Smarter Pricing Decisions

In the realm of legal services, where pricing can be as nuanced as the cases themselves, having direct access to market rates is invaluable. The platform's robust database includes:

Detailed hourly rates by individual attorneys , inclusive of firm, client, graduation and licensure year, practice areas, and geographic location

, inclusive of firm, client, graduation and licensure year, practice areas, and geographic location A comprehensive pool of data to optimize pricing in response to RFPs , increasing the likelihood of successful bids

, increasing the likelihood of successful bids Legal Project Management (LPM) insights for budgeting engagements based on historical billing practices by position within large law firms

This cutting-edge resource exemplifies how data-driven insights can redefine the traditional approach to legal service pricing, ensuring that law firms and counsel can establish rates that are both competitive and commensurate with the services provided. The release of this detailed hourly rate data positions the Legal Services Pricing Platform as an indispensable tool for the legal industry.

For firms eager to maintain a competitive edge, develop pricing strategies, or validate their billing structure, this platform delivers an unprecedented level of clarity. It stands as a testament to the significant role of data in shaping the future of legal price transparency and strategy.

The addition of this new research publication enhances the value proposition of the Legal Services Pricing Platform, firmly establishing it as an invincible asset in the legal industry's strategic arsenal.

Companies Mentioned

1,900 Law Firms Included in the Platform

AMLAW 200

NLJ 500

Magic Circle

Consulting Firms Included in the Platform

PwC

KPMG

Deloitte

Ernst & Young

McKinsey

Grant Thornton

FTI Consulting

12,000 Companies Included in the Platform

Fortune 500

Global 500

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pcn4ts

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Working together for a more humane and caring community

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world grappling with social unrest and nearly insurmountable challenges, a new film fosters hope. In honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week, Scientology Churches are screening Operation: Do Something About It . The film presents a living example of the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister, that no matter the circumstances, "Something can be done about it."

Scientology Churches extend an invitation to attend an Interfaith Harmony Week event and screening of the film Operation: Do Something About It

Operation: Do Something About It follows Scientology Volunteer Ministers who served alongside emergency personnel, civic leaders and interfaith partners to help their communities throughout the pandemic.

It documents the Volunteer Ministers' massive educational campaign to help their communities understand how to stay well. It follows their backup and support of police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and religious leaders trying to cope with the needs of their communities.

And it provides a vision of a better tomorrow as it documents the remarkable growth of the Volunteer Ministers movement in every sector of South African society. Through the height of the pandemic, South Africa's Volunteer Ministers contributed millions of volunteer hours on the frontlines, working with authorities to curb the spread of the virus. They decontaminated some 70,000 buildings, from hospitals, clinics and senior centers to government offices, police departments, fire houses and train stations. Day after day, they sanitized entire fleets of buses and taxisthe nation's most popular form of public transportation. Their commitment and results have inspired a grassroots movement: Half a million individuals have completed one or more of the Scientology Tools for Life coursesfree online Volunteer Minister training. And more than 25,000 are serving their communities as full-fledged Volunteer Ministers, having completed all 19 courses.

In the mid-1970s, noting the steep decline in values and the simultaneous increase in crime, corruption, drug abuse, and other pressing social problems, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard developed the Volunteer Ministers program to instill purpose, truth, and spiritual values in society. This vision, now reaping results in communities across the globe, is the reason Scientology Churches are inviting everyone to attend their World Interfaith Harmony event or come for a special showing of the film in the Public Information Center of any Ideal Scientology Church.

Find your nearest Scientology Church through the Scientology global locator or watch Operation: Do Something About it, available in 17 languages on the Scientology Network, airing on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv , on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

SOURCE Church of Scientology International
DUBLIN , Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "PMOLED Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Technological progress and an uptrend in demand across various end-use industries have positioned the PMOLED market on a trajectory for substantial growth in the coming years. With research indicating a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% from 2024 to 2030, stakeholders and investors are optimistic about the potential of the PMOLED industry.

Trends, Forecast, and Competitive Landscape Unveiled for PMOLED Market

A comprehensive market report disseminates crucial insights into the PMOLED market trends, offering a segmented analysis of its vast potential across multiple sectors. The revelation comes as various industries ramp up the use of PMOLED technology in products like display televisions, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and automotive displays, driving the market to an expected valuation of $5.4 billion by the year 2030.

Industries and Applications Driving PMOLED Market Expansion



Industrial applications are anticipated to realize the fastest growth, leveraging state-of-the-art machinery and sophisticated wireless control systems. Meanwhile, the display television segment continues to maintain its stronghold as the largest sector within the market, buoyed by a rising consumer appetite for advanced electronic gadgets.

Geographical Markets Showing Promising Growth



The Asia Pacific region leads in growth prospects, primarily due to burgeoning population numbers and the embracing of technology in daily life. This regional market trend underscores the strategic importance of tapping into Asia Pacific's consumer base.

Transparent and Flexible PMOLED: Shaping Future Displays

Smartphone and Automotive Industries: Key End-Use Sectors

Residential and Commercial Applications: Market Expansions Mobilizing Demand

Dominant Market Players Poised To Reinforce Their Market Position

The report pinpoints key players in the PMOLED landscape, noting that companies are fiercely competing on product excellence. Strategies such as the expansion of manufacturing facilities, intense R&D efforts, and cutting-edge product introductions are critical for these companies to address growing demands, enhance competitive prowess, mitigate production costs, and expand their clientele base.

Emerging Trends and Market Dynamics

The publication provides a detailed perspective on emerging trends, altering consumer demands, and the competitive threats that are sculpting the industry. A discerning look at the market dynamics, including business risks and key challenges, offers stakeholders a comprehensive understanding to navigate the market effectively.

Strategic Industry Analysis and Forecast

Meticulous analysis predicts a favorable period for PMOLED as diverse applications continue to surface and integration across various industries ensues. The competitive analysis and strategic viewpoints presented in the report equip industry players with necessary foresight to chart future business strategies and cement their market presence.

While reports on PMOLED have been developed and published previously, this particular market study shines with its in-depth analysis and forecasts that highlight the significant progress being made in OLED technology and the fast-paced evolution of the electronic products landscape. Industry participants and observers will find the data and insights invaluable for decision-making and strategizing in this exciting field of technology and innovation.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Global PMOLED Market : Market Dynamics

2.1: Introduction, Background, and Classifications

2.2: Supply Chain

2.3: Industry Drivers and Challenges



3. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis from 2018 to 2030

3.1. Macroeconomic Trends (2018-2023) and Forecast (2024-2030)

3.2. Global PMOLED Market Trends (2018-2023) and Forecast (2024-2030)

3.3: Global PMOLED Market by Type

3.3.1: Transparent

3.3.2: Flexible

3.4: Global PMOLED Market by End Use Industry

3.4.1: Display Television

3.4.2: Smartphone

3.4.3: Tablets & Laptop

3.4.4: Automotive Display

3.4.5: Others

3.5: Global PMOLED Market by Application

3.5.1: Residential

3.5.2: Commercial

3.5.3: Industrial

3.5.4: Others



4. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis by Region from 2018 to 2030

4.1: Global PMOLED Market by Region

4.2: North American PMOLED Market

4.2.2: North American PMOLED Market by Application: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Others

4.3: European PMOLED Market

4.3.1: European PMOLED Market by End Use Industry: Display Television, Smartphone, Tablets & Laptop, Automotive Display, and Others

4.3.2: European PMOLED Market by Application: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Others

4.4: APAC PMOLED Market

4.4.1: APAC PMOLED Market by End Use Industry: Display Television, Smartphone, Tablets & Laptop, Automotive Display, and Others

4.4.2: APAC PMOLED Market by Application: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Others

4.4.4: APAC PMOLED Market by :

4.5: ROW PMOLED Market

4.5.1: ROW PMOLED Market by End Use Industry: Display Television, Smartphone, Tablets & Laptop, Automotive Display, and Others

4.5.2: ROW PMOLED Market by Application: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Others



5. Competitor Analysis

5.1: Product Portfolio Analysis

5.2: Operational Integration

5.3: Porter's Five Forces Analysis



6. Growth Opportunities and Strategic Analysis

6.1: Growth Opportunity Analysis

6.1.1: Growth Opportunities for the Global PMOLED Market by Type

6.1.2: Growth Opportunities for the Global PMOLED Market by End Use Industry

6.1.3: Growth Opportunities for the Global PMOLED Market by Application

6.1.4: Growth Opportunities for the Global PMOLED Market by Region

6.2: Emerging Trends in the Global PMOLED Market

6.3: Strategic Analysis

6.3.1: New Product Development

6.3.2: Capacity Expansion of the Global PMOLED Market

6.3.3: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Joint Ventures in the Global PMOLED Market

6.3.4: Certification and Licensing



7. Company Profiles of Leading Players

7.1: US Micro Products

7.2: Visionox

7.3: Sony

7.4: Panasonic

7.5: Samsung Electronics

7.6: Apple

7.7: Accelopment

7.8: RaystarOptronics

7.9: Japan Display

7.10: LG Display

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xbd2ar

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
KYODO NEWS - Feb 4, 2024 - 13:25 | All, World

U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday easily won South Carolina's Democratic primary that formally began the party's nomination process for the November presidential election, saying he is confident of defeating his predecessor Donald Trump, the clear front-runner in the Republican race.

Although the outcome was not in doubt, the primary was a significant test of the incumbent president's standing among black voters, who account for more than half of the party's electorate in the Southern state and played a crucial role in his victory in the previous election.

Despite concern about his age, the 81-year-old was heavily favored over other candidates, including Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson.

"The people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the presidency again -- and making Donald Trump a loser -- again," Biden said in a statement after major U.S. media outlets reported his overwhelming victory based on their projections.

As of about 11 p.m., with nearly 100 percent of the estimated votes counted, Biden had 96.2 percent, compared with 2.1 percent for Williamson and 1.7 percent for Phillips, according to The Associated Press.

Up for grabs were 55 delegates, with Biden securing all of them, it said.

For Biden to win reelection in a potential rematch against Trump on Nov. 5, strong support from nonwhite voters is essential.

But polls have shown that Biden is facing severe headwinds, with an increasing number of black Americans across the country unhappy with his performance since he took office in January 2021, feeling he has failed to improve their living conditions.

Voting trends in South Carolina were also closely watched because the state is where Biden's candidacy was resurrected in 2020 after early setbacks.

"The stakes in this election could not be higher. There are extreme and dangerous voices at work in the country -- led by Donald Trump -- who are determined to divide our nation and take us backward," Biden said. "We cannot let that happen."

In a departure from past practice, the Democratic National Committee changed its nomination calendar last year so that South Carolina would be its first official contest in 2024.

Biden and the party wanted to prioritize a state with more ethnic diversity than Iowa or New Hampshire, which had for decades held each cycle's first caucus and primary, respectively.

The primary in South Carolina was the first to award delegates to the Democratic Party's convention in August.

Republicans held their first contests as usual in Iowa and New Hampshire, dominated by white voters, with Trump winning both convincingly.

In New Hampshire, a largely symbolic Democratic primary, which did not award delegates, was held last week.

Although Biden was not on the ballot, he beat long-shot challengers Phillips and Williamson resoundingly thanks to a write-in campaign carried out by the president's supporters.

The Republican Party's primary vote in South Carolina on Feb. 24 is the next key event in its nomination calendar.

Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who is now Trump's only Republican competitor, has been trailing the 77-year-old former president in polls.

Related coverage:

Trump wins again in race for U.S. Republican presidential nomination

U.S. to keep supporting Ukraine if Trump returns to power: Mike Pompeo

DeSantis exits 2024 U.S. presidential race, endorses Trump
Geneva, Feb 3 : At least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are now either unaccompanied by or separated from their parents or relatives, the United Nations (UN) has estimated.

Speaking from Jerusalem on Friday, Jonathan Crickx, chief of communication in the State of Palestine for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said this figure corresponds to one per cent of the 1.7 million people who have been displaced in Gaza. The total population in the enclave is around 2.3 million, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UN official, who visited Gaza this week, said he had met 12 children there, three of whom had lost a parent.

"Behind each of those statistics is a child coming to terms with this horrible new reality," he said.

For example, 11-year-old Razan, had lost almost all her family members, and her leg had to be amputated, he said. "She was still in shock, learning to live with a disability in the context where rehabilitation services were not available."

Due to a lack of food, water and shelter, extended families are unable to take care of extra children, he said.

The mental health of Palestinian children is severely impacted, he said. They have been displaying extremely high levels of anxiety, loss of appetite, insomnia and panic every time they hear the bombings.

"UNICEF now estimates that almost all children of Gaza, more than one million, need mental health and psychosocial support," the UN official noted.

"The only way to have this mental health and psychosocial support delivered at scale is with a ceasefire," he concluded.
Damascus, Feb 3 : Six "pro-Iran fighters" were killed and four others wounded in US airstrikes that targeted strongholds of these fighters in eastern Syria on Friday night just as the US was readying retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets, a war monitor reported. This comes days after a deadly attack on a US military base in Jordan.

The airstrikes targeted the Haidariya region in the desert of al-Mayadeen city in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour as well as the shrines of Ain Ali and Al-Shibli on the outskirts of the city, Xinhua news agency reported.

Warplanes also targeted the al-Hizam area and the industrial neighbourhood in the city of al-Bukamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Overall, the war jets conducted four rounds of airstrikes on Iranian militia locations in Deir al-Zour, with three rounds on al-Mayadeen and one round on al-Bukamal.

US reconnaissance planes continue to patrol the region's airspace intensively, said the Observatory, adding that sources revealed significant confusion among the militias due to a lack of intelligence about potential targets and their readiness to absorb the expected US strike in the coming hours.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 12:21 | All, Japan

The number of teachers who took leave due to mental illness at public schools in Japan climbed to a record high of 6,539 in fiscal 2022, a government survey showed, with an increased workload amid the COVID-19 pandemic cited as a possible factor.

The figure for the year to last March was up 642 from the previous year, marking the second straight annual increase. The sum accounted for 0.71 percent of all teachers at elementary, junior and high schools as well as special needs schools, or 1 in 140 individuals, the education ministry said.

The number of teachers who took leave due to mental illness had fluctuated at around 5,000 in recent years, but it surged by more than 1,300 in two years since fiscal 2020, which saw the start of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Education experts said the rise was partly due to an increased workload caused by the pandemic such as the need to take infection prevention measures, but they also cited a rising trend in complaints from students' parents.

A shortage of school teachers has been a serious problem in Japan with young people avoiding entering a profession seen as having a heavy workload, the experts said, while also noting that more teachers are taking leave due to illness or childbirth.

Recognizing the situation as a "serious challenge," the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry will promote workstyle reform, including reducing paperwork and addressing long working hours.

By age group, the largest number of teachers were in their 30s at 1,867, followed by 1,786 in their 50s, 1,598 in their 40s and 1,288 in their 20s, according to the survey covering the personnel situation.

Meanwhile, the number of teachers punished or reprimanded for sexual violence stood at 242 in fiscal 2022, remaining above 200 for the 10th consecutive year, with male teachers accounting for 98 percent of the total, the same survey showed.

Among them, 119 were punished for offenses against students, with 42 teachers having sexual intercourse with a student, followed by 32 punished for molestation and 21 for peeping or voyeurism, it said, adding around 30 percent of cases of misconduct were carried out during working hours including break time and during club activities.

The number of teachers punished for inflicting corporal punishment -- another major problem involving teachers in Japan -- totaled 397, up 54 from fiscal 2021 and reversing the downward trend, the report said.
Tel Aviv, Feb 3 : Even as negotiations and discussions are taking place at several places including Paris, Cairo and Doha for a pause in the fight between Hamas and Israel, a rift between senior Hamas leaders is putting the ceasefire on hold.

Sources in the Israeli Defence Minister's office told IANS that they have received information from Qatar mediators that internal differences have popped up between Hamas senior leader Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar on the duration of the ceasefire.

While Sinwar wants a temporary ceasefire of six to eight weeks and the partial release of hostages, Haniyeh wants a permanent end to the war and international support for rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

Sinwar and Haniyeh have however agreed on the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

The sources said that Haniyeh has the backing of senior Hamas leaders Moosa Abu Marzook and Khalil al Hayya while Sinwar reportedly has the support of Hamas' military head Mohammed Deif.

The internal differences in the top leadership of Hamas have infuriated the Qatari and Egyptian negotiators, according to the sources.

Of the 253 hostages taken into custody by Hamas, 105 were released by the group during a weeklong ceasefire from November 24 to December 1. Israel, on the other hand, released 324 Palestinian prisoners during the period.

Israeli agencies have confirmed that 29 of the remaining hostages in Hamas custody are dead.
From Varun Chheda to Neel Acharya - the Purdue deaths that shook Indians. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 3 : The recent death of Purdue University student Neel Acharya has put the focus back on the security and safety of Indian and Indian-origin students at and around the campus that witnessed a total of four deaths from the community between 2022-2024.

Placed at No. 33 in the US and No. 86 worldwide in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the prestigious university is a dream of almost every student growing up in India as well as abroad.

For some, the dream came true with a heavy price.

A KNIFE ENDS A 20-YEAR-OLD LIFE

On October 5, 2022, 20-year-old data science student Varun Manish Chheda was gaming and chatting online with friends when he was stabbed to death inside his first-floor McCutcheon Hall room on Purdue University's West Lafayette campus.

According to police, Varun's death was Purdueas first on-campus homicide in more than eight years.

Varun, whose grandfather migrated to the US in 1964 from Gujarat, was allegedly stabbed by his roommate multiple times in the head and neck with a folding knife, an incident that the police called "senseless and unprovoked".

Ji Min Sha, a 22-year-old cybersecurity major from South Korea, was charged with Varun's murder and was found fit to stand trial in September last year. He could face between 45 and 65 years in prison if found guilty of murder.

Making his first court appearance before the Tippecanoe County Magistrate just after the murder on October 14, Sha claimed he was "blackmailed" when asked why he killed Varun but did not elaborate further.

He also said he was "very sorry" when asked if he had anything to tell the victim's family.

Remembered as a "humble person" and "bright student" by faculty and friends, Varun was just 10 days away from celebrating his 21st birthday.

Just a few hours before the murder, his mother sent him her usual evening text message: "Eat well, sleep well... Finish your homework," and Varun responded by saying: "Yes, Mom, I've done it all."

In his last text to his mother at 11:45 pm, Varun wrote: "Goodnight mama".

A TWIN TRAGEDY

Just a year and a week after Varun's death, 25-year-old Tanya Roy and her twin sister Rayna Roy died after falling from their seventh-floor apartment around the Purdue campus on October 11, 2023.

While there was no record of Rayna as a Purdue student, Tanya graduated with a bachelor of science degree in environmental and ecological engineering in 2020 from the university and was a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship in 2019.

The twin sisters were found dead in an alley between Campus Edge Apartments and Westwood Apartments, West Lafayette, according to The Purdue Exponent, the university's student-run newspaper.

First responders tried to provide life-saving help but the girls died at the scene, the West Lafayette Police Department Lt Jon Eager said, adding that the girls' parents were visiting from New York State and were anticipating helping the twins move back.

According to the forensic autopsy, the sisters died by suicide as a result of multiple blunt-force injuries.

FROM MISSING TO BEING MISSED

On January 28, 2024, officials were called around 11.30 am to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible body, which turned out to be that of 19-year-old Neel Acharya.

Neel went missing a day before his death and was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off at the University. His body was found outside Maurice J Zucrow Laboratories on the Purdue campus.

He was a double major in computer science and data science at the John Martinson Honors College where the slain Indian-American Varun was also a student, majoring in data science.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Neel finished his schooling at St Mary's School in Pune before joining Purdue in 2022.

He also participated in and won the Cozmo Clench competition at Techfest 2018-19 hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

At Purdue, Neel worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant and was adept at C (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Research Skills, Python (Programming Language), and Generative Art.

HOW SAFE ARE INDIANS AT PURDUE

According to the university website, Purdue is currently home to more than 2,782 Indian students, representing 21.9 per cent of their international student body -- up from 18.2 per cent two years ago.

The university has 876 undergraduates, 1,906 graduates, and 73 online students from India alone and has offered merit-based scholarships to students from the country, through the Indian Emerging Scholar fund.

The university also has Indian Graduate Students at Purdue (IGRASP) -- a campus cultural organization that aims to build a sense of community away from home for Indian graduate students at the University.

Following Varun's death, Purdue's president assured that the safety and security of students is the single highest priority on the campus.

"Purdue is an extraordinarily safe place on any given day, and compared with cities of Purdue's population (approximately 60,000 in all), we experience a tiny fraction of violent and property crime that occurs elsewhere."

"A death on our campus and among our Purdue family affects each of us deeply."
Melbourne, Feb 3 : Indian-origin barrister Varun Ghosh will take his position in the Australian Senate next week with the Labour Party officially confirming him as their pick to represent Western Australia (WA).

A joint sitting of WA Parliament on Thursday selected the 38-year-old Ghosh, a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers, to replace present senator Patrick Dodson.

"The Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council have chosen Senator Varun Ghosh to represent Western Australia in the Senate of the Federal Parliament," the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia announced on X.

Ghosh joined the Labor party in Perth at the age of 17 after his parents moved from India in the 1980s and began working as neurologists, news website WAToday reported.

He said his preselection was an honour he won't take for granted. "I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone," he said in a statement.

"Varun has spent the last few years working as a barrister with both WA business & on the international stage with the World Bank. I look forward to working with him as part of our

@walabor Senate team in CBR (Canberra)," Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh, wrote on X platform.

At the 2019 federal election, Ghosh was placed in fifth position on the Australian Labour Party's Senate ticket in Western Australia but was not elected.

He received degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Western Australia and was a Commonwealth Scholar in Law at the University of Cambridge.

He previously worked as a finance attorney in New York and as a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, DC.

Ghosh returned to Australia in 2015 as a senior associate with King & Wood Mallesons, representing banks, resource companies, and construction companies in dispute resolution.
Bengaluru, Feb 3 : The political tussle between the ruling Congress and BJP has escalated following the announcement by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to stage a protest in New Delhi on February 7 against the "step-motherly" treatment of the state by the BJP-led Centre.

The BJP has said that the Congress wants to cover up the damage caused by Congress MP D.K. Suresh's statement of "separate nation for south India" and the Hanuman flag removal row.

Karnataka BJP has dubbed the proposed protest by the Karnataka government on February 7 as a desperate measure to cover its seriousetback over the series of events in the state, including the Ram temple inauguration, sources said.

The Congress party is upset over the advantageous position the BJP has secured after the inauguration of Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. As the derogatory remarks by the CM Siddaramaiah camp ministers against Lord Ram and the temple in Ayodhya received huge flak, he was forced to wear 'tilak' and claim that he is also a devotee.

As the Congress government has been trying to tackle the setback suffered due to the removal of Hanuman flag in Keragodu village of Mandya district, Hindu organisations led by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have launched a statewide Hanuman Dhawaja campaign and aim to hoist saffron flags in every home.

Sources in BJP said that the movement will help the saffron party to get inroads into south Karnataka districts, considered as heartland of the influential Vokkaliga community. As JD(S), which finds its core strength in the region is BJP's ally, the BJP is brimming with confidence.

The Congress has tactfully planned the protest in Delhi aiming to draw attention of the people over the "poor share of funds for the state".

DyCM Shivakumar said on Friday, "I am not going to compare Karnataka to Gujarat. We are just asking for our fair share. We thought the 'double engine government' may have helped Karnataka. But a detailed analysis shows that the state has lost Rs 62,000 crore in spite of the Union budget doubling in size."

"Karnataka has been getting a raw deal in the Union budgets. The state has lost a revenue of about Rs 62,000 crore in the last 5 years due to this. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Cabinet ministers, MLAs and MLCs will also participate in the protest to be held on February 7. We have written to the Centre about the venue for the protest."

He has also urged the MLAs and MLCs of the Opposition parties to be part of the protest to seek justice for the state. "The size of the Union budget which was 24.5 lakh crore in 2018-19 has doubled in 2023-24 to 45 lakh crore but the state hasn't benefited from it. Though the Budget size has doubled, grants for Karnataka have only gone up a little from Rs 46,000 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 50,000 crore in 2022-23," he explained.

V. Sunilkumar, BJP Karnataka General Secretary, dubbed the move by the Congress government to protest in New Delhi over poor allotment to the state is ridiculous.

"The intention is to divert the attention from the 'dividing the nation' statement by Congress MP D.K. Suresh. I urge the Congress government to come out with a whitepaper on the grants by the central government to Karnataka state during 2004 to 2014 UPA rule at the Centre and PM Modi-led government's rule from 2014 to the present day," Sunil Kumar demanded.
Chitradurga, Feb 3 : Kaginele Kanaka mutt pontiff Eshwaranandapuri Swami, who belongs Kuruba (shepherd) community, has claimed that he was not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of historical Chennakeshava temple in Baguru village of Karnataka's Chitradurga district due to his caste.

He made the remarks while participating in a seminar titled 'Religious mutts in the way of transition' at Sanehalli in Chitradurga district on Friday.

"The temple was cleaned as a seer from the Kuruba community entered the temple. I will never set my foot inside the Chennakeshava temple," he said.

"I had visited the temple on the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi. All the women related to priests were let inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Despite being a pontiff of the mutt, I was not let inside.

"I didn't know that the temple is under the Muzarai department. If I had known that would have staged a protest like how saint Kanakadasa protested in Udupi when he was not allowed inside the temple," he said.
Thane : , Feb 3 (IANS) In a shocker, a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA was nabbed on Saturday for allegedly shooting several bullets at a ruling Shiv Sena leader inside a police station, late Friday night, officials said.

The shooting incident took place inside the office of Anil Jagtap, the Senior Police Inspector of Hill Lines Police Station in Ulhasnagar town, late on Friday, ironically, in the home district of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Ruling BJP's Kalyan East MLA Ganpat Kalu Gaikwad and Shiv Sena city President Mahesh Gaekwad were sitting there to resolve a purported land dispute.

Suddenly, Ganpat Gaikwad whipped out his revolver and indiscriminately fired several rounds at Mahesh Gaekwad, seriously wounding him and leading to a chaos inside and outside the police station, though no police personnel were hurt.

A seriously injured and bleeding Mahesh Gaekwad was rushed to the Jupiter Hospital in Thane town for treatment while Ganpat Gaikwad and three other associates who were detained have been placed under arrest here this morning.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) raised a stink over the shootout inside a police station and demanded the resignation of BJPas Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Congressa Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Working President Supriya Sule slammed the ruling 'Mahayuti' regime for the lawlessness act that occurred inside a police station headas chamber.

As the MVA demanded his scalp, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said he would speak with Fadnavis, who in turn, acted swiftly and ordered a probe into the shootout this morning (February 3).

The accused legislator, Ganpat Gaikwad has claimed that he and his family were facing issues from CM Shinde and his MP son Dr. Shrikant E. Shinde.

He also contended that he was compelled to shoot because of CM Shinde and he committed the act out of self-defence.

In a social message attributed to Ganpat Gaikwad, he is reportedly saying that if Shinde continues as the CM, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra, though there was no authentication that the MLA made the alleged statements.
New Delhi: Security personnel are stationed outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 3 : A team of Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Saturday morning again reached the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to serve him a notice in connection with the allegations that BJP was trying to "buy" AAP MLAs.

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) A team of Delhi Policeas Crime Branch on Saturday morning again reached the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to serve him a notice in connection with the allegations that BJP was trying to "buy" AAP MLAs.

Sources said that the team had asked Kejriwal to provide evidence in the matter.

On Friday, as per sources, besides Kejriwalas residence, the Crime Branch team also went to AAP Minister Atishi's residence to serve a notice. However, the notices were not accepted at either location.

"Atishi was not at home, while Kejriwal was also not at home. The Crime Branch team is likely to come again tomorrow," the sources said.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva had said the saffron party welcomes reports of Crime Branch launching an inquiry into AAP's allegations of "BJP luring AAP MLAs".

Delhi BJP had filed a complaint on January 30, stating that it has made no such offer to AAP MLAs, while demanding a police inquiry into Kejriwal's "false" allegations. Sachdeva had said that the Crime Branch has served a notice to Kejriwal, he should either submit evidence to support his allegations or be prepared to face criminal proceedings.
Chennai, Feb 3 : A human rights organisation has said that it will move the Madras High Court in a case related to the revoking of suspension of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Balveer Singh, widely accused in the Ambasamudram custodial torture case.

Henri Tiphagane, Executive Director, Peopleas Watch, a Human Rights organisation, has said that he will move the Madras High Court against the state government's decision to revoke the suspension of Singh.

The Tamil Nadu government has recently revoked the suspension of the police officer.

Balveer Singh, while serving as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Ambasamudram is alleged to have pulled out the teeth of youths in three police stations under the Ambasamudram subdivision.

The police officer is also accused of inserting gravel in the mouth of the victims and plucking out their teeth while other policemen held them forcefully.

The related incidents took place between March 10 and 23 in 2023 and after the victims complained human rights activists like Henri Tiphagane brought out the brutal incidents before the world. Following a hue and cry Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin ordered an investigation against the police officer.

The Crime Branch CID of the Tamil Nadu Police charge-sheeted him in three cases and he was put on suspension.

Tamil Nadu government authorities, however, said that Balveer Singh was under suspension since the last nine months and being a central service officer, he could not be kept under suspension for long. The officials said that he would be given a non sensitive posting.

Henri Tiphangane said that he would move the Madras high court against the revoking of suspension. He also said that the state government was trying to shield the IPS officer from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the Ambasamudram custodial torture case. He also urged Chief Minister Stalin to release the high-level inquiry report submitted by IAS officer P. Amudha.

It may be noted that after the victims were allegedly tortured in police stations on March 10 and 23, an inquiry was conducted by Sub-divisional Magistrate Cheranmahadevi and Sub Collector Md. Shabbir Alam.

After the victims of the alleged torture spoke to media outlets, the chief minister appointed Amudha to conduct a high-level probe in April 2023 but the report was kept a secret.

Meanwhile, Arunkumar, a victim, had approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and sought for the report to be released.

Following a subsequent appeal, the state government released the interim report on Thursday.

Tiphagne said the CB-CID omitted the names of non-SC/ST officers in the charge sheet, to safeguard them from the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act).
Kolkata, Feb 3 : A lower district court in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal has sought a detailed police report on the attack on ED and CAPF personnel in the state before the crucial hearing on the anticipatory bail plea filed by the attack mastermind and absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan on February 26.

The lower court has also sought the case diary in the matter from Basirhat District Police authorities under whose jurisdiction Sandeshkhali comes where the attack on ED and CAPF personnel took place on January 5.

This lower court at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal is the second court in the state where the absconding mastermind has moved the anticipatory bail petition and that too from underground.

His first anticipatory bail petition from underground was rejected at a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) following which his counsel moved the lower district court at Barasat.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, only the ED counsel is supposed to update the special court of PMLA in Kolkata about the details of the charges framed against Shahjahan.

On Saturday, ED issued a second notice to the absconding Trinamool Congress leader asking him to surrender and be present at the central agencyas Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata by next week.

Shahjahan had earlier ignored the first similar notice by ED where the latter asked him to be present at the same office by 11 a.m. on January 29. Instead he had moved two separate courts for anticipatory bail.

A total of 29 days have passed since the attack on ED and CAPF official took place in front of Shahjahanas residence and he managed to escape. ED has already issued a lookout notice against him in anticipation that he might flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, as its international borders with India are very close from the accused's residence. --IANS

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Kolkata, Feb 3 : The body of a personal bodyguard and a close associate of a Trinamool Congress legislator from Purulia district of West Bengal was discovered under mysterious circumstances within the premises of the MLA hostel in Kolkata on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Jaideb Gharai, a constable of the state police, and he was the bodyguard of Rajib Lochan Saren, the Trinamool Congress legislator from Bandwan Assembly constituency.

A police team, accompanied by four members of the forensic team and led by deputy commissioner (south division) of Kolkata Police Priyabrata Roy reached the spot.

"We are investigating the matter. The body has been sent already for post-mortem purpose and the exact reason behind his death will be known only after the autopsy report comes," said an investigating official.

Now questions have been raised on how the incident could take place within such a high-security zone like that of the MLA Hostel. The investigating officials have started questioning those security personnel who were on duty at the hostel from Friday night till Saturday morning. An official of the city police said that initial investigation indicates that it was a case of suicide.
By Ko Hirano, KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 17:51 | World, Feature, All, Japan

Misaki Otsuki can never forget her encounter last summer with a Myanmar boy who evacuated to a camp in Thailand due to Myanmar military airstrikes on anti-junta forces in border areas.

The boy was crying during a prayer at a school for displaced Myanmar children in Mae Sot, a Thai town that borders Myanmar's Kayin State. Some other children were also crying, apparently traumatized as they could not see their parents or had seen them killed in what has become a three-year-old conflict since the Feb. 1, 2021, coup.

"The boy said he did not know how long he will have to stay at the camp, and that he wants to live with his parents in Kayin again," said Otsuki, a Myanmar resident of Japan who wishes to be identified by her Japanese name. "I just wanted to hold him tight and say, 'Mom is here. You are OK now.'"

"But I could not do that. I felt powerless," the mother of two said in a recent interview. "This experience strengthened my determination to help displaced children by providing food, medical, education and other assistance, especially when the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has only been deepening since the coup."

Otsuki was visiting the school as part of a relief mission by the Chit Chit Khin Khin Foundation, or the Japan Myanmar Charity Event, a Tokyo-based support group she co-heads.

Construction of the school, which caters to about 200 elementary school and kindergarten children, mainly from Kayin, was partially funded by the group.

CCKK was founded in August 2022 after its precursor raised about 15 million yen ($102,000) in crowdfunding from March to April that year to support Myanmar people following the military's ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratically elected government.

The group raised about 10 million yen from January to March 2023 in a similar scheme. On Jan. 20 this year, it co-hosted a charity concert in Tokyo and raised about 700,000 yen, all of which will be used for displaced Myanmar children.

Military attacks against the National Unity Government -- the shadow civilian leadership -- and its ethnic minority allies have led to a surge in casualties and displaced people living in dire conditions with inadequate shelter, food insecurity, a collapsed health system and disrupted education.

Since the coup, the junta led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has killed about 4,500 protesters and other citizens, and left 2.3 million people displaced in Myanmar and 60,000 others outside the country, according to U.N. and other data.

Observers question the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance that the Japanese government provides to Myanmar through the United Nations and other international organizations, believing not all of the aid reaches people really in need in conflict areas.

Under the current system, bilateral aid, even channeled by U.N. agencies, must go through Myanmar's military government, raising suspicions that part of the Japanese aid -- if not all -- may be diverted to the generals, they said.

Citing such concerns, Win Myat Aye, the NUG's minister for humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said, "We would like Japan to extend aid directly to the NUG, a pro-democracy organization backed by the people of Myanmar."

At present, the NUG and ethnic minority groups control 60 percent of Myanmar's territory, Win Myat Aye said in a meeting with members of the Myanmar diaspora in Tokyo on Jan. 21.

"Areas we are controlling now are not stable and we definitely are short of aid," he said, in reference to the Sagaing region and other severely affected areas.

Aside from crowdfunding campaigns and charity events, CCKK has launched a support system involving minimum monthly contributions of 1,000 yen in an effort to secure a stable source of funding for its activities.

Using around 200,000 yen raised each month from about 90 donors, the group in January shipped rice, oil and vegetables to displaced people in three camps along the Thai border and built a toilet for Myanmar evacuees outside Mae Sot. Otsuki wants more people to join the initiative.

"With three years passing since the coup, people's attention has shifted to Ukraine, Gaza and most recently the recovery of a central Japan region hit by a deadly earthquake," she said. "These are important humanitarian issues, but I strongly hope Myanmar will not become a forgotten emergency."

Together with an increased diplomatic push by Japan, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other parties for the junta to end the violence, Kei Nemoto, a professor emeritus of Sophia University and Myanmar expert, called for immediate and sustained international assistance to improve the humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

"Media reports show evacuation facilities for survivors of the Jan. 1 quake in Japan need more water, food, medicine, toilets and clothes, and we can imagine that is also the case for displaced Myanmar people," Nemoto said.

"Let us take action to alleviate suffering and save the lives of Myanmar people in whatever way we can, including supporting groups like CCKK," he said.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Myanmar junta threatened by armed opposition forces 3 yrs after coup

ASEAN endorses Thailand's humanitarian corridor for Myanmar refugees

Myanmar junta senior official attends ASEAN meeting in Laos
Visakhapatnam, Feb 3 : A government official was murdered by an unidentified man in Kommadi, a suburb of Visakhapatnam, police said on Saturday.

Ramanaiah, a tahsildar, was attacked by the assailant with iron rods on Friday night in the cellar of an apartment complex.

According to police, the tahsildar, who was living in a rented flat, reached home from the office at around 8 p.m. He received a phone call around 10.15 p.m. and he went to the cellar to meet a person.

CCTV footage shows there was a heated argument between the two, and the assailant attacked him with an iron rod and escaped. Ramanaiah sustained injuries on head.

Hearing the commotion, the security staff of the building rushed to the cellar. They informed his family members, who shifted him to a hospital. The official succumbed early Saturday.

Police registered a case and took up investigation. Sources said four suspects have been picked up for questioning.

Police commissioner A Ravi Shankar and other police officials visited the spot.

Ramanaiah was recently transferred from Chinagadali (Visakhapatnam Rural) to Bantupalli in Vizianagaram district two days ago as part of transfers ahead of elections.

He had joined the revenue department a decade ago and is survived by wife and two children.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : Former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. A BJP stalwart, Advani is also the founding member of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

Born on November 8, 1927, 96-year-old Advani served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004. He is the longest serving Minister of Home Affairs serving from 1998 to 2004. He is also the longest serving Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He was the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP during the 2009 general election.

The Prime Minister took to his personal X handle to announce the highest civilian award for LK Advani and informed that he also congratulated the party veteran on being conferred with the nation's highest civilian honour.

"I am very happy to share that LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour..," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.

Notably, Bharat Ratna is the nation's highest civilian award, given as a mark of recognition for exceptional & distinguished service.

Showering praises on the towering stature & exemplary leadership of BJP patriarch, PM Modi wrote, "One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well."

Advani is widely credited as one of the tallest leaders who scripted BJP's rise from 'oblivion to prominence'. It was after his Rath Yatra in 1990s that catapulted the saffron party into national politics.

For the unversed, LK Advani is the second BJP stalwart to be conferred with Bharat Ratna. Prior to him, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also honored with Bharat Ratna in 2015.
Los Angeles, Feb 3 : Actor Milos Bikovic has spoken out after he was fired from 'The White Lotus', and slammed a "targeted campaign" against him.

The actor was initially set to star in the hit show's upcoming season 3.

"Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom," the Serbian actor, who has been supporting Russia amid the Ukraine-Russia war, told Deadline.

"The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art."

"I was honoured to be chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a TV series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect."

Bikovic added: "However, my participation is not possible due to reasons beyond the realm of art and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity."

"I would like to thank everyone who stood by me. I wish my colleagues great success in creating the next season. Regardless of everything, I strongly believe that art can heal. I believe it can help humanity unite. My beliefs and my dedication to art will remain unchanged," he concluded his message, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Bikovic's removal from the show came after Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs blasted HBO for casting Bikovic.

"Is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?" Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X alongside a video post featuring public comments by the actor while tagging the network.

While 'The White Lotus' didn't reveal Bikovic's character, he was reportedly cast as Russian Valentin, a flirtatious yogi and the hotel's Life Enhancement Mentor. The awards-winning show is now recasting the role as production is about to start in and around Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : Batting for equitable access to legal education, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud on Saturday said that admissions processes to law schools should not only consider academic performance but also factors such as socioeconomic background, diversity, and life experiences.

Delivering an inaugural address at 2024 Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC), CJI Chandrachud said that as we strive to modernise legal education, we must also confront the question of equitable access to legal education.

"Entrance tests for admission to law schools must not be exclusionary. We must ensure that our admissions processes are fair, transparent, and inclusive," he said.

Speaking further, CJI Chandrahcud said that law officers serve as the primary point of contact between the courts and the government and they not only function as representatives of the government but also as officers of the court.

"Law officers bear a greater responsibility in upholding ethical standards compared to private practitioners, given their role as guardians of the rule of law. It is imperative that law officers remain impervious to the politics of the day and conduct themselves with dignity in court, ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings," he said.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised that law officers and professionals should not only assist the administration of justice but also uphold the honour of the legal profession through exemplary conduct from both within and outside the courtroom, he added.

Citing eCourts Project which aims to leverage technology to improve access to justice for all citizens, CJI Chandrachud said that technology should bring about a transformation, not just automation.

"We must ensure that technological solutions are designed keeping in mind equity and inclusivity, taking into account the diverse needs and capabilities of all our stakeholders," he said.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said that the Sustainable Development Goals -- calling for action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all -- resonate deeply with our core constitutional principles of justice, equality, and human rights and these goals are not specific to just India but are intrinsic part of all legal systems.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) - Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan.

The Conference will see participation of Attorney Generals and Solicitors from the Commonwealth nations spanning the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean along with various international delegations.

The conference themed 'Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery' will deliberate on important issues pertaining to law and justice like judicial transition and the ethical dimensions of legal practice; executive accountability; and revisiting modern-day legal education, among others.
Bengaluru, Feb 3 : Karnataka unit of BJP on Saturday alleged that the Congress government in the state wants to have communal clashes so that they could win the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"The Congress has laid out well-prepared plans to create communal clashes, to start debate on the division of the country and blaming the central government for allegedly curtailing the freedom of expression," Karnataka BJP wrote on X.

The BJP said that Congress is all set to spread false news through their IT Cell and to insult the heritage of India.

"Kharge himself has agreed that BJP will win 400 seats in the upcoming LS elections. Despite Kharge's acknowledgement, Congress leaders instead of taking up the development are indulging in false gimmicks and are struck by fear," the BJP said.

The party also slammed the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged 'politics of appeasement'.

"He slept when it comes to farmers, women security and Ram Mandir inauguration but when it comes to the politics of appeasement, he is always alert and vigilant," BJP said.

The BJP said that the Chief Minister also slept at the time of Ram Mandir inauguration but when it is about Tipu Jayanthi he remains awake.

"He is likely to release Rs 10,000 crore for Muslims but when farmers ask for compensation he pretends to be sleeping," the BJP alleged.

The BJP said that when the Kannada people ask for drinking water, the Chief Minister sleeps but he is always ready to release water to the land of Stalin (Tamil Nadu).

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 3 : On the first anniversary of 'Class', actress Ayesha Kanga, who shot to fame with her portrayal as Yashika in the series, is aspiring to make a mark in the Hindi film industry.

Ayesha said: "The success of Class and the joy of performance has fuelled my ambition to pursue a career in acting. What began as an exploration in acting with Class has now evolved into a genuine career choice. I hope to continuously improve, refine my skills, and make a mark in the Hindi film industry."

The actress added: "I'd love to be part of groundbreaking storytelling in the movies or on OTT, selecting projects that bring me joy and fulfill me creatively. I owe a ginormous thanks to 'Class' for helping me realise my potential."

"The positive feedback and reviews have boosted my confidence in achieving my goals."

Graduating from National Institute of Design (NID), Ayesha Kanga is ambitiously eyeing a future in Bollywood while aiming to leave an influential mark on the Indian fashion scene. Vogue, a leading fashion magazine, has acknowledged her influence by naming her the Most Disruptive Force of Fashion.

She credits the director of Class, the maverick Ashim Ahluwalia for making her stand out in the series which has led to this fruition point in her career.

Ayesha shared: "Special thanks to my director, Ashim Ahluwalia, for being a guide, mentor, and shaping me into the feisty character on screen. Since my performance has garnered attention, I plan to leverage that to get meaningful work and hopefully deliver each time I'm on screen."
Bengaluru, Feb 3 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said that the Congress government will stage a protest in New Delhi on Feb 7 over non-allocation of funds to address the drought situation in Karnataka.

He said that the protest will be led by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and all ministers and Congress MLAs will take part in the protest.

"We will demand justice for Karnataka. More than 200 taluks are drought prone in Karnataka and no funds have been allotted by the Central government," the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons.

He said that the funds announced in the previous budget have not been released to the state and in the present budget the interests of the state have also been undermined.

"The entire Karnataka government will stage a protest for the first time in the national capital over the issue," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

When asked about BJP planning the protest in Karnataka on the same day, the Deputy Chief Minister said that if BJP has sense they must introspect why people in Karnataka have rejected them.

"If they have any honour left, they must raise their voice against the Central government to release funds for the state. The BJP leaders did not meet PM Modi for getting the funds released for the state or accompanied us to meet the PM, nor raised any voice in the interest of the state," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Feb 3 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was admitted to Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Saturday after he complained of trouble breathing.

According to doctors, his condition is stable now. Gehlot has been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 and swine flu.

Additional Superintendent of SMS, Dr. Pradeep Sharma said, the former Chief Minister was admitted at around 12 o'clock in the night. The doctors got him examined. A team of other senior doctors is also looking after him.

Doctors said- When Gehlot was brought to the hospital late at night, his oxygen saturation level was found to be down in his preliminary examination. When this level was between 85-90, he was asked to get admitted at night. In the morning, all his vitals like BP, pulse rates and other physical parameters are normal.

Doctors said that he has just been given oxygen. Gehlot has been unwell for the last few days. Apart from fever and cold, he had chills and slight difficulty in breathing.

Gehlot had already become Covid positive in the year 2021 and also in 2023. At that time, SMS doctors treated him while isolating him at home. This time, along with being Covid, he has also tested positive for swine flu.

In 2021, Gehlot was also admitted to the cardiology wing of SMS after he complained of chest pain, where his angioplasty was done.
Kolkata, Feb 3 : A businessman who was abducted at gun-point from a crowded place in front of a restaurant in the southern outskirts of Kolkata on Friday night -- by a group of miscreants faking as cops -- has been rescued on Saturday.

The police have also arrested three of the five abductors and identified them as Biplab Patra (33), Ashok Maji (46) and Arunangshu Das (42).

Police said that the abduction of the businessman Nitish Shaw (22) was done in an extremely planned manner, where a group of five miscreants were waiting in front of the restaurant with a SUV with the police sticker attached on the front windscreen of the vehicle.

Police said that as soon as the said businessman came out of the restaurant -- as recorded in the footage of the CCTV camera installed in front of the outlet -- the five miscreants surrounded him and at gun-point forced him to the SUV with the police sticker attached.

A city police official said that the entire operation was completed within a couple of minutes before the people watching the incident could react in any way.

"Soon after the abduction, the family members of the abducted businessman received ransom calls demanding an amount of Rs 20 lakh," the official said.

He said that the police started the investigation at the earliest and soon formed three teams.

"On Saturday morning, we were able to track the SUV and rescue the abducted businessman, besides arresting the three abductors," the official said.

He said that the arrested persons will be presented at a lower court in Kolkata on Saturday.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 3, 2024 - 19:04 | All, World, Japan

Around 100 businesses each from Japan and Ukraine are expected to participate in a conference later this month in Tokyo to promote the recovery of the Eastern European country, under invasion from Russia since February 2022, sources close to the matter said Saturday.

Ahead of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction on Feb. 19, Tokyo is considering measures for promoting Japanese companies to launch businesses in Ukraine, in order to help the war-torn country's reconstruction, the sources said.

Among the steps being considered, the Japanese government is looking to ease travel restrictions, allowing some business people to visit Ukraine in response to voices from the private sector that the evacuation advisory, in place since the full-scale invasion began, has hindered investment into the country, they said.

Ukraine is subject to Japan's strictest travel advisory, which urges all Japanese nationals to evacuate and not to travel there.

The conference in Tokyo comes amid growing concerns that support for Ukraine's defense from Western countries may dwindle as Feb. 24, the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion, approaches.

At the meeting, Japan will aim to show its commitment to supporting Kyiv through public-private cooperation in energy, agriculture and infrastructure, as the provision of military assistance is restricted under its war-renouncing Constitution.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will outline Tokyo's plans to help Ukraine's reconstruction at the conference, the sources said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to deliver a video message to the conference, while its Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is scheduled to take part in person to pitch the war-hit country's needs.

Ambassadors to Japan from other Group of Seven advanced economies and Poland, which neighbors Ukraine and has been supporting Kyiv, are also planning to attend the meeting, the sources added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said in January when she visited Ukraine that Japan aims to ensure more than 10 memorandums of cooperation are signed in the public and private sectors with Ukraine at the Tokyo conference.

Related coverage:

Japan to give Ukraine biofuel technology to support reconstruction

Japan vows $3 million to provide education for refugees

Zelenskyy says no cease-fire unless Russia withdraws troops
New Delhi, Feb 3 : Controversial actress-model Poonam Pandey has yet again made headlines after she said she "faked" her death to start a national conversation on cervical cancer. In the bargain, like she always manages to do, she has left behind a trail of polarised views on social media.

When Poonam's social media account released a statement on her having succumbed to cervical cancer at 32, the industry was left in a state of shock, while many grieved several felt it was a publicity gimmick.

Kangana Ranaut, whose show 'Lock Upp' gave Pandey her reality TV star status, was the first to 'mourn' her 'death'.

The actress wrote on her Instagram Stories, "This is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe. Om Shanti!"

Now, after Pandey's re-appearance, her critics are accusing her of engaging in a publicity stunt and being insensitive to the feelings of people living with cervical cancer.

They are asking if the "awareness campaign" was worth the hysteria it created among her fans and the media.

She had written on her Instagram stories: "This is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe. Om Shanti."

Sambhavna Seth, who featured alongside Pandey in the reality show 'Khatron Ke Khiladi', had said her co-star "never mentioned" to her that she had cervical cancer.

Seth was left quizzical, but actress Payal Ghosh was unsparing. She said on social media that Pandey's tactic to get attention, even for a matter of grave concern, was "unwarranted and insensitive".

Writing on X, Ghosh said: "Some find it funny to use such unwarranted and insensitive approach in the name of 'so-called' Awareness. People suffering from #cervicalcancer go through living hell but some find it entitled to use it for PR! Sad state."

Poonam's friend and designer Rohit K. Verma, who had earlier expressed his grief at her sudden 'demise', dropped a scathing comment on her latest video, where she is seen looking healthy dressed in a white T-shirt and appearing without makeup.

Verma wrote: "It's important to address cervical cancer awareness genuinely. Faking one's death can be misleading and counterproductive, Let's encourage more responsible methods to raise awareness and support those affected by this serious health issue."

Pandey's 'Lock Upp' co-contestant Saisha Shinde said she has lost a friend.

Saisha wrote angrily: "You can NEVER GAIN AWARENESS BY GAINING FAKE SYMPATHY. U have lost a friend forever. Shame on you Poonam."

Former 'Bigg Boss' contestant Sreejita De also lashed out at Pandey's tactics.

She said: "This is not creating awareness. This is simply heinous. I cannot believe someone can stoop down to this level for publicity. Shame shame shame. There are so many people who are actually fighting cancer. This is disgusting."

After the spate of angry comments, Pandey shared another statement on Instagram, where she wrote she understood the news of her "supposed demise due to cervical cancer has taken a minute to digest".

She also admitted that this has been perceived to be in "bad taste" but she urged everyone to "consider the greater cause".

She added: "The sheer lack of awareness surrounding this issue was the mere reason that compelled me to take this compelling step."

Pandey concluded by saying: "It's intriguing how much vital information was in the forefront yet failed to capture the attention of the press ntil the narrative took a dramatic turn with the news of my death to cervical cancer."

Coincidentally, it all started just a day after the Interim Union Budget 2024-25 was tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who put the spotlight on the health of girls aged 9-14.

Sitharaman announced that the government will promote the vaccination of girls aged 9-14 for the prevention of cervical cancer.
New Delhi, Feb 03 : Vaping continues to pose irreversible dangers for society with new-age gateway products using innovative marketing techniques to lure children and youngsters. In today's age of information overload and misinformation, it is extremely vital for citizens to have access to credible and accurate information to ensure they do not fall prey to activities promoted by vested interests.

New Delhi, Feb 03 (IANSlife) Vaping continues to pose irreversible dangers for society with new-age gateway products using innovative marketing techniques to lure children and youngsters. In todayas age of information overload and misinformation, it is extremely vital for citizens to have access to credible and accurate information to ensure they do not fall prey to activities promoted by vested interests.

Mothers against Vaping, a united front of concerned mothers combatting the escalating vaping crisis among our youth, has highlighted 10 major health risks associated with vaping as it seeks to raise awareness about vaping and various health hazards ranging from excessive usage of nicotine to severe lung injury in children.

The first risk it has highlighted is that new-age tobacco devices, unlike typical cigarettes, can result in excessive nicotine intake and these devices enable more prolonged usage sessions.

Secondly, there is a prevalent misconception that the vapours emitted from new-age tobacco devices are harmless, but in reality, these emissions consist of a range of harmful substances, including nicotine, diacetyl, which are linked to severe lung injury. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), notorious for its detrimental impact on respiratory health. The 2019 e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak in the United States serves as a stark reminder that led to the hospitalisation of numerous Americans, predominantly teenagers and young adults, resulting in enduring lung damage and pulmonary dysfunction for many survivors.

Thirdly, the dangers of New-Age Gateway Devices go beyond just respiratory health issues. E-cigarettes, in particular, harm blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease. They are also linked to negative effects on the immune system and reproductive organs. Fourthly, these devices contribute to environmental issues and consequently harm humans. The components of New-Age Tobacco Devices, including a cartridge, an atomizer, and a battery, contain materials such as metals and ceramics. Improper disposal of these components contributes to e-waste, posing environmental hazards. For example, e-cigarette batteries can lead to environmental pollution with heavy metals, seeping into the soil and contaminating groundwater, rivers and lakes. This contamination not only harms the environment but also poses risks to human health, with children being more vulnerable than adults.

The fifth health hazard pertains to mental well-being. Peer-reviewed studies have revealed troubling connections between vaping, nicotine and the exacerbation of symptoms related to depression and anxiety. The findings suggest higher chances for individuals to be diagnosed with depression due to their vaping habits.

Sixthly, the chemicals in these products pose a significant risk to oral health, leading to issues like gum disease, tooth decay and oral infections. A study by NYU College of Dentistry in February 2022 found that e-cigarettes alter the microbiome, contributing to gum diseases. The microbiome, a diverse community of bacteria and microorganisms in the gum, can be adversely affected by e-cigarette use, intensifying or causing oral health problems.

Seventhly, using these New-Age Tobacco Products during pregnancy poses serious risks to fetal health, significantly increasing the chances of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental complications in new-borns.

Eighthly, health hazard is that alternative tobacco products could act as a gateway to more severe addictions like cocaine and heroin. Early exposure and addiction to nicotine through these alternatives might pave the way for individuals, especially young users, to experiment with stronger addictive substances, significantly impacting their overall health and well-being.

Ninthly, nicotine exposure from new-age devices during crucial adolescent brain development can have lasting effects on cognition, attention and impulse control. This not only disrupts learning environments but also hampers the cognitive development of students engaging in this harmful behaviour.

Last but not the least, a crucial health hazard posed by these new-age gateway devices is their susceptibility to malfunctions or explosions, leading to severe risks such as burns, facial trauma and tragically even fatalities for users. E-cigarette batteries can explode without warning through a process called "thermal runaway," occurring when the battery overheats, leading to dangerous increases in internal temperature resulting in fire and explosion. Conditions like overcharge, puncture, external heat and short circuits can trigger thermal runaway.

Manufacturers of these devices target children and youth to create lifelong customers. Alarmingly, children aged 13a"15 are using e-cigarettes more than adults in all WHO regions. To address this issue, it is essential to actively disseminate accurate information about the genuine risks associated with these products, dispelling any misleading perceptions and ensuring the protection of our children and youth.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

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New Delhi: AAP leader Sanjay Singh arrives to files his nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 3 : A Delhi court on Saturday granted permission to AAP MP Sanjay Singh, arrested and charge-sheeted in the excise policy money laundering case, to take his oath as Rajya Sabha MP on February 5, while in custody.

On Thursday, the court had issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Singh's application seeking interim bail from February 4 to 10 to attend the ongoing Parliament session.

Special judge M. K. Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court also extended till February 17 the judicial custody of former Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Singh, who appeared physically before the court.

The judge allowed Singh's request to take the oath in judicial custody, withdrawing his above-mentioned application for interim bail.

Singh cited a court appearance in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on February 7 as the reason for his request.

Advocates Rajat Bhardwaj, Farrukh Khan, and Prakash Priydarshi represented Singh during the proceedings.

Additionally, during the hearing, Tanveer Ahmed Mir, counsel for Amandeep Singh Dhall, raised concerns about CCTV footage without audio in the case and requested footage with audio.

Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj also submitted an application seeking the supply of statements recorded before the court, including those of Raghav Magunta and P Sharat Reddy, who were given a pardon.

The court noted other pending applications, including one seeking CCTV footage and another seeking records of emails written by accused Dhall to ED. These applications will be addressed in the next hearing.

The Delhi High Court had on Wednesday reserved its judgment on Singh's bail plea.

Singh had moved the High Court seeking bail on January 4 after Special Judge Nagpal dismissed his plea on December 22 .

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma reserved the order after hearing arguments from both the sides.

The ED on Tuesday had claimed before the court that Singh was involved in creating a special purpose vehicle (SPV) Aralias Hospitality Pvt Ltd to launder "proceeds of crime" linked to the alleged liquor scam, a result of changes in the excise policy.

In an affidavit, it alleged Singh's involvement in acquiring, concealing, and using proceeds of crime, and that he worked closely with individuals like Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora.

The ED further claimed that Singh received illegal money or kickbacks from the alleged excise policy (2021-22) scam and participated in a conspiracy.

Senior advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Singh, argued that his client has been in custody for three months without a clear attribution of a role in the predicate offence.

Singh's arrest, according to Mathur, relied on the statement of the ED's "star witness".

Justice Sharma had earlier issued notice to the probe agency on Singh's bail plea.

Denying him bail, the judge had said that the evidence demonstrated the accused's involvement in money laundering and that there were reasonable grounds to believe in the guilt based on the connection to proceeds of crime from scheduled offences investigated by the CBI.

The court also said that observations on the interpretation of Section 45 and 50 of the PMLA, made during the dismissal of bail applications for various accused, remained unaltered, and that reliance on a Supreme Court order granting bail to another accused in the case didn't provide contrary observations or establish parity.

It had also dismissed the argument regarding the absence of recovery during proceedings, stating that it is not always necessary.

Addressing the lack of documentary evidence connecting the accused to alleged proceeds of crime, the court rejected the notion, citing the nature of cash transactions.

Dismissing the claim of approver coercion, the judge found no evidence of influence and affirmed the relevance of evidence collected by the ED while noting the accused's alleged role in influencing the excise policy and attempted creation of a partnership involving a dummy associate to generate proceeds of crime.

Statements of approver Dinesh Arora, accused Amit Arora, and witness Ankit Gupta were cited in relation to this aspect, revealing attempts to incorporate the applicant's personal assistant into the entity.

Singh's counsel had earlier noted that Singh was neither an accused, and was never arrested, or charge sheeted in the predicate offence (the alleged corruption in the excise scam) being probed by the CBI, and that he was not even summoned by the CBI in the corruption case.

His name did not appear in any of the supplementary charge sheets filed by the ED before his arrest. The financial probe agency arrested Singh on October 4, 2023 after carrying out searches at his residence in the North Avenue area.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : State Bank of India (SBI) on Saturday reported a 35 per cent decline in net profit at Rs 9,163 crore for the October-December quarter of the current financial year.

SBI said that the drop in profit was due to a one-time exceptional item of Rs 7,100 crore for a provision towards higher pension costs and wage revisions of its staff.

The countryas largest bank had made a net profit of Rs 14205 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

The bank said it has earned Rs 105,733.78 crore in interest income in Q3 FY24, which was up 22 per cent from Rs 86,616.04 crore reported in the year-ago period.

The net interest income (NII) of the country's largest bank stood at Rs 39,815 crore for the quarter.

--IANS

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Kangana Ranaut: Was financially supporting my family, ruffling many feathers at 21. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 3 : Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has joined the viral social media trend of "lets see you at 21", in which she said that she was supporting her family, won a National Award and ruffled many feathers.

Mumbai, Feb 3 (IANS) Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has joined the viral social media trend of "lets see you at 21", in which she said that she was supporting her family, won a National Award and ruffled many feathers.

Kangana took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a throwback picture of herself when she was 21.

She wrote: "Catching up with the trend of let's see you at 21."

The actress then shared a close up photograph of herself and wrote: "Baby fat face."

In the last picture, she mentioned about what all she did when she was 21, which includes winning an award for the drama 'Fashion' in 2008 and financially helping her family.

"I am very proud of myself at 21, I was already financially supporting my family, National Award winner and ruffling many feathers."

On the work front, Kangana, who was last seen on screen in 'Tejas', is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film 'Emergency', where she will be seen in playing the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.

The film also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik. It is slated to release on July 14.
Mumbai, Feb 3 : In one of the most brazen crimes in recent times, a ruling Bharatiya Janata MLA from Kalyan town shot and critically injured a Shiv Sena city leader inside Ulhasnagar's Hill Lines Police Station, in the home district of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The incident occurred around 9.40 p.m. on Friday night in the chamber of Senior Police Inspector Anil Jagtap, when the BJP MLA Ganpat Kalu Gaikwad suddenly got up and started firing indiscriminately at Shiv Sena Kalyan President Mahesh Gaekwad and his associates Rahul Patil and Chainu Jadhav sitting opposite him.

The terrifying drama was captured on the CCTV footage in the cabin showing MLA Ganpat Gaikwad suddenly getting up, taking a couple of steps behind and firing wildly at Mahesh Gaekwad, Patil and Jadhav sprang up and started running toward the door.

As they opened the door, Mahesh Gaekwad fell behind the door and Ganpat Gaikwad fired again, pulled him and started assaulting with the butt of the licensed revolver.

Hearing the gunshots, Senior PI Jagtap -- who had stepped outside briefly to control the crowds from both parties indulging in a fracas -- rushed inside along with some activists from both sides.

Jagtap and two others managed to overpower Ganpat Gaikwad, hit him on the hand and released the revolver while some other unknown persons can be seen catching and hammering Mahesh Gaekwad, Patil and Jadhav -- with the police head's cabin resembling a firing-zone.

A profusely bleeding Mahesh Gaekwad and Patil were rushed to a nearby Mira Hospital for first aid, and then to the Jupiter Hospital in Thane where Gaekwad underwent emergency surgery for six hours till this morning when six bullets were extricated from him.

His condition is described as very critical and he is on a ventilator, even as Chief Minister Shinde, his son and Kalyan MP Dr. Shrikant E. Shinde and other party leaders visited Gaekwad at the hospital.

Based on a complaint lodged by Jadhav later, the Ulhasnagar Police arrested Ganpat Gaikwad, his son Vaibhav G. Gaikwad, Harshal Nana Kene, Sandeep Anand Sarvankar, Nagesh Badekar, Vicky Ganotra and others.

The lawmaker along with two others has been nabbed and shall be produced before a court this afternoon.

Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatreya Shinde said the firing was the outcome of a purported land dispute between Gaikwad and Gaekwad.

"The MLA Gaikwad has been lodged in the Kalwa Police Station lockup and will be produced before the court through video-conference," said Addl.CP Shinde.

As he was being taken away by the police, Ganpat Gaikwad claimed that he fired in self-defence as his son was reportedly being beaten up at the police station.

He alleged that if CM Shinde continues, then there will be a 'state of criminals', even as the issue snowballed into a major political controversy in the state.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi top leaders like Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress), Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Dr. Jitendra Awhad (NCP-SP), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT), and other slammed the 'Mahayuti' government and demanded resignation of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis who also holds the Home portfolio.

Under fire from all quarters, Fadnavis immediately ordered a SIT probe headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Nilesh Sonawane.

Meanwhile, as activists from BJP and Shiv Sena became restive, the Thane Police deployed tight security around the Hill Lines Police Station and other important locations in the district.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : Despite facing global challenges in 2023 like valuation issues, few IPOs, regulatory changes and macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, India remains the third largest tech start-up ecosystem globally, with over 950 tech startups founded last year.

Although some of the startups/unicorns are currently facing a liquidity crunch amid layoffs  like Byju's -- most of the ecosystem is still performing well and is aiming to scale operations while preserving cash.

More than 1.14 lakh startups in India have created over 12 lakh jobs so far, the Finance Ministry said in its latest review of the Indian economy.

In the report titled, 'The Indian Economy: A Review January 2024', the Department of Economic Affairs said that the 1.14 lakh startups recognised by the government under the 'Startup India initiative' created more than 12 lakh jobs (as of October 2023).

The cumulative funding for more than 31,000 tech start ups has exceeded $70 billion (from 2019 to 2023), according to a recent report by Nasscom in collaboration with Zinnov.

"In 2023, despite facing global economic and regulatory challenges, Indian tech startups have prioritised the imperative of enhancing their business fundamentals, driving profitability and growth," according to Debjani Ghosh, president, Nasscom.

"The proliferation of tech startups in tier 2 and 3 cities marks the ecosystem's resilience," she added.

Navigating 2024, tech startup founders expect to continue the revenue growth path with measured steps focusing on optimising expenditure and maximising profitability for B2B tech startups.

Investments in deeptech will continue an upward trend in 2024. With generative AI (Gen AI) acceleration, 70 per cent of start-up founders are embedding artificial intelligence (AI) in their solutions.

As funding becomes scarce for the Indian startup ecosystem in general, the explosion of Artificial Intelligence has given a new lease of life to entrepreneurs and founders in the country, as the Centre extends support to the sector.

India's fintech sector saw funding plunge 63 per cent in 2023 -- at just $2 billion -- from $5.4 billion raised in 2022.

InCred was the only unicorn created in 2023, while the fintech sector saw 31 acquisitions and two IPOs. Only five $100 million+ funding rounds took place last year, according to the latest report by Tracxn, a leading market intelligence platform.

"Despite a 63 per cent decline, the fintech sector stands strong as the third-highest funded ecosystem globally, affirming its position as a hub of innovation. The implementation of regulatory measures and the government's commitment to digitalisation have set the stage for a promising future," said Neha Singh, co-founder at Tracxn.

Alternative lending, payments and banking-tech were the top-performing segments in the Indian fintech sector. Alternative lending received a funding of $835 million in 2023, down from $2.28 billion in 2022.

The BNPL segment saw significant growth due to its adoption within the country, which contributed to the growth of the sector.

The value of investments by Private Equity - Venture Capital (PE-VC) firms in India fell by 38 per cent to less than $30 billion in 2023. PE-VC firms invested $29.7 billion (across 756 deals) in Indian companies in 2023, compared to $47.6 billion (across 1,362 deals) in the previous year, as per Venture Intelligence.

The year 2023 witnessed 67 mega deals ($100 M+ rounds) worth $21.2 billion, compared to 112 such investments worth $31.8 billion in 2022.

"While large ticket PE investors focused their attention towards sectors like healthcare, financial services and infrastructure, 2023 saw the slowdown in growth- and late-stage investing trickle into the Venture Capital segment as well," according to Arun Natarajan, Founder of Venture Intelligence.

"Towards the year end, on the back of strong public markets, private markets received a dose of optimism, which also translated into a few large growth stage tech investments going through," he added.

In a respite for the startup ecosystem, the Centre has announced in the Interim Budget to extend tax benefits for startups and investments made by sovereign wealth and pension funds to March 2025.

Certain tax benefits to startups and investments made by sovereign wealth or pension funds as also tax exemption on certain incomes of some International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) units are expiring on March 31 this year.

As many as 2,975 government-recognised startups have been granted Income Tax exemptions so far, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Under the 'Startup India' programme, the government provides Income Tax exemption.

In September last year, the government notified new angel tax rules that comprise the mechanism to evaluate the shares issued by unlisted startups to investors.

Startups registered with the DPIIT were exempted from the new norms. The government highlighted that the exemption will benefit over 80,000 startups.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ship, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

The primary role of the ship is to carry out full scale hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, navigational channels/routes, coastal areas and deep seas, towards enabling safe marine navigation. In its secondary role, the ship will be capable of undertaking a range of naval operations, the ministry of defence (MoD) said in a statement.

The MoD informed that the ship has a displacement of 3,400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters with a beam of 16m. INS Sandhayak is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment including Deep and Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders and satellite-based positioning systems.

Singh termed the commissioning as historic, exuding confidence that INS Sandhayak will further strengthen India's role as a superpower in the Indo-Pacific region and help the Indian Navy in maintaining peace and security.

The Defence Minister said, aThe ocean is vast and bottomless. The more we are able to explore its elements, the more our knowledge will expand, and we will become stronger. The more we gather information about the ocean, its ecology, its flora and fauna, the closer we will get to achieving our objectives. The more we know about the ocean, the more meaningfully we will be able to fulfil our strategic interests."

Singh assured that those involved in maritime piracy and smuggling will not be tolerated under any circumstances, describing it as the pledge of aNew Indiaa.

He lauded the Indian Navy for providing security not only to the Indian ships, but also those from friendly countries. He referred to the recent drone attack on a British ship in the Gulf of Aden which resulted in the oil tankers catching fire. He commended the Indian Navy for its prompt response in extinguishing the fire, stating that the effort was recognised and appreciated by the world.

Singh praised the Indian Navy for averting five piracy attempts and assisting ships attacked by drones and missiles in the last few days, in addition to rescuing 80 fishermen/marines.

He said, aThe Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean region is facilitating safe trade, while ensuring peace and prosperity. Many defence experts are calling this the rise of a superpower. This is our culture - to protect everyone."

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar stated, aBe it the mighty aircraft carrier Vikrant, the deadly destroyers of Visakhapatnam Class, the versatile Nilgiri class Frigates, the stealthy Kalvari class submarines, the nimble Shallow Water ASW Craft or the specialised Diving Support Vessels - we are carefully crafting a balanced aAatmanirbhara force in service of an ascendant Bharat."

Admiral R Hari Kumar asserted that 64 out of 66 ships and submarines under order are being built in Indian shipyards. This means that the Navy will invest thousands of crores in this sector, enhancing capacity of the shipyards, and capabilities of the workers as well as those employed in ancillary industries, he emphasised.

He said, aNot only India but the entire world has seen the effect of Shri Rajnath Singhas instructions in the last four-five weeks. The Indian Navy will not stop until the Indian Ocean becomes completely open, safe and free. We are ready."
Jammu, Feb 3 : After noticing suspicious movement on the line of control (LoC) on Saturday in J&K's Poonch district, the army opened fire.

Officials said that the army troops picked up suspicious movement in the Sabra Gali area of Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district and immediately responded by opening fire.

"The firing was at a forward village in snow-bound Mendhar in the early hours of Saturday and a massive search operation was underway.

"Troops guarding the LoC are on high alert following the recent snowfall to scuttle any attempt by terrorists to sneak in from across the border.

"GoC of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lt general, Navin Sachdeva yesterday (Friday) visited forward locations in the Poonch sector and reviewed the operational preparedness of the formation," officials said.
Ahmedabad, Feb 3 : Gujarat cybercrime police on Saturday arrested Amit Nayak, the spokesperson for the Gujarat Congress on Saturday on the charges of defacing the BJP's wall graffiti and the subsequent video dissemination showcasing his act.

The incident came to light after BJP campaign and communication convener Shahpur Abhay Shah stumbled upon Nayak's video on the social media platform X on January 29.

The footage depicted Nayak painting over the BJP's wall graffiti, which bore the slogan 'Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar.'

In the official complaint lodged with the cybercrime police, Shah highlighted the potential of Nayak's actions to spark unrest in the locality. Shah also recounted his interaction with Nayak, wherein he disagreed with Nayak's method of protest.

Despite Shah's request to Nayak to withdraw the post from social media, Nayak allegedly responded with threats and a resolve to keep the video in circulation. This confrontation prompted Shah to seek intervention from the cybercrime authorities.

The legal proceedings against Nayak were set in motion under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), Section 290 (public nuisance), and Section 506(1) (criminal intimidation).

This incident also ignited internal party disagreements, as highlighted by the exchange between Nayak and the Ahmedabad City Congress Chief, Himmatsingh Patel.

Patel criticised Nayak's actions, cautioning against a cycle of retaliatory defacements between the BJP and Congress.
This photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Pavilion at Yumeshima, Japan.

The China Pavilion broke ground here on Friday, marking the commencement of construction for the venue highlighting green development and human-nature harmony.

The China pavilion is one of the largest self-built pavilions at the expo. Its theme, "Building a Shared Community of Humans and Nature -- The Future of Green Development," is reflected in its exterior design inspired by traditional Chinese scrolls. (Xinhua/Hu Xiaoge)

OSAKA, Japan, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China Pavilion at Expo Osaka, Japan, broke ground here on Friday, marking the commencement of construction for the venue highlighting green development and human-nature harmony.

About 200 people participated in the groundbreaking ceremony at Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, where the expo site is located.

Noting that Friday's ceremony signified a crucial step forward in China's participation in the expo, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ren Hongbin said the council will collaborate closely with relevant parties to make the China pavilion a dazzling "business card" for the expo, presenting a vibrant and multi-dimensional image of China to the world and advancing economic and trade exchanges and mutual understanding between China and other nations.

Citing good foundation of bilateral cooperation in terms of the world expo in 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said that the China pavilion will present modern Chinese civilization and showcase China's rapid development, its open, inclusive and friendly image, helping build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said he expected to see the China pavilion, which features harmony between human and nature.

"I look forward to seeing more Chinese friends in Osaka next year who will experience the unique charm of the World Expo," he said.

The China pavilion is one of the largest self-built pavilions at the expo. Its theme, "Building a Shared Community of Humans and Nature -- The Future of Green Development," is reflected in its exterior design inspired by traditional Chinese scrolls.

The exhibition will focus on green development in China, showcasing the development concept of harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

Themed as "Designing Future Society of Our Lives," the Expo Osaka will be held from April 13 to Oct. 13 in 2025. 

This photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Pavilion at Yumeshima, Japan.

The China Pavilion broke ground here on Friday, marking the commencement of construction for the venue highlighting green development and human-nature harmony.

The China pavilion is one of the largest self-built pavilions at the expo. Its theme, "Building a Shared Community of Humans and Nature -- The Future of Green Development," is reflected in its exterior design inspired by traditional Chinese scrolls. (Xinhua/Hu Xiaoge)

Guests participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Pavilion at Yumeshima, Japan, Feb. 2, 2024.

The China Pavilion broke ground here on Friday, marking the commencement of construction for the venue highlighting green development and human-nature harmony.

The China pavilion is one of the largest self-built pavilions at the expo. Its theme, "Building a Shared Community of Humans and Nature -- The Future of Green Development," is reflected in its exterior design inspired by traditional Chinese scrolls. (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade/Handout via Xinhua)
Agartala, Feb 3 : The northeast, according to an official study, has a renewable energy potential estimated at 1,28,962 MW, but barring Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, the region has barely tapped this vast natural resource.

Official documents revealed that of the 1,28,962 MW renewable energy potential, around 82,500 MW of solar power and around 525 MW of wind power can be generated from the eight northeastern states including Sikkim.

Green Oscar awardee solar scientist Santi Pada Gonchaudhuri said that the northeastern states have a huge potential to generate a large quantum of renewable energy, specially solar energy.

"The states in the region must formulate appropriate and viable solar power projects as the Central government is keen to provide funds for such projects. Through solar power plants huge employment generation is also possible while various other sectors including pisciculture, agriculture and horticulture can flourish," Gonchaudhuri told IANS.

The Tripura government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the renewal energy division of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for setting up a 130 MW floating solar power plant with an investment of Rs 700 crore in Dumbur lake in southern Tripura.

A feasibility survey was recently conducted to study the possibility of establishing the solar power plant.

A top official of the Tripura power department, however, told IANS that there is some uncertainty about the commissioning of the 130 MW floating solar power plant.

The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), a mini-ratna company under the Union Power Ministry, a few years ago had commissioned a five-MW solar power plant at Monarchak in Sepahijala district and this was the biggest and the first of its kind in northeast India.

NEEPCO officials said that the solar power plant, which was commissioned at a cost of Rs 40 crore, was now running successfully and the entire power from the plant was being transmitted to the Tripura power grid.

NEEPCO had set up a gas based 101 MW capacity power plant in Monarchak, 70 km south of Tripura capital Agartala and just eight km from the Bangladesh border.

In the same complex, the five MW solar power plant was set up.

The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has installed 30,000 solar street lighting systems under various schemes of the government.

TREDA officials said that the agency is working to provide electricity by setting up solar micro grid projects to the old and remote tribal villages/neighborhoods of Tripura where conventional electricity has not been reached or is not reliable.

Already a large number of such villages/hamlets have been electrified and the villagers are benefitted educationally and financially by using electrical appliances like lights, TV, mobiles, Internet etc.

For generation of electricity through solar with backup facilities, TREDA has taken the initiative to install off-grid solar power plants at various primary health centres, block development offices, hostels, security camps, panchayat offices and fishery centres in Tripura under various schemes of the state government for reliable power supply .

To provide light to large areas like warehouses, highways, parking lots, stadiums etc, 26 solar high masts is the suitable option to ensure secure and comfortable surroundings for the travellers.

Installation of solar high masts in various rural markets, motor stands and populated areas is in progress.

The Arunachal Pradesh government in September last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) to explore the feasibility of harnessing geothermal potential that the state's numerous hot springs offer.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had said that it's the right step towards green and clean energy production especially in the light of global warming concerns.

"It's a great coincidence that this MoU is being signed on World Tourism Day as its theme this year is 'tourism and green Investment' that perfectly goes in tandem with this new initiative," Khandu had pointed out.

He expressed optimism that the study would lead to the development of renewable geothermal sources in Arunachal Pradesh and increase energy supply to meet present and future demands.

"Many of the hot springs are located in mountain areas where generators run on fossil fuel for electricity and heating. These can be replaced by geothermal energy with no CO2 emissions," he had said.

Admitting that this is a completely new technology for the state, Khandu expressed the hope that NGI, with its expertise in the field and its experience in successfully implementing one project in Ladakh, will give a new direction to energy production that will be beneficial not only to the local populace residing in the high mountains but also to the army personnel posted there.

"Arunachal Pradesh is geographically and geologically completely different from the rest of the country. Therefore, a tailor-made technology is needed for construction of roads and tunnels here.

"As Norway, with similar geological features, has one of the world's best road infrastructure and world class tunnels, we can benefit from its technology," he said.

The current project is also being technically supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy through NGI.

To begin with, NGI will carry out geological, geochemical and geothermal investigation of a few selected geothermal sites in Tawang and West Kameng districts that will include MT Survey to decipher the deeper geoelectrical configuration of geothermal springs (hot springs) and the feasibility of utilising the geothermal energy resources for further use.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)
Chennai, Feb 3 : Tamil Nadu is the fourth sunniest state of the country and hence is the fourth in solar energy production in India. The state has a total installation of 6061.31 MW of Ground Mount Solar, 373.73 MW of Roof Top Solar and 62.28 MW of Off grid solar.

The state government in 2019 released a solar policy with a target of achieving 9000 MW of solar capacity by 2023. The chief objectives of the policy document are the availability of solar energy, accessibility and affordability for all consumers.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is planning to build solar capacity of 20,000 MW with an investment of Rs 70,000 crore. Tangedco has floated tenders for the first ever district level solar park in the state.

Tangedco also plans to extend solar parks in all the districts of the state and a land area of 6333 acres has been identified for the project. Tata Power has already shown interest in the state solar policy and has signed a policy agreement for setting up a solar power project in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 3000 crores.

In Tamil Nadu, the major sectors are small and micro industries, big industry, residential and agricultural industry. While small and micro industry and big industry have power requirements of 200 kws, the residential and agriculture industries have a requirement of 30 kws only.

One of the world's largest solar power projects is functioning in Kamuthi in Tamil Nadu which is a 648 MW solar power plant operated by the Adani group. This massive plant consists of 2.5 million solar modules, 3,80,000 foundations, 30,000 tonnes of structure, 576 inverters and 154 transformers.

The solar power plant was commissioned within a period of eight months and is connected to the 400 Kv substation and is powering 2,65,000 homes in the state.

The Nellai solar park located in Ettanakulam village in Manur Taluk in Tirunelveli district is another major solar power plant in Tamil Nadu which has a capacity of generating 124 GWh annually. The project was commissioned in May 2022 and is connected with the TANTRANSCO grid of the Tamil Nadu government.

In Tamil Nadu a subsidy of 30% is provided by the government on the total cost of installation of the On Grid Solar system which is up to a maximum of Rs 25000 per Kw.

The subsidy is provided jointly by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA).

The Tamil Nadu solar policy envisaged in 2019 has encouraged the installation of solar panels in all buildings including corporations, municipalities and local urban bodies.

However industries in Coimbatore alleged that the networking charges collected for installing rooftop solar energy panels was discouraging investments in the solar sector.

Coimbatore District Small Industries Association president V. Thirugnanam while speaking to IANS said, "The number of MSME's that have installed roof top solar panels are presently less. However when the government increases power costs on an annual basis, these small and medium industries will have to install the solar energy panels and to shift to renewable energy to be competitive."

He added that the government of Tamil Nadu should encourage investments in solar energy and not discourage them with network charges.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company has been collecting Rs 1.53 per unit from low tension industrial consumers and there were huge protests from MSME industries. The government has now reduced the Tangedco collection by 50 percent.

Energy consultant A.D. Thirumorrthy while speaking to IANS said that the state has 6000 MW of installed solar energy and every year 1000 MW of energy is being added to it. He said that in this context, the state should not charge for networking into grids and added that several industries which had invested earlier in wind energy are now going for solar energy.

The huge delays in distributing subsidies to consumers has also hindered the progress of solar roof top panels in Tamil Nadu. IANS spoke to several solar energy consumers in the state and they said that they haven't received subsidies for the past years.

K.R. Periyasamy, an MSME industrialist based out of Coimbatore, told IANS that "One of the main reasons for the reduced consumers is because several applications are pending at various unit offices for months due to shortage of net meters."

He also said that the financial losses faced by Tangedco due to its subsidy scheme was another reason for the power body not releasing subsidies to solar consumers.

U.R. Rajan, who has installed a roof top panel, said "Many officials who come for inspection are intimidating us consumers stating that if we could invest in a lavish house and make initial investments for solar panels, we should not go for subsidy."

However a senior IAS officer with the Tamil Nadu electricity department, told IANS on conditions of anonymity that the Chief Minister has directed the officials for a more transparent approach and to provide subsidies at the earliest for the consumers and to increase the solar roof top panels in the state.
Jaipur, Feb 3 : Rajasthan will lead the show in the proposed rooftop solar scheme -- Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana. Around 20000 MW business is expected to be generated across the nation via rooftop solar installations out of which 5000 MW business will be generated in Rajasthan, says Sunil Bansal, president, Rajasthan Solar Association.

Rajasthan will lead the show in this domain. This is because it has a strong ecosystem and big players are already operating here. The idea of solar power emanated from here and we have come a long way in this domain, he adds.

The Central government recently announced that the beneficiaries of the government's proposed rooftop solar scheme will get free electricity up to 300 units per month.

This one announcement has changed the mindset of the entire industry, says Sunil Bansal, adding that earlier the discoms considered the solar industry as competitors. They thought that if the solar industry grew, they would be finished, they never used to promote the solar industry. However, now, there comes a business opportunity of around Rs one lakh cr and hence their mindset has changed. These discom officials are calling us and asking what kind of help do you want from us, he added.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the interim budget presentation, highlighted that the scheme would enable 10 million households to sell their surplus solar energy. This is projected to yield annual savings of between Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000 for each of these households.

SK Bhati, superintending engineer, Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, told IANS, "There is a strong probability that the announcement will bring in large number of consumers. The 300 unit free electricity gives a big boost to the scheme and hence we expect a large number of consumers."

However, we are awaiting a detailed guideline on this. Once this guideline comes, we will be able to work in this direction, he added.

Bhati says there are around 70 vendors working to make solar installations in Jodhpur. In the coming days this number will increase. In a recent meeting here, we worked on taking this number to 1000, he added.

Meanwhile, we are waiting to see if the state government also announces something on this in its budget, he added.

Bansal said that the scheme has led to positive sentiments, however, there are many challenges too. This seems to be a strong reply to the political parties who were seen distributing freebies (revadis) during elections in terms of free electricity units.

Now, these solar installations are giving 300 units of free electricity and small consumers will be lured by the offer, he adds.

Bansal states that overall business worth 500 GW, that is 5 lakh MW, has been set as the target till 2030 out of this, 2 lakh gigawatt production is a must from Rajasthan, If this doesn't materialise, then India will be unable to meet its target, he opines.

Earlier, the government had focused on large projects but in the last six months this focus seems to have changed. Now the focus has shifted to rooftop installations. There is a need to bring revolutionary changes in policy to make this a success. Small changes will not bring much success, says Bansal.

Bhati meanwhile says that the small users will be keen to install solar rooftops. Expecting a strong feedback, we have already shortlisted around 1000 vendors in Jodhpur. In fact, we have made all the preparations to make it a success, informs Bhati.
Chennai, Feb 3 : Five fishermen from Arcottuthurai coastal village of Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district have been attacked and robbed off their belongings in midsea.

The fishermen, who returned to Nagapattinam on early morning hours of Saturday, narrated the trauma that took place mid-sea on Friday night and registered a complaint with Vedaranyam police station.

Fishermen in their complaint to the police said that while they were fishing in mid-sea, roughly 16 nautical miles to the southeast of the Kodiyakkarai coast, they were attacked and robbed off their belongings.

Police sources told IANS that Ponnuthurai (51) and S. Jeyachandran (40 ) from Arcottuthurai near Vedaranyam ventured into the sea in a fiberglass boat from their village on Friday afternoon.

G. Raman (51), R. Ramesh (28) and J. Sivakumar (40) from the same village, had also ventured into the sea in another fiberglass boat.

When both groups of fishermen were fishing separately about 20 nautical miles southeast of the Kodiyakkarai coast at around midnight, four persons, suspected to be Sri Lankans intercepted their fishing boats.

The suspected pirates, according to the fishermen, assaulted them and robbed them.

Police sources said that the fishermen have registered complaints that the robbers took away Global Positioning System (GPS) gadgets, a mobile phone, and a smartwatch from them.

Fishermen from Nagappatinam district have faced several mid-sea attacks and at least eight such incidents were reported between August and December last year. This however is the first such incident in 2024, police said.

The Vedaranyam Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group have begun an investigation.

R. Periaswamy, fishermen leader, told IANS: "We are being subjected to all forms of assault in the sea. The Sri Lankan Navy and suspected Sri Lankan robbers are making life miserable for us. We need strong reactions from the Centre and state governments to put an end to these attacks and robbery by the pirates and arrest by Sri Lankan Navy."
Bhopal: A view of the solar power plant setup by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) management, in Subhash Nagar, Bhopal. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 3 : Among the most industrialised states in the country and a power-guzzler, Maharashtra's solar energy sector is undergoing revolutionary growth and development, stressing the commitment to expanding its renewable sources, officials said.

Under its Integrated Non-Conventional Energy General Policy (till March 31, 2025), the state hopes to boost its solar power generation capacity from the current 1.90 GW to a whopping over 12 GW by next year.

This has ensured a significant shift from its previous wind-dominated energy profile to another reliant on solar power.

The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) is entrusted with formulating and finalising renewable energy policies in the state, including a new policy that would comprise technologies like 'hybrid storage', expected soon.

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) has proposed grid support charges for net metering systems for the ongoing period (2020-2021 to 2024-2025), facilitating the integration of rooftop solar systems into the power grid.

In a sunny indicator, over 100,000 consumers have opted for rooftop solar power generation units in the state which helped them to save lakhs of rupees in electricity bills, besides lessening the load on the power grid, said an official.

Several housing societies, mostly in urban centres, have availed multiple benefits of rooftop solar power, comprising a 20 percent subsidy, plus slashing the monthly power bills significantly.

"As per our estimates, the cost of a 10 KW rooftop solar unit can be fully recovered in less than 2-3 years, and thereafter, only the basic maintenance is required," said an official, requesting anonymity.

Under the net metering system, the utility supplier deducts the solar power consumption component from the total bill, resulting in handsome savings for the consumers, he said.

On an average, an urban household consumes around 300 units of power per month, and if the solar component is 150 units, then the utility provider will charge only for the remaining 150 units availed from the grid.

This has made many consumers and housing societies in the state happy with a lighter load on their monthly electricity spends.

As of 2024, Maharashtra emerged as a significant player in India's solar energy landscape, contributing substantially to the national solar capacity, focusing increasingly on renewable energy sources, including solar, to meet its escalating energy needs.

Presently, the state has a total installed renewable energy capacity of 6,145 MW, (or over 14 percent), making it one of the top states in India in terms of installed renewable electricity capacity, and still growing.

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. (MAHAGENCO) is developing a Rs 730 crore, 105-MW floating solar project with the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam which would generate 230 million units in the first year, and then 5,420 million units over 25 years, plus 600 MW solar power projects.

The Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd (AMEL) supplied 38 percent 'green energy' to Mumbai in 2023 which it plans to increase to 60 percent by 2027

Diwali 2023 saw Mumbai dodging a staggering 9.84 million kg CO2 - equivalent to saving the lungs of a million Pandas from getting clogged in all the revelry of the festival of lights and fireworks.

For the first time, around three million homes and establishments comprising 12 million Mumbaikars, got a Diwali gift when AEML powered them with 1,200 MW of 'clean' energy from renewable sources for four hours (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) on a Sunday -- and dodged a whopping 9.84 million-kg CO2 emissions, besides over 270 rooftop solar installations in the city.

Additionally, Tata Power is developing a 28.8 MW solar power project in the Satara district of Maharashtra.

Furthermore, Maharashtra has initiated the tender process for acquiring 366 MW solar power as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program, focusing on feeder-level solarization.

The state is likely to exploit in a big way the new rooftop solar energy proposal of the Centre which will enable consumers to get upto 300 units of free power per month, said the official.

Though Maharashtra does not offer a separate solar subsidy, consumers with on-grid or hybrid systems can avail of the Central Financial Assistance (CFA), which has different rates as per the installed capacity.

This is classified as: up to 3 kWp, between 3 kWp and 10 kWp, and for residential welfare associations and group housing societies up to 500 kWp  the last segment is entitled upto 20 percent subsidy for rooftop solar power generation projects.

The MEDA is also penetrating into the rural areas in a big way to help the far-flung population enjoy the benefits of renewable energy like solar and ensure green power for longer daily duration.

Overall, by 2030, India plans to install around 30 GW of solar power every year starting from 2023, with the goal of 280 GW in seven years.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
(Going Solar Package) Solar lights for Chamunda trail in HP; solar fencing for farmers to bar strays. Image Source: IANS News

Shimla, Feb 3 : The Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, where farming communities are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is focusing on a renewable energy transition -- the path to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius in reach.

Himachal Pradesh aims to become a aGreen Energy Statea by 2026, with assistance from the World Bank that showed interest in taking forward the Green Resilient Integrated Development programme with a Basin Approach, at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore.

It is pegged to be one of the largest renewable agendas planned by Himachal Pradesh, a state where more than 90 per cent of the population resides in rural areas.

As a step towards sustainability, authorities in Kangra District have used solar lights to illuminate the steep path that leads to the ancient Adi Himani Chamunda Temple on the hilltop.

A total of 101 solar lights were installed by the district administration last year and the trail of lights is a spectacular sight after sunset.

The Himachal Pradesh Government aims to make two panchayats each in all 12 Districts a aGreen Panchayata on a pilot basis by commissioning solar power projects with a capacity ranging from 500 KW to 1 MW.

A solar power-based Battery Energy Storage System project will be set up in remote Pangi in Chamba District to augment the power supply system in this tribal belt.

Also, hydropower generator SJVN Ltd, a joint venture between the Union Government and the Himachal Pradesh Government, is executing five solar power projects in the hill state.

The Himachal Pradesh Government is giving 40 per cent subsidy to the youth of the state to set up solar power projects with a generation capacity ranging from 250 KW to 2 MW on their own plots or leased land.

The electricity generated from these projects will be purchased by the State Electricity Board.

As over 90 per cent of stateas population resides in rural areas, a whopping 70 per cent of the populace is dependent on agriculture and horticulture as a source of livelihood. However, crop losses owing to monkeys, wild boars, blue bulls and other wild animals are high.

To alleviate this problem, the state government is promoting solar-powered electric fences in order to keep the stray animals at bay.

The state government provides a subsidy of 85 per cent if three or more farmers want to build a solar fence around their fields. For individual farmers looking to solar fence their farm, the subsidy provided is 80 per cent.

The current in the electric fence around the farms that is powered by solar panels at regular intervals, is enough to keep stray animals, wildlife and monkeys away from the crops.

As per official data, the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE) has also identified ten schools for setting up grid-connected solar power plants to propagate the concept of energy conservation in schoolchildren.

Grid-connected solar rooftop power plants that can generate 18.86 MW of electricity have been installed by HIMURJA in the state. This will result in savings of Rs 12.50 crore annually and will offset 13,140 tonnes of the stateas carbon footprint, says the state's Economic Survey 2022-23.

In addition, 3.98 MW off-grid solar power plants and 38.10 MW ground-mounted solar power projects have been commissioned in Himachal.

Under the Rs 2,000 crore-Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme, launched with the help of the World Bank, there is a provision to construct solar power projects with a capacity of 200 MW and to build 11 substations and two distribution lines serving 13 towns.

Set up to develop the skills of the local youth, the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam is training 500 people in the solar energy sector from this fiscal.

In November last year, the Centre, the Himachal Pradesh Government and the World Bank inked a $200 million project that will facilitate power sector reforms in the state and increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity generation.

This will contribute to Himachalas overall aim of augmenting its renewable energy capacity by 10,000 MW to make its power supply greener.

In a major green push, the state transport department in February 2023 changed its entire fleet of official vehicles from petrol and diesel-run ones to Electric Vehicles (EVs).

To promote EVs on a large scale, Government departments stopped buying diesel or petrol vehicles from January 1 and if there is a necessity to buy fossil fuel-run vehicles then the departments can do that only after the approval of the Cabinet.

Due to the efforts of the government, the number of official EVs has reached 185, while there are 2,733 private EVs in the state.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, who is monitoring the clean energy agenda, is leading by example and uses an EV himself.

Also, all the diesel buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) are being converted into e-buses in a phased manner, a government spokesperson told IANS.

The state also has the distinction of being a net exporter of power with 100 per cent renewable energy.

As hydropower faces a number of challenges, the state has changed its hydropower policy after 15 years with focus on biomass and solar power development.

As per the World Bank, the state currently meets more than 80 per cent of its energy demands from hydropower.

Himachal Pradeshas hydropower generation potential is 23,500 MW -- about 25 per cent of the countryas total hydropower potential. A total of 10,580 MW has already been harnessed, says the Economic Survey 2022-23.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
IANS PREMIUM India's first solar-powered village in Gujarat a template for country to follow. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, Feb 3 : The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a joint effort between India and France for increased deployment of solar energy technologies to bring energy security/access is growing in strength.

This past December Romania officially joined the ISA as its 118th member country signalling a robust commitment to advancing solar energy and contributing to global climate action. Incidentally, Romania was one of the first countries to export oil.

The ISA is one of the first international intergovernmental organisations to have its headquarters in India.

It is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational solutions through solar energy, especially in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The ISA, established during the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, has been at the forefront of advancing solar energy initiatives globally. All the 193 member countries of the United Nations can join the ISA.

According to ISA, its mission is to unlock $1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030 while reducing technology and its financing costs and promotes the use of solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors.

It is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational solutions through solar energy, especially in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

ISA Member Countries are driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments.

The ISA has improved access to finance by reducing the risks and making the sector more attractive to private investment; increased access to solar training, data and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.

With the formation of ISA and increased focus on the renewable energy sector, India is positioning itself as a leader in the sector.

India is considering a $25 million investment as capital contribution in the Global Solar Facility (GSF), the $35 million payment guarantee fund formed by ISA to stimulate investments into solar power projects.

The ISA will contribute $10 million to the GSF and Bloomberg Philanthropies and CIFF have also committed their support. The target for the GSF is to raise $100 million.

The GSF is designed to catalyse solar investments in underserved segments and geographies across Africa, unlocking commercial capital in the process, said ISA.

According to Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA, the world requires an investment of $12.5 trillion in renewable energy and $23 billion in off-grid solar by 2030.

The ISA through its GSF is stepping up as current global solar investment falls woefully short, constituting only 10 per cent of the required amount for achieving net-zero emissions.

According to Mathur, there is a profound disparity in investments a" with developing countries, home to over 50 per cent of the global population, receiving just 15 per cent of 2022's renewable energy investments. Sub-Saharan Africa's per capita renewable energy investment has plummeted by 44 per cent from 2015 to 2021.

In stark contrast, investments in North America are 41 times higher, and in Europe, they are 57 times greater. The GSF will further our vision of addressing the urgent need for universal energy access and a clean energy transition, Mathur said.
Hyderabad, Feb 2 : Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are among the top states in solar power generation in the country.

With industry-friendly policies offering several incentives, the Telugu states are racing ahead to achieve their solar power targets.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh stand sixth and seventh respectively in cumulative solar capacity in the country.

The Centre had informed the Parliament in August last year that the cumulative solar capacity of Telangana is 4,695 MW while that of Andhra Pradesh is 4,552 MW.

However, the Telangana government had claimed in May last year that from a mere 74 MW of solar power at the time of stateas formation in 2014, Telangana now generates 5,865 MW of solar power

During 2022-23, Andhra Pradesh was at fifth place in power generation. The state generated 8,140 million units.

Officials say Andhra Pradesh has almost achieved the target of generating 5,000 MW solar power by 2023 and a series of new projects approved recently will double the capacity.

Andhra Pradesh, which is home to four solar parks announced by the government of India, has solar energy potential of 38.4 GW. The state is also home to worldas largest integrated renewable energy storage project

The new year began on a promising note for Andhra Pradesh with the State Investment Promotion Board clearing the proposal of JSW Neo Energy Ltd to establish four solar power projects across the state to produce 3350 MW of power with an investment of Rs 12,065 crore.

JSW will establish 400 MW, 1050 MW, 1050 and 850 MW solar power units in YSR district, Sri Satya Sai district, in Anantapur district respectively.

Aqua Green Engineering Management Pvt Ltd will also establish a 1000 MW solar power unit in Sri Satya Sai district with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore.

In November 2023, foundation stone was laid for two solar power projects of 850 MW.

The solar power projects are coming up with an investment of Rs 3,400 crores at the solar parks at Kadapa and Anantapur.

The state government also signed an MoU with the HPCL for setting up solar energy plant of 500 MW.

The government has also signed an agreement with SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) for producing 17,000 million units of solar power in the state and supplying 13,000 million units to the agricultural sector at the rate of Rs 2.49 per unit as against the usual average unit cost of Rs 5.30. Officials said this would reduce the burden of the state exchequer on free power supply to farmers.

According to minister for energy Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, SECI would make available 3,000 from September 2024 in the first tranche and 3,000 MW and 1,000 MW in the second and third tranches from September 2025 and September 2026 respectively.

The solar power policy announced in 2019 offered several incentives to the private sector to meet the target. Under the policy, Discoms will procure 2,000 MW in five years.

The solar power industry players had hailed it as an investment-friendly policy. Under the policy, companies investing in solar power projects in the state would be entitled to state government incentives for 10 years.

According to the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) Vice-Chairman and Managing Director S. Ramana Reddy, the state is on path to become a pioneer in the field of renewable energy in the country.

Earlier in August, 2023, foundation stone was laid for three renewable energy projects for producing 5,314 MW of power in Nandyal district.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy exuded confidence that the projects will help Andhra Pradesh become number one in green energy.

These include 2,300 MW solar power project to be set up by Greenko and 1000 MW solar power project to be set up by Ecoren Energy. These companies will invest Rs. 10,350 crore and Rs. 4,500 crores respectively.

In May 2022, it was announced that the worldas largest integrated renewable energy storage project (IRESP) is coming up in Kurnool district with an investment of over $3 billion.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy performed the first concrete pour ceremony of the project being implemented by Greenko Group.

The company said this 5,230 MW IRESP will play a pivotal role in India attaining energy security and enabling global energy transition.

According to Greenko, this is a first of its kind single location energy storage project with wind and solar capacities. The project is being implemented with an investment of over $3 billion comprising pumped storage (10,800 MWh of daily storage), solar (3000 MW) and wind (550 MW).

The project will help avoid 15 million tonnes of CO2 annually which is equivalent to emissions from three million cars.

In 2021 Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) commissioned what was then claimed to be Indiaas largest Floating Solar PV plant in Andhra Pradesh. Located at NTPC Simhadri, the 25 MW floating SPV project covers an area of 100 acres.

However, in 2022 the countryas largest floating Solar Power Project became functional at Ramagundam in Telangana.

Energy conglomerate National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) set up the 100 MW plant through Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract.

The NTPC has set up the plant in the reservoir of its thermal power plant, saving valuable land resources, and also conserving water by reducing evaporation.

According to officials this is the largest floating solar plant in the country in a single location. The presence of floating solar panels ensures that the evaporation rate from water bodies is reduced thereby helping in water conservation.

The project is expected to help avoid approximately 32.5 lakh cubic meters per year of water evaporation. Similarly, coal consumption of 1,65,000 tonnes and Co2 emission of 2,10,000 tonnes per year can be avoided.

Set up at a cost of Rs.423 crore, the solar photo-voltaic project is spread over 500 acres.

Equipped with advanced technology as well as environment friendly features, the plant is expected to ensure that the aquatic ecosystem is maintained while producing clean power.

According to Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO), Telangana ranks fourth in the country in terms of solar power production.

Telangana ranks second in terms of solar power capacity per unit area of land mass. It also ranks second in State Rooftop Attractiveness Index

Telangana accounts for 10.5 per cent of Indiaas solar power capacity while being 3.5 per cent of Indiaas land area.

The state, which has solar power capacity of 5,865 MW, plans to add about 3 GW of clean energy capacity in about 4-5 years.

Since solar as a resource is so abundantly available, the government is striving to promote its adoption among the population. The solar potential in the state is estimated at 20.41 GW.

Renewable energy is one of the focus sectors for the state government. The state came out with a solar power policy in 2015 to encourage generation of solar power through various means.

It offers several sops for developers like single-window and speedy clearances, exemption from the Land Ceiling Act, deemed conversion to non-agricultural land status, 100 per cent refund on VAT and GST, refund on stamp duty, exemption from electricity wheeling charges and speedy approvals from the State Pollution Control Board.

Telangana claims to be the only state which allows for a self-certification-based system for industrial approvals and clearances. The government enacted Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System (TS-iPASS). This legislation guarantees all approvals within 15 days. On the 16th day, the approval is deemed given if no response is shared by the government.
Los Angeles, Feb 3 : Hollywood star Jeremy Renner shared that he's feeling "strong" and doing 90 per cent of all things he needs to be doing.

Los Angeles, Feb 3 (IANS) Hollywood star Jeremy Renner shared that he's feeling "strong" and doing 90 per cent of all things he needs to be doing.

It was last year, when Renner had a near-fatal snow plow accident.

Speaking to etonline, he said: "(I'm doing) probably 90 per cent of all the things I needed to be doing... I think another six months will hopefully be running (more)... I got to set goals for myself. I'll do whatever I can... whatever it takes to get better, to get stronger."

"It's a one-way street, this recovery. The rest of my life is about health and wellness. Recovery will be part of the rest of my life, so I look forward to it, man. There's always something to do to get better, be stronger, be happier, be healthier, and that's what I look forward to."

With that in mind, Renner said: "It's hard for me to look back, to be honest with you. It's hard for me to look forward. I focus on now and this next step in front of me, 'cause there's always another obstacle for me right now."

"It's harrowing," he said of his recovery.

"I can't believe I'm sitting here right now. I'm very grateful. I'm very happy that I'm moving forward in life, and I'm happy to share this life with the amazing people who I love."

When it comes to the idea that he's inspired people with his recovery, Renner said: "That's been overwhelming, to be honest. That's a lot to take."

"I'm glad I can be a barometer for somebody. I'm glad I can inspire somebody. If all I have to do is just get better, I mean, I did that for my family. My healing let their healing begin, so I guess that happened for other people as well. I never expected that my voice or my healing would speak in volumes for so many people, but I'm glad it does, man," he said.

"It makes me feel righteous. It makes me feel like I can never be lazy. I can never have a bad day. I'm pretty blessed. It's a great honour."

Will he be returning to 'The Avengers' franchise now that he's on the mend, Renner said: "I'm always game. I'm gonna be strong enough, that's for sure. I'll be ready. All those guys come to my bedside and they've been with me all along through this recovery, so... if they want me, they could have me. It would be something."

Also something is the fact that Renner has landed his first ever Super Bowl commercial.

"I had a commercial career, then I got a movie star career. I never had an ad in the big game," he said. "... I'll be watching this one, and I'm so stoked, because they're sometimes the highlight of the Super Bowl."

"Some games aren't always the greatest, but the ads are always the greatest. It's nice to be part of that, thinking (I can) check that off the box of things I want to do in my life."
Kolkata: Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee appeared before Judges Court in Kolkata on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (Photo: Bibash Lodh /IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Feb 3 : The CBI on Saturday informed a PMLA court in Kolkata that former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee was the mastermind of the multi-crore cash-for-school jobs scam in West Bengal.

The CBI counsel informed the court that then education minister, who is currently in judicial custody, used to make postings in his department in such a way that irregularities can be carried out smoothly.

Opposing the bail petition of Chatterjee, former Trinamool Congress secretary general, the CBI counsel said those who did not obey his commands were removed to insignificant positions.

In some cases, the CBI counsel informed, the former minister even compelled some to resign from their chair.

Chatterjee's counsel, however, has refuted the allegations and claimed that his client's name was not even in the second chargesheet of the CBI.
A peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is on patrol on the Lebanese-Israeli border in Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2024. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday slammed Israel for targeting civilians and residential neighborhoods in Lebanon's southern villages and towns, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"Israel's targeting of civilians is a violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the rules of engagement," said Berri during his meeting in Beirut with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Berri said that Lebanon has adhered to Resolution 1701, which was adopted in August 2006 to seek a complete cessation of hostilities shortly after a deadly war between Israel and Hezbollah ended with a fragile truce.

Cameron arrived on Thursday in Lebanon to explore solutions that prevent military escalation in southern Lebanon, and discuss the situation in Gaza as well as British-Lebanese ties.

During the meeting, Mikati said Lebanon supports a peaceful solution in the region, adding that Britain's support is essential in pushing in this direction.

For his part, Cameron emphasized the priority of a ceasefire in Gaza in preparation for moving to the following stages to resolve the conflict.

Confrontations continued on Thursday on the Lebanese-Israeli borders, injuring a civilian in al-Wazzani village, who was later transported by the Lebanese Red Cross to Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital, according to the NNA.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah armed group announced that its fighters attacked the Israeli al-Radar and al-Samaqa sites in occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms, confirming inflicting casualties among Israeli soldiers.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicles are on patrol on the Lebanese-Israeli border in Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2024. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicles are on patrol on the Lebanese-Israeli border in Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2024. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is on patrol on the Lebanese-Israeli border in Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2024. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is on patrol on the Lebanese-Israeli border in Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2024. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 240 on the Lebanese side, including 173 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
US strikes will bring disastrous consequences for the region: Iraq. Image Source: IANS News

Baghdad, Feb 3 : Iraq has said that the US retaliatory strikes will bring disastrous consequences for the region, a media report said.

According to the Iraqi government, at least 16 people, including civilians, have been killed while 25 others have been wounded in the country as a result of the strikes carried out by the US military overnight, BBC reported.

A spokesman described the attacks, which targeted Iranian-backed militias and interests, as a new aggression against Iraqas sovereignty, saying they put Iraq and the region on the brink of abyss, the report said.

Syria's Foreign Ministry has condemned overnight US strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria.

In a statement, shared by Sana news agency, it said the US attacks have proved "once again that its military forces threaten international peace and security and ignites conflict in the region".

The Syrian government opposed the US presence in its country, calling it an "occupation", BBC reported.

Meanwhile, Iranas Foreign Ministry spokesperson "strongly" condemned the US attacks on Iraq and Syria.

In a statement, Nasser Kanaani described the retaliatory strikes as "violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of both countries, BBC reported.

He said the attacks represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the US that will result only in increased tension in instability in the region".
New Delhi, Feb 3 : Bharat Ratna to Lal Krishna Advani couldn't have come at a more appropriate time: in the immediate aftermath of fulfillment of promises of the charioteer of the Ram Rath Yatra and dreams of crores of people on January 22 - "Ram Lalla hum aayenge, mandir wahin banayenge." New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Bharat Ratna to Lal Krishna Advani couldn't have come at a more appropriate time: in the immediate aftermath of fulfillment of promises of the charioteer of the Ram Rath Yatra and dreams of crores of people on January 22  "Ram Lalla hum aayenge, mandir wahin banayenge."

Incidentally, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and related it to awakening of India's civilisational conscience. Modi was the organiser of Advani's Rath Yatra from Somnath in September 1990. The yatra was a grand success. Modi was also by his side when the Bihar Chief Minister got Advani arrested in Oct 1990 in Sitamarhi. The rest is history.

Besides the Ram Rath Yatra, of some other Yatras that Advani led, one was based on the theme of Suraj (good governance) and honouring the martyrs. The Modi model of governance has taken care of both  fair, equitable and transparent delivery on the ground, as also honoring and caring for those who died protecting the nation before and after Independence.

Advani spoke of "pseudo secularism" and "cultural nationalism", PM Modi has unveiled Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas and Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.

In a befitting tribute to his one-time mentor and former Deputy Prime Minister, PM Modi on Saturday announced that Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. He described Advani as "one of the most respected statesmen of our times, adding that his contribution to the development of India is "monumental."

PM Modi, who has been with Advani in his remarkable journey over the years, said: "His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister." Definitely, the highest civilian honour has been given to Advani in recognition of his multifaceted contributions to the country. Each of his contributions has been transformative in their own way. What is also of significance is that this honour is being conferred under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This great occasion also reminds the nation how BJP's towering figure, Advani, propelled the party into national reckoning with his Rath Yatra for Ayodhya's Ram Temple in the early 1990s. Apart from his immense contribution to nation building as Deputy Prime Minister of India, Advani has been instrumental into building the BJP as a national political force.

The results of the general election of 1989 bear testimony to this fact. The BJP bounced back from two seats in 1984 to 85 seats in 1989 in what was a clear indication about its growth trajectory in Indian politics. This election led to forming the first minority government since India's independence, under V.P. Singh of Janata Dal.

BJP's representation rose to 120 seats in 1991 Lok Sabha elections. By 1996, the BJP had emerged as the single-largest party with 161 seats. Despite minor setbacks in 2004, the BJP maintained its upward trajectory, securing 138 seats. The year 2014 marked a massive turning point for the BJP's political gains, with the party winning a decisive majority with 282 seats.

In 2019, the BJP continued to expand its footprints and influence, increasing its vote share to 37 per cent, securing 303 Lok Sabha seats. The meteoric rise of BJP is attributed also to the firm belief of L.K. Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee that there would be a massive saffron surge in the political landscape of the country and that BJP would one day win a huge majority in Lok Sabha polls. This turned out to be a reality.

Another interesting way to understand the contribution of Advani to the party is that ever since he first helmed the reigns of the BJP, the Congress never won an absolute majority in Lok Sabha. Advani's massive efforts that made BJP a formidable political outfit today date back to September 25, 1990, when the BJP stalwart had addressed a mammoth gathering of people near Gujarat's Somnath Temple, from where the wheels of Ram Rath Yatra started rolling. As a result, Advani became the face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980.

It is common knowledge that the Rath Yatra played a crucial role in shaping and defining the saffron party's electoral and political fortunes.
Amaravati, Feb 3 : People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India with the help of Andhra Pradesh police has prevented slaughter of camels in Anantapur and Kurnool district.

FIRs were registered in two separate cases in Gooty town of Anantapur and in Kurnool town.

In the first case in Gooty, a camel was rescued and shifted to a sanctuary for rehabilitation while in Anantapur two persons were booked for planning to slaughter camels.

Joint efforts by PETA India, along with Andhra Pradesh Animal Welfare Board (APAWB) member Md Idrees, the Anantapur superintendent of police, and the Gooty police rescued a camel. FIR was registered under sections 11 and 26 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

After banner advertising the availability of camel meat was erected in Kurnool, PETA India worked with Md Idrees once again and local animal protection activist Shaik Abdul Sharuk to prevent the slaughter of camels.

On their complaint, Town 1 Police Station registered an FIR on January 31 under sections 109, 429, 289, and 269 read with 511 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; sections 11(1) and 38(3) of the PCA Act, 1960, read with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001; and Section 5 of the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, 2015, against two persons accused of being involved in the trade.

Efforts are underway to trace the whereabouts of the camels to facilitate their rescue, PETA said.

"Thanks to the compassion and quick action of the police and others involved in this case, a gentle camel will never be slaughtered or forced to endure cruelty again," says PETA India Cruelty Response Coordinator Sunayana Basu.

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, state that only sheep, pigs, cattle, goats, poultry, fish, and rabbits are permitted to be killed for meat, not camels.

--IANS

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Ambala, Feb 3 : Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday sought an assessment of the damage caused to the crops and compensation on priority.

Addressing the Jan Aakrosh rally here, Hooda said the farmers have suffered huge losses due to hailstorm in districts like Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala and Kurukshetra.

"The government should immediately conduct 'girdawari' (assess crop loss) and give full compensation to the farmers so that they can get some relief."

Despite the severe cold and inclement weather, a large number of people had been standing in fields since morning.

State party President Udai Bhan, MP Deepender Hooda also addressed the rally.

Bhupinder Hooda said those who talked about doubling the farmers' income by 2022, doubled the costs and expenses of the farmers.

"The rate of fertilizer has been increased and its weight reduced," he said.

At the same time, this government is playing with the future of the youth by becoming contractors and is giving temporary jobs on commission through Skill Corporation.

He said the governments of other countries are evacuating their people from the war zone Israel but the Haryana government is risking the lives of its youth and sending them to Israel.

Hooda said time has come to hold the coalition government of the state accountable.

He said when the Congress government is formed in Haryana, the party would deliver on the demand to rebuild the Dadupur Nalvi Canal, which was destroyed by this government, so that this area becomes prosperous and progresses.

Assuring to solve the problem of outstanding payment of sugarcane farmers, the Leader of Opposition said at the time of leaving the government in 2014, not a single penny was outstanding to the sugarcane farmers but today the payment of sugarcane farmers is outstanding.

"When our government comes, we will make full payment to the sugarcane farmers," he added.
Aizawl, Feb 3 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted a cross-border smuggling network of arms, ammunition and explosives and arrested a key accused in Mizoram in connection with the case, an official said on Saturday.

NIA sources said that the accused has been identified as Lalngaihawma, a resident of Mizoram's Mamit area, bordering Bangladesh.

Lalngaihawma was nabbed from Aizawl on Thursday following inputs regarding the operations of a well-organised, large-scale illegal arms and ammunition supply network operating in certain northeastern states.

"As per NIA investigations, the accused, along with others, was engaged in trafficking of arms, ammunition and explosive materials not only in the northeastern states but also across the border. He was working in collusion with various operatives, including insurgent groups situated across the international border," an NIA statement said.

It said that as part of their conspiracy, they had already distributed such terror hardware to various individuals in India and abroad.

These illicit weapons and explosives are suspected to have been used in violent terrorist acts and criminal activities across different regions.

The case was registered by NIA on December 26 last year, under sections 120B of IPC, sections 18 of UA (P) Act 1967, Section 6 of Explosive Substances Act 1908 and sections 25 (1) (a) & 25 (1AA) of Arms Act.

Further investigations to unearth the entire network are in progress.

--IANS

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Dharamsala, Feb 3 : A total of Rs 1,782 crore has been given by the Centre to Himachal Pradesh as relief during the calamity in the monsoon last year, BJP national President J.P. Nadda said on Saturday.

"Congress leaders say that there was flood, we did not get anything. But I came on July 22 and Rs 180 crore had been sent by evening for relief work. On August 1, Rs 400 crore was again given for the maintenance of roads," he said, while sounding the poll bugle for the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Addressing a public meeting here, Nadda, who belongs to the hill state, asked the Congress: "When the floods occurred, did any Congress leader from Delhi come here? They came to seek votes, but when disaster came no one came."

He slammed the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Sukhu for its failure to fulfill the poll promises.

Taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, he termed it as an injustice 'yatra'.

"Few days ago, Congress MP D.K. Suresh said people of South India might have to demand a separate country if the injustice of not providing the rightful share of taxes to the southern states continued. And they forget that India is one," he said.

Nadda said no one in the Congress "is ready to say a word on this".

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 3 : Indian chess Grandmaster Priyadharshan Kannappan, who had ordered a plastic table on Amazon, is now fearing for his safety and wondering whether the company has any customer safety policy.

This is because he had been abused by the Amazon delivery agent when queried for the non-delivery, and for refusing to take the delivery of the table from the agent's place.

Speaking to IANS on Saturday evening, Kannappan said: "I am now at my native village Nattarasankottai in Sivaganga district. I am based out of Madurai. I had ordered a plastic table, chairs and some items to work from here."

"The delivery person after delivering the small item told me that the table will be delivered later. But instead of delivering, the delivery agency had returned the table back on their own," Kannappan said.

When he reached out to Amazon, the customer support asked Kannappan to reorder the table and assured him that it would be delivered.

This time again, the delivery agency asked him to take the delivery in person and refused to deliver at his doorstep.

"I spoke to the supervisor who after sometime started speaking in an abusive manner. I don't have to be abused for being an Amazon Prime customer and ordering on its platform," Kannappan said.

According to Kannappan, the person also dared him to complain to Amazon.

Raising the issue with Amazon, Kannappan put out his experience on X: "@amazonIN Your delivery person for my recent order of table refused to door step delivery and asked me to pick up the package in person. When asked why is it so to his supervisor the abuses me on phone, and then calls me back 30 min later and another person abuses on phone."

Responding to that, Amazon Help replied to Kannappan: "We apologise for the unpleasant experience you had with the delivery team. Kindly reach out to our support team. We'll assist you further  Prasanth."

To this, Kannappan replied: "I have already raised the issue over call, but I want to make it public that this is a serious issue. The delivery supervisor Sivasankar and his colleague Venakatesan are abusing me on phone and I have a recording and this is about customer's physical safety, so I am making it public."

"I am genuinely worried about my physical safety as your delivery person has my phone # and address location @amazonIN," Kannappan said in another message.

On its part, Amazon Help replied: "We understand your concern. If you feel threatened, please reach out to the nearest police station and seek help - Prasanth."

"Later the delivery agents called and said that they would incur additional cost if the delivery is made on Saturday and promised delivery at 11 a.m. on Sunday," Kannappan said.

According to Kannappan, he had to extend his stay at his native village just to receive the table which was supposed to be delivered a couple of days ago.

"When I tracked the order status on Amazon, it said `delivery attempted'," Kannappan said.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
Washington, Feb 3 : A senior US lawmaker, whose approval paved the way for the Joe Biden administration formally notifying US Congress of the proposed sale of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone, has said he has in return extracted a commitment from the administration that India will fully cooperate in the investigation of the murder-for-hire case in which an Indian official is alleged to have tried to kill a Khalistani activist.

The decks are clear now for the smooth passage for the deal through Congress, which has 30 days to either do nothing and let the administration take it to the next stage, or kill it though a "hold" by leaders of the foreign and armed services committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives; the former is controlled now by the Democrats and the latter by the Republicans.

The administration notified the US Congress on Thursday that it proposes to sell 31 MQ-9B drones made by General Atomics to India for nearly $4 billion.

The deal was announced way back in June last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden.

The US Department of Justice then unsealed an indictment in November accusing Nikhil Gupta, an Indian businessman, of trying to hire a man -- who turned out to be an official of the Drugs Enforcement Agency -- to kill proscribed outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement on Friday that he has been in talks with the Biden administration for "months" to extract this commitment of India cooperation.

"My approval of this sale was the result of months of painstaking discussions with the Biden administration," he said, adding, "While I'm fully aware of the significance of this sale for US national security and strategic interests, I have consistently conveyed my concerns regarding the timing of this sale to administration officials in light of the alleged murder-for-hire plot involving Indian officials to attempt to assassinate an American citizen on US soil."

He further said: "I have been assured by the administration that the Indian government is committed to thoroughly investigating the situation and fully cooperating with the US Department of Justice investigation so that there is credible accountability in this case. As the Chairman of this committee, I fully intend to hold the administration to these commitments."

Democrats have been outraged by the Department of Justice's allegations about the Indian plot to kill the Khalistani activist.

"The disturbing news of a foiled assassination plot against a US citizen involving Indian government officials further underscores the importance of shedding light on efforts by governments to silence dissenters abroad," Senator Cardin had said after the unsealing of the DoJ indictment in November last year.

Democratic Indian-American members of the House of Representatives -- Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera and Shri Thanedar -- went as far as to issue a statement which warned India that its reluctance or failure to cooperate in the US investigation could damage ties between the two countries.
New Delhi, Feb 3 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a court here against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with the financial probe agency's summons sent to him in connection with its probe into the money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy matter.

The ED, on Wednesday, issued a fresh summon to Kejriwal, and he was told to appear before the central probe agency on Friday. That was the fifth summon issued to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor.

On Saturday, the case was heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra of Rouse Avenue Court.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju made submissions on behalf of the ED.

The judge has listed the case for hearing next on February 7.

The ED had issued a fourth summons to Kejriwal on January 13, asking him to appear before it on January 18.

On Friday, the AAP said that Kejriwal did not appear before the ED for questioning, and also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he wants to topple the Delhi government.

"Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before ED today as well. The party calls the summon 'unlawful'. We will comply with the lawful summons. PM Modi's aim is to arrest Arvind Kejriwal and topple the Delhi Government. We will not allow this to happen," the AAP said.
Kolkata, Feb 3 : Making the non-payment of central dues to West Bengal government under various centrally-sponsored schemes an election issue, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday promised to pay the beneficiaries under the 100-day MGNREGA job scheme from the state's own resources if the Centre does not release the dues.

Although she promised to clear dues of 21 lakh beneficiaries under the 100-day job scheme, to be transferred to their accounts by February 21 from the state's resources, Banerjee remained vague on what will be the total payout under this head and also how the state government will arrange such huge funds.

"The Union government is thinking of depriving the people of West Bengal of their legitimate financial dues. They have kept on hold the dues of 21 lakh beneficiaries under the 100-day job scheme.

"So, I am announcing my first step -- the state government will pay this entire amount which will be transferred to the bank accounts of the 21 lakh beneficiaries by February 21," the Chief minister said from the dais of the two-day sit-in-demonstration in Kolkata against pending central dues, which concluded on Saturday.

As regards the source of the funds, Banerjee said, "It is public money that will go back to the public."

She also did not spell out the total burden that will be put on the state exchequer on account of the huge payout.

However, sources in the state finance department said that the amount will be nothing less than Rs 7,500 crore.

Economists feel that in all probability, the state government will soon go for another major tranche of hefty market borrowing to meet this expense.

Another probability, according to economists, is that a portion of the unused funds allocated to different state government departments during the ongoing fiscal might be used to meet these expenses.

Banerjee also said that she will soon make an announcement regarding payments under the PMAY scheme.
BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's Chamber of Deputies on Friday approved in general terms a reform bill proposed by President Javier Milei's administration to deregulate the economy, leading the bill to the detailed negotiation phase.

The lower house of the Argentine Parliament approved the bill by a vote of 144-109, after over 30 hours of debate for three consecutive days.

The draft Law of Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of Argentines, known in the country as the "omnibus bill," will enter the article-by-article negotiation phase next week before it reaches the Senate.

The omnibus bill's more than 300 articles aim to undertake structural reforms, including in economic, administrative, criminal, and environmental aspects.

Shortly before the vote, Milei had urged legislators to support the proposal with a message on social media, in which he stated that they had "the opportunity to show which side of history they want to be on." 
Amaravati, Feb 3 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday said he clicked the button 124 times to disburse Rs 2.55 lakh crore under welfare schemes during the last five years and appealed to people to click two buttons in the upcoming elections for him to ensure that these schemes continue.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting at Denduluru in East Godavari district, he urged people to vote for YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the ensuing elections to state Assembly and Lok Sabha.

He stated that he had clicked the button 124 times to disburse a whopping Rs 2,55,000 crore through DBT for welfare schemes to eligible beneficiaries with transparency in the last 57 months and called upon the cadre to advise people to press two buttons for the YSRCP, one for the Assembly and the other for the Lok Sabha in the ensuing elections.

Claiming that YSRCP took birth from the sweat and aspirations of people, he said its clean sweep only will ensure the continuity of the slew of welfare schemes.

"Our target is to get a clear mandate for 175 assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. A vote for the TDP and Jana Sena will only result in revoking of all welfare schemes," he said.

He asked the YSRCP cadre to get ready to bring another historic victory for the Party in the ensuing elections by spreading the message of welfare and social justice to the doorstep of people. Unable to pedal his cycle alone, Chandrababu who is a non-resident Andhra, is seeking the support of other non-resident politicians like Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, his coverts in BJP like his sister-in-law and the political parties that ditched the State, to push it through, he said.

"The gang of four, like a pack of wolves, is aiming all sorts of arrows at me thinking I am alone. But they don't know you are my armour and would teach them a fitting lesson," Jagan said.

Asserting that he is the servant of people, a clean sweep of YSRCP will help them get perennial relief from 'Chandragrahanam', he said, adding the reality is that Jagan has earned a permanent place in the hearts of crores of people.

"You and God are my confidence and strength, The sea of humanity here proves that if people believe in a leader, the response becomes like this," he said.

The opposition, with the support of the friendly media, has declared a war on welfare, administrative reforms and the transformation of villages, the Chief Minister said, adding that it is an attack on the transformation of education, schools and the health sector.

"While Chandrababu cannot claim to have even a single achievement to his credit despite ruling the state for 14 years, we have transformed all villages from Kuppam to Ichapuram by launching the volunteer system, secretariats, RBKs, village clinics and family doctors and taking preventive health care to the doorstep of people through Jagananna Arogya Suraksha," he said.

"We have also rendered social justice to SC, ST, Backward Class and minorities by allotting them 68 per cent positions in the Cabinet, 50 per cent in nominated posts and contracts besides building 17 new medical colleges, 10 fishing harbours, 4 new sea ports, creating 2,13,000 new government job, distributing 31 lakh house site pattas and constructing 22 lakh houses," he added.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 : The Minister for Local Self Government in Kerala, M.B. Rajesh, on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress leaders here after news surfaced that the Congress government in Karnataka will stage a protest in Delhi on February 7 against non-allocation of funds to address the drought situation in the southern state.

Rajesh said it was just the other day that the Congress leaders in Kerala were asking what's the need for a protest Delhi's Jantar Mantar on February 8.

"Incidentally, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had a meeting with Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and his deputy P.K. Kunhalikutty during which he informed them about the need for a joint protest in Delhi by the ruling and opposition parties. But after the discussions, they decided not to take part in the protest. Now when the Karnataka government has announced a protest, what does the Congress leadership here have to say," Rajesh asked.

Vijayan and his entire Cabinet are set to stage a protest by walking from the Kerala House in Delhi to the Jantar Mantar on February 8, where they will stage a sit-in demonstration against the Centre's 'shoddy' treatment towards Kerala on all fronts, especially for not clearing funds due to the state at a time when Kerala is passing through one of its worst ever financial crisis.

Industries Minister P. Rajeeve also slammed the leadership of Satheesan and others for their non-cooperation.

"Either the Karnataka government has not seen the position of the Congress in Kerala, or perhaps their Chief Minister has agreed that a protest in Delhi is the only way out as adopted by the Left government here.

"The Congress leaders in Kerala still have time to join our protest. Just like the Karnataka government, we are also worried about our people and hence we want to tell the Centre that what it is doing is wrong," Rajeeve said.
Jaipur, Feb 3 : The Rajasthan government on Saturday appointed Rajendra Prasad as Advocate General two days after the High Court expressed displeasure over the delay in appointment.

Governor Kalraj Mishra has approved the proposal to name Prasad as the Advocate General.

Two days ago, the High Court had expressed its displeasure and sought a reply from the state government by February 5 regarding the appointment of Advocates General and Additional Advocates.

Senior Advocate Rajendra Prasad was Additional Advocate General in the Vasundhara Raje-led government.

An advocate, Ravindra Kumar Mathur had submitted the petition regarding the appointment of Advocate General which mentioned that even after almost two months since the formation of the government, Advocate General and Additional Advocates have not been appointed.

The High Court had issued an order saying that effective and adequate representation is not being given by the state.

The Law Secretary of the state of Rajasthan was called on January 24 to apprise the Court regarding the delay in the appointment.

At that time, the Law Secretary had sought some time from the High Court for appointment.

Later, the matter was taken to the High Court.
New Delhi/Imphal, Feb 3 : After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said the Centre is set to take some important decisions keeping in mind the interests of the people of Manipur, which has been ravaged by ethnic violence over the past nine months now.

After meeting with the Home Minister, the Chief Minister tweeted, "Today, I had the esteemed privilege of meeting with the Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji, in New Delhi. Engaging in a profound exchange, we discussed matters of paramount importance concerning our state. Rest assured, the Government of India is set to take some important decisions in the interests of the people of Manipur."

"Post-meeting with the Union Home Minister, I convened with senior officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the North Block. Held a productive discussion on the strategic measures undertaken for fostering peace in Manipur," Singh said in another post.

A senior official in Imphal said that the Chief Minister apprised Shah and the Home Ministry officials of the latest situation in Manipur, especially in the bordering town of Moreh.

In the recent violent incidents, two Manipur police commandos, several village volunteers and villagers were killed, while many others were injured, including a BSF trooper, in attacks by suspected armed militants in different parts of the riot-hit state.

Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has appealed to the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo group to immediately desist from targeting, provoking and attacking the Nagas, their homes and properties in the Imphal valley and also in the peripheral hill areas.

"Should this appeal go disrespected in the Imphal valley, we will have no option but to call upon the Nagas to vacate the valley for taking up further appropriate measures thereafter," the UNC said in a statement.

"On the same lines, should the Kuki-Zo group continue targeting Nagas, free access to Naga township and villages and free passage across Naga areas will have to be prohibited."

The UNC said that it is issuing the statement in view of several incidents and situations targeting the Nagas in the context of the prevailing situation in Manipur.

The UNC alleged that frisking/checking, violent behaviour, kidnapping, looting and extortion were meted out against Nagas by "Meitei radical groups" and womenfolk in Imphal valley; collection of money from citizens on highways by Meira paibis; churches being burnt and demolished, and sacrilegious acts being committed inside places of worship by the "radical Meiteis" in the name of waging war against a community.

"In all these acts of violence, intimidation, disrespect and insult, the common admission of mistaken identity has been cited. In the interest of peace despite the extreme provocations, Nagas have addressed the many sensitive situations and sought to resolve them through customary laws and practices.

"Yet, time and again, our people have been attacked with impunity, making mockery of the many agreements and resolutions for restoration of peace and good relations," the UNC statement added.
Hyderabad, Feb 3 : There is revolution in cancer care like many advances in technology, updated guidelines, and integrated work leading to better results. But this is confined to metropolitan cities and at the district and village level cancer care needs to be streamlined, say oncologists on the eve of World Cancer Day.

Every year, cancer day is observed to bring awareness to the public about cancer, its risks, early diagnosis facilities and educating people about the various types of cancer.

The theme for this year is "Closing the Care Gap" which focuses on reducing the cancer burden and improving the care facilities. Cancer is the deadly disease where any tissues or body parts can be affected and cells grow uncontrollably and abnormally and spread to other parts of the body.

It is the second leading cause of deaths in the world and has the ability to destroy normal tissues.

Although it is possible to live long with cancer, it is important to be diagnosed first and determine the suitable treatment patterns that can help reduce the growth of cancer cells, say oncologists.

The year 2022 recorded 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million deaths.

Cancer can be prevented and controlled by implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention.

Treatments for cancer have a high impact on the patient's economic and social constraints.

The cancer burden can increase by 60 per cent in the next two decades if the healthcare system strains people and communities.

It is estimated that by 2040, there will be a 57 per cent increase in cancer and approximately 6.23 million new cases if no further action is taken.

Dr. Madhu Devarasetty, Sr. Consultant - Surgical Oncologist & Minimal Invasive Surgeon, KIMS Hospitals stressed the need for establishing more cancer care centers at the district level and recruiting more specialists.

"It's very important to know that most cancers are curable if they are detected early in breast cancer, Thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. Awareness in society and standardization of treatment will enable us to close the care gap. Prevention plays a vital role in cancer care, that is modification of risk factors. One third of total cancers can be prevented and this will save thousands of lives," he said.

The oncologist believes that access to correct and concise information and knowledge about cancer can empower communities to conquer the social stigma.

"Palliative care is essential for comfort in advanced cancers and it's a crucial part of integrated cancer care services. Last but not least is psychological counseling which builds the mental strength of the patient to develop a positive attitude and helps the patient to take treatment completely," Dr. B. Kishore Reddy, Chief Ortho Oncologist, Amor Hospitals says that it is important to have equal access to quality care.

"It is one of the goals for World Cancer Day where research and efforts are made to support the development of new treatments, increasing the accessibility of the treatments, and encouraging research on a global scale. This can involve teamwork from healthcare organisations, advocacy groups and individuals who work to overcome the challenges caused by cancer. It is a complex disease with various risks and challenges. To tackle this, healthcare organisations, policymakers, researchers and communities must work together. With a focus to serve the underserved communities, it requires breaking down barriers that are restricting people to have access to quality treatment.

"Early detection of cancer can save a patient's life. In India, there are many hospitals that specialize in cancer screening and diagnosis. Most of the time, cancer is detected at the later stages and sometimes, it is identified at the early stages. The patients who identify cancer in the later stages have to take actionable steps to receive treatment, and have to attend regular hospital appointments. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and eating healthy people can maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst overcoming cancer. Cancer cannot be completely cured, but with time and successful treatment, cancer can be gone into remission," Dr. Kishore Reddy added.

Dr. C. Mallikarjuna, Chief Urologist and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), who spoke about kidney cancers said: "Due to new treatments and innovative technology, the patient life span has increased and living until 80 has become common nowadays, 75 per cent of people who cross 70 are prone to prostate cancer, they would not come to hospital because their symptoms would not be identified. For people who cross 80, the bones will also get affected and the patients come to the hospital. This means it is easy to help patients who are diagnosed in the early stages and save their life.

"Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a blood test that everyone needs to get once every two years. This can track prostate cancer, improve the blood flow and the condition of the person. People who have problems with urination, urinary infection or have pain, need to take proper treatment to have results. Also, it immensely helps people who cross 65 years of age or senior citizens who have such symptoms. It is not correct to use antibiotics as soon as there is urinary infection. Right treatment plan is advised to help track prostate cancer every year."

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 3 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the political arm of the influential Vanniyar community in Tamil Nadu will announce its position on its alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha election soon, PMK state president and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Saturday.

The PMK leader said that the party's general body will take a decision, adding that he would abide by the party's decision.

It may be recalled that PMK was part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2019 general elections, and it has to be seen with whom the party would align in Tamil Nadu.

Asked about the entry of Tamil superstar Vijay into politics, the PMK leader said: "I congratulate Vijay for floating a political party and entering politics. He should be working for the welfare of the people. This is what people entering politics must do."

He also said that Vijay should talk about his partyas ideology, and urged him to work for the downtrodden and focus on people-centric policies.

He also said that there was an ego clash between Governor R.N. Ravi and the Tamil Nadu government, and due to this, people, universities, and students were suffering.

Asked about jailed Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji continuing as a minister, he said "only Chief Minister M.K. Stalin could take a decision on this matter".

Anbumani Ramadoss also said: "We don't know why he has been continuing as a Minister without a portfolio for so long."

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the gurantee schemes introduced by his government in the state should not be dubbed as "free schemes".

Speaking after inaugurating the 38th State Conference of Journalists at Davangere, the Chief Minister called upon the journalists to reject superstition and develop the courage to tell the truth to the people.

"Journalists don't need politics. They have to be objective. Journalists should not call the guarantee schemes which are aimed at increasing the economic power of the poor and the middle class as free schemes," he said.

"This non-partisan, secular, non-religious scheme should not called be called free guarantee, instead it must be reviewed before writing anything," he added.

Siddaramaiah further said: "Instead of showing the husband-wife fight all day long, identify and write about the vested interests who are hindering the development of the society."

He said that society-oriented journalism is possible through this. Saying that he was a supporter of freedom of expression, Siddaramaiah said this freedom should be given some dignity.

"Common people have high expectations from the media. It should be for those who are deprived of opportunities. Technology and science have developed a lot and journalism has to take advantage of this. But journalists should not forget honesty for any reason," he said.

Karnataka Union of Working Journalists President Shivananda Tagaduru presided over the conference which was held in collaboration with K.V. Prabhakar, Media Adviser to the Chief Minister.
Hyderabad, Feb 3 : In a setback to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telangana's former Deputy Chief Minister T. Rajaiah resigned from the party on Saturday.

Hyderabad, Feb 3 (IANS) In a setback to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telanganaas former Deputy Chief Minister T. Rajaiah resigned from the party on Saturday.

The former MLA announced that he has resigned from the primary membership of the party. Rajaiah is likely to join the Congress, sources said.

Rajaiah is the first key leader to quit the BRS after it lost power to the Congress in the state in the recent Assembly elections. The setback came months before the Lok Sabha elections.

Rajaiah was reportedly unhappy ever since the BRS leadership denied him a party ticket to contest from Ghanpur (Station) constituency in Jangaon district.

The BRS had fielded Rajaiahas rival Kadiyam Srihari, also a former Deputy CM. To pacify Rajaiah, BRS President and then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had appointed him as the Chairman of the Rythu Bandhu Samithi, but with BRS losing power, his joy was short-lived.

As Srihari won the seat despite Congress wave sweeping the state, Rajaiah felt further isolated in the party.

Rajaiah expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation in the BRS and stated that he was marginalised in the party.

Rajaiah did not spell out his future plans, but his praise for the Congress indicates that he will soon join the grand old party soon.

He recalled that he was in the Congress for 15 years and as a member of the Congress Forum for Telangana, he had met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to seek separate statehood for Telangana.

Rajaiah was first elected from the Ghanpur (Station) Assembly seat in 2009. Since then, he had been representing the seat. After the formation of Telangana in 2014, he became one of the two Deputy CMs and was allotted the health portfolio.

However, KCR dropped Rajaiah from the Cabinet in 2015 following allegations of corruption in the health department.

KCR again fielded him from the same constituency in 2018, and though he retained the seat, he was not inducted into the Cabinet.

After KCR decided to field Srihari in the 2023 elections, Rajaiah had broken down in front of his supporters.
Patna, Feb 3 : Newly-appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary, played the Kushwaha card on Saturday as he said that no one can touch the people from his community.

Addressing a gathering during the birth anniversary celebrations of Jagdev Prasad in Bihar Sharif, Choudhary said: "Sand, liquor and land mafias belong to other castes. The people from my caste (Kushwaha) are not involved in illegal practices. No one from our caste is a mafia. They are all simple people," Choudhary said.

"I want to assure you that no one will do anything to you. If anyone touches people from the Kushwaha community, I will drop the last blood in my body to protect them. Jagdev Prasad may have been killed, but Samrat Choudhary is here to protect you.

"The BJP has appointed Deputy CMs from the Kushwaha community in three states. Three state Presidents also belong to the Kushwaha community, including in Bihar. Jagdev Prasad fought for the Kushwaha community, and I will continue the fight," he said.

Choudhary is a prominent leader from the Kushwaha community. The BJP had made him the party's state unit chief last year with an intention to disturb the 'Lav-Kush' equation (Kurmi-Kushwaha) of Nitish Kumar.
Srinagar, Feb 4 : Security forces on Saturday detained four locals who used forged tickets to enter J&K's Srinagar airport.

Officials said that four local persons were detained by the security forces at Srinagar airport after they were found in possession of forged air tickets.

"All the detained persons were later handed over to the concerned police station for further investigation. The detained persons include Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh of Chattabal Srinagar, Junaid Ahmad Bhat of Utterosu Anantnag, Aaqib Mushtaq of Lal Bazar Srinagar and Sakir Mushtaq of Eidgah, Srinagar.

"On preliminary investigations it was found that the motive of the accused persons was to see off their parents, who were leaving for 'Umrah' (Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia other than the Hajj)," an official said.
A customer (L) asks about the Year of the Dragon stamps for sale on the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity here on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand.

The crowd erupted in applause when New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong dotted the lion's eyes together, an important ritual to start the celebrations.

The lion was then awakened and danced imminently. It leapt, twisted, and blessed the market stalls, scattering fortune and laughter.

In his speech, Luxon wished everyone a happy Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10.

"Every Lunar New Year is a great hope and great promise. It is time for families and friends to get together. This new year is even more exciting when it passes from the year of Rabbit to the year of Dragon. The year of Dragon is associated with positive energy, leadership, honor, luck and success," said Luxon.

"It is great to be here today celebrating not only the New Year but also the vibrant Chinese community. They have contributed so much to this great city of Auckland but also to wider New Zealand," the prime minister said.

Chinese Ambassador Wang said close people-to-people relations have been a unique asset of China-New Zealand ties.

"People of Chinese descent is one of the largest expat communities in New Zealand. Having contributed to economic and social development as well as ethnic and cultural diversity here, they also serve as an important bridge for China-New Zealand friendship," Wang said.

The ambassador also noted that 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand, which is yet another major milestone in bilateral relations.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's multilingual blessing won applause from the audience. "I am proud to be the mayor of Auckland. Wishing everyone a happy New Year and a joyful Year of the Dragon," said the mayor in Mandarin.

The indoor market featured cultural performances by artists from home and abroad and stalls supported by government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO)s, community groups and commercial entities. Peking Opera, Wudang Kungfu and Hubei folk songs, dances and musical instruments attracted hundreds of spectators. It is also the first year the Chinese embassy set up stalls promoting information about bilateral economic cooperation, culture and tourism, education and cultural exchanges.

Kiwi girl Maylee Cordelle, in Chinese traditional costumes, learnt paper cutting onsite. She finally succeeded in cutting a bunny under the guidance of Cao Xiaoqin, a paper-cutting expert from China.

Maylee and her three friends were all dressed in China's traditional Han clothing. She said they bought these costumes from China a couple of years ago, and they've always dressed in Chinese costumes during each year's Chinese New Year activities as their own way of celebration.

Agencies such as the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Post, Tertiary Education Commission, and the Te Whetu Ora Te Toka Yumai (Health New Zealand-Auckland) actively participated in the market day, promoting public services information.

The outdoor is a bustling food street with mouthwatering traditional and modern street foods. People are indulging themselves in a sea of delicacies such as bubble teas and candy floss, dumplings and buns, lamb kebabs, and fried seafood, as well as Malaysian cuisine, Thai food and Korean food. 

A staff member of New Zeland Post shows Year of the Dragon stamps on the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

Children walk past a panda figure on the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

A resident (R) receives a paper-cutting work showing the Chinese character "Fu (fortune)" on the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (2nd, L) and Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong (2nd, R) pose for a group photo during the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day held in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) attends the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day held in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Moscow, Feb 4 : Russia strongly condemns the US strikes on Syria and Iraq and is seeking an immediate review of the emerging situation through the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said.

"American airstrikes involving strategic bombers across Iraq and Syria, ... once again demonstrated to the world the aggressive nature of US policy in the Middle East and Washington's complete disregard for international law," Zakharova said on Saturday in a Telegram post.

The spokesperson said the US is purposefully trying to plunge the largest countries in the region into conflict by conducting the strikes, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Recent events confirm that the United States is not and has never been looking for solutions to problems in the region," she added.

The US on Friday carried out strikes on Iran-linked militia targets in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a deadly attack on its military base in Jordan.
In The Everything War (Little Brown, Apr.), journalist Mattioli traces Amazons insatiable quest for growth.

You write that Amazon is a perfect lens into what befell the American economy and its business climate from the 1990s to the present. How so?

Bookstores were the canary in the coal mine as the first companies really impacted by Amazon, but that is not where Amazons dominance ended. When the company entered retail, people thought it might stop there, but now theyve expanded to the point where companies that dont even directly compete with Amazon are coming up with Amazon-proofing plans because theyre worried about this company eating their lunch. In the space of five years, Amazon built out this giant logistics network that by 2023 eclipsed UPS, a company thats been around for more than 100 years, in terms of how many parcels it delivers. I think thats a cautionary tale for lots of corporate giants. Amazon is also at the forefront of other trends taking hold of corporate America, such as the gig economy. If you think about how Amazon has cemented its logistics success, its because they have third-party contractors who show up to your doorstep and mine in Amazon vans and Amazon uniforms. These are gig workers, right?

What are the implications of Amazons dominance?

The decisions Amazon makes, and the way that it operates, have far-reaching consequences. Amazon affects U.S. employment because theyre the second largest employer in the country. The Federal Trade Commissions 2023 lawsuit accusing Amazon of operating as an illegal monopoly says the company has so much outsized power in online retail that even if you shop on a competitors website, youre paying higher prices for whatever youre buying because of Amazons dominance and the power it has over third-party sellers.

Where should one draw the line between savvy business strategy and misbehavior requiring regulatory scrutiny?

Amazon is the biggest cloud computing company in the world, the biggest e-commerce and package delivery company in America, and the third largest digital advertising company in the country. Its like you have to interact with them in some way or another. Theres really no analogue, and that sort of leverage is where I think things get interesting. Amazon often uses their cross-industry dominance to gain advantages that other companies couldnt get. Thats where it crosses the line in some ways, or it could be interpreted by regulators

as crossing the line. Being big is not in itself illegal. What matters are a companys behaviors, and it appears that Amazon had its finger on the scale in a lot of ways.
Few in childrens publishing were sorry to see the end of 2023. The year was marked by a record level of book bans, softening sales, and concerns over the number of kids reading for fun, which was at an all-time low according to surveys by the National Assessment of Educational Progress in the U.S. and National Literacy Trust in the U.K. The wait for the Chosen Onethe Harry Potteresque breakout book with the potential to create a global phenomenon in the industrycontinues. But reflecting on the year ahead, publishers, agents, and editors still find much to feel optimistic about, with a few caveats. Heres whats on their minds.

No shortage of talent

Publishers and editors seem to agree that their inboxes are still flooded with submissions. I always feel positive when I start a new year! says Sonali Fry, v-p and publisher of Crown Books for Young Readers. I love anticipating what amazing projects might come my way.

Some report feeling encouraged by the type and quality of stories out there and are confident that the art of storytelling is alive and well. I feel very positive about the level of creative ambition Im seeing among the authors I get to work with, says Andrew Karre, senior executive editor at Dutton Childrens Books. The pattern of authors pushing themselves beyond familiar categories and genres in order to try new things is tremendously encouraging and energizing, and it makes me look forward to my work in the year to come. These authors arent chasing trends; theyre following their visions, and that can only be good for all of us in childrens publishing.

Tracking trends

Romantasy continues its domination of the YA market, with traditional fantasy, high fantasy, and grounded fantasy (lighter on fantastical elements) also making a strong showing, according to multiple editors. Dark academia continues its ascendence as well. A number of publishers and agents report that thrillers and mysteries are still popular, especially in YA.

Graphic novels are maintaining their momentum, especially in middle grade, spanning genres from fantasy to historical, with realistic fiction gaining ground. As an editor who mostly does commercial fiction, its incumbent on me to find ways in with readers who are resistant to what they see as a wall of text, says Abby McAden, associate publisher at Scholastic. Series such as Aaron Blabeys the Bad Guys and Cat on the Run are highly illustrated essentially high-action, black-and-white graphic novels for seven- to 10-year-olds, she adds. Its not a surprise they are a huge hit!

Publishers offer a few fresh insights about categories to watch. For years, editors have reported a desire to see more humor, and authors appear to be meeting the need. Books with lots of humor have been popping, says Rich Thomas, senior v-p and director of publishing at HarperCollins Childrens Books. He cites Jory John and Pete Oswalds Food Group picture books series and Mac Barnett and Shawn Harriss First Cat in Space series as examples.

Are kids ready for the next Redwall or Warriors? I have heard from colleagues that animal fantasy is coming back, McAden says. I would like to believe that, because its so great. I am ready for some new stories featuring talking animals! She adds that horror and suspense titles continue to succeed.

According to Jen Klonsky, president and publisher of Putnam Books for Young Readers and Dial Books for Young Readers, issues of mental health feel urgent, and that reality continues to be a factor in considering acquisitions.

As new generations of readers age up, dormant categories seem ripe for revival. Im starting to see some dystopian again and higher sales in that space, says agent Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Biographies and nonfiction picture books have been a bright spot at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. We have made a concerted effort to beef up our backmatter in these titles in recent years, and that definitely seems to have an impact on critical reception and sales, says president and publisher Anita Eerdmans. She adds that shes encouraged by the growth of books in translation. Its been great to see the growing acceptance of these books in the U.S. market, though that also means more competition for the foreign titles among a greater number of publishers doing translated books! She points to Eerdmanss Stories from Latin America series, most of which are translations from Spanish titles, as a highlight.

Agent Molly Ker Hawn of the Bent Agency says her inbox is still full of middle grade chosen-one fantasy. But Im not sure how many more the market is crying out for, she notes.

Several publishers cite realistic fiction as a current weak spot in both sales and acquisitions, unless offered in graphic novel format. Contemporary realistic still feels a bit challenging, Klonsky says. But if theres a sharp elevator pitch, that really helps.

Crossovers

Author crossovers remain a trend: YA authors writing for adults, adult authors writing for YA, YA authors writing middle grade and picture books. I am delighted to say we are seeing more and more YA authors making that leap and hopping the fence to the adult side, says agent Rosemary Stimola of Stimola Literary Studio. This year alone, three of our own bestselling authors are making their debuts: Adriana Mather, Mary Pearson, and Renee Watson.

Its harder than it looks, though, according to Klonsky. Its actually quite difficult for an author with success in one category to find success in another, she says. But Ill happily cite Adam Rubin [author of Dragons Love Tacos], who broke into middle grade with The Ice Cream Machine, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, and Ali Hazelwood, a bestselling adult author, who broke into YA with her #1 New York Times bestseller Check & Mate.

Successes like these dont happen by accident. We work very closely with our colleagues in the adult divisions at HarperCollins to maximize those opportunities for crossover, ensuring that our authors reach the widest possible audience regardless of their age, Thomas says. We do have authors who have been successfully crossing over from their traditional categories, and these forays dont appear to be at the expense of newer talent.

Uncertainty in middle grade

Concerns over the state of middle grade books, especially fiction, have been a constant for at least the past four quarters. Im seeing a real slowdown in middle grade, says Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency. Ive had conversations with a number of Big Five publisherlevel colleagues about this, and theyre all anxious about middle grade sales and discoverability.

McAden echoes this worry. Middle grade is the heart of the Scholastic fiction list, and its become increasingly hard to break new authors out or establish a successful series. Weve found that we really need to get to book three for a series to gain traction, but attention spans and bookseller commitments are hard to command. Books with innovative formats such as Andy Marinos Escape from Chernobyl series are notable exceptions, she says.

Bourret cites recent changes to Barnes & Nobles buying policies as hitting middle grade particularly hard. Launching new books is significantly harder than it used to be without the opportunity to market directly to your consumerwhich is the case with middle grade, he says. However, he remains optimistic. Ive been in this industry so long now, Ive seen so many different boom and bust cycles. The only thing I know for sure is that everything is cyclical. Whenever we think a category is flat and its over, something comes along and refreshes it. Middle grade is having a tough time, but Im still actively looking for middle grade. I am convinced somethings going to come along and its going to be a big, undeniable thing and turn the category around. Weve seen it time and again.

The middle grade slowdown also hasnt hit all publishers equally. I dont share the concern about middle grade. We have a smaller list, but its highly supported. Were actually growing our middle grade program, says Adam Lerner, CEO of Lerner Publishing, which publishes both fiction and nonfiction for the trade and school/library markets. Were not reliant on trade. We sell there, but we dont overpublish. Every book we publish has a specific audience. If you publish the right books and have the channels to read the market, theyll still read. People recognize that its important for middle graders to read.

Discoverability remains tricky

Across the board, publishers point to several factors in the continued challenges of discoverability. The pause on in-person learning, library programs, book fairs, school visits, book festivals, and signings during the pandemic created a kind of speedbump that were still feeling the effects of, Thomas says. Momentum is clearly improving now that these pathways to discovery are again open, but a whole wave of books published during the pandemic continue to be affected by the pause in the traditional methods of discovery that these long-tail, slow-build categories depend upon. This has resulted in a softening, likely temporary, of the affected categories.

Publishers seem to agree they are still in transition and are rebuilding new ways to reach audiences. Discovery is increasingly decentralized, Karre says. Old authorities remain important, but social media of all sorts continues to grow and connect readers and books in unpredictable ways.

I think its still the combination of parents and educators, peers, and known media properties that cause readers to discover books, McAden says. A books inexorable spread onto state reading lists is another flicker of success. As pockets of readers and gatekeepers figure out a book is great, the success can spread to other areas of the marketplace and then youre up and running! She adds that theres not always one big, obvious avenue to bestsellerdom, but rather a books reach increases from piecing together small successes and building on them.

For John Mendelson, who opened U.K. publisher Nosy Crows U.S. office as president in 2022 and launched its first list last year, the benefit of a recognized brand is important, especially for a small publisher. Parents look for and recognize quality and uniqueness in books, he says. In its marketing, the company tries to make connections on a personal level through those who care about children reading.

Books reach a child by a chain, and that chain has to stay intact all the way through, Mendelson notes. We, as a publisher, have an obligation to protect that chain.

Thomas says that in light of school budget cuts impacting libraries and media specialists, bookstores are filling the gaps in discoverability. Programs such as Barnes & Nobles monthly picks, ABAs Indies Introduce/Indie Next Picks, and banned book displays have taken on increased importance for childrens publishers.

Book bans strengthen resolve

After a bruising year of continued and expanding book bans, publishers see wide-ranging effects on sales but remain firm in their determination to support diverse authors and their books. Were seeing that when a book is added to one list of challenges it tends to be picked up by the other growing lists of challenged books, Thomas says. This creates a chilling effect for the title and author.

McAden calls the continued bans shocking and dispiriting. Precisely the reasons so many titles are being challenged is because they are so very powerful, she says. Reading stretches your mind and plants the seeds of perspective and empathy, even if you thought you were just in it for the jump scares of Goosebumps or laughs from Dav Pilkey.

Bans disproportionately affect LGBTQ authors, diminishing their ability to do school visitsa vital source of discoverability. Bourret says hes heard of authors being asked not to talk about LGBTQ topics if they do visit, as well as educators backing off their support, not necessarily because they dont believe in the book, but because of the repercussions their support will have.

Im so glad to see PRH fighting this in court, he states. Im hopeful that by pushing back we can make some changes, and Im disappointed in other publishers for not joining in that lawsuit, because it would only make it stronger. He adds that though this will pass, the damage will be lasting.

Stimola says bans have, in a sense, rearranged the map in kids books. There are geographies in which certain titles are not going to fly, she says. In some areas, a banned book actually garners greater attention. But, she adds, readers remain defiant: If you tell me I cant read it, I will!

Authors and publishers reflect that spirit, too. In the end, we cannot allow such censoring to dissuade us from supporting those stories out there and keeping them on the shelves, Stimola says. I would never discourage any of my authors from writing a book we anticipate will be banned. On the contrary.

That sense of defiance applies to readers, too. Choosing to read a particular book can be an act of rebellion, Mendelson says.

Supporting reading shouldnt be seen as political, Lerner says, adding that exposure to different points of view is an important American value. Its good for kids to read about viewpoints that arent necessarily where they are coming from, he says. Its good for their critical thinking skills and good for democracy.

Because librarians are among the greatest advocates for reading and young readers, several publishers voiced concern and solidarity for their position on the frontlines of the culture war assaults on their profession. Im worried about librarians being able to do what they are trained to do, Lerner says. Their professional abilities should be respected. Schools with media specialists perform better. They are positive resources for communities and its tough to see them being attacked. We support them very strongly in their duty to their community.

Frontlist, backlist, and forecasts

Whether its postpandemic effects, the rise of BookTok, or declining interest in reading, reading the tea leaves on trends has become increasingly complex. Its not that the industry isnt selling books, Bourret says. The industry is selling bookslots of them. There is some surprise that unit sales havent dropped more. They continue to be strong. But its really concentrated in a small number of frontlist books and spread across backlist. When you look at whats selling, its not new books.

This is my 20th year in the business, and I cannot recall anyone saying, You know what? It seems like breaking out new authors got easier last year, Karre says, adding that its always been challenging and continues to find new ways to be challenging.

For Mendelson, a tighter list can have its advantages. Being a small publisher, were in the business of launching new creatorsauthors, not books. Author care and nurturing careers is something we are really good at.

 Kids know theres a world out there beyond the one on their screens. Books are one of the last respites. - Adam Lerner, Lerner Publishing 

Lerner says authors should take another look at midsize publishers, who sell a lot of books and publish a range of authors. With their established bookstore and educator connections, they can offer an entry point and strong support for a start or a whole career. We cant always compete in terms of advances, but we put in a lot of effort and attention to support our authors, he says. Theyre really important to us.

Looking ahead

Despite the many challenges, Fry says, the picture book market is healthy and thriving, which is wonderful, but that leads us to the question of what hasnt been done yet? Theres been an explosion of stories from diverse creators on so many topics, and thats been great to see. Theres still a need for more diverse illustrators to be paired with our texts, and Im always excited to work with new talent.

While AI has publishing on alert about copyright issues and the lack of regulation, Lerner says the industrys long lead time offers an opportunity to keep an eye on things and see how they evolve rather than rushing in with a response. That built-in waiting period, he says, may end up being an advantage.

As sales remain uncertain in the school and library market, Mendelson says hes hopeful that well see more trade books in the classroom.

Publishers seem to feel ready to respond to the new ways that kids encounter and enjoy books. Theres a lot of understanding that kids need to read long-form narratives and see how a book unfolds, not just get their information in sound bites, Lerner says. Once you get past the noise and get their attention, theres a lot of support. Kids know theres a world out there beyond the one on their screens. Books are one of the last respites.

I continue to be optimistic, Bourret says.

Childrens Publishers on the Lingering Postpandemic Effects

Childrens Publishers on the Role of BookTok

Return to the main feature.

Joanne OSullivan is a journalist, author, and editor in Asheville, N.C.
BookTok has transformed publishing since it evolved during the beginning of the pandemic. For YA authors in particular, the community can lead to runaway success, as it has for authors such as Alex Aster and Chloe Gong. BookTok does magical things for books that no other social platform can, says Jen Klonsky, president and publisher of Putnam Books for Young Readers, mentioning the platforms famed ability to propel backlist titles to the bestseller list. But publishers seem to agree that the magic cant be artificially created.

A market-savvy author who knows how to leverage their platform is a tremendous advantage, says Andrew Smith, v-p and publisher of Abrams Childrens Books. The fact that the platform itself changes over time puts added emphasis on the authors individual adaptability and awareness of their audience, particularly in genre fiction.

BookTok success isnt evenly distributed, though. The winners are just so big at this point, says Michael Bourret, agent and partner at Dystel, Goderich & Bourretand then theres everyone else.

Anita Eerdmans, president and publisher of Eerdmans, thinks that in the BookTok boom, Instagram may not get the credit it deserves. Instagram specifically has been tremendous for us since its a dynamic, visual platformperfect for spotlighting gorgeous and groundbreaking art, which is a hallmark of our books, she says. Its a passionate, diverse, creative community of advocates and influencers who have been so receptive to our titles and their creators.

Not everyone is a fan of social media, though. Yes, it helps to get the word out, says Rosemary Stimola, founder of Stimola Literary Studio. But the cons and toxicity far outweigh the pros in my humble opinion: reviews on books by those who have not read them, fake accounts, personal attacks on authorstheres too much nastiness to navigate.

Social media is here to stay, but a few industry professionals expressed the view that publishers need to look beyond it and tailor efforts to specific books. Bourret, for example, hopes that more publishers will reconsider concentrating their publicity and marketing efforts to courting influencers.

Return to the main feature.
HarperVia Shares Almodovars Dream HarperVia editorial director Juan Mila has acquired North American rights to The Last Dream, a debut collection of short stories by legendary director Pedro Almodovar, translated from the Spanish by Frank Wynne. Cecilia Palacios at PRH Spain brokered the deal. HarperVia said the book includes 12 carefully selected stories spanning five decades of Almodovars personal writings, adding that it confirms the mastery of a generational talent whose unmistakable vision has gone on to define and overshadow cinema for the past 40 years. The book is set for publication in September.

Viking Studies Frys Mythologies

After an auction, Vikings Allison Lorentzen has landed North American rights to American Mythologies by Naomi Fry, a New Yorker staff writer and co-host of the podcast Critics at Large. Viking called the book a work of intrepid criticism that weaves close readings of everything from Alf to Vanderpump Rules to Paul Thomas Andersons Boogie Nights with the authors own immigration experience, to investigate four pillars of American monoculture: sex, drugs, fame, and sadness. Marya Spence at Janklow & Nesbit handled the deal. A pub date has not yet been announced.

Clash Books Signs Assholes

Clash Books editor-in-chief Christoph Paul has acquired North American rights to Navy veteranturnedshort story writer Kyle Seibels debut collection, Hey You Assholes. The deal was negotiated by Christopher Schelling at Selectric Artists. Clash said the book contains some 30 tales that reveal the souls of humanity in flawed, working-class characterssofthearted alcoholics, belligerent tough guys, cunning factory workers, military veterans forever lost at seafrequently overlooked by society. Hey You Assholes will be published in January 2025.

Dorman Hot for Griffithss Frozen People

After an auction, Jeramie Orton at Pamela Dorman Books has acquired North American rights to author Elly Griffithss The Frozen People, the first in a series. The two-book deal was struck by Rebecca Carter at Rebecca Carter Literary. The publisher de-

scribed the book as The Time Travelers Wife meets Outlander, in which a time-traveling detective gets stuck in 1850s London as she searches for a cold-case serial killer and becomes unexpectedly embroiled in Victorian society as she seeks a way home. Griffiths is the author of the Ruth

Galloway and Brighton mystery series. The Frozen People is set for publication in 2025. Details were not announced for the second book.

Clancys Snowbirds Migrate to St. Martins

St. Martins executive editor Sarah Cantin has acquired world English rights to The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy (Shoulder Season). Marcy Posner at Folio Literary Management brokered the deal, and the novel will be Clancys third with St. Martins Press. The publisher said its about a couple at a crossroads who flee a Midwestern winter for a fresh start in Palm Springs, only for one to go missing on a hike, leaving the other to wonder if the disappearance signals the end of their relationshipor something more perilous. The Snowbirds is set for a winter 2025 publication.

Astra Picks Up Liverpools Racism Treatise

In a preempt, editorial director Alessandra Bastagli at Astra House has acquired North American rights to Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Sick, by science journalist Layal Liverpool. The deal was negotiated by Will Francis at Janklow & Nesbit. Astra said the book explores the insidious impact of systemic racism on our health, from cardiovascular disease to viruses, cancer to mental illness, delving into the reasons racial health disparities exist and offering a framework for a way forward. Astra will publish Systemic in June.
With LibLearnX 2024 in the books, next up on the library conference calendar is the biannual Public Library Association conference, set for April 35 in Columbus, Ohio. PLA has become perhaps the most popular conference among librarians, with the last PLA conference in March 2022 exceeded expectations, drawing nearly 5,000 in-person attendees to Portland, Ore. And early reports are that this year's PLA is gearing up to be big one.

Featured PLA speakers announced thus far include award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, author and Columbia University professor Mary Annaise Heglar, and comedian and author Dulce Sloan. And as usual, the conference will offer more than 100 education sessions and an exhibits hall. You can view the full PLA program and register here. And look for our PLA preview in the March 18 issue of Publishers Weekly.

AL.com reports that the agency overseeing the state's public libraries has proposed new rules that would "force libraries to move books deemed 'inappropriate' for children" in order to qualify for state funding. "These changes echo recommendations made by Gov. Kay Ivey after she expressed concerns about inappropriate materials for children in public libraries," the report notes. Furthermore, the rules take aim at the American Library Association, requiring that "any expenditure of public funds" to ALA "must be approved by the governing board of the public library or public library system in an open, public meeting following advance public notice.

The Alabama Political Reporter reports on a counterproposal to the new library rules from the Alabama Library Association (ALLA). "The major difference between Iveys proposed changes and ALLAs is a section by the librarians declaring libraries cannot stand in place of parents on deciding what content is suitable for minors."

Meanwhile, local affiliate WSFA reports that the Alabama Public Library Service has officially voted to not renew its membership with the American Library Association, but even that is not enough for right wing groups in the state. "Hannah Reese with Clean Up Alabama says ending a membership is not enough. Shes calling for a complete disaffiliation from the ALA," the report notes.

 it is important for citizens to be acutely aware of the issues surrounding the First Amendment and be prepared to take actions to protect against threats to essential freedoms. 

In Georgia, local affiliate 11 Alive reports on two new bills also targeting libraries and ALA. "Two bills are making their way through the Georgia State Senate, and both pieces of legislation are sponsored by Republican lawmakers. First, SB390 would loosen restrictions on librarian certification and cut funding to any programs tied to the American Library Association. Twenty-two GOP state senators are behind the bill," the report notes. "Supporters of SB390 say ALA's leadership believes in 'Marxist' ideology and taxpayers should not have to support them." Another bill, SB394, "would require the state board of education to establish standards for school books, as well as define what material might be construed as harmful to minors, restricted materials, and sexually explicit" and calls for "a ratings system to be implemented to determine how explicit a book may be." Because that idea worked out so well for Texas.

In Tennessee, 10News reports that lawmakers are also debating a bill that would restrict access to library materials for minors. "HB 1661...would allow people to sign a petition that could restrict books, video games, pamphlets, magazines and more in public libraries if it is believed they are harmful to minors," the report notes.

NPR reports on how one Texas teacher maintained a secret bookshelf of banned books for students. "The secret bookshelf began in late 2021, when then-state Rep. Matt Krause sent public schools a list of 850 books he wanted banned from schools. They might, he said, 'make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex,' " the report notes. "That made this teacher furious. 'The books that make you uncomfortable are the books that make you think,' she told NPR. 'Isn't that what school is supposed to do? It's supposed to make you think?' "

Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads off her weekly censorship roundup with her take on American intolerance. "Intolerance permeates parental perceptions of book bans," she writes, adding that "2 out of 5 parents43%do not agree that books should reflect diverse experiences. When you combine outright disagreement with parents who only somewhat agree with that sentiment, 75% of parents do not believe in the necessity of diverse books. That is an astoundingand incredibly chillingpercentage."

In New Mexico, the Silver City Press reports that rural library funding in the southern part of the state appears to be in limbo. "Their small population bases and often high poverty rates mean theres not a lot of money to fund their community libraries, important hubs that serve roles well beyond book lending," the report notes. "Its against this backdrop that a grassroots effort sprang up in recent years to provide a creative, perpetual source of funding for more than 50 of these small, rural libraries across New Mexico, including in the south. And, while the initiativeset up as an endowmentis off to a robust start thanks to legislative allocations in previous years, the Legislatures initial budget for the session that started Jan. 16 didnt include any additional funding for the measure."

And finally this week, more good work from EveryLibrary. The national political action committee for libraries has launched the Libraries2024 Initiative, "a new voter-facing campaign to promote issue advocacy and civic education about school libraries, public libraries, and the profession of librarianship in advance of Election Days throughout the 2024 cycle."

In a release, EveryLibrary cited the "attacks on our democracy embedded in the rise of censorship" of books and library materials. "Now more than ever, it is important for citizens to be acutely aware of the issues surrounding the First Amendment and be prepared to take actions to protect against threats to essential freedoms," a release notes.

The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here.
Green2Gold initiative grants Ivy Tech students a pathway to Purdues nationally ranked engineering program

COLUMBUS, Ind.  Ivy Tech and Purdue University on Wednesday (Jan. 25) signed a memorandum of collaboration on the Ivy Tech Columbus campus for a new program called Green2Gold that will offer a combined Associate of Science (AS) in engineering from Ivy Tech and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in engineering from Purdue.

The new collaboration is aimed at growing Indianas engineering workforce and creating another pathway for Indiana residents to become Purdue engineers.

The Ivy Tech Columbus campus will be the first to offer the Green2Gold program, starting this fall. Plans call for Green2Gold to expand to other select Ivy Tech campuses in subsequent years.

Participating students will be co-enrolled at both institutions for their first two years of studies. After completing their associate degree from Ivy Tech and meeting course and GPA requirements for their major, Green2Gold students will be eligible for direct admission to Purdues College of Engineering  one of the nations top engineering schools.

Green2Gold classes will be held in small, closely knit groups called cohorts. Students will remain with their cohort throughout the program, providing a built-in support network to aid student persistence and retention.

Green2Gold creates an opportunity for Indiana students to achieve their dreams of a world-class Purdue engineering degree, starting at Ivy Tech, said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. As Indianas engine of workforce development, Ivy Tech is proud to partner with the Purdue College of Engineering to meet employers needs for highly skilled engineers prepared to grow Indianas economy and emerging industries.

As Indianas land-grant university, Purdue is committed to its mission to serve the state. We are delighted to expand our partnership with Ivy Tech to help address engineering workforce needs for businesses in the greater Columbus area, said Purdues Alyssa Wilcox, chief of staff to the president and senior vice president for partnerships.

We are proud to innovate alongside our Ivy Tech partners to align individual student success and degree attainment with community success and workforce development, said Jenna Rickus, vice provost for teaching and learning at Purdue.

The Green2Gold program provides a new pathway for talented Ivy Tech students at Columbus to transfer to Purdue engineering. We are excited to partner with Ivy Tech so that more talented Hoosiers have opportunities for a Purdue engineering degree, said Arvind Raman, Purdues John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering.

The Green2Gold program will ensure employers in leading industries such as advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology have access to highly skilled and homegrown engineering talent that chooses to live and work in Indiana after receiving their engineering degrees.

This innovative partnership with Purdue puts a high-quality, four-year engineering degree within the grasp of many talented Hoosiers, said Steven Combs, chancellor of Ivy Tech Columbus. Purdue is the gold standard in engineering education, and our Ivy Tech expertise in intentional, attentive and intensive cohort programming will prepare students for success on the track to a four-year degree.

In addition to co-enrollment at Ivy Tech and Purdue, the Green2Gold collaboration will allow both institutions to jointly recruit K-12 students to the program; collaborate with regional employers to expand internship and co-op opportunities; and share faculty for instruction, advising, employer engagement and more.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech serves more than 180,000 students annually at campuses throughout Indiana and online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes, at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

About Purdues College of Engineering

Purdue Engineering is elevating its pursuit of excellence at scale with groundbreaking rankings. Four Purdue Engineering undergraduate programs are ranked in the top four in the nation by USNWR, with 2023 having the best year-on-year improvement in net rankings across all disciplines since USNWR began publishing undergraduate rankings in 2000. We are the No. 1 graduate/research college between the coasts/in the 12 Midwest states and No. 4 nationally for the third year running.
In a significant policy shift, the National Trust has decided to focus exclusively on exhibits related to the Penrhyn Quarry Railway at its Railway Museum at Penrhyn Castle in North Wales, resulting in the transfer of its historic steam locomotive Harwarden' to the Bahamas Locomotive Society.

Harwarden' is a 0-4-0 Saddle Tank engine with works number 526, lovingly crafted in 1899 at the Husdwell Clarke and Company Ltd workshop in Leeds.

This change in ownership has brought Harwarden' back to its roots, finding a new home in Leeds, where it is now on display at the Middleton Railway.

The Middleton Railway boasts an impressive collection of industrial locomotives and stands as a testament to the industrial heritage of the region.

The Middleton Railway, regarded as the world's longest continuously operating railway, has a history dating back to its establishment in 1758.

It was originally built to facilitate the transportation of coal from the Middleton Colliery to Leeds, playing a crucial role in the region's industrial development.

Harwarden' itself spent a significant portion of its working life at the Globe Ironworks in Stalybridge and is an example of a late Victorian industrial steam engine. Its presence at the Middleton Railway contributes to the preservation of an essential chapter in the annals of industrial and railway history.

The relocation of Harwarden' to its new home in Leeds not only adds to the charm of the Middleton Railway, but also underscores the significance of preserving these historical treasures for future generations.

Visitors can now marvel at this splendid locomotive and connect with a bygone era of steam-powered innovation and industry.

Middleton Railway Chairman, Charles Milner said, The Middleton Railway is very grateful for the generosity and kindness shown by the BLS by placing HAWARDEN on loan to us. Visitors will be able to see the locomotive on display when the railway reopens in April 2024.

BLS Chairman, Keith Whitmore said, We have worked with the National Trust since 1973 when LNWR Coal Tank Locomotive 1054 moved from Penrhyn Castle to our custodianship firstly at the Dinting Railway Centre near Glossop and now in our museum at Ingrow on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. We have been working with the trust for the last few years following their decision to reinterpret the story of railways at the Castle to solely tell the story of the Penrhyn Quarry Railway there which meant that a number of objects there including locomotives became surplus to their requirements we are honoured that in addition to the gifting of 1054 to us we have secured new homes for other exhibits including Hawarden, a former Stalybridge working locomotive and we are delighted that we have been able to work in partnership with the Middleton Railway to secure a new permanent home for a Leeds built Hudswell Clark engine
 Flash

Chinese premier Li Qiang on Friday sent a congratulatory letter to the launching ceremony of the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-people Exchanges.

Li said that linked by mountains and rivers, China and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enjoy cultural affinity and time-honored friendly exchanges, and that together, the two sides have created a rich and diverse Asian culture.

The China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership enjoys a sound momentum of development, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, Li said, adding that new strides have been made in building a China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Li said China looks forward to working with ASEAN countries to take the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-people Exchanges as an opportunity to promote mutual understanding and amity among people of the two sides, build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable homeland together.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin attended the launching ceremony held in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, and read Li's congratulatory letter.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, the current ASEAN chair, also sent a congratulatory letter to the launching ceremony.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in the United States, in partnership with the local organization "Things to Do DC," hosted the "Evening at the Chinese Embassy - Year of the Dragon Celebration" cultural event Thursday night.

About 300 guests were invited to watch festival performances, taste Chinese delicacies, and experience the Chinese New Year.

Minister Jing Quan of the embassy said that one could learn a lot about the Chinese culture through the Spring Festival. He noted that not long ago, the Spring Festival was listed as a UN floating holiday, turning the "Chinese New Year" into the "World's New Year."

"We have friends from different regions and cultures coming to celebrate the Spring Festival. This once again proves that culture goes beyond national borders, and the world can rejoice at the very same things and at the same time," said the minister.

He said the Chinese embassy has been acting to facilitate travels between the two countries, with walk-in visa application services, optimized visa policy and simplified application requirements for travelers from the United States.

The Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra performed both Chinese and American songs by flute, erhu, dulcimer, guzheng and pipa. Chinese song Golden Dragon Dance expressed best wishes for the upcoming Year of the Dragon, and the American folk song Take Me Home, Country Roads aroused strong resonance among the guests.

Artists from the Hong Dance School presented classic Peking Opera excerpt Heavenly Maid Scattering Blossoms. Guests not only immersed themselves in the graceful figures and colorful silk dances, but also went onto the stage to try the water sleeves and feel the charm of Peking Opera.

The Chinatown lion dancers' performance went from stage to the audience and interacted closely with the guests.

At the event, the guests experienced Chinese folk customs and traditional culture at the booths of calligraphy, New Year pictures, paper-cutting, clay figurine and Hanfu, a style of traditional Chinese clothing.

They learned how to write their names and blessing characters in Chinese, created pictures with dragon and door-god patterns, made various Chinese paper-cuts and clay figurines, and tried on different kinds of Hanfu and took photos with the panda mascot.

They also tasted special Chinese delicacies such as Peking duck, glutinous rice rolls stuffed with red bean paste and osmanthus glutinous rice balls. The "lucky" guests born in the years of dragon walked onto the stage and took a precious group photo.

Patti Harburger was delighted to receive her exclusive souvenir - "Patti" written in Chinese traditional characters with a brush. She told Xinhua that she visited China twice, learned about Chinese calligraphy, and was impressed by the beauty of brush writing. "I love it so much, I will hang it on the wall when I get home," she said.

Greg Bland, CEO of Things to do DC, told Xinhua that the event was very popular, and a large waitlist showed that American people have a strong interest in Chinese culture.

Chinese culture is one of the most fascinating cultures in the world, and exposure to it is particularly important for young Americans, said Bland.

They will be more willing to understand China, interact with the Chinese people, and this will help promote the development of bilateral relations, he added. 
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Restaurants and bars in Athens have little time to regroup after the buzz of Valentines Day, as many have upcoming promotions and events to g
BEIRUT, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two members of Lebanon's Shiite Amal Movement were killed and three civilians were injured by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanese military sources said.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two members of Amal Movement were killed and two civilians were injured in the southeastern Lebanese village of Blida after a two-storey house was hit by Israeli airstrikes.

The sources added another civilian was injured in an Israeli airstrike on the southeastern Lebanese village of al-Wazzani.

According to the sources, Israel has launched air raids and heavy artillery strikes on villages in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced in a statement on Saturday that its fighters had attacked Israeli sites and settlements in the Lebanon-Israel border region.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023 after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 242 on the Lebanese side, including 174 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
In this week's Athens-Clarke County police blotter, a man steals multiple steaks from an Athens Walmart, a man steals cigarette packs from Dollar General and a man with two warrants was found with stolen gun.
'Sri Ayodhyaji will emerge as the greatest centre of cultural togetherness, universal harmony, vasudeva kutumbakam, compassion, and love for every single living being on this Earth.'

IMAGE: A devotee with Lord Ram's name written on her forehead arrives ahead of the opening of the temple in Ayodhya, January 20, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

When he witnessed the pran pratishtha in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream for Tarun Vijay, former editor of the RSS weekly Panchjanya and a former Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Rajya Sabha.

The Hindu Right ideologue has been espousing the cause of the Ram temple when it had few takers.

"Rama is the solution. Rama is not the vivadha (argument)," Tarun Vijay tells Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi lights the 'Ram Jyoti' at his residence in New Delhi after attending the pran pratishtha ceremony. Photograph: ANI Photo

Still, we have not seen religion and politics being mixed to this extent in India before?

Sir, what was Somnath? Somnath was the resurrection of India's honour and pride. There have been several other occasions.

India is a Dharmic society, you cannot deny Dharma from public life. Every single instance, from lighting of the lamp to the breaking of coconut while launching a ship, everything revolves around our cultural and civilizational values.

India is essentially a Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation. Ayodhya is the continuity of that flow. Nothing else. If it is denied, we deny the core values that define India.

IMAGE: Devotees in massive numbers stand at the entrance of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple to offer prayers. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Will the Ram temple have electoral purchase going forward? Is that why all the pomp and splendour, mass participation, etc?

I think every good step taken by the Government of India in the right direction influences the mind of the people to decide which way they should vote. And if Ayodhya does that, there should not be any surprise.

IMAGE: Movie superstar Rajinikanth speaks to the media as he leaves for Ayodhya to attend the pran pratishtha ceremony, in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Ram temple may have an impact in the Hindi heartland, but what about the South which marches to the beat of a different drummer?

Not a single family in the south wakes up without chanting the name of Rama, without Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural, without Adi Sankara's hymns for Shiva or Sri Rama.

The South cannot be defined without M S Subbulakshmi, Thiruvalluvar, Chinnamma, and Avvaiyar, Andal, Adi Sankara. Together they create an aura around Sri Raghupati.

Rama could not have defeated Lanka unless the help from southern people, the Vanaras, and people like Sabari. So South is an essential part of the Indian milieu of Dharma.

Without the South, we just cannot define Sanatan Dharma. The South leads us. And you have seen even the murti is sculpted by a great artist from the South. And the hymns of Thiagaraja were sung...

So there is no question, I think... Sri Rama unites the entire India from length to breadth.

We have seen that even in Arunachal tribals, the Wanchos, they have centuries old tradition to pay respect to Sri Raghuvira. So, Rama unites us all.

Rama is the solution. Rama is not the vivadha (argument).

IMAGE: Modi greets sadhus and others after the pran pratishtha ceremony. Photograph: ANI Photo

Can we now consider Prime Minister Modi as the real Hindu Hriday Samrat?

Prime Minister Modi is the real Bharat Hriday Samrat. He represents the essential values that define Bharat Mata.

He is the son of Bharat Mata, true son of Bharat Mata who has no hesitation, no inhibitions and no pretensions to deny Bharat Mata and then create divisions on the basis of north, south, caste, creed, language and other things.

He has very clearly said this day must be remembered and must be celebrated by all rising above the complications of historical baggage.

This is a very important thing, that the RSS sarsangchalak also said. He spoke about samanvay (harmony), he spoke about samadhan (solution), the prime minsister spoke about the development of the country.

He said that we have to move from Dev to Desh, from god to country, and we have to move from Ram to rashtra, from Sri Rama to national development.

His message is very clear. He wants this nation, togetherness, moving towards prosperity, good health, good education, and good future.

That is the message of Ayodhya. Togetherness.

IMAGE: Tarun Vijay, former MP and President of the Uttarakhand War Memorial, at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Photograph: ANI Photo

What next for the BJP-led Sangh Parivar? Kashi-Mathura?

When the Sri Rama Ayodhya movement began, nobody could have envisaged that this will be realised so soon. Everyone was mocking us.

People who were seculars, journalists, were giving suggestions that let toilets be built at Ram Janambhoomi. But the temple happened.

It is the power of the people. No party, no organisation, no leader, can ever move without the people's support, without understanding the pulse of the people.

Pulse of the people said Kashi-Mathura, I think that time has come when the Muslims must come forward and accept the truth and hand over Kashi-Mathura for a great future of togetherness.

Those who had opposed Ayodhya, those who had denied the existence of Sri Rama, those who had denied the existence of the Ram Janambhoomi in Ayodhya, must feel remorse and apologise to the Hindus they created a ruckus, they created a conflict without any truth, without any reason, without any logic.

So that has hurt the Hindus. Hindus have a great amount of patience, and trust in god that has resulted in the creation of Sri Rama temple. It's the defeat of Ravan and victory of truth.

Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A Shiv Sena hoarding outside the entrance of a Mahim church -- where Indians of all faiths come to worship -- in north central Mumbai; it has since been removed.

Many have also expressed concern over the fate of secularism in the country.

Secularism is strengthened now. Secularism is now being practised in its truest form. Secularism does not mean looking with contempt at the majority's sentiments, secularism does not mean denying the majority's rights and mocking their faith.

Secularism means Sarva Pant Samabhav, we should be using the equal yardstick for every faith. You control the Hindu temples, but you don't control churches and mosques. You put atheist ministers in charge of the Hindu temple management committees, but other religious groups are free from such controls.

This is simply an onslaught on Hindu rights, and assault on the Hindu faith. Now secularism will be practised in its truest, best way, which means equality for all.

Those secular people who say that Hindus must be denied their rights or are making fun of the Hindu faith, I think they are very illiberal; their secularism is faulty and wicked.

IMAGE: Muslim Manch supporters visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple for Ram Lalla darshan in Ayodhya, January 30, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

How should the religious minorities look at the Ram temple and their own place in the Republic now?

What religious minorities? Religious minorities are all descendants of Sri Rama. When there was no other faith, Sri Rama was there.

If the Indonesian Muslim can respect Sri Rama and Sita, if the Muslims in in other East Asian countries can have Ram Leela and have their Sanskrit names, still offering namaaz five times and practising Islam... and that does not influence their faith in a negative way.

Indian Muslims also feel the same way towards their ancestors. Changing the faith does not mean that you can deny your ancestors. So let all the people feel that they are the children of Sri Rama and respect.

The Arya Samaj believes that Sri Rama was a great person, a human being, not god. Nobody says that the Arya Samaj is un-Hindu stream of beliefs. So whichever you say, poet Iqbal said that Ram is Imam e Hind.

So I think the Muslims are now understanding the links of Hindus and showing a great amount of spirit of togetherness, and I welcome that.

IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspects the Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Photograph: ANI Photo

We saw over days huge crowds turning up for darshan at the Ram temple and the resultant chaos. What is your advice to the temple administration to control this situation?

Yes, that was definitely a huge problem, but I am happy that Yogi Adityanath stood on ground zero firmly and the crowd management has taken a better shape.

Those who are coming will have a smooth queue system, facility for all the devotees, sadhus and common people. It has been invoked and there won't be any problem.

Ayodhya is going to be a greater city than the greatest city of culture on this Earth.

No comparison, but I am sure that those people who look at centres of faith like the Vatican and Mecca will soon see that Sri Ayodhyaji emerges as the greatest centre of cultural togetherness, universal harmony, vasudeva kutumbakam, compassion, and love for every single living being on this Earth, including those who are living and those who are in nature, who respect nature as well as all the creatures be they birds, animals or human beings.

That centre is emerging in Ayodhya now.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The Maldives' government has formally requested the Indian government to provide "comprehensive details" of an incident in which its coast guard personnel allegedly boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels operating within its economic zone.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Dubai on December 1, 2023. Photograph: Kind courtesy @narendramodi on X

The development is the latest in the diplomatic row between the two nations that led to the strain in bilateral ties after President Mohamed Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, came to power in November last year in the Maldives.

There was no immediate response from the Indian government to the Maldivian allegations.

On January 31, the Indian Army intercepted a Maldivian fishing boat engaged in fishing activities within the Maldives' Special Economic Zone (EEZ), located 72 nautical miles northeast of Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, the Maldives' defence ministry claimed in a statement on Friday.

It said that the Indian troops boarded three fishing boats within the Maldives EEZ without prior consultation with relevant authorities, thereby breaching international maritime laws and regulations.

"Consequently, the Maldivian government has initiated an official request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking comprehensive details of the incident from the Indian government," it said.

The statement said that boarding teams from Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Indian Coast Guard Ship 253 were responsible for interrogating the fishing boats.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year.

Muizzu after becoming President 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.

His government was entangled in a diplomatic row with India after derogatory social media posts by three of his ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India on Friday said a "set of mutually workable solutions" was agreed upon with the Maldives for continuing the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the island nation.

At present, around 80 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.

The Indian platforms have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years.

Following the high-level meeting in New Delhi, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India will replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10.

"Both sides agreed that the government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10," it said in a statement.
Lal Krishna Advani not only deeply influenced the politics of his time but was key to putting it on a course which has marked an unstoppable decline of its once dominant 'secular' ideology, derided by him as "pseudo secular", and political parties representing it while the Bharatiya Janata Party soared.

IMAGE: Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani during a media interaction after the government announced Bharat Ratna for him, at his residence in New Delhi. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

The Bharat Ratna for him comes nine years after the honour was bestowed on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The two leaders together spearheaded the journey of the Jana Sangh and then the BJP for over five decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement Saturday of the country's highest civilian honour for the 96-year-old leader has come in the year of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' at the temple marks a triumphant closure for the BJP of a deeply emotive issue which was thrust into popular consciousness by Advani through his 'Ram Rath Yatra' in 1990, opening the path for the Hindutva party's steady rise through the decade.

It is so fitting that a key architect of the temple movement has been given the honour by the Modi government in this year, a BJP leader said.

While Hindutva groups, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, had been agitating for a temple before the BJP took it up, it is his yatra which is credited for making it a mass movement.

Modi himself was a key organiser of the yatra.

Advani may or may not have coined phrases like "pseudo secularism" and "appeasement politics" but it is he who transformed them into popular idiom of Hindutva politics.

Admired by his contemporaries as a political strategist and organisation-builder, it was under his presidency that the BJP decided to lend its whole-hearted support to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement by adopting a resolution in its Palampur convention in 1989 in support of building a temple at what devotees believe to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The BJP's decidedly turn to the right drew all-round condemnation from political sphere but fired its cadres going adrift after its disastrous performance in the 1984 Lok Sabha polls when it could only win two seats and cited "Gandhian socialism" as one of its foundational principals.

His Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 drew frenzied support and communal riots happened at different places but its popular appeal brought the BJP to power for the first time on its own in a big state like Uttar Pradesh and entrenched the party as a key force in a host of other states.

The demolition of Babri mosque at the site in Ayodhya by a mob in 1992 was described by Advani as the "saddest" day of his life, as the party feared political isolation and legal troubles with the Congress government at the Centre dismissing all its four state governments.

An early "Hindu Hriday Samrat", the RSS volunteer whose organisational abilities and ideological clarity made a perfect foil with the softer and more popular Vajpayee has been admired by party colleagues and even critics for his emphasis on probity in public life.

He resigned as an MP after his name was mentioned in the infamous Hawala diary and some of his colleagues, including then Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa, were nudged by him to quit after facing serious allegations.

His decision in 1995 to name Vajpayee as the BJP's prime ministerial face when the party was fully behind him was truly an act of "putting party before self", a leader said.

The BJP's rise to power with Vajpayee as its face connecting with the masses and bringing new allies as well showed Advani's political acumen.

Ironically the man who was instrumental in bringing Hindutva politics from the fringes into mainstream grew himself suspect of its political return and tried to take on a more moderate and secular avtar after it appeared that the party had hit a plateau following its surprise loss to the Congress in the 2004 polls.

During his visit to Pakistan in 2005, he showered its founder M A Jinnah with high praise at his mausoleum in Karachi, suggesting that the proponent of the two-nation theory was secular and an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Incidentally, Karachi is also Advani's birthplace.

The fierce blowback his comments triggered massively dented his Hindutva image and, many believe, permanently dented his ties with the RSS.

At times, he was also critical of the Hindutva organisation of its interventions in BJP's politics.

It is a credit to his standing within the party where he groomed a generation of leaders, including backing Modi to continue as Gujarat chief minister after the 2002 riots, that Advani remained its tallest leader even in a diminished version of himself for several more years.

He was the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in the 2009 polls but popular support was missing, and the party with an active role by the RSS finally decided to ease him out and elevate Modi as its national face ahead of the 2014 polls.

Advani's outbursts to Modi's rise and gamesmanship further dented him within the party as its cadres rallied around the Gujarat leader whose deft use of development and Hindutva politics has taken the BJP to a high the veteran leader might have thought improbable.

The Bharat Ratna honour, however, underscores the acknowledgment within the ruling party of the seminal role he played in its and the country's politics.
A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA has been arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over a land dispute in Maharashtra's Thane district, officials said on Saturday.

IMAGE: Arrested BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad being brought out of police station for medical examination, in Kalyan, Maharashtra, February 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena chief of Kalyan, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, additional commissioner of police Dattatrya Shinde told the media.

Talking to a news channel over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra, he alleged.

Mahesh Gaikwad was taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city.

He underwent surgery, which was successful, said Gopal Landge, Kalyan in-charge of Sena.

According to additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwad's son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspector's chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do, asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.

The BJP MLA alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra. BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), said an official.

If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today, he said and described his action as self-defence.

The BJP MLA accused CM's son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up boards and grabbing credit for the work done by him.

I had told my seniors many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders, he said.

Talking about the land dispute that led to the firing, Ganpat Gaikwad said he had bought a plot ten years ago. He said there were some legal issues but they won the matter in the court. However, Mahesh Gaikwad occupied it by force, he alleged.

The MLA said his son had gone to the police station in Ulhasnagar to lodge a complaint concerning the land.

I have no regrets at all. As a father, I can't tolerate if someone beats up my child, he said.

The lawmaker added, Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray BJP he owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis (deputy CM) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After a five-hour drama, crime branch officials of the Delhi Police on Saturday served a notice on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to reply within three days in a probe into his claims that the BJP attempted to poach seven AAP MLAs.

IMAGES: Delhi Police crime branch officials seen outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after they arrive to serve him notice in New Delhi on Saturday. Photographs: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

A Delhi Police officer said, "We have served the notice on him (Kejriwal). He can give the reply in three days in a written form."

The crime branch has asked Kejriwal to reveal the names of AAP MLAs who were claimed to have been approached by the BJP.

Earlier, a drama unfolded at Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines as a Crime Branch team arrived again on Saturday to serve him a notice in connection with the probe.

Last week, Kejriwal, in a post on X, had alleged that the BJP offered Rs 25 crore each to seven AAP MLAs to quit the party in order to topple his government.

Shortly after Kejriwal, Delhi Minister Atishi held a press conference and alleged that the BJP had launched "Operation Lotus 2.0" in Delhi.

"They had made a similar attempt to poach AAP MLAs last year by offering them money but failed," she said.

After the allegations were made, a delegation of the Delhi BJP led by its chief Virender Sachdeva met Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on January 30, seeking a probe.

A team of Delhi Police officials reached Kejriwal's residence on Friday to serve notice but failed with sources saying the men at his home refused to accept it. The team reached the Delhi chief minister's residence again on Saturday with the notice.

The police sources said the notice was finally handed over to the officials present at the CM residence.

The police team was led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-level officer who insisted that they will hand over the notice to Kejriwal only as it is in his name, while officials at the CM's residence said they are ready to take the notice and give a receiving.

Outside the premises, AAP leader Jasmine Shah was seen trying to seek explanation from a Crime Branch official on the legal provision under which he was insisting on handing over the notice personally to Kejriwal.

"I asked a simple question to the Delhi Police officer standing in front of the entrance of the residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Under which law is he insisting to hand over a notice personally to CM? He had no answers. It is clear they are only here to do nautanki (drama)," Shah wrote, posting a video on X.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed the police were deliberately not delivering the notice to the CM's office.

"This is so embarrassing for the Modi government. The BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged that the CM office did not receive police notice. Today, they are exposed. The ACP is deliberately not delivering notice to CM office," he wrote on X.

Another AAP leader, Sandeep Pathak, said, "All officials will now have to learn to say no, no matter how much pressure they face (from the Centre)."

AAP Minister Gopal Rai in his Facebook account said the Delhi Police should ask the BJP leaders about the MLAs they had approached for poaching.

AAP sources claimed the police have brought the media with them to tarnish the chief minister's image.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, in a press statement, alleged that Kejriwal's behaviour has become like that of criminals. He has no evidence and the allegation of "Lotus 2.0" is a fabricated story to divert attention from his corruption, he said.

BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, in the statement, said FIRs should be filed against Kejriwal and Atishi if they fail to prove their allegations. Stringent action should be taken against them, he added.

The development comes a day after a crime branch team visited the chief minister's residence but failed to deliver the notice.

A Crime Branch team had visited the residence of Atishi also on Friday but could not deliver the notice as she was not present.
A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA has been arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over a land dispute in Maharashtra's Thane district, officials said on Saturday.

IMAGE: Arrested BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad being brought out of police station for medical examination, in Kalyan, Maharashtra. Photograph: ANI on X

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena chief of Kalyan, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatrya Shinde told the media.

Talking to the news channel Zee24taas over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra, he alleged.

Mahesh Gaikwad was taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city.

He underwent surgery, which was successful, said Gopal Landge, Kalyan in-charge of Sena.

According to Additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwad's son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspector's chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do, asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.

The BJP MLA alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra. BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), said an official.

If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today, he said and described his action as self-defence.

The BJP MLA accused CM's son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up boards and grabbing credit for the work done by him. I had told my seniors many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders, he said.

Talking about the land dispute that led to the firing, Ganpat Gaikwad said he had bought a plot ten years ago. He said there were some legal issues but they won the matter in the court. However, Mahesh Gaikwad occupied it by force, he alleged.

The MLA said his son had gone to the police station in Ulhasnagar to lodge a complaint concerning the land.

I have no regrets at all. As a father, I can't tolerate if someone beats up my child, he said.

The lawmaker added, Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray BJP he owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis (deputy CM) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that the party assumes West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is still part of the opposition bloc INDIA and all should come together to fight the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the TMC supporters during a dharna demanding the release of MGNREGA funds, in Kolkata on Friday, February 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

His statement came a day after Banerjee expressed doubt whether the Congress will secure even 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

Ramesh, on the sideline of Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Godda, said, "We are assuming that she (Mamata Banerjee) is still part of the INDIA bloc, a group of 27 parties. Her priority, she claims, is to fight the BJP. Our priority is also to fight the BJP. I think it is better if we all come together".

"We were together in Patna, in Bengaluru and Mumbai. But, something seems to have happened. First, Shiv Sena split, then Nitish Kumar did his 'Palti'. Now, Mamata Banerjee ji is making these comments. I think we should realise this is not local-level elections", he told PTI Video.

Addressing a dharna in Kolkata on Friday, Banerjee said, "I proposed that Congress contest 300 seats (across the country where BJP is the main opposition), but they refused to heed. I doubt whether they will secure even 40 seats if they contested 300."
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, citing personal reasons.

IMAGE: Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Due to my personal reasons and certain other commitments, I tender my resignation from the post of governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh. Please accept the same and oblige," Purohit wrote in his resignation letter.

Purohit's resignation came a day after he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

Their meeting came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls, retaining all three posts, a setback to the Congress-Aam Aadmi Party alliance which alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer.

On Wednesday, a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court denied interim relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party had sought fresh polls under the supervision of a retired judge of the court.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider an AAP councillor's request seeking urgent hearing of his plea challenging the high court order.

Purohit had been at loggerheads with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over several issues, including holding the Assembly sessions and appointments of vice-chancellors. Purohit had also taken exception to Mann calling his official letters "love letters."

Purohit was appointed as Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator in August 2021.

Earlier, Purohit had also served as the governor of Assam from 2016 to 2017 and the governor of Tamil Nadu from 2017 to 2021.

Purohit had also been a three-time Lok Sabha member from Nagpur in 1984, 1989 and 1996.
A local Shiv Sena leader was in critical condition on Saturday after a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA shot him inside a police station in Thane district, prompting the opposition to demand Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's resignation over the deteriorating law and order situation.

IMAGE: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with his MP son Shrikant Shinde visits Jupiter Hospital in Thane to meet party leader Mahesh Gaikwad who was shot by BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad in Ulhasnagar. Photograph: ANI

Ganpat Gaikwad (56), MLA of Kalyan in Thane district, admitted to opening fire, telling a news channel that he was provoked as his son was being beaten up in the presence of police during the incident that took place on Friday night.

Gaikwad and his two associates were produced before a magistrate on Saturday evening and remanded in police custody for 14 days.

While CM Shinde said the incident was "very unfortunate", deputy CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level probe.

The BJP MLA opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad (40), Kalyan unit chief of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar around 10.30 pm on Friday, said Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatraya Shinde.

Talking to Marathi news channel Zee24taas over phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad claimed he fired from his pistol as his son was being beaten up. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra, he alleged.

Ulhasnagar, 45 km from Mumbai, falls in the Kalyan parliamentary constituency represented by CM Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde. BJP and the Shinde-led Sena are part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, but there is also a rivalry between local leaders of the two parties in Thane district.

Mahesh Gaikwad was shifted to a private hospital in Thane city. He underwent an emergency life-saving surgery and was on a ventilator, said the hospital in a statement on Saturday, adding that his condition was currently critical and the doctors were monitoring his vital signs. CM Shinde visited the hospital during the day.

Additional CP Shinde told reporters that Ganpat Gaikwad's son went to the police station on Friday evening to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived there with his men. Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

An altercation broke out between the MLA and the Sena leader, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspector's chamber, injuring him and Mahesh's associate Rahul Patil, the official said.

Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten up in front of police inside a police station, what will I do, said Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to the news channel.

The BJP MLA alleged that Chief Minister Shinde was trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra.

If Eknath Shinde is chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has turned a good person like me into a criminal today, Ganpat Gaikwad said.

The BJP MLA accused Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up hoardings to grab credit for the work done by him. They have levelled a charge of corruption against me. How much money did Eknath Shinde make in that corruption, Shinde should tell, he said.

I had told my seniors (in BJP) many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders, the lawmaker said.

Talking about the land dispute that led to the firing, Ganpat Gaikwad said he had bought a plot of land ten years ago. There were some legal issues, but he won the court case. Mahesh Gaikwad, however, occupied it by force, he alleged.

I have no regrets at all. As a father, I can not tolerate it if someone beats up my child, Ganpat Gaikwad said.

The lawmaker went on to say that Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray the BJP he owes me crores of rupees."

"Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be governed well. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

Police arrested Ganpat Gaikwad and his associates Harshal Kene (34) and Sandeep Sarwankar (45) under Indian Penal Code sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), said an official.

Deputy CM Fadnavis termed the incident as serious. I have asked the DGP (director general of police) to hold a high-level Inquiry. Everyone is equal before the law irrespective of their political affiliations, Fadnavis told reporters.

The probe will find out what made the MLA to open fire, he added.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the party will take action against the MLA if he was guilty

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said it was wrong for elected representatives to take law into their own hands.

State Congress chief Nana Patole demanded resignation of CM Shinde, claiming that there was a law and order breakdown in the state.

NCP president Sharad Pawar termed the incident as worrisome and said there was a limit to the "misuse" of power. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut blamed CM Shinde for the incident.

While NCP working president Supriya Sule wondered if the home minister (Fadnavis) had given "open licence" to BJP leaders to play with law and order and demanded that the state government be "dismissed", state minister Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP-Ajit Pawar group) countered her by asking, Did Fadnavis ask the MLA to open fire?
Tourists visit a sightseeing trail outside a station of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 1, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists enjoy the scenery aboard Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 2, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists enjoy the scenery aboard Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 2, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A worker checks a maglev train at the maintenance depot of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 2, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A maglev train stops at the maintenance depot of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 2, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists enjoy the scenery aboard Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 1, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists walk out a station of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 1, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows a station of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists prepare to board a train of Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line at Fenghuang ancient town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 1, 2024. Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express line officially opened for operation on July 30, 2022. The line starts from Fenghuang ancient town station, with a total length of 9.121 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots in Fenghuang ancient town. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside train windows along the way.

During the Spring Festival, Fenghuang maglev sightseeing express is expected to send more than 10,000 passengers every day. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)
The US has conducted major airstrikes on 85 targets in Iraq and Syria against Iranian Revolutionary Guards and affiliated militia groups in retaliation for a drone strike on an American base in Jordan last Sunday that killed three of its service members.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bobby J Siens/Handout via Reuters

President Joe Biden and other top US leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

Biden said the US military response "will continue at times and places of our choosing."

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, Biden said in a statement after the US started carrying out such strikes on Friday.

Biden said this past Sunday that three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Three US soldiers were killed and more than 40 personnel injured in a drone attack at a US base in Jordan called Tower 22.

Earlier in the day, he attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base. He also spoke with each of their families.

This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, Biden said.

According to US Central Command, at 4:00 pm EST (2.30 am IST) its forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against IRGC Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft including long-range bombers flown from the United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces, the CENTCOM said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said these strikes were at seven facilities that IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack US forces.

This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces, he said.

These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces. We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests, Austin said.

The strikes on Friday were markedly more significant than previous attacks on Iranian-backed militias over the last several weeks, which have primarily focused on weapons storage or training facilities.

But the administration is threading a needle "they want to deter and stop further attacks but avoid a full-scale conflict with Iran breaking out in a region already roiled by the continuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza," CNN said.

"We believe that the strikes were successful," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Kirby said the US does not know now how many militants were killed or wounded. He added that US military planes were now out of harm's way. Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday that the locations of the strikes were chosen 'with an idea that there would likely be casualties' among the IRGC and militia personnel who use them.

B-1 bombers -- long-range heavy bombers that can deploy precision and non-precision weapons -- were used in the operations, a defence official told CNN.

Sims said Friday that the bombers flew in a 'single non-stop flight' from the US, 'all of that enhanced by our Transportation Command and our ability to gas and go along the way.'

Sims also said that the timing of the strikes was designed around good weather, in 'an interest of ensuring that we're hitting all the right targets.'

The US strikes hit facilities used by Iranian-linked al Hashd al Shabi or Popular Mobilisation Units in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim, located in the western part of Anbar province along the Iraq-Syria border, on Saturday morning local time, according to Iraqi security officials and the mayor of Al-Qaim.

In a statement, Yahya Rasool, a spokesperson for Iraq's Armed Forces, decried the strikes as a 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty.'

"The city of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are being subjected to airstrikes by US aircraft, at a time when Iraq is striving hard to ensure the stability of the region," Rasool said.

Iran-backed militants have targeted US military facilities in Iraq and Syria over 160 times since October, and several Republican lawmakers had called for the US to hit inside Iran directly to send a clear message.

But administration officials have been clear that any response would be proportionate so as to not further escalate things in the region.

"We don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East," Kirby told CNN on Monday.

On Wednesday the White House said it believes an umbrella group of militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the drone attack in Jordan.

"We believe that the attack in Jordan was planned, resourced and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups including Kata'ib Hezbollah," Kirby said.

He stopped short of assigning exact blame on Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq, saying it was not the only group responsible for previous attacks on US bases.
'There is a song that fits my father. It is from the Dev Anand film Hum Dono, which goes Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya...'

IMAGE: Pratibha Advani hugs her father Lal Kishenchand Advani after the President of India announced the Bharat Ratna for India's former deputy prime minister, February 3, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

This feature was first published on Rediff.com on December 30, 2005.

Pratibha Advani, Lal Kishenchand Advani's daughter, says she felt angry when her father was criticised for his comments on Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The incident forced him to resign as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for a short period before agreeing to return at the request of senior party leaders. L K Advani finally stepped down as BJP president on December 31, 2005.

In an exclusive interview with Rediff.com's Onkar Singh, Pratibha says she would be happy if she could emulate her father -- whom she endearingly calls 'Dada' -- by even 10 per cent.

"I have seen tears in his eyes while hugging Atalji (former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee). They are great friends. The relationship these two have shared is often misunderstood by the press," she says.

IMAGE: L K Advani with wife Kamala and daughter Pratibha at their home in Delhi in the late 1990s. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar/Saab Press

I don't think anybody knows him better than I do. I am very close to him as are my mother and brother Jayant. I spend a lot of time with him and continue to do so on a regular basis.

As a person and politician, I feel the media has always demonised him. It has been unfair and uncharitable to him. He is the softest person I have ever known. I have seen sides of him no one else has.

He is well up on issues close to his heart, be it India, the party or anything else. Even if I weren't his daughter, I would still say there are very few people who come close to perfection and he does. He is a person who has worked for the people. His ambition is to work for the party but, on a personal level, his ambition is close to zero.

In terms of his attitude towards life, he is the same. There is a song that fits my father. It is from the Dev Anand film Hum Dono, which goes Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya....

IMAGE: L K Advani and Pratibha Advani on the day the Bharat Ratna was bestowed on him, February 3, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

It has been a beautiful experience for me and my family, to be in politics and yet away from it. There is nothing that is not discussed in our home. The conversation is politics when we sit together. But we disassociate ourselves from active politics. Frankly, my brother and I have never discussed whether either or us should get into politics. I have not thought about it myself.

It cannot be that just because one's father is in politics, one should too. It is not a profession that can be passed on to the next generation. Others may think politics is a profession, but, to me, it is a commitment. I feel my calling has not yet come. It is not the right time to do so. The feeling of working for the nation is there within me, but not so much that I should give up everything and work for the nation.

I want to be well settled in my profession, television production. Being in politics means committing yourself to working for the people, the nation. My father is a shining example of that.

Politics is in my and my brother's blood, but the time is not right. We have not discussed it with our father either. I do not want to be taken into the party because of my father. I want to stand on my own.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda/ Rediff.com IMAGE: L K Advani, Pratibha and Kamala Advani at the BJP national convention in Mumbai.

I have never heard of him wanting to be prime minister. He has no personal ambition. He has ambitions for the party.

Whenever someone asks about his age, I say he is fitter than most of us because of his lifestyle. He does not waste his energy. He often tells me not to sweat over small matters. That is the secret of his success.

Atalji (former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) and my father are great friends. He is very fond of Atalji and I have seen this since I was a child.

It is a relationship often misunderstood by the press. Sometimes, I say why bother if people do not want to understand their relationship. It is their bad luck. I cannot change the perception of the people.

IMAGE: L K Advani accompanied by his family and teachers during a visit to St Patrick's School, where he was educated, in Karachi in 2004. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images from the Rediff Archives

Let me tell you L K Advani is not fazed by circumstances. People writing positively or negatively about him do not bother him at all.

As a daughter, I do get overprotective, hurt and angry. But when I look at his peace of mind, I tell myself if he is strong enough to handle it, why shouldn't I do the same?

He has been a great source of strength to me and I would like to emulate him.

I think his contribution is immense and his place in history is assured.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Pratibha watches her father L K Advani address a rally during his national rath yatra in 1997.

Why should he repent visiting Pakistan? None of us do.

In fact, it was one of the most memorable yatras for the family.

He has always had time for his family.

He comes home for lunch and we sit together and exchange views. He is a frugal eater.

That we have time for each other is more important for us than anything else in life.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. High 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A few flurries are possible. Low near 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
SANAA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led maritime coalition conducted three airstrikes in Yemen's northern province of Saada on Saturday before dawn, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The strikes targeted Houthi sites in the eastern part of Saada city, the provincial capital and the main stronghold of the armed Houthi forces, the TV channel reported, without providing further details.

There were no confirmation yet from the U.S. side.

On Friday afternoon, the Houthi TV channel claimed that the U.S.-led coalition carried out seven airstrikes on the Houthi positions in the Abs town in the neighboring, northwestern province of Hajjah. However, the coalition has not commented yet on the strikes.

Also on Friday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching several missiles toward the Israeli city of Eilat. Israel's defense forces announced earlier in the day the interception of one missile over the Red Sea.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, vowed on Friday to continue attacking Israeli cities and Israel-linked commercial ships in the Red Sea until Israel stops its war and siege on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip.

Tensions have been escalating in the Red Sea after the U.S.-British coalition intervened with airstrikes last month to deter the Houthis from launching further attacks.

The Houthis said the coalition airstrikes will not make a difference and the group will continue its strikes against Israel and its allies. 
Protesters reenact an arrest during a demonstration to mark the third anniversary of the Myanmar coup in Bangkok, Feb. 1, 2024.

On the eve of the third anniversary of the Myanmar militarys coup detat, the opposition National Unity Government and three allied ethnic armies issued a joint statement that outlined six objectives of the Spring Revolution, as the resistance is known, and the principles for establishing a post-junta federal democracy.

Beyond the importance of planning, there is a reason for their bullishness. The military has suffered significant losses, especially since the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Taang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army, launched their offensive on October 27th. Opposition forces have seized over 40 towns in Shan, Chin, Rakhine and Sagaing.

Protesters stand on pictures of Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing during a rally against military coup in Tokyo, Feb. 1, 2021. (Issei Kato/Reuters)

Although the military is preparing to launch a counter-offensive to retake Sagaings Kawlin town, the military is spread too thinly, across multiple battle fronts, to retake most of what it lost.

Three years after ousting the National League for Democracy, the militarys effective control is dwindling. Infighting amongst the senior leadership has escalated amid the economic and military setbacks, while defections are mounting.

The military has lashed out in anger, bombing lost cities and townships, but thats insufficient to retake them.

On the third anniversary of the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing vowed to crush the opposition, a pledge the junta chief made for three years, with less and less to show for it.

The National Unity Government (NUG), made up of ousted members of the elected government and other public figures, has held a broad coalition of pre-existing ethnic resistance organizations together through the promise of a federal democracy. The Jan., 2023 statement reinforces that pledge.

New constitution

The statements six objectives can be summarized: To overturn the usurpation of state power by the military, and to terminate the involvement of the armed forces in politics, while ensuring full civilian control over the military.

The military-drafted 2008 constitution will be abrogated, and a new charter that embodies federalism and democratic values, garnering the consensus of all relevant parties in order to establish a new federal democratic union will be drafted. Finally, they seek to institute a transitional justice mechanism.

The joint statement outlines nine positions to address complex wartime and post-conflict challenges.

The first two are on the militarys illegal usurpation of power, which violated their own constitution.

Military officers appointed to Myanmar's parliament as per military-written constitution leave after a session in Naypyidaw, March 10, 2020. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

The third position makes clear that there is no going back to the status quo ante. Remember, the coup was staged on the eve of the parliament being seated after Aung San Suu Kyis NLD routed the military-backed United State Development Party in the November 2020 election.

Moving forward, the elected parliamentarians will not be seated. Instead the November 2020 election will be viewed as a mandate for revolutionary change and the establishment of a new political system.

And as the fifth provision states: Any election held under the provisions of the constitution of 2008... would merely serve to perpetuate military rule indefinitely.

While the political bodies established after the coup detat, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and the NUG, enjoy popular legitimacy and will play leading roles moving forward, the document is clear about the need for collective leadership.

Going for broke

The statement says the stewardship of the nation in the post-revolutionary era shall be entrusted to all relevant parties in the cause of the revolution.

This should be interpreted to mean that all the ethnic resistance organizations and entities that joined the Spring Revolution will be given a seat at the table.

The fourth position makes clear that the NUG and their allies are going for broke, seeking the defeat of the military. They will not negotiate with the military en bloc, though they are pragmatic enough to cut deals with individual leaders.

Burning Myanmar military building amid clashes with ethnic armed group Ta'ang National Liberation Army in northern Shan State, Dec. 13, 2023. (AFP Photo)

But they are insistent that there will be no seat at the table for the military in the deliberations over the countrys constitutional future. There is every reason for them to fear that if the military is given a seat at the table they will claw back their political and economic rights and prerogatives.

The sixth provision states that a new federal democratic constitution has to be formulated with the consensus of all relevant parties, but does not identify who those are.

The eighth position was a rejection of traditional political and economic elites and a call for a more inclusive democracy.

The final two positions focused on their commitment to engage constructively with the Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN to resolve the conflict and to peacefully coexist with its neighbors.

To that end, the joint statement outlines six action plans towards the establishment of the federal democracy.

Off-ramp

These include the continuance of military operations. While they accept negotiations with the responsible leadership of the Myanmar military to terminate military rule and for peaceful transition of power, they emphasize a key precondition: the military leaderships unconditional acceptance of the six political objectives.

And that is not possible without continued and sustained military pressure against the junta. If there is to be a negotiated off-ramp for the generals, it has to be from a position of their weakness.

Upon the military defeat and surrender, a phased transitional process at both the national and local level is outlined, as is the role of a transitional government and the drafting of a new constitution.

Fighters of Karenni insurgent forces walk in Moe Bye, Kayah State, Nov. 12, 2023. (Reuters Photo)

A key task will be the redrawing of state borders. Though it was not stated explicitly, there are calls to break up the large ethnic majority Bamar-dominated states.

Its important that for all of these, they include all parties and entities that participated in the revolution against the military dictatorship.

It appears that the onus for establishing local governments will fall on the ethnic armies, as we have already seen with the Karenni in eastern Myanmar. It is less clear the role that various ethnic armies who did not participate in the Spring Revolution will have in establishing local governance.

The joint statement concludes with the pledge to persist in our revolutionary endeavors, maintaining unwavering cooperation and collaboration with our allied revolutionary forces.

Concern about non-signatories

But what causes some concern is who did not sign the document.

The signatories included the Chin National Front, the Karen National Union, and the Karen National Progressive Party. The Kachin Independence Organization and members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance were not signatories, though obviously the door remains open to them.

No reason was given as to why they did not sign. But in the key western state of Rakhine, the Arakan Army does not fully trust the NUG, which they view as being too dominated by ethnic Bamar NLD members. Of all the ethnic armies, they have shown the most desire for independence and are now discussing confederation rather than a federal union.

A woman sets a protest display with defaced pictures of Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta, April 24, 2021. (Antara Foto/Dhemas Reviyanto via Reuters)

If the Arakan Army was not on board with this position paper, its understandable that its allies would be in an awkward position if they signed.

There is some speculation that Chinese pressure also had a role in this, though its hard to see what would have threatened Beijings interests.

While some will view the joint statement as premature, its never a bad time to reinforce the desired end state.

The closer opposition forces come to defeating the military, the more that the ethnic armies may begin to mistrust the Bamar-dominated NUG. The NUG must constantly reinforce its commitment to a new federal charter that enshrines a substantial devolution of political and economic power.

Min Aung Hlaings vow to crush the opposition is delusional. In three years, the military has not only failed to consolidate power, but it's lost effective control over much of the country, while the opposition has grown in strength, legitimacy, and unity. They offer the only path forward.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
The three, who had acquired refugee status, had planned to hold a protest on the day of Hun Manets arrival.

Kong Raiya talks on the phone when Thai immigration police arrive. Raiya claims that Thai police worked with the Cambodian government to arrest him because he had criticized Hun Manet's government.

A Cambodian former political prisoner and two other activists associated with the countrys opposition Candlelight Party were arrested in Thailand on Friday, in what they think is the latest example of their government exercising its influence across borders, they told Radio Free Asia.

Kong Raiya, who was jailed twice for his outspoken activities against the government, senior Candlelight member Lim Sokha and opposition activist Phan Phana were caught in an immigration roundup at an apartment complex in Bangkok.

The three activists had recently fled to Thailand to seek asylum and had been granted refugee status, according to Phan Phana, who has ties to the Cambodia Youth Network.

They had planned to hold a protest rally next week on the day Prime Minister Hun Manet is scheduled to arrive in Thailand on an official visit.

I am afraid that I will be deported back to Cambodia, Phan Phana told RFA Khmer before his phone was confiscated. The [ruling Cambodian Peoples Party] were behind this arrest because the police are asking for details about other activists.

Kong Raiya told RFA that he was sent to an immigration police station. He said that Thai police worked with the Cambodian government to arrest him because he had criticized Hun Manet, who became Cambodias prime minister after his father, longtime leader Hun Sen, stepped down in August.

The government was angry so I got arrested, he said, explaining that Thai police might have known his location by tapping his phone or tracking him on the internet.

Fellow Candlelight Party Activist Khem Monykosal, who is also seeking asylum in Thailand, told RFA that the three activists are detained in immigration detention center in Bangkok.

The situation is tense now. Police are patrolling buildings, said Khem Monykosal. If we go down there, they will arrest us. I beg the Thai government to give more consideration to refugee rights and stop harming us.

Thailand should not arrest people who have been granted refugee status, Yin Mengly of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association told RFA.

The Thai government cant deport those activists based only on their politics or freedom of expression, he said.

The immigration roundup was made just ahead of Hun Manets scheduled visit to Bangkok Feb. 7, where he will meet with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin for trade and border talks.

Dozens of pro-democracy Cambodian activists have fled to Thailand to seek asylum in recent years as the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, has used intimidation and the courts to neutralize the political opposition.

RFA was not able to reach government spokesman Pen Bona for comment on Fridays arrests.

Translated by Samean Yun. Edited by Eugene Whong.
The dam is one of many hydropower projects the Lao government is building along the Mekong River.

A satellite photo comparison dated Feb. 7, 2021 (L), and Feb. 2, 2024 (R), shows vast construction in preparation for a controversial hydropower dam across the Mekong River, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) upstream of the historic Lao town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Lao government is playing down speculation the dam project puts the UNESCO status at risk. (Planet Labs)

Speculation that the historic Lao town of Luang Prabang could be stripped of its World Heritage status because of a massive dam planned upstream is worrying local residents.

Although the Lao government denies there is cause for concern, a former senior UNESCO official has reportedly warned that its a real threat hanging over one of the countrys main tourist attractions.

Luang Prabang was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape.

It's known for its daily parade of monks collecting alms, vibrant night market, well-preserved Buddhist temples, including the 16th-century gilded Wat Xieng Thong, and colonial-era architecture.

Nearly 780,000 foreign and domestic visitors in the first nine months of 2023, according to Lao tourism figures.

Miss Laos New Year carries a replica of King Kabinlaphom's head during the annual Laos New Year or 'Pi Mai' celebrations at the Wat Xiengthong Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, Laos, April 15, 2019. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP)

Questions about the towns status arose after Minja Yang, a former deputy director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, told Nikkei Asia in January that Luang Prabang was at risk of losing its status because of increasing development related to a hydropower dam project about 25 kilometers (16 miles) upstream on the Mekong River.

In March 2023, UNESCO issued a report recommending that Laos continue efforts to ensure that the Luang Prabang Dam would not have a negative impact on the towns heritage sites, and take measures to regulate tourism-related activities and infrastructure development.

The US$3 billion, 1,460-megawatt dam project on the Mekong mainstream is located between the upstream Pak Beng hydropower project and the downstream Xayaburi Dam, and will provide power for export to Thailand and Vietnam after completion in 2027.

It is one of many dams the Lao government is building along the Mekong River in the countrys quest to become the battery of Southeast Asia.

French colonial row houses are seen along a street in Luang Prabang, Laos, March 2023. (Courtesy photo)

The U.N.s Paris-based cultural agency requested that Laos submit to the World Heritage Centre an updated report on the state of conservation and the implementation of the measures by Feb. 1, 2024, to preserve the citys outstanding universal value.

If the second dam is indeed constructed, I believe Luang Prabang should be delisted, Yang told Nikkei in an email.

Without the World Heritage status, ill-conceived projects of shopping malls and casinos aimed for certain categories of tourists that we have so far succeeded in stopping over the past 20 years, will now cave into various vested interests, Yang told Nikkei. So, I can only imagine what the future of the town will be.

RFA could not reach Yang or officials in UNESCOs Bangkok office for comment.

Mixed reactions

An official from the World Heritage Department of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, who wanted to be identified only by his first name Pheune, told RFA on Feb. 2 that Luang Prabang would not be delisted and that UNESCO officials had expressed concerns outlined in the March 2023 report.

Pheune also said that construction of the Luang Prabang Dam would not affect the towns World Heritage status because the site is far from the city.

A Luang Prabang province official, who like the other sources in this report requested anonymity for safety reasons, agreed. To delist the town of Luang Prabang is not easy, he said.

Yes, many Chinese are leasing buildings and transforming them to hotels and restaurants, and some of them might not be complying with the rules and regulations of UNESCO, so our city officials should be aware of those issues and should step up the control, he said.

A girl wears a traditional Lao costume at the Wat Xiengthong Buddhist temple on Lao New Year or 'Pi Mai' in Luang Prabang, Laos, April 15, 2019. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP)

But other Lao officials and city residents say they are concerned that Luang Prabang might be at risk because of too many Chinese-backed developments, as Chinese investors lease more buildings and turn them into hotels and restaurants.

A Lao businessman in the city said he heard about the delisting rumor, but believes that Luang Prabang is still preserving its heritage, culture and tradition, especially in the city center.

The development is occurring mainly in the suburbs, and builders must receive permission before erecting structures, he said. The man cited the example of a Chinese company that wants to build a cable car line near the town, though city authorities have not yet given it the green light.

But a town resident was not so optimistic, noting that Chinese investors in various businesses are not interested in preserving local tradition and culture.

I heard that Luang Prabang could be stripped of its World Heritage status because there are too many Chinese businesses here, he told RFA. Dont forget, getting World Heritage Site status is not easy. Our government should be careful because Luang Prabang as a World Heritage Site attracts a lot of tourists from around the world. We, the residents, enjoy better living conditions because of that status.

A tourist visits the Haw Pha Bang temple in the grounds of the Palace Museum in Luang Prabang, Laos, Sept. 8, 2014. (Mark Baker/AP)

Another resident raised concern about the future dam.

What would happen if the dam broke in the future? he asked about the fate of Luang Prabang, which lies in a valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Certainly, that break would wreak havoc on our town and people.

Phakhanxay Sikhanxay, director general of the Heritage Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, issued a statement in December, saying that a rumor that UNESCO would remove the city was unfounded, and that Laos has not received any official documents from about the matter, the Vientiane Times reported.

Translated by RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
The arrests came alongside a spate of bombings in the commercial capital Yangon.

Members of Myanmar's military security force patrol a street during a "silent strike" on the third anniversary of the military coup in Yangon on Feb. 1, 2024. The embattled junta has vowed to do "whatever it takes" to crush opposition to its rule.

Authorities in Myanmars second city Mandalay have arrested at least three people for taking part in a silent strike protesting the third anniversary of military rule, according to residents.

People in Myanmar staged a nationwide silent strike on Thursday, forgoing work and staying inside their homes to demonstrate their opposition to the Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat that saw the military seize control of the country.

The protest was held from 10 am to 4 pm in several major cities, including the commercial capital Yangon, and marked by noticeably reduced vehicle and foot traffic, while security appeared heightened, following the deployment of additional junta troops and security vehicles.

Sources told RFA Burmese that authorities in Mandalay arrested Kyaw Soe Oo, a 48-year-old English teacher, and two as-of-yet unidentified people who joined the silent strike or posted messages in support of the protest.

Kyaw Soe Oo, a member of the board of trustees of Ein Daw Yar pagoda in Chan Aye Thar Zan township, Mandalay. (Courtesy Kyaw Soe Oo via Facebook)

A source close to Kyaw Soe Oos family, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said he knew something was wrong when the teacher failed to show up at either his 4 pm or 8 pm classes on Thursday.

I only found out about his arrest when his students called me, the source said, adding that Kyaw Soe Oos phone was turned off when he later tried to contact him. He is just a tuition teacher, who is also a member of the board of trustees for the Ein Daw Yar pagoda. He was never actively involved in politics.

After learning of his arrest, Kyaw Soe Oos family members went to the No. 6 Police Station in Mandalays Chan Aye Thar Zan township to see him, but were told that he was not there, according to the source.

Arrested for FB posts

Ahead of Thursdays protest, Kyaw Soe Oo posted a message on his Facebook account urging people to stay at home after 10 am. Pro-junta channels on the social media platform Telegram claimed that he was arrested for his posts.

Other reports on pro-junta Telegram channels claimed that a 25-year-old man and a woman from Mandalay were also arrested on Thursday. The woman had allegedly taken part in silent strike activities on Mandalays U Pein Bridge, but no other details were provided.

An official from the group that organized the strike in Mandalay, known as the Mandalay Strike Force, told RFA that the arrested woman was not one of our members.

A security convoy of the military council was seen in Yangon on Feb. 1, 2024. (RFA)

Sources in Mandalay suggested that the number of arrests related to the strike could be higher, as nearly everyone took part.

Most of the shops at the citys normally bustling Maha Aung Myay wholesale gem market were closed on Thursday, prompting municipal officers and the police to investigate and force owners to open, residents said.

There were similar reports of authorities forcing shops to open on Thursday in Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy regions, as well as forced attendance at pro-junta rallies.

Yangon blasts

Meanwhile, residents of Yangon reported that anti-junta groups detonated at least six bombs in three townships of Yangon on Wednesday and Thursday in a bid to undermine military rule on the third anniversary of the coup.

On Wednesday night, three explosions occurred at the North Okkalapa Township Electricity Office near a roundabout where junta security personnel were stationed, sources in the city told RFA.

Another two explosions took place at a sawmill in Kyimyinedine townships Thardukan West ward on the same day, they said.

The last explosion occurred on Thursday near a traffic checkpoint where police were inspecting cars at the corner of 5th Street Hlaing River in Hlaingtharyar township, sources said.

A member of the anti-junta organization Operation Flame said the attacks were jointly carried out by rebel groups that included Company 2 of the Peoples Defense Force in North Okkalapa, the Kyimyinedine Township Operation Flame, the Peoples Defense Organization of Yangons West District and the Yangon Army.

"We conducted the missions to mark the three-year anniversary of the military coup on behalf of all revolutionary forces, in response to junta oppression, the Operation Flame member said. We will continue to fight together with the people until the junta is removed from power."

A nearly empty street during a 'silent strike' to protest the third anniversary of the military coup in Yangon on Feb. 1, 2024. Many other towns and cities across Myanmar participated in the 'silent strike.' (AFP)

Reports indicated that four soldiers on security duty were seriously injured in the explosions in North Okkalapa and Kyimyindine townships. However, RFA was unable to independently verify the claims.

The junta did not release any statements related to the bombings and attempts by RFA to contact Htay Aung, the juntas attorney general and spokesperson for the Yangon region government, went unanswered Friday.

Residents told RFA that the junta has tightened security by deploying soldier and vehicle convoys in Yangon in response to the blasts.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
"The biggest surprise was how much technologies are integrated into life." Foreign expats in China's Anhui have spoken about their impressions of China's economic and technological development.












Low public and international support and regular reports of soldiers surrendering leave the junta with few choices.

Myanmars junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on Feb. 1, 2021, presides at an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, March 27, 2021. An apparent lack of support and some military setbacks may question his standing.

UPDATED at 10:17 A.M. ET on 02-05-2024

Recent battlefield setbacks and little apparent public support are raising the question of whether the leader of Myanmars junta can expect to maintain influence within the military and his hold over the country, several observers told Radio Free Asia this week.

Myanmars two other post-independence military dictator generals  Than Shwe and Ne Win  ruled the country for decades following their own coup detats.

But just three years after Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and the military took control of the government in February 2021, the junta continues to be faced with regular reports of military officers and soldiers who have either surrendered to rebel groups or voluntarily switched sides.

There arent many choices left for them, said Jason Tower, country director for the Burma program at the United States Institute of Peace. At some point, the Burmese military will have to surrender or find some way to escape from the current situation.

Entire regiments and numerous senior military officers switched to the opposition in the months after the 2021 coup  something that wasnt true following the 1962 and 1988 military coups, both of which encountered some armed resistance.

Reports of junta forces surrendering to rebel groups, or switching sides, are not uncommon. Here, Myanmar soldiers perform during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Independence Day in Naypyitaw, Jan. 4, 2023. (Aung Shine Oo/AP)





Since then, junta troops have abandoned more than 30 border towns and hundreds of military outposts, including several strategic regional headquarters.

Junta battlefield losses have accelerated since the rebel ethnic armies that make up the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched a coordinated offensive in October.

In November, junta Acting President Myint Swe warned that the recent attacks  known as Operation 1027  could break Myanmar into pieces. The comments at an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council in the capital Naypyitaw seemed to be a plea for public support of the military for the sake of stability.

No public legitimacy

But regular air force and artillery bombings of civilian populations that have killed thousands have pushed public opinion of the military to unprecedented lows.

Since the coup, nearly 80,000 homes have been burnt down or destroyed, more than 20,000 people have been arrested, and 2.5 million residents have fled their homes, according to the United Nations and human rights groups.

The Burmese military has no public legitimacy. They have also lost international support, Tower said. And on every battlefield, they are facing losses.

Under the leadership of Sen. General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta has faced battlefield losses. Here, Arakan Army troops stand in front of the captured Paletwa Township General Administration Department office after seizing Paletwa, Jan. 14, 2024. (AA Info Desk)





Discontent within the military is also driven by long standing corruption practices that the current regime has continued and in some cases even increased, according to Hla Kyaw Zaw, a political analyst based in China.

Min Aung Hlaing is different from Than Shwe and Ne Win, he said. Hes more notorious for his corruption.

A soldier affiliated with the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, or CDM, told RFA that every member of Myanmars junta is expected to contribute a certain portion of their salary to Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, a fund managed by junta leaders.

They also must pay a monthly fee to a life insurance company owned by top junta leaders under threats of punitive actions, the CDM soldier said.

The mood is so dark

Much of Myanmars current turmoil and chaos could be blamed on Min Aung Hlaings ambition to be president, several observers told RFA.

He wasnt content to just be the countrys top military leader, and apparently couldnt accept the poor showing that the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party received in the 2020 election, said Win Htein, a senior aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the junta in 2021.

Suu Kyi is the former de facto leader of Myanmar and Nobel laureate who was also sentenced to prison by a junta court.

In Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, protestors attend a demonstration against the rule of Min Aung Hlaing on the third anniversary of Myanmars 2021 military coup, Feb. 1, 2024. (Jay Ereno/Reuters)





Junta leaders may have also been surprised by the response to the 2021 coup from ethnic armed organizations, anti-junta Peoples Defense Forces and pro-democracy groups, said Ko Naung Roo, a member of the CDM military.

Without understanding the changes in the modern system, they went with the tradition of a coup detat, he said. Min Aung Hlaing should be called the weakest dictator rather than the worst dictator.

Attempts by RFA to contact a junta spokesperson for comment went unanswered this week.

Former lawmaker Tint Swe told RFA that if things get worse, Myanmars leader could face a fate similar to Iraqs Saddam Hussein, who was found guilty of crimes against humanity and executed in 2006, or Libyas Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed in 2011.

It is still difficult to predict how Gen. Min Aung Hlaing will end up, he said. But I do see that the entire military power and economic system is headed for collapse.

Tun Kyi, a former political prisoner, predicted that Min Aung Hlaing will eventually be put on trial for war crimes.

The last breath of dictators is ugly, and the mood is so dark for the country, he said. If you look at the world, from Hitler to Saddam Hussein, and so on, if you look at their essence, their paths are the same at the end of time."

Translated by Aung Khin. Edited by Matt Reed.

Correction - An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed junta Acting President Myint Swe's comments to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta's chairman.
In rare footage, soldiers tell herders to move off traditional grazing land in the remote border area.

In an incident captured on video, Chinese soldiers confronted Tibetan herders in a remote, rugged border region near the border of India and Chinese-controlled Tibet, claiming they were in Chinese territory and denying them access to traditional grazing land.

The Jan. 2 video, taken by a Tibetan nomad named Kunsang Namgyal, shows about a dozen Peoples Liberation Army soldiers in desert fatigues talking with herders, gesturing and pointing, while sirens from armored vehicles can be heard in the background.

The herders are heard shouting back shouting in Tibetan: Why have you come here? Why have you brought your vehicles here? This is our ancestral land. We graze our livestock here.

One herder used his sling to throw a stone at an armored vehicle, but otherwise there was no violence. No Indian security forces were in sight at the time.

The video was shared with Radio Free Asia and shared on Instagram.

The incident occurred in a rugged border area used by nomads as their winter grazing grounds called Jangthang, or Northern Plains in Tibetan, situated between Ladakh, in northern India, and the Chinese-occupied Tibetan Autonomous Region.

The area has seen occasional skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops. In June 2020, Indian soldiers clashed with Chinese soldiers in an incident that left 20 Indian troops dead.

Chinese soldiers chase away local nomads and their livestock from the Belung and Daklung grazing areas onear the border of India and Chinese-controlled Tibet, Jan. 2, 2024. (Kunsang Namgyal/video screenshot)

Buffer zones

To avoid such eruptions, many areas in eastern Ladakh, such as the Kakjung Jangthang area, have been designated as buffer zones along the border, with forces from both sides typically refraining from patrolling.

But the buffer zones have taken away the livelihoods of local residents, said Sriparna Pathak, a professor of China studies at the O.P. Jindal Global University in Haryana, India, and a former consultant at Indias foreign ministry.

Owing to never-ending Chinese incursions, the grazing land has been decreasing, she said. If nomadic activities were to decrease further, then further security concerns for India would rise, and there is an urgent need for India to step up defenses and infrastructure in the region.

The region has three traditional grazing areas, Belung, Daklung and Melung, said Namgyal, who took the video. China has already blocked access to Melung, and now it claims Belung and Daklung, too, he said.

In the latest incident, the Chinese forces chased away the shepherds from the Belung and Daklung grazing areas and ensured no animals were allowed to graze there, he said in an interview with RFA Tibetan.

At least a dozen Chinese soldiers, including a few who were seen recording the incident on video, tell local nomads in the Kakjung area of Ladakh to stop grazing their livestock near the Line of Actual Control close to the border of India and Chinese-controlled Tibet, Jan. 2, 2024. (Kunsang Namgyal/video screenshot)

Following the Jan. 2 incident, officials from the Indian army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the local sarpanch  the elected head of a village-level constitutional body  and sub-divisional magistrate, visited the site, said Ishey Spalzang, councilor of the Nyoma constituency that governs Kakjung.

The growing tensions on the Indo-Tibet border between India and China has resulted in the loss of grazing land for the nomads along the border, Spalzang said.

Border dispute unresolved

Confrontations between nomads and Chinese troops have occurred in the past, particularly in grazing areas where herders in the Kakjung Jangthang and nearby villages such as Nyoma and Chushul usually tend livestock, locals said.

Disturbances of this kind caused by the PLA soldiers to nomads take place frequently, Spalzang said, referring to Chinese troops. However, no harm has been reported from such incidents.

Indian forces typically allow the nomads to graze their animals in the areas where they have traditionally done so, but the Chinese always deny the shepherds access to different areas at different times, he said.

The Indian government must take an earnest look at helping the nomads in their times of need by allowing them to herd their animals like they have done in the past, Spalzang added.

Nomads in Kakjung in Ladakh, India, are chased away from grazing areas near the border of India and Chinese-controlled Tibet, Jan. 2, 2024. (Kunsang Namgyal/video screenshot)

Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for Indias Ministry of External Affairs, said during a press conference, said that the two sides are aware of the traditional grazing areas in the border regions, and that any incident of friction is dealt with through established mechanisms as appropriate.

Several rounds of talks to resolve the border issue between India and China have since ensued, but new details revealed during a recent Indian army gallantry award citation showed that Indian and Chinese troops clashed at least two times in 2022, the most recent of which took place in November 2022.

In that incident, Indian soldiers reportedly pushed back a group of 40-50 Chinese soldiers who were trying to enter Indian territory in Ladakh.

Translated by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Duong Van Thais mother said he looks pale, but is in good health overall.

A blogger who last year went missing from Thailand and later resurfaced in Vietnamese police custody was finally allowed to meet his mother for the first time since his disappearance, his family told Radio Free Asia.

Duong Van Thai, 41, was living in Thailand when he disappeared on April 13 in what many believe was an abduction.

Vietnam has neither confirmed nor denied that he was abducted and taken back to Vietnam, but shortly after his disappearance, authorities announced that they had apprehended him for trying to sneak into the country illegally.

On Tuesday afternoon, Thais mother Duong Thi Lu, 70, received an unexpected phone call from the police, saying that she would be allowed to see her son the next day at the B14 Detention center in Hanois Thanh Tri district, she told RFA Vietnamese on Friday.

On Wednesday morning, she visited the detention center and talked to her son through a thick glass window  the first time she had seen him in nine months.

For about half an hour we talked about his health, the family and our village, she said. Police had warned me at the gate not to talk about [problematic] issues.

Its a rarity that she was allowed to see him while the investigation was ongoing.

Abduction

Thai had fled to Thailand in late 2018 or early 2019, fearing political persecution for his many posts and videos that criticized the Vietnamese government and leaders of the Communist Party on Facebook and YouTube.

He had been granted refugee status by the United Nations refugee agencys office in Bangkok. He was interviewed to resettle in a third country right before his disappearance near his rental home in central Thailands Pathum Thani province.

By mid-2023, the Security Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Public Security announced that Thai was under investigation for anti- State charges under Article 117, a vaguely written law that rights organizations say is used to silence dissent..

Health

The last time Lu saw Thai in person was when she visited her son in Bangkok one year ago around the Tet holiday, Vietnams version of the Lunar New Year. She said that he looks different after his time in custody.

I could not recognize him because his skin is fairer. When he was in Thailand it was dark, But he looked very healthy and hasnt lost a lot of weight.

Duong assured her that in the detention center he was adequately fed and well treated, she said.

Regarding the investigation, she said that police did not give any details about it, but encouraged her in a general way.

When I was back at the gate, the detention guard said, Be calm. He does not face any problems here. He will soon be at home with you From now until Feb. 20, if there is not any change, we will send you confirmation.

Lu said that they were not allowed to freely talk, so she did not know her sons thinking about hiring defense lawyers, and that she was also too old to know how to do anything like that.

RFA attempted to contact the Security Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Public Security to inquire about Thais case, but the officer in charge refused to respond.

Under the Penal Code of Vietnam, the defendants in National Security cases are only allowed to see their family and lawyers when the investigation is complete.

Translated by An Nguyen. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Vietnamese model Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh is taken into custody of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

A famous Vietnamese lingerie model known as the Underwear Queen received a one-year suspended sentence for disrupting social order by posting videos of herself performing risky motorcycle stunts on Facebook.

Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh, 34, was freed shortly after receiving her sentence from the Ho Chi Minh City Court Thursday morning. A suspended sentence does not require the offender to serve time in prison.

Police arrested her for her viral video clips of herself lying down on a motorcycle, kneeling on the seat, driving hands-free and placing both legs on one side of the vehicle, Vietnamese media reported.

Vietnamese authorities charged Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh with 'disturbing social order' after she posted photos of herself riding a motorcycle in an unsafe manner. (Courtesy Viet Nam News)

Legal experts told RFA that the charges against her were unfounded, especially because she wasnt driving on a street, and was not in any way criticizing the government.

During the trial, Trinh testified that she had been training with a teacher, Tran Xuan Dong, to get a drivers license for a large-displacement motorbike. She asked Dong to teach her some driving stunts and she imitated other video clips posted online.

Dong was sentenced to one-and-a-half years for disrupting social order and using fake documents on the same day.

In my opinion, the verdict of one-year suspension is appropriate and humane, a Hanoi lawyer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA Vietnamese.

However, her act should have not led to arrest, and the media that ran her photos should have blurred her face so as not to affect her personal image.

He said that through this case, authorities wanted to warn people who have large followings on social media.

The judges should observe the law, not follow someone elses instructions, he said.

Prior to the trial, Trinh published an apology video clip filmed at the Police Station and advised others not to follow her actions.

Translated by An Nguyen. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Male students who enrolled in Taliban-run religious schools say that sexual and physical abuse has led some to end their pursuit of an education in Afghanistan.

The students, all of whom were aged 10 to 17 and spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity out of fears of repercussion, described numerous instances in which they and fellow classmates were pressured to engage in sexual acts with teachers and subjected to corporal punishments.

The reported cases took place in western and southwestern Afghanistan at Taliban-run madrasahs, part of the network of religious schools that the extremist group has expanded significantly as part of its drive to foster religious education more in keeping with its hard-line Islamist views.

One 16-year-old student, a resident of Farah Province, described being propositioned by a teacher at the madrasah he attends.

"One day at school a Taliban member who teaches there made an inappropriate offer, but I did not accept it," the boy told Radio Azadi, using inexplicit language to describe sexual abuse, a culturally taboo topic in Afghanistan. "When the lessons were over, he bothered me again."

The boy said he reported the incidents to a "qari," a person who has memorized the Koran and serves as a religious authority at the school, to no avail.

"I told the qari that the teacher was doing bad things to me, and the qari told him not to do these things, that he was a teacher," the boy said. "The teacher admitted doing it, but it had no effect. He has continued to do bad things and made sexual requests to numerous students at the school."

Another student in southwestern Afghanistan, a 17-year-old in the 10th grade, gave a similar account of his experience during his six months studying at a Taliban-run madrasah.

"A Taliban member who teaches at the school proposed having a relationship with me and said some other things that I did not accept," the boy said.

After being refused, the teacher swore and issued threats, the boy said, adding that his fellow students have faced similar treatment.

"He also harassed several of my classmates, and one of them left the school," the boy said. "He told me I should not go to school anymore because the same teacher is harassing me."

The boy said the experience has left him "damaged" and unsure of whom he can confide in. "I can't tell my family," he said.

The Taliban has come under widespread criticism for the severe restrictions it has placed on the daily lives of the Afghans since seizing power in August 2021. In its pursuit to impose its extreme interpretation of Islam, the Taliban has restored many of the draconian rules it was infamous for during its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

The ban on the education of girls past the sixth grade, and the erasure of women's role in society stand out among the measures the Taliban has taken. But other steps -- including prohibitions on music and idolatry through art, and pressure against students and teachers -- have affected all walks of life regardless of sex.

Since the Taliban returned to power, many educators have left the country, while female teachers have been left at home without work due to restrictions on women's freedom of movement and their ability to teach males.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has steadily worked to replace secular state schools and informal madrasahs with a system of religious schooling. The system does allow for girl students, including those of university age, but critics say it falls far short of the standards of modern education for girls and boys alike and often promotes extremism.

According to a report on Afghanistan issued by the United Nations in February, the Taliban has established 6,836 madrasahs for males and 380 for females and was expected to finalize a standardized religious curriculum in time for the new school year beginning this month.

The recruitment of madrasah teachers is also in full swing, according to the report, following a decree by the Talibans spiritual leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada to have 100,000 new madrasah teachers in place.

In December, Human Rights Watch gave a stinging assessment of the state of education in general, saying that in addition to the obstacles to the education of girls and women, the Taliban had "also inflicted deep harm on boys' education" in Afghanistan.

"Many boys were previously taught by women teachers; the Taliban has prohibited women from teaching boys, depriving women teachers of their jobs and often leaving boys with unqualified replacement male teachers or sometimes no teachers at all," HRW said. "Parents and students said that corporal punishment, which has long been a problem at Afghan schools, has become increasingly common. The curriculum in many schools appears to be under revision to remove important school subjects and promote discrimination."

The rights watchdog said the circumstances had "led many boys to leave school altogether" and "left boys struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression."

Shortly after the Taliban regained power, the United Nations highlighted the dire situation for children in Afghanistan, including exposure to sexual violence and increased risk of students dropping out of school.

Difficulties in ensuring the protection of children are exacerbated, according to the UN, by the Taliban's refusal to consider people below the age of 18 to be children, as is the international standard, instead using the onset of puberty as the basis for adulthood.

Younger madrasah students in western and southwestern Afghanistan below or at the age of puberty said they were not spared physical abuse and sexual harassment from teachers.

One young man who spoke to Radio Azadi said he recently learned that his young brother was being subjected to sexual abuse at a madrasah in western Afghanistan.

The young man said his brother was being assigned extracurricular "homework by a teacher, or to put it bluntly, he was being asked for sex, [the teacher] fondled his hands and feet and kissed him."

As a result, the young man said he told his brother not to go to school anymore.

Fear of sexual harassment and sexual and physical abuse were cited as a common factor leading boys in western and southwestern Afghanistan to give up their studies.

"Some teachers harass our students and make immoral requests," said one 14-year-old boy who also described common methods of corporal punishment at his madrasah. "They strike our faces or beat our hands and feet under the pretext of disciplining us for not learning our lessons properly."

The boy said many students were studying hard in fear of being taken to a special room for punishment, and that "some even drop out of school."

Another student, aged 10, said his teacher separated him and other students from their class to beat the soles of their feet.

Afterward, he told Radio Azadi, he stopped going to class because he was afraid. And upon hearing about the incidents, his and his classmates' parents "did not allow us to go to school."

The Taliban authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations of abuse at madrasahs it has established. And efforts to speak to individuals aware of the situations at madrasahs in other areas of Afghanistan were met by refusals to comment due to fear of reprisals.

A women's rights activist who asked that her name not be published told Radio Azadi that families have no avenue to lodge complaints about the abuse their children encounter at Taliban-run madrasahs because they, too, would face threats.

The activist said that not only had she been made aware of sexual harassment against both girls and boys at Taliban-run madrasahs, but the curriculum also serves to "increase the level of extremism in the country."

Reducing the risks of both threats, she said, would require greater oversight by the Taliban authorities and ideally, she said, a reduction in the number of madrasahs.

Najib Amini, a civil society activist in western Afghanistan, said that for now, the onus falls on families to be aware.

"Children are subjected to sexual abuse in madrasahs established under the Taliban regime," Amini said. "Families have an important and essential role in this regard. If they do not want their children to be abused in schools, if they want their children to get a basic education...then they should not send their children to madrasahs under the control of the Taliban."

Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi
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.
BRUSSELS -- Deep within the heart of the European Union, inside the hulking buildings of the "European Quarter" in the Belgian capital, there is glaring evidence of the bloc's weakness.

Without using a VPN or other circumvention tools, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Balkan Service was able to access the websites and streaming services of RT -- previously known as Russia Today -- and Sputnik from the buildings of the EU's executive body, the European Commission, and the European Council, which establishes the general political agenda and direction of the EU but does not negotiate or enact legislation. The websites were accessible in a handful of languages despite the European Council's "urgent suspension" in the early weeks of Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Nearly two years after EU-wide sanctions were imposed to blunt Russian propaganda supporting the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, the websites of the Kremlin-backed RT and Sputnik media outlets are still easily accessible in many countries across the EU, including in the very institutions that drafted the regulations targeting them.

In Brussels, RT and Sputnik videos, text, and other content are available in English, French, German, Serbian, Spanish, and Arabic.

RFE/RL's Balkan Service's digital forensics team also used virtual private networks (VPNs) to impersonate users in 19 other EU member states and in each case it was possible to reach the RT and Sputnik websites without any problem.

The ease of access is a clear blow to unprecedented Western efforts to punish Russia for the invasion and to combat its carefully tracked trail of disinformation to try to justify or spin the conflict.

"The sanctions cover all means for transmission and distribution, such as via cable, satellite, IPTVwebsites and apps," Johannes Bahrke, a spokesman for the European Commission responsible for digital economy, research, and innovation, told RFE/RL in a statement. "All relevant licenses, authorizations, and distribution arrangements are suspended."

Bahrke and other EU officials, as well as outside experts, say the problem stems from obstacles to implementation by the 27 EU member states themselves and their relevant bodies or agencies.

To enforce the ban, observers say, authorities in each member state must ask local service providers to eliminate access to the Russian-run websites. They say the safest method is to ban domains and specific website addresses on a national level.

"National authorities designate relevant government bodies or agencies responsible [for] implementing and enforcing EU sanctions, depending on the sector the specific sanctions designation covers," Tinatin Tsertsvadze, an expert on European sanctions at the Open Society Institute, a nongovernmental organization created and funded by billionaire George Soros, and who has extensive experience in the efficacy of EU policies with respect to its near and more distant neighbors, including Russia.

Bahrke said that in RT's case, the European Union sanctioned the media outlet in English, and also in Germany, France, and Spain -- and eventually in Arabic as well as RT Balkan in Serbian.

The Serbian case represents a special challenge to the EU and the West. President Aleksandar Vucic has staunchly refused to lead his EU candidate country into participating with anti-Russian sanctions, making it the only country on the continent besides Turkey and Belarus to avoid at least formally distancing itself from Russia. Sputnik began its operations there in 2019 and has an office in Belgrade, and RT launched its Serbian-language operations at the end of 2022, well into the full-scale war.

"It is up to the relevant providers to block access to websites of outlets covered by the sanctions, including subdomains or newly created domains and up to the relevant national authorities to take any required accompanying regulatory measures," Bahrke said.

RFE/RL's Balkan Service sought explanations from specific service providers in Belgium, where the EU institutions are based, and the Belgian Telecommunications Ministry, but two weeks have passed without a reply.

The bloc has otherwise demonstrated the urgency of its efforts to counter Russian influence operations through the media.

'War Propaganda On A Global Scale'

The EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrell, established its flagship EUvsDisinfo project in 2015. It describes RT and Sputnik as "not media organizations, but weapons of deception [by] the Kremlin." EUvsDisinfo's website says the project's main goal is to increase public awareness and understanding of Russian influence and disinformation operations, and to help citizens of Europe and beyond to develop resistance to digital information and media manipulation.

"Russia accompanies its illegal war against the Ukrainian people with information war and aggressive war propaganda on a global scale," Peter Stano, Borrell's spokesman at the EU's diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS), said in a January 23 statement, while presenting the report about foreign interference and disinformation.

"The Kremlin regime transformed state-controlled media into instruments of information manipulation and information warfare. That is why the European Union banned [a] number of them, including Russia Today and Sputnik from EU media space."

Yevhen Fedchenko, co-owner and editor of the Kyiv-based website StopFake, which was founded expressly to try to refute alleged Russian propaganda around the time of Russia's occupation and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, with Moscow's support for armed separatism in eastern Ukraine on the rise, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service that EU restrictions imposed in 2022 "are now almost nonexistent."

"Russia is quickly rebuilding its capacities understanding that there are no serious efforts to prevent it from occupying European information space using all available instruments: rearming traditional media like RT or Sputnik; influencers in every part of the world; owning local media companies; and using [the] growing influence of [the]...Telegram [messaging service] and [the] China-controlled TikTok [social media platform]," Fedchenko said.

Borrell has recently warned of the consequences of failure, as massive U.S. and EU aid packages remain stalled amid talk of a stalemate in the war and so-called Ukraine fatigue in the West.

"We are much more vulnerable to this threat because information circulates at the speed of light," Borrell said in January as he announced new measures to tackle foreign interference and disinformation less than five months ahead of European Parliamentary elections scheduled for June.

'Major Threat To Liberal Democracies'

An EEAS report issued on January 23 suggested that he and other influential Western allies of Kyiv can't expect to be spared from further Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), specifically by Russia and China.

"The targets of FIMI attacks are truly global. In 49 percent of the cases analyzed according to the common framework, countries or their official representatives across the world were directly targeted 480 times [by FIMI]," the report said. "The country most often targeted was Ukraine, with 160 cases recorded."

But Borrell added in the foreword to the report that "FIMI poses a major threat to liberal democracies, which rely on free and open information." He went on to call it "a problem we need to address, inside the EU and together with our partners."

A number of outside experts say that in the absence of more strident action, the system of sanctions is outgunned by authoritarian regimes, including when it comes to media.

"Such a system will provide a proportionate and strictly regulated response to malicious propaganda and disinformation activities by third countries that systematically flout freedom of expression," Julie Mazercak of Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based media watchdog, told RFE/RL.

Terrestrial, cable, and satellite broadcasting platforms are generally simpler to police and control than the Internet, which can be accessed through a wide range of devices using different operating systems.

RT's broadcasting in national languages was banned in the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania before the EU sanctions that followed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Experts on behalf of Belgian law firm Simmons & Simmons noted last June that "in light of the war in Ukraine" and an amendment to EU regulation No. 833/2014, the broadcasting licenses of Russian broadcasters had been "invalidated" and "broadcasting licenses or authorization, transmission, and distribution arrangements with certain media outlets, such as Russia Today and Sputnik, are suspended from 1 March 2022 onwards."

They added: "EU member states are not entitled to apply less stringent rules to broadcasters but may impose stricter rules on audiovisual media service providers under their jurisdiction, provided that these do not violate fundamental rights."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondent Gjeraqina Tuhina in Brussels.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivers an important speech in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

TIANJIN, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), meets with representatives of troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
The United States and Britain launched fresh retaliatory strikes against Iran-linked sites late on February 3, hitting 36 Huthi targets in Yemen as they followed through on threats to continue military action against groups that have attacked Western interests in the region.

A U.S. statement said the latest strikes were carried out by ships and warplanes, part of efforts to retaliate following a drone strike in Jordan last month that killed three American service members, an attack Washington blamed on Tehran and its allies operating in Syria and Iraq.

The statement said 13 different locations in Yemen were hit by U.S. F/A-18 jets from the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by U.S. warships in the Red Sea firing Tomahawk missiles.

U.S. officials earlier said they believe air strikes on dozens of Iran-linked sites in Syria and Iraq late on February 2 were successful and U.S. allies expressed support, as Iran, Iraq, and Syria expressed anger amid concerns of widening conflict in the region.

U.S. allies expressed support for the move as Iran, Iraq, and Syria expressed anger amid concerns of widening conflict in the region.

Officials from U.S. allies Britain and Poland issued statements in support of the U.S. actions, citing Washington's right to respond to attacks and warning that Iran proxies were "playing with fire."

Tehran said it "strongly" condemns the air strikes.

Iraq said it summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad to protest.

Reports from Iraq and Syria suggested that around 40 people had been killed in strikes at seven locations, four in Syria and three in Iraq.

Baghdad said earlier that 16 troops of a state security body known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, which includes Iran-backed entities, had been killed. Earlier, it said the dead included civilians.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Andulrahman, said 23 guards at targeted sites had been killed.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement released shortly after the attacks that "our response began today," adding: "It will continue at times and places of our choosing."

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, he added.

A British government spokesperson on February 3 condemned alleged Iranian actions in the region as "destabilizing" and reiterated London's "steadfast" alliance with Washington.

"The U.K. and U.S. are steadfast allies," the spokesperson, quoted by Reuters, said. "We wouldnt comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks.

The spokesperson added: "We have long condemned Irans destabilizing activity throughout the region, including its political, financial, and military support to a number of militant groups."

Another NATO ally, Poland, also condemned Iran and the groups it allegedly sponsors.

"Iran's proxies have played with fire for months and years," Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said as he arrived for an EU meeting in Brussels, "and it's now burning them."

Iran, whose Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have extensive ties to some militias in the region, accused the United States of undermining stability.

"Last night's attack on Syria and Iraq is an adventurous action and another strategic mistake by the U.S. government, which will have no result other than intensifying tension and instability in the region," Naser Kanani, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani accused the U.S.-led military coalition in the region of threatening security and stability in his country and attacking its sovereignty.

His office said the casualties included some civilians among 16 dead and two dozen injured.

Sudani also rejected any suggestion that Washington had coordinated the air strikes with his government.

After a previous U.S. air strike in Baghdad, Sudani asked for the 2,000 or so U.S. troops in Iraq to be withdrawn -- a sensitive bilateral topic.

The Foreign Ministry of Syria called the U.S. actions a path to further conflict.

"What [the United States] committed has served to fuel conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way," the ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the United States "did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes" but did not provide details. He said the attacks lasted about 30 minutes and included B-1 bombers that had flown from the United States.

Lieutenant General Douglas Sims of the U.S. Joint Staff was quoted as saying secondary explosions suggested the strikes had successfully hit weaponry. He also said that planners were aware anyone in those facilities was at risk.

"U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States," U.S. Central Command said, adding that it had struck "command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces."

U.S. officials have said that the deadly January 28 attack in Jordan carried the "footprints" of Tehran-sponsored Kataib Hizballah militia in Iraq and vowed to hold those responsible to account at a time and place of Washingtons choosing, most likely in Syria or Iraq.

On January 31, Kataib Hizballah extremists in Iraq announced a "suspension" of operations against U.S. forces. The group said the pause was meant to prevent "embarrassing" the Iraqi government and hinted that the drone attack had been linked to the U.S. support of Israel in the war in Gaza.

Biden has been under pressure from opposition Republicans to take a harder line against Iran following the Jordan attack, but said earlier this week that "I don't think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That's not what I'm looking for."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said Tehran "will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us, they will receive a strong response."

The Associated Press quoted a spokesman for the Iran-backed Harakat al-Nujaba militia in Iraq as saying "every action elicits a reaction" but also adding that "we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions." He said most of the sites bombed were "devoid of fighters and military personnel" at the time.

The clashes between U.S. forces and Iran-backed militia have come against the background of an intense four-month military campaign in Gaza Strip against the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group Hamas after a Hamas attack killed at least 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians.

The Iran-backed Huthi rebels hit in Yemen on February 3 have also waged attacks on international shipping in the region in what they call an effort to target Israeli vessels and demonstrate support for Palestinians.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to his fifth round of crisis talks in the region from February 3-8, with visits reportedly planned to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank in an effort to promote a release of hostages taken by Hamas in its brutal October 7 raids.

With reporting by Reuters, the BBC, and AP
By Rebecca Black, PA

Irish leaders have hailed a special day for the people of Northern Ireland as devolved government was restored after two years of suspension.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill made history on Saturday when she was confirmed as the first nationalist or republican First Minister.

She will serve alongside DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly as deputy First Minister.

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as the new Assembly Speaker.

President Michael D Higgins said the reactivation of the Assembly will be welcomed by all those who wish to see an effective system of powersharing.

He also praised the first speeches by Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly in their new roles as impressive in their inclusion and warmth.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins hailed the return of the devolved government. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

The speeches of both the First Minister and the deputy First Minister were most impressive in their inclusion, warmth and their wish to get to grips with all the important practical tasks that they will face, he said.

This obvious shared desire to work together offers the best of prospects for the institutions to serve all of the people and to meet their differing needs.

I wish the First Minister, deputy First Minister and their Ministers well in their new roles in the work that lies ahead of them as we look ahead to the full restoration of all of the institutions of devolved government.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said he looks forward to working with all the new ministers.

But he said Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges.

While the last few weeks and months have focused on restoring the Assembly and Executive, the hard work now begins in earnest, he said.

Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges.

An Executive working collectively  and prioritising real, everyday needs over questions of identity  can meet these challenges.

I want to congratulate Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly on assuming their roles as First Minister and deputy First Minister. Look forward to working with them. pic.twitter.com/NkagBmElJZ  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 3, 2024

The Government stands ready to support the work of the Executive and to work in partnership with the British Government in this.

The Tanaiste also said he looks forward to an early meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

The NSMC will play a key role in the period ahead in making sure that we make the most of shared opportunities, including supporting the all-island economy, which continues to be a source of prosperity, growth, and livelihoods for many from all communities across this island, he said.

Northern Irelands unique position as part of the UK internal market while, at the same time, having unique access to the EUs single market of nearly 450 million people provides a solid opportunity for growth.

It will now be for the Executive and Assembly to ensure that Northern Ireland can prosper and grow using these unrivalled opportunities.
Long Chunxiang (1st L) hugs her son in Ladong Village of Jinping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Min Deshui (2nd L) and Long Chunxiang (4th L) pose for a family photo in Ladong Village of Jinping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Min Deshui and Long Chunxiang wait to take the train G4835 at Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Min Deshui and Long Chunxiang take the train G4835 on Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Min Deshui and Long Chunxiang walk out of Kaili South Railway Station in Kaili, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Min Deshui and Long Chunxiang bid farewell to staff members of Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Min Deshui and Long Chunxiang prepare to dine with their family in Ladong Village of Jinping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Workers from Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Guizhou Province pose for a group photo before taking the train G4835 at Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Min Deshui calls his family aboard the train G4835 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Passengers show the Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", aboard the train G4835 on Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Min Deshui (2nd R) and Long Chunxiang (1st R) show the Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", aboard the train G4835 on Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 1, 2024 shows the train G4835 running on a railway bridge in Taipan Town, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunion in Spring Festival, Min said. (Photo by Wu Jibin/Xinhua)
Michelle O'Neil has become the first Nationalist First Minister as Stormont returned for the first time in two years after it was collapsed by the DUP.

MLAs took their seats in the Assembly chamber on Saturday in a historical day for Northern Ireland.

Follow our updates here as Ministers are announced.

The final ministers to be announced at the Northern Ireland Assembly were Aisling Reilly (Sinn Fein) and Pam Cameron (DUP), who will serve as junior ministers in the Executive Office.

Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole will be leader of the Opposition.

The nomination of ministers has resumed at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Fein nominated Caoimhe Archibald as Minister for Finance before the DUP nominated Gordon Lyons as Minister for Communities.

The UUP nominated Robin Swann to return as Health Minister.

Sinn Fein then nominated John ODowd as Minister for Infrastructure, and the Alliance Party nominated Andrew Muir as Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy was nominated as minister for the economy, with DUP MLA Paul Givan nominated as education minister.

Alliance leader Naomi Long has been appointed as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland.

The Assembly has now adjourned.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has described a great day for Northern Ireland.

He addressed media in the Great Hall in Stormont following the nomination of First Minister Michelle ONeill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Speaker Edwin Poots.

Its a great day for Northern Ireland, its a great day for everyone here, a great day for businesses across this place and public services here, he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has hailed a special day for the people of Northern Ireland as devolved government is revived.

The Tanaiste also congratulated the First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on their appointments.

I wish them both well in what will be very demanding roles. I look forward to working with them, and with their Executive colleagues, he said.

I also want to congratulate Edwin Poots on his election as Speaker of the Assembly.

Mr Martin said Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges.

While the last few weeks and months have focused on restoring the Assembly and Executive, the hard work now begins in earnest.

Northern Ireland faces a number of real challenges, he said.

An Executive working collectively  and prioritising real, everyday needs over questions of identity  can meet these challenges.

The Government stands ready to support the work of the Executive and to work in partnership with the British Government in this.

Ms Little-Pengelly said there must be no dominating from any side to another, calling for a new approach of recognising the concerns of each other and finding solutions together.

We are all born equal and the people who look on this sitting today demand us to work together, she said.

Michelle is an Irish Republican, and I am a very proud unionist. We will never agree on those issues but what we can agree on is that cancer doesnt discriminate on our hospitals need fixed.

Let us be a source of hope to those young people watching today, not one of despair.

Let us prove that difference is something that can be a strength through recognition and respect. That difference need not to be a barrier to progress and delivering.

This is my pledge. I love this place we call home. I will work tirelessly for delivery for all the people of Northern Ireland from every background. I will do so with the best of my abilities honoured by the privilege and opportunity to do so.

Lets do it side by side and lets keep Northern Ireland moving forward.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she grew up with conflict.

She told Stormont she is thankful that young people today do not have to face that terror that so many of us hear that but as a child, adding she will never forget the fear, the hurt and the anger.

The past with all its horror can never be forgotten, and nor will it be allowed to be rewritten but while we are shaped by the past, we are not defined by it, she said.

The experience of my childhood gave me the drive and desire to make a different future not just for myself, but to do all that I could and can to ensure a better future for all of us.

Across this chamber we have different political viewpoints and experiences but what we also know is that the mummy waiting on her cancer diagnosis is not defined as being republican or unionist.

She is defined by the sleepless nights and worry that she may never see her children grow up.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she and First Minister Michelle ONeill come from very different backgrounds, but said she will work tirelessly to ensure that together they can deliver for all in Northern Ireland.

I recognise that for many today it is a historic moment with the nomination of Michelle ONeill and myself as first ministers, she said.

It is a day that confirms the democratic outcome of the election.

Serving people in this House in any role is an honour and a privilege. It is an opportunity to shape Northern Ireland for the better and to make a meaningful difference.

I love Northern Ireland. I am deeply proud to be from this place we call home despite our often troubled history and divisions of the past, I know that we have incredible potential.

Ms ONeill pledged she will serve everyone equally and be a first minister for all.

To all of you who are British and unionist; your national identity, culture and traditions are important to me, she said.

I will be both inclusive and respectful to you.

None of us are being asked or expected to surrender who we are. Our allegiances are equally legitimate.

Lets walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway.

I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart.

Ms ONeill reflected that she was a 20-year-old mother when the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed and said she remembers vividly the sense of hope and optimism.

She said she stands proud as First Minister, and someone who represents that Good Friday Agreement-generation and someone who will lead us into the next 45 years.

She also described herself as an Ulster woman, Tyrone woman, a proud Irish and European citizen.

This is a historic day which represents a new dawn, she said.

For the first time ever, a nationalist takes up the position of first minister.

That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents generation.

Because of the Good Friday Agreement that old state that they were born into is gone. A more democratic, more equal society has been created making this a better place for everyone.

This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none is a changing portrait.

Yesterday is gone. My appointment reflects that change.

Ms ONeill said devolved government will face great challenges, and she described the rising cost of living as being a heavy burden on households and businesses.

She said the public sector workers who have taken industrial action and been on strikes over pay is a situation that demands urgent action.

Tory austerity has badly damaged our public services. They have presided over more than a decade of shame. They have caused real suffering, she said.

I wish to lead an Executive which has the freedom to make our own policy and spending choices.

We cannot continue to be hamstrung by Tories in London.

Together, we must unite and fight with one voice the corner of every citizen, to ensure that public services are funded properly.

Ms ONeill said it is an Assembly for all.

The days of second-class citizenship are long gone, she said. Today confirms that they are never coming back.

As an Irish republican I pledge co-operation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition, and who cherish the Union.

This is an assembly for all  Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.

Despite our different outlooks and views on the future constitutional position, the public rightly demands that we co-operate, deliver and work together.

We must build trust and confidence in our ability to do that. That will require courage and ambition not just from us who are elected, but from the public.

We can all invest in this and the more of us that do, the better the chance it has.

First Minister Michelle ONeill told MLAs: I look forward to a plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council shortly.

The power-sharing coalition formed by the parties here today must now dedicate itself to delivering an ambitious Agenda for Change.

I wish incoming ministers well and pledge to work and collaborate with each of you.

The public are relying on each of us to act in their best interests and to serve our whole community in good faith.

We must make powersharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community.

Northern Irelands first First Minister from a nationalist or republican tradition Michelle ONeill has pledged to be a leader for all.

She described the return of the Assembly and Executive as a day that opens the door to the future  a shared future.

I am honoured to stand here as First Minister, Ms ONeill told MLAs.

We mark a moment of equality and progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together, confident that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.

She told the Assembly chamber that she was delighted to see every MLA back in this chamber.

I welcome the fact that the DUP has decided to re-enter the democratic institutions and that the outcome of the Assembly election is now being respected, she said.

Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin, Alliance Party MLA John Blair and UUP MLA Steve Aiken have been elected as Deputy Speakers of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill is set to become the first nationalist first minister as Stormont returns after two years without powersharing.

MLAs took their seats in the Assembly chamber at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.

The early proceedings focused on the process of nominating a speaker, with former DUP leader Edwin Poots elected to the role.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it has been a challenging journey to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive over the last two years.

I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldnt.

We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union, he told media in the Great Hall.

Its a day when we come together and we take on the responsibility of providing good government for the people of Northern Ireland, for addressing the many issues that confront us at this time.

My party is determined to play its part working with others to make Northern Ireland work, to make this place the best that it can be, to realise our potential to invest in our people, to ensure that our public services have the resources that they need to provide the best health care, a great education system, prosperity in our economy, housing and jobs for all.

TUV MLA Jim Allister has criticised a DUP climbdown as the Northern Ireland Assembly prepares to elect a new Speaker and ministers after two years suspended.

He claimed that not one word of the Northern Ireland Protocol has changed, and that the region remains under EU customs rules, and ruled in a significant part by foreign laws.

Mr Allister also claimed that many on the DUP benches are unhappy with the partys course of action.
Recent and ongoing fly tipping on the Roscommon-Galway border has been condemned. As well as scores of refuse bags, dumpers left a mattress and nappies.

Local man Billy Gallagher of the Animal Haven Ireland charity said the dumping was unacceptable, especially in the picturesque and beautiful area. The dumping was discovered about a mile and a half from Dysart along the Dysart-Ahascragh road.

Bord Na Mona and the local communities are trying to develop the whole area, establishing nature walks and cycle paths, he said. There is continual dumping there but this is the worst I have seen. Its the local community and councils that have to foot the bill. As well as being a blight on the landscape, the dumping could also impact on water quality and the ecosystem.

Theres nappies down there too, he said. It is a mile from the River Suck. It is on the Galway side but they also dump on the Roscommon side. He added that animals were also being abandoned in the area. Before Christmas seven pups were dumped in three different locations, he said. We saved five of them and our neighbours took two. Like other animal welfare charities, Animal Haven Ireland has noticed a significant increase in the number of animals being surrendered to it.

Dumping about a mile and a half from Dysart along the Dysart-Ahascragh road.

We rehomed 470 dogs and 144 cats last year, said Mr Gallagher. Every day I get a message on our Facebook page wanting to take in another dog. We have a kennels in Kerry. Any dogs I rescue in this area, they go there. We have paid staff down there and a lot of volunteers. It can hold up to 120 dogs at one time. We had 120 dogs in October, we got down to about 30 at Christmas, but we are probably back up to 60 now again. He said that in the past the area was subject to significant poaching and the carcasses would have been dumped and left for others to deal with.

But that has died out completely in this area due to all the publicity, he said.

He warned that the perpetrators of illegal dumping can be found relatively easily by sifting through the rubbish and can face prosecution.

On one occasion, I found a public services card, he said. The dumpers also left six puppies there as well. The perpetrators use the network of local roads to fly tip before leaving the scene.

They never get caught in the act, Mr Gallagher said. The only way to deal with it is CCTV. I am aware of an area that was always targeted by dumpers, but they have put up CCTV and I have never seen a bag there since. Animal Haven Ireland can be contacted on its Facebook page or on the Animal Haven Athlone Facebook page.
Chile Fire Latest News

Chile Fire Latest News

Chile Fire Latest News: In a shocking incident, as many as eight children among 14 people died in the fire that broke out in immigrant neighborhood in Chile. Investigations have been initiated to determine the source of the fire. Preliminary details suggest that the incident may have resulted from a makeshift stove in a residence with limited access, prompting the need for comprehensive reports.

In Santiago, a fire in an improvised immigrant settlement in Coronel, southern Chile, claimed the lives of 14 individuals, primarily children, on Monday night, as confirmed by local authorities. Hugo Cuevas, the chief prosecutor of Coronel, mentioned that the victims seem to be undocumented Venezuelan immigrants.

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Reports have been commissioned to establish the origin of the fire, which, according to preliminary information, was caused by a handmade stove in a house that only had one access point.

At an event, discussing Chile's new proposed constitution in Santiago on Monday, President Gabriel Boric expressed sadness about the fire, urging reflection on how society treats those who lost their lives.

The government, led by Interior Minister Carolina Toha, organized an official delegation to go to Coronel, investigating the incident and coordinating essential assistance, as mentioned on X.
India will be able to make payments in rupees via UPI in france.

The Unified Payments Interface, an instant payment system, devised by the National...

India's UPI launched in France news: India officially introduced UPI at the renowned Eiffel Tower On Friday, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aspiration to globalize UPI. The Unified Payments Interface, an instant payment system, devised by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), was established in 2016.

India's UPI launch in France marks a significant step towards fulfilling the vision of taking India's innovative payment system to an international stage. The Eiffel Tower setting symbolizes the grand unveiling of UPI, showcasing the country's technological advancements in the financial domain under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. The NPCI's pioneering efforts in creating this seamless payment interface have positioned India as a key player in the global financial technology landscape.

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During his visit to France in July last year, PM Modi announced an agreement between India and France related to the UPI payment machanism. He had said that Indian tourists in France would be able to make payment in Rupees.

While addressing the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris on July 14, 2023, PM modi said, "Be it India UPI or other digital platform, they have brought a huge social transformation in the country and I am happy that India and France are also working together in direction. India and France have agreed to use UPI in France".
Himachal Pradesh Solan Baddi Perfume Factory Fire Latest News

As of now, there has been no information about the cause of the fire at the Baddi Perfume Factory.

Himachal Pradesh's Baddi Perfume Factory Fire Latest News: As many as nine people are reportedly missing after a massive fire broke out at NR aroma perfume factory in the Baddi industrial area of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district. The tragic incident has left over 31 people injured.

As of now, there has been no information about the cause of the fire at the Baddi Perfume Factory while a forensic team has already been deployed to probe the matter. Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma said that some workers managed to run home, and they are trying to verify their names. Reportedly, nine people were still missing while the authorities have been making all the possible efforts to trace them.

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In the meanwhile, the adjacent buildings have been evacuated, and the affected area has been cordoned off, as a precautionary measure. As per the eyewitnesses, thick smoke coming out from the cosmetic materials within the factory affected firefighting efforts.

Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma also said that more than 50 people were present within the factory premises when the fire broke out. To escape the flames, the workers trapped inside the factory resorted to jumping from the first and second floors of the building which resulted in multiple injuries. Later, the injured people were taken to various medical facilities for their treatment.

As many as 12-13 fire tenders from Nalagarh, Baddi, Parwanoo, Haryana, and the Chandimandir Army station, were deployed to the scene to take control of the situation. Even the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the rescue operations at Jhadmazri. It was tough for the fire tenders to douse the flames as the inflammable substances and other cosmetics caught fire.

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(For more news apart from Himachal Pradesh's Baddi Perfume Factory Fire Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana SPokesman)
ISTANBUL, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Saturday detained 17 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) over their alleged links to the recent church attack in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

Police forces, in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization units, launched an operation against the suspects in the city, during which a large number of documents were seized, according to the broadcaster.

On Friday, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that Turkish authorities arrested 25 people in relation to the attack on charges of "membership in an organization" and "intentional homicide."

Two assailants, who were believed to be associated with the IS, shot a Turkish citizen dead during a service at the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul on Jan. 28.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the attackers from Tajikistan and Russia were detained on the same day. 
MOMBASA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- A luxury cruise ship carrying 2,500 foreign tourists including 200 Chinese docked at Kenya's port city of Mombasa on Saturday as senior officials reiterated the sector's revival was on course after pandemic-related hiatus.

Alfred Mutua, the cabinet secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, was among officials who received the cruise ship, MSC Poesia, whose 1,000 crew members included 20 from Kenya.

"As a country, we are proud to receive visitors aboard the cruise ship who have reaffirmed that we remain a top notch tourism destination," Mutua said, adding that in 2023, Kenya received 3,123 tourists who travelled via luxury ship.

Since January, Kenya has already received more than 5,000 luxury cruise liner passengers, Mutua disclosed, noting that cruise tourism has experienced a post-COVID-19 revival.

"We are expecting in excess of 12,000 visitors coming here through cruise ships. Kenya should be receiving 140,000 visitors by cruise shippers annually," Mutua said.

He added that Kenya is negotiating with cruise ship companies to market the country's scenic attractions, boost tourist arrivals, generate jobs and spur economic growth.

Kenya is committed to diversifying tourism products, conducting targeted marketing and improving security in order to increase annual tourist numbers from an average of 1.5 million to 10 million by 2030, Mutua said.

He said the government targets to generate 2 billion shillings (12.46 million U.S. dollars) from cruise tourism in 2024 while strengthening public health has been prioritized to attract additional luxury ships.

Mutua said that discussions are ongoing with owners of cruise ships to ensure their passengers are inoculated against yellow fever before they embark on the journey to the Kenyan coast, in line with World Health Organization(WHO) protocols.

He observed that visa exemption combined with seamless clearance procedures at the port of Mombasa has enhanced growth of cruise tourism in Kenya.

The cruise liner from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Poesia), one of the biggest luxury vessels to dock at the port of Mombasa measuring 294 meters, has been making brief stop overs at various ports across Africa. 
The school drum band prepares to perform for a farewell ceremony at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State, the United States, Jan. 30, 2024. The campus of Lincoln High School in Tacoma of Washington State was brimming with warmth and enthusiasm on Tuesday as the students who will embark on a journey to China for an exchange program bade farewell to their peers. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

TACOMA, United States, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The campus of Lincoln High School in Tacoma of Washington State was brimming with warmth and enthusiasm on Tuesday as the students who will embark on a journey to China for an exchange program bade farewell to their peers.

Inspirited and galvanized by the performances of the school drum band, the audience, from witnesses of people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, to the youths who will soon visit China, became keener to cement the bond between the youths of the two nations.

In September 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Lincoln High School during his first state visit to the United States as Chinese president and invited young Americans to visit China.

From cordial meetings to correspondence, the precious moments of Xi's exchanges and interactions with the students and school staff over the years have brought back fond memories among them, sowing the seeds of friendship which have taken root and sprouted and are now flourishing.

TWO SISTERS, TWO CHINA VISITS

Montserrat Romero-Rocha, a 12th-grade student, is one of 10 Lincoln High School students who will leave for China in March.

Montserrat comes from a modest immigrant family, and traveling abroad was a distant thing for her.

"I feel really grateful and in shock! I still haven't fully processed that this is reality but I am so happy regardless."

This is the second time luck has befallen her family.

In 2016, her elder sister Abranna Romero-Rocha was one of the 100 students who got a chance to visit China. Montserrat still reminisced about the ecstatic moment when her mother learned of the exciting news.

"Beautiful Chinese poem books still sit on my shelves. The effects of that trip have rippled down through me. Her story also sparks nostalgia and hope in me," Montserrat said.

Talking about her plan for the exchange program in China, Montserrat voiced hope that she will learn more, explore more, and make greater progress.

At Lincoln High School, many students share the same wish as Montserrat -- to observe China with their own eyes, listen to China with their own ears, and measure China with their own footsteps.

They have expressed their perception and expectation of China and Chinese culture:

"China has always been a place that I have admired and been a dream of mine to go to."

"I believe that the insights gained from a firsthand encounter with China would not only broaden my perspective but also contribute to my personal growth."

"China seems like a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. I am genuinely intrigued by the prospect of witnessing these facets firsthand."

...

"If I could say anything to President Xi, I'd really just want to thank him for planting the seed of relation between Tacoma and China." said Montserrat.

"TAKE CARE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA"

In the eyes of Patrick Erwin, then principal of Lincoln High School, it was such an honor for the teachers and students to receive Xi's visit in 2015.

Citing a Chinese saying that "Read 10,000 books and travel 10,000 miles," the Chinese president voiced hope that more young Americans will visit China so as to have a glimpse of a real China in a multi-dimensional and comprehensive manner and build more bridges of close affinity between the two peoples.

During the ceremony on Tuesday, Erwin especially recalled a memorable moment of Xi's visit to the school. During his stay, Xi asked if the school had many students who traveled abroad, and Erwin admitted that there were not many.

To Erwin's great surprise, in 2016, students from Lincoln High School were invited by Xi to visit China as his guests.

In 2016, 118 teachers and students from the school were invited to visit Hong Kong, Fuzhou, Chengdu, Beijing and other places in China.

Among them, more than one-fifth of the students flew for the first time in their lives.

Erwin felt that this was a life-changing opportunity for everyone.

Before the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2021, Erwin sent a letter to Xi, briefing him on Lincoln High School's exchanges with China and extending New Year greetings.

Erwin has witnessed the youths of the two countries forging lifelong friendships and looking forward to a closer bond between the two peoples by strengthening student exchanges and educational cooperation.

In 2023, the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association in Washington State, not least students from Lincoln High School, and friendly people from all walks of life wrote to Xi.

In his reply, Xi said he hopes more youths from China and the United States can get to know each other, move forward together, become generational ambassadors of bilateral friendship, and continuously inject impetus into the development of bilateral ties.

John Hines, deputy mayor of Tacoma and an alumnus of Lincoln High School, told reporters that he was glad that American students had the opportunity to communicate, establish contacts and broaden their horizons in China. "It is one thing to read or hear about China. Only by visiting China can understanding be formed, and learning from each other can promote the future development of bilateral relations."

Ron Chow, co-chairman of the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, said, "We hope that is a trip of a lifetime."

Richard Murray, mayor of Steilacoom, Washington State, recalled that his predecessor Ron Lucas, who had dedicated 20 years to growing relations with China, told him, during his last days, "to take care of our relationship with China. How important it was."

BE PART OF "SAN FRANCISCO VISION"

During a meeting in November last year, Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden laid out a future-oriented "San Francisco vision" with a special focus on jointly promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

In his speech at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States, Xi said that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years to increase exchanges between the two peoples, especially between the youths.

Since the beginning of this year, people-to-people exchanges have become more vibrant with youth exchange programs at the forefront, injecting a steady stream of youthful vitality into the friendship between the two peoples.

Karl Hoseth, principal of Lincoln High School, said they're "honored and thrilled to have ten students that will be going in March and excited to continue this partnership with China for now and for many years to come."

Fu Bo, deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange, said that in the future, China will set up a YES program -- the Young Envoys Scholarship to provide more high-quality platforms and channels for American students to come to China for exchange programs between schools, short visits, summer schools, winter camps, and even to study for credits or degrees.

Montserrat and her classmates are looking forward to the trip across the Pacific in spring.

"I am inclined to believe that the strongest connection found is with its people," the American girl said earnestly.

"I am immensely proud to be a part of the San Francisco vision orientated towards the future, which is so cool," she added. 

Montserrat Romero-Rocha (C), a 12th-grade student who will leave for China in March, attend a farewell ceremony at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State, the United States, Jan. 30, 2024. The campus of Lincoln High School in Tacoma of Washington State was brimming with warmth and enthusiasm on Tuesday as the students who will embark on a journey to China for an exchange program bade farewell to their peers. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The school drum band performs during a farewell ceremony at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State, the United States, Jan. 30, 2024. The campus of Lincoln High School in Tacoma of Washington State was brimming with warmth and enthusiasm on Tuesday as the students who will embark on a journey to China for an exchange program bade farewell to their peers. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte agreed to further deepen cooperation between the two countries in a phone conversation on Friday evening.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, China and the Netherlands have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, while bilateral dialogue and cooperation have yielded fruitful results.

Li noted that the two countries are each other's important economic and trade partners, with bilateral trade volume staying at a high level for many years in a row. The two countries' cooperation in agriculture, water conservancy, science and technology has been at the forefront of China-EU cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their people, he said.

Practice has fully proved that only openness and cooperation can yield a better win-win situation and best serve the fundamental interests of both sides, Li said, expressing the hope that the Dutch side will continue to work with China to seek common ground while shelving differences, so as to uphold the good situation of bilateral cooperation.

China is ready to work with the Netherlands to further deepen practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, tourism and at sub-national levels, facilitate exchanges of personnel visits, for the sake of better mutual benefit and win-win results, Li said.

For his part, Rutte extended warm wishes to the Chinese people for the upcoming Spring Festival, and said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, while the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields.

He said the Netherlands is ready to deepen cooperation with China in economy, trade and other fields, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, jointly safeguard the openness of the global economy, and promote the further development of Dutch-China and EU-China relations.


Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, has extended his gratitude for China's support in improving the public health of the continent, expecting to deepen cooperation with China in the new year.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
SANAA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's armed Houthi group said they struck the Israeli city of Eilat on Friday with several ballistic missiles.

The group struck "specific targets" in the city to demonstrate its "support to the Palestinian people in facing the Israeli war and blockade," said Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV.

"We will not hesitate to carry out further military operations against the Zionist enemy (Israel) on land and at sea until the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted," he said.

Hours earlier, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the Red Sea. No sirens were triggered during the incident.

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October last year, the armed Houthi group in northern Yemen has launched multiple missiles and drones toward Israel in what the Houthis said was to support the Palestinian people in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

In November, a Houthi suicide bomb-laden drone hit a school in the southern city of Eilat, causing minor injuries, according to Israeli media outlets.

The Houthi escalation in the region and the Red Sea, which had already disrupted international shipping, raised tensions across the Middle East that could expand the conflict and hinder the regional peace process. 
India is targeting a 10% share of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in sixth-generation (6G) technology through collaborative efforts led by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), and other relevant entities, as highlighted by a senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY). Meenakshi Agarwal, Scientist 'D' at MeitY, underscored the importance of strengthening privacy and cybersecurity regulations, as well as the development of energy-efficient technologies, according to an official statement.

Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said that the standards, technology, and regulation constitute the crucial pillars of 6G technology. He said that the evolution from human-to-machine communication in 5G to machine-to-machine communication is a paradigm shift. However, deploying 6G technology poses significant challenges, requiring meticulous attention to standards to overcome the complexities associated with advancements in telecommunication. He also lauded India's announcement of the Bharat 6G vision and India's active participation in international standards bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)", Das said, as per the statement.

To recall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released Indias 6G Vision Bharat 6G Vision document on March 23, 2023 which envisages India to be a frontline contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030. Consequently, the efforts of the telecom department have successfully resulted in the adoption of Ubiquitous Connectivity, Ubiquitous Intelligence and Sustainability as key elements of 6G technology and also enhanced Indias position in the international telecom space.

Late last year, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) issued a framework for establishing standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth generation of mobile systems. V Sridhar from IIIT Bangalore presented the findings of a collaborative project involving CUTS, IIIT Bangalore, and the Australian Risk Policy Institute (ARPI), titled "Ethical 6G: Identifying Elements of Ethical and Regulatory Framework for 6G and Creating Opportunities for India and Australia". Highlighting features such as high-frequency communication and the Internet of Nano Things, Sridhar emphasized the critical role of zero-trust systems in ensuring security in the context of 6G.
NEW YORK, N.Y.  If youre planning a date night with your honey or a day trip with your family, consider a visit to ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination.

The exhibition, which premiered on Dec. 1, 2023, offers visitors a mesmerizing audio-visual journey that celebrates the power of imagination, underscoring the idea that everyone possesses a boundless sense of wonder.

My family, including my daughters, ages 23 and 20, visited recently and enjoyed this small but mesmerizing exhibition, a unique immersive experience that blurred the lines between technology-generated art and human creativity.

The exhibition is housed in a former 100-year-old boiler room beneath the iconic Chelsea Market at 439 W 15th St. in Manhattan. The exhibition is suitable for the entire family, and you can grab a bite in Chelsea Market afterwards.

* * * To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit Artechouse.

ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, is a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

A VIBRANT IMMERSION

The experience is basically an immersion in a vibrant display of colorful images within a cozy but spacious-enough room. Participants sit or lay on the floor, observing psychedelic-style projections on the walls, accompanied by original music. There are benches for folks who prefer not to lounge on the floor.

Full disclosure: While the technology and colors are impressive, if youre prone to motion sickness, limit your time looking at the moving images. The exhibit itself is small but very well thought, utilizing custom generative AI systems to develop all original visual materials for this large-sale experiential installation.

The graphics and sound are worth the trip, as it bathes visitors on all sides, including the floor. Numerous narratives unfold simultaneously during the presentation, making it worthwhile to watch more than once to fully grasp everything.

ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, is a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

CUSTOM GENERATIVE AI SYSTEMS

At ARTECHOUSE, weve always strived to bring the future of art into the present, said Sandro Kereselidze, founder and chief creative officer of ARTECHOUSE. As a leading innovative art space at the intersection of art and technology, we enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to experiment with the latest accessible tools that emerge in our field.

With World of AImagination, we continue our collaboration between human creativity and machine learning tools to explore new expressions in todays dynamic art landscape, inviting everyone to experience a glimpse of boundless possibilities of the innovative age of artificial imagination.

ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, is a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

SIX UNIQUE SCENES

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a 20-minute cinematic journey, aptly named theWorld of AImagination where guests are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey through six captivating scenes that blend the familiar with the novel.

The six scenes include: GAN Mecca, inspired by M.C. Escher and Zaha Hadid; Submerge; the Library of Magical Portals where colossal books beckon with dreams and algorithms; the ever-morphing Symphony of Illusions; the Infinite Maze; and finally, The Dreamers Emporium, an evolving collaboration between human ingenuity and AI.

The creation process began with a human-led concept design that evolved into a captivating visual narrative across six scenes, said Riki Kim, executive creative director at ARTECHOUSE, about the work that went into creating the title piece. Integrating NVIDIA hardware and cutting-edge generative AI tools, extensive research and development was undertaken to address the complexities of machine learning models.

ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, is a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

LARGEST MEGAPIXEL COUNT

Our visual lead dived into stable diffusion for 3D model animation, while the software team optimized various GAN models for animated textures, resulting in over a million unique data points, said Kim.

Despite the immersive gallerys scale, our team innovated to create controlled, high-resolution visuals, harmoniously blending traditional 3D animation with generative AI. The entire endeavor relied on accelerated computing and necessitated a high degree of software and system configuration customization, added Kim.

The intimate digital art space utilizes the largest seamless megapixel count projections of any cultural institution and integrates Hyperreal Sound technology, offering visitors and artists alike the most technologically advanced and unique art platform in the world.

ARTECHOUSEs latest digital art exhibition, World of AImagination, is a feast for the senses that celebrates the intersection between human creativity and artificial imagination. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

ABOUT ARTECHOUSE

An industry leader in the field of digital and experiential art, ARTECHOUSE expands the possibilities of art and how we experience it through cutting-edge technology-driven exhibitions and experiences.

ARTECHOUSE connects progressive ideas, artists and audiences to stimulate innovation and creativity at the intersection of art, science and technology.

In addition to AI, ARTECHOUSE Studio worked with collaborators, including software and machine learning development by Intent Dev and Idzard Kwadijk, visual leadership by Scott Pagano, an original music composition by Mehmet Unal, and Sound design and mixing by Tilde Sound Art.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A $3 million scratch-off ticket was claimed recently in Westchester County, one of three top prizes in the Triple Jackpot 777, according to a press release issued last week by the New York Lottery.

Andrea Garvey, 54, purchased the ticket at Memorial Stationery on E Sandford Blvd. in her hometown of Mount Vernon.

She opted to receive a lump sum payment of $1,386,630 after the required withholdings, notes the press release.

Store manager Hatem Haddad told lohud he recalled Garvey, who was a regular customer, buying the ticket in late November.

God bless her, Haddad said. She deserves it. Shes a very nice lady.

A few days later, she cashed another ticket for $400, Haddad added.

New Yorks scratch-off games generated $4.4 billion in total sales during the fiscal year of 2022-2023.

According to New York Lottery, school districts in Westchester County received $155 million in Lottery Aid to Education funds during the same period.
NEW YORK (AP)  New Yorks American Museum of Natural History is closing two halls featuring Native American objects starting Saturday, acknowledging the exhibits are severely outdated and contain culturally sensitive items.

The mammoth complex across from Central Park on Manhattans Upper West Side is the latest U.S. institution to cover up or remove Native American exhibits to comply with recently revamped federal regulations dealing with the display of Indigenous human remains and cultural items.

The museum said in October that it would pull all human remains from public display, with the aim of eventually repatriating as much as it could to Native American tribes and other rightful owners.

Sean Decatur, the museums president, said in a letter to staff Friday that the latest move reflects the growing urgency among museums to change their relationships with tribes and how they exhibit Indigenous cultures.

The halls we are closing are vestiges of an era when museums such as ours did not respect the values, perspectives, and indeed shared humanity of Indigenous peoples, he wrote. Actions that may feel sudden to some may seem long overdue to others.

Earlier this month, Chicagos Field Museum covered several displays containing Native American items. Harvard Universitys Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology has said it would remove all Native American funerary items from its exhibits. The Cleveland Museum of Art is another institution that has taken similar steps.

Shannon OLoughlin, head of the Association on American Indian Affairs, a national group that has long called for museums to comply with the federal requirements, welcomed such developments but said the true test is what ultimately becomes of the removed items.

Covering displays or taking things down isnt the goal, she said. Its about repatriation  returning objects back to tribes. So this is just one part of a much bigger process.

Todd Mesek, a Cleveland Museum of Art spokesperson, said the institution is consulting with Native American groups to secure their consent to display certain items as well as reviewing archival records to determine if there is already some agreement on record.

Jason Newton, a Harvard spokesperson, said the Peabody is committed to returning all ancestral remains and funerary items and has more than doubled the number of staffers working toward that end in recent months. The museum also announced this month that it would cover the expenses of tribal members traveling to campus as part of the repatriation process.

The revised regulations released in December by the U.S. Department of the Interior are related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. The changes include expanded requirements for consulting with and receiving tribes consent to exhibit and conduct research on Indigenous artifacts, including human remains and funerary, sacred and cultural objects.

Native American groups have long complained that museums, colleges and other institutions dragged out the process of returning hundreds of thousands of culturally significant items.

The only exception to repatriation is if a museum or institution can prove they received consent at the time the item was taken, OLoughlin said. But most institutions cant do that, of course, because these items and bodies were usually taken through violence, theft and looting.

Decatur said in the letter that rather than simply covering up or removing items in the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains Halls, the ones closing this weekend, the decision was made to shutter them entirely because they are severely outdated.

Meanwhile, some displays elsewhere in the museum, including ones showcasing Native Hawaiian items, will be covered, he added.

Decatur acknowledged one consequence of the closures will be the suspension of visits to them by school field trips. The Eastern Woodlands Hall, in particular, has been a mainstay for New York-area students learning about Native American life in the Northeast.

The museum remains committed to supporting the teaching of Indigenous cultures, Decatur said, and officials are reviewing the new federal regulations to understand their implications.

OLoughlin of the Association on American Indian Affairs said there isnt as much gray area as museum officials might suggest.

The new regulations make it crystal clear, she said. It doesnt prohibit research. It doesnt prohibit exhibiting native cultural heritage. It only requires prior and informed consent before doing so.

___

By PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press

Associated Press writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this story.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The application period for the 2024 class of Empire State Fellows is open and seeking applicants.

The full-time leadership training program prepares the next wave of professionals for careers as New York state policymakers and features an annual salary of $85,000. Dating back 12 years ago, the program has seen graduates move on to accept senior roles, among them deputy commissioner, deputy secretary, and chief of staff positions within various state agencies.

The Empire State Fellows Program has served as a gateway for some of New Yorks best and brightest looking to make a difference in their communities through a career in public service, Hochul said. We look forward to welcoming the next class of fellows into this transformative program. Anyone who dreams of making a positive change in the lives of New Yorkers is encouraged to apply and join the ranks of our future leaders.

The incoming class of 2024 will partake in the program beginning on Sept. 12. In addition to the considerable salary, the program features a benefits package.

During the fellowship, participants will engage in educational and professional development programs aimed at producing efficient and ethical government leaders. The educational component of the program initially begins at the orientation course in September. From there, educational coursework will proceed on a semi-monthly basis. During that time, professional development activities look to foster collaboration skills.

As part of the program, the governors office will pair each Empire State fellow with a commissioner, deputy commissioner, or other high-level policymaker at a New York agency or authority, or in the executive chamber. Assignments provide fellows with an experience working alongside senior officials and gives them a close look at the policy-making process in New York.

Once at the end of the program, high-performing candidates will be given the opportunity to go on to serve as New York state leaders.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY

Candidates will be selected based on their academic and professional experience, leadership potential, and commitment to public service.

To apply, candidates must fill out the online application form. A completed application will include a professional resume or CV, a professional statement explaining the candidates interest and why they should be selected, and two letters or recommendation shedding light on the candidates abilities as a leader and professional.

Applicants seeking selection should possess the following qualifications, as listed on NY.gov:

Professionalism:

Leadership potential and creativity.

Analytical and evaluative skills.

Interpersonal and communication skills, and more.

For additional sought after qualifications, visit NY.gov.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of full-time professional experience (from all professional backgrounds).

Demonstrated leadership skills.

Managerial experience is a bonus.

Education:

An advanced university degree (masters degree, JD, PhD or equivalent). A candidate with only a bachelors degree might be considered if he/she possesses considerable professional experience.

All academic disciplines will be considered.

Additional requirements:

Applicants must be eligible to work for New York state without employer sponsorship.

Applicants must be able to work in Albany, N.Y. throughout the two-year fellowship.

Current New York state executive and legislative branch employees are barred from the Empire State Fellows Program.

Although applications opened on Jan. 5, they will be accepted through April 1.

Those seeking additional information on the fellowship and how to apply may visit NY.gov.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Grace OConnor, 81, passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, surrounded by family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was happiest when in the company of her family. When her health deteriorated and Grace struggled to get out, she found joy in her friends on Facebook. She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren and twin brother. Read the full obituary on SILive.

Judith Judy Ann Capuccio of New Dorp peacefully passed away on Jan. 22, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Judy lit up a room - she had a vibrant personality and embraced life with spirit. She will be fondly remembered as a generous, kind and loving soul. Judy delighted in taking trips to Aruba, where she celebrated life and created unforgettable moments with friends and family. Her life-long love for the music of Johnny Mathis took her cross-country to watch him perform, a cherished memory that she held dear. Read the full obituary on SILive.

On Jan. 13, 2024 Isabel Pesci passed away after a few short illnesses. Isabel lived a long, wonderful life and was a very resilient, courageous and loved woman. Born Isabel Kotarski in Hudson, Mass. on May 13, 1922. Isabel graduated through her 12 grades of school in Hudson, Mass. Following graduation from high school, she worked in a sewing factory prior to WWII. Toward the end of WWII Isabel also volunteered as a candy striper at Framingham hospital in Framingham, Mass. Isabel moved to Staten Island, N.Y. where the Pesci family lived. Isabel and Alphonse bought their first home at Morningstar Road and raised their first three daughters for a few years before moving to Arlene Street, where all five daughters were raised and where Isabel would reside for most of her life. Read the full obituary on SILive.

YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES

Native Staten Islander Carmela Millie Chironna passed away on Jan. 31, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Valerio; her infant son, Richard; her sisters Marie Ruggirello and Dorothy Clark; and her brothers Vincent and Dominick. She is survived by her sons: Robert (AnnMaria), Ronald (Carlynn), and Jon, and her grandsons, Jason and Jon. Read the full obituary on SILive.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Capt. Zeita Merchant, commander of The Port of New York -- who will attain the rank of rear admiral in April to become the highest-ranking African American woman in the U.S. Coast Guards (USGC) 233-year history -- says this historic achievement isnt about her.

While this is historic and I will soon be the first African American female to wear a star, it may be for me, but it is not about me, said Merchant.

In fact, Merchant, who was honored at a ceremony at Staten Island Borough Hall on Friday, says she owes it all to the Coast Guard members who helped guide her career path.

The journey that Ive had has been one of sacrifice, perseverance and hard work. But I could not have gotten here without the people from the day I walked in the door in my first unit, or the day that I started boot camp, that embraced me and made sure that the Coast Guard was where I wanted to be and should be, she said.

Members of the Coast Guard join Borough President Vito Fossella to honor Captain Zeita Merchant. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve WhiteSteve White for the Staten Island Advance

To honor Merchant for her service and historic accomplishments, Borough President Vito Fossella issued her a proclamation declaring February 2 Captain Zeita Merchant Day on Staten Island.

Every once in a while, people might get down, people get gloom and doom, and then along come people like Captain Merchant to remind us that we live in the greatest country in the world, said Fossella.

And we are the greatest country in the world because of the willingness of you all sacrifice. So, on behalf of my family and the 500,000 people of Staten Island, we say thank God youre here, and we wish you the very best, he added.

Borough President Vito Fossella honored Capt. Zeita Merchant of the U.S. Coast Guard on Feb.2 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Joining in the celebration of Captain Merchants accomplishments were numerous command staff from Sector New York, including Response Department Commander Michael Persun, Prevention Department Commander Dan McQuate, Logistics Department Commander Jeff Barnum, and Chief of the Vessel Inspections Division Commander Staci Weist.

Deputy Sector Commander Jonathan Andrechik, who will be elevated to commander of Sector New York following the changing of command, offered his own congratulations.

On behalf of all of us at Coast Guard Sector New York, we could not be prouder of Captain Merchant and her accomplishment, said Andrechik. Its not only a significant day for us who wear the uniform here in Staten Island, but its a historic day for our entire service as we prepare to witness Captain Merchants promotion in just a couple months.

ABOUT CAPT. ZEITA MERCHANT

After a lengthy confirmation process, Merchant was approved in December 2023 by Congress and will assume the rank during the Coast Guards Change of Command exercises in April. At that time, she will assume a new position in USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Captain Zeita Merchant, commander of Sector New York for the US Coast Guard poses at the US Coast Guard Station New York on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)Jason Paderon

Merchant recently told the Advance/SILive.com that working in New York City has been the assignment of a lifetime, one she could never have envisioned herself in as a young college kid from the South, who admittedly joined the Coast Guard solely for college debt assistance.

Today, shes considered one of the USCGs top certified emergency managers leading large-scale, multi-jurisdictional incident responses.

Captain Zeita Merchant, commander of Sector New York for the US Coast Guard poses at the US Coast Guard Station New York on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)Jason Paderon

BREAKING BARRIERS

Merchant quickly ascended the USCG ranks during her nearly 27-year career. She also continued her education and earned a great many commendations  while tearing through color and gender barriers along the way.

In most of her leadership roles in the USCG shes either been the first minority or the first woman to hold the position  and most times she was both.

Capt. Jonathan Andrechik will take over Capt. Merchant's position when she leaves for Washington to DC as Admiral.(Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Her promotion, she hopes, will shine a light on the Coast Guard for young African American women who are unfamiliar with it, as she was while growing up in Mississippi.

People on the outside then get to consider the Coast Guard because they see someone that looks like them . . . and are, in turn, inspired by it, she said. That is what I see. Im giving them something that I didnt have.

Her current position is also historic for the Coast Guard, as shes the first-ever minority to hold the position of captain of the Port of New York.

A graduate of Tougaloo College, Merchant holds a masters degree in public administration from The George Washington University and both a masters degree and a doctorate from the former National Graduate School at New England Institute of Business.

Shes also graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Governments Executive Education Leadership in Homeland Security Course, and is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI National Security and Foreign Affairs Fellow.

Capt. Merchant will attain the rank of rear admiral in April to become the highest-ranking African American woman in the U.S. Coast Guards (USGC) 233-year history (Steve White for the Staten Island AdvanceSteve White for the Staten Island Advance

During her career, shes commanded maritime operations at Marine Safety Unit Chicago, served as executive officer of Marine Safety Unit Texas City, chief of port operations at Sector Miami and as a marine inspector and port operations officer at the Marine Safety Office in New Orleans.

Shes also received personal military honors, including three Meritorious Service Medals, six Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, three Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals and four Commandants Letters of Commendation, among others.

I have gotten to know her over the last couple of years, said Fossella. She is a wonderful person. She cares deeply about these men and women in her sector, she cares deeply about her country, and she cares deeply about New York and Staten Island. She will now assume the rank of Rear Admiral. We will miss you and you should know that you will always have a home here. Our loss is Washingtons gain.
BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Over 800 officials in the United States, Britain, and the European Union (EU) issued a public letter expressing dissent against their governments' backing of Israel in the Gaza conflict, the New York Times reported.

Current and former officials who are organizing or supporting the effort said the letter is "the first instance of officials in allied nations across the Atlantic coming together to openly criticize their governments over the war," said the U.S.-based media outlet on Friday.

According to a copy obtained by The New York Times on Thursday, the letter expressed the officials' concern, who said "Our governments' current policies weaken their moral standing and undermine their ability to stand up for freedom, justice and human rights globally."

"There is a plausible risk that our governments' policies are contributing to grave violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and even ethnic cleansing or genocide," read the letter.

The signers, according to the report, said that they have tried to raise concerns through internal channels but have been ignored.

According to the report, about 80 of the signers are affiliated with American agencies, with the State Department constituting the largest group. Among the signers, the most represented governing authority is the collective EU institutions, followed by the Netherlands and the United States. 
The U.S. Department of State advises citizens to reconsider travel to Jamaica due to a substantial number of murders and other crimes.

The level three reconsider travel advisory is just under the level four advisory which cautions against travel, saying do not travel.

An alarming surge in crimes and a lack of medical services within the nation has prompted officials to urge travel reconsideration.

Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides, are common, the travel advisory said. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

The pervasiveness of crime is apparent by the 65 murders, which took place between Jan. 1 and Jan. 27, 2024, as recorded by the Jamaica Constabulary Force. For several years now, Jamaicas homicide rate reported by the government of Jamaica has been among the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere.

In that same time frame of Jan. 1 through Jan. 27, there have been 21 reported instances of rape, 50 robberies and 60 break-ins, as reported by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

To make matters worse, the advisory states that local police often do not often effectively respond to serious crimes. Even when arrests are made, cases frequently fail to reach conclusive sentences.

Emergency services vary across the island, and the quality of care may vary from those standards customary in the U.S. Jamaican public hospitals are also noted in the travel advisory for being under-resourced. Meanwhile, private hospitals require payment up front and they may not even hold the capability of providing specialized care.

The U.S Department of State encourages potential visitors to obtain travelers insurance, including medical evacuation insurance.

Those planning a vacation may also wish to steer clear from the Bahamas. The U.S. Department of State issued an advisory asking travelers to exercise increased caution due to heightened crime. Nassau and Freeport reportedly contain much of the danger; with Nassau bearing fatal gang-violence in the Over the Hill area.
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When her parents announced they would be leaving their home in Mongolia for a new life in Australia last year, Nandinsondor Bayarjargal, who goes by the name of Ava, was not concerned about a language barrier: she had been studying English for three years.

However, arriving in Sydney, the experience of trying to converse with native speakers was overwhelming.

Nandinsondor Ava Bayarjargal, left, attended Central Sydney Intensive English High School. Pictured with principal Arety Dassaklis. Credit: Brook Mitchell

I felt embarrassed, to be honest. I learnt English in Mongolia before I came to Australia, but [in Sydney] I didnt understand quite often, she said.

First of all, they were speaking, like, so fast. Then theres the Aussie accent. The pronunciation is sometimes very different.
For riders, share bikes are a good way to scoot through city traffic, but when dumped they turn footpaths into obstacle courses for pedestrians. Now riders caught abandoning hire bikes may have to pay for the inconvenience.

A pilot program in Pyrmont will encourage riders to park in dedicated zones or risk fines from the companies they hire from, following complaints about share bikes blocking paths and causing hazards for pedestrians.

The City of Sydney has received 102 complaints about share bikes blocking footpaths and streets since July last year when thousands were installed on Sydney streets. Credit: Rhett Wyman

There have been calls for greater regulation of share bikes, as councils are powerless to penalise operators that fail to deal with dumping.

The City of Sydney has received 102 complaints about share bikes blocking footpaths and streets since July last year when thousands of green, blue and purple e-bikes were placed on Sydney streets.
The architect of Australias HECS system says universities should pay a controversial international student tax, with public funds part of the reason top institutions have made billions from foreign fees.

The proposed levy on about $10 billion in international student fees, which is strongly opposed by most universities, is widely expected to be included in the federal government-commissioned University Accord report to be released later this month.

Opponents of the tax scheme say it reduces international students to cash cows rather than participants in our education system.

Australian National University economics professor Bruce Chapman said a levy, paid by universities as a percentage of foreign student fees, would give the government a way to compensate the whole system for decades of taxpayer subsidies.

The oldest universities  have been given resources over a very long period of time so when they go out into the international market and charge students to come, part of the benefit is coming to them directly from taxpayers, he said.
The Minns government faces a growing backlash over plans to rezone land across Sydney for thousands of new homes, with a Labor mayor saying the timetable to implement planning reforms is unrealistic and wont happen.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said 138,000 new homes could be built in the next 15 years under the transport-oriented development (TOD) program.

But two Ku-ring-gai councillors say the council will not sit back and allow the planning reforms to occur, claiming it will lead to the widespread destruction of heritage properties, massive tree loss and traffic gridlock.

The Minns government plans to rezone land near stations such as Roseville for thousands of new homes. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Inner West Labor mayor Darcy Byrne said the state government had not provided dwelling numbers or targets, which makes it difficult to understand precisely what is being proposed.
Police have released CCTV footage and images of four persons of interest who they wish to question in relation to the stabbing murder of a 70-year-old grandmother in front of her granddaughter at a shopping centre car park near Brisbane.

Emergency services were called to the Redbank Plains car park in Ipswich about 6.10pm on Saturday following reports of the stabbing.

The woman, identified as Vyleen White, had sustained life-threatening injuries in what police have confirmed was an armed robbery. She died at the scene a short time later after attempts to revive her failed.

Her six-year-old granddaughter was also assessed at the scene, but was not physically injured.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivers an important speech in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

TIANJIN, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.

On Friday morning, Xi met with representatives of the Tianjin garrison command and posed for group photos with them.

Xi said that troops stationed in Tianjin have resolutely implemented the decisions and instructions of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC over the past year, made concrete advancement in various areas of work and excelled in completing major tasks.

Commending the troops' performance in supporting Tianjin in its flood relief efforts, Xi said their contributions have been significant to the protection of people's lives and property.

For the new year, Xi urged the full implementation of the Party's thinking on strengthening the military and military strategy for the new era, and efforts to achieve the goals set for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027.

Xi also stressed that as the 2024 Spring Festival approaches, the country's armed forces should strengthen combat readiness, safeguard national security, and maintain social stability to ensure people have a joyful and peaceful Spring Festival. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), meets with representatives of troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China's Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Its red, sleek and almost the size of a dinghy. Emblazoned on its flank is 325, letting potential buyers know much horsepower it packs  equivalent to some modern sports cars.

The 2024 Sea-Doo RXT-X jet-ski  or offshore performance watercraft  is the latest offering from the Canadian brand manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products.

Sales have hit highs in Australia in recent years, and new models are getting bigger, faster, and more expensive  the RXT-X starts at $33,064, according to Sea-Doos website  as demand soars.

Since 1991, the length of a Sea-Doo has increased from 2.44 metres to 3.45 metres. The engine has gone from a humble 60 horsepower, reaching a top speed of 74km/h, to 325 horsepower with speeds of more than 100km/h.
Several hundred cattle have disembarked a live export ship anchored off Perths coast, as the federal government continues to defend its handling of the six-day saga.

More than 16,000 sheep and cattle have been aboard the MV Bahijah for more than a month, a live export vessel which departed on January 5 bound for the Middle East.

The MV Bahijah has been sitting off the WA coast for almost one week. Credit: 9News Perth

The Department of Agriculture ordered the ship to return just one week into its journey amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea.

But the federal government has been lashed for its handling of the incident since the ship reached WA on January 29, with animal welfare advocates levelling legal action and farming bodies slamming the inaction.
Taylor Swift, poet laureate of girls, has a new boyfriend. Anyone who has an internet connection and eyes will have clocked this. She is in a relationship with Travis Kelce, an American football hero who was already quite famous as tight-end for the Kansas City Chiefs. When Swift started turning up at his games, he got much, much more famous.

Footage of the pop star delightedly hugging and kissing Kelce as he won a recent match, catapulting him to the Super Bowl in a fortnights time, went viral last week. So did right-wing conspiracy theories, aired breezily on Fox News, about Swift being a Pentagon-planted asset infiltrating Americas beloved game.

Images and footage of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kissing have gone viral. Credit: AP

Cue a new wave of nasty right-wing trolling of Swift  yet another dire measure of the bogusness of the MAGA Republicans. They fear Swift because she is enormously popular and has endorsed Democrat Party candidates. Polling shows nearly 20 per cent of voters would be influenced by which candidate she endorses. Shes an incredible songwriter; she also has the power to impact elections.

The political weaponisation of Swifts private life is indicative of the increasing ideological polarisation of the United States; polarisation which is radiating outwards to the rest of the globe (with some eager encouragement from self-interested politicians).
London: The two 16-year-old convicted murderers of a transgender teenager in north-west England nearly a year ago were handed life sentences with minimum prison terms of 20 and 22 years.

Justice Amanda Yip lifted the reporting restrictions on naming the killers of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey. They were identified at Manchester Crown Court as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. Credit: AP

The horrific murder shocked the nation. Ghey was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back in broad daylight after being lured to a park in the town of Warrington on February 11, 2023.

Yip handed Ratcliffe and Jenkinson a mandatory life sentence and ordered them to serve a minimum term of 20 and 22 years, respectively, before they could be eligible for parole. If they had been adults  over the age of 18  they would have faced much longer minimum terms. They will be transferred to adult prisons when they turn 18. Neither showed a visible reaction when being sentenced.
Paris: A man armed with a knife and a hammer wounded three people at the bustling Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, another nerve-rattling security incident before the Olympics Games open in six months.

The 31-year-old man, carrying residency papers from Italy and medicines suggesting he was undergoing treatment, was quickly taken into police custody following the attack at 7:35am in one of the stations cavernous halls, authorities said. Millions of passengers ride the hubs high-speed and commuter trains.

Police investigators work inside the Gare de Lyon station after the attack. Credit: AP

This individual appears to suffer from psychiatric troubles, said Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief who is also in charge of the massive security operation for the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11.

While stressing that the police investigation was still in early stages, Nunez said: There are no elements that lead us to think that this could be a terrorist act.
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 Chris Salley is exactly the type of voter Joe Biden cant afford to lose. Smart, progressive and passionate, the 31-year-old was a rising star in the South Carolina Democratic Party until he left in October: angered by the presidents response to the war in Gaza; concerned Biden is too old for another term; feeling like young, black voters were not being heard. When the Democrats held their first presidential primary race in Salleys home state on Sunday (AEDT), he chose not to vote, describing it as a coronation of the incumbent rather than a truly democratic contest. Asked about the prospect of a presidential rematch between Biden and Donald Trump in November, his answer is consistent with that of many other Americans. Its the election nobody wanted, but everybodys getting, says former Democrat Chris Salley. Its the election nobody wanted, but everybodys getting, says the former chair of the Anderson County Democrats in the states north-west. The Democrats first presidential nominating contest of 2024 did indeed feel like a coronation, with an 81-year-old president many Americans fear cant beat Trump or wont last another four years if he does.

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Sure, there were other candidates  Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and self-help guru Marianne Williamson  but the incumbent has the backing, and the resources, of the Democratic establishment. Loading In the end, the results reflected this. Biden secured more than 95 per cent of the vote; Phillips and Williamson earned about 2 per cent each. But this weeks primary also contained warning signs for a political leader who already faces record-low approval ratings and deep scepticism about his ability to do the job. Throughout South Carolina  a traditionally conservative state where black voters helped Biden secure the presidential nomination in 2020  feelings towards the president were mixed. Democrat Dean Phillips faces an uphill battle against the incumbent. Credit: Bloomberg Many raised economic anxieties about the soaring cost of living in America, where wages are not keeping pace with the price of food, fuel or housing.

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Some raised fears about Trump returning to the White House and were coming out to vote against the former president  not necessarily in favour of the current one. And others were disillusioned by the choices on offer or werent planning to vote at all. All I know is that its likely to be Trump and Biden [at the general election in November] and I dont want to vote for any of them, says Kathy Wilson, a 36-year-old voter who works in conservation. Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Credit: Bloomberg I just want a level-headed candidate: ideally a Democrat who isnt too far left, but I would even vote for a Republican that wasnt so far right and willing to listen to views on both sides. Also, cant there be an age limit, where we cut off politicians from serving after 75? South Carolina-based Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright argues that the Biden administration has accomplished much over the past four years, and that Joe Biden is the only person to have beaten Donald Trump, so I think that says a lot. But he acknowledges that the president could double down and triple down when it comes to articulating his achievements and his vision for the future.

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Theres certainly plenty to talk about  record-low unemployment rates; large-scale investments in infrastructure; efforts to reduce student loan debt  but the key is selling that message so that voters continue to show up for him. But what if, somehow, Trump doesnt win the nomination or ends up dropping out of the race? Or what if Biden has some kind of health scare that requires another candidate to step in? Is there a Plan B for the Democrats? You dont activate or concern yourself with a Plan B when you have a very strong Plan A, Seawright replies. Loading Most of us feel very confident about the ability and the political will of this president to be able to deliver on what he has promised. That is the Joe we know. South Carolina was also a test of Bidens standing among a coalition of voters who helped propel him to power in the first place: young people and the black community. This time four years ago, Bidens attempt to win the presidential nomination was on life support after a poor performance against progressive stalwart Bernie Sanders and Democratic rising star Pete Buttigieg in the first two primary contests.

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But after coming a dismal fourth in the Iowa caucuses and then slipping to fifth in the New Hampshire primaries, Biden won the endorsement of South Carolina congressman James Clyburn, the states most influential Democrat, and in turn, the black community. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders during a Democratic presidential primary debate in 2020. Credit: AP This gave him the momentum he needed to revive his campaign ahead of Super Tuesday  when the largest number of states hold their presidential primaries  and eventually win the White House. Bidens 2020 success in South Carolina, coupled with its diverse population, was partly why the Democrats decided to make South Carolina the first US state to hold a primary race for the party this year. Iowa used to have that honour, followed by New Hampshire, but after a chaotic 2020 Iowa caucus filled with irregularities and delayed results, the Democratic National Committee rearranged the 2024 primary calendar at Bidens urging. Robert F Kennedy jnr is a third-party candidate who doesnt have much chance of winning, but can cause disruption nonetheless. Credit: AP But much has changed since 2020. Indeed, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released last month shows that Bidens failure to consolidate support in key parts of the coalition that elected him in 2020 had left him narrowly trailing Trump, 39 per cent to 37 per cent.

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~ Collectivity seeking alternative solutions for local butchers. ~

MARIGOT: --- The Collectivity of Saint Martin and the Prefecture has decided to officially close the doors of the abattoir located on the Grand Case stretch to facilitate much-needed repair works that have been pending since the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6th, 2017. The COM managed to secure funds from the European Union for the much-needed repairs of the facility.

A meeting was held with local butchers and those in the field of Animal Husbandry on Friday at the Chamber of Commerce where the news of the official closure was disclosed.

According to the information provided on Friday, the abattoir must fully close its doors for 14 months for the facility to be fully repaired and built in such a way that local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to conduct all butchering at the facility.

No more under the tree butchering will be allowed.

While the facility doors are closed no type of butchering will be allowed to take place under the trees or even in peoples backyards. The COM and its team will be conducting rigorous controls to ensure the health and hygiene of meat on Saint Martin.

The two main butchers on Saint Martin that do their trade at the Marigot market are now in limbo until the Collectivity finds viable solutions to accommodate the proper and legal way of handling meat on the island.

So far, the Collectivity has decided to compensate animal farmers for their animals since they would not be allowed to sell or butcher their animals in the territory as long as the abattoir is closed.

Sint Eustatius Health and Hygiene standards must be equivalent to French laws.

The two butchers also have to wait for the Prefecture to give them the green light to continue importing meat from Sint Eustatius since the Prefet already indicated that he needs to ensure that the meat coming from St. Eustatius meets the French health and hygiene laws.

SMN News spoke to the local butchers on Saturday who said that they do not know exactly what will happen in the coming months if a sound solution is not found. Louis Whit who has been butchering for the past 50 years said that something must be done since butchering and selling his meat is his livelihood and he does have bills to pay at the end of every month like everyone else.

Daniel Arnel a Territorial Councilor, who assists with the controls is more optimistic, he said the COM is working diligently to find a solution for the two butchers that have been recognized by the COM. He assured that President Louis Mussington will not allow local businesses to close while the repairs take place and if there is no other option then they will be compensated for lost wages.
LUANDA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday addressed the lack of medical resources and vaccines within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat cholera.

During the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, held virtually and focusing on the cholera outbreak affecting the region, Lourenco highlighted the shortage of resources for acquiring medical products, vaccines, tests and laboratory reagents necessary for the timely and appropriate prevention and treatment of cases.

He said it is urgent for SADC countries to invest in local production facilities for medicines and vaccines to achieve self-sufficiency.

SADC is an intergovernmental organization comprising 16 countries in southern Africa. Angola assumed the rotating presidency in August of the previous year for the term 2023-2024.

"At this critical moment, we must recognize the urgency of our response and the necessity for coordinated and effective action, as cholera knows no borders and requires a regional approach to address it," he said.

In response to the cholera outbreak in neighboring countries, Angola recently elevated its alert level.

According to reports from the World Health Organization in Angola, the country experienced cholera outbreaks between 1995 and 2000, with the deadliest outbreak in 2011, recording 2,284 cases and 181 deaths.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, since 2023, 13 countries in the region have battled one of the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years and as of Jan. 15 2024, more than 200,000 cases, including over 3,000 deaths, had been reported. 
China warns US tech curbs will 'come back to bite them'



Beijing, Feb 1 (AFP) Feb 01, 2024



Beijing on Thursday warned the US that restrictions on its industries would "come back to bite them", after Washington added a number of Chinese firms to a list of companies linked to its military.

The Pentagon on Wednesday placed several Chinese companies on a list of firms aiding Beijing's People's Liberation Army, including Yangtze Memory Technologies, one of China's biggest chip manufacturers.

The move bars the firms from any future US military contracts, and places them under greater scrutiny as the US seeks to curb Chinese companies' access to sensitive technology.

Asked about the move, Beijing's foreign ministry condemned the US for "unreasonably suppressing Chinese firms".

"These US actions violate principles of market competition and international economic and trade rules," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, warning it would "harm the interests of US firms and investors".

"This will come back to bite them," Wang warned.

Wang insisted that "many large US multinational companies are military-civilian fusions", insisting Beijing "will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its firms".

Washington's "List of People's Republic of China Military Companies", updated periodically, features a number of prominent Chinese firms, many of whom are already blacklisted by other US government departments -- including tech giant Huawei and chipmaker SMIC.

In addition to Yangtze, other prominent companies added Wednesday were US-sanctioned AI firm Megvii and drone-maker Chengdu JOUAV.
Shake, rattle and launch: Dream Chaser spaceplane passes vibration test



Sandusky, United States, Feb 1 (AFP) Feb 01, 2024



Sierra Space's shuttle-like Dream Chaser has been put through its paces at a powerful NASA vibration facility that mimics conditions during launch and atmospheric reentry, officials said Thursday ahead of its planned first flight to the ISS this year.

The first spaceplane of a planned line, Tenacity, was completed at the company's factory in Louisville, Colorado in November and then shipped to NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

There, it was exposed to the Mechanical Vibration Facility, the world's most powerful spacecraft shaker system, NASA said.

Next, it will be placed in a huge in-ground vacuum chamber where it will experience the ultra low and high temperatures of space, as well as low ambient pressure.

"We are really excited that this year, we enter orbital operations for NASA. It is a year that we change how we connect Earth and space," Sierra Space's CEO Tom Vice told reporters at a press event where the spaceship was presented in "launch configuration," mated to its Shooting Star cargo module.

Dream Chaser bears a strong resemblance to Space Shuttle, the iconic NASA spacecraft that was decommissioned in 2011.

But it is far smaller, flies autonomously, has a revamped propulsion system based on clean-burning hydrogen peroxide, and is designed to be re-used up to 15 times.

Sierra Space, formerly Sierra Nevada Corporation, won a contract in 2016 to run resupply missions for NASA to the International Space Station.

The first flight will deliver cargo to the orbital complex at an unspecified date this year, fixed to the top of a new United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket, which made its own debut flight in January.

Unlike SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a gumdrop-shaped capsule that floats down to the ocean on parachutes, Dream Chaser could in theory land at a runway anywhere in the world, a feature marketed as a selling point to clients that purchase services.

Future versions will be designed to carry crew.

NASA's goal is to seed a private economy in low Earth orbit, allowing the space agency to focus on more ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars which lack a commercial incentive.

Sierra Space's other endeavors include building a commercial space station called Orbital Reef.
Meta reports surge in profit at end of 2023



San Francisco, Feb 1 (AFP) Feb 01, 2024



Meta on Thursday reported a profit of $14 billion in the final three months of last year, beating analyst forecasts.

The tech titan behind Facebook and Instagram said revenue climbed to $40.1 billion in the quarter as about 3.1 billion people used the social network monthly.

"We had a good quarter as our community and business continue to grow," Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg said in an earnings release.

Meta shares jumped more than 12 percent to top $445 in after-market trades.

The earnings come as Facebook turns 20 years old and cofounder Zuckerberg is fresh from appearing before Congress.

Zuckerberg along with top executives from Discord, Snap, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter) testified Wednesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis."

During one round of heated questioning, Zuckerberg was made to stand up and apologize to the families of victims who had packed the committee room.

"I'm sorry for everything you have all been through," he said. "No one should go through the things that your families have suffered."

Zuckerberg told the lawmakers that "keeping young people safe online has been a challenge since the internet began and as criminals evolve their tactics, we have to evolve our defenses too."

Tech giants are confronting a torrent of political anger for not doing enough to thwart online dangers toward children, from sexual predators to teen suicide.

Founded 20 years ago as a simple hangout spot, Facebook has since become a battle-hardened behemoth that -- despite perceptions of losing its cache among younger internet users -- continues growing and growing.

A business model built on using people's personal data to offer attention-grabbing content and targeted ads has earned Facebook complaints and fines.

Facebook changed its parent company name to "Meta" in late 2021, due to Zuckerberg's vision of immersive, virtual worlds referred to as the "metaverse" being the next major computing platform.

"We've made a lot of progress on our vision for advancing AI (artificial intelligence) and the metaverse," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release.
Apple promises AI innovation as China iPhone sales slip



San Francisco, Feb 1 (AFP) Feb 01, 2024



Apple chief Tim Cook on Thursday promised the tech titan has artificial intelligence news in store as shares suffered despite sales growth in the final three months of last year.

The iPhone maker reported revenue was up slightly from the same quarter a year earlier, as money brought in from services and digital content set a new record.

But worries surrounding the China market cast a pall on the news.

The company said its net sales in Greater China -- including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan -- declined from a year ago to $20.8 billion in the latest quarter.

Shares of the iPhone maker slumped more than 3 percent in after-hours trading.

Apple chief Tim Cook played down the slowed sales in China, saying on an earnings call that iPhones remained among the most popular smartphones in China.

"We've been in China for 30 years and I remain very optimistic about China over the long term," Cook said.



- Billions of users -



Cook announced that the number of Apple devices being used around the world reached a new high of 2.2 billion and that it took in a record-setting amount of money from services and subscriptions.

Apple logged $119.6 billion in sales fueled by iPhone sales in the holiday season quarter, up two percent from the year-ago period.

For the quarter, its profits came in at $33.9 billion, with diluted earnings per share above expectations at $2.18.

The company's closely watched iPhone sales came in at $69.7 billion, an improvement from the same quarter in 2022 as well.

Data from Counterpoint Research released Thursday showed that Apple's share of the smartphone market reached the highest since late 2020 in the final three months last year.

This was largely due to a rebound from previous Covid-19 related factory shutdowns, causing production disruptions.

Counterpoint added that the final months in a year are typically a strong period for Apple, with iPhone sales boosted by holiday demand.



- Spacial computing era? -



Looking ahead, investors are eyeing the performance of its highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed reality headset, which will be launched in the United States on Friday.

Cook touted the Vision Pro as a "revolutionary device" that marked an era of "spacial computing."

"We can't wait for people to experience the magic for themselves," Cook said of Vision Pro getting into Apple stores in the United States.

He said Vision Pro would become available in other countries later this year.

"As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in these and other technologies that will shape the future," Cook said.

"That includes artificial intelligence (AI), where we continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort."



- Apple generative AI? -



Cook promised that Apple would share details of its artificial intelligence (AI) work later this year.

Apple rivals including Google and Microsoft are vying to be leaders in AI, a technology poised to transform work, leisure, health care and more.

Apple is expected to put its spin on AI computing the same way it put its world-changing spin on the smartphone and the personal computer.

Apple already uses AI in its camera, Siri digital assistant and more.

While Apple appears to be lagging behind in the AI race, it is likely quietly designing its own computer chip for "AI Macs," according to analysts.

"We have a lot of work going on internally," Cook said of AI on the earnings call.

"We've got some things that we're incredibly excited about."
Meta, Amazon beat expectations with stellar results



San Francisco, Feb 2 (AFP) Feb 02, 2024



Meta and Amazon on Thursday blew through expectations in their latest quarterly results as Big Tech continued to impress Wall Street.

Meta, the tech titan behind Facebook and Instagram, reported a profit of $14 billion in the final three months of last year, beating analyst forecasts as revenue climbed to $40.1 billion in the quarter.

The company said Facebook's monthly users stood at 3.07 billion people, 20 years after the platform was founded by Mark Zuckerberg in a Harvard dorm.

"We had a good quarter as our community and business continue to grow," Meta CEO Zuckerberg said in an earnings release.

Meta shares jumped more than 14 percent to top $445 in after-market trade.

A year ago, after a catastrophic 2022 for Meta, Zuckerberg promised a "year of efficiency."

Between unprecedented layoffs, doubts about the company's embrace of virtual reality and feuds with regulators, that year had not been an easy one for the social networking giant.

Facebook changed its parent company name to Meta in late 2021, due to Zuckerberg's yet to be proven vision of virtual worlds referred to as the "metaverse" being the next major computing platform.

"The 'Year of Efficiency' has paid off, with both headcount and costs dropping, and Meta exceeding our expectations for full-year 2023 ad revenue," said analyst Jasmine Enberg of Insider Intelligence.

Amazon also impressed investors with sales up to a more-than-expected $170 billion in the last quarter of last year, after a record-beating holiday season.

It, too, embraced "efficiency" last year eliminating some 27,000 jobs in a move it said was necessary after years of sustained hiring.

Amazon's shares have risen by 50 percent in the past 12 months as investors applauded its aggressive cost-cutting and an increase in sales.

"This Q4 was a record-breaking holiday shopping season and closed out a robust 2023 for Amazon," CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement.

The company said more than one billion items were purchased worldwide during the company's Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday shopping events.

Amazon said its employee count stood at 1.525 million at the end of 2023, down one percent from a year before.



- Cloud doubts -



Amazon's cloud business AWS, often described as the company's cash cow, grew 13 percent in the final three months of last year.

AWS revenue reaching $24.2 billion in the quarter was better than feared, with some concerned it might slow, according to Baird Equity Research.

"The mild acceleration of growth from previous quarters leaves some lingering doubts about whether the cloud unit will be able to hold its own against rivals," said Insider Intelligence analyst Sky Canaves.

Amazon saw an impressive increase of 26 percent in its advertising business as it bolsters its position as a rival to ad behemoths Meta and Google.

Much like Meta, the company founded by Jeff Bezos is also expanding into AI and on Tuesday said it was testing a chatbot named Rufus that would provide shopping tips to US mobile app customers.

"We're building dozens of generative AI applications across the company," Jassy said on an earnings call.

Like most tech titans, Meta and Amazon face increased regulatory scrutiny.

At a heated hearing in the US Congress on Wednesday, Zuckerberg was asked to give a public apology to the families of child victims of sexual exploitation on his platforms.

Meta is facing a major lawsuit brought by about 40 US states jointly suing the company over alleged failures with children.

Amazon is being sued by the top US antitrust regulator that accuses the online retail giant of running an illegal monopoly by strong-arming independent sellers on its platform and stifling potential rivals.

It was also forced to abandon its buyout of the iRobot vacuum maker after the EU's antitrust authority objected to the plan over competition concerns.
A Fijian child poses for photos with a billboard introducing the Year of the Dragon stamps at a launching ceremony held in Nausori, Fiji, Feb. 3, 2024. A launching ceremony was held here for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua)

SUVA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- A launching ceremony was held at a town near the Fijian capital for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10.

Speaking at the ceremony in Nausori, Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere acknowledged the event as an opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions of the Chinese community, reflecting the enduring relationship between Fiji and China.

Ma Guoliang, commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Fiji, said the Chinese dragon is a totem of the Chinese nation that symbolizes luck, prosperity and strength, adding that he believes the dragon will bring good luck to every Fijian friend.

Activities featuring Chinese culture and food were presented at the ceremony for both Chinese and local customers to immerse themselves in the traditional Chinese New Year atmosphere.

The event was co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese embassy in Fiji, and hosted by the China Cultural Center in the island country. 

Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere (2nd, R) and Ma Guoliang (3rd, L), commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Fiji, attend a launching ceremony for the Year of the Dragon stamps in Nausori, Fiji, Feb. 3, 2024. A launching ceremony was held here for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua)

A man and his son show the Year of the Dragon stamps at a launching ceremony held in Nausori, Fiji, Feb. 3, 2024. A launching ceremony was held here for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua)

People buy the Year of the Dragon stamps at a launching ceremony held in Nausori, Fiji, Feb. 3, 2024. A launching ceremony was held here for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2024 shows a set of the Year of the Dragon stamps at a launching ceremony held in Nausori, Fiji. A launching ceremony was held here for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10. (Photo by Sang Qinlong/Xinhua)
I dont know if hes alive or where he is now. I saw him briefly last week, he wasnt living with me. He was in Newcastle.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said it was the eighth national march held for the Palestinian people, following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 in which 1,300 people were killed and more than 240 kidnapped before Israel retaliated with months of attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands.
Arranged by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, spokesperson Mick Napier said: Israel needs to act on last weeks Order of the World Court, which requires that it take measures to prevent further genocide, and stop preventing aid getting to the two million people of Gaza. The only way that is possible is with an immediate ceasefire, which is what we are calling for.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is cautioning against a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to dwindling donor support, a spokesperson said Friday.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighted a critical situation at the regular press briefing, citing a statement from Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Lazzarini expressed grave concerns over the "colossal humanitarian needs of over 2 million people in Gaza," which are at risk of worsening after 16 donor countries ceased their financial contributions to the agency.

He emphasized the secretary-general's appeal for the resumption of funding to UNRWA, stating "if the funding remains suspended, the agency will most likely be forced to shut down operations by the end of February -- not only in Gaza but across the region."

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating, with "thousands of Palestinians continue fleeing to the southern town of Rafah," now home to "half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people," who are living in "makeshift structures, tents, or out in the open," as per UNRWA's reports.

Additionally, UNICEF has raised alarms over the welfare of children in the region, estimating "at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated from their families," which is "1 percent of the overall displaced population of 1.7 million people."

The psychological toll of the conflict on children is profound, with UNICEF estimating that "almost all children in the Gaza Strip need some sort of mental health or psychosocial support -- that's more than 1 million children."

Despite efforts to provide aid, "UNICEF and its partners have provided this kind of support to more than 40,000 children and 10,000 caregivers," which Dujarric notes is "far from sufficient."

The spokesperson underscored that "the only way to deliver these services at scale is with a humanitarian ceasefire," highlighting the urgent need for renewed support and peace efforts to address the humanitarian crisis. 
The idea of merging the European Parliament election with the local ones is one that can bring a higher turnout, National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Nicolae Ciuca told private broadcaster Prima TV on Saturday when asked whether he supports this merger.

"We support any decision, any solution that will facilitate the fact that we have a year as complicated as possible with four, we can even say five rounds of elections. And then, if we take a look, from June to December, we will all be busy and concerned about what will happen on the political scene. Because it's a battle where the winner takes all and the others have to start from the beginning, which is very fair. And then I don't think we can afford in the current context to sacrifice half a year just for such a plan that runs for six months," said Nicolae Ciuca.

He specified that the option of merging the elections must be constitutionally backed."And if there is a constitutional, legal possibility to buttress democracy, because after all, what are we interested in? We want as many people as possible to come to the elections, so that we can legitimize those who are elected. And I don't think that the citizens - the Romanians - will be so willing to participate in five rounds of elections with the same enthusiasm, wanting to show their right to vote. As such, the idea of merger is an idea that can bring us a higher turnout," said Ciuca.He also questioned the impact on the education process should the elections not be merged, given that polling stations are set up in schools."Also, we all know that polling stations are organized, where else but in schools. And then there will be an impediment to the normal running of the school year, whether we are talking about the end of the 2023-2024 school year or the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, and if I am not mistaken, there are almost 10 weeks that could be affected by the electoral process. As such, I think a solution in this regard is welcome," explained Nicolae Ciuca.The PNL leader said that the regulatory decisions on a merger of elections would be the Government's responsibility, if the main elements of the legislative framework on the conduct of elections are not disrupted.He was also asked about the status of the discussions held within the coalition with Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Marcel Ciolacu on the subject of merger."We have discussed and agreed that each of us will go to the party's governing bodies, get a mandate to discuss this form of merger and then come back to the governing body, namely the National Political Bureau, consult the party leaders and then present our decision," Ciuca said.He also spoke about the opposition's accusations that the merger is not a democratic decision, when asked if the recommendations of the European Commission and the Venice Commission will be taken into account."If we look at the history of the European Parliament election, it is not the first time that the European Parliament election has been held alongside local elections. They have been held in other European countries, and we already know that decisions have already been made in four countries - Germany, Italy, Belgium and Ireland. And there are three or four other countries that are also thinking of carrying out this merger. Hence it is not a practice that Romania imposes. It has been used, it is being used," said Ciuca.
REPER Party co-chair, MEP Ramona Strugariu calls for political predictability and announces that she will use all legal levers, including a possible referral to the European Court of Human Rights, if the decision on the merger of elections is made.

"An essential aspect of the merger that the PSD [the Social Democratic Party] and the PNL [the National Liberal Party], in their rush for mandates and personal rescues, overlook is that it violates constitutional rights. And I'm not just talking about the rights of young people who would have turned 18 by the local elections, in a natural timetable, or of those who study/work in a locality other than their home town and want to vote there," Strugariu wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

She claims that a merger of elections violates her right to be elected, according to articles 37 and 38 of the Romanian Constitution, because she intends to run in the European Parliament election and to assume a local candidacy."There are certainly more Romanian politicians in my situation. And I won't stop, I hope those who are in the same situation as mine won't either. I am waiting for a decision and if this decision will be in favour of the merger I will appeal it in court and I will defend my rights up to the European Court of Human Rights, because it is the natural thing to do. The more the merrier. I hope that the PNL and the PSD have the wisdom to weigh well such political foolishness, which can cost them dearly. Very dearly. And from a legal point of view, and at the polls," wrote Ramona Strugariu.
More than 6,300 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Friday, while a total of about 158,300 Romanian and foreign citizens and over 48,000 means of transport completed control formalities at border crossings throughout the country.

"There were 74,011 people entering Romania, including 6,362 Ukrainian citizens," the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGFP) informed in a pres release sent to AGERPRES on Saturday.

In the areas of competence, the crossing points and the "green border," the police found 51 illegal acts (25 offences and 26 contraventions) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of the fines imposed amounts to about RON 24,125.Goods worth over RON 164,740 were seized for confiscation.On Friday, 19 foreign citizens were not allowed to enter the country because they did not meet the conditions provided by the law and 11 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave the country for various legal reasons.
People shop at a supermarket with decorations marking the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A decoration marking the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon is seen at a supermarket in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

Decorations marking the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon are seen at a Walmart store in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A giant dragon installation is seen at a shopping center in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A giant dragon installation is seen at a shopping center in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A decoration marking the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon is seen at a Walmart store in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People walk past a giant dragon installation at a shopping center in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A man shops at a supermarket with decorations marking the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People take a selfie with a Chinese Lunar New Year decoration at a shopping center in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2024. Many shopping malls and supermarkets here have put up themed decorations to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
If you haven't dived into the novels of Margot Livesey, her new "The Road from Belhaven" is an excellent place to start.

Honestly, any of them would be a great place to start  "The Boy in the Field" and "The Flight of Gemma Hardy" were my favorites before I read "Belhaven"  because the Scotswoman is such a graceful, distinctive writer. Mostly set in Scotland (although Livesey now lives in the U.S.), her books vividly convey the joys and sorrows of ordinary, usually rural, life but they also leave room for the extraordinary. Whether it's extra-sensory perception or the gift of premonitions, Livesey knows the world is not always explicable to the beautiful, complicated humans who live in it.

Lizzie Craig is one of many endearing folks in "Belhaven," an orphan who grows up with her loving but severe grandparents on a small farm. It seems like a drama-free way of life, but it turns out there are secrets being kept (Lizzie has a sister whose existence she didn't know of), and Lizzie occasionally has spells while feeding the chickens or trying her hand at sketching. For brief moments, she flashes a few weeks into the future and sees what will happen then, including a family illness and a disastrous fire.

Occasionally, Lizzie is able to use her premonitions to head off disaster, but one of the wisest things about Livesey's book is that it insists that being able to (sometimes) predict the future won't save messy, foolish humans from stumbling into it anyway. Lizzie doesn't always interpret what she sees correctly, the few with whom she shares her secret powers don't always believe in them and, even when she knows the disasters ahead, she makes big-time romantic and career mistakes.

Livesey has keen insight into the way people behave and she crafts lyrical, lucid sentences, but what's best about her work is her understanding that magic and mystery are part of everyday life.

Lizzie's gift is there from the opening sentence of "The Road from Belhaven," a sentence in which even the missing comma perfectly captures the simple purity of the thought  "The summer she was ten she learned not to speak of it." But there are so many other things for Lizzie to contend with, including that surprise sister and the hard work of a late-1800s farm and her crush on a Glaswegian who may not be worthy of her, that it's easy to forget about the supernatural element of the book. Yes, Lizzie has premonitions, Livesey seems to be saying. Who doesn't?

We're so fully immersed in Lizzie's world that we understand every move she makes, no matter how disastrous it is. "No, don't do that," you may find yourself saying two or nine times. But instead of leading you to toss the book in frustration, Livesey makes you want to give error-prone Lizzie a hug of comfort and recognition.

Livesey isn't an unknown. She has received some big awards, she's on the faculty of the Iowa Writers Workshop and her books are consistently reviewed. But "The Road from Belhaven" feels like the one that could bring her to the attention of a lot of new fans, who will then have this additional good news: She has 11 other novels at the ready.
Get ready everyone! Saturday, February 10, will be the day for the Its A Gas Swap Meet, featuring Petroliana and related memorabilia in Lebanon, Missouri. Its only a two-and-a-half-hour, scenic drive from South St. Louis County through the rolling hills of central Missouri. I have been going to this wonderful show ever since it was located in Columbia, Missouri at the since-closed fairgrounds. This will be the 32nd year for this event put on by Mike and Nancy Russell and it draws collectors and vendors from states far and wide!

What will you see there? Everything from fifty cent matchbooks to gas pumps ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars! There are neon signs galore with car logos, gas logos and more. I guess the most impressive neons Ive ever seen were a pair of large, Mobile Pegasus working neons that sold a few years back for $30,000 a piece!

But, as the name suggests, it isnt all about the gasoline industry. It is all sorts of nostalgic memorabilia from days gone by. You might find a plastic model of the Howard Johnson roadside diners shaped like a bank. I always wanted one of those when I was a young lad, and finally got one  even when I was still a young lad.

The show also includes hotel signs from the sixties, fifties and earlier. Theres plenty of books about planes, trains and automobiles plus architecture and more. And finally, dont forget about the plethora of toys and trivia from the good old days.

While youre there, enjoy a selection of good food served right inside the Cowan Convention Center. But if youre looking for some delicious, mouth-watering fare, Luis and I recommend the award-winning Dowds Catfish & BBQ, just minutes from the show site.

This year, if time permits, Im taking my crew to see the new Buc-ees in Springfield, Missouri, just a shot down the road from Lebanon. It is a jaw-dropping establishment with nothing that compares!

While youre in Lebanon, dont miss visiting the Munger Moss Motel, operated by Ramona Lehman. It has one of the most fantastic neon signs you will see outside of Las Vegas and it was totally restored just a few years ago with new neon and LED bulbs. And if you spend the night there, the furnishings and the porcelain tile bathroom will make you feel like you just stepped back into the fifties! The office has some wonderful nostalgic gifts for people of all ages. Be sure and tell Ramona that you heard about the motel from The FIN MAN right here in the Old Car Column!

Vendors set up on Friday and early bird buyers can get in on Friday as well. For more into on the Its a Gas! Swap Meet or to set up a booth, contact Mike or Nancy Russell at 573-864-1336 or visit itsagasswapmeet.com If you are attending, the show generally starts breaking up around noon, leaving lots of time for checking out nearby tourist stops.

Tri-Power Trivia:

1. What year was Route 66 established?

2. Who were the two stars of the TV series Route 66 and what kind of car did they drive?

3. What two U.S. cities did Route 66 connect?

Tri-Power Trivia answers:

1. One of the original highways in the US Numbered Highway System, it was established on November 11, 1926.

2. Martin Milner played Tod Stiles and George Maharis played Buz Murdock. They drove Chevrolet Corvettes, the first being a 1960 model and the final season a 1963-64 Stingray. Chevrolet provided all of the cars for the series, upgrading to the late model through the series run.

3. If you know the lyrics of the song, you know that Route 66 connected from Chicago to Los Angeles.

The news and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no role in the creation or display of this content. For more information, contact marketing@post-dispatch.com.
BELLEVILLE  Police found the body of a 41-year-old man in a burned-out garage shed in downtown Belleville last month, 10 days after firefighters extinguished a fire and cleared the scene.

The family of the victim, Trent Tuttle, who had been living on the streets for years, is wondering how that could happen.

"I'm not trying to blame anyone, but I am looking for answers," said his mother, Judi Yates, who last saw her son on Jan. 8, when the two went "scrapping" (looking for metal to sell).

Yates' son Marcus Tuttle waited a few days, hoping his brother would reappear, then filed a missing-person report with Belleville police on Jan. 13.

The fire occurred early Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, in a garage shed behind a condemned two-story brick building at 520 North Illinois Street. It's widely known as a place where homeless people stay.

Fire Chief Stephanie Mills said Thursday that firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire with heavy smoke and followed "standard protocol" by conducting a quick initial search for occupants and later a more in-depth search once the situation was under control.

"They did not find anything," Mills said. "The conditions of the structure were unstable. There were holes in the floor of the attic area, and they did the best that they could on scene at that time."

Mills confirmed that a body was found on Jan. 19 "between two walls" on the upper level of the garage shed.

The fire's cause is still under investigation, she said.

Family and friends spent days looking for Trent Tuttle and passing out missing-person flyers before people on the street told them his body was "in a wall" of the garage shed, according to his mother, who said she called authorities and begged them to take another look.

"If I hadn't led them here, my son would still be here," said Yates, 61, fighting back tears while standing outside the garage shed Wednesday.

Trent Tuttle used methamphetamine and preferred homelessness to staying with family or friends because it required him to answer fewer questions, his mother said. She believes he became addicted after taking painkillers for back surgery more than 10 years ago.

Bitterly cold weather

On Jan. 19, police initially searched the garage shed with a cadaver-sniffing dog that detected no body, according to Yates and Marcus Tuttle. They said it was because Trent Tuttle's body was frozen.

Low temperatures were mostly in the single digits that week and twice dropped below zero.

Yates said authorities told the family that Trent Tuttle died of smoke inhalation, that his body wasn't burned and that he was wearing no coat or shoes, which she found odd given the bitter cold.

Marcus Tuttle, 37, an auto-body technician, said he suspected foul play when he heard that his 6-foot-5-inch, 185-pound brother was found in a wall, but after a police detective referred to it as a "cubby hole," it made more sense to him.

"Maybe he was just trying to keep warm," Marcus Tuttle said. "You can heat up a small area easier than trying to heat up a big area."

Marcus Tuttle said he sees why firefighters were being cautious on Jan. 9 while searching the garage shed since its upper level was unstable, but he doesn't understand how they could deem a burned building "clear" without inspecting every inch.

Family friend Jenn Carlson, 34, hopes that Trent Tuttle's death was an accident, but she has an uneasy feeling.

"What if it was made to look like an accident?" she asked.

Assistant Chief Mark Heffernan, spokesman for Belleville Police Department, declined to be interviewed Thursday about the missing-person case due to the open death investigation and the fact that homeless and transient witnesses haven't yet been located.

Heffernan emailed the following statement:

"During the time Tuttle was missing, detectives interviewed numerous subjects known to be acquaintances with Tuttle, conducted checks at several hospitals and rehab facilities, conducted canvasses for digital evidence, applied for a search warrant for Tuttles' social media and cell phone data, checked several local law enforcement detention facilities, checked local homeless shelters, checked several vacant structures in the City, all with no success in locating Tuttle."

Yates questioned why police hadn't distributed information about her son's disappearance or death publicly as of this week.

"We asked for a press release, and the detective said 'no' because it was an open investigation," she said. "He said once you put a press release out there, (people are) not going to talk to you, especially the homeless."

'Infectious' sense of humor

Friends and family describe Trent Tuttle as an artistic, kind and energetic man and a sharp dresser with an "infectious" sense of humor and a knack for bringing people together, despite his drug habit.

Trent Tuttle graduated from Belleville East High School, worked in roofing and rehabbing as a younger man and recently earned money by doing odd jobs and selling scrap metal. He was divorced with two children.

Trent Tuttle regularly saw Judi Yates and her husband, Doug Yates, some of his six siblings, other family members and friends, including Carlson and her boyfriend, Dylan Rea, who live a block away from the condemned building on North Illinois. He got around on a bicycle.

"He was caring," Carlson said. "He had a big heart. He was polite. He was mannerly. He went out of his way to help people."

Trent Tuttle had a long police record, with most charges related to drugs (meth and cannabis possession and delivery) or homelessness (camping in a public place, open burning and dumping garbage).

Judi Yates said she knew that Trent Tuttle slept in the condemned building sometimes, so she got a bad feeling when she and Marcus Tuttle drove past it on the morning of Jan. 9 and saw fire trucks.

Yates wonders why none of Trent Tuttle's "buddies" told firefighters he was in the garage shed when the fire broke out.

"They were probably afraid of getting into trouble," she said.

The city of Belleville has posted signs calling the condemned building "unfit for human occupancy or use" and telling people to keep out. Several windows are broken out, and rooms are filled with trash and debris.

When asked if anyone had warned firefighters that a person might be in the burning garage shed, Fire Chief Mills said, "There were two passersby toward the end of operations, as I understand it, that asked if we had found anyone. They did not say there was someone."

At one point, Yates said, an acquaintance of Trent Tuttle told her that his frozen body had been seen in a different abandoned building near the old Maxwell's restaurant, leading police to search that area.

Today, the gray-sided garage shed off North Illinois is still standing but gutted, full of charred items and surrounded by orange plastic fencing. The yard is strewn with trash and debris, including propane tanks, a metal shopping cart, cooler, backpack, furniture and clothes. Graffiti messages such as "WATCH YOUR BACK" and "WE SEE YOU" are scrawled on walls.

A memorial service for Trent Tuttle will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Caseyville Moose Lodge 4.

"You always think somebody's going to be there," Marcus Tuttle said. "You never think, 'One day I'm not going to have them.' I thought we would be older before something like this happened."

Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair
ST. LOUIS  Police on Friday identified the 39-year-old Florissant man who was shot and killed early Thursday in the city's North Pointe neighborhood.

Officers were called about 2:30 a.m. to Mimika and Gladys avenues and found Jeremy West, 39, in the street. He had been shot in the head, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

West lived in the 1700 block of Saddlespur Lane in Florissant, police said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the age of the victim.
ST. LOUIS  Police on Tuesday identified the woman who was shot and killed Friday evening in the city's Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

Police responded just before 5 p.m. to the 1700 block of Vandeventer Avenue, where they found the 44-year-old Tyra Pace shot. She was not conscious or breathing, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Hamas has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said Saturday.

Signs of a Hamas resurgence in Gazas largest city underscore the groups resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign over the past four months. Israel has said its determined to crush Hamas and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest. The residents said they saw the return of civil servants and subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including by helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who had heeded repeated Israeli evacuation orders and headed to the southern half of Gaza.

During Israels ground offensive, many homes and buildings were left half-standing or reduced to piles of scrap, rubble and dust.

Saeed Abdel-Bar, a resident of Gaza City, said a cousin received funds from a makeshift Hamas office near the hospital that was set up to distribute $200 payouts to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers.

Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has been operating a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, traffic cops and civil police who operate separately from the groups secretive military wing.

The partial salary payments of $200 for at least some government employees signal that Israel has not delivered a knockout blow to Hamas, even as it claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

The strikes come roughly a month after Israeli military leaders said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks.

Meanwhile, combat continued in southern Gaza on Saturday.

At least 11 people were injured when Israels military fired smoke bombs at displaced people sheltering at the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent in the southern city of Khan Younis, the organization said. It didnt elaborate, and the Israeli military had no immediate comment.

The injuries followed a siege that the Israeli military has laid on the Red Crescents facilities for 12 days, the organization said.

The charity also said it documented the killing of 43 people, including three staff members, inside the buildings by Israeli fire in those 12 days. Another 153 were injured, it said.

At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, according to the registration office at a hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from the Hijazi family. The dead included four women and three children, hospital officials said. The second strike struck a house in the Jeneina area of Rafah, killing at least two men and two women from the Hams family.

Two children are still under the rubble, and we dont, still we dont know anything about them, relative Ahmad Hijazi said.

The 17 bodies were taken to the Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, the main health facility in Rafah, and were seen by an AP journalist.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the preceding 24-hour period, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas. A United Nations official on Friday said Rafah was becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

Israels defense minister warned earlier this week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing for the last few weeks on Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza. While the statement has alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting strategic relationships with the United States and Egypt if it were to send troops into Rafah.

International mediators continue to work to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire deal put forth this week, nearly four month since Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas continue to hold dozens of captives, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict has leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Meanwhile, United States  which has negotiated tenants of the deal along with Israel, Egypt and Qatar  launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard late Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaton in Geneva contributed to this report.

Updated at 7:45 a.m.
BEIRUT  Hamas officials said Friday the group is studying a proposed cease-fire deal that would include prolonged pauses in fighting in Gaza and swaps of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but the militants appeared to rule out some key components.

Hamas remains committed to its initial demands for a permanent cease-fire, the groups top political leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior Beirut-based official, Osama Hamdan, said. Hamdan also said the group seeks the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners being held for acts related to the conflict with Israel, including those serving life sentences.

He mentioned two by name, including Marwan Barghouti, a popular Palestinian uprising leader seen as a unifying figure. Hamdans comments on the prisoners were the most detailed demands yet raised by the group in public.

The insistence on large-scale prisoner releases and an end to the fighting in Gaza put the group at odds with the multi-stage proposal that officials from Egypt, Israel, Qatar and the United States put forth this week. That proposal does not include a permanent cease-fire.

Cease-fire deal

After days of expressing optimism over progress toward a deal, mediators were still working to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to fly to the region Sunday to help push the efforts, making stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank, the State Department said.

Haniyeh said Friday that negotiations must completely end the Israeli offensive in Gaza and bring the withdrawal of Israeli forces  demands that Israel has rejected.

Israeli leaders have said they will keep fighting until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, is crushed, even while agreeing to long pauses that are accompanied by the release of hostages.

Hamas and other militants captured about 250 hostages during their deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war. They continue to hold dozens of captives after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Since Israels offensive began, more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed and 66,000 wounded, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The conflict has also leveled vast swaths of the tiny coastal enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of its residents to starvation.

Hamdan also said Hamas wants to free Palestinian prisoners of all factions  not just those affiliated with the militant group. In addition to Barghouti, he named Ahmed Saadat, the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a small PLO faction.

Barghouti and Saadat were convicted of involvement in fatal attacks during the second Palestinian uprising against Israels occupation a generation ago.

Alluding to additional points of dispute, Hamdan also said that Israel is carving out a buffer zone on the Gaza side of the border. Israel has not acknowledged such plans officially, but satellite photos show new demolition in a 0.6-mile-wide swath within Gaza along the border with Israel.

Fighting continues

As the war nears the four-month mark, fighting continued in the southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military said Friday that its efforts focused on fighters, weapons and infrastructure in the city, a key target of Israels ground offensive in recent weeks.

Israeli fire hit the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent at Khan Younis Amal Hospital on Friday, killing four people, including a Red Crescent staffer, the organization said. It was the third staff member killed this week.

Israeli troops have surrounded the hospital for 12 days amid heavy bombardment and gunfire, and supplies are running out, the Red Crescent said. It called for a safe corridor to evacuate patients.

Tens of thousands of residents of Khan Younis and surrounding areas have fled south to the town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where already more than a million people from across Gaza have taken refuge.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday that after Israeli troops seize Khan Younis, they will move on Rafah, though he did not give a time frame. That prospect raised fears about where the population would find safety.

The United Nations said Rafah is becoming a pressure cooker of despair.

We fear for what comes next, said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Its like every week we think, you know, it cant get any worse. Well, go figure. It gets worse.

Another Hamas official said Friday that the group would give its reply on the cease-fire proposal very soon and ask for several unspecified changes. He refused to give details on what theyre seeking or how many hostages would be released in return for how many prisoners.

Qatar and Egypt have been serving as mediators between Israel and Hamas. A senior Egyptian official familiar with the discussions described the multi-stage proposal, which he said Hamas had sent positive signals about. The Egyptian official and the Hamas official spoke on condition of anonymity because the indirect talks are still ongoing.

The proposal, according to the Egyptian official, includes an initial cease-fire of six to eight weeks during which Hamas would release elderly hostages, women and children in return for hundreds of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Throughout that phase, negotiations would continue on prolonging the cease-fire and releasing more prisoners and hostages. Israel would allow the number of aid trucks entering Gaza to increase up to 300 daily  from a few dozen currently  and let displaced Gaza residents gradually return to their homes in the north, according to the proposal.

Today in history: Feb. 2 1887: Groundhog Day 1913: Grand Central Terminal 1925: Alaska Serum Run 1943: Battle of Stalingrad 1948: Harry Truman 1980: "Abscam" 1990: South Africa 2006: John Boehner 2012: Egypt 2018: Larry Nassar 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Pete Buttigieg 2022: Michael K. Williams 2023: Chinese balloon
February 3, 2024: The U.S. Army has problems finding enough new recruits to maintain its current strength of 460,000 active duty and 500,000 reserve troops. These recruitment problems are getting worse. The number of troops needed in 2023 was 65.000 but only 55,000 were willing to volunteer. The losses are disproportionately hurting the active-duty combat forces. The army blames the poor quality of many volunteers, who must be rejected because they are overweight, have low test scores or drug use. Not mentioned are the many desirable young people who do not even consider enlisting because they come from rural areas which supply a disproportionate share of military volunteers in general but are put off by the militarys new social justice regulations, lectures and required lifestyles.

The U.S. military has had to cope with a lot of recruiting problems over the last few years. These include financial, suitability, leadership, communications, morale, political and ideological/lifestyle conflicts. Recruiters were increasingly unable to meet their quotas for enough new recruits to replace losses due to retirement, casualties, illness, or not-reenlisting. In 2022 and 2023 the recruiters had their worst time ever. Each Recruiting Location has annual and monthly quotas for each service, as in the army, navy, air force and marines. These quotas were based on past performance. Recruits are easier to find in some parts of the country and this is reflected in the quotas. From 2022 thru 2023 monthly quotas were not being met by a large margin. Its worse for the army, which is attracting less than half the recruits the Department of Defense analysts expected. The senior military leadership proposed offering record-high bonuses of up to $50,000 for eligible recruits. Polls indicate this will not have much impact on the current situation.

Many recruiters already realized that recruits were going to be difficult to find this year, something that was largely ignored inside the Department of Defense. Unlike Pentagon analysts, the recruiters are constantly in touch with potential recruits as well as veterans groups. This provides recruiters with real-time exposure to attitudes of potential recruits. Veterans, especially recent ones, provide personal experience with family and friends about current conditions in the military. Currently the news is bad, and older veterans, including the few still around from World War II, comment that the current military is not the one that fought and won battles in the past. The number of young men who had a parent who served in the military declined from 40 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2022.

The major problem is political demands. Congress makes the laws, and the military follows them. The military has been all-volunteer since the 1970s so military service is not mandatory. If potential recruits, especially those influenced by word -of-mouth, are put off by current conditions, they dont volunteer. This applies to officers as well as enlisted troops and the reserves as well. The current situation is worse because the current president and Congress have the lowest approval ratings in history. The approval levels are lowest in regions, like rural America, which usually provide a disproportionate number of volunteers for military service.

In the next two years there will be elections for a new president and members of Congress. That is expected to help with recruiting but only after the word-of-mouth turns around and that will take another year or two, if it happens. In the meantime, recruiters are under increasing pressure to find recruits. As in the past, this is producing more burnout for recruiters. Recruiting is already seen as a hardship assignment and eligible Non-Commissioned Officers or NCOs avoid it any way they can. Some leave the military by not reenlisting. This toxic environment was a seemingly sudden development because over the last few years recruiters have been successful at coming up with new ideas to reach the new Gen Z generation of recruits.

This process began in 2018 as recruiters found that Gen Z recruits were easier to reach via devices like cell phones or PCs than in-person visits from recruiters. In 2018 the army failed, by 7,000 recruits, to meet its recruiting goals. This had not happened since 2005, when recruiters came up 6,000 short. The cause was a failure to communicate.

Army recruiting officials had been warned by their marketing experts and some recruiters that the current generation was difficult to reach using the traditional in-person methods. For the 2019 recruiting year recruiters were given quick training and advice on how best to contact Gen Z men and women. Most of the recruiters were older but knew their way around networked devices and social media. Recruiters were ready in early 2020.

The 2018 goal was 76,500 new recruits. The fiscal year ends on September 30, and after 2017 the army was forced to examine how it was going about its recruiting. Changes were made and the army exceeded its recruiting goal in fiscal 2019. Then came 2020. The recruiting season begins in March, as high school seniors get serious about post-graduation plans. In 2019 recruiters used more remote methods and a lot more apps like TikTok and Zoom. The plan for 2020 was to use even more of the new methods and, when the covid19 quarantines hit, the recruiters were ordered to do all their recruiting remotely with recruits only coming in for physical exams. Covid19 was not a major problem for the army because they recruited only the healthiest. Covid19, unlike the most severe strains of flu, such as the 1918, 1957 and 1968 ones, has little impact on healthy people but is most dangerous for the elderly and those with existing health problems. As a practical matter covid19 is much less dangerous for recruiting aged men and women than any past influenza epidemic. But the army still had to keep the recruits from getting or spreading covid19 to those more vulnerable. All recruits were tested for covid19 and those with it were isolated long enough to stop being infectious.

The turnaround was not miraculous. Upon close examination, the army discovered that the problems in 2018 were largely self-inflicted. There were a lot of other problems with how the army ran its recruiting operation and thats where solutions were found. Another factor was that 2018 was a spike year, in which the need for recruits went up because of the large number of veteran soldiers retiring or not reenlisting. The army fell short by 7,000 recruits in 2018 and even though that boosted the need for 2019, the goal for 2019 was only 68,000. In 2018 the other three services, navy, air force and marines required a total of 100,000 and all met their goal. In 2020 the army only needed 62,150 and, when more acceptable candidates were available than needed, recruiters had to be selective and tell those who didnt make the cut they would have a chance next year and their recruiter would stay in touch electronically.

The army had planned to eventually carry out the entire recruiting process electronically and the 2020 situation forced them to do that right away. The recruiters adapted because, if nothing else, they had more time to be with families because they now often worked at home. Doing the entire process remotely eliminated all the travel time for recruiters and in 2020 they found out how great the travel burden was.

In 2019 the army raised its standards somewhat to take advantage of the fact that more young Americans could meet those standards. In past years there have been complaints that too many potential recruits were turned away for a number of shortcomings. That has changed a bit and 29 percent of potential recruits can now meet the physical, mental, legal, and psychological standards for military service. The problem is that only about a third of these eligible are interested in military service. While obesity continues to be a major problem, more potential recruits have high school diplomas, fewer drug problems and no arrest records. Those are trends that existed in 2018 and earlier accelerated and with it the number of young men and women who qualify to join.

In 2018 recruiters were ordered to work fewer hours, to address problems with recruiter burnout and complaints about higher divorce rates and other family problems because of the pressure put on recruiters to meet their goals. For 2019 those family-friendly rules remained but more NCOs were assigned to recruiting duty and recruiters were redeployed so that more were in areas that required more recruiter effort to meet goals. The army paid more attention to recruiter complaints about methods and made a number of other changes that reduced the workload while increasing the effectiveness of recruiter efforts. Many of these changes were overdue, especially because the other services were already more efficient and, in most recruiting centers recruiters from all services were present, so the army recruiters were finally able to operate as effectively as they had seen the other services doing.

The army also looked back at 2005, the last year goals were not met and found that times had changed and the reasons for shortfalls were different in 2018 compared to 2005, as were economic and political conditions. In 2005 unemployment rates were higher, although headed lower, and there was a lot of combat with lots of casualties. There were other differences. Back in 2005 the problem was getting recruits for non-combat jobs, not the infantry. The 2018 shortfall was mainly for infantry. In 2018 there was little combat, and infantry are more likely to die in an off-duty auto accident than in combat. Back in 2006-7, the recruiting shortfall was quickly turned around, so those annual goals of 80,000 new recruits were met. This was also the goal for 2008 as well as the army expanded to meet the demands of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Back then the army grew from 482,000 to 547,000. In 2018 the expansion was from 476,000 to 500,000 by 2024.

Other differences are that in 2018-19 the army was a lot more selective, both in terms of new recruits and who was allowed to reenlist. Existing troops who fail to meet higher physical and deployability, as in ability to go overseas, standards were not allowed to stay in and replaced with better qualified new recruits. Many of these are for non-combat jobs, which comprise nearly 90 percent of all soldiers. Because there is no longer an active war, a lot fewer qualified young men are enlisting to be in the infantry.

Back in 2005-7 the army recruiting effort was unprecedented for wartime. Never in American history has a war this long been sustained with only volunteers. Party politics and media bias prevented the story behind this from getting out much. There are several reasons for the army recruiting success 2001 - 2007. The principal ones were:

Patriotism. Many of the troops that joined up believed that the nation was at war and must be defended. Those who got to Iraq or Afghanistan saw for themselves why the wars were being fought were the best recruiting aids. That's a story most media didn't want to cover because it contradicted so much else that was reported as news. But for army recruiters, this patriotism and word of mouth were key ingredients in recruiting success. With no war on, it's more difficult to get new recruits for combat jobs which tend to be strenuous and boring, although safer, in peacetime. This is a less attractive proposition for a lot of potential infantry recruits. In 2019 the recruiters put more emphasis on the good pay and benefits, especially the college tuition program for those who complete their four-year enlistment. In the army recruits get to try out career options they would not have had access to if they went straight to college or took whatever job was available. This pitch resonates because many college students right out of high school noted that the slightly older veterans had an easier time of it. This was a phenomenon first noticed after World War II when millions of recent veterans took advantage of the new GI Bill benefits and raised the maturity level of education for a generation of younger college students. The GI Bill was revived in the 1960s and the psychological and financial benefits for veterans in college are still there, even though fewer veterans are in each freshman class.

Low casualties. Although the media gets obsessed with U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, the reporting tends to ignore the fact that those casualties are the lowest in history, any army's history. Put simply, troops were half as likely to be killed or wounded in Iraq as they would have been in Vietnam or World War II. A combination of better equipment, training, and leadership, along with less effective enemy combatants, made it happen. These are trends that have been going on for decades. The lower casualties make a big difference, especially for troops who have gone back to Iraq or Afghanistan several times. Recruiters know that there's enough real danger there to attract young men looking for some adventure, but not so much that most potential recruits would be put off by it. Extreme, as in very dangerous sports, have become much more popular since the 1980s, and for many young men, modern combat is in that league plus you actually get to kill people. Most reporters have forgotten how teenage males think. Military recruiters haven't, and the U.S. Marine Corps consistently exceeds its recruiting goals by emphasizing the danger and challenges. The end result is that it was more difficult to recruit for support jobs than for the combat ones.

Bonuses. Taking a cue from the corporate world, the army increased its use of cash bonuses for people with key skills. Electronics and intelligence specialists were regularly among the best rewarded. Veteran infantry leaders got lots of bonus money because recruiters for corporate security firms were making outrageous offers. It was and still is much easier to get a civilian security clearance after a military tour of duty. While these bonuses were rarely used to attract new infantry recruits, the bonuses are still needed for recruits qualified to handle highly technical jobs, like those involving maintenance of electronic systems. Bonuses are not an immediate benefit for new recruits, but for those qualified to handle the most difficult jobs, bonuses are an attractive feature even if many of these specialist soldiers do not make a career of it.

Higher Re-enlistment Rates. As important as new recruits are, getting experienced soldiers to stay in is equally important. And in this department, the army has been very successful. Veteran troops in combat zones tend to re-enlist at a higher rate than those in safer areas. Although there's sometimes a tax angle to this, many veterans admit they re-enlist because there is a job to be done, and they are the only ones to do it. With the wars over, more soldiers seek to take advantage of the GI Bill education benefits and get a less stressful civilian job. The army still needs a lot of soldiers who will re-enlist, to provide the NCOs and technical specialists that have become essential.

Better screening. For over half a century, the army has been working on better screening and training techniques for handling substandard recruits. This includes those who have too much fat, not enough education, or a troubled past. Although the army has only been accepting recruits who are considerably healthier, smarter, and better educated than the average for their age since the 1980s, efforts to turn less well-qualified men and women into effective soldiers continued. Now those techniques are being used, although you'd never know it from the performance of the troops. Yet in the long-term lowering standards to meet recruiting goals did not work. Army screening is better at finding those among the seemingly less qualified who will turn out to be stable and productive over the long term. The problem is that this is mainly for non-combat jobs. The army has, since the 1990s, become known as a place for qualified people to learn useful civilian job skills while getting paid for it. Soldiers can get out after four years, get more subsidized education via the GI Bill and be eligible for a lot of good civilian jobs. Thats one reason the army still offers reenlistment bonuses to technically adept troops that are very expensive to train. During the 2018 recruitment crises, the army noted that the percentage of young Americans eligible to enlist was actually going up and is continuing to do so. The army went looking for other problems in the recruiting process, found them and fixed them.

Ongoing Reforms. The army has, since the 1980s, been rolling out more and more reforms. Not just obvious things, like new weapons and uniforms, but new leadership and organizational methods. The result is better performance and morale. Troops are more likely to reenlist if they believe they are serving with the best and being well treated. The army has had some problems with officer quality, particularly senior officers, and those problems are still not solved. But when it comes to the troops, the army is in better shape than it has ever been. It was just that not enough attention was being paid to the problems with how recruiters were used and why.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / Regency Silver Corp. ("Regency Silver" or the "Company", (TSXV:RSMX) and (OTCQB: RSMXF) announces that further to its news release dated January 17, 2024, the Company has extended the closing of its private placement. The closing of the private placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange.

For further details about Regency Silver please visit the Company's website at www.Regency-Silver.com.

Contact Information

Regency Silver Corp.

Kin Communications Inc.

Phone: 1-604-684-6730

Email: [email protected]

Bruce Bragagnolo, Executive Chairman

Phone: 1-604-417-9517

Email: [email protected]

Gijsbert Groenewegen, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 1-646-247-1000

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT REGENCY SILVER CORP.:

Regency Silver Corp. is a Canadian resource company exploring for high grade gold, copper, and silver in Mexico. Regency Silver is led by a team of experienced professionals with expertise in both exploration and production. Regency's flagship project is the high grade Dios Padre project in Sonora, Mexico where Regency has made a large, high grade, gold-copper-silver discovery which appears to widen at depth. Drill results have included 38 metres of 7.36 g/t gold in hole REG 23-21, 36 metres of 6.84 g/t gold, 0.88% copper and 21.8 g/t silver in hole REG 22-01, and 29.4 m of 6.32 g/t gold in hole REG 23-14.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Regency Silver Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
PARIS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three people were injured in a stabbing attack Saturday at the Gare de Lyon railway station in southeastern Paris, France, local media reported.

The incident took place at around 8 a.m. (0700 GMT). Two of the victims were slightly injured while the third one was seriously wounded but not in a life-threatening situation, said the report, citing a police source.

"The suspect did not shout (any religious slogans) during his action," the police source said. "He showed the police an Italian driving licence." 
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2024 / Tacora Resources Inc. ("Tacora" or the "Company") today announced that it has selected a bid from an ad hoc group of holders of the Company's senior secured notes (the "Ad Hoc Group"), Resource Capital Fund VII L.P. ("RCF") and Javelin Global Commodities (SG) Pte Ltd. ("Javelin" and together with the Ad Hoc Group and RCF, the "Investors") as the Successful Bid under its sale, investment and services solicitation process ("SISP") and as defined therein, conducted pursuant to, and in connection with, its proceedings (the "CCAA Proceedings") before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the "Court") under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (the "CCAA").

Following the selection of the Investors as the Successful Bidder under the SISP and as defined therein, the Company and the Investors entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") on January 29, 2024. The Subscription Agreement contemplates, among other things, an equity injection of US$225 million and a new debt financing in principal amount of US$45 million by the Investors, payment or satisfaction of all of Tacora's secured debt, assumption of all outstanding trade payables, continued employment for all employees of Tacora and entry into a marketing agreement and product purchase and sale agreement and a secured working capital facility of up to US$100 million with Javelin. The transactions will allow Tacora to significantly de-leverage its balance sheet, focus on its long-term plan to invest approximately US$300 million over the next four years to upgrade and modernize the Scully Mine, and achieve the Company's objective of producing in excess of six million tonnes of high grade iron ore concentrate per year. The Subscription Agreement contemplates a target closing date of March 22, 2024.

Joe Broking, Tacora's President and CEO said "the transactions announced today with the Investors represent a successful outcome for Tacora and its stakeholders of the strategic process completed through the CCAA Proceedings. The transactions will allow Tacora to emerge from the CCAA Proceedings as a much stronger and better-capitalized business focused on achieving the full potential of the Scully Mine. We thank all Tacora team members, our suppliers, and other stakeholders for their continued support through the CCAA Proceedings and contributions to this successful outcome."

The Subscription Agreement remains subject to, among other things, Court approval of the Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. The Company intends to appear before the Court as soon as possible to seek an order approving the Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder.

A copy of the SISP and the Subscription Agreement and more information related to the CCAA Proceedings can be found on the Monitor's website at http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/Tacora. Information regarding CCAA Proceedings can also be obtained by calling the Monitor's hotline at 1-833-420-9074 or by email at [email protected].

Advisors

Greenhill & Co. Canada Ltd. (Mizuho) is serving as financial advisor and Stikeman Elliott LLP is serving as legal counsel to Tacora. FTI Consulting Canada Inc. is serving as Court-appointed monitor.

GLC Advisors & Co., LLC is serving as financial advisor to the Investors, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Investors, Bennett Jones LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Ad Hoc Group and Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP is serving as legal counsel to RCF.

About Tacora Resources Inc.

Tacora is a private company that is focused on the production and sale of high-grade and quality iron ore products that improve the efficiency and environmental performance of steel making and, subject to final process verification and economic assessment, the development of a high purity manganese product for advanced battery technology. The Company owns and operates the Scully Mine, an iron ore concentrate producer located near Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada with a production capacity of six million tonnes per year. Additional information about the Company is available at www.tacoraresources.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and relate to our expectations, beliefs, and intentions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking. Although Tacora believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may accordingly differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, and these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause outcomes to differ from our expectations, including risks related to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects Tacora's expectations as at the date of this press release and is subject to change after such date. Tacora disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor and Analyst Contact:

Joe Broking

President and Chief Executive Officer

T - +1 (218) 398-0079

E - [email protected]

Heng Vuong

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

T - +1 (416) 704-8377

E - [email protected]

SOURCE: Tacora Resources Inc

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Absolute Secure Endpoint and Absolute Secure Access Solutions Scale Quickly to Help with the Identification and Replacement of Vulnerable Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure Solutions

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Absolute Software, the leader in enterprise cyber resilience, is available to assist organizations impacted by Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure Zero Days and other vulnerabilities. Help includes free Absolute Secure Endpoint and Absolute Secure Access product licenses and support for 90 days, along with the expertise needed to quickly deploy and scale replacement solutions across all endpoints.

Absolute solutions are not impacted by the Zero Days and other vulnerabilities recently disclosed and reported by Ivanti, other researchers, and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Absolutes Secure Access and Secure Endpoint products are deployed across many public and private sector environments also using Ivanti, making it easy to seamlessly deploy and scale additional licenses. For existing and new customers, additional and new Absolute licenses, onboarding, and support are available for 90 days at no cost.

Already embedded in the firmware of 600 million Windows devices, Absolute Secure Endpoint can speed identification and replacement of Ivanti instances, in addition to enabling rapid mitigation of machines that may have been further damaged. For users that need to immediately deploy secure and compliant network connectivity for distributed devices, Absolute Secure Access (formerly NetMotion) will quickly scale, apply, and enforce required policies.

To learn more about how Absolute can help your organization to mitigate identified vulnerabilities, receive rapid triage, and be directed to a team that can help, email [email protected].

About Absolute Software

Absolute Software makes security work. We empower mission-critical performance with advanced cyber resilience. Embedded in more than 600 million devices, our cyber resilience platform delivers endpoint-to-network access security coverage, ensures automated security compliance, and enables operational continuity. Nearly 21,000 global customers trust Absolute to protect enterprise assets, fortify security and business applications, and provide a frictionless, always-on user experience. To learn more, visit www.absolute.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

2024 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. ABSOLUTE, the ABSOLUTE logo, and NETMOTION are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names or logos mentioned herein may be the trademarks of Absolute or their respective owners. The absence of the symbols  and  in proximity to each trademark, or at all, herein is not a disclaimer of ownership of the related trademark.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240203732650/en/

Joe Franscella, Communications Director, [email protected], 209-936-0745

Source: Absolute Software
Byline: Hannah Parker

Switzerland-based crypto bank, SEBA Bank, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SEBA Hong Kong, has received a full licence from the citys Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).

According to the data available on the SFC website, SEBA received the licence on November 3 2023. The regulatory approval for SEBA enables the bank to engage in a wide range of financial activities, including handling advisory of digital and traditional assets. SEBA Bank will also allow the Swiss firm to offer various clients, from institutional and professional investors, corporate treasuries, and funds to family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Overview

CEO of SEBA Hong Kong, Amy Yu, expressed enthusiasm about the SFCs final nod, addressing Hong Kongs prominence in finance and innovation.

Yu said, The regions position at the forefront of finance, trading, and innovation has long been attractive to us, as servicing APAC clientele is an integral aspiration of the teams DNA We are tremendously excited by Hong Kongs deep-rooted capital markets and appetite for investment and trading.

The CEO of SEBA Bank, Franz Bergmueller, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of the operation in Hong Kong for the banks global scope. He said, The regions robust legal system provides a solid foundation to conduct crypto-related services and we look forward to beginning that from today.

SEBA Banks Licensing Timeline

Experts at Bitcoin Apex UK mentioned that the Switzerland-based SEBA Bank announced in August 2023 that it received an approval-in-principle (AIP) from the SFC, moving it one step closer to the full licence acquired today. The approved licence allowed SEBA Hong Kong to operate with crypto products such as over-the-counter derivatives, advice on virtual assets and conduct asset management for discretionary accounts in digital assets.

Yu highlighted that Hong Kong is well-positioned to tap into the Chinese market the moment it opens up. It is in a strategic location close to the mainland as a Special Administrative Region of China. Yu said, Hong Kong may once again serve as its gateway to China, delivering the significant potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. SEBA Bank has been actively pushing towards institutional crypto custody and partnered with the Swiss bank SGKB to provide Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) custody and trading services.

At the beginning of November 2023, SGKB revealed that the service was initially available to a select group of wealth-management clients at the firm and will expand the offering to retail users soon. Head of B2B and Custody Solutions at SEBA Bank, Christian Bieri, said, St.Galler Kantonalbank and SEBA signed the contract earlier this year, after a short implementation project, SGKB is now ready to offer access to cryptocurrencies to a selected group of clients. Bieri emphasised that the move marks SGKBs first step into the digital world and is a way to meet the clients evolving financial preferences. Head of Market Services at SGKB, Falk Kohlmann, said, Thanks to our cooperation with SEBA Bank, weve implemented a straightforward initial setup, which allows us to learn and grow well aligned to our clients needs.

On the other hand, Hong Kong aims to thrive as an international crypto hub despite global scrutiny. In August, Hong Kong announced that it had issued licences to crypto companies under a new regulatory regime. Retail investors were allowed to trade crypto on exchanges licensed by the SFC.

The Washington Post noted, Its unclear if the regulations are attractive enough to entice firms to invest heavily. During Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023, the citys financial regulators demonstrated confidence and persistence in support of digital asset regulations and Web3 innovation despite the recent crackdowns on crypto exchanges such as JPEX.

In September 2023, Hong Kong retained the top crypto-ready position for widespread crypto adoption in 2023, retaining its position for two consecutive years. Hong Kongs place in the global crypto economy made favourable regulations for crypto companies to flourish; out of 100 firms that showed interest in opening branches in Hong Kong when the government announced licensing, only a number managed to secure approval. HashKey started offering Bitcoin and Ether crypto trading services in Hong Kong to retail customers. HashKey became the first crypto exchange in Hong Kong to get regulatory clearance to offer crypto trading services to retail traders after upgrading two major licences issued by the SFC.

This move by the Securities and Futures Commission means that SEBA Bank operates globally from its regulated hubs of Switzerland, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. SEBAs acquisition of the licence in Hong Kong shows that it continues to monitor the regulatory landscape and is determined to identify further collaboration opportunities for global growth.
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, Feb. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hundreds of trade union and community members, including health care and education workers, joined a rally organized by the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) during the Ontario PC Partys 2024 policy convention in Niagara Falls on Saturday.

The rally highlighted the Ford governments record of corruption, closures, and cost-of-living crisis, and featured labour and community speakers from the Niagara Region and across Ontario.

If ever there was a best-before date for governments, this one is well past it, said Jackie Taylor, Executive Vice-President of the OFL. Almost six years after Fords election, life in Ontario is harder and more expensive for workers and their families.

Rally speakers condemned Fords privatization agenda and its devastating impact on public services, especially health care.

Ford has no idea just how angry our community is about his cuts to health care in Niagara, said Heather Kelley, Chairperson of the Save Fort Erie Hospital SOS campaign. Rural health care matters, it stands between life and death. And were not backing down till we save our hospital.

Chris Byford, President of Local 846 of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), quoted 19th-century Black American abolitionist and civil rights leader, Frederick Douglass, as he called on the rally to join the movement for a better Ontario: If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will. It wont be easy to defeat Fords agenda, but its worth the fight.

Public and private sector unions alike organized contingents for the rally, and were joined by a range of community campaigns, such as the Niagara Health Coalition, the Ontario Autism Coalition, and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups.

Ahmad Gaied, OFL Secretary-Treasurer, announced that the labour movement would host a province-wide day of action on June 1, 2024 in support of injured and ill workers, among other initiatives.

When we fight Fords agenda, we do it togetherwith seniors and students, injured workers and their families, community members and allies, said Gaied. And were just getting started. In every part of the province, we need to build a united movement that wins a better Ontario for all of us.

Photos and videos of the rally are available on the OFLs social media.

The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. It is the largest provincial labour federation in Canada. Visit OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

For more information, please contact:

Jenny SellathuraiInterim Director of CommunicationsOntario Federation of Labour[email protected] | 416-894-3456

Source: Ontario Federation of Labour
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2024) - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (FSE: D4E) (WKN: A1JQW5) ("Defiance" or the "Company") announces that, as a result of a continuous disclosure review by the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Company is issuing the following news release to clarify its disclosure as it pertains to its technical reports entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Tepal Project, Michoacn, Mexico" dated February 24, 2017 with an effective date of January 19, 2017 on the Tepal project (the "Tepal Report") and its technical report entitled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate, San Acacio Silver Deposit, Zacatecas State, Mexico" dated September 26, 2014 with an effective date of April 1, 2014 on the San Acacio project (the "San Acacio Report", and together with the Tepal Report the "Technical Reports").

In order to address these deficiencies under National Instrument 43- 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), the Company understands it will need to amend the Technical Reports accordingly. On the Tepal project, as some of the authors of the Tepal Report are no longer Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 due to notably, retirement, the Company is presently working with its technical advisors who participated in the preparation of the Tepal Report on (i) a feasible timeline to complete an amended report and (ii) identifying new Qualified Persons to take on responsibility for the relevant chapters of the Tepal Report in connection with the amended report. The Company is working to file an amended technical report as soon as possible. The Company will provide regular updates in connection with the preparation and filing of the amended technical report for its Tepal project.

As for the San Acacio Report, the Company is incapable of preparing an amended report for reasons beyond its control. Indeed, the authors of the San Acacio Report were independent consultants and are no longer Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 due to notably, retirement. In light of this regrettable situation, Defiance will be working with new technical advisors to prepare a new technical report that will replace the current San Acacio Report. The Company expects to file this new technical report by the end of March 2024. The Company will provide regular updates in connection with the preparation and filing of this new report for its San Acacio project.

At the present time, in light of the current situation, the Company advises that the information relating to its projects contained in the Technical Reports should not be relied upon as they are not supported by compliant technical reports under NI 43-101.

Further, and separate from the Tepal Report and the San Acacio Report addressed above, the Company is also currently updating and clarifying additional disclosure contained on its website and in its corporate presentation.

About Defiance Silver Corp.

Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale Zacatecas project, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan state, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing, and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects. Defiance's corporate mandate is to expand the San Acacio and Tepal projects to become premier Mexican silver and gold deposits.

On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp.

"Chris Wright"

CEO & Chairman of the Board

For more information, please contact: Investor Relations at +1 (604) 343-4677 or via email at [email protected]

www.defiancesilver.com

Suite 2900-550 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

Canada

Tel: +1 (604) 343-4677

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Information contained in this news release which are not statements of historical facts may be "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "plan", "intend", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule", "understand" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Company's ability to address the deficiencies raised by the British Columbia Securities Commission and to complete and file an amended technical report for its Tepal project and a new technical report for its San Acacio project.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Defiance, are inherently subject to significant technical, political, business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things and without limitation: the inability of the Company to regain possession of its concessions on the Tepal project; political risks associated with the Company's operations in Mexico; the failure of the Mining Bureau in Mexico City to take any coercive action to reinstate ownership of the concessions forming part of the Tepal project to the Company; the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances; failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. For additional risk factors, please see the Company's most recently filed Management Discussions & Analysis for its quarter ended September 30, 2023 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known, and unknown could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ materially from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Defiance, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is made as at the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2024) - ICEBERG Financial, a pioneering investment consultancy firm in the UAE, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest in-house algorithmic service, Prop-Glitch, on the GraySpectre Platform. This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in the partnership between ICEBERG Financial's UNLIMIT Department and GraySpectre, a promising startup acquired by ICEBERG Financial a year ago.

Prop-Glitch is a cutting-edge High Frequency Trading (HFT) Algorithm, meticulously designed to navigate the complexities of prop trading challenges with unparalleled precision. This service caters specifically to algo prop trading firms seeking to leverage advanced technologies for enhanced trading performance. The release of Prop-Glitch underscores ICEBERG Financial's dedication to innovation and excellence in the fintech sector, following the successful launch of another service on the GraySpectre platform in late 2023.

As part of its ongoing commitment to redefine the boundaries of financial technology, ICEBERG Financial is currently developing two additional fintech services slated for release by mid-2024. These initiatives are aimed at bolstering GraySpectre's offerings, catering to the burgeoning market of forex and crypto traders who recognize the immense potential of integrating AI and high-tech solutions into their trading strategies.

Under the strategic guidance of ICEBERG Financial, GraySpectre is poised to significantly expand its service portfolio, targeting a wide array of fintech solutions. This aligns perfectly with ICEBERG Financial's long-term vision of investing in high-value fintech services and further solidifies its position as a high-tech wealth solution provider in the financial industry.

"By leveraging the synergies between ICEBERG Financial and GraySpectre, we are setting new industry standards for fintech innovation. Our latest service, Prop-Glitch, exemplifies our commitment to providing our clients with superior, technology-driven trading solutions. We are excited about the future and the transformative impact our services will have on the forex and crypto trading communities," stated a spokesperson for ICEBERG Financial.

About ICEBERG Financial:

Registered in the UAE, ICEBERG Financial is a leading investment consultancy firm with over five years of profitable investment across various asset classes. With a robust track record and a recently acquired investment consultancy license, ICEBERG Financial stands at the forefront of the financial industry, offering a wide variety of investment services and fintech products. The company also specializes in securitizing and tokenization services, assisting individuals and corporates in fundraising campaigns, and providing valuation services to attract new investors.

For further information, please contact:

https://iceberg.financial

Name: Public Relation (Sarah Travis)

Website: https://iceberg.financial/

Business email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196751
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2024) - Nexus Uranium Corp. (CSE: NEXU) (OTCQB: GIDMF) (FSE: 3H1) (the "Company" or "Nexus") is pleased to announce a renewal agreement with MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC") (Address: Gerhart-Hauptmann-St. 49b 51379 Leverkusen; email: [email protected]; phone: +49 2171-7766628) beginning February 5th, 2024 (the "Agreement") for marketing services which will continue through March 30th, 2024 or until budget exhaustion. Pursuant to the Agreement, MIC will utilize their online programs with the aim of increasing investor awareness and interest in the Company through various online platforms and methods of engagement in consideration of EUR 250,000. The marketing activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google. MIC does not have any prior relationship with the Company, other than previous marketing engagements and the Agreement constitutes an arm's length transaction.

The Company also announces that it has renewed its arm's length marketing agreement with Sideways Frequency LLC ("SFLLC"), originally dated December 18, 2023. The renewed agreement ((the "Marketing Agreement") is effective February 1st, 2024 and will continue until March 1, 2024. As consideration for SFLLC's marketing and investor awareness services (the "Services"), the Company has agreed to pay SFLLC a fee of $150,000 (USD) for a term of one month (the "Term"). The Company may elect to renew the agreement at any point during the Term.

The Services will include, but are not limited to, email campaigns, native advertising, display ads, lead generation, creation of content, strategic planning, digital advertisement placement, and overseeing progress and results of digital campaigns.

Consideration offered to SFLLC does not include any securities of the Company. Aside from previous engagements, the Company does not have any relationship with SFLLC and Mr. Wesley De Souza, CEO of SFLLC.

The Company also announces that it has granted a consultant of the Company 20,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") pursuant to the Company's current omnibus equity plan. The RSUs will vest immediately on the date of grant and entitle the recipient to receive one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share"), a cash payment equivalent thereof, or any combination of cash and Common Shares at the sole discretion of the Company. The RSUs and the underlying Common Shares are subject to a four month hold period as required by the policies of the CSE.

About Sideways Frequency LLC

SFLLC is a limited liability company existing under the laws of the State of Utah. SFLLC is in the business of preparing, from publicly available information, advertisements consisting of profiles overviewing publicly traded companies, running marketing campaigns including pay-per-click (PPC) marketing, email marketing, native advertising, and display ads, and maintaining or updating clients' websites as the client sees fit. SFLLC's business address is 1389 Center Drive, Suite 200, Park City, Utah, 84098. SFLLC can be contacted by email at [email protected].

About Nexus Uranium Corp.

Nexus Uranium Corp. is a multi-commodity development company focused on advancing the Wray Mesa uranium-vanadium project in Utah in addition to its precious metals portfolio that includes the development-stage Independence mine located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mine's Phoenix-Fortitude mine in Nevada, the Napoleon gold project in British Columbia, and a package of gold claims in the Yukon. The Wray Mesa project covers 6,282 acres within the heart of the prolific Uruvan mining district in Utah and has extensive historical drilling of over 500 holes defining multiple mineralized zones. The Independence project hosts an M&I (measured and indicated) resource of 334,300 ounces of gold (28M tonnes at 0.41 g/t gold) and an inferred resource of 847,000 ounces (9M tonnes at 3.22 g/t gold) of gold with a substantial silver credit. A 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlined a low-cost heap leach operation focusing on the near-surface resource with total production of 195,443 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,078 (U.S.) per ounce of gold. The Napoleon project comprises over 1,000 hectares and prospective for multiple forms of gold mineralization, with exploration in the area dating back to the 1970s with the discovery of high-grade gold. The Yukon gold projects are comprised of almost 8,000 hectares of quartz claims prospective for high-grade gold mineralization with historical grab sampling highlights of 144 g/t gold.

Nexus Uranium cautions investors the preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. The Company further cautions investors Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and further cautions investors the quantity and grade of the reported inferred Mineral Resources are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred Mineral Resources as indicated Mineral Resources.

The Company cautions investors it has yet to verify the historical data and further cautions investors grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of sampling on the entire property.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this news release, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the business to be carried on by the Company, the expected growth of the Company, including advancing of the Wray Mesa uranium-vanadium project in Utah and other projects, and the continued and successful engagement of MIC and SFLLC.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196724
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2024) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTC Pink: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), further to its press releases of December 12, 2023 and January 29, 2024 (the "Prior Press Releases"), announced today that it has completed the first tranche closing (the "First Tranche Closing") of its previously announced offering of the sale of securities, on a private placement basis, of the Company for gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Company sold a total of 1,610 convertible debenture units of the Company (the "CD Units") at a price of $1,000 per CD Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds in the First Tranche Closing of $1,610,000.

The First Tranche Closing of the Offering was completed pursuant to the terms and conditions of an agency agreement (the "Agency Agreement"), dated February 2, 2024 between the Company and Research Capital Corporation, as lead agent and sole bookrunner.

In accordance with the Agency Agreement, the Company may complete additional closings on sales of CD Units pursuant to the Offering on or before March 15, 2024. The Company intends to close a second and third tranche of the Offering for additional gross proceeds of a minimum of $6,000,000. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to close any further tranches of the Offering.

Each CD Unit is comprised of: (i) one 10.0% unsecured convertible debenture of the Company in the principal amount of $1,000 (a "Convertible Debenture"); and (ii) 6,666 Common Share purchase warrants (the "CD Warrants"). The Convertible Debentures sold in the First Tranche Closing will mature on February 2, 2027 (the "Maturity Date") and, subject to prior conversion in accordance with their terms, will be repaid in cash at the Maturity Date. Each CD Warrant sold in the First Tranche Closing is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.25 until February 2, 2026.

From the date of issue until their Maturity Date, Convertible Debenture holders may elect to convert, in whole or in part, the face value of the Convertible Debentures into Common Shares at a conversion price of $0.15 per Common Share. At any time prior to the Maturity Date, if the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (or such other Canadian stock exchange on which the greatest volume of Common Shares is traded) meets or exceeds $2.50 for three consecutive trading days, any non-converted and remaining face value of the Convertible Debentures will be automatically converted into Common Shares at a conversion price of $0.15 per Common Share. Upon the conversion of the Convertible Debentures, the Company will pay to the Convertible Debenture holders, in cash, the interest accrued on the Convertible Debentures for the amount converted up to but excluding the date of conversion. The Convertible Debentures shall bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum from the date of issue, payable monthly in arrears in cash. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.

Tenet intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to continue the development of its Cubeler Business Hub, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

For its services in connection with the First Tranche Closing of the Offering, the Company has paid to the Agent: (i) a cash commission equal to $112,700, being an amount equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the First Tranche Closing of the Offering; and (ii) 112.7 non-transferable broker warrants (the "CD Broker Warrants"), being such number of CD Broker Warrants as is equal to 7.0% of the number of CD Units sold pursuant to the Offering. Each CD Broker Warrant is exercisable to purchase one CD Unit at an exercise price of $1,000 until February 2, 2026.

The Convertible Debentures and CD Warrants are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance. For further details concerning the Offering, see the Prior Press Releases.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any jurisdiction in the United States of America. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/.

For more information, please contact:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc.

Mayco Quiroz, Chief Operating Officer

514-340-7775 ext.: 510

[email protected]

CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

416-868-1079 ext.: 251

[email protected]

Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media:

X: @Tenet_Fintech

Facebook: @Tenet

LinkedIn: Tenet

YouTube: Tenet Fintech

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding any additional tranche closings of the Offering and the use of proceeds of the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of management of Tenet. Actual events and conditions could differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Tenet, including risks regarding the industry in which Tenet operates, economic factors, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Additional risk factors are also set forth in the Company's management's discussion and analysis and other filings available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196754
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

A visually appealing and user-friendly web presence becomes more vital to a companys success with each passing year. AAA Web Agency works with business owners to transform their visions into reality, boosting visibility and search engine optimization.



A companys website and online presence are often its first introduction to the public and potential customers. AAA Web Agency is revolutionizing how companies interact with clients through the internet with high-quality, relevant content, keyword research for search engine optimization (SEO), link building, and professional web development. As one of the leading web design companies in the USA, AAA Web Agency is dominating the SEO landscape by helping businesses achieve higher rankings and increased online visibility.

Our team works day and night to understand our clients needs and come up with a plan to best meet their goals, AAA Web Agency CEO and founder Ahmed Shallan said. We focus on creating a developmental process that is both comprehensive and straightforward.

The company is dedicated to building clients online presence through SEO. With a team of qualified web designers and SEO experts on staff, AAA Web Agency knows how to help a business rank higher on search engines like Google, increasing public visibility and drawing in new business. AAA Web Agency has experts in technical SEO, which relates to the background functions of a website, as well as the more well-known variety that focuses on high-quality content, visual appeal, and keyword research.

Ranking Higher in Online Search Results

Many people search for a business online before interacting with the company. Searching for ecommerce products or services "near me" is another widespread habit. Having a website isn't enough. Most people don't scroll past the first page or two of results, which makes being among the top results crucial to reaching new customers. SEO shapes a company's online presence to build authority and trust, which in turn increases the likelihood that search engines view the site as more legitimate, promoting it to a higher ranking among the results. AAA Web Agency employs highly skilled and experienced SEO specialists who stay updated on the latest industry trends and best practices. After working with AAA Web Agency, many clients have reported higher search engine rankings, increased organic web traffic, and improved conversions.

"AAA Web Agency has an unmatched ability to transform visions into stunning web designs. Their creativity, attention to detail, and flawless execution make them the clear choice for businesses seeking the best web design services in the USA," said Medicare Advisors CEO.

Customized Web Design

The expert web designers at AAA Web Agency understand how important unique and engaging designs are to the success of a company's website. Beyond beautifully designed and visually appealing websites, clients receive highly functional, user-friendly sites optimized for various devices.

Designed for Success

AAA Web Agency stands out from the competition for its innovative approach to meeting client needs. Whether a company needs a stunning website design or seeks to create a seamless user experience, the talented team at AAA Web Agency routinely goes above and beyond to exceed expectations.



Comprehensive Digital Strategy

Rather than focusing on a single aspect, AAA Web Agency develops a customized, comprehensive digital strategy factoring in a company's goals, target audience, competitors, and market trends. Using the power of data analytics, the agency uses an innovative data-driven approach that results in informed decisions, optimized strategies, and continuously improving outcomes.

"AAA Web Agency surpassed our expectations with their exceptional SEO services. They took our business to the top of search rankings, resulting in a significant boost in organic traffic. Plus, their pricing is unmatched!" said Coveti CEO Heba Al-Faziri.

The company provides regular, detailed reports on progress to maintain transparency and allow clients to track the success of SEO and web design campaigns. With exceptional client satisfaction, AAA Web Agency has earned its reputation for exceeding expectations in multiple areas. From building leads and drawing qualified buyers to increasing sales, ranking higher on Google, or getting verified on social media, AAA Web Agency has the tools and expertise to achieve the desired results.

Contact us today to discuss how we can elevate your online presence and drive growth for your business, Shallan said.

Conclusion

Visit the AAA Web Agency website to learn more about the company and its options for web development, SEO services, graphic design, and digital marketing. Reach out by calling +1 (732) 925-6388.



Contact Info:

Name: Ahmed Shallan

Email: Send Email

Organization: AAA Web Agency

Phone: +1 (732) 925-6388

Website: https://aaa-wa.com



Release ID: 89120418

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Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Matrix Fund is a brand-new attempt by leading capitals like Bitwise in innovative crypto funds, promising a transformative business model in the Web3 realm.



Web3 innovative fund manager Matrix Fund announces the completion of its first round of $200 million institution investment. This funding will be used for crypto and Web3 investments. According to its official website, Matrix Fund is the first decentralized innovative ETF provider, combining expertise in both blockchain technology and asset management to achieve transparent and safe investments.

It is said that the core team of Matrix Fund is composed of best minds from Bitwise and Web3 tech. Its professional strategy and information sharing with the world leading asset management company gains a unique strength in expanding access to crypto investment. Since launch, The independent fund startup has been favored by companies like Bitwise and prominent investors such as Alex Zhu. It seems that Matrix Fund is a brand-new attempt by leading capitals like Bitwise in innovative crypto funds, promising a transformative business model in the Web3 realm.

With the aim of pursuing long-term stable returns, Matrix Fund leans on its expertise of risk parity balanced portfolios based on professional macro judgement to craft diversified, 24/7 crypto asset management strategies that can equalise exposure to different kinds of volatility and cater to needs of different investors in different times. In addition to the $200 million institutional investment, we have learned from relevant sources that Matrix Fund will soon launch METF fund to serve HNWIs worldwide in recent days.

Contact Info:

Name: Kim Hong

Email: Send Email

Organization: Matrix Fund Ltd.

Address: Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore, 049315

Phone: 852-59102584

Website: https://matrixfund.pro/



Disclaimer:



This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.



You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence.

Release ID: 89120577

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday lashed out at the U.S. administration for its attacks in eastern Syria, accusing Washington of being a primary source of global instability.

In a scathing statement, the ministry said the U.S. military forces are threatening international security and peace through attacks on nations, peoples, and sovereignty, and escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

The ministry accused the United States of attempting to revive terrorist activities in the region, emphasizing its consistent role in escalating conflicts in the already volatile Middle East.

In a critique directed at the U.S. administration for conducting a series of airstrikes on military positions in eastern Syria after midnight, reportedly targeting Iranian-backed militias' strongholds, the ministry asserted that the attack is just one instance of the recurrent violations by the United States. The ministry cited a pattern of aggression, including actions by the alleged international coalition formed in 2014.

It strongly denounced what it deemed as U.S. backing for terrorism, civilian casualties, and ongoing exploitation of Syrian national resources.

Besides, the ministry criticized the U.S. administration for neglecting the United Nations Charter and international law, expressing apprehension about the "paralysis" within the United Nations Security Council. It attributed this paralysis to U.S. interference, impeding the council's ability to address the alleged serious violations.

While neither Syrian state media nor the army reported an exact number of casualties resulting from the U.S. airstrikes, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 militants were killed as the strikes hit strongholds of the Iranian-backed militias along 130 km of areas in Deir al-Zour. 
WebWize, Inc. is one of Texas's longest-running web design, hosting, and email companies. Founded in 1994 by Glenn Brooks, Jr., the company has become a trusted web development company, offering businesses affordable and comprehensive digital solutions.



In the last 30 years, the digital landscape in Texas has transformed from a realm with limited competition to a highly competitive arena where businesses strive to secure the coveted top position in search engine rankings. Nowadays, there is intense competition among online businesses in Texas, all aiming for the top spot on search results. Therefore, it is no longer a choice but necessary for businesses to have a fully functional, optimized, user-friendly, and search-engine-optimized website. Since 1994, WebWize, a Houston-based company, has been recognized as Texas's longest-running web development company. They have been a trusted digital partner for Texas businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of the online world.

Glenn Brooks, Jr., the founder of WebWize, emphasizes that effective web design goes beyond aesthetics. It involves crafting a user-friendly experience that profoundly connects with the target audience. Let's consider the example of a restaurant website in Dallas. In addition to showcasing the menu and ambiance, it is crucial to prioritize easy navigation and mobile compatibility to cater to on-the-go customers. Moreover, if the restaurant also offers online food delivery services, a responsive design, secure payment gateway, customer profile management, geo-location, and even AI chatbots become essential. This is why the Houston-based web design agency, WebWize, begins by understanding the client's vision for their business website. By doing so, they can provide a variety of designs and features for the client to choose from, resulting in a customized website that meets their specific needs

Web hosting plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the accessibility and dependability of a website. This is especially important for an e-commerce website, as uninterrupted hosting services are essential for its round-the-clock sales operations. The hosting quality directly affects the platform's revenue and customer satisfaction. Consequently, prioritizing business-level hosting is a must. Gone are the days when clients would settle for development companies that place their websites on subpar server farms. At WebWize, we only offer our clients fast and secure business-level web servers, ensuring their websites perform optimally.

A well-designed website that lacks SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is unlikely to appear in search results when customers search for a service. For example, if someone searches for "homes for sale in Austin," the search engine will go through the cached data of thousands of websites to provide users with a list of the most relevant ones. This means that Austin real estate agencies with these keywords or similar ones, along with proper NAP information, optimized UX, and backlinks, are more likely to appear in the search results. This can pose a challenge for businesses working with different agencies or trying to build an in-house SEO team. As a result, many businesses in Texas work with WebWize for comprehensive web solutions that include website design, web hosting, and SEO services. This helps them save money and eliminates the difficulties of working with multiple agencies.



Start with WebWize. We have the experience

WebWize has developed over 3000 websites and written over 200 Coldfusion applications, solidifying its reputation as the longest-running web design, hosting, and email company in Texas since 1994. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company is known for its customer-focused approach and extensive range of affordable digital solutions, from WordPress and website designing to SEO and email marketing services.



Contact Info:

Name: Glenn Brooks

Email: Send Email

Organization: WebWize

Address: 15150 Boudreaux Rd, Tomball, TX 77377, United States

Phone: +1 713 416 7111

Website: https://www.webwize.com/



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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/webwize/



Release ID: 89120372

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Final results from inspIRE study demonstrate 80% freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 12 months in patients with optimal Pulsed Field Ablation applications

First look results from admIRE study suggests similar outcomes

IRVINE, Calif. , Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosense Webster, Inc., a global leader in cardiac arrhythmia treatment and part of Johnson & Johnson MedTechi, announced 12-month results from the company-sponsored inspIRE study, "Predictors of Success for Pulmonary Vein Isolation with Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) Using a Variable Loop Catheter with 3D Mapping Integration: Complete 12-month outcomes from inspIRE," presented as a late-breaking presentation at the 29th Annual International AF Symposium.1 Interim results from the company-sponsored admIRE study, titled "PFA Using a Variable Loop Circular Catheter with 3D Mapping Integration: Early Outcomes of the admIRE Study," were also shared in a late-breaking presentation.2

Both the inspIRE and admIRE studies were conducted using the Biosense Webster VARIPULSE Platform, consisting of the VARIPULSE Catheter  a fully integrated variable-loop multielectrode catheter; the TRUPULSE Generator  a multichannel PFA generator; and the CARTO 3 System VARIPULSE Service Pack Software, which provides full integration with the world's leading 3D cardiac mapping system. The CARTO System enables an intuitive and reproducible workflow with real-time visualization and feedback mechanisms.

"Biosense Webster is committed to bringing forward a versatile, differentiated portfolio of PFA solutions designed to help electrophysiologists deliver safe, effective, and efficient cardiac ablation procedures," said Jasmina Brooks , President, Biosense Webster, Inc. "The encouraging outcomes from clinical trials with VARIPULSE fuel our excitement as we continue to deliver innovations to meet the diverse needs and ablation strategies required to successfully treat atrial fibrillation."

Data from inspIRE Demonstrate 80% of Patients Achieved Freedom from Recurrence with Zero Primary Adverse Events

The inspIRE study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the VARIPULSE Platform for the treatment of drug-refractory paroxysmal AFib in Europe and Canada .1 In the study, the primary effectiveness endpoint of acute pulmonary vein isolation and 12-month freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence (AFib, Atrial Tachycardia, or Atrial Flutter) was 75.6%. Among participants receiving optimal PFA applications, 80% achieved the primary effectiveness endpoint.1 The study reported a low fluoroscopy time of 7.8 minutes, partly attributed to the integration of the VARIPULSE Platform to the CARTO 3 System. The safety results demonstrated a primary adverse event rate of 0.0%ii.1

"High efficacy of 80% freedom from atrial recurrence at 12 months and a strong safety profile are promising evidence of the capabilities of the VARIPULSE Platform," said Vivek Y. Reddy , M.D., Director of Electrophysiology at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and The Helmsley Trust Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, corresponding author for the inspIRE study publication.iii "As the VARIPULSE Platform was designed to integrate seamlessly with the CARTO 3 Mapping System, this technology should be able to effectively treat patients with atrial fibrillation with low radiation exposure to patients and lab staff alike."

admIRE Pilot Results Show All Pilot Phase Patients Achieved Acute Success and 80% Remained Free from Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence After One Year

Twelve-month outcomes data from the pilot phase of the admIRE study, which assessed the safety and efficacy of the VARIPULSE Platform among U.S. patients, were presented as a late-breaker at the AF Symposium.2 Among 20 patients who completed the 12-month follow-up visit, 100% achieved acute success from ablation procedures and 80% remained free from atrial arrhythmia recurrence at one year.2 No procedure or device-related primary adverse events were reported in the pilot phase of the study.2 For patients who had received ablation, median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 90.0 and 3.5 minutes, respectively, as a result of the CARTO integration.2

"The results observed in the pilot phase of the admIRE study point to the promise of the VARIPULSE Platform in treating patients with paroxysmal AFib," said David Newton , M.D., Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah, Georgia .iv "These initial results are encouraging and demonstrate the potential for the VARIPULSE Platform to become a key component of the suite of tools electrophysiologists have at their disposal to perform catheter ablations."

AFib is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and affects more than 6 million people in the United States and nearly 38 million people worldwide.3,4 Approximately 1 in 4 adults over the age of 40 are at risk for developing AFib.5 Despite these projections, many people are unfamiliar with AFib symptoms, available treatment options, and the importance of early treatment to avoid disease progression.6 Catheter ablation is a safe and effective procedure when drugs don't work to help restore the heart's incorrect electrical signals, which cause an abnormal heart rhythm.7

About inspIRE

The inspIRE study (Study for Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation [PAF] by PFA System With Irreversible Electroporation [IRE]) (NCT04524364) was a prospective, multi-center, single-arm study of drug-refractory PAF, conducted at 13 institutions in Canada and Europe , from March 2021 to May 2022 . In the study, PVI was performed with the VARIPULSE Platform. Follow up with 24-hour Holter monitoring was performed at three, six, and 12 months. Remote rhythm monitoring was performed weekly from three to five months; monthly, from six to 12 months; and for symptoms. The primary effectiveness endpoint (PEE) was acute PVI plus freedom from all atrial arrhythmia (AFib, Atrial Tachycardia, or Atrial Flutter), at 12 months. This final analysis of the study focused on the pivotal phase (Wave II) per-protocol population of 186 patients with 12 months of follow up.

About admIRE

The admIRE study (Assessment of Safety and Effectiveness in Treatment Management of Atrial Fibrillation With the Biosense Webster IRE Ablation System) (NCT05293639) is a prospective, multi-center, single-arm study to demonstrate the safety and long-term effectiveness of the VARIPULSE Platform when used for isolation of pulmonary veins in treatment of patients in the United States with symptomatic drug refractory paroxysmal AFib. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved using the VARIPULSE Platform. The study consisted of a pilot phase, which assessed initial device safety and effectiveness, and a pivotal phase, which assessed these against pre-specified performance goals. The primary safety endpoint was incidence of early onset (within seven days) primary adverse events; atrio-esophageal fistula (within 90 days); cardiac tamponade or perforation (within 30 days); and PV stenosis (within 12 months). Acute procedure success (defined as confirmed entrance block at the end of procedure) and freedom from documented atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 12 months were also assessed.

About the VARIPULSE Platform

The VARIPULSE Platform is Biosense Webster's Irreversible Electroporation ablation system. The fully integrated platform includes the VARIPULSE Catheter, TRUPULSE Generator, and CARTO 3 Mapping System VARIPULSE Service Pack Software. In January 2024 , Biosense Webster announced that the VARIPULSE Platform received its first regulatory approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the treatment of symptomatic drug refractory recurrent paroxysmal AFib using PFA. In the U.S. , the VARIPULSE Catheter and TRUPULSE Generator are currently investigational and are not approved by regulatory authorities. In Europe , the TRUPULSE generator received CE mark in late 2023 and VARIPULSE Catheter is pending CE mark.

About Biosense Webster

Biosense Webster, Inc. is the global market leader in the science and technology behind the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, the specialized medical-technology company is headquartered in Irvine, California , and works across the world to advance the tools and solutions that help electrophysiologists identify, treat, and deliver care. Learn more at biosensewebster.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter.

About Johnson & Johnson MedTechii

At Johnson & Johnson MedTech,i we unleash diverse healthcare expertise, purposeful technology, and a passion for people to transform the future of medical intervention and empower everyone to live their best life possible. For more than a century, we have driven breakthrough scientific innovation to address unmet needs and reimagine health. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions, we continue to help save lives and create a future where healthcare solutions are smarter, less invasive, and more personalized.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the VARIPULSE Platform clinical trials. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Biosense Webster, Inc., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services; and trends toward healthcare cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023 , including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at sec.gov, jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Biosense Webster, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

 Johnson & Johnson Biosense Webster, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. US_BWI_THER_303927.1

i Johnson & Johnson MedTech comprises the surgery, orthopedics, vision, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson's MedTech segment.

ii Primary adverse events were defined as myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, transient ischemic attack, diaphragmatic paralysis, pneumothorax, heart block, pulmonary edema, vagal nerve injury, pericarditis, major vascular access complication or bleeding, death, stroke, or any other cerebrovascular accident. Atrioesophageal fistula and PV stenosis occurring >7 days post ablation along with cardiac tamponade or perforations occurring within 30 days of the ablation procedure were also considered primary adverse events.

iii Nemocnice na Homolce entered into a clinical trial agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical NV/SA for their participation in the inspIRE Study. Dr. Reddy served as a study coinvestigator. Dr. Reddy was compensated for consultancy purposes for his Multielectrode IRE Catheter Program Study Advisory Committee membership. Dr. Reddy was not compensated for this authorship contributions.

iv Memorial HCA Savannah entered into a clinical trial agreement with Biosense Webster, Inc. for their participation in the admIRE Study. Dr. Newton served as a study coinvestigator. Dr. Newton serves as a consultant for BWI. Dr. Newton was not compensated for this authorship contributions.

1 Reddy V, Grimaldi M, Duytschaever M, Anic A. Predictors of Success for Pulmonary Vein Isolation with Pulsed Field Ablation Using a Variable Loop Catheter with 3D Mapping Integration: Complete 12-month outcomes from inspIRE [abstract]. In: AF Symposium.; February 2-4 ; Boston .

2 Newton D, Natale A, Mansour M, Nair D, Senn T. Pulsed Field Ablation Using a Variable Loop Circular Catheter with 3D Mapping Integration: Early Outcomes of the admIRE Study [abstract]. In: AF Symposium.; February 2-4 ; Boston .

3 Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F, Cervellin G. Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation: An increasing epidemic and public health challenge. Int J Stroke. 2021 Feb;16(2):217-221. doi: 10.1177/1747493019897870. Epub 2020 Jan 19. Erratum in: Int J Stroke. 2020 Jan 28;1747493020905964. PMID: 31955707.

4 Kornej J, Borschel CS, Emelia J. Benjamin EJ, Schnabel RB. Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation in the 21st Century. Circulation Research. 2020 June;127(1):4-20. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.316340

5 Staerk, et al. 2018 Lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation according to optimal, borderline, or elevated levels of risk factors: cohort study based on longitudinal data from the Framingham Heart Study. BMJ 2018;361:k1453 doi: 10.1136/bmj.k1453

6 Kuck KH, Lebedev DS, Mikhaylov EN, et al. Catheter ablation or medical therapy to delay progression of atrial fibrillation: the randomized controlled atrial fibrillation progression trial (ATTEST). Europace 2021;23(3)362-369. doi: 10.1093/europace/euaa298.

7 Natale, A. Reddy VY, Monir G, et al. Paroxysmal AF catheter ablation with a contact force sensing catheter: results of the prospective, multicenter SMART-AF trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014;64(7),647656. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.072

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biosense-webster-presents-late-breaking-data-from-inspire-and-admire-clinical-trials-at-af-symposium-302052451.html

SOURCE Biosense Webster
SHANGHAI , Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1996, MDS Pharma Service invested in and established the first true Contract Research Organization (CRO) in China , dedicated to clinical trial business for new drugs. This marked the official launch of the CRO industry in China .

The concept of CRO originated in the United States in the 1970s  1980s. As the U.S. FDA regulations for drug research and development (R&D) continued to evolve, requiring increased funding and time for drug R&D, the competition among pharmaceutical companies intensified. In this context, CROs emerged as external resources that pharmaceutical companies could leverage to quickly assemble highly specialized and experienced teams. This approach proved effective in reducing the drug R&D cycle and lowering R&D costs. Consequently, CROs gained favor among major pharmaceutical companies gradually.

By 2023, after 8 years of development, Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals has gradually evolved into four business forms: CRO, CDO (Contract Development Organization), CPO (Cooperative Project Organization), and CRS (Core Reagent Solution). The emergence of these business forms provides more specialized and efficient support for the development and production of biopharmaceuticals, further promoting the development of the field of biopharmaceuticals.

A Thriving Tree of Biopharmaceuticals

If the field of biopharmaceuticals is likened to a towering tree, then Sanyou's 4C business model is an indispensable part of the tree. Among them, CRS serves as the soil in which the tree roots, proving foundational support and assurance; CRO functions as the trunk, offering sturdy support to the entire biopharmaceutical field; CPO acts as the lush side branches, forming the flourishing foundation for abundant blossoms; and CDO, like the vibrant flowers at the top of the tree, captures attention and radiates vitality, harmonizing with the side branches to jointly showcase the prosperity of the tree of biopharmaceuticals.

This is not only a highly visual description of the field of biopharmaceuticals, but also a refined summary of Sanyou's business model. The 4C business model is closely integrated, resembling a thriving tree in the forest, demonstrating the comprehensive and complete scope of Sanyou business. This metaphor not only aids in understanding the complex structure of the field of biopharmaceuticals, but also highlight the form and positioning of Sanyou's 4C business model in the field of biopharmaceutical. Such a vivid analogy not only helps us better understand the development of the field of biopharmaceuticals, but also provides a fresh perspective to examine and contemplate the future direction of this field.

Blooming flowers - CDO: Leading the Innovative Force in Drug R&D

The blossoms at the top of the tree are dazzling and symbolize the outstanding achievements in biopharmaceutical R&D. These blossoms represent drug R&D projects that have successfully entered the IND (Investigational New Drug) stage, finally flourishing at the top of the tree after careful cultivation and continuous efforts.

Since 2020, SanYou has successfully facilitated the IND approval for 7 innovative biopharmaceutical projects, demonstrating its strength in the field of drug R&D. Moreover, we have accomplished the cell line production and process development for more than 30 projects, providing a stable foundation for drug R&D.

CDO focuses on the R&D of innovative drugs, and every step from preclinical candidate molecules (PCC) to IND application is crucial. Sanyou provides customers with services in key areas such as cell line construction, small-scale process development, analysis method development and validation, pilot production and release testing, toxicology research, stability research, and more. These services are aimed at ensuring the smooth progress of drug R&D and creating more value for customers.

Lateral Branches - CPO: The Expanding Force in Biopharmaceutical R&D

In the field of biopharmaceutical R&D, CPO business acts like the lateral branches of a towering tree, possessing strong vitality and adaptability. By taking an appropriate clump and planting it in a flower pot, it can grow into another tree independently.

CPO business provides customers with targeted pre-research services, allowing them to initiate targeted research with lower R&D costs. This service saves customers a significant amount of time and resources, allowing them to focus more on the R&D process of their projects. Once a project reaches a certain stage, customers can flexibly choose the subsequent advancement methods according to their needs to ensure the continuous and stable progress of the project.

For R&D projects that require additional investment, CPO business also provides collaborative pre-research services. Customers only need to invest a portion of the R&D costs to initiate collaborative R&D with Sanyou. Sanyou contributes the platform and team, sharing the investment jointly to ensure the smooth progression of the project to key milestones. This collaborative model provides customers with more resources and support, reduces R&D risks, and enhances R&D efficiency.

In addition, CPO business also offers pre-research grafting and technology grafting services. SanYou completes various tasks related to "breeding and seedling cultivation" in advance and provides candidate projects that have completed certain stages of R&D according to customer needs. We also offer a unique super-trillion innovative antibody drug discovery platform to help customers accelerate the R&D process of antibody drugs. These services provide customers with comprehensive support, allowing them to focus more on drug development and innovation.

Sanyou's platform, in-house projects, and R&D investment are flourishing lateral branches of the big tree, offering customers abundant resources and strong support. We invite you to harvest more and assure that this collaboration comes with low risks.

Trunk - CRO: The Core Strength of Drug R&D

In the field of biopharmaceutical R&D, CRO plays a vital role, much like the core position of the trunk in trees. As a contract research organization, CRO undertakes all stages of preclinical work in the drug R&D process, covering from PCC overall business to stage-specific services, which are all indispensable parts of drug R&D.

The PCC overall service within CRO is one of the core businesses of drug R&D. It encompasses the entire process, from raw material preparation to antibody screening, antibody engineering, animal efficacy screening, and more. In order to ensure the smooth progress of each step, Sanyou's powerful target research team plays a key role. Comprising more than 20 staff with PhD degrees, this team has accumulated rich experience, starting from clinical needs to explore high-value projects. They maintain close communication with well-known pharmaceutical companies and authoritative professors in specialized fields, collectively discussing and exploring the druggability value of innovative targets and projects.

In addition to the PCC overall service, stage-specific services within CRO are also crucial in the drug R&D process. It involves breaking down the PCC overall service into individual stages, each of which can be provided as a separate service to customers independently. This service model makes investment and output much clearer, allowing for the fast and efficient completion of tasks such as molecule generation, molecular optimization, in vivo and in vitro validation, and more.

As of the end of 2023, Sanyou has successfully delivered more than 100 PCC projects and completed over 300 antibody discovery projects. These achievements fully demonstrate Sanyou's strength and experience in the field of drug R&D. Looking into the future, we will continue to explore innovative high-value projects, proactively engage in R&D in advance, shorten drug R&D cycles, reduce drug R&D risks, and enhance overall drug R&D efficiency.

Soil - CRS: The Solid Foundation of Drug R&D

In the field of biopharmaceutical R&D, CRS business serves as fertile soil, providing a stable support for the entire drug R&D process. As the foundational force in drug R&D, CRS, with its robust strength, ensures the stable supply and quality assurance of the raw materials required for drug R&D.

As a solid support for SanYou's innovative biopharmaceutical discovery platform, CRS is the core reagent solution that can provide protein customization and pre-made reagents. This business not only directly creates value for customers but also meets the requirements of raw materials for various projects (such as CRO, CPO, and CDO). With its superior preparation techniques and rigorous quality control, CRS ensures the timely delivery and high-quality standards of reagents.

If CRS is likened to soil, then the robust capabilities of the raw material preparation platform are like a sturdy root system, penetrating deep into the soil to provide a steady and continuous supply of nutrients. Through mature expression systems, Sanyou can meet the preparation needs for various types of antibodies, antigens, and cell lines. For challenging drug target proteins, Sanyou has excellent preparation technologies such as virus-like particle (VLP) fusion protein preparation, membrane protein extraction, and overexpression cell line technologies, and more. With a comprehensive inventory of over 100,000 types of ready-made reagents, Sanyou can provide customers with ultimately fast delivery of reagents with short delivery time. Moreover, Sanyou has established a comprehensive multi-dimensional drug validation system to ensure the high reliability of the quality of ready-made reagent products.

In summary, as the solid foundation of drug R&D, CRS provides abundant raw material support for the entire preclinical R&D of biopharmaceuticals. Over the past year, Sanyou's protein customization services have achieved extensive coverage and timely technological updates, delivering thousands of orders successfully in just two years. At the same time, Sanyou's ready-made reagent product line has included more than 11,000 products, covering three major fields: proteins, antibodies, and cell lines, along with their subdivisions. Looking forward to the future, Sanyou will continue to increase investment, expand the scope and customer base of protein customization services, and actively explore overseas markets. Additionally, Sanyou will continuously introduce new reagent products to meet the requirements of rigid demand, high-frequency use, and high-end products in the market.

Soil, trunk, lateral branches, and blooming flowers encapsulate the robust and flourishing tree of biopharmaceuticals, representing the in-depth understanding and unique insights of Sanyou in the field of drug R&D. Through this metaphorical tree, we can more intuitively understand the complex structure and developmental trends in the field of biopharmaceutical, while also better understand the core business model of Sanyou and its crucial position in the field of drug R&D.

In the future, Sanyou will continue to uphold the core principles of this biopharmaceutical tree, constantly expand and deepen its core business model. Just as a tree never perceives the sky as being too close, Sanyou will never cease its pursuit of excellence.

About Sanyou

Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is a world-leading high-tech biotechnology enterprise focusing on R&D and services of innovative biologic drugs. Sanyou is committed to bridge drug R&D and all-life-cycle manufacture supply chain, and has built the 4C business patterns that integrate "differentiated CRO, integrated CDO, innovative CPO and characteristic CRS", to accomplish the mission "to make the R&D easy for innovative biologics".

Sanyou has established an integrated innovative biologic drug R&D laboratory of twenty thousand square meters with advanced facilities, and has a professional team with the majority holding a Ph.D. or master degree. Sanyou has built three industry-leading innovative technology platforms featured by "super-trillion, integration, and intelligence" , which are comprised of more than 50 sub-platforms with the core innovative super-trillion phage display platform, and supported by platforms of material preparation, biologics discovery, molecule optimization, in vitro and in vivo efficacy, production cell line construction, upstream and downstream process development, preclinical R&D, industrialization development, etc.

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Children play with soap bubbles as people gather outside the Reichstag building, during a rally of the broad alliance "Hand in Hand" under the slogan "Wir sind die Brandmauer" ("We are the Firewall") to protest against right-wing extremism and for the pro

By Andreas Rinke and Christoph Steitz

BERLIN/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Around 200,000 people took to the streets in Germany on Saturday, most of them in the capital Berlin, as nationwide protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party entered their fourth week.

Protests were also taking place in cities such as Mainz, Dresden and Hanover, in a sign of growing alarm at strong public support for the AfD.

Roughly 150,000 people flocked to the Reichstag parliament building in Berlin, where protesters gathered under the slogan "We are the Firewall" to protest against right-wing extremism and to show support for democracy.

"Whether in Eisenach, Homburg or Berlin: in small and large cities across the country, many citizens are coming together to demonstrate against forgetting, against hatred and hate speech," Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X.

He said the protests were "a strong sign in favour of democracy and our constitution".

The AfD's success has stoked concern among Germany's mainstream parties, who fear it could sweep three state elections in eastern Germany in September, even though recent polls have shown a slight decline in AfD support.

Jakob Springfeld, who speaks for the NGO Solidarity Network Saxony, said he was shocked that it had taken such a long time for mass demonstrations against the far-right, given the AfD had been successful in many smaller communities already.

"But there's a jolt now. And the fact that the jolt is coming provides hope I believe."

Earlier this week, a Forsa poll showed that backing for the AfD dropped below 20% for the first time since July, with voters citing nationwide demonstrations against the far-right as the most important issue.

According to the poll, the AfD remains in second place behind the main opposition conservatives on 32%, while Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats polled third at 15%.

The protests followed a report last month that two senior AfD members had attended a meeting to discuss plans for the mass deportation of citizens of foreign origin. The AfD has denied that the proposal represented party policy.

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told broadcaster Deutschlanfunk that while it was "legitimate to take to the streets with the government" protesters should not allow themselves to be used to distract parties from the country's actual problems.

Chrupalla said Germany included Germans with a migrant background and that his party was not planning to expel them.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Oliver Barth, Oliver Denzer and Christoph Steitz; Editing by Giles Elgood, Alexandra Hudson and Mark Potter)
A Cruise self-driving car, which is owned by General Motors Corp, is seen outside the companys headquarters in San Francisco where it does most of its testing, in California, U.S., September 26, 2018. Picture taken on September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Hea

(This Feb. 2 story has been corrected to remove the word Chinese from paragraph 9)

By Abhirup Roy

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Completely driverless vehicles traveled nearly 3.3 million miles in California last year, over five times the previous year's total, even as concerns rose in the wake of a Cruise robotaxi accident, state data on vehicle testing released on Friday showed.

General Motors' Cruise and Alphabet's Waymo accounted for the bulk of the miles - 63% and 36% respectively - recorded without a safety driver, according to the state's department of motor vehicles (DMV).

Taxis with empty driver's seats have become common in the San Francisco area. The Cruise accident, in which an autonomous vehicle hit and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet (6.1 meters), sparked a public outcry and prompted the company to halt operations across the country.

Autonomous tests with a safety driver rose to 5.7 million miles from 5.1 million, DMV data from Dec. 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2023 showed.

Supporters of self-driving technology have long claimed it can be safer than human drivers who may drive drunk, while texting, or fall asleep behind the wheel.

San Francisco residents, city agencies and some labor unions complain that robotaxis disrupt traffic and put people at risk with their erratic driving and abrupt stops in the middle of busy roads.

In October, the DMV suspended testing and deployment permits for Cruise, which is facing multiple investigations, including one by the Justice Department.

On Friday, DMV said 38 companies had permits to test their autonomous vehicles with a safety driver.

Six of them have been permitted for driverless testing: Waymo, Amazon's Zoox unit, Chinese search giant Baidu's Apollo, and startups Nuro, WeRide and AutoX.

Concerns about Chinese companies testing autonomous vehicles have also grown, with some U.S. lawmakers calling for greater transparency over their collection and storage of sensitive data on citizens, infrastructure and technologies.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Richard Chang)
CAIRO (Reuters) -No attack on the al-Harir air base hosting U.S. forces in northern Iraq was detected on Saturday, three security sources told Reuters, shortly after Islamic Resistance in Iraq militants claimed to have targeted the base.

On Friday, the U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's drone attack in northeastern Jordan that killed three U.S. troops.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza began in October, the U.S. military has come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari and Enas Alashray; editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

DOHA/GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli airstrikes killed 18 Palestinians in the Gaza cities of Rafah and Deir Al-Balah, Gaza health officials said on Saturday, as residents of the enclave feared Israel would expand its ground offensive into those last remaining areas where people have sought shelter.

Rafah is on Gaza's southern border with Egypt and more than half the enclave's 2.3 million population have fled there as the Israel Defense Forces press their nearly four-month-old war against the militant Hamas group.

Health officials in Gaza said an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah killed 14 people including women and children, Gaza health officials said.

There was no confirmation from the Israeli military that it carried out the strike. A military spokesperson said: "In stark contrast to Hamas' intentional attacks on Israeli men, women and children, the IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm."

The months of intense Israeli bombardment, triggered by Hamas' deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, has laid waste to Gaza and set off wider conflict in the region. The United States launched airstrikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria against targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and the militias it backs, in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops.

Gaza health authorities, who do not differentiate between militants and civilians in their tallies, say more than 27,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed since the start of the war, 107 of them in the past 24 hours, with thousands more feared lost amid the ruins.

Israel launched its war on Hamas after the Oct. 7 onslaught by Hamas militants who killed 1,200 people and took 253 people hostage into Gaza, more than 100 of whom are still captive, according to Israeli tallies.

Israeli officials say they aim to eliminate Hamas, which has vowed to repeat its October attacks, and repatriate the hostages, many of whom are women and children.

TAKING REFUGE IN RAFAH

Tens of thousands of people have arrived in Rafah in recent days carrying belongings in their arms and pulling children on carts, since Israeli forces last week launched one of their biggest assaults of the war to capture nearby Khan Younis, the main southern city.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday forces would now press on to Rafah.

"The place turned black, I couldn't see what's in front of me. It was all dust and dirt. I was touching my surroundings, I was looking for my mobile to use the flashlight to look for my children, where are they? I found them under the rubble," said Ahmed Bassam Al-Jamal, whose son was killed in Rafah.

"I cried for help and people came. I got out Yamen, the first one, he was the only one I can see, the rest were still under the rubble. They pulled out Yamen, Eileen and Sila and they pulled out their mother (all alive). We could not find Bassam, we were looking for him, but he was buried, we could not save them, I swear we couldn't," Jamal said, as he bade farewell to his dead son at the hospital.

In Khan Younis, residents said the army blew up a residential district near the city centre.

In the nearby city of Deir Al-Balah, the second major concentration of displaced people, medics said four people were killed in an airstrike on a house earlier on Saturday.

FIGHTING CONTINUES IN GAZA CITY

Although Israel is focusing its push in the south, residents and militants said fighting continued in Gaza City.

Gaza health officials said two people were killed by sniper fire. Israeli forces carried out arrests in the southern suburb of Tel Al-Hawa.

The Israeli military said its forces killed dozens of Palestinian gunmen in northern Gaza.

"During targeted raids in the northern and central Gaza Strip over the last day, IDF troops killed dozens of terrorists and destroyed numerous anti-tank missile launchers," the Israel Defense Forces said.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other smaller militant groups said in a separate statement their fighters engaged in fierce battles with the army in the north and the south of the enclave.

"The more the occupation forces remain on the ground, the more we will get to them," one Palestinian militant official said. "A martyr falls, another rises and takes the rifle, and we are ready to fight for many more months," he told Reuters.

Mediators are awaiting a response from Hamas to a proposal for the war's first extended ceasefire, drafted last week with Israeli and U.S. spy chiefs and communicated by Egypt and Qatar. It was unclear when Hamas leaders would visit Cairo to respond.

A brief November truce lasted just one week, when militants freed 110 women, children and foreign hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Doha; Additional reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa in Gaza; Editing by Giles Elgood and Frances Kerry)
FILE PHOTO: Solomon Pena poses for a jail booking photograph after his arrest by the Albuquerque Police Department in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. January 17, 2023. Metropolitan Detention Center/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - A New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to helping a defeated Republican candidate carry out drive-by shootings at Democratic officials' homes in 2022 and 2023 that marked a new level of U.S. political violence.

Entering a guilty plea on Thursday, Demetrio Trujillo, 42, of Albuquerque told prosecutors he was hired by failed candidate Solomon Pena to shoot at the homes of an election official and two elected state officials between December 2022 and January 2023.

Election conspiracy theories drove Pena, who had a criminal past, to recruit Trujillo and his son to shoot at the Albuquerque homes in a bid to wound or kill the officials, police said. No one was hurt in the attacks.

Trujillo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum life sentence after he pleaded guilty to counts such as conspiracy and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Trujillo's son Jose Trujillo earlier this month admitted to helping Pena carry out the attacks after he worked on his failed 2022 political campaign for a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Jose Trujillo also faces up to life in prison.

After losing the election, Pena visited the homes of some Bernalillo County commissioners to allege the vote was rigged. He is scheduled to stand trial in June.

False and unfounded claims of election fraud exploded after former President Donald Trump refused to accept defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

The Albuquerque attacks followed a rise in threats and intimidation against U.S. politicians, government officials and sometimes their families. They set a precedent when an aspiring Republican political candidate was charged with masterminding and carrying out the shootings.

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
FILE PHOTO: Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza/File Photo

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam and Ariba Shahid

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined on Saturday by a court that ruled their 2018 marriage broke the law, his party said.

It was the third ruling against Khan this week and comes ahead of national elections on Thursday that he is barred from contesting.

Khan, 71, has in recent days been sentenced to 10 years for leaking state secrets and 14 years along with this wife for illegally selling state gifts. His representatives say he will launch appeals in all three cases.

It was not immediately clear if his various sentences would run concurrently.

Khan is in prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, while his wife will serve her sentence at their hilltop mansion in nearby Islamabad. He already faces a 10-year disqualification from holding public office.

"After hours of rushed hearings at court, no cross examination of witnesses, and no due process - a mockery of the law," Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said in a statement.

"With the way these trials are being conducted, there will be a huge question mark on the February 8th elections. This is a test case for Pakistan's higher judiciary."

The couple were each fined 500,000 rupees ($1,800), ARY News reported.

Bushra was accused of not completing the waiting period mandated by Islam, called "Iddat", after divorcing her previous husband and marrying Khan.

The Khans signed their marriage contract, or "Nikkah", in January 2018 in a secret ceremony seven months before the former cricket superstar became prime minister for the first time.

There was controversy over whether they had wed before the period was complete. After initial denials of the marriage, PTI confirmed it weeks later.

The Khans both denied wrongdoing.

"Can say Im a witness in the Nikkah and its a categorically yet another fake case," Khan's media advisor Zulfi Bukhari told Reuters. "From witnesses to the evidence to the procedure."

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, to whom she was married for about 30 years, brought a criminal complaint against the Khans, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Khan has often called Bushra his spiritual leader. She is known for her devotion to Sufism, a mystical form of Islam.

Born Bushra Riaz Watto, she changed her name to Khan after her marriage. Her husband and followers commonly refer to her as Bushra Bibi or Bushra Begum, titles that denote respect in Urdu.

It was not clear when or how Khan met Bushra, but former aide Aun Chaudhry said Khan was impressed with her spirituality.

Khan, who had acquired a playboy image in the 1990s as his cricket career took off, has said he is keenly interested in Sufism.

Khan's two previous marriages - to Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of tycoon James Goldsmith, and television journalist Reham Nayyar Khan - ended in divorce.

Khan has been fighting dozens of cases since he was ousted from power in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. He says his removal was backed by the powerful military with whom he fell out while in office.

He and his party say they have been subjected to a military-backed crackdown, including arrests of hundreds of supporters, party members and key aides.

The military, which has for decades held sway over Pakistan's politics, denies the claims.

NAB, the anti-graft agency that put Khan on trial, has at various times investigated, tried and jailed all prime ministers to have served since 2008, including Nawaz Sharif, whose party is considered the frontrunner in next week's election.

(Reporting by Ariba Shahid and Gibran Peshimam; Editing by William Mallard and Giles Elgood)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least four police officers were killed in Nigeria's northeast Borno state after a gun battle with suspected Islamist insurgents, a police spokesperson said on Saturday.

Borno has been the heartland of an insurgency by Boko Haram and splinter outfit Islamist State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for more than a decade in the northeast, where they continue to carry out deadly attacks against civilian and security targets.

Borno state police spokesperson Nahum Daso Kenneth said the militants had on Friday night attacked Gajiram town in the Nganzai local government area, some 82 kilometres (51 miles) from Maiduguri, the state capital.

"Our men engaged them in a gun battle (and) they denied the terrorists access to the town, and repelled the attack. Unfortunately, four policemen have paid a supreme price," Kenneth said, adding that calm had returned to the town.

ISWAP fighters are known to operate in Nganzai, where they carry out sporadic attacks against security forces and residents.

Nigeria is grappling with widespread insecurity, including armed bandits who kidnap for ransom in the northwest, deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt and separatist and gang violence in the southeast.

(Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Mark Potter)
 Flash

Spain's capital Madrid will welcome the Chinese Year of the Dragon with a series of activities, including parades, concerts, displays of Chinese artisan traditions, a culinary festival and a race across the city.

The celebration plan, which will last until the end of February, was officially presented on Friday at a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing and Madrid's Mayor Jose Luis Almeida.

"I am very happy to partake in this festival together with the Chinese community and with the people of Madrid. Wherever I go in Spain, I feel the sympathy of the Spanish people towards China and their interest and passion for Chinese culture," Yao said.

Although the Chinese New Year festival, also known as the Spring Festival, has its roots in China but "belongs to the world," he added.

Yao welcomed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly's acceptance of the Spring Festival as a UN holiday. The decision made the festival "more internationally celebrated," he told Xinhua.

Almeida said the Spring Festival will "help deepen cultural understanding that benefits both the city of Madrid and the Chinese community."

"It will allow us to quench our thirst for Chinese culture and get acquainted with the traditions, customs and ancient history of China," he said.


DAMASCUS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 pro-Iran fighters were killed in U.S. airstrikes that targeted strongholds of pro-Iran fighters in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Friday night just as the U.S. was readying retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets, a war monitor reported.

The airstrikes targeted the Haidariya region in the desert of the city of al-Mayadeen as well as the shrines of Ain Ali and Al-Shibli in the countryside of al-Mayadeen.

The strikes also targeted the al-Hizam area and the industrial neighborhood in the city of al-Bukamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Overall, the war jets destroyed 17 sites in Deir al-Zour in three rounds of airstrikes on al-Mayadeen and one round on al-Bukamal.

U.S. reconnaissance planes continue to patrol the region's airspace intensively, said the Observatory, adding that sources revealed significant confusion among Iran-affiliated militias due to a lack of intelligence about potential targets and their readiness to absorb the expected U.S. strike in the coming hours.

The Observatory further said that top Iranian advisors withdrew to Damascus, while some elements of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remained in Deir al-Zour, with the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Fatimiyoun Brigade, both supported by the IRGC, tasked with managing the operations in Deir al-Zour.

Two hours before the U.S. attack, the Observatory said Israeli and Western electronic intelligence and aerial surveillance planes were conducting intensive reconnaissance deep into Syrian territory, towards central and southern Syria.

Meanwhile, the state-run TV confirmed the death and injury of several "martyrs" at different attacked sites in Syria.

The U.S.-based ABC News cited a U.S. official as confirming that strikes in retaliation for a recent deadly attack on a U.S. base in Jordan have begun in Syria.

On Sunday, three U.S. servicemen were killed in a drone strike on an American base in Jordan. Pro-Iran militias, which have intensified their drone attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq in tandem with the Israeli military campaign on Gaza, were blamed for the attack.

Israel has also upped its strikes on Iranian interests in Syria, killing many members of the IRGC members in Syria.

Earlier on Friday, Israeli warplanes conducted an aerial attack on several locations south of the Syrian capital, the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the attack was launched from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

The Observatory said a counselor in the IRGC and an Iraqi person with him were killed in the strikes.

As tension continues to escalate in the region, the U.S. airstrikes could be just the initial stages of a succession of targeted attacks on pro-Iran militias in Syria, as reported by the Observatory. The airstrikes have been confirmed to be ongoing. Enditem.
By Uditha Jayasinghe

COLOMBO (Reuters) -Thailand and Sri Lanka signed a Free Trade Agreement on Saturday, a move Sri Lanka hopes will help it emerge from its worst financial crisis in decades.

The island nation has been renewing a focus on trade deals to foster economic growth and help its battered economy, which is estimated by the World Bank to have contracted 3.8% last year, after a severe foreign exchange crunch plunged it into a wider financial crisis.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is aimed at enhancing market opportunities, with negotiations covering various aspects such as Trade in Goods, Investment, Customs Procedure and Intellectual Property Rights, the short statement added.

A delegation headed by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrived in Colombo on Saturday to sign the FTA along with other agreements and Thavisin will also attend Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.

"This will provide tremendous business opportunities for both sides. We encourage our private sectors to explore the potentials of two-way trade and investment," Prime Minister Thavisin told a joint media briefing following the signing.

The two countries also signed a new bilateral air services agreement, providing for liberalized air services between the two countries.

The countries' two-way trade was worth about $460 million in 2021, Sri Lankan central bank data shows. Sri Lanka exports mainly tea and precious stones to Thailand and imports electronic equipment, food, rubber, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

(Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Toby Chopra)
A RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to conduct further strikes against Houthi targets, February 3, 2024. AS1 Jake Green RAF/UK MOD/Handout via REUTERS

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States and Britain launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, in the second day of major U.S. operations against Iran-linked groups following a deadly attack on American troops last weekend.

The strikes hit buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers and other capabilities the Houthis have used to attack Red Sea shipping, the Pentagon said, adding it targeted 13 locations across the country.

It was the latest sign of spreading conflict in the Middle East since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group's deadly assault on Israel on Oct.7.

"This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the U.S. strikes "will not pass without a response and consequences."

The Yemen strikes are running parallel to an unfolding U.S. campaign of military retaliation over the killing of three American soldiers in a drone strike by Iran-backed militants on an outpost in Jordan.

On Friday, the U.S. carried out the first wave of that retaliation, striking in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 people.

While Washington accuses Iran-backed militias of attacking U.S. troops at bases in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, Yemen's Iran-linked Houthis have been regularly targeting commercial ships and warships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza. But the U.S. and its allies characterize them as indiscriminate and a menace to global trade.

Faced with mounting Red Sea violence, major shipping lines have largely abandoned the critical trade route for longer routes around Africa. This has increased costs, feeding worries about global inflation while sapping Egypt of crucial foreign revenue from shippers sailing the Suez Canal to or from the Red Sea.

Biden's emerging strategy on Yemen aims to weaken the Houthi militants but stops well short of trying to defeat the group or directly attack Iran, the Houthis' main sponsor, experts say.

The strategy blends limited military strikes and sanctions, and appears aimed at punishing the Houthis while attempting to limit the risk of a broad Middle East conflict.

The U.S. has carried out more than a dozen strikes against Houthi targets in the past several weeks, but these have failed to stop attacks by the group.

Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, suggested in a statement on social media that the group's intervention in the Red Sea would continue.

"These attacks will not deter us from our ethical, religious and humanitarian stance in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," Sarea said.

Just hours before the latest major wave of strikes from the sea and air, the U.S. military's Central Command issued statements detailing other, more limited strikes in the past day that included hitting six cruise missiles the Houthis were preparing to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Around 4 a.m. in Yemen (0100 GMT), the U.S. military also struck a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile that was poised to launch.

"This is not an escalation," said British Defence Minister Grant Shapps. "We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, and I am confident that our latest strikes have further degraded the Houthis capabilities."

The United States said Sunday's strikes had support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand. U.S. Central Command said that beyond missile capabilities, the strikes targeted drone storage and operations sites, radars and helicopters.

Despite the strikes against Iran-linked groups, the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either. U.S. Republicans have been ratcheting up pressure on President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to deal a blow to Iran directly.

It was unclear how Tehran would respond to the strikes, which do not directly target Iran but degrade groups it backs.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the attacks in Iraq and Syria represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability".

Iraq summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal protest after strikes in that country.

The Houthi military said in its statement that the United States and Britain carried out a total of 48 airstrikes on Yemen, with 13 of them in the capital Sanaa and Sanaa Governorate. Another 11 strikes were on Taiz Governorate and nine were on Hodeidah Governorate.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; additional reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Aden, Hatem Maher and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio and William Mallard)
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's air defences downed nine of 14 Russian drones in an overnight attack that hit energy infrastructure in the city of Kryvyi Rih, the air force and regional officials said on Saturday.

It is the second drone attack in two days on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said energy facilities were hit, resulting in electricity cut-offs for thousands of people. In some districts water supplies and heating were also disrupted as temperatures hovered just below freezing. Hospitals were switched to generators for electricity supplies, he said.

The air force said in a statement that the Iranian-made Shahed drones were shot down over four Ukrainian regions in the centre and south of the country.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by William Mallard)
FILE PHOTO: Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi visits a monument to Holodomor victims during a commemoration ceremony of the famine of 1932-33, in which millions died of hunger, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 25, 2023. The ceremony happens a

By Max Hunder and Steve Holland

DONETSK REGION, Ukraine/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Ukrainian government has informed the White House that it plans to fire the country's top military commander overseeing the war against Russian occupation forces, two knowledgeable sources said on Friday.

The move to oust General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who has clashed with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over a range of issues, follows a Ukrainian counteroffensive last year that failed to recover significant amounts of Russian-held territory.

A source close to Zelenskiy's office said the pair are locked in a dispute over a new military mobilization drive, with the president opposing Zaluzhnyi's proposal to call up 500,000 fresh troops.

The source, however, added that the process for relieving Zaluzhnyi of his post as the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces was on hold for the time being as the sides work out their next steps.

It was unclear how long that process would take, added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A second knowledgeable source said that the White House did not express a position on the plan to replace Zaluzhnyi.

"I would emphasize that the White House response was that we did not support or object to their sovereign decision," said the source, who requested anonymity in order to discuss the issue.

"The White House expressed that it is up to Ukraine to make its own sovereign decisions about its personnel," the source continued.

The Washington Post was first to report that Ukraine had informed the White House of the plan to fire Zaluzhnyi.

U.S. officials told Ukraine that they were not opposed to the firing of Zaluzhnyi, said the source close to the Ukrainian president's office.

"The U.S. is okay with Ukraine firing him," said the source.

"Right now, both sides (the president and the general) have taken a pause in determining what the future will look like, and for now the status quo will remain until further notice," the source said.

The source said the frictions between Zelenskiy and Zaluzhnyi over mobilization involved the president's view that the military has enough personnel that could be used more efficiently.

"Zaluzhnyi insists on mobilising half a million men. Zelenskiy thinks thats not necessary now," the source said.

Zaluzhnyi on Thursday published a column on the CNN website in which he wrote that the government had failed to mobilize enough troops.

Known as "the Iron General," Zaluzhnyi is extremely popular. His removal could hurt morale among Ukrainian troops battling to hold positions along more than 620 miles (1,000 km) of frontlines against a vast Russian force armed with large munitions stockpiles.

Ukrainian forces are experiencing shortages of critical ammunition. Supplies from the United States, the country's largest arms provider, have run down, and a dispute between the White House and some Republican lawmakers has stalled approval of a new aid package.

A flurry of Western and Ukrainian media reports said that Zaluzhnyi rejected Zelenskiy's request that he step aside this week.

The plan to replace Zaluzhnyi despite his popularity and ability as an inspiring commander may signal Kyiv's desire for a fresh approach to the conflict.

(Writing by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman)
Sign at the Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility, the jail at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. (U.S. Army)

An Army deserter convicted of sexually assaulting children is being held in a military jail at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as civilian law enforcement investigates his possible involvement in the death of a taxi driver, service officials said Friday.

Spc. Jonathan Kang Lee, 25, is being held at the Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility on Lewis-McChord, just south of Tacoma. He is from Great Falls, Va., and has been assigned to Lewis-McChord since 2019.

Authorities are piecing together Lees locations and actions during the 12 days he was the run, from Jan. 14 to Jan. 26.

Lee was scheduled to face a court-martial on Jan. 16 for six charges of child sexual assault, each carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, public affairs officer for I Corps, the main Army command at Lewis-McChord, said Lee had been removed from his position in an intelligence-gathering unit in April 2022 when the assault allegations against him were first raised. A local prosecutor charged Lee with sex crimes in 2022. News accounts at the time said civilian prosecutors ceded the case to the Army because some of the crimes could have occurred in Georgia, beyond the local civilian courts jurisdiction.

Lee was then ordered to report for duty each day at Lewis-McChord to monitor his whereabouts, Bocanegra said. However, the Army did not place him in pre-trial confinement. The Manual for Courts-Martial states a defendant should only be placed in pre-trial confinement if the crime is serious, they are a flight risk, or there is danger of them committing another similar crime prior to trial, she said.

In the case of Spc. Jonathan Lee, the soldier was reporting for duty daily and living in the barracks without incident, Bocanegra said. He did not have a history of other criminal misconduct or unlawful absences. As always, until convicted at a trial, a soldier is presumed innocent.

Lee was last seen at the base on Jan. 14 driving a white sport utility vehicle. By Jan. 15, he was reported as a deserter, and the Army Criminal Investigation Division put out an alert that Lee was on the run and asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the division.

The Army issued a WANTED poster for Spc. Jonathan Kang Lee after he deserted from Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Jan. 14, 2024. (U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division)

The court-martial was held without Lee, and he was found guilty in absentia of all charges and sentenced to 64 years of confinement.

Army investigators worked with regional police to locate Lee. He was apprehended Jan. 26 about an hour north of Lewis-McChord. He was transported back to the base and placed in a correction facility that the Army said is equivalent to a medium-security prison in the federal system.

At the time of Lees arrest, police in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila were searching for the soldier as a person of interest in the death of Nicholas Hokema, 34, of Tumwater. He was a taxi driver for RediCab, based in Olympia, about 15 miles southwest of Lewis-McChord.

Hokema was found on the morning of Jan. 15, unconscious and bleeding from multiple stab wounds, according to local police. He was transported to a medical facility where he was pronounced dead.

Hokema was last seen driving a 2012 red Toyota Camry with the markings of RediCab.

Authorities found the car in Redmond, another 22 miles north of Tukwila. Lee was arrested at a location that Redmond police said was just blocks from where the car was found.

Lee was a person of interest in the death of Hokema, according to Tukwila police.

Now Lee could face additional military charges for desertion and any crimes that he committed while he was a deserter.

A soldier who is absent without leave remains subject to military jurisdiction, Bocanegra said.

The Army has been criticized for being less likely to confine soldiers who are involved in sexual assault cases than other crimes. A 2022 investigation by Pro Publica and the Texas Tribune found 8% of soldiers facing court-martial by the Army for sex crimes were under pre-trial confinement. The report found the Army at Lewis-McChord kept 9% of sex crime defendants in pre-trial confinement compared to 14% for all other charges.
The Yosemite Trader, the final merchant tanker to receive fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Dec. 20, 2023. (John Linzmeier/U.S. Air Force)

(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. militarys continuing efforts to defuel and ultimately close the underground Red Hill fuel storage facility have sparked an unexpected controversy all the way in the Philippines as the Pentagon grapples with how to supply its forces in the Pacific.

Just before Christmas, commanders hailed the departure of the Yosemite Trader  a commercial ship carrying the last shipment of usable fuel from Red Hill  as it sailed from Pearl Harbor bound for Subic Bay.

The Philippine port is one of several locations the U.S. military is using to redistribute the more than 104 million gallons of fuel that sat in tanks just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Honolulu relies on for drinking water.

But just as the voyage neared completion, Philippine Sen. Imee Marcos on Jan. 10 released a statement accusing the U.S. and Philippine governments of a lack of transparency regarding the shipment. A day later the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority told Philippine Media that the Yosemite Trader had canceled its request to enter Subic Bay.

Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that delivery of fuel shipped from Red Hill to Subic Bay was delayed due to country diplomatic clearance. On Friday, January 19th, diplomatic clearance was received and the ship offloaded fuel in Subic Bay before returning to sea.

But the flurry of news around the fuel delivery drew scattered protests in the Philippines.

In a statement to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the group Stop the War Coalition Philippines said that aside from health and environmental repercussions, the security risk is posed by who will ultimately use it, what they will use it for, and who will be responsible for securing it, we are talking about massive amounts of dangerous, combustible substances. We demand answers, accountability and transparency in this matter that will impact the public.

Marcos, who helped set off the controversy, is the elder sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and chair of the Philippine Senates committee on foreign relations. Both siblings lived in Hawaii when their father, the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was overthrown in 1986 and went into exile in Honolulu.

Lately, Marcos Jr. has been working to shore up relations with the U.S. military as tensions escalate between the Philippines and China. Manila and Beijing are locked in a series of disputes over maritime territorial and navigation rights. In 2016 an international court ruled in the Philippines favor and declared that Chinas territorial claims had no legal basis.

But Beijing doubled down, with the Chinese military building bases on disputed islands and reefs, and now frequently attacking and harassing Filipino fishermen and other maritime workers. In 2023 the Philippines signed an agreement with the Pentagon allowing the U.S. military access to several bases in the country to store equipment and conduct operations.

That Imee Marcos would vocally criticize the fuel transfer as her brother is trying to tighten the alliance surprised some. The Marcos family has historically worked closely together, guarding their wealth and working to rebuild their reputation in the country as they gradually worked their way back into power.

But Patricio Abinales, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa who specializes in the Philippines, said the rift comes as no surprise and called it all politics.

The sister has been marginalized from the brothers inner circle ever since he became president, Abinales said. Imee was and is still close to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. President Marcos closest advisers are his cousin, the speaker of the House, Martin Romualdez, and the first lady, Lisa Araneta.

Marcos Jr. ran for office in 2022 with a campaign platform promising to continue many of Rodrigo Dutertes policies, including seeking closer ties with China and rethinking relations with the United States. The Marcos and Duterte families worked closely together.

But over the past few months, the Marcos-Duterte alliance has begun to fray as both families prepare for the next elections. The Philippine legislature recently slashed Sara Dutertes large confidential funds budget, and some lawmakers close to Marcos have expressed an openness to allow the International Court of Justice to prosecute Dutertes father for human rights abuses that resulted from the brutal drug war he launched in 2016, which killed as many as 11,000 people.

During his presidential campaign Marcos touted his friendships with Chinese officials in campaign interviews and argued he could better negotiate with the Chinese government, and even suggested setting aside the 2016 court ruling. But Chinese forces also have continued to aggressively harass Philippine vessels despite initial friendly overtures from Marcos.

The attacks have deepened anti-Chinese sentiments in the Philippines and pushed the Marcos administration to take a much tougher stance with Beijing as it now seeks closer cooperation with the United States.

During a visit to Hawaii in November, Marcos said in a speech in Waikiki that the situation has become more dire than it was before. The nearest reefs that the (Chinese military) have started to show interest in, in terms of slowly using these atolls and shoals for building bases ... are approaching closer and closer to the Philippine coastline. And the nearest one is now around 60 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine coast.

The Dutertes have publicly criticized Marcos personally for his pro-U.S. shift, accusing him of being an American lackey.

The Marcos family hails from the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte, the same place much of Hawaiis Filipino population comes from. The family continues to have strong supporters in Hawaii. Abinales said he suspects that helped inspire Imee Marcos decision to press the issue of the Red Hill fuel transfers.

Imee wants to be part of the central drama, and the only way she can do this is to raise hackles like the one on the U.S. Navy fuel ship, said Abinales. Allies in Hawaii must have alerted her to this. The question is, Who are these people among the large Ilocano community in Honolulu?

For years the Navy insisted that Red Hill was vital to national security. But in November 2021 fuel from the facility tainted the Navys Oahu water system, which serves 93,000 people including service members, military families and civilians living in former military housing areas.

The Pentagon announced in March 2022 that it would close Red Hill, and military officials said they would pursue a new distributed strategy of storing fuel at various points around the region, as well as afloat locations aboard tankers. After years of insisting they couldnt keep forces fueled without Red Hill, military brass now argue the new plan will make supply lines more resilient and give commanders more flexibility.

The Pentagon chartered several commercial tankers to remove fuel from Red Hill. In addition to Subic Bay, they ferried fuel to West Oahu facilities run by Island Energy Services at Campbell Industrial Park, to a fuel storage point in San Diego and to another in Singapore.

In her statement on the fuel delivery to the Philippines, Imee Marcos accused the Philippine military of inexplicable silence and noted that Subic Bay  which was a U.S. Navy base until the Philippine government ordered it closed in 1992 after a disagreement over leasing costs  is not among the facilities the U.S. military can use to pre-position forces or equipment under the 2023 agreement.

But the Philippine military responded that there was nothing to explain on the fuel shipment. Spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar told Filipino reporters that the process that was followed by the U.S. government, these are all administrative in nature and did not involve the participation of the armed forces.

Abinales said it was unlikely that the political spat between the Marcos and Duterte families would lead to any sort of meaningful disruptions in the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Both militaries have had a long and close relationship, and this even survived the anti-U.S., pro-China position of Rodrigo Duterte, said Abinales. (Duterte) cursed at U.S. officials a lot during his time, but Rodrigo could never get the Philippine military to reorient itself towards China and away from (the United States).

His generals put their foot down, and he quietly allowed U.S.-Philippine military exercises to continue.

(c)2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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A post in October 2023 shows the burned out wreckage of a 1945 crash involving several Army vehicles after the close of World War II that killed eight soldiers and wounded many more. (Facebook)

CUMBERLAND, Md. (Tribune News Service)  As if it happened yesterday, Jim Sterner recalled vivid details of an October 1945 crash in Luxembourg that killed a local man and seven other soldiers.

At that time, Sterner was 22 years old, a sergeant in the U.S. Armys 84th Infantry Division and lived in Weinheim, Germany. World War II had ended the previous month, but the Army had too many soldiers to send back to the United States at once, so a system was created that prioritized the men according to factors such as their military service, time spent overseas and decorations.

The guys who had accumulated the most points came home first because of transportation limitations, Sterner, now 100 and a half years old, said Thursday from his home in a retirement community near West Grove, Pa.

For the soldiers who waited their turn to go home, the Army developed an optional tours of Europe program, he said.

Sterner chose to go on a trip to Brussels for a few days. He rode in the first of a three-truck convoy that got ahead and stopped to wait for the other two vehicles. Thats when he and other men in his truck saw black smoke in the distance. They backtracked to find the second truck, which carried 5-gallon cans of gasoline, had collided with a steam engine near Hesperange in southern Luxembourg, Sterner said.

It blew up in flames, he said. The third truck couldnt stop. It also caught on fire, Sterner said.

A video screen grab shows WWII veteran Jim Sterner during an interview posted in April 2022. (YouTube)

The crash killed eight soldiers and injured many others. I remember seeing burning bodies walking down the street ... fully aflame and moaning, he said. Sterner didnt know the men who died in the accident, but said to this day hes sympathetic toward their families. I cant imagine, he said. I feel for them.

William Bill Weisenmiller

Cumberland resident William Bill Weisenmiller, 22, was one of the soldiers who died in the crash. His body was reportedly badly burned and impossible to fingerprint, so he was identified by process of elimination from a roster of vehicles involved in the accident.

Weisenmiller had enlisted in the Army in Baltimore on Feb. 4, 1943. In autumn 1945, his sister, now married as Dotty Weisenmiller Squires, was 15 years old when she and her parents, residents of the Arch Street neighborhood, planned his welcome home party. Then they got a telegram, and learned Weisenmiller and several other soldiers had been killed in the accident.

In recent years, Squires and other relatives of Bill Weisenmiller visited a roadside park near Hesperange, Luxembourg, where a large polished stone adorned with a metal plaque lists names of the eight members of the 84th Infantry Division, 333rd Infantry Regiment, who died 79 years ago.

Karl A. Koenig

At age 18, Karl A. Koenig, a native of Johnstown, Pa., joined the Army and served in Germany in WWII. He and Weisenmiller were in the same regiment, although theres no known record of the two knowing each other.

A plaque shows the names of eight soldiers who died in a 1945 crash in Luxembourg. (Facebook)

Koenig, who died in 2015, didnt talk much about WWII, but his son Kevin Koenig of California said hes known since childhood that his dad was on one of the trucks in the 1945 crash near Hesperange.

He had burns and injuries, Koenig said and added a nurse wrote letters on Karl Koenigs behalf to his family while he was hospitalized in France after the accident. I was under the impression he was thrown from the truck.

After he returned home, Karl Koenig went on to work as a fabulous mechanic, his son said. Karl Koenig and his wife Marie, who died in 2019, had six sons and were married for 65 years.

Another of their sons, Karl R. Koenig of Florida, said he and his wife visited the Luxembourg monument for the soldiers who died in the 1945 crash. Karl A. Koenigs sister Kathleen Koenig, 92, lives in the Johnstown house where she and four of her siblings were born. She was about 13 years old when her brother was in the Hesperange accident.

My mother saved all the letters we got from him, Kathleen Koenig said. I remember he had 70 shots of penicillin, she said of her brother. He was burned pretty badly.

After the war

In December 1945, Sterner boarded a boat in Germany and headed home to the U.S. He graduated from college in 1949 and took a job at the DuPont company in Virginia.

Sterners career included 31 years in the marketing industry and eventually landed him in Wilmington, Delaware. He and his wife retired in Chesapeake City, Maryland, before they moved to the retirement community where Jim Sterner lives today.

My wife died March 31, 2020, he said of Stella Sis Sterner. The couple were married more than 75 years and raised five daughters.

Connecting the soldiers

Hesperange resident Christian Pettinger has conducted extensive research on the 1945 crash. Hes also guided several members of Weisenmillers family on trips to areas including the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial that covers more than 50 acres and contains markers for heroes, including her brother, and the grave of Gen. George Patton, who died from injuries he sustained in a freak car accident in Germany shortly after the war.

Pettinger said he and others in his hometown are grateful for the American troops that fought for their liberty and freedom. Theyve made it their mission to honor the soldiers. Last year, Pettinger visited the Squires family in Cumberland.

Bill Weisenmillers death is part of Hesperanges history, Pettinger said at that time. Its important to keep the memory alive, he said. In 2014, Pettinger visited Karl Koenig.

Pettinger and Sterner also connected. A couple of years ago, one of Sterners daughters posted information about his military service on social media, which attracted many people, including children of WWII veterans who have reached out to Sterner for information about the war.

The interaction with other folks has kept him busy since his wife died, Sterner said. It has been a wonderful experience for me, he said.

Pettinger saw the social media post, recognized Sterners unit and contacted his daughter to learn more about the 1945 Hesperange accident. The two men became friends, and Pettinger visited Sterner for his 100th birthday celebration last year. Its been my pleasure knowing Christian, Sterner said.

(c)2024 the Cumberland Times News (Cumberland, Md.)

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U.S. President Joe Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk outside the White House in late 2022. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

The government of Ukraine has informed the White House that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to fire his top military commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, in what would be the most consequential personnel shake-up of the war, said two people familiar with the discussion.

White House officials did not support or object to the high-stakes decision, but acknowledged it as the presidents sovereign choice, these people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive conversation.

Zelenskyy has yet to issue a formal decree announcing the ouster of Zaluzhny, and it is uncertain when that might happen. The advance notice to Washington, which has not been previously reported, reflects the influential role of the United States as Ukraines most powerful military and political backer.

The early warning also provided the White House an opportunity to urge Zelenskyy to reconsider the pivotal decision - even though it decided against doing so.

The departure of Zaluzhny, one of the most popular figures in Ukrainian society, could affect troop morale and shake the confidence of Western donors as Ukraines military struggles to fend off advancing Russian forces. He and Zelenskyy have clashed over their divergent strategies for surmounting the battlefield setbacks as the war grinds into its third year.

But any move by the United States to challenge a decision by Zelenskyy, a popular figure in his own right, who has speculated privately that a new commander could rejuvenate Kyivs fortunes, could be seen as exercising undue influence.

The perception of division at the top in Kyiv is not helpful for Ukraine, but the U.S. government should not get entangled in it, said Steven Pifer, an Eastern Europe expert at Stanford University and a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

A president has the right to choose his cabinet as he sees fit. The decision should be squarely with Zelenskyy, as should the potential consequences, added Alina Polyakova, president of the Center for European Policy Analysis.

Zelenskyy could choose to delay action on the decision indefinitely, but that appeared unlikely, said people familiar with his thinking.

Distrust between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny has grown over the years, in part because the president has suspected Zaluzhny of harboring political ambitions but also because of disagreements about key military matters, including the generals request to mobilize about 500,000 new soldiers.

In a tense Monday meeting, Zaluzhny argued that new recruits were needed to make gains on the battlefield in the face of Russias superior firepower and troop strength, said people familiar with the conversation. Ukraine also needed to prepare for personnel losses, which are expected to be comparable to last years, he said.

Zelensky pushed back on conscripting so many, in part because Ukraine lacks the money to pay them without significantly raising taxes for its citizens. Such aggressive conscription would also be politically unpopular.

The president does not believe that this mass mobilization of men between the ages of 18 to 27 is desirable or warranted at this point, said a person close to Zelensky.

During the meeting, Zelensky told Zaluzhny he was being dismissed, said a senior Ukrainian official.

On Monday, Zelenskys spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov, denied that the president had fired Zaluzhny, but he has not responded to requests for comment since then.

On Thursday, Zaluzhny published a column on CNNs website in which he alleged that the Ukrainian government had failed to mobilize sufficient numbers of troops and called for an upgrade of the countrys high-tech warfare capabilities.

We must acknowledge the significant advantage enjoyed by the enemy in mobilizing human resources and how that compares with the inability of state institutions in Ukraine to improve the manpower levels of our armed forces without the use of unpopular measures, he wrote.

Finding a replacement for Zaluzhny is a significant challenge.

One potential candidate is Ukraines head of military intelligence, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov. The 38-year-old has a background in special forces, not as an army commander. His appointment would potentially signal a move toward asymmetric tactics - such as drone strikes deep into Russian territory - in a war whose front lines have been largely static in the last year.

But it is unclear if he wants the position, said a person familiar with the matter. He loves his job and may want to keep just blowing stuff up in Russia, said the person.

Another option is Oleksandr Syrsky, the current ground forces commander. The 58-year-old was credited with leading the defense of Kyiv in the first month of the war and then orchestrating a successful counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022.

But among rank-and-file soldiers, Syrsky is especially disliked, considered by many to be a Soviet-style commander who kept forces under fire too long in the eastern city of Bakhmut when Ukraine should have withdrawn.

Hes a Gen. Patton-type character, said the person close to Zelenskyy. He doesnt have a human resources gene in his body.

Whoever replaces Zaluzhny, it may not end the public disputes between the general and the president, and he will remain a popular figure in Ukraine, said Angela Stent, a Russia expert and former U.S. intelligence official.

It is unclear how it would affect Ukraines military performance, she added. That would depend on who succeeds him and how his successor is viewed by the rest of the military - and how effective his successor is on the battlefield.

Isabelle Khurshudyan and David L. Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.
by Xinhua writer Jin Bowen

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States has always tried to paint itself as a champion of openness and inclusiveness. Yet in practice, it is increasingly inclined to erect all kinds of barriers, turning itself further away from the global community.

In recent months, some Chinese scholars and students, who held valid visas to enter the United States, were interrogated and even deported at airports. In the meantime, related U.S. authorities raided Chinese businesses in the United States, and confiscated the cellphones, computers and other personal devices of the Chinese individuals working in the companies.

Along the U.S.-Mexican border, the state of Texas has put up barbed wire fences to deter migrants. The Lone Star state is locked in a stand-off with the Federal government over a fermenting immigration crisis, which may well define the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and reflects the growing anti-immigration and xenophobic sentiments in a country that is always touted as a nation of immigrants.

These seemingly separate incidents, along with many other protectionist approaches by Washington, such as the Biden administration's keeping punitive trade barriers put in place by the Trump White House against the Europeans, have sent out an unmistakable signal: the United States is turning ever inward-looking and only interested in looking after its own interests.

The United States, still the sole superpower of the world, is losing self-confidence, and has become what U.S. political commentator Fareed Zakaria called a "self-doubting superpower."

The general mood in the United States is pessimistic. According to a Pew Research Center survey done in April last year, Americans held a dim view about the current state of the country, with large majorities expressing dissatisfaction with the economy and overall national conditions. And they see the country will be in decline in many respects in the not-too-distant future.

For ordinary Americans, even as U.S. stocks hit record highs and the economy appears to have delivered a strong performance, they say they are still struggling to pay their bills and fend for their families.

Facing the frustrated majority of Americans, politicians of both Democrats and Republicans in Washington have consistently failed to rise up to those real problems chronically plaguing the country, like the widening wealth gap, prevalent drug problems, inflating national debts, stagnated immigration reforms and entitlement program crisis.

Instead of working together to fix those problems, they are busy blaming almost anything they can think of, including political opponents in the country, rising economies far away from America's shores, plus European allies Washington claims it will protect, among others.

An utterly vicious cycle has taken shape: those unfixed domestic problems lead to politicians' preposterous blame game, which would in turn feed political polarization, tear social fabrics part, and spur racism, populism and xenophobism in the country, further complicating the political, economic and social conditions to solve those problems.

America's manufacturing industries are where those contradictions and chaos converge. The Biden administration seeks to reindustrialize America. Yet it also tries to pander to the United Auto Workers, an American labor union, for election support by backing the union's call for record high salary increase, which will greatly cost the competitiveness of carmakers like Ford and General Motors in the global market.

For the Republicans, they blame America's faltering manufacturing on immigrants and foreign competitors for taking away the jobs of those impoverished "rednecks" in the south and struggling "blue collars" along the Rust Belt. This is also an election tactic.

In the meantime, a manufacturing renaissance depends in a large part on a huge skill labor force. People born outside the United States made up 18.1 percent of the overall labor force, the highest level in data back to 1996, according to data published by the U.S. Labor Department in May last year. However, America's rising anti-immigrant atmosphere and chaotic policies, while making migrants hard to come to the United States, could well deny the revival of those labor-intensive industries to actually make a comeback.

More worryingly, extreme conservatism has already poisoned public opinions. That is evidenced by the surge of hate crimes against Asians in the United States in recent years, and the airport harassment cases against the Chinese students.

Openness and tolerance for diversity are some of the important reasons that make America the strongest country in the world. What is regrettable is that the country now even does not recognize itself as a nation of immigrants as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services removed the phrase from the agency's new mission statement back in 2018. It should do better than that.

Times have changed. It is neither possible nor realistic to win by adopting isolationism, as the United States once did, remaining complacent and uninvolved in global affairs.

In the era of globalization, everyone is closely interconnected, and no one can thrive in isolation. The United States turning people away serves no benefit to either the world or itself. 
A man looks over a camp that houses thousands of displaced people south of Rafah on Jan. 21, 2024. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post)

This story has been corrected

Israeli authorities said they are expanding their military operation to oust Hamas from Gaza to one of the last remaining refuges in all of the strip: Rafah, a city on the border with Egypt.

We complete the mission and will continue to Rafah, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote on social media on Thursday, describing how Israeli forces had dismantled the militant brigade in the city of Khan Younis, a larger city less than seven miles north.

Aid workers and humanitarian organizations warned that Rafah is already dangerously crowded with civilians who have been displaced at least once, many of whom are sick or on the verge of famine. Further conflict in the area runs the risk of causing significant harm, they said.

The loss of life we face if Israel goes down into Gaza is huge, said Bob Kitchen, vice president for emergencies at the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian relief organization operating in Gaza.

Almost nine out of ten Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced

The population of Rafah has swelled to at least 1.4 million people, Juliette Touma, director of communications for the U.N. agency for Palestinian affairs, UNRWA, wrote in a message. This is five times the population pre-war, Touma said of Rafah, whose population was estimated at 280,000 before Oct. 7.

Israeli officials have not specified what its plans for Rafah look like. The countrys military has already conducted strikes in the area, including an airstrike that hit near the Kuwaiti Hospital in the city in December that killed at least 18 people, according to hospital staff.

The war in Gaza has drastically reshaped the demographics of the strip. Almost nine out of ten people living in Gaza are now displaced, according to U.N. estimates, while the World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that over 100,000 Gazans are either dead, injured or missing and presumed dead.

Before Oct. 7, the most populated portion of the strip was Gaza City in the north.

- On Oct. 13, six days after the Hamas-led assault on Israel that began the war, Israel ordered the evacuation of more than 1 million people living in the areas above the Wadi Gaza wetlands. Many took refuge in Gazas second-largest city, Khan Younis, in the south.

- At the start of December, Israeli authorities ordered Palestinians in Khan Younis to move to new areas as it conducted military operations in the city.

- More than half of Gazas total population is thought to now be in Rafah, where many were living in makeshift structures, tents, or out in the open,  Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said on Friday, adding that the city had become a pressure cooker of despair.

Displaced Palestinians in Rafah take shelter from rainfall and cold weather on Feb. 2, 2024. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post)

A mounting humanitarian crisis in Rafah

While Rafah lies on the border with Egypt, humanitarian groups have warned that the amount of aid crossing the border is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of an increasingly desperate population.

People in Gaza risk dying of hunger just miles from trucks filled with food, Cindy McCain, head of the World Food Program, said in an appeal for new action to allow more trucks to enter Gaza.

One Palestinian aid worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly, wrote in a message that the widespread use of tents reminded him of stories his grandfather told him about the living conditions for refugees after the 1948 Israeli-Arab war. The tents, which can be up to 200 square feet in size, would house an entire family or two, the aid worker said.

Winter temperatures have added to the misery. With this cold and rainy weather, the tent is the last place anyone would want to be in! they wrote.

Sanitary precautions have broken down amid the overcrowding. Thousands and thousands of people are sharing individual toilets, Kitchen said, adding that IRC workers in Rafah had seen queues of 4 to 5 hours to use the bathrooms. Open defecation and urination create public health risks.

Were already seeing massive reports of acute watery diarrhea, which I think, if tested, would be proven to be cholera, Kitchen said.

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by a political one, as at least ten Western governments this week suspended funding to UNRWA, the chief logistical force for aid in Gaza. The decision to halt funding came after Israel shared a dossier that alleged more than a dozen UNRWA employees had been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and alleged widespread support for Hamas and other militant groups within the organization.
At left, Hind Hamada, 6, celebrates her kindergarten graduation. At right, Bashar Hamada stands beside his daughter Layan, 13, in front of their home in Gaza City before the war began. (Left:Ihab Hamada; Right: Mohammed Hamada)

The Hamada family was trying to get to safety. An order from the Israeli military had gone out earlier on Monday, ordering them to evacuate their neighborhood in Gaza City. Bashar, 44, and his wife Anam, 43, piled four of their children and their young niece, Hind, into the car.

They would never reach their destination.

The full picture of the tragedy that befell the family remains incomplete. Some details could not be confirmed. What is beyond dispute is that their car came under fire; the parents and most of the children were killed; a 6-year-old girl begged for hours to be rescued; paramedics were dispatched; then communications were lost.

The Washington Post reconstructed the events of that day by interviewing three family members, five members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and reviewing audio of phone conversations between dispatchers and children in the car. The familys story is emblematic of the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in northern Gaza - even as Israel says it is winding down its military mission there - and the depth of their isolation from the outside world.

Asked for comment multiple times, the Israel Defense Forces said, We are unfamiliar with the incident described. The Post provided specific coordinates and additional details to the IDF on Tuesday morning and has not received a reply.

Calls for help

In the operations room of the PRCS in Ramallah, the landline was ringing. It was 2:28 p.m. Omar al-Qam, the lone dispatcher on duty that day, picked up.

From 2,000 miles away, in Frankfurt, Germany came the steady voice of Mohammed Salem Hamada: My family members are trapped in Gaza City, he told Omar. They were driving a black Kia Picanto and the car was targeted. Some of the people were killed inside.

Mohammed gave Omar the phone number for his 15-year-old niece, Layan, who had called her uncle in southern Gaza to sound the alarm. The uncle, struggling with patchy cell service, called his cousin in Germany, hoping he could find help.

The uncle relayed what Layan had told him: The Israeli army had opened fire on the familys car. Her parents and all four of her siblings were dead - Sana, 13, Raghad, 12, Mohammed, 11 and 4-year-old Sarah.

Layan told her uncle she was bleeding. And that her cousin Hind, 6, was the only other survivor.

Omar, in Ramallah, called Layan. She sounded terrified.

They are firing at us, she screamed into the phone. The tank is next to me.

Are you hiding? he asked.

Then came a burst of fire. Layan screamed. The line went dead.

In shock, Omar said he went to find his colleague, Rana Faqih, in another room. He was trembling, she recalled.

Rana said she walked him back to his chair in the dispatch room and stood next to him as he dialed again.

It was Hind who answered this time.

Are you in the car now? he asked her.

Yes, came the small voice on the other end.

Rana took the phone, telling the 6-year-old she would stay on the phone until help arrived.

Hinds voice was so quiet, it was impossible to make out her reply.

Who are you with? Rana asked.

With my family, Hind told her.

Rana asked if she had tried to wake up her family. Hind responded: Im telling you theyre dead.

Rana asked her how the car had been hit.

A tank, Hind said. The tank is next to me  its coming towards me  its very, very close.

Ranas voice was strong and clear and reassuring. Hinds was faint and shaky. Rana urged her to keep talking. They prayed together. Rana read to her from the Quran.

Dont cry, she told the little girl, though Rana was also fighting back tears.

Dont be scared, she told Hind. Theyre not going to hurt you.  Dont leave the car.

Minutes passed. Hind appeared to drop the phone. The silences were longer now.

If I could get you out I would, Rana said. Were trying our very best.

Rana was crying now, but tried to keep her voice steady.

Please come get me, Hind said. Again and again: Come get me.

There was a distant rumble of fire in the background.

Come get me, Hind repeated.

An attempted rescue

Rana, 37, has been working in Crisis and Disaster Management with PRCS since 2009. She had faced situations like this before, she said, but never with a girl so young.

Her colleagues had located the car in a neighborhood near Al-Azhar University. Getting an ambulance there, inside a closed military zone, would require permission from the IDF. It was a process that involved multiple agencies, communicating on unreliable phone lines. The dispatchers knew it could take hours.

We have received hundreds of calls from people who are trapped, said Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for PRCS. People just want help evacuating. Unfortunately we do not have safe access.

Operators told The Post they reached out around 3 p.m. to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, which coordinates the safe passage of paramedics with COGAT - an arm of the Israeli Defense Ministry. Fathi Abu Warda, an adviser at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, confirmed receiving a greet light from COGAT to send an ambulance to the area. COGAT did not respond to questions from The Post, referring them to the IDF.

The operators said they tried to stay focused on Hind. Nisreen Qawwas, 56, the head of PRCSs mental health department, took the lead.

She practiced deep breathing exercises with us, and I told her we would be with her, second by second, Nisreen recalled.

But Hind began to grow distant, Nisreen said, and hung up multiple times, growing frustrated that no one had come for her.

Eventually, operators said they reached Hinds mother, who was sheltering elsewhere in Gaza City, and patched her into the call.

Her mothers voice made a real difference, Nisreen said. Every moment she said to her mother, I miss you momma.

Her mother told her, You will be with me in a little while and I will hug you, Nisreen remembered.

The Post was not able to reach Hinds mother in Gaza City, where there is limited connectivity.

The line goes dead

At 5:40 p.m. - three hours after the phone had first rung in Ramallah - the dispatchers said they got a call back from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ministry told them they had received permission to send paramedics to Hind. Israeli authorities had provided a map for them to follow. PRCS dispatched the nearest ambulance, 1.8 miles away, to the scene with two paramedics.

Nisreen said she tried to keep Hind engaged. They talked about the sea and the sun and her favorite chocolate cake.

But everyone could tell the little girl was fading. She said her hand was bleeding, that there was blood on her body. It was dark now. She was hungry, thirsty and cold, she told her mother.

Dispatchers said the paramedics radioed in as they neared the vehicle. The team in Ramallah encouraged them to move forward, slowly, Nisreen said.

At that moment, dispatchers said, there was heavy gunfire. The line with Hind was lost.

Hinds last sentence, Omar said, was Come and take me.

That was at 7 p.m. on Monday. There has been no word from Hind or the ambulance crew since.

Miriam Berger, Sufian Taha and Louisa Loveluck in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Accused is alleged to have refused to supply passwords to phones and laptops

A man is due before a court next week charged in connection with a money-laundering investigation into former solicitor and property developer Michael Lynn.

Detectives conducted several raids last month in a hunt for substantial assets suspected of being hidden away by the convicted thief, who is awaiting sentencing for stealing around 17.9m from six financial institutions.

A foreign national associated with Lynn was arrested following the search of a property in south Dublin on January 9 and was subsequently charged with obstructing a garda. The charges relate to the alleged refusal of the man to provide passwords for phones and a laptop seized during a search of his apartment.

He is due to appear in court in the coming days.

The charges are the first to be brought as part of a wide-ranging investigation led by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

The man is a company director. One of his firms owns at least one Irish property which has been linked to Lynn.

As part of the probe, it is understood, the bank accounts of three firms, containing around 2.5m, have been frozen.

Mayo-born Lynn (55), of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, was found guilty in December on 10 of 21 charges he faced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

He had denied the 21 counts of theft, which related to dates between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007. The funds were used to pay for a foreign property empire and an extravagant lifestyle.

As well as operating a legal practice, he was involved in building projects in Portugal, Hungary and Bulgaria via his company Kendar Holdings.

Last month detectives carried out searches of five properties. More than 30 officers were involved.

Lynns family home in Co Wicklow was one of the properties searched as part of the probe.

The purpose of the investigation is to find assets and proceeds of crime.

It is understood more searches are planned, as well as a detailed analysis of bank accounts, financial transactions and companies.

Lynn is currently being held in Cloverhill Prison awaiting a sentencing hearing on February 19.

His sentencing was put back to that date after his legal team sought time for the preparation of a psychological report. It has been indicated Lynn will be called to give evidence at the hearing.

Lynn fled Ireland after he came under investigation in 2007 for taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties.

He moved around Europe before going to Brazil in 2011, which had no formal extradition treaty with Ireland.

But he was returned to Ireland in 2018 under an ad hoc arrangement after spending four-and-a-half years in a Brazilian jail fighting extradition.

He finally went on trial in 2022 but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict.

A jury in a second trial last year was able to come in with verdicts in relation to just under half of the charges.

The court heard Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance.

The properties included Glenlion, Lynns 5.5m home in Howth, Co Dublin, and multiple investment properties.

The financial institutions involved were Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland Ltd and Irish Nationwide Building Society.

Lynn claimed the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu speaks at an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

ROME, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

Gathering hundreds of representatives from Rome-based diplomatic corps, Italian authorities and FAO, the event was the first such celebration of the traditional Chinese festival within the organization.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu highlighted the importance of recognizing and appreciating diversity in his speech.

The upcoming Year of the Dragon is of special significance for the Chinese and in the East Asian culture, he said. "As a mystical creature, the dragon symbolizes strength, wisdom and good fortune in the Chinese culture."

Stressing the importance of cooperation and solidarity in the face of global challenges in uncertain times, Qu called for collaboration without boundaries and keeping food and agriculture among the top issues of the international agenda.

FAO's chief economist Maximo Torero told Xinhua that the organization will keep working with China and other countries as part of the UN system.

Highlights of the event included performances of traditional Chinese Tai Chi, tea-serving rituals and paper-cutting art.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December to list the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday in its calendar of conferences and meetings starting from this year.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this Year of the Dragon starts on Feb. 10. 

People attend an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Participants watch a Taichi performance during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Participants taste Chinese tea during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Participants show paper cutting works during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Participants learn to make paper cutting works during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level event at its headquarters here on Friday to mark the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Ann Marie Keenan (37) was remanded on continuing bail at Dublin District Court.

A woman who made a false rape allegation has had her case adjourned to give her defence time to submit a psychologists report to a court.

Ann Marie Keenan (37) was remanded on continuing bail at Dublin District Court.

Keenan of Kildonan Avenue, Finglas, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to gardai tending to show rape offences had taken place.

She entered her plea last year and when the case returned to court, her solicitor sought an adjournment to April to prepare mitigation.

Garda Sergeant Tony Flanagan told Judge Mark OConnell he had no objection to the adjournment and the judge put the case back to April.

Previously, the court heard Keenan made statements at Fitzgibbon Street garda station on August 13, 2022, and January 4 and February 14 of last year.

Gardai took a report from the accused in relation to a rape allegation at a Dublin location. She alleged she was the victim of an assault, leading to an investigation.

When inconsistencies were put to her she stuck to her story and maintained the allegation in further interviews, the court heard.

When gardai interviewed the man she named on a voluntary basis, he had no knowledge of this taking place, the sergeant said.

On the last court date, a judge said the man should be asked if he wished to make a victim-impact statement before the case is finalised.

The charge is under Section 12(a) of the Criminal Law Act. The DPP consented to the case being dealt with in the district court on a plea of guilty only.
The dad-of-six, who was in and out of prison for most of his life, tells how jail course took him on new path

Former Beirut hostage Brian Keenan (pictured centre) visited Magilligan Prison to speak with prisoners about his experiences

A former criminal who spent decades running from the IRA, PSNI and garda says he has turned over a new leaf and wants to apologise for the misery he caused his family and victims.

Glen Smith, who was released from jail in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, spent 30 years behind bars or on the run from police on both sides of the border.

When he was out of prison, the IRA wanted to shoot him for the many crimes he had committed.

His life was chaos and the Derry man, who once escaped from garda custody while on crutches, thought he would be dead before he turned 50.

However, he recently celebrated that landmark birthday, is continuing to put his life back together and is trying to make up for all the misery he caused his family and victims.

One of the catalysts for this, says the father of six, was a creative writing course he took part in during his last spell in prison.

That changed everything and saved my life, he said.

After discovering the power of writing, he stopped taking drugs in 2019, ending a lifetime of addiction.

I remember saying to myself its time to stop, he said.

This boy used to give me grass and tablets every week in prison and I remember him coming over to me one day in the creative writing class and handing me the drugs. I said no and I just went cold turkey after that.

Its like I became a different man.

Smith was first banged up when he was just 15. His litany of crimes included theft, robbery, assault and threats to kill.

My ma used to be glad when I was put in jail because at least then she knew where I was, he told the Sunday World this week.

Glen Smith with his partner Rhona

I got put away for the first time when I was 15 into St Pats (borstal in Belfast) but they couldnt control me.

So the next time they put me in Hydebank (Young Offenders Centre), but they said I was uncontrollable and I was sent to the Crumlin Road prison. You are not meant to be there if youre under 21, but I went when I was 19.

I was a lunatic with drugs and anger, always fighting.

However, Smith, who witnessed his father being shot in a punishment-style attack by the IRA when he was 12, found it easier to be in jail.

My life was chaos when I got out of jail. The Ra was after me, the cops were always after me.

But when I was caught again for whatever I had done and put back in jail, my body kind of relaxed. It was a relief and it felt like it was where I belonged. That was my family in there.

Its sad to say now, but thats the way my life was. Out here was abnormal and in there was normal for me for 30 years.

All the crimes I was doing, I never hid my face because I wanted to go back to prison. I didnt care.

Despite his desire to be locked up, he escaped from police custody a number of times on both sides of the border.

In one widely-reported incident, he fled from Garda custody twice in one day in 2000.

He was facing charges relating to assault and theft in the Bundoran area of Co Donegal.

While being transferred from a Dublin prison to court in Donegal, he escaped from gardai when they stopped in Longford but was soon rearrested.

However, after the court appearance in Donegal, he fled through a rear window of a garda station. After a three-hour search, he was finally caught hiding up a tree near the station. In another incident, Smith was being brought from prison in Dublin to appear at a court in Co Sligo when he was allowed to stop at Longford Garda Station to use the toilet.

Former Beirut hostage Brian Keenan (pictured centre) visited Magilligan Prison to speak with prisoners about his experiences

At the time he was on crutches, but on leaving the station he threw them away and ran off. He was captured the next day.

It looked like this would continue to be the story of his life until he joined that creative writing class.

I have been writing all my life. I remember my ma telling me that I had been writing stories when I was five or six.

Teachers used to tell her I had an amazing imagination.

In the writing class at Magilligan Prison, he was encouraged to write about his own experiences.

Writing the book really changed my life. I would go to the class between 9 and 12 in the morning and then back to the wing for dinner and be locked up for an hour.

I would then go back to the class for a couple of hours. I didnt take anyone on and I just kept writing.

His title for the book, No More Walls, which he has recently self-published, was inspired by Brian Keenan, the Belfast man who was held hostage for four years in Beirut in the 1980s.

Brian came into Magilligan to do a talk about his life and his book, Smith said.

I read his book and wrote him a poem called All Souls.

The poem was read out for him at the event and he got very emotional. He came over to me and thanked me for writing it.

A few months later, the prison governor said Brian had sent me something but they couldnt let me have it as it could be used as a weapon.

It was a plaque with the message When life shackles you, escape no matter what. No more walls.

He also wrote me a letter saying the plaque he had sent to the prison had been up on the wall in his study for many years but he had taken it down and replaced it with a framed copy of my poem.

Thats where I got the name for my book.

After completing the creative writing course, which was run by the Prison Arts Foundation (PAF), Smith stayed on to help with the project.

He explained: When I was mentoring the class, I would see the young fellas coming in. Wee hard men about 22 or 23. I was thinking I have been there.

They would stand with their chests out and ask whats this and when they were told it was a creative writing class, they would get all defensive and say what will I write about?

I told them to write about themselves and their own lives. Every one of them had a story.

Since his release from prison, Smith has maintained links with PAF and is full of praise for the organisation.

The work they do is unbelievable.

They gave me a lot of help and I am still involved with them.

They even link in with prisoners after they are released from jail and continue to help them.

Smiths family have suffered horrifically through suicide with his father, sisters Kelly and Charlotte, and a young niece all taking their own lives.

As the eldest of nine children, he admits he was often not there to support his loved ones but now wants to make up for the pain he caused to his family, especially long-suffering partner Rhona.

My life now is just heaven. Me and Rhona are settled and my life is all about my family, my six children and five grandchildren.

It is great to be here consistently for them, for christenings, birthdays and pantomimes.
Brian Kenna was returning to Dublin

A dissident Republican has had his BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe searched dramatically on the side of the road by the PSNI after a rally last weekend.

Saoradh chairman Brian Kenna was returning from a Bloody Sunday march in Derry organized by the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association.

Saoradh, which is widely regarded as the political wing of the New IRA, has a long-standing policy of recording its members encounters with the PSNI and putting the footage online.

The Saoradh Dublin leader and his partner were stopped and images showed the car with its doors wide open, as a female PSNI Officer gave the vehicle the once over.

Mr. Kenna was not pleased with the police work, which he felt was a form of persecution.

Derry rally

"This type of harassment only makes us want to work harder in ensuring our revolutionary martyrs are honoured fittingly this year in Dublin with people coming from across the country to attend the Unfinished Revolution Easter Commemoration on March 30th Dublin, he said.

Last year, dissident republicans were reported to have been told to exploit security breach paranoia within the PSNI by plastering images of serving officers online.

Brian Kenna

A website linked to the New IRA published pictures of three cops arresting then Saoradh chairman Stephen Murney near a republican protest in Dungannon.

The photographs were placed on several dissident websites within hours of the incident taking place, with the officers easily identifiable.

Republican sources told the Belfast Telegraph that the process was set to ratchet up into the new year.

One revealed: All Saoradh members have been told to film any PSNI stop-and-search [operations] and to forward pictures of the cops so they can be put online.

"Thats what happened in Dungannon when Stephen Murney was arrested.

Murney was accused of inciting support for the New IRA during a speech he made in Derry at Easter following a riot. The 39-year-old told a crowd: The important thing is to join the IRA.

Stephen Murney's arrest last year

As part of his bail conditions, he was banned from attending republican protests  a ruling that prompted his arrest.

While the PSNI data breach last year was a source of embarrassment for the force, republicans played down suggestions they might be in possession of the names and work locations of 10,000 officers and civilian support staff.

The data breach, which was released via the PSNI in a Freedom of Information response, mistakenly published the names, ranks, work locations and other personal data of every serving police officer and civilian employees.

It was viewable on a website for approximately three hours before being removed.

Some of the information was reported to have been downloaded and shared on WhatsApp, although republicans are sceptical about claims it is in their possession.

I dont know of one republican who is in possession of it, a former IRA prisoner told the Sunday Life.

Ive seen plenty of messages from republicans asking if anyone has a copy, but I have yet to see a reply saying yes.

Our source added: Even if the New IRA had these details, what is it realistically going to do with the information?

In the past six years its managed to shoot two PSNI officers, and on both occasions they survived. Its not like its members are spending every night running around the hedgerows, targeting off-duty cops.
Tributes have poured in for the youngster ahead of their funerals.

Left to right: Katie Graham, Michael Kelly and Daryl Culbert who were killed on the N80 at Leagh near Carlow town on Wednesday night

Family members and friends of three youngsters killed in a car crash in Carlow this week have spoken of their devastation.

Daryl Culbert (21), from Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow, died alongside his friends, Michael Kelly (25) from Nurney, Co Carlow and Katie Graham (19) from Arles on the Carlow/Laois border when their car skidded in heavy rain in Leagh around 5km from Carlow town at 11.30pm on Wednesday night.

Another man, who is aged in his 20s and from Ballinabranagh, Co Carlow, was seriously injured in the crash and currently receiving treatment in hospital where his injuries are described as non-life-threatening.

The stretch of road where the accident occurred is a well-known blackspot which had been the scene of a number of previous fatalities and plans had already been underway to realign it to widen it and take out bends.

The deaths of the three young people have caused devastation and their funeral masses are due to take place on Monday and Tuesday.

The funeral of Michael Kelly from Nurney, Co. Carlow will take place at St. Brigids Church, Hacketstown at 1pm on Tuesday.

Family friend Elizabeth Connolly told how she remembered Michael fondly as a gorgeous person.

Dearest Rita and Jordan, words are completely inadequate at this tragic time. I wish all our thoughts and heartbreak for what you are going through could ease in any tiny way your unimaginable pain and loss, she added.

His cousin Fiona Byrne said he was taken from us way too soon and said she was devastated to lose him.

Tributes have poured in for the youngster ahead of their funerals.

Mr Culbert, from Kiltegan, Co Wicklow close to the Carlow border, was well known for his involvement in Autograss motor racing.

The Rallysport Association described Daryl as a true gentleman who will be sorely missed.

Daryls ability was clear for all to see with a number of victories and podium finishes always accompanied with a smile alongside his father Trevor, they said.

GrassChat, which covers the motorsport online, said the autograss world was shocked and saddened by the news of his death.

He showed his talents at a young age proving to be a very competitive autograss racer in his Junior years, proving that when he reached the 2018 Junior Specials National Final where he finished in 5th place. Darrell would also achieve a lot of local success racing for the Carlow club.

After graduating from the Juniors there was a move to Class 10 but at the end of 2022 decided to make a change and started racing CrossKarts.

His potential was there to see and just a couple of weeks ago he was the outright winner of the Donal O'Brien Memorial Funsprint trophy of which he was incredibly proud to win.

This news has hit our friends within the Irish community incredibly hard and I send my thoughts and condolences out to the family and friends of Daryl Culbert.

Mr Culbert was also a steam engine enthusiast and took part steam rallies and events.

Steam enthusiast group Celtic Steamers said: We would all like to offer our sincere condolences to the Glynn and Culbert families on the very sad passing of Daryl Culbert. Well known on many fronts across autograss, mechanics and steam, he will be hugely missed. RIP.

Johnny Graham, who knew Daryl from the steam rallies, described the news of his death as very sad and said he was a lovely man who always made time to talk to you wherever he was on the steam rally field or out and about.

His funeral mass will take place at St. Peters Church, Kiltegan on Monday, at 2pm.

Katie Graham was from Ballinagall, Ballickmoyler near Arles in Laois near the Carlow border, was described as such a beautiful person both inside and out by a former schoolfriend.

She was a past student of Arles National School and also attended St Leos in Carlow and Castlecomer Community School.

Another friend also described her as beautiful and said she was taken way too soon with so much life left to live and experience.

Her funeral mass will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arles at 11am on Monday.
This court does its best to assist personal litigants, but the defendant has been the worst example I have encountered.

This is the self-proclaimed supreme being anti-vaxxer who led a court on a merry dance costing us all tens of thousands of pounds  and ended up losing spectacularly.

Paul Kevin Canavan stood accused at Dungannon Magistrates Court on Wednesday of criminal damage to an electricity meter after he had one illegally removed from his home in August 2022.

But the 41-year-old, from Millrace Avenue, Dungannon, has consistently said hes a supreme being and didnt consent to the charge, repeatedly telling the judge he was there to do business by special appearance.

As it turns out, Canavan, who signs his name with a fingerprint smudge, is not the supreme being  hes just a very naughty boy!

On Wednesday, after a futile three-hour court contest in which he kept staff until after 6pm, the Dungannon deity was fined 500 and ordered to pay compensation of 332 to NIE.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said at a previous hearing he was aware of incidents of people recording prosecutors leaving the building and I assume that is under police investigation.

That has been confirmed, but when we confronted the supreme being outside court on Wednesday, he wasnt in the mood for having his picture taken or discussing why he ran such a ludicrous case.

Paul Kevin Canavan (41) from Millrace Avenue, Dungannon

We wanted to know what makes a seemingly average family man drag himself through months of pointless court hearings when ultimately he always admitted hed had someone remove his electricity meter and had been told repeatedly this act alone constituted an offence.

I dont want to talk to you. Go and talk to that judge, hes one of the best judges in the country, he said sarcastically.

I dont want to be rude, but I just want to go home to my family. I have kids. I dont want any confrontation, I dont mean to be rude, I just want to go home.

On Facebook, Canavan promotes conspiracy theories about Covid vaccines, Putin and Ukraine, as well the government spraying us with metal particles but then blaming the fallout on Saharan dust!

On Wednesday, one of his disciples was kicked out of court for taking notes, claiming it was his human right to take notes, with the judge saying: This court is not going to be used as a circus.

Paul Kevin Canavan (41) from Millrace Avenue, Dungannon

In previous hearings Canavan refused to enter the dock or be addressed by his surname, contending he is Paul Kevin making a special appearance.

Following numerous and often dramatic stand-offs in court over several months, significantly delaying the matters and sometimes seeing Canavan held in custody for contempt, Judge Ranaghan issued a ruling two weeks ago around the plethora of nonsense that common men, sovereign men or indeed supreme beings use as a defence.

He noted that these people put themselves either outside or above the law. To date the defendant has been dismissive, rude, obstructive, confrontational and generally misbehaves.

This court does its best to assist personal litigants, but the defendant has been the worst example I have encountered.

Canavan, said the judge, has people attending court with him who have also been disruptive, including his partner who behaved particularly badly when he was sent into custody for contempt.

I am also advised of their rude, confrontational behaviour in dealings with court staff. There have also been incidents of these people recording prosecutors leaving the building and I assume that is under police investigation.

Read more Two men handed life sentences after pleading guilty to brutal murder of Ian Ogle

As part of that ruling, Judge Ranaghan informed Canavan he is not above the law, nor does he attend by special appearance.

He continued: The defendant calls himself a supreme being. I have never met one and would never be so arrogant to represent myself as one. I find this concept abhorrent. Nothing takes him outside the jurisdiction of this or any other court. It may be those using these tactics think they are being clever. They are not.

Judge Ranaghan added: Rather than trawl the internet for mumbo jumbo, the defendant should seek legal advice, but I fear that will again fall on deliberately deaf ears. He claims acts and statutes are not law which is another example of pseudo-legal nonsense.

And on Wednesday Canavan and his disciples had their moment in the sun when he ran his own legal defence in a bizarre three-hour court caper.

NIE engineers and staff had to attend to give evidence, with Canavan asking the same questions of witnesses and repeatedly stating criminal damage was not caused to the meter, therefore he could not possibly be guilty of the charge.

Initially, Canavan sought to have his friend assist him in the case but when the person was asked their name multiple terms and provided only his first name, Judge Ranaghan refused to allow this.

Despite being told numerous times the decision to remove or interfere with the meter constituted criminal damage by NIE staff, Canavan refused to accept this.

Canavan insisted the removed device was a smart meter which he claimed was very dangerous, but no matter how many times he was told it was not a smart meter, he refused to agree, adding: That has never been proved.

Even when told NIE dont install smart meters, Canavan refused to accept this.

He confirmed he paid a competent electrician 50 to remove the meter but could not say who this person was, only that hed found a number in the Yellow Pages phonebook.

In summing up his defence, Canavan said: They (NIE) admitted in court no criminal damage was ever done. I proved this beyond reasonable doubt.

After taking time to consider the evidence, Judge Ranaghan said: There is a clear misunderstanding by the defendant around the charge wording. That is ludicrous and is no doubt influenced by the nonsense many ascribe to and find available online.

He states the meter was not damaged therefore he cannot be guilty of criminal damage.

The defendant appears to have ignored the legal precedent he was guided to by the court on the actual meaning of criminal damage.

From the moment the meter was removed by the competent electrician, it was not functioning as intended and was therefore damaged within the meaning of criminal damage.
Known drug dealers who were left exposed by their expulsion have downed tools because of fears over their safety without the safety net of UVF membership.

A number of East Belfast UVF drug dealers have turned their back on the trade.

A number of East Belfast UVF drug dealers have turned their back on the trade.

The Sunday World understands several criminal figures have walked away from the lucrative racket and it is believed others are considering their futures.

It comes three months after the terror groups Shankill Road leadership moved against the East Belfast organised crime gang.

The eight-strong command structure was dismantled and the men dubbed The Hateful Eight, including alleged mob boss Stephen Matthews, were stood down.

The bloodless coup came after Chief of Staff John Bunter Graham came under increasing pressure to sanction East Belfast.

Known drug dealers who were left exposed by their expulsion have downed tools because of fears over their safety without the safety net of UVF membership.

The Sunday World also understands the UVF brigadier in neighbouring North Down is considering stepping back from the drug trade despite speculation he had offered his support to the East Belfast renegades.

Bunter and sidekick Harmless Harry Stockmans move against the East was the culmination of a long negotiation process, first highlighted by this newspaper in 2015.

The process has been conducted with full consultation with British security and intelligence services. It sees the UVF finally stepping away from paramilitary activity after 30 years of undelivered promises.

The terror groups leadership and other strands of loyalism, including the Orange Order and community initiative East Belfast ACT, have insisted there is no prospect of a feud.

And so it has proved despite calls from within the organisation to have the Eight expelled from the area.

At the time, ex-prisoners group East Belfast ACT, which is closely aligned with UVF thinking, hit out at speculation on social media and within elements of the mainstream media that a bloody feud is inevitable.

There is no, and will be no, feud or violence contrary to misinformed and malicious rumours, they said in a statement.

They said the commentary was being fed by social media commentators purporting to come from a position of knowledge, but who are, in fact, utter fantasists.

The group said language around a potentially violent backlash was dangerous and inflammatory.

Matthews, who has always denied membership or involvement in criminal activity, has been assured he will remain a member of the organisation and can rely on its protection.

He is still facing criminal charges in relation to an alleged UVF show of strength in the Pitt Park area of the east in February 2021. The Sunday World first revealed plans to depose the East Belfast leadership in 2019.

Bunter Graham had come under increasing pressure from the veteran membership frustrated at the organisations failure to distance itself from involvement in the drugs trade, and a British government becoming ever more frustrated at the UVFs continued and failed promises to transition away from paramilitary activity and criminality.

The fear now is that the void could be filled with a new generation of drug dealers, with some predicting an influx of outside dealers.

As previously revealed by this newspaper, Graham issued an edict that any UVF member found to be dealing drugs would be expelled.

Bunter had previously showed his intentions when he stood down former South East Antrim Brigadier Den Elliott.

Elliott was replaced by an anti-drugs veteran.

A number of senior figures, including a commander in north Belfast, have been either subjected to punishment attacks or expelled.
As the 2024 school year is underway, Police encourage parents and carers to take privacy precautions before posting back-to-school photos online.

Many families use the beginning of the school year as an opportunity to share photos of their children wearing their uniforms, at their school or with other identifying features.

Police acknowledge that sharing these milestones are important to families, but parents and carers should think about who may be able to access these images and more importantly the information that may be found within the images.

"While cases of images being used inappropriately are rare, they do happen," says detective senior sergeant Kepal Richards.

"And there are instances where innocent images are used in child exploitation material or offenders use information from the images, like school logos, to identify and groom children.

"Videos and live streaming can also be included in this, as an offender may capture an image themselves.

"This is called capping.

"We urge parents and carers to be aware of the risks and be proactive with online safety to keep their information and children safe."

Here is some information to keep safe online:

Before sharing images, double-check there are no identifying features such as school uniforms and logos, school buildings or signs, and street signs. If this is unavoidable, parents can easily edit and blur school logos and signs.

We recommend that parents and carers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings or setting profiles to private/friends only.

If another person is taking photos of your child, have a discussion around how the photos may be used and how they may be shared.

Keeping your childs personal information including full name and age private. This can also include what year they may be starting as this can indicate age.

Seek help and support, and report inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online.

WHERE TO REPORT

NEW ZEALAND POLICE

105 (non-emergency)

111 (Emergency)

NETSAFE

Text Netsafe to 4282

Email: help@netsafe.org.nz (link sends e-mail)

Call us toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)

Online report form at netsafe.org.nz/report

Our helpline is open from 8am  8pm Monday to Friday and 9am  5pm on weekends.
Its a welcome return, this Sunday, to the highlight of the Katikati social calendar. After a three-year hiatus, Katikati A&P Show is promising to be a day of fun for all ages.

President Louellen Davies says it was a tough decision to cancel the show last year, followed by weeks of sleepless nights.

It became a health and safety issue with the ground affected by all the rain wed had. So, this year weve pulled out all the stops. Were strong-minded people and the committee has worked hard with a focus on creating a great day for locals. They really do give 100 per cent.

This year Katikati A&P Show features craft and food stalls as well as donkey rides, sheep races, a performing sheep, alpacas, a rock-climbing wall, celebrity egg and spoon races, highland dancing, spinning displays, vintage and muscle cars, equestrian events, a hat competition, a raffle and a wood chopping competition.

Its a day for our community to shine and to bring town and country together for a great family event, says Louellen. Weve even got our conservationists showing what they do. Project Parore has put up a predator fence to demonstrate their pest control work in the region.

The day will be started with a Maori blessing and karakia before gates open at 9am.

Were expecting well over 3000 people to join us for the 99th Katikati A&P Show, says Louellen. Its going to be an amazing day.

Katikati A&P Show is this Sunday, February 4 at Uretara Domain, Major St, Katikati from 9am-4pm.

Adult entry $5, under-13s gain free entry. For more information: Katikati A&P Show - Katikati A and P Show
The Bay of Plenty Education Trust has hit the $2 million mark in terms of money gifted to local youth for their tertiary education endeavours.

Those gathered at scholarship ceremonies in Tauranga and Whakatane last week heard how $2,081,750 has been received over the years by 409 students from coastal BOP colleges thanks to the Trusts Science, Technology and Emerging Industries Scholarships.

The latest recipients officially received their scholarships at ceremonies last week.

The 14 Western BOP scholarship winners are:

Logan Murray and Vince Escaran (Tauranga Boys College), Kate Dekker (Aquinas College), Katie Seng Woon Chua and Rachel Wahab (Otumoetai College), Manu Gates and Danica Fisher (Tauranga Girls College), Benjamin Salmon (Bethlehem College), Michael Kean (Katikati College), Cameron Paterson (Te Puke High School), Harriet Van Der Westhuizen and Adrena Palmer (Papamoa College), and Joe Chapman and Ruby Burt (Mt Maunganui College).

They were joined by six Eastern Bay of Plenty recipients.

Each year the Trust gifts scholarships to as many as 20 students graduating from coastal high schools and colleges between Katikati and Opotiki.

Each receives $6,000 distributed over the years of tertiary study.

Colleges with more than 1000 students are eligible for two scholarships, with the winners determined by the individual colleges/high schools.

This years Eastern BOP recipients are: Deepak Joshi and Rhys Robertson (Whakatane High School), Brayden Andrews (Trident High School), Shinaid O'Regan (Edgecumbe College), Atutahi Porter (Opotiki College) and Trizhana Wade (Tarawera High School).

Bay of Plenty Education Trust chairman Nick Earl says investing in the tertiary education of the Bays young people has long been a focus of the Trust, which also assists in other areas of the community.

The Trust also supports the InStep Programme run by Priority One, and its Eastern Bay of Plenty equivalent, the ToiEDA; and, in 2021, introduced supplementary grants as a way of expanding its community support.

The most recent recipients of those supplementary grants are Western and Eastern BOP House of Science organisations, The Graeme Dingle Trust and Blue Light (Tauranga and Whakatane).

The Trust has been operating since 1985.
A ridge of high pressure is expected to arrive today.

The MetService says by Sunday, the earlier cold front will have cleared to the east and a large area of high pressure begins to dominate our weather into next week.

Hot conditions return to the eastern South Island on Monday, with Blenheim and Ashburton expected to reach 32C and Christchurch 30C.

Sunday, February 4

During Sunday, a ridge moves onto central and northern New Zealand, while a strengthening northwest flow develops farther south.

There is moderate confidence of warnable amounts of rain for Fiordland. Meanwhile, there is moderate confidence northwesterlies will rise to severe gale about Stewart Island, and low confidence for exposed parts of Fiordland south of Milford Sound, Southland and Clutha.

Monday, February 5

On Monday, a ridge of high pressure remains over the North Island, while a strong northwest flow covers the South Island.

There is low confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria about Fiordland and about the ranges of Westland south of the glaciers.

There is moderate confidence of severe northwest gales about exposed parts of Fiordland south of Milford Sound, Stewart Island, Southland and Clutha.

Finally, there is low confidence that northwest winds will require a warning about exposed parts of the remainder of Otago, plus the Canterbury High Country.



Tuesday, February 6

On Tuesday, a ridge of high pressure remains over the North Island, while a front preceded by a strong northwest flow moves onto southern New Zealand, then becomes slow-moving.

There is high confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria about Fiordland, moderate confidence about the ranges of Westland south of the glaciers, and low confidence for Southland.

There is moderate confidence of severe northwest gales about exposed parts of Fiordland south of Milford Sound, Stewart Island, Southland and Clutha, and low confidence about exposed parts of the remainder of Otago, plus the Canterbury High Country.



Wednesday, February 7

On Wednesday, the ridge over the North Island should drift slowly northwards, while the front in the south should move north while weakening.

There is high confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria about Fiordland, moderate confidence about the ranges of Westland south of the glaciers, and low confidence for Southland.

There is moderate confidence of severe northwest gales about exposed parts of Fiordland south of Milford Sound, Stewart Island, Southland and Clutha, and low confidence about exposed parts of the remainder of Otago, plus the Canterbury High Country.






ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has called for urgent concerted humanitarian support to tackle an impending drought-induced humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

The UNOCHA, in its latest Ethiopia humanitarian situation report released late Thursday, said the El Nino-driven drought is driving millions of people to suffering and desperation, and it called for urgent needs to prevent further deterioration.

According to the UNOCHA, a recent seasonal assessment and a subsequent joint prioritization process have identified a yearly target for food assistance of 10.4 million people in Ethiopia.

It said the current El Nino-driven drought that mainly affected the highlands of Ethiopia is worsened by poor harvest and production loss due to below-average summer rains from June to August 2023.

"The drought scorched farms, dried up rivers and water sources, and parched pastures, putting millions of people and livestock into a worsened humanitarian situation with exacerbated food, water, and fodder shortages," it said.

The UNOCHA said the drought situation further exacerbated the already dire humanitarian condition millions of people across northern Ethiopia experienced as the affected people were still recovering from the impact of the two-year northern Ethiopia conflict from 2020 to 2022.

"Conditions for the affected populations will deteriorate if not reacted with multi-sector response between January and March. By then, the affected populations will increasingly have become destitute in the face of severe water shortages, deterioration in livestock health and malnutrition," it warned. 
Happy weekend, everyone,

The groundhog yesterday said itll be an early spring, while weather people disagree  a classic case of nature versus science. While you ponder that on this Saturday, why not pour a cup of coffee, pack a bowl and take a look at the stories we covered in NY Cannabis Insider this week.

Heres a look at the stories we ran:

Yesterday we published a story about the frustration multiple stakeholders are feeling, as the Office of Cannabis Management seems to be significantly shifting goalposts during New Yorks first-ever weed industry general licensing process.

Legacy operators, minority women and industry consultants are calling the OCMs licensing scheme alarming and say the agency has again changed their own rules and processes at the last minute.

The states problems dont end there. Gov. Kathy Hochul this week called the rollout a disaster and pointed to conflicts between the Cannabis Control Board and OCM leadership. Additionally, the CCB and OCM are facing three more lawsuits that take issue with this current round of licensing  all of which seek an injunction.



Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter

Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox:









We updated our running list of state and federal lawsuits that plaintiffs have filed against the OCM, which now includes three new entries. In one of the new cases, the plaintiff alleges that regulators social equity provisions  some of which provide some advantages to cannabis based on race and gender  are unconstitutional.

A plaintiff in another case takes issue with the fact that OCM officials didnt notify applicants that candidates with extra priority status would get three spots in the licensing queue, while everyone else got one. And another suit, filed in federal court, argues the CAURD program and extra priority benefits violate the U.S. Dormant Commerce Clause.

James B. Mann, an attorney specializing in cannabis tax and tax accounting issues, contributed a guest column in which he argues that Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposal to repeal New Yorks potency-based cannabis tax structure with a 9% wholesale tax would hurt the industry.

The Governors office has contested the notion that its latest proposal would result in an approximate 30% tax on cannabis products, Mann wrote. While the estimate of 30% may have been high, it is certainly not the 15% or so that the Governors office suggests.

Lastly, we posted attorney Jeffrey Hoffmans latest Ask Me Anything segment, in which he answered questions about adult-use home-grow regulations, the potency tax, and more.

Have a great weekend everyone, well be back with plenty more next week.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States carried out on Friday strikes on Iran-linked militia targets in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a deadly attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan, a move that could heighten tension in the Middle East.

The airstrikes, which lasted 30 minutes, were aimed at 85 targets across seven locations in Syria and Iraq, said the White House.

At least 13 pro-Iran fighters were killed in U.S. airstrikes that targeted strongholds of pro-Iran fighters in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The airstrikes destroyed 17 sites in Deir al-Zour in three rounds of airstrikes on the city of al-Mayadeen and one round on al-Bukamal, a city near the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Local media also confirmed the death and injury of several "martyrs" at different attacked sites in Syria.

Top Iranian advisors reportedly withdrew to Damascus, while some elements of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remained in Deir al-Zour, with the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Fatimiyoun Brigade, both supported by the IRGC, tasked with managing the operations in Deir al-Zour.

Two hours before the U.S. attacks, the Observatory said, Israeli and Western electronic intelligence and aerial surveillance planes were conducting intensive reconnaissance deep into Syrian territory.

U.S. reconnaissance planes continued to patrol the region's airspace intensively after the air strikes, it added.

On Sunday, three U.S. soldiers were killed in a drone strike on an American base in Jordan. Pro-Iran militias, which have stepped up their drone attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq in tandem with the Israeli military campaign on Gaza, were blamed for the attack.

The attack, which also injured more than 40 U.S. service members, was "planned, resourced and facilitated" by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group containing "multiple groups including Kataib Hezbollah," said the White House on Wednesday.

Also on Friday, the Iraqi government said that the border areas in western Iraq are under U.S. airstrikes, warning such attacks will have serious consequences for the security and stability of Iraq and the region.

The U.S. airstrikes targeted the town of al-Qaim, some 400 km west of Baghdad, and other border areas in Iraq.

"These air strikes violate Iraq's sovereignty and come at a time when Iraq is striving to ensure stability in the region," Yahya Rasoul, the military spokesperson of the Iraqi prime minister, said in a statement.

He described the air strikes as "a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences that will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region."

At least three Iraqis were killed and five others were injured by the airstrikes on some sites belonging to the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, a security source in Anbar province, who requested to remain anonymous, told Xinhua.

The Biden administration has suggested that the U.S. response to the drone attack would be prolonged.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the strikes are "the start of our response."

Iran has previously warned the United States against launching any direct strike on Iranian territory, saying if the United States acts in this way its response will be swift and dramatic. 
SmartCat Team-BHP Support



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Re: Android Thread: Phones / Apps / Mods Quote: Docmukul Originally Posted by bought a s24 ultra and was quite impressed by the screen which was far better than my 15 pro max.







In an iPhone, you can replicate Samsung's vivid display by going to: Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text size and fooling around with the options there, especially color filters.







Quote: dragonfire Originally Posted by These have been posted here before IIRC.

Samsung cheats!







Now I can assure it did not look like this to my eyes. The blue light of the aquarium is all over the place, and the yellow street lamp is unusually bright too. So instead of calling photos real vs fake, we should be calling it real/natural vs highly processed When it comes to phone display, Samsung goes for "what looks pleasing to the eye" versus realism. Majority of users find bright and vivid colours more pleasing than more natural/subtle colors. That's the only reason Samsung screen looks better than iphone screen. But this is just software settings rather than hardware. In Samsung display settings, you can always opt for iphone-like natural displayIn an iPhone, you can replicate Samsung's vivid display by going to: Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text size and fooling around with the options there, especiallyHowever, I'm with Samsung on this that it is NOT a fake AI image. Just processed using software. We can say it is not fake because the dark spots are all there & exactly at the same places. But it is just more prominent. If we start calling this fake, then "night mode" in all smartphones can be classified as fake too. Take this pic for example:Now I can assure it did not look like this to my eyes. The blue light of the aquarium is all over the place, and the yellow street lamp is unusually bright too. So instead of calling photos real vs fake, we should be calling it real/natural vs highly processed Last edited by SmartCat : 1st February 2024 at 12:01 .
In context: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has consistently proclaimed the demise of Moore's Law in recent years. Although his counterparts at AMD and Intel hold differing opinions, a recent presentation from Google appears to align with Huang's perspective. This alignment might also help elucidate TSMC's trends over the past several years.

The tech industry frequently discusses how much time, if any, Moore's Law has left. Google's head of IC packaging, Milind Shah, recently supported a prior assertion that the trend, which has served as a crucial guidepost for the tech industry, ended in 2014.

In 1965, the late Intel co-founder Gordon Moore theorized that the number of transistors per square inch on a circuit board would double about every two years. The theory, named after him, has mostly held fast in the nearly six decades since but has recently faced turbulence.

In 2014, MonolithIC CEO Zvi Or-Bach noted that the cost of 100-million-gate transistors, which had previously been steadily falling, hit rock bottom at the then-recent 28nm node. Semiconductor Digest reports that Shah, speaking at the 2023 IEDM conference, supported Or-Bach's claim with a chart showing that 100M gate prices have remained flat ever since, indicating that transistors haven't gotten any cheaper in the last decade.

Although chipmakers continue to shrink semiconductors and pack more of them onto increasingly powerful chips, prices and power consumption have increased. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has tried to explain this trend by proclaiming the death of Moore's Law multiple times since 2017, stating that more powerful hardware will inevitably cost more and require more energy.

Some have recently accused the Nvidia CEO of making excuses for the rising prices of Nvidia graphics cards. Meanwhile, the heads of AMD and Intel admit that Moore's Law has at least slowed down but claim that they can still achieve meaningful performance and efficiency gains from innovative techniques like 3D packaging.

However, the analysis from Or-Bach and later Shah might align with TSMC's wafer price hikes, which sharply accelerated after 28nm in 2014. According to DigiTimes, the Taiwanese giant's cost-per-wafer doubled over the subsequent two years with the introduction of 10nm in 2016. The outlet estimated that the latest 3nm wafers could cost $20,000.

As TSMC and its rivals aim toward 2nm and 1nm in the coming years, further analysis indicates that most of the semiconductor industry's recent growth comes from rising wafer prices. Despite wafer sales falling in the last couple of years, the average price of TSMC's wafers kept increasing.
The big picture: The two GPU rivals may argue over who has the more powerful AI acceleration graphics card, but there's no doubt about which hardware is more expensive. Nvidia has been selling its high-powered AI chips at ridiculous margins for months, and new estimates put AMD's prices at a fraction of those costs.

Citigroup estimates that AMD sells its MI300 AI acceleration GPUs for $10,000-$15,000 apiece, depending on the customer. AMD and Nvidia don't publicly disclose this pricing, so making estimations can be difficult, but the evidence indicates Nvidia's H100 cards might cost three or four times that of the competition's prices.

After Team Red introduced the MI300 series last year, it clashed with Nvidia over whether its MI300X or Nvidia's H100 was faster, with each company measuring performance using different software and metrics. If the H100 is superior, its performance advantage alone likely doesn't explain its estimated price of $30,000 per unit. eBay listings and investor comments put the H100 closer to $60,000, possibly five times what AMD charges its biggest clients  Microsoft and Meta.

Previous estimates suggested Nvidia currently makes a 1,000% profit on each H100, but the company's costs remain unclear. Last year, Barron's reported that manufacturing might account for only one-tenth of the workstation GPU's price, but other factors to consider include memory, labor costs, bulk versus individual purchases, arrangements with specific buyers, and IP royalty fees for CUDA. Nevertheless, Nvidia is undoubtedly leveraging its dominant market position and the incredibly tight supply of its AI chips.

Also read: Goodbye to Graphics: How GPUs Came to Dominate AI and Compute

Meanwhile, the dominance of its rival incentivizes AMD to mark down MI300 cards and take a smaller margin. The strategy certainly hasn't hurt the company's stock price, which the AI boom has driven to an all-time high in recent weeks.

In a Q4 2023 earnings call, CEO Lisa Su revised this year's AI-related sales revenue target from $2 billion to $3.5 billion. However, Citi accuses AMD of deliberately underestimating, claiming sales from MI300 will come closer to $5 billion in 2024 and $8 billion in 2025.

Team Green hasn't released its 2024 financials yet, but previous quarters show that the company's revenue skyrocketed from the demand for its AI chips. Nvidia's revenue from data centers, which includes its AI business, reached $14.51 billion in Q3 2023. Furthermore, analysts at Gartner estimate that the company's overall 2023 revenue was $23.98 billion.
WTF?! Theoretically, you can create a PDF that could cover half the area of Germany. One software developer set out to discover if that is true and realized she could go much, much bigger.

Have you heard the one about the maximum size for a PDF? Namely, that a single PDF can 'only' cover about half the area of Germany, or 381 kilometers?

Alex Chan, a software developer and self-described keen writer (writer's note: yes, she is), set out to prove or disprove the claim.

She quickly establishes that, according to the specification for PDF 1.7, Acrobat 7.0 supports a maximum UserUnit value of 75,000, which gives a maximum page dimension of 15,000,000 inches. She notes that 15 million inches is exactly 381 kilometers.

So, those are the claimed limitations  but Chan wondered if a PDF could exceed the maximum values. To conduct the rest of her experiment, Chan schooled herself on the inner workings of PDF documents and eventually was able to write her first PDF by hand. It is not a process for the faint of heart, apparently; she concludes that it is now apparent to her why nobody writes PDFs by hand anymore: Too fiddly, she says, but also Adobe has automated a lot of these processes over the years.

First, though, a word on creating a document that is 381 kilometers. She starts by noting that the MediaBox, which sets the width and height of the page  typically a square of 300  300 units  has a default unit size of 1/72 inch, which will take you all the way up to 200 inches. But users can make a page bigger by changing the MediaBox value. To do that, you have to increase the unit size by adding a /UserUnit value. The maximum UserUnit is 75,000, which creates a page size of 15,000,000.00 x 15,000,000.00 inches  or 381 km along both sides.

In her quest to create a PDF bigger than half the size of Germany, Chan essentially discovered a workaround: Unlike Acrobat, the Preview app doesn't have an upper limit on what can be put in MediaBox. "It's perfectly happy for me to write a width which is a 1 followed by twelve 0s," she writes, noting that that width is approximately the distance between the Earth and the Moon. She kept playing with it and eventually ended up with a PDF that Preview claimed is larger than the entire universe  approximately 37 trillion light years square. Her parting words? Just don't try to print it.
The big picture: Samsung is addressing head-on concerns that are wider than just new features for a smartphone. Generative AI needs to be regulated, according to the company's head of customer experience, Patrick Chomet, and governments are right to be concerned about its capabilities.

At this year's first Unpacked event, Samsung showed off a series of AI-powered software capabilities it collectively calls Galaxy AI that it has integrated into the new Galaxy S24 series of phones.

One of these features is called Generative Edit and its functionality is raising concerns about how easy and seamless it can be to artificially rearrange an image to create the perfect picture  or photographic masterpieces, as Samsung calls them. The Galaxy AI editing tool allows for  again to use Samsung's words  simple edits. These include erasing, recomposing, and remastering. All the user has to do is take a great pic and then Generative Edit makes it better, Samsung says.

Perhaps the ease at which Generative Edit works has tapped into greater angst about Generative AI and the questions surrounding the authenticity and ethics of what it seemingly so easily produces, including photography. Certainly, photo editing tools have been staples on smartphones for many years now and it is a category at which Samsung excels. Also, the feature makes a watermark and metadata changes whenever a photo has been edited with the tool  and Samsung says it is working with regulatory bodies to make sure people understand what this means. But whatever spurred this latest line of criticism, Samsung felt compelled to answer it. The bottom-line response: Generative Edit is ethical, desirable and even necessary.

That is the message that Samsung's head of customer experience, Patrick Chomet gave to TechRadar, calling the Galaxy S24's Generative Edit feature a natural extension of what smartphones can already do. He says that consumers have two, sometimes competing, desires when taking a photo. One is wanting to capture the moment  that is, to take a picture that's as accurate and complete as possible. The other is wanting to make something new. Generative Edit helps with both, he says.

He also waxes philosophical in his interview, noting that there is no such thing as a real picture. "As soon as you have sensors to capture something, you reproduce [what you're seeing], and it doesn't mean anything. There is no real picture. You can try to define a real picture by saying, 'I took that picture', but if you used AI to optimize the zoom, the autofocus, the scene  is it real? Or is it all filters?"

Such notions, though, are not likely to fly with regulators and Chomet appears to be aware of that. He said that Samsung has aligned itself with European regulations on AI and says that not only are governments right to be concerned about the potential implications of widespread AI use but that the industry needs to be regulated. He says that Samsung is actively working on that but provided little details.

Of course, it's still early days for Samsung's new Galaxy phones with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 only just now available for purchase. Generative Edit could wind up in the category of advanced filter  another tool to help average smartphone users take fantastic photos. Or it could fall into the category of deepfakes. Chomet doesn't seem to know which way the wind could blow. "Our new technology is amazing and powerful  but like anything, it can be used in good and bad ways."
Recent research links Instagram junk food content to mental health issues and increased food cravings. Social media advertising, used across sectors, is under examination for its mental health effects. A study published in Appetite found a disturbing correlation between Instagram junk food content and mental health issues and increased demand for unhealthy foods.

Involving 63 participants aged 18 to 24, the study divided them into two groups: one viewing a standard Instagram feed and the other exposed to images of junk food for 15 minutes, as reported by Healthline. Subsequent surveys assessed body image perception, mood, and food cravings.

The results, after seven days and a switch to the alternative Instagram feed, revealed heightened cravings for salty and fatty foods among those exposed to Instagram junk food content. Participants also reported increased stress, sadness, exhaustion, and hunger. Remarkably, neither Instagram feed influenced body image perception.

(Photo : JAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images)

A man eats a "Double Down Dog," in Manila, a product conceived and introduced by the Philippine franchise of KFC.

Instagram Food Ads' Impact on Mental Health

Dr. Nicole Avena, a nutrition consultant and associate professor of neurology, noted that social media profoundly affects food interactions. The health expert stressed how social media food ads affect decisions, tilting people toward harmful selections endorsed by celebrities or healthier ones promoted by influencers. The comparison culture on social media, according to Dr. Avena, fosters negative impacts on individuals' relationships with food and body image.

Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, emphasized the diverse stimuli on social media, from enticing food cooking content to fitness influencers promoting particular lifestyles. This constant exposure, she noted, deeply influences perceptions and relationships with food.

Read Also: Prostate Cancer Prevention: Study Reveals Significant Risk Reduction Through Fitness Improvement

The psychological impact of exposure to junk food content is rooted in the brain's reward system. Dr. Mireille Serlie, a professor of internal medicine, explained that visual food cues induce a dopamine response in reward areas of the brain, with certain foods triggering higher responses than others. The repeated consumption of unhealthy food, as seen in advertisements, may alter brain wiring, leading to increased cravings and food intake.

Choose Healthy, Positive Content

This study underscores the potent psychological effects of food advertising on social media platforms, illustrating the intricate interplay between visual stimuli, brain responses, and individuals' mental well-being.

Notably, a separate study from the St. Louis School of Medicine at Washington University that examined nutrition and mental health revealed that eating fried foods may increase the risk of anxiety and depression, per Medical News Today. The findings add to the increasing amount of data showing that food affects physical, mental, and emotional health. Previous studies have connected fried or processed meals, sugary goods, and alcohol to feelings of depression and anxiety.

To promote healthy use of social media like Instagram, experts suggest subscribing to uplifting material and deleting negative posts. Moreover, a Hope 103.2 Network article recommends prioritizing genuine self-expression over seeking validation when posting as well as sharing photos of gratitude.

Related Article: Fried Rice Syndrome: Unraveling the Truth Behind TikTok's Latest Viral Scare

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Jordan's Abdallah Nasib (1st R) celebrates after his header causing an own goal by Tajikistan's Vahdat Hanonov (2nd R) during the quarterfinal match at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 1, 2024 shows mangroves at the Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province.

Haikou was accredited by the Ramsar Convention as an international wetland city in 2018.

In recent years, the city has strengthened the conservation and restoration of the wetlands. With the implementation of various measures, the ecological, economic and social benefits brought by the construction of an international wetland city have become increasingly prominent. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Children perform with lanterns shaped as zodiac animals on a street in Mianzhu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Passengers show the Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", aboard the train G4835 on Feb. 1, 2024.

Min Deshui and his wife Long Chunxiang hailing from southwest China's Guizhou Province have been working in Tonglu County of east China's Zhejiang Province for 11 years.

The couple on Thursday began their homecoming journey by taking the high-speed train G4835 from Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, to Kaili in Guizhou, which took them less than eight hours. After traveling over 1,500 kilometers by train, they took a car to their hometown in Ladong Village of Jinping County.

With more convenient traffic, migrant workers now spend less time traveling for family reunions in Spring Festival, Min said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

People perform lion dance during a reception to celebrate the Spring Festival at Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria, Jan. 31, 2024. A reception in celebration of the Spring Festival, co-hosted by China's Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna and UN Vienna Chinese Culture Club, was held here on Wednesday. It was the first such event staged at the UN Office at Vienna by the permanent mission. (Xinhua/He Canling)

A visitor looks at an exhibit at the exhibition "Mythological Jade of Shijiahe Culture" in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 1, 2024. The exhibition showcases a total of 172 cultural relics from the Shijiahe site, which is the ruins of a prehistoric city in Hubei Province, as well as from 20 other cultural institutions and museums across the country. Together, they depict the diverse and integrated development pattern of Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Children and adolescents from China and ASEAN member countries sing the theme song during the launching ceremony of ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on Feb. 2, 2024. The launching ceremony of ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges was held here on Friday. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

People visit the exhibition "Zimingzhong: Clockwork Treasures from China's Forbidden City" in London, Britain, Feb. 1, 2024. An exhibition opened at the Science Museum in London on Thursday, featuring 23 resplendent mechanical clocks, called zimingzhong, on loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People visit the Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 1, 2024. About 330 sets of festive lanterns will decorate seven urban areas of Nanjing during the upcoming Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Firefighters work at the site of a fire resulting from a gas explosion in the Embakasi neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 2, 2024.

At least two people were killed and 222 others injured in an inferno resulting from a gas explosion in the capital of Kenya here, an official confirmed on Friday morning.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the fire, which started at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday local time (2030 GMT), was caused by a truck loaded with gas cylinders that exploded, igniting a huge fireball that spread to a warehouse and a neighborhood nearby. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua)
The AI Act, a comprehensive rulebook governing artificial intelligence, has achieved unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. Following extensive negotiations, ambassadors representing these countries within the bloc have endorsed the text.

(Photo : KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

EU commissioner for internal market Thierry Breton speaks during a press conference with European Commission vice-president in charge for alues and Transparency Vera Jourova, on the Media Freedom Act at the EU headquarters in Brussel, on September 15, 2022.

Achieving Unanimous Approval

This marks a significant step toward regulating the deployment and use of artificial intelligence across the European Union, as reported by The Verge.

In December, European Union policymakers successfully navigated through key points of contention regarding the AI Act, a landmark legislative initiative aimed at regulating Artificial Intelligence's impact on potential harm.

The intricate nature of the law necessitated over a month of technical refinement. On January 24th, at a technical meeting, the Belgian presidency of the Council of EU Ministers revealed the final version of the text.

Nevertheless, lingering reservations prevailed among many member states, stemming from inadequate time for a thorough analysis of the comprehensive text.

Paris, Berlin, and Rome initially had reservations about the provisional agreement. As member states, particularly France, tried to influence the law's preamble during technical discussions, the Belgians (now holding the presidency) limited concessions.

Despite France's attempts to delay, Berlin's early support and Italy's decision not to oppose played crucial roles. Internal disagreements in the French government were resolved, leading to France supporting the text with strict conditions.

Also Read: AI, Now Officially Considered as Potential Financial System Risk by US Regulators

Euractiv reported that Paris is advocating for the thoughtful implementation of the AI Act to foster competitive AI models, striking a balance between transparency and safeguarding trade secrets.

They emphasize the need to avoid imposing excessive obligations on companies and call for a reevaluation of the criteria for designating AI models with systemic risks.

Slovakia has expressed its concerns, seeking clarifications on crucial terms, advocating for international alignment, and exploring the possibility of EU countries regulating AI in non-professional activities.

Austria has presented a protocol statement, raising apprehensions about data protection and consumer law, particularly regarding law enforcement exceptions and regulations related to invasive technologies like remote biometric identification.

EU member states still wield influence over the AI law's implementation, with the Commission expected to issue approximately 20 acts of secondary legislation. The AI Office, responsible for overseeing AI models, will be notably staffed with seconded national experts.

What's Next?

The AI rulebook is set for adoption by the European Parliament's Internal Market and Civil Liberties Committees on February 13, with a plenary vote scheduled for April 10-11. Following these steps, Reuters reported that this will undergo formal adoption at the ministerial level.

The AI Act will become effective 20 days after being published in the official journal. Prohibitions on certain practices will take effect six months later, while obligations related to AI models will commence after one year.

The remaining rules will be enacted after two years, with the exception of the classification of AI systems requiring third-party conformity assessment under other EU regulations as high-risk, which has been delayed by an additional year.

Related Article: EU Warned by Experts, AI Models Could be Over-Regulated "Out of Existence"

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The return of the renowned Finnish smartphone company was celebrated in the world, but there might be a part two in bidding goodbye to Nokia as its current owner, HMD Global, is looking to bring its original take on devices. In its latest announcement, HMD Global is looking to bring the "year of Human Mobile Devices," centering on new smartphones and partnerships.

Its announcement confirms the move towards new beginnings, with Nokia fading into the background amidst its seven-year run with HMD.

Goodbye Nokia? HMD Global Looks to Bring Human Mobile Devices

A new post from HMD Global CMO Lars Silberbauer via LinkedIn announced the latest focus of the company that would recenter its business towards creating a new "HMD brand product line." Later this year, the company will bring its first take on its original smartphones to the Mobile World Congress 2024, known for where restarted Nokia, with this announcement speculating a goodbye to the renowned brand.

Instead of being a licensee of said Nokia smartphones and tech, HMD wants to bring the "year of Human Mobile Devices," as it regarded in its press release.

This newfound focus will bring original devices from HMD, alongside various partnerships that it will deliver and leverage the new branding.

Read Also: Nokia Takes Legal Action Against Amazon, HP for Unauthorized Use of Video Streaming Patents

What to Expect from New Smartphone Business from HMD?

As Human Mobile Devices (HMD), the company takes on a more active role in tech development and consumer market availability, with Nokia taking the backseat amidst all this. HMD is not necessarily killing off Nokia again, but focusing on creating a name for its brand with the latest launch of its website and social media presence.

Later this February, HMD will make its grand debut at the MWC 2024, launching its first take on smartphones and other tech.

Nokia and HMD Global's Take on Smartphones

Back in 2017, HMD Global acquired Nokia's smartphone business from Microsoft three years after the renowned Big Tech software company first bought the mobile company to create the Microsoft Mobile. It first took the stage at the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain at the time, with many getting excited with its focus on delivering Android smartphones.

A variety of Android smartphones were seen from Nokia since 2017, and it centered on the initial leaks of the Nokia P, later known as its flagship the Nokia 8, featuring the Snapdragon 835, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB storage.

In 2023, Nokia saw significant models released, including the XR21 which offers IP69K certification, surpassing the renowned IP68 standard.

Unlike its popularity in the early 2000s when it broke records and was the trendiest smartphone company that developed its iconic designs and operating system, Nokia faced massive competition in the market. The move now is for HMD Global to stop pushing in massive efforts for Nokia to develop its original line of smartphones, and its acquired mobile business sees less priority from the company.

Related Article: Oppo, Nokia Reach a Licensing Deal After Patent Dispute; Returning to EU?

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Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining have been the ways to create new cryptocurrencies and earn increments found by validating information in the blockchain, and this process was discovered to take up as much as 2 percent of US electricity. In the latest studies that provided an estimate of its consumption, it was found to take up as much as 25 to 91 Terawatt hours.

These estimates are still looking into the entirety of Bitcoin mining in the United States, especially as it matches several states' energy consumption for human users and households.

Bitcoin Mining Takes 2 Percent of US Electricity

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its preliminary findings about Bitcoin mining operations and their power consumption, saying that it takes up around two percent of the country's electricity in the process. As the EIA looks to track Bitcoin mining's energy consumption, the agency is actively investigating the matter to which it saw a colossal rise.

Our preliminary estimates suggest that annual electricity use from cryptocurrency mining probably represents 0.6% to 2.3% of U.S. electricity consumption. EIA

The agency is still facing challenges in this tracking as there is a "dynamic nature" in the crypto market regarding that mining assets can be moved rapidly to different areas that have lower power costs.

Read Also: New York Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Carbon-Based Bitcoin Mining Operations

Estimates Claim 25 to 91 Terawatt Hours

The Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance also released data from its study of Bitcoin mining's effect, with a rough estimate of as much as 25 to 91 Terawatt-hours consumed by the activity. It was discovered that operations moved to places near underutilized power plants which put numbers through the roof again, and from 2020 to 2022, it saw a collective jump to using over 2 Terawatt-hours.

Cambridge Center's low estimate of 25 Terawatt hours is already equivalent to Utah's energy consumption as a whole.

Bitcoin Mining and its Scrutiny

The United States is one of the top Bitcoin mining countries in the world and this is because the country still allows the process with several regulations placed for this part of the crypto industry. It is known that China previously banned Bitcoin mining in its country in 2021, seeing as much as a 38 percent fall after its crackdown, with several miners continuing their business in places where it is allowed.

However, despite its continued existence in the US, there is still massive scrutiny it faces, and back in 2021, there were significant protests against Bitcoin mining in New York. Particularly, in the Finger Lakes region where it was regarded by the locals that it is destroying bodies of water, with the mining process gravely affecting the lakes never experienced before.

There were campaigns in the US that wanted to make Bitcoin mining illegal as it takes up a massive amount of power to work, disrupting grids and affecting locals' lives in the process. Texas, New York, and Georgia are the main hotspots of Bitcoin Mining said Cambridge Center, with the Energy Information Agency claiming that it uses a total of two percent of the country's energy.

Related Article: Intel Discontinues Blockscale Chips Made for Bitcoin, Crypto Mining-But Why?

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NASA is concluding the initial phase of its Fission Surface Power Project, which aims to develop concept designs for a compact, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor for potential use on the moon.

The Fission Surface Power Project of NASA

The Fission Surface Power Project is part of NASA's broader efforts to establish safe, clean, and reliable energy sources for lunar exploration, particularly crucial due to the extended duration of lunar nights, which last approximately 14.5 Earth days.

The project awarded three $5 million contracts in 2022 to commercial partners, each tasked with creating an initial design encompassing the reactor, power conversion, heat rejection, power management and distribution systems, estimated costs, and a development schedule.

The goal is to support a sustained human presence on the lunar surface for at least a decade, aligning with NASA's Artemis program for lunar exploration.

Trudy Kortes, the program director of Technology Demonstration Missions at NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, emphasized the need to demonstrate a nuclear power source's safety, cleanliness, and reliability on the moon.

Nuclear Power on the Moon

With its technical complexities, the challenging lunar night highlights the importance of a power source like a nuclear reactor that operates independently of the Sun.

While solar power systems encounter limitations on the moon, the potential placement of a nuclear reactor in perpetually shadowed regions, potentially near water ice, presents an alternative for providing continuous power during prolonged lunar nights.

NASA intentionally maintained flexibility and openness in the requirements for the initial reactor, aiming to stimulate inventive approaches from its commercial partners.

The established criteria outlined the reactor's weight remaining below six metric tons and its capacity to generate 40 kilowatts (kW) of electrical power.

This power output proves sufficient for demonstration purposes and can sustain lunar habitats, rovers, backup grids, or scientific experiments.

Furthermore, NASA established a pivotal objective for the reactor to operate autonomously for a decade, underscoring the significance of safety considerations such as radiation dose and shielding.

Read Also: NASA Moon Lander Competition: Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman Go Head-to-Head for Crewed Lunar Transportation

Phases 1 and 2

After completing Phase 1, NASA plans to extend the three contracts to gather more information before Phase 2, when the industry will be invited to design the final reactor for a lunar demonstration.

NASA said this additional knowledge will help the agency set the Phase 2 requirements. The open solicitation for Phase 2 is scheduled for 2025.

Beyond the reactor development, NASA has recently awarded contracts to Rolls Royce North American Technologies, Brayton Energy, and General Electric to develop Brayton power converters.

These converters will play a crucial role in converting thermal power produced during nuclear fission into electricity. NASA has challenged these companies to enhance the efficiency of Brayton converters, aiming to minimize heat wastage and optimize power conversion.

The target date for delivering a reactor to the launch pad is set for the early 2030s, with the moon serving as a testing ground for potential future applications on Mars.

Related Article: NASA Artemis: Orion's Callisto Tech Demo Shows iPad Use, Alexa Voice Command Possible-Send Messages to the Moon

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This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 3, 2024 shows a destroyed car after U.S. airstrikes in Anbar, Iraq. The Iraqi government said Saturday that the U.S. airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq killed 16 people, including civilians, and injured 25 others. (Xinhua)

BAGHDAD, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government said Saturday that the U.S. airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq killed 16 people, including civilians, and injured 25 others.

Calling the airstrikes "blatant aggression," government spokesman Basim al-Awadi told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the U.S. administration violated Iraq's sovereignty when its aircraft conducted airstrikes on the positions of our security forces in the Akashat and al-Qaim areas, as well as neighboring civilian places."

Al-Awadi also denied reports that claimed there was coordination between the government and the U.S. administration about the airstrikes, stressing that these reports are "a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and evading legal responsibility for this crime," according to the INA.

He also said that the government believes that the presence of the international coalition forces on Iraqi soil has become a threat to security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving Iraq in regional and international conflicts.

Al-Awadi warned that the recent airstrikes put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, adding, "Iraq renews its refusal to make its lands an arena for settling scores."

The U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Friday that the U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia groups.

The U.S. airstrikes came in response to recent attacks by Iranian-backed militias that caused the first U.S. fatalities since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 3, 2024 shows a damaged house after U.S. airstrikes in Anbar, Iraq. The Iraqi government said Saturday that the U.S. airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq killed 16 people, including civilians, and injured 25 others. (Xinhua)
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Yen exchange rate: The yen depreciates to the low 149 yen level to the dollar, due to speculation regarding monetary policy.

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Six pro-Iran fighters were killed and four others wounded in U.S. airstrikes that targeted strongholds of pro-Iran fighters in eastern Syria on Friday night just as the U.S. was readying retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets, a war monitor reported.

The airstrikes targeted the Haidariya region in the desert of al-Mayadeen city in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour as well as the shrines of Ain Ali and Al-Shibli on the outskirts of the city.

Warplanes also targeted the al-Hizam area and the industrial neighborhood in the city of al-Bukamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Overall, the war jets conducted four rounds of airstrikes on Iranian militia locations in Deir al-Zour, with three rounds on al-Mayadeen and one round on al-Bukamal.

U.S. reconnaissance planes continue to patrol the region's airspace intensively, said the Observatory, adding that sources revealed significant confusion among the militias due to a lack of intelligence about potential targets and their readiness to absorb the expected U.S. strike in the coming hours. 
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has begun strikes in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a deadly attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan, U.S. media reported on Friday.

ABC News quoted a U.S. official as saying that retaliatory airstrikes are likely against Iran-backed militants for a drone strike on an American base in Jordan on Sunday that killed three U.S. service members.

The initial strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft were hitting command and control headquarters, ammunition storage and other facilities, according to The Associated Press.

An umbrella group known as the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" was responsible for the drone attack, the White House said on Wednesday.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told a regular White House briefing that the attack, which also injured more than 40 U.S. service members, was "planned, resourced and facilitated" by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group containing "multiple groups including Kataib Hezbollah."

Kataib Hezbollah is a militant group operating in Syria and Iraq that the United States has accused of being the perpetrator of repeated attacks on U.S. personnel and military facilities in the region in the aftermath of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. 
What will be the defining issue for Republican voters at the next election? The answer appears to be the same as it is for the rest of the country, and the same as it has always been: the economy, stupid.

A healthy (or ailing) economy tends to underpin Americas political trends - and its about more than the growth rate. In 2016, Donald Trump didnt just tap into frustrations about economic stagnation, but a sense of unfairness and strangling bureaucracy, too.

Donald Trump has not laid out a strong economic plan. He hasnt needed to. Credit: AP

Had the former president not turned all focus onto himself after the 2020 election by refusing to accept the result, it might have been more widely acknowledged that the Republican party performed well across the country, especially at a local level, because, before Covid hit, the economy was booming.

This was something voters had not forgotten, despite lockdowns and the subsequent deep recession.
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 This story is part of the February 4 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . National treasure and beloved star are just two of the accolades regularly bestowed upon Rebecca Gibney. The 59-year-old has been a near-constant presence on Australian television screens since the 1980s and has given us some iconic characters, including Julie Rafter and Jane Halifax. So its unsurprising that Gibney exudes warmth and familiarity as she sits in her kitchen wearing a check shirt, glasses and natural make-up. But the self-confessed open book is somehow even more personable than youd imagine, generously mixing anecdotes from her 44-year career with pearls of wisdom shes gathered along the way. While speaking to Gibney feels like having a cup of tea with an old friend, the chat also has an element of being the calm before the storm: her latest role, in Stans Prosper, has thrust her firmly back into our orbit. (Stan is owned by Nine, which also owns this masthead.) Prosper follows the founding family of a Sydney megachurch on the precipice of a lucrative American expansion, with Gibney playing the mother of the family, Abi Quinn, opposite Richard Roxburgh as her husband, Cal. The family grapple with dark secrets, untold wealth and unchecked power, all while preaching a message of faith and love to their followers. As I age, I love the idea of moving into roles that are challenging and vastly different from other characters Ive played. Credit: Nick Wilson Ive never played anyone quite like Abi before, Gibney says. Thats not to say I havent played deeply complex characters, but this is a woman of dogged faith whose every decision will come into question. Its about how power and wealth can corrupt even the faithful. She might appear to be open, but everything is measured. And she has to be, because shes the face of the church. None of the characters are who you think they are, and they constantly change. Every episode youll go, Well, I wasnt expecting that.

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Gibney was delighted to film Prosper in her second home, Sydney, and work again with Roxburgh. Walking on set with Richard is like a masterclass, she says. He is such a phenomenal performer, but also a great mate. This is modest given Gibneys own credentials. She got her first acting job in 1980 in the New Zealand TV series Sea Urchins and has worked ever since, including long-standing roles in The Flying Doctors, All Together Now, Halifax f.p. and Packed to the Rafters. Gibney says being typecast is something she actively strives to avoid, particularly after playing such cherished characters throughout her career, so the opportunity to play a calculating church leader in Prosper was a definite drawcard. As I age, I love the idea of moving into roles that are challenging and vastly different from other characters Ive played, she explains. Loading Fortunately, Gibneys family life with husband Richard Bell and their 19-year-old son Zac feels much more akin to that of her cosier characters; the trio are a solid family unit. Gibney and Bell have their own production company and regularly work on projects together. We are best, best, best friends, Gibney says of her husband. We dont argue, we like the same music, food, movies. He rode the menopause with me and was very calm when Id fly off the handle. I feel very lucky. I just want to do everything with him  hes the nicest human on the planet. Gibney grew up in New Zealand before moving to Australia when she was 19 and has spent the last 32 years moving back and forth across the ditch; the family currently reside in Dunedin, in New Zealands South Island.

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Its like going back 40 years to a time when everyones got time for everybody, she says. You have to add an extra 10 minutes to your journey because youll stop to talk to everybody. I feel like Im part of a real community and thats what I love about it. Thats not to say I dont miss Australia because I do. And now that Zacs studying, a lot of my closest friends ask when Im coming back [to Australia], so there is this pull. Plus my mums in Brisbane and not getting any younger, and Ive got siblings in Australia. But this is where we are at the moment. He rode the menopause with me and was very calm when Id fly off the handle. I feel very lucky. I just want to do everything with him. REBECCA GIBNEY Zac is following in his parents footsteps, studying at Toi Whakaari, one of New Zealands leading drama schools. Gibneys succinct advice for the aspiring actor? Always know your lines and dont be a dick. She continues, Treat everyone the same; whether its someone whos making you a cup of tea or the director, were all spokes in a wheel. You might not be the best actor sometimes, but youll get the job because youre the nicer person. Lifes too short to work with idiots. Practising what she preaches, Gibney blithely credits her success to building a good reputation in whats a small industry. Im not a dick, she says. I think people know that I work really hard and that Im fun to have on set. Gibneys relationship with her 88-year-old mother, Shirley, has been the most significant of her life. The actor has spoken candidly about growing up in a violent household and the domestic violence her mother suffered.

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Mum has taught me compassion and forgiveness because of what she went through, things many people would never overcome, Gibney says. And she was able to forgive her father, and then my father, for the atrocities they committed and was able to forgive them, genuinely forgive them, and love them through it. Thats compassion in its purest sense. The pair often eat dinner together on Zoom, Gibney in Dunedin and her mother in Brisbane, a habit theyve carried on from COVID days. Mum has taught me compassion and forgiveness because of what she went through, things many people would never overcome. REBECCA GIBNEY Ive got a great relationship with Mum. Shes at that point where she sometimes goes, Darling, no matter what happens, if I was to get into bed and not wake up, Id be okay. Weve all made sure weve said everything we need to say and thats not morbid  its just about saying the things you need to say now. Im one of those people who says love you when I hang up. Gibney has also been open in sharing her mental health battles, revealing she had severe depression in her 30s and contemplated suicide. She has similarly spoken about suffering from crippling panic attacks which, at their worst, occurred up to 15 times a day. This openness has helped countless others. Ive had so many people message me to say, When you spoke about that it changed my life because I realised that someone who always seems so happy also struggles, and has deep, dark moments and has contemplated suicide. It does make people feel like theyre less alone.

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Its not that I feel obligated to talk about it, I just couldnt not. I remember someone saying to me when I was young, Youre going to be a light in the dark for a lot of people because you will be so open and so honest and that will affect others. If I wasnt an actor, Id probably be a psychologist or a counsellor because I really love helping people. I hate loneliness; my empathy is off the scale. If I see suffering on a large scale, it can make me bedridden for days. Richard Roxburgh and Rebecca Gibney in a scene from Stans eight-part drama, Prosper. Credit: Lisa Tomasetti Ultimately, Gibney says shes an optimist, something else she credits her mother with. Its in my genes that I believe things will get better, no matter how bad they are, she says. Even when I was on the verge of doing something very stupid to myself, that tiny wee voice in my head went, Youll get through this. Practising gratefulness is a coping mechanism she endorses. The minute I wake up, the first thing I do is say, Thank you for giving me this day, she reveals. I make sure theres at least four or five times in the day when I stop and say whatever it is Im grateful for. And that always calms me. Gibney says shes even more acutely aware of how precious life is after witnessing friends getting sick. I just wish I could instil this in the younger generation: dont waste time worrying about trivial crap like how you didnt get that job, or how you havent got the car yet, because youre not taking the car with you. Shes now looking forward to the next milestone in her life: turning 60. Its the new 40, she laughs. Gibney hopes to celebrate in Italy, saying shes manifesting going to a little cliffside restaurant shes seen in pictures, telling herself, Im going to have a pizza and glass of wine and look at that view one day. She and Bell also have a dream of buying a boat and doing lots of sailing.

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Vape shops will continue to operate across Sydney despite the state and federal governments crackdown on the importation and sale of e-cigarettes.

The state government will back federal laws to drive vape shops out of business, but the vaping industry is lobbying politicians to reject a ban on the retail sales of vapes.

A screen grab from the anti-vaping ad. The state government will back federal laws to drive vape shops out of business, but the vaping industry is preparing to fight efforts to ban retail sales of vape products. Credit: smh

City of Sydney Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon said there were 10 tobacconists and vape shops around Kings Cross in addition to newsagents and convenience stores where vapes were also sold.

This is peak Sydney  you cant get a meal past 10pm, but you can get illegal vapes any time you want on our high streets, he said.
BUJUMBURA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Burundi has highly thanked China for its multiple support towards Burundi during the last 60 years of fruitful cooperation, a senior official at Burundi's Foreign Ministry said here on Thursday evening during the "China and Me" story writing competition.

"Burundi highly appreciates China's support not only in the sector of culture and art, but also in other sectors," said Ernest Niyokindi, director general of Bilateral Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation.

According to him, written articles of candidates to the competition "will immortalize excellent relations of friendship" between Burundi and China.

He added that the contest winners will undoubtedly contribute to further understanding Sino-African relations in general and Sino-Burundian relations in particular in all sectors.

Niyokindi indicated that the event happened after Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye's visit to China where he participated at the launch of the World University Games in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He specified that all candidates to the writing contest understood that China is "a reliable partner and full of attention" for Burundi's development.

He requested the Chinese embassy to continue supporting the sectors of culture through competitions in writing, sketches, songs and dance countrywide.

In her remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhao Jiangping said the fourth "China and Me" story competition happened in a particular context where China will celebrate in ten days the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on Feb. 10 this year.

She indicated that in Chinese traditional culture, it's a period of harvest at the end of the year, a period of hope with the new year and a period of joy in families.

"This competition not only testifies 60 years of strong and precious friendship between China and Burundi, but also represents ties that strengthen day after day between China and Burundi, and between Burundi and the entire world," said Zhao.

According to her, what is interesting in this "China and Me" story is mutual communication and understanding between Burundi and China.

She recalled that the year 2023 that marked 60 years of anniversary of cooperation between China and Burundi was "rich and brilliant" in terms of furthering diplomatic relations between both countries.

She pointed the accelerated resumption of personnel exchanges and cooperation at various levels and various sectors, including the meeting between both heads of state during Chengdu Games, the participation of the Burundian first lady in the China-Africa forum on the development of women and the sending of 350 Burundian people to China for university and professional training.

On the other hand, Zhao indicated that Chinese health experts were deployed to Burundi to concretize commitments of both heads of state.

"We're confident that the personnel exchange proves pragmatic cooperation in the sectors of public security, agriculture, trade and social affairs, but also communication and understanding for the good future of our two peoples," said Zhao.

She specified that the increased participation of the Burundian youth is encouraging, adding that these recent years, several Burundian youths registered at the Confucius Institute at the University of Burundi to learn the Chinese language and culture, philosophy and music as well as Kungfu.

"Many of them went to China to continue their studies and came back home to contribute to their country's development," said Zhao.

According to her, laureates' articles in the health and farming sectors show that they are devoted to contributing to furthering relations between Burundi and China.

She specified, "seeds are already sowed in youths to contribute to a good future of Sino-Burundian relations." 
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 lean years following Labors third successive election loss, a small, cross-factional group of MPs would gather in the Macquarie Street office of Rockdale MP Steve Kamper almost every night during parliamentary sitting weeks. Tucked in a corner of level 10, at the opposite end to the office of then Labor leader Jodi McKay, the four MPs  Jo Haylen and Rose Jackson, warriors of the Hard Left, and Chris Minns and Kamper from the Right  would drink coffee and wine, lamenting the partys fortunes. The three backed Minns in his first unsuccessful leadership ballot against McKay and were certain the party would be consigned to 16 years in opposition unless he managed to depose the Strathfield MP before the 2023 election. Partly the bond was generational: Minns, Jackson and Haylen are of similar ages, while Kamper and Minns are close friends. But primarily, they all ardently believed Minns was the only person capable of dragging Labor out of the wilderness. We were there knowing that Jodi did not have the goods to deliver us into government. Theres nothing like fighting in the trenches to build those bonds, one MP recalls. As parliament resumes for the Minns governments second year in power, the Herald spoke to dozens of ministers, current and former MPs, staffers and lobbyists to understand how the premier, his cabinet and caucus operate.

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Sources were granted anonymity, allowing them to speak openly about the inner workings of the government. As McKays leadership began to capitulate through the middle of 2021, the clique of four grew as more MPs disillusioned with the direction of the party peeled off towards the rebel group. Occasionally, they would be joined by others: Walt Secord, Courtney Houssos, Jihad Dib, Ron Hoenig, Edmund Atalla. Even Tania Mihailuk, who later quit the party to join One Nation, would drop by from time to time. Eventually, what would become Minns senior leadership team began to take shape. Among them were four members of the Hard Left: Haylen, Jackson, Penny Sharpe and John Graham. NSW Premier Chris Minns with ministers Steve Kamper, left, and John Graham, right, at Allianz Stadium Credit: Janie Barrett As one senior Labor source said of the grouping: The coalition that eventually amassed around Minns were people who were sick of being in opposition and wanted to win. The more hyper-factional elements of the party were isolated as a result of that. Despite Minns conservative inclinations  the Kogarah MP voted against the assisted dying bill in May 2022  the praetorian guard of senior left wing MPs around the premier set aside their ideological differences in the pursuit of a long-term Labor government.

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Instead of the old factional divides, the new inner sanctum is united by one thing: Minns. Sacrificing virtues for power? Loading In late March 2022, the then NSW Coalition government fumed as freight operations at Port Botany were incapacitated by protest group Blockade Australia, the second time the group had disrupted a major port in a matter of months. Without first conferring with the party room on his position, Minns was quoted in News Corp papers backing controversial new laws which would introduce penalties of up to two years jail, a $22,000 fine, or both, for protesters who blocked roads, industrial and transport facilities. The laws were almost universally condemned by the disparate coalition which makes up Labors base, and the captains call left sections of the party apoplectic. Historically, protest has always been a pivotal part of the labour movement; curtailing freedoms to do so seemed to fly in the face of everything the party stood for, one MP said. Senior Labor cabinet ministers Jo Haylen (left) and Rose Jackson are both long-time advocates for drug reform. Credit: James Brickwood

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Loading It was a torrid time in caucus once people found out, one Labor source recalled. Within Minns inner sanctum, the policy was publicly supported by members of the Hard Left: Graham, who as shadow roads minister had carriage of Labors position, described the Blockade Australia protests as violent economic blockades, while Jackson accused the protesters of undermining action on climate change. It was the first example of a number of contentious issues where Minns, backed by his progressive ministers, has adopted positions incongruent with Labor principles, instead focused on winning over tabloids and shock jocks, some MPs believe. The Hard Left is a misnomer, one said. We call them the Soft Right. Theyre in power for powers sake, rather than making the world a better place. The word oft-repeated by MPs is transactional: the Hard Left have compromised their political beliefs to be in government.

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Outside of Jackson speaking out on drug law reform in April, for which she was quickly rebuked by Minns in public and private, Labor sources say there is little evidence of progressive, inner-city ministers offering a counterweight to the premiers proclivity to hew to the centre. MPs point to a series of decisions, from Minns forthright support for Israel; the drug summit, which was first expected to be in February, then by the end of the financial year, and now the date is uncertain; and the governments punitive crackdown on knife crime. Loading There are two schools of thought about how you lead governments: One, you stick to your values and deliver policy and that earns you respect, or two, you avoid any issue that might be controversial or polarising, and you shift to mundane bread and butter issues, an MP said. Its uncomfortable because branch members take you to task over the position the party has taken, and you have to say: I didnt get a say. And that can be difficult, a backbencher said. But others see this kind of criticism as political naivete.

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A review of Victorias voluntary assisted dying laws has ruled out expanding the scheme to people with dementia and letting doctors initiate conversations about euthanasia with the terminally ill.

A mandated five-year review of the law is underway, but the Health Department says it will not consider changes to the legislation.

Voluntary assisted dying is considered suicide under law, the Federal Court has ruled. Credit: Getty

The review, which has been slammed by euthanasia advocates, will instead focus on how the existing voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation is operating.

Senior medicine and law academics wrote to Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas this week to express their concerns about the limited scope of the review.
Washington: The United States and Britain struck 36 Houthi targets in Yemen overnight with support from Australia in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests after the Israel-Hamas war.

The latest strikes against the Houthis were launched by warships and fighter jets. They follow an air assault in Iraq and Syria yesterday (AEDT) that targeted other Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan last weekend.

A Yemeni in Sanaa protester lifts a mock missile while participating in a protest staged against the US-led sustained airstrikes on Yemen. Credit: Getty

The Houthi targets were in 13 locations and were struck by American F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by the USS Gravely and the USS Carney Navy destroyers firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, US officials said. They were not authorised to publicly discuss the military operation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The US warned that its response after the soldiers deaths at the Tower 22 base in Jordan last Sunday would not be limited to one night, one target or one group. But the Houthis have been conducting almost daily missile or drone attacks against commercial and military ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and they have made clear that they have no intention of scaling back their campaign. It was not immediately clear whether the allied assaults will deter them.
HBO has parted ways with Milos Bikovic, a Serbian actor whose casting in the third season of The White Lotus had drawn criticism from Ukraines foreign ministry for his ties to Russia, according to a HBO spokesperson.

Bikovics role in the dark comedy will be recast, the spokesperson said.

Serbian actor Milos Bikovic has left the set of White Lotus season 3. Credit: Getty

In a statement provided through a spokesperson Friday, Bikovic said he was leaving because of external pressure.

Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external manoeuvre to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom, Bikovic said in the statement. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art.
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A guest (R) learns to write the Chinese characters during an event to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations. [Photo/Xinhua]



The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations.

The festive event was jointly organized by the UN Office in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of China to Geneva and the Permanent Mission of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"I would like to say that this room has never looked more festive, more positive, more colorful. I would like to wish you a Happy Spring Festival," Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office in Geneva, said in front of a red backdrop adorned with the Year of the Dragon design at the Palais des Nations.

The Year of the Dragon has a positive symbolism, she said. "The dragon brings us a lot of positive things, it brings us hope, it brings us prosperity."

Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization Daren Tang said the dragon in the Chinese zodiac symbolizes courage, foresightedness, mobility, energy and unity.

"The Spring Festival is also a time when families get together, and this sense of togetherness and family is very important," Tang told Xinhua.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, said the festivity is a celebration of more solidarity, fraternity and a better world for all.

In December, the UN General Assembly officially listed the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday in its calendar of conferences and meetings starting in 2024.

Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said that Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of sharing beauty and joy, and China is eager to spread the happiness of this traditional festival to the world.

China aims to collaborate with other nations to actively promote respect for the diversity of world civilizations and encourage exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures, Chen said.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attended the event in formal attire. She called for global peace and emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation.

Nicole Ameline, a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, stressed the significance of peace and sustainable development in an interview with Xinhua.

As a French citizen, she underscored the increasing partnership between China and France, which established diplomatic ties 60 years ago. She sees the Spring Festival celebration as a great opportunity to deepen cultural interactions between the two countries.

Showing a Chinese character he wrote on the red paper -- "Fu," which means "good luck" in Chinese, Bilal Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN office in Geneva, shared his happiness and praised the collaboration between Pakistan and China.

Maira Mariela Macdonal Alvarez, permanent representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the UN office in Geneva, highlighted the close cooperation and dialogue between Bolivia and China.

"This celebration here at the Palais des Nations brings us a bit closer to the Chinese culture," she told Xinhua.

Bilal Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN office in Geneva, shows the Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", during an event to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 2, 2024. The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations. [Photo/Xinhua]


WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The first Democratic primary of the 2024 U.S. presidential election is underway in the state of South Carolina on Saturday, with polling places open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. local time.

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to breeze through the South Carolina primary and the other Democratic primaries as he faces longshot challenges from U.S. Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson.

Iowa and New Hampshire have long been the first U.S. states to hold presidential contests in election years but the Democratic National Committee restructured the party's primary calendar, making South Carolina the first primary state in 2024.

Biden resurrected his 2020 presidential campaign after a strong primary performance in South Carolina, where African American voters play an outsized role in Democratic politics. That victory sent him on a path to the Democratic nomination and the White House.

"The truth is I wouldn't be here without the Democratic voters of South Carolina, and that's a fact," Biden said recently at a political event in Columbia, South Carolina.

According to a recent Emerson College Polling survey, the economy is the "most important issue" facing South Carolina, at 40 percent, followed by immigration, education, threats to democracy, healthcare, crime, housing affordability, and abortion access.

Republicans kicked off their voting season with the Iowa caucus in January, followed by the primary in New Hampshire. Former U.S. President Donald Trump won both contests, leaving Nikki Haley, the former United Nations ambassador and onetime South Carolina governor, as his lone challenger in the GOP race.

The U.S. presidential primaries will last through June. The Republican National Convention, in which delegates will officially select the party's presidential nominee, will be held in July, while the Democratic National Convention will take place in August. The 2024 Election Day falls on Nov. 5. 
Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy has hailed the closer economic ties between China and Hungary, noting that the "skyrocketing" cooperation is a "self-fulfilling process."





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Champai Soren takes oath as Jkhand CM





RANCHI,

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislature party leader Champai Soren on Friday took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He was administered the oath of office by Governor C P Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhawan here. Along with Champai Soren, senior Congress leader Alamgir Alam and RJD leader Satyanand Bhokta took oath as State Ministers. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan and senior leaders of the JMM-led alliance were present on the occasion. The 67-year-old tribal leader was sworn-in as the 12th Chief Minister of the State. He became the sixth CM from Jharkhands Kolhan region which comprises East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts. Champai Soren was appointed to the Chief Ministers post on Thursday after he urged the Governor to accept his claim to form the Government at the earliest as there was confusion in the State which was without a Chief Minister since the resignation of Hemant Soren on Wednesday, deepening a political crisis. We will take forward welfare schemes launched by Hemant Soren. I am committed to the development of Jharkhand, the new CM said after taking oath.

He also said, We will continue the fight for Jal, Jungle, Jameen (water, forest, land) for all round development of tribals and others. Champai Soren has been given 10 days to prove his Governments majority, said State Congress chief Rajesh Thakur whose party is a constituent of the JMM-led alliance. We stand united. Our alliance is very strong. No one can break it, Champai Soren had said on Thursday. Soren-led coalition Government will seek trust vote on February 5, Minister Alamgir Alam said on Friday after a Cabinet meeting. The floor test to prove majority by the JMM-led alliance in the State will be heldonFebruary5onthefirst day of a two-day Assembly session, Alam told PTI. The decision was taken in the first Cabinet meeting of the Government, chaired by Chief Minister Champai Soren. Notably, JMM executivePresidentHemantSoren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesdayinamoneylaundering case linked to an alleged land fraud after he resigned as Jharkhand Chief Minister. Soon after taking oath, Champai Soren paid homage to tribal icons Birsa Muda and SidhoKanho who laidtheirlivesfightingagainst the British colonial forces.

Celebrations began at his native village Jilinggora in Seraikela-Kharsawandistrict where his relatives and familymemberswereseendancing to the tunes of traditional instruments likeDhol and Nagara. MLAS OF JHARKHANDS RULINGALLIANCEARRIVE INHYDERABAD:THEMLAs of the ruling JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand landed in Hyderabad on Friday amidthecoalitionsfearsthat the BJP may attempt to poach them in the run-up to the trust vote to be faced by the newly-formed ChampaiSorenGovernment. About40legislatorsarrived attheBegumpetairporthere in two flights, Congress sources said. AICCTelanganain-charge DeepaDas Munshiandstate Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar received the MLAs. It was not immediately known where the ruling coalitionMLAswouldbe accommodated. A senior leader of the ruling coalition had said in Ranchi that the decision to shift the legislators to Hyderabad, capital of the Congress-ruled Telangana, was taken considering that theoppositionBJPmaymake attempts to poach them. We were given 10 days to prove the governments majority. We cant take any chance during the period as the BJP might try to contact ourMLAs, the seniorleader said. A video released by the JMM-led coalition on Thursday showed the support of 43 legislators in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly. It was not immediatelyknownwhere theruling coalitionMLAswouldbe accommodated. After taking the oath, ChampaiSorensaid:Wewill takeforwardwelfareschemes launched by Hemant Soren. I am committedtothedevelopment of Jharkhand. He also said, We will continuethefightfor'Jal,Jungle, Jameen' (water, forest, land) for all-round development of tribals and others. Meanwhile, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was remanded in Enforcement Directorate custody for five daysbya specialPMLAcourt here in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land fraud, lawyers said.
Existing laws have provisions to deal with violence against doctors: Mandaviya





NEW DELHI,

EXISTING laws have provisions to protect doctors from violence, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday amid incidents of doctors being attacked while carrying out their duties. The minister was responding to a query in the Lok Sabha by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor who sought a legislation to protect doctors and healthcare workers from violence at the workplace.

Tharoor also demanded that victims of such violence be provided financial and legal support, and mentioned a doctor in Kerala killed while doing her duty. There are provisions in existing laws to take action against people who perpetrate violence against doctors, Mandaviya said, adding that doctors are considered gods and their protection is important. In reply to supplementary questions related to telemedicine consultations, Mandaviya said telemedicine is helping make healthcare more affordable for poor people.

Citing a study, the minister said about three lakh to four lakh people avail telemedicine consultations every day and the savings for one person is estimated to be little over Rs 900. So far, more than 20 crore telemedicine consultations have taken place and that means there have been savings for people of over Rs 18,000 crore, Mandaviya said.
BAGHDAD, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi Shiite militia on Saturday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed in an online statement that its fighters launched an explosive-laden drone to attack a U.S. base in Kharab al-Jir town in Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah, without giving details about casualties.

The attack by the Iraqi armed group is part of a series of retaliatory measures against the U.S. forces amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the statement added.

The attack came after the U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in western Iraq, killing 16 people and wounding dozens of others.

The U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Friday that the U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and affiliated militia groups.

The U.S. airstrikes came in response to recent attacks by Iranian-backed militias that caused the first U.S. fatalities since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 
FDA exposes major substandard medicine scandal in Govt hospital





Staff Reporter

In a major crackdown, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unearthed a major substandard medicine racket in a government-operated hospital and seized 21,600 tablets of Ciprofloxacin. Shockingly, the drug was procured through the contract process last year by the District Civil Surgeon. The seized stock was traced to the Governments storage facility at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH). Kalmeshwar Police have booked three persons in connection: the prime accused, Vijay Shailendra Choudhary, a resident of Thane; Hemant Dhondiba Mule, a resident of Latur; and Mihir Trivedi, a resident of Bhiwandi. Laboratory tests conducted at the Government Laboratory in Mumbai revealed that the provided drug lacked any medicinal value, said Kalmeshwar police officials.

Initiating the investigation, FDA officials collected samples of Recip-500 tablets containing Ciprofloxacin from a Rural Hospital in Kalmeshwar in March 2023.

The samples were sent to the Government Laboratory for testing, and the results, received in December 2023, indicated a complete absence of medicinal value in the tablets. In response to the findings, the FDA conducted a raid at the Government store at IGGMC and seized a stock of 21,600 tablets. A case has been registered under Sections 420, 468, 471, 276, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code at Kalmeshwar Police Station. Further investigation revealed that the spurious drug was manufactured by a fictitious company named Refined Pharma in Gujarat, a company that does not exist anywhere in India. The prime accused, Choudhary, was previously arrested in a case related to the sale of counterfeit medicines. Choudhary supplied the drug to Trivedi, who then passed it on to Mule, ultimately reaching the Government, according to police officials.
HC refuses to stay puja in Gyanvapi





PRAYAGRAJ (UP),

THE Allahabad High Court on Friday refused to allow the Gyanvapi Mosque committees plea seeking an interim stay on puja being performed in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque (known as Vyas Tehkhana). However, the Court has directed the State Government to maintain law and order situation in the area. Puja inside the Tehkhana began on 31st January, shortly after the Varanasi District Judge passed an order directing the District Magistrate to facilitate puja inside the area by making proper arrangements. The district magistrate complied with the order on the same day. On Thursday, an appeal was moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (which manages Gyanvapi mosque) challenging the order of the Varanasi District Court allowing Hindus to perform prayers in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque (Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana). The committee also sought a stay on the worship rituals.

In its application, the mosque committee has contended thatthe administration was acting in hot haste soonaftertheVaranasi Courtsordertoallowthepooja at night itself. The application further argues that these actions, occurring in themiddleofthenight,aimed to pre-empt any legal challenge by the mosque managingcommittee.Whilehearingthemattertoday, aBench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwalrefused to grant any interim relief to the Mosque Committee as it stressedthat ithadnotchallengedVaranasi District Judges January 17th order, wherein the district magistrate was appointed as a receiver. The Court has granted it time tillFebruary6to amend its appeal and till then, the Court directed the Advocate General to maintain law and order situation in the area. This development comes two days after the Supreme Courtrefusedtourgentlyhear theMosqueCommitteesplea against the order allowing pujaTehkhana,locatedatthe southern cellar of the Mosque. TheVaranasiDistrictJudge on January 31 directed the district administration to make appropriate arrangements within 7 days for Hindus to conduct worshipping rituals inside one of the sealedcellars/basement/tehk hana (vyas ji ka tehkhana) inside the existing Gyanvapi mosque complex. Worship at this spot was stopped in the year 1993.

LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OFFERFRIDAY NAMAZ AT GYANVAPI MOSQUE AMID BANDH: A LARGE numberofpeopleofferedthe FridaynamazattheGyanvapi Masjid here asabandh was observedinthecitysMuslimdominated areas, two days after a district court order allowed Hindu prayers inthe cellar of the mosque. The namaz was offered peacefully amid tight security arrangements. People gathered in large numbers, forcing the police to turn back some of them. Some were diverted to other mosques for the namaz. Some eyewitnesses said a crowd double the number that gathers usually for the namaz on Friday had come to Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Shops inthecitys Muslimdominated areas remained closedforthedayanda security alert wasmaintainedfollowingthedistrictcourtorder to allow Hindu prayers in a cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque. Tight security arrangements were in place around the mosque complex.
Indian Armys three-day event Shaurya Sandhya 2024 begins

Staff Reporter

People of Nagpur, on Friday, witnessed the military prowess and cultural heritage in Indian Army during a breathtaking event called Shaurya Sandhya 2024 conducted by Uttar Maharashtra and Gujarat (UM&G) Sub-Area, Nagpur at Mankapur Stadium. The event was attended by General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, the Chief of the Army Staff; Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and other senior ranked Indian Army and Indian Air Force officers. The evening was marked by a series of exhilarating performances that showcased the diverse skills and unwavering spirit of the Army. Indian Army is known for its war skills and on Friday, the soldiers displayed the Indian form of Martial Arts that is Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang Ta and Mallakhamb that enthralled the audience. A thrilling and jaw-dropping display by the Daredevils motorcycle team of the Indian Army was the major attraction of the event. The riders, other than being proficient in their trade work, exhibited an unmatched determination, commitment, alertness, courage and precision on their motorcycle. Indian Armys Daredevils team bagged 31 world records for their stunts worldwide.

Tent pegging and trick riding by eight horses of the Remount Veterinary Corps also enthralled the spectators. Six trained Army dogs or Silent Warriors of Indian Army received applause from the audience for their training and skills on the war front. All the six dogs followed their instructors which showed how the Indian Army uses its dogs during operations. The dogs also displayed various acrobatics and greeted the Chief of Army Staff along with their trainers. Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and Chetak Helicopters of Indian Army did a fly past in the beginning which was enjoyed by the audience. A war like demo was also presented by six Special Forces commandos, in which they slithered down from an ALH on the ground and rescued a hostage from terrorists. A combat free fall from 6,000 feet from an ALH chopper was carried out by three Paratroopers which was also appreciated by the audience and guests. Similarly, Two Army personal showered flowers while paragliding over the

venue.

The static display included Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, Bofors Gun, Pinaka Rocket System etc, which are one of the major attractions of this three-day event. Other equipment and technology used by the Indian Army are also on display in the static exhibition. A large number of people thronged the static display site and experienced the weapons used by the Indian Army. Performances by Army Pipe Band and Symphony Band was also enjoyed by the audience. The event concluded with a drone show and fireworks. Beyond the grand spectacle, Shaurya Sandhya served as a powerful reminder of the Armys commitment to safeguarding the nations borders while upholding its cultural values. The event not only fostered a sense of national pride but also inspired the youth to consider a career in the armed forces.
Snowfall in Rajouri brings joy to tourists, farmers





RAJOURI,

THE Pirpanjal region in Rajouri District witnessed snowfall on Friday bringing smiles to the faces of tourists and farmers. After a prolonged dry spell, higher reaches of the mountains in Rajouri District experienced snowfall, while lower areas received much-needed rainfall. Tourists are now flocking to popular spots like DKG Dehra ki Galli and Manyal Galli in the Thanna Mandi Tehsil. Najmul Hassan Dar, a teacher at Government Higher Secondary School in Maniyal, expressed delight at the long-awaited snowfall. Today, after many days, we got to see this snowfall, and we are enjoying it a lot.

There are also tourist spots here. The winter season was devoid of rain and snow this time, so after a long wait, it has finally snowed today, and everyone is enjoying it. Along with that, it will be beneficial for agriculture and horticulture due to this snow and rain. The roads were covered with snow today, so we walked half the way, and even children joined us. Its quite cold, Najmul Hassan Dar said. Tahira Shamim Khan, a teacher from Manayal School, highlighted the challenges faced in reaching the school, walking 6-7 km due to road closures. After a long time, we got to see snow, especially since the winter months started, and we were eagerly waiting for the snowfall and rain. We are very happy. I appeal to the Government that this top hill, Manihal, has everything good but lacks development. So, my appeal is to develop this area. Many tourists are coming here, and perhaps more would come if there was road connectivity, which is currently blocked due to snowfall, Tahira Shamim Khan said.

Aurangzeb, a local farmer, echoed the sentiments, emphasising the positive impact of snowfall on agriculture and horticulture. After a long time, there has been snowfall, and we are very happy. The reason for this happiness is that horticulture and agriculture benefit greatly from it. For example, the department facing a complete drought in terms of drinking water and the Atta Chakki that had shut down due to the lack of water is now benefiting from the abundant rainfall. The crops needed water, and now they are flourishing due to the rain. Even diseases that had increased are now getting better.
TOKYO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow is expected to hit many parts of Japan in the upcoming days, Japan's weather agency said on Saturday, warning of snow accumulation of up to five centimeters, even in the heart of Tokyo.

The forecast indicated widespread rain or snow in western Japan, with the possibility of some areas in Kinki region to experience heavy snow on Sunday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

In Kanto region, rain or snow is expected to start on the afternoon of Monday, with the possibility of snow even in the heart of Tokyo until Tuesday morning, said the JMA.

The estimated 24-hour snowfall by 6 p.m. local time on Sunday is expected to be up to 15 centimeters in mountainous regions of Kinki and Shikoku, said the JMA, urging caution regarding transportation disruptions due to snow accumulation and road icing.

Citing the onset of midwinter chill in Tokyo on Saturday, JMA meteorologists pointed out that in the next week, snow could accumulate to two centimeters in the city center, and in the worst-case scenario, it could exceed five centimeters, warranting a weather advisory.

Due to a strong winter pressure system, Hokkaido experienced severe weather conditions on Friday, with many drivers experiencing whiteout conditions.

The East Japan Railway Company has warned of significant train delays and destination changes due to snow, especially on conventional lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area, from Monday onwards. Commuters are advised to stay informed about weather conditions and potential disruptions.

In January 2022, when Tokyo experienced 10 centimeters of snow, the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway was covered in snow, resulting in several cars stranded with hazard lights flashing. 
As the Chinese New Year approaches, an ancient culture street in China's Tianjin is adorned with festivities, with time-honored brands offering delectable treats.

Xinhua's Sunny Zhou delves into the must-see cultural attraction to discover a true local taste of the festive vibe.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Vonda Mae Green, 94, of Orange, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Ninth and Elm Church of Christ, 501 Ninth Street, Orange, Texas. Officiating will be Ben Terry and Freddie Anderson.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Gilmer, Texas on February 16, 1929, Vonda was the daughter of Floyd and Lola Aldredge. A graduate of Gilmer High School, Vonda was a Buckeye cheerleader and voted Most Liked her senior year. She was involved in journalism and later wrote for the Gilmer Mirror newspaper. After discovering a passion for writing, she penned numerous poems, short stories, and a novel entitled Dry Fields. Upon moving to Orange in 1954, she ventured into business. In an era where men dominated the business landscape, she was one of the few female business owners in Orange. Over the years, she managed a dress shop, had a furniture store, as well as a toy store, Vondas Toy Town. It was later in life that she found her vocational calling, the Elm Street Day Nursery. For over 30 years, she positively impacted the lives of young children in the community. To this day, she is often referred to as Nanny Green. Her love for children was also evident in her dedicated service to Birthright of Orange as an advocate for the voiceless unborn. Vonda had many career accomplishments, but her greatest joy was her family. She met her husband, Ed, when they were children and that relationship eventually led to becoming high school sweethearts. This was the beginning of a lifelong love that lasted 71 years, until his death in 2018. A true Proverbs 31 woman, Vonda cherished her family. However, she knew the source of all good things was her heavenly Father. She built the foundation of her life around this relationship. Whether it was baking a pie, teaching Sunday School or volunteering for a mission trip, she always looked for a way to serve others. Generous to a fault, giving to others was a way of life for her. As an active, lifelong member of the Church of Christ, she played a role in numerous ministries of the church.

She was the mother of the late Mike and Diane Green of Orange, Stephanie and Shawn Jones of Houston, Toni and the late Darrell Terry of Orange, Evie and Kevin DiLeo of Orange, Kay and Steve Martinka of Kountze, Milton and Michelle Lollar of Kountze, John and Susan Lollar of Orange, Millee and Glen Procella of Orange, and the late David Green of Orange.

She was grandmother to 27 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Sabine Place for the care their mother received during her residency.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Missions Fund of the Ninth and Elm Church of Christ, at 501 Ninth Street, Orange, Texas 77630.
Today

Sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph, becoming NW and increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 35F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny skies. High 64F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
ANKARA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police arrested 34 foreign nationals over their suspected links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in an operation across seven provinces, a cabinet minister said Saturday.

The suspects, including some wanted with an Interpol red notice, were arrested in "Cage-35" anti-terror operations carried out simultaneously in the provinces of Istanbul, Kocaeli, Yalova, Kayseri, Bursa, Duzce, and Yozgat, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote in a post on social media platform X.

Yerlikaya said that unauthorized firearms, a significant amount of foreign currency, and digital materials were also seized during the operations.

He said the suspects are accused of engaging in activities related to the IS terrorist organization.

The operations came after two masked gunmen, one from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, opened fire last Sunday on worshippers at the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district, killing one person. The two foreign nationals arrested were believed to be IS members, Yerlikaya said a day later.

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 Turkish authorities to launch operations against its members.

Last December, Turkish intelligence and security forces captured a top IS terrorist in charge of the group's finances in an operation in Turkiye's southeastern province of Mersin.

Turkiye's southern border with Syria has been a significant crossing point for Syrians and foreign fighters since the war broke out in Syria in 2011. 
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in an interview with a news channel said the government is open to the idea of disinvestment of equity stake in blue-chip PSUs, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).

The minister further said the government is not against the idea of holding a minority stake in key strategic public sector companies.

Notably, the government currently holds a controlling 57.49% stake in SBI and 58.89% stake in ONGC.

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You will see periodically, DIPAM, the department which takes care of the disinvestment has slowly released a lot of governments shares into the market so that private ownerships can come in and they can take hold of those shares, she said.

She highlighted that the government was all in for those steps that raise the valuation of PSUs.

Brokerages like Elara Nomura India and Elara Securities expected a modest disinvestment target Rs 40,000 crore, which would be 0.1% of GDP, compared with the overly ambitious target for this year.

Brokerages such as Jefferies believe disinvestments may also a boost post elections, partly as the government capitalises on the sharp run in PSU stocks in sectors such as railways, defence etc.

The companies where offer for sale (OFS) was successfully completed this financial year so far have been Coal India, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, SJVN Ltd, IRCON International Ltd and IREDA Ltd. The offer for sale for NHPC Ltd has been announced.

Further, the brokerage PhilipCapital had said since strategic disinvestment would likely be more successful post general elections, it is assuming Rs 50,000 crore in divestments for FY25. It is expecting disinvestments for FY24 to come in a Rs 20,000 crore.
Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand chaired a review meeting with the Department of Revenue and Department for the Welfare of SC/ST of the GNCTD, and asked to enhance the efficiency of caste certificate issuance within a stipulated time frame of 15 days.

During the meeting, the Revenue Department apprised that due to an error while filling out the application form and uploading the documents by the applicant, the form gets rejected on verification if there is a mismatch of any of the details given by the applicant, as per a communique issued by the ministers office on Saturday.

To overcome the issue, the minister asked the Revenue Department to collaborate with NIC, to check the possibility of editing the bar so that relevant changes can be made, if need be.

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To check the genuineness of the rejected applications, Anand directed to compile district-wise data for the past six months. This initiative aims to understand patterns and implement targeted improvements for timely caste certificate issuance.

Recognizing the need for expeditious processes, he emphasized a reduction in the time period for field verification.

Officers, not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar, will conduct verifications within a stipulated 10-day period. This measure aims to eliminate unnecessary delays in issuing caste certificates, he said.

The Minister also directed the DMs to hold a review meeting twice a month to check the pendency of all such certificates.

These directives underscore the governments commitment to ensure a smooth and timely processing of applications, particularly of those belonging to the SC category. The Kejriwal government fosters inclusivity, steadfastly enhances processes, and diligently fulfills its duty to serve the public, added Anand.
Five casualties were reported in a major fire in a perfume manufacturing factory, NR Aroma Aromatic, located at Jharmajri of the Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area in Solan district on Friday.

The police have launched a massive search for nine individuals reported missing following the fire. As per the investigation, altogether 85 persons were in the factory when the fire broke out. Currently, 30 individuals are admitted to various hospitals for treatment of injuries.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ashok Kumar on Saturday said, Four bodies were recovered today. There have been five casualties in the fire so far, all of whom were women workers in the factory. One body was recovered yesterday. Out of the five, four have been identified.

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An official spokesperson of the police said, Keeping in mind the gravity of the incident, the preliminary findings, and after visiting the spot, the Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu, has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

The SIT includes the Additional Superintendent of Police, Ashok Verma, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Khazana Ram, and the Station House Officer of Barotiwala, SI Sanjay Sharma.

An FIR has been registered at the Police Station Barotiwala under sections 285 (Negligent conduct concerning fire or combustible matter), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code in this regard.

The police have arrested the plant head of NR Aroma, Chander Shekhar, in connection with the incident.

The Himachal Pradesh Police has appealed to the people to immediately contact the Police Control Room on coming across any information regarding the missing individuals.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and sulphur dioxide.

After obtaining clearance, an HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence. Given the complex nature of the fire, the DGP has requested the state government to seek assistance from the Central Forensic Science Team, the police official said.

The SIT will visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, he added.

The Himachal Pradesh Police assures the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally and that every effort will be made to provide justice to the affected parties, DGP Kundu said.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the deaths in the devastating fire. He directed the district administration to inquire into the incident and provide all possible assistance to the affected families.
BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad opening fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad inside a police station in Ulhasnagar makes the beginning of Jungle Raj in the state, said Congress leader Nana Patole on Saturday.

There is no rule of law in Maharashtra. The law and order have utterly collapsed in the state. Consistent firing by the MLAs of the ruling party marks the beginning of Jungle Raj, Patole said.

The incident took place on Friday night at the Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar. They had reportedly gone to the police station to sort out a property dispute.

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The BJP MLA has claimed that he opened fire in self defence as Mahesh Gaikwad was manhandling his son.

Hitting out at state Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the incident, Patole said, The Chief Minister is continuously pressurizing the state police, not letting them work. If there is an iota of ethics left in CM Shinde, he should immediately resign.

Patole further said that the Congress party strongly condemns the incident and asked if this is the Ram Rajya the BJP government has been talking about.

The Congress party strongly condemns the incident. It will be worth seeing what action is taken against Ganpat Gaikwad by the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP government. Daring to open fire on the police station premises shows how the power has completely taken over the BJP. What kind of Ram Rajya is this? Even the senior IPS officers are terrified, he added.

Following the incident, the BJP MLA has been arrested and sent into police custody till February 14. Mahesh Gaikwad is undergoing treatment at a hospital where his condition is said to be critical.
A team of Delhi Police Crime Branch Saturday morning arrived at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals residence here in the national capital to serve notice in connection with his allegations that BJP is trying to buy AAP MLAs.

According to news agency ANI, CM Kejriwals office has alleged that the officials of Delhi Polices crime branch are not giving him a receiving note for the notice even as the chief minister is ready to recieve it.

The sources in the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said that the intention of Delhi Police is to malign Kejriwals reputation and that is why they brought media teams with them.

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Earlier on Friday, police officials had visited the residences of Kejriwal and AAP minister Atishi to collect evidence. However, the duo was not present at their respective homes when the police arrived.

The police action came after the Aam Aadmi Party accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government through a campaign dubbed Operation Lotus 2.0. The AAP claimed that seven of the MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crore to switch their loyalties.

BJP has started Operation Lotus 2.0, and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples, AAP leader Atishi had said.in a press conference last week.

She further claimed that the AAP also possesses a recording of one such conversations related to the poaching attempt by the BJP and said that it will be released if the need arises.

The BJP has dismissed the allegations, saying it is a tactic to divert the attention from Kejriwals alleged corruption in the liquor policy case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that conferring of Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honour, to BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani is an emotional moment for him.

The prime minister, who accompanied Advani during his Rath Yatra that changed the political fortunes of the BJP in late 80s, said that he will consider it as his privilege to word with him and learn from his experiences.

Advani Jis decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him, the prime minister wrote on X.

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Advani is the second BJP veteran after Atal Bihari Vajpayee to have recieved the Bharat Ratna.

Modi said that Advanis journey started from working at grassroots level and he went on to serve the country and that his contribution to Indias development is monumental.

One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights, Modi said while announcing the Bharat Ratna for the BJP veteran.
CAIRO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held phone talks on Saturday with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, discussing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the challenges facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The two ministers stressed "the importance of mobilizing resources and international support to intensify the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and remove impediments hindering its flow into the Strip," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They agreed to continue consultation and coordination "to support efforts aimed at containing the crisis and curbing its humanitarian repercussions on the Palestinian people."

Shoukry and Barth Eide also addressed the challenges facing UNRWA in carrying out its relief tasks following the decision of a number of states to suspend their funding to the agency, "which would further exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."

The two top diplomats emphasized the key role played by UNRWA in distributing aid in Gaza and dealing with various aspects of the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

A number of UNRWA donors, including Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria and Romania, have recently joined the United States in pausing funding for UNRWA after Israel accused several employees of the agency of involvement in the attack of Gaza-ruling Hamas on southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year.

On Saturday, the Norwegian foreign minister wrote on social media platform X that "we cannot abandon the Palestinian people. Norway stands fast to our commitments. I urge fellow donor countries to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting UNRWA off."

Since the Hamas attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 according to Israeli reports, on Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza has been under massive Israeli siege and bombardment that have killed so far 27,238 Palestinians and injured 66,452 others, according to Gaza-based Health Ministry on Saturday. 
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Saturday said that the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe against the firm owned by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter Veena Vijayan is not politically motivated.

Speaking to media persons in Kozhikode, Lekhi said democracy does not give immunity to anybody. There is no immunity for anyone against wrong doing, criminal acts or corruption, especially for political families.

Political families should be above board. It is almost like the saying that Caesars wife must be above suspicion, she said.

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If Veena Vijayan has nothing to hide, she should participate in the investigation and follow the rule of law and law of the land.If there is something to hide, law will take its own course, the Minister said.

Earlier, Meenakshi Lekhi expressed displeasure at the audience at the Awake Youth for Nation programme held in Kozhikode on Saturday for being reluctant to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai aloud along with her at the end of her speech.

Concluding her speech, Lekhi chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai aloud and she asked the audience to do so. However, there was a lukewarm response from the audience.

A visibly irked Lekhi asked them whether Bharat was not their mother and she even suggested a woman, who was reluctant to raise the slogan, to leave the venue.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday welcomed the governments decision to honour veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the nation.

We welcome it, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, told reporters on the sidelines of a party event, in response to a question on the announcement of Bharat Ratna to Advani.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla in a post on X wrote, Happy to know that Lal Krishna Advani Ji will be conferred with Bharat Ratna.

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Mentioning that Advani has made immense contributions to public service, the MP said,  Heartiest Congratulations to him for the honour.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, however, recalled Advanis statement that the latter had called Narendra Modi a brilliant event manager in 2014.

On April 5, 2014, Advani said Narendra Modi is not my disciple, he is a brilliant event manager. This is what he said.In 2002, he saved Narendra Modi (then Gujarat chief minister). In 2014, he put the real character of Modi in front of the country, Ramesh told reporters in Jharkhands Dumka.

The Prime Minister on Saturday announced that Advani will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, he wrote on X.
Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, a stalwart of Indian politics, will be conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna, the countrys biggest civilian honour, recognising his immense contributions to the nation.

Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advanis political journey began as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) where he imbibed the ideology that would shape his political career.

In 1951, Advani became a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Syama Prasad Mukherjee, after his fall out with then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

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In 1970, Advani became a member of the Rajya Sabha for the first time. He is the founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and became its president in 1986.

During his term as BJP president, Advani played a pivotal role in shaping the saffron partys ideology.

It was Advani who changed the political fortunes of the BJP in late 80s as the saffron party went on to win 85 seats in the 9th Lok Sabha, a significant surge from just two seats in 1984.

One of the pivotal moments in his career was the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990, a campaign he led for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was his Sarathi of his rath during the yatra.

Advanis Rath Yatra worked wonders for the BJP as the saffron party surged from 85 to 120 in 1991 elections and to the single largest party in in 1996.

In 1996, Advani resigned as an MP over his alleged involvement in a Hawala scam, setting exemplary standard in political ethics. He was re-elected in 1998 after his name was cleared.

Advani served as the Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees government. He was also the Minister of Home Affairs from 1998 to 2004 and during his tenure, he focused on a strong stance against terrorism, advocating for national security.

The Bharat Ratna award to Advani serves as a testament to his enduring impact on Indias political landscape and stands as a significant chapter in the countrys modern political history.
PC George, former MLA and United Democratic Front (UDF) Chief Whip in the Oomen Chandy government, has said that there is no connection between his joining the BJP and the probe initiated by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) against Exalogic Solutions, the firm owned by Kerala CMs daughter.

In an interview given to a Malayalam news channel, George said the truth regarding the dealings of the firm owned by the Chief Ministers daughter will come out through the SFIO investigation.

PC George also said that he knows that Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter lost sleep just for the complaint raised by his son Shone George.

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To query whether his entry into the BJP will bring Christian votes to the saffron party, George said he is not claiming that all the Christian vote will go to the BJP following his joining in the party.

I am no fool to believe that all church votes will go to the BJP as I have joined the BJP. My task will be to bring more Christian votes to the BJP. If the party asks, I will contest from Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, George said.

He also alleged that an unholy nexus exists between Popular Front of India (PFI) and CPI-M and this is helping the Left party to win elections in Kerala.

Around 200 BJP-RSS workers were hacked to death in Kerala by CPI-M workers. All this happened with the knowledge of CM Pinarayi Vijayan. There should be a strong administration to stop this brutality, George said.

It may be noted that it was Shone Georges petition in the Kerala High Court seeking to order a probe by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) on the illegal payments made to Chief Minister Vijayans daughters company and to others by the mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), ultimately led to handing over of the investigation to the agency, which probes corporate frauds of serious nature.
Kerala Police on Saturday registered a case against NIT Calicut professor Dr Shaija Andavan based on a complaint by the SFI, students wing of CPI-M against her Facebook post expressing pride in Nathuram Godse assassinating Mahatma Gandhi and saving India.

The professor has been booked by the Kunnamangalam Police under IPC Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).

On January 30, the day the country observed Martyrs Day to mark the assassination of Gandhi, Prof Shaija posted on Facebook: Proud of Godse for saving India.

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Her message was a comment to a post by advocate Krishna Raj who posted Godses photograph with the words: Hindu Mahasabha activist Nathuram Vinayak Godse. Hero of many people in India.

After facing the ire of netizens, the professor quickly deleted her comment. I never thought the incident would spark a controversy of this level. I am saddened by the developments, she said.
The Vedaaranya Heritage and Healing Festival (VHAH FEST 2024) returned with its 8th annual edition at the wonderland of heritage, Ramgarh Shekhawati.

This festival, a collaboration between the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Shruti Foundation and INTACH Shekhawati Chapter, celebrated heritage, art and healing in the captivating heritage wonderland and was opened by a soulful performance by the Shekhawati students from various schools.

Once deserted by affluent merchants, Ramgarh Shekhawati has transformed itself into one of the worlds most sought-after heritage destinations, showcasing over 200 Havelis, 36 cenotaphs and 101 temples. It is believed to be the only place in the world which has a Veda temple. A veda temple has no deities, it contains just the Veda.

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The event was inaugurated by Collector of Sikar, Quamar Ul Zaman Chowdhary.

He said, I am extremely happy to be part of this event and am astounded by the international standards of this festival. The array of internationally renowned artists is so impressive that you are bound to be transported into a world of trance. I am hopeful Rajasthan tourism will thrive more if our heritage is celebrated in such a manner.

Initiated eight years ago by the Shruti Foundation, VHAH FEST 2024 focuses on the cultural revival of this gem through restoration, skills training, rural tourism and cultural festivities. It is initiated by Dr. Shruti Nada Poddar who deeply anchors her faith in rich Indian heritage.

On the occasion, she said, I am pleased to bring to the world the 8th edition of our unique festival at Ramgarh Shekhawati. I am delighted to witness the growing response and love from across the nation and the world, to see how this wonderful hidden gem has received so much attention.

I have committed myself to the cause of unearthing the tangible and intangible heritage of India and the growth of rural tourism. This will build resurgent heritage economies and unique microcosms of beauty and excellence from the grassroots for the world to savour.

The legendary Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Member of Rajya Sabha shared her views as, I have experienced various eras in this landscape but I am extremely enthralled to be part of VHAH Festival. It has taken the Indian Cultural Heritage scene to another level altogether. I am very hopeful that these beautiful havelis will attract more tourism.

Vedaaranya Heritage and Healing Festival (VHAH FEST 2024), a captivating blend of cultural experiences featuring performers, artists, heritage experts, and musicians from India and beyond. From January 26-29, this cultural extravaganza unfolded with East meets West performances, renowned musicians, domain experts, indigenous craftspeople, healers, designers, entrepreneurs, and leaders from governmental and institutional spheres.
Since December 2023, the Myanmar Army has seen a reverse in its control of the cru- cial border region, with ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) gaining the upper hand by expelling the Tat- madaw  as the Myanmarese military is known. The rebels captured Laukkaing, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone bordering China. The Myanmar National Demo- cratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which consists of the Kokang minority, a Han-speaking ethnic group, took the lead in this operation supported by its other two partners. Laukkaing is a border town that controls much of the lucrative illicit trade that flows to Myanmar.

China is concerned about these illegal networks and human traffick- ing that have lured Chinese citizens to get involved in online scams in Myanmar. Fearing backlash from China, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (TBA), which controls the Shan state after expelling the military, has also pledged to act against these illicit industries.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (TBA) that accomplished this spectac- ular victory consists of the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which joined hands in 2019. In the operation in the Shan state to wrest the border town, the MNDAA was helped mainly by the TNLA. Both these groups have over- lapping interests in this region. The Bamar Peoples Liberation Army (BPLA) and the Mandalay Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), the pro- democracy militias affiliated with the National Unity Government inspired by military success, joined the TBA to fight the military.

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Together, these EAOs have caused casualties, and the Myanmar army has lost nearly 200 outposts since the operation started on 27 October 2023. This attack has brought other groups whose main aim is to remove the junta through multiple attacks in many areas where individual groups have a strong presence.

The Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) fought under the banner of the PDF and took over the administrative town of Kawlin in Sagaing Region, and many from the Myanmar military surrendered to the rebel group. Similarly, Operation 1111 was launched in Kayah State by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force and the Karenni National Peoples Lib- eration Frontgroups aligned to the PDFto capture the state capital, Loikaw.

The Arakan Army, however, has continued its fight on the western bor- der, the Rakhine State. It has controlled large areas of the Chin and Rakhine States near the Bangladesh border. In November, several Myanmar Army soldiers sought refuge in India after the 2021 Nationwide Ceasefire Agree- ment (NCA) was broken by the Kuki Independent Army, the Kuki National Army and the Chin Land Defence Force, who overran the camps. There are around 600 Myanmar Army sol- diers who have taken refuge in Mizo- ram. They are being successfully repa- triated. Earlier, the Myanmar Police, who defied the Army, also sought refuge in India in 2021.

The fighting has led to the dis- placement of around 60,000 civilians who are escaping the juntas attack using mortars and bombing civilians using air force and cutting food and fuel supply chains to the civilian areas.

Despite China brokering a cease- fire in December 2023, the alliance was determined to overthrow the countrys dictatorship, and this cease- fire did not hold ground, forcing China to negotiate another ceasefire in January 2024. The fighting and artillery attacks had destabilised the border and displaced people living there. Border trade with China has also been affected, putting pressure on Myanmars economy. The cease- fire in the Shan state holds for the time being. China has a strong influ- ence on the Myanmar Army, as well as with EAOs operating near its bor- der. China has also issued arrest war- rants against four Kokang families involved in electronic fraud crimes.

Many argue that Min Aung Hlaings hold over the Army is loosen- ing, and retired officers have called for his accountability for losing to the EAOs and bringing shame to the Army. This is the first time Tatmadaw has lost large swathes of territory to the EAOs in the last 75 years of Myan- mars history. At the same time, no second-rung leadership can challenge the generals authority.

In mid-January this year, ultrana- tionalist Buddhist monk Ashin Ari- awuntha called for his resignation while speaking in a pro-military rally and suggested that he should hand over power to Vice-Senior General Soe Win. There are reports that Gen. Hlaing and Gen. Soe Win have severe disagreements on military operations. Though the monk was arrested, he was subsequently released to arrest the dissension within the Army.

For now, the military has remained united despite losing their strongholds, which the rebel group has captured. The rebel groups are freeing the surrendered soldiers and allowing them to leave. The six brigadier generals who surrendered were handed death sentences by the military court to stop other soldiers from following their path and leaving the battlefield. Reports show that many armed forces personnel are not ready to fight after conceding territory to the EAOs. The use of mortar and helicopter gunships to bomb villages reveals that the Myanmar Army is in a desperate state.

Furthermore, Myanmars politi- cal space would remain fractured. Fragmentation within the Army and the on-going civil war will have reper- cussions on Myanmars neighbours. It is already adding to the fragmented ethnic fault line in India. Similarly, the conflict will spill over to Bangladesh, which has provided refuge to the Rohingyas. Myanmar needs to find a solution in consociational democra- cy that perhaps suits the aspirations of several ethnic groups who live in Myanmar.

The Kathmandu Post/ANN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly to a statement made by President Joe Biden on Thursday on what the President called settler violence in the West Bank. The statement came as the Biden Administration imposed sanctions on Israelis referred to as extremist settlers who commit acts of violence against Palestinians.

The overwhelming majority of residents in Judea and Samaria are law-abiding citizens, many of whom are currently fighting  as conscripts and reservists  to defend Israel, declared Netanyahu.

Israel acts against all Israelis who break the law, everywhere; therefore, exceptional measures are unnecessary, he added.

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In his statement, President Biden said, I find that the situation in the West Bank  in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction  has reached intolerable levels and constitutes a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East region.

The President went on to say that such actions undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution and ensuring Israelis and Palestinians can attain equal measures of security, prosperity, and freedom.

Biden also said that they undermine the security of Israel and have the potential to lead to broader regional destabilisation across the Middle East, threatening United States personnel and interests.

For these reasons, asserted the President, these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Moderating temperatures will change morning scattered snow showers to rain showers by late day. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, second from right, accepts the Elected Official of the Year award from the Massachusetts Marine Trade Association last month at Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro. From left are MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons of Foxboro, MMTA President Marie Hayward, Driscoll and state Rep. Joan Meschino, D-Hull.
Collapsed stones are seen in front of the Pyramid of Menkaure in Giza, Egypt, Jan. 31, 2024. The plan of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) to clad the Pyramid of Menkaure, one of the famed three pyramids of Giza, with granite blocks raised debate in the country as some archeologists are concerned it would ruin the originality of the 4,500-year-old monument. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)





CAIRO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Saturday it will establish an international scientific committee to review the architectural restoration project of the Pyramid of Menkaure at Giza Plateau.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa ordered formation of the committee that will be chaired by renowned archaeologist and former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, the ministry said in a statement.

"The committee includes several distinguished experts in engineering and archaeology, especially those specializing in pyramids from Egypt, the United States, the Czech Republic, and Germany," it noted.

This photo taken on Jan. 31, 2024 shows the Pyramid of Menkaure in Giza, Egypt. The plan of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) to clad the Pyramid of Menkaure, one of the famed three pyramids of Giza, with granite blocks raised debate in the country as some archeologists are concerned it would ruin the originality of the 4,500-year-old monument. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

After the SCA announced on Jan. 25 a three-year Egyptian-Japanese joint project to restore the granite cladding of 4,500-year-old Pyramid of Menkaure, some Egyptian archeologists and experts expressed their concerns that the project might ruin the originality, identity, and historical value of the pyramid.

According to the ministry statement, the committee will prepare a detailed report on its findings after completing the project review. "A decision will be made on whether to proceed with the project or not," it noted.

"The committee will submit this report for the approval of the minister of tourism and antiquities before commencing any work related to the project at the Pyramid of Menkaure and its surrounding area on the ground," it added.

SCA Secretary-General Mostafa Waziri posted a video on Jan. 25 at the pyramid, announcing the project which he referred to as "The Project of the Century" and "Egypt's Gift to the World."

The project will be carried out over at least three years by an Egyptian-Japanese mission, he explained in the video.

"The project will be done in three stages. The first is to study the blocks, the second includes laser scanning and cadastral surveying, and finally we will start reinstalling the outer covering of the pyramid," Waziri said in the video, noting that Menkaure is the only one of Egypt's nearly 124 pyramids whose outer cladding was made of granite.
Job Title: Accountant (5 Job Positions)

Organisation: Oil Palm Uganda Limited

Duty Station: Kalangala, Uganda

About US:

Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL), is a joint venture between Wilmar international, Josovina of Singapore, Bidco Uganda Limited and the Government of the republic of Uganda. Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL) has established over 6,500 hectares of oil palm supported by over 4,500 hectares of small holder farmers on Kalangala Bugala Island with two palm oil mills of 20TPH capacity. Replicating the Kalangala model, we are also undergoing development of new nucleus and small holders estates in Masaka, Kyotera and Buvuuma.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Will be responsible for dealing with banks, accounts payable, out-growers farmers accounts for FFB supply, receivable and general accounting.

Reconciliation of accounts including bank reconciliations under on-line SAP environment with other users on SAP.

Preparation of cash flow statements, annual budget and Management information reports.

Compliance of statutory requirements for VAT, Excise Duty, PAYE, income Tax and NSSF.

Liaise with internal and Statutory Auditors, supervision and control of the day-to-day functioning of the Accounts Department.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Applicants should be holders of any of the following qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce, Business Administration (Accounting), CPA or ACCA.

A minimum of three years of experience in a similar working environment, with a thorough knowledge of SAP FICO Module. Candidates having FICO Certification will have added advantage.

Good communication skills

Computer skills with knowledge in excel and tally

Good interpersonal skills

High level of integrity

Must be a team player

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified candidates can send their Applications to the Human Resource Officer OPUL, P.O. Box 37 Kalangala or email; peace.clare@opul.co.ug or hand deliver to Head offices at Bwendero, Kalangala District

Deadline: 9th 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
A student learns to make a moxa stick at the University of Malta in Msida, Malta, on Feb. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

Through the hands-on experience of crafting moxa sticks, students gained a deeper understanding of moxibustion, a crucial TCM treatment method, said Wang. She emphasized that this activity enhances their perception and experience of TCM and Chinese culture.

VALLETTA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Six students from the master's program in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and culture at the University of Malta on Thursday participated in a special class to learn the art of crafting moxa sticks used in moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a form of therapy that entails the burning of mugwort leaves. Wang Yimeng, a Chinese doctor from the Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine at the university, curated the workshop, preparing several boxes of moxa and providing auxiliary tools such as plastic film, paper, round and slim sticks, scissors, and glue sticks.

The center, collaboratively established by the University of Malta and the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2015, plays a pivotal role in promoting TCM education in Malta.

Before engaging in the hands-on creation of moxa sticks, Wang elucidated the medical functions of moxibustion and the step-by-step procedures of crafting moxa sticks through an instructional video.

Students from the master's program in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and culture at the University of Malta on Thursday participated in a special class to learn the art of crafting moxa sticks used in moxibustion. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)



Under Wang's guidance, the students carefully placed moxa on the film, rolled it with round sticks, and added a paper halfway through to encapsulate the moxa within. Despite their prior studies in TCM and some exposure to moxibustion, it was the first time for all of them to craft moxa sticks.

Immersed in the fragrance and light aroma of the moxa, each student dedicated almost half an hour to craft a moxa stick approximately 25 centimeters in length, personalized with their names upon completion.

"It is not easy but very interesting," said Elizabeth Muscat, a midwife at Malta's state Mater Dei Hospital.

Muscat, who began her master's program in TCM and culture in October 2022, said she is curious about TCM and its applications, particularly acknowledging acupuncture's effectiveness in treating various conditions.

TCM's positive medical effects are gaining recognition in Malta, with its popularity steadily rising, Muscat noted. She emphasized that TCM has been present in Malta for a long time.

The Mediterranean Regional Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM), jointly established by the Chinese and Maltese governments in 1994 in the city of Paola, opened in 2008 a TCM department at Mater Dei Hospital.

It was the first time TCM was practiced at an independent department in a state hospital in the European Union (EU) countries. Since 1994, around 250,000 Maltese patients have received TCM treatment.

Stephanie Zahra, a nurse at Mater Dei Hospital who used to have lower back pains, became interested in TCM after she tried acupuncture on herself. "It is very therapeutic and good for healing," she said, "It doesn't have as many contraindications as medicine."

Through the hands-on experience of crafting moxa sticks, students gained a deeper understanding of moxibustion, a crucial TCM treatment method, said Wang. She emphasized that this activity enhances their perception and experience of TCM and Chinese culture.

Looking ahead, Wang told Xinhua that a summer camp will be organized by the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for students of the master's program in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and culture, scheduled for June 10 to July 5 this year.

Wang Yimeng (Rear), a Chinese doctor from the Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Malta, gives a lecture about moxa and moxibustion in Msida, Malta, on Feb. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

Zahra said she was looking forward to attending the upcoming summer camp. She added that it was at a similar summer camp during her first visit to China about 9 years ago that her interest in TCM was ignited and she decided to pursue a master's program. 
India on Friday formally launched UPI at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, terming it as taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of taking UPI global.



"UPI formally launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower at the huge Republic Day Reception. Implementing PM @narendramodi's announcement & the vision of taking UPI global," the official X handle of India's Embassy in France posted along with the photos of the event.



Replying to this, Modi said, "Great to see this- it marks a significant step towards taking UPI global. This is a wonderful example of encouraging digital payments and fostering stronger ties."



UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing and merchant payments into one hood, according to NPCI.



Incidentally, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, was the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.



"The new energy in India-France ties from a historic year in the Strategic Partnership visible at 75th Republic Day reception," the official handle X posted and thanked the Minister Delegate in charge of Democratic Renewal, Government Spokesperson Prisca Thevenot for honouring the occasion.



It also thanked the members of Parliament, business leaders, scholars, friends of India & Indians in France.



The NPCI said in a statement that its arm NPCI International Payments (NIPL) has tied up with French e-commerce and proximity payments Lyra, which will help ensure that the UPI payment mechanism is accepted in the European country, starting with the Eiffel Tower.



At present, Indian tourists rank as the second largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower, it said. Indian tourists can simply scan a QR code generated on the merchant's website and initiate a payment.



Eiffel Tower is the first merchant to offer UPI payments in France, and the service will soon be extended to other merchants in the tourism and retail space across France and Europe.
BJP's Kalyan East MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly shot Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad on Friday night at the Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, said police. The BJP MLAs' gun was seized after an FIR was registered in the case.

Both Gaikwads have been at loggerheads over the candidature of Kalyan East Legislative Assembly seat. But the latest incident is reportedly due to a land dispute. Both leaders have openly targeted each other, often over lack of civic progress in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). This has brought to the fore the differences at the local level despite unity between the two parties at the state and national level.

Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatrya Shinde said Ganpat Gaikwad's son had come to the police station to file a complaint over a land dispute when Mahesh and his men arrived. Later, Ganpat also reached the police station.

During an altercation, Ganpat fired shots at Mahesh inside the senior inspector's chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

"Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do," the BJP lawmaker told a news channel.

Ganpat alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in the state. "If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today," the MLA was quoted as saying.

At least five bullets were reportedly fired at the Shinde faction's Kalyan (East) city president Mahesh and his supporter around 10.30 pm while they were having a conversation with the BJP legislator in the presence of Senior Inspector Anil Jagtap at the police station.

Mahesh and his supporter were rushed to Jupiter Hospital in Thane. Later, he underwent surgery, which was successful, and is currently recovering.

"Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway," ANI quoted DCP Sudhakar Pathare as saying.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani expressed gratitude to party workers and said he is accepting the Bharat Ratna with utmost humility and gratitude.



Advani appeared before the media along with his daughter with folded hands. In a statement, Advani said, It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability. Ever since I joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its volunteer at the age of 14, I have sought reward in only thing - in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me. In his statement, Advani thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Advani said, What has inspired my life is the motto This life is not mine. My life is for my Nation." The BJP leader remembered Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I also express my deepest feelings for all members of my family, especially my dear departed wife Kamla. They have been the greatest source of strength and sustenance in my life, he said.

Reacting to the award, Advanis family said he was overwhelmed and the entire family was very happy. Advani appeared before the media along with his daughter with folded hands. Talking to ANI, Pratibha Advani said, The entire family is very happy that 'Dada' has received the country's highest honour. He is very happy. Today I miss my mother the most because her contribution to his life, be it personal or political life is huge. Pratibha added Advani thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his countrymen for honouring him with Bharat Ratna. He is very overwhelmed. He is a man of few words. But he had tears in his eyes, Pratibha added.

Advani's son Jayant Advani said, It is a matter of happiness of all of us, the country and the family. We are emotional and happy over this announcement. It is like a 'double dhamaka'. Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha took place on January 22 and on February 3, he has been honoured with Bharat Ratna. He was associated with the Ram Mandir movement. I express my gratitude towards the government and PM Modi for this decision, ANI reported.

Announcing the award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was a very emotional moment. I am very happy to share that Shri L.K. Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me, Modi said.

Several BJP leaders and union ministers reacted on Advani getting the award. It is a matter of pride for all of us. Advani ji dedicated his life for the country and society. Atal ji and Advani ji played an important role in BJP's expansion. I was fortunate to have got an opportunity to work with both of them. May God give him a long life and he continue to guide us," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told PTI.
The Gujarat High Court has rejected a 2019 petition submitted by a man who accused self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda of unlawful confinement of his two daughters.



The case was heard by a division bench of Justice A.Y. Kogje and Justice Rajendra M. Sareen.

The final verdict in the case is still pending. The court passed the order in favour of the girls after ensuring they are safe via a video-conferencing link on January 10, wherein the girls put forward their points.

Justice Kogje pointed out that the communication with the girls revealed that they were not unlawfully confined and they left India on their free will. The two girls "have decided to continue to reside there and follow the spiritual path which they have consciously decide to follow," added the judge

They have also indicated about the spiritual sessions which they undertake which are followed by many people all across the world. The court finding the same to be reliable is unable to conclude that the corpora are in any manner under any duress or influence, Justice Kogje said.

The judge added that "having interviewed both the corpora, the Court is satisfied that both are adults, mature enough to understand their well being and apparently are happy at the place where they are presently residing and on their spiritual path.

The case pertains to a petition filed by Janardana Sharma and wife, seeking Gujarat High Court's assistance in reuniting with their two daughters who they alleged were unlawfully confined at an ashram operated by Nithyananda.
The Union Home Ministry (MHA) has called a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh, chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in New Delhi on February 19.

This meeting aims to discuss the issues jointly submitted by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to the MHA on January 16. Calls by LAB for a Ladakh bandh today and a rally in Leh led to the meeting. The KDA has also announced a similar programme in Kargil today.

The LAB, supported by the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), is advocating for a Sixth Schedule-type status for Ladakh, while KDA, representing the political and religious bodies of Kargil, is demanding statehood.

The HPC, initially constituted on January 2, 2023, underwent reconstitution on November 30, 2023, due to objections raised regarding its composition and agenda. The first meeting of the HPC occurred on December 4, 2023. Subsequently, the MHA requested LAB and KDA to submit their agenda in writing, excluding certain points in the Sixth Schedule not relevant to Ladakh. Both bodies complied, submitting their agenda to the MHA on January 16, 2024.

However, no meeting was convened until social reformer Sonam Wangchuk and LAB called for 'Leh Chalo' on February 3, a massive rally in support of their four-point agenda, including Statehood, Sixth Schedule status, a dedicated Public Services Commission (PSC), and two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh.

In addition to 'Leh Chalo,' the LAB has called for a complete bandh in Leh today, while the KDA has declared a bandh in Kargil on Saturday. The All Kargil Transporters Association has distanced itself from the bandh stating that the KDA has not addressed their genuine demands regarding buses, trucks, and taxis.

The written points submitted by LAB and KDA to the MHA are expected to be discussed in the meeting, along with other issues raised by committee members. Headed by Union MoS Home Nityanand Rai, the HPC comprises LG Ladakh Brig (Retd) B.D. Mishra; Lok Sabha member from UT Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Chairpersons-cum-CECs Leh and Kargil Hill Councils; Joint Secretary MHA Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh; Director/Deputy Secretary Ladakh MHA (Member Secretary) and seven representatives each from LAB and KDA.

The LAB representatives include Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman LAB, Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, Nawang Rigzin Jora, President Congress Ashraf Ali Barcha, Dr. Abdul Qayum, Tsering Wangdus, and Padma Stanzin. The KDA leaders in the HPC are Asgar Ali Karbalai, Working President of Congress, Qamar Ali Akhoon, General Secretary NC, Sajjad Hussain Kargili, Sheikh Bashir Shakir, Skarma Dadul, Mubarak Shah Naqvi, and Syed Ahmed Rizvi.

An announcement addressing some Ladakh issues is expected from the Union Home Ministry this month, well before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha elections in the first week of March. The MHA might make announcements, including safeguards for land, culture, and identity. However, the possibility of statehood has been ruled out.

Regarding the demand for two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh instead of one at present, it can only be considered after 2026, as the delimitation of constituencies has been frozen until then. Issues related to job opportunities and the Public Services Commission (PSC) demand are considered top priorities, according to sources.

It's worth mentioning that the BJP is not part of LAB and KDA, even though its Lok Sabha member from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, is a member of the HPC. CEC-cum-Chairperson Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council Tashi Gyalson, also a BJP leader, is part of the HPC.
Jharkhand's new Mahagathbandhan government under Chief Minister Champai Soren will face the floor test on February 5 when the assembly convenes for a two-day session, said Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Saturday.



The MLAs will camp at a 'protected place' until the floor test, the Congress Jharkhand in-charge told ANI. The lawmakers in the grand alliance were moved to a private resort in Hyderabad.

The decision to move the leaders to the capital of Congress-ruled Telangana, is to prevent poaching attempts by the BJP-led opposition in Jharkhand.

"It's unthinkable and unprecedented for a sitting chief minister to step down and hand the reins to a party colleague. The entire coalition unanimously picked Hemant Soren's successor and formally proposed his name as the next cheif minister to the governor. We are thankful to the governor for allowing the oath-taking ceremony to take place yesterday. The alliance will be invited for a floor test in the assembly on February 5. Till then, all our MLAs will remain in a protected place," the Congress leader told the agency.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Congress's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which is in its Jharkhand leg.

Tribal leader Champai Soren, 67, has earned the sobriquet "Jharkhand's Tiger" for his contribution to the long fight for the creation of a separate state in the 1990s. He started his political career by getting elected as an independent MLA through a by-election from the Saraikela seat in undivided Bihar in 1991.

Four years later, he contested the assembly polls from the seat on JMM ticket and defeated the BJP's Panchu Tudu. In the first assembly elections held in the state in 2000 after its formation, he was defeated from the same constituency by BJP's Anant Ram Tudu.

He regained the seat in 2005 by defeating the BJP candidate by a margin of only 880 votes. He won the subsequent elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019.

He served as a cabinet minister in the BJP government headed by Arjun Munda between from 2010 to 2013. When Hemant Soren formed his second government in the state in 2019, Champai Soren became the minister of food and civil supplies and transport.
A professor and five students of the Savitribai Phule Pune University have been arrested for staging a Ramleela based play which allegedly contained objectionable portrayal of Lord Ram, Sita and Ravan.

The play staged on the campus on Friday evening by the Lalit Kala Kendraofficially called the Centre for Performing Artsdepicted the behind-the-scene interactions of actors performing various roles in the Ramleela.

The police registered a case under Section 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, based on a complaint lodged by the ABVP functionary Harshvardhan Harpude.

Those arrested included Dr Pravin Bhole, the head of the department of the Lalit Kala Kendra, and students Bhavesh Patil, Jay Pednekar, Prathamesh Sawant, Rishikesh Dalvi and Yash Chikhle.

As per the First Information Report (FIR), the actor portraying Sita was seen smoking and using abusive language towards Laxman, while the artiste playing Lord Ram was seen assisting Sita in lighting the cigarette.

Students of ABVP raised objections to the scene, which led to an altercation between two groups of students on the campus.

Subsequently, students from Lalit Kala Kendra attempted to confront us. We have filed a complaint with the police and requested the registration of a case, Shiva Barole, Pune University unit chief of the ABVP, said.

It may be noted that in 2019, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party leader Upendra Kushwaha had courted controversy when he said the BJP is like the person who plays Sita in Ram Leela but smokes cigarette backstage.

In Ram Leela when the curtain rises a person comes dressed as Sita Mata. People who watch Ram Leela bow their heads out of respect, if you go behind curtain the same Sita Ji can be seen smoking a cigarette. This is the face of BJP; full of evils from inside and it projects goodness from the outside," Kushwaha had said.
Amid intensifying tensions, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in its report has named India as a foreign interference threat. The report also alleged that China sought to influence its last two federal elections as well.

This is the latest development after series of allegations and counter-allegations that erupted last year following death of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

"The Foreign Interference activities of the Peoples Republic of China are significant, pervasive, and directed against all levels of government and civil society across the country," the report stated.

On the "foreign interference of India", the report said that the problem could worsen and "we must do more to protect Canadas robust democratic institutions and processes."

Apart from China, India was the only nation mentioned in the report.

According to Global News, which published the October 2022 report, foreign interference is different from traditional diplomacy since it used secrecy and deception to influence public narratives.

Referring to China, the report stated that "The PRC leverages a vast range of tools in Canada, including the United Front Work Department, its diplomatic corps, and non-government assets such as community groups and trusted contacts."

After the intelligence report got published, Trudeau had ordered an investigation.

However, India is yet to respond on the latest developments.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated last year after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the murder of Nijjar in Canada.

Though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed Trudeau's allegations "baseless, absurd and motivated", things got worse on the diplomatic front. Canada had expelled an Indian diplomat posted in Ottawa. India had also asked Canada to reduce its number of diplomats in India as well.
The US retaliatory overnight airstrike targeting Iran-linked stations in Iraq and Syria has killed over 30 people. According to Iraq, the strikes had claimed around 16 lives, including civilians. After the immense damage and loss of lives, Iraq has warned of "disastrous consequences" for the region.

Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office said that, 16 people were killed, among them included civilians, and 25 injured in overnight US airstrikes.

While condemning the strikes, Iraq said in a statement that it is a "new aggression against Iraq's sovereignty".

The statement also said, The presence of the US-led military coalition in the region has become a reason for threatening security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving Iraq in regional and international conflicts".

Amid reports of US strikes was coordinated with the help of Iraq government, PM al-Sudani said that it was all lies.

Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for Iraqs prime minister said, "These airstrikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into disastrous consequences."

The Iraqi foreign ministry on Saturday summoned the US charg d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal memorandum of protest over the airstrikes in Iraq, the state news agency INA reported.

Meanwhile, Syria's foreign ministry said the US is fueling conflict in the Middle East in a "dangerous way".

The US airstrike hit over 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and other militias on Friday night. This was the first retaliatory strikes launched by US after the Jordan attack, that claimed lives of three US troops.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the US attacks represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension in instability in the region".

Meanwhile, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes killed 23 people, who had been guarding the targeted locations.

However, US President Joe Biden said that his nation is not seeking conflict in Middle East. "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," Biden stated.
An Irish nationalist made history Saturday by becoming Northern Ireland's first minister as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill was nominated as first minister in the government that under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord shares power between Northern Ireland's two main communities British unionists who want to stay in the UK, and Irish nationalists who seek to unite with Ireland. Northern Ireland was established as a unionist, Protestant-majority part of the UK in 1921, following independence for the Republic of Ireland.

One side can't govern without agreement from the other. Government business ground to a half over the past two years after the Democratic Unionist Party walked out to protest trade issues related to Brexit.

O'Neill will share power with deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the DUP. The two will be equals, but O'Neill, whose party captured more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections, will hold the more prestigious title.

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as speaker of the chamber.

O'Neill will share power with a deputy first minister from the DUP. The two will be equals, but O'Neill, whose party captured more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections, will hold the more prestigious title.

This is a historic day, O'Neill said on X, formerly known as Twitter. As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality.

O'Neill, 47, was elected to the Stormont Assembly in 2007 and comes from a family of Irish republicans. Her party, Sinn Fein, was affiliated with the militant Irish Republican Army during the Troubles, a period of about 30 years of violent conflict over the future of Northern Ireland which ended with the Good Friday Agreement.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who helped broker the historic peace agreement, was in the gallery at the assembly to see O'Neill's nomination.

The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Northern Ireland's 1.9 million people were left without a functioning administration as the cost of living soared and public services were strained.

An open border between the north and the republic was a key pillar of the peace process that ended the Troubles, so checks were imposed instead between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

An agreement a year ago between the UK and the EU, known as the Windsor Framework, eased customs checks and other hurdles but didn't go far enough for the DUP, which continued its boycott.

The UK government this week agreed to new changes that would eliminate routine checks and paperwork for most goods entering Northern Ireland, although some checks will remain for illegal goods or disease prevention.

The new changes included legislation affirming Northern Ireland's constitutional status as part of the UK and gives local politicians democratic oversight of any future EU laws that might apply to Northern Ireland.

The UK government also agreed to give Northern Ireland more than 3 billion pounds (USD 3.8 billion) for its battered public services once the Belfast government is back up and running.

I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldn't," DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said outside the assembly chamber in Stormont. We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union.
by Hummam Sheikh Ali

DAMASCUS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. strikes on both Iraq and Syria to curb Iran's influence pose a significant threat to peace in an already volatile Middle East, and are likely to exacerbate tensions in the region, Syrian experts say.

As many as 23 fighters, including nine Syrians, were killed in the U.S. attacks on Iranian strongholds in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Friday night and into Saturday morning. While 16 people, including civilians, were killed by the U.S. airstrikes on the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in Iraq.

Following the attacks, the Syrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday lashed out at the U.S. administration, accusing Washington of being a primary source of global instability.

Experts say that the attacks, purportedly a response to the drone attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan on Jan. 28, signify growing tensions arising from the Gaza conflict and a shared objective between the U.S. and Israel to curtail Iran's influence in the region.

Osama Danura, a political expert based in the Syrian capital Damascus, said the attacks are consistent with a pattern of conduct that the U.S. has adopted.

Instead of addressing the Gaza conflict diplomatically and politically, the U.S. has escalated the conflict through hostility, endangering peace in the already volatile Middle East, he said, adding such actions undermine international peace by prolonging the confrontation in the region and beyond.

"The latest escalation only worsens the situation," Danoura noted, adding the U.S. attacks are giving opponents of American forces in Syria more motivation to resist and drive out the occupying forces.

The U.S. has made a mistake in seeking its ultimate goal and the way it is currently handling the situation, and "will inevitably face the consequences of their actions," he said.

Meanwhile, Danoura pointed out that the U.S. attacks will inadvertently benefit terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS), as the fighters targetted by the attacks are responsible for combating the remaining members of the IS in the region.

These operations have given these groups a chance to come back to life and regain control of the area where they were previously hiding and operating cautiously, he said.

Following the U.S. attacks, the Syrian Defense Ministry on Saturday said the move, which it said lacked any justification, was an attempt to weaken the Syrian army and its allies in their fight against terrorism.

Muhammad al-Omari, another Damascus-based Syrian political analyst, said that the U.S. attacks were evidence that Washington was attempting to use force to destroy a threat or undesired group.

The U.S. seeks to entangle Iraq in internal political conflicts, sowing the seeds of discord and chaos in the country, which is yet to recover from the 2003 invasion by the U.S.-led coalition, he said.

"This aggressive action has placed the region in a highly volatile state. We are now just one step away from direct confrontation, and any mishandling could push us over the edge," Al-Omari warned. 
Three people were stabbed by a man at the busy railway station, Gare de Lyon, in Paris on Saturday. According to Paris police, the assailant was arrested soon after the incident.

Reportedly, the condition of one person, who got stabbed is quite serious. All three were rushed to nearby hospital after the incident.

This morning at the Gare de Lyon an individual injured three people with a knife before being arrested. One person is seriously injured; two others suffered higher injuries. They were treated by the emergency services. Thank you to those who restrained the perpetrator of this unacceptable act," the interior minister, Gerald Darmanin wrote on X.

Ce matin a la Gare de Lyon, un individu a blesse 3 personnes a larme blanche avant detre interpelle. Une personne est blessee gravement. Deux autres le sont plus legerement. Elles ont ete prises en charge par les services de secours. Merci a ceux qui ont maitrise lauteur de  Gerald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 3, 2024

Police had started an official investigation.

According to French media, the arrested man was allegedly carrying a knife and a hammer. According to the police, the 31-year-old man was carrying residency papers from Italy and medicines suggesting that he was undergoing treatment. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said the inidvidual appears to suffer from psychiatric troubles.

It was with the help of the passerbys in the railway station that the police were able to detain the suspect. The Paris prosecutor's office said the police investigation is looking at a potential preliminary charge of attempted murder.

The Gare de Lyon is one of six mainline railway stations in Paris. In January last year, six people were injured in a knife attack at the Gare du Nord in Paris.

Ahead of the Summer Olympic Games, security was beefed up in Paris.
The US has conducted major airstrikes on 85 targets in Iraq and Syria against Iranian Revolutionary Guards and affiliated militia groups in retaliation for a drone strike on an American base in Jordan last Sunday that killed three of its service members.



President Joe Biden and other top US leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response over time.



Biden said the US military response will continue at times and places of our choosing.



The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, Biden said in a statement after the US started carrying out such strikes on Friday.



Biden said this past Sunday that three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).



Three US soldiers were killed and more than 40 personnel injured in a drone attack at a US base in Jordan called Tower 22.



Earlier in the day, Biden attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base. He also spoke with each of their families.



This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, Biden said.



According to US Central Command, at 4:00 pm EST (2.30 am IST) its forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against IRGC Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.



US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft including long-range bombers flown from the United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.



The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centres, intelligence centres, rockets, and missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces, the CENTCOM said.



Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said these strikes were at seven facilities that IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack US forces.



This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces, he said.



These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces. We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests, Austin said.



The strikes on Friday were markedly more significant than previous attacks on Iranian-backed militias over the last several weeks, which have primarily focused on weapons storage or training facilities.



But the administration is threading a needle they want to deter and stop further attacks but avoid a full-scale conflict with Iran breaking out in a region already roiled by the continuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, CNN said.



We believe that the strikes were successful, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.



Kirby said the US does not know now how many militants were killed or wounded. He added that US military planes were now out of harm's way. Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday that the locations of the strikes were chosen with an idea that there would likely be casualties among the IRGC and militia personnel who use them.



B-1 bombers long-range heavy bombers that can deploy precision and non-precision weapons were used in the operations, a defence official told CNN. Sims said Friday that the bombers flew in a single non-stop flight from the US, all of that enhanced by our Transportation Command and our ability to gas and go along the way.



Sims also said that the timing of the strikes was designed around good weather, in an interest of ensuring that we're hitting all the right targets.



The US strikes hit facilities used by Iranian-linked al Hashd al Shabi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim, located in the western part of Anbar province along the Iraq-Syria border, on Saturday morning local time, according to Iraqi security officials and the mayor of Al-Qaim.



In a statement, Yahya Rasool, a spokesperson for Iraq's Armed Forces, decried the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.



The city of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are being subjected to airstrikes by US aircraft, at a time when Iraq is striving hard to ensure the stability of the region, Rasool said.



Iran-backed militants have targeted US military facilities in Iraq and Syria over 160 times since October, and several Republican lawmakers had called for the US to hit inside Iran directly to send a clear message.



But administration officials have been clear that any response would be proportionate so as to not further escalate things in the region.



We don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East, Kirby told CNN on Monday.



On Wednesday the White House said it believes an umbrella group of militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the drone attack in Jordan.



We believe that the attack in Jordan was planned, resourced and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups including Kata'ib Hezbollah, Kirby said.



He stopped short of assigning exact blame on Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq, saying it was not the only group responsible for previous attacks on US bases.
Following US retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday, US President Joe Biden pointed out that the strikes would continue of any American is harmed.

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," Biden stated.

This comes after a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on an American military outpost in Jordan on Sunday. The attack killed three US soldiers -- U.S. Army Sgt. William Rivers, Sgt. Breonna Moffett, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders -- and injured more than 40 others.

"This past Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Earlier today, I attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base, and I have spoken with each of their families," added the US President.

"This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," he said.

According to a CNN report, citing two US defence officials, the targets were spread across seven locations and the airstrikes involved participation of Air Force B-1 bombers.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the airstrikes are "the start of our response."

"The President has directed additional militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American heroes."

The US Central Command stated, "US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were strick included command and control operations, centres, intelligence centres, rockets and missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle storages and logistics and munitions supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces."
Ahmedabad, Feb 3 (PTI) The startup ecosystem created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the country's youth job providers from job seekers, said Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday.

Speaking at the Veljapur Startup Festival, he said PM Modi doesn't think of youth just as voters but believes in their power and works for their development.

"When PM Modi launched Startup India, Digital India and Make in India, people might not have fully understood the purpose behind them. But today, after 10 years, the change is in front of us. PM Modi created an entire ecosystem to help budding entrepreneurs," Patel said.

"I just saw a news article which said startups created nearly 48,000 jobs in one year in Gujarat alone. Thanks to the startup ecosystem created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country's youth have now become job givers from being jobseekers. This is the transformation we are witnessing today," Patel asserted.

He said when the country was nowhere in the race globally two decades back, it was then CM Modi who launched Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2003 to put the state on the world map.

"Usually, people say India has added these many young voters. But, instead of considering youngsters as merely voters, PM Modi says our youth power has increased, because he firmly believes youngsters are not merely voters and that governments must work for their development," he said.

Thanks to conducive policies of the state government, even those youth who are not highly educated are able to do business without trouble, the CM claimed.

The festival was organised by Veljapur MLA AMit Thaker to provide a platform to budding entrepreneurs and startup founders of his constituency.
NEW DELHI, Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- India Inc. has marked its calendar for the 8th Edition of The Times Group Global Business Summit, an esteemed gathering recognized as one of the largest of its kind in Asia. Set against the backdrop of Taj Palace in New Delhi, India, this influential summit will take place on the 9th and 10th February 2024.



Distinguished global leaders, representing diverse fields, will converge to deliberate on contemporary issues and shape the trajectory for the future. This year's summit promises an engaging discourse, bringing together government officials, public figures, corporate executives, business titans, academicians, and technocrats from around the globe. Together, they will explore the intricacies of the global landscape, forecast its future course, and collaboratively devise pragmatic solutions.



Leading the charge will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside esteemed global business leaders such as Raymond T. Dalio Founder, CIO Mentor and Member of the Bridgewater Board, Bridgewater Associates LP; Bill Winters, Group CEO, Standard Chartered; Jenny Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Templeton; Ravi Kumar S, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant; Michael Spence, Nobel Prize in Economics, 2001 and Professor and Dean Emeritus Stanford University; Jeff Maggioncalda, Chief Executive Officer, Coursera, David Hanson, Chief Executive Officer & Founder; Co-Founder, Hanson Robotics; SingularityNET among other notable figures. The overarching theme of the summit is "Disruption, Development, and Diversification," where these influential leaders will converge to address pressing global issues.



Highlighted topics on the agenda include:



- Raymond T. Dalio Founder, CIO Mentor and Member of the Bridgewater Board, Bridgewater Associates LP: Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order



- Bill Winters, Group CEO, Standard Chartered, Jenny Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Templeton, Ravi Kumar S, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant: Navigating Fissures, Faultlines, and the Future  In Pursuit of Equilibrium



- Michael Spence, Nobel Prize in Economics, 2001 and Professor and Dean Emeritus Stanford University: Navigating AI Revolution: People and Machines as Collaborators and not Competitors



- Jeff Maggioncalda, Chief Executive Officer, Coursera: Upskilling, Reskilling and Learning for the Future



- David Hanson, Chief Executive Officer & Founder; Co-Founder, Hanson Robotics; SingularityNET: Navigating AI Revolution: People and Machines as Collaborators and not Competitors



Talking about the summit, Ravi Kumar S, CEO, Cognizant said, "The transformative power of generative AI has the potential to greatly expand our knowledge, skills, and productivity. Generative AI is the most powerful tool we have to solve the biggest problems of our time. At Cognizant, we believe that generative AIused responsibly and ethically, as a partner to peoplewill create opportunity for human beings to do what they do uniquely well: apply their judgment and reason, find new problems to solve, make sense of complex situations, and lead others to get extraordinary things done."



Spiros Margaris, Venture Capitalist, Margaris Ventures added "I am excited to participate in Global Business Summit (GBS) to hear new visionary ideas and the latest global growth strategies. In my address, I will share my VC perspective on the global trends in Artificial Intelligence and Fintech."



Lord Gerry Grimstone, Chairman, Gemcorp Capital Management & former U.K. Minister for Investment said "Global investors see India as a powerhouse of enterprise and entrepreneurialism but often need help to understand and unlock the myriad of opportunities. The Global Business Summit provides the golden key by bringing together both thought leaders and decision-makers. Foreign investment is the vital ingredient that India needs to deliver its lofty economic ambitions."



About The Times Group Global Business Summit



The Times Group Global Business Summit stands as a distinguished platform that has hosted an illustrious array of personalities, both from India and around the world. This distinguished list includes luminaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the visionary Bill Gates from Microsoft, Brian Chesky of Airbnb, Arianna Huffington from Huffington Post Media Group, Dara Khosrowshahi, the leader of Uber, Reed Hastings representing Netflix, the innovative Steve Wozniak from Apple, renowned venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki, Anshula Kant from the World Bank Group, Gautam Adani of Adani Group, Sunil Bharti Mittal from Bharti Enterprises, the iconic actor Shah Rukh Khan, and the esteemed Economist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, among other influential figures. This summit continues to be a nexus of unparalleled insights and global perspectives, bringing together the brightest minds to shape the future of business and innovation.



About ET Edge



ET Edge an Initiative of The Times Group is India's largest conference and thought leadership company. Since its inception in 2015, ET Edge has been at the forefront of creating unique thought leadership initiatives with the objective to empower multiple sectors, industries, and segments by dispersing critical business knowledge through strategically developed specialised conferences and summits.



A team of young, enthusiastic, and innovative minds across multiple cities in India work together towards a common objective of curating pertinent conversations that address today's business needs. The Times Group Global Business Summit is among ET Edge's flagship IPs, which strives to bring together visionaries and key global leaders through its enriched knowledge platforms to aid the symbiotic relationship between societies and businesses. Some of the other marque conference properties of ET Edge include (SDG) Sustainability Development Goals Summit, Supply Chain Summit, CX Summit, and Best Brands series.



(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
Jammu, Feb 3 (PTI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir born Aroma Mission will be among the torchbearers of "Viksit Bharat".

The Minister was speaking after chairing the first-of-its-kind meeting with PRI representatives, including members from District Development Councils. The meeting, aimed at fostering connection with the society for StartUp promotion in the region, was held at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.

J&K has become a role model for the rest of India, which was exemplified by the depiction of lavender farms of Bhaderwah town of Doda, through a tableau on Kartavya Path in the national capital on the occasion of the Republic Day.

The youth of J&K associated with the Aroma StartUps ecosystem have emerged as brand ambassadors of purple revolution across the country, he said.

Describing J&Ks Aroma Mission as a success story, he called for investing time and efforts to harness the hitherto unexplored or under-explored areas, contending that these areas hold the key to propelling Indias economy.

The minister said agri startups are fast becoming avenues of self-employment for youth of the Union Territory. Pitching for more public-private partnership in agri startups, Singh said the era of silos is over, hence collaboration should be fostered among the two sectors.

Underlining the importance of generating awareness about cultivation of Himalayan resources like lavender, he called upon the DDC members to play their part in this endeavour so that a large number of youth in their areas can join agri start-ups and earn their livelihoods in a sustainable manner, and contribute to Indias GDP.

The Minister also called upon CSIR-IIIM to conduct research and find out which new crops are feasible for cultivation based on the topography of different regions of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that more and more people need to be engaged in the agri-startup ecosystem.

In the last 10 years under the leadership of Modi, the number of start-ups in the country has crossed one-and-a-half-lakh mark, he said, adding Indias bio-economy is currently valued at over USD 140 billion from USD 10 billion a decade ago.

The minister expressed happiness at India being known as a leader in preventive healthcare in the world, thanks to its much recognised vaccine programme which helped save lakhs of lives across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the space sector, he said investment worth more than Rs 1,000 crore has come in the area in just eight months last year.

He said the government has set a target of attracting more than USD 40 billion dollar investment by 2040 in space.

But, India is expected to exceed the target according to the recent ADL (Arthur D Little) Report which said the country is projected to reach USD 100 billion by 2040."

Singh said the number of space startups has grown in India since Prime Minister Modi undertook reforms in this sector.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) GST intelligence officers have detected fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) cases worth Rs 18,000 crore from April to December in the current fiscal and arrested 98 people, the finance ministry said on Saturday.

In the current financial year, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has laid special emphasis to identify and apprehend the masterminds of fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) and disrupting syndicates, operating across the country.

"In the current financial year (up to December 2023), 1,700 fake ITC cases involving Rs 18,000 crore have been detected and 98 fraudsters/masterminds have been apprehended," a statement said.

DGGI has unravelled cases using data analysis aided by advanced technical tools, leading to the arrest of tax evaders.

These tax syndicates often use gullible persons and enticed them with jobs/commission/bank loan, etc, to extract their Know Your Customers (KYC) documents, which were then used to create fake/shell firms/companies without their knowledge and consent.

In some cases, KYC method was used with the knowledge of the person concerned by paying them small pecuniary benefits, the ministry added.
Washington, Feb 3 (AP) Satya Nadella marks his tenth year as Microsoft CEO on Sunday, capping a decade of stunning growth as he pivoted the slow-moving software giant into a laser focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Microsoft's stock has soared by more than 1,000% since Indian-origin Nadella took the helm in 2014, compared to the more gradual 185% growth of the broader S&P 500. Microsoft now has a market value of $3 trillion  more than any U.S. publicly traded company, including its longtime rival Apple.

"Nadella's had the biggest transformation of a tech company potentially ever," said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. The only one that would rival it was (Steve) Jobs coming back to Apple and turning it around with the iPhone.

Microsoft has created $2.8 trillion in shareholder wealth in the past decade, meaning an investor who bought a $10,000 stake in Microsoft at the time Nadella took over and did nothing with those shares, would have a stake worth about $113,000 now.

Our industry does not respect tradition  it only respects innovation, Nadella told employees in an inaugural memo 10 years ago, an opening salvo that hinted at bigger shifts to come. Microsoft declined requests for an interview.

Now a hero to Wall Street, some were at first skeptical that such transformation could come from an insider who'd already spent 22 years at the Redmond, Washington company. He's only the third Microsoft CEO, following Steve Ballmer, who lasted for 14 years, and Bill Gates, who co-founded the company in 1975 and took it public in 1986.

Big changes came quickly under Nadella. He marshaled resources to build up the Azure cloud computing platform, a shift in priorities from the company's longtime reliance on its flagship Windows operating system and the royalties it gets for each PC sold with it. And he largely put the brakes on Microsoft's ill-fated attempts to play catch-up in the smartphone market, marked by his predecessor Ballmer's $7.3 billion acquisition of Nokia's phone business.

But some of the biggest changes were in the company's culture, a shift away from Microsoft's brash external reputation and internal bickering to a more collaborative approach that Nadella has modeled in his own collegial personality and engineer's mindset.

Microsoft is known for rallying the troops with competitive fire," Nadella said in his 2017 autobiography. "The press loves that, but it's not me.

Much of Nadella's strength is how he stands out from the typical very strong ego CEO," said Raimo Lenschow, a stock analyst at Barclays who covers 36 tech companies. Instead of making bold pronouncements, Lenschow said Nadella takes a more measured approach to explaining where he thinks the future is going."

And "whether it's the person making food in the cafeteria, an engineer, finance executive, a customer, he treats everyone in the same way, with respect, said Ives. It's not just Wall Street analysts who think so.

A tiny startup from Zeeland, Michigan, running a booth at January's CES gadget show in Las Vegas caught a glimpse of Nadella's curiosity when he showed up, shook founder Tim Murphy's hand and asked for a demo. The product, Audio Radar, visualizes the sounds in video games for deaf and hard of hearing players.

He's very down to earth, said Murphy, who was there with a small crew including his teen son. I gave him the pitch, played some games, and he was like, It's wonderful what you're doing.' Honestly, I can't really remember too much of what he said because I was just kind of shocked.

Nadella has long made the accessibility of technology a priority, informed in part by his experience raising a son who was visually impaired, quadriplegic and had cerebral palsy. Zain Nadella died in 2022.

What's brought Microsoft to its latest heights is its emergence as an artificial intelligence leader, setting the agenda on how AI tools could get used in work and society. While Nadella has been emphasizing AI for most of his tenure, its role was not guaranteed and happened after years of careful planning that led to a close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. (OpenAI pays The Associated Press an undisclosed fee to license its archive of news stories).

Historically, if you're a cool startup that was doing something amazing, Microsoft wasn't really your first choice, Lenschow said. So the fact that he got OpenAI to commit to Azure was an amazing masterstroke ... it gives him a massive, competitive advantage over Google and Amazon."

That position was put in jeopardy late last year when OpenAI's board of directors suddenly fired CEO Sam Altman. A weekend of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and a threatened mass exodus of employees championed by Nadella helped bring back Altman and stabilize the startup, assuaging clients and shareholders. He handled that like he was in the World Series of Poker playing against little kids, Ives said.

Nadella's tenure hasn't been without hiccups, especially given how much of the world relies so heavily on Microsoft products  sometimes to the frustration of people using them.

Cybersecurity experts say its tendency is to sacrifice security for convenience, including in its gung-ho rollout of AI large language models. The company's trademark suite of work tools, Microsoft Office 365, has also been penetrated successfully in recent years in embarrassing high-profile compromises that have seen elite Russian and Chinese cyber operators access the email accounts of senior U.S. officials and members of Microsoft's senior leadership team.

It stepped in to provide cloud hosting to Ukraine just ahead of Russia's 2022 invasion, but the networks serving NATO allies are constantly peppered by intrusion attempts. That, and the worsening ransomware scourge, have led Nadella to call for a cyber Geneva Convention with Russia and China.

And despite Nadella's stated aversion to competitive fire, Microsoft is once again drawing the kind of antitrust scrutiny that dogged Gates and Ballmer in earlier years. Nadella's confident testimony at a federal court hearing last summer helped persuade a judge not to block Microsoft's purchase of video game giant Activision Blizzard, but the company is now facing another round of questions on its partnership with OpenAI.

None of those challenges are likely to push Nadella, 56, who made $48.5 million in total compensation last year and has also chaired Microsoft's board since 2021, out of his leadership roles anytime soon.

From everything I can gather, he's really enjoying himself, Lenschow said. We're in very, very, very interesting times. I would expect him to stay for a while. (AP) AMS
Shimla, Feb 3 (PTI) Renewal of drawings sanctioned for housing projects in the state is not mandatory, said Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Chairman Shrikant Baldi.

Speaking at the 16th Naredco National Convention in New Delhi on Saturday he said that as real estate sector has begun to grow at a rate of 10 per cent (approx), the HP-RERA approached the state government and succeeded in persuading it to make the validity of once sanctioned drawings for real estate and housing projects, a one time thing.

Earlier, the time limit for constructing such projects was three years which was extended to five years after which the drawings had to be renewed, a statement issued here said.

Baldi, who is also the President of the All India forum of RERA, further informed that this was the demand of developers in general and other stakeholders, and the sustainability limit for sanctioned drawings was extended.

The government of the state permitted its RERA to undertake the proposed move incorporating necessary changes in the state's town planning statutes.

The Chairman also informed that the RERA of the state does not accept physical documents for registering any housing and real estate projects, nor does it entertain any requests for complaint lodging by any stakeholders in Real Estate.

Instead, it entertains compliments and complaints online to ensure that transparency is strictly observed in every format through which real estate activities are permitted in the state.
Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) Panelists at an event that seeks to empower LGBTQIA+ storytellers called for more films on queer stories driven by nuanced characters.

The event on Friday was part of the culmination of the QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab. Led by The Queer Muslim Project, the Lab supports LGBTQIA+ storytellers with the tools, resources, and networks needed to boost their careers and tell stories that can drive meaningful change and contribute to new queer narratives from South Asia.

The conversation "Pathways to Queer Inclusion in Cinema" was attended by screenwriter-director Alankrita Shrivastava, influencer-actor Trinetra Haldar, associate producer of Junglee Pictures Uzma Khan and filmmaker Arvind Caulagi.

The discussion weaved together perspectives from the film industry and suggested a future of inclusivity, focussing on the need for more diverse representation behind the camera. The panel also explored ways in which diverse queer narratives can drive a meaningful change and contribute to affirmative narratives.

The event also featured the screening of award-winning French film "Two of Us". The 2019 romantic drama film, directed by Filippo Meneghetti, was selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.

It encapsulates the story of two retired women who have been secretly in love for decades.

The 2023 edition of QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab featured 10 diverse storytellers and screenwriters from different parts of India, who received creative guidance and mentorship from leading industry professionals to write and develop original short narrative fiction screenplays on queer themes.
SANAA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Houthi camps in Yemen's capital Sanaa were hit by airstrikes on Saturday night, residents told Xinhua.

The airstrikes hit camps around Sanaa, and the sound of many fighter jets could be heard in downtown Sanaa, residents said.

The explosions occurred in the northern and southern mountains surrounding the capital, added the residents.

According to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the airstrikes hit the mountain of al-Nahdain and Attan, both military camps controlled by the Houthi group.

Residents near those mountains told Xinhua the explosions were very powerful, shaking the ground and smashing windows of many nearby buildings.

Meanwhile, al-Masirah TV said "U.S.-British aggression" launched airstrikes on targets in the capital city.

The U.S.-British maritime coalition did not comment on the strikes. However, U.S. media quoted unnamed U.S. military officials who said the U.S. army hit over 30 Houthis on Saturday in various locations in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The officials claimed the airstrikes were part of the response to the drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan last week.

This was the fourth operation by the U.S.-led coalition against Houthi targets in under 24 hours.

Hours before the latest airstrikes on Sanaa, the U.S. Central Command briefed on previous strikes on the same day on social media platform X, saying that "at 7:20 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes in self-defense against six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea."

"U.S. forces identified the cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," it added.

The Houthi group on Saturday evening reported several strikes on the western province of Hodeidah on the Red Sea.

The group said the strikes targeted sites in the northern district of Alluheyah and the southern district of Durayhimi.

The Houthis usually do not report casualties.

The previous strikes targeted Houthi sites in the northern province of Saada and the northwestern province of Hajjah during the early morning of Saturday.

On Friday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching a long-range missile toward Israel's city of Eilat, which Israeli defense forces said they intercepted and destroyed the missile before it reached its target.

The Houthis have launched more than 40 attacks against Israel and Israeli-linked commercial ships in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Houthis said their attacks came in support of the Palestinian people, demanding Israel to end war and siege on Gaza.

The Houthi group, which controls the Yemeni strategic province of Hodeidah on the Red Sea, has vowed to launch more attacks against Israel, U.S. and British commercial vessels and navy ships in the Red Sea.

Houthi leaders have said the U.S.-British airstrikes on the group's sites in northern Yemen will not deter them from launching more attacks on the shipping lines. 
London, Feb 3 (PTI) The UK's Opposition Labour Party is overhauling its outreach efforts to British Indians, amid concern that the partys support among the countrys largest ethnic minority has slumped in recent years, according to a media report.

Indian-origin people remain both the largest Asian ethnic group and largest non-white ethnic group in the UK and constitute 3.1 per cent of the population at 1.8 million, according to the 2021 UK census.

The Labour Party led by Keir Starmer has taken a series of measures designed to reconnect with British Indians, including hiring two community outreach volunteers, revamping the Labour Friends of India group and organising a trip to India for two of its senior shadow ministers, The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.

There is growing evidence that Labour has lost the support of people of Indian descent.

In 2010, 61 per cent of British Indians said they supported Labour, but a survey seen by the Guardian shows by 2019 that figure had dropped to just 30 per cent.

Senior Labour leaders worry that having Rishi Sunak as Britains first Hindu prime minister could increase the trend.

Focus groups carried out late last year among first-, second- and third-generation Indians by the consultancy Public First showed the problem facing Labour.

One participant said Sunaks position showed the tables were turning for British Indians, while another commented: Its really good how hes brought the Indian community into the traditions of 10 Downing Street.

The latest a general election must be called is January 2025, but there is a very small chance that Sunak would want to delay the polls beyond next year.

According to the 2021 Census, Hindus in England and Wales enumerated 1,032,775, or 1.7 per cent of the population.

Weve taken Indian voters for granted for years, but its becoming increasingly obvious they are going elsewhere and we need to do something about that," the paper quoted one party official as saying.

A party spokesperson said: Keir Starmers changed Labour party is back in the service of working people and continues to engage with people of all backgrounds and faiths  including our Indian communities.

The measures being taken by party supporters include setting up a new group called Labour Indians to organise community events and target messages to British Indians on social media.

Krish Raval, the groups chair, said: As a canvassing umbrella initiative focused on event organisation and social media dissemination, were looking to serve the widest group of stakeholders to ensure a Labour victory.

Two volunteers have been hired to work with the group, with part of their work focused on briefing Labour parliamentary candidates on issues of importance to India.

On Sunday the shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the shadow business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, will travel to Delhi and Mumbai on a five-day trip also designed to demonstrate the party is not hostile to Indian interests.

Indians are the second-largest immigrant group in the UK.

For years nearly two-thirds of British Indians supported Labour, in line with other minority-ethnic groups.

But that has fallen sharply in recent years.

Experts say the shift has come about partly for socioeconomic reasons and partly for religious ones.

As British Indians have become richer in recent years, survey data shows their attitudes have become more conservative.

The UK in a Changing Europe survey shows that most Hindus who voted in the 2019 election supported the Tories.

These long-term trends were exacerbated by Jeremy Corbyns leadership of the Labour Party, given his support for an independent Kashmir  a view that is highly unpopular among Indian Hindus.
Male, Feb 3 (PTI) The Maldives' government has formally requested the Indian government to provide "comprehensive details" of an incident in which its coast guard personnel allegedly boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels operating within its economic zone.

The development is the latest in the diplomatic row between the two nations that led to the strain in bilateral ties after President Mohamed Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, came to power in November last year in the Maldives.

There was no immediate response from the Indian government to the Maldivian allegations.

On January 31, the Indian Army intercepted a Maldivian fishing boat engaged in fishing activities within the Maldives' Special Economic Zone (EEZ), located 72 nautical miles northeast of Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, the Maldives' defence ministry claimed in a statement on Friday.

It said that the Indian troops boarded three fishing boats within the Maldives EEZ without prior consultation with relevant authorities, thereby breaching international maritime laws and regulations.

"Consequently, the Maldivian government has initiated an official request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking comprehensive details of the incident from the Indian government," it said.

The statement said that boarding teams from Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Indian Coast Guard Ship 253 were responsible for interrogating the fishing boats.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year.

Muizzu after becoming President 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.

His government was entangled in a diplomatic row with India after derogatory social media posts by three of his ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India on Friday said a "set of mutually workable solutions" was agreed upon with the Maldives for continuing the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the island nation.

At present, around 80 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.

The Indian platforms have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years.

Following the high-level meeting in New Delhi, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India will replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10.

"Both sides agreed that the government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10," it said in a statement.
Colombo, Feb 3 (PTI) INS Karanj, an Indian Navy submarine, arrived in the port of Colombo on Thursday, ahead of Sri Lankas 76th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.

On a two-day visit, the submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy.

INS Karanj is 67.5 metres long with a crew of 53 under the commandeering of Commander Arunabh, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

INS Karanj will depart the island nation on February 5, symbolising the strengthened maritime relations between India and Sri Lanka, LankaNewsWeb.net, a news portal said, adding, The diplomatic and cultural exchange during this visit contributes to the broader cooperation between the two nations in the maritime domain.
Islamabad, Feb 3 (PTI) Pakistan's information minister said on Saturday that full security arrangements were made to conduct the general election in a peaceful, fair, free, and transparent manner.

Murtaza Solangi was addressing the media and election observers along with the officials of the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Interior and the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Pakistan will go to polls on February 8.

He said that some elements had been spreading rumours in the recent past about the elections, citing the severity of the weather, the law and order situation, or some other issues.

"Full security arrangements have been made at the polling stations, and the government will ensure peaceful and transparent elections on February 8," he said.

"Police would be in the first tier, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary would perform duty in the second tier, while the third tier of security would be with the Pakistan Army as a quick response force."

To a question, he said that law and order and terrorism were not new issues in Pakistan, as it has been battling the scourge of terrorism for the past few decades. He recalled that the 2008 and 2013 elections were conducted under the shadow of security threats.

"Since 2021, with the change of guard in Kabul, terrorist groups of various hues and colours having safe sanctuaries in a neighbouring country have become more active he said, adding Pakistan was taking action against terrorists and that peaceful elections would be ensured at all costs.

"Our battle-hardened security forces are fully prepared for the elections," Solangi maintained.

He said that at least 92 international observers from different countries will cover the elections. The observers belonged to the European Union, Commonwealth, Russian Federation, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Germany.

In response to a question about the allegations of victimisation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and party workers, he said that these allegations were baseless and absurd and clarified that some PTI activists were arrested. Still, they were detained in connection with their involvement in the May 9 incidents or other criminal acts.

 The minister said the PTI leadership was free to criticize the government and the court's verdicts. Moreover, they have other legal options, including knocking on the doors of courts, including the superior judiciary.

He also said that was now the fifth largest democracy in the world where the media enjoyed full freedom and everyone had the right to express opinion and criticize the government.

The remarks came as Pakistan was four days away from the general elections which are set to be held despite rumours about delay due to security reasons and inclement winter conditions.

About 18,000 candidates are in the race for the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.

The four provincial assemblies in which elections will occur are Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan province.

The National Assembly (NA) has a total of 336 seats; 266 general seats, 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims and 60 reserved seats for women.
Islamabad, Feb 3 (PTI) Pakistan's information minister Murtaza Solangi on Saturday said the caretaker government has made full security arrangements to conduct the general election on February 8 in a peaceful, fair, free, and transparent manner.

Solangi was addressing the media and election observers along with the officials of the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Interior and the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Pakistan will go to polls on February 8.

He said that some elements had been spreading rumours in the recent past about the elections, citing the severity of the weather, the law and order situation, or some other issues.

"Full security arrangements have been made at the polling stations, and the government will ensure peaceful and transparent elections on February 8," he said.

"Police would be in the first tier, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary would perform duty in the second tier, while the third tier of security would be with the Pakistan Army as a quick response force."

To a question, he said that law and order and terrorism were not new issues in Pakistan, as it has been battling the scourge of terrorism for the past few decades. He recalled that the 2008 and 2013 elections were conducted under the shadow of security threats.

"Since 2021, with the change of guard in Kabul, terrorist groups of various hues and colours having safe sanctuaries in a neighbouring country have become more active he said, adding Pakistan was taking action against terrorists and that peaceful elections would be ensured at all costs.

"Our battle-hardened security forces are fully prepared for the elections," Solangi maintained.

He said that at least 92 international observers from different countries will cover the elections. The observers belonged to the European Union, Commonwealth, Russian Federation, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Germany.

In response to a question about the allegations of victimisation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and party workers, he said that these allegations were baseless and absurd and clarified that some PTI activists were arrested. Still, they were detained in connection with their involvement in the May 9 incidents or other criminal acts.

 The minister said the PTI leadership was free to criticize the government and the court's verdicts. Moreover, they have other legal options, including knocking on the doors of courts, including the superior judiciary.

He also said that was now the fifth largest democracy in the world where the media enjoyed full freedom and everyone had the right to express opinion and criticize the government.

The remarks came as Pakistan was four days away from the general elections which are set to be held despite rumours about delay due to security reasons and inclement winter conditions.

About 18,000 candidates are in the race for the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.

The four provincial assemblies in which elections will occur are Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan province.

The National Assembly (NA) has a total of 336 seats; 266 general seats, 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims and 60 reserved seats for women.
London, Feb 3 (AP) An Irish nationalist made history Saturday by becoming Northern Ireland's first minister as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill was nominated as first minister in the government that under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord shares power between Northern Ireland's two main communities  British unionists who want to stay in the UK, and Irish nationalists who seek to unite with Ireland. Northern Ireland was established as a unionist, Protestant-majority part of the UK in 1921, following independence for the Republic of Ireland.

The days of second-class citizenship are long gone. Today confirms that they are never coming back, O'Neill said. As an Irish republican, I pledge cooperation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition, and who cherish the Union. This is an assembly for all  Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.

Neither side can govern without agreement from the other. Government business ground to a half over the past two years after the Democratic Unionist Party walked out to protest trade issues related to Brexit.

O'Neill will share power with deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the DUP. The two will be equals, but O'Neill, whose party captured more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections, will hold the more prestigious title.

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as speaker of the chamber.

O'Neill, 47, was elected to the Stormont Assembly in 2007 and comes from a family of Irish republicans. Her party, Sinn Fein, was affiliated with the militant Irish Republican Army during the Troubles, a period of about 30 years of violent conflict over the future of Northern Ireland which ended with the Good Friday Agreement.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who helped broker the historic peace agreement, was in the gallery at the assembly to see O'Neill's nomination.

The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Northern Ireland's 1.9 million people were left without a functioning administration as the cost of living soared and public services were strained.

An open border between the north and the republic was a key pillar of the peace process that ended the Troubles, so checks were imposed instead between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

An agreement a year ago between the UK and the EU, known as the Windsor Framework, eased customs checks and other hurdles but didn't go far enough for the DUP, which continued its boycott.

The UK government this week agreed to new changes that would eliminate routine checks and paperwork for most goods entering Northern Ireland, although some checks will remain for illegal goods or disease prevention.

The new changes included legislation affirming Northern Ireland's constitutional status as part of the UK and gives local politicians democratic oversight of any future EU laws that might apply to Northern Ireland.

The UK government also agreed to give Northern Ireland more than 3 billion pounds (USD 3.8 billion) for its battered public services once the Belfast government is back up and running.

I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldn't," DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said outside the assembly chamber in Stormont. We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union. (AP) NPK

NPK
Washington, Feb 3 (AP) The US military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan last weekend, according the the US military and officials.

President Joe Biden and other top US leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces, Biden said in a statement. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

The massive barrage of strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGC's Quds Force, the Guard's expeditionary unit that handles Tehran's relationship and arming of regional militias.

US Central Command said the strikes used more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range bombers flown from the United States.

One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation, said B-1 bombers were used.

Two Iraqi militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists said that three houses used as headquarters were targeted in al-Qaim, Iraq, including a weapons storage area. An operations headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, in Akashat, Iraq, and weapons stores were targeted.

The assault came came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

It was unclear what the next steps will be, or whether the days of US warnings have sent militia members scattering into hiding, making it more difficult to detect and strike them. But it was evident that the recent statement released by Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, saying it was suspending attacks on American troops had no impact on the administration's plans.

The US strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders, as the US tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack.

Just Friday morning, Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any US strikes targeting its interests. We will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response, Raisi said.

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government." But Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed Friday to continue military operations against U.S. troops.

The US has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the deadly attack in Jordan, but has not yet narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataeb Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

Some of the militias have been a threat to US bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The war has led to the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and has inflamed the Middle East.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or US interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and US warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He added, We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interests and our people. And we will respond when we choose, where we choose and how we choose.

At this point, it's time to take away even more capability than we've taken in the past, Austin said.

As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on US military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a US military official. The last attack was Jan. 29 at at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The US, meanwhile, has bolstered defenses at the base in Jordan that was attacked by the ran-backed militants on Sunday, according to a US official.

And the Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.

A US official also said the military had taken additional self-defense strikes inside Yemen Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said that British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.

While previous US responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22, as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said.

That drone attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely Army National Guard  was the first to result in US combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. Tower 22 houses about 350 US troops and sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

Also on Friday, the US Treasury imposed new sanctions on a network of firms in Iran and Hong Kong that are accused of assisting Iran procure technology to make ballistic weapons and drones. And the US hit six Iranian officials with sanctions for allegedly committing a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the US and other nations. (AP) RUP

RUP
Washington, Feb 3 (PTI) The United States has retaliated against the killing of its soldiers in Jordan by striking on a dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard .

President Joe Biden and other top US leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn't be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond, Biden said in a statement after the US started carrying out such strikes on Friday.

Biden said this past Sunday that three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Earlier in the day, he attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base. He also spoke with each of their families.

This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, Biden said.

According to US Central Command, at 4:00 pm EST (2.30 am IST) its forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against IRGC Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces, the CENTCOM said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said these strikes were at seven facilities that IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack US forces.

This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces, he said.

These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces. We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests, Austin said.
Bhopal, Feb 3 (PTI) A leadership development program for Madhya Pradesh cabinet ministers got underway in the state capital on Saturday.

"This Leadership Summit will bring efficiency and efficiency in governance. This is an orientation programme to develop the leadership capacity of the Council of Ministers," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said after inaugurating the two-day event at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis.

He said decisions taken by the state cabinet impact the lives of the people.

"Therefore, intermittent training for Cabinet members is necessary. Training will provide an opportunity to learn the nuances of governance, which will strengthen the administration, and its direct benefits will be available to the people of the state through the cabinet decisions," Yadav added.



He said the training will provide an opportunity for ministers to learn to coordinate with the Centre and with departments in the state.
Thane, Feb 3 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday termed as "very unfortunate" the firing on a Shiv Sena leader allegedly by a BJP MLA inside a police station in Thane district.

Shinde visited the hospital where critically injured Mahesh Gaikwad is being treated for gunshot injuries.

"Eknath Shinde on Saturday visited the hospital to enquire about the health of Mahesh Gaikwad. He was apprised by doctors about Gaikwad's health condition. He wished speedy recovery for Gaikwad," an official release said.

Shinde also took detailed information about the incident from police officers, it said.

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shinde-led Senas Kalyan unit chief, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, a senior police officer said.

Police have arrested Ganpat Gaikwad, Harshal Kene, (34) and Sandeep Sarwankar (45), and formed four teams to trace other accused.

A video of firing inside the police station has gone viral on social media.
Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 2, 2024. During the meeting, historical ties between Tunisia and Algeria as well as the development of bilateral cooperation and several issues of common interest were discussed. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied received on Friday visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement.

During the meeting, historical ties between Tunisia and Algeria as well as the development of bilateral cooperation and several issues of common interest were discussed.

Saied insisted on his country's attachment to anchoring the tradition of consultation and solid coordination between the leaders of the two countries.

"It will be necessary to strengthen the complementarity between Tunisia and Algeria and explore new approaches and working tools to satisfy the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples, starting with economic and commercial cooperation until the development of border areas without forgetting the strengthening of trade and investment," said Saied.

Attaf, for his part, extended a written message from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Saied which expressed the former's desire to develop bilateral ties for the benefit of the two countries and all neighboring countries, according to the statement. 

Tunisian President Kais Saied (L) shakes hands with visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf during their meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 2, 2024. During the meeting, historical ties between Tunisia and Algeria as well as the development of bilateral cooperation and several issues of common interest were discussed. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)
Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) The shooting incident in Thane district has brought to the fore the simmering tensions between the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena in Kalyan with both parties eyeing this Lok Sabha constituency, currently represented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde.

Although the Shiv Sena and the BJP are ruling partners in the state, their relationship is under strain in the Kalyan constituency in Thane district, a bastion of CM Shinde.

On Friday night, Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, who belongs to the BJP, shot at and injured Mahesh Gaikwad, the chief of Shinde-led Sena in Kalyan, inside the senior police inspector's chamber in a police station in Ulhasnagar, sending shockwaves in state political circles.

According to the police, Ganpat Gaikwads son went to the police station on Friday evening to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived there with his men. Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

An altercation broke out between the MLA and the Sena leader, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspectors chamber, injuring him and Mahesh's associate Rahul Patil, a police officer said.

Defending his act, Ganpat Gaikwad said he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station.

Targeting Eknath Shinde, he said only criminals will be born in Maharashtra if Shinde is the chief minister.

Notably, the state Home department is headed by senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnvais, who has ordered a high-level inquiry into the firing incident.

"Shinde sahib betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray). He will betray the BJP. He owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra has to be well-managed," Ganpat Gaikwad told Marathi news channel Zee24taas over the phone before his arrest,

Though there had been instances of sharp exchanges between the Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena and local BJP leaders in Kalyan, the firing incident indicates that the political rivalry has taken a dangerous turn.

In December, following the BJP's victory in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan elections, Ganpat Gaikwad demanded that the party field its candidate from Kalyan for the Lok Sabha polls.

Last June, BJP leaders passed a resolution to not support Shrikant Shinde's candidature after a case was registered against one of their workers over a conflict with Shiv Sena workers. Though both sides patched up later, the discontent brewed.

State minister and BJP leader Ravindra Chavan, who comes from the Kalyan region, had also sparred with Shrikant Shinde.

The Kalyan constituency was once represented by the BJP but it later went to Shiv Sena (undivided) after two saffron parties started contesting elections as allies. The Shiv Sena (undivided) has won all three elections from this constituency, which was created in 2008.



However, with areas in Kalyan, Dombivli and Ulhasnagar having sizable BJP pockets, local cadres have been demanding that the BJP field its candidate from Kalyan in upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Shiv Sena led by Shinde is, however, not ready to vacate the seat for BJP.

Of the six assembly segments in Kalyan, the BJP won three in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while MNS, Shiv Sena and the NCP bagged one each.
Kolkata, Feb 3 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that her government would transfer funds to the bank accounts of 21 lakh unpaid MGNREGA workers in the state by February 21.

Banerjee, who started a 48-hour-dharna in front of BR Ambedkar statue in the city on Friday demanding the Centre to release "unpaid dues" from the Centre for various social welfare schemes.

"We do not want to beg to BJP nor do we want BJP's alms. By February 21, we will transfer money to the bank accounts of 21 lakh workers who did not get the money even working for three years for the 100 days work scheme for the last 3 years," Banerjee announced from the dharna site.

The TMC supremo also said that her party will go all out against the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.
Kolkata, Feb 3 (PTI) Expressing displeasure at the medical termination of pregnancy of a rape victim by a team of doctors, the Calcutta High Court sought an explanation from them as to why it was done despite an order to only form a medical board for ascertaining the pros and cons of doing so.

A report filed by the West Bengal government said that the pregnancy has already been terminated.

Observing that such action on the part of the concerned doctors was an over-action, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya said on Friday that the court had not permitted the medical termination of pregnancy, but had only sought a report regarding its pros and cons.

Justice Bhattacharyya ordered the concerned doctors who carried out the procedure to give an explanation as to why the termination was carried out "in such hot haste" without there being any direction of the court to do so.

The court directed that the report, to be filed before it on February 9, will state if there was any particular cause of such urgency.

Justice Bhattacharyya had on January 29 directed the West Bengal government to form a medical board, which was reported by PTI, to examine the condition of the rape victim who wanted to terminate her pregnancy caused by the incident and file a report before the court on February 2.

The petitioner's lawyer had submitted before the court that she was suffering grave mental trauma and as such the court may permit the medical termination of the pregnancy which was stated to be between 20 to 24 weeks.

The counsel for the state, while not opposing the prayer, had 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.

Maintaining that the court was not an expert in the field, Justice Bhattacharyya had said that a medical board is required to be constituted to ascertain the pros and cons of medical termination of the pregnancy of the petitioner.

He had directed that the medical board would 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 had directed that the petitioner be examined at the state-run M R Bangur Hospital here.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge here on Saturday said Rahul Gandhi is taking out Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra under adverse conditions to save the countrys democracy and constitution and if this struggle fails people will suffer under the Modi government.

Kharge thanked Gandhi on behalf of the Congress and said that his decision to take out Yatra was perhaps the biggest step taken by any leader in the party so far.

He is seeking justice for all including youth, women, farmers and poor people. Despite such adverse situations and cold conditions, he is taking out the Yatra. He is fighting against the atrocities of the BJP government, Kharge said at the 'Nyay Sankalp Sammelan' rally in East Delhi.

This fight is to save democracy and the constitution of the country. If you fail to support the Congress in this fight, you will become a slave of Modi," Kharge said.

In a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress president charged him with not fulfilling his promises to provide jobs to the youth and recover black money generated in the country.

"What is Modi's guarantee? His guarantee is not fulfilling promises," Kharge said.

He accused the prime minister of trying to "impose his views on the country and punishing everyone for gaining power.

"Our fight is against the RSS and BJP. They want to finish the country and alienate the poor. Congress will have to go to every household to create awareness against BJP's divisive policy," he said.

Kharge said that anyone in the country including the Congressmen who talk sense are slapped with FIRs, alleging the BJP wanted to scare the people of the country and the opposition parties to remain in power.

He claimed that 411 legislators of opposition parties have been booked and sent to jail and the BJP tried to form governments in the states by framing and booking the MLAs of opposition parties ruling there.

He said that in Jharkhand the BJP tried to break off opposition MLAs but the tribal legislators of Congress and RJD remained resolute to resist such a move and the alliance government was formed again.

Kharge also lashed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for quitting the Mahagathbandhan alliance. "He used to talk a lot about socialism but turned out to be Paltu Kumar.

He called upon the Delhi Congress leaders and workers to focus on booth-level activities and appoint party workers who were aggressive and diligent to ensure there were no irregularities during polling of votes.

He said Congress will win the Lok Sabha election in the country if it wins in Delhi. It is yet to be seen how many seats Congress gets to contest for Lok Sabha polls and urged party workers to visit every household and work hard in every constituency.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) Lal Krishna Advani not only deeply influenced the politics of his time but was key to putting it on a course which has marked an unstoppable decline of its once dominant 'secular' ideology, derided by him as "pseudo secular", and political parties representing it while the BJP soared.

The Bharat Ratna for him comes nine years after the honour was bestowed on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The two leaders together spearheaded the journey of the Jana Sangh and then the BJP for over five decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement Saturday of the country's highest civilian honour for the 96-year-old leader has come in the year of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' at the temple marks a triumphant closure for the BJP of a deeply emotive issue which was thrust into popular consciousness by Advani through his 'Ram Rath Yatra' in 1990, opening the path for the Hindutva party's steady rise through the decade.

It is so fitting that a key architect of the temple movement has been given the honour by the Modi government in this year, a BJP leader said.

While Hindutva groups, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, had been agitating for a temple before the BJP took it up, it is his yatra which is credited for making it a mass movement.

Modi himself was a key organiser of the yatra.

Advani may or may not have coined phrases like "pseudo secularism" and "appeasement politics" but it is he who transformed them into popular idiom of Hindutva politics.

Admired by his contemporaries as a political strategist and organisation-builder, it was under his presidency that the BJP decided to lend its whole-hearted support to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement by adopting a resolution in its Palampur convention in 1989 in support of building a temple at what devotees believe to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The BJP's decidedly turn to the right drew all-round condemnation from political sphere but fired its cadres going adrift after its disastrous performance in the 1984 Lok Sabha polls when it could only win two seats and cited "Gandhian socialism" as one of its foundational principals.

His Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 drew frenzied support and communal riots happened at different places but its popular appeal brought the BJP to power for the first time on its own in a big state like Uttar Pradesh and entrenched the party as a key force in a host of other states.

The demolition of Babri mosque at the site in Ayodhya by a mob in 1992 was described by Advani as the "saddest" day of his life, as the party feared political isolation and legal troubles with the Congress government at the Centre dismissing all its four state governments.

An early "Hindu Hriday Samrat", the RSS volunteer whose organisational abilities and ideological clarity made a perfect foil with the softer and more popular Vajpayee has been admired by party colleagues and even critics for his emphasis on probity in public life.

He resigned as an MP after his name was mentioned in the infamous Hawala diary and some of his colleagues, including then Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa, were nudged by him to quit after facing serious allegations.

His decision in 1995 to name Vajpayee as the BJP's prime ministerial face when the party was fully behind him was truly an act of "putting party before self", a leader said.

The BJP's rise to power with Vajpayee as its face connecting with the masses and bringing new allies as well showed Advani's political acumen.

Ironically the man who was instrumental in bringing Hindutva politics from the fringes into mainstream grew himself suspect of its political return and tried to take on a more moderate and secular avtar after it appeared that the party had hit a plateau following its surprise loss to the Congress in the 2004 polls.

During his visit to Pakistan in 2005, he showered its founder M A Jinnah with high praise at his mausoleum in Karachi, suggesting that the proponent of the two-nation theory was secular and an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Incidentally, Karachi is also Advani's birthplace.

The fierce blowback his comments triggered massively dented his Hindutva image and, many believe, permanently dented his ties with the RSS.

At times, he was also critical of the Hindutva organisation of its interventions in BJP's politics.

It is a credit to his standing within the party where he groomed a generation of leaders, including backing Modi to continue as Gujarat chief minister after the 2002 riots, that Advani remained its tallest leader even in a diminished version of himself for several more years.

He was the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in the 2009 polls but popular support was missing, and the party with an active role by the RSS finally decided to ease him out and elevate Modi as its national face ahead of the 2014 polls.

Advani's outbursts to Modi's rise and gamesmanship further dented him within the party as its cadres rallied around the Gujarat leader whose deft use of development and Hindutva politics has taken the BJP to a high the veteran leader might have thought improbable.

The Bharat Ratna honour, however, underscores the acknowledgment within the ruling party of the seminal role he played in its and the country's politics.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) After a five-hour drama, Crime Branch officials of the Delhi Police on Saturday served a notice on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to reply within three days in a probe into his claims that the BJP attempted to poach seven AAP MLAs.

A Delhi Police officer said, "We have served the notice on him (Kejriwal). He can give the reply in three days in a written form."

The Crime Branch has asked Kejriwal to reveal the names of AAP MLAs who were claimed to have been approached by the BJP.

Earlier, a drama unfolded at Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines as a Crime Branch team arrived again on Saturday to serve him a notice in connection with the probe.

Last week, Kejriwal, in a post on X, had alleged that the BJP offered Rs 25 crore each to seven AAP MLAs to quit the party in order to topple his government.

Shortly after Kejriwal, Delhi Minister Atishi held a press conference and alleged that the BJP had launched "Operation Lotus 2.0" in Delhi.

"They had made a similar attempt to poach AAP MLAs last year by offering them money but failed," she said.

After the allegations were made, a delegation of the Delhi BJP led by its chief Virender Sachdeva met Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on January 30, seeking a probe.

A team of Delhi Police officials reached Kejriwal's residence on Friday to serve notice but failed with sources saying the men at his home refused to accept it. The team reached the Delhi chief minister's residence again on Saturday with the notice.

The police sources said the notice was finally handed over to the officials present at the CM residence.

The police team was led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-level officer who insisted that they will hand over the notice to Kejriwal only as it is in his name, while officials at the CM's residence said they are ready to take the notice and give a receiving.

Outside the premises, AAP leader Jasmine Shah was seen trying to seek explanation from a Crime Branch official on the legal provision under which he was insisting on handing over the notice personally to Kejriwal.

"I asked a simple question to the Delhi Police officer standing in front of the entrance of the residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Under which law is he insisting to hand over a notice personally to CM? He had no answers. It is clear they are only here to do nautanki (drama)," Shah wrote, posting a video on X.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed the police were deliberately not delivering the notice to the CM's office.

"This is so embarrassing for the Modi government. The BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged that the CM office did not receive police notice. Today, they are exposed. The ACP is deliberately not delivering notice to CM office," he wrote on X.

Another AAP leader, Sandeep Pathak, said, "All officials will now have to learn to say no, no matter how much pressure they face (from the Centre)."

AAP Minister Gopal Rai in his Facebook account said the Delhi Police should ask the BJP leaders about the MLAs they had approached for poaching.

AAP sources claimed the police have brought the media with them to tarnish the chief minister's image.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, in a press statement, alleged that Kejriwal's behaviour has become like that of criminals. He has no evidence and the allegation of "Lotus 2.0" is a fabricated story to divert attention from his corruption, he said.

BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, in the statement, said FIRs should be filed against Kejriwal and Atishi if they fail to prove their allegations. Stringent action should be taken against them, he added.

The development comes a day after a crime branch team visited the chief minister's residence but failed to deliver the notice.

A Crime Branch team had visited the residence of Atishi also on Friday but could not deliver the notice as she was not present.
Balrampur (UP), Feb 3 (PTI) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday took an apparent dig at the BJP saying former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani is being presented the Bharat Ratna so that the saffron party's "votes do not get scattered".

Yadav's statement came hours after the BJP stalwart's name was announced as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that Advani would be conferred the Bharat Ratna and described it as a "very emotional moment" for him.

Yadav was in Balrampur district to attend a programme to pay tributes to senior SP leader Shiv Pratap Yadav, a sitting MLA, who had passed away on January 26.

Apparently pointing towards Advani getting the Bharat Ratna, the SP chief said, "The BJP has given the honour before its tenure (at the Centre) comes to an end so that its votes do not get scattered."

"This Bharat Ratna is being given to consolidate their own votes, it is not not being given in respect. There is respect (for the award), because it is Bharat Ratna, but for consolidation of own votes," he added while speaking to the reporters.

Regarding seat sharing in the INDIA bloc, Yadav said discussions have been held at the level where seat sharing has to be done and information has also been given to them. Almost a consensus has been reached regarding seat distribution.

"The basis for distribution of seats is the 'jeet' (victory) and seat," he said, adding that he has already talked to the Congress leadership and there is no dilemma regarding the distribution of seats.

Asked if he would join Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Yadav said he has not received any invitation yet.

On Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining the NDA, the SP chief asked "which magic of the BJP" encouraged him to join NDA.

He also said that the issue of caste census will not subside, and that the SP will take it forward.
Kota (Rajasthan) Feb 3 (PTI) Days after a NEET aspirant from Uttar Pradesh hanged himself to death in his hostel room here, the district administration seized the facility as it lacked 'anti-suicide devices' in ceiling fans, officials said on Saturday.

The 19-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, who resided in Kanchan Residency in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar under the Jawahar Nagar police station area, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to a ceiling fan inside his hostel room on January 23.

The action on the hostel was initiated after it was found violating the guidelines put in place for safety of students, Kota district collector Dr Ravindra Goswami said at a press release here on Friday evening.

An inquiry was initiated by additional district magistrate court after a student allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in the hostel room last month and on basis of the inquiry report, the ADM court directed to initiate action under CrPC Section 133 and to seize hostel Kanchan Residency in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Talwandi Kota, Goswami said.
Srinagar, Feb 3 (PTI) The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Saturday filed a charge sheet against six people in a case relating to terror attack on labourers in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir last year.

The SIU Shopian produced a comprehensive charge sheet in the attack on non-local labourers that took place in Gagran last July.

"The charge sheet has been produced before Court of Special Judge (NIA Court) Kulgam today, against the six accused persons," a police spokesman said.

He said the accused in the case are Adnan Shafi, Zahid Ahmad Shah, Hanzil Yaqoob Shah (deceased), Danish Hameed Thoker alias Muslim Bhai (deceased), Hazim Rashid Sheikh, and Midhat Ahmad Dar.

During investigation, the accused were found involved in the heinous attack on labourers living in a rented accommodation in Gagran area of Shopian, causing serious injuries to three of them.

The court has fixed February 20 as the next date for hearing of the case.

"The proceedings aim to bring justice to the victims and their families, ensuring accountability for the perpetrators involved in this reprehensible act," the spokesman said.
New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Three people were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Dwarka's Dabri area here on Saturday evening, police said.

Of the three, two - Sonu and Amit  were siblings, while the identity of the third is yet to be ascertained, they said.

According to police, Sonu and Amit, both from Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, were staying in a rented accommodation in Dabri and used to run a 'chhole bhature' vend in the locality.

Prima facie, it appears that the third man was a helper at their shop, an officer said.

"On Saturday evening, Sonu and Amit and one unidentified person were found lying dead in their house," a police officer said.

All three were aged between 25 and 30 years, the officer said.

A mini LPG gas knob was found turned on in the house, but the cause of the death is yet to be known, the person said.

The deceased had also consumed liquor late at night, the officer said.

The bodies have been sent for post mortem examination and inquest proceedings are being conducted, another officer said.

The officer also said a team of forensic science laboratory (FSL) was also called to the spot to gather evidence.
WINDHOEK, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is grappling with a deepening household food security crisis, as revealed by the latest Agricultural Inputs and Household Food Security Monitoring Report for December 2023.

The report underscored the alarming situation in crop-producing regions, where households are increasingly reliant on the market and the government's Drought Relief Food Program to secure access to food.

According to the report obtained by Xinhua on Friday, for most households interviewed, last season's harvest, which was being supplemented with market purchases, depleted between September and November 2023.

The report noted that southern, eastern and central Namibia, dominated by livestock farmers, are also experiencing a poor household food security situation due to the lingering effects of last season's drought. "This has presented a significant risk to those who depend on livestock rearing since the pasture in these parts of the country is depleted and inadequate to sustain their livestock," the report said.

According to the Namibia 2023 Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis report, about 579,000 people (22 percent of the population) are faced with high levels of acute food insecurity and require urgent action to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods. The report projects that by March 2024, this number could rise to 26 percent of the population, affecting around 695,000 people.

The report said the root causes of Namibia's deteriorating food security include drought, erratic rainfall, flash floods, price shocks, economic decline and unemployment. Responding to the crisis, the Namibian government has initiated a comprehensive nationwide drought humanitarian relief assistance food program spanning from October 2023 to June 2024. Targeting households in both rural and urban areas affected by the drought, the program includes criteria disqualifying certain vulnerable groups, like old-age pensioners, from receiving benefits.

Meanwhile, the report suggested that the government should continue providing drought relief measures to households facing food insecurity in all 14 regions until the situation normalizes, and should also review the eligibility criteria for providing drought relief food for more than one pensioner living in the same house. 
Chandigarh, Feb 2 (PTI) Punjab Police on Friday claimed to have averted targeted killings in the state with the arrest of a member of the Harpreet Singh alias Happy Jatt gang wanted in multiple criminal cases.

Police teams also recovered one .30 bore automatic pistol along with a magazine and three live cartridges from the possession of the arrested accused, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Baba, a resident of Aladinpur village in Tarn Taran, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said in an official statement.

Happy Baba is an operative of wanted gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Jatt's gang. He had been tasked with executing targeted killings to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab in lieu of a large amount of money, the DGP said.

"Happy Baba is also one of the biggest weapon suppliers in Punjab and was closely associated with weapon suppliers of Madhya Pradesh," he said.

The fact that Happy Baba had been assigned the task of carrying out targeted killings came to light during the questioning of Vikramjit Singh alias Vicky Bhatti of Nanaksar Mohalla in Tarn Taran, who was arrested by Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence over three weeks ago, according to Navjot Singh Mahal, Additional IG, Counter Intelligence, Jalandhar.

Acting swiftly, police teams launched a vigorous operation and arrested Happy Baba, Mahal said.

During questioning, Happy Baba confessed to his involvement in inter-state smuggling of illicit weapons that he procured from Madhya Pradesh. He told police that he had sold at least 100 illicit weapons in Tarn Taran and Amritsar since 2020-21, the officer said.

Further investigation is underway, Mahal said.

An FIR has been registered against Happy Baba under the Arms Act at State Special Operations Cell police station in Amritsar, according to the statement.
Jaipur, Feb 2 (PTI) The Rajasthan government on Friday transferred two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 10 Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers.

According to the order issued by the Personnel Department on Friday night, Additional Chief Secretary of Forest Environment and Climate Change Department Shikhar Agarwal has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

IAS officer Nalini Kathotia has been appointed as the director of the Minority Affairs Department.

Kathotia, the then Jaipur Development Authority, was removed and placed under Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) status after a surprise inspection of the JDA by the chief secretary on January 23. However, an order to this effect issued by the Personnel Department did not mention the reason for her removal.

The Personnel Department also issued transfer orders of 10 RAS officers.

According to the order, two RAS officers have been appointed as joint secretaries and one as deputy secretary in the Chief Minister's Office.

Rajasthan Seed Corporation MD Jaswant Singh and Vivek Kumar, OSD of UID Project in the IT Department, have been appointed as joint secretaries to the chief minister, the order stated.

Revenue Appeal Officer Manoj Kumar has been appointed as deputy secretary to the chief minister, it said.
Agra, Feb 2 (PTI) A right wing organisation has filed a petition in an Agra court seeking prohibitory injunction against the observation of the 'Urs' at Taj Mahal.

The petitioner, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, has also challenged free entry inside the Taj for 'Urs'.

Agra Court has accepted the petition and has fixed March 4 as the date of hearing in the matter.

The celebration of three-day 'Urs' will take place this year from February 6 to February 8.

The period is observed to mark the death of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who got the Taj Mahal constructed in 1653 on the banks of Yamuna in Agra.

Petitioner's counsel Anil Kumar Tiwari said, "On Friday, the petitioner ABHM through its divisional head Meena Diwakar and district president Saurabh Sharma filed a petition in the Court of IV Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) Room No 4 at Civil Court premises in Agra.

"They have sought for a permanent prohibitory injunction against the committee celebrating the 'Urs.'"

He added, "The petitioner has also objected to having entry free at Taj Mahal for Urs."

ABHM spokesperson Sanjay Jat contended that the body had filed the petition on the basis of an RTI which revealed that neither the Mughals, nor the British allowed Urs to take place inside the Taj.

"The petition has been filed on the basis of an RTI filed by a Raj Kishore Raje, an historian of Agra city. In the RTI, he asked ASI who permitted 'Urs' celebration and 'Namaz' in Taj Mahal premises. ASI replied that neither Mughals, nor the British government or the Government of India have allowed 'Urs' celebration in the Taj Mahal," Sanjay Jat told PTI.

He added, "So, on that basis we have filed a petition seeking for the prohibitory injunction, stopping the organisers of Shahjahan 'Urs' Celebration Committee, headed by Saiyyad Ibrahim Zaidi, from celebrating the 'Urs' at Taj Mahal."

The three-day Urs sees the rituals of 'chadar poshi', 'sandal', 'gusul', 'kul' and others.

On the last day of the 'Urs', a 'chadar' 1,880-metre-long or more is offered.
Thane, Feb 3 (PTI) A court in Thane district has acquitted three men booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for their involvement in heinous offences.



Special judge Amit Shete on Friday acquitted the accused, Prakash Dashrath Dhanva (26), Milind Shankar Dhanva (25) and Dashrath Tandel (52), citing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges levelled against them.



The MCOCA was invoked against the trio, who were allegedly involved in 23 heinous offences, including attempt to murder, in the limits of Wada, Manor, Virar, Tulinj, Arnala, Dahanu and Boisar police stations of Palghar district.



Advocates Poonit Mahimkar and Rajesh More, who appeared for the defence, argued that the charges against the accused were false.



The court held that the prosecution had failed to prove any charges against the accused, and hence, they needed to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Vijayapura, Feb 3 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday requested the Union government to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously on Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami.

Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress state president, put forth the demand hours after the Centre announced conferring the highest civilian award on former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani.

Speaking to the reporters after offering prayers at the Basavanna temple in Basavana Bagewadi, he said, "I welcome Bharat Ratna for Advani, but I urge the Centre to announce the coveted award to Shivakumara Swami. The seer has made an immense contribution to humanity with initiatives like Anna Dasoha (free commensalities)."

Shivakumar said the state government had written to the Centre in the past to give Bharat Ratna to the seer, but that the decision is left to the Union government.

The deputy chief minister said Shivakumara Swami was called the "Walking God" and was highly revered by the dominant Lingayat community of Karnataka for his charitable works.

The spiritual leader died at the age of 111 in January 2019 in Tumakuru where his Math was located.
LUSAKA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese businesses in Zambia on Friday welcomed the government's decision to establish the Minerals Regulation Commission, an independent mining regulator, saying it will go a long way in improving operations in the mining industry.

Li Tie, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia (CCCZ), said the establishment of the commission was welcome as it will address many issues such as production reporting, mineral content analysis, illegal mining and illicit trade on minerals.

In remarks delivered at a national symposium on the 2023 economic performance, the 2024 budget as well as economic outlook, Li said it was the hope of Chinese businesses in Zambia that the commission will also ensure the speedy processing of mining licensing.

"Government may also consider intervening by making sure that this important institution is set up and becomes operation in the first quarter of the year," he said.

The Zambian has decided to establish the commission as part of reforms in the mining sector and to bolster regulation of the sector.

Li further welcomed the government's decision to conduct mineral aerial surveys to ascertain the availability of minerals in the country, saying it will reduce cost on would-be investors on exploration expenses.

According to him, the decision was a positive development which will have a positive impact in the mining sector.

He however expressed concern over the government's directives that exploration or mining licenses will not be transferred or sold to foreign entities.

"We suggest that government may intervene by finding a workable solution where both foreign and local investors may co-exist," he added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese businesses have welcomed the government's plans to introduce various incentives in multifacility economic zones in the country.

Li said the introduction of various incentives in multi facility economic zones were important and progressive precursors to economic development.

The government has decided to introduce various incentives in multi facility economic zones in order to attract more investors.

Among the incentives include harmonizing and reducing land rates levied by local authorities, introduction of automatically guaranteed quotas for expatriate employees at whatever level, provide for the extension of the validity period for the customs duty incentives accessible by a developer of a multifacility economic zone for five years, among others. 
DODOMA, Tanzania, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania is undertaking measures aimed at connecting 80 percent of Tanzanians to clean energy for cooking by 2033, a senior official has told parliament on Friday.

Judith Kapinga, the deputy minister for Energy, said the government has developed a special national strategy for the production and rolling out of the use of clean energy for cooking to discourage the use of firewood and charcoal for cooking.

"The use of firewood and charcoal is detrimental to the country's already degraded forests," she said.

Kapinga said the special national strategy was also aimed at stabilizing prices of cooking gas cylinders to enable a majority of ordinary citizens to afford environmentally friendly cooking energy.

Currently, a national task force headed by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and coordinated by the Ministry of Energy is working to end the use of charcoal and firewood for cooking which caused environmental destruction and health hazards.

The creation of the task force is the brainchild of President Samia Suluhu Hassan who assigned it in January 2022 to ensure that 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean energy for cooking in the next ten years.

"Forests are being wiped out at an alarming rate in Morogoro, Lindi, and Ruvuma regions for making charcoal and firewood. This must stop," said President Hassan when she opened the first Clean Cooking Conference in Dar es Salaam in November 2022. 
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian parliament ratified the extension of the state of emergency in the troubled northern Amhara region on Friday.

The official Facebook page of the Ethiopian parliament reported that a resolution to extend the state of emergency in the Amhara region was approved by a majority vote.

The report did not disclose the duration of the extended state of emergency. However, Ethiopian state media outlets reported that it has been extended for an additional four months.

In August 2023, the Ethiopian parliament ratified a six-month state of emergency rule in the Amhara region amid prolonged conflict between the military and local militiamen.

The state of emergency decision followed several days of fighting in towns across Amhara, the country's second most populous region, between federal forces and local militia known as Fano. 
NEW DELHI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Indian navy on Friday said it has foiled a piracy attempt at the sea off the coast of Somalia and rescued 19 crew members aboard a vessel hijacked by pirates.

The released crew include 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals.

"INS Sharda intercepted FV Omari in the early hours of 2 February and using her integral helicopter and boats coerced the pirates to safely release the crew (11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani) along with the vessel," an Indian navy spokesperson said.

According to the navy, FV Omari, an Iranian-flagged vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates who had taken the crew hostage.

"INS Sharda also undertook confirmatory boarding on FV Omari to sanitize and check on the well-being of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates," the navy added.

This is the third such operation this week. 
SYDNEY, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australia's New South Wales Police Force said on Saturday that 15 kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 22.5 million Australian dollars (about 14.7 million U.S. dollars), has been seized in Sydney's Inner West region.

At about 1:00 p.m. local time on Friday, detectives arrived at a property in Dulwich Hill for inquiries into the supply of prohibited drugs, according to the state police.

A man removed a bag from the boot of a vehicle before he was arrested at the scene and officers located a 1 kg block of cocaine in the bag.

The 22-year-old man was taken to a nearby police station, with a search warrant executed at the premises in Drummoyne just after 5 p.m. local time.

An additional 14 kg of cocaine was found when the garage was searched.

Police estimated that the total street value of the seized cocaine could reach 22.5 million Australian dollars (about 14.7 million U.S. dollars).

The offender was charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs in large commercial quantities.

He has been refused bail twice and will remain in custody to appear in a local court in April. 
COLOMBO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and Thailand signed a free trade agreement on Saturday, the President's Media Division announced.

The deal was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Srettha arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday for a two-day visit, and he was accompanied by a high-level delegation. Srettha is scheduled to attend events to celebrate the 76th anniversary of Independence Day of Sri Lanka as guest of honor.

The free trade agreement is expected to bolster trade and investment ties between the two nations, and also promote deeper integration with Asian economies, the media division said.

Negotiations for the free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand resumed in 2023 after being put on hold for a few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported. 
SINGAPORE, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Singapore police arrested 367 suspects for scam offenses during an operation from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1, according to a statement from police.

The suspects were involved in over 1,000 scam cases including investment, e-commerce, loans, Internet love and government official impersonation, said the statement.

The suspects were under investigation for cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a license.

Police said that victims lost over 10 million Singapore dollars (7.45 million U.S. dollars). 
COLOMBO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested on Friday for his alleged involvement in the procurement of fake human immunoglobulin vials, police said in a statement.

The former minister is scheduled to appear before the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court on Saturday.

Several suspects including former Secretary to the Health Ministry Janaka Chandragupta were later arrested in connection with the scandal, pending further investigations, local media reported.

Last year, it was revealed by trade unions and media outlets that the health ministry had awarded a contract to a Sri Lankan private company to procure 22,500 vials of human immunoglobulin at a total value of 2,925,000 U.S. dollars.

However, subsequent laboratory reports revealed that there were no "detectable levels" of immunoglobulin in the counterfeit human immunoglobulin consignment purchased and paid for by the Health Ministry.

The reports also revealed that the medication, some of which was administered to patients in government hospitals, was not sterile and contained bacterial endotoxins, local media reported. 
Thankfully, the arctic chill cooled the historic pace of homicides.

In a historic year for killing on local streets, last year the total was already 13 by this date on the calendar. The year before that KCMO had racked up 15 homicides by this point. It's too early to celebrate a 61% decrease in homicides so far BUT we'll take any good news where we can find it.

Sadly . . .

Once again, local violence has ramped up again during fake Spring.

Here's the latest homicide report . . .



Late Death: 100 Blk W 99 Ter

On 01-31-24 just before 11:00 AM Kansas City Police Officers responded to the 100 blk of W 99th ter. on a reported shooting. Upon arrival officers were directed to a lower parking garage of an apartment complex. Officers located a victim in a parking garage who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where the subject was listed in critical condition.



On 02-03-24 detectives were notified the victim died from their injuries. Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation and this will be investigated as a homicide.



There is not anyone in custody at this time and there is not any suspect information.



If anyone was in this area that morning and has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

###############



Developing . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KCPD: Victim shot in parking garage on Wednesday dies from wounds over weekend On Saturday, the Kansas City Police Department announced the late death of a victim who was shot in a parking garage earlier in the week.

Victim dies after shooting on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri A victim is dead after a shooting Wednesday in the 100 block of West 99th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri.

One dead three days after being shot on W. 99th Terrace in Kansas City Kansas City homicide detectives are investigating a Jan. 31 shooting near Willow Creek apartments that allegedly took someone's life three days later.

Developing . . .
A few more news items for night owls & early birds . . . We share pop culture, community news and top headlines and offer one liners in return . . .Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Painting With Light

Photographer using historic neon signs to tell story of Kansas City Nick Vedros is a Kansas City photographer and president of the Lumi Neon Museum, a nonprofit and a space in Pennway Point that will be dedicated to historic neon signs throughout the city.

Toy Train Collection Expands

NewsChopper9 Video: New Streetcar arrives in Kansas City as expansion continues NewsChopper9 was was above 3rd and Grand when it arrived Friday afternoon.

Suburban Weed Stays Winning

'We've been so busy': Grandview dispensary sees success in first year sales of recreational cannabis Saturday marks one year since recreational marijuana use was legalized in Missouri. Adult use cannabis sales topped one billion dollars in sales in 2023.

Biz Bust Again

Hollywood Casino misses deadline to begin hotel construction for 10th straight year Longtime Wyandotte County residents remember the development agreement. Hollywood Casino received STAR bonds to help build a casino in the Legends area of Kansas City, Kansas.

Shakes Ahead Of Saturday

Did you feel it? 5.1-magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma felt in the Kansas City metro area A 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Shawnee, Oklahoma, was felt in Kansas and portions of the Kansas City metro area.

Starlet Shamed



Anne Hathaway called out for 'rude' behavior as video of her waving to fans sparks debate A video of Anne Hathaway refusing to take photos with fans in Italy sparked a debate amongst her supporters about whether she was being rude or reasonable.

Middle-East War Escalates

Live updates: US set to respond after deadly drone attack on Jordan base Three American service members were killed on Sunday.

Commander-In-Chief Mourns Losses

Hand over heart, Biden joins grieving families of US troops killed in Jordan as remains arrive home President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of the three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan last weekend.

MAGA Against Tech Funny Money

Trump Calls Central Bank Digital Currency 'Very Dangerous'-After Vowing To Prohibit Fed's 'Digital Dollar' Trump owns $3 million in cryptocurrency and has a line of NFTs.

Supreme Ruling For Diversity

Supreme Court won't block West Point from considering race in admissions The Supreme Court ruled the U.S. Military Academy at West Point may continue using race as a factor in admissions, leaving intact the slim remains of affirmative action in higher education. At the end of it's last term, the high court in a landmark decision gutted race-conscious admissions policies at universities nationwide, except at military...

Eastern Europe Casting Choices



HBO is recasting a 'White Lotus' role after Ukraine accused the actor of supporting Russia HBO announced it would be recasting a "White Lotus" role held by Milos Bikovic after the Ukranian government accused the Serbian actor of supporting "genocide."

Holy Land Fight Heats Up

First Thing: Israel says Gaza offensive will move into Rafah Defense minister Yoav Gallant's announcement comes despite presence of more than 1 million civilians in city. Plus, Michael J Fox on how Parkinson's has not defeated him

More Deets On Shakes Tonight

Earthquake! It wasn't your imagination...a rather significant earthquake occurred near Prague, OK at 11:24 PM Friday night. It was felt widely across eastern KS and western MO. Reports indicate that the quake also felt down towards the Lake of the Ozarks as well as northern Parts of Liberty, and out towards Lawrence, KS.

Winter Creeps Back In . . .

FIRST WARN FORECAST: Cooler temps arrive Sunday A First Warn is in place Saturday afternoon into Sunday because of rain showers, which could impact your weekend plans.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Last April, a month after I turned 35, I heard my first well, at your age medical advice. You know the kind: a looming warning thinly veiled as a passive FYI. It came from a lovely doctor at an east-end Toronto hospital  he was patiently explaining that Black Canadian men like me, perhaps a little older than me, might face irreversible health damage if they dont start to pay closer attention to their health. First reaction: yikes, I cant believe I got my first at your age message. Second reaction: is this doctor sure he means  me?

At my age, I am trying to get a read on my risk profile (because of doctors orders), but I cant. Heres what I know: Black men in Canada are at a higher risk of dying from illnesses like prostate cancer, diabetes, or strokes and other vascular conditions. Heres what I dont know: in Canada, am I Black?

Lets go to the tape: I was born in Sudan, a country known as the heart of Africa, but one that still frames its cultural identity as Arab. Sudan is a member of the Arab League; its official language is Arabic; Sudanese Arabs make up the majority of Sudans population. When I was in Sudan, we called ourselves Arabs, and clung tightly to that identity. We identified more with other Arabs like Egyptians and Syrians than we did with fellow Africans like Nigerians or Congolese people.

I grew up in a country where my lighter brown skin meant I deeply benefited from persistent racism and colourism. Those of us who identified as Arab were taught that we were not Black  that Blackness applied to darker-skinned people, like people from South Sudan, who were often discriminated against in every way.

But when I came to Canada at age 12, there appeared to be little room for the history and nuances that make up ancestry and ethnicity. My skin colour meant I abruptly became Black, mostly as a matter of shorthand. I suppose its because administrative forms dont have enough room in the race/ethnicity blank space to explain Arab migration to Sudan in the 12th century or the history of British colonialism that made my relationship to Blackness so complicated.

My skin colour taught me that I am Black here, but I spent my youth and young adulthood in Canada rejecting the label, reluctant to let go of racist constructions of what I believed Blackness to mean. But as I came to embrace it and identify with Blackness, it raised new questions: Is the term Black expansive enough to include me, a man born in a place split between its African roots and Arab identity? Or is Blackness in Canada a narrow term meant to apply to other communities, whose origin points leave little room for ambiguity or interpretation?

Questions about the multiplicity of Canadian Blackness have always been central to how Blackness is understood here. Blackness in Canada is gorgeous and cannot easily be contained. This is, generally, a beautiful thing. But in that doctors office, I became gripped with that earlier question: am I Black here? At my age, I hear this might be worth looking into.

Its a question that Jude Mary Cenat, the director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health at the University of Ottawa, is also invested in. In a 2022 paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Cenat explores the necessity of arriving at a precise way of defining Black people in Canada. We currently dont have that.

The term African Canadian, for instance, may seem easy to employ, because it mirrors the American construction, but it is insufficient, Cenat writes, because it may exclude Black people of Caribbean and other origins and may include people who do not identify as Black, such as people from Northern or South Africa. The going term in health research circles is the clunky African, Caribbean and Black communities, but Cenat warns that it may be too unspecific to be useful in studies of health outcomes.

Blackness in Canada has long resisted top-down definitions. Instead of one singular Blackness, we have a kaleidoscope of origins living next to each other. The legendary poet George Elliott Clarke coined the term Africadia to reflect the distinct history of Black communities in Atlantic Canada, whose presence in the Maritimes goes as far back as the 18th century.

This history exists alongside the history of migrants from the Caribbean arriving in the 1920s to work in Cape Bretons steel mills, or the African Americans who came across the U.S. border to take up jobs as porters on trains in Montreal, or the waves of Somali refugees who arrived in Canada in the early 90s in the wake of that countrys civil war.

All of these groups are Black here. I, too, am Black here. But the diffuse and polyphonous nature of Canadian Blackness means we have to work harder to build bridges across our experiences. Too often, the easiest ways to connect these diverse identities is in the context of systemic racism that all these groups report experiencing. It shouldnt be easier to understand being Black in the context of the barriers we face  from police, or in the workplace. But it is frequently in opposition to the forces of white supremacy that we can thread a connection between all kinds of Blackness.

I want a Canadian Blackness that is connected by joy, by solidarity, by shared celebration. A Blackness that is more rooted in a common history than a common discrimination. This requires us to find our way to each other and speak a shared language that sings with knowing recognition of each other, as a people connected by the stories we have told and the legacies of what we have built here.
Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national airline, has reached a major milestone by celebrating 35 years of flying between Saudi Arabia and Washington. This significant event marks over three decades of connecting the two countries.

Saudia Celebrates 35 Years of Flights to Washington

The anniversary was commemorated at Washington Dulles International Airport, where passengers were given special keepsakes. In-flight announcements also highlighted this important day. The celebration was a chance to remember the first Saudia flight that landed in Washington 35 years ago.

Breaking News Travel reported that the event's highlight was the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to Hisham Khalifa, Lead Agent for Customer Services at Saudia. Khalifa has been with the airline since the beginning of its Washington flights. Khaled Alehedeb, Saudia's Regional Manager for North & South America, emphasized the importance of recognizing long-serving employees like Khalifa. He stated that this shows Saudia's dedication to both its customers and staff.

Since 1988, when the flights to Washington began, Saudia has played an important role in strengthening the ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States. These flights have supported business, tourism, and finance sectors. They also provide crucial services for students from Saudi Arabia studying in Washington, as well as for their families. Additionally, the airline caters to Muslim pilgrims traveling to Hajj and Umrah from the Washington area.

In the past year, Saudia carried more than 152,800 passengers on 665 flights between the Kingdom and Washington. The current schedule includes 14 flights per week. Eight of these are to and from Jeddah, and six are to and from Riyadh. Saudia uses Boeing 777 aircraft for these flights, which feature top-class first-class suites for a more luxurious travel experience.

Related Article: Emirates Steps Up for Climate with The Solent Cluster Initiative

Remarkable Growth in 2023: Over 30 Million Passengers, Expanded Flight Operations

Saudia has achieved impressive growth in 2023. They have transported over 30 million passengers, which is 21% more than the previous year. According to Times Aerospace, the airline also ran more than 176,300 flights, a 4% increase from before. There was a huge rise in transit flights, which went up by 77% compared to 2019.

This growth is due to Saudia increasing the number of seats on planes and the frequency of flights. They also worked on being more efficient. This led to 86.44% of their flights being on time in 2023, one of the best rates in the world.

Internationally, Saudia played a big role in connecting people to Saudi Arabia. They flew over 16.7 million people on international flights, a 36% increase. These flights covered more than 79,400 trips, 19% more than the year before. The airline also saw a 26% increase in the total hours its planes were in the air, reaching 382,000 hours in 2023.

Within Saudi Arabia, Saudia continued to serve well, carrying over 13.5 million passengers domestically. This is 7% more than the previous year. Most of their flights, 55%, were within the country, totaling 96,900 trips.

In 2023, Saudia also started flying to the new Red Sea International Airport. They launched flights to Beijing, Birmingham, and Johannesburg, showing their commitment to expanding globally.

Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia Group, said their success shows how well they planned and operated, especially during busy times. He looks forward to expanding their fleet and starting a new chapter in the airline's 80-year history.

Read Also: American Airlines Cuts Workforce, Focuses on Enhanced Customer Experience
MOSCOW, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russia strongly condemns the U.S. strikes on Syria and Iraq and is seeking an immediate review of the emerging situation through the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Saturday.

"American airstrikes involving strategic bombers across Iraq and Syria, ... once again demonstrated to the world the aggressive nature of U.S. policy in the Middle East and Washington's complete disregard for international law," Zakharova said on Telegram.

The spokesperson said the United States is purposefully trying to plunge the largest countries in the region into conflict by conducting the strikes.

"Recent events confirm that the United States is not and has never been looking for solutions to problems in the region," she added.

The United States on Friday carried out strikes on Iran-linked militia targets in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a deadly attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan. 
KIEV, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone conversation with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss bilateral ties, Zelensky's press service reported Friday.

The intensification of bilateral trade, economic relations and political dialogue was touched upon at the talks.

Zelensky thanked the Kazakh people and businesses for providing humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

The two parties also discussed the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the preparations for the Global Peace Summit on Ukraine.

Zelensky and Tokayev stressed the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles of international law with regard to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The conversation marked the first phone talks between Zelensky and Tokayev since February 2023, according to media reports. 
The invaders have approved a new program that provides the mass resettlement of residents of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus to the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region.

This was announced on the air of the national telethon 'United News' by Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov, Ukrinform reported.

"The enemy has approved a new program called 'Zaporizhzhia Tsilyna', and is trying to carry out a mass resettlement of Russian citizens to the temporarily occupied territory. They are currently looking for citizens from different parts of the world, even Kazakhstan and Belarus, to come to the TOT," he said.

According to Fedorov, the invaders want to solve several problems in this way: to quell the resistance that continues to exist, and to cover the huge shortage of personnel. After all, the residents do not agree to cooperate, and the occupation is currently experiencing a shortage of doctors and builders.

Earlier, it was reported that the enemy 'nationalizes' empty apartments and then moves in newcomers. In addition, mass forced passportization continues under occupation. People who refuse to give up their Russian passports are threatened with deportation.
During his visit to Ukraine, the current Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, made a short trip to the towns of Hostomel, Bucha, and Borodianka to see with his own eyes the devastating consequences of Russian aggression.

This was reported on Saturday on Borg's social media.

Russias aggression brought hardship to Gostomel, Bucha & Borodyanka in Ukraine. As OSCE CIO, I met these communities to express solidarity. OSCE24MT shall remind the world of the atrocities they endured, the official wrote on X.

He also met with the families of the three OSCE officials illegally held by Russia, Borg added.

Separately, the CIO noted a meeting with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, discussing with him how the Government of Malta and the Maltese Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2024 "can further enhance our active support for the Peace Formula and support Ukraines efforts."

As reported, Malta kicked off its one-year chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on January 1, 2024, after the Russian Federation had blocked the functioning of the Organization and the approval of Estonia's chairmanship for months.

The current Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, made his first visit in his new capacity to Ukraine, where, in particular, he met on Friday with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
A guest (R) learns to write the Chinese characters during an event to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 2, 2024.

The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations.(Xinhua/Wang Qibing)

GENEVA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations.

The festive event was jointly organized by the UN Office in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of China to Geneva and the Permanent Mission of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"I would like to say that this room has never looked more festive, more positive, more colorful. I would like to wish you a Happy Spring Festival," Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office in Geneva, said in front of a red backdrop adorned with the Year of the Dragon design at the Palais des Nations.

The Year of the Dragon has a positive symbolism, she said. "The dragon brings us a lot of positive things, it brings us hope, it brings us prosperity."

Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization Daren Tang said the dragon in the Chinese zodiac symbolizes courage, foresightedness, mobility, energy and unity.

"The Spring Festival is also a time when families get together, and this sense of togetherness and family is very important," Tang told Xinhua.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, said the festivity is a celebration of more solidarity, fraternity and a better world for all.

In December, the UN General Assembly officially listed the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday in its calendar of conferences and meetings starting in 2024.

Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said that Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of sharing beauty and joy, and China is eager to spread the happiness of this traditional festival to the world.

China aims to collaborate with other nations to actively promote respect for the diversity of world civilizations and encourage exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures, Chen said.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attended the event in formal attire. She called for global peace and emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation.

Nicole Ameline, a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, stressed the significance of peace and sustainable development in an interview with Xinhua.

As a French citizen, she underscored the increasing partnership between China and France, which established diplomatic ties 60 years ago. She sees the Spring Festival celebration as a great opportunity to deepen cultural interactions between the two countries.

Showing a Chinese character he wrote on the red paper -- "Fu," which means "good luck" in Chinese, Bilal Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN office in Geneva, shared his happiness and praised the collaboration between Pakistan and China.

Maira Mariela Macdonal Alvarez, permanent representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the UN office in Geneva, highlighted the close cooperation and dialogue between Bolivia and China.

"This celebration here at the Palais des Nations brings us a bit closer to the Chinese culture," she told Xinhua. 

Bilal Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN office in Geneva, shows the Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", during an event to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 2, 2024.

The United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival on Friday, gathering about 300 diplomats and representatives from 51 countries and 15 international organizations.(Xinhua/Wang Qibing)
Huang Ping (L), Chinese Consul General in New York, speaks to Emilia Zankina (R, front), Temple's vice provost for global engagement, during an event in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Temple University's conferment of an honorary Doctorate of Law to then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping, at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's initiative to invite 50,000 U.S. students on exchange and study programs in the next five years will create "new and exciting" opportunities for American youth to explore the Asian country, U.S. scholars have said.

Highlighting "the importance of people-to-people exchange" in higher education, John Smagula, assistant dean of graduate and international programs at Temple University, said, "Please take advantage of these opportunities to study abroad in China."

"I did so as a junior in college in 1991. And it was transformative," Smagula said during a recent event at the Chinese Consulate General in New York in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Temple University's conferment of an honorary Doctorate of Law to then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping.

Students from both countries should take inspiration from their predecessors and make the most of the opportunities to connect, deepen their understanding of each other, and build a successful future together, said Smagula, echoing Chinese Consul General Huang Ping's encouragement for young Americans to go and see China with their own eyes.

"I am delighted these opportunities are there... it is a great time and a great opportunity to do so to become a part of this people-to-people exchange," said Smagula, who taught at law schools of a few prestigious Chinese universities prior to his work with Temple.

Noting that the university is at the forefront of Sino-American educational connections and engagement, Gregory Mandel, Temple's senior vice president and provost, said "We're eager to work with the consulate and our partners in China to continue to strengthen and create new and exciting initiatives as we look into the future."

"Our strong collaborations in China remain a fundamental part of our university mission," Mandel said, citing the Chinese idiom "Tao Li Man Tian Xia" to describe Temple's fruitful cooperation with its Chinese partners.

Mandel said it is often by experiencing another culture and getting educated in another country can people better understand their own culture and make insightful decisions. "As educators, we take great pride in developing connections, building those relationships... It's an important part of our commitment to developing relationship between our countries," he said.

Emilia Zankina, vice provost for global engagement, said the university has over 400 students and 55 scholars from China across its 17 schools and colleges, over 60 partnerships with China's higher education institutions and tens of thousands of Chinese alumni.

"We only hope that our mutual understanding will increase, and we will see even more Chinese students in America and American students in China," she said. "By educating our students to like each other, to understand each other, to be together, we are building this common future of peace, understanding and mutual growth." 

Gregory Mandel, Temple's senior vice president and provost, speaks during an event in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Temple University's conferment of an honorary Doctorate of Law to then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping, at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Emilia Zankina, Temple's vice provost for global engagement, speaks during an event in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Temple University's conferment of an honorary Doctorate of Law to then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping, at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Huang Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York, speaks during an event in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Temple University's conferment of an honorary Doctorate of Law to then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping, at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)
In a recent press conference, leading Senate Republicans, including Dr. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, accused the Biden administration of prioritizing student debt relief over their fundamental responsibility to update the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The accusations follow the troubled launch of the new FAFSA, marked by technical glitches and errors that have prompted delays in aid distribution to colleges and universities. The Republicans argue that this mishandling could adversely affect students and institutions, particularly smaller colleges facing potential enrollment drops and financial strain.

The Call for Accountability

Dr. Cassidy, the senior Republican on the Senate education committee, has called on President Biden and Secretary Cardona to explain the administration's "upside-down priorities." The Government Accountability Office is now investigating the FAFSA launch at the request of Cassidy and other lawmakers. The House education committee has responded with a stern letter to the Education Department, demanding documents that shed light on the agency's planning for the new FAFSA.

Senator Capito emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that due to the Department of Education's "ineptness," students now have only two to three weeks to make college decisions instead of the usual months. The senators argue that the department neglected its legal obligations and that the excuses provided are insufficient for the magnitude of the problem. They are concerned that the botched rollout may drive away students and financially harm institutions, particularly smaller colleges that depend heavily on enrollment numbers.

READ ALSO: Biden Administration Proposes Rule To Safeguard Students: No More Fees On College-Sponsored Deposit Accounts

The Impact on Students and Institutions

The delay in processing FAFSAs has significant consequences for students, who traditionally have until May 1 to commit to an institution. A coalition of higher education associations and advocacy organizations has called for an extension of this deadline, recognizing the challenges students face in making informed decisions. Senator Capito emphasized that the Department of Education's failure to adhere to the law is one of its most significant obligations, and the repercussions of this negligence may be severe.

The Department's Defense

The Department of Education defended its actions in a statement, asserting that its staff has been working tirelessly to update the FAFSA and overhaul the aid eligibility formula, describing these as the most significant changes in over 40 years. The statement also highlighted the challenges faced by the department, including flat funding from Congress and no budget four months into the fiscal year. Despite repeated requests for additional Federal Student Aid funding, the department claims to have received no support from Congressional Republicans.

The Legislative Timeline

The FAFSA Simplification Act was initially passed by Congress in December 2020, mandating changes to the FAFSA by the 2023-24 award year. However, in June 2021, Congress extended the deadline by a year. Republicans argue that the extension should have provided ample time for the Education Department to complete the necessary updates. They dismissed claims that the department lacked resources, pointing to a 2023 Government Accountability Office report suggesting that the department failed to bring its employees back to the office.

The Republican Response

In response to the accusations, Republican senators have launched a website where students, institutions, and others can report issues with the new FAFSA. Senator Cassidy expressed his intention to hold a hearing if he were chair of the Senate committee, underlining the urgency of addressing the FAFSA crisis. The senators insist that bringing employees back to work and prioritizing the FAFSA update should be paramount, accusing the Department of Education of channeling resources towards debt-relief measures instead.

The contentious rollout of the new FAFSA has ignited a political battle between Senate Republicans and the Biden administration. The accusations of neglecting core responsibilities in favor of student debt relief highlight the broader debate over the government's priorities in education. As the Government Accountability Office investigates the FAFSA launch, the outcome will likely shape future discussions on funding, accountability, and the balance between student debt relief and essential administrative functions in the education system.

RELATED ARTICLE: Navigating The Delays: The Turbulent FAFSA Overhaul And Its Impact On College Applicants
Recent decisions by Quebec's Higher Education Minister, Pascale Dery, have ignited a debate about the autonomy of the province's universities.

The announcement that McGill, Concordia, and Bishop's universities must ensure 80% of their students reach an intermediate level of French proficiency by 2025-2026, coupled with the refusal to ratify a board appointment, has sparked concerns within the academic community. This article explores the concept of university autonomy, its historical significance in Quebec, and the implications of recent interventions.

Understanding University Autonomy

University autonomy is a cornerstone of the Western concept of higher education, akin to academic freedom. It refers to the independence enjoyed by an institution in relation to external influences that might seek to control or influence it. This autonomy is vital for universities to pursue their mission of advancing knowledge for the greater good of the community. It allows them to operate under the guidance of their own governing bodies, shielded from external interference, be it governmental or otherwise.

In Canada, the balance between university autonomy and accountability is crucial. Provincial governments authorize universities to operate within their borders and partially fund their operations. In return, universities are accountable to these governments for the quality of their teaching programs. Despite this accountability, universities maintain autonomy in determining disciplines, program content, and institutional research priorities.

READ ALSO: Horizon Europe Welcomes Canada As Newest Member Of The Research Program; Collaboration Anticipates Innovations, Breakthroughs

Historical Significance of Autonomy in Quebec

Sixty years ago, the Royal Commission on Education in the Province of Quebec, also known as the Parent report, played a pivotal role in shaping the Quebec university system. Article 332 of the report emphasized the autonomy of the future Universite du Quebec, stating that the university "shall enjoy, before the minister of Education, the freedom granted to all university institutions by the Act instituting the Ministere de l'education and the Conseil superieur de l'education." The Quebec government of the time respected university autonomy, refraining from interventionist measures proposed in the report.

Dery's Recent Actions and the Threat to Autonomy

Pascale Dery's recent decisions, particularly the language proficiency requirement and the refusal to ratify a board appointment, raise concerns about the erosion of university autonomy in Quebec. By dictating language requirements, the minister appears to be directly influencing academic programs. Blocking a board appointment suggests an inclination to interfere in the internal management of universities.

Dery's actions contradict the spirit of the Parent report and challenge an essential legacy of the Quiet Revolution. By compelling English-speaking universities to teach a specific level of French and intervening in board appointments, the Quebec government risks compromising the autonomy that has been a fundamental aspect of the province's higher education system since the 1960s.

Implications for Quebec Universities

The implications of Dery's interventions extend beyond language requirements. They touch on the essence of academic freedom and the ability of universities to operate independently, defining their own programs and managing their affairs. The concern is that such interference could set a precedent, jeopardizing the long-standing tradition of university autonomy in Quebec.

The recent decisions by Quebec's Higher Education Minister, Pascale Dery, have sparked a significant debate about the autonomy of the province's universities. As the academic community grapples with these interventions, it raises fundamental questions about the role of the government in university affairs. The delicate balance between autonomy and accountability, essential for the flourishing of higher education, is at risk, and it remains to be seen how this tension will shape the future of Quebec's universities.

RELATED ARTICLE: Canada Contemplates Caps On International Student Visas Amidst Housing Crisis
(@FahadShabbir)

Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Saturday said that the process of transformation of the economy was underway in the country

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Saturday said that the process of transformation of the economy was underway in the country. The structural transformation in every sector of the economy took some time and they were making all-out efforts in this regard.

While addressing members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) during her visit to FPCCI along with Chairman of the Federal board of Revenue(FBR) Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, she said that the leadership was committed to transforming the economy of the country.

Dr. Shamshad said that the government launched a joint action to contain Currency smuggling and narrow the difference in Dollar rates in official and open markets.

She said that the government had done many good works for the betterment of the country. She said that the trade deficit narrowed by 3.6 percent to $1.3 billion in December 2023 compared to $1.9 billion in the same period last year. She further said that the export potential and export market would expand due to the efforts of the government.

The minister said that the government encountered the external and domestic challenges. She said that the challenges were enormous but the government took proactive measures to overcome them.

She said that the Pakistan Credit Guranttee Company had been formed for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). She said that the companies had to stand on their own feet and should not rely on subsidies.

The minister said that subsidies should be utilized for the development of the country and for the education, health, women empowerment and other welfare sectors.

Dr. Shamshad, while advising FPCCI members, said that they should move towards the pakistan stock exchange (PSX) for debt purposes instead of knocking doors of banks.

She said that the performance of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained positive in December 2023 and it had emerged as a new entity.

She further said that the benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1,924 points closed at 62,451 points as of December 29, 2023. While the market capitalization of psx increased by Rs 334 billion and settled at Rs 9,063 billion as of end December 2023.

The minister said that a substantial change was being introduced to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to improve its performance. She said, 'We need to raise the economic growth of this country.''

Chairman FBR Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana briefing the FPCCI members said that they were working hard on reforms in FBR and they were close to their implementation.

Earlier, FPCCI President Arif Ikram Sheikh lauded the efforts of the caretaker government and demanded to consult with FPCCI while making fiscal budget to facilitate the business community.

Later, Arif Sheikh presented a memento to the Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance Dr. Shamshad Akhtar.
The Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Religious Harmony and Pakistani Diaspora in Middle East and Islamic Countries and Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi has been given a special award in recognition of his outstanding services for the development of peace and inter-religious harmony

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) The Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Religious Harmony and Pakistani Diaspora in middle East and Islamic Countries and Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi has been given a special award in recognition of his outstanding services for the development of peace and inter-religious harmony.

The Church of Pakistan presented the award to Ashrafi at the Interfaith Religious Harmony Conference, held in Lahore.

The Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Archbishop of Canterbury's Personal Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Center in Rome, Italy, bestowed the award to the peace loving prominent religious scholar Tahir Ashrafi.
(@FahadShabbir)

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) strongly dismissed deceptive tickers and reports disseminated by certain private news channels, aiming to mislead the public regarding the capability and utility of Election Management System (EMS)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) strongly dismissed deceptive tickers and reports disseminated by certain private news channels, aiming to mislead the public regarding the capability and utility of Election Management System (EMS).

An ECP spokesperson stated that certain private channels, including Hum News, Bol News, and GTV, are spreading false propaganda regarding the non-functionality and faults in EMS.

He stated that, indeed, the functionality of EMS has undergone multiple tests, leaving no doubt about its efficiency.

Earlier, the spokesman in another statement, said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) smoothly conducted another experimental mock test of the Election Management System (EMS) on Saturday, successfully achieving all the required steps and goals.

The evaluation concluded that the system performed satisfactorily in all aspects.

Returning Officers from 859 Constituencies nationwide engaged in the pilot exercise, comprehensively testing the system in both online and offline modes.

The Primary goal of tabulation and compilation is to guarantee accurate and timely delivery of election results, and this data will be put into use on election day, February 8.

He said demonstrating consistent speed and efficiency in both online and offline modes, Saturday's pilot exercise affirmed the EMS's full operational capability and effectiveness.

The system works with the same speed and efficiency in both online and offline modes. Today's pilot exercise proved the EMS to be fully operational and efficient.

Throughout this exercise, the repetition of the process for generating and transmitting election results via Form 47 revealed the satisfactory performance of the EMS in this regard.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the elections in four Constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies, citing the unfortunate deaths of the candidates.

Delayed elections impact one national constituency and the remaining provincial ones in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, specifically NA-8 Bajaur, PK-22 Bajaur, PK-91 Kohat, and PP-266.

Independent candidate Rehan Zeb Khan, running for National Assembly constituency NA-08 and provincial assembly constituency PK-22 in Bajaur-IV, was assassinated, leading the ECP to cancel elections. Additionally, elections for NA-91, Kohat-II, were postponed following the passing of Asmat Ullah Khan.

Following the demise of Israr Hussain, son of Talib Hussain and a candidate for the Punjab Assembly constituency PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan XII), the ECP has postponed the elections in that particular constituency.

The ECP spokesman states that, exercising the powers granted to the relevant Returning Officers (ROs) under Section 73 of the Election Act, 2017, the proceedings of the general election in the mentioned constituencies have been abruptly concluded.

The remaining contesting candidates will not be required to submit fresh nomination papers or deposit further dues once the revised schedule for these areas is released, as stated by the electoral watchdog.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) The entire nation will observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 (Monday) with a renewed commitment to support the just struggle of Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The people and the government of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir observe Solidarity Day every year not only to renew their love and affection with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) but also to reiterate their commitment and dedication to the liberation of occupied Kashmir from Indian subjugation.

People from different walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, social activists, students, and others, will hold rallies and demonstrations, forming human chains across the country to infuse new spirits in the Kashmiris, who have been fighting for their freedom.

All Pakistani missions abroad will organize seminars and photo exhibitions to draw the worlds attention towards the worst form of subjugation and human rights violations committed by India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

The national media, both electronic and print, will air special programs and print special supplements to highlight the significance of Kashmir Solidarity Day and the decades-long struggle of Kashmiri people against the illegal Indian occupation.

Banners highlighting the plight of innocent Kashmiris have been put on display across the country, including airports, railway stations, and national highways.

Observance of this day is also aimed at highlighting the long-standing unsettled dispute of Jammu and Kashmir internationally and apprising the people of occupied Kashmir that they are not alone in this hour of trial and turmoil, as the people of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir are wholeheartedly with them.

The hearts of the people of Pakistan and Kashmir beat in unison and Pakistan will continue full moral, political, and diplomatic support to the people of Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in their just and principled struggle for freedom until it reaches its logical end.

For more than seven decades, it has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, courage against fear, and sacrifice against tyranny. But through all of it, the Kashmiri people have persisted and stood firm in the face of the continuing Indian campaign of brutalization, which has used every inhuman tactic and draconian law to perpetuate the illegal occupation in IIOJ&K.

India has kept a major part of the internationally acknowledged disputed Himalayan Jammu Kashmir state in her illegal and forced occupation since October 27, 1947, against the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

India is using state terrorism against the Kashmiris, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, fake encounters, and staged cordon-and-search operations. Over 900,000 Indian occupation forces have turned IIOJK into an open prison, but the desperation of the RSS-BJP dispensation to control the indigenous Kashmiri movement has completely run aground.

Jammu and Kashmir's dispute is one of the oldest pending items on the agenda of the UN Security Council. The dispute remains unresolved due to Indias obstinate refusal to honour its commitments and its disrespect for fundamental human rights and international law.

Indias illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, are also in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the 4th Geneva Convention, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions stipulating that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Feb, 2024) Ukrainian shelling on the eastern occupied city of Lysychansk killed at least 15 people, Russia said Saturday, with 10 others wounded and rescue operations ongoing.

Moscow's occupation forces said Kyiv had targeted a bakery that is popular on weekends.

The attack hit almost two years into Russia's Ukraine offensive.

Lysychansk, a city in the Lugansk region that had a population of around 110,000 people before Moscow's offensive, fell to Russian forces after a brutal battle in the summer of 2022.

"In Lysychansk, employees of the Russian emergency ministry pulled out 15 bodies of victims from under the rubble," the Russian ministry said on Telegram.

It showed a video of rescuers working in the dark, pulling out one dead body from the rubble before finding a wounded woman alive and putting her on a stretcher to take her out of the heavily destroyed building.

The ministry earlier said it had pulled out 10 survivors from under the rubble and said rescue operations will continue into the night.

The Moscow-installed governor of Lugansk, Leonid Pasechnik, said earlier that Kyiv had targeted a bakery that was known to have fresh bread on weekends.

RIA Novosti published a video of a heavily damaged building, with emergency workers pulling out an entirely crushed car.

The one-storey building had a large sign on it that read "Restaurant Adriatic" and appeared entirely destroyed and covered in rubble.

The front in eastern Ukraine has barely moved in months but battles continue to be bloody with intensified attacks on both sides this winter.

The attack came as Kyiv said Russia hit it with a fresh barrage of Iranian-made drones, which targeted energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving thousands without power.

- Rescuing underway -

Moscow-installed authorities said one wounded man in "serious condition" was taken to hospital in the city of Lugansk.

Lysychansk lies some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Russia took control of it and its twin city of Severodonetsk in summer 2022 after some of the most brutal battles of its almost two-year offensive.

Ukraine, meanwhile, said its airforce had downed nine out of 14 Iranian-made drones Russia launched at central and southern regions Saturday.

Kyiv said most of the drones were directed at energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, where thousands have been without power since Russian strikes on Friday.

The outages have mainly affected the main city of Krivyi Rig -- the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Regional head Sergey Lysak said 15,000 people were without electricity in the city after the drone strikes.

Ukraine's energy ministry said it was working to restore critical infrastructure.
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Feb, 2024) "Mob wife" is the dominant fashion look of early 2024: knowingly over-the-top, even trashy -- the tough woman who has fought her way to money and power and isn't afraid to show it off.

Millions of TikTok users have suddenly become obsessed with the look of women on "Goodfellas", "Scarface" and "The Sopranos" -- or even the cold, hard style of Melania Trump.

The look leans hard on the 1980s -- faux fur over lots of black including tight stockings, leather, Lurex and sky-high heels.

It is about being "bold, tough, fearless, and unapologetic -- all traits I think are admirable, aspirational," one of the influencers behind the trend, Sarah Jordan Arcuri, told AFP.

The 29-year-old Italian-American from New Jersey -- home of "The Sopranos" of course -- has been pushing this aesthetic to her 120,000 Instagram followers for a couple of years.

It is the accessories that really make it: lots of heavy gold bracelets, chain belts and rings stacked on each other.

"All the gold gifted by your husband. You never take it off," laughs Arcuri.

TikTok star Mikayla Nogueira (15.3 million followers) posted a wildly popular tutorial on how to do 'mob wife' makeup: heavy kohl around the eyes, fake eyelashes and a "dark red lipstick".

The hair needs some serious volume, ideally an 80s-style perm.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Feb, 2024) American forces carried out strikes on Saturday against six anti-ship missiles belonging to Yemen's Huthi rebels, the US military said.

The missiles were "prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. US forces identified the cruise missiles in Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels," Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media.

Earlier Saturday, CENTCOM said its forces shot down eight drones near Yemen the day before and destroyed four more before they could be launched.

CENTCOM said the four drones hit on the ground belonged to the Huthis, but did not identify a country or group linked to those that were shot out of the air.

The Huthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war.

US and British forces have responded with strikes against the Huthis, who have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.

In addition to strikes against the Huthis, the United States set up a multinational naval task force aimed at protecting shipping on the transit route, which carries up to 12 percent of global trade.

On January 28, a drone slammed into a base in Jordan, killing three US soldiers and wounding more than 40 -- an attack Washington blamed on Iran-backed forces.

The United States responded Friday with strikes against dozens of targets at seven facilities in Iraq and Syria.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, General Mills' stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

The top 22 shareholders own 50% of the company

Insiders have been selling lately

If you want to know who really controls General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 79% to be precise, is institutions. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of General Mills, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for General Mills

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About General Mills?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that General Mills does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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. 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 General Mills, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Story continues

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. General Mills is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is Capital Research and Management Company, with ownership of 10.0%. BlackRock, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 9.6% of common stock, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. holds about 9.1% of the company stock.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 22 have the combined ownership of 50% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of General Mills

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 data suggests that insiders own under 1% of General Mills, Inc. in their own names. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$115m of stock. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 21% stake in General Mills. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand General Mills better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for General Mills 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.
Earning your MBA can be an exciting steppingstone to the next stage of your career. However, the idea of going back to school can be daunting, especially for those currently employed at a full-time job. Luckily, the MBA program at the University of Wyoming is built to help you earn your degree at your own pace and leave with an arsenal of new skills learned along the way! Here are just a few of the reasons we recommend this innovative program:

1. Flexible courseloads

Many people looking to get their MBA may be currently employed, or otherwise juggling busy schedules. Because of this, the online program at the University of Wyoming is structured to fit into the schedules of even the busiest students. Current MBA Student Zac Gunter is working towards his MBA while holding a full-time job as a business manager and finds the program very manageable: I take one eight-week course a semester, so Im only in class half of the year. With it being online, I can cater the schedule of each class and the entire MBA to fit my life. Similarly, student Tyler Gross is enrolled in the MBA program as he continues his full-time profession, citing the flexibility of the course as the biggest benefit of our program.

2. Low program costs

As you consider going back to school to earn an MBA, program costs may be another common factor in mind. Luckily, the MBA program at the University of Wyoming is incredibly affordable, with a semester of 6 credit hours coming in at just over $5,000. Current student Tyler comments on the cost of the program as a key reason he would recommend it to others: The flexibility, combined with the affordability, truly makes the program unique.

3. Opening doors for your future

You may be wondering if the work of gaining an MBA would be worth it. Many of our students hope to use their MBA certification to reach their career goals, as Zac explains, Shortly after starting my full-time position for the University of Wyoming, I saw that a lot of the positions Id like to hopefully move up into either required or were currently filled by people that had additional education. Getting an MBA will help me unlock the ability to get these jobs. After completing the program, many students have seen great success in the application of the coursework to their lives, with one graduate commenting, After just one semester, I already use my cross-functional learning at UW to add value in my current role as a petroleum engineer.

4. Multiple ways to succeed

The work of obtaining your MBA may seem overwhelming at first, but at the University of Wyoming, there are many ways to thrive within the program. Zac and Tyler offered their best tips as current students for being successful on your journey. Learning effective time management skills is the best thing you can do to be successful in this program advises Tyler. Zac agrees, commenting, Doing a little bit every day adds up. This has made it much easier for me to stay on top of my classes, retain the material, and succeed in the class. Completing your MBA at the University of Wyoming includes a host of students offering support and a full staff of instructors dedicated to your success.

5. Teaching valuable skills

The MBA program at the University of Wyoming provides its students with an entirely new skillset that they can utilize in every step of their career. Current student Tyler cites a few of the specific tools hes gained from the program, stating that things like balance sheets, financial statements, data analysis, and managing employees has been invaluable for me. Similarly, Zac has enjoyed applying new skills to his current position, and writes, one of the most important skills Ive learned is how to better forecast data. I analyze and forecast data in my current job, and I was able to implement what I learned from one of my courses directly into my work. Enrolling in our program ensures that youll feel equipped to enter the next stage of your career.

6. Accomplished professors/Quality instruction

At the University of Wyoming, our experienced faculty work together to instruct and support each one of our students. Our programs 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures tailored guidance and a deeper engagement with the curriculum. Student Tyler Gross agrees, sharing, The professors bring a wealth of experience from various industries, offering a great blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights. Our faculty also offer real-world solutions, as one graduate notes, In Business Research Methods, Dr. Peterson not only taught us the basic theories behind market research, but he also armed us with practical tools to succeed in modern business. With an array of qualified instructors to assist you, obtaining your MBA will become increasingly achievable.

7. An accredited program

Its important to know that the education you receive while obtaining an MBA is a quality one. At the University of Wyoming, were proud to boast an AACSB-accredited MBA program to ensure our students get the education they need to jumpstart their future. A distinction earned by less than 5% of business schools worldwide, this accreditation is a testament to our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in business education.

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As you consider earning an MBA, its important to examine whether the program will apply to your personal goals and interests. Luckily, the program at the University of Wyoming offers a wide courseload, including Data and Decision Modeling, Financial Management, Global Business Environment, and more! Additionally, the University of Wyoming offers an exclusive Energy concentration, where students can obtain unique skills in energy industry and finances.

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In the world of business, cultivating leadership skills and fostering professional relationships are paramount. This is why weve designed our MBA program to offer students a host of opportunities outside of the classroom to develop this important skillset. Students are invited to on-site networking events such as our annual Jackson Leadership Conference, along with the chance to experience studies internationally or attend executive speakers hosted by the University of Wyoming. Connections made during your completion of an MBA can continue to help you build your career years after youve graduated.

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Our MBA program comes highly recommended by both current and graduated students. These recommendations cite our professors, course flexibility, and real-world applications as just a few of the reasons to enroll in the program. Current student Tyler states that he would absolutely recommend the program to others, along with Zac, who writes, Both my time as an undergraduate student and now in the MBA program at UW have been wonderful. Ive always felt Ive had the resources needed to help me succeed.

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Three Cambodian human right activists, including a former government party member, have been arrested in Thailand, according to human rights groups.

Lem Sokha, Phan Phana and Kung Raiya were arrested Friday, along with their families, the Manushya Foundation and Human Rights Watch told VOA.

The arrests come just days before Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will make an official visit to Thailand on February 7.

Lem Sokha, 45, is the vice president of the Cambodian Refugee Committee and had been in Thailand since 2017. He was arrested in Bangkok. Phan Phana, 41, is a member of the Global Cambodia Youth Network and fled to Thailand in 2022. And Kung Raiya, 32, who fled to Thailand in July, is a former member of Cambodia's opposition Candlelight Party and Cambodia's ruling government party.

All three activists had fled to Thailand to avoid political persecution. The Cambodians are recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also known as UNHCR, as persons of concern.

All three were reportedly planning to arrange a political protest on the day of Hun Manet's arrival in Thailand. A report by VOA's sister network Radio Free Asia shows a photo of Raiya as Thai immigration officials arrive at his home.

Both Phana and Raiya's families were also arrested.

Emilie Palamy Pradichit, the founder of the Manushya Foundation in Bangkok, contacted VOA about the arrests. She described the arrests as unjust and called for the activists' release.

"The unjust arrest of three Cambodian activists, along with their families, including four small children aged between 1 and 5 years, just before PM Hun Manet's upcoming visit to Thailand is deeply concerning. This highlights the harsh reality of transnational repression, where Cambodian and Thai authorities are working hand in hand against these individuals. We, a coalition of human rights organizations, are tirelessly working to secure their release," she told VOA.

Phana, who was arrested at his home in the city of Rayong but was taken into custody in Bangkok, has been charged with crossing the border illegally, according to VOA sources familiar with the matter who chose to remain anonymous. His wife, Seim Kork, 33, and two sons, aged 1 and 2 years old, were also arrested.

Raiya was detained in Bangkok and was charged for overstaying his visa in Thailand, according to VOA sources familiar with the matter. His wife Sok Sreynich, 28, and their son, 1, and daughter, 5 were also arrested but are being held in a different detention facility.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, insists the activists and their families should be sent to a third country.

"Our view is that those people shouldn't be arrested. It shouldn't be a crime to seek protection in a neighboring country when you're on the run for your political or human rights activities in your home country. They should be finding a way to help them go to a third country where they'll be safe instead of persecuting him in this way," he told VOA.

"How traumatic is this for a two-year-old and a four-year-old they see their dad being arrested in Rayong and with his wife and children separated from them. This is the real drama that these decisions by the Thai officials cause for these refugee families," he added.

VOA contacted the Cambodian Embassy in Thailand for comment but has yet to receive a reply.

Leaders promise new era

Cambodia has been ruled by the same political party for 45 years. The Cambodia People's Party has maintained its grip on power by banning opposition parties and cracking down on dissidents. Critics of Cambodia's leadership have been threatened with arrest and targeted either at home or abroad in recent years, including in Thailand.

Thailand and neighboring Cambodia have endured a complicated relationship over the years, mainly over border and cultural conflicts. Now Bangkok and Phnom Penh have new government leaders and both have promised a new era in relations after Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Manet in Cambodia last year, vowing to work together on transnational crime.

Arrests seen as transnational repression

Robertson says Friday's arrests are an example of transnational repression.

"This is Thailand's welcome gift to Hun Manet who was supposed to be arriving here next week. Transnational repression rears its ugly head at a time when Hun Manet is consolidating control and making pals in the neighborhood with Prime Minister Srettha and the rest. What is quite clear we've seen a very close relationship between the top leaders of Cambodia and Thailand," Robertson added.

Since 2014, more than 150 individuals in Thailand have been victims of transnational repression, according to a 2022 report by Freedom House.

Pradichit is now concerned the Cambodian refugees may face deportation but warned it would violate Thailand's own laws.

"We, a coalition of human rights organizations, are tirelessly working to secure their release. We urgently call upon Thai authorities not to deport these activists to Cambodia, where they, along with their families, face the grave risk of imprisonment and torture. Such deportation would flagrantly violate Section 13 of the Thai Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, enacted in February 2023," she said.

Thailand enacted the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in 2023, which prohibits sending or deporting a person to another country where that person would be in danger of torture, inhumane treatment or enforced disappearance.

But Thailand has not ratified the United Nation's 1951 Refugee Convention, so it has no specific domestic legal framework for the protection of urban refugees and asylum-seekers, meaning protection for refugees, even if recognized by the UNCHR, is limited.
China said Saturday a small civilian vessel from the Philippines had "illegally placed itself on the beach" of an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim.

The vessel, which landed on the Spratly Islands atoll on Friday, was there for supply purposes, the China coast guard posted on the Weixin platform.

The Philippines' coast guard, national security council and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday about the incident.

The Philippines has stationed a small number of troops on a World War II ship it grounded in 1999 as an outpost to reinforce its sovereignty claim over the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin in the Philippines and the Renai Reef in China.

Manila refused Beijing's requests last year to tow the vessel away in the diplomatic row that has soured relations between the two Asian nations.

China asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 ruled that China's claims to economic rights across large swaths of the South China Sea had no legal basis.

Beijing fiercely rejected the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
China's navy has started escorting Chinese cargo ships through the Red Sea, according to a shipping company and Chinese state media reports. This comes as many cargo shipping companies have decided to avoid the globally important trade passage because of attacks from Houthi rebels.

Since November, Iran-backed Houthis have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, acts that they say are in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in the war with Israel.

A U.S.-led coalition has responded to the attacks with missile strikes on Houthi positions, backed by a collective force from Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain. But they have so far not stopped ships from being targeted.

And while most ship companies have re-routed to go around Africa, doubling costs and shipping times, Sea Legend Shipping, a Qingdao-based company registered in Singapore, is actively promoting its cargo business through the Red Sea.

The company says that since January, the Chinese navy has provided security escorts for its five cargo ships in the Red Sea, making it one of the few still operating in the region, according to Chinese media.

In an emailed response to a request for confirmation and comment on the scope of protection being provided, Yuan Mu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, referred VOA to departments directly responsible.

"On the whole, China stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard the safety of international shipping lanes," the spokesperson said in the emailed response.

Vessels with Russian fuel reportedly avoid route

Although the Houthis have said that ships from some countries, including China and Russia, can safely pass through the Red Sea, a British oil tanker carrying Russian oil was hit by a Houthi missile and caught fire last week.

Shipping news site oilprice.com reports that even tankers carrying Russian fuel are now avoiding the Red Sea.

About 40% of trade between Europe and Asia goes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and about 12% of the globe's sea trade in oil.

Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Chinese ships should be able to pass through the Red Sea without being attacked, but the attacks have already meant longer transit times between China and Europe, higher energy prices, shipping and insurance rates.

"Having direct coordinated convoys of the U.S. and PLA (People's Liberation Army) vessels seems fanciful, but certainly there are ways that the Chinese military assets in the region could contribute to the security of maritime passageways," she said.

U.S. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said on February 1 that he could not confirm reports that the Chinese navy is escorting ships in the Red Sea and that he knew of no coordination between the navies of China and the United States or coalition forces.

"We've said many times that if the Chinese want to be helpful to this effort about protecting shipping in the Red Sea, then we would certainly welcome that."

Attacks could drive up prices, warns IMF

Western governments have been urging China to pressure its ally Tehran to tell the Houthis to back off.

Chong Ja-Ian, a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China and associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, told VOA that Beijing could ask Iran to discourage Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea while the U.S. tries to take out imminent threats and capabilities.

"The two sides may work alongside each other not because they like the other, but because issues like supply chains and the availability of energy are of value to both Beijing and Washington," said Chong.

The International Monetary Fund warned in a January 30 report that continued attacks in the Red Sea were putting at risk an improved outlook for global economic growth by threatening to drive up commodity prices.

Ralph Ossa, chief economist at the World Trade Organization, told Reuters on January 29 they may lower their trade growth forecast due to the potential impact of Suez Canal disruptions.

Adrianna Zhang, Patsy Widakuswara, Elizabeth Lee contributed to this report.
How do leaders determine a proportional response to an attack that effectively responds but doesnt unnecessarily escalate the situation? Baylor University political science professor Peter Campbell. Whats the intersection of gender and Russias war on Ukraine? Aberystwyth Universitys Jenny Mathers discusses the political economic and military dynamics affecting Russia, Ukraine and Ukraine's international supporters, and the security relationship among them. From counting machines to neural networks, the development of artificial intelligence has paralleled emerging brain science. Hayde Fitzpatrick narrates this story from Matt Dibble.
The European Union expressed deep concern Saturday over reports that the Israeli military intends to push on against Hamas all the way to Rafah.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned the conflict is likely to spread throughout the region unless a cease-fire is agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, after U.S. airstrikes hit dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Borrell said that about 1 million Palestinians "have been displaced progressively against the Egyptian border" and will have nowhere to go if Israel takes its ground war there. Borrell spoke of a "very dire situation" in Rafah.

The United Nations said the town is becoming a "pressure cooker of despair."

Airstrikes kill at least 18

Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza cities of Rafah and Deir al-Balah killed at least 18 Palestinians, Hamas-run Gaza officials said Saturday, as fears increase that Israel would be expanding its ground offensive into the enclave's last remaining areas where people have sought shelter.

Health officials in Gaza said an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Rafah, killing 14 people, including women and children.

There was no confirmation from the Israeli military that it carried out the strike.

Rafah, a town on Gaza's southern border, is hosting more than half of the enclave's 2.3 million residents. They found shelter there after fleeing Israel's nearly 4-month-old offensive against Hamas, a designated terrorist organization according to the U.S., U.K, EU and others.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported Saturday that at least 27,131 people have been killed and 66,287 have been wounded in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

Hamas starts to resurface

Meanwhile, Hamas has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said Saturday.

Israel says it is determined to crush Hamas and prevent it from returning to power in the enclave it has governed since 2007.

In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some salary distributions reportedly took place.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, said Saturday that since the outbreak of the war in Gaza after October 7, Israeli forces have struck more than 50 targets in Syria linked to the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah.

"Everywhere Hezbollah is, we shall be. We will take action everywhere required in the Middle East," Hagari said.

Israeli forces have attacked 34,000 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including 120 border surveillance outposts, 40 caches of missiles and other weaponry, and more than 40 command centers, Hagari said. He put the number of enemy dead at more than 200.

Hagari said Israel had deployed three army divisions along its side of the Lebanese border in anticipation of Hezbollah getting involved after Palestinian Hamas launched the October 7 cross-border terror attack.

Israel has threatened to escalate the Lebanon fighting unless Hezbollah backs off from the border, and it has sought Western help in finding a diplomatic solution in Beirut.

EU foreign policy chief Borrell said Saturday the Israel-Hamas war has created "a domino effect," with conflict also erupting in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and in the Red Sea area.

Hamas leaders indicated Friday that they have received and will respond soon to a proposal for a cease-fire agreement negotiated by Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators in Paris earlier this week and approved by Israel.

AFP reports the proposal includes a three-stage plan, which would start with an initial six-week halt to the fighting and bring more aid deliveries into Gaza.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani made a brief visit to the United Nations on Friday to meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a day after meetings in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"This is part of the secretary-general's ongoing consultations with the Qatari leadership," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "The prime minister was here. They, no surprise, discussed the efforts underway to end the fighting, to secure the release of the hostages, and to ensure support for humanitarian operations."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters Friday that the deal under negotiation is a "strong, compelling proposal," and she urged the U.N. Security Council to increase pressure on Hamas to accept it.

The mediators are trying to negotiate a new cease-fire to halt the fighting to allow the release of more hostages and jailed Palestinians held by Israel. About 100 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel were freed in a late November weeklong cease-fire.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
He's viewed by some Palestinians as their Nelson Mandela, and he's a prime candidate to become their president in the future. He's also the highest-profile prisoner held by Israel.

Now Marwan Barghouti's freedom is at stake in cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Hamas leaders demanded Friday that Israel release Barghouti, a leader of the militant group's main political rival, as part of any deal to end the fighting in Gaza.

The demand brings new attention to Barghouti, who plays a central role in Palestinian politics even after spending more than two decades behind bars. His release could lay the groundwork for his eventual election to national office.

Hamas' gambit to free him appears to be an attempt to rally public support for the militant group as well as a recognition of his status as a uniquely unifying Palestinian figure.

"Hamas wants to show to the Palestinian people that they are not a closed movement. They represent part of the Palestinian social community. They are trying to seem responsible," said Qadoura Fares, who heads the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs in the occupied West Bank and has long been involved in negotiations over prisoner releases.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan called for Barghouti's release as international mediators try to push Israel and Hamas toward an agreement after nearly four months of war.

Israel is seeking the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas is demanding an end to Israel's devastating military offensive and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

The war broke out October 7, when Hamas fighters crossed into Israel, killing some 1,200 people and dragging 250 hostages back to Gaza. The Hamas attack triggered an Israeli ground and air campaign that has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

More than 100 hostages were released during a weeklong truce in November. Israel estimates 136 hostages remain in captivity, though 20 have been pronounced dead. With protests calling for the hostages' immediate release sweeping Israel, and fears that time is running out to bring them home safely, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal.

For Palestinians, the plight of their imprisoned loved ones is deeply emotional. While Israel considers "security prisoners" to be terrorists, Palestinians widely see them as heroes battling Israeli occupation. Virtually every Palestinian has a friend, relative or acquaintance who has been imprisoned.

The Israeli human rights group HaMoked says Israel is currently holding nearly 9,000 security prisoners. Hamas seeks the release of all of them. But in his remarks Friday, Hamdan mentioned only two by name  Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat.

Saadat heads a small faction that killed an Israeli Cabinet minister in 2001 and is serving a 30-year sentence for allegedly participating in attacks.

Palestinians see the 64-year-old Barghouti, a member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, as a natural successor to the 88-year-old Abbas, who leads the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, the self-ruled government that administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Abbas, whose forces in Gaza were overrun by Hamas in 2007, hopes to regain control of the territory after the war. But he is deeply unpopular because of corruption within the authority and because of his security coordination with the Israeli army.

Palestinians have not held elections since 2006, when Hamas won a parliamentary majority.

Fares, a Barghouti supporter, said that if Barghouti is released, he could become a consensus candidate in a round of new elections that Hamas, Fatah and other Palestinian factions could rally behind. A wartime opinion poll published in December showed Barghouti to be the most popular politician among Palestinians, ahead of both Abbas and Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh.

Israelis see Barghouti as an arch-terrorist, and convincing Israel to free him will be an uphill battle.

Barghouti, a leader in the West Bank during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s, is serving five life terms for his role in several deadly attacks. During that uprising, Palestinian militants carried out deadly suicide bombings and shooting attacks targeting buses, restaurants, hotels and Israelis driving in the West Bank, eliciting crushing Israeli military reprisals.

In 2002, Barghouti was arrested on multiple counts of murder. He did not offer a defense, refusing to recognize the court's authority. Since then, he has repeatedly thrust himself into the spotlight.

In 2021, he registered his own list for parliamentary elections that were later called off. A few years earlier, he led more than 1,500 prisoners in a 40-day hunger strike to call for better treatment in the Israeli prison system. From jail, he has continued to call for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem  lands Israel seized in the 1967 war.

Barghouti was born in the West Bank village of Kobar in 1962. While studying history and politics at Bir Zeit University, he helped spearhead student protests against the Israeli occupation.

He emerged as an organizer in the first Palestinian uprising, which erupted in December 1987, but Israel eventually deported him to Jordan. He returned to the West Bank in the 1990s, as part of interim peace agreements that were meant to pave the way for a Palestinian state but got bogged down by the end of the decade when a second uprising erupted.

Barghouti was seen as political leader of the armed wing of Fatah at the time.

Israel has previously rejected calls to free him. It refused to include him in a 2011 exchange of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a single soldier held captive in Gaza by Hamas, said Fares, who was party to the negotiations. Yehya Sinwar, the current Hamas leader in Gaza and a mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack, was freed in that exchange.

The 2011 negotiations revolved around the release of a single hostage. With the lives of over 100 hostages now hanging in the balance, there is more pressure than ever on Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. That may make conditions ripe for a deal that could simultaneously win Barghouti's release and bolster Hamas' standing among Palestinians.

"Hamas is more strong and more clever than ever before," Fares said. "They understand how necessary it is for the Palestinian people to have consensus."
The United States attributed a drone attack on a U.S. Army base in northeast Jordan that killed three U.S. troops and wounded more than 40 others to the Islamic Resistance of Iraq.

The U.S. National Security Councils John Kirby said on February 2 that the group is an umbrella organization for Iran-backed militias, including Kataib Hezbollah.

CBS News reported on February 2 that the White House has approved a Pentagon retaliation plan that includes a series of missile strikes targeting Iranian personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria.

President Joe Biden said Iran is responsible for the attack "in the sense that they're supplying the weapons to the people who did it."

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a February 1 press conference that precise knowledge of what Iran knew or didn't know about the attack is immaterial, since the Islamic Republic sponsors, finances and, in some cases, provides advanced conventional weapons training to these groups."

They are Irans proxies, Austin said.

Iran denied any such links, with Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, claiming in a letter to the U.N. Security Council:

"[T]here is no group affiliated with the Islamic Republic or Irans Armed Forces, whether in Iraq, Syria or elsewhere, that operates directly or indirectly under the control of the Islamic Republic of Iran or acts on its behalf."

That is false.

The British defense and security think tank Royal United Services Institute estimates that there are at least 40 militia groups closely funded and essentially operated by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, CBS News reported on February 1.

Homeland Security Today, a U.S.-based publication associated with the Government Technology and Services Coalition, a nongovernmental trade group, reported in a February 1 analysis that Iran-controlled militia groups were responsible for most of the 3,000+ terror attacks that occurred between 2018 and 2023 in the Middle East and Horn of Africa regions.

The U.S. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) reported that Irans Quds Force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), serves as the contact point between Tehran and its proxies, providing them with training, weaponry and funds.

Based on joint research by The Financial Times and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the CFR mapped data on the 12 most notable Iran-backed militias active in the Middle East-Africa regions as of October 2023.

The research estimated the combined number of the 12 militias fighters at between 124,000 and 198,000. In nine of the 12, Irans control over the militias is strong, and in the remaining three its moderate, the CFR asserted.

Fighters from Shiite Muslim-majority countries such as Iraq and Lebanon make up most of these militias.

One of them, Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militia group, is notorious for its involvement in acts of terrorism.

The U.S. State Department estimated that Hezbollah receives approximately $700 million a year from Iran. Tehran has also provided around $100 million annually to Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Since the early 1990s, Iran, through the IRGC, has supported and trained such violent groups as Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah, Bahrain's Saraya al Ashtar militant group and Palestinian Hamas.

Between 2012 and 2023, the Iranian regime spent more than $16 billion backing Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria and proxy militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, the Willson Center, a Washington-based think tank, reported last September, citing State Department data.
The United States launched airstrikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria against targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, and the militias they back, in retaliation for an attack blamed on an Iran-backed militia that killed three U.S. service members.

Following are some questions and answers about the IRGC, Iran's dominant military force, with its own army, navy, air force and intelligence wing:

What is the IRGC?

It was set up shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the Shiite clerical ruling system and provide a counterweight to the regular armed forces.

It answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC has an estimated 125,000-strong military with army, navy and air units. It also commands the Basij religious militia, a volunteer paramilitary force loyal to the clerical establishment that is often used to crack down on anti-government protests. Basijis mounted human wave attacks against Iraqi troops during the 1980s war. In peacetime, they enforce Irans Islamic social codes. Analysts say Basij volunteers may number in the millions, with 1 million active members.

The Quds Force is the IRGC's foreign espionage and paramilitary arm that heavily influences its allied militia across the Middle East, from Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen to Syria. Its members have fought in support of President Bashar al-Assad in Syrias civil war and have backed Iraqi security forces in their battle against Islamic State militants in recent years. Its top commander, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, was killed by the United States in a drone attack in Iraq in 2020. His death raised fears of a major conflict. The killing of all American leaders would not be enough to avenge the assassination of Soleimani, a senior Iranian Guard commander said later.

The IRGC, branded a terrorist group by the United States, has sought for years to shape the Middle East in favor of Tehran. For instance, it founded Lebanon's Hezbollah in 1982 to export Iran's Islamic Revolution and fight Israeli forces that invaded Lebanon that same year. Hezbollah is now a major military force that has played a role in regional conflicts.

What are the IRGCs military capabilities?

The IRGC oversees Irans ballistic missile program, regarded by experts as the largest in the Middle East. The Guard has used the missiles to hit Sunni Muslim militants in Syria and Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq.

The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for a 2019 missile and drone attack that crippled the world's biggest oil processing facility, in Saudi Arabia. Iran denied any involvement in the assault.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump cited Irans missile program as one of the points not addressed in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and gave that as a reason for pulling out of the agreement in 2018.

The Guard has extensive conventional combat hardware and capabilities, which were showcased in their involvement in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

What is the IRGCs position in Irans political system?

Former Revolutionary Guard officers occupy key positions in Iran's establishment, from the government to parliament. Most of President Ebrahim Raisi's cabinet are former IRGC officers. The IRGCs mandate to protect revolutionary values has prompted it to speak out when it felt the system was threatened.

What about business interests?

After the 1980s Iraq war, the IRGC became heavily involved in Irans reconstruction and has expanded its economic interests to include a vast network of businesses, ranging from oil and gas projects to construction and telecommunication. Its business interests are worth billions of dollars.
The United States on Friday launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and affiliated militia groups, in retaliation for the deaths of three American soldiers from a drone attack Sunday on a US base in Jordan. The strikes began shortly after President Joe Biden participated in the dignified transfer of their remains, at Dover Air Force Base. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara was with the president and brings this report.
A group from Canadas Uyghur community has withdrawn from a commission investigating allegations that China and other countries are interfering in the countrys elections.

As the first round of hearings wrapped up on Friday, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project announced that it was pulling out of the commission. The group says it withdrew because of its concern that two politicians with alleged sympathies to China have been given full status in the review body.

The organization, also known as URAP, identifies them as independent Member of Parliament Han Dong and the now deputy mayor of Markham, Ontario, Michael Chan. Both have repeatedly denied any ties to the Chinese government.

Miri Teich, the Uyghur organizations policy and advocacy director, said the politicians are too tightly aligned in their public comments to the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP.

"These are individuals that parrot the same talking points as the CCP in terms of denial of the Uyghur genocide and abstaining from all sorts of votes related to the Uyghurs," Teich said.

Teich said if the two remain as members of the commission, it will give them access to evidence and the ability to cross examine Uyghur witnesses, which they do not want to happen.

"On principle, we don't want to participate in an inquiry that is empowering individuals like that  particularly if they have the ability to cross examine witnesses," she said.

They also are concerned that Senator Yuen Pau Woo has been granted the status of intervenor with the commission which allows him to make any submissions in writing, but not automatically cross-examine any witness or get advance look at any evidence.

In an interview with VOA, Senator Woo pushed back against the allegations.

"The ability and willingness of this group to make grave allegations against me and others with no evidence is precisely the kind of risk that an overzealous foreign interference inquiry could lead to," he said.

He said the Uyghurs do not want him to take part in the commission because they do not like his views. In the past, Woo has said Canada is not in a position to criticize China because of treatment towards its indigenous First Nations. He has also opposed efforts to declare what is happening in Xinjiang as "genocide."

Woo said repeatedly he hopes the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project reconsiders and again participates in the commission. He also hopes the commission stops any stigmatization of individuals who have been wrongfully accused.

"The allegations they have made, have reinforced my conviction that I need to be part of this inquiry, and to alert the commission and to Canadians of the serious risk of stigmatization of the sort that they have inflicted on me and on to other former politicians," he said.

VOA reached out to Dong and Chan for their reaction to URAPs decision and their allegations, but neither responded.

Both have vehemently denied allegations they are tied to the Chinese government in any form.
US Lawmaker Sounds Alarm on Uyghur Forced Labor Act Loopholes

In a recent session at the International Religious Freedom Summit, Republican Representative Chris Smith raised concerns about the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, highlighting loopholes that may enable forced labor. The act assumes goods from China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region involve forced labor unless proved otherwise. However, Smith pointed out flaws in the law allowing shipments under $800 to evade scrutiny, potentially enabling companies to import goods without proper verification.

China Tightens Grip on Religious Practices in Xinjiang

New regulations effective February 1 tighten control over religion in Xinjiang, mandating 'Chinese characteristics' in places of worship and online content. Experts warn of an escalating crackdown on Uyghur and minority rights.

China Accused of Manipulating UN Human Rights Review

China faces accusations of manipulating the process in a recent United Nations Universal Periodic Review to downplay human rights abuses. Despite receiving 428 recommendations for addressing human rights, China strategically influenced the review, lobbying for softer assessments, experts say. The three-hour session, held every five years, limited countries to 45 seconds each. Critics argue that Beijing used diplomatic influence to water down criticisms, raising concerns about the integrity of the U.N. review process. China has until February 9 to respond to the recommendations.

Uyghur Women Face Mass Incarceration, Religious Persecution in Xinjiang

A recent report by the Uyghur Human Rights Project exposes extensive human rights abuses against Uyghur women in the Uyghur region of China since 2014. The document reveals that women are subject to mass incarceration and long prison sentences, with religious practices such as learning Quran, prayer, and wearing the hijab criminalized. Some women older than 80 years old are detained for religious actions dating back decades.

Vietnam Now Top Exporter of Goods Made With Uyghur Forced Labor

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Vietnam has become the leading exporter to the United States of products covered by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2023. This marks the first time another country has outranked China since the law's passage in 2021. The act prohibits the import of goods produced with Uyghur forced labor, a response to human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.

Ilham Tohti, Jimmy Lai, Chinese Rights Lawyers Nominated for Nobel

U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China members Representative Chris Smith and Senator Jeff Merkley have nominated Uyghur academic Ilham Tohti, Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, and Chinese lawyers Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong for the Nobel Peace Prize. Tohti, a pro-autonomy economist, was imprisoned in 2014, while Lai faces charges under Hong Kong's security law. The lawyers were jailed in 2023.

Viral TikTok Video Combines Humor with Human Rights Message

A TikTok video featuring three young Uyghur women has gone viral, utilizing the #ofcourse challenge on social media to address their cultural identity and the persecution faced by their people in China. The video, posted by the Uyghur Youth Initiative, blends humor and gravity as the women walk along a street in Germany. With statements like, "Of course, we are always late" and "Of course, we don't have basic human rights," the video aims to draw attention to the Uyghur situation.

News in brief

Human Rights Watch reveals that major automakers, including Tesla, GM, Volkswagen, Toyota and BYD, may be using Chinese aluminum produced with Uyghur forced labor. The report emphasizes challenges in tracking the aluminum's origin and urges heightened scrutiny to ensure companies operating in China, especially in the automotive sector, do not contribute to forced labor practices.

Quote:

"Uyghur Muslims are suffering under the Chinese Communist Party's genocidal campaign of forced sterilization, forced detention and reeducation. Millions of Uyghurs have been detained in these camps, where they're kept in cramped cells, and they're tortured and brainwashed."

 U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the International Religious Freedom summit in Washington
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 October 7, a campaign that prompted U.S. counterstrikes and fueled fears of a wider escalation.

Three U.S. servicemen were killed on January 28 in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, which the United States blamed on an Iran-backed militia.

Washington has responded with airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets in Syria and Iraq.

Following are key groups involved in attacks.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq

An umbrella group of hardline Shi'ite 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 Shi'ite 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 Mobilisation 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 October 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 last 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 October 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.
WASHINGTON 

The United States has begun carrying out airstrikes in the Middle East in retaliation for last Sunday's fatal drone attack on an American base in Jordan.



The U.S. Central Command said its forces on Friday "conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps [IRGC] Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from [the] United States."

"We hit exactly what we meant to hit," said U.S. Army Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, who serves as the operations director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He explained the air assault took place over about 30 minutes and said that three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria.

Iraq, but not Iran, was informed prior to the strikes, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the attacks were carried out at his direction.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," said Biden in a Friday evening statement.

Hours before the U.S. military response, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises to potentially retaliate for any U.S. strikes targeting its interests.

Iran, he said, "will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response."

Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement that the strikes are a "violation of Iraqi sovereignty" and "pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences."

B-1 bombers were flown from the United States and were part of the operation that used more than 125 precision munitions, according to U.S. military officials.

"This is the start of our response," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. "The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and Coalition Forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.

"There will be additional response actions taken in [the] coming days."

On a call with journalists, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, "There will be additional response actions taken in [the] coming days.

The U.S military said it struck "command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aired vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and coalition forces."

A U.S. military official, speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity, said that while some Iranian operatives and militia members may have been killed in the attacks, that was not the goal of the strikes.

They were "not for personnel purposes but for a major disruption in logistics," the official said. "These [targets] are critical to their supply chain."

The NSC's Kirby suggested additional U.S. strikes would have a similar goal.

"There will be additional action that we will take  all designed to put an end to these attacks [on U.S. forces] and to take away capability [from the] IRGC," he said

Syrian state media in Damascus reported that "U.S. aggression" at several sites in desert areas and along the Syria-Iraq border had resulted in casualties.

Biden and Austin, among other U.S. government officials, had made clear in recent days there would be a multi-tiered military response after the first American deaths under fire in what some describe as an escalating proxy war with Iranian-supported militias in the region.

Sunday's attack on a base in Jordan killed three U.S. soldiers and injured more than 40 others. There has been no U.S. communication with Iran since that attack, said Kirby.

There have been more than 165 attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East since mid-October.

"I think anytime you lose men and women overseas in an operation, it does put additional pressure on any administration, whether they're Democrats or Republicans, to take a very firm response," Jeremi Suri, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin told VOA.

"The huge issue that the administration is dealing with is having a strong deterrence policy without having escalation throughout the region, and threading that needle is difficult. I would say the choices that they made so far have been good ones," said Suri.

The latest conflict in the Middle East was sparked nearly four months ago by Hamas terrorists and other militant groups crossing from Gaza into Israel and slaughtering 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, in their homes, at a music festival and elsewhere.

Soldiers' remains brought back to US

The first indication of Friday's retaliatory bombings came minutes after a dignified transfer of the remains of the three U.S. Army reservists concluded at Dover Air Force Base in the state of Delaware.

The Friday airstrikes by U.S. warplanes "had no connection, none whatsoever, with the timing of the dignified transfer," Kirby said in response to a question from VOA.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden watched for 15 minutes as a carry team of seven soldiers wearing white gloves in a formation of two lines marched slowly toward a C5 Galaxy military transport plane to individually retrieve the transfer cases that were draped with American flags.

They carried each case about 100 meters toward a vehicle, slowly passing a somber-looking president who had his right hand on his chest. The other civilians, including the first lady and Austin, also had their hands on hearts, as did attending lawmakers and grieving family members.

The president's attendance at the event came amid a ray of optimism that Hamas and Israel were moving slowly toward a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a freeing by Israel of Palestinian prisoners and a truce.

Israel, Hezbollah trade fire

Israel has relentlessly bombarded Gaza in response to the October 7 terror attacks. The response has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians and wounded 66,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Officials with the United Nations say the war has created a humanitarian catastrophe with about a quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people starving.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday it attacked a Hezbollah military complex and trucks that were storing weapons in southern Lebanon.

Fighter jets attacked the complex near the village of Lida, and the truck hit was near the village of Shuba, according to the IDF. This operation followed rocket launches into northern Israel from Hezbollah earlier in the day.

The Houthi movement said it fired ballistic missiles Friday at the Red Sea port city of Eilat in Israel. The IDF said its Arrow aerial defense system had intercepted a surface-to-surface missile over the Red Sea.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin also contributed to this report.
It's understood Zuber Issa, right, wants to focus on the brothers' petrol station empire EG Group - Jon Super

One of the billionaire Issa brothers is attempting to offload his stake in the debt-laden supermarket Asda, as he seeks a retreat to their original business running petrol stations and takeaways.

Zuber Issa, 51, has approached buyout specialists and retailers to explore a sale of his 22.5pc shareholding in Asda just three years after he acquired it in a 6.8bn deal alongside his older brother Mohsin and the private equity firm TDR Capital.

Sources close to the discussions, which have been taking place as recently as the past week, said that Zuber had indicated a desire to focus on EG Group, the Issa brothers Blackburn stronghold.

EG Group owns thousands of petrol stations around the world and was founded by Zuber in 2001. He brought Mohsin into the fold several years later and the business subsequently became the basis of a multibillion-pound family fortune.

It is understood that Zuber has said he would prefer another investor to join TDR and Mohsin for Asdas next phase, which could include an ambitious bid for the high street chemist Boots.

His attempts to exit Asda at a price for his stake said to be north of 500m are complicated by so-called lock-in agreements with Mohsin and TDR. A sale would need to be approved by both.

Zuber could also seek to sell his stake to the private equity firm, sources said, although TDR would be expected to offer a lower price than an outside investor.

A successful exit by Zuber would mark a partial parting of ways for the Issa brothers. City sources who have worked with them speculated that he could even use the proceeds to buy Mohsin out of EG Group and disentangle their fortunes. TDR is also a major shareholder in EG Group after acquiring a 50pc stake in 2015.

The potential changes come as Mohsin, who serves as chief executive of Asda, embarks on a new phase in his personal life.

On Friday, following a report last week by The Telegraph, he confirmed that he is in a romantic relationship with Victoria Price, a former partner at EY, which was Asdas auditor until it quit in July last year.



Via lawyers, the pair said Ms Price, who left the accountant around the same time and presented Mohsin and Zuber with EYs UK Entrepreneur Of The Year award in 2018, never worked on Asda business and was not an audit partner. Mohsin and Ms Price said they were in a relationship and building a life together and asked for privacy for themselves and their families.

Story continues

Zubers sale discussions are the latest sign of upheaval at Asda and the wider Issa brothers empire.

The ties between the brothers are deeply woven into their complex corporate structure, as they share directorships across a vast network of companies. Both are on the board of Asda and EG Group, although Mohsin is primarily responsible for running the former In Leeds, while Zuber looks after the latter from Blackburn.

Mohsins control over Asda has thrust him uncomfortably into the spotlight over the past year, as the supermarket battles mounting debt pressures and falling market share. The supermarket currently has around 4.2bn of debt, which has led to hundreds of millions of pounds in interest costs.

More loans were taken out by Asda last year to acquire EG Groups UK arm, which contains 350 petrol forecourts and 1,000 takeaways, employing more than 13,000.

Concerns over Asdas finances and operations have prompted MPs to call Mohsin for questioning twice in the past year. They inquired why Asda had set up companies offshore in Jersey, which Mohsin denied was for tax purposes.

Asda recently trialled a four-day week to quell a revolt among store managers. This stemmed from claims by union leaders that senior employees were leaving in their droves amid cost cuts.

Senior industry sources speculated that TDR, which helped bankroll the takeover of Asda and holds a controlling stake, is looking to bring in a chief executive with more grocery experience to replace Mohsin. He has been at the helm of Asda ever since Roger Burnley exited the business in 2021.

A senior retail source said: Everyone they have spoken to so far has said no chance until Mohsin disappears.

This recent mess will only make people more nervous about taking it on.

In recent years, the brothers closeness has been reflected in that they have used their wealth to build a complex of five identical mansions on a leafy street in Lancashire. They are also building a 5m mosque through their Issa Foundation, which supports local causes.

An Asda spokesman declined to comment.

TDR declined to comment.

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Joel Katz, accused of covering up abuse in the Recording Academy with NDAs. Photo: Sasha Haagensen/WireImage

Just days ahead of the Grammys, the Recording Academy is facing yet another controversy around sexual abuse in its ranks. The Los Angeles Times has reported that the Academy covered up an alleged culture of sexual abuse with NDAs and payments. The allegations came ahead of the Academy honoring Joel Katz, its former general counsel, with the Trustees Award. Katz was reportedly one of the key figures involved in the cover-up. At least five women told the Times they had signed such NDAs since the 1990s after coming to the Academy about misconduct. Katz did not comment to the Times, while the Recording Academy said it has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to sexual misconduct. The Academy still honored Katz at the Special Merit Awards, though he did not attend.

Terri McIntyre, the former executive director of the Academys Los Angeles chapter, told the Times she had twice been offered money in exchange for her silence about alleged sexual assaults at the Academy. Years after she left her position, in 2001, she said Katz offered her $1 million to put this to bed. McIntyre did not sign an NDA, and last December she sued former Academy chairman Mike Greene, saying he had raped her twice. A representative for Greene denied McIntyres allegations to the Times.

Greene resigned from the Academy in 2002 after it paid a woman $650,000 to settle a sexual-harassment lawsuit against him. (The Academy later cleared Greene in its own investigation.) A former Academy executive who reported to Greene, Joanne Gardner Lowell, attested to the NDAs. The rule at the Academy was Dont speak about anything that happened within these walls, she told the Times.

The report also follows a lawsuit accusing former Academy CEO Neil Portnow of rape. The November claim was made by an unnamed female musician who said Portnow had drugged and assaulted her in 2018. A representative for Portnow previously told Vulture the claims were completely false. Portnow resigned in 2019 after making a much-criticized statement that women in music needed to step up to win Grammys. His replacement, Deborah Dugan, first uncovered the rape claim in 2020 in her own complaint against the Academy. Dugan had also accused Katz, the former counsel, of sexual harassment, which he denied at the time.

Katz received the Trustees Award on February 3 at the Grammys Special Merit Awards ceremony, alongside musician and manager Peter Asher and hip-hop founder DJ Kool Herc. His colleague, Jason M. Karlov, accepted on his behalf, per Billboard, and said Katz was addressing his health concerns. The Grammys take place the following day, February 4, with a historic slate of nominated women.

This story has been updated throughout.
Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for IMDb

Melissa Barreras talent agency and management company both reportedly considered firing her after she shared a fundraiser for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on Instagram. According to Variety, her posts encouraging donations to a fundraiser to benefit martyrs in Gaza and the West Bank prompted heated internal debate and were viewed as the final straw. Sources claim that management company Sugar23 was preparing to drop Barrera, while agency WME consulted with outside advisors about how to fire her without sparking backlash (though a WME rep denied this to Variety). On Thursday, both companies reportedly changed course and decided to keep Barrera as a client for now. WME and Sugar23 did not immediately respond to Vultures request for comment.

UNRWA has played a crucial role in distributing international aid in Gaza. But the U.S. and several other donor countries recently paused funding to the agency after the Israeli government alleged that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7. The U.N. announced that it had terminated nine individuals (noting that one individual was dead and the identities of the remaining two were being clarified), and asked that thousands of workers providing humanitarian aid not be punished for the alleged actions of some. According to Time magazine, the UNRWA employs 30,000 people, with 13,000 based in Gaza.

Barrera, who was fired from Scream VII after making several pro-Palestine posts and recently protested in support of Palestine at Sundance, created her fundraiser a day after the U.S. announced it was temporarily freezing funds to the UNRWA. Guess its always up to the people. Made a fundraiser with @unrwa, donate what you can and share , Barrera wrote in an Instagram Story. She acknowledged in another Story that Apparently some people are mad that Im sharing this fundraiser. As of publication time, the fundraiser link remains in her Instagram bio and has raised more than $60,000.
Mia McKenna-Bruce in How to Have Sex. Photo: MUBI

Unfolding in waves of boozy, neon-soaked hedonism, Molly Manning Walkers How to Have Sex presents us with an experiential journey through both euphoria and dread. Seen mostly through the eyes of recent British high-school graduate Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce) who has just arrived in Greece for a few days of post-exams summer fun alongside her two friends, Em (Enva Lewis) and Skye (Lara Peake), the film has all the trappings of a coming-of-age story, but its too drifty and imprecise for that. Manning Walker, a cinematographer making her feature directing debut, heaps on the atmosphere  vivid colors, throbbing music, flashing lights, shouting and dancing and gyrating and vomiting  and lets her stars face do most of the emotional and narrative work. As Tara goes from boisterous, impatient party girl to an unnerved shell of her former self, we understand that something has changed forever.

This is probably the right approach to a story that, in its broad outlines, could easily have become a simplistic cautionary tale, a racier version of an after-school special. Instead, Walkers delicate eye and feel for rhythm lend the movie an ominous cadence. We know pretty much from the start that nothing good can come of this techno-fueled descent into hell. Among her friends, the diminutive Tara at first seems to be the most gung ho, the most boisterous, her rapid-fire shriek of a voice aspiring to an authority that isnt really there.

She also happens to be a virgin, and is hoping to finally get laid during this soused sojourn. She has a promising early connection with Badger (Shaun Thomas), a bleached-blond boy with a truly dire Hot Legends neck tattoo, who makes a bold but sweet overture to her from the balcony next door: Oi, smoke show! he yells, with a laugh. But then theres Badgers friend Paddy (Samuel Bottomley), whos more confident, more experienced, and more fit, as the kids put it.

At its best, How to Have Sex captures the kinds of unspoken rituals that occur within groups of excitable youth, the way certain people hover around each other and the way others can just swoop in, the paroxysms of longing and jealousy and spite and shame that are the lingua franca of being a teenager. It also captures the ways that such interactions can quickly become poisoned and dangerous.

Walker isnt here to scold or condemn, however. She seems to realize that all these people are on some level deeply confused, about themselves and about each other. All throughout, McKenna-Bruces expressive performance anchors the film. We cant always tell whats happening, but we can see Taras bravado crumble as disorientation, fear, and regret take hold of her.

As with several other recent (and very different) pictures about tourists discovering the bleakness of the world against sunny Mediterranean and/or Aegean settings, we see relatively little evidence of the locals in How to Have Sex. These wild British teens are mostly confined to the world of their resort and its immediate surroundings, a street full of clubs and bars and late-night kebab and fry shops, just steps away from a beach we never quite see in full. In some ways, the film is as notable for what it doesnt show as for what it does. If it feels somewhat hazy and unsatisfying as a story, that is perhaps by design. Its fragmented, elliptical style has the quality of a dark, fragile memory.
Going into Mr. & Mrs. Smith, I had a lot of skepticism. Despite Francesca Sloanes insistence that there was a new story worth telling here, the first couple of episodes didnt fully convince me. The original movie was never a masterpiece, but it was good, sexy fun and sustained by a once-in-a-lifetime pairing of movie stars. The new series had no real reason to exist, even (or especially) with a totally different tone.

But I started really having fun with this show sometime around Double Date, and this episode is even better. Im still not sure Mr. & Mrs. Smith is really a five-star type of show, but Couples Therapy strikes me as the most successful example yet of what Sloane is trying to pull off, both comedically and dramatically.

Ive had some issues with the plotting on this show, but the intensely episodic structure is one of the main reasons it works well. There may not be much of an ongoing serialized story outside the actual relationship arc  Im still unsure what to expect when it comes to a theoretical confrontation with the big boss  but that choice allows for a lot of freedom. Theres space for an episode like this one, focused entirely on a husband and wife making an honest effort to talk through their issues.

To be fair, Im always a sucker for a therapy episode, so I knew Id dig this immediately, especially with Sarah Paulson as the quirky couples therapist. (She had the wood floor from her childhood home flown in.) John and Janes first session picks up where the two left off in the last episode: arguing about having kids and arguing about how much their boss favors Jane. She turned down Hihis offer to replace John, but John still cant stand how controlling she is during missions.

Couples Therapy features three different therapy sessions, with flashbacks to other missions embedded within each one. Its a smart way of breaking up all the dialogue with some spywork. In the first mission  an example of Jane being controlling  John takes lead, infiltrating a poker group and posing as the cousin of a friend. Its nice to see John in a social setting again; hes performing as part of a mission, but in some ways he seems more at ease than usual, shooting the shit about copaganda, Mya, Latina women, and yoga. Jane gets impatient and starts firing early, and soon John is the only one alive in the room.

I do wonder about morality in this show sometimes. Are we to understand that these three men deserved to die in some way? Its harder to feel that way after spending some time with them, unlike the anonymous masked shooters whom John and Jane usually deal with. What exactly was the mission here, and is there a reason Jane shot the two unarmed men first, forcing John to shoot the armed one?

Of course, the men who died dont really matter. This is all about how John and Janes behavior makes each other feel. Jane thinks her husband uses sexism and anti-Asian racism to connect with other men. John thinks shes uncomfortable and jealous of his effortless ability to bond with Black people. Meta concerns aside  again, Google Donald Glover Asian for more info  its an interesting, realistic conflict. And it ties back to Janes control issues; shes worried that shell lose an essential part of herself if she lets her husband take the wheel more on missions.

Next week, theyre back and still in the same emotional place. This time, John has resigned himself to letting Jane answer the therapists questions. And the flashback mission is pretty brief: Jane let John take the lead during a chase, but his asthma kept him from catching up and she had to kill the guy herself. To psych herself into throwing him over the roof, she yelled, Die, motherfucker! Johns first reaction was to laugh hysterically, and Jane still takes it personally.

This leads to a moment of impressive honesty from John, who admits that he used to feel more secure and comfortable at the beginning when she still looked up to him. Jane assures him that hes not holding her back, and she does look up to him. It seems like therapy is really starting to work for these two.

But we havent seen rock bottom yet. That comes during the third session when they recount that weeks disastrous off-the-grid work retreat. In flashback, we see John and Jane lost in the woods without service, eventually failing the mission when they cant find their target before nightfall. John, still suffering from a terminal case of wounded masculinity, keeps trying to take charge and steer them in the right direction, but it doesnt work. Then, as theyre camping out that night, Jane makes a reference to The Prophet and realizes John has never read it, contrary to what he claimed back in Second Date. He explains that he made it up because he was jealous of Hot Neighbor.

The fight that follows is pretty brutal  so candid and ugly and real and uncomfortable to watch. Once again, both accuse the other of being controlling, but it gets more specific and personal than that. In the last episode, Jane vowed never to judge John for how often he talks to his mom, but she breaks that vow when she trots out that old issue again. As is often the case, Jane is right in some ways  its dangerous for John and his mom to be in constant contact  but she comes across as really cruel in the way she says it, treating her husband like an idiot.

However, John retaliates explosively, criticizing Janes nonexistent relationship with her dad and claiming she only pretends to care about people. Again, like with Jane breaking her vow, it feels like a betrayal of sorts; John once told her he knew she wasnt a robot, but now he treats her like one. The only way Jane can respond to it all is by pointing out a key discrepancy: John lists his mom as his emergency contact, while Jane lists him. From her point of view, shes all in on this life, and John has one foot in the past.

Somehow, theres still one more gut punch to come back in the present day. The therapist tries to comfort John and Jane by reminding them they always have the option of leaving. No one is forcing you to stay together, she says. No one is holding a gun to your head. You can leave this relationship at any time. You are choosing to stay in it. The bitter irony, obviously, is that they cant leave this relationship at any time. Its a disturbing reality that makes their marriage feel even more like a prison.

Ive always taken it as a given that everything will work out fine for John and Jane at the end because, despite the questionable morality of their occupation, the show is usually on their side. Weve seen them fall in love and spend time with them in their most intimate moments, and Id be pretty surprised if the relationship just didnt work out and they broke up. Still, the sheer venomousness of that fight really shook me, and the aftermath really leads us to question whether these two are right for each other. They got close quickly because of outlandish circumstances, but theres no guarantee they have what it takes to last another year, let alone the rest of their lives. As Jane-2 once asked, would they have ended up together if the company didnt arrange it that way? Its a scary, thrilling question to contemplate with only two episodes to go.

Flaps and Seals

 John and Jane finally decide couples therapy isnt for them after finding out the therapist has been secretly recording their sessions this whole time. In response, they burn down the house. RIP to her imported childhood floor.

 Theres something a little sad (and darkly funny) about the guys at the poker table discussing how yoga helps you stay spry later in life  moments before all of them die.

 Apologies for how many notes Im about to include about Sarah Paulson, but cmon. That story about averting her gaze at the sign of a mantled howler in Tortuguero was amazing.

 So sorry about that. Oh, its no problem. He sounds sweet. Hes  disrespectful.

 Its not my fault you have asthma.

 Gotta love Sarah Paulson explaining what out of pocket means to Jane.

 Glover plays Johns awkward apology perfectly after the therapist reprimands him for playing her grandfathers piano. And this line delivery from Paulson deserves some kind of award: One of the Nazis loved to hear them play it. It saved their lives.

 John is a big-game hunter.

 All the lies about John and Janes careers as software engineers are pretty funny, especially that argument when they start criticizing each others files and malware.

 Both Double Date and this episode made me crave an entire self-contained episode about a different Smith couple, maybe two people who actually dont pursue a romantic relationship.

 Amy Seimetz directed this episode, so I shouldve known it would be the best one.
The fake relationship trope is so popular in the romantic-comedy genre for many reasons. Theres a certain thrill to witnessing that gradual pivot from role-play to genuine feeling: play-acting being in love then actually falling in love. Its like jumping from friends (or complete strangers) to spouses fast-tracks the love story: Suddenly these people are together all the time, actually getting to know each other while pretending to be in love, and its all too easy for the fiction to become reality.

Its hard to tell how much time actually passes between any two episodes of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but you get the sense that months are flying by in this universe. Still, even with that timetable, John and Jane Smith are moving fast, faster than most real-life non-spy couples would. Living in the same house and surviving the same dangerous, upsettingly violent ordeals brought them together almost immediately, so it doesnt feel all that ridiculous to have a discussion about children this early. Thats part of the beauty of this show: The premise allows for a lot of freedom in jumping around to play with different relationship tropes. Normally, this journey might require years of story time to cover, but these characters are already used to moving fast.

It takes a while for Do You Want Kids? to directly address the possibility of John and Jane having kids, but the idea is there from the beginning. Jane is generally the colder, more professional of the two, but shes surprisingly maternal with Toby Hellinger (Ron Perlman!), the high-value target theyre tasked with transporting. Toby is almost immediately positioned symbolically as a child, a sort of test run for the Smiths having a baby one day. Theres something stereotypically fatherly about the way John treats Toby: ignoring him while he whines incessantly from the backseat and pointing out that the child locks are on. Jane, like a good-hearted and sympathetic mom, is the one to show Toby some mercy by taking his hood off on the way to the designated safe house.

Were in Lake Como, Italy, for this episode, which means some pretty stunning scenery, especially during the extended action sequence that begins when John and Jane are ambushed at the safe house. It starts as an exciting car chase over precarious mountain roads before turning into a race to sea level through congested streets, like something from a Fast & Furious or Mission: Impossible movie. In the process, John and Jane ruin a wedding, but they eventually convince a family to take them across the lake in their small boat.

The new safe house John takes them to is one Jane doesnt even know about: a beautiful cottage on the lake that he impulsively bought for the two of them while at the market. As youd expect, Jane is at first very turned off by this unexpected gesture. As if reading her mind, Hihi contacts her for the first time without John, asking if shes happy with everything. Apparently, he sees her advancing, but he doesnt say the same about John. Later, she gets further instructions for the next steps, with Hihi poking further and asking about Johns ability to handle the missions.

Do You Want Kids? really dials up the kid parallels during that night in the safe house when Toby refuses to take medicine for his stomach pain. Perlman lands all the comedic beats, his big, tough exterior at odds with Tobys childish demeanor, especially when he later interrupts John and Jane in the middle of the night to somberly report, I think I threw up. The episode features plenty of familiar parenting tropes while adding an amusing new context, like when John bribes Toby with a cigarette after Janes more traditional efforts fail.

Its an effective story for getting John and Jane to discuss the possibility of kids, although it doesnt feel entirely consistent with their characters up to this point. Youd expect John to be the warm parental presence, but hes unusually unkind to Toby, which Jane herself points out. Im not sure I ever totally understood that role reversal, considering Jane isnt actually pregnant, despite the multiple pieces of false foreshadowing. Maybe its just meant to shake up the usual dynamic.

The second half of the episode includes two important conversations between the Smiths. The first, where they exchange realistic arranged spy marriage vows outside the cottage, suggests John and Jane really do belong together; Jane promises not to judge him for how often he talks to his mom, and John says some sweet stuff about not judging her for pretending her cat will live forever. (I agree, Jane. Max will live forever.) The biggest vow, though, comes last: I vow never to kill you. For a normal marriage, that vow would pretty much go without saying, but the Smiths arent like other couples. Its not necessarily an implied agreement. Unfortunately, then John goes and says, I want to put a baby in you, ruining the moment. That conversation gets tabled for another day.

John and Jane do, in the end, manage to deliver Toby to the specified coordinates the next day, where he gets scooped up by a seaplane in the middle of Lake Como. No harm done  except, of course, to Johns cottage, which Jane makes the executive decision to blow up by sticking some dynamite in the lit stove. I guess some people do die, but its just the anonymous armed men who somehow keep tracking them down. We never actually find out their origin, which feels like one of several missing plot details this episode couldve included.

The second big relationship conversation happens back at home, where John asks Jane if shes pregnant. Shes not, and shes understandably very grateful that shes not, but John kind of wanted her to be. I have to say; Im completely on Janes side when it comes to the subject of kids. It would be very irresponsible to bring kids into this world with their current lifestyle, and she still has loftier career goals she hasnt pursued yet.

Even if Jane is right, its hard to watch her lash out at John, categorically rejecting the possibility of low-risk work and calling him simple-minded for wanting a family. The tension between them is exacerbated by the arrival of a gift from Hihi, who only praises Jane in the note. John snaps at her, assuming she took all the credit for this mission like she apparently has in the past. But we saw those mission report texts from Jane, and  I dont think she did? Maybe there are longer debriefs we dont get to see, but theres little about Janes texts that imply anything specific about Johns abilities.

Again, the show could use more clarity on how this all works and how important the company actually is to the story. I assume were heading for some confrontation with the company refusing to allow them to leave as we saw in the opening scene of the show. But there hasnt been any movement on learning about what exactly the company is for, or why they have such lax standards for their employees. Are John and Jane doing the bidding of some truly evil enterprise? Do You Want Kids? is another episode that feels like its building to some twist  theres something menacing about Hihis order to keep Toby alive until morning  but it doesnt really pull the trigger.

Those concerns aside, the episode still mostly succeeds with its main relationship story, getting us to a point where Janes indecision about Hihis offer to replace her partner is believable. These two people clearly love each other, but that might not be enough. Some people just want different things.

Flaps and Seals

 Youd think John would know how to speak Italian by now, but his best attempt at a translation for move is move.

 Shout-out to the white short-shorts Glover rocks during that final argument.
Brunswick (NYSE:BC) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$6.40b (down 6.0% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$432.6m (down 37% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 6.8% (down from 10.0% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by lower revenue.

EPS: US$6.16 (down from US$9.11 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Brunswick Revenues and Earnings Miss Expectations

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 1.2%. Earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst estimates by 11%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 2.9% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 2.3% growth forecast for the Leisure industry in the US.

Performance of the American Leisure industry.

The company's shares are up 3.3% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Brunswick you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Sgarbi announces resignation "with immediate effect".

Italian junior culture minister Vittorio Sgarbi on Friday announced his resignation amid an investigation into his alleged laundering of a stolen painting and accusations that he accepted lucrative fees for appearing at events.

Sgarbi, a prominent art critic known for his outspoken views, said his resignation as culture undersecretary in the Italian government was "with immediate effect" and that he would inform premier Giorgia Meloni later on Friday.

The 71-year-old politician denies allegations that he exhibited a modified 17th-century artwork which had been stolen from a castle in Italy's northern Piemonte region in 2013.

In a foul-mouthed outburst aired in recent days, Sgarbi verbally attacked journalists from Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper for questioning him over alleged possession of the stolen painting, threatening to expose his penis on camera and saying he would be "happy" if they died in a car crash.

Pressed by the reporters of the programme Report, the undersecretary for culture Vittorio Sgarbi insults them and threatens to pull out his penis in front of the cameras.



Jan 29, 2024 pic.twitter.com/AxkKkqJZKk  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) January 29, 2024

On Tuesday a court found Sgarbi guilty of defaming former Rome mayor Virginia Raggi, for comparing her in 2018 to the late Mafia-linked Palermo mayor Vito Ciancimino, over a order by the city council - subsequently revoked - to demolish a historic villa in the Coppede quarter.

Photo credit: Daniele de Gregorio / Shutterstock.com.
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.
How much of the connection we feel to various food products and dispensers is testament to the ingenuity of its design?

February 2, 2024

by Terry Durack
Subway sandwich shops in the greater Redding area abruptly closed recently. Social media posts and news reports say little notice was given before the locations shut down.

I went to five locations in Redding. And save for the store in the Westwood Village shopping center on Westside Road, there were notices on the door that said, Subway is temporarily closed. We will be reopening in a few weeks. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you soon.

The notice at the Subway in Westside Village directed customers to the Hilltop Drive and Eureka Way locations in Redding, or the Anderson location. Theyre all closed, too.

Subway shares space with the Shell gas station-minimart at the corner of Oasis and Old Oasis Road in north Redding.

I asked two people working inside the mini mart and they did not know why Subway closed there. They said the sandwich shop closed about a week ago and they've heard that the shuttered locations are in the process of being sold.

The Subway on Eureka Way in west Redding was one of several locations that recently closed.

Delight Foods owns the Subway locations that closed.

The companys office in Redding is off Airport Road. When I went there one recent weekday morning, the door was locked and the lights were off.

Subway in recent years has closed other locations in Redding.

Lucky Millers Deli opened in 2021 in the former Subway on Athens Avenue in Cypress Square. Togos Sandwiches opened last March in the Placer Heights shopping center in west Redding. That location also was repurposed from a former Subway.

Stay tuned.

Former Pizza Hut welcomes new tenant

Pizza Hut on Hilltop Drive in Redding closed in early 2021 after nearly 40 years in business.

But if you've driven by recently, you've no doubt noticed that new life is budding from the location. The building has been painted and work has started inside for a new tenant.

The building is being redeveloped into a production facility for Taste & See Creamery. There, the local business will make its ice cream and then bring the finish product to its retail locations on Hilltop Drive in the Chuck E. Cheese center and downtown next Cinder's Pizza. Taste & See also owns the pizza restaurant.

Story continues

The former Pizza Hut building on Hilltop Drive is being turned into a production facility for Taste & See Creamery.

WDB Construction is doing the work on the former Pizza Hut building.

Jake Hornaday of Taste & See said they now make their ice cream in Cottonwood, so having the production plant in Redding will be more efficient. Hornaday said they chose the former pizza building because it used to be a restaurant.

"Being that it had been a Pizza Hut previously, it already had a lot of of the kitchen hardware that you kind of already need," he said. They hope to have the Redding production facility opened in six to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, Hornaday told me that Taste & See is working on opening a location in Anderson, next to Burrito Bandito on East Center Street. It could be open in March, he said.

Drab no more: Art has revived this historic downtown building

The IOOF building in downtown Redding has been revived since the McConnell Foundation purchased it in 2018.

When the McConnell Foundation purchased the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Redding nearly six years ago, the historic building was pretty drab.

People just ignored it and just walked by when it was a beige building, Viva Downtown Reddings Blake Fisher recently told me.

But the philanthropic foundation worked to revive the building, which dates back to 1888. Fisher said its the oldest brick building in Redding.

One of the ways was reintroducing the arches because you cant reintroduce any of the brick structure behind it, or any of the windows. So they tried to figure out how we can activate this building with a little bit of color and make this an active area for this alleyway, Fisher said.

These murals done by local artists are the latest cultural feature that's been brought to the historic IOOF Building in downtown Redding.

During February First Friday festivities in downtown, the latest murals for what Fisher calls Eight Artists for Eight Arches were unveiled. These are local artists creating mini murals that are showcased in the former window arches that face Butte Street.

Karlo Henry, whose Art Hunger gallery is inside the IOOF Building, coordinated the project and curated the local artists for the spaces.

More: The Buzz: Family opens Mexican bakery. Longtime Redding restaurant gets new name

Fisher said funding for the project came from a California Arts Council grant that Viva Downtown received.

The artists get paid to do this project. We cover supplies and this is made possible through the Upstate California Creative Corps project, Fisher said.

Fisher noted that the IOOF Building has become an eye-popping backdrop for residents. For example, some high school seniors take class pictures in front of the building, he said.

Now its become an art hub for downtown, he said.

The next installment of artists and their murals will go up in June.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-225-8219. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: The Buzz: Redding Subways close. New life at old Pizza Hut
Fi Macrae has spent years in pain so debilitating she was forced to quit her job as a cake-maker and spend long periods in bed. Sometimes she would go to emergency departments in such excruciating pain she was vomiting.

In 2020, three years after she first experienced severe unexplained pelvic and abdominal pain, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.

Fi Macrae has been appointed co-chair of the Pain Inquiry Sub-Committee. Credit: Jason South

Ive had some of the best doctors ever, but Ive also had doctors whove told me that it wasnt possible that I was in that much pain and perhaps mood stabilisers would fix my head  literally those words, Macrae says.

If someone presents in vomiting amounts of pain to an emergency department, the go-to shouldnt be antidepressants. It should be: What is happening? Whats the root of this problem?
Three years after it seized power, Myanmar's military junta faces a huge challenge as ethnic insurgent groups rebel across the country.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance - a coalition of three armed rebel groups - has taken control of more than a dozen towns and trade ports in Myanmar's northern Shan state. It has also made advances in Rakhine state despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by China.

Beijing, which is seen to have considerable influence over both sides in the conflict, has facilitated peace talks in southwest China's Yunnan province in recent months. Through these meetings, the junta and the rebels agreed to suspend fighting. But the truce fell apart as the two sides continued to fight and the rebels gained more territory.

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.

Observers say Beijing is likely to continue using its influence to seek a permanent ceasefire because it sees stability as a priority, but the divergent interests of the parties could complicate these efforts.

Zhou Shixin, a Southeast Asia specialist at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said the fact that China had been able to broker a ceasefire during talks in Yunnan last month indicated the warring sides were willing to talk, but the truces were short-lived and fragile given the volatile situation.

"The window for peace is very short, and the window for maintaining peace is also very short, so we have seen that a breakout quickly occurred after the temporary reconciliation," he said.

Zhou said the temporary reconciliation reached during the Yunnan talks meant the parties "basically had few additional demands", and therefore tensions were likely to ease further.

"So I think breakouts in the future will be regional or sporadic and these breakouts may be limited in scope."

Story continues

According to Zhou, Beijing has "great patience and sincerity" in helping Myanmar to restore peace, but it is under pressure as both the junta and armed groups have high expectations for China's role in the process.

"Both the junta and the ethnic armed groups expect us to put pressure on the other side. The high expectations could make things very difficult for China. China does not want to pressure any party, and these [expectations] undermine China's neutrality and role as a peace maker," he said.

Dan Seng Lawn, executive director of the Myanmar-based Kachinland Research Centre (KRC), said that while both the junta and the rebels saw China as the only viable peacemaker, Beijing could not meet the demands of the two sides.

"China cannot really dictate the outcome of the negotiations," he said, adding that no outside power could meet the parties' expectations at the moment because both sides were in a "zero-sum game" mindset.

He added that it would be difficult for the rebels to accept a permanent ceasefire agreement with the junta because of public opinion, "and if they stop fighting now and start talking with the [military government], they will have a lot to answer to the people".

China's trade with Myanmar has suffered since the rebels began their attacks in October. China is Myanmar's biggest trading partner and its key investor.

Last month, the junta government and China renewed their commitment to developing a deep water port in Kyaukphyu - a key project of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. Progress on the port, which will serve as a gateway for China's trade with Europe and the Middle East, had been stalled since the 2021 coup, and the junta's recommitment to the project was seen as a gesture to win China's support.

Meanwhile, the Three Brotherhood Alliance has vowed to protect China's assets during the conflicts in a bid to win Beijing's trust.

Christina Fink, a George Washington University professor specialising in Myanmar studies, said prolonged instability could prevent the Chinese government from fully realising its belt and road projects, but branches of the Chinese government were in "close communication" with both Myanmar's military government and a number of the ethnic armed organisations operating in areas where China had already developed projects.

"Understandings between the ethnic armed organisations and the Chinese government have meant that such projects have not been targeted to date," she said.

Zhuang Guotu, a Xiamen University professor specialising in Southeast Asia, said while prolonged conflict would have an impact on China's border security and long-term cooperation with Myanmar, it did not mean Beijing would have to pick sides for the sake of its infrastructure projects.

"I believe that only a fair solution to the Myanmar issue will benefit China's belt and road projects in the long run," he added.

Many in Naypyidaw have speculated that Beijing has backed the rebel groups' offensives. Pro-junta media and supporters staged rallies against China, accusing Beijing of supporting the rebels, according to news site The Irrawaddy.

Beijing has repeatedly said it would not interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs. In response to the pro-junta rallies, the Chinese foreign ministry said any actions attempting to undermine the friendship between China and Myanmar "will not succeed".

Observers noted there may be some trust issues between China and the junta over the latter's inaction in fighting cross-border fraud targeting Chinese citizens. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese are believed to have been lured to Myanmar by the promise of high-paying jobs but were instead held hostage and forced to work in operation centres.

Chinese officials have made several trips to Myanmar over the last year, calling on Naypyidaw to work with Beijing to crack down on cybercrime.

Over the past year, the junta has handed over members of notorious crime syndicates in Myanmar and extradited more than 40,000 cyber fraud suspects back to China.

But Fink said that while the Chinese government would appreciate the junta's gesture, it was "unlikely to change its overall assessment that the current military government is doing a poor job of running the country".

"China is unhappy with [junta leader] Min Aung Hlaing's leadership," she said. "Members of Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), formed by politicians elected in 2020, are seeking to convince China to trust them."

In a position paper last month, the NUG, Myanmar's shadow government composed of elected lawmakers ousted in the 2021 coup, proposed protecting Chinese investments in the country and working with Beijing on cross-border crime while supporting the "one China" principle.

The NUG-backed People's Defence Forces have also cooperated with the Three Brotherhood Alliance on local attacks against the junta.

Cybercrime suspects arrested in Myanmar are escorted by Chinese police to Kunming Changshui International Airport in southwest China's Yunnan province on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua alt=Cybercrime suspects arrested in Myanmar are escorted by Chinese police to Kunming Changshui International Airport in southwest China's Yunnan province on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua>

Amara Thiha, a doctoral researcher specialising in Myanmar issues at the Peace Research Institute Oslo, said while the junta's forces suffered from low morale, "a total collapse" was unlikely.

"Should the current situation persist, we may see the emergence of 'rump states' over a few years, characterised by decentralised authorities and varied attempts at secession," Thiha said.

"This fragmentation likely deviates from what China would prefer. Indeed, there is a perception of a Chinese strategy akin to 'watching the fire burn from across the river', with some stakeholders suggesting that China is following this approach."

He noted that China's investments in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which includes the deep port project, signified a level of commitment, showing Beijing was likely to continue supporting the "central de facto administrations in Myanmar".

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met in Thailand for a new round of talks on US-China relations. The pair also discussed Myanmar and agreed to hold follow-up meetings to discuss the conflict in the country.

But Thiha said the prospect of US-China cooperation was low.

"For China, involving the US in discussions on Myanmar could be seen as an expansion of US power. The strained China-US relationship further complicates this possibility," he said.

Dan Seng Lawn said he did not think any "Western power" could play a role in Myanmar's peace process at the moment, and the best thing the US and China could do was to reach a mutual understanding to bring Myanmar back to the "2011 scenario".

In 2011, the junta, which had ruled the country for decades, started a series of democratic reforms, beginning a transition to civilian leadership.

"If possible, that's the best case scenario at the moment," Dan Seng Lawn said. "You open up for the civilian leadership, you open up to the West ... But that too is really difficult now."

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.
Multiple reports said Chinese authorities are scrubbing the internet of negative economic coverage. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

The New York Times reported that China is erasing negative economic coverage of the country.

China's Ministry of State Security, per NYT, cautioned citizens not to be swayed by "false narratives" of the economy.

Beijing has been grappling with a struggling property sector, deflation, and an exodus of global investors.

Reports this week from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal detail efforts by Chinese authorities to scrub the internet of negative takes on the state of its economy.

According to the NYT, The Ministry of State Security said in its official WeChat account that citizens should not believe the "false narratives" about the trajectory of China, and instead should believe in President Xi Jinping's vision.

Beijing, the report said, has moved to censor social media and news articles from financial experts and economists who share a downbeat perspective. The WSJ similarly reported that some of the nation's top officials have reiterated the importance of promoting the "bright prospects of China's economy."

Meanwhile, officials continue to espouse an upbeat outlook for growth this year, even as the economy grapples with a cocktail of bearish headwinds including a troubled real estate sector, crashing stocks, deflation, and youth unemployment.

The latest round of censorship points to Beijing policymakers' concern over national security and outside perception, and raises questions as to how threats are defined.

In one example cited by The WSJ, an article from a Beijing-based outlet that called for more direct state intervention in addressing economic challenges was erased from the website within hours of publishing.

In another instance, economist Li Xunlei who works at state-owned Zhongtai Securities published a column about the tribulations of lower-income families. That, too, disappeared shortly after it was published, and on WeChat, a message appeared to those trying to access it on Li's account: "The content can't be viewed due to violation of regulations."

Story continues

The NYT said tech platform Weibo had restricted dozens of accounts from posting after they had shared bleak economic realities with other users. The platform also warned its users in November, the report said, not to be "maliciously pessimistic" about China's economy.

Beijing's obstacles extend beyond media chatter. Experts have told Business Insider over recent weeks that the "uber-bearish" narrative on China has become entrenched, and that authorities have slim chances of engineering a rebound in the near term.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mayo County Council's Director of Housing has said it is "disingenuous" for councillors to suggest that the local authority is not doing enough to provide housing in the county.

Tom Gilligan said the council is not lacking ambition in providing housing. He made his remarks in response to Independent Cllr Mark Duffy who told last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District that the council needed "more ambition" in retrofitting and repairing its existing housing stock, as well as providing new housing.

"We need to go after whatever grants we can, there are houses built for over 30 or 40 years that have never been repaired," Cllr Duffy said.

The Independent councillor welcomed news of upcoming housing projects in Church Manor, Castlefield Manor, Duffy's Bakery site, The Meadows and the Chesire Home site on the Killala Road but was critical that none of these projects were ready to proceed following the recent completion of a 50-house development at Rehins Fort.

"There are about 120 houses in the pipeline for Ballina but many of them are still at Stage 1. I don't know how we didn't have anything ready to progress after Rehins Fort."

"There is more pressure on housing every day and we need to increase our ambition on housing. This housing crisis is ongoing and we're not doing enough," he said.

Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Loftus added that while housing projects in Ballina were welcome, he would like to see developments progress in towns like Crossmolina and Killala.

Party colleague Cllr Annie May Reape said recent data has shown that Mayo is one of the most popular counties for people to move home to from Dublin but there is a lack of affordable housing schemes for people wishing to return to the West.

Mr Gilligan said Mayo County Council has plans to address renovations in its housing stock.

"We take huge pride in our housing stock," he remarked. "We have a programme in place for retrofitting and repairs. It isn't all about construction, we have to look at using what is already there. There is a lot of vacant stock we want to use and we want to educate people about the grants and options available to them."

Mr Gilligan said the council does not lack ambition when it comes to building houses, adding that the local authority was given a target of 730 social houses by 2026 under Housing for All but is aiming to provide 1,004 units.

"We are lacking suitable land and resources. It would be lovely to finish one project such as Rehins Fort and move on to another but we can only work with what we have.

"I think the elected members have short memories. The Part 8 planning wasn't easy to secure for Rehins Fort. It is very disingenuous to say we're not doing enough."

Mr Gilligan said the council also intends to progress an application for affordable housing in the Ballina area soon.
Hollister Ballina held a series of fundraising events in the month of December as part of their annual charity drive and this Christmas, their charity of choice was the Mayo Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Annually, the associates in Hollister Ballina come together to decide what they can do to help others in the community and one of their biggest fundraisers for the year is based around several events run throughout the month of December.

The month kicked off with a Christmas Site Light Up event to set the atmosphere for the events to follow. This was followed by a craft fare where family members are encouraged to bring their wares onsite to display for associates to purchase.

The Associates themselves have a Make, Bake & Bring day where they displayed and sold their home-made goods to raise funds. Additionally, there were wooden ornaments on sale for the Hollister Memory Tree and huge raffle runs throughout the month for hampers.

This donation will go a long way to subsidising vital services for members of the Mayo Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland, so that they can keep working on breaking down barriers.
Today

Partly sunny, breezy, and noticeably colder; gusty winds add a chill. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, windy, and cold. Brisk winds add a chill. There could be an early flurry, especially north and west.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny but brisk and chilly with wind chills near or below freezing for much of the day. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west.
MOHNTON, Pa. - Nick Kaltsas and Mike Hambartsomian are veterans in the restaurant business with over 20 years of experience each. Kaltsas owns Fresh in West Reading, and Hambartsomian owns Romeo's in Mohnton.

Hambartsomian told 69 News, "Both of us won first place in Berks County. I won for best pizza. He won for best breakfast, so I think that says something."

They're now joining forces to open Crooked Hen. Kaltsas said, "You can expect a country style breakfast with some really cool chicken and waffles, homemade chipped beef, different omelets, cool lunch options and things like that."

The restaurant is located in the 2000 block of Lancaster Pike in Cumru Township. Once home to Viva Mexico: Bar, which closed over a year ago after shots were fired in the parking lot.

Crooked Hen's owners say they are starting fresh and giving the spot a complete makeover. "What didn't we have to do? That's the question," joked Hambartsomian. "We basically did everything starting from electrical, starting from drywall, framing, plumbing, you name it, we did it."

They're also in the process of hiring and hope to have Crooked Hen open within a month.

"We definitely hope for the community that it gives them a good place to spend time with their friends and family, while getting a quality meal and great place for people to work and something different," said Kaltsas.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The owner of the Hamilton Business Center in Allentown is showing us repairs made to the building, that he says will allow him to reopen its doors to tenants.

Late last year, roughly 90 commercial tenants had to vacate the building on short notice, due to several safety violations.

An inspection was completed of the building's first and second floors Friday. Gordon Roberts, who purchased the building in 2022, says he expects to receive a certificate of occupancy for each of those floors Monday.

"It went as well as I could hope, thankfully," said Roberts. "Feeling spent. That's probably the word. While things have been uncertain, there's been only a drive to keep going."

The rest of the building, he says, is still a work in progress.

Roberts showed us the work completed so far  costing an estimated $85,000 in assessments, materials and labor -- and detailed what more still needs to happen before the entire building can be operational.

Between December and now, Roberts says he hired professionals to assess the building and to make repairs and advancements. That included installing emergency lighting.

"Everyone's got to see what's going on. All the exits have to stay lit. They have to work, and they have to be reliable," stressed Roberts.

In addition, Roberts says roughly 15 doors were tweaked, to ensure they latch and close properly, among other improvements.

"That was probably like about $20,000," explained Roberts.

The sprinkler system has also been a central focus, and there is still more work to be done in that regard.

"Certainly, the sprinkler system has been improved. Now, the doors have all been improved. We've addressed egress methods throughout the building, and there are formal architectural plans now, and so, I'm very happy with that," explained Roberts.

Through continued canvassing of the tenants, Roberts says he has learned roughly 45 plan to return, once they can.

"That has been a major motivation to work as hard as we can, as quickly as we can, to get this resolved," Roberts said. "If they're just using the offices for normal business office usage, they just need a business license, and if they already have one, they can come in, and we can sign, resign their leases and continue on."

Specialty offices, like the nail salons, seven churches who lease space from Roberts and barbershops, will have additional steps to take before they can operate in the building.

"There's a process they have to get their own certificate of occupancy from the city for that," said Roberts.

That involves having architectural plans approved; Roberts says he plans to help.

"The city will decide what's acceptable for their business in that unit," he explained.

Roberts says the upgrades and repairs have been stressful, but there's a silver lining in the stress.

"And, that's what I've been focusing on during these difficult and, sometimes, dark weeks, is that if there was any kind of activity or businesses that were not as professional as they should have been, that takes away from the whole building," said Roberts.

In addition, all the locks in the building will be changed, so they can be accessed by Roberts and his team.

"We're also going to be doing surveillance of the building, of the units better, to make sure that there's no code violations going on within the units," he said.

Roberts says he expects some workers -- with offices on the first and second floors -- will begin returning as soon as Monday.

He says the city is allowing him to do a staged reopening; the next step is to get the third and fourth floors up to speed.

The basement and fifth floors will be finished last.
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. - Wearing his orange jumpsuit and secured by locks and chains, Danilo Calvacante appeared in court today to face charges for crimes he allegedly committed during his two weeks on the run.

Cavalcante faced cameras for the first time since his capture in September, nearly 20 miles from the county prison where he escaped. He ignored reporters as several members of the police led him into court.

Cavalcante is accused of robbing two homes, stealing a firearm and a truck. At the time of the escape, he was serving a life sentence for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend in Schuylkill Township in 2021. He is also accused of killing a 20-year-old man in 2017 while living in his home country of Brazil, before fleeing to the United States.

Inside and outside the courtroom, residents remembered those terrifying two weeks, some say they still live on alert.

"Every time we pass a cornfield we keep looking at and waiting for it and then we think...wait a minute." Says Lindsay Yates, Chester County resident.

She says her heart stopped when she saw him enter the courtroom.

"We saw him come in and it was a small room, I thought I was going to have a heart attack." Says Yates.

Resident Horace Hammond testified in court that he was in his garage when Cavalcante walked in and saw a rifle in the corner, Cavalcante then grabbed the rifle and ran out into the backyard. Hammond says, "He was cornered there, and he took off up the hill and I shot four shots at him."

Hammond missed Cavalcante.

Another resident, Ryan Drummond, testified about his alleged interaction with Cavalcante inside his home, saying, "I flicked the light switch so whoever was in the house would know that I knew they were there."

Drummond says Cavalcante eventually left through a side door.

Border Patrol Agent Chris Holter testified that a DEA aircraft used thermal imaging to locate a heat signature, then his team, along with a Border Patrol canine, captured Cavalcante in South Coventry Township.

Cavalcante will be arraigned in West Chester, and a trial date will be set.
MIDDLETOWN TWP., Pa. - The Bucks County man accused of killing and beheading his own father had three run-ins with Middletown Township Police before the murder.

That's just some of the new information we learned Friday from the District Attorney at a news conference. It's hard to believe 32-year-old Justin Mohn was capable of the crime when you hear about his very normal-sounding past.

"The defendant is a graduate of Neshaminy High School and Penn State Main Campus. He previously worked and lived in Colorado, working for a contractor for Microsoft Corp," said Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.

But somewhere along the line, things changed. Mohn's roommate in Colorado, Davis Rehban, told CNN in an interview "He would always talk about how the government was out to get him, and it was always like these vague stories about it. He would never give specific examples."

At some point Mohn got a job as a customer service representative at Progressive Insurance, but that went wrong too. He was fired for "kicking open an office door" and sued the company for alleged discrimination. He also called police.

"Justin reported that he received a threat from someone at Progressive Insurance in Ohio, because he was suing them and just wanted a record of it," said Middletown Police Chief Joe Bartorilla.

But Mohn lost that suit, and last year he was working at a company in Philadelphia when police got another call.

"His employer from Philadelphia called one of our officers and just expressed concern about Justin's behavior at work and wanted legal advice on how to go about terminating his employment," said Bartorilla.

Police said Mohn was unemployed by the time he decided to legally buy a handgun the day before he allegedly killed his father.

"He surrendered his medical marijuana card so as to be eligible to legally possess a gun," said Schorn.

Afterward, police said he broke into a National Guard Training Center under the delusion the soldiers there would join him.

"The defendant stated he went to Fort Indiantown Gap in an effort to mobilize the Pa. National Guard to raise arms against the Federal Government," said Schorn.

Schorn was asked if she believes Mohn will be able to plead insanity in this case. She said that would require him proving he did not know what he was doing, and she doesn't think Mohn can meet that bar.

"With the evidence we have gathered thus far, this individual was acting with clear mind, aware of his actions, and proud of his consequences," said Schorn.

Mohn's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.
Wall Street strategists and investors remain cautious on China for the year ahead, and the long-awaited post-pandemic rebound still hasn't materialized. Mark Schiefelbein-Pool/Getty Images; Samantha Lee/Insider

Experts see a narrow path for China to engineer an economic rebound in 2024.

While Beijing may manage to stabilize and achieve modest growth, a "bull case" seems unlikely.

China faces severe real estate woes, deflation, and an exodus of global investors.

The world has yet to witness any post-pandemic rebound in China, and Wall Street expects little to change in 2024.

The ongoing exodus of global investors is evidence the bear case is intact, and the country's real estate sector continues to look more and more precarious. Meanwhile, Beijing must figure out how to resolve deflation and historic youth unemployment, as well as the crisis of confidence among its citizens.

It's possible China will achieve some degree of stabilization this year, but experts remain hesitant to make any bullish calls on the country.

The Chinese stock market, for one, has shed roughly $6 trillion in value since peaking in 2021. Tech names in particular, such as Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu, have seen meteoric rise-and-falls in the last three years amid China's widespread antitrust crackdowns.

"Clearly, China's tighter rein on its tech companies over the last +3 years has put them at a serious disadvantage versus their US counterparts in public markets," DataTrek cofounders Nicholas Colas and Jessica Rabe wrote in a note Friday.

The lack of supportive policy  or anything like a coherent policy outlook  has kept benchmark indexes near multi-year lows. Foreign investors were net sellers in January for a record sixth month in a row.

Mike Edwards, deputy chief investment officer at Weiss Multi-Strategy, said policymakers haven't provided investors enough reason to move into stocks. "Dire sentiment" on China, he said, is just about universal right now.

"It's been relatively clear that a 'bazooka' or 'shock-and-awe' approach to stimulus is not in the cards," Edwards told Business Insider. "But we believe the turn can be engineered by demonstrating dedication to market-friendly policies, even if this dedication is born of desperation."

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China's old and new economy

China has been attempting to shift from its old economy  powered by massive real estate growth  into a new one fueled by energy technology and manufacturing, according to Tracy Chen, a portfolio manager at Brandywine Global.

While the government is dedicating resources to lithium batteries, solar, and electric vehicles, she said it will ultimately take years for the transition to become sizable enough to compensate for the downturn in the property market.

"Right now the growth in the new economy cannot offset the drag of the old economy," Chen told Business Insider. "To be confident in China you have to be really contrarian right now."

Real estate accounts for about one-fifth of the country's economy. Supply in China far outpaces demand, however, which has spurred a prolonged depreciation of property values.

That in turn has cratered sentiment, as Chinese households have the majority of their wealth tied to real estate.

Economic growth alone won't bring investors back

Caesar Maasry, who leads the emerging markets cross-asset strategy team at Goldman Sachs, forecasts China's economy to see a real GDP of 4.8% this year, above the current consensus of 4.6%.

But even so, he said it will take much more than an uptick in growth to turn sentiment around.

To that point, in 2023 real GDP touched 5.2%, beating the 3.0% seen in 2022. Yet the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index tumbled 16% over the same 12-month stretch.

"Strong inflows into local funds last week, perhaps driven by government support, have yet been unable to catalyze a sustainable rally, and we suspect the key to turning sentiment around may come from policymakers both in China and the US," Maasry told Business Insider.

He added that the US presidential election could spark unfavorable rhetoric on US-China relations, but any positive news it could bring on the geopolitical front could fuel a bounce for Chinese stocks.

In any case, most strategists agree that China must traverse a narrow path to not only convince investors to return to markets but to catalyze domestic confidence.

In January, Bloomberg reported that authorities were weighing a rescue package for the stock market worth as much as $278 million, and separate data showed the $48 trillion disparity between US and Chinese equities is an all-time gap.

To be sure, Beijing has been relatively restrained in its interventions over the last two years, in Edwards' view, which grants policymakers some added fiscal and monetary flexibility. But incremental "piecemeal" policy measures appear to be their most likely step forward, which may fall short.

"Roughly a year ago, people were almost universally bullish around a 'reopening' trade that didn't materialize," Edwards said. "The bull case is a contrarian one."

Read the original article on Business Insider
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group said on Saturday it has launched 11 low-earth orbit satellites, its second dispatch, as it expands its capacity to provide more accurate navigation for autonomous vehicles.

The satellites were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan, Geely said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Geely said it expects 72 to be in orbit by 2025 and eventually plans to have a constellation of 240.

The first launch was conducted in June 2022.

In addition to providing high-precision positioning support to self-driving cars, Geely said its network will also serve other commercial functions such as connectivity to the consumer electronics sector.

The satellites have AI remote sensing functions, providing 1-5 meter (3.2-16.4 ft) clear high-resolution remote sensing imaging, the company said.

China's satellite networks are dominated by its military but the government began to allow private investment in the country's space industry in 2014. Since then, commercial companies, some backed by local governments, have rushed into the sector, with the majority focusing on making satellites and the rest attempting to build small launch vehicles including reusable rockets.

In its latest five-year plan for 2021-2025, Beijing has called for an integrated network of satellites for communications, remote sensing and navigation. China has more than 400 satellites deployed in space, including commercially owned satellites, according to state media.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan; Writing by Engen Tham and Luoyan Liu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Rockwell Automation Inc showcases robust sales growth amidst challenging market conditions.

Strategic acquisitions and organic growth highlight the company's expansion and innovation efforts.

Supply chain improvements and investment in technology position ROK for future resilience.

Market volatility and competitive pressures remain key considerations for investors.

On January 31, 2024, Rockwell Automation Inc (NYSE:ROK) filed its 10-Q report, revealing a detailed account of its financial performance and strategic positioning. As a pure-play automation competitor, Rockwell Automation operates through three segments: intelligent devices, software and control, and lifecycle services. Despite a challenging economic landscape, the company reported a year-over-year sales increase from $1,981.0 million to $2,052.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. However, net income attributable to Rockwell Automation Inc saw a decrease from $384.0 million to $215.2 million, reflecting the impact of market volatility and strategic investments. This SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as presented in the latest SEC filing, providing investors with a comprehensive view of the company's current state and future prospects.

Decoding Rockwell Automation Inc (ROK): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Leadership and Brand Reputation: Rockwell Automation Inc (NYSE:ROK) has cemented its position as a leader in the industrial automation space, with a strong brand reputation built on quality and innovation. The company's sales growth, even in a tough economic climate, underscores its ability to maintain a loyal customer base and attract new clients. Its comprehensive portfolio, including drives, sensors, and industrial components, as well as information and network security software, positions ROK as a one-stop-shop for automation solutions. This diverse offering enables cross-selling opportunities and deepens customer engagement.

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Strategic Acquisitions and Organic Growth: ROK's strategic acquisitions, such as the recent purchase of Clearpath, demonstrate its commitment to expanding its technological capabilities and market reach. These acquisitions complement organic growth initiatives, allowing ROK to introduce new products and services that meet evolving customer needs. The company's ability to grow organically by approximately 1.0 percent, as indicated in the filing, reflects its strong market position and the effectiveness of its growth strategies.

Financial Resilience and Investment in Innovation: Despite market challenges, Rockwell Automation has maintained a strong balance sheet, with a disciplined approach to investment and cost management. The company's investment in research and development, as well as its focus on cost productivity initiatives, ensures that it remains at the forefront of technological advancements in automation. This financial prudence and commitment to innovation are key strengths that enable ROK to navigate market fluctuations and maintain a competitive edge.

Weaknesses

Net Income Decline and Margin Pressures: The recent decline in net income from $384.0 million to $215.2 million raises concerns about Rockwell Automation's profitability in the short term. The decrease in pre-tax margin from 23.6 percent to 12.7 percent indicates margin pressures, likely due to increased investment spend and lower supply chain utilization. This suggests that while ROK is investing in future growth, it may need to balance these investments with cost containment measures to protect its bottom line.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Despite improvements, Rockwell Automation's supply chain remains a point of vulnerability. The company has faced challenges in procuring components and materials, which have led to increased costs and potential delays in product delivery. While ROK has taken actions to diversify its supplier base and secure additional capacity, ongoing supply chain disruptions could impact its ability to meet customer demand and maintain operational efficiency.

Geographical Concentration of Sales: With over half of its sales generated in the U.S., Rockwell Automation's revenue stream is heavily reliant on the American market. This geographical concentration exposes the company to regional economic fluctuations and could limit its growth potential if the U.S. market faces downturns. Diversifying its revenue sources across different regions could mitigate this risk and provide more stable growth prospects.

Opportunities

Global Industrial Automation Demand: The global demand for industrial automation is on the rise, driven by the need for operational efficiency, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and digital transformation. Rockwell Automation, with its strong portfolio and market presence, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. The company's focus on delivering the Connected Enterprise aligns with the industry's shift towards integrated and intelligent manufacturing solutions.

Technological Advancements and Digital Services: As industries increasingly adopt digital technologies, ROK has the opportunity to expand its software and control segment. The company's expertise in information and network security software is particularly relevant in an era where cybersecurity threats are escalating. By continuing to innovate and offer cutting-edge digital services, Rockwell Automation can deepen its market penetration and create new revenue streams.

Energy Transition and Sustainability Initiatives: The global push towards sustainability and energy transition presents significant opportunities for Rockwell Automation. The company's solutions can play a crucial role in enabling businesses to achieve their sustainability goals, particularly in energy management and optimization. As more organizations prioritize green initiatives, ROK's offerings in this space could see increased demand.

Threats

Intense Competition and Pricing Pressures: The industrial automation market is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Rockwell Automation faces the challenge of differentiating its offerings and maintaining its pricing power in a market where customers are increasingly cost-conscious. Competitors with aggressive pricing strategies or innovative solutions could erode ROK's market position and profitability.

Economic Uncertainty and Market Volatility: Economic head

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.


Olga Shevorenkova, the CFO of EVgo Inc (NASDAQ:EVGO), has sold 83,407 shares of the company on February 2, 2024, according to a recent SEC Filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $2.15 per share, resulting in a total value of $179,225.05.

Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 137,500 shares of EVgo Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. The insider transaction history at EVgo Inc reveals a pattern of more insider sales than buys over the past year, with 10 insider sells and only 1 insider buy recorded.

EVgo Inc operates as a public fast charging network for electric vehicles in the United States. The company provides charging solutions directly to electric vehicle owners as well as businesses looking to serve the EV charging needs of their customers, employees, and residents.

On the date of the insider's recent sale, shares of EVgo Inc were trading at $2.15, giving the company a market capitalization of $219.534 million.

EVgo Inc CFO Olga Shevorenkova Sells 83,407 Shares

The insider's recent sale follows a trend of insider selling at EVgo Inc, which may be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors as an indicator of company performance and outlook.

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.


General Motors about-face on plug-in hybrids is good news for the company, its customers and the environment. Now the automaker must execute the plan. Thats easier said than done.

Responding to the automakers stumbling launch of its new electric vehicles, CEO Mary Barra, at the end of January, said GM would offer plug-in hybrids in the United States, reversing an earlier decision to focus on EVs without hybrids as an intermediate step.

The 2018 Chevrolet Volt presented a rare opportunity to get a deal on a plug-in hybrid. But the automaker discontinued the model, putting its hopes in Ultium batteries and electric motors GM had developed.

Plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, combine a conventional internal combustion engine  also called ICE  with an electric battery powerful enough to allow the car to frequently be driven emissions-free.

PHEVs arent a panacea. Theres no free lunch in engineering: A vehicle with a second energy source is more complicated and expensive than an ICE engine alone. That, and confidence in the Ultium batteries and electric motors GM had developed, led the automaker to announce its leap to EVs, despite the fact that it had pioneered PHEV technology more than a decade ago with the Chevrolet Volt.

More: Drivers of some plug-in hybrid vehicle brands take charging seriously. Why that matters.

More: Times running out for GM to get its EVs right  and billions of dollars are on the line

I was always skeptical of going all-EV with no fallback plan, Cox Automotive executive analyst Michelle Krebs said. The road to electrification is very rocky.

PHEVs are a small player in the U.S. Registrations rose 51% for the first 11 months of 2023, the latest figures that are available, according to S&P Global Mobility. Still, they accounted for just 1.8% of total vehicle sales: 251,000 units. EVs, in comparison, hit 7.4% of U.S. sales and 1.03 million vehicles.

The Strong Plug-In Hybrid Alliance, which lobbies for PHEVs with long ranges on electric power, argues the vehicles are very effective at reducing emissions and oil consumption, while also appealing to customers not ready to make the leap to electric power alone.

Story continues

In addition to pioneering PHEV technology in the U.S., GM has continued to develop and build them in China, where demand is strong.

Bringing PHEVs back to North America speaks to the companys ability to be flexible and make changes on the path to zero emissions, said S&P Global Mobility analyst Stephanie Brinley. GMs goal of offering a zero emissions vehicle fleet hasnt changed. The global company has a massive toolbox; the decision to revisit PHEVs in North America shows they will use the whole kit as needed to get where they want to go.

The Strong Plug-in Hybrid Coalition argues that longer battery rnages encourage PHEV drivers to plug in more frequently

GM must execute this course correction flawlessly.

GM had a head start with Volt

GM called the Volt an extended range electric vehicle, but thats indistinguishable from PHEV to anybody but an engineer.

But it lost any first-mover advantage when it canceled a planned Volt SUV and eventually dropped the car, and the technology. Customers may see Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC as latecomers compared with brands that have sold PHEVs all along, including Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota.

GM CEO Mary Barra introduces the 2016 Chevrolet Volt during its world debut in January 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

A final concern: Consumer Reports recently issued a scathing indictment of PHEV reliability, saying they had more than double the problems of ICE vehicles. The complication of having two separate power sources makes PHEVs more susceptible to faults, CR director of automotive testing Jake Fisher said.

What will go PHEV first, and when?

GM hasnt said when the first of its new PHEVs will debut in America, or which models will offer the technology. Even vehicle architectures that are sold with PHEV power in China will need engineering to make them suitable for American customers and regulations.

In addition, the biggest impact on fuel use and emissions will come from deploying the technology on larger vehicles that GM sells in the U.S. but not China  pickups and large SUVs.

One of the first PHEV models will likely be the next generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups, which are due out in late 2026, said Sam Fiorani, of consultant AutoForecast Solutions. Needing to balance out the big V8s in the pickups and SUVs, GM is likely to target the hybrid and plug-in models from Ford, Toyota, and Ram.

Compact and family-hauling SUVs ranging from the Chevrolet Equinox to Traverse and Buick Enclave should get a look, too.

GMs initial plan to leap straight from internal combustion engines to all-electric power was a bold gamble, but it rolled snake eyes. Doubling down would have been foolish. Recalibrating with a technology GMs proven it can deliver is the smart move.

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GM's return to hybrids could start with big pickups and SUVs
GSK (LON:GSK) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: UK30.3b (up 3.4% from FY 2022).

Net income: UK4.93b (up 11% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 16% (up from 15% in FY 2022). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: UK1.22 (up from UK1.11 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

GSK Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short

Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.6%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 12%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the United States (US) segment contributing a total revenue of UK15.8b (52% of total revenue). The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK9.16b (54% of total expenses). Explore how GSK's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 4.1% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 5.9% growth forecast for the Pharmaceuticals industry in the United Kingdom.

Performance of the British Pharmaceuticals industry.

The company's shares are up 4.8% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for GSK you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Key Insights

Halfords Group's estimated fair value is UK1.34 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of UK1.78 suggests Halfords Group is potentially 32% overvalued

Analyst price target for HFD is UK2.18, which is 62% above our fair value estimate

Does the February share price for Halfords Group plc (LON:HFD) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Halfords Group

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. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK36.5m UK31.1m UK46.6m UK36.5m UK31.1m UK28.1m UK26.3m UK25.2m UK24.6m UK24.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x5 Analyst x4 Est @ -21.67% Est @ -14.71% Est @ -9.84% Est @ -6.43% Est @ -4.05% Est @ -2.38% Est @ -1.21% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 11% UK33.0 UK25.4 UK34.4 UK24.4 UK18.8 UK15.3 UK12.9 UK11.2 UK9.9 UK8.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK194m

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 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK24m (1 + 1.5%)  (11% 1.5%) = UK271m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK271m ( 1 + 11%)10= UK99m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK293m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK1.8, the company appears reasonably expensive at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Halfords Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.541. 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 Halfords Group

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 Specialty Retail market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Moving On:

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. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Halfords Group, there are three further items you should consider:

Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Halfords Group that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does HFD'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 LSE 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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

TIANJIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua)  President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people during his inspection tour in north China's Tianjin Municipality from Thursday to Friday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese good health and happiness in the Year of the Dragon, and the motherland prosperity.

On Thursday morning, Xi visited a village in Xinkou Town in the municipality's Xiqing District.

From late July to early August last year, extreme rainfall hit northern China, causing anomalous floods in the Haihe River Basin, and a large area of land in the flood storage and detention basins in Tianjin was inundated.

Briefed about the impact of floods on the city and district, Xi walked into greenhouses to check the growth of vegetables. He asked the farmers in detail about the restoration of greenhouses and the reseeding and sales of vegetables.

Xi then visited a villager's home, where he chatted with four generations of the family. He inquired about the family's losses during the disaster, their post-disaster production and income, and carefully tallied the numbers during the talk.

Stressing the importance of ensuring the people's livelihoods, Xi said the issue is always on the mind of the CPC Central Committee as well as Party committees and governments at all levels. He also expressed the hope that villagers would make their own efforts to rebuild their beautiful homes.

Before Xi left the village, the villagers gathered around and greeted him. Xi said he was happy to see the successful restoration of life and production and that winter heating had been ensured for the residents.

Since last year, the country has been hit by natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, landslides and snowstorms, Xi said, adding that he is keeping a close eye on them.

As the Spring Festival approaches, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended his sincere regards to all those affected by disasters and those at the forefront of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

On Thursday afternoon, Xi went to an ancient cultural street and visited local distinctive shops, learning about the products, their sales, and the development of traditional culture.

Speaking of the importance of carrying forward fine traditional Chinese culture in realizing Chinese modernization, Xi asked Tianjin to better preserve and utilize blocks with historical and cultural interest.

In Chinese culture, the upcoming lunar year will be the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon symbolizes bravery, progress, boundless vitality, and auspiciousness, conveying optimistic aspirations for the future, Xi said, encouraging the residents to embrace the new year with confidence and strive toward an even better life.

On Friday morning, Xi visited the Peking-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Museum, where he underscored the necessity of studying and frequently reviewing the history of China's revolutionary war. The revolutionary traditions should be carried on and the fighting spirit should be strengthened, he said.

On Friday afternoon, Xi was briefed by the Party committee and the government of Tianjin about their work, and affirmed the achievements that Tianjin has made in various areas.

Xi urged Tianjin to focus on the central work of economic development and the primary task of high-quality development, and write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

As a base of research and development for advanced manufacturing, Tianjin should be a pioneer in developing new productive forces, Xi said. He called for sci-tech and industrial innovation and the development of high-end, smart and green manufacturing.

Tianjin should coordinate with Beijing to promote sci-tech innovation and the integration of the two cities' industrial systems, Xi said.

Reform and opening up is the fundamental force that propels the development of all causes, Xi stressed.

He called on Tianjin to make further progress in improving the basic systems underpinning the market economy, developing a new system for a higher-standard open economy, and promoting regional integration and innovation in mechanisms and institutions that support Beijing-Tianjin urban integration.

Tianjin should also make an in-depth exploration into its historical and cultural resources, and strengthen the protection of its historical and cultural legacies as well as cultural resources related to the Party's heritage, Xi said.

Tianjin should act on the principle that a city should be built by the people and for the people, said Xi, adding that efforts are needed to expand basic public services, safeguard people's well-being and boost the sense of fulfillment among the people.

Stressing the importance of ensuring people's security and livelihood needs, supply of goods and energy, as well as social harmony and stability, Xi said that efforts should be made to ensure a joyful and peaceful Spring Festival.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the recovery of farming activities after last year's floods when visiting a village in Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with a farmer in a greenhouse when learning about the recovery of farming activities after last year's floods in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, walks into a greenhouse to check the growth of vegetables when learning about the recovery of farming activities after last year's floods in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, walks into a greenhouse to check the growth of vegetables when learning about the recovery of farming activities after last year's floods in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the recovery of farming activities after last year's floods when visiting a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a villager's home and chats with the family in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a villager's home in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a villager's home and chats with the family in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a villager's home and chats with the family in a village of Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting a village in Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting a village in Xinkou Town in Xiqing District of north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd while visiting a shop at an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd while visiting a shop at an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to the crowd while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese while visiting an ancient cultural street in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 1, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Peking-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Museum in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Peking-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Museum in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 2, 2024. Xi visited people in the northern city of Tianjin ahead of the Spring Festival and made an inspection tour in Tianjin from Thursday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

(Source: Xinhua)
Weather Alert

...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Hilton Food Group's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

A total of 13 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership

Recent sales by insiders

A look at the shareholders of Hilton Food Group plc (LON:HFG) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 77% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Hilton Food Group.

Check out our latest analysis for Hilton Food Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Hilton Food Group?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Hilton Food Group already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Hilton Food Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Story continues

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Hilton Food Group. Our data suggests that Philip Heffer, who is also the company's Top Key Executive, holds the most number of shares at 10%. When an insider holds a sizeable amount of a company's stock, investors consider it as a positive sign because it suggests that insiders are willing to have their wealth tied up in the future of the company. With 10% and 4.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, abrdn plc and The Vanguard Group, Inc. are the second and third largest shareholders.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 13 have the combined ownership of 52% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

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. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Hilton Food Group

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Hilton Food Group plc. Insiders own UK85m worth of shares in the UK704m company. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 10% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Hilton Food Group. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 5 warning signs for Hilton Food Group you should be aware of, and 1 of them is a bit unpleasant.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Labour Party held its flagship business conference Thursday, Britains Future, attended by more than 400 people including executives from Goldman Sachs, Google, AstraZeneca and Airbus, each paying 995 for a seat.

Sponsored by HSBC and Bloomberg, the event was the culmination of Labours pre-election pitch to big business, designed to make clear that the party will rule more directly and aggressively in the interests of shareholders than any government in British history.

Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party delivers a speech at a business conference in London, February. 1, 2024. 400 senior business leaders will be in attendance for speeches, panels and roundtables at the Labour Business Conference. [AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth ]

The delegates were hard won. At its party conference last year, Labour raised close to 2 million selling exhibition hall space and doubled its revenue and attendance for business day compared with 2022. Shadow Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds was described by the Guardian at the time as being on a breakfast-time charm campaign to match former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blairs infamous prawn cocktail offensive with the City of London. Reynolds met with BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and Toyota, among others.

In December, Labour appointed an advisory panel to the party of 10 senior figures from the financial services sector, including the chairs of Barclays, Abrdn, Schroders, Legal and General and Prudential, and the chief executives of YBS, Amadeus Capital and the London Stock Exchange Group.

Tulip Siddiq, Labours shadow economic secretary, said the panel demonstrates Labours commitment to the sector and our determination to put it at the heart of our plans for growth. It builds on the extensive engagement we have done across industry to meet banks, insurers, fintechs, asset managers, investors, payments providers, consumer groups, and trade associations.

David Postings, chief executive of UK Finance, commented that Labour understand the importance of the sector and capital markets in particular. They are very keen to be seen to be doing things even if they are not vote winners.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos this month, also attended by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves joined a breakfast meeting hosted by JP Morgan and told those present, With Labour, Britain will be open to business. We will restore stability and security into our economy. We will restore Britains reputation as a place to do business. And we will be a trusted partner with business in delivering the change our country and our economy needs.

Last week, Labour published the report, A New Partnership: A long-term plan for Government business relations to power our economy and society, carried out by prominent business consultant Iain Anderson, a Conservative Party member of 39 years who quit to help Starmers party. Reynolds welcomed the publication as an important step in putting the voice of business at the heart of government.

Faced with the disasters inflicted on the economy by the Tory Brexit project and the unravelling of the faction-ridden Tory government, epitomised by Liz Trusss abortive premiership but continued under her replacement Rishi Sunak, Labours appeals have been well received in boardrooms and executive offices. Places for Thursdays conference sold out within hours when tickets were released last October.

A poll of 500 business leaders carried out by Opinium for the Labour Party this month found that 49 percent preferred a Labour victory at the next election, versus 34 percent for the Toriesa reversal of the balance of their actual votes in the 2019 election.

Starmer and Reeves pushed their case Thursday, announcing that there would be no cap on bankers bonusses and that Labour would keep corporation tax at the Tories rock-bottom 25 percent, the lowest in the G7, for at least five years (it was 35 percent when Margaret Thatcher left office in 1990). Labour even left the door open to cutting the rate further, with Reeves promising to act if the UKs competitiveness is under threat.

Reeves also spoke about the spirit of partnership with business that will guide the next Labour government and how a more unstable world meant that business and government must work together like never before.

She promised, when we say we want to work with business, that there is no policy we can announce, no plan that can be drawn up in Whitehall, that will not rely on the engagement of business, we mean it.

That this Labour Party sees profit not as something to be disdained but as a mark of business succeeding.

The shadow chancellor again swore, I will not waiver from iron-clad fiscal rules, referring to her decade as an economist at the Bank of England as proof of her credentials.

Starmer picked up the thread, stressing Labours commitment to always put economic stability first. We cannot and will not allow public spending needs, however important, to threaten the stability of our finances.

He offered his own hymn to private enterprise, which is how we pay our way in the world and denounced the caricature that British business only serves shareholder interest as lazy and out of date.

Labour, he said, is the party of business, and had not just opened our doors to the corporations but taken decisions together as equal partners in the venture of national renewal. Your fingerprints are on every one of our five missions.

The two speeches were an open admission that big business will dictate Labour government policy. Promises of a new deal for workers and a level[ling] up of workers rights in a way thats not been attempted for decades are flimsy window dressing for an agenda drawn up by the banks and corporations.

The working class must prepare itself now to defeat that agenda. It must recognise what a Labour government would mean. Starmer is already widely reviled in the working class as another Blair, but the reality is that a Starmer government would be incomparably worse.

Margaret Thatcher described Blairism as her greatest achievement for continuing much of her economic agenda, including privatisation. But Blair at least initially tried to portray himself as something different, a proponent of some mythical Third Way rather than an untrammelled worshiper of the free market.

Moreover, helped by more favourable economic conditions, the Blair-Brown governments of 1996/7 to 2009/10 increased education spending and health spending as a share of GDP, with overall state spending growing by 326.98 billion in real terms, or 9.6 percentage points of GDP, the largest increase of any 13-year period back to 1955.

Blair was despised above all for his having taken the UK into war with Iraq in 2003 based on lies. The last Labour governments death sentence, however, was the 2008 financial crash and its throwing hundreds of billions at the UKs failing banks. And it was Labour that in this way initiated the Age of Austerity proclaimed by the incoming Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition led by David Cameron.

Almost a decade-and-a-half later, amid a deepening economic crisis and with workers wages continuing to fall, Starmers Labour Party even before taking office wags its finger and warns there is no magic money tree, while ruling out any tax increases on the wealthy.

The one area of public spending Labour is happy to talk about increasing is on the military. Britain is already heavily involved in the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and is the United States leading partner in the war in the Middle East, now including attacks on the Houthis in Yemen and Iran-allied forces, begun by Israels genocidal assault on Gaza. These are two fronts of an eruption of imperialist violence directed against Russia and China.

This is at the same time a war against the international working class. Social and economic life will have to be torn apart and rebuilt on a war footing to sustain such a global military onslaught, with devastating consequences for workers. Talk of lifting defence spending to 3 percent, 5 percent and beyond of GDP means clawing billions from the working class through wage cuts, ramped up exploitation, the decimation of essential services and the destruction of many jobs through automation and AI.

Labours declaration that it is the party of NATO is as much a statement of class war as its promise to govern as the party of business.

For the trade union leaders to present the Labour Party as a progressive alternative to the Tory government is to deceive and disarm the working class, which must urgently prepare a counteroffensive against the twin parties of austerity, inequality and war.

It is impossible for workers to secure peaceful, dignified and fulfilled lives without removing both these organisations from power and replacing them with a government of the working classthe real producers of social wealthled by its own socialist party. The challenge confronting workers today is to join in the building of that leadership, the Socialist Equality Party.
On January 24, in a somber and moving ceremony, about 200 people gathered in Lower Manhattans Washington Square Park to commemorate the lives of journalists, writers and artists murdered in Israels genocide in Gaza.

The candlelight vigil was sponsored by the New York City chapter of Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG) and Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, and featured speeches and readings of letters from Gaza and Palestinian poetry.

Formed at the outset of the Israeli murderous assault on the Gazan population, WAWOG issued an appeal on October 26 signed by thousands of writers. In part, it read: We stand firmly by Gazas people, victims of a genocidal war the United States government continues to fund and arm with military aida crisis compounded by the illegal settlement and dispossession of the West Bank and the subjugation of Palestinians within the state of Israel.

The open letter also noted, Internationally, writers and cultural workers have faced severe harassment, workplace retribution, and job loss for expressing solidarity with Palestine, whether by stating facts about their continued occupation, or for amplifying the voices of others. These are instances that mark severe incursions against supposed speech protections.

This Thursday, WAWOG members, including Palestinian writer Randa Jarrar, staged a protest against PEN Americas sponsorship of a reading by pro-Zionist Mayim Bialik in Los Angeles. WAWOG commented on its Twitter/X feed, With delusional liberal aplomb, @PENamerica claims objectivity while platforming genocidal Zionists and silencing Palestinians like @randajarrar who enact the free speech PEN claims to stand for and noted that PENAmerica has also been silent on the IOFs [Israel Occupation Forces] targeting of journalists and censorship of English-language media agencies.

PEN America, the writers organization, has made a mockery of its self-proclaimed goal of defending free speech. It has notoriously supported the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine and the extreme right-wing Ukrainian governments censorship of Russian literature. It is significant that writers are exposing the groups pro-war and pro-imperialist character.

At the January 24 vigil, the World Socialist Web Site spoke to Hussain Omar, the co-leader of the New York City chapter of Writers Against the War on Gaza. We asked him about the purpose of the vigil.

So the vigil here is to commemorate writers, poets, journalists, cultural workers that have been killed, not just in the recent genocide but going back historically for several decades to the foundational moments of Zionism itself. We are outraged by the lack of attention that these deaths have not received in the national and international media, and we are here to commemorate our colleagues. The Zionists are clearly targeting journalists and cultural workers.

We asked him what he thought the Zionists purpose was in murdering so many cultural workers.

Its part of an ongoing project to make Gaza unlivable, Omar said. Palestine, as you know, has a very high literacy rate. Its an incredibly educated population. All of the universities in Gaza have been destroyed. Obviously, the journalists are being killed so that these crimes are not exposed to the world.

But theres a real effort to erase not just the people that make Palestinian culture. Heritage sites of importance in Palestine have been destroyed pretty deliberately and systematically in this war. And were here to voice, in a very small way, our opposition to it. We are using the tools that we have available to us, which is our capacity to write and our capacity to do cultural work, to say enough is enough.

The January 24 event opened with remarks by Ilana Cruger Zaken, an interdisciplinary scholar at New York Universitys Center for Experimental Humanities and a Jewish language project research affiliate, among which were the following:

We gather, vigilant here in solidarity to uplift the lives of the survivors  even as the leaders of this city, our Zionist mayor, stands hand in hand with the Zionist regime, even as the history, cultural institutions of this city whitewash genocide. The New York Times abandoned its poetry section and prints lies that whitewash genocide in its garbage pages. The 92nd Street Y canceled its poetry series and instead hosts genocide heirs to comfortably enjoy talking about genocide in their war rooms.

Yet we, we are the writers, we are the artists, Zaken continued. We are the culture makers of this city  we answer the call of the martyr Dr. Refaat al-Areer, who wrote, at the end of the day, nothing Palestinians or those who support Palestine do will please Israel or the Zionist regime, and Israeli aggression will continue unabated. BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions], armed struggle, peace talks, protests, tweets, social media, poetry, all are terror in Israels books.

The Palestinian American writer Sarah Aziza read a letter to a fellow poet about the anguish of the genocide. She still has three cousins surviving in Gaza. I am forced to knock out the walls of my imagination again and again, to make way for ever deeper depravity. I discover what a body looks like when it is both bloodless and crushed. I learn how long a premature baby can survive without warmth. I now know what it sounds like when a four-year-old orphan describes war. I hear my father sob as I never have before.

Lylla Younes, a poet, read Palestinian American Fady Joudahs poem titled []. A different poem of the same title by Joudah was the last item published in the New York Times Magazine on November 2 by its poetry editor Anne Boyer just before she resigned from the Times because of the newspapers ghoulish euphemisms  verbally sanitized hellscapes  warmongering lies about Palestine.

One line of Joudahs poem read by Younes goes, Too many kids got in the way of precisely imprecise one-ton bombs dropped a 1001 times over the childrens night. They will not forgive the children this sin.

Among other readers, Palestinian actor Adam Bakri and writer and poet Chase Berggrun read selections from the great Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.

The audience was silent as it paid close attention to the writers words. The meeting was rich with the images, feelings and political thoughts of an oppressed people. Most of the crowd, standing in the rain, were young, and not a few were students from nearby New York University. The WSWS spoke to one of them, Ricardo, about his reaction to the vigil and his views on the Gaza genocide.

WSWS: What do you think it means that Israel has been targeting poets and artists, playwrights and beating them and detaining them and assassinating them? Whats the significance of this systematic attack?

Ricardo: Art, expression, freedom, all carry so much meaning. It moves the world. And [the Zionists choose] to continue to suppress that, not just as a form of suppression of information and of expression and of opinion, but also of culture, of history, of art and those who choose to share that.

Art has always been intertwined with activism and liberation movements. And this is just another pattern in the history of suppression  the definitions of who is a terrorist will continue to justify these state atrocities and the suppression of journalists, artists, and truth-tellers and activists alike.

Its really a travesty. And we have to be very careful about how we allow  these narratives to be pushed upon anyone who is in opposition to state violence.

WSWS: What do you think about the role of Biden in the ongoing genocide? What responsibility does he have?

Ricardo: Well, hes very complicit. Hes an enabler. Hes continuing to fund this genocide very handily and usurping the role of Congress even in that, who are already very readily willing to fund this genocide year after year. And Biden has been a staunch Zionist for decades. And this is something that has been very publicly known about him and is a core component of his continued success within the Democratic Party.

And its very frustrating to be stuck in a system where our only political options that are presented to us by the majority parties of power  are both genocide supporters. And Biden continues to front as if he is an ally of oppressed people and of liberation and of social betterment.

But you cannot even pretend to be domestically interested in those values if you continue to send this amount of money, this amount of diplomatic coverage towards an oppressive state, a genocidal state.  So it is very frustrating, not only Bidens role in this but all of his supporters and people that are continuing to enable and not question this presidency, which has coded itself in all of these values of egalitarianism but continues to do wrong on so many levels.
Shift change at Detroit Assembly Complex-Mack

Thousands of Stellantis workers at assembly plants in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, are working their last days before losing their jobs. The workers, who include full-time and supplementary (temporary) employees, are being laid off without the slightest opposition from the United Auto Workers bureaucracy.

In early December, just weeks after workers ratified supposedly historic and job-saving contracts pushed by the UAW, Stellantis announced that nearly 3,700 workers would be laid off, starting February 5. This included 2,455 workers at the Detroit Assembly Complex-Mack, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee is produced, and another 1,225 workers at the Toledo Assembly Complex who build the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.

Workers at the Detroit plant reported that Thursday was the last day for the third shift, and production had been reduced to two shifts. Though company officials claim this is a temporary measure, they have repeatedly threatened to eliminate the shift outright, accusing workers of supposedly poor performance and high absentee rates.

In fact, the layoffs are part of a company-wide, cost-cutting plan, stretching from North America to Europe. The labor agreements signed by UAW President Shawn Fain and backed by President Joe Biden will facilitate the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs as the global automakers seek to gain an edge in the highly competitive electric vehicle markets.

The job cuts are hitting workers the day after Fain hosted Biden at a campaign event at the UAW Region 1 union headquarters in Warren, Michigan. Biden praised the UAW bureaucracy for imposing the job-cutting agreement. Outside the event, riot police with armored vehicles attacked protesters denouncing the US president for backing Israelis genocide in Gaza.

A worker at the Detroit plant told the WSWS that 750 supplementary workers were let go as part of the job cuts, right before they were scheduled to be rolled over to full-time status.

The UAW claimed in the contract highlighter it provided to 44,000 Stellantis workers before they voted, that 3,200 supplemental employees (SEs) would be converted to full-time employment within the first year of the agreement and after that any SE with nine months of service will automatically have full-time status.

This was a lie to sell the contract and the UAW bureaucracy knew it. On January 12, Stellantis summarily fired 539 SEs. The following day, UAW Vice President Rich Boyer admitted that the company only agreed to roll over 1,957 SEs company-wide and an additional 900 in the Toledo Assembly Plant, out of a total of 5,219 SEs employed by the company as of November 2023.

Significantly, Boyer stated that Stellantis intended to retain only around 500 SEs company-wide, which means there will be a significant reduction of roughly 1,600 SEs that will take place within the next few months, if not in lesser time.

The day after the contract expired on September 14, Fain called out the 5,500 workers at the Toledo plant as part of his bogus stand up strike, which kept two-thirds of the UAW membership on the job making profits for the Big Three. Despite this effort to wear down their militant resistance to another UAW sellout agreement, workers at the plant voted by more than 55 percent to reject the deal.

In the run-up to the contract ratification, UAW Local 12 officials claimed a third shift and new jobs would be added to the Toledo plant and 900 out of the nearly 1,100 supplementals would get permanent jobs. Now, UAW officials say the 900 will be chosen from a company-wide pool and assigned to Toledo as their home plant.

Out of those, only 372 will stay at the Toledo Assembly Complex, while 500 will be forced to the Detroit Assembly-Jefferson plant and 20 to Toledo Machining. SEs from Toledo and Jefferson may be able to switch places to shorten their commutes. UAW officials say the layoffs will begin on February 19, two weeks after the original February 5 date.

Heres the kicker, an SE told the WSWS. They arent doing these rollovers based on corporate date/hire date. Its based on the last four digits of your Social Security number, meaning people with five to six years might not be rolled over based on their Social Security number. The contract specifically states that the full-time canvass will be done by corporate date. This Social Security number thing is coming from UAW International. Im guessing someones relative wouldnt get rolled over if it went by corporate date, so theyre pulling some BS.

Fain is not backing us or doing anything to stop Stellantis from laying us off.

WSWS campaigner distributes flyers to Toledo Jeep workers

WSWS reporters spoke to workers at the Toledo plant on Friday. One SE scoffed at the record contract the UAW claimed it achieved. Fain is not backing us or doing anything to stop Stellantis from laying us off. Then he goes and endorses Biden. One of my best friends is Palestinian and he says its garbage that the UAW is backing Biden.

SEs still did not know their fate, he said. The UAW local officials said they would let us know on Sunday, February 4, the day before the layoffs are set to start.

The whole contract was a set-up, a full-time worker with more than seven years told the WSWS. They just said what workers wanted to hear. All they are interested in is collecting union dues, not helping us.

McGraw, a worker with over 10 years, said he had just come from a local union meeting where angry rank-and-file workers had confronted Local 12 officials about the layoffs. They said it was a record-breaking contract, but the only thing they keep doing is breaking us, getting rid of all these jobs they said they were going to keep. They kept their promise by laying people off.

The schedules we work right now, theyre not the work-life balance they said we were going to get. I have an eight-year-old and a 15-year-old and if Im not taking personal time to take off to go and see them, I only got Sunday, and thats only if I dont have to work overtimeAnd this is supposed to be a prestigious job.

Asked what he thought about Fain endorsing Biden, who was backing Israels genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, he said, Its the same thing we get from numerous politicians, we got duped by Fain, he said.

Another worker commenting on the mass layoffs spreading across the US and the world said, People with jobs dont join the military. I expect a lot of layoffs this year in an attempt to force people into joining the militaries and fighting these wars for big business.

The global automakers are carrying out a worldwide attack on jobs, including tens of thousands of layoffs at VW, Bosch, Continental, ZF and other companies in Germany. But the job cuts are not limited to the global auto industry. Earlier this week, UPS announced 12,000 layoffs, largely centered on middle and lower-level managers. But the company also reduced the work hours of unionized workers by 10 percent and cut shifts last quarter. At the same time, it plans to triple the use of automation to squeeze more volume out of fewer workers. The jobs cuts come after the imposition of another so-called historic contract by the Teamsters bureaucracy.

The destruction of jobs is a deliberate policy of the ruling class, backed by Biden, Trump and both corporate-controlled parties. According to a new report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, companies announced 82,307 job cuts in January. Job cuts announcements were up 136 percent from the previous month and marked the second-highest layoff total in the month of January since 2009, the year after the global financial crash.

The cuts were driven by broader economic trends and a strategic shift towards increased automation and AI adoption in various sectors, though in most cases, companies point to cost-cutting as the main driver for layoffs, the job outplacement firm reported.

The working class must organize a counter-offense to defend jobs and living standards. But this will only be successful if it is organized independently of the pro-capitalist and pro-war union bureaucracies, and coordinated across national borders to fight the global corporations and the capitalist governments that back them. This means expanding the network of rank-and-file committees in the auto factories and other workplaces, and building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

If labor-saving technology is to be used for the benefit of societyto reduce the workweek and greatly increase the income of workers, not throw them into the streetsthen the auto industry and all the major corporations must be transformed into public utilities, collectively owned and democratically controlled by the working class itself.
City Point Ice Cream & Burgers in Hopewell is celebrating National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day until 9 p.m. on February 3, 2024. Diners wearing pajamas will receive a free scoop of ice cream.

HOPEWELL  Today is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Wear pajamas to City Point Ice Cream & Burgers in Hopewell to receive one free scoop of ice cream.

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was created by Florence Rappaport of New York in the 1960s as a way to chase away cabin fever for her six children due to a winter storm that had blown through the area, according to nationaldaycalendar.com. As Rappaport's children grew and shared it on their travels, the annual celebration caught on. The day has been observed in South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, Canada, England and more.

To savor free licks of creamy, delectable ice cream, head down to City Point Ice Cream & Burgers at 236 E. Broadway in downtown Hopewell. The offer ends at 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Bon appetit!

Save the dates Petersburg: DB Donamatrix gala fundraiser, free community fitness festival

Social Butterfly story, gallery, video Richmond: 16th Annual Carytown Cone Parade, costume contests, dance party

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell: Wear pajamas for free scoop of ice cream
Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) finally announced yesterday that expert forensic analysis had found no evidence that the phrase gas the Jews was chanted at a pro-Palestinian rally at the Sydney Opera House on October 9.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Sydney Opera House on October 9, 2023 [AP Photo/Rick Rycroft]

This admission came nearly four months after manipulated Zionist footage of the alleged incident was broadcast on social media and by corporate media outlets around the world. The footage fed into a global Israeli campaign to brand the worldwide protests against the genocide in Gaza as antisemitic and justify the ongoing slaughter of Palestinians.

Yesterdays announcement also came weeks after the police had already told the organisers of the protest they had no evidence of the alleged chant and more than a month after the Crikey news site had published a detailed investigation indicating that the footage, posted and captioned by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), may have been substantially edited or altered.

The police admission makes it clear that the AJA inserted false gas the Jews captions on the video material. From the outset, the protest organisers had said no such chants had occurred. This was a very conscious Zionist concoction.

NSW police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon yesterday said the police had sent the video footage to a National Centre of Biometric Science expert for acoustic and phonetic analysis, but no evidence was found in significant volumes of audio and video files that the alleged phrase was used.

The expert has concluded with overwhelming certainty that the phrase chanted during that protest as recorded on the audio-visual files was wheres the Jews, not another phrase as otherwise widely reported, Lanyon said.

Equally revealing as the collapse of the accusation, however, was the immediate response of Zionist organisations and their media and government backers. They declared that the truth did not matter. An editorial in the Australian, the national Murdoch media flagship, insisted that the forensic analysis does not redeem the deplorable spectacle in any way.

In other words, the truth must not be permitted to get in the way of a propaganda campaign designed to smear, demonise and intimidate the widespread anti-genocide protests in Australia and internationally by conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Likewise, NSW Labor Party Premier Chris Minns said his well known views had not changed on the October 9 rally. The protest was violent and racist. Hate speech and racist language have no place in NSW, he declared.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin declared that the exact words used at the protest was not the core issue. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the issue was that just two days after the greatest atrocity inflicted on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, a mob of thugs gathered at one of our nations most cherished sites to celebrate the mass slaughter and rape of Israelis, to burn Israeli flags and to chant threateningly towards fellow Australians.

In fact, there is conclusive documented evidence that the October 7 events had been anticipated in advance by Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many of the killings were committed by Israeli forces.

Moreover, the October 9 demonstration was not a mob of thugs. It was the first, about 1,000-strong, protest against the Israeli violence and for Palestinian rights. The organisers of the protest not only sought to remove a small, unidentified group of people chanting anti-Jewish slogans but publicly condemned their behaviour the next day.

Since then, tens of thousands of people, including many anti-Zionist Jews, have joined weekly mass demonstrations across Australia against the Israeli genocide without any reports of antisemitic slogans or chants.

Both Minns and his federal counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had immediately denounced the Opera House protest, which was triggered by the lighting up of the Opera House in the Israeli flag. That display on the buildings famous sails was a provocative show of support for the planned Israeli onslaught after the October 7 Hamas-led breakout from the besieged Gaza enclave into southern Israel.

After saying he had personally viewed the video footage, Albanese told Sky News on October 10 that the protest outside the Opera House featured slogans that were antisemitic, horrific and appalling. They had no place in Australias tolerant multicultural nation. Albanese declared that the protest should never have been allowed to go ahead.

Acting in sync, Minns seized on the manufactured footage to rush through state parliament laws to strengthen police powers to arrest and charge people under hate speech provisions in the NSW Crimes Act. Last month, his government went further, commissioning former NSW Supreme Court chief justice Tom Bathurst to conduct a review of the legislation with a view to broadening it.

While asserting that the truth about the Opera House chants made no difference, the Labor government has been advised that the phrase gas the Jews could lead to a prosecution under 93Z of the Crimes Act for publicly threatening or inciting violence on the grounds of race or religion, but that chants such as wheres the Jews were not currently criminal offences.

This witch hunt is far from over. At the Minns governments direction, NSW Police is still conducting Strike Force Mealing to investigate any alleged offences committed at the protest, but say it has not been able to identify any perpetrators.

The Opera House accusations also helped lead to a coordinated Zionist campaign, featuring a Lawyers for Israel WhatsApp group to get ABC journalist Antoinette Lattouf sacked because of critical postings she had made about the Zionist regime.

The ABCs stated reason for her dismissal from a summer radio hosting job was that she had shared on social media a post from the US-based Human Rights Watch, warning that Israel was using hunger and starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. But just the week before her position began, Lattouf had co-authored the investigation published by Crikey, delivering a blow to the Opera House claims.

This entire affair has shed a further damning light on the methods employed by the Zionist organisations and their political accomplices. The AJA, which produced the video footage, is a particular exponent of their foul disinformation operations.

The AJA is associated with far-right outfits that pursue similar methods. In 2018, the AJA publicly invited Canadian internet agitator Lauren Southern on a tour of areas of Sydney and Melbourne. Southern promotes the Great Replacement Theory that accuses globalistsa term used by fascists to describe Jewsof conspiring to displace white people with Muslims and other immigrants.

The unravelling of the Opera House lies has a broader significance. Throughout the genocide, a handful of Zionist leaders has been presented in the media as the authoritative representatives of Jewish people. Their assertions of a mass wave of antisemitism and their attempts to present all opposition to the state of Israel as an expression of anti-Jewish prejudice have been featured endlessly.

These claims, which portrays the apartheid-like state of Israel as synonymous with the Jewish people and Judaism, are themselves based on racialist assumptions: that all Jews, by blood or some other mystical connection, have an inherent loyalty to the Israeli state, and that non-Jews are inherently antisemitic, thus requiring an exclusive Jewish state.

The Zionists, in reality, represent a particularly malicious form of imperialist nationalism based on the interests of the Israeli ruling class and the major powers, especially the United States. But their ethno-supremacist ideology is encountering growing opposition, including from Jewish people who have been prominent in the worldwide protests opposing the genocide in Gaza.
US F-35B Lightening stealth fighters accompany Air Force B1-B Lancer strategic bombers over the Sea of Japan

The United States launched on Friday night what officials billed as a weeks- or months-long campaign in the Middle East targeting Iran.

US President Joe Biden sent nuclear-capable B-1B bombers from the Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to deliver over 125 munitions on 85 targets in seven locations throughout Iraq and Syria. The US claimed to have targeted military facilities used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

These strikes were illegal, taking place in defiance of the governments of Syria and Iraq, and carried out without congressional authorization or any attempt to gain the consent or approval of the American population.

An Iraqi official condemned the strike in Iraq as unacceptable and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, adding that it is a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into unforeseen consequences. Syrian state media outlets condemned the act of American aggression.

The pro-imperialist Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported to AFP that at least 18 people had been killed in eastern Syria, across a broad section of the country stretching more than 62 miles.

The United States claimed that the strikes were in response to the killing of three American service members in Jordan last week. Biden visited Dover Air Force Base in his home state of Delaware to witness the transfer of the soldiers remains. As he gave a terse three-paragraph statement, the bombers were already en route to their destination.

In reality, the deaths of these soldiers were the outcome of the ongoing military occupation of the region and the massive military escalation undertaken over the past three months.

As it has provided funding, weapons, logistical support and political cover for Israel to carry out a campaign of genocide in Gaza, the US has flooded the region with warships, aircraft and soldiers, with the deliberate aim of provoking a wider conflict.

In announcing the attacks Friday, Biden declared, The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.

Such statements, repeated ad nauseam day after day, are meaningless. Whether or not American imperialism seeks all-out war in the Middle East, it has been continuously bombing, starving and invading countries throughout the region for decades, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq that led to the deaths of over a million people.

Clearly, the United States seeks the goal of this spiraling war, which is the reorganization of the Middle East as part of American imperialisms effort to subjugate Russia and China.

To this end, Biden made clear that the new military offensive in the Middle East will continue over a protracted period. The bombings, Biden said, will continue at times and places of our choosing. Biden added a further threat, Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

This is a first set of responses, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, adding there would be future responses.

In other words, the strikes mark the continuation and escalation of American imperialisms perpetual war in the Middle East.

US media coverage of the attacks was entirely uncritical, repeating the spurious justification that they were retaliatory and defensive. To the extent that there was criticism within the political establishment, it was to denounce Biden for not doing more.

In an editorial entitled Will Biden Finally Deter Iran, the Wall Street Journal accused Biden of exercising too much restraint, calling for the White House to use enough force against the right targets so that US troops are no longer fodder for enemy target practice.

Leading members of the US political establishment also quickly endorsed the attacks, with Senator Jack Reed, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, publicly backing them.

The massive, long-range bombardments were clearly a demonstration of the types of strikes the United States would potentially use against targets inside of Iran. The beauty of the American bomber is we can strike anywhere in the world at a time of our choosing, Pentagon spokesman Gen. Douglas A. Sims told reporters Friday night. Critically, these bombers are capable of delivering exactly the same types of strikes, but with nuclear payloads.

While the strikes did not directly target mainland Iran, the White House preceded them with a new round of sanctions and criminal charges against officers and officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

The White House indicated that aircraft from Jordan were expected to join upcoming strikes, demonstrating the extent to which the Middle East is being drawn into the maelstrom of a widening regional war.

The US attacks on Syria and Iraq occurred as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his tour in the region, which includes stops next week in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank.

Blinken claimed his aim is the negotiation of a humanitarian pause that will allow for sustained, increased delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

In reality, Blinkens trip is aimed at facilitating the expansion of the imperialist-instigated regional war and shoring up support for Israel, which is waging a war of extermination against the people of Gaza with US support.

On February 1, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing that Over 100,000 Gazans are either dead, injured, or missing and presumed dead.

Tedros was referencing a January 13 report by the Euro-Med monitor, which noted that 92 percent of those killed were civilians. According to figures from Euro-Med, 32,246 Gazans are either confirmed dead or missing for over two weeks and presumed dead. Of these, 12,660 are children, and 6,860 are women.

Israel has partially or fully destroyed over 190,000 homes in Gaza, representing over 60 percent of the housing stock. On Thursday, the New York Times published an article reporting the systematic demolition of buildings in Gaza, noting that At least 33 controlled demolitions have destroyed hundreds of buildingsincluding mosques, schools, and entire sections of residential neighborhoodssince November.

The Times noted, To carry out these demolitions, soldiers enter the targeted structures to place mines or other explosives and then leave to pull the trigger from a safe distance.

Last week, the International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli government could plausibly be committing genocide and ordered it to prevent further genocidal acts and statements. But in the week since this occurred, the IDF has killed at least 874 Palestinians.

This was accompanied by further evidence of mass summary executions, including the discovery this week of a mass grave of 30 handcuffed and blindfolded people who appear to have been summarily executed.

The ongoing and escalating genocide in Gaza and the massive new US bombing operation throughout the Middle East make clear that neither the International Court of Justice nor the United Nations are capable of putting an end to the bloodbath in the Middle East being perpetrated by the imperialist powers.

Opposing this eruption of imperialist barbarism requires the mobilization of workers and young people around the world on the basis of a socialist program.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal (United) party ditched the Congress Party-led INDIA electoral bloc last Sunday and immediately re-entered the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The partnership between the JD (U) and the BJP was cemented by a change in government Sunday in Bihar, Indias third most populous state.

First, Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar Chief Minister, precipitating the fall of the states Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) coalition government, which was made up of or supported by INDIA bloc members, including the three Stalinist parliamentary parties. Then, in a piece of theatre previously agreed upon with the states BJP-appointed governor, Kumar had himself sworn in as the head of a new coalition governmentthis one formed by the JD (U) and the BJP and its Bihar-based allies. As part of the new arrangement, Nitish Kumar now has two BJP Deputy Chief Ministers.

Nitish Kumar and the JD (U) have been on-again, off-again allies of the far-right BJP for more than a quarter century. So notorious are Kumars switches of allegianceSundays was the fourth time in a decade he has jumped horses between the BJP-dominated NDA and the oppositionhe has come to be known as Paltu Ram (turncoat or somersault expert). However, it need be emphasized that for most of the past 25 years the JD (U) and BJP have been partners in Bihars government and nationally in the NDA.

CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation General-Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya (centre-left) with Nitish Kumar (centre-right) at the Maoists partys 11th party conference in Feb. 2023. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is on the far left and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on the far right. [Photo: NewsClick]

In 2013, Kumar feigned outrage over the BJPs selection of Modi, who as Gujarat chief minister had instigated the 2002 Gujarat anti-Muslim pogrom, as its prime ministerial candidate and withdrew his JD (U) from the NDA. A decade later, just days after Modi inaugurated a Hindu nationalist shrine on the site of the former Babi Masjid mosque as a major step toward establishing a Hindu supremacist state, Kumar once again renewed his partnership with the BJP.

Even as the INDIA alliance was crystalizing last summer, the Bihar Chief Minister was sending out signals that he had not closed the door to a renewed alliance with the BJP. This included paying homage to Atal Vajpayee, Indias first BJP/NDA prime minister, on his death anniversary.

Nevertheless, the JD (U)s defection, or more correctly return to the BJP fold, leaves the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in shambles just weeks before the official launch of the campaign for the 2024 national election. It is also yet another devastating exposure of the reactionary politics of Indias two main Stalinist partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, and the older, smaller Communist Party of India (CPI)and of the Maoist Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.

The JD (U)s leading role in the INDIA alliance

Nitish Kumar and his JD (U) were among the key architects of the INDIA alliance, and until it became evident late last week that they were preparing to switch horses, were promoted as such by their erstwhile INDIA allies, including the fake communist parties, the CPM, CPI, and the CPI (M-L) Liberation.

Some prominent INDIA leaders had lobbied for Kumar to be named the alliances convenor, a position that remains unfilled to this day at least in part because it is widely believed that the occupant will be poised to become the alliances prime ministerial candidate.

Kumar and the policies of the now defunct Mahagathbandhan coalition government, especially its efforts to expand caste-based reservation or affirmative action measures, were also projected as emblematic of the INDIA alliances social justice agenda.

The Congress Party has been in decline for decades. But until 2014, it remained the Indian bourgeoisies preferred party of national government, including in serving as the spearhead of Indias full, post-1991 integration into the US-led world capitalist economic order and as the principal architect of the Indo-US military-strategic alliance.

However, since 2014 the Congress has suffered one electoral debacle after another, due to two intertwined processes. Because of its corruption and decades-long implementation of right-wing pro-investor policies, the Congress faces mass popular disaffection. Meanwhile, the bourgeoisie has rallied round the Hindu strongman Modi and the BJP as their best vehicle for ruthlessly implementing their agenda of austerity, privatization, and deregulation and for pursuing their great-power ambitions on the world stage. Currently, the Congress forms the government in just three of Indias 28 states.

In a manifest admission of its own political weakness, the Congress Party allowed Kumar to take the first step in establishing an anti-BJP alliance for the 2024 elections to the Lok Sabha (the lower, popularly elected house of Indias parliament). Last June, he convened a meeting of opposition party leaders in Patna, Bihars capital, out of which the INDIA alliance soon evolved.

Bihars Mahagathbandhan was held up as a model for the INDIA alliance because of the ostensible breadth of the political forces it brought together on an anti-BJP platform. It included two powerful regional caste-based parties, one of which had previously dallied with the BJP/NDAthe JD (U) and Rashtriya Janata Dalas well as the Congress Party, and the traditional left parties, the CPM and CPI. It also included the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, a Maoist grouping that won 12 seats in the Bihar assembly in the 2020 state elections running as an ally of the RJD and the Congress.

For class struggle, not caste struggle

In the weeks immediately preceding the June 23, 2023 opposition conclave in Patna, Nitish Kumar and his Mahagathbandhan coalition government had focussed their energies on touting their completion of the first comprehensive caste census undertaken by any state since India gained political independence in 1947. The census, which allotted the population into scores of jati or sub-castes and then aggregated the data from an accompanying socioeconomic survey on caste-jati lines has been widely hailed, including by the Stalinists, as a master counter-stroke to the BJPs proclamations of Hindu unity.

Calls for a caste-based social justice agenda have been central to the INDIA alliances political rhetoric since its inception. By this they mean a push for a further expansion of Indias reservation (affirmative action) policy under which government jobs and university places are reserved for certain historically oppressed or disfavoured jati and tribal groups.

Originally developed by the British colonial regime as part of its divide and rule policy, reservation has nothing to do with the fight for genuine social equality. Rather it is a mechanism for propping up Indian capitalism. It serves to channel explosive social anger and frustration over mass unemployment and poverty into a divisive struggle among the oppressed for a more equitable distribution of social misery, and is a means for the ruling class to cultivate privileged petty bourgeois layers who can serve as the leaders of the rival caste groups and ideologues of caste-based politics.

The reality is India today is as socially polarized as it was at the height of the British Raj. The richest 1 percent of Indians own more than 40 percent of all the countrys wealth, while the bottom 50 percent, more than 700 million people, own just 3 percent. Only by forging the fighting unity of the working class, in opposition to all the caste, religio-communal and ethnic divisions incited by the Indian bourgeoisie, and rallying the rural toilers behind it in the struggle for socialism, will it be possible to lift the masses out of poverty and secure their basic social and democratic rights.

It is highly significant that in the five months since the official launch of the INDIA alliance the only common platform plank it has advanced in opposition to Modi and his BJP is its phony, caste-based appeal for social justice. Significant but hardly surprising, since the constituents of the INDIA alliance have no disagreement with the BJPs pro-investor socioeconomic agenda, and are as committed as it is to the anti-China Indo-US Global Strategic Partnership remaining the cornerstone of Indias foreign policy.

With the return of the JD (U) to the BJP/NDA fold, the INDIA alliances reactionary scheme to counterpose caste struggle to the BJPs Hindu supremacist appeals lies in tatters, and not for the first time. In recent years, the BJP has itself frequently proven adept at playing the caste-ist card against its rivals within the political establishment, exploiting the resentments and divisions fostered between various Dalit and Other Backward Caste groups by casteism, caste-based political appeals and the reservation system.

The response of the Stalinists

Predictably, the Stalinists have responded to the JD (U)s defection to the BJP-led NDA with angry denunciations of its betrayal and opportunism. In an admission of their own political blindness, the CPM observes in the latest issue of Peoples Democracy, In hindsight, the INDIA grouping is lucky to have not made (Nitish Kumar) the convenor. An editorial on the CPI (M-L) Liberations website intoned Nitish Kumars desertion  can only be seen as an act of great betrayal to the cause of democracy and social justice.

All of this is a transparent attempt to cover their own tracks. To accuse Nitish Kumar of betrayal is like denouncing a wolf for eating sheep.

The truth is that for decades the CPM, CPI and more recently the CPI (M-L) Liberation have been willing to hail as a secular democratic force any party, no matter how right-wing, that temporarily was on the outs with the BJP. Thus they have repeatedly found themselves betrayed by Nitish Kumar and his JD (U), and are currently allied in the INDIA electoral bloc with all manner of right-wing parties, including the fascistic Shiv Sena.

Moreover, it should not be forgotten, that the CPI (M-L) Liberation played an important role in preparing the political terrain for the JD (U) to assume a leading role in creating the INDIA, and thereby provide the Indian bourgeoisie with an alternative right-wing government should the BJP falter. At its 11th party conference, held in Patna last February, it held a public rally in the name of uniting all opposition forces to defeat the BJP at which Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid appeared alongside CPI (M-L) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya.

Foul as all this is, it is but the latest bitter fruit of the reactionary politics of Indian Stalinism, including its Maoist variant. For decades the Stalinists have functioned as an integral part of the bourgeoisie establishment, suppressing the class struggle, while harnessing the working class in the name of opposing the BJP Hindutva fascists to the parties of the bourgeoisie, beginning with the Congress Party.

In India as around the world, fascism cannot be defeated by trying to prop up a capitalist order that is rotting on its feet, but only through the independent political mobilization of the working class in the fight against austerity and imperialist war and for social equality.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins and their Australian counterparts Penny Wong and Richard Marles issued a joint statement on February 1 announcing their intention to further strengthen the Australia-New Zealand alliance to address challenges in close partnership.

The ANZMIN statement, which followed talks in Melbourne between the four ministers, makes clear that the Australian Labor government and New Zealands far-right National Party-led coalition government are proceeding in lockstep to place their countries on a war footing as part of the US-led alliance against China.

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins with her Australian counterpart Richard Marles [Photo: Twitter/X @RichardMarlesMP]

US imperialism is plunging the globe into a catastrophic war as it seeks to secure its hegemony and subjugate Russia and China by military means. Washington continues to inflame tensions with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea, having militarised the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile the Biden administration is ramping up the war against Russia over Ukraine, actively backing Israels genocide in Gaza, and threatening war against Iran.

The Australia-NZ statement refers to the enduring nature of the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, under which Australia and New Zealand, as minor imperialist powers, have served as important allies of the United States in the Pacific region.

The reference to ANZUS is unusual and significant because in 1986 the US suspended its obligations to New Zealand under the treaty, in response to New Zealands ban on nuclear-powered vessels entering its waters. Despite this partial rift, New Zealands alliance with the US was maintained behind the scenes and strengthened under successive governments, with New Zealand playing a key role in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, alongside the US, Australia, Canada and the UK.

The ANZMIN document also calls for building on our Anzac history, a reference to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) in World War I and II. It states: Ministers committed to increasing integration between our military forces, including through common capability, exchanges of senior military officers and increased participation in warfighting exercises.

Marles told the media: We are committed to constructing two defence forces which are seamless in the way in which we operate.

The ministers also discussed enhanced regional cooperation and interoperability with Pacific countries, many of which are impoverished semi-colonies of Australia and New Zealand. The statement expressed support for creating a Pacific Response Group (PRG)a military unit that would also involve forces from France, Chile, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

On December 7, after the PRG was initially discussed at a meeting of regional defence ministers, Marles told reporters that the unit would be able to immediately deploy anywhere in the Pacific to respond to a natural disaster or a moment of civil unrest or insecurity.

These discussions are aimed at countering growing Chinese influence in the Pacific. Beijings recent negotiations with Papua New Guinea over policing cooperation have provoked a furious response in Canberra. In 2022, a security agreement signed between China and the Solomon Islands prompted threats of an invasion by the US.

In an extended denunciation of China, the ANZMIN statement says ministers expressed serious concern over developments in the South China Sea, including Chinas militarisation of disputed features, and destabilising or coercive unilateral actions in the East China Sea. Regarding Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand it reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in resolving disputes without the threat or use of coercion.

All of this turns reality on its head. In fact, it is the US that has militarised the region and encircled China, boosting its military presence in the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and Australia itself. The Biden administration has supplied weapons and begun stationing troops in Taiwan, and staged repeated military exercises that are clearly aimed at provoking conflict with China.

With boundless hypocrisy, the Australian and NZ ministers expressed grave concerns about human rights violations in Xinjiang the erosion of religious, cultural, educational and linguistic rights and freedoms in Tibet, and the continuing systemic erosion of Hong Kongs autonomy, freedom, rights and democratic processes.

This comes from two imperialist powers that have participated for more than two decades in criminal US-led wars against Iraq and Afghanistan, which killed more than a million people and left entire countries in ruins. The ruling elites in Australia and New Zealand have deployed troops to assist in training Ukrainian conscripts to fight against Russia in a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, and are supporting Israels genocidal war against Gaza.

The ANZMIN statement cynically expressed deep concern at the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risk to all Palestinian civilians. The ministers called on Israel to abide by the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice, which called for steps to be taken to avoid genocide. At the same time, they fraudulently state that Israel is defending itself and that any sustainable ceasefire requires Hamas to lay down its arms.

In other words, the genocidein which more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and more than a million are homeless and starvingcannot end without the complete victory of Israel over Hamas.

The ministers reaffirmed their support for the US- and UK-led bombing of Yemen. The countrys Houthi militias have taken action to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea that is supplying Israel. Australia and New Zealand are both contributing personnel and intelligence to the illegal war against this impoverished country, which has endured more than a decade of genocidal conflict, backed by the US.

The Australia-NZ statement praises the AUKUS military pact between Australia, the UK and US as a positive contribution toward maintaining peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. AUKUS includes an agreement to supply Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines and to develop hypersonic missiles, as part of the transformation of the country into a frontline base for the coming war with China.

Marles said Australian officials will soon visit New Zealand to discuss what role it can play in AUKUSs second pillar, which involves the sharing of military technology. NZ Defence Minister Collins said she hoped this could happen quickly.

The Chinese embassy in New Zealand issued a scathing response to the Australia-NZ talks. It denounced AUKUS as a stark manifestation of Cold War mentality as it seeks to establish a nuclear-related exclusive military alliance that targets third parties, which will undermine peace and stability, sow division and confrontation in the region.

The embassy sharply objected to the statements on Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, saying that these were Chinas internal affairs which bear on Chinas core interests, and brook no external interference.

In the past, New Zealand governments have been reluctant to join Washingtons and Canberras belligerent denunciations of China, because of New Zealands economic reliance on agricultural exports to China. This has changed under conditions of constant US provocations and threats against China, and increasing discussion in strategic think tanks and governments about the inevitability of war.

The New Zealand ruling class, under both the previous Labour Party-led government and the current National Party government, is assuring Washington of its support in order to gain a seat at the table in the new redivision of Asia, the Pacific and the world.

The corporate media is playing its part in seeking to condition the public for war, with the New Zealand Herald declaring that the Defence Force is in a crisis and the SAS commando unit is on the verge of collapse, requiring major investment and recruitment. The government plans to increase military spending from about 1.4 to 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Workers and young people, however, are intensely hostile to war, as seen in the ongoing, weekly demonstrations by thousands of people against the Israeli-US genocide in Gaza. The moves to militarise the country, paid for by cutting funds for public services that ordinary people rely on, will provoke mass opposition.

Those joining the anti-war protests should have no illusions that the government, or the opposition Labour Party, can be pressured to change course. All the capitalist parties support New Zealands alliance with the US and Australia, and the countrys own imperialist activities in the Pacific. A catastrophic Third World War, which is already in its opening stages, can only be stopped through a unified movement of the working class internationally, based on a socialist program to put an end to capitalism, which is the source of war.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert on January 25, 2024, to clinicians that between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024, the public health agency was notified of 23 confirmed cases of measles across the states of Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Seven were imported by international travelers and two local outbreaks included more than five cases each, the agency said. These cases involved mostly children and adolescents who were not vaccinated although they were age-eligible.

A dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine [AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File]

The alert is being issued amid a worldwide resurgence of the disease during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying demise of public health infrastructures with the prioritization of profits over lives. Globally, over 61 million doses of measles-containing vaccines were postponed or missed from 2020 to 2022.

Low-income countries, where the risk of death from measles is highest, are also the countries that have seen their vaccination rates plummet. This means the diseases resurgence is not just a result of vaccine hesitancy or political opposition among a reactionary petty bourgeois layer, but a starvation of critical resources to these destitute regions.

Countries with the highest measles outbreak based on provisional data provided to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of early December 2023 include Yemen with 23,000 cases, India with 14,000, Kazakhstan with almost 13,000, Ethiopia with 11,000, and Russia with over 7,000. Of the 22 million children who missed their first measles vaccine in 2022, more than half lived in just ten countries: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

Given the highly integrated nature of global commerce and the ending of all emergency measures associated with the COVID pandemic, an outbreak of measles in any part of the world threatens every other region of the globe.

Global cases of measles increased by 18 percent in 2022 over 2021, to 9 million, and deaths from the disease were up 43 percent, with 136,000 recorded fatalities, mostly among children from the impoverished countries. In 2023, the number of cases jumped 64 percent compared to the previous year. Death estimates have yet to be provided.

Kate OBrien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, said in November 2023 on the global measles threat, The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action. Measles is called the inequity virus for good reason. It is the disease that will find and attack those who arent protected. Children everywhere have the right to be protected by the lifesaving measles vaccine, no matter where they live.

However, for western countries too, the public health crisis with this previously eliminated pathogen is becoming a rapidly growing concern.

The WHO regional office for Europe warned that urgent measures were needed to prevent the further spread of measles across the continent, which has risen by an alarming 45-fold, with some 42,200 people infected in 2023, up from only 941 in the whole of 2022.

Most recently, the UK has been experiencing a sudden and exponentially rising number of measles infections that threaten to spread across the country. Since October 1, 2023, there were 347 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in England, with 127 of these just in January 2024. Seventy-five percent of these cases have been in the West Midlands and two-thirds of the infected were in children under the age of 10.

Consultant epidemiologist Dr. Vanessa Saliba of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned, The ongoing measles outbreak in the West Midlands remains a concern. MMR vaccine coverage has been falling for the last decade with one out of 10 children starting school in England not protected and so there is a real risk that this outbreak could spread to other towns and cities.

On January 30, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published an epidemiological alert urging countries in the Americas to intensify vaccination activities, conduct surveillance and prepare health systems for possible measles outbreaks. Only a quarter of the 40 countries in the region have given at least one of two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine to at least 95 percent of the population. Only seven countries in the Americas have a very high level of coverage with the second dose, meaning the entire region stands poised for an epidemic.

At least two doses of the measles vaccines (the first at 12 months and the second at age four through six) are required to interrupt transmission of the disease and achieve the herd immunity level set by the WHO at 95 percent. (The established public health concept of herd immunity through mass vaccination is at odds with the perversion of herd immunity through mass infection, embraced by capitalist governments around the world.)

In the US, although vaccination rates with two doses stood at around 93 percent for the 2021-2022 school year (down from 95 percent in previous years), there was considerable variation by state, with Wisconsin, Kentucky, Georgia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Colorado, and Idaho having rates under 90 percent. Alaska has the lowest rate with only 78 percent vaccinated against measles.

A CBS News investigation revealed that at least 8,500 schools had measles vaccination rates under 95 percent among kindergartners. Penn State University biologist and infectious disease researcher Matt Ferrari told CBS News on the findings, I think its concerning to me as a human being. It also has a population-level consequence. The more individuals that are around who are unvaccinated, the more potential there is for disease to spread and to establish transmission that will give rise to outbreaks that will stick around for a long time.

A respiratory/airborne virus, measles is highly communicable, with estimates that 90 percent of non-immune people exposed to an infected individual will contract the disease. Mathematical modeling estimates that the number of secondary infections can be as high as 12 to 18. The takeaway point here is that a high vaccination rate (greater than 95 percent) is required to ensure that herd immunity prevents onward transmission to vulnerable people.

A person contracting the virus is considered contagious from four days before a rash starts through four days after, a period that can encompass ten to 14 days. The prodromal phase (before the infection is manifested in the rash) is considered the most contagious phase due to symptoms of intense coughing that occur. For those exposed and not immunized, there should be a quarantine period of at least five days.

The US CDC, in its alert on the latest outbreak, urged healthcare providers and health systems to be vigilant for patients presenting with rash and high fevers, head colds that include runny noses and red eyes and coughs, especially those with travel abroad to areas where there is ongoing measles outbreak. However, given the downplaying of infections so prevalent in health systems following the lifting of all COVID restrictions, measles cases could quickly ignite, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency departments. The other unknown is how previous COVID infections will impact children not vaccinated against measles, given the damage it is known to cause to the immune system.

Once someone infected by measles, the disease must take its course. There are no antivirals currently available. Early use of the vaccine after exposure (within 72 hours) or immune globulin (usually reserved for infants less than 12 months of age, pregnant women, or immune compromised people or unable to get the vaccine) that contain antibodies against measles, given within six days of exposure, may help prevent the disease or minimize severity.

Mortality from measles is predominately a byproduct of superimposed bacterial infections, with rates of complications climbing if the fever does not abate in a day or two. Case fatality rate is somewhere from one to three per 1,000 in a best-case scenario with access to proper healthcare. In the real-world figures mentioned above, that rate reached 1.5 percent, comparable to rates seen a century ago.

A 2004 report published in the Journal of Infectious Disease, reviewing the clinical significance of measles and the impact of vaccinations, noted, Without the vaccine, five million children would die each year from measles, assuming an estimated case-fatality rate of two to three percent. Between 1855 and 2005, measles killed nearly 200 million people worldwide.

Given the virus that causes measles has only one host, humans, and a readily available, highly effective and safe vaccine at hand, the reemergence of measles on the world stage rather than its complete eradication is a result of the irrational character of the capitalist system. In particular, the response to the COVID pandemic is not simply a policy of forever COVID, but an abdication of making public health a priority, in pursuit of ever greater profits, no matter the impact on the broader population.

Indeed, as the war in Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East is proving, every cent is being directed to address in the most reactionary and barbaric manner the crisis of capitalism and the contradictions of the nation-state system with a resort to authoritarian forms of rule and direct military conflict to address. The resurgence of measles, syphilis and monkeypox alongside the continued deadly spread of COVID-19 is the material manifestation of the virulent disease known as capitalism.
A guardsman walks on rail cars with concertina wire along the Texas-Mexico border, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he would authorize the deployment of up to 1,000 Florida National Guard soldiers to Texas. The move was in support of Donald Trumps election campaign and Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts war on immigrants and usurpation of federal authority over the US/Mexico border.

Flanked by dozens of Florida state troopers, DeSantis called for the states to band together. He promoted the Republican Partys propaganda line that the flow of refugees across the southern border constitutes a foreign invasion, and pledged to stop the invasion once and for all.

DeSantis said the goal of the deployment was to help Texas fortify the border, add barriers, and wire. He also revealed that for the first time, Floridas recently created civilian military force, the Florida State Guard, would be deployed outside the state, going to Texas to reinforce Abbotts border mission.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a town hall meeting in Eagle Pass, Texas, Monday, June 26, 2023. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

Last week, in a 54 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that federal Customs and Border Protection agents could remove concertina wire installed by the Texas National Guard along the Rio Grande River in order to gain access to the river and process migrants seeking to cross into the US. The Biden Justice Department had filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to lift an injunction against US border agents taking down razor wire that had been imposed by a Texas state court and upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Abbott had ordered barbed wire strung and buoys placed in the Rio Grande in defiance of federal immigration authorities. This was in line with his mobilization of the Texas National Guard to seize control of the border and block the US Border Patrol from gaining access.

In making his announcement on deploying Florida National Guard soldiers to Texas, DeSantis is joining virtually the entire Republican Party in thumbing his nose at the Supreme Court decision and challenging the authority of the Biden administration. The predominant political narrative of the GOP is that Biden and the Democrats are refusing to enforce immigration laws in order to abet an invasion of future Democratic voters.

Following the Supreme Court decision last week, Trump implored governors on his social media account to deploy their guards to Texas.

We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of illegals, and to them remove back across the Border, Trump wrote. Trump promised that on Day One of his second term he would work hand in hand with Governor Abbott and other Border States to Stop the Invasion, Seal the Border, and Rapidly Begin the Largest Domestic Deportation Operation in History. Those Biden has let in should not get comfortable because they will be going home.

In a letter released Friday, 24 out of 25 Republican members of Texas US House delegation encouraged Abbott to hold the line against the Biden Administration and continue to do everything you can to protect our Southern Border. They thanked Abbott for his resolve and pledged to stand with him against this illegal alien invasion enabled by cartels and the Biden Administration.

Far from an invading army, the vast majority of migrants coming to the US are leaving everything behind in the hopes of achieving the American dream. Unable to make a decent living in their home countries, or facing the threat of gang violence and political persecution, many have no choice but to make the perilous and dangerous journey, often from countries that have been devastated by US-backed coups, sanctions or military occupation.

Thursdays announcement by DeSantis is just the latest in a series of troop deployments Republican governors have authorized in the last year in furtherance of Abbotts anti-immigrant Operation Lone Star. Last week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins office confirmed to Newsweek that the state had already deployed 100 National Guard troops in support of Lone Star. A spokesperson for North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum confirmed to Newsweek that 125 soldiers from the 817th Engineer Company were currently deployed to the border.

Several other governors have dispatched troops to Texas since Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star in 2021. Last summer, Govs. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Arkansas) and Kristi Noem (South Dakota) deployed 80 and 50 National Guard soldiers to the Texas-Mexico border, respectively. Sixty-one soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard were also deployed last year to the border.

DeSantis announcement came one day after Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee voted to advance articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Despite the fact that under Mayorkas the DHS has deported and incarcerated immigrants at similar rates to those under Trump, Republicans have accused the secretary, the son of a Cuban Jew, and President Joe Biden of purposely planning an invasion of illegal aliens to replace native-born Americans.

Far from defending the democratic rights of immigrants or pushing back on this neo-Nazi invasion narrative, the Biden administration is doing everything in its power to appease its Republican colleagues in the hopes of securing the necessary votes to pass a $110 billion national security supplemental package that includes, most importantly for the Biden White House, over $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine for the war against Russia. The bill also includes $14 billion for Israel, currently engaged in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, as well as billions for Taiwan to prepare for war with China and $14 billion to hire more US border police and expand the surveillance state.

The Republicans have balked at providing funding for Ukraine unless it is paired with billions more for the border police and the virtual abolition of the right to claim asylum in the United States. More than willing to throw millions of immigrants and their families under the bus in order to secure money for war, the Biden White House, along with senators from both parties, has agreed to a border deal that would provide extraordinary tools for President Trump, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said earlier this week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) told reporters on Thursday that the text of the border bill would likely be released this weekend and a vote in the Senate scheduled for next week. However, it is increasingly unlikely that the bill will become law, as House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump sycophant, signaled he would not bring it up for a vote in the House after Trump came out against the measure last week.

Many of Trumps Republican allies have lent their support to a far-right Take Your Border Back convoy. The convoy is composed of the same human dust that participated in the January 6, 2021, coup and the aborted Peoples Convoy against COVID-19 mitigation measures in the spring of 2022.

Participants in the convoy, which as of this writing include a few hundred fascists, Christian nationalists, Republican politicians and militia elements, held a rally on Thursday in Dripping Springs, Texas, about 220 miles east of the contested border town of Eagle Pass.

Speakers at the rally included several current and former Republican officials such as former Alaska governor and John McCains vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Texas State Rep. Carrie Isaac, and Chris Burr, a board member of the Republican Party of Texas. Several aspiring Republican politicians also spoke at the rally, including Victor Avila, a candidate for Texas 23rd District and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

Devin Burghart, executive director of Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, reported that during his speech, Avila revealed he had been endorsed by Ret. Gen. Michael Flynn, one of Trumps top co-conspirators in the failed coup. Avila promised, if elected, to start removing people, adding that its gonna be very difficult to get at 35 million illegals, but its gonna be one at a time, one at a time.

Another ally in Trumps coup plot and underling of Flynn, Ivan Raiklin, also spoke at the rally. Raiklin was the source of the Pence card memorandum that argued that then-Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to unilaterally reject electoral college votes from states Trump lost. Burghart reported that in his speech Raiklin ranted about rooting out domestic enemies and crushing commies.

One of the last speakers, Michael Yon, delivered an outright antisemitic screed that was virtually identical to the statements issued by gunman Robert Bowers prior to the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre. In his speech, Yon, a former Green Beret who was outside the Capitol building on January 6, claimed that a main funder of illegal immigration is actually HIAS The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Jewish. Right?

On Gab, the preferred social media network of neo-Nazis and white supremacists, Yon posted that Secretary Mayorkas was a HIAS board member  before he came to higher position in US Government invasion operations. Mayorkas is himself a migrant and a traitor. Much as Hitler was.
Joshua Adam Schulte [Photo: Joshua Schulte/LinkedIn]

In a brutal act of state vengeance, alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower Joshua Schulte was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment on Thursday over Espionage Act and other national security offenses. The 35-year-old was convicted in 2022 of transmitting documents to WikiLeaks, exposing the Central Intelligence Agencys hacking and global spying operations.

The Schulte case marks a deepening of a protracted war on whistleblowers and journalism. The computer expert has effectively been tried, convicted and sentenced as a terrorist. His term of imprisonment is comparable to that meted out to individuals convicted of the most heinous crimes.

Aside from motives of retribution, Schulte is being made an example. His sentencing is a message that anyone exposing the crimes of the military and intelligence agencies, amid the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, preparations for broader wars and a crackdown on democratic rights, will be treated as they would in Saudi Arabia or another US-backed dictatorship.

In the first instance, the sentence is a signal of what the American government intends to do to WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, who faces the imminent threat of extradition from Britain to the US.

The sentence is all the more striking, given the flimsy character of the case against Schulte, who maintains his innocence. There was sufficient doubt over his guilt for a jury to be unable to reach agreement on the Espionage Act and national security charges in a first trial of Schulte in 2020, resulting in a mistrial.

Schulte has stated that he was fitted-up, because the government was desperate to find a scapegoat for the CIA data breach. As a disgruntled and idiosyncratic former CIA employee, he was identified as a suspect almost immediately after WikiLeaks began publishing the material in March 2017.

Shortly thereafter he was indicted on charges of possession of child pornography. Whatever their veracity, those charges were clearly aimed at ensnaring Schulte in the legal system, as the government sought to build a case. It took more than a year for the Department of Justice to cobble together an indictment against Schulte over the CIA leak.

The timeline strongly suggests that the FBI and the government decided upon Schultes guilt and worked backwards from there. WikiLeaks stated that the material it published on CIA hacking tools had been circulating among numerous former government employees and contractors.

The limited coverage of Schultes sentencing in the mainstream press has uncritically cited the statements of US officials, describing the leak as the digital equivalent of Pearl Harbor, an unprecedented blow to national security and the like. Very little has been written about the content of the leaks.

Dubbed by WikiLeaks Vault 7, the material pointed to a global CIA operation involving cyber-hacking and dirty tricks on an unprecedented scale. Among the revelations, Vault 7 showed that:

The CIA was the worlds biggest purveyor of malware. It developed viruses and hacking tools directed at virtually all operating systems.

The CIA had developed programs enabling it to hack smart televisions and other household devices for spying purposes.

By hacking directly into smartphones, the CIA could overcome encrypted messaging apps.

The agency was seeking to develop capabilities to remotely take control of the computer systems that run newer model cars. The only conceivable purpose would be to do physical harm.

The CIA had developed capabilities to create digital evidence to attribute its own malicious hacking operations to adversaries, useful in black propaganda campaigns blaming other countries for supposed cyberattacks.

In other words, everything the US government has accused other states such as Russia and China of doing in relation to cyber-hacking, the CIA has done far more extensively and successfully.

A WikiLeaks announcement of the Vault 7 publication explained, In a statement to WikiLeaks the source details policy questions that they say urgently need to be debated in public, including whether the CIAs hacking capabilities exceed its mandated powers and the problem of public oversight of the agency. The source wishes to initiate a public debate about the security, creation, use, proliferation and democratic control of cyberweapons.

The response was apoplectic. A month after the initial release, in April 2017, then CIA Director Mike Pompeo delivered a speech in which he denounced Assange and WikiLeaks staff as demons and enemies and declared that they would be treated as a non-state hostile intelligence agency, without First Amendment or other democratic rights.

A 2021 Yahoo News investigation would later reveal what this meant in practice. Based on the comments of more than 30 US officials, it confirmed that in 2017 Pompeo, the CIA and other figures in the Trump administration, including the president, had discussed illegally kidnapping Assange from Ecuadors London Embassy, where he was a political refugee, or assassinating him. This was not idle chatter. The company that provided security to the embassy and controlled Assanges physical environment, UC Global, was secretly working for the CIA.

It was only with the failure or abandonment of those extrajudicial plans that the US government indicted Assange. He faces Espionage Act charges and 175 years imprisonment if extradited. While those charges are over separate 2010 and 2011 WikiLeaks publications exposing US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and global conspiracies by the State Department, Assange and WikiLeaks have stated that the main impetus for his stepped-up persecution was Vault 7 and the ferocious CIA response.

At the sentencing hearing Thursday, prosecutors argued that Schulte should be imprisoned for life. There is a need for incapacitation, one reportedly said. They called for his sentence to be extended based on terrorism enhancement provisions.

Schulte has already served more than five years in barbaric conditions. He has been under Special Administrative Measures, a form of detention involving almost total isolation and sensory deprivation.

According to Inner City Press, one of the few publications to have extensively covered the case, the alleged whistleblower told the sentencing hearing: The US Federal government tortures me with 24/7 white noise and solitary confinement. The window is blacked out. When I am offered access to the law library, I have to urinate and defecate on the floor. I am left there for 9 hours.

Schulte added: I have been locked in my torture cage with rodent excrement. Ice accumulates near the window. I wash my clothes in my toilet. Im forced to eat with my bare hands like an animal. They look down on you like you are not human.

These conditions, akin to a medieval dungeon, are what awaits Assange if he is extradited. The WikiLeaks founder is perilously close to being dispatched to his persecutors. On February 20-21, he will appear in court, where an application to appeal the extradition order will be heard. If unsuccessful, Assanges avenues within the British legal system are exhausted.

The Schulte case again underscores the criminal, gangster-like pursuit of Assange. The courageous journalist is being hounded as a criminal for exposing the illegal activities of the American government and its allies. This began under the Obama-Biden administration, was escalated by Trump, and the current Biden presidency is seeking to complete Assanges destruction.

That underscores the commitment of the entire political establishment, whatever their tactical divisions, to ever-greater authoritarianism as they pursue a program of global war and confront growing social and political opposition domestically.

The bipartisan character of the assault on Assange, not only in the US, but in Britain and his home country Australia, demonstrates the futility of any perspective of securing his freedom through appeals to the powers that be. That perspective has been tried and has failed.

The alternative is the fight to mobilise the working class in Assanges defence. That is not only necessary but possible. All over the world, masses of people are engaging in protest and opposition to the genocide in Gaza. There is immense anti-war sentiment, and to those who are familiar with him, despite media blackouts, Assange is rightly regarded as a heroic figure.

These sentiments must be developed into a movement fighting for his freedom, in opposition to the governments, their wars and the capitalist system that is responsible for militarism and dictatorship. The working class must demand freedom for Joshua Schulte and anyone who exposes the crimes of imperialism and freedom for Julian Assange.
The Collective of Workers Action Committees (CWAC) in Sri Lanka held a public meeting on Thursday in Colombo. The event was to mobilise support in defence of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees who took action to oppose the privatisation of the state-owned company but have now been targeted in a government-ordered witch hunt.

CEB employees held three days of protestfrom January 3 to 5to oppose the governments privatisation policies and other harsh austerity measures dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The CWAC is an alliance of action committees established by workers in the port, health, garment, plantation, railway and education sectors, as well as sacked Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) employees, overseas migrant workers, and farmers from Beragama in Sri Lankas south. About 50 attended the meeting, including delegations of workers from their respective action committees.

CWAC and the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members campaigned in Colombo and other areas in the lead-up to Thursdays meeting, distributing thousands of leaflets in Sinhala and Tamil, mainly related to the CEB witch hunt.

The meeting was chaired by Salitha Sinhabahu, a port employee, with the main report delivered by SEP Political Committee member W.A. Sunil. A Tamil translation of the meeting was provided for those attending from the plantations.

Port worker Salitha Sinhabahu

Welcoming participants, Salitha said the collective of action committees stands with the 23,000 electricity employees who are waging a struggle against the privatisation of their institution.

He explained that 66 CEB employees have been suspended and are now being investigated by management.

We also have information that the CEB authorities have prepared 75 more suspension letters. The trade unions are appealing to CEB authorities and the government to withdraw these suspensions which are aimed at suppressing these workers, he said.

Salitha told the meeting that to defend their basic rights workers had to build their own action committees because the trade union leaderships were blocking workers from taking united action against the government attacks.

Delivering the main report, Sunil explained that the repression of the CEB was pre-planned. The day before their [January 35] protest, management cancelled all the leave of CEB employees until further notice, he said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also proclaimed the electricity and petroleum sectors as essential services under the draconian Essential Public Services Act. This meant that repressive measures could be used to penalise workers taking industrial action in these sectors with harsh jail sentences, fines and blacklisting, thus barring them from future employment.

SEP Political Committee member W. A. Sunil addressing 1st February 2024 meeting.

CEB employees were banned from using social media and a court injunction imposed by the government against the protest was extended till February 1, he said.

Sunil told the meeting that to defend the witch hunted CEB workers, and fight the governments privatisation measures, workers had to organise joint class action, including strikes, picketing and demonstrations.

What is necessary, he continued, is to build the unity of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim workers through development of independent action committees and measures taken to prepare for a political general strike against the Wickremesinghe government.

The other essential factor here is to build the unity of the Sri Lankan working class together with their international class brothers and sisters. To lay the basis for this international struggle we have established an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

The working class can defend its social and democratic rights only in the fight for a workers and peasants government that would implement socialist policies as part of the struggle for international socialism, Sunil said.

K. Kandipan, representing plantation workers, told the meeting that the victimisations were not limited to electricity workers.

This repressive government will extend it to every section of employees coming into struggle to defend their rights. Again, this is not limited to Sri Lanka. Capitalist governments elsewhere are unleashing repressive measures against workers, he said.

He then explained how Alton Estate workers in Maskeliya had been subjected to state repression after they took strike action for higher wages in February 2021.

K. Kandipan

On the basis of bogus charges, 24 workers were arrested and 38 workers were summarily sacked from their jobs. The main estate trade union, the Ceylon Workers Congress, conspired with the management and the police and did nothing to defend these workers, he said.

Kandipan said several workers got together and decided to form an action committee. In several other estates workers are now discussing the formation of action committees because the bureaucracies are using the trade unions to suppress workers struggles, he added.

Dehin Wasantha, a non-academic worker from the University of Moratuwa, addressed the meeting, explaining how he and Lakshman Fernando, an SEP fulltime worker, had been brutally attacked by thugs of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-controlled trade union at the university. His left-hand fingers were fractured, requiring extensive treatment for a month. Fernando was also grievously injured.

I fully agree with the support of the action committee collectives meeting to defend electricity workers, Wasantha said. The CEB trade union leaders say that they will go to court to stop the suspensions of workers. But the government has made these draconian laws to be specifically used against workers. It is ridiculous to try and stop the suspensions through the courts because the government is using Essential Public Services laws against employees, he added.



Wickremesinghe is determined to implement the IMFs harsh austerity measures and wants to suppress all class struggles. It is important to develop an independent movement of the working class to prepare a counter offensive and thats why workers need to form their own action committees, Wasantha said.

Sampath, a Colombo ports worker, condemned the CEB witch hunt and said that port workers were facing the same problems. He referred to the escalating attacks on workers conditions and living standards.

The taxation attacks on our salaries, mean that there is nothing left in our pay. We were previously able to manage with our salaries. We could build a house and send our children to get a good education, he said.

Many workers, he continued, were now being forced to do additional work to supplement their income, depriving them of the opportunity to enjoy their lives with their families. Sampath explained how the ports trade unions have divided workers and no longer represented their interests.

Wasantha Wijesiri, a teacher, said, We campaigned among teachers, parents and students, explaining to them that the victimisation of CEB workers is an attack on all of us. We have a responsibility to defend the electricity employees.

Wijesiri spoke about the determined struggle that teachers waged in 2021 for decent salaries. The teachers trade unions were hostile to a united struggle of workers and then, when the government offered an insufficient salary increase, they accepted this and called off our 100-day strike.

These attacks cannot be defeated by exerting pressure on capitalist governments. The working class should organise and unite independently of the trade unions and capitalist parties, he said.

Athukorala, a health worker, said: There are many difficulties and shortages in hospitals, including doctors and other staff, but we are banned under a ministry order from exposing these things to the media. The trade unions have divided workers, which is to the advantage of the rulers. To end these divisions, we have formed this action committee. We call on other workers to do this and to raise your voices to defend your rights.

Thilaka Gamage

Thilaka Gamage, a farmer from Beragama, told the meeting about the economic burdens facing farmers. To purchase a kilogram of sugar today, we must sell 4 kilograms of paddy, but to harvest a paddy field, costs us 25,000 rupees [$US80] to hire a machine. These costs mean that were unable to pay for medications if we get sick, he said.

Gamage said that all the capitalist parties had cheated farmers and insisted that only the solution for the farmers was a working-class solution.

Kusum, a retrenched garment worker of Koggala Free Trade Zone, spoke. Wethe more than 600,000 workers from the garment sectormust fight to defend electricity workers. This is the way to unite workers in struggle, she said, and condemned the treacherous role of the trade unions.

Kusum

She explained how Free Trade Zone and General Workers Union (FTZGWU) general secretary Anton Marcus had betrayed workers. When a garment factory was closed in the Koggala Free Trade Zone, Marcus promised the workers that he would ensure that they were given good compensation.

This proved to be a bogus promise, Kusum said, explaining that Marcus had acted on behalf of the owners who got their spoils from the closure but not the workers their compensation. The workers need socialism to solve all these problems, she said.

Unanimous vote on 1 February 2024 for CWAC resolution to defend victimised Ceylon Electricity Board workers.

Following these contributions, the CWAC presented a resolution on future action to defend the victimised CEB workers. Extracts from the resolution, which was passed unanimously, are published below:

This meeting strongly condemns the President Ranil Wickremesinghe governments witch hunt against the CEB employees who took protest action against its privatisation agenda. We demand that the suspended workers be reinstated immediately and unconditionally.

This meeting opposes any suspension of employees or any punitive actions, and considers such actions are a violation of basic democratic rights.

The attack on the CEB employees is an attack on other workers and we all face the attacks dictated by the IMF.

The resolution called for workers to form action committees in all Sri Lankan workplaces and neighborhoods to unite and coordinate their struggles. It also decided that these action committees should align themselves with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to internationally coordinate their struggles.
A group of 25 American historians, including James M. McPherson of Princeton University, has filed a friend of the court brief with the United States Supreme Court calling on it to uphold the Colorado Supreme Court ruling barring Donald Trump from the ballot for his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection and siege of the US Capitol.

James M. McPherson

Trump used his last months as president to organize an insurrection against the outcome of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden by more than seven million ballots and 76 Electoral College votes. January 6 was the result of elaborate planning orchestrated from the White House, leading up to the storming of the Capitol building. The insurrectionists threatened to take hostage or murder congressional leaders, as well as Vice President Mike Pence. The attempted coup detat, which played out over several hours and involved a still unexplained military stand-down, came very close to succeeding.

Nonetheless, Biden and the Democratic Party made no serious effort to punish or even impose legal sanctions on Trump and his fascist cadre, with Biden stating that his primary concern was maintaining a strong Republican Party.

The historians brief, called an amicus curiae, is airtight, factually speaking, at least. The Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1868 in the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, plainly states:

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

The language leaves little room for interpretation. Trump was an officer of the United Statesindeed, the chief officerwho took an oath to support the Constitution, but who then engaged in insurrection or rebellion. The clause also bars from public office those who have given aid and comfort to an insurrection. Trump is therefore barred from holding any office by the Fourteenth Amendment.

Trumps attorneys have mounted an eclectic defense, whose constituent elements are mutually contradictory. His counsel has argued, variously, that Trump did not engage in insurrection and gave no aid or comfort to one, that the president of the United States is not an officer of the United States, and, most absurdly of all, that the third clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is inoperative because Congress never enacted specific enabling legislationan argument whose logic would overturn many of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, including the First, affirming freedom of speech and assembly, and the Thirteenth, abolishing slavery.

The historians call the documentary evidence from the 1860s and 1870s most probative against Trumps positions. The record shows, they conclude, that the decision-makers crafted Section 3 to cover the President and to create an enduring check on insurrection, requiring no additional action from Congress. Among other salient facts from the historical record, the brief brings forward evidence revealing that:

In the congressional debate over the amendment, inclusion of the president under Section 3 was expressly discussed and upheld.

Contemporaries publicly stated that Section 3 barred the former president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, from the office of the President of the United States.

Leading Republicans from the period stated that Section 3 applied not only to the slave-holding insurrectionists of the 1860s, but to potential future insurrectionists as well.

Contemporaries understood that no enabling legislation was required to enforce Section 3s ban on insurrectionists from holding public office.

The President of the United States was referred to by contemporaries, as well as by the framers of the Constitution in 1787, as an officer of the United States, in line with the language of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The historians document is meticulously researched and presented. Those contributing to it have, collectively, written scores of books on the 19th century, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Besides McPherson, noted signatories include Orville Vernon Burton of Clemson University and the University of Illinois, Nell Irvin Painter of Princeton University, Manisha Sinha of the University of Connecticut, Steven Hahn of New York University, George C. Rable of the University of Alabama, David Roediger of the University of Kansas, Brooks D. Simpson of Arizona State University, and Thomas C. Holt of the University of Chicago.

Were the right-wing justices consistent in the application of their doctrine of original intentwhich purports to channel the inner thinking of the Constitutions framers they would be compelled by the historians brief to remove Trump from the ballot. But, of course, they are not. Original intent is not a consistent legal doctrine, but an ex post facto justification used when suitable for preconceived political ends and jettisoned when not. Already, a quarter century ago, the Supreme Court proved itself willing to set aside original intent when it intervened in the Bush-Gore 2000 presidential election to stop the counting of ballots in Florida, handing the White House to Republican George W. Bush.

The Republican Party is by and large united behind Trump. There is no reason to doubt that the same applies to the fascistic majority on the Supreme Court. Yet a section of the Democratic Party and those in its orbit hope that the Court or some other deus ex machina will make Trump go away and return American politics to a supposed state of normalcy.

Meanwhile, the dominant section of the Democratic Party fears doing anything that might offend the Republican Party. This thinking is behind several columns that have been published in recent months in the major organs of American liberalism, the New York Times and the Washington Post, opposing Trumps removal from the ballot under the Fourteenth Amendment. Their central argument, expressed most forthrightly by law professor Samuel Moyn, is that doing so would discredit a Biden victory, and might provoke another fascist insurrection. Writing in the Times, Moyn reasons that rejecting Mr. Trumps candidacy could well invite a repeat of the kind of violence that led to the prohibition on insurrectionists in public life in the first place. Moyns logic is tantamount to surrender. Of course, Trumps supporters will not accept a Supreme Court ruling against him. Neither will they accept the outcome of the 2024 elections should Trump lose.

The most extraordinary political indictment of Biden is that he is trailing Trump in the polls, including in most of the swing states that will decide the outcome in the Electoral College. Bidens cratering popularityhis approval rating is the lowest in history for an incumbent president seeking reelection, lower even than that of Trump four years agohas everything to do with the fact that his singular policy has been war. He has done nothing to improve the lives of the working masses and youth, and he has left the COVID-19 pandemic to rage uncontrolled, ending even minimal public health surveillance and reporting. Genocide Joe has instead committed everything to Washingtons proxy war with Russia in Ukraine and Israels ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians. His administration has expanded the war in the Middle East to Yemen and is preparing to attack Iran. This is a government of war and social austerity.

The yawning chasm separating the needs of the masses from the two capitalist parties and their likely nominees, the fascist Trump and the warmonger Biden, is the basis of the greatest American political crisis since the Civil War. Like that titanic event, it is a crisis that will not be resolved within the normal checks and balances of the federal government. This is a crucial point missing from the historians brief.

Perhaps the genre of the amicus curiae does not permit discussion of the most salient historical fact of all: That the Fourteenth Amendment was itself the outcome and culmination of a social revolution. Ratified in the period known as Radical or Congressional Reconstruction, the Fourteenth Amendment was the political highwater mark of the Civil War period, what McPherson has aptly characterized as the Second American Revolution.

Andrew Johnson, president 1865-1869

The assassination of Lincoln, just five days after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, deprived that revolution of its central leader. Worse was to come. Lincolns replacement, Andrew Johnson, a Tennessean brought on as vice presidential candidate in 1864 for Lincolns second term, revealed himself to be a bitter opponent of the radical wing of the Republican Party, led by Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, and of the freed slaves and Republicans in the South.

Emboldened and unrepentant, the defeated leaders of the Confederacy, including figures such as the former Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, set to work to re-consolidate power. Across the South, Black Codes were imposed to oppress the former slaves. Some of these laws were so extreme that they required the freedmen to work for their former masters. Prominent voices even called for the reversal of the abolition of slavery. It was in this period that the Ku Klux Klan emerged, effectively the paramilitary wing of the southern Democratic Party, terrorizing and murdering black and white Republicans alike. Meanwhile, in the White House, Johnson attempted to use the veto to stymie congressional efforts to carry out the political and social reconstruction of the South.

Reconstruction-era cartoon by Thomas Nast condemning the Ku Klux Klan

But the Second American Revolution had not yet fully run its course. Thaddeus Stevens organized a counter-thrust, mobilizing a congressional majority that overrode Johnsons repeated use of the veto and made him a lame duck, whose central occupation was to fulminate against the House of Representatives. The 1866 elections turned into a referendum on the struggle between the president and Congress. The voters delivered a ferocious rebuke to Johnson and the Democrats.

To Thaddeus Stevens and the radicals, the people handed super-majorities of Republicans in the Senate (42-11) and in the House (143-49). Never has the American presidency been so weak. Impeachment charges were ultimately brought against Johnson, the Senate coming one vote shy of convicting himthe closest the Senate ever came to a guilty verdict and removal from office of a president charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.

Thaddeus Stevens

It was in this period that the Fourteenth Amendment was introduced and ratified. Arguably the most radical and important amendment after the First, it confirmed the longstanding republican policy of jus soli birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants and extended it to the freed slaves. It also established the due process clause to protect individuals from the predations of the state governments. Its third clause banning insurrectionists from public office, the center of the Colorado ruling presently before the Supreme Court, has never drawn much attention, receding before these other key features of the amendment. That the third clause is now relevant testifies to the depth of the present crisis.

The Roberts Supreme Court, which will soon rule on the Colorado case, Trump v. Anderson, is the most reactionary since the pro-slavery Taney Court of 1836-1864. It is highly relevant, in this connection, that the Fourteenth Amendments citizenship clause was aimed at the Supreme Courts infamous Dred Scott decision of 1857. In that decision, Chief Justice Roger Taney and the courts majority used a freedom suit brought by a slave to issue a sweeping legal expansion of slavery, ruling that people of African descent had no rights under the Constitution and that Congress had no authority to ban slavery anywhere.

Lincoln in 1858

Abraham Lincoln, then emerging as a major political figure in the Republican Party, suspected a conspiracy involving his Illinois rival, Sen. Stephen Douglas, the former and current presidents, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, and Taney. In his famous House Divided speech of 1858, Lincoln responded to the Dred Scott Ruling by charging the conspirators:

We cannot absolutely know that all these exact adaptations are the result of preconcert. But when we see a lot of framed timbers, different portions of which we know have been gotten out at different times and places and by different workmenStephen, Franklin, Roger and James, for instanceand we see these timbers joined together, and see they exactly make the frame of a house  we find it impossible not to believe that Stephen and Franklin and Roger and James all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked upon a common plan or draft drawn up before the first lick was struck.

Some early historians accused Lincoln of hyperbole. But later historians found strong archival evidence to suggest that Lincoln was correct, and that there had been collusion between Buchanan and Taney.

Chief Justice Roger Taney, author of the infamous Dred Scott ruling

Lincolns indictment of a Slave Power Conspiracy still resonates. Like its forbear, the Taney Court, the present Supreme Court is the center of conspiracies against democratic rights, from the Bush-Gore stolen election down to the present. Indeed, Justice Clarence Thomas own wife, Virginia Thomas, was centrally involved in plotting the January 6, 2021, insurrection. There can be little doubt that future historians will discover further entanglements between Trump and the fascistic judges who comprise the courts majority.

Yet not only Trump and the Supreme Court, but the Biden administration and both major parties constitute, in essence, a permanent conspiracy against the population. All agree on the aims of expansion of war abroad, achieved by secretive means, and suppression of democratic rights within the USespecially the right to speak out against war, as seen in the hysteria directed against those who speak out against the genocide in Gaza at colleges and universities.

There is a critical history lesson in this: The Fourteenth Amendment, along with the other great achievements of the periodemancipation of the slaves and destruction of the Southern slave-owning ruling classemerged out of a revolution that first had to overcome the entire political setup that existed before the Civil War, including the Supreme Court.
On January 16, at a specially called public meeting, the eight-member Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (U-M) adopted a resolution affirming the universitys commitment to open inquiry and spirited debate. The meeting, which had not been previously announced on the regents public schedule, lasted only 24 minutes. It followed by one day a symposium held by the university in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

At the symposium, U-M President Santa Onos introductory remarks were interrupted by students in the audience demanding that Ono drop the charges against more than 40 students, who were arrested and banned for one year from entering the universitys Ruthven administrative building, where public meetings of the regents are held. The ban is punishment for the students having staged a peaceful sit-in on November 17 to protest the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza. The protest was met with an outsized police presence, with the university calling out the police from 10 nearby communities.

University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono in 2015. [Photo by U423310 / CC BY-SA 4.0

At the MLK symposium, author and keynote speaker Michelle Alexander denounced the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Alexanders speech was cut from a video repost of the symposiums proceedings, allegedly at Alexanders request.

These events were not mentioned in the Board of Regents resolution, titled Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression, which was presented to the board by Ono. Nor did the regents resolution mention the controversial events of late November and early December, when a referendum on a student government resolution condemning the genocide in Gaza was halted by the university administration and, subsequently, permanently disallowed by Onoactions so egregious they evoked a strong public letter of protest, including a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for internal university documents, from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan. The ACLU letter condemned the universitys suppression of student and faculty protest against the Israeli genocide and linked it to a nationwide McCarthyite attack on free speech on college campuses.

University of Michigan students rallied on Friday, December 1, to denounce the administrations cancellation of a student referendum vote on Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and to divest from the war profiteers.

In the referendum, the student body was presented by the Central Student Government (CSG) with two competing resolutions. One was the anti-genocide resolution, which also called on the university to divest itself of investments in Israel-linked corporations. The other resolution was submitted by Zionist defenders of Israel and its genocidal campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. It condemned the October 7, 2023 incursion into Israel by Hamas militants and justified the mass killing and starvation of innocent Palestinians as a legitimate exercise of the right to self-defense.

The anti-genocide resolution, backed by a coalition of over 60 campus organizations, evoked immediate hostility from right-wing and Zionist groups at U-M, which demanded that the vote be either delayed or canceled altogether. These groups cynically condemned the anti-genocide resolution as antisemitic.

In actuality, they feared that the results would confirm the overwhelming student opposition to the mass murder in Gazaa fear that was shared by the university administration and its billionaire corporate backers, military/intelligence interests and the Biden administration. The referendum vote was scheduled to take place online from November 28 through November 30, simultaneously with student government elections. The university allowed the referendum to go ahead as scheduled, and by mid-day on November 30 an unprecedented 10,000 ballots had been cast.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at U-M issued a leaflet and campaigned for a yes vote on the anti-genocide resolution.

It was at this point, on the afternoon of November 30, that U-M Vice President and General Counsel Timothy G. Lynch called a halt to the vote. That morning, a Zionist group had alleged that an email, distributed to all undergraduate students and promoting a yes vote on the anti-genocide resolution, had violated university procedural policy. The Zionist group also claimed that two students behind the email had hijacked students email addresses. It posted photos of the two students online, labeling them and the referendum as antisemitic and calling for their expulsion from the university. This doxxing of the two students was a clear incitement to harassment and even violence.

Using the Zionists accusations as a pretext, Lynch declared that the mass email had irreparably tainted the voting process on the two resolutions and that the university had no choice but to disallow the referendum and conceal the results of the vote.

The claim that the mass email violated university policy was soon exposed as a lie. University staff came forward to assert that they had approved and processed the email, and the Central Student Government (CSG) affirmed that the email had not violated any student government campaign rules. At this point, the universitys rationale for stopping the vote had imploded. Logic and fairness would have required that the university either reinstate the vote and announce the results or allow a new vote. It did neither, and the outcome of the voting remains concealed.

Students were outraged at this authoritarian conduct. On December 1, hundreds of U-M students marched in the rain past the office of President Ono. For its part, the coalition of student groups opposed to the genocide in Gaza drafted a resolution demanding a CSG investigation into the cancellation of the referendum and the doxxing of students by campus Zionists.

On December 5, in an email to the university community addressing these issues, Ono began by acknowledging that there was nothing improper about the campus-wide email sent by students supporting the anti-genocide resolution. He condemned false accusations against the two students who sent it, as well as hateful intimidation and physical threats against them.

In admitting that the two students mass email had not violated the rules, Ono negated the justification he and Lynch had used to deem the results tainted and halt the referendum. Nevertheless, he proceeded to permanently outlaw the Gaza referendum.

Citing fears about safety and security on our campus and claiming that the proposed resolutions have done more to stoke fear, anger and animosity on our campus than they would ever accomplish as recommendations to the university, Ono wrote:

After great thought and input, one significant step we are taking is to disallow any future votes on two controversial and divisive Central Student Government resolutions ... related to ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza.

Onos email, effectively ending freedom of political expression and speech at the University of Michigan, was co-signed by seven of the eight regents.

As the WSWS wrote after this announcement:

What is really behind the suppression of the anti-genocide resolution is the fact that it was headed for victory, something the billionaire donors and regents, Democratic and Republican politicians (from Biden on down), and Pentagon, CIA and State Department officials who collectively run the university would not allow.

This is the context for the Board of Regents issuance of its Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression statement. It is a boiler-plate recitation of cliches about academic freedom and free speech, such as: Open inquiry and spirited debatethe lifeblood of the institutionpromote discovery and creativity.

At the end of the document, Ono and the Board of Regents stumble upon the heart of the question of free expression, and in the process directly contradict Onos stated reason for banning the Gaza referendum. In his December 5 email permanently banning a vote on the Gaza war, Ono wrote that the resolution had to be suppressed because it was ripping our community apart, pitting one group against another

Yet the Principles document reads:

We recognize that free inquiry and expression can offend. Every member of our academic community should expect to confront ideas that differ from their own, however uncomfortable those encounters may be. We commit to these Principles because they help us to create, discover, and fulfill our vital mission.

Onos December 5 email states the exact opposite. In that case, of course, the uncomfortable views cut across the global policy of war and counterrevolution of the American ruling class, including carrying out genocide as state policy. Free expression of such views does not sit well with regents such as Little Caesar Pizza billionaire Denise Illitch, Obama administration Homeland Security Secretary Jordan Acker, or two-time Michigan Republican Party Chairman and billionaire Ron Weiser, not to mention corporate donors to the university.

The 40 student protesters who were arrested on November 17 and barred from the Ruthven building were not even allowed to attend the regents public meeting, where the Principles statement was released.

In its FOIA request, the Michigan ACLU specifies that it seeks, among other information:

Any written or electronic communication received or sent after November 1, 2023 by staff/members of (1) the Office of the President, (2) the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel, and/or (3) the Board of Regents, regarding: a. Student resolutions AR 13-025 and/or AR 13-026, including the decision to cancel and/or disallow voting on them; b. The student elections that took place on November 28-30, 2023.

Contacted by this reporter on January 22 and asked what, if any, response the university had made to the FOIA request, a spokeswoman for the Michigan ACLU said she did not know, but that if she did she probably would not disclose that information.

It is incontrovertible that the adoption of the Principles resolution by the Board of Regents is an act of public relations damage control. It is equally incontrovertible that the University of Michiganan institution tied by a thousand threads to the Biden administration, the State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency and the militarywill continue its suppression of student speech on the subject of Gaza regardless of how loudly it proclaims its commitment to diversity of thought and freedom of expression.
(Bloomberg) -- Indias banking regulator is considering scrapping the license of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. as early as next month, people with knowledge of the matter said, potentially dealing another blow to the troubled local fintech giant Paytms growth ambitions.

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The Reserve Bank of India wants to safeguard depositors first and could act after a Feb. 29 deadline when Paytm Payments Bank is required to stop customers from replenishing their savings accounts or the popular digital payment wallet, the people said.

The proposed move is in response to violations including misuse of customer documentation rules and non-disclosure of material transactions, the people added, asking not to be identified as the details are private. No final decision has been reached and the RBIs thinking could change based on Paytms representation, the people said.

The RBI didnt respond to an email seeking comment. A Paytm Bank representative said the recent direction from the central bank is part of the ongoing supervisory engagement and compliance process and added that the bank has complied with the regulators instructions.

SoftBank Group Corp.-backed Paytm has been in the cross-hairs of the regulator for some time, with multiple warnings over the past two years about questionable dealings between its popular payments app and its lesser-known banking arm, Bloomberg News had reported earlier. This week, the RBI stunned the finance and tech industries by abruptly suspending much of the payments banks business, but a license cancellation would be seen as a more severe move.

Hundreds of thousands of Paytm Payments Bank customers hadnt submitted know-your-customer documentation, the people said, adding that in some cases, a single identity document was used to register thousands of customers. Transactions running into tens of millions of rupees  far beyond regulatory limits  were being done in minimum-KYC accounts, which raised money-laundering concerns, according to the people.

Story continues

Paytm Payments Bank operates as a restricted bank that can take deposits but cannot lend. Billionaire Vijay Shekhar Sharma owns 51% stake of the bank and Paytm parent One 97 Communications Ltd. holds the rest.

Based on the outskirts of New Delhi, Paytm competes with financial services offered by Amazon.com Inc., Google and Walmart Inc. Tycoon billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Jio Financial Services Ltd. has also entered the space, threatening to shake up the fledgling sector.

Paytm went public with much fanfare in late 2021 but its stock has since slumped more than 70% as investors questioned its profit-making ability and it tussled with regulators. The shares plunged by their daily limit of 20% each on Thursday and Friday, erasing $2 billion of its market value, after the earlier order from the RBI.

(Updates with background.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Siltronic's estimated fair value is 142 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Siltronic's 88.65 share price signals that it might be 37% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 54% higher than Siltronic's analyst price target of 91.80

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Siltronic AG (ETR:WAF) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using 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.

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.

Check out our latest analysis for Siltronic

The Model

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) -89.5m 189.1m 245.0m 292.0m 325.3m 351.8m 372.3m 388.0m 400.0m 409.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 11.42% Est @ 8.13% Est @ 5.83% Est @ 4.22% Est @ 3.09% Est @ 2.30% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% -82.9 162 194 214 221 221 217 209 200 189

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 1.7b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.5%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 409m (1 + 0.5%)  (8.0% 0.5%) = 5.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 5.4b ( 1 + 8.0%)10= 2.5b

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 4.3b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 88.7, the company appears quite good value at a 37% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Siltronic as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.515. 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 Siltronic

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Semiconductor market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 4 years.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it 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 instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Siltronic, there are three important elements you should explore:

Risks: You should be aware of the 3 warning signs for Siltronic (2 are concerning!) we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does WAF'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 XTRA 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.
Investment firm CEO Ken Griffin is done donating to Harvard University.

Griffin also accused top colleges of producing "whiny snowflakes" for students.

He was reported to have donated a total of more than $500 million to Harvard as of April last year.

Claudine Gay may have resigned as president of Harvard University, but the top school just lost another major donor.

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel and one of Harvard's billionaire alumni, has said he plans to stop his sizable donations to the Ivy League.

"I'm not interested in supporting the institution," Griffin said during the MFA Network conference in Miami on Tuesday.

As of April 2023, Griffin's donations to the school came out to more than $500 million in total, the Harvard Gazette reported.

But Griffin said he was done unless the school would "resume its role educating young American men and women to be leaders and problem solvers."

Earlier, Griffin questioned if Harvard would "get back to their roots of educating American children, young adults, to be the future leaders of our country" before bemoaning what he called a "DEI agenda that seems to have no real endgame."

"Are we going to educate the future members of the House, the Senate, and the leaders of IBM?" he asked. "Or are we going to educate a group of young men and women who are just caught up in a rhetoric of oppressor and oppressee, and 'This is not fair' and frankly, just, like, whiny snowflakes. Like, where are we going with education in elite schools in America?"

He's not the only billionaire to wade into the drama around the elite school after Gay refused to say that calls for genocide against Jews would be banned on campus during a congressional hearing.

The hedge-fund manager and Harvard alum Bill Ackman was a leader in the campaign to push Claudine Gay to resign over her testimony  and over accusations of plagiarism.

The Harvard Crimson reported that Mark Zuckerberg, who dropped out of Harvard, had backed a former Facebook exec for a slot on the Harvard Board of Overseers.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mark Zuckerbergs net worth increased by more than $28 billion between your morning coffee and your lunch break.

The Meta founder and CEO  who is already worth more than $140 billion, according to Bloombergs billionaire index  has cleaned up from Metas share price skyrocketing over the past day, after the company announced its first-ever cash dividend program.

On Friday, shares of Meta (META) jumped more than 20% on the news of a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share to be paid out on March 26 to shareholders of record as of February 22.

Zuckerberg owns about 350 million shares of the company, according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission

Unless he sells or buys more shares of company stock, and assuming the quarterly dividend remains at the same level, Zuckerberg will also gain off of the companys dividend payouts to the tune of approximately $700 million per year.

While dividends excite shareholders because they reward investors for just holding the stock, theyre also widely criticized for artificially inflating the stock price without spending on employees or improvements to the underlying business.

This upswing plasters over potential harm to Meta stock after Zuckerberg, alongside other social media company heads, testified Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the risks their products pose to young people.

Zuckerberg was pressed about internal Meta documents that suggested the company estimates the lifetime value of a teen user at $270, as well as Metas transparency regarding how its monetizes user data.

Zuckerberg apologized to the parents in attendance, who say their children were victims of social media.

Im sorry for everything you have all been through, he said. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered and this is why we invest so much and we are going to continue doing industry wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer.

Story continues

The story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Clare Duffy and Brian Fung contributed to this reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
This post deals with topics like pregnancy loss.

1.Halle Bailey revealed that she gave birth to a son at the end of 2023, after never publicly sharing that she was pregnant. When an X, formerly Twitter, user asked why she and her partner DDG "lied" about the pregnancy she explained, "I never lied or even said anything about it honey, 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 !"

Amy Sussman / WireImage for Parkwood

2.Sofia Richie recently shared that she and her husband, Elliot Grainge, are expecting a baby. She's about six months along, but she explained that she waited a while before publicly sharing the news because she wanted to protect that space. Pregnancy is really scary and you want to protect that space, she said. I didnt realize 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.

Gilbert Flores / WWD via Getty Images

3.Katelyn and Kane Brown kept the news of their second baby private until her birth in early 2022. "These past 9 months have been so sacred and special to me," she wrote on Instagram. "Choosing to keep my pregnancy quiet was the best decision Ive ever made. Soaking in special moments with my daughter and husband without the influence of social media and outside world made this time that much more intimate and unforgettable. Thank you for all the kind messages and love. I am so grateful and blessed to be these little girls mama and can not wait to raise strong, confident, sweet little ladies with you @kanebrown_music  you are the man we all look up to."

On Dec. 25, 2023, they shared the news that they are expecting their third child. Todd Williamson / NBC via Getty Images

4.James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly kept the arrival of their son Jeremiah a secret until after he was born in 2021. On Instagram, he wrote, "After experiencing late-term #pregnancyloss twice in a row (both at 17+ weeks), we kept this one quiet. Truthfully, I was terrified when I found out."

He added, "Each child brings their own energy, their own manifestation of consciousness, their own lessons. The ones we lost each gifted us with different pieces of the puzzle leaving us that much more grateful for the ongoing master class we get to enjoy with this sweet, wise little one." Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images

5.Keith and Becky Habersberger kept their baby news a secret until after their son Henry was born. In late September, they both posted the same photo to their IG pages of them standing together as Keith cradles Henry. Becky opened up about never actually wanting to share her pregnancy news publicly, and said, "I'm too paranoid, I'm too anxious. Like, things could go wrong, I could end up having a high-risk pregnancy  which did end up happening. It's just one of those things where you're like, 'I'd rather just not until we know everything's all good.'"

Rich Fury / Getty Images

6.Mindy Kaling had her second baby, Spencer, during the pandemic and she revealed that because of quarantine, most people didn't even know she was pregnant in the first place. "With him, I would occasionally have meetings. So from here up, I would have to look nice, but I was just kind of like pregnant, and no one saw. And I just thought, 'What if I could get away with this?'" she said.

She also shared that she was able to remain active on social media during this time, saying, "I mean, clearly, I was not going anywhere, like everybody else, so nobody found me out. So that was kind of easy. And then just being at home and taking photos, I'd largely just kind of shot around my pregnancy. Shot myself from the waist up and then also wore baggy things. I never got super huge, so it was a little bit easier." Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

7.Iggy Azalea had a son in 2020 and publicly shared the news of his arrival when she felt it was the "right time." "I have a son," she wrote in an IG story. "I kept waiting for the right time to say something, but it feels like the more time passes, the more I realize I'm always going to feel anxious to share news that giant with the world."

"I want to keep his life private," she added. "But wanted to make it clear he is not a secret & I love him beyond words." Ethan Miller / Getty Images

8.Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg kept the news of their twins a secret until after they were born in 2021. Jamie explained, "I think there's certain things that we want to keep to ourselves and enjoy and keep somewhat private, but also we don't want to overthink about what we share."

Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

9.Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden took to Instagram to announce the birth of their daughter Raddix, shortly after she was born in January 2020. In their statement, they said that they "are overjoyed to share this news" and they "also feel a strong instinct to protect [their] little one's privacy."

They added, "So we won't be posting pictures or sharing any more details, other than the fact that she is really really cute! Some would even say RAD." Donato Sardella / Getty Images

10.Paris Hilton and her husband Carter Reum made the conscious decision to keep the news of their first baby private  she even wore a disguise to the hospital when her surrogate gave birth. I just really felt that I wanted to have this journey with us only," she explained. It was hard to keep that in because we were so excited and wanted to tell our families, but youre just nervous because if you tell one person then you know they tell someone and then all of a sudden its like in TMZ or Page Six.

Steve Granitz / FilmMagic

11.Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab publicly shared the news after their child was born in August 2022. On Instagram, Nessa said, "I thought long and hard about sharing our life changing news today. I decided to do so because today is the first day in a few weeks where I stepped out for work with a new life title - MOM!"

She added, "I know sharing this allows me to connect with you in different ways that I never imagined. My conversations and life experiences have already changed. And my world has gotten that much bigger thanks to our sweet little baby who has shown me how to love in ways I never knew. Thank you everyone for your support as always." Prince Williams / WireImage

12.Amber Heard shared that she had a baby daughter via surrogate back in 2021. She wrote, "Im so excited to share this news with you. Four years ago, I decided I wanted to have a child. I wanted to do it on my own terms. I now appreciate how radical it is for us as women to think about one of the most fundamental parts of our destinies in this way. I hope we arrive at a point in which its normalized to not want a ring in order to have a crib."

She added, "A part of me wants to uphold that my private life is none of anyones business. I also get that the nature of my job compels me to take control of this. My daughter was born on April 8, 2021. Her name is Oonagh Paige Heard. Shes the beginning of the rest of my life." Ernesto Ruscio / Getty Images

13.Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost welcomed their first child, Cosmo, together, in 2021, after keeping the pregnancy a secret for nearly the entire nine months. Scarlett, who is also extremely private about her older child Rose, explained, "Ive been so protective of both pregnancies, not wanting to feel scrutinized in the public eye. I wanted to be able to have my own feelings about my changing body without other people also telling me how they saw me, whether it was positive or negative."

Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images

14.Adrienne Bailon-Houghton surprised the world in 2022 when she revealed that she and her husband Israel Houghton welcomed their first child via surrogate. "We have quietly prayed while sitting on this most magnificent secret for the last 9 months. He is worth every tear, every disappointment, every delayed prayer, every IVF cycle, every miscarriage. Everything," she said at the time and later added that she kept it a secret because it was "really sacred" to her.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation

15.Finally, Kylie Jenner surprised the world with her pregnancy in 2018 when she shared that she and Travis Scott had welcomed their first child, Stormi Webster, together. Because so much of her life has been in the public eye, she explained that she wanted to keep her pregnancy private. "I shared so much of my life," she said. "I was also really young when I got pregnant, and it was just a lot for me personally. I didn't know how I would bring that to the public too and have everyone's opinion. I think it was just something that I needed to go through by myself."

Axelle / FilmMagic
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Vodka is under-appreciated. Despite its ranking as the most popular spirit in the world, many alcohol connoisseurs still reach for whiskey or gin over vodka. But James Bonds drink of choice deserves more attention.

More from Rolling Stone

Vodka has a classy side thats brimming with premium brands ripe for sipping neat, drinking on the rocks, or mixing in upgraded cocktails. If youre a casual drinker, high-end vodka can help you make the best martinis, Moscow mules, and screwdrivers on the block. If youre a liquor buff, premium vodka is an untapped treasure trove of new flavors and brands.

What Are the Best Vodka Brands?

Diving into the vodka world is about as intimidating as winter in Russia. To help out, weve sampled dozens of the best (widely available) vodka brands and read other expert reviews for all of them to put together this list of the best vodka brands worth trying right now.

reyka vodka review

We love Reyka because it can do it all. The Iceland vodka  made using wheat, barley, and naturally-purified glacial spring water  tastes superbly crips with a balance of citrus, pepper, and some sweetness to round things out. This makes Reyka a real experience to sip neat, but the price point is also low enough that we dont feel wasteful by using it for everything from martinis to mules.

$32

Buy reyka vodka at reservebar

harridan vodka review

One of the best top-shelf vodkas worth its higher price tag is Harridan. The women-owned vodka brand is made from corn in Ovid, New York in small batches, and its bottled overproof at 44% ABV. But, despite this higher proof, Harridan is still an absolute pleasure to sip on the rocks, featuring rich creaminess and plenty of sweet fruitiness on the palate.

$65

Buy harridan at reservebar

chopin vodka review

The ultra-high-end is more elusive with vodka than, say, whiskey, because theres just less of it. But we think all vodka connoisseurs (or connoisseurs-to-be) should sample some of the really, really good stuff at least once. If you havent yet, try this Chopin Family Reserve. After its distilled, the Polish potato vodka is rested in 50-year-old oak barrels for two years. The result is an incredibly smooth vodka that still has plenty of flavor  mainly in the form of a unique earthy sweetness.

$123.99

Buy chopin family reserve at caskers

stoli vodka review

Although Stoli has a complicated relationship with its Russian roots (the brand changed its name from Stolichnaya in 20222 in solidarity with Ukraine), its still one of the best examples of classic Russian vodka  and a staple in our vodka lineup. Stoli is another vodka that upgrades any cocktail  be it an espresso martini, a Cosmo, or a lemon drop  but it can also be sipped neat if youre in the mood.

$35

Buy stoli at reservebar

oil barrel vodka review

If youre looking to sample a premium vodka not found in your average bar, check out the Austrian brand Neft. Delivered in eccentric mini barrel bottles (that are also insulated), its sure to stand out on any bar cart. And the liquid inside is exciting too. Its on the earthy, oily side with a bit of rich, spicy citrus to lift it up, and really shines when chilled in the freezer.

$31.99

Buy neft at caskers

titos vodka review

Titos is a best-seller for good reason. The Texas-based corn vodka is smooth with a characteristic sweetness, some pepper in the back, and a wonderful creaminess throughout. This creamy sweetness makes Titos one of the more distinct vodkas, which many (ourselves included) like, but some find it overpowering in cocktails. If you dont already know what side youre on, we recommend finding out.

$26

Buy tito's at reservebar

beluga vodka

If youre looking to drink like Russian royalty, pick up a bottle of this Beluga Gold Line vodka. The brand is not the high-end version of a big conglomerate. They only make one thing: ultra-premium vodka. Beluga Gold Line is Belugas best bottle, utilizing artesian water, malt, and five levels of filtration in the freezing Mariinsk distillery of Siberia. The flavor is unbelievably soft and silky smooth with notes of grains, wheat, alpine herbs, and a hint of sweetness. The bottle itself is also unique (and great for gifting) with a sealed wax cap thats opened with an included hammer and brush tool. Enjoy this stuff ice cold and neat with some caviar for the true Russian nobility experience.

$144

Buy beluga gold line at reservebar

grey goose review

Grey Gooses characteristic smoothness has made it one of the most popular premium vodka brands in the world, and its easy to understand why. The mellow flavor and smoothness make it ideal for crisp, delicious martinis, but, if you want a liquor that will take a backseat in more ingredient-heavy cocktails, Grey Goose will oblige.

$34

Buy grey goose at reservebar

belvedere vodka

Belvedere is a high-end Polish workhorse. Its smooth enough to sip straight or on the rocks but affordable enough to keep stocked for regular evening cocktails. The creation process is simple  Polish Dankowskie Rye, quadruple-distilled  yielding an equally minimal, elegant vodka. Theres not much to be said about the flavor of Belvedere, which is exactly why its so good in cocktails. Mix up classics like martinis, gimlets, and Moscow mules, or get more adventurous with craft cocktails such as the Belvedere Bramble or French Martini.

$25.99

Buy belvedere at caskers

hangar 1 vodka review

This Fog Point vodka from Hangar 1 is possibly the most high-end you can go in the mainstream vodka market. Surprisingly, the ultra-premium vodka doesnt hail from Russia or France: It comes from California, utilizing the local ecology for one of the most unique creation processes around. The water used in Fog Point is exactly what the name suggests. Fog catchers (apparently those exist) convert that famous coastal California fog into water. This water is then mixed with distilled wine from the nearby Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier region of California. The result is a conversation-starting bottle of top-notch liquor with notes of pear, citrus, and honeysuckle.

$138

Buy hangar 1 fog point at reservebar

haku vodka review

Suntory (Japans liquor giant) killed it with its whiskies and its Roku gin, and it did the same with Haku vodka. Sticking to its Japanese heritage, Haku is made from white rice, which yields a crisp sweetness and a mouthfeel that many liken to sake. This is a great one to drink on the rocks, but we love it most in a martini or other strong, alcohol-forward cocktail.

$28

Buy haku at reservebar

crystal head vodka review

This Crystal Head vodka has looks and brains (so to speak). The premium vodka was launched fairly recently in 2007 by actor/entrepreneur Dan Aykroyd and quickly became a success story  largely thanks to the incredibly cool skull bottle. This unmarked, eye-catching bottle makes Crystal Head a piece of bar decor as well as a quality drink. As for the vodka itself, the base ingredient is peaches and cream corn grown in Newfoundland. After distillation, the liquor undergoes an extensive seven rounds of filtration, including filtration through Herkimer diamond crystals. Its a pure, high-end drink worthy of its packaging.

$50

Buy crystal head at reservebar

nikka coffey vodka review

Nikka Coffey is another Japanese brand known for exotic whiskey made in special continuous column Coffey stills. This vodka adopts the Coffey still for vodka, producing a very smooth, high-quality product. The base ingredients are corn and barley which are refined with white birch charcoal into batches of varying ABV. These batches are then blended, yielding a vodka with zesty notes, rich sweetness, and a milky finish. Nikka vodka can be enjoyed straight, but we think its best in creamy cocktails such as white Russians.

$47

Buy nikka coffey vodka at reservebar

What to Know Before Buying Vodka

Vodka variations arent as clear-cut as most liquors. However, there are a few pieces of information worth getting familiar with before picking a new bottle to try.

Base Ingredient: Some vodka is still made from potatoes, corn, or fruit, but the vast majority is made from grain such as wheat, rye, or sorghum. Wheat is by far the most common, but each yields a slightly different flavor. Corn vodka like Titos, for example, is typically sweeter than traditional wheat or rye vodka like Stoli.

Water: Because vodka is so simple, the purity and source of the water used in vodka production are very important. This water is used during the dilution step of vodka production, bringing the ABV down to bottle strength.

Flavoring: Flavored vodkas have blown up over the past decade, but most of them are cheap and artificially flavored. High-end flavored vodkas, on the other hand, utilize top-notch flavoring processes and ingredients to alter the flavor.

Region: Russia and Poland are considered the old-school heavyweights of vodka production, but Sweden and France actually lead international vodka exportation by quite a lot. Other regions have boldly entered the fray as well, including Japan, Canada, Italy, and the U.S. Origin is important information, as climate plays a role in vodka production  be it the fog of coastal California or the cold of Siberia.

How We Chose the Best Vodka Brands

We tasted dozens of our favorite vodkas to create this list and cross-checked out experiences with reviews from other experts and non-experts alike. We also served many of these vodkas to our non-expert friends to see which ones they preferred. When selecting vodkas to sample, we stuck with widely available labels that you can order online from almost anywhere.

Best of Rolling Stone
Yall this is spinning out of control and Brandi Glanville (Taylors version) is right in the middle of the vortex. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum is under fire for an alleged incident with Caroline Manzo during Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 4 filming.

As youve probably heard, Caroline left Morocco early after there was a situation with Brandi during a filmed event. Brandi may or may not have touched Caroline inappropriately and without consent, and the ordeal has leveled the RHUGT season. Now Brandi is threatening to light the truth cannon and blow everyone away. It all went down on Twitter, because, of course it did.

Inspired by Katt Williams?

Was very inspired by hearing @Kat__Williams speak his truth. ABOUT TO DO THE SAME FN THING(after I check with my lawyer) are you ready for it? Look what you made me do.  Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) February 1, 2024

Brandi denies any wrongdoing in the saga that has become; RHUGT: What the Hell Happened In Morocco? It appears Bravo has shelved the entire season due to the controversy, but no official call has been made.

Caroline is currently suing Bravo, Shed Media, and a host of production companies. But she is NOT suing Brandi. Whats more, people are VERY divided on this subject, and believe it or not, some of the Real Housewives on the trip are on Brandis side. Apparently there is footage of a portion of Brandi and Carolines interaction, the remainder took place behind a locked bathroom door.

With calls to release the footage and show Brandis innocence, the former RHOBH star says this whole thing has impacted her physical and mental health. Now shes over it and about to sing like a canary. Allegedly.

Brandi took to Twitter and wrote, Was very inspired by hearing @Kat__Williams speak his truth. ABOUT TO DO THE SAME FN THING (after I check with my lawyer) are you ready for it? Look what you made me do. Also, poor Kat is about to ask to be removed from this narrative 

Fans of Brandi are riding with her and agree the production video might answer some questions. Camille Grammer and Vicki Gunvalson, along with Phaedra Parks are Team Brandi and feel nothing really happened. But what we need to remember is victim blaming is a thing and NO ONE can speak on an alleged traumatic event that happened to someone else.

As noted in the social media post, Brandi is consulting with her attorney  who will probably tell her to keep her mouth shut  before revealing further details.

Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip will air  probably never on Bravo.

TELL US  DO YOU THINK BRANDI IS ABOUT TO LET IT ALL OUT?

The post Brandi Glanville Channels Taylor Swift After Caroline Manzo Lawsuit: Look What You Made Me Do appeared first on Reality Tea.
Since 2009, the Cheboygan Area Public Library has hosted an annual community quilt show and despite a hiatus during COVID-19, the show will go on.

The month of February brings Groundhog Day, Valentines Day, Presidents' Day, and we honor Black History Month. Mardi Gras falls in February this year and so does Ash Wednesday. Its also leap year so we have an extra day! Heres what we have planned at the library for February.

Monday Drawing Class with Kimberly Liedel-Ross begins at 10 a.m. Feb. 5-26. Ages 9 and up are encouraged to register. Cost is $20 for the four-session course, which includes instruction and supplies.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, we invite kids ages 7 and up to register for our pop-up Snow Slime Time! All supplies will be provided just be prepared to get a little messy and to have some fun making multi-sensory Snow Slime. Please register in advance, 231-627-2381.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Straits Area Audubon Society welcomes Scott and Kelly Davis as they present Cloud Forests and Birds of Ecuador. Scott is the executive director of the Mackinaw Straits Raptor Watch. Together, Scott and Kelly will share their experiences from a recent trip to Ecuador. Learn about the cloud forests of the Andes. The cloud forests of Ecuador cover the slopes of the Adean mountains from approximately 900-2,500 meters. They are forests with high biodiversity with a variety of wildlife and plants that have not been studied. Photos from their voyage in the Galapagos Islands will also be shared. All are welcome to attend, refreshments will be served.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, from noon to 5:30 p.m. we partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan to host a blood drive on our lower level. Please follow the link on our website cheboyganlibrary.org to register. We appreciate every donor as each donation has a positive impact on lives throughout Michigan.

On Sunday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., we are hosting a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. Eight teams of up to four puzzlers are invited to register and compete in putting together a new 300 large-piece puzzle provided by the library. The first team to complete their puzzle or with the least amount of individual pieces left on the table at the finish time wins a prize! Registration is required. The library will not be assigning teams so call your friends and family, gather a team, then have your team captain register with us for a puzzling afternoon at the library.

Calling all quilters, you are cordially invited to participate in our annual Community Quilt Show scheduled to be on display in our Gallery throughout the month of March. Beginning Feb. 5-28, quilts will be accepted at our front desk. Be sure to include your name, contact number, and approximate quilt size. If youd like to share the history of your quilt, story behind the making or information about the quilter, please do! We will have blank forms at the front desk if you need one. Quilts will be available for pick up beginning April 1. Please consider sharing your quilts with us. The more quilts we have the better the show!

In February let gratitude be the compass that guides us towards greater abundance and contentment. ~ Oprah Winfrey, "What I Know For Sure" (2014).

 Paula Jewell is program director of the Cheboygan Area Public Library.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Library Lines: Lots of events lined up to brighten your winter
Meta had a strong fourth quarter of 2023. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Meta Platforms soared 20% on Friday after the company reported blowout 4th-quarter earnings.

The social media platform announced its first-ever dividend and a massive $50 billion stock buyback.

Here's what Wall Street is saying about Meta's fourth-quarter earnings results.

Meta Platforms soared 20% on Friday after the social media giant announced a blowout fourth-quarter earnings report.

The company reported a 25% year-over-year surge in revenue to $40.1 billion, which beat analyst estimates by nearly $1 billion. Meta's GAAP earnings per share of $5.33 beat estimates by $0.39.

Meanwhile, guidance from Meta was also strong, with the company forecasting first-quarter revenue of $34.5 billion to $37 billion, well ahead of analyst estimates of $33.9 billion.

"Last year, not only did we achieve our efficiency goals, but we returned to strong revenue growth, saw strong engagement across our apps, shipped a number of exciting new products like Threads, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and mixed reality in Quest 3, and of course, established a world-class AI effort that's going to be the foundation for many of our future products," Meta Platforms founder Mark Zuckerberg said on the earnings call.

The massive gain in Meta stock on Friday added nearly $200 billion to the company's market valuation. Part of that gain was sparked by Meta initiating its first-ever quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, as well as a massive $50 billion stock buyback program.

Here's what Wall Street is saying about Meta's fourth-quarter earnings results.

Bank of America: 'AI capabilities driving ad improvements'

Meta Platforms' focus on artificial intelligence during the earnings call reinforced to Bank of America that there could be "positive product surprises" in the future.

Meta detailed its plans to develop in-house AI chips, a general intelligence platform, and advanced AI products and services for users, creators, and businesses.

Story continues

"We believe Meta's growing AI focus could lead to positive product surprises in coming quarters and drive multiple expansion if the company can evolve into a content and business services platform," Bank of America said in a Friday note.

The bank sees further upside for Meta stock, even after its massive 20% surge on Friday, largely thanks to the company's focus on developing AI technologies.

"With a large capex budget, internal AI supercomputer, inhouse LLM and custom AI chips, we think Meta's AI assets are underappreciated in the stock price," Bank of America said.

Bank of America reiterated its "Buy" rating and increased its price target to $510 from $425.

Goldman Sachs: 'Management's tone leaves us with increased confidence'

Goldman Sachs said Meta is exiting its "year of efficiency" with a leaner organization driving product innovations and accelerated revenue growth.

"For the second consecutive quarter, management's tone leaves us with increased confidence in a balance being struck across current period growth opportunities, long-term growth opportunities and capital returns," Goldman said.

The bank said it sees encouraging momentum across Meta's key product initiatives, which include Reels, click-to-messaging Ads, and AI products like Advantage+.

"We continue to see META as well-positioned against several long-term secular growth themes and are encouraged by the positive momentum across key product initiatives," Goldman Sachs said.

Goldman Sachs reiterated its "Buy" rating and increased its price target to $500 from $414.

JPMorgan: 'Revenue acceleration and quarterly dividend highlight strong results'

Meta's headcount is down 22% year-over-year, which makes its fourth-quarter results all the more impressive, according to a Friday note from JPMorgan.

The bank said it's clear that Meta is "executing extremely well" while it continues to invest aggressively in important long-term initiatives.

"Meta's strong growth and leverage within core Family of Apps, combined with the initiation of a quarterly dividend, give the company more room to invest in critical long-term technologies in general intelligence and the metaverse," JPMorgan said.

The bank said that while Meta increased its guidance for 2024 capital expenditures by $2 billion, it was still less than what it had expected, highlighting the lingering impact of the company's "year of efficiency."

"AI is driving strong ad conversion benefits and content engagement, while Reels and Messaging ads are growing rapidly," JPMorgan observed.

The bank also said that Meta's new dividend and stock buyback program will open the company up to a wider base of potential shareholders.

JPMorgan reiterated its "Overweight" rating and increased its price target to $535 from $420.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump has reportedly paid his wife, Melania Trump's stylist, over $100,000 for "consulting fees" from his Super PAC in the last six months.

This shocking finding has come to light due to the PAC's filing with the Federal Election Commission. The fashion Guru Herve Pierre Braillard has earned an even bigger sum from Trump's Save America leadership PAC since April 2022.

The revelation has raised questions due to the limited outings made by the former first lady in the last six months, with the most recent being her mother's funeral in January.

Melania Trump's Stylist Is Making Bank From Donald Trump's Super PAC

MEGA

According to the Daily Mail, the money paid to Melania's stylist, Braillard, was made in eight installments of $18,000 plus an additional $6,000 for "Strategy Consulting." However, these recent earnings add to a total of $371,000 the fashion designer has made since April 2022.

With such huge figures revealed, Braillard's role as a stylist in the Trump family has been called into question due to Melania's minimized public outings.

Through the period when he earned over $100,000, Melania has not made any public appearances to support her husband's re-election campaign.

One of her most recent and notable outings was in December last year when she made an appearance at a Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives.

MEGA

The former model's last public appearance was during her mother, Amalija Knavs' funeral on January 18.

The designer, who previously worked for big names like Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera, was the brain behind Melania's ivory dress, which she donned for Trump's inaugural ball in 2017. Throughout her time as first lady, his role was to help her choose outfits, some of which were his own designs.

During a conversation with Women's Wear Daily, Braillard said of Melania, "As with every other first lady, there is an after-the-White House life, which involves many other aspects than fashion. I am lucky to have worked in prestigious houses, to have designed [costumes] for ballets and more recently to work in home decor. There are many upcoming projects in this after-the-White House [stage]."

Netizens Troll MAGA Over Melania Trump's Stylist's Payment

MEGA

Following reports about Melania's stylist making a huge sum of money despite Melania's limited appearance, several people questioned his role in the Trump family and the reason why he was being paid so much.

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Perfect example of how Trump betrays the people who trust him the most. His PAC spent $110,500 on [a] strategic consultant named Herve Pierre Braillard. So, what does brother Herve do? He's a stylist for Melania Trump. He's just robbing MAGA blind."

Another said, "Seems to me that Herve Pierre Braillard should be called to testify before the Senate to find out what is being done for $18k/month for a woman that doesn't leave her apartment. Oh, wait... I know..."

A third person wondered, "If Herve Pierre Braillard is a stylist, why on earth would the payments be listed as strategy consulting? Also, I have never paid my stylist the same amount every month. Questionable."

One more person commented, "These attorney fees are wild! But, I see no issue w/ payments to Herve Pierre Braillard. While Donald humiliated America for 4+ years.. at least Melania had really fab clothes!"

The Ex-President's Super PAC & MAGA PAC Are Bleeding Money Due To Legal Expenses

MEGA

Aside from Melania's stylist's fees, the ex-president is reportedly also bleeding money due to his hefty legal bills, which are a result of the legal troubles Trump is currently facing amid his re-election campaign.

The latest filing showed that Trump's Make America Great Again PAC and Save America leadership PAC have spent a jaw-dropping $56 million on legal fees. This shocking sum includes $30 million that was spent within the last half of 2023.

According to the Daily Mail, For legal services across 2023, the committees paid over 50 law firms, including those that are defending him in the criminal cases he is facing in New York, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Georgia, in addition to the civil fraud action filed against him.

The former host of "The Apprentice" has multiple legal issues weighing down his PACs, including a criminal case in Manhattan that is linked to alleged hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels and charges linked to the January 6 insurrection.

Trump also now owes a total of $83.3 million to former columnist E. Jean Carroll after her recent victory in her defamation case brought against the Republican presidential hopeful.
This week in Springfield-area food news: A local restaurant starts a leave-a-meal, take-a-meal board, a Lao food truck opens, and a downtown pub prepares to move.

Receipts for meals hang on the "Have A Bite, Give a Bite" board at Brunch Box, 211 E. Walnut St. Owner Rachel Velasco hopes that people who want or need a meal use the board.

Brunch Box launches leave-a-meal, take-a-meal board

Brunch Box, 211 E. Walnut St., has launched started a leave-a-meal, take-a-meal board. According to owner Rachel Fair, the board was inspired by a similar effort she'd read about in the United Kingdom.

When customers purchase their meals, they have the opportunity to purchase an additional meal and then add the receipt to a board in the store. Anyone can come in, grab a receipt and bring it up to the counter. Fair's own experiences with food insecurity made it imperative that the process was simple.

"Here I am, asking everybody not to be ashamed" to use the board, Fair said. "I know how I felt when I was in school. I know that for me it was easier to be hungry than to be embarrassed or made fun of or to go through the rigmarole" of getting lunch or breakfast at school.

Don't want to miss out? Stay in the loop with the News-Leader's Restaurant Roundup newsletter

While they've had no problem filling the board so far, Fair hopes anyone can feel comfortable enough to use the board, regardless of their financial situation.

"I really hope that not just unhoused people take advantage of this. I hope the struggling college student takes advantage of it," Fair said. She added that sometimes people come into the restaurant and are hesitant to try the vegan fare. "I hope they can grab a free meal to try it out, not even necessarily because they need assistance, but just so they're not out anything to give something different a try."

Brunch Box is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

More: They started a coffee trailer for their son. It's helping Ozarkers with disabilities, too

Skinny Slims will be moving to a new spot

Skinny Slims, which recently celebrated its 13th year at 323 S. Patton Ave., will move to a new spot once construction is finished.

The pub will remain open until its new location at 308 S. Ave. is ready.

Skinny Slims is open 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

SOAL Kitchen, 2336 S. Campbell Ave., is a food truck serving Lao food.

New food truck brings 'SOAL' to Springfield with Lao food

A food truck selling Lao cuisine has opened in Springfield. Currently parked at 2336 S. Campbell Ave., SOAL Kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 4 to 7 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday.

"We're a small family owned business looking to give Springfield, MO area our version of Asian cuisine," reads SOAL Kitchen's Facebook page.

The truck offers appetizers such as pork egg rolls, crab Rangoon and spring rolls, as well as entrees like General Tso's chicken, beef and pork jerky, and pad Thai.

Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield's Brunch Box launches leave-a-meal, take-a-meal effort
EXCLUSIVE, updated with Bikovics statement: HBO has parted ways with actor Milos Bikovic who will no longer be part of The White Lotus upcoming third season set at a Thailand hotel, sources tell Deadline.

The series does not reveal character details but Bikovic is believed to have been cast in the small recurring role of a Russian. The part will now be recast as production is about to start in and around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok.

More from Deadline

I was honored to be chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a TV series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect, Bikovic said in a statement, which you can read in full below. However, my participation is not possible due to reasons beyond the realm of art and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity.

The decision comes more than a week after Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs called out HBO over the casting of Bikovic.

Tagging the U.S. network in a video post featuring public comments by Bikovic, Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked: Is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?

In the soundbites from Bikovic interviews, juxtaposed in the video with snippets from White Lotus, he appears to back Russias occupation of Crimea, which became a precursor to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The actor has traveled to the peninsula multiple times, including for work, resulting in Ukraine putting him on a no-entry list in 2019. That couldve put Bikovics name on the Ukraine governments radar quickly after his casting in The White Lotus was announced Jan. 12.

RELATED: The White Lotus Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More

In his statement, Bikovic called the events of the last week a targeted campaign [that] has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom.

The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art, he said.

The 36-year-old Serbian national has worked in Russia for over a decade, becoming one of the most popular actors in the country and working with such prominent directors as Oscar winner Nikita Mikhalkov who was sanctioned by the EU for his support of Russias 2022 invasion. In 2021, Bikovic was granted Russian citizenship by a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin who also awarded Bikovic a medal in 2018.

Video of that award ceremony is included in the Ukraine video, in which the MFA accused Bikovic of supporting the war.

On Twitter (now X) soon after the invasion, Bikovic shared a poll showing trust in Putin was higher than U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And in an Instagram post at that time, he wished there were no wars, adding, God save the lives of all those who are now in danger. Recalling growing up during the 1990s Yugoslav wars, Bikovic shared a similar sentiment in his statement today.

There is no public record of Bikovic supporting Kremlins invasion of Ukraine. But he did not condemn it in 2022 and he hasnt done it since the release of last weeks damaging video.

His silence likely contributed to his exit from The White Lotus as it put HBO in a difficult position trying to navigate geo-political and artistic landmines.

Bikovic, who saw the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs jump to his defense last week, found himself in an even tighter spot. Denouncing Russias actions in Ukraine couldve protected his shot at a Hollywood career  at a great personal risk.

The actor, who welcomed his first child only a couple of days before his White Lotus casting was announced, was put in the spotlight amid a major crackdown on dissent about the Ukraine war in Russia, with private citizens who voice opposition facing long prison terms.

Here is Bikovics full statement:

I grew up in a war-torn country. At the age of 11 I endured days and nights in shelters while my homeland and my hometown were bombed. And could never wish such devastation on anyone.



There are more and more active conflicts in the entire world. Each one is different. Each one is heartbreaking. I wish all of them to stop and principles of love to prevail.



Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art.



I was honored to be chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a TV series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect. However, my participation is not possible due to reasons beyond the realm of art and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity.



I would like to thank everyone who stood by me. I wish my colleagues great success in creating the next season.



Regardless of everything, I strongly believe that art can heal. I believe it can help humanity unite. My beliefs and my dedication to art will remain unchanged.



Milos Bikovic, Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, is now set to star in HBO's The White Lotus Season 3@HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?



 @United24media pic.twitter.com/ceWkXVttfp  MFA of Ukraine  (@MFA_Ukraine) January 24, 2024

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
These are 20 of the best places to visit in Colombia, from colorful villages to stunning beaches.

atosan/Getty Images

A hypnotizing mix of charming coastal cities, world-class cuisine, and lush landscapes hiding immense biodiversity have made the bicoastal country of Colombia one of the most sought-after destinations in the Americas. Spending a long weekend in Cartagena or a few days in Bogota isn't enough; even after spending months living in Medellin, I felt I barely scratched the surface of all Colombia offers.

With the help of Medellin-based Travel + Leisure A-List advisor Boris Seckovic and locals who work at some of the country's most incredible accommodations, like Bio Habitat Hotel and Casa Pestagua, we've assembled a list of the best places to visit in Colombia. Read on to find the country's most scenic trekking trails, untouched white-sand beaches, and where to get the best cup of Colombian coffee.







Boris Seckovic is a T+L A-list advisor and Colombia specialist living in Medellin.

Carolina Bernal is the general manager at Casa San Agustin and Casa Pestagua, luxury hotels located in Cartagena.







Related: 25 Best Places to Visit in South America

Medellin

Lara D'agostino/Travel + Leisure

Few destinations have done a better job rebranding themselves than Medellin, a vibrant metropolis whose rapid transformation has made it one of South America's most sought-after cities for travelers and digital nomads alike. Laureles was recently named the coolest neighborhood in the world, though travelers might be more familiar with El Poblado as home to some of Colombia's trendiest cafes, restaurants, and bars. Medellin's impressive public transportation network includes several cable cars, making the journey to green spaces like Arvi Park one of the best ways to enjoy breathtaking views of a city that crawls dramatically up the mountainsides of the Aburra Valley.

Valle de Cocora

John Crux Photography/Getty Images

Don't be surprised if the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley) in the heart of Colombia's coffee country looks familiar. This magical area served as the real-life inspiration for Disney's Encanto, so you'll be sure to hear the soundtrack's most famous song as you pass through the nearby village of Salento. Despite its new claim to fame, the Valle de Cocora has long been famous for its impressive forest of wax palm trees, which tower high above the valley, growing up to 200 feet tall.

Bogota

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One of the best cities in South America, Colombia's bustling capital city of Bogota is much more than just a stopover after an international flight. As soon as you arrive, take a funicular or cable car up the Cerro de Monserrate to take in the city views and get your bearings before exploring the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria. Visiting the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) is a must, as is experiencing the city's increasingly impressive culinary scene at spots like the award-winning El Chato, one of the world's best restaurants.

Stay at the luxurious W Bogota, named by T+L readers among the best hotels in South America last year, or stop by for their beloved night brunch. The hotel's bold design is a modern interpretation of the legend of El Dorado.

Amazon Rainforest

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"Colombia's slice of the Amazon rainforest isn't as well-known as the Amazon in neighboring countries, but it's almost better that way," says Seckovic, who heads Amakuna, the leading specialist for luxury travel in Colombia. "You'll see far fewer people here and have a much better chance of encountering wildlife because of it." Explore the jungle by starting in the regional capital of Leticia, hidden among forest canopy and accessible only by airplane. From there, head to one of the region's ecolodges for biologist-led excursions into the wilderness, where colorful butterflies dart above waters where pink Amazonian river dolphins play.

Santa Cruz de Mompox

Uwe-Bergwitz/Getty Images

Set along the Magdalena River that winds towards Colombia's Caribbean Coast, the colonial village of Santa Cruz de Mompox "feels like what Cartagena used to be," says Seckovic. An important stop along the river used by the Spanish to extract gold, the UNESCO-protected town still retains all its historic beauty, and an artisan filigree jewelry industry points to its golden past. First-of-their-kind cruises along the Magdalena River with AmaWaterways will kick off in 2024, offering a new way to experience the region on routes that twist through the countryside between Cartagena and Barranquilla.

Cartagena

Starcevic/Getty Images

Cartagena is officially Colombia's worst-kept secret. Whether by cruise ship or via newly added flight routes from major U.S. cities, travelers now flock to Colombia's buzziest and most colorful hotspot year-round. A walk along age-old Spanish colonial walls at sunset with glimpses of the glimmering high-rises of Bocagrande in the distance is all you'll need to see why.

Carolina Bernal, general manager at Casa San Agustin and Casa Pestagua, recommends staying in a restored mansion for a look into the citys past. Longtime Cartagena favorite Casa San Agustin is a gem; its sister property, Casa Pestagua, is a meticulously restored and luxurious 17th-century mansion colloquially known as the most beautiful home in Cartagena.

Isla Baru

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Until recently, Isla Baru was mostly a destination for day trippers looking for the best beaches near Cartagena. The recent addition of the Sofitel Baru Casablanca Beach Resort changes all that, making this "island" just 45 minutes from the city an increasingly popular destination all its own. Travelers can also enjoy a beach day or book an overnight at one of the six new cabana-style bungalows at Acasi Private Beach, a luxe extension of Casa San Agustin and Casa Pestagua on the sand.

Eje Cafetero

Anna Haines/Travel + Leisure

Colombia's idyllic coffee-growing region is known as the Eje Cafetero, the "Coffee Axis." This verdant landscape is peppered with grand haciendas and tiny, shaded cafetales where families have long worked the land, and even passersby enjoy the aroma of the world's best coffee. Explore the countryside in a colorful, open-air Jeep Willy, visiting historic villages like Salento, Jardin, and Filandia along the way.

One of the region's coolest places to stay is Bio Habitat Hotel, where luxurious free-standing accommodations are enveloped in rainforest flora and fauna and offer views across the Andes. This eco-conscious, regenerative hotel perched amidst the forest canopy feels a world away, though it's just minutes from the city of Armenia and some of the country's finest artisan coffee farms.

Ciudad Perdida

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Tucked within the lush, tropical Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, Colombia's Ciudad Perdida ( or Lost City) is among the great ancient ruins in South America. There's no easy way to reach Ciudad Perdida; visiting this hidden settlement demands a four-day mountain trek with numerous river crossings. The payoff is well worth it: Just a few dozen intrepid travelers reach this expansive site with its terraced hillsides and circular plazas every day, meaning you'll get to enjoy it almost uninterrupted.

Only a handful of Santa Marta-based tour operators are certified to guide visitors to the site, still cared for by the descendants of the Tairona people who built the settlement centuries ago.

Guatape and El Penol

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It's impossible to miss El Penol, a massive monolith towering many stories over the countryside of Antioquia as if dropped from the heavens by a giant. If the climb to the top doesn't take your breath away, the 360-degree views from the top certainly will. Just minutes down the road, the small town of Guatape has its own flavor of fantasy, with a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns covering the facades of its historic buildings. These twin destinations are an easy day-trip distance from Medellin, but an overnight stay at some of the country's coolest glamping spots is even better.

Cano Cristales

Claudio Sieber/Getty Images

Known as Colombia's "river of five colors," Cano Cristales is home to unique aquatic plants that give it a liquid rainbow effect you must see to believe. When the colorful effect is at peak vibrancy between July and November, the river seems to run green, magenta, purple, maroon, and canary yellow simultaneously. The river is located in the relatively isolated Serrania de la Macarena National Park, though locals attest it's well worth the trip to see one of the world's strangest natural wonders.

Related: Visiting Cano Cristales, Colombia's Liquid Rainbow

Barichara

mehdi33300/Getty Images

The village of Barichara is arguably Colombia's prettiest. Barichara is a bit further from the country's major cities than other historic gems like Villa de Leyva, so "it's stunningly beautiful, but still not too touristy," says Seckovic. The town made T+L's list of the best hidden gem destinations to visit last year and is conveniently located just a stone's throw from San Gil, the undisputed capital of adventure travel in Colombia.



Tayrona National Park

Rodrigo A. Rodriguez Fuentes/Getty Images

In Tayrona National Park, Colombia's best beaches line untouched jungles with enough endemic flora and fauna to make any eco-conscious traveler swoon. Take a skippered sailing excursion to the park directly from Santa Marta, with stops at spots like Bahia Concha and Cabo San Juan for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. More adventurous travelers can trek through the park and camp in hammocks perched directly over white sands.

Rosario Islands

atosan/Getty Images

The Rosario Islands, or Islas del Rosario, are known for coral reefs and year-round diving and snorkeling opportunities," says Bernal of this perennially popular destination located off the coast of Cartagena. Hop on a speedboat in town and escape to eco-friendly boutique hotels tucked away on sandy shores, offering some serious rest and relaxation far from the crowds. It's an affordable and laid-back alternative to the built-up Caribbean islands where you would spend your days fighting for beach chairs.

Barranquilla

Roxana Charris/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Among the cities on Colombia's Caribbean Coast, Barranquilla can't compete with buzzy, beautiful Cartagena. However, for one week a year, Colombia lives and breathes to the rhythms of the Carnival of Barranquilla. Folkloric dance, music, and rich, regional food shine among a packed schedule of events including the Battle of the Flowers, the Great Troupes Parade, and the Death of Joselito Carnival, each more vibrant than the last. It's such an essential spectacle that it made the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.



Related: T+L's Guide to Colombia's Caribbean Coast

Popayan

Antoine Barthelemy/Getty Images

The small city of Popayan still flies under the radar of most travelers, but it's all the better for it. Known as Colombia's "White City" for its grand historic center's whitewashed facades, this laid-back town feels like a breath of fresh air for travelers with an itinerary packed with just the country's biggest highlights. It's a great first stop on a road trip north through cities like Cali and to the haciendas and villages that make the Eje Cafetero so memorable.



Tatacoa Desert

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The Tatacoa Desert is the second-largest arid environment in Colombia, after the dune-studded La Guajira at the northern tip of South America. However, Tatacoa isn't a desert at all, but a long-dry tropical forest where lush flowers bloomed a millennium ago. Its unexpected past makes fossil-hunting a perfect pastime on hikes through its dramatic red canyons. Tatacoa's remote location and ideal atmospheric conditions also make it one of South America's best destinations for stargazing.

Cali

alarico/Getty Images

Known as the capital city of salsa, Cali is the best place to visit in Colombia if you want to settle into several days of lessons to truly master these sensual steps. Zaperoco Bar is one of Cali's most famous salsa clubs, while Siboney  its name pointing to the rhythm's original Cuban roots  has long been one of Cali's salsa institutions. Fill your dance breaks by exploring the city's historic center and with day trips through the Valle del Cauca for river tubing, ziplining, and waterfall hikes.

Nuqui

Judith Engbers/Getty Images

Tucked away within Utria National Natural Park on a remote stretch of Colombia's Pacific Coast, the tiny beach town of Nuqui is known as one of the best places in the country for whale watching. Between July and October, humpback whales travel from Antarctica to these warmer waters to give birth to their babies in the region's protected lagoons. Whale watching is the undisputed highlight for most travelers visiting Nuqui, but adventurous travelers will love surfing near jungle-fringed shores and hiking to long-hidden rainforest waterfalls.

San Andres and Providencia

tifonimages/Getty Images

Search for the islands of San Andres and Providencia on a map, and you'd be forgiven for thinking they were a part of Central America. These tiny, remote islands over 450 miles from the Colombian mainland sit within a stretch of sea so azure it's called the "Sea of Seven Colors," and they are home to some of Colombia's last truly untouched beaches. Livelier San Andres and more unspoiled Providencia are little-visited, idyllic destinations worth considering for your next unplugged, unbothered Caribbean getaway.

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For one reason or another, some brands are perceived differently in different countries. Perhaps a company is wildly popular in one country as a premium brand, but is seen as unremarkable in another, for example. This might be down to cultural quirks, clever advertising, or how the brand fits into the market.

Of course, there are some huge iconic brands, like McDonalds and Coca-Cola, where marketing and brand perception dont really differ to a huge extent, but this isnt the case for most brands.

Here, I take a look at some of the biggest and most interesting differences in brand perception by country. My list doesn't include the best logos in the world, and these brands (like many) aren't necessarily following the latest logo design trends, but there are some big names here.

01. KFC

KFC logo

KFC has been popular in the US for decades, and soon branched out across the world starting with countries like Canada, the UK, the Philippines and Mexico. In a lot of markets, particularly in the West, KFC is seen as a convenient, reliable fast-food option  but maybe not something youd choose for a special occasion.

However, KFC is huge in Japan. The country is its third-largest market after the US and China, and residents often order KFC for parties and social events. Most notably, across the last five decades, KFC has become a Christmas tradition for many Japanese people. This was down to KFC for Christmas advertising campaigns, showing just how emphatic a successful campaign can be  Christmas Eve accounts for around 5% of KFCs annual revenue in the country.

02. Strongbow

Strongbow logo

In the UK, Strongbow is often seen as a cheaper cider brand aimed at young pint-drinking adults, and in its early days, it was marketed as a cider for men  an alternative to beer.

A few years ago, a few social media users and news outlets poked fun at the differences in marketing and brand perception between the UK and the US where Strongbow is concerned. In the US, Strongbow is marketed as a drink to enjoy with friends, often in smaller glasses and with ice. And, there are more women present in its US ads.

03. Volvo

Volvo logo

The Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo is often thought of as being a reliable, safe, high-quality brand. According to a 2013 study , Swedish and American respondents used words like safe, reliable, durable, and practical to describe Volvo, with many also associating the brand with family.

Chinese respondents shared similar thoughts. However, they also described Volvo as being expensive and upscale, and said that Volvos vehicles are usually driven by men. As a result, the connotations Volvo has differed between male and female respondents  Chinese women described the idea of driving a Volvo as exciting, perhaps due to the brand being associated with men in the country.

04. Pabst Blue Ribbon

Pabst Blue Ribbon logo

Pabst Blue Ribbon has been a popular beer choice in the US for years, if not a particularly highbrow one. Its often associated with hipsters, Midwesterners, and blue-collar workers, with country artists like Johnny Russell and Zac Brown mentioning it in their lyrics.

But while its considered an inexpensive, non-fancy option in its native US, its an expensive, premium brand in China. Known as Blue Ribbon 1844, it was reported in 2010 that a bottle cost the equivalent of around $44. It wasnt the same brew, with PBR 1844 being a special brew that was only sold in China. So now you know.

05. Kit Kat

Kit Kat logo

The chocolate-covered wafer bar Kit Kat was first made in the UK in 1935, and is produced by Nestle around the world apart from in the US, where its made by Hershey. In its marketing, the idea of having a break is often used, so much so that one UK billboard simply said 'have a', without the end of the sentence.

While the Kit Kat is popular worldwide, both the traditional bar and the various flavours and formats launched, the chocolate bar has connotations of good luck in Japan as its name sounds similar to the phrase 'Kitto Katsu', which means 'surely win' in Japanese. Theyre often popular gifts around exam season in particular. Since 2000, Nestle has launched over 300 different Kit Kat flavours in the country, from strawberry and banana to soy sauce and cough drop, in large part to appeal to a younger market.

06. 7-Eleven

7-Eleven logo

7-Eleven has been going for almost a century, and took on its current name in 1946 to reflect its opening hours. Its convenience stores are of course ubiquitous in the US, and well-known for their Slurpees and Big Gulp drinks. However, 7-Eleven is found in many more countries, including Japan.

Japan has more 7-Eleven stores than anywhere else worldwide, with almost one-third of all stores located there. Its extremely popular in Japan, and the stores are a little different, selling a broader range of products and offering more services than they do elsewhere. Its loved due to the quality and price of the food, and also the convenient opening hours  Japan often has long working hours so 7-Eleven is a popular choice.

07. Stella Artois

Stella Artois logo

One of the most popular beers in the UK, the Belgian beer Stella Artois has been around for centuries. And in the UK, it went from being advertised as a strong lager for men to being marketed as Reassuringly Expensive  a premium lager. However, in recent years it has attracted negative connotations, even being nicknamed 'wife beater' for perceived links between men drinking Stella and domestic abuse.

Not so all over the world. In the US, its still seen as a premium beer, and much of its revenue in the country came from restaurant dining. As a result, it was affected more than many by the pandemic, and has aimed to target the casual dining market, and people having dinner at home with friends.

08. Donald Duck

Donald Duck

Disneys Donald Duck, a friend of Mickey Mouse and Goofy, has been a popular character across the world since he made his debut in 1934. But while hes overshadowed in most markets by Mickey, the companys icon, his popularity is huge in the Nordic countries.

Across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, one of the biggest Christmas Eve traditions is to watch the 1958 Disney Christmas special From All of Us to All of You, and in Sweden its often simply referred to as Kalle Anka, or Donald Duck. Hes such a big name, hes sometimes seen as more popular than Mickey himself.

09. The North Face

The North Face is sometimes seen as preppy in the US, and as the sort of brand well-liked by affluent college students as well as active people.

In the UK, it used to be seen as a brand worn by outdoorsy people  middle-aged couples who go on countryside hikes  not a million miles away from how its seen across the Atlantic. However, its since tried to market itself as a streetwear label. Its become popular in recent years as a premium brand for cool, streetwise young people in cities, and has been adopted by the roadman subculture.

Want more on branding? Why not look at how branding has developed over time with the history of logos, or take a look at the best logos of the 2010s?
With glossy websites promising anyone can travel to the sunshine, stay in luxury accommodation and have surgery to transform their bodies, all for as little as a fifth of the cost of a single private operation in the UK, its easy to see why an estimated 150,000 Britons go under the knife in Turkey every year.

But doctors and health officials are increasingly alarmed by the potential dangers, with at least 25 British citizens dying following surgery in Turkey in the past four years, including two young women in the last month alone.

Morgan Ribeiro, 20, from south London, went into septic shock following weight loss surgery in Istanbul, while Demi Agoglia, 26, from Manchester, died from a pulmonary embolism after undergoing Brazilian butt-lift surgery.

Morgan Ribeiro - Tiktok

Experts warn some companies are using misleading claims and high-pressure sales tactics to persuade customers to sign up for major surgery in substandard clinics. Concerns are so great that Department of Health representatives travelled to Turkey last November to discuss the issue with health officials there and are continuing to monitor the situation. It follows reports that the cost to the NHS of emergency treatment for patients who had surgery overseas reached 1.7 million in 2022.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) in a six-month window last year, three times more corrective surgeries were carried out in patients who had been to Turkey for operations than all other countries combined.

We see people who are acutely sick coming off the plane from Istanbul at Heathrow and making their way straight to our A&E, says Ahmed Ahmed (CORR), a consultant bariatric surgeon at a major London NHS hospital. In his 20-year career, Mr Ahmed, a Royal College of Surgeons of England council member, has never seen so many patients needing corrective surgery after botched weight loss procedures abroad. He now operates on around one patient a fortnight. It has really exploded in the last five years, he adds. Its frightening.

Although countries including Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic also offer medical tourism, the industry is booming in Turkey, largely because costs are usually lower than in EU countries and customers are drawn to the idea of having a holiday at the same time.

Private clinic comparison site WhatClinic lists more than 900 plastic surgery providers in the country, around 50 per cent more than in the UK (although just 122 are officially recognised by the Turkish government-backed HealthTurkiye website).

Worldwide, 86 per cent of cosmetic surgery is carried out on women, with 18-34 the most popular age to have a nose job or breast augmentation, and 35-50 the most popular age for liposuction, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

Experts fear social media is driving a growing trend for women in their 20s and 30s to have cosmetic and weight loss surgery in Turkey. Patients can be emotionally and financially vulnerable, so are easy prey for unscrupulous clinics.

Marc Pacifico, a leading UK-based plastic surgeon and president of BAAPS, stresses that while Turkey is home to some of the worlds most renowned plastic surgeons, they are unlikely to be those most-promoted on social media or Google search results.

Many commercially-operated cosmetic tourism companies dont employ properly qualified surgeons, he explains. Such companies bamboozle prospective clients with psychological marketing techniques, he adds. There can be a lot of pressure to sign up quickly to get a cheaper price or to agree to a second operation at a cut price before youve had the first.

An emphasis on sales also means patients are less likely to be fully informed about the risks and possible complications.

Speaking to The Telegraph just before going into theatre to perform corrective surgery on a patient who had been to Turkey, Professor Ash Mosahebi says patients are frequently sold an idea which does not match reality.

The consultant plastic surgeon, who works for the NHS in London and the private Organic Aesthetics London clinic, adds: Quite often the surgeons dont even see the patients in advance, they are sold the case by a third party.

The quality of surgeon can be variable and [patients] are going there almost blind I see many, many patients with problems which could have been avoided or sorted out earlier.

There have been multiple reports of Turkish surgeons carrying out preoperative consultations only over the WhatsApp messaging app, performing risky procedures with substandard equipment and failing to give adequate aftercare.

Patients tell of being left in hotel rooms after surgery without suitable pain relief. In one case anonymously reported by BAAPS, a patient had their wound restitched in a hotel without anaesthetic.

Flights home can be within a few days of surgery, which increases the risk of dangerous blood clots. The NHS recommends waiting at least five to ten days before flying, depending on the type of surgery.

While complications can happen anywhere, in the UK surgeons have a duty to provide thorough pre-operative assessment and post-operative care. By contrast, some patients may not meet their overseas surgeon before the day of the operation and may not see them again afterwards.

Pinky Jolley, 46, from Merseyside, needed treatment at two NHS hospitals in Liverpool after a botched 2,100 sleeve gastrectomy (also known as a gastric sleeve) in Turkey last November.

Jolley's botched sleeve gastrectomy was 'so cheap, it should have been a warning sign'

The procedure, which cost around 10-12,000 privately in the UK, promises dramatic weight loss results because it involves removing most of the stomach, making patients eat less and feel fuller.

But mistakes in Jolleys surgery caused multiple infections, sepsis and damage to her oesophagus and stomach, leaving her only able to have food and fluids through a tube directly into her bowel.

It was so cheap, it should have been a warning sign but to be honest I just thought the UK surgery prices were inflated, she says.

Although she researched for nine months before committing to surgery, she says she only had access to online reviews  which she now thinks were misleading  and wasnt allowed to meet her surgeon until hours before the procedure.

Although she cannot name her surgeon for legal reasons, she has since met another woman whose weight loss surgery was botched by the same man a year earlier.

Now 14 months on, Jolley is now largely bedbound, with constant pain and muscle wastage from malnourishment. Her husband Paul, 44, has given up work to become her full-time carer.

Her weight has dropped to just 10 stone (at her heaviest before surgery she was 21st) but her health is so much worse than before.

If I could sum up the experience in one word it would be horrific, she adds. I dont want anyone else to go through what I went through. Medical tourism wont stop but there needs to be much more regulation.

Jolley received treatment in Liverpool after her surgery in Turkey caused multiple infections, sepsis and damage to her oesophagus and stomach

Ahmed says the surgical equipment alone for a sleeve gastrectomy costs clinics about 2,000 per operation.

So how is it possible for hospitals elsewhere to provide the whole package of care including the surgery, the anaesthesia, the hospital costs, plus flight and hotel costs for 2,500? he says. It is obvious there are some shortcuts being taken.

He fears surgeons overseas are reusing tools designed to be single-use, raising the risk they will be less effective or trigger infection.

And some clinics may be cost-cutting by carrying out a different procedure than agreed.

Ive had patients come in, having had surgery abroad, thinking that they had one operation, but when weve done the X-rays and imaging weve actually discovered they had a different operation. That is a very, very worrying phenomenon, adds Ahmed.

Risky practices like these are possible because Turkey is not bound by the same regulations as the EU or UK.

Here, surgeons undergo 10 to 15 years of training to become a specialist, whereas training can be as little as three years in countries like Turkey. Doctors, hospitals and clinics in the UK are also strictly regulated. The UK has some of the highest training and safety standards in the world, Pacifico says. But things can be very different in other countries.

It means surgeons in Turkey can perform risky procedures which are rarely carried out here, like the Brazilian butt lift (BBL). This involves fat from elsewhere in the body being injected into the buttocks and can cause life-threatening clots if injected fat ends up in the bloodstream.

Another dangerous practice is carrying out multiple procedures in one operation. These include so-called mommy makeovers, which can include breast surgery, liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and BBL.

High-risk patients who would not be considered suitable for cosmetic surgery under UK guidelines, including those who smoke, are obese or have diabetes, may also find they are waved through for surgery in Turkey.

With so many potential risks, why does surgery in Turkey remain so popular? Aside from costs, a major factor is lengthy NHS waiting lists.

Patients who qualify for NHS weight loss surgery (such as those with a BMI over 40 or over 35 with a health condition) are currently waiting two to three years in the UK. Around 5,000 to 6,000 people every year receive the surgery on the NHS but almost as many choose to pay for it abroad instead. Ahmed sympathises with those who do so  and feels the only solution is better investment in NHS services to increase the number of people able to access surgery in the UK.

Dr Pundrique Sharma, consultant plastic surgeon at Harley Medical Group, believes pressure from social media is also to blame. [It] has created unreasonable expectations for both men and women about what they can and should look like, he says.

Another key issue is that it is difficult for UK customers researching their treatment to get unbiased information. Clinics may pay or give free surgery to social media influencers in exchange for promotion, publish their own advice blogs and pay to appear high in Google search results.

Even patient reviews can be unreliable. Some patients have reported feeling pressured to leave glowing reviews before they were granted a fit to fly certificate to go home, including Jolley. She says her clinic was very pushy about her leaving a positive Trustpilot review and demanded she send a screenshot. Luckily she was later able to edit it to be more accurate.

Jolley with her husband Paul who is now her full-time carer - Asadour Guzelian

There have also been reports of patients signing contracts with clauses stating they must not speak negatively about their clinic.

A quick glance at the hashtags #sleeveturkey [gastric sleeve] and #bblturkey [Brazilian butt lift] on Instagram and TikTok reveals hundreds of Turkish clinic accounts, many claiming to be the best. Aimed predominantly at British, German and French customers, many social media posts mention available discounts or have unattributed five-star reviews written in poor English.

Last week, the UKs advertising watchdog banned two paid-for Google ads from Turkish firms for making misleading and irresponsible claims about the safety, quality and ease of having nose job and tummy tuck surgeries abroad.

Official guidance from the NHS and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office warns patients travelling abroad should be cautious of any website selling cosmetic surgery as part of a holiday package.

The NHS tells patients it is unrealistic to expect to have a holiday after surgery, while the FCDO warns: The standard of medical facilities, qualifications and treatments abroad can vary widely and may differ from UK standards. There have been complications and deaths abroad from medical procedures.

A government spokesperson told The Telegraph: We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice and the relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies.

Ahmed urges patients to wait and have surgery in the UK if at all possible. Pacifico says those choosing to go abroad should, as a minimum, know the name of the surgeon and have at least one video consultation before committing to travelling.

Joint guidelines issued by BAAPS and its Turkish equivalent TSPRAS (the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons) say patients should check if their surgeon is listed as a member of TSPRAS (via plastikcerrahi.org).

Ideally, your surgeon will also be a member of EBOPRAS (the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), have been practising for at least five years and been working at their current clinic for at least three years. You should ask to see their Turkish board certification certificate and confirmation of their specialism.

You must be asked to complete an informed consent form before you travel and should be given an aftercare plan and contact details.

Red flags, according to Pacifico, include not being able to see your surgeon in advance, any refusal to fully answer your questions and pressure to rush into a decision, such as being offered a cheaper price if you book quickly.

Cosmetic surgery can be life-changing and choosing whether or not, and where, to have it is a serious decision, he adds. You should never feel pressure to rush that decision to save money  it could end up costing you your life.

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Quick and easy yacht access is always the preference, but what to do if its 100 miles away from the nearest port? For more than a decade, Tropic Ocean Airways has operated a cottage industry centered on shuttling yacht owners and their guests via floatplane from bustling South Florida urban centers to remote parts of the Florida Keys and even outlying islands in the Bahamasand now, increasingly, that route network includes private vessels.

Before the pandemic, we also had airplanes in the BVI and Antigua, says the airlines founder, Rob Ceravolo. But when the Bahamas became North Americas favorite charter destination, the boat traffic moved there.

More from Robb Report

Besides making transport more time-efficient, the aircraft can also provide a sense of security. Weve had airplanes stay with a boat in very remote locations all week, Ceravolo says. While overall the owners didnt make much use of the planes (A few used it for Instagram moments, he says), the Cessna Caravans still served as backup transport, a shuttle for crew, cargo, and spare parts, and a potential emergency medevac.

Tropic Oceans floatplane fleet can access remote islands that other conventional aircraft cannot reach.

Its also important to consider the level of expertise inside the cockpit, given the challenging weather conditions inherent to the job. Ceravolo, a former naval aviator and Top Gun instructor, says he trains his pilots to U.S. Navy protocols, teaching them to fly in all conditions since it can be a very dynamic environment.

As for clients, theyve proved creative when it comes to optimizing floatplane potential: Ceravolo is working on a plan to drop off a passenger 50 miles upwind of the boatso he can kiteboard back. In these remote locations, he says, there are a lot of options.

Other stateside floatplane firms include Fly the Whale, which services the U.S. Northeast, and has a seasonal presence in South Florida. The company will launch a service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Croix, USVI, that will begin in March. Kenmore Air has regular scheduled flights on both conventional aircraft and seaplanes between Seattle and the San Juan Islands, while servicing British Columbias Inside Passage and trips to Victoria, Vancouver. Northwest Seaplanes flies from Seattle to Friday Harbor and different parts of British Columbia.

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While sweet baked goods understandably receive attention, there's an appeal to a savory pastry, too. Convenient to eat, filling, and a delicious vessel for flavor, these foods make for a casual lunch or snack. In parts of the Caribbean -- specifically Jamaica and Haiti -- the go-to version of such a food is the beef patty.

These islands serve up baked goods with a delicious doughy composition, and an aromatic filling. Stuffed with aromatically prepared ground beef, it's a food that's both flavorful and hearty. And while both are delicious, each one takes on characteristics of their respective cuisine.

The Haitian pastry is fluffier, resembling a puff pastry in composition. The meat is flavored with a fragrant but lightly seasoned mixture of herbs and aromatics like onions and garlic. Meanwhile, the Jamaican version is denser and richer flavored, with spices kneaded through the pastry. Its filling is smoother, lending to a more condensed bite. And there's a principal flavor distinction in the protein, too; the meat oftentimes takes on a bolder, spicier, and sometimes curried flavor.

Read more: Tips You Need When Cooking With Ground Beef

What Is A Jamaican Beef Patty?

Jamaican beef patty in dish - Blurr/Getty Images

A beloved food on the island -- as well as with its diaspora -- Jamaican patties serve up aromatic flavors in a convenient form. Visually, they resemble empanadas. However, the dough is crafted with a mixture of flour, salt, spices, and suet. It's thin and dense, yet flakey, which means it easily retains moisture. Additionally, flavorings like curry powder and turmeric are rolled into the dough mix, a quality unique to the Jamaican pastry. This gives an aromatic bite of flavor with every bite.

Inside, there's a dense ground beef filling bursting with flavors. From scotch bonnet peppers to curry spice, allspice, onions, and more, the beef is curried for a highly aromatic character. Beef is the most common filling; however, there are versions with other proteins, from seafood to chicken and cheese. Variations are abundant, not a surprise, since the Jamaican beef patty is a flavorful and comforting snack that's easily batched. The dough can be prepared ahead of time, making it a food that's available piping hot in minutes. As a result, Jamaican patties are served as street food in bakeries and shops and prepared at home.

What Is A Haitian Beef Patty?

multiple Haitian beef patties - DronG/Shutterstock

As opposed to the Jamaican beef patty, the Haitian version has a much fluffier dough, nearly resembling a croissant. Such a result is achieved through a flour and shortening-based mix, typically only flavored with salt. The mixture is rolled thin and then folded over a minimum of three to four times, creating several layers of flakey dough. An egg wash finish finalizes the pastry with a golden, crispy crust.

The Haitian beef patty filling is more malleable. As per the name, beef is a common component, but it can also employ pork, chicken, and seafood, especially cod. The ground beef is cooked down with aromatics and typically flavored with epis, Haiti's beloved seasoning. While some peppers and other bold spices may be used in the filling, this dish typically lies on the milder side in comparison to the Jamaican version. The dish serves a role similar to other puff pastry creations, enjoyed for breakfast, as an appetizer, or served at a gathering. Just like its Jamaican counterpart, it's also available as a street food, and at many local shops in Haiti.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Inside a cramped conference room at Fresno City Hall, a couple from Peru with their 10-month-old daughter recounted the arduous 2 1/2-month trek that took them from Lima to the U.S./Mexico border.

We crossed nine countries from Peru, Jose Morales, 25, told The Fresno Bee in an interview and speaking through an interpreter. He was interviewed along with partner Katherine Rojas, 23, as she held their daughter Danna.

The family are among nearly 20 people  all but one originally from Venezuela  exported by bus out of Texas and eventually to Fresno after seeking asylum in the United States. The immigrants were sent first to Denver, and then dropped off in Fresno last week. They and the others, including two other families and a collection of adults, find themselves caught in a political crossfire between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over immigration and border policy.

Their 21/2 month path took them through Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico before they arrived at Ciudad Juarez, across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, where they surrendered to U.S. immigration officials and applied for asylum.

The Associated Press reported recently that since 2022, Texas has sent more than 100,000 migrants to Democratic-led cities and states to cope with surging numbers arriving at its border with Mexico. The state reportedly has contracts with multiple bus companies to send asylum seekers out of Texas.

The state-sponsored shuffle of immigrants by Texas marks only the latest pieces of a long ordeal for Rojas and his family and the other people who arrived in Fresno with no place to stay.

An exhausting, dangerous ordeal

While the family was able to find bus transportation in some of the countries, if they had money to pay for it, for much of the journey they were on foot, including through jungles and rain forests in Colombia, Panama and parts of Mexico.

You see everything. You see people who die, people who become dehydrated, people who twist their ankle, break an arm, fall because they are exhausted, Morales said. I mean, its a very dangerous place. It is a jungle. There are snakes and animals.

At least there in the jungle of Colombia, you feel a little safer  a little, very little  but mostly because if something happens to you, the Colombians who are there will help you,  he added. You arrive in Panama, there it is riskier. You dont have anyone to help you if you sprain an arm, a foot, you cant walk. You stay there; that is, you die there. I mean, its something like that. But equally in the water, if you were getting wet in the river, a snake or something bites you, you stay there. I mean, its risky.

Sometimes it was like they robbed people and abused women, Morales said. I was scared all the time. I stayed awake, mostly for my family.

In Mexico, another concern was the danger of kidnappings by cartels. There in Mexico and in all those countries we walked, it was with fear, looking to the sides, cared for my daughter and my partner,  he said. I really didnt know all that was to happen. But I am the head of the home and I have to be a pillar for them and always be there for my family.

Why leave?

In Venezuela, Morales worked in various jobs, including security, construction, welding, carpentry and cooking. He left because of government corruption, gang violence and drugs, and because the economy was in decline. There was no work anymore, he said. There was no longer anything to eat there.

He initially migrated to Peru, but I didnt have papers and it was difficult to get a job, and there was a lot of xenophobia, he said. There are a lot of problems for Venezuelan immigrants in Peru, so I decided to leave.

He returned to Peru to reunite with Rojas, who was expecting their baby. Rojas owned a restaurant in Lima, but right now, economically, prices have risen a lot; everything is very expensive, she said. I already had a food business, but it was no longer profitable because costs went up, the menu went up, so people no longer wanted to pay.

Criminal gangs would also shake down businesses. If you didnt pay them a daily or weekly quota, they would bomb your business, Rojas said. We had already suffered.

The Morales family originally started off from South America as part of a large caravan of about 1,000 people when they left in late September. By the time they reached the U.S./Mexico border in mid-December, the group had fragmented.

Along the way, Morales occasionally washed cars to earn money for food or to pay for bus or train tickets for the family.

What happens now?

In Texas, the migrants were offered three choices for where they could go: Denver, New York or Chicago. Morales said he initially chose New York because he had a friend there. But when he could not make contact with that person, they decided to go to Denver instead.

Once in Denver, however, aid organizations said they were unable to provide the help the families needed and made arrangements to pay for bus tickets to California. The migrants were told they were going to Indio, in the Imperial Valley of Southern California, but there was a problem with the bus tickets and we were sent to Fresno, Morales said.

All of the migrants received court dates for their asylum hearings while they were still in Texas. For some, like Morales, that date is later this year. For some others, hearings wont happen until sometime in 2027, leaving them in limbo and uncertain about their ability to earn a living.

One of the 16-20 asylum seekers who arrived in Fresno last Saturday, sits with others at Fresno City hall to get information from city officials and social workers on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Their hearing locations are also scattered across the country. Morales hearing is scheduled for October in New York, but he said he hopes to have it moved to California to avoid having to be bused somewhere else in the U.S.

Even though they knew nothing of Fresno, they hope to remain as a family. We dont want to keep moving, to move again, Morales said. We want to stay here to have stability and to be able to transfer the case from New York to here.

We are no longer looking to go from here to there because it is difficult, primarily because of the baby, Rojas added.

Back to El Paso?

Fresno leaders, however, have other hopes. Mayor Jerry Dyer expressed his desire to provide short-term stabilization and services for the immigrants, but that ultimately his goal will be for them to return to Texas to continue the formal immigration process.

It is our hope that we can facilitate the delivery of those folks to El Paso as soon as possible, he told reporters Friday afternoon. I dont know if its a week or two weeks or beyond.

Since Thursday night, the city has scrambled to find places for the immigrants to stay, and the people are being lodged at a local motel through this weekend.

City Councilmember Miguel Arias and Mayor Jerry Dyer said Friday that Fresno Countys Department of Social Services will begin taking the lead in dealing with the immigrants and coordinating a range of services including health screenings, food assistance and more.

In a hectic gathering in a City Hall conference room on Friday, representatives of various organizations and agencies met with the immigrants to begin assessing their needs and resources that could be made available, including preschool for the four children in the group and adult education for the adults, and immigration counseling and legal services.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, top left, is briefed on the arrival of migrant families and individuals seeking asylum from Fresno Councilmember Miguel Arias, center, at Fresno City Hall on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

This was thrust upon us, Dyer said. If he had had some notice from somebody, we would have been a little bit better prepared to receive them and go through a more organized process.

I can guarantee you that critics will be upset over the fact that services are being provided to them, even health needs, Dyer added. But I think thats the humanitarian thing to do, while at the same time balancing that with accountability, and that accountability is that at some point they need to be transported back to El Paso so they can go through the legal process.

The city doesnt have the legal authority to put the immigrants back on a bus against their will and send them away, Dyer said. However, we can  with their permission  facilitate the transportation of those folks back to El Paso. That is our desire.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Matias Bernal, executive director of the Educational Leadership Foundation, one of the organizations that met with the immigrants on Friday. Contributions can be made through the page at www.gofundme.com/f/help-families-seeking-asylum.

A broken immigration system

Dyer and Arias both said the situation thats landed the immigrants in Fresno is a symptom of a broken immigration system.

I dont support what has been done in Texas by shipping asylum seekers all over the country, Dyer said. But I also understand the dilemma that they face in Texas as well as Arizona where theres an influx of people coming into their states.

The system for dealing with immigration has been broken for many years, Dyer added, and there hasnt been a wilingness on the part of the federal government to have comprehensive immigration reform to the degree that we need.

Arias pointed the finger at Congress for inaction on immigration reform. Whats missing in this equation is action from Congress,  Local governments are not equipped to deal with fixing the immigration system, He said. Ultimately, both parties have resulted in us having this crisis in our city and across the country.

Dyer concurred. In my opinion, both parties have failed for decades to fix our broken immigration system, and what we are now dealing with at the local level is the failure to act.

But, Dyer added, it is not our desire to allow asylum seekers to make their way into our community. Theres a legal process, and that legal process must be abided by.

Arias indicated that the immigrants have done everything that they are legally required to do under the law. All of the asylum seekers in Fresno today followed federal law to enter the country, he said. These folks followed the exact rules that exist in the current immigration law, which is you turn yourself in, submit an asylum application, be processed by Immigration, and follow your court hearing dates, and theyve done that so far.

Its our hope that we will provide them sufficient support so they can attend their court hearings and proceed with thelr legal status, he added.

Venezuelan asylum seeker Jose Morales, center, sits with his wife, Katherine Rosas, left, and their 10-month-old daughter Danna Morales Rosas, and other immigrants while meeting with city officials and social workers on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. The family arrived by bus in Fresno from Texas, by way of Denver, as part of a group of 16-20 others the previous weekend.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, center and City Councilmember Miguel Arias meet with asylum-seeking migrant families and individuals at Fresno City Hall on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. The migrants are among a group from Venezuela and Peru who were sent by bus from Texas to Denver, and then on to Fresno, arriving the previous weekend.
As the drumbeat of war continues across the Middle East, with clashes in multiple countries raising fears of a wider conflict, the mercenaries of Russias Wagner Group are once again getting back to action.

Eight months after Wagners march on Moscow ultimately failed; six months after Yevgeny Prigozhin and his senior commanders were blown out of the sky in Vladimir Putins retribution, the fighters are being recalled to arms with the Kremlins blessing.

The snowy fastness of Ukraine has been replaced by the sand and savanna of Africa. There is a new banner to fight under  Africa Corps, a name echoing Field Marshal Erwin Rommels German Afrika Korps which took part in the momentous campaign against British and allied forces in Libya in the Second World War.

The Hamas attack on Israel three months ago has led to combat across land, air and sea around the region, with carnage continuing in Gaza and missile strikes and targeted assassinations in the Gulf, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and even Pakistan.

In this increasingly incendiary scenario, the former Wagner Group is consolidating its presence in Libya and Sudan, part of a highly volatile region, as well as reinforcing in African states where it has replaced departed Western forces.

A flag bearing the logo of the Wagner mercenary group (AFP via Getty Images)

Many former Wagner fighters are said to have expressed interest in joining the Corps. Sergey, a fighter who had served with Wagner in Syria and Ukraine before leaving just before the attempted coup, said: They seem serious people, well organised, and so a lot of the men are considering the offer.

They are using good psychology. They point out that many soldiers find it very hard to adjust back to civilian life: we know, of course, that is the case. They warn about what happened to some who had served in Afghanistan, Chechnya. They got into drinks and drugs, ended up in prison, their marriages ended. Getting back into service is a way of avoiding this.

There are a lot of people who miss being with Wagner." he added. "It was a special group at the beginning. Not what happened to it in Ukraine with the convicts and other useless people conscripted, but what it was like at the start, formed by professional soldiers, many from Special Forces. But Africa Corps is also a special name in war isnt it? A historic name.

Yevgeny Prigozhin is said to have recruting fighters to work in Africa before his death (Razgruzka_Vagnera telegram channel)

Moscow is keen to take advantage of opportunities that crisis presents, capitalising on the current instability, say Western officials who have been observing Russian activities in North Africa and the Sahel. There is renewed focus on a projected Russian naval facility at Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where the Houthis are in combat with US and UK warships protecting a crucial global trade route. Wagner had carried out initial work on the port project. The group has long established links with Sudan, supplying, it is believed, arms to both sides in the current civil war and enriching from involvement in illicit gold trade.

The Kremlin is also positioning itself, officials say, for the aftermath of the Middle East conflict. One proposed scenario for a Gaza ceasefire is for what is left of the Hamas leadership to move to Algeria  a reprise of Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) retreating to Tunisia after being forced out of Lebanon by the Israeli invasion of 1982.

The Israeli government has, so far, rejected the Algeria option, vowing to destroy Hamas in Gaza. But if the plan, drawn up by France and Saudi Arabia, was to be implemented, Russian mercenaries in Libya would be in close proximity to the remnants of Hamas.

Former Wagner commanders, it is claimed, have been spotted in Libya arriving recently at the al-Khadim airbase in the east, and Sirte and al-Jufrah in the central region, areas controlled by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the rebel commander who has been backed by Moscow in the countrys internecine conflict which erupted after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

Wagner fighters in Bakmut (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE)

Moscow is also said to be exploiting the anger in the Global South over the perceived failure of the West, especially the US and UK, to condemn Israel for what has unfolded in Gaza with more than 26,000 lives lost so far, according to the Palestinian health ministry. South Africa has taken the lead in accusing Israel at the UN's highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of intent to commit genocide in Gaza. An allegation that Israel has vociferously denied.

Russias deputy defence minister, Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Major General Andrei Averyanov, from GRU, the Russian miliary intelligence agency, are playing key roles in the Kremlins new Africa push.

The two men travelled to Libya to meet Haftar in Benghazi and have also visited the Central African Republic (CAR), Burkina Fasso, Mali and Niger  all countries into which Wagner has moved in, or is seeking to move, in after their military regimes forced the withdrawal of French led Western forces.

One Western security official said: Russia has obviously been focused on Ukraine and its influence in the Middle East, which was pretty significant, had markedly diminished. They are now seeing a way back and Wagner, whatever name its called now and the future, is a very useful proxy. The difference from before is that now itll be much more under direct Kremlin control rather than people like Prigozhin and his associates. There is no denying that there is a bit of a vacuum now security wise with what happened with the French in West Africa, and Russias trying to fill that using a PMC [private military company].

Men holding a Wagner flag during demonstrations in Niger last year demanding the French army leave the country (AFP via Getty Images)

The announcement of the Africa Corps being formed, as a successor to Wagner, originally came from Russian military bloggers. It was confirmed by Igor Korotchenko, a former army colonel and editor-in-chief of the magazine Natsionalnia Oborna [National Defence] who is close to the Ministry of Defence in Moscow.

The Corps is seeking to take over the role of Wagner which had extensive interest in Africa providing security to regimes and strongmen rulers in return for payment, often in the form of lucrative mineral rights.

After President Putin had seemingly forgiven him for his attempted putsch, Prigozhin took part in a tour of Africa to assure clients that normal service will continue with the support of the Russian government.

Riley Moeder, a senior analyst with the US-based New Lines Institute think tank, said: Prigozhin was filmed in that region before his plane crashed. The region is looking for support, so now Moscow wants to assure them that it remains committed to the region.

Both Yevkurov and Averyanov knew Prigozhin  but the association was anything but amicable. Yevkurov was pictured as Prigozhins prisoner when Wagner forces moved to the Russian city of Rostov in the first stages of the attempted coup--a public embarrassment the Deputy Defence Minister has not forgotten.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Russian public during the attempted coup by Wagner (Sputnik)

Averyanov and the GRU have been accused of being part of the plot to assassinate of Prigozhin and his senior officers, which is alleged to have been organised by Nikolai Patrushev, the head of the Kremlins National Security Council.

The Africa Corps, in Telegram posts, presented a "window of opportunity to potential recruits that had emerged in Africa due to countries turning away from the West. Among examples given were the withdrawal of French forces from Mali and Niger. "Now, when Russia has become strong and has challenged the whole world, it needs professional warriors more than ever," said one post.

The Corp wanted to stress that its leadership was composed of experienced commanders who had served in elite and specialist units of both Russias armed forces and private military companies.

Some of them, it is said, have been with Wagner. Former members of the Group were welcome to apply for jobs; they would be valued and allowed to wear Wagner insignias on their uniforms alongside that of the Africa Corps.

The recruitment campaign promised high salaries, paid in foreign currencies when necessary, competent and professional command and control and medical care and social benefits including generous compensation for families of fighters who are injured or die on active duty.

Sergey, the former Wagner fighter, who is currently living in a central European country, said: They have also been very positive on one issue. A lot of people who left Wagner were worried that theyll be blamed for the mobilisation [the attempted coup] even if they didnt have anything to do with it.

These guys are saying that having been in Wagner is not a problem, but actually something good. The only rule, as far as we can see, is that Wagner people who joined Rosgvardia  Russia's national guard  after [the coup] must stay there, they cant simply transfer over.

What happens to the Africa Corps in the ruthless world of the Kremlin and Russian mercenaries remain to be seen. Its namesake, the Afrika Korps, surrendered with the rest of Axis forces in north Africa in 1943, most of its members were sent to camps in the US as prisoners of war.

Rommel, idolised by his soldiers and admired by the enemy, took part in a failed plot against Adolf Hitler as Prigozhin had against Putin. The Fuhrer wanted to avoid a trial, worried about the reaction that would provoke with Rommels popularity with the army and the public. He was offered the choice by his Nazi captors of committing suicide in return for his family and his staff being spared. The Field Marshal put on his Afrika Korps field uniform and took a cyanide capsule.
Shares of Nvidia have shot up 206% in the past year as the massive demand for the company's artificial intelligence (AI) chips triggered rapid growth in its top and bottom lines.

That rally has also lifted the broader semiconductor sector, as shown by the 49% gain in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector index in the past year. But not all components of the index have benefited equally. ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML) is one such example.

Shares of the Dutch chipmaking equipment company have jumped only 32% in the past year, underperforming the index and Nvidia by a big margin. But all that could change very soon -- ASML stock shot up nearly 9% after the company released its fourth-quarter 2023 results on Jan. 24. Let's see why Wall Street gave those results a big thumbs-up.

AI has helped ASML regain its mojo

ASML finished 2023 with total revenue of 27.5 billion euros ($29.8 billion), up 30% over the previous year. Its fourth-quarter revenue of $7.84 billion, however, increased at a slower 12% over the prior year.

The good news was that ASML's top line exceeded the $7.43 billion consensus estimate. The company's earnings of $5.64 per share were also well ahead of the $5.16 Wall Street predicted.

The slower year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter can be attributed to the slowdown in semiconductor equipment spending last year, which is estimated to have been 15% lower. This explains why ASML saw a decline in orders in 2023. The company's net bookings, which refers to all the system sales orders for which it has received written authorizations, fell to $21.7 billion from $33.2 billion in 2022.

What's more, management adopted a cautious approach on guidance. The company expects 2024 revenue to remain at last year's levels, which means that its growth could drop sharply this year.

That cautious guidance could be attributed to the drop in orders last year, but ASML adds that there are "positive signs" in the semiconductor industry and the company is witnessing an improvement in utilization levels.

Story continues

This is evident from the sharp increase in ASML's orders in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company received net bookings worth $10 billion in the fourth quarter, a huge jump from $2.8 billion in the preceding quarter.

The year-over-year growth in bookings was 46%. Analysts would have settled for net bookings worth just $3.9 billion, but ASML knocked it out of the park with a substantially stronger order book.

The reason behind this significant outperformance is simple: AI. The company's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines are used for manufacturing chips based on advanced process nodes, allowing chipmakers to produce 7-nanometer (nm), 5nm, and 3nm chips.

The demand for these advanced chip nodes, especially 5nm and 3nm, is booming thanks to AI. That's because chips manufactured using these smaller process nodes carry more computing power and are more power efficient -- ideal for AI workloads.

Nvidia, for instance, is expected to move to a 3nm manufacturing node for its next-generation H200 data center GPUs (graphics processing units) in 2024. Its new GPU is expected to have more than double the performance of the current H100, which is manufactured on an advanced 5nm node.

With the demand for AI chips predicted to increase at an annual rate of 38% through 2032, according to Allied Market Research, chipmakers are aggressively placing orders for ASML's EUV lithography machines.

The company received $6.1 billion worth of orders for its EUV machines last quarter, which was 60% of the total orders. On a year-over-year basis, EUV bookings jumped 65% from $3.7 billion in the 2022 fourth quarter. The demand for ASML's EUV machines could increase further as the AI chip market gains momentum.

Investors should also note that ASML exited 2023 with a massive order backlog of $42.3 billion, which is more than the company's 2024 revenue forecast. So, it won't be surprising to see ASML outpacing its prediction and delivering stronger growth this year.

ASML is also expecting to achieve "significant growth" from 2025 following this year's flat performance, which explains why analysts have substantially raised their forecasts for the next two years.

ASML Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year Chart

Buying the stock is a no-brainer right now

ASML is a much cheaper AI bet when compared to Nvidia right now. ASML is trading at 11 times sales and 40 times trailing earnings. These multiples are lower than Nvidia's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 34 and trailing earnings multiple of 81. ASML's forward multiples are lower than Nvidia's readings as well.

NVDA PS Ratio (Forward 1y) Chart

However, ASML might not be available at such attractive multiples in the future given the increase in the company's AI business, its impressive backlog, and the sharp jump that analysts are expecting in its revenue from next year.

That's why investors looking to buy an AI stock that's cheaper than Nvidia right now, but one that could go on a bull run, should consider buying ASML while it is still trading at relatively affordable levels.

Should you invest $1,000 in ASML right now?

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Nigerian royals have claimed Cambridge University bosses were duped into an agreement to repatriate the Benin Bronzes and must now return them to a local king.

In 2022, the university pledged to return 116 artefacts to Nigeria, but paused its plan when it emerged that the treasures would become the private property of the king of the Benin people, rather than a Nigerian government body.

The Benin royal household has now claimed that Cambridge bosses were duped into making deals with false claimants to the Bronzes amid an internal political wrangle in Nigeria.

A senior prince representing the palace has insisted that the university stop stalling and return the artefacts to their legitimate owner, the king or Oba of Benin, reigniting an international row over the metal artworks.

Hundreds of artworks were created for the monarchs of the Kingdom of Benin  which was absorbed into Nigeria  and looted by British troops after they stormed the palace of then-ruler Oba Ovonramwen in an 1897 expedition.

His modern-day descendant, Oba Ewuare II, contends that the artefacts rightfully belong to him and should be returned directly.

The position has been endorsed by the Nigerian state to the surprise of pro-repatriation European museums.

I feel sorry for the Europeans

Prince Aghatise Erediauwa of Benin, the younger brother of the Oba, has insisted that Cambridge respect his wishes.

He told the Telegraph: I feel sorry for the Europeans who have been duped and received promises about the artefacts from those who should not have been claiming the Bronzes.

He added: Cambridge should most definitely return the artefacts. The Oba of Benin is the legitimate owner.

The president of Nigeria has recognised this.

I understand they are hesitating, but they must return the artefacts. They must now do the right thing, and return the artefacts to the right people.

Benin Bronzes were created for the monarchs and looted by British troops - TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

Cambridge holds 116 Bronzes in its Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, which have faced demands for repatriation. Oxfords museum collection and the more than 900 housed in the British museum have also been the subject of debate.

The Telegraph has been told that the Benin royal household became concerned when a third party, Nigerias National Commission for Museums and Monuments, began negotiating terms for the repatriation of Bronzes from Western museums.

The commission wanted returned artefacts to be housed in the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) that it plans to build in Benin City. It is the capital of the former Kingdom of Benin, once looted by the British in an expedition that eventually led to the Bronzes being dispersed around the world.

Cambridge, Oxford and the Horniman Museum in London agreed to repatriate in 2022, taking their lead from institutions in Germany.

But the Oba of Benin was concerned about the deals. He had already put forward his own plans for a Royal Museum in which the Bronzes could be housed, and saw the EMOWAA as an interloper.

Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, subsequently ruled that returned Bronzes would become the property of the Oba. But Cambridge paused its repatriation plans after concerns were raised that publicly displayed objects could disappear into a monarchs private collection.

The EMOWAA later withdrew from pursuing any plans to house the Bronzes.

The Horniman decided to press ahead despite this, and Oxfords plans were paused by the Charity Commission, which ensures that universities do not undermine their charitable mission by giving away assets.

Cambridge was given go-ahead to return Bronzes in January 2023 after the deal was vetted by the Charity Commission, but delayed its plan in May and has not sent back any artefacts. University paused repatriation plan after it

The university stated: The University of Cambridge is in talks with all parties in Nigeria over the implementation of the Councils decision to return Benin Bronzes in its collections.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
When it comes to chimpanzee toddlers, girls rule. Skippy climbs with her hands and feet into the forest canopy, swinging through the spindly vines. The boys: they prefer to cuddle with their human carer.

They are all orphans, rescued from across Sierra Leone and raised at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

I want them to get used to the forest. So, when they join a new group, they will be ready, says Mamma Posseh, who everyone calls Mamma P. She is the surrogate mother to the baby chimps.

The three chimps at forest school are some of the newer arrivals to the sanctuary, an oasis for more than 100 of our closest relatives inside Sierra Leones Western Area Peninsula National Park.

The sanctuary not only shelters orphaned chimpanzees but serves as a conservation leader in Sierra Leone, managing several national parks, and battling against rapid deforestation that threatens the entire region.

Chimps are so much like us, we need to care for them says Bala Amarasekaran, the founder of Tacugama.

He has become something of a legend in Sierra Leone. An immigrant from Sri Lanka who arrived with his family as a teenager, Amarasekaran and his wife rescued their first chimp in 1988 on a trip north, around 150 miles from Freetown. He was tied to a tree in a village, like many orphaned chimps, being kept as a pet. They called him Bruno.

Once I met that first chimp, he started showing us the way. Its not about just that chimp, it is about the species, Amarasekaran says.

That one chimp soon became seven - and the sanctuary was born in 1995.

Amarasekaran has managed Tacugama through Sierra Leones brutal civil wars and heart-stopping Ebola outbreaks. Along the way hes pushed chimps into the national consciousness, lobbying for the primate to become the national animal in 2019. Brunos picture is now on the national passport.

But sometimes publicity isnt enough and the park faces an ominous threat. The once almost 18,000-hectare Western Area Peninsula National Park is on a wedge of forest hemmed in by the countrys capital, Freetown.

The wedge is shrinking fast.

Regular satellite analysis funded by the World Food Program shows that the park has lost a quarter of its forest since just 2016. The canopy decimation is replicated throughout Sierra Leone and much of West Africa. Recent analysis of long-term losses show that more than 80% of the regions forests have vanished.

Toddler chimps Shine, Skippy and Pataya enjoy "forest school" at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, watched by their caregiver. It is a chance for them to get to grips with the trees. - David McKenzie/CNN

Once lost, impossible to get back

Its an ecological crisis that was triggered by colonial-era exploitation and continued destruction post-independence.

If you came here two years ago, there was not a single building or any of these makeshift shelters. Nothing was there, says Amarasekaran, as he points to a scar of development butting the forest. I have been fighting this thing for 30 years, not 30 days.

This kind of precarious development on the steep hills around Freetown can be deadly. In 2017, part of the mountain collapsed, leaving more than 1,000 people dead or missing in a landslide.

Despite the risks, the wealthy and well-connected continue to carve their spots in the hills, giving rise to unchecked development that endangers vital water supplies for the city.

They want to be above the hoi polloi. The reality is that they get a foothold through bribery or weak officials and then its a field day, says Sonkita Conteh, the Sierra Leone director of Namati, a land rights group that focuses on legal reform. Once one large, brick home pops up, shacks and settlements follow, he says.

Every month, more of the forest surrounding the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is destroyed, with new settlements moving in. - David McKenzie/CNN

Parks like the Western Area have buffer zones, to delineate the protected zone from settlements. But Conteh says those keep changing - often because of corrupt or opaque deals. He says customary land rights in rural areas, which have given local chiefs the power to make land deals, have also led to rampant land grabs.

For Sierra Leones capital, the stakes are high. In the center of the mountains of the Western Area Forest, a verdant valley drops into the Guma Dam reservoir. It is the main source of water for an estimated two million inhabitants of the sprawling city. And the forest anchors that supply.

A new land rights act passed in 2022, with considerable help from Conteh and Namati, aims to tighten regulations, offering protection against predatory development.

But land is still being lost and Conteh points to the fires burning close to the catchment area as a new land grab gets underway.

Its the dry season and water restrictions are in effect. Deep in the forest, companies are mining for granite  the roads they build open a doorway deeper into virgin land. Nobody seems to know how they got their permissions, says Conteh.

The animals are important, certainly, but the humans need water. Once you have lost it, its impossible to get it back. We need to protect what we already have. Its not much, but I think we can start from there, he says.

Vets Alejandro Striediger and Zoe MacIntyre take Siama's vital measurements as part of his health check. - David McKenzie/CNN

As the forest shrinks, the number of orphaned chimps at Tacugama expands. Siama came in just a few weeks ago. He is still in quarantine, to make sure that he doesnt transfer any diseases to the population at the sanctuary.

Veternarian Zoe MacIntyre believes that Siamas mother was shot by a hunter. The shotgun pellet lodged in his shoulder is visible as she performs an x-ray.

He was really weak when he arrived, says Macintyre. He couldnt even control his head movements.

Together with another Tacugama vet, she does a series of tests on Siama to see when he can be introduced to his surrogate family.

Mamma P waits anxiously to take Siama when they finish. She gives the new arrivals to the sanctuary special care.

He likes to play with me and likes to stay with me. If I try to leave, he starts screaming, she says, as she feeds Siama a slice of watermelon.

An x-ray shows where a pellet is still lodged in Siama's shoulder. - David McKenzie/CNN

About preserving humans

Looming over all of this is the biggest threat of all.

The rampant destruction of West Africas forests, and forests across the continent, has a significant impact on the climate crisis.

One study estimates that between 2010 and 2018, the region lost more than 22,000 square miles of forest.

Clearing forests is a one-two punch: when they are destroyed, the carbon stored in the vegetation is released into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming  at least 12% of the worlds carbon pollution comes from forest loss. It also means losing one of natures most powerful tools in sucking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

While the Amazon rainforest gets much of the worlds attention, Africas swaths of primary forests are vital. Primary forests, which are old and have had minimal human intervention, are far better than newer ones at pulling in carbon.

Sierra Leone has lost an estimated 35% of its forest cover since 2000. With only 5,500 wild Western chimpanzees remaining, the chimpanzee populations fate reflects the health of the forest.

Chimpanzees thrive in primary forests. If their wild populations are healthy, it means the forest is healthy.

But Amarasekaran sees an opportunity. His lifes work is convincing people to save the wild chimp. He believes if we can protect the chimps home, we can protect ours too.

This is not a forest problem or an animal problem. It is going to affect humans, he says. This is no longer about preserving the forest or the wildlife, its about preserving humans.

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Washington  The House is expected to vote in the coming days on whether to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the Biden administration's handling of the situation along the U.S.-Mexico border.

If successful, it would mark just the second impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in U.S. history, and the first in nearly 150 years.

Here's what to know about Mayorkas and the impeachment effort:

Who is DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas?

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas holds a press conference at a U.S. Border Patrol station on Jan. 8, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. / Credit: John Moore/Getty Images

Mayorkas was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1959. His family came to the U.S. as political refugees the following year. He attended the University of California at Berkeley and earned a law degree from Loyola Law School.

Mayorkas entered private practice for several years before becoming a federal prosecutor in California. In 1998, he became the youngest U.S. attorney in the country, serving until 2001, when he joined a Los Angeles law firm.

He joined the Department of Homeland Security during the Obama administration. From 2009 to 2013, he worked as the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and was deputy secretary of the department between 2013 and 2016.

He was confirmed to his post as President Biden's top immigration official in February of 2021 after his nomination was briefly stalled over questions about Mr. Biden's border plans. He is the first Latino and first immigrant to lead the department.

Why is Mayorkas being impeached?

Congressional Republicans have aimed to punish the secretary over the administration's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, accusing Mayorkas of failing to enforce the nation's laws and detain thousands of migrants.

House leaders last year stalled an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia to force a vote on impeaching Mayorkas, opting to refer the matter to the House Homeland Security Committee. The panel sped through impeachment proceedings this month, holding two hearings. They featured testimony from attorneys general about the impact of migration on their states, as well as mothers who said their children had died in part because of what they see as failures by Mayorkas to manage the southern border.

This week, the committee released and advanced articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, as House leadership eyes a floor vote on whether to impeach the secretary in the coming days.

Republicans argue that Mayorkas is violating a range of immigration laws, chiefly a statute from the 1990s that requires the federal government to detain certain migrants. Democrats and DHS point out that Congress has never given the executive branch the funding or personnel needed to detain all of the migrants covered by the law.

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas

The House Homeland Security Committee meets to mark up articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Jan. 30, 2024. / Credit: Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images

The two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas charge him with "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and a "breach of public trust."

In the first article, the committee Republicans claim that Mayorkas "has repeatedly violated laws enacted by Congress regarding immigration and border security."

"His refusal to obey the law is not only an offense against the separation of powers in the Constitution of the United States, it also threatens our national security and has had a dire impact on communities across the country," the impeachment resolution said.

The resolution accused Mayorkas and the Biden administration of overstepping their authority and disregarding federal laws by releasing many asylum-seekers into the U.S. and allowing more than 1 million to enter under an authority known as parole. It also referenced a 2023 Supreme Court decision, in which the justices ruled that while states lack standing to compel the executive branch to enforce immigration law, Congress has some tools at its disposal  including impeachment.

In the second impeachment article, the committee Republicans accused Mayorkas of "knowingly making false statements to Congress and the American people and avoiding lawful oversight in order to obscure the devastating consequences of his willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and carry out his statutory duties."

The committee pointed to previous testimony from Mayorkas, when he confirmed that the border was "closed" and said the department had "operational control" of the border, as evidence of his false statements to Congress. It also argued that Mayorkas had breached the public trust by "refusing to carry out his statutory duty to control the border and guard against illegal entry."

The response from DHS and Democrats

In a four-page memo on Jan. 28, the department responded to the impeachment articles, calling them "a distraction from other vital national security priorities and the work Congress should be doing to actually fix our broken immigration laws."

"[Republicans] don't want to fix the problem; they want to campaign on it," the DHS memo said. "That's 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."

Regarding the first impeachment article, DHS said the department "adheres to the mandatory detention requirements of the [Immigration and Naturalization Act] to the maximum extent possible" and noted that Congress "has never provided the funding for detaining every individual who crosses illegally."

The memo also refuted the claim that Mayorkas lied to Congress, pointing to a distinction between the statutory definition of "operational control" and how the department uses the term internally.

Committee Democrats released a report following the release of the impeachment articles, deriding the effort as a "sham" that fails to provide evidence to support the charges and distracts from the "real challenges" at the border.

"In a process akin to throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks, Committee Republicans have cooked up vague, unprecedented grounds to impeach Secretary Mayorkas," the report said. "The MAGA-led impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas is a baseless sham, and the few rational Republicans left in Congress know that  even if they refuse to admit it."

Constitutional experts who appeared before the committee at the invitation of Democratic members testified during the hearings that Mayorkas' conduct does not constitute an impeachable offense. Frank Bowman, a professor at the University of Missouri's law school, explained that the Constitution reserves impeachment for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"There is no serious allegation of which I'm aware that the secretary has done any of those things," Bowman said.

Democrats accused the GOP of pursuing the impeachment for political purposes, as border security has become a central theme of the 2024 Republican campaign.

"The real reason we are here, as we all know, is because Donald Trump wants to run on immigration as his No. 1 issue in the November election," Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, said during the committee hearing on the impeachment articles this week.

When is the impeachment vote against Mayorkas?

A House vote on the impeachment articles is expected in the coming days, though the exact timeline remains unclear.

After the committee voted to advance the impeachment articles, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will move forward with a vote "swiftly," calling it "long overdue."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson makes his way to the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 31, 2024. / Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Johnson can only afford a handful of Republican defections for the vote to succeed. One GOP lawmaker, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, has already said he opposes the effort. Assuming full attendance, Buck's opposition likely means the impeachment push could fail if just two more Republicans vote "no." House leaders might decide against even calling a vote if it becomes clear that it will fall short.

What happens if Mayorkas is impeached?

Mayorkas wouldn't be removed from office immediately if he is impeached. Impeachment is just the first step in removing an official  the matter then goes to the Senate, which has the "sole Power" to hold a trial under the Constitution.

Mayorkas is highly unlikely to be removed by the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. A two-thirds majority  or 67 senators  would be required to convict and remove him from office.

Exactly how the Senate would proceed once it receives the charges remains to be seen. But the Senate rules for dealing with impeachments and the chamber's own precedents indicate that senators would move quickly to convene a trial.

"Through norms and precedent and tradition, there's not much discretion afforded to the Senate whether or not to hold a trial, because the Senate has always held a trial, unless the impeached party has resigned," says Casey Burgat, the director of the Legislative Affairs Program at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management.

But once the trial is underway, a majority of senators can vote to "reinterpret" the rules, Burgat noted, allowing them to maneuver to "quickly dismiss or outright ignore an impeachment trial." Republicans unsuccessfully tried to declare former President Donald Trump's second impeachment unconstitutional on the first day of his Senate trial in 2021.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters this week that he would "wait and see what the House does" when asked how the upper chamber would handle a trial.

Without a conviction, impeachment wouldn't change Mayorkas' ability to carry out his job and remain in the role. But it would be historic, making him the first Cabinet official to be impeached since 1876.

Country music star Toby Keith dies at 62

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Apple/Meta

Apples Vision Pro is making its big splash this week; in many ways, its the first of its kind. The combination of the ultra-crisp 4K displays, unique gaze-and-pinch user interface, and seamless mixed reality passthrough make for a unique experience in the world of VR and mixed reality.

But Apples hardly alone in its pursuits. Were about to see a wave of competitors, many of which wont be able to match the kind of quality Apple has managed to demonstrate. There are, however, three key competitors that might have the resources to offer a serious challenge to the Vision Pro over the next year or so.

Sony

Sonys XR headset has a flip-up visor and unique ring and stylus controllers. Sony

Of all the competition lining up behind Apple, Sonys project seems the furthest along. The companys VR ambitions have been simmering for several years, starting with the 2016 PlayStation VR, an accessory for the PlayStation 4 console. In 2022, the PSVR 2 arrived, a much more powerful solution with advanced displays.

Sony recently announced a high-resolution VR headset with 4K-per-eye OLED displays and an advanced user interface. The halo band and rear battery are reminiscent of Metas Quest Pro, but Sony cleverly added a hinge to the front visor. Theres no face pressure, so breathability and comfort should be good.

Instead of using a complex, expensive, and heavy EyeSight display on the front like Apples Vision Pro, you flip up the front of Sonys XR headset to interact with others. Sonys innovation didnt stop there. Two unique controllers provide precision and ease when working. A ring lets you move and turn virtual objects, while a stylus provides accurate pointing and manipulation.

Siemens Sony partnership accelerates digital transformation through immersive engineering

Unlike Apple and Meta, Sony is clearly targeting industrial designers with this new mixed-reality headset. It includes a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip but seamlessly integrates with a computer running Siemens Xcelerator software. Sony doesnt seem to be as interested in targeting consumers as Apple  at least not yet  but that could change as appetite grows over the course of the year. Sonys unnamed XR headset is expected to arrive later in 2024.

Samsung

Samsungs TM Roh shares XR plans at the 2023 Galaxy Unpacked event. Samsung

Samsung explored VR as far back as 2014, partnering with Oculus on Gear VR, a headset that required a Samsung Galaxy Note or S-series phone to serve as the display and processor. At only $100, it was a low-cost introduction to VR and an easy alternative to the much more powerful and expensive Oculus Rift.

Despite selling millions of units, Gear VR was discontinued within a few years. The Oculus Go filled the budget VR gap, and Samsung seemingly abandoned VR for many years.

As rumors of the Vision Pro began to heat up in 2022, Samsung showed it was simply waiting for the right time to reenter the market. At Galaxy Unpacked 2023, Samsung announced more than just the Galaxy S23 series. Samsungs TM Roh shared a teaser that the company is partnering with Qualcomm and Google on a new XR experience.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked February 2023: Official Replay

The XR space is exploding with potential, and forward-looking tech companies are busily planning new spatial computing devices for 2024 and beyond to take advantage of renewed interest and excitement in virtual and augmented reality.

When Qualcomm announced its advanced Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, it mentioned that Samsung would use this processor in its upcoming XR headset. We know this Qualcomm chip is capable of 4K-per-eye resolution, so you can expect it to be a solid Vision Pro competitor, at least visually.

Meta

Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends

In 2022, Meta shocked the VR industry by launching the Quest Pro, a $1,500 stand-alone VR headset designed for productivity. It was a leap forward in hardware in many ways, but the software remained largely the same.

The most notable changes were the addition of eye and face-tracking sensors and the improvement in Quest hand-tracking. The headset was even heavier than the Quest 2, but the battery was moved to the back for better balance, allowing the headset to float above the face, resting only on the forehead.

In some ways, the Quest Pros design is superior to the Vision Pros, which rests fully on your face, even when using the Dual Loop headband. However, the Quest Pro flopped, and the company quickly shaved a third off the price to keep it moving.

Its a nice headset, but there wasnt enough follow-through in the software from Meta and third-party developers to justify the expense as a work-centric device.

With Apple setting expectations for a premium headset that costs thousands, and with recent advances in technology and momentum from nice Quest 3 sales, Meta has an opportunity to try again with a Quest Pro 2. Development had been reportedly paused on it, but if the Vision Pro captures enough interest, its not hard to imagine that Meta might greenlight a proper sequel. Lets hope it can match what Apple has achieved with its camera passthrough technology.

Meta has shown numerous prototypes, some impressively thin and light. Meta claims it could make some of these advanced headsets today, but the component costs would drive the price too high.

In 2022, The Information leaked Meta plans for four new headsets, including one codenamed Funston that would reportedly be a second-generation Quest Pro launching in 2024. The leak predicted the Quest Pro and Quest 3, lending credence to this report.

The Verge shared details leaked from a Meta internal meeting last year. The suggestion is that Meta is planning a headset with higher resolution displays and a design similar to the Quest Pro but with a greater focus on productivity and comfort. Some found the Quest Pros forehead pad to be painful.

The latest news is confirmation that LG is working on an XR headset, possibly a second-generation Quest Pro. LG is a leading manufacturer of OLED displays, which would be a nice upgrade to the Quest Pros mini-LED backlit LCDs.

So, while theres no official news, it seems all but certain that Meta is hard at work on a rebuttal to the Vision Pro.

The Vision Pro standard

Apple

When Apple launches a product, hardware or software, everyone takes notice. The expectation is that Apple will define new standards, swaying opinions with its steady, long-term vision.

The Vision Pro will undoubtedly change the VR industry in many ways. The external battery was unthinkable before Apple did it, and a VR headset without a controller was a questionable decision. Those arent original ideas but were met with skepticism when presented by other companies.

Its good to shake things up, and Apple has opened minds and wallets to the great potential of virtual and mixed reality, if only under the thinly veiled guise of spatial computing. There are new targets for VR manufacturers to aim at and a significantly larger price range to work within. It will be interesting to see what comes from this new challenge and if any of these large tech companies have what it takes to compete.
Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
More Russian oil ships have been floating at sea with nowhere to go amid sanctions pressure

A growing number of Russian oil ships are idling at sea with no apparent destination.

Four ships with at least 3 million barrels of Russian crude have been floating for at least a week, Bloomberg reported.



A growing number of Russian oil ships have been drifting off at sea with seemingly no destination.

Four Russian oil tankers were floating at sea near the Russian export hub Ust-Luga for at least a week at the end of last month, Bloomberg reported in late January. The tankers are carrying at least 3 million barrels of Urals crude, Russia's flagship oil blend.

The tanker that had been drifting for the longest amount of time, called the Naxos, had spent another two weeks with its cargo fully loaded at another Russian trading port.

A fifth oil ship had also been floating around the Ust-Luga area for just shy of a week, the outlet reported at the time.

None of those ships are individually sanctioned by the US. Still, the lack of movement could point to oil traders treading more carefully as the West looks to crack down on Russian oil trade via sanction after imposing a $60 price cap on Russian oil in late 2022.

Late last year, the US sanctioned five oil ships that traded Russian oil above the price cap limit. One of those ships, the NS Century, was floating off the shores of India for over a month as Indian officials mulled whether to let the ship dock.

Five other ships carrying Russian oil had also been floating close to India and Sri Lanka for a month, before they started turning eastward in January, Bloomberg reported.

Another 14 ships have been idling near a South Korean port for weeks, holding around 10 million barrels of Russian oil Reuters reported.

India, one of Russia's top oil customers, has pulled back on its Russian crude purchases significantly since the West resolved to enforce sanctions more tightly. The nation's crude exports from Russia plunged to a 12-month-low in January, according to ship-tracking data seen by Reuters. Meanwhile, it's ramped up its purchases of Saudi Arabia crude, citing better discounts with Saudi suppliers.

Fleeing customers could spell trouble for Russia over the long run, with crude oil being one of the country's main sources of revenue. Profits among Russia's top oil and gas companies plunged 41% over the first three quarters of 2023, according to data from Russia's central bank.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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Neurocrine Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:NBIX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders, has reported an insider sell transaction. According to a recent SEC Filing, the insider, CFO Matt Abernethy, sold 1,283 shares of the company on January 31, 2024.

The transaction was executed at a price of $140.72 per share, resulting in a total sale amount of $180,563.76. Following this transaction, the insider's total holding in Neurocrine Biosciences Inc has adjusted accordingly.

Over the past year, Matt Abernethy has sold a total of 32,003 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. The insider transaction history for the company shows a pattern of 55 insider sells and no insider buys over the same timeframe.

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc's market cap stands at $13.918 billion, with the stock trading at $140.72 on the day of the insider's recent sale.

The company's price-earnings ratio is currently 76.20, which is above the industry median of 21.785 but below the companys historical median price-earnings ratio.

Based on the current share price and the GuruFocus Value of $151.32, Neurocrine Biosciences Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.93, indicating that the stock is Fairly Valued according to GuruFocus's intrinsic value estimate. The GF Value is determined by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc CFO Matt Abernethy Sells Company Shares

The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling pattern observed among the company's insiders, which may be of interest to current and potential investors.

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc CFO Matt Abernethy Sells Company Shares

The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's valuation in relation to its intrinsic value, supporting the assessment that Neurocrine Biosciences Inc is currently Fairly Valued.

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.


ERA SI TIMPUL  Energizantele nu se mai pot vinde minorilor. Cat e amenda

Bauturile energizante nu se mai pot vinde catre cei care nu au 18 ani. Ete o lege care a aparut recent, iar deja in magazine au aparut avertizari cu privire la aceasta regula. Cei prrinsi ca nu se respecta legea risca suspendarea activitatii timp [citeste mai departe]
YORK  Sunday marks the 125th anniversary of the Philippine-American War and the Anna Bemis Palmer museum has some amazing artifacts from said war with direct ties to Nebraska.

The Philippine-American War was a 3-year war (1899-1902) fought between American forces and Filipino nationalists, which ended in the death of over 4,200 Americans and over 20,000 Filipinos. Filipino civilians were also impacted, as 200,000 died from violence, famine and disease.

Carrie Remmers, Anna Bemis Palmer museum coordinator, reported that the war artifacts in question were donated by community members in York. One of these items is a photo album that includes a man from Beatrice, William Grayson, who is said to have fired the first shot of the war, in the exact spot that it took place. A diary is also on display from Company A, First Nebraska. Grayson was a member of Company D, First Nebraska. The diary details what happened that first night, bringing everything to a head.

Grayson was originally from England but immigrated to the U.S. When the war broke out, he was residing in Beatrice and joined First Nebraska. According to the diary, just minutes after Grayson fired the shot while on guard at Outpost 2, every unit in First Nebraska was under fire.

As part of the museums display, several photos were enlarged from the two albums and prominently displayed. They feature photos of First Nebraska soldiers as well as the 51st Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Despite having a large impact, the Philippine-American war hasnt been talked about much throughout history.

The Philippine-American War isnt really talked about because Americans werent necessarily the nicest people during it, Remmers said. In the Spanish-American War the goal was to defeat Spain and give the Philippines its independence. Once we won the war we went back on our word and decided to annex them instead. Apparently, there were too many American interests there that we didnt want to give up.

The Filipinos were angry  which they had every right to be  and started fighting against us, Remmers continued. Our response was to burn down villages, torture them, etcetera. Therefore, we dont really talk about it because its not really a part of our history we want to remember. I dont think they even teach it in American History classes.

The Our America at War exhibit is available for viewing until Feb. 29, 2024. The museum will then rotate to the next exhibit and reopen once all is in place.

Those interested are invited to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbH8D381J-I for more information on the war.

Previously housed in a room in the York Community Center, the Anna Bemis Palmer museum now has its own ground floor location at 520 N. Grant Ave. The museums regular hours will be Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Catholic Schools Week: 'It was fun!' In celebration of its Catholic Schools Week, St. Joseph's in York hosted a variety of activities for the K-8 students and their families Catholic Schools Week St. Joseph's celebrated Catholic Schools Week, culminating in Friday's student performances of class skits. The Second graders, pictured here, Catholic Schools Week "It was fun!" A first grader said about her performance in a skit based on the creation story. The students were prepping throughout the week  Catholic Schools Week Catholic Schools Week started bright and early the morning of Sunday, Jan. 28, with coffee and rolls after the 8:00 a.m. mass. A chorus of chi Catholic Schools Week Friday was VIP day at St. Joseph's. Grandparents and other family members attended church, had breakfast and then went to the performances of  Catholic Schools Week On Friday, students also wore colored clothing, according to class - eight grade wore neon, fifth, sixth and seventh wore green, second, third Husker TeamMates at Centennial Husker football players introduce themselves at the Centennial High School basketball games on Friday, Jan. 26 in Utica.
Cervical cancer is the second most cancer occurring in the women of our country, which results in high mortality rates, especially when detected late. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary cause. Regular screenings and vaccinations are pivotal for early detection and prevention. Prioritizing women's health, awareness campaigns and accessible healthcare contribute to combating this insidious disease effectively.

Dr Alka Dahiya, Associate Consultant, Surgical Gynae Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh says, "There are multiple risk factors, for example, beginning of sexual activity at an early age. Multiple sexual partners, low socioeconomic status with poor personal hygiene and sexual hygiene and also prolonged use of oral contraceptive pills, but thankfully today we have many techniques which can help us either detect this cancer in time or prevent it together. We now have the HPV vaccine which, when taken between 9 to 14 years of age by the girls or even up to 26 years of age offers."

"Protection against this virus we have screening techniques like the Pap smear which when done every 3 years and HPV testing which is done every 5 years can help protect against this problem at an early stage or in the pre-invasive phase when it is still treatable and very much curable. So, maintain a good sexual hygiene," highlights Dr Alka.

Need for HPV Vaccine and Where is it available

Dr N Sapna Lulla, Lead Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore adds, "HPV Vaccine offers remarkable protection, reducing the cancer risk by 99%. The earlier the vaccination (ages 9-26) is administered, the higher the impact. Women up to the age of 45 may also get an advantage from vaccination, especially if they haven't been previously vaccinated, genetic risk, or are at risk due to certain sexual practices."

Who is Eligible for HPV Vaccine?

Though all women can take the vaccination, pregnant women, women with lower immunity, and those with select medicine allergies need to consult their physician before taking the vaccination. There are no obvious side effects associated with the vaccinations, however, there could be pain or redness in the injection site, headache or dizziness, or muscle pain, which will reduce over some time.

"Early detection is vital, as symptoms are not evident till stage 3, which often appears later. Unfortunately, many women in India seek help in later stages, lowering the recovery rate to 50%. Thus, early detection significantly increases recovery chances," adds Dr N Sapna.

Why Women Lack In Immunization Against Cervical Cancer In India

Dr Sameena H, Consultant- OBG, KMC Hospital, Mangalore explains,"In India, accessing vaccines, like the HPV vaccine that guards against the leading cause of cervical cancer, is a challenge."

Several factors contribute to this hurdle adds Dr Sameena:

- Firstly, awareness is low in many parts of the country. Women lack information about cervical cancer prevention and vaccine availability. Education campaigns can bridge this gap, ensuring more women understand the risks and benefits.

- Secondly, affordability is a roadblock. Many women in India may find it challenging to afford vaccines. Public health initiatives and partnerships can make vaccinations more accessible, ensuring cost is not a barrier to safeguarding women's health.

- Lastly, logistical issues, like vaccine distribution and infrastructure gaps, play a role. Improved healthcare infrastructure and streamlined distribution can make vaccines more readily available in both urban and rural areas.

Expert Preventive Tips For Cervical Cancer

Dr Sameena shares tips to prevent the second most prevalent cervical cancer:

- Cervical cancer is a major concern for women worldwide, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. The good news is that simple steps can significantly reduce the risk. Experts recommend a two-pronged approach: regular screenings and timely vaccinations.

- Screenings, like Pap smears, can detect early changes in the cervix, allowing for effective intervention. Women, especially those over 30, should get regular screenings as the risk of cervical cancer increases with age.

- Additionally, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can further lower the risk of cervical cancer. Practices like safe sex, HPV vaccination, regular screenings, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle contribute to overall well-being.
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE:PMT) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Net income: US$157.8m (up from US$115.5m loss in FY 2022).

EPS: US$1.81 (up from US$1.26 loss in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust EPS Beats Expectations, Revenues Fall Short

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 2.8%. Earnings per share (EPS) exceeded analyst estimates by 9.7%.

Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 34% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, while revenues in the Mortgage REITs industry in the US are expected to grow by 34%.

Performance of the American Mortgage REITs industry.

The company's shares are down 6.7% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

You should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (including 2 which can't be ignored).

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.
Seven months into INDIA Bloc's formation and the grouping has started to disintegrate despite their common resolve to fight the BJP together. Be it Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or Samajwadi Party, they have given a serious reason to Congress to think for its future strategy. While Mamata Banerjee gave a fresh scare to Congress saying that the grand old party would not even win 40 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Kharge while taking a jibe at the BJP inside the Rajya Sabha, said that it was because of Modi that BJP leaders were seating inside Parliament.

While Kharge was taking a jibe at the BJP saying that 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' ho raha hai, he added that it was because of Narendra Modi that the saffron party got victory. This was one of the rare acceptances by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge indicating that the grand old party has conceded defeat much before the polls and is now only trying to hold the ground that it managed to retain in the 2019 polls.

Mamata Banerjee in Bengal and Bhagwant Mann in Punjab have already refused to share seats with Congress. Samajwadi Party has already sent a veiled warning to the Congress by announcing names of 16 candidates including one from the Lucknow seat, that the Congress was demanding. Apart from Maharashtra, the Congress is yet to finalize its seat sharing with other allies and the party's key leader Rahul Gandhi is busy carrying out solo Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

On the other hand, the BJP has already managed its Hindi belt votes by breaking away Nitish Kumar in Bihar from the INDIA bloc, winning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. With multiple visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the saffron party is also looking to improve its performance in South India, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The party is likely to do well in Karnataka and Telangana despite the opposition governments there.

With each passing day, the Congress is losing the opportunity to present a better counter to the BJP and the consequent delay in seat sharing and candidate announcement may hurt the INDIA bloc badly.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, declared that Bharatiya Janata Party Leader Lal Krishna Advani will receive the highest civilian honor. Addressing the public, PM Modi expressed his joy in announcing the conferment of Bharat Ratna to the former Deputy PM and Home Minister of India, highlighting his monumental contribution to the country's development.

PM Modi also lauded Advani's lifetime dedication to politics, emphasizing that his parliamentary interventions have consistently been exemplary and filled with rich insights.

"I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental," wrote PM Modi

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a pic.twitter.com/Ya78qjJbPK  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2024

"His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights," the PM added.

Earlier on January 23, the government announced to honour the former Bihar Chief Minister and great socialist leader, Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna. PM Modi had also expressed his happiness over the Centre's move to felicitate the late Bihar politician with 'Bharat Ratna.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that BJP's veteran leader LK Advani will be conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, his family expressed happiness and thanked PM Modi for honouring the latter with the country's highest honour.

Pratibha Advani, LK Advani's daughter, was seen sitting with Advani at his residence in Delhi as she congratulated her father offering him a laddu.

LK Advani joined his hands and greeted the people.

"The entire family is very happy that 'Dada' (LK Advani) has received the country's highest honour. Today I miss my mother the most because her contribution to his life, be it personal or political life is huge. When I told Dada, he was very happy and said that he spent his entire life in the service of his country. He thanked PM Modi and the people of the country for honouring him with such a big award," Pratibha Advani said.

"He is very overwhelmed. He is a man of few words. But he had tears in his eyes. He was very happy even at the time of Pran Pratishtha of Ram temple. This was such a dream of his life for which he struggled and worked for a long time. His personality is such that when someone praises him, tears come to his eyes," she added.

Jayant Advani, veteran BJP leader LK Advani's son said that it is wonderful to note that at this stage in his life, his efforts are being recognised in this magnificent way.

"My family and I are extremely delighted with this new development. I would like to thank PM Narendra Modi for conferring this award on my father. My father's contribution to public life has been immense and it is wonderful to note that at this stage in his life, his efforts are being recognised in this magnificent way," he said.

''I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great 'Jan Nayak' Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment. His unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India's socio-political fabric. This award not only honours his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society,'' PM Modi wrote on X.

(With agency ipnuts)
New Delhi: The newly formed Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Jharkhand under the leadership of Chief Minister Champai Soren will face the floor test on February 5, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said on Saturday. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Mir, the Congress in-charge of Jharkhand, said till the floor test happens, the MLAs will camp at a 'protected place'.

Several legislators in the ruling alliance, who left for Hyderabad after the swearing-in, are currently staying at a private resort in the Telangana capital ahead of the floor test in the Assembly.

The move is seen as an attempt by the ruling combine to keep its flock together and pre-empt poaching attempts by the principal Opposition player--BJP.

"It's unthinkable and unprecedented for a sitting chief minister to step down and hand the reins to a party colleague. The entire coalition unanimously picked Hemant Soren's successor and formally proposed his name as the next chief minister to the Governor. We are thankful to the Governor for allowing the oath-taking ceremony to take place yesterday. The alliance will be invited for a floor test in the Assembly on February 5. Till then, all our MLAs will remain in a protected place," the Congress leader said on the sidelines of the Congress's ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which is currently in its Jharkhand leg.

The Assembly will convene for a two-day session on February 5. Amidst the political unrest in the state, triggered by former CM Hemant Soren's arrest by Directorate of Enforcement officials in an alleged land scam case, Champai Soren, a leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party, took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.

Alongside Soren, Congress' Alamgir Alam and RJD's Satyanand Bhokta also took the oath as ministers in the Jharkhand cabinet. In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has 29, its ally the Congress has 17 seats while the RJD and the CPI (ML) have 1 seat each. With the support of 43 MLAs, the INDIA bloc has the numbers to sail through a floor test.

On the opposition bench, the Bharatiya Janata Party has 26 seats, AJSU 3 while Independents and others have 3 MLAs. One seat in the assembly is vacant.

On Thursday, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan invited Champai Soren to Raj Bhavan to form the government in the state.

Champai Soren, a loyalist of JMM leader Hemant Soren, along with 43 legislators had met Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, staking a claim to form the government in the state.

Champai, the state transport minister, is a seven-time MLA, and he represents the Seraikella constituency in Jharkhand. Before joining the JMM, he was an independent MLA.
New Delhi: Challenges for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal escalated as following numerous summonses from the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged liquor excise policy scam case, the crime branch has now visited his residence with a notice from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The notice is related to the Aam Aadmi Party's accusation against the BJP of attempting to buy AAP MLAs.

Crime branch officials are currently stationed outside the residence of AAP convenor to personally deliver a notice to the Delhi CM, although entry has not been granted yet. Yesterday, police officials visited the CM's residence to issue a notice regarding the Aam Aadmi Party's accusation against the BJP of attempting to buy AAP MLAs. Delhi Police has requested the CM to provide evidence in support of the allegations.

Sources in the CM Kejriwal's office however claimed that his office is ready to receive the notice but the officials of Delhi Police's crime branch are not giving him a receiving note for the same.

The sources also claimed that the Delhi Police had brought along media teams just to make a spectacle and malign the Chief Minister's reputation.

Earlier on Friday, apart from Kejriwal, the police officials, seeking evidence, also knocked on the doors of AAP minister Atishi's residence. However, as per sources, both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences.

The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government through a campaign dubbed "Operation Lotus 2.0".

Addressing a press conference, last week, senior AAP leader Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats in a bid to induce defection.

"BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each... Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected... Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples," the AAP leader had said.

"In Delhi, they are going to our MLAs and saying that Kejriwal is going to go to jail and then we will call all the MLAs to ourselves and form the BJP government in Delhi, but I want to say that the Aam Aadmi Party is not afraid. Not a single MLA is afraid," she added.

Atishi also revealed that the AAP possesses a recording of one such "Operation Lotus 2.0" conversation, hinting at its potential release if necessary.

"Currently, 7 MLAs have been offered by BJP; we have the recording of one of them and will release it when required," said Atishi. However, the BJP has rejected the AAP's claim of Operation Lotus 2.0.

"Arvind Kejriwal is again lying as he has done since the last seven times. Not once has been able to tell which phone number was used to contact them, who contacted them, and where was the meeting held. he just gives out statements and goes into hiding... His partners are in jail, and he is repeatedly avoiding ED summons because he knows he does not have answers to the ED questions..." said BJP leader Kapil Mishra.

AAP won 62 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly polls. The BJP got just 8 seats, while the rest of the parties including the Congress, drew a blank.
New Delhi: Congress faces mounting challenges in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections despite the formation of the INDI alliance. Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Bhagwant Mann of Punjab have announced their decision to contest independently, while Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has departed from the 'Mahagathbandhan' to form a government with BJP's support.

Adding to the Congress predicament, Mamata Banerjee expressed skepticism about their ability to secure even 40 seats in the upcoming elections. The party is grappling with internal and external rifts, raising concerns about its electoral performance.

Speaking to the mediapersons during her two-day sit-in demonstration against non-payment of central dues to West Bengal, Banerjee also ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, without naming him, over the latters mass reach out exercise during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state that moved to Jharkhand on Friday.

Making a direct reference to Rahul Gandhis interaction with 'bidi' workers in North Bengal, Banerjee said, "One who does not have the minimum knowledge as to how bidis are made is now resorting to photo-shoots. This is the trend and fashion going on now.

She also reiterated that Trinamool Congress alone can resist the BJP in West Bengal. We had resisted the BJP alone before and we will be doing the same this time as well, she said. She also accused the Congress of not sending her an official invitation to attend the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when it entered West Bengal.

They came to our state but did not inform us even once. The rally entered West Bengal suddenly. I proposed Congress to contest 300 seats and leave the remaining for the regional parties. But it did not agree and instead showed its big-brother attitude, Banerjee said.
Cost of IVF in India:

The overall cost of IVF Treatment in India usually ranges between  1,50,000 and  3,75,000. However, this cost can vary according to factors such as the location of the clinic, the cause of infertility, the need for additional procedures, and specific medical conditions. The standard IVF package typically includes consultation fees, fertility assessments, hormonal medications, laboratory procedures, and embryo transfer.

Here is a breakdown of the costs for different IVF procedures:

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with self-gametes:  1,80,000 to  2,25,000

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment:  15,000 to  25,000

IVF with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):  1,85,000 to  2,25,000

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD):  3,10,000 to  3,90,000

Top IVF Hospitals in India:

Some of the top IVF hospitals in India with high success rates are listed below:

Nova IVF Clinic India Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, India Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, India

1.Nova IVF Clinic India:

Nova IVF Fertility (NIF) is one of the biggest fertility treatment providers in India. Their goal is to offer advanced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). IVF treatment has gone viral throughout the world but still, India is not availing the opportunity due to the lack of knowledge of most of the patients. People need to understand that infertility is a medical condition that can be treated with quality care. NIF was launched with a commitment to provide standardized and ethical infertility treatment, that will provide treatment according to the needs of individual patients.

Success rates:

It has a high success rate of 55% to 70% for women under the age of 35.

Services:

IMSI (intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), IUI, IVF, andrology services, vitrification, embryoscopy, and ERA (Endometrial Receptor Array).

2.Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, India:

The Assisted Reproduction & Genetics Clinic at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, India, has been operating since October 1990. It has helped over 9,000 couples from all over India and 50 different countries, leading to the birth of more than 13,000 babies. They use advanced technologies for genetic tests, including an automated Karyotyping Workstation for chromosome testing and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Additionally, the clinic has high-level equipment for molecular genetic testing like the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and tests for Prenatal, Postnatal, and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).

Success rates:

Jaslok Hospital has a high success rate of 45% to 65%.

Services:

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Micromanipulation (ICSI), IUI, Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH), Semen and Embryo Cryopreservation, functional Andrology, Laboratory for diagnostic and therapeutic tests, PCR, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).

3.Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India:

Apollo Hospitals in Delhi is known for having one of the best IVF centers. They have a highly advanced Assisted Reproduction Unit, also known as the IVF Lab, with the latest technology. The hospital is equipped with skilled fertility specialists, experienced embryologists, and the latest diagnostic and laboratory services. They provide the best advice on treatment options and help patients choose what suits them best. So, before the infertility treatment at Apollo Hospitals, they recommend a thorough examination and investigations. This helps them provide the patients with better advice on treatment options and assists them in deciding the most suitable treatment for the specific situation.

Success Rates:

The success rates are high and range from 50% to 68%.

Services:

Ovulation induction, ovarian stimulation, lab services, Own Semen Bank, Cryopreservation services, IVF IUI, ICSI, Andrology, Preimplantation Genetic Testing, Vitrification, IUI, Fertility Testing, Endometriosis, Laparoscopy.

4.Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, India:

The Fortis Bloom IVF Centre is one of the top IVF hospitals in India. They have a special team that focuses on helping couples dealing with unexplained infertility, endometriosis, and unsuccessful IUI attempts. With their extensive experience and skilled clinicians, they specialize in treating individuals who have faced multiple failed cycles. The team is committed to using advanced medical protocols and advanced technologies for the best outcomes. They are dedicated to helping families expand. The team's expert counseling and safe technology approach has led to successful results and increased satisfaction for many couples.

Success rates:

The success rates are 45% to 60% in Fortis Memorial Research Center.

Services:

IVF, Intrauterine insemination (IUI), surgeries, medications, advanced reproductive technologies, Cryopreservation, Ovarian Stimulation, Pre-implantation genetic Testing, Vitrification, Andrology, ICSI, Fertility Testing, Azoospermia, Endometriosis, Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, India is the best option for advanced IVF treatments, with high-quality facilities of hospitals and skilled practitioners. The top IVF hospitals in India show a commitment to excellence in reproductive healthcare. These institutions offer personalized and advanced fertility solutions. These centers have success rates ranging from 45% to 70%. The cost of IVF in India is also another reason for its popularity.

(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: Lal Krishna Advani, commonly known as L.K. Advani, was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, British India (now in Pakistan). His family belonged to the Saraswat Brahmin community, and he grew up in a traditional and culturally rich environment. His father, Kishinchand Advani, was a well-respected businessman.

Early Life and Education:

Advani's early education took place in Karachi, where he developed an interest in politics and social issues. He was deeply influenced by leaders like Sardar Patel and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who played significant roles in the freedom struggle.

Entry into Politics:

L.K. Advani's entry into active politics began during his college days. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1942, laying the foundation for his association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the future. He participated in various social and political movements, shaping his ideology and commitment to the nationalist cause.

Rise in Politics:

Advani's political career gained momentum when he became a member of the Janata Party, which came to power after the Emergency in 1977. He held important positions, including Information and Broadcasting Minister. However, ideological differences within the party led to the formation of the BJP in 1980, where Advani emerged as a key leader.

The Rath Yatra and Ayodhya Movement:

One of the defining moments in Advani's political career was the Rath Yatra (chariot journey) in 1990, during which he campaigned for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. This movement significantly contributed to the BJP's rise and the eventual demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister:

Advani served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004 and as the Home Minister from 1998 to 2004. His tenure witnessed key initiatives in national security and internal affairs.

Controversies and Criticisms:

While Advani is praised for his contributions to Indian politics, he has also faced criticism, particularly related to the Babri Masjid demolition and the Gujarat riots in 2002. These incidents sparked debates on secularism and communal harmony in India.

Later Years and Legacy:

In the later years of his political career, Advani played a crucial role in mentoring younger leaders within the BJP. Despite his significant contributions, he faced marginalization within the party in the 2010s.

As a key figure in the growth of the BJP, he left an indelible mark on India's political landscape. His legacy continues to influence the party's ideology and policies, shaping the trajectory of Indian politics.
The Origins of Search Sprout:

Founded with a vision to deliver top-notch SEO services tailored to businesses' unique needs, Search Sprout is the brainchild of an experienced SEO professional. This individual, Ganesh Jalla, recognized the crucial role SEO plays in determining a brand's visibility and success in the digital realm.

The Search Sprout Distinction:

Setting itself apart, Search Sprout is unwavering in its commitment to delivering results through data-driven strategies and ethical SEO practices. The company boasts a team of skilled professionals who stay updated on the latest trends in search engine algorithms, ensuring clients receive cutting-edge solutions aligned with industry best practices.

Specializing in a range of SEO services, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation, Search Sprout adopts a holistic approach. It recognizes that a successful SEO strategy requires technical prowess, content excellence, and a deep understanding of user behavior.

Expert Leadership:

Ganesh Jalla, an SEO Expert, leads Search Sprout with strategic insights that have played a crucial role in the company's success. His hands-on approach and commitment to staying at the forefront of the digital marketing landscape have enabled Search Sprout to navigate the complexities of SEO effectively.

A Client-Centric Approach:

Search Sprout takes pride in its client-centric approach, tailoring each SEO strategy to meet the unique goals and challenges of its clients. The company collaborates closely with businesses to understand their objectives, target audience, and industry dynamics, ensuring that SEO solutions align seamlessly with overall marketing strategies.

Future Directions:

As the digital landscape evolves, Search Sprout remains dedicated to staying ahead of the curve. SEO agency in Mumbai is committed to expanding its suite of services, incorporating emerging technologies, and adapting to evolving search engine algorithms. Search Sprout envisions itself not just as a service provider but as a partner in the digital success journey of its clients.

Search Sprout stands as a beacon of excellence in the digital marketing sphere, offering specialized SEO services to businesses. With a commitment to innovation, ethical practices, and client success, Search Sprout continues to cultivate a thriving online presence for businesses, helping them blossom in the competitive digital landscape.

(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.)
Washington: The U.S. military launched airstrikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops.

The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the U.S., are the first in a multi-tiered response by President Joe Biden's administration to the attack by Iran-backed militants, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days.

While the U.S. strikes did not target sites inside Iran, they signal a further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East from Israel's more than three-month-old war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.

The U.S. military said in a statement that the strikes hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities.

U.S forces hit more than 85 targets spanning seven locations, four in Syria and three in Iraq, said the military.

The strikes targeted the Quds Force - the foreign espionage and paramilitary arm of the IRGC that heavily influences its allied militia across the Middle East, from Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen to Syria.

U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said the attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry, though it was not clear if any militants were killed.

But Sims added that the strikes were taken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities.

He added that the weather was a key factor in the timing of the operation.

Syrian state media said on Friday that an "American aggression" on sites in its desert areas and at the Syrian-Iraqi border resulted in a number of casualties and injuries.

The Iraqi military said the strikes were in the Iraqi border area and warned they could ignite instability in the region.

"These airstrikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences," Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasool said in a statement.

MORE TO COME

Last weekend's Jordan attack was the first deadly strike against U.S. troops since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.

The United States has assessed that the drone that killed the three soldiers and wounded more than 40 other people was made by Iran, U.S. officials have told Reuters.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Biden said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, Biden and Pentagon leaders had attended the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as the remains of the three soldiers were returned.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Biden had directed additional action against the IRGC and those linked to it.

"This is the start of our response," Austin said.

But the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on Biden to deal a blow directly.

"We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces," Austin said.

The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, criticized Biden for failing to impose a high enough cost on Iran, and taking too long to respond.

"The Biden administration spent nearly a week foolishly telegraphing U.S. intentions to our adversaries, giving them time to relocate and hide," Wicker said.

Before the retaliatory strikes on Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran would not start a war but would "respond strongly" to anyone who tried to bully it.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the Biden administration had not communicated with Iran since the Jordan attack.

Iranian advisers assist armed groups in both Iraq, where the U.S. has around 2,500 troops, and Syria, where it has 900.

U.S. troops have been attacked over 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since the Hamas rampage in Israel that sparked the conflict on Oct. 7. In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has bombarded the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, leaving Palestinians in Gaza with few places to escape to.

Houthi fighters in Yemen have been firing drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea, which they say is intended to support Palestinians against Israel.

Baghdad and Washington, meanwhile, have agreed to set up a committee to start talks on the future of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq, with the aim of setting a timetable for a phased withdrawal of troops and the end of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State.

Kirby said the Iraqi government was notified about Friday's strikes ahead of time.

Iraq's shadowy Kataib Hezbollah, which is blamed by the U.S. for the Jordan attack, said on Tuesday it would pause attacks on U.S. forces.

But another Iran-backed Iraqi group, Nujaba, said it would continue launching attacks on U.S. forces in the region until the Gaza war ends and U.S. forces exit Iraq.
In a bizarre incident, a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA in Maharashtra opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction leader and MLA Mahesh Gaikwad at the Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra last night. In a CCTV footage, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad can be seen firing at Mahesh Gaikwad and his supporters who were injured in the incident. Since last year, both Gaikwads have been in a tug of war over the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly's candidature. Both leave no opportunity to target each other, and the firing incident has been suspected to be out of enmity between the two.

Shiv Sena MLA Mahesh Gaikwad has been badly injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Thane's Jupiter Hospital. "Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway," said Sudhakar Pathare, DCP.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey took on the '3-engine government' and said that "This firing has taken place inside the police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, and the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is unfortunate that an MLA who needs to work for the welfare of lakhs of people is shooting people. In the 3-engine government, leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other."

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called for Chief Minister Ekhnath Shinde's resignation. "Ganpat Gaikwad is an MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has been the MLA for the last three times. The question is not on welfare but on the capability of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The firing incident took place in the hometown of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the MLA openly says that Shinde forced him to shoot. The Chief Minister should resign," Raut said.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Premier Miton Group 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 52% ownership

Using data from analyst forecasts alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

If you want to know who really controls Premier Miton Group plc (LON:PMI), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 60% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Premier Miton Group.

Check out our latest analysis for Premier Miton Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Premier Miton Group?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Premier Miton Group does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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 Premier Miton Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Story continues

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Premier Miton Group. Our data shows that Octopus Investments Limited is the largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. With 8.1% and 6.9% of the shares outstanding respectively, Slater Investments Limited and Fidelity International Ltd are the second and third largest shareholders. Furthermore, CEO Michael O'Shea is the owner of 2.7% of the company's shares.

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.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Premier Miton Group

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

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.

We can see that insiders own shares in Premier Miton Group plc. It has a market capitalization of just UK96m, and insiders have UK2.8m worth of shares, in their own names. This shows at least some alignment, but we usually like to see larger insider holdings. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 13% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. 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.

Private Equity Ownership

Private equity firms hold a 12% stake in Premier Miton Group. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 7.2%, of the company's shares. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks for example - Premier Miton Group has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is concerning) we think you should know about.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Rahul Gandhi, who is in Jharkhand for his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, today faced a 'Modi-Modi' chant when he went to visit Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar. The video of the moment has gone viral on social media. While the Congress claimed it a ploy of the BJP, Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey said that the people of Deoghar showed Rahul Gandhi his true face.

Watch The Video Here

Taking to social media, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP aims to snatch away the lands and resources of the tribals and give them to its 'corporate friends'. Taking to the social media platform, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress is committed that the tribal communities should prosper and their cultural heritage should be protected.

                     ,         pic.twitter.com/mWrC5sYsAA  Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) February 3, 2024

"Today in India, the rights of tribals are being weakened as a part of a conspiracy. At Modi's instigation, his 'media friend' openly insults the tribals and his 'corporate friend' loots their resources. Congress made laws like forest rights for tribals, brought tribal bills, and took steps towards implementing Sarna Dharma Code. But BJP does not allow any law to be implemented to protect the interests of the tribals, because their aim is to snatch away the lands and other resources of the tribals and give them to their corporate friends. On the great land of Jharkhand, Lord Birsa Munda fought against the British and protected the rights of the tribals. Today's British "Modani" want the tribals not to have any right to their own water, forests and land. Congress is committed that the tribal communities should prosper and their cultural heritage should be protected," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.

Rahul Gandhi, after resuming the ongoing Jharkhand leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, from Sarkanda Chowk here, said that the Congress' fight is against the hatred and fear present in the hearts of BJP people. "BJP is spreading hate. We had undertaken a 4000 km Bharat Jodo Yatra against this hatred and violence. And the slogan--Nafrat Ke Bazaar Me Mohabbat Ki Dukkan-- was given. No matter how much hatred they (BJP) spread, no matter how much violence they spread, the Congress and its allies will open shops of love all over India. Because you know, our fight is against the hatred and fear present in the hearts of BJP people," he said.

The Congress leader said that injustice is being done against the poor including youth, women, and farmers in the entire country.

The Nyay Yatra, which entered Jharkhand on Friday, is scheduled to cover various places in the state on Saturday. The Yatra will pause in Khirdhana. Rahul is also scheduled to visit Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar later in the day. The Yatra, which flagged off from Imphal on January 14, will span a distance of 6,200 kilometres in the 66-day-long journey, passing through Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat before finally concluding in Maharashtra.
New Delhi: Excitement is building among Apple fans as rumors suggest the tech giant might unveil a foldable device in 2026 or 2027. The prospect of a foldable iPhone or iPad has long been awaited with only patent sketches offering a peek into Apple's progress. As we eagerly anticipate more details the possibility of Apple entering the foldable device arena adds a new and intriguing chapter to the world of consumer electronics.

Information from the Korean website The Elec, as relayed by MacRumors suggests that Apple's first foldable device is anticipated to feature a display size ranging from 7 to 8 inches. This positioning directly competes with the 7.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, indicating Apple's entry as a strong competitor in the continuously evolving foldable smartphone market. (Also Read: Apple Declares Final MacBook Featuring Disc Drive As 'Obsolete')

Experts in the field predict that Apple's foldable device will likely feature a book-style design which is similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series rather than adopting the flip phone design seen in smaller devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. (Also Read: ChatGPT-Like AI Features Coming To iPhones Soon, Anticipated In iOS 18: Apple CEO)

One interesting element of this information is the ambiguity regarding whether the device will materialize as a foldable iPhone or a foldable iPad. The Elec suggests the potential of it replacing the iPad mini line. However, there are simultaneous rumors about Apple working on an iPad mini with an OLED screen, creating uncertainty about the company's strategic direction.

The uncertainty also applies to the selection of display suppliers. The report discloses that both Samsung Display and LG Display have been providing Apple with samples of 7-inch and 8-inch screens since the previous year. Samsung Display is anticipated to be the main supplier, drawing on its experience in producing screens for the successful Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip product lines.

While speculation hints at a device rivaling Samsung's offerings, the lack of concrete details and the ongoing ambiguity surrounding whether it will be a foldable iPhone or iPad leaves room for curiosity.
New Delhi: In a recent quarterly earnings call, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, officially announced the ongoing development of generative AI features within the company's software. Cook revealed that these innovative AI-powered features are expected to reach consumers later this year.

Anticipation For iOS 18 Update

Cook's statement aligns with industry insights, including those from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, suggesting that iOS 18 could be the most significant update in the history of Apple's operating system. The anticipated unveiling of iOS 18 is slated for the WWDC event in the summer. (Also Read: Amazon Introduces AI-Powered Rufus To Assist Online Shoppers: Here's How To Use It)

Strategic Investment In AI Technology

During the earnings call, Cook emphasized Apple's commitment to investing in technologies that shape the future, particularly artificial intelligence. He expressed excitement about sharing detailed information on their ongoing work in the AI space later this year. (Also Read: Google's Bard Chatbot Introduces AI Image Generation For Free)

Cook highlighted the "huge opportunity" Apple sees in generative AI but refrained from providing specific details at this stage. The company is positioning itself to leverage the potential of generative AI, aligning with the advancements made by rivals like Google and Samsung.

Integration Into Key Apps

While the exact integration of generative AI into iOS, iPadOS, or macOS remains unclear, reports suggest it could be featured prominently in key applications like Messages, Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Siri.

Pressure To Compete In AI Landscape

Apple's announcement comes at a time when competitors like Google and Samsung have already implemented a range of generative AI-powered features in their latest flagship devices. The increasing emphasis on AI as a selling point for smartphones is urging Apple to match its rivals' offerings.
New Delhi: Google Maps is set to undergo a significant upgrade with the integration of generative AI aiming to enhance user experiences. Through this new feature, the tech giant plans to revolutionize how users discover places, receive recommendations, and interact with the app.

The addition of large language models and personalized suggestions marks a notable shift in the capabilities of Google Maps offering a glimpse into the future of AI-driven navigation and exploration.

According to a blog post from Google, Maps will utilize large language models (LLM) to examine over 250 million locations and input from more than 300 million Local Guides. This will enable the app to provide suggestions tailored to user preferences by considering details from nearby businesses, including photos, reviews, and ratings. (Also Read: Apple Gears Up For Foldable Future: Report Indicates Entry Into Foldable Device Market by 2027)

Users can also pose additional questions, such as 'How about lunch?', to receive recommendations for places that align with their previous inquiries. Subsequently, they will have the option to include the suggested place in a list or share it with friends. (Also Read: Apple Declares Final MacBook Featuring Disc Drive As 'Obsolete')

As mentioned by Tech giant, users can inquire with Maps about activities suitable for a rainy day. In response, the app will provide suggestions for indoor activities, such as comedy shows or movie theaters in the nearby area, along with reviews from individuals who have already rated those places.

The initial functionality supported by generative AI will only be accessible to a small group of Local Guides located in the United States. However, Google has not provided details about when it will become available for individuals residing in other countries.

Although the differences between the new search results and traditional queries are not clear yet, it's likely that the company will use generative AI to provide conversational Bard-style responses instead of presenting a list of places or activities. While currently available to a limited audience, the potential for this innovative feature to expand globally hints at an exciting future for navigation technology.
Ram Mandir pran pratistha ceremony was celebrated across the world. Not only people but even many foreign heads of government across the world congratulated India on the occasion. However, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) provided negative coverage of the event sidelining the fact that the temple was built after the Supreme Court order and also the historical fact that once a Hindu temple stood at the site before it was demolished to build a mosque. Conservative MP for Harrow East Bob Blackman who belongs to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's party, urged the British Parliament to discuss the matter.

"Last week in Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, in India the Ram Mandir was consecrated. That caused great joy to Hindus across the world, being the birthplace of Lord Ram. Very sadly, the BBC in their coverage reported that it was the site of the destruction of a mosque, forgetting the fact that it had been a temple for more than 2,000 years before that and that the Muslims had been allocated a five-acre site to erect a mosque adjacent to town," he said demanding a debate on the impartiality of the BBC and its failure to provide a decent record of what is going across the world.

Constituents have raised concerns surrounding the BBC's biased reporting of the #RamMandir temple.

As an avid supporter of the rights of Hindus, this article has caused great disharmony.

The BBC must be able to provide a decent record of what is going across the world. pic.twitter.com/htSzyey2u4  Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) February 2, 2024

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has proudly flaunted his Hindu identity. Ram temple consecration ceremony was held on January 22 and the ceremony was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The inauguration of the temple marked the end of a 500-year-long dispute between the two sides.
Bank, Piggy Bank

The U.S. regional banking sector is back in the news for the wrong reasons, raising new questions about where or if ETFs such as the iShares Regional Banks ETF (IAT) and the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) belong in investor portfolios.

Owning regional banks requires an abnormally high desire for pain, said Yang Tang, co-founder of ETF issuer Arch Indices.

Commenting on the unfolding problems at New York Community Bancorp, which this week lost nearly half its market value after marking down its commercial real estate portfolio, Tang said regional bank investors have to hate themselves.

While analysts are not yet making a direct comparison between NYCB and the regional bank failures last March involving Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic and Signature Bank, NYCB is dealing with a similar assets-to-liabilities imbalance.

Part of the reason NYCB is having issues is they bought a large portion of Signatures assets, and maybe they bit off more than they can chew and are now getting indigestion, said Nick Codola, senior portfolio manager at investment management firm Brinker Capital Investments.

Were in a very volatile period for regional banks, but I wouldnt say this is the tip of the iceberg, he added.

Regional Bank ETFs Face Headwinds

The fact that NYCB shares bounced back to gain about 8% in mid-day trading Friday suggests the shares were oversold earlier in the week, Codola said.

The initial selloff of NYCB stock, which drove the price down more than 37% on Wednesday, was triggered by the bank announcing a dividend cut to five cents per share from 17 cents to improve the assets-to-liability ratio.

Maybe people are digesting the news and realizing things arent quite as dour as they thought, Codola said.

Regional bank ETFs KRE and IAT have also been bouncing around on the unfolding NYCB story. KRE is down more than 8% since Wednesday, and IAT is down more than 6%.

The news sent KRE down around 9% over two days, but the ETF remains far above its lows from last year during the height of the regional banking crisis, said Sumit Roy, senior ETF analyst at etf.com.

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Time will tell whether the commercial real estate issues that caused NYCB to plunge are isolated to the bank or whether they are a canary in the coal mine for the broader industry, he added.

Brinker Capitals Codola said the issues facing NYCB, which is heavily exposed to the struggling New York commercial real estate market, are not representative of regional bank balance sheets across the country.

Regional banks is a space where you have to be very selective in certain areas, he said. I wouldnt go out and buy an index of regional banks.

Alexander Yokum, senior equity analyst at investment research group CFRA, is also careful not to lump last years bank failures in with whats facing NYCB.

Last year it was all about underwater securities portfolios, low yielding fixed-rate loans and deposit outflows, he said.

NYCB, which completed two acquisitions over the past year and was hitting the crucial $100 billion-assets threshold, suffered from growing too fast.

Banking is a different industry, and fast growth is not always a positive thing, Yokum said. I think NYCB faces a decently tough road because they will have to reduce their balance sheet and it will be a pretty challenging year.

Arch Indices Tang, meanwhile, is not convinced the problems with NYCB will end here.

NYCB management is claiming there is only one bad loan, but if they found one massive weakness in one loan, how do we know there are no more bad loans? he said. I dont think NYCB will be around by the end of the year, and this will spread.

Contact Jeff Benjamin at Jeff.Benjamin@etf.com and find him on X at @BenjiWriter





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
When it comes to women ascending to top jobs of major companies across Michigan, the jury is out as to how much progress has been made the past two decades.

Inforum, the statewide business organization, just released its latest Michigan Women's Leadership Report, which it issues every two years with an assist from the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. It has done so the past 20 years.

In it, Inforum examines information from the largest publicly traded companies in Michigan to get a gauge of how far women in the workplace have progressed. Of the 83 companies examined, six were led by female CEOs in 2023, which was up from just two 20 years ago.

Progress, to be sure. But cmon. Six out of 83? Women make up over half of the workforce but just six hold the top jobs at Michigan's largest publicly traded companies today? By the way, the firms with a female CEO are General Motors, La-Z-Boy, MillerKnoll, Steelcase, Jackson Financial and Amesite.

Having a female CEO appears to bode well for board representation, too, as those firms had a board makeup that was at least 40% women, Terry Barclay, president and CEO of Inforum, told me.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra speaks to a crowd of journalists during a fireside chat with APA president Mike Wayland at the Gem Theatre in Detroit on Monday, December 4, 2023.

In the latest report, women held 26% of all director seats at Michigan public companies (though women of color only held a disappointing 4% of those seats). Twenty years ago in its inaugural report, Inforum found 9.6% of all board seats at Michigans public companies were held by women.

The Inforum report found another disconcerting trend: The pace of firms selecting women for top jobs along the way slowed in 2023, i.e. just 28 new women directors named versus 47 in 2021.

We're wondering if we're seeing a slowing of the addition of women, Barclay said.

Terry Barclay of Inforum

I posed a few questions to Barclay, who has been at the helm of the organization since 2001. Answers are edited for space and clarity.

Question: Whats the headline from your latest survey?

Answer: We titled our report, Is Diversity Peaking? We dont have a definitive answer for that question but there is some evidence that corporate focus on gender and racial diversity may be being superseded by other priorities, including the economy and geopolitical risks.

Story continues

Q: What surprised you most out of the data?

A: Its not specific to this report but when we published the first report 20 years ago, we thought we would be closer to parity at senior executive levels than we are today. Even so, we see many, many companies with strategic efforts to leverage the entire talent pool.

Q: Mary Barra has led GM through challenging and interesting times. The companys UAW members are no doubt applauding as it was announced they will get profit-sharing bonuses up to $12,500. Youve watched her in action (she appeared at Inforums 50th anniversary event in 2012 before she was named CEO). Your thoughts about her leadership?

A: Mary is a trailblazing CEO for women who has demonstrated over time that being a successful CEO is tied to expertise, acumen and leadership skills that can be developed by men or women. Shes an enormously talented and strategic person who would have been successful in multiple industries. But as we think about her career, we remember that she had male allies at pivotal points in her career, as rising men typically do and women often dont, who helped her rise within the company. If that hadnt happened, her leadership could have been lost.

Q: Are women at a place you might have thought theyd be 20 years ago?

A: The outlook is brighter for women than it was two decades ago but there is still ground to be gained, especially for women of color.

Of course, I had hoped that we would be closer to parity in senior corporate management than we are today but I am encouraged on a day-to-day basis by the efforts of the120-plus companies we work with that support our vision of a culture that embraces women  as well as men  leading and succeeding.

Q: Anything else to mention?

A: Focusing on numbers is an objective way to measure progress but it, too often, is interpreted as pressure to hit a number for a numbers sake. Our mission is centered around helping women to lead and succeed. But our philosophy always has been that companies create the conditions to be more successful when they consider the entire talent pool. Thats why our work encompasses strategic networks and learning for individual women and customized leadership development programming that can be deployed throughout companies.

More: GM CEO Mary Barra's rare, behind-the-scenes interview: Who she relies on in 'lonely job'

More: A few questions with Jackie Kallen: The 'first lady of boxing'

More: Business titan Roger Penske: Detroit poised to host more big events

Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of Michigan Matters, which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. It can also be found on those stations listings on FUBO, Pluto TV, Youtube.com. It is also streamed 8 p.m. weeknights on CBSdetroit.com and the CBSdetroit app. See U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Nasser Beydoun, Susy Avery, John Stewart and Terry Barclay on this Sundays show.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Inforum report shows few women leading Michigan corporations
Elon Musk's bid to transfer Tesla's incorporation could give him more voting power on the automaker's board. Leon Neal/Getty Images

Tesla's board is at a crossroads after a hefty pay plan for Elon Musk was rejected, analysts said.

After the Delaware ruling, Musk announced a shareholder vote to move Tesla's incorporation to Texas.

A new package for Musk could include more voting control and AI initiatives under Tesla.

Tesla's board has its work cut out for it following a judge's surprise ruling against Elon Musk's massive payday, analysts said.

Wedbush Securities, a financial-advisory firm, released a report on Friday calling the decision "an absolute shocker."



"It now creates a tornado situation for Tesla's Board in the next move, with the Street closely watching this poker move and potential statement," the report said.

The report added that Tesla had not yet made an official statement and that the precise ripple effects remained to be seen.

The ruling found that Musk's $55 billion compensation package was "beyond the bounds of reasonable judgment." The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, a Tesla shareholder who argued that Musk had unduly influenced the pay plan through his close personal relationships with board members.

"Put simply, neither the Compensation Committee nor the Board acted in the best interests of the Company when negotiating Musk's compensation plan," Judge Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery wrote. "In fact, there is barely any evidence of negotiations at all."

Investors had widely expected the lawsuit to be thrown out, Wedbush said.

In response, Musk has said he'll push to transfer the incorporation of Tesla from Delaware, where the court ruling occurred, to Texas.

"Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware," Musk wrote on X shortly after the ruling was announced.

That decision is set to be put to a shareholder vote in May.

"Musk is Tesla and Tesla is Musk," Dan Ives, a managing director at Wedbush, told Business Insider.

Story continues

Ives said that if the company left Delaware, it would have "no more headaches" and the flexibility to pursue a new compensation plan. That plan, he said, would likely bring Musk's voting control to 25%, which the billionaire discussed earlier this month.

That level of control would incentivize Musk to pursue his artificial-intelligence initiatives at Tesla. Otherwise, Musk has said he would feel "uncomfortable" pursuing further AI and robotics work at Tesla.

However, there's concern that Musk's efforts will face resistance from activist investors. Some Tesla shareholders might not be so keen to grant Musk that level of control, Reuters reported.

Ives, in an interview on CNBC's "Closing Bell" last week, said that while his short-term optimism for the electric-vehicle maker had been "dead wrong," his firm remained "firmly bullish" on Tesla's long-term prospects.

"I view this more as an evolution into the next phase, with AI and a mass-market vehicle, sub-$30,000," Ives said, referring to the company.

In reference to the courts, Wedbush said the "mantra" for Musk and Tesla's board going into May's shareholder meeting would be: "They started it and we will finish it."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Truist is selling Sterling Capital Management, which had $76 billion of assets under management at the end of December. The buyer, Guardian Capital Group, said that Sterling Capital will operate as a standalone entity and continue to be led by its current management team. Credit: Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg

Truist Financial intends to sell an asset-management subsidiary, marking the latest step in the superregional bank's effort to realign and simplify its operations.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Truist confirmed Friday that it has reached an agreement to sell Sterling Capital Management to Guardian Capital Group in Toronto for $70 million, plus future payout incentives.

The deal's announcement came one day after a media report that Truist was close to offloading its larger insurance brokerage business . The sale of Truist Insurance Holdings has long been rumored.

Sterling Capital, which had $76 billion of assets under management at the end of December, will operate as a standalone entity and continue to be led by its current management team, Guardian said in a press release. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.

"This path forward is a win-win-win for Sterling Capital, Guardian, and Truist," Sterling Capital CEO Scott Haenni said in the release.

"It allows Sterling Capital to grow as an independently-managed investment management firm poised for continued long-term growth under Guardian's strategic oversight," Haenni said. He added that Sterling Capital will "partner with Truist on shared relationships and opportunities."

Truist has been in reorganization mode for several months as it seeks to become a simpler, more profitable company .

As part of a $750 million cost-cutting program announced last fall , the company has reduced its workforce by 4%, consolidated several business lines and created a single enterprise-wide payments group. It has also shrunk the size of its board of directors and expanded its executive management team , and it plans to close 4% of its branches in March .

Truist is also remixing its balance sheet. Last summer, it sold a $5 billion student loan portfolio .

In response to a request for comment about the sale of Sterling Capital, which Truist inherited from predecessor BB&T Corp., a Truist spokesperson said in an email Friday that the company "regularly assesses opportunities  and makes adjustments to [its] business in order to invest in areas of growth."

Story continues

Sterling Capital was founded in 1970 as Nisbet and renamed Sterling Capital Management in 2001, according to its website. BB&T, which merged with SunTrust Banks in 2019 to form Truist, acquired a majority equity ownership stake in 2005, the website said.

Questions still linger about if and when the $540 billion-asset Truist will sell all or part of its 80% stake in Truist Insurance Holdings.

On Thursday, the industry publication Insurance Insider reported that Truist was nearing a deal to sell the unit to Stone Point Capital, a private equity firm in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Clayton Dubilier & Rice, a private investment firm in New York City.

Stone Point acquired 20% of Truist's insurance business in the spring of 2023  one of several deals last year where banks offloaded their insurance units amid skyrocketing insurance valuations and banks' need to shrink their balance sheets.

A Truist spokesperson declined Friday to comment on the report that the company is nearing the sale of its insurance brokerage unit.

One analyst noted Friday that the sale of Sterling Capital is much smaller than a potential sale of Truist Insurance Holdings.

"Today's transaction seems a bit like a sideshow in comparison to that transaction, which could reportedly be valued around $15 billion," Scott Siefers, an analyst at Piper Sandler, wrote in a research note.

Truist executives have said several times that the company's 80% stake in Truist Insurance Holdings offers flexibility to generate more capital.

During the company's fourth-quarter earnings call last month, CEO Bill Rogers said: "We've said clearly that we're always evaluating alternatives, and we're going to do the best thing for the insurance business and the best thing for Truist going forward.

"As it relates to any specific timing  I don't think I should really comment," he added.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS  Ocean Spray workers voted to not form a union this week.

The workers at the Wisconsin Rapids facility voted Thursday and Friday whether they would join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 965. Ultimately, the workers voted against unionizing by a vote of 41 in favor and 50 against, according to a release from IBEW.

Dillon Gorman, the business manager of IBEW 965, said the union respects the decision made by the Ocean Spray employees.

Its essential to recognize the courage and engagement shown by all the workers throughout this process, he said. Exercising their voice in such a critical matter is a cornerstone of our democratic principles.

Gorman said the union remains dedicated to advocating for fair labor practices and will continue to support all workers in future endeavors.

A spokesperson for Ocean Spray confirmed the vote against union representation.

We deeply appreciate the care and consideration each person put into making an informed decision and casting their ballot, the spokesperson said.

The two-day vote came after members from the local IBEW chapter rallied Jan. 24 outside of the Ocean Spray plant on Industrial Street, showing support for employees and offering information on the union and options and resources workers had available to them.

Development projects to watch in 2024: Noodles & Co., Kwik Trip, former Shopko property and more

More local news: Empty Bowls marks its 10th year in Wisconsin Rapids. Here's how you can enjoy a bowl of soup and help the community.

Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: The votes are in. Did Wisconsin Rapids Ocean Spray employees unionize?
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript February 2, 2024

W.W. Grainger, Inc. isnt one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).

Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the W.W. Grainger Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]. I will now turn the conference over to Kyle Bland, Vice President of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin.

Kyle Bland: Good morning. Welcome to Grainger's Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Earnings Call. With me are D. G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO; and D. Merriwether, Senior Vice President and CFO. As a reminder, some of our comments today may include forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Additional information regarding factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is included in the company's most recent Form 8-K and periodic reports filed with the SEC. This morning's call will focus on our adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, which excludes the loss on the divestiture of our E&R Industrial sales subsidiary. We have also included a daily organic constant currency growth metric to normalize for the impact on revenue.

A portrait of an industrial worker wearing safety equipment, smiling while inspecting a piece of equipment.

Definitions and full reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures with their corresponding GAAP measures are found in the tables at the end of this presentation and in our earnings release, both of which are available on our IR website. We will also share results related to MonotaRo. Please remember that MonotaRO was a public company and followed Japanese GAAP, which differs from U.S. GAAP, and as reported in our results one month in arrears. As a result, the numbers disclosed will differ from Monotaro's public statements. Now I'll turn it over to D.G.

Donald Macpherson: Thanks, Kyle. Good morning, and thanks for joining the call. In 2023, the Grainger team continued to drive our strategy forward. by remaining focused on what matters most, providing our customers with a great experience and exceptional service. The customers we serve play a vital role in keeping their businesses and institutions running and everything we do is focused on making their jobs easier. We made meaningful progress this year in building new capabilities in both segments to help our customers and team members support the work they do. We've done this by investing in technology, our supply chain network and our High-Touch growth engines to ensure we can provide the best experience as possible. As a result of this focus, we delivered record sales and earnings for the year.

Story continues

I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made and want to take a few minutes to highlight some of this progress in more detail. The Grainger High-Touch solutions model has undergone a digital transformation over the past several years with strategic investments in our infrastructure, talent and the development of custom capabilities to support our customers. We have built key technology infrastructure capabilities focused on 2 main domains that affect customer experience: one, knowing our products better than anyone else and 2 knowing our customers better than anyone else. These endeavors include the development of homegrown software assets around product information management, or PIM and Customer Information Management or CIM, which allow us to store, codify and scale our data assets.

See also 35 Smartest Countries with the Highest IQ in the World and 15 Highest Quality Bluetooth Speakers for 2024.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta declared its first dividend and another $50 billion in approved buybacks.

The social-media giant may just be a cash cow, but it risks signaling its growth is slowing.

Warren Buffett has flagged the downsides to paying a dividend, and railed against bad buybacks.

Meta announced its first dividend and another $50 billion of authorized stock buybacks in its fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday. The social-media giant is clearly eager to reward its shareholders, but its latest moves could divide investors.

Combining a quarterly dividend with ongoing share repurchases creates a more balanced and flexible capital-return program, Meta's finance chief, Susan Li, said on the call.

It also signals that the company is generating so much cash, and pursuing such a promising strategy, that it can afford to hand money to shareholders without compromising its future growth.

"The initiation of dividend payouts and the massive share buyback program serve as a clear indication that Meta is confident in the profitability of its metaverse and AI ventures," Nigel Green, the CEO of financial advisory DeVere Group, said in a note.

Metaverse dreams

However, paying a dividend can also signal a company has become staid and mature, and no longer intends to spend aggressively to disrupt markets or invent groundbreaking technologies, so it sees no better use for its spare cash than returning it to shareholders. Several of Meta's tech peers including Amazon, Alphabet, and Tesla don't pay a dividend.

Meta is investing heavily in new areas like the metaverse; it has poured upwards of $50 billion into its Reality Labs division since 2020, and shows no signs of stopping.

It's no slouch on the growth front either, given revenues surged 16% to $135 billion last year, and operating profits jumped 62% to $47 billion, even as it slashed headcount by 22% to about 67,000 employees.

The owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram also ended the year with a massive $65 billion in cash, stocks, and other relatively liquid assets. It might simply make so much money that it can fund all the growth ventures it wants, and still have plenty left over.

Story continues

Payouts vs long-term gains

Even so, not all investors are fans of dividends. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay one, as the legendary capital allocator believes he can put any spare profits to better use.

Buffett has also noted that dividends tend to be taxed at higher rates than capital gains, and he prefers to let his stockholders decide when to sell their shares and incur tax liabilities. Moreover, he wants to attract investors who are focused on long-term gains in Berkshire's value, not quarterly payouts.

As for buybacks, Buffett has repeatedly emphasized they're only worthwhile if a company's stock is trading at a discount to its intrinsic value.

Meta shares have more than tripled since the start of last year and now trade at record highs. Yet Zuckerberg and his team repurchased $20 billion of stock last year and have secured approval to buy back another $81 billion worth, suggesting they still believe it's undervalued.

True, Buffett has championed Apple's buybacks for raising Berkshire's stake in its biggest holding at no cost to the company. He also welcomes the hefty dividends that his company receives from Coca-Cola, Chevron, Kraft Heinz, and other portfolio holdings. But he's only a fan of those types of returns when they make financial sense.

Meta's new dividend and large-scale buybacks are intended to show it values its shareholders and wants to reward them. But investors may see them as a signal that the company's best days are behind it, and not the best use of money.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Undaunted by attacks on DEI  "diversity, equity and inclusion"  OKC-area Realtors are plunging forward with it to get their ranks aligned with the changing makeup of Oklahoma City.

Members of five boards of Realtors and four other real estate-related groups met recently for an event billed as "Celebrating Diversity Together." Realtors are state-licensed real estate agents who also are members of the trade group National Association of Realtors, which encourages state and local boards to form DEI committees.

Whether or not it's called "DEI," promoting diversity isn't new to OKC-area Realtors, who see it as a natural extension of their obligation to uphold fair housing laws prohibiting discrimination.

"We are very proud of the event and the initiatives that we are taking as organizations," said Adam Majorie, CEO of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors.

Other Realtor groups participating were the Edmond Board of Realtors, the Midwest City-Del City-Moore Association of Realtors, the Norman Board of Realtors and the Oklahoma Association of Realtors.

RELATED: Ryan Walters says diversity, equity, inclusion efforts are Marxist, calls for school spending reports

DEI programs not 'Marxist,' and actually are good for business, Oklahoma Realtors say

DEI, rather than "Marxist to its core" and better called "divide, exclude and indoctrinate," as state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has declared, efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion are smart business decisions, Majorie said.

Ironically, long-term improvements in DEI among Realtors, and in the companies they work with, mostly as independent contractors, could depend on schools, he said.

"It is incumbent upon Realtor organizations at all levels to ensure our membership represents and reflects the communities we serve," Majorie said. "There are two main paths. One, ensuring historically underrepresented demographics are exposed to the real estate profession at an earlier age; and two, charting a path where being a real estate professional is not a second or third career.

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"To change our membership demographics, we need to make real estate education available within our schools, particularly in high school. This will ultimately change the demographic makeup of our membership and licensees."

Oklahoma City is more diverse than ever, said Gary Jones, government affairs director for the Metro Association of Realtors, who emceed the diversity conference.

RELATED: Redlining continues in low minority Oklahoma home values. Should the appraisal process be changed?

OKC is more diverse than local, state and national Realtors

Realtors are state-licensed real estate agents who also are members of the trade group National Association of Realtors.

Jones said OKC is 58% white, 16% Hispanic, 14% Black, 5% Native American and 3% Asian American, with 2% reporting two or more races, or other.

To compare, national Realtor membership last year was 81% white  up from 77% in 2022  5% Black, 5% Asian/Pacific Islanders, 1% Native American and 3% other, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Membership in the Oklahoma Association of Realtors at the end of January was 90.8% white, 3.5% Hispanic, 2.5% Black and 1.6% Asian American, the state group says.

In the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors, membership is 87% white, 3% Black, 3% Hispanic, 2% Native American and 3% other, the local group says.

"New members tended to be more diverse than experienced members. Among those who had two years or less of experience, 41% were minorities which is up from 37% (in 2022)," the Realtors reported.

State and OKC Realtor demographics weren't immediately available, but Jones said there is work to be done for real estate business, especially residential, to "better reflect the community it serves."

Here are several real estate organizations working on DEI initiatives, in addition to the Realtors. Each participated in "Celebrating Diversity Together."

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, organized by and for Black Americans in real estate before Realtors accepted them as members, has been active in Oklahoma City for decades. Members are called "Realtists." The local chapter is the United Oklahoma Association of Realtists.

Mission: "to enhance the professional and business conditions of (Realtists) by strengthening the consumer capacity of Black, minority, and emerging target market segments that Realtists serve. And by promoting the real estate industry in general, utilizing economic, political, legal, and social leverage to remediate disparate and discriminatory housing and property ownership policies and practices prevailing in the United States."

Vision Statement: "The Realtist Association will foster the expansion of inter-generational wealth creation by Black households through promotion and retention of elevating levels of real property ownership investments sustained by (our) enduring commitment to preservation and fulfillment of the Realtist credo, 'Democracy in Housing.' 

Related: National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Oklahoma chapter is formed

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals has had an OKC chapter since 2017.

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals has had an OKC chapter since 2017.

The national group describes itself as "a purpose-driven organization that is propelled by a passionate combination of entrepreneurial spirit, cultural heritage and the advocacy of its members. Our mission is to advance sustainable Hispanic homeownership."

It does so by:

" Educating and empowering the real estate professionals who serve Hispanic homebuyers and sellers."

" Advocating for public policy that supports the trade associations mission."

"Facilitating relationships among industry stakeholders, real estate practitioners and other housing industry professionals."

The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance was founded in 2020.

The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is a relatively new organization, founded in 2020. Chuck Wells is 2024 president of the OKC chapter. He said about 4% of Oklahomans are LGBTQ+.

Mission: "Advocate. Elevate. Celebrate. Advocate for fair housing for all and promote LGBTQ+ homeownership. Elevate professionalism in the industry through education and networking. Celebrate diversity and inclusion in our members and allied partners."

Vision: "To create a world free of housing discrimination."

Oklahoma City does not yet have a chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America.

Oklahoma City does not yet have a chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America. However, Valorie J. Filippo, a member of the Edmond Board of Realtors, is working with other Realtors to form one. AREAA, founded in 2003, has 43 chapters across the United States.

Mission: "Dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a powerful national voice for housing and real estate professionals that serve this dynamic market."

Sign Up: Weekly newsletter Real Estate with Richard Mize

Realtors and others attend "Celebrating Diversity Together" Jan. 17 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Realtors double down on DEI amid political opposition
Today we're going to take a look at the well-established The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW). The company's stock led the NYSE gainers with a relatively large price hike in the past couple of weeks. The company is now trading at yearly-high levels following the recent surge in its share price. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stocks share price. However, could the stock still be trading at a relatively cheap price? Today we will analyse the most recent data on Sherwin-Williamss outlook and valuation to see if the opportunity still exists.

Check out our latest analysis for Sherwin-Williams

Is Sherwin-Williams Still Cheap?

The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to our valuation model. Its trading around 10.83% above our intrinsic value, which means if you buy Sherwin-Williams today, youd be paying a relatively fair price for it. And if you believe that the stock is really worth $279.70, theres only an insignificant downside when the price falls to its real value. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Sherwin-Williamss share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.

Can we expect growth from Sherwin-Williams?

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. With profit expected to grow by 33% over the next couple of years, the future seems bright for Sherwin-Williams. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation.

Story continues

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? SHWs optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at the stock? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value?

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on SHW, now may not be the most optimal time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for the company, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop.

Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. For example - Sherwin-Williams has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you are no longer interested in Sherwin-Williams, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

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.
UPDATED: 3:38 p.m., Feb. 3

The 20-year-old man who was rescued from his burning car after crashing into the Fremont Presbyterian Church on Nov. 19, 2023, has now been charged with three counts of alleged sexual assault of a minor by Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins.

According to filings in Dodge County Court, Jose G. Rodriguez, now 20, of Fremont, was charged on Jan. 5, with three different charges of suspicion of first degree sexual assault of a minor younger than 16-years-old, all Class II felonies; as well as three separate charges of suspicion of child abuse, a Class IIIA felony.

The new charges raise the number of criminal charges Rodriguez is facing in Dodge County Court to a total of 15 different allegations from three different investigations.

Fremont police officials alleged in their report that Rodriguez  at the time, 19-years-old  is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female who was not able to consent to the alleged acts on multiple occasions, including numerous alleged relations from Sept. 23 through Sept. 30, 2023; also reportedly on Oct. 12, 2023; and again allegedly on Oct. 18, 2023.

The Fremont Tribune does not identify alleged victims of such crimes, regardless of age.

Rodriguez has not entered a plea according court documents, and is next scheduled to appear in Dodge County Court at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, for a hearing.

The new charges against Rodriguez are the latest in a long list of allegations leveled against him in the weeks after he drove into the Fremont Presbyterian Church in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, became trapped in his burning car and was eventually rescued by good Samaritans in the neighborhood who heard the accident.

In a police report regarding the sexual assault allegations, it said police officials were contacted by the 14-year-old girls mother, who told police she was worried about her daughter and alleged the girl had been inappropriately acting out and sneaking out of the family home.

The girls mother said another family member was able to see the license plate of a car that the 14-year-old got into after sneaking out of the family home. The vehicle was allegedly operated by Rodriguez.

When confronted, the (14-year-old) alleged victim disclosed that she was sneaking out to be with (suspect) Jose G. Rodriguez, and had sexual intercourse with him, according to the mother, as detailed in the police report.

An abuse therapist specialist with the Child Advocacy agency conducted an interview with the 14-year-old alleged victim, who reportedly alleged in the interview that she had sexual intercourse with Rodriguez on multiple occasions, including in Rodriguezs home residence as well as inside his motor vehicle in public places. She also claimed Rodriguez allegedly helped her improperly leave campus and classes at Fremont High School to engage in the alleged sexual activities.

Fremont Police Detective Kelly Drake, who filed the police report, stated that she conducted a surveillance operation as part of the investigation, and while staking out the Fremont High School parking lot, she told court officials that she video-recorded the alleged victim and one of her friends getting out of Rodriguezs vehicle to return to school after skipping classes to allegedly engage in sexual intercourse with Rodriguez.

Drake also reported that her various attempts to interview witnesses to the alleged criminal actions were unsuccessful and an attorney for the witnesses told her that the witnesses would not speak with her for the investigation.

An attempt was made to speak with Jose (Rodriguez) but he was being investigated for several other incidents not related to this (alleged crime) and his attorney advised they would not talk to me, Drake wrote.

Nebraska state laws regarding consent for sexual activities with another person allow consensual sex acts between people age 18 to 12-years-old; however anyone age 19 or older cannot have consensual sex acts with a person age 15 or younger.

Rodriguez was granted a public defender  Kenneth Jacobs of Omaha  as his defense attorney by Dodge County Judge Thomas J. Klein; due to an apparent conflict of interest, for which no reason was given, the public defenders working for Dodge County were not able to represent Rodriguez.

Jacobs did not respond to a telephone call seeking comment about the new charges.

Court documents also state Rodriguez and his attorney were informed of possible enhanced penalties if he is convicted due his status as a non-citizen of the United States of America.

According to court papers filed in December by his attorney, Rodriguez has been confined to his personal residence with severe injuries, including broken bones that he suffered in the early morning accident on Nov. 19, 2023.

Rodriguez, who was 19 at the time of the church crash, faces the following charges in relation to the church accident:

Suspicion of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony; a Class II felony

Suspicion of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest; a Class IV felony

Suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon by a minor/prohibited person; a Class I misdemeanor

Suspicion of willful reckless driving, a Class III misdemeanor

Suspicion of carrying a concealed handgun under the influence of any alcohol or drug; a Class III misdemeanor

Suspicion of driving under the influence, first offense

Rodriguez was identified by Fremont Police officials on Nov. 20 as the driver of the vehicle that rammed the church the morning before.

Rodriguez is also facing charges related to a May 13, 2023, incident.

Rodriguez  who is reportedly a suspected gang member  is facing three different firearms-related charges stemming from an incident in May 2023, during which he was accused of being present during an alleged armed robbery committed by one of his acquaintances at the Fremont Mall.

During that incident, a third man was reportedly beaten in an alleged physical altercation that led Rodriguez and the armed robbery suspect to take the third man to Methodist Fremont Health hospital.

Rodriguez was arrested in relation to incident in mid-July 2023 and charged with suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm, a Class IIA felony; suspicion of possession of a defaced firearm, a Class III felony; and suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, a Class I misdemeanor.
The City of Fremont is working hard to address affordable housing access, and a new grant opportunity is now available to property owners renting to lower-income tenants in the city.

Angie Olson, grants coordinator for the City of Fremont, said the city received a $310,500 grant total from the Nebraska Affordable Trust Fund in August 2023, and the program allowing landlords and property owners to apply for the grants is now up and running.

Olson also said the grant program is part of the citys vigorous efforts to serve the affordable housing market, notably by providing funds to property owners who are renovating, upgrading or rehabilitating existing properties for renters.

I think it is a great opportunity, Olson said on Friday, Feb. 2. It is up and running and we are accepting applications now. Applying for this program and grant was a chance for the city to boost affordable housing.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the city council heard a report from housing analyst and consultant Amy Haase, who said that the city has a need for more than 1,300 new affordable housing units by 2035.

The presentation was required as part of the citys need to approve a state-mandated housing affordability action plan, which was approved that night in an 8-0 vote.

During the Dec. 12 meeting, Dam told the council that she and others had been working on the affordable housing plan for months, and that it was a requirement for every city in the state to have one approved and on file due to LB 866, which was passed in 2020.

Affordable housing is defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a persons gross monthly income, including all utilities and non-rent, non-mortgage expenses related to a home. Any person who pays more than 30% of their gross monthly income for housing costs is considered to be cost-burdened.

According to the report, an estimated 38% of Fremont residents are classified as cost-burdened when it comes to housing expenses

In a press release sent on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Olson stated that the grant funds cover single family units but does not cover multi-units.

Per state requirements, rental housing units located within a special flood hazard area will not be eligible for assistance. A 50% match is mandatory, and the maximum award is $40,000 per rehab project, officials stated in the press release.

The grant requirements include several mandatory policies and protocols for the properties, including:

The properties renovated must be rented to tenant households at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Dodge County per the standards established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Rent limits are another requirement and cannot exceed 65% of HUD Home rent limits for Dodge County.

Tenant income and rent limits must remain in compliance with this guideline for the duration of a 10-year affordability period to participate in the program.

For property owners who have homes or rental units with lead-based paint, the state and federal regulations regarding lead-based paint must be followed, and funds from grant awards can be used to remedy lead-based paint issues.

For homes built prior to 1978, funding assistance will mitigate any lead-based paint hazards found in rehabilitation properties. This includes tenant and property owner education to ensure the health and safety of benefiting households.

The program is operated by the City of Fremont through its Housing Rehabilitation Board and in partnership with Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District.

Any property owner who has questions or wants to submit an application for a grant must contact Mandy Gear of NENEDD at mandy@nenedd.org.

More specific details, including income threshold requirements are available online at the citys website at fremontne.gov/959/Rental-Rehabilitation-Opportunity.
School menus

Breakfast and lunch menus for the week of Feb. 5-9

Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools

Monday: Breaded beef patty on a bun, tri tater, vegetable, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger, curly fries, vegetable, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: Walking taco, cornbread, vegetable, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Popcorn chicken, breadstick, vegetable, fruit and milk.

Friday: Stuffed crust pepperoni pizza, fruit, vegetable and milk.

Fremont Public Schools

Monday: Chicken nuggets, peas, salad mix, fruit juice and milk.

Tuesday: Pizza sticks and sauce, Gripz, mixed vegetables, baby carrots, mixed fruit and milk.

Wednesday: Taco casserole with chips, corn, romaine lettuce, peaches and milk.

Thursday: Fiestada, broccoli, baby carrots, sliced apples and milk.

Friday: Hamburger on a bun, green beans, pears, baked beans, baked Cheetos and milk.

Cedar Bluffs Public Schools

Monday: UBR cookie, fruit smoothie and milk; cheese pizza, green bean casserole, salad bar, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, juice and milk; walking taco, Mexican rice, salad bar, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: French toast , fruit, juice and milk; chicken patty sandwich, smile fries, salad bar, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Cereal bar, toast, fruit, juice and milk; deli sub, broccoli cheese soup, salad bar, fruit and milk.

Friday: Breakfast on a stick, fruit, juice and milk; chicken nuggets, pretzel bites, corn, salad bar, fruit and milk.

Logan View Public Schools

Monday: Mini cinnamon rolls; hot beef, mashed potatoes and dinner roll. PreschoolCereal and fruit; chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and fruit.

Tuesday: Breakfast pizza; chicken alfredo and breadstick. Preschool  Egg bagel and fruit; chicken alfredo, vegetables and fruit.

Wednesday: Eggs and toast; hamburgers and hashbrown. Preschool  Yogurt and fruit; hamburgers, hashbrown and fruit.

Thursday: Dutch waffles; crispitos and breadsticks. Preschool  Cereal and fruit; crispitos, salad and fruit.

Friday: Doughnuts; hot dogs.

Mead Public Schools

Monday: Mini cinnamon rolls; corn dog, baked beans, tri potato and applesauce.

Tuesday: Yogurt and cheese stick; chicken sandwich, green beans, fruit cocktail and cookie.

Wednesday: Breakfast bar; burrito with cheese, corn, pears and graham cracker.

Thursday: Pancake bites, French dip, French fries, peaches and Rice Krispie.

Friday: Sausage biscuit; chili, grilled cheese, grapes and crackers.

North Bend Central Schools

Monday: Pancakes; walking taco and corn.

Tuesday: Cheese omelet and toast; Italian dunkers and California vegetables.

Wednesday: Choice of bagel; Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and roll.

Thursday: Sausage biscuit; deli ham or turkey and chips.

Friday: Chefs choice; hot dog or cheddar dog and potato smiles.

Oakland-Craig Public Schools

Monday: Breakfast burritos, cereal bar, fruit, juice and milk; quesadillas, green beans, pineapple, Italian dunkers and milk.

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, toast, cereal, fruit, juice and milk; pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, chips, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: French toast, cereal bar, sausage patty, fruit, juice and milk; grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, vegetable sticks, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Doughnuts, yogurt, fruit, juice and milk; waffles, eggs, sausage patty, fruit and milk.

Friday: No school.

Scribner-Snyder Public Schools

Monday: Combo bar; pork patty, mashed potatoes and gravy, California vegetables and pears.

Tuesday: Breakfast nuggets; open face pot pie, peas, cookies and apricots.

Wednesday: Muffins and yogurt; corn dogs, chips, baby carrots and mixed fruit.

Thursday: Cereal and toast; chicken sandwich, chips, corn and peaches.

Friday: No school.
Saturday

HomeStore open, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Men of Integrity Prayer Breakfast, 8 a.m., Lighthouse Ministry Center, 84 W. Sixth St., downtown Fremont. Men of all ages are invited for a time of fun, fellowship and breakfast by Valentinos. The music guest will be the duo of Atwell & Snyder. The guest speaker will be Steve Skibstead. He will share about his tragic and abusive upbringing as a child, twice overcoming near death experiences, and how the Lord saved him from a life of drugs and alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart-to-heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be line dancing at 6 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Spiritual 12-Step Recovery Program, 7 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous The Lie is Dead meeting, 8 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Sunday

Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity meeting, 10:30 a.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Dodge County Radio Emergency Associated Communication Team (REACT), 6:30 p.m., St. James Church, Fifth and D streets, Fremont. For more information, call 402-687-2160.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Monday

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 850 N. Broad St., Fremont. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m. Visitors (preteens, teens and adults  male and female) are welcome. The first meeting is free. For more information, call 531-281-9288.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Lightkeepers Womens Group, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be a trustees meeting at 4 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

American Legion Post 20 meeting, 6 p.m., Eagles Club main floor, 649 N. Main St., Fremont.

Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road.

Fresh Hope Mental Health Support Group, 7 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.
TECUMSEH  A judge sentenced Eric Ramos to life in prison plus 60 years Friday for the brutal killing of a fellow inmate nearly six years ago during a riot at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution just outside of town.

Ramos, 33, declined a chance to say anything first, on the advice of counsel due to an appeal.

"Mr. Ramos, I don't have a lot to say either," District Judge Rick Schreiner said. "Other than the fact that you are guilty."

He said the jury had plenty of facts to determine that Ramos was guilty of Michael Galindo's murder in 2017.

And, when Ramos testified at trial, he gave jurors an opportunity to see his unique profile, which they then could compare to prison security video of the inmate involved in the attack, the judge said.

"The evidence is clear that you are involved in this crime," Schreiner said.

A jury in Saline County, where the case had been moved, found him guilty of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit the murder and tampering with evidence.

Following the verdict, defense attorney Tim Noerrlinger filed a motion for a new trial, denied by Schreiner earlier this week.

In it, he raised a number of issues that he says prevented Ramos from getting a fair trial, including prosecutors' failure to disclose reports about a witness until after he testified and about a second potential witness the state hadn't previously mentioned until two weeks into trial.

Those issues are sure to be revisited in the coming, automatic appeal over the March 2, 2017, killing.

That day, the team retaking control over the prison after a riot sparked by the discovery of a stash of prison-made alcohol found smoke rolling out of Galindo's broken cell window and found him, face down, dead on the floor inside.

An autopsy determined the 31-year-old had been stabbed more than 130 times by sharp objects. He'd been punched, kicked and stomped before ultimately succumbing to smoke inhalation from towels started on fire and pushed through his cell window, where he'd locked himself to get away from the attack.

Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Corey O'Brien said that while Ramos wasn't involved in the initial attack, he was with others who were just before it and joined in the stabbing.

Ultimately, he said, it was Ramos who got parts from an ice machine, presumably to break Galindo's cell window.

"That sets off the onslaught of at least 10 other individuals introducing fire into that same area of the prison," the prosecutor said. "But it was Mr. Ramos who was the most centrally involved of any of the other people that we saw on the video clip. And for that reason, he was the first to be charged with this crime."

O'Brien said that in our society we tend to devalue someone's life because of some of the choices they've made.

But the Nebraska State Patrol and Department of Corrections, whose investigation was criticized by the defense at trial, should be commended for the way they worked the case.

"They did not perceive this case like Mr. Galindo's life was a throw-away," O'Brien said. "There was a life lost here, tragically taken in a horrific manner. And for that, Mr. Ramos now stands to receive one of the most severe punishments that Nebraska law allows."

While Galindo had his issues, the attorney said, he was loved, was trying to better himself and definitely did not deserve what happened.

To date, Ramos remains the only one to be charged in the killing, based largely on prison staff identifying him by piecing together surveillance video that they say points to him.

With no statute of limitation on murder, prosecutors could yet charge others and made it clear at trial that they believe they know the names of others involved.

A second inmate, Damon Fitzgerald, also was killed the day of the riot in a housing unit that shared the same yard. No one has ever been charged.

After Friday's sentencing, Galindo's sister, Jennifer Galindo, said the family was thankful to prosecutors, State Patrol Investigator Neal Trantham and prison staff who testified.

"My brother was a good person. He was very kind and loving," she said. "He would literally take his shirt and give it to you. I know a lot of people say that. But my brother did. He was like that."

Jennifer Galindo said that's why the family has been so impacted by his loss.

Nearly six years later, it's been a long wait for the guilty verdict. But they had faith God would bring them there today. As for whether others may be charged, too, she said: "We're going to keep the faith and just let God handle it."

Nebraska's 10 state prisons from least to most crowded 10. Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility 9. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women 8. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution 7. Community Corrections Center-Lincoln 6. Nebraska State Penitentiary 4. Work Ethic Camp 3. Community Corrections Center-Omaha 2. Omaha Correctional Center 1. Diagnostic and Evaluation Center
A federal judge on Friday declined a request from the Colorado Republican Party to block unaffiliated voters from participating in its primary elections, finding the GOP was unlikely to succeed in its constitutional challenge to a 2016 ballot measure allowing for unaffiliateds to vote in major party primaries.
Mayor Yemi Mobolade on Friday called on President Joe Biden and federal partners to help ensure a surge of undocumented immigrants crossing the country's southern border does not become a 'crisis' in Colorado Springs.

"Immigration is a federal responsibility. It's not in the city's purview but because we have not taken care of the crisis at our southern border, it's meeting our city. I do call on the president of the United States and federal partners to help us to ensure that this crisis doesn't impact our city," Mobolade said from his downtown office during an afternoon broadcast on Facebook Live.

Mobolade took to social media on Friday to reiterate Colorado Springs is not a designated sanctuary community and reassured viewers there is not currently a migrant crisis in the city or El Paso County.

The mayor's address happened two days after county commissioners called a press conference to discuss immigration one hour before it was held Wednesday.

Commissioners reported a bus of 30 border immigrants had arrived in Colorado Springs over the weekend from Denver and encouraged local nonprofits to limit assistance provided to migrants. Commissioners said the county and nonprofits must prioritize their resources for residents.

Mobolade said Capt. Doug Hanson of the Salvation Army, who leads the El Paso County church, notified him over the weekend the nonprofit had received 21 migrants but he did not know how exactly they arrived.

People staying at the R.J. Montgomery Family Hope Center, a shelter for homeless families, told The Gazette this week The Salvation Army is hosting families from Venezuela.

Hanson and city officials have said their arrival was not coordinated by the cities of Colorado Springs or Denver, or nonprofits.

Mobolade said Friday his responsibility is to put residents first.

"Not that the migrants coming through the southern border do not matter," he said. "But I signed up to be mayor for Colorado Springs residents, so my duty is to protect and keep our residents safe."

Featured Local Savings

The Pikes Peak region has not received masses of people crossing the southern border like other cities across the nation.

Local nonprofits on Thursday said they would continue to serve anyone in need.

The city is planning its response should it receive an influx of migrants and will work with regional partners such as the El Paso County human services and public health departments. Mobolade has also asked the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management to create a response plan.

"To get a broader understanding of what we have and what we don't have allows us to ... ensure that we are also prioritizing our city and the best way to deal with this crisis," he said.

Viewers who watched the mayor's live address fell on varying sides of the immigration issue.

"Priorities require hard decisions but they are essential for those in leadership. Budgets require priorities," resident Coulter Wickerham wrote, in part, in the video stream's comment section. "Healthy cities require priorities. ... Avoiding unintended consequences seems to so often be lacking in political management theories and policies."

"... There are many nonprofits and private citizens who are willing and ready to help. Let us be a people of compassion and welcome, even as we continue to support the residents of the county," resident Amy Schulte wrote.

Others who commented said they supported immigrants coming into the country through legal means, while others pointed out Mobolade is himself an immigrant. Born in Nigeria, Mobolade immigrated to the U.S. in 1996 and became a citizen in 2017.

"Our stories are very different," Mobolade said in his address. "I came in through the more traditional way ... going through the proper channels and the right paperwork. It took me 21 years even to be able to vote and now to have the opportunity to run for office. ... The federal government needs to step up to ensure ... we're taking care of the border crisis, but perhaps we can be proactive in also helping these families that are looking for help and opportunity."
An arrest has been made in a Colorado Springs homicide that occurred in January 2023, according to police.

Police said on Jan. 8, 2023, officers received reports of a shooting near the 300 block of East Brookside Street.

Police on the scene discovered a man inside the apartment with an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The El Paso County Coroner's Office later identified the victim as 31-year-old Darrian Adame of Colorado Springs, officials said.

More than a year later, police on Jan. 9 presented probable cause evidence to a judge who granted them an arrest warrant for 28-year-old Damari Sims-Herrick on charges of first-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting.

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On Thursday, the department's Violent Fugitive Task Force, with the assistance of the Lakewood Police Department, arrested Sims-Herrick and took him into custody, police said.

According to officials, the incident remains an open and active investigation. Police are asking anyone carrying pertinent information to the case to contact law enforcement at 719-444-7000.
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested after Denver police alleged he fatally shot a 60-year-old man after an argument on a bus on Saturday.

The Denver Police Department said the verbal exchange appears to have started because the victims leg was blocking the aisle on the bus. The verbal exchange escalated and the boy shot the victim, police said.

Denver police officers responded to the bus, which was located at South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue, around 6:41 p.m.

When officers got there, they found the 60-year-old man who had been shot. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

A second victim was treated at the scene for a minor injury.

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An extensive investigation led police detectives to the 13-year-old boy who was arrested late Thursday, police said.

The 13-year-old boy, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was being held for investigation of first-degree murder, authorities said. The Denver District Attorneys Office will determine any final charges the boy could face, authorities added.

The victims identity was not immediately released.

This is the second person killed on a bus on Federal Boulevard in the last six months. In September, a man was fatally stabbed without provocation on a bus at Federal Boulevard and West 32nd Avenue, police said.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on Friday vetoed an ordinance approved by the City Council that would have banned homeless encampment sweeps during frigid temperatures, arguing it contravenes the citys camping ban.

Already, the councilmembers who sponsored the ordinance intend to bring it back before the council on Feb. 12, a move that signaled their attention to override the mayors veto.

In Johnstons first veto since taking office in July, the mayors office said the proposal would make it more difficult for the city to help people experiencing homelessness get inside during cold, unsafe conditions.

Though well-intentioned, this legislation would restrict the citys ability to do this life-saving work for approximately four months of the year, Johnston told the council in his veto letter.

A narrowly-divided council on Monday approved the ordinance to ban homeless encampment sweeps when temperatures fall below 32 degrees.

The council would need nine votes to override the mayors veto, which seems unlikely, given that six of the 13 councilmembers voted against the proposal.

At-large Councilwoman Sarah Parady earlier described sweeping encampments in freezing weather as inhumane.

But Johnston said it wouldnt help homeless people.

When the weather turns cold, our primary goal is to move people experiencing homelessness inside, he wrote in his letter to councilmembers. Over the past six months, we have worked together to advance an ambitious effort to get people experiencing homelessness into shelter and housing, a priority shared by the bill sponsors.

The mayors veto didnt come as a surprise. A spokesperson earlier said Johnstons first priority is keeping Denverites safe and healthy, and cold temperatures pose a serious danger to people living outdoors, and this proposal will limit the actions the city can take to keep people safe.

Some city leaders shared the mayors worries.

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I urge the mayor to veto this bill, District 2 Councilmember Kevin Flynn earlier told The Denver Gazette. The guiding principle for every one of our policies around homelessness should be getting a roof over peoples heads, especially in winter conditions.

Flynn said the ordinance obviously goes against the citys camping ban, describing it as the farthest thing from treating people with compassion and dignity.

The citys camping ban had faced multiple legal and political challenges in subsequent years. It survived two ballot attempts to overturn and modify it. In 2019, Denver residents soundly rejected a proposal to overturn it. In November 2021, another ordinance asked residents to approve an amendment that required the city to enforce the ban but also to establish four authorized camping locations. Voters rejected that measure, too.

Johnston told the council that the proposal overturns the city-adopted camping ban for up to one third of the year.

As written, the legislation would allow small encampments to return to areas already closed to encampments. This is contrary to the will of more than 80% of voters who affirmed the camping ban in 2019, he said.

Supporters insisted the city can still sweep encampments  just not on those days when its freezing.

We have people who recognize how cruel and inhumane it is to sweep people in freezing temperatures, Amy Beck told The Denver Gazette during the councils vote on Monday.

In shis veto letter, Johnston said his administration has not  nor intends to  conduct large sweeps when the temperature is 32 degrees or below without housing or shelter options, with the exception of major public health and safety risks.

He said that his administration has conducted 60 community meetings on homelessness since July, and in those conversations, its clear that the public believes we have a moral obligation to provide housing and services to people experiencing homelessness, and that the city has a responsibility to keep neighborhoods clear of encampments.

We, together with City Council, community partners and advocates, have spent the last six months developing an extremely successful system to deliver on both responsibilities, and I believe this legislation would significantly disrupt that successful effort during the winter months, he added.
Last June, Colorado newcomer Eliska Smiga grew wide-eyed by its beauty, but blind to its monstrous auto theft problem.

I came from small-town Texas where you leave your doors unlocked, Smiga said.

Her love affair with the mountains soured when in her 2014 Hyundai sedan was stolen twice in a four-week period.

The welcome wagon was pulled out from underneath me, she said.

The first incident was a shock. Smiga and her partner were headed out for Bible study when they realized the Elantra had disappeared from its parking space, a heap of broken glass in its spot.

The sedan turned up in the same parking lot five days later, its back passenger window busted and the steering column ripped out  but drivable.

Anyone who believes lightning never strikes twice in the same place should talk to Smiga.

Determined to salvage her paid-for car, she stuck a screwdriver into the ignition and drove it to Bodies by Brown. The auto body shop was crowded with other stolen cars waiting for repair. Days later, Smiga got a call from a woman who worked at the shop with bad news.

I dont know how to say this, she told her. Your car has been stolen from our lot.

Bodies by Browns lot was fenced, but someone got into the area and took advantage of the Elantras still-broken window and drove it away.

Turns out Smiga had chosen not only Colorados most targeted vehicle for theft in 2023, but the Miramar Apartments complex  on the border of Denver and Aurora at Quebec Way and East Arkansas  is in a hot-spot area for auto theft, according to Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CAPTA) statistics.

Its incredible when you realize that within a 2-mile radius of those apartments, you end up with 6% of all thefts in the entire Denver region, said Cale Gould, the public outreach coordinator for the authority.

Were No. 1  or close

Colorado has been a known hot-spot-state for stolen vehicles for several years. It led the country in 2022 per capita with 42,000 stolen vehicles, but 2023 saw a 21% decrease  the equivalent of 33,000 vehicles swiped.

Its still too early to tell whether the lower 2023 numbers robbed Colorado of its unenviable No. 1 ranking because total stats for 2023 are lagging in other states. But authorities predict that once the dust is cleared, we will sit square in the top five.

We are still on the high end of the list, Gould said. Other states have gone up. Its going to be a data race.

He alluded to new, stiffer penalties for auto theft, which reclassifies the statutes, more police to catch car thieves, and the fact that cities are adding new technology like license-plate reader cameras, or LPRs.

An Atlanta company called Flock has sold its state-of-the art LPRs to at least 60 Colorado towns and cities, company spokesperson Conner Metz told The Denver Gazette.

He explained that once the cameras zero in on a stolen car, that plate is plugged into the National Crime Information Center database, which is maintained by the FBI and sends texts to officers to be on the lookout.

The Flock LPRs are also linked to Amber and Silver Alert databases, which help locate potentially kidnapped children and missing persons  specifically elderly people with Alzheimers disease, dementia or other disabilities.

Denver

It costs the city of Denver $600,000 per year to investigate auto theft. The average cost to victims is around $10,000. Auto theft was down 19% in Denver last year with 12,100 vehicles stolen compared to 14,907 in 2022.

Last week, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston gave a joint press conference to announce that the force will install 109 Flock cameras across the city.

Currently, Colorados capital city with the worst auto theft problem has only two of them.

Thomas said that the force will not be shy about where the cameras will be located. They will be placed in hot spot areas with the highest rates of theft, specifically along Colfax Avenue, downtown and parts of West Denver, he said.

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The new ones will be installed in the next four months.

The high levels of car theft happen because of a drop in police staff, Johnston said, a broader pattern of rising crime and the fact that certain car designs are easier to steal.

His own car was stolen in November. He is encouraging citizens to register their cars with the Denver Police through a program called DenverTrak.

We want to make sure that theres not one sneaky route to get out of Denver that every thief knows they can use without being detected, said Johnston. We want to make sure we can find them wherever they go.

Castle Rock, a model

In 2015, the Castle Rock Police Department was one of the first in the state to take action with these license plate readers. Its success led a lot of other cities to seriously look at their model, CAPTAs Gould said.

In 2021, the police department moved to stationary license plate readers as an innovative way to fight all types of crimes. When it came to auto theft, it appeared to have an immediate effect, as the force saw reductions over the next two years.

According to CAPTA, in 2022 Castle Rock saw a 15% decrease in auto thefts. This followed a 25% decrease of auto thefts in 2021.

The department now has 32 LPRs throughout town, and a network of cameras monitored by its real-time crime center.

Northglenn

Last month in Northglenn, license plate readers played a role in helping police apprehend a thief who unknowingly stole a car with a 4-month-old baby girl strapped to a car seat in the back.

James Burlison, a spokesman for the Northglenn Police Department, said the incident started in a business complex in the 11900 block of Washington Street when a vehicle was stolen from the parking lot.

Around 40 minutes later, two Good Samaritans called police to report they found the infant unharmed in her car seat in the middle of the road in the 10400 block of Carlile Street  which is about two miles south of where the car was stolen.

Northglenn police put out a BOLO (be on the lookout) on the vehicle and used the Flock technology to locate the vehicle.

Northglenn has 10 Flock cameras around the city, but it was a Flock camera in neighboring Thornton that picked up a hit on the stolen vehicle. Thornton police pursued the suspect and stopped the car in the 11300 block of Riverdale Drive in unincorporated Adams County, Burlison said.

In a separate incident Jan. 4, Flock cameras helped Northglenn police apprehend two people in a stolen vehicle as they stopped at a gas station to fill up. The driver was in possession of a stolen handgun and had a nationwide warrant out of Texas for sex assault on a child, Burlison said. The front passenger provided numerous fake names but admitted to knowing the vehicle was stolen.

Both subjects were arrested and booked into the county jail on charges related to the firearm, the stolen vehicle and warrants, according to Burlison.

Lakewood

The Lakewood Police Department announced a new program providing residents with free tools, including GPS tracking devices and a club to place over a steering wheel and a window decal to deter anyone interested in making off with a vehicle.

Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero said that so many people  around 450  responded to their Facebook post that they had to stop advertising the program until they could catch up.

Twice bitten, twice shy

Eliska Smiga never found her Hyundai, but she has moved on determined that she wont get hit a third time.

Last week, she and her partner relocated to a new neighborhood, which she researched to make sure auto theft was lower than where she lived before.

She used her insurance money to buy a Nissan Rogue with button starts, which is not on any list of easily stolen cars.

Somewhere, her 2014 black Hyundai Elantra sits, twice stolen-now and forgotten. She said its made for a great story to tell at parties.

You can only laugh, she said.
A large mural by artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs has become an iconic landmark of El Paso, featuring several notable buildings and other notable features of the border town on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
For the second year in a row, Sukup Manufacturing Co. has earned recognition for its commitment to working parents, the company announced in a press release.

The Best Place for Working Parents award showcases the companys continued support through family-friendly policies and improved practices and comes at a time when a childcare facility is in the near future.

Its exciting, said Margaret Standish-Bruce, Sukup corporate counsel and new mother in a statement. We believe in policies that positively impact the parents who work to provide for their families. Within the past year Sukup has implemented four weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. That time is precious when bonding with your child.

In addition to flexible working hours, the manufacturing company has a free on-site health care clinic, zero-dollar healthcare and dental premiums, recognizes numerous paid holidays, and added two personal holidays for employees.

We believe investing in our employees is about quality of life, said Sukup CAO/General Counsel Emily Schmitt, a third generation Sukup family member in the release. Continued investment in Iowa families bodes well for not just the workforce, but our communities, as well.

Continuing efforts to make life a little easier for working parents, the Sheffield Childcare Expansion was born. The consortium consists of Sukup, West Fork School District, and UBTC. This past November, a groundbreaking signified a new era of childcare for Franklin County. Bin Town Child Care is expected to open in late summer of 2024 and will have spots for more than 100 children. Its located at 442 South Gilman Street in Sheffield.

The call is out for the community to rally alongside the consortium. Bin Town is for all families and that brings with it a need for fundraising. The consortium secured a matching grant from Future Ready Iowa and Sukup donated the land on South Gilman Street, but theres still a need for more donations.

For those interested in donating, checks can be made out to Sheffield Childcare Expansion and dropped off at any of the three United Bank & Trust Company locations in Franklin County.
When you have a problem you want to fix and you need advice, who do you call? The experts, right? Someone with experience.

An out-of-state, Virginia-based consulting group was paid $125,000 in taxpayer dollars to give advice that literally dismantles the Area Education Agency, firing many of its employees. They did not call on the experts: parents, superintendents, teachers, audiologists, speech therapists, counselors, etc.

How did they gather their information? Did they consult Iowans? Did they talk to Sen. Chuck Grassley, one of the founders of AEA when he was in the Iowa House. In 2022, he stated, Ive enjoyed watching the success and profound impact these agencies have had on education. Apparently, he was not consulted.

Ive received thousands of emails from concerned Iowans. Not one has even remotely suggested that dismantling the AEA and concentrating power in Des Moines with the Department of Education was a good idea.

I learned talking to our Iowa experts:

This is not a choice for schools, private or public. Schools will lose on economy of scale. Now they purchase supplies cheaper, check out media for classroom use, use the skills of trained specialists rather than hiring their own  going outside for these services is cost prohibitive.

U.S. Department of Education designated Iowa in need of assistance in 2018 because of state Department of Education non-compliance, not the AEA. The AEA has been working with the Department of Education to help them get back in compliance.

This will not save property owners money. If the school must spend more money on special education services, it will be forced to raise its special education budget, which automatically raises property taxes.

AEA is currently reviewed glowingly by the Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, annually and transparently.

AEAs administrative rate is 5%, much lower than privatized Medicaid.

AEAs do not teach special education; they support it in so many ways that if all were listed, I would go way over my word limit.

This bill will hurt kids. To find out more, go to the experts. Iowans.
Latino literature of the United States is best known as a twentieth-century phenomenon; beginning in the 1960s, Chicano and Puerto Rican authors, then Cuban Americans and more recent Latino arrivals, have produced a substantial and impressive body of writing. While writers in Latin America were establishing what has been called the "boom" of Latin American narrative, their U.S. counterparts were forging a distinct tradition in poetry, drama, and fiction in their own voices. It is important, however, to recognize the long history of which this movement was a part. The spectacular flowering of U.S. Latino letters from the 1960s onward grew from seeds carefully and painstakingly sown by earlier writers. Their efforts often went unrecognized by non-Latino critics as well as by younger Latino authors, who were frequently unaware of their existence.



A case in point is The Rebel by Leonor Villegas de Magnan. The work is based on the author's fascinating experiences as the founder of a nursing corps that attended to and aided the revolutionary forces in the Texas-Mexico border region during the Mexican Revolution. Frustrated in her attempts to have this memoir published in Spanish in the 1920s, Villegas de Magn6n later wrote a version in English in the 1940s, but it met a similar fate. Thanks to the efforts of contemporary scholars and the foresight of editors dedicated to promoting Latino literature, the book was finally published in 1994. It stands as another challenge to the stereotypical misconceptions regarding Mexican Americans, particularly women, of that era. Similarly , for decades, the poet William Carlos Williams, though recognized as a major American poet, was not included in the sphere of U.S. Latino culture due to the lack of appreciation of his profound Puerto Rican and Spanish American roots. Recent scholarly research, however, including Julio Marian's groundbreaking study The Spanish American Roots of William Carlos Williams (1994), has demonstrated that this important pioneer of modern American poetry is truly worthy of the distinction; Marzan has provided evidence that Williams's poetic sensibilities reflect a more hemisphericNew World application of the term "American."





1. Which of the following most accurately describes the two books that the passage mentions as having been published in 1994?



A. A prose narrative and a commentary on the works of a poet

B. A sociological study of a literary movement and a translation of a book of poetry

C. A biography of a poet and an anthology of translations of works of fiction

D. A historical treatment of a literary movement and a collection of poems

E. A work of fiction and a biography of a fiction writer







2. The passage most strongly supports the inference that Marzans views regarding Williams were



A. at odds with Williamss own views regarding his work

B. intended to corroborate claims made by scholars in the 1940s but not widely discussed until the 1990s

C. controversial and widely rejected in the mid and late 1990s

D. a crucial factor in a line of scholarly inquiry

E. instrumental in securing publication for The Rebel







3. The passage most strongly suggests that The Rebel



A. is one of at least several long works of fiction by Villegas de Magnon

B. was published first in Spanish and then years later in an English-language version

C. contains descriptions of real-life events

D. was written in Mexico before 1920 and later published in the U.S.

E. was published in 1994 in a version that was heavily revised from the 1940s version







4. The highlighted word "similarly" is most likely intended to indicate that the author of the passage holds that both Williams and Villegas de Magnon



A. initially found the ethnic nature of their writings to be a barrier to publication

B. were important contributors to the development of U.S. Latino writing but were only belatedly recognized as such

C. were for some time misclassified by scholars who were unaware of these two writers Latino origins

D. became more widely recognized as a result of scholarly research by Marzan

E. created writings that were at least partly intended to challenge stereotypical misconceptions about Mexican Americans

1. Which of the following most accurately describes the two books that the passage mentions as having been published in 1994?A. A prose narrative and a commentary on the works of a poetB. A sociological study of a literary movement and a translation of a book of poetryC. A biography of a poet and an anthology of translations of works of fictionD. A historical treatment of a literary movement and a collection of poemsE. A work of fiction and a biography of a fiction writer2. The passage most strongly supports the inference that Marzans views regarding Williams wereA. at odds with Williamss own views regarding his workB. intended to corroborate claims made by scholars in the 1940s but not widely discussed until the 1990sC. controversial and widely rejected in the mid and late 1990sD. a crucial factor in a line of scholarly inquiryE. instrumental in securing publication for3. The passage most strongly suggests that The RebelA. is one of at least several long works of fiction by Villegas de MagnonB. was published first in Spanish and then years later in an English-language versionC. contains descriptions of real-life eventsD. was written in Mexico before 1920 and later published in the U.S.E. was published in 1994 in a version that was heavily revised from the 1940s version4. The highlighted word "similarly" is most likely intended to indicate that the author of the passage holds that both Williams and Villegas de MagnonA. initially found the ethnic nature of their writings to be a barrier to publicationB. were important contributors to the development of U.S. Latino writing but were only belatedly recognized as suchC. were for some time misclassified by scholars who were unaware of these two writers Latino originsD. became more widely recognized as a result of scholarly research by MarzanE. created writings that were at least partly intended to challenge stereotypical misconceptions about Mexican Americans
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The interest of consumers in Company A's product is directly affected by the weather. When the weather is good, salespeople working for Company A are not contacted by any potential customers. The weather in Company A's area is good for about three quarters of the days of the year. A local competitor offering the same product, Company B, is equally affected by the weather. Based on these factors, it follows that __________.





This is a "Complete the Argument" format question. The missing argument part follows the phrase Based on these factors which indicates it is based on the premises. Therefore, the missing part is the conclusion, and this is an Inference question:



Premise A: the weather affects Company A's product sales

+

Premise B: when the weather is good, no customers contact Company A

+

Premise C: the weather in Company A's area is good for 3/4 of the year

+

Premise D: Company B is affected by the weather in the same way

=

Conclusion: ?

This answer choice is in no way supported by the premises and cannot, therefore, complete the argument. The sales representatives of Company A have a chance of making an impact on anyone who calls them and provides a sales opportunity, not just 12.5% of the callers.



Note that the figure of 75% refers to the part of the year when people don't call Company A, rather than to a proportion of its callers. Also, even if only 25% of the callers were available to salespersons, just because there are two companies doesn't mean each of them receives an exact half, or 12.5%. Incorrect.This is a "Complete the Argument" format question. The missing argument part follows the phrase Based on these factors which indicates it is based on the premises. Therefore, the missing part is the conclusion, and this is an Inference question:This answer choice is in no way supported by the premises and cannot, therefore, complete the argument. The sales representatives of Company A have a chance of making an impact on anyone who calls them and provides a sales opportunity, not just 12.5% of the callers.Note that the figure of 75% refers to the part of the year when people don't call Company A, rather than to a proportion of its callers. Also, even if only 25% of the callers were available to salespersons, just because there are two companies doesn't mean each of them receives an exact half, or 12.5%.

Incorrect.



This answer choice makes an unsupported leap from the premises and cannot, therefore, complete the argument. We have no data on the revenues earned by either company; theoretically, they could cover their expenses and even create a profit. The idea that the revenues that are earned from the sales during bad weather are not sufficient to prevent bankruptcy is not backed by any evidence.

Incorrect.



This answer choice makes an unbased leap from the argument and cannot, therefore, offer a logical conclusion. No comparison between any factors belonging to the two companies is made so we have no reason to believe that Company A will become more successful.

Incorrect.



This answer choice is in no way supported by the premises and cannot, therefore, complete the argument. The sales representatives of Company A have a chance of making an impact on anyone who calls them and provides a sales opportunity, not just 25% of the callers.



Note that the figure of 75% refers to the part of the year when people don't call Company A, rather than to a proportion of its callers.

This answer choice takes a logical next step to form a based conclusion. Since both companies are negatively affected by good weather, moving to an area with worse weather is likely to have a positive effect on their business.





A. the employees in Company A's sales department can only have an impact on up to 12.5% of their sales opportunitiesB. both Company A and Company B are likely to go out of business due to a lack of sufficient revenues earned from salesC. Company A is likely to surpass Company B in the number of sales it creates during periods of bad weatherD. the employees in Company A's sales department will always be restricted to having control over only 25% of their sales opportunitiesE. Company B and Company A would benefit from moving their operations to an area with worse weather conditions than those of their current area_________________
The Danville Police Department is searching for a Pittsylvania County man facing numerous charges in connection with a January shooting at Keen Street.

Devonta Lewayne Dodson, 32, has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding, attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, discharging a firearm in public, shooting from a vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from the police department.

Police are seeking help from the public locating Dodson.

The shooting in which a 19-year-old male was shot occurred in the 500 block of Keen Street on Jan. 17.

While the shooting on Keen Street was not a random act, Dodson is considered armed and dangerous, according to the news release.

The suspect is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing 235 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Danville Police Department by calling patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4; investigations at 434-799-6508 option 1, and option 1 again; 911; or Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000.

In addition, residents may approach any officer they see, use social media, email crimetips@danvilleva.gov or use the crime tips app CARE.
Officials receive cholera control supplies donated by the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe (CCEZ) in Harare, Zimbabwe, Feb. 2, 2024. Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe on Friday donated cholera control supplies worth 10,000 U.S. dollars to the African country. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

HARARE, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe on Friday donated cholera control supplies worth 10,000 U.S. dollars to the African country.

Chinese entities under the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe (CCEZ) delivered supplies including disinfectants, protective clothing, tents and food items to the Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare.

"It is important for the business communities to come together to help," said Liu Baixue, vice chairperson of the CCEZ, after the donation ceremony.

The donation not only demonstrated Chinese enterprises' social responsibility but also symbolized the solidarity and bond between Chinese and Zimbabwean people, Liu added.

The CCEZ has over 80 members, including Chinese government-owned entities and China-listed companies in various sectors such as mining, manufacturing, power generation and logistics.

Gideon Mapokotera, the provincial human resources officer in the Ministry of Health and Childcare, thanked Chinese entities for their donation, viewing it as a shot in the arm in the fight against cholera.

"The Chinese have always been good friends to Zimbabwe. They have brought a various assortment of goods ... and these will go a long way in motivating our staff, and reach out to our community," he said.

So far, Cholera cases have been recorded in most of Zimbabwe's 64 districts. On Monday, an oral cholera vaccination program targeting 2.3 million people was launched to fight the spread of the disease. 
When we got to the Romans, we uncovered at least four statements that suggest rare cases of advanced dementia Caleb Finch

The research, led by the University of Southern California (USC) and published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, bolsters the idea that Alzheimers disease and related dementias are diseases of modern environments and lifestyles, with sedentary behavior and exposure to air pollution largely to blame.

The ancient Greeks had very, very few  but we found them  mentions of something that would be like mild cognitive impairment, said first author Caleb Finch, a University Professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. When we got to the Romans, and we uncovered at least four statements that suggest rare cases of advanced dementia  we cant tell if its Alzheimers. So, there was a progression going from the ancient Greeks to the Romans.

Ancient Greeks recognized that aging commonly brought memory issues we would recognize as mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, but nothing approaching a major loss of memory, speech and reasoning as caused by Alzheimers and other types of dementia.

Finch and co-author Stanley Burstein, a historian at California State University, Los Angeles, pored over a major body of ancient medical writing by Hippocrates and his followers. The text catalogs ailments of the elderly such as deafness, dizziness and digestive disorders  but makes no mention of memory loss.

Centuries later in ancient Rome, a few mentions crop up. Galen remarks that at the age of 80, some elderly begin to have difficulty learning new things. Pliny the Elder notes that the senator and famous orator Valerius Messalla Corvinus forgot his own name. Cicero prudently observed that elderly silliness  is characteristic of irresponsible old men, but not of all old men.
Pope Francis has shaken up the Catholic world with his recent statement that priests might bless LGBTQ+ couples, not in an official way but informally.

But no one should be surprised.

Francis, whose legacy might rival even Pope John XXIII's reforms of the 1960s, has been a "breath of fresh air" for Catholics and Protestants alike.

As Pope John XXIII did with Vatican II, his opening the church windows to allow fresh air has stirred up a hornet's nest of criticism.

The Catholic Church is hardly alone.

The most significant divisive issues among Protestants are marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ+ persons. According to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, the United Methodist Church lost 25% of its congregations over the last five years, predominantly white churches in the South and South Central regions. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA and The Episcopal Church have seen 10% of their members decamp.

All these upsets are about who can be blessed. It astounds me that something so beautiful and powerful as a blessing, and marriage and ordination certainly are about blessing, could be controversial. Blessing, whether offered by a Pope or a lay person, gives human form to God's love and our love. Blessing is about love, support, encouragement and goodwill, to name a few attributes. Blessing carries grace, generosity, light and warmth.

While churches set certain criteria for some blessings, such as marriage and ordination, generous love needs to be at the center of those criteria.

Christians celebrate Pope Francis' inclusive and generous spirit. While the Catholic Church has not gone as far as some Protestant churches, his message reveals what United Methodists have advocated over the years: "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." You can't get much better than that. However, being open and welcoming is costly because many Christians prefer to limit blessings to an approved few.

I understand not being ready. For years, I was torn over church unity versus taking a prophetic stand on gay marriage and ordination. During a sermon, I wondered aloud if it was the right time to take such a prophetic step. I remember standing at the church door greeting people. Robin Biffle, then a laywoman but now a priest, looked me straight in the eye and said: "It is never the wrong time to do the right thing."

That got me thinking, or more to the point, rethinking what the church is about. It is a community of blessing, especially mutual blessing, where we extend God's favor and acceptance to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. Blessing recognizes the image of God within every person and reflects God's love and inclusivity.

Blessing involves imparting something significant and valuable, tangible or intangible, that contributes to the recipient's well-being and growth. It might be official, as in marriage or ordination. Or unofficial in words of affirmation and love. What could be more beautiful? Why should some faithful followers of Christ be excluded?

As a priest, I have blessed homes, crosses, and rosaries. I have blessed random people on the street who asked for a prayer. And on St. Francis Day, I blessed dogs, cats, goldfish, parrots, weasels, rats, and hamsters. And even a llama on the steps of St. Peter's Cathedral.

One St. Francis Day, a little girl who did not have a pet brought a Godzilla doll. I smiled and blessed it, making me, I suspect, the only priest who has ever blessed Godzilla!

I wondered more and more, however, if I could bless such an array of beings and objects from God's creation, why couldn't I bless two people of the same gender who love God and each other?

Or why couldn't a bishop ordain a faithful gay or lesbian person to the office I hold as a heterosexual man?

It took me a long time to accept and support the full inclusion of all of God's people. But I finally did. And it's my hope and prayer that others who struggle with the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons will eventually come around. Sometimes, we have to run backward into the arms of God, protesting all the way.

It is expensive to be prophetic, as I worried about years ago. Nationally, some 10% departed from The Episcopal Church. We became smaller numerically but bigger in our witness to God's love.

Sometimes, progress is one step back before taking two steps forward.

In 2020, when Pope Francis suggested that same-sex unions ought to be legal, he said: "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this."

He was not endorsing same-gender marriage but making pastoral provisions for human rights. Most recently, he has taken another step in allowing informal same-sex blessings.

Another step forward.

Progress for all of us.
DECATUR  A mystery buyer is now the owner of the defunct Northgate Mall in Decatur, after splashing more than $1.35 million for 205,000 square feet of dead retail space.

Whatever happens next is being watched very closely as the mall is at the center of a tense land-use struggle between two major Decatur organizations: Heritage Behavioral Health Center and St. Teresa High School.

Heritage is eyeing the mall as a potential relocation and expansion site if it forsakes its existing downtown home. St. Teresas leadership is determined to stop any such move because the mall site borders its property and it doesnt want Heritages clientele  people with issues ranging from drug use to mental illness  near its 235 children in grades nine through 12.

The Northgate site is appealing to Heritage because, as Mary Garrison the Heritage president and CEO has explained previously, an anonymous donor has offered to give the building to them to facilitate the move.

Garrison did not immediately return calls seeking comment for this story but earlier told this newspaper Heritage is still considering what to do. She expects a decision about Northgate wont come before the spring of this year.

Her St. Teresa opposition has concerns, however, that the sale of the Northgate property, wrapped up on Jan. 9, is a key part of paving the way for a deal that will see the mall gifted to Heritage.

Ken Hendriksen, executive director of the St. Teresa Educational Foundation and the schools spokesman on this issue, said he understands the Heritage downtown site at 151 N. Main St. then becomes available for redevelopment by the donor of the Northgate location after Heritage's clientele is gone.

That is my belief, said Hendriksen.

He said the schools opposition to the Northgate plan remains non-negotiable with legal action contemplated as the last-ditch option if all else fails. Hendriksen, however, repeatedly emphasized the work of Heritage is widely admired and hes offered to both help the organization find a new expansion site and even fundraise to help offset redevelopment costs.

Youve got some other places where everything Heritage wants could be accomplished, Hendriksen said. Just dont put it by a school, any school.

The listed buyer of Northgate on the Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration is Chicago Title Land Trust Company. It makes no secret it's in the business of keeping real estate property deals opaque from prying eyes. The trust acts for the true owner by holding title to the property while the owner, which the trust calls the beneficiary, retains all control of the property.

Listing the key benefits of the land trust, the companys assistant vice president, David Lanciotti, spelled it out in an information video on the firms website: First and foremost in todays information age is privacy: keep your information off the public records and off the Internet, he said.

The Northgate site was listed as being sold by Amerco Real Estate Company, which provides real estate and development services to U-Haul, the last listed owners of the Northgate property parcel which has a street address of 2800 N. Water St.

Noah Upton is lead pastor of Discover Church, which occupies some 25,000 leased square feet at the east end of the sprawling Northgate site and is presently its only occupant. Hes aware of the sale but says it hasnt changed his congregations tenancy arrangement, although his new landlord is now listed as Decatur-based Main Place Properties, a property management firm.

The Herald & Review left a message seeking comment from Ben Andreas, the property manager with Main Place Properties, but it was not immediately returned.

Upton said his church has been told their existing lease arrangement will continue and hes not worried about the outcome of the St. Teresa-Heritage struggle further down the block. Were still pretty happy about the future, he added. Things are great.

There has not been much change so far on the city planning front, either, according to Deputy Decatur City Manager Jon Kindseth. He said no planning applications regarding the redevelopment of the Northgate Mall have been received. The city has made it clear that its not keen to be dragged into this dispute and has previously stated its experts didnt think planning approval for the redevelopment would even be required.

I will say I don't think the citys position has changed, Kindseth said.

Were not looking to get involved. This would be a tough decision I think for all of the city council members. They want to do right by both organizations (St. Teresa and Heritage), if I can say it that way, and hopefully there is a way to make that happen.

Other developments that would seem to have a strong bearing on future changes to Heritages present downtown location are already happening, however. The buildings immediate neighbor to the west is the aging, empty and rundown YMCA building, which was recently slapped with a red tag by the city of Decatur.

Kindseth said a red tag (theyre actually yellow) lists the building as being an unsafe, uninhabitable structure and gives the owners 15 days to secure the building. A check by the Herald & Review showed those owners listed as the Commercial Real Estate Group whose address was the same as the Macon County Title company in Decatur.

A message left for Macon County Title President Andrew Chiligiris was not immediately returned.

Kindseth described the YMCA building as appearing structurally OK but its insecurity left it open to being trespassed and the city has seen plenty of problems in the past with big structures where anyone can get inside. There are issues with garbage and nuisance conditions and buildings end up catching fire, he added.

He said a red tag triggers a legal process that often concludes with the structure involved being demolished. Now not every one of those ends up as a demolition, but I will say 98% of them probably do, he added.
CHICAGO  A Cook County jury on Thursday convicted a man of murdering a longtime civilian employee of the Chicago Police Department in 2015.

William Cochran, 26, was convicted of 10 counts of murder and attempted murder after a week-long trial in the killing of John Buckner, 59, known as Buck. Another man was injured in the shooting.

Buckner was the uncle of Kam Buckner, a state representative who ran for mayor in 2023.

The jury deliberated for several hours Thursday afternoon at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building before arriving at a verdict in the nearly decade-old killing.

Cochran was 18 when he was accused of shooting Buckner in his Morgan Park neighborhood on Sept. 16, 2015.

Three people on bicycles pulled out handguns and opened fire on five others sitting on a porch across the street, then turned and fatally shot Buckner as his wife and grandson watched the scene unfold, Cook County prosecutors said at a bond hearing shortly after Cochrans arrest.

Buckner and his wife threw themselves to the ground to try to avoid the gunfire, but Buckner was hit in his side and later died at a hospital, prosecutors said. Buckners wife suffered a chipped tooth, cuts to her chin and face, and a busted lip in her bid to escape the gunfire, according to prosecutors.

Police at the time said the shooting appeared to have stemmed from a gang fight in a neighborhood park, and they did not believe Buckner was the intended target.

Buckner had proudly bought a new Dodge Charger just before the shooting, according to Tribune stories, and was unloading groceries from it shortly before the attack.

He worked for the Chicago Police Department for 25 years, and had handled equipment and supplies for the department when he was killed, police said.

Hes part of the family, a deputy chief said after the slaying. The Chicago Police Department is a family, whether youre sworn or civilian."
CONCORD  Cabarrus County will soon mail revaluation notices to property owners, and residents will have 30 days to file appeals with the County Tax Administration Office.

The new property values are effective Jan. 1, 2024.

During a revaluation, Cabarrus reviews property values based on the market and economic conditions to bring assessed values in line with the worth of the property as of Jan. 1 of the revaluation year. The legally mandated process, which occurs every four years, creates equity among property values and ensures the value of any given property is consistent with neighboring properties.

The tax department appraised more than 97,000 properties and analyzed about 42,000 transactions during the current revaluation period.

The tax bill for each property will depend on the combination of the assessed value of the property and the tax rate set by the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners and municipal boards in June. Tax bills with the updated values will mail to property owners in July 2024 and are due in January 2025.

Tax Administrator David Thrift encourages residents to review the notice, which mails the week of Feb. 5 and includes appeal information and contacts for tax department staff members. Thrift says appeals are one of the most important parts of the process and an opportunity to address concerns.

2024 revaluation data

Due to activity and changes in the real estate market over the past four years, most properties have increased in value, though some have decreased, and some are virtually unchanged.

Real property values have increased an average of about 60%. Because each property is different and the revaluation includes all residential and commercial properties, that number isnt necessarily what individual property owners will see in their revaluation notice.

About the revaluation process

County real estate appraisers review properties by analyzing data collected through field visits and aerial images to estimate fair market value (the price a willing seller may receive from a willing buyer). In cases where property owners make improvements or other changes, appraisers visit the property to evaluate.

The process of evaluating property depends on communication between the property owners and the tax administration office. The county mails property owners a listing document each January to help avoid discrepancies in property value and prepare for revaluation. The document informs owners of their responsibility to report any changes to the property. Discrepancies are then addressed through the revaluation appeal process.

Each revaluation notice includes an appeal form. Property owners may submit their appeal in writing to the Cabarrus County Tax Administration office within 30 days of receiving the notice or file the appeal online at cabarruscounty.us/appeal. The updated page will go live when notices are mailed, according to Thrift.

The county started the 2024 revaluation process in 2022. The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the 2024 Schedule of Values in September 2023 and adopted the schedule at its October regular meeting. The schedule serves as the appraisal manual for revaluation and includes information related to listing, assessing, valuing and applying rates.

About the county budget process

Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners will begin the Fiscal Year 2025 budget process with a two-day retreat later this month.

Residents can participate in the ongoing budget and tax rate discussion by attending upcoming meetings, including a budget workshop scheduled for April 18. Visit cabarruscounty.us for more information.

The county has set the years first Government 101 session, which focuses on the budget and revaluation process (including a presentation from Thrift). Registration spots are filled, but other input and education efforts are planned for the coming months.

For more details about revaluation, including a link to a comprehensive FAQ section, visit cabarruscounty.us/revaluation.

Email revalinfo@cabarruscounty.us or call 704-920-2126 with questions.
Kannapolis Rotary Club had its first meeting of 2024 on Jan. 16 at the Kannapolis Train Station.

The guest speaker was Denise McLain, who is employed by the Concord Branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library as a library assistant and is also a member and historian with the Friends of the Library of Concord.

McLain gave an excellent history of Concord going back to the citys very beginning. Her talk was appreciated and informative.

The Rotary Club likes to have a speaker at every meeting who speaks on different subjects. Most speakers need about 30 minutes for their presentations and are appreciated for their contributions to Rotary Club.

Rod Armstrong, president of the Kannapolis Rotary Club, presented McLain a donation check from the Rotary Club. It is intended for the benefit of the Friends of the Library organization, which helps support activities of the Concord Library.
Novant Health Inc. said Thursday it has completed its $2.4 billion purchase of three South Carolina hospitals from Tenet Healthcare Corp.

Novant announced Nov. 18 its plans to acquire Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville and East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant.

By comparison, Novant paid $5.3 billion in January 2021 to purchase New Hanover Regional Medical Center of Wilmington.

The planned South Carolina purchase includes the associated physician practices and other related hospital operations. Novant did not have a workforce count for the three hospitals.

Novant Healths long-term vision is to transform the health and wellness of these communities through expanded specialty services and clinical expertise, said Carl Armato, Novants president and chief executive.

The Mount Pleasant hospital acquisition includes 15 physician clinics, while Hilton Head hospital features Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center and 12 physician clinics, and Hardeeville hospital has Tidewatch Free-Standing Emergency Department.

Novant re-entered the South Carolina hospital marketplace in August when it spent $75 million to acquire a 30% ownership stake in Conway Medical Center.

It represented a crossing-the-border extension of Novants operational hub in southeastern North Carolina into the Grand Strand region, Georgetown and Horry counties, and as far as Florence, South Carolina.

Across the region  from Wilmington to Conway and Myrtle Beach, and now Charleston, Hilton Head, and Hardeeville  Novant Health is uniquely positioned to provide compassionate, expert, affordable and personalized care that is easy to access and understand, Armato said.

Novant Health has served South Carolinians with imaging care in the Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry areas through its imaging company, MedQuest Associates.

The agreement stipulates that Tenets Conifer Health Solutions subsidiary will provide expanded revenue cycle management services to the three hospitals following completion of the transaction.

Novant currently has more than 1,900 physicians and more than 36,000 employees who provide care at more than 800 locations, including 16 hospitals.

The system currently serves the South Carolina portion of the Charlotte metropolitan statistical area through its Presbyterian-branded hospitals in North Carolina.
KABUL, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government has destroyed at least 1,100 drug labs during more than 20,000 operations across the war-ravaged country over the past more than two years, Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs for Counter Narcotics Abdul Haq Hamkar said.

"About 20,700 counter-narcotics operations have been conducted over the past two more years, during which at least 1,100 drug factories have been demolished and 13,700 individuals arrested on charge of involvement in the drug business and referred to the judiciary," local media outlet TOLOnews quoted Hamkar as saying on Saturday.

The Afghan caretaker government has banned poppy cultivation, processing of drugs and drug trafficking since April 2022.

Meanwhile, the official criticized the world community over what he described as a failure to help Afghan farmers grow alternative crops, saying the international community has yet to take practical steps to help Afghanistan in the counter-narcotics field.

There are more than 3 million drug addicts in Afghanistan and the caretaker administration has rounded up more than 100,000 of them to provide medical treatment, Hamkar said.

"We have collected and treated the drug addicts who didn't have shelters. Some of them now have led good lives and are at home," Hamkar was quoted by TOLOnews as saying. 
CHARLESTON  With international student enrollment climbing at Eastern Illinois University, the Charleston Rotary Club wants to help the new students feel welcome.

Charleston Rotary partnered with CHS Industries at Charleston High School and the Office of International Student Services at EIU to provide 500 backpacks for international students this semester.

The backpacks were handed out at the recent International Student Orientation on campus. In the fall, EIU officials said more than 800 international students from about 60 countries were enrolled.

The backpacks with a Rotary logo were purchased through the CHS Industries design class taught by McKenzie Snoddy. The backpacks cost just more than $5,000, Rotary said. CHS students added the logo to black, gray and blue backpacks, providing a learning opportunity for students.

EIU President Jay Gatrell said Rotary is providing international students with a gift from the community that would demonstrate Charleston's commitment to their success and the club's sincere desire to support them.

Gatrell, a past president of Charleston Rotary, said he had always wanted to do a project like this.

A high-quality backpack with a laptop sleeve is something tangible that demonstrates these students belong, Gatrell said. He worked with Charleston Rotarys International Service Director Kristen Bertrand to combine the backpacks with expanded club and campus programming such as the "Glimpses" programs to connect the club with international students.

The club funded the backpacks through its Fly the Flag project, proceeds from the annual EIU Homecoming Pancake breakfast and a Rotary District 6490 grant.

The first two Glimpses programs in fall semester focused on students from Europe and Dominica. Glimpses was a re-launch of the EIU International Teas that Rotary and other community organizations hosted for international students prior to 2015 to connect students to the community. The Glimpses re-launch was initiated by Charleston Rotary.

Todd Vilardo, current president of Charleston Rotary, said the clubs commitment to peacebuilding was a driver in pursuing a Rotary District 6490 grant to support the international students enrolled at EIU.

Providing the backpacks that were imprinted with Rotarys gear wheel logo by Charleston High School students was our part to help impact a global environment of peace by starting at a local level, Vilardo noted.

Bertrand said the backpacks symbolize our dedication to facilitating a welcoming environment for international students, highlighting the spirit of friendship and kindness that defines our interactions.
The number of assaults leading to serious injury in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools included in the annual state discipline report was not correct, the result of errors made at 10 local schools, Superintendent Tricia McManus said Friday.

Released by the State Board of Education on Wednesday, the Consolidated Data Report 2022-23 showed the local school district had 30 such incidents last year, a whopping 19 more incidents than the next highest school district.

Certain the number could not be right, district leaders investigated and now say that there were no incidents where a student was seriously injured in an assault. The district has asked the state to revise the data, McManus said.

The state defines serious injury as violence leading to substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, a coma, permanent or protracted condition that causes extreme pain, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or that results in prolonged hospitalization.

It is one 16 offenses that schools must report each year to the state.

At the end of the day, if we had a situation with a child that resulted in death, permanent disfigurement, coma, or extreme pain, I would know about them as would the school board and the public, with todays social media, McManus said.

The number was particularly startling given other comparable urban districts reported fewer than 10 such incidents. Guilford County Schools reported five and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported one, for comparisons sake.

Another indicator the number was not right? In the local school district, there were six assaults with serious injury in 2021-22 and three in 2018-19, the last school year that was not impacted by COVID.

A quick review by McManus and her staff uncovered that staff members at the 10 schools that reported the incidents entered the wrong behavior violation in the discipline reporting system that the school district uses.

Administrators at each school review violations as they are reported and should have questioned whether an incident resulted in serious injury, McManus said. Principals at the schools also failed to notice that the violations were not coded correctly in the reporting system.

An assault resulting in say, a bloody nose or black eye, would not be considered serious injury, she said.

So it was an incorrect selection of the behavior violation, McManus said.

There may also have been confusion on how to code violations in Educators Handbook, the reporting system that the school district only recently began using.

We have had some growing pains with it, McManus said. So its continuous training.

McManus said the district will do some targeted training at the schools involved  Lewisville Middle School, Mineral Springs Middle School, Mount Tabor High School, North Forsyth High School, Paisley Middle School, Reynolds High School, Southeast Middle School, Walkertown Middle School, Winston-Salem Prep and Wiley Middle School.

It will also add more layers of oversight from principals and central office.

The oversight should have caught some of this, and I will own that and we will fix that, she said.

Even without the 30 incidents, the school district saw a dramatic increase in the number of total reportable offenses, which also include possession of firearms, possession of controlled substances and assault on school personnel, and had the highest rate of incidents per 1,000 students among the largest school districts (Davidson County, Yadkin County, Surry County and Thomasville City schools all had higher rates).

In all, there were 741 incidents, up from 587 in 2021-22. It is not yet clear whether the 30 cases of assault resulting in serious injury will disappear from the total acts committed or fall into other offenses, such as assault with a weapon.

More than half of the incidents  464  were for possession of a controlled substance.

McManus said the rise in incidents is a mix of more issues with student behavior and a district-wide push to catalog every incident so that the district can find trends that will help them figure out how to address certain behaviors. The school district is in the second year of a new code of conduct that is more restorative and less punitive in the way it handles discipline.

Schools across North Carolina have seen a similar uptick in the years since COVID. Statewide, there were 13,193 incidents last year compared with 11,170 in 2021-22 and 9,554 in 2018-19, according to the Consolidated Data Report.

One promising trend in the local district is a drop in the number of fights so far this year.

McManus said the most recent report from the Forsyth Sheriffs Office, which has deputies in every middle and high school, shows about 387 fights with four months until the end of the school year. Last year, there were 914.

That most recent number does not include a fight Thursday at Carver High School that left one girl with stab wounds from a pair of scissors. She was treated at a local hospital.

McManus said the incident would likely be categorized as an assault resulting in serious injury in next years state discipline report.

Yes, kids are still fighting, she said. Yes, there are still mental health challenges.
BEIRUT  The prospect of a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah militia terrifies people on both sides of the border, but some see it as an inevitable fallout from Israels ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

Such a war could be the most destructive either side has ever experienced.

Israel and Hezbollah each have lessons from their last war, in 2006, a monthlong conflict that ended in a draw. They've also had four months to prepare for another war, even as the United States tries to prevent a widening of the conflict.

The 2006 war, six years after Israeli forces withdrew from south Lebanon, erupted after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed several others in a cross-border raid.

Israel launched a full-scale air and ground offensive and imposed a blockade that aimed to free the hostages and destroy Hezbollahs military capabilities  a mission that ultimately failed.

Israeli bombing leveled large swaths of south Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs. Hezbollah fired thousands of unguided rockets into northern Israel communities.

The conflict killed some 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

A United Nations resolution ending the war called for withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and a demilitarized zone on Lebanon's side of the border.

Despite the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers, Hezbollah continues to operate in the border area, while Lebanon says Israel regularly violates its airspace and continues to occupy pockets of Lebanese land.

An Israel-Hezbollah war would be a total disaster, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last month, amid a flurry of shuttle diplomacy by the U.S. and Europe.

Iran-backed Hezbollah seemed caught off-guard by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, a regional ally. Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged daily cross-border strikes, escalating gradually. Israel also carried out targeted killings of Hezbollah and Hamas figures in Lebanon.

More than 200 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also more than 20 civilians, have been killed on Lebanon's side, and 18 on Israel's.

Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides. There are no immediate prospects for their return.

Israeli political and military leaders have warned Hezbollah that war is increasingly probable unless the militants withdraw from the border.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah hasn't threatened to initiate war but warned of a fight without limits if Israel does. Hezbollah says it won't agree to a ceasefire on the Israel-Lebanon border before there's one in Gaza and has rebuffed a U.S. proposal to move its forces several miles back from the border, according to Lebanese officials.

Despite the rhetoric, neither side appears to want war, said Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon.

Both Hezbollah and the Israeli military have expanded capabilities since 2006  yet both countries also are more fragile.

In Lebanon, four years of economic crisis have crippled public institutions, including its army and electrical grid, and eroded its health system. The country hosts more than 1 million Syrian refugees.

Lebanon adopted an emergency plan for a war scenario in late October. It projected the forcible displacement of 1 million Lebanese for 45 days.

About 87,000 Lebanese are displaced from the border area. While the government is relying on international organizations to fund the response, many groups working in Lebanon can't maintain existing programs.

Aid group Doctors Without Borders said it has stockpiled some 10 tons of medical supplies and backup fuel for hospital generators in areas most likely to be affected by a widening conflict, in anticipation of a blockade.

No one wants this war, or wishes it on anyone, said Tal Beeri of the Alma Research and Education Center, a think tank focusing on northern Israel security. But he said he believes an armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is inevitable, arguing that diplomatic solutions appear unlikely and would only allow Hezbollah's strategic threats to increase.

Israel has evacuated 60,000 residents from towns nearest the border, where there's no warning time for rocket launches because of the proximity of Hezbollah squads.

In a war, there would be no point in additional evacuations since the militia's rockets and missiles can reach all of Israel.

After the Oct. 7 attack, the war in Gaza had broad domestic support, even if there's now a growing debate over its direction. Around half of Israelis would support war with Hezbollah as a last resort for restoring border security, according to recent polling by the think tank Israel Democracy Institute.

In Lebanon, some have criticized Hezbollah for exposing the country to another potentially devastating war. Others support the groups limited entry into the conflict and believe Hezbollahs arsenal will deter Israel from escalating.

A full-scale war would likely spread to multiple fronts, escalating the involvement of Iranian proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen  and perhaps even draw in Iran itself.

It could also drag the U.S., Israel's closest ally, deeper into the conflict. The U.S. already has dispatched additional warships to the region.

2023 in photos: Unforgettable images capture Middle East in turmoil
Yelps list of the Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. came out recently. As you might expect, its heavy on areas with large populations.

But two Omaha eateries managed to sneak their way onto the end of the list, thanks to enthusiastic hometown reviewers.

Everetts, a bar and grill at 8807 Maple St., is No. 93, and Corner Kitchen, a Mexican restaurant at 4218 S. 50th St., is No. 98. Both are fairly new: Everetts has been open for a little more than two years, and Corner Kitchen has been open for about a year.

The list features fairly detailed descriptions of restaurant cuisines and remarks from reviews.

Everetts, it said, has elevated pub fare in an atmosphere welcoming to all ages.

Both Yelp reviewers and locals on social media sites such as the Omaha Food Lovers page on Facebook say the house-brined wings, served with a variety of sauces such as Carolina BBQ and Thai peanut, are one of the main draws at Everetts.

I ordered a set of 10 wings with half the weekly special sauce (Thai sweet chili) and half cactus ranch. They were HUGE  meaty (and) cooked perfectly crisp and juicy. Probably the best wings Ive ever had, one reviewer said.

The Brussels sprouts appetizer  fried veggies with spicy honey glaze, bacon and lime crema  also get a lot of love.

Corner Kitchen is like eating Mexican food with a passport, the list says, with classic Mexican fare such as tacos, burritos and huevos rancheros, but youll also find a sprinkling of Asian inspiration.

Diners should try the kimchi Brussels sprouts with pea shoots and sweet chili mayo and the queso taco made with Korean carnitas and melted mozzarella, among other fusion dishes, they said.

From a reviewer: CK was a glorious eating adventure! We ordered the Birria taco, chicken chipotle ramen, Rangoon fried and elote. Everything was so full of flavor, fresh, hot and absolutely delicious!

Yelp.coms data scientists determined the top restaurants by analyzing user ratings, the number of reviews and the volume of submissions for restaurants across the country over the last year.

More than 30% of the top 100 came from three states in the Sun Belt: Arizona, Florida and Texas. California also had more than its share. Other trends included places with noodles, such as ramen shops and Japanese eateries, Korean restaurants and Latin places.

PhotoFiles: Do you remember these Lincoln favorites? Rock 'n' Roll Runza Chi-Chi's P.O. Pears A&W Waldo's Johnson's Cafe The Rotisserie Pontillo's K's Restaurant e11even Lone Oak Cafe McDonald's The Coffee House Imperial Palace To be continued...
A pair of Lincoln music community staples, Benjamin Kushner and Don DA Adams, are battling cancer. And they need our help.

Kushners been at the heart of Lincolns music community since the 90s, when he was a member of The Millions, a major label touring group. Of late, he's gone on to handle guitar duties in The Mezcal Brothers, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and the Wondermonds.

Being in multiple bands, hes one of the most frequent performers in the downtown music venues and is a constant presence at shows, turning up to support his fellow Lincoln musicians.

In 2017, Kushner became very ill and was diagnosed with stage 4 leukemia. A then-new drug kept the cancer at bay, allowing Kushner to return to his musical career, including touring Europe with Hoyer. But the cancer returned last year, sending him back into treatment, with very expensive drugs, while he has no income.

So Kushners daughter, Marina, has organized the first of a series of fundraisers for her father  a pottery sale to be held in the Parrish Studios hallway during the First Friday art walk from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Work donated by University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty and students, including nationally acclaimed ceramicists Margaret Bohls and Pete Pinnell, will be on sale and raffle tickets will be offered for those with limited amounts to donate.

All proceeds from the sale, which will continue online after Fridays event, will go to covering Kushners expenses, as well the money that will be raised in future events, some musical, that Marina Kushner is planning.

Adams, Pinnacle Bank Arenas production manager, has been a key member of the music community as well, having served for years as production manager of the Nebraska State Fair, Pershing Auditorium and at the Icebox for the Lincoln Stars. Hes also toured with multiple artists, including a stint as lighting director with the Dave Matthews Band.

Hes also served as the glue for the scene, providing production assistance and equipment for local shows, mentoring young artists and bringing musicians together for jam sessions at his west Lincoln Shop.

Adams was originally diagnosed with a throat tumor last year and was treated with radiation. The cancer, however, spread through his abdomen and, after a long series of tests to determine its origin, is now being treated with chemo. Now on unpaid medical leave, Adams is facing overwhelming financial obligations, including new high insurance premiums necessary for the treatment.

To help Adams financially, Pete Franks created a fundraiser  Help for Donald 'DA' Adams  at crowd-funding site gofundme.com. Donations also can be made directly to Adams through his Venmo, @donald-adams-57.

Give or buy some pottery if youre able. Benji and DA need some reciprocal support from the music community so they can beat cancer and get back to being keystones on the Lincoln scene.
In an effort to remove so-called pornographic materials from school libraries, a Nebraska State Board of Education member has proposed rule changes that would prevent what he believes to be inappropriate content from reaching students.

Kirk Penner released a copy of his proposed changes to Rule 10  which must be followed by all accredited schools in the state  on social media last month. While the long-standing rule also outlines many other regulations and procedures, Penners changes specifically target the media and technology resources portion.

In his proposal, Penner, whose district encompasses much of southeast Nebraska and parts of Lancaster County, alters several current rules, including how many new reading materials schools are required to purchase each year, and creates new ones.

Penners main focus, however, is on pornographic materials, aiming to stop sexually explicit materials from entering schools with the help of language pulled from a state statute intended to prevent child pornography, he said.

The Board of Education held a regular meeting Friday where two people spoke during the public comment period and seven more submitted written public comments, all of them against the proposed changes.

The board will vote on the measure at the next meeting on March 8.

The proposal would ban books with content pertaining to sexual intercourse or related topics, whether that be in the format of text or images. Materials purchased specifically for sex education classes would be exempt.

It does appear in some of our school libraries. Its just a fact, Penner said. So thats what Im trying to do, trying to garner some type of consensus. Im trying to work with the rest of the board to keep sexually explicit content out of our schools.

However, Chris Haeffner, president of the Nebraska School Library Association, said even without this rule in place, Nebraskas school libraries are already free of sexually inappropriate materials because of the processes librarians take to vet books.

Students do not come to their school libraries to find pornography. They do not use school databases to access pornography. The materials that are in our books are carefully selected by school librarians, she told the Journal Star.

No, we do not have pornography in our school libraries.

Because school librarians not only have teaching certificates but have also taken additional classes to receive a library certification, they are qualified to make decisions regarding inappropriate content, said Courtney Pentland, president of the American Association of School Librarians.

I think there should be a deeper level of trust for educators  and school librarians are educators  that they can do their job because theyre professionals who have been trained to do those jobs, said Pentland, who also is a current school librarian in Lincoln.

But board member Sherry Jones said she feels there needs to be more eyes on content than only certified school librarians.

I appreciate the work of media specialists and their knowledge, Jones said, but I dont think they can be the only safeguard to ensure that sexually explicit materials are not accessible to our students.

Additionally, with Penners proposed changes, school libraries would no longer have to purchase a minimum number of new reading materials each year. As it currently stands, elementary schools are required to buy at least 25 new media resources per teacher, or up to 150 total, and middle and high school libraries must acquire at least 150 every year.

Penner said the purpose of the proposed change is to get rid of an unfunded mandate.

However, Haeffner said that a lack of current materials could play a role in deterring students from reading and lead them to continue to fall behind in literacy.

It goes back to whether we want our kids to be readers, she said. If we have books that are old and worn out and are not keeping with the current trends of literature, then their motivation to pick those books up and actually read them is pretty low.

Since the pandemic, school districts across the nation, including Lincoln Public Schools, have been working to address an early literacy crisis. Without access to the quality resources school libraries provide, Haeffner said literacy levels in the state would be greatly impacted.

Kids learn how to read in the classroom, but they become great readers by practicing those reading skills. And they practice those reading skills by reading, she said. Its our libraries that offer really high-interest materials, or high-interest titles, and books that will keep kids reading.

Under Penners proposal, schools would also be required to now keep a current record of acquisition, classification and circulation of materials, and create an accurate, online catalog that can be accessed by the general public if approved.

By Aug. 1, superintendents would need to send proof of the public catalog and would need to repeat this annually every October.

Penners original proposal also included removing the current requirements that libraries are open and available to students throughout the entire school day, and that materials are properly cataloged and organized. However, he revised the proposal prior to Fridays meeting to maintain this rule.

The proposal also states that Nebraska taxpayers would be able to file complaints to their local superintendent if they believe a district or educator has not complied with the rules. If complainants feel their issues have not been properly addressed at the district level, they can take it to the Nebraska Department of Education, which would prompt an investigation.

Attempts to ban books or increase rules surrounding the content in school libraries have been on the rise across the country, Pentland said, including in Nebraska.

Most notably, in January, a Plattsmouth school board member was recalled after her attempts to ban a number of books from the school libraries.

Weve seen an increase in challenges to materials and weve seen an increase in legislation related to materials in school and public libraries at unprecedented rates in the last few years, she said, noting lawsuits in Florida, Missouri and Texas. And there will continue to be more.

But, Pentland said the top priority for both educators and school board members remains the same.

At the end of the day, we all want our students to be successful. We all want them to be well looked after and taken care of and learning in the best environment possible, she said. We all want that for the students in our state.
Just before Thanksgiving, the Lincoln City Libraries board took up a question: Should a young adult graphic novel called Flamer be removed from the young adult section of the library?

The book  about a teenager struggling with all the different parts of his identity including being Catholic, a Boy Scout and gay  was the fifth book or DVD that patrons had requested be removed either from the youth sections of the library, or in the case of the DVD, from the adult section last year.

Thats the highest number of requests Lincoln City Libraries has seen in the past five years, mirroring a rise nationally in attempts to remove books from city or school libraries, though Lincoln has seen much less controversy than many communities, even in Nebraska.

Nationally, the American Library Association released preliminary data suggesting attempts to censor library materials in 2023 was on its way to surpassing the previous year, which was the highest number since the organization began compiling it.

Several Nebraska communities have weathered controversies around books, including those in school libraries.

That hasnt happened at Lincoln Public Schools, despite a number of people who spoke to the school board about their concerns regarding library books in 2022.

LPS libraries has had just one formal request for reconsideration in the last decade, and hasnt removed a book from a library since the 1990s, said Chris Haeffner, LPS director of library services and president of the Nebraska School Library Association.

I like to think our parents trust us to have appropriate selections in our schools, she said. I think it goes to show how seriously they take intellectual freedom and a childs right to read.

At LPS, a committee reviews requests and makes a recommendation to the superintendent and his decision can be appealed to the school board.

At the city, reconsideration requests are also reviewed by a committee that makes a recommendation to the library director, whose decision can be appealed to the Library Board. That decision is final, although at least one person has reached out to City Council members about her concerns. Council member Tom Duden said hes had conversations about the issue with the library director.

Last year, five requests for reconsideration were filed and three of those were appealed. In all cases, including Flamer and two others appealed to the library board, the books were retained.

Four of the books were in the youth non-fiction area. Three dealt with gender and one with the changes that occur when young women go through puberty. The DVD was an R-rated romantic comedy about two gay men. The person who asked that it be removed was concerned about the sexual content.

In 2019, the board considered two requests for reconsideration, none in 2020, one in 2021 and three in 2022, in which one was appealed to the library board. In one case, a book called A Court of Silver Flames was moved from the young adult to adult section, as requested.

Vicki Wood, former youth services coordinator at Lincoln City Libraries who is president of the Acadmic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska and is part of an advocacy committee with the Nebraska Library Association, was among those who spoke in favor of retaining Flamer at the library board this fall.

She pointed out that it was published by mainstream publishers, and others testified about how the book resonated with them.

One library board member said he was a member of the LGBTQ+ community and was heartened that a book like Flamer was available, something that would have been life-changing for him at that age.

In the last two decades, theres been a push in the childrens book publishing world to provide more diversity so more people could see themselves reflected in the literature: Minorities, people with disabilities, kids raised in non-traditional families by grandparents, two moms or two dads, Wood said.

In school libraries, Haeffner said, librarians try hard to make sure books represent all students and families, so while there may be a book representative of a transgender character, there are also books about people in traditional gender roles.

We represent all of our families, not just one side of things, she said.

Theres a misconception that libraries are gatekeeperskeeping bad books out and good ones in  or that theyre activists pushing an agenda, which simply isnt true, Wood said.

Librarians ethics are very much about not letting their personal feelings influence either collections, she said.

In 2022, one of the three books retained at the city libraries  a decision upheld by the library board  was a book called Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, which the patron argued would be damaging and amounted to hate speech.

The committee that reviewed it concluded the book was published by a reputable publisher and the author wasnt denying the rights of transgender people but questioning one aspect. The library director and library board agreed.

Ultimately, Wood said, library patrons get to choose what they want to read, or what they want their children to read.

No one is making you read anything, she said. Thats the thing that baffles me about the whole thing.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
YORK  The maintenance manager and licensed water operator of the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, Tom Fritz, left his position.

Fritz's last day was on Friday, Feb. 2, about eight months after he started the position and a month and a half after he received his water operator's license.

Fritz took on the position of maintenance manager in May 2023 after the facility's then-maintenance manager and licensed water operator left for other work.

A report in early January by the York News-Times and the Lincoln Journal-Star revealed that women had been raising concerns about the prison's water and its potential health effects for nearly a decade.

Fritz told the News-Times on Wednesday that his decision to leave had "nothing to do with conditions" at the prison, adding that he was 70 years old.

"I'm tired and old and just want to leave," Fritz said.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services did not respond to multiple requests for comment. It is not clear if the prison has a replacement for Fritz or who will oversee the facility's water operations.

Between May 2023, when Fritz took over as maintenance manager, and December 2023, when Fritz received his water operator's license, the women's prison did not have a licensed water operator, Department of Correctional Services Spokesperson Dayne Urbanovsky told the Journal-Star.

During that time the prison relied on the York's licensed water operator to oversee operations, Urbanovsky said.

In October 2023, after the prison's primary water well underwent emergency repairs due to critical issues, the women incarcerated at the prison showered and washed their hands in undrinkable water for nearly two weeks, in part due to a delay caused by staff miscommunication. For those approximately two weeks, drinking water was available at only six locations in the 275-bed facility.

Then in January the women's prison shut off its water for between five and eight hours to fix a hydrant. Though water for showering and washing hands was restored after many hours, the water was not deemed drinkable until a few days later. In the meantime, the prison provided water bottles  "for the first time in years," one incarcerated woman said.

As the January report from York News-Times and the Lincoln Journal-Star revealed, when Fritz started as maintenance manager in May, he was inheriting a troubled water system.

Only a month before Fritz started as maintenance manager, a state water system inspector noted discoloration in the prison's water, attributing it to a reaction between the water's iron pipes and chemicals being used to treat the water.

About a year before Fritz started as maintenance manager, the prison had begun chemically treating its water to address historically high levels of copper. The decision to chemically treat the water to address copper levels had been made back in 2018 by state officials, who chose chemical treatment over a handful of alternatives, including a full replacement of the prison's pipes, which they said would be too expensive and pose security challenges.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will finalize a series of cuts to academic programs and faculty members at the University of Nebraska at Kearney when it meets next week.

Weeks after faculty and students made a pitch to save bachelors programs in geography, theater and recreation management, regents will consider terminating those degrees, according to an agenda for the Feb. 9 meeting.

Regents will meet at 9 a.m. in the Varner Hall Boardroom at 3835 Holdrege St. It will be the board's first meeting of 2024.

The reductions are part of an effort to trim $5 million from UNKs budget, including $3 million from academic programs, to close a budget shortfall created by declining enrollments, limited revenue growth and increased costs of operations.

If approved, the cuts are expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in savings for UNK.

But they will also affect a total of 69 students still enrolled in those programs or emphasis areas, though the university said each of those students will be allowed to finish their degrees.

Faculty will also be given a runway to find new positions within NU or another institution. UNKs faculty have a collective bargaining agreement that extends through May 2025, according to the agenda.

Other items on the regents agenda:

* Chris Kabourek will be installed as interim president for the NU system. Kabourek, the vice president for business and finance, was appointed as the interim system leader after Ted Carter left NU to become president of the Ohio State University on Jan. 1.

* Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice will succeed Lincoln Regent Tim Clare as chair of the board for the 2024 calendar year, marking his second time in that position.

Regents will then hold elections for the position of vice chair, who will become chair in 2025.

* Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, will provide an update on the legislative session to the board.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
OMAHA  A new strip club in a shopping plaza at 180th and Q streets has inspired a city ordinance designed to increase the citys ability to crackdown on business owners whose establishments cause neighborhood problems.

City Councilman Don Rowe proposed the ordinance. The council is scheduled to have a public hearing on it Tuesday.

Rowe said the ordinance does not target Club180, the bring-your-own-bottle club that opened around Christmastime last year at 18101 R Plaza. Its in the former Two Fine Irishmen restaurant space.

Nor does the proposed ordinance endeavor to prevent performers from going the full monty. That appears to be beyond the citys power, Rowe said, although there is some question about whether the club might need some type of liquor license.

The ordinance was prompted by neighbors concerns about problems the business might cause, Rowe said.

When Two Fine Irishmen switched to Club180, it caused a lot of backlash in the neighborhood, from businesses and homeowners, Rowe said. Because of their location right there on 180th and Q, when theres a neighborhood right out the back door.

He said he received about 75 emails from people concerned about whats going to happen there, about secondary effects. About 75 people packed a community room at the Millard Public Library for a meeting that Rowe held Dec. 28. City Attorney Matt Kuhse joined him, Rowe said.

What came out of that meeting was theyre concerned about those secondary effects, Rowe said. First of all, its a BYOB club. They advertise its BYOB. So theres alcohol. And their (hours) are like 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. So (neighbors) are concerned about people coming out of the place and driving under the influence of alcohol, causing disturbances, whether it be noise, of just disturbing the peace, people wandering in their backyards.

Rowe said he met with Kuhse about what the city could do.

And so we helped put together this ordinance that youre going to see a public hearing on next week about offenses to the public peace, Rowe said. So it really addresses noise, it addresses the parking lot, it addresses a lot of the things that we talked about.

The ordinance creates the offense of Disorderly Premises or Nuisance Gatherings, according to a memo from Kuhse to the council.

This ordinance creates a criminal offense for individuals who allow activities, either on private property or vacant property, in disturbance of the public peace, health, safety and general welfare of the city, Kuhse wrote. This ordinance also includes individuals who own the property where the illegal activity is conducted.

The city currently has laws against many of the behaviors in the ordinance. But under the new ordinance, police can cite not only the people causing the disturbance, but we can also cite the business owner, if they are not a good operator, if they do not handle that properly to limit the impact on the neighborhood. The business owner can be charged as well.

The website for Club180 states it is an exclusive private club with the flexibility of choice for customers to opt for the allure of a one-day membership for $20, or embrace the pinnacle of exclusivity with a $1,000 one-year membership.

Its in a shopping plaza across 180th Street from Millard West High School. There are houses over a wood fence from Club180s back door. The pinnacle of exclusivity shares the shopping plaza with such establishments as a hearing clinic, a gym, a drugstore, a brewpub, a dentists office, a nail clinic and a Montessori school.

The ordinance lists multiple activities in its definition of what makes a place a disorderly premises. Those include disorderly conduct as defined elsewhere in city code, people using drugs or persons engaging in public urination, public defecation, lewd conduct, pandering, or prostitution.

Violating the ordinance would be a misdemeanor offense. If a business owner was convicted three times within an 18-month span, the city could revoke their certificate of occupancy, which would have the effect of shutting down the business.




NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Feb. 2, 2024



NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League:

President Biden's pick of John Podesta to replace John Kerry as his top climate envoy is revealing on several fronts. All three Catholics worship at the altar of climate control more than they do the altar of the Magisterium, or the teaching body of the Catholic Church. In the case of Podesta, not only is his fidelity misplaced, he has actively sought to subvert the Catholic Church.

To be specific, we learned in 2016 that Wikileaks documents from 2012 showed how Podesta created Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, a bogus lay Catholic entity. He did so with the express purpose of mobilizing Catholics to challenge the Catholic hierarchy, forcing changes that advance the left-wing agenda.

Catholics in Alliance was funded by George Soros. We fought this shell group from the get-go, exposing them as a fraud. When Wikileaks documents confirmed our allegations, Podesta claimed he could not be anti-Catholic because he is a Catholic.

Here is what I said on October 17, 2016, in reply. "Bigotry is determined by what is said and done and does not turn on biographical data. For example, putting a swastika on a synagogue is no less anti-Semitic if done by a Jew. Similarly, making anti-Catholic statements, or engaging in anti-Catholic conduct, is no less anti-Catholic if done by a Catholic."

If a non-Catholic president chose Podesta for a senior post in his administration, we would brand it as anti-Catholic. When a president who identifies as a Catholic does it, it is aiding and abetting sabotage within the Catholic Church.

Podesta is not only duplicitous about his Catholic status, he is just as duplicitous about his commitment to the environment.

Last November, Podesta went with John Kerry, the climate chief at the time, to the U.N.'s COP28 summit. They had a good time hammering fossil fuels. More important, they got there by taking a private jet. Sen. Joni Ernst took note. "Once again, the Biden administration exposes the hypocrisy of their own radical green fantasy."

Podesta loves jetting around in private planes. In fact, he averages 11,000 miles per year in private jet travel. He also owns nine luxury cars. In other words, his lifestyle is responsible for emitting so many pollutants into the air that he has to be in the top 1 percent of the nation's polluters. And when he gets to his destination, he bashes polluters.

John Podesta is a quintessential phony. That is why he was chosen to be the Climate Czar by our "devout Catholic" president. The Czar of Duplicity is a perfect fit.

Contact White House Secretary: Karine.Jean-Pierre@who.eop.gov
Through objects big and small, a new center offers a snapshot into the lives of members of Omaha's Jewish community dating back to the 1850s.

Some objects inside the Milton Mendel and Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center are hopeful. Others are a reminder of a painful past.

In one display case is a red, white and blue nail file that encouraged voters to reelect Ed Zorinsky to the U.S. Senate because he was "A Man for the rank & FILE." Zorinsky was the first Jewish person elected to statewide office in Nebraska.

In another display case is a Torah belonging to the Erman family, who came to the United States from Nazi Germany in 1938. They arrived in New York, just days before Kristallnacht  or the "Night of Broken Glass"  in which Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

The story goes that they came to the United States with the Torah under one arm and their 3-month-old son under the other arm, said Jane Rips, executive director of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.

The Kleinberg Heritage Center is at the Jewish Federation of Omaha on the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus, 333 S. 132nd St.

From sports, to businesses, to military and public service, visitors can learn about the history of Jewish families and the impact they've had on the Omaha community.

Rips said some people may not know that some of Omaha's most notable businesses, like Nebraska Furniture Mart and Borsheims, were started by Jewish entrepreneurs.

The people came to Omaha, and they became a part of Omaha," Rips said. "They didnt just move here and have a small insular community. So thats part of what we were trying to show was their influence on Omaha but also the lives that they made.

Large photos on the walls serve as a backdrop to artifacts behind glass cases and signs with paragraphs of information.

The hope is that groups from churches and schools will tour the center and learn more about Omaha's Jewish community.

Many of the objects included in the center were drawn from the archives of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, which is part of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Its the next way of really taking what weve had in an archive in a basement and sorting through it and saying what are the most important things?" said Margie Utesch, director of marketing for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. "What are the things that we want people to understand and relate with?

On touchscreens throughout the center, visitors can read about Holocaust survivors or listen to interviews with people in Nebraska's Jewish community.

Scott Littky, executive director at the Institute of Holocaust Education, said it was important to the people organizing the center that the memories and stories of survivors be included. Specifically, the stories of those who moved to Nebraska after World War II.

Littky said eight survivors of the Holocaust still live in Nebraska. The youngest is 85, and the oldest is 99.

As with everybody in this exhibit, theyre unique individuals who added to the fabric of our Jewish community," Littky said. "And they lived. They didnt come here to die, they came here to live. And re-create their lives.

They had children, grandchildren and opened businesses.

The Jewish community has had an impact in this city forever," Littky said. "So this is a nice way to honor them.

The Kleinberg Heritage Center is open to the public Mondays to Thursdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Photos: Milton Mendel and Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center
Reading and hearing about whats happening in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, Sudan and even Taiwan, you cant help but wonder, Is anybody doing anything to help?

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Rotarians in District 5650, which includes Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, joined with an international effort to send cargo planes filled with medical supplies. More than 350 tons of supplies were airlifted.

As Ukrainian refugees began to end up in the district, once again clubs worked together to help them get settled. More recently, as Russia has targeted Ukraines utilities including the electric grid, Rotary 14 in Lincoln joined others around the world in an international effort to provide solar power for hospitals and clinics.

These actions are in keeping with Rotarys efforts to seek peace since World War I, as some nations got together to try to do something, but there wasnt public opinion to support them. Then, in 1942 during World War II, 26 nations got together and signed a pledge to uphold declarations by a new organization that had come to be known as the United Nations. In 1943, officials from the United States, Soviet Union and Great Britain called for the creation of an organization to help maintain peace and security.

It was at this time that Rotary International joined in the conversation by encouraging the thousands of members in countries around the world to discuss how the United Nations would help bring about and maintain peace in the world. Rotarians were encouraged to read the book From Here On! and discuss it with their club members. That helped build public support for the international effort to foster peace and understanding.

Shortly after World War II, representatives from 50 countries around the world gathered in San Francisco to develop a charter for the United Nations. Not only was Rotary represented at that conference, but Rotarians around the world once again engaged in conversations and other activities to inform members in hopes that public support of the San Francisco endeavor would be strong.

Today, in addition to getting members to provide medical supplies and relief in war torn areas and solar panels for medical facilities, Rotary holds the highest consultative status offered to a nongovernmental organization by the United Nations' Economic and Social Council, which oversees many specialized UN agencies. The Rotary Representative Network maintains and furthers its relationship with several UN bodies, programs, commissions and agencies. This network consists of Rotary International representatives to the United Nations and other organizations. And each year the United Nations celebrates Rotary Day to recognize and honor Rotarys involvement in helping create the vision for peace and humanitarian activities around the world.

This year, Rotary Day at the United Nations will take place on May 4 in Paris, France. The primary focus will be on education and peace. For over a century, Rotarians have been committed to addressing the needs of people across the globe and doing what they could to foster peace. Thats why we say Rotarians are people of action.
UNION GROVE  A traffic mishap that left a student injured is prompting village and school officials to plan safety improvements at an intersection near Union Grove High School.

The village and school district have agreed to share the cost of installing flashing beacons at Main Street and 7th Avenue to help students and other pedestrians cross safely.

Discussions also are underway about installing more street lights at the intersection.

Officials say the intersection has been the site of several pedestrian injuries, including an incident last fall when a student was hit by a truck.

The student returned to school after being hospitalized and spending several weeks recovering.

Village President Steve Wicklund said the latest mishap persuaded him that new traffic controls are needed to ensure safety.

Were taking it very seriously, he said. Its a huge concern.

State traffic counts show that Main Street, also known as U.S. Highway 45, carries between 5,700 and 6,400 vehicles per day near the high school.

Village and school officials met with Wisconsin Department of Transportation administrators, and got the states approval to install the flashing beacons.

The warning lights, which will be similar to those north of the high school, could be in place at the 7th Avenue intersection within a few months.

DOT spokesman Chris Verhyen said in an email that the state is working with Union Grove on the traffic safety issue.

The village and school district have agreed to share the estimated $15,000 cost of the beacons.

Union Grove High School Superintendent Tom Johnson said he is confident that the new traffic controls will make it safer for students and others crossing Main Street.

I think itll be a dramatic improvement, he said.

In the past five years, Johnson said, the Racine County Sheriffs Office has reported 36 pedestrian injuries  some minor, some serious  at the intersection.

The school district has assigned crossing guards to the site, which the superintendent said will continue for the remainder of the school year. The crossing guards are on duty every morning and afternoon on school days.

Officials have also discussed installing new street lights at the intersection.

Racine County Supervisor Scott Maier joined in the meeting with DOT, saying he shares concerns about pedestrian safety near the high school.

Maier said more street lighting would be an improvement, although he recognizes that lighting would be an additional expense. He said seeking county funding is a possibility.

Were not sure how thats all going to shake out, he said. Theres lots of things to come yet.

The deadliest and safest cities for pedestrians The deadliest and safest cities for pedestrians Deadliest cities for pedestrians The smaller cities on this list have higher rate-adjusted fatality rates than major cities Safest cities for pedestrians Where did fatality rates rise or fall the most?
1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often.

2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather.

3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either.

4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place.

Vote

View Results
Did you notice something familiar in the upcoming 66th Annual Grammy Awards? That's probably Jon Batiste, the current "crowned prince of jazz," with his slew of six nominations storming the prestigious event, again!

Jon Batiste and His Grammy Nominations in 2024

The New Orleans-born artist is on a momentous run in this year's Grammys, returning this time thanks to his 2023 release, "World Music Radio." The album is a unique blend of his trademark soul jazz fusion with hints of gospel, dancehall, and even hip-hop, among others.

With this release, Batiste enjoys nominations for the categories of Song of the Year for "Butterfly;" Record of the Year for "Worship;" Album of the Year for "World Music Radio;" Best Jazz Performance for "MOVEMENT 18' (Heroes);" and Best American Roots Performance for "Butterfly."

Alongside these nods, Batiste is also receiving recognition for his feature on Lana Del Rey's recent record, "Candy Necklace," which they share a Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nomination for.

For his Song of the Year contender "Butterfly, in particular, Batiste crafted a heartfelt marital lullaby that is wholly dedicated to his wife Suleika Jaouad after she was hospitalized for cancer treatment.

"Butterfly," like most songs in Batiste's oeuvre, is an anthem of hope. However, it is also a melancholic call for freedom, as evident in the lyrics: "Butterfly in the air/ Where you can fly anywhere/ A sight beyond compare."

The jazz icon told PEOPLE that the song is deeply personal to himself, his wife, and his family, especially after what they have persevered through and overcame.

"That's a really big part of the narrative of the song," Batiste said.

Read Also: The Beatles' Only Collaborative Painting 'Images of a Woman' Recently Sold for $1.7M in a Christie's Auction

Deep Roots Soaked in Jazz History and Jon Batiste's Start

Despite the stripped-down nature of instrumentation for the song, Batiste still embellishes here and there with bluesy and jazzy runs that he is known for, albeit in a "kinder" and more tone-appropriate way.

This is thanks to his years of experience as part of a New Orleans musical dynasty, which tempered his overall sound with a solid and unshakeable identity.

According to an artist writeup by PBS, Batiste was born into a long line of Louisiana musicians, including iLionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band, Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band, and Russell Batiste Jr.

Besides his rich musical pedigree, the artist has also paved an acclaimed career for himself through his virtuosic playing and openness to new "flavors" or fusions of jazz.

He recorded and released his first solo album "Hollywood Africans" in 2018 and received huge props from his contemporaries for it, alongside rave reviews from critics. This release of his also earned him his first Grammy nod, one of many that rained in the following years.

As for his education, Batiste finished both his undergraduate and master's degrees relating to piano from the highly prestigious musical institution, the Juilliard School.

Read More: Hinton Battle, Three-Time Tony Winner and Original 'Scarecrow' from Broadway's 'The Wiz,' Dies at 67

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KEARNEY  Bess Furman Armstrong Hall is more than a building.

Its a place where University of Nebraska at Kearney students will come together to live, learn and lead.

Theyre going to make the memories of a lifetime in there, and thats really special, Chancellor Doug Kristensen said Thursday afternoon at the dedication of the 41,000-square-foot residence hall.

Speaking to a crowd of students, staff, faculty and other guests, Kristensen called the universitys new sorority housing an outstanding facility that will allow the women of Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta and Gamma Phi Beta to flourish at UNK and beyond.

Our sororities have historically led in areas such as service, student government and academic achievement, he said. With this new community space, those opportunities and those achievements are only going to get greater.

Part of a $32.65 million housing project, Armstrong Hall opened in early January, ushering in a new era for fraternity and sorority life on campus.

The 140-bed residence hall features dedicated housing pods, chapter rooms, lounges and study areas for each Panhellenic sorority, along with an outdoor patio and green space. There are flexible housing units designed to meet the chapters future needs, as well.

This building is a major step up from where we were, said Mackenzie Welsh, president of Alpha Omicron Pi and former president of the Panhellenic Council.

Previously, fraternity and sorority members lived in University Residence North and University Residence South, two halls on the west side of campus that continue to experience mechanical infrastructure issues. Those buildings have the highest annual maintenance and operating costs among UNKs residence halls, and it would cost an estimated $37 million to make the repairs and improvements needed to keep them in use.

Now that theyre living in Armstrong Hall, students use words like incredible, beautiful, bright and spacious to describe their new campus home.

Were really grateful and excited to be here, Welsh said. Its so nice that UNK cares so much about the Greek community.

Beyond the amenities, Welsh believes the building will serve as a place full of collaboration and community.

Friendships will be forged, memories will be made and traditions will be upheld, she said during the dedication ceremony.

The junior from Papillion likes the layout and location of Armstrong Hall, which will promote unity by bringing the sororities closer together and encouraging members to connect with other students on campus.

At URN and URS, students felt somewhat disconnected from the rest of campus and from each other, since the buildings design created a level of separation between chapters.

The new housing gives students the resources, opportunities and support they need to thrive both personally and socially, Welsh said.

I have no doubt that Armstrong Hall will provide a positive environment for our Greek students to grow closer, she said.

Armstrong Hall is located just east of the Nebraska Student Union, giving residents easy access to campus events and activities, dining options, support staff and other resources. Theyre also closer to the other residence halls, including the new fraternity housing.

Martin Hall, which houses UNK fraternity members, reopened in January 2023 following a major renovation that transformed the nearly 70-year-old residence hall into a modern living space. That building is directly south of Armstrong.

Together, the two residence halls represent the premier fraternity and sorority housing in the region, Kristensen noted.

Student Body President Temo Molina said the housing project will enhance the student experience at UNK.

Lets remember that were here together for more than just a building, he said. Lets remember our collective aspirations and the transformative power of education and community.

As a member of the Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity, hes particularly proud that the building supports more than Panhellenic sororities. It also serves UNKs multicultural chapters  Sigma Lambda Beta and the Sigma Lambda Gamma and Lambda Theta Nu sororities. They have their own chapter rooms and a shared lounge, giving them a permanent on-campus home for the first time.

As we start a new era for Greek Life at UNK, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values of scholarship, leadership and service that define our organizations, Molina said. Let us strive to foster an inclusive and supportive community that leaves every member feeling valued, empowered and respected.

The new sorority housing is named after Bess Furman Armstrong, a Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney graduate who served as the first woman editor of The Antelope student newspaper.

She worked for the Associated Press and The New York Times, covering the White House during five presidential administrations, and she was the first woman to hold a top public affairs position with a cabinet agency  the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

The Danbury native was inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame in 1975, six years after her death.

Kristensen called her a true trailblazer and an inspiration.

We think our UNK students  especially the women in these sororities  can continue to be inspired, to value scholarship, service and sisterhood, and to become trailblazers with Armstrong Hall as their home, he said.
Nebraska is failing to reach its economic potential due to an extremely tight labor market, insufficient population growth and a shortage of skilled workers, says an economic competitiveness study commissioned by the states chamber of commerce.

Among recommendations for addressing the shortcomings include boosting college scholarships to grow university enrollment, welcoming new immigrants, more state funding for housing and promoting the state's available career opportunities within schools.

"You're not getting enough people for the jobs you have," said Ted Abernathy, an economic development consultant who authored the study for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Its a throttle to your growth. Over time, that really hurts you."

In many ways, the challenges in Nebraska are not unique, as every state in the nation right now is fighting worker shortages, a lack of affordable housing and insufficient childcare availability, Abernathy said.

But Nebraska's labor market is also among the nation's tightest. Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates at about 2%, and the nations third-highest rate of adults who are working. That leaves a small pool of potential workers to fill the thousands of unfilled jobs in the state.

For example, he noted that manufacturing jobs have recently been growing in Nebraska at a 5% annual rate. But he said such jobs could be growing at an 8% clip going forward if the state could get the workers.

To assess the barriers to growth in Nebraska, the chamber's foundation commissioned a series of studies by Abernathy, an economic developer who formerly worked in North Carolinas research triangle. One report focused on the states overall competitiveness, one on the states manufacturing sector, and another on the importance of immigration.

Nebraska is doing well on some fronts

The competitiveness report found Nebraska does have some good things going for it. For a state of just under 2 million people, Nebraska has a robust and resilient economy.

Nebraska has one of the nation's largest agriculture and food processing sectors, boasts a strong manufacturing industry, and is growing its technology and business services sectors.

Other positives for the state economy include relative affordability in cost of living and cost of doing business, a strong education system, a relatively young population relative to the nation, and reasonably good roads and broadband infrastructure.

Thanks to its younger population base, Nebraska's projected population of working-age people is expected to grow about 6% over the next decade  almost double the national rate and the second-highest among its neighbors.

Growth in gross domestic product, a measure of total economic output, has been strong, with the Omaha metro posting the second-highest GDP growth in the nation in 2022, behind only Austin, Texas.

But given the tight labor market, Nebraska has no choice but to grow its population more like some of the nations fastest growing, more competitive states, among them Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Texas, Abernathy said.

While Nebraska housing prices are rising, it is still among the more affordable states to own a home. But home building continues to lag behind that of many other states, making it hard to attract young workers and families.

"It's getting elusive," he said of affordable housing.

Rankings of the states business climate generally put Nebraska in the middle of the pack. The state tends to rate high for business friendliness and cost of doing business, but also ranks lower in business innovation and access to capital.

Business leaders who spoke to Abernathy were still wary of the states overall tax burden, though they were optimistic about recent tax changes enacted by the Legislature, which included reductions in the top income tax rate and the corporate income tax rate.

Study: Here's how Nebraska could do better

Abernathy, who has worked in numerous states, said he tries to make recommendations for change that are proven in other places, affordable and achievable over time. Among the recommendations he made for boosting Nebraska's growth:

* Encouraging Nebraskas congressional delegation to work with like-minded states to pass legislation encouraging legal immigration into the United States. Related to that, the study proposes regional planning between businesses and nonprofits that support new immigrants with a goal of making Nebraska the most welcoming and ready state for immigrants.

* Creating a work experience coordinator position at the state level and in each region of the state to forge school connections and increase awareness of internship and career opportunities in the state. Activities promoted would include business speakers in schools, worksite visits, job shadowing and expansion of available internships and apprenticeships.

"If you want young people to stay, you have to root them in the state," Abernathy said.

* Pursuing a 10% increase in Nebraska college enrollment over the next five years through new scholarships and recruitment of international students. Related to that, Gov. Jim Pillen and University of Nebraska officials are set Monday to announce a new scholarship program for high-achieving students in the state.

* Boosting funding for "The Good Life is Calling," a state program that markets available opportunities to young people living in nearby cities. The report suggests a focus on former Nebraskans and graduates of Nebraska colleges. It also suggests a home-purchasing incentive program for recent college graduates.

* Increasing state funding to a state program that supports the construction of more workforce housing, housing thats affordable for the working population. It also suggests new state incentives to promote private sector development of homes  something recently enacted in South Dakota  and statewide zoning changes to promote alternative forms of housing like townhomes and duplexes.

* Offering additional incentives for increasing childcare access across the state, including incentives for employees that provide on-site childcare or subsidize care for employees.

* Streamlining existing business incentive programs to increase the focus on business capital investment, growing GDP and increased innovation and automation.

Bryan Slone, CEO of the Nebraska chamber, said none of the recommendations are easy. But he said the organization is committed to working with state leaders and local chambers on a regional basis in the coming months to implement them.

Pillen has also indicated support for helping local communities solve their workforce problems, backing a proposal for a state-private initiative that would create regional teams to tackle the issues.

"These are generational decisions we are going to make over the next several years," Slone said.
With a 14-year-old autistic son for whom she is the primary caregiver, Omaha mother Keri Smith said ensuring that the two of them have enough food is a constant challenge.

Smith testified Thursday in support of LB952 to require Nebraska to participate in a federal program that provides federal food benefits to children during the summer months. The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program would help feed an estimated 150,000 Nebraska children.

"These kids have weathered COVID and have been resilient through a global crisis," Smith told the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. "They are isolated, scared and unable to grow up with normal childhoods like the rest of us. The least we can do is support them now by making sure they have enough to eat."

LB952 drew 17 people to testify in support of the proposal, with another 153 people submitting written comments in favor of the bill. No one testified against it.

The federal program would have provided an estimated $18 million in food aid in Nebraska during school vacation months to low-income families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The program launches nationally this summer, but states had to indicate their interest by Jan. 1. Thirty-five states opted in, but Gov. Jim Pillen announced late last year that Nebraska would not participate.

The EBT program follows a similar federal program that took effect in Nebraska in 2021 and continued for the next two years. This summer would be the first since 2021 when Nebraska families would no longer have access to the aid.

Pillen's announcement sparked an immediate backlash, and Thursday's hearing indicated that opinions have not softened. Testifiers called Pillen's decision "deplorable" and "a travesty." Omaha mother Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek said she was so angry her voice was shaking during the hearing.

"Nebraskans of good conscience cannot understand why Governor Pillen rejects available federal funds that would help hungry Nebraskans," she said.

Eric Savaiano, economic justice program manager for Nebraska Appleseed, said more than 6,100 people signed a petition his organization circulated for nine days at the end of 2023 that called for Nebraska to participate in the EBT program.

Pillen has said summertime food aid for schoolchildren was a pandemic-era idea, and said he prefers providing food through the Summer Food Service Program, an older federal program that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens at various sites in low-income communities.

Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, who introduced LB952, said the older program is great but isn't sufficient to meet the needs of Nebraskans. She said many families face challenges accessing the sites to get food  a particularly big problem for rural regions.

"We're not an urban state where this kind of delivery model makes much sense," Day said.

Unlike the Summer Food Service Program, the EBT program provides families with a card that gives them $40 per child per month that can be spent on groceries. Day said this would eliminate the access issue, and said the two programs would work well together.

So far, LB952 has attracted some bipartisan support. While Day is a Democrat, Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, a Republican, has chosen the bill as his priority for this legislative session. Besides those two lawmakers, three other Republicans and 13 other Democrats have co-sponsored the bill.

Day said many families who would participate have limited resources and often have to choose between food and other necessities like health care or rent. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released in October found that Nebraska has a higher rate of food insecurity than the national average or any neighboring state except Missouri.

Lina Bostwick, a registered nurse representing the Nebraska Nurses Association, said the program is an efficient form of economic stimulus, as the funding must be spent at local grocery stores.

Several testifiers represented local food banks and said that failure to participate in the EBT program would have a ripple effect on them, increasing the already high demand they see during the summer.

"When school is out, we all feel the weight of concern," said Michaella Kumke, CEO of the Food Bank of Lincoln.

If LB952 passes, Savaiano said he's not sure if Nebraska would be allowed to participate in the program this summer, since the state missed the deadline. However, he said the USDA has allowed states to submit waivers for late enrollments in the past, so it remains a possibility.
Just like in humans, vaccinations play an important role in maintaining pets health by providing immunity against a range of serious illnesses. These preventive measures in animals are essential for preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring their long-term well-being.

In Wisconsin, all dogs must be licensed by the time theyre five months old, and to be licensed, they must have proof of a current rabies vaccine. Cat licensing requirements and fees vary by location and may be higher for unaltered pets.

Wisconsin requires proof of certain vaccinations for pet licensing to ensure public health safety and control the spread of diseases. In La Crosse County, the deadline to license your pet is March 31 to avoid a penalty.

With licensing available Jan. 1 through March 31 to avoid late fees, now is a good time to schedule all your pets core vaccines, along with what are considered non-core vaccines administered depending on your pets exposure risk.

According to Onalaska Animal Hospital co-owner and veterinarian Nicole Azene, Core Vaccines are those recommended for all pets, regardless of their circumstances.

For dogs, these typically include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. For cats, core vaccines generally include rabies, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis), and panleukopenia (feline distemper).

She added that non-core vaccines can include those for diseases like Bordetella bronchiseptica, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis in dogs, and feline leukemia virus in cats, she added.

Vaccines contain antigens that mimic disease-causing organisms but dont actually cause disease. When administered, they stimulate the immune system to respond and build immunity. So, if the animal is later exposed to the disease, its immune system recognizes it and is ready to fight it off.

Some people are anxious about vaccinating their pets, but what should really concern them is the consequences  beyond citations  for skipping them, said Azene. Without vaccinations, pets are at a much higher risk of contracting and spreading contagious diseases. Some of these diseases, such as rabies, can be fatal and pose a significant public health risk. Also, unvaccinated pets may require more expensive medical treatment if they contract preventable diseases.

In Azenes experience, she said people who resist pet vaccinations typically cite one of these five reasons:

1. Theyre concerned about vaccine safety or that the vaccine itself may make their pet feel ill. But Azene said vaccines undergo extensive testing and monitoring for safety and effectiveness, and side effects are usually mild and transient, much less severe than the diseases they prevent.

2. There can be mistrust or lack of understanding about the effectiveness and necessity of vaccines. Reliable veterinary science supports the use and efficacy of vaccines. Veterinarians can provide accurate information and dispel myths, helping owners make informed decisions.

3. They cant afford to vaccinate their pet. But vaccination is a primary part of pet ownership and a responsibility you assume when you decide to become a pet owner.

4. Their pets stay indoors, so they arent at risk for disease. Indoor pets can still be exposed to viruses and bacteria, as they can come into the home on shoes, clothes, or through other pets, said Azene. Vaccination helps protect your animals regardless of their living environment.

5. Their pet had a negative vaccination experience in the past. If your pet has reacted negatively to a vaccine in the past, veterinarians can adjust the vaccination protocol or take precautions to minimize risks, increase your pets comfort, and ensure safety.

For the specific deadlines and regulations regarding pet licensing and required vaccinations in your area, its best to consult your local county or city governments website or contact them directly. They will provide the most current and applicable information.

Whatever the regulations, keeping pets vaccinated is a critical part of responsible pet ownership. It protects the pet and safeguards the community against the spread of potentially dangerous diseases.
Mark Huesmann won the endorsement of 11 sitting or former judges and touted their support during a Friday press conference in La Crosse.

Huesmann was appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to the 3rd Circuit Court judgeship in La Crosse County vacated by Todd Bjerke, who retired July 31, 2023. The seat is up for election this spring, and Huesmann has drawn a challenge from La Crosse attorney Candice Tlustosch. The winner of the April 2 election will serve a 6-year term.

Bjerke is among the judges backing Huesmanns campaign. Huesmann worked under Bjerke for 16 years as court commissioner, and the two created a veterans court in La Crosse County.

My belief in him has not changed since he was appointed to replace me, Bjerke said.

Huesmann received the endorsement of sitting La Crosse County Circuit Court judges Ramona Gonzalez, Elliott Levine and Gloria Doyle. He also received the endorsements of retired judges Dale Pasell, Michael Mulroy, John Perlich, Dennis Marcou, John Damon, Timothy Gaskell and John Brinckman.

Huesmann said his campaign is focusing on a comprehensive approach to the issues facing the court system.

Many that come into the court system, whether they are crime victims, offenders or children and families in need of protection or services, struggle with substance abuse, mental health or trauma, Huesmann said. We need to address these issues from multiple angles to achieve positive outcomes for the community.

The only sitting La Crosse County judge who didnt endorse Huesmann is Scott Horne. When Huesmann was asked if he sought Hornes endorsement, he replied, Judge Horne, as the chief judge, is not endorsing. He is the chief judge of our district, and he thought it would be appropriate not to endorse, and I respect that.

Huesmann pledged to run a nonpartisan campaign.

The wonderful thing about being a judge is that its a nonpartisan position, Huesmann said. We all stand up here as independents. We have to be vigilant out there. We have a polarized climate. We have to rise above that.

For more than two decades, Huesmann operated his own law office as a general practice trial attorney, representing clients in employment and business law, real estate, bankruptcy, criminal defense, family law and personal injury.

Outside the courtroom, Huesmann teaches at the UW-La Crosse in the College of Business. He has also been an attorney adviser for the UW-La Crosse Student Life Office, where he provides legal advice and assistance to students. He served in the Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel.
DETROIT  A Black man who was detained by police during an early morning walk in a quiet community northwest of Detroit says the white officer who threw him against a squad car, cuffed him and accused him of planning to break into a car also told a significant lie.

Brian Chaney says he asked for a supervisor during his arrest in Keego Harbor, Michigan, and Police Officer Richard Lindquist told him that another officer present was in charge. The problem: That second officer was not a supervisor or even a member of the Keego Harbor Police Department.

Lindquist was never disciplined and his chief says that while a suspect has the right to request a supervisor, what the officer did was OK.

An officer can lie in the field when hes not under oath, Keego Harbor Police Chief John Fitzgerald said in a deposition in Chaney's $10 million wrongful detention lawsuit.

But with American trust in police plummeting, buttressed by cellphone and bodycam videos that can expose untruths, a profession once broadly considered above reproach has seen its reputation suffer.

Its well accepted that the weakest and most vulnerable members of society are the biggest victims of coercive practices, like police being dishonest and deceptive practices in interrogations, said James Craven, a legal associate with Cato Institutes Project on Criminal Justice and a former criminal defense attorney.

In a Gallup poll last year, 43% of respondents said they have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police, down from 51% in 2021 and 64% in 2004. Gallup says 43% is an all-time low.

We need police we can trust, Craven said. We need to start envisioning a police force thats built with integrity at the center.

Several recent cases underscore that need.

In May, a Washington, D.C., police officer was arrested on charges that he obstructed an investigation and lied about leaking confidential information to Proud Boys extremist group leader Enrique Tarrio.

A white police officer and union leader in Portland, Oregon, was fired in 2022 for leaking a false report from a 911 caller who claimed a Black city commissioner had been involved in a hit-and-run. The department later reinstated him.

A former officer in Louisville, Kentucky, admitted in court that she and another officer falsified information in a search warrant that led to the 2020 fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman.

Police are allowed to use deception and present false evidence during interrogations and investigations to get suspects to admit guilt, according to a 1969 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

New York State has considered legislation that would ban police from lying to suspects during interrogations, while Illinois,Colorado and Oregon prohibit police from lying when interrogating juveniles.

Chaney, a licensed therapist and certified hypnotherapist from suburban Detroit, says in his lawsuit that in July 2021 he dropped his two teenage sons off at a gym. He was walking for exercise along a commercial street in Keego Harbor, about 30 miles northwest of Detroit, when Lindquist drove up behind and shouted: Get your hands out of your pocket!

According to the lawsuit, Lindquist told Chaney, Im going to frisk you because you look like you have a weapon and were going to break into cars.

Lindquist called him a dog, shoved him in the back and pushed him against the squad car, injuring his groin. His wrist was hurt from the handcuffs in the ordeal lasting more than 20 minutes, Chaneys complaint says.

Chaney said Lindquist only released him after he asked, What are you going to do next, put your knee into my neck? referencing the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer.

Fitzgerald said in his deposition on July 18, 2022, that Lindquist wasn't disciplined over the lie about the supervisor, characterizing it as "an attempted de-escalation, momentary speculation. He insisted lying is not policy in his department but that "its what theyre allowed to do.

Citizens who have been detained can ask for a supervisor  in this case, Fitzgerald  and officers should call him. Lindquist didnt call and he didn't think the officer gave Chaney his phone number, Fitzgerald said.

The chief declined to comment, citing the pending litigation, and several national and international organizations advocating on behalf of law enforcement did not respond to messages from the AP.

Lindquist no longer works for the Keego Harbor police and the AP was unable to reach him. Attorneys representing Lindquist in Chaney's case did not respond to requests for comment.

You should not have the right to lie, said Leonard Mungo, Chaneys attorney. Thats something that were writing into the moral fabric of the most powerful institution of our society that has the authority to put you in jail.

Detroit-area attorney David A. Robinson said the lies are a disappointment.

People hold police in high esteem, said Robinson, who spent 13 years as a Detroit police officer. A cops fall from grace is higher than that of a regular person when he is caught in a lie, simply because of this perception.

How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years Spending on public safety in cities in the US has doubled since 1980 Police funding has remained about half of public safety budgets consistently for 40 years Even with ballooning public safety budgets, many cities allocate more money to the police Some cities have reigned in police spending, while others have tightened overall public safety budgets
Tesla chief Elon Musk wants to move the companys incorporation, or registration, from the American state of Delaware to Texas. Musk said he will ask Tesla shareholders to vote on the move after a Delaware judge ruled against his 2018 pay deal valued at $55.8 billion.

"Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware," Musk posted on social media service X shortly after the ruling.

Tesla and many major companies, including Amazon, Google, Disney, and Walmart, keep their headquarters in other states. But they all register in the small eastern state of Delaware because of its tax laws and business courts.

The financial publication Forbes reports that 68 percent of the top American businesses are incorporated in Delaware. Companies that are registered in Delaware do not pay corporate income tax if they do not do business in the state. Even if they do business in the state, companies can also avoid paying corporate tax by setting up what is called a shell company. A shell company legally owns property but does not carry out any business.

Dan Coatsworth is an expert at AJ Bell, a British investment company. He told Reuters that Musks plan is the kind of behavior from someone who always looks for an alternative if he can't get what he wants.

Musk's idea, should he go through with the vote, is not without risk. Legal experts said investors might take legal action if he tried to move the state of incorporation to Texas. Legal action is even more likely if it was seen as a move to get his pay deal rather than to help Tesla.

Musks pay package

In 2022, the research firm Equilar carried out a study for The Associated Press. The study said that the median pay deal for a chief executive officer, or CEO, of a company in the Standard & Poor 500, an index of top companies, was valued at $14.8 million.

It would take an average worker at one of those companies more than 185 years to earn what their chief executive gets in just 12 months.

Musks pay package of $55.8 billion, set in 2018, was much larger than usual. So, a shareholder brought legal action. His lawyer argued that it was proposed by company directors with ties to Musk. And shareholders were given misleading and incomplete information.

In 2018, Tesla estimated the value of Musks compensation package at $2.28 billion. But its value has grown as Teslas stock price increased. Under the plan, Musk would receive stock options each time Teslas market value rose by $50 billion. That means Musk would have the chance to buy nearly 304 million shares for $23.34 each.

Tesla stock is now trading at about $190 a share compared with $21 at the start of 2018. By comparison, in 2022 the median worker at Tesla made $34,084.

Last week, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick of Delaware ruled that the process to set Musks pay package was flawed and the price unfair. She ruled that Teslas directors lacked independence from Musk and the big pay package was not needed for Tesla to keep Musk or meet its performance goals.

McCormicks ruling moved Musk out of the top spot on the Forbes list of wealthiest people. The publication removed $25 billion from his wealth putting him below French businessman Bernard Arnault.

How do companies decide on CEO pay?

To decide how much to pay their CEO, company directors often look at how much other companies are paying theirs. General Motors, for example, looks at Boeing, Ford, IBM, and other large companies to set its pay.

In 2022, General Motors gave its CEO, Mary Barra, a pay package valued at $29 million. And Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, another car company, received $22 million that year.

Although Tesla makes automobiles, investors often compare its stock with technology companies. Musk is often compared to Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Apples Tim Cook.

In 2023, Cooks pay was valued at $63.2 million. A year earlier, Cook received about $99 million.

Musks supporters argue that he is not like any other CEO and should not be paid like other CEOs. They said he has built Tesla into the most valuable automaker in the world. Last year, Tesla sold more electric vehicles than any other company. And the companys success has forced the rest of the auto industry to plan for electric vehicles.

Business law experts say any new pay package for Musk will likely be back in court again without independent directors or changes in the decision process for pay.

Before the ruling, however, Musk wrote on X that he wanted Tesla company directors to double his share to give him 25 percent voting control of the company. If not, Musk said he would develop artificial intelligence and robotic software outside of the company.

Im Mario Ritter Jr. And I'm Faith Pirlo.

Hai Do adapted this report for VOA Learning English from The Associated Press, Reuters and other sources.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

alternative n. another possible choice that is different from the one currently under consideration

median n. the middle value in a group of numbers

stock option n. a contract that gives the owner the right to buy stock at a set price

flawed adj. containing a mistake or something that should not be there

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While most people know about the Academy Awards in Hollywood  the awards known as the Oscars  few know about the Student Academy Awards.

But to those who know about the industry, they are a big deal.

A top-three finish at the Student Academy Awards can lift a young filmmakers career.

Freddy Macdonald knows this.

His short movie, Shedding Angels, placed third in the narrative film category in 2022. It was his thesis film after two years of study at the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles. A thesis is a big project that is needed to complete a study program.

Just being selected as a finalist was a dream come true, Macdonald said.

Having that stamp from the Academy helped give me so much momentum to create my first feature film.

Macdonald is 23. He said the recognition from the Academy helped launch his career. After the award, he said, investors paid more attention to him, and he was able to create excitement for a full-length movie.

That movie is a longer version of another one of his short films called Sew Torn. He directed it when he was 19.

Sew Torn, he said, tells the story of a seamstress who gets involved in a violent drug deal.

The full-length movie will be shown at film festivals this year and Macdonald hopes it will be shown in theaters sometime in the near future.

History of success

Macdonald could be one of the more recent filmmakers to go on to a successful career in Hollywood after receiving a student award from the Academy.

The awards program celebrated its 50th year in 2023. Some of the past winners include Spike Lee, known for his movies, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, He Got Game and others. Lee won an Oscar in 2019 for BlacKkKlansman.

Lee won his student award in 1983 when he was studying at New York University (NYU). His film was Joes Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads.

Other student winners include Robert Zemeckis, who won an Oscar for directing Forrest Gump in 1994. Pete Docter won a student award, too. He later earned Oscars for his animated films Up, Inside Out and Soul.

Kendra Carter is a Vice President at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs both awards programs. She said the Academy hopes to open the film industry to people from many different backgrounds and create a pool of highly skilled, diverse talent.

Serious exposure

In 2023, 640 members of the Academy voted on the awards, which means the student work was seen by hundreds of people in Hollywood. In addition to the award, many students come away from the event with a business agent who can help them get more work.

But thats not all. The gold-medal winners can choose to have their work submitted for the Academy Awards. Last year, an animated short film by a student from Australia, An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It, was considered for an Oscar.

Once your name is tied to a Student Academy Award, it just opens all of these doors, the Academys Carter said. Its so transformative for emerging filmmakers.

The program is now open to young filmmakers from around the world. Giorgio Ghiotto of Italy is a student at NYU. He won the gold medal in October for his documentary short film Wings of Dust.

Everyone thinks its impossible to be a documentary filmmaker unless youre rich, or super lucky, Ghiotto said. He called his success an impossible dream.

Macdonald said the opportunity to compete with student filmmakers from around the world was both extremely daunting and exciting. He said it was a great experience to go to the awards ceremony and meet so many creative people from around the world.

School experience

He would not have gotten that experience without going to film school. Macdonald said he thought about going to an undergraduate film program first.

And then towards the end of high school, kind of, I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker, but the big question came what college am I gonna go to? Where should I be applying? And so, I started looking at all the different paths in terms of film school and the American Film Institute always jumped off the page to meBut I didn't think that would be a possibility because it is a graduate program, and I was applying as a high school senior.

Macdonald applied and was the youngest person ever accepted into the directing program. He was qualified because by then, he had already made a short film and done other directing jobs. But because he did not have a college degree, AFI gave him a certificate of completion at the end.

While in school, he learned more about the business side of filmmaking than he expected. He learned how to write a proposal that aimed to make investors excited to finance a film.

And that was really helpful for me to kind of wrap my head around the different ways you can make movies.

An honor

Before being nominated for a Student Academy Award, Macdonald had everything he needed to enter the film industry. He had strong experience before attending AFI. He learned even more in school. He even got attention from some film studios. But the Student Academy Award experience gave him something more. It gave him the sense that other people believed in what he was doing.

The Academy recognizing it (my film) really gave me belief in myself that the stories that I want to tell are worth telling and that I should keep pursuing them.

The lesson, Macdonald added, was that the Academy liked his work and he, in his words, should keep fighting to make movies.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Jill Robbins.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press and his interview with Macdonald.

Quiz - Student Academy Awards Provide Momentum for Young Filmmakers Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

career n. a job or profession that a person has for a long time

narrative adj. telling a story

stamp n. a mark of approval

momentum n. a push that continues movement into the future

seamstress n. a woman who sews or repairs clothing

animated adj. involving moving pictures or cartoons rather than live-action film

diverse adj. involving many different examples of something

transformative adj. causing complete change

emerging adj. just beginning to develop into something fully

pursue v. to chase, follow or simply continue doing something

We want to hear from you. Do you know any student filmmakers? Send us a link to their work.
On Monday, the Lexington Public Library hosted a bilingual event aimed at empowering child care providers in the community.

Organized by Shonna Werth and Stephanie Novoa of Lexington Community for Kids, in collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative from Omaha, the free child care business workshop drew participants from diverse backgrounds, offering presentations in both English and Spanish.

Brandee Lengel, vice president of child care partnerships for NECC, delivered a presentation in English in one meeting room, while Katerin Castro, NECC bilingual quality child care specialist, addressed an audience in Spanish in a different meeting room. The focus of both presentations was to enlighten attendees about the child care network facilitated by NECC, a statewide initiative providing tools and resources, including free professional development tailored to early childhood businesses, encompassing both family child care and center-based programs.

During the workshop, participants were introduced to another resource, the Nebraska Early Childhood Exchange, which offers document templates, money-saving discounts, back-office support and other resources accessible through NECCs website.

Since not everyone at the event knew how to navigate the resources online, the presenters took time to explain step-by-step how to find certain pages on the website.

For both sessions, several child care providers attended. However, the Spanish presentation drew the bigger crowd. Because the event took place during dinner hours, free pizza, snacks and beverages were provided.

Novoa, coordinator of Lexington Community for Kids, expressed her satisfaction with the events turnout, emphasizing the importance of serving the diverse population of the community, especially those who primarily speak Spanish.

For events like this, we want to be able to serve as much of the population as we can, said Novoa.

Novoa said she received positive feedback from attendees.

If the opportunity presents itself, Lexington Community for Kids will do what we can to bring training and education to our community again, she said.

Novoa added, Some people assume events like this might only be for licensed providers or if you have children under your care. Thats actually not always the case. Its open to anyone that has passion for the topic.

If events are meant for people who have certain qualifications, Novoa said she would make that abundantly clear when promoting future events in the Lexington area.

Castro echoed Novoas sentiments, highlighting the enthusiasm and engagement of the providers present at the workshop.

I really loved the involvement with the providers that were at the event. They were really respectful and very involved when they took an interest in the resources I gave in my presentation.

Castro was grateful she got the chance to teach the Spanish-speaking attendees new information.

Many of them didnt know a lot about the resources that my organization was offering in NECC, so it was nice to connect with them and inform them of anything that they wanted to know, Castro said

Castro encouraged aspiring child care providers to seek training and assistance, regardless of language barriers: Keep getting involved and dont be afraid to look for help.
Promotion of literacy and cultural enrichment are goals of a new program from the Lexington Public Library.

The library is introducing the One Book, One Lexington program this year.

Similar programs are common across the country. The first One Book program was launched by librarian Nancy Pearl in 1998 while she was executive director of the Washington Center for the Book in the Seattle Public Library.

One Book programs can be found in other Nebraska communities, including Cozad, North Platte, Omaha and Lincoln.

There is a One Book, One Nebraska program sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book.

I have always wanted to start a One Book, One Community program. I love the idea of people coming together as a community to read, share and discuss a book of relevance, said Jennifer Norton, director of Lexington Public Library.

Norton said the timing of the launch of the One Book, One Lexington program coincides with Lexingtons sesquicentennial (150th birthday) in 2024.

The book selection, Running Dreams by Carlos R. Servan, was recommended to Norton by a Lexington community member less than a year ago to purchase, she said. The book was a relevant choice for people in Lexington, Norton said.

She said the book appealed to her as the inaugural title for the One Book, One Lexington program because the author currently lives in Nebraska and serves as the director for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Servan immigrated to the United States in 1989 from Peru after an accident left him blind and with an amputated hand, she said.

The fact that he is an immigrant from a South American country appealed to me; I feel his immigrant experience will appeal to others in our community and also give native-born residents an opportunity to learn more about the immigrant experience, Norton said.

Servan also has dealt with physical trauma and impairment, she said. His ability to overcome these difficulties will inspire others who have had similar experiences, or at least give insight to able-bodied people as to what its like to live with physical disabilities, Norton said.

Seventeen copies of the book will be available to the public for checkout at Lexington Public Library.

The library is planning on hosting book discussions and other programs leading up to the 150th celebration the last weekend in June.

Besides the established book clubs that meet at the library, my hope is that the public will read the book and participate in the inaugural program, Norton said.

This inaugural program will feature the author, Servan, at the Lexington Public Library on June 29 at 2 p.m. to present his story and to help Lexington celebrate the sesquicentennial.

Dates for other programs have not yet been set, but watch the librarys website, www.libraries.ne.gov/lexington, and Facebook page for details on discussions and speakers in the coming months featuring the One Book, One Lexington program.
Police are investigating a break-in at a downtown Madison restaurant that likely occurred in the overnight hours between Tuesday and Wednesday.

An employee of a restaurant on the 400 block of West Gilman Street reported the break-in to police just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, Madison spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said in a statement. Upon arrival, police found the front door of the restaurant had been smashed in and the cash register drawers were missing.

Police have not made any arrests and are in the process of reviewing digital evidence, Fryer said.

An investigation is ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Information can be shared anonymously.

The cities with the most break-ins and burglaries Cities With the Most Break-Ins / Burglaries Over the past decade burglary and larceny rates have declined Daytime break-ins of homes are most common Southern states experience the most property crime Small and midsize cities with the most burglaries 15. Dallas, TX 14. Houston, TX 13. Las Vegas, NV 12. Columbus, OH 11. Minneapolis, MN 10. Milwaukee, WI 9. Wichita, KS 8. Kansas City, MO 7. Oklahoma City, OK 6. Bakersfield, CA 5. Seattle, WA 4. Baltimore, MD 3. Detroit, MI 2. Tulsa, OK 1. Memphis, TN
Madison police arrest two teens in connection with shots-fired incident

Madison Police arrested two teenagers Thursday thought to be connected to a shots-fired incident from earlier in the week.

Officers arrested 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman Thursday afternoon at a hotel on the 4800 block of East Washington Avenue, an updated incident report from Madison Police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said. Police recovered a gun during the arrest, and the man was arrested under preliminary charges of possessing a gun as a felon and recklessly endangering safety.

Police took the woman into custody on a probation hold.

On Tuesday night, police responded to a report of a disturbance and shots fired shortly after 9 p.m. on the 2100 block of East Springs Drive on Madison's east side.

Police talked to people who reported being shot at following a disturbance in the area, and evidence of shots being fired was found, but no injuries or property damage, Sgt. Christopher Keys said in an initial report.

Police believe the people involved know each other, Keys said.
A Madison woman who pleaded guilty last year to homicide by negligent driving in the 2021 crash that killed the director of Wisconsin Public Media was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the crash, a judge ruled Friday, but it did not affect her ability to understand what she was doing at the time.

Dane County Circuit Judge Mario White ruled that Shawnicia N. Youmas, 33, is afflicted with schizoaffective disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as two experts had testified, and that her mental illnesses were a factor in the July 27, 2021, crash that killed WPM Director Gene Purcell. But he said there was not enough evidence to support a contention that her mental illness, which was being treated with medication, caused her to lack the capacity to follow the law at the time of the crash.

I cannot say I am reasonably certain that she was so affected by her illness that she lacked the capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct or conform her conduct to the requirements of the law, White said, criteria required to find Youmas not guilty of the crime by reason of mental disease or defect.

His verdict came at the end of the second phase of a two-phase proceeding, which under other circumstances would have been heard by a jury. The evidence phase or guilt phase of the case was covered by Youmas guilty plea. But because she also pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, a second phase was required to explore Youmas mental health and how it interacted with her crime.

Youmas and her attorneys, Emily Bell and Jessa Nicholson Goetz, opted to have the second phase heard by White alone instead of a jury.

Before White announced his verdict, which he arrived at after 1 days of testimony from a defense psychologist, a psychiatrist hired by prosecutors, police and lay witnesses, he cautioned that whatever he decided Friday would not be the end of the case.

Youmas now faces up to 10 years of combined prison and extended supervision. Had White ruled she was insane at the time of the crash, Youmas would have been placed into the care of the state Department of Health Services and either confined to a state institution for a period of time or released to DHS supervision.

Police said Youmas was going about 65 mph on the Beltline frontage road where the headquarters for Wisconsin Public Media, the parent organization of Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin, is located. She was behind a motorcycle being driven by Purcell, 61, who was on his way to work and had paused to turn left into the WPM parking lot.

Youmas tried to pass Purcell and struck him. Her car ended up striking a utility pole and knocking out power to the area, including WPM. She managed to crawl from her car, which was tipped onto its side.

At the time, she was delivering some balloons as part of her job with Shipt delivery service. She told police after the crash that she was driving 35 mph in the 30-mph zone, but data downloaded from her cars airbag system found she was going nearly twice that speed.

Dr. Diane Lytton, a psychologist hired by Youmas attorneys, testified that Youmas was speeding because at the time of the crash she believed she was being chased or followed by gang members, a delusion she had suffered from in the past.

Officers who testified Thursday and Friday, however, said during their interactions with Youmas after the crash, she never mentioned anyone chasing her. A video in which Youmas could be seen and heard interacting with officers was a factor, White said, in his decision.

In his ruling, White noted that the first time Youmas mentioned being chased before the crash was during an examination by Lytton in June 2022, 11 months after the crash, a fact that White said was concerning. He said he did not believe it was fabrication, but rather the statement came out at a time when Youmas was not taking her prescribed medication.

Nicholson Goetz argued that the delusion about being pursued was a common one for Youmas both before and after the July 2021 crash and it is credible that she would experience the same delusion at the time of the crash because her mental illness was ongoing throughout that period.
CARACAS, Venezuela  Deja vu? Feels like it.

Assassination plots, arrest warrants for journalists and human rights defenders, attacks against adversaries  from the belittling kind to the judicial type  and other associated government actions have marked the start of 2024 for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his allies. Add international condemnation and economic sanctions, and the reality of a presidential election year in the South American country becomes clear.

And, once again, the question is: How democratic will the election be?

Venezuelans were promised a presidential election in the second half of 2024 after Maduro and the faction of the opposition backed by the United States government reached an agreement in October. The opposing sides also agreed to recognize and respect a partys right to choose a candidate freely; take steps that would reverse government decisions blocking politicians from running for office; and invite international electoral observers.

The government over the past three months has shown it is willing to test the limits of the agreement, discrediting the opposition's presidential primary, arresting numerous perceived or actual adversaries, and repeatedly characterizing members of the opposition as hate-spewing criminals.

But the biggest test came recently when Venezuelas highest court  aligned with Maduros government  blocked the presidential candidacy of Maria Corina Machado by upholding an administrative decision that bans her on running for office for 15 years.

I dont think we have any evidence that Maduro plans to allow a competitive election so far, said Geoff Ramsey, senior analyst on Venezuela at the Atlantic Council think tank. What we are seeing is the government making clear that they dont plan on going anywhere any time soon.

The ban has not sidelined Machado so far. The former lawmaker on Monday told supporters and reporters that Venezuela will have a presidential election in 2024 in which she will defeat Nicolas Maduro. A date for the vote has not been set.

But Jorge Rodriguez, Maduros chief negotiator and the leader of the countrys National Assembly, quickly dismissed the challenge.

How can a human being who is one of 30 million Venezuelans going to say  that Without me, there will be no elections, Rodriguez said. That matter has been settled.

Thats also how the government saw similar disputes in the leadup to the last presidential election, which resulted in Maduros reelection.

At the time, Maduro and the opposition had also agreed to work on electoral conditions. But the talks ended in February 2018 after the government was not willing to commit to free and fair conditions and its opponents refused to recognize a parallel congress devised by the ruling party after it lost the majority of the National Assembly during the 2015 election.

Shortly after, the government scheduled the election for May 20, and major parties chose to boycott the contest as prominent leaders were barred from office or forced into exile after authorities opened judicial proceedings against them following a deadly protest movement seeking the presidents removal.

That election is widely considered a sham by the international community. It further alienated Maduro and drew economic sanctions against his government.

Years went by until Maduro and the U.S.-backed faction of the opposition, known as the Unitary Platform, appeared to have finally had a breakthrough, reaching a deal in October to work toward leveling the playing field for the 2024 election. Such was the progress that the U.S. granted Maduro some of his much-sought sanctions relief, and the opposition's negotiating bloc held its primary election days later.

Machado, the clear frontrunner for months, unsurprisingly won the contest. But the participation of more than 2.4 million voters stunned opposition adversaries and allies, who had expected roughly about a million people to cast ballots due to organizational challenges and government obstacles.

Machado's victory, with more than 90% of the vote, came despite the government announcing a 15-year ban on her running for office in June. She was able to participate in the primary because the effort was organized by a commission independent of Venezuelas electoral body, the National Electoral Council.

Machado in December filed a claim with Venezuelas Supreme Tribunal of Justice arguing the ban was null and void and seeking an injunction to protect her political rights. The court on Friday upheld the ban, which alleges fraud and tax violations and accuses her of seeking the economic sanctions the U.S. imposed on Venezuela over the past decade.

The U.S. responded to to the recent court ruling by revoking the relief it granted in October to Venezuela's state-owned mining company, Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela, C.A, known as Minerven. It also gave Maduro until April to meet conditions of the electoral agreement to avoid losing additional relief.

The moves by the Biden administration drew the rage of Rodriguez and prompted the government to warn the Biden administration that it will stop accepting deportation flights Feb. 13, the deadline for U.S. mining companies to wind down operations tied to Minerven.

The top 5 US states to visit for international travelers The top 5 US states to visit for international travelers #4. Nevada #3. California #2. New York #1. Florida
The woman who was charged in December with stabbing and shooting a man in Jerome County has been found mentally unfit to understand court proceedings and has been ordered to be taken into the care of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, records say.

A clinical psychologist examined Brandalyn Michelle Maglaughlin, 42, and found she was incompetent to proceed and lacked the ability to make informed decisions about her treatment.

Neither prosecutors of Maglaughlins public defender disagreed with the findings at a Jan. 25 court hearing and Magistrate Judge John Lothspeich ordered her to be taken into the care of the Idaho Department of Welfare for a time period not to exceed 90 days.

The IDHW director was to submit an evaluation upon taking custody of Maglaughlin and address whether she was fit to proceed with criminal charges against her or whether she would be fit to proceed within the foreseeable future.

Maglaughlin was charged with five felonies after Jerome deputies said she engaged in a rampage Dec. 26, first threatening a man with a butcher knife at about 4 p.m. and then ran into a trailer near 750 E. 225 N. belonging to Marvin Lamm, and stabbed the 68-year-old man in the stomach/chest area, causing serious injuries

Maglaughlin then picked up a handgun belonging to Lamm, court records say, and fired at him through a window when he fled his trailer, wounding him. She eventually threw down the knife and gun when Jerome County deputies arrived at the scene, records say.

She was combative after being taken to the Jerome County Jail and spat at deputies several times as they attempted to book her and take her booking photo, records say. She was charged with propelling bodily fluid at law enforcement officers, along with malicious injury to property for damaging jail clothing, reports say.

A relative of Maglaughlin said the suspect had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and being bipolar, and might not have been taking her medications.

Maglaughlin also faced legal problems in Oregons Umatilla County, being charged with attempted murder in Oregon in March, records say, after being accused of shooting her husband in the head. Her husband survived the ordeal.

That charged was dropped after concerns about her mental health were raised and she was sentenced to five years of supervised probation for unlawful use of a weapon.

Due to the incident in Jerome County, Umatilla County filed a bench warrant against Maglaughlin on Jan. 30, records show.
During the District #261 board work session on Monday, Jan. 22, members of the Jerome School District approved Superintendent Patrick Charltons retirement.

Charlton will continue to oversee the district until June 30.

Im excited to be retiring after 45 years in public education, he said. Its been a great career. Ive loved being a high school principal for 20 years, a superintendent for 14, and a teacher in the classroom for seven. Its been a blast every step of the way.

He looks forward to spending more time with his family and enjoying the good life after a long career.

The district will soon begin the search for a new superintendent to fill Charltons position.

Also:

Filer High School teacher Hillary Johnston

received an $800 grant from the Idaho CapEd Foundation that will fund her research to understand and assess autism spectrum disorder. Im very excited, Johnston said after learning that she won. This will be great in guiding intervention and providing better support to our kids. She is the fourth Filer District teacher to win a foundation grant during the 2023-2024 school year.

Jerome Joint School District #261

announced the winners of the Excellence in Education Award for the months of December and January: Brad Winer, Marc Hughes, Lisa Peterson, James Jolley, Colby Baker and Tiffany Jackson. Each month, members of the community review nominations that highlight the good works of one elementary school teacher, one secondary school teacher and one classified faculty member in the district. Recipients are given a plaque and a $50 gift card.

The

Hagerman Joint School District

board approved Bill Hicks to step into the role of interim superintendent for the remainder of the school year. Hicks will be assuming the role after Dr. Jim Brown was dismissed from the position earlier this month.

CSI announced their new community education courses for February. All classes will be held at the Mini-Cassia Center in Burley. To register, visit https://communityed.csi.edu/

or call 208-678-1400.

The

Shoshone Joint School District will hold a Read-a-Thon this year. Starting Monday, Feb. 5, families can sign up and track students progress at

.

Blaine County School District #131 announced the Blaine Education Foundations Scholarship Fair. The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wood River High School Commons. Blaine County senior students and their families are invited.
A group of homeowners are sparring with their homeowners association over the future of Thrush Ridge Park, shown here. Courtesy of Google Earth A group of homeowners are sparring with their homeowners association over the future of Thrush Ridge Park, shown here. Courtesy of Google Earth

A dozen North Side residents of the Deerfield neighborhood near Loop 1604 and Blanco Road are suing their homeowners association over its plan to sell property that for years has been used a park  a move they say would diminish the neighborhood and their property values.

The association says the sale would allow it to make other owner-backed improvements in the neighborhood.

But the homeowners say development of the area now known as Thrush Ridge Park would eliminate a gathering place for residents and a habitat for animals. The homeowners have interests in common areas, they argue, and because the park should be considered a common area, the Deerfield Owners Association does not have authority to sell it.

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Its a beautiful park, said Roberto Perez-Vega, one of the plaintiffs.

HOA President Troy Elliott said that selling the lots would generate funds to help the association revamp the neighborhoods community recreation center and develop a smaller pocket park on one of the Thrush Ridge lots. The association proposed the moves after conducting a community poll and asking residents for feedback on options, he said.

These lots are platted and zoned for residential construction just like any other lot in the community," Elliott said in a statement. "It is unfortunate a small group of owners decided to file a lawsuit without notice because they have a different opinion than the rest of the community.

The park property was sold to the HOA in 1999 by the neighborhoods original developer, according to the suit, which was filed in mid-December in state District Court.

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A restrictive covenant states that each owner has an interest in a common area and that the property has been used in that way for more than 20 years, the homeowners allege. The HOA has referred to it as a common area and a park, they say.

There have been discussions for years about the HOAs interest in selling the property, but its recent formation of a committee to proceed with selling it and putting out a request for proposals prompted the homeowners to head to court, Perez-Vega said.

He estimates that Thrush Ridge Park is a little less than 3 acres. People walk and bike through it, eat their lunch there and use it for events such as birthday parties and Easter egg hunts. Its also frequented by deer, foxes, raccoons and skunks, Perez-Vega said.

Its really important for the fauna of our community that we have places like this where animals can find refuge  to keep whatever we have available for them today and in the future, he said.

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The 14th annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley is open

Art & Soul of the Magic Valley is officially open for artist registration until midnight on March 31.

Community members can send their artwork for a chance to win up to $50,000 in prize money. All submitted artworks will be displayed in local businesses serving as pop-up art galleries from June 7 to 29.

Each artist or group can submit only one entry in one category, with a $50 non-refundable entry fee. Withdrawal after entry incurs a $100 fee.

Artwork must be displayed in a registered contest venue. Each entry must also be sponsored by a registered sponsor. The sponsorship fee is $100, and the fee helps to offset the cost of entry for artists to keep this affordable for all to participate.

Winners will be determined by public vote and announced at the Awards Ceremony on July 12.

For more information about rules and qualifications, go to https://www.magicvalleyartandsoul.com/rules-faqs-for-artists/

Also:

Gem Prep: Twin Falls, a college preparatory charter school, has opened enrollment lottery for grades 6-8 after serving K-5 for the past year. The charter school is allowing parents to submit applications until March 5 for the 2024-2025 school year. Parents interested in having their children to attend GPTF can go to https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4736a4fd0ef 7476e9f549b44498b4f98, to receive notifications and updates on deadlines. They can also directly enroll their children for the lottery enrollment process from the GPTF website at https://gemprep.org/twinfalls/

Canyon Rim Crafts and Boutique has partnered with Magic Valley Mall in hosting a mall wide vendor event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 17 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 18. Booth fees are still being determined as well as booth sizes. Your booth must remain open during mall hours. For more information about the vendor event, email canyonrimcrafts@gmail.com.

has partnered with Magic Valley Mall in hosting a mall wide vendor event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 17 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 18. Booth fees are still being determined as well as booth sizes. Your booth must remain open during mall hours. For more information about the vendor event, email canyonrimcrafts@gmail.com. A new study has revealed the US states where a fatal car crash is most likely to include a dangerous rollover, naming Idaho as one of them. Idaho makes up the last of the top five states with a 39.6% of crashes that resulted in at least one casualty, also involved a rollover. Idaho recorded the same number of deadly rollovers (425) as second-placed Montana, but with 158 more crashes in total, Idaho drivers are proportionately at a lower risk of a lethal rollover.

has revealed the US states where a fatal car crash is most likely to include a dangerous rollover, naming Idaho as one of them. makes up the last of the top five states with a of crashes that resulted in at least one casualty, also involved a rollover. Idaho recorded the same number of deadly rollovers (425) as second-placed Montana, but with 158 more crashes in total, Idaho drivers are proportionately at a lower risk of a lethal rollover. St. Lukes Magic Valley will be accepting online applications for its 2023-2024 second round of Community Health Improvement Fund grants until Feb. 29. Applicants may apply for funds up to $20,000. Applicants should demonstrate collaborative and equity-driven approaches to addressing community health issues and include a mechanism to measure health improvements in the populations they serve. For more information or to apply, go to www.stlukesonline.org/CHIF. Applicants selected for the grant will be notified on or after May 1.

will be accepting online applications for its 2023-2024 second round of Community Health Improvement Fund grants until Feb. 29. Applicants may apply for funds up to $20,000. Applicants should demonstrate collaborative and equity-driven approaches to addressing community health issues and include a mechanism to measure health improvements in the populations they serve. For more information or to apply, go to www.stlukesonline.org/CHIF. Applicants selected for the grant will be notified on or after May 1. The Magic Valley Chorale announced the proceeds from their December concerts have been given to two local charities, Valley House, and to the International organization, Charity Water. Receiving $500 each, these donations were in response to part of the Chorales vision statement to publicize such agencies and to offer financial support.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Your news on your smartphone

Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
I am against restrictive laws on individuals whose behavior, speech, cultural norms, passionate beliefs, or lack of action harm no one. Other people are free to be offended, speak out against, or ignore another person, but take restrictive action against them? No way!

I do not care how partisan an issue is. I do not care how popular an argument is. I do not care about how many people are involved with the position and how loud they are during a protest. Do not pass laws against victimless crimes. Why do I say that? Because the MAGA movement keeps trying to control others by these laws.

We have laws that support lawful detention and prosecution for those whose actions harm people. Sometimes, we rewrite the laws because humans are very inventive in how they can hurt each other. At other times, we discover that we have been imprecise when describing a crime. We can decide that a law is too lenient when judging the crimes damages. These are the laws we should review in our legislative bodies.

The causes of our broken judicial system are underfunding, lack of strategic thinking, overuse, and lack of support. The last three cannot be cured by funding alone, and I want to consider them first.

Justice is the bedrock of any non-violent society. Humans have repeatedly established systems of justice to end conflict. Within any democratic form of government, the written and unwritten standard of justice is that it is equally applied.

Justice is served when a crimes perpetrator is discovered, brought to trial, and sentenced with the hope of redemption. The idea of cells came from the thought of holding criminals in a locked room with a bed, a table, a chair, a candle, and a bible. The criminal was urged to reflect on his crime and repent. There is a disconnect between being brought to justice and being rehabilitated.

Justice is a system comprised of criminal deterrence, investigation, trial, and consequence. We are failing to address this system adequately with enough strategic planning. The pieces must fit together to produce less crime and rehabilitated criminals. Unfortunately, the thinking appears piecemeal and focused on apprehending criminals and punitive punishment.

The justice system is clogged with too many cases, causing unacceptable delays throughout the system. For instance, our immigration system has a backlog of refugees and migrants who are legally entitled to a trial but are waiting in limbo. They could be establishing new lives here or sent elsewhere. At least, they would have justice.

There is no swift justice in civil trials. Too many frivolous lawsuits take time away from important issues. Too many defendants use appeal processes and other tactics to delay prosecution or serve a sentence. The death penalty is another problem. Defendants use every delaying tactic, which involves the courts ruling on motions to avoid execution. Criminal cases where the worst punishment is life without parole take less court time.

Justice denied leads to lawlessness. If the system does not serve everyone, it is corrupt. Almost every imagination of a dystopian society depicts a broken justice system that punishes dissent. At the same time, criminals are dealt with by a form of vigilante force. MAGAs focus on criminalizing and marginalizing others who hold different beliefs and supporting a militia movement capable of wielding vigilante justice would lead us to a real dystopia.

Policy changes will aid the justice system, but the government must fund them. The point of contention is undoubtedly the cost of this essential function of a democratic government. Corrupt justice systems feature bribes as supplemental income for law enforcement and judges. The United States overworks its Justice Department employees and degrades any appearance of effectiveness.

All governments are established to furnish regulation of society and provide defense from threats. If citizens fail to support democracy, the historical dictator (or monarch) supported by an elite cadre will prevail.

Living in a society without justice would be like living in an unsupervised playground. Everyone has ideas about what is best for them. They are likely to be opposed if they dont have the core value of doing no harm to others. It becomes a matter of the survival of the most aggressive. We need fair laws and swift justice.
The last several decades have seen the United States private sector research and development (R&D) operation produce at an unimaginable rate. As CEO and co-founder of a growing Idaho tech company, Ive witnessed the transformative impact of private sector R&D on the U.S. economy. Whether it be innovations, unparalleled economic growth, or the creation of new jobs and industries, its hard to overstate the importance of private sector R&D to the country and Idaho. The tech sector, however, faces new challenges that have come about in recent years that threaten its ability to continue to deliver in this way.

When businesses of all sizes who engage in R&D went to file their 2022 taxes in spring 2023, they were greeted with an unexpected and unpleasant reality. As a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, nearly 70 years of precedent had been swept away  full expensing had been eliminated and, in its place, amortization was the sole law of the land.

Prior to the 2022 tax year, businesses had two ways in which they could reflect R&D expenses on their taxes. The vast majority used full expensing, which allowed them to deduct 100 percent of those costs in the year in which they occurred. The other option is amortization, which requires those expenses to be slowly deducted over a period of no less than five years.

The former greatly incentivized companies to invest in R&D, and in turn, benefitted the country and allowed for the innovation and economic growth we see today. The latter eliminates any incentive to invest and results in companies cutting R&D. The current policy of amortization, which requires domestic expenses to be deducted over five years and international expenses to be deducted over 15, has already had that effect.

In just the first year of amortization being reflected on tax bills, businesses across the country were impacted and forced to change course. Those hit the hardest were small and medium businesses. Its these businesses that have neither the cash flow, nor the large cash reserves that would allow them to cover unexpected tax bills, that in the worst cases, crept into the high six and seven-figures.

Small business owners were forced to make tough decisions on how to cover these bills. Whether it was owners dipping into their personal savings or retirement funds, hiring freezes, or eliminating planned R&D spending, the outcome of amortization was drastic. And though many survived year one of amortization, the 2023 tax filing season is set to open on January 29th, and come February, many of these businesses will be unable to survive another year without any reprieve.

Beyond just the impact on businesses, the broader impact on the economy and jobs is too severe to overlook. Ten years of amortization will have a significant impact on the country. In that span, 400,000 jobs, $70 billion in R&D spending, and $45 billion in the U.S. GDP are at risk. In Idaho, $315 million in R&D spending and almost 2,000 jobs will be lost over that same period.

Alternatively, the restoration of full expensing could create 1.2 million new jobs, which would provide good salaries and a pathway to the middle class for many.

Idaho is in a position to be an R&D leader in the years to come. A burgeoning group of Idaho tech companies and entrepreneurs, along with many other vital Idaho businesses, are working hard to help lead the way. There will be opportunities for Idahos R&D sector to grow, but full expensing is needed to make that happen.

Full expensing is the only road that guarantees economic growth and protects jobs and small businesses. The stakes are high, which I know firsthand from leading a local tech company affected by these policies. The bipartisan tax deal that is being negotiated must be passed. Theres far too much support within Congress for full expensing not to get this done. The tax filing season is on the horizon, and Congress must act now to avoid another year of pain for small businesses and the economy. The Idaho congressional delegation making this a priority over the next few weeks will fuel innovation in Idahos technology sector and high-paying job growth in the overall economy.
I write to you today from the Republican National Committee Winter Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Im here with other state chairs and national committee men and women helping prepare for the momentous year ahead.

Before the meeting, I had the privilege of attending the Restoring National Confidence Summit sponsored by Turning Point Action. I connected with countless conservative delegates, activists, and patriots from throughout our great country who are fighting the good fight for faith, family, and freedom just like we are in Idaho. I also got to meet conservative fighters like Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk, and Scott Presler.

My biggest takeaway from the summit is that the Republican Party needs to listen to the grassroots, now more than ever. Patriotic Americans of every race, religion, and generation are rising up to demand accountability from our elected leaders and courage from our political candidates. The time for coasting on platitudes is over.

2024 is an important year. When I got new license plates a few years ago I chose the number 2024 to remind me every day of what we are working for. Our country is headed in the wrong direction right now under a regime that seems hell bent on deliberately destroying our once great nation. Crime is going up, conflicts are escalating throughout the world, the post-COVID economy has only benefited the super rich, schools continue to indoctrinate rather than educate, and our southern border remains wide open, a huge national security threat.

Regarding the border, Im thankful to see the state of Texas stepping up to do what the Biden Administration wont do: enforce the laws on the books that are meant to keep our communities safe. There is a lesson there  it wont be the federal government that saves America, but the states, supported by grassroots Republican patriots.

It was invigorating to see so many young people attend the Turning Point Action event. These kids arent just sitting at home tweeting about the problems they see, theyre getting involved. They are running for precinct committeeman, for county chairman, and some are even stepping up to run for the Legislature.

I was so proud to see Idaho represent itself at the event. We had attendees from Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Bonneville, and places in between. You can bet that those who attended this week will be coming home fired up to get involved, turn out the grassroots, organize their counties, and most importantly, get out the vote.

Everybody knows whats at stake this year. We either step up and save our country or we head down the path of a new dark age. What happens in Vegas had better not stay in Vegas, because its time to get to work!
All Idahoans should agree: the safety of our children is paramount. How we decide to protect them may differ from community to community. When it comes to guns in schools, current Idaho law allows locally elected school boards to set the policies they deem appropriate. Some districts keep guns out of schools unless they are in the hands of law enforcement. Others have policies providing oversight. Unfortunately, House Bill 415 is speeding through the Legislature and would undo local decision making, local training requirements, and collaboration with local law enforcement by overriding school management of firearms in schools.

Today, school districts can require ongoing active shooter drills where employees test their ability to quickly distinguish between kids and assailants or mandate participation in meetings with local law enforcement to develop safety and incident response plans. School leaders can also use criteria to revoke privileges for staff who are not well-suited to the responsibility of carrying a firearm around children.

In contrast, HB 415 circumvents local control and gives blanket permission to employees and volunteers who have taken a one-time concealed carry course and shot 98 rounds. Schools must allow them to carry firearms regardless of shooting skill, temperament, mental state, visual acuity, length of time since they took a course, or other factors.

A major alarm bell should be that law enforcement does not support this approach. The Idaho Association of School Resource Officers and Idaho Sheriffs Association both oppose HB 415. Its no wonder since experts have maintained that it is harder for police to respond to active shooters when unknown, untrained people are also engaging.

Opening the door to an untrackable number of firearms means new liability for schools. The Idaho State University professor who shot himself in the foot during class and the Utah teacher who accidentally shot herself in a school bathroom are two recent examples of the risks. At least one Idaho school district has already been notified that its insurance company will drop it if this bill is enacted. We can only imagine that costs will rise for insurance companies that continue to provide coverage.

Finally, this bill subverts the rights of teachers and parents who have come out in full force against this legislation. Parents wont be able to ask whether their childs teacher is armed, let alone demand more rigorous training requirements. One hundred Idahoans came out in opposition during the committee hearing. Only five individuals supported the bill, including the out-of-state lobbyist who brought the legislation.

Homegrown Idaho solutions and evidence-based safety measures are better than a one-size-fits-all approach from special interests. As this bill moves across the rotunda, I hope the Senate will see the wisdom in rejecting it.
Idaho House Bill 415 fits so neatly into a central piece of political rhetoric that the surprise is that its progress at the legislature has been slowed as much as it has; which is to say, not much.

The bill provides that any public school employeewho obtains an enhanced concealed weapons permit, not terribly hard to getwho wants to carry a firearm or other deadly weapon to school can do it, whether local administrators and school boards like it or not. The sponsor, Representative Ted Hill of Eagle, said, These select school employees will provide an armed force to protect children in the first minutes of an attack. We dont want to have a stack of 20 kids dead in a classroom because we didnt do anything.

The National Rifle Association couldnt have put it more simply.

After what looked like a short pause, the Idaho House passed it this week (53 to 16, veto-proof), to the Senate for consideration there.

Here are some of the things it does.

Any pistol-packing school employee would have absolute state clearance to carry, regardless whether school principals, teachers, parents, boards or anyone else likes it, as long as the firearm or deadly weapon is concealed and the school employee maintains immediate control of it. Im trying to imagine how that would work in a high school environment. What does that imply about the handling and carrying of guns by staff?

I say school employee here because the packers can include not only teachers but, an officer, board member, commissioner, executive, elected or appointed official, or independent contractor. Imagine someone who isnt an educator but has some business relationship with the district  who maybe has a history of domestic or other violence  and obtains an enhanced license. You doubt that could ever happen? Think again. And think as well about how much easier a real shooter would find infiltrating a school already accustomed to seeing adults routinely carrying firearms.

Think too about the school employees who may be well trained to teach but maybe less well schooled on emergency tactical response. The bill has that inexperience question covered this way: No school employee shall be held civilly or criminally liable for deciding to engage or not to engage in an armed confrontation during a lethal threat to safety inside of a school or on school property. The decision to use a firearm or other deadly weapon during a life-threatening incident inside of a school or on school property lies solely within the school employee and is a personal decision.

So: If a covered school employee simply decides to pick up their gunand start firingthe immunity is apparently absolute, regardless who was injured or killed. I can hear right now a smart defense attorney defending a murder charge using this provision as a shield. The beweaponed employees personal belief is enough for a shield against any kind of legal action, civil or criminal.

These employees will not be compelled to disclose to anyone but a school administrator (and maybe board: its unclear there) and local law enforcement that a gun is in the classroom. In fact, the bill adds a new exemption for Idaho public records law: Any records relating to a school employee whos carrying. A mere parent would be unable to find out if theres a gun in their childs classroom.

Private schools would be specifically exempted from the requirement. The bills opening paragraphs seem to endorse carrying guns there too, but a later section says: Nothing in subsection (4) of this section shall limit the right of an owner of private property, including a private school, from permitting or prohibiting the carrying of a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon on his property. If its such a good idea for public schools, then why not their private counterparts?

Theres also this curious if minor punitive provision: No public school shall display any signage whatsoever indicating that school property is a gun-free zone, and any violation of this subsection shall result in a fine of three hundred dollars ($300), enforced by the county prosecuting attorney.

Current state law already allows local school districts to set their own policies, and some Idaho districts do allow some heat-packing by staff. But a Post Falls police detective has pointed out that conditions are different in the various school districts. In the Post Falls School District, we have a very close relationship with our police department. Were able to have responding officers at any location in the district within three minutes or less than that.  We need to talk about whats best for each individual school district.

Thats a problem when legislation devolves to the level of a bumper sticker. As it has here.

As it is, the Idaho Legislature may well pass this thing; it can be labeled pro-gun and therefore hard to oppose. But be aware: Extra warnings may be needed in future when you send the kids off to school.
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The Year of the Wood Dragon is represented by the only mythical creature in the Chinese Zodiac.

Considered as the luckiest of the 12 animals, it favors the bold and the passionate, with the wood element fueling the dragons fire.

Welcome the Lunar New Year with these auspicious offerings from Marco Polo Ortigas Manila and Diamond Hotel Philippines.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila prepares a magnificent welcome to the lucky year of the Wood Dragon, with delightful offerings for the whole family to share and cherish.

Nian gao (tikoy)

Renowned Chinese Executive Chef Waai Hoi Yeung expertly crafted well-loved dishes at the award-winning Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin for the Lunar New Year.

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From Feb. 5 to 11, his culinary brilliance shines in eight curated a la carte masterpieces, and a gustatory collection of nine flavorful courses in one lavish set menu.

Attract luck with the star of the festive fare  the Yusheng salad with buttery abalone, fresh salmon and jelly fish tossed in decadent plum sauce.

Fork-tender braised pork knuckle and sea moss perfectly complements the savory fried rice of taro and Chinese sausage and the succulent essence of wok-fried prawn and sea conch married in XO sauce.

Chinese Executive Chef Waai Hoi Yeung

Whether a table for five or 10, celebrate new beginnings in style with loved ones and enjoy the live annual Feng Shui forecast of Master Chau Kam Shing over a grand luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Breathe tradition in your New Year celebration with Lung Hins signature Nian Gao, available in Double Gold Bars, Double Flavored Muscovado Red Dates, Ginger and Osmanthus Water Chestnut, Muscovado Red Dates, Ginger Round, and Osmanthus Water Chestnut Round. Finely packaged in decorative gift boxes, these delightfully thoughtful presents are perfect for friends and family alike.

(Lung Hin boasts of well-appointed private dining rooms for groups of up to 25. For more information and reservations, please contact (+63 2) 7720 7777 or email lunghin.mnl@marcopolohotels.com)

Takeaway platters to celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon

Usher in the year of the powerful Dragon in grand style and invite prosperity and luck and when you celebrate at Diamond Hotel Philippines.

This Feb. 10, 2024, welcome the lunar new year as you enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel. Rates start at at P8,800 net for Deluxe Room accommodations inclusive of Corniche buffet breakfast for two adults, and two children ages 12 years old and below.

Chinese New Year Cake

At Corniche, savor the bountiful spread of superb Chinese dishes at the buffet from Feb. 8 to 11, 2024, prepared by Chinese master chef Yang Yong. Priced at only P3,780 net per person for lunch or dinner, the buffet features traditional New Year celebratory fares.

With a minimum spend of P5,000, seize the opportunity to pluck a prize from the Prosperity Tree and stand a chance to win enticing hotel certificates.

To enhance the festive celebration and beckon good fortune, an exciting Dragon and Lion Dance performance is set on Feb. 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the hotel lobby.

Chocolate pralines

Are you spending Chinese New Year at home? The hotels savory and sweet takeaway platters, and set menu will be perfect for the festivities.

(Place your orders now at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. Available until Feb. 11, 2024. For reservations call 8528-3000 or visit www.diamondhotel.com)
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Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Saturday said secession is not the solution to Mindanaos problems, adding that it would violate the basic principles of the Philippine Constitution.

Abalos made this statement in reaction to former President Rodrigo Dutertes call for Mindanao to secede from the rest of the country.

To ensure continued peace, progress, and development in Mindanao, the Philippines must remain united and undivided, said Abalos.

He added the move would destroy the territorial integrity of the Philippines, and disrupt decades of painstaking effort to build a stronger union among all our peoples and ethnicities.

The peoples right to self-determination should be exercised within the framework of the state. Self-determination means that the people pursue political, economic, social, and cultural development while respecting the states territorial integrity and legal process, explained Abalos.

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Indeed, the people of Mindanao have the freedom to make political choices or pursue economic, social, and cultural progress. Various mechanisms manifest the governments respect and recognition for the development needs of Mindanao, such as the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), he added.

Abalos said BARMM is a powerful example of addressing historical grievances and providing self-governance within the bounds of Philippine law.

In this regard, we urge all stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of the Philippine Constitution for a strong, united, and undivided nation, he said.

Abalos made the statement a day after Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez urged the public to turn away from any action that would destabilize the country, including the former president.

Galvez said the move to separate Mindanao is anathema to the Constitution and would go against the present administrations push for unity across the country. He also called on the public to continue supporting the administrations push for peace, reconciliation, and unity.

He said that even members of former revolutionary groups are already helping the government in pushing for true peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro region through inclusive, people-centered moral governance.

Mindanao has already shed its image as a land of volatility, violence, and armed struggle. It has now become a symbol of hope, mutual understanding, and solidarity, and most of all, a shining example that good things come to those who choose the path of peace, Galvez said
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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Saturday said secession is not the solution to Mindanaos problems, adding that it would violate the basic principles of the Philippine Constitution.

Abalos made the statement in reaction to former President Rodrigo Dutertes call for Mindanao to secede from the rest of the country.

To ensure continued peace, progress, and development in Mindanao, the Philippines must remain united and undivided, Abalos said.

He added the move would destroy the territorial integrity of the Philippines, and disrupt decades of painstaking effort to build a stronger union among all our peoples and ethnicities.

The peoples right to self-determination should be exercised within the framework of the state. Self-determination means that the people pursue political, economic, social, and cultural development while respecting the states territorial integrity and legal process, Abalos said.

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Abalos said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a powerful example of addressing historical grievances and providing self-governance within the bounds of Philippine law.

Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez earlier urged the public to turn away from any action that would destabilize the country, including the former president.

Political science professor Dennis Coronacion, in a radio interview, said talks of a campaign for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines is a flex by the former president and his political allies.

Coronacion added that and any actual move to split the Philippines second-largest island from the republic will likely not prosper.

Theyre really trying to prove that they control these areas. We have areas under our control and if you cannot satisfy our needs, our wants, we are going our own way, he said.

To think that Mindanao is still recovering from conflict.

The administration UniTeam coalitions swept the 2022 elections but issues on confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, budget allocations for Davao City, and disagreement over moves to amend the 1987 Constitution have led to tension between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Dutertes.

He said that tension within the administration UniTeam coalition could see part of it become an opposition slate in the 2025 elections, when voters will elect local officials, district representatives and senators.



MINDANAWONS UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT CALL



Coronacion said that the talk of secession shows how far

[politicians] are willing to go just to serve their interest.



Unequal development outside the capital has led to resentment, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao against Imperial Manila, a sentiment that helped bring Duterte  the first Mindanawon president 

to Malacanang in 2016.



Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a former House speaker and whom Duterte has tasked with gathering signatures for the campaign, said Mindanao should be set free and be allowed to chart its own future independent of Manila.



Ako lang, dito sa distrito ko, ang laki po ng tinanggal na mga infrastructure projects It seems na wala na talagang pag-asa para maayos itong aming lugar dito sa Mindanao, Alvarez said earlier this week.



Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the proposal is worth studying, adding Mindanawons have all the reason and the motive to do this because, he said, of neglect by the national government.



But Coronacion said Saturday that the campaign is unlikely to succeed because the national government has been addressing the needs of Mindanao.



Di kagaya noon na somehow medyo nag-gain pa ng traction iyan, noong 1960s, 1970s, he said.



(It isnt like before that somehow, these ideas gained traction in the 1960s and 1970s.)



He said: I dont think that the people in Mindanao would support the call of the former President to secede from the rest of the Philippines.



Without naming Duterte, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.  who, when he was a military commander, had been assigned to what is now the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao  has warned the public against supporting the campaign.



Let us turn away from any call or movement that aims to destabilize our beloved nation, especially to separate Mindanao from the rest of the country, he said on Friday.  Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
San Antonio hairstylist Nichol Olsen with her boyfriend, Charles Wheeler. Olsen and her two daughters were found shot to death in Wheelers Anaqua Springs Ranch home in January 2019. Courtesy photo /Crane Creatives for KeVa Col Nichol Olsen with her two daughters, London Bribiescas, left, and Alexa Montez. The three were found shot to death in a luxury home in Anaqua Springs Ranch, a gated neighborhood near Leon Springs, on Jan. 10, 2019. Courtesy of Carlos Montez Charles Wheeler and Nichol Olsen posed in a photo session for KeVa Col, a wristwatch and jewelry company she owned with two friends. Courtesy photo/Vanessa Turney and KeVa Col Charles Wheeler, now 36, came under scrutiny after his girlfriend, Nichol Olsen, 37, and her two daughters, Alexa Montez, 16, and London Bribiescas, 10, were found shot to death in his home in Anaqua Springs Ranch near Leon Springs on Jan. 10, 2019. Courtesy photo/Crane Creatives Nichol Olsen, 37, was found shot to death in her boyfriend's home in the gated Anaqua Springs Ranch subdivision along with her two daughters on Jan. 10, 2019. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Olsen's death a suicide and her daughters' deaths as homicides, but the Bexar County Sheriff's Office is still investigating five years later. Courtesy photo / Josh Huskin Alexa Montez, 16, a Clark High School sophomore and cheerleader, was found shot to death with her mother, Nichol Olsen, and her sister, London Bribiescas, 10, at a home in Anaqua Springs Ranch on Jan. 10, 2019. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasn't closed the case. Courtesy photo / Carlos Montez Jr. London Bribiescas, 10, a fifth grader at Leon Springs Elementary School, was found shot to death with her mother, Nichol Olsen, and her sister, Alexa Montez, 16, at a home in Anaqua Springs Ranch on Jan. 10, 2019. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasn't closed the case. Courtesy photo / The Bribiescas family The shooting deaths of London Bribiescas, 10, left, and her sister, Alexa Montez, 16, were ruled homicides. The death of their mother, Nichol Olsen, 37, was ruled a suicide. Five years later, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office still hasnt closed the case. Courtesy photo / The Bribiescas family

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said he is keeping open his investigation into the 2019 Anaqua Springs Ranch shootings because he still has unanswered questions about the case.

Nichol Olsen, 37, and her two daughters, Alexa Montez, 16, and London Bribiescas, 10, were found dead in a home they shared with Olsens boyfriend, Charles Wheeler, in the gated community near Leon Springs.

Salazar said Friday that the 5-year-old investigation has turned up no evidence to challenge the county medical examiner's finding that Olsen, a hairstylist, killed herself. Nor has he found any evidence that anyone other than Olsen shot her two daughters.

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But Salazar, during a meeting with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board, said he's not satisfied investigators have all the answers and that the case may never be closed.

The sheriff said Wheeler, now 36, is always going to be a person of interest in this case, even though evidence shows he was miles away from the house when Olsen and her daughters died there.

Wheeler, who has since sold the home and now lives in Austin, is not a suspect and has never been charged in connection with the killings.

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He has never commented publicly on the case and has asked the media to leave him alone. His attorneys have been asking the sheriff for years to clear his name.

Wheeler is not the only person of interest, Salazar said.

Forensically, theres nothing there to be able to say, This is where the medical examiner got it wrong. We havent come upon that, Salazar said.

However, theres still some things in that case that stick with me and stick out like a sore thumb to the point where I dont know that well ever say, Case closed, were done.

'Do what's just'

Therese Huntzinger, a San Antonio criminal defense attorney who represented Wheeler during the sheriff's investigation, described Salazar's comments as wholly inadequate from a law enforcement perspective and suggested Salazar is letting his emotions dictate his handling of the case.

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He just confirmed what we felt all along  that hes incapable of being detached from some horrific facts that point to a tragedy that he doesnt want to believe could have happened, Huntzinger said.

You have the professionalism of the medical examiners office that saw it for what it is  a horrific tragedy where a mother killed her daughters and then took her own life. Thats what they ruled. And (Salazar) just indicated to you that nothings really ever going to change that ... from the forensics. Theres no evidence thats going to change that.

Youd think that he would have seen enough by this time in his career to accept that these tragedies happen  and then accept even more so the opinions of other people in his office, as well as other agencies. And do whats just  provide the closure that he admittedly knows should happen for everybody involved.

Wheeler, who grew up in Fredericksburg, is a former professional rodeo competitor who started a security gate company and an oil field services business. He and Olsen met in the summer of 2016, and she moved in with him in 2017.

He found Olsen and her daughters dead in his house in far northwestern Bexar County on the morning of Jan. 10, 2019. He told sheriff's investigators he had left the home the previous night after an argument with Olsen and went to stay with relatives.

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Olsen and her daughters were found close together in an upstairs hallway of the home. Their bodies were cold and rigid. A handgun was found near Olsen.

Autopsies determined that Olsen and Alexa each had been shot once in the head and that London suffered a gunshot wound to her head and neck. The autopsy and toxicology reports have never been made public because of the sheriff's continuing investigation.

Salazar said he would prefer to be able to conclude the investigation and give the families closure, but he asserted that he can't do that with unanswered questions gnawing at him.

Mystery texts

Asked for examples of lingering questions, Salazar said he is bothered by text messages that Olsen exchanged with other people  not Wheeler  moments before the shootings are believed to have occurred.

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The people who texted with Olsen remain persons of interest in the case, the sheriff said. He did not identify them or reveal the contents of the messages.

Investigators recovered security camera footage, GPS evidence and cellphone records showing that Wheeler left the house before the shootings, Salazar said.

During those minutes before we believed the shootings happened, theres text messages occurring between him and one of the little girls, Salazar said. While that text message was sent to whoever was in the house texting  probably one of the little girls  he was 30 miles away, he was 40 miles away. He was moving toward Fredericksburg, where we know he spent the night.

Weve got evidence that he just wasnt there during that time.

Huntzinger questioned why Salazar hasn't disclosed the names of the other persons of interest, and she asked why Wheeler has been the only person described that way  with a term she said has no legal weight whatsoever.

Why is it Charlie continues to get damaged by the sheriffs comments and repeatedly have the sheriff say these things when he wont say who the other persons of interest are? Huntzinger asked. It sounds like he has a personal animus against Mr. Wheeler. Hes done enough to defame Mr. Wheeler.  Its got nothing to do with the facts.

Huntzinger said the investigation can't be described as a cold case because of the medical examiner's findings. There's no question about the manner and cause of death, she said.

The slain children's fathers have filed lawsuits against Wheeler, accusing him of negligence in keeping a loaded gun unsecured beside his bed. The lawsuits also accuse Wheeler of failing to protect the girls or notify authorities of any threats against them when he left the home.

In court papers responding to those lawsuits, Wheeler denied all those allegations. Both suits are still pending.

'Bug me for the rest of my days'

The FBI and the Texas Rangers have looked at the sheriff's criminal investigation, Salazar said Friday.

He said he would welcome anyone who comes forward with new information.

Its still a very much active case, he said.

He acknowledged that his questions may never be answered and that the case may never be closed.

Its ugly to picture, that she killed her own children and then took her own life," Salazar said of Olsen. Thats what the evidence points to right now.

Ive still got questions that I cant answer for me. So until that time, Im going to keep it open. And Im welcoming anyone to come forward with information.
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Vice President Sara Duterte is urging Filipinos to practice compassion, saying that the Philippines is an example of unity amid differences.

The Vice President, in a statement, also said: The Philippines, a tapestry of diverse cultures, traditions, and religions, stands as a shining example of unity amidst differences. Like colors on an artists palette, we blend together, harmonizing our faith, goodness, and humility to build a sanctuary of peace.

Duterte issued the statement for World Interfaith Harmony Week, celebrated from Feb. 1 to Feb. 7.

Today, hand in hand, we walk alongside our Christian, Muslim, and other spiritual siblings, acknowledging our interconnectedness on this profound journey towards unity and serenity, she added.

Duterte encouraged the public to respect differences and practice compassion and kindness.

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Together, let us embark on this universal path, where trust, respect, and love intertwine like ribbons in a grand dance. With open hearts, we can craft a world that is kinder, more compassionate, and overflowing with acceptance, a world our childrens children will embrace, she said.

My fervent prayer resonates for a world where love reigns supreme, where prejudice is but a distant memory. Let our collective efforts bring forth this glorious reality, Duterte said.

Let us continue being strong in our pursuit of a society that is child-friendly and raising children with love of country. All that we do is for God, the country, and every Filipino family. Thank you, Duterte said.
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Brussels, BelgiumEU member states on Friday approved landmark rules on reining in artificial intelligence, after tough last-mile negotiations on the legislation billed as a world first.

Brussels first proposed an AI law in 2021 but spent most of last year racing to greenlight the text after chatbot ChatGPT exploded onto the scene.

EU states and lawmakers had agreed on a draft set of rules back in December, and their approval after that should have been a formality.

But some countries, including France and Germany, flagged concerns that raised fears the AI law would fail in the final stretchleading to a new round of talks to nail down its contents.

EU ambassadors finally signed off on the text during a meeting Friday in Brussels, after French and German concerns were assuaged.

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We are very happy to announce that ambassadors just unanimously confirmed the final compromise text, Belgium, which holds the EUs rotating presidency, said.

The EUs top tech enforcer, Thierry Breton, hailed the historical, world-first, pioneering rules.

The AI Act unleashed a lot of passion  and rightly so! Today member states endorsed the political agreement reached in Decemberrecognizing the perfect balance found by the negotiators between innovation and safety, he said.

China introduced rules on generative AI last year, while US President Joe Biden issued an executive order regulating the technology, but the EUs law is the most comprehensive, with binding rules on a wide range of issues from risk to copyright.

Protecting innovation

The EU law will regulate AI systems based on risk assessments of the software models involvedto be carried out by the firms themselves.

The higher the identified risk to individuals rights or health, for example, the greater the systems obligations.

Berlin and Paris had been particularly keen to protect AI startups, to prevent the rules from inhibiting future European AI champions.

Seeking to address their concerns, the EUs executive arm in late January launched a package of pro-innovation measures to support European startups in AI development.

ChatGPT has demonstrated the dizzying advances of a technologygenerative AIthat can quickly produce text, images, and audio from simple commands in everyday language.

The easily-accessible chatbot from US-based OpenAI could create eloquent essays and passionate poetry within seconds, as well as pass medical and legal exams.

The world has been confronted at high speed with the dangers AI posesfrom turbo-charging disinformation online to the proliferation of manipulated videos and images.

But it has also become clear that generative AI. which also includes Googles chatbot Bard, unleashes huge new opportunities that Europe wants to exploit.

Germany hailed the agreement. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Berlin would focus on the ease of innovation, legal clarity for businesses and necessary light and unbureaucratic structures when implementing the law.

Germanys Digital Minister Volker Wissing congratulated himself earlier this week on improvements to the text for small and medium-sized enterprises that would avert disproportionate requirements and ensure that we remain internationally competitive.

France also had concerns over copyright and generative AI, but an EU diplomat told AFP the text struck the right balance between protecting copyright and trade secrets.

Warnings from industry

The European Parliament is due to vote on the text in March or April, before it becomes law. Lawmakers said they were confident the text would pass without any issues.

It should then be formally approved in May.

The law will not enter into force immediately, however. Some rules will apply within six months while other elements will kick in two years later.

Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), one of the main tech lobbying groups, said Fridays approval was an important step for the texts formal adoption but remained cautious.

Despite efforts to improve the final text, after victory was prematurely declared back in December, many of the new AI rules remain unclear and could slow down the development and roll-out of innovative AI applications in Europe, CCIA Europes senior policy manager, Boniface de Champris, said.
Martinsville City Public Schools Career and Technical Education entrepreneurial program opens a second student business called Stitchify.

This business, along with The Kennel, was created by Martinsville High School career and technical students in the Students Exploring Meaningful and Impactful Internships program. They started planning last semester and the start of this semester actually launched the work of making their product.

Stitchify creates graphic merchandise like T-shirts and hats out of a room in Martinsville High School. They take orders such as for the different LEGO Robotics teams and currently have an order for 255 shirts from a college.

Our vision is a student run clothing business that gives young entrepreneurs the chance to express their skills, Senior Niikko Dews said.

Our mission is to engage more creativity, confidence and guiding students through making ideas for different people, Jonathan Sanabia said.

Their original goals for the business were to hold an official opening by January, to have the classroom transformed into a workspace, to run the business without adult supervision and to earn a total of $3,000 by the end of their second semester.

The team of students completed all those goals and far surpassed the last monetary goal. They started with a budget of $720, but with their completion of orders and a $11,000 donation from Carter Bank & Trust the fund is now at $15,670.

Now I have enough funds to sustain them without using any other funds whatsoever, MCPS Coordinator of STEAM, CTE and Fine Arts Administration Shauna Hines said.

The fund contains profit from both MCPS student businesses goes into a workforce development fund that is used for sustaining and growing the program, creating a scholarship for graduating seniors and if it grows enough maybe also providing support for graduates who decide to start their own small business.

Their new goals are to find more capable students to replace the three that will graduate this year, expanding the business by getting a website up and running and earning a total of $25,000 by the end of the school year.

Currently, there are four students, three seniors and one junior, working for Stitchify for two schedule blocks each day. They started with 12 students, Hines said, but the students that had the vision and drive to stay working are Dews, Sanabia, Bryan Amaya Turcios and Nevaeh Norman.

They also learn that everybody doesnt have the vision, Hines said. That resulted in them learning what to do when people did not want to work like they did.

We learned to stay motivated when others werent, Amaya said.

Because thats the real world, she added. I wanted them to go through the struggle of having people on your team that dont pull their weight.

The students did not know how to use any of the equipment to create their designs and had to learn that before they started making their products. They take orders, help customers create designs and then fulfill those orders.

The Stitchify students are also gaining interviewing skill by interviewing students to see who will replace the seniors who will graduate at the end of the year. They were also interviewed to enter into the program.

Its different from your regular studies, Turcios said. Were not in class with a teacher and its more fun  Im not just reading a book and doing a paper on it  Im actually getting involved.

Its a pleasure to welcome Stitchify to our community, MCPS Superintendent Zeb Talley said. Were really excited in Martinsville City Public Schools to have our students reach out into entrepreneurship.
Its a changing world out there and were the cause of it.

Habits change, whether forced or elective, and when it comes to the business of business you either adapt or die. Thats the reality of it, pure and simple.

Just recently I received a press release from the corporate offices of Biscuitville in Greensboro, encouraging me to cover the occasion of an employee receiving an award of some sort at a North Carolina restaurant. The news was of no interest to anyone in our coverage area.

A few days later the company unceremoniously shut down a popular location on Memorial Boulevard. The corporate office was conveniently silent on the subject and the employees at the Collinsville Biscuitville said they were forbidden to talk about it.

Around Thanksgiving my son from Atlanta was in the area and we made plans to meet for lunch in Danville. When we arrived at the Bricktown Brewery, we learned it had closed the day before, with no prior announcement.

Western Sizzlin, a popular Danville restaurant, shut its doors earlier this month.

For those of us who are nostalgic, the announcement in December that the iconic Mabry Mill Restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway would close at the end of the year was the confirming sign that a fundamental change was in the air.

The National Park Service confessed that the interests and activities of the 21st-century park visitor may mean that historic uses of park concession facilities may no longer be viable business opportunities and must be reevaluated to meet the needs of a new generation of park stewards and visitors.

It may be peculiar to us why Biscuitville in Martinsville and Mabrys Mill on the Parkway could be packed with patrons day after day and still close, the proprietors of these businesses find them no longer sustainable.

While last years spending at local restaurants increased, the experts have come to the realization that its not because more people are eating out, but largely because of the sharp increase in menu prices.

Foot traffic at full-service restaurants  was nearly 16% lower, says the Wall Street Journal.

The business newspaper also reported that while consuming meals off-premise was about 61% before the pandemic, that number is now about 79%, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Heres a revelation: Studies across the board are showing consistently whether you are in Martinsville or New York City, in todays world when its time to eat, we are more concerned about the cost and the convenience than the experience.

The modern consumer is more interested in how much of the task of eating a meal can be completed on a smartphone than fine dining and ambiance. We prefer to download the app, order our food and a drink while we wait, and then take the meal with us to eat at home, or work, or wherever we choose.

COVID forced our habits to change, but now that those habits have been formed and once again become elective, we are sticking to the change.

Deloitte conducted a restaurant study 10 months ago and found that the first thing we consider when buying prepared food is the price and thats no surprise considering the dramatic increase in cost. Secondly, we would rather order takeout than eat in. Lastly, we dont want to deal with people anymore; give us an app to order and pay ahead of time, and dont even bother handing it to us, wed rather you put it somewhere and let us pick it up.

Gone are the days when casual conversation and camaraderie were as important in the sharing of a meal as the meal itself.

Our habits are the cause of the changes we are seeing and the future of the restaurant industry is taking shape in the form of a new term called the ghost kitchen; no chairs, no tables, no waiters and waitresses, no waiting and no fuss.

The nearly labor-less restaurant of tomorrow will resemble nothing more than a wall with a window and its success will be dependent on the quality of the food and the price that is charged.
A man who rejected a plea deal in the 2021 shooting death of a Winston-Salem man was convicted of first-degree murder and concealment of the body on Thursday, when a jury returned with unanimous guilty verdicts, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill's office said.

Defendant Damien Quiterio-Morrison, sentenced to life by Superior Court Judge Eric Morgan, will not have the possibility of parole for the death of Isaiah Mitchell, 23, who was reported missing in May 2021 and whose body has never been found.

O'Neill said that even though Mitchell's family has gone nearly 1,000 days without knowing where his remains are located, he hopes that the conviction will provide some closure to the family.

Prosecutors said the case began when Winston-Salem police began a missing person investigation on May 22, 2021 in an effort to locate Mitchell. Police said Mitchell had missed scheduled appointments, and had last been seen driving a silver 2016 Dodge Charger about 2 a.m. on the day he was reported missing.

The lead police detective, Mike Ognosky, developed information that showed Mitchell had been the victim of foul play, authorities said.

Detectives said they learned that in the early morning hours of the day he was reported missing, Mitchell was lured to the defendant's home after a verbal disagreement with an acquaintance over the telephone. Prosecutors said they presented evidence to the jury that showed Quiterio-Morrison and Mitchell got into a fistfight in the defendant's front driveway, and that the defendant fatally shot Mitchell, who was not armed.

Prosecutors said the defendant then used a vehicle to take Mitchell's body and belongings to remote locations. They said Quiterio-Morrison buried Mitchell's body before returning to Winston-Salem to destroy other incriminating evidence.

After that, prosecutors said, Quiterio-Morrison fled the country.

In September 2021, police detectives, U.S. marshals, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and immigration and customs agents arrested Quiterio-Morrison at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

O'Neill's office said Mitchell was survived by his longtime girlfriend, his young son, sisters, his father, aunt and uncle and other members of his extended family. The district attorney said that during the years that followed Mitchell's disappearance, his family were not able to either fully grieve nor hope that Mitchell would ever come home.

As well, the district attorney said Quiterio-Morrison had rejected an offer to plead guilty to second degree murder in open court and demanded a jury trial. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Penn Broyhill and Mark Parent. The defendant was represented by attorney Harold Eustache.

How drunk driving fatalities in North Carolina compare to the rest of the US How drunk driving fatalities in North Carolina compare to the rest of the US
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:

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A global anti-tobacco meeting opens in Panama on Monday to halt the harmful consequences of smoking, as tobacco companies endeavor to hook more usersincluding childrenwith addictive products.

Delegates from more than 180 countries will gather in Panama City for the biennial meeting, which will focus on tobacco advertising and sponsorshipas well as new tobacco products, such as trendy electronic cigarettes.

The number of smokers around the world is steadily dropping, but the World Health Organization warned earlier this month that Big Tobacco was working hard to attract young people.

Tobacco use is estimated to kill more than eight million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke, WHO statistics show.

The UN agency warned that while smoking rates are declining, it would take decades for the number of tobacco-related deaths to follow suit.

"Smoking causes a lot of damage and receives relatively little attention," because most of its impact is in the long term, whereas governments focus on the "day-to-day," Chile's former deputy health minister Ricardo Fabrega told AFP.

"Additionally, there is an industry with experts in inducing consumption at very early ages," added Fabrega, also the dean of the Santo Tomas University in Santiago.

The tenth meeting (COP10) of parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) had been due in November 2023, but was postponed due to mass protests in Panama demanding the closure of a copper mine.

The tobacco control treaty came into force two decades ago.

'Criminal efforts'

The main meeting will be followed by talks on the elimination of illegal tobacco products, which will be attended by around 70 countries.

The convention secretariat warned ahead of the meeting of a conflict of interest as "some parties have been approached by the tobacco and other industry representatives, to offer travel and technical support, including advisors."

According to the WHO, in 2022, about one in five adults around the world were smokers or consumed other tobacco products, compared to one in every three in 2000.

A fresh WHO report looking at trends in the prevalence of tobacco use between 2000 and 2030 showed that 150 countries were successfully reducing tobacco use through regulation, high taxes and other measures.

However, Ruediger Krech, director of the WHO's health promotion department, said earlier this month that the tobacco industry was using "criminal efforts" to undermine this progress and attract youngsters.

Concerns are growing over the risk of teens becoming hooked on nicotine through candy-colored disposable vapes, with flavors such as chocolate and bubblegum.

First seen as a way to stop smoking, e-cigarettes have themselves proven addictive, with some 82 million users in 2021, according to the US NGO Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

The UK is seeking to ban disposable e-cigarettes, following a similar move from France. Germany and Belgium are also pursuing a ban.

 2024 AFP
A Missoula jury has cleared three Missoula County Sheriff's deputies in an officer-involved shooting last February, when a man in crisis walked toward the police with a handgun pointed toward his head.

The seven-person jury ruled that Gary T. Duncan, 45, died by suicide from a deadly law enforcement encounter in Clinton.

The jury was part of a coroners inquest, the state process to publicly review law enforcement-involved deaths. Jessie Billquist, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County coroner, presided over the hearing.

Caitlin Williams from the Missoula County Attorneys Office questioned witnesses over the incident. The inquest revealed evidence in the case for the first time and asked the jurors to decide whether law enforcement was at fault.

The Missoulian was the only press organization to attend the event.

On Feb. 18, 2023, officers made a welfare check on Jennifer and Gary Duncan, who were supposed to drive from East Missoula to Bozeman to catch a flight. Jennifer Duncan told the jury that she and Gary Duncan, her husband, got into an argument, and Gary Duncan pulled out a handgun.

Jennifer Duncan said she left the car and took shelter inside the Clinton Market. General Manager Cassandra Higgins told the courtroom that she ordered people away from the windows and locked the door to the building.

When two Missoula County deputies arrived on scene, they parked side-by-side at the end of the market parking lot, body camera footage showed. The two then saw Gary Duncan exit his vehicle and start walking toward them with a gun.

Shortly after we had stopped and exited our vehicle, he came from the passenger side of the vehicle, deputy Zachary Barber said. As soon as he came into my view  I can see he had an object in his right hand that was down by his side.

Footage from the officers' patrol cars showed Gary Duncan walked roughly 50 yards from the Clinton Market building toward the cars of the two officers. He carried a pistol with him pointed toward his head.

Missoula County Patrol Sergeant Garret Koppes then arrived on scene. Koppes, the most experienced officer on scene, exited his vehicle with his rifle drawn and walked up to the two deputies and Gary Duncan.

Koppes told Duncan to drop the gun or he would shoot. Koppes then shot the man once in the head. He was on scene for less than 30 seconds before he fired shots.

The incident was still completely out of control, Koppes said about when he arrived on scene. It was extremely high risk, he had maintained the firearm, he approached deputies to almost no distance at all and Gary (Duncan) forced the confrontation.

One juror questioned why Koppes shot Gary Duncan when the man did not point his pistol at the officers at any point during the ordeal, body camera footage showed. Koppes said that although the gun was not pointed at officers, he could have shot someone, especially being so close.

Mark Strangio, a retired investigator with the Montana Department of Justice, testified that the officers were justified in the shooting, as Gary Duncan was the main aggressor, and left them no option once he approached them with a gun.

This didnt have to happen if (Gary Duncan) put down his gun, this would have never risen to this level, Strangio said.

Gordy Jessop, the countys training sergeant, testified that all three officers were certified with several de-escalation standards, including Crisis Intervention Training.

James Ward, an agent from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, said there was no criminal cause of death. He said if Duncan lived, he would have likely been charged with multiple felonies, including kidnapping and criminal engagement.

Missoula County will see its next coroner's inquest on Feb. 16 for the death of Vance Ledeau, who was shot and killed by law enforcement in August 2022.
Hundreds of gymnasts from across Montana are converging on the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds this weekend for the annual Mount Helena Open gymnastics meet hosted by Gym406.
Good things dont often come out of early death. But the reach and response to Gone Too Soon, a three-part look at the decades-wide life-expectancy gap between Native Americans and mainstream Montanans, has been huckleberry positive.

Lee Montana reporter Nora Mabie spent six months gathering information from 296 Indigenous people across the state to illustrate the extent of the problem and efforts to relieve it. Starting from the simple statistic that Native Americans die 20 years sooner than their white neighbors, she looked for reasons why that was happening, what ripples through a community when so many die young, and where some people have built solutions.

Supported through a grant from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, Mabie documented the sprawling challenges to living a normal life when beset with pervasive unemployment, long distances from care, and a long-brewing record of justified distrust in the medical system. When a specific group of people are 3.2 times more likely to die of diabetes than the general population, when theyre 4.6 times more likely to have chronic liver disease, when its six times harder to find a dentist in the health service specifically targeted to them  when 26 is middle-aged  the problem is not something solvable by pulling ones own bootstraps.

And yet, just as theres an Indigenous practice of turning chokecherries into a tasty and long-lasting snack, there are people like Tescha Hawley who log thousands of volunteer miles delivering fresh food in places with no grocery stores. Reporting on her efforts has attracted the attention of national foundations seeking opportunities to help. The exclusive coverage has also raised awareness among Congress members. As the Indian Health Service remains chronically underfunded and under-staffed in the very reservations it was set up to serve, this is the kind of attention a good funeral can bring.

As reader CeeJay Yellow Hawk responded, On the Fort Peck Reservation, Natives typically die at 52. My mom only made it to 42. We heal ourselves and we heal our ancestors. Hoping the work me and my family are doing to heal ourselves is felt by my mom too.
The Montana Department of Transportation announced Friday morning that efforts are underway to address an actively failing metal culvert on Interstate 15 south of Rocker and north of Buxton.

The department said drivers traveling northbound and southbound on I-15 can expect single-lane traffic and reduced speeds of 45 mph. Message signs and traffic control devices will notify travelers of the changes in traffic flow.

Motorists should remain alert while traveling through the work zone and follow all posted signage, the department said.

The culvert, at the Sawmill Gulch Drainage, travels beneath both the southbound and northbound lanes of I-15.

Dave Gates, preconstruction engineer for the Montana Department of Transportations Butte District, said it is not yet clear how long the work will require.

Plans call for a reinforced concrete box culvert to replace the existing metal culvert. Gates said the department is monitoring the situation, which he described as dynamic, and evaluating the best construction approaches.

Its our intention to maintain traffic as long as is practical and safe, he said.

A catastrophic failure of the culvert could require a complete temporary closure of that section of I-15.

The Department of Transportation said maintenance crews will continue to do around-the-clock monitoring of the culvert to watch for and react to possible failure.

Motorists can visit 511mt.net for road status updates or download the MDT 511 app.
Charping was co-host of "Roof Talk Radio," which covered roofing and solar panels on KTSA and WOAI. Noam Galai/Getty Images

550 KTSA radio show host Duane Charping died Wednesday after a long battle with mental health problems, his family announced. He was 52.

Following Charpings unexpected death, his family is leaning on community support to help raise funds to cover the costs of a funeral and a celebration of life.

In the aftermath of his passing, we face the financial challenge of providing him with the farewell he deserves, his daughter Lindsey Yancey wrote on GoFundMe.

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Donations will go toward funeral director costs, a family viewing, cremation and a celebration that reflects Charpings final wishes, his daughter said.

He explicitly wished for no funeral but a big party, and we aim to honor that with music, laughter, drinks, and cherished memories, Yancey wrote.

Charping was the co-host of the KTSA segment Roof Talk Radio, where he shared his expertise as owner of Roof Fix San Antonio and Critter Shield solar panels.

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His family did not disclose how he died, saying only that he had struggled for a long time with his mental health. He was described by his daughter as a man whose life was marked by ambition, passion, and a generous spirit.

In once instance, Charping took in a homeless man and helped him recover from illness due to asthma.

My [fathers] memory will endure through the friendships he forged and the lives he touched with his generosity, Yancey said.

She said her father struggled with his mental health and it wasnt always easy to connect on an emotional level but even through his internal battles he always strived to provide.

She said he leaves behind a legacy that reflects both the complexities of human struggle and the enduring impact of selfless generosity. Duane was a man of contrasts, grappling with internal challenges, which brought both highs and lows throughout his journey.

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She added: Those closest to him know that he could fall on dark times, and though we struggled with him in those times we also remember his light. He had so much light to counter his darkness, and it hurt to see him struggle throughout our lives.
The homicide of Casper native Teree Becker has been solved after more than 48 years, the Westminster Colorado Police Department announced Wednesday.

Years of effort and genetic genealogy are credited for identifying Thomas Elliott as Beckers killer.

Becker grew up in Casper with her parents, a brother and a sister. She was a graduate of Kelly Walsh High School and worked for a newspaper for a time. She moved to Denver shortly after graduating.

Her family said that she often lived life on the edge. They said she never met a stranger and would hold a conversation with anyone. Teree enjoyed painting, and listening to music. Her favorite bands were Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf, the statement read.

Becker was last seen alive on Dec. 4, 1975 when she was hitchhiking to Brighton, Colorado to see her boyfriend who was incarcerated at Adams County Jail. Her body was found two days later in a field near 100th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard in Westminster, Colorado.

It appeared that Terees body had been dumped in the field, along with her clothing and personal items. During her autopsy it was determined Teree had been raped, and her cause of death was asphyxiation, the police department said in a Wednesday Facebook post.

Elliott was in and out of prison. Shortly before he murdered Becker, he committed burglary in Lakewood, Colorado and served six years. He was shuffled through the prison system and was released in Las Vegas in 1981.

After his release he proceeded to commit a crime against a child and received a ten (10) year sentence, the statement read. He was released in Las Vegas in 1991 and would go on to commit another murder before committing suicide on Oct. 30, 1991.

Beckers case was reviewed multiple times over the years. In 2003 a DNA sample of an unknown male was pulled from a piece of evidence. A profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but there was no match. Elliott had been adopted by his mothers second husband, James Elliott, making genetic tracing difficult.

It wasnt until 2013 when the Las Vegas Metro Police Department submitted an unknown male profile to CODIS that matched. In 1991, a woman was found raped and murdered in her apartment. The Las Vegas Police Department was also without a suspect.

In 2018, the Westminster profile was deemed a good candidate for genetic genealogy, which identifies biological relationships between people. (Its the same method that companies like 23andMe use to find a persons relatives or ancestors.)

Over the next five years, through the use of department research, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Parabon Nanolabs (a genetic DNA lab), and Solved By DNA (a local Denver genealogist company) a suspect was ultimately identified; Thomas Martin Elliott, the Westminster Police Department said.

The Las Vegas Police Department received consent to exhume Elliotts body, which was interred at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Two members of the Westminster Police Department went to Las Vegas to witness the exhumation and collect remains for analysis.

Elliott was positively identified as the killer in December 2023.

We are thrilled we were able to solve this cold case and hopefully bring closure to the friends and family of Teree Becker, the Westminster Police Department said.
The rollercoaster ride that is Montanas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate race took more turns this week as party infighting rose to the forefront and a fresh set of ads trying to deter one potential candidate from entering the race hit the airwaves.

Tim Sheehy is the presumed frontrunner of the currently declared Republican candidates seeking to defeat incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester this fall. The race has major national implications as the GOP hopes to retake the Senate and has targeted Montana as one of its top priorities to flip.

But Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale, long rumored to want a rematch of his 2018 loss to Tester by just shy of 18,000 votes, could play spoiler to Sheehy. The hardline Republican who sits to the right of nearly all of the U.S. House caucus is expected to enter the race soon, though hes being pressed not to by state and national party leadership, as well as advertising calling into question his conservative credentials.

On Jan. 28, the Montana Freedom Caucus of the state Legislature sent a letter to the state party Chair Don Kaltschmidt asking him to rescind the invitation of Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump loyalist who has been critical of Rosendale for being slow to endorse the former president's bid to return to office, to speak at the partys winter convention this month. The caucus said Rosendale, whom they have endorsed, "deserves an apology from the Montana GOP" and said Bruesewitz's appearance wouldn't mesh with the party's slogan "We're Better, Together."

The party did disinvite Bruesewitz. Rosendales office did not return a request for comment for this story, nor did a spokesperson for the state party chair, Don Kaltschmidt. Bruesewitz said he didnt plan to talk about Rosendale at the event, saying he felt it would be inappropriate. His past criticisms of the candidate, he said, were tied to Rosendale withholding his endorsement of the former president after Trump made four appearances in Montana, in addition to other visits by members of his family, during Rosendales 2018 bid.

"He used President Trump and his family and I thought that was wrong," Bruesewitz said Jan. 30.

The spat eventually ascended into the top levels of the national conversation when the former presidents son chimed in.

"Its really disappointing to see some Republicans in Montana engage in leftwing cancel culture," Donald Trump Jr. posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Its even more disappointing that they would target one of my fathers strongest and most loyal supporters - @alexbruesewitz."

Rosendale is also the target of about $182,000 in recent ad buys by a group called Montana Policy Action, which is running an ad on TV stations around Montana saying Rosendale "sabotaged" an effort to secure the southern U.S. border.

Montana Policy Action is a 501(c)4 nonprofit, known as a dark money group, that is not required to disclose its contributors with the Federal Elections Commission.

The groups custodian as noted in filings required for running political ads is Dan Duffey, who at one point was the political director for then-gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte.

Duffey declined to comment for this story, but wrote in an email that the organization's "mission is to inform the people of Montana about the ongoing policy discussions that directly affect our communities, families, and businesses."

"We believe that engaged citizens, committed to holding our political leaders accountable, can bring about real change that leads to enhanced economic opportunities, great individual freedoms and increased transparency in government," Duffey wrote.

Another outside group with mysterious finances has also involved themselves in the race, but on the other side of the suspected GOP primary. Super PAC "Last Best Place PAC" has spent millions of dollars in Montana on ad buys attacking Sheehy.

The only donor to Last Best Place is a nonprofit named "Majority Forward," which is also a 501(c)4 dark money group.

Majority Forward is an arm of a Democratic-backed operation closely aligned with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and has a history of attacking Republicans.

Unlike candidate fundraising committees and regular PACs, super PACs do not have limits on the amount that can be contributed, but the groups do have to disclose some top line numbers to the FEC.

Last Best Place PAC has spent millions in ad buys since the late summer.

The deadline for Rosendale to file for the Senate race is March 11. The congressman recently held events with Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in Bozeman, Helena and Joliet in advance of his expected entrance into the race.

Gaetz told the crowd in Bozeman that he was in Montana to "convince" Rosendale to run for Senate, which Rosendale laughed at, but did not dismiss.
With crime along on the Muscatine riverfront having been on the upswing for the past five years, Muscatine City Council Thursday approved a new addition to security at Riverside Park, as well as other city parks.

During its regular meeting the council approved accepting a grant from the Iowa Fire and Justice Assistance grant program for $19,430 to help pay for six security cameras to be installed along the riverfront. The grant doesnt require a city match. The council then approved issuing a purchase order not to exceed $121,495 to Donald Consulting for the security cameras.

The riverfront carries a high call volume for the police department, Assistant Police Chief Steve Snyder said. Last year we responded to 254 calls for service down there. The cameras will allow the communications center remote access  if we receive a call down there, they can log on to the cameras and give real time updates.

He said the cameras would cover the green space public event area. Snyder also commented, the more work you do on the riverfront to make it attractive to the public  you are going to draw more people and have more activity down there.

Snyder said the data from the cameras is stored for up to 30 days. He also said that one camera is being tested on the riverfront now and had helped solve a crime he believes otherwise would not have been solved.

He also commented there are no privacy policies governing the cameras yet. He is getting privacy policies from other cities and is using it to compile one for Muscatine. Once the policy is approved, it will become public information.

Parks and Rec Director Rich Klimes said the riverfront was part of a larger project the council adopted later in the meeting that will put security cameras in all city parks. He said the cameras are monitored all the time for functionality, but it would be the citys responsibility to check the footage if there is an incident.

During the meeting, Naomi DeWinter spoke on behalf of the Muscatine Rotary Club, saying the club supports the project, feeling it would increase safety and security for residents. She also believes the addition of the cameras can help deter human trafficking in Muscatine.

Council member Peggy Gordon also commented that a large part of the funding for the project was the citys ARPA funds.

Border security could be on the cusp of passing in Congress, and more of today's top videos Border security is an issue that's divided Congress for years, Israelis and Palestinians welcome home released relatives, and more of today's top videos.
Biden: Three Americans killed, 'many' wounded in drone attack by Iran-backed militia in Jordan

Three American service members were killed and many were wounded in a drone strike in Jordan, President Joe Biden said in a statement Sunday. He attributed the attack to Iran-backed militia groups.

They were the first U.S. fatalities in months of strikes against American forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed militias amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, increasing the risk of escalation.

Biden said the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.

The attack took place in northeast Jordan, near the border with Syria.

Read more here:

Federal judge in DC postpones Trumps March trial on charges of plotting to overturn 2020 election

federal judge in Washington formally postponed Donald Trump's March trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a key legal appeal from the former president remains unresolved in the courts.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday vacated the March 4 trial date in the case brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith but did not immediately set a new date.

The move opens the door for a separate prosecution in New York, charging Trump in connection with hush money payments to a porn actor, to proceed first. That case has long been seen as arguably the least legally perilous of the four indictments Trump faces, with the alleged misconduct less grave than accusations of mishandling classified documents or plotting to subvert a presidential election.

Read more here:

Vince McMahon, WWE founder, resigns amid explosive sex trafficking allegations

Vince McMahon has resigned from his role as executive chairman of TKO, the parent company of WWE, following disturbing allegations of sexual assault, trafficking and physical abuse.

The allegations came to light in a lawsuit filed by a former WWE staffer, Janel Grant, who worked at the headquarters of the wrestling behemoth McMahon founded.

McMahon has denied the allegations, and said he is prepared to defend himself in court. But, in a statement Friday, McMahon said that he has resigned.

Read more here:

***

Get more of the week's top news here:
A 33-year-old man faces charges that he raped and sexually assaulted three women in Napa and San Francisco, and potentially faces 15 years or more in prison, according to court records.

Mario Alberto Aguirre was arrested Wednesday morning by Napa Police officers on warrants alleging he attacked three women over a nine-month span in 2019. He was being held without bail Friday evening in the Napa County jail.

Aguirre faces six felony charges, including two counts of rape, one count of rape by use of drugs, and one count of assault. Prosecutors also cited special allegations including multiple victims, attacking a vulnerable person, and exploiting a position of trust.

The assaults took place Jan. 30-31, 2019, in Napa County; in early March 2019 in San Francisco; and around Oct. 19, 2019, in Napa County, according to a criminal complaint.

A protective order issued Thursday in Napa County Superior Court requires Aguirre to have no contact with four women, ages 24, 25, 28 and 29. (The Napa Valley Register does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.)

Prison terms in case of conviction range from two to eight years on the six charges, but special allegations could lead to a 15-years-to-life sentence, according to the complaint.

A plea hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.

PHOTOS: Gallery 1870 in Napa
Updated at 3:55 p.m. Friday  The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has added a name to a list of clergy members accused of sexual abuse that now includes a priest who previously served in Napa County but was convicted of molesting a girl while visiting Placer County.

Mark Kristy, who served with the religious order Discalced Carmelite Fathers based in Oakville is living in St. Helena, according to a California directory of sex offenders. Kristy pleaded no contest to sexually abusing a minor and received five years of probation in 2022, according to Placer County Superior Court records.

Officials of the Sacramento Diocese were informed of the allegations against Kristy in 2015.

Kristy was accused of sexually touching the girl, who was younger than 14, and sexually exposing her sometime from 2001 through 2004, according to the diocese.

Sacramento diocese officials said they reported the allegation to law enforcement and cooperated with authorities in Placer County, which eventually led to Kristys prosecution.

On Feb. 16, 2022, Kristy pleaded no contest to one felony count of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 in September 2004. On June 21, Kristys child sex abuse case in Placer County was transferred to Napa County, where hes serving his probation.

As of Friday, the state Megans Law website listed Kristys address as 490 Meadowood Lane, northeast of the St. Helena town center.

A criminal complaint alleges that Kristy molested a girl whose parents attended a church near their Rocklin home, where the priest sometimes assisted. Over time, Kristy spent more time at the familys home and stayed with the girl and her younger sister at sleepover-like encounters  either in the living room or in a backyard tent  where the abuse occurred starting when the girl was about 10, according to a June 2021 case summary from the Placer County District Attorneys Office.

The girls father brought her allegations to church officials in December 2015, and Kristy was told of the allegations within a week, the summary states.

Kristy is identified in court records under the name Mark Gregory Kristy. The court ordered him to serve five years of probation, ending on March 16, 2027, as part of his sentence, court records show.

Diocese officials said Kristy, who was born in the U.S. and is now 71 years old, attended seminary at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley.

An August 2014 article published in the Catholic World Report indicated Kristy grew up in Southern California, where he was the drummer of Christian rock band in the 1970s, ordained as a priest in 1985, became a psychotherapist and worked at parishes in Tucson, Arizona and the Los Angeles archdiocese before moving to Oakville in Napa County.

Napa Valley Register stories from 2001 to 2010 give brief glimpses into Kristys years with the Oakville Carmelite community  from speaking at a memorial for 9/11 attack victims to leading Latin Mass in Rutherford to presiding over the annual Blessing of the Grapes during the 2010 harvest.

The Catholic World Report article also mentions Kristy still offered counseling to clients professionally, and Kristy in 2014 was living at the Oakville Carmelite House of Prayer within the Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa and celebrating mass at other locations in Northern California.

In late September 2022, officials at the Cathedral of St. Eugene in Santa Rosa posted a message on the parishs website telling parishioners that Kristy was living within the Diocese of Santa Rosa without the dioceses permission or approval.

Under no circumstance is he to be allowed to exercise any form of ministry in or for the Diocese, the online message said. The faithful are advised that they are not to participate in any way with any priestly activities which he might illicitly offer.

Although some media reports described Kristy as a former priest, his standing remained unclear Friday afternoon. Messages left with Discalced Carmelite Friars were not immediately returned.

On the Santa Rosa Diocese website, Kristys name was added a list of priests accused of sexual abuse in an update dated January, which described him as out of ministry but added that an ecclesiastical process (was) still ongoing.

The reason for the passage of more than a year between the advisory about Kristy and his addition to the list was not immediately known.

The Diocese of Sacramento initially released its list of accused clergy members in April 2019. Sex abuse victims and advocates at the time argued that releasing the list after a long delay put other potential victims at risk, ignored the current danger and fixated on past cases in which the statute of limitations had run out.

The list includes the dates and locations of their assignments in the diocese of Sacramento, which covers Catholic churches and outreach from Sacramento to the Oregon border, as well as the Lake Tahoe area.

In a letter posted online, Bishop Jaime Soto announced that the Diocese of Sacramento is facing insolvency following more than 200 lawsuits alleging the sexual abuse of minors as the result of state law extending the statute of limitations for such cases.

I am committed to resolving all claims as fairly as possible, Soto wrote in the February letter. Given the number of claims that have been presented, however, resolving them may overwhelm the dioceses finances available to satisfy such claims.

A board member of the activist group Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, attacked the announcements of Kristys probation and return to Napa County as too little and too late for both actual and potential victims of abuse.

This is really a troubling, troubling situation, said Dan McNevin, who is SNAPs Oakland-area representative. The bishops claim they are being transparent, that theyre pro-survivor, and that they take seriously child protection, but this is a failure by bishops on every level.  Its a stunning lack of care for Catholic children in Santa Rosa, in Sacramento, any place where this guy worked.

Even with Kristys no-contest plea and probation in the sex abuse case, serious questions remain about the priests whereabouts over several years, according to McNevin.

Where has he been living since 2015? Where has he been working? How has he been making money? This case is nowhere near over, he said Friday afternoon. We shouldnt have to dig for that stuff; the bishop should be telling us. We need a lot more information. It shouldnt be the job of volunteer activists to chase down these details.

Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report.
February is a month offering many opportunities for celebration. These annual events ranged from auspicious cultural holidays to presidential birthdays. Although one February event is a rarer occasion  Leap Day. All of these special days on the calendar were more than a notation to Napans of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. They were reasons to party as only they could!

During the 1870s - 1880s, Napa County had thriving Chinatowns. For most of the year these communities were places of daily living. This routine, however, dramatically changed with the approach and arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

In preparation for this most auspicious of Chinese holidays the residents of the local Chinatowns performed annual cleaning rituals and prepared traditional Chinese Lunar New Year delicacies. They also strung colorful paper garlands and lanterns throughout the communities narrow pathways.

Fascinated by these exotic and foreign traditions, the local newspapers sent their writers to gather details about the Lunar New Year celebrations. The resulting articles provide the contemporary Napan with a great source of descriptive information about Napa Countys Chinatowns.

For example, a late 1870s Napa Register article provided a thorough tour of Napas Chinatown once located along the banks of the Napa Creek and River. The writer noted at the point where Chinatowns main path connected to First Street, it was wide enough for several people to comfortably walk by one another. As the writer ventured further into the neighborhood, the serpentine path wandered through the community in a confusing manner as well and became very narrow.

As the writer continued his exploration, he discovered much to write about. The writer described hearing the Chinese playing traditional cultural melodies on their musical instruments. He also commented on the mixture of scents from the mouthwatering aromas of the holiday foods to the scent of incense burning at the many private altars dotting Chinatown. The only negative comment pertained to what he considered to be an assault upon the nose and ears caused by the endless barrage of firecrackers. He was especially put off by the strong sulfur odor of the firecrackers. Despite that objection, in conclusion, the writer encouraged his readers to visit Chinatown during the Lunar New Year to experience first-hand that truly unique celebration.

Depending upon the actual date of when a Chinese Lunar New Year fell, it was typically in close proximity to St. Valentines Day. To celebrate St. Valentines Day, there were many options. School children had after school parties. They enjoyed refreshments of small sandwiches, cookies and punch in-between dancing and playing organized games monitored by adult chaperones.

For their older siblings and young adults, the festivities began around 9 p.m. and lasted into the early morning hours. During the middle to late 1800s masquerade balls or dances were all the rage. At about midnight these gatherings offered substantial buffets to help keep those dancers energized. During that break, Cupid made his appearance with his quiver filled with St. Valentines Day cards, love notes and sweet somethings. Cupid delivered those notes and gifts to individuals specified by the sender. Many a heart went aflutter as Cupid approached them.

As hearts were a-pitter-patter at those soirees, other hearts were swelling with pride and patriotism. On the twelfth of February President Abraham Lincoln and his birthday were honored with community-wide observances. The main event was an assembly with patriotic speeches and skits. The latter were often performed by the local students. They staged a timeline of Lincolns life including a scene of his studying by candlelight in his log cabin home as well as Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. The local youths received a resounding round of applause from the approving audience.

Ten days later, Feb. 22, Napans observed George Washingtons birthday. Frequently these celebrations were similar in format to those for Lincolns natal day. Although in the 1890s the Washington observance was quite spectacular.

On that cold and blustery day, Napans turned out to first cheer on then join the days parade that ended at the Napa County Court House. There, a young, favorite native son and local attorney, Henry Hogan, gave a rousing speech about Washington and the American way of life. Immediately following his well-received oration and approving applause, the new flagstaff was dedicated with the raising of the American flag. Today that flagstaff still exists and is often thought to be a replica of the Eiffel Tower and a gift from France. However, its creation was a local campaign. Fabricated by a San Francisco metal works company, it was created in the then trending Art Nouveau design style. While Washingtons birthday was a good reason for the event, the true catalyst for the event and flagstaff was the recently penned Pledge of Allegiance.

While all of these occasions were special in their own right, they were to be expected every year. But February offered one unique event that occurred, and occurs, only every four years, Leap Day. During the Victorian era, and earlier, that day as well as an entire Leap Year was considered to be Ladys Choice. To simplify it, during Leap Years a woman had the legal right and authority to propose marriage. If accepted, it was legally binding. If her betrothed did not honor his commitment to marry the woman there were serious consequences. He could be sued for breach of promise!

On a lighter note, in 1880, the local young ladies hosted a Ladys Choice ball. Held in the city hall once located on Brown Street across from the Court House, it was quite the social event. However, it was truly unique in that there was a role reversal. The young men had to adhere to the social protocols normally expected of the women.

The gents had to be escorted everywhere by their hostesses, including to the gents restroom. The young ladies had to patiently wait outside that sanctuary for their beaus. Also, the men were not allowed to engage in conversation with other women unless accompanied and approved by their hostess.

Based on the Registers review of the soiree, everyone obeyed their reversed roles and responsibilities. They also thoroughly enjoyed the evening of live music, dancing, dining and the uniquely February holiday celebration.
Napas city Planning Commission voted to recommend adding more rooms to a previously approved hotel development in the Oxbow neighborhood.

Three of four commissioners voted to approve the First and Oxbow Gateway hotel project Thursday night. Planning Commissioner Gordon Huether recused himself from the meeting due to a financial interest in the project. The City Council, which have final say on the project, is expected to take up the issue in late March or early April.

Planning Commissioner Bob Massaro, who voted against the plan, saw the updated design concept as something entirely different.

It appears to me that we are looking at this as a modification when I think its screaming to be looked at as a new project, Massaro said.

The plans, proposed by Stratus Development Partners LLC, would add 49 more rooms  for a new total of 123. It also reduced the size of a proposed business conference space and eliminated previous retail space plans.

At the three-hour meeting, commissioners pressed the developers on a multitude of design factors, including why more rooms were needed. Commissioners and community members alike shared concern over traffic and environmental impacts.

Commissioner Paul Kelley said he supported the project but understood the complexities.

We have a multitude of concerns from members of the community, Kelley said. We have an application which sort of is new, but sort of adopts portions of what is previously approved.

The City Council approved the hotel's original plan in 2020 by a single vote. The initial project was a four-story, 74-room hotel with 6,294 square feet of retail space and 121 parking spaces.

The focus seems to be on making sure we get a lot of tourists here and not on making life better for the people who live here, said Napa resident Tim Timar.

Another resident, Celeste Mirassou, noted the wages would likely create jobs for workers living far away from Napa.

These hotels will draw long-distance commuting workers from other more affordable areas, causing more traffic and more air pollution, said Mirassou.

According to the proposal, the height of the building remains the same, at 60 feet, while the square footage would be reduced by approximately 30,000 feet. Taking out the retail space and adding more rooms will increase the citys expected revenue from the hotel from $1.14 million to $2.28 million. The average cost per night is expected to be about $400.

David Wood, one of the main developers of the project, told the commission that hotels that are under 100 rooms do not attract bigger hotel franchises that would operate the hotel, making it not financially feasible.

The business is tied to the number of keys you need to provide services that can be tied to a Marriott, Wood said. We think the Tribute brand (Marriotts Boutique Hotel Portfolio), that is tied to Marriott would be interested in 123 keys. Theyre not interested in 74. That just kills the deal.

The Planning Commission declined to recommend the initial 2020 project to the council because they felt the size of the development would overwhelm the traditionally residential neighborhood.

This time around, the commission could only vote on changes to the already entitled project.

When you look at it on paper and youre looking at an open space or smaller building currently there, it looks out of place. Like the biggest mistake on the planet, said Commission Chair Beverly Shotwell. Or it could potentially, like what happened with the Archer, fit right in.

The hotels future location will be at the corner of First Street and Soscol Avenue, and will consist of two buildings split down the middle by the Napa Valley Wine Train.

The project developers said their new design plans are reflective of feedback from the community.

We heard our neighbors say, we have plenty of retail in the community, we want to see more street activation, said developer Andrew Wood.

The project is in tandem with an affordable housing project which is also being developed by David Wood, who sits on the Board of Directors for Jamboree housing. That project, at 515 Silverado Trail, will include 40 units of affordable housing.

PHOTOS: Gallery 1870 in Napa
Shuttered since the 2014 earthquake, Napas historic downtown post office got a bit of facelift this week.

Local artist Israel Valencia has created a 257-foot mural of black and white photographs, which wraps three sides of the former Franklin Station at 1351 Second St.

He calls it Napa Through New Eyes.

Napa is my home and I have photographed its many phases of development, after my family immigrated from Mexico in 1990, Valencia wrote in a statement.

The family lived on Riverside Drive, just south of downtown. This was my old stomping grounds, he said. Even then, I noticed that Napa was changing.

As a young photographer, I was still learning my craft and took many images between 1993-1998 of the buildings and streets that surrounded my home.

During the pandemic Valencia scanned many rolls of his film from the 90s. Those filmstrips inspired him to propose his photo mural for the post office.

I love to share these images with my neighbors, locals, and visitors to offer a glimpse of a not-so-long-ago past of this special place in the world, he wrote.

Valencias mural is a part of the citys Temporary Downtown Mural Project, an effort to beautify buildings that are vacant or in transition, according to public art manager Katrina Gregory.

The initiative includes four murals in all.

The first was installed this past year at the corner of First and Main streets (across the street from Starbucks). Called WaterIt Vines, it was created by artist Paz de la Calzada.

Artist Matley Hurd recently created a mural at the former downtown bus stop on Pearl Street. Its called 3 Sisters.

At the same time, artist Agnes Pierscieniak is installing colorful murals on the windows of the former firefighter museum on Main Street (at the corner of Pearl Street). Her artwork is called Wine Whispers in Color.

On Monday at the Franklin Station, Valencia helped install the seven long panels, featuring 84 photos of Napa in the 90s. The mural, made from a woven vinyl mesh, was printed in Petaluma.

As a photographer we all want our work to be printed as big as possible and to be as public as possible. So this is a dream come true, he said.

Maybe viewers will stop and take their own photograph in front of his photograph, he said. Some might even want to walk to the actual location of that same image to see what it looks like today.

A map with website link will direct anyone interested to a page that has more information about each of the photos.

So this project will have that kind of interactive element, in addition to its historical or nostalgic vibe.

Gregory said the budget for all four Napa city artworks was about $75,000. The money comes from the citys general fund, she said. Valencia received a $2,000 stipend for his work on the post office mural. The artwork, while temporary, could be on display for many months, or even over a year, depending on redevelopment plans for the post office.

The historic Franklin station, built in 1933, closed after the 2014 Napa earthquake. The property was later sold to Napa developer Jim Keller. He announced plans to create a hotel complex at the corner. Development has not yet begun.

Gregory said the citys goal is to have more opportunities for artists to display their artwork and look for creative ideas on how to utilize art more in our public spaces. Plus, I think this spot is long overdue for some cool artwork.

Shes most excited to see what the mural looks like during different times  from day to night. Plus, I want to see peoples reactions to it; see if they notice it. Or if it just blends into their environment.

Valencia said he hopes people like his mural.

Im proud to be part of, the temporary art project. Im thinking about it as a gift to my community, and how much I appreciate it.

Editor's note: this story has been updated to include the correct name of the artwork by Agnes Pierscieniak.

PHOTOS: Napa's 2024 Lighted Art Festival begins Art aglow in Napa Lighted Art Festival 2 Lighted Art Festival 3 Lighted Art Festival 4 Lighted Art Festival 5 Lighted Art Festival 6 Lighted Art Festival 7 Lighted Art Festival 8 Lighted Art Festival 9 Lighted Art Festival 10 Lighted Art Festival 11 Lighted Art Festival 12 Lighted Art Festival 13 Lighted Art Festival 14 Lighted Art Festival 15 Lighted Art Festival 16 Lighted Art Festival 17 Lighted Art Festival 18 Lighted Art Festival 19
Christopher Lee Powell, 36, was found guilty of murder for killing Ibrahim Malik Suarez, 37, on April 9, 2021, after the men had an argument at a Circle K that escalated to a confrontation at a nearby intersection in Converse. Courtesy of BCSO

A Bexar County jury found a Killeen man guilty of murder for a fatal shooting in Converse in 2021 that his lawyer argued was in self-defense and prosecutors said was driven by racial animosity.

In a little-known case that went unnoticed by news media at the time, Christopher Lee Powell was passing through San Antonio when he and Ibrahim Malik Suarez, 37, got into an argument at a gas station on April 9, 2021, that steadily escalated into a shooting at a nearby intersection.

Powell, 36, faces up to life in prison. State District Judge Frank J. Castro will decide the sentence after a hearing set for Wednesday.

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Video shown at the trial captured the men inside the Circle K and then at their cars pumping gas. As Powell was about to leave, he lowered his window, and moments later, Suarez shot him the finger. Suarez followed Powell out of the parking lot and got out of his car when Powell was stopped at a traffic light at FM 78 under Loop 1604.

Suarez approached Powells vehicle and went to the window, then walked back toward his car. Powell rolled down the window, which prompted Suarez to return to Powells vehicle. Powell then shot Suarez three times  twice in the chest and once in the ear.

Suarez was unarmed. He later died at Brooke Army Medical Center.

Defense attorney Albert M. Gutierrez Jr. told the jury in his closing argument that Powell feared for his life when the much taller Suarez followed him and got out of his vehicle to confront him.

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Prosecutors Jordan Brown and Melissa Rust said Powell lied to investigators on numerous occasions about what happened that night, and used a racial slur in reporting the shooting to a 911 dispatcher.

(N-word) threatened my life, Rust repeated in a booming voice as the 911 recording was played in the courtroom. Relatives and friends of Suarez who filled three rows in the gallery of the 399th District Court gasped and wept.

Thats what he was concerned about that night, Rust declared of Powell. He was scared of the big, Black man.

Gutierrez said Powell, a U.S. Army veteran who was medically retired because of combat-related post traumatic stress disorder from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, feared for his life and fired a warning shot that hit Suarez in the ear, but Suarez kept approaching the vehicle.

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Something was brewing, Gutierrez told the jury. Christopher rolls out (of the gas station), its over, but Suarez wont let it go. Hes giving him the finger.

Urging jurors to watch the videos during their deliberations, Gutierrez said it would show Suarez quickly drove out of the gas station parking lot to catch up with Powell.

Gutierrez reminded the panel that toxicology reports of Suarez indicated he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.138, which is nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. He added that Suarez had methamphetamine in his system.

He also noted that Suarez was a member of the Latin Skulls, a group he described as a gang.

In his closing argument, Brown said the presumption (for self-defense) requires Malik Suarez intended to enter or pull Christopher Powell or one of his passengers out of the car. That did not happen.

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It took the jury about 3 hours Friday to render the verdict. Friends and relatives of Suarez wept quietly when it was read. Powell, who had been free on bond, stood silently with his head lowered. He was handcuffed by deputies and later led to the courtrooms back lockup.
I have received a completion from the U.S. administration that it will continue to warn Azerbaijan against military action against Armenia, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said in an official statement, explaining that he will not block the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

"While Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership has long been delayed, this is a welcome step forward and an important signal to the NATO community. That said, I remain gravely concerned about President Erdogan's continued attacks on our allies the Syrian Kurds, his aggressive actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the role he has played in supporting Azerbaijan's military attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh. I appreciate the Biden administration taking the time to brief me on these issues and provide answers to my questions," the senator's statement said.

He said that while he was pleased that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stopped the incursion of military aircraft into Greek airspace, the U.S. administration has indicated that it continues to monitor the issue closely to facilitate ongoing dialog between Greece and Turkey.

"In addition, I have received assurances from the administration that it will continue to warn Azerbaijan against further military action against Armenia and that it will work with Turkey to prevent any further escalation of this conflict. I remain deeply concerned about President Erdogan's attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria, but the Administration assured me that it continues to voice its strong opposition to these attacks, including the threat to U.S. forces working with the SDF, and reaffirmed its continued commitment to supporting this critical partner who serves as the tip of the spear in our campaign to defeat the "Islamic State." The administration has informed me that they will communicate this commitment more clearly to the SDF to allay concerns that have been raised about a diminished U.S. commitment to our partnership," Van Hollen noted.
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Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan

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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

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Russia holding presidential elections

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Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan

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Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief

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Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says

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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
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Alleging that riots occurred wherever veteran BJP leader L K Advani's 'Rath Yatra' had gone for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday claimed that it was a "wrong decision" to confer Bharat Ratna on him.





Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Owaisi cited alleged figures on the number of deaths that took place in riots.





"Wherever Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra had gone, there Hindu-Muslim disturbances happened, humanity died there. It is unfortunate that Narendra Modi's government is giving the highest civilian award to him," he said.





Advani had praised M A Jinnah, who was responsible for the country's partition, during a visit to Pakistan, he said.





"The award that was given, we feel it is an insult to the award," he said.

"Babri Masjid's martyrdom happened in his (Advani) presence. When he was Home Minister, the 2002 riots occurred. We consider it a wrong decision," Owaisi said.





Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. -- PTI
Mediawire New Delhi [India], February 2: On 31st January 2024, at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, the Embassy of Indonesia held the India - Indonesia Business Forum 2024. This event was aimed at promoting economic relations and nurturing growth and success for both countries. The forum focused on attractive and potential sectors for collaborations, which are pharma, consumer goods, transportation infrastructure, tourism, e-mobility and FinTech. The business forum also served to kickstart the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, which will be celebrated throughout the year with many activities, including events for business community, cultural performances, food festivals, etc. In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Ambassador Ina Krishnamurthy of Indonesia emphasized that although the current trade and economic relations are strong, there is still plenty room to reap the potentials and opportunities. Therefore, continued building understanding between both countries is definitely important. The Guest of Honour, Honourable Dr Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh, the Minister of State of External Affairs and Education emphasized the success of both giant economies to survive and thrive from the pandemic through among other increase the number of middle class and growing service sector. Both countries need to increase the cooperation in trade particularly focusing on balancing the trade between the two countries. MOS also extended his hope that Indian business will continue to invest in Indonesia including investment in building the new capital of Indonesia (NUSANTARA). This forum involved several prominent speakers from both countries, Yose Rizal Damuri, the Executive Director of CSIS (one of the largest think-tanks in Indonesia) and Arnab Basu, advisory leader of PWC, providing a general overview from both countries. Damuri shared his view on Indonesia and India economic relation in the context of geopolitical and geoeconomic. He underlined that in the long term, the trends on global and economic environments will be (i) rapid technological progress; (ii) Increasing demand for sustainable development; and (iii) increasing rivalry among major powers. Arnab Basu from Price Waterhouse Coopers highlighted positive macroeconomic growth of India and the trends that drive high consumption in India which include (i) robust economic growth; (ii) demographic dividend; (iii) increasing urbanization; (iv) increased in disposable income; (v) increasing the number of salaried women; and (vi) digital media. They were followed by six notable speakers from both India and Indonesia, who shared their views and had intense discussions with around 200 participants. Nia Niscaya (advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia) provided a view on tourism performance and potentials of Indonesia. Last year, the number of Indian travelers to Indonesia reached over 500 thousand, almost 5% out of 10.4 million total foreign travelers to Indonesia. However, Ms. Nia underlines that this number is only a little more than 1% of total outbound travelers from India. There is much to be done to tap the potentials particularly with the direct flights especially by Vistara and Indigo. Natasha Ardiani (COO and Co-Founder of Durianpay) shared her view about development of FinTech and current cooperation in FinTech business between young people of India and Indonesia. There is optimism in the growth despite the challenges, which are (i) rising cost of funds; (ii) insufficient monetization; (iii) insufficient profitability; (iv) regulatory challenges; and (v) existing merchant discount that puts pressures on margins for paying companies. Gigih Udi Atmo (Director of Energy Conservation of Indonesia's Energy Ministry) shared his view about Indonesia's energy transition and electric mobility in the transportation sector, including the key points of incentives for accelerating battery-based electric vehicle investment. Meanwhile from India's side the forum present Hardik Dave (Executive Director of PwC) speak about the growth of pharma sector in India and the success stories of Indian company in Indonesian market, among other Aurobindo Pharma's, as well as the cooperation between Natco and Mitra Jaya of Indonesia and Hetero Labs and Kalbe Farma of Indonesia In the future. Dave also brought about the new regulation of Indonesia allowing foreign doctors in Indonesia which surely will be a very good opportunity for India to export its doctors to Indonesia. Abishek Jugran (Head-SAARC Region, Dabur) discuss about the transformation of consumption in India due to Affluent India (changing of household income as well as premiumisation and penetration) ,India and Bharat (increasing urbanization and rural towns mirroring small town), Young India (Indians are getting younger and so are the purchase decision), and Tech and Innovation (big number of mobile connection, internet users, social media users, and e-commerce). Rajesh Arora (CEO Business Development and Commercials, GMR Airport) for transportation infrastructure highlighted about the development of PPP projects in transportation infrastructure in india also its impacts in Indian Aviation. The Minister of State and the Ambassador also used the event to unveil the logo for the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relation between Indonesia and India. The peacock with the colour of Indian flag, Tiranga symbolizing the people of India and the garuda with the colour of Indonesian Flag dwiwarna symbolizing the people of Indonesia held their wings together, forming the number 75 with a heart symbol in between, symbolizing the closeness of the two people as well as the strong cooperation between the two countries. It was a result of a logo competition which was held at the end of last year together by the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Jakarta. The holding of the business forum itself was a manifestation of the tagline of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, which was "Building bridges between past, present, and future". (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 3: Saregama Live and Gully Gang's Divine Time India Tour is set to kick off on March 1st, promising an electrifying experience for fans across six vibrant cities. The tour drops with DIVINE's homecity Mumbai, followed by Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Pune. Fresh off the heels of his latest single release, "100 Million", in collaboration with the renowned Karan Aujla, DIVINE, the OG gully rapper hailing from the streets of '59' - Mumbai, is ready to set the stage on fire. With chart-topping albums like Kohinoor, Punya Paap, and Gunehgaar, DIVINE has not only amassed a staggering 1 Billion Streams but has also cemented his position as a torchbearer of Indian Hip Hop. His timeless classics like 4:10, 3:59 am, Mirchi, Baazigar, Kama Pachhis, Chal Bombay, Kohinoor, and Satya, among others is sure to offer audiences a Divine Time! Sharing excitement, DIVINE said, "Can't wait to be back touring in India after over a year. I've been working on a lot of new music and wanted to give my fans a new set and experience. Milte hain show par!" Speaking on the collaboration, Siddhartha Anand Kumar, Senior Vice President, Films & Events, Saregama India, said, "DIVINE's mass appeal and popularity as a rapper resonate deeply with audiences across the nation. As we prepare to bring the OG gully rapper to cities nationwide, we're incredibly excited to witness the electrifying energy and enthusiasm that he sparks wherever he goes." Mark your calendars with the following tour dates: * Mumbai: March 1st* Ahmedabad: March 3rd* Bangalore: March 9th* Pune: March 10th* Chandigarh: March 25th* New Delhi: March 30th Venues to be announced soon. Tickets and Additional Information Tickets for Saregama Live and Gully Gang's DIVINE Time India Tour 2024 are available on Zomato Live - Link. You can also find the same under the "live events" section on Zomato. The enthusiasm among fans will grow as more information about venue locations and special guest appearances is made public as the concert dates get closer. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Gurugram (Haryana) [India], February 3: Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University conducted its two-day "Convocation 2024" on 31st January and 1st February 2024, with distinguished figures from industry, state, and academia converging to celebrate the academic achievements of the graduating students. Day one witnessed the presence of Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and a prominent figure in Indian bureaucracy, as the Chief Guest. He was also a G20 Sherpa during the recent summit. Dr. Kant lauded SGT University and its leadership in his address, praising their contributions to Indian education. He highlighted the university's NAAC accreditation and its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship as vital components for India's advancement. Addressing the students directly, he urged them to be inspired by Shree Guru Gobind Singh Ji's principles and work towards the betterment of humanity, emphasizing their role as "torchbearers for India's growth, progress, and global well-being." The Guest of Honour for the first day, Dr. Surinder Singh, Vice Chancellor of JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Karnataka, expressed optimism about the future, especially for the nation's youth. He discussed the global shortage of doctors and emphasized the crucial role institutions like SGT University play in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. In his parting message, he left the students with a quote - "Don't try to be different; just try to be good. Because being good is different enough in today's time." Day two witnessed an even more significant gathering, with six distinguished guests imparting wisdom to the graduating students: 1. Prof. Rajbir Singh - Vice Chancellor, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak2. Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi - Drugs Controller General of India3. Prof. Mohd. Afshar Alam - Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be) University, New Delhi4. Dr. Anil Kumar - Chief Scientific Officer (R&D), Mankind Pharma Ltd., New Delhi5. Prof. (Dr.) Tripta S Bhagat - Vice Chancellor, Santosh (Deemed to be) University, Ghaziabad6. Namit Joshi - Vice Chairman, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India, New Delhi In addition to awarding degrees to the students, the university also awarded honorary degrees (Honoris Causa - D. Litt.) to two leaders and trailblazers in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields and to India in general. They were: 1. Harinder S. Sikka, Group Director - Strategic Business, Piramal Group, a former Indian Navy officer and author of the book "Calling Sehmat," adapted into the hit Indian movie "Raazi." 2. Sunil Sethi, President of the Fashion Design Council of India, and a prominent figure in Indian fashion and innovation. The event was a blend of enthusiasm and emotion as students transitioned into alumni, marking the end of a beautiful journey and the beginning of a hopeful future. Attendees, including students, parents, and guests, praised the university for the grandeur and significance of the ceremony. SGT University, Gurugram, one of India's top universities, offers courses across 18 faculties, including a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. It has a noble mission of providing opportunities for higher education to all sections of society and a vision of bridging the existing skill gap and developing world-class industry professionals. SGT University is a research and innovation powerhouse, as well as the home of Asia's only National Reference Simulation Centre for Nursing & Medical Sciences, which was founded in collaboration with Jhpiego, Laerdal Medical India, and the Indian Nursing Council. The university also has a multi-specialty SGT Hospital that is NABL and NABH accredited. The hospital serves the surrounding communities as well as providing practical experience to medical students. The university ensures that its focus is on the community and takes pride in forging connections between its researchers and local businesses in need of research collaboration. Furthermore, SGT University is known for its advancements in medicine, dentistry, environmental science, engineering, and data science. Additionally, it has won a number of honors for its contributions to higher education, including the "Diamond Rating" from QS I-GAUGE and a "Diamond Band" from R World Institutional Ranking in the "Mental Health & Wellbeing" category. Because of the university's strong industry connections, cutting-edge labs have been established in partnership with well-known international organizations like Apple, IBM, SAP, Oracle, SMC India, UNESCO Bioethics, Laerdal-Jhpiego, and many others. SGT University has established a name for itself in the academic community by consistently producing highly skilled and employable professionals. The university has also partnered with world leaders to establish several Centres of Excellence, laboratories, incubation cells, and industry-academia associations. These centres support SGT University's efforts to conduct cutting-edge research and academic excellence. (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)
VMPL Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], February 3: Dance Inc. India proudly presented the grand finale of its Certification In Movement Arts (CIMA) program - "The Indie Club." The event, held on February 2nd at Rhaen Basera Amphitheatre, Ahmedabad, featured a 1.5-hour dance extravaganza, captivating audiences with a theme of "club fight." As India's premier dance company, Dance Inc. India, grounded in the belief of the profound expression of artistic movement, envisioned and brought to life the Certification In Movement Arts (CIMA) program. This 9-month program, a cutting-edge dance ground, served as a nurturing hub for abundant talent in the country. Notably, CIMA stood proud as the only dance program in India offering both international and Indian dance forms, guided by an exceptional faculty from diverse regions. Highlights: * Performers: Seven outstanding students--Ananya Jain, Aakash Lakhangaonkar, Khushi Khemnani, Resham Kanjani, Vidhi Choksi, Vaibhavi Adesara, and Devraj Ramnani--mentored by Aakash Vanzara, showcased their exceptional dance prowess. * Faculty: Renowned artists Gopal Agarwal and Jay Modi provided exceptional choreography. * Company Members: Five distinguished members, including Pareejat Shah, Sanjana Kotak, Ritu Changlani, Kumpal Jadav, and Vanshika Sawlani, enriched the performance. Gopal Agarwal, Artistic Director of Dance Inc. India, shared his enthusiasm: "'The Indie Club' is a culmination of months of dedication and passion from our students, faculty, and company members. It's a celebration of the diverse and powerful expressions that dance can embody. Each performance tells a unique story, and we are thrilled to share this journey with our audience." Student Voices: * Ananya Jain expressed, "Being part of 'The Indie Club' was a transformative experience. The theme of 'club fight' allowed us to explore different dimensions of expression, and it's an honour to share our stories through dance." * Aakash Lakhangaonkar added, "The guidance from our mentors and the collaborative energy among the students made this journey unforgettable. 'The Indie Club' is not just a performance; it's an emotional and artistic journey." In this dazzling culmination, "The Indie Club" not only showcased exceptional dance talent but also symbolised the culmination of dedication, passion, and the indomitable spirit of artistic expression. The audience was taken on an emotional and artistic journey, leaving an indelible mark on the vibrant landscape of contemporary dance in India. (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)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 3: Magnificent sets, attractive scenery, eye-popping scenes and an immortal rendition of the epic Ramayana captivated the audience. The entire atmosphere was filled with cheers with slogans like Jai Shri Ram. Each and every important episode of Ramayana was presented through song, drama, dance and in a Broadway musical format and the audience was engrossed in the Ramayana devotion. Geet Ramayana written by the great G.D. Madgulkar and composed and sung by Sudhir Phadke is still immortal in the minds of each and every Maharashtrian after 66 years of its creation due to its sheer poetic excellence, amazing music using ragas of Hindustani Classical Music and soulful singing. Translated into 9 other languages, its one of the most popular versions of Ramayana. The epic Ramayana program was organized at Gateway of India by the State Government's Department of Cultural Affairs and Directorate of Cultural Affairs on the backdrop of the historical Gateway of India on 31st January 2024. Through this cultural program epic Ramayana, the audience once again lived the experience all over again. Swayen Shriram Prabhu Aikati, Dasharatha Ghe He Pasayadan, Ram Janmala Ga Sakhe, Chala Raghava Chala, Swayamvar Jhale Siteche and 22 other songs were performed on this occasion and were hugely appreciated by the fans. Ramayana depicts the story of Prabhu Ram, one of the most widely worshipped Hindu gods across the world. "Ramayana introduces our culture to the new generation." State Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar expressed the feeling that each character in Ramayana is telling the system of life. Speaking on the occasion he said that after 496 years of intense struggle, Lord Rama was enshrined in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. It is a matter of great fortune that Maharashtra has contributed in the construction of Ram Mandir. The wood (timber) required for the mahadwara (entrance) of the temple is specially chosen from Chandrapur- Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Jatayu is an important character in Ramayana and we have started three jatayu conservation centres at Nashik, Tadoba and Pench. He also informed that a huge Ashwamedha Yagna will be organized at Kharghar, Mumbai from 21st to 25th February 2024. Also present were Housing Minister Atul Save, Assembly Speaker Adv Rahul Narvekar, Senior Director Raj Dutt, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Secretary - Cultural Affairs Vikas Kharge, famous actor Arun Govil who played the role of Sri Rama in the Ramayana series on DD, Anand Madgulkar - son of Shri G.D.Madgulakar, actress Raveena Tandon, Chandrakant Dada Patil- Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Vibhishan Chavare- Director Culture. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Adv. Narvekar said that the work of conveying our culture to the new generation is being done through such a program, which is a very good thing. Anand Madgulkar expressed his pleasure on this occasion. There are many memories of Geet Ramayana he mentioned. It is a good thing that the popularity of Geet Ramayana is increasing day by day. He said that the principle of Ramayana is reflected in all our lives and we should pass on this to our children through school-level competition. Vikas Kharge while introducing the program to the audience earlier called Ramayana not only a 'Mahakavya' but 'A Manifestation of Indian culture'. He also expressed the Maharashtra Government's vision for arranging Geet Ramayana in such a magnum opus format with celebrity performers, grand set on the backdrop of the iconic Gateway of India. Actors Lalit Prabhakar as Sri Rama, Mrinmayi Deshpande as Sita and Shubhankar Paranjpe as Lakshmana performed their roles with great elan. Nakul Ghanekar as Ravan, and Abhijit Kelkar as Agnidev were other famous actors performing. More than three hundred dancers & artists enthralled the audience with their captivating performances. Subhash Nakashe was the director of the show and Sonia Parchure was the choreographer. Drone Hanuman flying in the air and showering petals over Prabhu Shri Ram was a special attraction and was hugely cheered by an audience of over 2000+. Dignitaries were felicitated with a replica of the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya made in bamboo by the students of the Bamboo Institute in Chandrapur. Artists Adah Sharma, Daisy Shah, Shanti Priya, Jia Shankar, Amar Upadhyay, Shiv Thackeray and others were present on this occasion. (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)
Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger paid heartfelt tribute to the late actor and his 'Predator' co-star Carl Weathers. Taking to Instagram, Schwarzenegger shared a sting of throwback picture which he captioned, "Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person. We couldn't have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldn't have had such a wonderful time making it. Every minute with him - on set and off - was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I'll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family." https://www.instagram.com/p/C23GiR6S-0G/ In Predator, Schwarzenegger played a soldier named Dutch opposite Weathers as Dillon in a story about a team of commandos fighting for their life in a jungle when an alien warrior lands on Earth and begins to hunt them. The film launched a franchise with several sequels and spinoffs, most recently the 2022 film titled Prey, as per PEOPLE. Apart from 'Predator', Weathers also appeared in the 'Rocky' franchise opposite Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone. Weathers died on Thursday, his family announced in a statement. "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," his family said in a statement. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. ... Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend," as per Deadline. (ANI)
Hollywood stars Dolph Lundgren and Michael B Jordan paid heartfelt tribute to the 'Rocky' actor Carl Weathers. 'Rocky IV' actor Dolph Lundgren shared a statement about costarring with Weathers in the 1985 film. "I was saddened to hear the news this morning," said the actor, who played boxer Captain Ivan Drago. "Along with the world, I will miss Carl. He was a great actor, a terrific athlete and a good friend. I cherish many special memories of Carl, both professionally and personally. Like Apollo Creed, he had that special charm that always brought a smile to your face," as per PEOPLE. Weathers was best known for playing Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion of the world who gave journeyman Philly boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) a shot at the title in 1976's 'Rocky.' Weathers reprised the role in 'Rocky II' (1979), which featured a title rematch with Balboa, and 1982's 'Rocky III,' where he trained Balboa to fight the brutish Clubber Lang (Mr. T). Creed's final film in the franchise was 'Rocky IV' (1985), where he was killed in the ring by chiseled Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), as per Deadline. Also, actor Michael B. Jordan, who played Apollo's son Adonis 'Donnie' Creed in 2015's sequel Creed, shared a tribute to the man who played his onscreen father. Jordan shared a picture of Weathers on his Instagram story and captioned it, "We lost a legend." Weathers died on Thursday, his family announced in a statement. "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," his family said in a statement. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. ... Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend," as per Deadline. (ANI)
Jerry, left, and Wendy Fairchild walk Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Quemado past one of the trucks in the Take Our Border Back convoy after it arrived at Cornerstone Children's Ranch. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Paige Tooker drives her hearse Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Quemado near the Cornerstone Children's Ranch as she waits for the Take Our Border Back convoy to arrive at the location. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News A Customs and Border Protection vehicle drives Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, past Phil Heck's roadside stand in Quemado as he waits for the Take Our Border Back convoy to arrive in the small community just north of Eagle Pass. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Vehicles gather Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Quemado as they wait for the Take Our Border Back convoy to arrive at the Cornerstone Children's Ranch. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Paige Tooker drives her hearse Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Quemado near the Cornerstone Children's Ranch as she waits for the Take Our Border Back convoy to arrive at the location. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News People listen to speakers at the Take Our Border Back rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday night, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Speakers included Former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, musician Ted Nugent and several people charged with rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News People listen to speakers during the Take Our Border Back rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. On Friday morning, some attendees plan to travel to the border town of Quemado, Texas, about 20 miles from Eagle Pass. Members of the convoy say they peaceful protesting to call on the U.S. government to secure the border with Mexico after being fed up with the Biden administration allegedly not enforcing immigration laws. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News State Rep. Carrie Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, talks to the crowd attending the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Ryan Zink of Lubbock holds up a bible as he talks to a large crowd of people attending the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Zink was charged with one felony and two misdemeanors due to his involvement in the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Republican congressional candidate Victor Avila addresses the crowd during the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Avila and a few other republicans are looking to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in Texas's 23rd congressional district. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Republican congressional candidate Victor Avila signs an American flag for Robert Loffredo before going on stage to address the crowd during the Take Our Border Back rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Avila and a few other republicans are looking to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in Texas's 23rd congressional district. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Musician Ted Nugent talks to the crowd attending the Take Our Border Back rally at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska, talks to people attending the Take Our Border Back rally hosted at One Shot Distillery and Brewery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

More than 200 cars filed into the tiny border town of Quemado on Friday as part of the Take Our Border Back convoy, protesting what they call an invasion of immigrants crossing into Texas from Mexico.

Theyre gathering at a ranch about 20 miles north of Eagle Pass, the city thats the epicenter of a standoff between Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration. The state has seized control of a city park, restricted Border Patrols access and installed razor wire along the Rio Grande.

What do members of the convoy believe?

Members of the right-wing group say they are peacefully calling on the government to secure the southern border, and say the United States government is in violation of federal immigration laws. Participants told the Express-News on Friday that they want to call attention to the situation, repeating frequent anti-immigrant talking points and language.

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Many wore shirts and hats or carried flags referencing President Donald Trump, calling for him to be re-elected and alleging President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election. Some said theyre supportive of Abbotts recent actions, but said the governor should have taken control earlier. Last month, Abbott said in an interview that Texas is doing everything possible to stop border crossings except for shooting people who come across the border.

A video promoting the event referenced gangs, violence and trafficking and called the situation an invasion.

Why are they in Quemado?

According to its website, the group is planning three rallies near the border today: in Yuma, Arizona, San Ysidro, California and at Cornerstone Childrens Ranch in Quemado, which describes itself as a multi-denominational ministry facility and retreat center.

The site is about a 30-minute drive from Shelby Park, the city-owned park in Eagle Pass that Abbott has seized, blocking Border Patrol from apprehending migrants  or from assisting them in the river in emergencies. Its become a flash point in the standoff between the state and federal government over immigration policy. On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that federal Border Patrol agents can cut and remove the state-owned wire, but some prominent Republicans responded by urging Abbott to ignore the ruling.

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Some members of the convoy have said they dont plan to go into Eagle Pass and will remain at the ranch to pray and gather on Saturday. Abbott and 14 other Republican governors are scheduled to arrive in the city Sunday.

Where have they come from?

The first members of the group left Virginia earlier this week, making stops in Florida, Louisiana and Dripping Springs, about 20 miles west of Austin. A small number left Texas Friday to join the group meeting up in Arizona, while others began arriving in Quemado just after 8 p.m.

Cars, trucks and other vehicles entering the ranch had license plates from at least 19 different states; while the majority were from Texas, others included California, Tennessee, Minnesota and Rhode Island. One vehicle arrived carrying Canadian flags.

How big is the convoy?

The group has grown in size throughout the trip: less than two dozen vehicles reportedly arrived in Jacksonville, Florida after the first day of the trip, but more than 200 vehicles had entered the ranch or were parked outside the property Friday night. The number is still much smaller than leaders initially claimed: before the trip began, organizer Kim Yeater told the New York Post that she expected about 700,000 people would participate.

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Who is supporting the convoy?
Fire extinguishing operations at a cosmetic factory in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district are currently underway, following a massive fire that took place on Friday. A fire broke out at a chemical factory in Solan, in which one woman lost her life, while 31 people were reported injured and nine went missing. Speaking to ANI, fire officer Sanjeev said that "the work of extinguishing the fire is still underway. More than 22 vehicles have been deployed, which includes fire brigade vehicles from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, along with other vehicles from the nearby industries that have also been procured to bring the fire under control. We are continuously fighting the fire from outside. The exact number of casualties can't be made out" Prem Singh, father of the victim injured in the fire, told that his daughter Rakhi, who is 23 years old, worked in a cosmetic factory and had reached work this morning. When he came to know about the fire incident, he reached the spot and is still trying to find his daughter's name in the list of injured people. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundus said that "actions will be taken after the relief and rescue work is done." "This is a perfume factory and there are chemicals and ethyl alcohol used in the factory because of which it has been difficult to control the fire. Our priority is to take the injured to the hospital. Actions will be taken after the relief and rescue work is done. Firefighters, NDRF and SDRF are working to control the fire," Kundu said. (ANI)
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. The incident reportedly took place on Friday night at Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar. An eyewitness told the media that Mahesh Gaikwad and one of his supporters were hit by five bullets. As per reports, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and city chief Mahesh Gaikwad were having a conversation in the hall of senior inspector Anil Jagtap of Hill Line police station on Friday when supporters of BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad indluged in a clash and opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad. Shiv Sena MLA Mahesh Gaikwad has been badly injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Thane's Jupiter hospital. "Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway," said Sudhakar Pathare, DCP. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey took on the '3-engine government' and said that "This firing has taken place inside the police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, and the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is unfortunate that an MLA who needs to work for the welfare of lakhs of people is shooting people. In the 3-engine government, leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other." Since last year, both Gaikwads have been in a tug of war over the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly's candidature. Both leave no opportunity to target each other, and the firing incident has been suspected to be out of enmity between the two. (ANI)
Taking a dig at the newly sworn-in Chief Minister Champai Soren, BJP leader and LoP of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, Amar Kumar Bauri, said that instead of becoming the shadow of the previous government led by Hemant Soren, the new chief minister should serve the people of the state. Champai Soren, a leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party, took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi on Friday. Referring to this, Bauri said, "He (Champai Soren) should use this opportunity to serve the people and the state rather than becoming the shadow of the previous government led by Hemant Soren." After the swearing-in of Champai Soren several legislators of the ruling alliance left for Hyderabad where they are in a five star hotel. The alliance has taken the step to keep their MLAs safe from alleged poaching efforts Congress state party president Rajesh Thakur said, "When 'chaukidaar' becomes a 'chor', one has to be cautious of its own people. So, there is not an issue with that. We have had such a big victory after a lot of struggle. When MLAs want to be together and face the Vote of Confidence together, what is the issue with it?...You have seen that governments with a majority have been tweeted...So, we are doing this as per strategy. We have benefitted from this strategy and we will benefit in future too...When a CM can betray his own MLAs - in Bihar - all of these should be taken care of..." In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has 29; its ally, the Congress, has 17 seats, while the RJD and the CPI (ML) have 1 seat each. With the support of 43 MLAs, the INDIA bloc has the numbers to sail through a floor test. On the opposition bench, the Bharatiya Janata Party has 26 seats, AJSU has 3, while Independents and others have 3 MLAs. One seat in the assembly is vacant. Meanwhile on Friday, Hemant Soren was sent to five-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate on Friday by the High Court in connection with an alleged land scam case. Speaking on the five-day ED custody of former CM and JMM chief Hemant Soren, BJP leader and LoP of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, Amar Kumar Bauri said that the central agency is conducting the probe and they welcome the decision. "We have nothing to say on matters of court or probes done by the central agencies. They are conducting the probe because of the power they have. We welcome the decision," he said. Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED after several summonses in the alleged land scam case and several hours of questioning on Wednesday night. The probe pertains to huge amounts of proceeds of crime generated by forging official records by showing 'fake sellers' and purchasers in the guise of forged or bogus documents to acquire huge parcels of land having value in crore. (ANI)
Hours after a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch officials arrived at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the national capital on Saturday, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the Assistant Commissioner of Police was not delivering notice to the Chief Minister's office "deliberately." "This is so embarrassing for Modi Govt. BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged CM offfice did not receive police notice. Today, they are exposed. Police ACP deliberately not delivering notice to CM office," Bharadwaj said in a post on 'X'. The Delhi Minister also reposted a video shared by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) party handle in which the police personnel refused to answer questions on why the police had to hand ocer the notice to the Delhi Chief Minister personally and not through his office. The Delhi Police came to serve notice to the chief minister on Saturday, in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". Sources in the CM Kejriwal's office however claimed that his office is ready to receive the notice but the officials of Delhi Police's crime branch are not giving him a receiving note for the same. The sources also claimed that the Delhi Police had brought along media teams just to make a spectacle and malign the Chief Minister's reputation. Earlier on Friday, apart from Kejriwal, the police officials, seeking evidence, also knocked on the doors of AAP minister Atishi's residence. However, as per sources, both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences. The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government through a campaign dubbed "Operation Lotus 2.0". Addressing a press conference, last week, senior AAP leader Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats in a bid to induce defection. "BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each... Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected... Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples," the AAP leader had said. "In Delhi, they are going to our MLAs and saying that Kejriwal is going to go to jail and then we will call all the MLAs to ourselves and form the BJP government in Delhi, but I want to say that the Aam Aadmi Party is not afraid. Not a single MLA is afraid," she added. (ANI)
A team of Delhi Police officials reached the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal once again on Saturday as notice is given to only the person on whose name it has been issued, sources said. This comes after the office of the Delhi Chief Minister claimed that they are ready to receive the notice but the officials of Delhi Police's crime branch are not giving him a receiving note for the same. The Delhi Police came to serve notice to the chief minister in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". AAP leaders however claimed that the Police officials had refused to give a recieving note when Arvind Kejriwal's office offered to accept the notice. "This is so embarrassing for Modi Govt. BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged CM offfice did not receive police notice. Today, they are exposed. Police ACP deliberately not delivering notice to CM office" AAP Minister and MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said. https://x.com/AamAadmiParty/status/1753671960712958201?s=20 On its social media page the AAP claimed that no law prevented the police from handing over the notice to the Chief Minister's office. The AAP also claimed that the Delhi Police had brought along media teams just to make a spectacle and malign the Chief Minister's reputation. "Modi's Crime Branch exposed. BJP's police could not even answer a single question Modi sent police to Kejriwal ji's house to create drama. In which law is it written that notice can be given only to the Chief Minister personally? It is clear that BJP just wants to create drama" the AAP posted on X. Earlier on Friday, apart from Kejriwal, the police officials, seeking evidence, also knocked on the doors of AAP minister Atishi's residence. However, as per sources, both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences. The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government through a campaign dubbed "Operation Lotus 2.0". Addressing a press conference, last week, senior AAP leader Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats in a bid to induce defection. "BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each... Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected... Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples," the AAP leader had said. "In Delhi, they are going to our MLAs and saying that Kejriwal is going to go to jail and then we will call all the MLAs to ourselves and form the BJP government in Delhi, but I want to say that the Aam Aadmi Party is not afraid. Not a single MLA is afraid," she added. Atishi also revealed that the AAP possesses a recording of one such "Operation Lotus 2.0" conversation, hinting at its potential release if necessary. "Currently, 7 MLAs have been offered by BJP; we have the recording of one of them and will release it when required," said Atishi. However, the BJP has rejected the AAP's claim of Operation Lotus 2.0. "Arvind Kejriwal is again lying as he has done since the last seven times. Not once has been able to tell which phone number was used to contact them, who contacted them, and where was the meeting held. he just gives out statements and goes into hiding... His partners are in jail, and he is repeatedly avoiding ED summons because he knows he does not have answers to the ED questions..." said BJP leader Kapil Mishra. AAP won 62 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly polls. The BJP got just 8 seats, while the rest of the parties including the Congress, drew a blank. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the start-up sector has expanded in the last 10 years and around 21,000 jobs have been generated ever since the the Vibrant Gujarat program was launched. "Start up sector has expanded in 10 years. 21,000 jobs have been generated with startups. When Vibrant Gujarat was launched in 2003, India was not even in the race for global investment. 20 years later, the world is connected to Gujarat," the Chief Minister said in his address at the Vejalpur Startup Festival in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Patel said that youth are turning into "job givers." through initiatives like Startup India, Skill India and Make in India. "Through initiatives like Startup India, Skill India and Make in India under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, the youth are becoming "job givers" instead of "job seekers" by prioritizing skills," Patel said in a post on 'X'. "It is a matter of great joy that the youth of today are contributing with their skills and innovations in building a developed Gujarat - a developed India. May this startup festival pave the way for success for the youth," he added. The Chief Minister congratulated Amitbhai Thakar and his team for organizing the Vejalpur Startup Festival. "The 'Vejalpur Startup Festival' organized at Ahmedabad was inaugurated in the presence of the pioneers of the startup sector. Congratulations to MLA Mr. Amitbhai Thakar and his team for organizing this festival beautifully, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among the youth," Patel posted on 'X'. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit come to an end on January 12, after three days of activities, witnessing various big-ticket investment proposals from various Indian and overseas companies. The high-value investment proposals included Indian companies such as Adani Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Group, and global corporate DP World, among others. In the 10th edition of the Vibrant Summit, MoUs for 41,299 projects worth a whopping Rs 26.33 lakh crores have been signed, the organiser said in a post on X. A large part of the MoUs were in the green energy space, officials said. (ANI)
As former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani was awarded Bharat Ratna, several Union Ministers, state Chief Ministers, and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders expressed their joy over the announcement and said that this is a matter of pride for the country as the veteran leader was one of the most respected statesmen of their times. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the decision to award Bharat Ratna to Lal Krishna Advani is a move to honour the decades of his service to the nation. "The decision to award Bharat Ratna to Lal Krishna Advani is a move to honour the decades of his service to the nation, commitment for the integrity of the country and setting high standards of morality in political life," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister wrote on X. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, sharing a personalised video address, saying the 96-year-old is a source of inspiration and that he played an important role in the expansion of the BJP. "Awarding Bharat Ratna to our source of inspiration Lal Krishna Advani is a proud moment for us and the entire country. He dedicated his entire life to the country and society...Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he played an important role in the expansion of the BJP," Gadkari said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, expressed his happiness over the announcement. "Extremely happy with the announcement of awarding 'Bharat Ratna' to our senior leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of the country, respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani. He has been dedicated to serving the country and his countrymen selflessly throughout his life. While holding various constitutional responsibilities like the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, he did unprecedented work for the security, unity and integrity of the country with his strong leadership. Advani ji is known as the politician who set the standards of authenticity in Indian politics. In his long public life, he fought tirelessly for the issues related to the country, culture and people. His immense contribution towards the party and ideology cannot be summed up in words. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's decision to honor him with 'Bharat Ratna' is also an honor for crores of countrymen," Shah wrote on X. Earlier in the day, PM Modi announced that LK Advani will be conferred the country's highest civilian honour. "I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights," PM posted on X. This is the seventh Bharat Ratna awarded by the Modi government, since assuming power in 2014. The list also includes Karpoori Thakur, Madan Mohan Malviya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh. As soon as the announcement was made public, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked PM Modi and said that Advani Ji has strengthened the country and democracy through his parliamentary and administrative abilities. "The decision to award Bharat Ratna to the revered Lal Krishna Advani ji, an inspiration to all of us and a senior leader of the country, has brought great joy and happiness. He is a symbol of purity, dedication and determination in politics. The significant contribution that Advani ji has made to the country's development and nation-building in various roles during his long public life is unforgettable and inspiring. He has also played an important role in keeping the unity and integrity of India intact. As a national leader, he has strengthened the country and democracy through his scholarship, parliamentary and administrative abilities. It is a matter of joy for every Indian to receive the honor of Bharat Ratna. I thank Prime Minister Shri @narendramodiji for this decision and congratulate Advaniji," Singh wrote on X. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said, "Lal Krishna Advani is being honoured with the Bharat Ratna. This is a matter of pride for the country..." Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on his X handle dubbed the moment as joyous. "This is a very joyous moment for us that our guide and BJP's veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna," Dhami said. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "The epitome of immense knowledge and integrity, Shri LK Advani ji is being conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian politics and society. A well-deserved recognition for his lifelong dedication to serving the nation." Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that with his political skills, administrative experience and development-oriented approach, Advani Ji laid the foundation of India's future and remained engaged in nation building. "Today the heart is very happy. The Government of India has decided to honor the mentor of all of us, revered Lal Krishna Advani ji, with Bharat Ratna. Revered Lal Krishna Advani ji's entire life has been dedicated to the upliftment of the nation and society. With his political skills, administrative experience and development-oriented approach, Advani ji laid the foundation of India's future and remained engaged in nation building. His penance, sacrifice, struggle and dedication are a nectar of inspiration for all of us. Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi by honoring revered Lal Krishna Advani with the country's highest honour.Ji has given respect to crores of countrymen. Congratulations to the Prime Minister and the Government of India for this!" the senior BJP leader wrote in his post. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Advani Ji created public awareness by taking out Rath Yatra with the aim of building a grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. "It is a matter of great pleasure and pride to announce the Bharat Ratna Award to Honorable LK Advani, the patriarch who has made valuable contributions in the political and social fields by adopting the idea of intense Hindutva and his passion for the welfare and development of the common citizens of the country. Advani ji created public awareness by taking out Rath Yatra with the aim of building a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this honor by remembering Advaniji's incomparable contribution after the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. This has to be called representative of our Indian culture. In the turbulent political environment during the Emergency and thereafter, through Jan Sangh and BJP, he played the role of a strong opposition keeping in mind the national interest. His contribution as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country will always be remembered. The friendship between Advani ji, who played the role of a guide for the young generation in politics, and Hindu heart emperor Balasaheb Thackeray ji was also unique. These two personalities with the idea of Hindutva and devotion towards Shri Ram were companions of positive politics. On the announcement of Bharat Ratna award, I congratulate and salute this sage-like personality," Shinde wrote. Born in Karachi, in present day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani through the years had served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980. Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, he was, first, the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004). Advani is widely regarded as an individual of great intellectual ability, strong principles, and unwavering support for the idea of a strong and prosperous India. As confirmed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani has 'never compromised on his core belief in nationalism, and yet has displayed flexibility in political responses whenever it was demanded by the situation'. The veteran leader's celebration of India's independence from the British in 1947 was sadly short lived as he became one of the millions to be torn from his homeland amidst the terror and bloodshed of the tragedy of India's partition. These events, however, did not turn him bitter or cynical but instead spurred him on in his desire to create a more secular India. With this goal in mind he journeyed to Rajasthan to continue his work as an RSS Pracharak. Through the latter half of the 1980s and the 1990s, LK Advani focused on the singular task of building the BJP into a national political force. The results of his efforts were underscored by the 1989 General Election. The Party bounced back from its 1984 tally of 2 to achieve an impressive 86 seats. The Party position moved up to 121 seats in 1992 and 161 in 1996; making the 1996 elections a watershed in Indian democracy. For the first time since independence, the Congress was dethroned from its preeminent position, and the BJP became the single largest party in the Lok Sabha. (ANI)
As many as 31 people have been injured, while nine people continue to be missing.

They said that five people had been killed, including a woman, in the blaze that broke out on Friday evening. The National Disaster Response Force recovered four bodies today in search of missing persons.

Deputy Commissioner Solan Manmohan Sharma confirmed the death toll. The fire has been brought under control.

They added that the deceased woman has been identified as Pinki, who reportedly jumped out of the building to escape the fire that engulfed the factory.

"He directed the district administration to conduct an inquiry into this mishap and to provide all possible assistance to the affected families," an official statement said.

"He also wished speedy recovery to the injured," it added.

Earlier in the day, Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundu took stock of the spot where the fire broke out. (ANI)
According to the airport sources, the runway has been handed over to Air Traffic Control (ATC) for commercial operations from February 03, 2024.

Now, Delhi Airport has four operational runways, the sources said.

Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a post on X, confirmed that the CAT III enabled Runway 10/28 at the Delhi Airport has been operationalised today.

https://x.com/JM_Scindia/status/1753731029842714864?s=20

DIAL had undertaken the much-needed re-carpeting work of the 3,813 metres and 45-metre-wide second runway in the middle of September 2023, just after the conclusion of the historic G20 Summit.

Re-carpeting work of the runway was completed in December 2023, post which Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) operationalization was taken up.

DIAL undertook the rehabilitation work of Runway 10/28 for improved passenger experience including the induction of a few additional taxiways.

With the completion of rehabilitation work, Delhi Airport will be future-ready to undertake operations at its full capacity.

The passenger handling capacity of its three terminals would increase to 100 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and the airside capacity will enhance to handle 140 MPPA.

DIAL undertook re-carpeting works, which included milling of entire length of the runway and overlaying it with Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB).

Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) is bitumen combined with one or more polymer materials which enhances the mechanical properties of the bitumen material. PMB can withstand heavy-duty traffic and extreme weather conditions. (ANI)
The roadshow in which people participated in large numbers was held from Ransi to Kandoliya Park in Pauri Garhwal.

https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1753716162393997584?s=20

In a post on X in Hindi, CM Dhami said, "Unbroken public trust towards double engine government..." Participated in the road show organized in Pauri, a district full of natural beauty, historical heritage and various spiritual places, the birthplace of many great men and heroes.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami also participated in the 'Disha-Dhyani, Bwai-Bwari' conference at Kandoliya Ground in the district.

They said that CM Dhami was informed about the local products and dishes produced by Matrishakti in various stalls set up at the venue of the "Disha-Dhyani, Bwai-Bwari" program organized in Pauri Garhwal.

During this, the Chief Minister experienced the memories of his childhood by grinding pulses with Jandri and Ganjyali (pestle) along with mother power, they added.

"He said that our government is providing a world-class market for the products manufactured by mothers and sisters," officials said.

Later speaking to the media during his visit, CM Dhami said today schemes worth more than Rs 850 crore have been inaugurated.

"...For the upliftment of women, to make them self-reliant, to give them strength in every way, to provide them employment, 'Matrashakti Mahotsav' has been organised here...Today, schemes worth more than Rs 850 crore have been inaugurated/foundation stone has been laid, so definitely a new chapter will be written in the development of Pauri district...," CM Dhami said.

"The statue of Baba Jaswant Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice to protect Mother India, was also unveiled today and the statue of CDS General Bipin Rawat was also unveiled today. Today is a very proud day for us..."CM added.

The CM also visited the Kondoliya temple in the district and offered prayers there.

During the long day visit to the district, CM Dhami also unveiled the statue of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat in Ransi. (ANI)
Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd as he makes a campaign stop on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Former President Donald J. Trump takes the stage after receiving Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's endorsement for President during a rally at the South Texas International Airport in Edinburg, TX, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

Likely Latino voters in Texas prefer Donald Trump over President Joe Biden in an expected rematch this November as the presidential candidates vie for their support, a University of Houston survey released Tuesday found.

Trump, who won Texas in 2020 but garnered only 40% of the states Latino electorate, has support from 47% of the states likely Latino voters compared with Bidens 41%, according to the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs survey.

Latinos planning to vote in the March 5 Republican primary in Texas overwhelmingly support Trump (86%) over fellow GOP challenger Nikki Haley (13%). In the Democratic primary, the survey found that 55% of Latinos support Biden, while 45% are undecided or planning to vote for another candidate.

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Trumps growing popularity among Texas Latinos could be a significant factor in this years election because the voting bloc has grown and become more engaged in recent years, said Hobby School senior executive director Renee Cross.

Some people say that Latinos dont vote in as large of numbers, she said. Well, that may have been true at one point, but those who were too young to vote are now of age. And the longer any certain ethnic group is in the country, the more likely they are to vote.

TEXAS POLITICS: Allred makes push for Hispanic voters in race to take on Ted Cruz

The former presidents support among Texas Latinos comes mostly from men, Cross added, while Hispanic women are more likely to vote for Biden.

Although Trump is leading Biden with the demographic group, Texas Latinos dislike both candidates at similar rates. Forty-eight percent of Latino likely voters have a very unfavorable opinion of Trump compared with 52% for Biden.

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Latinos in Texas have been a closely watched voting bloc in recent elections as Republicans have spent millions to gain ground with Hispanic voters around the state. In 2022, the GOP courtship of Latino voters in South Texas helped the party flip a congressional seat long held by Democrats, though it was just one of three it targeted.

The biggest issues pushing Texas Latinos to the right have been the economy, crime and the border, Cross said. The survey findings, she added, should put pressure on the Biden campaign to increase voter outreach and education particularly about the economy.

It appears economic numbers are actually pretty good, but the public doesnt seem to notice this, she said.

Trumps growing support among Latinos could bode well for Republicans in other key races in November, Cross said, especially Sen. Ted Cruz. Seeking reelection after narrowly retaining his seat in 2018, Cruz leads Democratic challenger Collin Allred with Latinos 41% to 37% in a potential electoral matchup.

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He won his last race by just under three points, Cross said. So if Trump comes in and drives turnout, that can certainly help Sen. Cruz.

Other findings

The UH survey also found that voters were divided on whether Biden, 81, and Trump, 77, are too old to be president. Around 72% said Biden was too old, while only 40% said the same of Trump.

More from Jhair Romero: Colony Ridge developers faced lawsuits, complaints from Houston-area residents for over a decade

Trump held a 13-percentage-point lead in a hypothetical matchup against Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas; Biden was behind Haley in Texas with 39% to the former South Carolina governors 43%.

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Biden, like Trump, is on his way to an overwhelming victory in the Texas primary race.
Maghar Mahotsav is an annual cultural festival, held in Maghar, Uttar Pradesh, India in memory of the famous Saint Kabir. It is held every year in January.

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes to the people of the district Sant Kabir Nagar.

"Maghar without Saint Kabir would have been a real hell. Kabir Das, a famous medieval poet accepted this challenge of entering the town. There was a famous proverb that visiting Maghar takes a person to hell, then. This place had salty water and barren land but with his grace, the area got transformed into gold," said Yogi.

The Chief Minister recalled Saint Kabir Das for making Maghar a fertile area.

"Today, a river like Aami is flowing here. The crops which are grown everywhere can be irrigated here as well. The water here turned sweet and consumable by Kabir's magic," he added.

Calling Kabir Mahotsav, "an identity of Saint Kabir Nagar", Yogi Adityanath said that the district was also named after him to honour him.

On the occasion of Maghar Mahotsav, the Chief Minister also announced the inauguration of development projects worth 360 crores, adding, "The projects will boost the security, tourism, education, health, and roads impacting the lives of people in Uttar Pradesh." (ANI)
They said that the driver of the vehicle has been apprehended.

Partha Pratim Das, Superintendent of Police of Karimganj District, said, "Police intercepted a vehicle in the Chargola area. During the search, we found several secret chambers. Upon further checking, we recovered 55 soap cases of heroin weighing about 700 grams."

SP Das further said the apprehended driver has been identified as Christopher Zochhuana, a resident of Champhai, Mizoram.

Following the recovery of the heroin, police have registered a case under relevant sections.

They said Karimganj police launched an anti-narcotics operation following a "specific input" at the Chargola area within the ambit of Karimganj police station on Saturday.

Further investigation is underway, they said. (ANI)
After the announcement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the nation's top civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called him "a real son of the soil." "It was a matter of pride that former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani has been conferred the Bharat Ratna award, the highest civilian award," said Basavaraj Bommai. Lauding the Modi government over the decision to confer the veteran BJP leader with the Bharat Ratna award, he said,"Advani came and settled in Bharat during the India-Pakistan partition. A big compliment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Advani for the Bharat Ratna award." Hailing LK Advani for his long journey, Bommai said, "Advani started his public life through Bharatiya Jana Sangh and displayed his patriotism for the country by participating in the Kashmir agitation started by Syam Prakash Mukherjee. He further recalled his struggle behind the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "LK Advani emotionally united the people of the country over the Ram Janmbhoomi agitation. Thanks to his efforts, the Ram Mandir, a dream of millions of people, has become a reality," he said. Basavaraj Bommai praised the veteran BJP leader for his efforts as the former Union Home Minister. "As Union Home Minister, Advani strengthened the internal security of the nation and made Bharat a strong nation. He is popularly known as the Iron Man of the country," he added. Recalling LK Advani's close ties with his father, Bommai said, "The former Deputy Prime Minister was very close to my father and would visit our house while in Bengaluru." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described LK Advani as a "great son" of India and said the decision to award him Bharat Ratna shows that the nation never forgets those who dedicate their lives to its service. "Today, our country has decided to give 'Bharat Ratna' to its great son, former Deputy Prime Minister Shri Lal Krishna Advaniji. Advaniji's works and services have been inspiring. This honour to Advaniji is a testament to the fact that the nation never forgets those who dedicate their lives in its service. I have been fortunate that I have been continuously receiving the love and guidance of Lal Krishna Advaniji," PM Modi said. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha congratulated LK Advani, the veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on being conferred the Bharat Ratna Award, the highest civilian honour in India. Tripura CM Saha also thanked the President and the Prime Minister for this decision. "On behalf of all the people of Tripura and myself, I want to congratulate Lal Krishna Advani ji on being conferred the Bharat Ratna Award. I am also thankful to the Honourable President Droupadi Murmu ji and our PM Narendra Modi for choosing Advaniji for Bharat Ratna," Tripura CM said. Meanwhile, veteran BJP leader LK Advani on Saturday said that Bharat Ratna is not only an honour for him but for the ideals and principles he strove in his life to the best of his abilities. In a statement, LK Advani said he accepts the 'Bharat Ratna' with utmost humility. LK Advani said he has been inspired by the motto 'Idam-na-mama" and expressed his gratitude to BJP workers, RSS Swayamsevaks and those with whom he worked in his long journey in public life. "With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the 'Bharat Ratna' that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability," he said in the statement. "Ever since I joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its volunteer at the age of 14, I have sought reward in only thing- in dedicated and selfless service to my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me. What has inspired my life is the motto 'Idam-na-mama" - 'This life is not mine, my life is for my nation'," he added. Advani, 96, who served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister and Information and Broadcasting Minister, recalled his long association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. "Today, I gratefully remember two persons with whom I had the honour of working closely - Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee," he said. "My heartfelt gratitude to millions of my party workers, Swayamsevaks and others with whom I had the privilege of working throughout my journey in public life," he added. The BJP leader said that his family has been the greatest source of strength. "I also express my deepest feelings for members of my family, especially my dear departed wife Kamla. They have been the greatest source of strength and sustenance in my life." He also expressed thanks to the President and PM Modi. "My sincere thanks to President Droupadi Murmuji and Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for bestowing this honour on me. May our great country progress to the pinnacle of 'greatness and glory," he said. PM Modi, who addressed an event at Sambalpur in Odisha on Saturday, described LK Advani as a "great son" of India and said his being awarded Bharat Ratna shows that the nation never forgets those who dedicate their lives to its service.(ANI)
During his visit, Chief Minister also obtained information regarding the health of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya from the doctors who are treating him.

"Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami today met Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Maharaj admitted in Synergy Hospital and inquired about his well-being and wished for his speedy recovery. He also obtained information regarding the health of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya from the doctors treating him," Uttarakhand Chief Minister office posted on X.

Chief Minister wished for his speedy recovery.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya was admitted to hospital after he complained of a chest infection. (ANI)
In a recently released video clip, the organisation disclosed that in the span of nearly five months, over half a million Afghan migrants have been forcibly deported by the Pakistani government.

Highlighting the grim situation, the WFP emphasised that Afghan migrants find themselves compelled to borrow funds for survival, devoid of any facilities or support. The organisation's website underscores that the majority of expelled migrants are currently in a state of confusion, as reported by Khaama Press.

Expressing deep concern, the World Food Program stated that some returning migrants are still grappling with hunger, identifying a critical need for food assistance.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations of the Taliban in Afghanistan announced a significant development. The Japanese ambassador reported a commitment of 100 million yen in assistance for various sectors, aimed at supporting the returning migrants in Afghanistan.

The funds are earmarked for crucial necessities, including shelter, tents, winter clothing packages, and health services for Afghan migrants, according to the Taliban's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations, Khaama Press reported. (ANI)
Following strikes in Iraq and Syria, US President Joe Biden released a statement saying that the US does not seek a conflict in the Middle East but if any American is harmed, the country will respond. US President's strong remark came in response to heightened tensions in the Middle East. The United States has initiated airstrikes targeting militia positions in both Iraq and Syria, CNN reported. "The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," the US President said. This marks the beginning of what appears to be a series of more substantial strikes against Iranian-backed militias, who have been implicated in attacks on US troops in the region. Two US officials confirmed the commencement of these retaliatory measures. "This past Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Earlier today, I attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base, and I have spoken with each of their families," added Biden. "This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," he asserted. Meanwhile, the US Central Command said that the US conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria "against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups." According to two US defence officials, cited by CNN, the targets were spread across seven locations. The CENTCOM statement said, "US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and Coalition forces." US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday involved the participation of Air Force B-1 bombers, a defence official told CNN. The B-1 is a long-range heavy bomber that has the ability to deploy precision and non-precision weapons. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also released a statement in the wake of the strikes in Iraq and Syria, saying the attacks are "the start of our response". "The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces," Austin said in a statement, adding, "These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces." "We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests," he also said. The airstrikes follow a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on a US military outpost in Jordan on Sunday, resulting in the tragic deaths of three US service members and the injury of over 40 others. (ANI)
As many as six people, including Pakistan People's Party (PPP) workers, were injured on Friday in various hand grenade attacks in different towns of Balochistan, Dawn reported. Several incidents of violence marred the pre-election atmosphere in Balochistan and Karachi as multiple hand grenade attacks and explosions targeted political entities and election-related offices. In Balochistan, six individuals, including PPP workers, sustained injuries in various hand grenade attacks across different towns. In Kalat town's Mughalsarai area, three PPP workers were wounded when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle targeted the party's election office, detonating a grenade in close proximity to the building, reported Dawn. The injured were promptly transported to the district hospital for medical treatment. They were identified as Nasibullah, Zahoor Ahmed, and Muhammad Ramzan. Additionally, two blasts occurred in the eastern bypass area of Quetta, with the first blast near the election office of a candidate from Olasi Jirga, a local organisation. Four individuals were injured in this attack and were subsequently transferred to the Civil Hospital for treatment. According to Dawn, there were no casualties reported in the second blast, which occurred nearby shortly after the initial attack. In Kharan, two bombs were discovered and defused near the offices of a returning officer and a candidate from the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Mir Ejaz Sanjrani. Another attack targeted the convoy of an independent candidate in the Mand area of Kech district. In Panjgur, the residence of Rehmat Saleh, the provincial president of the National Party, was attacked with a hand grenade, causing partial damage to the property. Similarly, in Jewani town, Gwadar, a grenade was hurled at a high school, resulting in an explosion on the rooftop but, fortunately, causing no casualties. Meanwhile, in Kech district, a grenade was thrown at the house of PPP candidate Mir Abdul Rauf Rind, who fortunately remained unharmed. However, the attack heightened tensions in the area as per Dawn. Another independent candidate, Mir Fida Hakeem Rind, faced an armed assault on his convoy in the Mand area of Kech district, damaging at least three vehicles. In Karachi, an explosion near the Provincial Election Commission (PEC) office in the Saddar area caused panic among residents. Unidentified individuals placed a plastic bag containing explosives in the commission's parking area, which was later removed by a cleaner. Although the fuse of the bomb exploded upon impact, the explosive material remained inert as the time device was not activated. The bomb disposal experts estimated the explosive to be around 400g of low-intensity material attached to a time device, targeting the commission's building situated in a high-security zone of the metropolis. These incidents underscore the volatile nature of the electoral process in certain regions and raise concerns about the safety and security of candidates, political workers, and citizens alike as the election date approaches. Authorities are urged to take the necessary measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of elections and the safety of all stakeholders involved. (ANI)
Ahead of the February 8 general elections to be held in Pakistan, the Peshawar police has decided not to provide security to electoral candidates, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. According to the details, the Peshawar police recommended that electoral candidates hire security guards from private security companies. However, the police have agreed to provide security to the election candidates during their campaigns and rallies. The police cited the lack of security personnel the reason behind refusing to provide security to the security personnel, as most of the police personnel will be placed in the polling booths during the polls, according to ARY News report. This development comes after Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) released a list of political figures that received threats before the upcoming general elections, the report said. The list released by CTD includes 15 political leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These threatened political leaders include Member of National Assembly (MNA) Mohsin Dawar, Ex-provincial minister Imtiaz Qureshi, Senator Hidayatullah, former PML-N MNA Amir Maqam, former PTI MNA Pir Mansoor Shah and Shah Muhammad. JUI-F's Malik Adnan Wazir and Ehsanullah, Senator Bakhti Afsar, and Senator Maulana Abdur Rasheed, the reprot said. The Peshawar police's decision comes at a time when several people have been killed and severely injured in a series of violent blasts in various cities of the country. The wave of violence began in Balochistan's Sibi when four people were killed and five others were wounded injuries in a blast that took place near political rally at Jinnah Road Sibi on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy was killed while three others were injured in a clash between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Karachi, ARY News reported, citing police sources. According to the police, the clash between the MQM-P and PPP workers in New Karachi Sector 11-J left a 12-year-old boy dead while three others were wounded in the firing incident. The police said activists of both parties came face-to-face during election campaigning in the area. The supporters of both sides initially exchanged heated words before the argument escalated to a fatal clash, as per ARY News report. The incident comes as the third reported clash between the parties, as an MQM-P activist was also killed in a similar incident in the Nazimabad area of Karachi last Sunday. Recently, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has put half of the polling stations of the country in 'sensitive' or 'most sensitive' categories, ARY News reported citing sources. Citing ECP sources, the report stated that overall 90,675 polling stations have been set up across the country for the upcoming general elections. In addition to this, 46,065 polling stations have been declared as 'sensitive' or 'most sensitive' across the country. The ECP has declared 27,628 polling stations as sensitive and 18,437 as most sensitive, according to sources. (ANI)
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is set to hold a sit-in in front of the White House on Saturday to demand justice for Manzoor Pashteen and other activists who have been subjected to unlawful arrest and torture by the security agencies in Pakistan. Many Pashtun activists are expected to join the sit-in today to demand an intervention by the United States to compel Pakistan to release the prominent Pashtun leader and other activists. Earlier on December 4, the PTM chief was arrested for addressing a protest in Turbat. Police made charges against him and his associates for opening fire on them. The court had granted him bail. But, he was again arrested on January 5 and taken to an undisclosed location. According to the PTM, Pashteen was transferred to Attock Jail in Punjab province following severe torture by security agencies. In their post on X (formerly Twitter), PTM Khyber informed that "His health is critical, reportedly subjected to brutal physical and mental torture Concerns rise as he awaits medical attention." Manzoor Pashteen, who hails from the South Waziristan area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, founded the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (Pashtun Protection Movement) in 2014 to protect the Pashtuns from terrorists and the Pakistani military. In a post on X, PTM United States said, "Today's youth find inspiration in Manzoor Pashteen, embodying hope against oppression. Carrying his message, they aim to spark a revolution for justice and equality, breaking free from tyranny to create a future where every child can thrive with dignity and freedom." https://twitter.com/ptm_usa/status/1752171896009797952 Pashtuns make up about 15 to 18 percent of Pakistan's population, mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along with its porous border with Afghanistan. (ANI)
Signs outside of Metropolitan MultiService Center, an early voting site for Harris County on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Voters who live in Texas House districts with competitive GOP primaries are receiving anti-Muslim mailers and texts attacking their representatives votes last year to commemorate Muslim holidays, such as Eid-al-Fitr and Ramadan.

The mailers, sent out a year after the lower chamber welcomed its first two Muslim members, have gone out to constituents in at least four districts  those represented by Reps. Mano DeAyala and Lacey Hull of Houston, Ellen Troxclair of Lakeway and Rep. Steve Allison of San Antonio, according to pictures obtained by Hearst Newspapers. Text messages with the same messaging went out targeting Troxclair and Rep. Jacey Jetton of Richmond.

ATTENTION VOTERS: Send us your campaign mail

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Each of the mailers, printed in stark black, white and red, reads: We dont want Sharia law in Texas. Then it asks why the lawmaker is voting to celebrate Texas Muslims? (Sharia is Islamic religious law, derived from the Quran, and is not a legal system in Texas or any other U.S. state.)

Similar cards were sent out in House Speaker Dade Phelans Beaumont district in December.

The mailers come amid an ongoing civil war within the Texas GOP, which has fractured in recent months after some Republicans alleged that party leaders were turning a blind eye to antisemitism and white supremacism.

The group behind the latest round of mailers is the Texas Family Project, a right-wing organization that advocates banning gender transition care for transgender children, removing what they consider sexual content from libraries and stopping indoctrination in Texas schools.

The organizations president, Brady Gray, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. According to his LinkedIn profile, Gray took over the group last June after spending a little more than a year as the CEO of Pale Horse Strategies, a far-right consulting firm led by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland.

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Stickland has been under fire since October for hosting a well-known white supremacist at Pale Horses office in Fort Worth. He was later removed from his related post as head of the deep-pocketed Defend Texas Liberty PAC.

Will Franklin, an oil field investor who ran against DeAyala in the 2022 GOP primary but has endorsed his reelection bid this year, received one of the mailers at his home address a few days ago. He was among the first to post a picture of it on social media and said the mailer represents a hate-filled attack, and its a wake-up call for every advocate of freedom to raise their voice.

One of my big frustrations, which hopefully was evident by virtue of the post that I made, is just how divisiveness and a dislike of people who are different is making its way into our party, and people are feeling comfortable to say that, Franklin said in an interview Friday. I think thats repulsive.

READ MORE: North Texas businesswoman wins special election in early test of GOP feuding

DeAyala, who also received one of the mailers at home, said he was appalled and disheartened that his votes for resolutions to recognize the Muslim community were being misrepresented and maligned. Both were passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, and only a handful of representatives registered as no votes.

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The mailer also claimed that DeAyala supported using taxpayer dollars to celebrate Muslim holidays, which DeAyala said is false.

Its just a resolution and recognition, he said. Thats what we do as Texans. Thats who we are. Its a shame theres just a very small group of people that are trying to weaponize it this way.

John Perez, the Spring Branch Independent School District trustee challenging DeAyala, clarified on social media that his campaign was not involved with the mailer, but he did not comment on its contents. He did not respond to an email inquiry.

In a text message, Allison said the mailers were absolutely disgusting. Hull did not respond to a request for comment. Neither of their opponents responded to requests for comment.

Brendan Steinhauser, an Austin-based GOP consultant, said the strategy of fomenting fear of people of different faiths and backgrounds is not a winning one, especially in a state as diverse as Texas.

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I think that theres an unfortunate, long history of political operatives and candidates using fear and xenophobia, to borrow a word thats out there, to increase their political standing, Steinhauser said. I think the good news is most Texans, most Americans, reject this sort of thing. And it will probably not help anybody whos spewing it.

Cary Cheshire, a far-right activist, sent out similar campaign ads in Phelans district in December criticizing the Beaumont Republican as pro-Muslim.

Cheshires mailer suggested Phelan was replacing Christmas with the Muslim holiday Ramadan, saying that is obviously satirical, but unfortunately Dade Phelans pro-Muslim record is not. (Ramadan takes place in the spring, not the winter.)

Cheshire did not respond to a request for comment for this story, but he previously defended the mailers he sent out in Phelans district.

My card ridicules Dade Phelan and his pro-Muslim record, he told the Texas Tribune, without explaining why he has a problem with the Legislature acknowledging a Muslim holiday. I think Texans should be informed about the actions of their elected officials.

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The spate of hateful mailers comes in the wake of the Texas House last year welcoming its first two Muslim members, Suleman Lalani of Sugar Land and Salman Bhojani of Euless. Cheshires mailer referenced an Iftar, or breaking of the fast, event that Lalani hosted last spring at the Texas Capitol during Ramadan.

These types of hateful tactics always fail, Lalani said in a statement Friday. I have faith this message of division will be resoundingly rejected by both Democrats and Republicans.

Speaker Phelan, Rep. DeAyala and I have developed relationships based on mutual respect and a desire to serve all our constituents. We diverge on many core issues and are far apart on many policies, he continued. But we respect our communities and each others faith.

Lalani and Bhojani authored the resolutions mentioned in both mailers. Resolutions are statements of opinion that dont have the force of law, and hundreds are passed each year, typically to acknowledge momentous occasions, such as an award or big birthday, or the presence of a certain group in the gallery, such as a Boy Scout troop.

These are all Texans, state Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, said on the importance of passing commemorative resolutions. These are all citizens. And theyre all worthy and deserving of congratulations and respect and being included.

Shariq Ghani, executive director of the Minaret Foundation, a Houston-based nonprofit that focuses on multifaith and civic engagement for the Muslim community, said his first thought upon seeing the latest mailers after the previous round of anti-Phelan ones was: Not again.

Ghani said he hasnt seen this level of anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaigns since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Still, he said hes encouraged by the numerous calls and texts he received from Texas Republicans expressing their disgust.
Carol Heginbottom, Deputy Director, International Operations, Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC) at the UK Home Office, has said that UK has been able to reduce illegal migrant crossings through the English Channel through surveillance and technical capability. Calling it the "most dangerous" way to enter the UK, Heginbottom further stated that Britain wants to reduce illegal crossings through the English Channel to zero. Speaking about the people entering the UK through the English Channel, She said, "Well, I can tell you that it's the most dangerous way to enter the UK illegally. People are risking their lives to come illegally to this country, duped by the criminal gangs that are organizing and exploiting these poor people." In an interview with ANI, Carol Heginbottom said, "Last year we managed to cut down on the numbers. We had 26,000 arrive, which is a good number compared to the previous year, but no number is a good number. We want those down to absolutely zero. That is the only way that we will end the the tragedy of the last three years of small boats coming across the Channel." Her remarks come as the UK Home Office organised an international media visit to Dover on February 2 with the team at the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC). Through the visit, the international journalists got the chance to see first-hand the vessels carrying illegal immigrants that cross the English Channel and the conditions they are in. James Grace, Assistant Director, International Operations, Small Boats Operational Command demonstrated the unseaworthy vessels to show the callous disregard people smugglers have for the lives and safety of the vulnerable people they exploit. The aim of the visit was to reach a wider international audience to deter migrants from making these perilous journeys in the first place. Heginbottom lauded the joint efforts of the UK and France in reducing illegal crossings through the English Channel. She said the French government has increased the deployment of personnel to stop the illegal crossings. She noted that the UK has increased surveillance and technical capability to help in the initiative. Highlighting the efforts made by UK and France to reduce the illegal migrant crossings, Heginbottom stated, "So, it's been a number of initiatives that we have taken. Probably the most important one is our excellent work with the French and the cooperation that we've had working with our French counterparts." "They have increased their number of personnel to prevent the launches. We have increased our surveillance and technical capability to help in this initiative. We've had agreements with Albania so that we can send people back, those that are breaking the law coming into this country illegally. And we've worked with law enforcement further upstream as well to try and stop that boat supply," she added. She said that there are a number of Indians who have entered the UK by crossing the English Channel. She noted that the number of Indians entering the UK on small boats is growing. Asked about the number of Indians crossing the Channel on small boats, she said, "Of course, there are a number of Indians that have crossed the channel in small boats and the number is sadly growing and our work is to try and prevent as many of these crossings as possible to stop the boats to get that message out to as many people as we can that they are risking their lives and the lives of their family making this treacherous journey across that small stretch of water. You would have seen how dangerous the boats are, how they are put together with no care or regard for the people that will be travelling in them. So the number is increasing and we need that number to be zero." According to the UK Home Office Press Office, India is among the top 10 nations from where illegal immigrants make this perilous journey through the English Channel to reach the UK. In the last two years, 76,000 people from countries across the world have taken the dangerous and illegal journey across the English Channel to try to reach the UK. This crisis has been fuelled by evil Organised Crime Groups operating across Europe who tells lies to vulnerable people in order to get them to risk their lives. She highlighted that organized criminal gangs only care for profits and they seek to make more profits year on year. She added that there is a lot of violence involved in the operation. On being asked about the ways smugglers conduct the whole operation, the UK Home Office official said, "The organised criminal gangs only care about profits, they only care about making as much money out of this terrible journey and so they care nothing about the people involved. They will take their money and put them more or less to their deaths in these death traps to cross the channel and enter illegally. They care nothing other than building more profits year on year." She also spoke about the terrible condition of people when they enter the UK. She said that people are scared when they reach the beaches because it is dark and cold. Speaking about the violence involved in the process, she said, "There's an incredible amount of violence. We have heard from migrants who have made it over the terrifying ordeal that they've had when sometimes forced to leave France in these boats. The criminal gangs want to make money. They want a good reputation to say that they can bring people to the UK. So a lot of people are scared when they get to the beaches. It's dark. It's cold. The children are crying. They're upset, they can see just how bad the boats are. They can see that they're starting to sink and sometimes at knife point they can be forced into that boat to get over here." Sharing details on how people are being pushed into this method to enter the UK, Carol Heginbottom said, "The communication that is involved is generally on social media. They are in touch with criminal gangs. The criminal gangs know how to target these people and they're brought across Europe in a number of ways. But once they get to France, they are told that this is the only way to get across and they are forced into these dangerous crossings." She noted that the crossing costs depend on how many people are going to sit in the boat, weather and the risk involved in crossing through the English Channel. Asked on how much does it cost to enter UK by crossing the English Channel, Heginbottom said, "The crossing costs, it all depends on how many people are going to get into that boat. It depends on the time of year. It depends on the weather and how much risk there is involved. It's becoming increasingly expensive, and so the migrants are pushed in in higher numbers so that the criminal gangs can increase their profits at all costs. So numbers vary, but they only care about making the profits out of people." She stated that people who have crossed the English Channel on boats arrive in the UK in terrible condition. She said that the people who have crossed the English Channel will have terrible injuries and fuel burns. Speaking about the authorities' first step after people enter the UK by crossing the English Channel, She said, "So, the first thing, because of the treachery at sea, a lot of the people will arrive in a terrible condition. They will have terrible injuries that they've suffered either on the beach in France or during the journey from fuel burns, from cuts, from knives. You've seen some of the hard flooring on the boats. Their nails stuck out. Children have had nail injuries into their feet and things like that. So, first and foremost, our job is to take care of them and give them the medical attention that a lot of people need having carried out this horrible journey." The UK has introduced new legislation so that people arriving in the country illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country such as Rwanda. The Small Boats Operational Command, alongside French counterparts and other law enforcement colleagues, have been able to reduce small boat arrivals by more than a third in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. The UK in cooperation with France has been able to reduce 26,000 dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts. However, despite the drop in numbers, fatalities in 2023 were up three-fold in comparison to 2022, caused by the ruthless behaviour of organised criminals. On January 15, five people tragically perished in their attempt to cross the Channel, the third fatal crossing in three months. Winter weather meant there were only 13 days with crossings from November 1 to January 15. (ANI)
The International Monetary Fund predicted China's economic decline to continue over the next four years as Beijing continues to tackle a range of challenges, including a rapidly aging population, higher unemployment and a property crisis, VOA News reported. In a report released on Friday, the IMF projected that China's economic growth will reduce to 4.6 per cent this year, down from its 5.2 per cent growth in 2023, and drop further to 3.4 per cent by 2028. The property market has been a particular area of trouble for the Chinese economy lately, with a Hong Kong court on Monday directing Chinese property giant Evergrande to liquidate. According to IMF analysis released on Friday, the real estate investment is likely to see a drop from 30 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 10 years relative to 2022 levels, VOA News reported. The IMF report reads, "Absent a comprehensive restructuring policy package for the troubled property sector, real estate investment could drop more than expected, and for longer, with negative implications for domestic growth and trading partners." Christopher Tang, Senior Associate Dean of Global Initiatives at the University of California Los Angeles Anderson School and Faculty Director of the UCLA Center for Global Management, stressed that the real estate crisis is closely related to Chinese consumers' spending habits. In an email statement to VOA, Christopher Tang stated, "As they see their equity in their home investment declining, they spend less on everything - lower consumer spending, the demand falls which reduces production and hence slower economic growth." Tang added, "There is a domino effect when the real estate market is so huge and intertwined with decades of aggressive housing development and easy lending from banks." Tang stressed that China needs to promote new demand-side economic policies and ease market regulations. The IMF suggested the Chinese government to encourage its citizens to find new means of investment and make market-oriented reforms to boost the economy of China, VOA News reported citing the report. Ali Wyne, the senior research and advocacy adviser for US-China at the think tank International Crisis Group, suggested that local government debt and tensions between China and Western nations are also reasons behind the predictions of the Chinese economic downturn, according to VOA News report. In an email statement to VOA, Wyne stated, "The evidence thus far does not suggest that a hard landing is in the offing, but it does suggest that China's growth headwinds are more intractable than they were a decade ago or even at the outset of the 2020s." Meanwhile, Chinese stocks experienced a tumultuous week, marking their worst performance in years despite efforts by Beijing to restore confidence in the economy and address the prolonged stock market decline that has seen a staggering USD 6 trillion in value disappear over three years, CNN reported. The Shanghai Composite Index witnessed a significant 6.2 per cent drop, the most substantial weekly loss since October 2018, while the Shenzhen Component Index recorded an 8.1 per cent decline, marking its largest drop in three years. Year-to-date, both indexes have lost more than 8 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. The CSI 300 index, composed of 300 major stocks listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, also suffered a 4.6 per cent decline, marking its worst week since October 2022, according to CNN report. The index is down 7 per cent since the beginning of the year. (ANI)
Dawn reported that more than 120 million registered voters are predicted to participate in the democratic process. The ECP has set up 90,675 polling stations across the country's four provinces.

There are 41,403 combined voting locations, 25,320 for male voters and 23,952 for female voters.

According to Dawn, a total of 5,121 candidates running for seats in the National Assembly (consisting of 4,807 men, 312 women, and 2 transgender candidates). There will be elections for 266 general NA seats and 593 general seats in the provincial assemblies.

The forthcoming elections mark a pivotal moment in Pakistan's democratic journey, as citizens prepare to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The extensive preparations undertaken by the ECP underscore the commitment to ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

As the nation inches closer to February 8, all eyes remain fixed on the unfolding political scene , as candidates from various political parties compete for public support.

Ahead of the February 8 general elections in the country, the ECP has convened a high-level meeting on February 1 to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Dawn newspaper reported.

The ECP in a statement issued on January 31, said: "Keeping in view the deteriorating law and order situation, the ECP has convened a meeting on February 1 where Interior Minister, Secretary Interior, Chief Secretaries and Inspectors General of KP and Balochistan and representatives of intelligence agencies have been invited."

In a separate statement, an ECP spokesman said the commission has also taken notice of a firing incident on a political party's caravan, resulting in the killing of one person, and a grenade attack outside the house of Buledi, a candidate from PB-25 in Kech district.

Though the ECP earlier dismissed the calls for putting off general elections over security concerns, many believe that the watchdog was setting the scene to postpone polls in KP and Balochistan. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], February 3 (ANI/WAM): On 21st December 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 4th February as the International Day of Human Fraternity, to be commemorated annually starting in 2021. Co-facilitated by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, the resolution acknowledges initiatives fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and encourages all Member States to actively promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity. Notably, it recognises the historic meeting on 4th February 2019, between His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, which led to the signing of the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together." The observance comes in light of the efforts and influential role played by the UAE to promote and spread the values and principles of peace, tolerance and coexistence at the global level. To mark the occasion, Trends Research and Advisory, in partnership with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the University Platform for the Study of Islam, will convene the Fourth International Conference of PLURIEL on Sunday (4th February) in Abu Dhabi to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Coexistence", and the International Day of Human Fraternity. The conference will be held under the central theme "Islam and Human Fraternity: The Impact and Prospects of the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Coexistence". The conference will be attended by more than 57 speakers and chairpersons from 40 universities and research institutions representing four continents. Specialists in the fields of scientific and academic research and religious thought, will hold 12 sessions and deliver 5 insightful lectures to enrich the discussion. The conference is an important opportunity to examine the impact of the Document on Human Fraternity on coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the world, as well as its future prospects. The conference will explore the impact of the Document on Human Fraternity on its fifth anniversary, and analyse the transformations necessary to promote global human fraternity. The discussions will highlight three main axes, the first is the socio-legal axis, where the issue of human citizenship in multicultural and multi-religious societies will be examined, with a special focus on the legal protection of religious minorities. The second axis is geopolitical and will examine the role of religion and ideology in current conflicts. The third axis will explore religious and theological thinking, which is motivated by the Document on Human Fraternity, and how the concept of fraternity can be developed to include all humanity. Since its signing, the document has formed the starting point for many initiatives that promote the spirit of tolerance and coexistence between all religions, the most prominent of which is the Abrahamic Family House project, on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, which houses a church, a mosque, and a synagogue under one roof. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity (ZAHF) announced on Friday its 2024 honourees: Indonesian organisations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah; Egyptian world-renowned cardiac surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub; and Chilean grassroots leader Sister Nelly Leon Correa. Named in honour of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognises his renowned humanitarianism and dedication to helping people regardless of their background. Selected by an independent judging committee for their exceptional efforts in tackling complex societal challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence and solidarity among humanity at the international and grassroots levels, the recipients will be recognised during an award ceremony on 5th February 2024, at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Over 130,000 students from 43 schools across the UAE have been invited to create artistic visual expressions of human fraternity as part of an initiative organised by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity (ZAHF) in partnership with GEMS Education to raise awareness for the International Day of Human Fraternity among youth. The second edition of ZAHF's "Expressions of Human Fraternity" initiative will engage students of all ages to showcase their personal interpretations of human fraternity through various types of art - paintings, drawing, sketches, and mixed media. The UAE annually hosts the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which discusses the humanitarian problems and issues facing people in today's world that have resulted from intellectual and sectarian conflicts in Muslim societies. (ANI/WAM)
Prasad, who also serves as the Minister of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics for his country, is also the first foreign leader to visit Ayodhya after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony that took place on January 22.

The Deputy PM of Fiji is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Sunday around 21:35 hours, as per the MEA. His visit will span from February 4 to 10, departing on February 11.

Official engagements will commence on Monday, a day after his arrival in the national capital.

On February 5, he will meet the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Education, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, along with a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Prasad will participate in a programme in the national capital on February 6 and head to Goa on February 7 for another event.

On February 8, he is scheduled to visit Ayodhya, as stated by the MEA.

On February 9, Prasad will depart for Ahmedabad, followed by a visit to Gandhinagar.

Biman Prasad had previously visited India in February 2023. It was his first official trip to India. During that visit, he participated in a high-level Ministerial Session on 'Strategies for a Sustainable and Decarbonised Future.'

During the discussions, he highlighted the urgent need for global action on decarbonisation if the world is to genuinely fight issues like climate change, which is having devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people in small developing island countries like Fiji.

Prasad also called upon the developed world to support affordable technology transfer to facilitate a smooth and economically feasible energy transition. (ANI)
ORANGE CITY, Fla.  As the rising sun peeks through the trees along the Blue Spring run on cold winter mornings, park rangers peer down into the water, counting the Florida manatees basking in their version of a hot tub.

On Jan. 21, a prolonged cold snap with temperatures in the 30s had plunged the waters of the adjacent St. Johns River into the 50s. Fleeing the chilly river, herds of sea cows crowded into the warmer waters of the spring run.

Given the clear, glassy conditions and the hundreds of manatees crowded together and floating on top of one another, park rangers suspected a possible record count. They doubled up, having two rangers each count along the run, which meanders four-tenths of a mile from the spring, where the water bursts from an underground cavern, to the river.

Their final tally  932  didnt just set a record. It rocketed past previous records, even the 736 they counted on New Years Day. Its a far cry from the single-day record of 49 manatees celebrated 40 years ago and more than twice as many manatees as the single day record set just 10 years ago.

Manatees float in the clear water at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida on a cold day in January 2024. Park visitor Arnette Sherman capture this photo the same week that park staff counted a record number of the animals in the spring run.

The new record is breathtaking and incredible for those who have watched over and rooted for these animals for decades.

"Thrilling and nearly unbelievable! said John Bengston, a federal wildlife ecologist in Alaska. When Bengston completed his doctoral research on manatees in the St. Johns River in 1981, only 35 of the bewhiskered marine mammals were seen in the spring run during a record high single day count.

Those high numbers are heartening, and a tribute to the conservation efforts and awareness of scientists, natural resource managers, and the public over the past several decades, Bengston told USA TODAY.

Previously: See the iconic Florida manatees as they keep fighting for survival

The thriving manatee population in the St. Johns is rooted in a range of protective efforts taken over decades, often through protracted legal battles and contentious public meetings.

Hundreds of manatees have crowded into Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida on cold mornings this winter, including a record 932 reported by the park on Jan. 21.

The numbers show those hard-fought measures are working, said David Hankla, a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field office director and veteran of some of those bitter battles.

Thats what youd expect for an animal not experiencing unnatural mortality, Hankla said. I suspect (the St. Johns) is one of the safer places to be for manatees."

At a state scale, manatees have done extraordinarily well, he said. In the early 1990s, the population was estimated at around 1,500. Last fall, Florida officials estimated the states manatee population at 8,350 to 11,730, based on an assessment from 2021 to 2022.

Florida manatees share the state's waters with 1 million registered vessels and almost 22 million people. Though the St. Johns manatees thrive under protected conditions, others face great peril.

Manatees float in the water at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida on a cold day in January 2024.

In the Indian River Lagoon, on the state's east coast, more than 1,000 manatees died from 2020 to 2022, many of them starving from a lack of healthy seagrass after years of massive algal blooms. Poor water quality from a variety of contributing factors is blamed.

More: Florida's starving manatees reflect troubles in coastal ecosystems around the globe

Manatees also see higher death rates on the states southwest coast, where they contend with busy waters, red tide algal blooms and other water quality problems.

Federal officials downlisted manatees from endangered to threatened in 2017 but announced last October that they would review whether the manatee should be considered endangered again, given the increase in deaths in 2021 and 2022.

Sea cows come in from the cold, get counted

Susceptible to cold stress when water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, the manatees are attracted to Blue Spring because its waters can be 20 degrees or more warmer than the river.

Although it's commonly repeated that the spring water is a constant 72 or 73 degrees, U.S. Geological Survey data shows the water is warming. Temperatures in the spring run now are 73.5 to 75.5 degrees.

Once they arrive, counting living animals stacked up on top of one another underwater isn't always an exact science, said Connor Wagner, park service specialist at Blue Spring.

The park rangers start early, just after first light and before the park opens, counting from boardwalks and overlooks while the manatees are undisturbed and still.

Park rangers at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida update the number of manatees daily. They reported counting a record 932 manatees during a particularly cold morning on Jan. 21.

Researchers with the Save The Manatee Club also count manatees in the spring run almost daily and work to identify individual animals. One of those researchers, Wayne Hartley, was a park specialist at Blue Spring before retiring.

He has paddled a canoe among the sea cows for more than 40 years, identifying individuals based on unique propeller scars and other body characteristics. These days hes amazed by the number of manatees he cant identify because they dont have any prop scars.

On the day the park counted 932, Hartley and colleague Cora Berchem got into the water about an hour after the park rangers started, after the manatees had begun to move around and the wind picked up. Hartley said they counted nearly 700 manatees.

Sometimes the park's count is higher, sometimes the club's count is higher, he said. "Sometimes you see better from the boardwalk. Sometimes you see better from the canoe."

Overall this season, Hartley and a colleague have identified more than 800 individual manatees, including more than 80 calves.

Such numbers are astonishing to Hartley and to the many biologists, advocates and elected officials who survived the battles that set the stage for this success story.

Local resident Arnette Sherman visits the park a few days a week. It's "thrilling to see so many manatees at one time," Sherman said.

A manatee comes in close to investigate an underwater camera at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, on Feb. 10, 2012. (Nigel Cook)

Saving manatees in the St. Johns River

Manatees have been protected in Florida since the late 1800s and were among 70 animals added to the nation's first endangered species list in 1967.

But many credit acclaimed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau with riveting public attention on manatees. Cousteau visited Blue Spring, then a privately owned fish camp in 1971, filming the animals' scarred backs and people trying to ride them. Months after the episode aired on "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau in January 1972, the state bought the spring.

By 1989, Florida had become a legal and political battleground as government agencies  prodded by the Save the Manatee Club and other nonprofits  worked to enact protections. The single-day high count at Blue Spring that year was 57 manatees.

The state ordered key counties to write protection plans, with boat speed limits to curtail collisions in areas frequented by manatees. The plan was particularly contentious in Volusia County, home of Blue Spring.

Local, state and federal officials, along with advocates and boaters, tussled over boat speeds for more than a decade.

Boaters and fishermen were concerned about economic consequences and argued they wouldnt be able to cover as much ground between fishing spots. Bumper stickers cropped up proclaiming: "Welcome to Florida, where manatees are more precious than children." At one point, an elected official exclaimed in angry frustration that the county should open a manatee canning factory.

But the gruesome vessel-related deaths of two manatees in the St. Johns in 1991 added fuel to the push to protect the animals. One of those, Sweet Gums, an animal featured in the manatee club's adopt-a-manatee program, suffered five deep gashes from a propeller, her spine severed in two places.

Manatees float beneath the surface at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida on Feb. 10, 2012.

Similar battles were waged for a decade over plans to restore the springs water flow, which forced local utilities to find alternatives to meet the water needs of a rapidly growing population. And, the state park angered swimmers when it closed the water to people during the winter to give the manatees space.

In those contentious years, 800 or 900 manatees in the spring would have seemed outlandish, Hankla said. But together, the measures accomplished their purpose, creating a haven where the animals thrive.

Manatees gather together at Blue Spring State Park on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

Looking to the future

Today Blue Spring State Park attracts about 700,000 visitors a year, more than half of them during the winter, and the wait to get into the park on the busiest days can take hours. On the river, boaters and anglers share the water with ecotourists viewing the abundant wildlife.

The manatee numbers show the protective measures are working, Hankla said. But if the water quality or quantity diminishes, its a problem, he said. Thats what weve seen happen in the Indian River.

The state could go a step further to help manatees in the St. Johns, he said. They could finally dismantle the Rodman Dam about 46 miles north of Blue Spring on the Ocklawaha River.

A manatee pops its nose out of the water at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Cooler temps should mean more manatees in the spring.

Removing the dam would give manatees unfettered access to the Ocklawaha, a major tributary to the St. Johns. That action has long been controversial with fishermen and some local elected officials, and so far the opposition has been victorious.

But if the dam were removed or if the lock operation was changed, Hankla said, the Ocklawaha could support a pretty substantial number of manatees.

It wouldnt require you to do anything other than let them in, he said. Thats a pretty significant opportunity.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Park rangers say Florida manatees reach new record on frosty morning
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 1,300-acre stretch of land east of Chula Vista previously slated for development will become permanent wildlands after California purchased the property for $60 million as part of a settlement agreement ending a years-long fight to block the project.

The lawsuit, which was brought by a coalition of environmental groups and state entities in 2020, challenged the proposed Adara at Otay Ranch project, a sprawl development that promised over 1,100 single-family homes, storefronts and a school in wildlands along Proctor Valley Road.

The groups, who were backed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, claimed county officials failed to fully consider the areas extreme risk when approving the development, as well as other environmental impacts of the project on surrounding wildlife.

Encinitas Planning Commission postpones vote on controversial high-density housing project

A San Diego Superior Court judge agreed, striking down the countys approval of the project in 2021. In his ruling, he cited a wide range of concerns, including wildfire risks, greenhouse gas emissions and that it did not set aside affordable housing units.

The developer and the environmental groups began settlement negotiations in early 2022, a few months after the judges decision came down. The lawsuit came to a close last week, finalizing the $60 million sale of the land to California.

Wildfires across California have intensified over the years, leading to lives lost and communities devastated, Bonta said in a statement on Friday. Thats why now more than ever, it is critical for local governments to carefully review and consider the risks associated with approving new developments in outlying, fire-prone areas.

This victory does just that, and conserves public land that will support critical habitats and expand the existing wildlife refuge for generations to come, he continued.

As part of the agreement, multiple groups helped fund the states acquisition of the land, including the Nature Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Wildlife Conservation Board and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Another $25 million comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of a 2023 settlement agreement with the Biden Administration in a series of lawsuits against construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall under former President Donald Trump.

Tesla to pay $1.5M in lawsuit by CA prosecutors over hazardous waste disposal

The settlement agreement also requires the developers to pay more than $2 million in attorneys fees to the California Department of Justice an the other petitioners.

With the finalization of its purchase, the land will become a part of the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, a multi-habitat preserve between Jamul and Dulzura that is managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Recreational opportunities, such as wildlife viewing and day hiking, may be made available in the future, although no plans have been announced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
1 person seriously hurt in shooting at East El Paso bar

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was seriously hurt in a shooting at an East Side bar early Saturday morning, Feb. 3, a Fire Department spokesperson told KTSM.

The shooting happened at about 2:15 at the Mi Bar Cantina, at 1441 N. Zaragoza. A female victim, no age given, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries (Code 3), the Fire Department spokesperson said.

Police said the victim is in stable condition. They have not said what led up to the shooting or if anyone has been arrested.

The Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating.

This is a developing story and we will update it when we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
As 2023 drew to a close, the Environmental Protection Agency sent out a news release highlighting actions it had taken throughout the year that showcase unprecedented efforts to protect human health and the environment.

On the list of accomplishments was the agencys response to the chemical disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, that stemmed from a fiery derailment of a Norfolk Southern train on Feb. 3.

But one year after the catastrophe, many residents remain frustrated with the lack of federal response to the disaster and skeptical of the EPAs assurances that their community is safe. Similarly, independent scientists continue to condemn the EPA for, among other things, not being transparent about unknown risks and for allowing Norfolk Southern to play an outsize role in monitoring the contamination it caused.

Misti Allison, a mother of two who lives just over a mile from the derailment site, called the federal response lackluster and said she often feels like a canary in a coal mine.

One year into this, there are still so many questions left unanswered, and the cleanup is not completely done, she said.

Allison ran unsuccessfully for mayor of East Palestine last year and is a member of Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental advocacy group.

A plume of smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of a derailed Norfolk Southern train on Feb. 6, 2023.

A plume of smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of a derailed Norfolk Southern train on Feb. 6, 2023.

The train that careened off its tracks was hauling toxic and flammable materials, including hundreds of thousands of pounds of vinyl chloride, a common chemical used in the production of plastics, which has been linked to several types of cancer. On Feb. 5, two days after the derailment, the railroad and local authorities temporarily evacuated the immediate area, citing the risk of a catastrophic explosion. They then intentionally vented and burned the vinyl chloride, releasing a thick plume of chemical-laden smoke into neighboring communities. The evacuation order was lifted just a few days later, on Feb. 8, after authorities publicly announced that the air and water were safe.

But confusion and public outrage soon followed as residents experienced health issues and learned of flawed and inadequate environmental testing.

Allison was putting her son to bed the night of Feb. 3 when she learned there had been a train accident. Her family could hear sirens from their house, and her husband went outside to investigate. He later sent a picture of a giant fireball to the familys group text thread  a scene that Allison said looked straight out of an apocalyptic movie.

That night, our initial concern was that the town was going to [be engulfed] in flames, she said. We never were thinking about any of these chemicals or [hazardous materials] being on the train. That was not communicated at all.

Allisons family woke up the next morning to the potent smell of chemicals. They were just outside the mandatory evacuation zone but decided to leave later that day anyway. They came back to East Palestine on Feb. 10, two days after the evacuation order was lifted. Soon after, Allison, her husband and their two children began experiencing health problems, including rashes and nosebleeds. Allison coughed up bloody mucus for weeks. All of them were on antibiotics within a month.

We were told that everything was fine, she said. Everything wasnt fine.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw talks to East Palestine, Ohio, resident Misti Allison on March 22, 2023, at a Senate committee hearing on improving rail safety in response to the East Palestine train derailment.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw talks to East Palestine, Ohio, resident Misti Allison on March 22, 2023, at a Senate committee hearing on improving rail safety in response to the East Palestine train derailment.

Allison was one of hundreds of people, residents and first responders alike, who fell ill in the days, weeks and months after the toxic spill. People in East Palestine have continued to report lingering health issues, including nosebleeds, headaches, respiratory problems, rashes and irregular menstrual cycles. It remains a mystery how the incident, which exposed residents to potentially dozens of different hazardous chemicals, may affect their health in the long term.

Individuals at these government agencies know chemical exposures occurred and people got hurt, said Andrew Whelton, an environmental engineer and professor at Purdue University who led an independent research team in East Palestine. We need those government agencies to take responsibility and apologize for allowing those injuries and illnesses to occur. The way to move forward is with compassion, open and deliberate efforts to do better. Instead, what we are seeing is constant messaging, using very select verbiage, to not acknowledge the injuries and illnesses that were caused.

The White House on Wednesday announced that President Joe Biden will travel to East Palestine sometime this month to meet with residents and discuss ongoing federal support  something he has come under fire for not doing previously. The administration also held a call with reporters in which EPA Administrator Michael Regan defended his agencys efforts. Regan said the agency has been laser focused since the derailment and will not leave until this community is restored and made whole again. And he stressed that, based on extensive monitoring, the administration is confident that the residents of East Palestine are not at risk from impacted surface water, soil or air from the derailment.

But much of the community doesnt share that confidence. Their distrust can be traced back to a series of early, undeniable missteps on the part of the EPA as well as Ohio state and county officials, along with myriad perceived conflicts of interest.

As HuffPost has previously reported, the EPA did not sign off on and was not consulted about the decision to torch tanker cars full of vinyl chloride  a decision that Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator during the Obama administration, and even representatives of OxyVinyls, the company that manufactured the vinyl chloride on board the train, have questioned and criticized. The EPA allowed contractors for Norfolk Southern to spearhead environmental testing, including crafting the protocols for sampling air, water and soil for contamination, and authorities were slow to test for the full spectrum of chemicals involved in the derailment. The agency also dragged its feet on monitoring for dioxins, a family of extremely toxic compounds that can form when chlorinated chemicals like vinyl chloride combust, and did not consult with several internal dioxin experts until a month after the derailment.

But the EPAs biggest error has been its failure to acknowledge the unknown risks of exposure to multiple chemicals at once, argues Stephen Lester, a toxicologist and the science director for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. EPAs safety determination relies on testing of individual chemicals that, for the most part, have been detected at levels below minimal risk thresholds. But as HuffPost previously reported, the field of toxicology has little understanding of how mixtures of chemicals can harm human health.

We know so little about low-level mixtures and how they impact peoples health, Lester said.

That to me is the most important lesson coming out of this. When EPA is still sticking to their guns and states that Everything is fine, it just flies in the face of the reality of what people are experiencing.

A sign that says

A sign that says "Keep Out: Testing & Cleaning in Progress" is posted near a portion of Sulphur Run Creek that flows under homes in East Palestine, Ohio, on Jan. 30, 2024.

Allison said she would like to believe there is no cause for concern but cant help being hyper-vigilant given the previous missteps. She pointed, among other things, to E&E News reporting that handheld detectors used to screen air inside homes were not sensitive enough to pick up low levels of butyl acrylate, one of the chemicals on board the train.

It would be appreciated if they would say, This is what we know, but this is what we dont know as well, she said. Lets try to just all roll up our sleeves and figure out the answers to this instead of just saying, Everything is fine.

At this point, Lester isnt sure if the EPA will be able to regain public trust in East Palestine. But he, Allison and Whelton agree that federal officials must ensure long-term chemical monitoring in the community and health care for residents who need it.

Theres nothing we can do with the response decisions that were so messed up that many, many people from all walks of life got injured, Whelton said. They were all preventable injuries, but it happened. We cant go back and change that. But what we can do is help the people who were subjected to those chemical exposures, unwillingly, understand what the consequences of those exposures are in the short and long term.

Norfolk Southern has said it is committed to creating a medical compensation fund to pay for long-term health risks  although the details are still being hashed out one year later. The company says it has invested more than $103 million in the community to date.

For Allison, long-term health care coverage is absolutely essential.

We didnt choose for this to happen in our backyard, she said. I pray that we dont ever have a cancer cluster or that we dont have a huge, statistically significant portion of the population develop some chronic disease. But if they do, it would give individuals peace of mind to know that their health care is covered.

Allison said East Palestine serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of petrochemicals being shipped through communities around the country and hopes that the disaster leads to commonsense regulatory changes. She voiced frustration that last years bipartisan rail safety legislation, which was inspired by the Ohio chemical disaster and aimed at preventing similar derailments, remains stalled.

Yes, this bad thing happened. Its been absolutely horrific to go through. But we cant go back in time, she said. If something bad is going to happen, I want this to be a positive catalyst for change, both for East Palestine, so that were not forgotten, and also for our country and the world, in general, so that hopefully this doesnt happen again. Or if it does, the response is so much better.

Related...
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  Friday marks 16 years since Taylor Swift played a show at Western Michigan Universitys Miller Auditorium.

These days, when Swift makes a tour stop in Michigan, she tends to play Ford Field in Detroit. But on Feb. 2, 2008, she took the stage in Kalamazoo.

After outrage over Taylor Swift tickets, reform has been slow across the US

WMU commemorated the anniversary with a Facebook post, complete with photos from the night.

A rare case youll see us publish iPhone photography circa 2008 but its a special occasion, the university wrote.

Taylor Swift plays Miller Auditorium on Feb. 2, 2008. (Courtesy Western Michigan University)

Taylor Swift plays Miller Auditorium on Feb. 2, 2008. (Courtesy Western Michigan University)

Taylor Swift plays Miller Auditorium on Feb. 2, 2008. (Courtesy Western Michigan University)

At the time, Swift was 18 years old. Her debut album, Taylor Swift, had been out for less than two years, while the release of sophomore album Fearless was still nine months away.

Attorney general warns of Taylor Swift ticket scams ahead of Detroit shows

She had already broken records, according to a WMU news release from the time: Swift was the youngest artist to write and sing a No. 1 country single  Our Song  on her own, as well as the youngest musician to win Songwriter/Artist of the Year from the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Ticket prices for the Kalamazoo concert ranged from $34.25 to $40.75.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police are searching for suspected car thieves after a vehicle was found in East Memphis Friday afternoon.

Memphis Police responded to a call in the area of Willow Road and South Perkins Road at 4:30 p.m.

Wanted man pulls drugs out of rectum during arrest: MPD

Officers reportedly found a stolen vehicle near the intersection. Police say four suspects ran from the vehicle.

Memphis Police say two suspects are in custody. Officers are still searching for the two others.

If you have information on this incident, call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police say two people were injured after a crash in Parkway Village Friday night.

Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on American Way near American Way Park at 7:55 p.m.

2 on the run, 2 in custody after car theft

Memphis Police say two men went to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. Police are asking drivers to avoid the area.

Photo by Spencer Cheveallier, WREG

Photo by Spencer Cheveallier, WREG

Photo by Spencer Cheveallier, WREG

The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
3 simple high-protein meal plan recipes for fat loss that a nutritionist eats all the time

Preparing meals to help you lose fat doesn't have to be time-consuming.

Angela Clucas, a nutritionist, shares her favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.

They're all designed to be convenient and quick.

Eating for fat loss doesn't have to mean spending hours in the kitchen.

That's the principle Angela Clucas, a registered nutritionist, lives by and helps her clients do the same. She creates balanced, delicious meals that are simple to prepare, helping to make healthy eating easy.

"I'm a big fan of what can you do that's quick and simple," Clucas told Business Insider.

Eating enough protein is a big part of that because it helps keep you feeling full and therefore helps you be less likely to overeat and jeopardize fat loss. It also has other benefits, including repairing muscles after workouts and helping the body hold on to muscle while in a calorie deficit.

Clucas shared three of her favorite meals with BI.

Breakfast: Cherry Bakewell protein oatmeal

Cherry protein oats Angela Clucas

Clucas eats quick, warming oats for breakfast most weekdays but switches up the fruit to ensure she's getting a range of nutrients, she said.

Serves one

Ingredients

40 to 60 grams oats

80 grams frozen cherries or blueberries

30 grams protein powder, such as coconut or marzipan flavor

Method

Mix the oats and fruit with about 100 milliliters of water and microwave for 2  minutes. Stir in the protein powder and enjoy.

If the protein powder makes your oatmeal gritty, try mixing it with a dash of water or milk and stirring it into a paste before mixing it into the oats. If your oatmeal isn't hot enough after adding your protein powder, give it another short blast in a microwave, but be careful because heating protein powder can change the texture again.

Lunch: Speedy chicken, couscous, and vegetables

Chicken with vegetables and couscous Angela Clucas

This lunch makes the most of convenience foods but you can prepare the different elements yourself if you have time. Clucas likes pre-prepared Moroccan-style couscous, but you can make or get whatever flavor you prefer.

Serves one

Ingredients

1 pre-cooked chicken breast

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

A sprinkle of dried dill

About 100 grams pre-cooked couscous

1 large handful spinach

1 bag (about 125 grams) microwaved vegetables

Method

Microwave the spinach and the vegetables if desired. Warm the couscous if desired. Add all the vegetables to a bowl or plate. Top with couscous. Top the chicken with the mustard and dill, then add to the dish and serve.

Dinner: Roasted pesto salmon with potatoes and broccoli

Roasted salmon with broccoli and potatoes. Getty/Fudio

Clucas likes to mix up her dinners by getting delivery-recipe boxes but also relies on staple recipes such as this.

Serves one

Ingredients

1 salmon fillet

About 1 teaspoon pesto

New potatoes (quantity to suit your goals and hunger)

Garlic powder

Fresh rosemary

Broccoli florets (as much as you like)

Method

Preheat your oven to 200C/392F. Top the salmon with the pesto. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary, and bake in the oven for 35 minutes. After 15 minutes, add the pesto and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Steam the broccoli for a few minutes then add to the oven tray for the last 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. citizens looking to travel to other countries might be surprised by how many countries should be avoided, according to the U.S. State Department.

Recent travel advisory updates for Jamaica, the Bahamas and Mexico may hinder vacation plans.

Travel: Should I mask for my flight? What to know about COVID and traveling.

Here's what you need to know about U.S. State Department travel advisories:

What are the 4 levels of travel advisory?

Here are the four levels of travel advisory, according to the U.S. State Department:

Travel Advisory Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions

This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.

Travel Advisory Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution

Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Departments of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.

Travel Advisory Level 3 - Reconsider Travel

Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.

Travel Advisory Level 4  Do Not Travel

This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.

Jamaica travel advisory 2024

Lobster pots at Bloody Bay Beach in Jamaica.

The Jamaica travel advisory was updated Jan. 30 to Level 3 for crime and medical services, according to the State Department.

Is Jamaica safe to travel as US vacation destination?

Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents and violent crimes are common, according to the State Department. Such possibilities include armed robberies, home invasions, homicides and sexual assaults. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

The State Department does not pay medical bills and strongly encourages obtaining travelers insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica.

The website states U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas and U.S. health insurance is not accpeted by most doctors and hospitals. U.S. citizens encountering medical emergencies could potentially see bills in the tens of thousands of dollars, with air ambulance service to the United States in the range of $30,000 to $50,000.

Jamaica murders reach 65 in January

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica has seen 65 murders since the the start of 2024. Killings are reportedly down from the 81 reported over the same timer period in 2023.

Jamaica Travel Advisory for US challenged by Prime Minister Andrew Holness

Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness recently questioned the alignment of the recent U.S. travel advisory with Jamaicas significant strides in reducing crime rates.

According to Holness, Jamaica is at the lowest level of crime in more than 22 years.

Though the rates of crime are declining, sadly, the perception has not moved in the same positive direction, Holness said. Many Jamaicans feel the level of crime is still high, despite them not being a victim of crime themselves.

"In the view of the recent US Travel Advisory, it is clear that, based upon all the statistics that Ive given you and the direction in which were heading, that the advisory is at variance with the statistics as improvements are evident.

Travel advisory tips for Jamaica trips

According to the State Department, consider these things when traveling to Jamaica:

Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings . The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.

Avoid walking or driving at night.

Avoid public buses.

Avoid secluded places or situations.

Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.

Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Travelers Checklist.

Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Cheap flights: The destinations that could see a drop in airfare prices this year

Bahamas travel advisory 2024

Beautiful beach in Ten Bay, Eleuthera island, Bahamas.

The Bahamas travel advisory was updated Jan. 30 to Level 2 to exercise increased caution due to crime and water safety, according to the State Department.

Is Nassau or Freeport safe in the Bahamas?

Most crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands, according to the State Department. Violent crime occurs in tourist and non-tourist areas, including armed robberies, burglaries and sexual assaults.

Travelers should use extreme caution south of Shirley Street in the "Over the Hill" area, as gang violence has resulted in a strong homicide rate.

Acitvities using recreational watercrafts maTour are often not regulated consistently. Watercraft operators may not be safety certified and some watercrafts may be poorly maintained.

Due to such safety concerns, U.S. government personnel are not allowed to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.

US mothers from Kentucky claim drugs, rape, sexual assualt at Bahamas resort; 2 employees arrested

According to USA Today reporter Natalie Neysa Alund, two Kentucky women on a Carnival cruise said they were drugged and raped while at a Bahamas Resort.

The attacks occurred shortly after noon Sunday while the women visited a beach in Central Grand Bahama, according to a preliminary report.

The two mothers  who identified themselves as Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson to Chris Cuomo on News Nation  said they were "relaxing on a Grand Bahama beach" when a resort employee allegedly gave them drinks spiked with a cocktail of drugs including benzodiazepines.

On Thursday, USA Today spoke with Nicholas Gerson  the Miami-based attorney representing Kentucky women.

"They were given drinks - a coconut and pineapple drink  spiked with a series of drug and narcotics," Gerson said. "They became inebriated and were both taken away and raped."

Travel advisory tips for Bahamas trips

According to the State Department, consider these things when traveling to the Bahamas:

Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.

Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Review the Country Security Report for The Bahamas.

Prepare a contingency plan for emergency and medical situations. Review the Travelers Checklist.

Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Super Bowl 2024 travel: Las Vegas hotel prices skyrocket for big game

Mexico travel advisory 2024

Isla Mujeres offers a low-key Cancun vacation.

Violent crime is widespread and common in Mexico, according to the State Department. Crimes such as carjacking, homicide, kidnapping and robbery are prevalent.

Is Cancun safe in Mexico?

The Quintana Roo state  where Cancun is located  is under a Level 2 travel advisory, warning travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime.

According to the State Department, criminal activity and violence may occur at any time in any location, including in popular tourist spots. Maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations.

Travel advisory tips for Mexico trips

According to the State Department, consider these things when traveling to Mexcio:

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.

Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.

Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.

Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter.

Review the Country Security Report for Mexico.

Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.

Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Travelers Checklist.

Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel.

Hotel travel: Parking fees are out of control. Here's how to fight them.

What countries have a Level 4 travel warning?

What countries have a Level 3 travel warning?

Travel advisory tips for high-risk areas

The State Department recommends three websites for information on travel safety tips:

Chris Sims is a digital producer for Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Travel advisory 2024: What to know on U.S. trips to Jamaica, Bahamas
The Oklahoma City area felt a magnitude 5.1 earthquake late Friday followed by a series of aftershocks.

Around 11:24 p.m. local time, the earthquake struck near Prague, about 63 miles east of Oklahoma City, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey. It had a depth just under 2 miles. A series of smaller earthquakes, as large as 3.5 magnitude, were felt in the area.

State Seismologist Jake Walter said he expected more aftershocks to continue in the coming days. The 5.1-earthquake happened on the same fault as a 2011 earthquake in Prague that was a magnitude 5.7, he said on social media.

Oklahoma earthquakes: Oklahoma City-area hit by 4.1-magnitude earthquake Saturday, one of several in Oklahoma

The U.S. Geological Survey indicated the earthquake was felt across much of Oklahoma, including in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and across state lines in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and parts of Texas. The USGS said earthquakes east of the Rockies, while less frequent than in the West, are typically felt over larger areas.

In mid-January, the Oklahoma City area experienced a 4.1 earthquake, with a depth of 4.1 miles, amid a series of quakes along a fault line near the Northeast Edmond Gas and Oil Field.

The state has seen an uptick in earthquakes in recent years, many of which have derived from human activity, including oil and natural gas production.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits Oklahoma City area, felt in 5 states
BROWN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A man has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for the 1981 murder of Donna Mae Inlow.

62-year-old Pablo Figueroa pled guilty to capital murder, aggravated rape, and aggravated robbery for the 1981 murder of Donna Mae Inlow. He waived all rights to appeal his conviction as a part of the agreement and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.

61-year-old man indicted for 1981 Brownwood cold case murder

Courtesy of the Brown County Jail

His indictment in 2023 alleged that on April 27, 1981, Figueroa caused Inlows death by stabbing or puncturing her chest with a knife or sharp object while committing the offense of robbery, aggravated sexual assault, or burglary.

The murder occurred at her family-owned business (Inlows Shoe Store) in downtown Brownwood. The Department of Public Safety used modern DNA to match Figueroas DNA with the DNA left at the scene.

A press release from the District Attorney states that Figueroas sentences on the three cases reflect the seriousness of the offense, and were structured to account for the different laws in effect in 1981.

District Attorney Micheal Murray shared that prosecuting a case from more than 40 years prior had unique challenges. Attorneys Natalie Tise and Matthew Ottoway from the Attorney Generals Office assisted Murray and First Assistant District Attorney Elisha Bird in preparation for the trial. Murray added that achieving justice for this cold case was a historic and a solemn moment for his office.

Texas Ranger Jason Shea solved the cold case and located Figueroa, who was being held in federal custody for an unrelated crime.

Murray would like to thank all agencies who have worked on this case, including the Brownwood Police Department, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Brown County Sheriffs Office, and employees from the District Attorneys Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A small plane crashed Thursday night into a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, claiming several lives and sparking a devastating fire that damaged multiple homes.

The crash occurred at 7:08 p.m. in Bayside Estates, a sprawling mobile home park, according to Clearwater Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Ehlers. The authorities have not yet provided specific details regarding the passenger count.

'Several Fatalities' Confirmed

The first responders, including firefighters and police, rushed to the scene around 7:15 p.m. local time after receiving reports of the crash. Upon arrival, they found four trailer homes engulfed in flames, one of which harbored the wreckage of the crashed plane.

"I can confirm that we have several fatalities both from the aircraft and within the mobile home," Ehlers stated, without specifying the exact number of casualties. "We're still working to make sure that there is no additional, and it's limited to what we do know right now."

The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35 crashed predominantly into one mobile home, causing extensive damage.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, and while the aircraft was concentrated in one structure, the fire spread, and three other homes were heavily involved, according to Ehlers.

"We're on scene of a small plane crash at a mobile home park south of Clearwater Mall. Multiple mobile homes have caught fire. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions are on scene," Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Residents from the nearby mobile homes were safe and evacuated from the vicinity.

Read Also: Found at Last? Ocean Explorers Possibly Discover Amelia Earhart's Plane

Reported Engine Trouble Prior to Crashing

Before the crash, the pilot had reported engine trouble to air traffic controllers at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Ehlers stated that radar contact was lost about three miles north of the runway during the conversation with the air tower.

"The (airport) tower ... was able to get radio transmission from the pilot that he was having a 'mayday, mayday mayday,' and the aircraft went off the radar about 3 miles north of the runway," Ehlers explained.

Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy announced that the incident was being treated as a serious traffic homicide crash.

Police officers were present at the scene to secure and preserve it for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. Both agencies confirmed that they will investigate the crash.

Clearwater, with over 110,000 residents, lies about 23 miles west of Tampa on Florida's central west coast.

Related Article: Ukraine Claims Russia Unwilling to Return POW Bodies, Denies Military Plane Carried Ukrainian Soldiers
An 8-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car while she tried to get on the bus on Thursday morning.

Georgia State Patrol confirmed on Saturday that the girl died from her injuries. Her identity has not been released.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

GSP says a driver passed a school bus with its stop sign out and hit her as she attempted to get on the bus on Jackson Lake Road.

The driver, 25-year-old Kaylee Andre, was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle, failure to stop for a school bus loading and unloading and failure to exercise due care.

TRENDING STORIES:

Channel 2s Tom Jones was at Rock Springs Elementary School, where the girl attended, on Friday and spoke with parents.

Its crazy to think about something like that happening to a child when you have kids. Well even if you dont have kids. Its very, very sad to hear about. But I can just imagine what those parents are going through, parent Lindsay Bridges said holding back tears.

Andre is currently being held in the Henry County Jail.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The sounds of horns and bagpipes filled Scope Arena Friday morning as the team behind the Virginia International Tattoo previewed its 2024 event.

26th annual Virginia International Tattoo to feature its largest ever international field

At least 800 performers from seven countries will dominate the arena in April. It is a vast showcase of military bands, dancers, drum lines and choirs. It is the largest show of its kind in the United States.

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Scenes from the 2023 Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena (WAVY Photo  Jimmy LaRoue)

Imagine if you went to an old-fashioned Hollywood movie, just an epic movie, said Scott Jackson, director and producer of the Virginia International Tattoo. You would have incredible scenery, kind of costumes, great music, great battles. Thats what the Tattoo is like, but youre seeing it live unfold.

Were bringing together these incredible performers from all over the world, said Maurice Jones with the Virginia Arts Festival, all of this being done in Hampton Roads. So its an occasion of joy, its an occasion of inspiration and its an occasion of gratefulness and gratitude.

The theme for this year is Celebration of Freedom. The 2024 Tattoo recognizes two critical landmarks in our history  marking 75 years since the founding of NATO, and 80 years since the D-Day landings. Though some of these anniversaries can be somber moments, the Tattoo aims to boldly celebrate our nations armed forces and its partnerships around the world.

NATO plays a big role in putting on the event, helping coordinate with other nations and provide translators for the people in charge.

We see a global balance of power shifting, said Jay Paxton with Allied Command Transformation. We see a global fight against terrorism as a generational fight. And to address these issues, NATO is fortunate to have critical support here in Norfolk and in the Hampton Roads Community.

The Tattoo runs from April 18 to April 21.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
The 2024 Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, February 4.

Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders are both nominated this year.

Presidents, first ladies, and senators have been recognized for their recording achievements.

In addition to winning elections, some politicians have also won Grammy awards.

Presidents, first ladies, and Congress members have been recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for their achievements in recorded sound.

Here are nine politicians you may not have known were Grammy winners  and seven more who have been nominated.

Jimmy Carter has won three Grammys for best spoken-word album.

Jimmy Carter. Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The former president has been nominated nine times for best spoken-word album, according to the Grammys' official website. He won for the recordings of his books "Faith  A Journey For All" in 2019, "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety" in 2016, and "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis" in 2007.

Former Senate Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen won a Grammy for a recording of his poem "Gallant Men."

Everett M. Dirksen. Bettmann/Getty Images

A Republican senator from Illinois, Dirksen took home the Grammy for best spoken word, drama, or documentary recording in 1968, according to the Grammys website. He was also nominated in 1971 for his spoken-word album "Everett Dirksen's America."

Bill Clinton has two spoken-word Grammys, one for a children's book and one for his memoir.

Bill Clinton. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Clinton's narration of the children's book "Peter and the Wolf: Wolf Tracks" earned him his first Grammy in 2004. The following year, he won best spoken-word album for the audiobook of his presidential memoir, "My Life," according to the Grammys.

He received two other Grammy nominations for his recordings of "Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change The World" and "Back To Work: Why We Need Smart Government For A Strong Economy."

Hillary Clinton attended the Grammys in 1997 to accept her award for best spoken-word album.

Hillary Clinton at the Grammys in 1997. Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

The then-first lady won a Grammy for the recording of her nonfiction book, "It Takes A Village," according to the Grammys. She was nominated again in 2004 for the audiobook of her memoir "Living History."

Al Franken has won two Grammys: one for best comedy album and one for best spoken-word album.

Al Franken. Paul Morigi/WireImage for NARAS

The former Minnesota senator, who rose to fame as a comedian before entering politics, won best comedy album in 1997 and best spoken-word album in 2004. He has been nominated seven times, according to the Grammys.

Former Vice President Al Gore's audiobook for "An Inconvenient Truth" won best spoken-word album in 2009.

Al Gore and Queen Latifah present at the Grammys in 2007. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The audiobook was read by actors Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon, and Blair Underwood, according to its listing on Audible.

Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, who represented the District of Columbia in the Senate, won a Grammy for best spoken-word recording.

Jesse Jackson. Thomson Reuters

Jackson advocated for DC statehood in an unpaid Senate position known as a "shadow senator" from 1991 to 1997, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. He was also appointed as a special envoy to Africa by President Bill Clinton in 1997.

In 1989, Jackson won a spoken-word Grammy for a recorded address entitled "Speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson," according to the official Grammys website. He was nominated in the same category in 1985 for "Our Time Has Come."

His musical talents were also recognized at the 22nd Grammy Awards in 1980, when his gospel album "Push For Excellence" was nominated for best contemporary soul gospel performance.

Barack Obama has won two spoken-word Grammy awards.

Barack Obama. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/File/AP

The recordings of Obama's books "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" won best spoken-word album in 2006 and 2008, respectively, according to the official Grammys website. His presidential memoir audiobook, "A Promised Land," was also nominated in 2022.

Having won a spoken-word Grammy in 2020, Michelle Obama could tie Grammy wins with her husband this year.

Michelle Obama (center) at the 2019 Grammy Awards with Alicia Keys (left) and Jennifer Lopez (right). Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The former first lady's audiobook for her memoir "Becoming" won best spoken-word album in 2020, according to the official Grammys website. This year, she is nominated again for the recording of her latest book, "The Light We Carry."

In 1965, John F. Kennedy received a posthumous Grammy nomination.

President John F. Kennedy speaks at a press conference August 1, 1963. National Archive/Getty Images

Editor Bill Adler's book "The Kennedy Wit," a compilation of the former president's quotes and humorous quips, became a bestseller in 1964, the year after his assassination, according to Goodreads.

On the recorded version, Kennedy was listed as an artist along with narrator David Brinkley and Adlai Stevenson, who provided an introduction. The album was nominated for best documentary, spoken word, or drama recording, according to the award show's official website.

Ultimately, the cast of the BBC show "That Was The Week That Was" won the award for its tribute to Kennedy.

Richard Nixon was nominated for best spoken-word recording in 1979 for his televised interviews with journalist David Frost.

Richard Nixon. AP Images

In what became known as "Frost/Nixon" or "the Nixon interviews," the former president sat down with Frost to discuss his presidency and role in the Watergate scandal. The Grammy-nominated interviews were watched by 45 million people, the BBC reported.

Former senator Sam Ervin recorded a Grammy-nominated album, "Senator Sam at Home."

Sam Ervin. Marion S. Trikosko/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

The album, a mix of stories, jokes, and pop music covers, was nominated for best spoken-word recording at the 17th Grammy Awards, NPR affiliate WFAE reported.

Former presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson received two Grammy nominations.

Adlai Stevenson. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Stevenson served as governor of Illinois and ran twice for president as the Democratic nominee in 1952 and 1956, according to the Stevenson Center at Illinois State University.

He was nominated for his first Grammy in 1965 for his contribution to "The Kennedy Wit." He was nominated again in 1967 for "The Stevenson Wit," a similar album featuring selections from his "speeches, press conferences, and off-the-cuff remarks," according to the album cover.

Harry Truman was nominated for a Grammy in 1978.

Harry Truman. MPI/Getty

"The Truman Tapes," a series of recorded interviews with Ben Gradus, was nominated for best spoken-word recording at the 20th Grammy Awards, according to the official Grammys website.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's audiobook for her memoir, "A Fighting Chance," was nominated for best spoken-word album at the 2015 Grammys.

Elizabeth Warren. Robert F. Bukaty/AP Images

Warren lost the award to "Diary of a Mad Diva" by Joan Rivers.

Sen. Bernie Sanders received his second Grammy nomination this year.

Bernie Sanders. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

In 2018, Sanders was nominated for best spoken-word album for "Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In" along with actor Mark Ruffalo, who narrated parts of the audiobook. The pair lost to Carrie Fisher, who won a posthumous award for her memoir "The Princess Diarist," Billboard reported.

This year, Sanders is nominated in the same category for his audiobook, "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism."

Read the original article on Business Insider
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A local foot doctor was indicted last December on multiple charges of sexually abusing his clients. Now, nearly two months later, seven more women have come forward with similar claims.

According to at least nine women, 49-year-old Dr. Brian M. Bowen of Eastside Foot and Ankle abused them during their podiatry exams between August 2022 and October 2023.

Could Portland see another February snowstorm in 2024? Heres what NOAA projects

A year-long investigation began after one woman reported Bowens actions during an exam in May 2022, during which he allegedly fondled her without her consent. Another woman said he sexually abused her in January 2023.

On Dec. 6, 2023, a grand jury indicted Bowen with one felony charge and three misdemeanor counts of sex abuse. He was arraigned in the Multnomah County Circuit Court on Dec. 15.

Following the indictment, police continued to investigate Bowen believing he may have had more victims at his practice in the 1800 block of Northeast 44th Avenue.

Lake Oswego spa busted for sex trafficking, multiple suspects arrested

Bowen is now indicted with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of second-degree sexual abuse, nine counts of third-degree sexual abuse, and two counts of sex abuse by fraudulent representation.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, the last two charges stemmed from a new law that went into effect in July 2023 which charges medical professionals that commit sexual abuse through fraudulent representation.

Thousands of Oregonians to receive unclaimed $10M from Treasury

The investigation into Bowens practice is still seeking additional victims as police ask other patients if they ever had similar experiences in his office. Anyone with information about his actions can contact Detective David McCormick via david.mccormick@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0862.

Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal)  When a Randalls grocery store closes, a Hobby Lobby opens in its place. At least, its happened twice in Austin now.

Albertsons Cos. announced in January that its Randalls store at 10900 Research Blvd.  which is less than half a mile from an H-E-B  would close on or before Feb. 10 due to underperformance. And arts-and-crafts retailer Hobby Lobby is set to take over the 58,000-square-foot space.

PREVIOUS: Randalls grocery store on Research Boulevard closing permanently Feb. 10

The new Hobby Lobby is slated to open in the first quarter of 2025, according to Grey Stogner, owner and president of Crestview Real Estate LLC, which has managed the space since 1996.

Read the full story on the Austin Business Journal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Language acquisition is a topic that many have tried to understand. How does a baby learn its first words? What goes on in their minds?

According to a new study from Science, children start learning their first words starting at six months by connecting what they see with words. The study wanted to find out if children learned words with specific objects or a visual concept.

Why a baby wore a camera helmet

According to the MIT Technology Review, the research team behind the study wondered if AI had the capabilities to learn language like a baby. They just had to create a dataset the AI could use.

Thats where baby Sam comes in. Using a helmet camera, scientists recorded Sams everyday life from the time he was 6 months old until he was 24 months old, giving them 61 hours of footage to use.

Now it was time to train the AI. According to Nature, scientists used a neural network, which is a form of AI that is meant to replicate the brains structure and processes, and exposed it to frames from Sams videos. These frames included 250,000 words and images that Sam had recorded.

To train the AI, scientists used a technique called contrastive learning, per Nature, where the AI must learn which images and words went together and which of them didnt, just like how Sam was learning.

According to MIT Technology Review, some psychologists believe that children are born with an innate ability to understand language as they grow. But this study suggests that theres a probability that children can learn a language by the little experiences they have in their daily lives.

How well did AI do?

Nature says that AI exceeded scientists expectations, successfully connecting images with their correct words 62% of the time, much higher than the 25% success rate scientists were expecting it to have by only chance.

The researchers behind the study believe this will help others figure out more of the processes behind language acquisition. Psychologist Jess Sullivan says that a part of language learning involves matching the right images with the right words, per MIT Technology Review.

This study portrays the possibilities of a new future for AI. According to Popular Science, this study can help AI learn more like a human when it comes to word acquisitions, instead of pulling words from a massive dataset on hand.

Current AI systems are still considered brittle and lack common sense, says Howard Shrobe in an article of MIT Technology Review, who works at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Aimenn Penny doesn't get it.

As he was being sentenced last week in federal court in Cleveland, the Alliance man showed no remorse for his hateful actions. He tossed two Molotov cocktails at the Community Church of Chesterland in Geauga County last year because  gasp!  the church had planned two drag shows and showed support for the LGBTQ+ community. (No one was injured in the firebombing and the attack caused minimal structural damage.)

Penny, who grinned frequently during his sentencing, remained defiant in court, insisting that what he did was to protect children. It must have taken great effort for U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan to keep her eyes from rolling out of her head when he said that.

A letter he had written from jail while in custody indicated that he regretted that the church didn't burn to the ground.

The judge sentenced him to a total of 18 years in federal prison on charges of arson and obstruction, along with required mental health treatment. Perhaps she should have ordered him to attend some drag shows, too.

We are a country that prides itself on freedom of speech and expression. It's built right into our Constitution. (See: First Amendment.)

Even hate speech  the kind exhibited by Penny  is provided some legal protection.

But violence? Never.

The judge noted a preschool that operated out of the church shut down after the attack and church members were traumatized.

It's more than disheartening to think that someone is so filled with hate that they would attempt to justify firebombing a church. What happened in that person's life ... what twisted them? Hopefully, Penny is able to explore that with counseling.

Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. Or at least as happy as one could hope.

Canton Repository staff writer Ben Duer was inside the federal courtroom for the sentencing. He listened as members of the church talked about how Penny ultimately failed in his mission.

The church gained new supporters and members, making the church stronger.

And those drag shows? The ones that Penny hoped to stop? They were held.

"I was not about to let hate overtake love," said Megan Carver, a church official who organized the events.

That made us grin.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Aimenn Penny deserved lengthy prison sentence for firebombing church
Ukrainian air defense destroyed nine of the 14 Shahed-type drones Russia launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk and from Chauda in Russian-occupied Crimea, the Air Force reported on Feb. 3.

At least two Kh-59 missiles were launched from Russia's Belgorod region against Ukraine overnight on Feb. 3, according to the Ukrainian military.

From the onset of the full-scale invasion, the Russian military has utilized Crimea and other occupied territories in Ukraine as launch sites for missiles and other weapons targeting Ukraine.

Most of the drones were targeting energy infrastructure sites in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and defense forces destroyed nine drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Zhytomyr oblasts.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said that some of the attack drones hit the Kryvyi Rih district, resulting in two fires which left almost 15,000 people in the area without electricity.

Read also: Russia shells 9 communities in Sumy Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Danish monarch King Frederik X began his first foreign trip to Poland this week after succeeding his mother, Queen Margrethe II, last January.

According to the Associated Press, Danish monarchs traditionally traveled to another Scandinavian country for their first state visits, but Frederik's visit to Poland was planned before Margrethe's surprise abdication.

This meant that the trip was technically more of a diplomatic visit than a state one, as Frederik's wife, Queen Mary, was not with him for the trip. In her place were several ministers in Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's cabinet as well as Danish business representatives.

Meanwhile, Frederik's son, Crown Prince Christian, has been named regent of Denmark in his absence for the first time in his reign.

Read Also: Margrethe II Abdicates Danish Throne after 52-Year Reign

Frederik's 3-Day Trip

Frederik's trip began on Wednesday (Jan. 31) in Warsaw, where he was greeted by Polish President Andrzej Duda and an honor guard. He also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and attended an evening dinner at the Royal Palace alongside Duda.

On Thursday (Feb. 1), He witnessed a signing agreement for a project designed to collect and reuse excess heat from the Warsaw metro by sending it into the city's district heating system, while on Friday, he visited NATO's regional headquarters in Szczecin, a city in northwest Poland.

In his arrival speech on Wednesday, the king said that the diplomatic relations between the Poles and the Danes would be strengthened by renewable energy partnerships in the coming years.

"Renewable energy, sustainable production, and new technologies are at the core of our shared vision for the future, a safe and thriving world for future generations," he said.

Denmark is known for its commitment to renewable energy, with the country claiming that over 50% of its electricity is supplied by wind and solar power, but the most widely used source is bioenergy.

Related Article: Frederik X Visits Danish Parliament for First Time as King
Alabama murdered a man. His name was Kenneth Smith.

Much of the talk about Smiths Jan. 25 execution concerned Alabamas methods, which included placing a mask over his face and filling it with nitrogen gas. It was the first time that method was used. States have been looking for creative ways to murder people after ethical concerns raised by medical groups and activists made it difficult to obtain lethal injection drugs.

Issac Bailey

Witnesses to Smiths murder described it as torture, which is supposedly illegal in the United States. This was the fifth execution that Ive witnessed in Alabama, and I have never seen such a violent reaction to an execution, Lee Hedgepeth, a reporter who witnessed the murder, told The New York Times.

The evil isnt in the method; its in the routine bloodlust most of us have unquestioningly accepted.

I call it murder because it is murder if words have meaning. Alabama didnt kill Smith in defense of someone, didnt kill Smith accidentally, didnt kill him because his death would prevent future killings. The research is clear. The death penalty doesnt make us safer, doesnt reduce the likelihood of crime in our neighborhoods or schools.

Smith was in prison because a jury said it was beyond a reasonable doubt he was involved in a 1988 murder. He was on death row because a judge overruled the jurys life sentence recommendation  something a judge couldnt do today.

Hes dead because Alabama pre-planned Smiths killing over the course of years. The nitrogen mask was its second attempt after the first failed.

They murdered Smith to teach the rest of us not to murder. Or something.

I didnt see the beginning of Smiths journey through our criminal system. I have, though, seen how we get from whats been sold as an ethical process whose goal is justice to state-sanctioned, state-sponsored, state-implemented murder.

This is how we commit murder: First, we make lighthearted comments to break the ice. At least thats what I overheard in an S.C. courtroom before the death penalty trial of a young man I had mentored.

Im Renee. Thank yall for coming to my party, a white-haired woman in a red jacket joked while the jury pool was being whittled down before Jerome Jenkins trial  a trial that could send a young man to death row in South Carolina.

Everyone laughed, including the judge.

I was in the courtroom because I was one of the people who had mentored Jenkins and tried desperately to get him to veer from what we knew was a dangerous path. We failed.

Then, we ask if anyones faith would prevent them from voting to put someone to death after all evidence had been examined during a trial. Those who say yes, we send them home.

Then we ask prosecutors and defense attorneys to question potential jurors about their background, revealing some in the pool of candidates are construction workers; and retired sales managers; and single-parent disabled veterans; and nurses married to podiatrists; and teachers married to retired cops; and Santee Cooper employees until we are left with a dozen jurors and a couple of alternates.

We assure none of them will be in the death chamber to smell death as life leaves a body. None of them will have to witness minutes-long writhing like Smiths, or thousands of volts being sent through someones body in the electric chair. None will pull the trigger if its death by firing squad. Those tasks will be assigned to others years after the trial, men and women who wont know the person they will help the state to murder, or the victims of their crimes.

Thats by design, makes it easier to pretend we know not what we do.

Issac Bailey is a Carolinas opinion writer for McClatchy.






LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) says a field fire in Lawrence County is contained after it and local fire departments responded Friday.

According to the AFC, the field fire affected eight acres on County Road 305. The Moulton Fire Department said it is believed the fire started by someone burning leaves in the area.

HPD: Man charged with murder and aggravated assault after stabbing roommates

The commission said forestry officials were called to the scene around 2 p.m. The AFC said when crews arrived local fire departments were already on the scene.













The fire was contained by 3:40 p.m. Friday, according to the forestry commission.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Jessica Winsemius has been named the second magistrate for Allegan County's 57th District Court.

ALLEGAN  Allegan Countys 57th District Court is adding a second magistrate to assist in on-call duties.

Chief Judge William Baillargeon announced attorney Jessica Winsemius, the current court administrator, will serve in the role. Winsemius will serve in on-call duties such as authorizing arrest and search warrants and handling criminal arraignments.

Winsemius holds a bachelors degree from Hope College, as well as a juris doctor and masters degree from Western Michigan Universitys Cooley Law School. She's been the administrator for the 57th District Court since December 2022 and previously worked as both an assistant prosecuting attorney and assistant public defender.

Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

Magistrates have authority to set bail, accept guilty pleas, issue arrest and search warrants and impose sentences in minor cases such as traffic violations. Attorney magistrates may hear small claims cases. Daniel Norbeck serves as attorney magistrate for the 57th District Court.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Allegan County district court adds second magistrate
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The 16-year-old girl accused in Tuesdays shooting at LeFlore High School pleaded not guilty on Friday.

2 anglers catch Great White Shark at Navarre Beach

Charged as an adult, the teenager allegedly fired one 45-caliber bullet at a 15-year-old boy in the hallway during the lunch period.

The bullet grazed the boy and continued to hit a 17-year-old boy in the torso. Police say the 17-year-old was not the intended target.

Both victims are expected to be okay.

WKRG News 5 contacted Elizabeth Franklin, who said she is the suspects mother.

You all made her look so bad on the media instead of hearing our side of the story, Franklin told WKRG News 5.

She agreed to an interview on two occasions. At the last minute, she backed out of the first interview, and she failed to show up to the second interview.

Her daughter faces four charges:

Two counts of Assault 1st Degree

Possession of a Deadly Weapon on School Grounds

Discharging a Firearm into a School Building

Despite being charged as an adult, a 2021 state law prohibited authorities from naming the suspect due to her age.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch and Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood publicly said they oppose that law.

Mobile man narrowly escapes death after road debris impales his car

I think its a terrible law, Blackwood said. Its a disservice to the community.

The suspect is set for a preliminary hearing later this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The logo of the human rights organization Amnesty International is pictured in Berlin. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of two Afghan educational activists who were arrested by the Taliban security forces in mid-October in Kabul.

In a statement released late on Friday, the organization claimed that Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Seddiqullah Afghan, two activists working with the education organization Fekre Behtar, had been arbitrarily arrested.

They are accused of working against the Taliban de-facto authorities, Amnesty said, adding that the arrest was against international human rights law.

Since returning to power, the Taliban government has curtailed human rights in Afghanistan. For example, girls and women are not allowed to study beyond primary school. Taliban forces have suppressed any dissent.

However, in some parts of the country, women and girls still attend religious schools, as well as midwifery schools.

The ban on education is seen as the biggest obstacle to the Taliban government being recognized internationally.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was acquitted on Friday of a charge stemming from a protest at a major oil and gas industry conference in London last year.





The charge was that she refused an order from a police officer to leave a protest that blocked the entrance to the conference.



The gallery in attendance erupted in celebration, reports the Associated Press, as Judge John Law told her and four co-defendants to stand before telling him that they were cleared of the criminal charge of breaching the Public Order Act on the grounds that there were "significant deficiencies in the evidence" that was presented against them.



The judge also stated that the police could have been less restrictive in their methods and didn't properly define where the protesters should move and the dispersal order that was given was "so unclear that it was unlawful."



So, those who did not comply are not guilty of a crime. Judge Law further ruled that grant defense lawyer Raj Chada's request that the government pay legal fees for the defendants, as well as Thunberg's travel expenses.

The Protest



Greta Thunberg inspired an environmental youth movement across the globe when she demanded stronger efforts to fight climate change. She was charged in Westminster Magistrates' Court with violating an act that was imposed so that police could control public assemblies. She had faced a fine of up to 2,500 pounds if she had been convicted.

The 21-year-old Thunberg was among 34 protesters arrested on Oct. 17 after preventing access to a hotel during the Energy Intelligence Forum. Environmentalists accuse the oil and gas industry of slowing down the global energy transition to renewables on purpose in order to prolong high-profit margins.

"We must remember who the real enemy is," Thunberg said Thursday outside court after the first day of trial. "What are we defending? Who are our laws meant to protect?"

The Associated Press reports Metropolitan Police Superintendent Matthew Cox said he had worked with protesters for about five hours before he issued an order for demonstrators to move to an adjacent street.

"It seemed like a very deliberate attempt ... to prevent access to the hotel for most delegates and the guests," Cox testified. "People were really restricted from having access to the hotel."
The fire on 3 February at one of Russia's largest oil refineries in Volgograd was the result of a successful attack by Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) drones.

Source: UP source in the special services

Details: The source notes that two drones hit the primary oil refining unit, without which the plant will lose "a significant part of its production capacity".

PHOTO: V1 RU

Quote: "The SSU continues to systematically destroy the infrastructure used by Russia to wage war in Ukraine.

By attacking oil refineries that work for the Russian military-industrial complex, we not only cut off the logistics of fuel supplies for enemy equipment but also reduce the filling of the Russian budget. The explosions at Russian refineries will continue."

More details: The source recalls that recently, SSU drones also attacked a sea terminal in Ust-Luga, Russia, and an oil refinery in Tuapse.

According to Reuters, these attacks reduced Russian exports of oil products by almost a third.

Background: A fire broke out in the Russian city of Volgograd on the night of 2-3 February, with petroleum products burning over an area of 300 square metres.

Support UP or become our patron!
Attorney General Merrick Garland has resumed his official duties after undergoing a minimally invasive back procedure Saturday, according to a Department of Justice spokesperson.

The Attorney Generals procedure went well and hes recovering at home. He has resumed his duties, Xochitl Hinojosa, director of public affairs for the DOJ, wrote in an email.

The DOJ announced ahead of the procedure that, while Garland would be under anesthesia for about 90 minutes, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco would assume his duties shortly before the procedure, during the procedure, and for a brief period following the procedure to allow for recovery from general anesthesia.

This comes after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins recent hospitalization was not disclosed to the media or to President Joe Biden and other senior administration officials for days.

The defense secretary returned to work at the Pentagon on Monday. He was admitted to the hospital on New Years Day due to complications from surgery to treat prostate cancer in late December.

Austins unannounced hospitalization raised major questions about transparency and communication within the Biden administration. The White House last month issued new guidelines for agency notification of key absences following its review of each federal agencys plans for delegation of authority when a Cabinet member is unable to perform his or her duties.

Additionally, Austins chief of staff directed a 30-day review of the Pentagons procedures for notifying senior national security leaders and the White House when the defense secretary needs to transfer authorities to the deputy secretary, which was required during Austins hospitalization. The Defense Department inspector general also launched a separate investigation into whether the Pentagon had the appropriate policies in place to ensure an effective transfer of power and duties.

CNNs Oren Lieberman and Hannah Rabinowitz contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Police body-worn camera footage released Friday provides further details of the moments when officers shot a man who police said killed his girlfriend and stabbed other people at a Northeast Austin home Jan. 21.

The footage, which the Austin Police Department published on its YouTube page, shows the moments officer Cody Crumplar arrived at the home at 12310 Uttimer Lane around 12:30 a.m. Crumplar is seen rushing up to the door and kicking it open.

Body camera footage shows trails of blood on the home's floor, and screams can be heard inside.

As Crumplar makes his way through the living room and around a hall entryway, a man appears. Police said this man had a knife and was holding a woman with multiple stab wounds.

More: Police identify suspect, victim in Northeast Austin fatal stabbing

Crumplar and two other officers then shot the man, Jose Reynaldo Martinez-Argueta, multiple times.

While inside the home, police found the dead body of Maryuri Leticia Reconco-Moncada with multiple stab wounds. Investigators determined that Reconco-Moncada and Martinez-Argueta were in a relationship and had gotten into a fight that night.

Martinez-Argueta has been charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and two charges of aggravated assault, a second-degree felony. Martinez-Argueta remains in the Travis County Jail with bail set at more than $3 million for all of the charges.

The woman who was being held by Martinez-Argueta when police entered the home was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Medics also took another person who had been stabbed multiple times to the hospital. Both have since been released, officials said.

While inside the home, police also found three children who weren't injured.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bodycam footage shows Austin police shooting man with knife
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Many were left with confusion and frustration after Memphis-based American Car Center closed its doors nationwide last year, but now cars are being sold again at one of their former locations.

At the property that once housed the American Car Center on 6400 Winchester Road, theres activity on the lot again.

It raises questions after the former business, nicknamed the King of Credit, filed for bankruptcy protection and abruptly closed last spring.

American Car Center files for bankruptcy

It left employees without jobs and customers, like one man who didnt want his name used, wondering where to make their car payment and fearing their car would be repossessed.

Yeah, if they are the King of Credit, how are they going to let somebody down? They say we are the bank. I dont trust them, said the customer. I dont know what kind of dealership is over there. I dont know who is involved in that.

WREG wanted to find out who is selling cars there, especially with the old signage still prominent. We learned the new company is called I-Finance LLC.

RELATED: How American Car Center bankruptcy affects customers

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South says I-Finance was established in 2010 in the Olive Branch area and has a C plus rating with the BBB.

WREG spoke by phone with Corey Scruggs, the owner of I-Finance. He said the business has no ties to American Car Center and is a completely different company.

We had a dealership and were doing business at the same time they were, Scruggs said. So, when this opportunity became available with the space, we thought it would work well for us, and we would help serve that community along with the vehicle needs and service.

The new company is putting distance between it, and the once-troubled American Car Center.

If youre still having problems with the former American Car Center company, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission and contact the Better Business Bureau.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Has a company treated you unfairly? Our Consumer Champion is available to help. For how to contact her click here.

Dear Katie,

I took a flight to Madrid with British Airways and was offered a seat upgrade, which I accepted. We were directed to Iberias website to make the booking.

The flight was fine, but then when it was time to come home we were shocked to be told at the airport that we had no booking. This was because our tickets had been cancelled. We had been recorded as no-shows for the outbound flight, we were told. This was despite BA emailing us the previous day, inviting me to check in.

As a result I was forced to spend almost 900 on repurchasing my partys return flight tickets, and this was after an extremely stressful and lengthy international call.

Then, in a further contradictory move, BA awarded us loyalty points for the flight it claimed we were no-shows for.

I filed a complaint at the end of October but have had no contact from BA. There has been no apology, no contact, and no refund.

YM, via email

Dear reader,

British Airways and Iberia, the Spanish airline, merged back in 2011, meaning their booking systems should be fully integrated, or at least able to talk to each other effectively. However, there seems to have been a technical glitch in your case. When you upgraded your seats, the system seemingly booked you entirely new ones which wrongly recorded you as not turning up for the flight at all.

I know youre frustrated that BA hasnt elaborated on what went wrong within its system, and I share your feeling, as it declined to elaborate for me, too. You feel this issue with no-shows could pose a security threat, and I agree, as unsavoury characters could use it to look as if they hadnt caught a flight when in fact they had.

Happily, however, it has now refunded your 900, which youre relieved about. A BA spokesman said: Were sorry for our customers experience and we know weve let them down. Our teams are in touch to apologise and resolve the matter.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Students in Newton will be returning to class on Monday after the Newton Teachers Association and the Newton School Committee announced a tentative agreement on a new contract that brings the lengthy teachers strike to an end after 11 days without school in the city.

In a statement Friday night, the school committee said theyve reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract.

Although the terms of the deal werent immediately clear, an NTA spokesperson said the contract secures increased access to mental health supports for students, including social workers, a parental leave policy that removes discriminatory language and guarantees 40 days of paid leave and up to 60 days overall, 15 days of FMLA leave, and raises the starting salaries of aids and behavior therapists.

This contract reflects our values including respect for our educators, a spokesperson for the school committee said. It reinforces and expands meaningful support for students; meaningfully increases compensation for all employees, particularly our building and classroom aides; maintains Newton as a leader in benefits; and provides important flexibility for our leaders to strengthen and innovate our system.

School officials also acknowledged the pain the strike caused for students and parents alike.

We will all need some time to heal, and we ask for patience and leadership from all of the adults in the NPS community, the school committee said. This strike has been painful for NPS families and the entire City of Newton. The Committee looks forward to the return of students to their classrooms. We will take a breath, then begin the work of ensuring that this never happens again.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said in part shes thrilled to get students and teachers back in their classrooms.

Around 9:00 p.m., NTA union rep Ryan Normandin addressed the cheering throng of Newton educators, stating they have set a new standard for the students to follow.

We taught our students not to be afraid, said Normandin. We taught them that when those in power try to take away your rights, they should stand up for themselves.

When students return to class on Monday, they will do so an hour later than normal so that teachers can spend part of the morning meeting with school officials and their principals. There will also be no early care offered for one more day.

I regret the further inconvenience to families. However, due to the intensity of the strike and the extended period of work to rule that preceded the strike, we must utilize this time to reconnect our staff and principals and provide direction and support for staff in preparation for our students return, Superintendent Anna Nolin said. Our top priorities are welcoming our students, re-establishing classroom and school community, returning to routines and schedules, and resuming grade-level learning. To support the transition back to school, we have put together expectations that support staff to respond briefly and factually to student questions about the strike and focus on resuming our typical routines.

The strike began on Jan. 19 after the NTA voted to strike in a push for new contract items including paid family leave for all educators, a humane parental leave policy, livable wages for aides and behavioral therapists, and a social worker in every school, among other things.

With daily fines of $50,000 adding up and the school committee asking the court to double those fines to $100,000, the NTA returned to the bargaining table for a marathon negotiation session with the city that went throughout the night and ultimately wrapped up around 6 a.m. on Friday.

No school in Newton as teacher strike enters fifth day

Schools closed in Newton as teachers go on strike

The two sides finally reached an agreement on pay increases, but they continued to wrangle over a return-to-work agreement that included the NTAs demand for increased social worker staffing in schools.

In an early morning news release, the NTA alleged the committee attempted to weaken the agreements on social workers and alter other agreements affecting the working conditions of educators and the learning conditions of students.

The NTA also blasted the school committee for trying to extract more than $1 million from educators as part of their return-to-work agreement.

Before again sitting down at the negotiation table for a 1 p.m. discussion, Newton Public Schools spokesperson announced that the school committee and NTA bargaining teams are extremely close to settling a contract.

As the strike lingered into February, the families of some Newton students filed motions to intervene and end the teachers strike. Sad and bored students, and defeated parents, even penned heartfelt letters to a Middlesex Superior Court judge, urging him to take action.

The agreement on a new contract comes a day after the school committee voted to cancel February break to start making up for lost school days.

Due to the lost time, Gov. Maura Healeys administration also asked the court to appoint a third party to facilitate a legally binding resolution between the NTA and the committee.

Under Massachusetts law, its illegal for public workers, including teachers, to go on strike.

As of Friday, the NTA owed the Commonwealth $625,000 for failing to end the illegal strike, which was the longest to occur in Massachusetts in recent decades. NTA union president Mike Zilles told Boston 25 Reporter Jason Law the union plans to pay the fine before the end of the year.

Throughout the work stoppage, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller expressed frustration with the NTA, making it clear that funding for the new contract would not come at the expense of public safety and other city departments.

Emotions flared on both sides during the strike, ultimately boiling over and bringing Newton School Committee Chair Chris Brezski to tears as he proclaimed Wednesday that the strike had gone too far.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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On Friday, the United Nations' top court confirmed its jurisdiction to consider Ukraine's plea for a declaration stating that Kyiv bears no responsibility for genocide. However, it clarified that it cannot address other aspects of Ukraine's case.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of genocide. Ukraine brought its case to the International Court of Justice almost two years ago, alleging that Moscow used false claims of genocide to justify its invasion. The filing happened in March 2022, just days after Russia launched the invasion.

However, the court emphasized it cannot rule on that issue. Instead, it will focus on deciding whether Ukraine violated the convention, as claimed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, to justify the invasion. A decision could take up to months or even years to make.

What Was The Case?

The Associated Press reported the court's President Joan E. Donoghue said, "In the present case, even if the Russian Federation had, in bad faith, alleged that Ukraine committed genocide and taken certain measures against it under such a pretext, which the respondent (Ukraine) contends, this would not in itself constitute a violation of obligations" under the genocide convention.

Reuters revealed that Ukraine previously argued there was no risk of genocide in eastern Ukraine, where it had been fighting Russian-backed forces since 2014.

The court issued emergency orders in March 2022 for Russia to immediately halt its military operations in Ukraine.

"It is important that the court will decide on the issue that Ukraine is not responsible for some mythical genocide which the Russian Federation falsely alleged that Ukraine has committed," Ukraine's representative Anton Korynevych told journalists at the ICJ.

He added that it was also important that the emergency order by the court in March 2022 -- that Russia immediately halt its military operations in Ukraine -- still stands.

While the court's rulings are final and legally binding, it has no way to enforce them, and some states, like Russia, have ignored them.

Ukraine did win a small victory at the ICJ on Wednesday when the judges ruled Russia had violated U.N. treaties against the financing of terrorism and discrimination in a different case that dealt with incidents from 2014.
Over the last 25 years, Ive been a tech investor, founder, organizer, strategist and academic. Im proud to be part of a growing group of diverse leaders shaping an innovation system that represents and benefits us all. But in recent months, Ive become increasingly troubled by the absence of Latinx/e founders and leaders in todays critically important conversations about AIs growth and regulation.

As AIs presence in our lives increases, so does the number of diverse founders leveraging it to develop positive, socially impactful services and products. Because their unique life experiences inform these founders ingenuity, their startups often address critical social needs. When diverse founders succeed, society benefits.

Yet their voices and perspectives remain largely absent from policy discussions and decisions that will shape the future of AI and its influence on our society.

Unfortunately, such exclusion is part of a broader pattern within the startup and venture ecosystem. Those of Latinx/e heritage in the U.S. account for more than 20% of the U.S. population; theyve founded half of all new businesses over the last decade (19% of which are tech-related), and contribute $3.2 trillion annually to the nations economy. As a group, they represent the fifth-largest economy in the world.

As AIs presence in our lives increases, so does the number of diverse founders leveraging it to develop positive, socially impactful services and products.

Yet, despite their entrepreneurial talent and determination, Latinx/e founders remain overlooked and undervalued, receiving less than 2% of startup investment funding. Even when they receive it, its typically just a fraction of what's awarded to their non-Hispanic counterparts.

While historically underestimated, Latinx/e Americans are persevering and preparing to be a significant force in the U.S. future. Latinx/e college enrollment has more than doubled since 2000, and enrollment in science and engineering programs has grown by 65% over the last 10 years.

Guillermo Diaz Jr., former CIO of Cisco, called todays intersection of AI and tech with surging Latinx/e education, economic power, and employment a light-speed moment, noting that an increase in Latinx/e technology leadership means a far more prosperous U.S.A.

When it comes to AI regulation, I understand and share some commonly voiced concerns and appreciate the recent clamor for quick regulation. But I dont understand Latinx/e and diverse groups exclusion from the regulatory conversation.

Last year, the Biden administration discussed AI regulations with leaders from companies like Open AI, Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and a handful of academics and advocates. But this group was too narrow. Underrepresented communities and our allies generally have a nuanced outlook on AI.

On one hand, we are rightly concerned that AI technologies could perpetuate bias and discrimination. On the other, we are eager to ensure that diverse communities, founders, consumers and all Americans can benefit from AI's many positive potential implementations. Regulations made without broad, nuanced perspectives could diminish AI's benefits to diverse communities, leading to worse social and economic outcomes for everyone.

Discussions about AIs growth and regulation are fundamentally discussions about the future of society, and diverse groups will play a key role in that future. Before regulators finalize any significant policy changes, diverse, visionary startup founders and leaders should be engaged in discussing how to simultaneously develop an appropriate regulatory framework for AI technology while also creating the conditions to encourage diverse founders to have a say and play a meaningful role in the evolution of AI.

In addition to creating thoughtful guardrails, policymakers should also be ideating about incentives like tax credits, STEM education grants, and training and recruitment programs to create pathways for diverse groups increased representation, contributions, and success within the growing AI sector.

Like any transformative technology, advanced AI has risks and incredible positive potential for all. That means lawmakers need all of us to provide input to AI-related policies. It is imperative that they include diverse startup founders and leaders as they consider the AI incentives and regulations that will shape our collective future.
President Biden will address House Democrats Thursday at the partys annual conference, the White House confirmed.

Its the third time Biden will speak as president at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference, where lawmakers will gather to devise strategy and messaging, ahead of the 2024 election.

The retreat will take place at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., Politico reported.

At the conference last year, lawmakers prepared for Biden to announce his 2024 campaign. During a meeting before the retreat, Biden reportedly told House Democrats there was a lot of unfinished business.

In 2022, Biden addressed members ahead of the midterm elections, where he urged members to press key pieces of his agenda and attempt to hold on to its narrow majorities in the House and Senate.

As negotiations over the bipartisan border deal continue, and in the wake of recent U.S. military airstrikes in Iraq and Syria amid the Israel-Hamas war, Biden will likely use the conference to rally Democrats around his reelection campaign ahead of this fall.

Democrats are expected to rally around Bidens run against the likely GOP nominee, former President Trump.

The White House confirmed Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris will make an appearance at the conference on Wednesday to moderate a conversation discussing the administrations ongoing fight for fundamental freedoms, Politico reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Bidens decision to strike 85 targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday in response to the death of three American soldiers last weekend amounted to a middle ground: short of a direct strike inside Iran, which would almost certainly spark a wider war, but still more expansive than any action the US has taken so far against the groups it accuses of destabilizing the region.

There is little belief inside the American government that Bidens actions will completely shut down the constellation of Iranian proxy groups that have been responsible for escalating attacks on American bases and commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea. A longer-term solution remains elusive, as Biden enters a reelection year while also pursuing a broad diplomatic breakthrough he hopes could transform the larger region.

Whether the 125 precision-guided missiles fired over 30 minutes Friday night will have the effect of preventing further attacks on Americans is a question officials arent yet ready to answer.

But there is hope that by taking out intelligence centers, weapons facilities, command and control operations and bunkers used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and other affiliated militia groups, the US can diminish the militants capabilities and send a message that attacks wont go unanswered.

I think it is a real strong deterrence, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and Iraq War veteran. Were saying: Listen, we dont want to go to war. But have a little taste of what we can do. Here you go. Eighty-five targets. And I think that that is part of the balancing act that we need to be engaged in right now.

The American reprisal is not over, and officials have not ruled out unseen elements, like cyberattacks, to degrade Iran and its proxies capabilities. The White House said clearly ahead of the counterstrikes that it expected a multiphase response, with a trajectory and duration likely to be dictated by circumstances on the ground.

How the coming days unfold will have wide ramifications for the region and for the president himself, who spent the hours before the American B-1 bombers began hitting their targets consoling grieving families of the three Americans killed in Jordan.

It was only about an hour after Biden departed Dover Air Force Base in Delaware that the first US strikes began in Iraq and Syria. The timing was coincidental, officials said, but nonetheless symbolic of the gravity of his decision.

Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing, Biden said in a written statement. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

Immediately after US officials in Washington received word that Tower 22 in Jordan was struck last weekend  ultimately resulting in the deaths of three American service members  Biden was presented with, and approved, a range of options on Sunday for retaliation, sources told CNN.

And it was in a meeting with his top national security advisers the following morning in the Situation Room that Biden gave the specific green light for the first set of strikes in Iraq and Syria that was executed Friday.

It was also in that meeting that the president was informed with the assessment that IRGC-backed militant groups were to blame for the Sunday drone attack, according to the sources.

In selecting how to respond to the death of three Americans, Biden faced a consequential choice: how to retaliate, and send a message to Iran, while avoiding getting pulled into a wider regional war.

Biden and his team assessed a set of options that each came with a certain degree of risk. Strike too hard, and what had been a relatively low-grade exchange of fire between the US and Iranian proxy groups could expand into something far more serious. Strike not hard enough, and a message of impunity could be interpreted by the group behind the deadly drone attack  and by Americans at home.

Adding another layer of complexity were the difficult negotiations ongoing to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and impose a prolonged pause in the fighting there, talks which officials said Biden was loathe to disrupt by potentially escalatory action.

Its both a science and an art, said former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who engaged in similar Situation Room debates during his tenure in Donald Trumps administration. In developing options for the president, officials weighed the complexity of the attack, the estimated damage it would do, the number of Iranians or militia members it could kill, and the potential retaliation it might prompt.

Thats a discussion that goes on within the room: what will the impact be? What will we expect from the Iranians? Esper said. Itll be important to see what happens when the sun comes up tomorrow morning in Iraq and Syria.

What Biden and his advisers agreed on was that the US response to the Americans deaths would have to be on a correspondingly different scale than the tit-for-tat exchange of fire that had been unfolding in the region since October 7.

They were not short of options: plans have long been drawn up to go after targets associated with the array of Iranian-backed groups that have been fomenting instability in the region. Identifying a calibrated approach did not take long. Biden told reporters on Tuesday hed made a decision on how to counter the drone attack  only two days after he vowed in South Carolina: We shall respond.

Bad weather in the region played the biggest role in dictating when the strikes would occur, officials said afterward. Clear skies on Friday meant a lower risk of striking unintended targets  and preventing civilian casualties.

The question that can only be answered in the coming days and weeks is whether the response will move the needle in Iran, who the US has accused of supplying and resourcing the militant groups behind the attack that killed the three Americans.

These undated photos from the US Army Reserve Command show Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23. - US Army Reserve Command

American officials had already been detecting signs that leaders in Tehran were growing nervous about some of the actions of its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, according to multiple people familiar with US intelligence. And there are clear indications that Iran isnt looking for a war with the United States  just as Washington insists it isnt seeking a broader conflict.

But how to resolve the problem of the militias is still not an easy one. There has been little evidence that American military action against them over the past several months  which the US frames as an effort at deterrence  has actually deterred anything. Biden acknowledged as much last month, saying that American strikes in Yemen on the Houthi rebel group havent stopped their attacks on the Red Sea shipping lane.

Despite calls from Republicans in Washington to go directly after sites inside Iran, that option appeared unlikely from the start as the White House seeks to avoid becoming embroiled in a full-blown war.

And there are few outward signs Washington is attempting to renew any diplomatic engagement with Tehran after Bidens attempts earlier in his term to resuscitate the Obama-era nuclear deal stalled out. Theres been no communications with Iran since the attack that killed our three soldiers in Jordan, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday night.

That makes for a vanishingly narrow path for the president to navigate.

This is a very fine line. They are threading a needle here. And some of this is informed by history, said Beth Sanner, a former senior intelligence official who was Trumps intelligence briefer in the tense days surrounding his decision to strike a top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani.

This is what every administration does, Sanner said. You are trying to figure out where that line is.  There isnt a thing that you can point to that is the dot. Youre going to have to feel your way around it.

MJ Lee contributed to this report.

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By Jarrett Renshaw

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - President Joe Bidens reelection bid won't be won by million-dollar ad buys or social media sound bites, says U.S. Representative James Clyburn, the man who was key to Bidens 2020 win.

Republican candidate Donald Trumps supporters have built a MAGA wall online of memes and social media noise that is overwhelming news about Bidens economic and policy wins, making it impossible to get Democrats message across, Clyburn said in a recent interview in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

Clyburn, who at 83 is arguably the most influential Black political voice in the United States, says Biden's campaign needs to focus more attention on building a historic ground game filled with "voices and validators" who can energize voters and combat a looming disinformation campaign."If we are going to be successful in this campaign, we are going to have to have what I call hand-to-hand combat, boots on the ground. We are going to have to do what is necessary to circumvent, or smash through that MAGA wall that is being built on sound bites, Clyburn said, referring to the acronym for Trump's Make America Great Again slogan.

Asked for comment, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said, "Crooked Joe Biden and his allies are scared because they know that no amount of excuses can explain away four years of misery and destruction under their watch."

Biden is projected to cruise to victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary election, the first officially sanctioned contest in the Democratic nomination race. He is expected to face Trump in November in a rematch of the 2020 election.

Four years ago, Clyburn effectively resuscitated Biden's struggling presidential campaign with an endorsement that gave the candidate a comeback primary election victory in South Carolina.

The congressman's call for an unprecedented ground game - which includes enlisting people to knock on doors and speak at social gatherings - underscores his deep concerns about a looming widespread disinformation campaign.

It also reflects broader concerns over whether Biden, 81, has the skills and charisma needed to sell the public on his accomplishments and the economy. The president spent last summer touring the country to boast about his economic accomplishments, but voters still give him poor marks on the economy.

So when people tell me what a bad communicator Joe Biden has been, I say to them, don't confuse goodness with weakness. These are people who basically want to hear a sound bite that makes for a good headline, but that sound bite seldom makes good headway. And Joe Biden is all about making headway, Clyburn said.

The South Carolina congressman, one several Biden campaign co-chairs, is part of a small group of Democrats that include Barack Obama who are urging Biden to ramp up his campaign efforts and take a more offensive posture against Trump.

The campaign has begun heeding those calls, with Biden invoking Trump much more often and top staffers leaving the White House to bolster the campaign.

Clyburn said he advised the Biden campaign to look at how former Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney, a white Democrat, won two terms in a majority Black city in 2015 and 2019.

It was boots on the ground. He won that race from door to door, Clyburn said.

During a recent dinner celebrating South Carolina's rise to the top of the Democratic Party's nominating calendar, Clyburn offered evidence of the power of what he calls validators. In the cadence of a pastor, Clyburn preached to the crowd of largely Black supporters about Biden's accomplishments, often speaking in the local parlance of someone who has spent eight decades in the region.

When Biden took the stage, he quipped: If I were smart, Id say thank you and leave. Jim made the case for me better than I can."

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis)
Joe Biden had decided on a course of action against Iranian targets several days ago - GETTY IMAGES

Joe Bidens reprisal strikes on Iranian military targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday night posed one of the riskiest tests of his presidency to date.

The presidents actions were carefully aimed at treading a delicate balance: refuting charges of weak leadership while avoiding dragging the US into a wider regional conflict.

Mr Biden faced pressure at home and abroad to respond to the killing of three US troops in Jordan last weekend in a manner that would unequivocally signal he will not let American deaths go unpunished.

But in the tinderbox of the Middle East conflicts, even the most carefully planned military action can have unforeseen consequences.

If White House sources are to be believed, Mr Biden sought assurances that retaliation would not jeopardise the delicate effort to release US hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza before he decided to proceed.

It was only after his concerns were eased by his national security team that he decided on retaliatory measures, according to NBC, underscoring the complex calculations involved.

Another consideration was the response of the Iraqi government, which is already agitating for US military forces to leave its soil.

Mr Biden had decided on a course of action by Tuesday, but the strikes were postponed, in part due to weather considerations, until Friday night.

Iran knew what was coming

Despite the White Houses insistence they would not telegraph their response, it is clear that Tehran and its allies had some inkling of what was coming.

Iranian military forces had already withdrawn from Iraq and Syria during the multi-day delay, it is understood.

US officials said the strikes hit seven facilities - three in Iraq and four in Syria - with 125 precision-guided bombs on the targets.

They hit command and control centres, ammunition stockpiles, drone storage sites and supply chain facilities.

The White House was quick to term the strikes a success, but it is too soon to assess the full extent of the impact. More strikes are expected in the coming days.

There is reason to hope that the action will not trigger a wider escalation. Both the Biden administration and Tehran have repeatedly said this week they do not want a direct war.

The US was quick to highlight it did not, and would not, hit any targets within Iran itself - a message aimed at stressing, and urging, restraint.

Biden treading into political peril

However, as defence analysts are fond of reciting, any action can provoke an unexpected counter-reaction, and there is always a possibility that hostages in Gaza could become collateral damage.

The White House is, of course, intensely aware that Mr Bidens actions in the Middle East are as politically perilous as they are militarily.

His backing of Israel has already wounded his standing with his partys progressive wing, and in particular among the young, ethnic minority voters vital to his re-election hopes.

At the same time, Republicans have blamed Mr Bidens weakness for the deaths of the three US troops and the most hawkish GOP figures have urged him to bomb Iran.

Meanwhile, his most likely opponent in November, Donald Trump, has claimed his strongman approach is its own deterrence - an argument that has appeal among supporters.

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President Joe Biden on Saturday praised political leaders in Northern Ireland after Irish nationalist Michelle ONeill was appointed the regions first minister, ending a two-year standoff.

I welcome and strongly support the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly at Stormont, and I commend the political leaders of Northern Ireland for taking the necessary steps to restore these core institutions, the president said in a statement.

As a senator, Biden helped negotiate the Good Friday Agreement, which mostly ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland and established a power-sharing arrangement in 1998.

On a visit to Belfast last year to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the agreement, Biden underscored the importance of the agreement and reaffirmed his continued support to the region.

Northern Ireland struggled for two years to form a government under rules that require its main pro-British party  the Democratic Unionist Party  to share power with Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, ONeills party.

Stormont, the regions government seat, was practically frozen in a standoff after the DUP walked out in protest over trade issues related to Brexit.

I look forward to seeing the renewed stability of a power-sharing government that strengthens the peace dividend, restores public services, and continues building on the immense progress of the last decades, Biden said in his statement, nodding to the fact that power will be split between ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, from the Democratic Unionist Party.

Though the two will be equals, ONeill, whose party won more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections, will hold the more prestigious title.

O'Neill becomes the the first leader from the Irish Catholic side of the divide.

To all of you who are British and unionist, your national identity, your cultures, your traditions are important to me," O'Neill declared to the unionist benches on the far side of the Stormont chamber.
Defense around Tower 22, a United States military outpost in Jordan, has been bolstered following an attack by militants that resulted in the deaths of three American service members, the Associated Press reported a U.S. official said on Friday.

Additionally, the United States has ominously stated that retaliation for the drone strike will be significant and appropriate. Since then, Harakat al-Nujaba, alleged to be the strongest Iranian proxy currently operating in Iraq, announced that it would continue attacks against the United States as other groups in the region announced they would be suspending attacks against U.S. assets.

The threat of attack by militia has been a thorn in the side of all U.S. bases in the region for years, but that threat level was raised in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas.

What Was The Military Response?

U.S. military responses in Iraq and Syria have been relatively limited, but the attack on Tower 22 appears to have raised the bar substantially as far as response levels are concerned. Targets being considered in response to the attacks are located in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, which is where the drone was fired from.

The attack was blamed on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of groups alleged to be backed by Iran.

Tower 22 houses 350 troops and is located at the border between Syria and Jordan, while the Iraqi border is only six miles away. Defense Secretary Austin indicated the U.S. response against the militias would widen.

"At this point, it's time to take away even more capability than we've taken in the past," Austin said. The Iranian connection the U.S. has repeatedly made is due to the supplies and training militia groups are believed to be receiving from Iran.

Militia groups in the region have attacked U.S. facilities at least 166 times since October. Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iraqi militia, has stated that it would suspend military operations against occupying forces to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government.
President Biden hit former President Trump Saturday, claiming the GOP front-runner doesnt stand for anything, during a stop at his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., near his family home.

Bidens rebuke of the former president, who did not name during his Saturday speech in Wilmington, Dela., was part of an address where the commander-in-chief touted the importance of democracy and his recent rise in the polls.

Im feeling good about where we are, I really am, Biden said. You know, folks are starting to focus in and the guy were running against, he is  hes not for anything, hes against everything.

And no, I mean it, its the weirdest campaign Ive ever been engaged in, its even worse in terms of his behavior than the last time in 2020, he added.

Biden reiterated his point that Americans understand the importance of the next general election.

I meant what I said back when we announced the first time for president against this guy and we went up to  up to Independence Hall and made a speech on democracy and the press kinda thought it was a little bit of an exaggeration, except the American didnt, the president told his supporters. The American people get it. They understand whats going on.

The president also emphasized that during his overseas trips, other countrys leaders cheer for his reelection success and said his support is slowly reinvigorated domestically.

He cited a recent Quinnipiac poll where he is leading Trump by six points among registered voters in a hypothetical general election matchup, along with touting two Pennsylvania polls where he is leading his likely Republican rival.

But folks, things are  people are beginning to focus and theyre beginning to focus and the polling data, everything is picking up across the board, Biden said.

And by the way, in new Hampshire we werent on the ballot, we couldnt campaign there. But guess what? We got 64 percent of the vote, he later added.

Some other polls show a different outcome. A new CNN poll, conducted by SSRS, shows Trump up by four points over Biden, the same margin as when the same poll was conducted in the fall.

Bidens Saturday speech at his campaign headquarters is another hint that the president is ramping up his reelection effort.

Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff were also present, supporting the president and cheering during his remarks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Carolina goes to the polls Saturday, offering the first official primary test for President Biden.

The president has invested heavily in the state and comes off a win in New Hampshires unsanctioned primary last month as a write-in candidate.

Democratic strategists said the attention Biden has given to the state should pay off in a major victory against two long-shot opponents.

His campaign has done a really good job of meeting voters where they are. Ive been impressed with his visibility, surrogates visibility, the vice president, secretaries  theyre literally doing the work, said Bakari Sellers, a political analyst and Democratic former South Carolina House member.

Biden entered the 2020 Democratic presidential race as the front-runner in a crowded field, having led in the polls throughout most of 2019. But his campaign was suddenly in dire straits after he placed fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire.

The South Carolina primary was the turning point he needed. He received an endorsement from the influential Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), who was serving as House majority whip at the time, and cruised to a comfortable win that set him up for Super Tuesday the following week and eventually his path to the White House.

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, some Democrats called for a reshuffling of the primary calendar to replace the overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire as the first states to vote with ones that better reflect the country and partys diversity.

Biden requested in 2022 that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) set a new primary schedule that would place South Carolina first, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire on the same day, then Georgia, then Michigan. The DNC approved the change last February.

The move stirred some backlash among New Hampshire Democrats, who emphasized the states historic tradition of having the first primary. The state, which has a law requiring it to go first, went ahead with its primary last month anyway. Biden easily won through an intensive write-in campaign  despite not formally being on the ballot and the primary not awarding candidates any delegates for the nomination.

Strategists said Biden has sent a message with his Palmetto State emphasis, which should help demonstrate unified Democratic support for his candidacy.

Sellers said Biden has been able to articulate his plans to voters on issues such as criminal justice reform, immigration and the economy, particularly to Black South Carolinians who made up a notable portion of his support in 2020. He said these efforts can be duplicated in other states that will be pivotal in the general election, including Georgia and North Carolina.

For Black voters, having the president here, coming to your house or your beauty salon or your school, especially going into January, February, thats what counts, Sellers said.

Last weekend in Columbia, Biden began remarks to attendees at a dinner for the state party by thanking the state.

Youre the reason I am president. Youre the reason Kamala Harris is a historic vice president. And youre the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former president, he said. And youre the reason were going to win and beat him again.

South Carolina-based Democratic strategist Clay Middleton said the states position as first in the nation makes it more important to show solid support for Biden and return the favor for Biden support of it being first.

Middleton, a member of the DNC, said South Carolinians have been appreciative of Bidens role in the new primary schedule.

Its the momentum thats needed to move forward. Weve been telling people here in South Carolina that its important that people realize that were starting this thing off, he said.

About 50,000 people have voted early in the state, demonstrating voter enthusiasm for the contest, he said. He expects Biden will at least receive a higher percentage of votes than in New Hampshire.

Biden won the Granite States primary by more than 40 points over his next-closest opponent, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who has launched a long-shot bid against him. Phillips and author Marianne Williamson, who received 4 percent support in New Hampshire, will also be on the ballot in South Carolina.

Middleton said he expects strong turnout throughout the state following extensive organizing efforts, including a bus tour from the state party and visits from Biden surrogates such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D).

Democratic strategist Matt Krayton said the most symbolic significance of the primary is a long overdue investment in the backbone of the party.

More than a quarter of South Carolinas population is Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Krayton said if investments arent made to have a more diverse group of voices in the decisionmaking process and work isnt put in to appeal to those voters, many places get out of reach.

In the presidential election, South Carolina has been a reliably red state for decades, having not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Krayton said the new calendar is the first step in creating a more inclusive process with greater say from Black and brown voters.

That will be the durable legacy of what goes on here beyond the general election and the campaign in general, he said.

Democratic strategist Jared Leopold said the primary will be more symbolic, as the primary electorate will be different from that for the general election. But it is an opportunity to focus on driving a message that will get people to turn out, he said.

Leopold said a disconnect still exists between those inside and outside the political spheres about how the 2024 race is shaping up and the likelihood of Trump and Biden being their respective parties nominees.

Krayton said most Americans are not paying attention every day to political developments.

People are going to start tuning in a little bit more as we get closer to Election Day in November, but at this point, there are a million other demands on peoples time, he said.

Leopold said the primary campaign will be an opportunity for Biden to make people more aware of his record and his contrast with Trump, and make voters who are less politically engaged realize the upcoming match-up.

South Carolinas a big step towards people realizing its going to be Biden versus Trump, and the choice is going to be a stark one between the two, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump spent many months manipulating their parties presidential nominating processes in their own favor. Their maneuvering helped produce a rematch that most voters dont want.

The next week will show just how richly their efforts have paid off.

Saturdays Democratic primary in South Carolina is the first to award Democratic delegates  after Biden worked to elevate it to the first spot in his party's nominating order. The president's chief opponent, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, publicly mused that Biden will win 95 percent of the vote.

Then there are the two elections in Nevada. The Republican caucuses on Thursday are so "sealed up, bought and paid for" by Trump and his allies, Nikki Haley says, that she's not even on the ballot, running instead in the state-run "beauty contest" primary Tuesday in which no delegates are at stake.

Both states are distinct examples of Biden and Trump tilting the playing field. And in some cases the rules changes engineered by one have also benefited the other  like when Democrats decision to create a Nevada primary gave Republicans an opening to split the candidate field by also holding an insular, Trump-friendly caucus.

That has stacked the deck against Haley, Phillips and anyone else who has tried or considered running against them. As the race moves away from Iowa and New Hampshire and inches toward Super Tuesday, these arcane rules changes will serve to entrench Biden and Trump even further.

The two wouldve been overwhelming favorites anyway: Majorities of voters in their respective parties tell pollsters they favor Biden and Trump, even as the broader electorate expresses major misgivings about a 2020 rematch between two candidates in their early 80s and late 70s.

And both men had electoral vulnerabilities that could have been exploited, such as concerns over Bidens age or his handling of conflict in the Middle East, or Trumps extensive legal peril. But setting up favorable processes has helped insulate them from potential primary headaches.

Both parties have reasons for the changes theyve made besides boosting Biden and Trump. Democrats want to curtail the role of caucuses, which are less accessible for voters than primary elections. And party activists have long grumbled about the outsize role two overwhelmingly white states, Iowa and New Hampshire, played in the nominating process of a racially diverse party.

Republicans, meanwhile, were unenthusiastic about uprooting their traditions at Democrats behest. And in Nevada, theyve publicly grumbled that the state-run primary next week allows absentee balloting by mail and doesnt require photo identification to vote, unlike their caucuses.

But a significant factor was Bidens and Trumps desire to strengthen their positions.

It began with Democrats overhaul of their primary calendar, which then reverberated into the GOP race. Biden and the Democratic National Committee picked South Carolina to begin their process  elevating the state that gave the now-president his first victory four years ago after finishing fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and a distant second in Nevada.



South Carolina that year was one of Bidens best states during the competitive stages of the primary, and he carried every one of its 46 counties by performing strongly with its majority-Black primary electorate. (In the 2020 primary exit poll, 56 percent of voters identified as African American.) Moving the state up the calendar provided Biden, who rode Black support to the nomination in 2020, a firewall in the event of a more serious intraparty challenge.

Bidens move of the South Carolina primary also helped set up an advantage for Trump.

South Carolina doesnt have partisan registration  any registered voter can participate in either partys primary. But voters can only choose one primary.

And because the Republican primary is three weeks after the Democrats, that could hamper Haleys chances: Anyone who votes in the Democratic primary is ineligible to cast a ballot in the Republican one. Every self-identified independent or voter seeking a Trump alternative who the Biden campaign successfully turns out to vote Saturday is a possible Haley voter taken off the table.

Democrats changes to Nevada also helped unwittingly create an opening for Trump.

Nevada is now second in Democrats lineup after the 2021 creation of a state-run primary, intended to replace the caucuses conducted by both parties. The law was passed by a Democratic-controlled state legislature and signed by Democratic then-Gov. Steve Sisolak  without the support of Republicans  and set the primary date for the first Tuesday in February.

On the Democratic side, Phillips isnt even on the primary ballot in Nevada; he didnt enter the race until after the states Oct. 15 filing deadline had passed.

Nevada Republicans elected to spurn the primary, setting their traditional caucuses for two days later. The Republican primary is still happening, just without the states 26 delegates at stake.

Thats where the state partys close ties to Trump come in. A caucus is an event that tends to draw more party activists and insiders, who are very Trump-friendly, than a primary. State GOP chair Michael McDonald urged supporters to caucus for Trump at a rally in December, despite the presence of other active candidates in the contest. (McDonald has been indicted for his role as a phony elector following the 2020 election in Nevada, which Trump lost.)

In addition to rejecting the primary, Nevada Republicans set other rules widely seen by other candidates as favoring the former president. For example, they barred any candidate who filed to participate in the primary from also running in the caucuses, which boxed in Trumps rivals.

That allowed Republicans to turn Democrats move to create a Nevada primary into a confusing pair of Republican contests, splitting the candidate field and setting Trump up to dominate the one that actually awards delegates.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chose to go toe-to-toe with Trump in the caucuses, even as his campaign said the state GOP changed the rules against the will of the people just to benefit one candidate. (Since DeSantis has dropped out, his name wont appear on the caucus ballot on Thursday.)



But Haley and fellow South Carolinian Tim Scott opted instead to run in the primary, trading any chance at delegates for a shot at notching a victory at the ballot box and the media attention that comes from it. Now Haley is the only major active candidate in the primary, giving her victory little meaning or benefit.

Trump, meanwhile, will gobble up the vast majority of delegates. The only other candidate in the caucuses is pastor and businessperson Ryan Binkley.

The last contest of the month is in Michigan  and, again, Democrats maneuvering of their primary calendar is closing off another potential avenue for a Haley comeback.

Michigan might not be Trumps strongest state  he got 37 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race in 2016  giving Haley a possible opening.

But the Democratic state legislature in Lansing, along with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, moved up the presidential primary to Feb. 27. That date runs afoul of Republican National Committee rules allowing only four states to vote before March 1: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

So the primary will award less than one-third of Michigans delegates. The rest will actually be allocated at a party convention the first weekend of March, before a much more pro-Trump audience. Even an upset victory by Haley in the primary would still likely result in Trump winning most of the states delegates.

That leads into Super Tuesday on March 5, when the Trump operations state-level machinations have tilted the delegate race in states like California toward him, as Ive written previously.

All of those changes, on behalf of Biden and Trump, add up. Beating either man in the primaries wouldve been unlikely. The new rules have made it even more difficult.
ABILENE, Texas (BigCountryHomepage.com)  This weeks local headlines left little to be desired between rough crimes and amazing, positive news stories. We unfortunately lost the life of a Texan on our roads, but we also saw a family reunite. Here is this weeks Big Country Beat.

LAST WEEK  Big Country Beat: Abilene crimes, power outages & nearby serious crashes dominate headlines

This weeks top 5 in BCHs Big Country Beat

5. Frisco man killed in two-vehicle crash on I-20 near Baird

43-year-old Yan Broytman was working on his semi-truck on the shoulder of I-20 in Callahan County last Sunday when he was hit and killed by another semi-truck.

4. STILL AT LARGE: Abilene police continue search for driver who injured construction worker in hit-&-run

A 55-year-old construction worker was working along I-20 in North Abilene when he was hit by a driver in an orange pickup truck this Wednesday. At the time of this articles posting, police were still on the lookout for the driver.

The victim suffered major injuries and trauma, but the Abilene Police Department said these injuries were not life-threatening.

3. Travis Elementary School to be transformed into affordable senior housing

Ground broke at the old Travis Elementary School in South Abilene last Friday. Developers plan to turn the structure into affordable housing for local seniors.

At the groundbreaking, former mayor of Abilene Anthony Williams said, For 40 years, it was dark. It had no life, and this initiative is bringing life into this project, which will be a blessing for this community and this city.

2. Albany man accused of group Organized Crime transfers to Taylor County, bonds total more than $600k

Michael Cody from Albany was transferred from the Haskell County Jail to the Taylor County Jail this week. Hes accused of organized crime in a group effort to steal tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from an Abilene Army surplus store in 2022.

Across four counties, Cody remains at the Taylor County Jail on more than $600,000 in bonds.

1. SAFE, SOUND & HOMEBOUND: Colorado dog lost in Abilene goes home to family after month of community searches

What a great bookend to a truly incredible story! Agro the dog, you know the dog. She garnered hearts across Abilene when she went missing last December while visiting town. Residents and visitors alike continued to search for the Colorado dog for almost six weeks before she was finally caught this Monday. Her dog dad picked her up the next day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A person uses a smartphone in Chicago in this 2017 file photo. | Associated Press

A Utah lawmaker has introduced a bill to increase the scope of which entities are required to put warning labels on pornographic material.

The bill appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.

A few years ago, we passed a bill that required warning labels to be displayed for those who predominantly distribute or otherwise predominantly provide pornographic material, Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, said. The warning label that was required said exposing minors to obscene material may damage or negatively impact minors.

After hearing from parents, Brammer said he decided to introduce HB334, a bill thats aimed at expanding the scope slightly to include a person who distributes or otherwise provides pornographic material to consumers.

A person who distributes or otherwise provides pornographic material to consumers may not distribute any obscene material or performance as defined in Section 76-10-1203 without first giving a clear and reasonable warning of the harmful impact of exposing minors to the material or performance, the bill states.

Darlene McDonald, speaking for herself, said she was concerned that the bill could have unintended consequences if its passed.

We know that there is a broader push to ban books, so I am really concerned about the vagueness of this bill. It is already illegal to distribute pornographic material to minors, McDonald said.

After the public comment portion of the committee meeting closed, Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, expressed his opposition to the bill. This has too many earmarks for me  hallmarks  of exactly that government overreach and nanny state. Im not going to support it.

Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, disagreed.

I would respectfully disagree with my colleague from Salt Lake City. Just as I dont think warning labels for children on cigarettes or tobacco products  products that we know are harmful to children. I dont think putting a warning label on those constitutes a nanny state, Clancy said.

After the discussion of the bill, a roll call vote was taken on the motion to recommend the bill favorably out of committee. The vote was 9 to 1, so the bill was favorably recommended  moving it one step closer to being read on the floor.
Did you make ramen today?

That was the question coming from neighbors, friends and strangers who came to know Rasheeda Purdie as the woman dishing out noodles and broth to anyone who wanted during the early days of the pandemic.

Living in New York City, Purdie has always turned to ramen for comfort.

The chef loved it so much that she started making the Japanese dish herself when she was effectively cut off from the source as restaurants closed en mass to stop the spread of the virus.

I had to still get my fix, Purdie tells TODAY.com. Going from eating ramen twice to three times a week to none, thats just something that I had to figure out.

What started as the fashion industry vet-turned-chef satisfying her own cravings in 2020 snowballed into Purdie, who is Black and not Japanese, opening up her own ramen shop at the end of 2023 in Bowery Market.

Ramen by Ra at Bowery Market. (Courtesy Rashida Zagon)

I started to play around with recipes and understand what it really took to create a really good broth, she says of her time spent learning while much of the city was shuttered. I wanted to really hone in on the craft, study and respect the layers that go into making a ramen.

During that time, Purdie ordered cookbooks, watched documentaries and did everything else she could think of to study the art of ramen-making.

After running pop-ups and selling at-home ramen kits for around three years, Ramen by Ra opened in December as a five-seat kiosk-style restaurant serving asa ramen with some classic New York flavors.

Purdies menu offers a list of breakfast-inspired ramen with items ranging from BLT (tomato-shoyu, smoked bacon, roasted tomato, lettuce, leeks) to steak and soy egg (chimichurri-shoyu, seasoned egg, crispy shallots, sliced steak, chili threads) and even everything egg drop inspired by an everything bagel (sesame-shoyu, everything crunch, fluffed eggs, crispy shallots, chili threads).

Each dish has its layers built on top of a classic shoyu broth base.

I always credit Rasheeda for my love of ramen, diner and friend of the chef Dominek Tubbs tells TODAY.com.

The blogger says Purdies approach to ramen makes it accessible to people who might not have the framework to understand it beyond the familiar packets of instant noodles found in grocery stores nationwide.

BLT ramen (left) and bacon, egg and cheese ramen (right) at Ramen by Ra. (Courtesy Rashida Zagon)

For Black History Month, in addition to her breakfast mainstays, Purdie is pulling out a recipe thats a little more personal: potlikker ramen.

Collard greens was the first thing I learned how to cook with my grandmother, Purdie says.

The concept of cooking something  like collard greens, but also like ramen broth  for hours and letting the flavors build, meld and completely change over time was one she connected with deeply.

She says in her days studying ramen broths, she saw similarities between it and the Southern cooking she was familiar with. That low-and-slow process caught her attention, drew a parallel between ramen and her own roots and gave her the confidence to try potlikker ramen for the first time.

Potlikker is an essential part, or byproduct, of soul food, KJ Kearney, educator and Black Food Fridays founder, tells TODAY.com.

The flavorful liquid thats leftover from cooking a pot of collard greens is often used as a soup starter, Purdie says  though, she adds, some people choose to trash it or save it to flavor other dishes. So turning that potlikker into a broth isnt so outlandish.

Its the application to ramen thats making people excited.

Potlikker ramen by chef Rasheeda Purdie. (Courtesy Frankie Marando)

Showing how that same golden liquid  that broth, that mana from on high  showing how that liquid can then be used in a different cuisine, I think expands the minds or horizons of Black people in terms of what this food can be, Kearney says.

I am absolutely thrilled and it warms my heart, chef Melba Wilson, owner of Melbas in Harlem, tells TODAY.com of Purdies newest item.

Wilson continues, saying it honors the profound history of the Black community while paying a heartfelt tribute to our vibrant cultural heritage.

The dish  featuring potlikker broth, collard greens, smoked turkey meat, a soy egg, scallion and bean sprouts  is already resonating with Ramen by Ras following, and its not even available to order yet.

Just as its a personal recipe for Purdie, Tubbs says it brings her right back to moments spent growing up around her moms kitchen.

I have like deep deep southern roots, the food and lifestyle creator tells TODAY.com, adding that potlikker is something that Ive always been very familiar with.

She says her mother, who trained as a chef, would often take flavors and ingredients that were tied to slavery and sharecropper periods in the U.S. and bring them onto a more modern table. So Tubbs got nostalgic when she heard about Purdies creation.

Im very excited to give it a try, she says of the potlikker ramen. Im actually planning on bringing people who are new to experiencing ramen, and then also people who might not have grown up with Southern roots or heritage so that way they can also experience it.

While diners can reserve a seat (and order ahead) at Purdies counter via OpenTable, she plans to release a separate reservation link for potlikker orders over the weekend.

Ramen by Ra will be offering limited bowls of the Black History Month special every day between Feb. 7 and 10 on a first-come-first-served basis.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Any writer has to struggle with the dilemma of staying true to their vision or giving editors and readers what they want. A number of factors might influence the latter: the market, trends and sensibilities.

But in the decades after the Civil War, Black writers looking to faithfully depict the horrors of slavery had to contend with readers whose worldviews were colored by racism, as well as an entire swath of the country eager to paper over the past.

Charles Chesnutt was one of those writers. Forced to work with skeptical editors and within the confines of popular forms, Chesnutt nonetheless worked to shine a light on the legacy of slavery.

His 1899 collection of stories, The Conjure Woman, took place on a Southern plantation and sold well. At first glance, the stories seemed to mimic other books set in the South written in a style called local color, which focuses on regional characters, dialects and customs.

But Chesnutt had actually written a subversive counternarrative, using humor to poke holes in the nostalgic myths of the South and expose the contradictions of a racist society.

Rewriting the past

After the Civil War, there was a concerted effort to portray the South as a pastoral place possessed with a culture of honor. Slavery, meanwhile, had been a nurturing, even benevolent, institution.

These beliefs bled into the eras fiction, with white authors such as Thomas Nelson Page and Joel Chandler Harris writing stories that sentimentalized and softened the complex histories of the past.

Writer and editor Joel Chandler Harris published a magazine named for his famous character Uncle Remus. Jay Paull/Getty Images

Many of these stories feature a formerly enslaved older male whos given the affectionate moniker Uncle. These characters tended to describe the Civil War as an affront on the Southern way of life, while presenting the South and its landed gentry as heroic.

In A Story of the War, for example, Harris introduces the character Uncle Remus, who recounts the time his master went away to fight the Civil War. Overcome with concern for the man who enslaved him, Uncle Remus follows him and witnesses a Northern soldier preparing to shoot him. In a moment of panic, Remus shoots the Northerner, wounding him.

A Story of the War, like most Southern local color tales, appealed to readers invested in the Lost Cause of the Old South, a revisionist ideology that depicts the creation of the Confederate States and cause of the Civil War as just and heroic.

Historian Fred Bailey notes that stories like Pages and Harris were hailed by the Souths upper-classes, while associations like the United Daughters of the Confederacy routinely read from these works at their meetings.

Chesnutts revisionist humor

At first glance, it would seem Chesnutt, who was mixed-race and could have easily passed for white, was merely working within the dominant literary form of his time and fashioning stories geared to a white audience.

Like his white contemporaries, Chesnutt, in The Conjure Woman, includes a character whos an uncle living on the abandoned plantation where he once toiled.

But Chesnutt, as literary historian Dickson Bruce points out in his 2005 essay Confronting the Crisis: African American Narratives, used the setting of the plantation to present a more authentic representation of slavery.

The first edition cover of Charles Chesnutts The Conjure Woman. Documenting the American South

Uncle Julius, who appears in each of the collections stories, isnt nostalgic for some bygone era. Instead, he reflects on his own life and seeks to show the humanity of the enslaved. He uses his ability as a raconteur to cleverly swindle a white carpetbagger who bought the plantation Julius lived on during his bondage and after the Civil War. The stories are descriptive, corrective  and, most importantly, funny.

While Chesnutts tales explicitly engage with the hard history of slavery, each of the stories ends on a lighter note, with Uncle Julius often getting what he wants. Throughout the collection, he parodies the conventions of Southern fiction  whether refuting racist tropes or showing the cruelty of the ruling class  subtly poking fun at a culture enveloped by the fog of nostalgia.

Bound by form

At the same time, Chesnutt felt as if he couldnt simply write broadsides against myths like the Lost Cause. In order to be published, Black writers needed to appeal to the sensibilities of white readers and the demands of editors.

For example, Uncle Julius spoke in a Black dialect that sounded similar to those of the uncles authored by white writers. This didnt come easily for Chesnutt. In one letter to his editor, Chesnutt described writing in this dialect as a despairing task.

Nonetheless, he avoided completely pandering to mainstream expectations of how Black characters should be portrayed.

He rejected the emergent historiography of Reconstruction that refused to recognize the agency of African Americans, and despite working within the form, Chesnutt didnt present Julius as a buffoon who was happy to serve the whites in his midst.

Even though his stories didnt overtly denounce racism, Chesnutt hoped they might still chip away at prejudice:

But the subtle almost indefinable feeling of repulsion toward the negro, which is common to most Americans  and easily enough accounted for, cannot be stormed and taken by assault; the garrison will not capitulate: so their position must be mined, and we will find ourselves in their midst before they think it.

Humor opens doors

Chesnutt is far from the only Black artist asked to make compromises. Poet Langston Hughes had a falling out with his patron, Charlotte Osgood Mason, who viewed African Americans as a link to the species primitive past and wanted his work to be devoid of political progressivism.

As Hughes wrote in his 1940 autobiography, The Big Sea, I was only an American Negro  who had loved the surface of Africa and the rhythms of Africa  but I was not Africa. I was Chicago and Kansas City and Broadway and Harlem. And I was not what she wanted me to be.

In Chesnutt, I also see ties to contemporary Black comedians who center their humor around race.

During the third season of Chappelles Show, Dave Chappelle famously suffered from an existential crisis because the comedian wasnt sure how people were responding to his humor. In a 2006 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he explained how, when filming a sketch in blackface, someone on the set, that was white, laughed in such a way  I know the difference of people laughing with me and laughing at me. And it was the first time Id ever gotten a laugh that I was uncomfortable with.

Shortly after, Chappelle quit the show.

Comedian Dave Chappelle struggled over whether the audience was laughing with him or at him. Riccardo Savi/Getty Images

While Chesnutt was certainly not the first African American artist to use humor to depict the horrors of slavery, he was one of the first to reach the American mainstream.

The humor disarms readers, helping them cross a psychological threshold and enter a space where a more nuanced conversation about the history of the country can take place.

[Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Rodney Taylor, University of South Carolina

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Rodney Taylor 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.
Attackers stormed the palace of traditional monarch Oba Aremu Olusegun Cole in south-western Kwara state on Thursday, killing Aremu and kidnapping his wife. Aremu is a retired army general and monarch whose official title is the Olukoro of Koro.

While it is unclear who the gunmen were or whether they are demanding a ransom, BBC News reports that the latest killing and abduction comes days after campaigners demanded a state of emergency to deal with the issue.

Civil groups are demanding action from President Bola Tinubu, saying more than 1,800 people have been abducted since he took office last May.

However, Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence reports that the actual number of abductions during that time could be more than double, nearing almost 4,000 people. Regardless of the circumstances, Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom money. Many victims choose to pay discreetly, as they do not trust authorities.

Nigeria is home to hundreds of traditional rulers who hold no constitutional power but are a symbolic and respected presence in community life. They are often called upon to settle disputes between local people and lead cultural activities.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condemned the killing of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara state as "reckless, shocking, and abominable" and vowed authorities would catch those responsible.

Another girl was shot dead due to a delay in paying the ransom, in a case that prompted public outcry.

According to The Guardian, the recent spike in kidnapping for ransom is only growing worse. Armed gangs are targeting road travelers, students, and residents across the country.

Similar attacks happen regularly as the country struggles with a major security crisis. Two traditional rulers were shot dead by unknown gunmen in the neighboring state, Ekiti, Monday.

Kidnappers also snatched five schoolchildren and four teachers in Ekiti, demanding a ransom of 100m naira ($110,000; 87,500) for their safe release.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power under the premise he would address the issue of jihadists in the north-east, criminal militias in the north-west, and growing intercommunal violence in the center of the country.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Students spoke out this Friday at the Michigan State University Board of Trustees meeting.

Theyre asking the Board to withdraw MSUs investments that support Israel.

The Hurriya Coalition is a group of 20 student organizations that are working to get the board to divest. They say they arent okay with the university having investments that support the State of Israel, as Israel continues its assault that has killed more than 25,000 in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

This meeting comes a day after the students held a protest on the same issue.

For far too long, Michigan State University has been complicit in the occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people through their investments into the State of Israel and weapons manufacturers, according to a press release this week from the Hurriya Coalition.

MSU profits off the destruction of Palestine and the death of the people living there, it said.

The coalition in its press release also pointed to MSUs divestment from South Africa in 1978, during that countrys Apartheid regime.

Students also say they have contacted each trustee more than 200 times and have only gotten one response. Today, their frustration boiled over.

A small protest formed after the public comment section of the Board meeting, at which many students spoke to the board about their disappointment in the lack of response.

Students in the Hurriya Coalition confronted MSUs Board of Trustees about MSUs investments that support Israel. (WLNS)

One of the trustees said she has seen the emails people have sent, and does plan to respondbut students werent too happy with that.

When people say theyre going to do something, I take that as just words, said Alissa Hakim of the Arab Cultural Society. Especially when there is no formal commitment to actually investigate what our investments look like, and investigate the way that MSU makes blood money off of the genocide and continued violence that has been happening.

Hakim went on to say: I would much prefer to see some sort of timeline, some kind of written commitment. And something that indicates that we will have students in these conversations.

Trustee Sandy Pierce, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, said she will look into the due diligence of the universitys portfolios. Students responded that they should be involved in that processto which Pierce had no response.

Board Chair Rema Vassar also added that she will work closely with Trustee Pierce to see where were coming up short.

According to the Hurriya Coalition, the Board of Trustees invests $236,114 as direct aid to the State of Israel, over $3 million into weapons manufacturers and hundreds of millions into global investment companies BlackRock and BNY Mellon, which fund those same weapons manufacturers.

6 News reached out to all of MSUs Trustees before the protest on Thursday. None has responded so far.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 69 migrants inside El Pasos stormwater drainage system this week, according to a news release sent out by the Border Patrol.

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, agents assigned to the El Paso Station were notified about a possible illegal entry into the U.S. near an area known as the Boone Storm Drain, east of the Bridge of the Americas international port of entry.

Agents assigned to the El Paso Station Confined Space Entry Team (CSET) responded and initiated a search, according to the news release.

They found an entry through a manhole near Interstate 10. High levels of chlorine were detected at the site.

Agents were able to intercept and apprehend a group of 27 migrants. Immediately thereafter, CSET agents responded to the same location for another entry. Agents intercepted and apprehended an additional 43 migrants exploiting the storm drains near Paisano Avenue.

A total of 69 migrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras and El Salvador, including four unaccompanied juveniles from Mexico and Guatemala, were all arrested, according to Border Patrol.

All migrants were medically evaluated then processed for removal under Title 8.

El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents continue to successfully disrupt dangerous human smuggling schemes and the illicit operations of transnational criminal organizations, said El Paso Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good. The storm drain system is dangerous and poses serious risks to not only the migrants but to our Border Patrol agents and law enforcement partners. Due to these risks, the El Paso Sector will deliver serious consequences to individuals that exploit the El Paso Storm drain system.

The Border Patrol issued the following statement as part of the news release:

The Border Patrol says it is working with the U.S. Attorneys Office to deliver consequences, through criminal prosecution and formal removal, for individuals and smugglers, that exploit the storm drain system and place agents and other law enforcement lives in danger. Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO) operating in the El Paso Sector exploit storm drain manholes within the city of El Paso to smuggle migrants illegally into the U.S. This is a trend employed by the TCOs for many years.

The El Paso storm drain system is large and complex, and migrants often get lost or encounter chemicals, toxic gases, insects, and venomous animals as they attempt to enter United States. There are numerous risks involved with the cruel smuggling practices that TCOs employ, that can lead to possible injury or even death. The complex drainpipe system that travels from the City of El Paso to the Rio Grande River can transport toxic and hazardous substances that can pose serious health risks. Migrants also face the possibility of drowning or suffocation as some of these storm drains are only a few inches in diameter and pose a threat to migrants as they could become trapped with limited access to air.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
As U.S. Marshals started the process of seizing property from Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo on Friday, there was movement in another case filed by the two Little Havana businessmen whose earlier lawsuit prompted the action.

In a lawsuit filed in early November, William Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla claimed the city used its power to attempt to destroy their businesses, including the Ball & Chain nightclub  the same allegation they made against Carollo in a separate lawsuit they won last year, in which they were awarded $63.5 million in damages.

In an attempt to collect those millions, U.S. Marshals have begun the process to seize Carollos home and property, posting a notice on his Coconut Grove home on Friday afternoon.

READ MORE: U.S. Marshals move to seize Miami Commissioner Joe Carollos house to cover $63M verdict

During a status conference on Friday, U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno dismissed the citys motion to throw out the November case and allowed Fuller and Pinilla to amend their original complaint with more detail, according to federal court documents.

In this suit, Fuller and Pinilla are again seeking damages over $60 million. In addition to the city, Carollo, City Manager Arthur Noriega, City Attorney Victoria Mendez and others are also named as defendants.

READ MORE: Little Havana businessmen who won $63.5 million in Carollo suit target city in new suit

Moreno gave Fuller and Pinillas lawyers a deadline to turn in their amended complaint and the city a date to file another motion to dismiss the case if it wanted to, court documents indicate.

In a Friday night press release, the city of Miami touted Morenos order as a victory, highlighting his critiques against Fuller and Pinilla.

Judge Moreno advised Plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Gutchess that he should revise his complaint to be specific as to each of the plaintiffs claims against each of the defendants and further suggested at the hearing that the plaintiffs stick to the facts instead of making jury arguments in their complaint, the statement read.

However, Gutchess, a lawyer for Fuller and Pinilla, said that the citys perception of the order is wrong and that the status conference went well for them.

It was a very cooperative process, he said. The judge was very helpful and supportive.

Gutchess noted that he asked the court to establish a clear path forward for the suit, which is still in its infancy and could take years to resolve. He said he was also happy to hear that the judge allowed him a chance to amend the suit to include more specific allegations against the city.

He added that the city left out that Moreno threw out its attempt to dismiss the case at this juncture and also asked its lawyers how they could expect a dismissal when it had already lost its case involving Carollo.

They are trying to use this as a red herring to distract from the U.S. Marshals action today, Gutchess said. We are feeling great. This case is a slam dunk.

As of now, no future court dates have been scheduled.

Miami Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey contributed reporting.
A Braddock man pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possessing a machine gun.

The Department of Justice says Luther Antwon Harper Jr., 19, pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun to United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer on Friday.

According to the plea, in April 2023, Harper possessed a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol with a conversion kit/switch that made the gun capable of firing as a fully automatic weapon.

Harper will be sentenced in May. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.

Harper remains detained pending the sentencing hearing.

The Allegheny County Police Departments Violent Crimes and Firearms Unit was part of the investigation that led to Harpers prosecution, according to the DOJ.

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The case of a missing Bradenton woman is being investigated as suspicious, the Bradenton Police Department said in a news release.

Catherine Stirm, 67, last spoke to coworkers on Jan. 22, but when she failed to show up for work the next few days, a welfare check was requested, according to police.

On Tuesday, detectives say they found Stirms car at the Sawgrass Cove Apartment complex, 4801 47th Avenue W., Bradenton. Stirms brother, 64-year-old Scott Stirm live there, according to a release.

Police said repeated attempts to speak with Scott were unsuccessful, prompting detectives to conduct a search warrant on his home on Feb. 1.

Police said in Fridays news release that evidence collected during the execution of the search warrant make us gravely concerned for Catherines welfare.

Catherine Stirms disappearance is considered suspicious and is being investigated by Bradenton Police Detectives and the Manatee County Homicidal Task Force, according to a release.

Detectives say they are able to locate Scott Stirms vehicle at a Days Inn hotel in Brooksville, Florida, on Thursday night.

Detectives say Scott was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his rented room at the hotel.

But Catherine was not found with her brother, according to police.

Anyone with information about Catherine Stirms disappearance is asked to contact Detective Jeff Beckley at jeff.beckley@bradentonpd.com or call BPD at (941) 932-9300.

To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up t $3,000, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-8477 or visit www.ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A suspect shot himself during a police standoff at an Abilene motel Friday afternoon.

The standoff happened at Motel 6 on the 4900 block of W Stamford Street around 10:00 a.m.

Taylor County Sheriffs Office officials at the scene told KTAB and KRBC they received a phone call claiming a man staying at the hotel had stolen a truck and rifle then barricaded himself in a room.

Law enforcement arrived from both the Taylor and Callahan County Sheriffs Offices.

Deputies wearing armor and carrying long rifles eventually broke into the room where the suspect was barricaded.

They say he then went into the bathroom, where he shot himself during ongoing negotiations.

This suspect, who has not been publicly identified, suffered severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

No other injuries were reported and no further information has been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Florida's bill that bars Chinese citizens from owning properties in the state has been blocked by a U.S. appeals court. This was confirmed by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 1.

Recently, two Chinese nationals sued the state of Florida because of this legislation, which has been described by some officials and residents as a racist law.

But, since it has been blocked by the U.S. court of Appeals, this means that the two Chinese plaintiffs can continue their real estate transactions, which were halted when the law was implemented.

Florida's Law Barring Chinese Property Ownerships Blocked by Court

According to NBC News' latest report, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals argued that the Chinese plaintiffs who sued Florida were likely to win in their lawsuit.

This is because Florida's law banning Chinese nationals from owning properties is a violation of the federal law governing real estate transactions by foreign individuals.

The decision of the U.S. appeals court is a big deal for many foreign nationals since other states, such as Texas, Louisiana, and Alamaba are planning to implement similar restrictions against Chinese citizens.

Bethany Li, the legal director of AALDEF (Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund), said this legislation of Florida is a racist law.

"Today's ruling should serve as a warning to other states who are considering passing similarly racist bills, steeped in a history when Asians were ineligible for citizenship and were told they didn't belong," she explained.

Read Also: Florida's New Bill to Allow Killing Bears for Self-Defense, Property Protection; Wildlife Advocates Claim It Isn't Necessary

About Florida's Anti-Foreign National Property Ownership Law

The Associated Press reported that the controversial law of Florida bars Chinese nationals from purchasing properties in large swaths of states.

The legislation states that citizens of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, North Korea, Russia, and Cuba are also affected by this law.

When it comes to technicalities, foreign nationals can't purchase properties that are within 16 km of military installations and other critical infrastructure.

This means that the law also aims to protect critical facilities in the United States. However, many real estate agents said ever since Florida implemented its law, property sales in the state have been drastically decreasing.

Related Article: The Property Advocates Describes How Florida's Popularity is Making it More Expensive
Not everyone is destined to win all the races they race or the fights that they fight. And on some special select occasions, some of those daring souls are recognized for what they do achieve and the importance of the work to which they dedicate their lives. One of those figures is one-time Amarillo mayor Ernest O. Thompson. Thompson was denied his attempt to become governor decades ago, but his impact as a Railroad Commissioner still has a strong impact on modern Texas.

Thompson was born in Alvord, a small community in Wise County, in 1892. In 1902, the family moved to Amarillo, where his father ran a drug store. As a youth, he was considered bright and hard-working. And he always had an eye for opportunity, cleverly coming up with ways to find work or talk his way into a job.

He graduated from the University of Texas with a law degree in 1917. He joined the Army in the midst of World War I, serving in the infantry. In 1918, Thompson was cited for his innovative techniques with mass, coordinated machine gun fire and promoted to lieutenant colonel. He returned to Amarillo in 1919 to practice law. Thompson was one of the organizers of the American Legion, a group of veterans dedicated to helping veterans.

In 1928, he ran for mayor, pledging to cut utility rates and won easily. In 1932, Gov. Ross Sterling appointed Thompson to the Texas Railroad Commission.

The role of the Railroad Commission steadily expanded from railroad hauling rates to regulating oil pipelines and oil and gas production by World War I. It expanded to other forms of energy and transportation in the 1920s. The wild East Texas oil field was producing a fortune, but waste and reckless drilling threatened its long-term stability. Drilling too much too quickly for too long had ruined the production yield in oil fields in other parts of the country, even though the oil was still available. Overproduction had caused East Texas oil prices to drop 90%.

Thompson introduced a series of measures that limited production and oversaw safety measures, all designed in a way that protected the interests of smaller producers and still protected the interests of corporations. In a short time, prices stabilized, safety began to improve, and production remained sustainable. In appreciation for his efforts, Gov. James V. Allred of Wichita Falls appointed Thompson colonel in the Texas National Guard in 1936. Though Thompson was not a producer himself, he was recognized globally as an expert on oil production. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent him as the American delegate to the World Petroleum Conference in France.

In 1938, he decided to run for governor. Thompson started the primary season as the prohibitive favorite to succeed Gov. Allred. Initially, his biggest opponent for the Democratic nomination was William McCraw, the state attorney general and a former Dallas prosecutor, and corporate attorney Tom Hunter of Wichita Falls. A slew of other candidates joined in, with most of the debate centered on the lingering effects of the Great Depression and calls for aid to schools and the poor and a state teachers pension.

That spring, W. Lee Pappy ODaniel, a popular Fort Worth-based radio broadcaster whose noon broadcasts of popular country music and his homespun humor won him thousands of fans, jumped into the race. A master showman, Pappy ODaniel drew huge crowds to his campaign rallies with his wit and free concerts performed by his Light Crust Doughboys band. Few polls were conducted, but it was clear who had the advantage. Thompson held onto hopes that he could enter the usual runoff. But ODaniel won the July primary with 51% of the vote, with Thompson finishing a distant second with only 21%. ODaniel then went on to win the general election with an astounding 97% of the vote.

Thompson was still on the Railroad Commission but decided for a re-match against ODaniel in 1940. The result was about the same, with ODaniel winning 54% of the vote to 21.6% for the runner-up Thompson.

When World War II erupted, Thompson, now nearing 50, rejoined the Army. As the Allies needed a steady supply of fuel as much as they needed troops in the field, Thompson was sent back home to his duties on the Railroad Commission to ensure a steady flow of oil and natural gas to the military. Texas was a key part of this effort.

Thompson was elected to three more terms on the Railroad Commission after the war. Gov. Allan Shivers appointed Thompson as general of the National Guard in 1952.

As the years advanced and his health started to decline, Thompson decided to retire. In January 1965, he formally stepped down from the commission. He built a steady list of honors for his work. Amarillo had named a park in his honor, and Alvord placed a historical marker in the community. And to further honor of his years of service, the State of Texas renamed the old Austin Daily Tribune Building after Thompson later in 1965. He died just 18 months later at age 74. His 33 years on the Railroad Commission is still the longest in state history. The 11-story building named for him is today home to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bridges: Texan Ernest Thompson made impact as Railroad Commissioner
With enrollment continuing to plummet, the Broward school district plans to close or overhaul at least five schools in 2025, with dozens more possible in the next few years.

The first affected schools should be determined by June, after the school district holds a series of public forums, meetings with community groups and School Board workshops. The district would spend the 2024-25 school year planning and making necessary changes to school boundaries.

The first public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Fort Lauderdale High School, followed by meetings at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the J.P. Taravella High in Coral Springs and Feb. 22 at Charles W. Flanagan High School.

The district also has released a list of schools it considers underenrolled  defined by district policy as having enrollment thats less than 70% its capacity.

That list includes 68 schools, more than twice as many as four years ago, when 31 schools met the criteria for being underenrolled. These schools make up nearly a third of all schools in the district. Their average enrollment is 59% of their capacity.

About half the schools are concentrated in the south part of the county, particularly Miramar and Pembroke Pines, where charter schools are abundant. Other pockets of sparsely populated schools are in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs.

Its unfortunate where the majority of underenrolled schools are located, on the south end and central Broward in high Black and Hispanic areas, said Board member Torey Alston, who represents Miramar and Pembroke Pines.

In total, the district has 54,100 empty seats. Enrollment is expected to decline by another 4,300 students this fall, largely due to a spike in vouchers for private schools, district administrator Judith Marte told the School Board on Tuesday. The state Legislature passed a law last year allowing parents to qualify for vouchers to help cover private school tuition, regardless of their income.

With enrollment dropping and federal COVID aid ending, Broward schools now face a looming budget crisis, School Board members say. They directed Superintendent Peter Licata, who started in July, to develop a plan to close or repurpose at least five schools.

We have to understand that the more money we spend on students that arent here, the less money we spend on students that are here, Licata told the School Board on Tuesday. Weve been spending money on empty seats for a long time, and we have to face the harsh reality that there are not 54,100 students out there for us to regain.

Although the district may start with just a few schools the first year, even more dramatic changes could come in future years.

I think the eventual plan is to make sure that our student enrollment matches our facility needs, Licata told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The school district may sell the property of any schools it closes or find another use for it. Licata said the district will look into combining multiple schools with low enrollment into one campus.

Related Articles

The school that appears the most vulnerable is Pines Middle in Pembroke Pines, where 1,159 of its 1,769 seats are empty. With enrollment of 35% of capacity, its the most underenrolled school in the county.

Anne Skurnick, who taught more than 17 years at Pines Middle before retiring in 2022, said the school was crowded about 15 years ago. But she said it got a reputation for frequent fights and lax discipline. When Renaissance and Franklin Academy opened charter schools nearby in the early 2010s, enrollment began to plummet, she said.

Wed been told for at least the past seven or eight years if we didnt find a way to increase enrollment, they were going to shut it down, she said.

Skurnick said the school has tried in recent years to boost marketing on social media and add new programs to boost enrollment, but she said it may be best to close it.

I dont think its going to bounce back, she said. There are too many other schools out there now. With school choice parents have a wide range of options.

Pines Middle is close to two other middle schools that are about two-thirds full: New Renaissance Middle in Miramar and Walter C. Young in Pembroke Pines. Since these schools are also considered underenrolled, the district could decide to combine one of them with Pines Middle.

Walter C. Youngs enrollment decline is relatively new. Five years ago, it was 90% full.

Pembroke Pines parent Danilo Gutierrez said his son, now in high school, attended Walter C. Young.

Were surprised it is under capacity. The principal is very good and approachable, Gutierrez said. The campus is large and fairly well-maintained, with a renovated gym. Parent involvement opportunities are limited but welcomed.

Gutierrez said he sent his younger children to charter schools operated by the city of Pembroke Pines. The city formed a charter school district in the early 2000s after the school district failed to build facilities quick enough to accommodate massive growth after Hurricane Andrew.

Our charter school is city run and has great school culture of academic success including Science Olympiad and parent involvement, Gutierrez said. In fact, service hours are required from us, and we welcome the open-door opportunities to support our school and our children.

Along with Pembroke Pines, schools in nearby Miramar could face school closures.

The district has nine underenrolled elementary schools in the city, many of which are only half full. Somerset, now a large national operator of charter schools, opened its first location in Miramar, in the late 1990s and has expanded its presence with multiple high-performing schools in the area.

Other cities with multiple underenrolled schools include Fort Lauderdale (11), Hollywood (7) and Coral Springs (5) and Sunrise (3).

While most of the underenrolled schools are elementary and middle, there are five high schools on the list. Three of those  Stranahan High in Fort Lauderdale, Northeast High in Oakland Park and Blanche Ely High in Pompano Beach  were in such disrepair in 2014 that the school district used photos of the schools to try to sell the public on an $800 million bond for school renovation.

Although renovations have been made to all three schools, and Northeast recently opened a new classroom building, the work faced major delays, which supporters of the schools say contributed to enrollment declines.

Board member Sarah Leonardi, who represents Northeast and Stranahan, aid she does not want to see these schools considered for closure.

Stranahan was supposed to get a brand-new building decades ago, and they didnt, and then we used that school as a poster child for the bond, she said. If we close Stranahan, youre punishing the school for our irresponsibility.

The School Board has discussed the idea of closing schools for years and has always supported the idea. But theyve hesitated whenever specific schools get named, as it often creates anger in the local communities.

In 2020, the School Board discussed in a workshop closing or merging underenrolled schools without naming any schools.

When the the South Florida Sun Sentinel printed a list of the schools that met the criteria cited in the meeting, many communities voiced alarm, prompting then-Superintendent Robert Runcie to issue a statement saying there were no plans to close any schools anytime soon.

Alston asked Licata at a Jan. 23 meeting to publish a list of underenrolled schools, prompting the superintendent to respond, there is no list.

Licata later clarified that he thought he was being asked for a list of schools the district may close, which he said wont be compiled until after the district gets community input.

There is a reason I have been pushing consistently to display the full list of underenrolled schools, the criteria the superintendent will use to make a recommendations on closings, Alston told the Sun Sentinel. My overall belief is that the Broward School District is too large with declining enrollment and increasing expenses by board members with no fiscal restraint. Its not sustainable.

The district posted the list a few days later on its Redefining our Schools website in a spot where readers have to navigate through multiple links to find it. The document includes language stressing that this is not a list of schools that will be closed.

It is very important to note that the attached report does not in any way constitute a list of schools identified for repurposing or consolidation, and does not imply any change or action on the part of the School Board is required to remedy underutilization, a note on the report reads.

In an interview the Sun Sentinel, Licata acknowledged the difficulty the district has in identifying specific schools for closure.

It always seems distant till it comes to your backyard, he said.

Licata said the district will have to consider whats best for the whole county, even if some communities object to closing or dramatically changing schools.

For us to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and trust, weve got to look at the big picture, he said. But this is hard. Thats why many superintendents and School Boards dont do this.
The family of Joy Hibbs worried that this day would never come.

They waited more than 30 years to tell a judge how a former neighbor ruined their American dream over a $20 dispute.

After sitting through four days of often graphic testimony, photo and video exhibits while wearing identical Justice for Joy buttons, the family got their long overdue chance to address the court Friday.

Robert Atkins, 57, of Fairless Hills, was finally being sentenced. The family  and it turned out law enforcement  had suspected all along he killed Hibbs and set her family home on fire.

Angie Hibbs (L), Charlie Hibbs (C), David Hibbs (R) Lori Kennedy (FR) outside the Doylestown courtroom after the sentencing of Robert Atkins to life without parole in the 1991 murder of Joy Hibbs.

Day one of Robert Atkins murder trial What Croydon neighbors saw outside the home of Joy Hibbs the day she was murdered.

A day earlier Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Wallace Bateman Jr. found Atkins guilty of first-degree murder and two arson-related counts following a four-day bench trial at the Bucks County Justice Center.

Atkins was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole and an additional 15 to 30 years. He initially faced the possibility of the death penalty.

Hibbs, a 35-year-old married mother of two and medical assistant, who was adored by all who knew her, was found dead inside her fire ravaged Croydon home April 19, 1991. The crime went unsolved until it was re-investigated a second time in 2021. The next year a grand jury indicted Atkins.

While initially police believed Hibbs died in an accidental house fire, an autopsy found she had been murdered and died before the fire was set. Authorities believe Atkins killed her over an ongoing dispute over the quality of marijuana he sold the couple.

By all accounts, Joy Hibbs was a sweet, kind-hearted, sassy, funny woman who you could trust with your deepest secrets and was not one to complain at home or work, according to those who knew her.

Her husband, two children, sister-in-law and granddaughter did not hold back the opportunity to vent their deep grief and anger Friday.

Charlie Hibbs goes back into the Bucks County Justice Center for the the trial of Robert Atkins in Doylestown on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times

Charlie Hibbs: I am tormented at the thought of what she endured."

My goal over the past three and a half decades has been to take away everything he cherishes, Charlie Hibbs, Joys widower, told the court. Mr. Atkins, soon you will be enrolled in the real school of badasses.

Hibbs, now 68, was the only family member who looked at Atkins after delivering his statement.

Joy was his high school sweetheart. His first love. His only wife since 1974.

The end of her life still haunts him.

Atkins stabbed Joy Hibbs five times, strangled her, and stomped on her chest, leaving her to die alone on her sons bedroom floor. But that wasnt enough damage for him, Hibbs told the court.

He then desecrated her body by setting fire to their home heavily damaging it. A pathologist testified that a portion of her back was the only part of Joys body not charred to the point of being unrecognizable.

I am tormented at the thought of what she endured, Charlie Hibbs said. His intentions that day were pure evil. It is time for him to be held accountable.

Lori Kennedy, Joy Hibb's sister-in-law, holds a button she made reading 'Justice For Joy' just before the trial of Robert Atkins at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times

Her sister-in-law remembers Joy's sweetness, granddaughter hears her voice

Lori Kennedy barely finished her first sentence before she had to pause to compose herself. Her sister-in-law was an integral part of the family, she said.

She recalled how Joy would ask, in her Florida southern twang, for Kennedy to gimme some sugar when she wanted a kiss.

Her joyful spirit enriched our family bonds. Her love was felt all the time, Kennedy said. Robert Atkins is an evil man.

Jessica Beyer told Bateman she heard her grandmothers voice for the first time in the courtroom.

Joy Hibbs should be here today with all of us, said Beyer, whose middle name is Joy.

Mike Kennedy, hugs his niece, Angie Hibbs, before the trial of Robert Atkins at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times

Angie Hibbs have no sympathy for Atkins, her brother David wants accountability from original police investigators

Beyers mom, Angie Hibbs, was 16 when she lost her mom. Robert Atkins not only erased her mother physically from their lives, but he stole nearly every trace of her in family photos and videos lost in the fire he set, she said.

Robert Atkins is a pitiful, disgusting man, Angie Hibbs said. If you ask me, every breath you take is wasted. I hope you suffer like you made my mother suffer.

David Hibbs was 12 in 1991 when he returned home from school to find his house on fire and his moms Mercury Cougar in the driveway.

That Atkins was found guilty of first-degree murder has given him new faith in the integrity of the justice system, he said.

But he believes the original police officers whose malfeasance and corruption resulted in a three-decade delay in justice for his family should be held accountable.

In recent years, the Hibbs family has been openly critical of the Bristol Township Police Department and believe that Atkins previously undisclosed work as a confidential drug informant at the time influenced how the investigation was initially handled resulting in no arrest for 30 years.

The Hibbs family only learned that Atkins was an informant at the time of the murder through the 2022 grand jury investigation.

Trial testimony from an original lead detective and later investigators only reinforced David Hibbs belief authorities intentionally ignored evidence in 1991.

As far as I am concerned they are complicit in this crime and should stand trial, he said.

Defendant Robert Atkins is escorted to the police car after his preliminary hearing for the 1991 murder and arson of Joy Hibbs, 35, of Bristol Township on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

Robert Atkins shows no remorse. Judge expresses disgust over 1991 investigation

As each family member spoke, Atkins showed no reaction, his eyes staring straight ahead, his hands folded in front of him, as he had done throughout most of the trial.

He offered a simple, No when Bateman asked if he wanted to say anything.

Bateman told Atkins that he not only took the life of Joy Hibbs, but the lives of her family, and her future family.

Joy Hibbs died a horrible death at your hands, Bateman said. They were living the American dream and you not only took her from them, you took their American dream.

Bateman said that he was also "quite disturbed" by the facts of the case and that it appears Bristol Township police administration in 1991 prioritized a confidential drug informant over a murdered wife and mother.

If it's corruption or ego, its disgusting what happened, Bateman said. The pain for this family was made worse, the case was not investigated and they did not know why.

What April Atkins said happened in 1991 Ex-wife of murder defendant Robert Atkins takes stand in Joy Hibbs case; what she said

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: "Robert Atkins:is an evil man." What Joy Hibbs' family said to killer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Bucks County man, held since January 2021 on U.S. Capitol riot charges, is unlikely to leave prison anytime soon.

A federal judge on Friday announced guilty verdicts for eight charges against Ryan Samsel, 40, of Bristol, the Justice Department said.

Six of the convictions are for felonies, including two counts of civil disorder and one charge stemming from an assault on a police officer.

Father and son both charged Atlantic City DJ who hoped for viral video at Capitol riot, gets prison time

Samsels lawyers, whose client was indicted on 11 counts, declined to comment.

Among other allegations, Samsel was accused of helping to push a bike-rack barricade against outnumbered officers outside the Capitol.

The tell-tale hat? Eagles cap led feds to Capitol-riot suspect

The bike rack hit Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards in the face, according to the Justice Department.

Ryan Samsel, of Bristol, was charged with taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S.Capitol riot

She fell backward, struck her head against a metal handrail and a concrete step, and suffered a concussion, it said.

Ryan Samsel guilty in bike-barricade incident

Edwards, who testified at Samsels trial in October, also described the violent scene to the House of Representatives committee investigating the riot.

"It was carnage. It was chaos," Edwards told the committee in June.

Samsel and two co-defendants were convicted of assaulting Edwards with a dangerous or dangerous weapon.

The bike-barricade incident at 12:50 p.m. was the initial attack on Capitol Police officers by supporters of then-President Donald Trump at the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, the prosecution asserted.

The attack by Samsel and his co-defendants "paved the way for thousands of rioters to storm the Capitol grounds," the prosecution claimed in a pretrial filing.

As the riot continued, Samsel grabbed at another officer's shield, and threw a pole and a two-by-four plank at police, the filing said.

As a result of the plank incident, he was found guilty of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon.

Attorney: Samsel's rights were violated

A defense attorney contended Samsel was the victim of assaults and civil rights violations during his years in pretrial custody.

Samsel, arrested on Jan. 30, 2021, was moved through at least eight detention facilities prior to the trial, that filing said.

In denying Samsels request to be released before trial, Cobb noted the strength of the evidence and his history of convictions for violent conduct.

Samsel is named in a May 2019 warrant for assault in Riverside, Burlington County.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, who held a bench trial last fall for Samsel and four others, announced her verdicts on Feb. 2 in Washington, D.C.

Samsel also was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding and an additional charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. Both of those offenses are felonies.

He was convicted of two misdemeanors  physical violence on Capitol grounds and disorderly, disruptive conduct on Capitol grounds.

Also convicted were James T. Grant, 31, of North Carolina; Paul R. Johnson, 38, of Virginia; Stephen C. Randolph, 34, of Kentucky; and Jason B. Blythe, 28, of Texas.

Sentencing was scheduled for June 13.

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: Ryan Samsel was accused of causing a cop's concussion at Capitol riot
Bulgaria has begun sending 100 armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine from the warehouses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The agreement on delivering them was signed last year.

Source: European Pravda referring to Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev

Details: The photos of the APCs were signed by the Minister: "The operation is ongoing. The Ministry of Defence supports the process of providing Ukraine with APCs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs".

Tagarev did not specify when the photos were taken, or any other details of the shipment. Last month, he claimed that transporting the APCs would be expensive, so Bulgaria was looking for Ukraine's allies to fund the operation.

PHOTO: TODOR TAGAREV

In November 2023, Bulgaria's National Assembly ratified an intergovernmental agreement between Sofia and Kyiv that regulated the supply of 100 written off armoured personnel carriers from the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs to Ukraine.

At the same time, the Bulgarian side claimed that even without the ratification of the agreement, it was possible to transfer the first APCs last autumn.

As previously reported, the APCs have been in the warehouse of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs since the 1980s. This is the first time that the Bulgarian side has handed over armoured vehicles to Kyiv directly, rather than through intermediaries, as it had done before.

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The city of Burien is helping to host the Community Police Academy program.

The classes are designed to increase understanding between residents and their police departments through public education.

The program lasts nine weeks and classes are from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday nights.

The program will teach participants about the following.

History of the department

Hiring and recruitment

Early intervention and crime prevention

Overview of major crimes, street crimes, and gangs

Patrol procedures

Use of force

K-9 units

Major accident response and reconstruction

Firearms training and bomb disposal

To learn more visit the City of Buriens website.

Applications close on Feb. 29.

The Community Police Academy is designed to increase understanding between residents and their police departments through public education. It spans nine weeks, classes are 69 p.m. on Thursday nights from March 14 to May 9. Applications close February 29: https://t.co/ahbGhBk8us pic.twitter.com/wtaeYHiLdL  City of Burien, WA (@Burien) February 2, 2024
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An agreement was reached for transit workers in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, a news release said Saturday.

It was announced that Transdev, which partners with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada to operate transit services in the Las Vegas area, and ATU Local 1637, the union representing transit workers, had reached a tentative agreement for employees at the fixed-route bus system.

We are very pleased with the outcome and are excited to present the final offer to our membership, said ATU representative Terry Richards.

Transdev officials expressed gratitude to the union members before shifting focus to the big game and all related events occurring in Las Vegas.

All eyes are on us with the upcoming Super Bowl, said Ron Bushman, Regional Vice President at Transdev.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A dangerous, intense storm is expected to slam into California, bringing the potential for widespread flooding in Southern California, mudslides and debris flows along the coast and in the Bay Area and heavy snow to the Sierra.

Kicking winter into high gear, the storm could bring record-breaking precipitation across the state, but the impacts wont be the same, experts said Friday. Strong winds could cause power outages on Sunday in the Sacramento region and elsewhere, and the rain is likely to back up storm drains and cause minor flooding on local creeks and some roads.

Rain was expected to begin falling in Northern California on Saturday evening, primarily along the coastal Bay Area, the result of the second atmospheric river to reach the state in less than a week.

The Governors Office of Emergency Services has deployed personnel and resources to many areas in the path of the storm, including more than 550 firefighters and 19 swift-water rescue teams in 19 counties, officials said. Two million sandbags have been pre-positioned across the state.

As we look ahead to the next few days, we encourage all Californians to take steps now to prepare for incoming weather, agency spokeswoman Alicia de la Garza said in a video posted on X.

Local, state and federal officials are urging caution during the most treacherous periods of the storm Sunday and Monday.

Almost statewide, communities are preparing for heavy rain through Tuesday, with 94% of the population  an estimated 37 million people  at risk for floods, according to an analysis from AccuWeather that reviewed already soaked areas forecast to get 2 or more additional inches of rain.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that California has more than 8,300 boots on the ground as we prepare for this next set of serious storms. He cautioned all in the storms path  especially those in Southern California  to prepare now and follow the guidance of local government officials and first responders.

Long Beach lifeguard Molica Anderson, 37, fills sandbags for residents to prevent possible flooding from the upcoming storm at 72nd Place Lifeguard Station in Long Beach on Jan. 31. A second major storm is expected to rake across California beginning Saturday night through Tuesday.

South state, central coast bracing

In Southern California, the forecast is for a much stronger punch.

The National Weather Service says flooding from the atmospheric river could be life-threatening across the south state. The storm could dump more than double Thursdays rainfall, which caused significant flooding, road closures and water rescues across that region.

This will probably be categorized as our biggest storm this winter so far, said Emily Montanez, associate director with the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management. Take your individual precautions, but also if people are able to telework and get those plans in place so that weve got an easier commute Monday morning, thats what were really encouraging.

Weather officials are expecting 3 to 6 inches of rain across Southern California, particularly in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, which are expected to see some of the worst flooding.

L.A. could see somewhere from a third to half of the average annual precipitation from this single storm coming up, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA. It looks like it may rain continuously in L.A. County from around Sunday afternoon to Wednesday morning. ... It may not be extremely intense the whole time, but it will be a pretty long-duration rain event.

In addition to rain, high surf, large battering waves could contribute to coastal flooding, according to Ryan Kittell, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. And if the pounding waves arent enough, potentially deadly rip currents should keep everyone out of the water.

The storms effects will be felt statewide, with forecasts showing more than 3 inches of rain possible from the Mexico border to the Bay Area from Sunday through Tuesday  well over the average for the entire month in many areas.

On Sunday, heavy rainfall is expected to begin in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, moving into Ventura and Los Angeles counties by late in the day. Strong bands of sustained rainfall will create widespread flood threats.

The heaviest rain will come in areas east and south of Los Angeles County, with up to 4 inches predicted in the Inland Empire and Orange County, and closer to 2 or 4 in San Diego County, according to Adam Roser, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego.

Slick conditions are seen on Highway 50 in El Dorado County on Friday. Caltrans officials advised motorists to avoid mountain travel through Monday if possible due to the threat of heavy snow. As much as 4 feet is possible in the High Sierra east of Sacramento through the weekend.

Sierra will get significant snow

In the High Sierra, the storms significance could cause a disruption to daily lives, including difficult to impossible travel. Caltrans officials in Sacramento were urgently watching conditions on Interstate 80 and Highway 50 as spinouts began tying up traffic Friday night.

The incoming storms are expected to unload 3 to 4 feet of new snow in the Lake Tahoe area and a staggering 5 to 6 feet farther south at Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass, the National Weather Service forecasts.

Forecasters advise to avoid mountain travel during this period if possible, Caltrans District 3 officials said Saturday morning. If motorists must travel, Caltrans advises to pack extra supplies including snacks, water, a blanket, and a flashlight.

This weekends storms will provide a major boost to the Sierra Nevada snowpack, the source of one-third of Californias drinking water.

The snowpack was just 25% of normal on Jan. 1. But it has grown steadily due to several significant January storms. On Friday, it was 57% of normal.

This is going to be a really big storm  certainly the biggest and most intense storm of the year so far, and weve seen some decent ones, said Swain. This will probably be the biggest snow event in the Sierra Nevada so far this year. Its going to be a travel nightmare, but its good news from a snowpack perspective.

Tumultuous clouds move over the San Francisco Bay Area seen from the hills of Oakland after raining on Friday. A stronger storm system will wreak havoc on California and could trigger flooding, wind damage and more, forecasters say.

Bay Area will also have issues

In a replay of this weeks storm, most Bay Area residents will also see 2 to 3 inches of rain from late Saturday night until Monday morning, with 4 to 6 inches or more dumping on the Santa Cruz Mountains, North Bay hills and Big Sur.

Its going to be a big deal in the Bay Area, said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services in Half Moon Bay. But its going to be a really big deal in Southern California. Were not going to get by unscathed. But they are going to get it worse.

Larger Bay Area rivers that are prone to flooding during the winter, such as the Russian River in Guerneville and the San Lorenzo River near Felton, are forecast to rise steadily on Sunday and Monday but still remain several feet below flood stage. The Pajaro River in Watsonville, which flooded badly last winter when levees failed, has a 21% chance of reaching its flood stage of 24 feet by Monday, the National Weather Service said.

Flood watch, high winds for capital region

In the Sacramento Valley, rain amounts are expected to be between 2 and 3 inches, with the highest amounts anticipated in the foothills east. A flood watch will last through Tuesday morning and officials are keeping an eye on swollen waterways along with ponding and minor flooding in poor drainage areas.

Temperatures are expected to run in the mid- to upper 50s during the day and mid- to upper 40s overnight. Forecasts are showing rain amounts Sunday between three-quarters and one inch, with another quarter- to half-inch after sundown Sunday.

But meteorologists immediate concern for the Sacramento Valley were winds, similar to the strong gusts that knocked down trees, fences and power lines 13 months ago.

A high wind warning for 30- to 45-mph winds will remain in effect through Monday  gusts on the Valley floor could reach 55 mph, the National Weather Service said, and gusts between 60 and 70 mph are possible in the foothills of Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties.

Gusty winds will spread from south to north during the day on Sunday, forecasters said in the warning advisory. The strongest winds are expected to develop from mid to late Sunday morning and persist through Sunday evening.

The Sacramento River, meanwhile, is likely to run just below 21 feet at the I Street Bridge downtown, well below monitoring stage, according to forecasts from NOAAs California-Nevada River Forecast Center.

Most of the flows from the upper Sacramento and Feather rivers are expected to flow into many of the Valleys flood channels, like the Yolo Bypass. Upstream diversions, such as Tisdale Weir and Colusa Weir were already at monitoring stage Saturday evening, according to the CNRFC.

But smaller streams, such as the Cosumnes River in southeastern Sacramento County could see high flows  gauges at Michigan Bar and McConnell, where flooding persisted during the New Years storms of 2023  showed the waterway above the 7-foot monitoring stage Saturday afternoon.

Dry skies are forecast to return Tuesday and Wednesday, with a smaller system next Thursday and Friday, and more dry weather expected the following weekend for Super Bowl parties.

El Nino, climate change fueling conditions

This winter, El Nino conditions are present. When they occur, changes in wind patterns cause ocean waters near the equator off Peru to be warmer than normal, which can affect weather patterns across the globe.

Historical records going back to the 1950s show that in Northern California, El Nino years have about an equal chance of being wetter than normal as they do of being drier than normal. But in Southern California, El Nino years more often mean wet winters.

Right now, ocean temperatures across the Pacific from California to Hawaii are 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than average, Swain said. That is due to El Nino, and climate change.

When atmospheric river storms  which are bands of moisture hundreds of miles long, often coming from the tropics  come barreling into the West Coast, warmer ocean conditions allow more moisture to evaporate into them, delivering more rain.

You could imagine a future where California is significantly warmer, with more intense heat waves in the summer and less snow in the mountains, Swain said, with relatively little change in average annual precipitation  but large increases in flood and drought risk, as well as wildfire risk.

The Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and The Sacramento Bee contributed to this story.
Before I went into foster care, I always looked up to my biological mother.

She was a woman of God, fierce and taught me a key lesson: There is always hope. Its a lesson that sustained me and still does as I now prepare to enter college  something I would have never imagined just four years ago.

When I was 6 years old, my dad was deported to Mexico. My mother had to care for me and my three siblings  all of us were younger than 8. We lived paycheck-to-paycheck while she worked jobs as a crossing guard before and after school and nine hours per day at a fast food restaurant.

Things took a turn for the worse when my mother got a new boyfriend and they began using drugs. She stopped caring for us properly. We didnt have much food or clothes, and there was only a single bed with plastic sheets. We had to fend for ourselves in the house while they spent most of their time in the garage out back.

It was difficult to function at school while worrying about what clothes we could wear or what wed eat when we got home.

On Sept. 11, 2019, when I was 13, my mother and her boyfriend had an argument that escalated into pushing, hitting and physical harm to my 15-year-old sister. She ran away to get help.

When the police arrived at 5 a.m. and saw the state of things, they arrested my mother, her boyfriend, and told us to grab whatever we could because we were going somewhere else.

We spent two days at Children and Family Services before we were separated into two foster homes. My younger sister and I were placed with the foster family that I am still with today. Later, my younger brother joined us.

It was hard at first, particularly because I had many biological family members but none could take me in. That hurt. And I had to adjust to new rules and chores, a whole new family. But then I began to see that our old way of living was not a right way of living. Here there was stability and safety, and the opportunity to recover from trauma.

Eventually I began to call my foster mother mom because she now had that role in my life, helping me move forward.

This spring I will graduate early from high school. I have a full scholarship to Cal State San Bernardino where I plan to study business and also English since I love writing and the freedom of imagining stories. I am also benefitting from a new program California offers, the HOPE Program for foster youth and children who lost a parent to COVID, which is more commonly known as baby bonds.

HOPE accounts were signed into law in 2022. They are seeded by the state and invested on behalf of the recipients. Under this program, approximately 58,500 children will receive access to $4,500 at age 18, and the money will remain available until age 26.

For me, the funds will help with transportation for college. Others might use it towards tuition or an entrepreneurial idea, or some other wealth-building activity. The state is also engaging a youth panel of experts, myself included, to help with program implementation, utilizing our expertise on issues like how to best reach young people. What kind of language do we connect with, or not connect with?

We also have the opportunity to share our stories so that the public can better understand the HOPE Program and why they matter.

For me, there is an additional benefit in that the young people who are part of this group also form a kind of community. I know that I am not alone  that there are people I can trust and talk to, and they will understand my story. Thats something I really need.

My hope, for a lack of a better word, is that this program will be successful and get expanded so that all young people experiencing this kind of hardship will have the resources to pursue their dreams, just like everyone else.

The place where I have lived the past four years is so beautiful. I love taking walks to be alone and to relax. The clouds are often low, but I can see the silhouettes of the mountains. As my mind clears, I remember it is hope that brought me here, but the next steps will be all mine.

Celestina Ramirez is a senior at Options for Youth Public Charter School in Victorville. She is a member of the HOPE Programs Youth Panel of Experts.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California foster youth and COVID orphans gaining a sense of hope from trust fund program
State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Mike McGuire, of Healdsburg, poses in the state Senate Chambers in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. McGuire will replace current Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins when he is sworn-in Monday Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  When California Sen. Mike McGuire takes over as leader of the state Senate on Monday, it will be the first time in decades that the states top two legislative leaders arent from a major urban center.

But McGuire says the issues that most afflict rural districts like his  including childhood poverty, opioid addiction and housing shortages  resonate with the 39 million people living across the state.

Everything that I just mentioned are concerns of Californians in Eureka and concerns of Californians in Los Angeles, McGuire said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

McGuire, 44, comes from a family of prune farmers and was first elected to public office in 1998, when he won a school board seat in the small city of Healdsburg. He was elected to the state Senate in 2014 and has since authored legislation to protect marine life, support cannabis farmers, make cellphone service more reliable during power outages and fight the impacts of wildfires, an issue that hits close to home.

The Democrats district spans from just north of the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.

McGuire will succeed state Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, a San Diego Democrat who recently announced her bid for governor in 2026.

As Senate pro tem, McGuire will be one of the most powerful politicians in California as he helps drive decisions about which policies make their way through the Legislature and appoints lawmakers to key committees. He will lead the Senate for two years before terming out of the Legislature in 2026.

All the while, McGuire will work with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Assembly on the state budget. He will have to balance the reality of the states projected budget deficit of nearly $38 billion with ambitious proposals from his caucus, including a bill by state Sen. Steven Bradford of Los Angeles to create an agency that would help Black families research their family lineage.

He will lead alongside Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Democrat from a rural part of Californias central coast. While McGuire grew up in a farming family, Rivas was the grandson of farmworkers.

Rivas, who was sworn into his leadership post in June, said recently that he first met McGuire at a 2010 California State Association of Counties training for new supervisors while McGuire was representing Sonoma County and Rivas was representing San Benito County.

We share a lot of the same priorities and experiences, Rivas said.

While they hail from rural areas, the two lawmakers continue to market themselves as leaders who will champion issues, from housing to education and climate, that are seen as priorities up and down the state.

Chris Lopez, who chairs the policy group Rural County Representatives of California, is proud to see lawmakers from rural areas lead both chambers of the Legislature. He hopes they pass legislation to expand broadband access.

We know that while the policy may not always go our way, that in the back of their minds, they have considered us, because they have walked in our shoes, Lopez said.

The last time a lawmaker representing McGuire's region led the Senate was in 1866, while the last Senate leader from a plant farming background was from 1894 to 1903, said Alex Vassar, a legislative historian at the California State Library.

McGuire was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother in Sonoma County, a popular wine region. McGuires grandmother, who ran his familys prune-turned-grape ranch, taught him to work hard, work together and to never take no for an answer for the issues that you believe in, he said.

At my core, I believe that we have to focus on policies that affect peoples everyday lives, McGuire said.

McGuire has spoken in broad strokes about wanting to address Californias persistent homelessness crisis and continue the states ambitious climate goals, but he and his team have been light on policy specifics as he prepares for the new job.

Policy advocates and fellow lawmakers described McGuire as an honest, hard-working leader who is willing to listen to a variety of opinions.

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a Republican representing part of San Diego County, said he has a good working relationship with McGuire.

Im making sure that millions of California voices are being heard, and Mike McGuire is very respectful of that, Jones said. Hes respectful of our opinions even when he disagrees with them.

Kristina Bas Hamilton, a longtime labor lobbyist in Sacramento, doesnt think McGuires leadership style and politics will differ greatly from his predecessor. She said they are both down-to-earth lawmakers that have always been accessible and open doors to conversations.

McGuires smooth transition into Senate power stands in contrast to a chaotic handoff to Rivas from former Speaker Anthony Rendon. McGuire will step into the role with no prior experience in the Assembly, a departure from many of his predecessors, including Atkins, who was previously the Assembly Speaker.

McGuire said he was dismissed due to his age when he was first elected to the Healdsburg school board at age 19. At one meeting, a fellow board member patted him on the head and said, Isnt he cute? he recalled.

Obviously, that was quite upsetting, McGuire said. But I always accept a challenge.

McGuire later served on the Healdsburg City Council before election to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2010. Supervisor David Rabbitt, who served alongside McGuire, said he can call McGuire up, ask him whether a policy will get passed and McGuire will set realistic expectations.

For me, thats kind of a golden type of relationship to have, where we dont have to kind of play the political games with one another, Rabbitt said. I think that actually has been the secret to his success.

___ Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @sophieadanna
Lawmakers in Northern Ireland are preparing to elect a nationalist First Minister for the first time on Saturday, according to Reuters.



This will be the first time that a former member of the political wing of the Irish Republican Army will lead in a region where it is actively seeking to end centuries-long British rule. Michelle O'Neill's rise marks the most pronounced marker yet in the ongoing generational shift to more level-headed Irish nationalists who were not directly involved in the region's decades-long conflict.



Her election was made possible by a compromise between the Sinn Fein political party and the Democratic Unionist Party, their bitter rivals. This week the latter party ended a boycott of the power-sharing government that threatened the 1998 Good Friday peace settlement.



"This is a historic moment in time, it's not lost of the wider public," O'Neill said on Tuesday when the DUP's decision to re-enter government made her election inevitable.



"But it depends on what you do with it... Let's get down to business. Let's ... actually deliver for public sector workers, for the wider society out there."

Sinn Fein is the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time in 2022. Originally the party was considered an outcast by the political establishment in Northern Ireland and "southern" Ireland.

O'Neill's rise to power was blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party's refusal to join the government to protest post-Brexit trade rules that it believes undermined Northern Ireland's place in said government.



However, the DUP ended their boycott after striking a deal with the UK government to ease trade friction. The power-sharing system gives equal power to the Deputy First Minister and the First Minister.



But the title of First Minister is said to carry symbolic weight.



"The ground is shifting in a very decisive way," said Chris Donnelly, a political commentator from the mainly Catholic area of west Belfast."

And for nationalists that means the time for Irish reunification would appear to be closer than ever.



"Her very appointment has begun to raise hopes of the end of British rule in Northern Ireland, and a fully united Ireland.

"As a matter of fact in historic terms, it's within touching distance," Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein's leader in the Republic, said on Tuesday.
2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the Lunar New Year.

In the Chinese Zodiac, the dragon is a symbol of strength and courage.

The new year also represents the changing of seasons, with the end of winter and the beginning of spring. According to history.com, many East and Southeast Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities.

Read: Lunar New Year: What is it, when is it and how do people celebrate?

These cultural traditions include decorating and wearing red, which is a lucky color, and eating foods like rice and dumplings for prosperity.

The tradition of giving red envelopes with money inside, also known as hongbao, symbolizes good fortune.

Read: Orlando celebrates Lunar New Year with annual Central Florida Dragon Parade

Dragon and Lion Dances performed in parades and other events are said to drive away evil spirits and bring luck.

See a list of celebrations across Central Florida, separated by county:

Brevard County

The Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi of Melbourne will perform traditional lion dances and martial arts demonstrations at select restaurants.

The following shows are free:

Friday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. at Golden Wok in Melbourne

Friday, Feb 9 at 5 p.m. at Crystal Buffet in West Melbourne

Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3:45 p.m. at Telys Chinese Restaurant in South Patrick Shores

Sunday, Feb. 11

There will be a Chinese New Year Celebration at the Jade Palace at 6 p.m. The Jade Palace is located at 280 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. in Indian Harbour Beach.

Lake County

Saturday, Feb. 10

City of Grovelands Chinese New Year Lunar Festival

This will be the second annual festival in Groveland. Enjoy Asian food, music, traditional dances and martial arts performances from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be located at Lake David Park on North Lake Avenue.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

People lined the Mills 50 District to see Sundays 11th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade.

Orange County

Sunday, Feb. 4

Orange County Library Chinese New Year Celebration

Orange County Library System and The Chinese School of CAACF, Inc. will have its Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will be at the Downtown Orlando Public Library on Central 101 E. Central Blvd. Click here for more information.

Starting Saturday, Feb. 10

Wah Lum Temple Chinese New Year Celebration Week

Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Orlando will be performing traditional Lion Dance and Kung Fu shows during the celebration. Wah Lum will also perform at the Avalon SpringFest, the Luminary Park celebration and the Central Florida Dragon Parade. Admission to the shows at restaurant locations are free. Click here for the full schedule.

Saturday, Feb. 17

Avalon Park SpringFest

Experience Dragon and Lion Dances, Japanese Taiko, folk dances and Kung Fu demonstrations at the festival at Avalon Park. The free outdoor event will be on Saturday, Feb. 17 from noon to 6 p.m.

VASA @ UCF Lunar New Year showcase Tet

VASA @ UCF will hold its annual Lunar New Year showcase, Tet, on Feb. 17. This event is free.

Friday, Feb. 16 - Sunday, Feb. 18

Vietnamese New Year in Orlando 2024

The Vietnamese Community Association of Central Florida hosts the 2024 Tet Vietnamese New Year at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando. Parking and admission is free.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Celebrate Lunar in Orlando

The third annual Lunar New Year Festival will be at Luminary Park on Feb. 24 from noon to 7 p.m. Click here for details and tickets.

Sunday, Feb. 25

2024 Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year

This will be the 12th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade held in Orlando. City of Orlando and Orange County officials will lead the parade with local Asian organization representatives. The parade will be from 11 a.m. to noon. It starts at Lake Highland Drive and North Mills Avenue, and will end at North Thornton Avenue and Colonial Drive. The parade is a partnership with Asia Trend Magazine, Mills 50, R.E.A.C.H, and Y.E.S.S. Click here for more information.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A Shawnee County District Court jury convicted a Topeka man Friday in the murder of a man who was run down with a car in North Topeka.

Chad Thomas Cuevas, 55, was convicted, after a five-day trial, of first-degree intentional and premeditated murder in the Feb. 17, 2020, killing of Emerson Duane Downing, 41, said Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.

A Shawnee County District Court jury on Friday convicted Chad Thomas Cuevas of first-degree murder.

Downing was found lying in a field near 1534 N.W. Tyler after being struck by a car, Kagay said. He was next to a walking trail, Capital-Journal archives show.

Cuevas drove away from the scene but was stopped near S.W. Gage Boulevard and Emland Drive, Kagay said.

The case was investigated by Topeka police and prosecuted by Deputy District attorneys Steve Karrer and Bethany Lee.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Jury convicts driver in murder of man run down with a car in Topeka
David A. Doucet served as a member of the Rhode Island State Police, retiring after 25 years of service at the rank of detective lieutenant.

A quick review of Senate bill S-2096, which proposes changes to the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, reveals it is heavy on language but light on details. As always, the devil is in those details. Understanding space here is limited, here are just a few (but certainly not all) of the issues contained within this legislation.

The bill would expand the hearing panel from three members to five, one of the new members being the "executive director of the Nonviolence Institute." Why this person? The website for the Nonviolence Institute identifies Keith Morton as the current "interim" executive director. Assuming Mr. Morton would qualify to serve on a LEOBOR panel, I would respectfully ask the sponsors of this bill, or Mr. Morton himself, what knowledge, experience and qualifications does he possess that would qualify him to sit in judgement of the lawful actions a law enforcement officer may or not have undertaken while in the performance of his/her duties? (Any alleged unlawful actions of a law enforcement officer of course being handled by the criminal justice system.) Hopefully, this portion of the legislation isn't a serious proposal, and might just be the simple pandering it appears to be.

More: The Senate is voting on reforms to law enforcement rights. Skeptics say it doesn't go far enough.

This legislation would add the requirement that to reach eligibility to serve on a LEOBOR panel, officers would need to have completed a "course of training in police discipline ... approved by the Commission on Standards and Training ... which shall be taught by instructors approved by the Commission." Without opining on the effectiveness of this type of training, it should be noted that the Nonviolence Institute currently has on staff a "director of Police Nonviolence & Training, none other than the former Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman. I have no idea what role Mr. Esserman fulfills in that position, but I am more than a little suspicious about his title, the inclusion of the Nonviolence Institute director as a panel member and the training requirement in this bill.

This legislation would further designate that those police officers eligible to serve on a LEOBOR panel would be "selected (to participate in a LEOBOR proceeding) at random by the Director of the Department of Public Safety ...," a position currently held by the superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. Why? There is no law enforcement agency in the entire state that is covered by LEOBOR, but is less familiar with its provisions than the state police.

More: Ex-RI state cop sues, saying he was wrongly fired amid mental-health crisis. What to know.

During the years I served, particularly because of our three-year re-enlistment provision and a robust internal disciplinary process, in my experience, the state police administration did not seriously ever believe LEOBOR should apply to members of the Division. (See most recently Jason Lawton vs. Division of State Police C.A. No. 2023-cv-00412.) There is no reason the Department of Public Safety/superintendent of state police should become involved in any aspect of the LEOBOR process, except to the extent it involves a member of the division.

The idea that laws be reviewed regularly, or at the very least when issues arise, is an obvious one. As society changes, the law should consider and reflect those changes. Of course LEOBOR should be no exception. However, it has been disappointing to see this process undermined time and again by those having political agendas that don't include serious, fair, honest and meaningful reform.

I would challenge those tasked with the responsibility of considering and undertaking changes to LEOBOR to do so while keeping in mind the reasons for and purpose of the original legislation. In some places, those conditions still exist. In others, it is all but guaranteed they would resurrect in short order.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Taking a look at the RI Senate bill that proposes changes to LEOBOR.
Hassan Joudi is a trustee of the Inter Faith Network and a member of the Muslim Council of Britain - Twitter

S/F: Inter Faith Network says Michael Goves call for it to expel Hassan Joudi, a trustee, would sow divisions for its 500 member organisations

schedule for tomorrow at 6pm

By Will Hazell, Political Correspondent

An interfaith charity has refused to cut ties with a Muslim group banned from engagement by the Government because it says doing so would sow divisions.

The Inter Faith Network (IFN) is at risk of losing all its taxpayer funding and closing because it counts a member of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) among its trustees.

The Government has a policy of non-engagement with the MCB dating back to 2009 when a former official endorsed a declaration that appeared to condone attacks on the Royal Navy.

Last month, the Telegraph revealed that the Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, had written to the IFN telling them he was minded to withdraw a 155,000 funding offer because of the reputational risk of it having Hassan Joudi, an MCB member, as a trustee.

The IFN is heavily dependent on taxpayer funding, having received 3,858,000 from the Government since 2010. While it has been allowed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to keep a 45,020 underspend from last year, the charity has said this is not sufficient to keep it going and that it will have to close if it does not receive further money.

The IFN has written back to Mr Gove defending Mr Joudis position on its board and the fact that the MCB is a member of its network.

In a statement posted on its website, it said: It is fully understood that Government can choose not to engage with bodies for reasons that it is not required to make public. However, it would be difficult for a charity to do so where a body has not been proscribed, had legal action taken against it or unless there were to be a clear issue of reputational damage (not always, of course, a straightforward matter to judge).

It is not easy to see how IFNs purpose (the value of which it has always been believed the Government appreciates) could be achieved by sowing division  and division would certainly be sown if there was an attempt to expel from membership, without its having been proscribed, found guilty of illegal actions or in some way acted so as to bring reputational damage to IFN, an organisation that has among its members (and therefore represents) over 500 national, regional and local Muslim organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

Although the Government can choose not to engage with it, that is not a sensible option open to the IFN if it is to achieve the purposes for which the Government funds it in the first place.

The Telegraph has previously reported that officials within the DLUHC were also concerned that the IFN had not explicitly condemned Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7. In response, the network has said it has a longstanding policy of not commenting on overseas events.

The MCB has been subject to a Whitehall-wide engagement ban dating to 2009 when an official at the council signed the Istanbul Declaration, which was widely interpreted as calling for attacks on Royal Navy vessels enforcing a UN weapons blockade on Hamas-run Gaza.

The MCB was contacted for comment. The council has previously said that it never endorsed the declaration and we specifically reject any notion that we endorse an attack on the Royal Navy.

A DLUHC spokesman said: All funded organisations are monitored by the department and subject to internal finance and due diligence processes.

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Charlotte mans warrant turns to murder after girlfriend dies from unnatural causes in hospital

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte man has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend after she died Thursday while being treated for an unnatural medical condition, police say.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, officers responded shortly after 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, in the 8400 block of Strider Drive in east Charlotte. They reportedly discovered a female victim, 21-year-old Nataly Martinez, unresponsive.

One dead, three others with life-threatening injuries in Huntersville crash: Medic

Medic transported Martinez to Novant Matthews with what police are calling a life-threatening condition. Officers learned the females condition may not have been natural.

Detectives reportedly developed information to believe the victims boyfriend, 24-year-old Freddy Renteria, caused the life-threatening condition. With this information, attempted-murder warrants were obtained for his arrest.

During attempted apprehension with outside agencies, police say Renteria attempted to take his own life and was transported to an area hospital. CMPD is not looking for any other suspects at this time.

Later on Thursday, Martinez, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Upon completion of an autopsy, the preliminary results confirmed homicide rather than from natural causes.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

On Friday, CMPD detectives updated the warrant for Renterias arrest to murder.

CMPDs Homicide Unit was assisted by CMPDs Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and the Mississippi Highway Patrol in locating Renteria.

According to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office, Renteria has separate 2022 arrests for assault and breaking and entering with intent to terrorize.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
In the ongoing coverage of Trump's legal battle in the state of Georgia. Reuters has reported that Fulton County DA Fani Willis has admitted to having a personal relationship with another lawyer.

However, Willis has also denied that it has tainted the case. In a statement, Willis said, "While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek."

Trump and two co-defendants are looking to disqualify Willis as well as the charges on the alleged grounds that Willis had benefited from the "Improper, clandestine personal relationship" with lawyer Nathan Wade whom Willis hired to help lead the investigation. In a post on the social platform Truth Social Trump stated, "THIS SCAM IS TOTALLY DISCREDITED & OVER!" Trump's defense lawyer, Steven Sadow, has said that Willis's statement "asks the court to turn a blind eye to her alleged personal and financial misconduct." Both Trump and his co-defendants have also stated that Willis's relationship represents a conflict of interest and could potentially run afoul of state ethics as well as United States law.

Willis has said that her relationship with Wade did not provide either prosecutor with a personal or financial stake in the ongoing case and has stated that the alleged conflict of interest was based on "fantastical theories and rank speculation." In his sworn statement, Wade says that the relationship with Willis began in the year 2022 after he was hired as a special prosecutor regarding the 2020 election case and has also said that Willis herself had not received any financial benefit from the relationship. This is one of four cases as well as multiple civil suits that Trump is facing at the time of writing. In addition, HNGN has reported that there has been a slowdown in the former president's fundraising which may have been impacted by these ongoing cases.
A 71-year-old Cherokee County man convicted of shooting and killing his wife last summer has been sentenced to life in prison.

Earlier this week, a jury found Charles Terry Collins guilty of malice murder, felony murder, family violence aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in the death of his wife, 63-year-old Deborah Sherry Collins.

He was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional five years on Friday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In July 2023, officers arrived at the couples Canton home where the found Charles Collins with a gun in his hand and his wife dead on the floor of their living room with a knife in her hand.

Charles Collins told detectives that he killed his wife in self-defense after she came at him with a knife. Investigators say there was no blood on the knife, but other things near her body did have blood on them.

To the untrained eye, this crime scene could have appeared to be an open and shut case of self-defense, said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe. They picked up on the obvious signs of staging, indicating the knife was not in Deborahs hand when she was shot.

TRENDING STORIES:

After the shooting, Ashe says he did not try to help Deborah Collins or call 911. Instead, he called his son and told him that he shot that [expletive].

During the trial, prosecutors called 15 witnesses to the stand and presented more than 300 pieces of evidence.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before returning a verdict.

By the conclusion of this trial, it was clear to the jury that this man was acting out of anger when he killed his wife, not fear. He refused to help her and just left her there to die, said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. This crime has torn this family apart, and it is our hope that this sentence can start to provide healing and closure.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The Butch Cassidy childhood home is shown on Nov. 23, 2016, before historical renovations took place. A proposed Utah resolution would turn the site into a state monument. | John Hollenhorst, KSL TV

Butch Cassidy's legacy is a bit complex.

Cassidy, whose real name was Robert LeRoy Parker, is viewed by some as a ruthless criminal who robbed trains and banks throughout the West at the turn of the 20th century. Others see his actions in a more redeeming light, as he targeted large businesses that threatened the existence of smaller ones.

What isn't up for debate is that he was from Utah and remains one of the state's more memorable figures even a century after his reported death.

"Whether you think he's a villain or a Robin Hood, he's definitely a colorful character for our state," says Rep. Steven Lund, R-Manti.

Now, an effort to turn the childhood home of Utah's most notorious outlaw into the state's newest monument has cleared its first hurdle. Members of the Utah House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee voted 11-0 Thursday to advance HCR8, a resolution to create Butch Cassidy State Monument near Circleville.

Who was Butch Cassidy?

The property, which is an attraction near the Garfield and Piute county line maintained by local officials, is where Parker grew up with his family after he was born in Beaver in 1866.

The nonprofit Utah Humanities, which compiled a short history of Butch Cassidy's life, says family raised him there until his teenage years before they lost the farm. That's when he met a cattle thief named Mike Cassidy and life turned.

Mike Cassidy influenced Parker to hit the road and become an outlaw, as noted by historian John Barton in Utah History Encyclopedia. It was on this journey he developed the persona for which he's remembered.

"Parker rode the fringe between being an outlaw and a migrant cowboy," Barton wrote. "He worked several ranches as well as one time in a butcher shop at Rock Springs, Wyoming, from which he took the name 'Butch.' And to not bring shame upon honest parents, he added the name Cassidy."

A mugshot of Robert LeRoy Parker, also known as Butch Cassidy, at 27, as he entered the Wyoming Penitentiary on July 16, 1894. | Utah State Historical Society

Butch Cassidy went into American folklore from there, becoming a well-known bank and train robber across the West. He would go on to form the infamous outlaw gang known as the "Wild Bunch," which carried out some of the largest robberies in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

But some say he committed these crimes for the little guy, targeting large cattle operations that pushed smaller ones out of business, Utah Humanities noted.

"The best way to hurt them is through their pocketbook. ... I steal their money just to hear them holler. Then I pass it out among those who really need it," it quoted him as once saying.

Butch Cassidy, front right corner, along with members of the "Wild Bunch" pose for a photo in 1900. | Utah State Historical Society

Whatever the case may be, it made him a wanted man. The impacted railroad companies hired a detective agency to track down members of the gang, some of whom fled to South America with Butch Cassidy.

In 1908, soldiers in Bolivia finally tracked down Butch Cassidy and Harry Longabaugh, known as "The Sundance Kid," who were reportedly killed after a shootout. But as a part of their lore, some to this day believe the two never died in that fateful shootout and lived under new identities.

Butch Cassidy's legacy went on to be cemented in literature and cinema, including the classic 1969 Western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

A new state monument

Butch Cassidy's legacy has fueled interest in his childhood home, which was restored and is now a popular tourist destination. HCR8, sponsored by Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, would make it a state monument operated by the Utah Division of State Parks.

Albrecht pointed out both Garfield and Piute counties approved resolutions to preserve and maintain the facility in a land lease agreement with the land's private owner. He added the state also has a memorandum of understanding with the landowner in place, providing utilities and upkeep for the 1-acre site.

"It'll provide more recreational, cultural, historic, scenic and economic value," he said. "Monument status would give the area more recognition, more signage on maps, more (identification), resulting in more visitors to the area. ... It would just be a great economic driver, I think, for Garfield and Piute counties."

The motion garnered support from local leaders who attended the meeting, as well as the division. There wasn't any pushback from committee members before they passed the measure to a full House of Representatives vote.

"This is a great use and a way to care for and be wise stewards of the history and the treasures we have here in the state," said Rep. Kevin Stratton, R-Orem, before casting his vote in favor.

The bill must be approved by the House and Senate by March 1 before it can be signed into law.
Thousands of people were fleeing Chiles famous Valparaiso wine region on Sunday amid terrifying wildfires that have so far claimed at least 64 lives and destroyed up to 6,000 homes.

Videos showed apocalyptic scenes of what are believed to be the countrys deadliest forest fires on record, with the sky turning red as cars raced down roads with flames on either side of them, and reports of bodies seen lying by roadsides.

In other areas, the air was filled with dense black smoke. Drone footage revealed large areas of devastation where rows of buildings have been burnt to the ground.

Gridlock on roads out of the region meant that some of those attempting to evacuate found themselves trapped for hours.

Aerial view of the fire ravaging the city of Via del Mar - JAVIER TORRES

A resident sits on a mound of dirt as a plume of smoke from forest fires rises into the sky, in Vina del Mar, Chile - Esteban Felix

Its very distressing, one woman who was stuck in traffic with her elderly mother told AFP. There are all these people trying to get out and who cant move.

The death toll is expected to rise significantly as the fires rapidly advanced towards more densely-populated areas.

If you are told to evacuate, dont hesitate to do it, Gabriel Boric, the president of Chile, urged residents, as he declared a state of emergency. The fires are advancing fast and climatic conditions have made them difficult to control.

The fires come as the country is hit by a summer heatwave, with Chiles capital Santiago sweltering through hot, dry days of 33C (91.4F) and higher. Authorities suspect that some of the fires were started intentionally, however.

Authorities deployed 1,400 firefighters on Sunday, alongside soldiers, planes and helicopters in a bid to control the blazes, with rescue services struggling to reach some of the affected areas.

The fires, which started in the mountains, have spread to coastal areas, reaching the cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Together they form a sprawling region that is home to more than one million people on Chiles central coastline.

Firefighters work on the zone of a forest fire in the hills in Quilpe comune, Valparaiso region, Chile - JAVIER TORRES

Burned vehicles in the El Olivar commune near Vina del Mar

Footage published on social media showed several highways out of Vina del Mar were cut off as a result of the fires. Authorities have imposed a 9pm curfew to help rescue services circulate more easily.

We are facing an unprecedented catastrophe, said Macarena Ripamonti, mayor of Vina del Mar.

The picturesque Vina del Mar resort, known as garden city, is popular with surfers and tourists, while thousands of people visit Valparaiso, which is renowned for its wines, during the summer holidays.

In El Olivar, an area in Vina del Mar where many older people live, houses were scorched by the wildfires, with some residents describing the ordeal as hell.

Rodrigo Pulgar told AFP that he was trying to help his neighbour who was in trouble when he realised that his own house had started to burn.

A man tries to extinguish a fire burning a house - RODRIGO GARRIDO

Residents evacuate on a motorcycle - Esteban Felix

Ash was raining down on us, Mr Pulgar said, adding that his neighbour could not get out in time and succumbed to the flames.

In Villa Independencia, a hillside neighbourhood on the eastern edge of Vina del Mar, several blocks of homes and businesses were destroyed. Burned cars with broken windows lined the ash-covered streets.

Ive been here 32 years, and never imagined this would happen, said Rolando Fernandez, one of the residents who lost his home.

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CHIPLEY, Ala (WDHN)  A Chipley Police Officer is currently off his beat after a recent DUI arrest in Panama City.

According to Chipley Police Chief Scott Thompson, Chipley Police Officer Paul Demaree was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) on Thursday, February 1, in Panama City.

Chief Thompson says after Demaree was released from the Bay County Jail, he was put on administrative and an internal investigation was launched.

The department is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability among its officers. Chipley Police Chief Scott Thompson

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Visitors look at a nativity scene and the Christmas lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Latter-day Saint leaders are making another change to the schedule for the faiths worship services.

Beginning with Easter on March 31 this year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold only sacrament meetings on Easter Sundays and the Sundays nearest to Christmas.

That means the weekly second hour of services will be canceled permanently around those holidays, allowing families to spend more time together. The second hour of church consists of Primary classes for children and Sunday School or other classes for adults and youth.

The First Presidency announced the change in a letter sent to church leaders around the world.

Each year, church services and meetings should be limited to sacrament meeting only on Easter Sunday and on a Sunday before or after Christmas Day. If Christmas is not on a Sunday, stake and district presidencies decide whether to hold this sacrament meeting before or after Christmas, the First Presidency said.

The announcement comes just weeks after Latter-day Saint congregations attended only a one-hour sacrament meeting on Christmas Eve under direction from the First Presidency.

Church leaders also mandated a sacrament meeting-only Sunday for Easter 2023.

Church meeting schedules

In October 2018, President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Quentin L. Cook announced at the faiths international general conference that the three-hour Sunday block of worship would be reduced to two hours and sacrament meeting would be reduced from 70 minutes to one hour.

The most important part of a Latter-day Saint sacrament meeting is taking the sacrament.

Partaking of the sacrament is a sacred and sanctifying privilege, President Russell M. Nelson has said.

The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, has said.

Church members take bread and water during the sacrament service to remember the body and blood of Jesus Christ and renew covenants to take his name upon them and obey his commandments. In return, he promises they always will have his Spirit with them.

Sacrament meetings also consist of talks, testimonies and hymns.

The second hour of church alternates weekly for youth and adults between Sunday School classes one week and priesthood, Young Women and Relief Society classes the next week.

Children younger than 12 attend Primary classes during the second hour every week.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Severe weather moving through Austin overnight Friday into Saturday could be particularly dangerous for people living outside.

The City of Austin used its text messaging system Friday to warn people who are homeless of that severe weather threat in both English and Spanish. Thats a new tool the Homeless Strategy Office took over this year.

When we have extreme temperatures or when the National Weather Service puts out a weather advisory, we take that as a strong indicator that we need to let our population know whats going on so that they can keep themselves safe, said Chief Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray.

Gray said they get people connected to that text line at Austin shelters, including at the Marshalling Yard and overnight cold weather shelters. The response has been surprising, he said.

When we first launched this tool, we thought that were gonna have low levels of enrollment, and so there was one platform that we were using, that we thought was great. But because we saw so much uptake, we have to switch platforms, Gray said.

He told us the City of Austin and its partners are doing outreach in-person Friday too, trying to let people know what could come. But there also arent many options in terms of getting people out of the elements.

Unfortunately, our shelters are almost fully utilized tonight. And so a lot of our outreach is around raising awareness and educating people and making sure that theyre able to take precautions to hunker down in their locations for tonight, Gray said.

The CEO and Founder of WeCanNow, a nonprofit that does some of that outreach, said even that can be easier said than done because of the citys camping ban.

Its very difficult, you know, Proposition B, in effect has a lot of people experiencing homelessness, just moving on a constant basis. So just to be able to locate people experiencing homelessness, to let them know where the resources are or even what weather is to come, Antony Jackson said.

Friday nights severe weather does not trigger the City of Austins overnight shelters to open. That requires much colder temperatures at or near freezing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Radio personality and civil rights advocate Joe Madison died this week at age 74, according to his website.

Madison, known as The Black Eagle, brought his passion for justice from the civil rights movement to the airwaves. He passed away on Wednesday following a years-long battle with cancer.

Madison spent years working with the NAACP before launching his broadcast career and becoming a longtime radio voice in Washington D.C.

According to the NAACP, Madison led voter mobilization efforts, including the successful "March for Dignity" from Los Angeles to Baltimore. The march collected thousands of signatures for an anti-apartheid bill in Congress.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: Joe Madison passes away at 74. This picture is Madison as the SiriusXM honor host, speaking on stage as SiriusXM and The Smithsonian's National Museum Of African American History.

Madison is known for addressing current issues that affect the African American community. According to BET, his SiriusXM morning show, Urban View, has had a daily audience of approximately 26 million listeners since 2007. Madison recently renewed his contract with the network for multiple years.

"He comes from a tradition of activism, and he understands that change only occurs when people take part in some form of movement or some form of struggle," Kojo Nnamdi of WAMU told NBC 4 Washington.

Joe Madison's early life

Madison became a leader in social justice after college, according to the NAACP. He hosted a community-focused radio show and was a civil rights activist for the NAACP. He spread his message across the airwaves, reaching thousands of listeners in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

He started his radio career in Detroit in 1980, then moved to Philadelphia and eventually to Washington. After appearing on WOL, he joined SiriusXM in 2008.

Madison achieved the Guinness world record for the longest on-air broadcast in 2015, broadcasting for 52 hours straight and raising more than $250,000 for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

He was instrumental in getting legislators to pass the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act in 2020, the NAACP said. Recently, he executed a hunger strike in honor of his mentor and activist, Dick Gregory.

How did Joe Madison die?

Madison took a break from his daily radio show to fight cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021, which had spread to different parts of his body. However, he was undergoing treatment. The official cause of death has not been disclosed.

He leaves behind a legacy that will last for generations to come. Surviving him are his devoted wife, Sharon, their four children, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Condolences can be sent to the family on Joemadison.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Black Eagle' Joe Madison, radio host and civil rights leader, dies
As a rule, people tend not to like being accused of racism. There appears, however, to be one group of people who actually do. White, middle-class liberals.

In fact, theyll pay you to do it.

It might sound unlikely. But its true. Take the fashionable American phenomenon known as Race to Dinner: essentially, a special kind of dinner party at which a group of white liberals happily hand over $2,500 (c2,000) to be told by the non-white organisers to accept their racism.

A similar trend can be seen in publishing. Ever since the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, the bestseller charts have been bursting with books about white supremacy, white fragility, etc. And almost all of them, as far as I can see, are being bought by white, middle-class liberals.

Still, even liberals draw the line somewhere. They may enjoy being called racist in their own free time. But they certainly dont want to be called racist at work. Which is why, as reported this week, the civil service has spent 160,000 of taxpayers money teaching its staff how to avoid being racist by mistake. Apparently, staff have been told that rolling your eyes is a microaggression that can be interpreted as racial discrimination.

It would be easy to ridicule this. Personally, though, I view it as an exciting opportunity. Hence why Im launching a training firm of my own. At highly competitive prices, Im available to inform civil servants that stroking your chin is transphobic, yawning is colonialist, and smiling is a hate crime. I havent yet decided what biting your fingernails is. Possibly misogynoir. Or maybe fatphobia.

If this is the world we have to live in now, we might as well try to make some money out of it.

Stop blaming the Right for the Lefts problems

Dame Angela Eagle, a senior Labour MP, is worried about younger voters  and with good reason. According to a poll, an alarming 61 per cent of British people aged 18-34 say they yearn for a strong leader who doesnt have to bother with Parliament/elections. But to what does Dame Angela attribute this disturbing thirst for authoritarian rule?

She says its due to a lack of education about democracy in our schools  and online grooming by the alt-Right.

The alt-Right? Is she sure? I know that Labour MPs love to blame all of societys ills on sinister Right-wingers. In this particular case, though, Im not convinced that Dame Angela has thought it through. Because, if shed care to glance at polls of voting intention, shell see that todays 18-34-year-olds arent listening to anyone on the Right. Only the merest sliver of them support the Tories or Reform  while around 60 per cent of them support Labour. Almost exactly the same as the proportion who are apparently lusting for dictatorship.

All of which suggests that, if the alt-Right are indeed trying to groom the young, they arent having an awful lot of success. Because todays young adults arent Right-wing authoritarians. Theyre Left-wing authoritarians.

Not that this should surprise us. Despite all its squawking about compassion and inclusivity, modern progressivism is, at its heart, ferociously dictatorial. Hence why self-proclaimed progressives are forever trying to get people sacked or no-platformed for expressing the wrong opinion.

Mercifully, though, there is one crumb of comfort. The young may be clamouring for a strong leader. But instead, what theyre going to get is Sir Keir Starmer.

Until now, Id always groaned at Sir Keirs insipid dithering. But in the circumstances, perhaps we should be grateful for it.

TVs funniest conservative comedy

Last year in The Spectator, Suella Braverman  sworn foe of what she calls the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati  revealed her favourite sitcom. Guess what it was. Till Death Us Do Part? Love Thy Neighbour?

No. It was Curb Your Enthusiasm.

On the face of it, an unexpected choice. After all, Curb  the US comedy which returns on Monday for its final series  is a show beloved of the trendy, high-minded metropolitan types that Mrs Braverman deplores. Larry David, its creator and star, is a vocal Democrat who loathes Donald Trump. According to a biography of Elon Musk, Mr David once confronted the Tesla tycoon and lambasted him for voting Republican.

Even so, I dont think its at all odd that Mrs Braverman should love Curb. If anything, its odd that liberals should. Because, although they dont seem to have noticed, the humour in Curb is fundamentally Right-wing.

I dont suppose Mr David sees it that way. But its true. The essential message of practically every episode is: You cant say anything nowadays. Everyones so easily offended. Especially these young snowflakes. Its political correctness gone mad. Thematically, its not much different from a Richard Littlejohn column.

Yes, the central character  a comic caricature of Mr David himself  is petty, self-centred and constantly shooting himself in the foot. None the less, you always find yourself siding with him when some hysterically over-sensitive nitwit takes offence at something hes said.

In spirit, therefore, Curb is one of the few conservative comedies on TV. Even if it isnt meant to be.

Way of the World is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 7am every Tuesday and Saturday

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Farmers are blocking key roads to Dutch-Belgian borders and occupied roads in Greece in protest over prices and red tape spread. A Polish union announced plans to shut border crossings with Ukraine as European protests spread across Europe.

Reuters reports protests have erupted in several countries, exposing anger about low prices for produce, rising costs, cheap imports, and constraints imposed by the EU's drive to fight climate change.

French farmers began lifting blockades in response to the government's concessions, yet Belgian and Dutch farmers maintained their blockades at motorway border crossings.

At one roadblock, Dutch pig farmer Johan Van Enckevort, 25, warned the European Union and Dutch politicians holding cabinet talks not to ignore the needs of farmers.

"We have very nice products here in the EU and we want to continue to make those products. But it has to be done in a fair way, in a decent way, and not with so many rules. It just can't go on like this," he said.

The Associated Press notes that Belgian farmers, with the backing of Dutch allies, implemented roadblocks causing congestion on vital transportation routes for freight from major European ports like Antwerp and Rotterdam. The disruptions followed a chaotic Thursday in Brussels, where angry farmers set hay bales ablaze and clashed with police, coinciding with a summit of European Union leaders.

Meanwhile, the French government offered over 400 million euros ($436 million) in various measures as they gradually eased blockades around Paris and other areas of France. In Germany, however, lawmakers approved cuts to fuel subsidies for farmers, who have prompted angry protests there.

Prime Minister of Belgium's Flemish region, Jan Jambon, pledged to help the agriculture sector.

"We are going to see what we can reasonably do. But basically, I have a lot of sympathy for their complaints. We are now going to see how we can make that concrete," he told Belgian broadcaster VTM.

The AP went on to say that farmers are complaining about the mounting difficulties in securing a decent income, citing surging energy and fertilizer costs resulting from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Additionally, the influx of more affordable farm imports into Europe and the damaging consequences of climate change-induced droughts, floods, or fires add to the woes, impacting crop yields.

Many EU leaders made it clear they would not approve a potential trade deal with South American nations unless imported goods comply with the regulatory standards faced by EU farmers, marking a key demand from the agricultural sector.
New footage has been released of police raiding a house in the hunt for the suspected chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi.

Footage shows officers entering the residence in Newcastle and moving from room to room searching for Ezedi.

The Met said it had received dozens of calls and reports of possible sightings in relation to the investigation as it issued a fresh appeal for information.

Searches of five addresses in east London and Newcastle revealed empty containers with corrosive warnings on the labels. Forensic tests are now underway to see if the substances match those used in Wednesdays attack in Clapham.

Commander Jon Savell said: We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.

08:00 PM GMT

That's it for now

We are closing this blog for now.

Thank you for following along and we will be back in the morning with live updates.

06:59 PM GMT

Victim remains in critical condition

The 31-year-old woman who was the victim of the Clapham attack was known to the suspect Abdul Ezedi.

In the latest update on Saturday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said she remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

06:57 PM GMT

No known sightings since Wednesday

Police have tracked Ezedis movements throughout Wednesday in the lead up to and immediate aftermath of the Clapham attack.

But there are no confirmed sightings since 9pm on Wednesday, when he boarded a Victoria Line underground train travelling southbound.

He has now been on the run for three days.

05:41 PM GMT

New Met Police statement

The Metropolitan Police has issued a new statement as part of a fresh appeal in the search for suspected chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi.

Commander Jon Savell said:

Abdul Ezedi was last seen at Kings Cross Underground Station at 21:00hrs on Wednesday, 31 January, where he boarded a Victoria Line train travelling southbound. The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace. I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know. We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation. I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi. I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him. I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached.

05:33 PM GMT

Metropolitan Police discover corrosive substance in search for chemical attacker Abdule Ezedi

Metropolitan Police discover corrosive substance in search for chemical attacker Abdule Ezedi

Metropolitan Police discover corrosive substance in search for chemical attacker Abdule Ezedi - Metropolitan Police

04:28 PM GMT

Recap: Significant and important discoveries following house searches

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell yesterday said five searches conducted in east London and Newcastle had revealed significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with the investigation.

Two empty containers labelled with corrosive warnings are now being tested to see if they are the same as the substance used during the attack.

03:46 PM GMT

Royal Navy helicopter thought to be assisting in the search for Abdul Ezedi flying over Hampstead Heath

A Royal Navy helicopter thought to be assisting in the search for Abdul Ezedi seen flying over Hampstead Heath on Saturday - JOAL

03:10 PM GMT

Ezedi's time in the UK

Here is a timeline of events in Abdul Ezedis life since he entered the UK.

2016  Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry said his life would be in danger if he was returned to his Afghanistan

2018  He was convicted of sexual offences at Newcastle Crown Court for sexual assault/exposure offence

2020  Ezedi is discharged from probation supervision after finishing his unpaid work order

2020-2021  He was granted asylum on his third application after claiming he had converted to Christianity

January 31 2024  Ezedi is suspected of carrying out chemical attack on a mother and two children

02:47 PM GMT

Helicopter circling Hampstead Heath north London

As the manhunt continues, a Royal Air Force helicopter believed to be helping in the hunt for Ezedi was pictured circling the Hampstead Heath in north London on Saturday.

Photographs showed the crew scouring the landscape from the cockpit of the helicopter as walkers looked on.

It came as new footage emerged of police raiding the addresses in east London on Friday morning, with 120 officers, including specialist units and the Territorial Support Group, deployed.

In one video, police raid a home and tell residents: Basically were here because we are looking for someone... but its not safe for you to be in here.

An officer later asks: Have you seen anyone with an injured eye at all?

On being asked why there were officers in Hazmat suits, officers reply Theres a hazard in there that we have to be aware of.

02:31 PM GMT

Recap: Ezedi's movements

02:26 PM GMT

Pictured: Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station on Wednesday

Police released images of Abdul Ezedi on Friday at Kings Cross underground tube station. This is the suspected chemical attackers last known sighting.

Abdul Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station

02:12 PM GMT

Timeline of Ezedis movements on Wednesday

Here is a timeline of Ezedis movements on Wednesday, the day of the chemical attack.

12.15am  Ezedis vehicle is seen in Newcastle

6.30am  His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London

4.30pm  A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon

7pm  He is then seen driving in Streatham

7.25pm  Attack takes place in Lessar Avenue, before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off

7.33pm  Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station

7.59pm  He is then seen leaving that train at Kings Cross Tube Station

8.42pm  He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. He exits and turns right

9pm - Ezedi enters Kings Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube Southbound

02:01 PM GMT

Telegraph view: Asylum failures shame and endanger Britain

Britain has a long and noble history of offering shelter and sanctuary to the genuinely persecuted.

This record, and our asylum system, should be something we take pride in.

It is increasingly obvious, however, that something has gone badly wrong. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of the Clapham attack suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi.

Read the full article here.

01:51 PM GMT

Mother of two 'very poorly', say police

The mother of two, believed to have been in a relationship with Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly.

The 31-year-old is sedated in hospital and her injuries are thought to be life-changing, according to police.

The Metropolitan Police said injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are not likely to be life-changing.

01:04 PM GMT

Newcastle shopkeeper says Ezedi's English is poor

A Newcastle shopkeeper said Ezedis English was poor, but he was known to keep up contact with relatives in Afghanistan.

Ezedi is thought to have topped up a pay-as-you go phone before travelling to Newcastle.

Police can often trace fugitives through triangulation of mobile phone cell site data to pinpoint where a device is. However, the purchase of a pay as you go non-contract mobile phone does not require a proof of identity and can be far harder for police to track.

The devices are often used by county lines criminal gangs to run drug dealing operations because non-contract mobile phones cannot easily be traced by police.

Ezedis use of a contract free phone means he could be getting support from friends or relatives in Afghanistan, helping him stay one step ahead of police.

12:58 PM GMT

Suspected chemical attacker topped up phone before trip to Newcastle

A shopkeeper in Newcastle, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ezedi visited his shop to load credit onto his mobile phone shortly before he travelled to London in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He loaded money for international calls a few days ago, the Iranian owner of a shop that sells credit for mobile phones in Byker said on Saturday.

He regularly bought credit for his phone. It was not a contract phone, so he needed pay as you go credits to make international calls. I think he was making calls beach to his native Afghanistan.

12:43 PM GMT

Ezedi being helped by relatives

Abdul Ezedi is being helped by relatives in Afghanistan, a friend told the Sunday Telegraph.

Ezedi topped up an international pay-as-you-go mobile phone in Newcastle shortly before he travelled to London where he attacked a woman and her two children on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old man, originally from Afghanistan, had visited a shop in the east end Byker area of Newcastle near where he was living in a hostel for the homeless.

12:35 PM GMT

Ezedi did not convert to Catholicism, says Church leaders

Catholic Church leaders in Newcastle have said they do not believe Ezedi converted to Catholicism before he was granted asylum.

His application to remain in the UK was approved by an immigration judge in 2021 or 2022 after he claimed that he had converted to Christianity and would be persecuted if he was returned to Afghanistan.

Sources told the Telegraph said they had found no evidence that Ezedi had used its churches to convert - although he had been given help by a Catholic charity in Newcastle in the form of food, clothes and toiletries.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said: Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims of this appalling attack in south London.

We can confirm that Abdul Shakoor Ezedi visited our diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, a charitable venture which assists a wide range of people who come to us in need.

We are in the process of checking if this individual was received into the Catholic faith in any of our parishes, and have so far found nothing to support that. We are also investigating whether he was helped in other ways. The Diocese will assist the police investigations in any way we can.

12:14 PM GMT

'Never witnessed anything so horrific in my life'

A Clapham resident who suffered injuries owing to the chemical attack on Wednesday said she has never witnessed anything so horrific in my life.

The bystander said she was the first person to call police after hearing screams on Wednesday.

Rachael, who chose to withhold her surname, told The Times: The screaming was so intense, it sounded like something serious was going on out there. That made me go outside.

Initially I thought it was a car crash. But then I did see the man take the [youngest] child out [of the car] and I saw him throw the child  and just run off down the road. I called the police and an ambulance.

I realised that the mum, her entire face was covered with the liquid and I knew it was some sort of acid or something.

12:11 PM GMT

Officers call for Azedi to hand himself in

Officers have called for the 35-year-old from the Newcastle area, who is described as having very significant injuries to the right side of his face, to hand himself in after going on the run following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains very poorly and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be life-changing.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell told reporters outside Scotland Yard on Friday that significant and important pieces of evidence were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

11:44 AM GMT

What happened yesterday

Here is what we learned yesterday:

The suspect was twice denied asylum in the UK before being allowed to stay after claiming he had converted to Christianity

Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, has said that he expects the Home Secretary to carry out a detailed review of how Abdul Ezedi was granted asylum

Staff at the Byker butcher shop in the east of Newcastle, where Ezedi bought Halal meat, said they were horrified that he had been connected to the attack because he was a good Muslim

Rishi Sunak does not think foreign criminals should be able to stay in the UK

Abdul Ezedi was placed on Sex Offenders Register for 10 years

Church of England says it is role of Home Office to vet asylum seekers

Commander Jon Savell says mothers injuries expected to be life-changing

The suspect was last seen on the Victoria line

11:29 AM GMT

Recap: Suspect last seen on Victoria tube line

Abdul Ezedi was last seen on a Victoria Line tube heading south, police said.

He was captured on CCTV at Kings Cross Underground Station at 9pm on Wednesday around an hour and a half after the attack in Clapham, in which a woman and her two children were sprayed with a corrosive substance.

11:13 AM GMT

Clapham attacker should have had asylum claim refused under Home Office rules

The Afghan refugee suspected of a chemical attack on a family in Clapham, south-west London, should not have been granted asylum, according to Home Office rules.

Abdul Ezedis 2018 conviction for a sexual assault in Newcastle, and his consequent inclusion on the sex offenders register, should have barred him from asylum.

But his application was approved by an immigration judge on his third appeal after he claimed he had converted to Christianity and would be persecuted if returned to Afghanistan.

Read the full story here.

10:48 AM GMT

Clapham chemical attack suspect a good Muslim despite claim to have converted to Christianity

The Clapham chemical attack suspect was a good Muslim despite claiming he had converted to Christianity to claim asylum in the UK, friends have told The Telegraph.

Abdul Shakoor Ezedi, 35, told a shopkeeper at his favourite Middle Eastern speciality food store, where he bought Halal meat, that he planned to return to Afghanistan one day to find a wife.

The evidence he remained a devout Muslim raises serious questions about the role played by Christian faith leaders in aiding his successful asylum claim.

Read the full story here.

10:42 AM GMT

Police storm hostel in Leyton

Officers wearing gas masks, blue chemical suits and carrying shields stormed the YMCA-run hostel in Leyton, east London, where Ezedis brother Hassan lives.

Another resident there, 20-year-old Kami Bowden, said: It was scary because the police had Tasers in their hands.

They were shouting quite loudly. We could hear them smacking on my door.

Quite frankly I was crapping myself. They told me to walk backwards out of the room with my hands on my head.

They took us to the other side of the road and said it wasnt safe to be in the premises.

10:32 AM GMT

Pictured: Officers search east London

Police search east London for evidence related to Clapham chemical attack - UKNIP

Significant police operation in east London as part of Abdul Ezedi search

10:22 AM GMT

'I'd turn him in for what he did', says Ezedi's brother

The younger brother of chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi has said he would not hesitate to hand him over to police.

Hassan Ezedi, 21, spoke after riot squad police officers in hazmat suits raided his East London home at 2am on Friday in the search for his 35-year-old brother.

Urging his brother to give himself up Hassan said: If I knew where he was, Id turn him in for what he did. I dont know if hes alive or where he is now.

He added: I saw him briefly last week. He wasnt living with me. He was in Newcastle.

10:20 AM GMT

Good morning and welcome

Good morning and welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of the manhunt for suspected chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi.

Ezedi, who is said to have significant injuries to the right side of his face has been urged to hand himself in following Wednesdays attack in Clapham, south London.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Old King Coal

The booming AI industry is putting a massive strain on the US's aging electricity grid as energy companies struggle to power the massive data centers that the technology requires, Bloomberg reports.

In fact, the situation is already dire enough that coal plants once set for retirement are being kept online as a stopgap measure with more set to follow, highlighting AI's worrying environmental footprint that can sometimes go overlooked.

"We do need way more energy in the world than we thought we needed before," Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, said at the World Economic Forum last week, as quoted by Bloomberg. "We still don't appreciate the energy needs of this technology."

Centers Cannot Hold

AI data centers are different from traditional ones, which are already formidable energy hogs, because they're stacked with specialized graphics processing units that perform more demanding tasks than typical computer chips.

Meta, formerly Facebook, itself heavily invested in AI, is building one such data center in Kansas City. Perhaps not coincidentally, the energy company that services the area, Evergy, announced in June that it was delaying the retirement of a coal plant by five years to 2028, according to Bloomberg.

Elsewhere, in an area of Northern Virginia aptly known as "data center alley," local provider Dominion Energy was forced to temporarily pause new data center connections in 2022. It reportedly warned the data center company Digital Realty of a possible "pinch point" that could prevent new projects until 2026. A Dominion representative, however, told Bloomberg that this was inaccurate and that the pause only lasted a few months.

Still, what is a matter of record is that Dominion is also considering keeping a coal plant online along with several natural gas ones to service the area, Bloomberg noted  despite having a massive wind farm in the works.

Gridlocked

Nationwide, the AI industry's energy demand seems even more fearsome. According to an analysis from Boston Consulting Group cited by Bloomberg, the electricity consumption at US data centers alone is expected to triple from 2022 levels by the end of the decade.

In the analysis's summary, that's equal to the electricity used by about a third of the total homes in the US, and about 7.5 percent of the entire country's projected energy demand.

Although renewables could step in to ease the burden, some experts say that the energy grid remains a frustrating bottleneck because there aren't enough transmission lines to connect wind and solar farms.

"The worst-case scenario is utilities don't adapt and keep old fossil-fuel capacity online and they don't evolve past that," Ari Peskoe, director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard Law School, told Bloomberg.

If those energy issues aren't ironed out, the AI industry's own seemingly waning hype could be one form of relief. The technology is undeniably power hungry, but its prevalence could be overstated.

More on AI: AI Companies Lose $190 Billion After Dismal Financial Reports
US Coast Guard photo

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a mariner who started a three-week voyage from California to Hawaii, but never arrived at his destination.

Noel Rubio set off from Long Beach, California on Dec. 28 on his 32-foot vessel, the Malulani. He was expected to arrive in Kaneohe on Oahu, Hawaii. Rubio made his last contact via cellphone on the day he left, south of Catalina Island, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said they will be using all available means to determine Malulanis location, including harbor checks in Hawaii, California, and Mexico.

The Coast Guard is greatly appreciative of the expert consult advice on weather and routes provided by experienced trans-Pacific sailors, said Douglas Samp, a search and rescue mission coordinator.

The vessel only has a single means of communication, a marine band radio, which is not advised, according to Samp.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a sailor who they say never arrived in Hawaii after a planned three-week sail.

Noel Rubio, 60, departed Long Beach, California, on Dec. 28 in his vessel, Malulani, the Coast Guard said in a news release. He was traveling to Oahu, Hawaii, and was expected to arrive there on Jan. 18.

However, Rubio never arrived in the area, the Coast Guard said, and has not made contact with anyone since his departure on Dec. 28, when he spoke with a friend via cellphone to say that he was on his way to Hawaii.

The Malulani. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard

Rubio's boat is a 32-foot Westsail sloop that has a marine band radio aboard, the Coast Guard said. That radio would be the only means of communication aboard the ship.

Douglas Samp, a search and rescue mission coordinator from the Coast Guard's Alameda Rescue Coordination Center, said in the news release that anyone attempting an open-ocean crossing should have multiple forms of communication at hand.

The Coast Guard said they are using "all available means to determine" the ship's location, issuing urgent marine information broadcasts and harbor checks in California, Hawaii and Mexico. They have also received advice from other sailors about possible routes that Rubio may have taken, and have had experts consult on how weather patterns might have impacted Rubio's trip, according to Samp.

Noel Rubio. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard

"The Coast Guard is greatly appreciative of the expert consult advice on weather and routes provided by experienced trans-pacific sailors," Samp said.

The Coast Guard has asked that anyone with any information about the location of Rubio or the Malulani contact them immediately at JRCC Alameda by calling 510-437-3701 or emailing RCCAlameda1@uscg.mil, or JRCC Honolulu by calling 808-535-3333 or emailing JRCCHonolulu@uscg.mil.

Iran responds to U.S. retaliation threats after soldiers killed in Jordan

California sees heavy rain, rockslides and flooding

Border Patrol moves migrants away from Eagle Pass before convoy rally
Krills color-changing technique may be the secret to keeping buildings cool and saving energy during warm weather.

Krill are small crustaceans near the bottom of the aquatic food chain that are frequently eaten by whales, seabirds, and other fish. Though tiny, these crustaceans are sophisticated creatures with a natural process that could be integral to improving buildings energy efficiency.

Researchers from the University of Toronto published a paper in Nature Communications that proposes adapting krills color-changing phenomena into a synthetic product that would protect building exteriors from heat. If successful, this technique could decrease our reliance on heating and cooling systems that use harmful energy sources.

Antarctic krill have pigments in their skin that shield them from the sun. When exposed to too much sunlight, krill change color from white to orange using bundles of pigment stored throughout their skin. These pigments act as curtains to protect krill from UV rays.

Researchers want to apply this shading technique to skyscrapers by filling windows with two kinds of liquid, one that will absorb sun rays and another that enables light to shine through. Dispersing pigmented liquid through windows could block sunlight and keep buildings cool.

Scientists believe that by altering the flow of these liquids, they can adjust the shape of the shade and decrease glare. They predict this krill cooling technique can decrease energy consumption by more than 30%.

This isnt the first time researchers have relied on nature for scientific inspiration. Scientists often use biomimicry  a practice that mimics and learns from natures processes  to solve human problems. Architects, engineers, and other changemakers borrow techniques from animals, plants, ecosystems, and other natural phenomena for sustainable solutions.

Around 40% of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S. is from the heating, cooling, and lighting infrastructure of buildings. This krill-inspired solution can improve energy efficiency in skyscrapers and replace cooling systems that use dirty energy sources.

Researchers are creating a prototype to test this technique in real-world conditions. This system could also be more efficient and cheaper than current sustainable cooling methods in green buildings.

Raphael Kay, the lead author for the article and Harvard research fellow, expressed hopes that this simple solution will be a success. He told Bloomberg, Were just talking about moving around water, which is basically as easy as it gets.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Taggers have sprayed graffiti on what appears to be about 27 stories of a downtown Los Angeles skyscraper that's been sitting dormant for several years. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

From a parking lot on the corner of 12th and Figueroa streets, Michael Lopez carefully commandeered his drone through the skyline around LA Live.

A video screen showed the drone's slow ascent. Up and up it went, until it framed a shot almost straight out of Ansel Adams. The cloud-covered San Gabriel Mountains. Green foothills glimmering from recent rains. And an abandoned, half-finished skyscraper plastered in bright, bubbly graffiti.

Two other towers were similarly hit, virtually every floor of each 20-plus-story building featuring graffiti on the corners.

The unfinished Oceanwide Plaza in downtown L.A. is marked with graffiti after being tagged this week. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The audacity and visibility of the taggers' feat  you can see it from the 10 Freeway and as far away as the Sixth Street Bridge  and the fact that the Grammys will be held on Sunday across the street at Crypto.com Arena has attracted worldwide attention.

It's also become L.A.'s latest Rorschach test.

For civic leaders and professional L.A. haters, it's the latest proof that the city is spiraling down in a doom cycle, another nightmare to add to our dumpster fire of street takeovers, homeless encampments and mass break-ins. The $1 billion behemoth, called Oceanwide Plaza, was once one of the biggest real estate projects in the city, but construction was halted five years ago when its Chinese developer ran out of money.

Read more: Taggers seen in action at graffiti-covered L.A. skyscraper. Across street in 2 days: The Grammys

For Lopez, however, the graffed-up buildings, which were supposed to feature hotel and retail space as well as luxury condominiums and apartments, are the latest thing to love about his hometown.

"It's beautiful. It's amazing," he said. He held his drone shot and waved over a friend who goes by Juan G. The two had driven up from South L.A. to take in the scene.

"I know it's getting mixed reviews," Juan deadpanned, before adding, "I'm sure the people who live in the lofts across the street didn't like getting peeped at!"

He continued to crane his neck upward. I rattled off some tags visible from the lower floors  Axion. Inkz. Cuts. XN28.

"You're never going to see something like this again," Juan continued. "The rules are going to change. The security is gonna come in here hard. But to have been a part of that? To see this up close? It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment."

I'm no fan of graffiti, but I couldn't help but admire what the taggers had accomplished. Before us was a monument to the Los Angeles of the moment, highlighting so many issues, consciously or not. Rampant overdevelopment downtown. Civic corruption. Out-of-control graffiti.

A place with so much potential, yet so much desmadre.

If someone tried this at Art Basel, it would sell for millions. If Banksy pulled off a project of this scope, he'd be hailed as a genius. Since it's a bunch of mostly anonymous people (two have been arrested and released), polite L.A. is in an uproar. Even Kevin de Leon, the city council member who represents downtown, emerged from his hiding hole on Groundhog Day to tell KTLA Channel 5 that Los Angeles should not be an "open canvas [for] budding artists."

Read more: Two arrested in connection with tagging graffiti-covered L.A. skyscraper across the street from Grammys venue

It's easy to portray the taggers as vandals intent on destroying L.A. But the towers have rotted while L.A.'s bureaucracy has done little to address the situation.

Oceanwide Plaza has sat empty and mostly forgotten, until a group of taggers spray-painted graffiti on the towers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Instead, the taggers took it upon themselves to transform something ugly into something far more vibrant. Isn't that L.A. at its finest?

That they used the medium of street art makes their work that much more Angeleno.

The city has felt under siege from graffiti for decades. I used to estimate my drive time on the 10 by tracking the exit ramps on the freeway signs. Now, I can do it based on which giant tag on which huge warehouse I just passed.

Graffiti at its worst does nothing to beautify neighborhoods. But what happened at Oceanwide Plaza wasnt some spur of the moment scribble. The ingenuity in methodically bombing every corner with dozens of names, exemplifies the teamwork we should all aspire to. The failure here was from a company that has no money to afford security guards and a city government that should never have approved the pie-in-the-sky venture in the first place.

Besides, graffiti has been a part of working-class Southern California for decades. Even I, a nerdy teen, scratched "Pharaoh" on windows and wooden desks in eighth grade until security guards at my Anaheim school took away my etching tool. There was something liberating  validating even  to see an art form long demonized as vandalism, at the same time that large corporations have appropriated it, take over such a visible part of downtown.

"All of this doesn't just belong to the developers," Lopez said. "It belongs to all of us."

Above the parking lot where he and Juan stood loomed a two-story mural featuring Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard, street-art style. He was surrounded by bromides such as "Never Never Give Up" and "Follow Your Dreams" in scrawls that tried to mimic graffiti but were as cool as mom jeans.

"They call this art," Juan said before waving back toward the skyscrapers, "and not that?"

I left them and walked to the front of the Crypto.com Arena. There, I found Zack Woodard taking photos of the tagged-up high rises before asking a friend to capture him with the buildings as a backdrop. High above him, a tattered, pockmarked white banner that read "Oceanwide Plaza" hung from an unfinished structure.

"When I Ubered to here on Wednesday, it was only half-done," said Woodard, who's in town for the Grammys as program director for the Grammy Museum Mississippi. "It's really impressive to see how quickly they finished it."

Another friend, Rachel Patterson, continued to look upward. "I couldn't imagine going all the way up there!"

"People say it makes the skyline look bad," Woodard said. "But it's not going to be there forever. It's done nice. Besides, street art is a part of L.A. history."

He asked me what the buildings were supposed to have been. When I told him residential and retail, Woodard scoffed  "Just like everything else in L.A."

As I drove off, I passed by the parking lot where I had met Lopez and Juan. More people surrounded them, all looking up, all with big smiles on their faces.

I smiled, too. There are a lot of things wrong with Los Angeles, but tagged-up ruins that bring happiness to locals and tourists alike are the least of them.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In a report published by Reuters, the United States has begun conducting retaliatory strikes in Iraq according to officials within Syria.

These strikes are following the deadly strike in Jordan that killed 3 United States troops and injured 40 others. However, the strikes did not target locations within Iran itself.

The strikes are believed to be a multi-tiered response from President Biden's administration following weekend attacks that were carried out by militant groups that are backed by Iran. In addition, while the strikes did not hit Iran itself, they might add to rising concerns about tension within the Middle Eastern region as a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. At the time of writing, there have been many controversies surrounding how Israel has been handling the conflict from a rising civilian death toll, the displacement of citizens within Gaza, and even civilians being trapped in hospitals. The resulting cost of rebuilding the territory has been estimated to stand at a whopping $15 Billion. South Africa has also opened a genocide case against the state of Israel regarding the ongoing conflict.

Two of the officials provided a statement to Reuters on the grounds of remaining anonymous. They state that the strikes have targeted facilities in both Iraq and Syria that are linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and the militias they back. In addition to this, there has also been an ongoing conflict within the Red Sea with the Iranian-backed Houthi Rebel group that has been carrying out various strikes against cargo ships as a form of solidarity with those in Gaza.
Then-Public Schools of Petoskey Special Populations Coordinator Alicia Schlehuber presents items held within ELL Comfort Kits during the May 18, 2023 board of education meeting. Schlehuber now works as the Char-Em ISD behavioral health coordinator.

CHARLEVOIX  More Indigenous and ELL Comfort Kits will be coming to the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District after a series of surveys found students' biggest concerns included a desire to increase acceptance and belonging.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) surveyed more than 800 local students between 7-12th grades and found that their biggest concerns are based in the desire to increase acceptance and belonging in order to reduce school-related stress.

The YAC awarded $6,250 to the Char-Em ISD to help fund the comfort kits. Native-themed coloring books, colored pencils, yoga cards, stuffed animals and books are among the culturally-themed items within the kits.

These kits will include cultural materials supplied by a generous gift from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Behavioral Health Department, said Char-Em ISD Behavioral Health Coordinator Alicia Schlehuber, who applied for the grant on the ISDs behalf, in a release. We will collaborate with a cultural advisor in the use of and implementation of the kits.

More: Char-Em ISD hires new behavioral health coordinator

Comfort Kits designed for Indigenous youth and English Language Learners.

The kits will also include medicine used in Anishnaabek practices, including sweet grass, cedar and sage, said Deleta Smith, cultural coordinator for the LTBB Health Department.

LTBB Behavioral Health Manager Randall Koch said including teachings in the book can help bring balance to students' lives.

Trauma is prevalent throughout our community, but Indigenous people also carry the trauma of their ancestors. Utilizing culture offers a means of healing the person, their ancestors and ndanwendaaganak  all my relations, Koch said in the release. In addition, the seven grandfather and grandmother teachings ... guide the processes of therapy as they emphasize the values and character necessary for mno bimaadiziwin  living a good life.

Schlehuber stressed that the number of ELL students  or students learning English as a second language  is small but increasing, and their social, emotional and mental health needs must be met. School officials said students whose primary language is not English may face learning barriers due to their English proficiency.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

Anything we as educators can do to ease ELL and immigrant students transition into schools and communities, promote strong relationships with educators and peers will lessen the challenge of learning new cultural norms, Schlehuber said. Addressing emotional wellness fosters cooperation, clear communication, and conflict resolution. Additional benefits include stress management, motivation, self-efficacy and confidence to seek and offer assistance when its needed.

With Northern Michigan's large Native American population, the kits are meant to help provide students with items that will help with their emotional wellness. The grant will allow for the purchase of new books in students' native languages that pertain to social and emotional wellness, while reflecting the students' culture along with cultural games and puzzles.

Then-Public Schools of Petoskey Special Populations Coordinator Alicia Schlehuber presents items held within ELL Comfort Kits during the May 18, 2023 board of education meeting. Schlehuber now works as the Char-Em ISD behavioral health coordinator.

Being a newcomer to our schools can bring with it stress and anxiety for students who do not speak English. It can be challenging for teachers and staff to communicate with students about their feelings. Feelings charts in other languages will be part of the kits for students and staff to utilize," Schlehuber said. Having these kits on hand and ready for schools when a new ELL student enrolls will greatly improve the sense of belonging and acceptance for these students, including their emotional wellbeing.

In addition to helping the students, the kits will allow the staff to learn about, understand and respect other cultures and traditions, Schlehuber said in the release.

Kits are expected to be put together and distributed in spring 2024. Schlehuber will work directly with schools for distribution.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Comfort kits for Indigenous, ELL students funded through YAC grant
Ukraines High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) imposed preventative measures against a suspended Defense Ministry official in connection to an alleged case of fraudulent weapons procurement, the HACC announced on Feb. 2

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported earlier on Feb. 2 that Toomas Nakhkur, the acting director of the Defense Ministrys department for military-technical policy, armaments development, and military equipment, was suspended in connection to the case.

While the notice did not mention the military procurement case directly, it said the suspension was due to Nakhkur being charged with a crime. The Suspilne media outlet and Ukrainska Pravda reported that it was connected to the procurement case.

HACC judge Katerina Sikora ruled that Nakhkur must surrender his passport and wear an electronic monitoring device. The measures will remain in place for two months.

More details will reportedly be released on Feb. 7, according to the HACC.

The HACC noted that Nakhkur is one of the five suspects in the alleged embezzlement of nearly Hr 1.5 billion ($40 million) worth of mortal shells.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Jan. 27 that a contract for shells was secured with the arms supplier Lviv Arsenal in August 2022, six months into the full-scale invasion. However, no arms were delivered, and some funds were moved to foreign accounts.

The HACC said the Defense Ministry officials had not made plans to transfer the weapons from Croatia to Ukraine.

The individuals involved included former and current high-ranking officials from the Defense Ministry and the heads of affiliated companies.

Since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Defense Ministry has been involved in several corruption scandals.

The two most notorious scandals, one regarding inflated prices for food supplies and the other connected to low-quality winter jackets, prompted the dismissal of former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Read also: Ukraines path to EU accession paved with reforms

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A northern Utah man was sentenced this week after admitting to going on an arson spree in Box Elder County this past July.

Chance Cutler, 21, of Tremonton, pleaded guilty last month to two second-degree felony counts of aggravated arson. He also pleaded guilty to third-degree arson and three misdemeanor arson counts.

Missing womans body found in Bountiful

I am truthfully very sorry for the financial or monetary strain this has caused those whom my crimes affected, Cutler wrote in a letter to the judge.

He added that during his arson spree he was caught up in his head with anger and a multitude of other emotions.

I felt my crime was my only outlet, my only release, he wrote.

According to investigators, Cutler admitted to setting six fires in July of 2023. He burned a camp-trailer, a semitrailer, an abandoned house, a field/gravel pit, and a barn that contained a car. He also admitted to sparking a brushfire.

First District Judge Spencer Walsh sentenced Cutler on Tuesday to one to 15 years in prison on the second-degree felony charges. For the third-degree charge, he was sentenced to no longer than five years.

The sentences were sent to run concurrently, so he would only serve up to 15 years in total. He was given credit for 165 days served.

Cutler was also ordered to pay nearly $20,000 in restitution and obtain mental health treatment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
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

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION  Assault

A known suspect struck the victim on the face, causing him pain.

3000 block of N 1st Street  Theft of Motor Vehicle

An unknown suspect stole a trailer worth $1,500 from a parking lot.

700 block of Gateway Street  Theft of Property

A trailer full of equipment worth more than $50,000 was reported stolen in Abilene.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse

A victim reported fraud due to unauthorized charges to his debit card.

3000 block of S 8th Street  Theft of Firearm

A pistol worth $435 was reported stolen.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse

4500 block of S 1st Street  Hinder Secured Creditors

An agent for an Abilene bank filed a report for hindering secured creditors.

200 block of Arnold Boulevard  Assault Family Violence

A suspect is accused of assaulting his girlfriend in south Abilene.

5500 block of Hwy 277 S  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A motor vehicle was reported stolen in south Abilene.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse

A victim reported someone took his sons wallet.

4900 block of W Stamford Street  Assault Family Violence

A suspect was arrested for assault family violence.

00 block of Hoylake Drive  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported his mother shoved him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

800 block of S 3rd Street  Theft of Property

A mac worth $3,000 was reported stolen.

1100 block of Mulberry Street  Theft of Property

A trailer worth $2,500 was reported stolen.

1500 block of Anson Avenue  Criminal Trespass

An unknown suspect cut the lock to a backyard storage building to gain entry.

3000 block of West Lake Road  Burglary of Habitation Simple Assault Intent

A victim reported a suspect unlawfully entered her home and assaulted her.

5700 block of Red Hawk Circle  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her husband kicked her in the stomach and locked her out of her house.

4400 block of Buffalo Gap Road  Theft of Property

A suspect was arrested for allegedly stealing ribeyes from a south Abilene grocery store.

1800 block of S 9th Street  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect took copper wire from a home.

600 block of S Leggett Drive  Burglary of Building

An unknown suspect broke into a south Abilene building by force.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Harassment

A victim reported his half brother is sending him threatening messages.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse

A victim reported his wallet was stolen and someone made fraudulent charges on his credit card.

4300 block of Southwest Drive  Theft of Property

A suspect was issued a citation for theft from an Abilene department store.

2800 block of Melissa Lane  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her ex-boyfriend assaulted her in south Abilene.

4600 block of Margaritas Way  Burglary of Habitation

A watch, cash, jewelry, and more worth nearly $15,000 was reported stolen from an Abilene home.

4900 block of W Stamford Street  Theft of Property

A report for theft was taken at a north Abilene hotel.

1800 block of University Boulevard  Resist Arrest Search or Transport

Police responded to a disturbance in progress in north Abilene.

800 block of US Hwy 80  Criminal Mischief

1300 block of Barrow Street  Criminal Mischief

Police responded to a motor vehicle burglary in south Abilene.

800 block of S Willis Street  Criminal Mischief

A victim reported a known suspect left a threatening note on her vehicle and damaged her tires.

600 block of Mulberry Street  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect entered an unlocked storage room and stole lawn equipment worth thousands of dollars.

3000 block of Legacy Lane  Burglary of Vehicle

Two unknown suspects entered a parked vehicle in north Abilene and took armor and a medical kit worth nearly $2,000.

2700 block of S 5th Street  Burglary of Habitation

A victim reported unknown suspects took tools and damaged their property.

200 block of College Drive  Theft of Firearm

A pistol worth $300 was reported stolen.

2400 block of N Willis Street  Criminal Mischief

A victim reported a known suspect broke out a window of their apartment.

1600 block of Butternut Street  Theft of Property

A victim reported a letter containing important documents was stolen.

2000 block of Ballinger Street  Burglary of Habitation

A victim reported his residence was burglarized while he was in jail.

1200 block of N Mockingbird Lane  Forgery

A suspect attempted to pass a forged bill at a north Abilene business.

5200 block of Burbank Drive  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect took $17,000 worth of cash and a knife during a burglary.

1600 block of Hwy 351  Theft of Property

A suspect was arrested for stealing a tent from a north Abilene store.

5200 block of Foxmoor Court  Assault Family Violence

A suspect called and reported she was assaulted by her son, who lives with her.

600 block of Beech Street  Burglary of Habitation

A burglary was reported in north Abilene.

700 block of N 13th Street  Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon

A suspect was arrested for aggravated assault in north Abilene.

500 block of EN 21st Street  Theft of Property

An unknown suspect stole a vehicle from north Abilene after it was left unlocked.

Arrests

Jody Stoots  Theft of Property, Possession of Controlled Substance

Marc Carrillo  Warrant

Christopher Haldeman  Assault Family Violence

Brad Stevenson  Public Intoxication

Preston Walker  Warrant

Anna Mayorga  Assault Family Violence

James Bryant  Driving While Intoxicated , Unlawful Carrying Weapon

Lina Hartness  Assault Threat/Contact

Amanda Camacho  Driving While Intoxicated

Eduardo Guerra  Driving While Intoxicated

Xavier McKinnon  Warrant

Ernesto Fernandez  Warrant

Brandon Baldivia  Public Intoxication

Michael Rilley  Assault Family Violence

Sheila Thompson  Theft of Property

Ashley Baker  Public Intoxication

Robert Schmittling  Warrant

Domingo Cano  Public Intoxication

Larry Knight  Warrant

Eric Smith  Possession of Controlled Substance

Jamar Porter  Warrant

Victoria Sanchez-Soliz  Warrant

Juan Robledo-Navejas  Driving While Intoxicated

Raveigh Riojas  Evading Arrest Detention, Warrant, Possession of Controlled Substance

Dale Davis  Warrant

James Chick  Resist Arrest Search or Transport, Burglary of Habitation Family Violence

Evan Walser  Public Intoxication, Resist Arrest Search or Transport

Tanner Defoor  Warrant

William Daniel  Warrant

David Clark  Public Intoxication

Jacob Erwin  Theft of Property

Vicky Hughes  Warrant

James Corbit  Warrant

Joshua Keefer  Warrant, Possession of Controlled Substance, Evading Arrest Detention

Michael Delagarza  Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon

Angel Dehoyos  Public Intoxication

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Two England teenagers have been sentenced to life in prison over the "brutal, planned, and sadistic" murder of transgender Brianna Ghey in a park in Cheshire in February 2023.

The suspects in the murder case of the 16-year-old were identified as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. Justice Amanda Yup said that the former was motivated to carry out the brutal killing by a "deep desire to kill" while the latter was partially motivated by Ghey's transgender identity.

England Teenagers Sentenced to Life in Prison

The court sentenced Jenkinson to a minimum of 22 years while Ratcliffe was given a minimum sentence of 20 years. The two teenagers were both 15 years old at the time of the crime and were 16 years old at the time of their sentencing. They could be seen staring towards the judge while the sentence was being read but showed no visible reaction.

As the judge was sentencing the pair at Manchester Crown Court, she did not "want to dwell on the murder itself but it was brutal." Judge Yip noted that Ghey suffered 28 stab wounds, which, taken together, point to a very sustained and violent assault," as per BBC.

The judge said that sadly, Ghey could not have lost consciousness immediately during the brutal murder and argued that she must have been aware that she was being attacked. The victim's family members were sitting across several branches in the courtroom.

Ghey's father, Peter Spooner, nodded as Jenkinson's sentence was being handed down by the judge. The relatives of the two killers were also present during the sentencing as Jenkinson's mother could be seen crying as the hearing concluded.

The judge in the case said that Jenkinson's fantasy to kill had become a reality when she lured Ghey to the park and murdered the transgender teenager. While Justice Yip acknowledged that the defendant had been the driving force behind the plan, it would be "wholly wrong" to treat the other suspect, Ratcliffe, as being under Jenkinson's control.

Read Also: Activist Greta Thunberg Acquitted of Charge Stemming From Oil and Gas Protest

Brutal, Planned, and Sadistic Murder

The sentencing hearing began with some startling new information, while Jenkinson had pleaded not guilty at trial, she admitted that she stabbed Ghey repeatedly. She said that she did so more times than she could remember, saying that it was "a lot," according to The Guardian.

The defendant told a psychiatrist that she found the incident "exciting" while they were talking at the secure unit where she was being held by law enforcement. Jenkinson said that she did the crime because she thought that Ghey was going to stop being her friend and believed that it was the only way they could always be together.

The judge in the case said that the defendants will only be released if, in the future, it is decided that they no longer present a danger to the public. Prior to being identified, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were known as "Girl X" and "Boy Y," respectively.

But Justice Yip said that after the two suspects were found guilty last month over Ghey's murder, there was a strong public interest in the full and unrestricted reporting of the case. On the other hand, lawyers for the defendants argued that naming them would have ramifications for their welfare, said the Associated Press.



Related Article: Protesters Close Roads Between Belgium and Netherlands
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  An ongoing speaker series hosted by Columbus State University (CSU) continued on Thursday night. Guests gathered at the National Infantry Museum at 7 p.m. for the third panel and fourth discussion addressing the legacy of the Korean War.

Panelists Dr. Mary Dudziak and Dr. Michael Lynch spoke in a discussion moderated by CSUs Col. Richard R. Hallock Distinguished Chair of Military History Dr. David Kieran. Dudziak is a law professor at Emory University, historian and author. Lynch currently serves as a research associate and professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.

When Americans do think about the Korean War, of course, Americans think about Americans, Dudziak said.

Georgia high school theater students flock to Columbus this year in record numbers

The conversation was still in its first minutes but the response colored the rest of discussion that followed. Dudziak was hinting at the necessity of decentering the American perspective of the Korean War through alternative cultural lenses and with a critical eye toward history.

Although she acknowledged she wasnt able to speak for Koreans or their family members which had lived through the war, she told the audience what she had experienced on a trip to South Korea.

Its a different kind of history than there are for some other regions because of the fact that the country has been forever divided, Dudziak said. The panelist recalled a sense of yearning for reunification in her conversations with Korean civilians.

New USO Center opens at Fort Moore for military members and families

The panel had time to respond to five prompts from Kieran and a few audience questions over the duration of about an hour-and-a-half. Many of Lynchs responses focused on systematic issues and outside pressures at the time.

Korea was sort of ground zero for sort of working out the problems, really deep problems of racial discrimination in the context of that sort of first experience of on the ground integration, said Lynch, a retired Army officer.

He continued, Thats really an important part of the Korean War history  that really needs to be remembered.

Lynch spoke about the Korean War in the context of a post-World War II United States, with a diminished force and segregated divisions. There was also the strained relationship between President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur. Plus, the US was navigating its role within the UN for one of the first times.

Moderator Dr. David Kieran of CSU stands with panelists Dr. Michael Lynch and Dr. Mary Dudziak. (Olivia Yepez)

The third panel in CSUs series took place at the National Infantry Museum. (Olivia Yepez)

Rounding out the conversation, Dudziak called for increased acknowledgement of the civilian casualties of the Korean War and the No Gun Ri massacre. The event was investigated and deemed a regrettable mistake by then-President Bill Clinton in 2001, however no apology or compensation were offered.

The comments were met by dissent from one audience member who called Dudziaks words ludicrous. In response, Dudziak affirmed it should not be the war that is apologized for, but specifically the No Gun Ri massacre and civilian deaths involved.

Lynch agreed that the Korean War was operationally flawed, especially as American troops faced challenges with supplies and training as they attempted to navigate Korean mountain ranges. He added the No Gun Ri massacre was criminal and should not be dignified, even though the risk of such casualties is a possibility within war.

Women-owned, veteran-owned non-profit gym hosts grand opening celebration

According to Lynch, the Korean War also provided precedent for future U.S. actions as a member of the U.N. Since this era, the U.S. has not made non-joint decisions and or taken part in non-coalition endeavors, Lynch said. He added the war also showed the value of working with international partners in conflicts.

United States Forces Korea, a combination of U.S. and Republic of Korea forces, formed in 1957 still exists today.

The panel discussion was in-part made possible through CSUs Hallock Endowment for Military History. In alignment with this speaker series, CSU students will take a trip to Korea in summer 2024. The trip is funded in-part by the Hallock Endowment and charitable donations.

CSUs The Legacy of the Korean War series will continue on Feb. 21, with a discussion by Beth Bailey, a professor and director of the Center for Military, War and Society Studies at the University of Kansas. More discussions will follow on March 11 and 26. The series will conclude on April 4.

A Korean War memorial will be added to the National Infantry Museum this summer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
During Ileana Ros Lehtinens decades in Congress, Cuban government officials and state media journalists referred to the Cuban-American politician as la loba feroz  the big bad she-wolf  an attack on her tough Cuba policies as well as a display of the common sexism at the top of the islands hierarchy.

Now, the communist government has identified a new female foe. And she, too, is being called names.

A story in the Communist Party newspaper Granma on Friday lashed out at Miami congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, a former journalist who now chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs. The headline and the story called her the hyena.

In an all-out attack, Granma leveled a barrage of accusations against Salazar with no evidence  from working for the CIA while she was a journalist to being close to terrorists to taking money from fellow Cuban-American congressmen.

Can her decades of service to [regime] subversion, her intimacy with gangsters and terrorist mafias be hidden? the article asks. Who recruited, trained and chose her as a replacement for the big bad she-wolf? To whom does she owe the millions to catapult herself to Congress? How much [journalistic] coverage by orders from the... CIA and the State Department?

How much do you receive from your colleagues Marco Rubio, Mario Diaz-Balart, or from your idols, such as Ileana Ros and the veteran in corrupt and opportunistic affairs, [U.S. Sen.] Bob Menendez? the article continued.

The byline on the piece is Francisco Arias Fernandez, a colonel in Cubas feared Interior Ministry who works as a journalist for several state media outlets. Increasingly, Cuban state media, including television, have been hiring or using state security agents and other members of the Interior Ministry to cover for the absence of trained journalists, who have left state media in droves in recent years.

Salazar seems to have hit a nerve when she cast doubt on the independence of the emerging private sector on the island during a congressional hearing last month, calling it a myth and a government ruse.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress clash over existence of the private sector in Cuba

Shortly after, Cuban diplomat Johana Tablada published a piece criticizing Salazars tough stance on Cuba that was laced with personal attacks. And in an interview with CNN en Espanol, a top Economy Ministry official also pushed back on some of the claims made by the Miami representative during the hearing.

Cuba pushes back against claims in Congress that its private sector is a myth

Historically, Cuban American politicians whom the Cuban government identifies as political adversaries have usually been derided by state media, but only women seem to have been called names or compared to animals.

Among its many horrible faults, misogyny is one of the traits of the dictatorship, said Ros-Lehtinen, who used to represent Miami-Dade District 27, the same that reelected Salazar in 2022. Women politicians in the U.S. and elsewhere continue being the target of the despotic regime. Female ex-political prisoners are the subject of much harassment and persecution in Cuba and elsewhere.

But the supposed slur against her from the regime, she said, never landed. Instead, she saw it as confirmation that I was dedicated to telling the truth about its abuses against the Cuban people and the continued human rights violations on the island.

She embraced it humorously and even purchased a Florida license plate with the nickname.

It was a high honor when the dictatorship labeled me La Loba Feroz, said Ros-Lehtinen, who is now a lobbyist for the Washington D.C. lawfirm Akin.

Salazar took taking a similar approach in a statement to the Miami Herald in response to the Cuba story, highlighting her denunciations of the continued violations of human rights on the island.

In memory of my grandmother Elvira Machado, who was part of the urban resistance, and my grandfather Rafael Bermudo, who lost everything at 50 years old; the separated families and the thousands of Cubans who drowned in the Florida Straits, I will continue to use my position won with the free vote of my constituents to be a stone in the shoe of the dictatorship on the island, she said.

She added: To the bureaucrats of the Ideological Department of the Central Committee and its puppet Granma: You will have the hyena Maria Elvira Salazar for a while.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said it is irresponsible to reject a bipartisan border bill without even reading it in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Saturday.

The crisis at our Southern Border should not be about party politics. The entire nation is finally feeling the burden that border communities have felt for years, Cuellars post read. It is irresponsible to reject a bipartisan border security bill without even reading it. We have a crisis at our border that demands solutions now.

Democrats and Republicans must come together to get the job done, Cuellar continued.

Cuellar also included a clip of a recent interview he did on MSNBCs Morning Joe in which he questioned how someone could push back against a bipartisan border bill that they havent read.

Nobody has seen the text, Cuellar said.

House Republicans appear to be close to striking down a chance at border legislation, despite a history of wanting changes to border and migration policy tied with more Ukraine

In a Dear Colleague letter last Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Senate legislation on border security and Ukraine aid, if the proposed terms that came out so far were accurate, would be dead on arrival in the House.

I wanted to provide a brief update regarding the supplemental and the border, since the Senate appears unable to reach any agreement, he wrote. If rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway.

GOP members in the House are painting upper chamber colleagues recently as sellouts who want to compromise with Democrats.

This is why we dont listen to the Senate Republicans, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said in a Fox News interview. What they did in the Senate is once again some ham-handed deal that would help the Democrats save face, give Republican leadership an ability to say that they did something. And if it became law, the American people would quickly realize nothing changed, except that the politicians patted themselves on the back

Were just not interested in that, Donalds added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE: The Culinary Union announced that a tentative agreement on a new 5-year contract was reached on Friday shortly after 7 p.m. with Binions and Four Queens for over 500 hospitality workers.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Culinary union members continued to picket Friday outside the downtown Las Vegas casino properties with unsettled contracts.

The culinary union set a strike deadline for Monday for all unsettled properties.

Six Las Vegas resorts remain. The last unsettled Las Vegas Strip property is Virgin Hotels after the union announced a tentative agreement with Rio Hotel and Casino, Binions, and Four Queens on Friday. The four downtown Las Vegas properties are the Golden Nugget, Downtown Grand, Fremont, and Main Street.

Bella Angeles has worked at the Golden Nugget for 15 years. She chanted and held up signs with the rest of the 3,600 workers waiting on new five-year contracts.

Fingers crossed that we get all that we need and deserve, Angeles said.

Among those demands are better pay, benefits, and job security against technology.

Support the union, support us here fighting for our job, for our families. Not only for me, for all our families, she spoke with passion and stood outside her workplace.

Although its not on the Las Vegas Strip, Tedd Pappageorge with the Culinary Union, said Virgin Hotel is considered a Strip property. Rio Hotel is also considered a Strip property.

They all market themselves as Strip properties and have historically agreed to Strip rates and contracts and we are not going to change that now, Pappageorge said.

Pappageorge said contracts are the same for Strip properties. An average culinary worker makes $28 including benefits. The new contract increases wages to $37.

It is a few dollars less for all the downtown ones.

Bill Werner, a UNLV labor relations professor, shared insight with 8 News Now Friday.

He said the union considers Las Vegas as two markets, the Strip and Downtown. And he said the 8 months it has taken to come to a deal is typical.

There is a threat of a strike and they have to make that threat credible, but ultimately I think they will all reach a contract, Werner said. At least down to the smaller properties, that is usually where the most resistance is.

Pappageorge said union members are meeting around the clock and reminding companies of the value of their workers.

Our goal is to get great contracts not end up on strike, he said. Unfortunately with where we are going with these companies, we dont have any more room for any more extensions.

The Golden Nugget negotiations are scheduled for tomorrow, while picketing continues Friday night and resumes again Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The strike deadline for the remaining seven properties is Monday at 5 p.m.

Pappageorge said the union is currently negotiating with Binions, the Four Queens, Fremont, and Main Street.

There was no progress with negotiations with Downtown Grand and Virgin Hotels Friday and nothing scheduled yet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during an Associated Press interview on Dec. 12, 2023, in Atlanta. | Brynn Anderson, Associated Press

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been accused of having a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor whom she hired in the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and 18 others, has responded to the allegations in a filing.

District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorneys Office, the filing reads. Adding that the allegations hold no support but rather fantastical theories and rank speculation.

The claims against Willis were brought forward in a document filed in January by attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who is representing Mike Roman. Roman was part of Trumps campaign team in 2020 and is a co-defendant in the case in Georgia.

The motion alleged that Willis and Wade were in an inappropriate romantic relationship that created a conflict of interest. The filing seeks to dismiss the case and to have Willis and Wade and their offices barred from further prosecuting the case, per The Associated Press.

Following the motion by Merchant, Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the election interference case, agreed to a Feb. 15 hearing date to hear the allegations regarding Willis improper relations with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she appointed to the case.

Willis requested in her filing Friday that McAffee reject the efforts to remove her office from the case without conducting a hearing on the basis that the motions have no merit.

District Attorney Willis has no financial conflict of interest that constitutes a legal basis for disqualification, it said. District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorneys Office.

Related

According to an affidavit attached to the filing, Wade explicitly admitted to his personal relationship with Willis, clarifying that it did not exist when he was initially hired.

In 2022, District Attorney Willis and I developed a personal relationship in addition to our professional association and friendship, Wade said in the filing. I have no financial interest in the outcome of the 2020 election interference case or in the conviction of any defendant.

In regard to the accusations made that Wade had paid for him and Willis to take lavish vacations at the expense of taxpayers, Wade said, No funds paid to me in compensation for my role as special prosecutor have been shared with or provided to District Attorney Willis. The district attorney received no funds or personal financial gain from my position as special prosecutor.

Following the release of Willis court filing, Trump posted his opinions on the matter to Truth Social.

He said he believes Willis was able to get Wade much more money than she would be able to get for the prosecution of any other person or individual, Trump said. THAT MEANS THAT THIS SCAM IS TOTALLY DISCREDITED & OVER!

In the Georgia case, Trump, along with 14 others, was charged with racketeering, among other offenses. The indictment alleges they conspired to overturn Trumps loss in the state in 2020. Four individuals who were initially indicted have entered guilty pleas following agreements with the prosecution.
If returned to office, Trump will need others to carry out his directives. He will want White House staffers to follow his orders without asking troubling questions, as testimony in the classified-documents case demonstrates. These staffers will not be known for independent, creative thinking, just personal fidelity to Trump, for whom loyalty flows only one way.

No responsible president would want such a staff; he or she would instead seek advisors who voiced their opinions straightforwardly, not hesitating to bring bad news when necessary. Presidents face tough issues requiring tactical decisions where even philosophically like-minded advisors will disagree. So selecting a strong, competent White House staff has nothing to do with restraining a president or undercutting his constitutional authority. It is simply good management.

Everyone knows presidents make the final decision, but a White House of serfs will serve neither presidents nor America well. Indeed, being surrounded by neutered aides fearful of firing could again cause Trumps downfall, at potentially terrible cost to the country.

The presidents free hand in staffing the West Wing contrasts with appointments for the vast majority of senior officers of the United States who manage the broader federal government, where the Senates advise-and-consent power limits his discretion.

The Senates future make-up is unknown, but Democrats will certainly try to block key executive branch nominees. Moreover, many Republicans will examine Trump nominees to ensure both their capabilities and their loyalty to the Constitution, and not to the temporary Oval Office occupant.

Trump and many supporters see a deep state, a careerist cabal in law enforcement, intelligence, foreign policy, and the military, covertly running the government and conspiring to destroy him and his regime.

Deep state is a fallacy

The deep state is a fallacy, but there is no doubt that government bureaucracies develop distinctive cultures. What Trump and his acolytes dont understand is that this culture arises not from clandestine conspiracies but from legislative mandates and incentive structures that federal agencies live within. It is often not a pretty picture.

I have, for example, long argued that the State Department needs a cultural revolution to redirect its efforts, one that will take decades to bring about. But directing recalcitrant bureaucracies, however difficult and frustrating, is a required skill for any president who truly wants to accomplish significant change and not merely bloviate about it.

Since Trump does not understand this logic, he will inevitably and repeatedly cross lines that will cause conflict, often constitutional conflict. Take the four pending criminal indictments against Trump. He will have constitutional authority to order Justice to dismiss the two cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, or, if necessary, pardon himself.

Trump has already argued for a government shutdown to stop Smiths trial preparations and investigations. While the presidents authority to self-pardon is disputed, litigating a Trump self-pardon could take years before definite resolution, even assuming someone has standing to litigate the issue. And if the Supreme Court invalidated Trumps self-pardoning, it might take yet another impeachment saga to remove him from office. He will not depart voluntarily this time.

The result could well be mass resignations from Smiths office, and perhaps across Justice. This time, there will be little prospect, as during the Saturday Night Massacre, of halting a tide of resignations. When Richard Nixon ordered the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, Attorney General Elliott Richardson and his deputy, William Ruckelshaus, resigned because of commitments that they made during their confirmations. Nixon then ordered the departments third-ranking official, Solicitor General Robert Bork, to fire Cox, and Bork said he would also resign. But Richardson talked him out of it, arguing that Bork alone could prevent a flood of resignations from lower-ranking Justice lawyers. Richardson told him, Youve got the gun now, Bob. Its your duty to pull the trigger. Bork did so, maintaining the departments basic function and integrity were vital.

Every time Trump seeks retribution through Justice, as he has on multiple occasions, the risk of protest resignations arises, impairing the effective operation of the entire federal legal system. In such circumstances, who would serve in a Trump Justice Department? The same question applies across the federal bureaucracy.

The New York and Georgia indictments are more complicated. Trump has no authority to direct them, nor can he pardon himself, because they are not federal cases. What would he do if convicted and sentenced? Quite possibly, he would simply reject such outcomes (particularly if they involved jail time), arguing, typically, that they were witch hunts, and refusing to accept the validity of the legal results.

Impeachment may be only remedy

What then? How do state or local officials deal with an incumbent president contesting their jurisdiction and authority? And who at the national level would assist them? Yet again, impeachment may be the only remedy.

Because of that possibility, Congress will be in constant agitation during a second Trump incumbency: constant combat with Trump over his legitimacy in office will distract America from pending threats, especially internationally, where his attention span is already perilously short.

Beyond Justice, the entire deep state will face comparable tribulations. Trumps prior clashes with national security bureaucracies are well known. Who will be willing to serve there as political appointees, and who among them could expect easy Senate confirmation?

Trump is completely comfortable with extraordinary personnel turnover, partly because he has no idea what is required to steer the massive federal bureaucracy, and partly because high turnover means he alone remains the centre of attention. Trump is not focused on reducing the federal governments size and scope so much as on achieving objectives personal to him, particularly retribution. In consequence, vast portions of the national security machinery may simply grind to a halt in a second Trump term. We are entirely in uncharted territory.

Deviations from conservative norms

There is no Trumpism. His lack of philosophy and inability to reason in policy terms leaves him uniquely susceptible to dramatic shifts in his positions, and certainly in his rhetoric. If his self-interested cost-benefit analysis of something changes, his policy view changes accordingly, and quickly. This is a major contributing factor to Trumps endemic untrustworthiness and unfitness for the presidency.

Examples of his deviations from conservative norms already abound, as in 2016 when Trump said, I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose voters, this is hardly a law and order position. Nor is his solicitude for Jan 6 rioters, including hosting a fundraiser at his Bedminster resort and pledging to contribute to their legal defence fund.

There have been few people that have been treated in the history of our country like these defendants, he said, incorrectly. Had they really been Antifa members, he would have favoured maximum sentences. The consistent conservative view is straightforward: Whatever the politics of those who invade the Capitol to disrupt Congresss orderly functioning, they should serve maximum prison terms without parole.

Trumps ineligibility for a third term (which could be changed only by constitutional amendment) inhibits him in some respects. But in other ways, it also frees him from political constraints. In my experience, when substantive policy arguments made no headway, Trump was often persuaded by arguments based on personal political benefit. Because he need not fear the challenges of another presidential election, the political constraints around him are much looser, and the real guardrail of voter opinion will be minimised.

Moreover, he will be hearing endlessly about his legacy, a message with an uncanny ability to turn the heads of public officials away from philosophical and policy goals toward their own self-enhancement. How far astray he will go is unknowable, but his record indicates that conservatives supporting Trump because they believe he is one of them, could be quite surprised after four more years.

Excerpted from a new foreword in The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir by John Bolton

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a man after conducting a operation meant to target package thieves.

On Jan. 31, MPD created two decoy packaged, each fitted with an AirTag, and put them on the steps of a private home in the the 1500 block of Gales St. in Northeast D.C. Both packages had shipping labels and markings of a popular e-commerce company and were addressed to MPDs Fifth District Commander.

Maryland Meals on Wheels in need of delivery drivers

Then, at around 1:30 p.m., a man went onto the private property, took both packages and left.

MPD officers tracked the packages using the AirTags and then arrested Gregory Fogle, 59, of Southeast, D.C., for Theft II.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Duval County Public Schools hosts an event to help parents make the right decision for their children.

School Showcase Saturday is to help families make the best enrollment decisions for their children for the 2024-25 school year.

All schools will be open on their designated Saturdays, and families will have a chance to meet school leaders and staff, ask questions, and attend school tours.

The event will be Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

Read: Florida lawmakers eyeing THC caps for legal weed ahead of likely statewide vote in November

Elementary schools available to tour are GRASP Academy, John Love Early Learning Center, and John E. Ford K8.

School tours will begin at the following times: 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.

According to DCPS, schools will host tours at their school sites. There are a few exceptions. With campuses being renovated and rebuilt across the district through the half-penny initiative, some schools will have to host their tours at off-site locations. See below:

Chaffee Trail Middle School will host a Q&A at Chaffee Trail Elementary School.

Read: Emergency demolition: RISE Doro coming down quickly because of public safety danger, officials say

Ribault Middle School will host tours at A. Philip Randolph High School.

Ribault High School will host tours at Ribault Middle School.

Highlands Elementary School will host tours at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

Read: Do not sell: Jacksonville woman denied purchase of Black History books at local Target store

Prepare:

Talk with school leadership and other parents to make sure you have all your questions answered: before/after school care, transportation, electives, special programs, clubs, sports, uniforms, etc.

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Britain needs an entirely new fiscal framework if it is to put an end to the ever-mounting burden of public indebtedness, but neither the presiding Tory government nor its likely Labour successor show any sign of wanting to apply the required restraint.

As things stand, the British state is on a clear and unavoidable path to debt-addled oblivion. Virtually all the pressures on public spending, from defence to social care, the NHS and net zero, are on a strongly rising path.

Yet the politicians seem powerless to stand in their way, prompting the Institute for Fiscal Studies to comment: It will be more difficult to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio over the next parliament than in any other parliament since the 1950s.

Many supposed priorities, moreover, threaten to make the situation even worse. Big challenges and much higher costs lie in wait for the social care and university sectors if, for instance, there are significant cuts to immigration.

Labour is desperate for power, and is seemingly willing to sell its own grandmother to get it. Every time you look, another policy objective has seemingly been abandoned in an attempt to sweet-talk financial markets into believing this is a party they can do business with.

In George Orwells Animal Farm, it did at least take a little while before the noble ideals of animalism gave way to the pursuit of power for the sake of it, but Labour is moving from four legs good, two legs bad to four legs good, two legs better at a speed that would impress even the most cynical of demagogues.

If making it safe to vote Labour entails abandoning curbs on bankers bonuses, committing to the same rate of corporation tax as the Tories, promising not to raise established rates of income tax and national insurance, or even watering down the 28bn flagship green prosperity plan, so be it.

Well match or even better the Tories on fiscal discipline, Labours high command repeatedly pledges, which is easy enough to commit to in opposition, but a good sight more difficult to deliver once in government.

As a party that likes to tax, spend and borrow, the fact is that Labour is peculiarly unsuited for the task that lies ahead. As things stand, neither the Governments fiscal rules nor the very similar ones proposed by Labour  both of them supposed to impose a degree of constraint on tax and spend  look equal to the task of getting the debt-to-GDP trajectory back onto a sustainable path.

To the contrary, by providing the illusion of constraint, they merely serve to reduce the market and political pressures for the degree of fiscal discipline that is required, and thereby give cover for persistent deficit spending.

Both of them are a pretence, or a fig leaf that allows St Augustines principle of please make me chaste, but not yet to reign supreme. Every time the going gets tough, the rules are adjusted to accommodate a softer approach.

As Ethan Ilzetzki, associate professor at the London School of Economics, observed in a paper last week for UK in a Changing Europe, the reality is that governments have repeatedly changed the fiscal rules in order to make room for rising debt-to-GDP ratios.

He said: When times are bad and the economy is hit by a shock, the government relaxes the target; but when things get better the government declares victory and loosens policy.

The idea that deficits should be restricted to no more than 3pc of GDP originally came from the EUs Maastricht Treaty to bring about further European integration. Its a fairly arbitrary number, which the UK is in any case under no obligation to apply now its outside the EU.

Yet today it means almost nothing at all, either in the UK or the EU, having been manipulated or otherwise suspended to death.

After repeated economic shocks, 3pc of GDP has become the effective floor, rather than the ceiling, Ilzetzki points out. The UKs fiscal rules are these days easily capable of accommodating much larger ongoing deficits, while the EU has struggled to reimpose one time fiscal constraints.

Hunts tax-cutting plans drew a stinging rebuke from IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas - Jose Luis Magana/AP

It was reasonable to assume that the debacle of Liz Trusss mini-Budget would have finally drawn a line under the practice of repeatedly putting off the fateful day in the hope that, like Wilkins Micawber, something will turn up.

In the event, it has neither put an end to fantasy fiscal policy, nor is there any likelihood of anything turning up to save us.

In seeking to undo the damage of Trusss short-lived premiership, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, sought to re-establish confidence by raising taxes and taking the axe to planned spending.

Yet the moment the first green shoots of fiscal stability poked their way through the frozen tundra, it was immediately squandered on tax cuts, even though public debt is now virtually 100pc of GDP.

The Governments stated objective of further tax cuts ahead of the election drew a stinging rebuke last week from the International Monetary Fund, whose chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, said the UKs focus should be on trying to rebuild fiscal buffers ... rather than adding to the 20bn of personal and business tax cuts delivered in November.

Ive got some sympathy with the offence that Hunt plainly took at Mr Gourinchass remarks, and indeed his testy reaction to separate criticism from the head of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility to the effect that forecasts for debt were based on questionable assumptions about the scope for spending cuts.

Mr Gourinchas has no idea what Hunt is planning; when dealing with a tax system as labyrinthine as the UKs, there are lots of tax cuts that can be made which are good for growth, and would therefore largely pay for themselves.

Nor is it the job of the OBR to express a view on the credibility of spending cuts. Thats for markets and commentators like me to judge.

All the same, both make valid points. Rules designed to guard against fiscal profligacy no longer do the job they are supposed to, and are even less likely to provide that constraint in future.

Like the Government, Labour has chosen a target for getting the debt-to-GDP ratio on a declining path that constantly recedes five years into the future. This makes the rule all but meaningless. Whats more, it can be suspended at any point to allow fiscal policy to respond to external shocks.

In an increasingly dangerous world, it is almost certain that well see at least one such shock in the next five years, making it seem equally certain that debt will continue to rise until finally it breaks the bank.

The soft fiscal credibility rules we see today are going to prove powerless before the flood; none of them ensures that the fiscal armoury is recharged between economic shocks with sufficient weaponry to be able to withstand the next onslaught, which will no doubt be with us soon enough.

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Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont proposed the elimination of medical debt for eligible residents, which, if successful, would make the state the first in the country to do so.

The Democratic governor's plan was revealed during an exclusive interview on Friday on "Good Morning America." He said that his state plans to erase roughly $1 billion in medical debt this year by leveraging $6.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Eliminating Medical Debt

Lamont said that this was not something that happened to people because they were spending too much money. He argued that it was the result of being hit with a medical emergency that they did not expect and were unable to completely account for. The governor said that they should have to suffer twice, the first with their illness and the second with debt.

Connecticut officials said that they are contracting with a non-profit organization that purchases medical debt and eliminates it at a reduced cost. Residents who have household incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty line, which is $124,800 annually for a family of four, or whose medical debt equates to 5% or more of their annual income will be eligible for the program, as per ABC News.

The state added that there are roughly 250,000 residents who can expect to see their medical debt erased with the initial $6.5 million investment. The governor noted that it is important that people have a sense that they can start building wealth of their own. He added that they are making it easier for people to do just that and eliminating debt is the best way to start.

Furthermore, eligible households will not have to apply to the program because the contracted agency will work with state agencies to automatically wipe their debts clear. The state noted that the relief should go into effect by June this year.

Authorities said that more than one in 10 Connecticut residents have medical debt in collections. Based on a recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report, it was shown that medical debt is the leading source of collections debt for Americans. It is greater than credit cards, personal loans, utilities, and phone bills combined.

Read Also: Mississippi Advances Medicaid Reform for Expectant Mothers

Helping Residents Build Wealth

Lamont said that the effort would liberate many residents from what he called "the cloud" over their heads. The governor added that it would give them more freedom to buy a home, start a business, or continue with their education, according to CNN.

The situation comes as Connecticut joins a growing number of governments that are working to wipe out residents' unpaid medical bills. New Jersey previously included $10 million in its most recent budget to fund a pilot program that would cancel people's medical debt.

Last month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called on the state Legislature to expand the effort in the coming budget. During his State of the State address, he said that for every dollar invested, they could retire up to $100 in debt for tens of thousands of residents.

Once the vendor is secured for Connecticut's latest program, it would sign an agreement with hospitals to analyze and acquire large portfolios of debt that meet eligibility criteria. Residents should then start receiving letters in the mail notifying them that their debt has been canceled, said NBC Connecticut.



Related Article: California Lawmakers Introduce Nation's First Slavery Reparations Bills After Years of Deliberations
In this Handout photograph released by the Sri Lanka President's Office HO, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, second right, poses for a photograph with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at the presidential secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Sri Lanka President's Office HO via AP)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Debt-stricken Sri Lanka signed a trade pact with Thailand on Saturday in a bid to boost trade and investment as the Indian ocean island nation is struggling to recover from its worst economic crisis that hit two year ago.

The Sri Lanka Thailand Free Trade Agreement covering trade in goods, investment, custom procedures and intellectual property rights was signed in the capital Colombo in the presence of Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Sri Lanka began talks with Thailand on a free trade agreement in 2016.

The countries two-way trade was worth about $352 million in 2022, with Thailand's exports at $292 million and Sri Lankas exports at $58 million, according to Sri Lankan governments data.

Sri Lanka exports include mainly precious stones, apparel, tea and spices while exports from Thailand include smoked rubber sheets, natural rubber, plastic and cement. Sri Lanka's government expects the trade pact would boost two-way trade up to $1.5 billion.

Thavisin said that the countries agreed to promote investment in areas such as fisheries, food processing, tourism and green energy. Thailand has made over $92 million in direct investment in Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2022.

Giving further boost to tourism, Thavisin said that Thailand's flag carrier Thai Airways would resume daily flights from Bangkok to Sri Lanka next month.

Sri Lanka has been struggling with an economic crisis since declaring bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt, more than half of it to foreign creditors. The crisis led to protests that ousted then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine have largely abated over the past year under Wickremesinghe. But public dissatisfaction has grown over the governments effort to increase revenue by raising electricity bills and imposing heavy new income taxes on professionals and businesses. The International Monetary Fund approved a four-year bailout program last March to help the South Asian country.

Sri Lanka is hoping to restructure $17 billion of its outstanding debt and has already reached agreements with some of its external creditors.

Calling the agreement a milestone in the economic partnership between the two countries, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka has made significant progress in economic stabilization since the crisis erupted.

As Sri Lanka begins to stabilise its economy and regain international confidence towards recovery and growth, we are looking at Thailands support as Sri Lanka undertakes this very important journey of economic transformation and integration with Asia, Wickremesinghe said.

He also said the free trade agreement was Sri Lanka's second with an ASEAN country, after Singapore. Sri Lanka is also in talks with neighbouring India and China on trade agreements.
On the night of Sept. 21, 2001, Sherri Malariks home was bustling with activity. The Navy air traffic controller was hosting a family sleepover with pizza, video games and a large group of kids that included her own  her blended family had five  and her sisters.

At one point, Malarik, 34, stepped outside. She never returned.

The next morning, her body was found inside the familys Dodge minivan in a parking lot just outside Pensacola, Florida. Shed been shot twice with a .25-caliber gun.

Nearly two decades passed before there was an arrest in Malariks killing. In two first-degree murder trials that followed, prosecutors failed to convict the suspect, her husband.

The first trial against Greg Malarik, now 61, ended in a hung jury, and when he stood trial again last year, he was acquitted.

The proceedings exposed a lingering fracture between relatives, one that has left them divided not only over whos responsible for Sherris killing, but over their familys shared memories.

"I dont even know how to describe, to be honest, the way it feels to go through all of that and then see nothing come out the other end, other than a broken-up, torn-apart family, Tera Malarik, Greg and Sherris youngest daughter, told Dateline.

Tera, 26, has publicly supported her father, who has always denied killing Sherri. She testified for the defense during his second trial and, after his Oct. 13 acquittal, posted words of support on Facebook: Thank God, justice prevailed and dad is innocent.

Teras older brother, Jacob, 33, testified for the prosecution in both trials, however, and believes Greg killed his mother. He told Dateline that while he and Tera are very close, their connection is broken for now.

"I texted her on her birthday, Jacob said. Just to let her know, like, Im not done with you. I havent written you off. Im just not ready yet.

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

Their cousin, Lisa Leake, described the familial rift in even bleaker terms. Asked if she had anything to say to Tera, Leake said: I have no words.

Greg declined an interview request from Dateline. Tera said he is trying to rebuild his life after spending more than three years under house arrest.

A happy start, then an affair

Jacob, Sherris son from a previous relationship, recalled his mother as someone who loved music, dancing and being a parent. She was also highly organized and well suited for the high-stress environments of an air traffic control tower or a house full of children, her family said.

Sherri met Greg in Bermuda in the early 1990s while they were both in the Navy.

Jacobs early memories of Greg are good. He recalled his mothers new partner picking him up early from day care for fishing trips or motorcycle rides.

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

The family returned to the United States and eventually settled in Pensacola. While Sherri was in Greece for a yearlong assignment, Jacob said, a Navy employee who sometimes babysat for Greg began spending more time at their home  even when there was no babysitting to do.

Once, Jacob said, he found their father canoodling on the living room floor with the woman.

Two decades later, this affair with Jennifer Spohn became a key part of the prosecutions case against Greg. But at the time, Jacob was too scared to confront Greg, he said. Nor did he tell his mother about what hed seen  a decision partly motivated by the fact that when Sherri returned, Spohn had disappeared from their home, Jacob said.

She stepped outside and never returned

That changed on Sept. 21, 2001, the last day Sherri was seen alive. She was busy managing what Jacob described as the controlled chaos of the cousins' first sleepover. At one point, one of the kids sat down to eat, he said, and his mother stepped outside to talk to Greg, who was in the backyard working on the familys minivan.

"That was the last time I ever saw her, Jacob said.

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

The sequence of events that followed also became central to the prosecutions case: At some point, Jacob told investigators, Greg returned through the back door and the children asked where their mother was. Greg told them shed gone to the store, Jacob recalled, adding that Greg then walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Shortly after, Jacob said, Spohn  the woman who Greg was having an affair with  stopped by to return a lawnmower. It was roughly 9 p.m., an investigator with the states attorneys office in Pensacola, Wayne Wright, told Dateline.

At 8 the next morning, Sherri was found dead in the parking lot of a Winn-Dixie.

After the discovery, Spohn told authorities that her visit to the familys home that night was a coincidence. She felt Greg had needed the lawnmower back, recalled Buddy NeSmith, an Escambia County Sheriffs detective who investigated the killing.

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

Authorities were suspicious of Spohns account, NeSmith told Dateline. But in subsequent interviews over nearly two decades, she always gave the same account and said she knew nothing about Sherris murder, said prosecutor Amy Shea of Floridas First Judicial Circuit.

Then, on March 7, 2020  nearly 19 years after the killing  Greg was arrested. The evidence against him relied largely on the memories of the children who, in some cases, recalled the events of the sleepover to authorities.

There was no smoking gun thats gonna point to one person or another, Shea said. Its the circumstances.

Easier just to kill her

After Gregs arrest, investigators returned to Spohn and offered a deal: If she told the truth about what happened on the night of Sept. 21, shed get full immunity from prosecution. Spohn agreed.

Spohn recalled the account to Dateline in her first media interview: Greg had gone through a divorce before and believed it would be easier just to kill her, Spohn recalled him saying.

Its nonsense, Spohn said she told him. You dont just kill your wife. And its not gonna be easier.

Spohn said she didnt believe hed go through with it  even though he allegedly provided instructions on the night of Sept. 21 to meet him at the Winn-Dixie parking lot, where hed parked the familys van, she said.

Spohn said she drove him home, then waited a bit before knocking, per Greg's request, and saying she had the lawnmower. The real reason she was there, she told Dateline, was to help establish Gregs alibi.

Spohn said she never asked Greg about why shed picked him up or what hed done. But she recalled thinking: How in the world did I get into this?

Spohn said Greg gave her clothes and bags  including one with what Spohn said contained a gun  and told her to get rid of them. She said she later tossed them into a river.

I know what I did, Spohn said. I know it was wrong. I made some bad decisions, but once you make that bad decision, theres no going back. Im sorry for what I did.

After Sherris death, Spohn often stayed at the familys home and briefly moved in in 2009. She dated Greg until she left Florida in 2014.

A shocking allegation

Tera was 3 when her mother was fatally shot. She has a few memories of Sherri, but she isnt sure if theyre real. Still, when Tera was growing up, her siblings often described Sherri as a super mom, she told "Dateline."

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

Tera said she was 15 when she learned that her father may have been responsible for her mothers death; a cousin sent her a Facebook message suggesting it.

Tera became angry when she learned of her fathers affair, she said, but shed always known him to be supportive and protective, someone she shared a love of music and old movies with, and later became close friends with. When Tera confronted Greg about the Facebook allegation, she recalled, he denied it and told her he didnt understand why the cousin had said it.

He gave me a hug, and he told me everything was going to be OK, she said.

To Tera, Spohn seemed a likelier suspect in her mothers killing. Spohn has denied any involvement and has not been charged.

Jacob, on the other hand, said he became convinced that Greg killed Sherri, based on Spohn quickly coming "back in the picture" after his mothers death and a series of events on the night of the killing that he said didnt add up  like why did his highly organized mother go to the store when shed just been two days before?

Jacob said he shared his suspicions with another brother, but not with Tera. To her, the allegation in the Facebook message came as a shock.

Despite Teras differences with Jacob over who they believed was responsible for their mothers death, she said, they largely stayed away from the subject and remained close.

A deadlocked jury

Tera said she approached her fathers first trial, in June 2022, with an open mind.

Two of her brothers, including Jacob, testified for the prosecution. Spohn was the governments star witness. Gregs lawyer, Chris Crawford, argued that Spohn had little credibility and law enforcement had botched the investigation.

There were moments when Tera doubted her fathers innocence, she said, but in the end, she came to believe he hadnt killed her mother. When the jury came back deadlocked, she said, it was a hard pill to swallow because thats not something you want to go through one time, let alone two times.

When the second trial opened last October, Crawford presented a defense that suggested Spohn was the possible killer  someone who wanted that life, Crawford said at trial. "And she decided to take it."

Crawford also tried to show that Sherris family had sought to turn her children against Greg, and Tera testified that she was sometimes uncomfortable around them because everything was always centered around moms death.

Jacob said he was taken aback by his sisters testimony, believing it misrepresented the past. Her cousin, Lisa Leake, said Teras testimony felt like being stabbed in the back.

My heart just breaks, she said.

Tera said that her testimony was truthful and that shes open to explaining her statements to her family.

I tried to be respectful of everybodys point of view, she said. And it seems like absolutely nobody is respecting mine.

To Jacob, the second trial was far more difficult than the first. He disliked the defense strategy, believing it made it seem as though his family  and not Greg  was on trial. And he was floored when the jury returned a not guilty verdict, making Greg a free man.

dateline Sherri Malarik murder (Courtesy Family)

Besides the text on her birthday, Jacob has remained out of touch with Tera since, he said.

Ive got a lot of anger in my heart right now that Im trying to deal with, and thats why Ive put Tera off for a moment, he said. I need to deal with my stuff.

Jacob said he understands that Tera wants to protect her father when nobody else will.

You dont wanna lose the only parent you have, he said, adding: But at the same time, I think that speaks volumes that nobody else is in his corner.

Tera, meanwhile, just had a baby and hopes to reconnect with the sibling she thinks of as her brother dad.

Hes been one of my biggest supporters in life, she said, adding: Im ready whenever he is.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  Deputies are investigating a homicide that happened in a neighborhood near North Sarasota, according to the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office.

The shooting happened at about 4 p.m. near North Lockwood Meadows Boulevard, deputies said.

Everyone involved in the shooting is accounted for and deputies said there is no threat to the public.

No other details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Babys Bounty will host diaper banks for families in need across Nevada in February, according to a Friday release.

The release stated that families will be able to receive a weeks supply of diapers and wipes for up to three children at each diaper bank.

Registration will be required for the Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas banks. Registration for those events will open on the Babys Bounty website one week before each event. Those interested can register online.

The following locations and dates will have diaper banks:

Henderson  Wednesday, Feb. 7  Registration is required 9 a.m. to Noon Morrell Park  500 Harris St., Henderson, Nevada Drive-thru bank

Mexican Consulate  Tuesday, Feb. 13 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mexican Consulate  823 South 6th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101 Drive-through bank

North Las Vegas  Wednesday, Feb. 14  Registration is required 9 a.m. to Noon Martin Luther King Jr. Senior Center  2420 N M.L.K. Blvd Building B, North Las Vegas, NV 89032 Drive-thru in the east parking lot

Las Vegas  Thursday, Feb. 15 1:40 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain View Elementary School  5436 Kell Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89156 Mobile bank

Las Vegas  Wednesday, Feb. 21  Registration is required 9 a.m. to Noon Babys Bounty  3400 W Desert Inn Road, Suite 8 Walk-up bank

Mesquite  Friday, Feb. 23 10 a.m. to Noon Salvation Army  742 W Pioneer Blvd Ste. D Mobile bank

Reno/Sparks  Wednesday, Feb. 28 9 a.m. to Noon 1410 Greg Street #409, Sparks, NV 89431 Drive-thru

Las Vegas  Thursday, Feb. 29 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Las Vegas Indian Center  2300 W Bonanza Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89106 Mobile bank



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Bobby Parkhurst had cause to celebrate in 2023 after he broke a nearly 60-year-old Kansas state fishing record dubbed a catch-of-a-lifetime. That is, he did until his catch was taken off the record list by wildlife officials.

What happened to Parkhursts supposed record? KSNT 27 News investigated this question by reaching out to Parkhurst and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to get to the bottom of this fishy situation.

A New State Fishing Record?

KSNT 27 News spoke with Parkhurst shortly after he landed the record-breaking white crappie in April, 2023. He caught the fish on March 5, 2023 at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 on a rod and reel, according to the KDWP. The fish measured 18 inches in length and 14 inches in girth and weighed 4.07 pounds.













Top big game records in Kansas for deer, elk and antelope

The record beaten by Parkhurst last year measured 17.5 inches in length and weighed 4.02 pounds. This fish was caught by Frank Miller of Eureka on March 30, 1964. It is once again the current state fishing record for white crappie.

At the time, Parkhurst said he was ready to throw the fish back in without checking to see if it was a record. After being prodded by his family and friends, he decided to submit the crappie to the KDWP to check for its record status.

I didnt think I had it beat, Parkhurst said in April, 2023.

He shared his plans with KSNT 27 News to get the fish mounted as a gift for one of his children. All was well for the next several days, but this changed on April 20, 2023 when Parkhurst said law enforcement visited his home.

Fish Seizure

Parkhurst said game wardens came to his home and took the fish he had caught under a search warrant. KDWP spokeswoman Nadia Marji confirms law enforcement seized the frozen fish in connection to a formal investigation.

They didnt tell me anything, Parkhurst said. I dont understand why theyre doing this to me.

Kansas man breaks nearly 30-year-old state fishing record with trophy catch

Claiming to be confused in the aftermath of the seizure, Parkhurst said he tried to get answers from the KDWP. However, he has yet to get his fish back.

On Nov. 14, 2023, the KDWP updated its original press release issued on Parkhursts record crappie catch. A statement added to the top of the release states that, after further review by wildlife officials, the crappie caught by Parkhurst could not be confirmed. The previous record was restored with Parkhursts catch removed from the state fishing records website.

Why Was The Fish Taken?

Marji provided some answers regarding why the fish was taken and Parkhursts name removed from the list of state fishing records. She pointed to a clause listed at the bottom of all fish record applications in Kansas.

There was not an error in the verification process, Marji said. Rather, information supplied to the Department by the angler via his written application form was not true and correct.'

The KDWP received a tip following the announcement of the new record status of Parkhursts catch in April last year. This prompted wildlife officials to launch an investigation into the supposed record-breaking fish and, following this review process, made the decision to reinstate the old record.

Kansas turkey hunting season dates, bag limits for spring 2024

When asked what went wrong with Parkhursts application, Marji said the issue came from the listed weight of the white crappie on the form.

The fish appeared normal and healthy, and was accurately identified by staff; However, had the application been filled out accurately by the angler, it would have not qualified as a state record, Marji said.

Parkhurst insists he filled out his application form correctly and says he wants his catch to be returned.

I did it the whole way they wanted me to do it, Parkhurst said. I went through the procedures, I wrote down what I caught it on, I did everything they wanted me to do by the book. I did everything I was supposed to do. Their biologists looked at it more than once.

What fish are safe to eat in Kansas?

Marji said additional information on the investigation is on hold because its still an active case. Well keep you informed on any updates as this progresses.

For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia said on Friday that his nation will promptly call a meeting of the UN Security Council in reaction to Kosovo's decision to ban the use of the Serbian dinar in regions that are mostly home to ethnic Serbs.

Kosovo's move, which involves banning the dinar in local transactions within Serb-populated regions, has escalated tensions between the two entities.

Serbia Condemns Kosovo Currency Ban

The decision, implemented by Kosovo's Central Bank last summer, targets areas in the north where ethnic Serbs reside, as most of Kosovo already utilizes the euro, despite not being a member of the European Union.

The ban has particularly affected ethnic Serbs in Kosovo's north, who heavily rely on the Serbian government for financial support, often provided in dinars. President Vucic, in a national address, condemned the ban, accusing Kosovo of attempting to "ethnically cleanse" the Serbs from the region. He characterized the move as a "criminal strike" against the Serbs and vowed that Serbia would not adhere to the currency rule.

Despite the ban, Vucic assured that Serbia would find alternative means to ensure that Kosovo Serbs continue to receive their pensions and salaries from Serbia. He expressed concern for the people in Kosovo, stating, "People are scared, they are waiting in lines to get their money." The president outlined plans to continue delivering funds through an authorized and licensed carrier starting on Monday.

Ethnic Serbs make up approximately 4% of Kosovo's total population of 1.7 million. The historical context of the conflict dates back to the 1998-99 war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists, culminating in Kosovo's eventual declaration of independence in 2008, a move not recognized by the government in Belgrade, as per to ABC News.

Read Also: Brad Pitt Reuniting With Quentin Tarantino in Final Film 'The Movie Critic'

Serbia Seeks UN Session

The European Union and the United States have called on Kosovo to reconsider the currency measure, expressing concerns about potential increased tensions in relations between Kosovo and Serbia. President Vucic, known for maintaining warm relations with Russia's Vladimir Putin, urged Western partners to advocate for the rights of the Serbian population in Kosovo.

As a response to the escalating situation, Serbia plans to formally request an urgent session of the UN Security Council on Monday. The EU-facilitated normalization talks between Belgrade and Pristina have faced challenges, with little progress made, especially following a violent incident in September involving masked Serb gunmen and Kosovo police, resulting in four fatalities and heightened tensions.

Serbia and Kosovo both want to be members of the European Union, but EU representatives have warned that their unwillingness to make exemptions during talks could harm their prospects of getting in. The recent events show how fragile the two entities' relationship is and how it may affect regional stability in general, according to Japan Today.

Related Article: California Counties Take Legal Action Against Tesla for Hazardous Waste Mishandling
If the United States decides that there must be a military defeat of Russia, then they will look for weapons for Ukraine.

Europe faces a tough choice. If we don't take drastic measures now, not only to increase aid to Ukraine but to increase our own defense resources in general, there is a prospect that when Trump becomes president, he will make another turn toward US autonomy. There are even horror stories that he may initiate a withdrawal from NATO. We remember what Trump did when he was in office. And if Europe does not take decisive steps now, then the situation could be very critical. The enemies of Europe and Ukraine are constantly at work, and they are also looking forward to Trump's arrival for such actions.

At the same time, we hear voices about so-called peace talks. This time, the former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, James Stavridis, says that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia can be discussed at the end of the year, as both countries will be exhausted by the war.

Yes, it is possible that at some point, there will be a situation when both sides of the conflict will be forced to sit down at the negotiating table.

Whether it will be the end of 2024 or 2025, even Stavridis can hardly predict. But it is clear that neither the Ukrainian nor Putin are satisfied with the deadlock. So for Putin to simply say that he is sitting on the defensive in half of the territories that he has already declared his own... Well, even the Russian people will not be happy about this for long, I'm sorry. So, of course, Putin will try to seize the initiative and demonstrate some success.

However, there is also a significant risk that Ukraine will face a very difficult choice.

Of course, we now have a particular vision of what Ukraine's strategy for 2024 should be. We cannot rule out that after a certain period of time, 6-12 months, the situation will change to the point where, ideally, we will be forced by Russia to negotiate.

What kind of strategy are we talking about? Now, there is a lot of information about certain signals, about some sources with insider information. It's impossible to sort it all out, but most likely, this is the strategy written about, as if the Americans were suggesting that Ukraine focus on holding the borders. We are not talking about positional battles of blind defense. This should be an active defense, but Ukraine objectively lacks resources and is not expected to have enough resources to move to an active offensive. That is why we are talking about primarily defensive actions on the part of Ukraine.

Read also: Avdiivka situation remains difficult, Ukraine keeps it stable  Musienko

But this does not mean this is a forecast for the next 12 months. After all, there is another side, and we have a rough idea that Russia will not be on the defensive. At some point, the balance may change so much that Ukraine will be able to repeat in some areas, take advantage of Russia's mistakes, and repeat its successes of 2022. Of course, all this can happen if we have sufficient assistance from our partners.

In this case, the United States has asked Greece to provide us with $200 million in aid in exchange for certain supplies from the United States. This amount - $200 million - is most likely the book value of the weapons that the Greek Armed Forces have and can be transferred to Ukraine. That is, it is a mutually beneficial deal for Greece and the United States to replace outdated Greek weapons, Soviet-made equipment purchased decades ago, with new American ones. For Ukraine, it is also easier. Unlike Western-style equipment, these old weapons can be delivered to Ukraine immediately, possibly with minor repairs and maintenance. For our military, this equipment is familiar; no additional training is required. It is interesting that two years later, we finally found another opportunity to at least temporarily solve the problem of delays in the supply of American weapons.

Are there any other opportunities to attract aid in this way, and how long can we hold out on this kind of replacement of US aid? Obviously, there are opportunities somewhere. For example, there were supplies of shells from warehouses in South Korea. I won't suggest where this can be found, but certainly somewhere in the world. As we know, even one of the African countries helped us. It was not so much a decision taken by the government of that particular country, but rather the mediation of our partners. The main factor is for our partners to resolve the political dilemma for themselves. The Biden administration must now clearly articulate the strategy - what the United States is trying to achieve in Ukraine. If there is this clear strategy - that it should be a military defeat of Russia - they will either look for stocks that have not yet been used or from their own stocks. It's no secret that most of the stockpiles in Europe are for repelling Russian aggression. As our minister said perfectly, why not use them to destroy the Russian threat now by giving these weapons to Ukrainians?

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
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison warned GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley ahead of the Palmetto State primary that South Carolina Democrats wont be bailing her out.

While speaking during an event Saturday morning in Columbia, S.C., Harrison relayed a message to Haley that she should not expect assistance from Democrats, where the campaign is looking to close the gap between former President Trump and Haley in her home stage.

Harrison also slammed the former South Carolina governors record in her home state, keying in on healthcare.

We know Nikki Haley, Harrison said. We know Nikki Haley very well. Nikki Haley was a governor of this state who allowed her hometown hospital to close, where her parents still live.

Nikki Haley is a governor in the state who blocked 250,000 people from getting health care in this country, he continued. Nikki Haley is the governor that signed the most one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country.

The DNC head, who called Haley a MAGA minion in October, continued the same attack against her, bundling her, again, into the Make America Great Again movement led by Trump.

My message to Nikki from you know, bless her heart from the very start, is that were not gonna vote for you, because you didnt do anything for us, he said.

You didnt do anything for us so we arent gonna bail you out. You know, we got two MAGA apples in this field thats left, and both of them are right, Harrison added. And so Democrats in South Carolina bail neither one of them out.

Haley, who is the only remaining major candidate running against Trump, has an uphill climb in her home, just three weeks before the states primary kicks off.

Currently, she is trailing by over 30 points, according to the latest The Hill/Decision Desk HQ aggregate of polls. Still, her allies in the state have pointed to some recent polling that shows her narrowing the lead the former president has.

With the Trump campaign shifting its focus to the general election, where he will likely face a rematch with President Biden, Haleys camp has rolled out a series of ads on Thursday to tout her record when she was the states governor. Shes also hit both Biden and Trump on age, calling them grumpy old men in her latest attacks.

In a statement to The Hill, Haleys spokesperson suggested Democrats prefer Trump over the former governor, because they worry she could defeat Biden.

Nothing would make Democrats happier than Donald Trump being the Republican nominee because they know they cant beat Nikki Haley, spokesperson AnnMarie Graham-Barnes said in the statement. South Carolina remembers everything she did as governor, and 70 percent of Americans are looking for an alternative to two grumpy old men.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow Friday to show the world what to expect for the rest of the winter. He did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring is on its way.

When Phil is not predicting weather outcomes, he can be found in his manmade burrow with his wife, Phyllis, or making appearances in schools, parades, or at professional sporting events as a guest of honor. He also enjoys a good book and reading the daily newspaper, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

According to the club, there has been only one Punxsutawney Phil since 1886. He gets his longevity from drinking the elixir of life, a secret recipe, according to the club. He reportedly takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life. (EDITORs NOTE: ABC4 has not been able to independently verify the elixir of life. Were taking their word on this one.)

It has also been confirmed that Phyllis does not share in the elixir.

She doesnt receive the Elixir of Life so she will not live forever like Phil, states the clubs website, somewhat bluntly.

One thing Phil does not do during the rest of the year is: hibernate.

How do todays Utah winters compare to 30 years ago?

This is because he lives in a climate-controlled environment, states the clubs website. In the wild, groundhogs are signaled when to hibernate by the change in the daylight hours. In Phils burrow, the lights are consistent year-round and so is the temperature. He is fed and cared for every day, so he does not have to search for food. In the winter months, he does slow down, eats less, and sleeps more, but he doesnt hibernate.

If you have more questions about Phil, the clubs website has an FAQ.

The legend behind Phil

The legend of Punxsutawney Phil is associated with the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas Day, celebrated on Feb. 2, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles reportedly represented how long and cold the winter would be.

The tradition eventually made its way to Germany, which introduced an animal to the lore. According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the Germans selected an animal  the hedgehog  to predict the weather. Legend has it that if the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a second winter, or six more weeks of bad weather.

When German settlers came to the U.S. they brought the lore with them, although with the lack of hedgehogs, a different hibernating animal was chosen: the groundhog.

Today, Groundhog Day remains the same as it began  a day to take everything a little less seriously, and break up the winter monotony, the club states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 27: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Big League Dreams Las Vegas on January 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trump is campaigning in Nevada ahead of the states Republican presidential caucuses on February 8. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776093310 ORIG FILE ID: 1966072004

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain are exchanging back-and-forth barbs after the union endorsed President Joe Biden last month.

In a Fox News interview set to air Sunday, Trump dismissed the United Auto Workers as a hopeless case.

Theyve led their industry right into the poor house, and now theyve finished it off because, if you  if Biden gets elected, you wont have an autoworker working in the United States. Everythings going over to China and other countries outside, he said.

This comes just days after Trump called Fain a dope in a Truth Social Post Sunday in response to an interview Fain gave on CBSs Face the Nation arguing that while Biden has stood up for the American worker, Trump has a history of serving himself and standing for the billionaire class.

The feud between the two comes as President Joe Biden and Trump compete to win over Michigan, a key battleground state home to the most auto workers in the U.S. Though Trump won Michigan in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, he lost the state to Biden in 2020.

The former president turned his attention to the Teamsters Union, which represents 1.3 million American workers. Trump participated in a roundtable on Wednesday with the Teamsters general executive board, its president Sean OBrien, general secretary-treasurer Fred Zuckerman, and other members in Washington, D.C.

OBrien said the meeting with Trump went fine," but added that there's a "long way to go before" the union makes a decision on an endorsement.

Meanwhile, Fain expressed on CNNs The Source with Kaitlan Collins Thursday that while he cant speak for OBrien, he cant see any way in hell a union would endorse Trump for president.

Look, they chose to entertain visiting with candidates, and thats a path they chose. I mean, I saw no point in it because I look at the track record of Donald Trump. I mean, his two favorite words are, Youre fired, OBrien said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Dope': Trump and UAW President Shawn Fain exchange barbs
A Des Moines man who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot was released from a federal prison in Texas.

Doug Jensen, 44, who was described as a leader of the mob, by prosecutors and officers who defended the Capitol, was transferred to a halfway home in Kansas City, Kansas, in mid-January.

Jensens wife, April, has given updates on her husband's status on GiveSendGo, a Christian alternative to GoFundMe, where she has received more than 800 donations. She posted last month her "Patriot" can get a job, have access to a phone, and is able to come home to Des Moines on weekends.

Doug Jensen of Des Moines, left, confronts U.S. Capitol Police Inspector Thomas Loyd in the Ohio Clock Corridor of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The photo is included in court filings by prosecutors who requested a sentence of more than 5 years for Jensen.

Jensen was convicted by a jury in Washington, D.C., of seven federal charges, including civil disorder, assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer, and other offenses. He was sentenced in December 2022 to five years in prison.

During the week-long trial, prosecutors and officers who defended the Capitol described Jensen as a "leader of the mob" that stormed the building.

"Doug Jensen would not be stopped on Jan. 6 until he got what he came for: to stop the peaceful transfer of power," prosecutors said in their closing argument.

More: Who is Doug Jensen? Tracing a QAnon believer's path to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

The prosecution's case leaned heavily on extensive video and photographs of Jensen parading through the Capitol, along with testimony from several members of law enforcement who clashed with him in the building.

"Jensen was the rioter who would not back down," prosecutors argued. "If it wasn't all recorded from at least 10 different angles, it'd be pretty hard to believe."

Before his sentence was announced, Jensen said in court: "I can't change my past, I can just look to the future."

He added that he doesn't plan to get "involved in the judicial system" again and that he wants to go back to being the "family man I was before I got involved in politics.''

Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Doug Jensen, Jan. 6 Capitol rioter, released from federal prison
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Around 20 journalists were detained by police in central Moscow for several hours on Saturday at a rally of Russian soldiers' wives calling for their men to be returned from the front in Ukraine, a Reuters witness said.

The journalists, including a video journalist from Reuters, who were covering the protest, filmed the women laying red carnations at the tomb of the unknown soldier in the shadow of the Kremlin's walls in central Moscow.

Russian police ordered about 20 male journalists, many wearing press vests, onto a bus and took them to a police station. They were released a few hours later without charge.

Moscow police did not respond to a request for comment.

"A Reuters journalist was detained while covering a story in Moscow, Russia today and released after several hours," a Reuters spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"Journalists should be free to report the news without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are. We are committed to covering world events in an independent, unbiased, and reliable way, in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles", the statement added.

Agence France-Presse reported that one of its video journalists had been detained and later released.

AFP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia, said at least 27 people were detained. Most of the detained were journalists, it said.

Additionally, a number of people were also detained at other locations in central Moscow, also protesting against the mobilisation, OVD-Info said.

A growing movement of Russian women is demanding the return from the front of their husbands, sons and brothers who were mobilised after a decree by President Vladimir Putin in September 2022.

The Moscow prosecutor's office said Saturday's rally had not been coordinated with the authorities, issuing a warning about calling and participating in unauthorised mass events.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Toby Chopra, Guy Faulconbridge and Frances Kerry)
A number of people, including journalists from foreign press organizations, have been detained in Moscow after authorities cracked down on protesters at Russian President Vladimir Putins election headquarters, independent outlets reported Saturday.

The protest was organized by the wives of mobilized men amid a growing movement of women who are demanding that their husbands and sons are returned home from fighting in Ukraine.

Video seen by CNN shows Russian authorities detaining several people wearing Press vests near Red Square.

The 500 days of mobilization rally brought women to the walls of the Kremlin before moving to Putins nearby election headquarters, it was reported. The independent Russian news outlet SOTAvision posted on their Telegram channel that a correspondent saw security forces snatching random people from the crowd, and only men.

At least 27 people, only one of them a protester, were driven in a police van to Kitay-Gorod station where they are currently being held, according OVD-info, a group that monitors Russian repression. OVD-info said they dispatched a lawyer to visit the detainees but was denied access.

Independent Russian media group Mediazona reported Saturday that among those held are journalists working for Kommersant, France Press and Spiegel, as well as human rights activists.

Another seven journalists covering the rally were taken to the Basmanny police station, OVD-info said. Among them is the representative of the Japanese television company Fuji Andrei Zaiko, they report.

One state media employee has since been released from Kitay-Gorod along with three minors, according to OVD-info on Telegram. They said: Police officers told them that they planned to soon release the rest of the employees of federal and foreign media, but to leave foreign agents media representatives in the police station. All detainees also had their phones taken away.

Russias foreign agents law was expanded in late 2022 to include individuals or groups who received support and (or) is under foreign influence, criticised as a move by the Kremlin to silence those critical of its war on Ukraine, including journalists.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Drones attacked Russias Belgorod Oblast, according to Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Twitter on Feb. 3.

Russian air defense systems were operating in the Novooskolsky district and allegedly shot down a UAV said Gladkov.

Read also: Ukrainian drone crashed on the territory of an oil depot in Kaluga, Russia

Falling debris broke windows in a home, damaging the roof, facade, and fence, as well as a parked KAMAZ truck in the village of Podolhi.

The governor claims there are no casualties and promises that " inspection of the territory will continue during daylight hours."

Read also: Casualties and counting after Russian missile attack on Kyiv, one fatality confirmed

Russia reportedly claimed an attack by a Ukrainian drone in Voronezh on Feb. 2, and the day before  attacks in Belgorod, Kursk, and Nizhny Novgorod oblasts.

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
French farmers commenced the dismantling of roadblocks in and around Paris on Friday following the French government's announcement of measures totaling over 400 million ($436 million) to address their concerns regarding low earnings, stringent regulations, and perceived unfair competition from abroad.

Major highways in the French capital witnessed protesters disassembling tents, clearing roads, and igniting straw bales previously used as barricades. The removal of these blockades occurred peacefully under the watchful eye of an extensive police presence deployed to ensure operational security, as per ABC News.

French Farmers Secure Commitments After Protests

Arnaud Rousseau, president of the national agricultural union (FNSEA), conveyed a sense of accomplishment at a press conference, stating, "We have been heard on a certain number of points." The Union of Young Farmers echoed this sentiment, with its president, Arnaud Gaillot, urging local offices to cease blockades and transition to alternative forms of protest in response to the government's commitments.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, accompanied by the ministers of economy and agriculture, unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing farmers' grievances. Notably, the Ecophyto plan, designed to reduce pesticide use, will undergo revision and simplification, responding to complaints about France's stricter regulations compared to other countries.

The government's financial relief package includes 150 million ($162.93 million) for tax and social support for livestock farmers, complementing the 80 million allocated earlier to assist wine producers. Additionally, enhanced measures to combat fraud, including reinforced checks on product origins, were pledged.

The recent week witnessed fervent protests by French farmers, who employed tractors to block key roads into Paris and major highways across the country. The suspension of the protests was announced on Thursday by two main farming unions, following Prime Minister Attal's assurances of financial support, regulatory easing, and protection against unfair competition.

Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau expressed optimism that the worst of the crisis was behind them but acknowledged that challenges still lay ahead. He emphasized on CNews television, "The issues that we have to deal with and that have emerged in this crisis are still ahead of us," according to China Daily.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Restricts Media Coverage Ahead of Russia's 2024 Presidential Election

Caution Persists as French Farmers Ease Protests

Despite the easing of roadblocks, some farmers remained cautious. Laurent Saint-Affre of the FDSEA union highlighted that while significant progress had been made, certain sticking points persisted, hinting at the possibility of resuming protests in the coming days.

Arnaud Gaillot, head of the Young Farmers (JA) union, pointed out a sense of "fatigue" after ten days of protests and a "desire to put things on hold." In Yvelines, southwest of Paris, the number of vehicles involved in a blockade dwindled, indicating a gradual return to normalcy.

Roadblocks on the A4 and A5 motorways east of Paris were lifted, and in Lyon, all roadblocks were expected to be cleared by Friday afternoon. However, some isolated groups expressed a desire to maintain their positions until Saturday, while others eyed a longer presence leading up to France's Salon de l'Agriculture trade fair opening on February 24.

The largest agricultural union in France, the FNSEA, stressed that government measures needed to be put into effect immediately before the opening of the trade show and that a legislation relating to them needed to be passed by June. Concurrently, an assembly of several European farmers convened in Brussels, whereupon French President Emmanuel Macron succeeded in obtaining more stringent regulations for the importation of poultry and cereals, particularly from Ukraine, Barrons reported.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Declares 2024 Reelection Bid as Russia's President
A fire broke out at the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka oil refinery in Volgograd, Russia, as a result of a drone attack on Feb. 3

A fire broke out at the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka oil refinery in Volgograd, Russia, as a result of a drone attack on the morning of Feb. 3, the ASTRA Telegram news channel reported.

The refinery is the largest producer of petroleum products in the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation.

Read also: At least one dead, more injured after Russian missile attack on Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

The fire has already been extinguished, but at its peak, it spread over 300 square meters. Despite this, the governor of Volgograd Oblast, Andrey Bocharov, claimed that the drone attack was repelled.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that two UAVs were intercepted over Volgograd Oblast, four more over Belgorod Oblast, and one over Rostov Oblast. There were no casualties as a result of the attack.

Read also: Russians claim drone targeted oil refinery in Yaroslavl

A drone attack was reported in Russias Belgorod Oblast overnight on Feb. 2-3, and the night before, a Ukrainian drone attacked Voronezh.

Russians reported drone attacks in Belgorod, Kursk, and Nizhny Novgorod oblasts on Feb. 1.

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
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A federal court docket shows the Thursday arrests of two Columbus police officers, accused of stealing and selling cocaine, is related to a previous drug trafficking case involving two more Columbus officers.

On Thursday, former Columbus officers Joel Mefford, 34, of London and John Castillo, 31, of Grove City were arrested. Indictments against the pair include accusations of stealing from evidence rooms and investigation scenes, as well as passing off the narcotics to another individual to be sold.

Joel Mefford. (Courtesy Photo/Northwest Ohio Corrections Center)

John Castillo. (Courtesy Photo/Shelby County Sheriffs Office)

Ohio attorney general accused of abuse of power in lawsuit over voter rights amendment

Mefford is accused of stealing 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room in April 2020, replacing it with fake narcotics. He also is alleged to have deposited more than $72,000 in cash from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.

An indictment against Castillo alleges that in February 2021, he took around 10 kilograms of cocaine from a home during an investigation and did not turn it into evidence. He allegedly planted two kilograms at the house to be discovered by law enforcement, but stored the leftover cocaine in another persons basement to be sold by another individual.

A federal court docket states that judges believe this case is related to a different case involving Columbus police officers, John Kotchkoski and Marco Merino, who were arrested in 2021 for conspiring to traffic drugs.

John J. Kotchkoski

Marco Merino

Both Kotchkoski and Merino pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic more than eight kilograms of fentanyl  enough to kill more than one million people. Merino was sentenced to nine years in prison. Kotchkoski will be sentenced in May.

Court documents did not specify how these two cases are connected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Dubai has long been one of the most attractive economic hubs in the Gulf region.

The UAE has invested heavily in tourism and aviation, positioning Dubai as a travel hot spot.

Some of the country's Gulf neighbors want to emulate its success.

Dubai has long been one of the most attractive economic hubs in the Gulf region.

The United Arab Emirates boasts strong infrastructure and a booming economy. The nation has invested heavily in tourism and aviation, positioning itself as a major player on the world stage and Dubai as a tourism hot spot.

Now, some of the country's Gulf neighbors are looking to emulate its success.

Under the rule of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia hasn't been shy about its ambitions to beef up tourism and pour investment into aviation. It's working on a second flag carrier called Riyadh Air, for which it recruited the former CEO of Abu Dhabi's airline, Etihad.

The region is in a difficult transition away from its historic reliance on oil and gas.

It wasn't until 1966 that Dubai first struck oil. The neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi had already found it eight years earlier. Two decades before that, the world's largest source of petroleum was discovered in Saudi Arabia.

But while oil production once accounted for half of Dubai's GDP, it now accounts for less than 1%, data from Bloomberg shows. About 40% of Saudi Arabia's GDP comes from oil.

So while Dubai was later than its neighbors to join the oil game, it has now left other nations to catch up as they diversify their economies.

As the UAE's neighbors look to diversify their economies, Dubai may find itself with some new competition.

Dubai is the world's second-most visited city

The UAE owes a lot of its economic success to international travel.

Over the past 25 years, Dubai has made strides to be attractive to foreign visitors, loosening rules around alcohol and investing in flashy infrastructure. According to Forbes' 2023 Travel Guide, Dubai has nine five-star hotels, compared to Abu Dhabi's three and the two in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The development has paid off in spades. CNN reported that Dubai was the world's second-most visited city last year, while no other city in the Middle East even appeared in the top 20.

Other Gulf nations appear to have one eye on Dubai's success.

Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it wants in on international travel, stating that it aims to attract 100 to 150 million visitors by 2030.

Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia's minister of economy and planning, said the country was already progressing toward that goal. Speaking on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Alibrahim said Saudi Arabia's "exported services in 2023  mainly tourism  grew at 135% compared to the year before."

While Crown Prince Mohammed has previously stated that megaprojects such as Neom are not intended to compete with Dubai, the targets have been eye-wateringly ambitious.

The design for The Line, a 105-mile-long city in Neom. Courtesy of Neom

"The scale of the plans from Saudi Arabia, if they succeed, would really dwarf anything Dubai has ever done," Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, told Business Insider.

But the chances of Saudi Arabia's success are still up for debate. The nation still faces significant global-branding challenges.

"Dubai has a 25-year head start; it has the infrastructure and the aspirational appeal," Ulrichsen said, adding that the city was still investing in and strengthening its tourism industry while Saudi Arabia essentially played catch-up.

In contrast, nations such as Qatar have been explicit in that they don't want to be another Dubai. The nation is seemingly happy to accept fewer visitors to avoid replicating the city's reputation as a hot spot for partying Westerners.

"The Qatar model is much more niche in the sense of going for specific events and more high travel," he said. "They don't want that kind of hedonistic Dubai atmosphere."

Saudi Arabia is catching up with a new airline

The competition is perhaps the most heated in the aviation industry.

Middle Eastern airlines are known for offering some of the best business-class products, which helps attract more visitors.

On its double-decker Airbus A380, Dubai's airline, Emirates, has top amenities, including a shower for business-class passengers and an on-board bar.

It's the most popular Middle Eastern airline by passenger volume and revenue  bringing in $32.6 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year. Yet the contest is close, with Qatar Airways hot on its tail, reporting $20.9 billion in the same period.

The Qatari flag carrier was founded eight years later than Emirates, but it was the former that Skytrax named the world's best business class last year. In 2022, Qatar Airways won the Best Airline award for a record seventh time.

But you can find the grandest seat in commercial aviation on Etihad Airways. "The Residence" not only has a first-class suite, but a separate bedroom, a private bathroom, and a personal butler. It costs about $30,000 for a round trip.

Still, Emirates is due to face even more competition from Saudi Arabia.

The flag carrier Saudia was founded in 1945 but has never been as luxurious other Middle Eastern carriers. Riyadh Air first showed off its distinct brand with a lavish purple livery at last year's Paris Airshow. Its first flight is planned for 2025.

Riyadh Air's Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. Pete Syme/Business Insider

In a media briefing at the time, Tony Douglas, the CEO of Riyadh Air, said he hoped it would improve tourism to the country's capital.

Douglas said it will "connect our citizens to the world, and the many interested visitors from around the world to the incredible destination attractions that are within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Riyadh Air has ordered up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners  39 of which are firm orders. That strongly indicates its intent for global, long-haul flights, but it's yet to announce a deal for single-aisle jets.

And even if it succeeds in attracting tourists to Saudi Arabia, it's unlikely to knock Emirates off its perch.

Its hub, Dubai International Airport, was the world's second-busiest airport last year with a capacity of 56.5 million seats, the travel-data provider OAG said.

It can be a key connection between Europe and the Americas to Africa and Asia. Though it's fair to say Qatar has also fulfilled this role: OAG said it was the ninth-busiest airport for international traffic with 28.6 million seats.

Whether Saudi Arabia can also create a popular hub not only depends on Riyadh Air's fleet size and the quality of its business-class product, but also on whether ambitious projects such as Neom come to fruition and attract visitors.

The megaprojects and the new airline must succeed for the kingdom to catch up as a tourism destination.

Read the original article on Business Insider
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  An El Paso teacher has received a statewide honor from one of Texas most prestigious veterans organizations.

The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) named Chandra Chapman as its Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year for grades K-5.

Chapman, a 10-year Navy veteran, teaches at Vista Del Sol Environmental Science Academy in the Socorro Independent School District.

Chapman will represent Texas in the VFWs national competition.

This year, 277 teachers from across Texas were nominated for this honor.

Chapman was nominated by Yucca VFW Post 8919, District 10.

Chapman coordinated production of a video featuring high school JROTC students demonstrating the proper way to recite the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag and the Texas flag. The video was streamed into the 50 schools in Socorro ISD, reaching over 47,000 students, according to a news release sent out announcing the honor.

VFW District 10, which encompasses El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties, announced the winners of the competitions at the district level, as well.

In addition to Chapman, who was named District 10 Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year K-5, Nubia Zamora of Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School was named District 10 Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year 6-8, and Holly Lopez of Mountain View High School was named District 10 Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year 9-12.

Each year nearly 68,800 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFWs Patriots Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Haim Yoo, a seventh-grader at Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School, was named the District 10 winner of the Patriots Pen competition.

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the VFWs top scholarship program. Each year nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on a patriotic theme. Mara Narvaez, a 12th grader at El Paso High School, was named the District 10 winner of the Voice of Democracy competition.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A United Nations (UN) expert says that the Philippine administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken steps to address violations of human rights in the nation, including addressing the assassinations of journalists and rights activists.

Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of thought and expression, stressed the need for further comprehensive changes to guarantee accountability and address long-standing human rights violations, despite encouraging signs. Her 10-day tour to the Philippines came to an end today, as per ABC News.

UN Expert Urges Reforms in the Philippines

Khan reviewed the state of human rights by meeting with authorities, activists, and a journalist who was in custody during her visit. She recognized that the new administration's approach, peace negotiations with rebels, and increased outreach to the international community were all promising signs. She did, however, caution that in order to solve persistent issues, significant and long-lasting changes were required.

Khan raised concerns about the continued branding of individuals critical of state policies, including human rights defenders, journalists, students, and trade unionists, as supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA). This labeling has led to increased human rights risks, with cases of threats, unlawful surveillance, attacks, and even killings.

The UN expert encouraged authorities to hold officials responsible for any violations and demanded that "red-tagging" methods be denounced. Khan addressed the value of inclusive peacebuilding platforms and argued for the dissolution of the counterterrorism task force (NTF-ELCAC). She added that the Philippines continues to rank among the most dangerous countries for journalists, with unresolved cases and postponed judicial processes impeding the administration of justice, according to National Rebute.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Expected to Remain Russian President; Sources Claim He'll Re-Run in 2024

UN Expert Calls for Human Rights

Khan expressed worries about the legal framework that restricts freedom of speech and attacked the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020 for its too wide and ambiguous definition of terrorism as well as other laws' punishment of libel. She asked the House of Representatives to pass the Human Rights Defenders bill, which is now being debated.

Khan also spoke on behalf of the pre-trial inmates, requesting that the appropriate authorities expedite trials while providing complete due process. Although she recognized positive signs from the Marcos government, she underlined that in order to solve the Philippines' pervasive human rights issues, long-term reforms and a resolute commitment to accountability are required.

The visit of the UN expert came at the same time as demands were made for justice over abuses of human rights committed during Rodrigo Duterte's previous administration, which human rights organizations called a "human rights calamity."

As potential crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court is looking at murders that occurred during Duterte's anti-drug campaign. Khan stressed that additional modifications and a dedication to accountability are essential to resolutely addressing historical concerns and advancing human rights in the Philippines, even in the face of encouraging signs from the present government, Associated Press reported.

Related Article: West Africa: 3 Girls Die After Parents Cut Their External Genitals-How Dangerous Is FGM?
When Jocelyn Zelaya was caught in a hail of gunfire on the streets of San Salvador in 2017, the young mother was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time, says her aunt Jackelyne.

A group of gunmen armed with automatic weapons had opened fire to assassinate a member of a rival gang on the other side of the road. Zelaya, then 20, was caught in the line of fire. She was hit by eight bullets, her aunt told CNN.

But she didnt die then, they took her to hospital, Jackelyne Zelaya recalls, struggling to contain her tears. The attack was at about six in the afternoon, and when I got to the hospital at ten, she had just died. Her body was still warm.

Jocelyns death, which deprived one-year-old Marcela of her mother, was just one of thousands of killings that year in El Salvador, a period when the tiny Central American nation of six million people had the highest murder rates in the world according to the World Bank.

Many of the dead, like Jocelyn, were innocent bystanders caught in a turf war between two enormous criminal gangs, the Mara Salvatrucha and the Barrio 18.

To this day Zelaya doesnt know which gang was responsible for killing her niece. We were left alone in our pain. We buried her and raised her daughter having to explain to her why her mom isnt here, she says.

But, like many others who have lost their loved ones, she does know who she credits for taking on those gangs: Nayib Bukele, the countrys strongman president and self-styled worlds coolest dictator and philosopher king. Despite being criticized by opponents and international human rights organizations for alleged large-scale human rights abuses in his crackdown on crime, Bukele is widely tipped for re-election when El Salvador heads to the polls this Sunday.

Employees of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal load boxes containing electoral material for the presidential and legislative elections at the Electoral Organization Directorate in San Marcos, El Salvador, on February 2, 2024. - Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images

The Bukele Method

A canny politician, Bukele began his race to power while his familys advertising agency worked for the government of the FMLN, the former Civil War guerrilla group that would win two presidential elections, in 2009 and 2014. But Bukeles true ascent to the pinnacle would take a leap after being expelled by his party in 2017 and becoming an outsider. As such, he won the 2019 elections on his first try, with a pledge to rid the country of corruption and graft.

The then-37-year-old swiftly gained a reputation as a disruptor and innovator. He adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador in 2021 and invited the tech-bros of the world to surf in the Pacific.

But above all, it is Bukeles ironfisted crackdown on criminal gangs that has fueled his popularity both domestically and across Latin America, making him the runaway favorite this Sunday.

Bukele boasts one of the highest approval rates in Latin America, regularly faring above 70% in most independent polls.

The opposition, meanwhile, is spread across several candidates. Under Bukele, El Salvadors homicide rate has plummeted. Within a year of him coming to power, it had fallen to just a third of what it was in 2017, the year Jocelyn Zelaya was killed.

Today, the government claims, it is less than two murders every 100,000  a rate of homicide lower than in the United States, although national and international NGOs have expressed doubts on the transparency of the governments figures.

Some of that early success could be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, but few doubt the influence of what has since come to be known across Latin America as the Bukele Method.

In March 2022, an outbreak of gang violence that killed 62 people in a single day had left Bukele facing the bloodiest crisis of his presidency. He responded by introducing emergency powers he said would deal with the gangs once and for all. Last year, a Justice Department investigation unsealed in a court in New York stated that Bukele was secretly negotiating a truce with the same gangs he was claiming to fight, but the state of emergency was not revoked. Bukele has denied negotiating with the gangs.

Constitutional guarantees were suspended, allowing the police to detain a person without charge for up to 15 days and tap anyones phone without a judicial order; the Army was deployed; and the number of detentions rocketed.

By early 2023, Bukeles government had built a sprawling penitentiary complex with capacity for up to 40,000 inmates dubbed Center for the Confinement of Terrorists.

But not everyone is a fan. Critics accuse Bukele of recklessly committing large-scale human rights abuses in his fight against the gangs, and of dismantling the countrys checks and balances by attacking El Salvadors legislative and judicial powers.

Nearly two years after the March killings, El Salvadors state of emergency and restriction on civil liberties remain in place following multiple renewals approved monthly by Congress.

Even more people are now in prison; over 75,000 as of January. So, while El Salvador no longer faces record murder rates, it now boasts the highest incarceration rate in the world.

In between, Bukele also managed to increase his control of state institutions that are meant to be independent from the presidency and check its power. In January 2020, he famously entered Congress surrounded by fully armed soldiers to press the lawmakers to allow an emergency loan to purchase new armaments.

A year later  following his party New Ideas absolute majority in the legislative elections  the new Congress loyal to Bukele dismissed El Salvadors Supreme Court judges, as well as the attorney general who had resisted some of his early reforms.

Police officers stand guard in the center of San Salvador on December 3, 2023. - Camilo Freedman/AFP/Getty Images

A tale of two victims

Jackelyne Zelaya does not see the enduring state of emergency as a problem. Nor is she concerned by claims that Bukele is changing the political system to amass power; Bukele is running for a second mandate on a special provision by the new Supreme Court because six separate articles of the Constitution specifically prohibit presidential re-elections.

We have security, now. Its not perfect but let it last until all the people who caused pain have paid the price, she says, adding that she wont spend election day idling at home.

I will go out, and call all my neighbors, all my friends to come and vote for the president. Could you imagine what will happen if he loses? All those people full of hate that are now in jail would get out and come for us, she says.

But what about the citizens whose lives have been ruined by Bukeles policies?

Maria, 28, is nearly the same age that Jocelyn Zelaya would have been if she were still alive. She too has lost someone to the gangs: one of her brothers, almost a decade ago.

Maria is not her real name; CNN has agreed to hide her identity for security reasons. She is afraid she will be attacked for telling her story, after seeing the dark side of Bukeles tough-on-crime approach.

One Friday, two policemen arrived at her family home and asked her to go to the police station  an anonymous tipster had accused her of gang membership.

They told me it was an anonymous call: someone had rung the police to say I was in a gang. I told them I was innocent, and demanded an explanation, and all they did was put me in a cell, she recalls.

By the following Monday, she says, she was charged with criminal association and sent to the female penitentiary in Santa Ana. She says that in the six months she was held in jail, she never saw a judge. When she was ultimately set free, release documents seen by CNN show she was never found guilty.

The detention affects her to this day. Despite her release, Maria is now barred from leaving the country  even though she has a valid visa to work in the United States, she says  and must sign in every two weeks at the local police station. Maria has also struggled to find a job in her tightknit community because of her incarceration, she told CNN.

Maria is far from alone in alleging mistreatment. Since Bukele introduced the state of emergency, allegations of human rights violations including abuses by law enforcement, detentions of innocent people and dehumanizing conditions behind bars have been widespread.

While Salvadorian authorities question some of the data put forward by human rights organizations, they do not deny making what they characterize as inevitable mistakes  numbering in the thousands.

In May last year, the government released almost 5,000 people it admitted had been mistakenly detained.

Two months later, Marvin Reyes, the secretary of a National Police workers union, accused the government of imposing arrest quotas for police units to meet at the start of the state of emergency, according to EFE.

Security minister Guillermo Villatoro has even quipped that there was nothing strange in such a high number of errors. If the police detain only the culprits, whats the point of having the Attorney General and the court system? he told local media last year in May. Villatoro also said the government would investigate any death that occurred behind bars, following reports that a number of inmates who had been detained under the state of emergency laws had died in prison.

Salvadorean Sandra Hernandez with a picture of her husband Jose Dimas Medrano, who was detained under the state of emergency and died of kidney failure while in prison, in El Rosario, El Salvador, on January 29, 2024. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

250 to a cell

Neither Salvadorean police nor the Security Ministry responded to several questions from CNN on the allegations of police abuse and security crackdown in the country.

Maria says she still has nightmares about the conditions she experienced inside the prison. I was put in a cell with 250 women, and there were only 20 bunkbeds for all those people.

Going to the bathroom meant stripping naked in front of other inmates and prison guards would beat anyone deemed to be taking too long, she says.

Even worse, was the food: Not a single day went by that I didnt find a bug, a fly, or some animal in my meal. Every day we had to eat that food because there was nothing else, and if someone refused to eat, she was taken for punishment.

Her account tallies with allegations made by Human Rights Watch regarding mass detentions and alleged torture in El Salvador jails.

But Bukele has appeared at times even to celebrate the concerning conditions in El Salvadors prisons; in the past, he personally published sleekly edited videos depicting inmates forced to run with their hands on their heads and pushed against each other in overcrowded cells.

In January, Bukele tweeted that he felt HONORED [sic] to be criticized by US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who along with with 13 other Democratic representatives is urging the US to review its relations with El Salvador in light of the alleged abuse.

Samuel Rodriguez of MOVIR, an association that assists victims of the crackdown, says theres a reason that Bukele doesnt shy away from such controversial images: Its what his supporters want to see.

Bukele knows that those images give him votes, he says.

Soldiers patrol in front of the National Palace building at the Barrios square in the historic center of San Salvador on January 31, 2024. - Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images

A model for the region?

Human rights advocates across the region fear Bukeles popularity could lead other leaders to emulate his methods.

Honduras, which has long faced deep-rooted problems of its own with organized crime, announced a similar state of emergency in December 2022, which remains in place. As in El Salvador, the provision means the suspension of several constitutional rights, including freedom of movement, the right of association and assembly, and the inviolability of the home, according to WOLA, a regional think tank based in Washington DC.

In Ecuador, new President Daniel Noboa has also announced plans to build a raft of new prisons and even floated the idea of putting penitentiaries in abandoned cruise ships, as he cracks down on the countrys gang-fueled security crisis, though he told CNN he did not intend to copy anyones model, and that Bukeles approach would not be applicable to Ecuador.

In at least 13 countries in Latin America, most of the population wouldnt mind an undemocratic government rising to power if it resolved problems, according to a 2023 poll by Latinobarometro.

Asked the same question, Jackelyne Zelaya is undecided. She concedes that shes also afraid that, like Maria, she too could be thrown in jail on the basis of nothing more than an anonymous call.

But Zelaya says her worries are outweighed by a bigger picture  the hope that her own children could have a more normal life than was possible when her niece was shot.

I know its not perfect, maybe of a thousand they detained, a hundred were innocent, she says. Then I look at my sons, I have two aged 16 and 23, and seeing them being able to go out at night, go to play ball down the road with their friends without fearing they could be killed or recruited for something bad, that has no price.

Maria, though, sees a different bigger picture. She wants her country and the world to open their eyes to what is happening inside El Salvadors prisons. Some of the people who were wrongfully incarcerated in recent years may never have the chance to leave, she believes.

I often think of all the people who died in jail, and all those who were innocent, she says. They were in a place they were never supposed to be, and they died there.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The city of Elk Grove is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting local leaders who have influenced the community  from elected officials to educators and more.

This year, the city recognized recently appointed Vice Mayor Rod Brewer and its diversity and inclusion commission chair Tina Lee-Vogt for their involvement within the Elk Grove community.

It is an honor to be acknowledged for Black History Month, Brewer said. Elk Grove has so many leaders doing great things in our community. I am humbled and proud to be a part of this months collective of inspiring individuals being recognized during this month.

The two were listed as notable figures on the citys website.

Local figures to make the list in recent years include the citys first Black mayor, Jim Cooper, who is now Sacramento Countys sheriff; and the citys first Black police chief, Bobby Davis, who remains the chief after being sworn into the role in 2022.

Its an honor to be recognized with local leaders like Vice Mayor Brewer, Chief Davis and Sheriff Cooper, Lee-Vogt said.

The city also recognized nationally beloved Black figures  like aviator Bessie Coleman, poet Maya Angelou and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

It seems unreal to be on a list of notable figures that includes Supreme Court Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson and Kobe Bryant, Lee-Vogt said.

In the past during City Council meetings, the city has recognized individuals such as Sam Starks, executive director of the nonprofit MLK365, for his contributions to the Elk Grove community; as well as the late Irene West, the first Black teacher in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

I was humbled and honored that Elk Grove thought enough to recognize me, Starks said. They recognize the work that me and my wife, Dr. Char Starks, are doing in this community and region.

According to 2010 statistics, Black people made up 10% of Elk Grove residents. The number of Black residents in Elk Grove continues to grow. Black people made up 13% of Elk Groves population, as of 2020, according to the city website.
Police in Colonial Heights are investigating a shooting Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, outside a pawn shop on the city's southern limit.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS  Police are investigating a shooting outside a city pawn shop late Friday that sent one man to the hospital with a serious injury.

According to police reports, two suspects are wanted in connection with the incident that happened around 4:45 p.m. outside Cal's on the Boulevard at the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge. It apparently stemmed from an argument between two store employees in the parking lot.

Police said during the altercation, one of the employees drew a weapon and shot multiple times toward the other employee. One of the bullets hit him in the leg.

After the victim was shot, a second suspect then struck him with a firearm, police said. The two suspects then got into a dark-colored pick-up truck and headed north on the Boulevard into Colonial Heights.

Cal's is located at the mouth of the bridge that crosses the Appomattox River and connects Colonial Heights with Petersburg.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with what police called "serious injuries." Motorists and others were asked to avoid the area while the investigation continued.

Anyone who may have information about the incident or the suspects is asked to call Colonial Heights Police at (804) 520-9300.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Pawn-shop employee shot in Colonial Heights
Last week, without apparent co-ordination, politicians and commentators around the world began to talk of an imminent global conflagration.

Donald Trump asserted that we were on the brink of World War Three. Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin was preparing to attack Nato, and that certainly means the Third World War. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russia Today, declared that World War Three will happen without fail, and it will happen in the near future.

Our own Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, was ahead of the curve. Two weeks ago, he averred that we had moved from a postwar world to a prewar world. Not long afterwards, the Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, warned that our army had been so reduced that when the war eventually came, we were in no position to win it.

This last intervention is by far the most alarming. Sir Patrick is not just another general lobbying for a bigger defence budget. The craggy-faced former Green Jacket has been eerily accurate in his predictions to date, not least about the outbreak and course of the Ukraine war.

What do these politicians and soldiers know that the rest of us dont? How have we moved so quickly from complacency to despair, from world war being almost unthinkable to defeat seeming almost inevitable?

Part of the answer is that public discourse has caught up very suddenly with what historians and geostrategists have been saying for years, namely that the shift from a unipolar world is inescapably dangerous. It was in 2017 that the Harvard academic Graham Allison wrote Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydidess Trap?

Allison argued that, with the exception of the eclipse of Britain by the United States in the 20th century, the displacement of one hegemonic power by another had always involved conflict.

In the seven years since that book was published, Americas relative strength has continued to wane, and the illiberal powers  above all, Russia, China and Iran  have moved from a vague anti-Western entente to a solid alliance.

What if Americas gradual decline turns into a sudden retreat? What if Donald Trump, the probable winner of Novembers presidential election, hangs Ukraine out to dry and withdraws from Nato?

Trump claims that the real danger comes from backing Ukraine. If you want peace, he argues, echoing the interwar America First movement, stop getting involved with overseas conflicts. The trouble is that, now as then, the anti-democratic powers have no intention of leaving us alone. It is not the export of liberal capitalism that bothers them, but its existence. They dont like their own people being seduced by what they see as Western selfishness, materialism and crassness.

Trump is famously unpredictable. He might, as Boris Johnson argues, support Ukraine after all. But everything he says suggests the opposite. Quite apart from his general isolationism, Trump blames Ukraine for its cameo role in his impeachment. He speaks more warmly of Putin than of Zelensky.

Hence the Russian strongmans enigmatic smile. Putin, who looked beaten after the failure of his initial invasion, now thinks he need hang on only for 10 months. Other despots are drawing similar conclusions. From the Iranian-sponsored strike against US troops in Jordan to Venezuelas threats against Guyana, the global hoodlums sense that the copper is no longer on patrol. This is what it looks like when a unipolar order fragments.

Will general disorder turn into a Third World War? Very possibly. China might invade Taiwan, a country the US is pledged to defend. Xi Jinping promised reunification within five years and made clear to the Americans that he meant it. Obviously, he would rather conquer without fighting  Sun Tzus definition of the ultimate military skill. But Chinas moment of maximum naval advantage over the US, because of their respective timetables of procurement and mobilisation, is the second half of this decade.

A war in Taiwan would consume all Americas attention, giving Putin his best opportunity to settle scores with other former Russian provinces  the Baltic States, Poland, Finland. Even without a war in Taiwan, Trumpian isolationism might leave Europe undefended.

Undefended really is the word. There was a time when, in the absence of the United States, Britain could lead a credible European coalition. But the British Army has now been reduced to 76,950  down from 109,600 in 2000.

I am a little more sanguine than the Chief of the General Staff about the size of the Army. Our big 20th-century land deployments were anomalous, our strength having rested, down the centuries, on sea power. The trouble is that the Royal Navy has been equally run down. After spending an almost unbelievable sum on our aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, we find that we lack the jump jets, radar helicopters and stores ships to make it readily deployable.

We have had to pull patrols from around the Falkland Islands for want of frigates. The three branches of our Armed Services combined are smaller than the US Marine Corps alone.

And do we have the will to fight? Our fathers were taught that Britain was a great country, a bastion of freedom, a place worth dying for. Our sons are taught that it is a nation of slavers and racists, and that the best way to escape that poisoned patrimony is to transcend British patriotism.

Lacking men and materiel, and unable to tackle either shortage before the end of the decade, by which time China might have made its move, our only remaining option is, in the spirit of Sun Tzu, to win without fighting. In other words, to help the Ukrainians push Putin back or, at the very least, to keep him tied down, so that he cannot contemplate a wider conflict.

Although Ukraines counteroffensive failed, that country is far from throwing in the towel. Its new strategy of striking far behind the lines at Russias energy infrastructure is proving highly effective. Teams of special forces disappear and, the next thing you know, aircraft are blown up and Russian generals go missing. The first F-15 aircraft will arrive in Ukraine later this month. Meanwhile, drone and missile strikes have effectively confined Russias Black Sea fleet to port.

This last is especially important. Putin is obsessed with ports, and not only in Russia. His support for the Assad dictatorship stems from his interest in the naval facility leased by Russia in Tartus, and Wagners malign intervention in Libya is driven by his designs on Tobruk. With its oil and gas networks and facilities under attack, Russia, which is already paying the price for having converted more than a third of its economy to war production, will run out of money. That will send its own signal to Xi.

The third authoritarian ally is Iran, which has managed to build state-of-the-art military drones despite 30 years of economic isolation  further proof that trade sanctions are useless, and containment requires force.

Iran is poor, its regime unpopular, but it maintains a stable of international troublemakers including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Avoiding the Third World War means containing Russia, deterring China and, not least, settling Iran  either by toppling the ayatollahs or by peeling them away from their allies. Lobbing occasional ordnance their way, as the US did on Friday, will not do the trick.

Britain is not without cards to play. Our Armed Services may be starved of cash, but our special forces terrify the enemy, and our Secret Intelligence Service, which was warning sceptical Europeans of the looming Russian invasion in 2021, is unsurpassed. There are individual Russians, Chinese and Iranians who are as keen as we are to avoid all-out war.

Everything depends on willingness to spend more on defence  in Britain and in Europe. Unless we rearm, we condemn ourselves, not just to a war, but to losing it.

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One month after a plagiarism scandal toppled Harvard Universitys first Black president, another high-ranking school official faces allegations that she also copied academic works without citing sources or giving proper credit.

Sherri Ann Charleston, Harvards Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, allegedly copied extensive portions of a scholarly essay authored by her husband and claimed credit for it without proper citation in her own academic paper, according to a complaint filed with the Ivy League college on Monday.

Harvards head of diversity accused Sherri Ann Charleston of plagiarism. (Credit: Harvard University)

The complaint, which was filed anonymously, cites 40 instances of plagiarism in Charlestons published body of work, while a parallel investigation by the Washington Free Beacon alleges plagiarism in her 2009 Ph.D. dissertation submitted to the University of Michigan.

Charleston, who is Black, is accused of quoting or paraphrasing several authors without proper attribution, while scholars who reviewed the complaint suggest the offenses might likely warrant an investigation into plagiarism and potential data fraud.

The devastating claims might also constitute academic fraud, however it remained to be seen whether Charleston would face the same fate of former Harvard President Claudine Gay, who resigned Jan. 2 amid similar circumstances, abruptly ending a turbulent six-month term.

In the weeks since Gays ouster, the university has faced increasing pressure to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and to clarify academic policies that didnt appear to apply to Gay as the college faced a public relations nightmare but never sought to discipline its newly placed leader for academic misconduct.

The new claims targeting Charleston also put the university back in the hot seat regarding the credibility of its research associates and the ideological stance of its diversity administrators, many of whom fall under Charlestons extensive purview.

Most notably among the charges, Charlestons peer-reviewed research paper, which she submitted in 2014, allegedly repurposed significant portions of a 2012 study authored by her husband, LaVar Charleston, and presented the old material as new research, the complaint alleges.

Charlestons 343-page dissertation, coauthored by Jerlando Jackson, the dean of the College of Education at Michigan State University, appeared in the Journal of Negro Education; and two years earlier the study authored by LaVar Charleston, which focused on interviews with Black science students, was published in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.

Side-by-side, the two works appear identical, sharing methods, findings, and descriptions of survey subjects, the complaint says.

The interview responses are selfsame in both works, indicating that Sherri Ann Charleston did not conduct new interviews to move the analysis forward, but instead chose to stick with LaVar Charlestons findings from 2012.

The 2014 paper appears to be entirely counterfeit, said Peter Wood, the head of the National Association of Scholars and a former associate provost at Boston University, according to the Washington Free Beacon. This is research fraud pure and simple.

In a statement to NBC News, Harvard declined to confirm whether it was investigating the claims against Charleston.

Harvard is a community that embraces diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, the statement said. Through her leadership as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sherri Ann Charleston has advanced our belief that everyone who comes to Harvard belongs at Harvard and, whether a student, faculty, staff member or researcher, should have the opportunity to succeed.

Some questioned whether the Free Beacon was taking sides in an escalating culture war that emerged in recent months over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as the investigative outlet was among the first to report the plagiarism accusations against Gay, and was now also leveling the claims against Charleston.

The controversy flamed as conservatives demanded colleges and universities abandon the initiatives that they claim promote diversity by disenfranchising white men.

Previously, Gay faced intense pressure to resign following a disastrous congressional hearing in which she and other college administrators were excoriated as failing to address anti-Semitism on their respective campuses amid the Israel-Hamas war.

As the controversy flared, separate accusations arose into suspected plagiarism by Gay in her Ph.D. dissertation, while the Free Beacon and other outlets found instances where the lifelong scholar copied works without quoting, citing or attributing phrases to the original authors.

Initially Gay resisted calls to resign while strongly defending her academic work, saying in a statement on Dec. 11 that I stand by the integrity of my scholarship.

But the allegations prompted the The Harvard Corporation  the colleges governing board  to launch an academic probe into Gay, which turned up a few instances of inadequate citation that required corrections, but which amounted to no real violations of Harvards standards for academic conduct, the board stated at the time.

That decision allowed Gay to go back into her original works and insert citations and quotation marks that had been omitted, but more important, it reaffirmed her presidency amid growing calls to resign after critics claimed students had called for the killing of Jews while Gay was accused of not enforcing student codes of conduct to tamp down incendiary rhetoric.

Later, several new allegations of plagiarism emerged, resulting in 47 total claims against Gay, while seemingly putting the university at a crossroads before Gay finally decided to walk away.

Sherri Ann Charleston joined Harvard in August 2020 as its first chief diversity officer after serving as chief affirmative action officer at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she also taught gender studies.

Two years later, she was seated on the staff advisory committee that played a role in the search for Harvards next president, leading to the appointment of Gay in December 2022 before she took the helm on July 1.

In her Harvard bio, Charleston is described as one of the nations leading experts in diversity while her work as a historian an attorney focuses on translating diversity and inclusion research into practice for students, staff, researchers, postdoctoral fellows and faculty of color.

Entirely Counterfeit: Another Harvard Administrator In Hot Water Amid Claims of Universitys DEI Chief Sherri Ann Charleston Committed Plagiarism
Estonia has delivered Javelin anti-tank missiles, ammunition, and other military aid to Ukraine as part of its latest package, the Estonian Defense Ministry reported on Feb. 3.

The package worth 80 million euros ($86 million) was approved in December. It also includes machine guns, various vehicles and vessels, and diving equipment.

"I am glad that another aid package has arrived in Ukraine and is being used by Ukrainian defenders," said Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

"The latest developments in Europe show that the sending of essential missiles and other military aid to Ukraine continues on a large scale, and with this, together with our allies, we send a clear message to the Kremlin that we will continue to support Ukraine until the victorious end."

Tallinn doesn't disclose the exact amount of delivered military equipment or the date of its arrival due to security concerns.

The Baltic country, with a population of 1.3 million, is one of the leading military donors to Ukraine in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) shares, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Counting the most recent package, Estonia's defense contributions to Ukraine amount to around 500 million euros ($550 million) since the start of the full-scale war, which is around 1.4% of the country's GDP.

Over the next four years, Tallinn is prepared to allocate 0.25% of its GDP to military assistance for Kyiv.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A new aid package from Estonia has arrived in Ukraine, including Javelin anti-tank systems, machine guns, rounds for small arms, various ground and water vehicles, and diving equipment.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Estonian Defence Ministry on 3 February

Details: The precise amount of weaponry, arrival time, and location are not disclosed for security reasons.

Quote: "I am pleased that another aid package has arrived in Ukraine and is being used by Ukrainian defenders," said Hanno Pevkur, the Defence Minister of Estonia.

"Recent events in Europe demonstrate that the dispatch of crucial missiles and other military assistance to Ukraine continues on a large scale, and with this, along with our allies, we are sending a clear message to the Kremlin that we will continue to support Ukraine until a victorious outcome is achieved," added Pevkur.

Background:

This week, European Union defence ministers have agreed to fulfil their promise to send one million artillery rounds to Ukraine.

The Estonian Defence Minister said that Estonia is also contributing to fulfilling the promise with additional thousands of artillery shells.

Since 2022, Estonia has provided military assistance to Ukraine amounting to almost 500 million, approximately 1.4% of the GDP.

In December, the Estonian government approved providing Ukraine with long-term military assistance amounting to 80 million to defend against Russian aggression.

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Estonia delivered a new EUR 80 million ($86 million) military aid package to Ukraine, featuring Javelin anti-tank missiles, announced the country's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Estonian public broadcasting ERR reported on Feb. 3.

Estonian President Alar Karis said on Jan. 11 that his country will allocate EUR 1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in aid to Ukraine by 2027. The actions of Ukraine's partners should be aimed at preventing any aggressive wars in Europe in the future, he said emphasizing that Estonia will support Ukraine as long as the war continues.

EU member states should increase military aid to Ukraine in 2024, as the volumes planned by most states are "too small," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Jan. 8.

Estonia's GDP was $38.1 billion as of 2022, according to the World Bank.

Read also: Scholz urges EU countries to increase arms supplies to Ukraine in 2024

Estonia will also allocate EUR 14 million ($15.1 million) per year for joint actions for Ukraines reconstruction, she said.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in early December that over the next four years, her country will provide Ukraine with military assistance in the amount of 0.25% of its GDP.

Estonia committed to provide Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank missiles in December 2023.

For security reasons, specific details such as volume and arrival time remain undisclosed.

Alongside Javelin missiles, the Estonian aid package also includes machine guns, small arms ammunition, diving equipment, and various other supplies.

Read also: Russia may attack border areas of Kharkiv Oblast in coming weeks  Estonian intelligence

Ukraine's allies are committed to supplying the necessary missiles and other military assistance on a large scale, signaling to the Kremlin that backing for Ukraine will persist "until the victorious end," Pevkur said.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has warned of a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East at an informal meeting on Saturday after US retaliatory strikes on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria.

"The Middle East is a boiler that can explode. And certainly, there are attacks both on the Lebanon border; north and south; there are attacks in Syria; there are attacks in Iraq, attacks in the Red Sea," Borrell said.

He was referring to US retaliation for attacks in the region by the Houthis and other Iranian-backed militias on targets believed to support Israel's war in Gaza, including US military targets.

"That is why we decided on this naval mission and that is why we call everybody to try to avoid an escalation," he said on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

He was referring to the military operation agreed to secure commercial shipping in the Red Sea aiming to halt attacks on ships by militant Islamist Houthis from Yemen in solidarity with Gaza.

Borrell called on all parties to try and avoid an escalation, in comments coming days after a deadly attack by pro-Iranian militias on US soldiers in Jordan.

In response, the US Air Force attacked dozens of targets in Iran and Syria during the night, including command centres, intelligence sites and weapons depots that are said to have been used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and associated militias, according to officials.
The Biden administration's student loan forgiveness initiatives are making significant strides, providing relief to nearly a million borrowers approved under income-driven repayment (IDR) programs.

An additional 800,000 individuals working in public service jobs have also received respite through related initiatives.

$5 Billion Student Loan Relief as IDR Program Ends

The Education Department recently greenlit an additional $5 billion in loan forgiveness, set to alleviate more borrowers, yet this temporary initiative is approaching its conclusion. As the discharges continue, borrowers are urged to stay informed about the impending changes in the coming months.

The focal point of the recent wave of student loan relief is the IDR Account Adjustment, introduced in the spring of 2022. This innovative program allows borrowers to accrue credit towards their student loan forgiveness term under income-driven repayment plans, which typically span 20 or 25 years. Notably, it enables the inclusion of past periods of loan repayment, deferment, and forbearance, even for those not initially enrolled in an IDR plan.

The inception of the account adjustment aimed to rectify longstanding issues within IDR programs. Investigations and regulatory actions unveiled instances where borrowers were not informed about IDR plans, leading them into costly forbearances.

Insufficient record-keeping further hindered borrowers from receiving entitled student loan forgiveness credits. The account adjustment emerged as a one-time solution to remedy these systemic problems.

The results are promising, with over 930,000 borrowers securing IDR loan forgiveness, totaling an impressive $46 billion in discharges. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) beneficiaries also benefit, with 793,000 additional borrowers receiving over $56 billion in student loan forgiveness through the IDR Account Adjustment and related initiatives, as per to Forbes.

Read Also: US Launches Assaults on Iraqi, Syrian Militants in Retaliation for Fatal Drone Attack

IDR Program's End Sparks Repayment Changes

However, it's crucial to note that the IDR Account Adjustment is a temporary measure. As the program reaches its conclusi on, borrowers should be mindful of key dates and necessary actions:

1. Borrowers with privately-owned FFEL-program loans, HEAL loans, or Perkins loans, and those with multiple loans with significantly different repayment histories, must explore loan consolidation through the federal Direct loan program by April 30, 2024, to qualify for the IDR Account Adjustment.

2. The Education Department is implementing the adjustment every two months, with the most recent round in January benefiting nearly 30,000 borrowers. Subsequent rounds are scheduled for March and May.

3. The anticipated completion date for the IDR Account Adjustment is July 1, 2024. After this date, borrowers short of the forgiveness threshold can view IDR payment counts, allowing them to enroll in or continue an IDR plan to progress towards forgiveness.

Despite the success of the IDR Account Adjustment, the Biden administration is actively developing new initiatives to address different borrower segments. A recently announced IDR option, known as SAVE, promises a more affordable repayment plan for those who do not qualify for immediate forgiveness.

Moreover, plans are in motion for a new student loan forgiveness program targeting individuals who may not benefit from the IDR account adjustment, including those who have made payments for extended periods.

It is recommended that borrowers be aware of the changes to student loan repayment policies implemented by the Biden administration and take into account their possible eligibility for these dynamic forgiveness programs. The months ahead will be crucial because they will bring about revolutionary changes in the field of student debt forgiveness in addition to serving as the conclusion of current projects, according to Business News.

Related Article: Taiwan: Han Kuo-yu Elected as Head of Legislative Body Despite Pro-China Stance
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during the meeting of EU foreign ministers at the Egmont Palace. -/European Council/dpa

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has warned of a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East at an informal meeting on Saturday after US retaliatory strikes on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria.

"The Middle East is a boiler that can explode. And certainly, there are attacks both on the Lebanon border; north and south; there are attacks in Syria; there are attacks in Iraq, attacks in the Red Sea," Borrell said.

He was referring to US retaliation for attacks in the region by the Houthis and other Iranian-backed militias on targets believed to support Israel's war in Gaza, including US military targets.

"That is why we decided on this naval mission and that is why we call everybody to try to avoid an escalation," he said on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

He was referring to the military operation agreed to secure commercial shipping in the Red Sea aiming to halt attacks on ships by militant Islamist Houthis from Yemen in solidarity with Gaza.

Borrell called on all parties to try and avoid an escalation, in comments coming days after a deadly attack by pro-Iranian militias on US soldiers in Jordan.

In response, the US Air Force attacked dozens of targets in Iran and Syria during the night, including command centres, intelligence sites and weapons depots that are said to have been used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and associated militias, according to officials.

"We have seen attacks on US bases in recent weeks, where US nationals have also lost their lives. That was irresponsible," German Minister of State for Europe, Anna Luhrmann, said at the talks.

She said Washington responded in order to prevent a recurrence of the attacks and said the US had made it clear that it did not want an escalation in the Middle East. Luhrmann attended in place of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for scheduling reasons.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, on the other hand, was much more critical, saying there is a real risk of escalation in the Middle East crisis.

"Iran's proxies have played with fire for month and years, and it's now burning them," said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, on the other hand.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during the meeting of EU foreign ministers at the Egmont Palace. -/European Council/dpa
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, left, Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, center, and Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman, gesture, in front of a cake to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first informal meeting of the Council during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the Egmont Palace in Brussels, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union on Saturday expressed deep concern over reports that the Israeli military intends to take its battle against Hamas to the town of Rafah at Gazas border with Egypt where more than a million people have escaped the fighting.

The EUs top diplomat warned that conflict is likely to spread throughout the region unless a cease-fire is agreed between Israel and Hamas, after U.S. airstrikes hit dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that around 1 million Palestinians have been displaced progressively against the Egyptian border. They claimed they were safe zones, but in fact what we see is that the bombing affecting the civilian population continues and it is creating a very dire situation.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday that after Israeli troops seize the southern city of Khan Younis, from where tens of thousands of people have fled, they will move on to Rafah. He did not give a time frame.

Such an offensive could push the refugees into Egypt, undermining Israel's peace agreement with the country and angering the United States. It might also torpedo slow-moving peace talks with Hamas and complicate efforts to release scores of Israelis abducted when the militant group rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The prospect of a ground war in Rafah has raised fears about where the population would go to find safety. The United Nations said the town is becoming a  pressure cooker of despair.

Speaking in Brussels, where he was chairing informal talks among EU foreign ministers, Borrell said that the Israel-Hamas war has created a domino effect, with conflict also erupting in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and in the Red Sea area.

We are living a critical situation in the Middle East, in the whole region, he said. As long as the war in Gaza continues, it is very difficult to believe that the situation in the Red Sea will improve, because one thing is related with the other.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, warned of a real risk of spillover of the conflict.

Its a huge concern. We ask for restraint, and we ask for dialogue and diplomacy. Its the only way we can calm down the situation in the Middle East, she told reporters.

Radek Sikorski, the foreign minister of Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, said those targeted in the U.S. airstrikes had it coming. Irans proxies have played with fire for months and years and its now burning them, he said.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said he believes that those who are attacking U.S. bases have to know that they are actually pouring oil into the fire. He warned that this is a powder keg, the whole Middle East, and there are too many people running around with matches.

After the meeting, Borrell also expressed concern about the fate of the U.N. relief agency working with the Palestinians, after 12 UNRWA staff were accused of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks, leading the United States and others to pull funding from Gaza's biggest humanitarian aid provider.

Borrell said the majority of ministers present from the 27 EU nations believe that UNRWAs work is vital. While some countries have frozen their support, Borrell said that other ministers informed him that their governments would step up funding. He did not name them.

UNRWA has been playing a critical role to support the Palestinian refugees, and not only in Gaza but also in Lebanon and Jordan, Borrell said. Who can substitute that overnight? He said the EU welcomes the investigation launched by the agency.

Borrell also noted that Israel had been critical of UNRWAs work for many years.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
German politician Terry Reintke (L) and Dutch politician Bas Eickhout (R) celebrate after winning the election of the head of list for the European Greens in Lyon. German Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Terry Reintke has been chosen to head the European Greens in this year's European elections as lead candidate. Olivier Chassignole/AFP/dpa

German Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Terry Reintke has been chosen to head the European Greens in this year's European elections as lead candidate.

At a party congress in the French city of Lyon, delegates also elected Bas Eickhout from the Netherlands as the male lead candidate, the European Green Party (EGP) announced on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Reintke received some 55% of the vote. Her two competitors, Eilna Pinto from Latvia and Benedetta Scuderi from Italy, received some 24% and 20% of the delegates' votes respectively.

At the beginning of June, the citizens of the 27 EU member states are called upon to elect the new members of the European Parliament.

Reintke comes from the western German city of Gelsenkirchen and is the leader of the Green group in the European Parliament. She is considered a self-confident feminist and an advocate of strong social policy.

After the result, she said: "I will fight for a diverse, green and social Europe, a democratic Europe in which racism and hatred have no place."

At the German national party conference in Karlsruhe in November, the German Greens elected Reintke to the top of the list for the European election campaign, meaning she is certain to remain a member of parliament in the coming legislative period.

The European Greens have been meeting in Lyon since Friday. In addition to the election of the top candidates, an election programme is to be adopted there.
The row over the Post Office scandal and the hundreds of victims who are yet to be fully compensated has dominated headlines over recent days.

Here are the answers to questions you may have about the Horizon row, which still shows no sign of abating.

What caused the Post Office scandal?

The rollout of Horizon computing software - manufactured by Japanese company Fujitsu - across UK Post Office branches led to the prosecution of more than 900 sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015. Faults in the software made it look like money was missing and sub-postmasters were charged with theft and false accounting as a result. Some were ordered to undertake community service or sent to prison and four are known to have taken their own lives.

What did sub-postmasters do when they found out they had shortfalls?

The Post Office ordered sub-postmasters to pay back money that was lost or face prosecution if they did not comply. They were contractually obliged to make up for the losses with their own funds. This resulted in some losing their livelihoods and going bankrupt as a result.

What happened to the extra money which was paid in?

Forensic accounts have said that the extra money paid in by worried sub-postmasters was likely credited to the Post Offices profit and loss account. If this was the case, then the Post Office would have declared larger profits or smaller losses that it should have done and would have needed less government subsidy as a result. If so, then the taxpayer inadvertently benefited from money wrongly taken from sub-postmasters.

When were the shortfalls attributed to the faulty computer software system?

It wasnt until December 2019 when a High Court judge ruled that Horizon contained bugs, errors and defects and there was a material risk that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were caused by the system.

How many sub-postmasters have had their convictions overturned since the 2019 judgment?

So far, 93 sub-postmasters have had their convictions overturned, but hundreds more have not yet come forward.

Have any sub-postmasters received compensation?

Around 138 million has been paid out to approximately 2,700 sub-postmasters across three compensation schemes, according to the Post Office. However, hundreds of others are yet to receive a payout. In September, the Government announced that every worker whose wrongful conviction was overturned would be offered 600,000 in compensation. Those who had already received initial smaller payments or had reached a lower valued settlement with the Post Office would be paid the difference. However, some lawyers who represent victims have said that even 600,000 is not enough in all cases to make up for what has been lost over two decades.

How did the Government come up with the 600,000 figure?

The first time victims of the scandal received any money was when those involved in Bates & Others v Post Office reached an out-of-court settlement with the Post Office in 2019. The Post Office did not accept liability, so this was a costs settlement not compensation. However, the group was awarded 57.75 million in total. However, some 46 million was taken in legal costs - leaving only 20,000 for each person. In April 2021, Nick Read, the chief executive of the Post Office, urged the Government to provide funding, arguing that his organisation did not have the financial resources to provide meaningful compensation. The Government went on to announce that sub-postmasters wrongly convicted of offences would get interim compensation of up to 100,000 a few months later, in July 2021. In September 2023, it confirmed that those who had had their convictions overturned on the basis of Horizon evidence would be paid 600,000 in full and final settlement of their claim.

What about sub-postmasters whose convictions have not been overturned?

Without proof of the convictions having been overturned, victims cannot currently claim compensation. People with criminal convictions typically need to go through an appeal process in court and the Post Office has said it covers all fees for lawyers and experts. On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, announced that a new law would ensure those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal are swiftly exonerated and compensated. However, experts have warned that such laws could undermine the independence of the courts and judges.

ITV drama Alan Bates vs The Post Office has helped highlight the issues raised in the Horizon scandal - ITV/Shutterstock

Who will fund the payouts?

So far the Government has funded the 138 million figure, but many have questioned whether Fujitsu - the firm behind the faulty software - should foot the bill. The multi-billion-pound Japanese firm typically receives more than 100 million in ongoing UK government contracts each year. On Tuesday, Mel Stride, Work and Pensions Secretary, told Good Morning Britain that he didnt think there was any working assumption at the moment that the taxpayer would fund the compensation payments. He said decisions going forward would be based on the outcome of an independent inquiry.

When will the independent inquiry finish?

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry was initially set up as a non-statutory inquiry in September 2020. Following a request from Sir Wyn Williams, the Chairman of the Inquiry, it became statutory in June 2021. Statutory inquiries have certain powers - including the ability to compel witnesses to give evidence. The inquiry was initially set to conclude in August 2022 but it is still ongoing and is now due to finish this year.

Has anyone been held criminally responsible for what happened?

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation in 2020 which saw Fujitsu experts, who were witnesses in the trials, probed for potential perjury and perverting the course of justice. Two people were interviewed under caution as a result, but nobody was arrested. However, last week the Met confirmed that the Post Office was under criminal investigation over potential fraud offences committed during the scandal.

Why did Paula Vennells hand back her CBE?

On Tuesday, Vennells, the former Post Office chief executive, confirmed that she would hand back her CBE, which she was awarded in 2019 for services to the Post Office and charity. Her decision came after mounting calls for her to be stripped of the honour.

Paula Vennells ran the Post Office while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system - Anthony Devlin

What else do campaigners want Paula Vennells to do?

Campaigners would like to see Ms Vennells return the 2.93 million she received in performance-related bonus payments in lieu of a pension. Overall, she is understood to have been paid as much as 5 million in total during her tenure as the chief executive of the Post Office between 2012 and 2019.

Why has the scandal come to light again?

Newspapers, broadcasters and websites, including The Telegraph, have reported on the scandal over the years. However, the scandal has come to public attention again following the release of ITVs drama Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, which is the channels most popular drama in three years.

Who is Alan Bates?

Alan Bates was a sub-postmaster who was accused of theft when his accounts showed a shortfall. He first reported issues with Horizon in 2000 and eventually had his contract terminated in 2003 when he refused to comply with his obligations to pay back the losses from his own pocket. Mr Bates led the campaign group Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance to its High Court victory in 2019.

Will everyone get justice?

At least 33 victims of the scandal have already died without receiving compensation. Campaigners warn many involved are only getting older and that it is crucial action is taken quickly.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The US military on Friday struck Iran-backed militants and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan.

The US Central Command said American forces struck more than 85 targets at seven locations in both Middle Eastern countries using bombers and precision munitions, just hours after president Joe Biden received the remains of the three service members.

The US strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders in an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

Iran has denied its involvement in the attack on American troops in Jordan.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," Mr Biden said in a statement following Republican backlash over what they described as delayed action.

"Let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he added.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Baghdad was informed ahead of the strikes and the targets "were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties".

Iraq condemned the strikes as an attack on its sovereignty and warned of dire consequences for the region.

Where did the US strike?

The US military hit more than 85 individual targets in seven locations  four in Syria and three in Iraq. The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, Lt Gen Douglas Sims, the director of the joint staff, said.

The military struck targets in Iraq's remote western Al Anbar province bordering Syria, located 250 miles from Baghdad.

US begins retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq, Syria, hits more than 85 targets (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Among the targets were missile warehouses in the border city of al-Qaim and the town of Akashat in the middle of the Anbar desert, which houses a key base for Iran-backed militants, NPR reported.

The Imam Ali base operated by an Iran-backed militia near the city of Abu Kamal was also targeted in the attack.

The strikes across both countries included command and control operations, intelligence centres, rocket stores, missiles, unmanned vehicle storage and supply chain facilities, officials said.

US warplanes hit Hashd al-Shaabi headquarters in Iraq (Anadolu via Getty Images)

They largely targeted the Quds Force, the foreign espionage and paramilitary arm of the Revolutionary Guards that heavily influences its allied militia across the Middle East, from Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen to Syria.

Let Gen Sims said attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry, though it was not clear if any militants were killed.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes.

US President Joe Biden attends the dignified transfer of the remains of three US service members killed in Jordan (AFP via Getty Images)

What weapons were used by US?

US Central Command said the assault involved more than 125 precision munitions, and that they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including two long-range B-1 bombers flown from the US.

All the airstrikes were conducted by US warplanes and not navy vessels, a defence official said.

Let Gen Sims said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities. He added that the weather was a key factor in the timing of the operation, with clear visibility providing the best chance of avoiding civilian casualties.

How have Iraq and Syria responded?

Iraqi army spokesperson Yahya Rasool said the strikes "constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, posing a threat that will pull Iraq and the region to undesirable consequences".

"The outcomes will have severe implications on the security and stability in Iraq and the surrounding region.

The Syrian defence ministry called the strikes "blatant air aggression" that led to a number of civilians and soldiers being killed and others being wounded and some significant damage to public and private property.

"Occupying parts of Syrian lands by American forces cannot continue ... the Syrian army affirms continuing its war against terrorism until it is eliminated and is determined to liberate the entire Syrian territories from terrorism and occupation," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Washington has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan, but hasnt narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataib Hezbollah, a top suspect, announced on Tuesday it would pause attacks on US forces.
Tractors drive past on a road at Frankfurt Airport. Hundreds of farmers demonstrate against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel with a protest drive around Germany's busiest airport in Frankfurt. Ardavan Safari/dpa

Hundreds of farmers have demonstrated against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel with a protest drive around Germany's busiest airport in Frankfurt.

According to a police spokesman, the farmers set off towards the airport at around 6 am (0500 GMT) on Saturday morning. Up to 2,000 tractors had been announced, but initially far fewer turned up. By early Saturday morning there were 500 to 600.

A protest drive around the airport site was planned. The police expected road closures until the afternoon.

The airport operator Fraport asked people to travel to the airport by public transport or to allow more time for the journey by car. Although there were brief disruptions in the morning, there was no major chaos, according to the police.

The farmers did not choose Frankfurt airport by chance. The protest was no longer just about agricultural diesel, but about fair competition, according to several of the participating farmers' organizations.

"What applies to aviation must also apply to us farmers: Aviation fuel is still not taxed because this would put German aviation at a competitive disadvantage," they said.

Frankfurt airport and the cargo sector symbolize the integration of the German economy and agriculture into global supply chains and markets, they said.

Tractors drive past on a road at Frankfurt Airport. Hundreds of farmers demonstrate against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel with a protest drive around Germany's busiest airport in Frankfurt. Mike Seeboth/dpa
A California judge has ordered Tesla Inc. to pay $1.5 million to settle a civil case accusing the electric vehicle giant of mishandling hazardous waste at its various facilities, including car service centers, energy centers, and its factory.

Multiple county district attorneys announced the settlement, which addresses allegations of illegal disposal of hazardous waste and violations of laws related to storage and management of such waste, as per to Associated Press.

Tesla to Pay $1.5 Million For Hazardous Waste

The complaint, filed in San Joaquin County, brought together efforts from 25 district attorneys' offices across California. The combined civil environmental prosecution focused on claims that Tesla improperly disposed of substances such as used lead acid batteries, antifreeze, paint, and electronic waste at its service and energy centers throughout the state.

As part of the settlement, Tesla is subject to a five-year injunction. The injunction mandates the company to train its employees on proper hazardous material disposal practices. Additionally, Tesla must enlist an external contractor to audit some of its trash containers for hazardous waste.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins highlighted the environmental impact of electric vehicles, stating, "While electric vehicles may benefit the environment, the manufacturing and servicing of these vehicles still generates many harmful waste streams." She emphasized that the settlement aims to provide a cleaner environment for citizens throughout the state.

When the Environmental Division of the San Francisco District Attorney started conducting covert inspections of garbage cans at Tesla service centers in 2018, the legal investigation got underway. Investigators found that improper disposal was taking place of hazardous trash, which included aerosols, brake cleaners, contaminated debris, and lubricating oils.

Court documents revealed allegations that Tesla placed hazardous waste into ordinary trash containers at its facilities or improperly outsourced materials to transfer stations and landfills ill-suited for such waste. Inspections in Alameda County uncovered instances of weld spatter waste, paint mix, and hazardous waste being disposed of in regular trash containers at Tesla's Fremont factory, according to Low Anges Times.

Read Also: Pet Detective's Heroic Endeavor: 330 Lost Dogs Safely Reunited with Owners Using Thermal Imaging Drones

Tesla's Unlawful Disposal

District attorneys in Orange County and Riverside County reported similar unlawful disposal during their inspections at Tesla facilities.

In addition to an extra $200,000 to pay investigative expenses, the $1.5 million settlement includes a $1.3 million allocation to be divided among the 25 counties involved in the case. San Francisco and San Joaquin will each get $200,000, with Alameda County expected to earn the highest part at $225,000. Los Angeles will get $15,000, while Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Ventura will each receive $10,000. The amounts allocated to other counties will vary.

In the deal, Tesla, which avoided from acknowledging any illegal activity, consented to pay a $1.3 million civil penalty and $200,000 to cover the counties' investigative expenses. In addition to committing to remedial action to manage waste appropriately, the corporation will have its waste practices audited by a third party every five years.

Despite the settlement, Tesla faced previous legal issues related to hazardous waste. In 2019, the company settled with the US Environmental Protection Agency over federal hazardous waste violations at its Fremont plant, agreeing to manage waste properly and pay a $31,000 fine. In 2022, Tesla reached another settlement with the EPA, involving a $275,000 penalty for failing to maintain records and implement plans to minimize air pollutants from painting operations at the Fremont plant, Reuters reported.

Related Article: Brad Pitt Reuniting With Quentin Tarantino in Final Film 'The Movie Critic'
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $10,000 reward for information that will help them catch a suspected killer with ties to Atlanta.

According to the FBI, Mtayari Dixon is wanted for murder and has yet to be caught.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Due to his ties to the Atlanta area, and both North Carolina and South Carolina, the FBI has expanded their search to include Georgia too.

Dixon is wanted in connection to the October 2022 deadly shooting of a man he was arguing with in New Rochelle, New York, according to the FBI.

After the murder, Dixon got on a train and went to Stamford, Connecticut, agents say.

TRENDING STORIES:

The FBI says he may have then taken a bus to Atlanta and then gone to Charlotte, N.C.

Dixon was charged with murder on Nov. 14, 2022 in New Rochelle. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to the FBI.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the local FBI field office online or by submitting an anonymous tip.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Federal wildlife officials rejected requests from conservation groups to restore protections for gray wolves across the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains on Friday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the predators are not in danger of extinction.

Additionally, USFWS said it would work on a first-ever national recovery plan for the wolves, recognizing that the national discussion around gray wolf management must look more comprehensively at conservation tools available, the release states.

Gray wolves are listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered in 44 states, threatened in Minnesota, and under state jurisdiction in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of eastern Oregon and Washington, USFWS said.

What does Punxsutawney Phil do the rest of the year?

Based on the latest data as of the end of 2022, USFWS said there were approximately 2,797 wolves distributed across at least 286 packs in seven states in the Western U.S.

This population size and widespread distribution contribute to the resiliency and redundancy of wolves in this region, the release states. The population maintains high genetic diversity and connectivity, further supporting their ability to adapt to future changes.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said they agree with the USFWS finding that wolves do not warrant listing in the western U.S., however they said they are still working to determine what the announcement will mean for state agencies regarding wolf management.

Although there have been confirmed wolf sightings over the years  and rare instances of wolf-related livestock depredation  there are no known established packs in Utah, DWR said.

DWRs full statement can be read below:

On Feb. 2, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an announcement for a not warranted finding for two petitions to list gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Western United States. However, as part of that announcement, they stated that the finding is not action-forcing and that the legal status of gray wolves does not change as a result of this finding.



We agree with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finding that wolves do not warrant listing in the western United States. We are still working to determine what Fridays announcement will mean for state agencies regarding the management of wolves.



Although there have been confirmed wolf sightings over the years  and rare instances of wolf-related livestock depredation  there are no known established packs in Utah. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A Detroit man was convicted by a federal jury this week, accused of sex trafficking a minor and producing child pornography.

Lavonte Sampson, 39, is to be sentenced May 8 in U.S. District Court, according to federal court records. The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release that he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of up to life in prison.

Sampson was convicted after a five-day trial. The jury deliberated about two hours before returning its verdict, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office release. Federal court records indicate he was indicted in December 2021.

Rhonda Brazile, one of the attorneys representing Sampson, declined to comment Friday as the case is ongoing.

The investigation began when the FBI's Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force conducted an undercover operation to recover a missing 15-year-old girl, according to the release.

A search of her cellphone uncovered Facebook messages where Sampson recruited the girl to engage in commercial sex work. He was accused of taking pictures of her and advertising her online for commercial sex, according to federal prosecutors.

More: Feds: Man gets 15 years for trying to coerce boy to make sexually explicit images

Sampson took her to a motel in Detroit, where he arranged dates between her and other men and collected the proceeds. He also had sex with her, recorded it without her knowledge and sent the video recording to an undercover agent when arranging a date, according to the release.

"This defendant exploited a vulnerable child. He sold her body to other men for his own personal gain," U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said in the release. "Combatting human trafficking remains one of our office's top priorities, especially when it involves children. We will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to battle the sexual exploitation of vulnerable victims in our communities and ensure that predators are held accountable."

The FBI said if anyone has information on crimes of this nature, to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THELOST or online at report.cybertip.org.

If you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect you know one, call the FBI, local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Feds: Detroit man convicted of sex trafficking, child porn
Im old enough to remember when Britons were promised significant tax cuts. So are you. It was two weeks ago. The Prime Minister and Chancellor both used comment pieces in the Sunday papers to indicate that the March Budget was going to signify a renewed, refreshed, tax-cutting Tory party.

Because of our careful management of the economy, Jeremy Hunt told the public, we can start cutting taxes again in a way [that] is both affordable and boosts our growth. It was a nod to the business-friendly tax cuts he announced in the Autumn Statement last year, but also a clear indication of his intention for this spring.

After being accused of exaggerating the extent of these reductions last November, the Government has been painfully aware that it has a tax burden problem. Yes, taxes were brought down; fairly substantially, too, as Hunt committed to making full expensing permanent and reducing employee National Insurance from 12pc to 10pc.

But the tax burden remained exactly the same as it was in the Office for Budget Responsibilitys previous forecast: on track to reach a post-war high by the end of this Parliament.

This has presented the Chancellor with an additional mission this year: not just to slash more taxes, but to reduce the overall tax burden in good time before the next general election. No small feat.

But its also a promise that was made just weeks ago. Already, however, its being rolled back.

As things stand at the moment Hunt told ITV this week ...it doesnt look like Ill have the kind of room that I had for those very big tax cuts in the autumn, throwing in the caveat that things can change depending on the final numbers hes presented with by the OBR.

A few weeks ago, independent forecasters were predicting the Chancellor would have around 20bn worth of fiscal headroom, but there is now speculation that it could be even lower.

10bn or 15bn of extra cash against Hunts fiscal rules (which are already very relaxed, requiring the percentage of debt to GDP to fall in the fifth year of a rolling forecast) would allow for another penny to come off National Insurance (an idea that is now being floated) or perhaps minor relief on income tax. But not much else.

It seems it is finally dawning on the Government what has been glaringly obvious for years now: feeding an ever-growing state has become such an oppressively expensive task, there is simply no scope for the kind of tax cuts Tories would like to be offering up ahead of an election.

Its not what anyone wants to hear  especially Tory MPs who are banking on a big tax break for voters this year. But the decision to prioritise more state spending  not just during, but also after the pandemic  has meant that tax cuts have fallen down the priority list.

The trade-off has already taken place, and there is simply not enough time  or willingness  to tackle spending and reverse the high-tax, high-spend trajectory that has been in motion for more than a decade.

Governments like to act as if high spending is something theyve inherited, something thats happened to them, rather than a choice theyve made. Sunak and Hunt had a case to make when they inherited spiralling debt-servicing repayments, made worse by Liz Trusss mini-Budget which saw markets demand a far bigger return for what looked like an increasingly risky investment in the UK.

But their announcement for a multi-billion childcare subsidy in the Budget last year made clear that spending was the top priority.

This doesnt happen by mistake: successive Tory governments dont accidentally end up out-taxing and out-spending Blair and Brown. That kind of state growth has to have some kind of effort behind it.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has been warning for years now that you cant, as ageing demographics catch up with us, keep your healthcare and pension promises without significant tax increases.

The public have figured it out, too. Practically every debate these days is framed in terms of supporting the state. Why ban cigarettes for the next generation? To keep young people healthy, working longer for the state and making fewer demands of the NHS. Why get people back into work? To increase the tax base, boosting revenue for the state.

Even the most personal and existential questions feed into the same narrative. How to frame the issue of falling birth rates: who is going to pay for the healthcare bills and the pension pots? Its not obvious, to me anyway, that this is the core purpose behind having children. Yet its the reason cited over and over again for why couples need to have more kids.

A poll from YouGov just a few weeks ago showed more respondents supporting extra cash going to public spending rather than tax cuts. This could be an indication that the public is convinced by the Tory push for a bigger state (though stated versus revealed preferences often suggest this isnt so clear cut).

It could also be an indication that the public are simply resigned to Big State Toryism: if they are going to be taxed at record levels, theyd at least like to be able to access some of those services, like the GP.

Were still in the middle of that process, Hunt said about the OBRs calculations, as he waits to confirm just how much wiggle room hell have.

Hunts boss had a habit when he was in the Treasury of under-promising and then making big fiscal announcements in the Commons; it is possible Hunt is taking a play out of Sunaks handbook, and gearing up to pull a few rabbits out of his hat.

But even in the best case scenario, it seems highly unlikely Hunt will find the room to tackle frozen tax thresholds, reversing the fiscal drag that is pulling millions of people into paying tax or into higher tax brackets.

This should come as no surprise. This government has already been cutting the tax cuts close, as Hunt has left himself roughly half the headroom against his fiscal rules than the average chancellor since 2010.

Yet it seems the Government is the last to cotton on, only now catching up to whats happened. It seems to finally be dawning on ministers that their plans to woo voters with a new tax strategy is prohibited by every other spending promise thats been made.

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Libby, pictured with mum Kym and dog Louie, now takes most of her classes from the family home in Cheltenham - John Lawrence

As a teacher and trainer in early years education, Kym Scott never imagined that she herself would one day have a child who would refuse to attend school. Scotts daughter Libby, now 16, began struggling soon after starting at the local comprehensive secondary school.

Attendance wasnt a problem at primary school because I was happy  it felt like a second home. But secondary felt like a prison, explains Libby, who struggled with long lessons, a lack of autonomy and strict rules about appearance and bringing the right equipment to class.

After a year, Libby moved to a different school and hoped for a fresh start but similar issues resurfaced and soon her attendance had dropped to 50 per cent. Getting to school became a huge ordeal  prompting anxiety, panic attacks and mental health problems. It wasnt a choice. Id have done anything to go but no matter how hard I tried to pluck up the willpower, I couldnt, she says.

As a parent, if your child isnt attending school, you feel like an utter failure, says Scott. I tried everything  being supportive, getting angry, bribing but what I learnt is that if youve got a child thats really anxious or traumatised, reasoning with them or physically dragging them out of bed isnt going to make a difference.

At the age of 10, Libby had been diagnosed with ADHD and autistic spectrum disorder. When the pandemic hit, she was in Year 7 and being away from the pressures of school meant her mental health improved. When school restarted, she really struggled with going back, says Scott. That is when the search for an alternative began.

Libby is far from alone. In 2023, 140,000 children were classed as severely absent from school  meaning they missed at least 50 per cent of their lessons  an increase of 134 per cent since the pandemic. Now, the Department for Education has announced a major new drive to get so-called ghost children like Libby back into school, with the announcement of more attendance hubs and more attendance mentors, who will offer tailored support to 10,000 struggling families.

For the past year, Alex Tinkler has led a team of Barnardos attendance mentors in Middlesbrough, where his job is to try and get to the root of what is keeping individual children out of the classroom.

The value of education

Often, the relationship between the school and the family has broken down  especially if the parents have been fined for non-attendance  and Tinklers job is to act as a mediator. Some days he has to convince parents of the value of education, particularly when theres been generational non-attendance.

Tinkler explains: In the vast majority of cases, there is a will to go but there are barriers. It can be as simple as getting a child the right pair of shoes. In some schools, youll get sent home for turning up in trainers but perhaps the family cant afford another pair of shoes, and the school hasnt dug deeper to find that out.

With most young people who are missing out on education, its not for want of trying. Its usually because theyre struggling, often with undiagnosed special educational needs.

There are some young people who dont like going  they know they can act a certain way and it will get them sent home and they can be at home playing on their Xbox. There is truth to that but its imperative those children also get support because if they dont go to school, they have a risk of going NEET [not in education, employment or training], which could then roll into county lines problems, crime, and a cost to society as a whole in terms of courts, jail etc. Thats the extreme side of it but thats why the youth is the most important part of any society, and why its so important to get in there early.

Libby's family moved from London to Gloucestershire so that the teenager could enrol at Wotton House, a small private independent school - John Lawrence

So when did attendance become such an issue in the UK? Tom Bennett, a former teacher and independent behaviour advisor to the Department for Education, attributes the nosedive to the pandemic, which saw some parents adopt the belief that school is somehow optional.

Before then, he says, attendance was only a problem for a core percentage of families.

The pandemic shattered the social contract, says Bennett. For as long as anyone can remember, the assumption was that you should send your children to school.

Then all of a sudden it was compulsory to stay at home, and that meant children and families learnt entirely new habits, and human behaviour is very habit driven. Its an international phenomenon  not local to the UK.

While there is little doubt that going to school leads to better educational outcomes for children, opinions are split on whether the Department for Educations laser focus on attendance is a good thing.

Warning signs in schools

Dr Naomi Fisher is an educational psychologist who works closely with families struggling with school avoidance and refusal. She sees the attendance problem as something that predates the pandemic, and as a sign that something is going wrong at a much deeper, systemic level in our schools.

Post-pandemic, schools seem to have become a lot more pressured and more controlling. I hear lots of stories from children about how controlling their school environment is and how much distress that causes them. I hear stories of children having to go to isolation because they got three points in one day, and one of them was for their clip-on tie falling off. When you put children in highly controlled environments, they know they cant show their distress but the parents see it at home  and then theyre blamed when the child starts saying, I feel really awful in school.

This chimes with Scotts experience, which has left her feeling that young people like Libby  neurodivergent learners and more anxious children  are almost like collateral damage under the current system.

Libby, however, is an exceptionally smart teenager, who has written four best-selling books about autism, and yet no school was able to meet her needs. This led to hospital education and a spell in a pupil referral unit where there were often high levels of violence and aggression. Eventually the family moved from London to Gloucestershire so that Libby could enrol at Wotton House, a small private independent school, where she now learns via Zoom on four days and attends one day a week in person.

Its a completely different environment, says Libby. The teachers give you freedom and respect. You never have to ask to go to the toilet, there is never any shouting.

But Scott is acutely aware that for most families, moving halfway across the country and paying privately or fighting for funding as she did isnt an option. Instead, many end up stuck in limbo, with children at home and parents battling for support in an over-subscribed system, all the while knowing that any kind of formal qualifications are slipping further out of reach.

Its a scenario that Fisher encounters day in, day out.

Im often contacted by parents who say: Can you treat my childs anxiety? He isnt going to school. And I have to explain, no, because it isnt a mental health problem, its a reasonable response to the circumstances. If a school is effectively using anxiety to motivate children, then its not surprising that some of them will say theyre too anxious to attend.

At the same time, theyre often being told very clearly that if you dont attend school, you will never be a success, so this puts young people in an impossible situation of feeling really unhappy at school, while being told that if they dont go, they wont have a future. Im not surprised that it causes enormous distress and despair. We should be asking: do we need to think about making our schools less punitive, less pressured? Are our schools child-friendly places?

Bennett disputes the idea that strict behaviour policies are fuelling some childrens anxiety and absenteeism as nonsense. On the contrary, he says they do the opposite.

Every child is entitled to a safe, secure, calm learning environment  it doesnt lead to more anxiety, it leads to less. It comes down to clear boundaries  lots of love but also lots of consequences for misbehaviour. If a school didnt mind if a student didnt turn up, that wouldnt be compassionate  that would be neglectful, mean and cruel because youd be teaching somebody that its OK to do as you please, and thats not how the world works.

Where Fisher argues that attendance-reward systems mean disadvantaged pupils only feel further stigmatised, missing out on trips and perks because they havent managed 100 per cent attendance, Bennett says there is nothing wrong with making it clear that attendance matters. By caring about a childs attendance, thats one of the main ways of showing that child that we care, he says.

With such contrasting views on what needs to happen to address attendance, one thing both sides agree on is the need for more alternative provision for those children who are struggling to fit into mainstream schools.

Finally finding a school that feels safe and accepting means that Libby is now on track to sit two GCSEs this spring, and her plan is to study music at college.

Shes taken a different path and that can be hard  when you see kids in their uniforms in September and when all the exam results come out, it gets you, says Scott. Its sad that the state system hasnt worked for us, especially when Ive worked with it all my life. But shes done so well to keep going. Shes got lots of interests and lots of options, and she has the desire to do well, which I feel really proud of.

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Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed the night before burn in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2023. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The fiery derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, which blanketed the town with fumes from toxic vinyl chloride, raised concerns over the chemical-filled train cars that lace through Houston from Ship Channel petrochemical facilities where it is brewed.

As much as 36 million pounds of vinyl chloride travels in rail cars at any given moment between two OxyVinyls facilities in Texas and four plants in New Jersey, Illinois and Ontario that use the substance to make PVC plastic. Vinyl chloride is classified by the EPA as a human carcinogen, and inhaling it increases the risk of a rare liver cancer, among other health problems.

A large plume of smoke rose over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

In a report released late last month, nearly a year after the Feb. 3 derailment, environmental researchers from Toxic-Free Future, an advocacy organization, and research firm Material Research L3C showed the route and quantity of vinyl chloride that OxyVinyls, a subsidiary of Houston oil giant Occidental Petroleum, transports across the U.S.

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The rail shipment of vinyl chloride to make PVC plastic puts more than three million people at risk, including communities from Texas to New Jersey, the report said. We estimate more than three million people live, and about 670,000 children attend more than 1,500 schools, within one mile of the train route between Texas and New Jersey.

A tank car sits on a trailer on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 during cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press EPA contractors put on PPE before collecting soil and air samples from the derailment site on March 9, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. Cleanup efforts continue after a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed causing an environmental disaster. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate after the area was placed under a state of emergency and temporary evacuation orders. Michael Swensen/TNS Workers continue to clean up remaining tank cars, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio, following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern freight train derailment. Matt Freed/Associated Press This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio were still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio were still on fire at midday Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Workers make mitigation efforts to clean polluted water in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 18, 2023. Arvin Temkar/TNS Workers cleaned and replaced fill dirt at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press Cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, continued on Feb. 9, 2023. Officials decided to blow open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride they worried might explode days after a Norfolk Southern train derailed. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press A frame grab from drone video taken by the Columbiana County Commissioners Office and released by the NTSB shows towering flames and columns of smoke resulting from a "vent and burn" operation following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. Associated Press OxyVinyls route that saw fiery 2023 derailment Map: Alexandra Kanik; Ken Ellis/Staff

The accident, in which dozens of Norfolk Southern freight cars derailed in East Palestine near the Pennsylvania border, prompted the evacuation of nearby residents. Officials intentionally released and burned vinyl chloride in an effort to avoid an uncontrolled blast, but the actions left residents concerned about its long-term health effects.

The Texas-produced vinyl chloride was on its way to a plant in Pedricktown, N.J., nearly 2,000 miles away by train. In the wake of the derailment, more than 1 million gallons of firefighting wastewater with remnants of the toxin were returned to Deer Park and injected into deep wells by Texas Molecular, a hazardous waste disposal company owned by VLS Environmental Solutions.

The return of toxic material to the Ship Channel set off a political firestorm and prompted Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo to put the shipments on hold, calling the incident a wake-up call. The transport resumed, however, and Texas Molecular Vice President Jimmy Bracher assured the public that the disposal was within his companys authorizations, capabilities and experience. The companys permit allows over 230 million gallons of toxic injections annually: this was business as usual.

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The same rail route from Texas to New Jersey saw a major vinyl chloride accident in 2012 in Paulsboro, N.J.

In the last 12 years, weve now seen two major accidents that were disastrous not only for community members, but also first responders in the environment, and certainly have been costly to Oxys reputation, said Mike Schade, report co-author from Toxic-Free Future.

A spokesperson from OxyVinyls called the report a biased compilation of information that does not include industry perspective, though they did not take issue with its factual conclusions on their routes or output levels.

Toxic rail concerns

Norfolk Southern did not respond to a request for comment on the vinyl chloride report but shared the companys progress towards heightened safety standards since the incident in East Palestine.

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We made significant progress in 2023. In numbers reported to the Federal Railroad Administration, our accident rate decreased by 10%, and our mainline accident rate decreased over 40%, said Connor Spielmaker, a Norfolk Southern spokesman.

The report authors were not convinced the improvements went far enough.

There are not only these two major events, in 2012 and last February, but through the decades theres been just so many derailments and explosions and fires and evacuations, said Jim Vallette, president of Material Research L3C.

Ron Fodo, Ohio EPA Emergency Response, looks for signs of fish and also agitates the water in Leslie Run creek to check for chemicals that have settled at the bottom following the train derailment that caused environmental concerns on February 20, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. On February 3rd, a Norfolk Southern Railways train carrying toxic chemicals derailed causing an environmental disaster. Michael Swensen/Getty Images

Still, in December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency started a multi-year assessment of vinyl chlorides risks, which the Vinyl Institute, an industry trade group, supported.

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We believe this risk evaluation will further assure that the production of vinyl chloride and the use of PVC products are safe, said Ned Monroe, its CEO.

In Houston, the East Palestine derailment shifted the perspective of resident environmental activists who had focused their concerns on emissions from the Ship Channel plants  including two OxyVinyls facilities that produce vinyl chloride and two that transform some of it into PVC  to include the chemicals in transit past their houses.

We have mobile chemical disaster potential happening every day, crisscrossing our city in many of the same communities, and we hadnt really thought about that before, said Jennifer Hadayia, who leads pollution nonprofit Air Alliance Houston. East Palestine really brought it home.
US Capitol Police have received a subpoena in the grand jury investigation into Rep. Cori Bush, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The subpoena is seeking materials related to threats directed toward the Missouri Democrat and communications from her office, her campaign, or her husband with Capitol Police, one of the sources said. A separate source familiar with the matter told CNN the previous subpoena to the House sergeant at arms also requested information about any threats and incidents involving Bush.

A federal grand jury in Washington, DC, has been asking questions about Bushs security and the potential misuse of funds in recent months, according to people familiar with the investigation, and the probe has included outreach to other witnesses in addition to the earlier subpoenaed House sergeant at arms and Capitol Police.

Federal investigators also have reached out to other potential witnesses, including some involved in the personal security business, several sources said.

The investigation is still in a fledgling phase, some of the sources said, and Bush hasnt been charged with any crime.

A lawyer for Bush did not respond to CNNs request for comment.

The federal investigative activity around Bush adds to scrutiny of the congresswoman, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Security spending

Last year, the conservative group Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission saying Bush may have misused campaign funds by paying her now-husband Cortney Merritts, more than $60,000 for security services during her 2022 campaign. Merritts and Bush married in February 2023.

FEC filings show that from January 19, 2023, through April 3, 2023, Bushs campaign paid Merritts $15,000 for security services in six payments of $2,500. The filings show that on April 14, 2023, the campaign began paying Merritts $2,500 twice a month for wage expenses, through September 26, 2023, the last date for which data is available.

CNN asked Bushs campaign if either she or Merritts were interviewed by the FBI, and if the campaign could provide timesheets for Merritts. The campaign declined to comment citing the pending federal investigation.

Merritts does not have a current private security license, according to local records, which is required for individuals who perform security services in St. Louis, Missouri, where Bushs campaign is headquartered. The address listed for Merritts in FEC filings is the same as Bushs campaign headquarters.

Bush said in October that the Office of Congressional Ethics had voted to dismiss a similar complaint, according to reports at the time.

FEC rules allow for candidates to hire family members if theyre paid fair market value for a bona fide service.

The congresswoman said she is fully cooperating with the Justice Departments investigation in a statement Tuesday.

First and foremost, I hold myself, my campaign, and my position to the highest levels of integrity, Bush said in the statement.

I also believe in transparency which is why I can confirm that the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaigns spending on security services. We are fully cooperating in this investigation, and I would like to take this opportunity to outline the facts and the truth, she added.

She maintained she has not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services and that she complied with House rules. Bush further explained she retained her husbands security services because he has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF)  A former Aiken Department of Public Safety police officer has been charged by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for assault and battery.

According to SLED, Ashton Myles Posey, 34, was charged with assault and battery in the 3rd degree on Friday, February 2nd.

ALSO ON WJBF: Warrenville man death ruled as homicide by Aiken Co. Coroners office after autopsy

According to the warrant, on October 2nd, 2023, Posey unlawfully injured the victim by striking the victim on and about the head approximately three times while he was being removed from the vehicle after a police chase.

According to authorities, Posey was booked at the Aiken County Detention Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  A former Decatur doctor has been found not guilty of harassment in connection with patient complaints made in 2018.

A Morgan County jury found Michael Dick, a former long-time Decatur physician, not guilty on Wednesday, according to court documents.

NTSB investigating Norfolk Southern railroad death, victim identified

Dick was originally found guilty of harassment in Decatur Municipal Court but appealed that verdict to Morgan County Circuit Court. Court records show his trial began Tuesday and he was acquitted on Wednesday.

This comes after Dick was also found not guilty in another case where he was charged with first-degree sex abuse. That case went to trial in 2022 and the former rheumatologist was found not guilty after jury deliberation.

As of Friday, Dicks medical license remained suspended according to the Alabama Medical Examiners office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke about the recent strikes by the U.S. in Iraq and Syria with CNNs Abby Phillip in a recent interview.

I was pleased to see that in the statement by U.S. Central Command that they said they did attack Quds Forces sites, Esper said on The Lead.

The U.S. began airstrikes on groups supported by Iran in Syria and Iraq Friday, in retaliation for a recent attack on a base in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it started airstrikes Friday evening in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States, CENTCOM said in a statement. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

Esper said what matters now is what the outcome of the strikes will be.

Well have a better battle damage assessment tomorrow morning, their time, Esper continued. Once the night lifts, we can see what happened, and then what will be the responses by Iran and, or its militia groups.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the strikes were meant to reduce capabilities, as well as send a message to Iran and groups it supports to halt attacking Americans.

We believe that these targets fell into exactly that criteria, he said. And the goal here is to get these attacks to stop. Were not looking for a war with Iran.

An Iraqi government spokesperson accused the U.S. of violating international law and not being truthful about circumstances in relation to its retaliatory strikes.

The American side then deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and disavowing legal responsibility for this rejected crime in accordance with all international laws, Bassem Al-Awadi, Iraqi government spokesperson, said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Saturday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On longtime Canyon County Clerk Chris Yamamotos last day in office, county commissioners appointed a new clerk from their office.

Rick Hogaboam, who was hired by the commissioners to serve as the director of constituent services in October, was appointed county clerk unanimously by the three-member board, according to a news release.

Yamamoto, 70, resigned from his position, which he held for 13 years, on Jan. 26. He didnt specify why he resigned and did not return a phone call from the Idaho Statesman for comment.

To fill the vacancy, the Canyon County Republican Central Committee nominated three individuals to replace Yamamoto. Under state law, the nominations came from the Republican Central Committee, because the seat was held by a Republican.

Stewart Hyndman, chairman of the committee, told commissioners he was confident that any of these nominees will serve with distinction. The other nominees were Steve Almer, a former candidate for the Legislature, and Jo Dee Arnold, a former candidate for Canyon County precinct committeeman.

Hogaboam has worked in the commissioners offices since early October. He succeeded Joe Decker, who served as the public information officer for the commissioners, but Hogaboam received a different title and government-affairs responsibilities, though he continued to handle public information. Decker now works in the Sheriffs Office.

Hogaboam, of Nampa, was previously the chief of staff to Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling, and before that a Nampa City Council member.

As director of constituent services, Hogaboam made $105,000. Yamamoto made $118,438 annually, as of May 2023, according to Statesman records.

We felt like there was one clear recommendation and candidate who was head-and-shoulders above the rest in that selection process, said Commissioner Leslie Van Beek during the special meeting on Friday.

Hogaboam is scheduled to be will be sworn in at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, at the Canyon County Administration Building.

This four-term Boise-area elected leader will step down. Why is unclear. What we know

Boise man arrested in fatal Nampa stabbing. Charges include first-degree murder
Former NATO Ambassador Kurt Volker said the Biden administration sent a specific message by not targeting Iran in recent airstrikes.

I suspect that what the administration is trying to do by not hitting Iran, is to send a signal to Iran, Dont hit us on our homeland, particularly during an election year, Volker said in a recent interview on On Balance with Leland Vittert.

The U.S. on Friday began airstrikes on groups supported by Iran in Syria and Iraq, in retaliation for a recent attack on a base in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members.

I think they are trying to say  You hit our guys overseas, we will hit your proxies overseas. Shut this down, dont do it anymore, Volker continued.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it began airstrikes Friday evening in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States, CENTCOM said in a statement. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper also spoke about the recent strikes in an interview with CNNs Abby Phillip.

I was pleased to see that in the statement by U.S. Central Command that they said they did attack Quds Forces sites, Esper said on The Lead.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the strikes were meant to reduce capabilities and deter Iran and groups it supports from attacking Americans.

We believe that these targets fell into exactly that criteria, he said. And the goal here is to get these attacks to stop. Were not looking for a war with Iran.

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.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A former registered nurse with Conway Medical Center has been accused of unlawfully obtaining fentanyl from the hospital, according to the Department of Health and Enviornmental Control.

DHEC arrested Tammy Coyle January 31st after Conway Medical Center reached out to the department suspecting a possible fentanyl theft.

According to documents from DHEC obtained by News13, Coyle was identified as a possible suspect in the case due to records showing her removing an excessive amount of fentanyl compared to her peers.

In addition, Coyle had a large amount of fentanyl removals that did not have corresponding administrations, documents show.

Coyle was employed as a night shift nurse, and documents show on the night of November 2, to November 3, 2023, Coyle is accused of removing 8, 2ml vials of fentanyl and did not document administration for any of them.

On another night, Coyle is accused of removing fentanyl through override and did not receive a physicians order. Another time, Coyle is accused of removing fentanyl through override and fraudulently inputting a physicians order without the physicians approval.

In another situation, Coyle is accused of removing vials of fentanyl for a patient who was on fentanyl drip. Documents state there was no medical reason for the vials to be removed.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the National Crime Information Center were informed. SLED informed DHEC that Coyle had no criminal history, documents show.

Coyle was charged with five counts of theft of controlled substances and five counts of violation of drug distribution laws.

Coyle was released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center January 31st under a $15,000 bond.

News13 reached out to Conway Medical Center, and they released the following statement:

Tammy Coyles employment with Conway Medical Center was terminated in November 2023. As this is an active law enforcement investigation, CMC has no comment at this time.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Trump's former White House economic advisor said that his predictions of a recession under Biden had been wrong.

Larry Kudlow said the "entire forecasting fraternity" had been incorrect.

"If I were he, I would be bragging about it too," Kudlow said about new GDP data.

Former President Donald Trump's White House economic advisor said the US economy was faring far better under President Joe Biden than he expected.

Larry Kudlow said on Thursday that he had been wrong to predict an economic recession under the Democratic president.

"Mea culpa  I was wrong about the slowdown and the recession. So was the entire forecasting fraternity," Kudlow said on Fox Business, where he is a host.

As his fellow Fox News host Sandra Smith disagrees with his assessment, he doubled down: "The Fed, everyone was wrong."

A January 25 report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that the country's gross domestic production had grown by 3.3% in the last quarter of 2023  adding to a string of positive economic reports emerging.

"If I were he, I would be bragging about it too," Kudlow said about Biden's response to the new GDP data.

It is an important admission  the state of the economy is likely to play a central role in the upcoming presidential election, which is expected to be a rematch between Biden and Trump. The increasingly buoyant economy could present a challenge to Trump's campaign strategy.

In response to the data, Biden said in a statement: "That is three years in a row of growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up on my watch."

A resilient consumer has helped stave off a recession. VIEW press / Getty Images

Kudlow was director of the National Economic Council under Trump for nearly three years.

Kudlow added that despite a wave of major lay-offs across the country, the unemployment rate remains low, and monthly job gains are generally positive.

Figures released on Friday were more good news for the Biden administration. They revealed that the US economy added 353,000 jobs in January , almost double what economists had estimated.

Tom Simons, US economist at Jefferies, described the figures as "stunning" that left him "near speechless," reported The Financial Times.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fort Myers Police about 12:40 p.m. Saturday were dispatched to a Seventh-day Adventist Church, after someone reported a suspicious person who was possibly armed.

When officers arrived at the church along Ortiz Avenue, they immediately detained two individuals in the parking lot, Fort Myers Police said in a news release.

The church was evacuated and cleared by officers and Lee County sheriff's deputies for any potential threats, the release said. Officials determined the building was safe and the church resumed normal operations.

"This investigation remains active with Officer and Detectives still on the scene," the release said. "Currently, no arrests have been made as we work to learn the details of the investigation and the involvement of the detained individuals.

"At NO time was there an active shooter or any injuries reported."

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Police conduct investigation Saturday afternoon at church
Authorities say Elon Musk's life was threatened by a Minnesota Tesla employee. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

A Minnesota Tesla employee was arrested in Austin a half-hour away from the Tesla Gigafactory following alleged online threats to kill Elon Musk and President Joe Biden, KXAN reported.

Justin McCauley, 31, was charged with terroristic threat Sunday in Travis County, according to jail records.

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The day before the arrest, authorities responded to the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin for a report of a social media threat, according to KXAN.

"I will arrive in Texas, where the war has began on many fronts," McCauley posted on X on Jan. 14, according to KXAN, which cited court documents. He tagged the profiles of Elon Musk, Tesla and President Joe Biden, writing, "I am planning to Kill all of you.

Police arrested McCauley on Sunday on Interstate 35  about 30 minutes away from the Tesla Gigafactory  where he had traveled from Minnesota. He told police he planned to access the facility through a secret entrance and tell Elon Musk a secret password, KXAN reported.
The Fort Worth Fire Department has stepped back from leading the investigation into the Jan. 8 explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel and turned control of the property over to the hotels owner, Northland Properties, officials said.

The fire department investigated the criminal and public safety aspects of the explosion on behalf of the city. The initial investigation revealed no indication of a criminal nexus or a recurring public safety concern, fire officials said in a letter Wednesday to interested parties including the defendants and plaintiffs in lawsuits related to the explosion.

Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek told the Star-Telegram on Saturday that the departments investigation isnt complete. Its stepping back so other parties can conduct investigations needed for the multiple civil lawsuits connected with the explosion, which authorities have said was linked to a natural gas leak believed to have started in or near the basement.

Its going to be a collaborative effort, Trojacek said of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators with the Fort Worth Fire Department Arson and Bomb Division will continue monitoring the progress of the investigation, including all site examinations, as an interested party, the letter says.

The investigation into the exact origin and cause of the blast is expected to be complicated and lengthy. If at any point anything is uncovered to indicate the explosion was caused by or involved criminal intent, the fire department will take the investigation back over, according to Trojacek.

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The fire departments letter states that the other parties should coordinate their investigations and reach agreements on issues including access to the site and handling of evidence, affording an opportunity for all to investigate the incident and to protect their respective interests.

On Thursday, Northland Properties filed a court document indicating the hotel owner has reached an agreement with natural gas supplier Atmos in regard to preserving evidence at the scene of the explosion. The Rule 11 agreement has been filed in every lawsuit in which Northland and Atmos are parties, including a suit in which Atmos has sought to place the blame on the hotel owner.

The document states that Northland and Atmos anticipate working with other parties, including the attorneys for injured employees and guests who are suing, to agree on plans for a joint investigation.

According to the terms of the Rule 11 agreement, Northland wont take any action or permit any entity under its control to do anything that would alter, modify, or destroy any condition or item currently existing in the basement area of the building without giving Atmos written notice three business days in advance.

Atmos agreed not to take any action to alter, modify, or destroy the gas line that runs along 8th Street between Houston and Throckmorton Streets and the supply line branching off that line to supply gas to the Hotel without providing Northland with written notice three business days in advance.

Atmos representatives can participate in investigations of the hotels first floor and basement conducted by Northland or any representative or expert for any other party in the lawsuits in which this Rule 11 Agreement is filed.

Atmos wont be allowed to access the hotel except for the reasons mentioned in the agreement, written permission by Northland or by court order.

Northland representatives can participate in Atmos investigation of its hotel gas supply line.

The final stipulation of the agreement is that Atmos Energy shall withdraw or nonsuit its currently pending request for injunctive relief in this case, according to the document.

Atmos Energy wrapped up its initial investigation into the explosion on Jan. 12 and said it found no evidence that its lines or equipment caused the blast. In spite of those findings, Atmos has been named as a defendant in at least nine lawsuits filed on behalf of 33 plaintiffs. The hotel owners insurance company has also made several claims against Atmos related to the explosion, according to the lawsuit Atmos filed against Northland.

According to Atmos, someone at the Sandman hotel called the gas company to report a leak about 11 minutes before the blast. The Atmos representative told the caller to evacuate the building, but theres no evidence the hotel staff tried to follow those instructions, the companys lawsuit against Northland Properties states. Atmos argues that the leak originated inside the building, for which the property owner is responsible.

The lawsuit filed in Tarrant County asked the court to declare that Atmos holds no liability for the explosion. As part of the agreement, Atmos withdrew its request for the court to stop the fire department from releasing control of the scene to Northland.

In another one of the lawsuits, a Dallas County judge on Jan. 12 signed a temporary restraining order preventing cleanup of debris at the Sandman Signature Hotel to preserve evidence due to a lawsuit from Jose Mira, an employee of the basement-level Musume restaurant who was injured in the explosion.

The restraining order was originally granted for one week, but was later extended. It expired on Friday.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Beach has a new deputy city manager.

The city announced Friday that current Franklin City Manager Amanda Jarratt will take over the role held by former Deputy City Manager Taylor Adams, who resigned back in May. She was hired after a nationwide search.

Amanda brings diversified experience in planning, economic development and management for the public sector, said City Manager Patrick Duhaney. She is the ideal choice to oversee our Economic Vitality portfolio of departments and has the leadership and professional demeanor we are seeking to work effectively with department directors and the community.

The city says Amanda will start on April 4 and oversee the departments of Agriculture, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Economic Development and Planning and Community Development.

I am honored to be selected as deputy city manager for such a dynamic city, said Jarratt. The City of Franklin is a wonderful city and its been a privilege to serve and lead. I am thrilled to join City staff and the community of Virginia Beach and look forward to continued growth opportunities and successes.

Jarratt has been Franklins city manager since January 2019, but has more than 15 years total in Franklin. Before here current role she served as president and CEO of Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.

Jarratt has a bachelors degree in government from William & Mary and a masters in urban and regional planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has earned multiple certifications such as one from the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

The city also announced on Friday that they hired longtime local economic development leader Charles Chuck Rigney Sr. to serve as Virginia Beachs next director of economic development. Rigney has been the interim director since June 2023, and was selected after a nationwide search.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins (R-Athens) is facing both support and criticism for a recent message on social media featuring a suggestion that undocumented immigrants be put on flights from Pinochet Air.

The post made on X, formerly known as Twitter, was written in response to recent reports that undocumented migrants had attacked members of the New York Police Department and a post by New York Rep. Anthony DEsposito. As seen on X, Collins post reads Or we could buy him a ticket on Pinochet Air for a free helicopter ride back.

ABC News reported six people, most of whom are believed to be asylum-seekers, were charged for the attack, which was caught on camera. ABC News also reported that NYPD is looking for at least eight more individuals connected to the incident.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

The mention of Pinochet Air appears to reference the extrajudicial killings conducted by the regime of Augusto Pinochet, a former general, dictator, and leader of Chile.

According to reporting by The Guardian, Chilean newspaper El Mercurio On-Line and the Associated Press, Pinochets regime is said to have a death toll of 3,200 killed, including 1,469 disappeared from 1973 to 2001 after overthrowing the previous government. In 2001, the Chilean government confirmed that 120 victims had been thrown into the sea, as reported by The Guardian.

In September, the AP reported new Chilean president Gabriel Boric was enacting the first state-sponsored plan to find approximately 1,162 victims of the dictatorship who remain missing.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out to Collins staff for comment and clarity on the post, but have not yet heard back.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Frantisek Cerny, then Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Germany, photographed in Berlin on December 16, 2001. The diplomat Frantisek Cerny, who built bridges between Germans and Czechs, died on Friday at the age of 92, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed on Saturday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Tim Brakemeier/dpa

The diplomat Frantisek Cerny, who built bridges between Germans and Czechs, died on Friday at the age of 92, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed on Saturday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Cerny was an outstanding diplomat who had rendered exceptional services to the development of relations with Germany. He was deeply touched by the news of his death.

The Czech newspaper Lidove Noviny first reported on the death of the former ambassador to Germany.

Cerny, who came from a bilingual family, campaigned throughout his life for reconciliation between Germans and Czechs after the horrors of World War II.

In 1990, the then-president Vaclav Havel sent him to Berlin as an envoy. Cerny then served as ambassador to Germany from 1998 to 2001.

He received numerous awards, including the Federal Cross of Merit with Star and Shoulder Ribbon and the Unity Prize of the Federal Centre for Political Education.

On Cerny's 90th birthday around two and a half years ago, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honoured his achievements in a greeting to him: "You have not only conveyed the perspectives and peculiarities of the Czechs to the Germans, the self-image, the traumas, but also the pride of Central Europe.

"You also tirelessly campaigned in the Czech Republic for understanding and trust in the Germans and the reunified Germany."

Cerny was born on June 8, 1931, in Ceske Budejovice, known in German as Budweis.

Because he was categorized as politically unreliable by the communists, he had to serve as a contract soldier after school.

After studying German language and literature, he worked for the German-language programme on Czechoslovakian radio.

After the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact troops in 1968, he lost his job and eked out a living as a night porter and language teacher until the fall of communism in 1989.

Cerny was one of the founders of the Prague Literature House for German-language Authors, which has become an important centre for cultural exchange since its opening in 2004.
Farmers in Germany blocked roads around the countrys busiest airport on Saturday as protests over prices and red tape spread across the continent.

Several hundred tractors blocked the streets leading to Frankfurt Airport in protest after a fuel subsidy cut was passed by the German parliament on Friday.

Farmers in Germany have been engaged in massive protests since Olaf Scholzs government said it would cut close to a billion euros in farm subsidies in response to a domestic budget crisis.

The large protests forced Berlin into concessions that included rowing back completely on a plan to make farmers pay road tax on farm vehicles.

Germanys farmers union has signalled that it will only stop protesting once the subsidy cuts have been completely reversed.

German farmers get their message across outside Frankfurt airport - TILMAN BLASSHOFER/REUTERS

Roadblocks by German farmers followed similar protests across Europe, with farmers blocking roads over what they see as excessive EU environmental rules and unfair competition from outside the bloc.

On Friday, farmers blocked border crossings on the Dutch-Belgian border with a government website showing delays on three motorways.

Meanwhile, a Polish farmers union announced a plan to blockade the border crossings to Ukraine starting on Feb 9.

Hundreds of farmers take to the road in tractors - MICHAEL PROBST/AP

The passivity of the Polish authorities... regarding the import of agricultural produce and food products from Ukraine leave us with no other choice but to declare a general strike, the farmers union Solidarity said in a statement.

In Greece, farmers have blocked roads in the north and centre of the country as they demand a reduction to EU regulation and swifter payouts of compensation for those affected by the flooding and wildfires that devastated parts of the country last summer.

Fuel subsidies

Romanian authorities have agreed to increase fuel subsidies after farmers there teamed up with hauliers to block streets over several weeks.

French farmers, meanwhile, dismantled roadblocks they had set up on motorways to Paris after wringing concessions out of the government on fuel duty, pesticides and other environmental issues.

The worst of the crisis is now behind us, but the issues we have to deal with are ahead of us, Marc Fesneau, the French agriculture minister, said on CNEWS TV.

Protests have also been organised in Portugal, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus in recent days.

Outside an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, farmers congregated with hundreds of tractors where they burned tyres in protest.

EU leaders responded immediately, announcing plans to shield farmers inside the bloc from cheaper imports from Ukraine and making concessions on land meant to be kept fallow for environmental reasons.

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Tractors drive past on a road at Frankfurt Airport. Hundreds of farmers demonstrate against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel with a protest drive around Germany's busiest airport in Frankfurt. Mike Seeboth/dpa

Hundreds of farmers demonstrated Saturday against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel with a protest drive around Germany's busiest airport in Frankfurt.

According to a police spokesman, farmers gathered with around 400 tractors - up to 2,000 had previously been expected.

The airport operator Fraport asked passengers to travel to the airport by public transport or to allow more time for the journey by car.

Although there were brief disruptions, there was no major chaos and access to the terminal was possible for passengers at all times, a spokesman said.

The protest is directed against the expiry of tax refunds for agricultural diesel. The subsidy is to be phased out by 2026.

German farmers have been protesting against the planned cuts nationwide for weeks. The demonstrations are also about what farmers see as overly strict regulations and excessive bureaucracy.

The farmers did not choose Frankfurt airport by chance. The protest was no longer just about agricultural diesel, but about fair competition, according to several of the participating farmers' organizations.

"What applies to aviation must also apply to us farmers: Aviation fuel is still not taxed because this would put German aviation at a competitive disadvantage," they said.

Frankfurt airport and the cargo sector symbolize the integration of the German economy and agriculture into global supply chains and markets, they said.

In Hamburg, some 60 demonstrators blocked a press distribution centre with several vehicles and an articulated lorry for several hours on Friday night, police said.

The demonstrators said they were protesting against the media coverage of the farmers' demonstrations, with one saying that the newspapers are only spreading lies.

As the activists blocked all three access roads to the company during the unannounced demonstration from around 23:30 (2230 GMT), a number of distribution vehicles were unable to enter or leave the company premises.

Several daily newspapers are delivered from the centre to sales outlets in Hamburg and the surrounding area.

The police initially held co-operation talks with the demonstrators, but failed to reach an agreement and subsequently broke up the gathering at around 2 am. The police took down the participants' personal details and their licence plate numbers.

The German government has watered down its savings plans for agriculture in the 2024 budget. The tax breaks for agricultural diesel will now be phased out gradually over the next few years.

Farmers in many other European countries are also protesting, including Poland, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, concerned about falling standards of living, low food prices and regulations that involve higher expenditure.
Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow for the Houston Chronicle.

Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
A Russian attack on Feb. 2 damaged a grain silo in Poltava Oblast, destroying a part of the harvest stored inside, Filip Pronin, the regional governor, said on Feb. 3.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian businesses, particularly those in the agricultural sector, as part of its aggression against Ukraine, which has included economic harm.

Following Moscows withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed Ukraine to export its agricultural products during the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have intensified attacks against Ukraines ports and agricultural facilities.

The enemy's actions constantly threaten the food security of Ukraine, Pronin said on Telegram.

He didnt specify when and where exactly the attack on the granary occurred. Ukrainian officials do not always specify the locations of attacks for security reasons.

Late on Feb. 2, Pronin reported that Russia had struck the Myrhorod district. There were no casualties, he said then.

Poltava Oblast is located in central Ukraine.

According to the World Bank, 20% of Ukrainian businesses have suffered damage from Russian aggression, while 70% have been hit financially. Those in Ukraines eastern regions have suffered the most.

Read also: Is Ukraines new Black Sea corridor working? Experts say it has potential

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Police found six people shot to death last week near U.S. Highway 395  roughly 50 miles outside of Los Angeles. The gruesome scene was another example of the kind of violence that shadows illegal marijuana operations in California and beyond.

In 2020, seven people were killed in a rural community in Riverside County. In 2021, a father and son were not only shot but also dismembered and burned in the Emerald Triangle in Northern California. All the deaths were somehow connected to illegal pot, some involving a cartel, explaining why many of the murders mirror the type of message-sending bloodshed that defined the countrys Prohibition era nearly a century ago.

All I do is to supply a public demand, Al Capone once said. Somebody had to throw some liquor on that thirst. Why not me?"

Read more: Op-Ed: Why legal weed is losing the war to illegal weed

To his point, Americans kept drinking despite ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919, providing organized-crime bosses like Capone a lucrative underground business that was violently protected. Similarly, society has never waited for Congress to legitimize usage of marijuana. The 1969 stoner film Easy Rider may have been characterized as counterculture, given only 12% of Americans thought pot should be legal at the time, but in hindsight that picture of recreational drug use in America wasnt counter as much as uncomfortably accurate.

Read more: Granderson: The border crisis is real. That's why Trump is blocking solutions

Some of the biggest names in music, including the Beatles, were making songs about pot back when President Nixon began his misguided war on drugs. Today we have celebrities with careers built on a stoner persona, 70% of Americans want it legalized, and roughly half the countrys states already allow recreational marijuana.

And yet somehow marijuana prohibition is still the law of the land, as the Drug Enforcement Administration considers it a Schedule I drug like heroin. Because of that, this multi-billion-dollar industry is trapped between two worlds, and organized crime is once again thriving in that murky space.

Read more: Granderson: Texans don't hate migrants. Why do they elect such a cruel governor?

This black market continues despite relaxed state enforcement in part because the changes create a new problem: overtaxation. The sticker shock from getting pot legally can feel like paying an exorbitant fee to stay out of jail. When juxtaposed against what it costs to buy from the local dealer, shopping at a dispensary feels less like commerce and more like extortion.

There are other practical concerns associated with an industry that is both legal and illegal.

For example, what do would-be entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry put on their loan applications at federally regulated banks? In 2022, a 27-year-old woman died from an asthma attack caused by cannabis dust while working at a marijuana facility in Massachusetts. Her death was the first of its kind to be reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since legalization began in 2012. To what extent can a federal agency such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration officially intervene in the work environment of an industry that isnt legal federally?

This week Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined other Senate Democrats in a letter urging the Biden administration to lift the federal marijuana ban. Currently the White House is considering downgrading weed from Schedule I, which is where Nixon placed it without research, to Schedule III. However, that wouldnt totally solve the problem.

Marijuanas placement in the [Controlled Substances Act] has had a devastating impact on our communities and is increasingly out of step with state law and public opinion, the letter read. Criminal penalties for recreational marijuana use, and for medical use of marijuana products that lack federal approval, would still exist, disproportionately penalizing Black and Brown communities.

Which is exactly what Nixon intended when he started his bigoted war on drugs in the first place.

This wink-wink between Washington and the states also leaves the more than 400,000 people employed by the cannabis industry across the country vulnerable to abuse. Its a huge swath of people, more in California (83,000) than in any other state. Florida ranks fourth.

You read that right: The state that Gov. Ron DeSantis described as where woke goes to die is also the state where the smoke lives on  a political dynamic that epitomizes just how ridiculous it is that were still debating this along party lines.

Biden should listen to the senators and the 70% of Americans and remove the federal marijuana ban altogether.

Old puritanical fantasies about who we are as a society are a harmful relic, as are the punitive tax structures surrounding cannabis. Not only that, marijuana prohibition continues to create an environment in which more and more desert communities are encountering cartel activity, and local authorities are finding dead bodies on dirt roads.

The failed Prohibition era of the 1920s revealed the pitfalls of trying to legislate morality. And here we are again. Surely we can all recognize that the cartel is killing far more people than smoking cannabis ever could.

Lift the ban. Stop the overtaxation. Save lives.

@LZGranderson

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  The Great West Beer Fest was this Friday at the Grand Junction Convention Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in support of Colorado Mesa University programs.

Colorado Mesa University continues to grow and work diligently to make campus a place students belong and become part of the Mavily. Supporting student clubs in their passions and hobbies is a great avenue for creating that belonging. Many Mavs do not come from the area, so it is difficult for them to build a network of donors, so Student Life is working to support these groups by offering this event to the larger community to have fun, drink some beer and listen to music, all while supporting students. Trey Downey, CMU Director of Student Life

100% of the event profits directly benefit over 120 CMU clubs and organizations. Many local vendors showed up to support the cause including Joe Talbott, co-owner of Talbotts Cider Company.

We always want to support the local college, Colorado Mesa University, and theres always the headlining sponsors, Fishers Liquor Barn, which is one of our great local liquor stores. Joe Talbott

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  A Green Bay childcare facility had its license revoked after investigators found several violations, including the sale of illegal drugs on the premises of the property.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Green Bay Academy, located at 2280 Finger Road in the city of Green Bay, had its license revoked on February 1 after committing seven violations.

Deputy in Wisconsin completes DoorDash order after delivery driver gets stuck in a ditch

While all seven violations are noteworthy, the sale of illegal drugs on the premises is one issue that stands out. Officials say that on January 3, an employee allegedly sold fentanyl on the premises of the child care center.

The information available from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families further states that the employee also had the drugs inside the child care center.

The presence of fentanyl and drug activity during hours of operation while the children were in care put childrens lives in serious danger.

Additionally, another violation states that Green Bay Academy did not report the arrest of the staff member for illegal drugs to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Other violations include group sizes, staff-to-child ratios, and mixed-age groups.

Deputy in Wisconsin completes DoorDash order after delivery driver gets stuck in a ditch

A letter circulating around social media states that Green Bay Academy will permanently close on February 2, coinciding with the revocation of its license on February 1, although that is unconfirmed.

Local 5 News reached out to officials of Green Bay Academy but has not heard back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
A 3-year-old boy died Friday night after unintentionally shooting himself, according to a Greenville Police Department release.

The incident happened around 10 p.m. in the 200 block of Beech Street, the news release said. Emergency officials rushed the boy to ECU Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators learned that the boy found the gun inside the home and accidentally shot himself. Police do not expect to bring charges in the boys death.

The incident has been ruled a tragic accident, according to the police department release.

Police are not identifying the child to allow his family to make proper notifications.

If a child is able to access a gun in their home and harm themselves or someone else, their parents or guardians can be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor. North Carolinas firearm storage laws dont require gun owners with children to lock their guns, but they do require the firearms to be stored in a way where children cannot access or fire them.

In response to comments on Facebook, Greenville police wrote they are still investigating, but believe the firearm storage law was followed in this instance.

The adults in the home are believed to have taken precautions to keep the weapon out of reach, the department wrote.

A Pink Hill, N.C., man was charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse in January after his 3-year-old son was fatally wounded by accidentally discharging a loose gun, The News & Observer previously reported.

About a quarter of all unintentional gun deaths nationally occur among people under 18 years old, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

From 2011 through 2020, 64 children in North Carolina were killed in unintentional shootings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Violent Death Reporting System.

Thats a rate of 2.5 deaths per 1 million children, the seventh-highest in the country among the 24 states with published data through the CDC.
Theres no other way to say it: Greta Thunberg, the feted 21-year-old climate activist and two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a ruffian.

As she laughed mockingly at Westminster magistrates court last week, charged with a public order offence for disrupting a conference of oil executives at the InterContinental hotel on Park Lane last year, she wiped her eyes with insane jubilation. No doubt she was recalling fondly her troupes smoke flares or their deafening din of drums, or their refusal to budge even a few feet at the pleading of the police so that delegates could actually leave the hotel. The boorish swagger of the girl is a wonder to behold  and her acquittal will make her all the cockier.

A few years ago, when she began her path to worldwide fame and adulation as a pearlescent-skinned teenager, her passion for righteous awareness-raising evoked, among the generous at least, a modern-day Joan of Arc.

It was all a little over-zealous, a bit loony, but she was 17, and she was changing the conversation, albeit in a mixed direction, ennobling climate hysteria and malignant politicisation on the one hand, but on the other getting substantial numbers to rethink their use of plastics and fossil fuels. In Switzerland alone, according to a study from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, her legendary school strikes for climate, also known as Fridays for Future, resulted in a third of Swiss people changing their daily habits.

She always had a taste for spreading disruption, which, to a certain degree, goes with the territory. Thunberg began skipping school to protest climate change in 2018, and by 2019 Fridays for Future saw four million pupils around the world do the same.

The road from there to here is not all that hard to follow: most climate loonies diversify into a more explicit engagement with a wider constellation of nasty, connected ideas.

I once debated Roger Hallam, one of the founders of Extinction Rebellion, who was soon ranting to the Cambridge Union crowd about genocidal racism, apparently connecting what he saw as Western climate complacency with ongoing racialised exploitation on a grand scale. This is the crude idea behind climate justice, a centrepiece of the cod politics yelled by Thunberg, Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil, Greenpeace and the rest of them. It means: The West is evil, and everyone who hates it is good.

No surprise then that Thunberg has devoted herself since October 7 to ostentatious support for the Palestinian cause. Her court appearance in London saw her wearing a big keffiyeh along with a bizarre T-shirt reading: hide a refugee and if that becomes illegal hide too. Since Hamass invasion of and massacre in Israel, the fate of trees seems to have gone by the wayside for Thunberg and her crew. Demonising Israel is fast becoming a full-time job.

Her boorishness has been on full display since she became a useful idiot for those who mean Israel harm. At a climate rally in Amsterdam in November, Thunbergs 70,000-strong crowd chanted Palestine will be free.

Later, after she invited a Palestinian and an Afghan woman up on stage, a man jumped up and, briefly grabbing the microphone from Thunberg, said with total rectitude: I came here for a climate demonstration, not a political view. Thunberg got the mic back quickly, and ordered the man to calm down. After a brief pause she started chanting: No climate justice on occupied land.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist or a professor of political theory to realise that this slogan makes absolutely no sense. Especially given that the only occupier of Gaza has been Hamas  which certainly doesnt care about the climate  and in the parts of the West Bank that Thunberg and co get their knickers in such a twist over, it is Israel which does.

In fact, Thunberg was a fixture in Israeli schools learning materials until she began preaching Free Gaza after October 7, at which point she was deemed ineligible to be an educational and moral role model.

And slips of land as tiny as those Thunberg and friends demonise as occupied could never obstruct any mission to save the planet  they are irrelevant to the cause.

She doesnt care. On January 26, as the International Court of Justice announced its judgment on South Africas false case against Israel, in which it accused it of genocide, old Greta was right there at the Hague protesting.

The case was an insulting finger-wag at a righteous war against an invasion by an evil enemy, but Thunberg was miffed that the court hadnt actually concluded Israel was genocidal. And so she wrote online that: Israel  as well as those who support Israels brutal attacks and occupation  must be held accountable for their actions. We cannot remain silent during a genocide.

Its not the first time a youth hailed as nobly focussed on the great cause of the day has revealed themselves in their true colours  the former surfer dude and tree hugger Jackson Hinkle, now a notorious anti-Zionist social media influencer, began as an exulted climate activist.

How many more celebrations of Palestinian resistance, how much more wrecking-ball behaviour, must we endure before people stop seeing these brave young climate warriors as saints and instead recognise them for what they are: loutish emissaries of a destructive creed?

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A ground breaking ceremony was held for the future Azul Cielo Townhomes on Friday, Feb. 2 in West El Paso, according to Exigo Architecture.

The ceremony was an introduction to the community for a high-end 43-unit reisdential complex on 2.7 acres, said Exigo Architecture.

The Azul Cielo Townhomes will be located on 201 N. Desert Pass St., El Paso, TX., 79912 and financing will be provided by Raiz Federal Credit Union.

The ceremony also addressed the shortage of homes for sale in West El Paso and the project will focus on easy to maintain homes for modern living, according to Exigo Architecture.

The expected completion of the complex will be by October 2024.

Azul Cielo Townhomes investment seeks to enhance the quality of life in El Paso. The

contemporary design is partcularly attractive to young professionals and starting families, and

the ease of maintenance caters to a wide range of potential owners. The project comprises 43

units arranged in 8 separate buildings, offering a choice between two or three-floor units, each

equipped with a 2-car garage. The fully landscaped complex features an inviting park area with

recreational amenities, as well as a convenient dog park. Security and a sense of community

are prioritized with two gated vehicular entrances, said Exigo Architecture.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The aftermath of a Feb. 3 fire at 215 Heaney Street in Houston that destroyed a home. There were two fatalities. Hana Ikramuddin The aftermath of a house fire at the 200 block of Heaney Street is photographed on Feb. 3, 2024, in Houston. There were two fatalities, according to a Houston Fire Department official. Hana Ikramuddin A dog staying on the property of a fatal house fire at the 200 block of Heaney Street is photographed Feb. 3, 2024, in Houston. A mother and her child died in the fire, according to a Houston Fire Department official. Neighbors believe the dog belongs to the family. Hana Ikramuddin The aftermath of a house fire at the 200 block of Heaney Street is photographed on Feb. 3, 2024, in Houston. There were two fatalities, according to a Houston Fire Department official. Hana Ikramuddin



A mother and her infant son died Saturday during a house fire after the mother re-entered the home to try and save her child, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena announced.

The fire occurred at 215 Heaney St., and the mother and child were reported deceased early Saturday. The fire department was investigating the origins and causes of the fire. The Harris County medical examiner's office had not identified the mother and infant as of Saturday afternoon.

The mother helped two older children escape before returning in hopes of saving her infant son, officials said.

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The aftermath of a house fire at the 200 block of Heaney Street is photographed on Feb. 3, 2024, in Houston. There were two fatalities, according to a Houston Fire Department official. Hana Ikramuddin

Neighbors saw smoke coming off of the fire in the morning and rushed outside to see what was happening while it rained. Haline Penaloza, who lives across the street, said she sheltered the woman's son and daughter while the fire burned. She heard knocking on her door in the morning, and when she rushed out, she saw the two children barefoot in the street and looking for shelter.

"That's when I saw the house engulfed in flames," Penaloza said. "They ran inside the house without a second thought, and they told me how their mom and their baby brother were still in there."

Penaloza, who has lived in the neighborhood for around a year, stayed with the kids as they explained their story to authorities. Immediate family members were not available for comment.

Mayor John Whitmire appeared at the scene Saturday, according to photographs posted by Pena.

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Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley shakes hands with a supporter before a campaign event on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. | Artie Walker Jr., Associated Press

An earlier version of this article was published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday mornings here. To submit a question to next weeks Friday Mailbag, email onthetrail@deseretnews.com.

Good morning and welcome to On the Trail 2024, the Deseret News campaign newsletter. Im Samuel Benson, Deserets national political correspondent.

3 things to know

The Big Idea

How old is too old to run for president?

For months, Nikki Haley has been hesitant to criticize Donald Trump. Shed criticize the trillions he added to the federal deficit, then quickly say she liked much of what he did as president; shed say we need less chaos, but then refuse to condemn his alleged sexual assault.

But Haley trotted out a new attack line this week, one that she can tee up equally for Trump and President Joe Biden: calling them old.

A new Haley-backed ad series, titled Grumpy Old Men, attempts to portray Biden and Trump as aged, cold imbeciles. In a string of TV ads, online videos and voter emails, Haleys team will push against Trumps and Bidens spoken gaffes and absence from the campaign trail, saying both are too old and too infirm to be president. One video will be titled Stumbling Seniors, The New York Times reports; others, Basement Buddies and Profligate Pols.

Nearly 50% of Republicans and 70% of Americans dont want to watch grumpy old men stumble across America when our country is on the brink and the world is on fire, Olivia Perez-Cubas, a Haley spokeswoman, said in a statement. Sadly, this version of grumpy old men offers no comic relief  just chaos, confusion and a bad sense of deja vu for the American people.

One thing is increasingly clear: Trump is not the candidate he was in 2016, and his age isnt helping. At 77, Trump rambles on and on about Haley, confusing her with Nancy Pelosi. He speaks about Barack Obama as if the former president were still in office.

And Biden isnt getting any younger, either. At 81, Biden became the oldest U.S. president ever on the day he took office, and his own verbal stumbles  only worsened by his stutter, which he has had since childhood  have elicited concerns. But he insists he feels younger than he is, leading even some friends and aides to roll their eyes. Some employees at the U.S. Treasury, perched above the White House in a nearby office building, can pick Biden out from other white-haired guests on the South Lawn by the presidents hunched-over shuffle.

So, yes, Haley is playing off a concern that many Americans already share: that Bidens and Trumps age and mental stamina should bar them from another term.

Haley is playing with fire, though. A significant portion of Republican voters are no younger than Biden or Trump; could her portrayals of the two as grumpy, old men make all of the older GOP voters grumpy, too? In last months Iowa caucuses, 4 in 10 Republican voters were over 65; in the New Hampshire primary, over 30% were. Republicans have won the silver vote  voters ages 60 and up  in every general election since 2000.

The new Haley strategy is a sign shes willing to take on Trump head-on. But she needs to be careful to not wage war with older GOP voters in the process.

Have a question for the next Friday mailbag? Drop me a line at onthetrail@deseretnews.com.

See you on the trail.

Editors Note: The Deseret News is committed to covering issues of substance in the 2024 presidential race from its unique perspective and editorial values. Our team of political reporters will bring you in-depth coverage of the most relevant news and information to help you make an informed decision. Find our complete coverage of the election here.
Women listen to a speaker during a weekly rally calling for the release of hostages who were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israels military on Saturday issued its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon that it would be ready to attack immediately if provoked, as it recounted its actions along the northern border during four months of war in Gaza and made a rare acknowledgement of dozens of airstrikes inside Syria against the militant group.

We do not choose war as our first priority, but we are certainly prepared, military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, adding: "We will continue to act wherever Hezbollah is present, we will continue to act wherever it is required in the Middle East. What is true for Lebanon is true for Syria, and is true for other more distant places.

The comments followed the defense ministers warning that a cease-fire in Gaza against the militant group Hamas wouldn't mean Israel wouldnt attack Hezbollah as needed.

Efforts to close wide gaps between Israel and Hamas in pursuit of a cease-fire continued in the region where concerns about a wider war with Iran-allied groups remain. A top Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, said they were studying the proposal put forward by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Israel but insist on Israel accepting conditions including a permanent cease-fire.

The war in Hamas-run Gaza has leveled vast swaths of the tiny besieged enclave, displaced 85% of its population and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation. The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that 107 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing the wartime total to 27,238. More than 66,000 people have been wounded.

In Gaza's southernmost town of Rafah, at least 17 people including women and children were killed in two separate airstrikes overnight, according to the registration office at Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital where the bodies were taken.

The first strike hit a residential building east of Rafah, killing at least 13 people from a single family. Four women and three children were among the dead, hospital officials said.

Two children are still under the rubble, and we dont, still we dont know anything about them, relative Ahmad Hijazi said. The second strike hit a house in Rafahs Jeneina area, killing at least two men and two women.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has taken refuge in Rafah and surrounding areas.

Israels defense minister warned earlier in the week that Israel might expand combat to Rafah after focusing on Khan Younis, southern Gazas largest city. While the statement alarmed aid officials and international diplomats, Israel would risk significantly disrupting relationships with the United States and neighboring Egypt if it sends troops into Rafah, a key entry point for aid.

In Khan Younis, where Israel's military said operations would continue for several days, the Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 11 people were injured when Israels military fired smoke bombs at displaced people sheltering at its headquarters.

It followed a siege that Israels military has laid on the Red Crescents facilities for 12 days, the group said, adding that it had documented the killing of 43 people, including three staff members, inside the buildings by Israeli fire during that time.

Israels military didnt address the charitys allegations of firing on the buildings, the killings or the blocking of access, and asserted that the Al-Amal Hospital facilities had adequate fuel and electricity.

Israel says it is determined to crush Hamas and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007, in response to its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war.

Hamas still holds dozens of the roughly 250 hostages taken in the attack, after more than 100 were released during a one-week truce in November. Those releases were in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Thousands of people gathered again in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening for anti-government protests to express growing frustration at how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration have handled the war.

If we need to stop the war now and call for a cease-fire in order to bring those people back home to their families, and start to rebuild them and take care of them, thats the most important thing for us to do, said one protester, Karen Levy.

In a sign of Hamas' resilience despite Israels deadly air and ground campaign in the past four months, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said it has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City.

Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest. The residents said they saw subsequent Israeli airstrikes near the makeshift offices.

The return of police marks an attempt to reinstate order in the devastated city, a Hamas official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The official said the groups leaders had given directions to reestablish order in parts of the north where Israeli forces had withdrawn, including by helping prevent the looting of shops and houses abandoned by residents who heeded Israeli evacuation orders and headed to southern Gaza.

Since seizing control of Gaza nearly 17 years ago, Hamas has operated a government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers and police who operate separately from the group's secretive military wing.

Israeli military leaders had said they had broken up the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north, but that individual fighters were continuing to carry out guerrilla-style attacks. Israel claims to have killed more than 9,000 Hamas fighters.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Van Cleef bracelets, Adidas Sambas and Denim Tears jeans. What do all of these brands have in common? Well, besides lining the closets of some of the most clouted-up influencers on the internet, all of these labels have also recently found themselves on the receiving end of the digital trend comedown. This harrowing downward spiral in the court of social media happens with just about every hero item from brands that rise to star status on the app.

For Denim Tears, it was their Cotton Wreath Jeans. Adidas, who has always maintained some level of mainstream relevance, found its most recent sneaker star in their Sambas and are now considered basic. Legacy jewelry brand Van Cleef & Arpels has been worn by the likes of Mariah Carey and Beyonce, so suffice it to say they were never hurting for an esteemed clientele. But their Alhambra motif bracelets have found special favor among influencers online. But now its giving people the ick?

Clothing pieces can soar to virality at record-setting speeds, but the comedown is almost quicker. Its the paradox of exclusivity. Once everyone has it, no one seems to want it, an especially fine line to toe in an era wherein gatekeeping has become one of the most egregious acts one can commit online. In the words of questionable philosopher Drake, Its like they cant get enough until enough is enough  and then its too much. Things are being dubbed lame and overdone quicker than ever before, and coupled with social media pressures to not repeat outfits, were stuck between an overpriced rock and a hard place. The average person cant keep up, and nor should they want to.

Now, to be clear, there are still pieces from my 2014 wardrobe that make me physically recoil, so I am in no way immune to the revolving door of ins and outs when it comes to what I choose to wear. But the 2X speed at which these trends are coming and going is not only giving us all digital whiplash but it is unsustainable on a financial, environmental and emotional level. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, and the cost of living crisis perpetually has millennials and Gen-Z by the throat.

Trying to keep up with these fashion whims also takes a toll on how we view ourselves as members of our respective and larger societies. That is to say, no one wants to feel like an outcast as it relates to style or anything else. So what is the antidote? Only buy what you like. This may seem obvious or even reductive, but it would prevent a lot of internal anguish that comes about when you see a pair of jeans you spent $200 on sitting in your closet that you havent worn in six months cause some influencer on TikTok said theyre played out.

When you take the time to curate your own fashion perspective and assemble your wardrobe with pieces you truly love, you are less likely to fall victim to the quicksand-ish nature of our current trend cycle.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  In her fourth visit to the state this year, Vice President Kamala Harris reminded voters at South Carolina State University of their newly influential perch.

South Carolina, you are the first primary in the nation, and President [Joe] Biden and I are counting on you, Harris said, standing before a stage stamped with First in the Nation.

Harris get-out-the-vote rally on Friday  where she was joined by Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison  caps off the campaigns first sanctioned Democratic primary contest.

The president is expected to cruise to victory here on Saturday, facing only nominal challenges from Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and self-help author Marianne Williamson. But the contest still drew significant attention from the Biden campaign, which pumped more than $400,000 into ads and sent high-level surrogates to blanket the state over the last month.

Bidens aides and allies view Saturdays primary as an opportunity to show Black voters, the core of the partys base, that they are prioritizing their support. They also hope a strong victory here could quiet concerns about Bidens standing with Black voters, even as recent public polling shows Biden underperforming with the key bloc by double digits compared to his 2020 results.

In her speech, Harris ticked through a series of policy accomplishments, including canceling student loan debt, lowering the cost of insulin and increasing federal funding to historically Black colleges and universities.

Over the past three years, President Biden and I have lowered cost, created opportunity and are building an economy that works for working people, Harris said. Although we have more work to do, let us be clear, Americas economy continues to be the strongest in the world.

She also took on former President Donald Trump, calling out the profound threat he poses to our democracy and to our freedoms.

Who sits in the White House  it matters, Harris said.

But given the uncompetitive nature of the primary, its less clear how much energy the Biden campaign will generate from voters.

I dont expect well have turnout like weve had over the last several years because those were open, contested primaries, Clyburn told POLITICO in an interview last month. I suspect  a good strong 65 percent of the electorate [for Biden].

But Bidens performance in South Carolina on Saturday wont necessarily answer questions about his challenges with young Black voters, who are less likely to participate in a primary and are voicing the greatest discontent with the president in public polling.

In interviews with a half-dozen state legislators, they said Bidens challenge isnt his agenda, but educating voters about it. South Carolina state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis rattled off a list of policy achievements, from student loan forgiveness to low unemployment numbers.

Its not a matter of whether hes done enough. Its about putting that in a message people understand and is digestible, Pendarvis said. He acknowledged that its frustrating that it hasnt broken through, adding it will take some time to sink in.

They know they have to message better, Pendarvis said. Its a challenge, so thats why you see a significant presence here in South Carolina.
A longtime youth advocate and U.S. Department of Justice official joined Hennepin County Mary Moriarty this week in Minneapolis, where she lauded local efforts toward juvenile justice reform as a model for the rest of the nation.

"What you're seeking to do here totally aligns with what we're trying to do," said Liz Ryan, appointed by President Joe Biden as administrator of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

More than a year into her first term, Moriarty invited Ryan to serve as keynote speaker for a youth justice symposium Thursday attended by 150 attorneys, educators, policymakers and advocates. Later that evening, she met dozens of students at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where she said the passionate young adults in the room gave her "goosebumps" as they talked about the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis on the first day of Black History Month.

In both stops of Ryan's visit, the optimism was evident despite the tough conversations and challenges of addressing root causes of crime and the ways systems fail to help youth, often youth of color, before they end up in the criminal justice system. Ryan said the goal of her office is to ensure youth don't come into contact with the system, and if they do "that it is rare, that it is fair, and that is beneficial."

"Kids make rash decisions and they act on impulse, which can lead them down the wrong path," Ryan said. "But they can change. Kids are capable of change."

Fifty years ago, congress passed the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act that established Ryan's office, the OJJDP. The act removed children from adult prisons and established grants to improve local systems and prevent juvenile crime by incentivizing community-based programs rather than institutionalizing youth.

OJJDP recently awarded $1 million to three jurisdictions across the U.S. to reform and reinvest in juvenile justice  Hennepin County is one of them.

"We're not the only community that's experiencing the challenges that we are," Sarah Davis, director of the Children and Families Division of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, said in an interview. "We can't just keep doing the same thing and expect different outcomes."

Davis said what the office is trying to implement  evidence-based approaches for transformative change that improves public safety  is not "out of left field." The OJJDP recommends it and other communities are doing it, too.

Leaders from Yellow Medicine County's Department of Restorative Justice served on the symposium panel. Director Sharon Hendrichs said they stopped placing children in detention centers and foster care, decreasing spending from $656,000 to $50,000. That leaves more funding for healing and rehabilitation through what they call a "circle," bringing together victims, offenders and community members.

Hendrichs said data proves this approach works, but they shouldn't need to prove it for the county to invest in the work. She said departments ask for new snow plows and "we don't know if it's going to snow. Look at this year."

Early data from Hennepin County's new approach to deterring youth auto theft, which spiked in and around the pandemic, shows promising results. Moriarty's office created a program to identify at-risk youth before they are caught up in or charged with auto theft by referring them to a social worker.

Since launching the program last summer, Moriarty said of the 82 kids referred, 88% had no new cases.

Ryan said youth sent to a detention center are 23 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than other youth. A very small number of youth commit crime. Instead, they are much more likely to be victims of crime, she explained.

OJJDP studies found that most young people who engage in delinquent behavior age out of it, she said, and young people who receive community-based services were more likely to attend school, access work opportunities and avoid further justice system involvement.

"To be clear, we're not excusing delinquent behavior," Ryan said. "We know that there's a path towards rehabilitation and growth for young people."

Some high-profile murder cases with youth offenders drew criticism of Moriarty's office for offering defendants probation and treatment rather than lengthy prison terms.

The backlash was so severe that Moriarty said she hired security with the onslaught of death threats. But she said people often agree with her and believe youth can be rehabilitated  just not when it comes to murder.

"There's a line there," Moriarty said on stage with Ryan and other panelists. "To me it's more about this person's maybe morals, how they judge, what they think should be a penalty, a punishment... It's not at all about whether this kid is capable for rehabilitation. And knowing that every kid is capable of rehabilitation makes me hopeful."

The OJJDP grant will further Moriarty's goals of analyzing data to show what works and what doesn't when it comes to juvenile justice. Davis said it will also fund expanding diversion programs, expungement efforts and more conversations in the community.

Ryan and Moriarty did just that in the dimly lit church basement as they handed a microphone back and forth to talk with co-founders of youth-led organization Good Trouble, Jose Perez and Julian Spencer.

In just a few years, the young adults went from struggling in school and experiencing the justice system to now advocating for policy changes at the capital and sitting on a panel with Ryan and Moriarty.

"The biggest thing for me is really to hear from you all, from young people, because that's what keeps us on toes and keeps us accountable," Ryan said.
The United Nations has appointed a new head of its World Meteorological Organization, which is responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology, according to the agency website.

Professor Celeste Saulo, who is from Argentina, began her tenure by saying that her key priority will be strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events.

We stand at the intersection of inequality and climate change, and our strategies must reflect the urgency of the times, said Saulo, who is the WMOs first female secretary-general, as reported by the Associated Press.

Adapting to climate change is not a choice but an essential necessity. It is about building resilient communities, especially in the most vulnerable regions, capable of resisting to and recovering from climate-related disasters, she added.

Extreme weather events  including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts  have become more frequent as a result of human-caused pollution, and Saulo acknowledged that the places most affected by these events need to have life-saving warning systems in place.

In Bangladesh last year, the local government was able to move more than 700,000 people to shelters and makeshift facilities before a powerful cyclone struck, likely saving many lives.

In Australia, a team of researchers recently developed a system called Ethos (Extreme Heat and Older Persons) that warns senior citizens when the temperature is at a dangerous level.

In 2022, the U.N. announced its intention to ensure every person had access to early weather warning systems within five years, and Saulos aim seems to be to see that goal through.

One-third of the worlds people, mainly in least-developed countries and small island developing states, are still not covered by early warning systems, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the time, per the AP. In Africa, it is even worse: 60% of people lack coverage.

In collaboration with other organizations, Saulo identified 30 less developed countries, including Guyana and Haiti, that are more at risk.

Coming from Argentina, professor Saulo will be acutely aware of the fact that the global south is the worst affected by climate change, Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, told the AP.

By addressing this scientific shortfall, enabling global South countries to record and share data, the WMO can help vulnerable communities prepare for life on a warmer, harsher planet, Otto added.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Oleksandr Syrskyi during his visit to the positions of Ukrainian forces on the Kupiansk front. Photo: Syrskyi on Telegram

Heavy fighting is raging in all areas of the Kupiansk front, with Russian forces engaging in high-intensity assault operations and deploying new reserves.

Source: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, on Telegram

Details: Syrskyi noted that he had made a working visit to military units and subunits defending the Kupiansk front.

Quote: "The operational situation remains tense. Heavy fighting is taking place along the entire front. The enemy continues to mount high-intensity assault operations and persistently deploy new reserves."

More details: Syrskyi added that he had heard reports from commanders directly at the control points and held operational meetings, during which "potential enemy scenarios were considered, based on the intelligence obtained".

In addition, "in order to resolve critical issues for the sustainability of defence, the necessary instructions were given, and forces and assets were rearranged".

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Former President Donald J. Trump takes the stage after receiving Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's endorsement for President during a rally at the South Texas International Airport in Edinburg, TX, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

Trumps appeal

Regarding Trump is appealing, funny  and dangerous, (Jan. 28): I agree that Trump is appealing and sometimes funny, but dangerous? Shadi Hamid states that Trump is essentially dangerous because he is in pursuit of personal greatness. Really? What politician in the entire history of mankind doesnt have dreams of greatness?

I cant think of any person, living or dead, who has been so severely attacked by his opponents. Never mind all the lies by his opponents and the media. The outlandish lawsuits that cost millions and unimaginable stress alone would break the will of another politician. The only answer I can come up with is that he is in pursuit of greatness, but not for himself. For the country.

Dick Flamos, League City

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This column provides us with some background and a warning about Trump. Remember back in 2016, before Trump was elected, when there were articles about Trump and a condition called narcissistic personality disorder? Reading through the description in DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association) it is hard not to think that a shrink would enjoy talking to Trump.

However, I think we can be pretty sure that Trumps personality probably would never allow him to see a psychologist or psychiatrist.

David Norman, Katy

Price gouging

Regarding Senators reach a deal on border policy bill. Now it faces an uphill fight to passage, (Feb. 2): Gov. Greg Abbott: The border is not the No. 1 concern for Americans.

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Price gouging is. Health care, prescriptions, food, gas, insurance, property taxes, practically everything except wages. Unchecked capitalism was never fair, and is destined for failure.

Your side in Congress is now refusing to pass what I feel is the strictest border bill in history for political gain. When you put political power above the American people, its time to exit politics. Period.

Most of the corporations doing the gouging have a lot of politicians on their payroll. Theyre paying you to let them stick it to us.

David Hill, Houston

With the next total solar eclipse coming to Texas, I called several hotels in Kerrville and Fredericksburg. Usually the going rate is $150 to $170 or so. For the weekend of the eclipse, the asking price is $700 a night, with three- and four-night minimums. I understand the supply and demand, but I do think this is excessive. Also curious if this is legal.

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Thomas Smith, Deer Park

When will we learn?

Regarding La Portes Sylvan Beach could see a massive $30M renovation. Here are the renderings, (Jan. 23): This article gave me pause for concern. Does Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia not understand that climate change brings more rainfall, rising sea levels, and more and stronger hurricanes to our area?

Putting millions of taxpayer dollars in a park that should be kept simple and adapted to climate change, and not ornate with such heavy public investment, is an invitation for catastrophe. When will we ever learn?

Brandt Mannchen, Houston

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Sheriff endorsement

Regarding We endorse Ed Gonzalez in the Democratic primary for Harris County Sheriff (Editorial), (Jan. 28): Last Sunday, the Chronicle had an interesting endorsement. Upon reading the editorial, I realized that Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has already served two terms. So, what makes us think that, if he hasnt done it in two terms, a third will make a difference? Gonzalez also believes that more money is the answer (typical of Democrats). He made the case that only a bigger budget would truly improve conditions at the county jail.

What we really need is to give someone other than Ed Gonzalez a chance to fix the county jail, among other things.

Brian Binash, Houston

Oscar snub

Regarding Beyond Greta Gerwig: Celine Song is another female director the Oscars overlooked, (Jan. 25): With the announcement of Oscar nominations inevitably comes the onslaught of articles about the people who were snubbed and didnt receive a nomination. In particular, it is noted that Celine Song, whose movie Past Lives, was nominated for Best Picture, did not receive a nomination for Best Director.

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There are annually only five nominees for many categories, including Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director but now there are more than five nominees for Best Picture. Clearly, not every director of a Best Picture nominee can earn a nomination for Best Director. Yet, anyone missing from the writers list of favorites is invariably labeled as being snubbed, especially if the person omitted happens to be from a demographic other than white male.

In the future, it should be required that any writer who advocates for the inclusion of someone snubbed (in their opinion) should list who they would take off the list of nominees to be able to include their choice.
QUINCY  A Quincy grandmother who is raising six of her nine grandchildren alone is getting a big award.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts will celebrate its 75th anniversary Saturday. And Sheila White will be honored.

White, who turned 60 in November, has been caring for six of her grandchildren, now ages 8 to 17, for the past 10 years, after their mother could not take care of them. Their mother, Rachael Kirby Dunham, 34, of Quincy, died last June. She was White's youngest daughter.

On Saturday, White will get the James J. Pallotta Award during Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts 25th annual Big Night fundraiser.

Sheila White, of Quincy, cares for six grandchildren, including Kamdyn, Kaiden, Berlin and Briell. Not pictured in this 2023 file photo are Kiora and Braylon.

The event, at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, will also celebrate the nonprofits 75th anniversary of supporting youngsters with caring adult mentors across the region. Pallotta is a long-time supporter of the organization, a philanthropist and is one of the founders of Big Night.

White has invited a half dozen family members to the event.

All six of White's grandchildren who live with her have either a Big Brother or a Big Sister. All the mentors are called "Bigs" and she credits them with helping to keep the young people active and strong.

The death of her daughter and the children's mother was "a big blow" to everyone, White said, and all have been having a hard time dealing with the loss.

At 59, Sheila White is raising 6 of her grandchildren in Quincy with help from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Living with her are Kiora, 17; Braylon, 16; Kaiden, 14; Briell, 12; Kamdyn, 10; and Berlin, 8.

More than 1,000 guests will celebrate the power of youth mentoring at the dinner.

How you can give: Want to help Big Brothers and Sisters? Click here

Mark ODonnell, current president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, will give a presentation on how the nonprofit has grown and changed over the past 75 years. Then he will present White with her award.

Children need a special caring adult in their corner

Our secret to such longevity has been our ability to meet youth, families, and our adult volunteers where they are and provide programming tailored to meet their needs in real time," O'Donnell said this week.

"It is guardians like Shelia who make our work possible. We are grateful for her allowing us into her family.

"Having had her own mentor as a child, Shelia knows firsthand the positive impact that having a caring adult in your corner other than family can have on a young persons life. All six of her grandchildren are enrolled in our program.

"As their guardian, she feels the ripple effect their mentors have on the family. This award represents Shelias commitment to ensuring her grandchildren reach their fullest potential through youth mentoring.

When was Big Brothers Big Sisters of America founded?

It all started in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement, according to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America website.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Big Brothers Big Sisters honors Quincy woman raising 6 grandkids
A controversial measure that would loosen work restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds was approved Thursday by the Florida House.

The Republican-controlled House voted 80-35 to approve the measure (HB 49), which would eliminate a decades-old restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds working more than eight hours when school is scheduled the next day.

It also would eliminate a restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds working more than 30 hours during a week when school is in session.

Bill sponsor Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, said the bill would give teens a choice to work up to 40 hours a week and that 24 other states have adopted similar measures.

The bill simply creates opportunity and choice, most likely for those who are already working beyond 30 hours with a side hustle, working under the table through jobs with no benefits or protections, Chaney said.

Read: U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon kicks off busy weekend in downtown Orlando

But Democrats said the bill, which is backed by groups such as the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, would hinder students education.

They also said, in part, it is intended to use children to address labor shortages, including shortages of immigrant workers.

What were doing here is creating a cheap workforce for big business, Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, said.

Ive heard in debate that this builds character, Bartleman added. Well, if your kid is going to school 30, 35 hours a week and wants to work an additional 30 hours a week, thats enough time to build character. And dont forget they can work during the summer and during breaks beyond those hours.

Read: Orlando is ready for this: Central Floridians embrace historic Olympic Trials downtown

Democrats unsuccessfully proposed a series of amendments, such as proposals that would have required rest breaks every five hours for workers under 18 and required that employers provide to parents a list of their childrens duties and wages.

Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, recalled lawmakers arguing that students need additional sleep to succeed educationally when legislation passed last year to start the school day later.

In reality, we were just pushing back school start times to get our children to be exploited for cheap labor, Nixon said. That is wild to me, very wild to me.

Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, warned that children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds would be the most likely to be exploited under the changes.

Read: Hundreds of thousands of people expected to pack Orlando this weekend

They are the ones that are going to have to make up the gap in the financial gaps of their homes, Gantt said.

Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, countered that 99 percent of teens wont ever work past 30 hours a week.

Folks, we dont need to coddle our kids, Holcomb said. We dont need to wrap them in bubble wrap. We need to let them work if they want to.

Chaney said small business owners will bend over backward to keep employees happy, and if 16- and 17-year olds arent happy with something, theyll ghost us at lunchtime.

Read: 1 person shot at Daytona Beach apartment complex, police say

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee this week approved the Senates version of the bill (SB 1596). It would not go as far as the House bill.

For example, it would not eliminate the prohibition on working more than 30 hours in a week when school is in session.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, expressed support Thursday for the Senate version.

We want to allow students, our kids that want to work to do that, Passidomo said. Our number one priority is to make sure they dont sacrifice their education time. And that they have parental consent. Real parental consent. Not the fake ones where they (teens) write them themselves.

The Senate bill would limit 16- and 17-year-olds to working eight hours when school is the next day. Exceptions would be made for working on holidays and Sundays.

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On Wednesday night, the House did something it used to do only rarely: It passed a substantive piece of legislation by an overwhelming majority, with a good mix of yes votes from both parties.

But in an age when House Republicans vote advantage over Democrats in the chamber fluctuates in the low single-digits daily depending on party absences, moments like Wednesdays 357-70 vote to send a bipartisan tax bill over to the Senate arent as rare as they used to be.

In fact, this kind of dealmaking hasquietly become the standard way business is done in the House. And it will likely will remain that way, as long as the fractious Republican conference, caught between electorally-minded swing district members and the arch-conservative House Freedom Caucus, is unable to unify.

For House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who saw his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), unceremoniously ousted for allegedly being too cooperative with Democrats, votes like Wednesdays are preferable to getting nothing done or facing the same fate.

Its almost mind-boggling that on the Republican side this year, that this procedural majority, the ability of the party to command the agenda, its falling apart, said Sarah Binder, a professor political science at George Washington University and a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution think tank.

Republican leaders, she said, arent pulling up bills that meet the demands of Republicans. Theyre pulling up bills that meet the demands of [House Democratic Leader] Hakeem Jeffries.

Jeffries, for his part, said as long as a bill is consistent with his caucus values, his party will continue to help shape it, support it and get it over the finish line.

Of course, the Freedom Caucus and other rebellious Republicans still could attempt to oust Johnson as they did McCarthy, meaning Johnson cant let all this bipartisanship alienate the GOPs conservative core too much. Thats why the Senates bipartisan border toughness-for-Ukraine aid deal is unlikely to ever see the House floor, even if it would receive a majority of votes.

The House, long known as the place where only one number matters  218, just over half of its 435 members  now requires a consensus even more than the Senate does, where three-fifths of members have to agree to allow a vote on most bills. Itsa situation unprecedented in modern congressional history.

The tax bill was only the latest example of a big bill approved through a oft-overlooked House voting process called suspension of the rules which requires a two-thirds majority of the House  an even higher standard than the Senates three-fifths threshold.

Ordinarily, House majority leadership decides on which bills should go to the floor for a vote each week. The rules for debate  how long lawmakers can discuss bills and what motions can be made before voting on them  are set by the Rules Committee, which is usually stocked with lawmakers loyal to the House speaker.

The rules have to be passed before underlying bills can be voted on and approved. Usually both votes are anticlimactic, as both parties typically vote as a bloc.

But since Johnson became speaker after the ouster of McCarthy in October, theres been a tectonic shift. Disgruntled GOP House members have sometimes voted with Democrats on floor rules  a strict no-no by party loyalty standards  as a way to pressure Johnson and other party leaders. Johnson has also been saddled with a legacy of McCarthys: three hardline GOP members on the Rules Committee, where they can credibly threaten to tank rules they dont like.

Practically, that means Johnsons power to bring things he would like to the floor for a votehas been curtailed by having to have almost every single member of the 219-member conference on board.

Or, as Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) put it at a recent rules committee hearing: We dont pass laws up here anymore. We barely even pass rules.

Theres a way around those rules, though.

While passing bills under suspension, as its called, is not new, it has traditionally been reserved for small-bore bills like measures to name post offices after local figures, transfer government lands or reauthorize obscure programs  things that would be needlessly slowed down by procedures and rules. But using suspension to get big bills across the finish line is new. For Johnson, its a way to make an end run around hardliners in his own conference who would likely sink any sort of must-pass bill they disagree with  even if the price is to have to pass a bill with even more Democratic fingerprints.

The tax bill is far from the only recentexample of this. A defense policy bill was snagged in the Senate over a fight over Pentagon abortion policy, but it was passed under suspension, as were the last two stopgap funding bills to temporarily keep the government open.

Johnson himself has quietly acknowledged the change, repeatedly mentioning to reporters his majority is probably the thinnest since the Congress of 1917-18. During those years, Democrats actually held one less House seat than Republicans, but held control because a small handful of progressives and a socialist allied with them.

But the 1917-1918 House was dealing with a Democratic Senate and a White House held by Democratic President Woodrow Wilson. Now, the House is the only of those three where Republicans hold sway.

At a press conference Tuesday, Johnson obliquely referred to House GOP members who would be out, making his margin of control even less than the 219-213 edge in party members he has on paper.

We have only a tiny, as you know, razor-thin  actually, a one-vote  majority right now in the House, he said, as he discussed lawmakers ongoing negotiations overborder security and military aid to U.S. allies. Our majority is small. We only have it in one chamber. But were trying to use every ounce of leverage that we have to make sure that this issue is addressed.

Binder said Republicans main power in the House is the ability to keep items from the House floor that they dont want to vote on.

You can block things. But theres some things you just cant block, she said, like bills to keep the government open.

That means the most powerful Republican on Capitol Hill for dealmaking may not be the leader of the House but the head of the minority party in the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), which hasnt seen the kind of GOP infighting the House has.

The Senate is really driving these bargains here, Binder said.

Binder noted that last year when a showdown over the debt ceiling was brewing, and before the House GOP fractured openly, McConnell deferred to then-Speaker McCarthy to make a deal with the White House. But in the debate over immigration, the House has been reduced to mostly waiting to see what the Senate sends it.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) who heads the House Rules Committee, which has become less important the more the suspension calendar has been used, said needing the minority party to provide votes on key suspension bills gives the Democrats more power than they would now have otherwise.

If youre the majority, you need to control the floor. If you dont do that through procedural votes, you actually empower the [minority] beyond its numbers and that makes it much more difficult, he said.

Rump groups within the Republican majority also feel empowered. A group of moderate House Republicans who wanted to restore part of a tax break for residents of high-tax states that was taken away in 2017 threatened to tank a rule this week unless they got concessions. Its a tactic they learned from conservative members of the House Freedom Caucus.

Using the suspension calendar sidesteps that threat, but it also leaves Johnson vulnerable to a revolt within his own party if he puts the wrong thing on the floor.

Government by suspension is not going to work. Period, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a member of the Freedom Caucus, said in mid-January, after Johnson used the suspension calendar to allow a vote on another stopgap spending bill many in his group opposed. This is not sustainable, by any stretch of the imagination.

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After a year and a half of waiting, attorneys for both the city of Meridian and Chasidy Decker met in court to argue their sides of a case that concerns a city law that bars people from living in tiny homes on wheels.

At stake for Decker, she said, is her ability to stay in the Treasure Valley.

Ultimately what scares me the most is if this doesnt go in my favor, unfortunately I am going to be left with no other option than to leave, Decker told the Idaho Statesman after the hearing. I cannot afford the rental prices here. Idaho is going to force me out of Idaho.

In 2022, Decker, a native Treasure Valley resident, was told by a Meridian Code Enforcement officer to leave her tiny home on wheels, which she owns. At the time, Decker was renting space next to a private residence to park the home, and didnt realize that living in it  while paying rent to her landlord, who lived in the home next door, and utilities  was against Meridian law.

After Statesman wrote a story about Deckers impending eviction, the case caught the eye of the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm that says its goal is to end abuses of government power and secure peoples constitutional rights.

During Thursdays hearing before state District Judge Jason Scott in Boise, both sides argued that there is no real dispute about material facts, and that each of them deserve a favorable ruling from Scott without a jury trial.

Deckers case against Meridian is twofold. First, she argues that a city ordinance that prohibits someone from living in tiny homes on wheels within city limits is unconstitutional, because government has no legitimate interest in banning tiny homes. Second, she argues that Meridian Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Negrete, who told her she couldnt live in her tiny home the day after the Statesman published a story about it, retaliated against her for speaking to the Statesman about her situation.

Retaliation case

Attorneys for the city asked Scott to dismiss the discrimination/retaliation portion of the case, because Negrete is not a defendant in the lawsuit and therefore cannot be charged with wrongdoing. But Deckers lawyers said the city sent him to her home to tell her she had to leave.

Officer Negrete was going back to the property that morning at the direction of the city, said Bob Belden, Deckers lawyer with the Institute for Justice.

Tiny home ordinance

Meridians attorney, Peter Thomas, asked Scott to find that Meridians ordinance was a result of legitimate city interest. He said the ordinance that prohibits Meridian residents living in a structure on wheels parked on private property exists for safety and infrastructure needs.

The fire chief, Chief Joe Bongiorno, was very clear that he wanted to know that every occupied structure had its own address, Thomas said.

He added that Deckers arrangement would impact water and sewer service.

Belden countered that Thomas argument is not enough to warrant summary judgment, which is the judge ruling in the citys favor without a trial. He said that as long as the ordinance was applied to Decker, the city has an obligation to find evidence that it makes sense to enforce the ordinance in her case. He said they havent come forward with any evidence of that.

Belden said that in June 2019, the city was fielding calls from people asking if they could live in mobile tiny homes.

People want to live in these things, he said. They want to find places to live in them in Meridian.

Referring to his summary brief to the court, Belden said that in June 2019, the city amended its ordinance to add tiny houses into the definition of RVs. He said city officials did this for simplicity, not for health, safety or aesthetic reasons, and did so rather than find a way to make this low-cost form of housing available, like the local Land Use and Planning Act obligates the city to do.

After a handful of questions, Scott said he would take the motion to dismiss the retaliation portion of the case under advisement and expected he would issue a ruling before April, when a trial is scheduled.

Tiny-home owner who says Meridian forced her into homelessness gets her day in court

This Boise-area city has one of nations lowest shares of affordable rentals, report says
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  IDEA Horizon Vista Academy hosted Chalk the Block event for community neighbors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, according to a press release sent by IDEA Public Schools.

The free family-fun event featured a sidewalk chalk installment, music and tours for families interested in learning more about IDEA Public Schools and the campus kindergarten program, according to the press release.

IDEA Public Schools says staff shared information for families interested in enrolling their child into the kindergarten program, which is available for ages 4-5, that focuses on early literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills to ensure success in future grades.

For more information on IDEA Public Schools visit www.ideapublicschools.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Priscilla Villarreal, a Laredo reporter known as "La Gordiloca," was arrested for posting information that had not been officially released. Saenz Photography

The First Amendment protects the right to criticize public officials without fear of imprisonment. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press would be meaningless if people could express only opinions favored by the authorities.

This is what citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal thought. But on Jan. 23, 2024, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 9-7 against her in her First Amendment retaliation case against the Laredo police and prosecutors who arrested her.

Her alleged crime? Asking a police officer questions to corroborate the details of a traffic collision and a suicide. The officer voluntarily answered her questions. She accurately reported the information. Thats it.

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Villarreal was essentially jailed for fact-checking, which has implications for anyone who speaks up or asks questions. As Judge James Hos dissent makes clear: the right to speak freely and to inquire is precisely whats at stake 

Villarreal, who uses the nickname La Gordiloca, reports local news on her Facebook page. She often reports on abuses of power. And over time she amassed a following larger than any other local news outlet in Laredo.

Thanks to the First Amendment, we can all ensure government transparency. But in Villarreals case, Laredo police and prosecutors were not satisfied by merely disagreeing with her reporting. It seems they spent several months hatching a plan to arrest her. What did they come up with? They charged Villarreal with soliciting information that had not yet been officially made public with intent to obtain a benefit.

The statute they used to go after her has nothing to do with newsgathering, but rather deals with corruption by public officials. This obscure statute was rarely enforced, even for its intended purpose. In some applications, it has been held unconstitutional, and when used against Villarreal it was ruled unconstitutional again in Texas state court.

What was Villarreals alleged benefit? Getting more Facebook followers. To justify this transparently unconstitutional arrest, Laredo officials flipped the Texas Public Information Act on its head. Following their logic, Texas open records law creates the only procedure available for obtaining government information in order to report on it for personal gain. And by not asking the governments public information office, the information that Villarreal learned was not public, so officials arrested her for it.

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After the charges were thrown out in state court, Villarreal sued in federal court to hold the public officials accountable for violating her constitutional rights. In response, the officials claimed ignorance and qualified immunity to avoid accountability.

Heres how qualified immunity works: If your constitutional rights are violated, the government workers who violated them cannot be sued (the immunity part) unless you can point to an earlier court case in your area holding that nearly identical conduct was unconstitutional (the qualified part). That means government agents can knowingly and intentionally violate your rights, and you cannot sue them, thanks to qualified immunity.

But if the First Amendment means anything, it means people can report more than just government-approved information. Villarreal did what journalists do every day. She uncovered and corroborated information by asking questions.

Remarkably, a majority of the 5th Circuit got the default setting of Texas open records law exactly backward. Its text states: The people, in delegating authority (to the government), do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. Sure, Texas open records law is one way to request public records. But people can also just ask questions.

The 5th Circuit majority opinion also gets qualified immunity and the First Amendment wrong. This case involves not the hot pursuit of a presumed criminal. It was the premeditated use of government power to go after a critic. Barring remedies for such abuses of government power deprives us all of justice.

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The consequences of this judge-made doctrine are staggering, and Villarreal is not alone. On March 20, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Gonzalez v. Trevino, a First Amendment retaliation case involving a Texas grandmother who was arrested after winning a city council race on a platform to remove the city manager. Within weeks of Sylvia Gonzalezs election, officials accused her of not being properly sworn in and replaced her with the incumbent she had just beat. When that did not work, Sylvia was charged with mishandling her own citizen petition and jailed. After the bogus charges were thrown out, she teamed up with the Institute for Justice, where I work, to vindicate her First Amendment rights.
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  New data from the CDC is showing that the spread of seasonal respiratory viruses is declining across the state.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health said the CDCs most recently available data, dated Jan. 27, showed decreases in Illinois level of overall respiratory illness and the states level of COVID hospitalizations. The overall illness level was downgraded from Low to Minimal and COVID hospitalizations were downgraded to Low.

Breaking things down into Illinois 102 counties, the table below shows how the data from Jan. 27 compares to the week before:

Level Explanation Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Low <10 hospitalizations per

100,000 of population 85 92 Medium 10-20 hospitalziations per

1000,000 of population 11 10 High >20 hospitalizations per

1000,000 of population 6 0

I am very encouraged to see continued decreases in respiratory illness activity throughout Illinois, said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. While cases are declining, 10 counties are at Medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. IDPH will remain vigilant as we near the end of the winter respiratory season. We encourage residents, especially those most vulnerable to severe health outcomes from COVID-19, flu, and RSV to use the tools at their disposal to stay safe.

The IDPH also reminded that the respiratory virus season can last into the spring and additional increases in illness rates are still possible.

People who develop symptoms of a respiratory illness  including coughing, sneezing, sore throat, a runny nose or fever  are advised to stay home and away from others. People who seek medical care are advised to wear a mask or schedule a telehealth appointment.

In addition, experts urge anyone recently exposed to a respiratory virus to wear a mask in a crowded area and if visiting someone at high risk for severe disease.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
How long does it take smart high school students to create a light bulb over their heads?

Three days, or a weekend and a day, according to Aryan Mansingh, a sophomore student at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.

At least, thats how long Mansingh and four fellow students  Abhinav Anne, Atmaj Shelar, Dhivija Challa and Samantha Narchetty  had to create their winning idea for the TechRise Student Challenge, a national STEM competition sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA.

The five students, all from the Naperville or Aurora area in their first years at IMSA, had to scrap their first idea, and came up with their second and winning idea, not to mention actually working on it, over those three days.

The result was being one of 60 teams from schools across the country selected to be part of TechRise, now in its third year as a STEM challenge for sixth- through 12th-graders.

NASA sponsors the event to offer students the opportunity to design and test their own innovative solutions for space exploration and the study of Earth.

They also get a chance to get hands-on insight into the payload design and flight test process. The hope, according to NASA, is that it inspires a deeper understanding of space exploration, Earth observation, coding, electronics and the value of test data.

We have access to actual NASA engineers, Shelar said. We get to learn a bunch of skills from them.

This years challenge was to design a science or technology experiment that could be tested on either a NASA-sponsored high-altitude balloon flight or rocket-powered lander. So, 30 of the experiments chosen were for the rocket-powered lander, and 30 were for the high-altitude balloon flight.

The IMSA experiment will be on the balloon flight, officially titled A Pilot Study: Exploring Atmospheric Levels of Air Pollutants Using Air Quality Sensors Across Altitude Gradients.

The students will work through the rest of the school year building their experiments with the support of professional engineers, in preparation for a flight test this summer. The experiments goal is to have an understanding of how pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide affect our atmosphere at different altitudes.

At each altitude, were searching for pollutants, and where they end up in our atmosphere, Anne said.

The students will be on a 17-week schedule, with benchmarks to show where they should be during each week.

There is no end winner; all 60 experiments will get a chance.

Just getting our project in the air is the prize, said Mansingh.

Across the country, the winning teams include more than 490 students representing 46 states and territories.

Cultivating creativity and curiosity and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers is one of NASAs most important missions, said Prasun Desai, deputy associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. TechRise is a unique opportunity that allows students to gain hands-on knowledge while developing real payloads for flight, and its an experience they can carry with them during their educational and early career journeys.

The project also meets the goals of the Illinois Math and Science Academy, according to Scott Campbell, the IMSA teacher who is the faculty adviser for the students.

IMSAs mission is to allow students the opportunity to impact the world around them, Campbell said. They will get to use data from NASA for future research.

Each team gets $1,500 to build their experiments, a flight box to house it, technical support from Future Engineers, and an assigned spot for their experiments on a suborbital flight test.

Experiments tested on the high-altitude balloon will experience approximately four hours of flight time at approximately 70,000 feet with exposure to Earths upper atmosphere, high-altitude radiation and perspective views of Earth.

A group of some 200 volunteer judges with expertise in engineering, space and Earth science reviewed entries and selected the nationwide winners. Judges evaluated proposals based on experiment originality, its impact on education or society, feasibility within the allotted time frame and budget, and the quality of the build plan.

All five students in the IMSA experiment are interested in engineering and aerospace.

We have a lot of opportunities here, said Challa.

Anne said he hopes the work they do will have an impact on future research in the climate field.

A pathway to future studies, he said.

slord@tribpub.com
By Krishn Kaushik and Mohamed Junayd

NEW DELHI/MALE (Reuters) - India will remove its troops in the Maldives by May, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, as the two countries seek agreement on a pullout that has strained ties.

The roughly 80 soldiers stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago will be replaced by civilians, officials from both countries said.

As global powers jostle for influence in the Indo-Pacific region, India and China have wooed the Maldives, which has traditionally been close to neighbour India.

New Delhi's ties with Male have under strain since Mohamed Muizzu was elected president of the Maldives last year, pledging to end the country's "India First" policy.

He has called for the withdrawal by March 15 of the troops stationed to provide support for military equipment given to the Maldives by New Delhi and assist in humanitarian activities in the region.

The first set of Indian troops will leave by March 10 and the rest by May 10, the Maldives said, citing an agreement reached at a high-level meeting in the Indian capital on a range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation.

India's foreign ministry said the two countries "agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms" that provide humanitarian services to Maldives.

The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the troop pullout, and its statement did not mention a timeframe.

India says the soldiers, who include a dozen medical personnel, provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the country's remote islands.

New Delhi has given Male two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, which are mostly used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical evacuations. The Indian troops manage those operations.

The next bilateral meeting will be in Male in the last week of February, the Maldives foreign ministry said.

(Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in Delhi and Mohamed Junayd in Male; Editing by William Mallard)
Iran lambasted U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed militant resources and facilities in Iraq and Syria on Friday, warning that it could lead to significant escalation.

The attack will have no result other than the escalation of tensions and instability in the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Saturday in a statement. He added that it was a strategic mistake from the Biden Administration.

The attack was a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, Kanaani said.

Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces reported 16 of its members had been killed, while 23 were killed Syria, Reuters reported. Iraq said civilians were also killed in the strikes, Al Jazeera reported.

And although the Biden Administration said it informed Baghdad before the strikes, the Iraqi government has repudiated the claim. They called it an unfounded claim crafted to mislead international public opinion, Iraqi government spokesman, Basem Al-Awadi, said, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

The attack will push the security situation in Iraq and the region to the brink of the abyss, the Iraqi government said.

Iraqs Foreign Ministry said it has summoned David Burger, the U.S. charge daffaires to Baghdad, to protest the strikes.

The alarmed responses from the Iranian and Iraqi governments reveals the precarious balancing act the United States must maintain in the coming days in order to avoid further escalation in the region after hitting targets of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The retaliatory strikes, which the Biden Administration conducted as a response to the deadly Iran-backed attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops, are only expected to be the first in a series of responses, the White House said Friday.

There will be additional responses. There will be additional action that we will take, all designed to put an end to these attacks and to take away capability by the IRGC, John Kirby, White House National Security Council coordinator told reporters on a call Friday.

U.S. Launches Revenge Strikes in Iraq and Syria After Deadly Jordan Ambush

The White House told reporters on Friday the targets were chosen because they were believed to be connected to attacks on U.S. personnel. The Director of Operations of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims told reporters that the targets were holding locations for munitions that have been used against U.S. forces and those that helped provide command, control and intelligence collection to the strikes that hit Americans.

The retaliation came after months of Iranian-backed militants conducting hundreds of attacks on U.S. forces in the region. And though the Biden Administration killed a leader of an Iran-backed militant group last month and struck out at facilities linked to Kataib Hezbollah, the strikes this week mark a significant escalation in response.

It was not clear if either the Iranian or Iraqi responses in the region or the reported civilian casualties would alter the administrations next steps. The White House, and State Department did not immediately return a request for comment. The Pentagon declined to comment.

U.S. officials said Friday that the Biden Administration is not seeking wider war with Iran. The goal here is to get these attacks to stop. We are not looking for a war with Iran, Kirby said.

The White House previously claimed that the attacks were chosen in order to avoid civilian casualties, Kirby said.

These targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region, Kirby said, acknowledging that the Department of Defense as still int he early stages of assessing the damage.

Sims said that the United States hit exactly what it was intending to hit.

The initial indications were that we hit exactly what we meant to hit with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations, Sims said.

The military struck over 85 targets with over 125 precision-guided munitions. The U.S. military struck seven different facilities overall, Sims told reporters in a call Friday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows an aircraft launching from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during flight operations in the Red Sea, Jan. 22, 2024. The United States and Britain struck 36 Houthi sites in Yemen on Saturday, Feb. 3, in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups in the region. (Kaitlin Watt/U.S. Navy via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States and Britain struck 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. But Washington once more did not directly target Iran as it tries to find a balance between a forceful response and intensifying the conflict.

U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted an additional strike on Sunday in self-defense against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.

U.S. forces identified the cruise missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined it presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels, the post added.

The strikes on Saturday against the Houthis were launched by U.S. warships and American and British fighter jets. The strikes followed an air assault in Iraq and Syria on Friday that targeted other Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

The Houthi targets on Saturday were in 13 different locations and were struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, by British Typhoon FGR4 fighter aircraft and by the Navy destroyers USS Gravely and the USS Carney firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, according to U.S. officials and the U.K. Defense Ministry. The U.S. officials were not authorized to publicly discuss the military operation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. warned its response after the soldiers deaths at the Tower 22 base in Jordan last Sunday would not be limited to one night, one target or one group. While there has been no suggestion the Houthis were directly responsible, they have been one of the prime U.S. adversaries since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said that more than 26,000 people have been killed and more than 64,400 wounded in the Israeli military operation since the war began.

The Houthis have been conducting almost daily missile or drone attacks against commercial and military ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and they have made clear that they have no intention of scaling back their campaign despite pressure from the American and British campaign.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, said military operations against Israel will continue until the crimes of genocide in Gaza are stopped and the siege on its residents is lifted, no matter the sacrifices it costs us. He wrote online that the American-British aggression against Yemen will not go unanswered, and we will meet escalation with escalation.

The Biden administration has indicated that this is likely not the last of its strikes. The U.S. has blamed the Jordan attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias. Iran has tried to distance itself from the drone strike, saying the militias act independently of its direction.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the military action, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.

He added: We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

The Defense Department said the strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, radars and helicopters. The British military said it struck a ground control station west of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, that has been used to control Houthi drones that have launched against vessels in the Red Sea.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the strikes before he left Delaware on Saturday for a West Coast campaign trip, according to an administration official.

The latest strikes marked the third time the U.S. and Britain had conducted a large joint operation to strike Houthi weapon launchers, radar sites and drones. The strikes in Yemen are meant to underscore the broader message to Iran that Washington holds Tehran responsible for arming, funding and training the array of militias  from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen  who are behind attacks across the Mideast against U.S. and international interests.

Video shared online by people in Sanaa included the sound of explosions and at least one blast was seen lighting up the night sky. Residents described the blasts as happening around buildings associated with the Yemeni presidential compound. The Houthi-controlled state-run news agency, SABA, reported strikes in al-Bayda, Dhamar, Hajjah, Hodeida, Taiz and Sanaa provinces.

Hours before the latest joint operation, the U.S. took another self-defense strike on a site in Yemen, destroying six anti-ship cruise missiles, as it has repeatedly when it has detected a missile or drone ready to launch. The day before the strikes the U.S. destroyer Laboon and F/A-18s from the Eisenhower shot down seven drones fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea and the destroyer Carney shot down a drone fired in the Gulf of Aden and U.S. forces took out four more drones that were prepared to launch.

The Houthis attacks have led shipping companies to reroute their vessels from the Red Sea, sending them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope  a much longer, costlier and less efficient passage. The threats also have led the U.S. and its allies to set up a joint mission where warships from participating nations provide a protective umbrella of air defense for ships as they travel the critical waterway that runs from the Suez Canal down to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

During normal operations, about 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time.

In the wake of the strikes Friday in Iraq and Syria, Hussein al-Mosawi, spokesperson for Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the main Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, said Washington must understand that every action elicits a reaction. But in an AP interview in Baghdad, he also struck a more conciliatory tone. "We do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions, he said.

Iraqi officials have attempted to rein in the militias, while also condemning U.S. retaliatory strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and calling for an exit of the 2,500 U.S. troops who are in the country as part of an international coalition to fight the Islamic State group. Last month, Iraqi and U.S. military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalitions presence, a process that will likely take years.

___

Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa in Yemen, Abdulrahman Zeyad and Ali Jabar in Baghdad, Abby Sewell and Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
An Iraqi government spokesperson has accused the U.S. of violating international law and lying about the circumstances surrounding its retaliatory strikes over a recent attack in Jordan.

The strikes killed 16 people, including civilians, and wounded 25, Bassem Al-Awadi, Iraqi government spokesperson, said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter Saturday.

He alleged that the U.S. deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and disavowing legal responsibility for this rejected crime in accordance with all international laws.

Al-Awadi added that all parties must realize that Iraq refuses to let its lands become an arena for settling scores, and that the nations sovereignty and land are not the place to send messages between opponents or demonstrate force.

This aggressive strike will put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, and it also contradicts efforts to establish the required stability, Al-Awadi continued.

The government spokesperson vowed Iraq would make every effort required by moral, national, and constitutional responsibility to protect our land, our cities, and the lives of our children in all types of armed forces.

The U.S. started an initial round of airstrikes on groups supported by Iran in Syria and Iraq Friday, in retaliation for a recent attack on a base in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it started airstrikes Friday evening in Iraq and Syria against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States, CENTCOM said in a statement. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the strikes were meant to reduce capabilities, as well as send a message to Iran and groups it supports to halt attacking Americans.

We believe that these targets fell into exactly that criteria, he said. And the goal here is to get these attacks to stop. Were not looking for a war with Iran.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israeli soldiers take part in training session near the Israel border with Syria at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

(This Feb. 3 story has been corrected to fix the overall number of targets struck, in paragraph 4)

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military said on Saturday that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7 it had struck more than 50 targets in Syria linked to the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah.

The remarks, in a briefing by chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari that mainly discussed efforts to beat back Hezbollah attacks launched in solidarity with Hamas, were a departure from Israel's usual reticence about Syria operations.

"Everywhere Hezbollah is, we shall be. We will take action everywhere required in the Middle East," Hagari said.

Israeli forces have attacked 3,400 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including 120 border surveillance outposts, 40 caches of missiles and other weaponry and more than 40 command centres, Hagari said. He put the number of enemy dead at more than 200.

Hagari said Israel had deployed three army divisions along its side of the Lebanese border in anticipation of Hezbollah getting involved after Palestinian Hamas launched a shock cross-border attack on Oct. 7, triggering the war in the Gaza Strip.

With tens of thousands of its northern residents having evacuated, Israel has threatened to escalate the Lebanon fighting unless Hezbollah backs off from the border - and has sought Western help in finding a diplomatic solution in Beirut.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Mark Potter)
A freed Israeli hostage held in Hamas tunnels described her 55-day captivity to Business Insider.

Nili Margalit said she got to shower only once a week with cold water and was always hungry.

"I know for a fact that it's getting worse and worse and worse every day," she said of those left.

An Israeli hostage held underground by Hamas said the conditions in the tunnels were so bad that she would always be hungry and got to shower only once a week, with cold water.

Nili Margalit, 41, was taken hostage during Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.

She was among the more than 100 hostages recently freed under a cease-fire deal .

Margalit described her 55-day ordeal to Business Insider's Spriha Srivastava at Davos last month.

"It took me a while to understand this surreal, surreal situation," she said. "The first couple of days were about adjusting  not eating and needing to ask to go to the bathroom."

She said that Hamas militants gave them "one meal a day, like a small bowl of rice," and that showers in cold water were a weekly occurrence at best.

Margalit, a nurse at a local hospital, said hygiene was "so poor" that there were cases of "gastrointestinal conditions" among the hostages, and that medication was so scarce that they weren't able to treat chronic illnesses.

During her captivity, she said she also saw about five to six cages with locks on them in the tunnels.

Hamas militants "always threatened us that they would lock us down in the cage if we did not behave," she said.

She declined to describe them further over fears that Hamas fighters might read this story and hurt the hostages.

"I can only speak for the first 55 days, not for the days that I was not there," she said, but added that "it's getting worse and worse and worse every day  they're hungry, they're sick."

Business Insider also spoke with Noam Peri, whose 79-year-old father, Haim Peri, was also taken hostage on October 7.

He is still being held captive, and his family fears for his life.

"Everything is a danger for the hostages; for people like my father's age, it could be any little thing," Peri said. "They can get the flu and die there. They could fall."

Peri added that reporters who have gone into the tunnels said that after an hour, it was impossible to breathe. "So how can the hostages be there for 102 days? They could die any minute."

Noam Peri posing after an interview with Reuters during the World Economic Forum in Davos (WEF), Switzerland, on January 18, 2024. Reuters

Relatives of the hostages have held protests, calling on Israeli authorities to do more to release their loved ones. Twenty individuals stormed a parliamentary committee in Jerusalem on January 22, per Reuters .

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has pledged to secure the freedom of all the hostages, regardless of their age, gender, or military status.

He also said the protests don't help and only "hardens Hamas' demands and delays the results that we all want," The Jerusalem Post reported .

During a temporary cease-fire in November, Hamas released 105 hostages . Israel says there are still 132 missing, of whom about 27 are now thought to be dead.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Special counsel Jack Smiths office is defending how the federal government during Joe Bidens presidency sought to repossess White House records Donald Trump took, and how the case evolved into a federal investigation.

The expansive, 67-page filing offers a detailed retelling of the standoff with Trump as a way to set the record straight, Smiths prosecutors say, on the origins of the Mar-a-Lago documents case, as they fight to keep the case on track for a spring trial.

After the search of Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida estate, in August 2022, federal investigators pursued a careful and thorough investigation, seeking information from intelligence agencies, the National Archives and other parts of the federal government before bringing criminal charges against Trump for mishandling documents, the special counsels office said.

The prosecutors say Trumps legal team has attempted to distort the events in his favor  including by claiming he had a security clearance that extended past his presidency. He is seeking to convince a federal judge in Florida to force the Justice Department to give him more documents as evidence in the case from several sensitive parts of the federal government, including the Biden White House, the Department of Energy and the US intelligence community.

Prosecutors retelling of the investigation on Friday is based on documents theyve turned over to Trumps legal team already that may be used as evidence in the upcoming trial against him, according to the filing.

Federal agencies confronted, and appropriately responded to, an extraordinary situation resulting entirely from the defendants conduct, the prosecutors wrote.

The law required that those documents be collected, the prosecutors also said in the filing.

White House communications

The dispute of what happened dates to the end of the Trump presidency and early days of the Biden White House, when it became clear to federal government agencies and to Trumps representatives that boxes of presidential documents were missing.

Specifically, prosecutors say then-White House lawyer Jonathan Su, who worked under Biden, spoke with Trump aides who handled his presidential records post-presidency and with the National Archives, at a time when the groups had to coordinate discussions about missing presidential records.

Trump has tried to claim Sus involvement  and the role of his successors White House in discussions about his presidential records  was improper. But the prosecutors on Friday wrote Trumps team not only knew of the Biden White House being part of the discussion, they also approved of it.

The White House Counsels Office became involved because of the need to consult its personnel about missing Trump Administration Presidential records, the prosecutors wrote on Friday.

Later, in early 2022, when presidential records from Trumps White House were shipped back to the National Archives, archivists found classified records among them, prompting them to contact the Justice Department to begin a criminal investigation.

Trump has taken issue with how the DOJ handled the investigation and has accused various agencies of working together to smear him after he left the presidency.

On Friday, the special counsels office argued the cases evolution followed Justice Department protocol, including in how White House employees spoke with DOJ officials.

The record shows only different government agencies, with specific portfolios and responsibilities, at work to solve an increasingly vexing and concerning problem, prosecutors said. The defendants legal problems are solely of their own making.

Prosecutors say Trump did not hold a security clearance after leaving office

Smiths team said that they scoured all records and found no evidence Trump held security clearance after he left office, despite his attorneys claiming he did.

Trumps attorneys have argued that the former president held the security clearance from the Department of Energy  which works with the nations nuclear arsenal  after he left office, which, they said, could support an argument that Trump was acting in a good faith and non-criminal states of mind relating to possession of classified materials in Mar-a-Lago.

Prosecutors produced a memorandum from the assistant general counsel in Department of Energy, which stated that Trump did have a high security clearance, called Q clearance, in connection with his duties as president, but that Trumps clearance had terminated upon the end of his presidency.

Trumps name was inadvertently left on the DOE database as having the Q clearance after his term ended, the general counsel wrote in their memo, and was belatedly updated to reflect that reality when DOE officials learned of the mistake.

But even if Trumps Q clearance had remained active, that fact would not give him the right to take any documents containing information subject to the clearance to his home and store it in his basement or anywhere else at Mar-a-Lago, prosecutors wrote. No Q clearance holder has authorization to remove documents from a proper place of storage and keep them for himself. And a Q clearance would not even permit access to, much less offsite possession of, the documents charged in Counts 1-18 and 20-32.

Additionally, prosecutors produced search results from the Scattered Castles database, which records the security clearances maintained by the Intelligence Community, and from Department of Defense databases. Prosecutors wrote that their searches yielded no past or present security clearances for Trump.

The documents are among more than 1.28 million pages of unclassified discovery that prosecutors have given Trumps defense lawyers in the classified documents case.

Those documents include key records from their investigation, security footage from Mar-a-Lago, information that defense lawyers could use to impeach potential trial witnesses, and records about secured facilities that could be used to accommodate access to classified information at properties associated with Trump during his presidency.

The special counsels team has also turned over a significant amount of information on the search at Mar-a-Lago on August 8, 2022. That information, prosecutors wrote, includes the FBI operations plan for the search, chain of custody reports and descriptions of evidence seized, CCTV footage from the day of the search, communications obtained from Trump Organization and Mar-a-Lago employees from that day, photographs taken during the search, inventories of the documents found at the property, and the documents that the FBI seized.

Defense lawyers have access to a significant amount of Secret Service records, according to prosecutors, including plans for enhanced security at Mar-a-Lago, records of security breaches at Mar-a-Lago and the fact that approximately 48,000 guests who visited Mar-a-Lago between January 2021 and May 2022, while classified documents were at the property, but only 2,200 had their names checked and only 2,900 passed through magnetometers.

Additionally, prosecutors turned over all discoverable material from (the National Archives) within its possession and all discoverable material stemming from the investigating agents contacts with FBI Headquarters.

Fight over evidence

In their filing, prosecutors argue that Trump and his co-defendants in the case are not entitled to the internal government communications the former president is seeking as part of discovery, which, they say, are protected by law as work products of the team of prosecutors.

Trumps attorneys, in a filing in mid-January, sought access to Biden-era White House records and records from the Intelligence Community, arguing that Bidens administration took steps to create a false appearance of separation from the investigation.

Prosecutors, however, shot back, saying that much of the specific requests from Trumps team seek evidence from agencies  including NARA, the White House, and the Intelligence Community  that are not part of the prosecution team.

They added: No personnel from the National Security Council, the White House Counsels Office, the Office of Records Management, or any other White House component participated in any interviews (except as witnesses), presented the case to the grand jury, accompanied prosecutors to any court proceedings, or played any role in the development of prosecutorial strategy.

Additionally, the Intelligence Community played no investigatory role in this case, the filing says, and were therefore not part of the prosecution team.

Smiths team also says that some of the evidence Trump is looking for either does not exist or isnt in prosecutors possession.

According to the filing, there has not been any communication between prosecutors and Biden or senior White House political officials either about the investigation or otherwise.

To be clear, the defendants requests are predicated on a false narrative, prosecutors wrote of Trumps claims that the Justice Department is targeting him for political purposes.

Prosecutors continued: The investigation and prosecution of this case have been appropriately driven by the facts and the law, not by any form of political bias.

Smiths team argued that Trump should also not be allowed to use this claim of selective prosecution as part of his defense at trial because its an issue for the judge to decide, not a jury.

The well-settled proposition, prosecutors wrote, is that selective-prosecution claims have no place at trial.

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Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and his wife Misty will appear in court Monday after they were both charged on five counts of theft and tax evasion Wednesday.

Investigators with the Indiana State Police allege that from 2018-2022, the couple had failed to report a total of $3.4 million in credit card expenses on the tax forms of a nonprofit fire department Jamey Noel ran. The expenses include clothing and jewelry purchases, as well as payments on personal taxes, phone bills and household utilities, among other things, according to court records.

A court hearing will take place at the Clark County Judicial Center in Jeffersonville at 3 p.m. Monday.

More: Jamey Noel case: What to know about the investigation of the former Clark County sheriff

Prior to Wednesday, Misty Noel had not been charged during the criminal investigation of her husband, which began in June. She turned herself into police Thursday, according to a report from WAVE-TV.

The state appointed a special judge for Misty Noel's case, according to court documents. The judge, Larry Medlock, also presides over the case of Jamey Noel.

Misty Noel's was taken into custody two weeks after special prosecutor Richard Hertel said in a hearing that the state was prepared to charge her. At the time, Hertel did not specify what the charges would be.

More: What charges does former Clark County sheriff Jamey Noel face?

Jamey Noel now faces 10 additional charges after he was charged with 15 felonies in November in connection with various allegations. Investigators allege Noel hired county employees to do work for his personal interests, used a business credit card for private purposes and falsified documents to help an officer receive unauthorized pension funds, among other charges.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jamey and Misty Noel charged with theft and tax evasion
WASHINGTON  A Pennsylvania man who marched to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, with a giant flag portraying former President Donald Trump as "Rambo" and then led the violent breach of the police line was convicted on several felony charges Friday.

Ryan Samsel, one of the first instigators of the Capitol riot, was convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards as well as felony counts of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. He remains in custody.

U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb  who oversaw the bench trial of Samsel and co-defendants James Tate Grant, Paul Russell Johnson, Stephen Chase Randolph and Jason Benjamin Blythe last year  convicted all the defendants of at least two felonies each.

She also found them not guilty on three misdemeanor offenses, reasoning that prosecutors had not proven that the five men were aware at the time that a Secret Service protectee  in this case, then-Vice President Mike Pence  was in the Capitol building.

Video from Jan. 6 showed Samsel speaking with Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs  who is serving a 17-year prison sentence after his seditious conspiracy conviction in March  at Peace Circle near the Capitol. Moments later, Samsel proceeded to the police line, took off his jean jacket, flipped his "Make America Great Again" hat backwards, and began ripping down the bike racks that were used to form a line of defense. In doing so, Edwards went sailing backward and struck her head on a banister, briefly knocking her unconscious.

Edwards, who testified before the House Jan. 6 committee in June 2022, also testified at Samsel's trial in October.

The lights were on, Edwards said, describing her mental state after she hit her head on the metal handrail, but no one was home.

Caroline Edwards during a hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol (Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images file )

Samsel and Grant have been held in custody, and the government sought to lock up the three other defendants after their convictions, noting that federal guidelines stipulate that individuals convicted of violent crimes shall be taken into custody after their convictions, absent exceptional circumstances.

The judge allowed the other three defendants, who had not been detained, to leave the courthouse on Friday, and asked prosecutors and defense attorneys to write legal briefs laying out what should happen to them until their sentencing hearing in June.

Video from Jan. 6 also showed that Ray Epps  a Trump supporter who faced threats after he became the target of conspiracy theories spread on far-right media outlets and Fox News  spoke with Samsel, with Epps whispering in his ear just before Samsel set off the attack on the police line. Both Epps and Samsel, in separate interviews with the FBI, indicated that Epps told Samsel to calm down, and that the police at the Capitol had been doing their job that day, but Samsel has since backtracked, as he's characterized himself as a "political prisoner" in interviews with a far-right media outlet.

Randolph's arrest in 2021 came after the FBI ran his photo through a facial recognition program and turned up a hit on his girlfriend's Instagram page. Two undercover special agents were then sent to his place of employment and got him to talk about his involvement in the attack.

It was one of the few times that the FBI has acknowledged using facial recognition software. Publicly available facial recognition websites are a tool frequently used by online "sedition hunters" who have aided the FBI in hundreds of cases against Capitol rioters.

More than 1,250 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and the Justice Department has secured about 900 convictions on charges ranging from unlawful picketing to seditious conspiracy.

More arrests were made this week, including a New Jersey man who was wearing a Philadelphia Eagles beanie on Jan. 6 and, authorities say, used a bullhorn to help organize a breach on the east side of the Capitol.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A New Jersey acupuncturist is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his female clients, authorities announced Saturday.

Dr. Jeng Kuan was arrested earlier this week on one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a statement. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred at the Prosperity Health Center, which has offices along Route 34 in Matawan.

Kuan serves as the facilitys clinical director, the Shore News Network reported.

The Matawan Police Department launched an investigation alongside the Special Victims Bureau with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office after one of Kuans patients claimed he assaulted her during an appointment on Jan. 25, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. Kuan was taken into custody on Thursday, though police did not provide what specific evidence resulted in his arrest.

According to his LinkedIn page, Kuan has worked at Prosperity Health since 2009. Hes also listed as an owner and chiropractor at the facility, which aims to educate our patients about chiropractic, acupuncture and other natural solutions to common health problems.

Our focus is not merely on symptom relief, he adds. It is about learning, understanding and taking care of your body to improve your quality of life.

Kuan was being held at Monmouth County jail as of Saturday afternoon. His next court appearance is slated for Wednesday.
Joe Biden watches a US Army team carrying the remains of a soldier who died in the recent Jordan drone strike - Shutterstock/Michael Reynolds

Joe Biden began his presidency by promising to end the forever wars in the Middle East, but like almost every United States president in modern history, he has been forced back into a regional conflict with an uncertain end.

The air strikes on Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militants are a sign that the latest crisis has become the biggest challenge to Mr Bidens presidency yet.

Last weekend, the conflict claimed the lives of the first US troops to die since Oct 7, the day that Hamas launched its terror attacks on Israel and plunged the region into conflict.

On Friday night, Mr Biden made his willingness clear to engage US military might in the region. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, he said.

But what followed was an unequivocal warning. If you harm an American, we will respond.

The daring raid to strike Irans proxies in Iraq and Syria is the latest step in the formation of a Biden doctrine on the Middle East that has emerged since the war in Gaza broke out last year.

The Hamas attacks have spawned a wider Middle Eastern conflict, fuelled by Iran, that has challenged the White Houses intended strategy to reduce US involvement in the region.

The war in Gaza has made an alliance with Saudi Arabia even more necessary - Shutterstock/Ismael Mohamad

On the campaign trail, Mr Biden talked of offering Tehran a credible path to diplomacy. In office, he struck a hostage deal that saw $6 billion (4.75 billion) of Iranian assets unfrozen in South Korea. Now, the goal of an uneasy coexistence with Iran seems all but impossible.

One pillar of the latest strategy is to rely far more heavily on Saudi Arabia than Mr Biden had ever intended.

Despite his pledges to be tough on the country over its human rights record, the White House is marching towards the idea of a US-Saudi security agreement, and has focused heavily on brokering a normalisation of its relations with Israel.

The war in Gaza has made this alliance even more necessary, and Mr Biden believes it could hold the key to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Last month, Jake Sullivan linked the Saudi-Israeli normalisation agreement explicitly to the Israeli recognition of a Palestinian state  a goal the administration thought was out of reach before the war in Gaza began.

Despite Benjamin Netanyahus resistance to the plan, Washington security chiefs hope that Palestinian statehood would go some way to appeasing Iran and its other regional allies, reducing the attacks by Islamist militants on Israeli and US forces.

At the same time, Mr Biden has been forced back into hostile action in the Middle East. He has deployed aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean and Red Sea and conducted rounds of air strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen and a scattering of militant groups in Iraq and Syria. On Friday, he took a further step and struck the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps itself.

Benjamin Netanyahu is resistant to the idea of a Palestinian state - Shutterstock/Amos Ben Gershom

The shift in stance is a recognition by the White House that the US cannot hope to quietly withdraw itself from the Middle East and leave Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel to compete for dominance.

For one, the US has a powerful alliance with Israel and must participate in the so-called day-after plans for a peaceful two-state solution.

Mr Bidens linking of the Saudi normalisation deal to Palestinian statehood is underpinned by Tel Avivs desire for an Arab ally in the Middle East, and Riyadhs request for US security guarantees. Without US involvement, the deal cannot work.

But the US must also be seen to defend its remaining forces in Iraq and Syria, who have been engaged in a joint mission to defeat the remnants of the Islamic State and to keep Irans proxy groups under control.

Any withdrawal from the region would now appear to be a US defeat at the hands of Iran, emboldening its regional ambitions and risking the security of Washingtons allies.

The death of its troops last weekend only strengthened the case for continued US involvement east of Suez  the same military deployments Mr Biden once said were part of the forever wars.

The White House is walking a delicate path to easing tensions in the Middle East. It must maintain pressure on Iran and bring attacks by its proxy forces to an end, while avoiding a full-scale conflict with Tehran that would plunge the region into even greater chaos.

For Mr Biden, who is in the throes of a re-election campaign, the Middle East question is now one that defines his premiership. Already, he is under pressure from Donald Trump over the death of US personnel and the collapse of a fragile peace in Palestine.

Restoring peace and protecting US allies are not just goals that benefit countries on the other side of the world. They may determine the presidents political survival.

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Destruction after US warplanes carried out an air strike on the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi in Al-Qa'im city of Anbar, Iraq - Anadolu

Standing on the runway of Dover Air Force Base on Friday, Joe Biden watched solemnly as the flag-draped caskets of three troops were returned to the United States.

Five days earlier, Sgt William Rivers, Specialist Kennedy Sanders and Specialist Breonna Moffett had been killed in a drone strike in northern Jordan.

As the coffins were unloaded from a military cargo plane and into a van, Mr Biden knew something the families around him did not.

The mission to avenge their fallen relatives had already begun.

Days of planning had gone into the first part of a multi-tier response by the US against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, inspired by the war in Gaza that began on Oct 7.

On Friday morning, US Air Force B-1B bombers, designed to penetrate Soviet air defences to deliver nuclear bombs, took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas for an immense sortie across the Atlantic Ocean to strike more than 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria.

An aircraft takes off from an unidentified location as the US launched air strikes on targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Reuters

In a period of just 30 minutes at 9pm GMT, the bombers dropped more than 125 precision munitions on command-and-control centres, rocket and missile stockpiles, drone storage sites and supply chain facilities. Fighter jets and drones already based in the region joined the mission, although there was no involvement from either of the US aircraft carriers in the region.

The list of targets, drawn up by US intelligence officials in the aftermath of the Jan 28 attack in Jordan, included sites used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an archipelago of loosely allied proxy groups hostile to the US presence in Iraq and Syria.

By 9.10pm, reports had already begun to emerge on social media of a massive bombing raid across the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Footage posted online showed weapons depots ablaze, with rockets and missiles launching uncontrollably in secondary explosions triggered by the US bombs.

The strikes were designed to send a clear message to Iran and its proxies that, although the US presence in Iraq and Syria is relatively small compared to its peak in 2007, the US remains the worlds undisputed military power and can strike its enemies anywhere on the globe.

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, Mr Biden said, in a statement released shortly after the attacks had concluded.

But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: if you harm an American, we will respond.

Speaking to reporters on an unusual late night on Friday, Lt Gen Douglas Sims, the Pentagons director of operations, said the Biden administration was pretty confident about the outcome of the mission in deterring future attacks on US personnel.

The initial indications were that we hit exactly what we meant to hit, he said.

John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, said: We do not know at this time if or how many militants may have been killed or wounded. All US aircraft are now out of harms way.

The US bombers returned to base at the end of a 44-hour, 15,000-mile round trip  the longest bombing raid and most complex aerial assault carried out by the US since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The Pentagon has now begun a full battle damage assessment that will estimate the impact of the strikes on Iranian forces and those of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), an umbrella grouping of Tehran-backed militants.

Mr Kirby said that the mission had two primary objectives. The first was to send a message to Iran that the militants war of attrition against US bases in the region with suicide drones and missiles would not be tolerated by Washington.

The signal is, to the IRGC and to these groups: the attacks have got to stop, he said.

The second objective is to erode the militants ability to launch further assaults by destroying the weapons they use.

The White House has been clear for weeks that the US believes Iran is providing weapons and funding for strikes on US forces. IRGC troops are operating alongside the IRI, running military bases and supply lines into Iraq and Syria.

Fridays bombing run hit a diverse range of targets, including command-and-control centres, intelligence headquarters, storage sites for rockets, missiles and drones, and ammunition supply chain facilities.

Some of those targets were used by the IRGCs Quds Force  the armed forces foreign espionage and paramilitary arm  and some by the IRI groups it operates with, according to the US Centcom.

However, with Washington concerned about the prospect of a full-scale war with Iran, the Pentagons unspoken caveat was that the bombs were not designed to kill a large number of troops.

Official numbers are not yet public, but an initial assessment by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the strikes killed 23 pro-Iranian fighters in Syria, while Baghdad has said they killed 16 people in Iraq, including civilians.

The small death toll  of less than one person killed for every two precision bombs dropped  is a result of the White Houses decision to broadcast its intention to strike in Iraq and Syria for days before the mission began.

Joe Biden looks on solemnly as flag-draped caskets are returned to the United States - Getty/Kevin Dietsch

By Sunday afternoon, hours after the three US troops were killed in Jordan, Mr Biden was vowing to strike back against those responsible.

Although there was no behind-the-scenes contact between the US administration and Iran between Sunday morning and Friday night, public appearances by US officials had given a strong indication of what the mission would involve.

Off-record briefings to US news organisations made clear that the targets would be in Iraq and Syria, not on Iranian soil, and that they would include facilities run by the IRGC.

By Monday, Tehran had already begun to recall its troops stationed in the region, launching evacuations of bases that had been used in attacks against the US. The Iranian regime issued an alarmed statement denying responsibility for the drone strike in Jordan.

Three days later, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, gave a Pentagon press briefing describing a multi-tier response designed to defend US troops while avoiding war with Iran.

Elsewhere in the same building, administration officials made a decision to hold off on strikes that night because of poor visibility that could endanger civilians near the targets.

The clearly telegraphed warnings to Iran appear to have allowed the IRGC to minimise its losses, and will likely have resulted in the removal of weapons from facilities in Iraq and Syria that Tehran expected to be targeted in the retaliatory strikes.

Although the White House has not discussed its strategy publicly, US officials have been clear that Mr Biden is trying to avoid a full-scale conflict with Iran. Killing a large number of IRGC troops risked inflaming tensions further and worsening the reprisals against US forces.

The strikes nonetheless provoked an immediate response from the Islamic militias.

Within hours, as the B-1B bombers embarked on their 6,000-mile return to Texas, the IRI claimed it had launched a drone strike on the al-Harir air base hosting US forces in northern Iraq, although some security officials suggested the attacks had not been successful.

Strategic mistake by US

On Saturday morning, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said the air strikes were violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq and represent another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability in the region.

Iran has also urged the UN Security Council to intervene, to prevent illegal and unilateral US attacks, and summoned its US envoy in Tehran, while state television networks described US forces as terrorists.

The root cause of tensions and crises in the Middle East is Israels occupation and genocide of Palestinians with Americas unlimited support, the spokesman said.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed it had launched a drone strike on the al-Harir air base (pictured) - Presstv

An Iraqi government response claimed that the bombings undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government and could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences.

Syrias government in Damascus said that occupying parts of Syrian lands by American forces cannot continue, adding: The Syrian army affirms continuing its war against terrorism until it is eliminated and is determined to liberate the entire Syrian territories from terrorism and occupation.

On Saturday, Britain and the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, in a bid to further disable Iran-backed groups in the region.

The new strikes on Saturday hit 36 targets across 13 locations, including buried Houthi weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers and other capabilities that the Houthis have used to attack Red Sea shipping.

The US Central Command confirmed it had destroyed six anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

It was said that the missiles posed an imminent threat to US navy ships and merchant missiles in the region, according to Centcom. The self defence strikes were carried out by US forces at around 7.20pm local time.

This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels, Centcom said.

Little is known about what the next phase of the US response will be, and it will likely be shaped by the events of the next 48 hours, as Washington assesses the diplomatic and military impact of its strikes.

There is talk of the US launching a cyber attack on Iran or its proxy groups, and it is possible that there could be a second round of air strikes to further damage military targets.

The only option that has been explicitly ruled out is a direct attack on Iranian soil, a move that Washington believes would plunge the US into a full-scale war with Tehran.

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A satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows a military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. A satellite image taken Monday of the Jordanian base targeted by a bomb-carrying drone that killed three U.S. soldiers appears to show damage at the site. The damage can be seen in the center left of the photo. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) Planet Labs PBC/AP Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a Pentagon press briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 in Washington. Kevin Wolf/AP President Joe Biden greets service members after arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Alex Brandon/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

President Joe Biden said in a statement: The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

Biden and other top U.S. leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldnt be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

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This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces, Biden said. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

The massive barrage of strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGC's Quds Force, the Guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship and arming of regional militias.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff.

The U.S. strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders, as the U.S. tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack. But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets "were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region.

U.S. Central Command said the strikes used more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States.

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Two Iraqi militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists said that three houses used as headquarters were targeted in al-Qaim, Iraq, including a weapons storage area. An operations headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, in Akashat, Iraq, and weapons stores were targeted.

The assault came came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

It was unclear what the next steps will be, or whether the days of U.S. warnings have sent militia members scattering into hiding, making it more difficult to detect and strike them. But it was evident that the recent statement released by Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, saying it was suspending attacks on American troops had no impact on the administrations plans.

Just Friday morning, Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any U.S. strikes targeting its interests. We will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response, Raisi said.

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government." But Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed Friday to continue military operations against U.S. troops.

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The U.S. has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the deadly attack in Jordan, but has not yet narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataeb Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

Some of the militias have been a threat to U.S. bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israels war with Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The war has led to the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and has inflamed the Middle East.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or U.S. interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and U.S. warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He added, We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interests and our people. And we will respond when we choose, where we choose and how we choose.

At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past, Austin said.

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As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a U.S. military official. The last attack was Jan. 29 at at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The U.S., meanwhile, has bolstered defenses at the base in Jordan that was attacked by the ran-backed militants on Sunday, according to a U.S. official.

And the Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemens Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.

A U.S. official also said the military had taken additional self-defense strikes inside Yemen Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said that British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.

While previous U.S. responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22, as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said.

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That drone attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely Army National Guard  was the first to result in U.S. combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. Tower 22 houses about 350 U.S. troops and sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

Also on Friday, the U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on a network of firms in Iran and Hong Kong that are accused of assisting Iran procure technology to make ballistic weapons and drones. And the U.S. hit six Iranian officials with sanctions for allegedly committing a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the U.S. and other nations.

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Journalists who were filming an anti-mobilization protest outside the Kremlin were detained by the police, independent Russian media outlet Meduza reported on Feb. 3.

Information about the protest was shared by the Telegram channel of "The Way Home," a movement made up of wives and female family members of mobilized Russian soldiers who are unhappy that the men are required to serve until the invasion of Ukraine ends.

"The Way Home" told people to gather near Moscow's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the 500th day of "indefinite mobilization rotations."

Videos on Telegram channels showed that male journalists filming the protests were soon detained. The police detained more than 25 people, with at least one among them a protester, one Russian Telegram channel reported.

"The Way Home" is part of a growing anti-mobilization movement that the Russian government is trying to suppress.

Maria Andreeva, a key face of the movement, has emphasized that she supports the guiding logic of the full-scale invasion, but is protesting the Russian government's treatment of its soldiers and the inability of mobilized men to be rotated out of the front line.

She also has repeated Russian propaganda about the Bucha massacre, in which hundreds of Ukrainian civilians were killed by Russian soldiers, saying that it had been "staged" by the West.

Read also: Russian opposition calls for nomination of anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin in presidential race

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WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump's federal election interference trial in Washington, D.C., will no longer begin on March 4, Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in a court order released Friday.

It is unclear when exactly the trial will now start, but the case has been on pause for nearly two months  Trump's team requested a stay on Dec. 7, and it was granted on Dec. 13  which would mean the soonest the trial could start would likely be late April or early May.

A start date in early May could easily mean the trial wont conclude until after the Republican National Convention, scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee.

In a previous order, Chutkan reiterated that a total of seven months was "sufficient time" for Trump to prepare for trial, not including the time the case has been on pause.

Friday's ruling comes as the D.C. Circuit Court has not yet decided on whether the former president is immune from prosecution. A panel of federal appeals court judges heard oral arguments on Jan. 9, and the case is on an expedited schedule.

"The court will set a new schedule if and when the mandate is returned," said the court order from Chutkan.

A lawyer for Trump and a spokesman for the special counsel both declined to comment.

There were previous hints that the March 4 start date would not go ahead as scheduled. Chutkan was set to oversee trial proceedings in a separate case on April 2, according to court schedules, which could have overlapped with Trump's case if March 4 had still been the start date. As recently as Thursday, D.C.'s court calendar also did not list Chutkan as overseeing a case on March 4.

Special counsel Jack Smiths office has previously estimated that the prosecution would need no longer than four to six weeks to present its case, and potential jurors were told the trial "may last approximately three months after jury selection is completed."

The original March 4 trial start date put the high-profile case amid the Republican primary, just one day before voters in 16 states cast their ballots on Super Tuesday.

One of Trump's lawyers, D. John Sauer, has argued before the D.C. Circuit Court that a president can be prosecuted for private conduct, but he says that Trump has immunity from prosecution because of the Constitution's separation of powers principle. Sauer has said that when Trump questioned the 2020 election results and pushed for Congress to block certification, he was acting in an official capacity as president.

The president has embraced the argument in social media posts.

"A president of the United States must have full immunity, without which it would be impossible for him/her to properly function, Trump said in a post to Truth Social in January.

The elimination of the March 4 start date increases the chances that Trump's New York case involving allegations of hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels will be the former president's next trial. That case is currently set to start on March 25.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
OLD FORGE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A Lackawanna County judge has granted a motion to suppress evidence against Justin Schuback in the alleged 2017 murder of Robert Baron.

On Thursday, September 14, 2023, Justin Schubacks defense attorneys Bernard Brown and Jordan Leonard filed motions to exclude or suppress evidence against their client as well as, change the venue of the case

Justin Schuback

On Thursday, January 25, Lackawanna County Judge Joseph Nealon granted the motion to exclude or suppress statements made by Schuback and said his right to counsel and his right against self-incrimination were violated.

Schuback attorneys file motions to suppress evidence in Baron murder case

During his interrogation with Pennsylvania State Trooper Greg Allen and Lackawanna County Detective Sheryl Turner, Schuback denied any involvement in the murder and was informed of his right to remain silent and his right to have an attorney present.

Com.-v.-Schuback-No.-23-CR-1218-1-25-24Download

According to the court filing, Schuback stated twice during the interrogation that he needed a lawyer, and because the interrogation did not immediately end, Judge Nealon granted the motion.

According to the Judges order (seen above), the other motions filed by Shubacks lawyers, which were a motion to suppress Cell Site Location/Range-to-Tower Evidence and the motion to change venue, were denied. So, police will still be able to use the cell site location but, anything stated in the interrogation will now be inadmissible at the trial.

Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell said in a statement, We are looking forward to proceed to trial which is set for May 6, 2024. Since the case is pending I am unable to comment further.

Schuback has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and a new trial date has now been set for Monday, May 6.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY  The man arrested following a Friday crash on Interstate 95 that resulted in the death of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a truck driver was ordered Saturday to be held in jail without bond.

Michael Anthony Addison, 30, of North Lauderdale in Broward County, was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail at 9:21 p.m. Friday following the crash more than 15 hours earlier that fatally injured Trooper Zachary Fink, 26, and a truck driver whose semi collided with Finks patrol car.

Charles Tony Schwab, the chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, at a 9 a.m. hearing read off the charges to Addison, dressed in orange jail clothing, which included two warrants out of Broward County.

Charles Tony Schwab, the chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, at a 9 a.m. hearing Feb. 3, 2024, in which Michael Anthony Addison was read his charges.

The charges included fleeing and eluding with lights and siren active; aggravated fleeing and eluding resulting in serious injury or death; two counts of vehicular homicide; and driving on a suspended license resulting in death or serious injury.

Schwab told Addison he has a total of $300,000 bond on some charges, but imposed no bond on others.

The Broward County warrants related to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Before you start posting bond for $300,000 on the ones that you can bond on, talk with your lawyer first. It may be wasted money because you can't get out anyway, Schwab said. Understand also, sir, that Broward County has imposed no bond on their warrants.

Trooper Zachary Fink, died early Friday after pursuing a white Kia on I-95 that officials later identified to be driven by Addison.

At a news conference Friday, FHP Col. Gary Howze II, described the events that began at 2:40 a.m. when a St. Lucie County sheriff's deputy made contact with a white Kia driven on West Midway Road. He said the vehicle was driving reckless "at least twice the legal speed limit."

A deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle took off.

A short pursuit ensued, after which the deputy sheriff disengaged, Howze said.

The driver continued fleeing and 8 minutes later at 2:48 a.m., Fink saw the Kia and observed the vehicle exceeding the speed limit. Fink was pursuing the car, when it made an abrupt turn, and began traveling the wrong way on the highway, Howze said.

That's when Fink also turned with the vehicle, but into the immediate path of a semi, which struck the left driver side of his patrol car. The semi driver died at the scene. Fink, who was rushed to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, later died there.

Zachary Fink: Just a nice guy

No one answered the door Saturday at Finks home in Port St. Lucie, but neighbors remembered him fondly.

Denise Villalobos, 69, said she moved in in August 2022 and Fink and his fiancee moved in not long afterward.

You could tell that he was just such a kind person. Very, very nice kind person, Villalobos said. I mean, genuinely, and when he said, If you need anything, you can always knock on our door, I know he meant it.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink.

Villalobos said when they moved in they introduced themselves.

Yesterday (Friday) when I heard what happened, it just broke my heart, she said. We need more people in the world like them.

Another neighbor is Karen McCall, 71, who also remarked on Finks friendly personality.

When he first moved in, he came around and shook everybody's hand and introduced himself, McCall said.

She said Fink and his fiancee lived in the single-story home.

At Christmas time, I saw them out when they were putting out the lights, and they were having such a wonderful time doing that, McCall said.

She said they have a dog they loved.

They were just really a friendly couple. .. he was just a nice guy, McCall said.

Meanwhile, in a different part of Port St. Lucie, an FHP trooper and vehicle were parked in front of a home where Finks family lives. The trooper declined to speak about Fink, citing the ongoing investigation. He said Fink's father also declined comment.

Neighbors there either did not know the trooper or declined comment.

Fink's death comes four years after the slaying of Trooper Joseph Bullock, 42, who died after being shot Feb. 5, 2020, on I-95 in Martin County while helping a disabled motorist south of State Road 714.

Bullocks alleged killer, Franklin Reed III of Palm Bay, was fatally shot by Riviera Beach police Officer Jemel Headings, who happened upon the scene, in an incident that shut down I-95 for several hours.

A portion of I-95 in Martin County and the Fort Pierce FHP station in St. Lucie County later were named in Bullocks honor.

Community mourns: Law enforcement community honors Trooper Zachary Fink

What we know: Feb. 2 crash kills trooper, truck driver

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: Broward County man charged in death of FHP Trooper Zachary Fink
Former President Donald Trump speaks after meeting with members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters at their headquarters in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has filed a delay in an election subversion trial against Trump. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press

Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan filed for a delay in former President Donald Trumps 2020 election interference case in Washington, D.C., on Friday. The trial was set to begin on March 4 but was postponed for reasons regarding Trumps push for immunity from prosecution.

In October, Trumps lawyers submitted a motion to dismiss the case, which Chutkan rejected. A month later, Trumps legal team pushed for a temporary suspension of the case, which was approved on Dec. 13.

Chutkan has not yet scheduled a new date for the case in Washington, stating she will determine a date after Trumps immunity claims are addressed.

The immunity claims are now in front of a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which has been mulling the issue since oral arguments were heard on Jan. 9, per The New York Times. The panel, which expressed skepticism about Mr. Trumps position, has yet to return a decision after setting an extremely aggressive schedule for briefings to be filed.

Related

A previous order filed by Chutkan in January stated that Trump and his team would get a full seven months between the indictment and trial and that it would be sufficient time to advise with counsel and prepare his defense, not taking into account the time in which the trial is on hold.

Trumps attorneys have argued that Trump could not face criminal prosecution because he was not first convicted in the Senates impeachment trial over his actions around the 2020 election, according to Axios. And because Trumps actions around that time were performed within the outer perimeter of the presidents official duties. They cited the 1982 Supreme Court case, Nixon v. Fitzgerald.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A jury on Friday found a Salt Lake City police officer not guilty of aggravated assault after he ordered his dog to bite a man who was kneeling against a fence almost four years ago.

Nickolas Pearce was charged with second-degree felony aggravated in connection to an arrest in April of 2020. Had he been convicted, he would have faced up to 15 years in prison.

Salt Lake City police suspend use of K9s after man was attacked while complying

On Friday, the jury deliberated for an hour-and-a-half before delivering the verdict. They had listened to days of testimony in the case.

Following the announcement, Salt Lake City Attorney Sim Gill, who brought the charge against Pearce, said he respects the jurys decision, although it wasnt the one his office worked to prove.

In my role as the District Attorney, I believe one of the most important duties I have is oversight over the use of force by those who are sworn to serve and protect our community, Gill said. Although this case did not end in the way we had hoped, this office will continue in that duty of oversight.

The charge against Pearce stemmed from the arrest of Jeffrey Ryans on April 24, 2020. Pearce was accused of ordering his dog, Tuco, to bite Ryans, who was kneeling against a fence with his hands raised. Ryans said he was cooperating with officers, who had been called on a domestic violence call.



Pearce testified that he did not believe Ryans was following commands to get on the ground. He said that with his hand on the fence, Ryans could have pulled himself up to fight officers or flee.



At that moment when I saw him at the wall, it confirmed my suspicion that he was probably going to try to flee, Pearce testified on Thursday. In my estimation, in everything I had gathered at that point, he was fleeing over the back wall.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Netflix's "Griselda" showrunner Eric Newman shared that the series was intended to be six episodes only due to its practicality to the production and the main actress Sofia Vergara.

"Griselda" debuted on Netflix on January 25 featuring the real-life story of drug lord Griselda Blanco.

Read Also: Disney+, Hulu Start Cracking Down on Password Sharing After Netflix

Story Behind Netflix Miniseries "Griselda"

According to Newman, "Griselda" has been planned for so long with Vergara initiating to take the role while he was working on the second season of "Narcos" in 2015. However, it was only in 2021 that Netflix gave a go signal to the production.

"Griselda requires a much more focused telling, not just to highlight Sofia's spectacular performance, but just to live in the intimacy of this story, and to allow an audience to connect with a single mother, an immigrant who's trying to do the best for her kids and gets lost," the creator shared.

Meanwhile, Newman explained that six episodes were the ideal number for one director to handle the length and prep time to complete the series. Moreover, Vergara has been hosting "America's Got Talent" so it contributed to the limited production window.

Netflix Ends 'Griselda' in Different Way

The ending of "Griselda" did not show the demise of the titular character but the show ended in an unexpected yet real way. Although some viewers felt it was cut short, Newman explained that it was intentional.

"We had to show this is someone who cared about her children," he stated. The show is about showing how death was not Griselda's death but the loss of her sons, whom she was protecting from the beginning of the series.

Likewise, Vergara faced challenges in portraying Griselda in the final episode, citing that she had to tap into her past life. This included her brother getting killed in the '90s for being part of the narco system.

"Griselda" is co-created by Newman, Carlo Bernard, Ingrid Escajeda, and Doug Miro. Meanwhile, Vergara took the role of the executive producer with Andres Baiz as the director.

Read Also: Netflix is Making Another Huge Change in 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'
A jury found a 43-year-old Wichita man  who previously had spent about 20 years in prison for murder  guilty of first-degree murder in the 2019 Christmas Eve killing of his girlfriend.

Jurors, on Friday, deliberated for just over 4.5 hours before finding Ahmad Khaasanouva Bey guilty of the murder charge and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon in the killing of 41-year-old Melinda K. Sprague, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office.

Bey is scheduled to be sentenced March 22.

Spragues body was found stuffed in the trunk of her car behind a business in the 1500 block of East Harry a couple days after she was killed. A coworker reported her missing when she didnt show up for work on Christmas Eve.

Beys ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Lynne Waner, was previously charged with concealing, destroying or altering evidence in the killing, but that charge was later dropped. Waner told police she drove Spragues car and left it behind the business, according to an affidavit released in the case.

Waner said she left the car there because it didnt have enough gas to run an errand for her roommate and ex-boyfriend, Bey, the affidavit says. She told police she didnt know Spragues body was in the trunk.

Bey was on parole for a 1999 Pittsburg, Kansas, killing when he was arrested in Spragues death.

He had been in prison just about 20 years for second-degree murder in the killing of 19-year-old Victor L. Conger, according to media reports and Kansas Department of Corrections records.

Bey and his younger brother, Yusif Rashed Bey, were walking from Dillons when they saw Conger counting money in a car, according to the Parsons Sun.

Yusif Bey, who was convicted of first-degree murder, shot Conger while Ahmad Bey put the car in park before they left with the money, the newspaper reported. Yusif Bey was released on parole in 2021, KDOC records show.

The Bey brothers were 18 and 17 when the killing happened.

Yusif Bey has more than 60 disciplinary reports from his time in prison, KDOC records show; Ahmad Bey has 24.
MARYSVILLE (KSNT)  A local police department is warning people about a nicotine product in circulation among Kansas youths.

On Friday, Feb. 2, the Marysville Police Department (MPD) took to social media to inform locals about the product Zyn. The department describes Zyn as a flavored nicotine pouch which is meant to act as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.

Weve heard from some concerned parents that youth are using multiple pouches at a time for a euphoric effect or a high up to 30 minutes, and thats led to some side effects including vomiting. Zyn comes in a small pouch and can easily be hidden in the upper lip. MPD social media statement excerpt

The MPD said it was sharing information about Zyn for informational purposes as the product is popular among teenagers. The issues potentially posed by Zyn go beyond Kansas borders however.

I did everything I was supposed to do: Kansas wildlife officials remove anglers trophy catch from state record list

Zyn is a hot topic among the nations top leaders in Washington D.C. at present, with figures such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, debating use of the product, according to an article from The Hill. Democrats like Schumer are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate Zyn over its effects on peoples health along with its marketing strategies while Republicans like Greene oppose moves to curtail access to the product.

Zyn is manufactured by Swedish Match which aims to create A world without cigarettes, according to its website. This is done to improve the publics health by selling products like Zyn as alternatives to smoking cigarettes. Zyn is specifically marketed as an adult nicotine product for people over the age of 21.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Kari Lake, the Republican Senate frontrunner, was scheduled Friday to attend a fundraiser hosted by two donors who have expressed support for the far-right conspiracy theory known as "QAnon."

The event was first reported by Politico.

The donors, Caryn and Michael Borland, have promoted the QAnon conspiracy theory, a belief system centered on claims made by an anonymous individual known as Q that holds that former President Donald Trump is fending off forces of evil within the government, often involving child sex trafficking.

Trump himself has declined to dismiss the theory when asked by reporters, saying that its adherents support him. He repeatedly has included QAnon symbols in his social media posts.

Candidate for U.S. Senate Kari Lake arrives at the caucus night party hosted by Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Iowa Events Center on Jan. 15, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa.

According to a copy of the event invitation obtained by The Arizona Republic, the fundraiser was set for Friday evening at the Borlands home in Prescott. The price of tickets ranged from $50 up to $13,200 per person.

Awesome night underway in Prescott alongside Steve Bannon and @KariLake 



AZ is key this coming November and Im proud to stand with these fighters. #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/GEHBqtB4TT  Eli Crane for Congress (@EliCraneAZ) February 3, 2024

Freshman Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., posted photos of himself, Lake and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon at an event Friday evening.

"Awesome night underway in Prescott alongside Steve Bannon and @KariLake," Crane wrote on the social media platform X. "AZ is key this coming November and Im proud to stand with these fighters. #AmericaFirst."

In 2020, former Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to host a fundraiser with the couple in Montana. The event was canceled after the Associated Press reported on the couples social media posts supporting QAnon.

The Borlands are frequent political donors, together contributing upwards of $1 million to help elect Trump in 2020, according to New York Times reporting. They gave more than $500,000 to conservative political candidates or causes during 2022. Each has contributed the maximum amount of $6,600 to Lakes ongoing Senate campaign, federal election records show.

Media contacts for Lakes Senate campaign did not respond to The Republic's request for comment.

Laura Gersony covers national politics for The Arizona Republic. Contact her at 480-372-0389 or lgersony@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake news: She was to attend fundraiser hosted by QAnon backers
Over two dozen middle-school employees in Kentucky won a $1 million lottery prize.

The "Jones 30," a group of current and former school employees, have played the lottery for years.

They hid their winning ticket in a math textbook, the group's organizer told the Kentucky Lottery.

A few dozen middle-school employees in Kentucky banded together to play the lottery and won a $1 million prize.

The group of current and former employees of Rector A. Jones Middle School in Florence, Kentucky, calls itself the "Jones 30" and has played the lottery for over a decade.

"We all taught at the same school at one point or another," one winner told the Kentucky Lottery, according to a press release.

"We've got counselors, admins, special ed teachers, the school nurse," she added. "Some have moved on or retired but we still continue to do it. We've remained buddies for all of these years."

On January 30, the group carpooled to the lottery's office after work to collect their winnings from the January 27 Powerball drawing: $24,000 each, after taxes. After playing the same numbers weekly since 2019, they matched every one except the Powerball number.

A retired math teacher kept the group organized, stashing the winning ticket in a math textbook, she told the Kentucky Lottery.

"No one looks in a math book," she said. "I knew it would be safe therepage 200. I have checked this a thousand times."

The group says they will continue playing the lottery together.

"A lot of us have gone on trips together, we've had babies and grandbabies over the years," one winner said in the press release. "We always have so much fun. It's just cool to win as a group and share this experience."

Read the original article on Business Insider
South Carolina is officially kicking off the Democrats presidential nominating cycle with its primary Saturday, weeks after President Biden won as a write-in candidate in New Hampshires unsanctioned contest last month.

Its the first time the Palmetto State will be first in the partys official lineup, and the state is expected to be a crucial metric of Bidens reelection bid.

South Carolina hosts its Republican primary three weeks later, as former President Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley battle to win Haleys home state.

Heres what to know about South Carolinas primaries this month:

Democrats shake up primary calendar

New Hampshire Democrats voted last month, but national Democrats arent counting that contest toward delegates for the partys convention this summer.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is going with a Biden-backed plan to reshuffle the partys nominating calendar in an effort to amplify diversity in the early states  booting Iowa and New Hampshire out of their first-in-the-nation slots to put South Carolina at the start of the lineup.

States that vote or caucus first are widely seen as key to candidates momentum for the rest of the nominating cycle, and the DNC aimed to elevate voices of color by putting more demographically diverse states earlier in the timeline.

Democrats in the Granite State, though, bucked the plan and held an unsanctioned Jan. 23 primary, which the DNC at one point knocked as detrimental.

Biden, whose name didnt appear on the New Hampshire ballot, won the Democratic race with the help of a write-in campaign from his supporters in the state  but the DNC said delegates werent up for grabs.

Now, South Carolina will officially kick-start the Democrats process as the first state with Biden officially on the ballot.

Biden courts Black voters

South Carolina was pivotal for Biden when he clinched the Democratic nomination in 2020, which showcased his support among Black voters.

While South Carolina has been moved earlier in the Democrats calendar to elevate diverse voices, Biden has also seen warning signs for his support among Black voters, making the Palmetto State a critical first test in the cycle.

A November poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that 22 percent of Black voters in six battleground states  not including South Carolina  said they would support Trump in this years election.

Though Biden saw 71 percent support, the Trump figure is the highest percentage among Black voters a Republican presidential candidate has seen in a half century.

When it comes to African American voters, I want to be very clear about this, that no administration has done as much for the African American community as President Biden and Vice President Harris, Quentin Fulks, the principal deputy campaign manager for the Biden campaign, said last month when asked about the dip in support among the key demographic.

Biden challengers on the ballot

Biden, the incumbent and clear Democratic front-runner, will officially face his long-shot challengers for the first time on the Palmetto States ballot.

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips (D) scored about 20 percent in New Hampshires unofficial contest last week, behind the roughly 64 percent that went to Bidens write-in effort.

Self-help author Marianne Williamson, who also ran for the White House back in 2020, earned 4 percent in the Granite State.

There are 65 delegates up for grabs in South Carolina, and a Democratic candidate needs 2,330 to secure the nomination.

Republicans vote Feb. 24

On the Republican side, GOP White House hopefuls have already had two official nominating contests, with Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses and New Hampshires first-in-the-nation primary last month.

Trump won both, and several top contenders exited the race as voters began to weigh in.

Now, the race is down to a one-on-one between Trump and Haley, who came in third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire.

The next race on the calendar for Republicans is Nevada, which is set to see both a state-run presidential preference primary Feb. 6 and a state party-run caucus Feb. 8.

Trump will be participating in the caucus, while Haley will be taking part only in the primary  a process thats sown confusion for voters in Nevada and prompted many in the party to turn their eyes to South Carolina, the fourth state on the GOP calendar.

The Palmetto States Republican primary will come Feb. 24  roughly three weeks after the Democratic contest Feb. 3 .

Stakes are high for Haley, who was previously the governor of South Carolina, as she faces questions about her momentum to move forward  and as she looks to avoid embarrassment in her home state.

The latest polling averages from The Hill and Decision Desk HQ show Trump with a 30-point lead over Haley in South Carolina.

South Carolinians can vote in both contests

In South Carolinas open primary system, registered voters can participate in either major partys primary, regardless of affiliation.

You can pick either primary but you can only vote in one, according to the South Carolina Election Commissions rules.

The state doesnt require voters to register by party in order to take part in the process, and voting in either partys presidential primary doesnt confine the voter to that same partys state primary later this year.

Voters had to meet January registration deadlines  Jan. 4 for Democrats and Jan. 25 for Republicans  in order to cast their ballots on Election Day.

Polls in South Carolina will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day, and anyone in line at closing will be allowed to vote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The United States on Friday conducted major airstrikes on dozens of targets across Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan last month that killed three US troops.

The strikes were larger in number and scale than previous ones launched since October, when Iran-backed armed groups began attacking US forces across the region in protest of Israels war in Gaza.

With the US warning of more strikes to follow, heres what we know.

What triggered the strikes?

The US strikes were in response to a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on a US military outpost in Jordan on January 28, which killed three US service members and wounded more than 40 others.

The attack marked the worst loss of US military life in the region in nearly three years and the first US military fatalities since the war in Gaza erupted.

US President Joe Biden at the time vowed to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.

The attack in Jordan marked a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Iran-backed groups attacking American bases across the region in protest at Israels war in Gaza. Believed to be funded and trained by Iran, these groups view the US as responsible for Israels actions by supplying weapons to the Jewish state and failing to force a ceasefire.

Immediately after US officials in Washington received word that Tower 22 in Jordan was struck, Biden was presented with, and approved, a range of options on Sunday for retaliation, multiple sources told CNN.

Biden specifically gave the green light for the first set of strikes in Iraq and Syria that was executed Friday in a Situation Room meeting with his top national security advisers on Monday.

It was in that same meeting that the president was informed with the assessment that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militant groups were to blame for the Sunday drone attack, according to the sources.

Since October, when the Israel-Hamas war began, the US military has carried out several strikes targeting Iranian proxies weapons depots in Iraq and Syria, but none of those strikes deterred the militants, whose 165 attacks injured more than 120 US service members across the region.

None of the proxy groups other attacks since October, however, have resulted in the deaths of US service members  compelling Biden and his national security team to respond more forcefully.

US President Joe Biden, right, stands as an Army carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of US Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware on February 2. Sanders was killed in a drone attack in Jordan on January 28. - Matt Rourke/AP

What and where did the US hit?

The US said the attack lasted 30 minutes, hitting 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria.

The White House said aircraft including B-1 bombers were used in the operation. More than 125 precision-guided munitions were fired, the White House said, adding that the strikes were successful.

The US strikes killed at least 16 people in Iraq, including civilians, and injured 25 others, the Iraqi government said Friday. The attacks hit areas close to the border with Syria, and targeted facilities used by Iranian-linked al Hashd al Shabi  or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)  in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim, Iraqi officials said.

The PMU is a predominantly Shiite Iran-backed paramilitary force based in Iraq. Unlike other Iran-backed groups around the region, the PMU is tied to the Iraqi government and is closely linked to Iran-aligned Shiite blocs that for years dominated politics in Iraq.

In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a bill recognizing the PMU as a government entity operating alongside the Iraqi military. The organization is an umbrella group, with several forces operating underneath its wing  including Iraqs powerful Kataib Hezbollah.

The mayor of Al-Qaim, Turki Al-Mahalawi, said the strikes hit three houses used as weapon warehouses by the Iran-backed PMU. The US had struck targets there last month.

While US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington had informed the Iraqi government of its plans before carrying out the strikes, the Iraqi government denied that claim, saying the US is misleading international public opinion.

Syrias state-run news agency SANA said the airstrikes hit the eastern areas of Deir Ezzor, Al-Bukamal, Al-Mayadeen and their surroundings on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Kirby said the US did not know now how many militants were killed or wounded, but the Syrian military on Saturday said the strikes had killed civilians and soldiers and caused significant damage to infrastructure.

CNN cannot independently verify the number or nature of the casualties.

The US did not strike Iranian territory. A senior administration official confirmed to CNN that the US will not do so, and will focus only on targets outside of the country.

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, said the locations of the strikes were chosen with an idea that there would likely be casualties among the Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and militia personnel who use them.

A screengrab from a video, geolocated by CNN to the town of Qaim, Iraq, shows the aftermath of US military strikes in the area, according to the Iraqi Military. An apparent weapons depot was hit, and a number of flares from projectiles were seeing rocketing into the sky. - Obtained by CNN

What has the reaction been?

Iraq and Syria condemned the US attack as infringements on their sovereignty that risk fueling regional conflict.

The Syrian foreign ministry said it condemns this blatant American violation, adding that it categorically rejects all the pretexts and lies promoted by the American administration to justify this attack. Syria also warned that the US attack could fuel the conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way.

A spokesperson for Iraqs Armed Forces, meanwhile, decried the attacks as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Echoing both, Iran warned the strikes would only escalate tensions.

Iran considers the attacks as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, international law and a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, Irans foreign ministry said in a statement Friday. The attack is an adventurous action and another strategic mistake by the US government, which will have no result other than intensifying tension and instability in the region, the statement added.

Some US lawmakers were happy with the attack, while others thought it came too late and wasnt surprising enough for the intended targets.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, a Republican, criticized the military response, writing in part, The administration waited for a week and telegraphed to the world, including to Iran, the nature of our response.

The public handwringing and excessive signaling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months, Johnson said.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, a Democrat, praised the strikes, saying in a statement that this was a strong, proportional response.

What happens next?

The US strikes are likely to continue. But neither the US nor Iran wants a wider war.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US strikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday are the start of our response, adding that Biden has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces.

Both Austin and Biden have however repeated that the US does not seek a wider regional war.

The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, Biden said in a statement Friday, following the strikes on Iraq and Syria. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

Fridays US strikes were more significant than previous attacks on Iranian-backed militias over the last several weeks, which have primarily focused on weapons storage or training facilities.

The airstrikes were far bigger than any action undertaken before against Irans proxies, wrote Charles Lister, director of the Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, on X. He added that huge secondary explosions on both sides of the border suggest big rocket/missile depots have been hit.

But the Biden administration is threading a needle  it wants to deter and stop further attacks but avoid a full-scale conflict with Iran in a region already roiled by the continuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

For now, it doesnt seem like the US struck high value targets, focusing instead on command/control, logistics and drone/rocket stock, Lister wrote on X.

Tehran has repeatedly said it does not seek conflict. On Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not initiate a war but will respond strongly to bullies.

There have been mixed messages from Iran-backed militias across the region. While the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq announced Tuesday it is suspending attacks on US forces, another group in Iraq, Al-Nujaba, said it would continue attacking American forces.

Adding to a volatile situation, experts say that Iran does not exercise full control over its proxies.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs MJ Lee, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Mitchell McCluskey, Aileen Graef, Kareem El Damanhoury, Manu Raju and Adam Pourahmadi contributed reporting.

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The city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast suffered power outages for the second day in a row after a new wave of Russian drone strikes on Feb. 3, said Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the Kryvyi Rih military administration.

The city was hit by Russian Shahed-type drones also on Feb. 2, temporarily leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity and, for some time, trapping over 100 workers in local mines.

Overnight on Feb. 3, Russia launched 14 attack drones against Ukraine, mostly targeting Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Nine of the drones were reportedly shot down by Ukrainian defenses.

Vilkul reported that an energy infrastructure facility was hit, and as of 7 a.m., 7,500 users in the Metalurhiynyi municipal district lost power. Outages also affected heating facilities and, temporarily, tram and trolley bus lines.

At 8 a.m., Vilkul said that the city's energy companies will implement emergency shutdowns.

No casualties were reported as a result of Russian attacks against Kryvyi Rih.

Over the past day, Russian attacks injured a 34-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's Nikopol, Governor Serhii Lysak said.

In Donetsk Oblast, one person was injured in Russian attacks against Avdiivka, according to the regional military administration.

Russian forces also attacked Novohrodivka using Smerch rockets, Governor Vadym Filashkin said, though no casualties were reported.

Russia carried out 67 attacks against Kherson Oblast, injuring seven people, including one child, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Kharkiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zhytomyr, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack, but no casualties were reported.

Read also: Russian drone attack traps miners, causes power loss in Kryvyi Rih

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Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at a briefing on 26 December. Photo: Dmytro Larin, Ukrainska Pravda

The Washington Post reports that according to a senior Ministry of Defence official, Kyiv has yet to select a replacement for Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Source: The Washington Post

Details: The publication notes that the replacement for Zaluzhnyi is still being chosen, and the delay causes confusion.

Quote: "The delay suggested indecision among the President, Chief of Administration Andriy Yermak and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, or even disarray, with potential replacements perhaps unwilling to take the job given the slim prospects of improving Ukraines battlefield situation any time soon."

Details: Furthermore, according to one of the sources, "Zelenskyy apparently wants to place Zaluzhnyi in a new position, perhaps in hopes of tempering public disapproval over the removal." He was offered the position of ambassador, but Zaluzhnyi is unable to resign from the Ukrainian Armed Forces while the country is under martial law.

The publication also notes that the tension in relations between Zaluzhnyi and Zelenskyy has increased due to disagreements on mobilisation.

One Ukrainian official told The Washington Post that, while Zaluzhnyi's deputy may be one of the young officers who demonstrated their effectiveness on the battlefield, they may lack managerial experience. On the other hand, appointing an experienced Commander-in-Chief may bring a "old-school mentality" to the position. The candidates include Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, and Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ground Forces.

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Sir Ian Cheshire is believed to be on a shortlist of six candidates - CHRISTOPHER PLEDGER

Labour is blocking the appointment of a former Barclays chief as head of Britains net zero watchdog, claiming that the Governments shortlist for the job was insufficiently diverse.

Claire Coutinho, the Energy Secretary, is understood to want Sir Ian Cheshire, the ex-chairman of Barclays and Debenhams, to chair the Committee on Climate Change, which has repeatedly pushed the Government to impose more radical net zero targets.

Sir Ian, 64, is believed to be on a shortlist of six candidates shared with the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments, which have a veto on the appointment under Gordon Browns Climate Change Act. The list included two female candidates, one of whom is believed to now be in line to be deputy chairman of the body.

But The Telegraph understands that Labour ministers in the Welsh government have refused to endorse Sir Ian or any of the other five candidates, claiming that a lack of diversity means that the shortlist lacks credibility.

A Government source said: We want a serious and credible candidate, with solid experience, and we believe the current shortlist contains some great and talented people. It is a shame that Labour believe this list, including several distinguished women, is not sufficiently diverse.

Claire Coutinho favours appointing Sir Ian - SHUTTERSTOCK

Despite acknowledging that due process has been followed by the officials leading the appointments process, Julie James, Labours climate change minister in the Welsh government, claimed in a letter to Graham Stuart, her Conservative counterpart in Westminster, that appointing any of the individuals on the shortlist would undermine public confidence in the Climate Change Committee.

The intervention raises the prospect of Labours ministers in Wales being able to block the appointment indefinitely  meaning that if Sir Keir Starmer wins the election due later this year, Ed Miliband, Ms Coutinhos opposite number, could re-run the process and appoint a more radical candidate favoured by Labour.

The move to appoint Sir Ian, who now chairs Channel 4, appears to be an attempt to install more moderate leadership at the helm of the Climate Change Committee after Lord Deben stepped down as chairman last year after a decade campaigning on green issues and vociferously pressing the government to adopt stringent climate targets.

The shortlist is also believed to include Emma Howard Boyd, the former chairman of the Environment Agency, and Rhian-Mari Thomas, an ex-investment banker who is now chief executive of the government-backed Green Finance Institute.

The Climate Change Committee is a statutory body advising the Government on greenhouse gas emissions targets. In 2019, it recommended that ministers adopt a target for net zero greenhouse gases by 2050.

Emma Howard Boyd is also on the shortlist - JAY WILLIAMS

The watchdog opposed a series of changes announced by Mr Sunak in September, including pushing back the planned 2030 ban on the sale of petrol cars. It was criticised by the Prime Minister for proposing a meat tax as part of efforts to reduce Britains carbon emissions.

In a letter to Mr Stuart, seen by The Telegraph, Ms James said: Your officials have shared with me a list of the candidates deemed appointable by the advisory assessment panel. I was extremely disappointed at the lack of diversity in that list, and believe it falls far short of the level required for such an important and high-profile person.

She added: I believe that the outcome of that process lacks credibility. Appointing any of these candidates is likely to generate justified criticism, and would undermine public confidence in the CCC, and in efforts to combat climate change. I am therefore not willing to endorse any of the candidates and request that the recruitment exercise is re-run. In re-running the exercise, every effort should be made to ensure a wide and diverse range of prospective candidates.

Sir Ian chairs the We Mean Business Coalition, a group of seven non-profit bodies helping companies to meet net zero targets.

In 2022 he said: What were trying to do is galvanise business action and help to avoid confusion.

Targeted initiatives

Theres a real need for a coalition platform to help chief executives who see this spaghetti soup of things coming at them and to have a platform that says, Here are the important things around climate change. Lets fund targeted initiatives with the right partners and make it easier for businesses to get aligned. 

Last year The Telegraph revealed that Chris Skidmore, a Conservative MP who described Mr Sunaks relaxation of net zero targets as the greatest mistake of his premiership was seeking ministers support to chair the CCC.

But last month he resigned the Tory whip and stepped down as an MP, claiming that the UK had lost its climate leadership.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: Welsh Ministers have raised concerns about the list of candidates put forward by the UK Government.

The Climate Change Committee plays a critical role in helping all UK nations achieve net zero and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Credibility is fundamental to its purpose, as is public confidence in its voice.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(Photo : Unsplash/Omid Armin)

Spotify has signed a new blockbuster deal with comedian Joe Rogan, making his shows no longer exclusive to Spotify, as announced in a press release on Friday.

A Multiyear Spotify Partnership with Joe Rogan

"The Joe Rogan Experience," debuted in 2009, has been exclusive for Spotify over a $100 million deal since 2020. Spotify did not provide details on the multiyear deal's terms, but it was said to be valued at $250 million, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Spotify is extending collaboration to make the show accessible on other platforms where Joe Rogan will get a portion of the revenue generated by his program, as per sources mentioned in the newspaper.

According to the company, the show continues to be consistently ranked as the top and most-listened-to podcast globally, where users have also ranked it as Spotify's wrapped top podcast each year since 2020.

Rogan created an exclusive Green Room playlist for fans, featuring the iconic neon sign from the Comedy Mothership as the cover art to set the right mood.

Joe Rogan's Podcast Heated Controversies

The podcast, known for its controversial style and guests, featured Tesla CEO Elon Musk last year, where he mentioned buying the social media site X to protect it from what he called the "woke mind virus."

READ ALSO: Elon Musk's Drug Use Concerns Executives in Businesses He Runs; Denied in Random Testing Results

Rogan also received backlash in 2022 when videos of him using the N-word and misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 surfaced, where medical professionals chastised him.

Rogan publicly apologized, regretting that his critics felt upset, and clarified that it wasn't his intention to cause distress or spread misinformation. Rogan mentioned his preference for conversations with diverse perspectives and noted that certain things once considered misinformation, like the effectiveness of cloth masks against COVID, are now widely accepted. Rogan acknowledged that he could improve by featuring individuals with opposing views, like Malone's, so his audience could hear diverse perspectives.

Spotify stated it would include a warning before all podcasts discussing COVID-19 and guide listeners to factual information from scientists and public health experts. The announcement did not specifically mention Rogan.

Removal of Several Episodes and Music from the Platform

Spotify came under fire for hosting the controversial videos, leading to the removal of several Joe Rogan episodes, including the withdrawal of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell music from the platform in protest.

Rogan has hosted approximately 2,200 episodes featuring notable figures like scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Senator Bernie Sanders, each lasting two to three hours on average. In a Spotify blog post, Rogan mentioned, "I only have people on the show that I'm genuinely interested in talking to. I never do a podcast just because a person is popular."

Spotify has over 574 million users. Following overall market trends, the company's shares recently increased by 1.3% at $221.81.

RELATED ARTICLE: 1,500 Job Cuts As Spotify Streamlines Operations, Market Responds with Share Price Jump

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Demonstrators who scale war monuments, such as these pro-Palestine protesters on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner on Nov 15, will be arrested - Twitter

Protesters who climb on war memorials face prison and a 1,000 fine under a crackdown in the wake of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, ministers will announce this week.

Perpetrators will face three-month sentences and a fine under a legal change which James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said would punish those intent on insulting those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom to protest.

Last November, footage of pro-Palestinian demonstrators clambering on the Royal Artillery Memorial in London sparked widespread outrage, with Rishi Sunak describing it as affront to our Armed Forces.

Mr Cleverly, who is a Royal Artillery reservist, said at the time that it was clearly wrong and deeply disrespectful.

However, the incident did not result in arrests, with the individuals allowed to go on their way after coming down from the monument.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said that his officers were unable to take action because while it was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways, it was not against the law.

The pro-Palestine protesters climbed down from the Royal Artillery Memorial and were not arrested

Defending his officers, he said: Thats the nature of policing. Its contentious. What the officer didnt do was make up a law that its illegal to do something and make an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

Following the case, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government would look at what further measures are needed so that the police can have confidence in taking action on this.

Now, under an amendment due to be introduced to the Criminal Justice Bill, climbing on war memorials will become a specific public order offence in England and Wales.

The change to the law will form part of a wider plan to be unveiled this week aimed at tackling disorder at protests.

Causing damage

Mr Cleverly said: Recent protests have seen a small minority dedicated to causing damage and insulting those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom to protest.

Peaceful protest is fundamental in our county, but climbing on our war memorials is an insult to these monuments of remembrance and cannot continue.

That is why I am giving police the powers they need to ensure they have the tools to keep order and peace on our streets.

Tackling disruptive protests has risen up the agenda because of the mass demonstrations against Israels invasion of Gaza in response to the Oct 7 Hamas attack.

On Saturday, thousands of protesters descended on London for another pro-Palestine march.

Some marchers were filmed chanting Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship round in an apparent show of support for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Other demonstrators were photographed holding signs displaying anti-Semitic tropes, including one claiming that our media, TV, radio and government are controlled by Zionists.

Another sign claimed that the BBC is an arm of the Zionist propaganda machine.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The leader of a drug conspiracy was sentenced on Feb. 2 in Virginia Beach to 30 years in prison for his role in leading a multi-year, multi-state methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

Malik Mayo Dillard imported bulk packages of nearly pure methamphetamine to Virginia from out of state suppliers, according to court documents. Dillard then distributed the drug throughout Hampton Roads via other dealers.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Overdose deaths caused by methamphetamine skyrocketed 9,500% in Virginia from 2007 to 2022, a release states.

Dillards 15th criminal conviction and third federal conviction. In 2009, he was sentenced in Richmond for his role in leading a conspiracy involving 16 bank robberies across seven states in 75 days  which started just one week after he was released from prison. In 2003, he was sentenced in the Northern District of Georgia for his role in leading a conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Palestinians perform funeral prayers who were killed during an Israeli bombing where two homes belonging to the Al-Hams and Hijazi families got destroyed, killing at least 14 people. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

At least 107 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours in the ongoing fighting, the local health authority said on Saturday.

A further 165 people were injured, said the authority which is controlled by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.

On Friday, the health authority said 112 people had been killed during the previous 24-hour period at 112 and 148 injured.

In total, 27,238 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, 75% of them women, children, young people or the elderly, and a further 66,452 people have been injured, the authority said.

The figures cannot be independently verified but they are deemed credible by the UN and other observers.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the unprecedented massacre by fighters from Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israeli border areas near Gaza. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed, including at least 850 civilians.

Israel's massive airstrikes and ground offensive in response are prompting growing international criticism, given the soaring number of civilians killed.

Palestinians mourn their families and loved ones who were killed during an Israeli bombing where two homes belonging to the Al-Hams and Hijazi families got destroyed, killing at least 14 people. Mohammed Talatene/dpa
People take part in a demonstration of the Dresden action alliance "Wir sind die Brandmauer Dresden" on the theater square of the Saxon state capital against right-wing extremist activities. Daniel Schafer/dpa

At least 200,000 people gathered in Berlin, Freiburg and Augsburg on Saturday for demonstrations against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the far right, police and organizers said.

In Berlin, total strangers locked hands outside the historic Reichstag parliament building, forming a human chain. Police said 150,000 had gathered there on Saturday afternoon.

We are the human firewall, a voice echoed from the stage. Participants showed their support for democracy and tolerance and said they are against hatred and the far-right AfD.

The organizers, an alliance of civil society organizations called Hand in Hand, spoke of 300,000 participants.

In several other cities, there were once again an unusually large number of people taking to the streets on Saturday: about 30,000 in Freiburg, about 25,000 in Augsburg, about 10,000 in Krefeld, according to police information. There were also other rallies reported in other locations across the country.

"We want to set an example for solidarity and that we are against discrimination. And that we think it's great when a society with diversity instead of uniformity continues to exist in Germany," said 36-year-old Serkan Bingol, a Berliner of Turkish background with a German passport and secondary school teacher, who had come with a group of refugees.

Berlin native Claudia Kirchert, who came to the Reichstag building with her daughter, said she wanted to do something about the feeling of powerlessness by participating in the large group. I probably wouldnt have gone to such a big demonstration a year ago.

Participants hope to send a signal to the AfD and right-wing populists that people disagree with their stance.

I think we kept our mouths shut for too long, another protester, Patrick Stein, said.

Among the people who took to the stage to speak were many young people, some from migrant backgrounds. There were also many middle-aged, middle-class people in the crowd, braving the rain.

Several speakers called on the democratic parties to oppose the shift to the right and to counter right-wing demands and narratives.

The AfD has been polling well in recent months amid frustration and infighting in the three-party coalition government in Berlin.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the numerous planned demonstrations against right-wing extremism this weekend as a "strong sign" in favour of democracy and the German Basic Law, as the constitution is known.

"Whether in Eisenach, Homburg or Berlin: in small and large cities across the country, many citizens are coming together to demonstrate against forgetting, against hatred and agitation - this weekend too," the Social Democrat (SPD) politician wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

For some weeks now, tens of thousands of people have been taking to the streets all over Germany to protest against right-wing extremism prompted by a recent meeting of extremists in Potsdam outside Berlin where the concept of "remigration" was discussed, namely deporting large numbers of people of foreign origin, even under duress.

People take part in a demonstration called by the "Leer Alliance Against the Right" on Denkmalsplatz against right-wing extremist activities. Lars Penning/dpa

People hold placards with the slogan "No coalition with fascism" during the demonstration of an alliance "We are the firewall" for democracy and against right-wing extremism. Christophe Gateau/dpa

People walk through Freiburg during a demonstration against right-wing extremist activities while carrying banners with inscriptions such as "For diversity & solidarity against right-wing extremism", "# Strengthen and protect democracy united!" or "Human rights instead of right-wing people". Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

St. Pauli fans demonstrate against right-wing extremism in the St. Pauli district after FC St. Pauli's 2nd Bundesliga match against Greuther Fuerth. Marcus Brandt/dpa

People hold placards and shout slogans during a demonstration against right-wing extremism at Platz der Wiedervereinigung. Roberto Pfeil/dpa

People stand with placards in front of Ludwigskirche church on the fringes of the "Bunt statt Braun Saarland" campaign alliance rally during a demonstration resistance against right-wing extremist activities. Laszlo Pinter/dpa

People hold placards and flags during a demonstration on the Platz der Goettinger Sieben square against right-wing extremism and the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Michael Matthey/dpa

People take part in a demonstration against right-wing extremism in Mainz. Thomas Frey/dpa

People take part in a large demonstration of the Dresden action alliance "Wir sind die Brandmauer Dresden" against right-wing extremism at the Theater square in Dresden. Daniel Schafer/dpa

Philipp Gruetering from the band Deichkind, is on stage at the demonstration of the alliance "We are the firewall" for democracy and against right-wing extremism in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin. Christophe Gateau/dpa

People participate in a demonstration in support of the "We Are the Firewall" alliance for democracy and against right-wing extremism. Christophe Gateau/dpa

People take part in a demonstration against right-wing extremism. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

People take part in a demonstration against right-wing extremism. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa
Lifeguards and volunteers make sandbags in preparation for the storm Saturday in Long Beach. Officials are warning Southern California residents to prepare for what could be "life-threatening and damaging flooding" beginning Sunday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

A dangerous, intense storm will move into Southern California on Sunday, bringing the potential for widespread flooding, power outages and debris flows.

Officials are urging caution during the most treacherous periods of the storm Sunday and Monday.

"We continue to see a high risk for life-threatening and damaging flooding across the region, as well as large waves and coastal flooding for many coastal areas," Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, said during a webinar Saturday.

The worst of the heavy rain and wind is expected Sunday to Monday, but additional rain after that could exacerbate hazards because of already wet conditions, he said.

Motorists are advised to change travel plans to avoid potentially dangerous roads and move parked cars out of low-lying areas. Everyone should ensure they have enough supplies to weather potential power outages caused by downed trees or power lines.

Read more: The complete guide to storm safety preparedness

The forecast

Weather officials are expecting 3 to 6 inches of rain across Southern California's coasts and valleys and 6 to 12 inches in mountains and foothills. Many places, including urban areas, are expected to see rainfall totals on the high end of that range; Munroe described this as "very concerning" because the ground is still moist from Thursday's atmospheric river storm.

Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties are expected to see some of the worst flooding.

The weather service is predicting 2 to 4 feet of snow at elevations above 7,000 feet, 10 to 20 inches between 6,000 and 7,000 feet and up to 10 inches between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. Residents of mountain areas should prepare for the potential of being stranded for several days, forecasters said.

In addition to rain and snow, high surf, large battering waves could contribute to coastal flooding, according to Ryan Kittell, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. And if the pounding waves aren't enough, potentially deadly rip currents should keep everyone out of the water.

The storm's effects will be felt statewide, with forecasts showing more than 3 inches of rain possible from the Mexico border to the Bay Area from Sunday through Tuesday  well over the average for the entire month in many areas.

This is not an ordinary winter storm, said Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, predicting that different parts of the state would be hit differently.

The strongest wind gusts along the California coast are likely to occur between northern San Luis Obispo County and San Mateo County, he said. The area could see gusts over 70 mph and even 80 mph, Swain said.

Theres also the potential for lightning across a wide swath of the state from Lake Tahoe to Mendocino to downtown L.A.. "That is not typical for this part of the world," he said.

Read more: 'Prepare now': California's next storm may bring 'life-threatening' flooding

Timeline

Saturday: Rain will begin in the evening in Northern California, primarily along the coastal Bay Area, before heading south.

Sunday: Heavy rainfall is expected to begin in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, moving into Ventura and Los Angeles counties by late in the day. Strong bands of sustained rainfall will create widespread flood threats. The highest risk of flooding will be Sunday night through Monday evening.

Monday: The storm is expected to continue, bringing added danger from sustained rainfall on already saturated ground.

Tuesday: Light rain is expected, with a potential for isolated thunderstorms bringing downpours.

Wednesday to Friday: Lingering showers are forecast.

Read more: Atmospheric river inundates roads, forces water rescues across SoCal. The next storm looks worse

Conditions:

A flood watch has been issued for across the region beginning Sunday.

Wind gusts up to 90 mph are forecast for mountain areas.

Expect downed trees and power lines and dangerous coastal conditions.

Snow levels should drop to 6,500 feet Sunday and 4,000 feet Wednesday.

There is the potential for avalanches in mountain areas.

Danger zones

Officials say residents should expect street flooding and mudslides in vulnerable areas.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain bands could bring flash flooding. River and creek flooding is also possible in some areas.

The California Governors Office of Emergency Services has deployed personnel and resources to many areas in the path of the storm, including more than 550 firefighters and 19 swift-water rescue teams in 19 counties, officials said. Two million sandbags have been pre-positioned across the state.

Ventura County

The sheriff on Saturday issued issued evacuation orders and warnings. Residents of Matilija Canyon and Camino Cielo in unincorporated Ojai were ordered to vacate from 5 p.m. Saturday to at least 5 p.m. Sunday; others were warned that they may have to do so. The sheriff's office also told residents of La Conchita to prepare for the possibility of landslides or debris flows. The hillsides above the community have received nearly 4 inches of rain over the last two weeks and may see an additional 3 to 5 inches over the next five days, the sheriff's office said.

A shelter will operate at Ventura College gymnasium at 4667 Telegraph Rd. starting Sunday morning.

Santa Barbara County

Officials are urging residents to stay away from rivers, creeks, flood-prone, low-lying areas and wildfire burn scars, which can turn into dangerous mud and debris flows during heavy rains. Beaches, bluffs and harbor areas may see coastal flooding and erosion, and residents and visitors are advised to stay away.

Evacuation orders were issued for properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas and, in the city of Santa Barbara, those in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Drive to parts of Ninos Drive.

Los Angeles County

Officials are keeping a close eye on the Palos Verdes peninsula, which saw devastating land movement last summer and a mudslide Thursday, as well as Long Beach and areas along the San Gabriel Mountains, according to Emily Montanez, associate director with the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management.

Were always keeping an eye on that area, especially with recent burn scars like in Duarte, with the Fish fire, Montanez said. In burn scar areas, within three years post-fire, theres always a chance for mud and debris flow.

The countys Public Works Department is working to clear storm drains and flood control channels in preparation for an influx of water, she said. The agency is expected to issue phased warnings for areas in the path of the storm. That may include evacuation notices in Duarte, Azusa, the Santa Clarita Valley and other at-risk areas.

Montanez added that the county is positioning Sheriffs Department officials, as well as fire and emergency response personnel, in case door-to-door evacuation notices are warranted. The county is also readying an outreach team for unhoused populations, she said.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to monitor the storm and be mindful of extreme weather warnings.

We know the severe impact that weather can have on our communities, and we are making sure Los Angeles is prepared on behalf of our residents, including the unhoused Angelenos living on our streets, to get through this storm, she said.

By Saturday afternoon, the threat of severe weather Sunday had prompted NASCAR to reschedule race events planned for the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The doubleheader  the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash and NASCAR Mexico Series King Taco LA Batalla  was moved to 5 p.m. Saturday from 5 p.m. Sunday.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
North Korea said Saturday it conducted what it called a "cruise missile super-large warhead power test" after test-firing a new-type of anti-aircraft missile the previous day.

The tests in the Yellow Sea were carried out for the "rapid development of the technologies in various aspects such as function, performance and operation of new-type weapon systems" and were part of "normal activities," the North's Missile Administration said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.

It did not give further details, such as how many missiles were launched or how far they flew.

The South Korean military said Friday it detected the launch of several cruise missiles at around 11 a.m. from North Korea's west coast.

It marked the North's fourth cruise missile launch this year.

On Jan. 24, North Korea test-fired a new strategic cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, named Pulhwasal-3-31, for the first time. The country also fired submarine-launched cruise missiles off the east coast Sunday, later saying that they were aslo Pulhwasal-3-31s.

Cruise missiles, powered by jet engines, fly low and are maneuverable, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Hwasal means an "arrow" in Korean, and Pulhwasal means a "fire arrow." (Yonhap)
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 u0022vitrine dealerships,u0022 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.

Ford has redesigned and renamed dozens of its Lincoln stores u0022vitrine dealerships,u0022 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 u0022vitrine dealerships,u0022 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
The Lithuanian government has approved amendments extending restrictions against Russian and Belarusian citizens until 2 May 2025.

Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: For the amendments to come into force, they must be approved by the Seimas (LIthuanian parliament) and the President of Lithuania.

Lithuania has suspended the issuance of visas and electronic resident status to citizens of Russia and Belarus.

Russian citizens are banned from entering Lithuania via the land border with some exceptions, and Russians without a residence permit are also prohibited from selling properties in Lithuania.

Acceptance of residence permit applications from Russian citizens has been temporarily suspended.

The government also proposes to introduce additional checks on Belarusian citizens arriving in Lithuania.

In particular, border guards will additionally assess whether the arrival of a Belarusian citizen poses a threat to public order, internal security, public health or international relations.

The explanatory note to the draft law states that the war against Ukraine launched by Russia is still ongoing and the reasons for lifting the restrictions have not disappeared, BNS reports.

Background:

In January, the Lithuanian government banned military personnel, as well as border guards and police officers, from travelling to Russia, Belarus and China off-duty.

In November, Lithuania recognised more than 2,000 Belarusians and Russians as a threat to national security.

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The war could bring Vladimir Putin "certain victories" if the West does not help Ukraine resist Russian aggression, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Feb. 3, ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, news agency Ukrinformreports.

Borrell said on Jan. 31 that in 2024, the volume of military aid to Ukraine from the EU countries would amount to 21 billion euros ($22.7 billion). He added that during the first two years of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the EU transferred a total of 28 billion euros ($30.3 billion) to Kyiv for military needs. This year, Europe will donate almost as much as it did in the previous two years.

Reuters sources said that the EU would probably decide to fulfill the obligations year by year, rather than approve a plan for a large sum that would stretch over four years.

Many countries, including Germany, expressed reservations about allocating such large sums for years to come.

Read also: Lithuanian Foreign Minister arrives in Kyiv

Reuters previously reported that this plan is being opposed by some EU member states, which is why it may not be approved in its current form.

An informal EU Foreign Affairs Council is taking place in Brussels on Feb. 3. One of the issues being discussed at the meeting is the proposal by EU High Representative JosepBorrell to create an aid fund for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility in the amount of 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion) for the next four years, i.e. 5 billion ($5.4 billion) annually.

So we have to agree on a bigger package. But I'm not sure that my colleagues think the same way.

"If we plan only for one year, it will not send the right message to the industry," said the Lithuanian foreign minister.

Such a large-scale package would send the right "message" to the European defense industry and would be distributed over four years at 5 billion ($5.4 billion) a year, Landsbergis said.

It is necessary to return to the original proposal to provide Ukraine with a 20 billion euro($21.6 billion) military aid package, which was previously withdrawn from the discussions.

Read also: Ukraine and Lithuania agree to joint arms production for UA military

He stressed that the bloc should discuss Europe's overall position on the efforts made by Ukrainians to defend their country, including a military aid package for Ukraine, as well as further sanctions against Russia.

The last meeting at the summit on Feb. 1, when the EU agreed to allocate 50 billion euros ($54 billion) of aid to Ukraine, provided some optimism, but ministers should take seriously the assistance to Ukraine, which is in a "difficult situation," said Landsbergis.

"Without our help, the war will not develop well for Ukrainians, and this may mean certain victories for Putin, which we cannot allow," the diplomat said.

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
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

The Business Journal recently spoke with Elizabeth Liz Dimmitt, managing partner of Dimmitt Chevrolet and CEO/co-founder of Fairgrounds St. Pete, for the Florida Business Minds podcast.

Sponsored by TECO Peoples Gas, the audio series features candid conversations with top business leaders from the Orlando, South Florida, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville regions.

Read: U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon kicks off busy weekend in downtown Orlando

Listen to the podcast episode and find an excerpt of the conversation with Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor Alexis Muellner. Find more Florida Business Minds podcasts here.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Fox Lea Farm's eight-week Grand Prix and Hunter Derby show circuit is underway at the 46-acre equestrian facility in Venice, including Show Jumping Under The Stars on Friday evenings. "Show Jumping Under The Stars isn't just about elite competition. It is a celebration of community connections," Fox Lea Farm operations manager Kim Aldrich-Farrell said.

Local groups in spotlight on Fridays at Fox Lea Farm

Fox Lea Farm in Venice, one of the nations top horse show facilities, recently kicked off its annual eight-week Grand Prix and Hunter Derby show circuit with support from Visit Sarasota County.

The prestigious equestrian series runs on Wednesdays through Sundays with competitions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until March 10. "Show Jumping Under The Stars" on Friday evenings features live music and family-friendly events with organizations that include the Venice Symphony, Family Promise of Sarasota County, Venice Main Street, Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County, Venice Lions Club, and Sertoma Club of Venice. Proceeds from admission benefit the organizations.

"Show Jumping Under The Stars isn't just about elite competition. It is a celebration of community connections," said Kim Aldrich-Farrell, operations manager for Fox Lea Farm (800 N. Auburn Road, Venice). "With support from our amazing local partners, we extend a warm invitation to share in the equestrian excitement."

Since its inception in 2016, the Venice Equestrian Tour's winter hunter/jumper circuit has attracted horses and riders from across North America, including the $24,999 Show Jumping Under the Stars Grand Prix events. For information, visit Fox Lea Farm's Facebook page and foxleafarm.net. For a schedule of events, visit foxleafarm.net/event-calendar.

Disaster aid remains available for Charlotte County homes

Charlotte County households still grappling with the impact of Hurricanes Ian and Idalia may still be eligible for disaster assistance through the Gulf Coast Partnership's Long-Term Recovery Assistance program.

"We know that many households are still struggling to recover," Long-Term Recovery Director Deb Houck said. "We want to reach people who still have needs and direct them to resources that might be available to help them."

Individuals may apply online at coadfl.org. Those needing assistance can contact Gulf Coast Partnership's Long-Term Recovery Department at 941-769-5162 or email LTR@gulfcoastpartnership.org.

Spotlight Theatre performers stand out at Atlanta festival

Students representing Spotlight Theatre Productions in Sarasota won a Freddie G Excellence in Music award at the recent Junior Theater Festival at the Cobb Convention Center in Atlanta.

Ariel Proctor received a Freddie G Award for Outstanding Individual Performance at the festival, which is dedicated to student-driven musical theater programs. Proctor and fellow Spotlight Theatre student Shaun Harlan-Vale were named Junior Theater Festival All-Stars. Also, Emily Kelly made it to the callback for a special video project to promote musicals in schools.

For more information about Spotlight Theatre, visit spotlightkids.biz/about.

Around and about

It's thumbs up from Wilkinson Elementary School after Bay Village residents recently raised $9,456 to provide each student with a warm, long-sleeved shirt for the winter. The warm clothing drive is part of a partnership between Bay Village and Wilkinson established in 2019. Other projects include monthly pen pal letters, an annual picnic, student chorus performances, science projects, and a school supplies fundraiser.

The fifth annual Englewood Seafood & Music Festival continues today (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at Pioneer Park, 300 W. Dearborn St. The pet-friendly event includes live music and an arts and crafts marketplace. (paragonfestivals.com)

Also, Temple Sinai will host its 16th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, in Sarasota. Suncoast Blood Bank also will have a mobile unit on site and donors will receive a coupon for the festival. To sign up to give blood, visit tinyurl.com/yc4zr4yj.

 Victoria Zelinski, a marine biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will be the featured speaker for a Manasota Beach Club "Lunch and Learn" lecture, "Natural History of Marine Mammals in Southwest Florida," on Feb. 5 at noon at Manasota Beach Club, 7660 Manasota Key Road, in Englewood. Reservations: Manasota Beach Club at 941-474-2614.

 The United Way of South Sarasota County is offering free tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Individuals or families who lives in South Sarasota County and who earned $74,000 or less in 2023 are eligible. Appointments are required. Visit uwssc.org/free-tax-help.

 Sea of Strengths Academy will host a Purse Bingo Benefit fundraiser for the academy's programs and services for students with dyslexia and other learning differences on Feb. 8 from 5-9 p.m. at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, 7051 Wireless Court, in Lakewood Ranch. (sosaschool.com) ... The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation will hold a Run for the Beads Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk on Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. at Waterside Place. Proceeds support nonprofits. (runforthebeads.com) ... Family Promise of South Sarasota County will host a Mardi Gras fundraiser on Feb. 10 from 2-6 p.m. at Shuck N Ale (648 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice) to support homeless prevention programs. Tickets: familypromisessc.org/mardi-gras. Sponsorships and donations: Jennifer Fagenbaum at jf@familypromisessc.org; 941-497-9881, ext. 106.

Submissions by Mia Kurecki, Kelly Hunter, Sarah Sgro, Joan Silinsh, Hillary Reynolds, Marty Katz, Laurence Kruckman, Barbara Cruz, John Hettler, Rachel Frank, and Kelly Fores.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Local groups highlight 'Show Jumping Under The Stars' at Fox Lea Farm
A couple from Lockport became the latest Illinoisans to be charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, federal court records show.

Kelly Fontaine and Brian Dula face four counts of knowing and unlawful entry to a restricted building, disorderly conduct in restricted buildings, disorderly conduct in and around the U.S. Capitol and parading and picketing in and around the Capitol, according to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant dated Wednesday.

The charges made Fontaine and Dula the 45th and 46th Illinois residents charged since the rampage that sent members of Congress running for safety.

In the complaint, an FBI agent alleges that Dula and Fontaine traveled to Washington on Jan. 5, 2021 for the Take America Back rally and that Fontaine posted to Facebook about those plans in December 2020.

Fontaine posted a photo of the pair traveling to Washington on Facebook and subsequent photos of the march from the Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol and from restricted areas of the Capitol grounds.

During their time on the Upper Northwest Terrace Fontaine also took a photograph of herself giving a thumbs up, with the area of the Senate Wing doors and the Parliamentarian door visible in the background, the complaint stated.

The pair also appeared on security footage entering and walking in restricted areas of the Capitol, the complaint alleges.

The pair admitted traveling to Washington, as well as attending the rally and entering the Capitol in a September 2022 interview conducted in Romeoville, the complaint states.

Fontaine and Dula were each released on recognizance bonds Thursday and ordered to appear on the charges in Washington.

Chicago Tribunes Jason Meisner contributed.
UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said that Johnathan Guy was found safe on Sunday.

LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  The Longview Police Department is asking for the public to help them find a man last seen in the area of West Marshall Avenue and Enterprise Street on Thursday.

Man arrested, another seriously injured after assault at Longview restaurant

Johnathan Guy, 32, was last seen near West Marshall Avenue and Enterprise Street on Thursday Feb. 1. The Longview Police Department said they had no description of what Guy was wearing at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Take a look at these Lord of the Rings themed street signs in south Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN)  If youre feeling nostalgic and want to take a trip from Middle-earth to Hobbiton, you can go to a small neighborhood in south Austin that has Lord of the Rings-themed street signs.

You may not get to take the one ring and go on a long journey to Mordor, but you can at least nerd out to some rad street signs.

The lot is located in Shady Hollow, located at 11607 Sundown Trail, according to the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. According to the city, the street was named sometime in the 1970s.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

A spokesperson with the City Communications and Technology Management department, which oversees addressing, told KXAN that Hobbiton Trail, specifically, was named when the subdivision was recorded in the mid-1980s. There are two sections of Hobbiton Trail  one was recorded in 1983 and the other in 1985.

Hobbiton Trail

In the movie, Hobbiton is a village that was home to many Hobbits, which you can see in LOTR or The Hobbit movies.

The name of the lot is dedicated to the hobbits, who are a fictional race in the LOTR stories. They are similar to humans but are small in size and have hairy feet.

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

Hobbits dont come into the storyline until the Third Age of Middle-earth and play a key role in destroying the one ring. You know the one.

If you want to nerd out and find out the origin of Hobbits, you can watch this documentary from Nerd of the Rings.

Middle Earth Trail

Middle-earth is the central continent of the earth in J.R.R. Tolkiens story.

The history of Middle-earth goes back to the beginning of the creation of the universe in the story told by Tolkien.

Silmarillion Trail

Furthermore, The Silmarillion, also written by Tolkien, is a tale focusing on the beginning of time and the earths formation. It is in this storyline that the creation of the universe came to be and eventually gives rise to the Second Age of Middle-earth.

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

If you want a full breakdown of the history of Middle-earth, you can watch this documentary from Invicta.

Baggins Cove

The Baggins name is very familiar and near and dear to LOTR fans hearts. Whether youre watching the story told in The Hobbit focusing around Bilbo Baggins or watching Frodo Baggins go on a quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor, each character captivates our hearts.

Both Bilbo and Frodo are ring bearers, which have the power to control the entire world.

Remember when Gandalf showed up for Bilbos birthday party and made fireworks? Heres a nice clip from the first LOTR movie just for fun.

Frodo Cove

As you know by this point, Frodo has to leave his home to destroy the ring once and for all. However, a fellowship of hobbits, elves and men all come together to destroy the ring at the Crack of Doom where it was forged.

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

A few blocks in Shady Hollow in south Austin have Lord of the Rings-themed street signs | Andy Way/KXAN News

One of the more wholesome scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring is when Frodo makes it to Rivendell. Its a tearjerker every time!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Laurel Community Center hosted the county's second of five property revaluation town halls Jan. 30.

HOT SPRINGS - Madison County commissioners and the county management team are hosting five town halls to inform homeowners on the process involving the 2024 home property revaluation, the first post-COVID.

The last revaluation occurred in 2020.

County Manager Rod Honeycutt and County Tax Assessor Diana Norton joined with the five county commissioners Chair Matt Wechtel, Vice Chair Michael Garrison, Bill Briggs, Jeremy Hensley and Alan Wyatt  to meet residents in Spring Creek, Laurel and Marshall, with additional meetings scheduled for Beech Glen and Ebbs Chapel Community Centers on Feb. 6 and Feb. 15, respectively.

The News-Record & Sentinel was on hand at the Jan. 31 town hall at Laurel Community Center in Marshall.

"The reason we're here, the state came in and had found our home values were below market value, and we were selling them higher," Honeycutt said.

"Home prices, property prices are going to increase. The mill rate will be reduced. We have to remain revenue neutral by statute. That means that we're pretty much locked in to the $32 million budget that we had last year. The property taxes last year were $12.6 million, so we'll be right around the same."

In its 2023-24 budget, the county's property tax rate is 50 cents per $100.

Roger Kelley is a program manager with Tyler Technologies, the organization that has been contracted by the county to perform the appraisals.

"We've taken a look at the market and the costs, calibrated the computer system appraisal systems that the tax office has used in order to value the properties, and now we're just going through and looking for anomalies," Kelley said.

Kelley said one of the anomalies was an error in the system that led to a carport being valued at more than $50,000.

"We're trying to figure out why this number's jumping out there. There's something in the scheme of things that we have to find, and it's a matter of just breaking it down, step by step through the process. So, we're looking for those anomalies.

"Once we finish and we send out the notices, at that point in time, it's up to you to make a decision as to whether that value represents fair market value."

Kelley said Tyler Technologies, in collaboration with the county tax office, is using data from 2022-23.

"We've analyzed the sales, and we've made market adjustments for those," Kelley said.

The team use available data and property types in three appraisal methods, the most common of which is the sales comparison approach, which compares similar properties. The cost approach determines how much it would cost to replace a homeowner's property with a similar one, minus any depreciation.

Lastly, the income approach determines the value of income producing properties, such as apartments, based upon the amount of income the property generates.

While the county revaluation team makes its determinations, there are some properties where the team is unable to make a "physical touch" to appraise the property. In these cases, the team leaves a form for the property owner to fill out, detailing the number of bathrooms, type of heat, basements, fireplaces, or other "parts of the home that would attribute more value to the home," according to Kelley.

"Naturally, we get what we need from the property owner, but if nobody's at home, we leave a door hanger," Kelley said. "We give out a lot of them, but I was amazed at the number that are getting returned. I'm surprised. I'd venture to say we've given out 2,000 or 3,000, and we're getting about 12% returned. Typically they're either (discarded) or people bring them when they appeal."

The next step is notifying taxpayers of the values.

According to North Carolina General Statutes, the state defines market value as "the price estimated in terms of money at which a property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of all the uses to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used."

Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Wechtel told The News-Record the county had previously performed property appraisals every eight years, but because the ratio of the county's home sales compared to property valuations skyrocketed post-COVID, the state strongly suggested the county perform a revaluation in 2024.

"So, we assume that we'll go back to the eight-year cycle, but a lot of that will be dictated by the sales ratios that we continue to see in the future. It's an expensive undertaking to do this. It costs a lot of money for the county, so we'd like to do it every eight years if we can, just from a money saving standpoint.

"But the flip side of it is, there would probably be a lot less 'sticker shock' if it were done more frequently, as compared to every eight years. The swing wouldn't be as dramatic, in theory."

According to Kelley County Tax Assessor Diana Norton, in 2023, there were more than 200 qualified sales in the county, which does not include sales among related people.

Appeal process

The Madison County Tax Office will mail revaluation notices to parcel owners in mid-March, according to Honeycutt.

The revaluation notice will contain specific details regarding when and who to contact to schedule an appeal, if warranted. If an appeal is requested by the propery owner, the first step is to appeal to the County Tax Assessor, Diana Norton.

If the appeal is unable to be resolved by Norton, an appeal to the Madison County Board of Equalization and Review would then be made.

According to Honeycutt, the county Equalization and Review Board is composed of the county commissioners.

If the appeal is not resolved by the Madison County Board of Equalization and Review, it would go to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.

A change in value can only be considered if the real property owner can provide appropriate documentation or evidence that the appraised value is substantially higher or lower than market value.

Supported appeal justifications include:

The new value is significantly higher or lower than the actual fair market value.

The new value is inconsistent with the values of similar properties.

Unsupported appeal justifications include:

A percentage increase or decrease from previous assessed value.

A percentage increase or decrease as compared to any area's average increase or decrease.

One's financial ability to pay any anticipated tax.

Kelley told The News-Record & Sentinel he hopes to have the appeals completed by the end of March.

Kelley encouraged property owners to ask questions about the process and a revaluation by emailing taxreval@madisoncountync.gov or calling 828-649-0765, or visiting the county tax office at 5707 U.S. Highway 25/70, Room 25 in Marshall.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison holds town halls for 1st post-COVID home revaluation process
Millions of dollars in sales of North Korean false eyelashes  marketed in beauty stores around the world as "made in China"  helped drive a recovery in the secretive state's exports last year.

The processing and packaging of North Korean false eyelashes  openly conducted in neighbouring China, the country's largest trading partner  gives Kim Jong-un's regime a way to skirt international sanctions, providing a vital source of foreign currency.

Reuters spoke to 20 people  including 15 in the eyelash industry, as well as trade lawyers and experts on North Korea's economy  who described a system in which China-based firms import semi-finished products from North Korea, which are then completed and packaged as Chinese.

The finished eyelashes are then exported to markets including the West, Japan and South Korea, according to eight people who work for companies directly involved in the trade.

Some of the people spoke on condition that only their last names be used because they were not authorised to talk to the media. North Korea has long been a major exporter of hair products like wigs and false lashes, which enable people to avoid the hassle of mascara and to achieve a dramatic look. But exports tumbled during the COVID-19 pandemic, when North Korea slammed its borders tightly shut.

Significant trade in North Korea-made lashes via China resumed in 2023, according to customs documents and four people in the industry.

Chinese customs data showed that North Korea's exports to China more than doubled in 2023, when borders reopened. China is the destination for nearly all of North Korea's declared exports.

Wigs and eyelashes comprised almost 60 percent of declared North Korean exports to China last year. In total, North Korea exported 1,680 tonnes of false eyelashes, beards and wigs to China in 2023, worth around $167 million.

In 2019, when prices were lower, it exported 1,829 tons at a value of just $31.1 million.

The U.S. State Department and international experts estimate that North Korea seizes up to 90 percent of foreign income generated by its citizens, many of whom live in poverty. Reuters was unable to determine how much of the revenue from eyelash sales flowed back to Kim's government, or how it was used.

"We have to assume that ... millions of dollars every month that North Korea is making through this eyelash trade is being used for the Kim Jong-un regime," said Seoul-based sanctions lawyer Shin Tong-chan. His view was corroborated by two other international trade experts, though none provided specific evidence.

North Korea did not respond to requests for comment for this story sent to its U.N. missions in New York and Geneva, its embassy in Beijing and its consular office in the Chinese border city of Dandong.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing and Pyongyang "are friendly neighbors" and that "normal cooperation between the two countries that is lawful and compliant should not be exaggerated."

UN and US sanctions

Since 2006, the United Nations Security Council has sought to stall Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme through nearly a dozen sanctions resolutions that restrict its ability to trade products such as coal, textiles and oil. It also imposed strict restrictions on North Koreans working abroad.

Sanctions passed by the Security Council are supposed to be enforced by U.N. member states  all of whom are legally bound to implement them  using local legislation.

But there is no direct ban on hair products, so trading false eyelashes from North Korea does not necessarily violate international law, three sanctions experts told Reuters.

Reuters presented its findings to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which said it was "not aware of the circumstances" described but that any alleged violations of U.N. sanctions are "completely without foundation."

Japan's foreign ministry did not comment on Reuters' findings, but said Tokyo, which bans trade with Pyongyang, would continue to consider "the most effective approach" toward North Korea. The European Union's diplomatic service did not return requests for comment on North Korean-made eyelashes being sold in its jurisdiction.

The United States has since 2008 separately expanded its own measures against North Korea, which include sanctions on any company stocking or selling products whose sales fund the Kim regime: a restriction that also applies to non-American firms using the U.S. dollar.

But there are practical and political limitations on Washington's ability to enforce such sanctions unilaterally on entities such as foreign businesses that have minimal exposure to the U.S. financial system and don't sell primarily to American clients, according to two international sanctions lawyers.

A U.S. Treasury spokesperson said it "actively enforces the range of our broad North Korea sanctions authorities against both U.S. and foreign firms" and would "continue to aggressively target any revenue generation efforts" by Pyongyang.

The Treasury also referenced its nearly $1 million settlement with e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2019 over allegations that the U.S.-based firm inadvertently sold false eyelashes containing materials from North Korea.

e.l.f.'s parent company said in a 2019 filing that it discovered two suppliers had used North Korean materials during a "routine, self-administered audit" and that it quickly addressed the issue, which it determined was "not material."

The company, which has since stopped selling false eyelashes, reiterated its commitment to making products legally and responsibly in a statement to Reuters for this story.

Reuters was unable to establish whether any Western companies are currently involved in the North Korean eyelash trade.

China's 'eyelash capital of the world'

The people involved in the industry said that Pingdu, an eastern Chinese town that bills itself the 'eyelash capital of the world', is a key node in the supply chain from North Korea.

Many Pingdu-based companies, such as Monsheery, package false eyelashes that are produced primarily by North Koreans, said Wang Tingting, whose family owns the firm, which exports products to the U.S., Brazil and Russia.

Wang said in an interview from her factory that North Korean goods had helped build Monsheery up from a small family workshop. The company was founded in 2015, corporate records show.

"The quality of the North Korean product is much better," said Wang, who said that she was not aware of any sanctions-related issues with using North Korean false eyelashes. She declined to name her international clients.

Others in Pingdu said they are conscious of the role sanctions play in the complicated distribution chain.

"If not for these sanctions, there would be no need for (North Koreans) to export through China," said Gao, who owns Yumuhui Eyelash.

Cui Huzhe, who represents a North Korean factory that works with a Chinese partner in a venture called the Korea-China Processing Joint Trading Company, said the North Korean firm sends semi-finished eyelashes to China, where they are sold to markets including the U.S., Europe, Japan and South Korea.

He declined to identify the two companies involved in the partnership or their clients. Subsequently, he couldn't be reached for comment on the sanctions implications.

Income for cash-strapped state

Chinese manufacturers began working with North Korean eyelash plants in the early 2000s, according to three Chinese factory managers. They said they prize the country's labour force for its low cost and the high quality of the eyelashes.

About 80 percent of Pingdu's eyelash factories purchase or process false eyelash raw materials and semi-finished products from North Korea, according to a 2023 estimate published by Kali, a Chinese manufacturer of eyelash boxes, on its website.

Pingdu's government says the town of roughly 1.2 million accounts for 70 percent of global output of false eyelashes, which are often made of synthetic fibres but may also be created from mink fur or human hair.

Trading company Asia Pacific International Network Technology, based in the Chinese border city of Hunchun, advertises on its website the services of three North Korean eyelash processing factories with images of workers arranging hairs and pasting them on paper.

Reached by phone, a company employee, who would not give her name, declined to comment.

Seoul-based businessman Johny Lee imports products like chicken-feet shaped lashes used for extensions through Dandong into South Korea.

Those lashes are made by North Koreans, packaged in China, and then sold locally or exported to Asian countries like Japan, said Lee, who chairs a trade group in Seoul that includes eyelash extension technicians from the West and South Korea.

Asked about legal risks, Lee  who began sourcing eyelashes from China a decade ago  said he was not selling "sophisticated technology like semiconductors." North Korean workers "are trying to make a living there," he said.

South Korean law states that if two or more countries are involved in the production of imported goods, the place where the products gained "essential characteristics" will be deemed the country of origin.

Reuters described how eyelashes made by North Korean workers are packaged and completed in China to Shin Min-ho, a South Korea-certified customs attorney. He said North Korea would likely be considered their country of origin because it gave the raw materials "essential characteristics."

Seoul's Korea Customs Services said that "importing North Korean products disguised as Chinese can be punished," but that it was "difficult to determine" country of origin based solely on Reuters' description of the supply chain between North Korea and China and that it was not investigating the issue.

Good quality, cheap salaries

Despite the quality of the eyelashes, North Korean labour is poorly paid. North Korean salaries can be a tenth of Chinese wages, four Chinese factory owners and managers said.

In addition, Wang, a manager for Pingdu-based manufacturer Co-Lash, which ceased North Korean operations during the pandemic, said the workers gave up most of their income to the state. He didn't supply proof. Another Chinese manufacturer, PD Lush, pays workers at its factory in the North Korean border town of Rason - whose work is sold internationally - an average monthly salary of 300 yuan ($42), said Pingdu-based manager Wang.

The centrality of North Korea to the industry became clear when the country's borders closed during the pandemic.

Monsheery's Wang Tingting said that after North Korea closed its borders in 2020 due to the pandemic, ships carrying over the small amount of eyelashes exported during that time were often held up. "We have very high demand on our side," she said.

In the wake of the pandemic, supply was still not at full capacity and shipping delays were common, she added.

South Korean false eyelash brand Cinderella Amisolution typically procures supplies from Chinese traders of semi-finished North Korean products, which it then sells to customers. But when North Korea sealed its border, contractors sent samples that weren't made by North Koreans.

"I thought, 'this isn't going to work'," said chief executive Choi Jee-won. "They were completely different." (Reuters)
West Jefferson police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Madison County Sheriff's Office respond to a shooting in May 2021 in which four people were killed in an apartment house in West Jefferson.

A Madison County jury on Friday convicted a man of killing four people in West Jefferson in a mass shooting in May 2021.

John Paul Steckel, 37, was immediately sentenced to four life sentences with no chance of parole, according to West Jefferson police. He also was given an additional 12-year sentence for weapons charges.

The Madison County Common Pleas Court jury deliberated for more than four hours Friday before finding Steckel guilty of killing Andrew Swindall, 45, of West Jefferson; Shawn Wright, 45, and Leon Daniels, 38, both of London; and Jamie Lavender, 30, of Springfield, on May 24, 2021.

"Our hearts go out the victims' families and our prayers are forever with you," West Jefferson police said in a statement.

Before his arrest, Steckel's last known address was the streets of Columbus. He was released from federal prison in January 2021 on a charge of illegal possession of a gun.

After his arrest in connection with the shootings, police said Steckel, known as JP, knew the victims and that robbery was a possible motive.

All four victims were shot multiple times.

A passerby called 911 on May 24 to report that he and a relative leaving work at a nearby warehouse found a man lying outside of an entryway at the north end of an apartment house on the 100 block of Jackson Street. The victim had an apparent gunshot wound to the face and was dead, he reported.

West Jefferson police and Madison County Sheriff's deputies responding to the scene soon found three more victims inside the apartment house on Jackson, just north of Burnham Street. The area where the apartment is located is a dead end and is next to a series of fields.

It was the first homicide case in nine years in West Jefferson, a village of just more than 4,000 people located on the eastern edge of Madison County, about 18 miles from Columbus.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Madison County jury convicts Columbus man in 2021 quadruple homicide
Before John Hofstetter clocked into work at Tracker Marine in Bolivar on the morning of April 26, 2022, he reportedly told his manager he was going to be late because had just been in a Springfield vehicle accident.

Twenty-one months later, Hofstetter, 44, was formally charged with second-degree involuntarily vehicular manslaughter in the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian, 59-year-old Jerry Westmoreland.

According to court documents, Hofstetter was heading north on Kansas Expressway near Division Street around 5:30 a.m. when police said his SUV drove onto the median and struck Westmoreland and continued to drive. A witness told police he saw the collision and proceeded to follow Hofstetter's fleeing vehicle to a nearby gas station, telling Hofstetter to return to the scene.

After reportedly driving to the gas station in which he was followed, Hofstetter later arrived to his job at Tracker Marine, where his coworkers told police they noticed damage to his vehicle, matching the description of a news report from a hit-and-run incident earlier in the day. The coincidence was enough for an employee to call in a tip to authorities, believing Hofstetter to be a suspect.

After reviewing surveillance footage from the accident, speaking to witnesses, and acting on the tip from Tracker Marine, investigators believed they had enough to detain Hofstetter for questioning. A police report said Hofstetter then admitted to investigators that he accidentally hit the man and drove away. Hofstetter was arrested by Springfield Police, but was released.

Despite what initially appeared to be overwhelming evidence against Hofstetter and an admittance to fleeing, charges were not filed soon after the incident, but 21 months later. Greene County assistant prosecutor Zach McFarland told the News-Leader that cases of this nature can take longer because the painstaking technicality of processing vehicles, forensics of the crash, examining footage, and reaching out to with witnesses.

Hofstetter's charges of involuntary vehicular manslaughter and fleeing the scene of an accident were filed Jan. 29, 2024, the same day Hofstetter was charged with a series of other crimes relating to a August 2023 shoplifting attempt at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield.

Hofstetter, who was also cited for trespassing at a Springfield address on Jan. 25, appears to be out on bond as he was not listed Friday on the Greene County Jail roster.

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man charged for 2022 Springfield hit-and-run killing of pedestrian
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  An accused killer charged with a double stabbing in San Franciscos Mission District has refused to appear in court for nearly a month, prosecutors said.

Dennis James Duree, 39, was charged with murder and attempted murder after one of the victims stabbed on December 28, 2023 died.

Violence of this kind in our neighborhoods is tragic, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. I offer my condolences to the victims family and loved ones and

reassert my commitment to pursuing justice to ensure that the suspect is held accountable for this senseless crime.

According to police, officers found a 45-year-old man and 38-year-old woman suffering from stab wounds on Mission and Washburn Streets. The man succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

Armed robbery at Oakland 76 station that was caught on video leaves victims outraged

The suspected killer has been a no-show in court. Instead, hes remained in a jail cell, prosecutors said. The District Attorneys Office wrote, He has been in custody since he was arrested. Mr. Duree has not been arraigned yet because he has refused to come to court. His arraignment has been continued eight times. His next court date, for arraignment, is scheduled for February 8.

Prosecutors did not say why Duree refused to appear before a judge. If convicted of all charges, he could face 40 years to life in state prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Police in Pennsylvania have offered grim new details in the case involving a 32-year-old man who was charged earlier this week with killing and decapitating his father after showing off the severed head in a video posted to YouTube.

How the grisly killing unfolded

A vehicle is parked in the driveway of the Pennsylvania home where a 68-year-old man was found decapitated earlier this week. (Matt Rourke/AP)

At a press conference Friday, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said that Justin Daniel Mohn was acting with a clear mind when he killed and dismembered his father, Michael Mohn, at the familys home in Middletown Township, just north of Philadelphia. The 68-year-old worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Daniel Mohn lived at home with his parents.

Schorn said that Michael Mohns wife came home on Tuesday night to find her husbands body, then ran to a neighbors house and called 911. When police arrived, officers found a decapitated elderly male in the downstairs bathroom with a large amount of blood around him. A machete and a large knife were located in the bathtub, and a head wrapped in Saran Wrap was discovered in the next room.

Mohns wife told police that she had left around 2 p.m. and that her husband and son were the only people at home. She also reported that her husbands Toyota Corolla was missing when she returned.

A disturbing YouTube video

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn speaks during a news conference in Doylestown, Pa., on Friday. (Tassanee Vejpongsa/AP)

Around the same time, police received multiple calls alerting authorities to a disturbing 14-and-a-half-minute video posted to YouTube showing Justin Mohn displaying Michael Mohns severed head while claiming his father was a traitor to his country and urging members of Mohns militia and patriots around the country to take up arms against other federal employees, including a federal judge whose address he disclosed.

The video had been viewed at least 5,000 times before it was taken down, Schorn said.

After viewing the YouTube video, investigators confirmed the gloves, decapitated head, and room are the same as depicted in the video, the affidavit says.

In a statement Wednesday, YouTube said the video was removed for violating our graphic violence policy and that Mohns YouTube channel was terminated in line with our violent extremism policies.

Our teams are closely tracking to remove any re-uploads of the video, the company added.

Suspect fled to military base

This booking photo provided shows Justin Mohn, 32, who is accused of beheading his father in suburban Philadelphia and posting a gruesome video online. (Bucks County District Attorneys Office via AP)

Schorn said police were able to quickly ping Justin Mohns cellphone and locate the missing vehicle, which had been driven past barricades at a military installation in Fort Indiantown Gap, which is about 110 miles west of Middletown Township.

According to Schorn, Mohn abandoned the vehicle, climbed over a barbed wire fence and entered the base, where he was taken into custody.

He had a loaded 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun that was missing one round at the time of his arrest, Schorn said, adding that he had purchased the weapon legally the day before the killing and had even surrendered his medical marijuana card in order to buy it.

Mohn told authorities that he had gone to the outpost in an effort to mobilize the Pa. National Guard to raise arms against the federal government, and that he was attempting to contact Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to get the state to support that effort.

Recommended reading

Autopsy confirms beheading after fatal shooting

An autopsy performed Thursday determined that Michael Mohn died of a gunshot wound to the head, and that his head was subsequently removed using a machete.

Justin Mohn was quickly charged with his fathers murder and abusing his corpse. He is being held without bail at a correction facility in Bucks County.

He has no history of diagnosed mental health issues, Schorn said.

It was evident to us that he was of clear mind in his purpose, she said, adding: There is a complete and utter difference between what we would term 'that person's crazy' and legal insanity. And that will be evident later when we prosecute this matter."

Suspect had little history with police

At the press conference, Middletown Township Police confirmed that they had three prior contacts with the suspect, but none resulted in charges.

In 2011, police responded to Justin Mohns home after a reported argument with a neighbor. In 2019, Mohn reported that he received a threat from Progressive Insurance over a lawsuit he had filed against the company. And in 2023, Mohns employer in Philadelphia called police in Middletown Township to express concern and ask police for advice about terminating him. The employer was referred to outside legal resources and the Philadelphia police.

According to NBC News, Mohn published a series of books filled with anti-government rhetoric:

One book, titled The Revolution Leaders Survival Guide, includes the transcript of a letter to then-President Donald Trump warning of a peaceful revolution helped by the author if positive change does not come to America and the world soon.

The horrific case comes amid another divisive election season led by Trump, who is vowing retribution against the Biden administration and federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, which is prosecuting him for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
A 25-year-old man is charged with murder after another man was killed in a shooting on Friday, North Richland Hills police announced in a news release.

The shooting was reported around 2:30 p.m. in the 6700 block of Buenos Aires Drive. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Michael J. Williams, according to police.

The victim, also a 25-year-old male, succumbed to his injuries, police said in the release.

Investigators were at the scene to process evidence. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, but there is no threat to the community, police said.

Williams is currently in custody at the Tarrant County Jail. His bond has not yet been set by the Tarrant County Judge.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office will release the name of the victim once next of kin have been notified.
The bereaved family members of the deadly 2022 crowd crush in the district of Itaewon staged a rally in central Seoul on Saturday, condemning President Yoon Suk Yeol for vetoing a special bill for a new investigation into the incident.

The demonstrators displayed 159 banners, each symbolizing a life lost during the tragic crowd crush in a narrow alley in the heart of Seoul's Itaewon on Halloween weekend in 2022.

The rally came after Yoon earlier this week vetoed a special bill mandating a new investigation into the case.

Yoon exercised his veto power by endorsing a motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider the legislation that the main opposition Democratic Party railroaded through the National Assembly in January.

The legislation calls for establishing a special investigation committee to reexamine the causes of the deadly crowd crush and to ensure the rights of the victims. (Yonhap)
A man was found dead on the beach at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on Jan. 10, according to California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno.

The man, 66-year-old Steve Wagner of Oceano, was found lying on the beach in southern San Luis Obispo County at around 7:30 p.m. by State Parks rangers who were on patrol.

He was drenched, fully clothed and lying on wet sand, according to Moreno. When rangers found him, he was unresponsive.

The rangers performed CPR and Cal Fire was called to the scene to assist in lifesaving measures, Moreno told The Tribune.

Wagner was pronounced dead at about 7:57 p.m., and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office responded to conduct a death investigation, according to Moreno.

No foul play is suspected in Wagners death, according to Sheriffs Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla.

The day after Wagner was found, Jan. 11, State Parks staff found a car believed to be Wagners in the ocean at the Oceano Dunes park.

There were no reported witnesses to the incident, Moreno told The Tribune.

Patrick Fitzgerald said Wagner was known among residents of the Strand Way neighborhood in Oceano. The neighborhood abuts the park.

Wagner was a good friend of ours, Fitzgerald said. He was a friend to a lot of people there because he would help anyone with anything.

The Strand Way neighbors are planning a memorial for Wagner at the Oceano Train Depot on Front Street on Feb. 24 from about 2 to 5 p.m., Fitzgerald said.
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  An investigation is underway after a man was found dead inside his parked vehicle at a Walmart in Chula Vista on Friday, police said.

Around 2:18 p.m., authorities received a call from Walmart security at 1150 Broadway, the Chula Vista Police Department confirmed to FOX 5.

70-foot tree falls onto North Park home; branch goes through bedroom

When first responders arrived on scene, the man, identified as a 53-year-old Chula Vista resident, was pronounced dead, according to law enforcement.

Authorities do not believe his death to be suspicious at this time. His identity is being withheld until family members have been notified.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A New Mexico man has admitted that he was paid by a failed Republican candidate to target the homes of his political rivals.

Demetrio Trujillo pled guilty to carrying out three drive-by shootings at the homes of election officials in 2022, according to court documents filed on Friday in Albuquerque District Court.

Trujillo told prosecutors that hed been paid by Solomon Pena, whod selected the targets because he believed that theyd rigged the election for the 14th district of New Mexicos House of Representative against him in 2022.

As the election results rolled in, Pena tweeted I dissent. I am the MAGA king. State Rep. Miguel Garcia, secured 5,679 votes while Pena only earned 2,033, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

According to Trujillo, the men decided to intimidate officials after the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners voted to certify that Pena had lost the election on Nov. 21, 2022.

Trujillo admitted to carrying out the Dec. 4 shooting at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, and the Dec. 8 shooting at the home of State House Speaker-elect Javier Martinez. Trujillo said that he and Pena had both gone to the home of state Senator Linda Lopez on Jan. 3, where Trujillo had fired eight shots, three of which went through the window of her 10-year-old daughters bedroom. No injuries were reported in any of the shootings.

MAGA Loser Accused of New Mexico Shootings Has Wild Criminal History

Trujillo pled guilty to conspiracy, two counts of interference with federally protected activities, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and discharging said firearm. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled, according to a statement from the United States Attorneys Office in New Mexico.

Pena was arrested in January 2023 after ballistic evidence linked him to one of the shootings. He is accused of conspiring to carry out these attacks with four men, including Trujillo and his son, Jose Louise Trujillo. He is scheduled to stand trial in June 2024.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  Last week, a 38-year-old man pleaded guilty to murder after he was previously indicted in the stabbing of his wife in north Austin in March 2023, the Travis County District Attorneys Office said in a news release Friday.

Jorge Luis Alvarado Blanco was charged with the murder of Minerva Molina Jimenez, 30, on March 14, 2023, according to officials.

Image provided by the Austin Police Department

On that day, officers arrived at an apartment complex in 11700 block of Metric Boulevard after a 911 caller told police Jimenez was stabbed. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Jimenez, who appeared to have multiple stab wounds, according to court records. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Murder affidavit provides more details into man accused of stabbing wife in north Austin

Then, 911 dispatch began getting multiple 911 calls for a man, later identified as Blanco, standing on the West Parmer Lane bridge over North Interstate 35. Callers said it looked like the man wanted to jump off the bridge, and he had blood all over his arms and hands, court records said.

Officials were able to find and detain Blanco who told first responders in Spanish, I assassinated my wife, court records said.

In May 2023, Blanco was indicted for the murder.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Metro Nashville Police Department is searching for a man who allegedly robbed a bank on Nolensville Pike.

According to police, the man walked into the Bank of America branch located in the 5800 block of Nolensville Pike around 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2. Then, he reportedly passed a teller a note that demanded money and claimed he was armed.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

Police said no weapons were seen.

At the time of the robbery, the man appeared to be wearing a red Under Armour hooded sweatshirt, a surgical mask, and sunglasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A man went outside to take a call in a Utah neighborhood  and realized while on the phone that a mountain lion was staring down at him from its perch in a tall tree, video shows.

Sure enough, a photo shows the huge cat walking among the trees limbs at dusk.

The man described his shocking realization in a video posted Feb. 1 to the West Valley City Fire Departments Facebook page.

I was just standing here making a phone call and just happened to look up in the tree. As I was talking on the phone Im like that doesnt look right, he said. I kept staring at it while I was talking and kinda seen the tail move. Im like thats a freakin mountain lion.

The man says he ran inside to get his dad and brother to confirm what he thought he saw  and they were both shocked, he said in the video.

They called the non-emergency line for the fire department and stuck around to watch the rescue.

A wild night here in West Valley City  literally, the department said on Facebook. The department rehashes the mans story about stepping outside to take the phone call and noticing something startling high in a tree. A cougar right in the heart of a WVC neighborhood.

Video shows a team from the Division of Wildlife Resources darting the mountain lion with a tranquilizer, but the cougar didnt come down as expected, officials said.

Instead the sleepy visitor got hung up in the branches of the tree, the department said. Who do you call when you need a cat out of a tree? Us, of course!

Video shows the teams tranquilizing the mountain lion and hauling it down the fire engines crane wrapped in an orange tarp. The cougar lies on its back with its eyes open as the crew carries it to an enclosure in the back of a pickup truck and secures it inside.

Division of Wildlife Resources officers would return the visitor back where it belongs  safely out of West Valley City, the department said.

Not your typical cat stuck in a tree call, thats for sure! the department said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The man who first spotted the mountain lion called the experience pretty crazy.

Now seeing it down here, that things big, he said. I didnt expect something that big to be around here.

Mountain lion makes itself at home and feasts on raccoon in Utah backyard, officials say

Dog chases mountain lion up tree in Idaho neighborhood. Wrong place at the wrong time

Majestic mountain lion finds daring spot to people watch at Colorado park, photos show
A funeral was held Saturday for two firefighters who died during a mission earlier this week to search for victims at a burning meat processing factory in the central city of Mungyeong.

The two firefighters  Kim Soo-kwang, 27, and Park Soo-hoon, 35  were laid to rest at Daejeon National Cemetery as their families and around 100 colleagues observed the funeral procession in deep sorrow and tears.

Kim and Park were searching for possible victims at the fire scene in Mungyeong, 140 kilometers southeast of Seoul, when they were engulfed by the flames and trapped on Wednesday.

During his five years of service, Kim responded to more than 500 incidents.

Park also dedicated himself to saving lives at more than 400 scenes during his two years of service. (Yonhap)
Pressure mounted on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after it was revealed he released without bond all but one of 13 young migrants accused of attacking two New York City police officers last week. Bragg said Friday he didn't have enough evidence at the time to hold them. File Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says he released a group of young migrants accused of assaulting two New York City police officers last weekend because he lacked evidence against them.

Controversy surrounding the case has heaped pressure on Bragg after it was revealed that only one of the 13 migrant youths accused of attacking the officers near Times Square last weekend remained in custody on Rikers Island, while the others were released without bond.

"Our profound obligation is to make sure we have the right people charged with the right crimes," Bragg told reporters Friday. "I don't think New Yorkers want to charge the wrong person."

Bragg said video footage of the assault "sickened me and outraged me," but it was impossible at the time to "conclusively identify each defendant."

Four of those arrested and since charged with felonies obtained bus tickets for Calexico, Calif., from a local New York charity and have fled New York, CNN reported. An unnamed source said the four used false names to obtain the bus tickets and might be heading to Mexico via Calexico.

Some of the many migrants who have been bussed to New York City from the southern U.S. border sit amongst belongings and sleeping bags outside of The Watson Hotel on West 57th Street on Feb. 1, 2023. Crowded conditions and a scarcity of work and food are causing desperation and violence among many migrants, advocates say. File photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE

Investigators told the broadcaster they can't pursue or stop them because Bragg didn't request bail and released them from jail on their own recognizance. Unless the accused show up for a pending court date later in February, law enforcement is powerless to stop them, they said.

Bragg said there is no evidence that those four have fled, but is investigating the possibility. Meanwhile, he said he is continuing his investigation into the assault to ensure the right people are charged with the correct offenses in the matter.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for the deportation of all 13 suspects, while the state Attorney General Letitia James said bail should have been sought in the matter and called the assault on the police officers a "serious felony."

New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin said Bragg should be fired for refusing to enforce the law.

Both officers are recovering from the assault, WCBS-TV reported.

The violence is part of a current trend caused by a lack of food, shelter and jobs for migrants who are growing more desperate, several sources told the New York Daily News.
An escaped 17-year-old inmate who was being held on attempted murder charges in Louisiana was turned in by his parents and is now back in custody, bringing a three-day manhunt to an end, authorities said Sunday.

Kimmy Dauntain Jr., who is from Orleans Parish, escaped from the custody of state officials while on an escorted trip on Friday in Franklin, Louisiana, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office.

The escapees parents turned him into Louisiana State Police custody Sunday morning, according to a news release from the Office of Juvenile Justice.

The teen was being held on charges of simple battery, illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder (accessory after the fact), according to the sheriffs office.

The latest evasion of police custody comes after inmates in Pennsylvania and Arkansas briefly fled police custody in recent weeks before being captured.

Noah Roush, 22, and Jatonia Bryant, 23, were discovered missing 36 hours after their escape from the Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on January 22, CNN previously reported.

Roush, who was being held on probable cause for residential burglary and theft of property and is also a homicide suspect, was captured three days after he and Bryant escaped the jail, according to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

The capture of Bryant, who was being held on probable cause for capital murder, on January 29 concluded the dayslong manhunt that began as a result of failed head counts by the jail staff, authorities said.

Shane Pryor, a 17-year-old suspect in a 2020 killing who escaped from custody during a medical transport on January 24, was captured on a bus in Philadelphia four days later, according to Philadelphia police and the United States Marshals Service.

Pryor was being taken to a hospital for a hand injury when he escaped, police previously said.

An 18-year-old was arrested on January 26 for allegedly helping Pryor escape.

CNNs Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Asylum seekers rush to be processed by border patrol agents on the California border - GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP

As immigrants to the US themselves, Jerry and Maria Shuster, 75 and 70, understand as well as anyone the allure of the fabled Land of Opportunity.

Mr Shuster arrived in 1969, quitting what was then Yugoslavia to build his own idyll in the 17 acres of sparsely populated desert he purchased in Jacumba, 75 miles east of San Diego, California.

Sitting just half a mile from the border with Mexico, the birthplace of his wife Maria, their homes vantage point offers a daily reminder of all the choice to make a new life can offer.

But now their property, like much of the rest of the 1,950-mile US southern border, is coming under daily siege from those entering illegally, and the Shusters believe the countrys immigration system is no longer fit for purpose.

Since Joe Biden entered the White House, at least three million border-crossers have been admitted  more than the population of Chicago.

Asylum seekers waiting in line has become a familiar site on the California border - GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP

Those arriving in Mr Shusters backyard have come from all over the world, he says.

The trespassers, he says, have burnt trees and destroyed fencing as they erect flimsy shelters and set up campfires to guard against the bracing cold.

Our property is completely destroyed, he says. Starting again somewhere else is not an option, he adds. I cant even sell this place and move because its not going to sell.

Mr Shuster blames Mr Bidens handling of the crisis for turning their American Dream into a nightmare.

And so, this November, the Shusters plan to buck the trend of a lifetime and vote Republican in the presidential election.

Polls suggest they are not alone  and it could cost Mr Biden a second term.

The scale of the recent arrivals has left even liberal states demanding tougher enforcement - GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP

One recent study by the University of California, Berkeley found that a strong majority  65 per cent  of registered voters in the deep blue state believe that the border is not secure.

That includes a majority of voters under the age of 30, and from racial minority backgrounds  key constituencies for the Democrats.

Meanwhile, 72 per cent of California voters said they viewed undocumented immigrants as a burden on the US, including 64 per cent of Mr Bidens own supporters.

Once united in outrage over Mr Trumps hardline immigration policies, the record influx  roughly 2.5 million attempted border crossings last year alone - has divided Democrats over how to handle the crisis.

Aware of his political vulnerability, Mr Biden has begun adopting Republican rhetoric, promising to shut down the border if Congress grants him the authority under a contentious immigration bill currently under negotiation.

New arrivals warm themselves by the fire on the California border - GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP

Over the past 18 months, the President has also quietly resumed some of Mr Trumps actions: repairing parts of the US border wall, and taking a punitive approach to asylum seekers who do not present themselves at a point of entry by rapidly denying most of their claims.

Mr Bidens two-fold approach has at the same time seen his administration create new pathways for migrants to legally enter the US  but they must apply online and await acceptance, rather than simply appear at the border.

The White House has been reluctant to draw attention to either approach  aware that Republicans may turn on the President for the one, while his own side may attack him for the other.

That delicate two-step will be sorely tested if the high-stakes immigration deal being negotiated in Congress comes to a vote.

Expulsion powers

While no draft has yet been released, it has been described as one of the most restrictive border bills in a century: likely to expand expulsion powers, raise the bar for asylum claims and shut down the border altogether when a daily threshold is exceeded.

The reforms have been proposed as a way of soothing Republican hardliners and unlocking tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine  although Mr Trump has attempted to jettison any attempt at a bipartisan accord.

A progressive pushback has already begun. Greg Casar, a congressman for Texas, described the proposals as bad policy, on both economic and humanitarian grounds. I dont think that we should be accepting a hostage-taking situation and Trump-light policies as Democrats, he said.

Democrats in battleground districts take a very different view, with the partys most embattled members urgently calling for Mr Biden to be granted more tools to act.

Mark Kelly, who represents the key border state of Arizona, said: You have got to make decisions based on whats the right thing to do. And we need stronger border security.

Recent arrivals

The scale of the recent arrivals on the border has left even Americas most liberal states demanding tougher enforcement from Washington.

The palpable dissatisfaction in California, which has long protected undocumented immigrants as a so-called sanctuary state, underscores the scale of the challenge facing Mr Biden and the Democrats at the ballot box.

And yet the Berkeley poll has shone a light on the lack of consensus among Democrats on how to fix issues with the border.

The crisis has been pushed northward by Republican governors bussing migrants to blue cities which must now confront a problem that had previously been thousands of miles away.

Nowhere has this exposed Democratic cracks more than in New York City, where mayor Eric Adams has warned the city risks being destroyed by the influx and essentially accused Mr Biden of being asleep at the wheel.

Numerous factors have caused the spike along the border  a post-pandemic return to travel, Americas resurgent labour market, and international conflict have all played a role.

Major cause

But a major cause was the expiration last May of Title 42, a Trump-era emergency health order which allowed officials to turn away most migrants arriving at the Mexico border because of Covid-19.

Most newcomers are asylum seekers who are typically released while they await a court date for their claim to be heard. The backlog means the average wait is over four years.

Mr Biden has argued he is willing to take tough action of his own  but needs more powers from Congress to act.

His partys Left flank has already signalled their opposition to his rightward shift on immigration.

The President would just do very well to remember it has never worked for Democrats to just take up Republican talking points, said congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who leads the Houses Progressive Caucus.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has vowed to reinstate, and escalate, his hardline policies if he is returned to power.

They include resuming construction of his flagship border wall, a return of his so-called Muslim ban, ideological screenings hoping to gain entrance, and the promise to enact the largest deportation operation in US history.

Polls suggest he will find a more receptive public, with Republicans leading on border security by around 30 points - the partys widest margin on any top issue.

Paying the price

Back in Jacumba, Mr Shuster says those crossing the border illegally merely sit and wait in his backyard for border patrol officers to take them into custody, rather than trying to flee.

He told The Telegraph that Californias border patrol agents, local police and the fire department have all failed to manage the scale of the problem  and hes paying the price.

Typically, those arriving in Mr Shusters backyard are apprehended and taken to local detention centres for processing. Next they are transported to San Diegos transit centre, and from there, bussed across the country.

The costs can be crippling. San Diego city has already allocated $6 million (4.75 million) on migrant services, and are fast burning through the cash. Charities are attempting to supplement shortfalls by providing food, clothing and legal support.

Greg Anglea, chief executive of Interfaith Services, said the local charity stepped in last May, when refugees were released in their community. The organisation helped 2,000 people in the first 30 days.

But the effort was soon taking up so much of their time and resources they had to bring it to an end to focus on their core mission.

Huge impact

It definitely had a huge impact on the city, Mr Angela said. Local resources were being spent to address the issue.

He is unequivocal about the impact it will have in Novembers general election. Across party lines we are frustrated that the system is broken, he said. There needs to be a better way to do this.

Republican lawmakers in California believe even here in the Golden State patience with inaction has run out.

State senator Brian Jones, who represents a district encompassing a majority of San Diego county, said he receives regular reports from constituents of trespass or damage to their properties.

This is a failure of the Biden administration, he said.

Once a blue district, Mr Jones flipped the seat red in 2022 with the help of swing voters. He believes immigration policy has encouraged Democrats to hop party lines, a trend he sees continuing.

He has argued that a more strongly enforced border is in everyones best interests  US citizens and immigrants alike.

We say we want to treat migrants with compassion, he said. How is it compassion when theyre living in tents and not receiving medical care?

From his perch in Jacumba, Mr Shuster is simply tired of the finger-pointing.

Democrats [or] Republicans, someones got to secure our border, he says. I think this needs to stop.

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Marilyn Manson, who was sentenced to community service for blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire, recently completed his time at an organization that provides meeting space for Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, according to court paperwork.

The shock rocker, 55, spent 20 hours last month at the Windsor Club of Glendale, a California nonprofit that provides meeting locations for Alcoholics Anonymous and families of alcoholics to achieve a more meaningful life through recovery, according to the groups website.

A certificate of completion was filed by the Assistance League of Los Angeles with a New Hampshire court on Jan. 30. Manson had to file proof of his service by Feb. 4.

Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, pleaded no contest in September to the misdemeanor charge in Laconia, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Concord, the state capital.

A no-contest plea means Manson did not contest the charge and did not admit guilt.

He initially was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter with the videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019. The second charge, alleging that he spit on the videographer, was dropped.

Manson also was fined. He needs to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.

Prosecutor Andrew Livernois had said it was his first offense and he had no prior record.

Manson initially pleaded not guilty to both charges in 2021. His lawyer had said that the type of filming the videographer was doing commonly exposes videographers to incidental contact with bodily fluids.

Manson emerged as a musical star in the mid-1990s, known as much for courting public controversy as for hit songs like The Beautiful People and hit albums like 1996s Antichrist Superstar and 1998s Mechanical Animals.

Last year, a California judge threw out key sections of Mansons lawsuit against his former fiancee, Westworld actor Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to do the same. He is appealing the ruling. The judge recently ruled that Manson cover Woods legal fees, according to Rolling Stone.

Mansons lawsuit, filed last year, alleges that Wood and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, defamed Manson, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film.

Several women have sued Manson in recent years with allegations of sexual and other abuse. Most have been dismissed or settled, including a suit filed by Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly.





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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Many enlisted Marines at a San Diego base spent months having to shower in cold water, according to three service members there.

Members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 returned from an Indo-Pacific deployment in November 2023 to find that the showers in their three barracks buildings at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, lacked hot water.

The three buildings serve as the residence for more than 100 Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, according to 1st Lt. Jacoby Hawkins, a spokesman for the installation. Three sources living there said the problem was widespread in these buildings, though some showers had lukewarm water at times.

Marines in the squadron made leaders aware of the water problem almost as soon as they arrived, the sources said, but the problem wasnt fixed until late January, following maintenance work by a contractor. The active duty service members spoke with Marine Corps Times, initially between Jan. 19 and Jan. 23, on condition of anonymity to discuss their living conditions openly.

For months, Marines had to put up with cold showers, often after tiring, messy shifts conducting helicopter maintenance.

When those Marines return from a long shift, they are sometimes covered in grease or hazardous materials that have slipped past their personal protective equipment, one said. For them, skipping a shower at the end of the day isnt an option.

But the cold water, punctuated only sometimes by barely warm water, made showering an unpleasant ritual.

One Marine said their shower routine involved getting cold water on their body, stepping out of the water to soap up, and washing it off, again and again until they are clean. Some days, the Marine said, they seriously considered pooling his salary with those of other Marines to rent a hotel room with a proper shower.

The Marine has sometimes noticed grease from the day before on their and their coworkers hands thanks to the abbreviated showers.

The source said they understand that Marines wont have access to hot water in all circumstances  on certain deployments, say.

But this is at home, the Marine said Jan. 22. This is my house for the time being.

The Marine Corps anticipated problems with the buildings boiler and ordered a new one as a long-term solution back in October 2023, Hawkins said in an emailed statement Wednesday in response to a Marine Corps Times query.

But the new boiler is still being manufactured and likely wont be delivered until the spring, Hawkins said, noting that it requires lead time for manufacturing and delivery.

Were working every angle to expedite its delivery and installation, he said.

The boiler replacement contract is with Johnson Controls Federal Systems LLC, Hawkins said.

Johnson Controls investigated the boiler failure on behalf of the Marine installation and received a notice to proceed with replacing the boiler in December 2023, Trent Perrotto, a spokesman for the company, told Marine Corps Times in a statement Feb. 7, after this article was initially published.

We are actively working with the Marine Corps Miramar Facilities Management Department to quickly resolve the situation, Perrotto said.

Hawkins said that although the hot water went out on multiple occasions since November 2023, the Marines werent continuously out of hot water, and technicians resolved past outages within a day or two.

Three sources in the unit disputed that  saying they did not have hot water for months, though they sometimes had lukewarm water.

Meanwhile, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command was conducting maintenance on the current boiler, according to Hawkins. Earlier in January, Fortis Industries LLC became involved with the project, the Marine spokesman said.

Members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 told Marine Corps Times they noticed at least some hot water beginning Jan. 25 and Jan. 26.

Hawkins said the recent improvements to the hot water situation likely were thanks to Fortis, which identified issues in the boiler that were not previously identified and made a temporary fix.

Gym memberships and greasy hands

One member of the unit said they purchased a membership at a gym a 30-minute drive away to get access to the hot showers there. The membership is $35 a month, and they probably spend more than $200 a month on gas to get to and from the gym.

Yet the alternative was showering in the barracks, where their feet recently turned numb after three minutes in the cold water, the source said on Jan. 23.

The Marines who live in these barracks dont have much of a choice about their living situation.

Officers, higher-ranking enlisted Marines and Marines with families generally receive money to live off base, so barracks inhabitants are mostly younger Marines who dont have money to spend on pricey Southern California rent. A lance corporal with two years in the service, for instance, makes $2,526.90 a month.

There are problems with barracks across the military branches, including mold, inadequate plumbing, and poor heating and cooling, a government watchdog report said in September 2023.

At the Marine Corps School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton, California, Marines in one company were living in dirty, dilapidated barracks with vermin and possible mold, Marine Corps Times reported in January. In December, the schools East Coast counterpart in North Carolina shut down a shower facility where the ceiling was coated in what appeared to be black mold.

Marine leaders have acknowledged many of the Corps aging barracks are in unacceptable condition.

In June 2023, the Corps officially pledged that Marines living would have safe, healthy barracks with functional fixtures, furnishings, appliances, and utilities and common areas and amenities that are enjoyable.

The service is crafting a Barracks 2030 initiative, aimed at improving its living quarters in the coming years, Marine Corps Times previously reported.

Miramar, California, an aviation-focused Marine installation located in San Diego, has been at the forefront of these reform efforts. The base is home to two pilot programs that could later apply to the rest of the force, according to an internal memo about the Corps barracks plan obtained by Marine Corps Times in January.

The installation has begun a resident adviser program, in which a few staff noncommissioned officers move into the barracks to provide advocacy, mentorship, and the maintenance of good order and discipline for all residents, according to Marine Corps Installations Command spokesman Maj. John Parry.

It also is running a new maintenance program that involves bringing in on-call contractors, who can respond to maintenance requests more quickly. But the hot water system posed an especially extensive and interconnected problem, Hawkins said.

While our on-call team can handle smaller plumbing issues, the recurring outages indicated a deeper problem requiring a larger-scale fix like the boiler replacement currently underway, the spokesman said.

Editors note: This article was updated Feb. 8 with comment from a representative for Johnson Controls.
Right-wing extremists and influencers are misrepresenting a decade-old episode of NBCs Dateline featuring Josie Romero, a young transgender girl from Arizona, to challenge the legitimacy of gender-affirming care.

The central figures in this misleading campaign are Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok on X, formerly Twitter. They and others on the right have leveraged a clip from the 2012 episode, portraying a moment of parental support for Josies identity as coercion into medical treatment, to fuel their argument against such care for transgender youth.

This is child abuse!!



Congress must pass my bill Protect Children\u2019s Innocence Act to make it illegal to perform this on children!!!  (@)

Raichik highlighted a specific scene where Josie, then 11, receives puberty blockers, alleging, What youre watching is one of the greatest medical scandals in modern history. Thousands of kids & adolescents sold the lie that theyre born in the wrong body and if they permanently alter their body they can be happy. This video should infuriate you. Echoing Raichiks sentiment, Greene retweeted the post, falsely claiming, This is child abuse!! Congress must pass my bill Protect Childrens Innocence Act to make it illegal to perform this on children!!!

However, this portrayal fails to capture the true context; Josies reaction in the video stems from a common childhood fear of needles and momentary discomfort, not from any reluctance towards the gender-affirming treatment itself.

In August, Gays Against Groomers, an anti-trans hate group, targeted Romero on social media, misgendering her and using her deadname, and spun a narrative of doubt and regret around her transition, which they presented as evidence of the harm of gender affirmation.

 (@)

Romero, who now goes by Sadie Croft, has grown up and continues to live authentically despite the ongoing debate surrounding her childhood decision. Her Instagram page, which features moments from her life, has become another battleground, with some commentators urging her to detransition and others outright denying her transgender identity.

Greenes Protect Childrens Innocence Act proposed making it illegal for health care providers to perform gender transition procedures on people under the age of 18. Supporters of the bill argue it protects minors from irreversible decisions, while critics, including major medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, see it as an attack on the rights of transgender youth, denying them access to medically necessary, gender-affirming healthcare.
The Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, has fired back after a racist op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal called his city Americas Jihad Capital.

The op-ed by Steven Stalinksy alleged that Muslim and Arab leaders from Dearborn are siding with Hamas against Israel and Iran against the U.S. Dearborn has a majority Arab-American population.

On Saturday, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud took to X to express his disgust with the article, where he called it, Reckless. Bigoted. Islamophobic.

Its 2024 and the @WSJ still pushes out this type of garbage.



Reckless. Bigoted. Islamophobic.



Dearborn is one of the greatest American cities in our nation.



- fastest growing city in MI

- home to the #1 travel destination in MI (Greenfield Village / Henry Ford Museum)

- pic.twitter.com/81iQGGKWPx  Abdullah H. Hammoud (@AHammoudMI) February 3, 2024

He continued by defending his city, which is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

In January, Dearborn officials and community leaders canceled a meeting with Joe Bidens campaign manager, over their disapproval of Bidens unswerving support for Israels brutal military campaign in Gaza. I will not entertain conversations about elections while we watch a live-streamed genocide backed by our government, Mayor Hammoud wrote in a statement on X.

Journalist Mehdi Hasan also responded to the op-ed in a post on X. The same rightwing outlets who warn of rising antisemitism (and, yes, antisemitism is on the rise) have no problem pushing horrendous Islamophobia & anti-Arab bigotry, he wrote. Can you imagine a headline like this about a predominantly Jewish or Black area of the U.S.? Shame on @WSJ

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Sacramento is my home. It is where I raised my children, built my career as a civil rights leader and won election to public office to serve the people. But I never once forgot about where my family comes from and where many of my relatives still live: Gaza.

As someone who has suffered the consequences of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, I implore our political leaders in Sacramento to act. A resolution calling for a ceasefire is essential, as it will apply pressure on our federal leaders to act quickly to save innocent lives. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg was wrong to prevent a necessary debate about a council-generated resolution. This is very much a local issue, and this is no time for the mayor to silence those he disagrees with.

For me and so many other Palestinian-Americans, Gaza is not the site of a distant crisis. Gaza hits home, right here in Sacramento. So far, 74 of my family members  yes, 74  have been killed in the Israeli governments attacks on Gaza. Dozens more are missing.

Opinion

The number of my family members who have been killed in recent attacks does not include relatives who have died as a result of the Israeli governments medieval siege on medical supplies and attacks on hospitals. Deprived of essential medical supplies, my cousin, Nour, died of thyroid cancer, leaving behind three children under the age of seven.

For my surviving family members, daily life in Gaza is a desperate struggle to stay alive. They struggle for basic necessities  food, water, healthcare and basic hygiene supplies, such as menstrual pads and diapers, are scarce.

What my family has suffered is not unique.

The Israeli government has killed over 26,000 Palestinians in just four months. Over 12,000 of the victims have been children, 64,487 have been wounded and at least 7,000 bodies remain trapped under the rubble across Gaza, where at least 40% of homes have been destroyed.

The conflict has also ravaged our cultural heritage, with over 200 of our 325 heritage sites destroyed. Our elders, the keepers of our oral history, are succumbing to the harsh conditions, leading to a cultural void.

The international concern about the potential of war crimes, including genocide, is real. The concern is fueled by statements and actions coming directly from Israeli leadership. The Israeli president declared that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. The Israeli defense minister justified cutting off food and water to Gazans by calling them human animals. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the war on Gaza by referencing an ancient biblical story about the mass slaughter of every man, woman, infant and ox in Amalek.

To make matters worse, these Israeli leaders have spent four months attacking civilians in Gaza with the support of the Biden administration. The Israeli government could not commit these crimes without American financial, diplomatic and military support. As Americans, all of us  especially our local elected officials  have an obligation to call on President Biden to stop this war on the people of Gaza.

Calling for a ceasefire is not a political gesture. It is a necessary humanitarian intervention and the first step toward ending the horrific violence and securing the release of hostages in Gaza and political prisoners in Israel. Only then can we start to take the steps necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The ceasefire resolution submitted by Sacramento City Councilmembers Mai Vang and Katie Valenzuela is supported by members of local Palestinian and Jewish communities who care about peace and justice. But Steinberg refuses to place it on a council agenda. He should reconsider.

Its time for our elected leaders to listen to the majority of our country who wants the violence to end. Sacramento, all eyes are on us. Sending a message of peace today will save lives.

Basim Elkarra is the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations for the Sacramento Valley/Central California region and a Twin Rivers Unified School District Board Trustee.
South Korea's foreign ministry on Saturday summoned the top Russian envoy to Seoul to protest a recent statement by a Russian foreign ministry official on President Yoon Suk Yeol's view of the North Korean regime.

On Wednesday, Yoon described North Korea as the only country in the world to legalize the preemptive use of nuclear weapons as tensions escalated over a series of weapons tests by the North since the start of the year.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Yoon's remarks as being "blatantly biased" in a commentary released the following day.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won summoned the Russian ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, to lodge a protest over the spokesperson's remark.

During the meeting, Chung expressed "deep regret" over criticizing the remark by the president with disrespectful language and that such actions could further deteriorate the bilateral relationship.

Zinoviev responded that he would immediately report the South Korean government's position to his home country.

Earlier in the day, the foreign ministry also released a separate statement.

"For a remark by a foreign ministry spokesperson of a country, (it) is below standards, rude, ignorant and biased," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a text message sent to reporters Saturday. "These remarks ignore the clear and objective reality that North Korea's threatening rhetoric and continued military provocations heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the region."

The ministry called the Russian official's remarks "repulsive sophistry" when viewed from the standards of a country that follows international norms.

Meanwhile, it criticized the Russian leader's description of the invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation" as nothing more than a "far-fetched" attempt to mislead the international community.

The rebuke came amid recently deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, with Washington and its allies accusing the North of supplying weapons to Russia to fuel its war against Ukraine.

In recent weeks, North Korea has also ratcheted up tensions with harsh rhetoric against Seoul and with its persistent weapons tests, including what it called a "cruise missile super-large warhead" and a "new-type anti-aircraft missile" on Friday.

Last September, the North enshrined in its constitution an aggressive nuclear policy embracing preemptive strike options. (Yonhap)
FILE - Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill, Nov. 8, 2023, in Washington. As Republicans in the House of Representatives threaten to make Mayorkas the first Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years, Mayorkas says, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, he is totally focused on the work" that his agency of 260,000 people conducts and not distracted by the politics of impeachment. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  To his supporters, Alejandro Mayorkas is a thoughtful, driven secretary  a Boy Scout  who brings a prosecutor's tenacity and his personal understanding of the immigrant experience in America to running his sprawling agency. To his detractors, he personifies everything that has gone wrong at the U.S.-Mexico border and is responsible for allowing hundreds of thousands of migrants into the United States illegally in a burgeoning crisis.

Mayorkas, often referred to as Ali, is the first Latino and the first immigrant to lead the Department of Homeland Security, one of the government's biggest agencies with 260,000 employees. And if House Republicans get their way, hell also be the first Cabinet member impeached in nearly 150 years.

Running the department was never going to be an easy job.

The agency was forged in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to bring together 22 various agencies and departments. Tom Warrick, a former top counterterrorism official at the agency who is now at the Atlantic Council, says it's the second-toughest job in Washington.

Only the presidents is tougher. The secretary of DHS has to oversee the most diverse mission portfolio in the federal government. And almost all of it is a high-wire act where failure would have enormous consequences, Warrick said.

In just a few examples of the agency's diverse responsibilities, over the past year Homeland Security worked with historically Black colleges and universities to respond to bomb threats, set up an AI-task force to figure out how best to use the nascent technology and protected President Joe Biden on his trip to Ukraine.

But it is the departments role in immigration that has made Mayorkas a target of impeachment. The House could vote on impeachment as soon as this coming week, although it's unclear whether Republicans have enough support within their slim majority to push it through.

When Biden chose Mayorkas to head the department, the nominee was seen by many as someone who would bring a more humane hand to immigration following the administration of Republican President Donald Trump, whose policies to stem the flow of migrants fueled outrage.

Mayorkas seemingly goes out of his way to avoid making news in public appearances. He is exceedingly precise and polite in how he expresses himself, often speaking with pride and earnestness about the department's mission, its employees and public service. He remembers the exact date when he was first sworn into government service, in 1989 as a prosecutor in California.

I am deeply devoted to the reasons why I entered public service many, many years ago...unwaveringly so, he said during a recent interview with The Associated Press.

His family left Cuba in 1960 when he was a baby and eventually settled in Los Angeles. His mother had fled the Holocaust before arriving in Cuba. When Mayorkas was a child, his mother didnt want him going to sleepovers or away to camp after she had lost so many family members to the Holocaust, the secretary has said.

Hanging on the wall behind the desk in his office are two black-and-white photos of his parents. Mayorkas said his immigrant and refugee background mean that he brings an intense patriotism to the job.

This country meant a lot to my parents and to what they could provide to my sister and me, he said. I also understand the fragility of life, what it means to be displaced."

Supporters say he is driven by commitment to public service and that the idea of him doing anything that warrants impeachment is completely at odds with what they know of the law-and-order-minded former prosecutor.

Cecilia Munoz worked closely with Mayorkas during the Obama administration when she was at the White House and she calls him a Boy Scout. She says he has an ability to persevere through government bureaucracy to get stuff done.

As head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, Mayorkas put in place a program giving protection from deportation to migrants brought to the border as children. Munoz said he got the program up and running two months after President Barack Obama announced it  light speed for a federal agency.

She also praised his work on another issue: how to get Haitian children, orphaned by the 2010 earthquake, into the U.S. and to people who wanted to adopt them. In his office is a photo of one of those children running through the Miami airport to meet his new parents.

For him, the most meaningful thing you can do in government is stick with the thorny problem so that a kid can ... find his family, she said.

Since taking the job as DHS secretary, Mayorkas has been subject to often hostile rhetoric over the administration's handling of the border and immigration.

Republicans argue that he has been the architect of an immigration system that they say has no consequences for migrants who come to the U.S. illegally and that serves as a major factor in pulling them to America. GOP lawmakers say the campaign language that Biden used to hammer Trumps policies sent a message to would-be migrants that U.S. borders were now open, and they say the Democratic administration either got rid of policies that were working under Trump to curb migration or put in place new ones that are failing.

Republicans particularly criticize Mayorkas for what they say is a failure to detain migrants and for his use of humanitarian parole to admit hundreds of thousands of people into the country who otherwise could not get a visa.

Hes intentionally just bringing the people in and releasing them into the country, said GOP Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee that voted along party lines Wednesday in favor of impeaching Mayorkas. The mass migration wave thats occurred is because theres no consequences to crossing the border now."

Only once in American history has a Cabinet secretary been impeached: William Belknap, war secretary in the administration of President Ulysses Grant, in 1876 over kickbacks in government contracts.

Targeting an official for impeachment over a policy dispute  in Mayorkas' case, over the Republicans' claim that he is not upholding immigration laws  is unprecedented.

Brandon Judd is the president of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents agents and endorsed Trump for president. Judd argues that when Mayorkas says things such as Homeland Security is putting migrants into deportation proceedings, it leads people to believe the government is moving faster and being tougher than Judd says it is.

Judd also criticized Mayorkas' role in a 2021 incident where Border Patrol agents were accused of abusing Haitian migrants, saying Mayorkas was not supportive enough of the agents.

Judd said agents complain to him that they are not able to do the job they signed up for because they constantly are being pulled off to process migrants. You dont feel good in the job that youre doing as a Border Patrol agent right now," he said.

Mayorkas says he does not take the criticism personally. He shows little desire to delve into the politics of the impeachment except to say the allegations are baseless."

He is adamant that the impeachment process is not distracting him from his work and is prepared to defend himself in the Democratic-controlled Senate if there is a trial.

As much as the Biden administrations immigration agenda is pilloried by Republicans, advocates for immigrants say the government's approach has become too aggressive and is a far cry from the promises Biden made as a candidate and his actions early in his term to reverse the effects of the Trump years. And they are worried that Senate border negotiations will undermine Americas place as a refuge.

Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, said he has a lot of concerns about the administration's direction on immigration. But he praises Mayorkas for being transparent and willing to meet with advocates even when the secretary knows he will get pushback.

Mayorkas sat down with Arulanantham nearly a year ago for what at times was a contentious interview. Arulanantham pressed him on issues such as the treatment of children in the immigration court system and policies on asylum. But, Arulanantham said, he did not doubt that Mayorkas would speak to him again if he asked.

Mayorkas and many immigration experts argue that what is happening on the southern border is part of a global phenomenon where people around the world, aided by social media and smugglers, are more likely to move in search of a better life. Homeland Security says it is aggressively deporting migrants who are found not to have the right to stay in America.

Angela Kelley, who was a senior counselor to Mayorkas and is now a senior adviser with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said Mayorkas has done much that has gone unnoticed: reuniting families separated under Trump, creating protections for undocumented immigrants who might be exploited by employers and speeding up the naturalization process for new citizens. And while Republicans say he has abused his humanitarian parole authority, she and others say the department is using it to address immigration problems at a time when Congress gives it few tools to work with.
A New York man is suing McDonalds after a stray slice of American cheese on his Big Mac allegedly sent him into acute anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening condition that can turn deadly within minutes.

The sandwich had Charles Olsen, a twentysomething music producer who is severely allergic to dairy products, on the brink of respiratory failure, according to his legal team and a lawsuit filed Friday in New York State Supreme Court.

Were just so grateful that Mr. Olsen is still with us, Olsens attorney Jory Lange told The Daily Beast, adding that he and co-counsel Scott Harford are working with several families who have lost loved ones to hidden food allergens.

The McDonalds Corporation and The Colley Group, the family business that owns the McDonalds franchise in question, did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Beast. Both are named as defendants in the suit.

The Colley Groups polo-playing COO, Bruce Colley, made headlines two decades ago when he was blamed for breaking up future New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomos marriage to Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, the seventh of Robert F. Kennedys 11 children. He and the closely held company were back in the news a few years later, when workers at a Colley McDonalds in Washington Heights walked off the job and demanded air conditioning following the hospitalization of a colleague who fainted in the sweltering kitchen during a heat wave. The family was once again the subject of intense local interest in 2015, when family matriarch Lois Colley was fatally bludgeoned with a fire extinguisher by a disgruntled employee. The Colleys are one of the largest private owners of restaurants in the United States, according to an April 2023 press release regarding one of Bruce Colleys overseas development projects.

Bruce Colley at a polo challenge in 2010. Amber De Vos

A review of court records shows The Colley Group, which owns hundreds of McDonalds franchises, has faced numerous other lawsuits over incidents that have occurred there. Patrons claim they have been assaulted by employees, attacked by teenage mobs, racially profiled, and, in one instance, pummeled in the face by a crew member during a dispute over the size of his coffee. However, few, if any, have been food poisoning cases.

Olsens claims trace back to the early-morning hours of Feb. 21, 2021, when he and his girlfriend, identified in the lawsuit as Alexandra, logged into DoorDash and ordered a post-midnight snack from a nearby McDonalds in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood.

For her, a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal and a chocolate milk. Olsen requested his usual: a Big Mac Meal, no cheese, and a Sprite.

When the food arrived, Olsen opened his burger and began to eat, according to the lawsuit.

After a few bites, he immediately felt like something wasnt right, it states. His throat began to itch and swell. He felt a burning sensation throughout his body. He looked at his girlfriend, Alexandra, and coughed, Theres milk in this!

Almost immediately, Olsens entire body was covered in hives, the lawsuit goes on. His breathing became heavy and congested. His whole body felt feverish. He developed a persistent cough, followed by wheezing. He also began gasping for air. He choked out his words to Alexandra that he needed medical help right away.

As anaphylaxis set in, Alexandra rushed Olsen to the hospital, according to the lawsuit. By this point, he was hypoxic and on the brink of needing intubation to save his life, the suit says. All the while, his throat was continuing to swell and close.

Things got really, really bad, Lange told The Daily Beast. And right when doctors were ready to hook Olsen up to a ventilator, the medicine started to kick in, and he started to be able to breathe, he said.

New York State Supreme Court

After several hours, ER staff were able to stabilize Olsen and later released him, according to the lawsuit.

Lange, who specializes in food poisoning cases, said Olsen has recovered physically from the terrifying ordeal.

But emotionally, this was a pretty traumatic thing, he said. I know it was a really scary event for him, and that those emotional scars, unfortunately, are lasting.

One step toward a solution, according to Harford would be for McDonalds and other chains to let online customers indicate in their orders that they have an actual allergy to a specific ingredient, rather than simply providing an option to request that an ingredient be left off their sandwich.

The problem is, this is all completely avoidable, Lange said. With the rising number of people who suffer from really serious food allergies, like Mr. Olson, its really, really important for restaurants, that whenever a customer tells you, Hey, dont include this particular ingredient in my order, that they honor it. Especially if its something like milk or cheese, which is one of the nine most common food allergens that leads to people having anaphylaxis and ending up in the emergency room.

Because of the contaminated food products Olsen unwittingly ate, his lawsuit says he incurred substantial medical expenses, and endured great physical pain, discomfort, mental anguish, and suffering. He is asking for damages in an amount to be determined by a jury, plus legal fees.

In Langes experience, he said, some restaurant chains are willing to meet him halfway in situations like this, and do what they can to make it right. Others, according to Lange, will just fight and fight and fight.

Our job is just to keep fighting until they admit they did something wrong, and [then] try to fix it, Lange said. And obviously, get compensation for Mr. Olsen. But also to hold the restaurants accountable, so that they will be safer for the next person, so that this wont happen to someone else again.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A McDowell County man pleaded guilty to a federal gun crime.

23-year-old Carl Thomas Mullins, also known as TJ Mullins, of Isaban, pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.

Beckley man sentenced for federal fraud crime

According to statements made in court, Mullins broke into a store in Wyoming County on September 10, 2021 and stole a rifle and two shotguns.

Mullins sentencing is scheduled for May 24, 2024, and he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of parole, and a $250,000 fine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson who complimented the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work on the investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Mystic Valley Parkway is back open after Medford and State Police found a device near the Condon Shell to be inert Saturday.

Local first responders and members of the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad were called to the popular bandstand Saturday afternoon.

The bomb squad found the device was a practice round with no fuzing system and a hollow cavity. According to State Police, the item was most likely discarded by an unknown person along with other pieces of thrash.

There was no evidence to indicate that the item had been improvised or that there was any explosive hazard, a Massachusetts States Police spokesperson said.

Police asked everyone to refrain from the area while the Parkway was closed between Main Street and Winthrop Street.

Officials announced the scene was cleared and Mystic Valley Parkway was reopened around 3:30 p.m.

Update: All units are now clear. The device was removed and determined to be inert. The street has been reopened. https://t.co/jKRt6iROPu  Medford Police (@MedfordPolice) February 3, 2024

State Police shared photos of the large device lying on the ground next to a trash can.

MSP patrols and Bomb Squad and @MedfordMAFire on scene for military ordnance located at Condon Shell on Mystic Valley Parkway (Rt16). The west side of the Parkway is closed from

Main St to Winthrop

St. @MassDFS @EOPSS pic.twitter.com/T00Vhu8U71  Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 3, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has visited a Korean military contingent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to encourage troops for their service there, Seoul's defense ministry said Saturday.

Shin met with members of the Akh unit during his trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

During his visit, Shin called for the troops to focus on their duties as maintaining close ties with "the brother nation of the UAE" aligns with Korea's national interests.

Launched in 2011, the Akh unit has been carrying out various missions in the country, including training UAE troops and protecting Korean nationals in the region in case of emergencies. Akh means "brother" in Arabic. (Yonhap)
For more than two years, state lawmakers have called to strengthen dyslexia screening in Michigan public schools and strengthen reading instruction across the state.

Yet, in that time, bills requiring strengthened screening have never made it to the governor's desk.

And while the state's leaders have also called for more research-backed reading instruction across the state, Michigan's budget director critiqued Schools Superintendent Michael Rice in a letter dated Jan. 17 for failing to expediently give out $140 million in grant funding for professional development around literacy for educators, money approved last summer.

The stalling is frustrating for state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, who supported a package of bills in 2022 that would have mandated dyslexia screening in schools.

"Don't tell me you care with words," he said. "I don't give a rat's patootie about someone's words. I hear words blowing all over Lansing. It's what do you do."

State Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, is calling for dyslexia screening in Michigan schools.

Since then, debates across the country over reading instruction have intensified. Parents and advocates are calling for school districts to adopt more research-backed curricula, using the science of reading as a rallying cry. The definition of the science of reading encompasses scientific research showing how children learn to read, though the definition sometimes varies depending on the person or organization defining it. Advocates for the approach often emphasize phonics and phonemic awareness as instructional tools to teach children how to read.

Dyslexia and science of reading concerns

Susan Schmidt, a board member for the Michigan chapter of the International Dyslexia Association, said while screening laws haven't been passed, more budget money has been directed to training educators, including $10 million in this fiscal year's budget for LETRS training. LETRS emphasizes skills in phonics and how students process and identify sounds in words.

"You can already start to see the curriculum shifting. ... Good stuff is happening even though the bills haven't passed," she said. "You can't flip the switch, right? Because you have to get people on board and have the knowledge so that they can understand why we need to shift."

But a larger chunk of money, $140 million passed in fiscal year's 2024 budget, for strengthened literacy instruction in schools hasn't been spent, according to Flood's January letter to Rice. Flood wrote that the Michigan Department of Education has had at least six months to plan administering the grant.

"Those very dollars that were signed into law are sitting idly in the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) instead of in the hands of those who can use them impactfully," Flood wrote. "That is unacceptable. ... Now is the time to act."

On Jan. 25, MDE announced the grant money's availability in a public memo. Schools that apply for the money must provide training to staff members around literacy instruction, and must publicly share the literacy curriculum used for pre-K to grade 5 students.

Maryna Hedeen, 35, of Monroe, teaches English Learning at Brownstown Middle School and places her hands over books she has collected for her students to read on Feb. 10, 2022.

Michigan's reading scores have raised alarm bells in recent years. On the 2022 NAEP test, which is an assessment comparing reading and math achievement among the states, Michigan's average fourth-grade reading scores slid six points between 2022 and 2019, the last time students took the test. Some of the slide may have to do with the pandemic's impact on schools. Just nine states and the District of Columbia lost more points than Michigan. Score drops on the reading NAEP were higher among Black Michigan fourth graders.

On the state's M-STEP test in reading, nearly 35% of third-grade students scored not proficient in reading and 25% scored partially proficient, an increase from pre-pandemic levels. Third grade is often thought of as a crucial juncture for learners, when students should transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

State Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, sponsor of the bill requiring schools to screen children for signs of dyslexia or signs that students are struggling to decode words or recognize words in print, said he has been studying reading instruction since 2016. The state isn't tackling literacy aggressively enough, he said.

"We're seeing so many kids fall through the cracks," he said. "And we're seeing that Michigan's reading scores are not improving."

State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, is the sponsor of a bill requiring schools to screen children for signs of dyslexia.

Lawmakers look to pass this year

State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, said she supports the screening bill  she is a co-sponsor  but wanted to first make sure requirements don't impose more testing in schools, which can become onerous for both students and staff.

"It was important to me that we don't do more redundant testing," she said.

Both Irwin and Runestad said they have become steeped in research around reading instruction in recent years, and explained in interviews with the Free Press what they've learned from their research. Those insights include: the advantages of sounding words out through phonics and the importance of measuring foundational reading skills in students.

Without skills to sound words out, Runestad said, he worries older students have long fallen behind.

"The young people I've talked to said the words they're not familiar with are meaningless," he said. "They don't know how to pronounce them and they don't know what they mean."

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan lawmakers propose dyslexia screening bills, reform for years
The mayor Dearborn, Mich., announced Saturday the city, just outside of Detroit, will ramp up price presence around places of worship and city infrastructure in the wake of an op-ed from the The Wall Street Journal that he labeled inflammatory.

Effective immediately  Dearborn police will ramp up its presence across all places of worship and major infrastructure points, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud (D) said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter Saturday,

This is a direct result of the inflammatory @WSJ opinion piece that has led to an alarming increase in bigoted and Islamophobic rhetoric online targeting the city of Dearborn, Hammoud continued. Stay vigilant.

The WSJ released an op-ed Friday entitled Welcome to Dearborn, Americas Jihad Capital, which claims that there is [l]ocal enthusiasm for jihad against Israel and the West in the city, which has a majority Arab American population.

President Biden made a trip to Michigan Thursday, even with frustrations he is facing from the population in the Wolverine State about how he is handling the current conditions in Gaza, amid the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

On Wednesday, community members came together to protest Bidens visit in Dearborn. The White House schedule for the presidents Thursday trip to the Midwestern state was vague and when White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was confronted about it, she told reporters that she did not know of any specific concerns.

I do want to say, more broadly, that the president has met with Americans with varying opinions about the conflict between Israel and Hamas, she said during a gaggle on Air Force One. Officials at the White House are also in regular contact with Muslim and Arab American leaders in Michigan and across the country.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group, has recently said it received an unprecedented amount of complaints of Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias in the month after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last October, and sparked the ongoing war.

The organization claimed it had received 1,283 complaints of bias, a 216 percent increase in comparison to the year before.

The Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian rhetoric that have been used to both justify violence against Palestinians in Gaza and silence supporters of Palestinian human rights here in America has contributed to this unprecedented surge in bigotry, CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor said in a statement at the time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Oleg Stegachev, the crew commander of a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber, was shot in the Russian city of Engels, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) reported on Feb. 3.

Russia has regularly used the Engels air base, which is located around 730 kilometers southeast of Moscow and hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine, to attack Ukraine with aircraft carrying cruise missiles.

Stegachev, born in 1983, has served at the Engels air base and has been directly involved in strikes on Ukrainian civilian sites, HUR said on Telegram.

The military intelligence agency is still clarifying whether Stegachev survived the attack.

HUR didn't claim responsibility for the assassination attempt but hinted that it was involved.

"We remind you that retribution awaits all war criminals - we know your names, addresses, car numbers, usual routes and habits," the agency said.

In December, Illia Kyva, a pro-Russian former lawmaker in the Ukrainian parliament, was found dead in Moscow Oblast. According to the Kyiv Independent's source in law enforcement, he was assassinated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Kyva openly supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine, disseminating Russian propaganda through his Telegram channel.

Read also: Im in shock: Russias mass attack on Kyiv shatters lives and dreams

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A special-called meeting in Millersville ended almost before it began Friday and quickly turned into an impromptu town hall discussion on the city's lack of transparency.

At the start of the proceedings, Millersville Mayor Tommy Long asked newly-appointed City Attorney Bryant Kroll whether commissioners could discuss the recent staff terminations and replacement hires for city manager, chief of police and city attorney after a lawsuit was filed this week, claiming the city violated open meeting laws.

"In light of the lawsuit pending, my advice is that you refrain from discussing these matters," Kroll replied.

After the three-minute meeting was adjourned, Commissioners Cristina Templet and David Gregory stayed behind, speaking with constituents inside commission chambers about the perceived lack of communication among their colleagues.

Millersville's commission fired the city manager, attorney and police chief in the span of three days late last month. The city manager, Scott Avery, was fired with great fanfare during an open meeting while the other two officials were fired quietly, via email.

Recent events appear to have started a war among commissioners, with Long, Vice Mayor Milton Dorris and Alisa Huling on one side and Templet and Gregory on the other.

The pending lawsuit referenced in the meeting was filed by Templet's husband.

And Templet, herself, accused Long, Dorris and the newly sworn-in Huling of violating Tennessee's Open Meetings Act during the last city meeting after they voted, without discussion, to fire Avery. Minutes later, they voted to hire Tina Tobin as interim city manager, again without discussion.

Cristina Templet on Friday told about 30 people during the impromptu discussion that Tobin's hiring after Avery's firing was proof of collusion between Huling, Dorris and Long.

"I'm so done with this commission not being transparent," she said. "I'm definitely going to be transparent."

After she was hired, Tobin made quick work of firing City Attorney Jack Freedle, sending him an email less than 24 hours later. He filed the lawsuit on behalf of Templet's husband.

Gregory said he has not anything like this in his 11 years as a commissioner. He asked the group of 30 if they liked what was going on with the city. Many shook their heads no.

He said the city needs to come together, speak up and vote in November.

In addition to the city manager and attorney, Millersville Police Chief Robert Richman, who'd moved to Tennessee from Texas before taking office in December, was fired by Tobin. He'd been hired by a unanimous vote from the board weeks earlier.

Now, Bryan Morris serves as Millersville's police chief, though it is unclear when he was hired. Morris previously served as Ridgetop's police chief and was there when the city abruptly disbanded its police department, citing budget concerns.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Commissioners spar during brief Millersville special-called meeting
Over 20 million metric tons of cargo has been exported from ports in and around the city of Odesa via Ukraine's temporary Black Sea corridor in the last six months, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov reported on Feb. 3.

The shipping route was opened in August 2023, weeks after Russia's unilateral termination of the Black Sea grain deal threatened Ukraine's ability to ship out its grain.

According to Kubrakov, 661 vessels have exported the cargo to 32 countries around the world.

Of the 20 million metric tons, 14.3 million metric tons are agricultural products produced by Ukrainian farmers.

The ports in and around Odesa are also increasing cargo transshipment, with 6.3 million metric tons exported in January 2024, "which is almost equal to the pre-war level," Kubrakov said.

Another 104 vessels are set to arrive in the ports, which will ship out more than 3 million tons of cargo, Kubrakov said.

The corridor was originally opened to allow the exit of vessels that had been docked at Ukraine's Black Sea ports since February 2022.

Since then, it has become a route for exporting Ukrainian goods such as grain and metal. Ukraine is a major agricultural producer, and its supplies play a major role in feeding countries across the world, namely in the Global South.

Despite successful Ukrainian strikes against Russian naval capabilities, Black Sea shipping continues to face risks wrought by the all-out war, namely floating mines.

Read also: European Commission proposes to extend duty-free imports from Ukraine until June 2025

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A young Minneapolis man who authorities said embarked on an armed carjacking spree and high-speed pursuit through residential neighborhoods last March has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison.

Javon Thomas Wilson-Branch, 19, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,100 in restitution to the victims of three violent carjackings committed within a 12-hour period, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Thursday.

This individual put several lives at risk by going on an armed carjacking spree and evading law enforcement by driving 120 miles per hour through a residential neighborhood, Luger said in a statement. This case offers a snapshot of a disturbing trend of violent and reckless behavior. Wilson-Branchs spree is one of the reasons our office has focused our resources on prosecuting violent carjacking cases.

According to court documents, on March 16, 2023, at approximately 8 p.m.,Wilson-Branch and another man pulled up beside two people unloading groceries from a Mercedes-Benz SUV in Minneapolis and robbed them by pointing an assault-style rifle at them. He demanded the victims turn over their belongings and the keys to the SUV before he and his co-conspirator drove away.

Eight hours later, at around 4 a.m., he and another man, pulled the Mercedes SUV up to a Toyota Highlander in Minneapolis, pointed a gun at the driver and demanded the vehicles keys. After robbing the occupants, Wilson-Branch then got into the Toyota and drove it away.

An AirTag online tracking device inside the Toyota located it in St. Paul, where it was abandoned about a half-hour later at 4:30 a.m. and recovered by police.

Another 30 minutes later, at approximately 5 a.m., Wilson-Branch and the other man held up the driver of an Audi A6 with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and the assault rifle. Both men robbed the driver of his keys, wallet and phone and forced the driver to unlock his cellphone. Later they used the unlocked phone to transfer money from the victims bank account into Wilson-Branchs account and other accounts. Wilson-Branch drove away in the Audi.

About 30 minutes later, St. Paul police officers spotted both the carjacked Mercedes and Audi near Maryland and Western avenues. When officers attempted to stop the vehicles, both drivers fled, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through neighborhoods and then onto freeways.

Two days later, officers from the Woodbury Police Department spotted the Audi in a mall parking lot and arrested Wilson-Branch after a brief foot chase. Two of the guns used in the carjacking, both fully loaded with high-capacity magazines and a stolen box of ammunition, were found inside the car along with the keys to the Toyota.

Wilson-Branch, who had an extensive criminal record as a juvenile, pleaded guilty on Aug. 4 to two counts of aiding and abetting carjacking, and admitted to aiding and abetting a third carjacking. He was sentenced in St. Paul by U.S. District Judge David S. Doty.

Related Articles
Deputies say the search for a missing 78-year-old man has come to a tragic end.

Ardell Kennedy left Acworth at 8:30 a.m. on Friday to head to his property in Buchanan, Ga. When he hadnt returned by 8 p.m., his family became concerned and went out to Haralson County where they found his truck but not him.

The family also noticed that a tractor and bush hog were missing.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Investigators also learned his cell phone had been turned off since noon.

Haralson County deputies, fire crews, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit all responded to help look for Kennedy

On Saturday morning, crews found the tractor at the edge of a lake on the property.

TRENDING STORIES:

Carroll County dive crews came out to search the lake and found Kennedys body.

Sadly, this was not the outcome we wanted in this case, Haralson County Sheriff Stacy Williams said. Our hope was to find Mr. Kennedy alive and reunite him with his family.

Investigators say his death appears to be a tragic accident.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
This article is part of Lost Rites, a series on Americas failed death notification system.

RAYMOND, Miss.  Gretchen Hankins came to the Hinds County paupers field Friday morning for her sons body, and for answers. She got neither.

Hankins son, Jonathan David Hankins, 39, died of a drug overdose in May 2022, and his body went unclaimed for more than a year as family, friends and police searched for him. Without anyone notifying his mother of his death, he was buried in a grave marked only with a number: 645. He was one of several men who were buried without their families being told, triggering widespread public outrage after NBC News exposed the issue last year.

Early Friday, Gretchen Hankins stepped onto the paupers field, on the grounds of the county jails work farm, for the first time, to witness her son being exhumed so that his body could be prepared for a proper funeral. She said a staff member at the Hinds County coroners office had told her she could attend the exhumation.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart was there as well, and Hankins began pressing the coroner on why no one had told her her son was dead.

As Hankins sister recorded on a phone, Grisham-Stewart said the lapse was not her fault.

I dont know about missing persons, said Grisham-Stewart, who has held the elected office of Hinds County coroner since 1999. I dont know how to find people. I know how to determine cause and manner of death. But if I fall short of looking for people, I apologize. I dont know how to find people.

But its your job, Hankins replied, and when you take that job on, youre supposed to learn how to do that.

Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the state medical examiner, said county coroners are required to take a 40-hour training course every four years that includes instruction on locating and communicating with next of kin.

Although each county has its own procedures, Martin said that the ultimate responsibility for death notification lies with the county coroner.

Shortly after Hankins criticized Grisham-Stewart for not notifying her of her sons death, Grisham-Stewart told her that she could not be there. A Hinds County sheriffs deputy ordered Hankins, her sister, friends, a reporter and a photographer away from the cemetery.

Grisham-Stewart did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Hinds County Sheriffs Department said members of the public must request access to the paupers cemetery because its on the jail property.

This was the first time Hankins had met Grisham-Stewart since she learned about the death of her son, Jonathan David Hankins, in December, when an NBC News reporter came to her doorstep to share the news as part of an investigation into failed death notifications in Hinds County.

Jonathan David Hankins with his mother, Gretchen Hankins, and daughter, Brooke. (Courtesy Gretchen Hankins)

Documents obtained by NBC News showed that Grisham-Stewarts office identified Jonathan Hankins body a few days after police found him dead in a Jackson motel room, but no one contacted his mother, even though shed reported him missing to authorities in neighboring Rankin County and Jonathans name was posted to a publicly available federal database of missing people.

A Google search of Jonathan Hankins name by Grisham-Stewarts office would have delivered information about his family and their attempts to find him.

After finally learning of her sons death from NBC News in December, Hankins said she paid the county $300 to reclaim the rights to his body and exhume his remains.

Im the one, the mother, you did not contact when my son was buried, Hankins told Grisham-Stewart after arriving at the paupers field Friday morning, according to the recording provided to NBC News.

Sometimes we dont know how to contact the families, Grisham-Stewart responded.

Grisham-Stewart, who spent nearly two decades as a mortician before being elected Hinds County coroner, has not spoken publicly about the botched notifications. Prior to the scandal, she told The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in 2022 that the number of unclaimed bodies handled by her office had risen sharply over the past two decades  a trend repeated in large and midsize cities across the country in an era rife with opioid addiction, surging homelessness and increasingly fractured families.

In 2003, Hinds County sent 11 unclaimed bodies to paupers burials; in 2022, that number had grown to about 40.

Amid a rise in homicides and deaths due to Covid, Grisham-Stewart told The Clarion-Ledger that she went to bed every night praying there wouldnt be a homicide or car wreck.

Revelations of the botched death notifications stirred nationwide anger and prompted calls for federal investigations. The Jackson Police Department in Mississippi adopted its first policy on death notifications in November. The coroners office has since released a copy of its own policy, but it isnt clear when it went into effect.

In the Hankins case, the coroners office has not said what, if anything, it did to find or contact his family. The agency said it forwarded Jonathan Hankins information to the Jackson Police Department for notification purposes, but the police department has said it never got that information.

At the gravesite, Grisham-Stewart told Gretchen Hankins that her office staff was trained by the Mississippi State Medical Examiners Office but that training did not focus on finding people.

But it wasnt that hard, Gretchen Hankins told Grisham-Stewart. All you had to do is the computer.

Well, it is hard when you have deaths after deaths after deaths after death and you work 24 hours a day, Grisham-Stewart said. And, you know, having a computer is at a desk. My job is out in the field.

Its still not excusing, Hankins said. If you take on a job, youre supposed to do it.

I dont make an excuse, Grisham-Stewart said.

Grisham-Stewart told Hankins that in cases when her staff cant find families, were always hopeful that families can find us.

But Hinds County  like most coroners nationally  does not post the names of unclaimed dead to a free searchable database maintained by the Department of Justice. In December, NBC News published the names of 215 people buried in the Hinds County paupers cemetery since 2016 to give families an opportunity to find loved ones.

Gretchen Hankins Not Notified of Son's Death (Ashleigh Coleman for NBC News)

Grisham-Stewart told Hankins that she was trying to implement things now to try to do better and that its not willful, its not intentional, not to notify.

Hankins said she believed it was intentional. Just because everybody out here  I bet you 90% of them were your drug users or homeless and yall just dont care.

Well, Im sorry you feel like that, but thats not true, Grisham-Stewart said.

Its the truth, Hankins replied.

Hankins said she just wanted to get her sons body back and give him a proper funeral.

Grisham-Stewart said that was commendable. But she told Hankins that she wasnt allowed to be at the paupers field.

Hankins then went to find Jonathans grave, searching for its number, 645. Before she could find it, a sheriffs deputy stopped her.

Maam, you have to leave right now, the deputy said.

The deputy also told an NBC News reporter and a photographer they were not allowed to be there.

Gretchen Hankins Exhumation of Son, Jonathan Hankins (Ashleigh Coleman for NBC News)

In an interview later, Hinds County Sheriffs Department spokesman Othor Cain said that under an updated policy adopted last month by the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, members of the public must ask permission to visit the paupers cemetery.

Its not a public space, Cain said. Its actually just like entering our detention center, because its on the grounds of that facility.

The paupers field  actually several distinct plots  lies along a dirt road that leads from the work farm. There are no barriers blocking the publics entrance, but there are signs saying unauthorized vehicles are prohibited.

Cain said he could not provide a copy of the updated policy because it takes 20 to 30 days after a vote until it becomes an official document.

Hinds County has buried hundreds of people in pauper's graves near a penal farm. (Ashleigh Coleman for NBC News)

Hankins said her funeral home was able to exhume Jonathans remains later on Friday  his service is scheduled for Feb. 10  but she did not trust Hinds County and wanted proof that the remains were actually her sons.

It makes it like they are hiding something even more, when they wouldnt even let me walk up there and see where he was buried. What are they hiding?

After being turned away, Hankins, along with her sister and some friends, got in their cars and turned back down a dirt road and left the work farm.

I wanted to see him, Hankins said on the side of the road.

Then she began to cry.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Experts say mapping out specific plans is important

By Jung Da-hyun

In the lead-up to the upcoming general elections slated for April, rival parties are scrambling to announce ambitious pledges, including those to bury railways underground in major cities. However, criticism is growing as experts pointed out that such pledges lack specific plans such as how to secure finances.

Leaders of the rival parties have been in a race to visit relevant sites in recent days, including subway stations, unveiling their pledges to bury railways underground.

Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), revealed the party's commitment to bury railways in city center areas during his visit to Jangan District in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. He stressed that there will be widespread demand for this initiative.

The following day, Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also visited Sindorim Station in southwestern Seoul, emphasizing that now is the time to implement a comprehensive plan to bury railroads underground.

The primary objective of burying railways is to address issues such as noise, dust and chronic congestion caused by train lines operating at surface level. Plans proposed by the parties also include constructing large-scale local landmarks in the locations of the railroads, aiming to revitalize underdeveloped city centers.

Both parties proposed raising funds from private businesses and covering construction costs with profits after the development, but they face criticism for lacking detailed funding plans.

Experts argue that a more concrete roadmap is essential to secure benefits through burying railways.

Jang Jae-min, representative director of the Korea Institute for Urban Policy, pointed out that relocating train lines underground in metropolitan areas such as Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province would pose significant practical challenges.

It is not easy to erect a building in narrow spaces, especially when the railroad runs in a straight line even after being buried, he said.

Jang acknowledged the potential benefits of the plan to place railways underground, suggesting it could contribute to urban revitalization by connecting previously disjointed lands and facilitating overall urban development.

However, he emphasized the complexity of the situation to actualize the benefits.

It is difficult to execute underground construction while the railroad is still operating, Jang said. If temporary suspension of railroad operations is considered for construction, careful measures must be taken to address potential traffic congestion in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Lee Chang-moo, a professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Engineering at Hanyang University, underscored the financial challenges associated with underground railways.

It is necessary to thoroughly evaluate whether the expenses incurred for plans to bury railways is worthwhile, considering the potential benefits, he said.

In response to criticisms, the PPP's Han stressed once again on Friday that the party has considered financial resources and is confident in the implementation of the plan.

Particularly in areas like Suwon, the strategic nature of the plan is to attract private investors. There is thorough preparation for the financial plan associated with the initiative, Han said.
Republican Congressman John Duarte of Modesto announced bipartisan legislation Friday to bolster drug trafficking enforcement and commit $302 million annually for interdiction and prosecution in high intensity drug areas across the country.

The congressman announced the HIDTA Reauthorization Act of 2024 at a news conference in Modesto, also attended by county sheriffs and district attorney officials from the San Joaquin Valley, as well as parents who lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning.

It would increase federal funding for law enforcement agencies in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, giving them tools and equipment to get fentanyl and other illegal drugs off the streets.

Valley counties became familiar with the HIDTA program following the explosion of methamphetamine in the 1990s. Now a high priority is fentanyl, an extremely lethal drug that resulted in 121 confirmed overdose or poisoning deaths in Stanislaus County in 2023.

The death rates in the counties in my district alone in 2023 are up 750 percent over five years ago, Duarte said. It is hitting all parts of our communities. This is an epidemic. Its the No. 1 killer of young people age 18 to 45 right now.

Speakers at the news conference at the Stanislaus District Attorneys office said the drug enforcement efforts would not target street-level dealers, but would go after those distributing high volumes of fentanyl.

Duarte said the unsecure southern border has allowed cartels to smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs into the United States. Border patrol agents were able to seize 26,700 pounds of fentanyl last year, almost a 500% increase over 2020.

But he said an unknown amount of drugs is getting through and is distributed throughout the country, an influx resulting in more than 112,000 fentanyl deaths last year.

Duarte and others supporting the legislation propose to reauthorize the HIDTA program, with a $22 million annual increase in funding. Grant funds for High Intensity Drug Trafficking areas would support drug seizures and interdiction activities.

Other measures would assign 16 assistant U.S. attorneys to assist High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas with investigation and prosecution of fentanyl traffickers. The legislation also would encourage coordination between law enforcement and immigration authorities to take action against international drug cartels.

One of the nations 33 HIDTAs, the Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area includes multiple agencies in 15 counties, including Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Madera and Fresno. Rep. David Valadao, R-Bakersfield, and Democrats from Texas and New Mexico are also promoting the legislation.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said his office brought a murder charge last week against a dealer accused of selling fentanyl to an unsuspecting person who died. A murder charge against a fentanyl dealer is hard to prosecute.

Christie Hoffman of Modesto, whose son, Connor, died in 2021 after getting $10 worth of fentanyl from a person on SnapChat, said that homicide case ended in a plea bargain due to legal complications. He was kind, creative and respectful, Hoffman of her 21-year-old son.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse said the regional HIDTAs are a cost-effective way of addressing the supply side of the nations addiction crisis. About 8,800 pounds of methamphetamine were seized in the Central Valley area in the last year, in addition to 900 pounds of cocaine and more than 321 pounds of fentanyl.

Dirkse said methamphetamine is still a focus of the Central Valley HIDTA. But fentanyl is a major threat to the public. The fentanyl powder seized in the past year was equal to 4.1 million pills, of which 60% to 70% contained a fatal level of the synthetic opioid drug.

The sheriff said that 58 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in Stanislaus County was enough to kill everyone in the western half of the United States.
A Washington man is accused of murdering a woman he believed was cooperating with a rape investigation against his nephew.

Muhammad Salanoa was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder in the killing of Ngaire Tusi, who was found dead in December last year, NBC affiliate KING reports. A second man, Apelu Tauanuu, is accused of picking Tusi up and transporting her to the place she was shot and killed, according to Fox affiliate KZJO.

Tusis body was found at Oakland Madrona Park in Tacoma, Washington, with a gunshot wound to the head and an ankle monitor around her foot wrapped in tin foil.

Ngaire Tusi via Facebook

Ngaire Tusi via Facebook

According to KZJO, investigators discovered that Tusi was associated with a Samoan based group connected with Muhammad Salanoas nephew, James Salanoa, 22, who was suspected of kidnapping and raping a woman at gunpoint in November.

James Salanoa was killed by Pierce County Sheriffs Department deputies on Nov. 28 after he attempted to flee arrest, armed with a handgun, according to reports by KING.

According to court documents cited by local ABC affiliate KOMO, Muhammad Salanoa was upset about people cooperating with the police and providing them with information about his nephew.

The uncle had accused Tusi of being a snitch and providing police information relating to his nephews whereabouts, KOMO reported.

Tusis uncle, Lauvale Iese, told the outlet on Friday Muhammad Salanoa shouldve made a move to turn [his nephew] in.

Instead he took the other route, and its unfortunate to know theres folks out there who will protect people who harm other people, Iese said.

Tusis sister, Natasha Aasa, described her siblings death as an absolutely senseless and uncalled for murder in a GoFundMe campaign launched following the incident.

Our hearts are shattered and will never be mended the same, Aasa wrote. We are having difficulty accepting the truth and the fact that we will never see her precious face again and just to be in her lively presence will forever kill us internally.

Aasa noted that Tusi leaves behind her seven kids and husband.

An attorney was not listed under Muhammad Salanoas court records. However according to KOMO news, he pleaded not guilty through his attorney on Friday. Prosecutors speaking at his hearing said he was in community custody at the time of the alleged crime.

Related...
In Florida, where the right-wing Moms for Liberty group was born in response to Covid-19 school closures and mask mandates, the first Brevard County School Board meeting of the new year considered whether two bestselling novels  The Kite Runner and Slaughterhouse-Five  should be banned from schools.

A lone Moms for Liberty supporter sat by herself at the January 23 meeting, where opponents of the book ban outnumbered her.

Nearly 20 speakers voiced opposition to removing the novels from school libraries. One compared the book-banning effort to Nazi Germany. Another accused Moms for Liberty of waging war on teachers. No one spoke in favor of the ban. About three hours into the meeting, the board voted quickly to keep the two books on the shelves of high schools.

Why are we banning books? asked Mindy McKenzie, a mom and nurse who is a member of Stop Moms for Liberty, which was formed to counter what it calls a far-right extremist group pushing for book banning and destroying public education.

Why are we letting Moms for Liberty infiltrate our school system?

Moms for Liberty, founded in 2021, expanded its mission to include efforts to ban certain books from schools, outlaw the teaching and discussion of gender and sexuality by teachers and halt the teaching of critical race theory.

Now the group is at a crossroads.

One of their major challenges is the fact that most Americans are actually pretty positive about their own childrens schools, Jack Schneider, a professor of education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said via email. Although their message may have appeal in the abstract, at least to conservative voters, families arent clamoring for disruption in their own childrens schools.

After effectively channeling conservative anger over cultural issues into action on the ground, from supporting candidates in school board races to spearheading campaigns against teachers, administrators and other political foes, Moms for Libertys burgeoning influence in Republican national politics may be faltering, observers say.

A sex scandal involving the husband of Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County school board member, has not helped the groups cause.

Ziegler has been on the forefront of the cultural battles GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has waged in the public schools. DeSantis named her to the board now overseeing the Walt Disney Companys special tax district in central Florida amid his clash with the entertainment giant over a state law that restricted how sexual orientation and gender identity could be taught in the classroom. Ziegler remains on the school board despite calls for her to step down.

It seems to me a bit premature, or more than a bit premature, to write it off entirely, Glenn Altschuler, an American studies professor at Cornell University, told CNN, referring to Moms for Liberty. Will it have national prominence that resembles the prominence that it had early on in its founding? I think thats unlikely.

Dont mess with Americas moms

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit in Philadelphia in June 30, 2023. - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Moms for Liberty first garnered national attention in 2021 in the same vast room where the Brevard County School Board met recently.

One of its founding members, Tina Descovich, a former Brevard County School Board member, became an outspoken critic of mask mandates during the pandemic. The groups popularity exploded as it accused public schools of indoctrinating children with a liberal learning agenda. Soon, the number of chapters and membership across the country began to take off.

To say its waning, I think thats ridiculous, Descovich told CNN, referring to the organizations influence. We are just doing the work that were doing.

Moms for Liberty bills itself as a protector of parental rights at all levels of government, an opponent of government overreach and intimidation and a non-political grassroots organization.

The Moms for Liberty summit in Philadelphia last June was headlined by former President Donald Trump and other Republican White House hopefuls in a sign of the groups growing influence in GOP politics.

In school board races, PTA meetings and town halls across the nation, you have taught the radical left Marxists and communists a lesson they will never forget: Dont mess with Americas moms, Trump told the summit. Youre the best thing thats ever happened to America.

The summit also heard from DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Its because they know that moms are passionate about these issues, Descovich said of the conservative politicians making the summit a mandatory stop on the GOP presidential primary campaign trail.

Unfulfilled pledge to shake up school boards

Demonstrators stand outside the Free Library of Philadelphia as the Moms for Liberty group holds a summit at a hotel in the city in June 2023. - Bastiaan Slabbers/Reuters

Moms for Liberty has grown dramatically. It claims to have 130,000 members in 300 chapters across 48 states, according to the organization. In late 2021, months after it was founded, the group said it had 70,000 members in 167 chapters across more than 30 states.

But its track record of supporting winning candidates in school board elections took a hit last year.

In 2023, Moms for Liberty said 43% of the 202 candidates they endorsed won their school board election, the organization said. In 2022, the group endorsed 500 candidates, with 55% winning their elections.

This will be our third election cycle getting involved in school board races, Descovich said. Id say the first year was kind of happenstance.

Still, the organizations pledge to shake up school boards across the nation has widely not materialized.

If you go to their claims about wins, they are in districts that tilt very heavily toward a friendly constituency, Altschuler said. The mark of a movement, its success is when it begins to spread beyond that rather predictable constituency. And right now, they havent done that.

The groups unrelenting attacks against books that take on difficult issues, the rights of LGBTQ students and diversity initiatives have not translated into electoral success, according to observers.

Sowing chaos is a lot easier than governing, Schneider said. Its one thing to smear teachers or to level outrageous claims about the curriculum. Its another thing entirely to convince local voters  people who have a stake in the schools actually functioning  that you have the good sense and the practical skills to oversee school district operations.

State GOP circles reel from sex scandal

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights watchdog group, has labeled Moms for Liberty far-right organization that engages in anti-student inclusion activities and self-identifies as part of the modern parental rights movement.

Among the public comments flagged by the SPLC was a tweet that year from the groups account that called gender dysphoria a mental health disorder that is being normalized by predators across the USA.

Meanwhile, a movement that says it seeks to protect children against the dissemination of material deemed to be sexualized has been rocked by a sex scandal.

The scandal sent shockwaves through GOP circles in Florida, where Ziegler and her husband, Christian Ziegler, the former chairman of the states Republican Party, were considered political stalwarts. The couple rose from their base of power in Sarasota County into significant statewide figures under the Florida governor.

Bridget Ziegler, a member of the Sarasota County School Board and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, is pictured in Sarasota, Florida, in November 2022. - Zack Wittman/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Christian Ziegler had been under investigation since October, after a woman accused him of raping her at her apartment after she canceled a three-way sexual encounter with him and his wife, according to a search warrant affidavit, which CNN obtained from the Florida Center for Government Accountability.

The Sarasota Police Department said last month Christian Ziegler will not be charged with sexually assaulting the woman, but authorities will seek to charge him with video voyeurism over an alleged recording of the encounter.

An investigation concluded the sexual encounter between Christian Ziegler and the woman was likely consensual, the police department said.

Ziegler was ousted from his role as Florida GOP chairman last month amid the investigation.

Police said the woman told investigators she did not consent to the recording of the sexual encounter. Investigators said they prepared a probable cause affidavit against Ziegler for the felony crime of video voyeurism. In Florida, videotaping a sexual encounter without consent is a third-degree felony.

The case was turned over to the state attorneys office for review, according to police.

Zieglers attorney Derek Byrd said in a statement to CNN his clients reputation and professional life have suffered irreparable harm.

At the beginning of the investigation we asked and warned the public to withhold judgment of criminal wrongdoing until a thorough investigation of the facts was complete, Byrd said in the statement.

Sadly, many people and media outlets refused to give Mr. Ziegler that courtesy. That was unfair and unfortunate and has caused irreparable harm to Mr. Zieglers reputation, his personal life, professional life, and his family.

Byrd said he was disappointed police punted the remaining part of the case to prosecutors but we strongly believe that the State Attorney will not prosecute Mr. Ziegler for any crime.

The attorney said Ziegler will fully cooperate with the investigation and declined further comment until its completed.

Ziegler told investigators the sexual encounter was consensual. According to an affidavit, Bridget Ziegler told detectives about an alleged previous three-way rendezvous with the woman who accused her husband of rape.

CNN has reached out to Bridget Ziegler for comment.

The allegations were followed with calls for the Zieglers to resign from their high-profile positions. Christian Ziegler refused and was voted out of his leadership role. Bridget Ziegler, who was never accused of criminal wrongdoing, has faced calls to step down from the Sarasota County School Board.

A Moms for Liberty chapter in Pennsylvania split from the national organization over the scandal, according to chair Clarissa Paige, who said the group is now called the Northumberland County Academic Alliance.

I think that  was a very sensational headline that went around the world very quickly. Thats not, you know, who Moms for Liberty is. We stay focused on defending parental rights, Descovich said of the scandal.

Moms for Liberty is still trying to grow in liberal states. The group held a town hall in New York City in early January. The event drew protests from parents, teachers, and members of the LGBTQ community.

Weve learned a lot the last two years, Descovich said. Youve got to remember weve never done this before. Other than my school board campaign, I have never run a campaign. Weve learned a ton, and Im really excited to see what 2024 looks like.

People are finally standing up

Jennifer Jenkins, who defeated Descovich to win her seat on the Brevard County School Board in 2020, said the influence of Moms for Liberty is fading as more parents begin to question the groups positions.

I think that things have gone too far and people are finally standing up to say, you know, This is my choice. These are my kids as well too. You dont get to make these decisions for us, Jenkins said.

People are seeing, you know, news cycle after news cycle, the hypocrisy of the things that they advocate for and they say they stand, she said.

At the first Brevard County School Board meeting of 2024, not one speaker defended a proposal to ban Kurt Vonneguts classic Slaughterhouse-Five or Afghan American author Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner.

The lone Moms for Liberty supporter at the meeting declined to speak with CNN, referring all questions to the national organization.

Im thrilled that there was one there, and thats all it takes, Descovich said. She can report back everything that needs to be reported back. If she feels like she needs to sign up to speak, then she can sign up to speak and represent the whole chapter.

One of the first speakers, Rise Walter, a member of Brevard Democrats, praised The Kite Runner as a powerful, gut-wrenching, thought-provoking book.

I also remember the backstory and the growth of the Taliban and its repressive autocracy in the name of religious nationalism, she said. It struck terror in my heart then, and it does again today, with the rise of parental rights groups that want to limit what students learn.

Krissy Goss, another speaker, said: Ironically, Moms for Liberty are doing exactly what they say they are against as they are pushing their ideology on all children in public schools. Its clear Moms for Liberty are not for liberty at all.

Do we want to go back to Nazi Germany? said Beverly Marker, a grandmother in the district. Thats pretty much what a lot of you seem to want to do. Florida right now has an ugly, ugly image in many parts of the country. And thats because the issues like this.

Ava WolfenKoehler, a high school student, told board members Its really sad that students are begging them not to ban certain books. She said she had just turned 18 and cant wait to vote for the first time against a board member who wants books removed from the schools.

Jennifer Jenkins defeated Tina Descovich to win her seat on the Brevard County School Board in 2020. - CNN

About half a dozen people at the meeting wore red T-shirts with the word STOP! on the front, signaling they support Stop Moms for Liberty.

Jenkins believes the challenges are mounting for Moms for Liberty. More and more people are voting against them, she said. Perception is power, and right now, they look weak.

Before next Tuesdays Brevard school board meeting, students, parents and teachers plan what organizers are calling a rally against academic censorship.

Students will speak out against removing books from schools, some banned titles will be distributed, and new voters will be registered to send a message to Brevards rogue school board, according to organizers.

The longer that Moms for Liberty has been on the scene, the more weve seen local communities organize against them, Schneider said. Organized opponents often include coalitions of families, educators, and even students themselves  folks who are well positioned to counter baseless accusations, and who are themselves often quite compelling as voices for less politicized school governance.

This story was reported by CNNs Denise Royal, Carlos Suarez, Ray Sanchez, Gregory Krieg, Leyla Santiago, Sara Weisfeldt, and Steve Contorno. It was written by Sanchez.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Monday at 5:30pm: How ATM card shimmers have kept scammers one step ahead

Scammers are getting even more high tech, thanks to a new device called a shimmer that criminals are inserting into ATMs to steal your money.

Its a device most of people likely have never heard of, and we learned in an investigation that its almost impossible to detect from the outside.

Were always trying to stay one step ahead of the scammers, Ann Flannigan with the Washington State Employees Credit Union told us. Unfortunately, sometimes the scammers are one step ahead of us.

Monday at 5:30 p.m. on KIRO 7, Deedee Sun investigates how shimmers work, and sat down with the U.S. Secret Service to share what you need to be on the lookout for.
Astronomers have spotted a supermassive black hole throwing a temper tantrum on a galactic scale as it feeds, figuratively "flipping the table" and cutting off its parent galaxy's gas supply needed to birth stars.

The table-flipping behavior comes in the form of an ultrafast wind emerging from the lightly snacking supermassive black hole, which sits in a distinctly average galaxy. The galaxy is named Markarian 817 (Mrk 817) and is located 430 million light-years away in the constellation of Draco; the situation at hand was detected by the European Space Agency (ESA)'s XMM-Newton space telescope.

Supermassive black holes with masses millions, or even billions, of times that of the sun are thought to dwell at the hearts of all galaxies. In some cases, however, these cosmic titans are surrounded by disks of gas and dust called "accretion disks" that "feed" them.

When this is the case, the immense gravity of these black holes superheats the gaseous and dusty matter, causing it to glow. Additionally, powerful magnetic fields funnel matter that doesn't end up falling to the black hole to its poles, where the matter gets blasted out at near-light speeds. As a result of this turbulent activity, these regions, known as "active galactic nuclei," or AGNs, can often outshine the combined light of every star in the galaxies around them.

Related: Astronomers witness 18 ravenous black holes ripping up and devouring stars

In some cases, AGN-powering supermassive black holes exhibit even more drastic behavior, flipping over their entire cosmic dinner table by flinging gas in surrounding accretion disks outward in every direction. This results in "ultra-fast black hole winds."

When this happens, not only does the tantrum-throwing black hole deprive itself of gas to feed on, but it also drives gas away from its host galaxy, halting star birth over a vast region.

Previously, astronomers had only seen these ultra-fast black hole winds coming from extremely bright AGNs with ferociously feeding black holes.

"This is the first time we have seen ultra-fast winds expelled off the active galactic nuclei (AGN) disk around a supermassive black hole that is accreting at a considerably lower rate than the one at which we expect the activation of such winds," Elias Kammoun, team member and a postdoctoral fellow at the Sapienza University of Rome, told Space.com.

Prior to this discovery, Kammoun said, it had been commonly accepted that generating ultra-fast winds only happened in episodes that exhibited gas spiraling down the supermassive black hole at a very high rate.

"In this regime, a large amount of energy is released and radiated away, which is a key factor in driving disk winds," he continued. "Several pieces of evidence demonstrated that the activity of central black holes plays a key role in reshaping the host galaxy and affecting its evolution, what we call AGN feedback. However, the conditions in which this feedback can be triggered are still not very clear.

"Discovering ultra-fast winds in a moderately accreting source will make us reconsider the way we perceive winds in AGNs."

Black hole went silent before flipping the table

Mrk 817 had tipped off the astronomers that something dramatic was on the horizon when its AGN went extremely quiet. Normally, you'd expect it to be blasting out high-energy light, such as X-rays.

Miranda Zak, a graduate student at the University of Michigan and team lead, first spotted the strange interruption with NASA's Swift observatory, later following up with the more sensitive XMM-Newton. Ultimately, Zak found that ultra-fast winds emerging from the accretion disk at the heart of Mrk 817 were absorbing X-rays, effectively shrouding any signals emanating from the central supermassive black hole.

Then, further analysis of the X-rays from this AGN showed that the central region of Mrk 817 wasn't just sending out a single puff of gas, but was blowing a major gale across the accretion disk. And, per their observations, they can still see it doing so. These winds can last several hundreds of days and consist of at least three distinct components, each moving at a fraction of the speed of light.

A view of the galaxy Mrk 817 as seen by Hubble

A view of the galaxy Mrk 817 as seen by Hubble (Image credit: ESA)

"Identifying disk winds in supermassive black holes accreting at normal rates like Mrk 817 was not expected at all," Kammoun said. "The high accretion rate phase is supposed to be a brief phase in the life of the supermassive black hole. On the contrary, the accretion phase of Mrk 817 can last much longer thanks to its moderate rate."

He added that this has two major implications for our understanding of feeding supermassive black holes, as well as the AGNs they power.

Firstly, this implies that even lightly feeding supermassive black holes can expel winds powerful enough to reshape their host galaxies; they also appear to have lifetimes long enough to allow for such actions.

Secondly, if ultra-fast winds can emerge from regions around moderately accreting black holes, then such winds are probably more common than astronomers currently suspect. Thus, scientists believe these winds likely shaped many different galaxies, including some we're already aware of.

Related stories:

 Black hole announces itself to astronomers by violently ripping apart a star

 Record breaker! Newfound black hole is closest known to Earth

 NASA X-ray observatory reveals how black holes swallow stars and spit out matter

The discovery of winds from a quiet black hole lasting for a prolonged duration could someday also help answer an interesting question: Why do some galaxies like the Milky Way with quiet, lightly feeding black holes appear to have large, vast regions at their hearts where stars form in only very low numbers?

"There is still a lot to learn about Mrk 817 in particular and AGN winds more broadly," Kammoun said. "This discovery changes the way we look at AGNs. It will be crucial to know how many of the moderately accreting sources do actually launch winds. This will help us better understand how common they can be.

"I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg!"



The team's research was published on Thursday (Feb. 1) in the Astrophysical Journal.
Most Wanted Fugitives: Week of Feb. 2, 2024

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Inc. distributes pictures of fugitives wanted by the El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriffs Office weekly through the Most Wanted feature. The following fugitives are individuals, which attempts to locate have been unsuccessful.

Hernandez, Javier H/M

Mariscal, Alberto H/M

Silva, Jacqueline Marie H/F

Hagans, Nitashanta Demond B/M

Kuehn, Steven Andrew W/M

Escalante, Moises Isaia

Martinez, Eunice

Ramirez, Octavio Julio

Garcia, Rosa

Bradham, Michael David

El Paso Police Department

Javier Hernandez: Age 35; 64; 300 lbs.; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for continuous sexual abuse of young child under 14; $150,000 bond.

Alberto Mariscal: Age 49; 56; 215 lbs.; brown hair and green eyes; wanted for sexual assault of a child; $50,000 bond.

Jacqueline Marie Silva: Age 25; 52; 130 lbs.; brown hair and brown eyes; wanted for driving while intoxicated; $50,000 bond.

Nitashanta Demond Hagans: Age 45; 56; 210 lbs.; bald and brown eyes; wanted for assault of a family/household member with previous conviction unlawful restraint; $12,500 bond.

Steven Andrew Kuehn: Age 38; 510; 220 lbs.; brown hair and blue eyes; wanted for evading arrest detention with vehicle; $10,000 bond.

El Paso County Sheriffs Office

Moises Isaia Escalante: Age 17; 57; 197 lbs.; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for aggravated assault against a public servant; $50,000 bond.

Eunice Martinez: Age 27; 54; 124 lbs.; brown hair and brown eyes; wanted for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest detention with a vehicle; no bond.

Octavio Julio Ramirez: Age 39; 511; 175 lbs.; gray or partially gray hair and brown eyes; wanted for aggravated assault of a family/house member impede breath, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault peace officer/judge; no bond.

Rosa Garcia: Age 50; 54; 230 lbs.; brown hair and hazel eyes; wanted for credit card or debit card abuse; no bond.

Michael David Bradham: Age 47; 511; 185 lbs.; bald and blue eyes; wanted for fraud use/possession identifying info items and credit card or debit card abuse; $32,700 bond.

Anyone with information on the location of any of these fugitives should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or submit the information online at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org.

You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you can qualify for a cash reward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliations for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend.

President Joe Biden said in a statement: The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.

Biden and other top U.S. leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldnt be just one hit but a tiered response over time.

This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces, Biden said. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.

The massive barrage of strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft hit more than 85 targets at seven locations, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities that were connected to the militias or the IRGC's Quds Force, the Guards expeditionary unit that handles Tehrans relationship and arming of regional militias.

The strikes took place over about 30 minutes, and three of the sites struck were in Iraq and four were in Syria, said Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Staff.

The U.S. strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Quds Force within its borders, as the U.S. tries to prevent the conflict from escalating even further. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack. But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the targets "were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and based on clear, irrefutable evidence that they were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region.

U.S. Central Command said the strikes used more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, including long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States.

Two Iraqi militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists said that three houses used as headquarters were targeted in al-Qaim, Iraq, including a weapons storage area. An operations headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, in Akashat, Iraq, and weapons stores were targeted.

The assault came came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

It was unclear what the next steps will be, or whether the days of U.S. warnings have sent militia members scattering into hiding, making it more difficult to detect and strike them. But it was evident that the recent statement released by Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, saying it was suspending attacks on American troops had no impact on the administrations plans.

Just Friday morning, Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated earlier promises by Tehran to potentially retaliate for any U.S. strikes targeting its interests. We will not start a war, but if a country, if a cruel force wants to bully us, the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong response, Raisi said.

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government." But Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed Friday to continue military operations against U.S. troops.

The U.S. has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the deadly attack in Jordan, but has not yet narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataeb Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.

Some of the militias have been a threat to U.S. bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israels war with Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The war has led to the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and has inflamed the Middle East.

Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or U.S. interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and U.S. warships in the Red Sea region with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. He added, We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interests and our people. And we will respond when we choose, where we choose and how we choose.

At this point, its time to take away even more capability than weve taken in the past, Austin said.

As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a U.S. military official. The last attack was Jan. 29 at at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.

The U.S., meanwhile, has bolstered defenses at the base in Jordan that was attacked by the Iran-backed militants on Sunday, according to a U.S. official.

And the Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemens Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.

A U.S. official also said the military had taken additional self-defense strikes inside Yemen Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said that British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.

While previous U.S. responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22 , as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said.

That drone attack, which also injured more than 40 service members  largely Army National Guard  was the first to result in U.S. combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. Tower 22 houses about 350 U.S. troops and sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

Also on Friday, the U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on a network of firms in Iran and Hong Kong that are accused of assisting Iran procure technology to make ballistic weapons and drones. And the U.S. hit six Iranian officials with sanctions for allegedly committing a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the U.S. and other nations. (AP)
A car drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Mexico Series auto race at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Denny Hamlin, who wasn't even sure he'd be healed from offseason shoulder surgery in time to compete in the Clash at the Coliseum, won the Saturday night exhibition that NASCAR hurried into a one-day show to avoid a dangerous Pineapple Express storm headed toward California.

Hamlin, in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, started from the pole and led 59 of the 151 laps. But his teammate Ty Gibbs controlled a large portion of the race until a late caution set up a restart with 10 laps remaining.

Hamlin got the lead on the restart and was about to win until Gibbs crashed on the last lap to send the race into overtime. Hamlin then got a jump on reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney, who needed a provisional to make the 23-car field, on the restart for the win.

It's just a great momentum boost, said Hamlin, who will now move on to the season-opening Daytona 500, where he will seek a fourth win in The Great American Race.

You know, I clean off all the trophies every January 1st in the entryway of the house and now we get to add another one pretty quick, so pretty happy about that.

Hamlin then turned to the crowd  many of the spectators were booing him  and repeated his standard taunt: You know I beat your favorite driver again, right?

Hamlin has now won the Clash four times, but his other three wins came when the exhibition was held at Daytona International Speedway, including his rookie year. Joe Gibbs Racing has won the race a record 12 times, and now two years in a row following Martin Truex Jr.'s victory last season.

Kyle Busch finished second in a Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, and Blaney rallied to lead Team Penske teammate Joey Logano to finishes of third and fourth. Austin Cindric, their third teammate, missed the race after the field was set by speed instead of the scheduled heat races.

The top three finishers of the Clash receive medals in an Olympic-style podium ceremony.

Logano, winner of the inaugural Clash in 2022, and Gibbs had a heated exchange after the race over contact between their cars.

NASCAR had only planned to run heat races Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the main event scheduled for Sunday. But with heavy rains and flooding expected, NASCAR eliminated the heats, set the field of 23 by practice speeds, and started the race just 30 minutes after qualifying.

A planned halftime performance by Machine Gun Kelly was canceled.

NASCAR about midday Saturday made the decision to run the Clash Saturday night out of concerns for the impending inclement weather. The decision was widely applauded by drivers, who saw the weather radar and worried the race would not happen before Wednesday if it was not moved up. Teams report to Daytona a week from now to begin preparations for the Feb. 18 season-opener.

It's one of the most logical decisions we've made as an industry, potentially ever, driver Chase Elliott said.

Hamlin, the first driver to hint on social media that the race might be moved up a day, applauded the decision, calling it a W for NASCAR.

The NASCAR Mexico Series race was scheduled to follow for a doubleheader. Spectators on Saturday were already being admitted for free and seating was general admission.

NASCAR said it would contact Sunday ticket holders and prepaid parking will be fully refunded.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Feb. 2 is National Wear Red Day  an effort by the American Heart Association to raise awareness of the ongoing battle against cardiovascular disease.

Its the leading cause of death for women, and currently, 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

NBC4 staff wears red to raise awareness for heart disease on National Wear Red Day.

Ampersand Asian Supper Club to expand with Westerville location

Marian Dancy is raising awareness for cardiovascular disease after her own health battle. In 2019, the Columbus woman was 35 years old when she delivered a baby girl. Six months later, Dancy began to experience swelling, fatigue and muscle weakness.

But I kept going on, said Dancy. I had a busy life, career, kids, a young baby. And I just kept going and going, but the symptoms became worse. One day, I got off the elevator at work, and I lost my vision for just a moment, and I knew that I had to make an appointment to see the doctor.

But Dancy said because she was young and nothing appeared in her family health history, she was only told to keep an eye on her symptoms.

So, I left that appointment. I kept an eye on it, and it got worse, Dancy said.

Dancy made another appointment with another doctor, but was told the same thing, as her symptoms only worsened.

I was experiencing congestion. It was hard to breathe, Dancy said. She took herself to the emergency department, but was misdiagnosed with pneumonia. I started the treatment for that, and my health went from bad to worse. After that, it just became way more severe.

Dancy sought help one more time, from a fourth doctor, and after a series of tests, finally got an answer.

The doctor approached me and said, I think Im seeing a case of heart failure,' Dancy said, adding that her reaction to the diagnosis was a mix of relief and fear.

I was afraid for my children, for my family, for myself, said Dancy. But we did start a treatment plan, and obviously Im here doing much better now. The unfortunate part is that I did have to go to so many physicians. But it empowered me, like, I know that Im not feeling okay, and I will find the person that will listen to me. Right? Im thankful that I didnt give up because I may not be sitting here today.

At the point of her diagnosis, Dancys heart was functioning at less than 20%.

She began volunteering with the American Heart Association to passionately champion the Go Red for Women movement, and with what shes learned, she was actually able to recognize during a phone call with her mom in late January, that her mom was having a stroke. She sent help her moms way, and she is now recovering and doing well.

For all of her efforts, Dancy was also selected to be a member of this years class of Real Women of Go Red.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The U.S. Navy is preparing to bring a Navy Week to Montgomery during the week of April 1-7, as the fourth Navy Week of the calendar year.

Montgomery Navy Week will bring between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to volunteer throughout the community and discuss why the Navy matters to Montgomery. This will be the first Navy Week hosted by Montgomery and the surrounding communities.

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform at the Yellowstone International Air Show in Billings, Mont. The Blue Angels perform flight demonstrations at 32 locations across the country to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American public.

"We are thrilled to bring the Navy to Montgomery," said NAVCO's director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. Though our Navy is deployed around-the-world and around-the-clock, the Navy Week program allows us to showcase our Navy in places that dont enjoy an everyday naval presence. Most importantly it affords us the opportunity to highlight our most important asset  the highly skilled men and women of the United States Navy who ensure our warfighting advantage to preserve our American way of life.

Montgomery Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that will include:

Senior Navy Leaders  Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders with ties to Montgomery and the surrounding area.

Namesake Sailors  Sailors serving on USS Alabama (SSBN-731), a Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and USS Montgomery (LCS-8), an Independence-class littoral combat ship.

Navy Southeast Band  Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.

Naval History and Heritage Command  Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Alabama and the Navy.

USS Constitution  Demonstrations about the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command  Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers.

U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command  Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.

Navy Weeks are the services signature outreach program, designed to allow the citizens of Montgomery to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) coordinates Navy Weeks.

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navys flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 300 Navy Weeks held in more than 95 different U.S. markets. Each year, the program reaches more than 150 million people  about half the U.S. population.

Our mission is to connect with the heartbeat of each community and we strive to make a lasting impact on the Sailors, partners and community members, said NAVCO Navy Week program manager, Lt. Caroline Ready. We coordinate with corporations, civic and community service organizations, local government, educational institutions, media, and veterans to give the community as many opportunities as possible to engage with their Navy.

For more information on Montgomery Navy Week visit https://outreach.navy.mil or contact Lead Planner John Hankemeier at (901) 229-5631 or john.t.hankemeier.civ@us.navy.mil

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Navy Week Program sets sail for Montgomery
Sofia Richie Grainge announced her pregnancy just over a week ago, but already, this babys brand is as strong as they come. Precious few infants in this world are lucky enough to have their existences announced in British Vogue, and if that wasnt enough, this little tykes launch week also included a trip to the red carpet.

Then again, would we expect anything less from our girl Sofia? The 25-year-old daughter of musician and American Idol judge Lionel Richie, Sofia has become a consummate it girl over the past few years, especially after her lavish, star-studded wedding with record executive and fellow nepo baby Elliot Grainge. (For the uninitiated, Grainges father would be Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge.) Given this couples A-list, Instagram-royalty status, it should come as no surprise that The Bump has already given us a couple fashion momentsfirst, a casual and not-at-all-staged shot of Richie out and about in some quiet luxury overalls, and soon afterward, a more elegant appearance at a pre-Grammys party.

Sofia Richie Grainge attends the 2024 Warner Music Group Pre-GRAMMY Party at Citizen News Hollywood on Feb. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Steven Simione/Getty

Richie discovered her pregnancy very, very early, she told Vogue, during a quick sojourn to Milan for fashion week. As revealed by the magazine, the baby girl will be a Gemini. One could make one of many derogatory jokes here about what having a Gemini portends, but as a Gemini rising myself, I refuse to engage in such misguided slander! The couple waited until the eight-week mark to reveal the news to their parents, and once it was time to share the news, they apparently did so by putting all three positive pregnancies in a Hermes box. You know, as one does.

Watching their reaction go from like, Im about to get an expensive present to, like, Im about to get a grandchild was really sweet, Richie said. (Should anyone wish to duplicate this surprise on a budget, word to the wiseyou can get an empty Hermes box for $29.99 on eBay.) Lionel Richie is reportedly thrilled to be a grandparent and told E! News that he plans to be that loving Pop-Pop that comes in the door and spoils the child. His one piece of advice? You cant call her Lionella.

Richies Vogue announcement included all the expected photos, including a profile shot of the influencer in an open tuxedo shirt, another in a clingy black dress, and another in a hiked-up tank top. Days later, Richie was spotted on an empty Los Angeles sidewalk looking very composed with her hand conveniently resting over her belly. As meticulously documented by Vogue, People, and other publications, the star wore overalls and a beige cashmere sweateralthough, of course, when youre Sofia Richie, overalls and a sweater arent just overalls and a sweater. While her outfit may appear minimalistic to onlookers, Vogue clarifies, Sofia elevated it with luxurious accents, including tortoiseshell micro shades, white leather Derby shoes and an oversized two-tone Ferragamo Hug bag.

Sofia Richie Grainge on Jan. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Getty

Then, on Thursday, came The Bumps big momenta trip to the red carpet. (Well, technically this one was teal, but that did not stop anyone from running with the idea.) InStyle praised Richie for carrying her signature stealth-wealth aesthetic into her maternity era with an understated black off-the-shoulder jacket, left partially unbuttoned to give us a peek at Baby Gemini. Also spotted at the party, per the Daily Mail, were Heidi Klum and Charli XCX, so already, this babys networking game is off to a great start.

Im just thinking ahead here, but could Baby Girl Grainge become a Project Runway judge one day? Not so fast, says Richie. While she mightve chosen a life in the public eye, she wants to let her daughter choose whether or not she wants that lifestyle. Im not going to publicize my child on Instagram, Richie told British Vogue. I dont plan to take that approach, because I want my kid to have the option to do what she wants with her life. If she wants to be a private person, I want her to be able to make that choice, and if she wants to be a public person, she can make that choice for herself.

Hear, hear! But that said, should she ever want to go into music or modeling, this baby bump is already on the super-highway to success.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Rarely do state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle agree on an issue, but they are in agreement that Clark County School Districts embattled superintendent had to go.

Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and State Sen. Carrie Buck told 8 News Now its time for CCSD to be taken in a new direction.

I think were all ready to close this chapter and start anew, Sen. Buck, R-Clark County, said.

Yeager, D-Clark County, agreed with that sentiment.

I was encouraged to see Dr. [Jesus] Jara finally see the light that we need a change in leadership, the assembly speaker said.

Jara sent his resignation letter to the school board on Tuesday, ending an embattled tenure where the board of trustees fired and then rehired him in 2021.

State, federal officials investigating CCSD over misuse of COVID relief funds tied to recruitment trips

Yeager said he was the first lawmaker to call for Jaras ouster.

The state wants to be more involved in whats happening here in the school district, particularly in Clark County. Our constituents talk to us about it all the time. Its the number one complaint we hear, why arent our schools better, Yeager said.

Republican Sen. Buck, who serves on the education committee, said CCSDs next leader must inspire excellence, well-being and student achievement.

Buck talked about the need for accountability and options. A superintendent should be making sure that our schools are doing a decent job, theres a great teacher in every classroom, Buck said.

Both lawmakers said Jaras tenure has been marked by controversy, but a change in leadership brings hope.

Jara submits resignation as Clark County School District superintendent

A lot of times expectations are low, and we need to raise expectations for all children because it can be done. They can do it, Buck said.

I think we just need better management. And to me that starts with the superintendent, so we cant have more of the same, Yeager said.

The Clark County Education Association announced at a press conference on Thursday it is considering asking lawmakers and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo to call a special session to address the issues at CCSD.

The districts board of trustees meets on Wednesday to consider buying out Dr. Jaras contract at an estimated $500,000. They will also weigh the possible appointment of Deputy Superintendent Brenda Larsen-Mitchell as superintendent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes poses downtown on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. He was sworn in over the summer after spending 10 years with the department.

Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes was born to serve.

He's captivated by the crisp navy blue uniform he pulls on each day, knowing that life can be saved at any moment.

Brandes, a 2004 graduate of AHSTW High School in Avoca, is six months into his dream job, leaning on lessons learned during a deployment in Iraq and a lifetime spent in rural Iowa. To Brandes, there's nothing he'd rather be doing than keeping the streets of Nevada safe and free of crime.

"There are times where you know when you've left a situation that you've helped that person with whatever is going on in their life," Brandes said. "I'm not a counselor, therapist, or anything of that sort, but the ability to go into somebody's house not knowing the situation and know when you've left you've made it better is very rewarding."

Brandes dreamed of becoming a police officer, idolizing his cousin, a Sheriff's Deputy in Palo Alto County. That dream solidified when Brandes job shadowed his cousin and saw what the job entailed.

"I just loved everything about what he did," Brandes said. "He always spoke very highly of law enforcement, and I always thought of that as an exciting and fun job to do."

Brandes lives in Nevada with his wife, Jessica, and their two young sons, Easton and Hunter.

Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes is seen downtown on Feb. 2, 2024. The AHSTW High School graduate boasts more than 20 years of National Guard experience.

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Patriotism and dedication

Brandes' desire to serve can be traced back to his high school days.

He enlisted in the National Guard as a senior, where he's served as a health care specialist since 2003. He was deployed "all over the place" after graduation before he was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. He was deployed in the Middle East for two years, earning his combat medic badge, recognizing that Brandes performed combat medic tasks while directly under enemy fire.

Brandes was offered a position as a combat medic instructor at Camp Dodge in 2007, an opportunity he thought was perfect to share his firsthand experience with combat treatment.

"I had just deployed and had experience with a lot of those things, and I was bringing that experience back," Brandes said. "It was really beneficial for me to give back to give back and provide to the next generation of medics going over and prepare them for it. I know instructors who have firsthand experience provide more credibility to what they're teaching."

Brandes worked with paramedics, flight paramedics and nurses who all had firsthand civilian experience.

He retired from the National Guard at the end of 2023 after spending 20 years as a combat medic, but with it came a desire to serve and to protect at the local level.

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Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes was sworn in during the summer of 2023, bringing with 10 years of experience in the local department.

A risk well taken

Though he'd never visited Nevada before, Brandes applied to join the police department in 2013, kick-starting a decade-long stint.

His first foray into law enforcement provided plenty of spontaneity, presenting a challenge he loved.

"You could come to work, and you had no idea how your evening was going to go, whether your only interaction with people would be traffic stops or if you were going to have a variety of criminal offenses," Brandes said. "That was very fun for me."

He quickly became one of the department's most dependable officers, serving as a patrolman, a training officer, an investigator, and a patrol sergeant.

Brandes worked as an investigator for two years, typically investigating extensive theft or assault cases. He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2018, and after picking and training the new detective, he went back on patrol.

Brandes also stepped into more of a mentorship role over the years, though he also spent time working on budgets, proposals, and contracts, a beneficial skill he's used as chief.

"Five years of doing that kind of helped the transition (to chief) a little bit," Brandes said.

Time served was plenty enough ammo for Brandes, getting sworn in as Nevada's police chief in July 2023, punctuating a 10-year stint.

More: Ames school district begins search for new superintendent following Julious Lawson's resignation

Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes poses downtown on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

The Nevada Police Department's growth over time

When Brandes joined the Nevada Police Department in 2013, the city of Nevada had created the Public Safety Department, a collaboration between the police and fire departments. The initiative has allowed local officers to develop a team mentality and partner with the fire department under the public safety umbrella.

"They're there to help us with whatever task we need," Brandes said. "That bond and partnership has grown a lot in the last 10 years to a very healthy relationship now."

The police chief has also seen the department go from short-staffed to a full team, where they currently sit. He said the workload is currently distributed better with significantly more officers, and the cohesiveness is much stronger.

"We have a lot of young officers eager to do well in the community and stay here," Brandes said. "I'd say over half of our staff lives here and have children that will be involved in the community. There's a real family feel."

Nevada Police Chief Chris Brandes lives in town with his wife and two kids. He's served with the Nevada PD for more than 10 years.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Meet Nevada's new police chief, bolstered by his deployment in Iraq
NEWCOMERSTOWN  Dustin Kennedy is helping today's students become tomorrow's leaders.

A graduate of Newcomerstown High School and Muskingum University, he now teaches American government, personal finance, history through film and teen leadership at his former high school.

Teen Leadership is an elective class offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students must apply and be interviewed by a committee to be selected to take the class. Students can take the class for one year or multiple years if they selected.

The goal of the class is to create leaders by bringing character, integrity, and citizenship to the students through an academic service-based program.

Teen Leadership members held a canned food for Christmas. They include, from left, Lisa Weber, Josie Durben, Jacoby Tedrow, Kenley Hayes, Austin Smith, Caden Norman, Graham Shepherd, Clayton Fish, Keiona Warren, Maggie Collins, Kameron Dorland, Larrissa Stull, and Jaidyn Peoples.

Our motto 'Lead, serve, and inspire the world' is the foundation for what we do in our school and community," Kennedy said.

Kennedy was inspired to pursue education as a career by his eighth grade algebra teacher John Feller and his mother, Sandy, who was a librarian at Newcomerstown Middle School.

"As I started my teaching career at River View, I became more and more interested in the power of positive leadership. When I had the opportunity to return to Newcomerstown High School, former principal Mr. Josh Branch and I wanted to bring the Teen Leadership Corps program to the school because we had seen what an impact that it could have on our students, staff, school, and community," he said.

"Many times, students come in shy and backward, and by the time we get done they are in the front leading others. The growth and self-confidence they get is tremendous. It is not easy going in front of your peers and speaking to them, all of my students will attest to that, but that is a part of what we work on and teach.

"Every year is a little different, depending on those in the class, but at the end of the day these students walk away being better people, and that might be the most rewarding thing of all.

Class members complete a variety of projects throughout the year, such as:

 Tie blankets for Nationwide Children's Hospital Pop tab collection for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio Thanksgiving meals/baskets for families in need Canned food drive Mentoring younger students Flowers and chocolate for all high school students on Valentine's Day Dude Be Nice Week Red Ribbon Week Cards for the elderly Teacher Appreciation Week Host staff vs. student events Military Care Packages

Over the past seven years we have assisted thousands of students and families not just in Newcomerstown but across the state and country with these projects," Kennedy said.

The Leadership Class is available to help local residents and speak at group functions. Members will conduct their pop tab drive through the end of April. Donations of tabs can be dropped off at the high school.

For more information, you can reach Kennedy by calling the high school at 740-498-5111.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Newcomerstown grad returns to help students become leaders
[Source]

In time for the Chinese New Year, Nike is dropping a limited-edition Year of the Dragon version of their Air Force 1 Low sneakers in China this month.

Exclusive release: Instagram user @shanghaisole, who shared some of the promo photos, said the Nike shoes will be available in China on Feb. 14 for 2,599 yuan ($366). X user @brandon1an also shared some images, including the all-red box that comes with each pair.

Meanwhile, Nike has released a more minimalistic version of the sneakers in the U.S.

Trending on NextShark: Scientists describe new jellyfish species with red 'cross', 240 tentacles

About its design: The Chinese Year of the Dragon Air Force 1 Low is covered in gold silk material and features various symbols and patterns, including flowers, a golden dragon, a phoenix, the Swoosh logos and the Chinese characters for Harmony. Nike is also reportedly releasing a pair of hoodies that celebrate the Lunar New Year, which will come in in red or beige.

Trending on NextShark: Video: Woman returns Costco couch after 2.5 years

Reactions: Many sneakerheads outside China expressed disappointment over the exclusive release. One wrote under @shanghaisoles post, This should have been the main Year of the Dragon, not the other one.

Nike making these exclusive to China is hurtful, another user commented. The pair that drop in the states look like a sketch of a sketch of a prototype in comparison to these.

Another user praised the design of the Chinese shoes, saying the details are insane and made the other Chinese New Year pairs look unfinished.

Download the NextShark App:

Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
A group of residents of towns near Japanese nuclear plants submitted a petition, Friday, asking regulators to halt safety screening for the restart of idled reactors until damage to a plant that partially lost external power and spilled radioactive water during a recent powerful earthquake is fully examined.

The magnitude 7.6 quake on New Years Day and dozens of strong aftershocks in north-central Ishikawa Prefecture left 240 people dead and 15 unaccounted for, and triggered a small tsunami.

Two idled reactors at the Shika nuclear power plant on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa suffered power outages because of damage to transformers. Radioactive water spilled from spent fuel cooling pools and cracks appeared in the ground, but no radiation leaked outside, operator Hokuriku Electric Power Co. said.

The damage rekindled safety concerns and residents are asking whether they could have evacuated safely if it had been more severe. The earthquake badly damaged roads and houses in the region.

All Japanese nuclear power plants were temporarily shut down after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster for safety checks under stricter standards. The government is pushing for them to be restarted but the process has been slow, in part because of lingering anti-nuclear sentiment among the public. Twelve of the 33 workable reactors have since restarted.

Residents of Ishikawa and other towns with nuclear plants gathered in Tokyo, Friday, and handed their petition to officials at the Nuclear Regulation Authority. They are asking officials to freeze the screening process while damage at the Shika nuclear plant is fully examined and safety measures are implemented.

Susumu Kitano, a Noto Peninsula resident, said there would be no way to escape from his town in the case of a major accident at the plant.

Nuclear safety officials have noted that the extensive damage suffered by houses and roads in the area of the Shika plant make current evacuation plans largely unworkable. The damage, including landslides, made many places inaccessible, trapping thousands of people on the narrow peninsula.

Experts say current nuclear emergency response plans often fail to consider the effects of damage from compounded disasters and need to be revised to take into account more possible scenarios.

Takako Nakagaki, a resident of Kanazawa, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) south of the Shika plant, said the current evacuation plan is pie in the sky. Under the plan, residents closer to the plant are advised to stay indoors in case of a radiation leak, but that would be impossible if houses are damaged in an earthquake.

The Noto quake also sparked fear in neighboring Fukui Prefecture, where seven reactors at three plants have restarted, and in Niigata Prefecture, where the operator of the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant is preparing to restart its only workable nuclear plant, the worlds largest seven-reactor Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant.

Hundreds of other residents of towns hosting nuclear plants submitted similar requests to regulators and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier this week.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority has requested a further investigation of the Shika plant, even though initial assessments showed no immediate risk to its cooling functions or outside radiation leaks. NRA officials said Shikas operator should consider the possibility of additional damage to key equipment as aftershocks continue.

The Shika reactors, inaugurated in 1993 and 2006, have been offline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Hokuriku Electric Power has expressed hopes to restart the newer No. 2 reactor by 2026, but reviews of the recent quake damage could delay that plan.

Despite the Fukushima disaster, the government has pushed increasing use of nuclear energy as a source of stable and clean energy. (AP)
CONCORD  Requests for public documents, such as those that unearthed the shady sale of public land in Webster and over-inflated taxes in Nashua, could become pricey under a bill that cleared the New Hampshire House Thursday but will go before lawmakers again next week for reconsideration.

House Bill 1002, which passed 193-179, would allow public bodies and agencies to charge up to $25 an hour for record searches that take longer than 10 hours. Under the existing right-to-know law, RSA 91-A, local and state bodies can charge for copying records but not record searches.

The rising sun illuminates the Statehouse dome, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, in Concord, N.H.

Thursday evening, Rep. Lisa Smart, a Meredith Republican, filed a request to bring the bill before the House Thursday for a second vote. If it passes there, it heads to the Senate.

The states news organizations, the ACLU of New Hampshire, Right to Know NH, and the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy were among those that urged lawmakers to reject the bill, calling it a threat to public accountability and transparency.

The core conceptual flaw in HB 1002 is that it treats public records as government property and access to those records as a burden on government employees, wrote Drew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center, in a blog post this week. In fact, public records belong to all citizens, and government employees are merely custodians of those records on behalf of their citizen owners.

Rep. Katelyn Kuttab, a Windham Republican, told the Bulletin in November that she sponsored the bill to address expansive requests that seek hundreds of pages of documents and emails that take hours to fill, often at considerable expense. In some cases, the person or organization filing the requests does not pick up the documents.

The bills advocates include Rep. Michael OBrien, a Nashua Democrat and city alderman. From the House floor, he urged members to pass the bill, saying Nashua provides ample access to governmental doings by televising meetings and keeping detailed minutes of meetings.

The thing is, Nashua does not want to limit any right of any citizen to get information, he said.

In fact, the city has been found in violation of the right-to-know law multiple times and was ordered by the superior court judge who heard the cases to undergo remedial right-to-know training.

In that case, Nashua resident Laurie Ortolano was denied tax assessing records, among others, that she sought after a property reassessment resulted in a steep tax hike. When the city denied the request, Ortolano sued and won. The New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals ordered the city to reduce its assessment.

Ortolano said her pursuit of city records has cost her nearly $270,000 in legal fees and costs. Under this bill, she would have paid more because the city spent far more than 10 hours searching records.

Following the passage of HB 1002, Cline said in an email, Access to public records shouldnt be a privilege of those with deep pockets.

A Webster couple sought town records under a right-to-know request that revealed an illegal and lucrative land deal in Webster between the town and the town treasurer. The treasurer was charged and cant hold public office in Webster again.

Brendan McQuaid, president of the New Hampshire Press Association, responded to the vote in an email.

Today the New Hampshire House decided to put a price tag on citizens rights and has dealt another blow to New Hampshires constitutional right to know, he said. The New Hampshire Press Association hopes reason will prevail as the process moves to the Senate and this ill conceived bill can be prevented from becoming bad law.

In an editorial this week, the Union Leader quoted the state constitution.

All the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents and (are) at all times accountable to (the people.) Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable, and responsive.

The paper raised concerns that municipalities would overestimate the amount of time it would take to fulfill a records request in an attempt to discourage someone from filing one.

Rep. William Dolan, a Nashua Democrat, told lawmakers Thursday that the states right-to-know law already provides municipalities a defense against burdensome right-to-know requests that are intended to harass officials and tie up resources.

In cases where a public body is sued for denying records, Dolan noted the law allows the court to award it attorneys fees if it deems the lawsuit was unjust, frivolous, or oppressive. Openness and the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society, he said.

This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH House passes bill that could make public records requests costly
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation's On-the-Job Training Program is designed by the Federal Highway Administration to promote the advancement of women, minorities and disadvantaged people.

Teri Tie grew up around the construction trade, hanging out after school at job sites where her father and older brother worked.

In her late 30s, Tie found herself tired of a desk job. An advertisement in the newspaper for a private-sector company contracting with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation caught her eye.

In the interview, Tie told them candidly, I can swing an ax and run a shovel, but not much else.

The companys response? Youd be perfect.

Tie was an ideal candidate because the company was required to make a good-faith effort to have an employee on the job site participating in the DOTs On-the-Job Training Program, designed by the Federal Highway Administration to promote the advancement of women, minorities, and disadvantaged people in the highway construction trades. The FHWA requires that states establish their own apprenticeship and training programs.

Teri Tie was tired of her desk job when she decided to join the Department of Transportations On-the-Job Training program.

By cultivating a workforce representative of populations historically underrepresented in the industry, the program supports federal contract provisions that require equal opportunity on job sites. The goal is also in line with President Joe Bidens Justice40 Initiative  an effort to see at least 40 percent of benefits from certain federal grants, programs, and initiatives flow to disadvantaged communities.

Tie, who lives in Unity, enrolled in the program, completing 500 to 600 hours of training, and obtaining all necessary certifications between 2019 and 2021. Today, shes employed by the state DOT as a safety and environment coordinator, a job she says she really enjoys.

Its kind of a hybrid job, partly desk, partly field, she said. I get to drive all over the state to our various satellite garages and communicate with the crews and office personnel and administrators. I get insight from what the guys feel in terms of safety things and the job sites, convey that to the administrators, and find a happy medium between the two.

Cody Oliphant, disadvantaged business enterprise coordinator at the DOTs Office of Federal Compliance, said graduates of the OJT program can become bridge construction workers, highway construction workers, construction forepersons and supervisors, traffic control coordinators, equipment operators, pipe layers, and field engineers.

Candidates for these jobs are desperately needed, he said.

Oliphant was hired by the agency to specifically increase outreach among women, minorities, and small businesses. New Hampshires worker pool makes it challenging, he said, given its low unemployment rate. The COVID-19 pandemic also posed obstacles to recruitment.

That is the biggest hurdle we have, actually finding those who are interested to sign up, Oliphant said. One of the years we barely even got one applicant.

But, there is a big push to grow the program as much as possible, he added. DOT has recently been partnering on outreach with groups such as Manchester NAACP, Business Alliance for People of Color, Ascentria Care Alliance, Center for Women and Enterprise, and NH Songa, among others.

The department goes to job fairs, university and community college events, and works with chambers of commerce. Theyve also been working to expand their geographic outreach across the state, particularly in rural areas.

We really want to diversify the workforce here, Oliphant said. A part of that, of course, is to meet federal mandates and goals, but I think our commissioner (William Cass) is really inspired by this program, as well.

OJT trainees qualify for a $3,000 scholarship for CDL (commercial drivers license) Class B training, which in its entirety costs about $6,000. In some cases, other groups or organizations will cover the remaining $3,000.

There is a huge demand for CDL holders, Oliphant said; almost a guarantee they would get hired immediately. The program also offers reimbursement for boots, protection, tools, and other related training.

DOT works to recruit three trainees per year. In accordance with federal contract stipulations, Oliphant said, the goal is to assign one trainee for every $5 million project that presents viable OJT opportunities.

It makes it so that the prime contractors are motivated to get (trainees) hired with their company on the project, he said.

In December, the Executive Council authorized DOT to contract with New Jersey-based Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage Inc. to provide employment outreach and placement services for On-the-Job Training candidates, as well as increase the availability of qualified minority and female candidates for hire by contractors and remove barriers to their initial and continued employment.

Oliphant said candidates interested in DOTs program should contact Ann Maestri at amaestri@tsibinc.com or 845-641-5786.

This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH recruiting more women and minorities for highway construction
NEW YORK  Nine people were arrested Friday during protests in and around the Columbia University campus over Israels actions in the war in Gaza, police said.

A protest that started Friday afternoon was led by the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime, and drew hundreds of demonstrators, said the Columbia Spectator, a student newspaper.

The demonstration gathered on Broadway outside the Morningside Heights campus. Not all the protesters were affiliated with the university.

At least one Columbia student was arrested, said Barnard student Maryam Iqbal, 18.

Hes my friend, Iqbal said of the arrested student. I watched him getting taken away in the van. He was just peacefully protesting.

The protest, which drew a large New York Police Department presence, continued into the early evening and moved several blocks south on Broadway.

Campus officials were prepared in advance.

Gates on the Broadway side of the Columbia campus were closed at noon out of an abundance of caution, said a memo from a university official.

A safety escort program, that allows students to ask campus public safety officers walk with them overnight, was shifted to midday.

Columbia students made up a majority of protesters earlier in the day at the inaugural address of Laura Rosenbury, who has been appointed the next president of Barnard College, the womens college at Columbia. About a dozen protesters showed up at the event, and 10 were escorted outside, the Spectator said.

Charges against the arrested protesters were pending Friday evening, police said.

Several Columbia students sought medical treatment after they were sprayed with a chemical agent during a campus protest Jan. 19.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  New Mexico State University has announced five finalists to serve as the universitys next president, according to a news release sent out on Friday, Feb. 2.

During a special special meeting on Friday, the universitys Board of Regents announced the names of the finalists, who were selected after a nationwide search, according to a news release sent out by the school.

Richard Williams Photo: NMSU

Wayne Jones Photo: NMSU

Austin Lane Photo: NMSU

John Volin Photo: NMSU

Michael Galyean Photo: NMSU

The finalists are:



 Michael Galyean: the Paul Whitfield Horn distinguished professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and former provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Texas Tech University.

 Wayne Jones: provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of New Hampshire.

 Austin Lane, chancellor of Southern Illinois University.

 John Volin, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost of the University of Maine.

 Richard Williams: former president of Utah Tech University.



Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali said the next phase of the presidential search will include campus visits from each candidate beginning in late February, allowing opportunities for members of the NMSU community and the public to hear from the candidates directly about their vision for NMSU.

The schedule for those visits and forums will be announced soon and will be available online at nmsu.edu/president-search, along with more information about each finalist, links to webcasts of each public forum, and feedback forms to provide comments to the board.



We look forward to getting to know each of the candidates and learning how they fit our vision for the next leader of the NMSU system, Devasthali said. I hope youll join us for those candidate forums  whether in person or online  and share your thoughts as we make this incredibly important decision.

The search was led by search firm WitfKieffer and an internal presidential search committee led by retired NMSU Senior Vice President Ben Woods.



For additional information about the presidential search process, including updates about next steps, visit nmsu.edu/president-search.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Amazon Inc. hasnt delivered 1,500 warehouse jobs to Pasco but theres a $3 million cash consolation prize in the works in the form of its 2024 property tax bill.

The Franklin County treasurer is levying a $3 million property tax on the unopen fulfillment centers Amazon built near Sacajawea State Park between 2021-2022, according to tax statements now available on the countys website.

Thats twice the $1.4 million the Seattle e-commerce giant with more than $550 billion in revenue paid last year. The increase reflects the full value of the properties coming into the countys tax base, according to the assessors office.

It is a significant tax stream, said Nikki Morgan, chief appraiser for Franklin County..

The 2024 bill for Amazons Project Pearl is $1.46 million, based on a taxable value of $199 million. The bill for Project Oyster across the street is $1.56 million, based on a tax valuation of $201 million.

Benton and Franklin counties will physically mail tax bills to property owners around Valentines Day. Both counties posted tax information in late January, offering a preview this month of the bills headed to Amazon and other owners of taxable property.

Tumbleweeds, leaves and other debris clog a pedestrian gate and sidewalk near the main entryway to one of two massive, never-opened Amazon distribution centers in Pasco. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

$250 million investment

Amazon spent almost $250 million to build the two distribution centers. Both exceed 1 million square feet and were part of the companys pandemic-era building spree that doubled its logistics network.

Together, the two facilities were expected to support Amazons distribution logistics. The project anticipated 1,500 jobs and 2,800 vehicle trips per day. Instead, Amazon postponed bringing the Pasco buildings online amid a larger review of its network.

Today, tumbleweeds clog one of the main gates of the buildings that never opened and the future is unclear.

Amazon advertised a temporary staffing job in Pasco, which led to speculation the company may be finally preparing to hire workers and get started.

A spokeswoman dashed those hopes in late January, telling the Tri-City Herald last week that the job posting was unrelated and the status of the two warehouses is unchanged.

The company is noted for providing minimal comments about its properties. In early 2023, Globest.com reported Amazon had begun selling some of the land it acquired during its acquisition binge.

Its not clear if conditions are right to sell or lease the Pasco warehouses to other users. There is no public indication that Amazon or its development partner has put either of the properties on the market.

Demand for industrial real estate is expected to stabilize at 2023 levels this year and there will be little new development, according to a 2024 forecast by CBRE Research for the commercial real estate brokerage.

The forecast anticipates deals covering 750 million square feet of industrial real estate in the U.S. this year, but renewals rather than new leases will account for most of the activity in the first six months.

Amazon Inc. has built two massive fulfillment distribution warehouse centers across from each other on South Road 40 East in Pasco. The company expects to employ up to 1,500 people when it eventually opens the pair of fulfillment centers currently standing idle near Sacajawea State Park. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

No breaks for not opening

Operational or not, Amazons properties are subject to taxes based on 100% of their market value under Washington law.

If it had been prevented from opening, it might have qualified for a break. But that wasnt the case.

Nearly half the $3 million will go to the Pasco School District to support operations and school construction. The balance will be split among the state school fund, Franklin County, the city of Pasco and the Port of Pasco.

The $3 million may sound like a windfall, but it isnt.

School districts and other taxing entities collect a fixed amount spread across the tax base. In effect, Amazons warehouses relieve other property owners of having to pay $3 million in tax obligations.

Splitting the lunch check

The district set the total amounts to collect and the amounts dont change even as larger commercial properties such as Amazon come in, explained Kevin Hebdon, the school districts executive director of fiscal services.

He likened it to a group of four going out to lunch and agreeing to split the bill four ways. When a fifth joins the group, the bill is divided further, leaving each to pay a smaller share of the total bill.

Amazon Inc. has built two massive fulfillment distribution warehouse centers across from each other in east Pasco. The company expects to employ up to 1,500 when they eventually open. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

New commercial property growth does not mean additional money to the district, it simply means more people to cover the fixed tax collection amount, he said.

For 2024, Pasco will collect $25.36 million to support operations and $27.8 million to service debt on bonds it issued to pay for school construction and other capital projects. Both were approved by voters.

When the tax base gets bigger, that spreads the burden.

Colin Hastings, executive director of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, said he wasnt tracking the property taxes. Instead, hes keeping the long-term goal in view: Amazon commencing operations in east Pasco.

The Pasco Chamber is eager for the economic growth because of the investments of Amazon as well as Darigold and NW Bounty, he told the Herald.

Darigold is building a $600+ million dairy processing plant in north Pasco and NW Bounty, aka Local Bounti, is an indoor agricultural startup that recently began operations at its Pasco lettuce greenhouse.

Sneak peek

2024 property tax information is available on line in advance of physical bills. They can be accessed without logins or passwords.

Benton County property owners: Go to the treasurers property search site, bit.ly/BentonTreasurerPropertySearch

Change the Search Type from Account Number to Property Address, then enter the relevant address and street name but not the city and press the blue Search button.

Your property should be listed. Press View Details for information about your property, include taxes due and assessment details.

Franklin County property owners: Go to franklincountwa.gov/157/assessor. Choose Property Search from the menu on the left and proceed to site.

Enter address in search bar. Do not use periods. Choose your property and click on the Treasurer button. To access property tax information and if relevant, irrigation assessments.

Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities

Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the regions top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday.
NORTH CANTON  The city announced late this week that City Fire Battalion Chief Drew Cramer will succeed retiring John Bacon as the city's new fire chief, effective Feb. 12.

I look forward to serving the community and working with all the dedicated members of the department as we move forward. I have learned a lot from Chief Bacon and value the knowledge and friendship he has provided me over the past 21 years of working together. I wish him well during his retirement, Cramer said in a statement issued Friday by the city.

Drew Cramer, North Canton's new fire chief

City Administrator Patrick DeOrio said he appointed Cramer, the city's only battalion chief, as fire chief Friday. Mayor Stephan Wilder, who could have vetoed the appointment, concurred with DeOrio's choice.

Wed had a great working relationship prior to Mr. Cramer being the battalion chief," DeOrio said Saturday. "He was the president of the collective bargaining [unit] for the fire and EMS. We had a great relationship between management and labor on how to make the department the most efficient and effective as possible."

'A natural leader'

Cramer was among four fire chief candidates, all whom were employed by the North Canton Fire Department. To become eligible candidates, the applicants had to achieve a passing score on a city Civil Service Commission exam held last fall, with the possibility of additional credit for military service, accredited education hours and service time.

DeOrio then interviewed all four candidates in January.

DeOrio said he interviewed Cramer Wednesday. Cramer confirmed he is on the same page with the administration when it comes to transitioning the fire department to an entirely full-time service from a mostly part-time firefighting force, and the construction of a new fire station by 2027, DeOrio said.

One of Cramer's initial projects will be to convert office space in the fire department's Station 1 on North Main Street to additional sleeping quarters for firefighters. Amid limited space, it's a makeshift solution until the fire department can move into the new $10 million station to be constructed on North Main Street and Viking Street NW.

More: North Canton officials unveil more details about new fire station

The administrator said he and the mayor in 2021 persuaded City Council to create the position of battalion chief who could serve as the fire department's leader in the absence of the fire chief. It gave the city a succession plan for Bacon's expected retirement.

When DeOrio appointed Cramer in 2021 as the battalion chief, Cramer, who had been a fire captain the preceding five years, became a leading candidate to become the city's next fire chief.

"He was a natural leader to be chosen as the battalion chief. He's proven himself as the battalion chief in exercising a leadership role in its transition to a full-time department," DeOrio said.

DeOrio said he told the three other candidates that he would also consider them for the battalion chief position to be vacated by Cramer. DeOrio expects to appoint a new battalion chief by the end of March. At some point this year, DeOrio will ask council to change the title of the position to assistant fire chief.

The three other candidates were John Kleinbeck, a firefighter and paramedic who's the president of the North Canton Professional Firefighter and Paramedic Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3489; City Fire Capt. Brad Dillon; and Bryant Scheffler, a firefighter and North Canton's fire inspector.

Chief Bacon to retire

Bacon is retiring after working for the fire department for nearly 45 years.

DeOrio said Bacon will "be sorely missed. He doesn't get enough credit for what he had to do."

The administrator credited Bacon for overseeing the city's fire department's transition over decades from an all-volunteer force to its current force with full-time and part-time firefighters and paramedics.

The statement said Cramer, a Louisville High School graduate and married father of five, started with the city's fire department as a part-time firefighter and emergency medical technician in August 2002. He transitioned to full time in January 2006. Cramer has lived in North Canton for a combined 18 years.

The city said Cramer has been certified as a fire inspector, fire officer, incident safety officer and health safety officer. He has been trained on emergency response to an active shooter situation through the ALICE Institute. And he has completed training courses run by the Federal Aviation Administration, The American Heart Association, the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Cramer will be sworn in at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 12 before City Council at the North Canton Civic Center.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. X formerly Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Drew Cramer to succeed John Bacon as North Canton fire chief
OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  Ogden High School has rolled out a new policy banning cellphones in class, requiring each classroom to have a locker where students will store their phones until class is over.

The new policy, which goes into effect on Monday, Feb. 5, comes amid Utahs first-in-the-nation social media restriction laws and follows a letter sent by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox last month encouraging educators to remove cellphones during class.

Is Utah getting a state lottery? A proposal has been submitted

Ogden High has done just that, and their new policy is outlined as follows.

While phones must be stored in backpacks during class, if a student needs to use a hall pass, they will need to store their cellphone in the classroom locker. If a students phone is visible during instructional time either in the classroom or in the halls, there will be a penalty.

The school has outlined a three-strike system:

1st Offense The student will be asked to put their cellphone in the classroom locker. An administrator will pick up the phone and have a conference with the student, as well as contact the students parents. The student will be able to pick up their phone at the end of day from the schools main office.

2nd Offense Same as the first offense, however, a parent will be required to pick up the phone after school from the main office.

3rd Offense Same process as the first two offenses, but an additional parent meeting will be scheduled to put a plan in place for the student moving forward.



We all know that cell phones are a distraction and when we put phones away we can actually focus and study, Cox said in his letter. Cell phone-free learning environments will help our teachers teach and our students learn. We want to give our schools every opportunity to succeed and so I hope our local school districts and charter schools will join me in this effort to keep phones in backpacks or lockers during class time.

Ogden High now joins other Utah schools in their efforts to ban cellphones during school hours, including Delta High School and Evergreen Junior High, among others.

Meet the athletes of the 2024 Good Things Utah Pup Bowl, set for Feb. 9.

Delta High in Millard School District is reportedly a cell phone-free school. Students put their phones in a clear pocket that hangs in front of the classroom. It was a battle to begin with, but it has been so worth it. Students and parents have all adapted, our teachers are happier and learning has increased, said Jared Christensen, the schools assistant principal.

Evergreen Junior High has taken an even more aggressive approach. Cell phones are not allowed anytime during the school day  that means in classrooms, halls, or lunchrooms. Its so much easier to just ban them altogether, said Principal Ryan Shaw. Learning has improved, and our scores reflect that. Bullying and fighting have decreased. The students connect with each other in a more meaningful way. We are grateful for the support we have from our community council  its been critical.

Gov. Cox continues to urge educators to engage with parents and collaborate to develop cell phone policies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Some portions of Ohio's ban on most abortions might not need to be tossed out even though voters approved new language protecting abortion access, Ohio's attorney general argued in a Friday filing.

Ohioans voted in November to enshrine access to abortion and other reproductive rights in the state constitution, pushing back against decades of GOP restrictions and shoring up protections more than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

On Friday, the state asked a Hamilton County, Ohio judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on abortions after embryonic cardiac activity is detected, which occurs after about six weeks gestation. The position confused attorney Jessie Hill, who represents abortion clinics challenging the law.

Hill said there's no question that the entire law is unconstitutional after voters approved "Issue 1" in November. "It's disappointing that they couldn't just come out and say that," Hill said.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost had said in a legal analysis his office distributed before the November election: "Some of Ohios laws may be defensible, but the Heartbeat Act would not exist if Issue 1 passes."

But Yost's office said it's up to judges to decide what aspects of this law and other abortion restrictions are unconstitutional after the November vote.

"The court needs to consider each individual provision on its own and determine whether it does or does not violate the provisions incorporated into the constitution by Issue 1," Yost spokeswoman Bethany McCorkle said Friday. "Issue 1 doesn't say the state absolutely has no right to regulate reproductive rights."

The new voter-approved standard protects access to abortion through viability, which is about 24 weeks gestation. An abortion could be performed later if a doctor determines it's necessary to save a pregnant patient's life or health.

The abortion ban in question is currently on hold after Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins blocked it in September 2022. The law was in effect for 82 days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and sent decisions about abortion back to state lawmakers and judges.

Jenkins will hear legal arguments from both sides and make a decision.

Read the Ohio Attorney General's Office finding:

Final Preterm Cleveland Answer for Filing by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio AG says provisions in abortion ban could be constitutional
View a previous report in the video player above.

CALDWELL, Ohio (WCMH)  A Pleasant City woman accused of faking her daughters serious illness for money has pleaded not guilty, citing a specific reason, to an increasing stack of charges against her.

Noble County deputies arrested 41-year-old Pamela Reed on Jan. 8 on a charge of petty theft. Since Reeds case moved from Noble County Court to the Noble County Court of Common Pleas, the charges against her have increased and some have been elevated. As of Saturday, Noble County Common Pleas Court records showed Reed faces the following felony charges:

Telecommunication fraud

Two counts of endangering children

Grand theft

Eight counts of forgery

Pamela Reed. (Courtesy Photo/Noble County Sheriffs Office)

Court records obtained Friday showed Reed pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on Jan. 25. Her defense team then submitted a motion for a competency evaluation, and the court referred her to an Ohio forensic diagnostic center.

Intel will not meet predicted 2025 launch for Ohio plant

The Noble County Sheriffs Office began investigating Reed when it said a local school sent in a tip about a possible theft by deception. As the school grew concerned with her childs continued absence, Reed gave the school paperwork showing they had been diagnosed with leukemia. However, school staff told the sheriffs office that they had debunked that by calling the healthcare provider listed on Reeds paperwork.

Reed had taken at least $7,725 in donations that were intended to offset costs for her daughters medical treatment. However, she admitted in interviews with detectives that her child never had cancer, according to the sheriffs office. To keep up the charade, a detective wrote in an affidavit that Reed altered documents from the girls healthcare provider, shaved her head and obtained seizure medication for her.

Reed has a status hearing for her case on Feb. 9, according to court records. From there, she has a 10 a.m. status conference on March 25, and a potential jury set for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
WASHINGTON  Saturday marks one year since a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spreading toxic chemicals all over the community.

And in that time, Congress has done absolutely nothing to make railroads safer, and keeps failing to act on bipartisan legislation to prevent something like that from happening again, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) said in a Thursday speech on the House floor.

He made the same point again in a Friday letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

The Ohio train derailment significantly impacted the lives of my constituents across the state line in Beaver Country, Pennsylvania, Deluzio wrote to Johnson. I have spent the past year fighting to make freight rail safer for folks like us. It is long past time that Congress takes bipartisan action.

Accordingly, I ask that you bring the Railway Safety Act to the floor for a vote before Congress adjourns for the August recess, he said.

This bill, which Deluzio introduced last March with Republican Rep. Nick LaLota (N.Y.), has a wild, bipartisan mix of supporters. The Senate version is led by Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown (D) and J.D. Vance (R), along with cosponsors Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). The bill has both Democratic and GOP supporters in both chambers. The Biden administration backs it. So does former President Donald Trump.

But it hasnt gone anywhere. The House hasnt touched the Railway Safety Act since it was introduced nearly a year ago. In the Senate, after months of inaction, it was finally reported out of committee in December and is now waiting to be scheduled for a floor vote.

The fact that a bill with this much support in both parties, in both chambers, hasnt moved for this long is just weird.

Deluzio told HuffPost he doesnt get it either, except to say he suspects influential rail companies have been lobbying members of Congress not to take any action that would mean more regulations on their business or eat into their profits.

I cant answer for House Republican leaders, he said. Were just sick and tired of being treated like collateral damage in the way of corporate profits.

Democrats have accusedNorfolk Southern ofprioritizing profits over safety. From 2018 to 2023, the rail company paid its shareholders nearly $18 billion through stock buybacks and dividends, according to Democratic House committee staff.

In testimony before Congress last March, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan apologized for the East Palestine train derailment and vowed to donate millions of dollars to help the town recover. But he didnt lend any support to the bill imposing tougher safety requirements.

Deluzios bill would impose a number of new safety reforms on the rail industry, including new requirements for wayside defect detectors  sensors placed along the rails that notify train operators of problems like overheated bearings. The crew operating the train in the East Palestine derailment got a warning from these detectors, but not in time to stop the train before three dozen cars flew off the tracks and caught on fire, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.

The bill would also increase fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers, beef up safety procedures for trains that are carrying hazardous materials and create new requirements to prevent blocked railroad crossings.

In his letter to Johnson, Deluzio said the legislation is the direct result of multiple conversations hed had with people in communities hurt by the Ohio train derailment. He again accused railroad companies of using their influence to prevent the bill from moving.

The railroad lobby has been telling members of Congress to do nothing to make rail safer and risk cutting into their profits, wrote the Pennsylvania Democrat. Since introducing this bill over 10 months ago, that is exactly what has happened: nothing.

A Johnson spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Congress has done absolutely nothing to make railroads safer, said Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), who is peeved that the House isn't moving his bipartisan bill to prevent another horrific train derailment like last year's disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.

Congress has done absolutely nothing to make railroads safer, said Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), who is peeved that the House isn't moving his bipartisan bill to prevent another horrific train derailment like last year's disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been touting actions that his department has taken to improve rail safety, like calling on large rail operators like Amtrak to join a confidential whistleblower program to report safety issues and inspecting some 40,000 rail cars, more than 75,000 miles of track and thousands of wayside detectors.

But theres a limit to how much Buttigieg can do without Congress acting, and earlier this week he called out lawmakers for letting the Railway Safety Act languish.

One year later, Congress still has not acted to pass the bipartisan Railway Safety Act, which would be a decisive victory for rail worker safety and the ability to hold railroad corporations accountable, Buttigieg said in a Thursday call with rail labor leaders. Any congressional leader from any party who is serious about rail safety should show it by supporting this legislation.

Its not clear when the Senate plans to take up its version of the bill. A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he didnt have a specific timeline to share. But he emphasized that it is on their radar.

This is a priority to get done, Schumer said in a statement. Of course, we have to also work to pass the supplemental and keep the government funded.

Related...
Oklahoma City Councilmember Mark Stonecipher has been named to the National League of Cities Federal Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee. Stonecipher, who will serve a one-year term on the committee, has represented OKC's Ward 8 since 2023.

Another Oklahoma City councilmember has been appointed to a committee for a nationwide city government organization advocating for transportation policy and innovation throughout the country.

Councilmember Mark Stonecipher, who represents Oklahoma City's Ward 8, is joining the National League of Cities 2024 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee. Stonecipher was appointed for a one-year term and is expected to help shape the National League of Cities' policy agenda for infrastructure funding and transportation safety.

"Located at the center of the nation, Oklahoma City serves as a pivotal hub at the crossroads of I-35 and I-40," Stonecipher said in a statement Thursday. "This makes transportation through Oklahoma City a vital element of our national infrastructure. First and foremost, it is critical that we always strive to improve the quality and safety of our streets and highways. By doing so, we not only improve local connectivity but also contribute to the broader goal of linking the east and west coasts through Oklahoma City."

More: From roads to broadband, here's what a federal infrastructure bill would fund for Oklahoma

The league's advocacy committee teams include local elected officials and city staff from member municipalities across the country. Oklahoma City has been a member of the National League of Cities for more than 50 years. The century-old organization lobbies the federal government on issues of sustainability, infrastructure, climate change, community resilience, funding priorities and more.

The announcement of Stonecipher's role follows news of Ward 1 Councilman Bradley Carter's appointment to the National League of Cities' Energy, Environment and National Resources Advocacy Committee. In March, Stonecipher, Carter and fellow city councilmembers, Nikki Nice and Barbara Peck, plan to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC councilmember added to national committee for transportation